Thursday, December 11
Reminder: Taxes are due December 15, 2025. Pay now to avoid late fees. Struggling financially? Our Payment Plan Calculator is a tool you can use
Second-Installment Cook County property taxes are due Dec. 15 for nearly 1.8 million Cook County homes and other properties.
TWO GOVERNMENTS TO FORMALIZE HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP IN ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Sheila Chalmers-Currin-Mayor of Matteson, Il- and Calvin Jordan-Supervisor of Rich Township-are announcing a holiday initiative designed to combat and address negative stigmas related to mental health during the holiday season.
Trump's Policies Negatively Target Women
Chicago Urban League's Karen Freeman-Wilson Tells Us How Women are Faring
Achieving the American Dream for women seems to be getting further out of reach under President Donald Trump's Administration.
Assessor Kaegi, South and West Side Community Leaders Urge Legislature to Pass Property Tax Relief, Condemn Board of Review's Large Breaks for Downtown Commercial Properties
Homeowners also encouraged to apply for missing property tax savings
These tax bill spikes, which have hit the city’s Black and Latino neighborhoods the hardest, are driven by commissioners at the Cook County Board of Review reducing the value of large commercial properties, shifting the property tax burden onto homeowners.
State Farm and The Salvation Army Launch National Donation Drive to Support Families This Holiday Season
State Farm and The Salvation Army are partnering this holiday season through a national corporate digital donation drive, providing State Farm employees, agents, retirees, and their extended network an opportunity to directly support individuals and families in need this Christmas season.
Comcast’s Xfinity Launches National Video Plans; The Best Entertainment Experience for One Simple Price
Xfinity recently announced the launch of new national video plans with all-in pricing, designed to deliver simplicity, transparency, and unbeatable value for customers. Available to new and existing customers, all packages come with an included X1 4K TV box and award-winning voice remote, making it effortless for customers to find and enjoy more of the content they love, wherever it lives. Only Xfinity includes unique features like Multiview, Enhanced 4K, Fan View and StreamStore, to deliver the ultimate viewing experience.
Wednesday, December 10
Celebrate Your Financial New Year: A Q&A With Chicago Community Manager, Jared Evans
As 2025 draws to a close, it’s a great time to reflect on the year and set yourself up for success in 2026. Whether you’re building new habits or refining your financial strategy, Jared Evans, one of five Chase Community Managers in Chicago, shares practical tips to strengthen your financial health journey.
Harry S Truman College Men’s Soccer Program, the Falcons, Extend Region 4 Dominance, Coach and Players Earn Top Honors
Harry S Truman College proudly announces another historic year for its Men’s Soccer program, the Falcons, solidifying its position as one of the most successful community-college soccer teams in the nation. The Falcons have won the NJCAA Region 4 Championship for the third consecutive year—2023, 2024, and 2025—an achievement rarely matched in two-year collegiate athletics.
Stay Merry and Safe: Fire Safety Comes First This Holiday Season
Springfield, Ill- As holiday celebrations get underway, the OSFM, Camp I Am Me by the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board and the Springfield Fire Department urge residents to keep fire safety at the top of their holiday checklist
Underdog to Advocate: Raja Krishnamoorthi Has a Plan to Help Illinois Families Struggling to Make It
A product of food stamps and public housing, Raja will lower costs and increase opportunity so that all families can achieve their American Dream
SCHAUMBURG, IL — As we head into the holiday season and approach the heart of winter, families across Illinois are feeling the strain of rising grocery prices, higher utility bills, and the seasonal pressure to stretch already tight budgets. For U.S. Senate candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi, those challenges aren’t abstract; they echo his own childhood — which is why he has a plan to support struggling Illinoisans.
EDUCATIONAL LEADERS THROUGHOUT THE NATION TO VISIT CHICAGO AREA STEM CAMPUS REGARDED AS ONE OF THE BEST CENTERS IN THE UNITED STATES
Dr. Johnnie Thomas- General Superintendent of the Rich Township High School District 227- will be joined by area elected officials and community leaders in welcoming educational leaders throughout the United States in a Chicago area tour of the nationally renowned RTHS Stem Center of Olympia Fields, Illinois.
‘The Support Group’ Looks For Community Support
For 36 years The Support Group has been creating opportunities for children and young people, ages 12 years old to 24 years old, through educational programs, team building activities, character building and athletic conditioning
The State Of The Southland: Rich Township
Rich Township was incorporated in 1850 and includes 10 municipalities: Country Club Hills, Flossmoor, Hazel Crest, Homewood, Matteson, Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Richton Park, Tinley Park and University Park. According to the U.S census, the Township’s population is more than 76,000. According to the Rich Township website, the Township is 74.1 % African American, 16.17% white, 1.1% Asian, 2.9% other and 4.9% multiracial.
Near North Health Opens The Family Care Center At Oakwood Shores
A federally qualified health center (FQHC) has decided to streamline its network of health centers in order to provide better health care service by consolidating its operation to three locations. Near North Health recently opened the Family Care Center at Oakwood Shores, located at 3753 S. Cottage Grove.
Schoolteachers Receive Support From Mazda Through DonorsChoose
Two local Elementary school teachers recently received the gift of having their wish lists fully funded, thanks to DonorsChoose and Mazda. Amani Ghusein and Sarah Klima, who teach at Dawes Elementary School had their entire wish lists funded on Giving Tuesday. Both teachers agreed that DonorsChoose is essential to their classrooms being able to have much needed items.
Actress With Local Ties Perform in Drama Series For Second Season
NBC’s Brilliant Minds is well into its second season. The drama about Dr. Oliver Wolf and his unconventional methods of treating his patients first premiered on the network in September of 2024. Tamberla Perry portrays Dr. Carol Pierce, which is loosely based by Dr. Carol E. Burnett. In real life, Burnett was a colleague of Dr. Oliver Sacks, who Zachary Quinto’s character Dr. Wolf is inspired by.
Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter and Illinois Department of Public Health Launch New Initiative to Promote Brain Health and Reduce Cognitive Decline
The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter, in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Public Health, launched the Illinois Brain Health Project, a groundbreaking public health initiative designed to educate Illinoisans about the importance of brain health. This comprehensive campaign focuses on reducing cognitive decline by addressing modifiable risk factors and promoting healthy lifestyle practices, with a particular emphasis on reaching diverse, underserved, and higher-risk communities.
Be the Best That We Can Be
As we move toward the celebration of Christmas and prepare to close the book on 2025 to welcome the new year of 2026, many of us naturally grow more reflective. These two seasons carry lessons that meet us right where we are: Christmas calls us to honor God’s gift of life, and the New Year urges us to care for that gift with greater intention. It is the perfect moment to pause and consider how well we are tending to our physical bodies—because although we are living longer, too many of us in the Black community are still not living healthier.
Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology & Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security Highlight Ways Residents Can Stay Cyber Safe This Holiday Season
As Illinois residents gear up for holiday shopping, travel, and online celebrations, the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) and Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) are reminding everyone to stay alert to cyber scams that often lurk at the end of the year. With more purchases, donations, and digital communication taking place online, cyber criminals take advantage of the season’s increased activity and distractions.
HIRE360, CONSTELLATION, AND VEHICLES FOR CHANGE AWARD THREE VEHICLES TO LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GRADUATES
Three aspiring trades professionals received life-changing support today as Vehicles for Change, with support from Constellation, awarded vehicles to candidates identified through HIRE360, Chicago Women in Trades, and Richland Community College's, pre-apprenticeship and workforce development programs across Illinois. The event, held at Liberty Auto in Libertyville, marked the first time Vehicles for Change—a Maryland-based organization renowned for empowering economically challenged families through car ownership and technical training—expanded its work into Illinois.
FIRE COMMISSIONER NANCE-HOLT GRADUATES 70 NEW FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRE PARAMEDICS
Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Fire Department (CFD) Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt celebrated the graduation of 55 Firefighter EMTs and 15 Fire Paramedics from the Fire Academy in a ceremony held at Navy Pier.
Cunningham backs plan to deliver property tax relief for seniors
State Senator Bill Cunningham backed a property tax relief package that increases property tax exemption thresholds for senior citizens in Illinois.
Cook County Becomes First Government Body in Nation to Make Guaranteed Income Permanent
With the passage of its 2026 budget, Cook County will become the first government body in the nation with a permanent guaranteed income program. This $7.5 million investment will make the Cook County program the largest permanent program in the country at a time when families are facing an affordability crisis and devastating cuts from the federal government. ESIL is a proud partner with Cook County on this program and ESIL Director Sarah Saheb is a leader on the program’s advisory committee.
Village of Dolton Officially Designates the Childhood Home of Pope Leo XIV as a Historical Landmark
On Tuesday, Dec. 2nd, in a historic and unprecedented action, the Village of Dolton has formally designated the childhood home of Pope Leo XIV (born Robert Francis Prevost) as an official Historical Landmark and Site of Special Historical Significance. The decision, enacted through ordinance by Mayor Jason House and the Board of Trustees, recognizes the property at 212 East 141st Place as one of the most culturally and spiritually significant locations in the United States.
Chicago Board of Education Launches Black Student Achievement Committee Application
The Board of Education for the City of Chicago (Board) Black Student Achievement Committee (BSAC) is currently accepting membership applications. The BSAC will appoint 14 members to each serve a 1-year term. Applicants must reside within the city of Chicago and, if selected, complete the CPS New Volunteer Application.
Catalytic Far South Side development Morgan Park Commons approved by Chicago Plan Commission
The nonprofit Far South Community Development Corporation (Far South CDC) — an organization that provides strategic community-building services to residents and businesses across the Chicago region and statewide — is proud to announce its Morgan Park Commons mixed-use development project has been approved by the Chicago Plan Commission. A construction groundbreaking is planned for Spring 2026.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON CUTS RIBBON AT XCHANGE TECH WORKFORCE AND INNOVATION HUB IN GRAND CROSSING
Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Ald. Desmond Yancy (5th), Department of Planning and Development Commissioner Ciere Boatright, leaders from P33, Xchange, SDI Presence, the Comer Science and Education Foundation, as well as Xchange apprentices and local residents for a ceremonial ribbon cutting at Xchange Chicago, a new state-of-the-art IT services and innovation center which is bringing new jobs and workforce training opportunities to Grand Crossing and the surrounding communities. The project, which received developmental support from DPD, is projected to create up to 8,000 new jobs while generating $160 million in City-wide annual economic impact.
JOHNSON ADMINISTRATION REACHES $18 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH DOORDASH OVER DECEPTIVE BUSINESS PRACTICES
The City of Chicago announced on Friday, Nov. 14, an $18 million settlement with DoorDash, resolving the City’s lawsuit asserting claims that the company engaged in deceptive and unfair business practices at the expense of restaurants, consumers, and delivery drivers.
Valparaiso University and City Colleges of Chicago Announce a Guaranteed Admissions Agreement for Students Pursuing a Higher Degree in Civil, Environmental, Electrical, Mechanical and Biological Engin
Valparaiso University and City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) have entered into a guaranteed admission to support engineering students seeking a way to pursue a four-year degree.
CHANCE THE RAPPER NAMED HOST OF CHICAGO’S NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE BROADCAST
ABC7, Dick Clark Productions (DCP), Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and Choose Chicago announced that Grammy Award-winning artist Chance the Rapper will serve as the host during Chicago’s historic debut as a featured Central Time zone location for “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026.”
ANNOUNCING THE 2026 YOUNGARTS AWARD WINNERS
YoungArts announces the 2026 YoungArts award winners, 734 of the nation's most accomplished young visual, literary, and performing artists representing 39 states and the District of Columbia. Bestowed annually since 1981, the YoungArts Award is the only award in the nation that recognizes exceptional young talent across disciplines and affirms their pursuit of a professional life in the arts. Recipients become part of a lifelong community of peers and mentors, with access to critical resources that help sustain their creative practices throughout their careers. A complete list of the 2026 winners is available online at youngarts.org/winners.
Valparaiso University and City Colleges of Chicago Announce a Guaranteed Admissions Agreement for Students Pursuing a Higher Degree in Civil, Environmental, Electrical, Mechanical and Biological Engin
Valparaiso University and City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) have entered into a guaranteed admission to support engineering students seeking a way to pursue a four-year degree.
The Waffle Lounge Opens in Chatham
The Waffle Lounge, a Black-female owned, family-friendly, community-rooted brunch restaurant, located at 7433 S. State Street, recently hosted its official grand opening.
Monday, December 8
THE WHISPERS AND DENIECE WILLIAMS ARE COMING TO HARD ROCK LIVE
Valentine’s Soul Jam Featuring The Whispers and Deniece Williams is coming to Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana’s Hard Rock Live venue on Sunday, February 14. Doors open at 6 p.m. General on sale begins this Friday, December 12, at 10 a.m. Central Time.
OPERATION COVER CHICAGO ONCE AGAIN STIFLED BY NATION'S ECONOMY, PRIOR PROBLEMS IN SNAP DELAYS, RISING INFLATION AND MASSIVE RISE IN UNEMPLOYMENT
"PARENTS SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO OFFER THEIR CHILDREN A PRODUCTIVE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY"
Clerk Monica Gordon Announces Lottery Drawing For Cook County’s First Marriage License of 2026
Clerk Monica Gordon is inviting couples interested in tying the knot in 2026 to apply to receive the first marriage license of the New Year and to exchange vows in the Cook County Clerk’s Office annual First Marriage Ceremony.
Friday, December 5
Assessor’s Office Hosts Events to Help South and West Side Homeowners Receive Property Tax Savings
The Cook County Assessor’s Office will host three events next week for South and West Side homeowners to check for possible property tax savings.
YOUTH ASSEMBLE 300+ CARE PACKAGES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
Students in The Salvation Army Freedom Center's after-school program assembled more than 300 care packages for homeless individuals on December 3, demonstrating that compassion and community service know no age limit.
2024 Cook County Tax Rates Released
Second-Installment Bills due December 15, 2025
The Clerk’s Office has completed the calculation of 2024 property tax rates for nearly 1,000 taxing agencies in Cook County and released its annual tax rate report Friday.
Thursday, December 4
CHRISTMAS IN THE WARDS KICKS OFF IT’S 29TH YEAR WITH MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON & ELECTED OFFICIALS
Christmas in the Wards (CITW) proudly kicks off its 29th year with Mayor Brandon Johnson, leading elected officials from across Chicago, and an extraordinary coalition of corporate sponsors for its annual “Shopping with the Electeds’” event. This special pre-event to CITW’s Christmas Spectacular brings together community leaders—including Alderpersons Michelle Harris, Anthony A. Beale, Peter Chico, Nicole Lee, Stephanie Coleman, Matt O’Shea, Jason C. Ervin, and Mayor Mark Hodge of Hopkins Park—along with Title Sponsors MPEA, Grosvenor, MT Transit, Walmart, Amazon, and Uber Eats, and a host of Presenting, Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Sponsors. Together, they will personally shop with selected families from neighborhoods across Chicago, helping fulfill essential needs, holiday wish lists, and gifts of hope during this season of giving.
Wednesday, December 3
PRAYING FOR HOPE
The leadership lessons Jesse Jackson has given us are not poetic—they are practical, hard-won and urgently needed now
News of the Reverend Jesse Jackson’s health struggles has stirred many. It has me praying. And it has me remembering the hard lessons he taught, shaped in the trenches of our people’s ongoing fight for freedom.
COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER DR. KISHA McCASKILL GARNERS SUPER MAJORITY OF MAYORAL ENDORSEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE 5TH DISTRICT
Cook County Commissioner of the 5th District- has garnered a super majority of mayoral endorsements in the race to maintain her seat on the Cook County Board of Commissioners. In addition to the powerful endorsements of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Thornton Township Committeeman and Illinois State Senator Napoleon Harris, and Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel Chris Welch, Commissioner McCaskill is grateful to all the municipal leaders who have now endorsed her candidacy.
NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE CALLS ON LEADERS TO REJECT TRUMP'S DIVISIVE RHETORIC AND STAND AGAINST BIGOTRY
National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to President Trump's comments about Somali Americans:
COMEDIAN CHRIS TUCKER IS COMING TO HARD ROCK LIVE ON MARCH 28
Gary, IN (December 2, 2025) Comedian Chris Tucker is coming to Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana’s Hard Rock Live venue on Saturday, March 28. Doors open at 7 p.m. General on sale begins this Friday, December 5, at 10 a.m. Central Time.
Qatar Airways and Swizz Beatz Launch ‘The Qatar Airways Creative 100’
In a global first, Qatar Airways has announced a ground-breaking cultural partnership with Grammy Award-winning artist, entrepreneur, and international creative force, Swizz Beatz. The collaboration was unveiled at an event at Art Basel Paris 2025, where Qatar Airways, the World’s Best Airline as voted by Skytrax in 2025, also serves as a Premium Partner across all five of Art Basel’s world leading fairs.
Rolling Out Celebrates 25 Years of Culture, Creativity & Community
Rolling Out, America’s leading Black-owned multimedia platform, proudly marks its 25th anniversary by expanding into music with the official launch of Rolling Out Music. This new subsidiary is a forward-thinking record label and creative hub built to amplify the voices of independent artists, curate cultural moments, and deliver authentic Black music experiences that transcend generations and genres.
URBAN OUTFITTERS IS SHOWING UP EVERYWHERE YOU ARE, MAKING THE HOLIDAYS EASIER, MORE FUN, AND FULL OF MAXED-OUT JOY FROM CHICAGO O'HARE TO NYC
Urban Outfitters continues its "Everything, Everywhere, All You Want" holiday campaign with a debut of Club Holiday pop-up experiences, showing up inside Chicago O'Hare International Airport and in New York City. Each activation transforms high-traffic spaces into vibrant moments designed to help customers pause, play, and tap into the spirit of the season.
Pharrell Williams' Black Ambition Prize Competition Announced 2025 Winners at 5th Annual Demo Day
The Black Ambition 5th Annual Demo Day & Fundable Founders Forum was held at The Sacred Space Miami on Friday, Nov. 14th, and Saturday, Nov, 15. Under the banner of "Celebrating Innovation, Impact, and Ambition," these events brought together a powerful ecosystem of investment, ambition, and community. These landmark events were designed to be a launching pad for underrepresented founders rewriting the future of business, culture, and purpose.
Get Covered Illinois Scales Up Support as Open Enrollment for 2026 Health Insurance Begins
Get Covered Illinois kicked off 2026 open enrollment and launched its “Here to Help” campaign across the state. Open enrollment, which began on November 1 and runs through January 15, is the annual opportunity for Illinoisans to enroll in, renew, or change their health insurance plans. Nearly 466,000 Illinoisans purchased health coverage through Get Covered Illinois during open enrollment last year, a 17% increase from the previous year.
Assessor's Office Releases New Housing Market Tracker
The Cook County Assessor’s Office published its new Housing Market Tracker, a first-of-its-kind, interactive map that shows real estate trends and individual sales in Chicago community areas and Cook County municipalities.
Haitian American Museum of Chicago to host its 13th Annual Gala on December 6 at Ukrainian National Museum
Museum Founder Elsie Hector Hernandez encourages the local public to attend the gala to acknowledge the preservation of history in a time where she says “Haiti’s history is held hostage by violence and political unrest.”
Chicago Public Schools Reaffirms Commitment to Advanced Placement Access and Equity
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) recognized continued growth and success in its nationally-recognized Advanced Placement (AP) program, highlighting rising enrollment, stronger outcomes for Black and Latinx students, and tens of millions of dollars in tuition savings for CPS families.
Illinois Housing Development Authority and Corporation for Supportive Housing Accepting Applications to Advance New Supportive Housing Leaders
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) announced that development teams across the state may now apply for the 2026 Supportive Housing Institute (the Institute), an accelerated training and technical assistance program that helps equip teams with the expertise needed to successfully develop and finance affordable housing with support services. Supportive housing pairs affordable homes with on-site or community-based services that help people facing complex challenges live with autonomy and dignity.
The City-backed project brings 70 new affordable homes to Pullman, expanding housing opportunities for seniors.
Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Alderwoman Michelle Harris (8th), Department of Housing (DOH) Commissioner Lissette Castañeda, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, members of the Trinity United Church of Christ community, neighborhood leaders, and Pullman residents for the ribbon cutting ceremony at the newly completed Imani Village Senior Residence. The City-backed project adds 70 new affordable homes to the Pullman area while providing independent living opportunities tailored to the needs of seniors. The project is part of the larger Imani Village project under development in the surrounding area.
Support for People Living With Dementia and Their Caregivers
As the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia continues to climb, advocates warn that public policy has not kept up with the increasingly urgent needs of families. Leaders from the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) stress that lawmakers must take decisive action now to strengthen protections, expand services, and provide meaningful financial support to millions of caregivers nationwide.
MAYOR JOHNSON, PARK DISTRICT CEO RAMIREZ-ROSA AND ALDERMAN MOORE ANNOUNCE NEW FIELDHOUSE FOR OGDEN PARK AS PARK BOARD APPROVES DESIGN CONTRACT
Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Park District CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and Alderman David Moore (17th) joined members of the West Englewood community to announce the first step toward constructing a new fieldhouse in historic Ogden Park at 6500 S. Racine. The announcement follows the Chicago Park District Board vote to approve of the design contract for the new fieldhouse, marking a new chapter for the historic park and surrounding community. The $25 million project will be partially funded by $12 million in City TIF dollars in addition to Park District and state funds.
Friend Health Deepens Back of the Yards Commitment With Expanded Clinic
Friend Health, a community-anchored federally qualified health center (FQHC) serving Chicago’s South Side, celebrated the opening of its new Back of the Yards community health center on Saturday, November 22, in a ceremony with community residents and Chicago dignitaries. The opening represents the largest expansion in Friend Health’s nearly three decades of service, the latest proof of its rapid growth and momentum in bringing whole-person, affordable care to Chicago’s South Side.
Rep. Kelly announces WELLS Act, a new maternal health bill, in honor of Mercedes Wells
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) announced plans to introduce new maternal health legislation with Mercedes Wells, a constituent who was forced to give birth in her truck after being discharged from a hospital. The WELLS Act, named in honor of Mercedes, will urge hospitals and birthing centers to develop and implement a safe discharge plan.
Achievement supported by unprecedented investments in higher education under the Pritzker Administration
Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) announced that public universities in Illinois achieved the highest enrollment level in 10 years, with nearly 190,000 students enrolled during the fall semester of the 2025-26 academic year. Total enrollment at Illinois public universities increased for the second consecutive year and is the highest in 10 years according to IBHE’s annual First Look Fall Enrollment report.
Chef Curtis Duffy’s Ever Retains Two Michelin Stars in the 2025 Michelin Guide
Ever, the celebrated restaurant led by Chef Curtis Duffy, is honored to share that it has been awarded Two Michelin Stars in the 2025 Michelin Guide, as well as Michelin’s Service Award recognizing the restaurant’s exceptional front-of-house hospitality.
CHICAGO COMMUNITY BUILDERS COLLECTIVE AND PARTNERS PROVIDE 300 MEALS FOR SNAP RECIPIENTS IN NORTH LAWNDALE
Chicago Community Builders Collective (CCBC), the general contractor for the Bally’s Chicago Casino project, in partnership with UCAN Chicago, Bally’s Chicago, McHugh Concrete Construction, UJAMAA Construction, and Brown and Momen, hosted two-free meal giveaways, providing meals to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients impacted by the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. Select photos are linked below.
Do312 Announces Do312 MORE Holiday Promotion, Offering a Year of Chicago Events for $50
Do312, Chicago’s premier source for the best things to do in and around the city, today announced the launch of its Do312 MORE Holiday Promotion, offering Chicagoans a new affordable, experience-driven gifting option through Dec. 17. For $50, gift-givers can provide a full year of personalized monthly event tickets, including concerts, comedy, festivals and local cultural events, without the traditional holiday stress of shipping, sizing or second-guessing.
Modern DMV, Made Easy: Giannoulias Unveils Brand-New, State-of-the-Art Naperville One-Stop-Shop DMV
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias unveiled the new, state-of-the-art DMV in Naperville, offering faster, streamlined services and efficiencies.
South Suburban College to Celebrate Radiologic Technology Graduates, Including Students Displaced by Abrupt College Closure
South Suburban College (SSC) is proud to announce a special pinning ceremony honoring the accomplishments of the 2024–2025 Radiologic Technology cohort, including students who continued their education at SSC after being displaced by the sudden closure of Northwestern College. The ceremony will take place on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Kindig Performing Arts Center on SSC’s Main Campus.
A Winning Hand
This year, as I sat to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast with friends-laughter floating across the table, stories being passed like side dishes-my spirit felt unusually quickened. I experienced the familiar gratitude that Thanksgiving always brings, something quieter, yet more urgent: an awareness that the challenges and blessings of this year felt both intimately familiar and achingly fleeting. Time has its own rhythm, but this year it seemed to move with a swifter current. Perhaps you, too, have sensed that change since last January. At the same time there came a moment of feeling helpless to these things that have so rapidly changed, affecting so many facets of our lives. I took a deep breath and allowed myself to feel the weight and wonder of these past months.
Chicago Urban League Opens Empowerment Center In West Chatham
The Chicago Urban League recently celebrated the opening of its Empowerment Center, located at 8331 S. Stewart. The hope is that with the opening of the center, community members and Black people across the city will have access to equitable opportunities, from good paying jobs to quality education, owning homes and building generational wealth.
Education Couture Promotes Literacy And Learning
A local program, founded by a speech-language therapist, is making literacy more accessible and culturally relevant. Ruckiya Ross first came up with the idea for Education Couture in 2014 while working in the Chicago Public Schools. In her work in communities on the South side, she noticed literacy gaps and also noticed that learning didn’t excite the children as much as pop culture, music and fashion. She wanted to make children as passionate about reading as they were about other things that grabbed their attention. She left CPS, Ross returned as a volunteer to test an idea that blended therapeutic practices with hip-hop rhythm and neuroscience-based strategies to spark engagement and build vocabulary. Those early experiments became the foundation for Education Couture. Querida Flores and Ruckiya Ross, of Education Couture, took the time to answer questions that were submitted to them by the Citizen Newspaper.
The State of the Southland: Village of Lynwood
Jada Curry has been the Mayor of the Village of Lynwood since 2021. Well into her second term, Curry is looking towards the future of the Village of Lynwood and celebrating the ways the Village has progressed since her first term.
Timeless Gifts To Host 16th Annual Christmas Duets Concert And Fundraising Gala
Joan Collaso founded Timeless Gifts Performing Arts Program for Youth and Young Adults with a concert that would pair aspiring performers with seasoned world class musicians for a Christmas Concert. After the success of the concert, Collaso decided the concert was something she wanted to do every year. But, she wanted to turn it into a program where young people would participate in a six-week summer program and have a concert after the six weeks, along with the Christmas concert.
Wealth Our Way Initiative Chooses Grantees
A program that provides direct capital to workers cooperatives, people owning businesses and storefronts; and Community Investment Vehicles (CIVs) has chosen six shared ownership businesses across the city of Chicago to receive a share of more than $2 million.