The Citizen Newspaper Group

George Ellzey, Jr. To present Film Screening In March

Filmmaker George Ellzey, Jr. is presenting his work at a film screening titled INTERIOR on March1st at Facets Film Forum, located at 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. INTERIOR will include five completed short films, along with two new works he has in progress.

Chicago Native Appointed New Executive Director of Chicago United for Equity

Jerry L. Hawkins has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Chicago United for Equity (CUE). Hawkins, a Chicago native, previously worked for the Chicago Urban League and Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation, and has been grounded in doing racial equity work throughout his career.

Rising optimism among small and middle market business leaders suggests growth for Illinois

Business optimism is returning for small and midsize business leaders at the start of 2026, fueling confidence and growth plans.

Keeping Hope Alive Through Legacy Planning

Black History Month invites us to remember courage under pressure. It reminds us that our ancestors survived systems designed to exclude them. They built families, churches, businesses, and neighborhoods anyway. Survival was not optional. It was necessary.

From Breadbasket to the Rainbow

Before the presidential campaigns. Before the Rainbow Coalition. Before the global diplomacy and Presidential Medal of Freedom — there was a basement in Chicago, a handful of ministers, and a bold idea: economic power could be organized. Rev. Jesse L. Jackson’s national profile would eventually span continents, but his economic justice framework began in the crucible of the Civil Rights Movement — under the mentorship of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

Exclusive scholarship program for CHA residents now accepting applications

The application period for the 2026-2027 CHA/Springboard to Success (S2S) College Scholarship is open and accepting applications. There are 175 scholarships valued at $2,000 each.

Giannoulias Expands Electronic Lien and Titling to Deliver Faster, More Secure Vehicle Titles

Illinois motorists, lenders and dealers will soon experience faster title processing, fewer delays and stronger fraud protections as the Secretary of State’s office transitions to mandatory participation in its Electronic Lien and Titling (ELT) program statewide, Secretary Alexi Giannoulias announced.

Rep. Kelly introduces two bills to hold gun industry accountable

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced two bicameral bills to investigate marketing practices of the gun industry and to implement consumer safety standards for guns. After years of evading commonsense consumer practices, the gun industry will be held to the same safety and marketing standards as other industries under Rep. Kelly’s Responsible Firearms Marketing Act and Firearm Safety Act.

Leadership Greater Chicago Selects Distinguished Chicago Leaders for The Daniel Burnham Fellowship 2026 Cohort

Leadership Greater Chicago (LGC) announced the eighth cohort of The Daniel Burnham Fellowship. The cohort includes 27 prominent CEOs and senior executives representing a diverse cross-section of corporate, nonprofit, government, philanthropic, cultural and educational organizations. These dedicated civic leaders, who join LGC’s network of more than 1,600 committed change agents, will tackle complex challenges – including affordable housing, education, workforce and economic development, food insecurity, and access to quality healthcare – to create lasting impact across the region.

Assessor Kaegi, Joined by Lawmakers, Clergy, and Community Leaders, Calls for Reducing Barriers to Property Tax Relief for Seniors

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi was joined by state lawmakers, community groups, and clergy at a press conference Wednesday morning calling for better access to property tax relief for low-income seniors.

SOUTH CHICAGO DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS THREE WORLD PREMIERES AT THE HARRIS THEATER IN ONE CELEBRATORY EVENING, MAY 1, 2026

South Chicago Dance Theatre (SCDT) presents its ninth annual home season concert, An Evening with South Chicago Dance Theatre, featuring three electric world premieres by award-winning choreographers Natasha Adorlee, David Dorfman, and SCDT Founder and Director of Vision and Strategy and Resident Choreographer Kia S. Smith. The four-part mixed repertory program concludes with a powerful work by renowned choreographer Donald Byrd. An Evening with South Chicago Dance Theatre takes place for one night only at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 West Randolph, on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Chicago Public Schools Seniors Lead 2026 Posse Scholars List with 95 Full-tuition Scholarships

Nearly 100 graduating seniors from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have been selected to be part of this year’s group of “Posse Scholars,” making up the majority of a prestigious cohort of students receiving full-tuition scholarships to attend Posse Chicago’s partner colleges and universities

Crawford-Backed Measure Aims to Secure Stable Funding for Schools, Supporting Student Success

Schools will receive the full funding necessary to support essential programs under a new measure co-sponsored by state Rep. Michael Crawford, D-Chicago, benefiting students across the state.

Residents and visitors invited to explore America’s roots with Illinois America 250’s keepsake Passport to Illinois

As Illinois communities prepare to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial on July 4, the Illinois America 250 Commission today unveiled the first ever Passport to Illinois, inviting residents and visitors alike to explore the powerful places, people and events in Illinois that have shaped the nation’s history.

Community Garden Seeks Applicants for 2026 Season

As interest in locally grown food and community-based agriculture continues to rise, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is inviting individuals and families to take part in the 2026 IDOA Community Garden, a hands-on opportunity to grow fresh produce, build food security, and connect with agriculture in the heart of the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Faith Leaders Mobilize Just Like Selma Campaign as Voting Rights Return to Center of U.S. Debate

As voting rights and civic participation return to the forefront of America’s national debate, faith leaders, musicians, and civic partners have launched the nationwide Just Like Selma Civic Engagement Campaign. The initiative aims to mobilize congregations and community institutions in all 50 states and more than 100 cities, drawing on the historic role of houses of worship as centers of education, advocacy, and moral leadership.

United Women in Faith Honors 100 Years of Black History Month by Celebrating the Legacy and Leadership of Black Women

As we celebrate 100 years since the inception of Black History Month, and 50 years as a national observance, United Women in Faith honored the foundational role and contributions of the Black women who have gotten us where we are today. They released the following statement, which can be attributed to Sally Vonner, General Secretary and CEO of United Women in Faith:

One Hope United partners with University of Illinois Chicago to build national evidence-based model of its Hope House program

One Hope United (OHU) is partnering with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) to expand its successful Hope House program in Illinois and strengthen the evidence base for national replication. This collaboration will focus on a rigorous, data-driven evaluation of the Hope House model to support future growth and demonstrate its impact on youth in foster care.

Turner: No student should feel ostracized at school

After meeting with a local student who can no longer take her service animal to school due to claims of harassment from other students, State Senator Doris Turner led a resolution to encourage the review of school policies, ensuring they align with laws regarding service animal access.

New Cervantes legislation to expand role of physician assistants

State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes was joined by health care providers, students, patients and the Illinois Academy of Physician Associates for a press conference on a new law that would modernize PA practice laws, improving health care access across the state.

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