Marian Anderson Museum & Historical Society Reopens to the Public
With five years of renovation, construction and clean-up from a devastating 2020 flood now behind it, the Marian Anderson Museum & Historical Society triumphantly reopened March 1.
Cook County Assessor's Federal Appraisal Data Plan Receives
The Board of Directors of the National Association of Counties (NACo) called for the release of property characteristics data from the federal government, a crucial step to improving assessment accuracy and fairness across the country.
Rep. Kelly Gathers Elected Officials, Healthcare Advocates Against Republican Medicaid Cuts
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) condemned House Republicans’ $880 billion budget cut to Medicaid alongside U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), healthcare providers and community members at Roseland Community Hospital (RCH).
ROSELAND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL HOSTS MARDI GRAS CASINO NIGHT FUNDRAISER TO CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUPPORT FUTURE INITIATIVES
Roseland Community Hospital, on the Far South Side of Chicago at 45 W. 111th Street, is celebrating over 100 years of healthcare by hosting its Mardi Gras Casino Night Fundraiser on Saturday, April 5 at the Hilton Oak Lawn (9333 S Cicero Ave). Attendees will show their support while enjoying cocktails, a live raffle, a special presentation by CEO Tim Egan, and more. Tickets start at $250 for individual contributors. Guests are invited to join in for an evening of fellowship and celebrate the hospital's efforts in providing essential resources to an underserved community.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON ANNOUNCES IVAN CAPIFALI TO SERVE AS COMMISSIONER FOR THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AFFAIRS & CONSUMER PROTECTION
Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the Chicago City Council approval of Ivan Capifali to serve as the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP). Capifali, who served as BACP First Deputy Commissioner since 2022, and BACP Acting Commissioner since July 2024, will be charged with leading BACP’s primary efforts to ensure a fair and vibrant marketplace for businesses, workers and consumers.
ComEd STEM Labs Encourage 50 High School Students to Consider Careers in STEM this Women’s History Month
As part of its Women’s History Month celebration and to help encourage high school students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, ComEd hosted its STEM Labs event on Saturday, March 22, in Chicago, where 50 local high school students joined more than 25 ComEd professionals for a day of mentoring and networking.
HABILITATIVE SYSTEMS, INC. HOSTS RIBBON CUTTING FOR RENOVATED HEADQUARTERS
The Larry T. Byrd Administrative Building at 415 S. Kilpatrick Avenue has served as the headquarters of Habilitative Systems, Inc. (HSI), one of Chicago’s largest behavioral health and human services agencies, since its founding in 1978.
DCFS AWARDS MASSIVE FOSTER CARE ADOPTION CONTRACT TO LET IT BE US
Let It Be Us, the largest nonprofit 501(c) 3 in Illinois providing collaborative, innovative solutions for effective recruitment and placement of children in Illinois foster and adoptive care, has been awarded a $750,000 three- year contract by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Illinois ranks one of the lowest in adoption placement rates in the US for children awaiting adoption. This contract will significantly improve these children’s trajectories for finding forever families. Founded by Dr. Susan McConnell, Executive Director, herself an adoptive parent, this milestone solidifies Let It Be Us as the go-to resource for linking waiting children with loving, permanent families across the state.
Just Do It!
I am not a betting woman, but I bet that those of you reading this column now—and have read it before—DO NOT have an estate plan. I am so confident in this that I’d be willing to put up a wager for everyone who presents their estate plan to me.
Chicago Public Schools Announces New Partnership to Offer Virtual Mental Health Care Services to 110,000 Students Throughout the District
Students across Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will soon have access to virtual healthcare services as part of efforts to address mental health needs among youth. Starting in mid-March, approximately 110,000 high school students throughout the District will began to have access to high-quality, clinically-validated mental health services through Hazel Health - the nation’s largest school-centered provider of telehealth services – supported through an investment from UnitedHealthcare. Starting in mid-March, students will be able to access services at home, and will be able to access at school appointments as schools join the program.
Chicago Department of Public Health Partnering with Department of Family and Support Services Senior Centers to Offer COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is reminding individuals 65 and older to stay current on their COVID-19 vaccinations, which means receiving a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine six months after their initial dose. The 2024-2025 vaccine was released this past September, so seniors who received their first dose around that time would now be eligible for their second dose.
Chicago Department of Public Health Advises All Chicagoans to Ensure They Are Protected Against Measles as Cases Rise Across the United States
As of March 14, a total of 301 measles cases were reported in 2025 across 15 jurisdictions in the United States, including two deaths, the first U.S. measles deaths in over a decade. To date, no case of measles has been identified in Chicago or Illinois in 2025.
THE ONE OF A KIND SPRING SHOW + SALE® RETURNS TO THE MART APRIL 25-27 SHOWCASING OVER 350 OF THE NATION’S TOP ARTISTS, MAKERS & DESIGNERS
The One of a Kind Spring Show + Sale® will return in full bloom to the 7th floor of THE MART this April, featuring over 350 of the nation’s most talented creators together under one roof. Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27, thousands of art-loving shoppers will flock to the historic venue for an action-packed weekend filled with an impressive selection of original, handcrafted work, live music by talented local musicians, hands-on art workshops, interactive experiences including a fresh floral market and more. The show offers the perfect opportunity for those looking to refresh their Spring style, discover unique gifts for any occasion, tap into their creativity and connect with the nation’s top makers in their craft or simply enjoy a beautiful Spring weekend in the heart of the city. Tickets, exclusive show totes and ticket bundles are now on sale via the show website.
Taste of Iceland Festival Kicks Off U.S. Tour in Chicago, April 3-5
Taste of Iceland 2025, organized by Inspired by Iceland, returns to Chicago, III., Thursday-Saturday, April 3-5. The cultural festival celebrates the land of fire and ice with events across the city showcasing the best of Icelandic culture, including food, music, nature, literature, art and design, wellness, and more.
Op Ed: Black Press and Black Church Unity Targeting TARGET
For over 198 years the Black Press and the Black Church have joined together for causes of freedom, justice, equality, equity, and empowerment. Today more than ever before there is renewed urgency for the Black Church and the Black Press to publicly amplify our mutual interests to protect and maintain the hard-fought gains and progress that has been accomplished by African Americans in the last two centuries.
South Chicago Dance Theatre Preparing For Its 8th Season
Kia S. Smith founded the South Chicago Dance Theatre in 2017, because she was really proud of her upbringing on the South side. She always wanted to be a dancer and have a dance company. She went to college and afterwards pursued a career in dance.
Chicago Urban League Honors Public Servants and Renames Building for James W. Compton
The Chicago Urban League hosted its 3rd Annual Reception Honoring Public Servants on Monday, March 24, 2025, at its headquarters, bringing together civic leaders, community members, and public officials to celebrate distinguished individuals who have dedicated their careers to advancing equity, opportunity, and social justice.
The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter Hosts the Third Annual African American Conference
The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter is proud to announce the Third Annual African American Conference, Release the Silence: Navigating the Caregiving Journey. This free, community-centered event will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM (Doors open at 8:30 AM) at Greenwood Oasis, 7621 S Greenwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60619.
Premium Candy Maker Gets Boost From The Illinois Made Program
Jana Farmer began Ms. Jana’s Candy when she was 67 years old, making the peanut brittle she made for her mother. After her mother passed, she would make the peanut brittle and think of her mother. She got so good at it that she began sending it to family members.
