Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation to Address Food Deserts Across Illinois
Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 850, which establishes the Illinois Grocery Initiative – a multi-pronged policy designed to address food deserts across the state. It will support existing grocers and encourage new grocery stores to open through incentive opportunities. The legislation also allows grocery stores receiving grants as part of the program to be designated as High Impact Businesses, providing them the opportunity to receive tax credits and other incentives.
Gov. Pritzker Celebrates Start of New School Year at UIUC and Shares Historic Investments in Education and Equity
On Monday, Aug. 21., Governor JB Pritzker visited the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) to welcome students back for a new school year. He was joined by state officials, Chancellor Robert Jones, students, and faculty to celebrate the back-to-school season and wish students, teachers, and families across Illinois a successful year ahead.
Chicago Department of Public Health Marks International Overdose Awareness Day with Education and Events
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is supporting a series of impactful events and partnerships to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day this Thursday, August 31st. These events are designed to raise awareness about the opioid crisis while providing essential resources to the community.
Sheriff Dart Warns Public of Phone Scam
Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart is warning the public of telephone scams where callers identify as a Sheriff’s Office employee in an attempt to defraud victims.
Kidney-Healthy Kids a Major Focus for the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois
The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) tirelessly serves to assist and educate families with children and teenagers who are facing kidney disease. Chronic Kidney Disease is uncommon in children, but statistics show that more than 9,800 children and adolescents in the United States have kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and rely on life-saving dialysis or a kidney transplant. NKFI has two major programs that offer families help, its annual Kidney Camp and its Living with Kidney Disease and Transplantation event for families coming up on Sunday, September 10 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Museum of Science and Industry.
WESTSIDE MINISTERS TO KICK-OFF 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF MLK SPEECH AT THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON WITH HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GREAT LAKES CREDIT UNION (GLCU)
Members of the West side faith leaders, “Leaders Network” vow to fulfill the dream of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by doing the nation’s most meaningful commemoration on the 60th anniversary of King’s I Have A Dream Speech – Enabling Economic and Financial Empowerment by establishing a community credit union in the west side Austin community. The location will be just a couple of miles from where King and his family lived when he brought his civil rights movement north to Chicago in 1966.
Outdoor gardening program helps children with Autism and Down Syndrome
A nonprofit on the West side is providing a space for children with Autism and Down Syndrome to be able to play and participate in activities. Limes Smiles for Miles is a daycare center with an outdoor gardening program for children, ages 3 to 5 years old, with Autism and Down Syndrome.
Chicago Public Schools Celebrates Safe Passage Program
Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez joined students, educators, staff, and community members to celebrate the nearly 1,200 Safe Passage workers that support Chicago’s youth. The Safe Passage Program aims to improve student safety during daily walks to and from school and increase engagement through partnerships with community-based organizations. This year, 188 schools will be connected to Safe Passage routes.
State Treasurer Frerichs Announces Winners of 2023 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced the winners of the 2023 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest, which provides an opportunity for young photographers to share their vision of agriculture in our state. Students who won first, second or third place in each age category will be awarded Bright Start scholarships.
Progress continues in critical upgrade of Chicago’s natural gas delivery system
The Peoples Gas program to modernize Chicago’s antiquated natural gas delivery system continued its steady progress in the second quarter of 2023. Data from the quarter has been reported to the Illinois Commerce Commission as part of the commission’s extensive oversight of the Safety Modernization Program.
34th Annual African Festival of the Arts Featured Artiust brings acclaimed "Urban Warriors" series to Chicago
There is something special about Stuart McClean's "Urban Warrior" series that moved him to admit, "It's amazing!" With child-like zeal, McClean, the featured artist for the 34th Annual African Festival of the Arts held Labor Day Weekend in Washington Park, sprang from his chair during our ZOOM conversation to point out the exquisite detail he gave to the sneakers worn by a Breakdancer depicted in the large-scale painting that loomed behind him as a background image.
HARVEY CITY COUNCIL APPROVES NEW INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES
Chief Cameron Biddings of the Harvey Police Department (HPD) presented a significant proposal for the enhancement of public safety services during the City Council meeting held on Monday, August 14, 2023. The proposal, which received unanimous approval from the City Council, outlines a comprehensive Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Harvey PD and the Illinois State Police (ISP).
ATTORNEY GENERAL KWAME RAOUL URGES COURT TO STRENGTHEN HYUNDAI, KIA PRIVATE CONSUMER CLASS-ACTION SETTLEMENT
Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with seven attorneys general, is urging a federal court to strengthen a private, consumer class-action settlement with Hyundai and Kia by requiring the companies to recall or buy back the theft-prone vehicles and equip them with engine-immobilizer technology.
Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation Creating a Grant Program for Students Majoring in Technology Fields
Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 1378, which will create the Illinois Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Act to establish a new program that allows students majoring in technology fields to receive tuition grants. The iGROW program will be administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and will be open to students enrolled in associate or bachelor’s degree programs at public or private colleges and universities. Students in IT fields can receive a grant amount up to the total cost of attendance.
WESTSIDE MINISTERS TO KICK-OFF 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF MLK SPEECH AT THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON WITH HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GREAT LAKES CREDIT UNION (GLCU)
Members of the West side faith leaders, “Leaders Network” vow to fulfill the dream of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by doing the nation’s most meaningful commemoration on the 60th anniversary of King’s I Have A Dream Speech – Enabling Economic and Financial Empowerment by establishing a community credit union in the west side Austin community. The location will be just a couple of miles from where King and his family lived when he brought his civil rights movement north to Chicago in 1966.
Gift Through Philanthropist Steve Ballmer's Foundation Helps Communities In Schools of Chicago Expand Critical Supports Program to Students at Eight Chicago Public Schools
Hundreds of students at eight Chicago public schools will benefit from a major donation from philanthropist and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. His Ballmer Group has made a $165 million donation to the nonprofit Communities In Schools National, which will help grow a critical program of the local CIS affiliate. CIS of Chicago will receive more than $1 million over a three-year period as its share of the total Ballmer Group gift. That funding will enable CIS of Chicago to increase by more than 25% the number of CPS schools served by the organization's Intensive Program.
Olive-Harvey College and the Chicago Police Department Partner to Offer No-Cost Associate Degree in Criminal Justice In One Year with CPD Academy Entrance Exam Waived
The “One Year and Out” City Colleges of Chicago Criminal Justice program offers Chicago residents the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree with a focus in Criminal Justice, at no cost, in as little as 12 months, and then apply to the Chicago Police Academy (CPD) with the ability to waive the Department's entrance exam.
Gluten-free journey leads to Gluten Free Snack Food Business
Lisa Marsh created Ms. P’s Gluten Free while still working in federal law enforcement. She has been on her own gluten-free journey after having health issues and was trying to find gluten-free snacks. It started with the Ms. P’s Gluten Free Cookie Bar and now includes three flavors of gluten-free granola.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR THE JOFFREY ACADEMY OF DANCE
The Joffrey Academy of Dance, the Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, has opened class registration for the 2023-24 year. Classes at the Joffrey Academy are available for adults and children alike, offering world-class training for students of all ages, levels, and abilities, reflecting Joffrey’s mission to create a Joffrey for All. The Academy’s Pre-Professional, Children's, Dance Lab, Adult Open, and Adaptive Dance classes start Tuesday, September 5, at the Joffrey Tower (10 E. Randolph St.) and South Loop studios (1920 S. Wabash Ave). To register, visit https://joffrey.clubautomation.com/.
