CCDPH Celebrates Student Interns from Suburban Cook County
This summer, Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) welcomed 10 student interns into its Community Health Worker High School Pipeline Program, a new, pilot eight-week internship offering hands-on training, academic support, and career pathways into the field of public health. The department will celebrate the interns and their achievements in a closing ceremony on Friday, Aug. 1 at a banquet hall in Oak Lawn, Ill.
Program Prepares Students For Overhead Electrical Line Work
Seventeen people were recognized for completing the Overhead Electrical Line Workers (OELW) program during a ceremony at the Dawson Technical Institute, located at 3901 S. State St., on Wednesday, July 23rd.
Local College Football Player Hosts Youth Football Camp
Malik Elzy, alum of Simeon Career Academy High School, recently hosted a youth football camp at the high school as a way of giving back to the community. Elzy, a wide receiver at the University of Illinois, partnered with Collective Uplift and sponsors Jewel Osco, Huntington Bank, Raising Cane’s, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago, and Primerica Investments for the event, where 75 children ages 6 years old to 14 years olds learned football fundamentals.
Writer Wants Her Stories To Show Black Women As The Lead In Fairytales
Mallory Raven-Ellen Backstrom’s earliest memories are of her being four or five, under the covers, writing or drawing. She knew she was a storyteller and wanted to write magic for Black people. She began writing plays because during her time in the theatre she didn’t see roles for Black women in stories that had magic and whimsy. At 28, she received a scholarship to Chicago Dramatists and she wrote Cephianne’s Reflection. Backstrom has just been named the latest recipient of the L. Arnold Weissberger New Play Award. She is the fourth person of color and one of few Black women to receive this award.
Chef Lamar Moore Opens Etc. in South Loop
Chef Lamar Moore has been in the culinary industry for 26 years. He believes that food is of the soul. Growing up, he sat around his mother and grandparents and watched them cook. As he got older, cooking became something he enjoyed doing and he turned it into a career. Moore, a Chicago native, is the chef and partner of Etc. in the Loop. Etc. stands for experience, taste and cocktails. The restaurant has been open for eight months.
Ballet Company Wants To Create Conversation Through Its Art
A ballet company in the South Suburbs is bringing the stories of real people to the stage through dance. The Ballet 5:8, located in Orland Park, was founded in 2012 because there was a need for more high-level classical ballet companies that create art and conversation around current issues.
South Suburban College Awarded CAAHEP Accreditation for Adult Echocardiography Program, Affirming Excellence in Health Professions Education
South Suburban College (SSC) is proud to announce that its Adult Echocardiography Program has earned full accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)—one of the most respected accrediting bodies in the health education field. This significant achievement reflects SSC’s unwavering commitment to delivering superior education and clinical training that aligns with the highest national standards.
CIMA RESTAURANT DEBUTS AS ROSEMONT’S NEWEST CULINARY GEM
A new culinary star is rising in Rosemont. Cima Restaurant, located adjacent to the newly reimagined Hyatt Centric Chicago O’Hare, has officially opened its doors, offering guests and locals alike an elevated yet approachable dining experience that blends warm hospitality with the vibrance of Mediterranean flavors. Conveniently located at 6350 N. River Road, just under two miles from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Cima is ideally positioned for travelers and locals looking for an exceptional experience without venturing far from the city’s gateway.
BALLY’S CHICAGO INTRODUCES NEW ELEVATED STAGE FOR LIVE ENTERTAINMENT SERIES
Bally’s Chicago is turning up the heat this summer with the launch of its brand-new live entertainment stage, a bold and innovative addition to the casino floor that promises to elevate the guest experience, literally. To celebrate the launch, Bally’s Chicago is kicking off a live music series featuring some of Chicago’s most beloved local bands. Performances will take place every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8PM to 11PM.
6 Pulitzer Prize-winning Writers to Join Chicago’s 40th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest, Sept. 6-Sept.7
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Printers Row Lit Fest announced today that it is bringing together six Pulitzer Prize winners – Maureen Dowd, Kathleen Duvall, Jonathan Eig, Dr. Edda T. Fields-Black, Mary Schmich, and Bill Healy – for engaging conversations and storytelling. The free two-day Printers Row Lit Fest, presented by the Near South Planning Board (NSPB), takes place on Saturday, September 6, and Sunday, September 7, from 10am to 6pm in Chicago’s Printers Row Historic District.
Rep. Kelly Introduces Gun Safety Bill with Reps. Carson, McBath
U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly (IL-02), André Carson (IN-07) and Lucy McBath (GA-06) introduced the Gun Safety Incentive Act. The bill promotes safe gun storage practices by providing a federal tax credit for individuals who purchase certified firearm safes and secure storage devices.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON SIGNS “SAFE AND SMOKE-FREE PUBLIC TRANSIT” EXECUTIVE ORDER
Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order directing City Departments to take immediate actions to reduce smoking and to put forward recommendations for medium- and long-term solutions to the smoking problem. The Mayor is directing Chicago Police Department (CPD), Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the Mayor’s Office to work collaboratively with Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to aid its efforts to end smoking on public transit and enhance public safety measures.
Sachs Foundation Launches Alumni Board to Advance Black Leadership in Philanthropy
The Sachs Foundation has launched its inaugural Alumni Board, a bold initiative placing Black leadership at the center of philanthropic decision-making. Composed entirely of former Sachs Scholars, the Alumni Board will guide discretionary grantmaking and contribute to shaping the Foundation's strategic direction, marking a new chapter in alumni engagement and community-led impact.
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL DEFENDS ACCESS TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a multistate coalition of 20 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief in support of a challenge to the Trump administration’s abrupt termination of funding for legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children.
Family Connects Celebrates Five Years of Supporting Families with Newborns
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) joined healthcare partners, Family Connects nurses, community-based organizations and dozens of participating families at Malcolm X College on Thursday, July 17, to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Family Connects Chicago, the city’s free visiting nurse program for new families.
Gov. Pritzker Signs SB1563, Protecting Property Owners from Squatters
Governor JB Pritzker signed SB1563 into law, clarifying that civil eviction procedures do not restrict law enforcement from enforcing trespassing laws, providing critical clarity for property owners and law enforcement agencies handling unauthorized occupancies across the state.
Transformative Philanthropic Leader Darren Walker Joins Board of The Obama Foundation
The Obama Foundation is pleased to announce that Darren Walker, outgoing president of the Ford Foundation, will join The Obama Foundation’s Board of Directors on Nov 1. Walker, a transformative leader in philanthropy, brings decades of experience advancing democratic values, social justice and equity to the Obama Foundation.
On Your Terms
For homeowners, term life insurance is often viewed as a safeguard for mortgage repayment in the event of death. But limiting a policy to just a death benefit misses vital protections. Smart financial planning calls for adding riders that provide broader security—especially for job loss, critical illness, and income protection—giving homeowners peace of mind in life and not just after death.
UrFriendCharles.com Expands Platform With New Brand Partnerships
UrFriendCharles.com, the largest platform dedicated to Black-owned spirits, wine, beer, and zero-proof brands, has expanded with 350+ new products and impactful brand partnerships. With more than 60 Black-owned wine labels now featured, the platform continues to connect commerce, culture, and community.
