ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL JOINS COALITIONS PROTECTING RIGHTS OF LGBTQ+ STUDENTS
Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined two separate coalitions of attorneys general supporting LGBTQ+ students against discrimination in the classroom, filing legal briefs opposing an Indiana school district’s efforts to bar a transgender student from using the restroom consistent with the student’s gender identity and against Florida’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law, which limits classroom discussions and has serious implications for LGBTQ+ students.
Groupon Partners with Rising Social Media Star Shermann “Dilla” Thomas to Celebrate August’s National Black Business Month
Groupon, the trusted local marketplace where consumers go to buy services and experiences that make life more interesting and deliver boundless value, is teaming up with rising social media star Shermann “Dilla” Thomas (@6figga_dilla on TikTok) to help consumers discover and patronize, Black-owned businesses in their hometown of Chicago and across the country during August’s National Black Business Month. The annual celebration of Black-owned businesses began in 2014 and this year’s event comes at a time when macroeconomic challenges such as inflation, workforce shortages and supply chain disruptions exacerbate the strain that minority-owned businesses were already facing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
South Suburban College Partners to Offer Free Manufacturing Skills and Training Bootcamp
The South Suburban College (SSC) Department of Continuing, Corporate, and Community (C3) Education and the Calumet Area Industrial Commission (CAIC) have partnered to offer a free Manufacturing Skills and Training Bootcamp. This 2-week accelerated boot camp program is especially helpful for those who have been in the workforce before, but are currently or were recently unemployed, and are looking to kickstart a career in the growing manufacturing sector.
MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE 100% CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY STARTING IN 2025
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Assets, Information and Services (AIS) visited the Chicago Urban League to announce an agreement with retail electricity supplier Constellation, in collaboration with Swift Current Energy, to help meet the Mayor’s commitment to purchase renewable energy for all City facilities and operations by 2025, making Chicago one of the largest cities in the country to do so. The agreement also includes important workforce development and equity commitments.
“NICK CAVE and JACK CAVE: THE COLOR IS FASHION EXHIBITION” TO OPEN AT THE DUSABLE BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM AND EDUCATION CENTER ON AUGUST 27, 2022
August 8, 2022) “Nick Cave and Jack Cave: The Color Is Fashion Exhibition,” created by Internationally acclaimed multi-disciplinary artist Nick Cave and his brother fashion designer Jack Cave, will bring a once-in-a -lifetime collection of avant-garde and haute couture inspired fashion to the Roundhouse of the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center. The exhibition which opens to the public on August 27, 2022, will continue through November 27, 2022, and is in partnership with the MCA Chicago and the groundbreaking retrospective exhibition “NICK CAVE: FOROTHERMORE,” which is currently on view at the MCA until October 2, 2022. This is the first time that these wearable works will be installed publicly and the DuSable is the first museum in the world to ever exhibit Nick Cave’s or Jack Cave’s fashion collections.
Techstars Adds VR Eval to Roster of High Powered Accelerator Program
VR Eval, the company synonymous with advanced patented case management and virtual reality system EVAL designed to help anyone with a mental healthcare challenge as well victims of trauma for example human trafficking victims as well, has been selected to participate in the Techstars Founder Catalyst Program. The $80 million investment powered by J.P. Morgan is intended to provide equitable access to funding and support for entrepreneurs who are Black, Hispanic and Latino, Indigenous American and Pacific Islander. This experienc will provide up to 20 Miami-Dade women entrepreneurs valuable startup education, mentorship, community, and access to the Techstars worldwide network of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and corporate partners.
WINDY CITY SMOKEOUT BRINGS BARBECUE AND MUSIC TO CHICAGO
It was the ninth year for the festival which featured food from 25 vendors from across the country . Musical acts included headliners Willie Nelson, Sam Hunt, Miranda Lambert and Tim McGraw, as well as Tiera Kennedy, Lily Rose and Kip Moore.
Electrification Coalition Applauds Illinois for Submitting NEVI Plan
The Electrification Coalition (EC) applauds the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for submitting its National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) state plan to the federal Joint Office of Energy and Transportation.
Sheriff Dart Warns Public of Spike in Thefts of Kia & Hyundai Vehicles
Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart is warning the public about a dramatic rise in thefts of certain models of Kia and Hyundai vehicles. He is urging owners to take additional precautions to reduce the risk of theft.
MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND SUPPORT SERVICES ANNOUNCE COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR CHICAGO RESIDENTS
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS) Commissioner Brandie Knazze have announced that $230,000 in Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) scholarships are now available for Chicago residents seeking to continue their education. Residents have until midnight Friday, Aug. 26, to apply. The announcement coincides with the launch of a new online application portal. Built to simplify the application process and provide even greater access to students, individuals can now apply online at www.chicago.gov/fss/scholarship.
SUPERVSN STUDIOS INTRODUCES STUDIO
STUDIO powered by Supervsn Studios is the first look into the brand’s extension of fashion apparel and accessories within the Pacsun universe. The partnership comprises four seasonal drops a year. Proceeds from each collection are committed to funding mentorship programs with companies such as, 10 Summers and Round Two, that exist to educate, empower, and usher in the next generation of creative visionaries and game-changing entrepreneurs. STUDIO focuses on crafting activewear for the everyday creative. Founder and Creative Director Gavin Mathieu has always imagined products and experiences with impact in mind for the community. As a creator, he champions the importance of functionality, meeting purpose, without sacrificing style. This design approach has outlined and crafted the ethos of Supervsn Studios.
CTA Red Line Extension Project Receives ‘Record of Decision’
The Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Red Line Extension (RLE) project, which will be one of the most critical and transformative investments for Chicago’s Far South Side communities and benefitting the entire City of Chicago, is one step closer to becoming reality.
YOUTH ACTIVISTS BRING ‘THE LIGHT’ WITH PERFORMANCES
Collaboraction is known for its work in the social justice space, using theatre and film to bring about positive change through the power of storytelling. In 2021, it founded The Light, a youth education program focused on youth artists with a change making message. These young people have been performing throughout the city to spread their message at festivals which include Kidapalooza and Silver Room Block Party.
THE CHICAGO COOK WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP RECIPIENT OF $18.5 MILLION GOOD JOBS CHALLENGE GRANT FROM U.S. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (the Partnership) and World Business Chicago announced the Partnership is a recipient of the Good Jobs Challenge Grant for their employer led workforce development program and will be awarded $18.5M from the US Economic Development Administration. Chicago’s proposal, submitted with the support and assistance of the City of Chicago, World Business Chicago, and Cook County is one of 32 awardees out of 509 applications from all states and territories.
Another Record Year for Unclaimed Property Program
Illinois’ unclaimed property program again set records for the amount of money returned and the number of claims paid during past year, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said .
Rep. Kelly, Lurie Children’s, Illinois PIRG, Kids In Danger Host Press Conference Celebrating Passage of Reese’s Law
Today, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) hosted a press conference at Lurie Children’s with Reese’s Purpose, Illinois Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) and Kids In Danger (KID) to celebrate passage of Rep. Kelly’s bipartisan legislation, Reese’s Law. The legislation directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to develop and implement new safety standards to protect children from ingesting button cell batteries. Reese’s Law is named for Reese Hamsmith, an 18-month-old child who tragically passed away after ingesting a button cell battery
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 steady progress in the second quarter of 2022. 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.
STEM GLOBAL ACTION PARTNERS WITH US EMBASSY, PROJEKT INSPIRE TO BRING STEM EDUCATION TO UNDER-RESOURCED CHILDREN IN TANZANIA
Children in Tanzania are benefiting this summer from a partnership with STEM Global Action (SGA), which is providing teacher-training, science kits, and other resources to support a series of activities that are advancing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) knowledge in the African country.
Dr. Kikelomo Belizaire Joins Pega as the Company’s First Chief Medical Officer
Pegasystems Inc. (NASDAQ: PEGA), the low-code platform provider that builds agility into the world’s leading organizations, announced the appointment of Dr. Kikelomo (Dayo) Belizaire as its first chief medical officer. With a strong clinical background and a passion for improving care outcomes, Dr. Belizaire will bring a clinical lens to Pega’s strategy for serving its healthcare clients.
