Bill seeks pay raise for tipped workers
A bill in the Illinois House would do away with the sub-minimum wage paid to waitresses, bartenders and other tipped service workers. Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Chicago, introduced House Bill 5139 last month. If the bill becomes law, workers who supplement their wages with tips will receive the state’s minimum wage starting on Jan. 1, 2025, in addition to their tips.
Federal Affordable Connectivity Program Provides Eligible Low-Income Households $30/month Towards the Cost of Internet Service
The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides eligible low-income households a credit up to $30 a month toward the cost of Internet service ($75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands). Participants in the program can apply the ACP credit toward the cost of participating plans from a variety of Internet Service Providers, including Comcast’s Internet Essentials program and all the company’s Xfinity Internet plans, as well as mobile services. Households that choose plans totaling $30 or less will essentially receive their service for free.
School Districts receive donation from Amazon
Amazon has donated $1 million to two school districts in the South Suburbs to foster STEM careers. Matteson Elementary School District 159 and Rich Township High School District 227 received the donation on Tuesday, Feb. 22nd.
Commemorative Coin Debuts to Celebrate Juneteenth National Independence Day
Juneteenth Unlimited, LLC is excited to introduce the release of a commemorative coin to celebrate a new Federal holiday - Juneteenth - inspired by the African Diaspora, Black American history and the fight for freedom. Made of one troy ounce of .999 fine silver, this inspirational coin is for anyone who wants a valuable keepsake to memorialize this significant new holiday.
Clothing Brand, Elle Olivia, Launches to Empower Young Female Voices of Color
Marty McDonald, founder of Boss Women Media, launched her newest venture with children’s clothing brand, Elle Olivia. The brand, named in honor of McDonald’s young daughter, will launch with a selection of clothing for babies and toddlers, as well as items for mothers. In addition, Elle Olivia will feature a book written by McDonald, Mama We Made It.
Education Department Announces $35 Million Competition to Improve Teacher Quality
Program Aims to Recruit, Prepare, Retain and Support Teachers with a Focus on Equity, Diversity, and Increasing the Educator Pipeline
Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. release video for “Silly Love Songs”
“Silly Love Songs,” the Paul & Linda McCartney classic, has been released by 7-time Grammy Award Winners, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. in a new music video tribute from the couple's bestselling EE1 BMG album, “blackbird: Lennon-McCartney Icons,” a "Civil Rights are Human Rights" recording project, honoring Black History Month.
Author’s book uses Enneagram Test to help with relationships
Dr. D. Darrell Griffin has been doing work around the Enneagram Test since 2007. Griffin believes the more people know about themselves, the better they can be in relationships with other people. That is the premise of his book, “Building a Better You: Using the Enneagram to find Purpose, Healing, and Success in Relationships,” which is out now.
MUSEUM’S HISTORIC BLACK CREATIVITY PROGRAM RETURN
Black Creativity and its signature Juried Art Exhibition is open now through April 17 at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI). MSI has hosted the annual celebration for more than 50 years. This exhibition is included with Museum entry.
Profiting From Your Passions to Create Unlimited Income While You Sleep
If you’re looking at turning your passions into dollars, dropshipping is one of the best ways to sell products online without having any inventory to create passive income, according to Asia Abston at Absolutely Abston
Robbins Mayor lays out plans for Village
A water crisis. Little economic development. A food desert. No workforce development. These are some of the challenges facing the Village of Robbins. But, Robbins Mayor Darren E. Bryant is committed to facing those challenges head on and improving the prospects of the Village.
Illinois lawmakers must create legal balance between owners, renters of storage units
During and since my time as an active-duty officer in the Army, I have devoted much time and energy to protecting military service members from financial predators. Last year I focused on the passage of the Predatory Lending Prevention Act (PLPA), and the nationwide repeal of a Comptroller of the Currency rule that protected payday lenders using evasive schemes to get around state-imposed usury rate caps. While those efforts were successful, there is more to do.
Black men find a safe space with The Healing Organization
Tristan Lewis and Andrew Smith created the Healing, a non-profit organization with the mission to normalize wellness and mental health for Black men. It was created as a response to 2020, with the global pandemic, racial injustice and civil unrest.
Center Seeks Community Partner for Home Visiting Program
To improve Chicago children’s chances for success in life from the very start, the University of Chicago’s Center for the Economics of Human Development (CEHD) seeks to partner with an experienced childhood organization to launch an ambitious home visiting program supporting Chicago’s parents and families.
An Englewood Organization founder wants to keep kids on right track
Latanya Johnson has been a one-woman army for the last nine years. As the founder of Latanya and the Youth of Englewood, Johnson has provided for young people in Englewood by hosting recreational, educational, mentorship and entrepreneurship programs, as well as community and holiday events.
National Public Housing Museum Exhibit Explores Englewood’s Land Sale Contracts and Segregation
A groundbreaking exhibition sponsored by the National Public Housing Museum, the nation’s first cultural institution dedicated to interpreting the American public housing experience, sheds new light on an unsavory Chicago real estate practice in the ‘50s and ‘60s: Selling homes to Black families using Land Sale Contracts, which imposed excessive monthly payments on buyers — many of whom lost their properties. LSCs bred segregation and redlining, cheating families out of equity built through home ownership.
Sheriff Dart Testifies Before Senate on Solutions to Carjacking Surge
Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart testified today before a U.S. Senate Committee about the Chicago area’s disturbing rise in carjackings and his work with automakers on innovative, comprehensive solutions.
National Kidney Foundation of Illinois Celebrates World Kidney Day
The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) will celebrate World Kidney Day on March 10, 2022 with a full day of activities and events at the Emil & Patricia A. Jones Convocation Center at Chicago State University, 9501 South M.L. King, Jr. Drive in Chicago from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
New, Easier-to-use Applications for Property Tax Savings are Now Available
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi announces property-tax-saving exemptions for the 2021 tax year are now available online in a new, streamlined application
