NEW GROCERY STORE KICKS OFF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR SOUTH SHORE

The latest sign that economic development is on the horizon in South Shore came last week with the grand opening of Local Market, a full-service grocery store, which anchors the Jeffery Plaza Shopping Center. But there are other plans for the area beyond a new grocery store, something not seen in South Shore since Dominick’s closed its store in December 2013.

Public invited to take IDOT traveler survey

Th e Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking feedback on the state’s transportation system through its annual Illinois Traveler Opinion Survey, available now through Dec. 31. Th e survey is available online by visiting idot.illinois.gov.

Leo Burnett Chicago Names Aki Spicer Chief Strategy Officer

Leo Burnett Chicago recently named Aki Spicer to the role of chief strategy officer. Elevated from the role of EVP and Global Strategy Lead, Spicer will report to Andrew Swinand, Leo Burnett Group CEO.

Announces 2020 Black Creativity Innovators

The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago located on 5700 South Lake Shore Drive, has unveiled the full list of 2020 Black Creativity Innovators to be honored during Black History Month. This group’s achievements will be on full display to guests during the Museum’s Black Creativity program, which offers the Innovation Studio, Jr. Science Cafés, Career Showcase and Juried Art Exhibition.

BLACK MCDONALD’S OWNER MAKING MOVES FOR STATE CHESS CHAMPIONS

Long before St. Ethelreda School in Auburn Gresham won first place in the state championship, one black McDonald’s owner was making space for chess players at his South Side restaurant. Lance Jones said he loves the game of chess even though he is an amateur player. And Jones said he loves to give back to the community and that is why five years ago, he began reserving tables at his restaurant, 9560 S. Halsted St., from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for chess games.

Jesse White Announces New Operating Hours at Driver Services Facilities beginning Dec. 30 to Accommodate REAL ID Applicants

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White recently announced that beginning Dec. 30, some Driver Services facilities throughout Chicagoland and northern Illinois will change operating hours and add exclusive days just for REAL ID applicants to accommodate the increased volume of customers applying for REAL ID driver’s licenses and ID cards.

Student Literacy Program Fostering a Passion For Reading

Among the goals of a literacy program managed by the University of Chicago, is to encourage more students to read books more, especially black and brown students. “A definite goal we have is to get books in the hands of students attending schools in urban neighborhoods, who might not have access to programs that support reading,” said Duane Davis, executive director of K-12 Education Initiatives for the Office of the President at the University of Chicago. “Our program is currently in 18 schools and we are quickly growing with a goal of expanding to other schools beyond the Hyde Park area.”

SUBURBAN POLICE DEPARTMENT TAKES DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

It’s not often that you see a police officer early in the morning doing some Christmas shopping with children, but that’s exactly what one south suburban police department did this year for 14 elementary students.

Impeachment is not an option, it’s an obligation because no one is above the law, says Congresswoman Robin Kelly

I cast this solemn vote for the many individuals in my district who entrusted me to be their voice in Congress. They entrusted me to uphold our Constitution for them.

25th Annual ZooLights Events and Activities At Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo’s 25th annual ZooLights, presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ, is a Chicago holiday tradition that helps keep Lincoln Park Zoo free and open 365 days a year. In addition to the ongoing light displays, guests can attend several special events throughout the season: including BrewLights (Dec. 12), Chris White Trio Tribute to “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (Dec. 15), Breakfast with Santa (Dec.15) and Zoo Year’s Eve (Dec. 31).

ONCE HOMELESS, HYDE PARK MAN IS NOW A UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SCHOLAR

After growing up poor in the West Englewood neighborhood, Maurice Washington said he endured homelessness and ran with a local gang long before he became a graduate student at one of the top universities in the country.

PULLMAN PROJECT EXPECTED TO BOOST TOURISM ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE

If all goes well with a long-term redevelopment project in Pullman, organizers said tourism on the Far South Side could soar. Upon completion, the Positioning Pullman 2.0 project, which stretches along Cottage Grove Avenue from 111th to 103rd streets, will feature a visitor center, hotel, pedestrian walkways, bike trails, public space, community rooms, exhibit halls, and the historic clock tower would be renovated.

Rush, Gabbard, Moore Introduce Bill to Boost Urban Agriculture

U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) was recently joined by Reps. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) in introducing H.R.5266, the Urban Agriculture Healthy Food and Entrepreneur Act.

41st Street Pedestrian Bridge Awarded Midwest Project of the Year

The 41st Street Pedestrian Bridge has been awarded Midwest Project of the Year by Engineering News-Record (ENR.) A new signature pedestrian bridge along Chicago’s lakefront, the 41st Street Pedestrian Bridge is one of five pedestrian bridges built as a result of the City of Chicago’s first-ever bridge design competition “Bridging the Drive”, co-hosted by the Mayor’s office and CDOT.

The Legendary Clark Sisters’ New Single, “Victory”, Available Now on Apple Music

Karew Entertainment in partnership with Motown Gospel recently announced the newest single, “Victory”, from the legendary gospel group, The Clark Sisters, available now on Apple Music. The song was written by group member Karen Clark Sheard and her son J. Drew Sheard (who also produced it).

Justice Department Issues Business Review Letter to the GSMA Related to Innovative eSIMs Standard for Mobile Devices

The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division recently announced that it has completed a nearly two-year long investigation into the standard-setting activities of the GSM Association (GSMA), a trade association for mobile network operators.

Study Shows Some AFib medications are less effective in obese patients

Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib, is the most common type of irregular heartbeat, and it is associated with increased mortality. While researchers have identified a causal link between obesity and AFib, the underlying mechanism of how obesity contributes to the heart arrhythmia is still unknown. A new study from researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago is the first to show that some antiarrhythmic medications used to treat AFib are less effective in patients who are obese. The results of this study, which followed more than 300 patients in the UIC AFib Registry, are published in JAMA Cardiology.

Governor to foot $40,000 bill for Capitol office renovations

Springfield – Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker is planning to spend $40,000 of his own money to renovate his State Capitol office next month, according to a news release distributed by his staff. Those changes will be mainly functional, however, with no major changes planned for the carpeting, wallpaper, furniture or other cosmetic areas.

After much anticipation, Local Market Expected To Open Soon

A much-anticipated grand opening for Local Market, a full-service grocery store in South Shore, could happen sometime this month now that it passed a required health inspection by the city’s Department of Public Health.

Four UIC researchers recognized as AAAS fellows

The American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS, recognizes individuals as AAAS fellows for their advances of science applications that are regarded as scientifically or socially distinguished. Of the 443 fellows this year, four were awarded to researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago.