ILLINOIS STATE POLICE EXPANDS MOVE OVER ALERTS TO PROTECT DRIVERS AND TROOPERS
The Illinois State Police (ISP) is expanding the number of ways drivers receive alerts when ISP activity is up ahead and they need to slow down and move over. ISP and the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology, (DoIT) are partnering with HAAS Alert to expand notifications to select Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, RAM, and Volkswagen vehicles. These safety alerts to drivers will be powered by Safety Cloud, HAAS Alert’s solution for delivering digital alerts through leading navigation apps and compatible vehicle infotainment systems.
2025 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW DATES AND EVENT HIGHLIGHTS ANNOUNCED
The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), producer of the Chicago Auto Show, released the dates and plans for the 2025 event, held Feb. 8-17 at McCormick Place. Showgoers can once again expect an engaging show with the latest new vehicles, outdoor ride-and-drives and indoor test tracks, including the return of Chicago Drives Electric, a one-stop-shop for electric vehicle ride-alongs and education.
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL LEADS COALITION SUPPORTING FAIR WAGES FOR FEDERAL CONTRACT WORKERS
Attorney General Kwame Raoul led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting the federal government’s actions to increase the minimum wage for employees of certain federal contractors. In April 2021, President Biden issued an executive order increasing the minimum wage for these workers to $15 and directing the U.S. Department of Labor to implement subsequent annual raises to reflect changes in the cost of living.
Acclivus Continues To Focus On Violence Prevention Strategies
Acclivus has been providing violence prevention strategies, with the goal of stopping the cycle of violence for six years, after a five-year hiatus. Representatives from Acclivus talked to the Citizen Newspaper about the organization, its mission and programs.
Book Details Journey of the First Black Disneyland VIP Tour Guide
Martha Blanding grew up in South Central Los Angeles and became the first Black Disneyland VIP tour guide. She details her time as a VIP tour guide and working in various capacities with the Walt Disney Company for 50 years in her book, Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman’s Journey Through ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’. She talked to the Citizen Newspaper about her experience and about the book.
THE TOP THREE WINES YOU MUST HAVE FOR YOUR NEW YEAR’S ENTERTAINING Noted wine expert offers her personal recommendations to bring in the New Year, putting a cultural twist on traditional holiday seaso
The reservations and tickets for the best New Year’s Eve parties, or for dinner at the premier restaurants are almost all sold-out, and the prices have been hiked through the roof. Or, your budget may just be shot from all of that holiday spending, and you’re weary from the travel nightmare of just getting home.
Cook County Department of Public Health Launches New Website on Maternal Health
Black women in Illinois and Cook County are two to three times more likely than white women to die from a pregnancy-related condition, such as blood pressure disorders, heart disease and infections; yet 90 percent of these deaths are preventable.
Wandering and Getting Lost: Who’s at Risk and How to Be Prepared
Wandering is a common yet dangerous behavior for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, with six in 10 people with dementia likely to wander at least once. This risk, which can occur even in the early stages of the disease, creates significant safety concerns for those affected and adds stress for caregivers and family members.
Simmons: Housing is a human right
To address the housing crisis that the 7th District and entire state of Illinois faces, State Senator Mike Simmons led a Senate Human Rights Committee subject matter hearing on Tuesday titled “Housing as a Human Right.”
MCA Chicago’s Wafaa Bilal: Indulge Me opens February 1
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago’s upcoming exhibition Wafaa Bilal: Indulge Me will open on February 1 and run through October 19, 2025. Indulge Me is a major survey of renowned artist Wafaa Bilal (b. 1966, Najaf, Iraq; lives in New York, NY). The exhibition covers five major works from Bilal’s immersive, interdisciplinary practice, which investigates the complex dynamic between international and interpersonal politics, with a particular focus on US–Iraq relations. Whether putting his own body on the line to interrogate notions of power or inventing new technological methods to rectify acts of cultural destruction, Bilal shows us what it means to consciously engage across cultures while highlighting negative global implications of consumption, exploitation, and profiteering.
CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE CENTER AWARDED $1 MILLION GRANT BY THE RICHARD H. DRIEHAUS FOUNDATION TO EXPAND YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMING IN ARCHITECTURE AND THE TRADES
The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) announced a $1 million grant from The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation to support and grow its educational programming for K-12 students and facilitate new learning opportunities for young adults. The grant, distributed over the next four years, will aid the CAC in its work to diversify the architecture, construction, engineering, and design fields. The CAC’s educational programming division will now be named The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Youth Learning Programs, in recognition of the foundation’s support.
HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO RETURNS TO THE HARRIS THEATER WITH A WORLD PREMIERE FOR SEASON 47: WINTER SERIES, FEB. 13-16
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) unveiled the full program for the second performance series of its 2024/2025 season, Season 47: Winter Series. Featuring four captivating pieces, including a World Premiere by acclaimed choreographer James Gregg, the Series builds on the success of HSDC’s critically acclaimed, sold-out Fall program at the Steppenwolf Theatre in November. The Winter Series will take place from Thursday, February 13, to Sunday, February 16, at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E. Randolph).
CHICAGO RESTAURANT WEEK 2025 RESTAURANTS REVEALED AT EATITUPCHICAGO.COM
Choose Chicago, the city's official destination marketing organization, announces the highly anticipated return of the annual Chicago Restaurant Week (CRW). Produced annually by Choose Chicago, the beloved event celebrates its 18th year Friday, Jan. 24 through Sunday, Feb. 9. Food lovers can reserve tables and view menus online beginning today for multi-course meals at more than 470 Chicagoland eateries at eatitupchicago.com.
Governor Pritzker Launches Statewide Effort to Promote Housing Development for Working Families
Governor JB Pritzker signed an executive order launching a statewide effort enlisting multiple state agencies to explore how Illinois can accelerate plans to expand the supply and access of housing for working families. Additionally, as part of an ongoing commitment to lower housing costs, Governor Pritzker announced the return of SmartBuy, a program providing direct monetary assistance to pay off student loan debt for those buying a home in Illinois. Together, these actions seek to address the shortage of attainable homes for working families across the state, as well as overall housing shortages that affect renters and homebuyers alike.
Landmarks Illinois announces $34,000 in grant funding to people saving places in communities across the state
A 19th-century opera hall, an iconic Route 66 attraction and a nationally-recognized round barn are among the historic places Landmarks Illinois is helping people preserve through grant funding. Landmarks Illinois has awarded $34,000 to nine preservation projects across the state through its Preservation Heritage Fund and Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund for Illinois grant programs. Grant-funded projects are in the Illinois communities of Anna, Chicago, Gibson City, Hometown, McClean, Mendon, Princeton and Rockford.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON NAMES SEAN HARDEN AS CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT ALONGSIDE KEY BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the appointment of Sean Harden as President of the Chicago Board of Education, accompanied by a slate of experienced and passionate leaders whose collective expertise will guide Chicago’s public schools toward greater equity and opportunity for all students.
Treasurer Pappas offers ‘snowbirds’ and other Cook County property owners the option to prepay taxes due in 2025
Treasurer Maria Pappas is offering Cook County property owners the option to prepay their 2024 property taxes that will be due in 2025.
Rep. Kelly, Senators Durbin, Duckworth, Chicago Delegation Announce $1.9 Billion Funding Agreement with FTA to Support Chicago’s Red Line Extension Project
U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) intends to sign a full funding grant agreement for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)’s Red Line Extension Project. The funding agreement will contractually obligate $1.9 billion in federal funding to the project, solidifying the federal government’s commitment to the project.
