50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned and -Led Companies Honored

The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO), in collaboration with American Express, recently released the 13th annual ranking of the 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies. The companies on this year’s 50 Fastest list span a range of industries, including healthcare, technology, and consulting. From January to December of 2019, the 50 Fastest generated a combined $3.8 billion in revenue and collectively employed more than 17,000 people.

Over 200 Drivers and Monitors Secure Wage and Benefit Increases

With over 95 percent of drivers and monitors voting in favor of ratification, Drivers and monitors employed by First Student of Maywood, IL have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 777. The 220 drivers and monitors provide student transportation for Maywood and Chicago Public Schools.

Camelot Illinois Announces Second Year of Grant Funding

Camelot Illinois is pleased to announce a second year of funding for non-profit organizations through the Camelot Illinois Grant Program. Over the past year, Camelot Illinois has supported the community with grants and donations totalling $241,800.

Doggone it! Vote for the new Peoples Gas Ambassadog for Safe Digging

Dogs love to dig, but people need to be reminded to call 811 to make sure that digging is safe for them, their pets, and the natural gas and other lines near their home. Peoples Gas needs your help selecting a safe digging Ambassadog in its annual Doggone it! photo contest.

Ava DuVernay builds her first primetime unscripted series for NBC

Ava DuVernay has built her first primetime unscripted series – a ten-part social experiment for NBC. The When They See Us filmmaker created Home Sweet Home and she will produce it via her production company Array Filmworks with Warner Horizon Unscripted Television.

RETAILERS PARTNER WITH BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA TO HELP PREPARE KIDS AND TEENS FOR BACK2SCHOOL

Boys & Girls Clubs of America recently launched its 2020 Back2School cause campaign in partnership with more than a dozen retailers around the country. As millions of kids and teens are gearing up to return to school, whether virtually or in-person, the youth advocacy organization is working to ensure that all kids, especially those who are in the most need, have the same opportunities to succeed in life.

Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission Announces Launch of New E-filing and Case Management System

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) is rolling out a new, cloud-based electronic filing and case management system. The system, called CompFile, will allow for paperless filing and processing of court documents for workers’ compensation cases in Illinois.

Pritzker Administration Announces Over $2 million in Fines for Major Health Insurance Companies Violating Illinois Mental Health Parity Laws

The Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) recently announced fines totaling over $2 million for five major health insurance companies found to be in violation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA).

STATE REPRESENTATIVE CONTINUES LEGACY

State Representative Marcus Evans, Jr. of the 33rd District has been in office since 2012. Evans has been working diligently for his constituents for the last eight years. His District extends from South Shore to Sauk Village

Small Business Program helps contractors involved in CTA Project

CTA has partnered with Walsh-Fluor and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago to create a Building Small Business Program that helps contractors interested in working on the Red and Purple Modernization Phase (RPM) One Project.

Clerk Dorothy Brown Adds Texting Service for Getting Next Court Dates

Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, IL, recently announced that due to the many changes in court dates, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and recognizing that some people may not have access to a computer, the public may now obtain up-to-date court hearing dates by text.

The African American Wellness Project Announces ‘Black Doctors Speak’

The African American Wellness Project (AAWP) recently announced a new initiative called Black Doctors Speak which will give Black Doctors a voice in the conversation on issues affecting the African American Community.

Wells Fargo Names Kristy Fercho to Lead Home Lending

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) recently announced that Kristy Fercho will join the company at the beginning of August as the new head of Wells Fargo Home Lending. Fercho has 18 years of leadership experience in the mortgage industry and will replace Michael DeVito, who has announced plans to retire after more than 23 years with Wells Fargo.

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU FAST FOR WEIGHT LOSS?

Two daily fasting diets, also known as time-restricted feeding diets, are effective for weight loss, according to a new study published by researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

AYO Foods brings West African flavor

Fred and Perteet Spencer wanted to share the flavors of West Africa, so they created AYO Foods. Th e brand features West African dishes in single serve form that are available in the frozen foods section of the grocery store. Perteet’s father is Liberian and she has spent years in the consumer package space.

PARK FOREST-CHICAGO HEIGHTS SCHOOL DISTRICT RECEIVES GRANT TO EXPAND BROADBAND

Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163 received a $300,000 grant to help the school district expand its high-speed internet.

Justice Department Files Civil Action to Shut Down Chicago Area Tax Return Preparer

The United States has filed a complaint seeking to bar a Chicago area tax return preparer from preparing federal income tax returns for others, the Justice Department recently announced.

ABC 7 CHICAGO PRESENTS BUD BILLIKEN

ABC 7 CHICAGO PRESENTS BUD BILLIKEN: CELEBRATING 91 YEARS, HOSTED BY CHERYL BURTON, JIM ROSE AND HOSEA SANDERS, SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 AT 1 PM AND SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 AT 4 PM

IGrow Chicago hosts in-person camp

While summer usually means children attend camp or some outdoor activity, COVID-19 has either forced organizations to cancel summer activities or host virtual camps. But IGrow Chicago decided to host its Summer of Hope Program in-person, with safety protocols in place.

“Stop Con Artists Preying on the Fears of Older Americans,” Says Congresswoman Robin Kelly upon Introducing the Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act

Congresswoman Robin Kelly has introduced the bipartisan Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act (H.R. 7699), legislation that directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report to Congress the number and types of scams targeting seniors during the coronavirus pandemic. The legislation also requires the FTC to make recommendations on how to prevent scams targeting seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic and future emergencies.