Illinois Department of Labor Releases Top 5 Safety Violations for Illinois Fire Departments

Worker safety is the primary mission of the Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a division of the Illinois Department of Labor. Documenting dangers is one way to avoid them in the future. With that in mind, Illinois OSHA is releasing the Top 5 safety violations Illinois fire departments received in fiscal year 2019.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOSTS FINANCIAL AID COMPLETION NIGHT AT WEST SIDE HIGH SCHOOL

State Representative LaShawn Ford recently hosted a FAFSA Completion Night at Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet High School, 5101 W. Harrison St., for students who are preparing to continue their education after graduating from high school and who need help navigating the federal financial aid process.

Organizations Illuminate the Need for Critical Afterschool Learning Opportunities By Lighting Up Billboards Nationwide

The Afterschool Alliance, the National League of Cities and the National Summer Learning Association, a coalition of afterschool supporters, recently joined with Clear Channel Outdoor to launch a campaign across more than 1,000 digital billboards nationwide encouraging city leaders and other stakeholders to turn the Lights On Afterschool.

ComEd Customers Enjoy Record-Setting Reliability this Summer

ComEd has avoided more than 13 million customer interruptions since 2012, due in part to smart grid and system improvements. The avoided outages have resulted in $2.4 billion in estimated savings to society. In addition to keeping energy flowing for residents, strong power reliability continues to help persuade businesses to expand in northern Illinois and Chicago. The GridWise Alliance recently recognized Illinois as the No. 2 state in the nation for its smart grid implementation.

Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center Foundation 10th Anniversary Gala Raises Funds for Life-Saving Programs

The Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center Foundation was founded in 2009 by Earl Dunlap, federal court transitional administrator, and Sharon Grant, executive director, JTDC Foundation. JTDC provides temporary secure housing for youth, from the age of 13 through 20 years, who are awaiting adjudication of their cases by the Juvenile Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County

Cook County Land Bank Authority Announces Winner of 3rd Annual Home Giveaway House giveaway promotes Land Bank’s affordable homeownership program

“I never had a holiday or birthday dinner at my home,” Johnson said. “I want this house to be a home where all are welcome. It will mean the world to me to have my family comfortably in my home.”

MATTESON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVE THE CHOCTAW NATION CASINO PLAN FOR MATTESON

Sheila Chalmers-Currin- Village President of Matteson, IL) along with the Matteson Village Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Choctaw Nation’s plan to develop a casino in Matteson. The casino plan was approve 6-0 by the Village Board on tonight. “I want to thank the Village Board of Trustees for their full support of this plan. This isn’t just about the Village of Matteson, but its also about our region. We can now seriously discuss the possibilities of taking a portion of our gaming revenues for the opening or reopening of a Trauma Unit in the Southland.” says President Chalmers-Currin.

ILLINOIS LOTTERY LAUNCHES 2019 CAROLYN ADAMS TICKET FOR THE CURE

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Illinois Lottery has launched the newest edition of the Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure instant game, which helps raise funds in support of the fight against breast cancer in Illinois.

G-Squared Events Presents “An Evening of Soul” with Patti LaBelle and Friends- Stephanie Mills, Freddie Jackson, and El DeBarge on October 19, 2019, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL

G-Squared Events is excited to announce their upcoming event entitled “An Evening of Soul” with Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills, Freddie Jackson, and El DeBarge. This night of soulful music will take place on Saturday, October 19, 2019, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Doors are scheduled to open at 6:30PM and the event will take place at 7:30PM.

Freddie Jackson Receives the 2019 Black Music Honors Legend Award

the Ledgendary Freddie Jackson is headed to Chicago on Friday October 19th to co-headline “An Evening of Soul,” with Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills, and El DeBarge The concert will take place on Saturday, October 19, 2019, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Doors open at 6:30PM and showtime is at 7:30PM. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com and at the Wintrust Arena Box Office. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!

Underwood Proposals to Simplify the Student Loan Application Process, Reduce Barriers to Financial Aid, Strengthen TRIO Included in College Affordability Act

Yesterday, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14), announced that her proposals to reduce barriers to financial aid, increase transparency in the loan application process, and provide resources for underserved college students were included in the College Affordability Act—a legislative package that would lower the cost of college, increase the quality of higher education, and expand opportunities for a new generation of students.

Medicare to Provide Dental Coverage under New Legislation Offered by Congresswoman Robin Kelly

On Friday, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust and member of the Health Subcommittee, introduced the Medicare Dental Act. The legislation would provide coverage for certain dental items and services through Medicare Part B, a position that’s supported by eighty percent of Americans.

WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM TO PLANT FORTY TREES IN SOUTH SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS

Trinity United Church of Christ is currently hosting the second cohort of advocates in its 12-week Imani Green Health Advocate workforce training program as part of the Imani Village project. Throughout October, the trainees are working to plant 40 trees across the south side in Pullman, Roseland, Washington Heights, Chatham, and Cottage Grove Heights.

Celebrity Basketball Game to Salute First Responders, Teach CPR

“This year’s game promises to be a fun, family event filled with exciting basketball play, free giveaways, meet and greets with elite players, a salute to first Chicago’s responders and most importantly, CPR training for everyone,” says Harris. Confirmed celebrity guest include Arnie Duncan, Rickey Green (Utah Jazz), Jeff Sanders (Chicago Bulls), Bobby Simmons (Milwaukee Bucks, LA Clippers) and Antoine Walker (Boston Celtics).

Cam Kirk Launches Collective Gallery, A Record Label-Style Company For Photographers

It took Cam Kirk just one semester of biology to realize he didn’t want to become a doctor. Before the Morehouse grad established himself as one of the most sought-after photographers in hip-hop, he filtered through other career paths. Concert promotion seemed like a viable option after he successfully booked Wiz Khalifa for a show in Atlanta. But the decision to purchase a camera so he could better market future concerts and events was the catalyst behind his current role.

Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition Celebrates National Energy Awareness Month with Listen, Lead, Share Events

The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) is celebrating National Energy Awareness Month with a Saturday series of Listen, Lead, Share (LLS) events throughout south and west side neighborhoods in Chicago this October.

Appellate Court Judge Vying to Become First Black Woman Elected To Illinois Supreme Court

With a long list of relevant qualifications, Justice Cynthia Cobbs is one of several candidates currently campaigning for one vacant seat in the Illinois Supreme Court’s 1st District which encompasses all of Cook County. If elected, Cobbs would be the first black woman to hold the position and the second African American ever elected to the state’s high court.

Recently Renovated Affordable Housing Community Gets Landscape Upgraded

Residents from the Greenwood Park Apartments, 1015 E. 47th St., in Kenwood recently participated in a day of tree planting to upgrade the landscape of their housing community. The tree planting was made possible by Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), which acquired the 122-unit property in 2016, and the Openlands TreePlanters Grant

Legendary Olympic Athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos Earn Induction into U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame

Their raised fists were as legendary as they were controversial. Tommie Smith and John Carlos, known for their Black Power salute during the 1968 Olympics medal ceremonies, have earned induction into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. The induction is scheduled for Nov

Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration To Protect Health Coverage For People With Pre-Existing Conditions

U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) recently joined Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and 37 other Senators in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to protect individuals with pre-existing conditions by limiting the proliferation of “junk plans” – short-term insurance plans that can exclude coverage for essential benefits and provide no protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions. In a letter, the Senators wrote: “We have heard from patients, physicians, independent experts, and other health care stakeholders that individuals with preexisting conditions are being negatively impacted by your Administration’s actions. More recently, we have seen the real world negative impact on individuals who have unknowingly enrolled in these deceptively marketed junk plans,” they stated.