South Suburban Communities Receive Public Safety Grants From Local Entry Supplier
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus recently partnered with ComEd to award public safety grants to 25 communities in Northern Illinois including the Villages of Dolton, Hazel Crest, Lansing, and University Park and the City of Calumet City. The grants are meant to help enhance public safety through various projects and improve the quality of life for residents.
Illinois Court Appointed Special Advocates (Illinois CASA) receives State Funding for the First Time
Illinois CASA has been awarded a $2,885,000.00 in State funding. This is the first time in Illinois CASA’s 26 years of operation that they have received any state funding.
SOUTH SIDE COWORKING SPACE PROVIDES MENTORS AND WORKSHOPS FOR LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS
The University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is home to Polsky Exchange, a co-working space on Chicago’s south side. As a Polsky Exchange member, small business owners and entrepreneurs gain access to new resources, mentors, workshops, and events to help them succeed
CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS CELEBRATES CONCLUSION OF INAUGURAL SUMMER FOR CHANGE PROGRAM
Over the last six weeks, 400 young people participated in Chicago Public School’s first Summer for Change program which provided at-risk youth with individualized mentoring, group-based therapy, educational opportunities, enrichment opportunities, and a small stipend. The Summer for Change program recently concluded with a culminating celebration for the students at Chicago State University.
Tools Of The Trade Prepares Local High Schoolers For Skilled Trade Careers
A graduation ceremony was recently held for 11 students who successfully completed a seven-week paid apprenticeship known as the Tools of the Trade program. Tools of the Trade is collaboratively hosted by After School Matters and ComEd to prepare young people, ages 16 to 18, for trade careers.
Survey: 96% Of Managers Say Their Staff Are Experiencing Some Degree Of Burnout
The country is nearly at full employment, but U.S. workers may also be approaching full burnout. On the heels of the World Health Organization defining it as a syndrome resulting from workplace stress, a recent survey from staffing firm Accountemps found that nearly all senior managers (96%) believe their team members are experiencing some degree of burnout. In a separate survey, 91% of workers said they are at least somewhat burned out.
COMCAST ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF INTERNET ESSENTIALS PROGRAM AND PUBLIC LIBRARY INVESTMENT
An American telecommunications conglomerate, ComCast, recently announced that it would be expanding eligibility for its Internet Essentials program which offers discounted internet-access to qualifying low-income households across the nation and specifically in Chicago.
New Strategic Partnership Increases Arts Opportunities For South Loop Community
The Old Town School of Folk Music and Columbia College Chicago recently announced a strategic long-term partnership that will increase arts programming for all ages in the growing South Loop community.
New From KISS: The Rouge Cordless Flat Iron
KISS has introduced its newest, travel-friendly, on-the-go hair styling tool. The beauty giant has expanded their line with the new Rouge Cordless Flat Iron. Now women can have great looking hair anywhere, anytime. The launch of the new product is another step in KISS’ mission to offer best in class, but also affordable hair styling tools. The Rouge Cordless Flat Iron is just as functional as it is stylish and fits perfectly inside almost any bag, from clutch to carry-on.
Multi-Grammy® Nominated R&B Crooner Johnny Gill To Release Highly-Anticipated Game Changer II Album Set For September 6
J Skillz Records/Kalvary recording artist, multi-GRAMMY ® nominated and Multi-Platinum R&B producer, writer and singer Johnny Gill, has unveiled details of his highly-anticipated eighth studio album, GAME CHANGER II.
South Suburban Village Celebrates Its 60th Anniversary
The Mayor of the Village of Lynwood, Eugene Williams, was joined by community members, elected officials, community stakeholders holders, and local first responders who all came together to celebrate the village’s milestone.
Cook County Health Files State Application to Construct New Inpatient and Outpatient Facility on the Provident Hospital Campus
Cook County Health (CCH) has filed a Certificate of Need (CON) application with the Illinois Health Facilities & Services Review Board (IHFSRB), and, if approved, plans to build a modern and efficient inpatient and outpatient facility on a vacant parcel immediately west of and adjacent to the current Provident Hospital located at 500 E. 51st Street, Chicago. The new facility will include expanded outpatient services and downsized inpatient facilities.
Grassroots Organization Uses Street Outreach To Reduce Violence And Recidivism
Target Area Development Corporation (Target Area) is a grassroots social justice organization working in Chicago to assist south side communities to build the strength and capacity they need to solve their greatest problems. The organization uses street outreach to address criminal justice reform, prevent violence, and supporting residents as they return from incarceration.
Committee Chairs Request Information from Consumer Bureau on Efforts to Protect Student Loan Borrowers
Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA), and Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-MD), sent a letter to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Kathleen Kraninger requesting information and records concerning the CFPB’s efforts to protect consumers from unlawful student loan servicing practices.
Social Security Accelerates Decisions for People with Serious Disabilities
Andrew Saul, commissioner of Social Security, recently announced four new Compassionate Allowances conditions: CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder, Pitt Hopkins Syndrome, Primary Peritoneal Cancer, and Richter Syndrome.
Dolton 149 Back-to-School Carnival Draws Hundreds of Students, Parents
Dolton School District 149 held its annual back-to-school outdoor carnival on Saturday, August 25, drawing hundreds of the district’s students and families for rides, activities, food, music, and more at the event.
FORD CALLS FOR EQUALITY IN TEACHER PAY
State Representative La Shawn K. Ford (D-CH), applauds Governor Pritzker for signing HB2078 into law. HB2078 will increase the minimum salary for teachers over the next four years, reaching $40,000 by the 2023-2024 school year. Ford, who showed heavy support for the new law in the beginning, was also a sponsor who voted for HB2078. Ford believes the passage of this bill into law sends a message that Illinois demands better for educators in Illinois.
Reports, released and not released, put Capitol workplace culture in spotlight
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan believes the three other legislative groups should conduct independent reviews of their workplaces, his chief of staff said in an email Thursday. A report released by his office Tuesday concluded a culture of bullying and intimidation existed in the speaker’s office and throughout the Capitol system. The results of the investigation, called for by Madigan and a group of female lawmakers in June 2018, were made public because the speaker values transparency, Jessica Basham, his chief of staff, said.
Congresswoman Kelly Conducts First Non-Partisan Congressional Maternal Health Field Inquiry in Chicago
This week, Congresswoman Robin Kelly convened a non-partisan Congressional Maternal Health Field Inquiry, in collaboration with Advocate Children’s Hospital, to shine an urgent light on the rising rate of American mothers dying from pregnancy and childbirth. The inquiry’s findings will contribute to larger federal reporting and fact-finding efforts to craft a national response to America’s shocking and growing maternal morality rate. “This inquiry – the first in a national series – will take us a little further down the road to advancing legislation that will save mothers’ lives,” Congresswoman Kelly said. “Last year, I introduced the MOMMAs Act to protect mothers by establishing policies and practices to prevent maternal deaths.
