Illinois Labor Leader to Receive World Peace Prize

For the first time in history, an Illinois resident will be honored with the World Peace Prize. The World Peace Prize Awarding Council (WPPAC) recently announced that Michael T. Carrigan president of the Illinois AFL-CIO will receive the prestigious prize of “Roving Ambassador for Peace.”

ELLAbration with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra

Let the holiday ELLAbration begin! Dee Alexander joins the Chicago Jazz Orchestra for a festive set of Ella Fitzgerald’s favorite holiday songs, paired with the CJO”s annual Nutcracker Suite, Duke Ellington’s iconic 1960 holiday album featuring jazz interpretations of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” by Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Ella…Ellington…don’t miss Chicago’s jazziest holiday tradition, an evening of live music sure to put audiences in the holiday spirit.

APARTMENT RESIDENTS VOICE THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT LIVING CONDITIONS

Residents of the Indian Trail Apartments, located on 221 E. 121st St. in West Pullman, recently held a press conference in front of the building to speak about their concerns and alleged declining living conditions in the building.

BLOOM TRAIL HIGH SCHOOL CUTS RIBBON ON IMPROVED SARFF FIELD

A ribbon cutting ceremony was recently held to officially open Bloom Trail High School’s new and improved Sarff Field. During the summer construction, a new eye-catching blue synthetic turf was installed on the football field, the track was resurfaced, and the track event areas, including the high jump, long jump, triple jump, shot put and discus areas, were all upgraded.

Rashard Johnson named as President of Advocate South Suburban and Advocate Trinity Hospitals

Advocate Trinity Hospital, part of Advocate Aurora Health, has appointed Rashard Johnson as president of both Advocate South Suburban Hospital, in Hazel Crest, Ill., and Advocate Trinity Hospital, in Chicago, following a nationwide executive search.

SOUTH SUBURBAN COLLEGE NAMES FIRST-EVER FEMALE PRESIDENT

A recent vote by the South Suburban College (SSC) Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Dr. Lynette Stokes, the current Vice President of Academic Services at SSC, as the next college president and on Oct. 1, she will assume her role as the first woman President is SSC’s history.

Community Programs Accelerator Now Accepting Applications

The University of Chicago’s Community Programs Accelerator is currently accepting applications for this year’s program cycle. The initiative supports non-profit organizations that are based in, or serve, Chicago’s Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Greater Grand Crossing, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, South Shore, Washington Park, and Woodlawn neighborhoods.

Cosmopolitan and Gina Concepts Join Forces to Launch New Cosmetic Accessories Line

Hearst magazines recently announced a licensing agreement with Gina Concepts, a subsidiary of Gina Group, to develop its first Cosmopolitan-branded cosmetic bags and accessories line.

A CJO Salute to Nancy Wilson

The Chicago Jazz Orchestra (CJO), under the direction of Jeff Lindberg, is turning 40 in 2018, marking four decades as Chicago’s longest running professional jazz orchestra.

Chicago State University Reinvents Athletic Program With New Hires

Chicago State University recently held a press conference to announce two new head coaches for the school’s basketball teams. The school has hired Misty Opat to lead the women’s basketball program and Lance Irvin for the men’s basketball program. Both teams will kick off their 2018-19 seasons in November.

Ida’s Legacy Highlights the Political Journeys of Four Outstanding African-American Women Candidates during its “Legacy & Libations” Summer Mixer Event

There are more black women running for local, state and federal offices than ever before in history. Four Chicago area women, who decided it was their turn, will take part in a discussion of their journeys as candidates for congress, attorney general, cook county commissioner and alderman Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, at Truth Italian Restaurant, 56 E. Pershing Rd., Chicago, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. as part of the Ida B. Wells Legacy Committee’s “Legacy & Libations” summer event.

What is Constitution Day in Illinois?

On August 26th, the Illinois Bicentennial Commission is sponsoring special events throughout the state to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Illinois’s first constitution. Motorcycle enthusiasts, for instance, will travel along historic Route 66 through Pontiac, Lexington, and Lincoln, before they arrive in Springfield for the dedication of the new Illinois Bicentennial Plaza. While you’re celebrating Constitution Day, don’t forget to reflect on Illinois’s own journey.

The Queen Of Soul Has Died

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Louise Franklin, died on Aug. 16 at the age of 76 after battling advanced pancreatic cancer. The 18-time Grammy Award winner passed away at her home in Detroit with her family and loved ones by her side, according to a statement issued by Franklin’s family through her longtime publicist, Gwendolyn Quinn.

Local Chef Launches Grab-And-Go Vegan Burrito In 187 Jewel-Osco Stores

The Fiesta Wrap from Moon Meals, Inc. is a vegan burrito that recently became available in the grab-and-go section of 187 Jewel-Osco stores in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. Moon Meals was founded by LaForce Baker who created the Fiesta Wrap to be a fast, affordable, and healthy food option for people. Over the last four years, Moon Meals has perfected their production of plant-based meals and their ingredients. Most of their recipes use vegan meats, cheeses, and sauces and along with local and organic products.

Chicago, Cook County Homeownership to Get Boost with $8 Million NeighborhoodLIFT Program

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC), NeighborWorks® America and its network member, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, recently announced the NeighborhoodLIFT® program will expand to the Chicago area with an $8 million commitment by Wells Fargo to boost homeownership in Cook County.

Advocates call for a moratorium on expressway expansion in Chicagoland

For decades, regional planning leaders have urged cities and villages across metropolitan Chicago to build communities in ways that reduce driving and increase walking, bicycling and public transit ridership. But a new analysis by the Active Transportation Alliance shows that the region has only grown more car dependent.

Food Shouldn’t Jam You Up … Local Lifestyle Expert Shares Her Food Journey To Highlight Food Allergies That Develop Later In Life

Chicago based lifestyle, fitness and nutrition coach, Andrea Wise, thought she knew it all about health until this summer when she started experiencing hives and gut pain after eating. So she cut out the obvious foods, alcohols and made a concerted effort for the typical immediate relief. That relief never came, so Andrea had her blood and stool tested to reveal the real issues. The results blew her Nike’s off … she can’t eat tomatoes, avocado, spinach, and the list goes on.

Students Get Back To School Shopping Spree From Target

The Blue Island/Robbins Neighborhood Network recently partnered with the Target Store in Morgan Park, 11840 S. Marshfield Ave., to offer 100 local students $100 each for a back to school shopping spree. Students were able to get anything and everything they needed including school supplies, backpacks, uniforms, and new shoes to start the school year off right.

Glenwood Roller Rink Skater Prepares For World Roller Skating Competition

Local high school student, Darius Sanders, likes to spend time with his friends and family at the Glenwood Roller Rink where he has been skating as far back as he can remember. Unlike most leisurely skaters, Sanders is a three-time National Figure Roller Skating champion and is currently preparing to travel to Paris to compete in the 2018 World Roller Artistic Skating Championships.

Third Major Roadway Shutdown Of The Summer Will Take Place during Labor Day Weekend

Rev. Gregory Seal Livingston, interim pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, recently hosted a press conference outside of the Chicago Mayor’s Office on the fifth floor of the Chicago’s City Hall building, 121 N. LaSalle St., to announce that he is organizing a shut down of the Kennedy Expressway entering and exiting O’hare International Airport on Sept. 3.