Reassessment Notices Mailed to Hyde Park Township Taxpayers

Residential assessments decrease by median of -0.325% (less than 1%). Improvements in residential assessment model are used in all of the City of Chicago 2018 Triennial Reassessment

African Americans and the increasing rates of suicide

The recent suicides of Kate Spade, iconic fashion designer, and Anthony Bourdain, celebrity chef and television personality, have sparked a national discussion, especially in the African American community.

Chicago Southland Named Favorite Destination For Sporting Events

The Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) was recently named a favorite destination for community engagement and a favorite destination for accessibility through the Sports Destination Management 2018 readers choices awards.

Organization makes an impact in the summer and all year long

By The Hand Club is an after school program that serves children from dangerous and under-resourced neighborhoods in Chicago. The organization is continuing its programming for kids this year at various locations for 5-6 weeks during the summer months.

Rush Amendment to Provide Treatment for Crack Addiction Unanimously Passes the House

The Rush Amendment expands the bill to include those individuals suffering from cocaine use disorder and explicitly clarifies the inclusion of cocaine base — more commonly known as crack cocaine — which, along with opioids, have wrecked communities across the nation.

ComEd Receives National Recognition for Emergency Restoration on the East Coast and in Puerto Rico

ComEd received an “Emergency Assistance Award” for providing support during the nor’easter, along with other Exelon companies Atlantic City Electric, BGE, PECO and Pepco, who were recognized with the “Emergency Recovery Award.” ComEd, and the rest of the Exelon utilities, including Delmarva Power, were also recognized for their work in Puerto Rico. The awards were presented at EEI’s Annual Convention held on June 6.

In the early 70's network advertising finally got soul

In 1960, Tom Burrell broke Chicago advertising’s color barrier by becoming the first black person to land a job at one of the city’s top advertising firms…in the mailroom. Soon became a copywriter helping solve some of the agencies creative problems. In 1966 there was a protest march in Mississippi. Out of that march came a voice that shouted, “Black Power!!!” The “Black Power” movement highlighted the fact that black people had a fundamentally unique perspective on the “American” experience

Great Lakes Coca-Cola Bottling Launches Dear Future Chicago, a $30,000 Challenge to Chicagoans to Improve Workforce Development

On June 11, Great Lakes Coca-Cola Bottling will introduce “Dear Future Chicago,” an ambitious challenge to young adults to come up with new, innovative ideas to improve workforce development in the greater Chicago area. Dear Future Chicago is a part of the national “Dear Future Challenge,” an initiative by The Coca-Cola Company to encourage people to join in locally based efforts to renew and strengthen communities across America.

ComEd Honors Seven Local Diverse Suppliers at Annual Awards Celebration

even local companies owned and led by people of color and women were recognized for excellence in construction and professional services, environmental stewardship, community building, job creation, and more at ComEd’s third-annual Diverse Supplier Awards ceremony held recently.

National HIV Testing Day Brings Free Screenings to Several Chicago Walgreens

Once again Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS, a leading national public information response to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic, have teamed up to take action on National HIV Testing Day. On June 27th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Walgreens locations all over the country will offer free HIV testing and information including two locations in Chatham.

Fifth Third Bank and Employees Provide More Than 1.7 Million Meals to Fight Hunger Across 10 states

Fifth Third Bank’s annual “Feeding Our Communities” initiative provided more than 1.7 meals this past May to fight hunger, surpassing the Bank’s goal for the second straight year. The month-long effort included more than 4,000 hours volunteered by employees to support individuals and communities across the Bank’s 10-state footprint.

Goya Gives Initial Donation of Three Tons of Food to Victims of the Volcano in Guatemala

Goya Foods, America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company, has made an initial donation of three tons of Goya products, including canned beans, meat, and vegetables to victims of the volcano in Guatemala.

The Hyde Park Farmers Market Opens For The Season

The Downtown Hyde Park Farmers market is officially open and operating from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday at 5235 S. Harper Court Ave. from now until October. The market serves as a way to highlight area businesses, bring attention to Downtown Hyde Park, and build a thriving Hyde Park community.

Micro Pantry Installed in Matteson

Prairie State College recently installed a Micro Pantry at their Matteson Area Center, 4821 Southwick Dr., as a new resource for students and resident who may be struggling to access food. The micro pantry is accessible any time of any day and relies on the honor system to ensure that people are taking what they need and leaving what they don’t.

Cease Fire Event Offers Free Haircuts in Exchange for Peace in Ogden Park

The third annual Brotherhood of Barbers Cease Fire Event will take place in Englewood at Ogden Park, 6400 S. Racine Ave., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 24th. The event will bring together over 100 barbers to provide free haircuts to young people, ages 7 to 17, and senior citizens.

Parent Empowerment Program Wants Parents to Become Child’s First Teacher

Bloom Township Youth and Family Services is offering a free Parent Empowerment Program for Chicago’s south suburban families who might be in need of a little extra support. The program is presented by Child Serv and led by local parent educators that are available to assist families who are currently pregnant or have children under 3 years old.

Community Movement Encourages Westside Residents to be Good Neighbors

The Good Neighbor Campaign, a community initiative in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, is working to organize residents to come together and share with each other and support one another. All community members are invited to attend Good Neighbor Campaign meetings held at 5437 W. Division St. on the second Tuesday of every month.

Northlight Theatre Announces Casting for 44th Season

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces its 44th season, opening with Curve of Departure by Rachel Bonds and directed by BJ Jones.

Language Learning Center Provides Foreign Language Classes to Underserved Communities

After offering traveling Spanish language enrichment classes for several years, FAYO Bilingual Training Institute (FBTI) finally opened a brick and mortar language learning center in Feb. in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood. FBTI still offers traveling language programs along with stationary language classes in their new location and the organization is currently preparing to host the inaugural five-week FBTI Summer Language Camp for kids.

Illinois Lottery Reveals 2018 Red Ribbon Cash Ticket

The Illinois Lottery along with the Illinois Department of Public Health recently announced the 11 Illinois agencies that will be receiving grants to fund HIV/AIDS research, treatment and prevention programs across the state. The grants range from $50,000 to $75,000 and are made possible from Illinois Lottery’s Red Ribbon Cash instant ticket.