Chris Rock and Wife Malaak Compton-Rock Headed for Divorce

Chris Rock filed for divorce from his wife Malaak Compton-Rock, a statement from his representative confirmed last Sunday.

January Money Smart Programs and “Affordable Care Act-Get Covered Illinois” Workshop Featured at Chicago Public Library

Chicago Public Library continues its free series of financial literacy programs designed to help people become more “money smart.” Presented in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and its partners, Money Smart programs help participants understand the business of money, gain control of their finances and learn practical money skills for life.

FBI Searching for Suspect in Terrorist Bombing Outside NAACP Office

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Authorities are looking for a man who may have information about a homemade explosive that someone set off near the Colorado Springs chapter of the NAACP.

UIC Study Show Stark Changes in Chicago Neighborhood, Calls for Solutions

With just one quick look around Chicago neighborhoods, one will immediately realize the stark differences in neighborhoods, where some are blighted, as others are changing its racial makeup, while others are prospering and growing. A recent University of Chicago study has highlighted these issues.

Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Sponsored New Laws that Take Effect in New Year

The 98th Illinois General Assembly has passed dozens of bills into law that took effect on Jan. 1. Listed below are intriguing new laws that may significantly impact the African American community and that were sponsored by members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus (ILBC).

Brother of Rekia Boyd Graduates College with Public Health Degree

Martinez Sutton, 32, brother of Rekia Boyd, the 22-year-old Black woman who was fatally shot March 2012 by an off-duty Chicago police detective, graduated from Chicago State University last month with a Public Health degree and aims to deal with Chicago’s gun violence as a public health matter.

Ford Heights Man Charged with Illegal Gun Possession after Facebook Threats

A south suburban man is the latest news headline grabber relating to tensions between police and civilians nationwide after allegedly posting threats on his Facebook page to kill police officers and children.

Overview of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice Releases First Annual Report

Last month, the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) released its first ever annual report in particularly providing an overview of its service and its impact on Illinois’ youth.

City of Chicago Prepares for Winter Snowfall

In light of the first significant snowfall of the season and frigid temperatures, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was recently briefed by Department of Streets and Sanitation Commissioner, Charles Williams, on how things were going.

Law Signed Securing Retirement Option for Workers Across Illinois

On Jan. 4, Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn signed Senate Bill 2758 (SB 2758) to create the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program. The program establishes the option of an individual retirement plan for more than two million Illinois private sector employees who currently do not have access to any retirement plan at work.

Seaway Bank Marks 50th Anniversary

Seaway Bank and Trust Company, Chicago’s largest African-American owned bank, marked the New Year with its 50th anniversary celebration that included customers, city officials and other supporters who gathered at the bank’s 645 E. 87th Street location on Friday.

New Law Aims to Help Common Interest Home Owners

Purchasing property in a “common interest” development, defined as condominiums, cooperatives, townhouses--developments governed by a Home Owner’s Association (HOA)--can be stressful due to the horror stories sometimes associated with dealing with HOA's which can be daunting enough to discourage some buyers from going the condominium route altogether.

New Law Stops Tax Payer Dollars from Funding the Pensions of Felons

On Dec. 29, as one of his final legislative acts as the governor of Illinois, Gov. Pat Quinn signed Senate Bill 2809 (SB2809) into law which provides the Ill. Attorney General’s office with the authority to file a civil action in order to stop the pension benefits of public employees who have been convicted of a felony related to their employment. Spearheaded by Ill. State Sen. Kwame Raoul (Dist. – 13) and Assistant Majority Leader, Rep. Elaine Nekritz (Dist. - 57), with the support of Ill. Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan, SB2809 will go into effect on June 1, 2015.

Chicago Park District Offers Free Fitness Week to Begin 2015

Beginning on Jan. 2, 2015 through Jan. 11, the Chicago Park District (CPD) will be offering a “Free Fitness Week” for visitors at all 72 of its fitness centers in the Chicagoland area that will include free admission to fitness centers, free fitness classes and lap swim lessons.

Urban Partnership Bank Offers New Services

With approximately 25% under-served banking households, or households without a traditional banking relationship or access to a credit or checking account in Urban Partnership Bank’s (UPB) service areas of Chicago and Detroit, the launch of UPB's new Check Cashing services and first-ever, prepaid Mastercard®, will offer a lower priced alternative to currency exchanges and a variety of banking services to customers.

Chill, snow and rain bring taste of winter to much of US

CHICAGO (AP) — A year after a brutal cold spell was blamed on something called the polar vortex — which was treated like a northern invasion by the media and as a conquering hero by children impressed by its power to close schools — this week's chill is little more than what meteorologists like to call winter.

For Obama library, a contest of haves vs have-nots

HONOLULU (AP) — President Barack Obama has preached economic opportunity and equal access to education as cornerstones of the legacy he wants to leave behind. But in the contest to host his presidential library, two public universities that serve needy communities fear the playing field has been tilted against them by a pair of elite, private schools with seemingly endless money.

Walmart and Sam’s Club to Enhance Poultry Safety Measures

Walmart recently announced that it will implement enhanced poultry safety measures for suppliers designed to further protect customers against foodborne illnesses. The new guidelines are in addition to Walmart’s food safety program that requires poultry suppliers to achieve prevention-based certification against one of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) internationally recognized standards.

Stevie J Ordered to Rehab after Failing Drug Tests

A cast member on VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” has been ordered to spend 30 days at a drug rehabilitation center after prosecutors said he repeatedly failed cocaine and marijuana tests.

Kwanzaa Principles Much Needed for African American Community Building

Dr. Maulana Karenga, Professor and Chair of Africana Studies, California State University-Long Beach and Executive Director, African American Cultural Center, Los Angeles, Ca. created the Kwanzaa celebration to reinforce the basic values of African culture, called the Nguzo Saba which in Swahili means the Seven Principles, with hope that the seven principles of the festivity would serve as the building blocks to reinforce and enhance African American communities and culture.