Black Ensemble Theater announces new musical revue 2024 Season of Affirmation with HITT RECORDS
Black Ensemble Theater’s Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the world premiere musical revue as part of the 2024 Season of Affirmation: Protection – Hitt Records, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater’s Producing Managing Director Daryl D. Brooks. Hitt Records, replacing the previously announced A Gamble on Huff: The Story of Gamble and Huff, runs December 21, 2024 – January 26, 2025, at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago. The press opening is Sunday, December 29, 2024, at 3:00pm.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON AND THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CELEBRATE 2024 GRADUATES OF GREENCORPS JOB TRAINING PROGRAM
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), joined by public and private sector partners, celebrated the graduation of 39 participants from Greencorps Chicago, the City's green job training program for individuals overcoming barriers to employment. This year's ceremony also marks the program's 30th anniversary, celebrating three decades of workforce development, environmental stewardship and community improvement.
State Flag Commission Selects Its Top 10 Designs for Public Voting
The Illinois Flag Commission selected its Top 10 finalists for the state flag redesign contest with public voting slated to begin in January.
Wellness West and Instacart Share Results from First Year of Partnership to Tackle Food Insecurity on Chicago’s West Side
Wellness West, a coalition of Chicago’s health and social service institutions, and Instacart (Nasdaq: CART), the leading grocery technology company in North America, announced results of the first year of a partnership to leverage the scale and convenience of technology to address food insecurity and improve health outcomes for more than 600 patients on the West Side of Chicago.
Gov. Pritzker Announces Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center’s Smart Manufacturing Lighthouse Program Awarded $2 Million Federal Grant
Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that the State has been awarded $2 million in federal grant funding for the Smart Manufacturing Lighthouse Program (SMLP). This funding will be provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, through the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains’ (MESC) State Manufacturing Leadership Program.
PRECIOUS BRADY-DAVIS OFFICIALLY SWORN IN AS COMMISSIONER OF THE METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT OF GREATER CHICAGO
Precious Brady-Davis was officially sworn in as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) during a formal installation ceremony. This historic moment solidifies her as the first Black transgender woman elected to public office in Cook County.
A Century in the Making: Shedd Aquarium’s Historic Rotunda Reimagined as the Wonder of Water Exhibit
Shedd Aquarium’s historic rotunda space returns with a new exhibit, Wonder of Water, featuring two bustling habitats brimming with activity – one freshwater and one saltwater ecosystem. Wonder of Water sets the tone for an awe-inspiring journey into the aquatic animal world, where guests can stand at the heart of the aquarium between two distinctly rich environments to immerse themselves in the biodiversity of life beneath the water’s surface. The dynamic, diverse exhibits feature live corals, freshwater plants and a colorful array of fishes, designed to be ever-changing and in a state of growth.
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL SECURES WIN IN CHALLENGE TO ALBERTSONS, KROGER MERGER
Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon granted a preliminary injunction in Raoul’s lawsuit challenging the proposed merger between Albertsons and Kroger. The ruling halts the merger of the largest supermarket chains in the country, including two of the Chicago area’s major grocery chains, Jewel-Osco and Mariano’s, pending an administrative trial before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
DISTRICT COUNCIL NOMINATING COMMITTEE SELECTS TWO CANDIDATES TO FILL COMMISSION VACANCY
On December 6, 2024, the District Council Nominating Committee held a special public meeting and voted to nominate two candidates to fill the vacancy on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. The nominees, listed in alphabetical order, are Shay T. Allen and Gina A. Piemonte.
Rebuilding Illinois: I-270 Mississippi River bridge reaches milestone in Madison County
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that work to replace two Interstate 270 bridges over the Mississippi River in Madison County, a cornerstone project in Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, has reached the midway point with the completion of the south span. The joint project with the Missouri Department of Transportation is on track to wrap up in 2026.
Gov. Pritzker Accepts International Award for Illinois’ Leadership in Innovation
Governor JB Pritzker joined the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Mind the Bridge, and economic leaders for the Startup Ecosystems (SES) Awards in Paris, France. Representing Illinois and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Governor Pritzker made brief remarks and accepted an award on behalf of the State.
U.S. DEBUT OF 63-PIECE COLLECTION OF ART & ARTIFACTS FEATURED IN HOKUSAI EXHIBITION
The Cleve Carney Museum of Art (CCMA) and McAninch Arts Center, (MAC) located at 425 Fawell Blvd on the College of DuPage (COD) campus, present “Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World, Artworks from the Chiossone Collection” May 31 – Sept. 21, 2025. The exhibition will feature a collection of 53 works of art and 13 artifacts that has never been seen in the U.S. More than a museum show, this arts center experience will immerse guests in Japanese Edo culture through several interactive exhibits, from a serene outdoor Japanese garden to an anime exhibit. Anytime Tickets are now on sale at Hokusai2025.org. Timed Tickets go on sale Jan. 2. The exhibition is organized by the Cleve Carney Museum of Art in collaboration with the Edoardo Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art of Genoa, Italy and with the support of MondoMostre.
Treasurer Pappas offers ‘snowbirds’ and other Cook County property owners the option to prepay taxes due in 2025
Treasurer Maria Pappas is offering Cook County property owners the option to prepay their 2024 property taxes that will be due in 2025.
Dream Vaults Provide Essential Fresh Produce to Communities
Dion Dawson, Founder of Dion’s Chicago Dream, recently placed his fourth Dream Vault at the Discover Shine Bright Center in Chatham. This is the fourth locker that has been placed in a community in need of fresh produce.
Gala Will Showcase Organization’s Work And Honor Dr. King
The Lawndale Christian Development Corporation is hosting its Reawakening North Lawndale Gala from 5:30p.m to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17th, at the Bridgeport Art Center, which is located at 1200 W. 35th St. The annual gala commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who lived in North Lawndale when he was working on the Poor People’s Campaign.
Hope Chicago Celebrates Parent Scholars
Shelia Moore had been retired for five years when she decided to take advantage of the opportunity to participate in Hope Chicago’s Parent Scholar program. Her daughter Dominique Moore, who is completing her senior year at Chicago State University, is a Hope Chicago Scholar.
Roseland Location of Program Offers Wrestling and Enrichment
This summer, Beat the Streets opened its Roseland location, with Jeremy Powell as the wrestling coach and site leader, and a staff that reflects the community the program serves.
OneUnited Bank, the Nation's Largest Black-Owned Bank, Named to Inc. Magazine's 2024 Best in Business List in Financial Services
OneUnited Bank, the nation's largest Black owned bank, has been named to Inc.'s 2024 Best in Business list in Financial Services, which recognizes companies that, through exceptional execution, have achieved significant milestones and core business wins, customer expansion, key product launches, increased market share and industry-defining accomplishments, like OneUnited Bank. Companies from a wide range of industries – such as technology, business, finance, health care, and retail – have been recognized for their success and their positive influence on the business world. The full list can be found on Inc.com and in the upcoming winter print edition of Inc. magazine.
Fitness And Finance At The Heart Of ‘Mind, Body, Money’
Eszylfie Taylor is a financial advisor and a fitness guru, who is the subject of the television show "Mind, Body, Money.” He is also a longtime yoga instructor and was recently named a face of Lululemon. Taylor talked about his journey as an entrepreneur as the co-founder of Kali Fitness, his non-profit organization Four Stars Camp, and what people can do to stay active during the winter months.
