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Gov. Pritzker Issues Executive Order to Protect Life-Saving Immunization Access for Illinoisans
Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2025-04 launching a statewide effort to protect vaccine access during the fall respiratory virus season.
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller Convenes Third Hearing to Examine Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Rates in Cook County
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller convened a hearing of the Cook County Board’s Health and Hospitals Committee to hear from stakeholders about ways Illinois can better protect women during and after pregnancy and childbirth. In June 2023, Commissioner Miller held the first hearing on the topic after reports showed that in 2020, Illinois had a maternal mortality rate of 23 deaths per 100,000 live births, and for Black women, that rate was six times higher — surpassing the national average. Although the Illinois Department of Public Health noted an improvement in 2024, with Black women being three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related conditions than white women, the disparity remains alarming.
2023 Data Shows Life Expectancy Nearing Pre-Pandemic Levels, CDPH Reports
New data from the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) highlights a third consecutive year of growth in life expectancy for Chicagoans, reaching 78.7 years in 2023. This marks an increase of 1.5 years since 2022, when life expectancy was 77.2 years. The latest data brings the city close to its pre-pandemic peak of 78.8 years in 2019, which was the highest life expectancy ever recorded in Chicago.
Giannoulias Awards Over $28 Million in Library and Literacy Grants
Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias awarded $28.3 million for library services and literacy programs throughout the state.
Poetry Foundation Announces 2025 Recipients of the 21st Annual Pegasus Awards
The Poetry Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Pegasus Awards, a suite of literary prizes established by the Foundation in 2004
The Protege Project Awarded $199,712 ICJIA Grant to Reduce Violence and Empower Chicago Youth
The Protege Project, a leading Chicago-based nonprofit focused on youth empowerment and violence prevention, has been awarded a $199,712 grant through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority's Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Program (CB-VIP).
CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE TO HOST 64TH ANNUAL GOLDEN FELLOWSHIP DINNER
The Chicago Urban League announced that its 64th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner (GFD) will feature a special performance by Grammy Award-winning artist Ledisi and will honor distinguished leaders George E. Johnson and Julieanna L. Richardson. The gala will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, in the Skyline Ballroom at McCormick Place.
Chicago Residents Rally as Men Wear Pink Ambassadors for the American Cancer Society
The Men Wear Pink of Greater Chicagoland has announced its ambassadors for 2025. 45 leaders from community will join together with the American Cancer Society to raise funds to support breast cancer research, patient programs, and direct services.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON ANNOUNCES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR SOUTH LAWNDALE SMALL BUSINESS STOREFRONT ACTIVATION PROGRAM
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the South Lawndale Small Business Storefront Activation Program. This program seeks to partner with a local community and economic development organization to bring new life to vacant storefronts and provide vital support to small businesses in the South Lawndale community, particularly along the 26th Street Commercial Corridor. For program details, visit Chicago.gov/BACPRecoveryPlan.
NEIU College of Business and Technology's bachelor's in Computer Science has been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET
Northeastern Illinois University's College of Business and Technology's bachelor's degree in Computer Science has been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, a nonprofit, ISO 9001-certified quality assurance organization. Through the accreditation of academic programs, recognition of credentials and assessment of student learning, ABET supports excellence in education worldwide.
150 Advocates Rally at Capitol Demanding Governor Newsom Sign AB 7 Into Law
More than 150 community leaders, students, and grassroots advocates gathered on the West Steps of the California State Capitol, calling on state lawmakers to pass AB 7, the Legacy of Harm & Exclusion Consideration Act, and demanding that Governor Newsom sign it into law.
Spelman College wins 7th annual Moguls in the Making entrepreneurial pitch competition
Spelman College students took top honors in the seventh annual Moguls in the Making entrepreneurial pitch competition, where 50 students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) developed innovative and impactful solutions to address economic mobility challenges in Detroit. The winning team will be featured on "The Jennifer Hudson Show" on Sept. 25 to speak about their Moguls in the Making experience and winning idea.
Knight Foundation Announces Nearly $20 Million in New Investments to Fuel Detroit’s Economic Growth and Cultural Vitality
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced $19.8 million in new investments to advance Detroit’s arts and tech economy, civic infrastructure and public spaces across the city at a community celebration on Sunday at Michigan Central. This new commitment builds on decades of partnership to support the city’s revitalization and expands Knight’s investments from downtown into the inner-ring neighborhoods. Over the last 25 years, Knight Foundation has made more than 750 grants to the people and organizations making a difference in Detroit. That’s more than $215 million, including over $80 million in just the last decade.
Speak Sell Shine Announces 2025 Cohort of Visionary Leaders, Authors and Speakers
The stage is set, the cameras are rolling, and the red carpet is ready. The iconic Howard Theatre and the National Press Club will once again host Speak Sell Shine, a transformative two-day experience designed to elevate entrepreneurs, authors, and speakers to national visibility. The event will be held October 6–7, 2025.
