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State of Illinois Celebrates Record-Breaking Export Sales for 2023 and Launches Governor’s Export Awards Application
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced another record-breaking year with export sales over $78.7 billion in 2023. According to rankings by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Illinois continues to lead the Midwest as the top exporting state and fifth in the nation.
COOK COUNTY LAND BANK AUTHORITY PARTNERS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND RESIDENTS TO TRANSFORM VACANT AND ABANDONED PROPERTY INTO COMMUNITY SPACES
The Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) announced its third annual giveaway of properties to community organizations for redevelopment into community spaces. CCLBA also highlighted the transformation of vacant properties that were previously donated to No Matter What NFP in 2023 and the Urban Male Network in 2022 are now community anchors for local residents.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON ANNOUNCES CARLA KUPE AS CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER
Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the appointment of Carla Kupe as the Chief Equity Officer of the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) during the City of Chicago’s 4th Annual Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony in Daley Plaza. Kupe will develop an implementation and oversight framework for advancing equity across city departments to propel the Johnson Administration’s commitment to a more just and inclusive Chicago for all.
DOMINIQUE WARREN NAMED DIRECTOR OF FEDERAL AFFAIRS FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO, SANTIAGO CAMPILLO NAMED SENIOR LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT
Mayor Brandon Johnson announces the additions of Dominique Warren as the Director of Federal Affairs for the City of Chicago and Santiago Ginebra Campillo as Senior Legislative Assistant of Federal Affairs. These high-impact additions will significantly elevate Chicago's federal affairs operations, fortifying the city's advocacy capabilities in the nation's capital.
Chicago Public Schools Students Open Books and Minds Through Summer Reading
As Chicago Public Schools’ students enjoy the second week of summer vacation, officials are reminding families and students of the many summer reading and literacy programs and resources across the city. Opening a book is another way to keep minds open and ready to learn when school resumes on Aug. 26.
Illinois awarded $1.8 million federal grant to improve access to transit in Southern Illinois
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced it has been awarded $1.8 million from the Federal Transit Administration to launch a pilot program in Southern Illinois with the goal of improving access to public transportation for people with disabilities, older adults and those with low incomes. The grant, administered through the federal Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Pilot Program, will support efforts to integrate trip scheduling and fare collection across 20 counties served by Shawnee Mass Transit District, Rides Mass Transit District, South Central Mass Transit and Monroe Randolph Transit District.
National Museum of African American History and Culture Acquires Largest Collection of Charleston Slave Badges
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture recently acquired what is thought to be the largest and most complete set of historic Charleston Slave Badges. The collection includes 146 rare badges dating as far back as 1804. It also features badges with makers’ marks and two with personalized inscriptions. To share the stories of these objects with a worldwide audience, the museum has launched a Searchable Museum feature at SearchableMuseum.com/SlaveBadges, which tells the historical significance of Charleston Slave Badges and the museum’s recent exciting acquisition.
Neighborhood Barbershop Has Been An Institution In Woodlawn For More Than 60 Years
The Coleman Brothers Barbershop has been located at 68th and Stony Island in Woodlawn since 1963. The community recently celebrated the milestone by dedicating the street Coleman Brothers Way.
Baylor’s Melon Market Continues To Provide The Best Quality Watermelons To Chicago
In the summer months, you’ve probably seen the trucks filled to the brim with watermelons, parked on the street, or been to Baylor’s Melon Market on 101st and Halsted. But, do you know the history of Baylor’s Melon Market?
Entrepreneur Uses Gift To Create Spice Blends
Tarsha Epps came up with the idea for It’s A Recipe in a Bottle Spice Blend after a few disappointments that led her to figure out what she was going to do. She started to listen to motivational speakers on YouTube. It was words from Steve Harvey that resonated with her the most. He said, people go to school to pay for a gift, but your gift is what you do well naturally.”
The Safer Foundation Gives Returning Citizens A Second Chance
The Safer Foundation was founded in 1972 to assist people returning from jail and prison, obtain private sector employment as a means to building a solid foundation for their lives, with a mission to make communities safer. Victor Dickson, President and CEO answered questions about the organization and its mission.
Communities Aim To Serve More People At Highest Risk For Impact From Gun Violence
Communities who have been working violence intervention outlined their plans to increase the number of people they serve who are at the highest risk of shooting or being shot. Representatives from organizations in Austin, Humboldt Park, Garfield Park and Little Village joined a convening at the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago as part of Scaling Community Violence Intervention for a Safer Chicago (SC2).
Extreme Summer Heat Precautions for Families Facing Alzheimer’s and Others Dementia
As the temperatures rise across the country, extreme heat can have a significant impact on everyone's safety, but they can be especially stressful and confusing for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Alzheimer's disease causes a number of changes in the brain and body that may affect their safety, including changes in sensitivity to temperatures.
Top 5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Home
Homeownership has long been a reliable and valuable investment for many Americans. The Black homeownership rate in the U.S., however, stands at just 44% - the lowest among all racial groups according to the National Association of Realtors.
