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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.

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.

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.

Vision 2030 Plan Details Education Leaders’ Priorities for Future-Focused Learning, Shared Accountability and Predictable Funding for K-12 Schools

Education leaders from five statewide organizations in Illinois announced Vision 2030, a blueprint for public education in Illinois, developed with input from the statewide membership of the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), Illinois Principals Association (IPA), Illinois Association of School Business Officials (Illinois ASBO) and Illinois Association of Regional School Superintendents (IARSS). Vision 2030 seeks to engage parents, educators, policy leaders, elected officials, and the general public around a platform that emphasizes student and school safety, attracts and retains high-quality educators, enhances post-secondary success and more effectively measures what is working well in schools in a timely, usable manner.

Holiday gift guide for people living with dementia and their caregivers

Holiday shopping and gift-giving can often be challenging, but even more so when shopping for a person living with dementia. There are seven million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 266,500 living in Illinois. Depending on the stage of disease, some well-intentioned gifts may no longer be appropriate or practical for the person.

MERRELL, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA DESIGN ICONIC HIKER TO FOSTER INCLUSIVE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES

Merrell®, the world's leading hike and outdoor footwear brand, announced it has collaborated on an exclusive design of the brand's modern and innovative Moab Speed 2 in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA). The partnership supports the crucial need for mentorship and further promotes their shared mission to build confidence, ignite passion for nature, and inspire the journey to our full potential.

PRNewsfoto/YoungArts ANNOUNCING THE 2025 YOUNGARTS AWARD WINNERS

YoungArts announces the 2025 YoungArts award winners—more than 800 of the most accomplished young artists from across the country, heralding the next generation of artists to watch. YoungArts award winners are selected through a highly competitive application, which is reviewed by panels of esteemed, discipline-specific artists in a rigorous adjudication process. A complete list of the 2025 winners, all 15–18 years old or in grades 10–12, is available at youngarts.org/winners.