Film lovers rejoice as the Auditorium Theatre (Chicago’s landmark stage at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly announces the debut of the Auditorium Philms Concert Series, a major new multi-media experience presenting five iconic films brought to life with scores performed in concert by the Chicago Philharmonic, the city’s go-to orchestra for film score collaborations. Launching February 17, 2024, with the futuristic classic Blade Runner, the inaugural 2024 Auditorium Philms Concert Series continues with Batman 1989 in its 35th Anniversary year, April 13; the return of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther after Chicago Philharmonic’s triumphant 2022 Chicago Premiere of the film concert, June 22 & 23; the North American debut of Bram Stoker’s Dracula just in time for Halloween, October 26; and the pop holiday fan favorite, Love Actually, December 7. Individual tickets, starting at $59.00, along with Philms series packages for as few as 2 concerts and as low as $106.00 are on sale now.
Today, U.S. Representative Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01) led 35 of his colleagues in sending a letter to House Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15) and Ranking Member David Scott (GA-13) calling for increased broadband access for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) in the Farm Bill’s Rural Development title.
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller hosted a fireside chat discussion alongside two Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) officials -- COO Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck and Chief Nursing Officer Denise Gilbert -- to share information on the updated COVID-19 vaccines, which target the currently-spreading variants. The conversation, which took place at Moraine Community College, was held alongside a pop-up vaccine clinic sponsored by Walgreens, where attendees could receive seasonal vaccines for COVID, flu, and RSV.
West Side Community Activist Zerlina Smith-Members called on her state legislator, La Shawn Ford (D-8th District) and Emanuel Chris Welch (D- 7th District), who is also the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, to vote on the extension of the Invest in Kids program, which expires on December 31.
A balanced holiday diet is a cookie in each hand! The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) is pleased to announce its inaugural Clark Street Cookie Crawl, sponsored by Clark Street Special Service Area (SSA) #23 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Sunday, Dec. 10,. Stretching down Clark Street between Fullerton and Diversey Avenue, participating Clark Street businesses will each feature their own holiday cookie for the crawl along with holiday decorations. Attendees will pick up a bag at the designated check-in location and stop into participating businesses along the street to receive a cookie per stop. Jolly participants will also be treated to an array of activations at participating businesses including pictures with Santa, live carolers, craft stations, hot chocolate, plus some boozy selections for the guardians! Families are invited to wear their most cozy pajamas or festive sweaters to turn this crawl into a real treat. More information on the inaugural Clark Street Cookie Crawl can be found on the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce’s website. Tickets are on sale online for $25 per person with a boozy ticket option for $35. Groups of 4 can attend for $75.
3Arts, the Chicago-based nonprofit grantmaking organization, announced the recipients of its 3Arts Next Level Awards—$50,000 unrestricted cash awards given to past 3Arts awardees—during the festive 3Arts Awards Celebration held last night at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. While 3Arts has in the past awarded three Next Level grants, the roster this year was expanded to include two additional awards for teaching artists; at $50,000, this is the largest no-strings-attached cash award for teaching artists in the world. 2023 Next Level recipients are teaching artists Miguel “Kane One” Aguilar and Regin Igloria and visual artists Dianna Frid, Edra Soto, and Dorian Sylvain in recognition of their outstanding work in the arts and in neighborhoods across Chicago.
Chicago City Council passed the Chicago Paid Time Off ordinance which guarantees up to five days of paid time off and five days of sick time for all of Chicago’s workers. The Chicago Paid Time Off Ordinance is the most progressive paid time off legislation at the municipal level in the United States.
“Today is a great day for the workers of Chicago, the businesses of Chicago, and the future of Chicago,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “This ordinance, accomplished through compromise and collaboration, is an important step on the path to revitalizing the economy of our great city.
The U.S. Department of Education’s (Department) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today released new civil rights data from the 2020–21 school year, offering critical insight regarding civil rights indicators during that coronavirus pandemic year. OCR also released seven data reports and snapshots, including A First Look: Students’ Access to Educational Opportunities in the Nation’s Public Schools, which provides an overview of these data and information.
Bridgett White’s children have participated in Chicago Pre-College Science and Engineering Program (ChiS&E) since they were in the 5th and 3rd grades. Today her daughter, Brianna is a sophomore at Kenwood taking Pre-Calculus and her 8th grader Tristan is at Sutherland Elementary deeply immersed in algebra.
In the auditorium of Jones College Prep, girls in yellow t-shirts watched intently as Step Afrika performed on stage. After the group performed, the girls who are Girl Scouts were invited to come up on stage.
Linda Odom wants children to be inspired and to embrace positivity through her endeavor, A Positive Note and its characters, which children can find in books, on YouTube and plush toys.
LaKoya Hampton was introduced to Chicago Women in Trades during a visit to a resource center near her house, after she moved back to Chicago from Texas in 2022. Chicago Women in Trades partnered with ComEd for the CONSTRUCT program.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is encouraging Veterans in Illinois to share their stories, mementos and photos for the Illinois Veterans History Project.