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MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON AND THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ANNOUNCE THE GOOD FOOD FUND GRANT ROUND 2 AWARDEES
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) announced the awardees of the final round of the Good Food Fund Grant program. The Good Food Fund program increased access to culturally relevant and nourishing food on the South and West sides, expanded business ownership and jobs in the food industry, generated more sustainable local food economies and increased local sourcing and supply of locally grown and regionally produced foods. The 108 Chicago food businesses received a total of $3,360,000 in funding.
The Obama Foundation Opens Applications for the 2025-2027 Voyager Scholarship, the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service
The Obama Foundation opened applications for the 2025-2027 Voyager Scholarship, the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service. Funded by a $100 million contribution from Airbnb CEO and Co-Founder Brian Chesky, the scholarship provides college students with last-dollar financial aid to help alleviate the burden of college debt, meaningful travel experiences, opportunities to connect with new communities, and access to a network of mentors and leaders to support them throughout their careers.
Target Area Launches “Caring Hearts” Giving Campaign to Uplift Englewood
Love isn’t just a feeling—it’s an action. That’s why Target Area Development Corporation is proud to launch the “Caring Hearts” Giving Campaign, running now through the end of February. This initiative is a call to inspire support for the people and programs driving change in the Englewood community.
BURDEENS CHICAGO EXPANDS LEGACY WITH GRAND OPENING OF 2ND LOCATION IN LITTLE VILLAGE
In January, Burdeens Chicago, an iconic sports hat and apparel retailer owned by Gerry and Rolando Alvarez, celebrated the grand opening of its second location in the vibrant Little Village neighborhood. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the beloved store, building on decades of legacy in its original Pilsen location with a fresh vision for the future.
Gov. Pritzker Announces $38 Million Investment in Commuter Rail Service
Governor JB Pritzker announced a $38.6 million investment from the U.S. Department of Transportation towards Amtrak’s Borealis Intercity Passenger Rail Service Line, which began service in May 2024. Borealis service runs from Chicago to Minneapolis with an additional Illinois stop in Glenview. In September, Governor Pritzker joined Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers in a coordinated bid between their states to deliver this expanded commuter rail service in the Borealis corridor. The funding will support six years of operations for the Borealis service.
Loyola Medicine’s Shawn P. Vincent Elected to Serve as Chairman for Illinois Health and Hospital Association Board
Shawn P. Vincent, President and Chief Executive Officer of Loyola Medicine, Chief Executive Officer of Saint Joseph Health System, and President of the Trinity Health Illinois/Indiana Region has been elected to serve as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA). The IHA Board is the policymaking body for the Association, which represents more than 200 hospitals and nearly 40 health systems across Illinois. Vincent’s one-year term began on Jan. 1.
HYDE PARK ART CENTER ANNOUNCES 2025 RESIDENT ARTISTS IN THE PROGRAM’S 14TH YEAR SUPPORTING LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL VOICES
Hyde Park Art Center, the renowned non-profit hub for contemporary art located on Chicago’s vibrant South Side, proudly announces the 2025 cohort of resident artists and curators on the fourteenth anniversary of its renowned Jackman Goldwasser Residency. The program offers supportive residencies of varying lengths to eight local, national, and international artists and curators who work across disciplines to address a wide range of social issues, including immigration, environmental justice, identity, and memory.
HYDE PARK SCHOOL OF DANCE PRESENTS ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Hyde Park School of Dance, now in its 31st year of training, performance, and community, presents Alice in Wonderland, returning after its successful revival in 2024. Performances are March 7 and 8 at Kennedy-King College, 740 West 63rd Street, Chicago.
Governor Pritzker Announces Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program
Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), state and local leaders at the Will Group to announce $10 million in funding for the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment (OE3) Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program to help small businesses achieve sustainable growth, improve efficiency, and create and retain jobs through capital improvements. This grant program is designed around equity to uplift businesses owned by historically underrepresented groups and very small businesses with fewer than 10 employees.
As 2025 Tax Season Begins, Hundreds of Millions in Tax Credits Available to Illinoisans
The 2025 tax season has officially began on Jan. 27, and the Economic Security Illinois is encouraging Illinoisans to take advantage of new and expanded tax credits that will put hundreds of dollars back in their pockets. New this year, the state’s first-ever Child Tax Credit (CTC) will provide up to $300 to eligible families with at least one child under 12. That’s on top of the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which thanks to a successful advocacy campaign from ESIL and its partners, was expanded in 2022 to provide more money to more Illinoisans than ever before. Illinoisans can also now access these credits easier than ever before via IRS Direct File, a new tool allowing Illinoisans to file their taxes online directly with the IRS, completely free.
Gov. Pritzker Announces 5,150 New Preschool Seats Through Smart Start Initiative
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced the addition of 5,150 publicly funded preschool seats as the result of the fiscal year 2025 Early Childhood Block Grants. The grants mark the second year of Governor JB Pritzker’s Smart Start Illinois plan, which aims to expand access to early childhood education by increasing the number of preschool seats available to working families. A total of 11,000 seats have been added under Governor Pritzker’s leadership.
CALUMET CITY’S FIRST LADY DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER
Saprina Jones- First Lady of Calumet City and wife of Mayor Thaddeus Jones- recently was devastated by her recent diagnosis of breast cancer and has now launched an information campaign to prepare, educate and support the countless women who will endure this diagnosis in the future.
BLUE ISLAND PARK COMMISSIONERS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ON HAND AS REPRESENTATIVE BOB RITA RECEIVED THE LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM THE ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF PARK DISTRICTS
Tonya R. Howard-Commissioner of the Blue Island Park District- recently was joined by fellow Commissioner GiGi John and Blue Island Park District Executive Director Teddy Ruthenberg as they were on hand to witness Illinois State Representative Robert "Bob" Rita receive the prestigious Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts.
THE POWERFUL COMBINATION OF LYNWOOD MAYOR JADA D. CURRY AND LYNWOOD VILLAGE CLERK KAREN WINGFIELD-BOND
Much has been documented about the enormous and remarkable accomplishments of Lynwood Mayor Jada D. Curry. However, Mayor Curry is often quick to express an abundance of accolades to the Lynwood Village Clerk, Karen Wingfield-Bond.
