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Bank of America Chicago Marathon Shatters Another Record: $47.1 Million for Charity
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced today that 2025 participants raised a record $47.1 million for local, national and global nonprofits, smashing last year's highest fundraising total by $11 million. The fundraising momentum is expected to continue in 2026, with a third of the 55,000-person participant field expected to run and fundraise on behalf of an official charity.
Giannoulias Launches E-Filing for Court of Claims
As part of his broader modernization push, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced that the Illinois Court of Claims will now offer electronic filing options and conduct remote hearings – a major step forward in how the court serves the public.
Gov. Pritzker Announces $2 Million Investment in Springfield Homeless System
Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness announced $2 million in new investments for several community organizations in Springfield and the surrounding area to support local efforts to address and combat homelessness in Central Illinois. These investments from the Home Illinois grant exemplify the State’s commitment to reaching functional zero homelessness – a goal where the state prevents homelessness whenever possible and ensures that if homelessness does occur, it is brief, rare, and singular.
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi recently hosted events on the South and West sides with the goal to assist homeowners in navigating property tax savings. During these events, staff from the Assessor’
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi recently hosted events on the South and West sides with the goal to assist homeowners in navigating property tax savings. During these events, staff from the Assessor’s Office help property tax payers with exemptions that they might have missed.
Friend Health Provides Much Needed Healthcare Access To Communities
Wendy Thompson, CEO of Friend Health, said she was drawn to work in healthcare and the mission to help people live their best lives. Thompson said after having a career in finance, she had a greater calling for public service and went to work with the Chicago Public Schools for 10 years. She said what drew her to education is that education is one of the most transformational opportunities for individuals. She learned that healthcare is equally as important.
Local Woman Looks To Change Narrative Around Having Locs
Gail Mitchell likes to say that she didn’t choose the loc life, it chose her. Her hair journey took her from relaxing her hair to going natural and eventually getting locs. She noticed the questions and perceptions that the hairstyle brought and wanted to do something to change the narrative, so she started a blog called Loc’d Life Magazine in 2009. She’s had the blog for five years and has even printed two editions of it.
State Of The Southland: Village of Matteson
Sheila Chalmers-Currin has been the President of the Village of Matteson since 2017. Prior to that Chalmers-Currin served as a Village Trustee for eight years. She said that she decided to run for Mayor because she wanted to give back to the community, as she believes that everyone should want to give back to their respective communities.
Chicago Sinfonietta To Host ‘Open Heart’ Concert
To celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, the Chicago Sinfonietta will present a concert that pays tribute to the legacy of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. “Open Heart” will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday Jan. 18th, at Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College in Naperville, and at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19th, at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago.
Is It Normal Aging or Early Dementia? Memory Loss Causes and Alzheimer’s Warning Signs to Watch For
Memory changes are a natural part of aging. Misplacing keys or briefly forgetting a name happens to nearly everyone and usually doesn’t interfere with daily life. Dementia, however, is different. It involves ongoing cognitive decline that affects independence, judgment, and the ability to complete routine tasks.
Happy New You!
As 2025 comes to a close, many of us are ready to turn a new leaf and pray that all that was broken this year will be fixed in 2026. The losses, the uncertainty, the fatigue of it all—it has been a lot. But a new year does not require us to carry old burdens forward. It invites us to travel lighter. As we step into 2026, especially those of us who have experienced the coming and going of many years, it may be time to rethink not just what has happened to us—but what is still possible through us.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle Reaffirms Support for Community Violence Intervention Programs at Metropolitan Peace Academy Graduation
On Thursday, Dec. 18, Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI) and Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) celebrated the newest round of Chicago Community Violence Intervention (CVI) graduates from the Metropolitan Peace Academy (MPA). The 58 graduates included street outreach workers, case managers, and victim services professionals.
Ellman law to strengthen Illinois gun storage starting Jan. 1
With preventable tragedies involving unsecured guns increasingly impacting children and teens, State Senator Laura Ellman advanced a critical public-safety measure to strengthen Illinois’ firearm-storage requirements. The new law helps ensure firearms are safely secured and inaccessible to minors, vulnerable residents, and those who pose a public threat.
Governor Pritzker Signs Bill Expanding End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients
Governor Pritzker signed the Medical Aid in Dying bill (SB 1950), a law that will provide qualified terminally ill patients with the option to seek medication to peacefully end their lives on their own terms in consultation with physicians.
Peters spearheads law to raise Illinois’ juvenile detention age
A new law from State Senator Robert Peters will raise the minimum age at which minors can be detained and limit detention in certain situations where the minor is not charged with a violent crime, making it clear the state is prioritizing rehabilitation and addressing the root causes of delinquent behavior.