Chicago Public Schools (CPS) recognized continued growth and success in its nationally-recognized Advanced Placement (AP) program, highlighting rising enrollment, stronger outcomes for Black and Latinx students, and tens of millions of dollars in tuition savings for CPS families.
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) announced that development teams across the state may now apply for the 2026 Supportive Housing Institute (the Institute), an accelerated training and technical assistance program that helps equip teams with the expertise needed to successfully develop and finance affordable housing with support services. Supportive housing pairs affordable homes with on-site or community-based services that help people facing complex challenges live with autonomy and dignity.
Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Alderwoman Michelle Harris (8th), Department of Housing (DOH) Commissioner Lissette Castañeda, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, members of the Trinity United Church of Christ community, neighborhood leaders, and Pullman residents for the ribbon cutting ceremony at the newly completed Imani Village Senior Residence. The City-backed project adds 70 new affordable homes to the Pullman area while providing independent living opportunities tailored to the needs of seniors. The project is part of the larger Imani Village project under development in the surrounding area.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Park District CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and Alderman David Moore (17th) joined members of the West Englewood community to announce the first step toward constructing a new fieldhouse in historic Ogden Park at 6500 S. Racine. The announcement follows the Chicago Park District Board vote to approve of the design contract for the new fieldhouse, marking a new chapter for the historic park and surrounding community. The $25 million project will be partially funded by $12 million in City TIF dollars in addition to Park District and state funds.
Friend Health, a community-anchored federally qualified health center (FQHC) serving Chicago’s South Side, celebrated the opening of its new Back of the Yards community health center on Saturday, November 22, in a ceremony with community residents and Chicago dignitaries. The opening represents the largest expansion in Friend Health’s nearly three decades of service, the latest proof of its rapid growth and momentum in bringing whole-person, affordable care to Chicago’s South Side.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) announced plans to introduce new maternal health legislation with Mercedes Wells, a constituent who was forced to give birth in her truck after being discharged from a hospital. The WELLS Act, named in honor of Mercedes, will urge hospitals and birthing centers to develop and implement a safe discharge plan.
Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) announced that public universities in Illinois achieved the highest enrollment level in 10 years, with nearly 190,000 students enrolled during the fall semester of the 2025-26 academic year. Total enrollment at Illinois public universities increased for the second consecutive year and is the highest in 10 years according to IBHE’s annual First Look Fall Enrollment report.
Ever, the celebrated restaurant led by Chef Curtis Duffy, is honored to share that it has been awarded Two Michelin Stars in the 2025 Michelin Guide, as well as Michelin’s Service Award recognizing the restaurant’s exceptional front-of-house hospitality.
Chicago Community Builders Collective (CCBC), the general contractor for the Bally’s Chicago Casino project, in partnership with UCAN Chicago, Bally’s Chicago, McHugh Concrete Construction, UJAMAA Construction, and Brown and Momen, hosted two-free meal giveaways, providing meals to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients impacted by the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. Select photos are linked below.
Do312, Chicago’s premier source for the best things to do in and around the city, today announced the launch of its Do312 MORE Holiday Promotion, offering Chicagoans a new affordable, experience-driven gifting option through Dec. 17. For $50, gift-givers can provide a full year of personalized monthly event tickets, including concerts, comedy, festivals and local cultural events, without the traditional holiday stress of shipping, sizing or second-guessing.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias unveiled the new, state-of-the-art DMV in Naperville, offering faster, streamlined services and efficiencies.
South Suburban College (SSC) is proud to announce a special pinning ceremony honoring the accomplishments of the 2024–2025 Radiologic Technology cohort, including students who continued their education at SSC after being displaced by the sudden closure of Northwestern College. The ceremony will take place on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Kindig Performing Arts Center on SSC’s Main Campus.
Gary, IN (December 2, 2025) Comedian Chris Tucker is coming to Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana’s Hard Rock Live venue on Saturday, March 28. Doors open at 7 p.m. General on sale begins this Friday, December 5, at 10 a.m. Central Time.
As the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia continues to climb, advocates warn that public policy has not kept up with the increasingly urgent needs of families. Leaders from the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) stress that lawmakers must take decisive action now to strengthen protections, expand services, and provide meaningful financial support to millions of caregivers nationwide.
This year, as I sat to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast with friends-laughter floating across the table, stories being passed like side dishes-my spirit felt unusually quickened. I experienced the familiar gratitude that Thanksgiving always brings, something quieter, yet more urgent: an awareness that the challenges and blessings of this year felt both intimately familiar and achingly fleeting. Time has its own rhythm, but this year it seemed to move with a swifter current. Perhaps you, too, have sensed that change since last January. At the same time there came a moment of feeling helpless to these things that have so rapidly changed, affecting so many facets of our lives. I took a deep breath and allowed myself to feel the weight and wonder of these past months.