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WINDY CITY SMOKEOUT ANNOUNCES A STELLAR 2023 BBQ LINEUP
Windy City Smokeout, the nation’s premier outdoor country music and BBQ festival, returns to Chicago’s iconic United Center (1901 W. Madison Street) on July 13-16, 2023. The two-time winner of the Academy of Country Music Awards “Festival of the Year,” the Windy City Smokeout will celebrate its 10th anniversary with some of country music’s biggest names and up-and-coming talents.
Chicago Icons Unite: The Original Rainbow Cone and Gino's East Team Up for a Delectable Dual-Brand Experience at Magnificent Mile
The Original Rainbow Cone, a Chicago tradition for over 95 years is thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with Gino's East, a legendary name in deep-dish pizza. This collaboration will bring together two of the city's oldest and most iconic restaurants, creating a culinary destination like no other. The Original Rainbow Cone will be adding a kiosk to the Gino's East Superior Street location (162 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611), aptly named Magnificent Mile, offering locals and tourists a taste of both sweet and savory delights.
President Obama Announces Programming Hub for the Future Obama Presidential Center
President Obama announced that the future Obama Presidential Center will be home to the Democracy in Action Lab (DIAL), a programming hub that honors the power of democracy, public service, and global changemakers. The Democracy in Action Lab, made possible by a transformational grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), will be the epicenter of the Obama Foundation’s commitment to community and program resources at the intersection of democracy and leadership development—a space to enrich young leaders in the neighborhood and around the world. President Obama made the announcement at the SNF Nostos Conference in Athens, Greece, during a keynote conversation with SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos.
RESULTS FOR AMERICA AWARDS CHICAGO WITH BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES WHAT WORKS CITIES CERTIFICATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL USE OF DATA
Mayor Brandon Johnson announced that the City of Chicago has been awarded the Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Certification at the Gold Level for exceptional use of data to inform policy decisions, allocate funding, improve services, evaluate program effectiveness, and engage residents. The citywide achievement was the result of projects led by the Mayor’s Office, Department of Assets Information and Services (AIS), Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), Department of Procurement Services (DPS), and Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT). The city projects submitted for certification were judged against rigorous standards established by practices within peer cities.
EPIC Academy Raises Nearly $120,000 at 2023 Annual Dare to Imagine Gala
In June, EPIC Academy, a public, open-enrollment charter high school located in South Chicago hosted its 2023 Dare to Imagine Gala themed “Building the Future Together” at The Carter Chicago. Approximately 150 guests attended the event for an evening filled with fun, networking, music, and inspiring stories. With the support of generous sponsors, attendees, and in-kind and monetary donations, EPIC raised nearly $120,000. Corporate sponsors included; Apogem Capital, BMO, Black McDonald’s Operators Association, Elrod Friedman, and KRD, Ltd. and Old National Bank. Funds raised will help provide transformational opportunities and further EPIC’s mission for students to pursue excellence and high expectations for postsecondary success, working towards college and career readiness through a variety of pathways.
Forest Preserves of Cook County Offers Endless Summer Possibilities
The recreational, educational and peaceful activities available all summer in the Forest Preserves of Cook County encompasses virtually anything available at a lake getaway in Wisconsin or Michigan, and then some—just much closer to home.
A record summer for high school and community college tech training programs at the Discovery Partners Institute
The Discovery Partners Institute, part of the University of Illinois System, will serve a record number of high school and community college students this summer.
Gov. Pritzker Celebrates Start of 110-mph Passenger Service on Chicago-St. Louis Line
Governor JB Pritzker joined federal, state, and local officials, along with the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak, the Union Pacific Railroad, and project supporters at Union Station to celebrate the start of 110 mph passenger rail service between Chicago and St. Louis. This multi-year project better connects the state’s communities and major institutions while improving safety, convenience, and accessibility. Starting with the first trains on Amtrak’s state-supported Lincoln Service this morning, the higher speeds are eliminating approximately 15 minutes from the previous 90 mph runtimes between the two cities and 30 minutes from the initial 79 mph schedule in place when the project broke ground.
CONGRESSMAN JONATHAN L. JACKSON (IL-01) CHAMPIONS "STOP FENTANYL NOW ACT OF 2023"
Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson joined fellow lawmakers at a press conference to announce the roll-out of the "Stop Fentanyl Now Act of 2023" led by Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) — a critical step in addressing the nationwide fentanyl crisis.
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL URGES STRONGER STANDARDS FOR DANGEROUS MERCURY EMISSIONS FROM POWER PLANTS
Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with 18 attorneys generals and cities, announced he filed comments in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to update and strengthen the 2012 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS)
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Eclipses $2 Billion in Investment Earnings Since Taking Office
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has earned more than $2 billion in investment earnings for the state portfolio since taking office, the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office announced.
Justice of the Pies coming to 87th Street
Maya-Camille Broussard is bringing Justice of the Pies to 8655 South Blackstone Ave. How it all happened can be traced back to a dream Broussard had.
Performer uses her upbringing to inspire art
Coco Elysses knew she wanted to be a performer when she was seven or eight years of age. She felt at home on stage, being a part of telling a story, whether it was music, theater or dance. As a child, she studied dance, taking ballet and modern dance classes on the South side of Chicago, as well as acting. She attended a program where anyone who was interested in the performing arts could come and discover the different aspects of arts. She studied music through free programming at school.
Pastor Phil Jackson recognized as a 2023 Leader for a New Chicago
Pastor Phil Jackson believes that real transformation and hope comes from grassroots organizations doing the work in communities where there is a great need. “We live in a community where hopelessness and resiliency co-exist. Our work is to create pathways of hopefulness and resilience,” Jackson said.
