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Nicor Illinois Community Investment awards $500,000 in Impact Grants to boost local economies
Northern Illinois — Nicor Illinois Community Investment (NICI) has awarded five $100,000 Impact Grants to nonprofits in Rockford and South Suburban Cook County. These grants support programs advancing economic mobility, small business growth and workforce development.
Not for Profit Megan Butz Legacy of Hope Announces Opening of 2025 Grant Cycle
Megan Butz Legacy of Hope announces the opening of its 2025 grant cycle with $250,000 in funding available for Illinois-based organizations dedicated to providing mental health services focused on suicide prevention.
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE REMINDS MOTORISTS ABOUT SCHOOL BUS AND SCHOOL ZONE SAFETY
The Illinois State Police (ISP) is reminding motorists about school zone speed laws and sharing the road safely with buses as schools around the state prepare to open their doors for the new academic year.
MCA Chicago’s fourth annual Chicago Performs series planned for September 18–21
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago’s 2025 Chicago Performs showcase—an intimate festival of live arts highlighting essential local artists on a national platform—will kick off on Sept. 18-21, 2025. The fourth iteration of Chicago Performs includes work by Robyn Mineko Williams & Artists, Helen Lee/Momentum Sensorium, and Red Clay Dance Company. Taking place in the MCA’s Commons and Edlis Neeson Theater, this year’s performances will delve into themes of memory, remembrance, grief, and making space for joy and healing.
MCA Chicago’s fourth annual Chicago Performs series planned for September 18–21
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago’s 2025 Chicago Performs showcase—an intimate festival of live arts highlighting essential local artists on a national platform—will kick off on Sept. 18-21, 2025. The fourth iteration of Chicago Performs includes work by Robyn Mineko Williams & Artists, Helen Lee/Momentum Sensorium, and Red Clay Dance Company. Taking place in the MCA’s Commons and Edlis Neeson Theater, this year’s performances will delve into themes of memory, remembrance, grief, and making space for joy and healing.
Legendary Musician, Songwriter, and Producer Patrice Rushen to Headline Premiere Fireside Conversation at the Chicago House Music Conference
The Chicago House Music Conference will close out its Thursday programming with an unforgettable, premiere fireside conversation featuring one of music’s most respected and accomplished voices. On Thursday, August 21, from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Chicago Cultural Open House inside the Preston Bradley Hall located at 77 W. Washington Blvd., audiences will be treated to a rare, in-depth dialogue with the acclaimed musician, songwriter, and producer Patrice Rushen, whose artistry has shaped generations.
Congressman Davis Reflects On His Terms In Office
United States Congressman Danny K. Davis, D. Dist. 7, recently announced that he will not run for re-election at the end of his 15th term in 2027. Elected officials that currently hold office have announced their plans to run for his vacant seat.
Luella’s Southern Kitchen Celebrates Family Legacy
Chef Darnell Reed got into cooking at a very young age and began professionally at a young age. Growing up, he would watch Chef Justin Wilson on Channel 11. He chose culinary arts in high school while he was attending Dunbar Vocational High School. At 16, he worked in the kitchen at the Palmer House Hilton. Reed opened Luella’s Southern Kitchen in 2015 and recently re-opened the restaurant in a new location in Albany Park.
Production of Oliver! Features Two African American Leads
Erline Dorcy has always been a theatre kid. She grew up watching a lot of musicals, Annie, the Sound of Musical, Grease and Oliver. She knew she always wanted to be a performer. She performed while she was in elementary school, high school and majored in Musical Theatre and Performance at Columbia College. When Dorcy is not performing, she is teaching performance and theatre.
Tie Tuesday Foundation Makes Its Mark On Young People Through Mentorship
Daniel Jackson saw a great need for mentorship. As a Chicago Public School teacher, Jackson saw an opportunity to create something to support students outside of school. During his formative years, he had a mentor, and he wanted to be able to support young people in the same way he was supported when he was younger. He founded the Tie Tuesday Foundation in 2023.
Local Organization Helped Entrepreneurs Scale Their Businesses Through A Community Partnership
Dr. Tchicaya Robertson founded Tribe Insights in 2023 because she saw that people in the community needed support when they were upscaling their businesses as part of their entrepreneurship journey. Robertson said as an entrepreneur herself, helping other entrepreneurs is a passion of hers. She believes that because of the political climate and environment, it is necessary for the Black community to be more independent. She said entrepreneurship is one way for people to be more independent and not depend on corporate America. Robertson left corporate America in 2023, and it led her to create Tribe Insights.
104-YEAR-OLD CAREER EDUCATOR RECENTLY LAUDED BY PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR REGISTERING TO VOTE SUCCUMBS
Calvin Jordan-Rich Township Supervisor- is announcing the passing of 104-year-old Rich Township resident and his grandmother in law, Jennie McDuffie. Affectionately known as “GG,” Mother Jennie passed away quietly on Sunday, August 17th, at her home in Olympia Fields surrounded by her loving family.
10 Steps to Approach Memory Concerns in Others
When a loved one begins to show signs of memory loss or changes in behavior, it can be difficult to know where to start. Is it simply aging, or something more serious like Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia?
Don’t Forget the Least In Our Midst
Over the months that I have been writing this column, there is one area of planning that I have not identified or stressed enough. This week I have been confronted with the sad outcome of a parent who did not plan for the care and upkeep of their dependent adult child. Simply put, when the parent died, the child is now forced to move into housing for the homeless without the skills required for independent living.