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Mayor Helps Make Christmas Easier for South Side Children
The 23rd Annual Christmas in the Wards event got a boost this year from Mayor Lori Lightfoot who took one first grader Christmas shopping at Walmart in Pullman.
The Illinois Tax Man cometh; how should we greet him?
A number of readers (actually two) have requested a column about Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s tax initiatives. I have rattled on about this in the past, yet the topic is important to the future of Illinois, so here goes again, at least for the benefit of the two readers with interest.
Stedman Graham to Receive 2020 Horatio Alger Award
Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofi t educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, recently announced that, Stedman Graham, Chairman and CEO, S. Graham & Associates (SGA), has been selected for membership in this prestigious organization.
IN MEMORIAM: Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch: Remembering Carroll Spinney
Growing up, Sesame Street was a way of life. Modeled after a brownstone neighborhood in Harlem, it was familiar yet far with a cast of characters who looked and sounded like the melting pot of people growing up in America’s cities at that time. There was an effortless blend of humans and puppets, some of whom walked and talked and moved about the street where the air is sweet.
The National Museum of African American Music Seeks Submissions of Creative Artwork from Visual Artists
When the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) opens its doors to the public in the summer of 2020, the first-of-its-kind institution located in the heart of downtown Nashville will be home to more than 1,500 historical artifacts that reflects the development, influence, and impact of African Americans on more than 50 genres and sub-genres including country, jazz, blues, gospel, R&B and hip hop.
Fragrance Creators Association Launches Digital Fragrance Resource for the Public
Fragrance Creators Association recently launched FragranceConservatory.com, a digital space designed to help people learn about fragrance and make informed and confident choices about the scented products they use every day.
LOW-INCOME STUDENTS CAN NOW ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO FOR FREE
A relatively new program at the University of Chicago allows low-income students to receive free tuition if their household income is $125,000 per year or less. And more financial assistance is available to students with household incomes $60,000 per year or less. Those students receive free housing and fees plus tuition as part of their financial aid by the school. And for students who are the first in their families to attend college, they receive a $20,000 scholarship over four years and a guaranteed paid internship for their first summer. Free housing is a big deal because the university requires all students to live on campus during their first two years
Thornton Township once again joined forces with the Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County
The Illinois Horse Rescue has worked with the township over the past several years in events such as Days in the Park, the annual Township picnic, the Taste of Thornton Township and other various community outreach initiatives. The organization has 35 stalls for various animals.
Pritzker signs bill promoting diverse workforce on capital projects
Springfield – Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation on Tuesday, Dec. 10, aimed at ensuring minority workers have access to jobs created through the state’s new $45 billion capital improvements plan, as well as access to training for careers in construction and building trades.
40th Anniversary of the Illinois Human Rights Act Celebrated
The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), in partnership with the Illinois Human Rights Commission (HRC), recently celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA).
State Selects Project Manager to Proceed with Sale of the Thompson Center
Governor JB Pritzker recently announced that the State of Illinois has taken an important step forward in selling the James R. Thompson Center. After a competitive RFP process to select a project manager, the State will enter into exclusive negotiations with Ernst & Young Infrastructure Advisors, LLC (EY) to provide an array of project management and technical expertise to generate the best value from the sale for taxpayers.
Chicago Bar Association Announces Partnership With “Lawyers In The Classroom” Program
The Chicago Bar Association has partnered with a longstanding civic education program that brings lawyers directly into the classrooms of Chicago‐area elementary schools to teach the U.S. Constitution and promote the principles of democracy.
SUBURBAN BLUES GROUP TO REPRESENT CHICAGO YOUTH AT INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE
Three south suburban youth, who call themselves MudCity Blue, will attend the 2020 International Blues Challenge in Memphis next month as the only Chicago-area youth blues group. The trio, Kendall Carter, Stacy Norris and Peyton McDowell, met while students at Homewood-Flossmoor High School (HF) where their passion for blues music enriched. Carter is the group’s guitarist and vocalist; McDowell is on bass and Norris is on drums.
Board Approves McDonald’s Settlements
AFTER NEARLY THREE YEARS OF PROCEEDINGS, THE GENERAL COUNSEL AND MCDONALD’S USA, LLC PRESENTED A SERIES OF INFORMAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS RESOLVING ALL THE ALLEGED UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES.
