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Marvin Sapp Releases New Single “Close the Door” on Good Friday
Marvin Sapp was recently in the news over a misinterpretation of his words while he was taking up offering at the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World 2024 National Convocation. Sapp was vilified on the internet and received threatening messages at his church from people who were angry over a video clip that showed him telling the ushers to “close the doors.”
HRP Group Celebrates Earth Day 2025 with Community Volunteerism and Investments in Local Green Spaces
HRP Group (HRP), a vertically integrated, multi-strategy real estate investment company specializing in the transformation of obsolete industrial sites into sustainable developments, celebrated Earth Day 2025 through a series of community-based environmental initiatives across its markets.
BALLY’S CHICAGO EXPANDS OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, OFFERING PREFERENCE TO CITY RESIDENTS
Bally’s Chicago has announced expanded ownership opportunities giving preference to City of Chicago and Illinois residents, in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
Family Focus Sets New Illinois Standard in Postnatal Equity and Education for Families Across Chicagoland
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Family Focus will host the Village of Care: Doula and Maternal Wellness Event during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Homan Square Community Center (3517 W. Arthington St., Chicago, IL). The event amplifies the voices of mothers, birth workers, fathers, and legislative leaders, fostering collaboration and dialogue among key stakeholders. It supports their efforts to broaden access to doulas and address disparities in maternal health outcomes throughout Chicago and Northeast Illinois.
Not in Our State: Illinois Urgently Calls on Residents to Help Stop Hate
Illinois has faced an alarming surge in hate and extremism, following national trends. Hate crimes have skyrocketed 125% statewide since 2021, with bias based on race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity driving over 95% of incidents. Now, the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) and the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes (CDHC) urgently call on all residents to report acts of hate through the Help Stop Hate initiative—a safe, confidential service that provides support and resources.
Glenwood Sunday Market returns to Rogers Park for 16th season with a new Market fundraiser to support Food Access Program
The nonprofit Rogers Park Business Alliance (RPBA) is proud to announce the 16th season of its Glenwood Sunday Market (GSM), Sundays from June 1 to October 26 (closed June 29 and August 17), from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Market will take place in the outdoor Glenwood Alfresco area on the southbound Glenwood Avenue between Morse and Lunt Avenues, to the west of the CTA Red Line Morse stop. New this year, the Glenwood Sunday Market will host a Spiral Into Spring – A Flourishing Soiree fundraiser on May 9 from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. at The Rhapsody Theater (1328 W. Morse Ave.) to help raise money for its Food Access Program. More information about the market and fundraiser can be found at glenwoodsundaymarket.rpba.org.
Chicago Urban League Announces Support for Initiative to Promote Brain Health and Reduce Cognitive Decline in Illinois
The Chicago Urban League, in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter, announces the launch of the Illinois Brain Health Project, a groundbreaking public health initiative designed to educate Illinoisans about the importance of brain health. This comprehensive campaign focuses on reducing cognitive decline by addressing modifiable risk factors and promoting healthy lifestyle practices, with a particular emphasis on reaching diverse, underserved, and higher-risk communities.
Cook County Health and NAMI Chicago Announce Enhanced Helpline and Mental Health Support for Residents Across the County
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, alongside representatives from Cook County Health (CCH) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago, announced expanded efforts to increase access to mental health support across Cook County. Through sustained, multi-year investment from CCH’s Office of Behavioral Health, this initiative aims to improve access to high-quality support through NAMI Chicago’s Helpline and community-based peer-support groups, while also launching a countywide public awareness campaign and robust engagement strategy to reduce stigma and help more residents take the first step toward support.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER LAUNCHING CITYWIDE REVIEW, BUDGET WORKING GROUP, TO STRENGTHEN CHICAGO’S FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Mayor Brandon Johnson signed Executive Order No. 2025-1, launching a comprehensive initiative to address the City’s fiscal challenges and ensure a financially sustainable future for Chicago. The executive order establishes a working group that will provide key recommendations aimed at streamlining operations, enhancing service delivery, and evaluating potential revenue strategies to address the city’s structural budget gaps.
Rep. Kelly Tours South Suburb Emergency Dispatch Center
During a week of action against the Trump administration's harmful agenda, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) toured the SouthCom Combined Dispatch Center to discuss its employees’ mental health.
Illinois Students and Advocates Call on Lawmakers to Fully Fund Campus Mental Health Support
Young Invincibles and the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago joined students and legislative leaders, Representative La Shawn K. Ford and Representative Lindsey LaPointe, to advocate to fully fund the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act (MHEACA) at $23.5 million for fiscal year 2026.
Giannoulias Launches Multi-Faceted Effort to Curb Distracted Driving
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias kicked off the office’s multi-faceted “One Road. One Focus” public safety campaign that raises awareness about the dangers and consequences of distracted driving.
Gov. Pritzker Highlights Progress Reducing Gun Violence in Chicago
Governor JB Pritzker, Illinois Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) officials, legislators, and community leaders convened to recognize progress made to reduce gun violence in Chicago and Illinois due in part to the Peacekeeper Program. The State of Illinois adopted this model in 2023 as a strategy of the OFVP. A recent Northwestern University evaluation report found a 41% reduction of gun violence rates in Chicago and Cook County suburban hotspots targeted by the program.
Chicago Public Schools, City Colleges of Chicago, and University of Illinois Chicago Launch Chicago Roadmap 2.0 to Ensure a Seamless Pathway to a Bachelor’s Degree
Chicago Public Schools (CPS), City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) are expanding the nationally-recognized higher education partnership with the launch of “Chicago Roadmap 2.0.” This next phase is designed to ensure students have a seamless transition from high school to community college to four-year institutions — retaining earned credits, reducing barriers to transfer, and keeping them on track for bachelor’s degree completion.
