Local News
How May I Help You…
Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving the public in many roles. Those experiences taught me an important lesson: government and business exist to serve people—not the other way around. Now more than ever, I am committed to providing information and advocacy that helps people live better lives. I suppose it is simply in my nature to nurture.
Let Chicago's Next Mayor Choose the Next Police Superintendent
“With just nine months until Chicago elects its next mayor, now is not the time to rush the appointment of a permanent Police Superintendent. The city's focus should be on stability, continuity of operations, and maintaining public safety—not creating the likelihood that Chicago will have two different police superintendents within the span of a single year.
Cook County Public Health Offers Back-to-School Vaccinations at Suburban Cook County Community Events
Parents can get their children vaccinated for the upcoming school year, right on time for National Immunization Awareness Month in August.
Local fitness expert partners with DCASE for a 3rd year to offer a Free Cardio Kickboxing class on July 18th at Millennium Park
Seobia Rivers is a Chicago based fitness and wellness expert. She’s been known across the city as The Fitness and Health Creative. For a third year, she’s partnered with the Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events | DCASE to lead a special free class, open to the public, right in the city’s downtown at Millennium Park — The Great Lawn. The class will take place on Saturday, July 18th at 10:00 am.
Illinois Department of Early Childhood Officially Launches July 1 as New State Agency
The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) officially begins operations as Illinois’ first agency focused entirely on early childhood programs and services. The agency joins together programs previously administered by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD).
Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion Launches Mentor Protégé Program for Diverse Businesses
The Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion (CEI) is proud to announce the launch of its new Mentor Protégé Program (MPP), a new initiative designed to empower vendors certified in the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) through structured coaching, mentorship, and growth opportunities. By pairing experienced prime vendors with emerging BEP firms, the program aims to build capacity, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful pathways into State contracting. This launch marks a major step toward advancing equity and ensuring that diverse suppliers have the tools and support they need to compete and thrive.
Miles of Smiles: Illinois State Fair Unveils Theme Celebrating Route 66's Centennial
The road to the Illinois State Fair officially begins with a state tradition: the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade, starting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 13. The parade kicks off the 11-day celebration of Illinois agriculture, community, and creativity, winding through Springfield streets and into the heart of the fairgrounds.
CHICAGO BLACK EXCELLENCE AWARDS, HONORING BLACK ARTS AND ARTISTS SINCE 2001, ANNOUNCES NEW PERMANENT FEBRUARY TIMELINE
The Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago is proud to announce key enhancements to the Chicago Black Excellence Awards (CBEA), an annual event dedicated to honoring, celebrating, and promoting Chicago’s premier Black artists and arts organizations. Moving forward, the CBEA will permanently take place every February to align with Black History Month and further distinguish it within Chicago’s cultural awards landscape. Honoring the achievements of 2026, CBEA will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2027, at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St., Chicago.
The Pappas Portal: Free News You Can Use
When it comes to property taxes in Cook County, a lot of people feel like they’re staring at a 1,000-piece puzzle—and someone hid the box with the picture on the cover.
GLCU and LetMeDoIt Attend AAIDD Conference, Highlighting Technology’s Role in Advancing Independence for People with Disabilities
Bannockburn, IL (July 6, 2026) – Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) joined LetMeDoIt at the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) conference on June 23 and 24 in Chicago. Throughout the conference, attendees learned how LetMeDoIt helps people with disabilities organize decisions, engage trusted supporters, and build confidence through a clear, step-by-step technology experience.
Don’t Let Fraud and Scams Ground Your Summer Vacation Sponsored by JPMorganChase
As you make your summer travel plans this year, or perhaps you’ve already hit the road or you’re on your way to the airport, one thing to keep in mind – without putting too much of a damper on your trip – is to stay financially vigilant when finalizing your vacation plans.
Elevated Chicago and DCASE to Present INTERSECTIONS: Art, Planning and Place
Elevated Chicago, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), is excited to launch INTERSECTIONS: Art, Planning and Place, a series of creatives expos designed to bring together artists, creative entrepreneurs, developers, community leaders, and cultural practitioners to explore how arts and culture can shape more vibrant, connected, and resilient neighborhoods.
Janet Langhart Cohen’s Anne & Emmett returns to The DuSable Museum July 24-26
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center (The DuSable Museum) is proud to welcome Anne & Emmett back by popular demand to its newly renovated theater. The powerful one-act play imagines a conversation between Anne Frank and Emmett Till – two young people whose lives were cut short by hatred and injustice. Anne & Emmett is written by Emmy-nominated journalist, author and playwright Janet Langhart Cohen, directed by award-winning director Tom Jones II, and presented by Langhart Communications, LLC. Tickets are on sale now for Anne & Emmett, playing for a limited time at The DuSable Museum. Click here to purchase tickets.
HIRE360 AND PIVOT ENERGY CELEBRATED PIVOT SOLAR BOOT CAMP GRADUATION CEREMONY
HIRE360, an Illinois-based workforce development nonprofit, in partnership with Pivot Energy, a national renewable energy independent producer, celebrated the graduation of Pivot Program Cohort 1, a workforce development initiative that helps people prepare for construction careers on clean energy projects. Pivot donated $180,000 for this training program and partnered with HIRE360 to co-design a 240-hour Solar Workforce Bootcamp Training Program in Chicago for 10 participants, which concluded on July 9, 2026. HIRE360 has a strong track record of connecting individuals from underrepresented communities to careers in the union construction and clean energy trades through workforce training, pre-apprenticeship programs, and employer partnerships.
