Local News
GLORIA J. TAYLOR FOUNDATION CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP, AND YOUTH ADVOCACY
The Gloria J. Taylor Foundation (GJTF) is celebrating 30 years of remarkable success in the development of young people, the promotion of educational excellence, and its tremendous achievements in helping to build safe and positive communities. On October 6th Gloria J. Taylor would have been 82 years old. During the week of October 5th, The Gloria J. Taylor Foundation will be doing an act of kindness every day that week in memory of Gloria J. Taylor.
GARFIELD PARK COMMUNITY UNVEILS SHARED VISION FOR ITS NEXT CHAPTER
After extensive community engagement and collaboration among residents, community organizations and local partners, the Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative (GPRWC) today unveiled the Garfield Park Quality of Life Plan (QLP), a community-led planning process led by GPRWC with support from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). The process created a community-driven roadmap that establishes, for the first time, a shared direction for East and West Garfield Park and alignment for future investment, partnerships and action around community priorities.
ISAC CONGRATULATES ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOLS FOR EXCEPTIONAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state’s college access and financial aid agency, is pleased to announce the 2026-27 Financial Aid Application Completion Recognition of Excellence Honorees. These Illinois public and private high schools have attained outstanding financial aid application completion rates-- demonstrating ongoing support for their students through the financial aid process. This recognition celebrates each school’s dedication to helping students access financial aid to help them pursue their educational goals. This year, 539 schools were honored, almost a 15 percent increase over last year’s honorees.
M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS CELEBRATES ITS 25th ANNIVERSARY AT THE CHICAGO TAP SUMMIT, OCTOBER 2nd Thru. 4th
M.A.D.D. (Making A Difference Dancing) Rhythms, Chicago’s premier tap collective, is proud to celebrate its 25th Anniversary at the Chicago Tap Summit, October 2 - 4, at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. (47th Street entrance). The premier Illinois tap dancing event of the year follows M.A.D.D. Rhythms Day in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 1. This Anniversary Summit includes three days of dance, discussion and classes while celebrating the tap dance community with tours and panels as well as the premiere of works from company Co-Founder Bril Barrett, who has been named to Newcity’s Players 50 Hall of Fame (2026) and received “The Hoofer Award” from Tap City in 2025, as well as a premiere from Co-Founder Martin “Tré” Dumas III. Additionally, a screening of “Beyond a Shuffle,” a new documentary about M.A.D.D. Rhythms will be shown. For information on the Chicago Tap Summit and the other events go to MADDRhythms.com.
After School Matters Gala Celebrates 35 Years, Raising Nearly $2.7 Million and Counting for Chicago Teens
More than 500 civic, corporate, and community leaders gathered at the Obama Presidential Center Home Court on September 24 for the After School Matters® Annual Gala, raising nearly $2.7 million and counting to support life-changing opportunities for Chicago teens. The evening marked 35 years of After School Matters meeting the moment and empowering Chicago young people through paid, hands-on programs that help teens explore their passions, develop their talents, and build skills for their futures.
CCDPH Launches “Every Vaccine Counts” Campaign to Help Protect Children From Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
As students across suburban Cook County return to school, Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) today launched "Every Vaccine Counts,” a public awareness campaign encouraging parents and caregivers to make sure their children are up to date on vaccinations that protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.
Chicago Hotel Workers Vote 85% To Authorize Largest Strikes in City’s History
Following negotiations with no agreement, Local 1 hospitality members, including room attendants, cooks, dishwashers, front desk agents, servers, and food service workers, have voted 85% to authorize strikes in the first wave of voting.
TALBOTS TAKES MANHATTAN FOR FALL 2026, BRINGING A MODERN EXPRESSION OF AMERICAN STYLE TO NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Talbots is bringing a new expression of classic American style to Manhattan this fall with Talbots Takes Manhattan, a Fall 2026 campaign spanning social storytelling, the brand's New York Fashion Week debut, and new cultural and media partnerships.
THRESHOLDS CELEBRATES NEW, EXPANDED MCHENRY COUNTY LOCATION
Thresholds, a nonprofit provider of mental health and substance use services, today celebrated its new, larger home in McHenry County with a ribbon-cutting and community open house, held inside the building’s new Living Room space. The expanded location—located at 616 Route 31 in McHenry—allows Thresholds to grow the services it offers locally, including the addition of the Living Room, a 24/7, peer-led crisis respite program offering free, alternative care to psychiatric hospitalization for people experiencing a mental health crisis. The Living Room will open its doors in October. B-roll of today's event is available here.
New Illini Hall Reaches Milestone at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB), in partnership with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, state and local officials, construction partners, and members of the campus community, joined together to celebrate the topping out of the new Illini Hall.
CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY AWARDED $2.3 MILLION HUD GRANT TO LAUNCH JOBS PLUS PROGRAM AT WENTWORTH GARDEN
The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) today accepted a $2.3 million Jobs Plus Initiative grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), funding a five-year effort to connect working-age residents at Wentworth Gardens with employment services. CHA is one of only 10 agencies nationwide to receive the grant.
We the People Must Vote WOKE
Needless to say, Type 1s are leaders, high achievers and generally healthier and happier people. Type 2s may be less engaged initially, but through observation, many eventually get the message and transform themselves into Type 1s committed to action.
CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 30th ANNIVERSARY OF BLACK PERSPECTIVES PROGRAM
The Chicago International Film Festival will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its Black Perspectives program throughout this year’s 62nd edition of the Festival with tributes, retrospective screenings, and a special program honoring Marlon Wayans. Founded in 1997 in collaboration with Spike Lee, the Festival’s Black Perspectives program exists to highlight the excellence and diversity of Black American cinema and films by the African diaspora from around the world. The longest-running competitive film festival in North America, the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival runs October 14 - 25, 2026.
Cook County Clerk’s Office Seeking Election Judges for Upcoming November 3 Gubernatorial General Election
The Cook County Clerk’s Office is putting out the call for Election Judges ahead of the November 3 Gubernatorial General Election, giving suburban residents the opportunity to do their part for democracy and earn some cash in the process.
