Local News
COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER KISHA MCCASKILL TAKES CENTER STAGE AS SOUTH SUBURBAN COMMUNITY UNITES FOR A GREENER FUTURE
On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Cook County Commissioner Kisha McCaskill of the 5th District successfully hosted a dynamic and impactful Earth Day Celebration at South Suburban College, located at 15800 State Street in South Holland, Illinois. The event, presented in partnership with State Senator Napoleon B. Harris III and the Office of Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart, brought together residents from across the South Suburbs for a day of environmental action and community service.
RICH TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR CALVIN JORDAN LEADS HEARTWARMING SPRING CELEBRATION FOR HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES WITH “EASTER JAMBOREE” CELEBRATION
On Saturday, April 19, 2025, Rich Township Supervisor Calvin Jordan and Olympia Fields Park District hosted an unforgettable Easter Celebration that brought together families from across the south suburban area. Hundreds of children gathered at 20712 Western Avenue to enjoy an afternoon filled with laughter, endless fun, and activities for the entire family. This family-focused event featured an egg hunt, arts and crafts, interactive games, music, and an engaging dance session with the Easter Bunny. Families also enjoyed a complimentary lunch, capturing springtime memories with festive photo ops and colorful decorations. Supervisor Jordan credits the impact of purposeful partnership to being able to create great opportunities for memorable experiences
OneUnited Bank Teams Up with Esusu to Empower Renters, Unlock Better Credit and Open Doors to Homeownership
In recognition of Financial Literacy Month, OneUnited Bank, a leading Community Development Financial Institution and the nation's largest Black-owned bank, is joining forces with the innovative credit-building platform Esusu to revolutionize the path to homeownership for renters. By reporting on-time rental payments, this alliance simplifies credit building, paving the way to homeownership and delivering essential financial literacy tools and AI technology to help close the wealth gap.
NBA Legends Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Paul's Social Change Fund United Partners with Stackwell
Social Change Fund United (SCFU), founded by NBA icons Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Paul, has joined forces with Stackwell, a pioneering fintech platform committed to expanding financial market access, and the National Basketball Players Association Foundation (NBPA Foundation) to drive meaningful economic impact in historically under-resourced communities. The groundbreaking SCFU Visionary Ventures Program is designed to support small businesses, piloting first in the Los Angeles Community with the goal to expand and scale across the U.S.
CAROL'S DAUGHTER CELEBRATES 5 YEARS OF CHAMPIONING BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WITH EXPANDED LOVE DELIVERED INITIATIVE
Carol's Daughter proudly celebrates the fifth year of its groundbreaking Black maternal health initiative, Love Delivered. Since its inception, Love Delivered has been committed to improving maternal health for Black women and birthing people, and in 2025, the initiative continues to empower, support, and uplift Black and Brown birthing people and their communities through impactful programs and partnerships.
HOPE Makes Landmark Investment in Talladega College
HOPE (Hope Enterprise Corporation / Hope Credit Union) signaled its ongoing commitment to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with a $15 million working capital loan to Talladega College to empower the college to restructure its balance sheet and bolster its long-term viability.
Governor Pritzker Announces Second-Highest Film Production Expenditures in State History
Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and Illinois film industry leaders to announce film production expenditures of $653 million in 2024 – the second-highest expenditure total in state history – along with estimated wages of $351 million and 18,200 estimated hires in the industry (excluding extras). The high expenditures demonstrate Illinois’ ability to bounce back in the wake of the strikes that halted production in 2023.
New Secretary of State DMV+ Opens in Aurora
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office is opening a new 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art DMV+ housed at the former Carson Pirie Scott building in downtown Aurora.
Giannoulias Celebrates Financial Literacy Month With Book Donation
Mellody Hobson Books Donated to Every Public Library in Illinois
Governor Pritzker Awards More Than $19 Million Through the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) awarded more than $19 million in funding to 38 program recipients serving 1,900 community members statewide to expand the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The program creates a qualified talent pipeline of diverse candidates in the construction and building trades.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON RELEASES YOUTH IMPACT REPORT, HIGHLIGHTING YEAR OF HISTORIC YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND ENGAGEMENT
Mayor Johnson released the Youth Impact Report 2024, showcasing a landmark year of investment, opportunity, and empowerment for Chicago’s young people. The report outlines how, under the Johnson administration, the City of Chicago has implemented bold strategies that have significantly expanded employment, educational, and civic engagement opportunities for young Chicagoans across all 77 community areas.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON INTRODUCES THE HAZEL JOHNSON CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ORDINANCE
Mayor Brandon Johnson, alongside Alders Ramirez, La Spata, Sigcho-Lopez, Rodriguez-Sanchez, and Hadden, introduced the Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance, a bold step towards protecting vulnerable communities from disproportionate pollution burdens. By applying a more thorough zoning review process for heavy and intensive land uses that have the greatest potential for pollution exposure, the ordinance aims to prevent additional stressors from compounding in already-burdened communities.
Move Over or Get Pulled Over
The Illinois State Police (ISP) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) are warning drivers to Move Over or Get Pulled Over. The Move Over Law, known as Scott’s Law in Illinois, requires drivers to move over and slow down when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with its emergency lights activated. If changing lanes is unsafe or impossible, drivers must slow down to a safe speed, proceed with caution, and be prepared to stop if necessary.
Chamber Music Collective Collaborates With Award Winning Poet For Sound Healing Event
D-Composed is partnering with artist Jamila Woods for a sound healing event titled, the ‘listening field’. The event will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, April 27th, at Kehrein Center for the Arts, located at 5628 W. Washington Blvd.
