Local News

Treasurer Maria Pappas unveils online tool that shows where property tax dollars go as Dec. 1 tax due date looms

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas today unveiled an innovative online tool that for the first time calculates year-to-year changes for each property tax bill and shows where tax dollars go.

Damage from the September Storms and Flooding? Apply for Federal Assistance

Cook County residents affected by the severe storms and flooding of September 17- 18, 2023, may now call or go online to register for disaster assistance from FEMA. If you have insurance coverage, first file a claim. If you have uninsured or underinsured losses, contact FEMA by going online to disasterassistance.gov, downloading the FEMA app or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. When calling the FEMA Helpline, multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages).

CHA announces new “Restore Home” initiative; major capital effort will rehabilitate nearly 200 vacant apartments in small and medium buildings in 2024-25

The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) announced the new Restore Home initiative at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. The initiative is part of the agency’s proposed 2024 budget and capital plan, which will be considered at a special board meeting in December.

ROBBINS EAGLES 13U TEAM MAKES HISTORIC BREAKTHROUGH, ADVANCING TO AYF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 40 YEARS

In a historic moment that resonates beyond the field, the Robbins Eagles 13U Team has shattered barriers and secured their place in the American Football League (AYF) National Championship for the first time in the program's four-decade history. Led by Head Coach Justin Harris, this remarkable achievement symbolizes a journey of perseverance, resilience, and unwavering determination

Sheriff’s Office and Housing Authority of Cook County Distribute Free Turkeys to Cook County Residents

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office joined the Cook County Housing Authority on Tuesday to provide free turkeys to south suburban residents, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Local Girl Scouts learn how to Step

In the auditorium of Jones College Prep, girls in yellow t-shirts watched intently as Step Afrika performed on stage. After the group performed, the girls who are Girl Scouts were invited to come up on stage.

U.S. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS RELEASES NEW CIVIL RIGHTS DATA ON STUDENTS’ ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES DURING THE PANDEMIC

The U.S. Department of Education’s (Department) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today released new civil rights data from the 2020–21 school year, offering critical insight regarding civil rights indicators during that coronavirus pandemic year. OCR also released seven data reports and snapshots, including A First Look: Students’ Access to Educational Opportunities in the Nation’s Public Schools, which provides an overview of these data and information.

A Positive Note wants children to think, be and stay positive

Linda Odom wants children to be inspired and to embrace positivity through her endeavor, A Positive Note and its characters, which children can find in books, on YouTube and plush toys.

Veterans and their families asked to share stories and memories

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is encouraging Veterans in Illinois to share their stories, mementos and photos for the Illinois Veterans History Project.

COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER DONNA MILLER AND PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO CATCH UP ON COVID, FLU, AND RSV VACCINATIONS BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS

Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller hosted a fireside chat discussion alongside two Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) officials -- COO Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck and Chief Nursing Officer Denise Gilbert -- to share information on the updated COVID-19 vaccines, which target the currently-spreading variants. The conversation, which took place at Moraine Community College, was held alongside a pop-up vaccine clinic sponsored by Walgreens, where attendees could receive seasonal vaccines for COVID, flu, and RSV.

ILBCF provides resources and groceries to Veterans

The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation recently hosted a series of events with the goal to give back to Veterans.

ANNOUNCING WINNERS OF THE JOFFREY ACADEMY 14TH ANNUAL WINNING WORKS

The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, presents five world premieres in the culmination of Joffrey's national call for ALAANA (African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American) artists to submit applications for the Joffrey Academy's Winning Works Choreographic Competition. In addition to an added weekend of performances, new to this year's program is the selection of a first-ever Chicago-based choreographer as a fifth candidate, set on the students of the Joffrey Conservatory Program, a preliminary training program for aspiring Trainee dancers ages 14 to 18. This year's Competition winners— Jainil Mehta, Martha Nichols, Manoela Gonçalves, Houston Thomas, and Chicago-based winner Xavier Núñez (Recipient of the Zach Lazar Winning Works Fellowship), each will choreograph an original work created for the Joffrey Academy Trainees and Studio Company, to a commissioned score by a chosen composer collaborator.

3Arts announces inaugural recipients of $50,000 grants for Teaching Artists

3Arts, the Chicago-based nonprofit grantmaking organization, announced the recipients of its 3Arts Next Level Awards—$50,000 unrestricted cash awards given to past 3Arts awardees—during the festive 3Arts Awards Celebration held last night at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. While 3Arts has in the past awarded three Next Level grants, the roster this year was expanded to include two additional awards for teaching artists; at $50,000, this is the largest no-strings-attached cash award for teaching artists in the world. 2023 Next Level recipients are teaching artists Miguel “Kane One” Aguilar and Regin Igloria and visual artists Dianna Frid, Edra Soto, and Dorian Sylvain in recognition of their outstanding work in the arts and in neighborhoods across Chicago.

GYMGUYZ Unveils Online Personal Training Studio to Meet Demand for Enhanced Virtual Fitness

As demand for access to at-home fitness programs continues to soar, GYMGUYZ, the world's largest in-home and on-site personal training franchise, has announced its all-new, online training sessions, streamed from a state-of-the-art fitness facility.

THE INAUGURAL “CLARK STREET COOKIE CRAWL” IS COMING TO LINCOLN PARK

A balanced holiday diet is a cookie in each hand! The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) is pleased to announce its inaugural Clark Street Cookie Crawl, sponsored by Clark Street Special Service Area (SSA) #23 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Sunday, Dec. 10,. Stretching down Clark Street between Fullerton and Diversey Avenue, participating Clark Street businesses will each feature their own holiday cookie for the crawl along with holiday decorations. Attendees will pick up a bag at the designated check-in location and stop into participating businesses along the street to receive a cookie per stop. Jolly participants will also be treated to an array of activations at participating businesses including pictures with Santa, live carolers, craft stations, hot chocolate, plus some boozy selections for the guardians! Families are invited to wear their most cozy pajamas or festive sweaters to turn this crawl into a real treat. More information on the inaugural Clark Street Cookie Crawl can be found on the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce’s website. Tickets are on sale online for $25 per person with a boozy ticket option for $35. Groups of 4 can attend for $75.