Local News
Illinois students apply research and robotics in the Illinois FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge state championship
Creativity and science will come together this Saturday at the FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge Illinois State Championship at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, Illinois, where 56 teams of 9- to 14-year-old students and coaches will demonstrate their problem-solving skills, creative thinking, teamwork, competitive play, sportsmanship, and sense of community. The tournament is open to the public. The robot table competition portion of the event starts at Noon on Saturday, February 14th.
WDB L.E.G.A.C.Y. Weekend Celebrates 20 Years of Empowering Black-Owned Businesses
WDB Marketing and its nonprofit division, WDB Cares, will celebrate a historic milestone in 2026: 20 years of WDB Marketing and 10 years of the L.E.G.A.C.Y. Awards platform—two decades of building brands and a decade of building legacy through entrepreneurship and community impact. Since its inception, the L.E.G.A.C.Y. platform has awarded over $250,000 in cash and prizes to young and emerging entrepreneurs, fueling business growth, job creation, and generational wealth across the region.
Meals On Wheels Chicago Launches New Volunteer Program
In response to changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Meals on Wheels Chicago has launched a new initiative. Snap Together Volunteers offers opportunities for seniors, ages 55-64, to volunteer at the Nourish Chicago Pantry.
Book Encourages Women To Heal From Divorce
Mechelle McCain is reinventing herself as part of her healing journey after going through a public divorce. She wrote the book, When Sh*t Isn’t Funny Anymore, so other women would know what to expect as they were going through a divorce. Her hope is that women who read the book can use it as a roadmap to get on the other side of the divorce. Her book is meant to provide clarity and serves as a catalyst for growth and women reclaiming their voice.
Richard Boykin Talks About Campaign For Illinois 7th Congressional District
Richard Boykin has decided to run for the Illinois 7th Congressional District. He believes that he was born to do the job. He also believes the job was made for him. He said his whole adult life has been devoted to public service, mainly in Washington, DC.
Chicago Friday Night Flights Craft Beer sampling Event at the 2026 Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 13
Chicago Friday Night Flights will once again bring local craft beer to the show floor of the Chicago Auto Show on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, from 5-8 p.m. The fan-favorite event offers attendees the opportunity to explore the show while sampling a vast array of beer and ciders from participating local breweries with a tasting pass.
Chicago Metro Ends 2025 with Record Number of December Jobs, Year and a Half Year-Over-Year Steady Growth
Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs decreased in 9 metropolitan areas and increased in 3, leading to consecutive months with year-over-year growth in Chicago (18 consecutive months) and Lake (7 consecutive months). Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in 11 metro areas and was unchanged in 1 for the year ending December 2025, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). There was no October 2025 metro area release due to the federal government shutdown
Cook County Clerk’s Office Seeking Election Judges in South Suburbs for Upcoming March 17 Gubernatorial Primary
Suburban voters can do their part for local democracy and earn some cash in the process by working as an Election Judge for the Cook County Clerk’s Office in the March 17, 2026, Gubernatorial Primary Election.
Illinois Housing Development Authority Program Named Finalist for Housing Innovation Award
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has been nationally recognized for its inventive approach to expanding affordable homeownership, earning a spot as a top 25 finalist for the 2026 Ivory Prize. Ivory Innovations announced that IHDA’s Access Plus down payment assistance program was selected from a competitive national pool of submissions for its potential to deliver scalable, real-world solutions to the housing affordability crisis.
The Second City announces cast and creative team for 114th Mainstage revue featuring alumni from across its stages
The world’s most influential name in live comedy, The Second City, proudly announces the cast and creative team for its 114th Mainstage revue. Returning to the Mainstage is audience favorite Bill Letz, joined by Second City e.t.c. alum Eddie Mujica, Second City Touring Company alums Preston Parker, Cat McDonnell, and Zoe McKee, and Yazmin Ramos, a member of the inaugural Second City New York ensemble.
Illinois Joins the World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network
Governor Pritzker announced the State of Illinois is joining the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), a coordinated international network dedicated to monitoring and responding to global disease outbreaks.
New Report Highlights Disproportionate Health Risks Faced by Illinois’ Homeless Population
Latest Morbidity/Mortality Report shows persons experiencing homelessness have much higher rates of hospitalizations and premature death
COMMUNITY COMMISSION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY (CCPSA) NOMINATES LAKENYA WHITE FOR CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY (COPA) CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR
The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) announced the nomination of LaKenya White to serve as the next Chief Administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), following a nationwide, community-informed search process launched in February 2025.
Celebrating 15 Years: Chicago Nonprofit Ladies of Virtue Expands LOV Day Beyond Chicago and Launches "The Year of Virtue"
Celebrating 15 years of empowering Black girls through mentorship, leadership development, and self-love, nationally recognized nonprofit Ladies of Virtue (LOV) is expanding its signature initiative, LOV Day, beyond Chicago for the first time.