Local News
Review Now or Regret Later
Previously, I’ve shared with you the importance of the Annual Open Enrollment for Medicare, October 7th through December 15th each fall. Well, we are now into Open Enrollment with just over a month remaining. If you have not made a review of your coverage, I would strongly suggest that you do so now. I know that it can be very confusing, but hopefully the information which I share with you this week will serve as a guide for you to review your coverage or the coverage of a loved one. Please do not skip reviewing your Medicare coverage during Open Enrollment, assuming that “no change” means “no problem.” Unfortunately, that assumption can be costly.
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OPPOSES EPA’S PROPOSAL TO RESCIND GREENHOUSE GAS REPORTING PROGRAM
Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 15 attorneys general and two cities, filed a comment letter opposing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to rescind the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. The program is designed to collect accurate and comprehensive data on greenhouse gas emissions from large industrial sources across the United States. Its primary purpose is to provide policymakers, businesses, researchers and the public with reliable information to track emissions trends and evaluate the effectiveness of climate policies.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois Launches 70th Anniversary Celebration with $100,000 Matching Gift Challenge
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois (BGCCIL) is thrilled to announce the launch of its 70th Anniversary Celebration, “The Greatest Show on Earth”, a year-long tribute to seven decades of creating Great Futures for local youth. The celebration began in October 2025 and continues through October 2026, honoring the Club’s legacy of impact while looking ahead to an even brighter future for children and teens across Central Illinois.
Not Just Another House Party” Concert to Bring Superstar Multi-Genre Energy to Wintrust Arena November 15
Chicago’s famed Wintrust Arena will light up this fall with Not Just Another House Party, a one-night-only concert event uniting some of today’s biggest names in music for an electrifying, all-star celebration of rhythm, culture, and connection. The event kicks off on Saturday, November 15, 2025, promising a high-voltage mix of nonstop energy, chart-topping performances, SURPRISE artists, and nonstop energy.
SUPERVISOR JORDAN, COMMISSIONER McCASKILL, AND STAFFERS DELIVER FOOD FOR HUNDREDS OF SNAP RECIPIENTS IN NEED OF FOOD
Rich Township Supervisor Calvin Jordan and Cook County Commissioner Kisha McCaskill led a mass group of volunteers and staffers in distributing food to hundreds of residents who mostly depended upon the recently downsized SNAP program. The giveaway was held at the Rich Township Food Pantry. The Supervisor and Commissioner publicly addressed the recent report of cuts in the federal food assistance program that has impacted 1.9 million Illinois residents who are facing tough economic times. As a result, massive lines included many who were SNAP program recipients.
Illinois DCFS Honors Adoptive Parents During Adoption Awareness Month
Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed November as Adoption Awareness Month, joining the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in recognizing the remarkable commitment of thousands of families across the state who have welcomed 20,313 children into their homes over the past decade—providing love, stability and belonging when it was needed most.
Kennedy-King College and Purdue University Northwest sign MOU announcing new partnership that expands Construction Management education pathways
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) and Kennedy-King College (KKC), announce a new partnership to strengthen transfer pathways and support academic and career success for students pursuing Construction Management careers.
Black McDonald’s Operators Association Hosts 25th Annual Food for the Body & Spirit Turkey Giveaway Across Chicago and Suburbs
The Black McDonald’s Operators Association (BMOA) of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana proudly returns with its annual Food for the Body & Spirit initiative, supporting thousands of Chicago veterans and families during the holiday season. Now in its 25th year, the event kicked off on Veteran’s Day, Tuesday, November 11, and continues through November 15 at five McDonald’s locations.
Pre-construction fieldwork getting underway to retire old, corroding energy pipes in Chicago
Over the coming weeks, Peoples Gas work crews will begin pre-construction fieldwork as they ramp up the major task of removing old, rapidly corroding energy pipes from Chicago’s heating system. The iron pipes in the current system date back as far as the 1800s. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) directed Peoples Gas to do the work in order to ensure ongoing safety and reliability in the city’s heating system.
Lilly-Backed Legislation Lowers Costs for Illinois Families
Working to provide more relief to Illinoisans facing rising energy costs, state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, passed comprehensive legislation Wednesday evening that seeks to bring down home energy bills both immediately and in the long term for residents, while holding large utility corporations accountable.
Hyde Park Resident Establishes Centralized New Practice to Bring Collaborative, High-Level Mental Health Care to All of Chicago
A new kind of mental health practice opens its doors this week in the heart of Chicago—with a model intended to transform how clinicians work together and how clients experience care. NK Psychological Services, founded by Emily Newman, Psy.D., is pioneering a collaborative, consultation-centered model that blends rigorous clinical practice, mentorship, and accessibility in the heart of the community.
LOVELUVV™ Makes History and Empowers Women: Illinois' First African American Woman-Owned Champagne Brand Commits to Social Impact
November – Driven by a passion for progress, Samantha Danielle Dockery, the first African American woman to own a champagne brand in Illinois, is making a profound impact. She's committing 10% of all profits and/or products from LOVELUVV™ to programs helping individuals and families affected by domestic abuse. This is solidifying her position as a trailblazer in the industry and a champion for women.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON AND THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO CELEBRATE NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES AHEAD OF HOLIDAY SEASON
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) launched the Shop Local Chicago: Neighborhood Pride campaign. The campaign builds on the year-round Shop Local Chicago campaign by encouraging residents and visitors to explore new parts of the city, meet local business owners and neighbors, and share their experiences. The campaign focuses on supporting businesses located in Little Village, Rogers Park, Auburn Gresham and every neighborhood in between. Ahead of the holiday shopping season, the campaign serves as a reminder to shop locally to help preserve the unique character of Chicago’s neighborhoods. Additionally, BACP consumer protection efforts ensure consumers are protected and informed while making the conscious decision to shop local. For more information, including a marketing toolkit, visit Chicago.gov/ShopLocal.
New poll shows supermajority of Chicagoans – 90% of Black and Latino city residents – support higher taxes on big corporations, more resources for schools
The leading Millennial & Minority-owned public opinion research firm in Washington, DC, HIT Strategies, released a new poll today on behalf of the Chicago Teachers Union that outlines enormous levels of support among Chicagoans for revenue strategies that increase taxes on large corporations instead of the alternative of increasing taxes on property owners or cutting education and other city services. An overwhelming 90% of Black and Latino Chicagoans would prefer to increase taxes on large corporations to address the city’s budget.
