Local News
SOM Opens Reclaimed Timber Pavilion in Millennium Park for 2025 Chicago Architecture Biennial
A new timber pavilion made from reclaimed wood has opened in Chicago’s Millennium Park as part of the 2025 Chicago Architecture Biennial.
Women’s Justice Institute Brings Children of Incarcerated Mothers to Logan Correctional Center to Celebrate the Holidays
On Saturday, December 20, the Women’s Justice Institute (WJI) hosted its annual holiday Reunification Ride, bringing children to Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln, Illinois, to visit their incarcerated mothers. Families gathered early Saturday morning to travel to Logan, where children spent the day participating in holiday activities with their mothers, including arts and crafts, gingerbread house decorating, gifts and a visit from “Auntie Claus” in a supportive environment centered on maintaining family ties.
SOUTH SIDE HEALTHY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCES FREE DOULA SERVICES FOR SOUTH SIDE RESIDENTS
The South Side Healthy Community Organization (SSHCO), a state-funded nonprofit healthcare collaborative working to close health gaps across Chicago’s South Side, announced a free doula services program, delivered in partnership with Chicago Birthworks Collective (CBC). The program provides expectant parents who are uninsured or covered by Medicaid with no-cost doula care, including 3 prenatal visits, 2 postpartum visits, birth and postpartum preparation and education, labor and delivery support, and postpartum wellness services. Responding to persistent inequities in maternal health outcomes, this partnership will provide more than 80 families across Chicago’s South Side with free, trusted, culturally centered care throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Chicago Public Schools Celebrates CPS Graduates’ College Enrollment and Success
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) administrators, staff, and students gathered to share the latest milestones and insight on how to help more Chicago youth enroll and graduate from colleges and universities. It was the last of six stops CPS leaders have been making in the past month to celebrate the early college and career successes across one of the country’s largest public school districts.
HEADING INTO 2026, CUB NAMES BIGGEST THREATS TO UTILITY BILLS
Based on its experience combatting high utility costs over the past year, the consumer watchdog Citizens Utility Board (CUB) of Illinois on Friday issued its list of what looks to be major threats to utility affordability in 2026.
Chicago Housing Authority releases results from first Resident Survey in recent history
The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) released results from its first resident survey in recent history, capturing direct feedback from thousands of residents. The results reflect overall positive sentiment toward CHA while clearly identifying areas where residents expect continued improvement. Residents from across CHA’s portfolio—including Housing Choice Voucher participants, public housing residents, seniors, and those in subsidized housing—shared insights that will help guide CHA’s policies, programs, and investments moving forward. More than 4,000 residents responded to the survey in total, with most questions receiving approximately 3,000 answers.
ComEd Awards $500,000 EV Charging Rebate to bp pulse
ComEd presented a $500,000 electric vehicle (EV) rebate check to bp pulse, delivering funds and technical support to deliver onsite infrastructure upgrades to support the livening of 40 new ultrafast EV charging ports near O’Hare Airport (ORD). The charging hub aims to provide local vehicle operators and rideshare drivers with fast and convenient charging options and advances key goals of ComEd and the state to increase EV charging access in public sites.
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL JOINS LAWSUIT AGAINST UBER OVER DECEPTIVE PRACTICES TIED TO SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE
Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced today that his office, as part of a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general, joined a lawsuit against Uber Technologies, LLC and Uber USA, LLC (Uber), the operators of the popular rideshare and delivery company over its alleged deceptive and unfair practices in selling Uber One subscription services, which Uber promotes as saving users money on rides and deliveries.
Bank of America Chicago Marathon Shatters Another Record: $47.1 Million for Charity
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced today that 2025 participants raised a record $47.1 million for local, national and global nonprofits, smashing last year's highest fundraising total by $11 million. The fundraising momentum is expected to continue in 2026, with a third of the 55,000-person participant field expected to run and fundraise on behalf of an official charity.
Giannoulias Launches E-Filing for Court of Claims
As part of his broader modernization push, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced that the Illinois Court of Claims will now offer electronic filing options and conduct remote hearings – a major step forward in how the court serves the public.
Gov. Pritzker Announces $2 Million Investment in Springfield Homeless System
Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness announced $2 million in new investments for several community organizations in Springfield and the surrounding area to support local efforts to address and combat homelessness in Central Illinois. These investments from the Home Illinois grant exemplify the State’s commitment to reaching functional zero homelessness – a goal where the state prevents homelessness whenever possible and ensures that if homelessness does occur, it is brief, rare, and singular.
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi recently hosted events on the South and West sides with the goal to assist homeowners in navigating property tax savings. During these events, staff from the Assessor’
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi recently hosted events on the South and West sides with the goal to assist homeowners in navigating property tax savings. During these events, staff from the Assessor’s Office help property tax payers with exemptions that they might have missed.
Local Woman Looks To Change Narrative Around Having Locs
Gail Mitchell likes to say that she didn’t choose the loc life, it chose her. Her hair journey took her from relaxing her hair to going natural and eventually getting locs. She noticed the questions and perceptions that the hairstyle brought and wanted to do something to change the narrative, so she started a blog called Loc’d Life Magazine in 2009. She’s had the blog for five years and has even printed two editions of it.
State Of The Southland: Village of Matteson
Sheila Chalmers-Currin has been the President of the Village of Matteson since 2017. Prior to that Chalmers-Currin served as a Village Trustee for eight years. She said that she decided to run for Mayor because she wanted to give back to the community, as she believes that everyone should want to give back to their respective communities.
