Local News
Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Returns WW II Purple Heart Medal to Family of Late Veteran at Ceremony in Oak Lawn Ahead of Veterans Day
On the day before Veterans Day, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned a lost Purple Heart medal to the niece of a World War II veteran who was injured while fighting in France and Germany.
Chicago State University, CPS Network 17 Launch “Elevate 17” — A Bold Collaboration to Ignite Postsecondary Success Across Chicago’s South Side
Chicago State University (CSU) and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Network 17 have joined forces to launch Elevate 17: Powered by CSU and Network 17, a groundbreaking initiative designed to transform college access and success for students on Chicago’s South Side.
MAYOR JOHNSON, PARK CEO RAMIREZ-ROSA JOIN PARK ADVOCATES AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO ANNOUNCE FUTURE PLANS FOR PARK DEVELOPMENT AT CALUMET CONFINED DISPOSAL FACILITY
Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Park District CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa joined Friends of the Parks, Alliance of the Southeast, and the Environmental Law and Policy Center joined a host of elected officials, conservation advocates, and Eastside community stakeholders at the Calumet Park fieldhouse, 9801 S. Avenue G, to announce the future closure of the Calumet Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) and plans to convert the 43-acre site into public parkland.
City Colleges of Chicago Fall Enrollment Grows for Fourth Straight Year, Driven by Gains in Credit Enrollment
For the fourth straight year, City Colleges of Chicago has made gains in fall headcount enrollment, exceeding pre-pandemic enrollment. Fall enrollment of 44,296 students in credit and adult education programs combined represents an increase of 3.6% over the prior fall, according to the Illinois Community College Board.
BLACK ARTS & CULTURE ALLIANCE OF CHICAGO (BACA) ANNOUNCES
The Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago (BACA) has announced the winners of the 2025 Black Excellence Awards, honoring and celebrating Chicago theatre, dance, music, film, literary, and visual artists. The 24th annual event was held on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St. in Chicago.
NATIONAL PUBLIC HOUSING MUSEUM SELECTS OPEN MIKE EAGLE AS 2026 ARTIST AS INSTIGATOR
The National Public Housing Museum, the first museum dedicated to telling the stories and sharing the history of public housing in the United States, today announced Chicago-born hip-hop artist Open Mike Eagle as its seventh Artist as Instigator. The year-long residency, which combines art and advocacy to make creative public policy interventions around housing-related issues, kicks off with a public event at the National Public Housing Museum (919 S. Ada Street, Chicago) on Thursday, December 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, where Eagle will share early plans for his project and give a performance.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON CUTS RIBBON AT AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS’ ORLEANS TEEN CENTER IN CABRINI-GREEN
Mayor Brandon Johnson attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at After School Matter’s newly completed Orleans Teen Center in the Cabrini-Green community on the Near North Side. The City-backed project transformed a former Catholic school building into a world class youth programming center that will provide approximately 2,100 Chicago teens paid out-of-school time opportunities annually. Mayor Johnson joined After School Matters (ASM) CEO Mary Ellen Caron, Alderman Walter Redmond Burnett (27th), Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, and Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) Commissioner Ciere Boatright to mark the occasion.
250 Forward Launches at National Honors Conference to Celebrate the Legacy of the Higher Education Act and Empower the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
The 250 Forward Project is being launched this week to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 1965. This landmark law expanded access to higher education for millions of Americans.
National HBCU Orator Competition Open to Current HBCU Students
The HBCU Oratorical Challenge, a national competition that showcases the voices of students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), is open for submissions. The deadline to register is Dec. 15, 2025.
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias Wants Fairness And Affordability For Auto Insurance
The Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias loves what he does as a public servant. He got into government because he wanted to serve others. Giannoulias said that he was taught by his parents to always give back and to be a part of the larger community. He said that President Barack Obama inspired him to believe that government is a great avenue for public service and that if there were more competent, caring, passionate, intelligent people in government, the world would be a better place.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly Answers Questions
Congresswoman Robin Kelly has represented the 2nd Congressional District since 2013. She took time to answer questions the Citizen Newspaper sent to her just as the longest government shutdown in American history was ending after 35 days.
‘A Beautiful Noise’ Performer Has All The Right Moves
Dance has always been a part of J’Kobe Wallace’s life. He remembers dancing with his mom and brother on Sundays, playing music and dancing around the house while they cleaned. Dance is something that he always had in his body and he is glad that it transfers into the career that he chose: theatre.
Black Fathers Lead By Example
On a Saturday morning, Black fathers with their children, some in strollers, some attached to them, some walking on their own; they walked down the street across from the Obama Presidential Center.
Riders Unite at 17th Annual Toys In the Hood Chicago Motorcycle Parade This Holiday Season to Collect and Distribute Toys to Children in Underserved Communities
Calling all bikers! The 17th Annual Toys in the Hood Motorcycle Parade is set for Saturday, November 29. Bikers from across the Chicagoland area and beyond are invited to join the ride and bring a new, unwrapped toy that will be given to children in need this holiday season.
