Local News

SAIC at Homan Square Exposes Community To The Arts

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has had a presence in North Lawndale with its Homan Square Program for more than 10 years. Located at 906 S. Homan, SAIC at Homan Square offers free art classes to high school students, engages the community through art projects and spotlights local artists through its artist-in-residence programs.

Start Early Is Advocating For Increase In Wages For Early Childhood Services

Nonprofit organization Start Early has been working to promote early childhood education in underresourced communities since it began more than 40 years ago in Chicago as The Ounce of Prevention Fund. The goal of the organization is to give children the best start in life by providing resources and support to families.

Giannoulias Honors Student Organ Donors on ‘Sweetness Day’ Walter Payton Prep Sophomores Register Fellow CPS Teens as Organ Donors Under Secretary of State’s LEAD Program

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias celebrated the sophomore class of Walter Payton College Preparatory High School today after their day of service in honor of Walter “Sweetness” Payton, the school’s namesake.

Applications for Property Tax Savings Now Available

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi announced at a press conference today that property tax–saving exemptions applications for the 2024 tax year are now available online. Exemptions are savings that contribute to lowering a homeowner’s property tax bill. The most common is the Homeowner Exemption, which saves a property owner an average of $950 dollars each year.

Pappas urges property owners to pay First Installment tax bills by Tuesday, March 4 due date

First Installment Tax Year 2024 property taxes are due Tuesday, March 4, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas reminded taxpayers today.

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago Announces CEO Transition

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago today announced that Dorri McWhorter has decided to step down as president and Chief Executive Officer, effective February 28, 2025.

Chicago Public Schools Celebrates Crossing Guard Appreciation Month

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will celebrate the more than 700 crossing guards who help CPS students and families safely arrive and depart schools every day during Crossing Guard Appreciation Month which runs from today through March 14. CPS Crossing Guards are located at busy intersections across Chicago and help students and community members cross streets safely.

Do You Need a REAL ID? Maybe…Maybe Not

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias wants Illinoisans to make sure they know if they need a REAL ID ahead of the federal deadline, now less than three months away.

Tutera Senior Living & Health Care Acquires Luxury Community in Matteson

Tutera Senior Living & Health Care, one of the nation's leading senior care providers, has acquired Ridgeland Senior Living, an upscale community in Matteson, outside of Chicago. The community, built in 2021 for $21 million, formerly operated under the name Alexi Senior Living for eight months until it closed in 2022. Tutera is making improvements and will reopen the community in early spring.

Poetry Foundation Spring Event Season Celebrates Lineages, Collective Power, and the Midwest

The Poetry Foundation announces its roster of free public events for the spring 2025 season under the theme "Power Lines," inspired by the landmark anthology of the same name released by the Guild Literary Complex 25 years ago. The electrifying event season highlights new work by Chicago and Midwest presses, partner organizations, and authors.

COMMUNITY COMMISSION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ANNOUNCES NATIONWIDE SEARCH FOR COPA CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) will launch a nationwide search for the next Chief Administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), following the announcement that Chief Administrator Andrea Kersten is resigning. The CCPSA thanks Chief Kersten for her service to the City.

MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON ANNOUNCES FULL COMPOSITION OF CHICAGO’S FIRST HYBRID SCHOOL BOARD

Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the final appointment to the Chicago Board of Education, completing the city’s first-ever hybrid school board. This transition marks a significant milestone in Chicago’s shift toward a fully elected board by 2027, ensuring greater transparency, equity and public representation in the governance of Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

CHA, partners cut ribbon at Encuentro Square that includes 89 affordable units in Logan Square

The City of Chicago, Chicago Housing Authority, Evergreen Real Estate and Latin United Community Housing Association (LUCHA) celebrated the grand opening for Encuentro Square, a two-building, multi-family development at the western edge of the 606 Trail in Chicago’s Logan Square community. The development includes 89 affordable units for families and individuals with incomes at or below 60 percent of the Chicago Area Median Income (AMI), including 55 Project Based Vouchers from CHA.

360 CHICAGO CELEBRATES THE CITY OF CHICAGO’S 188TH BIRTHDAY WITH A WEEK OF FREE ADMISSION FOR LOCALS MARCH 1 – MARCH 7

360 CHICAGO, the iconic 94th floor observation deck at 875 N. Michigan Ave, will celebrate the City of Chicago’s 188th birthday by granting free general admission to Chicago residents from Saturday, March 1 through Friday, March 7. 360 CHICAGO will also host a birthday party for the city on Tuesday, March 4 from 3 - 7 p.m., and a new specialty Malört cocktail will debut at the deck’s CloudBar to honor Chicago’s big day.

FIRST LOOK FOR CHARITY FUNDRAISER AT THE 2025 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW RAISES MORE THAN $2.4 MILLION FOR LOCAL CHARITIES

The Chicago Auto Show raised more than $2.4 million benefiting 18 local charities at the First Look for Charity gala. The black-tie benefit, held the evening before the show opened to the public, raised a total of $2,457,808. The fundraiser's 33-year event now tallies more than $65 million raised.