Local News

Chicago Public Schools Celebrates the Start of Summer with Programming

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students, staff, and parents will conclude another record-breaking school year on June 6. This year, CPS elementary students received national recognition for posting academic growth in reading and math and the Class of 2024 earned more than 55,000 hours of college credit and more than a billion dollars in scholarships to date. The District is now opening registration for a robust array of summer enrichment, transition, and partner programming opportunities that will help students continue learning, exploring their interests, and enjoying time with each other until school resumes on August 26.

Casten, Durbin Introduce Legislation to Eliminate Demand Response Opt-Out

U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Responsive Energy Demand Unlocks Clean Energy (REDUCE) Act, legislation that would allow consumers to sell their energy use reduction into federal wholesale electricity markets by eliminating the “Opt Out” currently employed by 13 states that fully or partially ban “aggregated demand response” from these markets.

Illinois Labor and Human Rights Leaders Applaud Passage of the Illinois Worker Freedom of Speech Act (SB3649)

Recently, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation to protect workers from unwanted or offensive political and religious speech unrelated to job performance. If signed, Illinois would be the 8th state to enact legislation with these protections. The bill had the support of a diverse group of stakeholders, including the Illinois AFL-CIO, Chicago Federation of Labor, Equality Illinois, Planned Parenthood, Citizen Action, Women Employed, Shriver Center on Poverty Law, and Raise the Floor Alliance.

Project Outreach and Prevention (POP) on Youth Violence 5K Walk/Run for Peace and Community Health Fair at Marquette Park Miller Beach

Dr. Michael McGee, founder of Project Outreach and Prevention (POP) on Youth Violence and Positive Approach to Teen Health (PATH), announced today that the organization will be hosting a 5K Walk/Run for Peace and Community Health Fair on Saturday June 8, 2024 – 8am to 1pm at Marquette Park’s Miller Beach, located at the Indiana Dunes National Park, 860 N. Lake Street, Gary, IN 46403.

Illinois Farm Bureau and Illinois Press Foundation award grants to 16 school journalism programs

Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Press Foundation today announce the awarding of grants to 16 high school journalism efforts throughout the state. The awards are part of the Illinois High School Journalism Grants Program offered by the Illinois Press Foundation and financially sponsored for a fourth consecutive year by Illinois Farm Bureau.

Vegas Doubles Down on Las Vegas Aces with Sponsorship for Every Active Player

The champion players of the Las Vegas Aces are getting a cash boost, direct from Vegas. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) announced that it will sponsor each player on the team, resulting in a first-of-its-kind, two-year sponsorship.

Center for Journalism & Democracy Awards Nearly $200,000 to 10 HBCU Student Newsrooms

The Center for Journalism & Democracy at Howard University will award nearly $200,000 to 10 student newsrooms at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through its inaugural Newsroom Innovation Challenge. The awards are designed to improve newsroom technology, business operations, audience engagement and reporting at campus newsrooms. The unique program advances the Center’s mission to help prepare HBCU students to become investigative journalists who will hold power accountable and strengthen U.S. democracy.

She Owns It She Biz Conference Celebrates Its Third Year

The She Owns It She Biz Conference returned for its third consecutive year, continuing its mission created and produced by Black Women and supported by Black men. Everyone is welcome to empower Black women through purpose-driven workshops, panels, Q&A Sessions, and professional resources. The conference was a resounding success, welcoming attendees of all backgrounds and, most importantly, receiving substantial support from Black men.

Chicago Poet Laureate avery r. young Announces Free Workshops and Creative Opportunities for Chicagoans

Chicago Poet Laureate avery r. young, in partnership with the Chicago Public Library (CPL), Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and the Poetry Foundation invite Chicagoans to celebrate poetry year-round by participating in upcoming free programming. Central to avery r. young’s multidisciplinary practice as a poet, composer, and educator is a connection to place. To that end, the Chicago Poet Laureate has developed two original programs for Chicagoans to celebrate the ‘Soul of Chicago.’

Chicago Public Schools Celebrates the Start of Summer with Programming

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students, staff, and parents conclude another record-breaking school year on June 6. This year, CPS elementary students received national recognition for posting academic growth in reading and math and the Class of 2024 earned more than 55,000 hours of college credit and more than a billion dollars in scholarships to date. The District is now opening registration for a robust array of summer enrichment, transition, and partner programming opportunities that will help students continue learning, exploring their interests, and enjoying time with each other until school resumes on August 26.

MAYOR JOHNSON UNVEILS NEXT PHASE OF O’HARE EXPANSION PROJECT

Mayor Brandon Johnson unveiled the design of Satellite Concourse 1, the first major component of the once-in-a-generation expansion and modernization project known as the O’Hare 21 Terminal Area Plan.

Juneteenth Festival in Morgan Park set for June 15

The nonprofit Far South Community Development Corporation (Far South CDC) — an organization that provides strategic community-building services to residents and businesses across Chicago’s Far South Side neighborhoods and south suburban Cook County — is excited to announce its 2024 Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 15 from 12-4 p.m. on the northwest corner of Halsted Street and 115th Street in Chicago’s Morgan Park neighborhood.

Chicago Public Schools Celebrates Class of 2024 Historic Savings of More Than $8 Million in College Tuition

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez, City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) Chancellor Juan Salgado, DeVry University President and CEO Elise Awwad, school administrators and families came together to recognize more than 800 Class of 2024 scholars from 79 CPS high schools who are graduating with a high school diploma, plus 15 or more transferable college credits. Among the Class of 2024 seniors are 144 graduates who earned their associate degree, more than any previous class in CPS history.

South Suburban Custodian Wins National Award

Sergio Nuno, a custodian for Matteson School District 162, has been named a winner of a national award recognizing his impact on students and his community.

Biden-Harris Administration Allows Borrowers More Time to Consolidate Loans to Get Credit for Progress Toward Loan Forgiveness Programs

The Biden-Harris Administration today announced an update on the timing of the payment count adjustment. This administrative fix ensures borrowers get proper credit for progress borrowers made toward income-driven repayment (IDR) forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). The payment count adjustment is now anticipated to be fully implemented in September 2024. At that time, borrowers with Direct Loans or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans held by the U.S. Department of Education (Department) will see a full and accurate count of their progress toward loan forgiveness. Because of this updated timeline, borrowers with non-federally held FFEL loans who apply to consolidate by June 30 can still benefit from the payment count adjustment. The prior consolidation deadline was April 30.