Local News
National Association of Counties passes Assessor's Office proposal for federal property data
The Board of Directors of the National Association of Counties (NACo) called for the release of property characteristics data from the federal government last week, supporting a policy proposal by the Cook County Assessor’s Office to improve assessment accuracy.
SIU’s Bryson Future Scholars Program provides head start toward college success
A group of 50 newly admitted Southern Illinois University Carbondale students are getting a jumpstart toward college success this month as they participate in the Dr. Seymour Bryson Future Scholars Program, earning 7 credit hours and immersing themselves in college life before classes begin in August.
South Side Sanctuary Recognized With Community Development Award
South Side Sanctuary received the Chicago Neighborhood Development Award (CNDA) John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Creative Places Award during a recent ceremony. South Side Sanctuary is a POP Plaza located at 47th and King Drive that is a collaborative effort by OASES and I Am Your Village, the non-profit arm of the Nascent Group.
Artist Is Expanding Story Of Iconic Characters With Graphic Novel Series
Artist Hebru Brantley is looking to expand the Flyboy Universe with a graphic novel series through a Kickstarter campaign.
Liberation Stories Shows The Narrative Power Of Social Justice Movements
An anthology of narratives about social justice movements for organizers, activists and social justice communicators was released last month with the goal of serving as a practitioners guide. “Liberation Stories: Building Narrative Power for 21st-Century Social Movements,” was edited by Shanelle Matthews, Marzena Zukowska and the Radical Communications Network (RadComms). At a recent event at the University of Illinois Chicago Social Justice Gallery, Matthews, Zukowska, along with contributing authors Rachel Jacoby, Tre Bosley and Zaineb Mohammed participated in a discussion, moderated by Cathy J. Cohen.
Organization Works To Help Communities Create Municipal Grocery Stores
With grocery prices continuing to increase and food assistance programs services being cut, an Illinois organization is looking at the benefits municipal grocery stores could bring to communities in the South Suburbs, as well as throughout the state of Illinois.
Resume Boot Camp Teaches Young People Career Readiness Skills
A workshop is helping young people, ages 14 years old to 21 years old, prepare for careers by providing resume and career readiness resources. The Resume Boot Camp is a partnership between the Village Legal and Community Project and Hey Benji. The boot camp began on July 8th and runs through July 28th
Legacy Speaks: Mapping Ida B. Wells' Imprint – A Tribute to Ida B. Wells on Her Birthday
On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Girls Like Me Project (GLMPI) will host Legacy Speaks: Mapping Ida B. Wells' Imprint, a special bus tour in tribute to the life and legacy of Ida B. Wells on her birthday. This tour will honor Wells' unwavering commitment to social justice and the power of using one’s voice for change.
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller Launches Congressional Campaign
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller is launching her campaign for Illinois' 2nd Congressional District today with an introductory video, linked here, that summarizes her family's history of service and her plans to carry that legacy forward. Miller raised her family in the south suburbs and grew up in Chicago with her family's generational story rooted in Black migration.
Chicago Board of Education Approves Resolution Launching Healthy Green Schools Pilot Program
During its June meeting, the Chicago Board of Education (Board) unanimously approved a resolution to launch a Healthy Green Schools Pilot Program that aims to invest in clean energy and building electrification projects across 12 neighborhood schools by fiscal year 2026.
CVS Health opens new Workforce Innovation and Talent Center in Chicago
CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) announced the opening of its new Workforce Innovation and Talent Center (WITC) in Chicago. The center, situated at the Chicago Baptist Institute, will improve the community's access to workforce training services and provide every participant who completes the program an opportunity to apply for a position at CVS Health.
Choose Chicago Launches Chicago Pizza Pass in Partnership with More Than 25 Local Pizza Restaurants
Choose Chicago, in partnership with more than 25 local pizza spots, announced the launch of the Chicago Pizza Pass, a new digital experience produced by Choose Chicago that invites locals and visitors alike to taste their way through one of the most iconic pizza destinations in the world. This new program will encourage exploration of Chicago’s pizza scene by giving pass holders access to exclusive discounts and deals at participating restaurants as well as the opportunity to win special prizes. For just $15, pizza fans can sign up today at chipizzapass.com and get access to deals until the end of the year – no apps or downloads required.
ISBE and Lurie Children’s Launch Free, Data-Informed Resilience-Supportive Schools Illinois Initiative to Strengthen Student Mental Health and Resilience in All Schools
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Center for Childhood Resilience at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago today announced the statewide rollout of Resilience-Supportive Schools Illinois (RSSI) — a free, data-informed initiative that provides schools with tools to strengthen student and educator mental health and resilience. RSSI builds on the Resilience Education to Advance Community Healing (REACH) Initiative, which has led to reduced chronic absenteeism, improved teacher retention, and decreased the use of suspensions, and improved schools’ capacity for trauma-responsiveness for participating schools.
UNIVERSAL DESTINATIONS & EXPERIENCES PLANS SECOND UNIVERSAL HORROR UNLEASHED IN CHICAGO
Universal Destinations & Experiences, the themed entertainment division of Comcast NBCUniversal, announced Chicago as the second location for its year-round immersive horror experience Universal Horror Unleashed. The permanent entertainment venue is Universal’s first branded experience in the Midwest and is part of the company’s plans to invest in the brand and introduce it to new audiences, in new markets with new, original concepts. Universal Horror Unleashed: Chicago will transform a vacant 114,000-square-foot commercial building at 700 W. Chicago Avenue, directly across from the new Bally’s Casino, into a world-class horror attraction and entertainment destination. According to World Business Chicago, the project is expected to generate more than $1 billion in economic impact for the city.