Local News
Lyric Opera of Chicago elects five nationally recognized leaders to Board of Directors
Lyric Opera of Chicago welcomes to its Board five nationally recognized leaders whose expertise in music, arts, business, law, and civic life strengthens the company’s national profile while reinforcing its deep roots in Chicago.
Texas Cult-Favorite Dessert Shop The Bougie Foodie Opens First Chicago Location in Fulton Market This April
Texas-born dessert shop The Bougie Foodie is expanding beyond the Lone Star State for the first time with a new Chicago location opening this April in the Fulton Market/West Loop neighborhood at 210 N. Carpenter St. Founded by pastry chef and entrepreneur Brianna Cryar, the dessert shop has built a devoted following for its oversized cookies, scratch-made dessert bars, and its signature family-recipe bread pudding (using her grandmother’s original recipe).
The Auditorium proudly presents Masters of the Mic
The Auditorium (Chicago’s landmark stage at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly presents Masters of the Mic in a one-night-only performance Saturday, April 18 at 8:00 PM. Celebrating 50 years of hip-hop, Masters of the Mic honors the trailblazers of the genre and the enduring impact it’s had across generations and cultures. The evening features performances from some of the biggest names in 80’s and 90’s hip-hop including Doug E. Fresh, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane, Treach of Naughty By Nature, & Black Sheep. Tickets, are available at www.auditoriumtheatre.org or by calling The Auditorium’s Ticket Service Center at 312.341.2300.
Illinois Housing Development Authority Earns National Distinction from U.S. Bank
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) was honored by U.S. Bank as one of the nation’s top housing finance agencies (HFA) for its leadership in advancing homeownership. The recognition, presented during the IHDA Board meeting, highlights the agency’s success in helping more than 5,000 Illinois households purchase homes last year alone, nearly 90% of whom were first-time buyers.
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL URGES RESIDENTS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID TAX IDENTITY THEFT WHEN FILING TAX RETURNS
As the income tax filing deadline approaches, Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued guidance to help Illinois residents safely file tax returns and urged people to exercise caution before providing personally-identifying and financial information online.
State Treasurer Frerichs Announces 250,000 More Illinoisans with Disabilities Eligible for ABLE Accounts
Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced that an estimated 250,000 Illinoisans with a disability are now eligible to open ABLE accounts that allow them to save and invest money to improve quality of life without risking federal benefits.
Home for Good Coalition Holds Rally in Support of Legislation to Increase Housing and Support Services for People Returning from Prison
The Home for Good Coalition held a rally day at the National Public Housing Museum on Thursday, March 19, to increase awareness of legislation that would create safer, stronger communities across Illinois by improving housing and support services for people returning from prison.
Giannoulias Auto Insurance Reform Bill Clears Illinois House
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ Driving Change campaign – launched to combat unfair and discriminatory auto insurance practices – is now delivering results, as legislation advancing insurance reforms has passed the Illinois House and will return to the Senate for a concurrence vote.
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Hosts Capital Plan Community Meetings
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) invites school communities to shape capital investments through a series of virtual and onsite meetings. These gatherings enable the District to guide its investments in maintaining school buildings while addressing various community needs. The District prioritizes critical capital needs, including repairs to roofs, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and plumbing, as well as renovations that support programmatic enhancements such as Pre-K initiatives and Fine & Performing Arts. The District encourages participation from the larger school communities, both in person and virtually, to foster meaningful dialogue.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON LAUNCHES REPAIR CHICAGO ENGAGEMENT SERIES AND SURVEY TO INFORM CITY’S REPARATIONS STUDY
Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the launch of Repair Chicago, a citywide community engagement effort designed to explore the impacts of systemic harm faced by Black Chicagoans and devise reparatory pathways. Through bus tours, panel discussions, town halls, and hearings, Repair Chicago will collect the experiences and input of Chicagoans to help inform the Johnson administration’s Reparations Study.
Gov. Pritzker and Mars Snacking Announce 600 New Jobs, Expansion of Global Headquarters in Chicago
Governor JB Pritzker and Mars Snacking announced that the company is creating 600 new jobs to expand its global headquarters in Chicago. This includes adding Mars Snacking’s North America Region, Accelerator Division, and Global Functions to its global headquarters operation in Chicago. This investment signals the company’s long-term commitment to Chicago, creating new jobs and adding to Illinois’ reputation as a global leader in the snacking industry. Chicago will continue to serve as a central hub to connect Mars Snacking teams, accelerate innovation and support long-term business growth.
NEW REPORT DETAILS HOW LEAD PIPE REPLACEMENT CAN DRIVE WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITY
Four Illinois based organizations, Current, Elevate, HIRE360, and Metropolitan Planning Council, released a new report calling for intensified training and funding to meet the labor demands of replacing lead service lines across Illinois. The report, titled Leveraging Lead Service Line Replacement for Workforce Inclusion and Growth, identifies strategies to help ensure the public health imperative of replacing an estimated 820,000 lead ser vice lines statewide and also delivers broad-based economic benefits, particularly for communities most affected by lead exposure.
From Pseudoscience to Homecoming: IAAM Announces the Return of “The 1850 Daguerreotypes” to South Carolina
More than 175 years after they were created in South Carolina, The 1850 Daguerreotypes, believed to be the earliest known photographs of enslaved people in the United States, have returned to the state where the individuals depicted were enslaved and forcibly photographed.
New ADUs delivered for Altadena Families Displaced by Eaton Fire
Shared Harvest Foundation today joined with three nonprofit partners and local residents in Altadena to install two new Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). This marks an important milestone for families whose homes were destroyed in the Eaton Fire.
