Local News
OVER 100 FAITH LEADERS PUBLICLY ENDORSE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE JOY CUNNINGHAM FOR THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT
On Monday, February 12th, over 100 Faith leaders gathered at the oldest and most historic Quinn Chapel Church in Chicago and announced their endorsement of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham to a full 10-year term for the Illinois Supreme Court.
Interest penalties slashed from 18% to 9% for homeowners who are late paying property tax bills
Historic reforms championed by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas are about to take effect as property owners face a March 1 due date for 2023 First Installment tax bills. For those who are late paying their taxes due March 1, the interest rate penalty will drop from 18% a year to 9% a year. The monthly rate of interest charged on late taxes will fall from 1.5% to 0.75.
The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois to Host Webinar on Crucial Gene
The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) wants to educate the public about an important gene. It’s inviting all physicians and African Americans to a webinar during Black History Month called, “How African Ancestry Can Affect your Kidneys: A Discussion on the APOL1 Gene.” The webinar takes place on Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. CT.
Giannoulias, Preston, Stava-Murray Move to Ban Harmful Food Chemicals
In a push to ensure that Illinoisans eat safer, healthier food, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, State Senator Willie Preston (D-Chicago) and State Representative Anne Stava-Murray (D-Downers Grove) have initiated legislation to ban harmful chemicals in candy, soda and other ultra-processed, packaged foods sold here.
Gov. Pritzker Marks Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Decision with Chicago Abortion Fund Roundtabl
Governor JB Pritzker joined the Chicago Abortion Fund on Monday, Jan. 22, to commemorate 51 years since the landmark “Roe v. Wade” Supreme Court Decision. Joining Governor Pritzker at the roundtable were CAF leaders, healthcare providers, and advocates for abortion services. The event highlighted the work providers are doing to keep abortion accessible, as well as the healthcare impacts in states where reproductive rights are in jeopardy since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
Treasurer Frerichs Made $1.33 Billion in Investment Earnings for State Portfolio During 2023
The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office made $1.33 billion in investment earnings from the state investment portfolio during 2023, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced recently.
Michelle Obama’s Girls Opportunity Alliance to Distribute $500,000 in Funding and Organizational Support to Chicago-Based Girl Serving Organizations
Former First Lady and Founder of the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance, Michelle Obama, announced a new commitment to empower and uplift girls in Chicago. The Girls Opportunity Alliance will distribute a total of $500,000 to 14 Chicago-based girl-serving organizations, with plans to distribute additional funding later this year. In addition to funding, the Alliance will provide organizational support to more than 60 girl-serving organizations across the City of Chicago through the Girls Opportunity Alliance Network. This holistic approach will benefit thousands of adolescent girls who, like Michelle Obama, call the South and West Sides of Chicago home.
Suburban school districts partner with United Negro College Fund to raise more than $400,000 in scholarships for local students
For the second year, the Superintendents’ Commission for the Study of Demographics and Diversity (SCSDD) joined forces with the United Negro College Fund to raise money for students in their communities. At the end of the night, organizers announced that the event had raised more than $400,500 toward scholarships for high school students in their districts—more than double the goal of $200,000.
Gov. Pritzker joins DCFS, UP House in Opening New Transitional Residential Facility for Young Women
Governor JB Pritzker joined Unlimited Potential House (“UP House”) and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to announce the grand opening of UP House’s new campus and its transitional living facility, “Logan’s Place,” that offers housing, education, and support services for young women in the care of DCFS as they begin their journey toward independent living.
Pigeon Forge, Dolly Parton Team Up for 2024 Pigeon Forge Family Challenge
Dolly Parton is keeping a big secret about Pigeon Forge. The entertainment legend and Pigeon Forge’s hometown gal knows which one of five families was crowned the grand champion of the 2024 Pigeon Forge Family Challenge.
Mental health and confidence - priorities for the girls of Generation Z
In a time when Gen Z has become the focal point for numerous brands, there is a prevalent assumption that we understand how these young individuals think and what matters most to them. Gen Z is driven by purpose and world change. They are socially conscious and aim for success. As an intimate health brand, INTIMINA wanted to find out more about what young girls and women need and want in the complex tapestry of their lives - and has asked them directly.
KEYBANK PARTNERS WITH COMMUNITY LENDING INSTITUTIONS TO PROVIDE $50 MILLION IN ACCESS TO CAPITAL
KeyBank (NYSE: KEY) announced placement of $50 million in deposits with six Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), including four Black-owned banks or managed banks and two banks serving Alaskan Native and Native American communities. As a founding member of the Economic Opportunity Coalition, KeyBank is pioneering the support of placing deposits with urban and rural community lending institutions to further enhance their ability to serve historically under-resourced communities. This effort is one of many that symbolizes KeyBank's larger purpose: to help clients and communities thrive.
REP. FORD SECURES GRANT TO EXPAND TRAVEL PROGRAM FOR CHICAGO YOUTH
Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventures (CAYTA) is proud to announce they are the recipient of a $100,000 special appropriations grant secured by Representative LaShawn K. Ford. The grant will cover up to 400 youth to expand their knowledge of heritages around the globe and connections to career apprenticeship programs. Getting youth out of the neighborhoods and connecting them to personal experiences will enhance their self-esteem, decreasing self-doubt which increases mental stress and can lead to violent outbursts and the use of guns.
Fashion Designer And Mental Health Advocate Wants To Connect People To Resources
Jai-Leta Colvard was always the one people called to get information about social events. Now, people call her to get referrals for mental health resources. Colvard is a natural connector who has parlayed her love of fashion and fitness into a fashion line, Just Jai Wear, and her desire to see people get the mental health help they need into Space of Grace.
