Local News
Faith Leaders Mobilize Just Like Selma Campaign as Voting Rights Return to Center of U.S. Debate
As voting rights and civic participation return to the forefront of America’s national debate, faith leaders, musicians, and civic partners have launched the nationwide Just Like Selma Civic Engagement Campaign. The initiative aims to mobilize congregations and community institutions in all 50 states and more than 100 cities, drawing on the historic role of houses of worship as centers of education, advocacy, and moral leadership.
Community Garden Seeks Applicants for 2026 Season
As interest in locally grown food and community-based agriculture continues to rise, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is inviting individuals and families to take part in the 2026 IDOA Community Garden, a hands-on opportunity to grow fresh produce, build food security, and connect with agriculture in the heart of the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
Residents and visitors invited to explore America’s roots with Illinois America 250’s keepsake Passport to Illinois
As Illinois communities prepare to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial on July 4, the Illinois America 250 Commission today unveiled the first ever Passport to Illinois, inviting residents and visitors alike to explore the powerful places, people and events in Illinois that have shaped the nation’s history.
Crawford-Backed Measure Aims to Secure Stable Funding for Schools, Supporting Student Success
Schools will receive the full funding necessary to support essential programs under a new measure co-sponsored by state Rep. Michael Crawford, D-Chicago, benefiting students across the state.
Chicago Public Schools Seniors Lead 2026 Posse Scholars List with 95 Full-tuition Scholarships
Nearly 100 graduating seniors from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have been selected to be part of this year’s group of “Posse Scholars,” making up the majority of a prestigious cohort of students receiving full-tuition scholarships to attend Posse Chicago’s partner colleges and universities
SOUTH CHICAGO DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS THREE WORLD PREMIERES AT THE HARRIS THEATER IN ONE CELEBRATORY EVENING, MAY 1, 2026
South Chicago Dance Theatre (SCDT) presents its ninth annual home season concert, An Evening with South Chicago Dance Theatre, featuring three electric world premieres by award-winning choreographers Natasha Adorlee, David Dorfman, and SCDT Founder and Director of Vision and Strategy and Resident Choreographer Kia S. Smith. The four-part mixed repertory program concludes with a powerful work by renowned choreographer Donald Byrd. An Evening with South Chicago Dance Theatre takes place for one night only at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 West Randolph, on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Assessor Kaegi, Joined by Lawmakers, Clergy, and Community Leaders, Calls for Reducing Barriers to Property Tax Relief for Seniors
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi was joined by state lawmakers, community groups, and clergy at a press conference Wednesday morning calling for better access to property tax relief for low-income seniors.
Leadership Greater Chicago Selects Distinguished Chicago Leaders for The Daniel Burnham Fellowship 2026 Cohort
Leadership Greater Chicago (LGC) announced the eighth cohort of The Daniel Burnham Fellowship. The cohort includes 27 prominent CEOs and senior executives representing a diverse cross-section of corporate, nonprofit, government, philanthropic, cultural and educational organizations. These dedicated civic leaders, who join LGC’s network of more than 1,600 committed change agents, will tackle complex challenges – including affordable housing, education, workforce and economic development, food insecurity, and access to quality healthcare – to create lasting impact across the region.
Rep. Kelly introduces two bills to hold gun industry accountable
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced two bicameral bills to investigate marketing practices of the gun industry and to implement consumer safety standards for guns. After years of evading commonsense consumer practices, the gun industry will be held to the same safety and marketing standards as other industries under Rep. Kelly’s Responsible Firearms Marketing Act and Firearm Safety Act.
Giannoulias Expands Electronic Lien and Titling to Deliver Faster, More Secure Vehicle Titles
Illinois motorists, lenders and dealers will soon experience faster title processing, fewer delays and stronger fraud protections as the Secretary of State’s office transitions to mandatory participation in its Electronic Lien and Titling (ELT) program statewide, Secretary Alexi Giannoulias announced.
Exclusive scholarship program for CHA residents now accepting applications
The application period for the 2026-2027 CHA/Springboard to Success (S2S) College Scholarship is open and accepting applications. There are 175 scholarships valued at $2,000 each.
From Breadbasket to the Rainbow
Before the presidential campaigns. Before the Rainbow Coalition. Before the global diplomacy and Presidential Medal of Freedom — there was a basement in Chicago, a handful of ministers, and a bold idea: economic power could be organized. Rev. Jesse L. Jackson’s national profile would eventually span continents, but his economic justice framework began in the crucible of the Civil Rights Movement — under the mentorship of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
Keeping Hope Alive Through Legacy Planning
Black History Month invites us to remember courage under pressure. It reminds us that our ancestors survived systems designed to exclude them. They built families, churches, businesses, and neighborhoods anyway. Survival was not optional. It was necessary.
Rising optimism among small and middle market business leaders suggests growth for Illinois
Business optimism is returning for small and midsize business leaders at the start of 2026, fueling confidence and growth plans.
