Local News
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi recently hosted events on the South and West sides with the goal to assist homeowners in navigating property tax savings. During these events, staff from the Assessor’
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi recently hosted events on the South and West sides with the goal to assist homeowners in navigating property tax savings. During these events, staff from the Assessor’s Office help property tax payers with exemptions that they might have missed.
Local Woman Looks To Change Narrative Around Having Locs
Gail Mitchell likes to say that she didn’t choose the loc life, it chose her. Her hair journey took her from relaxing her hair to going natural and eventually getting locs. She noticed the questions and perceptions that the hairstyle brought and wanted to do something to change the narrative, so she started a blog called Loc’d Life Magazine in 2009. She’s had the blog for five years and has even printed two editions of it.
State Of The Southland: Village of Matteson
Sheila Chalmers-Currin has been the President of the Village of Matteson since 2017. Prior to that Chalmers-Currin served as a Village Trustee for eight years. She said that she decided to run for Mayor because she wanted to give back to the community, as she believes that everyone should want to give back to their respective communities.
Chicago Sinfonietta To Host ‘Open Heart’ Concert
To celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, the Chicago Sinfonietta will present a concert that pays tribute to the legacy of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. “Open Heart” will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday Jan. 18th, at Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College in Naperville, and at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19th, at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago.
Is It Normal Aging or Early Dementia? Memory Loss Causes and Alzheimer’s Warning Signs to Watch For
Memory changes are a natural part of aging. Misplacing keys or briefly forgetting a name happens to nearly everyone and usually doesn’t interfere with daily life. Dementia, however, is different. It involves ongoing cognitive decline that affects independence, judgment, and the ability to complete routine tasks.
Happy New You!
As 2025 comes to a close, many of us are ready to turn a new leaf and pray that all that was broken this year will be fixed in 2026. The losses, the uncertainty, the fatigue of it all—it has been a lot. But a new year does not require us to carry old burdens forward. It invites us to travel lighter. As we step into 2026, especially those of us who have experienced the coming and going of many years, it may be time to rethink not just what has happened to us—but what is still possible through us.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle Reaffirms Support for Community Violence Intervention Programs at Metropolitan Peace Academy Graduation
On Thursday, Dec. 18, Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI) and Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) celebrated the newest round of Chicago Community Violence Intervention (CVI) graduates from the Metropolitan Peace Academy (MPA). The 58 graduates included street outreach workers, case managers, and victim services professionals.
Ellman law to strengthen Illinois gun storage starting Jan. 1
With preventable tragedies involving unsecured guns increasingly impacting children and teens, State Senator Laura Ellman advanced a critical public-safety measure to strengthen Illinois’ firearm-storage requirements. The new law helps ensure firearms are safely secured and inaccessible to minors, vulnerable residents, and those who pose a public threat.
Governor Pritzker Signs Bill Expanding End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients
Governor Pritzker signed the Medical Aid in Dying bill (SB 1950), a law that will provide qualified terminally ill patients with the option to seek medication to peacefully end their lives on their own terms in consultation with physicians.
Peters spearheads law to raise Illinois’ juvenile detention age
A new law from State Senator Robert Peters will raise the minimum age at which minors can be detained and limit detention in certain situations where the minor is not charged with a violent crime, making it clear the state is prioritizing rehabilitation and addressing the root causes of delinquent behavior.
Be Merry, But Safe: IPC Urges Caution Mixing Alcohol and Prescription Medications
‘Tis the season to be jolly but mixing alcohol and prescription medications is no laughing matter. With holiday parties that involve alcohol consumption and an increasing number of people taking medications that interact with alcohol, Illinois Poison Center (IPC) experts are reminding the public of the potentially dangerous consequences of combining some medications with alcohol.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CELEBRATE 2025 GREENCORPS JOB TRAINING GRADUATES
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) celebrated the 47 newest graduates of Greencorps Chicago, the City’s green workforce training program which serves individuals overcoming barriers to employment, including returning residents. By building valuable job readiness skills through paid classroom and hands-on field training in ecological restoration, tree care, green infrastructure, landscaping, and environment related occupations, the program empowers Chicagoans to build brighter futures for themselves, their families and their communities.
Chicago Public Schools Announces Historic Milestones in Scholarships and Seal of Biliteracy Achievements
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) celebrates the achievements of the Class of 2025 by highlighting a record number of scholarships and State Seal of Biliteracy awards. The District recognized these accomplishments at Eric Solorio Academy High School in Gage Park, where students secured these honors at unprecedented levels. CPS emphasizes that these achievements not only demonstrate students' dedication and perseverance but also create meaningful advantages for their futures.
Avoid the Fee, Get REAL ID: Giannoulias Leads Push to Spare Illinoisans from TSA’s $45 Penalty
With the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) new $45 penalty set to catch travelers off guard starting February 1, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is taking action to reduce the Time Tax by making it easier than ever for Illinois residents to get their REAL ID.