Local News
Cook County Hosts Series of Community Baby Showers to Support New and Expectant Moms in Suburban Cook County
Cook County Department of Public Health is hosting a series of community baby showers to connect new and expectant parents with resources and raise awareness about maternal and infant mortality. The first of three community baby showers takes place on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Harvey Park District’s Gloria Taylor Hall, located at 14821 Broadway Ave. in Harvey, Ill.
COMMUNITY LEADERS, LAWMAKERS PUSH PRITZKER TO REOPEN WEISS, WEST SUBURBAN HOSPITALS
North and West Side advocates are pushing Gov. J.B. Pritzker to use his official powers to quickly reopen two important Chicago-area hospitals that have closed in the past 11 months: Weiss Memorial Hospital in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago and West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park.
8TH AND 19TH DISTRICT COUNCILS CALL ON CITY TO ADVANCE PARKING ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE PILOT
The 8th and 19th District Councils are calling on city leadership to advance the Parking Alternative Response Team (PART) pilot, a community-developed proposal designed to divert thousands of non-emergency parking-related 911 calls from sworn police officers to civilian personnel.
Living Word Christian Center to Host Major Back‑to‑School Family Event August 1 at Forest Park Plaza, Supported by Forest Park Plaza and Living Fresh Market
Living Word Christian Center (LWCC), in partnership with two of its key business entities—Forest Park Plaza, the largest retail center in the Village of Forest Park, and Living Fresh Market, the 71,000‑square‑foot full‑service supermarket—will host one of the largest family events of the summer: the Back‑to‑School Family Event and School Supply Giveaway on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Forest Park Plaza parking lot at 7630 Roosevelt Road.
MIELLE CARES ANNOUNCES “MATCH MI MINDSET,” A CHARITY PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT BENEFITING TEEN MENTAL HEALTH IN CHICAGO
Mielle Cares, the charitable foundation founded by Mielle Organics’ Monique and Melvin Rodriguez, announces Match Mi Mindset — a charity pickleball tournament taking place Thursday, July 30, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at The Sport House, 1301 E. 47th Street, Building 1, Chicago, IL 60653. All proceeds benefit Mielle Cares’ MiMental Mindset program, which supports the mental health and emotional well-being of teens and preteens across the country.
Deadline for Cook County Shop Talk Open Call Extended to August 6
The deadline for the Cook County Shop Talk funding opportunity offered by Cook County Department of Public Health has been extended from July 30 to Aug. 6. Funding for Cook County Shop Talk will expand culturally responsive community conversations about mental health for teens and young adults in high-need suburban communities. CCDPH is seeking proposals from municipalities that can engage youth of color in their communities to host community mental health events.
Oh What Needless Pain We Bear…
This week, the oldest, boldest, most revered—and at times most feared—civil rights organization in America, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), hosted its 117th National Convention here in Chicago. Unfortunately, because of my newspaper deadline being the first day of the convention, I cannot give you a full report. I can say, however, that the seminars listed in the convention program appear to be both timely and promising. Stay tuned—I look forward to sharing highlights and observations in a future column.
NABJ Announces Executive Director Search Committee and Launch of National Search Process
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) today announced the formation of its and the launch of the next phase of its national search for the organization's next Executive Director.
CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois Awards Record Accounting Tuition Scholarships
As the accounting profession works to strengthen its future workforce, the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois, the charitable partner of the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS)—one of the largest state certified public accountant (CPA) societies—has awarded a record $161,000 in scholarships to 61 accounting students attending 23 Illinois colleges and universities.
Giannoulias Marks Major Victory for Illinois Drivers Facing Skyrocketing Costs with Landmark Auto Insurance Reform
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias highlighted landmark auto insurance reform legislation that would, for the first time, give Illinois regulators the authority to review and challenge excessive insurance rate increases while strengthening oversight of insurance companies and delivering long-overdue transparency, accountability and consumer protections for Illinois drivers.
Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court Launches a Strategic Plan Survey
The Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, under the leadership of Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, has launched a Strategic Plan Survey in partnership with the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). The survey will support the development of the Office’s 2027-2031 Strategic Plan and guide long-term operational and service priorities.
WNBA to Become First Professional Sports League to Host Events at the New Obama Presidential Center
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced today that several marquee events during AT&T WNBA All-Star 2026 will take place at the newly opened Obama Presidential Center.
(BPRW) College of Engineering and Architecture Students Supply Water to a Kenyan Community and Earn National Recognition
The Howard University College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) has been awarded the 2026 Engineering Education Award from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying for its Kenya Water Supply Project, recognizing CEA’s commitment to integrating professional practice with engineering education.
Chicago Hip-Hop Legend and Grammy Award-Winning Producer Toxic Returns with His Most Personal Project Yet, HOLY
Chicago has long been recognized as one of the world's most influential music cities, producing artists whose impact reaches far beyond its neighborhoods. Few producers have helped shape that sound quite like Grammy Award-winning producer, songwriter, and artist Toxic.
