Local News
Property Taxes Up $743.8 Million; Homeowners Hit Again
Cook County homeowners face a sharper increase in property taxes this year compared to businesses — a result of home values climbing much faster than commercial real estate values, according to the latest tax bill analysis by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas.
The Coalition of African American Leaders (COAL) issues its Chicago Board of Education Candidate Questionnaire
Oversight of our children’s education is among the most important responsibilities in public service. The Chicago Board of Education fulfills this role for Chicago Public Schools (CPS), a system with an annual budget of nearly $10 billion and roughly 630 schools.
2026 Bridging the Gap Parade and Community Resource Fair to Honor the Enduring Legacy of Bishop Dr. Claude Porter
The 2026 Bridging the Gap Parade and Community Resource Fair will bring communities together on Saturday, September 12, 2026, under the theme “One Legacy, Many Bridges.” The celebration will honor the late Bishop Dr. Claude Porter, visionary leader and founder of Bridging the Gap Parade and PLCCA INC, whose life was dedicated to service, faith, youth, and community empowerment.
CHA wins three Awards of Merit from NAHRO
Three Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) programs were awarded 2026 Award of Merit trophies by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).
ComEd Debuts Mobile Assistance Unit at Waukegan Resource Fair, Bringing On-Site Bill Help Directly to Customers
Recently, ComEd unveiled the first of its new Mobile Assistance Unit activations during Waukegan Township’s Corner of Hope & Opportunity Community Resource Fair & Block Party. The appearance marked the debut of a fleet of vehicles equipped to deliver bill-assistance services anywhere across ComEd's northern Illinois service territory.
Five Top Universities Bring College Admissions Event to South Suburbs
College admissions officers from five nationally ranked universities are coming to Chicago’s south suburbs to meet directly with high school juniors and seniors during a special LAUNCH Consortium event at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31, at Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park.
Living Fresh Market Hosts Community Tailgating Event on Saturday to Kick Off Football Season
Living Fresh Market announced today that it will host a Community Tailgating Event on Saturday, August 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., welcoming football fans, families, student‑athletes, booster clubs, and sports organizations from across the region. The event will feature food sampling, exclusive in‑store deals, vendor showcases, and the store’s highly anticipated monthly free 60‑second shopping spree, where lucky participants race through the aisles to fill their carts at no cost.
HARD ROCK CASINO NORTHERN INDIANA DONATES $100,000 TO CALUMET TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE’S OFFICE TO SUPPORT STORM RECOVERY EFFORTS
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana has donated $100,000 to the Calumet Township Trustee's Office to support ongoing recovery efforts for residents impacted by the severe storms that struck Northwest Indiana on August 11.
Jacqueline Carrie Byas Chappell Services
Jacqueline Carrie Byas Chappell, affectionately known as “Jackie” and to generations of children as “Miss Jackie,” passed away on August 17, 2026, at the age of 86.
MAYOR JADA D. CURRY OFFICIALLY DECLARES THE VILLAGE OF LYNWOOD A DISASTER AREA
Jada D. Curry- Mayor of Lynwood, Illinois- has officially declared the Village of Lynwood a disaster area. This comes immediately following today’s horrific tornado type-storm that has caused significant damage throughout the village. Numerous media outlets have reported possible tornado type activity within the Village of Lynwood as well as surrounding communities.
RICH TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR REFLECTS ON PARTNERSHIPS AMID THE RECENT VIOLENT STORM THAT CHALLENGED THE SOUTHLAND
Calvin Jordan- Supervisor and Democratic Committeeman of Rich Township- is expressing his profound gratitude to a wealth of local governments, State agencies and the Governor Pritzker’s offices for their collective efforts in navigating resources amid the recent violent storms that rocked the southland.
COMMISSIONER KISHA MCCASKILL URGING 5TH DISTRICT RESIDENTS IMPACTED BY RECENT STORMS AND TORNADOES TO COMPLETE CRITICAL RELIEF SURVEY
In the wake of recent severe storms and tornado activity that impacted communities throughout Cook County’s 5th District, Cook County Commissioner Dr. Kisha McCaskill is urging residents who experienced storm-related damage or other impacts to complete the 5th District Resident Relief Survey as soon as possible.
Illinois Sees Record Minority Business Starts — But Too Few Reach $1 Million. Joseph Business School’s Access to Capital Forum Targets the Scaling Crisis
Illinois is experiencing one of the most active periods of business creation in the country. More than 189,000 new business applications were filed last year, and the Chicago metropolitan area was ranked the #1 U.S. region for corporate expansion for the 13th consecutive year. Yet behind this surge lies a troubling reality: as many businesses are closing or relocating as are opening, creating a high‑churn environment that makes it difficult for new ventures to survive, let alone scale.
North Suburban Homeowners See Slower Burden Shift in 2025 Reassessment
Homeowners in Cook County’s north and northwest suburbs bear roughly two-thirds of the tax base in that part of the county, according to new data from the Cook County Assessor’s Office.
