Local News
Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces $1M in DCASE Grants Supporting Chicago Community-Based Programming
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced 27 “Neighborhood Access Program” grantees, providing $1 million in funding to 27 organizations and artists (89% on the South and West sides) to support community-based programming in their neighborhoods. The goal of this program is to support the cultural vitality of every neighborhood via grant programs and partnerships designed to be responsive to the complex needs of individual communities. To learn about the grantees and descriptions of their projects, please visit here. For more information about DCASE's cultural grants program, visit ChicagoCulturalGrants.org.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Senator Durbin Lead Congressional Support for ATF Proposed Rule to Expand Background Checks
Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led letters signed by over 160 Members of Congress in support of a proposed rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) titled "Definition of 'Engaged in the Business' as a Dealer in Firearms." This proposal utilizes provisions in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), passed in 2022 and signed into law by President Biden, to expand background check requirements for gun sellers not previously classified as a Federal firearm licensee (FFL).
Fifth Ward Alderman Desmon Yancy wants to center the community’s voice in legislation
Desmon Yancy gets his service from his parents. During his time in high school at Kenwood Academy, he figured out who he was and how he wanted to serve. Now, he is the 5th Ward Alderman, representing South Shore, Greater Grand Crossing, Woodlawn and Hyde Park.
The Balloon Queens create colorful balloon designs
Saundra Woods and Tiasha Echols launched The Balloon Queens, LLC, in 2019, bringing together their love of creating balloon designs for events.
Self-taught artist creates photorealistic oil paintings
Robert Owens has been making art since he was 6 years old. He had an assignment where he had to draw a church and it looked just like the church. He became popular for creating art. He stopped and returned to it in his early 20s, making oil paintings.
Dream Academy Foundation continues to give back to the community
Dominique Bryant founded Dream Academy Foundation five years ago because she wanted to provide a solution to some of the issues that young people were facing. She wanted to give back to the next generation.
COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER DENNIS DEER & STROGER HOSPITAL LAUNCH ENORMOUS BLOOD DRIVE
Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer (2nd District) was joined by Stroger Hospital Executive Donnica Austin-Cathey, Stroger Hospital Physicians, Vitalant Blood Organization Executive Tammy Winchester, Community Activists, and Civic leaders in launching an all-new Cook County Blood Drive. Commissioner Deer, who also serves as the County Board’s Chairman of the Cook County Health Board of Directors, is spearheading this effort all while strongly advocating for more African American and Hispanic donors.
Treasurer Pappas posts property tax bills online and gives taxpayers a preview of amounts due March 1
Cook County property owners have no need to wait for their next property tax bills to arrive in the mail to find out how much they will owe by the March 1 due date, Treasurer Maria Pappas said today.
Why Does Most of America Ignore Violence Prevention?
For 12 years during months of October, Black Women for Positive Change has sponsored annual days, weeks and months of Non-Violence, Families, Voters Rights and Opportunities. It is our belief that with the epidemic of violence gripping the nation, America should be anxious for new approaches that can promote violence prevention, anger management, conflict resolution and de-escalation of violence.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $93 Million in Grants to Support Research and Development at HBCUs, TCCUs and MSIs, and Postsecondary Completion for Underserved Students
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced today $93 million in grant awards to 20 colleges and universities to support research and development at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), and to improve completion rates for underserved students.
New state funding is now available to help build out Illinois’ food infrastructure, with the hope of getting more local food out in more markets.
Nearly $2 million in state funds will be handed out next spring under the Illinois Local Food Infrastructure Grant program, under a new program being administered this year by the Illinois Stewardship Alliance.
IT’S “A MIRACLE ON 31stSTREET”
It’s a true “Miracle on 31st Street” on Tuesday, December 12 from 10 a.m. until 12 noon, when Home Run Inn (HRI), the pizza company that has captured the heart of Chicago since opening its first tavern on the South Side in 1947, and the City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) join hands to distribute 3,000 pizzas to twenty-four Chicago Homeless Shelters at the Original Home Run Inn at 4254 W. 31st Street.
Rep. Jackson Introduces Bipartisan Bill, The Marshall “Major” Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act
Today, U.S. Representatives Jonathan L. Jackson (D-IL-01) and Jim Baird (R-IN-04) led 32 of their colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Marshall “Major” Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act. This legislation would posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor — America's first Black sports star, but someone many have never heard of — in recognition of his significance to the nation as a trailblazing athlete.
𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐯𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐠𝐨’𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞
West Garfield Park was recently dubbed the 'most violent neighborhood in Chicago' by the Chicago Sun-Times. This historic neighborhood has witnessed nearly 1,000 shootings in the last five years – approximately one shooting every other day. West Garfield Park, however, is fighting back. A resilient and progressive hope has birthed: The Sankofa School of the Arts. Sankofa is a new, dynamic and collaborative arts showcase supported by leading West Side institutions: New Mount Pilgrim Church-Chicago, the innovative men's group – the MAAFA Redemption Project, and the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation.
