Local News
Governor Pritzker Announces 5,800 New Pre-K Spots Created by Smart Start ISBE exceeded goal of funding 5,000 new seats in preschool deserts in fiscal year 2024 by 18%
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced the addition of 5,886 new preschool seats in preschool deserts—areas of the state with too few publicly funded preschool seats to serve 80% of low-income 3- and 4-year-olds in the area. As part of Governor JB Pritzker’s broader Smart Start initiative, ISBE originally aimed to add 5,000 new seats and exceeded the goal by 18%, expanding access to early childhood education to more than 5,800 additional children in preschool deserts statewide. ISBE also expanded services to families with babies and toddlers from birth to age 3, serving 1,130 additional children. View the list of Preschool for All grantees, Preschool for All – Expansion grantees, and Prevention Initiative grantees.
Gift of Hope surpasses milestones for life-saving organ and tissue donation in Illinois and northwest Indiana
Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network announced today that Illinois and northwest Indiana surpassed milestones for life-giving organ and tissue donation again in 2023, contributing to the nation’s record levels for organ transplants.
THE BOSS NETWORK ANNOUNCES THE THIRD YEAR OF ITS “BOSS IMPACT FUND” AND THE LAUNCH OF “PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS”
The BOSS Network, an online community of professional and entrepreneurial women who support each other through digital content, programs and event-based networking, is excited to announce two exciting initiatives that will take place during its yearlong celebration highlighting its 15th anniversary milestone year. The BOSS Network and Sage (via the Sage Foundation) — the leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) — announce the return of the BOSS Impact Fund and its three-year, $1.5 million commitment to support the Fund with the “Invest in Progress” grant investing in Black women led businesses. In addition, The BOSS Network will partner with both Sage and Swoop, a global fintech company specializing in funding solutions for businesses, on the launch of “Pathways to Success”–a new training and mentorship program designed to support Black women entrepreneurs in Atlanta.
Illinois to Receive EV Charging Stations, Electric School Buses Through Federal Grants
The federal government announced $622 million in grants for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure through the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program and nearly $1 billion in grants for clean school buses through the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, both of which were funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Collaboraction to premiere filmed live performance of Trial in the Delta: The Murder of Emmett Till
Collaboraction Theatre Company will present the premiere film screening of its live theatrical performance, Trial in the Delta: The Murder of Emmett Till, on Thursday, February 22 at 7 p.m. at Wayfarer Theaters, 1850 Second St. in Highland Park. Tickets are $20. For tickets and information, visit wayfarertheaters.com or call (872) 873-1030.
Wieland North America to Invest $500 Million to Modernize East Alton Facility Company investments reinforce its long-term commitment to six facilities across the state and the future of advanced manu
Governor JB Pritzker, Wieland Rolled Products North America, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today joined local leaders and partners to announce a new Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) agreement for Wieland’s $500 million investment in modernizing its East Alton facility – one of six across Illinois. The investment, which retains 800 jobs across the state, will enable the company to increase production of critical copper and copper alloy components that are used in electric vehicles (EVs), EV charging infrastructure and renewable energy production while supporting the state’s clean energy economy.
NCHE LAUNCHES LANDMARK ACTIVITIES TO HONOR THE 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL DAY OF RACIAL HEALING
The National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE) celebrated the 8th Annual National Day of Racial Healing with groundbreaking activities, such as releasing a series of scholarly articles amplifying the value of connecting across racial, ethnic, and other perceived differences to embrace a shared humanity. And, working with publisher Mary Ann Libert Inc., NCHE also released a roundtable discussion on research showing that many Americans seek unity and want to embrace racial healing.
Perinatal Clinical Psychologist Said Parents’ Mental Health Can Impact Children’s Mental Health In Early Stages
Dr. Sheehan David Fisher is a Perinatal Clinical Psychologist at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. He focuses on families during their pregnancy and postpartum period.
Native Foods Owner Wants People To Try Plant-Based Foods
Dame Dia has worked in the restaurant industry for 15 years, starting in New York working at Red Lobster as a dishwasher. Now Dia is the owner of the only Native Foods left in Chicago
Ladies of Virtue Program Engages Them In The Political Process
The Ladies of Virtue have launched a program that shows young girls the importance of being part of the political process. Fannie’s Fight for Freedom is named after Fannie Lou Hamer and includes four parts that are meant to teach young girls about Hamer and her fight for voting rights.
Health Journal Helps People Take Control Of Their Health Journey
Johnson is very family-oriented. When her oldest son told her and her husband that he was infected with HIV in 1986, they took action. On doctor’s visits, she took a ledger pad and filled it with notes so when she went back to the doctor’s office with him she could understand what they were talking about. She ended up filling up two pads with information. Those notes would be the spark to create the health journal.
Chicago Public Schools Awarded With 23 AP Computer Science Female Diversity Awards
Nearly two dozen Chicago Public Schools (CPS) high schools earned the 2023 College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in Advanced Placement computer science courses. The 2022-23 School Year also marked the fourth consecutive year that female and non-binary students comprised the majority of AP Computer Science Principles exam takers throughout the District. Schools honored with the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award maximized their commitment to computer science education by expanding girls’ access to AP computer science courses, specifically in AP Computer Science A (CSA) and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP).
BLACK WOMEN PASTORS UNITED AND CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE PRESIDENT TO JOIN ALDERMAN COLEMAN IN MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT
Chicago 16th Ward Alderman Stephanie Coleman- Chairman of the Chicago City Council Black Caucus- will be joined by The Chicago based African American Women Pastors Organization and Chicago Urban League President Karen Freeman as they collectively announce their full support of Alderman Coleman’s Plan to Action for the development of a Chicago City Council Task Force concerning the abnormal rate of violence against black women in Chicago.
AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESS LEADER AND RESIDENTS VOICE FRUSTRATION OVER RECENT COOK COUNTY PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS THAT JUMPED TO NEARLY 200% FOR SOME
Anthony McCaskill- Executive Director of the South Suburban Region Black Chamber of Commerce- along with other Cook County residents and various Cook County business owners are publicly voicing their displeasure of the Cook County Assessor amid skyrocketing tax assessments on both businesses and homeowners.
