Local News
Giannoulias Warns Illinoisans of Scammers Selling Used Vehicles
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is warning Illinoisans shopping for a used vehicle to exercise caution and employ best-practices amid a rise in fraudulent vehicle purchases across the state.
THE JOFFREY BALLET PRESENTS TWO WORLD PREMIERES IN RADIANT MIXED REPERTORY, GOLDEN HOUR
This winter, The Joffrey Ballet presents Golden Hour, a radiant mixed repertoire program of warmth and splendor. Featuring world premieres by Yuri Possokhov and Dani Rowe, the return of Cathy Marston, and an audience favorite by Nicolas Blanc, the curated program welcomes audiences in from the cold to experience the light of these four immersive works. Golden Hour will be presented at the historic Lyric Opera House, 20 North Upper Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago, in ten performances only, from February 20 to March 2, 2025.
Chicago Joins the Shine Hope Company's Network of Hopeful Cities, Providing New Resources to Support Behavioral Health
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has partnered with The Shine Hope Company (TSHC) to join its Hopeful Cities initiative. The program is designed to boost mental health resources and teach Chicago residents how to cultivate hope through an evidence-based framework grounded in science, which shows that hope is measurable, teachable, and can be developed to support mental wellness. Programming is available at no cost to all Chicago residents via The Shine Hope Company on the Hopeful Cities website.
Gov. Pritzker and Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) Announce Participation in IRS Direct File Service
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) announced that Illinois will participate in the IRS Direct File service, which began on Jan. 27. Nearly two million eligible Illinois taxpayers will now be able to use Direct File to electronically prepare and file their 2024 federal tax returns for free.
TOYOTA MILES PER HOUR INDOOR RUN RETURNS TO THE 2025 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW FLOOR ON FEB. 9
Chicago Auto Show organizers have teamed up once again with the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) to produce the Toyota Miles Per Hour, an indoor run that guides participants though the 2025 Chicago Auto Show on Sunday, Feb. 9. Appropriately named, Miles Per Hour—sponsored by Toyota—challenges runners to see how far they can run in one hour, thus finding their own personal "miles per hour." Once the 60 minutes are up, runners gather in the Toyota display for awards, photos and refreshments.
MWRD, Forest Preserves of Cook County to study major project that would connect south suburbs with nature and alleviate flooding
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) and the Forest Preserves of Cook County are partnering on a feasibility study in southeast Cook County for a collaborative project to provide flood relief, restore the local ecology and create new outdoor recreational opportunities for neighboring communities.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON ANNOUNCES THE COMMUNITY GROWERS PROGRAM ROUND 2 GRANT AWARDEES
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) announced the grantees of the second round of the City’s Community Growers Program. The Community Growers Program, designed in partnership with the City of Chicago Food Equity Council, is a $2 million investment in urban agriculture with the goal to increase food equity in communities with a history of disinvestment by supporting the development of urban agriculture sites led by local growers. Through the program, BACP and program partner NeighborSpace, are providing urban growers with resources to build long-term urban agricultural sites and technical assistance. This support for urban agriculture in communities with limited food access will provide residents with more options for accessing fresh produce, while also creating wealth-building opportunities for growers.
Chicago’s Pullman Porter Museum Kicks off Year-long Celebration
The National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum (NAPRPPM) has launched and will lead a yearlong celebratory campaign with its two annual signature events -- the Museum Founding Anniversary with the A. Philip Randolph “Gentle Warrior Awards” and the 100th Anniversary of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) with “Honoring the Brotherhood” event.
How to educate your kids now about creating long-lasting healthy money habits
As you solidify your New Year’s resolutions, it’s a great time to start having a conversation with your kids -- whether they’re in elementary school, high school, or college — about smart ways to navigate finances. Starting the conversation earlier on will help to create healthy money habits as their grow, ultimately benefiting their financial future.
Adult Daycare: A Vital Resource for Individuals with Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
For individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, adult daycare programs offer a lifeline to safety, engagement, and quality care. These centers provide structured, supervised environments designed to meet the unique needs of people with memory loss while offering much-needed respite for caregivers.
Trade Mission To Zimbabwe Was A Fruitful Visit
The Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce recently returned from a trade mission to Zimbabwe where they were able to engage with leaders in the country with the goal of connecting to businesses and resources. There were about 14 businesses that attended the trip, which took place in December 2024.
ComEd Provides Sustainable Wages Through Its Workforce Development Initiative
ComEd is offering workforce development training programs that those who are interested in the clean energy industry can participate in.
Family-Owned Hair Care Company Empowers Black Women
Thank God It’s Natural (tgin®) was founded by Chris-Tia Donaldson in 2009, with the book, Thank God I’m Natural. The book detailed Donaldson’s hair journey from childhood to working as a lawyer in the corporate world. The haircare line launched in 2013 with five products.
Growing Home Looks Toward The Future With New Projects
Growing Home operates an urban farm on 1.7 acres of remediated farmland. That land had been previously zoned as light industrial and left as concrete lots in Englewood. During years of disinvestment in the community, it became abandoned. The lots were tested for contamination, remediated, capped and had two feet of compost placed on top.
