Local News
Illinois Updates CPA Exam Eligibility, Reduces Credit-Hour Requirement
Effective Jan. 1, prospective certified public accountants in Illinois will only need to present proof of having 120 eligible semester credit hours, versus 150, and a baccalaureate degree to apply to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam, the universal exam all certified public accountant (CPA) candidates must pass to earn the distinguished CPA credential. Individuals passing the exam will still need 150 semester credit hours to become licensed.
Gov. Pritzker Highlights Investments in Early Childhood Initiatives During Visit to Carole Robertson Center for Learning in Chicago
On Wednesday, Jan. 4, Governor JB Pritzker visited the Carole Robertson Center for Learning in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago to highlight historic investments in early childhood education under his administration. The Governor was joined by Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Senator Celina Villanueva, and Representative Camille Lilly.
CHICAGO AWARDED $144 MILLION THROUGH THE NEW BRIDGE INVESTMENT PROGRAM TO REHABILITATE ILLINOIS INTERNATIONAL PORT CALUMET RIVER BRIDGES
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) welcomed Vice President Kamala Harris to Chicago to announce $144 million in federal funding awarded to the City of Chicago to rehabilitate the Illinois International Port Calumet River Bridges. The grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s new Bridge Investment Program, which was created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will fund the major rehabilitation of four bascule bridges over the Calumet River that are vital to the local community, region, and nation.
Oakton Community College becomes Oakton College
Starting Jan. 17, Oakton Community College begins a new chapter in its proud history as it officially becomes Oakton College. Along with the name change, the College will unveil a new visual identity, including a modernization of the College’s iconic leaf logo and new College seal.
CITY OF CHICAGO ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL CHICAGO POET LAUREATE PROGRAM
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, in partnership with the Chicago Public Library (CPL), the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and the Poetry Foundation, are proud to announce the creation of the Chicago Poet Laureate program. The program comes from the advocacy of the city’s creative and civic communities. It aims to increase awareness of Chicago’s historic contributions to the literary arts while celebrating and honoring the efforts of Chicago’s working artists.
2023 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW GALA SET TO RAISE MILLIONS FOR 18 AREA CHARITIES
The Chicago Auto Show's 31st First Look for Charity black-tie gala will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at McCormick Place. The gala, produced by the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), the organization that represents local new-car dealers, is expected to bring in at least $2 million for 18 Chicago area charities.
Supreme Court to Hear Case on President’s Student Debt Relief Program:
“The Supreme Court’s ruling on the student debt relief case will have deep repercussions for millions, especially students of color, who graduate with a much more severe debt burden than their white counterparts in this debt-for-diploma system.
HHS Issues New Strengthened Conscience and Religious Nondiscrimination Proposed Rule
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), entitled Safeguarding the Rights of Conscience as Protected by Federal Statutes, which proposes to restore the longstanding process for the handling of conscience complaints and provide additional safeguards to protect against conscience and religious discrimination.
Peoples Gas files rate request with state regulators Customer bills not expected to increase as part of the filing
Peoples Gas, today, filed a request with state regulators to restructure how costs are recovered from customers for critical infrastructure projects. The filing is not expected to increase the typical customer’s bill. With natural gas prices forecast to decline this year and next year, customer bills are expected to stay largely flat as new rates take effect in 2024.
Get Ready, Congress: Here Comes Gen Z
When 25-year-old Maxwell Frost of Florida takes his seat in the U.S House this month, he will be the nation’s first Gen Z member of Congress. That -- in and of itself -- is a major milestone and accomplishment. And what makes it even better is that Frost is a young Black man who won on a great platform focused on ending gun violence, addressing climate change and providing universal health care.
Performer and screenwriter wants to expose young people to the arts
Richard Gallion is an actor, playwright and screenwriter. He knows firsthand what the arts can do for young people. He wants to give young people the opportunity to experience all facets of the entertainment industry.
Black Entertainment Summit aims to get more Black creatives in the industry
Jaia Thomas is an entertainment lawyer based in Los Angeles, Calif. She has been practicing law for more than 14 years, and served as an adjunct professor teaching entertainment courses. Years ago, she moved to Los Angeles from New York City. She didn’t know one person and was trying to get her foot in the door in the entertainment industry.
Holy Culture Radio brings progressive music to the airwaves
Holy Culture Radio was founded by Vic Padilla in the late 1990s early 2000’s. Padilla was a lover of Christian Hip Hop. The station got its name from the Cross Movement’s “Holy Culture” album. Padilla’s radio show is now Holy Culture Radio. In April of 2022, it expanded to the Sirius XM platform and includes podcasts, videos, along with Christian Hip Hop music.
Surgeon wants the healthcare system to change
Dr. Firouz Daneshgari is disrupting the healthcare system with his book, “Health Guardianship: The Remedy to the Sick Care System.” Daneshgari is a Surgeon-Scientist, Educator and Entrepreneur, who has worked at the University of Colorado, Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland. He founded Bowtie Medical in 2014. Its goal is to create systemic innovations to bring efficiency and value to the healthcare delivery system.
