Local News
Assessor’s Office Refunds $15 Million To Cook County Neighborhoods
In figures released today, Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi announced the collection of more than $15 million dollars over the past three years from people receiving tax exemptions for which they were not eligible. The office collected the funds from taxpayers who did not meet the state eligibility requirements and from estates of those who were recently deceased. Of the $5.1 million collected in 2021, $3.5 million was refunded back to communities in Cook County to pay for services such as schools, parks, libraries, and first responders.
Tamra Moore Joins King & Spalding’s Healthcare Team as Partner
King & Spalding announced that Tamra Moore has joined the firm as a partner on the Healthcare team in the Washington, D.C., office.
Rep. Kelly Announces $1.4 million Housing Grant for City of Kankakee
Congresswoman Robin L. Kelly (IL-02) announced that the City of Kankakee has been awarded a $1,426,306 grant to help improve housing through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Healthy Homes Production Grant Program.
MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ANNOUNCES 7 WINNERS OF CHICAGO WORKS COMMUNITY CHALLENGE
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced more than $10 million in infrastructure improvements selected through the Chicago Works Community Challenge. These projects will reinforce the roles of seven public facilities as neighborhood anchors throughout the city.
USPS Issues New Forever U.S. Flag Stamps
The U.S. Postal Service has released a new set of U.S. Flag Forever stamps. The enduring symbol of freedom and national pride — in stamp form — is available at Post Office locations nationwide today.
SCHOLASTIC ANNOUNCES PICTURE BOOK “I AM RUBY BRIDGES”
Scholastic is proud to announce the publication of I Am Ruby Bridges, a beautiful and momentous new picture book written by Civil Rights icon Ruby Bridges and illustrated by #1 New York Times bestselling artist Nikkolas Smith. On sale September 6, 2022, this must-have poetic reflection marks the first time that Bridges shares her powerful and trailblazing story from the perspective of her six-year-old self – providing a personal and intimate look through a child’s lens at an experience that changed the face of history and the trajectory of the Civil Rights movement.
GEM OF THE OCEAN BY AUGUST WILSON, DIRECTED IN A MAJOR REVIVAL BY CHUCK SMITH, BEGINS THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 22
Goodman Theatre kicks off the new year with a major revival of August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean—nearly two decades after the play premiered on the same stage. Resident Director Chuck Smith, who served as the original production’s dramaturg, directs a cast of seven—featuring Sharif Atkins (Citizen Barlow), Sydney Charles (Black Mary), Lisa Gaye Dixon (Aunt Ester), Gary Houston (Rutherford Selig), Kelvin Roston, Jr. (Caesar), A.C. Smith (Eli) and James A. Williams (Solly Two Kings). Originally directed by the late Marion McClinton at the Goodman in 2003, Gem of the Ocean is the play that chronically launches Wilson’s famed “American Century Cycle”—10 plays, each set in a different decade of the 20th century, that together chronicle 100 years of the African-American experience.
The Village of Hazel Crest President is running for Cook County 5th District Commissioner seat
Vernard Alsberry, Jr., has been the President of the Village of Hazel Crest for almost nine years. Now, he is seeking a new position, as the Cook County Commissioner representing the 5th District. In October 2021, the 5th District Cook County Commissioner Deborah Sims announced that after 27 years in the position she would not seek re-election.
Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. seeks to expand the H.O.O.D. House
Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. wants to expand their vision to have a home for young women in need. It wants to buy a building or a home to house more young women. Currently, Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. has an apartment where young women, ages 18 and older, are able to live rent free for one year and receive wraparound services. The goal of the H.O.O. D. House is to provide a safe space for young women to live, receive resources and improve their circumstances.
A Traveling Exhibit highlights art used during Anti-Black Violence Movement
Janet Dees had the seed for “A Sight of Struggle: American Art against Anti-Black Violence” six years ago when she began her position as the curator of Northwestern University’s Block Museum of Art. Steven and Lisa Munster Tananbaum, the Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Block Museum.
Clinician wants to make therapy more accessible and inclusive
Sharonda Brown, also known as Nya B, grew up on the South side of Chicago in what she described as a chaotic home. There was substance abuse issues and alcohol issues. As a result of that, one of her behaviors was anger and she would get into fights. She ended up becoming a mother at 16 years of age.
Golub Capital, Chicago Booth, and the Chicago Urban League Launch Social Impact Partnership to Serve Communities of Color
Golub Capital, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and the Chicago Urban League are launching a partnership that will play a foundational role at the new Golub Capital Social Impact Lab (“Golub Capital Lab”) at Chicago Booth’s Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation. The Golub Capital Lab, through a significant five-year commitment from Golub Capital, will provide training and professional development to amplify the impact of leaders of high-potential nonprofits serving communities of color.
Assessor’s Office Refunds $15 Million To Cook County Neighborhoods
In figures released recently, Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi announced the collection of more than $15 million dollars over the past three years from people receiving tax exemptions for which they were not eligible.
Biden-Harris Administration Takes Actions to Support Students’ Basic Needs and Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 at Colleges and Universities
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced today, more resources for students and institutions to help reduce barriers to success in higher education, particularly those created and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic—including the Omicron variant.
