Local News
Education Couture Promotes Literacy And Learning
A local program, founded by a speech-language therapist, is making literacy more accessible and culturally relevant. Ruckiya Ross first came up with the idea for Education Couture in 2014 while working in the Chicago Public Schools. In her work in communities on the South side, she noticed literacy gaps and also noticed that learning didn’t excite the children as much as pop culture, music and fashion. She wanted to make children as passionate about reading as they were about other things that grabbed their attention. She left CPS, Ross returned as a volunteer to test an idea that blended therapeutic practices with hip-hop rhythm and neuroscience-based strategies to spark engagement and build vocabulary. Those early experiments became the foundation for Education Couture. Querida Flores and Ruckiya Ross, of Education Couture, took the time to answer questions that were submitted to them by the Citizen Newspaper.
The State of the Southland: Village of Lynwood
Jada Curry has been the Mayor of the Village of Lynwood since 2021. Well into her second term, Curry is looking towards the future of the Village of Lynwood and celebrating the ways the Village has progressed since her first term.
Timeless Gifts To Host 16th Annual Christmas Duets Concert And Fundraising Gala
Joan Collaso founded Timeless Gifts Performing Arts Program for Youth and Young Adults with a concert that would pair aspiring performers with seasoned world class musicians for a Christmas Concert. After the success of the concert, Collaso decided the concert was something she wanted to do every year. But, she wanted to turn it into a program where young people would participate in a six-week summer program and have a concert after the six weeks, along with the Christmas concert.
Wealth Our Way Initiative Chooses Grantees
A program that provides direct capital to workers cooperatives, people owning businesses and storefronts; and Community Investment Vehicles (CIVs) has chosen six shared ownership businesses across the city of Chicago to receive a share of more than $2 million.
Author Behati Hart Explores Identity, Neurodivergence, and Liberation in New Memoir, Just BE
Chicagoland speaker and author Behati Hart announces the release of her new memoir, "Just BE: Unmasking and Becoming Human Again," a deeply personal exploration of what happens when high-achieving women stop performing who they are expected to be—and begin living as who they truly are.
NMSDC Releases 2024 Minority Businesses Economic Impact Report: MBEs Drive Nearly $600 Billion in Economic Output
(Black PR Wire) Recently, the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) released its highly anticipated 2024 Minority Businesses Economic Impact Report, showcasing the extraordinary contributions of NMSDC-certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) to the U.S. economy.
Novae Wins DSA Award for Technology Innovation
Novae has won the 2025 DSA Award for Technology Innovation, presented by the U.S. Direct Selling Association (DSA), for its myNovaeDisputes Manager personal credit software. The annual DSA awards honor companies that set a benchmark for excellence and integrity in the direct selling industry.
America at 250: It’s Time to Bring the Ballot Home A democracy worthy of its 250th birthday must make participation simple, secure, and within reach of every voter.
Americans aren’t just anxious about next year’s elections—they’re uneasy in a deeper way.
New Report Highlights Opportunities to Expand Awareness of 9-8-8 and Strengthen Crisis Care Across Cook County
Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) and the Cook County Justice Advisory Council (JAC) have released Community and Provider Voices: Strengths and Opportunities in the Suburban Cook County Crisis Care System, a comprehensive local assessment of the behavioral health crisis system that presents findings from community members, behavioral health providers, and social service providers.
CHICAGO COMMUNITY BUILDERS COLLECTIVE AND PARTNERS PROVIDE 300 MEALS FOR SNAP RECIPIENTS IN NORTH LAWNDALE
Chicago Community Builders Collective (CCBC), the general contractor for the Bally’s Chicago Casino project, in partnership with UCAN Chicago, Bally’s Chicago, McHugh Concrete Construction, UJAMAA Construction, and Brown and Momen, hosted two-free meal giveaways, providing meals to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients impacted by the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. Select photos are linked below.
Cunningham backs plan to deliver property tax relief for seniors
State Senator Bill Cunningham backed a property tax relief package that increases property tax exemption thresholds for senior citizens in Illinois.
Holiday Magic® Returns Brighter Than Ever to Brookfield Zoo Chicago with All-New Displays, Interactive Experiences and Festive Delights
Chicagoland’s most dazzling holiday tradition is back and brighter than ever! Holiday Magic® at Brookfield Zoo Chicago returns reimagined for 2025, transforming the zoo into a winter wonderland illuminated by over 3.5 million twinkling lights and the region’s largest display of decorated holiday trees. Now through January 4, guests can stroll through breathtaking new light displays and interactive experiences that bring the season’s sparkle to life like never before.
Homeowners: Make sure you aren’t missing out on property tax savings
With the release of 2024 second installment tax bills from the Cook County Treasurer’s Office, homeowners should check to make sure they are not missing property tax-saving exemptions.
Treasurer Frerichs Clinches 7th Gold Rating For Bright Start College Savings Plan
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today that Illinois’ Bright Start 529 College Savings Plan has earned its 7th Gold rating from independent analyst Morningstar, firmly placing the plan among the best in the nation.
