Local News
House Passes Three Rush-led Bills All legislation heads to President Biden’s desk
U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) applauded the House passage of three of his bills in the final weeks of his Congressional career. The House passed provisions based on Rush’s Martha Wright Prison Phone Justice Act (H.R. 2489), Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Act (H.R. 670), and Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act (H.R. 3320). All three bills had previously passed the Senate, and now head to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
EPIC Academy Career Intensives Pair High School Students with High Profile Chicago Companies for Hands-On Experiences
Chicago, Ill. – Epic Academy College Prep, a public, open-enrollment charter high school, has carried on a long-time tradition of pairing EPIC Academy students with high profile Chicago companies through Career Intensives, EPIC’s signature career exploration program. The program provides hands-on career exposure and experience to students while in the classroom. Companies ranging from communication firms to tech companies meet with students during a two-week career exploration program that exposes students to unique career experiences while they are still in high school. Career Intensives allow students to learn, discover and connect with a myriad of careers and professions from around the city.
Governor Pritzker Issues Proclamation of Passage for Workers’ Rights Amendment Constitutional amendment guarantees right to bargain for Illinois workers
Governor JB Pritzker celebrated the passage of the Workers’ Rights Amendment to the Illinois Constitution. Governor Pritzker issued a proclamation announcing passage of the amendment and joined labor leaders and legislators in celebrating the achievement.
CTA Elevating Futures Scholarship Fund Is Now Accepting Applications from CPS High School Students
In its fourth year, CTA’s Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) scholarship program, created by CTA and RPM contractor Walsh-Fluor, helps Chicago teens pursue degrees in construction and engineering-related fields
MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ANNOUNCES NEW CLIMATE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND SMALL BUSINESSES
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced a new grant opportunity aimed at catalyzing climate action across Chicago by nonprofit organizations and small businesses. In partnership with the Department of Planning and Development’s Chicago Recovery Plan Initiative, the newly established Climate Infrastructure Fund will provide funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements in buildings, support the purchase of electric vehicles and installation of electric vehicle charging stations, and enable green infrastructure solutions to capture stormwater and reduce onsite flooding. Applications will be scored on criteria related to climate mitigation and resilience factors, equity impact, and project readiness.
Sheriff’s Office Senior Citizen Law Enforcement Academy Holds Graduation Ceremony
More than two dozen senior citizens who completed the Cook County Sheriff’s Office Senior Law Enforcement Academy courses graduated Wednesday in ceremonies at the Phoenix Community Cafe in Phoenix, IL.
Ready for Our Earth Shot
In the 1960s and early 1970s, the United States spent the current dollar equivalent of just under $300 billion on “landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth” as President Kennedy proposed in 1961. Ever since, that combination of aspiration and expenditure has made us call any well-financed goal that seems improbable, if not impossible, a “moonshot.”
Quilt exhibit showcases beauty and artistry of quilting
Dr. Tracy Vaughn-Manley is a professor in the African American Studies Department at Northwestern University. She has been making quilts since 2002, when she was teaching at Smith College, in Northampton, Mass.
Keeping the Record: The Archival Practice
Morgan Malone was thinking about who she was going to be and how her life would be preserved and saved in years to come. One of Malone’s mentors who is an architect has an extensive personal collection in the Art Institute of Chicago. Malone thought to herself that she needed to get into a documenting process. It led her to start her own archiving practice.
Gov. Pritzker Signs Reimagining Electric Vehicles Act Amendment
Solidifying Illinois’ position as a leader in the emerging electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing industry, Governor JB Pritzker signed an amendment to the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act into law, further incentivizing EV production across the state.
Dolton Native Grows as a Performer
Jeremy Bella, who goes by the stage name Hotblock Jmoe, grew up in Dolton, with his family. He always wanted to be an important person. He just didn’t know what he wanted to do. He always loved music, he grew up in the church and he was in the choir.
Mayoral Candidate wants a more equitable Chicago
Brandon Johnson thought he was going to be a public school teacher for the rest of his life and he enjoyed doing it. He began his teaching career at Edward Jenner Academy of the Arts in Cabrini Green and also worked at George Westinghouse College Prep High School on the city’s West side, where he is a resident. In October 2022, Johnson, who is a Cook County Commissioner announced his candidacy for Mayor of the City of Chicago.
Nicor Gas commits an additional $5 million to The Salvation Army’s Shield of Caring bill payment assistance program
Beginning Monday, January 16, 2023, qualifying Nicor Gas residential customers can apply online for a Shield of Caring grant at www.shieldofcaring.com or by calling their local Salvation Army corps community center. The program is dedicated to assisting families that are past-due on their monthly natural gas bill and have a financial hardship such as a job loss, illness, military deployment, disability or other circumstance.
Peoples Gas announces $5 million donation to Share the Warmth program Donation will help thousands of families
Peoples Gas announced a $5 million donation today to the Share the Warmth program, which provides heating grants to Chicago households that have lower incomes. Share the Warmth grants can be used by customers to pay their monthly heating bills. This donation will help more than 25,000 customers who need assistance.