Local News

OPERATION HOPE’S 1 MILLION BLACK BUSINESS INITIATIVE HAS SUPPORTED MORE THAN 155,000 BLACK BUSINESSES TO DATE

Operation HOPE, the nation’s leading non-profit dedicated to financial empowerment for underserved communities, announced that its groundbreaking 1 Million Black Business (1MBB) initiative has supported more than 155,000 unique businesses to date through its HOPE Inside network and 1MBB partners. According to the 1MBB 2022 Impact Report, which will be released in Q1 2023, this accounts for approximately 5% of all Black-owned businesses in the U.S.

121 Local Residents Graduate from ComEd Overhead Training Programs in Chicago, Rockford and Joliet

ComEd leaders joined IBEW Local 15 and members of the community to recognize 121 local residents as they graduated from training programs required to become full-time lineworkers with ComEd. Graduation events held by the company today recognized newly hired pre-apprentices now on track to begin an overhead apprenticeship school in 2023. This on-the-job training is a requirement for performing the role of a lineworker, a key role helping to ensure reliable power is safely delivered to communities across northern Illinois.

TOTALLY POSITIVE PRODUCTIONS CONTINUES TO BE A POSITIVE LIGHT

Totally Positive Productions’ mission is to produce positive rap, dance, singing and spoken word talent competitions, as well as produce positive off the street activities for young people and adults. The goal is to deter people from drug and gang involvement.

LATANYA & THE YOUTH OF ENGLEWOOD HOSTS UGLY SWEATER CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS

- LaTanya & The Youth Of Englewood Organization hosted its annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party at the Ogden Park District. The free event, which was attended by nearly 100 youth, community members, and their families, included an ugly sweater contest, raffles, a toy giveaway, games, and appearances from life-size characters. Attendees were also able to participate in cookie decorating, enjoy music from a live DJ, and more. DoorDash provided $ 2,000 for food for attendees at the event, along with additional support from organizations and individuals such as Washington Shoe Company and more.

Far South CDC Marketplace showcases 10 unique woman-owned small businesses

The nonprofit Far South Community Development Corporation (Far South CDC)—an organization that provides strategic community-building services to residents and businesses across Chicago’s Far South Side neighborhoods and south suburban Cook County—is showcasing ten unique woman-owned small businesses with its Far South CDC Marketplace (837 W. 115th Street, Chicago) open now through May 2023 from 12 to 6 p.m. daily

New Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner wants to give a voice to Black and Brown communities

Yumeka Brown was elected as a Commissioner for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District in November. Brown was sworn in for her six-year term on Tuesday, Dec. 6th.

NAMI METRO SUBURBAN, BEDS PLUS CARE EXPAND HEALTH SERVICES IN SUMMIT

In partnership with the Village of Summit, the National Alliance on Mental Illness Metro Suburban (NAMI Metro Suburban) and BEDS Plus Care held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of two new community resources focused on expanding mental and physical health care services in the Summit, Berwyn, Justice, and Cicero communities.

MIDWEST HEALTH EQUITY COALITION AIMS TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE ACCESS

A new health coalition has launched with the goal to support cost effective healthcare and increase access to healthcare for people of color, with a focus on seniors in the Midwest.

Chicago Philharmonic Welcomes Four New Members to Board of Directors

The Chicago Philharmonic Society is pleased to announce the addition of four dynamic new members to the organization’s Board of Directors. The new board members are Eleanor Bartsch, Chimaobi (Chima) Enyia, Cynthia Plouché, and Eric Wassenaar

SAMHSA Proposes Update to Federal Rules to Expand Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment and Help Close Gap in Care

Changes Would Make Permanent COVID-Timed Medication Flexibilities, and Update Decades-Old Definitions and Standards for Opioid Treatment Programs at a time when fewer than 1 out 10A mericans can access treatment for substance use disorder.

OB/GYN HELPS WOMEN UNDERSTAND THEIR BODIES

Dr. Wendy Goodall McDonald was able to see an example of what she wanted to be when she was growing up. Her friend’s mother was an OB/GYN.

Grassroots Coalition Launched by High School Students Advocates for Safer Streets and Smarter Crime Reduction Strategies

Students from Urban Prep Academy, Leo High School and Perspectives Charter Schools recently came together to form a grassroots coalition, Safe Streets Chicago, in cooperation with school leaders, parents, block club members and public safety advocates to raise support for residents to have a say in how to make their neighborhoods safe from gun violence.

Pappas: Cook County property taxes due by December 30

Pay Online Before 11:59 p.m.to avoid penalties. Property owners must pay the Second Installment of their Cook County property taxes by Friday, December 30, 2022, to avoid late charges imposed by state law.

ACTOR TALKS ABOUT ROLE IN ‘DEAR EVAN HANSEN’

Jeffrey Cornelius started taking piano lessons when he was seven years old. That’s when his love of music began. He discovered theater when he was really young. His grandparents took him to a show. He saw his first show and he was hooked.

GOOD GREEN AWARDS ORGANIZATIONS WITH GRANT MONEY

Good Green, which is the cannabis flower brand owned by Green Thumb Industries, Inc., launched in 2021. The aim of the brand is to reinvest cannabis money back into communities that have been disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs. The Good Green Grant Program is one of the ways it works with a non-profit organization whose focus includes Good Green’s four pillars which include expungement, employment and education.