Local News
Chicago Housing Authority releases results from first Resident Survey in recent history
The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) released results from its first resident survey in recent history, capturing direct feedback from thousands of residents. The results reflect overall positive sentiment toward CHA while clearly identifying areas where residents expect continued improvement. Residents from across CHA’s portfolio—including Housing Choice Voucher participants, public housing residents, seniors, and those in subsidized housing—shared insights that will help guide CHA’s policies, programs, and investments moving forward. More than 4,000 residents responded to the survey in total, with most questions receiving approximately 3,000 answers.
ComEd Awards $500,000 EV Charging Rebate to bp pulse
ComEd presented a $500,000 electric vehicle (EV) rebate check to bp pulse, delivering funds and technical support to deliver onsite infrastructure upgrades to support the livening of 40 new ultrafast EV charging ports near O’Hare Airport (ORD). The charging hub aims to provide local vehicle operators and rideshare drivers with fast and convenient charging options and advances key goals of ComEd and the state to increase EV charging access in public sites.
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL JOINS LAWSUIT AGAINST UBER OVER DECEPTIVE PRACTICES TIED TO SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE
Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced today that his office, as part of a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general, joined a lawsuit against Uber Technologies, LLC and Uber USA, LLC (Uber), the operators of the popular rideshare and delivery company over its alleged deceptive and unfair practices in selling Uber One subscription services, which Uber promotes as saving users money on rides and deliveries.
Bank of America Chicago Marathon Shatters Another Record: $47.1 Million for Charity
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced today that 2025 participants raised a record $47.1 million for local, national and global nonprofits, smashing last year's highest fundraising total by $11 million. The fundraising momentum is expected to continue in 2026, with a third of the 55,000-person participant field expected to run and fundraise on behalf of an official charity.
Giannoulias Launches E-Filing for Court of Claims
As part of his broader modernization push, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced that the Illinois Court of Claims will now offer electronic filing options and conduct remote hearings – a major step forward in how the court serves the public.
Gov. Pritzker Announces $2 Million Investment in Springfield Homeless System
Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness announced $2 million in new investments for several community organizations in Springfield and the surrounding area to support local efforts to address and combat homelessness in Central Illinois. These investments from the Home Illinois grant exemplify the State’s commitment to reaching functional zero homelessness – a goal where the state prevents homelessness whenever possible and ensures that if homelessness does occur, it is brief, rare, and singular.
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi recently hosted events on the South and West sides with the goal to assist homeowners in navigating property tax savings. During these events, staff from the Assessor’
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi recently hosted events on the South and West sides with the goal to assist homeowners in navigating property tax savings. During these events, staff from the Assessor’s Office help property tax payers with exemptions that they might have missed.
Local Woman Looks To Change Narrative Around Having Locs
Gail Mitchell likes to say that she didn’t choose the loc life, it chose her. Her hair journey took her from relaxing her hair to going natural and eventually getting locs. She noticed the questions and perceptions that the hairstyle brought and wanted to do something to change the narrative, so she started a blog called Loc’d Life Magazine in 2009. She’s had the blog for five years and has even printed two editions of it.
State Of The Southland: Village of Matteson
Sheila Chalmers-Currin has been the President of the Village of Matteson since 2017. Prior to that Chalmers-Currin served as a Village Trustee for eight years. She said that she decided to run for Mayor because she wanted to give back to the community, as she believes that everyone should want to give back to their respective communities.
Chicago Sinfonietta To Host ‘Open Heart’ Concert
To celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, the Chicago Sinfonietta will present a concert that pays tribute to the legacy of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. “Open Heart” will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday Jan. 18th, at Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College in Naperville, and at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19th, at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago.
Is It Normal Aging or Early Dementia? Memory Loss Causes and Alzheimer’s Warning Signs to Watch For
Memory changes are a natural part of aging. Misplacing keys or briefly forgetting a name happens to nearly everyone and usually doesn’t interfere with daily life. Dementia, however, is different. It involves ongoing cognitive decline that affects independence, judgment, and the ability to complete routine tasks.
Happy New You!
As 2025 comes to a close, many of us are ready to turn a new leaf and pray that all that was broken this year will be fixed in 2026. The losses, the uncertainty, the fatigue of it all—it has been a lot. But a new year does not require us to carry old burdens forward. It invites us to travel lighter. As we step into 2026, especially those of us who have experienced the coming and going of many years, it may be time to rethink not just what has happened to us—but what is still possible through us.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle Reaffirms Support for Community Violence Intervention Programs at Metropolitan Peace Academy Graduation
On Thursday, Dec. 18, Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI) and Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) celebrated the newest round of Chicago Community Violence Intervention (CVI) graduates from the Metropolitan Peace Academy (MPA). The 58 graduates included street outreach workers, case managers, and victim services professionals.
Ellman law to strengthen Illinois gun storage starting Jan. 1
With preventable tragedies involving unsecured guns increasingly impacting children and teens, State Senator Laura Ellman advanced a critical public-safety measure to strengthen Illinois’ firearm-storage requirements. The new law helps ensure firearms are safely secured and inaccessible to minors, vulnerable residents, and those who pose a public threat.