Local News
Education Department Continues Push to Invest in Highly Effective Educators and Address Teacher Shortage
The U.S. Department of Education is continuing to take action to support and invest in the teaching profession and address the teacher shortage many schools and districts across the country face. The Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grant program is now accepting applications for efforts that increase the pipeline of highly effective educators.
THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CROWN FAMILY ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERSHIP
The Chicago Department of Housing (DOH) and the University of Chicago Crown Family School for Social Work, Policy and Practice announced a new partnership to examine how city governments around the world are using housing policies to promote wealth building in communities that are majority people of color. This research will inform the department and others on what governments are doing to address and reverse decades of disinvestment and predatory housing practices that have prevented communities of color from building generational wealth through homeownership.
‘Green Jobs Now: Illinois’ - Data-Driven Report by WorkingNation Examines the State’s Growing Green Economy
WorkingNation, a nonprofit news organization reporting on the future of work, today released “Green Jobs Now: Illinois” – multimedia reports and original data showing how green jobs affect Illinois’ economy and how upskilling the workforce in green ways could drive economic growth.
MAYOR LIGHTFOOT, CDOT, AND BACP ANNOUNCE MICROMOBILITY EXPANSION TO INCLUDE CITYWIDE SCOOTER PROGRAM
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) Commissioner Gia Biagi, and Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) Commissioner Kenneth J. Meyer announced the selection of three companies to operate shared scooter programs across the city, with 3,000 scooters starting operations later this spring. In addition, the Divvy bike-share system will add 1,000 scooters, creating the first docked bike and scooter system in the nation. All enhancements are anticipated to launch in early May 2022.
Community organizations receive portion of $2.7 million for development projects
Community Desk Chicago distributed three community organizations a portion of $2.7 million to help them build capacity to do development projects on the local level. South Shore Chamber of Commerce Community Development Corporation, Teamwork Englewood and Puerto Rican Cultural Center are the recipients of the money from The Neighborhood Initiative (NDI).
Metropolitan Water Reclamation Board recognizes Hazel Johnson
Hazel Johnson was an environmental activist who lived in Altgeld Gardens on the city’s south side. In 1979, she founded the People for Community Recovery. A New Orleans native, she fought environmental racism and is considered the Mother of the Environmental Justice Movement.
David Moore wants to bring transparency to the Secretary of State Office
David Moore, 17th Ward Alderman, announced his intention to run for Illinois Secretary of State in 2021. Since then, Moore has been connecting with people across the state of Illinois to gain support for his campaign.
Hyde Park Academy High School partners with The People’s Music School
The People’s Music School provides free music instruction at four different sites in Chicago. The main site is located in the Uptown area. The program reaches about 750 young people, in grades K-12, mostly in after school programs, but it also has programs that supports teachers in the Chicago Public Schools to enhance music education.
Legislation to make 127th Street safer for pedestrians and vehicles
Illinois State Representative Bob Rita, D-Dist. 28, introduced legislation at the end of January that would make 127th Street safer. Now, the legislation has passed and is set to be signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker.
NOM Week is Approaching And Medical Student Agilda Dema Discusses Her Child Neurology Career Path
Agilda Dema understands that environmental circumstances factor into a person's health. When she was deciding a preferred career path, she wanted hands-on training and an opportunity to think and treat patients as a whole.
There Is No Room For Racial Bias or Racial Profiling In Our Justice System
Justice is a verb, an action word, and as such we must take action to remove racial bias and racial profiling in our justice system. In our criminal justice system, we must engage and expand new methodologies such as restorative justice, adult and juvenile redeploy, pretrial fairness and programs that restore, reinvest, and renew our communities, while protecting our communities.
Statement by SBA Administrator Guzman on Agency’s New Equity Action Plan
“The SBA’s Equity Action Plan reaffirms our agency-wide commitment to breaking down longstanding barriers to ensure underserved entrepreneurs can access the capital, networks, resources, and opportunity they need to realize their American dream of business ownership,” said Administrator Guzman.
Biden-Harris Administration Extends Student Loan Pause Through August 31
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced an extension of the pause on student loan repayment, interest, and collections through August 31. While the economy continues to improve and COVID cases continue to decline, President Biden has made clear the continuing need to respond to the pandemic and its economic consequences, as well as to allow for the responsible phase-down of pandemic relief.
Illinois Legislature Passes First-In-The- Nation Dementia Training For EMTs
During the last week in March, after a unanimous Senate vote, the Illinois legislature passed House Bill 4388, an initiative of the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter to ensure that all emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics receive regular dementia training. This first-in-the-nation training requirement will help paramedics recognize the signs and symptoms of dementia as well as be able to effectively communicate with people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
