Local News
OUTSafe Program Supports LGBTQ+ Seniors with Statewide Service Provider Training Sessions
Growing reports of violence and abuse, coupled with a lifetime of fear of discrimination, have state officials working with service providers to better meet the needs of LGBTQ+ seniors every time they reach out for help.
New York Bound: Bronzeville The Musical's Final Performance in Chicago
The Mahdi Theatre Company is thrilled to announce the final Chicago performances of Bronzeville, The Musical, before its highly anticipated move to the historic Apollo Theater. This bold, captivating production honors Bronzeville's rich legacy and significant history, bringing its powerful story to life on stage. The last Chicago run will occur at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, located at 915 E 60th St, from August 22nd to 25th. Following these performances, Bronzeville, The Musical will make its way to the Apollo Theater from November 15th to 17th.
UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS RETURNS TO CHICAGO FOR ITS 30TH-ANNUAL “COUSINS AROUND THE WORLD” FAMILY REUNION TOUR AT WASHINGTON PARK; OPENING NIGHT IS SEPT. 6
Flying acrobats, gravity-defying stunts, fire breathers, stilt dancers and the ultimate pageantry and flair! Celebrating 30 years as one of America’s top live events, UniverSoul Circus returns to Chicago with its “Cousins Around the World” tour. The international extravaganza will open Friday, Sept. 6, under the big top at Washington Park (E. 51st & S. Cottage Grove Ave. Chicago 60637).
Illinois Governor Pritzker Signs First State-In-The-Nation Landmark Bill to Cover Alzheimer’s Treatments for State Employees
We are thrilled to announce that Governor JB Pritzker has again taken a leadership role in the fight to end Alzheimer's, signing into law a historic piece of legislation. Governor JB Pritzker has signed into law a historic piece of legislation aimed at improving access to Alzheimer’s treatment for state employees across Illinois. This groundbreaking measure mandates that the State Employees Group Insurance Program provides coverage for all medically necessary FDA-approved treatments and medications designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
NAREB W.I.R.E PILLAR HOSTED EXTRAORDINARY ENGAGEMENT FOR BLACK WOMEN IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY
The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) Women Investing in Real Estate (W.I.R.E) Pillar hosted a dynamic, groundbreaking mini-conference for advancing women in real estate during the organization’s annual convention. The event provided a platform for women to gain valuable knowledge on investing, financial planning, and navigating the real estate market. It also offered interactive workshops and networking opportunities with like-minded professionals.
University of Michigan Professor of Robotics, Dr. Chad Jenkins, Honored with the 2024 Richard Tapia Achievement Award
The Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in IT (CMD-IT) honors Dr. Chad Jenkins, University of Michigan Professor of Robotics, as the 2024 recipient of the Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award for Scientific Scholarship, Civic Science, and Diversifying Computing. The awards ceremony will take place during the CMD-IT/ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference, held in San Diego, California, Sept. 18-20, 2024. Last year, more than 2,000 attendees, including students from more than 250 colleges and universities, attended the conference.
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL ANNOUNCES MULTISTATE SETTLEMENT WITH CAMEO FOR VIOLATING CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS
Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a settlement with Baron App Inc. (Cameo) resolving an investigation into Cameo’s violation of consumer protection laws by not providing appropriate disclosures to consumers who purchased video business messages using the popular personalized video service.
State Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr. Named President-Elect of National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
Illinois State Representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr. (D) has been named President-Elect of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a bipartisan organization serving the nation’s 7,386 state lawmakers and more than 30,000 legislative staff.
1,200 Students To Receive Backpacks and School Supplies at Final ‘Peace In The Streets’ Summer Block Party on August 24
1-800-TruckWreck and iHeart Media Chicago are partnering up for a final “Peace In The Streets” block party with St. Sabina Catholic Church to give local families one last celebration before going back to school. The event will take place Saturday, August 24 from noon to 3 p.m. at St. Sabina Catholic Church (1210 West 78th Place, Chicago, IL 60620) in Auburn Gresham. 1-800-TruckWreck will be giving away 1,200 backpacks filled with school supplies like pens, pencils, notebooks, and binders. There will also be free haircuts for the kids, a DJ, family-friendly activities, free food, and more!
HOOPS IN THE HOOD, DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND BACKED BY LISC AND STATE FARM®, CELEBRATES 18 YEARS OF CROSS-COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION IN CHICAGO
LISC’s Hoops in the Hood program, sponsored by State Farm, continues to shine as a dynamic force for positive change in the city, celebrating its 18th season of promoting safety, community engagement, and violence prevention through the unifying power of sports.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON AND DCASE UNVEIL NEW ARTIST-DESIGNED TRAIN WRAPS ON CTA BLUE, GREEN, AND ORANGE LINES
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced several public art projects to be completed this summer and fall, including a neighborhood murals initiative as well as unique artwork by Chicago artists on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue, Green, and Orange lines. The artist-designed CTA train wraps will be on display starting in mid-August, as will many of the neighborhood murals being created by mainly Chicago-based artists in collaboration with community organizations — to be installed at public sites in Humboldt Park, the West Loop, and Woodlawn/Washington Park. Additional murals will debut this fall in the Bronzeville, Edgewater, Mayfair, South Chicago, and Uptown communities. These new neighborhood murals will interpret themes of democracy, civic duty, diversity, equity, and inclusion and will also celebrate Chicago’s Blues and House music legacies.
Mobile Driver’s License & ID Legislation for Illinoisans Signed into Law
Legislation enabling Illinois residents to start using mobile driver’s licenses and state IDs was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced.
MERIT SCHOOL OF MUSIC ANNOUNCES NEW MERIT NEAR NORTH BRANCH IN OLD TOWN NEIGHBORHOOD
Merit School of Music, a nationally accredited music school headquartered in the West Loop, proudly announces the opening of Merit Near North branch in the Old Town neighborhood at 458 W Eugenie St. Merit will begin offering private music lessons, group classes, and early childhood music classes at Merit Near North this Fall. Part of Merit’s multi-year growth-focused strategic plan, the expansion is grounded in Merit’s mission to transform the lives of Chicago-area young people by removing barriers to a high-quality music education. The bold strategic plan also encompasses a new Merit South Shore branch which launched this past summer through a partnership with Bryn Mawr Community Church.
City of Chicago Department of Family Services and Support Launches 2024 Scholarship Program
The City of Chicago Department of Family Services and Support (DFSS) is now accepting applications for the 2024 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Scholarship Program in partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. This program will award $230,000 in scholarships to eligible full-time students enrolled in continuing education or vocational training programs for the upcoming fall term. The scholarships are intended to cover expenses such as tuition, books, and other related educational costs as confirmed by the institution.