Local News
State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces 10 Illinois Nonprofit Groups Chosen to Receive More Than $191,000 in Charitable Trust Grants
Applications Now Available for New Grant Cycle, Open to Organizations Providing Food Assistance, Economic & Workforce Development
Chalk Howard Street announces 3D and 2D artists, entertainment and vendors
The nonprofit Rogers Park Business Alliance is excited to host Chicago’s only chalk art festival Chalk Howard Street on Saturday, August 24, from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. The family-friendly festival presenting large-scale optical illusions returns to transform the street surface into a canvas for national, local, and first-time chalk artists along Howard Street between Paulina and Ashland, east of the Howard Red Line “L” stop. This free-admission festival features live music, lion dance, kids drawing, vendors, food and drinks, while offering striking and immersive street art experiences as well as street chalk squares available for public purchase. Chalk Howard Street is sponsored by Howard Street/Jarvis Square Special Service Area #19. For more information on the festival, visit chalkhowardstreet.com.
POAH ACQUIRES HARVEST COMMONS AND WARREN ASHLAND APARTMENTS
Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) this week acquired two residential properties - Harvest Commons and Warren Ashland Apartments - from the troubled Heartland Housing portfolio. The properties are located in Chicago’s bustling Near West Side at 1519 and 1533 W. Warren Blvd. respectively, and comprise 164 mixed-income apartments.
RAVINIAⓇ HEATS UP AUGUST WITH MUST-SEE SUMMER CONCERTS
Ravinia’s 2024 summer lineup boasts over 100 concerts spanning rock/pop, R&B, classical, jazz, country, Latin, and movies with live orchestra. August promises a vibrant celebration of excellence across many genres, offering a mosaic of unforgettable performances of Black music.
Governor Pritzker Announces $18 Million for Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $18 million in funding for the fourth round of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program provides training opportunities, expands the talent pipeline, and boosts diversity in the construction industry and building trades. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.
First Ladies Health Day is Back
The First Ladies Health Day, featuring free health screenings for chronic illnesses, returns to Chicago on Aug. 11 at nearly 10 participating churches. The much-anticipated health day will include back-to-school resources as well as games and giveaways to spotlight the return of these lifesaving health clinics.
ComEd Joins YMCA and Goodwill to Graduate 89 Local Teens from Summer Job Training Program
ComEd, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago hosted a graduation event for 89 teens who have completed summer job training that prepared them for emerging career opportunities in the clean energy and construction fields.
COMMISSIONER DONNA MILLER GETS APPROVAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY POLICY RESOLUTION
On July 15th, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller garnered approval of her Social Media Safety Policy Resolution at the 2024 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference in Tampa Bay, Fla., which brings together nearly 2,000 elected and appointed county officials to focus on federal policy issues that impact counties and their residents.
Xchange Chicago Is Building An Innovation Hub On The South Side
A new $20 million technology training center in Grand Crossing will help create career pathways for people in the community. Xchange Chicago was formed by the Comer Science and Education Foundation and P33.
Habitat for Humanity Breaks Ground For Development In West Pullman
Habitat for Humanity recently broke ground on a 20-unit townhome development in West Pullman.
New Superintendent Ready for 2024-2025 School Year
Dr. Cynthia Levy has officially been the Superintendent of the Markham/Hazel Crest School District 152 ½ since July 1st. Even before that, she was engaging staff and faculty in preparation for her tenure and the school year ahead.
Legislation Seeks To Close The Adequacy Gap At State Higher Education Institutions
Legislators in Illinois have taken up the cause of getting more state funding for public higher education. Illinois State Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford and Illinois State Representative Carol Ammons recently announced the filing of SB3965, the Adequate and Equitable Funding Formula for Public Universities Act.
CTA’s $3.6 Billion Red Line Extension Project Now Expected to Receive $746 million in 2025, the Project’s First Year, a $396 Million Increase in Funding
U.S. Transportation Secretary had earlier recommended $350 Million to CTA’s Red Line Extension project in President Biden’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget; Funding Boost Moves Historic Transit Equity Project on Far South Side Closer to Groundbreaking
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ACTING SECRETARY ADRIANNE TODMAN ADDRESSED THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS 76th ANNUAL CONVENTION
Delivering the keynote speech at the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) Annual Convention, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman applauded NAREB for policies and practices advancing Black wealth. She also cited HUD’s many accomplishments during the Biden-Harris administration, such as “helping hundreds of thousands of families keep their home when times were tough during the pandemic.”
