Local News
LOW-INCOME STUDENTS CAN NOW ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO FOR FREE
A relatively new program at the University of Chicago allows low-income students to receive free tuition if their household income is $125,000 per year or less. And more financial assistance is available to students with household incomes $60,000 per year or less. Those students receive free housing and fees plus tuition as part of their financial aid by the school. And for students who are the first in their families to attend college, they receive a $20,000 scholarship over four years and a guaranteed paid internship for their first summer. Free housing is a big deal because the university requires all students to live on campus during their first two years
Thornton Township once again joined forces with the Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County
The Illinois Horse Rescue has worked with the township over the past several years in events such as Days in the Park, the annual Township picnic, the Taste of Thornton Township and other various community outreach initiatives. The organization has 35 stalls for various animals.
Pritzker signs bill promoting diverse workforce on capital projects
Springfield – Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation on Tuesday, Dec. 10, aimed at ensuring minority workers have access to jobs created through the state’s new $45 billion capital improvements plan, as well as access to training for careers in construction and building trades.
40th Anniversary of the Illinois Human Rights Act Celebrated
The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), in partnership with the Illinois Human Rights Commission (HRC), recently celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA).
State Selects Project Manager to Proceed with Sale of the Thompson Center
Governor JB Pritzker recently announced that the State of Illinois has taken an important step forward in selling the James R. Thompson Center. After a competitive RFP process to select a project manager, the State will enter into exclusive negotiations with Ernst & Young Infrastructure Advisors, LLC (EY) to provide an array of project management and technical expertise to generate the best value from the sale for taxpayers.
Chicago Bar Association Announces Partnership With “Lawyers In The Classroom” Program
The Chicago Bar Association has partnered with a longstanding civic education program that brings lawyers directly into the classrooms of Chicago‐area elementary schools to teach the U.S. Constitution and promote the principles of democracy.
SUBURBAN BLUES GROUP TO REPRESENT CHICAGO YOUTH AT INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE
Three south suburban youth, who call themselves MudCity Blue, will attend the 2020 International Blues Challenge in Memphis next month as the only Chicago-area youth blues group. The trio, Kendall Carter, Stacy Norris and Peyton McDowell, met while students at Homewood-Flossmoor High School (HF) where their passion for blues music enriched. Carter is the group’s guitarist and vocalist; McDowell is on bass and Norris is on drums.
Board Approves McDonald’s Settlements
AFTER NEARLY THREE YEARS OF PROCEEDINGS, THE GENERAL COUNSEL AND MCDONALD’S USA, LLC PRESENTED A SERIES OF INFORMAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS RESOLVING ALL THE ALLEGED UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES.
West Side Native Striving to Make a Difference at North Lawndale College Prep
In Chicago, it’s rare that a high school alumnus returns as principal shortly after graduating but that’s exactly what 29-year-old Arriel Janae Williams did this year.
BIG CHANGES UNDERWAY FOR BJ’S MARKET & BAKERY
BJ’s Market & Bakery is making changes to its business strategy that includes relocating to a South Side shopping center, opening more locations and focusing more on carry out orders. According to Hank Meyer, who co-owns BJ’s Market & Bakery at 8734 S. Stony Island Ave. with his brother John Meyer, the longtime black-owned restaurant is moving to the Stony Island Plaza, 9501 S. Stony Island Ave., this month.
Sonia Manzano Best Known as “Maria” on “Sesame Street Gives MLK Commemorative Address
Tickets are now available to hear Sonia Manzano deliver the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m. at Elon University in North Carolina. The event will take place at McCrary Theatre and Manzano’s talk is titled, “Multi-Racial Latinos & the Civil Rights Movement.”
Powerful Book For Young Black Boys Celebrates 25 Years With a Pledge to Get 1 Million New Readers
Jerald LeVon Hoover became the published author of a Young Adult (YA) title, one of a few books targeted toward young Black and Brown boys ages 12 and up, My Friend, My Hero. This novella has become a staple, as recommended reading in elementary through high schools across the country and around the world. That is a distinct honor Hoover shares with a short list of African-American male YA authors including: Walter Dean Myers, Kevin Powell, Kwame Alexander, and Ralph Burgess.
Public invited to take IDOT traveler survey
Th e Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking feedback on the state’s transportation system through its annual Illinois Traveler Opinion Survey, available now through Dec. 31. Th e survey is available online by visiting idot.illinois.gov.
Leo Burnett Chicago Names Aki Spicer Chief Strategy Officer
Leo Burnett Chicago recently named Aki Spicer to the role of chief strategy officer. Elevated from the role of EVP and Global Strategy Lead, Spicer will report to Andrew Swinand, Leo Burnett Group CEO.
