Local News

Trump’s Team is Coming for Climate Science.

It is official: 2024 was the hottest year on record. Temperatures not only surpassed 2023 as the previous hottest year, they leapt – for the first time – past the goal set in the Paris Climate Agreement of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

DR. KISHA E. McCASKILL APPOINTED COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF THE 5TH DISTRICT

Illinois State Senator and Thornton Township Committeeman Napoleon Harris III was joined by ten other Chicago and south suburban Democratic Committeemen as they met to select a person to occupy the 5th District Cook County Commissioner’s seat left vacant by the current Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon. The gathering took place last evening (1/10) at South Suburban College in South Holland, Illinois.

AND the BEAT GOES ON…

My focus in this column has primarily been directed to the actions families must take to preserve their wealth for the next generations, in accordance to Proverbs 13:22.

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Urges Seniors to Take Advantage of Property Tax Deferral Program

Amid growing concerns that increases in property tax bills are pushing senior citizens to leave their homes, Cook County Treasurer María Pappas reminded senior homeowners today of a state program that allows them to defer paying their property taxes.

COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN THE WORKPLACE

The Challenges for Employers and Employees As the aging population in the United States continues to grow, the prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia in the workplace is on the rise, creating significant challenges for employees, caregivers, and employers. With over 11 million Americans providing unpaid care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, the ripple effects of these conditions extend far beyond families, deeply impacting the workforce.

T.D. Jakes Enterprises Acquires Castiron to Launch Innovative E-Commerce Platform “Nourysh”

In a significant strategic move into the technology sector, T.D. Jakes Enterprises, (TDJE), a social impact holding company, announced the acquisition of Castiron, a leading e-commerce technology startup. This acquisition enables the launch of Nourysh. Powered by the Good Soil Movement, Nourysh is an innovative all-in-one e-commerce platform designed to empower underrepresented and under-resourced entrepreneurs nationwide.

TTEC Achieves Silver Certification in Management Leadership for Tomorrow's Black Equity at Work Program

TTEC Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTEC), a leading global CX (customer experience) technology and services innovator for AI-enhanced CX with solutions from TTEC Engage and TTEC Digital, has achieved Silver Certification in Management Leadership for Tomorrow's (MLT) Black Equity at Work program, demonstrating the company's measurable progress in advancing racial equity.

Better Haircare, Mindfully Made: Eva NYC Announces Brand Renovation

Born in Brooklyn, Eva NYC is a trailblazer in the hair sector, with a commitment to ongoing research in ingredient innovation and sustainability practices for continuous evolution. Eva NYC has been listening and evolving for over 12 years and this next era marks a renewed commitment to industry leadership as Eva NYC unveils a brand renovation. The brand has made large, long-term investments in clinical testing, environmental impact research, and garnered unparalleled consumer engagement, while increasing accessibility. This next evolution pilots a new chapter as Eva NYC offers consumers, "better haircare, mindfully made."

WALKGOOD LA CONCLUDES INSPIRING 2ND ANNUAL FILMGOOD & WELLNESS FESTIVAL

WalkGood LA successfully concluded its 2nd Annual Film and Wellness Festival, an inspiring five-day event that brought together industry leaders, creators, and community members for a celebration of film and wellness. Drawing over 375 filmmakers, storytellers, and attendees, the festival featured more than 25 dynamic panelists, including Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jharrel Jerome, and Lena Waithe. It has quickly established itself as a cornerstone of Los Angeles' cultural calendar.

AUDITORIUM PHILMS CONCERT SERIES continues with Marvel Studio’s Black Panther live in concert One night only Saturday, January 18 at 7:30 PM at The Auditorium

The Auditorium, Chicago’s landmark stage at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, and the Chicago Philharmonic present the latest installment in its Auditorium Philms Concert Series, a multi-media experience presenting iconic films brought to life with scores performed in concert, with the landmark superhero movie Marvel Studio’s Black Panther. The blockbuster film will play while a full orchestra performs the thrilling score composed by Ludwig Göransson -one of the most lauded and prolific composers working in film today- with in-sync dialogue and sound effects from the original film.

MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO ESTABLISH TRANSFEMICIDE WORKING GROUP

Mayor Brandon Johnson signed Executive Order 2024-2, establishing a Transfemicide Working Group to develop comprehensive strategies addressing violence against transgender women in our city. This Working Group represents a vital step in the Johnson administration’s commitment to implementing community safety approaches that address root causes of violence and ensure Chicago is safe for all residents.

Rep. Robin Kelly Introduces Bicameral Bill to Increase Transparency in Federal Spending

Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced the Increasing Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act (H.R. 10394) to include holistic demographic data of federal loans and grants recipients. Currently, data tracking of federal awards such as grants, loans, and contracts does not include the recipients’ ethnicity, race, or sex. U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) also introduced his companion bill.

Rebuilding Illinois: IDOT revitalized, modernized transportation statewide in 2024

The Illinois Department of Transportation continued to revitalize and modernize transportation and mobility across the state in 2024. Made possible by the governor’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, projects transformed highways, transit, railroads, airports, waterways and active transportation everywhere Illinois residents call home, creating safer and more reliable travel options while boosting economic opportunity for generations to come.

The Auditorium proudly presents Complexions: Contemporary Ballet

The Auditorium, Chicago’s landmark stage at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, proudly announces the return of New York-based Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the internationally acclaimed company will present a captivating evening of dance, featuring For Crying Out Loud—a Chicago premiere paying tribute to the legendary Irish rock band U2. Complexions returns to The Auditorium, 50 E Ida B. Wells Drive, for one night only at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7. Tickets start at $39.00 and are available at auditoriumtheatre.org or by calling The Auditorium’s Ticket Service Center at 312.341.2300.

Bally’s Chicago Announces Investment Opportunity

Bally’s Chicago, Inc. (the “Company” or “BCI” or “Bally’s Chicago”) announced the commencement of its offering of a 25% equity stake in its Chicago casino and resort project. Bally’s Chicago has begun marketing the initial public offering and concurrent private placement of its equity ownership interests (offering by prospectus and information memorandum only). Loop Capital Markets is acting as the sole Placement Agent in the offering. The monies raised are intended to support the funding for Bally’s planned permanent casino and resort, located at the historic former Tribune Publishing site in Chicago, Illinois, and is a key component of the Host Community Agreement (“HCA”) between Bally’s Chicago and the City of Chicago. Qualified Investors under the terms of the HCA, can participate as equity investors in a project that aims to deliver world-class entertainment and generate significant economic impact for the region.