Local News
Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau Announces 2019 Stars of the Industry & Annual Tourism Award Winners
The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau (CSCVB), the regional destination management organization for Chicago’s 63 south and southwest suburbs, recognized its members, municipalities and organizations for their outstanding service in the hospitality and tourism industry during Fiscal Year 2019.
Up to $20 Million Available for Area Innovators as Part of Climate Change Investment Initiative Launched by the Exelon Foundation and, ComEd Parent Company, Exelon Corp.
Innovators across northern Illinois can now take advantage of up to $20 million in funding from the Exelon Foundation and Exelon Corp., ComEd’s parent company, to support startups and the development of technologies that help mitigate climate change. The effort is part of the company’s Climate Change Investment Initiative, or 2c2i, launched last week as part of Climate Week NYC, a joint initiative of the United Nations and the city of New York that brings together business, government and institutional leaders to discuss climate-change actions.
LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES SEEKS PASSIONATE APPLICANTS
ADA 25 Advancing Leadership — the first program in the nation with a vision of people with disabilities leading with power and influence for full participation and equal opportunity in the Chicago region — is now accepting applications for its 2020 Leadership Institute.
Young Entrepreneur Creates Social Impact Fund To Create Sustainable And Affordable Housing
In 2016, AJ Patton left his job to create 548 Capital, LLC and to focus on creating solar-powered affordable housing on the south and west sides of Chicago. Since then, Patton has built a network of local partners who are working to bring his vision to life. Through 548 Capital, LLC, Patton recently created the Solar Chicago Fund and began construction on their first sustainable housing site in Auburn Gresham.
Reparations Resolution Passes In Chicago City Council
The Chicago City Council recently passed a resolution calling for the establishment of the Chicago Descendants of Enslaved Africans Reparations Commission to ensure equity, equality, and parity for citizens of African descent in Chicago who are experiencing poverty and to explore what can be done to close racial gaps in homeownership, educational funding, healthcare, government contracts, and anything else they find that needs to be addressed.
Ford Kicks Off First Day of Student College Assistance Applications at Michele Clark High School
– State Representative La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, and Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet High School Principal Charles Anderson are encouraging high school seniors to get an early start on both college and financial aid applications. Rep. Ford and Principal Anderson will join the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to launch College Changes Everything Month on October 1, 2019, during a press conference to announce millions of dollars of financial aid available for families in Illinois.
Sisters in Cinema Announces Inaugural Fellowship Program
Sisters in Cinema (SIC) with support from Chicago Women’s Foundation LBTQ Giving Council has awarded three first-time feature filmmakers with a $2,500 grant for the production of a documentary film.
Metra breaks ground for new South Side station
After 10 years of planning, Metra finally broke ground on Monday for a new, $20 million station in Auburn Gresham.
Target to Hire More Than 130,000 Seasonal Team Members
Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) recently announced plans to add more than 130,000 seasonal team members across the country for the upcoming holiday season, including a two-fold increase in the number of roles focused on fulfilling digital orders from its stores. In addition, the company committed to offering existing team members additional hours based on their preference and availability.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS HOST LIGHT IN THE NIGHT EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY
Throughout the summer, community organizations across Chicago have been hosting weekly Light in the Night events to reclaim public spaces in neighborhoods that have been heavily affected by violence. One nonprofit, Breakthrough, recently hosted its final weekly Light in the Night event in East Garfield Park.
Unemployment Rate Falls to Historic Low in August
Th e Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) recently announced that the unemployment rate was 4.0 percent in August, down 0.2 percentage point from the prior month, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. Th e August unemployment rate was the lowest monthly unemployment rate for the state on record. Nonfarm payrolls were stable compared to the prior month, down -1,400 jobs. Th e July monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report (from -400 to +1,300 jobs).
EMERGING YOUNG ARTIST TOURS CHICAGO’S SUBURBS, PERFORMS FOR SOUTH SUBURBAN STUDENTS
Students at Crete-Monee High School recently received a performance from a 19-year-old emerging singer from Atlanta known by her stage name, MicahBlu. MicahBlu has been performing for most of her life and always hits the stage with various shades of blue in her outfit, her hair and her makeup.
LOCAL NONPROFIT PETITIONS CITY TO RECOGNIZE CHICAGO DAY OF THE GIRL
Girls Like Me Project, Inc. is a local nonprofit organization that focuses on providing young girls in Chicago, specifically from the south side, with mentoring opportunities. The organization is preparing to host its annual Day of the Girl celebration on Oct. 11 and the organization’s founder, La’Keisha Gray-Sewell, recently created an online petition requesting that Mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, declare October 11th as Chicago Day of the Girl.
Closed Chicago Public School Is Reactivated By Community-Led Art Installations
Anthony Overton Elementary School in Bronzeville was closed in 2013 after 50 years of operation. The iconic south side building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 and has become the site of community art projects including the most recent Community Day: Making Space Together event hosted by Chicago Architecture Biennial, Creative Grounds, and Borderless Studios.
