Local News
Equal Rights Amendment reaches support threshold; implementation likely stalled
Springfield — Two years after Illinois’ Legislature approved new language for the U.S. Constitution codifying that rights cannot be denied due to gender, the Equal Rights Amendment gained enough state support to be ratified.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR GRANT
The Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities (PSPC) and its Chicago Fund will give $1 million in grants to organizations with gun violence prevention strategies focused on the summer and early fall months.
City Colleges Offering Free Cannabis Course for Minority Students
Currently, there are no black-owned marijuana dispensaries in Chicago but low-income, minority students can take a free cannabis course at City Colleges of Chicago to learn more about working in the growing industry.
New Affordable Housing in Maywood for People with Disabilities Replaces Vacant Lots
Four new small-scale apartment buildings in Maywood that were designed especially for people with disabilities are now ready for tenants, thanks to a unique partnership between IFF and the Cook County Land Bank Authority.
Bolingbrook Black History Month Awareness Club Celebrates the 22nd Annual Community Wide Black History Month
The 22nd Annual Celebration will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2020, from 2:00-5:00 PM at Bolingbrook High School Auditorium 365 Raider Way, Bolingbrook, IL 60440. This year’s theme is “Black History 400 Years in the Making.” Allen J. Bryson is the keynote speaker. A native of Chicago and a product of Chicago Public Schools, Allen J. Bryson is an author, poet, spoken-word artist, motivational speaker, and educational specialist.
April Fowlkes Shares with the Citizen her experience’s seeking employment in a male dominated Industry
Four years ago, I had no money and few prospects I signed up for a free 12-week job training program called Community Builders that provides the basic construction skills and certification.
Chicago Advertising Federation Honors Renetta McCann with Silver Medal Award
Renetta McCann, chief inclusion experience officer, Publicis Groupe, was recently named the recipient of the Chicago Advertising Federation’s 2019 Silver Medal Award.
‘Text Therapy’ Provides Access To Mental Health Support
CuraLinc Healthcare, a global behavioral health and well being provider, recently announced the launch of Emotional Fitness Coaching, a message-based therapy application that is embedded within an organization’s employee assistance (EAP) and student assistance program models – and also available as a stand-alone point solution.
Health advocates, lawmakers want stronger regulations of vaping
Some Illinois lawmakers say a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration policy responding to a growing trend of youth e-cigarette use does not go far enough. The federal public health watchdog announced in a memo recently that it would crack down on the “manufacture, distribution, and sale” of fruit- and mint-flavored electronic smoking cartridges for cigars, hookahs and cigarettes, among others.
STONY ISLAND ARTS BANK OPENS THE JOHNSON ARCHIVES TO THE PUBLIC
Rebuild Foundation has partnered with Illinois Humanities for a project that will allow the public to view its extensive Johnson Publishing Archives. The launch for the Reading the Black Library project will take place from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26, at Stony Island Arts Bank, 6760 S. Stony Island Ave.
Feeding America Food Bank Pilot Intervention Demonstrates Improved Outcomes for Adults with Prediabetes
A new study from Feeding America®, the nationwide network of 200 food banks and the largest domestic hunger-relief organization, shows that food banks can improve food security, dietary intake, and health status for vulnerable individuals.
IS ENGLEWOOD REPRESENTED BY TOO MANY ALDERMEN?
There are 77 communities in Chicago including Englewood on the South Side where five aldermen represent it at City Hall. The predominately black populated community is represented by Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th), Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th), Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th), Ald. David Moore (17th), and Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th).
Initiative to host kick-off events for community engagement
INVEST South/West will host kick-off events in South Shore and Roseland this month. In October, Mayor Lori Lightfoot launched the INVEST South/West initiative as a way to revitalize 10 neighborhoods on the South and West sides by providing resources.
ROBBINS MAYOR RECEIVES MLK AWARD FOR POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
This year’s Spirit of Excellence Awards honored five individuals for their community service work including Robbins Mayor Tyrone Ward. New Mount Olive Baptist Church in Harvey hosted the Jan. 20 event on the same day the country honored the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin L. King Jr. And former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who represented the 2nd congressional district in Washington, D.C. from 1995 to 2012, was the keynote speaker.
