Local News

Southeast Chicago Chamber of Commerce and Local Southside Artists Bring Their Diverse Community Together with a Public Celebration and World-Class Murals

The Southeast side has a new reason to celebrate! The Southeast Chicago Chamber of Commerce has been teaming up with AB Productions - a group of expert muralists and production powerhouses - to bring pop-up festivals and world-class public artworks to Southeast Chicago.

Navy Pier Presents Robust Lineup of Talented Local Youth at Second Annual Fresh Fest! Presented by Allstate

Navy Pier is showcasing Chicago’s young talent in the arts for the second year in a row with its Fresh Fest! Presented by Allstate on Thursday, July 11 and Friday, July 12. This two-day celebration of the city’s gifted performing artists will highlight a variety of dance and music styles, including blues, classical, rock, jazz and more. The free festival is open to the public and will include multiple performances at various stages and spaces at the Pier, including the Wave Wall Performance Platform and the City and Lake Stages in Polk Bros Park

The Right Reverend Adam Jefferson Richardson Becomes Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

The Senior Bishop is the active Bishop with the longest tenure of service in the AME Church and is first in order of precedence among the Council of Bishops. The position occupies a key role in the polity and practice of the AME Church. While a Senior Bishop has existed since the incorporation of the church as a denomination in 1816, the first formal investiture ceremony occurred at the 2004 General Conference. The ceremony includes the passage of the Senior Bishop's regalia-a solid gold medallion with the logo of the denomination donated by the family of Claude Stephens.

Global Girls Hosts Dreams Become Reality Summer Program For Local Youth

Global Girls, a nonprofit performing arts organization, is hosting the Dreams Become Reality summer program for local youth. The program will allow participants to create performance art that represents their lived experiences and their dreams for the future and perform their pieces during the Dreams Become Reality Showcase later this summer

Community Meeting Held To Discuss Closure of South Side Hospital’s Obstetrics Unit

In an effort to encourage the Jackson Park Hospital to reverse their decision to close its obstetrics unit, which offers medical care for pregnant women, hospital staff and community members recently held a public meeting at The Quarry Event Center, 2423 E. 75th St., to discuss the need for this unit to remain open and the potential consequences of its closure.

Lurie Children’s Dedicates New Family Lounge at The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health to NRG

Representatives from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago recently joined representatives from NRG to celebrate the dedication of the Family Lounge at The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health.

“Art for Justice” Unveiled at Ben & Jerry’s Factory

While melting ice cream cones may seem like an ice cream company’s biggest summer concern, Ben & Jerry’s is tackling an issue that’s a bit more substantial: criminal justice reform. With 5% of the world’s population, and 25% of the world’s prison population, the criminal justice system in the United States is what author Paul Brakke refers to as “a national shame.” Addressing that issue and advocating for criminal justice reform is the focus of a three-year effort by the iconic ice cream maker, who proudly unveiled a new art installation at its Waterbury, Vermont factory tour site recently.

ORS™ Olive Oil Launches FIX IT Range for Wig and Weave Wearers

Cutting-edge hairstyles are just as unique as the wearer and these days consumers demand more versatility than ever. Individual self-expression is now simpler with ORS Olive Oil’s latest sweat and humidity-resistant FIX IT line, formulated specifically for applying and styling wigs with unprecedented ease. FIX IT is the only multicultural brand with a gel adhesive and styling collection for lace front wig and weave wearers.

SOUTH SUBURBAN HUMANE SOCIETY OPENS NEW ADOPTION CENTER

The South Suburban Humane Society recently celebrated the grand opening of their new Adoption Center located on 2207 183rd St. in Homewood. The new location will help the organization provide care for over 500 more animals per year, according to information provided by the South Suburban Human Society

Gov. Pritzker Signs Most Equity-Centric Law in Nation to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis

Surrounded by a bipartisan group of lawmakers and criminal justice reform advocates, Governor JB Pritzker signed the most equity-centric law in the nation to legalize adult-use cannabis in Illinois, beginning Jan. 1, 2020. House Bill 1438 promotes equity and invests in the communities that suffered through the war on drugs, serving as a model for the legalization and decriminalization of cannabis. “As the first state in the nation to fully legalize adult-use cannabis through the legislative process, Illinois exemplifies the best of democracy: a bipartisan and deep commitment to better the lives of all of our people,” said Gov. JB Pritzker

Inaugural Men Of Virtue Celebration Honors Four South Side Men

The Washington Park Chamber of Commerce recently held their inaugural Men of Virtue Business Networking Celebration where four men were honored for their contributions to the community.

SOUTH SIDE MOTHER TAKES INITIATIVE TO TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT RACE AND COLORISM

After struggling to explain to her preschool-aged daughter about the concept of race, Lanisha Thaddison took it upon herself to write Black Rainbow, a children’s book that explores the topic of race and colorism, for other parents to turn to when they have similar struggles at home.

SHEDD AQUARIUM INVITES CHICAGOANS TO KAYAK FOR CONSERVATION ON THE CHICAGO RIVER

Throughout the summer, the Shedd Aquarium will hosts a unique kayaking experience on the Chicago River through their Kayak for Conservation program which will allow participants to paddle the North Branch Canal with the Aquarium’s wildlife conservation experts to pick up litter, collect data, and observe animals in their natural habitats.

CONCERNED SOUTH SUBURBAN LAWMAKERS CALL FOR PUBLIC REVIEW OF METROSOUTH CLOSURE

A letter signed by State Representatives Robert Rita, William Davis, Justin Slaughter and State Senator Emil Jones III was recently sent to the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board to request a public hearing on the proposed closure of MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island.

Chicago Urban League Releases State of Black Chicago Report

The Chicago Urban League recently hosted its 2019 SUMMIT Luncheon and released the State of Black Chicago report which highlights important statistics about how Chicago’s black residents compare to the general population in areas like education, housing, and employment. The report will be used to help the Chicago Urban League better serve black Chicagoans.