Local News
Initiated by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Enterprise, a National Day of Racial Healing on January 17 Will Help Americans Heal
Just five days before inauguration of Donald Trump as the country's 45th President, millions of Americans on January 15 will celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For many, memories of the civil rights icon revolve around his momentous "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, calling for an end to racism and to the expansion of economic opportunities.
Governor Rauner Proclaims January ‘Radon Action Month’
Governor Bruce Rauner has proclaimed January ‘Radon Action Month’ in Illinois to encourage residents to test their homes for radon, a radioactive gas that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. To kick off the month, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the American Lung Association in Illinois (ALAIL) today announced a statewide initiative to help Illinois school districts screen school buildings for radon.
Thornton Township to host annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
“Dr. King said ‘We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. We all want to have peace in this world,’” said Frank M. Zuccarelli, Thornton Township supervisor and South Suburban College board chairman.
CSU STEM STUDENTS WIN INTERNATIONAL POSTER COMPETITIONS
Two Chicago State University students were scientific poster presentation winners at international conferences where they displayed and explained their undergraduate research projects.
WOMEN’S MARCH SET FOR THIS MONTH
Women's March -Part of a nationwide groundswell that originated the day after the presidential elections, women and men from across the state of Illinois are preparing to join the national Women’s March on Washington Sat., Jan. 21, 2017 in Washington, D.C. the day after the inauguration of the next president of the United States.
PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP MEETS WITH BLACK CELEBRITIES
In an effort to show that he plans to be the “president for all Americans” and to bolster support in the Black community, President-elect Donald Trump recently met with a number of Black celebrities and businessmen including rapper Kanye West, billionaire Robert Johnson and NFL Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Ray Lewis. Unlike so many other visitors to Trump Tower, Trump greeted West in the lobby; members of the media snapped pictures and yelled questions. “We’ve been friends for a long time,” Trump told reporters at the end of the meeting. “We discussed life.”
DEVRY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TO BENEFIT FROM $100 MILLION FTC SETTLEMENT
For the third time in two years, a large for-profit college has faced charges of defrauding its students. This time the charges stem from promises of jobs and incomes that never materialized. On December 15, the suburban Chicago-based DeVry University agreed to a $100 million settlement to end a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Filed in January, the FTC charged that from 2008 to 2015 the for-profit institution engaged in deceptive marketing and advertising.
Loola Cosmetics Launches Hybrid Beauty Line
Loola Cosmetics has launched its Hybrid beauty products line starting with its Hybrid Lip Sculptor.
Celebrity Survey Says Obama Family Voted Most Desirable Neighbors for 2017
SEATTLE-- Americans would most like to be neighbors with the Obamas in 2017, according to the 10th annual Zillow® Celebrity Neighbor Survey Popstar Justin Bieber was selected as the least desirable neighbor, earning the most “worst neighbor” votes in survey history, breaking his own record from 2014.
NINTH WARD RECEIVES GRANTS FOR MURAL PAINTINGS
Four professional Chicago artists will be awarded $20,000 each to paint viaducts in the Pullman community through Alderman Anthony Beale’s Artist’s Mural Program, and the City of Chicago’s 2017 Individual Artist Program (IAP), according to Beale. “This is something (mural painting) that the community has been requesting for a long time, but we did not have the funds to do it. Mayor Rahm Emanuel assisted us with matching funds that came from federal funding to help with the project,” the 9th Ward Alderman said.
JOHN W. ROGERS JR. GIVES $10.5 MILLION TO FUND STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS, CAREER PATHS
A $10.5 million gift from University Trustee John W. Rogers Jr., LAB’76, will support a scholarship fund for Laboratory Schools students at the University of Chicago. The gift will also establish a professional development program for under resourced college students to pursue careers in finance. This raises Rogers’ total giving to the University of Chicago and its affiliated Laboratory Schools to $15 million.
FORD HEIGHTS BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB GETS HELP WITH NEW EQUIPMENT
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – The Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® (MORe) and Preferred Communication Systems are gave back to the community during holiday season with the gift of ten computers, a printer and two backup systems to the Ford Heights Boys and Girls Club.
COMMUNITY LEADERS DISCUSS VIOLENCE PREVENTION
To get a handle on the increasing acts of violence that’s taking place in Chicago neighborhoods, Congressman Danny Davis recently spearheaded a Violence Prevention Summit at the Greater St. John Bible Church, 1256 N. Waller. “There will be a continuation of effort (to end gun violence). Many people are already connected here; so what we want to do is to coordinate the activities in which different people are engaged, so that we will become more of a collective as opposed to the individual activities in which we are involved,” Congressman Davis said.
A New Year’s Resolution to Drive Sober, Buckle Up
As 2016 comes to an end, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police (ISP) and nearly 200 law enforcement agencies across the state are making a final push to keep traffic fatalities down during the New Year’s holiday weekend. This collaborative effort will include statewide roadside safety checks, seat belt enforcement zones and other patrols focused on the late-night hours.
