Local News

Mayor Emanuel Says No to Plans to Run for President, Addresses New City Initiatives and Successes

Mayor Rahm Emanuel responded with an, unequivocal “no” as to whether or not he would run for president, after he was asked the question by Chicago Citizen Newspaper during a press luncheon with Chicago’s Black media outlets and organizations, held at Ruby’s Restaurant, 3175 W. Madison St. last Friday.

Free Wireless Service Offered at Garfield Park and South Shore Cultural Center

"Google is proud to join with Mayor Emanuel’s goal to ensure that the City of Chicago is one of the most connected cities in the world. This is core to our mission, to make the world's information universally accessible", said Jim Lecinski, Vice President of Customer Solutions at Google Chicago. "We know that the Internet has the power to not only connect people around the world but also bring together communities like the Garfield Park and South Shore which have so much to offer. And we know the Internet is a powerful tool for education, businesses and for connecting people around the world."

Mayor Rahm Emanuel Introduces New Ex-Offender Re-Entry Program

Mayor Rahm Emanuel held a round table meeting and press announcement at St. Leonard’s Ministries on Chicago’s west side last Friday with elected officials and ex-offenders to announce that the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) will launch a pilot, family reunification program that will allow 50 formerly incarcerated individuals to move back into CHA housing over the next three years.

Triton School of Business Builds New Partnerships with Universities

As a way to provide Triton College students with seamless transitions into four-year universities, Triton College School of Business is working to develop new partnerships with Chicagoland universities including Robert Morris University and National Louis University, where students can legitimately transfer credits towards a baccalaureate business program.

Political Training Group Seeks Women of Color

If you're a woman, and the recent Gubernatorial Primary Election inspired you to run for political office, you can sign up for Emily’s List Political Opportunity Program. A spokesperson for the Emily’s List group says more women of color representatives are needed at the Congressional level.

Vernita Gray, of Illinois' First Legally Married Couple Passes Away

Vernita Gray, one half of Illinois’ first legally married lesbian couple, passed away last Tuesday after succumbing to breast cancer. Gray, 65, married her wife, Pat Ewart, on November 27 last year, after a federal judge made a ruling in respect to Gray’s terminal illness that allowed Gray and Ewart to marry before Illinois’ Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act took effect on June 1, 2014.

UNCF's "Empower Me Tour" Finishes Strong at Chicago State University

Last week, the United Negro College Fund, Inc. (UNCF) hosted the conclusion of its 6th annual Empower Me Tour (EMT) at Chicago State University's (CSU) Jones Convocation Center, 9501 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr.

Mayor Emanuel Launches $1 Lot Purchase Program

Englewood residents who want more stake in their community in terms of real estate, may have an opportunity to invest through a new initiative under Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Large Lot Pilot program where city-owned vacant lots can be purchased for $1 in the Greater Englewood area.

Wendell Phillips' "Behind the Paws" Program Gives Students Unique Voice

A spotlight is shining brightly on Wendell Phillip Academy High School (WPAHS) 244 E. Pershing, via its new television production class, affectionately known as “Behind the Paws.” The popular class provides students with a platform to learn the basics of television production and broadcasting and how to effectively use social media networks to influence the news and film industries.

CBA Hosts Community Enrichment Meeting for Northern Ireland Group

The Chatham Business Association (CBA) hosted the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) at the QBG building, 806 E. 78th St., last week for a special meeting constructed around NICVA’s desire to learn more about CBA’s community, economic development and youth engagement programs.

College Trip Equips Students with Sound Advice

Over the past eighteen years, African American University of Cincinnati (U of C) students and two administrators from the university have embarked upon an annual Spring Break Corporate Excursion Trip as part of the ADVANCE Organization, a professional development student organization designed to help students make the transition from college to career by developing their leadership and networking skills, developing business etiquette, and understanding corporate and workplace cultures. During the trips, students make connections on their visits with a mixture of black-owned, minority-owned, nonprofit and Fortune 500 companies as well as government agencies. The goal is to expose students to experiences that they’re not exposed to in a classroom setting.

History of Bronzeville on Display at UIC’s African American Cultural Center

A collaboration between the University of Illinois at Chicago’s (UIC) African-American Cultural Center (AACC) and the Chicago Blues Museum, provides an up close and personal view of historic Bronzeville by way of an exhibit titled “Migration and Transformation through the Arts: The Soul of Bronzeville,” which features photography, memorabilia, film, video footage and displays from the Chicago Blues Museum’s archival collections.

Village of Hazel Crest Appoints New Manager

The Village of Hazel Crest’s Board of Trustees recently voted to appoint the village’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Marlo Kemp, to the position of Village Manager after the retirement of Kemps’ predecessor, James Whigham, Sr., who served the village for two years, until he officially stepped down on February 28.

State Senator Hunter Hosts Unemployment Workshop

Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-3) assembled state employment agencies at Kennedy King College, 6301 S. Halsted, last week for a workshop designed to educate residents within her district about jobs available at the State of Illinois. The event also featured a small job fair for the unemployed and under-employed.

Circle Foundation‘s 5th Annual Gala Benefits "Second Chance" Students

Circle Foundation is holding its 5th Annual Awards Gala fundraiser on Sunday, March 23 at the Alhambra Palace Restaurant, 1240 W. Randolph St., to benefit "second chance" high school students earning a high school diploma.