Antonio Riley Elected Chair of Chicago Federal Executive Board
A U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator appointed by President Barack Obama as HUD’s Midwest Regional Administrator in 2010, will now serve as the Chicago Federal Executive Board (FEB) chairman.
Southeast Side Metcoke/Petcoke Facility Ceases Operation
Some Southeast side residents may breathe a sigh of relief after news that the Calumet Transload Facility that caused community outrage and protests over petroleum coke (petcoke) and metallurgical coke (metcoke) storage at its property located at 2900 E. 106th has ceased operation.
Ill. Rep. Rita Awarded Agriculture Award
Ill. State Rep. Bob Rita (Dist. -28th), was recently presented the 2014 Friend of Agriculture award from the Farm Bureau, an honor bestowed upon him in recognition of his steadfast support of agricultural and economic legislation.
Multigovernment Export Program Launched
Cook County Board President, Toni Preckwinkle joined Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin and the Chief Executives of Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties, JPMorgan Chase, the Brookings Institution, founders of the Global Cities Initiative, and World Business Chicago at The Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago, 320 N. Damen Ave. on Monday to launch “Metro Chicago Exports,” an unprecedented regional collaboration designed to help small and medium enterprises throughout the region capture export opportunities.
Hopeful Candidates Announce Bids to Become Chicago’s Next Mayor
Political veteran, Robert Shaw, a former Ald. (9th Ward) and former Cook County Commissioner, announced in March that he is in the race to become Chicago’s next mayor, the first individual to publicly do so via a press conference in March of this year.
South Suburban College Announces 6th Annual Manufacturing Conference at Oak Forest Center
South Suburban College is gearing up for its 6th Annual Manufacturing Conference. This year’s conference theme titled, Making the Model Work, is produced by South Suburban College’s Business & Career Institute (BCI) and will take place on Friday, Oct. 3, from 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the college’s Oak Forest Center, 16333 S. Kilbourn, Oak Forest.
Jesse White Tumbler Shot and Killed
Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White and members of his Jesse White Tumblers are mourning the death of a team member who was shot Sept. 18 on the 1300 block of North Cleveland Avenue.
Bronzeville Dream Center to Address Violence, Provide Post-Trauma Counseling
Clergy leaders from various faiths, gathered last Friday along with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to launch a collaborative effort between Bright Star Community Outreach, Northwestern Medicine, University Chicago Medicine and the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago to combat violence and provide post-trauma counseling and other support.
95th St. and Dan Ryan Red Line Terminal Renovation Gets Underway
Local aldermen joined U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) President, Forrest Claypool, and CTA Chairman, Terry Peterson and other dignitaries Monday morning to announce renovation of the 95th St. and Dan Ryan Redline Terminal, one of CTA’s largest rail station projects that officials say is a $240 million investment that will modernize the city's transit system and promote economic opportunity on Chicago’s south side.
JRW Still Making Rounds as Little League Baseball's 2014 World Series U.S. Champions
As Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West (JRW) All Stars, Little League Baseball’s 2014 World Series U.S. Champions slowly return to the normalcy of life, by returning back to school, city of Chicago officials seem a bit reluctant to let go of the excitement surrounding the young celebrities. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and several aldermen welcomed the JRW All Stars to last Wednesday’s City Council meeting where the team, the parents and coaches were once again honored.
South Suburban College to Host Adult Literacy Celebration
In recognition of the growing need to address adult illiteracy and in recognition of individuals who need assistance in learning the English language or who are working to complete their high school diploma equivalency, South Suburban College (SCC) will celebrate National Adult and Family Literacy Week from September 22 through September 26.
Englewood/Woodlawn Peace Mural Gets Underway
This past weekend, Englewood and other Chicago South Side mothers began creating what they’re calling a “Peace Mural on the viaduct walls of 63rd Street and Wallace Ave. in Chicago, the ‘gateway’ between the Englewood and Woodlawn neighborhoods.
Local Universities among Four Finalists to Hosts the Obama Presidential Library
Following a somewhat long, wait for word on which universities would be chosen to move forward with their bid to host the Barack Obama Presidential Library, The Barack Obama Foundation on Monday announced the issuance for a Request for Proposal (RFP) from the University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago, Columbia University, and the University of Hawaii, all of which submitted their qualifications to host the future Obama Presidential Library earlier this year.
CBA Monthly Meeting: Small Business Procurement Opportunities, Tips for Starting a Small Business
Mike Riordan, associate vice president of Strategic Sourcing for the Art Institute of Chicago, was one of two guest speakers at the Chatham Business Association’s (CBA) monthly membership meeting on Tuesday where he discussed small business procurement opportunities with the museum and the museum's school.
South Side YMCA Two-Year Renovation Unveiled
The YMCA of Metro Chicago unveiled $3.6 million in renovation s to its South Side YMCA (Y) facility located at 6330 S. Stony Island Ave., last Thursday. In celebration of the overhaul, the Y offered visitors tours of the facility, sample "work-out" classes and conducted a drawing for a one-year free membership.
Jackie Robinson West Little League Baseball Team 2014 World Series U.S. Champions
Ill.Gov. Pat Quinn Proclaims Aug. 27 2014 as “Jackie Robinson West Championship Day”
Upon returning home to Chicago as Little League Baseball’s 2014 World Series, U.S. Champions, the Jackie Robinson West (JRW) All Stars Little League team were greeted with nothing but joy and excitement from their hometown fans. The team's accomplishments were so impressive and so mesmerizing, that a prideful, Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn, proclaimed Wednesday, Aug. 27, as “Jackie Robinson West Championship Day” in honor of the team’s U.S. championship win and as runner up in the Little League World Series.
Seaway Bank and Trust Co. Welcomes New President and CEO
Seaway Bank and Trust Company, Chicago’s largest black-owned bank, welcomed its new president and CEO last Friday at a meet and greet reception held in his honor. Darrell B. Jackson (right), 56, former president of Northern Trust’s wealth management department in suburban Illinois, started in his new position this month replacing Walter Grady who led Seaway for more than 30 years before retiring July 31.
Jackie Robinson West All Stars Returns Home U.S. Little League World Series Champions
Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West (JRW) All Stars, returned home as heroes on Monday after winning the U.S. title in the Little League 2014 World Series game on Saturday against the Mountain Ridge Little League team from Las Vegas, Nevada, who defeated JRW early on in the series, but this time, was no match for the Chicago team who played with finesse, skill and sheer sportsmanship for a 7-5 victory to claim the title.
New Law Allows Drivers to Retain Driver’s License Following Traffic Offense
The Illinois Association of County Officials (IACO) reportedly is happy with recent action taken by Illinois legislators for changing the law that once required drivers to give up their licenses following a traffic offense.
Hostages Freed Unharmed in Harvey Police Standoff
As of Wednesday morning, all eight people held hostage following a home invasion on the 147th block of Seeley Boulevard in Harvey, Ill., were released unharmed after an estimated two dozen SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics, a group of highly trained police officers who deal with very dangerous criminals) and Harvey police stormed the home to free four remaining hostages and captured two suspects, ending a 20-hour standoff.
Jones College Prep H.S. School Unveils Renovations to Old Building
Jones College Prep High School (Jones H.S.) is now a two-building campus, thanks to the renovation of the school's old building at 606 S. State Street, which occurred after the school's officials decided not to tear it down. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Public Schools officials, students and staff along with members of the Chicago Public Building Commission were on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil the upgrades.
Jackie Robinson West All Stars Victorious Over Rhode Island
It was another big game win for the Jackie Robinson West All-Stars a south side Chicago baseball team representing the Great Lakes region in the Little League World Series 2014 games, beating the Rhode Island Little League team 8-7 on Monday.
Mariano’s Meet the Buyer Expo for Minority and Women-Owned Business Owners
Seventy diverse business owners and entrepreneurs converged on Rush University Medical Center’s, Searle Conference Center on Harrison Street last Friday to participate in Midwest grocer, Roundy’s, Inc., 2nd annual Meet the Buyer Expo which provides local minority- and women-owned, operated and distributed businesses in food-related industries, an opportunity to place their products on Mariano’s store shelves. The expo also showcases minority vendors who already have products in the store.
Town Hall Meeting to Address Hepatitis C
According to the Centers for Disease Control, (CDC), Hepatitis C is more prevalent among African Americans, who are twice as likely as Caucasians to be infected with the disease and unless this trend s reverses, the CDC predicts that deaths due to Hepatitis C will double or even triple in the next 20 years.
State Police to Help Chicago Police in the Hunt for Fugitives
The partnership with the State Police came about at Mayor Emanuel's request.
As gun violence continues to the plague the city, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced an expanded partnership between the Chicago Police Department and the Illinois State Police last week during a reconvened July 21, private meeting between local government, faith groups and community organizations held at Police Headquarters, 35th and Michigan, to address the ongoing violence.
U. S. Sen. Dick Durbin Guest Speaker at CBA's Monthly Meeting
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (IL-D) was the guest speaker at the Chatham Business Association’s (CBA) Monthly membership meeting on Tuesday where he spoke on various current issues including legislation and policy matters that impact small businesses.
Washington Heights Playground Unveiled
For a child, the allure of a brightly colored playground touting with swings and sliding boards, is pretty much irresistible. Just ask the children who live in the Washington Heights community. They now are enjoying the newly renovated Jackie Robinson Park, which was unveiled last week during a recent ribbon cutting ceremony that included Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Park District Chief Administrative Officer Tanya Anthony, Ald. Carrie Austin and members of the Washington Heights community.
STEM, Girl Power, Sustainability, Focus of ComEd’s Icebox Derby Challenge
Girls from various parts of Illinois, including Chicago’s south and far south side, this summer are participating in a collaborative initiative between ComEd, the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, Girls4Science and the Chicago Urban League, called The Icebox Derby, an educational competition where girls team up to build electric car using a recycled refrigerators and freezers. The six week project is uniquely designed to empower young women to engage in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
I-PASS Roadshow Event for New ALL-Electronic Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange
As promised the Illinois Tollway educational events kicked off Tuesday with three I-PASS roadshow events this month giving residents, business owners and others, opportunities to learn about and provide feedback on the agency’s plans to open a new, all-electronic Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange this fall.
Ill. Attorney Gen. Madigan Announces $1.5 Million towards Pullman’s Historic Homes Revitalization
Residents who live at or near 10729 S. Champlain in Chicago were surprised yesterday morning as several local elected officials gathered on the block to announce $1.5 million in funding from a 2012 national foreclosure settlement to support an affordable historic home revitalization initiative in the Pullman community.
Bike Park Planned for Calumet’s Big Marsh
Cyclists and nature lovers in Chicago will soon have more space to enjoy their hobbies
Cyclists and nature lovers in Chicago will soon have more space to enjoy their hobbies thanks to the city's plans to transform 278 acres of old industrial property at Big Marsh, 11400 S. Stony Island Ave., the largest individual wetland in the Calumet Open Space, into an eco-friendly recreational area that includes a new bike park.
State Rep. to Call for Emergency Executive Order Regarding Curfew Violations at Youth Service Center
Located at 5001 S. Michigan Ave., Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center, a state-funded, short-term, facility that is supposed to keep troubled youth safe, has been in the news in recent weeks after it was revealed that kids who were removed from their homes for various reasons and placed in the Center’s care, were leaving the facility past curfew hours, including an 11, 15 and a 19 year-old who all suffered a gunshot wounds last month as they stood outside the facility.
Officials, Local Organizations Search for Housing for Migrant Children
City of Chicago officials and other local organizations reportedly are working to find one or more sites that could hold up to 1,000 beds for hundreds of unaccompanied children migrating from Central America to the U.S.-Mexico border in the coming year.
Renovation of Broadview’s Beverly Recreation Center Scheduled
The park projects are part of Quinn’s $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now, program.
Parents and children who live near Broadview, Ill., will soon enjoy a newly renovated Beverly Recreation Center at Cermak Road and 25th Avenue, thanks to $1.2 million bestowed to the Broadview Park District via Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn's capital investment funded Illinois Jobs Now! construction program.
Chicago Mayoral Race Challengers Step Forward
Challengers of all persuasions and ideologies are considering a run.
Challengers of all persuasions and ideologies are considering a run or have already officially declared their candidacy. With Cook County Board President, Toni Preckwinkle, officially announcing last month that she will not challenge Emanuel in Chicago's upcoming, 2015 Mayoral election--bowing out of an already crowded field of African Americans vying for the city’s top job--Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU)President, Karen Lewis is now gaining all the attention as the mayor's most formidable opponent.
Swimming Lessons for Children and Adults
African Americans are oftentimes stereotyped as bad swimmers, or even worse, non-swimmers. The sometimes joked about depiction is related to African Americans' fear of swimming or to the fact that some African American women prefer not to get their hair wet. But it is not a joke that a 2010 study commissioned by the USA Swimming Foundation and conducted by the University of Memphis, found that nearly 70 percent of African American children and nearly 60 percent of Hispanic children have low or no swim ability, compared to 40 percent of white Americans, putting them at risk for drowning.
Northern Trust Veteran Named President and CEO of Seaway Bank
Seaway Bank & Trust Co., Chicago’s largest black-owned bank, named Northern Trust veteran, Darrell Jackson, as its new president and chief executive officer, replacing Walter Grady who led Seaway for more than 30 years and will retire July 31.
Mayor Holds Joint Meeting to Discuss Chicago’s Crime
Joint Meeting to Discuss Chicago’s Crime
As the Chicago Citizen Newspaper spoke to LaRoya Baker, 26 -- who fits the demographic profile of victims and perpetrators of Chicago's gun violence -- just outside of the Chicago Police Department at 35th and Michigan, local government officials, school administrators, law enforcement agencies, faith groups and community organizations gathered for a private meeting Monday morning to discuss joint efforts to combat the city’s gun violence. Ironically, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said during the meeting that the young people he’s spoken with often say they are left out of the discussions on Chicago's crime problem.
Non-Profit Organization Takes Holistic Approach in Englewood
As Chicago’s gun violence continues, an organization called, I Grow Chicago—whose mission is to provide a safe, haven for children caught in the midst of poverty, gun violence and other societal ills—is working to combat this troubling epidemic particularly in Chicago's Englewood community.
City Colleges Partners with Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters
An agreement that begins in the fall between the City Colleges of Chicago and the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, (CRCC), allows carpenters who graduated from a union apprenticeship program, to transfer up to 40 credit hours towards their City Colleges Associate Degree.
Ald. Fioretti Calls for Transparency, Hearing on Chicago Police Crime Reporting Stats
Chicago's 2nd Ward Ald., Bob Fioretti, is calling for full transparency from the Chicago Police Department (CPD) to avoid possible "downplaying" of the city’s crimes statistics. When shootings occur in Chicago, news outlets report different and usually higher numbers than the CPD, as was the case this past the Fourth of July weekend.
Guichard Gallery Welcomed as Revitalization Anchor for Bronzeville
The opening of Gallery Guichard in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood last Friday with an exhibition titled, Genesis New Beginnings: The Journey Continues on 47th Street, will hopefully surge revitalization in the historic area, according to gallery attendees and owners Andre and Frances Guichard. They're all optimistic that the new gallery will serve as an economic anchor that will help restore Bronzeville back to what it once was - a great place to, live, shop, and dine all while admiring a community filled with rich African American culture.
Groundbreaking Takes Place on Englewood Whole Foods Site
Groundbreaking for a new Whole Foods store in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, a planned 18,000-square-foot anchor for a 5.5-acre retail development, was held yesterday with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, 16th Ward Ald. JoAnn Thompson and Whole Foods CEO Walter Robb in attendance.
New Medical Center Opens in Chicago's Ashburn Neighborhood
Oak Street Health, a newly opened state-of-the-art medical center in Chicago's Ashburn neighborhood, will offer both dental and medical services to Medicare recipients and will initially bring 35 full-time jobs to the area and an estimated 100 additional jobs by the end of 2014. The new facility is expected to employ 200 additional local residents in 2015.
Lucas Museum Coming to Chicago
Last week's announcement that the city of Chicago's bid to become the location for filmmaker George Lucas’ Museum of Narrative Arts, sparked a flurry of enthusiastic comments from locally elected and other officials who chimed in on George Lucas’ decision. Lucas' vote of confidence was a major victory for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the city, which competed against San Francisco for the museum.
Chicago's Newest Pete’s Fresh Market Opens on West Side
Lessie Cokley walked slowly as she made her way from the busy parking lot of the newly opened Pete’s Fresh Market grocery store at Madison Street and Western Avenue last Thursday morning amongst a constant stream of early arrivals to the store. “My arthritis is acting up but I wanted to come to this new grocery store because it offers fresh vegetables and fruit,” said Cokley who turned 65 on Thursday. “The other store I used to go to is small and doesn’t offer fresh produce. I live in walking distance so I’m glad the store is here.
Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office to Offer Grief Counseling
When families of homicide victims and other death cases show up to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office to identify the remains of loved ones, they will soon have access to on-the-spot grief counseling thanks to a collaboration between the County and the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) who will provide second-year graduate students from UIC’s Jane Addams College of Social Work to provide the service.
New Medical Center Dedicated to Memory of Rose V. Rita
Residents in the Calumet Township community now have a new healthcare center with the grand opening and dedication ceremony held yesterday for the new MetroSouth Medical Center, located at 12549 S. Ashland Ave., Calumet Park, honoring Ill. State Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita's (Dist.-28th) late mother, Rose V. Rita, who served as an alderwoman for the City of Blue Island and later as the Supervisor of Calumet Township until her death in 2011.
CSU Files Official Obama Library Proposal Documents
Chicago State University (CSU) last week, submitted its official Request for Qualification (RFQ) proposal, the first step in the quest to become the future site of the Barack Obama Presidential Library and Museum.
Author of "Our Black Year" Featured Speaker at NEIU’s Black Economic Forum
Margarita “Maggie” Anderson, author of “Our Black Year,” along with her husband, John Anderson and her children, made history and dominated headlines as the national media covered their real-life case study in self-help economics for the Black community. The family exclusively utilized Black businesses and talent, and consumed only African American-made products for an entire year.