Losing a King
Forty eight years ago, on April 4, 1968, the world was forever changed with the news that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had been assassinated. It was hard for many to believe, accept or conceptualize…that King’s life had ended so tragically on that balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn. It was a period of shock. It was a period of national and international mourning.
ComEd Honors Diverse Suppliers During Inaugural Award Ceremony
Anticipation. Appreciation. Excitement. Those three words perfectly describe the atmosphere during ComEd’s 1st Inaugural Supplier Diversity Awards ceremony held Monday at the Bridgeport Art Center located at 1200 W. 35th Street in Chicago.
Chicago Teachers Union Plans1-day Strike on April 1, Potential Scabs Warned
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has scheduled a one-day strike on Fri., April 1 and CTU members have been warned that if they cross picket lines, they could be booted from the organization. Many including CTU members are asking why a one-day strike billed “A Day of Action” has been planned in the first place.
Eddie Johnson Named New Interim Police Chief; Citizens Protest
In what will more than likely become the final decision in identifying a chief officer for the Chicago Police Department (CPD), Mayor Rahm Emanuel named Eddie Johnson as interim superintendent for the embattled city unit.
Chicago Public School Lay Off 63 Employees; Chicago State University will Possibly Lay Off 900
Chicago Public Schools handed out pink slips to 62 employees on Monday, 17 of them teachers. The school district said that it is in the midst of trying to balance a budget that includes eliminating $85 million from school budgets and said that the laid off include 43 full-time and 19 part-time employees. Officials at CPS are also saying that the cuts are absolutely necessary, yet unfortunate for students, teachers and principals.
Candidates for Judge Engage the Community
It was standing room only on Saturday during the Chicago Citizen Newspaper’s Candidates for Judge - Town Hall Meeting, an open discussion with candidates for judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill. and the Illinois Appellate Court.
Chicagoland Employers to Hire Over 1,000 Unemployed and Underemployed in 2016
What do Chicagoans need? They need access to affordable healthcare and affordable housing. They need access to quality education from pre-school to college. They need to live in low crime neighborhoods so that their families can feel safe and sound and so that their property values can increase.
Obama to Appoint Next Supreme Court Justice Soon, Republicans Want to Delay Process
It’s the question that’s on everyone’s mind. It’s been the topic of most political discussions for the past few days. And it’s a very serious matter to democrats, republicans and independents. Who is going to replace Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia?
Chicago to Nearly Double Number of Free Tax Preparation Assistance Locations
Here’s some good news for Chicago residents who are in need of tax preparation assistance. The City of Chicago is expanding its Tax Prep Chicago program. The 16th annual citywide free tax preparation assistance program will double the number of free tax preparation assistance sites from 21 to 36 sites.
Ill. 26th District State Rep. Race Starting to Boil
Ill. State Rep. Christian Mitchell (Dist.-26) is keeping busy these days rounding up as many heavy weight endorsements as he can. And that’s exactly what he should be doing because his competitor Jhatayn “Jay” Travis is picking up steam.
White Chicago Police Officer Sues Estate of African American Teen He Killed
A white Chicago police officer who shot and killed an African American teenaged suspect while on a domestic dispute call, is now suing the youth’s estate.
Burn Resigns as Fourth Ward Alderman, Takes Job in Private Sector
It looks like a special election is in the near future thanks to a vacancy left opened by Will Burns who resigned as alderman of Chicago’s fourth ward.
Chicago Teachers Union Rejects CPS Contract Offer
If over the past year, progress had been made between the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) in regards to cutting an “acceptable” deal for teachers, it came to a screeching halt on Monday after the CTU rejected a four-year contract offer from the city.
Gov. Rauner’s Proposal to Take Over CPS Not Received well by Some Leaders
According to Ill. Gov. Bruce Rauner, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is afraid of the Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU).
United Nations to Conduct Race Relations Study in Chicago
In light of recent public protests against alleged police brutality involving minorities in Chicago and the steady flow of calls from African American leaders for Mayor Rahm Emanuel to resign, it doesn’t come as a huge surprise that the United Nations (UN) has chosen the “Windy City” to conduct a study on race relations.
Rauner: I Would Sign Chicago Mayor Recall Bill
Perhaps to the chagrin of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Ill. Gov. Bruce Rauner said at a press conference on Monday, that he would sign legislation that would allow a recall election to remove the mayor.
MSI's Annual 2016 Black Creativity Programming Kicks Off with MLK Day
If you’re looking for something educational and thought provoking to do with your children in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, consider visiting the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI).
The Cook County Clerk’s Race is Heating Up
The Cook County Circuit Court Clerk race is getting hotter by the day. It all started when the Cook County Democratic Party yanked its support away from incumbent, Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown, after news reports surfaced last fall that FBI agents visited Brown’s home and seized her government-issued cell phone; and after a subpoena served on Brown and her husband Benton Cook III earlier this year asked for documents tied to one of his businesses. Shortly afterwards, the Cook County Democratic Party endorsed Chicago Ald. Michele Harris (8th Ward) who announced in November that she would be running against Brown.
IPRA Chief Plans Reforms in Chicago Police Shooting Investigations
As the Chicago Police Department (CPD) sorts through its trough of troubles including being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice and dealing with public scrutiny over the shooting deaths of citizens by the hands of CPD officers, with the most recent killings involving 19-year-old Quintonio LeGrier, and 55-year-old Bettie Jones, the Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) announced on Monday that it plans to bring in new leadership, fortify its legal team and hire a community outreach manager.
Formal is Normal for New Year’s Eve
No matter where you go on New Year’s Eve this year, formal attire is just right for the night. That means whether you are going to a fabulous party at a swanky hotel, a restaurant for casual dining or simply a friend’s house for drinks and hors d'oeuvres, it is totally okay to arrive wearing a beautiful sparkly gown…and for the men… a sleek tuxedo works out well. After all, you’re ringing in the New Year!
Mayor Emanuel Plans 2.5 Billion in Improvements to Local Universities; 10,000 Jobs Created
If you live in Chicago, and are looking for construction work, your luck may be about to change. Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently announced that over 10,000 construction jobs will become available in the city over the next three years.
Calumet City Cops Provide Gifts and Food to Area Families at Annual Santa Run
The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is the world's largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 325,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges. And one of those lodges is bringing Santa Clause to southtown!
Teens Aspiring to Music Careers Receive Real World Experience, Advice from Pros
Now that Chicago native and rapper, “Chance the Rapper” made his debut on Saturday Night Live this past weekend and made history as the first independent artist ever to appear on the show, you’d better believe that hundreds, perhaps thousands of young artists from Chicago are hoping to follow in his footsteps. But they will need more than just high hopes to get that far.
HUD Awards $2.6 Million to Help Low-Income Residents in Illinois Find Employment and Job Training
Unfortunately, there sometimes is a stigma attached to those who live in public housing. The perception is that they are either unemployed, uneducated or both. That is why the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently awarded $2.6 million to housing agencies across the state through the Family Self-Sufficiency Program. The funds will be used to help public housing residents in Illinois help find jobs and improve their education.
Secretary of State Jesse White Awarded ‘2015 Legislative Champion’ by MADD
Pay very close attention to the following statistics: According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), an average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before their first arrest. Every two minutes, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash. Drunk driving costs the United States $199 billion a year. In 2013, a total of 1,149 children 14 and younger were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes. Of those 1,149 fatalities, 200 (17%) occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.
Dorothy Brown has Major Gripe with Rivals in County Clerk Race
Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown has a bone to pick with a few Democrats she claims she has supported for years.
Husband and Wife Team Sentenced in Fraud Scheme
Perhaps it’s the tough economy, perhaps it’s simply greed, but people are going to extremes measures to make ends meet these days, even involving some “creative” criminal activity. For example, a husband and wife team recently faked the deaths of their living children to scam their employer out of money. And it didn’t stop there. They also stole their coworkers’ identities.
Chicago Teens Promote Safe Sex
It’s very inspiring when inner-city Chicago teens, who are currently living in a very challenging environment, get involved in something constructive and positive. It’s even more uplifting when their involvement is motivated by healthy living habits.
Metra to Host Coat and Toy Drives
Coat drive November 30 to December 2; Toy drive December 9
The weather is changing and it’s getting cold and blustery here in Chicago. It’s time to pull out the heavy winter jackets. And of course the holidays are right upon us…staring us in the face. That means it’s time to shop for toys and gifts for the little ones.
Chicago Children’s Choir Celebrates Holiday Season throughout City
Nothing puts us in the holiday spirit like good ‘ole holiday music. It’s just something about those classic favorites; White Christmas, Let it Snow, and of course Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. These songs cheer us up. They are comforting. They make us feel warm and fuzzy. And more than likely this holiday season, you’re going to hear them playing somewhere.
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Discussed at CBA Monthly Meeting
Should a medical marijuana dispensary be allowed to open and operate on Chicago’s south side? Members of the Chatham Business Association (CBA) and other concerned citizens chimed in on the controversial matter during the organization’s monthly meeting on Tuesday at the QBG Foundation/Chicago Citizen Newspaper headquarters building, 806 E. 78th St, Chicago.
Tensions Rise During Neighborhood Meeting on Medical Marijuana Dispensary
“We don’t want it!” “We don’t it!” We don’t want it!” That is what nearly 100 members of the Eight Ward Accountability Coalition (EWAC), a neighborhood organization, angrily chanted during a recent community meeting in protest of a proposed opening of a medical marijuana dispensary in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood.
12 People Killed by Gunfire in Chicago Over Memorial Day Weekend
As Memorial Day commenced, a day where Americans pause to remember those who died in active military service, Chicago was plagued with shooting, once again, making national headlines as the gun violence capitol of the world.
Herb Kent the "Cool Gent" Honored by the Next Step College Readiness Program
The Next Step College Readiness Program held its first annual “Stepping for the Children” benefit at the Oak Lawn Hilton Hotel, 9333 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Lawn, ll., last month. The fundraiser honored Chicago radio icon and living legend, Herb Kent, “The Cool Gent,” by establishing an Educational Achievement Award in his name. The event also raised funds for the Next Step program, an initiative of the Chicago Child Care Society (CCCS), which works to break the cycle of generational teen pregnancy.
$1.6 Million Workforce Development Investment to Put More Chicagoans Back to Work
The city of Chicago has good news for unemployed Chicagoans. That’s because Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced yesterday that the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) will provide up to $1.6 million in funding for worker training and direct placement program assistance to help unemployed Chicago residents obtain positions at companies that contract with O’Hare International Airport.