Donda’s House Reaches Youth with Lyrics
Chicagoland youth who are interested in a career as a recording artist should contact Donda’s House, Inc. which is accepting applications for its spring class sessions.
Prairie State College’s 26th Annual Jazz Fest
On Friday, Prairie State College (PSC), 202 S. Halsted St., held its 26th Annual Jazz Fest with evening performances that took place at the Conference Center Auditorium on the main campus. The culminating event of the two-day Jazz Fest, featured performances from local jazz artists and local schools. The festival lasted Thursday, February 20 to Friday, February 21.
Rainbow PUSH Hosts Summit to Discuss Future of HBCUs
Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s Chicago office, 930 E. 50th St., hosted a Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Summit to identify the most prominent issues facing African American institutions of higher education and to develop viable action plans to address them.
7th Ward Alderman Hosts TIF and SBIF Informational Meeting
Seventh Ward Alderman Natashia Holmes hosted an informational meeting about Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) at the Bradwell School of Excellence, 7736 S. Burnham Ave, on Wednesday, February 19.
South Suburban Mayors & Managers Discuss Enterprise Zones
The South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association (SSMA) recently hosted a presentation by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (IDCEO) about the benefits of applying for "enterprise zones."
Chicago Teen Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault of 12-Year-Old Girl
Scandale Fritz, 17, pled guilty to two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault during a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building in Chicago last week and Cook County Judge Timothy Joyce sentenced Fritz to 13 years on each count for a total of 26 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Illinois Jobs Now! Assists Military Families Purchase Homes
Illinois Jobs Now! is assisting the Welcome Home Heroes program by providing five million dollars to aid military families in purchasing homes. Welcome Home Heroes is part of Illinois Governor Quinn’s commitment to help Illinois’ military families transition to civilian life, and to strengthen and stabilize communities by making homeownership more affordable.
Sixth Ward Seniors and African American History
At the monthly 6th Ward Seniors‘ meeting at St. Mark AME Zion Church, 7358 S. Cottage Grove Ave. last week, participants enjoyed a “Black History Presentation” by Ronald “Kwesi” Harris. The event was sponsored and attended by 6th Ward Alderman Roderick Sawyer who hosts meetings with his ward’s senior citizens every second Thursday of the month.
Ingalls Health System’s "Hearts in the Right Place" Event Focuses on Women’s Heart Health
“Cardiology is one of our major service lines at Ingalls Health System,” said Kim Garrison, Ingalls Health System Marketing and Communications Manager. “Our goal is to impact women’s health. We want to positively impact it; encourage [women] to be more proactive and an active partner in their own health care. We want them to know their risks for heart disease which is deadly but could be preventable.”
HIV/AIDS & Transgender Discussion Held at Chicago State University
In tribute to National Black HIV Awareness Day (February 7), the South Side Help Center (SSHC) last week presented the seX Factor: A Dialogue on HIV Prevention and Care on Chicago State University’s (CSU) campus, 9501 S. King Drive, being the school's third year hosting the event.
The University of Chicago Continues Tradition of Honoring George Kent
The University of Chicago’s, Organization of Black Students (OBS), invited political strategist and television correspondent Donna Brazile to speak during its 2014 Annual George E. Kent Lecture Series.
Unemployed Cook County Residents Get a Boost to Get Back to Work
Skills for Chicagoland’s Future (SCF) was recently showcased at a White House summit focused on strategies to reduce long-term unemployment. SCF is a public-private partnership that helps match businesses with current, unmet hiring needs with qualified, unemployed job seekers by closing the skills gap in Chicago and Cook County by providing recruitment, placement and training services at no cost to the job seeker.
President Obama’s Initiative Against Sexual Assault Calls for Public Awareness
U.S. President Barack Obama recently announced a call to action against sexual assaults on college campuses. President Obama signed a memorandum that will create a task force whose charge is to find practical measures to prevent sexual assaults and improve the quality, urgency, perception and speed of responses to sexual assaults within 90 days.
Chicago Urban League, Gary Comer Center, Hosts Black History Month Film Festivals
In honor of Black History Month, the Chicago Urban League and the Gary Comer Youth Center are both hosting Black history film festivals.
Divvy Bikes Look to Expand into South Shore
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Divvy Bikes program, it is a system provided by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) where bikes are rented to users for 30 minute intervals and returned to one of the network of docking stations located throughout a city as part of a bike sharing system. The bikes are rented for 30 minute intervals in order to insure all riders have a bike available to them. CDOT received initial funding for Divvy through federal grants and the City’s TIF funds.
Cook County Shared Fleet Program Saves Taxpayers $250,000
Cook County's Shared Car program, which has been in progress for one year, has already saved taxpayers approximately $250,000 according to county officials. The Shared Car program is the latest of several government transportation programs supported by Zipcar throughout Illinois, including programs at the state, city and county levels. The program, which decreases employee vehicle costs and travel reimbursements, complemented Cook County's existing fleets by providing access to car sharing for employees, and optimized their existing fleet with Zipcar's FastFleet technology.
Chicago Public Schools Approve Seven Charter Schools amidst Protests
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced last Wednesday that seven proposals for charter operating schools have been approved for the 2014-2015 School Year (SY14-15) and the 2015-2016 School Year (SY15-16). However, some community members are strongly opposed to the new schools opening in their neighborhoods.
Arthur Bishop Appointed as Department of Children and Family Services Chief
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn appointed Arthur Bishop as Director of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) on Friday. “Arthur Bishop is a long-standing public servant who has dedicated his professional career to helping Illinois families,” Governor Quinn said. “I am confident that he will carry out the mission of the department by making the safety and well-being of children across the state priority number one. I thank acting Director Denise Gonzales for her commitment to protecting children and stepping up to ensure a smooth transition.”
Aja Evans Details Her Journey to the 2014 Winter Olympics
Chicago native and Olympic hopeful Aja Evans’ journey to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia is a testament to her resolve, competitive spirit and longing for meaningful fulfillment.
24th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast Celebrates Academic Youth Excellence
On Monday, PUSH for Excellence, Inc. (PUSH Excel), hosted its 24th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Dr. The ceremony recognized the academic achievements of African American youth from across the nation, awarded scholarships, was a call to action to end poverty and recognized recipients of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and President Lyndon B. Johnson Dream-Makers Award including:
Emergency Rules Implemented to Protect Illinoisans from Petcoke
On Tuesday, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced emergency administrative rules designed to protect Illinois residents from petroleum coke (petcoke). Under the Governor’s order, the rules will be filed later this week as part of his agenda to protect Illinois’ natural resources and ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.
Village of Matteson Celebrates Dr. King & Honors Others
The Village of Matteson is presenting its’ 33rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon on Saturday, January 18 at the Holiday Inn Matteson, 500 Holiday Plaza Dr., from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Healthy Lifestyles Encouraged at the Gary Comer Youth Center
On Friday, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn’s Council on Health and Physical Fitness hosted an event to encourage Illinois citizens to participate in health and fitness activities that will help them live a healthier, happier and more productive life, at the Gary Comer Youth Center, 7200 S Ingleside Ave., in Chicago.
6th Ward Alderman Calls for Better Snow Removal by the City of Chicago
Sixth Ward Alderman Roderick Sawyer publicly voiced his concern about the lack of snow removal on the side streets within his ward in a recent press release.
Gary Comer Youth Center Hosts Events in Honor of Dr. King
The Gary Comer Youth Center (GCYC), 7200 S. Ingleside Ave., will host two events in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 20, including the 5th annual Breakfast of Champions, which honors exemplary members of the local neighborhood as “Community Champions,” and the commemorative “King Today, King Beyond” event which is a tapestry of artistic performances.
Black Star Project's Holiday Saturday University Makes Impact
The Black Star Project (BSP), a non-for-profit organization based in Chicago whose mission is to provide educational services that help pre-school through college students succeed academically, conducted Saturday University classes over the holiday break (Dec. 30, 2013 - Jan. 3, 2013). The sessions, which are held at BSP's headquarters at 3509 S. Martin Luther King Dr., included computer coding, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, African-American history, nutrition and college exposure.
CBA's Get Connected IT Ambassadors Give Local Small Businesses a Boost
Chatham Business Association’s (CBA) new Get Connected IT Ambassadors program develops young adults' computer literacy skills so that they can in turn, assist small local businesses with their computer based needs.
RTA Hosts Ventra Public Meetings for Customers across Chicagoland
The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) recently partnered with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to hold six public meetings for their customers across Chicagoland. The meetings were geared towards informing seniors and physically disabled customers about Ventra, the new payment system for the CTA and Pace that allows customers to pay for train and bus rides with the same payment methods they use for everyday purchases.
cps Launches New Mentoring Program for Kindergarten and 8th Graders
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has launched Mentoring the Next Generation, a new district-wide school volunteer initiative for CPS staff to provide students in kindergarten and 8th grade with extra instruction and preparation for their next steps in education.
Chicago Southside NAACP Host Free Mandela Movie Screening for ACT-SO
The Chicago Southside chapter of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) presented a screening of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom to raise money for its’ ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) program.
The "Money Mob" Works to Galvanize Local Support for Neighborhood Businesses
The Money Mob (MM), a trio of young professionals, has made it their business to alert the urban community about quality, independently-owned, African-American businesses in Chicago.
"Fight for 15" Protests Rallies Held across the City Calling for Higher Wages & Better Benefits
As part of the Workers Organizing Committee of Chicago's (WOCC)"Fight for 15" campaign, several rallies were held last Thursday across the city of Chicago, mostly in front of national retail and food chains including McDonald’s, Sears and Family Dollar where employees of the establishments demanded that their current minimum wages be increased to a “living” wage of $15 per hour as well as the right to form a union without retaliation.
Mandela’s Chicago Visit: A Lasting Impression
The impact of former South African President Nelson Mandela’s visit to Chicago in the summer of 1993 still resonates with citizens here and most certainly with those who met directly with him including the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., U.S. Congressman Bobby Rush, and former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.
Illinois Law Enforcement to Focus on Front and Back Seat Belt Law
As part of the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign, Illinois State Police (ISP) and over 200 local police departments throughout the state were on patrol during the Thanksgiving holiday checking to see if motorists were wearing their seatbelts or if they were driving under the influence.
Marian Catholic Marching Band Shines in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Marian Catholic High School (MCHS) Marching Band, 700 Ashland Ave., Chicago Heights, Ill., proudly strutted their stuff in the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade in New York City on Nov. 28. This was MCHS's second time participating in the world class parade which aired on NBC on Thanksgiving day that drew 50 million viewers and over one million spectators along the parade route.
Repairs Underway at 124th & Wentworth after Road Collapses
The City of Chicago is actively working to repair the street at 124th and Wentworth Ave. after a "wash out" (a sudden erosion of soft soil or other support surfaces by a gush of water) caused the road to collapse creating a large sink hole.
Chicago Sky Donates Athletic Apparel to Hyde Park Academy
The Chicago Sky, a professional women's basketball team based in Rosemont, Ill., donated much needed basketball apparel to the Lady Thunderbird girls basketball team at Hyde Park Academy (HPA), 6220 S Stony Island Ave., last month.
Illinois Posts Largest Recent Job Gains in the Midwest
Illinois’ economy had the largest growth of any state within the Midwest with over 25,000 jobs added in September and October of this year. Other states within the region posted a negative or small net gain in jobs.
bmoa Hosts 14th Annual Food for the Body & Spirit Program
The Black McDonald’s Operators Association (BMOA) hosted its 14th Annual Food for the Body & Spirit Program at Apostolic Church of God (Apostolic), 6320 S. Dorchester Ave., last Wednesday.
The City of Chicago Offers Free Business Workshops
The City of Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) offers free business workshops every Wednesday and Friday at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Rm. 805. The workshops are beneficial to both small and large business owners and are also designed to encourage entrepreneurship amongst residents.
Pan African Association and Northeastern Illinois University Partner
On Friday, at the Pan African Association main office, 6163 N. Broadway St., the Pan African Association (PAA) and Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) held a special memorandum signing ceremony marking the establishment an official partnership between the two entities.
The Village of Hazel Crest Hosts 1st Annual Community Outreach Summit
The Village of Hazel Crest hosted its 1st Annual Community Outreach Summit at the Hazel Crest Municipal Center, 3000 W. 170th Pl., on Saturday.
LUV Institute Provides Entrepreneurial Holiday Spirit for Youth
The Love, Unity & Values (LUV) Institute is making the best of this holiday season via its Wreaths of LUV project, which provides a positive and productive outlet for young women by allowing them to hand make custom decorated 22” holiday wreaths. The wreaths will be sold for $35 during LUV’s first annual fundraiser which is facilitated by students from the LUV Holiday Entrepreneurship Program.
Protest Calls for Cook County State’s Attorney’s Resignation
The Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARP) recently staged a rally to protest the final verdict in the 2011 killing case of Flint Farmer by Chicago Police Officer Gildardo Sierra. The protest, held at the George W. Dunne Cook County Office Building, 69 W. Washington last week, was part of CAARP’s Organizing Committee to Stop Police Crimes.
City of Chicago Contracts Constellation NewEnergy as Electricity Supplier
Constellation NewEnergy, an Exelon company, has been hired by Chicago’s s Department of Fleet and Facility Management (2FM) to manage the city’s facility and street lighting accounts under a 25 month contract.
Ombudsman Chicago Opens West Side Chicago Location
Ombudsman Chicago, an alternative school for students ages 14-20, that allows them to earn a high school diploma, has recently opened its third Chicago location at 2401 W. Congress Parkway, on Chicago’s West side.
Veterans Honored in Hazel Crest
Veterans who served in all branches of the United States military were honored Saturday at the American Legion Hall, 17034 Page Ave. in Hazel Crest, IL. Local, state and federal elected officials, many of whom served in the armed forces, celebrated the military veterans in honor of Veteran’s Day.
African Small Business Expo Held at Truman College
On Saturday, Harry Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave and the City of Chicago’s Dept. of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP), hosted a free, African Small Business Expo (ASBE) which was sponsored by Western Union, Truman College and the Continental African Chamber of Commerce.
The Village of Robbins Faces Rocky Situation
The Village of Robbins may be facing an extreme makeover if a proposed limestone quarry and mine is established within the village’s limits. Robbins Resources LLC, a partnership between the Village of Robbins, ALM Resources and Rib Mountain Aggregate, Inc., was formed to plan the formation, operation and management of the quarry.
Be Covered Illinois Summit Reaches Out to Illinois Communities
Blue Cross & Blue Shield (BCBS) of Illinois hosted their first Be Covered Illinois Summit last Thursday at their downtown Chicago location at 300 E. Randolph St. The summit was designed to promote awareness and education about the Affordable Care Act to the community.