The Citizen Newspaper Group

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan Criticizes Gun Violence, Police Misconduct

Frustrated with child murders and concerned about police misconduct, Arne Duncan used his last speech as U.S. education secretary to address gun violence in America.

State Residents Will Need Extra ID to Enter Federal Facilities

Illinois residents will no longer be able to simply use their driver’s license or state I.D. to enter most federal buildings. That is because sooner than later, a passport will also be required, a regulation that could disproportionately impact blacks and Hispanics.

Salvation Army’s ‘Red Kettle’ Campaign falls Short but Services Are in High Demand

The red metal kettle was overflowing with money as Salvation Army bell ringer Darrell Watson greeted customers flocking into a crowded Kmart just outside of Chicago.

Governors State Univ., UIC Cancer Center Partner to Examine Cancer Disparities

The mortality rate for breast and colon cancer in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood is nearly twice as high as that of the national average, according to a study by the Cancer Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). A similar problem exists in south suburban Ill. communities with large black populations, said Karriem Watson, senior research specialist at the Cancer Center.

Kwanzaa Celebrations Remain Popular in Chicago Area

Ashley Frazier is a junior high school student and wanted to learn more about her African heritage. So, the 13-year-old joined about 125 others Saturday at a long-time annual African-American event on Chicago’s South Side: The Kwanzaa celebration at the Bronzeville Children’s Museum, 9301 S. Stony Island Ave. “Black culture is not something that is talked about enough in our schools,” said Frazier, who attends a school in Flossmoor, Ill. “I want to learn as much as I can about our heritage.”

Mayor Wants Changes after Police Fatally Shoot Woman, Teen

Mayor Rahm Emanuel called for changes on how officers handle calls that involve “mental health crises” after Chicago Police fatally shot a mother and college student. The student’s father said his son Quintonio LeGrier, 19, suffered from emotional problems and he called police Saturday morning when his son became disruptive. He then called his downstairs neighbor, Bettie R. Jones, asking her to look out for the arrival of the police according to news reports. After police arrived, tragedy struck.

South Suburban Democratic Group Backs Kim Foxx for State’s Attorney

The controversial police shooting of Laquan McDonald in Chicago in part last week prompted a group of officials in south suburban Illinois to back former prosecutor Kim Foxx instead of incumbent Anita Alvarez in the Cook County state’s attorney race.

South Side Mother, Daughter Graduate from Chicago State University

Forty-one years ago, Gilda Patterson attempted to be the first one in her family to seek higher education by attending a Chicago community college.

South Side Art Center Celebrates 75th Birthday

Masequa Myers loved singing and dancing as a teen – she even briefly sang in a group with superstar Chaka Khan. So, in the 1960s, Myers decided to learn more about the arts by taking classes at the South Side Community Art Center in Chicago.

Santa’s Helpers Visit Hundreds of Youngsters at Olive-Harvey College

It was a hard year for Michelle Daniels. The 35-year-old woman was unable to work for four months because she suffered liver problems. As a result, Daniels told her four children that Santa might not show up this year.

Coca-Cola Workers Strike at South Suburban Alsip Plant

For the last six years, Larry Spencer knew where he would spend his days: inside the Coca-Cola plant in Alsip, Ill. Last Friday, Spencer wasn’t so sure of his future. He stood outside the plant for several hours with dozens of colleagues.

Ex-State Rep. Connie Howard Gets 3 Month Prison Sentence

Former Ill. State Rep. Connie Howard was sentenced last week to three months of prison on charges of stealing money from a charity, officials said.

Chicago Teachers Back Strike if Needed

In what could be another major crisis for Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) last week overwhelmingly gave its leaders power to call a strike; the development coming right as community leaders and residents call for Emanuel’s resignation. The union voted over a three-day period last week. The teachers union released the results Monday.

Emanuel Apologizes for Controversial Cop Shooting, Protests Continue

Blamed by activists for Chicago’s troubled police department, Mayor Rahm Emanuel apologized last week for the “totally avoidable” fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald by a police officer.

Four Medical Marijuana Dispensaries to Open in South Suburbs

Medical marijuana dispensaries are coming to four Chicago area south suburbs in the next month. The dispensaries are scheduled to open by January at 1137 W. 175th St. in Homewood; 2535 Veterans Dr. in Posen; 11425 S. Harlem St. in Worth; and 8340 S. Roberts Rd. in Justice, said Steven Weisman, CEO and president of the Windy City Cannabis Club.

Ald. Brookins Challenges Rush for Congressional Seat

U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush is being challenged for his Illinois first district seat by veteran Chicago Ald. Howard Brookins Jr. Last week, Brookins officially filed as a congressional candidate in the Democratic primary. Activist Tio Hardiman recently pulled out of the race to challenge Cook County Circuit Clerk Dorothy Brown for her seat. “I’m running for Congress because our community needs a fighter in Washington to represent our needs and find solutions to our problems,” said Brookins, who has represented the city’s 21st Ward since 2003.

Union Threatens Boycott of Food Products to Keep Jobs at South Side Plant

A bakery union is threatening to boycott Nabisco products in an effort to keep jobs from leaving a plant on the South Side of Chicago.

Mayor, Community Celebrate Phillips High School's Football Title

Call Tanisha Minnis a super fan of Wendell Phillips High School football team. The 16-year-old honor roll junior missed just one game during the three years she has attended the Bronzeville neighborhood school in Chicago. So, Minnis made sure she didn’t miss school last Wednesday. That’s because it was the day Minnis and the school’s entire student body celebrated Phillips becoming the first Chicago public high school to win an Illinois championship in football. The rally attracted top city officials, including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Ill. State Sen. Mattie Hunter (3rd Dist.), Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd Ward) and alumni.

Update: Justice Dept. Probes Chicago Police Amid Protests

After requests from angry activists and several local officials, the U.S. Justice Department is launching an investigation into the practices of the beleaguered Chicago Police Department. U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said Monday the probe of the police department will focus on police use of force, racial bias and how allegations of misconduct are investigated.

Justice Dept. to Probe Chicago Police

After requests from activists and several officials, the U.S. Justice Department plans to launch an investigation into the practices of the Chicago Police Department, officials said.U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch is expected to make an official announcement about the investigation later this week, according to news reports.

Robbins Street Named for Deceased Prep Football Player

Annette Clark misses her son, Rasul “Rocky” Clark, who died just three years ago. So, she keeps many of his sports awards in a room in her south suburban home in Robbins, Ill. In November, Clark received another visible reminder of her son – a nearby street bearing his name.

Chicago Will Expand Cop Body Camera Program

In the mist of protests over an officer’s shooting of an African American teen, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced on Sunday that the city will expand its cop body camera program to six additional police districts by mid-2016.

Suburban Man Charged in Killing of 9-year-old Tyshawn Lee

In one of Chicago’s most high profile killings, a 27-year-old Lansing, Ill. man was charged with murdering 9-year-old Tyshawn Lee. Corey Morgan was accused last week of being involved in a shooting that killed Lee on Nov. 2 in an alley near 80th and Damien streets.

Emanuel Dismisses Police Supt. McCarthy

Citing public trust, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday dismissed embattled Police Supt. Garry McCarthy after recent protests over a police officer fatally shooting an African American teen.

South Suburban Girl Gets Cast in 'Best Christmas Pageant Ever!'

When Telah Amauri Anderson was just 2 years-old, she pointed to her family’s television and proclaimed: “that’s what I want to do.” So, the Matteson, Ill., girl’s mother enrolled her in a performing arts school. “She was always dancing all over the place,” Charla Anderson recalled about her daughter. “She would repeat lines from TV. We knew we had to get her into something.”

Historical Strand Hotel Opens as Apartment Complex

Regina Clippard immediately panics when she gets off of the bus and then walks two blocks in the dark every night to her apartment, after she leaves her job as a home healthcare worker. The single 50-year-old woman says at least two people were shot in the last year near her home in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood.

Chicago Cop Charged with Fatally Shooting African American Teen 16 Times

A white Chicago Police Officer was charged Tuesday with murdering a 17-year-old black youth – believed to be the first on-duty city officer charged with murder in more than three decades.

Hotel Visits, Bullets, Lawsuits to Cost More in Cook County

Hotel visits, bullets and lawsuits will all cost more in Cook County next year. The increases are a result of tax and fee hikes Cook County Commissioners approved with a 12-5 vote last week for Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s $4.5 billion budget in the 2016 fiscal year. “This is not an easy budget,” said Preckwinkle in a news conference after the meeting. “But it is a responsible budget that tackles our needs head-on, without dodging tough decisions or kicking the can down the road.”

Firm Withdraws Plans to Open Marijuana Dispensary in Chatham Neighborhood

For the last few months, Dedra Delaney has attended meeting after meeting trying to stop a planned marijuana dispensary from opening at 1111 E. 87th St. in Chicago. Last Friday, Delaney and two busloads of Chatham neighborhood residents got what they wanted. A city staffer at the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting announced that Haborside Illinois Grown Medicine, LLC (IGM) withdrew its petition for the planned dispensary.

Metra Train Fares Increase Next February

Dorian Lofton regularly rides the Metra train from his home in Matteson, Ill., to his job as a teacher in downtown Chicago.

Napoleon Harris Officially Announces Senate Run

Danny Davis Backs Andrea Zopp for Seat

Returning to his former high school in Harvey, Ill., Ill. State Sen. Napoleon Harris (Dist.-15th) officially announced Tuesday he is jumping into the U.S Senate race.

Roseland Woman Wins ComEd Contest; Utility Provides Winter Savings Tips

Melissa Petty enjoys saving money and conserving energy: She turns off lights when she isn’t using them and doesn’t overuse her home’s furnace or air conditioner.

Gang War Rumors Hurt South Side Businesses, Owners Say

The perception of a gang war is hurting businesses along 79th Street in Chicago, said a group of Chatham area business owners.

Most Black Millennials Know Someone Harassed by Cops, Majority of Young Whites Don’t: Survey Says

Police brutality is something that young blacks not only read about in newspapers -- they actually live it, suggests a new study. Just more than half of African American millennials polled for the study indicated that they or someone they knew suffered harassment or violence from police, according to the “Black Millennials in America” report.

Governors State University gets Sports Teams, Joins CCAC

Willie Lipsey is trailblazing as a two-sport athlete at Governors State University in University Park, Ill. Lipsey ran the fastest time for the college’s cross country team. The 21-year-old junior also starts as a guard on the school’s basketball team.