Mayor Launches $250,000 Gun Buyback Program
Attempting to reduce shootings on the streets, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced a new $250,000 gun buyback program.
South Suburban Official Leads Effort for Charleston Church to get Nobel Peace Prize
When Thornton Township Supervisor Frank Zuccarelli, watched television coverage of the fatal church shootings in Charleston, S.C., this past summer, he expected an angry response.
New Taxes Proposed for Cable TV, Recreational Activities in Cook County
Area residents could pay more for cable television service and a variety of other recreational activities if a budget proposal by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is approved.
Ex-Bear Chris Zorich Encourages Students as Suburban College Administrator
When Chris Zorich was a freshman at Notre Dame University, he struggled in the classroom.
Chicago State University Picks Alabama Educator as New President
He became a high profile figure locally as principal of two Chicago area schools and headmaster of another one. He helped stabilize enrollment at North Alabama University in Florence. And now, Chicago State University is looking to Thomas J. Calhoun Jr. for leadership.
Chicago Should Host White House Conference on Gun Violence: Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.
Chicago should host a White House conference to end gun violence in the city and in the entire nation, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. said.
Activist Tio Hardiman Plans to Seek Circuit Court Clerk’s Office instead of Congress
Activist Tio Hardiman, who recently announced a run for Congress, is instead challenging Dorothy Brown for her job as Clerk of Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill.
Ex-Chicago Public Schools CEO Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes
Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett pleaded guilty Tuesday to accepting bribes in an alleged kickback scheme.
Chicago State University Picks Alabama College Administrator as New President
An Alabama college administrator with ties to Chicago will replace Dr. Wayne Watson who is retiring as president of Chicago State University.
Illinois South Suburban colleges Team Up to Help Minority Males
Addison Jackson, Jr., an Army veteran who worked as an executive at a St. Louis bank, struggled when he returned to college four years ago.
Three Finalists Named for President’s Job at Chicago State Univ.
Three college administrators have been identified as finalists to replace Dr. Wayne Watson who is retiring as president of Chicago State University.
Group Throws Birthday Party for Boy who Lost Mother, Grandmother in Shootings
Persha Chew, who lost her sister and mother to gun violence last week, was struggling on how to tell her young nephew that his mother was never coming home. The 26-year-old Chicago South Side woman said she also wondered how to celebrate his birthday.
CPS Taps Principal to Head Controversial Bronzeville High School
A principal was selected to head a high school in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood that reopens next year after protests, including a hunger strike.
Chicago’s African American Aldermen call on Mayor to Fire Police Supt. Garry McCarthy
The Chicago City Council’s Black Caucus demanded the firing of Police Supt. Garry McCarthy, saying he hasn’t done enough to battle crime or promote black officers. “We have been troubled by the superintendent’s lack of responsiveness to our concerns and requests as we face this (crime) crisis,” said Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th Ward), president of the caucus.
Gary Teenager Opposes Sagging Pants Fashion, City Considers Anti-Sagging Ban
Honor roll student Da’Ione Fields wants to see his community improve. On weekends, the 18-year-old Gary high school senior sometimes voluntarily boards up abandoned buildings.
South Suburban African American is Top Bacteria Science Researcher
Jarrad Hampton-Marcell enjoyed dissecting worms as a youngster in south suburban Robbins, Ill. “I was one of those always curious kids,” Hampton- Marcell recalled. “I was pulling out worms and would play with them. I would dissect them to see what was going on.”
Former Chicago Prep Athlete Takes Pride in Playing in Howard Univ. Band
Marcus Prince considered himself a better than average soccer player on the junior varsity team at Jones College Prep High School in Chicago.
Radio Station, Others Work to Keep Chicago South Side Catholic High School
Hales Franciscan High School had about 140 students two years ago. Today, the Chicago South Side high school has just 40 students.
Pope’s Visit Should Inspire All Americans, Including Non-Catholics: Lawmaker
Pope Francis’ recent visit to the U.S should inspire and uplift all Americans, no matter their religion, said an Illinois lawmaker. “It was transformative,” said State Sen. Jacqueline Collins (Dist-16th), who saw the pope at an event last week at the White House. “It was uplifting. It was a once in a lifetime experience. It was an experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Aldermanic Group Proposes Rebate Plan to help Residents with Big Tax Hike Plan
Hoping to give Chicagoans relief from Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposed tax hike, a group of aldermen last week introduced a rebate plan.
Suburban Homewood Metra Station Getting Long Needed Repairs
There was a time that when it rained in south suburban, Ill., the Homewood Metra stop didn’t provide much refuge according to Raven Wallace, who used to cover her head to stay dry while waiting at the station.
Farrakhan Promotes Washington D.C. Rally; Men’s Effort to Improve Black Lives
Minister Louis Farrakhan promoted his plan for 10,000 men to improve the lives of African Americans at a rally at Chicago State University.
Activists End Hunger Strike for Dyett High School
Activists ended a hunger strike Saturday designed to convince Chicago Public Schools (CPS) officials to support having a high school in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood specialize in science.
Chicago South Side Agency Continues to Help Thousands of Black Youth Attend College
Mardell Clinkscales was a senior with high grades at a Chicago South Side high school but hadn’t been accepted to any colleges.
Chicago South Side Agency Continues to Help Thousands of Black Youth Attend College
Mardell Clinkscales was a senior with high grades at a Chicago South Side high school but hadn’t been accepted to any colleges.
Mayor Calls for Big Tax Hike to Pay for Public Safety Pensions, School Construction
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is calling for a $588 million property tax increase over the next four years in his 2016 budget – the biggest tax hike in the city’s history.
African American Catholics Excited About Pope Francis’ Visit, Hope He Addresses Race Issues
Illinois State Sen. Jacqueline Collins (Dist.-16th) remembers being ignored by white teachers at times when she raised her hand as a student at the former Aquinas Dominican Catholic High School on Chicago’s South Side in the 1960s.
Boykin Drops Plans for Senate Campaign to Focus on County
Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin is not running for the U.S. Senate in Illinois.
Chicago’s African Americans ‘are at Rock Bottom,’ Top Black Historians say
An African American toddler’s body parts found last week in Garfield Park in Chicago. Regular weekend violence on the city’s South and West sides. And the lack of positive black images in today’s schools.
Activist Tio Hardiman Challenges U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush for Congress
Saying it is time for new leadership, activist Tio Hardiman is challenging U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush for his 1st Congressional District seat in Illinois. Hardiman, an unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate and former director of the antiviolence group CeaseFire Chicago, said he believes it is time for a newcomer to replace Rush, who has been in office since 1993.
U of C Announces $40 Mil. Adult Trauma Center for the South Side
The University of Chicago Medicine recently announced it would partner with Sinai Health Systems to open a $40 million trauma center on the city’s South Side. The announcement comes after years of protests from community activists who were insistent upon the hospital opening an adult trauma center on Chicago’s South Side.
Bronzeville School Protesters Want Obama’s Support
A group of hunger strikers want President Barack Obama to support its plans for a high school in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood to specialize in science.
Davis seeks Another Term in Congress, Ending Retirement Rumors
On the same day U.S. Rep. Danny Davis turned age 74, he shut down retirement rumors by announcing he is seeking another term for his 7th District seat in Illinois.
Hundreds Watch Annual Robbins Parade to Celebrate New School Year
Last month, thousands of Chicagoans lined South Side streets for the Bud Billiken Parade – a back to school celebration.
Chicago’s Little Performs Big at World Track Championships
Track and field athlete Shamier Little was up against a wall. At last month’s World Track and Field Championships in Beijing, China, she drew the most inside lane for her race --- the lane most sprinters hate. And her time was the one of slowest to qualify for the 400 meter hurdle race final. But when the gun blasted, Little ran like a champion. By the time the race was over, she earned a place on the medal stand as a silver medalist.
African Festival Mixes Traditional Food, Vendors, Artists with Steppin’
At least twice a month, Felise McGee says he enjoys his favorite form of exercise: stepping.
CBA Hosts Golf Outing Sept. 24 at Harborside International
The Chatham Business Association (CBA) is hosting its annual golf outing Sept. 24 at the Harborside International Golf Center.
Carson Ties Trump in Iowa Poll, Becomes GOP Candidate to Watch
Call it the month of the outsider. That is the explanation that NBC News’ commentator Chuck Todd and other political analysts provide on why Dr. Ben Carson is topping an Iowa political poll along with businessman Donald Trump in the Republican Party’s presidential race.
Protesters Continue Hunger Strike Even Though Chicago Officials make Dyett Open Enrollment, Art School
It was supposed to be a one and a half hour public meeting discussing the mayor’s budget for Chicago.
New Exhibit at DuSable Museum Explores Blacks Journey to Freedom; New Director Named
Portions of a life-sized wooden slave ship, a jacket belonging to the late activist Fred Hampton, of the Black Panther Party, and video of President Barack Obama’s victory speech at Grant Park in downtown Chicago.
National Group to Celebrate Black Studies Roots in Chicago
Racial issues were front and center in America in 1915. The controversial film, “The Birth of the Nation,” which portrayed all blacks as unintelligent and black men as sexually aggressive towards white women was released. And more than 50 African-Americans were lynched. Before the year was out, the Ku Klux Klan was reborn in Stone Mountain, Ga.
Ex-NFL Player Works to Keep Homewood Flossmoor H.S Ranked High
According to several polls conducted last week, Homewood Flossmoor H.S., in south suburban Ill., has the No. 1 high school football team in the area.
Gun Control Advocates Renew Calls to Limit Handgun Access after Fatal Shootings of TV Journalists
Gun control advocates are renewing calls to limit access to firearms following the fatal shootings of two television journalists by a former colleague in a small Virginia town.
Protesters Continue Hunger Strike after Meeting with Mayor about Bronzeville School
Jeanette Taylor-Ramann was hospitalized last week while on a hunger strike in protest of plans for the Walter H. Dyett High School building in the Bronzeville neighborhood in Chicago.
Ill. State Sen. Napoleon Harris Enters Growing U.S. Senate Primary
Illinois State Sen. Napoleon Harris III (Dist-15th) is entering a growing field of candidates running for the state’s U.S. Senate seat.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White Plans to Retire when his Term Ends
Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White, the only African American official serving in a statewide office, says he plans to retire when his term ends in 2019.
Governors State University is now a 4-Year College with its First Sophomore Class
A year ago, Justin Smith wasn’t sure he could attend a four-year university. “I put in 150 applications for scholarships but I got no offers,” said the south suburban Ill. resident.
10,000 Get Help at Convoy of Hope Event at Marquette Park
Johnny Byrd struggles to make ends meet as a single parent of two young children. On Saturday, the Englewood resident got some help along with more than 10,000 others who received free groceries, haircuts and other assistance at the Convoy of Hope organization’s gathering at Marquette Park, 6743 S. Kedzie Ave., in Chicago.
African-American Becomes Top Officer at Naval Station Great Lakes
Nearly three decades ago, Stephen C. Evans simply wanted to get a good education and prepare for law school as a student at The Citadel military school in South Carolina.
City Panel Might Decide in November on Planned Medical Marijuana Dispensary
A decision on whether a medical marijuana dispensary will open in the heart of Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood may not occur until at least November. The Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) agreed last Friday to extend its hearing to Nov. 20 to allow meetings between residents and the business group that wants to build the dispensary at 1111 E. 87th St.