2015 Studs Terkel Community Media Awards

Click to view this email in a browser 2015 Studs Terkel Community Media Awards Get your tickets for the Studs Terkel Community Media Awards today and join usMarch 12th for a great celebration. Questions: Please contact Maggie Walker or call us at 312-369-6400. ... more

Auburn Gesham Walmart Neighborhood Market Grand Opening!

What a beautiful day in the Auburn Gresham community, a grand opening of a NEW Walmart Neighborhood Market, on 76th and Ashland, 60620. At one point in time, this particular area was filled with vibrant industry providing hundreds of jobs for the community. Now the NEW Walmart has opened up well ov... more

Oak Street Health Serves as Warming Centers for the Elderly

CHICAGO, IL (February 18, 2015) Bitter cold temperatures pose a serious threat to health and safety for older adults. In response to forecasted over night freezing temperatures Oak Street Health community centers will serve as warming centers for older adults to ensure that seniors are safe, warm a... more

Community Grand Rounds: Cancer and its IMPACT on our COMMUNITY

Join the University of Chicago Medicine and Community Partners for this important coversation of CANCER and its IMPACT on our COMMUNITY. To register, please visit:http://communitygrandroundsmarch2015.eventbrite.comFor additional information contact Natalie Watson at 773-834-9770.Please download fl... more

Auburn Gresham FREE TAX SITE!

The Center for Economic Progress (CEP) partners with the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) and the St. Sabina Employment Resource Center (ERC) to provide free tax preparation. The Tax Site intake area is at 7903 S. Racine and the doors opens at 5:30pm. This FREE service is ba... more

04/07/15 Municipal Run-Off Election

Feb 26 First day to apply for a mail ballot March 10 Last day to register to vote March 11 First day of grace period registration and voting March 23 First day of early voting April 2 Last day mail ballot applications accepted April 4 Last day of earl... more

Students Demand End To Harsh School Punishments (VIDEO)

Biblical Procession Planned in Protest for Lathrop Homes Saturday

LOGAN SQUARE — Organizers with the Logan Square Neighborhood Association will gather with teens and community members Saturday to reenact a Biblical trail through the Lathrop Homes.The procession will pass more than 750 vacant units left in limbo at Lathrop, according to the association&rsquo... more

Pilot program to train Seattle parents for larger role at school

Many parents long for a greater role in their children’s schools, something beyond being asked to raise money. This year, through a grass-roots program modeled on a Chicago success story, about 20 moms and dads in Seattle will get that chance. In Chicagos Logan Square neighborhood, many par... more

LSNA Staff Lucy Gomez-Felicano and Lissette Moreno-Kuri selected for Illinois Latino Nonprofit Leadership Academy.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information: Lissette Moreno-Kuri Education Program Director 773-384-4370, x25 lmoreno-kuri@lsna.net Illinois Latino Nonprofit Leadership Academy Announces its Year 6 Cohort CHICAGO –August 24, 2014—Logan Square Neighborhood Association is pleased to a... more

South East Chicago Commission Announces the Neighborhood Enhancement Grant Program for 2015

Since 1999, the program has offered funds to neighborhood schools, religious congregations, community organizations, park advisory councils, and block groups to support neighborhood beautification projects. After a two-year hiatus, the SECC is excited to resume making grants that assist eligible o... more

Forever Yogurt Coming to Bronzeville's 35th Street

The self-service frozen yogurt shop is set to open at end of February or early March near the 35th Street Green Line station at 17 W. 35th St., said franchise owner Bill Coney. Coney, a 36-year-old Alsip resident who grew up in Englewood, said he scouted locations across the city for his shop befor... more

Honey 1 Barbecue is moving to Bronzeville and taking Chicago's barbecue heritage with it

Robert Adams Sr., owner and pitmaster at Honey 1 Barbecue in Bucktown—site of the lone commercial "aquarium" smoker on the north side—is about to open a new location in Bronzeville at 746 E. 43rd Street. And when he does hes "90 percent sure" hes going to shut down his present location. ... more

Yassa Coming Spring 2015

With an extensive menu of African fare and services, including catering and special events, Yassa is sure to provide your family with a delicious, and reasonably priced dining experience. Specializing in Senegalese cuisine such as Ataya-Chai (Senegalese tea), youre sure to find something to cater to... more

Now Hiring: Motivated People in Chicago's South Lakefront

2 Dishwashers, 2 Waitstaff, 1 Manager Position, please apply https://careers-741partners.icims.com/jobs/1022/job?mobile=falseandwidth=650andheight=500andbga=trueandneedsRedirect=false

Teamwork Englewood Presents: Englewood "Making A Difference" Quality of Life Plan Celebration

Dear Community Leaders, Stakeholders and Neighbors, In 2005, Teamwork Englewood brought together more than 600 stakeholders to create the "Making a Difference" Quality of Life Plan for the Greater Englewood Community. In this plan, 10 strategies were adopted in order to achieve the communitys visio... more

Teamwork Englewood Offers Condolences to the Family of Ald. JoAnn Thompson

Teamwork Englewood sincerely expresses our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues on the passing of JoAnn Thompson, 16th Ward Alderman. This comes as unfortunate news for Greater Englewood as the community loses a long time resident, a great leader and a valuable asset. The Alderman was... more

The 63rd Bridge Closing Update

Demond Drummer joins Smart Chicago as Managing Director of the Smart Chicago Challenge

Today Demond Drummer joins the Smart Chicago Collaborative as the Managing Director of the Smart Chicago Challenge, a plan to make Chicago the most dynamic digital city in the world. Demond comes to us from Teamwork Englewood, where he has been a Tech Organizer. As part of his work there in the Sma... more

The 63rd Bridge Closing Update

WPC Announces Resignation of Executive Director

The Board of Directors for the Washington Park Consortium (WPC) announced today that executive director Brandon F. Johnson has resigned to pursue other opportunities. “I am tremendously proud of the strides Washington Park Consortium has made in support and technical assistance to Wa... more

Red Line South Reconstruction Project

Cermak-Chinatown to 95th/Dan Ryan • May 2013 – October 2013 CTA is rebuilding the south Red Line from just north of Cermak-Chinatown to 95th/Dan Ryan. The work will benefit Red Line riders for decades to come—through faster travel times, increased reliability, and spruced-up statio... more

The Crisis of Black Male Joblessness in Milwaukee: Trends, Explanations, and Policy Options

ABOUT THIS REPORT Since the late 1990s, issues surrounding race and employment have been a central research focus at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Center for Economic Development (UWMCED). In a series of reports, the Center has analyzed racial disparities in employment in the Milwaukee regio... more

Alderman Pat Dowell Discusses Her Vote on on the Speed Zone Cameras and the Infrastructure Trust Ordinances

At the two most recent City Council meetings, I cast votes on two ordinances that will affect all residents of the city. I cast a no vote for the ordinance authorizing placement of speed cameras near schools and parks and voted in favor of the Chicago Infrastructure Trust ordinance. (See ordinance ... more

Alderman Willie Cochran Discusses His Vote on on the Speed Zone Cameras and the Infrastructure Trust Ordinances

Greetings to all: Over the last two weeks the City Council has had two matters, Speed Zone Cameras and The Infrastructure Trust that were voted on. These matters have been in discussion for approximately six (6) weeks. Over that period of time thorough discussion were had and questions and ... more

UIC Seeks Breast Cancer Research Study Volunteers

Tuesday, July 16, 2013 Wesley Walker Breast Cancer Survivors Move Forward Moving forward — that’s what researchers at the Institute for Health Research and Policy want to help African American breast cancer survivors do. Moving Forward is also the name of a community-based weight loss ... more

Woodlawn Health and Human Services Community Information Meeting

Tuesday, July 16, 2013 July 15, 2013 Please join the Network of Woodlawn, the Woodlawn Health and Human Services Consortium (WHHC) , and other Woodlawn health and human services providers for a discussion about Woodlawn’s health and human services. Secretary Michelle Saddler, Illinois De... more

Woodlawn Rolls Out Network of Woodlawn's Education Strategy to Community Residents

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 Woodlawn residents, stakeholders invited to participate in community meeting to guide the future of local schools Network of Woodlawn and Woodlawn Children’s Promise Community to host 10/27 meeting, the first in the Future of Woodlawn series (Chicago) … Th... more

Woodlawn Public Safety Alliance Continues to Organize and Pray to Stop the Violence

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 W.Walker The Woodlawn Public Safety Alliance will be leading a prayer vigil and march around the 6300 block of S. Rhodes on Thursday, October 18th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The vigil and march is part of a response strategy to call attention to the escalation of youth violenc... more

State of Illinois Invests $2 million towards Decreasing the Digital Divide in South Side Communities

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 Governor Quinn Announces First Winner of Illinois Gigabit Communities Challenge State’s $2 Million Seed Investment Will Jumpstart Fiber Optic and Wireless Network in Mid-South Side Chicago Neighborhoods; Help Create Over 50 Jobs CHICAGO – October 16, 2012.... more

Community Assessment for Early Childhood Services

Claretian Associates is partnering with Metropolitan Family Services and many other community organizations to develop an Early Childhood Network in support of AOK. AOK (All Our Kids) Network is a group of agencies that work with families with young children to make sure that families get the servi... more

Claretian Associates is Partnering with I Am We to South Chicago Youth!

Message from I Am We Executive Board Member, Latisha Thomas I Am We has partnered with Claretian Associates to offer visual and digital storytelling to youth living in South Chicago. We are excited about this endeavor to fill a gap where youth have limited access to art, literacy development, ment... more

Claretian Associates is Looking for a Youth Media Team!

Claretian Associates is searching for a few motivated local youth who are between the ages of 15-21 and would like to learn about film production, create press releases, write blogs, and create engaging social media content to feature on our website and social media platforms. These three youth wi... more

Murder At the Juke Joint!

Get Tickets by January 25, 2015!!! Roaring 20s Where Everything Was Illegal....Speakeasy Take a Walking Back In Time on Valentines Night Community Production to Support Having Fun Right Here In Your Own Backyard for Valentines Night. BRING IT HOME! Doors Open: 6:00 pm Show Begins: 7:00 pm -10:00 ... more

Hiring Community Watchers & Floaters

For School Year 2014-2015 Hiring Community Watchers and Floaters (Part-time) Monday, December 8 and Tuesday, December 9, 2014 9am – 12pm @ 9100 S. Burley Avenue Positions/Locations: Floating Community Watchers for Bowen High School, 2710 E. 89th Street and Corliss High School, 821 E. 103rd... more

Learn how SWOP can assist you in enrolling your child or children into All Kids for free.

The All Kids program offers low and moderate Illinois children free or low cost insurance that covers comprehensive healthcare including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, vision care and dental care and medical devices like eyeglasses and asthma inhalers. For more informatio... more

SWOP applies for an ISBE 21st Century Community Learning Center grant for 2014-15

Wednesday, July 16, 2014 The Southwest Organizing Project intends to apply to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant in partnership with Marquette Elementary School. The 21st CCLC will allow SWOP to expand educational, social-emotional, and en... more

SWOP’s "Reclaiming Southwest Chicago" Housing Campaign Moves Forward

SWOP SWOP continues to move on its effort to respond to the large numbers of vacant buildings plaguing the Southwest side by submitting a funding proposal to the Illinois Attorney General office as part of their request for proposals for the National Foreclosure Settlement Awards. Back in July 2012... more

SWOP LEADERS MAKE HISTORY AT DRIVER’S LICENSE BILL SIGNING

On January 28, SWOP leaders watched as Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the highway safety legislation into law. Illinois makes history by becoming the first state in over a decade that had the courage to work in a bipartisan manner to pass driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants.... more

SWOP’s Next NAI Citizenship Workshop is March 23rd at Daley Community College

Wednesday, February 27, 2013 Since 2005, the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) has been a lead organization in the in the New Americans Initiative (NAI). Through NAI, administered by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) in partnership with the Illinois Department of ... more

New Hoops in the Hood video

Monday, December 19, 2011 For the last several years, Tu Multimedia, through videos and audio slideshows, has been documenting Hoops in the Hood, the summer basketball program that LISC/Chicago supports in communities throughout the city. Heres the latest.....

Historic Gately Stadium Reopens
After Sweeping Renovation

Friday, November 11, 2011 Football players from eight public schools and South Side park districts that share decades-old Gately Stadium in Roseland gathered on Oct. 14 to celebrate a renovation that includes a new synthetic turf field, scoreboard, lighting and seating. They were joined just before ... more

Hoops in the Hood

Monday, December 19, 2011

Hoops in the Hood:
Profile of Volunteer Coach Darren Tillis

Friday, November 11, 2011 Community volunteers are an integral part of all successful neighborhood efforts – including Hoops in the Hood, a partnership of LISC/Chicago and organizations in 11 neighborhoods to offer summer sports programs focused on building youth engagement, leadership and co... more

From Learn and Earn to Slam and Jam

Friday, November 11, 2011 John McCarron “There’s no time to get in trouble.” If the Near North Unity Project needed a motto this summer, Shelby Tharpe surely nailed it. It was a sticky-hot Friday afternoon and the 13-year-old was conferring with his buddy, Leon Wilbut, near basketb... more

Sunshine Enterprises to host Community Business Academy info session

Through the Community Business Academy, Sunshine Enterprises teaches not only business principles such as finance, marketing, and accounting; they also work with marketplace coaches and trainers--experts in their fields--matching them with local entrepreneurs to develop sustainable growth strategies... more

63rd Street small business community celebrates Valentine's Day together

A QandA with Nick Kollias, SSA Manager for the 63rd Street Commercial District. Tomorrow on Saturday, February 14th our businesses will be participating in our community’s district wide promotion to celebrate Valentine’s Day. This year, we have more than 100 businesses participating and ... more

Feb. 15 is the last day to get 2015 Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) health insurance plan

Sunday, February 15 is the last day to enroll for health insurance coverage. To help you beat the rush and avoid the penalty for not having health insurance, Aunt Martha’s Health Center will be offering FREE enrollment assistance at our Affordable Care Act Enrollment (ObamaCare) Fairs througho... more

Empowerment Fair focuses on entrepreneurship and personal debt

The Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta along with the undergraduate chapter, Lambda, is hosting an Empowerment Fair on Saturday, February 21st. The focus is on entrepreneurship and personal debt. An exciting line up of workshops and speakers is planned, including Lynn Richardson, best-s... more

Unflinching in the Fight Against Fraud

To protect your family financially, you buy health and life insurance. To protect your home, you get homeowner’s insurance, a security alarm, or perhaps a large dog. To protect your jewelry, you hide it in a safe place or buy insurance in case you need to replace it. To protect your money, you... more

FOUR WORLD PREMIERES FEATURED IN “WINNING WORKS,” CULMINATION OF JOFFREY’S 2015 CHOREOGRAPHERS OF COLOR AWARDS Published: March

Four World Premieres FEATURED IN “Winning Works,” Culmination of Joffrey’s 2015 Choreographers of Color Awards Presented in association with the Museum of Contemporary Art, March 7-8, 2015 CHICAGO – TheJoffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, and th... more

Security Is Our Middle Name

On March 6, Americans recognize Middle Name Pride Day. At the Social Security Administration, our middle name is “Security,” and every day, we do everything we can to live up to that name. As part of protecting our vital services, we safeguard against all forms of Social Security fraud.... more

Auburn Gesham Walmart Neighborhood Market Grand Opening!

What a beautiful day in the Auburn Gresham community, for a grand opening of a NEW Walmart Neighborhood Market, on 76th and Ashland, 60620. At one point in time, this particular area was filled with vibrant industry providing hundreds of jobs for the community. Now the NEW Walmart has opened up wel... more

Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve

February is the month when we celebrate love and friendship. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has also declared February as American Heart Month to bring awareness to the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States: heart disease. We encourage you to wear red all month... more

African American History Celebration, Dr. Cornel West At St. Sabina Church

African American History Celebration - Sunday Workship Service, February 22, 2015, 11:15 am - Dr. Cornel West, St. Sabina Church, 1210 W. 78th Place, Chicago, 60620 Dr. Cornel West is a prominent and proactive democratic intellectual. A graduate of Princeton and Harvard Universities. He has ta... more

FOUR WORLD PREMIERES FEATURED IN “WINNING WORKS,” CULMINATION OF JOFFREY’S 2015 CHOREOGRAPHERS OF COLOR AWARDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Four World Premieres FEATURED IN “Winning Works,” Culmination of Joffrey’s 2015 Choreographers of Color Awards Presented in association with the Museum of Contemporary Art, March 7-8, 2015 CHICAGO – TheJoffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The... more

ComEd Employees Plunge into Lake Michigan’s Frozen Water for Special Olympics

CHICAGO (Feb. 28, 2015) — The cold, frigid waters of Lake Michigan won’t be a match for hundreds of ComEd employees as they take the plunge during the company’s largest volunteer event of the year. ComEd employees, joined by their family members and friends, are expected to jump in... more

So Fresh Saturdays' is Baaaack for Black History Month!

The Resident Association is excited to host a special Black History Month Edition of So Fresh Saturdays! So Fresh Saturdays was developed to educate, empower and provide a “safe space” for youth and residents the Englewood community and citywide. Join us February 28th at Hamilton Park... more

Follow The Groundhog’s Example: Stay Indoors

Every year, in February, we wait to see if Punxsutawney Phil, the world’s most famous groundhog, will predict six more weeks of winter. Huge crowds have waited for Phil’s prediction each year since 1886. For Phil, seeing his shadow predicts six more weeks of winter-like weather. More oft... more

Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve

February is the month when we celebrate love and friendship. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has also declared February as American Heart Month to bring awareness to the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States: heart disease. We encourage you to wear red all month ... more

Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center Opens New Orthopedic Center

The new Presence Medical Group (PMG) Orthopedic Center recently opened in a fully renovated space in the Presence Saint Elizabeth Professional Office Building, 1431 N. Western Ave., Suite 134, Chicago. Opening this new center is part of Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center’s (PSME... more

Follow The Groundhog’s Example: Stay Indoors

Every year, in February, we wait to see if Punxsutawney Phil, the world’s most famous groundhog, will predict six more weeks of winter. Huge crowds have waited for Phil’s prediction each year since 1886. For Phil, seeing his shadow predicts six more weeks of winter-like weather. More oft... more

Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve

February is the month when we celebrate love and friendship. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has also declared February as American Heart Month to bring awareness to the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States: heart disease. We encourage you to wear red all month ... more

Batavia Allstate Agent Recognized for Outstanding Volunteerism

Allstate agency owner David Rosenberg received the Agency Hands in the Community Award for his commitment to helping others. With this award came a $1000 grant from The Allstate Foundation for Feed My Starving Children in Coon Rapids, Minn., where Rosenberg volunteers. Allstate agents and employees... more

Bickerdike Wins Polk Bros. Foundation Affordable Rental Housing Preservation Award

Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation won citywide recognition on February 17th for preserving and improving affordable rental units in Humboldt Park’s 1704 N. Humboldt Building at Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago’s 21st Annual Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards (... more

Three more portals for Smart Communities

The three Southwest neighborhoods in Chicagos Smart Communities program launched their portals yesterday, creating a wide new avenue for interaction among residents, businesses and organizations.They are works in progress, with some empty spaces yet to fill, but already the portals offer new stories... more

Peirce on Daley

Syndicated state and local government columnist Neal Peirces recent summary of Mayor Daleys legacy on the Citistates site will seem fawning to Daleys critics. There is only a brief mention at the end about patronage and corruption, and no mention at all about the privatization controversies that hav... more

Preview: Humboldt Park Launches Its Portal

Its still a work in progress, according to the team that made it happen, but the Humboldt Park Portal, a day after its "soft" launch, looks pretty good to me. It features a nice selection of stories from various contributors and organizations, a packed calendar (Movies in the Park, Jens Jensen birth... more

Take a Tour of Pilsen - by Video or Phone

Weve written here before about how neighborhoods are using multimedia tools to promote their work and their neighborhoods, but couldnt have imagined, even six months ago, how far the groups would come, and how fast.Audio slideshows are now available for 10 neighborhoods as part of the Chicago Commun... more

Front-Yard Signs Call Out Banks on Foreclosures

Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) is "naming names" of banks that are foreclosing on properties on Chicagos Southwest Side, where 7,300 foreclosures have been filed over two years in four area ZIP Codes. The bank names are prominently featured on yard signs that say "Deutsch Bank (or Citibank or J... more

Old Pullman Wins at CNDA … As Do Young Leaders

From a fast-unfolding plan to redevelop the historic Pullman District on the Far South Side to the stunning rehab of a run-down SRO hotel on the North, the 2015 Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards had the city covered. But most of all, the 21st annual CNDA event on Feb. 17 at the Chicago Hilto... more

Listen Up! Youth Speaks at CNDA on Feb. 17

“Learning is ever in the freshness of youth, even for the old.” -Aeschylus The ancient Greek had it about right – the young have much to teach us, even as we latter-day ancients labor to teach them. So why not, for a change, let some youngsters educate us about things urban at ... more

AmeriCorps Provides Pipeline of Talent, Energy

The community development employment pipeline doesn’t run in a straight line. No formal academic trail leads to this type of work, and while everyone entering serves an informal apprenticeship through on-the-job training, it’s hardly well defined. But for LISC Chicago, one of the most ... more

Police-Community Programs Win MetLife Foundation Awards

Good things happen when local police officers build real relationships with people in the neighborhood and partner with community organizations. That’s been known for a long time, and there are specific terms, ideas like “restorative justice” and “racial reconciliation,&rdquo... more

Community Organizing: Step One for Neighborhood Change

Dust the surface of any significant neighborhood improvement, from the clean-up of a park, to a new affordable apartment building, to the initiation of a public safety project, and you’ll likely find the fingerprints of a community organizer. Those projects rarely happen without public appro... more

Low Wage Workers Forum, TONIGHT 2/11, 6 p.m.

The surge of groups speaking today for low wage workers is unprecedented in Chicago. What do they want? Who are they? What’s likely to happen? Tonight – Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. these workers, the groups that represent them, and the community organizations and others that are standing behind... more

Students promote Martin Luther King’s values

Uplift High students participating in the Peace Ambassadors program will be honored Friday, January 17, 9:30 a.m., at 900 W. Wilson.

The Obama tour

Marking the fifth anniversary of Barack Obamas election as president, Forgotten Chicago is offering a tour of the Chicago sites from Obamas life in Chicago on November 10.

Ames parent mobilize

Ames Middle School parents will canvas the neighborhood Saturday morning to spread the word about community meetings at the school Tuesday at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Foreclosures and the black community

Author Laura Gottesdiener will discuss her new book, "A Dream Foreclosed: Black America and the Fight for a Place to Call Home," joined by activists from the Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign and Residents Association of Greater Englewood, on Wednesday, October 30, 6 p.m., at the Center for the Study o... more

Education is Focus of Mayoral Election

Although Tuesday’s Chicago mayoral election saw a record low voter turnout, education policy stood out as a key issue for voters. Tuesday did not bring any closure to the race as Mayor Rahm Emanuel failed to obtain the necessary 50 percent plus one votes for an outright victory. Emanuel and Cook Cou... more

Runoffs May Help Voter Turnout

The after Chicago’s day municipal elections, headlines focused on the runoff between Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, but an interesting subplot was how few voters turned out to the polls and even fewer knew anything about the aldermanic candidat... more

South Loop Voters Concerned about Bike Lanes

Voters in the South Loop expressed their displeasure as they headed to the polls on Tuesday for Chicago’s mayoral and aldermanic elections. Voters at a polling place in Grace Episcopal Church in the South Loop on Tuesday said they were passionate about bike lanes and other issues. “Our city is... more

Voters Unenthusiastically Support Emanuel

Voter turnout for Tuesday’s mayoral and aldermanic elections neared record lows, which election worker Connie Wade was due to the public’s failure to follow the issues confronting the city. “I don’t think people have full knowledge of how important it is to vote in their ward, said Wade.... more

School Nurses Concerned about CPS Outsourcing

The Chicago Teachers Union, along with active and retired school nurses, derided the Chicago Board of Education’s plan to outsource and privatize school nursing services, saying it is critical students have access to certified nurses in their schools and warning the board’s decision could create a h... more

In the News: Lewis says she's not stepping down

Karen Lewis, president of the Chicago Teachers Union, says she isn’t stepping down over an “inappropriate joke she made about Education Secretary Arne Duncan. While her remarks were insensitive, they were just 120 seconds of her 35-minute speech at a social justice event in Seattle last month, Lewi... more

CPS moves forward on principal prep program, single hs application

At a low-key board meeting, district officials told members they are formally looking for partners to better prepare principals. Also, board members approved a contract for the development of a singular application for high schools to take the place of the hodge podge of applications that parents mu... more

No time to waste on longer day

 Chicago’s children deserve better. The majority of the city’s public school students today are not being prepared for success in this increasingly competitive global economy. Without dramatic change, it is unlikely that Chicago students living in poverty today will even have the chance to live a mi... more

In the News: Groups ready to battle over closings

Community groups around Chicago have begun revving up for what likely will be a fierce battle to keep neighborhood schools open as CPS prepares to announce this years list of school closings and consolidations. (Tribune) All prospective Chicago Public Schools students would have to go through an ap... more

In the News: City schools face Common Core struggle

Some of the best Chicago public schools are struggling to measure up to the recently adopted tougher Common Core curriculum, according to the Tribune. Also, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard announced Monday a new online tool that will allow the public to read school reports for ea... more

Dozens of schools meet closings criteria

About 140 schools, most on the South Side, meet all the key components of the district’s draft criteria to be eligible for closing. This week, the district is holding community forums on the proposed criteria. Sometime after Nov. 21, CEO Jean-Claude Brizard will issue final guidelines. A week and a... more

A raw idea: Owners changing up pets' diets

Before dogs were domesticated, they ate what they killed -- and they certainly didnt cook it. Now, a new diet designed with that simple philosophy in mind is picking up steam in the pet industry. Some dog owners say it makes their pups healthier and happier, but others say its just not worth the... more

CTA financial statements reflect positive steps in efficiency and emissions

A push to lower emissions and some smart commodity buying led the CTA to a drastic reduction in operating costs.

Cancer survivor’s difficult road to hit smooth pavement across America

Evan Bartlett’s life began with a huge challenge. At four months old, he was diagnosed with a life-threatening form of cancer and given a 65 percent chance of surviving.

Color Jam brings back vinyl

Have you noticed the pop of color in Chicagos Loop? You may have touched it and not even realized. Color Jam, an art installation by multimedia artist Jessica Stockholder, blankets the corner of State and Adams.

Last chance to see Venus phenomenon, in this lifetime

Last chance to see Venus phenomenon, in this lifetime venuschicago Venus Transit Venussplash Transit of Venus dazzles thousands at Adler Planetarium Venus trek across the sun tracked by thousands at the Adler

Community Development Data Guidebook

Collecting sound data and using it intelligently is consistently important for community developers, to evaluate the results of their own work and to tell the story of that work to residents, funders and other important stakeholders. The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco has compiled a “ho... more

Webinar: Ripple Effect Mapping

Ripple Effect Mapping (REM) offers a way to better understand intended and unintended results of a program, intervention, or collaborative for individuals, groups, sectors, or communities. The REM process combines elements of Appreciative Inquiry, mind mapping, group interviewing, and qualitative d... more

Building Healthier Communities, One Data Point At a Time

Community developers increasingly understand that people living in neighborhoods with decent housing, safe streets and easy access to fresh food are more likely to be in good health. But it can be hard to answer the cause-and-effect question when it comes to linking that good health to the work of ... more

Report Looks At Creative Financing for Creative Placemaking

In December 2014, the Kresge Foundation and the Surdna Foundation convened a group of lenders, grantmakers and creative placemaking practitioners to discuss the barriers to fully integrating arts and culture into community development initiatives and to come up with some solutions. This report out... more

LISC’s Financial Opportunity Centers Show Real-Life Results

The Washington Post recently recognized LISC’s Financial Opportunity Centers as a successful vehicle for helping families and individuals achieve financial stability. The story, by personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary, highlights a LISC-supported Financial Opportunity Center in Hous... more

New day dawns in Pullman

George Pullman had a couple of good reasons for building his railcar manufacturing plant and workers’ village on Chicago’s far South Side in 1881. One, land was cheaper there than near the city center. And, two, it was so far from downtown that his employees would be isolated from the &l... more

Homebuyer Fair Taps Instinct to Buy

They arrived, often two-by-two, like pilgrims to Mecca, drawn by the dream of homeownership to the soaring architecture of West Pullman’s Kroc Community Center on 119th Street. They came from Back of the Yards, Cicero, Chatham, Humboldt Park, and a handful of other neighborhoods, from one end ... more

In Logan Square and Hermosa, home buyers on the hunt

Vanessa Valentin and James Rudyk aren’t exactly salesmen – they’re respectively a community organizer and executive director for the Northwest Side Housing Center – but they recently demonstrated the art of persuasion while leading a trolley-full of potential home buyers thro... more

NSP: Where it's been, where it's going

Katie Ludwig discussing the Neighborhood Stabilization Program at a public meeting on Chicagos South Side. Gordon Walek Writer Bill Healy recently spoke with Katie Ludwig, an assistant commissioner dealing with foreclosure mitigation in the Chicago’s Department of Housing and Economic Deve... more

Mayor hails first fruit of foreclosure fight

Alicia Ivy is fed up with the foreclosure blight dragging down her block in West Humboldt Park and was only too happy, on the sunny first Friday of 2012, to give Mayor Rahm Emanuel a walking tour of the lowlights. “This is what we’re up against,” Ivy said, waving at a boarded-up, g... more

Measuring an Era

Demond Drummer wasn’t at all shocked to get such a heartfelt endorsement of the impact of what he teaches as the tech organizer at Teamwork Englewood. But how it was delivered was a bit of a surprise. One afternoon, while walking down the street in Englewood, one of his former students from a... more

Job Search 2.0

A hard-working student at Kennedy-King College in Englewood, Gabrielle Thompkins has turned to the Smart Communities program in a lot of ways. Help finding a job is just the most recent example. Thompkins is one of thousands of residents in the five Smart Communities who’ve taken computer tra... more

Report: Web Use Way Up in Smart Communities

Residents participating in LISC Chicagos Smart Communities program are using high-speed Internet more frequently, but greater access to affordable broadband at home remains an issue for at-risk communities, according to new research released by Broadband Illinois. The "Measuring Change in Internet ... more

Small, Smart and Ready

At Reciclarte Studio, Leticia Rodarte’s art gallery on Ashland Avenue, almost everything for sale is made from recycled materials, much of it by Rodarte herself. It’s a fun, funky kind of store—the type of place that brings in visitors from across Chicago to Pilsen. But Rodarte k... more

Lessons for Life

It’s yet another mercilessly hot July day in Chicago—the temperature hovers at 94 degrees outside—yet class is in session. More than a dozen local residents are sitting at computer workstations in Englewood’s FamilyNet Center at Kennedy-King College for a free, 90-minute co... more