A number of events are being held this weekend to honor the civl rights leader, starting with an interfaith celebration at 10 a.m. Jan. 15. Other events are planned by Nonviolence Chicago and the Community Renewal Society on Jan. 18 and 19.
News
Family members plead for improved prison conditions amid spike in COVID-19 cases
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The relatives of several Illinois prisoners shared their concerns about how COVID-19 is affecting their loved ones. As of Jan. 11, 9,318 prisoners and 3,625 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, said Alan Mills, executive director of Uptown People’s Law Clinic. That number would be far lower if the Illinois Department of Corrections had started universal testing sooner, Mills said.
#PayItForwardLive
Two Austin businesses receive grants
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Two Austin businesses received small business grants to help them keep their doors open during the coronavirus pandemic. Mary Shyrese Home Day Care, 5418 W. Jackson Blvd., and Raze Up Grooming, 520 S. Laramie Ave., both secured small business grants from LISC Chicago, which received funding from the Verizon Foundation. LISC is now accepting applications for its Rebuild Distressed Communities grant program. An informational webinar will be held later this week.
health
Loretto Hospital seeking more people of color for COVID-19 clinical trial
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Loretto Hospital hosted a virtual town hall last week featuring medical experts discussing the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines, and the importance of having people of color participate in the clinical trials.
opioids
Overdose deaths hit record levels in Cook County in 2020
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Faith leaders on the West Side are being encouraged to get trained on how to stop someone from having an overdose. At the monthly meeting of the 15th Police District’s faith-based leaders, attendees also were urged to complete training offered by the Chicago chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
budget
Residents can soon cast their votes in 29th Ward participatory budgeting
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Residents of the 29th Ward will soon have the opportunity to vote on how to spend about $1 million in their community. The goal is for residents to be able to vote on several possible projects before the end of January.
Business
St. Catherine – St. Lucy students hope to repeat last year’s performance in stock market contest
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The 8th grade class is competing in an annual, year-long competition that introduces investing basics and the importance of financial intelligence to hundreds of students in the Chicago area. Last year, the 8th graders from St. Catherine – St. Lucy placed third out of 64 teams.
Elijah Sims
Police say teen’s murder is solved, but family believes others were involved
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Four years after her son’s murder, Sharita Galloway is still fighting for Chicago Police to solve his case. She said the person CPD identified as her son’s killer didn’t commit the crime, but detectives won’t listen to her. Victim advocates say it’s a problem for more than just Elijah Sims’ mother that police don’t communicate with family members, and that gives the impression they aren’t interested in solving cases.
black excellence
Lewis School receives grant to help teachers be more culturally responsive
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Principal Aquabah Gonney-Buckner was able to secure $10,000 in funding for her school, the Leslie Lewis School of Excellence. Teachers at the Austin school are learning about the history of race and race relations to prepare themselves for the difficult conversations they say students are ready to have.
Austin
Start the new year by getting help buying or repairing your home
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There are a number of programs available to Chicago and/or Cook County residents wanting to buy a home or repair the one they already own. Some of the programs will begin accepting applications in early 2021, so housing advocates urge West Side residents to start organizing their paperwork now.
coronavirus
Black Chicagoans shouldn’t fear the COVID-19 vaccine, elected officials say
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During a virtual press conference held Sunday, Congressman Danny Davis, city Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Alds. Emma Mitts (37th) and Jason Ervin (28th), and Cook County Commissioners Dennis Deer and Donna Miller said it’s imperative African Americans be willing to get the two-dose vaccine. Davis was among the first to get vaccinated earlier this month.