Illinois news

• ‘Rolling out’ and Lexus drive ‘Live Up To It’ program to extremes

  20-07-2024 19:56
  
   
   
  Photo credit: Brianna Devons
  Rolling out and Lexus have partnered for the remarkably dynamic “Live Up To It” program designed by rolling out to celebrate adventurous Black Americans breaking barriers in their respective fields while introducing the luxurious all-new 2024 Lexus GX. Kavata Swimwear founder Nate Fluellen and Oyster Expedition founder Woodie White are “living up to it” and inspiring others to do the same.
  Adven
  
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• Review: Manhunter: The Final Cut

  21-07-2026 22:45 via chicagoreader.com
  
  Manhunter: The Final Cut in limited release in theaters
  The post Review: <i>Manhunter: The Final Cut</i> appeared first on Chicago Reader.
  
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• NAACP, Attorney Benjamin Crump announces results of independent autopsy in death of Nolan Wells

  21-07-2026 22:17
  
  Press Conference to Be Held During the 117th NAACP National ConventionThe NAACP and nationally renowned civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump will hold a press conference on Wednesday, July 22, to announce the findings of an independent autopsy conducted in connection with the death of Nolan Wells. Family members, legal representatives, and NAACP leadership are expected to be in attendance for the briefing.The press conference will provide media with an opportunity to hear directly from attorney
  
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• Anne Helen Wells’s new album honors the intimacy and care in BDSM

  21-07-2026 22:11 via chicagoreader.com
  
  For the past couple years, Chicago electronic artist Anne Helen Wells has been working on pulsating, sugary tracks that cleave to a single theme: desire. That feeling smolders through her arty new second album, Edith, which documents her evolving relationship with her romantic and BDSM partner. She met her “daddy” in October 2024.  “I have […]
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• Trump Finally Pays E. Jean Carroll $5.6 Million After Sexual Abuse Verdict

  21-07-2026 19:00
  
  The sitting president of the United States has been found liable for sexually abusing a woman. It took three years, repeated appeals, and a Supreme Court that declined to intervene, but E. Jean Carroll finally received the millions Donald Trump owed her.
  The journalist, who is 82, received $5,625,005.48 on July 9, court records confirm — the $5 million a unanimous nine-person jury awarded her in May 2023, plus three years of post-judgment interest that accumulated while Trump fought the v
  
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• Self-Help kicks off HBCU Promise+ Legacy Program with First Legacy Accelerator convening in Chicago

  21-07-2026 17:11
  
  Self-Help today announced the launch of its HBCU Promise+ Legacy Program, kicking off the initiative with the inaugural HBCU Legacy Accelerator Program convening in Chicago. During the three-day workshop, leaders from six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) came together to begin a two-year collaborative designed to strengthen institutional resilience, preserve campus assets, and expand long-term economic opportunity for students, alumni, and surrounding communities.The inaugura
  
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• Nolan Wells’ Mother Received Anonymous Hate Mail Before Son’s Funeral

  21-07-2026 17:00
  
  The hate mail arrived as Wonsley and her family continue to grieve publicly while seeking answers about Nolan’s death.In an Instagram video shared July 16, she described the emotional weight of the previous two weeks.
  “Right now everything is so heavy. Everything is so heavy,” she said. “I’m a healthcare provider so I talk about grief a lot. Now to be on the other side of this, it’s a lot. This loss, this pain, this grief hits different. It’s unsurmount
  
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• Commissioner Donna Miller Announces over $4 million to support infrastructure, housing, and development in Southland communities

  21-07-2026 16:54
  
  Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller is proud to announce that more than $4 million in total funding has been allocated for communities and organizations across the 6th District through the Invest in Cook Program and the 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and related federal funding programs.These investments will improve critical infrastructure, expand transportation access, strengthen affordable housing and homelessness prevention efforts, support
  
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• Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Youth Works on track to hire 29,000 young People, 4 years in a row 

  21-07-2026 16:40
  
  Over 28,000 young Chicagoans have been placed in summer jobs as additional spots continue to be filled. Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) announced that, as of today, 28,793 young people have been hired for summer employment opportunities through Chicago Youth Works (CYW)—an increase of more than 40% since Mayor Johnson took office. The Mayor joined City officials
  
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• Former Miss Universe Jamaica Finalist LaToya Malcolm Dead At 35

  21-07-2026 15:00
  
  LaToya Malcolm, a former Miss Universe Jamaica finalist and the 2024 Miss Jamaica Bikini International titleholder, has died at 35.
  Miss Universe Jamaica announced her passing in a statement posted to Instagram on Saturday (July 18), per the Jamaica Observer. 
  “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Miss Universe Jamaica alumna LaToya Malcolm, who proudly competed in the 2024 Miss Universe Jamaica competition,” the organization wrote. “Our heartfelt condolences are with
  
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• What is Illinois Governor JB Pritzker really like when the cameras aren’t focused on politics?

  20-07-2026 19:59
  
  In this exclusive episode of Mama, I Made It!, Samantha Chatman sits down one-on-one with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker for a conversation that goes far beyond the headlines. Governor Pritzker opens up about the woman who inspired his life of public service, sharing the powerful story of his mother and the impact her battle with alcoholism had on his family. He also reflects on growing up as a Pritzker, the lessons he learned from his family’s business legacy, and how he became one of Ame
  
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• Cook County down payment assistance program now open

  20-07-2026 17:07
  
  The Cook County Bureau of Economic Development’s Department of Planning and Development today launched a third phase of the Cook County Down Payment Assistance Program. The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved the funds earlier this year.  The approved allocation of $2 million will assist residents in the homebuying process. Lenders participating in the program can access fundin
  
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• Chicago songwriter Ktwheels refreshes classic alt-rock

  20-07-2026 16:00 via chicagoreader.com
  
  Ktwheels Fri 8/7 at Cole's Bar
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• The transformative power of public housing

  20-07-2026 15:18 via chicagoreader.com
  
  “Nathaniel Mary Quinn: A Love Letter to My Mother” through 8/23 at the National Public Housing Museum
  The post The transformative power of public housing appeared first on Chicago Reader.
  
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• EPA Rollback Could Bring Dirtier Air to Black Communities

  19-07-2026 13:43
  
  by Willy BlackmoreFor decades, highways and industrial corridors have exposed Black communities to disproportionate levels of diesel pollution. As the Trump administration eases clean truck standards, environmental advocates warn those neighborhoods could once again pay the highest price.The research is conclusive: Black communities are disproportionately exposed to diesel exhaust and other traffic-related pollution. So when Biden-era crackdowns on diesel emissions were scheduled to take e
  
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• Salvation Army Centers open during air quality alert

  19-07-2026 13:40
  
  Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services provides 600,000 masks to Chicago First RespondersAs hazardous wildfire smoke continues to impact the Chicago region and air quality levels reach unhealthy ranges, The Salvation Army is opening select facilities across Chicagoland as Air Quality Respite Centers for residents seeking relief from smoky outdoor conditions.Air quality across the region has deteriorated significantly due to smoke from ongoing wildfires in Canada and Minnesota. On Friday, Ai
  
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• Divorce in the Black Church: Why Women Often Bear the Blame

  19-07-2026 13:39
  
  by Rev. Dorothy BoulwareNearly two centuries after the first Black woman preacher, more women are called to ministry — but tradition and bias still keep many from the pulpit.While there are some who preach, others who lead, and even an AME bishop, fewer than 1 in 10 Black church leadership positions are led by Black women. That’s despite the fact that 8 in 10 Black church congregants are Black women. Experts say progress has been slower and uneven than expected.Born into a free Blac
  
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• Cook County state’s attorney brings charges against Bellwood police officer

  19-07-2026 13:39
  
  CCSAO Announces Official Misconduct Charge Filed Against Bellwood Police Officer CHICAGO – A Bellwood Police Officer has been charged with a felony count of official misconduct for allegedly sharing confidential law enforcement information with an acquaintance who was a suspect in a crime, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Saturday.   The CCSAO’s Law Enforcement Review Unit (LERU) approved a ch
  
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• Mike DFG plays the rap game as a team sport

  18-07-2026 20:22 via chicagoreader.com
  
  Rising Chicago artists, whether they sign to major labels or stay independent, often partner with established local managers as their careers gain traction. South-side rapper Recoechi, fresh off last year’s Flavaz, works with John Monopoly (best known for managing Kanye West) and Alexander Fruchter (aka DJ RTC, cofounder of local label Closed Sessions). Thirteendegrees° is […]
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• The power is in the people at the Chosen Few Picnic

  17-07-2026 18:10 via chicagoreader.com
  
  In the more than 40 years since house music emerged from Chicago’s gay Black nightlife scene, it’s become vital to survival for many. Chicago-born DJ crew the Chosen Few helped turn the music into a movement, and since 1990, their annual Chosen Few Picnic has helped sustain that movement.  Wayne Williams started the Chosen Few […]
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• ‘Everything Is So Heavy’: Nolan Wells’ Mother Speaks Out About Grief

  17-07-2026 17:46
  
  Nolan Wells‘ mother is speaking publicly about what life has looked like in the days since losing her son.
  Christine Wonsley posted a video to Instagram on Wednesday (July 16) in which she described the weight of grieving a child while simultaneously fighting for answers about how he died.
  As a healthcare provider, she said she has talked about grief professionally for years. Being on the other side of it, she said, is something else entirely.
  “Right now everything is so heavy. Ever
  
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• Chicago air quality among worst in the world: Cook County urges residents to protect health

  17-07-2026 16:49
  
  Air quality alert in effect for Cook County through SaturdayChicago experienced some of the worst air quality in the world among major cities Thursday as wildfire smoke drifted into the region.The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency issued a Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Day, warning that air conditions could become unhealthy — and potentially hazardous — for everyone. Officials say the poor air quality could persist into Friday.City officials cautioned that older adul
  
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• Review: The Odyssey

  17-07-2026 16:00 via chicagoreader.com
  
  The Odyssey in wide release in theaters
  The post Review: <i>The Odyssey</i> appeared first on Chicago Reader.
  
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• Trump’s Election Speech Was Full Of False Claims — Here’s The Fact-Check

  17-07-2026 15:38
  
  President Trump used a primetime address Thursday night (July 16) to revive disputed claims about election security, including assertions CBS News rated false, misleading, exaggerated or unsupported by evidence.
  Trump opened by alleging that China “carried out what is believed to be the largest compromise of election data in history” during the 2020 election cycle. CBS News rated this claim misleading. 
  What Trump didn’t mention: most voter data — names, addresses,
  
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• Is southeast Chicago at the quantum crossroads?

  17-07-2026 00:11 via chicagoreader.com
  
  The post Is southeast Chicago at the quantum crossroads? appeared first on Chicago Reader.
  
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• SAIC’s Palestine problem

  16-07-2026 23:01 via chicagoreader.com
  
  Savneet Talwar is a well-respected art therapist, a subject she has taught at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for nearly 20 years. Talwar’s approach to art therapy is rooted in anti-colonial frameworks, social justice, and intersectional feminism. One former student told the Reader she chose SAIC’s art therapy program to study with […]
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• New Audio & GPS Data Provide Clearest Timeline Yet In Nolan Wells Case

  16-07-2026 22:51
  
  Newly obtained audio and GPS data are providing the clearest timeline yet of the boat’s movements before Nolan Wells was reported missing on Horn Island.
  NBC News obtained audio through a records request capturing the group calling for emergency towing assistance on the afternoon of July 4, after their boat’s bilge pump failed. 
  “Hey, we’re at the west tip of Horn, and our bilge pump stopped working. We’re going. We’re sinking. Can you all please come?&rd
  
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• Getting Wilde with SALOMÉ

  16-07-2026 19:20 via chicagoreader.com
  
  SALOMÉ, 7/19-7/31 at United Church of Rogers Park
  The post Getting Wilde with <i>SALOMÉ</i> appeared first on Chicago Reader.
  
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• Nolan Wells Case Will Go To A Grand Jury — Here’s What That Means

  16-07-2026 19:00
  
  The findings of the investigation into Nolan Wells‘ death will be presented to a grand jury once the inquiry is complete, Jackson County officials confirmed Wednesday (July 15) — while cautioning that the process does not necessarily mean investigators suspect criminal activity.
  Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents the Wells family, announced the development following a morning meeting between the family and Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath — th
  
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• Parts and sums

  16-07-2026 18:40 via chicagoreader.com
  
  The Moviegoer is the diary of a local film buff, collecting the best of what Chicago’s independent and underground film scene has to offer. Movies are the sum of their parts, but those parts are also the sum of themselves. As my cinephilia continues to evolve, I find myself focusing on different things about the […]
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