Growing Opportunities for Ex-Convicts in Urban Agriculture
By Anna Boisseau Antonio Henry only recently learned he likes lunchbox peppers. “They’re so sweet, you can just eat them straight,” he said of the multi-colored vegetables that he learned to grow last summer at a local urban farm. Henry is a former member of Windy City Harvest Corps, a 14-week program through the Chicago […]
Chicago’s homeless discouraged from voting in primaries
By Harry Huggins While Chicagoans line up next Tuesday to vote in the presidential primaries, those who suffer from policy and market failures will be on the streets and in shelters. In 2013, former Governor Pat Quinn signed the Illinois Bill of Rights for the Homeless, which includes the right to vote, register to vote […]
Volunteers phone bank for Asian American civic engagement
By Shanshan Wang Audio by Jenny G. Zhang Rebecca Ozaki has been trying to encourage Asian Americans to vote through phone banking, which she hopes will be effective in getting them to the polls. “Why we call is because a lot of people may not be told what difference they can have by voting in […]
Gladiator has a new attitude, ready to slay competition
By Jasmine Cannon Christ the King girls basketball team usually leans on its senior class for vocal leadership and to carry the team on the court, but younger Gladiator, Kaylesha Johnson, is making some surprise contributions. [vimeo 158264148 w=474]
“Brand Ambassador” promotion boosting profits at Express Inc.
By Poroma Pant Retailer Express Inc., citing the help from a series of successful celebrity endorser campaigns, turned in fourth-quarter earnings Wednesday that modestly beat analyst estimates. For the quarter ended Jan 30, the Ohio-based apparel chain reported net earnings of $56.1 million, or 67 cents per share compared to $41.8 million, or 49 cents […]
From the Streets to the Courts: Skyhawks wheelchair basketball helps gunshot survivors adapt
By Shen Wu Tan Video by Hannah Gebresilassie Marcus Jones was shot four times during an attempted armed robbery on April 17, 1995 on Chicago’s Southeast Side. Struck three times in the leg and once in the lower back, Jones suffered a serious injury and was devastated when doctors told him he would never walk […]
Sharing stuff? Farmers do it, too
By Alison Martin In this economy, sharing is caring – and trendy. Lyft Inc. and Uber Technologies Inc. popularized ride-sharing, making it easy for car owners to share their cars with riders. Airbnb Inc. allows homeowners to share their spaces with travelers while the homeowners are away. Now this concept of sharing is moving to the […]
A first sign of spring: Morrie O’Malley’s Hot Dogs reopens for 28th season
By Brooke Rayford On his lunch break yesterday, Chicago native Anthony James enjoyed a warm, sunny day, a hot dog and a hamburger for the first time this year on the patio of Morrie O’Malley’s. The famous hot dog stand reopened for its 28th season on Monday to high temperatures and long lines, welcoming back […]
Illinois Developmental Centers Are to Remain Open
By Shen Wu Tan The seven Illinois state-operated developmental centers, housing individuals with developmental disabilities, will not close, according to the second proposed state budget. Due to the number of individuals still living in these centers and the amount of time it takes to transition these residents into the community, the state cannot justify shutting […]
Could these tiny judokas follow in grandpa’s Olympic footsteps?
By Nicole Sedivy On a recent evening, three little Cohens-in-training – all wearing judogi uniforms – were sticking their tongues out at each other, falling down, laughing and bouncing against the mats on the wall. The kids just want to have fun: Strangulation, arm bars and pins can wait a few years. But not forever. […]
