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Chicago Spent $510.9M on Overtime in 2024, Including $273.8M for Police, Down Slightly From Last Year

Heather Cherone | Jared Rutecki | July 22, 2025, 4:38 pm The city of Chicago spent approximately $510.9 million on employee overtime in 2024 — 1.5% less than in 2023, with more than half of the total amount used to compensate Chicago Police Department officers for working extra hours, according to records obtained by WTTW News. The…

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Chicago Eliminates Parking Minimums Near Transit

Changes to a city ordinance make it easier to build ‘by-right’ car-free developments near train stations and pave the way for more affordable housing. July 23, 2025, 6:00 AM PDT By Diana Ionescu Writing in Streetsblog Chicago, Steven Vance and John Greenfield praise the city of Chicago’s recent move to eliminate parking minimums near train stations…

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Illinois officials express concern over Medicaid, SNAP cuts in new budget law

by: Jenna Barnes, Ethan Illers Posted: Jul 8, 2025 / 07:22 PM CDT   CHICAGO (WGN) – Elected officials and local leaders gathered in downtown Chicago Tuesday to discuss their concerns now that President Trump’s so-called “big, beautiful bill” is law. WGN-TV listened in on a roundtable discussion with the American Civil Liberties Union and several Democratic members…

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LGBTQ+ health centers brace for Trump’s attacks

Chicago-area research labs and community health clinics are navigating illegal funding stoppages, censorship, and increasing anti-LGBTQ+ violence under President Donald Trump. by Devyn-Marshall Brown (DMB) June 25, 2025 John Peller’s two decades as an AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) staff member have been marked by highs and lows. In 2010, after President Barack Obama signed the…

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What’s next for CPS?

New leadership and looming budget problems are on the horizon for Chicago Public Schools. by Maureen Kelleher June 26, 2025 June 18 was the last day on the job for Pedro Martinez, the long-embattled chief executive officer of Chicago Public Schools. Only a week before he left, the Chicago Board of Education narrowly voted to appoint…

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Hundreds march in Chicago Disability Pride Parade that celebrates diversity, demands accessibility

Katherine Weaver, Chicago Tribune Sat, July 26, 2025 at 2:31 PM CDT You wouldn’t guess that Matt Keeth has a severe visual impairment from the way he skateboarded up and down Chicago’s Disability Pride Parade in the Loop — if not for the red-and-white striped cane he rolls in front of him. Keeth, 31, a…

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Mother shares struggles obtaining help for her children through early intervention disability program

By Lauren Victory July 11, 2025 / 6:45 PM CDT About 60,000 children with developmental disabilities qualify for a free Illinois program that provides speech, physical therapy, and other services. It’s called “early intervention” and can be a game-changer. The problem is that the service is delayed for more than 2,000 kids. Meet the Heath…

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LGBTQ+ health centers brace for Trump’s attacks

Chicago-area research labs and community health clinics are navigating illegal funding stoppages, censorship, and increasing anti-LGBTQ+ violence under President Donald Trump. by Devyn-Marshall Brown (DMB) June 25, 2025 John Peller’s two decades as an AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) staff member have been marked by highs and lows. In 2010, after President Barack Obama signed the…

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What’s next for CPS?

New leadership and looming budget problems are on the horizon for Chicago Public Schools. by Maureen Kelleher June 26, 2025 June 18 was the last day on the job for Pedro Martinez, the long-embattled chief executive officer of Chicago Public Schools. Only a week before he left, the Chicago Board of Education narrowly voted to appoint…

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Chicago’s Black-owned businesses hope Juneteenth support extends year-round

When Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, many Black-owned businesses reported strong sales. Now, Chicago companies say they hope the trend continues. By  Mariah Rush Jun 19, 2025, 7:00am CDT For years, Essential Elements owner Melanie Whaley sold bedazzled Juneteenth T-shirts, with sayings like “Juneteenth Queen” and “Free-ish and fierce.” This year, the items are…

Local Organizations

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Rainbow PUSH Coalition - We protect, defend, and gain civil rights by leveling the economic and educational playing fields, and to promote peace and justice around the world.

Chicago Urban League - Since 1916, the Chicago Urban League—through collaborative community, corporate and civic relationships—has helped people find jobs, secure affordable housing, enhance their educational experiences, and grow their businesses. One of the oldest and largest affiliates of the National Urban League, we promote strong, sustainable communities through advocacy, innovation, and collaborative community, corporate and civic relationships.

Grassroots Collaborative - Grassroots Collaborative builds power with working families through strategic community-labor organizing, grassroots leadership development, civic engagement, and training. We started in Chicago and our 9 member organizations and their 125,000 members, along with an effective and diverse set of ally organizations across movements create transformative change to win fully funded resources for our public schools, social services, and affordable housing that working families depend on.

First Defense Legal Aid - First Defense Legal Aid provides free, 24-hour legal representation to people in Chicago Police custody and educates Chicagoans about how to protect their constitutional rights. We undertake these activities to promote fairness and accountability in the justice system.

Inner-City Muslim Action Network - The Inner-City Muslim Action Network is a community organization that fosters health, wellness and healing in the inner-city by organizing for social change, cultivating the arts, and operating a holistic health center. IMAN incorporated as a nonprofit in 1997 through the drive of people directly affected by and deeply invested in social issues affecting communities of color living on Chicago’s South Side.

One Northside - Organizing Neighborhoods for Equality: Northside is a mixed-income, multi-ethnic, intergenerational organization that unites our diverse communities. We build collective power to eliminate injustice through bold and innovative community organizing. We accomplish this through developing grassroots leaders and acting together to effect change.

Polished Pebbles - The mission of the Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring Program is to provide girls (7-17 years old) with the opportunity of learning the vital life skill of effective communication. Our Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring program instills confidence in girls to face the challenges of daily life by substituting aggressive forms of communicating and problem solving with new strategies that allow them to gain a solid reputation and respect without retaliating.

Restore Justice Illinois - Restore Justice Illinois believes in the possibility of rehabilitation, redemption, and reunification with the community for all incarcerated people, even those who have committed the most serious crimes.

Safer Foundation - Safer Foundation is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit providers of services designed exclusively for people with criminal records. We focus on helping our clients secure and maintain jobs because we understand that employment offers the best chance at successful re-entry.

Dovetail Project - We give young African American fathers – ages 17-24 – the skills and support they need to be better fathers for their children and better men in their communities.

Black Youth Project 100 - BYP100 is National, member-based organization of Black 18-35 year old activists and organizers, dedicated to creating justice and freedom for all Black people. We do this through building a network focused on transformative leadership development, direct action organizing, advocacy, and political education using a Black queer feminist lens. BYP100 envisions a world where all Black people have economic, social, political, and educational freedom.

Upcoming Events

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Volunteers Needed- Walk MS: Dallas 2024! (Free food and T-shirt)

Ending multiple sclerosis for good will take all of us. It’s why Walk MS matters so much. And it’s why you matter so much. Walk MS helps us team up with friends, loved ones, and co-workers to change the world for everyone affected by MS. Together, we become a powerful force. And with every step…

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For Oak Cliff Food Distribution 2024 (indoors)

Oak Cliff exists in a food desert and our community faces extreme disparities in health outcomes. We need volunteers to assist with food distribution weekly to support food justice initiatives.

Free MATH Tutoring for High and Middle School Students

STEM Champions is a nonprofit organization to provide free STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) tutoring to K-12 students across the Sacramento area and an initiative that strives to give back to the community in a time of need. This event is supported by the City of Rancho Cordova’s Community Enhancement and Investment Fund.

Miami Beach Pride

Miami Beach Pride is a multi-day celebration of arts and culture including an incredible 2-day Festival and Parade, featuring special events, family-friendly community activations, social mixers and world-class entertainment. MBP is the leading LGBTQ+ cultural arts organization in South Florida regularly attracting 170K + attendees.

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3rd Annual Changing The Narrative Resource Expo & Celebration

Panel Discussion. Guest Speakers. Resource Tabling For Returning Citizens.Performances.Face Painting. Bounce House. Photo Booth. Food Trucks. A day filled with empowerment and community connection. This in-person event is your opportunity to discover valuable resources, network with like-minded individuals, and celebrate positive change.

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Culver’s Fundraiser

Come have dinner and support DCLL!

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Freedom To Rise Breakfast Fundraiser

Save the date for our annual Freedom to Rise Breakfast fundraiser to benefit Overdose Lifeline, Inc. You are invited to join us for a morning of community and support for those experiencing substance use disorder. Mark your calendars for April 25th and prepare to be inspired by powerful stories of resilience and positive change.

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Tropical Fundraising Party

Our Annual Fundraising Gala that showcases our previous year’s accomplishments and to share our future plans for the next year. You’ll experience the Philippines with Filipino Food, Cultural Dances, Fashion Show and Cultural Art. Join us as we keep Indiana cultured!

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Voters Decide: The Hispanic Vote 2024

A panel of experts across the political spectrum will discuss the importance of the 2024 Hispanic vote in Florida and nationwide at a public forum on Thursday March 14 at Florida International University. Voters Decide: The Hispanic Vote 2024 begins at 8 p.m. at FIU’s Modesto Maidique campus. Hispanics are sure to be pivotal in the…

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Sorting and Processing International Aid (PM)

Believing that every child belongs in a safe, nurturing, and permanent family, Buckner International works daily to stabilize, heal, and empower families to realize their fullest, God-given potential. The Buckner Humanitarian Aid Center assists by providing aid to these families. Depending on the current need, you may be working on one of the following projects:…

Local Hero Spotlight

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Anyone and everyone can make an impact, and at LoveJustice we believe that they deserve to be recognized for their good, necessary work!

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