Community News

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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

“Sky High for Kids – Young Professionals Speaker Series”
We invite you to join us for the Sky High for Kids’ Young Professionals Speaker Series discussing the topic “From Good to Great”. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear from successful professionals in various fields who will share their personal experiences and insights on how to achieve greatness in your career. Sky High for…

2023 BOO to Breast Cancer 1M 5K 10K 13.1 26.2-Save $2
*SIGN UP NOW FOR $15.99 INSTEAD OF THE REGULAR $17.99! Join our Facebook Community of more than 23,000 members HERE! We love the month of October and getting dressed up for Halloween! We are celebrating with our first BOO to Breast Cancer 1M 5K 10K 13.1 26.2! These medals are GARAGE MADE – that’s right,…

GreenHouse Growers with Memorial Park
FRIDAYS FROM 8-11! Volunteers will work in the Memorial Park Greenhouse, planting, weeding, watering, and caring for native Texas plants. No experience necessary! Volunteers must be 12 and older and accompanied by a parent or guardian. Join us and register at http://memorialparkconservancy.volunteerhub.com. Visit google maps and navigate to the Memorial Park Conservancy Greenhouse!

Jingle Bell Senior Fest
Join us for a holiday themed senior expo with many resources for seniors, families, caregivers, and veterans.Our goal is to empower you!With lots of information to empower you or your loved ones, it will be a one-stop event to connect with invaluable resources.We at Senior Trade Shows are ready to help support our senior community…

Walk-N-Roll for Spina Bifida- Houston
Walk-N-Roll for Spina Bifida is a family friendly, non-competitive one mile walk featuring an opportunity for us to gather as a community and celebrate the accomplishments of the approximately 166,000 Americans living with Spina Bifida. This annual event includes games, activities, refreshments, awards and more! The Walk-N-Roll is also our largest annual fundraiser in which…

Spazmatics at Dry Creek
Join Platinum Sponsor, Staff Force Personnel Services at Dry Creek Social Club for a flashback to the 80s! The Spazmatics are returning to rock out in the heart of Richmond, Texas. Hailed as “The Ultimate New Wave 80s band” playing the best of (and sometimes the worst of) the most beloved decade of all time! Moms are sure to approved of…

Halloween at the Branch Crossing Y Presented by Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands
Halloween at the Y Trunk ‘n Treat GLOW PARTY! . A family friendly evening of spooky fun. Friendly costumes welcome! There will be traditional carnival type games, trunk n’ treat stops in the Y parking lot, music, face art, bubble station and more! Concessions available to purchase including Kettle Corn and Kona Ice.

2023 Houston Walk for Apraxia
The 2023 Houston Walk for Apraxia will be taking place this year at the Carruth Center. We are so excited to be able to come together as a community and share in a collective celebration of your Apraxia Stars. There will be lots more information to come, so continue to check your local Walk website…

Celebrating Neurodiversity Art Showcase
You are cordially invited to a unique and inspiring event, the Celebrating Neurodiversity Art Showcase. The event will be held on Monday, December 4th from 6:30PM-8:30PM at Link Lee Mansion in Houston. This event is dedicated to showcasing the creativity and unique talents of neurodiverse students in the Houston area. Join us for a night…

Chevron Houston Marathon – Run for a Reason Program
The Chevron Houston Run for a Reason Program (RFAR) connects the philanthropic community to passionate race participants willing to raise funds and create awareness for meaningful causes. The Houston Marathon Committee (HMC) strives to promote a healthy lifestyle and camaraderie through running. Since its inception in 1995, the RFAR program has raised over $35 million…
Local Hero Spotlight
Members can nominate a local hero for recognition on their local LoveJustice.com city page!
Anyone and everyone can make an impact, and at LoveJustice we believe that they deserve to be recognized for their good, necessary work!
