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Virtual OUTspoken storytelling event Feb. 2
The next virtual OUTspoken Storytelling Night will take place Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. The speakers will be as follows: —Donald Bell is a third-generation Chicagoan, South Sider and White Sox fan who is a retired ...
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'Dixie's Happy Hour' streaming Jan. 26-31
On the heels of Dixie's Tupperware Party and Dixie's: Never Wear a Tube Top While Riding a Mechanical Bull (and 16 other things I learned while I was drinking last Thursday), drag personality Dixie Longate is ...
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Chicago Sky announce contract extension for coach
The WNBA's Chicago Sky announced that General Manager/Head Coach James Wade has agreed to and signed a four-year contract extension with the team. Wade is now under contract with the Sky through the 2025 season. "I ...
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COVID-19 Three regions to end Tier 3 mitigations; IRA responds to dining changes
Following a decrease in COVID-19 test positivity rates and hospitalizations throughout Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker announced regions across the state are now eligible to move out of Tier 3 mitigations—the ...
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Hell in a Handbag Productions to present
Out, Darn Spot!
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Jan. 15, 2021) — Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to present the campy comedyOut, Darn Spot!, written by and starring ensemble member Tyler Anthony Smith* and directed, filmed and edited by Stephanie Shaw. ...
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Disability Culture Leadership Initiative launches online hub with Chicago artists
--From a 3Arts press release
CHICAGO, IL (Jan. 15, 2021)— 3Arts, the Chicago-based nonprofit grantmaking organization, announced today the launch of the Disability Culture Leadership Initiative (DCLI), featuring a new online platform created to elevate ...
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Jonathan David Katz awarded Andrew W. Mellon grant
--From a Wrightwood 659 press release
(CHICAGO, IL— Jan. 15, 2021) Wrightwood 659 congratulates our friend, curator, and collaborator, Jonathan David Katz on the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation's announcement of a $5,000,000 award for the proposal"Dispossessions ...
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Gov. Pritzker activates Illinois National Guard for security of state buildings
SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker has activated 250 members of the Illinois National Guard for State Active Duty in response to the warnings issued this week by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding threats to ...
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Tribute event to honor Chicago's first Cultural Historian Jan. 28
--From a City of Chicago press release
CHICAGO, IL — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) today announced a tribute event to honor Chicago's first Cultural Historian, Tim Samuelson. Samuelson recently retired after 3 ...
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Affinity Burning Bowl hosts first-ever virtual event amid pandemic
Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Affinity Community Services (Affinity) held its annual Burning Bowl Jan. 9 on Zoom and Facebook Live. This year's theme was "Community Undivided." Among other items, the Barbara "Robbie" Smith Award of ...
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Red Stars make draft selections
The 2021 National Women's Soccer League Draft has concluded, with Chicago making five selections. The Red Stars walked into the Jan. 13 draft with the sixth, 18th, 25th and 35th overall selections after several trades throughout ...
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Illinois Restaurant Assoc. asks Pritzker to allow indoor dining
On Jan. 14, the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) and restaurant operators around the state issued a press release asking Gov. JB Pritzker to immediately allow for safe and limited indoor dining operations. The IRA's Open Indoor ...
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Howard Brown developing new center in Northalsted area
Howard Brown Health has chosen Inland National Development Company, LLC to develop its newest healthcare center in Chicago's Northalsted neighborhood (formerly known as Boystown), according to REJournals. There are plans ...
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Gov. Pritzker releases statement on impeachment of President Trump
--From a press release
Springfield — Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement following the second impeachment of President Trump. "For the first time in United States history, a sitting President has been impeached on two separate occasions by the ...
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Trans woman, man killed in Chicago's Gresham area
A transgender woman and a man were killed in a shooting Jan. 6 in Chicago's Gresham neighborhood, The Chicago Sun-Times reported. A gunman fired shots from a silver-colored vehicle about 5 a.m. in the 800 block ...
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Welch set to be new Illinois House speaker, ending Madigan era
State Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch is positioned to become Illinois' speaker of the House, ending Mike Madigan's decades-long occupation of that role, The Chicago Tribune reported. Welch will also be the state's first Black speaker ...
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Red Stars announce renewals
The Chicago Red Stars announced the multi-year contract renewals of 12 players. Danielle Colaprico, Hannah Davison, Vanessa DiBernardo, Zoey Goralski, Sarah Gorden, Rachel Hill, Katie Johnson, Alyssa Mautz, Kayla Sharples ...
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State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch elected Speaker of Illinois House, leaders respond
--From press releases
Statement from Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson on the election of State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 102nd General Assembly: "Equality Illinois congratulates Rep. Welch on ...
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Illinois legislature passes bill ending money bond
--From a press release by The Coalition to End Money Bond
Since 2016, communities across Illinois have been rigorously organizing to end money bond. Today, after years of work by the Coalition to End Money Bond and Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice, the state's legislature has voted in ...
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Kim Foxx names new chief of staff and policy
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx has appointed Alyson Miller to the hybrid role of chief of staff and policy. Miller will assume this newly created position later this month, when Foxx's current chief of staff, Jennifer Ballard Croft, leaves ...
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Artemisia Theatre announces entirely virtual 2021 season
--From a press release
CHICAGO - In order to continue its strong feminist story-telling tradition, Artemisia Theatre announces an entirely virtual 2021 season. The new season includes two World Premiere theater productions and eight audio performances airing on its podcast ...
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Chicago Dance History Project's Interview Marathon on Jan. 31
Chicago Dance History Project (CDHP) has confirmed the lineup and schedule for its Interview Marathon on Sunday, Jan. 31, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Interviewees will appear live from international locations and ...
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Stanton re-signs with Red Stars
The Chicago Red Stars announced the signing of midfielder Nikki Stanton, who is returning to the club after a season with Norwegian sports club Klepp IL. Stanton began her National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) career with ...
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Mayor Lightfoot, DCASE announce $2.5M in arts grants
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) today announced $2.5 million in funding opportunities for Chicago artists and arts organizations. A new "Artist Response Program," ...
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Madigan suspends bid for another term as House speaker
Embattled Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan announced Jan. 11 that he was suspending his bid for another term leading the chamber—but is not withdrawing from the race, The Chicago Tribune reported. Madigan fell nine votes short ...
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COVID-19 Chicago's stay-at-home advisory extended
Chicago's stay-at-home advisory has been extended for another 12 days (from Jan. 10), ABC7Chicago.com reported. Residents are advised to only leave their home to go to work or school, or for essential needs; examples include requiring ...
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Indiana pols propose anti-conversion therapy bill
Indiana Stonewall Democrats issued a press release lauding state Sen. JD Ford (District 39) and state Rep. Sue Errington (District 26) for introducing a new bill to effectively end so-called "conversion therapy" practices across the state ...
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Five Worth Finding: Workout gear, $2 subs, LGBTQ book
1. Lived Experience: Reflections on LGBTQ Life: "Lived Experience," in this case, refers to 60 LGBTQ people in this country who are older than 50—those who especially have so much to offer. This is a generation ...
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STATE/LOCAL POLITICS State rep invokes Hitler; former alderman reports to jail
U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Illinois) is facing criticism for her comments about Adolf Hitler during a rally, WGN-TV reported. Miller made the remark at a Jan. 5 rally that the conservative group Moms of America hosted. ...
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Four Red Stars chosen for WNT camp
Chicago Red Stars defender Tierna Davidson, midfielder Julie Ertz, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and forward Mallory Pugh have been selected as part of the roster for the U.S. women's national team's (WNT's) camp taking place Jan. 9-22 ...
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Rip Nelson Holiday Quarantine Special extended through Jan. 17
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Jan. 4, 2021) — Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to announce one additional week of performances of its streaming holiday hit The Rip Nelson Holiday Quarantine Special, now playing through Jan. 17, 2021. ...
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Affinity's Virtual Burning Bowl on Jan. 9
Affinity Community Services—which serves the needs of the Black LGBTQ+ community, with a particular focus on Black women—will hold its annual Burning Bowl ceremony virtually on Saturday, Jan. 9. At past Burning Bowls, attendees were asked ...
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PASSAGES George H. Gibson
George Horner Gibson died at his home in Chicago on Jan. 3, 2021. He was 88. Gibson was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. He graduated from Furman University with bachelor's ...
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Equality Illinois gala's silent auction now open
Equality Illinois announced that its 30th-Anniversary Gala silent auction is now open. The silent auction will remain open until the end of the gala on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 8 p.m. CT. Winning bidders' credit cards ...
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City officials send letter to Lightfoot regarding schools reopening
On Jan. 3, more than 30 members of the 50-member Chicago City Council sent a letter to Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson regarding concerns about Chicago Public Schools' reopening plans amidst ...
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Pritzker: Almost 500K cannabis arrest records expunged
On Dec. 31, 2020, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced 492,129 non-felony cannabis-related arrest records have been expunged at the state level by the Illinois State Police. The announcement happened four years in advance of the deadline ...
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Legislators partner with Chicago group for trans women's funeral expenses
Several LGBTQ and allied legislators are partnering with Chicago-based trans organization Brave Space Alliance (BSA) to establish a dedicated fund to support the funeral expenses of local trans women who have been murdered. The lawmakers are ...
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State Rep. Yoni Pizer leaves post early, citing early insurance termination
Illinois state Rep. Yoni Pizer (D-12th District) issued a letter stating that he would retire Dec. 31 "because of the State's policy to effectively terminate health insurance for me and my family on 12/31/20, even though ...
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PASSAGES Chicago activist Benny Montgomery dies
Benny M. Montgomery Jr.—a longtime Chicago-based LGBTQ-rights activist who had worked as a constituent services administrator for U.S. Rep. Danny Davis and former Congresswoman Cardiss Collins, among other politicians—passed away ...
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Former Chicago alderman charged after crashing into eight cars
Former Ald. Proco "Joe" Moreno was charged with DUI and reckless driving after his Audi rammed and sideswiped at least eight cars in the Gold Coast before smashing into a tree Dec. 27, The Chicago Tribune ...
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Chicago trans woman Eshay Key, 25, dies in Christmas shooting
Column by Sue Kerr
Just a week after writing about the ugly shooting death of a 19-year-old Black gender nonconforming young adult while they were at a Christmas party, I was hopeful there would be no more deaths to cover ...
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Gerber/Hart Library awarded $100K Mellon Grant, seeks Development Coordinator
--From a press release
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives has been awarded a $100,000 Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Grant for Small Community Archives. This is the largest grant G/H has ever received. The grant will provide funding for a two-year Development ...
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Cook County to recognize Juneteenth as paid holiday
Cook County is recognizing Juneteenth as an official holiday and a paid day off for county workers, ABC 7 Chicago reported. Juneteenth—which marks the June day in 1865 that Union soldiers told enslaved African Americans in ...
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Hell in a Handbag announces annual benefit, "The Morning After"
CHICAGO (Dec. 17, 2020) — Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to announce its annual benefit "The Morning After," featuring the streaming world premiere of the smash hit musical that started it all for them, ...
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Chicago History Museum partners with ALMA in new 'OUT at CHM' series
The Chicago History Museum announced a new partnership with the local LGBTQ+ group Association of Latinos/as/x Motivating Action (ALMA). This partnership is the culmination of a longstanding collaboration with OUT at CHM and will highlight the ...
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AIDS Garden projected for fall 2021 completion
State Rep. Yoni Pizer convened a virtual meeting Dec. 21 to discuss the progress of the AIDS Garden Chicago. The long-planned site is "destined to become a true Chicago landmark and destination," said Pizer as he ...
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Lighthouse Foundation to host Black Queer Pride: Winter Edition
--From a press release
Lighthouse Foundation will host Chicago's Virtual Black Queer Pride: Winter Edition with three days of programming by eleven local Black Queer artists. The virtual event will take begin on Facebook live, Friday, ...
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Affinity seeks new executive director
Affinity Community Services—a Black- and queer-led organization on Chicago's South Side dedicated to social justice in Black LGBTQ+ communities—is seeking a new executive director. The executive director will provide visionary ...
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Lightfoot appoints new corporation counsel in wake of police raid fallout
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced Dec. 21 that Celia Meza will serve as acting corporation counsel, effective immediately. Meza is the first Latina to ever hold this position. In her current role as mayor's counsel and ...
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PrideArts to screen one-night-only live virtual readings
--From a press release
PrideArts series of one-night-only live virtual readings resumes with TWELFTH NIGHT on the Twelfth of January Peter Vamvakas to direct a cast of seven Click here for a Word doc version of this release CHICAGO — ...
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Bechdel Fest 8 to highlight femme, female-identifying, non-binary, trans, queer actors
Broken Nose Theatre (BNT) will present Bechdel Fest 8: Realign—the company’s annual festival of new short plays featuring an ensemble of femme, female-identifying, non-binary, trans and queer actors talking about things other than men.
...
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Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame seeks 2021 nominees
The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, celebrating its 30th year, is seeking nominations for new inductees. The deadline for nominations is May 31, 2021. The nominations will be reviewed by a committee composed of current Chicago ...
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AIDS Garden Chicago installation update coming Dec. 21
CHICAGO — On Monday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m., 12th District State Representative Yoni Pizer will be hosting a virtual town hall with fellow elected officials, community partners, and project managers to provide a progress report ...
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'Cheer' star pleads not guilty to child-sex charges
On Dec. 17, Cheer star Jerry Harris pled not guilty to new federal felony charges that he tried to lure minors for sex and shared sexually explicit photos with them, media outlets reported. The charges alleged ...
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John Pennycuff Memorial Apartments in Castillo Plaza, LGBTQ housing in Logan Square
Last month, The John Pennycuff Memorial Apartments at Castillo Plaza (Pennycuff) opened at the corner of Milwaukee and Campbell Avenues in Logan Square after four years of development and city approval meetings and for the past ...
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PASSAGES Chicago gay pioneer Richard Cooke dies
Richard Cooke, a longtime Chicago resident and familiar East Lakeview presence along with his dachshund Governor, died in the early morning hours of Dec. 12, after suffering a heart attack earlier in the week. He was ...
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FDA funding blood-donation study about gay, bisexual men
On the heels of news that England has mostly relaxed regulations regarding blood donations from gay and bisexual men, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is funding a study around blood donations by men in those ...
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Pennycuff Memorial Apartments now open
The John Pennycuff Memorial Apartments at Castillo Plaza is named for the late LGBTQ and civil rights activist, John Pennycuff. Located on Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, the building was designed by Cyrus Subawalla ...
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Five Worth Finding: Last-minute shopping
—RuPaul Fan Favorites Gift (CannaBellaLux.com): Advertising itself as "a female-forward boutique + lifestyle brand," Chicago-based Canna Bella Lux has a lot of intriguing items, including this gift set. This set includes a RuPaul candle, a 5" ...
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OUTSpoken: LGBTQ storytelling event Jan. 5 on Zoom
Another OUTspoken Storytelling Night will offer the perspective of four Chicagoans telling life stories from their LGBTQ+ viewpoint or that of their close friends and relatives, Tuesday, Jan. 5, starting at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The ...
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Windy City Gay Chorus, Windy City Treble Quire present Let There Be Light
--From a press release
Chicago, Ill. — Windy City Performing Arts (WCPA), the not-for-profit parent organization of Windy City Gay Chorus and Windy City Treble Quire, is proud to announce its 41st annual holiday concert, Let there be Light: A ...
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Surprise Grammy-winning artist to perform at Equality Illinois gala
A surprise Grammy-winning artist is slated to perform at the Equality Illinois 30th-anniversary gala on Feb. 6, 2021. The event is annually attended by hundreds of movers and shakers within the LGBTQA community. To find out ...
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PrideArts to screen A Not So Silent Night Tuesday, Dec. 15
To honor the tradition of gathering around with family and singing holiday songs, even in a pandemic. PrideArts is hosting a one-time screening of the film A Not So Silent Night tonight, Dec. 15, 2020. The ...
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Kim Foxx reverses convictions tied to corrupt former police sergeant
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx's team formally presented motions to vacate the convictions of six individuals as part of the office's ongoing review of the misconduct of corrupt former Chicago Police Sergeant Ronald Watts. Via ...
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Robinson and Buttigieg discuss local politics
Activist Chasten Buttigieg joined state Rep. Lamont Robinson for an online conversation about the political life of the LGBTQ community Dec. 9. The event, which was moderated by Brian Johnson, CEO of the Equality Illinois LGBTQ ...
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Indoor Voices series spotlights Duke It Out Nutcracker Dec. 18
--From a press release
The Music Institute of Chicago's "Indoor Voices," a free series of virtual visits with arts luminaries featuring conversation and occasional performances, returns with a new episode spotlighting the Music Institute's ...
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Local 'Cheer' star faces new charges
Naperville resident Jerry Harris, who starred on the reality show Cheer, was indicted on new charges Dec. 11 that alleged he coerced teenage boys to send him obscene photos and videos of themselves and solicited sex ...
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PASSAGES Ravinia producer Stephen R. Smoot, 57
--From a press release
Stephen R. Smoot, who produced hundreds of concerts for Ravinia Festival since 2005, died suddenly on Friday, Nov. 27. He was 57. Known for his quick wit and generous impulse to shine the spotlight on others, ...
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Pegasus holding Young Playwrights Festival Jan. 7-31
On Jan. 7-31, Pegasus Theatre Chicago is presenting the 34th Young Playwrights Festival (YPF), which selects winning high school-age scribes to apprentice with theater professionals to workshop and produce their ...
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COVID-19 Lightfoot, CDPH announce vaccine distribution plans
On Dec. 9, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced distribution plans for the COVID-19 vaccines when they become available. There is a commitment to allocate initial doses to all 34 ...
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Kim Foxx names women to leadership roles
On the heels of her swearing-in for her second term as Cook County state's attorney, Kim Foxx announced key leadership roles within her office: Jennifer Coleman, first assistant state's attorney; Risa Lanier, chief deputy state's attorney; ...
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Buffalo Grove LGBTQ+ teen named one of HRC's ambassadors
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced that Buffalo Grove teen Molly Pinta (she/her)—a 14-year-old who identifies as bisexual—has been named a member of the 2021 class of HRC Foundation Youth ...
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Lamont Robinson fundraiser with Chasten Buttigieg on Dec. 9
Lamont Robinson, Jr.—a Chicago business owner and insurance agent who became the first openly gay Black state legislator in Illinois history, and who is running for a second term representing the 5th District in the Illinois ...
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Chicago law professor receives award from civil-justice organization
Mark E. Wojcik, a professor at Chicago's UIC John Marshall Law School, received the 2021 Civil Justice Scholarship Award from the Pound Civil Justice Institute, according to Yahoo! Finance. The award is bestowed upon published legal ...
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New Joffrey Studio Series offers interactive virtual season
--From a press release
The Joffrey Ballet is pleased to introduce the Joffrey Studio Series, a comprehensive roster of virtual programming — from livestream performances and company rehearsals to ...
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