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National Restaurant Association Show cancelled
Event organizers of the National Restaurant Association Show announced the cancellation of the 2021 National Restaurant Association Show, which was scheduled to take place May 22-25 at Chicago's McCormick Place. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois ...
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ELECTIONS Chicago alderman exploring secretary of state run
According to Politico Playbook, Chicago Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd Ward) is exploring the possibility of running for secretary of state. I know I can build on the work that Secretary [of State Jesse] White has done ...
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Preservation Chicago unveils list of most endangered Chicago buildings
Preservation Chicago—which works with city officials, neighborhood residents, owners and stakeholders to prevent what is often viewed as the wholesale loss of Chicago's important buildings—has revealed its 2021 list of ...
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Harris reveals legislative agenda for 2021
--From a press release
With remote committee hearings starting next week, the Spring Session is now truly underway. I wanted to share my legislative agenda for this year with you. In addition to my duties as chief budget negotiator for ...
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COVID Vaccinations at United Center starting March 10
On Feb. 26, the Biden administration, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, and U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth announced that eligible Illinoisans from every part ...
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Mike Madigan picks second successor
On Feb. 25, Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar was sworn in as the new 22nd District state representative, media outlets reported. Guerrero-Cuellar is the second person to succeed now-former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan in less than a week. ...
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COVID Ann Sather restaurant fined $2,000
The Ann Sather restaurant at 909 W. Belmont Ave. has been fined $2,000 for violating the state's indoor dining ban last year, ABC7Chicago.com reported. Chicago Ald. Tom Tunney owns the restaurant, which was cited Dec. 4. ...
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Vaccine eligibility opens to Illinoisans with serious medical conditions
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Building on efforts to equitably distribute the COVID-19 vaccine, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Health today announced that Illinoisans with serious medical conditions can be vaccinated ...
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DANCE Hubbard Street season to resume with 'In Any Event'
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's (HSDC's) 43rd season will resume Thursday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m. with a virtual world premiere of new work by choreographer and former HSDC dancer Penny Saunders. The piece will also be ...
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Advocates, legislators introduce bill to
decriminalize HIV in Illinois
--From a press release
SPRINGFIELD, IL - Legislation was introduced in Springfield this week to end criminal penalties against people living with HIV (PLWH), which serve only to stigmatize and discriminate against PLWH. Current Illinois law makes legal behavior — ...
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Three Illinoisans among Victory Fund's latest endorsed candidates
On Feb. 24, LGBTQ Victory Fund—the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office—issued a press release announcing its endorsement of 30 more LGBTQ candidates for 2021 races. Illinois candidates in the group ...
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Daniel Biss wins Evanston mayoral race
Former Illinois state Sen. Daniel Biss, a Democrat, won the Evanston mayoral race on Feb. 23, media outlets reported. An hour after polls closed, Biss had collected more than 73 percent of the votes counted and ...
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Chicago Gay Men's Chorus' 'Diva Dracula' in March
Chicago Gay Men's Chorus (CGMC) will present a virtual production of "Lipstick & Lyrics: Diva Dracula," on March 6, 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. CT. Featuring 15 drag performers, Diva Dracula embarks on a journey ...
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Mike Madigan now wants successor to step down
Just two days after appointing Edward Guerra Kodatt as his successor, former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has asked him to step down, according to various media outlets. Marty Quinn, alderman of Chicago's 13th Ward, joined ...
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Andersonville Chamber expands Restaurant Week
The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is expanding its traditional Andersonville Restaurant Week throughout March. Each week will feature a different collection of Andersonville restaurants with meals available for pick-up ...
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THEATER Global, Grindr-based 'Borders' to run Feb. 25-27
Dirty Laundry Theatre's virtual experience Borders, directed by Chicago resident Michael R. Piazza, will feature three live shows on Feb. 25-27. Written by Nimrod Danishman and directed by Piazza, Borders tells the story of two gay ...
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Madigan resigns as state Democratic chair
On Feb. 22, former longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan resigned as chairman of the state Democratic Party—one day after anointing 26-year-old constituent services worker Edward Guerra Kodatt to fill the legislative seat he held for ...
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Gov. Pritzker signs legislation transforming Illinois criminal justice system
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Building on efforts to create a more equitable and safe criminal justice system, Governor JB Pritzker signed landmark legislation that transforms Illinois' criminal justice system. This landmark legislation ...
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Chicago soccer team holding anthem contest
The Chicago-based soccer club Edgewater Castle FC (ECFC) is holding a competition for Chicago musicians, artists and composers to write its new club anthem. According to a press release, "The anthem will be sung by players ...
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Billy Masters
"Life is about building bridges, not walls."—Elton John, when criticized for performing at Rush Limbaugh's 2010 wedding. Something I say all the time might have also been a good response: "A gig's a gig." Rush Limbaugh ...
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Mike Madigan chooses successor
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan said Feb. 21 he hasn't made a decision on how long he will continue as state Democratic Party chairman as he installed a 26-year-old constituent services worker as his successor ...
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Pride and Less Prejudice to host panel on LGBTQ media representation March 20
On Saturday, March 20, at 1 p.m. CT, Pride and Less Prejudice (PLP)—which provides free, age-appropriate, LGBTQ-inclusive books to pre-K-3rd grade students in order to foster LGBTQ inclusivity and acceptance—will ...
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'You For Me For You' benefit on Feb. 28
Sideshow Theatre Company will launch its 2021 season with a one-night-only benefit screening of its 2018 hit You For Me For You, written by Mia Chung and directed by ensemble member Elly Green. The archival recording ...
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Male-only Michigan campsite bans trans men
In Michigan, the owners of Camp Boomerang RV Park and Campground in Orleans—about 50 miles northwest of Lansing—announced they will ban trans men from their male-only park when they officially open this spring, PrideSource.com reported. "Camp ...
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PASSAGES Maya Kali Evans dies at 53
Maya Kali Evans (formerly Curtis O. Love)—a tattoo artist and caregiver who resided in Newark, Illinois, and who previously lived in Chicago and Philadelphia—passed away peacefully Feb. 18, 2021, at home in Newark. She was 53. ...
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Red Stars rename Press Row in honor of Ida B. Wells
The Chicago Red Stars announced that they are formally renaming Press Row at SeatGeek Stadium in honor and memory of Ida B. Wells. According to the National Women's History Museum's website, Wells "was a prominent journalist, ...
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COVID Howard Brown Health COO talks vaccine rollout and race
On Feb. 13, Howard Brown Health hosted a citywide vaccination blitz at five community partner locations (New Beginnings Church of Chicago; 6620 S. King Dr.; Trinity United Church of Christ/TUCC; 400 W. 95th St.; Rising Sun ...
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Court Theatre announces 2021 Southside Youth Fest, platform for teens
--From a press release
Chicago, IL - Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, and Executive Director Angel Ysaguirre, announces Court's 2021 Southside Youth Fest, inviting South Side teens to submit original digi ...
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Court Theatre premieres spotlight podcast highlighting Black writers
--From a press release
Chicago, IL - Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, and Executive Director Angel Ysaguirre, announces the online premiere of its Spotlight Podcast. A key component of Court's community ...
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Mike Madigan to resign from Illinois House
Illinois state Rep. Michael Madigan announced that he plans to resign from the Illinois House at the end of this month, The Chicago Tribune reported. Madigan has represented a Southwest Side district for a half-century—the majority ...
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LGBT Chamber's 'Celebration of Black Business Excellence' on Feb. 23
The LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois will hold its annual "Celebration of Black Business Excellence" on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 5:30-7 p.m. Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council President & Ceo Vince Williams will moderate the event. ...
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Lightfoot wants local statues and plaques reviewed
Statues of presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and William McKinley, as well as the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, were among the 41 public statues and other commemorative markers that Chicago ...
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Morten Group, LLC celebrates 20th anniversary with new FIRE grant
--From a press release
Applications are now open for Morten Group, LLC's Forging Innovation in Racial Equity (FIRE) Grant and will close at 12 midnight CST on March 15, 2021. Eligible 501(c)3 entities are based in the United States and ...
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Next 'OUTspoken' event March 2
The next session of OUTspoken—a monthly storytelling event that centers on tales of fun and fortune from local LGBTQ+ men and women and their close friends—will take place Tuesday, March 2, at 7 p.m. on Zoom. ...
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PASSAGES Dr. Gary B. Beringer, epidemiologist, dies at 70
Epidemiologist Gary B. Beringer, Dr. P.H., age 70, passed away suddenly Wednesday, Jan. 27 at his home in Chicago, IL. Gary, an only child, is survived by his wife, Nancy M. Abbate, who worked closely with ...
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COVID Chicago expands indoor dining capacity
The city of Chicago plans to reduce indoor dining restrictions for a second consecutive week, allowing bars and restaurants to offer service at either 40% capacity or 50 people, whichever is less, The Chicago Tribune reported. ...
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Chicago History Museum names new president
The Chicago History Museum (CHM) announced that Donald E. Lassere—president of the Muhammad Ali Center and Museum (MAC) in Louisville, Kentucky—will succeed Gary T. Johnson as Museum president. Johnson is ...
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New dance film features 46 dancers from 20 countries
Films.Dance—a global film series produced by and under the creative direction of LA-based Jacob Jonas The Company—continues with Match, the single most expansive collaboration in the 15-film series. Match features ...
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Mike Simmons talks about making history in Illinois state Senate
In a historic move on Feb. 6, Mike Simmons——who is Black (half African-American, half Ethiopian) and gay— was chosen to succeed Heather Steans as Illinois state senator for the 7th District. According to Simmons, he will ...
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Stage Left Theatre announces new Literary Manager
--From a press release
Stage Left Theatre is delighted to announce Bobbi Masters as our new Literary Manager. She is an artist/educator with a passion for new work who has been involved in various phases of new play development throughout ...
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ART 'Immersive Van Gogh' extended through Sept. 6 in Chicago
Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago—a new venue within Chicago's recently renovated landmark Germania Club Building, 108 W. Germania Pl.—will extend the dates of the U.S. premiere of the art experience "Immersive Van ...
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Man charged with vandalizing Ald. Lopez's office
A man has been charged with spray-painting the office of Chicago Ald. Raymond Lopez, according to a Chicago Sun-Times item. Antonio Torres, 28, of the 3900 block of South Artesian Avenue, was arrested and charged with ...
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PASSAGES Robert Thomas Cichocki, J.D. dies at 70
Robert Thomas Cichocki, J.D., passed away peacefully at home in Chicago's Lake View neighborhood on Feb. 5. He was 70. After earning his B.A. from Wayne State University and his J.D. from The John Marshall Law ...
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Quigley statement on HUD announcement of enforcement of Fair Housing Act
--From a press release
Chicago, IL — Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, released a statement after the ...
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Chicago Southland Restaurant Week on Feb. 21-27
The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau announced the launch of the inaugural Chicago Southland Restaurant Week. Designed to promote Chicago Southland restaurants while encouraging residents and visitors to support ...
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COVID Pritzker announces expansion of Phase 1B eligibility on Feb. 25
In light of a steadily increasing federal vaccine supply, Gov. JB Pritzker announced that Illinois is making plans to expand Phase 1B eligibility on Thursday, Feb. 25, to people who have comorbidities and underlying conditions as ...
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COVID Lightfoot announces plan to ease restrictions in Chicago
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection announced a roadmap for Chicago to continue to cautiously ease regulations on businesses as COVID-19 metrics improve. ...
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ACLU of Illinois reacts to Auditor General's report on LGBTQ youth in DCFS care
In response to the Auditor General's report on LGBTQ youth in DCFS care, Ghirlandi Guidetti, Staff Attorney with the ACLU of Illinois made the following statement: "Today's Auditor General's report reveals a sad but unsurprising truth: ...
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Writer on AIDS activism in the Black church honored
--From a press release
The LGBTQ Religious Archives Network (LGBTQ-RAN) honors Dr. Dan Royles with the 2020-21 LGBTQ Religious History Award. The review jury selected Royles' "There Is a Balm in Gilead: AIDS Activism in the Black Church" from among ...
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Chicago Sky acquire second round draft pick
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Feb. 9. 2021) —— The Chicago Sky has acquired the 16th overall selection in the second round of the upcoming 2021 WNBA Draft from the Dallas Wings, it was announced today. In exchange, Dallas received ...
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Groundbreaking ceremony held for Sisters in Cinema Media Arts Center
Sisters in Cinema held a press conference Feb. 8 at the South Shore Cultural Center to commemorate the construction of its new state-of-the-art Media Arts Center that will be at 2310 E. 75th St. The event, ...
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Activists tackle HIV/AIDS on social-justice canvas
A group of prominent Black LGBT activists and advocates gathered online Feb. 8 for an online discussion of how ongoing challenges stemming from HIV/AIDS tie into larger racial justice issues. The discussion—"Building Black Power in the ...
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Chicago Votes hiring formerly incarcerated individuals for Civic Leaders Program
--From a press release
Chicago — Chicago Votes is growing their Unlock Civics work and team, hiring formerly incarcerated individuals for their Civic Leaders program. Chicago Votes' Unlock Civics initiative aims to break down barriers people impacted by the American ...
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SAVOR Cafe Press--steeped in history
Like most neighborhoods in Chicago, Printers Row has its own illustrious history. In the 1880s, the neighborhood was the center of the Midwest when it came to printing—hence the area's name. And Cafe Press (800 S. ...
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Howard Brown, museum partner for no-cost COVID testing in Pilsen
Howard Brown Health and the National Museum of Mexican Art (NMMA) have announced a partnership to provide no-cost COVID-19 testing in Pilsen. The new testing site will be embedded inside the NMMA, 1852 W. 19th St., ...
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Krishnamoorthi named vice chair of Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus
On Feb. 5, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois) was named as a vice chair of the Equality Caucus—the premier Congressional Caucus fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and combating discrimination at the federal level. Although President Joe Biden ...
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PASSAGES Gordon Keith Richardson
Gordon Keith Richardson of Washington, D.C., passed away on Feb. 4, 2021, at the age of 60 from complications of COVID-19. Keith was born in Leadville, CO, and raised primarily in St. Charles, Missouri. He graduated ...
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Former CTU President Karen Lewis dies at 67
Former Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) President Karen Lewis has died at age 67, The Chicago Tribune reported. She led a seven-day strike in 2012 (the first in a quarter-century) and was a one-time mayoral hopeful who ...
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Equality Illinois holds virtual 2021 gala
Singer Alicia Keys was among the headliners as the Chicago-based LGBTQ-rights advocacy Equality Illinois held an online edition of its annual gala the evening of February 6. Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot were among ...
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Gay Black man picked to succeed Steans in Illinois Senate
In a historic move, Mike Simmons—who is Black (half African-American, half Ethiopian) and gay—has been chosen to succeed Heather Steans as Illinois state senator for the 7th District. He was sworn in Feb. 6. On Facebook, ...
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The Windy City Rollers search for new home due to COVID restricting play
--From a press release
CHICAGO - The Windy City Rollers (WCR), Chicago's premier roller derby league and nonprofit, is feeling the impact of COVID-19 on their sport. WCR's entire competitive season was canceled in 2020, and without revenue from ticketed ...
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Comics: CAKE postponed to 2022
The Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE) has been postponed to 2022. In an open letter, organizers stated, "While we are encouraged that the State of Illinois has, as of this writing, administered COVID-19 vaccine doses to ...
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FLXST opening exhibit featuring artists of color on Feb. 13
FLXST Contemporary, 2251 S. Michigan Ave.—a fine arts and photography gallery as well as an arts incubator—will open its first 2021 group show, "Against Impossibility," on Saturday, Feb. 13, with a reception at 5:30 p.m. The ...
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Sisters in Cinema groundbreaking Ceremony promises access, training in South Shore
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL - South Shore will soon have access to a state-of-the art media facility now that a local organization has begun construction on its new brick-and-mortar home. Sisters in Cinema, a 501(c)3 dedicated to celebrating ...
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Andersonville Chamber of Commerce expands HYGGE Fest through February
--From a press release
CHICAGO (February 4, 2021) — The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is expanding its annual Hygge Fest to run for the entire month of February 2021. The month-long festival will ...
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Five Worth Finding: LGBTQ authors, paczki, skin-care items, Keto Mylk
—Tempest, by Ryan Meyer (NothingPeak.com): In Tempest, young LGBTQ writer Meyer departs from the horror themes in his 2018 poetry collection, Haunt. Using fictional vignettes and surreal personal accounts, he ...
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Wizard World Chicago moved from June to August
Wizard Brands, Inc. announced that its scheduled 2021 live event in Chicago has been postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions and in continued accordance with federal, state and local guidelines. Instead of the original dates of June ...
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Hubbard Street Dance Chicago names new artistic director
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) announced that former company member Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell has been named artistic director of the contemporary dance company, effective March 1. A native of Baltimore, Fisher-Harrell ...
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Where Did We Sit on the Bus? online streaming production starts Feb. 22
--From a press release
Chicago, IL— Victory Gardens Theater and Geva Theatre Center announce the online streaming production of Brian Quijada's music-infused production of Where Did We Sit on the Bus?, written and performed by Brian Quijada and directed by ...
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Questions surround Chicago transgender woman's death
During the overnight hours of Jan. 16-17, 34-year-old Sherry Nicholas died at the Jackson Park Supportive Living facility on Chicago's South Side, where she was a resident. She is the second known Chicago transgender woman to ...
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Equality Illinois to hold 30th Anniversary Virtual Gala Celebration
CHICAGO, IL - Media outlets are invited to cover Equality Illinois' 30th Anniversary Virtual Gala, presented by Molson Coors Beverage Company, beginning at 7 p.m. CST on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. Called the "who's who of ...
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Athletes Unlimited Softball League, with 60 of the world's top players, Aug. 28 in Rosemont
Feb. 3, 2021, New York, NY — Today, Athletes Unlimited and its Softball Player Executive Committee announced that two-time Olympian and 2020 Athletes Unlimited Softball Champion Cat Osterman will seek to defend her title as she ...
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Advocates celebrate legislation ending money bond
--From a Chicago Community Bond Fund press release
On Feb. 4, organizers, policy experts and State Senator Rober Peters will be coming together for a virtual event celebrating the passage of the Pretrial Fairness Act, a key component of the Illinois Legislative Black caucus' ...
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COVID Chicago promotes website that helps users find, book vaccination appointments
The city of Chicago is promoting a national website that will allow people to find and schedule COVID-19 vaccination appointments, The Chicago Tribune reported. The site, ZocDoc.com/vaccine, is run by an outside provider. It will allow ...
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Chicago Restaurant Week returning in 2021
Choose Chicago has announced the return of Chicago Restaurant Week on March 19-April 4, 2021. Chicago Restaurant Week offers local food enthusiasts an opportunity to experience some of the city's most highly sought restaurants. Participating dining ...
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