Illinois Election Central
Track every key race from Illinois Governor and U.S. Senate to the first elected Chicago Board of Education, Cook County offices, congressional districts and local ballot questions — with live results and Chicago Defender election coverage.
Illinois Governor
Awaiting ResultsU.S. Senate — Illinois
Awaiting ResultsIllinois Attorney General
Awaiting ResultsIllinois Secretary of State
Awaiting ResultsIllinois Comptroller
Awaiting ResultsIllinois Treasurer
Awaiting ResultsChicago Board of Education President
Awaiting ResultsChicago Board of Education — 20 Districts
Awaiting ResultsCook County Board President
Awaiting ResultsU.S. House — District 1
Awaiting ResultsU.S. House — District 2
Awaiting ResultsU.S. House — District 7
Awaiting ResultsCook County Assessor
Awaiting ResultsCook County Sheriff
Awaiting ResultsCook County Clerk
Awaiting ResultsCook County Treasurer
Awaiting ResultsCook County Board of Commissioners
Awaiting ResultsMetropolitan Water Reclamation District
Awaiting ResultsCook County Board of Review
Awaiting ResultsCongressional Results
U.S. House — District 3
Awaiting ResultsU.S. House — District 4
Awaiting ResultsU.S. House — District 5
Awaiting ResultsU.S. House — District 6
Awaiting ResultsU.S. House — District 8
Awaiting ResultsU.S. House — District 9
Awaiting ResultsBallot Proposals & Local Questions
Chicago Advisory Questions (Gunshot Detection, Festival Venue, Immigration Costs)
Awaiting ResultsIllinois Advisory Question — $1M Income Surcharge for Property Tax Relief & Education
Awaiting ResultsElection News
Recent election reporting from Chicago Defender.
Election Day 2026: Chicago Voters Decide Historic School Board Election, U.S. Senate and Governor’s Race
Voters across Chicago are heading to the polls Tuesday, November 3, for an election that will determine the city’s public school leadership, Illinois’ next U.S. senator and who occupies the governor’s office for the next four years. With de
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Election Day 2026: What To Know Before You Head To The Polls
A checklist outlining what voters need to know before Election Day 2026, including how to verify voter registration, find polling locations, review state-specific ID requirements, prepare for their ballots and get help if they encounter pro
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NAACP Files Emergency Lawsuit To Block Federal Agents At Polls
The NAACP has filed an emergency request asking a federal judge to block the DOJ from deploying federal law enforcement personnel as election monitors, warning their presence could intimidate voters, particularly Black Americans.
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‘Complete Betrayal’: Black Leaders Accuse Haley Stevens Of Using Black Church As A ‘Prop’
Black Democratic leaders are criticizing Rep. Haley Stevens after she endorsed Republican Mike Rogers and appeared with him at a Detroit Black church, accusing her of using Black voters as political props.
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Chicago School Board Election 2026 – A Complete Guide to the Candidates and What’s at Stake
Chicago voters will make history Tuesday, November 3, when they elect every member of the Chicago Board of Education for the first time, marking a major shift in how the nation’s fourth-largest public school district is governed.
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More Than 280,000 Chicago Voters Cast Ballots Early as Candidates Make Final Push Before Election Day
Over 280,000 Chicago residents have participated in early voting as candidates intensify their final efforts to reach voters before Election Day.
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ICE Agent Who Struck Migrant With Vehicle Indicted By Texas Grand Jury
A Harris County grand jury has indicted 33-year-old Mario Alberto Morales, the ICE agent accused of striking 48-year-old construction worker Miguel Parra-Hernandez with his vehicle.
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Black Early Voting Surges Across Southern States Ahead Of Midterms
Black early voting is increasing across Southern states, with Houston communities seeing significant turnout gains amid economic concerns and ongoing voting rights battles.
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Juliana Stratton Could Make History as Illinois Chooses Its Next U.S. Senator
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is seeking to become the second Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Illinois, aiming to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin in the November 3 election.
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Chicago Voters Asked to Weigh In on Gunshot Detection Technology as City Tests Its Replacement
Chicago voters will cast ballots on an advisory referendum concerning gunshot detection technology as the city prepares to launch a new testing pilot in six police districts.
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2026 Midterms: Key Races To Watch & What’s At Stake
The 2026 midterms feature key races that could shape control of Congress and governor’s offices, make history for Black candidates and influence policies affecting Black communities nationwide.
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What’s At Stake For Black Americans In The 2026 Midterms
The 2026 midterms could shape Black Americans’ access to health care, voting rights, public education, affordable housing and economic opportunities. Here’s how key races and candidates’ policy proposals could affect Black communities.
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Chicago native Pope Leo XIV becomes first sitting pontiff to cast ballot in U.S. midterm election
Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV made history this week by becoming the first sitting pontiff to cast a mail-in ballot in a U.S. midterm election from Vatican City.
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Obama Mocks Trump’s ‘Whole Of Government Response’ To Cheesecake Factory Joke
Obama mocked Trump’s response to his Cheesecake Factory joke, arguing that the administration focused on the controversy instead of inflation and rising costs. Trump defended the White House renovations and criticized Obama’s presidency.
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Soccer Star Eddie Johnson Offers To Train 3-Year-Old Nevada Pierre After Police Called To Game
Former U.S. soccer star Eddie Johnson has offered to train 3-year-old Nevada Pierre after police were called during a youth soccer game.
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Chicago’s 2027 Mayoral Race Takes Shape as 16 Candidates Seek City Hall
A field of 16 candidates has filed petitions to run for mayor of Chicago, setting the stage for a competitive 2027 election season.
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Elon Musk-Linked Network Funded Cornel West’s 2024 Ballot Push: Report
A conservative political network with financial ties to billionaire Elon Musk helped fund efforts to get independent presidential candidate Cornel West on state ballots during the 2024 election, according to a new investigation.
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OWN’S HIT DATING SERIES “READY TO LOVE” BRINGS THE SEARCH FOR LOVE TO CHICAGO
OWN’s hit dating series Ready to Love heads to Chicago for the first time when Season 12 premieres Friday, October 2 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Chicago is known for its neighborhoods, food, culture and unmistakable personality. Now, the city’s single
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Barack Obama Slams GOP Gov Candidate Over Ad Featuring Opponent’s Estranged Mother
‘No Office Is Worth Stooping That Low’: Obama Condemns Ramaswamy Over Ad Featuring Opponent’s Estranged Mother
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New York AG Letitia James To Bring In Outside Lawyer For Cornell Investigation
New York Attorney General Letitia James is bringing in outside legal counsel to assist with the Cornell sexual assault case investigation as defense attorneys challenge her appointment as special prosecutor.
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2026 Brings Historic Opportunity For Eight Black Senators
By Kevin Harris, Guest Contributor For more than 150 years, the United States Senate has been one of the most powerful institutions in American democracy and one of the least representative of Black America. But the 2026 elections could bri
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Pritzker’s $40 Million Political Push Extends to Michigan and Georgia Ahead of Midterms
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has donated nearly $40 million to Democratic causes across the country, including efforts in Georgia, sparking conversation about his national political influence.
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Tom Houck, civil rights activist and aide to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., dies at 79
Tom Houck, a longtime civil rights activist and aide to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., died at 79. He was a key figure in Atlanta political circles for six decades.
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Mayor Brandon Johnson Officially Launches Reelection Bid as Chicago’s 2027 Race Takes Shape
Mayor Brandon Johnson has submitted petition signatures to officially enter the 2027 race, facing a crowded field of high-profile challengers.
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BET ANNOUNCES CHAKA KHAN AS RECIPIENT OF THE CLASSIC SOUL HONOR AT THE “SOUL TRAIN AWARDS” AIRING FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27 at 8 PM ET/PT ON BET AND CBS
BET today announced that legendary singer, songwriter and cultural icon Chaka Khan will receive the Classic Soul Honor at the “Soul Train Awards” 2026, recognizing a career defined by vocal brilliance, artistic innovation, and decades of ex
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Judge Blocks Trump Admin’s Noncitizen Voter Investigations In 9 States Ahead Of Midterms
A federal judge cited concerns about flawed data and voter intimidation in ordering a halt to the Trump administration’s investigations into potential noncitizen voters across nine states.
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Black Families, Federal Scholarship Tax Credits, and the Next Chicago Board of Education President
By Tim King When I taught in and led Catholic schools, I saw what families sacrificed to give their children a private education. I’m not talking about affluent doctors, lawyers and financiers paying tens of thousands. I’m talking about Bla
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MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON LAUNCHES PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PILOT PROGRAM SUPPORTING SOUTH SIDE RESIDENTS AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HOMES
The targeted relief effort was made possible by affirmative legal actions the Johnson administration took against Texas-based bus companies that transported new arrivals to Chicago. Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the launch of the P
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Aetna Better Health® of Illinois hosts statewide Style & Smile Barbershop Takeover
Aetna Better Health of Illinois, a CVS Health® company (NYSE: CVS), will host a statewide Style & Smile Barbershop Takeover on Monday, October 26. The community event will provide no cost haircuts and simple styles for children and adults a
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WVON, VON TV to Host Chicago School Board President Forum Focused on Black and Brown Students
As Chicago prepares for a new era of school governance, WVON 1690 AM and VON TV are bringing the conversation directly to families whose children make up the majority of Chicago Public Schools. The two outlets will host a one-hour Chicago B
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Justice Department Plans Unprecedented Election Monitoring Operation Ahead of Midterms
The U.S. Department of Justice is preparing to deploy approximately 1,000 federal election monitors across all 50 states for the November 3 midterm elections, an unprecedented expansion of a longstanding federal oversight program that has r
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Ex-NFL Player Jon Vaughn: The Danger Inside the Movement
Part II of a three-part series. Part I can be found here on MichiganChronicle.com. By Jon Vaughn In 2020, the case that would bring more than 1,750 of us forward finally broke open. Those of us who had carried it for decades thought the har
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Johnson Proposes $17.6 Billion Budget, Including $481 Million for Police Misconduct Settlements
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is proposing a $17.6 billion city budget for 2027 that would rely on new business taxes and hundreds of millions of dollars in borrowing to address the mounting cost of police misconduct settlements, setting up
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Beyond the Pink and Purple: Turning Awareness Into Action
October is a month of powerful reminders. Pink ribbons call our attention to breast cancer, while purple ribbons symbolize the fight against domestic violence. Both represent causes that touch families, disrupt lives, and leave lasting impa
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Chicago’s First Fully Elected School Board Is Almost Here. Here’s What’s at Stake
Chicagoans will participate in their first-ever fully elected school board race on November 3, choosing 20 representatives and a citywide president to oversee the district.
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As Chicago Tourism Booms, Hotel Workers Expand Strike Over Pay, Benefits and Workloads
Chicago’s hotel strike is expanding, with workers at the Hilton Chicago and Hyatt Regency Chicago joining an ongoing labor dispute over wages, healthcare, pensions and working conditions. The latest walkouts add to strikes that began earlie
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NFL Coach Brian Flores’ Lawyers Say Hiring Memo Uses Racial Stereotypes
Attorneys for Brian Flores criticized a Las Vegas Raiders recruiting memo for relying on racial stereotypes when evaluating the former Miami Dolphins head coach. The memo also cited Flores’ ongoing discrimination lawsuit against the NFL as
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Chicago Faith Leaders to March to the Polls as Early Voting Expands Across the City
Faith leaders will gather at Evening Star Missionary Baptist Church on Monday for a get-out-the-vote event, followed by a march to the nearby Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center.
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Illinois Made Program: Chef Dominique Leach Celebrates Black Culinary Culture Through Lexington Betty Smokehouse and Inspires the Next Generation
Who leaves a restaurant with a piece of saucy rib tip still in their mouth as they drive away? Marshelle did. Located at 756 E. 111th St. in Chicago’s historic Pullman neighborhood, Lexington Betty Smokehouse brings founderChef Dominique Le
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Kamala Harris Tells Keke Palmer She Hasn’t Decided On 2028 Run
Keke Palmer pressed former Vice President Kamala Harris about whether she plans to run for president again in 2028 during an appearance on Palmer’s podcast. Harris said she hasn’t decided yet, adding that Democrats must get the 2026 midterm
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Breast Cancer Awareness Month: What Black Women Need to Know
The incidence of breast cancer in Black women has increased in recent years. Here, we look at the stats and share resources catered to us.
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‘Deeply Disturbing’: Black Leaders Speak Out After Raid On Ilhan Omar’s Home
Black leaders, including the Congressional Black Caucus, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Omar’s congressional colleagues, are responding after federal agents searched the congresswoman’s home ahead of the midterm elections.
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Cook County FY2027 Budget Outlines Plans for Medicaid, Workforce, and Roadbuilder Litigation
Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle and her team of Cook County officials outlined a proposed $9.69 billion budget for fiscal year 2027 during a media roundtable, saying the plan addresses monetary challenges witho
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Federal Agents Search Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Home in Ongoing Criminal Investigation
Federal authorities searched the Washington, D.C., area home of Representative Ilhan Omar on Monday as part of an ongoing federal investigation into immigration paperwork.
Read on Chicago Defender →Ex-NFL Player Jon Vaughn: ‘Weaponized Advocacy: Part One – I Fought One Institution. Then I Met Another’
By Jon Vaughn, Guest Columnist In 2021, I slept in a tent on the lawn outside the University of Michigan president’s house for more than a hundred days in a folding chair that became my office, through an autumn that turned into a winter I
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‘We Are Ready’: NAACP Launches Voter Protection Hub Ahead Of Midterms
The NAACP is launching a voter protection hub on October 24 to investigate reports of voter intimidation and suppression and connect voters with legal assistance ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
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Barack Obama Endorses Keisha Lance Bottoms For Georgia Governor
Former President Barack Obama endorsed Keisha Lance Bottoms for Georgia governor Thursday (October 8), praising her record as Atlanta mayor and highlighting her campaign plans on health care, costs and education.
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14Forty Bar & Grill Carries On Family Legacy While Bringing Food and Community Back to North Lawndale
For Shatondrea Cox-Williams, 14Forty Bar & Grill at 1440 S. Kedzie Ave. is about continuing a family legacy, reviving a longtime neighborhood gathering place, and creating a destination where people can eat, drink, watch sports, and connect
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The 2026 Midterm Elections Are Coming: Here’s What Voters Need To Know
The 2026 midterm elections are approaching. Here’s what you need to know before heading to the polls and casting your ballot.
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City of Chicago To Honor Civil Rights Leader Al Raby With Street Dedication In Woodlawn
City officials will honor civil rights leader Al Raby on October 16 with a street dedication in the Woodlawn neighborhood where he grew up.
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‘Deranged And Dangerous’: Trump Blasted After Saying ‘Let ’Em Take Out’ Los Angeles, San Diego
President Donald Trump is facing backlash after suggesting Los Angeles and San Diego could be an acceptable cost of the ongoing Iran war. California Gov. Gavin Newsom called Trump “deranged and dangerous,” while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
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‘Gay, Black [Slur]’: GOP Lawmaker Accused Of Racist, Homophobic Attack On Malcolm Kenyatta
Pennsylvania Black and LGBTQ leaders are calling for Republican state Rep. Aaron Bernstine’s resignation after he allegedly called openly gay Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta a homophobic racial slur at a Harrisburg bar.
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Chicago Skyline to Glow Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign
The second annual Tower Over Domestic Violence campaign will turn the city skyline purple from October 23 to 29 to raise funds for children who have lost caregivers to domestic violence.
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Supreme Court Ruling Creates New Hurdle For Black Voters
The Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais ruling has made it more difficult to challenge district maps under the Voting Rights Act, prompting voting rights advocates to warn about its potential impact on Black political representation. Under
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Supreme Court Ruling Creates New Hurdle For Black Voters
The Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais ruling has made it more difficult to challenge district maps under the Voting Rights Act, prompting voting rights advocates to warn about its potential impact on Black political representation. Under
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From Vision to Legacy: EMERGE! Marks 15 Years in Fashion
For 15 years, Chicago native Dionne Williams has made it her mission to ensure emerging designers and established fashion trailblazers have a place to be seen, celebrated and remembered. That mission was on full display in New York City, wh
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Wilson calls on Giannoulias to stop ‘Double Dipping,’ either resign or leave mayoral race
Demands that Candidates Fulfill Their Commitment to Taxpayers Dr. Willie Wilson is calling on “double dippers” like Alexi Giannoulias to either resign from their current taxpayer-funded elected office, or drop out of the race for Mayor. Dr.
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Congressional Black Caucus Institute launches SO VOTE on National Voter Registration Day
Congressional Black Caucus Institute Launches SO VOTE on National Voter Registration Day to Mobilize & Boost Turnout in Consequential Midterm Races New civic engagement effort will invest in young and low-propensity Black voters, rural comm
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PBC Awareness, NFP Brings Chicago Community Together for International PBC Day
Chicago nonprofit creates a space for individuals living with rare autoimmune liver disease to find education, advocacy, support and community Individuals living with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), along with families, advocates and sup
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‘You’re the Worst’: Trump lashes out at Rachel Scott over question about $5K checks
By Maya Boddie President Donald Trump became confrontational with ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott on Thursday (September 10) after she questioned his proposal to give Americans $5,000 if Republicans retain control of Congress in the Nov
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Boys & Girls Clubs of Joliet teens meet employers, explore future with Caesars’ and Harrahs casinos
More than 75 teens from Boys & Girls Clubs of Joliet met with local employers and professionals to explore potential career paths, learn about workforce opportunities and gain firsthand insight into life after high school. This event – supp
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Mistaken identify only if you’re Black
When “Fitting the Description” Turns Blackness Into Probable Cause By Edmond W. Davis Tashawn Bernard was 12 years old. Driving while Black. Working while Black. Walking while Black. And now, apparently, doing chores while Black. These phra
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“SOUL TRAIN AWARDS” RETURNS TO BET AND MAKES DEBUT ON CBS
BET today announced the return of SOUL TRAIN AWARDS, presented by Spotify and Toyota, airing Friday, Nov. 27 at 8:00 PM, ET/PT on BET and simulcast on CBS for the first time ever, along with BET HER, VH1, MTV2 and LOGO. Taped in the city wh
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Black Americans Have Doubts About the U.S. Food System, New Word In Black Survey Finds
By: Jennifer Porter Gore Black Americans are intensely aware of the connection between food and health but face economic and structural barriers that limit what they can actually put on the table, according to a new report from Word In Blac
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Local elected officials and immigration advocates call for full accountability for DHS grutality and immigration reform
Reps. García, Ramirez, Quigley, Jackson, Local Elected Officials and Immigration Advocates Call for Full Accountability for DHS Brutality and Meaningful Immigration Reform One year after Operation Midway Blitz was unleashed, Chicagoland is
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Lonnie Harrison Jr. announces candidacy for Mayor of Harvey
Newly opened campaign office will serve as a community-centered hub for residents, volunteers, and supporters Lonnie Harrison Jr. today, Sept. 7, 2026, announced his candidacy for mayor of Harvey, Illinois, during a community gathering outs
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7 times Jemele Hill, Cari Champion put Stephen A. Smith on the spot
Stephen A. Smith sat down with former ESPN colleagues Jemele Hill and Cari Champion for a candid conversation about his career, his treatment of Black women and his increasingly political platform. The Wednesday (September 2) episode of Fla
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Over 100 Latino faith leaders endorse Wilson for Mayor
Candidate Pledges to be a Mayor for ALL of Chicago Over 100 Latino faith leaders representing numerous congregations and denominations joined together this morning to announce their endorsement of Dr. Willie Wilson to be the next Mayor of C
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Joyce encourages local organizations to apply for pre-apprenticeship funding
To expand the 40th District’s talent pipeline and boost diversity in Illinois’ construction and building trades, State Senator Patrick Joyce is encouraging local community-based organizations to apply for the latest round of funding through
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PATS Program citywide relaunch to enlist 1,000 churches to pray around 1,000 Chicago Schools
Pastor Chris Harris will announce the 2026–2027 “One Hour of Power” campaign at a September 5th press conference at Bright Star Church Chicago, followed by prayer around Carter G. Woodson Elementary; the full anniversary relaunch begins Sep
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