The Mobility Opportunities Fund will provide stipends that help limited-income residents of North Lawndale purchase conventional bikes, e-bikes, e-cargo bikes and electric vehicles.
Stories by erica gunderson
Equiticity Offers Lawndale Residents Stipends for Climate-Friendly Transportation
Jan 21, 2023 | Erica Gunderson
DHS Outlines Protections for Immigrant Workers Experiencing Labor Violations
Jan 21, 2023 | Erica Gunderson
The new policy allows undocumented workers to make complaints about labor violations and to participate in investigations without fear of immigration-related retaliation.
Stories of Spirit and Strength in Tulsa’s Greenwood District at ‘A Century of Resilience’ Jan. 29
Jan 21, 2023 | Erica Gunderson
In her work, Tulsa-based archaeologist Alicia Odewale, Ph.D., is uncovering stories from Tulsa's Greenwood district, which was the site of a vicious racial attack in 1921.
Constructing a New Career with Free 11-Week Job Training Program at YWCA
Jan 21, 2023 | Erica Gunderson
The YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is now accepting applications for a free 11-week program that pays its trainees a stipend to learn the basics of construction and utilities trades.
New Cannabis License Process Aims to Focus on Social Equity
Jan 21, 2023 | Erica Gunderson
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced the latest timeline and application process for obtaining a cannabis dispensary license.
In New Book, Last Surviving Witness to Emmett Till Lynching Seeks to Correct Narrative
Jan 14, 2023 | Erica Gunderson
In “A Few Days of Trouble: Revelations on the Journey to Justice for My Cousin and Best Friend, Emmett Till,” the Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr. gives a firsthand account of those terrible days.
58 Years After Martin Luther King Jr.’s Campaign to End Slums, a Look at Affordable Housing in Chicago
Jan 14, 2023 | Erica Gunderson
When Martin Luther King Jr. came to Chicago in 1965, his mission was to end the slum housing conditions that many Black residents were forced to live in. For 17 months, he fought with boycotts, rallies and marches — a campaign that ultimately contributed to the passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1968.
Applications Open for Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship
Jan 14, 2023 | Erica Gunderson
The Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship program offers tuition assistance for families who meet income thresholds. There are no merit components to eligibility.
Snow Much Fun at Polar Adventure Days on Jan. 21, Feb. 25
Jan 14, 2023 | Erica Gunderson
The afternoon slate of programming features dog-sledding demonstrations, puppet shows, raptor visits, bonfire storytelling, arts and crafts, and of course, hot cocoa.
Welcome to Chicago: Exploring What It Means to Be a Sanctuary City
Jan 14, 2023 | Erica Gunderson
Chicago's history as a self-proclaimed sanctuary city dates back to 1985, when then Mayor Harold Washington issued an executive order prohibiting city employees from enforcing federal immigration laws.
Make a Resolution: Get Screened for Hypertension in 2023
Jan 7, 2023 | Erica Gunderson
According to the American Heart Association, about 55% of Black adults have high blood pressure. Black Americans also have disproportionately high rates of severe hypertension and tend to develop it earlier in life.
A Flor de Piel, a Local Family Band, Makes Mexican Folk Music Modern
Jan 7, 2023 | Erica Gunderson
The sounds of Mexican folk music cross borders, genres and generations. Oftentimes, music is passed through families who play traditional music in celebrations and at home.
New Exelon CEO Calvin Butler Takes Charge at Energy Giant
Jan 7, 2023 | Erica Gunderson
Energy infrastructure is under constant threat — from extreme weather to security concerns. As the effects of climate change challenge the energy production sector, the utilities charged with producing that energy sustainably, equitably and affordably are at an inflection point.
Chicago Model Building Company Has Spent 70 Years Making Ideas Reality
Jan 3, 2023 | Erica Gunderson
The business of Chicago-based Model Builders Inc. is in the details – precision-crafting models and prototypes of all kinds since 1950. As Model Builders Inc.’s Jeff Harris puts it: “you’re convincing the person that’s looking at it that it’s the real thing, shrunk.”
Artist Pablo Serrano, One of the City’s Most Prolific Muralists, On Making Chicago a Home for Art
Dec 18, 2022 | Erica Gunderson
“Art is responding to life,” Pablo Serrano said. “To the things that we're going through, and fundamental questions that go to — where have we been, where are we at, where are we going?”
Do You Speak Pájaro? Openlands Is Looking for Volunteers
Dec 17, 2022 | Erica Gunderson
Openlands is hoping to find more Latino and Spanish-speaking volunteers to lead the Birds in My Neighborhood program, which educates kids on native birds through in-school lessons and field trips.
U. of C. Crime Lab Director on What Data Says About Chicago’s Crime Rate in 2022
Dec 17, 2022 | Erica Gunderson
The Chicago Police Department reports 661 murders occurred as of Dec. 10, 2022, down 15% from 2021 when the tally was 776. Overall shootings are also reported as down by about 20% from 2021 numbers, from 3,399 to 2,718.
From Food to Art, Celebrate Mexican Christmas Traditions in Little Village
Dec 17, 2022 | Erica Gunderson
In Mexico, one or two days just aren’t enough to celebrate the holiday season. There, the traditional Christmas posadas are nine days long, and the parties keep going well into the new year.
Gifts that Give Back at Chicago Fair Trade Holiday Pop-Up Shop
Dec 17, 2022 | Erica Gunderson
Chicago Fair Trade Executive Director Katherine Bissell Cordova says you can knock a lot off your holiday shopping list in one stop at their shop.
Latino Communities ‘Shocked’ By Property Tax Increase, Neighborhood Advocates Say
Dec 11, 2022 | Erica Gunderson
Many Cook County residents received an unwelcome surprise this month when their new property tax bill arrived with a hefty hike. The increase was especially noticeable for those living in largely Latino communities, according to an analysis by the Cook County Treasurer’s office.
Long-Lost Photos of Chicago Artists Resurface in ‘Encuentros,’ an Exhibit at the Poetry Foundation
Dec 10, 2022 | Erica Gunderson
Poetry Foundation Creative Director Fred Sasaki says the exhibition grew out of the discovery of a collection of Diana Solis’ photographs and other items abandoned in a basement.
Singer-Songwriter Manasseh Creates Sounds of Soul Communion
Dec 10, 2022 | Erica Gunderson
Manasseh, the singer, songwriter and native South Sider, credits the gospel soundtrack of his childhood for creating the foundation for his sprawling, kaleidoscopic sound.
Pilsen Gourmet Showcases Chicago’s Latino Culinary Stars on Dec. 16
Dec 10, 2022 | Erica Gunderson
Pilsen Gourmet organizer Esmirna Garcia says in its second year, the event’s plate is overflowing with the flavors, colors and culture of Chicago’s diverse Latino cuisine scene.
‘South Side’ Comedy Returns to HBO Max for Season 3
Dec 10, 2022 | Erica Gunderson
The “South Side” is back on the grind. Season three of HBO Max’s hit comedy set in Chicago debuted this week — and the jokes are as fast and furious as ever.
Local Tech Startup Opens Fund for Latino-Owned Businesses: ‘Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is’
Dec 3, 2022 | Erica Gunderson
This week, CASHDROP founder Ruben Flores-Martinez announced he is putting $1 million of his own equity into what he calls the Latino Renaissance Fund, which will be distributed to 1,000 Latino-owned businesses.
Chicago’s Neighborhood Small Businesses Hope for Happy Holiday Shopping Season
Dec 3, 2022 | Erica Gunderson
Between supply chain problems, inflation and the shadow of a pandemic, the outlook for small retail and food businesses continues to be uncertain this holiday season.