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Taste of Chicago was long held in July. Here's why it won't be this year
The annual Taste of Chicago food festival was a longheld July tradition in the city, until recently. The festival is now being held in September, largely due to two major events happening in Chicago for July and August -- and it's not the only festival to see changes. The events...
New Illinois laws 2024: More laws in effect July 1, including minimum wage, tax increases
A host of new laws went into effect in Illinois Monday, at the halfway point of the year.Some of the new laws mean you will pay more at the pump and at your favorite Chicago restaurants, but it also means many minimum wage workers are getting a raise.ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watchMinimum wage increaseMinimum wage workers in Chicago and Cook County will be getting a raise July 1.Those workers will now make a base pay of $16.20 per hour.Chicago tipped minimum wage phase-outChicago started the first phase of cutting out tipped wages for workers. The...
July means a set of new laws take effect in Illinois
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WEVV) — Changes are coming for the State of Illinois, as new laws go into effect. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed new bills into law, all this in advance of the 2024 Chicago Pride Parade. House Bill 5507 removes barriers to the process of changing legal gender on...
Restrictions on face masks proposed around country, but ACLU of Illinois has concerns
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Just four years ago, a mask requirement for indoor spaces was issued in Illinois at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and masks were still required on the Chicago Transit Authority and other mass transit as recently as the spring of 2022.But now, there is a growing movement of lawmakers and communities who want to ban masks. Civil liberties advocates have some major concerns about that idea.In surveillance videos of crimes being committed, the perpetrators are often wearing masks over their noses and mouths. In many cases, the coverings help hide the faces and identities of those...
Name Changes Could Better Reflect Our City
The Chicago Public Schools are proposing to change the names of three elementary schools named after individuals with racist records: Christopher Columbus, the explorer who enslaved Native Americans; Melville Fuller, the chief justice whose Supreme Court issued Plessy v. Ferguson, ruling that Blacks and whites could have “separate but equal” accommodations; and President James Monroe, who enslaved 178 workers on his Virginia plantation.
Gov. Pritzker Signs LGBTQ+ Affirming Bills in Honor of Pride Month
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — Governor JB Pritzker signed SB2930 and HB5507 in advance of the 2024 Chicago Pride Parade. SB2930 requires nonprofits to publicly report the aggregated demographic information about their boards of directors to encourage nonprofits to reflect the diversity of the communities they support. HB5507 removes barriers...
West Side residents still struggling with clean-up one year after major flooding
It has been one year since devastating floods on Chicago's West Side.Last year, torrential rains hit the city, leading to major flooding. Hundreds of homes were damaged, and residents still desperately need help.ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watchA year later, John Carr recalled, his basement had waist-deep water. The water receded, leaving damage and growing mold, still."I just don't have the money. I do little at a time now, but I just don't have the money," Carr said.His story is not unusual. Volunteers with the Westside Long Term Recovery Group said they respond to a resident...
In Chicago’s tent cities, ‘a multitude of challenges’ to address the city’s rising homelessness
Robert Bulanon glanced at the sky and frowned at the rain. He hurried into his home and emerged, holding an umbrella over his head, picking his way between a barbershop pole, a pair of bus seats, a wheelbarrow, a grill where another man was cooking beef stew, and other objects scattered along the embankment of the canal. Bulanon, 52, is one of about 20 people who live in a set of makeshift ...
Son of late World War II veteran receives father's Purple Heart Medal
Ahead of Independence Day, the son of a late World War II veteran accepted a lost Purple Heart medal on his behalf.ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watchIllinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned the medal as part of a mission called "Operation Purple Heart."Jerome "Jerry" Even, survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. On Monday, his son accepted his Puprle Heart Medal.The medal had been abandoned in a bank safe deposit box and turned over to the state's unclaimed property division.10 more Purple Heart medals need to be returned to their owners.READ ALSO | 'Operation Purple Hearts' returns lost medals to rightful owners
Editorial: Walgreens could join other major retailers fleeing high-crime parts of Chicago
Walgreens is in trouble. And that means trouble for Chicago. The Deerfield-based pharmacy giant, having lost about three-quarters of its market value since the beginning of 2022, is embarking on a major turnaround plan, which will entail the closure of hundreds of stores nationwide if not well over 1,000. Fully a quarter of Walgreens’ roughly 8,500 stores in the 50 states, the District of ...
Former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke Sentenced to Two Years in Prison (Video)
Former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke has been sentenced to two years in prison and fined $2 million. The sentence was handed down for charges of racketeering, bribery, and attempted extortion. Burke is required to report to prison on September 23rd. Courtroom Proceedings. CBS News Clinical Reporter Chris was present in...
Illinois law makes changing gender on out-of-state birth certificate easier
(The Center Square) – Two new measures that Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says are LGBTQ+ affirming are now law. One lowers barriers for someone seeking to change the gender on their birth certificate from another state. Another bill requires certain nonprofits to disclose the demographics of board members. Pritzker announced he signed House Bill 5507 Sunday, just before taking to the Chicago Pride Parade. Effective immediately, the measure lowers the barriers for an Illinoisan to get a court finding of fact to change the gender...
These Are The Top Summer Music Festivals In Chicago
Chicago’s summer is a symphony of lovely festivals catering to various musical tastes. From June to September, the city becomes a stage for some of the most exceptional musical performances. Whether you’re into country, blues, rock, or electronic music, these events promise an unforgettable experience for attendees, which is why we’ve curated a guide to the most exceptional Chicago music festivals. Get ready for an indelible experience at the eleventh edition of Windy City Smokeout! This premier outdoor country music and BBQ festival returns to Chicago’s iconic United Center venue. Headline performances will feature Carrie Underwood, Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum, Thomas Rhett, and more. The full 2024 BBQ Windy City Smokeout lineup includes Bub City, Blues Hog, Green Street Smoked Meats, Hogapalooza, Hoodoo Brown BBQ, Hurtado Barbecue, Joe’s Kansas City BBQ, Little Miss BBQ, Lexington Betty’s Smokehouse, Meat Mitch, Operation BBQ Relief, Panther City BBQ, Pappy’s Smokehouse, Salt Lick BBQ, Smoque BBQ, Soul & Smoke, Sugarfire Smokehouse, and Ubons BBQ, Wright’s Barbecue. When: July 11-14, 2024
Here's the full list of Chicago free museum days for July 2024
Illinois residents can get a break from the summer heat by visiting Chicago's many museums. And getting inside might not cost you a dime. A number of museums in the Chicago area are offering free admission on select days, many of which happen to be in July. Art Institute free...
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