By William S. Bike
AFFORDABLE CARE
The open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act runs from now to Saturday, Jan. 15. Log on to www.healthcare.gov.
ART INSTITUTE
The Art Institute of Chicago,111 S. Michigan Ave., is presenting the show Barbara Kruger: Thinking of You. I Mean Me, I Mean You, through Monday, Jan. 24, and art by Ray Johnson through Monday, March 21. Log on to www.artic.edu.
ARC GALLERY
At the ARC Gallery, 1463 W. Chicago Ave., the exhibition Go Make a Thing! runs through Saturday, Dec. 18. Call (312) 877-5760.
The gallerywill host the exhibition Body Politics from Sunday, Jan. 6, through Saturday, Jan. 19.
See www.arcgallery.org or call (312) 877-5760.
BRIDGEPORT ART
Bridgeport Art Center, 1200 W. 35th St., is hosting the shows Vibrant Mechanisms, Kinetic & Sound through Friday, Jan. 7, and Art Talk through Saturday, Jan. 8. Log on to www.bridgeportart.com.
BROOKS HONORED
The Chicago Public Library Foundation honored Bronzeville-based playwright J. Nicole Brooks with its 21st Century Award for her contributions to the local cultural landscape.
HOLIDAY TEA PARTY
Chicago Children’s Theatre is presenting the Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party, weekends only, from now through Sunday, Dec. 19, with special performances on Thursday and Frida, Dec. 23 and 24. Regular show times and holiday show times are Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. For information log on to chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (312) 374-8835. The theatre is at 100 S. Racine Ave.
JOB HELP
The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership is expanding the youth and young adult services its network provides to this community. The partnership provides help for young adults seeking employment, training, and career pathway opportunities at the American Job Center (AJC) at 1700 W. 18th St. Services are offered by appointment only. Call (773) 318-2224.
CPS NEWS
The Chicago Public Schools has added three area schools to its Opportunity Schools Initiative, which provides dedicated teacher recruitment and retention support to schools that have had difficulty attracting and retaining educators. The three are William H. Brown Elementary, 54 N. Hermitage Ave., Robert Nathaniel Dett Elementary, 2131 W. Monroe St., and Edward Tilden Career Community Academy High, 4747 S. Union Ave.
The CPS announced a record high five-year graduation rate of 83.8%, up by nearly 27 percentage points from 2011 when the rate was 56.9 percent. The four-year rate saw a similar gain, increasing 26 percentage points in the same time span. Increased graduation rates among students of all racial groups led to the overall gain.
For more information, call (773) 553-1000.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
The Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community has named Coral Wu, an expert on environmental justice and tourism as cultural activism, as its community organizer. Coalition headquarters is at 2301 S. Archer Ave. See https://cbcacchicago.org/ or call (312) 761-9738.
COUNTY FINANCES UPGRADED
Fitch Ratings has upgraded Cook County’s credit ratings from A+ to AA-, with a stable outlook. Standard and Poor’s also moved the outlook for the County to stable from negative, and Moody’s reaffirmed its rating as well. “We appreciate the recognition of our improvement in operating results, work to increase reserves, sound financial management, notable improvement in pension funding, and work to stabilize our health system’s finances,” said Toni Preckwinkle, board president. For more information, see www.cookcountyil.gov/board-of-commissioners.
VETS’ EXEMPTIONS
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office provides property tax exemptions for veterans with disabilities and returning veterans. Log on to cookcountyassessor.com or call (312) 443-7550.
ART EXHIBIT
Corbett vs. Dempsey Gallery,2156 W. Fulton St., is exhibiting artworks by Rachel Harrison through Saturday, Jan. 8. Call (773) 278-1664 or log on to corbettvsdempsey.com.
FOXX BEATS SAM’S CLUB
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx secured a $266 million award against Sam’s Club for failure to pay taxes on the sale of cigarettes as required under the County’s Tobacco Tax Ordinance. The uncollected taxes cover a seven-year period between 2009 and 2016. See www.cookcountystatesattorney.org.
DE LA SALLE NEWS
De La Salle Institute will host its entrance and placement examination Saturday, Dec. 4, at 8 a.m.
The school is at 3434 S. Michigan Ave. Call (312) 842-7355 or log on to www.dls.org.
EPIPHANY CENTER
The Epiphany Center for the Arts,201 S. Ashland Ave., is presenting two art shows: Agave! runs through Saturday, April 9, and Like Queer Animals-We Hold Your Gaze is up from Friday, Dec. 10, through Saturday, Feb. 19. This month, see Negatives, featuring enlarged photographic negatives by Rod Slemmons, through Friday, Dec. 31. Log on to www.epiphanychi.com.
NEXT GAZETTE CHICAGO
Gazette Chicago does not publish in January, so the next issue will come out on Feb. 4, 2022. Deadline for news will be Wednesday, Jan. 19, and deadline for advertising will be Friday, Jan. 21. See www.gazettechicago.com for additional news stories in January.
WHITE COAT
Gray Warehouse,2044 W. Carroll Ave. is hosting White Coat, an art show by Alex Katz, through Friday, Dec. 17. See www.richardgraygallery.com.
TREE LIGHTING
Greektown’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony will be held Sunday, Dec. 12, from 3 to 4 p.m. at Elysian Field, southeast corner of Halsted and Van Buren Streets, including complimentary hot chocolate and sweets. As the tree illuminates, youngsters will sing traditional Greek Christmas carols, and DJ Yianni will play Greek and American holiday tunes. The event is sponsored by Greektown SSA #16 with additional support from the Greektown Chamber of Commerce and Chicago Greektown Educational Foundation.
FINE ART
Bert Green Fine Art,8 S. Michigan Ave., is presenting art by Richard Haley through Friday, Dec. 17. Log on to www.bgfa.us.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE
A program to help people pay rent during the pandemic, the Illinois Rental Payment Program,will accept applications online from Monday, Dec. 6, though Sunday, Jan. 9, at https://www.illinoishousinghelp.org. People who apply must have an unpaid rent balance and have experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic, among other eligibility requirements. Renters needing immediate help can contact the Illinois Department of Human Services at www.illinoisrentalassistance.org/.
Nurses and health care union workers from University of Illinois Hospital recently protested the increase in violence they are experiencing in the emergency room. The nurses and health care workers are represented by the Illinois Nurses Association and the Service Employees International Union Local 73. UIH nurse DeBreisha Flowers-Anderson, RN, addressed a press conference.
MC CORMICK GALLERY
McCormick Gallery,835 W. Washington Blvd., is hosting an art show by Dusti Bonge through Saturday, Jan. 8. Log on to www.thomasmccormick.com.
CRUZ ART
Monique Meloche Gallery,451 N. Paulina St., is showcasing works by David Antonio Cruz through Saturday, Dec. 18. See www.moniquemeloche.com.
NEWMAN LEGISLATION
Congressional Representative Marie Newman (D-3rd) had two of her bills included in the recent infrastructure package. The All Stations Accessibility Program will provide funds to help public transit meet or exceed accessibility standards. The Rail Center for Excellence legislation will support research on rail safety and efficiency. See https://newman.house.gov/.
OUR LADY OF THE HOLY FAMILY NEWS
Our Lady of the Holy Family,1334 W. Flournoy St., holds Sunday Masses at 9 a.m. in English and 11 a.m. in Spanish. Saturday evening Mass is at 5 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, evening Mass is at 6 p.m.
Praying the Rosary begins at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays. Adoration/Holy Hour and Confessions begin at 6:30 p.m. on Fridays. Tuesday through Thursday Masses are at 8 a.m. in the chapel at 1335 W. Harrison St.
OLHF now offers a Friday Food Pantry for area residents facing food shortages. Contact the parish office to register or come to the pantry from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays. The food pantry is located behind the church at 1334 W. Flournoy St.
Call (312) 243-7400, email olhfparish@archchicago.org or log on to www.olhfchi.org.
ILLINOIS TECH HONORED
SmartAsset, a company centered around financial advice, has released its seventh annual study on the colleges that give students the best return on their educational investment. The Illinois Institute of Technology came in second in the state. For more information, log on to smartasset.com.
COMMUNITY GARDEN COMING
J.P. Paulus and his wife, Sythera Pride-Paulus, are turning a lot they own at 440 E. 46th St. into a community garden. It will open this spring.
FIX THE EISENHOWER
Following passage of the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate President Don Harmon joined the Rebuild 290 Coalition to call for Federal funds to speed up reconstruction of the Eisenhower Expressway (Interstate 290) from Hillside to the Byrne Interchange and the Chicago Transit Authority’s Blue Line. Both legislative chambers passed Senate Joint Resolution 31, which requested Federal support to expedite engineering and construction. For information, email rebuild290@gmail.com.
ST. BASIL SERVICES
St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, 733 S. Ashland Ave., will hold the following services this month culminating in Christmas and Hierarchal Vespers and Divine Liturgy services for its patron saint, St. Basil the Great. All services are conducted in English and Greek.
Sundays: Orthros 8:30 a.m. and Divine Liturgy 9:45 a.m.
Monday, Dec. 6, Divine Liturgy for St. Nicholas, Orthros 9 a.m. and Divine Liturgy 10 a.m.
Monday through Friday, Dec. 13 to 17, Divine Liturgy, 9:30 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 24, Royal Hours of Christmas, 8:30 a.m. Liturgy of Christmas Eve, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day, Orthros 8:30 a.m. and Divine Liturgy 9:45 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 31, Hierarchal Great Vespers of the Circumcision and St. Basil the Great, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 1, Hierarchal Orthros 8:30 a.m. and Divine Liturgy 9:45 a.m. for the Circumcision and St. Basil the Great.
St. Basil also will host open prayer hours each Thursday through Dec. 23 from noon to 2 p.m. to provide area residents, staff, and visitors to the Medical District a quiet place to pray, meditate, reflect, and light candles for their loved ones.
For more information call the church office at (312) 243-3738.
SAINT IGNATIUS NEWS
Saint Ignatius College Prep presented a framed certificate of recognition on Nov. 17 to Richard von Langen, whose great-great-grandfather, Hermann von Langen, from 1867 through 1869 designed the building that houses the school, at the request of Rev. Arnold Damen, S.J., founder and president of St. Ignatius College. For years, the building’s architect had been unknown, until historical research discovered Hermann von Langen’s design.
The school is located at 1076 W. Roosevelt Rd. Log on to www.ignatius.org or call (312) 421-5900.
CHURCH NEEDS
St. Matthew Lutheran Church needs donations of money, materials, and workers to repair the church, which the City has charged with 11 building code violations. The church is at 2108 W. 21st St. Call (773) 847-6458.
RAVI SHANKAR PROGRAMMING
South Asia Institute, 1925 S. Michigan Ave., will offer programming related to musician Ravi Shankar on Saturdays. On Dec. 11 at 4 p.m., it will show the movies Sangeet Ratna (Jewel of Music) and Ravi Shankar’s Music Festival from India.On Jan. 8 at 4 p.m., it will host a musical workshop, Learning the Ravi Way with Sitarist Gaurav Mazumdar. On Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m., it will present an Indian classical music concert, and on Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. it will show the film Tenth Decade: Live in Escondido about a Shankar concert. Log on to saichicago.org or call (312) 929-3911.
MARY AND CHRISTMAS
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii will host its Mary and Christmas concert on Saturday, Dec. 4, both in person and livestreamed. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., with the concert beginning at 7:45 p.m. A variety of ticket prices are available. Register at www.ourladyofpompeii.org.
The shrine will explore four classical hymns of Advent and Christmas on four Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to noon. On Dec. 4, the Rev. Richard Fragomeni will lecture on O Come, Divine Messiah. On Dec. 11, chaplain Julie Berggren will speak on O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. On Dec. 18, Br. Antony Julius will explore Like the Dawning of the Morning. On Jan. 8, Catharine M. Lentz, an adult faith formation expert, will address O Little Town of Bethlehem. Registration required.
The shrine is at 1224 W. Lexington St. Call (312) 421-3757.
SUNDAY SERVICES
Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church, 600 E. 35th St., holds Sunday worship services at 11 a.m. Call (312) 225-5300.
TODD RUNDGREN VISITS MAYOR
Mayor Lori Lightfoot invited rock ‘n’ roll musician Todd Rundgren and his Spirit of Harmony Foundation to City Hall to discuss music education advocacy. Spirit of Harmony is a national organization founded by Rundgren and his fans to promote music education for children. For information, log on to https://spiritofharmony.org/.
SUPER CITIES CHICAGO
Super Cities Chicago is a new book by Mark Shulman that offers fun information about what makes Chicago super. From having the first skyscraper to info about great pizza, the el, and Lake Michigan and a look at the Taylor Street/Little Italy area, the book is chock full of fun facts for readers ages seven and up. The book is $14.99 and is available from Arcadia publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or (888) 313-2665.
JESSE WHITE NEWS
Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White is encouraging students in grades four through 12 to enter the Letters About Literature in Illinois reading and writing competition, offered by the Illinois State Library’s Illinois Center for the Book. The competition invites students to read a book of their choice and write a letter to the author about how the work changed their life or view of the world. For more information about the competition, contact Bonnie Matheis at (217) 558-2065 or bmatheis@ilsos.gov. Information also is available at ilsos.gov/departments/library/center_for_the_book/.
White announced the Illinois Secretary of State’s office has changed its official web address from cyberdriveillinois.com to ILSOS.gov.
SMALL WORKS
Woman Made Gallery,2150 S. Canalport Ave., Suite 4A3, will have a show of Small Works from Thursday, Dec. 2, through Monday, Dec. 20. Art by Gazette Chicago Assistant Editor Anne Nordhaus-Bike is included in the show. Art on display has been curated to showcase pieces sized and priced perfectly for gift shopping during this holiday season. Call (312) 738-0400 or log on to womanmade.org.
ADDICTION HOTLINES
AddictionResource.net lists drug and alcohol abuse hotlines available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and confidential. Log on to https://www.addictionresource.net/addiction-hotlines/ or call (844) 616-3400.
TUTORS NEEDED
Aquinas Literacy Center, 1751 W. 35th St., needs volunteer tutors to instruct adult learners with limited English proficiency. All instruction is one on one, and volunteers receive training. Tutoring can take place in-person, online over Zoom, or a hybrid of both. Knowledge of a second language is not required; all instruction is in English. For more information, contact Sabrina Poulin, volunteer coordinator, at (773) 927-0512 or email her at Sabrina@aquinasliteracycenter.org.
BENTON HOUSE INFO
At Benton House,3052 S. Gratten Ave., find out about public benefits such as supplemental nutrition assistance and citizenship application help. Call (773) 927-6420.
BOULEVARD NEWS
The Boulevard of Chicago at 3456 W. Franklin Blvd. provides medical respite care and housing services for homeless adults discharged from area hospitals. Call (773) 533-6013 or log on to www.blvd.org.
BRIGHT STAR RESOURCES
Bright Star Community Outreach and Bright Star Church have a trauma helpline and provide professional development, emotional support, and child and family services. Log on to brightstarcommunityoutreach.com/. Donations welcome. The church is located at 4518 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
The toll-free Bright Star Community Outreachtrauma counseling helpline is(833) TURN123. The helpline assists those experiencing trauma caused by exposure to violence.
BRONZEVILLE ART TOUR
The Bronzeville Art District Art Tour is the third Friday of every month, in person and virtually, from 7 to 8 p.m. Next date is Dec. 17. Participating galleries are Blanc Gallery, Bronzeville Artists Lofts, Faie Afrikan Art, Gallery Guichard, and the South Side Community Art Center. Log on to Bit.ly/bronzevillearttour.
BUCKNER RESOURCES
Residents who want to share their thoughts or require assistance on any issue in the community can reach the office of State Rep Kam Buckner (D-26th) at (773) 924-1755 or by email at Buckner@Illinois26.com.
GET HELP
The Catholic Charities call center helps callers with a variety of needs and connects them toprograms within Catholic Charities or other agencies.
The organization offers meals to go at St. Vincent Center, 721 N. LaSalle St., Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. No pre-registration required.
Catholic Charities operates several food pantries.
A counseling/support hotline is available at (312) 948-6951. Catholic Charities also offers professional counseling at (312) 644-7725.
Log on to catholiccharities.net, call (312) 655-7700, or email gethelp@catholiccharities.net.
GET VACCINATED
The Chicago Department of Public Health is hosting multiple coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination special events across the city. Anyone age 12 and older can get vaccinated. All COVID-19 vaccines are free, and no insurance or ID is required. See the full list of special vaccine events at www.chicago.gov/vaxcalendar.
Christmas in the Wards and the Chicago Football Classic, in collaboration with Black Men United, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, hosted a free food giveaway recently at Metcalfe Park, 4134 S. State St.
CUBS BOOK
Gazette Chicago associate editor William S. Bike has authored a book about the 1970 Chicago Cubs season, The Forgotten 1970 Chicago Cubs: Go and Glow.
For more information, go to www.1970chicagocubs.com.
SEEKING YOUNG LEADERS
Chicago Votes offers the Civic Leaders Program, a leadership development program for young people who have experienced incarceration, training them to serve as leaders in the organization’s legislative advocacy, court watching, and voter registration efforts. Chicago Votes is located at 234 S. Wabash Ave. Log on to https://chicagovotes.com.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services reports that Community Services Block Grant Scholarships are available for those enrolled or planning to enroll in college or vocational training. Call (312) 747-0327.
RIGHT TO RETURN
Former Chicago Housing Authority residents who were displaced by the CHA’s Plan for Transformation and who want to return to the CHA may receive help from Antwain Miller at the Lugenia Burns Hope Center.Call (773) 291-8621 or email antwain.miller@lbhopecenter.com. The center is located at 710 E. 47th Street.
RENTER AND LANDLORD HELP
If you are a renter having trouble paying your rent, utilities, or other housing costs, or if you are a landlord trying to stay afloat, help may be available. State and local programs are distributing dollars for such needs. Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in rental assistance to help renters stay housed during the pandemic. Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov to find programs. See also ChiCookilRentHelp.org or call (833) 221-9821.
GET ORGANIZED
Community Organizing and Family Issues,2245 S. Michigan Ave., (312) 226-5141, organizes and trains parents to win improvements in schools and communities and in how to create organizations and programs. See cofionline.org.
CORONAVIRUS VACCINATION
Any Chicagoan can request an in-home vaccination for coronavirus (COVID-19) by calling the City of Chicago at (312) 746-4835. Or, find out where to get vaccinated from the State of Illinois by calling (800) 889-3931 or logging on to https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/.
LEGAL AID
Cook County officials and partners run Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt, a county-wide initiative to help residents resolve eviction, foreclosure, debt, and tax deed issues. Services are provided pro bono for Cook County residents without legal representation and are offered to tenants facing eviction, landlords dealing with an eviction, debtors being sued for unpaid debts, creditors wishing to sue based on unpaid debts, and residents who have defaulted on property tax payments or mortgage foreclosure payments. Learn more by visiting www.cookcountylegalaid.org/.
NEW ARTISTS
Elephant Room Gallery, 704 S. Wabash Ave., presents new exhibitions of the work of new and emerging Chicago-based artists every four-to-six weeks. Log on to www.elephantroomgallery.com.
FOOD PANTRIES
The following food pantries provide groceries and meals to those who need them.
Chosen Tabernacle Full Gospel, 4310 S. Champlain Ave., Thursday, 1 to 3 p.m., (888) 834-9414.
Church of St. Paul and the Redeemer, 4945 S. Dorchester Ave., Wednesday, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., (773) 624-3185.
Hyde Park SDA Soup Kitchen, 4608 S. Drexel Blvd., Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., (773) 373-2909.
Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, 4242 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., (773) 548-7500.
Kenwood UCC Soup Kitchen, 4608 S. Greenwood Ave., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9:30 to 10 a.m. and noon to 1 p.m., (773) 373-2861.
Operation Pull Grant Memorial, 4017 S. Drexel Blvd., Tuesday, 1 to 3 p.m., (773) 285-5819.
Our Lady of the Holy Family, 1334 W. Flournoy St. (enter from parking lot behind the church), Friday, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., (312) 243-7400.
EVICTION HELP
Get free legal assistance through Eviction Help Illinois by visiting evictionhelpillinois.org or calling (855) 631-0811.
GWTP JOB TRAINING
Greater West Town Training Partnership, 500 N. Sacramento Blvd.,offers job placement and training programs in wood products manufacturing and shipping and receiving. Call (312) 563-9570.
HARMONY NEWS
Harmony Community Church, 1908 S. Millard Ave., has a community center for youth programs and events. The church offers reading, tutoring, fine art, music, and dance programs. It also has a food pantry. Call (773) 762-9673.
HR HOTSEAT
HRHotSeat Chicagois a free monthly online meetup of more than 1,600 human resources practitioners, service providers, students, and Chicago-area professionals in job transition who come together to expand networks and solve problems. Visit www.HRHotSeat.com or email info@hrhotseat.com for a calendar of upcoming events.
GIVE BLOOD
The Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers encourages people to give blood. Contact Vitalant at www.vitalant.org or (877) 258-4835 to schedule a donation time.
ERC EXTENDED
The Internal Revenue Service extended the Employee Retention Tax Credit forall of 2021, and more businesses qualify under the eligibility requirements. ERC is a tax credit the IRS implemented last year as a temporary coronavirus relief provision to help businesses keep employees on the payroll. See www.irs.gov/coronavirus/employee-retention-credit.
LOW-COST INTERNET
Internet Essentials makes it possible for people receiving public assistance to qualify for low-cost internet service. Log on to internetessentials.com.
SUICIDE PREVENTION
The Jason Foundation offers free suicide prevention training to educators, other school staff, parents, physicians, clergy, community leaders, and students. Log on to www.jasonfoundation.com.
LADIES OF VIRTUE
Ladies of Virtue,1245 S. Michigan Ave., (877) 565-7121, provides mentoring and leadership and empowering experiences, including help with school applications, for girls ages nine through 18 from underserved communities. Log on to lovchicago.org.
LATINO UNION
Latino Union of Chicago collaborates with low-income workers to improve their social and economic conditions through employment opportunities. Log on to latinounion.org or call (312) 491-9044. For those looking to hire workers, call (773) 588-2641.
RENTERS’ SERVICES
The Lawyers Committee for Better Housing provides eligible renters with supportive services and free legal aid. The LCBH also offers Rennie the Chatbot at rentervention.com to help with people’s housing problems. The LCBH is located at 33 N. LaSalle St. Call (312) 347-7600 or log on to www.lcbh.org.
DISCOUNT PHONE, INTERNET
Under the Federal Lifeline Program,low-income consumers and veterans can receive a discount off their monthly bills for phone, broadband, or bundled phone and broadband service. See http://linkupillinois.org, call (312) 914-6701, or email Britney.Bouie@illinois.gov.
FIGHT OPIOID ABUSE
Malcolm X College invites individuals to become community health workers to help fight the opioid crisis. Using a $2.1 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, the college launched the Opioid-Impacted Family Support Program to bring care and relief to neighborhoods most affected by opioid use disorder. The University of Illinois Chicago Department of Disability and Human Development is partnering in this four-year initiative. Scholarships are available. For more information and to register for the program, visit www.ccc.edu/opioid.
FREE RIDE
Mount Sinai Hospital, 1500 S. Fairfield Ave., offers free rides for patients to get to and from any medical appointment within the Sinai Chicago system. All residents in Sinai Chicago’s service area who need to get to any of the medical system’s hospitals, clinics, or offices for any procedure, check-up, or health appointment can now get free, door-to-door transportation services. Patients can book a ride by calling (630) 903-2949.
EMPOWERING LATINAS
Mujeres Latinas en Accion empowers Latinas through service and advocacy. Their domestic violence crisis hotline is (312) 738-5358 and their rape crisis hotline is (888) 293-2080. Mujeres is located at 2124 W. 21st Pl. Call (773) 890-7676.
MENTAL HEALTH
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago offers support groups and other resources for individuals who may need help. Call (833) 626-4244 or visit www.namichicago.org.
GAS BILL HELP
For Peoples Gas customers, bill payment assistance is available through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Share the Warmth program. To see if you are eligible and apply, call the Community Economic Development Association at (800) 571-2332 or go to cedarorg.net.
SOCIAL HEALTH INITIATIVE
The Pilsen Social Health Initiative at 1850 S. Throop St. offers a food pantry, thrift store, and onsite social worker. See www.pilsensocialhealthinitiative.com/. Call (773) 812-3150.
BACK TO BUSINESS
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have launched the $250 million Back to Business grant program to support small businesses’ continued recovery. See www2.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/Pages/B2B.aspx.
CONTACT ROBINSON
State Representative Lamont J. Robinson (D-5th) wants to hear what residents think are the most important issues in the community. Contact him at (773) 924-4614 or at his office at 5048 S. Indiana Ave.
COURT EXPANSION
Local Cook County Board Commissioners Alma Anaya (D-7th), Dennis Deer (D-2nd), and John P. Daley (D-11th) led the successful effort to expand county court services for domestic violence survivors. The board’s 2022 budget included amendments to address needs of Domestic Violence Court and to turn it into a 24-hour, seven-day-per-week operation. For more information, call Anaya’s office at (312) 989-2848.
Send news of events held “around the neighborhood” by the 15th of the month before the month they are to occur to William S. Bike, Around the Neighborhood, Gazette Chicago, 1335 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60607-3318, fax (312) 243-4270, or email info@gazettechicago.com.