Chicago, IL

Chicago Pride Fest kicks off with heightened security following foiled white nationalist plot

Published

2 years ago

June 19, 2022

Chicago Pride Fest kicks off with heightened security following foiled white nationalist plot

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago’s Pleasure Fest is again.

“I believe it is cool. I like see everybody come collectively and present their sexuality and help for the whole lot,” mentioned Imani Drozd, an attendee.

For the primary time for the reason that begin of the pandemic, the annual legendary road competition returned to the town’s North Halsted Road hall.

Normally held the weekend earlier than the Chicago Pleasure Parade, this yr’s celebration of unity and neighborhood options two days of meals and fare together with dwell music, DJs, and drag exhibits on separate three levels.

“I do not know if I am in search of anybody particularly, I am simply excited for all of them,” mentioned Rachel Mafiarf.

Attendee Seneca Ammons additionally weighed in.

“Tomorrow is one of the best day in my view. Now we have the Juneteenth celebration,” Ammons mentioned.

Chicago native Dida Ritz, a contestant on season 4 of RuPaul’s “Drag Race,” wowed the group Saturday afternoon.

“Bear in mind satisfaction is not only for the gays. It is for everybody,” Ritz mentioned.

SEE ALSO | CPD seems into doable satisfaction parade threats after IL man, 30 others arrested for alleged plot

Safety was tight and there was a visual police presence for the competition following a foiled try by white nationalists to disrupt a satisfaction occasion in northern Idaho.

“Simply from how we entered and the way in which they searched us and stuff, it appears fairly good,” mentioned attendee Edmundo Gonzalez.

On the Pleasure Fest, there are safety checkpoints and no massive baggage are allowed, amongst different safety measures.

“We’re very snug with the protocols now we have in place. It should be a really protected and fun-filled weekend,” mentioned Chicago Pleasure Fest Chairperson Mark Liberson.

And whereas a lot of the focus is on enjoyable, for some there’s additionally concern about continued assaults on this neighborhood.

“The best way that laws federally across the nation, it is actually a possibility for us to showcase who we’re as a neighborhood and for us to come back collectively and say that our voices won’t be silenced,” mentioned Dustin Erikstrup of the AIDS Basis of Chicago.

However for the Sauer household, the day is about supporting their neighbors and the LGBTQ+ neighborhood.

“It is only a enjoyable, optimistic occasion,” Lauren Sauer mentioned.

And whereas security is a precedence, it is about celebrating and embracing the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, wherever you could be.

“I am so excited to see individuals out and having fun with themselves and the liberty that we had, that we actually misplaced for 2 years,” mentioned attendee Tony Odisho.

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Chicago, IL

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Crew by way of

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 3:26AM

FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.
Shutterstock

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.

The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.

The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.

After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.

It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.

The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.

Chicago, IL

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.

“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”

WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story

“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”

“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”

SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor

For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.

“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”

However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.

Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.

Chicago, IL

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:52PM

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.

The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.

The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.

However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.

This story is breaking and can be up to date.