Chicago, IL

Mayor Lightfoot, Gov. Pritzker join in opening AIDS Garden Chicago

Published

3 years ago

June 2, 2022

Mayor Lightfoot, Gov. Pritzker join in opening AIDS Garden Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — The AIDS Backyard Chicago formally opened Thursday, spanning two and a half acres of the lakefront simply south of Belmont.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. JB Pritzker have been amongst those that have been on-hand for the ribbon chopping.

They have been joined by different state and leaders to launch Delight month within the space.

“I see only a handful of fellows who survived, so this can be a memorial,” stated Illinois Rep. Greg Harris (D-Thirteenth District.).

“It is in reminiscence of each life misplaced to HIV and AIDS right here in Chicago that we dedicate this backyard,” stated Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

See extra Delight Month protection from ABC7 Chicago

This spot is the town’s first public monument to memorialize the early days of Chicago’s HIV epidemic and to honor those that proceed to battle the illness.

The primary section of this $1.5 million backyard was full in late 2019, and floor was formally damaged final June. It absolutely opened on Thursday.
The backyard consists of areas designed for reflection, training, honor and satisfaction.

WATCH: Gov. Pritzker speaks at AIDS Backyard Chicago opening

The two.5-acre location, which features a 30-foot sculpture, is the unique spot of the historic Belmont rocks, an area the place the native homosexual group gathered between the Nineteen Sixties and Nineties.

Lightfoot shared a narrative of when she got here there way back earlier than she got here out.
“I used to be amazed to see what felt like a sea of numerous, stunning humanity that was sitting right here, hanging out, dancing, enjoying music, barbecuing. I might by no means seen or skilled something like that earlier than, and it gave me a way of assurance that I used to be making the precise determination by popping out and embracing who I used to be,” Lightfoot stated.

WATCH: Mayor Lightfoot speaks at AIDS Backyard Chicago opening

“This was the vacation spot,” stated Lori Cannon. “Having fun with the lakefront, this was our place.”

“It was a giant factor and The Rocks was a spot the place folks got here and felt protected,” stated Donald M. Bell.

Cannon, Bell and Owen Keehnen are among the many storytellers guests can take heed to as they stroll via the backyard.

“Joyful instances and buddies and cookouts,” Keehnen recalled. “It is what was wanted at a time when the remainder of life was not that.”

Guests can scan QR codes all through the backyard to listen to their tales. Others are invited to share their tales of these instances and people misplaced, and recollections of this historic place.

The Chicago Parks Basis continues the expertise on-line by launching the AIDS Backyard Story Archive, a digital quilt of private shared experiences posted on the AIDS Backyard Chicago web site.

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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.