Chicago, IL

Our Chicago: Helping Puerto Rico after Fiona and preparing for disaster

Published

2 years ago

September 25, 2022

Our Chicago: Helping Puerto Rico after Fiona and preparing for disaster

CHICAGO (WLS) — Virtually precisely 5 years after Hurricane Maria plunged Puerto Rico into an prolonged blackout, the island was devastated by Fiona whereas it was a hurricane.

The storm dumped as much as 20 inches of rain in some areas. It as soon as once more broken {the electrical} grid, which hadn’t been totally repaired after Maria.

Former Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez left Puerto Rico simply hours earlier than Fiona made landfall.

SEE ALSO | Chicago’s Puerto Rican neighborhood outraged by tempo of change since Hurricane Maria

“You have to perceive they by no means mounted {the electrical} grid after 5 years. That is essentially the most technically superior nation on the planet, the richest nation on the planet. We did not repair that grid, and that’s a part of the failure and the loss of life and the devastation on the island of Puerto Rico,” Gutierrez stated. “Quantity two, I’m now a resident of the state of Illinois, however I lived there for 2 years. Outages are frequent and customary, and the water goes and comes… Now, every part is run by diesel. An island that has a lot solar, that it may possibly seize to generate power, a lot wind, and so many waves off its coast has by no means used that expertise to run its electrical system.”

In Chicago, the Puerto Rican Agenda rapidly started to lift cash for restoration efforts. The Nationwide Puerto Rican Museum is a member.

WATCH: Our Chicago Half 2

“Individuals on the island need assistance and other people getting bored with being handled as second-class residents after we are Americans,” Billy Ocasio, the president and CEO.

He stated fundraisers are deliberate within the coming days to assist the individuals of Puerto Rico.

RELATED | Find out how to assist Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic throughout Hurricane Fiona

And whereas Illinois would not expertise hurricanes like Puerto Rico, now we have our personal share of potential risks. September is Nationwide Preparedness Month. It is a reminder for us all to have a plan in place in case of an emergency or catastrophe.

One key step is to create an emergency bag. In response to Pleasure Squier with the American Purple Cross of Better Chicago, you may need one on your dwelling, one other on your automotive.

See what’s in a survival package right here.

Discover out extra concerning the Purple Cross app right here.

Click on right here to donate to the Puerto Rican Agenda reduction efforts.

Click on right here to donate to the American Purple Cross.

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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.