Chicago, IL

Our Chicago: Importance of Illinois allies as LGBTQ+ people face continued challenges

Published

3 years ago

June 26, 2022

Our Chicago: Importance of Illinois allies as LGBTQ+ people face continued challenges

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago’s Delight Parade is again after being canceled for 2 years due to the pandemic. However as we rejoice, we’re additionally wanting on the work that also must be executed to make sure fairness and entry for LGBTQ+ folks right here within the metropolis and throughout the nation.

Brian C. Johnson is the CEO of Equality Illinois. He is been on the forefront of preventing for LGBTQ+ justice for years. Johnson not too long ago stated that “queer folks have by no means been extra equal and affirmed right here in Illinois.” However there’s extra work to be executed.

“We’re over criminalized,” stated Johnson. “We’re 3 times extra prone to be incarcerated than our friends who’re non-LGBTQ+. We’re much less prone to have entry to satisfactory and affirming healthcare. And we’re extra prone to earn low wages or be meals insecure.”

Our Chicago: Half 2

“The value of dwelling in a democracy is you must get up on daily basis and proceed to combat on your rights and your freedoms. We see payments throughout the nation the place persons are attacking younger folks for acknowledging their id, or the identities of their households in class with ‘Do not Say Homosexual’ payments,” Johnson stated. “We see far-right anti-equality forces attempting to assault households for attempting to fulfill the healthcare wants of their trans younger folks. And we see an Equality Act which might enshrine nationally lots of the protections that we’ve got right here in Illinois that is been stalled within the Senate for years.”

So how essential is the help of LGBTQ+ allies?

“We’d like our allies. In Illinois, about 500,000 folks establish as LGBTQ+. So with a purpose to construct the motion that is going to demand our full equality, we’d like all people who loves a queer particular person, who works with an LGBTQ+ particular person, who worships with or lives close to somebody who identifies as LGBTQ+ to face up alongside of us, and to combat for our full justice,” Johnson stated.

Equality Illinois not too long ago wrapped up a listening tour throughout the state.

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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.