Chicago, IL

Polar Plunge Chicago returns in-person to North Avenue Beach

Published

2 years ago

March 8, 2022

CHICAGO (WLS) — A bunch of 75 folks from the town’s South Aspect bought on board to courageous the freezing chilly waters of Lake Michigan Sunday, all for a superb trigger.

Kidd’s Krue, named after Particular Olympics Gold Medalist Kidd Carrig, was proud to take part.

“I take essentially the most satisfaction out of the truth that we’ve essentially the most donors. We do not have the best cash and that is fantastic. We have raised over seventy thousand {dollars} that children can use for hopefully years to return,” stated Tim Carrig, the Kidd’s Krue group captain.

The Polar Plunge is the biggest fundraiser for Particular Olympics Chicago. There’s additionally a digital choice this 12 months, after your entire occasion was digital in 2021, as a result of COVID-19.

Chicago Polar Plunge goes digital amid COVID-19 pandemic

“It is nice to be again in-person; everyone seems to be so excited. We’ve got an awesome day immediately; the solar is shining,” stated Carolyn Daley, Particular Olympics Chicago Board president.

Over the past decade, the Chicago Polar Plunge has develop into the biggest and most well-known plunge within the nation, attracting celeb plungers and garnering nationwide and worldwide consideration, organizers stated.
Plungers have included Vince Vaughn, Dax Shepard and Girl Gaga.

Chris Witaske, creator of the Chicago Celebration Aunt Twitter account and co-creator of the Netflix collection “Chicago Celebration Aunt” was a VIP plunger and Chef Joe Flamm of Rose Mary Chicago additionally participated. He auctioned off a desk for 4 at Rose Mary Chicago’s anniversary dinner on April 20 to at least one fortunate winner who donates over $25 to his Chicago Polar Plunge fundraising web page.

About 4,000 folks participated within the Polar Plunge this 12 months and all the cash raised helps pay for year-round athletic applications for 1000’s of athletes with mental disabilities. Transportation prices, sports activities tools, and group uniforms are all lined by these donations.

“We’ve got a superb time, taking part in and joking. We’ve got enjoyable,” Kidd stated.

The Carrigs have taken half within the Polar Plunge since 2009. They at all times put collectively yearly costume. This time round, it was a Christmas theme.

“We have really seen the place the cash goes, so it has been superb. Kidd has been concerned since he was small. We actually made positive we bought him concerned early,” stated Ebony Carrig, Kidd’s mom. “It is simply been superb and yearly it is gotten greater and greater.”

This 12 months alone, Kidd’s Krue has raised greater than $70,000 for the Particular Olympics. It is a neighborhood effort with a block social gathering, companies donating meals and drinks. The proceeds profit the athletes of Particular Olympics Chicago.

“Simply to assist all the children and Particular Olympics, it is such an awesome trigger. We’ve got a good time right here. Simply seeing Kidd’s face so glad, it is a special occasion for him. It is a pleasure to return out and see him,” stated Erin Harty, a Polar Plunge participant.

It makes for a particular ambiance at North Avenue Seashore. It was additionally a particular second for Kidd to see all of the folks courageous the chilly waters for folks identical to him.

“For Kidd, nothing is not possible. You are able to do no matter you wish to do so long as you select you wish to do it. That is it,” Tim stated.

Registrants are requested to lift a minimal of $200 every. Final 12 months, members raised over $1 million. The Polar Plunge aimed to lift $2 million Sunday.

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Chicago, IL

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

Published

1 year 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

1 year 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

1 year 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.