NNPA NEWSWIRE — For more than a decade, the nonprofit CORE Services Group has been an effective partner to New York City’s Department of Homeless Services. It runs dozens of emergency or transitional housing centers, where clients receive skills training, substance abuse treatment, shelter and other critical services. Time and again, the city has turned to CORE to help fight the chronic problem of poverty and homelessness.
OP-ED: An Unfair Attack on an Organization Making a Difference
COMMENTARY: Build Back Better balances Joe Biden’s 3-legged Stool
NNPA NEWSWIRE — In March, Democrats passed President Biden’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) without a single Republican vote. In addition to making sure we had enough vaccines and getting them out quickly and equitably, the ARP scaled up testing and tracing and addressed the shortages of personal protective equipment. The ARP expanded the Child Tax Credit, which lifted nearly half of America’s children living in poverty out of poverty, and the Earned Income Tax Credit; the House-passed Build Back Better legislation will extend these expanded tax credits through 2022.
After Guilty Verdicts, Civil Rights Leaders Exhort Black America to ‘Never Stop Running for Ahmaud’
NNPA NEWSWIRE — A Glynn County, Georgia, convicted Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael, and William Bryan of felony murder. “Guilty. Guilty. Guilty,” civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump exclaimed. “Nothing will bring back Ahmaud, but his family will have some peace knowing the men who killed him will remain behind bars and can never inflict their brand of evil on another innocent soul,” Crump continued.
Pritzker signs Congressional Maps that preserve minority representation
SPRINGFIELD — After reviewing the General Assembly’s congressional maps drawn with 2020 U.S. Census data, Governor JB Pritzker signed the new U.S. House district map that reflects Illinois’ diversity and preserves minority representation in Illinois’ delegation in accordance with the federal Voting Rights Act.
Local families are looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday
Unlike last November’s small gatherings, this week’s Thanksgiving celebrations across the country have many people saying “go big or go home.” As many in this country have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, residents in Will County are confident celebrating the holiday with family and friends will not cause medical issues for them. Marisha Jackson of Joliet said she plans to go all out this Thanksgiving. “Besides my family, I am having my cousins, aunts and uncles over,” she said. “I love to cook so this holiday is ideal for me. Last year, it was just my husband, myself and our two children. I would rather cook for a large group than a few. It makes the holiday much more special when we can pass the food around and share laughs.”
Including You gives Thanks to partners
Including You, a not-for-profit organization in Joliet held an event November 20, 2021, to thank volunteers, sponsors and supporters who helped the organization during their annual event. Including You is a community-based organization whose mission is to help bridge funding gaps for various organizations who provide vital services to the Joliet community. This year $8,000 was given to two nonprofits.
Parking in downtown Plainfield could get easier
Anyone who has been to downtown Plainfield knows parking is at a premium. Now with the holiday shopping on the horizon, the Plainfield Village Board is considering an intergovernmental agreement that would expand the existing north Des Plaines Street parking lot in the downtown corridor. Allen Persons, public works director, said in April 2020, a developer was considering the demolition of a property at 15024 S. Des Plaines St. and redevelopment of this site. This plan, he adds, included the expansion of the Des Plaines Street parking lot within property owned by the village, Plainfield Township and the developer. “Staff has been informed that this plan will not be moving forward as discussed in 2020,” Persons said Monday.
Enjoy Thanksgiving safely Minimize the risk of a holiday spike
Families in surrounding suburbs will gather to enjoy the Thanksgiving feast and give thanks for all that they have – most of all each other. While the impact of the pandemic has been greatly reduced as more people and now children get vaccinated, there are still risks of spreading the virus. Health experts warn the holiday gatherings could be breeding grounds for spreading the virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the best way to minimize COVID-19 risk and keep family and friends safer is to get vaccinated. Many health experts this year also suggest if unvaccinated family and friends plan to attend holiday gatherings, they should get a rapid COVID test just before they show up. Here are some safe ways to celebrate the holidays from the CDC.
NorthPoint could get greenlight to expand
The proposed NorthPoint development planned for Joliet is about to get a whole lot bigger, much to the chagrin of some area residents opposed to the plans. NorthPoint Development brought a new annexation and development agreement for the proposed East Gate Logistics and Compass Business Park to the Joliet Plan Commission. The new plan seeks to annex another 950-plus acre parcel in addition to the 1,200-plus acres in unincorporated Jackson Township already approved by the Joliet City Council for the proposed warehouse and light manufacturing development.
Illinois Office of Tourism releases annual Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide in time for Small Business Saturday
Thetimesweekly.com The Illinois Office of Tourism released the annual Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide featuring twenty small businesses around the state and their one-of-a-kind products. Just in time for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 27, the 2021 Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide offers a wide array of unique gifts and experiences — from locally-sourced spirits and wine, to handmade ornaments and pottery, to wellness products from lavender and hemp farms —for shoppers to discover this holiday season. Sue Regis Glass Art in Joliet, hand-blown ornaments and memorial pieces was included in this years gift guide.

