Visualizedconcepts/Landmarks Illinois/Jahn
Love it, hate it or walk by it with utter indifference, the James R. Thompson Center is facing a reckoning this year. Will it be saved, adapted, torn down or, if the market casts a cloud over its shimmering glass skin, will it fall into neglect?
Each one of those questions contains a host of others. Whatever happens to the building, state government’s base in Chicago since 1985, will influence the future of the Central Loop.
It occupies a full block in a part of town that usually exhibits Chicago’s economic muscle but lately has come down with cramps. The vintage office buildings lack the floor-to-ceiling windows many tenants desire nowadays, so some marquee names such as BMO Harris and Bank of America have chosen new West Loop homes in towers designed at least partly to their specifications.
State celebrates Black-owned businesses
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Illinois is honoring Black-owned businesses during National Black History Month by hosting a series of Webex events to recognize their contributions and aid their continued growth, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For example, the Feb. 11 program will feature a discussion with eight Illinois small-business owners who will talk about their experiences during the pandemic, barriers they overcame and lessons they learned that could help other Black-owned businesses thrive.
The state has 132,000 Black-owned businesses.
Planned by the Illinois Department of Commerce, the Office of Minority Economic Empowerment, the Department of Central Management Services and community and civic leaders, the six events will include a range of topics offering insight into resources and programs exclusively focused on boosting Black- and minority-owned businesses in Illinois.
Illinois kicks off Black History Month
Canton Daily Ledger
CHICAGO The State of Illinois announced a series of events and resources planned during February’s National Black History Month to recognize the important contributions of Black businesses in Illinois’ economy, and to promote efforts aimed at supporting their continued growth in the years ahead. Planned by the Illinois Department of Commerce (DCEO) Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE), the Department of Central Management Services (CMS), and community and civic leaders including the Chicago Urban League, Fifth Third Bank, and more – the events planned will include a wide range of topics offering insight into resources and programs exclusively focused on boosting Black and minority-owned businesses in Illinois.
2 months ago in Local dlappen Photo: Saga Communications
CHICAGO –The State of Illinois today announced a series of events and resources planned during February’s National Black History Month to recognize the important contributions of Black businesses in Illinois’ economy, and to promote efforts aimed at supporting their continued growth in the years ahead. Planned by the Illinois Department of Commerce (DCEO) Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE), the Department of Central Management Services (CMS), and community and civic leaders including the Chicago Urban League, Fifth Third Bank, and more – the events planned will include a wide range of topics offering insight into resources and programs exclusively focused on boosting Black and minority-owned businesses in Illinois.
By Capitol News
SPRINGFIELD Gov. JB Pritzker pushed back on criticisms of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout Thursday, Jan. 29, saying state officials are “doing everything we can” to ensure timely delivery of doses.
Illinois currently ranks 47th among all 50 states in vaccine distribution, with 4.8% of the state’s 12.7 million residents having been vaccinated so far. The state has issued 829,488 total doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Thursday, with only 1.4% of the state’s population having received both required doses.
Some state lawmakers have criticized the Pritzker administration for the slow delivery of the vaccine, especially at long-term care facilities that have been prioritized under the state’s vaccine distribution plan.