By Ed Finkel, New Communities Program It was almost like Lollapalooza for the elderly. About 400 seniors gathered for free health screenings, and health-related information while enjoying lunch, bingo, a raffle and live music during the 14th annual Cinco de Mayo Senior Health and Resource Fair on Chicago’s South Side. Hosted in the gymnasium...
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Heavy diesel truck traffic is likely causing health problems for the residents of Pilsen. The neighborhood is no stranger to pollution — a battle between the H. Kramer Co. and residents who want the smelter to reduce its air emissions has been going on for years. But Dorian Breuer of the Pilsen Environmental Rights...
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After numerous inspections and citations, state officials closed the troubled Somerset Place on Monday, March 12 — but that didn’t end the ongoing saga for nearly 200 mentally ill residents who were left without a place to live. Somerset Place, a nursing home at 5009 N. Sheridan Road that housed mentally disabled and elderly...
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This film follows filmmaker Bobby Bailey and a team through Africa to tell the story of malaria and examine its effects on the lives of mothers and daughters, fathers and sons. Malaria is preventable, but causes nearly 500 million illnesses each year and kills nearly one million of those who become infected – most...
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The Cornucopia Institute’s Organic Soy Report and accompanying Scorecard rates companies that market organic soy foods, such as soymilk, tofu and “veggie burgers.” The scorecard rates most major brands based on 10 criteria that are important to organic consumers. The report separates companies that follow the spirit and letter of the organic law from...
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By Jennifer Ensign Kim Marr recalls that she was 19 years old and four months pregnant when her husband first hit her. She didn’t know what had happened because she was knocked unconscious and fell to the ground. Marr said she quickly forgave her attacker. “I heard those magic words: ‘I promise I’ll never...
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The problem: HIV cases in Illinois are rising, but funding in next year’s newly proposed budget does not meet the need. The solution: bi-partisan effort to produce a smart budget — which hasn’t been the state’s forte in the past. “If that funding is not produced, we will unquestionably all see 500 to 1,000...
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People convicted of drug crimes in Illinois could face an automatic six-month suspension of their drivers’ licenses, a proposal that is drawing sharp criticism from drug policy analysts. House Bill 5720 would require drug offenders to stay out of the driver’s seat for a period of six months for the first offense and one...
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On the eve of the U.S. House of Representatives’ historic vote on health care reform, thousands of black Chicagoans attended a symposium to urge President Barack Obama to form public policy with African-Americans in mind. The president has highlighted his administration’s efforts to overhaul the health care system, reform mortgage lending practices, improve the...
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Cigarettes could disappear from Illinois drug stores under a new bill proposed before the state legislature. State Rep. Marlow H. Colvin, (D-Chicago) introduced a bill last month that would prohibit the sale of tobacco products in hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. If passed, the bill would take effect in 2011. Offenders would face a fine...
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