March 4, 2009 – Robert Marks, 31, and his wife, Deborah, were ecstatic to learn last July that she was pregnant. But the news couldn't have come at a worse time for Marks, who lost his employer-sponsored insurance when GE Captial in Chicago laid him off four months earlier under the pressure of a crumbling economy. When his...
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March 2, 2009 – How's this for a deal? An eight-piece dinner set, which funds programs at the Children's Memorial Hospital for $45. Or a pair of vintage cowboy boots for under $10 that saves a cat's life? Local charity stores have always been a goldmine for budget-conscious shoppers while also providing much-need funding for community programs. However,...
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Feb. 26, 2009 – Today, most people under the age of 30 have been introduced to computer tools that let you paint, manipulate, and create images. For most grade schoolers this is part of art, as well as media literacy. There are plenty of free paint-style programs, even some that come with whatever computer...
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Feb. 25, 2009 – Tens of thousands of Illinois students who maintain a “B” or better grade point average could receive scholarships covering the costs of college tuition and related fees under legislation introduced to the Illinois General Assembly, though opponents of the legislation say it’s too costly. Though it’s unclear whether the proposal...
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Feb. 24, 2009 – Chicago Public Schools' plan to close, phase out and turnaround up to 16 schools next year could be stopped under legislation being considered by the Illinois General Assembly. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that the list of school closures was lowered from 22 to 16 Monday by new Schools CEO Ron Huberman. "This sudden interruption...
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Times are hard. Not every graduate has his or her dream job. What's a struggling young professional to do? When the going gets tough, the techies go networking. If you have an interest in technology, as in being online, working online, creating a the next "killer app," or just networking to find collaborators to...
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Feb. 11, 2009 – College students from low-income households stand to benefit most from the educational provisions in the economic stimulus package, but paying for college will remain a daunting task for many Illinois families. The House of Representatives’ version of the economic stimulus package designates $15.64 billion for Pell Grants, with an additional...
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Feb. 19, 2009 – Americans are worrying themselves sick over their financial security in a declining economy. Doctors nationwide have reported increasing patient complaints of fatigue, irritability, sleeplessness and apathy, which are common symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to an October 2008 report by the American Psychological Association. But just as the need for mental health services is reaching...
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Feb. 17, 2009 – Chicago legal aid societies, providing services for some of the city’s poorest residents with non-criminal cases, are bracing themselves. As a result of lowered federal interest rates, these organizations will see a sharp cut in funding, while requests for their services has, in some cases, doubled. Legal aid societies have...
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Story by Sarahmaria Gomez and Alex Fledderjohn of TuMultimedia Feb. 20, 2009 – A video from TuMultimedia and LISC/Chicago: Home foreclosures continue to damage Chicago neighborhoods at a rapid rate, but community members are coming together to put an end to this crisis. Categories: Citywide Editor’s Choice Money Matters Politics Videos & Slideshows Tags:...
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