Roz Edward

Spencer Leak Jr devoted his life to lifting people in poverty, the marginalized, and those pushed to emotional distraught. However, his contributions could never be merely limited to his role of a funeral director. Through the family business, he pushed barriers and opened doors so people of excluded communities could step into opportunity and dignity. Spencer cast a bold vision of an inclusive society—uniting people across race, class, and faith to build power together and expand the table of economic opportunity.

From Neighborhood Staples to Emerging Brands: Chicago Stars Awards Returns: Chicago Treasurer's Office launches 2026 nominations to spotlight the small businesses driving neighborhood investment, local spending, and economic growth across the city

Faith leaders declare state budget a moral document, call on lawmakers to tax mega corporations to fund home care, $2 wage increase for home care workers Prayer procession marks latest escalation in care workers' statewide campaign demanding legislators address care crisis, make billionaires pay what they owe

Chicago nurses are issuing notice for one-day strike over retaliation against nurses advocating for improved patient care. This action comes in light of Prime Saint Mary’s is actively disciplining nurses who advocate for patients and support organizing. Nurses at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago have issued a 10-day notice of a one-day strike […]

The Save Our SNAP Coalition is praising new investments in Illinois’ FY27 state budget aimed at addressing the impact of federal cuts to food assistance programs. In a statement, the coalition—made up of more than 90 organizations statewide—said the budget reflects Illinois’ commitment to supporting residents facing food insecurity as federal policy changes reduce access […]

Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Housing (DOH) announced the HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program, a new initiative designed to help eligible homebuyers achieve homeownership by providing assistance for down payments and closing costs. Funded with $21 million from Mayor Johnson’s $1.25 billion Housing and Economic Development Bond, the HomeGrown Program was created to address the growing affordability challenges facing low and moderate-income level families […]

For 20 years, workers for the Roseland Ceasefire Project have walked the streets of Roseland, Pullman and West Pullman interrupting violence, providing jobs and offering social services to residents proactively in response to gun violence. Over the last two summers, however, the organization is having to do more with less as a result of President […]

Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed an amicus brief calling for the continuation of a 60-year tradition of offering public access to hearings in serious disciplinary matters involving Chicago Police Department (CPD) officers. Raoul’s brief, filed in the Illinois Supreme Court, argues that moving these hearings behind closed doors would undermine both the state’s consent decree with the city […]

Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for a deadly arson that claimed the lives of four family members on Chicago’s South Side. On Thursday, May 21, 2026, at approximately 1:50 a.m., an extra-alarm fire erupted in […]

Efforts spearheaded by Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts to ensure the accurate appraisal of data centers could result in substantial increases in assessed value for “hyperscale” data centers and, if approved by the Fulton County Board of Assessors (BOA), could produce approximately $85 million in new revenue for schools, municipalities, and Fulton County government.