We’re back!
Hello readers, we’re back from holiday break with our first print issue of the year. Just as a reminder, our paper hits newsstands every other Thursday, and we also publish continuously on our website (where you can also find a distribution map). Through our website, you can also subscribe to the paper, and for a small fee have it delivered right to your doorstep. Happy new year!
City-run Roseland mental health clinic re-opens
A mental health clinic in Roseland reopened last week after being shut down by former mayor Rahm Emanuel years ago. The reopening is part of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to reopen several shuttered mental health clinics, and follows clinics opening in Pilsen and West Garfield Park last year. The clinic will provide mental health services Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 7:30pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, and 8:30am to 4:30pm Wednesdays through Fridays. The clinic will also provide sexual health services, such as HIV medication and STD testing, three days a week. “We hope that this will be more than a clinic,” Johnson said at the reopening. “It’s true that this is a gathering space that will foster health and wellness.”
Chicago gets over $400 million for disaster relief from 2023/2024 storms
$426 million in federal money is coming Chicago’s way, as part of a natural disaster recovery package from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The relief money is for recovery costs associated with storms and flooding from 2023 and 2024, and is meant for fixing up housing, strengthening infrastructure, and risk mitigation for future weather events. In July of 2023, Chicago and nearby areas were hit with record-breaking storms that caused massive flooding, especially in West Side neighborhoods like Austin. In July 2024, Chicago experienced more than forty tornadoes in a thirty-six hour period, also causing extensive damages. The funds will be distributed locally, after a needs assessment and at least one community meeting, but more details about whether that would happen at the City or ward-level were not available at press time.
Four medical conditions added to medical marijuana list
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced last week that four additional medical conditions could now be treated with medical marijuana. Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and female orgasmic disorder were the conditions added to the list, which includes dozens of other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, seizures, migraines, chronic pain, and many more. Patients with a valid medical marijuana card can avoid high recreational taxes and buy more cannabis, as well as cultivate up to five plants at home.
Derrick Rose jersey retired
It’s official. The Chicago native, Derrick Rose, will always be the city’s number one Bull. The Chicago Bulls team announced on January 4 that the No. 1 jersey will be retired and hanging from the rafters next season. While Rose’s former jersey retirement follows other past legendary Bull members such as Jerry Sloan’s No.4, Bob Love’s No. 10, Michael Jordan’s No. 23 and Scottie Pippen’s No 23., his history in the league includes breaking records and leaving a long lasting impression on the Chicagoans rooting him on from home. Aside from playing on the Bulls for eight years, he’s played on five other teams, such as the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers. Not only is he the youngest MVP in NBA history, but he was the No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft. Although Rose has played 723 games in fifteen seasons racking up 12,573 points with 3,770 assists, the number we’ll remember him most by will be number one.