NewsBreak Original

Dr. Rose Marie McCoy, the wife of noted Southland Pastor and Civic Leader, Chief Apostle William McCoy, and his partner in the implementation of many programs to fight poverty, hunger, underemployment, drug and alcohol addiction, hopelessness and despair, has passed on. After the announcement of her passing, our publication was contacted by many who wanted to give thanks for her work, and offer their condolences. At press-time we are only able to include a few words from area leaders, and apologize for not being able to share more. We at the South Suburban News offer our most humble and sincere prayers and condolences to the McCoy family, and thank her for her sacrifices and the many years of service to our community. Michael Taylor, Publisher - South Suburban News.

Kankakee School District #111 Superintendent, Dr. Genevra Walters met with South Suburban News Editorial Board and the Publisher, Michael Taylor this week to announce that she will be seeking election to the Illinois House of Representatives 79th District, as a democrat. That seat is currently held by republican, Jackie Haas.

Chicago Gospel Tribune and South Suburban News Publisher, Michael Taylor, shared a conversation with “Civil Rights Icon” Jesse Jackson, Sr. this past week. Taylor said that he is happy that he was able to meet with Jackson and shared a copy of the Gospel Tribune with Jackson’s picture on the front.

Has it happened yet? Has the real leadership in Thornton Township, the body who’s job it is to advise and provide consent for the laws, legislation, rules and censure, of an unruly, and seemingly out of step Supervisor, Tiffany Henyard, stood up yet? Has the tax issues surrounding the Thornton Township Assessor being locked out of her office and how that has affected the many municipalities in Thornton Township, become important enough for leaders in Thornton Township to stand up?

It was only a week ago that the Editorial Board of the South Suburban News presented an editorial regarding Tiffany Henyard and her leadership in the southland community of Dolton, where she serves as mayor. In addition, she serves as the Township Supervisor of Thornton Township. It was shortly after a news report on FOX News Chicago, where questions were raised about her “Cares” charity and questions about public funds allegedly being laundered by the charity according to the reporting.

Dr. Andre’ LaNier is on a mission to aid those in need while spreading Christian teachings. The Promote Jesus Chicago initiative is located in the Washington Heights community on the far South Side. The church is 13 years old and www.PromoteJesusChicago.com is 3 years old.

When Dr. Tiffany Brunson became Superintendent of Schools for Elementary School District 159, one of her priorities was to be transparent with all stakeholders. Throughout the school-year she held Chat n Chews with parents, staff, and students to receive input, feedback, and listen to their concerns. Her commitment to transparency was exemplified again on May 4th, when she presented the inaugural State-of-the-District Address to the community, sharing the District’s “glows and grows” of the 2022-2023 school year. During her presentation at the District’s Administration Center, Dr. Brunson highlighted the achievements, new developments, and future plans for each administrative department.

After several inquiries regarding our August 2019 story on diversity and Prairie State College working with minorities and persons with disabilities, the South Suburban News is taking the opportunity to reach out to the leadership of the heralded institution.

On a wonderful spring day last week, the Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC), in collaboration with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez, announced the construction of the Otto Veterans Square development. It is an affordable housing project for veterans located in downtown Chicago Heights.

Seventy-five high school seniors from 14 high schools in suburban Cook County and Kankakee County received scholarships on Wednesday as a result of successful joint fundraising efforts by a group of suburban school district superintendents and the United Negro College Fund.

The war in Ukraine has had a significant impact on the small business community in the country. The ongoing conflict has led to economic instability, which has made it challenging for small businesses to operate.

The Southland Regional Mayoral Black Caucus (SRMBC) members elected Mayor Terry Wells to lead the organization as President. Wells is a founding member of SRMBC and has held the position of Secretary, Vice President and now President. He serves as the Mayor of the Village of Phoenix, IL, a position he has held since 1993, making him the longest serving African American Mayor in the State of Illinois. Mayor Wells also serves as the Chairman of the Board of South Suburban College (SSC).His years as a public servant and community advocate bring a wealth of leadership experience and passion for positive change within local communities. Mayor Wells’ expertise will help to further grow the SRMBC into an even greater, more successful organization that will continue to foster a lasting impact on the Southland region. He succeeds Immediate Past President, Mayor Roger A. Agpawa of the City of Markham, IL who will remain a member of the Executive Board as President Emeritus along with Mayor Vernard L. Alsberry, Jr. of the Village of Hazel Crest, ILIn addition, Mayor Jada Curry of the Village of Lynwood, IL was elected Vice President. Re-elected to another term were Mayor James Ford of the City of Country Club Hills, IL as Secretary; Mayor Robert Polk of the Village of Burnham, IL as Treasurer; and Mayor Ronald Denson of the Village of Calumet Park, IL was re-appointed as SRMBC’s Sergeant at Arms.

Dr. Johnnie Thomas- Superintendent of Rich Township High School District 227- will be joined by elected officials, faculty and staff in welcoming the Princess of Sierra Leone, Africa ,Sarah Culberson, to Rich Township High School.

As the Chicago mayoral race heats up, one local Matteson web designer believes that the outcome will have a significant impact on suburban business owners. Virgil Griffin, the founder of GBN Web Development, says that many Chicago consumers regularly shop in the south suburbs, and any changes to the city's policies could affect the flow of business in the area.

Dr. Shari Demitrowicz joined the City of Chicago Heights management team as the Superintendent of the Park District early in 2022 and hit the ground running with a mission to deliver a new era of family engagement, education, and exploration opportunities to the community. Her passion to revitalize the Park District in ways that engage residents of all generations is boldly spoken as she articulates her vision and plan for the future. The recreation center will become a multifunctional center where educational programs, health and wellness, recreation/leisure, and fitness will be offered. Through her efforts in securing grant funding of $600,000 from Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD), there is a plan to develop two soccer fields with lighting and spectator seating. And closest to her heart, as a professional educator, is her clear and unwavering commitment to building strong partnerships with the schools, and offering state of the art programs that ignite an excitement for learning within the spirit of kids of all ages. Demitrowicz articulates a vision where the doors of the community open to a laboratory of outdoor education experiences that capture the essence of STEAM education with science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics at the center of rich problem-based learning experiences. “I try to imagine the workplace and community two decades from now; and the expectations that will be held for our kids as they become young adults. Albert Einstein reminded us that play is the highest form of research. Kids love play and they love exploration and problem solving. I am anxious to build programs that bring high level learning and play into an exciting new venue.”

Chicago Heights, IL (March 16, 2023) – Comcast joined Illinois Second Congressional District Representative Robin Kelly (front center), Chicago Heights, IL, Mayor David Gonzalez (far right) and others to announce a $13,500 donation to the Harold Colbert Jones Memorial Community Center to support digital skills and workforce development training. The grant also was used to purchase new furniture and additional technology at the organization’s “Lift Zone,” which Comcast opened onsite in January 2021. Lift Zones are WiFi-connected safe spaces where students can get online to do schoolwork and adults can get online to build digital skills, search for jobs and access an array of services.

When Mayor Joseph Roudez took office in University Park in 2019, the financial picture for the village was dismal at best. The village’s credit rating was poor. It was so poor in fact, that the village was locked out of the Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act Grantee Portal. In a sentence, the finances were so bad that the village could not apply for grant funds from the state of Illinois. This was due in part to the back log of audits that had not been completed. Mayor Roudez inherited this situation. It did not end there. Motor Fuel Tax dollars needed to repair roads could not be trusted to the village. That money was critical to getting roads repaired.

Rich Township School Board District 227 candidates Randy Alexander, and Andrea Bonds have made it known to their community that educating children is their prime objective. It is not just through word of mouth that most voters believe this statement. It is simply this, they have served on the board and there has been amazing progress made under their leadership.

On last evening Illinois State Senator and Thornton Township Democratic Committeeman Napoleon Harris was joined by Democratic leaders throughout Thornton Township in announcing his endorsement of Harvey Businessman Anthony McCaskill for Mayor of Harvey. The announcement took place during a meeting of the Democrats of Thornton Township at the Beggars Pizza restaurant in Harvey, Illinois.

“The Village of University Park is on the map like never before, “says a piece of campaign literature hanging on a door knob in University park. Joseph Roudez, the Mayor of University Park is coming off a term that brought many challenges to the village. During the Covid-19 Pandemic and a once in a hundred years water crisis, he brought a community that had struggled in some very trying times, out of it all, after the storm.