Latest News:

On January 18, Residents' Journal Editor-in-Chief Mary C. Johns covered a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day sponsored by the Chicago Defender Charities in collaboration with the Feed, Clothe and Help the Needy Mission.
The organizations provided food and entertainment to dozens of homeless men, women and children of the Englewood community. Click here to see the new video.

We are pleased to announce the debut of We The People Media’s You Tube Channel. To see original coverage of key issues as well as previous episodes of “RJ TV,” our live, call-in program over the CAN TV network, Click here.

by Mary C. Johns, Editor-in-Chief
With a deadline fast approaching, organizers of the National Public Housing Museum and Education Center are working hard to raise funds and generate support to make the museum a reality.
But if one open house held earlier this spring is an indication, the museum already has the support of former and current residents of the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA). Click here to read more...

In a response to the recent escalating violence aimed at youth in the city’s neighborhoods, Chicago’s public access station, CAN TV will devote an entire day to programming produced by residents whose communities have been affected by violence.
The “Stop the Violence” programming will be cablecast from 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27 on cable channel CAN TV19. The day begins with a live one-hour panel and call-in show featuring community leaders from the Chicago Public Schools, the 6th Ward and Bronzeville.
Other programming for the day includes, first person accounts of parents, like 2009 Father of the Year Ron Holt, who’ve lost children to violence, a dance group offering an alternative to gang life, youth created work trying to make sense of the violence, and community residents active in anti-violence work.
On June 27, at 5 p.m., a documentary will air featuring interviews with gang members and street hustlers warning youth about the dangers of life on the streets.
For a complete schedule and descriptions of the “Stop the Violence” programs Click here

The Spring 2009 issue of Residents' Journal hit the streets with circulation crew distributing 40,000 copies of the paper to 250 locations in Chicago. Throughout the week of March 23, two vans with 6 circulation staff members distributed the latest issue of Residents’ Journal to various community centers, businesses, schools and religious institutions throughout the city. As well as the usual distribution locations of the paper, circulation staff found new drop off points for the paper, so be sure to check your local café, diner or barber shop.
If you were unable to get grab a copy on the streets, the complete issue is now available online. Please click on the image above to view the Spring 2009 issue of Residents' Journal.

Latest News:

by Ethan Michaeli, Publisher
Mitchell Szczepanczyk thinks the nation got a reprieve Wednesday when the US House of Representatives passed a delay in the conversion to digital television. Szczepanczyk, an organizer with Chicago Media Action, has been advocating for a delay for years, warning that tens of millions of Americans are unprepared for the conversion and are at risk for seeing their TV screens go dark. Click here to read more...

by Ethan Michaeli, Publisher
Democrats in the US Congress are still trying to delay the transition to digital television, according to the chairman of a powerful committee in the US House of Representatives. Click here to read more...

by Ethan Michaeli, Publisher
The U. S. Senate voted Monday to delay the transition to digital television to prevent up to 21 million households around the country from losing their television signals Click here to read more...

U. S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV).

by Mary C. Johns, Editor-in-Chief
The co-chair of the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team urged the US Congress to delay the conversion from analog television to digital broadcasting because of “major difficulties” they discovered in the preparation for the transition. Click here to read more...

by Mary C. Johns, Editor-in-Chief
Some Chicago police officers in early January 2009 denounced their own union’s efforts to fund former police Commander Jon Burge’s legal defense. Click here to read more...

by Mary C. Johns, Editor-in-Chief
“Without funding schools like Bronzeville that are central to the development of the city's youth, we'll fail. There won't be a future without us,” said Keidra Williams, a junior at the Bronzeville Academic Center, to State of Illinois officials during a public hearing on January 9 at the Chicago Urban League. Click here to read more...

Bronzeville junior high school student Keidra Williams, (right) talking to Illiniois legislators about the importance of funding alternative high schools for students who dropped out of public schools, during the public hearing on the national youth joblessness and high school drop out rate at the Chicago Urban League on January 9, 2009.

by Mary C. Johns, Editor-in-Chief
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today appointed former politician and statewide office-holder Roland W. Burris to the United States Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
Burris, once an opponent of Blagojevich for the governorship, was chosen for the vacant Senate position "after the Illinois House of Representatives dropped plans to schedule a special election for the spot," according to Blagojevich. Click here to read more...

Gov. Blajojevich and Senator replacment Roland Burris at a press conference on Dec. 30, 2008.

by Mary C. Johns, Editor-in-Chief
President-elect Barack Obama Friday described President George W. Bush’s efforts to stave off the financial collapse of the nation’s automakers as a “necessary step.” Speaking at a press conference in Chicago at which he announced four more candidates to his Cabinet, Obama said "Today's actions are a necessary step to help avoid a collapse in our auto industry that would have devastating consequences for our economy and our workers. Click here to read more...

by Mary C. Johns, Editor-in-Chief
Today, President-elect Barack Obama nominated former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle as secretary of health and human services and named him the director of a new White House Office of Health Reform.  Click here to read more...

President-elect Obama taking reporters field questions about his nomination of former SenatorTom Daschle's (right)as the Secretary of Health and Human Services at a morning press conference at the Chicago Hilton Towers on Dec. 11, 2008.

"When the United States stands up for human rights, by example at home and by effort abroad, we align ourselves with men and women around the world who struggle for the right to speak their minds, to choose their leaders, and to be treated with dignity and respect. We also strengthen our security and well being, because the abuse of human rights can feed many of the global dangers that we confront -- from armed conflict and humanitarian crises, to corruption and the spread of ideologies that promote hatred and violence. Click here to read more...

by Mary C. Johns, Editor-in-Chief
Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich, who recently sought out a Presidential pardon for his former predecessor—convicted felon Gov. George Ryan—now faces federal criminal charges of his own corruption as a public servant of the State. Click here to read more...

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich talking to a reporter about Illinois Sen. James Meeks school boycott, at the Chicago Defender Charities "Back-to-School" Bud Billiken Parade on August 9, 2008.

The Fall 2008 issue of Residents' Journal hit the streets with circulation crew distributing 40,000 copies of the paper to 250 locations in Chicago. Throughout the week of Nov. 17, two vans with 6 circulation staff members distributed the latest issue of Residents’ Journal to various community centers, businesses, schools and religious institutions throughout the city. As well as the usual distribution locations of the paper, circulation staff found new drop off points for the paper, so be sure to check your local café, diner or barber shop.
If you were unable to get grab a copy on the streets, the complete issue is now available online. Please click on the image above to view the Fall 2008 issue of Resident's Journal.

"The 533,000 jobs lost last month, the worst job loss in 34 years, is more than a dramatic reflection of the growing economic crisis we face. Each of those lost jobs represents a personal crisis for a family somewhere in America. Our economy has already lost nearly 2 million jobs during this recession, which is why we need an Economic Recovery Plan that will save or create at least 2.5 million more jobs over two years while we act decisively to maintain the flows of credit on which so many American families and American businesses depend. Click here to read more...

Breaking News: President-Elect Obama Picks Former Democratic Challenger as
Secretary of Commerce

by Mary C. Johns, Editor-in-Chief
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson was officially nominated Secretary of Commerce by President-elect Barack Obama today. Click here to read more...

Gov Bill Richardson and President-elect Barack Obama at AFLCIO Democratic Presidental Debate at Soldiers Filed

NEWS BRIEFS

All news briefs compliled and written by Mary C. Johns, Editor-in-Chief unless otherwise noted.

Fall 2008