News from 2024
Amazon employees can take advantage of 8 benefits and perks
By R. B. Pepalis | Aug 2, 2024
Amazon employees can take advantage of exclusive benefits and access to earned cash before payday, the company revealed in a January 8 blog post.
Founder of Mojo Spa: 'Amazon allowed us to grow as a company'
By E. F. Cullerton | Aug 6, 2024
Amanda Kezios, founder and creator of Mojo Spa, said selling her cosmetic goods on Amazon helped save her business and expand her customer base during the pandemic. Kezios made her comments in a March 20 blog post.
CFC announces Amazon-backed scholarship fund for HBCU students
By K. R. Nelson | Aug 8, 2024
The Chicago Football Classic (CFC) announced its annual Scholarship Fund at a press conference held at the Amazon Regional Office. The fund will award scholarships to incoming Chicago-area students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Amazon sponsored the event, providing laptop computers to each of the 20 scholarship recipients.
Forest Park STEM teacher chosen for Amazon Future Engineer Ambassador Program
By A. D. Bamburg | Aug 15, 2024
Amazon has announced that Grace Finn, a third through eighth grade STEM teacher who works at Forest Park Middle School and Field-Stevenson Elementary, was chosen as one of fifty educators to join the Amazon Future Engineer Teacher Ambassador Program.
Barbershop Tour founder: Trump has 'a personal invitation' to Barbershop Tour to 'get that haircut he mentioned'
By Southland Marquee | Aug 30, 2024
Jeffrey Coleman, founder and president of Barbershop Tour, invited former President Donald Trump to join him on his Barbershop Tour after the president said he was interested in getting a haircut at a black barbershop on a recent Fox News segment.
Amazon announces opening of new Amazon Fresh store in Tinley Park
By K. R. Nelson | Sep 2, 2024
Amazon has announced the opening of its eleventh Amazon Fresh store in the Greater Chicago area, located in Tinley Park, Illinois. The new store is expected to create numerous local jobs and contribute surplus food to the Illinois Food Bank.
15 million federal funding announced for EV charging infrastructure expansion in Chicago
By M. N. Tirado | Sep 5, 2024
CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and several Illinois congressional representatives have announced $15 million in federal funding for the Charge Up Chicago! project. This initiative aims to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the city.
Chicago opens bids for major concessions expansion at O'Hare International Airport
By A. I. Benavidez | Sep 5, 2024
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) announced a significant concessions bid opportunity at O'Hare International Airport today. The initiative, one of the largest in U.S. airport history, includes more than 100 new concession locations in Terminals 1 and 3 as part of ongoing modernization efforts.
Amazon's Career Choice program helps employee with 'mind-blowing' tuition benefits
By A. A. Sanchez | Sep 6, 2024
Sunday Adesuyi, a process assistant in Chicago for Amazon, said he utilized the Career Choice Program to better learn English and work on his communication skills in the workplace. Adesuyi provided his comments to the Southland Marquee on September 3.
UChicago researchers develop nanomedicine approach for enhanced cancer treatment
By R. B. Pepalis | Sep 9, 2024
Researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a nanomedicine that enhances the penetration and accumulation of chemotherapy drugs in tumor tissues, effectively killing cancer cells in mice.
Chicago enacts hiring freeze amid $222.9 million budget deficit
By A. I. Benavidez | Sep 9, 2024
In response to the ongoing fiscal challenges outlined in the 2025 Budget Forecast, the City of Chicago is taking immediate steps to mitigate the projected FY2024 budget deficit and address the anticipated budget gap for FY2025. Effective today, a series of budgetary restrictions will be enacted, including a citywide hiring freeze and stringent limitations on non-essential travel and overtime expenditures outside of public safety operations.
Northwestern scientist's platform tracks tight race between Trump and Harris
By K. R. Nelson | Sep 9, 2024
Daily updates enable followers to see how current and campaign events might affect potential election results. The model predicts how the Electoral College will vote. Similar models correctly predicted the 2020 presidential election and 2021 runoff elections for two Georgia Senate seats.
Amazon's Career Choice helps 200,000+ employees achieve their education goals
By K. R. Nelson | Sep 9, 2024
Since Amazon launched Career Choice, its education and career advancement benefit, it has helped more than 200,000 employees achieve their educational goals. They have obtained high school/GED diplomas, associate and bachelor’s degrees, and certifications.
University of Illinois Chicago updates protection policy for minors
By A. I. Benavidez | Sep 9, 2024
The University of Illinois Chicago reaffirms its commitment to providing a safe environment for minors (people under the age of 18, unless legally emancipated) who are participating in UIC programs both on and off campus as well as virtual programs. The University of Illinois Protection of Minors policy outlines requirements that members of the university community (UIC personnel, UIC volunteers, and UIC contractors) must take in order to provide a safe environment.
Fermilab's short-baseline near detector identifies first-ever neutrino interactions
By J. D. Suayan | Sep 10, 2024
Scientists working on the Short-Baseline Near Detector (SBND) at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory have identified the detector’s first neutrino interactions.
New study identifies vital connectors in brain's language network
By E. F. Cullerton | Sep 10, 2024
When surgeons perform brain surgery on individuals with brain tumors or epilepsy, it is crucial to remove the tumor or abnormal tissue while preserving parts of the brain that control language and movement.
Daley College president emphasizes role of community colleges in workforce development at IMTS 2024
By M. N. Tirado | Sep 10, 2024
This week, tens of thousands of manufacturing technology professionals from around the world are gathering in Chicago for one of the industry’s largest trade shows—the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2024.
Five city colleges recognized for excellence in student voter registration during 2022 midterms
By R. B. Pepalis | Sep 10, 2024
Today, the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge recognized Harold Washington College, Harry S Truman College, Kennedy-King College, Olive-Harvey College, and Richard J. Daley College for their nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts that led to high levels of student voter participation in the 2022 midterm elections. Each institution received the Bronze Seal, symbolizing their commitment to integrating nonpartisan democratic engagement into campus life.
Study finds targeted programs needed for U.S. South Asians' heart health
By A. A. Sanchez | Sep 11, 2024
U.S. South Asians — a predominantly immigrant population with heritage from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and/or Sri Lanka — have a higher risk for developing and dying from heart problems than East Asians or non-Hispanic white people. Pinpointing underlying causes has proved elusive, prompting Northwestern Medicine scientists to launch the largest cardiovascular-intervention trial for U.S. South Asians.
Chicagoland Chamber celebrates members in Crain’s notable leaders list
By R. B. Pepalis | Sep 11, 2024
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce has announced that 15 of its members have been recognized in Crain’s Chicago Business's notable leaders list. This list features 88 top professionals from the area, highlighting significant talent and expertise within the business community.