News from October 2024
UChicago hosts event on climate policy; launches new institute
By A. D. Nghiem | Oct 10, 2024
The University of Chicago is set to host an event on October 30, focusing on climate and energy policy. The gathering will feature scholars and leaders from various sectors and mark the launch of a new climate and energy institute at UChicago.
Illinois launches iGROW Tech Scholarship for STEM students
By A. D. Bamburg | Oct 10, 2024
The Illinois Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 academic year. This scholarship aims to support Illinois students pursuing careers in STEM fields by providing financial assistance for college tuition, fees, and room and board. In return, recipients must commit to working in Illinois after graduation.
Blackhawks activate Kaiser from IR; Phillips assigned to Rockford
By A. D. Bamburg | Oct 10, 2024
The Chicago Blackhawks have announced the activation of defenseman Wyatt Kaiser from injured reserve. Kaiser, who was sidelined due to illness, is now set to rejoin the team. Alongside this development, the Blackhawks have reassigned defenseman Isaak Phillips to the Rockford IceHogs in the American Hockey League.
Doorman charged with promoting prostitution after undercover operation
By A. D. Bamburg | Oct 10, 2024
A 34-year-old man has been charged with promoting prostitution after an investigation by the Cook County Sheriff's Police Special Victims Unit.
Northwestern launches center targeting toddler mental health with $11.7 million NIMH grant
By A. D. Nghiem | Oct 10, 2024
Northwestern University has initiated a new Mental Health, Earlier Center at the Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (DevSci) with an $11.7 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). This center aims to tackle youth mental health issues by focusing on early signs of vulnerability in toddlers during routine pediatric care.
Amazon announces an increase in hourly-wage levels and benefits for Illinois workers
By A. D. Nghiem | Oct 10, 2024
E-commerce company Amazon recently announced an increase in hourly wages for its order fulfillment and transportation workers to $22 per hour and to more than $29 per hour for those with benefits packages, impacting the roughly 40,000 Amazon employees across the state of Illinois.
Amazon launches Chicago Bears limited-edition NFL echo pop smart speaker
By A. D. Nghiem | Oct 10, 2024
Amazon has unveiled limited-edition NFL Echo Pop smart speakers, featuring designs for all 32 NFL teams, including the Chicago Bears.
Chicago Blackhawks launch 'Sticks In' platform for youth hockey in Illinois
By A. D. Bamburg | Oct 11, 2024
The Chicago Blackhawks have introduced 'Sticks In,' a platform designed to promote youth hockey across Illinois and neighboring states. This initiative aims to simplify access to information, encouraging more young people to explore hockey and its benefits.
Illinois Tech welcomes six new faculty members to College of Computing
By Southland Marquee | Oct 11, 2024
Illinois Institute of Technology's College of Computing has introduced six new faculty members for the fall 2024 semester. This addition aims to cater to an increasing student population and promote innovation through research.
Chicago Treasurer announces speakers for Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow Summit
By A. D. Bamburg | Oct 11, 2024
The Office of the Chicago Treasurer has announced the lineup for the Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow (BWTT) Financial Empowerment Summit.
Pearson Global Forum explores negotiation amid global tensions
By A. D. Bamburg | Oct 11, 2024
The Pearson Global Forum is set to take place on October 18, 2024, focusing on the theme "Negotiation and Agreement." The event will bring together a diverse group of participants, including academics, political leaders, policymakers, journalists, and members of the public. The discussions aim to address whether negotiation still holds relevance in today's divided world.
London tech firm chooses Chicago for US headquarters
By A. D. Nghiem | Oct 11, 2024
In a virtual event, Mayor Brandon Johnson and World Business Chicago announced that Pirkx, a London-based insurtech company, has chosen Chicago as its U.S. headquarters. The announcement was made in an event connecting officials from both cities, including Pirkx founder and CEO Stella Smith.
Students explore Red Summer race riots through creative projects
By Southland Marquee | Oct 11, 2024
High school students gathered at the Illinois Institute of Technology in summer 2024 to participate in a program titled Healing 1919. The initiative aimed to explore the race riots of the "Red Summer" of 1919 and foster discussions on race relations. Students, known as justice ambassadors, were encouraged to create projects that promote civic action and racial healing.
South Side Science Festival connects community with interactive science experiences
By A. D. Nghiem | Oct 11, 2024
Melrinea Davis and her nine-year-old son, Misael, attended the University of Chicago's annual South Side Science Festival after learning about it from his school. Misael participated in activities such as practicing CPR to the rhythm of "Baby Shark," examining snails under a microscope, and observing a liquid nitrogen demonstration by Fermilab scientist "Mr. Freeze." Davis remarked on the importance of such events for providing hands-on science experiences that schools might not offer due to funding limitations.
Northwestern study finds demographic disparities in benefits of artificial intelligence
By A. D. Nghiem | Oct 11, 2024
A recent study by Northwestern University has highlighted the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in scientific research, revealing potential disparities among different demographic groups. The study, led by Dashun Wang and Jian Gao from the Kellogg School of Management, analyzed a vast dataset comprising 74.6 million publications, 7.1 million patents, and 4.2 million university course syllabi.
Lewis College welcomes new faculty across humanities, psychology, physics
By Southland Marquee | Oct 14, 2024
Lewis College of Science and Letters has announced the addition of four new faculty members for the 2024-25 academic year. These educators are set to contribute significantly to their departments and areas of research.
AI's impact on credit scores explored by racial justice writing competition winner
By Southland Marquee | Oct 14, 2024
Jay Esparza Castillo, a student at Chicago-Kent College of Law, has won the A Perfect Union Racial Justice writing competition with his paper titled "Fair Lending in the Age of AI: Regulations to Combat Discrimination in United States Credit Scoring Systems." In his work, Castillo explores how artificial intelligence could influence credit scoring systems and potentially lead to discriminatory lending practices.
Jamie Franklin named NCJI academic fellow
By Southland Marquee | Oct 14, 2024
Chicago-Kent College of Law has announced that Associate Clinical Professor Jamie Franklin has been appointed as an academic fellow of the National Civil Justice Institute. Franklin joined the faculty in August 2020 and serves as a supervising attorney for the C-K Law Group’s Civil Litigation Clinic. Her expertise spans employment discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour law, qui tam litigation, class actions, and other complex litigation for plaintiffs.
University professor awarded Nobel Prize for economic research
By A. D. Bamburg | Oct 14, 2024
Professor James A. Robinson from the University of Chicago has been awarded the 2024 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences recognized Robinson, who holds positions as the Reverend Dr. Richard L. Pearson Professor of Global Conflict Studies and University Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy and the Department of Political Science, for his research on "how institutions are formed and affect prosperity." He shares this year's prize with Professors Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson from MIT.
Richard J. Daley College eligible for federal postsecondary success recognition program
By A. D. Nghiem | Oct 14, 2024
Richard J. Daley College has been named among 200 colleges and universities eligible for the U.S. Department of Education's new Postsecondary Success Recognition Program. This initiative is part of the Biden administration’s “Raise the Bar” campaign, which aims to broaden the traditional view of higher education by focusing on equity, inclusion, and student success.