"The future lies in those cities that are willing to embrace bold ideas and innovation." - Chicago News

Memorial Day Tribute to Illinois Veterans

This Memorial Day, we honor these brave Illinois veterans who have served our country and continue to support their communities:

Vietnam Veterans from Evanston

Milton Tooma and Elliott Jones - Active members of the Snell VFW Post 7186 in Evanston who distribute American flags at Memorial Day ceremonies. Jones, who serves in multiple veterans' organizations, humbly shares, "I was lucky to get back. I didn't die, so I was fortunate."

Tom Fronczak and Kenneth L. Wideman - Vietnam War veterans who honor their fallen comrades by visiting the memorial wall listing those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Christine Candelario - Commander of Evanston American Legion Post 42, who reminds us, "All gave some, and some gave all. We must not forget them."

Brian Beatty - Commander of VFW Post 7186, who emphasizes our collective connection: "We're family. Each and every one of us has been touched by someone in the service."

Iroquois County Veterans

Gary Pugh - Vice Commander and Chaplain of American Legion Post 499 in Gilman, who works to ensure veterans are recognized and remembered, noting the tragedy when "someone passes away and you hear people say, 'I didn't know they were a veteran.'

Sources: evanstonroundtable.com , legion.org

 "Chicago-Style BBQ Recipes to Fire Up Your Memorial Day"

📰 Chicago-Style BBQ Recipes to Fire Up Your Memorial Day

Dive into mouthwatering BBQ recipes inspired by Chicago's bold flavors and backyard traditions. From smoky rib tips to classic sides, these recipes bring the Windy City straight to your grill.

🍖 Chicago-Style Rib Tips

Smoky, juicy, and slathered in tangy BBQ sauce. A true South Side staple.
👉 Low and slow smoked, glazed in sweet-and-tangy Chicago BBQ sauce.

🍗 Chicago BBQ Chicken Quarters

Tender, smoky chicken with bold BBQ flavor, perfect for summer grilling.
👉 Grilled bone-in leg quarters, basted with a sweet-spicy sauce.

🌭 Chicago Char-Dogs

The Windy City's famous hot dog—char-grilled and loaded with the works!
👉 All-beef dogs, yellow mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, sport peppers, and a touch of BBQ magic.

🥩 Maxwell Street Polish Sausage

Grilled sausage with caramelized onions and mustard, a Chicago street-food icon.

🧂 Chicago BBQ Rub & Sauce

The heart of Chicago BBQ—bold, sweet, and smoky.
👉 Get the recipes for the signature spice blend and sauce.

🥘 Classic Sides:

• Fries: Crispy, crunchy medium cut sliced potatoe slathered in mild sauce

• Chicago-Style Mac & Cheese: Ultra-creamy with a buttery cracker topping.

• Chicago Coleslaw: Tangy, creamy, and crunchy.

• Thick White Bread: Don’t forget the side of white bread for sopping up all that goodness!

Ready to fire up your Memorial Day BBQ?
👉 Click here to get download for the full recipes 

Unlock Your Body's Genetic Blueprint: The Blood Type Support Kit

Discover what your blood already knows. Are you eating right for YOUR unique biology?

Ever wonder why some diets work for your friends but not for you? The answer might be flowing through your veins right now. Your blood type could be the missing key to understanding your body's unique needs.

The Blood Type Support Kit gives you everything you need to begin your personalized wellness journey:

• Precise Blood Type Testing - Quick, accurate results in the comfort of your home
• 4-Day Bitter's Detox - Reset your system and flush toxins naturally
• Customized Detox Meal Plan - Specially designed recipes to complement your cleanse
• Digital Blood Type Guide - Understand what your blood type means for YOUR health
• Flat Belly Fuel Sample - Experience our signature supplement blend

While scientific research on blood type-specific diets shows mixed results, many people report improved energy, better digestion, and enhanced wellbeing when aligning their nutrition with their genetic makeup.

The Blood Type Support Kit combines ancient wisdom with modern science to help you make informed decisions about your health. By understanding your blood type, you gain insights into potential nutritional sensitivities and strengths unique to your biology.

Don't waste another day on one-size-fits-all health advice.

ACT NOW: Discover your personal biological blueprint for just $59.95 (Regular price $69.95)

Your journey to personalized wellness starts with a single drop of blood.

Visit us today! 10% OFF For NEW Customer-SignUp! 

Which Illinois native and Civil War general issued General Order No. 11 in 1868, establishing "Decoration Day" which later became known as Memorial Day?

A) Ulysses S. Grant
B) John A. Logan
C) Abraham Lincoln
D) William Tecumseh Sherman

Happy Deals & Happenings

 **Harold's Chicken Shack 13** - Choice of Food and Beverage

- Regular price: $10, Sale price: $7 (30% off)

- Additional 20% off with promo code "SAVE"

- Located at 7318 South Vincennes Avenue

- Rated 3.9/5 stars from 723 reviews

[View Deal]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**S2 Grill** - Taste of Illinois' Comfort Food at 7 Locations

- Regular price: $40, Sale price: $25 (38% off)

- Additional 20% off with promo code "SAVE"

- Located at 5058 South Halsted Street and other locations

- Rated 4.5/5 stars from 15 reviews

[View Deal]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

🔥🍽️ Savor Soulful Flavors at 6978 Soul Food – Up to 32% Off!

Experience the comforting tastes of home-cooked meals at 6978 Soul Food, located at 6978 W North Ave, Chicago. Indulge in hearty classics like fried turkey, pot roast, sweet potatoes, and caramel pound cake.

Groupon Offer:

• Two Meal Specials: Regularly $43.98, now $29.70 (32% off)

• Four Meal Specials: Regularly $87.96, now $59.40 (32% off)

Note: Additional discounts may apply; check the Groupon page for current promotions.

Deal Highlights:

• Generous portions perfect for sharing or savoring solo

• Ideal for dine-in or takeout

• Valid 24 hours after purchase; expires 120 days later

• Limit one per visit; not valid on Sundays or federal holidays

• Not valid toward catfish dishesMilled+3

With over 7,000 positive reviews, 6978 Soul Food is a beloved spot for authentic soul food in Chicago.

 USE CODE "SAVE"

👉 Grab the Deal Here

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 **Lynn's Chicago Pizza** - Medium Pizzas (Thin Crust & Deep Dish)

- Regular price: $25, Sale price: $16 (36% off)

- Additional 20% off with promo code "SAVE"

- Located at 501 East 61st Street

- Rated 5/5 stars (new listing)

[View Deal]

Friday May 30th 2025 & Saturday May 31st 2025
Festival start time: 4pm // Festival end time 11pm

Cicero House Music Festival at MI Kermes

June 4, 2025

June 5, 2025

Harper Court Summer Music Series

Featuring

Isaiah Collier & DJ Duane Powell 

6/5/2025

FREE OUTDOOR CONCERTS SPONSORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SILVER ROOM

Website: www.harpercourtmusic.com

June 7, 2025

The Breaking Ecosystem: Women Who Move,

Organize, Connect & Tell the Story

As part of Defying Every Injustice, this segment celebrates the women who shape the breaking ecosystem with love, intention, and resilience. From dancers who command the cipher, to organizers who build platforms, to storytellers who preserve the culture — these women are not only keeping the movement alive, they’re building bridges between tradition and future, underground and mainstream, art and justice, using movement as resistance, storytelling as advocacy, and community as their stage. Their work is the heartbeat of a living, breathing hip hop culture.

Always preserving Chicago Hip Hop!!!

Website: https://rofchi.com/

Why did the Chicago news station hire a baker?

Because they kneaded the dough for the ratings!

Solar Farm Powers Chicago University

While Enabling Clean Energy Research

The Double Black Diamond solar farm, now the largest east of the Mississippi River, is providing 100% of Loyola University Chicago's electricity and about 70% of the power needed for Chicago's municipal operations. The 593-megawatt project features a unique partnership that gives Loyola researchers and students access to the site and its data for educational purposes.

Built at a cost of $779 million using mostly domestically produced solar panels and union labor, the project helps both the university and the city meet their 2025 climate goals. Loyola assistant professor Gilbert Michaud plans to use the solar farm as a research site for studying economic impacts, property values, and potential environmental benefits.

The 4,100-acre array in Sangamon and Morgan counties is expected to generate approximately $100 million in tax revenue for local communities. Swift Current Energy, which operates the project, is also exploring agrivoltaics possibilities, including sheep grazing among the solar panels planted with native, pollinator-friendly vegetation.

The project demonstrates how large-scale renewable energy can serve multiple purposes: clean power generation, educational opportunities, economic development, and environmental research.

Sponsored By Fresh Green Power

If your rooftop isn't making you money, it's costing you. Every month you don’t go solar, you’re paying for someone else’s yacht. Click here to see how smart homeowners are turning their homes into energy-saving machines—and pocketing $50K+ doing it.

Fresh Green Power is a proud member of

The answer is B) John A. Logan. As commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, Logan issued a proclamation calling for a national "Decoration Day" to honor Union soldiers who died during the Civil War. He was from Illinois and even gave a notable speech to veterans on July 4, 1866, in Salem, Illinois, before establishing the holiday that would eventually become Memorial Day.

Statue of General John A Logan in Grant Park, Chicago

Photo credidit: By Another Believer - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0