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Inspiring teen affirmation pillows to be sold at 'Crate & Barrel'

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:18 GMT

CHICAGO — They are affirmations and words — printed on pillows that come from the mind of a 15-year-old boy."I am strong, kind, positive. I am caring — different words that I've said to myself," Jahkil Jackson said. Jackson first came up with the idea to help housing insecure Chicagoans with what he calls blessing bags years ago when he was only seven years old. The gift bags were filled with toiletries like soap, socks and other essentials. His idea to give back to those in the community grew from raising over $400,000 dollars, and now recently handing out his 1,000th blessing bag. Jackson has also written two books, "I am" and "Don't Wait to be Great.""It means that young people don’t need to wait to be adults to be change agents." Jackson said, which are the themes of the two pillows and his latest creation. Saturday Forecast: Mostly sunny and mild temps He is now partnering with Northbrook-based Crate and Barrel to manufacture and sell his affirmation pillows nationw...

3 Men shot after altercation on South Side overnight

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:18 GMT

CHICAGO — Three men were shot in a shooting that took place in Grand Crossing early Saturday morning. According to police, two men were walking to their vehicle near the 8000 block of South Anthony Avenue around 1:30 a.m. when a known offender approached them. Teen, 17, shot and killed in shooting on Northwest Side, ID’d After a physical altercation, both victims and the offender produced handguns and fired at each other. A 35-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the body and was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Another 36-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the left thigh and was transported to the hospital in good condition. The offender, 30, sustained a gunshot wound to the left leg and is in good condition. Police are investigating the incident and there is no further information at this time.

Person injured after West Side apartment building catches fire

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:18 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago Fire reported of an apartment building fire in Garfield Park injuring one person, Saturday morning. The fire department responded to a fire at the 4010 block of West Wilcox Street where two master streams caught fire, according to the Chicago Fire Department. 2 men die after Garfield Park shooting, succumbed to injuries One person was transported to Stroger Hospital. There is no say on their condition yet. Police are actively following this incident and there is currently no further information.

Chicago police warn of armed robberies targeting USPS mail carriers

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:18 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago police are warning people after about a dozen armed robberies involving USPS mail carriers.The armed robberies have happened across the city and have been reported since about March 2. Suburban ringleader gets 9 years in USPS mail-for-cash scheme According to a community alert from the Chicago Police Department, one to three armed people approach mail carriers and demand their United States Postal keys by force and then leave the area in a waiting vehicle. In one case, the people took a vehicle following the robbery.The people, described as being between 15-25 years-old old, were wearing dark clothing and ski masks and were armed with semi-automatic handguns during the robberies, according to the alert. 2 Chicago postal workers robbed at gunpoint, police say Here's when and where police said the armed robberies happened.-March 2 around 1:15 p.m. in the 1400 block of South Halsted Street-March 7 around 2:45 p.m. in the 100 block of South Leavitt Street-March 7 ...

'Jermaine is my hero': Vigil held for fallen Chicago firefighter

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:18 GMT

CHICAGO -- A large crowd of family and friends gathered outside the Corliss High School Friday night to honor fallen Chicago Firefighter Jermain Pelt.John Pelt, Jermaine's father, described his 49-year-old son as a great representation of the family and as someone who loved everybody, especially his family, which includes an adult daughter and six-year-old son."Jermaine is my hero," John Pelt said. "God gave him to us for 49 years and in those 49 years, he achieved a whole lot." 5-year-old Calumet City boy dies after gun brought into home discharges Along with serving as a firefighter, Pelt's father said his son was a landlord, registered nurse and paramedic.Tragically, the veteran firefighter who served the department for 18 years was killed Tuesday battling a house fire in West Pullman.In spite of the tragedy, others who knew and loved Pelt said memories of his positive and kind spirit have helped them cope with the loss.One day after Pelt's death, 55-year-old Chicago Fire Lieut...

Joliet police: Officers shoot man firing handgun near apartment building

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:18 GMT

JOLIET, Ill. — A man was critically injured after Joliet police said he was shot by officers while shooting a handgun near an apartment building early Saturday morning.Officers were called around 4:45 a.m. to the 900 block of Lois Place on the report of a possible domestic disturbance near an apartment building. Bond set at $10M for Joliet man in fatal shooting When officers arrived and saw the man firing a handgun, they shot him, according to a news release from the Joliet Police Department. It's not clear exactly how many officers fired shots.They gave the man medical aid before he was taken to a hospital in critical condition, according to the release. The Haley Mansion hopes to reopen this spring after fire Per the police department's policy, the officers were taken to a local hospital.The Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident.Additional details, including the identities of those involved, haven't been released.

Church on Chicago's West Side damaged for second time

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:18 GMT

CHICAGO — A fire destroyed a small neighborhood church on the West Side of Chicago while the pastor and several members were on a retreat. They say it isn't the first time an incident like this has happened there. 2 men fatally shot in Garfield Park shooting, ID’d Police said the first report of smoke came in before 5 a.m. Saturday after fire was coming through the roof of the West Garfield Park Church at Cicero and Fulton.The pastor and several members were on a retreat when they learned of the fire.They're grateful no one was in the building. Person injured after West Side apartment building catches fire Chance Ministries holds Pre-K and kindergarten classes, running after-school and community outreach programs. A newspaper article about the fire here 20 years ago on display in one of the church windows survived. 150 families that make up the congregation rebuilt.

Family helping students with STEM education with innovative approach

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:18 GMT

CHICAGO — A local family of educators and mechanical engineers is helping students of all ages with an innovative approach through their foundation.Steve and Sheila Conner said when their son Stone expressed his extreme dislike for middle school, they knew they had to take action and began asking him about his interests. Chicago couple establishes foundation to help kids embrace STEM By visiting car museums and other real-world experiences, the Conner's were able to capture their son's attention.But it also left the pair with a desire to help other students. "What we realized was that our kid represented many, many other kids," Sheila said. "That's when we thought this is an issue, we have the solution we can provide." Celebrated artist has painted history nearly five decades In 2014, the two founded the Heph Foundation. Short for the Greek God Hephhaesis, it is a standards-aligned program that teaches science, technology, engineering and math. By using technology and other proj...

Teen's affirmation pillows to be sold at Crate & Barrel

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:18 GMT

CHICAGO (WGN-TV) — They are affirmations and words — printed on pillows that come from the mind of a 15 year-old boy."I am strong, kind, positive. I am caring — different words that I've said to myself," Jahkil Jackson said. Jackson first came up with the idea to help housing insecure Chicagoans with what he calls "blessing bags" years ago when he was only seven. Southwest is letting a friend fly free, but you better hurry The gift bags were filled with toiletries like soap, socks and other essentials. His idea to give back to those in the community grew from raising over $400,000 dollars, and now recently handing out his 1,000th blessing bag. Jackson has also written two books, "I am" and "Don't Wait to be Great.""It means that young people don’t need to wait to be adults to be change agents." Jackson said, which are the themes of the two pillows and his latest creation.He is now partnering with Illinois-based Crate and Barrel to manufacture and sell his affirmation pillows...

Happy Easter and Passover from the WGN Weather Team

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:18 GMT

SNOW REPORTS SATURDAY MORNINGCourtesy of the National Weather Service in Green BayEASTER GREETINGS AND THE PREDICTED TEMPERATURES AT 4:30 PMThe solar eclipse is a year away. The path is to show where the eclipse will be in totality. Chicago’s totality during the eclipse around 92% of the sun’s disk coveredCLICK TO ENLARGE