Good morning, Chicago.

Chicago community groups are offering jobs training and behavioral health support to help break cycles of violence and poverty on the West Side.

Mayor Brandon Johnson and local block clubs are backing these programs – steps that aim to boost opportunities and lower violence across neighborhoods.

The Hyde Park Farmers Market returns this Sunday to the parking lot behind the Hyde Park Bank Building at 54th Street and Lake Park Avenue West — the event will feature over a dozen vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, and more, with live music and special offers including SNAP purchase matches up to $25, and it will run every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through September 29.

Chicago rideshare drivers say they are not making enough money after app changes—drivers now receive only half of fares and must drive much longer to earn the same, and local advocates are urging an ordinance to set pay floors and safety rules before the July 1 wage hike.

The report reviews Chicago’s long legacy as a place of hope, starting when Marshall Hatch’s father moved from Mississippi in 1938 in search of a better life.

It explains that rising costs for health care, child care and housing have widened the wealth gap — many families today struggle to make ends meet with limited public support.

Illinois’ largest child care subsidy—CCAP—excludes up to 130,000 children because its income limits are set lower than federal guidelines, forcing many families to spend a big part of their budgets on care.

Gov. Pritzker’s recent changes have increased enrollment, but many parents say the program still does not meet their needs.

Illinois launched the SmartBuy program to help graduates pay off up to $40,000 in student loans and cover closing costs with up to $5,000 when buying a home in Lansing, though state funding for the program remains uncertain.

Many borrowers face high debt and are exploring state and federal repayment options amid ongoing changes in loan forgiveness—local advocates urge improved awareness of available relief measures.

Cook County became the first local government to buy medical debts in bulk; data show that many forgiven debts were for people who likely qualified for free care — a sign that hospitals are not screening and offering proper charity care.

The findings suggest that hospitals and insurers are shifting more costs to patients, leaving many residents with high bills and long-term financial stress.

A pilot program allowing ADU construction operated in select Chicago neighborhoods and produced over 300 affordable units, including a granny flat that helped a family stay close amid rising housing costs—city officials remain divided on legalizing new units citywide due to regulatory and political gridlock. This gridlock has left many residents with few affordable housing options despite the promising test results.