Stories by Eunice Alpasan

For nearly 40 years, the Chicago Sinfonietta has worked to advance equity in classical music by expanding access for underserved communities and developing diverse talent. The institution will undergo a “strategic renewal period” focused on fundraising and revising its operating model.

The summer film series runs most Tuesdays between June 30 and Aug. 18. All film screenings are free. This year’s lineup features crowd favorites and milestone anniversaries.

All entry to the museum is timed-ticketed, and visitors are strongly encouraged to reserve tickets online in advance, according to the center. Every Tuesday, the museum is free for Illinois residents.

The Bontemps Apartments project was awarded federal low-income housing tax credits through the city of Chicago. The award was part of a broader $300 million investment from the city going toward 15 affordable housing developments.

On Friday, thousands of Chicagoans are expected to participate in a May Day rally and march, starting at Union Park and ending at Daley Plaza in downtown. Other related actions are scheduled in different parts of the city in the morning ahead of the march.

The Red Line extension will extend the rail line by more than five miles, starting where the Red Line currently ends, at 95th Street, through 130th Street. Four new, accessible stations will be built at 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue and 130th Street.

Jess Michaels and Jena-Lisa Jones, survivors of abuse by late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, said that while Epstein survivors are still far from getting justice, they hope the increased attention on the Epstein Files — and the stories of survivors – will help others stand up to abuse happening in their own communities.

The Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce and Casa Puebla said in a statement the Mexican community continues to face challenges under the Trump administration. “There is nothing to celebrate,” organizers said in a statement.

Home care workers with SEIU Healthcare Illinois and state legislators gathered Thursday in front of the Illinois Capitol Building in Springfield to rally in support of a bill that would raise wages for home care workers serving seniors through the state’s Community Care Program.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office is hosting its sixth annual Missing Persons Day event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The event aims to connect people with resources to locate missing loved ones.

Rush nurses, in collaboration with National Nurses United and its affiliate National Nurses Organizing Committee, filed a petition Wednesday with the National Labor Relations Board for a union election, according to union organizers.

Several Democratic elected officials in Illinois released statements on social media calling for Trump to be impeached, including calling for the 25th Amendment to be invoked.

Chicago South Side Birth Center plans to offer prenatal care, birth services, postpartum care, lactation support, holistic reproductive health care, childbirth education and community wellness programming.

The Chicago Palestine Film Festival runs April 11-25 at the Gene Siskel Film Center. This year, the festival has more than 50 films in its lineup, including feature and short films.

The legal challenge is part of President Donald Trump’s broader attack on mail ballots, which he has said is a significant source of election fraud despite research that consistently finds voting by mail is a secure way to vote.

Democratic elected leaders and health advocates gathered Monday in Chicago to highlight the impact of the Affordable Care Act —  signed by then President Barack Obama 16 years ago — while sounding the alarm on rising health care costs for Americans.

The Friday press conference was held at the Highlands REIT-owned Sherman Plaza in downtown Evanston. Highlands REIT, or Highlands Real Estate Investment Trust, has a portfolio of investment properties in several states that also includes an empty correctional facility in Colorado.

Two incumbents of a Cook County agency responsible for making decisions about taxpayers’ property assessment appeals faced challengers in their reelection bids this year.

Lollapalooza takes place July 30–Aug. 2 in Grant Park. Charli xcx, Tate McRae, Lorde, Olivia Dean, John Summit, JENNIE, the Smashing Pumpkins and the xx are headlining this year, the festival announced.

Poll watching is one part of a broader response network the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago have partnered up to build in order to monitor possible cases of voter intimidation and federal immigration agents near polling places during the primary election. Legal volunteers, field volunteers, local rapid response teams and volunteer hotline operators will also be mobilizing as part of the effort.

“Operating at Chicago O’Hare continues to be challenging,” according to a Southwest Airlines spokesperson in a Friday statement, “and we are confident we can serve Chicagoland through our strongly-held position at Chicago Midway.”

The outdoor music festival in Highland Park runs from June to September. Festival tickets for this summer go on sale to the public April 23.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pick to lead Chicago Animal Care and Control highlighted the work of the city shelter during a committee hearing Tuesday, as some animal advocates demand a nationwide search.

Preservation Chicago’s annual “Chicago 7 Most Endangered” list aims to sound the alarm on historic buildings and sites at risk of demolition. By spreading awareness, the organization aims to mobilize the support necessary to save the threatened buildings from demolition.

Chicago, along with Atlanta, Boston, Denver and Philadelphia, have advanced in the application process to host the convention and will receive a site visit this spring, the Democratic National Committee announced.

Early voting sites opened in all of Chicago’s 50 wards Monday. Early voting also expanded to a total of 55 locations for suburban Cook County residents.