Citizen Grit

08/24/2026

The Illinois Tollway board approved a 45-cent toll increase for passenger vehicles, while truck drivers will pay 30% more on average.

Toll hike part of deal with labor leaders to boost public transportation funding in Chicago

08/20/2026

The Red Cross Illinois region will be hosting a community disaster relief event from 12 to 4 p.m., Friday, Aug. 21 at the Calvary Baptist Church of Glenwood.

The Red Cross Illinois region will be hosting a community disaster relief event from 12 to 4 p.m., Friday, Aug. 21 at the Calvary Baptist Church of Glenwood at 801 E. Glenwood Dyer Road.

08/20/2026

The power's back on. The cable's back on. But for a lot of Cook County homeowners and renters, picking up the pieces is just getting started. We put together what you need to know about insurance, food, utility bills and other help after this summer's storms.

The power's back. Here's what Cook County homeowners and renters need to know now: insurance, food, utility bills and rebuilding after this summer's storms.

08/11/2026

Homewood, Flossmoor, Glenwood and Thornton were hit by another tornado Tuesday, just weeks after the last one. Here's where residents can turn for tree removal, repairs, food replacement and shelter.

If you have more questions you need answered, or if you want to report more ways to help, email [email protected]

A second tornado hit Homewood, Flossmoor and Glenwood. Here's who to call for tree removal, electric repairs, food replacement and shelter.

08/10/2026

South Suburban College is hosting a free job fair Aug. 29, with a networking breakfast, a panel on breaking into local careers, and employers ready to talk. Sign up ahead or just walk in that morning.

07/24/2026

Bloom Township Food Pantry is marking 10 years with more clients than ever, and a model built to meet them where they are.

06/08/2026

If you're offering public help, please add your listing to our guide. Info on when the guide will be available is coming soon!

Citizen Grit is building Cook County's first online and printable food pantry directory — organized by suburb, free to access and designed to reach people who need it most. If you operate a food pantry, kitchen, mobile distribution, micro-pantry, mutual aid food program or clothes closet in Cook C...

06/05/2026

You know things the headlines miss.

Tell us what's happening in your world — your costs, your community, your concerns.

We want to know your story and the ones of people you care about.

Have a question? A problem? A tip?

Let us know.

We're listening.

You know things the headlines miss. Tell us what's happening in your world — your costs, your community, your concerns. We want to know your story and the ones of people you care about. Have a question? A problem? A tip? Let us know. We're listening. Tell us your story

06/03/2026

Costs are up. Your paycheck isn't.

Citizen Grit covers Cook County for the people nobody's asking.

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Independent news covering what's close to home — your costs, your neighborhood, your housing, your health. Told straight. No spin. No one to please.