💻 From Under the El
One thing I love about this time of year is that it feels like even the most ordinary moments deserve some ceremony. Like we’ve all been cooped up for the winter and we’re ready to emerge for the best season the Midwest has to offer. What can we say? We’re not a city that does things small. Today’s stories are about that. We have local heroes being recognized for their good work, a CPS program that could become the nationwide standard — the things we build here that carry that “go big or go home” spirit. It’s Thursday. Here’s some good news.
⏰ tl;dr
First-time homebuyers can receive up to $15,000 in down payment assistance under a new program launched state-wide
Chicago Public Schools’ community-driven safety plan could become a national model, according to a new study
Looking for St. Paddy’s Day plans? Join March for Kids for a family-friendly celebration for good
🌻 What’s Going Right In Chicago Today
❤ Chicagoans honored for extraordinary acts of courage and service
The American Red Cross will celebrate local residents whose quick thinking and compassion saved lives across the region.
Every year, the American Red Cross Heroes Breakfast highlights people who stepped into extraordinary moments, often without warning, and changed someone else’s life. The newly announced 2026 Class of Heroes includes firefighters, nurses, youth volunteers, community leaders, and everyday residents whose actions rippled far beyond a single moment.
One Chicago firefighter ran into a burning Beverly home to pull a trapped neighbor to safety. A hospital cashier performed the Heimlich maneuver to save a choking doctor in a cafeteria. Other honorees have spent years building impact: mentoring students into medical careers, organizing blood drives that save hundreds of lives, and helping homeless veterans find stable housing.
“Each year, the Heroes Breakfast reminds us that courage lives in our communities. The individuals we honor represent what it means to Be Courageous, stepping forward to serve others, save lives, and bring hope during someone’s darkest moments. It is an honor to share their inspiring stories and celebrate the extraordinary impact they make.”
Here’s the full list of this year’s honorees, who will be honored at a special event on May 6:
Suzanne Hammer of Woodridge
Dr. LaMenta Conway of Flossmoor
Loné Williams of Chicago
Ashley Huizar of Huntley
Cayla Boehm and Maelyn Garcia of Highland Park
Damon Lamar Reed and Nicole Reed of Chicago
Marco Lomibao of Glendale Heights and Dennis Stachura of Plainfield
Keztly Angel of Forest Park
Rima Ziuraitis of Naperville
Kevin McNicholas of Chicago
Chong Hsieh of Tzu Chi in Chicago
Yvette Jones-Swanson of Frankfort
🏠 Illinois launches $15,000 down payment assistance program for first-time home buyers
A new statewide program could make homeownership possible for thousands of Illinois families who’ve been priced out by rising upfront costs.
Buying a first home is about more than the monthly mortgage; it’s the upfront cash. Down payments, closing costs, inspections, moving expenses… it adds up fast. Illinois is trying to break down that barrier with a new program called IHDAccess Home, which offers up to $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible first-time buyers.
The program pairs an affordable 30-year fixed mortgage with assistance structured as a 0% interest second mortgage. That means buyers don’t have to repay the help unless they sell or refinance the home, and even then, repayment can be deferred for up to 30 years. In Cook County, the program is available to first-time buyers earning up to $137,885, depending on household size.
“Homeownership is one of the most powerful tools for securing a long-term future, but for too many Illinois families, it feels increasingly out of reach. Through Access Home, we are putting real dollars behind our commitment to affordability, helping first-time buyers overcome the biggest barrier to homeownership: the upfront costs. Even if you aren’t sure if you are ready, reach out to one of our housing partners to see if now is the right time to become a homeowner.”
The program will work through a network of more than 160 approved lenders statewide, and buyers are required to complete homeownership counseling to make sure they’re financially prepared.
🏫 A Chicago school safety plan is getting national attention
A new study says CPS’s community-driven approach to school safety could serve as a model for districts across the country.
School safety debates often feel like an unsolvable tug-of-war. But a new study suggests Chicago may have found a surprisingly effective way to approach it: Let the community build the plan together.
Researchers from the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research and Lurie Children’s Hospital’s Center for Childhood Resilience examined how Chicago Public Schools developed its Whole School Safety framework after removing police officers from campuses in 2024. Students, parents, educators, district leaders, and community organizations were all brought into the room to help design the plan together. That approach created a collaborative framework that school district officials described as “trailblazing” and “unprecedented.”
School safety is one of the most contentious issues in urban education — and this partnership showed that genuine community-driven co-design can create the conditions for innovative and transformative work, even on the hardest problems.
Earlier research already found that removing police from schools did not increase disciplinary issues or make students feel less safe. Now researchers say the collaborative planning process itself may offer a roadmap for other school districts grappling with the same questions.
🗓️ Eye On the Chi
March for Kids
A lively post-parade celebration with Irish music, dancing, food, and family activities to support Mercy Home for Boys & Girls.
When: March 14, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Venue SIX10
Reuse-a-Palooza!
A community event where Chicagoans can repair items, recycle tricky materials, and donate goods instead of sending them to landfills.
When: March 15, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: The Plant
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Till next time,
Good News, Chicago
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