💻 From Under the El
One of my favorite things about Chicago is how quickly the folks here will jump in to lend a hand when they see someone in need. Lose a pet, get your car stuck in the snow, and suddenly a three-block radius is involved. We may be a city that complains about everything (loudly), but the second something goes wrong, we mobilize like it’s a competitive sport. Chicagoans may not always agree on much, but we’re extremely good at showing up when it counts, and today’s edition has a few reminders of that in action. It’s Wednesday, folks. Let’s read some good news.
⏰ tl;dr
Several dogs were safely reunited with their families after a local pet boarding business’ van was stolen
Northwestern researchers developed an AI model that can help predict language development in children with hearing loss
The Canine Therapy Corps Black & White Gala raises funds for therapy dogs supporting hospitals and communities
🌻 What’s Going Right In Chicago Today
🐶 8 dogs reunited with owners after van stolen in Lincoln Park
A terrifying morning for several Chicago pet owners ended in relief after a stolen dog-boarding van — with eight dogs inside — was quickly recovered.
What should have been a routine pickup turned into chaos in a matter of seconds. David Cox, owner of the dog boarding company Markay’s Castle of Dogs, stopped at Animal Lovers Pet Salon on North Clybourn in Lincoln Park — something he does every Tuesday and Thursday before transporting the dogs to his boarding facility in Indiana for the day. Cox stepped inside the salon briefly, and surveillance video later showed someone walking up to the van and driving off with it with eight dogs still inside.
I counted 20 seconds from the moment I left the side of my van to the moment that my van drove off by with someone else driving it.
Thankfully, the nightmare didn’t last long. Police recovered the van and took the driver into custody. All eight dogs were safely returned to their families. And despite the scare, Cox said he plans to keep doing what he’s always done: caring for dogs and the people who trust him with them.
🧠 Northwestern researchers use AI to predict language development in children with hearing loss
A new AI model developed at Northwestern may help doctors better predict language outcomes for children with hearing loss, allowing earlier and more personalized care.
In a Northwestern Medicine-led international study, researchers trained AI using presurgical MRI brain scans from children with hearing loss who later received cochlear implants. The goal was to predict which kids would show higher vs. lower improvement in spoken language, because while cochlear implants can be life-changing, outcomes still vary a lot, and clinicians don’t currently have a reliable way to forecast that on an individual level.
“What we want to do is to develop accurate predictions so we can figure out who’s at risk and then intervene to improve their language. There are also many kids with normal hearing who have language disorders and delays, and we believe that brain-based prediction will be applicable to them as, as well.”
The team compared traditional machine learning with a more advanced approach and found they could predict outcomes with 92.39% accuracy across multiple languages. If doctors can identify kids at higher risk for less language improvement before implantation, they can tailor therapy earlier and more intensely.
🏢 $15 million investment will bring new youth centers to Chicago’s West Side
Two West Side organizations received a $15 million investment to help build youth-focused community centers designed to support local families and young people.
Two longtime community organizations — Lawndale Christian Development Corporation (LCDC) and Erie Neighborhood House — just got a major boost toward building new youth-focused community centers. The Chicago-based Lohengrin Foundation awarded $10 million to LCDC for the One Lawndale Recreation Center and $5 million to Erie Neighborhood House for the Floreciendo: La Villita Erie House Center in Little Village.
These grants are part of the foundation’s Thriving Youth, Stronger Communities initiative, launched in 2024 to help fund new youth spaces across Chicago. Both projects are still raising additional funds, but these early investments help close major funding gaps and make it easier for the organizations to attract more partners and supporters.
Each center has a slightly different vision, but the same core goal: give young people somewhere to belong. Both North Lawndale and Little Village have larger youth populations than the city average, and community leaders have long argued that creating safe “third spaces” for teens is one of the most effective ways to support young people and reduce violence.
🗓️ Eye On the Chi
Show & Tell: Immigrant Stories
A storytelling event where Chicago immigrants share personal stories, experiences, and perspectives.
When: March 7, 3-6 p.m.
Where: Comfort Station
Canine Therapy Corps Black & White Gala
An elegant fundraiser supporting therapy dogs that visit hospitals, schools, and community organizations
When: March 7, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Galleria Marchetti
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Till next time,
Good News, Chicago
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