Community News

 Image of teens from program

Join us! High school students can apply for CMAP's summer program

Over 5 days in June, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's (CMAP) Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program will help students explore urban planning. 

CMAP is excited to announce that applications are open for FLIP! This paid leadership development program introduces students to urban design, public policy, transportation, environmental and water planning, community development and more!  

FLIP is open to high school students in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. This includes students entering high school in fall 2026 as well as recent graduates.  

The details: 

  • When: The five-day program will take place over two weeks in June. 
    • Week 1: June 23, 24, 25, 26 (Tuesday – Friday) 
    • Week 2: June 30 (Tuesday)
    • 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day
  • Where: Students will meet at CMAP’s office at the Old Post Office in downtown Chicago (433 W. Van Buren St., Suite 450). The program is fully in-person. 
    • Students are responsible for getting to CMAP’s office on the first day of the program.
    • Transportation for the rest of the program will be provided, including commutes, and food and materials will be provided.
    • Students will receive a certificate and a $100 stipend upon completion of the program. 

Please encourage young people you know to apply online by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 1. For questions or comments, contact FLIP co-directors Sema Abulhab (sabulhab@cmap.illinois.gov) and Erin Ludwig (eludwig@cmap.illinois.gov).

Join U-46 for Books, Blankets and Bedtime, a special storytime program from the district's very own radio station. Tune into WEPS 88.9 FM every evening, monday-thursday for classics like Peter Pan and The Wizard of Oz, as well as stories from local authors. Missed a story? That's ok! Catch Books, Blankets & Bedtime anytime on Spotify! 
Acompañe al distrito escolar U-46 a disfrutar de Libros, Cobijas y a dormir, un programa especial de cuentos de la estación de radio del distrito. Sintonice WEPS 88.9 FM todas las tardes de lunes a jueves para escuchar clásicos como Peter Pan y El Mago de Oz, además de cuentos de autores locales. ¿Se perdió un cuento? Puede escuchar cualquier cuento en cualquier momento en Spotify.

Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning Launches "The Basics Greater Elgin"
It has been two weeks since the launch of The Basics Greater Elgin. Over 200 community members have signed up to commit to building strong foundations for our youngest children.
The Basics Greater Elgin's goal is for every baby born in the Greater Elgin area to thrive and enter kindergarten ready for success in school and life. One of their key strategies is to support parents and caregivers of children 0-5, providing them with simple yet powerful principles to optimize their child’s growth and development.

Click here to see more.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought several unprecedented challenges, including the need to provide continuous healthcare coverage to Medicaid patients. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) responded to this challenge by automatically re-enrolling individuals with Medicaid insurance. However, with the coming end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, all Illinois Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care patients will have to regularly re-enroll to continue to receive Medicaid health insurance coverage.

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Help to Literally Change Someone's Life

The Literacy Connection, an organization dedicated to adult literacy, is currently seeking local volunteers to tutor adults in Basic Reading or English as a Second Language. To learn more, attend a free one-hour orientation delivered synchronously over Zoom followed by tutor training. The tutor training is instructor-led remotely, with both online and out-of-classroom assignments and fulfills the 12-hour requirement to become a Literacy Tutor.

To register or for more information, call 847-742-6565, visit our website at elginliteracy.org to complete a Volunteer Interest Form, or email info@elginliteracy.org.