“Meridian is deeply committed to the health and well-being of our members and the communities we serve, and that starts with how we fuel our bodies,” said Rutu Ezhuthachan, MD, Meridian Chief Medical Officer. “At Meridian we believe food is medicine. Providing our members with access to farmers markets with fresh fruits and vegetables will help our members to be healthy and happy. We recognize that access to nutritious food is a fundamental component of good health, and we are proud to partner with these local farmers markets to make fresh, affordable produce more accessible in areas where it is needed most.”
Most facilities will open by Memorial Day weekend, with extended hours and special events scheduled throughout the season.
The Cunningham team behind the Gerber Education Program is helping every student feel safe thanks to an increase in sensory support tools and inclusive resources. Flexible seating options, such as wobble stools, and baskets filled with sensory tools like stress balls, pop-its, magic putty, and grippy toys are essential elements to helping students self-regulate and thrive.
The CobraVenture accelerator program helps students with networking and business mentorship. It features collaboration, teaching by local entrepreneurs, and one-on-one guidance with business mentors. It also operates with with oversight from an advisory committee comprised of faculty and community leaders. Beginning the 2025 spring semester, this year’s CobraVenture cohort includes students from a variety of academic programs who aspire to start their own business while still enrolled at Parkland.
“The Evans Center is more than a tribute to Jim Evans’ legacy — it’s a bold commitment to the future of global agricultural communications,” said Anna Ball, associate dean for academic programs. “Through this center, we’re empowering students and professionals to connect cultures, elevate science, and drive progress in food and agriculture around the world.”
The passport highlights the distance of each trail, where to access, accessibility information, and more. Users who hike at least 20 trails across the area will earn a new t-shirt design, created by local artist, David Michael Moore. The shirt highlights notable icons in area parks from the Sun Singer at Allerton Park & Retreat Center to the Natural Playscape at Homer Lake and sculpture garden at Meadowbrook Park.
This marks the 22nd Anniversary of the Dunkin’ partnership with the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois. Nearly $10 million has been raised over the years in Illinois. The event is scheduled for Friday, May 16 from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Law enforcement will be at Dunkin’ locations to rally the communities in support of their local Special Olympics athletes.
All proceeds benefit Special Olympics Illinois.
This is the second largest Cash Castle jackpot won so far, right after a $1.4 million jackpot was won in April, and a $462,000 jackpot was won in March. The game is a $30 progressive FastPlay game where thee jackpot begins at $100,000, the highest starting jackpot of any Illinois Lottery FastPlay game, and grows with each ticket sold until the jackpot is won. Since the Cash Castle’s start on February 27, more than Lottery FastPlay game, with prizes totalling to $24.4 million.
“Lyme disease is a serious bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of infected ticks,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Lyme Disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States affecting more than 500,000 people nationally each year. As the summer approaches, I encourage our residents to learn to ‘Fight the Bite’ and protect yourself and your loved ones from tickborne illnesses. If you have been in wooded or high grassy areas and are experiencing symptoms – fever, fatigue, headache and a circular rash – see your health care provider immediately.”
Illinois enacted its seat belt law 40 years ago and strengthened the law in July 2003, allowing officers to ticket motorists for failing to use their seat belt. Since the law’s introduction and upgrade, seat belt usage has surged from 15.9% in 1985 to 92.4% in 2024. However, there is still room for improvement. Law enforcement will be taking a no-excuses approach to enforcement. The key focus is nighttime enforcement, with Illinois data indicating higher rates of unrestrained fatalities at night.
