Leah Hope

1 week ago | abc7chicago.com | Leah Hope

CHICAGO (WLS) -- ABC7 got an exclusive first-hand look at the work being done to monitor the water of Lake Michigan to make sure it's safe to drink. The testing season is underway. The crew of Lake Guardian and Environmental Protection Agency scientists are in the process of taking water samples in the Great Lakes to see if the water is safe to drink, swim and fish. ABC7 got a look at how that's done in Lake Michigan. The rosette submerges to take liters of water.

1 week ago | abc7chicago.com | Leah Hope

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A celebration got underway at Madison and Central on Thursday. It was the official opening of the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation, a central place in Austin where several agencies will offer job training, financial coaching and small business development. It is meant to help people on the West Side find and maintain good-paying jobs to better support their families and communities. The building itself was a Chicago Public Schools school. But in 2013, Emmet Elementary closed.

1 week ago | abc7chicago.com | Leah Hope

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Artwork meant to be a symbol of peace has been vandalized in Pilsen. A group of community leaders said there needs to be action taken to address what they allege are hate crimes. A mural to symbolize solidarity between the Mexican and Palestinian communities was installed in May in Pilsen, but the artwork has been damaged. Two people said they have witnessed the same person vandalizing the mural, and when confronting the woman, they said she became physical.

1 week ago | abc7chicago.com | Leah Hope

CHICAGO (WLS) -- There is a free attraction at Navy Pier just for this week. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is offering insight into their work on the Great Lakes on board Lake Guardian. This is specialized work. The rosette takes water samples at great depths in the Great Lakes with 12 bottles taking in 8 liters each.

2 weeks ago | abc7chicago.com | Leah Hope

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Four projects aim to bring business and investment into communities of color. One of them will get a $10 million prize. A building on Cottage Grove Avenue and 43rd Street has seen better days. But some want to make it part of a thriving Bronzeville business community. It's among the spaces that the Cottage Grove Collective hopes to make ready for retailers and services. A vacant lot at 1000 E. 43rd St. would be space for several businesses, under the Collective's plan.