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Elaine Coorens

With a professional background that includes advertising copy writer, corporate manager in advertising/marketing/manufacturing for multiple industries, international newspaper editor/publisher, needlework designer and retail shop owner as well as IT consultant and programmer, Elaine can "speak" in many "languages." A native Chicagoan, her passion for all things community is what led her to become a local author, historian, tour guide and now Editor/Publisher of Our Urban Times. She authored Wicker Park From 1673 Thru 1929 and Walking Tour Guide.

Stories from Elaine Coorens

Humboldt Park church, tied to Wicker Park, loses steeple in 211 alarm fire

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
02/20/2018
SteepleFire

At approximately 8:20 a.m., the steeple of what was the Salvation and Deliverance Ministries International Church at 1540 N. Spaulding Ave., in Humboldt Park, was in flames.

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Chimera Ensemble opens second season with "Cam Baby"

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
02/14/2018
Confrontation

In your imagination, mix the concepts and actions of privacy, self-worth, identity and awkwardness, then throw in some webcam voyeurism and fast-paced comedy in a smallish black cube space with four "stage" entrances/exits. 

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Forum for 4th District Illinois State Rep Candidates scheduled for February 21

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
02/04/2018
4thStateRepMap

The only local fight in the upcoming Primary on Chicago's near northwest side is for 4th District Illinois State Representative. And, the only known forum for the four candidates to face off is on Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m., Rowe Middle School, 1420 W. Augusta Blvd., produced by Our Urban Times. 

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Quigley slams release of Secret Nunes Majority Memo

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
02/02/2018
MQuigley

Following the release of the House Intelligence Committee Majority Memo on Feb. 2, Illinois 5th District U.S. Representative Mike Quigley, slammed the actions

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Quigley comments on Trump's speech and gives Nunes a deadline

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
02/02/2018
Quigley

In the midst of the Washington, D.C. flurry of activity with President Trump's first State of the Union speech and the potential release of the memo by U.S. House Intelligence Chairman, Representative Devin Nunes, Mike Quigley, 5th District U.S. House of Representatives,

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See the possibilities: The Polish Triangle

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
01/28/2018
PTCOverView

Revitalization planning for the parcel of land bound by Milwaukee, Ashland and Division took major strides forward during 2017 as a result of the Polish Triangle Coalition's work which began in 2010. 

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Dr. Nunilo Rubio was killed during humanitarian mission in the Philippines

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
01/24/2018
RubioDedic

Dr. Nunilo Rubio, part of the Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center (PSMEMC) family, was among seven killed over the weekend during a goodwill mission in the Philippines.

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No holds barred at City Council Special Education hearing despite CPS' hire announcement: Who holds the power?

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
01/20/2018
KeenanJackson

One hour before the start of the City Council Special Education hearing the Friday before a holiday weekend, Jan. 12, at 2:30 p.m., with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) interim CEO, Dr. Janice Jackson, CPS announced adding special education positions. Aldermen were angry

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Cook County Assessor battle: Kaegi 2, Berrios 0

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
01/09/2018
FKaegi

With his re-election scheduled for this year, Joseph Berrios is fighting to keep Frederick “Fritz” Kaegi from potentially unseating him as Cook County Assessor, a position he has held since December 2010.  However,

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St. Boniface development: So close and yet so far

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
01/08/2018
SBSouthEntr

Residents, preservationists, the Catholic church, many in Chicago's Planning Department and Alderman Walter Burnett, 27th Ward, were rejoicing in September 2016 when Noble Square resident and developer Michael Skoulsky, Stas Development, Inc. signed the deal to purchase the St. Boniface Church property, Noble and Chestnut. Yet,

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Holiday celebrations continue to January 19 say Ukrainians

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
01/07/2018
Dec19KyivTree

While Christmas Day on the Julian calendar is celebrated on January 7, 2018, celebrations began on St. Nicholas Day, December 19, 2017, and will end on the Epiphany, January 19. Much joy was experienced during the lighting of the main Christmas tree in Kyiv's St.

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Woman punched in face walking into convenient store at Milwaukee and Concord

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
12/21/2017
711Off2

Unprovoked, a 30-year-old woman, walking into a convenient store, was punched in the face Tuesday morning at approximately 10:23 a.m. by a stranger, according to the Chicago Police Department's (CPD) Officer Laura Amezaga. 

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Heroes and Helpers at Target: Cops shop with kids

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
12/19/2017
PreShopInstruc

Four 14th District Chicago Police Department (CPD) CAPS Officers (a.k.a. heroes) had pencils and paper in hand as they shopped and calculated how much more each of 20 Moos Elementary School,

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WOW Frequency Exhibition celebrates the holidays with limited edition work

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
12/11/2017
NawrocaPieces

A WOW Frequency Exhibition brings together a diverse group of artists in a limited edition art sale and celebration of the holiday and community, thanks to Iwona Biedermann of DreamBox Gallery in collaboration with Cup & Spoon, 2415 W. North Ave., in the WOW (west of western) District.

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Revelation at Congressman Luis Gutierrez's birthday celebration…

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
12/10/2017
LGutierrez

A private birthday celebration in honor of U.S. Congressman, Luis Gutiérrez, 4th District, in a Humboldt Park restaurant Friday night revealed more than a great birthday cake.

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Santa on the CTA Holiday Train rolled along the Blue Line Saturday

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
12/09/2017
SantaTeam

"Oh, ho, ho," said Santa as his train rolled in to the Damen O'Hare bound Blue Line station around 5 p.m., Sat., Dec. 9.

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Help 14th District Police Officers spread some joy to kids

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
12/08/2017
KittyHappy

All new, unopened and unwrapped toys for children 14 years and younger put in a box by the desk in the 14th District (Shakespeare Station) Headquarters, 2150 N. California, will be delivered to community kids in need this Christmas.

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Gutiérrez endorses Chuy and Moreno says "Doesn't pass smell test"

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
11/28/2017
LGutierrez

Luis Gutiérrez officially announced this morning, Tuesday, that he will not run for re-election to his 4th District U.S. Congressional seat and endorsed Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia

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Wheeling carjacker captured by Smith Park Advisory Council President: CPD Officer David Ramos

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
11/15/2017
RamosOn32

Today started like any other for David Ramos, Smith Park Advisory Council President and 18th District Chicago Police Officer. But it became extra ordinary with the capture of Leon Spektor,

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Crime Stoppers hit the streets offering cash reward: Fatal June hit and run on Division

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
11/15/2017
CanvasingStreets

Cook County Crime Stoppers are offering a cash reward for information about the June 18 fatal hit and run, of 23-year-old Eric Judge, in the 2000 block of W. Division.

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