VibeSociety™

Your credit score affects almost every major financial decision you make. From securing a mortgage to getting approved for a credit card with the best rewards, this three-digit number determines how lenders see you. Understanding what goes into your score and how to improve it can save you thousands of dollars over time.

A Chicago landlord who tried to use immigration threats as leverage against his tenants is now facing the full weight of Illinois law. In a first-of-its-kind ruling under the state’s Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, Cook County Circuit Judge Catherine A. Schneider ordered Marco Antonio Contreras and his wife, Denise Contreras, to pay more than $80,000 to their former tenants after threatening to call immigration authorities during a rent dispute in June 2020.

There’s power beneath your feet. Right now, steady heat moves quietly through the ground beneath Chicago, waiting to be used. In West Woodlawn, a South Side neighborhood rich in history and pride, that heat is being tapped to create something bigger than a new energy system. It’s becoming the foundation of a new way of living, one designed to keep resources local, lower bills, and turn everyday blocks into models for how a city can work smarter.

Every March, before the parade kicks off and the crowds fill the streets, the Chicago River turns an unreal shade of green. It doesn’t happen by accident, and it doesn’t last long. Crews from the Chicago Plumbers Union launch their boats at exactly 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, spraying a secret formula into the water until the whole stretch between Columbus Drive and Fairbanks Court glows bright as a clover. If you want to catch it, that’s your window. The color fades in hours, and by the next day, it’s mostly gone. So you show up on time or you miss it.

When you think about making a lasting difference in the world, it is easy to picture big stages and loud applause. You might assume influence requires numbers. The larger the crowd, the greater the impact. Yet, the method Jesus used looked nothing like that. His plan for changing the world was simple. He focused on a few.

Stepping into the role of a small group leader can feel like standing on a stage without a script. You may wonder if you know enough, if anyone will listen, or if you are equipped to guide others in their faith. The fear of being unqualified is common, but it is also misplaced. The purpose of leading is not to perform but to create a space where God can work. You are not called to impress anyone. You are called to serve.

Fasting isn’t just about skipping meals, it’s a transformative process that activates your body’s natural ability to repair and rejuvenate. A 36-hour fast initiates a cascade of benefits that support your overall health, from improving energy use to regenerating cells. Here’s how your body adapts step by step during this remarkable window of time.

Relationships flourish when they are grounded in love, mutual respect, and intentionality. Yet, it’s easy to fall into patterns where competing priorities, even well-meaning ones, erode the foundation of a strong bond. Whether you’re navigating a marriage, nurturing a family, or strengthening friendships, putting the right things first can transform your connections in profound ways.

The simple act of walking can transform your health in ways you might not have imagined. For the average American, taking three to four thousand steps a day is common, but it’s far from enough to unlock the benefits that come with walking more. Research shows that reaching 8,000 steps daily decreases your risk of dying from any cause by 51%. That’s a number worth stepping up for.

The Chicago Fire Football Club officially opened its new training facility on the Near West Side this week, holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony that highlighted the organization's investment in the area. However, the event unfolded under the weight of ongoing tensions from public housing residents and community advocates, many of whom continue to question the deal that allowed the soccer club to build on land once home to the Chicago Housing Authority’s ABLA Homes.

Fat Tuesday is more than just a date on the calendar. In Chicago, it means bakeries filled with fresh paczki, crowded celebrations, and a last chance to indulge before Lent begins. Whether you're craving something sweet or just looking for a reason to get out and enjoy the day, there’s plenty happening across the city to make the most of it.

There are few things more difficult than explaining why faith matters to someone who has never considered it. People are often quick to dismiss concepts they cannot see or measure. They want evidence that feels tangible, something they can connect to their own experience. That is why personal stories are one of the most overlooked tools in sharing the truth about Jesus. Facts and arguments may hold attention for a moment. But a real story, spoken plainly and without exaggeration, has a way of slipping past defenses and settling where logic cannot.

Rahm Emanuel has returned to Chicago, and so has his influence. After serving as the U.S. ambassador to Japan, the former mayor is already making it clear he’s not ready to step away from public life. Speaking at the Economic Club of Chicago, Emanuel covered everything from national security to local education, signaling that he may soon re-enter the political arena. While he avoided committing to a specific race, his remarks suggest the door is wide open for a return.

NASCAR is taking a different approach as it heads into the third year of the Chicago Street Race, making noticeable changes to the event lineup, ticket prices, and overall setup in hopes of delivering a smoother experience after back-to-back years of weather disruptions and unfinished races.

Freedom is one of those words we all claim to value, but rarely stop to think about what it costs. For Casimir Pulaski, it meant giving up everything. His home. His safety. His life. And while his name might pop up once a year on a holiday you barely notice, Pulaski's story carries something much deeper than a three-day weekend or a day off work. It’s a story about standing up when it’s easier to sit down, about fighting for people who may never even know your name, and about why real change never happens without real sacrifice.

Your number one purpose in life isn’t what you might think. It’s not about how much you can love God, how well you follow His commands, or how tirelessly you serve others. It’s about allowing God to love you. The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, tells a story of God’s immense love for humanity and His desire for a family. This truth changes everything about how you see your relationship with Him.

In Luke 6:46, Jesus asks, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” His words cut straight to the heart of what it means to follow Him. It’s not enough to profess faith in Jesus; your life must reflect the obedience that comes from genuine trust in Him. This is not about striving for perfection, but about committing to a life of continual growth and alignment with God’s will.

Owning a home may seem out of reach if you’re worried about saving for a down payment, but the USDA loan program offers a surprising solution, zero down payment and no cash reserves required. This often-overlooked opportunity helps eligible buyers achieve homeownership without draining their savings.

Chicago’s Hard Rock Cafe, a beloved River North landmark with its towering guitar sign and collection of rock memorabilia, will permanently close on March 29, 2025. Located at 63 W. Ontario St., the cafe has been a staple of the city’s cultural and dining scene for nearly four decades, drawing tourists and locals alike for its unique ambiance and iconic status.

It sounds comforting to say all religions lead to the same place. In a world eager for unity, people gravitate toward the belief that every faith is just a different route to the same God. This idea reduces spiritual questions to matters of preference, like choosing a flavor of ice cream. But when you take a closer look at what each religion teaches, this popular belief quickly falls apart. The claims of Jesus stand in sharp contrast to every other voice, and if you accept His words as true, you are left with only one conclusion. Not all paths lead to God. Only one does.