ILLINOIS BLACK BUSINESS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

May 11 2026BUSINESS

BlackRock bets big on blockchain with new money fund plans

BlackRock is taking another step into crypto by planning two new funds that trade on blockchain instead of traditional exchanges. The move shows how Wall Street is slowly merging with digital money systems, even as regulators try to keep up. The first fund copies a well-known $6. 1 billion US Treas

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May 10 2026TECHNOLOGY

Why CEOs Need to Start Thinking About AI That Works in the Real World

Business leaders have spent years focused on AI that helps with office work and data analysis. Now, a wave of new AI is emerging—one that moves, interacts, and performs tasks in warehouses, factories, and even dangerous places. Unlike the AI that answers customer service chats, this technology blend

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May 09 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Behind the Mask: How Blackface Shaped America’s Hidden Culture

Blackface wasn’t just a stage act—it was America’s unofficial pastime for a century. A new book digs into how everyday people, not just performers, kept this racist tradition alive, turning it into a tool for politics, profit, and power. From government-sponsored shows during the Great Depression to

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May 02 2026CRYPTO

BlackRock’s Crypto Fees: Small Bite, Big Price Tag

BlackRock’s crypto division made $42 million in fees during the first quarter, a modest amount compared to its total ETF revenue. The firm’s overall ETF business earned more than $2. 4 billion in the same period. Crypto products hold about 1. 11 % of BlackRock’s $5. 48 trillion in ETF assets,

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May 02 2026POLITICS

A billionaire governor’s next big move

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is no stranger to writing big checks for political battles. But if he decides to run for president in 2028, he won’t be footing the entire bill himself. That’s according to people close to his inner circle, who say he’s already testing the waters with national fundraise

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Apr 29 2026TECHNOLOGY

AI in Business: Smoother Workflows, Clearer Control

Businesses often juggle messy spreadsheets, approvals, and payroll while trying to spot problems early. Now, companies are embedding AI agents directly into the tools they already use—like accounting software and HR systems—to handle routine tasks without losing transparency. Instead of just spittin

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Apr 25 2026POLITICS

Betting on Politics and Weather Sparks Legal Storm

Political insiders are finding themselves in hot water after using prediction markets to gamble on high‑stakes events. A U. S. Army soldier, accused of exploiting classified data about the operation that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power, allegedly placed more than a dozen bets on

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Apr 25 2026FINANCE

Why Big Sales Don't Always Mean Big Profits

Business owners often cheer when they see sales numbers climbing. High revenue feels like success, but it’s just the first half of the story. The real test comes when you subtract the hidden costs of running the company. Without tracking the difference between gross and net revenue, a business can g

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Apr 22 2026FINANCE

Smart Money Watching BlackSky as Stock Nears Yearly Peak

BlackSky’s shares are closing in on their highest point in a year, sitting just below $40. 62. That’s interesting because most stocks tend to pull back when the market is shaky. But here, the price is holding strong near the top instead of falling. This often means big investors are quietly buying u

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Apr 20 2026EDUCATION

A Rare Shot at Gunsmithing School in Arkansas

Black River Technical College in Arkansas just joined an exclusive club. It’s one of only four schools in the U. S. that teach short-term gunsmithing courses approved by the National Rifle Association. Most of these programs have been around for decades, but Black River only started in 2020. That’s

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