UPDATE:
Chicago's Jackie Robinson West All-Star team beat Nevada, 7-5, Saturday in the Little League World Series U.S. Championship game, advancing to the title game on Sunday afternoon.
The team comprised of 11- and 12-year-olds from Chicago's South and Southwest Sides will face a team from South Korea on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Chicago time in Williamsport, Pa. The game will be broadcast live on ABC7.
Trailing 3-0 after the first and 5-4 heading into the home half of the fifth, Chicago scored three times to win it. Houston's single tied it after two walks, with runs also scoring on a fielder's choice and an error.
Ed Howard then came on to close it out for Jackie Robinson West, a member of the Urban Initiative which supports Little League programs in needy urban areas.
Las Vegas, the West Region champs, had topped Chicago 13-2 on Aug. 17 and had outscored the opposition 33-5 in its three victories in South Williamsburg. The game was played under gray skies with an occasional mist of rain.
The weather didn't dampen the mood of the crowd. Hundreds of kids spent the game sliding down the steep hill in center field on large sheets of cardboard.
The Illinois team, called "the pride of Chicago" by mayor Rahm Emmanuel, eliminated the Taney Dragons from Philadelphia, featuring Sports Illustrated cover girl Mo'ne Davis, by a 6-5 score on Thursday night in its most recent game.
"Today the Jackie Robinson West All Stars have made history as only the third team ever from Illinois to reach the championship game of the Little League World Series and the City of Chicago could not be prouder of them," Emanuel said in a statement. "Their positive attitude and success on the field has rallied people from every neighborhood to support these kids and they continue to demonstrate why they are the pride of Chicago. What a comeback. What a win!"
Mayor Emanuel and Gov. Pat Quinn were both in attendance at a watch party held at the Kroc Community Center, one of two public viewing parties the city hosted. The other was held on in the Loop in front ABC7's State Street studios.
"They came into the tournament as underdogs, but game after game they have shown that they have what it takes to be the best," said Quinn. "Jackie Robinson West has continued to make Illinois proud. Coming from the South Side of Chicago, they are now one win away from becoming Illinois' first-ever Little League World Champion team.
Sunday's game will once again be shown live on big screens at the following locations:
- The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, located at 1250 W. 119th Street.
- State Street in front of ABC7 Eyewitness News studios (between Randolph and Lake St.).
Also, the House of Hope on the city's Far South Side will host a watch party for Sunday's championship game, Rev. James T. Meeks announced.
Located on the Far South Side of Chicago, it houses a 10,000-seat arena and serves as the worship facility for Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, the largest African American church in Illinois with more than 15,000 members, where Rev. Meeks is the senior pastor.
And win or lose on Sunday, Chicago is planning a parade and rally to celebrate the team's success on Wednesday, with details still to be announced.
Let's hope the team go to Williamsport and wins it all 
