B/ACE Spring 2018

FROM PERSONAL DIFFERENCES TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE

DECLUTTER YOUR FINANCES! COOK COUNTY’S DEVELOPMENT DIVA

C. Turnipsede McHugh -Laborer Apprentice

NEXT STOP...

B/ACE STYLE STATION

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Table of Contents 4

The Basics

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Projects on the Horizon

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Mother’s Day Picks

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TaxTips for 2018

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It’s Spring Time: Declutter

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B/ACE Boss

12 Style Station

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Completed Projects

14 Spring Look

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B/ACE Out and About

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Behind the Scenes

Your Finances!

Recommendations 17 The Option of Growth

22 Faces of B/ACE

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COMMUNITIES EMPOWERED THROUGH CONSTRUCTION

The CEC is committed to community. We believe there are qualified candidates who would love to be a part of the ongoing developments within their communities. We are constantly looking for potential candidates currently in the construction industry or who have a desire to be in the industry. If you are looking to join our network, please complete the Online Interest Form.

Website: www.communities4construction.com Phone: 312 - 989 - 3903 Fax: 312 - 989 - 3910 Address: 2532 W. Warren Blvd Chicago, IL 60612

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The Basics

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/ACE! Is a quarterly magazine designed to capture the essence of the everyday in construction and make it extraordinary. CECCommunities Empowered Through Construction strives to be a resource in the community and B/ACE is the vehicle to showcase all the work that is being done in our communities. B/ACE aims to share their stories, their projects, to engage and empower our community in an unconventional manner!

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April Showers bring May Flowers…while the weather is quietly blooming, the staff here at B/ACE Magazine is in full anticipation of all the promise, the grandeur and renewed sense of purpose that the spring brings. If we pause daily we can watch as our city begins to shed its winter coat and slowly come alive again. With Easter around the corner, Mothers Day coming in May, and the construction season ramping up we are all excited about spring!

This quarter’s magazine is packed with everything that sings Spring! Flowers, bright colors, style tips and spring cleaning for your finances! Check out our FACES of B/ACE and be inspired by their Easter looks. Watching them come alive as they played in the city’s construction playground was amazing.

Kori Jamison and Jessica Caffrey nautical looks actually took me back down memory lane! See our Mother’s Day Gift Guide for details on this story and some of my favorite picks for Mother’s Day. As this season ramps up in full swing we would like to encourage our readers to take time and celebrate the beauty of spring!

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Mother’s Day Picks!

I have my mother to blame for my obses-

ago! I couldn’t believe that she came to the

sion with Spring and all things Nautical.

school and brought my outfit without me

Growing up I can recall walking to school

even telling her. How did she know? And

dressed in jeans and a sweater and I no-

how did she know that I would’ve wanted

ticed that all the other kids on their way to

to wear that particular dress? It was like

school were all dressed up. When I asked

she read my mind. And It was then, I knew

my friends why were they so dressed up

that mom had super powers!!!”

they reminded me it was picture day!

I was a second grader, who backed then loved to dress up (I actually still like to dress up), so of course I was devastated!

As I sat at my desk dreading the time when it would be my class’s turn to take pictures, there was a knock at the door. I was like “Oh Lord it is our turn!” Instead my teacher, Mrs. Bell, called my name.

The knock at the door was my mom and with her was my navy blue and white sailor dress I had worn for Easter a few weeks

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A Chic Watch….

Kate Spade Watch

Get Her Car Detailed……

A Fresh Pair of White Kicks….

Sunglasses always say Cool Mom…..

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It’s Spring Time: Declutter Your Finances!

by Tamara M. Dervin

Spring time is the perfect time to clean up and organize not only your home but your Finances!

If you are looking to renew your financial life, this is the perfect time of year. A great way to cultivate growth with your money is through organization. Decluttering your finances will allow you to organize, check in on your goals, and finish the year with reaching your goals.

Let’s chat and discuss strategies to declutter your finances:

Know Where You Stand Financially!

Do you know what you own? Do you know where are all of your money is located? Take a look at all of the money that you have, this would include: bank accounts (checking and savings), investment accounts, retirement accounts (old and current employers), college savings, and insurance policies. It is important to know where all of your money is and how much is in each account. If you have created multiple checking, savings, or investment accounts, do you remember why or what each account is for? This is the perfect time to consider if your needs are the same and if you need to consolidate accounts. For example, if you have multiple

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401k type accounts with prior employers you may want to consider rolling over your old 401k accounts into a consolidated rollover IRA (“Individual Retirement Account”). Also, this a great time to make sure that your beneficiaries are accurate and up to date on all of your accounts and insurance policies.

Do you know what you owe? Open all of your bills! You need to know what you owe. Sticking your head in the sand won’t make it go away. If you are experiencing financial challenges, I encourage you to call your creditor sooner than later, explain your current financial situation and request a payment plan or inquire they have any financial assistance programs. Create a plan and tackle your debt head on!

Keep a snapshot of your financial picture

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that is easily accessible. This snapshot will include a listing of what you own and what you owe. It’s your personal balance sheet. You can go old school or new school.

Microsoft Excel is a tried and true option.

Two free online tools are: Mint.com or PersonalCapital.com. These tools will help you to keep track of all of your accounts big or small. Don’t lose track of your money!

Revisit or Set Financial Goals!

Now that you know what you have and what you owe. Let’s look at your financial goals.

How are you doing? Do you need to make adjustments? If you don’t have financial goals, let’s create some goals. You should have short-term and long-term financial goals:

A Short-Term Financial Goal is a goal that you can accomplish in less than 12 months (e.g. credit card paid off, save for vacation).

A Long-Term Financial Goal is a goal that you can accomplish in more than 12 months (e.g. retirement, college savings).

After you have created your financial goals, let’s determine how you plan to reach them and create an Action Plan.

Pull Your Credit Report!

The federal law requires that all of the credit bureaus provide you an annual copy of your credit report through www. annualcreditreport.com. Reviewing your credit report not only allows you to confirm what you owe but it also gives you the

Automate Your Savings – A lot of employers give you the option to divide your paycheck across multiple accounts. One of those accounts should be a savings account.

opportunity to make sure there is no

Automate Your Retirement Savings – Enroll

fraudulent activity on your credit report.

in your employer sponsored retirement plan

Remember your credit report is your

or open an IRA and sign-up for monthly

financial credibility. It’s your financial name.

deductions from your checking account.

What is your credit saying about you? Let’s

(Note: select a transfer date around your pay

declutter, organize and clean it up!

date.)

Stop & Refresh Your Budget Based on Your Goals!

Automate Your Bill Payments – This helps

Your budget has to include your financial

organizations have the option to contribute

goals. When you update or create new financial goals, always make sure that you refresh your budget to include the changes.

This step is critical to the success of you reaching your financial goals. If you don’t have a budget, it’s time to create one!

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Automate Your Financial Life!

you to pay your bills on time without having to think about it.

Automate Your Giving – Most charitable regularly online.

Automating your financial life helps you to give consistently, save without missing the money and keep your bills paid on-time.

Automate, Automate, Automate!

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Stay Organized!

Set a monthly appointment time with yourself or with you and your spouse to handle your financial business. During this time you can determine if everything is on track or if adjustments need to be made to the monthly budget or financial plan. Being consistent with managing your money will keep your financial life clutter free.

Tamara M. Dervin, MBA is a Certified Financial Educator and creator of Money Basics.

Money Basics is a transformative financial education company created to help individuals and couples understand money management in its most basic form and create action plans to achieve their financial goals.

Follow Tamara and Money Basics on Social Media @MoneyisBasic !

Style Station Compliment your interview attire with these Spring staples.

Bl az

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a h T

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m o s s

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Sp

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Cool C

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ng hat Si

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An advanced level MUA with over 10 years in the cosmetics industry. Born and raised in the city of Chicago, Tiffany has a passion for all things fashion, beauty, and style! With a flare for showing how to do lots with less, this artist truly believe that everyone should feel their best and will do everything in her power to make it happen for her clients with her makeup applications! She has worked with some of the top brands in the makeup industry and also hosts makeup classes in Chicago.

Her portfolio includes event makeup, weddings, photo shoots, television, and film. For all business inquires, email Tiffanytoni2@gmail.com.

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Spring Look Recommendations

by Tiffany Toni

This Spring season in makeup is all about bold pastels! Colors that are traditionally soft have been revved up to create an ultra bright boldness with a side of aggression.

The pantone color of the year ultra violet is a perfect example of that bold pastel look every woman can wear and every woman wants to wear. These colors remind me of Blow Pops suckers……hard on the outside at first glance but when applied, its soft and sweet! Just the look you want on the eyes or lips as an alluring statement.

One of my favorite Spring looks is fresh skin, soft eyes, and a bold lip. It’s a clean classic timeless look and goes well with that “make your ex jealous” dress. It’s a look that can go easily from day to night, from a parent teacher conference to drinks with friends.

It is universal glam for all occasions. The recipe for this type of look is: B/ACE

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Recommended Spring 2018 Makeup Looks & Products

Maybelline Total Temptation Eye Shadow & Highlight Palette is the perfect combination of pigmented pastels and nudes to make the eyes look as delicate as a orchid but bold as a rose.

Urban Decay luscious lipsticks are creamy, velvety, goodness on your lips that make you feel sensual without even trying……

This Spring dare to play with pastels no matter if it is on the eyes, lips, or even the cheeks! Let the color be the cherry on the cake to your fresh fashion of the season.

Don’t be afraid to venture into the plums, violets,

16 blush pinks, and more! Have fun with it…. corals,

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The Option of

Growth

by Latoya Golliday

We live in an ever changing society where

function. “For anything that fails to grow

there is constant change. The moment

will cease to exist.” This applies to your

you buy a new cellular device a new one

finances, spiritual connections, and self-

is already geared to launch in less than a

obtained knowledge; whether for business

year. One minute your new state of the art

or personal merit. If we fail to change,

tablet is trending and within a few months

we, our being, our businesses, and/or our

is almost obsolete. The world around us is

relationships becomes unmarketable, our

moving so fast and there is nothing we can

goals unattainable, and we become the left

do to stop it. One of the most important

behind.

statements that was ever spoken to me was that “Change is inevitable, but growth

I have been a thriving entrepreneur for

is optional”. Those few words would

almost fourteen years. Working as a

forever change my life. So you see, I may

consultant for Chicago Public Schools,

not be able to control all the changes

I learned early on in my entrepreneurial

around me, but I can manage the change

journey that becoming a chameleon was

by simply choosing to grow with it.

pivotal to my success and my existence.

What was in high demand one year was

Growth is not limited to one area in life,

nonexistent in the next. I quickly had

but it applies to all domains in which we

to find a way to change my products

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without changing the integrity of who I

and we desire and require many different

was and what my overall vision was for

events, experiences, and motivations to

my business. There were times when I

get us to our success. Knowing what

thought I would have to reinvent the wheel

moves you and what motivates you is very

to survive, but in the end, all I had to do

important. Also, having an idea of what

was manage the change and grow with

your own personal success looks like will

it. Every business experiences growing

help guide you, keep you focused and in

pains, but it’s not the storm that is the

balance. Having a successful business was

battle, it’s how we stay above the water

not enough for me because I did not feel

during those times, and better yet perfect

successful without having my Bachelor’s

our backstroke. With the first quarter of

degree. After eleven years I set out to

the year just behind us, know that it is

complete the journey I started many years

never too late to start or even recalibrate

ago. One year later and after twelve long

your individual growth plans for the year.

years, yes twelve, I completed my degree.

I have listed three major areas in my life

This was a personal growth opportunity

that have grown me tremendously and

that grew my network, business and

could possibly help you on your journey to

individual intellect and would become one

managing change.

of the greatest achievements to catapult me to a new level in my life. Remember

Individual Growth

success is a personal definition and it

Individual growth and development is the

Define your own success!

means different things to different people.

key to the every success in your life. Your visions, thoughts, and ambitions are all conceived the moment you think them and

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Financial Growth

they are born the moment you decide to

Many ideas lay dead in the minds of many

act on them. We are all uniquely formed

individuals because they believe they

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"Tomorrow will mark a new date on the calendar and yesterday will be no more. What changes will you have made from one day to the next? What is your overall plan to create a better life and a better future for you and perhaps your family? All the variables around you will change, it is inevitable, but ask yourself if you will exercise your option to grow!" don’t have the financial stability to fund them. This pertains to business startups, education, and even family vacations.

A major reason it took me twelve years to obtain my undergraduate degree was because I owed my then University a substantial amount of money. I went years putting the bill off as if it was going to disappear. And while many opportunities passed me by, my debt was also changing, because it was accumulating interest. I remember strategically creating a budget that would help increase my credit score, so that I could then in-turn apply for a loan to pay the University so that I could enroll.

At this time, I was married and we both had a steady income, but I chose to sacrifice.

Sacrifice is the greatest ally in achieving

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financial success. It is much easier to make

grow my business but it provided an insight

reservations for an expensive dinner, buy a

to how the art of business had changed

nice pair of shoes, and indulge in our guilty

since I started my business seven years

pleasures than it is to save money and pay

prior. It expanded my network of peers and

bills. There is little to no pleasure in paying

entrepreneurs and it changed my vision

bills! But it disciplines us and it promotes us

and plans for the future of my business.

to a higher level of financial stability. Things

It allowed me to effortlessly calibrate my

change, trends come and go, but the best

growth when I was going in an unwanted

investment that you will ever make is to

direction. I began to read more, frequent

invest in yourself! Changing your saving and

various seminars and events in my business

spending habits will essentially change your

arena. It grew me individually, financially, and

life!

it placed me on a different career path all together. Having a successful career takes balance, skill, dedication, and above all the

Career Development

initiative to change.

Know your business! Your career growth depends on the growth of your career development. What does your network look like, what are the latest trends in your line of business, and who is the new targeted audience? Many business’s crash and burn because of an archaic way of thinking. My father used to say, “A closed mouth does not get fed,” but neither does a closed mind. Once I embraced education on many different levels it opened my mind up to more creative ways to market and grow my business. After receiving my undergraduate, I went on to get my MBA. It did not directly

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Latoya Golliday is a freelance journalist focused on love, life, and all pursuits to happiness. She has been working with Chicago Public School parents for 14 years as a consultant and life coach. Be on the lookout for Latoya’s Blog “Toi Talks” in early March.

Here you will find in depth articles on the joys of life, travel, and style. When Latoya is not writing she enjoys time with her children, traveling, and simply enjoying life.

“CHICAGO’S ORIGINAL JUMBO SLICE”

N I O R R CARR E D R O Y

FOR YOUR NEAREST LOCATION GO TO WWW.BACCIPIZZA.COM

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Faces of

B/ACE At the heart of B/ACE is the community.

Someone asked me a few weeks ago to define community. I defined ours as minority men and women from underserved and under employed neighborhoods all over the city of Chicago who’ve chosen a career in construction. Each quarter the Faces of B/ACE aims to shine a spotlight on our CEC (Communities Empowered Through Construction) candidates that are out in the field, showing up to work on time, drug free and making their community proud.

Favorite thing about Spring: Being outdoors enjoying the weather!

Fun Fact: I’m an Anime fan and I have a serious B/ACE 24 tooth. sweet

Cornelius Tunipseed Jr About 2 years ago, like so many kids my age I left home with my bags packed headed to a college campus. A year later I realized, college wasn’t a great fit for me and headed back home. While at home I worked several entry level jobs as I tried to figure out what to do with my life. Keep in mind I am a young guy, with hopes and dreams to have a better future.Last winter I attended CEC’S Intake Conference and completed the interviewing process.

They suggested I research the different trades and the compensation. I’m so glad I did! I was excited to learn about the opportunities that exist in the construction industry and CEC helped me navigate my career search. By working with the CEC I was able to start my construction apprenticeship with McHugh Construction.

I am currently working on the CTA Red line project. Now, I will admit...at first the construction industry was a little hard to get used to, but CEC was there to work with McHugh and be a voice for me. Now I love my job! Although I’m not a Journeyman yet, the experience and compensation has been better than all of my previous employment.

Cornelius Turnipseed McHugh Laborer Apprentice

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Jamal Davis My name is Jamal Davis. I grew up in a poverty-stricken neighborhood on the west side of Chicago. It was hard for me to stay on a straight and narrow path due to the environment that I felt trapped in. I moved away briefly to the western suburbs and was able to see something different. When I came back, I was shocked to see the things that hadn’t changed. I know that my calling was to help others while also building our communities.

As I started my career search, I came across CEC. I went through their professional development program, was able to join Local Union 6 and in just a few short months, I was able to nail my interview with Lendlease for a Union Laborer. Although I love being a Laborer, I plan on furthering my career in the construction industry and becoming a

Jamal Davis

Project Manager Someday.

Lendlease Local 6 Laborer

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Favorite Saying: The only person what will help you be successful is you. And the only person that will stop you from being successful is you.

Favorite Thing about Spring: Not wearing multiple layers of clothing and being able to enjoy working in the sun.

Fun Fact about Myself: I honestly enjoy working, probably because it’s my passion.

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Kori Jamison My name is Kori Jamison and I am a proud Journeyman Laborer/Steward for Clayco.

I was born and raised on the west side of Chicago. Early last year I said to myself, here I am 10 years out of high school and I don’t have any college credits. What am I going to do with my life?I had decided a while back to pursue a trade but it was slow motion. It’s amazing how when you least expect it the right opportunity can change your life.

I remember speaking with Lafrancis, a Project Manager at CEC, and debating on whether or not to attend the Intake Conference for Cook County. I am so glad I did! My hunger to want a better life gave

Kori Jamison Clayco

me the courage to go up to Bob Clark the

Local 6 Laborer

President of Clayco and introduce myself.

That introduction has been life changing. I was hired by Clayco and my career has taken off! When I reflect on my career, I’m grateful to have an organization like CEC within my

but they are a group of great people that’s

community. They are actually there to help

willing to help with anything. Me personally,

the community and give people that drive

I encourage any and everybody that has

and extra push they need to reassure them

the physical ability, to seek a career in

that life may have hit a bump in the road, but

construction regardless of your background,

it’s more out there. Not only is CEC a great

race, age, sex or religion. I’m living the best

stepping stone into the construction industry

days of my life.

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Projects on the Horizon

With the warmer weather coming so are more construction projects!

These up and coming projects have committed to community hiring and I can’t wait to showcase in the future the men/women who help bring them to life!

Summit Design + Build 905 W. Fulton 905 W. Fulton is the rehabilitation of 2existing 3-story building, new construction with 4th and 5th floor addition, and a new 5-story building to the North.

This building also includes first floor retail and office space above. Interior + Structural demolition of two (2) existing 3- story building are under separate demolition permit. ​ The project’s location is 905 W. Fulton and is expected to be completed April 2019.

TSLA: The Taylor Street Library and Apartment Project is a 7-story concrete structure consisting of 73 apartment units above a first floor branch of the Chicago Public Library in the Little Italy neighborhood. The total square footage of the project is 89,000 sf. The enclosure is made from glass curtain wall, operable windows, metal panel and GFRC rain screen panels. The landscaped site will contain parking for both the residents and library patrons.

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Tax Tips for

by Nikita White

2018

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, TAX

due date of your return. Please note that an

SEASON! The IRS began accepting returns

extension of time to file is not an extension

on January 29, 2018 and many people are

of time to pay. You may be subject to a late

wondering when they should see their tax

payment penalty on any tax not paid by the

preparer, what documents they should bring,

original due date of your return.

do I qualify for the Earned Income Credit, and how does the GOP tax bill affect me?

1) WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE YOUR PROFESSIONAL TAX PREPARER?

2) WHAT DOCUMENTS SHOULD I BRING WHEN I FILE WITH A PROFESSIONAL TAX PREPARER? A common issue that most tax preparers

You should see your tax preparer as soon

experience is that clients are not prepared

as you have gathered all of your necessary

when they come to file. Ensuring that you

documents needed to file. It is important

have all the necessary documents will make

to note that the filing deadline is Tuesday,

your tax filing session less gruesome.

April 17, 2018. If you cannot file by the due date, you should request an extension of time to file. To receive an automatic 6-month extension of time to file your return, you must file Form 4868, Application for

A list of documents that you may need to bring are (note: this list is not comprehensive and will vary based on your personal situation):

Automatic Extension of Time To File by the

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Dr. Nikita White is a Certified Public Accountant with a Master’s in Business Administration as well as a Doctorate of Educational Leadership. Dr. White has worked in numerous areas of accounting, finance and operations in both the educational sector nonprofit sector, and as a field auditor.

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• Form W-2 from all employers • Personal information/residency for all persons who will be claimed as a dependent.

• Proof of all deductions that you intend to claim for both your personal and/or business return.

4) HOW DOES THE GOP TAX BILL AFFECT ME? The tax plan took effect January 1, 2018, as a result, it doesn’t affect your 2017 taxes that you are filing now. However, there are big changes for 2018. For example, the

3) DO I QUALIFY FOR THE EARNED

standard deduction will essentially double

INCOME CREDIT?

for individuals and married couples filing

The Earned Income Tax Credit, EITC or EIC, is a benefit for working people with low to moderate income. Taxpayers must file as individuals or married filing jointly. If you are married, you, your spouse and your qualifying children must all have valid Social Security numbers. You must also be 25 or older but younger than 65. For the 2017 tax year, the maximum credit is $6,318.

However, your credit will vary based on your income and number of qualifying children.

If you are married filing jointly and earned less than $53,930 ($48,340 for individuals,

jointly. In addition, personal exemptions, which reduce your taxable income, are eliminated and the tax brackets have significantly changed. For 2018, the IRS announced that workers could begin seeing the difference in withholding in their paychecks as early as February. However, until you know how this will affect you personally, based on your income, you should not modify your withholdings with your employer. It is best to consult with a professional tax preparer or advisor to determine how this bill will affect you.

surviving spouses or heads of household) in 2017, you may qualify for this tax credit.

Consult with a tax professional to determine your eligibility.

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1230 W Taylor St. Chicago, IL 60607 312-988-0684 Open 7 days a week 7:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

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B/ACE Boss is a celebration of professional minorities, community leaders and entrepreneurs making a difference in the construction industry.

This quarter’s spotlight shines brightly on Jessica Caffrey the “Development Diva” for Cook County. As the Director of Real Estate Management for Cook County, Jessica, works daily to insure that minorities have the opportunity to work and do business with Cook County. She is beautiful, talented and most importantly passionate about our communities….she is a B/ACE Boss!

B O S S Development Diva

Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, she has used her roots, love for her community and education based knowledge to transform neighborhoods and facilities to create mixed income

Jessica A. Caffrey is the Director of

communities while serving the City’s Cook

Real Estate Management for Cook

County residents. Jessica wholeheartedly

County Government, the nation’s second

believes in the importance of community

largest county with more than 19 million

outreach and regularly host and attends

square feet of real estate. As Director of

meetings and events as a way of ‘giving

Real Estate, she has lead the visionary

back’. She prides herself in the services of

redevelopment plan for the Health and

the public and believes in investing in the

Hospitals Systems’ Central Campus.

people, businesses and community.

This redevelopment will enhance services

Fun Fact:

at our nation’s largest public health system,

I am playful and love to laugh. Most people

restore the Old Cook County Hospital

only see my serious side and have no idea

building, create a vibrant-mixed use

how fun I can be.

community and revitalize the West Side neighborhood. Jessica also works to ensure that elected officials and other departments within Cook County have the appropriate facilities to efficiently provide public services and carry out the various operations of County government.

Favorite Quote: “The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak: be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud but not arrogant, have humor, but without folly”.

–Jim Rohn

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What would you tell your 20 year old self as it relates to your career?

the excitement and joy the children received

The good news is that you have time on

musical flower that opens and closes. This is

your side, the bad news is that time flies.

one of the first gifts she bought for me. It is

With that said, you have to begin to think

placed in a special place in the house, where

about how to make a career selection.

I can always see it.

in giving them to me which made my heart smile. Most recently, my daughter gave me a

Make yourself available to go to as many networking events and career fairs as your schedule allows. Educate yourself at forums with people in industries that are of similar interests. This will help you understand what is important for your career choice; flexibility, mobility, salary or growth. Create a vision, persevere and be flexible! Always write your vision down. If you don’t write it down then it doesn’t exist! Finally, save, save and save some more. The sooner you start saving for retirement the sooner you can afford to retire. If you start investing at 20, you can plan to be a millionaire at retirement!

Good luck to you!

Mothers Day gift ideas?

The best Mother’s Day gifts from my children are the handmade cards and gifts they made when they were in grade school. The reason these were my favorite is because of

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Building Broken Bridges Through Business Sir Carl Moman owner of Sir Serious Enterprise and Charles Wilson of Unity Fencing were brought together by 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. to help curb the violence. They were two individuals representing two different communities that have been at odds for years. Sir Carl was born in raised in Rockwell Gardens and Charles was raised in Henry Horner; two poverty stricken communities that have been plagued with both drugs and gang violence. While the fighting may have been raging between the two communities, these two realized that the fighting was a mask to hide the real culprit, which continues to be the lack of economic resources and opportunities.

Both Charles and Sir Carl had been fighting and competing for community jobs, but what they soon found out was that these jobs were non-sustainable and for the most part unattainable. Unattainable because they came with so many systematic barriers of entry. They asked for and got construction jobs but were then told Sir Carl Moman

Charles Wilson

Sir Serious Enterprise

Unity Fencing

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B O S S construction companies and special

they had to be “Union”. Accessing the

events. His company has performed

Unions proved difficult because either

services for several of the prime general

the hiring halls weren’t open or you needed company’s to sponsor individuals.

Company’s’ weren’t interested in sponsoring people they didn’t know or want so their communities were still watching

contractors in the city; including Related Midwest, McHugh, and Walsh construction.

As a Union company Charles has been able to provide community members access to

from outside of the fence.

the Union trades and full time employment.

With the help of Alderman Burnett, both

Sir Carl Moman is the founder of Sir

Charles and Sir Carl have found a common ground to bring economic opportunities to their communities by starting and investing in their own businesses. It is both their

Serious Enterprise which includes; Security, trucking. and Local 6 labor opportunities.

He utilizes his Union position, like Charles Wilson to help the community access the Union trades which ultimately, lead to long

mission and goal to employ individuals

term lucrative employment opportunities.

from each of their communities. As business men they have been able to not only help build physical buildings in their communities but they have been a catalyst for repairing the damaged relationships

These are two young Entrepreneurs from the community, who are driven by the need to save their community. They are truly wB/ACE Bosses!

between their communities that have existed for years. Slowly moving their communities from fighting with each other to working with each other.

Charles Wilson is the president of Unity Fencing, an MBE Certified fencing company providing quality fencing to B/ACE

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Completed Projects CEC had the pleasure of working with

Related Midwest utilized two minority General

Summit DB on their 830 N. Milwaukee

Contractors who in turn brought minority

project and 851 Grand Project. While there

subcontractors to the project. The minority

were the traditional new hires of laborers

subcontractors brought a minority workforce

and carpenters, the one interesting hire

and committed to NEW Hires as well. In

that I can recall from this project was

addition to the new union opportunities

for a site superintendent. Mr. Robinson

acquired, several apprenticeships in the

was responsible for the activity on both

carpentry, electrical and plumbing trade were

sites and was instrumental in keeping the

created along with a large no. of non union

projects moving.

opportunities. Non union positions included

Marshall Field Garden Apartments was one of the very first projects that the CEC had the pleasure of working on and to date it

security, room monitors, apartment movers‌ etc. I am proud introduce Marshall Field Garden Apartments‌

has still been one of our most successful projects. It was a private project so there were no mandatory or regulatory hiring goals or MBE/WBE requirements. However, Related Midwest knows that it is good business sense to involve the community in the economic opportunities of building their own communities. We blew the standard

851 W. Grand

goals out of the water!

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Summit Design + Build, LLC 830 N Milwaukee Project LINKT Apartments 5-story, 47-unit transit oriented Apartment Complex with first floor retails and enclosed parking garage with 24 spaces.

-Studio, one, two, and three- bedroom units with high-end finished including quartz 830 N. Milwaukee

countertops, stainless steel appliances and large floor-to-ceiling windows -Fitness center, green roof and patio with fire pits and grilling stations -Stainless steel panel facade helps limit light pollution from traffic on Milwaukee Avenue

830 N. Milwaukee

Summit Design + Build, LLC 851 W Grand Project 6- story, 36-unit apartment complex with studio, one and two bedroom units and with 18 outdoor parking spaces. In Chicago’s River West neighborhood.

830 N. Milwaukee

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Spoke Power Construction: 1001 W. Chicago 1001 West Chicago, which is now known as Spoke, is a 363 unit apartment project which was built in the River West neighborhood. The development consists of 14- and 15-story towers with ground-floor retail, making it the tallest building in the immediate area

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Completed Projects

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Marshall Field Gardens Marshall Field Garden Apartments is a

renovation that restored the property

628-unit project-based Section 8 complex

according to the Secretary of the Interior’s

located in the Old Town neighborhood. The

standards for historic preservation. The

Property consists of 10 five-story buildings

project included new building systems, roof

that encircle one full city block. It is made

replacement, masonry restoration, new unit

up of 49 one-bedroom units, 493 two-

interiors, new accessible units and building

bedroom units and 86 three-bedroom units.

amenities.”

All apartments are designated for families.

The Property was originally constructed in 1929 and went through an extensive

It’s a Team Thing...

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t o s t S u o O me t u o o h f S Our All-Stars!

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McHUGH James McHugh Construction Co.

It is our belief that McHugh’s greatest quality – the single most important element that makes our company the best at what we do – is our people; the men and women on our jobsites who demonstrate a work ethic and level of excellence second to none. We are proud of our commitment to community outreach and will continue to be a leader in the industry.

www.mchughconstruction.com

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Out and About

B/ACE had the privilege of participating in the City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services 2018 Construction Summit on February 7th. The 2018 Construction Summit was an event that shared great information for both Primes, subcontractors and career seeking individuals. Attendees had access to construction resources that ranged from the City of Chicago User Departments like the City’s’ Department of Procurement, CTA, and CHA to Employment & Union Trade Organizations

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t

Mayor Rahm Emmanuel stop by to welcome exhibitors, elected officials, and construction professionals to the event and all day there was this constant sharing of resourceful information. You found people networking in every corner of the room. Our team had a good time chatting it up with so many of our construction partners. Chicago Women in Trades, HACIA, CTA and of course our friends over at the City’s Procurement Department. Thanks Catherine Kwiatkowski, the Director of Public Affairs, for the City’s Procurement office for the invite!

We can’t wait to see where B/ACE will be out and about in the upcoming season.

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B/ACE President Rachel Ivy and Director of Public Affairs for Department of Procurement Services Cathy Kwiatkowski

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Behind the Scenes So unlike the first issue where the weather was

B/ACE Bosses were camera shy. Jessica

not kind, the Lord found some compassion

Caffrey was working the camera like I have

for us on the day of our photoshoot! We had

seen her so many times work a meeting in

absolutely beautiful weather! The snow was

the boardroom. The makeup, the mood, and

melted and the sun was shining so brightly;

the shoots vibe were filled with energy and a

perfect for our outdoor shots.

sense of family. We laughed together, we ate together and we encouraged each other. There

All I will say is that this month the team brought

was a sense of community. A sense that we

their A Game! None of our candidates or our

are all building something great, together!

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Prepped, primed, and ready to shine was our onsite make-up artist, Tiffany Toni’s, motto.

Jessica Caffrey dazzled in front of the camera as soon as she stepped on scene.

Photographer Manny Ortiz getting low and nailing every shot B/ACE

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DARLENA BURNETT BROKER

312 972 7448 CELL 312 972 7448 FAX

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312 733 7201 OFFICE www.ConlonRealEstate.com

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