Chatham-Southeast Citizen 3-24-2021

Y O U R S O U R C E F O R C O R O N AV I R U S N E W S

Citizen Week of March 24, 2021

| Vol. 56 | No. 52 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

CHATHAM SOUTHEAST

Cars.com Shoppers Logged a Record 30 Million Hours on the Platform Last Year, as More Americans Turn to Car Ownership

SENATOR SIMS REFLECTS ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

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The Criminal Justice Reform Bill, HB 3653, also known as the Safe-T Act, was signed into law in February.

Elgie Sims, Jr. who serves as state senator for the 17th Illinois Senate District, sponsored the bill.

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Navigate Year 2 Of The Pandemic Page 7

Illinois State Senator Elgie Sims, who represents the 17th District, sponsored the HB 3653, also known as the Safe-T. It was signed into law in February and seeks to reform the criminal justice system in Illinois. Photo provided by Elgie Sims

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2 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of March 24, 2021

NEWS briefly EDUCATION “AUDACITY TO DREAM” SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ENCOURAGES AND ASSISTS AFRICAN AMERICAN DENTAL STUDENTS In a continuing commitment to address racial disparities in oral health, the National Dental Association Foundation (NDAF) and Colgate-Palmolive Company have announced the creation of the “Audacity to Dream” scholarship program for African Americans pursuing careers in dentistry. Students currently enrolled in dental school and demonstrating success in areas such as leadership, community service, and research will be eligible for grants from $5,000 to $20,000. Grants will be presented at the NDAF’s annual convention in June 2021.

Dental care is one of the United States’ largest unmet health needs.

Studies indicate that African American children, ages two- to 8-years old, are about twice as likely as whites to have untreated tooth decay.

African American working-age adults are also almost twice as likely to have untreated decay as their white counterparts according to The Pew Charitable Trusts at www.pewtrusts.org. Applications and awards criteria are available here: https://ndafoundation.org/audacity-todream-scholarship.html

HEALTH

PARKINSON’S FOUNDATION RELEASES RESULTS OF FIRST-EVER MEDICAL CANNABIS AND PARKINSON’S DISEASE SURVEY The Parkinson’s Foundation recently announced the results of the medical cannabis and Parkinson’s disease (PD) survey. The survey, titled Weeding Through the Haze: A Survey on Cannabis Use Among People Living with Parkinson’s Disease in the U.S., was distributed to 7,607 people with PD in January 2020, with 1,064 complete responses analyzed.

The survey results show that there is a knowledge gap among people living with PD, which may be impacting their decisions about cannabis use. Fifty-six percent of survey respondents were not provided any information on how to use cannabis such as dosage, type and frequency of use. Sixty-four percent had not received a cannabis recommendation from a licensed doctor or provider. Overall, 89 percent said cannabis was not a replacement for their PD prescription medication.

In the U.S., cannabis has become more widely available for medical and recreational use. Until now, there was insufficient data about the attitudes towards, and experiences with, cannabis use among those living with PD. This survey aims to address this disparity.

The 1,064 survey respondents came from 49 states. The average age for respondents was 71, and the average time they have lived with Parkinson’s is seven years.

LAW & POLITICS

FTC SENDS OUT ADDITIONAL ROUND OF REDRESS CHECKS IN J.K. PUBLICATIONS CREDIT CARD FRAUD CASE The Federal Trade Commission, through its refund administrator, is mailing 187,664 checks totaling more than $3.2 million to consumers who lost money to an illegal credit card billing scam operated by J.K. Publications and other defendants. The FTC first mailed checks in this matter in June 2009, and this is the fourth distribution of refunds to consumers. In total, the FTC has distributed more than $21 million.

Consumers who previously cashed checks from the FTC will receive a new check for $17.17. The refunds are the result of a lawsuit the FTC filed in 1999, and most of the illegal billing dates back to 1998. The availability of these funds is made possible by the repatriation of funds from offshore accounts that the defendants created.

According to a press release, J.K. Publications and the other defendants placed charges on consumers’ credit and debit cards for online entertainment services they had not ordered and did not want.

The records obtained during litigation contained only credit and debit card numbers. Under instructions from the court, credit reporting agencies and banks provided the FTC with the names and addresses associated with the card numbers as of the date of the charges.

Consumers who receive checks should cash them within 90 days, as indicated on the check. Consumers who have questions can call the redress administrator, Epiq, Inc., at 877-670-0862.

Senator Sims reflects on Criminal Justice Reform Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

The Criminal Justice Reform Bill, HB 3653, also known as the Safe-T Act, was signed into law in February.

Elgie Sims, Jr. who serves as state senator for the 17th Illinois Senate District, sponsored the bill.

The 17th Illinois Senate District includes the South side of Chicago, South suburbs, as well as Will and Kankakee counties. From 2012-2018, Sims served as Illinois State Representative for the 34th District. During that time, he passed the Bail Reform Act of 2017.

While doing research for the Bail Reform Act of 2017, Sims found that people were being held in Cook County Jail because they couldn’t afford bail because they were poor.

But HB 3653 puts an end to the practice of the cash bail system in Illinois. It also focuses on safety in communities, police accountability as well as fairness and equity in the criminal justice system.

Moreover, within the Safe-T Act, there are investments and changes to professional policing, including but not limited to, a duty to intervene and whistleblower protections for police officers.

“We all watched the very painful eight minutes and 46 seconds of

George Floyd’s life be choked out of his body,” Sims continued. “We watched that in horror, but we also watched as other officers stood by and did not do anything to stop it. So, we wanted to create this duty to intervene for police officers and also create these protections for officers who do stand up and do the right thing so they could not be retaliated against,” he said.

The Safe-T Act also requires that law enforcement officers reside in the city where they work, if the city population is comprised of 100,000 people or more in order to meet residency requirements.

“When you have a personal relationship with the person living next door to them, you can see them through their humanity, as opposed to seeing them as a born suspect,” Sims said. “When you have these changes, you have the ability to look at these individuals through the lenses of their humanity, your outcomes and your treatment is different.”

Sims said the Safe-T Act is one of the most pro-reform, pro-advocate, pro-community, pro-safety bills that has ever been passed in the state of Illinois, as well as in the rest of the country. He said it makes Illinois a model for the nation for criminal justice.

“I am proud of the work of advocates and activists and them having a seat at the table and being involved in these discussions in a way that has never happened before,” he said. “I’m so proud of how they have been able to engage with us in this moment and create this amazing policy and these changes and the way we view criminal justice in this state.”

He added, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus seized the moment, under the leadership of Kimberly Lightford, former senate majority leader. He said they were galvanized after the civil unrest of 2020 and came up with the pillars including criminal justice reform, police accountability, violence reduction, education and workforce development, economic empowerment, healthcare and healthcare access.

Sims said while he is proud of the work done to pass the law, he said there’s still more work ahead, adding that, reimagining public safety is not just a slogan. It’s a change in mindset.

“It’s a change in what we do, it’s about who we are. Because the Safe-T is not just about who we are as Illinoisans, it’s about who we strive to be. And, we cannot say that we are all about freedom, we are all about equality, and not live that. That’s hypocritical.

Until we face that, we are not going to progress,” he said.

US Department of Labor encourages industry employers, stakeholders to join OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction Use #StandDown4Safety to promote the 8th annual event The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently announced that it has scheduled the eighth annual National StandDown to Prevent Falls in Construction for May 3-7, 2021. OSHA encourages construction employers and other stakeholders to join the event to promote awareness and training to address one of the industry’s most serious dangers.

“Workers suffer serious and fatal injuries from falls and have a devastat-

ing impact on families and businesses,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health James Frederick. “This important collaboration with the construction industry encourages employers to learn how to better control fall-related hazards and improve their safety and health programs.”

OSHA developed the fall prevention campaign, as part of the national safety stand-down and in partnership with the National Institute for

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Occupational Safety and Health, National Occupational Research Agenda, and The Center for Construction Research and Training. Since 2014, this collaboration has helped train nearly 10 million workers on fall prevention.

OSHA encourages everyone to use #StandDown4Safety to promote the event on social media, and to share feedback after their events and obtain a personalized certificate of participation.

OSHA’s Fall Prevention

Stand-Down webpage offers a wide range of compliance resources in many languages, including Spanish, Polish, Russian and Portuguese.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees.

OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of March 24, 2021

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NEWS

Black Homeowners Earned $59,000 in Home Equity in 2020, Compared With $50,000 for White Homeowners People who bought homes in primarily Black neighborhoods in 2019 gained a median $59,000 in home equity last year, compared with $50,000 for people who bought homes in primarily white neighborhoods, according to a new report from Redfin (redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage. Equity grew more for people who bought homes in primarily Asian and Hispanic neighborhoods— by $79,000 and $67,000, respectively.

For the purposes of this report, a neighborhood is considered primarily one race or another if more than 50% of the owner-occupied households are Black, Hispanic, Asian or white, as identified in the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Home-equity gains were calculated throughout 2020 for each neighborhood type for homeowners who purchased a home anytime during 2019, using January 2021 Redfin Estimates as a proxy for current market value. The terms “Black homeowner,” “white homeowner,” etc. are used throughout this report to refer to a person who bought a home in a neighborhood of primarily one race or another in 2019.

While Black homeowners gained more wealth through home equity than white homeowners last year, the trend is a reversal from the previous decade, when homeowners of color saw their home values and home equity recover more slowly from the Great Recession.

People who bought homes in primarily Black neighborhoods in 2019 currently have a median of $89,000 in home equity, the smallest amount of the four races included in this analysis. That’s compared with $257,000 for Asian homeowners, $113,000 for white homeowners and $102,000 for Hispanic homeowners.

Black homeowners started with much lower equity—a median of $30,000 in 2019—than their Asian ($178,000) and white ($63,000) counter-

People who bought homes in primarily Black neighborhoods in 2019 gained a median $59,000 in home equity last year, compared with $50,000 for people who bought homes in primarily white neighborhoods, according to a new report.

parts, and slightly less than the typical Hispanic homeowner ($35,000). The difference in equity in 2019 was primarily driven by the fact that Black homebuyers made smaller down payments than buyers of other races, due to lower home prices and putting down a smaller percentage of the sale price.

Even though Black homeowners still have less equity than white homeowners, the home-equity gap between Black and white Americans is narrowing. That’s largely because significant gains in home values, which increase equity above initial down payments, fueled equity gains from 2019 to January 2021 for homeowners of all races.

The typical homeowner in a primarily white neighborhood had $33,000 more home equity than the typical homeowner in a primarily Black neighborhood in 2019, a gap that had shrunk to $24,000 by January 2021.

Homeowners in Black neighborhoods experienced a nearly 200% home-equity increase in 2020, a huge increase that’s mostly due to low equity pre-pandemic

Black homeowners nationwide who bought their homes in 2019 saw a 197% increase in home equity last year, a bigger percentage increase than the other races.

Home equity increased 191% for Hispanic homeowners, 79% for white homeowners and 44% for Asian homeowners. Black homeowners starting out with lower equity than the other races is a key reason for the larger percentage jump.

Black Americans are least likely to be homeowners. The homeownership rate for Black families was 44.1% in the fourth quarter of 2020, the most recent time period for which data is available. That’s steady from 44% in the fourth quarter of 2019, but it had been on the rise before the pandemic, with a jump up from the 42.9% rate in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The current homeownership rate for white families is significantly higher than it is for Black families: 74.5% in the fourth quarter of 2020, up slightly from 73.7% a year earlier. The homeownership rate for Asian families increased from 57.6% to 59.5% over the same time period, and it went from 48.1% to 49.1% for Hispanic families.

“Black homeowners benefited from 2020’s hot housing market, and the trend is continuing into this year as Americans remain intensely interested in relocating and buying homes and home values continue to rise,” said Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. “But less than half of Black Americans own the home they live in, so most of the Black community didn’t benefit from the enormous wealth homeowners have gained in the past year. Especially compared with the three-quarters of white Americans who own their homes, the total benefit for Black families across the country is relatively small. With higher unemployment rates and less overall wealth, Black families were not as likely as white families to buy homes even when prices were

comparatively low.”

“Now that prices are so high and the pandemic has contributed to high unemployment, especially for Black workers, it’s even more difficult for people who don’t already own homes to break into the housing market,” Fairweather continued.

“There is a major need and a big opportunity for policymakers to enact programs like down-payment assistance and zoning reform to help narrow the homeownership gap and enable more Black families to build wealth through home equity.”

Black homeowners in Chicago, Newark and Washington, D.C. have seen enormous home-equity gains, mostly because equity was so low pre-pandemic People who bought homes in primarily Black neighborhoods in Chicago in 2019 experienced the biggest percentage equity gain of the metro areas included in this analysis, with a 750% increase from 2019 to January 2021.

The increase is so big partly because median home equity was just $8,000 in 2019, compared with $68,000 in January 2021.

Next come Newark and Washington, D.C., which also saw huge percentage increases for Black homeowners from 2019 to January 2021: 626% and 425%, respectively. Median home equity went from $19,000 to $138,000 in Newark, and $16,000 to $84,000 in Washington, D.C. All of the metros included in this analysis experienced home-equity gains for Black homeowners—and homeowners of all other races—over that time period. The typical Black homeowner in Jacksonville gained 62% in equity from 2019 to January 2021, the smallest percentage gain of any metro included in this analysis, from $45,000 to $73,000.

To view the full report, including charts and methodology, please visit: https://www.redfin.com/ news/home-equity-by-race-black-homeowners/

Virtual events highlight Illinois women in government and in business during Women’s History Month The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) is celebrating women in leadership in recognition of Women’s History Month.

The celebration includes a series of virtual events featuring women in government and business as the agency promotes diversity and inclusion in public service and statewide hiring.

“Without question, the contributions of women continue to transform the way we work and live,” said CMS Director Janel L. Forde. “CMS is proud to shine a light on women in all areas of government, business and leadership. We hope to inspire the next generation of future leaders and encourage women to work for the State of Illinois at all levels.”

CMS oversees the recruitment and counseling of potential employees on

behalf of State agencies. The State of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) and does not discriminate against individual’s sex, race, age, disability, color, creed, national origin, religion, or genetic information.

The State of Illinois currently employs 22,744 women, many of whom are in leadership positions. Currently, 22 State agencies are run by women.

Within CMS, 20 of 38 leadership positions are occupied by women.

“CMS is committed to ensuring a state workforce that truly reflects the diversity of the people we serve,” said CMS Chief Administrative Officer Mark Mahoney. “Guaranteeing that women have equal opportunities and equal pay is part of that commitment to full equity and inclusion for all employees.”

The CMS Women’s History Month celebration kicked off during the week of March 8, 2021 with an event launching the WomenIn event series.

For the remainder of the month, the WomenIn series will feature women leaders in government operations, Law, public safety, communications, technology, innovation, wealth generation and strategic planning.

WomenIn events features co-sponsors including the National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA) and the National Association of State Personnel Executives (NASPE), as well as distinguished speakers from: • Accenture • Alma Advisory Group • Bank Policy Institute • BBH Center for Women & Wealth (CW&W) www.citizennewspapergroup.com

• BlackRock • Chicago Community Trust (CCT) • Chicago Bar Association • Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) • Chicago State University (CSU) • Circuit Court of Cook County • City of Chicago • Civic Consulting Alliance • Cleveland Avenue • Deloitte • Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office • DePaul University Law School • Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) • Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) • Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) • Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) • Illinois Department of Public

Health (IDPH) • Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) • McKinsey & Company • Office of the Governor – Illinois • PNC Bank • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation • Shedd Aquarium • State of Tennessee • Tennessee Department of General Services • University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) • Urban ReSOLVE • Xponance, and more.

Visit www.cms.illinois.gov/whm to access the full schedule of events, register for events and to view session recordings throughout the month.

To apply for job opportunities with the State of Illinois, visit www. work.illinois.gov.

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BUSINESS

Chick-fil-A Opens Applications for $5 Million in Nonprofit Grants Applications are now open for the 2022 Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards™ grant program. For the second year in a row, Chick-fil-A, Inc. will award $5 million in grants to 34 deserving nonprofits that are Blackled or impacting communities of color in the areas of education, homelessness and hunger. The 2022 True Inspiration Awards grants range from $50,000 to $350,000 and organizations in the U.S. and Canada have until May 31, 2021 to apply.

“There are incredible nonprofit organizations across the U.S. and Canada working to address key issues that disproportionately affect communities of color in the areas of education, homelessness and hunger,”

said Rodney Bullard, vice president of corporate social responsibility for Chick-fil-A, Inc. “Through our annual True Inspiration Awards, we are honored to help these organizations, based in the communities we serve, extend their impact, helping to pave the way for greater opportunity and equity.”

Last year’s 34 True Inspiration Awards recipients spanned two countries, 18 states and 29 cities, and positively impacted more than 230,000 individuals annually through their work.

Eligible nonprofits can apply for the grants on the Chick-fil-A website or be nominated by a local Chickfil-A restaurant Operator. In Sep-

tember, Chick-fil-A One® members will have the opportunity to vote for nominated organizations located in their geographic region through the Chick-fil-A App. Last year, nearly one million people voted through the app to select the 2021 True Inspiration Awards recipients.

The True Inspiration Awards program was created to carry on Chickfil-A Founder S. Truett Cathy’s legacy of generosity and community service.

Since 2015, 171 organizations in 33 states, Washington, D.C. and Canada, have been awarded grants totaling $12 million. Learn more about the True Inspiration Awards application process here: https://www.chick-fil-a. com/true-inspiration-awards

Move Over Sharks: New Book Black Angels: The Wealth Edition Teaches Beginners How to Become Angel Investors Popular TV shows like “Shark Tank” and “The Profit” have put angel investors front and center. But, according to Dr. Shanté Williams, angel investing is not only for the rich and famous sharks. Her highly-anticipated book “Black Angels: The Wealth Edition” is a practical guide that reminds readers that they don’t have to be millionaires to start angel investing.

Dr. Williams, a distinguished venture capitalist, business owner, inventor, intellectual property strategist, and private investor, has served as a financial consultant and speaker for more than a decade.

“This book was written to help people, especially women and people of color, mobilize their dollars to become angel investors,” Dr. Williams explained. “It’s an easy-to-read guide that will help demystify the investment process Black Angels: The and help others become angel Wealth Edition Cover investors.”

In recent years, angel investing has become more accessible thanks to the passage of the Jumpstart Our Business Start Ups (JOBS) Act of 2012, a law that was enacted to spur small business funding. The act removed some of the regulatory restrictions surrounding financial angel and their investments.

Dr. Williams emphasizes that angel investing isn’t without risk, but the rewards for a successful investment can be astronomical. Her book provides wealth guidance and practical tips on how anyone can become an angel investor by using the money they already have to build generational wealth.

“Angel investing isn’t without risk, but the rewards for a successful investment can be astronomical,” she added. “If you choose the right business, a small investment of $500 could produce high percentage gains and build the kind of wealth that lasts generations.”

The book shares the values and advantages of invest-

Dr. Shanté Williams

ing by providing a step-by-step guide to help people get started.

Readers will learn: * How to properly identify investment opportunities * How to conduct due diligence * How to make deals that lead to successful exits “Black Angels: The Wealth Edition” is currently available in hardcover, paperback and as an e-book at https://doctorshante.com/. For more information about Dr. Shanté Williams or to purchase the book, visit https://doctorshante.com/. www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Cars.com Shoppers Logged a Record 30 Million Hours on the Platform Last Year, as More Americans Turn to Car Ownership One year from the start of a historic worldwide pandemic that changed commerce and transportation, maybe permanently, leading automotive digital marketplace and solutions provider Cars.com Inc. (NYSE: CARS) recently unveiled new insights about the pandemic’s impact on car buying and selling.

Shoppers logged a record 30 million hours on Cars.com over the last year as the stay-at-home economy took hold, representing a 9% increase since March 2020. There were also significant jumps in first-time and urban buyers entering the auto market, reflecting a shift away from public or shared transportation and a heightened demand for the freedom and security provided by car ownership.

More Americans are prioritizing car ownership. A Cars.com national survey of over 1,500 online respondents revealed that 36% of those who purchased a new or used car since March 2020 were first-time car buyers.

This trend is accompanied by accelerated purchasing timelines, growing demand for technology and safety features, and an average price increase for new and used vehicles.

“One year ago, our world changed as we shifted to digital-first and faced significant transformations in work, travel and commerce. Americans quarantined in their homes found a new appreciation for their cars, which offered a much needed, safe escape and an extension of home during uncertain times,” said Alex Vetter, CEO of Cars.com Inc. “As the U.S. begins to open up, the durable trends we have witnessed in car shopping and selling over the last year will shape the future of automotive and ensure a strong retail environment in 2021. Our next normal demands convenient virtual experiences, online car-buying options and local home delivery.”

Cars.com tracked COVID19’s impact on car shopping and selling since last March, observing the following significant consumer shifts:

* Pandemic continues to advance purchasing timelines: Cars.com found nearly 60% of car buyers reported the pandemic influenced their decision to purchase a vehicle, with more than 50% buying sooner than originally planned. * Local dealers will bring it to you: At-home delivery and virtual services by local dealerships skyrocketed over the last year. Since the pandemic started, 20 million vehicles listed on Cars.com have been available for contactless, local home delivery. * Urban car owners take the wheel: In the past year, 38% of car buyers were in urban areas, where the pandemic accelerated car ownership even further; 3 out of 4 city dwellers cited the pandemic as influencing their decision to buy. Urban buyers were also three times more likely to buy an EV than their suburban counterparts. * New or used, cars are selling faster, and for more: Increased demand, supply challenges and a global chip shortage led to rising prices for consumers. New-vehicle average prices rose 4.8% year over year and notably sold 22 days faster on Cars.com compared to pre-pandemic. Used-vehicle average prices increased 9.7% year over year and sold five days faster on Cars.com from the same period a year ago. * Tech, safety and versatility are increasingly important: Americans chose to drive more frequently and longer distances; at the same time, cars became extensions of homes and offices.

Predictably, shoppers sought features that would provide more comfort, connection and peace of mind. The following features saw the largest upticks in 2020 searches: * Tow Hitch +55.4% YoY * Cooled Seats +36.3% YoY * Heated Steering Wheel +34.0% YoY * Apple CarPlay/Android Auto +24.3% YoY * Rear Cross-Traffic Alert +116.5% YoY For more information about 2021 car-buying and selling trends, visit Cars.com/news/ coronavirus/.

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of March 24, 2021

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FASHION

Afterpay Day Goes Omni Channel with First In-Store and Online Shopping Sale Afterpay (ASX:APT) recently announced that its fifth bi-annual Afterpay Day will include brick-and-mortar shopping for the first time and run for an extended four-day period, from March 25-28, 2021. Afterpay Day has historically been the biggest driver of sales for merchants across the country, with deals and promotions from nearly three thousand fashion, beauty and lifestyle retailers and brands, according to a press release.

Customers can take advantage of up to 70% off from the best retailers across the country, and manage their payments in four installments without incurring

PRNewsfoto/Afterpay

interest. Late fees may apply.

Eligibility criteria apply. See afterpay.com for the full terms.

A number of new brands partnering with Afterpay in-store will be participating

in this season’s sales event, offering promotions across e-commerce and their physical locations, including Steve Madden, MAC Cosmetics, Jo Malone London, Aveda, origins, Vera Bradley and more.

A variety of the participating merchants will be offering exclusive promotions that are only offered to Afterpay customers. Customers can use the Afterpay Shop Directory to unlock special deals from SHEIN, Anthropologie, J Crew, Gilt, Rue La La, PUMA, Tarte Cosmetics, Kiehl’s, and more.

According to August 2020 Afterpay data, during the last

Afterpay Day, merchant partners saw average sales grow by 36%, with the average number of new customers growing by 46% and in December 2020 alone, 45 million customer referrals were sent to retailers globally from the Afterpay Shop Directory, based on Afterpay data in December 2020.

Afterpay Favorites Afterpay customers will also be able to utilize the newly launched “Favorites” feature this Afterpay Day. Located within the Afterpay app, shoppers can browse their most-wanted items and add

them to their Favorites to revisit at a later date. Launched earlier this year, the “Favorites” feature has already been used by nearly 40% of US app users, based on March 2021 Afterpay figures.

Melissa Davis, head of North America at Afterpay said: “This season’s Afterpay Day is bigger and better than ever. We have extended our sale to physical retail, doubled the number of sale days and, most importantly, we have more than doubled the amount of merchants who are offering incredible deals and promotions to their shoppers. We are proud to deliver this incredibly popular event

just as retailers welcome their customers back to their stores for Spring shopping.”

Consumers can visit the Shop Directory on the Afterpay app and Afterpay.com to access these promotions and discounts from thousands of participating merchants. Afterpay’s app also allows customers to locate participating store locations near them. The sales begin at 12:00am PST on Thursday, March 25, 2021 and run for four days ending at 11:59 pm PST on Sunday, March 28, 2021.

For more information about Afterpay, visit http:// afterpay.com

Foot Locker Names Melody Ehsani Creative Director of Women’s Business Renowned designer to debut custom women-centric capsule collections Foot Locker recently named Melody Ehsani Creative Director of their women’s business.

She will be leveraging her new position to amplify the Foot Locker brand to the female consumer as a leader in the streetwear world through content and product development.

As Creative Director, Ehsani will design quarterly apparel capsule collections as well as curate an on-going selection of Nike and Jordan products.

The first capsule collection will be available Summer of 2021 in-stores and online at Foot Locker across the United States and Canada, as well as select doors in Europe and Asia Pacific.

The LA designer is the visionary and entrepreneur behind ME. – a streetwear brand specializing in jewelry, footwear and clothing with a message that has changed the landscape of accessible womenswear.

Ehsani has built a unique brand that meets at the intersection of streetwear culture and activism. She has previously collaborated with former First Lady Michelle Obama, Lauryn Hill, Wu-Tang Clan and more.

In December 2020, Ehsani designed an ex-

AS CREATIVE DIRECTOR, EHSANI WILL DESIGN QUARTERLY APPAREL CAPSULE COLLECTIONS AS WELL AS CURATE AN ON-GOING SELECTION OF NIKE AND JORDAN PRODUCTS. clusive capsule collection of basketball-inspired items for Foot Locker’s “12 Days of Greatness” holiday campaign. Now, Foot Locker is giving Ehsani a long-term platform to reach consumers across the world while expressing herself and her brand’s purpose through custom capsule collections.

“Melody Ehsani brings authenticity and years of creative leadership to the industry,” said Patricia Respress, vice president and DMM women’s footwear and apparel at Foot Locker.

“Her diverse background of streetwear knowledge will help elevate our brand and expand our product offering, while driving real cultural impact within our women’s community.”

Ehsani, who is known for her socially

Foot Locker Names Melody Ehsani Creative Director of Women’s Business

responsive approach to streetwear and her work ethic, will be the driving force behind her designs.

“Growing up, Foot Locker stores were a staple of my cultural landscape. I am truly honored to become the first Creative Director for Foot Locker’s women’s business and for the opportunity to help shape and build upon the impact of their brand on a global scale. I look forward to bringing my set of experiences to the table - not just as a designer, but as a longtime customer,” stated Ehsani.

To expand their close connections to the communities of New York City and Los Ange-

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les and make the collections more accessible to consumers across the country, a digital crowd-sourcing program will solicit consumer feedback to determine where a Melody Ehsani x Foot Locker pop-up shop will arrive. These pop-ups will open a week in advance of the capsule being available, giving the selected city a chance to experience and shop the collection before the rest of the world.

For more information and to stay up to date on the exclusive capsule collection drops and pop-up shops, visit https://www.footlocker. com/melodyehsani and follow @footlockerwomen and @MelodyEhsani.

6 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of March 24, 2021

NEWS

Celebrating Women’s History Month Pandora LIVE Powered By Women Featuring Gwen Stefani & Jazmine Sullivan Pandora Rev recently announced that it will celebrate Women’s History Month with a special virtual event, Pandora LIVE Powered By Women, featuring performances by Gwen Stefani and Jazmine Sullivan. Hoda Kotb from SiriusXM’s TODAY Show Radio (ch.108) will host the evening and be joined by the performers as well as special guests Lauren Aliana and Becky G. for a roundtable discussion focused on the themes of the holiday. Pandora LIVE Powered By Women will take place on March 30 at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT, and listeners can RSVP for free at https:// pandoralivepoweredbywomen. splashthat.com/PR “Now more than ever, women are breaking barriers and changing the world for the better” said Denise Karkos, chief marketing officer. “I’m thrilled that Pandora is able to bring together a diverse range of female artists from various genres to tell their stories.”

To honor Women’s History Month,

which highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society, Hoda Kotb will engage the roundtable for their thoughts on groundbreaking moments in their lives, how women are challenging industry norms, why it’s essential for women to tell their own stories, teaching others about equality, and more.

Listeners can get into the spirit leading up to the event with Pandora Live Powered by Women, a new station presented by CarMax and hosted by Hoda Kotb that celebrates some of the most talented women in the industry. After the show, the station will be updated to include live performance tracks from the event.

Gwen Stefani is a three-time GRAMMY® Award winner and has achieved global success as a performer, songwriter, and frontwoman of No Doubt and a multi-platinum solo artist, among other accomplishments. Gwen’s Pandora LIVE performance from Los Angeles

will include fan favorites and a mix of new tracks, including “Let Me Reintroduce Myself ” and her current single “Slow Clap.”

Jazmine Sullivan has been making headlines of late with her performance of the National Anthem at Super Bowl LV, her recent project Heaux Tales that was a New York Times critic’s pick and now for Pandora LIVE. The Philadelphia native will perform in her hometown’s The Fillmore.

Global superstar Becky G is a multi-platinum, award-winning singer, songwriter and actress whose music fuses pop, Latin, urban and rap. Lauren Alaina is one of the hottest rising female artists in country music earning accolades for her powerhouse vocals and her three No. 1 hit singles. Both women will bring their unique perspectives from their respective genres to the roundtable discussion.

Event sponsors will enhance the viewing experience by curating

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unique content and activities that bring the Women’s History Month celebration to life. Nike will set the tone by featuring its latest anthem, We Play Real, which celebrates the strength and impact Black women have had on the world and encourages audiences to level the playing field for Black women. Cisco will provide a limited amount of exclusive artist merchandise for attendees on a firstcome, first-served code redemption basis. National University will invite fans to test their knowledge of empowering, female musicians with pre-show interactive trivia.

Throughout the event, fans will have the opportunity to connect with others via the interactive chat as well as snap a selfie in the virtual photo booth. After the show, some of Gwen Stefani’s top listeners on Pandora will have the opportunity to participate in a virtual meet and greet.

Pandora LIVE is the continuation of the popular live event turned virtual series that features top artists

Jazmine Sullivan singing live at a concert in Columbia, SC on August 7, 2008.

from all genres, including country, rock, pop, R&B and more. The celebration continues the day after as SiriusXM will be re-airing portions of the event. Selections from Gwen’s performance and commentary can be heard on Pop Rocks (ch. 12) and The Blend (ch. 16), while Heart & Soul (ch. 48) and The Heat (ch. 46) will re-air Jazmine’s performance.

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of March 24, 2021

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NEWS

Proactive Health Tips to Help Navigate Year 2 of the Pandemic Family Features - After months of unfamiliar restrictions and guidelines, pandemic fatigue is affecting how some Americans protect their health.

However, experts warn that diligence is still extremely important because new mutations and variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 are being discovered.

The typical cold and flu season also brings added threats to people’s health and wellness.

“Staying diligent is one of the most important things we can do as we navigate through cold and flu season as well as the COVID pandemic,” said family medicine physician Dr. Jennifer Caudle.

Though you may still be spending more time at home, it’s important to take proactive steps to maintain your health. Caudle offers these practical tips to help protect your health while you’re waiting for vaccination eligibility amid the pandemic this cold and flu season.

Avoid Exposure As COVID-19 continues to impact communities from coast to coast, there’s no better time to avoid getting sick.

Even if you catch a less serious illness like a cold or the flu, health care professionals in many areas are stretched thin. What’s more, getting sick could

compromise your immune system, making you more susceptible to a more serious infection.

Minimizing your risk of exposure means limiting close contact with others outside your household, wearing a mask and washing your hands regularly with soap for at least 20 seconds. An alcohol-based sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol can substitute for hand washing, if necessary.

Always avoid touching your face when out and about, and when possible, avoid high-touch surfaces like door handles and light switches. If you’re prone to allergies, be conscious of what triggers allergic reactions and manage your allergies so you’re able to easily identify any new symptoms that may not be allergy related.

Practice Self-Care Staying healthy isn’t just about avoiding germs. Managing your physical health means keeping your body in top condition by eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep and ditching habits that can negatively impact your body, like smoking and excess drinking. It’s also important to monitor your mental health since factors like stress and depression can take a physical toll that

impacts your body’s immune response.

Pinpoint Symptoms If you get sick, it’s important to pay close attention to your symptoms. However, this cold and flu season brings a unique variable with the possibility that your symptoms may actually stem from a mild case of COVID-19. Weather may also fuel stronger than usual allergy responses, so distinguishing between cold, flu, COVID-19 and allergy symptoms can be especially tricky. Testing may be necessary to get the proper diagnosis and ensure you’re taking the right precautions to prevent the spread of any infection. If you have questions or concerns about your symptoms or about COVID-19, consult your health care professional.

Treat Symptoms Depending on your diagnosis, a health care professional may suggest medication to help treat symptoms until your illness runs its course. There are a variety of products available over the counter that are commonly used to treat symptoms of respiratory viral infections. Many provide relief from multiple symptoms in a single dose. For example, an option like Mucinex DM lasts 12 hours when used as directed

VIRTUAL

IN-PERSON

HYBRID

and contains dextromethorphan, which helps to control cough, and guaifenesin to help thin and loosen mucus.

Control a Pesky Cough How long a cough lasts depends on its cause, but you may be able to tame the symptoms until it’s gone.

Eat Right * Produce is packed with vitamin C, a nutrient that helps support your immune system. * Menthol may be a soothing natural remedy. It’s one of the compounds that gives mint its flavor, so brew a cup of strong mint tea and put it to the test.

Steam and Hydration * Both steam and water help thin your mucus, which may help clear chest congestion. Try a warm, steamy shower or a soak in a hot tub and drink plenty of fluids to keep your body hydrated.

Around the House * If you’re struggling with a parched throat from your cough, try gargling salt water to soothe discomfort. * Lozenges increase your saliva production to help soothe a parched throat and get you feeling better as your cough subsides. * Exposure to particulates in the air, like pollutants and irritants, may be

linked to nighttime dry coughing. A high-efficiency particulate air filter can help remove them. * Wipe down surfaces. Cleaning removes settled dust and pollen while disinfection can help remove lingering cold and flu germs. * If you’re smoking, stop. Smoking is a leading cause of chronic cough. Also avoid secondhand smoke as much as possible. * Rest recharges your immune system, and getting enough sleep may help you cope with an illness that is the cause of a lingering cough. An option like Mucinex Fast-Max All-In-One Cold & Flu relieves nine symptoms including cough, stuffy nose, sore throat, fever and headache so you can get on with your day. * Rely on a cough medication that contains dextromethorphan, which works on the cough center of your brain to help suppress coughing.

You can identify the right formula to provide relief based on symptoms you are experiencing by using the online tool at Mucinex.com, where you can also find more information regarding self-care remedies.

SOURCE: Mucinex

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Virtual, In Person or Hybrid... your child’s success depends on you.

As a parent, you have to be involved in your child’s education to make sure he or she has everything they need to succeed.

LEARN MORE AT WWW.NNPA.ORG/EDUCATION

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8 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of March 24, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT

The Big Pitch Returns: BIPOC Filmmaker Competition Now Open for Submissions TLG Motion Pictures (“Hoarders”), founded by American film and television producer Courtney LeMarco, recently announced it will begin accepting submissions for The Big Pitch, a now national, quarterly competition providing opportunity for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) with a strong interest in film, production, and content creation.

Previously only open to aspiring BIPOC filmmakers in Seattle, this is the first time The Big Pitch will be accepting submissions on a national level. Now through March 31, eligible individuals may submit their television or film concept for an opportunity to win a $20,000 Service Grant toward the development of their project, as well as other professional support to bring their film, series or short to fruition. Additional updates to The Big Pitch include the opportunity for applicants to submit short film concepts for the first time.

“We created this competition with the hope of uplifting young creatives who otherwise would be presented with very few opportu-

nities in Hollywood,” says LeMarco. “What was once a local Seattle competition has now grown into a powerful opportunity for BIPOC filmmakers nationwide.”

Last year’s winner of The Big Pitch was 25-year-old Mexican-American filmmaker Crisantos Chavez of Tacoma, Washington. His film “PRIV-I-LEGE” followed the story of a 13-year-old boy who gets a crash-course in privilege after transferring from a prestigious school to the lowest-performing middle school in the country. However, Chavez’s was just one of many impressive submissions from last year’s competition.

Nine additional finalists were also selected to pitch their project to top Hollywood executive producers.

To enter The Big Pitch, eligible individuals are asked to submit a one-sheet pitch detailing their television or film concept to bigpitch@tlgmotionpictures.com. A script, reference images, and comparable movie or television examples are also encouraged, though not required.

For more information, please visit https://www.tlgmotionpictures.com/thebigpitch.

TLG Motion Pictures

Bilingual Children’s Book First of its Kind Some of them are well known and iconic, and others are lesser known, but all of the women highlighted in Little Giants: 10 Hispanic Women Who Made History fought for the rights of those who had no voice.

Author Raynelda A. Calderon, a native of the Dominican Republic, works as a public librarian. In the introduction to the book, Ms. Calderon describes her attempts to find a children’s anthology about the lives of notable Hispanic women who impacted Latin America. In finding nothing of the sort, she decided to take on the project of writing one herself.

Her desire for such a book to exist is twofold: firstly, to tell the largely untold stories of Latin American women without whom, she says in the book’s introduction, Latin America would not be the free and rich continent it is today; secondly, to inspire young readers to follow their passions and to never take “no” for an

Litle Giants: 10 Hispanic Women Who Made History

answer. The author describes Little Giants aim: “to motivate and inspire our children today to accomplish great things tomorrow, based on the example of role models of past and present.”

Included in this anthology are the stories of Cuban native Alicia Alonso, who beat the odds and overcame barriers to become a world-famous ballerina; Dolores Cacuango, an indigenous native of Ecuador who fought against the injustice and mistreatment of her people; and Elvia Carrillo Puerto, who secured women’s right to vote in Mexico. Little Giants also teaches children key Spanish definitions and suggested activities. Written for children aged eight to twelve, this book includes beautiful illustrations that help bring these inspiring women to life.

The book is available in hardcover and paperback. For more information you can visit www.cayenapress.org.

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

NFL Hires First Black Woman Referee

BY STACY M. BROWN NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

Maia Chaka knows well that Women’s History Month is all about commemorating, observing, and celebrating the vital role of the fairer sex in American folklore.

She just didn’t know she would become a part of that history.

After years of officiating games in the Pac-12, Conference USA, and the NFL’s Officiating Development Program, Chaka will head to the NFL in the Fall.

When she takes the field in September, the Norfolk State University graduate and health and physical education teacher will do so as the first Black woman to work as a referee in the NFL. She’ll also be just the second woman to wear the zebra stripes. Sarah Thomas, who worked last month’s Super Bowl, is the other.

“This is a funny thing. I was actually at home, and I was playing NBA2K with my nephew online because that’s what I like to do at night,” Chaka told NNPA Newswire just hours after an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show.

“Then, I received a phone call at around 9:15 p.m.

[March 4], and I just dropped everything I was doing.

The next thing I know, I’m getting told ‘welcome to the National Football League,’” Chaka exclaimed.

Did she think it was for real?

“I just jumped up and threw everything off my lap. I thought I was being punked because I didn’t believe it at the time. But it was true,” she remarked.

Troy Vincent, an African American and the NFL’s second-in-command behind Commissioner Roger Goodell, celebrated Chaka’s appointment.

“Maia’s years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance – including as par to the NFL Officiating Development Program – have earned her a position as an NFL official,” Vincent declared.

“As we celebrate Women’s History Month, Maia is a trailblazer as the first Black female official and inspires us toward normalizing women on the football field,” Vincent concluded.

Chaka told NNPA Newswire that she expects coaches and players to treat her the same as any other official.

“I think the coaches just want a good official who is going to get the play right,” Chaka stated. “And I think they just want consistency. I hope they do not hold us to a different standard [than men] because we are all officials at the end of the day. It does not matter what gender we are. We are all wearing the same uniform.”

The importance of her historic promotion isn’t lost on Chaka.

“It’s an honor to join the National Football League, commented Chaka, who works with at-risk girls in Virginia.

“I just want young girls of color – young women – to know that if you have a drive for something, don’t let anything hold you back just because you think something may give you some limitations. Work hard and follow your dreams.”

Her promotion to the big league also demonstrates to women of color that they can work and succeed in a male-dominated field, Chaka said.

“As long as you put in the work and you are fundamentally sound in anything that you do, you know you will reach your goal,” Chaka offered.

“I think it’s important that they see the representation in these fields.”

Asked if she would switch from playing NBA2K with her nephew and challenge him to Madden Football, Chaka demurred.

“No, he couldn’t handle me on Madden,” she retorted.

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of March 24, 2021

CITIZEN On The Move

Keeping Our City Clean, Streets & Sanitation Performed A Spring Clean and Green In The 16th,17th,18th and 21st Wards Recently Photos by L.M. Warbington

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10 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of March 24, 2021

Chatham/ SE

REAL ESTATE AC 3-10-2021 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION REVERSE MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS, INC. Plaintiff, -v.LEONIA POINTER, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Defendants 2018CH01158 6853 S. LANGLEY AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60637 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 12, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 13, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 6853 S. LANGLEY AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60637 Property Index No. 20-22412-048-0000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twentyfour (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to

the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition.

The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU

ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff's Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-17-16417 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2018CH01158 TJSC#: 41-248 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff's attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2018CH01158 I3165001 ____________________________

TY DEPARTMENT-CHANCERY DIVISION SPECIALIZED LOAN SERVICING LLC; Plaintiff,vs.

UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; LEAH THOMAS GRAY; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS ANDLEGATEES OF PAULINE N. SANDLIN AKA PAULINE N. GIBSON AKA PAULINE NORMA SANDLIN AKA PAULINE NORMA THOMAS AKA PAULINE SANDLIN, DECEASED; THOMAS QUINN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF PAULINE N. SANDLIN AKA PAULINE N. GIB-

SON AKA PAULINE NORMA SANDLIN AKA PAULINE NORMA THOMAS AKA PAULINE SANDLIN, DECEASED; Defendants, 18 ch 13394 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, April 19, 2021 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash,

as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 25-02-216-001-0000.

Commonly known as 1315 East 89th Street, Chicago, IL 60619. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds,

balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff's Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 19-027607 F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3165374 ____________________________

AC 3-17-2021 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUN-

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: IN THE GARDEN ACROSS 1. Great divide 6. World's oldest national broadcaster 9. Pasturelands 13. Chinese fruit 14. #9 Across, sing.

15. Clemency 16. One in advertising 17. "____ the land of the free ..."

18. Characteristic of birds 19. *Ongoing job in the garden 21. *Without synthetic fertilizers 23. 2nd tallest bird 24. Theatrical production 25. Curiosity killed it?

28. Additionally 30. Capital of Poland 35. Passage into a mine 37. Prefix in levorotary 39. Mid-century modern, e.g.

40. Toothy wheel 41. *Some are heirlooms 43. Make like a cat 44. Erasable programmable read only memory 46. Stanislavski's rifle, e.g.

47. Unwanted correspondence 48. Motionless 50. Catch-22 52. "Are you sure?" in a text 53. Freight horse cart 55. Opposite of don'ts 57. *6 or more hours of sunshine 61. *Radicchio or frisée 65. On foot 66. Negative vote 68. 2020 NFL MVP 69. Morrison's "The ____" 70. Hockey great Bobby 71. Respectable and quiet 72. Sports award 73. Affirmative response 74. Infernos DOWN 1. Old bathtub foot 2. Opposite of seek 3. Ne plus ultra 4. *Opposite of #57 Across 5. Minimum, pl.

6. Influencer's journal 7. *Stinging pollinator

8. Holiday song 9. Bulgarian money 10. Julia Roberts' Academy Award-winning role 11. Popular smoothie berry 12. Update an iPod 15. Inhabitant of Hungary 20. Nothing, pl.

22. Like sashimi 24. Lack of money 25. *Tomato supports 26. Highly skilled 27. Miss America's headdress 29. Slowly leak 31. Moves at the gym 32. Monument to Buddha 33. Orderly arrangement 34. *Wiggly plowers 36. Faster than a walk 38. *Some plants and flowers emit a good one 42. *Type of digger 45. Centers, old-fashioned 49. French vineyard 51. *Last of 3 numbers on a bag of fertilizer 54. Be a pest 56. Washington, e.g.

57. Grow dim 58. Extraterrestrials' rides 59. Pilot's stunt 60. Type of parrot 61. "Musical" constellation 62. Russian mountain chain 63. *Type of garden hose that saves space 64. Goes with "odds" 67. Am is to I as ____ is to we

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of March 24, 2021

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11

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SERVICE REASSEMBLE EDUCATION & TRAINING Seeking recovery? Seeking work? We offer FREE addiction recovery, FREE employment readiness and FREE Skills training, and referrals to UFC/CTA 2nd Chance Program. Call 773-488-9770 or visit www.retinc.org. (For UFC/CTA, call Keith Lewis (773) 881-1711, etc. 1191) _____________________________________

Notice is herby given pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21006155 on March 4, 2021. Under the Assumed business Name of GET-A-BIT-OF IT with the business located at: 6934 SOUTH CRANDON AVENUE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60649. The true and real full name (s) and residence address of the owner (s) /partner (s) is: Owner/Partner Full Name: ANTHONY J. WILLIAMS Complete Address: 6934 SOUTH CRANDON AVE., CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60649,USA. _______________________________________ Notice is herby given pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21006155 on March 4, 2021. Under the Assumed business Name of GET-A-BIT-OF IT with the business located at: 6934 SOUTH CRANDON AVENUE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60649. The true and real full name (s) and residence address of the owner (s) /partner (s) is: Owner/Partner Full Name: GET-A-BIT OF IT Complete Address: 6934 SOUTH CRANDON AVE., CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60649,USA. _______________________________________ Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21006079 on FEBRUARY 24, 2021. Under the Assumed Business Name of MAURESHPRECISECUTS INTERPRISES with the business located at: 7143 EAST END, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60649. The true and real full names (s) and residence address of the owner (s) / partners (s) is: Owner/Partner Full Name Complete Address OMAR AKHIR BEY 7143 S. EAST END, CHICAGO, IL 60649, USA _______________________________________

PUBLIC NOTICE PRIVATE FOUNDATION ANNUAL NOTICE The annual report of the BENJAMIN F. & ERNESTINE BURTON FOUNDATION Is available at the address noted below, for inspection during normal business hours, by any Citizen who so requests within 180 days after the publication of this notice of its availability BENJAMIN F. & ERNESTINE BURTON 15754 Chimney Rock Tr. Woodbridge, VA. 22193 Alice S. Walker, Pres. 708-363-4945. ______________________________________

RENTERS INSURANCE Renters Insuance provides cash when you need it the most, due to a loss of your household items. It provides cash to replace your funiture, clothes and food. As a result of loss of power you can receive cash for hotels and transportation. Insurance policies start at $18.75 per month. For more informatioin call George Trent at (773) 640-8357. ______________________________________

LIVING 5 Ways to Use Your Spring Break Wisely (StatePoint) With certain travel options difficult to execute this year, you may find yourself staying put for spring break. But you don’t need to idle away the time. Here are five ways to use the vacation wisely: 1. Volunteer. From delivering food to the homebound to organizing a park clean-up, there are many socially-distanced community service project ideas perfect for spring break. You can even volunteer from the safety of home, as many organizations around the globe are making it possible to lend a hand virtually.

2. Keep math skills sharp. Whether you are preparing for AP Testing or simply want to hone your skills for the last few months of the academic year, use great tools like the fx9750GII Graphing Calculator from Casio. Beyond standard graphing calculator functionality, it allows you to take your learning to the next level with its advanced statistics functions, such as test, interval and distribution, and financial calculation functions. Pair your studies with the webinars available on Casio’s YouTube channel.

3. Read a book for fun. Demanding academic schedules can keep students occupied 24/7.

Now is the time to finally crack open that novel on your bedside table.

4. Learn a musical instrument. If you’ve ever wanted to learn an instrument, the downtime of spring break is a great time to give it a go. One way to fast-track your progress is with a keyboard designed to help novices get started, like the line of Casiotone keyboards, which feature built-in learning systems. And because they are portable, you can even enjoy spring weather and take the learning outdoors.

5. Get some sun: Go on a run. Pack a picnic and enjoy it on the lawn. Take a short day trip to a state park. You don’t need to travel to spend your spring break under the sun.

Your spring break may not look like it did during previous years. However, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the time. ____________________________________

EDUCATION The Digital Learning Tools Making Remote-Learning Easier on Everyone (StatePoint) The past year has demonstrated the importance of digital learning. And thanks to a variety of tools and resources that helped make remote instruction a little less stressful on everyone, teachers, students and parents quickly adapted to the changes brought on by the pandemic.

Music Music has been a particularly difficult subject to provide instruction for at a distance. However, educational foundations have risen to the occasion by creating a trove of resources to aid learning. For example, the Save the Music Foundation provides free activities for families, tools for educators to create their own online tutorials and more.

Mathematics Remote learning has only added new challenges to an already difficult subject. The good news is that online tools are helping fill the gaps created by the new normal. Check out the Casio Cares education site, which is chock full of free math resources for students, parents and educators. Tools include emulator calculator software, curriculum support materials, live webinars and remotely-delivered teacher training. Plus, Casio’s free all-in-one web-based mathematics software, ClassPad.net, which is geared for K-12 and beyond, delivers an accessible, interactive and personalized approach to mathematics. Its functions include graphing, geometry, calculation, statistics and more.

In addition to online activities and video tutorials, Casio also offers a weekly educational webinar series focused on mathematics on its YouTube channel, covering such subjects as elementary and middle school math, algebra I and II, geometry, pre-calculus, calculus and statistics. All webinars are recorded and can be accessed any time.

Creative Writing English and creative writing teachers are turning to new platforms to help build their student’s writing skills in a variety of creative genres. One example is Storybird, which features hundreds of courses and challenges. If your child’s teachers haven’t caught onto the trend, no worries, parents can also sign up for an account for their children.

Even after classrooms reopen nationwide, one thing is certain, with so many amazing resources available to help educators teach and students learn, digital learning tools are here to stay. ____________________________________

Darrell Garth

President /Publisher

Janice Garth

Sales Manager General Manager

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12 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of March 24, 2021