Chatham-Southeast Citizen 6-16-2021

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 June 16, 2021

| Vol. 57 | No. 12 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

CHATHAM SOUTHEAST

The Discover Center in Chatham hosted a soft grand opening to welcome community leaders and stakeholders. Photo provided by Discover

DISCOVER CUSTOMER CARE CENTER HOSTS OPEN HOUSE

The Discover Customer Care Center, located at 8560 S. Cottage Grove, hosted an open house on Monday, June 7.

People were able to tour the 25,000 square foot temporary space, which includes the call center, conference rooms, training center, cubby spaces and a kitchen. PAGE 2

Black Women’s Health Imperative Launches Covid-19 Vaccine Campaign

EEOC Provides Additional Information On Vaccinations

The Cook County Assessor’s Office Re-Opens for In-Person Appointments

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Serving The Black Community For Decades |

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2 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of June 16, 2021

NEWS briefly EDUCATION CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY MOTHER AND DAUGHTER GRADUATE IN SAME DAY COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES Clark Atlanta University doctoral student Dr. Lorri Saddler and her daughter Jaelyn Rice graduated on the same day at the university’s 2020-21 dual commencement ceremony on May 15. Dr. Saddler earned her doctoral degree in education and had the privilege of watching her daughter Jaelyn Rice, a 2020 cum laude graduate, receive her bachelor’s degree in sociology.

After postponing the 2020 commencement ceremony due to COVID-19, Clark Atlanta University kept its promise to the CAU Class of 2020 and held its commencement ceremony on the same day as the Class of 2021. This was the first time that two commencement ceremonies were held on the same day in the university’s history. Dr. Saddler, who also works as the university’s Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions and in the university president’s cabinet, served as an administrator during the morning ceremony when her daughter graduated. She then walked across the stage as a student herself during the afternoon ceremony.

HEALTH

BLACK WOMEN’S HEALTH IMPERATIVE LAUNCHES COVID-19 VACCINE CAMPAIGN TO REACH BLACK WOMEN AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WITH A $400,000 GRANT FROM THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION The Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) recently announced that it has received a $400,000 grant from The Rockefeller Foundation to improve vaccination rates among Black women and communities of color. The grant is part of The Rockefeller Foundation’s $20 million Equity-First Vaccination Initiative, which supports hyper-local, communityled programs to improve vaccine access and support educational outreach in five cities. Learnings from the initiative will help inform strategies across the country to increase access to Covid-19 vaccinations in communities of color, contributing to a collective, national north star goal of ensuring at least 70 million people of color will be fully vaccinated by July 2021.

LAW & POLITICS

PROMINENT BLACK ATTORNEY WINS MULTIPLE AWARDS FOR HIS DIGITAL CHILDREN’S SERIES AND PODCAST ADDRESSING POLICE BRUTALITY AND SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE Attorney Zulu Ali has been recognized with six Communicator Awards through the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA).

The Communicator Awards is the leading international creative awards program honoring creative excellence for communication professionals for work that transcends craft, make a lasting impact, and is sanctioned and judged by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts.

The winners of the 27th Annual Communicator Awards have officially been announced with over 5,000 entries received from across the US and around the world, Attorney Ali received six communicator awards for his podcast, video, and children’s animated film addressing injustice and police brutality.

Attorney Ali received two awards for distinction in educational and social issues in Film for writing, directing, and producing the children’s animated short film Izem Meets Officer Joe: Izem Learns How to Deal with Police Encounters https://vimeo.com/ondemand/izemmeetsofficerjoe; an award for distinction in political issues in video for producing The Cost of Being A Black Lawyer Fighting for Justice https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=M5C4lqkO4_Q&t=340s; and three awards for distinction for political, awareness, and feature in podcasts for hosting and producing Justice Watch with Attorney Zulu Ali, a podcast and syndicated radio talk show https://www.justicewatchradio.com/. Attorney Zulu Ali is a trial attorney, social commentator, social entrepreneur, and activist.

Discover Customer Care Center hosts open house Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

The Discover Customer Care Center, located at 8560 S. Cottage Grove, hosted an open house on Monday, June 7. People were able to tour the 25,000 square foot temporary space, which includes the call center, conference rooms, training center, cubby spaces and a kitchen.

Discover announced in March that it would be turning the former site of Target into a Customer Care Center and hiring employees from within a five square mile radius of the center.

Forty employees – front-line agents, center leaders and team leads -- have been hired. The plan is to have nearly 1,000 employees in the space by 2025.

Completion of the permanent site is set for November. Construction will start in late June or early July.

Victoria Rudd was looking for a job after being laid off because of the pandemic. Rudd’s mother owns a PR Firm and had been in contact with Juatise Gathings, Discover Customer Care Center’s manager. Rudd said she decided to check out the job opening and apply.

“With speaking with Juatise, and for me it was just hearing the amount of passion she had about Discover and about how eloquently she was able to speak on all the things that were about to come up and how the neighborhood was about to be impacted and the benefits that Discover offered, it just became more and more enticing and I felt that I wasn’t just being recruited, I was being heard,” Rudd said, adding it was the first time she felt a company actually wanted her there.

Rudd said, after doing her own research, it was a no-brainer. She said it is an absolute joy to be a part of Discover’s team. “Walking into the workspace development office, and just being absolutely greeted with energy, positivity and seeing other people who are on the same wave, that was invigorating, it was just awesome to see. This is our first day and this is already the energy that we’re seeing,” she said. “So, to walk in the building, it was great to see everything come into fruition, all of the hard work we’ve been putting into our training so far, and now being in the building it seems more real.”

Makaela Pratt is a trainer for Discover who came from Arizona to train employees at the center here in Chicago.

Pratt said it was a unique opportunity.

“Once I heard about the opportunity, I knew then and there I wanted to be a part of it. The fact that we were opening up so much support and jobs in a

Juatise Gathings is the manager at the Discover Customer Care Center, located at 8560 S. Cottage Grove Photo by Tia Carol Jones

community that maybe didn’t have it, is absolutely amazing and it’s a once-in-alifetime opportunity,” she said.

Pratt said the process has exceeded any expectations she might have had.

She said the team Discover brought in for Chicago is an amazing group that will succeed. “The building is huge,” she commented, adding she never knew how big a Target was “until you walk into it,” she said. “I can’t wait until October/November when it is expanded even more,” she added.

Gathings said after working from home since March 2020, she said to have people in the facility is fantastic.

“This morning, the energy we felt was second-to-none. People were so excited, not only to be here, but they were excited about having a smaller commute, they were excited about the energy and environment. They loved sitting down and having breakfast with one another,” she said.

The facility is very nice, Gathings continued.

She said she listened to the external staff talk and a common theme was a shorter commute and being more present with their families. “That really

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is one of the catalyst of this project is really understanding that when you give people the opportunity to not just live in their neighborhoods, but they can work in their neighborhoods and they can be active in their kids’ lives, it just enriches the entire community,” she said. It was a meaningful part of the vision to see people work where they live, Gathings added. “Our hope is that we continue to encourage other companies to invest in South and West side neighborhoods,” she said.

Rudd said she is excited to be able to finally utilize the space and to begin working with her colleagues. “Having a company as big as Discover come into a predominantly Black neighborhood is huge. And, I think it is very important that other companies start to take a look at what Discover is doing and how can they do the same things at their company. Because the amount of jobs that this is producing, the amount of economic stability this will bring to the neighborhood, the amount of joy people will bring into the neighborhood in general, because of what Discover is doing, is absolutely awesome to be part of,” Rudd said.

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of June 16, 2021

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NEWS

Will We Ever Learn to Live with Germs Again?

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

Travel has increased exponentially, and people increasingly are displaying more confidence that the worst of the pandemic is over.

Like many, Alice Anderson had concerns about germs before COVID, and she believes there remain reasons all should still be cautious.

The parent of a child with life-threatening food allergies, the founder of Mommy to Mom, said she couldn’t help being concerned with how much cleaning and disinfecting has taken place everywhere she’s visited.

“Although researchers haven’t figured out what causes food allergies yet, the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ is an interesting theory,” Anderson remarked.

“It suggests that the lack of exposure to germs in a child’s environment can result in their immune system being unchallenged, which could lead to the possible development of different allergies.”

As stores and online shops continue to sell out of items quickly and routinely like Lysol, bleach and other disinfectants, health experts now fear that all the cleaning solutions used during the pandemic can threaten people’s health.

Researchers now suggest that the over-disinfecting of our homes, vehicles, and other habitable spaces poses a severe health danger.

“We’re starting to realize that there’s collateral damage when we get rid of good microbes, and that has major consequences for our health,” B. Brett Finlay, the first author of a paper from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), told the New York Times.

Finlay, a professor in the department of microbiology and immunology at the University of British Columbia, counted among a global consortium of health researchers to raise the alarm about a microbial fallout that could follow in the pandemic’s wake.

According to the report, “their worries center on the human microbiome – the trillions of bacteria that live on and inside our bodies.

“They say that excessive hygiene practices, inappropriate

antibiotic use, and lifestyle changes such as distancing may weaken those communities going forward in ways that promote sickness and imperil our immune systems. By sterilizing our bodies and spaces, they argue, we may be doing more harm than good.”

Dr. Finlay and others argue that “our collective health may depend on our willingness to holster our sanitizers and cleansers, moderate our use of bacteria-slaying drugs, and resume old habits that nourish our microbial communities. In other words, we’re going to have to live with germs again,” the Times report, quoting the PNAS paper, continued.

A clean, sterilized environment is critical to preventing the spread of germs and infection, said Jill Lieberman of safehandles.com.

“However, we need to be selective with the products we use because they often cause more harm than good,” Lieberman added. “It is concerning that so many cleaning products come with a warning label and contain chemicals which can be dangerous and even toxic.

Cleaning with chemicals needs to be avoided, yet it is still necessary to sterilize our spaces to eliminate germs,” Liberman continued.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends handwashing with soap and water after individuals have visited a public place, coughed, or sneezed.

If soap and water isn’t available, the CDC recommends using a hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol and regularly clean frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, faucets, and countertops.

The Cleveland Clinic also provided the following guidelines: • Find ways to cope with stress. Stress causes your body to make a hormone called cortisol. Over time, cortisol can lead to inflammation and reduce your body’s ability to fight infections.

• Fuel-up smartly. A well-rounded diet with ample amounts of fiber and healthy fats helps keep inflammation at bay.

• Keep moving. Regular exercise helps keep your immune system running smoothly.

• Get your Zzzs. The average adult needs about seven to nine hours of sleep a night.

• Avoid harmful substances. Smoking and excessive drinking can weaken your immune system.

Latino group sues to block new Illinois maps MALDEF says use of survey data violates U.S. Constitution

BY PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com

Springfield – A second lawsuit has been filed in federal court in Illinois seeking to block the use of a redistricting plan that Democrats pushed through the General Assembly, this one by a group that represents Latin American communities.

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, or MALDEF, filed the lawsuit recently in U.S. District Court in Chicago on behalf of several individuals of Hispanic heritage.

“Illinois voters, including the growing Latino voter community, are entitled to districts that accurately reflect the population as determined by the constitutionally mandated decennial census,” MALDEF president and general counsel Thomas Saenz said in a statement. “Ultimately, the General Assembly will have to redraw lines for the 2022 elections using the proper decennial census data.”

The lawsuit is similar to one filed earlier by House and Senate Republican leaders. It alleges that the use of American Community Survey population estimates, rather than actual census data,

will produce districts of unequal size, in violation of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment equal protection clause.

“ACS data is not adequate to ensure the constitutional guarantee of one-personone-vote,” said MALDEF attorney Francisco Fernandez-del Castillo in the statement.

“Using the ACS estimates to draw district boundaries puts all Illinois voters — especially those in traditionally underrepresented communities, such as Latinos — at risk of being disenfranchised.”

The Illinois Constitution requires lawmakers to complete the redistricting process by June 30 of the year after each decennial census. After that, the process is assigned to a bipartisan commission in which partisan advantage could be determined by drawing a name out of a hat.

But the process was complicated this year because the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors slowed the official headcount of all U.S. residents, forcing the Census Bureau to delay release of the detailed, block-level data needed for redistricting until mid-August.

As a result, Democrats, who have supermajorities in both chambers of the General Assembly, and who did not want to risk giving up their partisan advantage,

forged ahead using data from the Census Bureau’s annual American Community Survey, which is based on responses from a sample of each state’s population.

In order to achieve the same kind of block-level detail produced by the official census, lawmakers had to combine the last five years of results, from 2015 through 2019. But plaintiffs in the lawsuit argue that such a process is inadequate for the purpose of redistricting because it results in population estimates that are outdated and likely inaccurate.

The suit names Senate President Don Harmon, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, the Illinois State Board of Elections and each of its individual members as defendants.

It asks the court to declare that the newly enacted maps violate the U.S. Constitution. It also asks for an injunction blocking election officials from certifying candidate petitions or conducting future elections using the new maps and for an order directing lawmakers to draw new maps using official census data in order to comply with the Constitution’s “one person, one vote” requirement.

The case has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.

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POLITICAL Affairs Rep. Kelly Advocates for Increased Gun Violence Prevention Funding at Appropriations Hearing Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), Vice Chair of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, recently appeared before the U.S. House Appropriations Committee to advocate for increased gun violence prevention funding.

“Many communities require increased support for gun violence intervention and prevention programs focused on interrupting cycles of violence, and increased funding for direct services, including mentorship to individuals at high risk of engaging in gun violence,” said Congresswoman Kelly. “Research shows that sustained funding for evidence-based programs, which are tailored for specific local contexts, and working in partnership with the affected communities can achieve significant and long-lasting reductions in gun violence.”

Earlier this year, Congresswoman Kelly led 39 of her colleagues in an appropriations funding request letter calling for an investment in community violence intervention programs. The letter requests: • • •

$100 million for the Office of Justice Programs $100 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) $10 million to establish a resource center under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

The recent Appropriations Committee hearing follows the release of President Biden’s fiscal year 2022 discretionary funding request, which included significant investments in working families, including a double digit increase for education and health programs. The Appropriations Committee is now using that blueprint and Member requests to formulate spending bills for the upcoming fiscal year.

PAPPAS UNVEILS NEW ONLINE TOOL TO WEIGH GOVERNMENT DEBT BURDEN ON INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNERS Cook County – Property owners for the first time can find out what portion of local government debt falls on them, thanks to a new, groundbreaking online tool created by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas.

“Most reports identify government debt as an amount per person,” Pappas said. “My latest study takes a more targeted approach by showing debt in relation to each property in Cook County.”

The new, unique tool reveals that Willis Tower carries local government debt of nearly $289 million, equal to 41.5% of the iconic skyscraper’s $697 million value. A Riverdale house carries $31,800 in local debt, equal to 48% of its $67,000 value. And the debt on a house on Hodgkins has $127,400 in debt, equal to 25.7% of its $496,000 value.

By contrast, the debt on properties in more affluent, lower-tax areas, like Barrington Hills and Winnetka, falls below 10% of the value of the properties in those locations.

These new calculations are available at cookcountytreasurer.com, where property owners can click the purple box on the homepage and search their address to see their local debt burden compared to the value of their home in both dollar and percentage amounts.

The new methodology also allowed Pappas to better compare the overall debt burdens borne by residents of any Cook County city or village. That exercise revealed the burden of local government debt varies greatly throughout the county, with generally heavier burdens in less-affluent suburbs where the populations are more than 50% Black or Latino. The taxes tend to be much higher in many of those minorityy areas, an indication that more debt leads to higher property taxes.

“Property purchases in Cook County come with a hidden credit card balance, in the form of local government debt,” Pappas said.

“Property owners end up paying down that debt, on top of also covering their mortgage, utility and maintenance costs.”

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BUSINESS

Target Names Samara Tuchband Senior Vice President of its Home Merchandising Division Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) recently named Samara Tuchband senior vice president of merchandising, home. Tuchband will oversee the retailer’s merchandising and omnichannel business for the home category, inclusive of decorative home, stationery, home textiles, kitchen, storage and seasonal.

In this role, she will help execute and advance Target’s home strategy, which is centered on defining a differentiated guest experience through a curated assortment of quality owned brand and national brand products at competitive prices.

Tuchband joined the company on May 3, 2021 and reports to Jill Sando, Target’s executive vice president and chief merchandising officer.

“Samara brings a deep understanding and strong reputation for driving digital and merchandising success within the home category,” says Sando. “At a time when home is more important than ever to our guests, Samara’s passion for creating memorable consumer experiences will strengthen our home business and enhance our commitment to bringing joy to our guests’ everyday lives.”

“I have been a Target guest for decades and have long admired the brand’s commitment to the democratization of design,” says Tuchband.

“I am thrilled to join an inspiring team of leaders and am looking forward to continuing to offer guests incredible design, style inspiration and new omnichannel shopping experiences every day.”

Tuchband joins Target with nearly two decades of merchandising and marketing experience in the home and lifestyle categories, having recently served as vice president of merchandising and head of diversity and inclusion at Crate and Barrel Holdings, Inc. In this role, Tuchband led the overall strategy and execution of product assortment and pricing for the brand across in-store and online channels.

Under her leadership, kitchen and entertaining delivered double-digit growth and she led the creation and implementation of new tools and resources for improved diversity and inclusion efforts across the company.

Previously, Tuchband served as general manager, digital home for The Home Depot, where she drove strong growth focused on digital expansion into the home décor market.

Small Business-Banking Relationships Are Challenged by Rising Expectations, New CI&T Report Finds CI&T, a leader in driving digital transformation for global brands, recently published (Re)open for Business, a new report examining how banks can better serve small businesses in a post-pandemic world.

The research revealed that while the pandemic caused accelerated digital change in financial services, small businesses still want, and need, banking relationships.

“Small businesses are considered the lifeblood of the American economy, and banking relationships are the lifeblood of small businesses,” said Robin Borelli, business director, financial services at CI&T. “The post-pandemic rebirth of small businesses in the U.S. will create enormous opportunities for the banking industry. The primary research that formed the foundation of this study revealed significant insights into the possibilities – and risks – for small business-banking relationships of the future.”

This report analyzed survey responses, focus groups and interviews from 500+ U.S. based small and medium-sized businesses with an annual revenue up to $25M. Two key themes emerged from the research for small business-banking relationships in the future, including: Redefining value: * 84% of small businesses reported having “very much” or some degree of trust in their bank, but focus groups and interviews revealed that while there is trust in banks, expectations are rising along with frustration and confusion over complex and opaque fee structures. * Banks are uniquely positioned as the

key partner for small businesses seeking efficient, day-to-day operations management such as payroll services, expense management, and tax advice. Banks may not want to provide these as direct offerings, but being a connector can create a deeper customer relationship.

The winners will be those banks that can help the needs of these small businesses beyond that of the traditional deposit and credit model.

Digital as the primary way of doing business: * Small business customers understand the convenience and cost-saving benefits of automation, but still want personal interaction and relationships due to the complexity of their work. * Small businesses have options when it comes to technology and platforms designed to make their lives easier. This presents an excellent opportunity for trusted, reliable partners like banks to help with the technical and operational demands of making these systems work cohesively.

According to a 2020 report from the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for 44% of economic activity in the United States, employ 60.6 million people, which equates to over 47% of the private workforce.

The impact of the pandemic was hard on small businesses, but as the country begins recovering, CI&T’s research shows the rebirth of small businesses presents an opportunity for banks to reform those partnerships.

EEOC Provides Additional Information On Vaccinations The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently posted updated and expanded technical assistance related to the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing questions arising under the federal equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws.

The EEOC also posted a new resource for job applicants and employees, explaining how federal employment discrimination laws protect workers during the pandemic.

These publications are provided to help employees and employers understand their rights and responsibilities at work during the pandemic.

The expanded technical assistance provides new information about how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) apply when an employer offers incentives for employees to provide documentation or other confirmation of vaccination when an employee gets a vaccine in the community or from

the employer or its agent. The technical assistance answers COVID-19 questions only from the perspective of the EEO laws. Other federal, state, and local laws come into play regarding the COVID-19 pandemic for employers and employees.

The updated technical assistance recently released addresses frequently asked questions concerning vaccinations in the employment context,” said EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows. “The EEOC will continue to clarify and update our COVID-19 technical assistance to ensure that we are providing the public with clear, easy to understand, and helpful information. We will continue to address the issues that were raised at the Commission’s recent hearing on the civil rights impact of COVID-19.”

The key updates to the technical assistance are summarized below: Federal EEO laws do not prevent an employer from requiring all employees physically entering the work-

place to be vaccinated for COVID-19, so long as employers comply with the reasonable accommodation provisions of the ADA and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other EEO considerations. Other laws, not in EEOC’s jurisdiction, may place additional restrictions on employers.

From an EEO perspective, employers should keep in mind that because some individuals or demographic groups may face greater barriers to receiving a COVID-19 vaccination than others, some employees may be more likely to be negatively impacted by a vaccination requirement.

Federal EEO laws do not prevent or limit employers from offering incentives to employees to voluntarily provide documentation or other confirmation of vaccination obtained from a third party (not the employer) in the community, such as a pharmacy, personal health care provider, or public clinic. If employers choose to obtain vaccination information from www.citizennewspapergroup.com

their employees, employers must keep vaccination information confidential pursuant to the ADA. Employers that are administering vaccines to their employees may offer incentives for employees to be vaccinated, as long as the incentives are not coercive.

Because vaccinations require employees to answer pre-vaccination disability-related screening questions, a very large incentive could make employees feel pressured to disclose protected medical information.

Employers may provide employees and their family members with information to educate them about COVID-19 vaccines and raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination.

The technical assistance highlights federal government resources available to those seeking more information about how to get vaccinated.

The new resource for job applicants and employees provides basic information about how federal employment

discrimination laws help workers who are being harassed; who need extra protection against getting sick; who are not being allowed to work; or who need a modification of their employer’s COVID-19 safety requirements.

These two publications follow an EEOC hearing on April 28 on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on civil rights in the workplace at which the EEOC heard from a wide range of experts. They were prepared prior to the CDC’s new guidance for fully vaccinated individuals issued on May 13, 2021, and do not specifically address that new guidance. As new developments occur, the EEOC will consider any impact they may have on EEOC’s COVID-19 technical assistance and will provide additional updates and assistance to the public as needed.

The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employ­ment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov.

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of June 16, 2021

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NEWS

5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Money Family Features - Working toward financial stability can be a daunting task, but developing healthy spending habits and practicing smart saving can make it easier to plan for the future and take control of your finances.

Improve your financial stability and security with these tips from the experts at Credit One Bank, a data-driven financial services company that is also one of the largest and fastest-growing credit card issuers in the United States.

Create a Spending Plan and Budget By building a budget and examining your spending habits, you’re able to see exactly how much money you have coming in and where – or on what – you’re spending it.

This is often the first step toward meeting short- and long-term financial goals, whether those involve taking a vacation, paying off debt, buying a new house or saving for retirement.

Add up your household income, including paychecks and other income, such as investments or rental property, then figure your monthly expenses starting with recurring bills like rent or mortgage, car payments, insurance, utilities and subscriptions.

Also, account for variable expenses like gas, groceries and entertainment.

Once you have your income and expenses calculated, look for places you may be able to cut back to help meet your financial goals. Don’t forget to be flexible; your budget and spending will change along with your needs and situation.

Earn Rewards on Everyday Purchases You can stretch your budget further by taking advantage of rewards offered by your bank or credit card company. For example, some credit cards provide cash back rewards for specific everyday purchases. An option like the Credit One Bank Platinum Rewards Visa is one such credit card. Customers can earn 5% cash back for the first $5,000 of eligible purchases per year on things like gas, groceries, internet, cable, satellite TV and mobile phone services, plus 1% cash back rewards on all other purchases.

“Make sure your rewards are working for you – and not just as a gimmicky signup bonus,” said David Herpers, head of product at Credit One Bank. “Find a credit card that continues to give you more for your everyday spending habits.”

Compare Interest Rates When Opening a Savings Account When selecting a savings account, look for the highest yield

but also consider the minimum balance requirement, any introductory rates that may expire after a set period of time and the ease with which you’re able to access your money and account information. Often, digital banks can offer higher rates than traditional brick-and-mortar branches due to their lower overhead costs.

Ensure any bank you consider is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) so you can earn a fair rate and protect your money.

Build an Emergency Fund Emergency funds create a financial buffer that can keep you afloat in times of need without having to rely on high-interest loans or maxing out a line of credit.

These funds can be used to pay for large, unexpected expenses such as medical bills, the loss of a job, car repairs or home appliance repair or replacement.

To build your emergency fund, set a monthly savings goal – even an amount as small as $50 per paycheck can make an impact over time – and set up a way for the funds to be automatically transferred to the account each time you get paid to make the task less daunting. Check on the account periodically and adjust if necessary or if your budget allows. A good rule of thumb is to set aside 3-6 months of living expenses.

Keep Track of Your Credit Your credit score provides lenders and other parties a quick way to get an idea of your financial history and your ability to pay. Having a good credit score typically provides better interest rates and makes it easier to get approval on loans, rent an apartment, take out a mortgage or finance large purchases. Poor credit can saddle you with higher rates and lead to potential loan requests being denied.

To help you understand how different actions affect your credit score, many sites offer free credit reports and tools that allow you to stay up-to-date and track your score over time. Be sure to check reviews and verify the site’s legitimacy before entering your information. Additionally, many credit card companies, including Credit One Bank, provide free access to online credit reports on a regular basis to give customers an easier way to stay on top of their finances.

have grown in popularity due to their convenience in comparison to cash, but technology has evolved even further to allow for a rise in contactless payment. Consider these capabilities many cards now offer: Chip (EMV) cards utilize smart technology to store data on the microchip embedded in the card, allowing for an extra level of security with a one-time code generated as

part of each transaction to keep payment information more secure than swiping the magnetic strip.

Contactless cards are equipped with near-field communication technology that allows payments to be made at a terminal without swiping or inserting. The card member’s name, billing information and security code are never transmitted when cards bearing the contactless indicator are tapped on

an equipped terminal.

Smart device payments can be made by adding your credit or debit card to the wallet app on your smartphone or tablet. Apps can also be added to some smartwatches to make contactless payments at participating merchants even easier.

Find more ways to make your money work for you at CreditOneBank.com/articles.

SOURCE: Credit One Bank

Bring

Ingenuity Shine Bright

Explore your career possibilities at the Discover Customer Care Center in Chatham.

• Make a difference with a global leader • Enjoy all the support and resources you need • Create the career and life you deserve

Learn more discover.com/shinebright

Understanding Emerging Card Capabilities Alternative methods of payment, like credit and debit cards, have now been around for decades and

Equal opportunity employer/disability/vet.

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6 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of June 16, 2021

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of June 16, 2021

NEWS The Cook County Assessor’s Office Re-Opens for In-Person Appointments Online services are also available for property owners The Cook County Assessor’s Office announces the resumption of in-person visits by the public to its downtown and branch offices, in accordance with Cook County’s reopening plan on Monday, June 14, 2021. All inperson visits are by appointment only and will require a mask, physical distancing, and a health screening. These requirements apply to the downtown location as well as the Markham and Skokie branch offices. Bridgeview is currently closed due to construction.

“With reductions to Chicago’s COVID numbers, we’re able to resume in-person access to our office while keeping both staff and the public safe, said Assessor Fritz Kaegi. “During the entirety of the pandemic our office has continued to function remotely and offer exemplary customer service virtually and over the phone. Property

owners should know they can continue to apply for many of our services online.”

Please see the various ways to interact with our office below.

Schedule an appointment: www. cookcountyassessor.com/appt Call: 312-443-7550 Send a message: www.cookcountyassessor.com/contact Attend a workshop: www.cookcountyassessor.com/event-list Although the office is open to the public, taxpayers are still encouraged to explore the many online services offered. Homeowners can apply for missing exemptions and file assessment appeals entirely online.

For other property tax related topics such as questions about ownership of property, foreclosures, or liens contact the Cook County Clerk’s Office at www.cookcountyclerkil.gov. For information on how to pay your property tax bill, obtain a copy of your tax bill, or duplicate or overpayment contact the Cook County Treasurer’s Office at www. cookcountytreasurer.com.

Feel at home with buying a home.

Get answers and support at Fifth Third.

Home ownership can feel like a big leap.

But what if you had someone who was with you at every step? At Fifth Third, you can count on expert guidance, free online tools and, of course, great mortgage options.

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Loans are subject to credit review and approval. Fifth Third Bank, National Association, 38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, OH 45263, NMLS# 403245, Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender. Fifth Third and Fifth Third Bank are registered service marks of Fifth Third Bancorp.

“For the church, it has been a tremendous blessing for us.

It allowed us to do things that we were not going to do.”

Pastor Mark claimed nearly $40K! The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office connects people with their unclaimed money and property through the I-Cash program.

ADULTS DISCOVER PROPERTY TO CLAIM WHEN THEY SEARCH

ILLINOISTREASURER.GOV/ICASH

unclaimedproperty@illinoistreasurer.gov or 877-581-3689

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CITIZEN On The Move

Project Needy Provided Essential Goods To Families in Need At A Recent Event Members of the South Shore Community Were Given Free Clothes, Meals, Toys and Hand Sanitizer During Last Saturdays Event Photos by L.M. Warbington

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of June 16, 2021

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The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and there’s no cost to you.

I got mine.

BE NEXT MEDICARE.GOV

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10 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of June 16, 2021

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of June 16, 2021

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CLASSIFIEDS SERVICE

SERVICE

REAL ESTATE HUD/BANK FORECLOSURES CITY & SUBURBS Call: FRED D. CLINK (773) 294-5870 REALTY SERVICES CONSORTIUM ____________________________________ 3+ Bedroom HOMES FOR SALE SELLER FINANCING Call: FRED D. CLINK (773) 294-5870 REALTY SERVICES CONSORTIUM ____________________________________

GREEN LIVING 5 Surprising Ways Clean Technology is Improving Daily Life

HELP WANTED The Calumet City Board of Fire and Police Commission will be accepting applications for the position of Firefighter Immediate positions available pending academy start date Applications will be available for pickup at the Office of the City Clerk; 204 Pulaski Road, Calumet City, IL beginning Monday, June 21, 2021.

The Clerk's office hours are as follows: Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Application deadline July 2, 2021 Starting Firefighter Salary is $59,145.92 Salary after one year is $74,442.81

THERE IS NO NEED TO KEEP THE UNWANTED POUNDS GAINED DURING COVID-19?

TRY A PERSONAL TRAINER. . .

CALL JOHNNY BARNES @ 773-875-0536 * ONE -ON-ONE * MEAL PLANS * WEIGHT TRAINING

Shaymar Media Productions LLC

Promoting you using TV, Radio, Videos, Google Awards & Social Networking WE Make Great TV Shows!

Call Us Today!

773-416-7555 http://shaymarmedia.com shaymarmedia@gmail.com

Full benefit package includes: * Health, dental, vision and life insurance * 2 weeks paid vacation after one year * Illinois Fire Pension Fund * 20 mile residency radius You must meet the following minimum requirements by the application deadline: * $20 non-refundable application fee; * Must be a U.S. citizen; * Must be 21 years of age and under 35 years of age by July 24, 2021; unless otherwise exempt by statute; * No felony arrests; * Must be an Illinois State certified paramedic at time of hire; * Must have a current CPAT card valid within 12 months of test date; * Must have a valid driver's license; * Application must be returned with required information, postmarked 7/2/2021 Mandatory Orientation Saturday, July 17, 2021 - 9:00 a.m.

Test Date Saturday, July 24, 2021 - 9:00 a.m.

SERVICE JP PROPERTY SERVICES * Junk Removal * Gutter Cleaning * Demolition * Power Washing * Delivery * Snow Removal (312) 897-0113 _____________________________________ Do You Want To Improve Your Bad Credit Score?

Call Credit Restoration Service Today!

(218) 833-3769 9:00a.m. - 5:00 p.m. _____________________________________

LEGAL SERVICE INJURED? If you've been hurt in an accident in Illinois, call for a FREE CASE CONSULTATION. Calls Answered 24/7 by Staver Accident Injury Lawyers: 1-888-310-8322

__________________________________

By Order of the Calumet City Board of Fire and Police Commission William B. Galgan, Chairman Mary L. Cox, Commissioner Carmela J. Ziobro, Commissioner ____________________________________

You Can Make This Space Yours By Calling For a Quote Today: (773) 783-1251

(StatePoint) Climate-related crises like rising sea levels, severe weather events and longer drought seasons are challenging the global economy. They’re also driving the launch of new clean technologies.

Darrell Garth

President /Publisher

Here are five examples of how these new technologies are changing and improving daily life: 1. Making clean energy easier to access: With the renewable energy sector experiencing tremendous growth, solar energy is becoming a more affordable solution for Americans who were previously left out of the solar revolution. Projects like the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund are putting solar on homes and tribal buildings in rural parts of Indian Country to reduce energy costs and advance Energy Sovereignty.

Janice Garth

Sales Manager General Manager

Editorial

Send news tips, press releases, calendar listing etc to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com

Advertising

Display Advertising advertising@citizennewspapergroup.com or jgarth@citizennewspapergroup.com

2. Creating new jobs when they’re needed most. In addition to cleaner air and reducing carbon, the renewable energy sector is creating thousands of clean energy jobs in communities across the U.S.

Classified Advertising

3. Improving buildings like hospitals, schools and offices. With commercial buildings accounting for about 40% of all electricity use in the U.S., and heightened concern around safety and indoor air quality, the founders of startup 75F are using internet-of-things-powered building management systems and cloud-based software to improve heating and cooling efficiencies, maintain occupant comfort and improve air quality in commercial buildings.

(773) 783-1251

4. Helping farmers become more productive and resilient. Agriculture currently accounts for 70% of the world’s water usage and 14% of its energy usage.

Startup Pluton Biosciences is using microbes to help identify and address soil imbalances and diseases before they become a larger problem on particular parcels of land. This is helping farmers remain productive and efficient in the face of unpredictable weather patterns, pollution and crop infestations. The company CoverCress is working on a new cash crop for the Midwest that farmers can plant during winter months in between corn and soybean seasons. The crop sequesters carbon and can be harvested as a low-carbon feed for livestock.

5. Boosting affordable housing inventory so more people can find homes.

Construction technologies like Blokable’s pre-fabricated building system are addressing the housing affordability crisis by creating multi-family housing units that are highly efficient, drastically reducing the volume of construction waste.

Programs like the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator, which works with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, are investing in new clean energy startups, helping them bring game-changing climate solutions to market. Experts say that such investments will be critical in the years to come.

“Continued investment in startups and entrepreneurs focused on low-carbon solutions will help build a stronger global economy and more resilient communities, and help avoid the worst impacts of climate change,” says Ramsay Huntley, sustainable finance strategist at Wells Fargo.

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) RossHelen / iStock via Getty Images Plus

call us at

(773) 783-1251

Display Advertising call us at

Coverage Areas: CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

Chatham, Avalon Park, Park Manor, Greater Grand Crossing, Burnside, Chesterfield, West Chersterfield, South Shore,and Calumet Heitghts.

SOUTH END

Washington Heights, Roseland, Rosemoor, Englewood, West Englewood, Auburn-Gresham, Morgan Park, Maple Park, Mt. Vernon, Fernwood, Bellevue, Beverly, Pullman, West Pullman, West Pullman, Riverdale, Jeffrey Manor and Hegewisch.

SOUTH SUBURBAN Serves communities in Harvey, Markham, Phoenix, Robbins, Dixmoor, Calumet Park, Blue Island, South Holland, and Dolton. Shopping- their favorite pastime!

HYDE PARK

Lake Meadows, Oakland, Prairie Shores, Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Woodland, South Shore and Hyde Park.

CHICAGO WEEKEND

Chicago Westside Communities, Austin and Garfield Park

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY Bloom Township, Chicago Heights, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, Glenwood, Homewood, Lansing ,Lynwood, Olympia Fileds, Park Forest, Sauk Village, South Chicago and Steger Citizen Newspaper Group Inc., (CNGII), Publisher of the Chatham-Southeast, South End, Chicago Weekend, South Suburban and Hyde Park Citizen and Citizen Suburban Times Weekly. Our weekly publications are published on Wednesday’s (publishing 52 issues annually). Written permission is required to reproduce contents in whole or in part from the publisher. Citizen Newspaper Group, Inc. does not assume the responsibility for nor are we able to return unsolicited materials, therefore they become property of the newspaper and can or will be discarded or used at the newspapers disgratation. Deadlines for advertising is every Friday at noon. Deadlines for press releases are Thursdays at 10 am prior to the next week’s edition. Please send information for the calendar at least three weeks prior to the event. Send to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com. For more information on subscriptions or advertising, call us at (773) 783-1251 or fax (872) 208-8793. Our offices are located at 8741 South Greenwood Suite# 107, Chicago, Illinois 60619.

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On the patio, online or streaming on-the-go, Xfinity celebrates the season with the music that unites us all.

Just say, “Black Experience,” into your Xfinity Voice Remote to enjoy a Black Music Month collection filled with your favorite groups, collabos, duets, TV shows, and more. Plus, with Xfinity Internet, your entertainment starts at FREE with a Flex 4K streaming box that puts all your apps in one place. Xfinity, the ultimate in Black storytelling and a way better way to watch.

Visit xfinity.com/blackexperience to learn more.

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Access for Xfinity Internet customers via the Xfinity Stream app or Flex. Flex is not available in all areas or to current Xfinity Video customers. Requires post-paid subscription to Xfinity Internet, excluding Internet Essentials. Pricing subject to change. Taxes, fees and other applicable charges extra, and subject to change. Limited to 3 devices.

1 device included, additional devices $5/mo. per device. All devices must be returned when service ends. Separate subscriptions required for certain streaming services. Viewing uses your Internet service and will count against any Xfinity data plan. Streaming content limited to the U.S. ©2021 Comcast. All Rights Reserved.

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Amplify your summer.