Citizen Suburban Times Weekly 1-20-2021

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 The Citizen: Serving The Black Community For 55 Years Week of Jan. 20, 2021

| Vol. 4 | No. 24 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY

ATTORNEY GENERAL KWAME RAOUL URGES ILLINOIS RESIDENTS TO BE ALERT FOR COVID-19 VACCINE SCAMS Attorney General Kwame Raoul recently urged residents throughout Illinois to be on alert for scams related to the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. PAGE 2

As the general public begins to receive doses of the vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna, Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office is cautioning people to be alert for scams and theft of personally-identifiable information.

Statewide Free Assistance for Students Completing Financial Aid Applications

Free COVID-19 Testing Available at State Mobile Testing Sites in Northern Illinois

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Why a Tech Career Might Be Right for You Page 5 |

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2 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Jan. 20, 2021

POLITISCOPE

Legalizing marijuana, once a pipe dream on Capitol Hill, takes an important step forward

BY ROSALIE LICCARDO PACULA

In early December, the House of Representatives passed the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, or the MORE Act. The bill sought to decriminalize marijuana nationally by removing cannabis from the federal government’s Schedule I controlled substance list. That category indicates the drug has high potential for abuse and no therapeutic value. It also includes drugs like methamphetamine and heroin.

The bill is a long way from passage. With a new Congress just seated, it would need to be reintroduced and pass again in the House.

Even if that happens, it is unlikely to get through the Senate.

Still, the initial success of the MORE Act is an important sign that sentiment in Washington is changing, guided by increasing public backing for cannabis reform. Twothirds of Americans now support legalizing the drug.

As a health policy professor and president of the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy, I

Rosalie Liccardo Pacula

have followed the growing acceptance of cannabis policy reform for several decades and see both strengths and weaknesses of the most recent proposal.

Correcting Past Wrongs Fifteen states and Washington, D.C. - places were 33% of the U.S. population lives – have legalized recreational marijuana. An additional 21 states have legal medical marijuana markets. Disparities between federal and state marijuana laws in these various jurisdictions have – at a minimum – generated

market hurdles and have done far more damage than that in some communities.

Forty percent of U.S. drug arrests in 2018 were for marijuana offenses, despite state legalization laws. The vast majority of people arrested were African Americans.

The MORE Act took several steps to try to correct the injustices caused by federal prohibition. It would have authorized a 5% tax on the sale of cannabis products to fund reinvestment in minority communities most harmed by the war on drugs.

It also would have expunged some cannabis-related offenses – essentially removing these offenses from people’s criminal records – which is important for undoing some of the harm caused by what the ACLU has identified as racial disparity in enforcement. It could not, however, address the longer-term damage a criminal record causes Black families, such as the reduced family income and limited educational opportunities.

What was left out While the MORE Act would have

made cannabis a legal product for commercial sale nationally, just like apples or tomatoes, it did so without addressing consumer safety matters afforded to even these basic goods.

Specifically, the MORE Act did not fund agencies that provide consumer protections of standard agricultural goods and medications.

For example, regulation of cannabis cultivation by the Department of Agriculture would allow the government to enforce bans on illegal pesticides and test plants for consumption.

Similarly, regulatory authority granted to the Food and Drug Administration would ensure proper testing, labeling and reporting of ingredients for cannabis-infused edibles and vaping liquids, with consequences for noncompliance.

The FDA is already trying to rein in companies that market products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds in ways that violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The MORE Act failed to dedicate revenue to support these regulatory activities to ensure consumer safety.

This failure comes despite evi-

dence that, when left unchecked, the industry promotes its products in ways that can generate negative health behaviors, like use of the drug by pregnant women to combat nausea.

Development and marketing of products aimed at youth have also resulted in poisonings, acute psychosis and emergency room visits.

If Congress is serious about legalizing marijuana, it might consider using funds from the new tax revenue to set up federal standards that improve product safety and reduce unintentional harm.

The conservative-leaning Senate is more likely to support such a policy. As is, the MORE Act addresses past social injustices but misses an opportunity to regulate cannabis products for the benefit of all Americans.

Rosalie Liccardo Pacula PhD is a full professor and the Elizabeth Garrett Chair in Health Policy, Economics & Law in the Sol Price School of Public Policy and the Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics at the University of Southern California.

NEWS

Attorney General Kwame Raoul Urges Illinois Residents To Be Alert For COVID-19 Vaccine Scams Continued from page 1 Attorney General Kwame Raoul recently urged residents throughout Illinois to be on alert for scams related to the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

As the general public begins to receive doses of the vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna, Raoul’s office is cautioning people to be alert for scams and theft of personally-identifiable information.

“People should be wary of anyone who offers the vaccine or promises priority access to the vaccine or a COVID-19 cure in exchange for money,” Raoul said. “I am urging Illinois residents to be vigilant for scams related to the vaccine, which could compromise their health and personal information. People should report these scams to my office.”

“Currently, there is a limited

Attorney General Kwame Raoul recently urged residents throughout Illinois to be on alert for scams related to the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

amount of vaccine in Illinois and in the U.S.,” said Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Because of the limited amount of vaccine, we want people to be aware of potential scammers who may ask you to pay out of pocket to get the vaccine, who offer to give you early access to the vaccine, or offer to ship you vaccine for payment. Until more vaccine is readily available, we ask people to be patient, understand there may be others in similar risk categories who may get vaccinated first, and contin-

ue to wear their mask, watch their distance, and avoid gatherings.”

The vaccine’s distribution is being overseen by Illinois public health officials, and it is currently available in limited quantities. Residents will be able to receive the vaccine only through a designated health clinic.

No one can pay to put their names on a distribution list or purchase early access to the vaccine.

Consumers should also be aware that Medicare or Medicaid will not call seniors or residents to proactively offer the COVID-19 vaccine. Resiwww.citizennewspapergroup.com

dents should consult their health care providers or local health departments for guidance in determining when the vaccine will be available to them.

Raoul encourages people to take steps to protect their health and information: Do not buy any kind of COVID-19 vaccine or treatment on the internet or from an online pharmacy. You should not have to pay any amount of money out of pocket in order to receive the vaccine.

Everyone eventually will be able to receive the vaccine, even if they do not have health insurance.

Ignore online, phone, and text offers for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Hang up on any calls, including robocalls, which direct you to take immediate action or provide personally-identifiable information, such as your Social Security number or bank account number.

Report solicitations from telemarketers, text messages and social media platforms, as well as door-todoor visits. You can file a consumer complaint with the Illinois Attorney General’s office.

Delete emails and texts that promise or offer access to COVID-19 treatments, and do not click on any links contained in such emails as they may place malware on your devices.

Additional materials and data are available free of charge on the Illinois Attorney General’s website and on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website.

Individuals who have questions or need to report a scam should call the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline at 1-800-386-5438 (Chicago), 1-800-243-0618 (Springfield), or 1-800-243-0607 (Carbondale), or file an online complaint.

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Jan. 20, 2021

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NEWS

Statewide Free Assistance for Students Completing Financial Aid Applications While students are struggling nationwide with remote education and college plans seem to be more up in the air than ever, there is some good news in Illinois: Illinois closed out the year ranking the #1 state for completions of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), the form most students use to apply for federal and state financial aid for postsecondary education.

Helping to ensure that more Illinois students have the funds to follow a path to education after high school has become increasingly difficult in the midst of a pandemic that is challenging every aspect of our daily lives.

To address some of the pandemic-related challenges facing high schools and graduating seniors in completing financial aid applications for next fall, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is adding new initiatives to its college outreach programs.

From targeted outreach and one-on-one assistance to students and families, to online financial aid modules that teachers can use with their students, the state’s college access and financial aid agency is committed to providing free statewide supports for students and schools.

“With many students and families facing illness and loss of loved ones, financial distress, and all the challenges of remote learning, it can be hard to handle the now, much less consider the future,” said Eric Zarnikow, executive director of ISAC. “But as we look to better days ahead for next fall, we want to make sure our high school seniors and adult students have applied for and can receive the financial aid for which they are eligible. Knowing what funding you have available for postsecondary education is an important milestone in making that education happen.”

Indeed, ensuring that students have this important information drove passage of the state’s FAFSA Mandate. This new law, which took effect with the 2020-2021 school year,

INDEED, ENSURING THAT STUDENTS HAVE THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION DROVE PASSAGE OF THE STATE’S FAFSA MANDATE. THIS NEW LAW, WHICH TOOK EFFECT WITH THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR, REQUIRES PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS TO COMPLETE THE FAFSA OR, IF ELIGIBLE, THE ALTERNATIVE APPLICATION FOR ILLINOIS FINANCIAL AID, AS A PREREQUISITE TO RECEIVING A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.

To address some of the pandemic-related challenges facing high schools and graduating seniors in completing financial aid applications for next fall, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is adding new initiatives to its college outreach programs.

requires public high school seniors to complete the FAFSA or, if eligible, the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma. (A waiver provision allows a parent, guardian, or the student – if 18 or emancipated – to opt out of the requirement.) Information about FAFSA Mandate training and support for school counselors and other professionals is available at https://www. isac.org/pd/fafsa-mandate.html.

Making completion of a financial aid application part of an expectation for high school graduation can increase the number of students who are aware of the resources available to help them afford education or training after high school.

This information can also help some students decide to attempt college when they might not otherwise have done so, and it may help some students limit student loan debt and take a fuller course load to more quickly complete a degree or credential.

While ISAC already provides free college planning and financial aid workshops and one-on-one assistance for students during the annual College Changes Everything® (CCE) fall campaign and throughout the year, the agency is extending its outreach and supports to help address the many obstacles for students created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to meet the state’s new FAFSA Mandate.

ISAC has hosted over 750 online financial aid workshops with school partners, as well as 13 statewide virtual financial aid completion workshops since September 2020, with more scheduled in 2021. As high schools focus their efforts on remote learning and keeping connected with students, ISAC is reaching out directly to schools that previously participated in the CCE campaign and is offering the following free supports statewide: • Online financial aid completion workshops for students and parents.

See studentportal.isac.org/events for

statewide virtual events.

• Individual assistance to students and parents in completing financial aid applications, via web conferencing, phone, text, or email. Contact your local ISACorps member for free assistance: studentportal.isac. org/isacorps. Sign up for ISAC’s free text messaging app to get college/ financial aid questions answered via text: isac.org/collegeqa.

• ISAC’s FAFSA Completion Initiative and direct outreach to students. ISAC’s FAFSA Completion Initiative offers Illinois school districts a way to identify students who have not submitted either a FAFSA or Alternative Application. The application completion information - updated on a weekly basis - can be used by district counselors to help reach students who may need assistance or encouragement to complete an application. To support busy school counselors and with school permission, ISAC can directly reach out to and assist students who have not completed a FAFSA. Find out more at https://www.isac.org/home/ fafsa/index.html • Financial Aid Online Learning Module for classrooms. ISAC is developing an online learning module for schools to use as part of their remote learning curriculum, which includes a video and a learning packet.

• QR code for outreach to students and families. To improve outreach to students and families during the pandemic, ISAC will be introducing a QR code that links to simple and accessible information for students and families about how to get free assistance with financial aid applications. ISAC is partnering with several schools to pilot a program that will affix stickers with this

Free COVID-19 Testing Available at State Mobile Testing Sites in Northern Illinois The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has several mobile testing teams that are dispatched to various locations around the state each week to provide COVID-19 testing. Anyone can be tested, regardless of symptoms or immigra-

tion status. There is no cost to the individual for testing, but they should bring their insurance card if they have one. However, insurance is not required. Specimens will be collected using a simple nasal swab. Drive-through and walk-up testing

are both available at most locations.

Site locations are subject to change. Please check the IDPH website for the most current mobile testing site location information at http://www.dph. illinois.gov/testing/mobile-testing-sites.

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

QR code to free and reduced meal boxes and printed learning materials. Students and families will be able to scan the QR code with their phones to access the information.

“We want to make sure every high school senior and adult student in Illinois knows that completing a financial aid application is a critical step for their future,” said Jacqueline Moreno, ISAC’s director of college access and outreach. “We can help make the application process fairly quick and easy for most students.”

ISACorps members are available throughout the state offering free assistance to help students and families complete and submit an application. Find your ISACorps member at studentportal.isac.org/ isacorps.

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4 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Jan. 20, 2021

FASHION

Black-Woman Owned Online Shoe Boutique Celebrates First Anniversary With All Items on Sale

Low Heel No Heel Owner, Shannon Ashmore-McMath

Shannon Ashmore-McMath founded Low Heel No Heel in 2019. Low Heel No Heel is a Black Woman-owned online shoe boutique that specializes in offering women’s shoes that are affordable, comfortable, and under 4 inches tall.

The company offers free shipping on all orders over $50 and no monthly subscriptions and just celebrated their first full year in business.

To honor their first year in business, the entire site is on sale.

“The goal was to provide women with stylish footwear options that can be worn for all occasions,” says Shannon who is from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

She continues, “We just completed our first full year in business. Like many other small businesses, we were also affected by the pandemic;

however, we are grateful to still be in business due to the unwavering support of our customers and remain optimistic regarding our future. We are hoping to inspire other women and minority entrepreneurs to do the same as well.”

To view their selection, please visit LowHeelNoHeel.com Follow the brand on social media and follow the Owner, Shannon on Instagram

HALSEY SET TO LAUNCH about-face Make-u(p) without rules Created by multimedia, awardwinning artist and bestselling author Halsey, about-face is a multidimensional color beauty brand which is set to launch directto-consumer via www.aboutface. com on January 25, 2021.

Inspired by music, fashion and art, about-face honors inclusivity, acceptance, experimentation and the democratization of beauty for our multiple identities.

About about-face is described as Make-u(p) without rules, made for the many versions of you. It’s a multidimensional makeup for everyone, everywhere created by Halsey and built on the truth that no one is just one thing and humans are weird, complex and imperfectly beautiful beings.

Halsey, a self-taught makeup artist, has always taken ownership of what makes her feel most beautiful, creating and applying her own looks for performances, editorials and music videos. A true makeup junkie, she has an encyclopedic knowledge of brands, application methods, and best-in-class products from drugstore heroes to luxury leaders.

Perfecting her craft, she was often blending, cocktailing and color-correcting to achieve levels of vibrancy, pigment intensity and shine. From this extensive base knowledge of beauty, she created a brand rooted in performancedriven formulations.

“Makeup is an art and art is about happy accidents, not any one ideal of perfection,” said Halsey, founder and chief creative officer of about-face.

“I always feel the most free when I

Light Lock Highlighter Collection by about-face

am creating looks without following any rules. The beauty industry has norms, but I want to encourage people to challenge those standards and allow things to be imperfect and fun.”

The about-face launch collection embodies Halsey’s personal style and love of diverse beauty, initially with three distinct franchises - Light Lock, Matte, and Shadowstick.

Light Lock, her signature face highlighter range with stratospheric shine, includes Stick, Powder, Fluid and Lip Gloss. The Matte range of velvety smooth, creaseless, highintensity colors consists of Paint-It Matte Lip Colors, Matte Fix Lip Pencils and Matte Fluid Eye Paint, as well as a Set and Prime Spray with application sponge for face.

Shadowsticks are precise, multitasking cream eyeshadow crayons that feature soft pearly pastels, as well as a high intensity matte velvet in white, teal blue and black for a

range of looks for liner and lids.

The launch consists of 10 product categories (inclusive of beauty tools and limited edition cosmetic bags) across a total of 40 skus. All aboutface products are formulated to be vegan, clean, and cruelty free. Prices range from $17.00 to $32.00. about-face will be sold direct-toconsumer in the US, Canada, UK and Europe on www.aboutface.com, as well as via an exclusive year-long partnership with Ipsy, featured in the newly launched and limited edition Glam Bag X on www.ipsy. com. The next about-face drop will be Anti-Valentine’s Day, a limitededition matte lip range launching in early February 2021.

About Halsey: GRAMMY® Award-nominated multi-platinum singer/songwriter Halsey burst onto the scene in 2015 with her first studio album, Badlands, which has been RIAA certified 2x platinum.

Her second release, Hopeless www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Halsey for about-face

Fountain Kingdom, claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard Top 200 chart upon its debut. Since then, Halsey has continued her success with her 7x Platinum “Without Me,” which made Halsey the first and only female artist to have at least three songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100 for 50 weeks each. Halsey continues to push creative boundaries, expanding her influence and impact beyond music.

In 2019, she was awarded the Hal David Starlight Award, presented by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, to honor her songwriting. In 2020,

Halsey released her latest album, Manic, to rave reviews. The album has already attained RIAA Platinum status as did the single “Graveyard” from the album. Most recently, it was announced that she will executive produce and star in “The Players Table” alongside Sydney Sweeney and in November of 2020, she debuted her first original poetry book, I Would Leave Me If I Could, which made her a NY Times bestselling author.

For more information please visit www.aboutface.com @aboutfacebeauty

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Jan. 20, 2021

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NEWS

Why a Tech Career Might Be Right for You StatePoint - If you have an interest in innovation, a passion for helping people and the confidence to let your creativity shine, there are exciting and rewarding career opportunities available to you in technology in almost every industry.

From supporting the development of critical vaccines; building the next generation of electric vehicles; creating new and engaging ways to deliver distance learning; keeping air, food and water safe and sustainable; or bringing efficiencies to the delivery of government services, there is a career in tech waiting for you.

Even better, you don’t necessarily need to be a computer whiz or math genius to land one of these jobs, as technical skills can often be taught, but professional and personal skills are often more difficult to find.

Those in the know say that a growing number of employers are more interested in creativity, organization, verbal and written communications skills and a willingness to be a team

Employers across the country continue to advertise job openings for tech workers – there were nearly 200,000 listings in November 2020.

player and less in technical acumen.

“That’s true for people joining the labor force for the first time, returning to the workforce, burned out or hitting a ceiling in their current job, or downsized out of a job through no fault of their own,” said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA, the Computing Technol-

ogy Industry Association.

It’s a field that offers a certain amount of job security, too. The economic and employment disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have had an impact on tech occupations, though not nearly to the degree that other industries have been affected. The unemploy-

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

ment rate for IT occupations in the U.S. stood at 2.4% in November 2020, below the national unemployment rate of 6.7%.

Employers across the country continue to advertise job openings for tech workers – there were nearly 200,000 listings in November 2020.

These openings were spread across many industries outside the technology sector, including financial services, manufacturing, retail, government, healthcare and education. You’ll also find great variety in the types of positions companies need to fill.

They include application and software developers; tech support professionals, whose roles are increasingly important as more people work and learn from home; network analysts, architects and engineers; cybersecurity pros responsible for securing our data, devices and networks; and project managers tasked with keeping mission-critical projects on track.

There are a number of free resources available to help you learn more about tech careers:

• The Future of Tech (futureoftech.org) is a free and growing library of resources to get you up to speed on what’s new and next in the world of technology.

• Cyberstates (cyberstates.org) is the definitive guide to information on the U.S. technology industry and workforce.

• If you’re interested in cybersecurity, CyberSeek (cyberseek.org) has detailed information on the U.S. job market, including guidance on career paths and professional certifications.

• CompTIA (comptia.org) offers many tech career planning tools, including salary calculators and job search help.

“There are career options available that allow you to combine an interest in technology with something you are passionate about,” Thibodeaux said. “With the right access, encouragement and opportunity, anyone can maximize their digital knowledge and skills so they can achieve their life’s ambitions.”

6 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Jan. 20, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT

Zane Hubbard Making Diversity in the Film Industry the New Norm Zane Hubbard is a filmmaker, actor, scriptwriter, writer, and the CEO of Ironbeard Films. Everyone enjoys a feel-good story, and Hubbard has one that he has spun into the success that he is today.

Born in Walnut Creek, California, Hubbard has excelled in harnessing his talents of scriptwriting and content creation. He is a film director with a lot of notable clients all over the world and is the creator of the award-winning television series, Chronicles of Jessica Wu, which aired on Amazon Prime and Apple TV and has run for two seasons. The show competed for an Emmy award for Outstanding Short-Form Comedy or Drama Series in 2019.

His hit series is centered on an African American girl on the autism spectrum but who has superhero powers and fights crime.

Hubbard himself has a daughter diagnosed with autism, making his autism advocacy more personal. He established a non-profit organization called “Autism Future” dedicated to helping people with autism or any form of disability get employed and engaged productively.

His advocacy and support for

Zane Hubbard

autism and people with special needs continue to grow, and he takes every chance he gets, especially with storytelling, to educate the world about autism. “Autism is a soft spot for me and I feel like awareness would make the lives of those with Autism better,” Hubbard says.

He is not just another filmmaker focused on living out the celebrity life, instead Hubbard wants to connect with real people, share their struggles, and work with them to make their lives better. “As a filmmaker, I am giving back to the

community with my non-profit organization, and I’m filming quality content. I am giving minorities and disabled people an opportunity to work in the film industry,” he says.

While his career continues to advance, Hubbard will continue to work with his company, Ironbeard Films, which is gradually becoming well-known in the industry. The film company has established itself as an original content developer for television, film, music videos, corporate brands, and digital networks. It has a huge portfolio of local and global collaborations, and with Hubbard at the helm, Ironbeard will continue to take video production and content development to new levels.

Hubbard is currently writing a feature film and he is hopeful production will begin in 2021. Ironbeard Films is fast becoming a trailblazer for everyone aspiring to be a part of the entertainment industry and Hubbard wants everyone to keep believing in themselves and to never give up, no matter how difficult the path may become.

Learn more about Zane Hubbard on his official website at https://www. zanehubbard.com/

Sony Corporation of America Announces $1.7 Million Donation to the International African American Museum The International African American Museum recently announced a $1.7 million product donation from Sony Corporation of America (SCA), on behalf of Sony Corporation and its U.S. affiliates.

The museum is scheduled to open in 2022 at the former Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston, SC. Historians estimate nearly half of all African captives brought to America arrived in Charleston, most of them at Gadsden’s Wharf.

“One silver lining of the pandemic is that museums have been challenged to re-imagine the visitor experience,” said Dr. Elijah Heyward III, chief operating officer of the museum. “Not only will we create more virtual options to learn and inspire, but we will also make use of the extraordinary new technology so generously contributed

by Sony inside the Museum. When our doors open in 2022, visitors will experience the journey of African Americans in a way that has never been seen or felt before. Thanks to Sony, the International African American Museum will be a showcase for a new generation of visitor experiences.”

The donation, which is being made through Sony’s Global Social Justice Fund, will be used to outfit the Atlantic Worlds Gallery – a centerpiece of the museum – and to support additional environments throughout the space.

The Gallery, which is the largest in the museum, is especially impactful as its windows look out onto the path that the slave ships took to arrive at the Wharf.

“Diversity is built into Sony’s DNA,” said Mark Khalil, president of Sony Corporation of America. “It is one of

THE MUSEUM IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN 2022 AT THE FORMER GADSDEN’S WHARF IN CHARLESTON, SC. HISTORIANS ESTIMATE NEARLY HALF OF ALL AFRICAN CAPTIVES BROUGHT TO AMERICA ARRIVED IN CHARLESTON, MOST OF THEM AT GADSDEN’S WHARF.

our company’s values, and this donation translates that vision into action. We are thrilled with this partnership and look forward to working with the Museum on this incredible project.”

“This donation is part of Sony’s ongoing commitment to social justice and diversity,” said Karen Kelso, senior director, corporate social responsibility, SCA. “This new museum promises to educate millions of people as to the atrocities endured by Africans in this country.”

The International African American Museum will feature a number of state-of-the-art Sony products, including North America’s first public deployment of the new Crystal LED display series, in a 32-foot wide, 7-foot high configuration; 3LCD and SXRD laser projectors; 4K HDR professional BRAVIA displays; and wireless microphones.

“We are pleased to be working with the International African American Museum to bring their vision of education and inclusiveness to light,” said Sony Electronics Inc. President and COO Mike Fasulo. “These innovative products are the pinnacle of acuity and resolution, helping to create fully immersive exhibits that bring important history to life for millions of museum visitors.” www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Boston Red Sox Hires Bianca Smith as First Black Woman Coach in Baseball History

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

Bianca Smith, an African American woman, has made baseball history.

Smith, who most recently served as an assistant baseball coach and hitting coordinator at Wisconsin’s Carroll University, was named a coach in the Boston Red Sox minor league system.

Smith, 29, becomes the first Black woman to coach in professional baseball.

She will work with the team’s infielders at the Red Sox minor league facility in Fort Meyers, Fla. “She was a great candidate coming in,” Red Sox vice president of player development Ben Crockett told the Boston Globe.

“She’s had some really interesting experiences and has been passionate about growing her skillset and development herself.”

That Smith’s historic hiring happened in Boston, a city where angry mobs violently attacked school buses carrying Black children to previously all-white schools in the 1970s, could be a sign of racial progress.

The Red Sox have had a history of racism at Fenway Park.

In 2019, four fans hung a banner that read “Racism is as American as Baseball,” from the famed Green Monster.

Last year, retired baseball star Torii Hunter told ESPN that he was called the N-word several times by fans as young as “little kids.”

He later said that he had heard more racist remarks in Boston than any other city.

“When I went to Boston, it was so consistent. After a while, I just kind of shoved it off, and I went out and played. I played with aggression, though,” Hunter relayed.

He added that he felt uncomfortable with the idea of his family living in Boston if he had signed there.

“That’s why I got the no-trade clause, the list of teams, and I put Boston in there,” Hunter added.

“I love Boston. I wanted to play there. It just hit me that I can’t have my wife and my kids in this area,” he continued.

“There is no way I can do that because I don’t ever want them to go through that, and if they do, I don’t know what I would do, and I would be the angry Black guy, and that wouldn’t be good.”

Hunter’s comments prompted the Red Sox to issue a statement acknowledging his experience.

The team noted that, in 2019, there were seven reported incidents of fans using racial slurs at Fenway Park.

In 2017, Baltimore Orioles star outfielder Adam Jones said he was on the receiving end of racial slurs at Fenway Park no less than 100 times.

Fans even threw bags of peanuts at him, Jones said.

But the hiring of Smith is barrier-breaking. She joins a list of female professional baseball coaches, including Rachel Balkovec of the New York Yankees, Rachel Folden of the Chicago Cubs, and Christina Whitlock of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Last year, Alyssa Nakken of the San Francisco Giants became the first on-field female coach in Major League Baseball.

She once served as an intern for the Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds.

Smith also played softball at Dartmouth from 2010-12 before working as director of baseball operations at Case Western Reserve University from 2013 to 2017 and as an assistant coach with the University of Dallas in 2018.

“It’s a meaningful,” Crockett said of Smith’s hire. “Meaningful thing for the organization.”

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Jan. 20, 2021

CST Weekly

Classifieds REAL ESTATES AC 1-13-2021 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION QUICKEN LOANS, LLC Plaintiff, -v.- MICHELLE R. HANKINSON Defendants 2019CH14273 2102 CUMMINGS LN FLOSSMOOR, IL 60422 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 12, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 4, 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 2102 CUMMINGS LN, FLOSSMOOR, IL 60422 Property Index No. 32-06310-009-0000 The real estate is improved with a 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. 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. 14-19-11567 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH14273 TJSC#: 40-2399 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 # 2019CH14273 I3162194 ____________________________ IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION SPECIALIZED LOAN SERVICING LLC Plaintiff, -v.- MARSHA L. BRADLEY Defendants 2019CH11906 112 WALNUT STREET PARK FOREST, IL 60466 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 25, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 16, 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 112 WALNUT STREET, PARK FOREST, IL 60466 Property Index No. 31-26-405-0250000 The real estate is improved with a 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. 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. 14-19-09607 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH11906 TJSC#: 41-20 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 # 2019CH11906 I3162449 ____________________________

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8 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Jan. 20, 2021

This shouldn’t be how we say hello...or goodbye.

It’s our reality right now. But it won’t be if we do what it takes to beat COVID-19. Vaccines are coming, but until enough of us are vaccinated, we all still need to wear our masks, stay at least six feet from others, and avoid indoor social gatherings. The more we slow the spread, the faster we’ll return to normal hellos … and fewer goodbyes.

Learn more about vaccines and slowing the spread at cdc.gov/coronavirus Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services