Citizen Suburban Times Weekly 3-17-2021

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

Citizen Week of March 17, 2021

| Vol. 4 | No. 32 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY

Americans have been preparing for the impact of a pandemic for over 75 years Page 3

Delta Air Lines Teams Up With Operation HOPE to Support Employees Managing Their Financial Health Page 6

Chicago Restaurant Week Returns In 2021 Page 8

Jada D. Curry made history as the first Black woman elected as Mayor of the Village of Lynwood. Photo provided by Deborah O. Farmer

PRESIDENT-ELECT OF LYNWOOD MAKES HISTORY Jada D. Curry made history on Tuesday, Feb. 23, when she was elected as President-elect of the Village of Lynwood. When Curry is sworn in, she will be the first African American woman to hold that office. PAGE 3

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POLITISCOPE

I went down the ‘rabbit hole’ to debunk misinformation – here’s what I learned about Big Ben and online information overload shrinking pool of facts on which those at the ideological extremes will be prepared to agree and a growing sense among the skeptical that debate is pointless because everything is ultimately a matter of opinion.

So, when do facts matter? And how can we distinguish them from fabrications?

BY ELI GOTTLIEB

Big Ben was stolen from Palestine. So claimed an elderly woman, in Arabic, in a retweeted clip I received recently.

Yes, that Big Ben: the great bell in the iconic clock tower of London’s Palace of Westminster. The British took it, she said, from a tower they demolished at Hebron Gate in Jerusalem in 1922.

The claim pulled me up short.

It seemed so outlandish. Who would invent something so easy to refute? And why? The woman spoke with great conviction, but could she really believe what she was saying? And if this was a hoax, then who was perpetrating it on whom?

These questions sent me down a Big Ben rabbit hole.

A matter of seconds Before I share what I discovered, let’s pause here for a moment, where many would have shrugged and moved on.

You’d have to have some prior interest in the Arab-Israeli conflict or the history of British colonialism to give the claim even a moment’s thought. And even then, you’d most likely judge it fact or fake, depending on your prior allegiances.

Palestinians and their allies would likely see it as further evidence of colonialist dispossession; their opponents would see a Palestinian lie to garner sympathy and incite resentment. In neither case would viewers have felt any need to investigate further. In this age of information overload, it’s a matter of seconds before the next incoming message pings for our attention.

From my perspective, as a cognitive psychologist who researches how people justify their beliefs and

Eli Gottlieb

assess the credibility of sources, it seems that this is where misinformation causes most damage – less by convincing people of specific untruths than by reducing the motivation to distinguish fact from fiction.

Relentless bombardment by incoming stories on social media makes our attention an increasingly scarce resource. And, as technologies of fabrication proliferate, the chance increases that any given story we encounter is fake. Worse still, research suggests that fake stories travel six times faster and farther on social media than do factual ones.

The net effect is general pollution of the information environment.

Long before the invention of the smartphone and the rise of social media, trust was declining in institutions and those who lead them.

New communication technologies are accelerating and intensifying these processes. People are becoming less trusting in general and more likely to place an exaggerated level of trust in sources whose views echo their own.

If these trends continue, reasoned debate with those whose views differ from our own will become rarer and more difficult. There will be a

Down the Big Ben rabbit hole In my case, the clip hit a nerve. I was born in London and emigrated to Israel 25 years ago. I’m familiar enough with London, Jerusalem and Middle Eastern geopolitics to have smelled a rat. So, I had motive to investigate.

But, were it not for recent research, I might not have had the means. In a recent series of pioneering studies, Stanford cognitive psychologist Sam Wineburg and his History Education Group have shown how bad people are at assessing the credibility of what they read online. With the notable exception of professional fact checkers, we’re all bad at it: professors no less than schoolkids; digital natives no less than digital immigrants.

Based on what fact checkers did differently, Wineburg’s group developed online lessons to teach “lateral reading” – which involves quick comparison across sites and sources rather than close reading of the target source. This enables readers to “determine where information is coming from before they read it.”

So, going lateral, I went straight to Wikipedia to look up Big Ben. Contrary to snobbish dismissals by some academics, Wikipedia is perhaps the most robust engine of peer review ever created. Although it can be edited by anyone, and entries on controversial

topics are occasionally inaccurate, Wikipedia’s processes of editorial oversight and control, including insistence on accurate citations to substantiate claims, make it a useful first stop on any fact-checking journey.

I discovered (well, duh!) that the bell was cast at Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London and installed in the Palace of Westminster, with much pomp and circumstance, in 1858.

Next, I checked the Wikipedia entry on the clock tower at Hebron Gate in Jerusalem and discovered that it was not built until 1908 – a full half-century after Big Ben’s installation in London.

Next, I tracked down the Twitter account from which the clip had been forwarded. It belonged to a pro-Israel satirical site, TheMossadIL, which masquerades as the official Twitter feed of Israel’s secret service.

But the clip hadn’t originated there – it had been reposted by that account as an object of ridicule. I noticed that the clip had a TikTok “watermark” – a stamp that appears automatically at the top and bottom of every downloaded TikTok video, comprising the TikTok logo and video creator’s username – which identified the clip’s author as @aliarisheq. So, that’s where I went next.

The feed, seemingly curated by a young Arabic-speaking woman, contained additional clips featuring the woman in the Big Ben clip and advertisements for jewelry.

Using the View Page Source (Ctrl + U) function in my Chrome browser, I learned that the clip in question was uploaded at 17:12 on Dec. 19, 2019. The woman claiming that “Big Ben” was stolen in 1922 looked like she was in her 70s. To have witnessed the alleged theft, she

would have to be a centenarian. So she wasn’t a witness: What we had here was an oral tradition, of which she was, at best, a second- or thirdhand bearer.

Protecting from pollution All of which means that unless the many corroborating sources cited in Wikipedia’s Big Ben entry are an elaborate hoax of QAnon proportions, her claim doesn’t have a leg to stand on.

Big Ben was not stolen from Palestine and has no place on lists of controversial cultural artifacts like the Parthenon Marbles that former colonial powers are being asked to return to their countries of origin.

I emerged from this rabbit hole reassured about my ability to ferret out fakery when it matters. But it had taken hours. And I could think of few people to whom the outcome of my investigation would matter.

For me, the moral of the tale is threefold.

First, the idea that a person can, on any given day, sift through every incoming story, sorting fact from fiction, is increasingly implausible.

There’s just too much of both.

Second, this doesn’t mean that the fact-versus-opinion distinction should be retired as a quaint idea from a bygone era. When it matters, there’s little we can’t eventually figure out.

Third, the greatest challenge fake news poses may be an ecological one: namely, how to protect precious natural resources – our time and attention – from its pollution.

Disproving fake news is time-consuming. But ignoring it corrodes trust.

Eli Gottlieb is a Senior Visiting Scholar at George Washington University.

NEWS Chicago Dems Urge USDA To Add Chicago and Cook County To Urban Agriculture Program U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), along with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and U.S. Representatives Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Bill Foster (D-Ill.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), and Maire Newman (D-Ill.), recently urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to

increase the number of pilot Farm Service Agency (FSA)’s County Committees for its Urban Agriculture program in order to add Chicago and Cook County. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 included dedicated resources and programs for urban agriculture and instructed the FSA to create a pilot of County Committees for Urban Agriculture in order to address long-term and ongoing inequities. Chicago and Cook County were not included in the first tranche

of grants from the program.

“We are proud that Chicago is home to a robust community of urban and peri-urban food producers, an ecosystem of partnering organizations, and supportive government officials committed to growing our urban agriculture economy. However, in order to maximize the potential of the growing industry, larger scale investment is needed,” the members wrote in a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “Consequently, we

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urge you to increase the number of pilot FSA County Committees for Urban Agriculture in order to add Chicago and Cook County to the pilot areas. Chicagoland’s urban agriculture community — with its large number of producers, strong community partnerships, and supportive government officials — would provide a wealth of knowledge, resources, and ideas to the FSA and the USDA as they continue to build urban agriculture programs.”

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of March 17, 2021

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NEWS

President-elect of Lynwood makes history Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Jada D. Curry made history on Tuesday, Feb. 23, when she was elected as President-elect of the Village of Lynwood. When Curry is sworn in, she will be the first African American woman to hold that office.

Curry has been a resident of Lynwood for 16 years and works as a human resources consultant. Curry served as a Trustee in Lynwood prior to her campaign for mayor. She said during her time as a trustee, she observed the way the village was being run and the financial state of the village. She decided that if she wanted a change, she would be the one to make it. So, she ran for mayor.

Curry said her time sitting on the board, and being president of the Sunnybrook School District 171, helped her to develop thick skin.

She said the one thing she learned was to not take things personally.

“So, stepping into this new role, I know I can’t take things personally,” she said. “I have [to] remember, these residents have made a decision to rent homes or purchase homes in our village, so it’s precious to them and they only want what’s best for themselves and our village.”

Curry said business owners that she have

spoken to, as well as the residents, have talked about the need for more open lines of communication between them and the village. She said a lot of the residents don’t patronize the local businesses because they aren’t aware they exist, and there are no connections. She said the businesses want the residents to know they are in the village and want to make connections with them. That way, the businesses can show the residents they are invested in the community and the residents can support the businesses.

“I want to make sure we bring our business owners into the conversation, along with our residents, so that we make sure, before we go outside our borders, let’s look inside,” she said.

Curry said from day one, she intends to open the lines of communication, and for residents to have open access to the village hall.

She said residents need to know how to reach the village via email, phone, internet and social media. One thing she wants to do is to make the meetings accessible through virtual means, if residents aren’t comfortable attending in-person meetings due to COVID-19.

“We’re also going to engage in a strategic planning process, and that’s going to require our residents to participate so they can give input. Once we do that, they’ll feel more like this is about us,” she said.

Curry said she really wants Lynwood to become self-sustaining. She is looking for grocery stores to come into the village, restaurants, ice cream parlors, as well as entertainment venues. She said Dollar General is set to come to the village because of a deal she worked on when she was a trustee. “That’s the whole goal, to make sure if you need something, you can get it in Lynwood. And, if you leave Lynwood, it’s because you want to, not because you have to,” she said.

Curry said transparency is the only way to govern. She said, elected officials have to be open and honest with their residents, even when they fail. And, when they make a mistake, acknowledge it and talk about how to correct it. Or, if the village has a win, to share it with residents.

“I want our residents to feel like they have this clear glass, they can see through, they see everything, they can touch everything,” she said.

Curry said she will work to make Lynwood stronger by making it more self-sustaining, making it feel more like a community. “I just want the Village of Lynwood to know we are in for one amazing journey. We’re going to go on this journey hand-in-hand and I look forward to being a beacon of light in the South Suburbs.”

Jada Curry served as a Trustee in Lynwood prior to her campaign for Mayor. She decided that if she wanted a change, she would have to be the one to make it. Photo provided

by Deborah O. Farmer

Americans have been preparing for the impact of a pandemic for over 75 years!

From home economics to the modern family and consumer sciences classes, the foundation of basic life skills helped bring families through 2020 and beyond RESTON, VA – For many, it has taken a global pandemic to motivate them to refine and reuse many basic life skills. With restaurants closed and stay-at-home mandates in place, a growing number of adults have turned to online tutorials, social media recipes, and family and friends to learn basic life skills. Admittedly, more than a fourth of Americans admit they cannot cook and claim this skill is something they now realize is an essential skill that should be taught in every school in the United States.

75 years ago, when Future Homemakers of America (FHA), presently known as Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), was founded, no one thought the skills gained through Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) classes would get families through a pandemic. The country was digging out of the Great Depression and using skills taught at home and in Home Economics to rebuild the economy of our country. In education, Home Economics transitioned to Family and Consumer Sciences in 1994 and some felt these classes were no longer essential. Since 2012, there has been an estimated 40% decline in FCS classes, but the coronavirus pandemic has led to an outcry to bring “Home Ec” back and reinforced how important basic life skills are to not only be successful at home but holistically as humans impacting

75 years ago, when Future Homemakers of America (FHA), presently known as Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), was founded, no one thought the skills gained through Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) classes would get families through a pandemic.

careers and communities.

Since its inception in 1945, FCCLA has promoted the need for FCS education for every student in every state in every school. FCCLA knows the importance of FCS education, which provides students with lifelong skills such as nutrition, www.citizennewspapergroup.com

menu planning, food preparation, clothing care and construction, money management, child development, and workforce readiness. Many students move from learning basic skills in an apron to preparing hopefully to someday wear a chef ’s coat.

Illinois State Adviser Marta Lockwood shares, “The Illinois Association of FCCLA is proud to be a part of the long-standing legacy of helping students become great leaders. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing young people making a difference in their personal lives, their homes, schools, and communities!”

Through FCS education, FCCLA provides opportunities for members to develop 21st century skills that enhance students’ understanding of community, work, family, and their interpersonal relationships. This year, FCCLA celebrates its 75th anniversary by commemorating all 50 state associations who have contributed to student’s success through character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.

Since chartering with the national organization in January 1946, thousands upon thousands of Illinois students have taken advantage of this organization and all it has to offer. As a youth led organization, Illinois FCCLA has teams of student officers who serve at every level of the organization from the local high schools to the state and national levels. These youth leaders plan and assist with all the community service projects, leadership training, and conferences that are held. Illinois State Adviser Marta Lockwood adds “one of the greatest things about FCCLA is that it has so many different programs and opportunities for the students to find success in. From community service projects to competitive events, FCCLA gives students the opportunity to combine their education and leadership skills to make a difference and receive recognition for their accomplishments”.

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NEWS

PRNewsfoto/Operation HOPE

Delta Air Lines Teams Up With Operation HOPE to Support Employees Managing Their Financial Health Operation HOPE, an Atlanta-based national nonprofit focused on financial literacy and economic self-sufficiency, recently announced that Delta Air Lines is expanding its partnership with a commitment to serve their workforce in Delta hubs across the U.S. This expanded partnership will give employees resources that promote financial empowerment and inclusion.

Operation HOPE’s Hope Inside the Workplace program specializes in credit and money manage-

ment and will bring a number of workshops to Delta people, as well as one-on-one debt counseling and financial coaching opportunities. Operation HOPE’s virtual coaching services will be available to the entire Delta workforce of 80,000 employees in key hub cities starting with the largest base – Atlanta.

“We are excited that with this innovative collaboration, Delta will become our first-ever, national HOPE Inside the Workplace partner, offering comprehensive

financial coaching as a standard workplace wellbeing practice,” said Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant.

“We commend Delta as it demonstrates its commitment to all the men and women who work for the airline. Helping its workforce plan ahead in good times and deal with bad ones is in all stakeholders’ interests, as Delta continues to invest in its employees.”

“Operation HOPE is all about financial inclusion and empowerment,” said Delta’s E.V.P. and Chief

People Officer, Joanne Smith. “This new partnership follows a year of economic downturn caused by the global pandemic, as well as historic disparities and injustice. Delta is committed to taking care of and investing in financial health resources for our people.”

Delta tested Operation HOPE’s services with a small group of employees in 2020, and participants saw an average credit score improvement of 30 points and average reduction in debt of more than $1,500.

In December, Delta CEO Ed Bastian hosted John Hope Bryant, founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, in an employee town hall to share how his organization equips people with financial tools through programming and coaching.

Delta is also partnering with Operation HOPE to support its One Million Black Business and Entrepreneur Initiative (1MBB) program, to support the development of 1 million new Black business owners and entrepreneurs by 2030.

COMMUNITY ENERGY CENTER

Prioritizing innovations, smart policies and pandemic recovery... that’s energy leadership!

To learn more about how energy helps your community, visit CommunityEnergyCenter.org

The Community Energy Center, a cooperative with the National Newspaper Publishers Association and National Association of Hispanic Publications Media, will provide information and perspectives on the integral role of the energy sector in daily life for American families in a wide range of communities.

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CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of March 17, 2021

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NEWS

Africa Is Calling Her Children Home

The inspiring story of Africa and her children around the world, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Her Excellency, Ambassador Arikana Chihombori-Quao, MD. FAAFP has released her debut book: “Africa 101: The Wake Up Call,” telling the story of Africa yesterday, today, and tomorrow…

Africa 101: The Wake Up Call is an interactive book about the “hunters” and the “hunted.” The hunters are Africa’s exploiters, slavers, colonizers, and neo-colonizers, and the hunted are the African people who survived against severe odds.

In this book, former African Union Ambassador to the United States Her Excellency, Ambassador Arikana Chihombori-Quao, MD. FAAFP tells the story of Africa combining a traditional oral style with her in-your-face approach.

Although she served as a diplo-

mat, she says that being diplomatic about the real issues facing Africa will do us no good. She warns in this book that the hunt is still ongoing and calls on Africans and people of African descent all over the world to rise up in defense of our beloved continent.

Using personal stories, her father’s accounts from the village of Chivu in Zimbabwe, and solid historical references, Her Excellency, Ambassador Arikana Chihombori-Quao, MD. FAAFP educates, motivates, and challenges the status quo with regard to western countries’ abuse of Africa.

Africa 101 is not only an in-depth read about the history, struggles and background of colonialism in Africa, but it is also a hopeful, mind-altering business-centered recipe for mining,

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cultivating and retooling Africa’s greatest commodity - her people.

This book is a treatise on changing the mindset of those who would continue on the road to destruction at Africa’s expense and re-educating those towards a new paradigm, one which is full of an abundant life for all by approaching the motherland on her own terms, with respect.

Africa is now positioned to rise above the ashes, break the mental shackles of post-colonialism to emerge as a world leader in raw/natural resources of land and mind.

See the Africa 101: The Wake Up Call Video at https://youtu.be/ CaijUix6cfc, the book is available at www.africa101.org, or in eBook through Amazon at https://amzn. to/38xzozj.

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NEWS

TOGETHER, WE CAN POWER THROUGH ANYTHING.

If you could use help with your energy bill, there’s a way.

To learn about financial assistance call 800-EDISON1 or visit ComEd.com/Support today.

A brighter future

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104581_QEXL1092000_V1 Leo Burnett February 8, 2021 1:00 PM

FOR 17 CONSECUTIVE, DININGPACKED DAYS, PARTICIPATING DINING ESTABLISHMENTS SHOWCASE SPECIALLY CURATED PRIX-FIXE MENUS WITH PRICES SET AT $25 FOR BRUNCH AND LUNCH, AND $39 AND/OR $55 FOR DINNER (EXCLUDING BEVERAGES, TAX AND GRATUITY).

Chicago Restaurant Week Returns In 2021 Choose Chicago recently announced the return of the highly anticipated, 14th annual Chicago Restaurant Week from Friday, March 19 to Sunday, April 4, 2021.

Chicago Restaurant Week offers local food enthusiasts an opportunity to experience some of the city’s most highly sought restaurants.

For 17 consecutive, dining-packed days, participating dining establishments showcase specially curated prix-fixe menus with prices set at $25 for brunch and lunch, and $39 and/or $55 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity). Lending an ideal reason to explore Chicago’s nationally lauded culinary scene, diners can experience new, show-stopping restaurants and familiar favorites alike throughout the city’s vibrant communities.

Accounting for the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses – and with support of the restaurant industry at heart – Choose Chicago has adjusted its program dates in 2021 and expanded its purview to accommodate both dine-in menus for restaurants with limited indoor and al fresco service as well as delivery and carry-out menus. This magnified program increases opportunities for restaurants to participate regardless of the availability of dine-in operations. Prices have also been slightly adjusted to augment revenue generation for restaurants during these challenging times.

In 2020, Chicago Restaurant Week featured a record-breaking number of restaurants, including more than 50 in the suburbs and over 80 first-time participants.

Chicago Restaurant Week 2021 is sponsored by 100.3, 101.9, OpenTable, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, and Yelp. In an effort to support an industry in need, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is encouraging restaurants to offer wine and spirits beverage pairings on their prix fix menus. A special campaign from SGWS in partnership with the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF) Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, will help provide additional dollars for their one-time, cash grants to hospitality workers facing unforeseen financial strife as a result of the pandemic.

Fans are encouraged to follow @ChooseChicago on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and tag #ChicagoRestaurantWeek.

About Choose Chicago Choose Chicago is the official sales and marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global visitor and meetings destination, leveraging the city’s unmatched assets to ensure the economic vitality of the city and its member business community. Follow @ChooseChicago on Twitter and on Instagram @choosechicago. Like them on Facebook. For more, visit www. choosechicago.com. #ChicagoHome | #Only1Chicago

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of March 17, 2021

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NEWS

March is National Ladder Safety Month The Illinois Department of Labor’s Illinois OSHA division joins safety officials across the country in promoting March as National Ladder Safety Month.

Ladder safety is important both on the job site and at home as each year, approximately 500,000 people are injured and 300 people die in ladder-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

“From the smallest step ladder to the tallest extension ladder, it is important to follow safety precautions to avoid being injured or worse,” said Director Michael Kleinik of the Illinois Department of Labor.

The goal of the fifth annual Ladder Safety Month, which is sponsored by the American Ladder Institute, is to decrease the number of injuries and deaths caused by the misuse of ladders. With that goal in mind, the American Ladder Institute is offering a variety of training opportunities to help increase safety awareness and the proper choice and use of ladders.

LADDER SAFETY IS IMPORTANT BOTH ON THE JOB SITE AND AT HOME AS EACH YEAR APPROXIMATELY 500,000 PEOPLE ARE INJURED AND 300 PEOPLE DIE IN LADDER-RELATED INJURIES, Each week of March will feature a different emphasis on ladder training.

• Week one: Choosing Your Ladder • Week two: Safety Before the First Step (Inspection and Set Up) • Week three: Safety While Climbing • Week four: Safety at the Top • Week five: Ladder Safety Misconceptions Free weekly Webinars on each, by industry, safety experts are being provided now. You can register here: https://www.laddersafetymonth.com/Participate/ Scheduled-Events Additional training is also available through the American Ladder Institute as well

VIRTUAL

IN-PERSON

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The goal of the fifth annual Ladder Safety Month, which is sponsored by the American Ladder Institute, is to decrease the number of injuries and deaths caused by the misuse of ladders.

as the ability to earn a safety certificate after completing the training and a ladder safety test. You can access the free training here: https://www.laddersafetytraining.org/

For more information on IDOL’s Illinois OSHA division, please visit their website at https://www2.illinois.gov/idol/Laws-Rules/ safety/Pages/default.aspx

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

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ENTERTAINMENT

New Research on Portrayals of Black Women in Hollywood Signals Progress, But Colorism Persists The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media released the results of Representations of Black Women in Hollywood, a groundbreaking examination of the portrayals of Black girls and women in film and television.

While much of the previous research on race and gender in entertainment media analyzed representations of women and Black people as two distinct groups, this first-of-its-kind study focused specifically on the portrayals of Black girls and women in both film and TV. The study revealed signs of progress. In family films, Black women are more likely to be depicted as working in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) occupations than other women of color (e.g., Asian or LatinX) and White women.

Additionally, Black women are just as likely to be depicted as leaders as white women.

However, the study also indicates a strong bias toward Black women who conform with white standards of beauty. Nearly 80% of Black female characters have light or medium skin tones, which means that colorism is persistent in representations. 57% of Black leading ladies from popular films in the past decade are depicted with hairstyles that conform to European standards of beauty as opposed to natural Black hairstyles.

Of the findings, Geena Davis, Academy Award winning actor, founder and chair of the Institute said, “This revealing new study shows we need to be more aware of the persistence of stereotypes affecting Black girls and women – and avoid

Sony Music Publishing Partners with Silence the Shame to Launch ‘The Soundtrack of Mental Health’

How the Internet Created a New Reign of DJs A new breed of DJs has emerged using one of the most powerful tools in the world, the internet. Shawn Floyd, also known as “Floydboy”, launched United Entertainment, a marketing hive that would tally over 30 billion streams worldwide. Hired by the largest music labels worldwide, Floyd has personally broken over 1000 releases, playing a major role in breaking some of the world’s largest artist known today, from YG, Halsey, Billie Eilish, 50 Cent, Tech Nine, Ella Mai, and more. Yet the project Floyd takes closest to heart is working and building with Multiplatinum Rapper Saweetie. By using the internet, Floyd is able to turn the web into a giant radio station. Reaching millions of listeners in an instant, this now gives artists the best chance of being heard and discovered, targeting millions of devices across the globe within seconds. “Now, we’re no longer relying on the audience of a specific station or playlist. Now, we can go after specific types of listeners, based on what they listen to, where they live and what they like,” said Floyd.

He continued: “Remember the good old days when a record would be taken to radio stations or passed off to DJs, where they’d spin it on the air in hopes that station would reach the audience needed to spread the buzz that artists desperately needed. Without radio,

repeating those mistakes when making writing, casting, and other content production decisions. While it is encouraging to see some positive trends, it’s clear that much more work needs to be done to ensure that women of all backgrounds have the same opportunities when it comes to being depicted on screen.”

Founded in 2004 by Davis, the Institute on Gender in Media is the only research-based organization working collaboratively within the entertainment industry to create gender balance, foster inclusion and reduce negative stereotyping in family entertainment media.

For more information, please visit www.seejane.org. Find the report here https://seejane.org/research-informs-empowers/ representations-of-black-women-in-hollywood/

United Entertainment LLC

your music wasn’t heard and your chances of being discovered were slim to none! I knew if I could place the right song or artist with the right viewer, I could create an organic connection. The goal was always to build that digital bridge between artist and fan.”

Saweetie would be the shot that Floyd needed. Taking YouTube by storm, Saweetie was introduced on a global level when the viral video “Icy Grl” dropped. “Within months we were over 50 Million viewers nearing close to half a million subscribers. We didn’t wait for the world to catch up to Saweetie, we brought her right to their door step and they loved her!” said Floyd.

Floyd stayed silent for years, now stepping out in hopes of sparking art-

ists to tap in and utilize the power the internet provides, the power to track your audience and place your music around the world, to all the right listeners, at all the right places, at all the right times. Many of the hurdles that held artist back, really don’t exist today. “Internet is the new radio and we’re the new breed of DJs. Now, it’s us that make the records spin, it’s us breaking the artist now. Things have changed and we digital marketers have to start seeing our role and responsibility to use the internet as best we can to help break records and place this new wave of music in front of the world. The way radio used to do, the way we see YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram do everyday.” www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Sony Music Publishing has partnered with Silence the Shame to launch The Soundtrack of Mental Health™, a global multi-year program which will offer its songwriters, employees, and the greater music community educational trainings and support around mental health. As a part of Sony Music Group’s Global Social Justice fund, Sony Music Publishing will be the first to launch the trainings in April, and they will also be made available to Sony Music Entertainment.

The Soundtrack of Mental Health, created by Silence the Shame and its founder Shanti Das, will offer a wide range of workshops for self-care, including coping techniques, stress and anxiety management, and a wellness curriculum for leaders.

The program will also offer trainings for mental health awareness and suicide prevention to educate managers and fellow employees on how to notice and support an individual in a mental health crisis. Silence the Shame plans to train 10,000 creatives, musicians, and executives by 2023.

Sony Music Publishing Chairman and CEO Jon Platt stated, “The past year has put a spotlight on how we treat mental health in our industry, and overall society – we must break the stigma and be proactive in our support. This partnership with Shanti and Silence the Shame will help Sony Music

PRNewsfoto/Sony Music Publishing

Publishing, and the greater music community, openly promote mental health care and create a healthier culture for songwriters and employees.”

Shanti Das said, “We are truly grateful to Jon Platt and Sony Music Publishing for this important collaboration around an issue that has often been taboo in the music industry.

Our goal is to educate this community on mental wellness and to provide effective coping mechanisms, strategies and resources for healthy and productive living.”

Silence the Shame is a nonprofit organization, founded by former music executive Shanti Das, that focuses on education and awareness around mental health. Its programs and initiatives consist of crisis response trainings, community conversations, wellness trainings, digital content, and outreach events.

Since 2016, Silence the Shame has been working throughout the music industry to promote proper mental health training and awareness among artists, employees, and executives.

For more information on Silence the Shame, please visit www. silencetheshame.com and follow them on IG @silencetheshame.

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of March 17, 2021

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CLASSIFIEDS SERVICE

SERVICE

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 HUD/BANK FORECLOSURES

RESTORE YOUR CREDIT SCORE TODAY! CALL US TODAY AT: CREDIT RESTORATION SERVICES

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

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 _______________________________________ AC 3-10-2021

REASSEMBLE EDUCATION & TRAINING Seeking recovery? Looking for work? Contact us about FREE addiction recovery, FREE employment readiness and FREE skills training, including our "CTA 2nd Chance Program". Call 773-488-9770 or visit www.retinc.org.

(For CTA Program, call Keith Lewis at 773-881-1711, ext 1191) ____________________________________

REAL ESTATE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION MIDFIRST BANK Plaintiff, -v.- JOSEPH M. HUIZENGA, STEVEN R. HUIZENGA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS Defendants 19 CH 11936 326 WINNEBAGO 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 4, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 8, 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 326

WINNEBAGO STREET, PARK FOREST, IL 60466 Property Index No. 31-26-402-004-0000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $110,903.11. 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 twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff's Attorneys, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 291-1717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 19-091832. 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. LOGS Legal Group LLP 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301 Bannockburn IL, 60015 847-291-1717 E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com Attorney File No. 19-091832 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 19 CH 11936 TJSC#: 41-264 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 # 19 CH 11936 I3165183 _______________________________________

Advertise Your Business Here Call Us At (773) 783-1251

THE HEALTHYHOME The Healthy HomeKeep Your Air Clean (NAPSI)—People are increasingly concerned about dirt and germs these pandemic days, but many are neglecting an unseen area where airborne contaminants can lurk: the air ducts.

Even in the cleanest house, the indoor air system can recirculate dust, dirt, and particles from renovation and remodeling projects.

Why It’s Important

Your home’s heating and cooling system is the lungs of your home. The system pulls air from your rooms; filters, heats or cools it; and sends it back out again.

Unfortunately, the average home generates 40 pounds of dust a year, so the filters can’t get every speck. They get clogged and can send contaminants back into your home. This can lead not only to unhealthy air—a particular problem for children, seniors and those with respiratory or autoimmune conditions—but higher energy bills as well.

taste buds to any destination. It can be really fun to make drinks, shakes and meals with ingredients from places that are on your future travel list.

Enjoy a nice Italian spritzer with your pasta one night, try cooking a beautiful curry meal or ordering take-out from a restaurant you’ve never tried before. Take it a step further and print out some fun-facts you can find online or rent a movie about the particular culture you’ll be indulging in that night; it’s a great opportunity for your family to learn about other cultures through food.

Finally, take time to plan out your staycation in the same way you would with a travel vacation.

Having an itinerary of what you want to do helps to prevent the lazy, do-nothing blues from taking over. A vacation is about rest, relaxation, discovery and recreation—all of those things can be accomplished right where you are. Studies have shown a positive correlation between taking vacation time and an overall feeling of well-being, so no matter what’s on your itinerary, make sure to thoroughly enjoy yourself.

• Ms. Clayton is the vice president, Sports Performance and Fitness, Herbalife Nutrition.

She’s also the mother of four and lives in Los Angeles with her family. You can find further tips and facts at www.IAmHerbalifeNUtrition.com. ________________________________________

What To Do

Fortunately, it can be easy to have clean ducts when you turn to a reputable, certified HVAC professional.

Where To Turn

Making it simple to find one is NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association). Its members comply with a code of ethics and meet the organization’s high standards. For a list of certified, nearby professionals, visit www.nadca.com. _______________________________

Making Life Better Turn Your Summer Vacation Into A Staycationby Samantha Clayton, certified personal trainer (NAPSI)—For many people, social distancing brings concern about summer plans.

In previous years, summertime was when families planned their vacations. The kids would be out of school, the weather could be fantastic, and the days are longer—allowing optimal time to venture to new places, catch some sun and spend more time with friends and families.

Since you may have already been spending a lot more time with your family then you ever imagined due to coronavirus outbreak, you may be looking for ways to keep your family entertained. Between possibly working from home, managing your kids’ schoolwork and maintaining a functioning household, this time probably hasn’t felt much like a vacation.

Social distancing guidelines are likely to remain in effect in many places during the summer. Activities and entertainment options, lodging, and dining will be affected. The good news is, you really don’t have to totally give up on enjoying the summer at home with your family. Here are some tips to make your staycation exciting for the whole family:

Fit Focused Days

Plan hiking trips or long walks or bike rides close to home. Enjoy nearby parks and take time to look over the architecture in your neighborhood. A quick Google search of interesting facts can help you to plan what you want to go to see. Being a tourist in your own community will help you have a greater appreciation for the place. Challenge your kids to identify certain plants, landmarks or wildlife when you’re out walking. It will make the walks more engaging. Having prizes helps with motivation, too. Additionally, backyard games can be a blast—sprinklers, hula hoops and jump rope are things kids love.

Embrace The Farmers Markets

A trip to a farmers market is not just a treat, it’s a great way to shop locally. Many of them have adopted social distancing guidelines, so they can be safe for family outings. These markets usually have beautiful fresh and seasonal options to explore, and perhaps find some fascinating new fruits and vegetables. Also, getting the kids involved in selecting ingredients for your meals may help spark their interest in healthier eating. Breaking your usual grocery shopping routine by browsing the stalls in beautiful weather can help spark a vacation vibe.

Create Your Own At-Home Retreats

With a little planning, you can make your own backyard or home feel like an enchanting vacation spot. For a spa weekend, buy or make your favorite products, and set up time to relax and treat yourself. Turn off all your tech distractions, set up a space outside or in a quiet room. You can even make spa water by cutting up some cucumber or fruit to flavor the water. Consider creating your own yoga retreat. Turn to your favorite online trainer, set up your mat in a designated space, light some candles or incense, and be sure to practice daily, with relaxing music. It’s all about being creative.

Travel With Your Cooking

With travel on the back burner, consider themed cooking nights to help transport your

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President /Publisher

Janice Garth

Sales Manager General Manager

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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., (CNGI), 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.

12 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of March 17, 2021