Citizen Suburban Times Weekly 8-22-2018

Citizen Week of Aug. 22, 2018

| Vol. 2 | No. 2 | www.thechicagocitizen.com

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY

Legendary singer/songwriter Aretha Franklin (pictured) performed “My Country ‘Tis Of Thee’” at the U.S. Capitol during President Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2009. This was a moment which will not soon be forgotten. Photo Credit: Cecilio Ricardo, U.S. Air Force

FUNERAL SERVICES PLANNED FOR THE QUEEN OF SOUL Funeral services for Aretha Franklin, who died last week have been announced. There will be a public viewing on Aug. 28 and Aug. 29 at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit and a private funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Aug. 31 at Greater Grace Temple also in Detroit.

See more on Page 3

Art Scene: Miami Art Week Welcomes MUSE Modern & Contemporary Art Fair — Page 2 Politiscope: Can Trump’s White House legally ban reporters? — Page 3 |

|

|

advertising@thechicagocitizen.com thechicagocitizen@thechicagocitiz www.facebook.com/durrell.garth.9 www.thechicagocitizen.com

2 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Aug. 22, 2018

ART SCENE Miami Art Week Welcomes MUSE Modern & Contemporary Art Fair This year, Miami Art Week welcomes an art fair with a different offering. MUSE Modern & Contemporary Art Fair is an exciting new alternative that embraces and showcases a curated selection of pieces by emerging, and established artists that speak to the plight and triumphs as experienced by people of color.

MUSE is the celebration of these artists' visual stories through various mediums. The fair will take place from December 4-9, 2018 at the Hampton Inn, located at 1700 Collins Avenue, only steps away from ArtBasel the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Throughout the years, ArtBasel Miami Beach and Miami Art Week have attracted over 100,000 global spectators annually to the stunning sand and surf on Miami Beach.

MUSE will be a stylish, unique and welcoming fair that will encompass a selected cross section of artists, galleries, and collectives distributed throughout 4000 square feet of exhibition space. MUSE will feature an eclectic mix of paintings, photographs, and sculptures from Hispanic, Caribbean, and African American artists from throughout the US and abroad. Attendees will be privy

MUSE Modern & Contemporary Art Fair is an exciting new alternative that embraces and showcases a curated selection of pieces by emerging, and established artists that speak to the plight and triumphs as experienced by people of color.

to an array of artwork, installations, panels, and events that celebrate the differences and similarities among Black, multi-ethnic, and women artists.

MUSE was founded by arts champion and enthusiast Que Simmons, who was always interested in "what lies beyond the piece."

She defines art as any piece that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also has the ability to grab your attention, spark an emotional

connection, and be thought provoking. Que always wanted to focus on "artists of color" and "cultural diversity" art. From 2012 – 2015, she organized and curated the Celebrity Art Series (CAS), which took place in several notable venues in South Florida, such as LMNT, KROMA, and CocoWalk.

"We are very excited to be part of Miami Art Week this year. We will be featuring a wonderful collection of art from both

emerging and established artists that represent the outstanding talent of our diverse global community," explained Muse's founder Que Simmons. "We also want to make sure, we offer fabulous works of art for the new and experienced collector."

The exhibition will be open to the public daily 11-am to 8pm. For more information on MUSE and how to become involved, visit www.museartfair.com.

TRAVEL

Home Design Ideas for Travel Enthusiasts StatePoint - Travelers are often struck by the unique style of a certain locale, such as the bright colors of Havana or the chic sophistication of Paris. If your family plans to travel soon, you will likely return longing to recreate memories of your time away.

An easy way to do so is by infusing inspiration from travels into home décor. From highlighting trinkets and souvenirs to hanging foreign tapestries, there are many ways to integrate favorite locales into your space.

START WITH SOUVENIRS Travelers can’t help but obsess over their life-changing experiences, and of course, want to remember their journeys with souvenirs. But how do you incorporate your passion for adventure into your space without making your home look like a mismatched jumble of snow globes?

“Mementos should be highlighted without detracting from your overall décor,” says Danielle DeBoe Harper, interior designer and senior creative content manager at Moen, a leading manufacturer of kitchen and bath fixtures. “When traveling, skip the cheesy souvenir shops and look for distinctive pieces that serve as accents instead.”

DeBoe Harper recommends searching for items that can be transported home in a suitcase, like candles with a scent reminiscent of the trip or collectibles that double as coffee table centerpieces. Vases and small pieces of art are great choices, too.

Let travel be your home décor inspiration with design elements and fixtures.

BE MINDFUL OF THE BUILDINGS “Whether it’s columns inspired by the Colosseum or arches mimicking Westminster Abbey’s Gothic design, using textures and materials in your space that mirror the architecture of your www.thechicagocitizen.com

favorite getaway can transport you back to that destination,” suggests DeBoe Harper.

For example, imitate the bold flair of Mexico by incorporating hand-painted tiles on staircases or kitchen backsplashes for an unexpected pop of color. Or, integrate stone mosaics and latticework in an homage to Mayan architecture.

For a sleek Scandinavian interior, incorporate a muted color palette with metal and wooden elements. Combine a matte black faucet, such as Moen’s Align spring kitchen faucet, with a shiplap backsplash in your kitchen, or mix wood floors with an industrial-inspired dining set to achieve a chic, unfinished vibe popular in Nordic countries.

PICTURE PERFECT Travelers take hundreds -- even thousands! -- of snapshots which can help determine a color palette in a space.

“Sorting through photographs from travels can help identify prominent hues from favorite destinations and subtly engage your memory of what it was like to be there,” says DeBoe Harper.

“Incorporate those colors through paint, fabrics or wallpaper.”

For example, bring the coast inland by adding taupe woven rugs, painting the walls pale blue and infusing golden accents through a Brushed Gold faucet and coordinating accessories, like those from Moen’s Voss bathroom suite. Took a trip to Washington, D.C. during cherry blossom season? Bring the capital’s foliage into your home with pops of pink and faux flowers.

“Integrating past adventures into your space doesn’t require an entire home redesign,” says DeBoe Harper. “Whether you’re replicating hip Brooklyn or bohemian Costa Rica, do better than just putting up some refrigerator magnets. Use these tips to update your space and help you remember past trips.”

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Aug. 22, 2018

|

3

COMMUNITY

Funeral Services Planned for the Queen of Soul Continued from page 1

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Funeral services for Aretha Franklin, who died last week have been announced.

There will be a public viewing on Aug. 28 and Aug. 29 at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit and a private funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Aug. 31 at Greater Grace Temple also in Detroit.

Known as the Queen of Soul, Franklin has a musical and cultural history that touched millions of people over the last six decades, from her first recording as a teenage gospel star to her most recent RCA Records release called Aretha Franklin Sings The Great Diva Classics, according to her official website.

One of her most notable performances in recent memory was her moving performance of “My Country Tis Of Thee’” sung at President Barack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009.

“Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade—our power and our pain, our darkness and

our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace,” President Obama tweeted just hours after the news of Franklin’s passing became public.

Franklin also performed at the inaugural gala of President Jimmy Carter in 1977 and she performed “I Dreamed A Dream” at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993, according to Time Magazine.

In 1967, Franklin won her first two Grammy Awards for her song Respect which was chosen as the Best Rhythm and Blues Recording and the Best Rhythm and Blues Solo Vocal Performance by a Female that year. Since that time, she received 44 nominations and 18 total Grammy Awards for her classic songs like, “Chain Of Fools,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Hold On I’m Comin,” and “Never Gonna Break My Faith”.

In 1991 she was awarded the Grammy Legend Award, in 1994 she was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and for now, she has five recordings in the Grammy Hall of Fame, according to the Recording Academy.

There is no question that Franklin touched lives with her music, but more than that, she changed lives through her work as a civil rights activist and often used her platform as a musician to spark a deeper conversation.

In the second half of the 20th century, Franklin publicly supported Angela Davis, a well known revolutionary and civil rights activist, and in 1970 when Davis was arrested on charges of murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy, Franklin told Jet Magazine that she would post Davis’ bond, “whether it was $100,000 or $250,000.”

The Dec. 3, 1970 issue of Jet Magazine went on to quote Franklin as saying “My daddy (Detroit’s Rev. C.L. Franklin) says I don’t know what I’m doing. Well, I respect him, of course, but I’m going to stick by my beliefs. Angela Davis must go free. Black people will be free.”

There is no doubt that Franklin had a soul that was cherished and will be missed dearly,but her voice will forever live on through her robust catalog of music that has truly transcended race, class, and time.

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Louise Franklin (pictured in 1967), died on Aug. 16 at the age of 76 after battling advanced pancreatic cancer. The 18-time Grammy Award winner passed away at her home in Detroit with her family and loved ones by her side. Photo Credit: Atlantic Records.

POLITISCOPE

Can Trump’s White House legally ban reporters?

Amendment protects the right to gather the news in the first place.

BY FRANK LoMONTE As long as reporters have covered government officials, they’ve sought greater access than the government was willing to allow.

The White House excluded a CNN reporter from an international trade announcement with the president of the European Commission on July 25, in apparent retaliation after she shouted unwelcome questions at President Donald Trump during an Oval Office appearance.

Many observers viewed this move as an escalation of the Trump administration’s hostility toward journalists.

The Washington Post called the decision to exclude CNN’s Kaitlan Collins “highly unusual and possibly unprecedented.” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., called it “an offense against the First Amendment interests of all of us.”

But did the White House actually violate the Constitution?

As a media law professor, I regularly remind students that the First Amendment right of access to government officials, records and

Frank LoMonte

events is surprisingly uncertain.

The First Amendment guarantees all Americans freedom to speak and publish without government interference. It has been broadly interpreted by the Supreme Court to forbid the government from restraining or punishing a speaker based on the content of the speaker’s message.

While journalists have a clearly established First Amendment right to publish the news they’ve gathered – even in extreme cases, like the leak of stolen Pentagon documents – it’s much less clear that the First

A RIGHT TO PUBLISH, BUT NOT A ‘RIGHT TO GATHER?’ CNN has not indicated that it plans to take any legal action over Collins’ exclusion. In addition to being awkward – imagine a journalist taking the witness stand to testify against the White House communications director – a court case over a withdrawn invitation would face legal obstacles.

The courts have refused to recognize an overarching “constitutional right of access” to government information. Instead, they have picked off cases with narrow, specific rulings.

For instance, the Supreme Court recognized in Richmond Newspapers v. Virginia that there is a constitutional right to cover a criminal trial. Likewise, federal appeals courts agree the First Amendment guarantees the right to videotape police making arrests in a public place. At the same time, judges have found no constitutional right to obwww.thechicagocitizen.com

tain government documents, or to enter crime scenes that are off-limits to the public.

Does CNN’s White House correspondent, or any journalist, have a First Amendment “right” to a press pass or a spot at a news conference?

Since the Supreme Court said in its 1972 Branzburg ruling that journalists have no right to insist on greater access than the general public, probably not.

That being said, journalists do have a right not to be retaliated against, regardless of what form the retaliation takes.

RETALIATORY EXCLUSIONS CAN VIOLATE THE LAW Even if attending a White House event is not a constitutionally guaranteed right, that doesn’t mean the government is free to take it away as a punishment. The government cannot take away even a purely discretionary privilege if the motive is to penalize speech.

Even though there is no entitleContinued on page 4

Darrell Garth President / Publisher Janice Garth Sales Manager/ General Manager CST Weekly, published weekly on Wednesdays and distributed in the Township of Bloom, (publishing 52 issues annually).

Written permission is required to reproduce contents in whole or part from the General manager or the publisher. CST Weekly does not assume the responsibility for nor are we able to return unsolicited marterials. Deadline for advertising is every Monday at noon.

For information on subscriptions or advertising call us at (773) 783-1251. Our office is located at 8741 S. Greenwood Ave., Ste# 107, Chicago, Illinois 60619.

Editorial:

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

Advertising

advertising@cstweekly.com Classifieds call us at (773) 783-1251

4 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Aug. 22, 2018

FOOD

Connecting to cultural heritage through the legacy of food JOLLOF RICE

Family Features - Family bonding provides a unique experience, giving relatives opportunities to grow closer through shared passions. One of the most special ways to connect generations past and present is through food, typically by passing down traditional cuisines or specific recipes.

Because food can be viewed as an expression of cultural identity, it provides a one-of-a-kind connection to ancestors, history and community. Taking a DNA test is one way to discover more about your heritage and gain inspiration for exploring new ingredients, flavors and recipes from your homeland.

For example, Jocelyn Delk Adams, author of the Grandbaby Cakes blog, created this Jollof Rice dish after discovering her roots traced back to Mali, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo and Ghana. Jollof Rice is a West African classic comprised of fragrant rice steeped in ingredients like meat stock, garlic, onions, tomatoes and spicy chilies for depth of flavor. Rich in taste and history, it's revered as a sacred dish within some African communities.

If you've ever thought about researching your heritage, now can be your opportunity to dig in. Through Aug. 20, AncestryDNA is taking $40 off its DNA kits during its Summer Sale with its lowest onsite price of the year: just $59 (plus taxes and shipping).

With more than 350 geographical regions and 10 million people in its network, AncestryDNA can connect you to the cultures, cuisines and traditions of your heritage.

To find more information, order your kit and unlock your story, visit ancestrydna.com.

Recipe courtesy of Jocelyn Delk Adams of Grandbaby Cakes on behalf of AncestryDNA Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Servings: 5-7 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup diced onions 2 tablespoons minced garlic 1 teaspoon minced ginger 1/2-1 habanero pepper, thinly sliced 1 cup uncooked basmati rice 1 1/2 cups chicken stock 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes 1 teaspoon seasoned salt 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon curry powder 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1 fresh bay leaf chopped parsley or bay leaf, for garnish In large pot over medium heat, heat olive oil.

Add onions and saute until tender, cooking approximately 5 minutes. Add minced garlic, ginger and pepper; cook about 30 seconds, making sure not to burn garlic.

Pour in rice and stir to combine. Allow rice to toast in pot 2-3 minutes.

Add chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, curry powder, thyme and bay leaf; stir together then bring to boil.

Once mixture begins to boil, reduce heat to low and cover pot with lid. Continue cooking rice about 25-30 minutes, or until all liquids evaporate and rice becomes more tender. Remove bay leaf.

Turn off heat and allow rice to rest 10 minutes with lid on. Once rice is completely tender, make sure all ingredients are mixed together. Top with parsley or bay leaf and serve.

Content courtesy of AncestryDNA Source: AncestryDNA

POLITISCOPE

Can Trump’s White House legally ban reporters?

Continued from page 3 ment to hold a government job, the Supreme Court decided in 1966 that public employment cannot be denied on the basis of viewpoint.

And even though there is no entitlement to receive a discretionary government grant, the justices ruled in 2013 that a grant cannot be denied because the applicant expresses a view different from the government’s.

In other words, any action by a government agency intended to punish or deter a speaker for unwanted speech can violate the Constitution.

That same legal principle would apply today if a federal official

denied a government “privilege” to a journalist on the basis of a disagreeable viewpoint.

In the CNN situation, if Collins lost something of value, like the ability to attend a presidential appearance, because of the content of her speech, she has the essential ingredients of a First Amendment case.

The White House likely would argue that it was Collins’ method of delivery – raising her voice, after being asked not to – and not the content of her message that earned her a disinvitation.

That would make a First Amendment claim blurrier.

Government agencies can regulate the “time, place and manner” of speaking, the Supreme Court has

ruled, as long as the restrictions are reasonable and enforced evenhandedly. Were a case to go to court, Collins and CNN might have to demonstrate that other journalists have shouted friendlier questions without consequence.

JOURNALISTS’ RIGHTS NEED CLARIFYING In a similar case in Maryland, a news organization lost a lawsuit against Maryland’s former governor.

The Maryland case shows how difficult it can be to prove a retaliation claim. In that 2006 case, a federal appeals court ruled that Gov. Robert Ehrlich did not violate The Baltimore Sun’s First Amendment rights by directing his administrawww.thechicagocitizen.com

tion to stop returning calls or granting interviews to a reporter and columnist whose coverage Ehrlich considered unfair.

The appellate judges found the idea of a “right” to interview the governor’s aides to be a problem.

If The Sun could sue over being denied access to the governor’s staff, they said, what would stop a reporter from bringing a First Amendment claim whenever his competitor gets an exclusive interview?

In essence, the judges ruled, the governor did what politicians routinely do: talk only to the journalists they trust.

The distinction in Collins’ case is that she wasn’t just denied a returned phone call. She was denied

admittance to an event that she can prove she’d otherwise have been able to attend.

It’s unlikely news organizations will sue over White House snubs.

Still, in my view, the Supreme Court needs to find a vehicle to clarify this murky area of constitutional law. It should be recognized that the First Amendment principle forbidding government officials from punishing people for the content of their speech is broad enough to protect journalists against retaliatory “freeze-outs” meant to deter aggressive coverage.

Frank LoMonte is the Director of the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information at the University of Florida.

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Aug. 22, 2018

|

5

NEWS

Students Get Back To School Shopping Spree From Target

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

The Blue Island/Robbins Neighborhood Network recently partnered with the Target Store in Morgan Park, 11840 S. Marshfield Ave., to offer 100 local students $100 each for a back to school shopping spree. Students were able to get anything and everything they needed including school supplies, backpacks, uniforms, and new shoes to start the school year off right.

The Blue Island/Robbins Neighborhood Network is an initiative from the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. There are a total of 10 Neighborhood Networks supporting various communities across the city by providing them with the necessary resources for success, like helping with back-to-school shopping.

Target partnered with United Way of Metropolitan Chicago to provide a Back to School Shopping spree for 100 students in all 10 Neighborhood Networks. The superstore’s total investment of $100,000 across the City of Chicago was not only generous, but also alleviated a major financial burden for many parents.

“This is a resource that Target brought into our community to help parents and to make sure that their children were prepared to go back to school and it just fits our overall goal of providing our residents with whatever resources

100 select students from Cook County School District 130 and Posen Robbins School District 143.5 received $100 each to buy anything and everything they needed including school supplies, backpacks, uniforms, and new shoes to start the school year off right. Photo Credit: Blue Island/ Robbins Neighborhood Network

and services that we can. I’m happy that Target saw fit to work in all 10 of our communities to provide those opportunities for our children,” said Kentric Benson, Blue Island/Robbins

Neighborhood Network project coordinator.

Back to school time is exciting for most students, but can be very stressful for parents who are experiencing a financial hardship. To make

sure that the $100 Target gift cards were making their way to the right families and students, teachers, administrators, and counselors from Cook County School District 130 and Posen Robbins School District 143.5 worked together to select the children that they thought were most in need, according to Benson.

“I had a parent say to me that they had been recently laid off and they were having to make a decision on paying the bills or trying to figure out how to get their child back to school things. The shopping spree came right in time and was a blessing,” said Benson.

This is the second year that Target has provided this opportunity to the Blue Island/Robbins Neighborhood network and Benson said that last year’s Shopping Spree was amazing and this year was even better.

“There was one young lady who was so excited to get her backpack that she put it on in the store, she wore it throughout the store, she wore it to the checkout line, and she wore it out of the store. That’s how happy she was to get a backpack and she found the backpack that she wanted and it was a joy for her to be able to get it,” said Benson.

For more information on the Blue Island/ Robbin Neighborhood Network visit www. uw-mc.org.

6 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Aug. 22, 2018

NEWS

Glenwood Roller Rink Skater Prepares For World Roller Skating Competition

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Local high school student, Darius Sanders, likes to spend time with his friends and family at the Glenwood Roller Rink where he has been skating as far back as he can remember. Unlike most leisurely skaters, Sanders is a three-time National Figure Roller Skating champion and is currently preparing to travel to Paris to compete in the 2018 World Roller Artistic Skating Championships.

“Roller skating is like ice skating and what I love about it is how it’s similar to ice skating but we’re on roller skates and that we do the same elements as ice skaters do but on roller-skates, so it’s really fun,” said Sanders Today Sanders, along with his figure roller skating partner Sammy Krusza, has won three national titles and they are looking forward to competing in the World Roller Artistic Skating Championships at Disneyland Paris this October.

“I have over 100 medals and it’s a fun experience and once you go to nationals and place, it shows how much work you put into it and how much you get out of it by placing at nationals,” said Sanders.

This trip to the World Championship is more than just a roller skating competition for Sanders and his long-time coach, Anita Roberts Armstrong who will be the first African American coach to take two African American skaters to the World Championships.

"Going to worlds with my skaters and the fact that they are African Americans and that this hasn't been done is so exciting. It's so exciting that these boys have a chance to go to worlds and that I'm going to be there with them on the floor and I can't say anything more than that," said Roberts Armstrong While Sanders has already achieved so much as a result of his figure roller skating, he and his partner have set their sights on winning in Paris which will be much more competitive than what they are used to.

“Worlds is very competitive and there will be over 35 countries there. Usually, we skate against

Local high school student, Darius Sanders (pictured), is a three-time National Figure Roller Skating champion and is currently preparing to travel to Paris to compete in the 2018 World Roller Artistic Skating Championships. Photo Credit: Provided by Phillip Sanders

people from our own country but there will be other countries for us to skate against there and they are very good at skating. We are trying to prove that they are not the only countries that can do these things, we can do it as well,” said Sanders.

Traveling to the World Championship will also be much more expensive and to help offset some of that cost, the Sanders family will be hosting three fundraisers in September and they are currently accepting donations through a Go Fund Me page to make sure that they make it to Paris.

“Trying to get the funds and raise the money to go there is our biggest challenge,” said Phillip Sanders, Darius Sanders’ father.

To contribute to Darius Sanders’ trip to the 2018 World Roller Artistic Skating Championships in Paris, you can visit www. gofundme.com/darius-roller-skater-champion-2017.

Darius Sanders (pictured), along with his figure roller skating partner Sammy Krusza (pictured), is looking forward to competing in the World Roller Artistic Skating Championships at Disneyland Paris this October. Photo Credit: Provided by Phillip Sanders

www.thechicagocitizen.com

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Aug. 22, 2018

|

7

NEWS Bill To Boost Women-Owned And Minority-Owned Businesses Becomes Law ment better represent those it serves.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Legislation, proEncouraging the growth of these busiposed by Illinois Comptroller Susana nesses will lead to a more competitive A. Mendoza, requiring Constitutional Officers to aspire to the same goals state environment for contracts and, eventually, potential savings for the state.” agencies do of working with businessConstitutional officers will be es owned by women, minorities and required to report annually people with disabilities has on their websites how their become law. offices perform in accorSenate Bill 3106 redance with BEP procurement quires state constitutional guidelines. officers to establish aspi“I am pleased that Comprational goals for contract troller Mendoza and other awards in accordance with constitutional officers took this provisions of the Business initiative,” Representative DaEnterprise for Minorities, Susana A. Mendoza vis, D-Homewood, said. “This Women, and Persons with will help ensure that business contracts Disabilities Act. Under this act, 20% with the state become more equitable, of contracts awarded to businesses by and that helps everyone.”

Constitutional Officers, including the The General Assembly passed SB Comptroller’s Office, should go to busi3106 unanimously. The legislation has nesses owned by minorities, women, an immediate effective date. and individuals living with disabilities.

“The most important part of actually “I would like to thank the sponsors supporting the growth of these small of this legislation, Representative Will businesses is when people in posiDavis and Senator Toi Hutchinson. tions of authority actually make this a This marks the first time in our state’s priority. I am thrilled that Comptroller history that BEP goals will be applied Mendoza believes that we can either to all procurements for the Office of the talk about it or do something about it,” Comptroller,” Comptroller Mendoza Senator Hutchinson, D-Olympia Fields, said. “This is just one more step we said. can take towards making state govern-

Presented by the Academy of Model Aeronautics, MultiGP Drone Racing Comes to Matteson for the Regional Final #5 The 5th Regional MultiGP Drone Racing Championship is set to be held here in the Chicago Southland at the Matteson Community Center on September 22-23. Drone racing pilots from around the world have been competing in local ‘Qualifier’ drone races working their way to the MultiGP Regional Finals. MultiGP is a global drone racing league that governs and manages radio-controlled drone racing events across the world, and works with groups to grow the sport of drone racing.

You may be asking what is drone racing? It’s merely a drone in the air with a pilot controlling, maneuvering and flying the drone through an obstacle course. Drone racing is growing with 600 chapters of drone pilots. Eight quads fly at once utilizing skills of science, technology, engineering and math or S.T.E.M. to achieve and maintain flight all while racing. Anyone can fly a drone with the youngest age being eight years old, making this an extremely family-friendly sport.

This year pilots from many MultiGP Chapters worldwide are polishing their competitive drone racing skills to compete in Matteson with 100 scheduled to date. More than 100 Regional Qualifier drone races have been logged so far. The Regional Qualifier races establish top-ranked pilots and grant an opportunity to compete for

the coveted title of 2018 MultiGP Drone Racing Champion. “The MultiGP Regional Series is designed to provide the drone racing community an accessible yet highly competitive format that clearly develops pilot skills and reveals the most skilled pilots in the country,” says Chris Thomas, Founder of MultiGP. Jim Garrett, President/CEO of the Chicago Southland CVB stated “We welcome this unique and progressive sporting event to our region.

Events are attracted to the Chicago Southland because of the services we provide, outstanding venues and our centralized geographic location.”

To compete in this event go to: www.MultiGP. com/event/north-central-regional-final EVENT SCHEDULE: SEPT. 22-23 Saturday, Sept. 22 8 – 9:15 a.m. Registration & Tech Inspection 9:30 a.m. Pilot Briefing 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Group A (2 Practice, 3 Qualifiers) 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Group B (2 Practice, 3 Qualifiers) 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Group C (2 Practice, 3 Qualifiers) Sunday, Sept. 23 8 – 11 a.m. Qualifiers (2 Rounds) 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Top-32 (Heats of 4) 3 – 3:30 p.m. Podium

Advocates call for a moratorium on expressway expansion in Chicagoland For decades, regional planning leaders have urged cities and villages across metropolitan Chicago to build communities in ways that reduce driving and increase walking, bicycling and public transit ridership. But a new analysis by the Active Transportation Alliance shows that the region has only grown more car dependent.

The analysis demonstrates the region’s inability to build its way out of traffic congestion. Between 1996 and 2015 alone, the region spent billions of dollars to add more than 1,000 miles of new roadway that was purported to reduce congestion.

The data is consistent with research showing that roadway expansion in urban areas only exacerbates traffic congestion in the long run by inducing more driving that over time fills in the additional roadway space, with congestion rebuilding to previous levels.

For these reasons, Active Trans is calling for a moratorium on expressway expansion.

“The region should stop wasting money on roads that don’t relieve congestion beyond the short-term and spend the money instead on effective strategies like walking, biking and transit that are also

healthier and more sustainable,” said Ron Burke, executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance.

“Shared-use and autonomous vehicles will largely replace the inefficient and deadly practice of relying on 3,000-pound single occupancy vehicles to move people in urban areas, so we need to plan for how to repurpose roads and parking spaces, not expand them.”

Despite relatively slow population growth and the construction of new roads, traffic congestion in metro Chicago has become much worse.

According to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, the average Chicagoland commuter lost 31 hours per year to traffic congestion in 1982 and 61 hours in 2014.

A larger percentage of Chicagoland residents are driving to work today compared to 1980, and the total amount of driving in the region has grown approximately four times faster than the population since 1980. While the region’s population grew by 18 percent since 1980, the traffic increased by 66 percent in the same period.

This rapid growth in driving has led to comparatively more traffic congestion, crashes, injuries and fatalities, as well as more air pollution,

flooding and chronic disease due to physical inactivity. It also has made it more difficult for people to access jobs and other destinations without a car, worsening economic hardship for low-income residents.

The Active Transportation Alliance’s 2018 Regional Mode Share Report analyzes commuting trends in the city and suburbs, breaking down the data by transportation mode, county and demographics.

For suburban residents, the percentage of work trips by car increased from 84 percent in 1980 to 86 percent in 2016, while the percentage of suburban work trips by walking, biking and transit decreased from 14.1 to 8.1 percent over the same period. In the city of Chicago, 58 percent of residents drove to work in 1980.

The number increased to 65 percent in 2000 before falling back to 58 percent in 2016. Walking, biking and transit accounted for 40.4 percent of Chicago work trips in 1980 and 36.5 percent in 2016.

Another problem with building a region that requires a car to get around is the hardship it creates for people who cannot physically drive or cannot afford a car.

“The region’s continued inwww.thechicagocitizen.com

vestment in car-dependency and underfunding of other travel modes discriminates against the poor and people who cannot physically drive by making it difficult to reach jobs and other destinations without a car,” said Burke.

Active Trans sent a letter to the region’s planning agency, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Tollway Authority (ITA) calling for the exclusion of expressway expansion projects in the new comprehensive regional plan called “ON TO 2050” and in IDOT’s and ITA’s roadway plans.

Active Trans asked each agency to adopt a policy acknowledging that expressway expansion leads to more driving that offsets congestion relief.

The regional advocacy group is also urging the state and region to instead prioritize lasting, cost-effective congestion relief strategies like better public transportation and rush-hour demand management such as converting travel lanes to carpool lanes during rush hour.

While more two-income households have contributed to the growth in driving, the analysis finds

that the main cause is that most people don’t have an effective way to get to work and other destinations without a car, especially in the suburbs.

Active Trans notes that, even if roads are expanded with car pool lanes or tolled lanes as proposed by the Illinois Department of Transportation for I-55 and I-290, the result would be more driving and cars, not less.

Investments in transit, biking and walking carry greater long-term benefits at a much lower cost. The planned expansions of I-294, I-290 and I-55 would cost a combined $7.4 billion. In comparison, Chicago added 100 miles of new bikeways from 2011 to 2015 for $12 million, and converting expressway lanes to carpool lanes is inexpensive.

The Active Transportation Alliance is partnering with peer advocates and community-based organizations across the region to fight for these changes in the development of the regional plan and beyond. Active Trans’ Walk and Roll the Vote campaign will highlight these issues by educating voters and candidates in the upcoming 2018 statewide elections and 2019 municipal elections.

8 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Aug. 22, 2018