Citizen Suburban Times Weekly 10-23-2019

Citizen Week of Oct. 23, 2019

| Vol. 3 | No. 11 | www.thechicagocitizen.com

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY

Chicago Heights Mayor, David Gonzalez, recently announced that Zarlengo’s, a family-owned Italian ice and gelato company, will relaunch its business with the construction of a new facility in Chicago Heights. Photo Credit: Provided by Zarlengo’s Inc.

FAMILY OWNED ITALIAN ICE AND GELATO COMPANY TO RELAUNCH IN SOUTH SUBURBS

Over 25 years ago, two south suburban families came together to create Zarlengo, Inc. and to establish Zarlengo’s as a family-owned and operated Italian ice and gelato company in Chicago Heights. Recently, Zarlengo’s announced it would be relaunching its business with a new building that was made possible through a tax incentive program. SEE PAGE 2

POLITISCOPE If impeachment comes to the Senate – 5 questions answered PAGE 2

NEWS

NEWS

10 Acronyms Homebuyers Need to Know PAGE 3

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NAACP Mourns The Loss Of Civil Rights Icon, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings PAGE 4

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COMMUNITY

Family Owned Italian Ice and Gelato Company To Relaunch In South Suburbs Continued from page 1

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Over 25 years ago, two south suburban families came together to create Zarlengo, Inc. and to establish Zarlengo’s as a family-owned and operated Italian ice and gelato company in Chicago Heights.

Recently, Zarlengo’s announced it would be relaunching its business with a new building that was made possible through a tax incentive program.

Zarlengo’s new 6,000 square-foot building will be located at 257 W. Joe Orr Rd. in Chicago Heights and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2020, according to information provided by the mayor’s office in Chicago Heights.

“For 26-years, Zarlengo’s has treated Chicago Heights residents to its hand-dipped in dark

chocolate ice cream “Zar bars” and 50 different flavors of Italian ice,” said David Gonzalez, mayor of Chicago Heights. “With its new expanded facility, Zarlengo’s will be better able to distribute its Italian ice, gelato, and ice cream novelties throughout the United States and I am proud that Chicago Heights Economic Development Corporation helped make the expansion possible.”

The Chicago Heights Economic Development Corporation was instrumental in helping Zarlengo’s to relaunch in the community by providing the company with a tax incentive. The tax incentive program, which was approved by Cook County, will provide Zarlengo’s with a tax credit that could reduce their tax bill by nearly half every year for the next eight years, according to information provided by the mayor’s

office in Chicago Heights.

The first item ever produced by Zarlengo’s was the Zar Bar, an ice cream bar that was handdipped in dark chocolate. Now, Zarlengo’s produces over 10 varieties of Zar Bars, gelato, and 50 flavors of Italian ice, according to information provided by Zarlengo’s.

“Today, our ice cream and Italian ice can be found in restaurants, country clubs, specialty stores, hospitals, grade schools, Sysco Chicago, trade shows throughout the Chicago region, and at U.S. Cellular Field during every White Sox home game,” said Thomas Zarlengo, president of Zarlengo, Inc. “With our new facility, we will be able to better distribute our products throughout the country and we are deeply grateful to the Chicago Heights Economic Development Corpora-

tion for helping us with the property tax incentive program and to Mayor Gonzalez for his support for local businesses in Chicago Heights.”

Zarlengo’s will invests over $1 million in the construction of its new facility in Chicago Heights and through the process, dozens of new construction jobs will be made available along with the addition of up to 10 new full-time employees and up to 10 new part-time employees at the location once it’s completed, according to information provided by the mayor’s office in Chicago Heights.

The Chicago Heights Economic Development Corporation is an organization that supports the creation of new businesses in Chicago Heights along with working to retain and expand existing businesses and stimulates economic growth in the south suburban community.

POLITISCOPE

If impeachment comes to the Senate – 5 questions answered Editor’s note: If the House of Representatives concludes its impeachment inquiry by passing articles of impeachment of President Donald Trump, attention will turn to the Senate.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, is known as a master of the Senate’s rules, and has been raising campaign donations with ads touting the power he would have over impeachment proceedings. Constitutional scholar Sarah Burns from the Rochester Institute of Technology answers some crucial questions already arising about what McConnell might be able to do, to either slow down the process or speed things along.

BY SARAH BURNS

1. Will the Senate even take up a House impeachment?

The Constitution does not give any details about exactly how an impeachment trial should proceed.

Instead, the Senate itself has set rules that govern the process. The first of those rules says the Senate must receive members of the House of Representatives to present the articles of impeachment – which McConnell has said he will do, should they pass the House.

The rules go on to say that senators have 24 hours to “proceed to consideration of such articles” and must continue until they reach a “final judgment.”

However, the Senate can adapt or change its rules, often by a simple majority vote. That means McConnell and other senators are much more free to take actions that influence

pass), the senators could overrule him with a simple majority vote.

In 1999, Democrats used this method in an effort to dismiss the impeachment charges against Bill Clinton. However, the vote failed in a Republican-controlled Senate. A similar tactic today would likely pass on partisan lines.

Sarah Burns

the trial than members of a jury or even the judge in a standard criminal proceeding.

2. Once it’s part of the Senate’s business, who is in charge?

The Constitution requires that when the Senate is conducting an impeachment trial of the president, the chief justice of the United States, in this case John Roberts, presides over the proceedings.

However, McConnell – or in fact any senator – could intervene at this early stage. Senate impeachment Rule VII lets senators pose questions about the process and vote themselves on what the answers should be.

They could, for instance, ask Roberts to dismiss the case, effectively ending the trial before it begins. Even if he refused, as long as they didn’t call for a formal change to the rules (which needs a two-thirds majority to

3. Could McConnell slow things down?

If the Senate did end up conducting a trial, Rule VII gives Chief Justice Roberts control over procedural aspects of the trial, including issuing orders for specific people to testify and making decisions about disputed points of the law.

However, that same rule lets McConnell circumvent Roberts’ control, potentially in ways that could limit, or expand, the impeachment process.

For instance, if the House members presenting the case wanted to subpoena a witness who might give evidence against Trump, senators could ask Roberts to block the subpoena. If he refused, they could overrule him, again by a simple majority in a Republican-controlled Senate.

McConnell could also use Rule VII to introduce into the trial new information that would be to Trump’s political benefit – such as asking Roberts to subpoena Joe Biden and his son Hunter, which could heighten the partisan divide, and distract or confuse the public about who is on trial for what. If Roberts declined, again the senators themselves could vote to issue the subpoenas. www.thechicagocitizen.com

4. Could McConnell speed things up?

It’s not certain that McConnell would block an impeachment trial at every turn. He has already surprised members of his own party by allowing the Senate to vote on whether the whistleblower’s complaint should be heard by the congressional intelligence committees.

He could limit his own intervention and let the process unfold.

However, McConnell might find it advantageous to speed things up, for instance if evidence or public opinion cause him to think a fast vote would lead to acquittal.

5. Could he create political chaos?

According to the Senate rules on impeachment, McConnell could let Trump – the prospective defendant – avoid appearing before the Senate. The Senate must inform the accused of the charges and offer them the opportunity to appear, but Rules VIII and X do not require that the person actually show up. There’s not even a requirement that the person have representatives, like lawyers on a defense team, who appear to contest the charges.

Avoiding public testimony could stop the president from making his situation worse by either lying or further incriminating himself – which his attorneys feared during the Mueller investigation.

Those same rules give the Senate – and thereby McConnell – the power to demand either or both of the Ukraine whistleblowers testify without the protection of anonymity. That would set up a conflict with federal

whistleblower protection laws, which require that federal officials not unmask people who alert the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community to potential wrongdoing.

Depending on how McConnell chooses to act, he could create a situation that highlights the inherent conflicts of the constitutional system, by using rules created by the Senate to affect a trial of the president.

However, as new facts emerge, McConnell’s political calculation may change. Senators in the GOP who are up for reelection but have started to view the actions of the president as impeachable offenses may worry that taking a public position would spark a primary challenge from Trump supporters. After filing deadlines pass for prospective candidates, incumbents may express their thinking more clearly.

Wider public opinion matters too.

The American people may ultimately favor impeachment proceedings, as they did with Richard Nixon after a certain point. Or they might see impeachment as a smear campaign carried out by the opposition party, as they did with Bill Clinton. The country’s political polarization could deepen, with Democrats overwhelmingly supporting impeachment and Republicans overwhelmingly opposing it. If it gets as far as the Senate, Mitch McConnell will play a huge role in what happens next.

Sarah Burns is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Rochester Institute of Technology.

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Oct. 23, 2019

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NEWS

10 Acronyms Homebuyers Need to Know StatePoint - PMI, APR, LTV… these unfamiliar acronyms don’t need to bewilder or intimidate uninitiated homebuyers.

To help you negotiate the homebuying process like a pro, Freddie Mac is sharing definitions of 10 key acronyms you’ll encounter as you meet with lenders, make a down payment and pay back your loan.

1. APR (Annual Percentage Rate): The APR tells you the annual cost of borrowing money based on the loan amount, interest rate and certain others fees. Use it as the bottom-line number to shop and compare rates among lenders.

2. FRM (Fixed-Rate Mortgage): The most common type of mortgage, an FRM, has an interest rate that doesn’t change, giving you stability over the life of the loan.

3. ARM (Adjustable-Rate Mortgage): An ARM usually offers lower monthly payments at the outset, but after three, five or seven years, payments change with interest rates and reset periodically.

4. LTV (Loan-to-Value): The LTV ratio equals the amount of money borrowed divided by the home’s appraised value. It shows how much of your home you own versus how much you owe, and lenders use it to help evaluate the risk and terms of your loan.

5. DTI (Debt-to-Income): Calculated by lenders to assess your ability to manage monthly payments and repay debts, DTI is the percentage of your monthly income that goes toward your monthly debt payments.

6. PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance): For homebuyers making down payments that are less than 20 percent of the home purchase price, PMI is a required insurance that protects lenders from losses if borrowers are unable to pay their mortgage. PMI is typically incorporated into monthly mortgage payments.

7. P&I (Principal and Interest): This is the portion of your monthly mortgage payment that goes toward paying off the money you borrowed to buy your home. For most homeowners, P&I make up the majority of your monthly mortgage payment — but not all of it.

8. PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance): Together, principal, interest, taxes and insurance make up your total monthly mortgage payment. Calculating your total monthly payment is essential for

giving you a more accurate picture of the cost of homeownership than P&I alone.

9. UPB (Unpaid Principal Balance): The amount of principal still owed on a loan is referred to as UPB. On a typical monthly mortgage payment, a portion of your payment is applied to the interest and a portion is applied to the principal.

The following month’s interest is based on your UPB. To check how much of your payment is going towards your principal, take a look at your amortization schedule.

10. HOA (Homeowners Association): Twenty percent of America’s homeowners live within a community governed by an HOA. Before buying in such a community, get a handle on how much its HOA fees are, what they cover, and how often payments are due. Typically paid monthly, quarterly, or annually, HOA fees may cover services such as trash removal, lawn care, pest control and maintenance for common areas.

For more homebuying educational tools and resources, visit myhome. freddiemac.com.

It’s easy to feel adrift in a sea of unfamiliar technical acronyms.

But, studying your vocabulary now can mean greater confidence when it’s time to make one of the most important purchases of your life.

It’s easy to feel adrift in a sea of unfamiliar technical acronyms. But, studying your vocabulary now can mean greater confidence when it’s time to make one of the most important purchases of your life.

Moving Forward Together

Please join us at a Public Open House

Hosted by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project (75th St. CIP). This project will deliver transportation, economic and environmental benefits in the Chicago neighborhoods of Ashburn, Englewood, Auburn Gresham and West Chatham.

Attend the public open house to learn about the project’s status, design and construction timelines, local mobility improvements, educational opportunities for youth, job training and contracting opportunities, and property impacts and acquisitions. The 75th St. CIP project team will be there to discuss project exhibits and answer questions. A video presentation will be shown and continuously repeated.

Wednesday, October 30, 2019 • 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Freedom Temple Church of God in Christ 1459 West 74th Street • Chicago, IL 60636

The open house will be accessible to persons with disabilities. Anyone needing special assistance should contact 312-561-3140 extension 106. Persons planning to attend who will need a sign language interpreter or similar accommodations should notify the Illinois Department of Transportation’s TTY/ TTD number at (800) 526-0844/or 711 at least five days prior to the meeting.

Learn more about the 75th St. CIP at www.75thcip.org Questions? Contact info@75thcip.org.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN RAILROADS COOK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAYS

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10/14/19 11:04 AM

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NEWS

NAACP Mourns The Loss Of Civil Rights Icon, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings

Illinois Department of Labor Releases Top 5 Safety Violations for Illinois Fire Departments

The NAACP mourns the passing of Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, a resounding civil rights icon that prevailed in the face of adversity against all the odds.

“As a devoted statesman to Baltimore and the civil rights movement, Rep. Cummings was among the most passionate and spirited members of congress. He demanded justice on every front and never shied away from standing up for the most vulnerable,” said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, NAACP. “From his days in the Maryland General Assembly to his key role as chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, Congressman Cummings dedicated his life to combating oppression in all its forms — and holding oppressors accountable.”

Congressman Cummings consistently brought attention to the plight of African-Americans and oppressed populations throughout his 23-year service in the U.S. House of Representatives. A native and proud member of the Baltimore community, he consistently took action on policies and legislation that improved his district.

Rep. Cummings became a nationally-recognized figure when he was appointed the chair of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in 2019. One of the few African-Americans to lead such a prestigious committee, Rep. Cummings often took swift action to call out inequity and abuse of power when confronted.

“Among the many accolades he received

Worker safety is the primary mission of the Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a division of the Illinois Department of Labor. Documenting dangers is one way to avoid them in the future. With that in mind, Illinois OSHA is releasing the Top 5 safety violations Illinois fire departments received in fiscal year 2019.

“We hope that by pointing out the most common safety violations our inspectors have documented at fire departments around the state, that we can avoid or lessen these dangers going forward,” said Ben Noven, director of Illinois OSHA. Illinois OSHA’s jurisdiction is over public employees while federal OSHA covers private sector employees.

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings

throughout his storied life, his legacy of championing issues, facing injustice head-on and speaking truth to power will forever be a part of his greatest contributions,” said Leon W. Russell, chairman, NAACP Board of Directors.

“We are deeply saddened by his passing but profoundly grateful for the contributions he made in his lifetime. The NAACP extends our sincere condolences to his family and sends prayers of comfort and strength for the days to come,” a NAACP press release stated.

Top 5 Fire Department Safety Violations 1. Respiratory Protection – This involves providing the proper respirators for workers when necessary to protect them from harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors in the workplace air.

2. Fire Brigade – This involves the basic organizational structure; the type, amount, and frequency of training to be provided to fire brigade members; the expected number of members in the fire brigade; and the functions that the fire

New UnitedHealthcare App Now Gives Millions of Plan Participants On-Demand Access to Virtual Visits Darrell Garth Garth Darrell President // Publisher President Publisher Janice Garth Garth Janice SalesManager/ Manager/ General Sales General Manager Manager CST Weekly, published weekly on CST Weekly, published weekly on Wednesdays and distributed in the Wednesdays and distributed in the Township of Bloom, (publishing 52 Township of Bloom, (publishing 52 issues annually).

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Millions of Americans now have access to on-demand telemedicine services 24/7 with the new UnitedHealthcare app. The UnitedHealthcare app provides health information for people on the go, offering plan participants a single source to help maintain and improve their well-being, access care and make the most of their health benefits. Eligible plan participants can now use the app to directly schedule and conduct a Virtual Visit with a doctor, helping eliminate the need for multiple sign-ins or to download a separate app.

The app is available now for download at no

additional charge for Android and Apple devices to more than 27 million people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare health benefit plans. “Digital health resources are fundamentally changing how people navigate the health system, making it possible to access care from anywhere at any time and helping remove barriers to care,” said Anne Docimo, M.D., UnitedHealthcare chief medical officer. “The new app is part of UnitedHealth Group’s more than $3 billion annual investment in data, technology and innovation, helping build a health system that is more intuitive, affordable and convenient.”

SXU Secures $3 Million U.S. Department of Education Title V Grant Saint Xavier University (SXU) was awarded a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education under its Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Title V Program to increase retention and graduation rates.

The Comprehensive, Aligned Supports for Attainment (CASA) initiative outlined in SXU’s successful proposal

(#P031S190311) will enhance student outcomes through an institution-wide approach.

“Identified gaps in student achievement will be reduced through this grant, aligning the needs of our students with crucial support for success,” said SXU President Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D. “This innovative project connects the dots for SXU’s

many powerful yet distinct student support programs and bolsters our ability to deliver demonstrable results.

I am incredibly proud of our remarkable University Advancement team, Academic Affairs leadership and the capable members of the HSI Steering Committee for completing this strong and successful proposal.”

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brigade is to perform at the workplace.

3. Hazard communications – This involves providing label warnings of hazardous chemicals, data sheets for such hazardous materials and training of employees on these hazards.

4. Bloodborne pathogens – This involves providing protection from blood, other body fluids and other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of a worker’s duties.

5. Walking working surfaces – This involves keeping walking surfaces clean, orderly, in good repair, dry whenever possible and free from hazards such as sharp objects or loose boards.

Illinois OSHA protects the health and safety of public employees through the inspection, investigation and evaluation of public facilities and working conditions to ensure compliance with occupational safety and health standards and conducts educational and advisory activities to assure safe and healthy working conditions.

Illinois OSHA is partially funded by two federal grants. The State Plan is a shared 50 percent state/50 percent federal funding. The On-Site Consultation Cooperative Agreement is funded 90 percent by a federal grant with 10 percent state funding.

Stacey Abrams to deliver speech on voter suppression on Nov. 15 Former Georgia House Democratic Leader Stacey Abrams will deliver a major speech on voter suppression one year after her narrow defeat in Georgia’s gubernatorial race, at a Stacey Abrams National Press Club Headliners Luncheon on Friday, November 15.

In the immediate aftermath of her hotly contested defeat to Republican (and Georgia’s then-secretary of state) Brian Kemp, Abrams launched Fair Fight Action, and together with another advocacy group, filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overhaul Georgia’s election system on the grounds that the current system impaired citizens’ ability to vote in the 2018 gubernatorial election, and thus deprived them of their constitutional rights guaranteed under the First, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments.

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Oct. 23, 2019

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

“Saluting the Struggle and Encouraging the Fight “ Stay Informed…

Men and Woman Get Tested Annually...