Citizen Suburban Times Weekly 11-14-18

Citizen Week of Nov. 14, 2018

| Vol. 2 | No. 14 | www.thechicagocitizen.com

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY

Prairie State College will be hosting a Veterans Celebration throughout the month of November. Most events will be held on the college’s main campus and all events are open to the public. Photo Credit: Provided by Prairie State College

LOCAL COLLEGE HOSTS MONTH-LONG VETERANS CELEBRATION Throughout the month of November, the Student Veterans Center at Prairie State College will be celebrating veterans with various activities that will honor all of those who have served in the military. Most events will be held on the college’s main campus, 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights, and all events are open to the public. SEE PAGE 3

TRAVEL

POLITISCOPE

Black Friday And Cyber Monday Sales Let You Save Up To 50 Percent Off Vacation Getaways.

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How safe is your place of worship?

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FOOD

Light Bites for those on the go leading up to the holidays PAGE 6

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2 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 14, 2018

ART SCENE

The 43rd Annual Do-It-Yourself Messiah The International Music Foundation recently announced the 43rd Annual presentation of Do-It–––-Yourself Messiah, which will take place on Monday, December 18, and Tuesday, December 19, 2018 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, located at 205 East Randolph on the north side of Chicago's Millennium Park. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased online at www.harristheaterchicago.org, in person at the Harris Theater Box Office (Monday-Friday 12:00PM5:00PM) or by phone at (312) 334-7777.

A Chicago holiday tradition since 1976, the Do-It-Yourself Messiah brings together a world-class conductor and soloists, an all-vol-

unteer orchestra of local professionals and amateur musicians and actively encourages the thousands of audience members to step into the role of chorus in a thrilling performance of George Frideric Handel’s masterpiece, Messiah.

This year’s Messiah will once again be led by world-renowned Maestro Stanley Sperber, who is returning for his 18th year, and feature several local Chicago-based musicians and soloists. Among those scheduled to perform are soprano Michelle Areyzaga, countertenor Ryan Belongie, tenor Josh Lovell, bass baritone Darren K. Stokes, organist Aaron Krister Johnson, harpsichordist David Schrader,

trumpeter Paul Semanic and concertmaster Richard Young.

‘The Do-It-Yourself Messiah has become a highly-anticipated holiday tradition that brings family, friends and strangers together to celebrate the season. It is truly remarkable how it all comes together after just a brief warm-up with Maestro Sperber. The mixture of amateur and professional musicians performing such a complex musical piece, and performed well, is nothing short of spectacular!,”. Mark Riggleman, IMF Executive Director.

In celebration of the 43rd annual performance of Messiah, the International Music Foundation is giving their Instagram followers

an opportunity to win two pairs of tickets to each performance throughout the month of November. To enter, follow the International Music Foundation on Instagram at @imfchicago, comment on the weekly post tagged #DIYMessiah #GIVEAWAY stating why you would love to attend Messiah and tag the friend you would like to join you. Four winners will be chosen at random and notified via direct message.

For more information on Do-It-Yourself Messiah visit http://imfchicago.org/programs/ do-it-yourself-messiah/ or contact IMF Executive Director, Mark Riggleman at (312) 670-6888 | mriggleman@imfchicago.org.

TRAVEL

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Wyndham's 220 vacation ownership resorts combine the convenience of condo-style accommodations with resort amenities and services, ideal to spend quality time with the loved ones this holiday season. Suites feature separate bedrooms, living room and dining areas and fully-equipped kitchens to prepare holiday meals and enjoy family traditions. With nearly 10,000 professionally-managed vacation home rentals throughout North America, Wyndham Vacation Rentals delivers vacation experiences for every guest, ranging from beachfront condos in Florida's Gulf Coast to slope-side chalets in Vail.

See below for a complete list of steals for the season.

LAST-MINUTE THANKSGIVING GETAWAYS UP TO 25 PERCENT OFF Families can enjoy a holiday escape this Thanksgiving with of up to 25 percent off* with Wyndham Extra Holidays. Rates start at just $228 for a two-bedroom suite at the Wyndham Bali Hai Villas, set in the picturesque Princeville community on the island of Kauai; studios at the new Wyndham Austin, in the heart of the Texas capital, start at $152.10 per night; and rates start at just $152.15 per night for a studio

Margaritaville Vacation Club St Thomas - Inspired by Jimmy Buffett’s lifestyle and music, Margaritaville Vacation Club offers guests a tropical escape to enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of their favorite destinations, no matter where they are.

at the beachfront resort Wyndham Ocean Walk, located just steps away from shops and restaurants in Daytona Beach, Fla. Offers are valid for travel through Sunday, Nov. 25.

Additional details and destinations are available.

BLACK FRIDAY 100-HOUR SALE Travelers can save up to 50 percent off* select destinations with Wyndham Extra Holidays' 100-hour Black Friday sale. Resort locations include Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort – ranked

No. 4 on Condé Nast's Readers' Choice Awards list of Top Resorts in Orlando in 2018 – and Legacy Golf Resort in Phoenix, Ariz., with its very own 18-hole championship golf course and just minutes from downtown Phoenix's shopping and restaurants. This sale starts on Wed., Nov. 21 at noon EST, ends on Sunday, Nov. 25 at midnight EST and is valid for travel through Dec. 31, 2018. For additional information, visit ExtraHolidays.com or call 1-866-701-3950 and mention code BF2018. www.thechicagocitizen.com

CYBER MONDAY BRINGS THE BEST 19 OFFERS FOR 2019 Wyndham Extra Holidays' Cyber Monday sale will give travelers a jump start on their vacation plans for next year, with up to 50 percent off* at 19 top resorts for 2019.

Guests can choose from diverse destinations around the U.S., including Vino Bello Resort, a peaceful retreat in the heart of California wine country; Star Island in Kissimmee, Fla., a favorite for families thanks to its many amenities and proximity to the theme parks; and Starr Pass

Golf Suites in Tucson, Ariz., with amazing desert views and a 27hole Arnold Palmer signature golf facility. This one day sale ends on Monday, Nov. 26 at midnight EST, and is valid for travel through Dec. 19, 2019. For additional information, visit ExtraHolidays.com or call 1-866-701-3950 and mention code CYBER18. *Two night minimum stay required.

Winter season ready with up to 40 percent offWyndham Vacation Rentals – North America's largest professional manager of vacation rental properties– is gearing up for the upcoming winter season with up to 40 percent off top locations, including properties in Aspen and Beaver Creek, Co.; Park City, Utah and the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Many rentals offer homelike conveniences like kitchens, washers and dryers along with maid service, spas, fitness centers, and golf courses. Offer is valid through Nov. 17, 2018, and travel dates vary per property.

MARGARITAVILLE VACATION CLUB BY WYNDHAM 4-NIGHT ESCAPE STARTING AT $599 Inspired by Jimmy Buffett's lifestyle and music, Margaritaville Vacation Club offers guests a tropical escape to enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of their favorite destinations, no matter where they are. For a limited time, guests can reserve a four-night stay at the Wyndham St. Thomas Resort and the Wyndham Rio Mar Resort in Puerto Rico starting at $599 per couple.

Learn more at wyndhamdestinations.com.

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 14, 2018

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COMMUNITY

Local College Hosts Month-Long Veterans Celebration Continued from page 1

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Throughout the month of November, the Student Veterans Center at Prairie State College will be celebrating veterans with various activities that will honor all of those who have served in the military. Most events will be held on the college’s main campus, 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights, and all events are open to the public.

“We are bringing awareness to the school and the area and showing people that there are servicemen out here and that there are a lot of soldiers that are continuing to come back home and they are not coming back home the same way they left. They are coming back to Chicago Height, Ford Heights, Homewood, and our other surrounding communities and we need to keep that in mind,” said Georges Sanon, Student Veterans Center coordinator at Prairie State College.

As a veteran himself, Sanon has a great understanding of the support that is needed when a person returns home from military service. For that reason, he works hard to make sure that all veterans are supported throughout the year at Prairie State College.

Through the Student Veterans Center, student-veterans are eligible for early registration, in-district tuition rates, and one-on-one assistance navigating college life. These services extend to all service members, regardless of when

“WE ARE BRINGING AWARENESS TO THE SCHOOL AND THE AREA AND SHOWING PEOPLE THAT THERE ARE SERVICEMEN OUT HERE AND THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF SOLDIERS THAT ARE CONTINUING TO COME BACK HOME AND THEY ARE NOT COMING BACK HOME THE SAME WAY THEY LEFT. THEY ARE COMING BACK TO CHICAGO HEIGHT, FORD HEIGHTS, HOMEWOOD, AND OUR OTHER SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AND WE NEED TO KEEP THAT IN MIND.” GEORGES SANON Student Veterans Center coordinator at Prairie State College. they served or whether it was active, reserve, or National Guard component. PSC offers assistance to new students, returning students, or those who are deployed on active duty, so veterans can achieve their academic goals. The Student Veterans Center also serves as a safe space to study and socialize with other veterans and source information on veteran’s services at the school and in the community, according to a press release announcing the Veterans Celebration.

“It helps that I’m a veteran too and I think that’s why I’m initiating some of this and I’m humbled by the support that we’ve been able to have,” said Sanon.

The month’s celebration kicked off with a Missing Man Table ceremony, a Veteran’s Day Celebration, and a Vietnam War Commemorative Ceremony.

T:10.75” “I always look forward to the Vietnam Com-

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memorative. I’m an Iraqi veteran and when I got back in 2003 there was Pomp and Circumstance at the airport and it just seemed fitting that we should extend that opportunity to the Vietnam Vets,” said Sanon.

The next upcoming event is a Veterans Night celebration at the Prairie State College Pioneers’ basketball game at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 21 in the Prairie State College Fieldhouse, located on the college’s north campus.

The month’s events will close with the retirement of the Missing Man Table at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 22 in the Atrium.

For more information on the Veteran’s Day celebrations being held on campus or for information about the services Prairie State College offers to veterans, contact Georges Sanon, the student veterans center coordinator at (708) 709-3567 or gsanon@prairiestate.edu.

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4 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 14, 2018

POLITISCOPE

How safe is your place of worship? and 28 percent of mosques. Synagogues are also more likely to have communicated with their local police.

Beyond the statistics, our in-depth interviews with leaders of congregations found that synagogues and mosques tend to put a great deal of thought into security.

For synagogues in particular, our interviews found that local organizations are effective at sharing information and resources about security threats and strategies – for example, the Jewish Community Relations Councils.

BY CHRISTOPHER P. SCHEITLE AND JEFFERY T. ULMER

Many Americans may be wondering what security measures are in place at their place of worship after 11 people were killed in Oct. 27 shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.

President Donald Trump also alluded to this question when he said “the results would have been far better” if the Tree of Life congregation had armed guards or members.

According to news reports, the Tree of Life synagogue did not have armed guards present at the time of the shooting. Many community leaders rebuked Trump’s statements and argued that increasing armed security was not the solution.

We are a sociologist and criminologist who in 2015 conducted a national study of religious congregations’ experiences with, fears of and preparations for crime.

Our study, which was supported by the National Science Foundation, featured a survey of over 1,300 places of worship and in-depth interviews with more than 50 congregational leaders.

We asked each leader – individuals with significant knowledge of the congregation’s operations – about the congregation’s history of crime, its security measures, the individual’s assessment of future crime risk and fears, and a variety of questions about the congregation’s operations and neighborhood.

While the Tree of Life synagogue was not part of our study, the results of this work may hold useful insights for conversations about crime and security in places of worship. Here’s what we found.

THREATS AND FEAR Crimes, most commonly vandalism

Christopher P. Scheitle

Jeffery T. Ulmer

and theft, were committed at about 40 percent of congregations in the year prior to the survey. This overall percentage was not significantly different across religious traditions.

When we dug deeper, though, we found that synagogues and mosques deal with crime-related problems that are much different than the average church.

Our survey found, for instance, that synagogues and mosques were three times more likely than congregations overall to have received an explicit threat in the prior year.

Respondents also reported significantly greater fear that congregants would be assaulted or murdered on the congregation’s property. This helps explain another pattern we found: Jewish and Muslim congregations are in many ways far ahead of congregations representing other religious traditions when it comes to thinking about and implementing security measures.

of the 18 security measures asked about in our survey. About 43 percent of congregations have an alarm system, 28 percent use security cameras, and 25 percent have taken steps to restrict the number of entries into their buildings.

Our interviews found that most places of worship have a hard time implementing security. Some of this is simply not enough money. Larger and wealthier congregations tend to have more security in place.

Beyond resources, our interviews consistently found that places of worship view security measures as a potential threat to their mission of creating a sacred space that is open to their communities.

However, our survey also found that synagogues and mosques were much more likely than the average congregation to have security cameras, restricted entry points, security guards and other security measures.

For example, only 17 percent of all the congregations in our survey reported any use of security guards, whether full-time, part-time or for special events. This compares to just over 54 percent of synagogues

SECURITY MEASURES The survey showed that 40 percent of congregations have in place at least four

FUTURE STEPS The U.S. must find ways to address the threats and violence against synagogues, mosques and other places of worship. In the meantime, congregations can evaluate their security risks and precautions.

The sparse resources of most congregations present some limitations, but there are steps they can take at little or no cost. For instance, congregations can assess whether entry points should be restricted to increase the ability of staff and members to observe who enters the building.

Congregations are not alone in these efforts. Many local police departments will conduct a security assessment for specific congregations or offer a workshop for multiple congregations. Furthermore, many congregations have members who have relevant skills, from installing new locks to setting up security cameras. Simply starting a conversation within your community can help your congregation identify these resources.

Christopher P. Scheitle is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at West Virginia University. Jeffery T. Ulmer is a Professor of Sociology and Criminology at Pennsylvania State University.

NEWS Padilla discusses his immigrant experience during Thornton Township’s Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month Thornton Township celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with music, dance, and authentic food. This year’s event was held at Thornton Township Senior/ Youth & Family Services Center located at 14323 S. Halsted, Riverdale, Illinois.

Entertainment was provided by Thornton Township Mexican Folklore Dancers, Magician Ken Mate, and the Holy Cross Immaculate Heart of Mary Marimba Ensemble. Juan Pablo Padilla was the guest speaker, and he spoke about “What is a Latino?” and his immigrant experience.

Padilla emphasized, “Being Latino in 2018, we’re not all Mexicans and Puerto Ricans. Many faces, many cultures. We cannot be put into one box - different

cultures, different backgrounds. We need to redefine ourselves and work as a community.”

Bert Rivera, Chairman for the Thornton Township Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration and Human Relations Commissioner, stated that he has been involved with this event for 7 to 8 years.

“The event was a success due to the venue. People were having a great time.

I totally agree with Padilla regarding our contributions to the United States. Supervisor Frank Zuccarelli and Thornton Township Board of Trustees are very active by getting participation from a lot of different ethnic groups.

Latinos need to be more active and get

involved, particularly the young group,” said Rivera.

“Padilla did a great job about explaining Hispanic Heritage Celebration.

Hispanics come from every continent in the world. Hispanics represents all us. We are international,” said Oscar M. Canales, Event Co-Chairperson, Master of Ceremonies and Thornton Township Human Relations Commissioner.

Canales continued to say, “I have been the Master of Ceremonies for almost 10 years. A little over 100 people attended the Thornton Township Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.” Canales speaks both English and Spanish, and is from Mexico too like Padilla.

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J. Pablo Padilla, Guest speaker for Thornton Township Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration (pictured) serves as Coordinator of Pastoral Juvenil Hispana, Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 14, 2018

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NEWS

South Suburban College Students Attend Annual Dirty Little Secrets Conference

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Ten South Suburban College students were recently invited to attend the Second Annual Dirty Little Secrets Conference at the Swissotel in Downtown Chicago. The event was created by Louis Carr, president of media sales for BET Network, as a way to provide men with the tools and strategies they may need to succeed in work and life.

Over the span of his 32-year career at BET Networks, Carr has generated $7 billion in revenue and is the only African American to head up national sales for a major cable company, according to a press release providing information on the Conference.

The Dirty Little Secrets Conference claims not to be a traditional Conference, but a movement. The Conference challenges the men of color who attend to become leaders in their communities and in the workplace. The goal of the Conference is to provide men with the resources they need to be successful.

Topics of discussion at the event included money, entrepreneurship, relationships, and health and attendees were encouraged to ask questions and trust that they would be provided with an honest and transparent answer.

“They basically talked to us about being a real man. We spoke with a lot of different prominent artists and individuals that have partnerships with BET Network. We got to talk with Mr. Louis Carr who is a president with BET Network and absolutely an amazing man. He didn’t act like he was the president of anything. He was right there with us, right next to us and giving us information and the secrets of how he came up and he gave us his book for free,” said Jaleel Harris, a business major at South Suburban College.

Prior to the Conference, Carr invited South Suburban College to select a handful of students to attend the event at no charge. He wanted them to have the opportunity to be exposed to the notable panel of

successful leaders and entrepreneurs who were presenting at this year’s two-day event.

“The overall experience was amazing. They were giving free hairs cuts, we received advice on how to look clean cut as a man, and they were giving us tips on how to be successful,” said Harris. “We spoke with Mr. Scott Mills who is the president of BET Network and he gave us his story and basically just tried to relate to us and let us know that anything is possible and that he was just like us at one point and that proved to us that anything is possible.”

Harris said that from the conference he learned the importance of setting goals, staying focused, and finding inner peace.

“From the Conference, I took away that you need to be happy with yourself before you can be happy with anyone else,” said Harris. “The major thing [Mr. Carr] spoke about was to know what you’re going for, to have a set goal, and to know what steps you need to take to make it there.”

South Suburban College Business Major, Jaleel Harris (left), attended the second Annual Dirty Little Secrets Conference in Chicago where he met Louis Carr (right), president of media sales for BET Network, author, mentor, and philanthropist. Photo Credit: Provided by South Suburban College

6 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 14, 2018

FOOD

Light Bites for Healthier Holidays Family Features - For those who are always on the go leading up to the holidays, the season can feel more like madness than merrymaking. From planning get-togethers to building out a perfect menu for the events, there can be difficulties for hosts and guests alike to ensure proper nutrition is still top of mind.

Instead of sacrificing taste or eating less, aim for simple changes that give you the energy to power through the busy season. For example, instead of opting for a carb-loaded breakfast in the morning, try a low-carb Milk Chocolate Protein Muffin, which takes just a few minutes of prep and microwave time. The quick cook time leaves you with ample opportunities to run errands or divvy up precious seconds toward other activities, while the protein can fuel you for the day ahead.

Almost nothing beats warm soup on a chilly day, and this Butternut Squash and Pear Soup provides feel-good flavor without weighing you down. Finally, when snacks are on the mind - as it tends to happen when constantly on the go - Coconut Muesli Clusters are simple to make and won't undo the nutritious efforts you've made throughout the day.

This full menu of tasty recipes is part of the Atkins lowcarb lifestyle, a long-term, healthy eating approach focused on high-fiber carbohydrates, optimal protein and healthy fats. The plan also aims to reduce levels of refined carbohydrates, added sugars and the "hidden sugar effect," - when carbohydrates convert to sugar when digested. You don't see the sugar, but your body does.

Find more ways to live healthier during the holidays and learn more about the benefits of a balanced, low-carb lifestyle at Atkins.com.

COCONUT MUESLI CLUSTERS

Recipe courtesy of "Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less" Active time: 10 minutes Total time: 20 minutes Servings: 8 Olive oil spray 1 cup plain protein powder 1/2 cup unsalted sunflower or pumpkin seeds 1 cup whole raw pecans 1 cup unsweetened whole flake shredded coconut

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND PEAR SOUP Recipe courtesy of Atkins Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Servings: 6 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 medium (2 1/2-inch diameter) onion, chopped 2 pounds butternut winter squash, cubed

1/2 cup chia seeds or ground flaxseeds 1 tablespoon stevia 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1 tablespoon peanut butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 large eggs 1/4 cup water Heat oven to 350 F. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper, coat with olive oil spray and set aside.

In large bowl, mix together protein powder, sunflower or pumpkin

1 medium pear, sliced, plus additional, for garnish (optional) 1 teaspoon curry powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper 5 cups chicken broth 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 1/2 cup heavy cream nutmeg (optional) In large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add on-

seeds, pecans, coconut, chia seeds or flaxseeds, stevia, cinnamon and turmeric.

In large skillet, combine coconut oil, peanut butter and vanilla extract; melt completely then stir in nut mixture. Turn heat off and add eggs and water, tossing well. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and spread mixture in layer about 1/2-inch thick.

Bake 10-15 minutes until mixture starts to brown and clumps together to make clusters. Cool completely on baking sheet then store in airtight container, refrigerated, up to 1 week.

ions and saute until translucent, about 6 minutes. Add squash, pear, curry powder, salt and white pepper; saute 3 minutes.

Increase heat to high and add chicken broth. Bring to boil then reduce heat to low; simmer 20-25 minutes, uncovered, until cubed squash is very tender. Allow to cool about 10-15 minutes.

In blender or food proces-

sor, puree soup in batches until smooth. Return pureed soup to pot and add lemon juice and heavy cream. Stir soup over low heat until hot. Garnish with additional sliced pears and sprinkle of nutmeg, if desired.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (Butternut Squash and Pear Soup, Milk Chocolate Protein Muffin) Source: Atkins

NEWS

IDES lowers unemployment taxes for seventh straight year The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) recently announced the regular unemployment rates for 2019 will be lower for more than 92 percent of the state’s employers who are required to register and pay state Unemployment Insurance (UI) taxes.

Illinois business owners are on target to pay $1.9 billion in UI taxes in 2018 and will pay $1.66 billion in 2019, an estimated $240 million decrease.

In 2012, Illinois businesses paid $3.36 billion in UI taxes, which means the state has lowered the tax by 50.6 percent over the last seven years.

Rates are determined by the of ratio of unemployment charges to taxable wages paid in the state. The Illinois unemployment rate for September was down to 4.1 percent. The last time the Illinois jobless rate last stood at 4.1 percent was in February 1999.

“The cost of doing business in Illinois has continued to decline for the vast majority of employers when it comes to Unemployment Insurance,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays.

“Even as our tax rates have been consistently dropping, our UI Trust Fund balance will close out the year at a near-record high of $1.9 billion even as we have paid off $930 million in bonds.”

The UI Trust Fund is the mechanism that

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pays for unemployment benefits for those workers laid off through no fault of their own.

The taxes flow into the UI Trust Fund and are distributed to displaced workers through IDES as their claims are processed.

Of the 322,446 businesses registered to pay UI taxes, 297,695 will see their rates drop.

There were 241,955 businesses who did not have any unemployment claims filed against them in 2018.

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 14, 2018

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NEWS

More than $16 Million Available To Close The Broadband Gap SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education recently released a notice of funding opportunity/request for proposals for state funds to expand internet connectivity in schools. The General Assembly appropriated $16.3 million to fully close the broadband gap in Illinois schools by the 2020-21 school year.

EducationSuperHighway, Illinois' nonprofit partner in increasing connectivity to schools, reports that an additional 659,147 Illinois

students have gained access to the internet at sufficient speeds since 2015. That brings the number of school districts with sufficient connectivity to 96 percent – up from 71 percent in 2015. However, more than 400,000 students still need additional bandwidth for digital learning. View the list of school districts in need of fiber connections at www.compareandconnectk12.org.

Fiber optic technology delivers the most af-

fordable and fastest network speeds to schools and allows districts to scale up cost-effectively and meet growing bandwidth needs in the future. The $16.3 million in state funding will cover the costs of special construction projects for school districts with federal approval to install fiber optic cable lines.

The Federal Communications Commission and the State Education Technology Directors Association established the connectivity speed

goal of at least 1 Gbps per 1,000 students and staff. The broadband funding opportunity to meet Illinois' minimum connectivity goal is part of the Illinois Classroom Connectivity Initiative, launched in May 2016.

Applications are available at www.isbe.net/ broadband and due no later than 4 p.m. on Jan. 25. The Learning Technology Center of Illinois is available to provide free assistance to districts to help with their applications.

33 Agencies to Receive Sub-Grants to Help Families Rent or Buy Affordable Homes HUD has awarded $1,259,176 to Housing Action Illinois to distribute funds to local nonprofits whose housing counseling programs help families rent or buy safe, affordable homes and prevent foreclosures.

This year’s network of 33 housing counseling agencies, listed below, serve low- and moderate-income communities in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Missouri.

Each HUD-approved housing counseling agency in Housing Action’s network will receive between $12,000 and $46,000. In addition to providing the organizations with financial support, Housing Action assists with administrative functions and offers training and one-on-one guidance to help agencies become more efficient, expand their programs, and develop staff skills to meet changing needs.

The agencies provide community residents with guidance on budgeting, renting, and purchasing a home. Housing counselors help families access mortgages and manage mortgage delinquency, avoid discriminatory or predatory lending practices, and prevent foreclosure and homelessness. Last year, from October 2017 to June 2018, Housing Action’s affiliate network helped 10,552 households understand their housing options, and a quarter of these households also created healthy budgets.

“Essentially, what this award means is that we can help thousands more families in the region understand their housing options,” Housing Action’s Director of Capacity Building, David Young explains.

“By expanding our network and increasing our sub-grants, we create more opportunities for families and communities to thrive.” Housing Action Illinois became a HUD-approved Intermediary in 2014; in the four years since, its network has nearly tripled, and its HUD award

HUD has awarded $1,259,176 to Housing Action Illinois to distribute funds to local nonprofits.

has quadrupled.

“Access to knowledge and information is vital to every family’s success,” says Isaias Solis, Director of Programs at Latin United Community Housing Association (LUCHA), one of the network’s most recently added affiliate organizations. “The evidence is clear and undisputed: housing counseling works. We look forward to working with Housing Action Illinois and our network of affiliates to continue to empower families with the tools they need to prosper to achieve their American Dream.”

HUD HOUSING COUNSELING INTERMEDIARY AFFILIATES 2018 – 2019

Access Living – Chicago, IL Advantage Housing, Inc. – Kokomo, IN l Brightpoint – Ft. Wayne, IN l CDBG Operations Corporation – E. St. Louis, IL l CEDA – Chicago, IL l C.E.F.S. – Effingham, IL l Center for Changing Lives – Chicago, IL l Central Detroit Christian CDC – Detroit, MI l Community Investment Corporation (CIC) of Decatur – Decatur, IL l Community Service Council of Northern Will County – Bolingbrook, IL l Consumer Credit Counseling Center of NWI – Merrillville, IN l The Housing Partnership, Inc. – St. l l

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Louis, MO l Embarras River Basin Agency – Greenup, IL l Ford Heights Community Service Organization – Ford Heights, IL l Genesis Housing Development Corporation – Chicago, IL l Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County – Champaign, IL l H.O.M.E. DuPage – Wheaton, IL l HOPE of Evansville – Evansville, IN l Housing Opportunities – Valparaiso, IN l Housing Opportunity Development Corporation – Techny, IL l Justine Petersen, Inc. – St. Louis, MO l Kingdom Community – Chicago, IL

l Latin United Community Housing Association (LUCHA) l Menard County Housing Authority – Petersburg, IL l METEC – Peoria, IL l Northside CDC – Chicago, IL l Oak Park Regional Housing Center – Oak Park, IL l Open Communities – Evanston, IL l Respond Now – Chicago Heights, IL l Restoration America – Crystal Lake, IL l South Suburban Housing Center – Homewood, IL l Total Resource Community Development Corporation – Chicago, IL l Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Corporation – Steeleville, IL

8 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 14, 2018