Citizen Suburban Times Weekly 11-21-2018

Citizen Week of Nov. 21, 2018

| Vol. 2 | No. 15 | www.thechicagocitizen.com

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY

The Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Highway in the Village of Homewood, PopUp Science Shop will run from Nov. 24 through Dec. 27 and will be open on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Photo Credit: Provided by the Homewood Science Center

POPUP SCIENCE SHOP WILL SOON BE OPEN, JUST IN TIME FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING

This holiday season, the Homewood Science Center is hosting a PopUp Science Shop which will feature a collection of thoughtfully selected gifts and toys for kids of all ages that are fun and which incorporate science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) ideas and activities. SEE PAGE 3

ART SCENE

TRAVEL

1001 South State has a second mural created by a Columbia alum PAGE 2

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POLITISCOPE

Lucky Listener Gets A Chance to Win a Trip to Lagos, Nigeria.

PAGE 2

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Americans elected mayors who care about climate change PAGE 4

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

2 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 21, 2018

ART SCENE

1001 South State has a second mural created by a Columbia alum Columbia College Chicago and Chicago-based Golub & Company recently announced the installation of a new mural on the east wall of luxury apartment tower 1001 South State. Created by Melanie Vazquez '18, the mural was unveiled on Nov. 8 at a public ceremony followed by a reception in the building’s rooftop lounge.

“I hope that this mural can serve as a reminder to those who long for home and even if not, I hope it resonates with many,” said Vazquez. “I am honored to be a part of Columbia College Chicago’s Wabash Arts Corridor alongside other talented artists and to work with 1001 South State. This would not have been possible without my team at Columbia’s Department of Exhibitions and Performance Spaces.”

Vazquez is an accomplished multi-disciplinary artist who has created digital work, prints, paintings, film photography, and interactive projects. Her work features vibrant colors, symbols of Mexican culture, and depictions of personal experiences.

This was Golub & Company's second collaboration with the Wabash Arts Corridor (WAC), a program launched by Columbia that transforms urban spaces and reclaimable resources to revitalize the South Loop business district.

“1001 South State is designed to reflect the energy and creativity of its vibrant South Loop neighborhood,” said Stephen Sise, vice president, Golub & Company. “Our ongoing relationship with the Columbia College Chicago’s Wabash

Photo Credit: Jim Tschetter

Arts Corridor and the public art exhibited on the building underscore our commitment to this inspiring community.”

Vazquez has shown her work with the Tiger Strikes Asteroid exhibition, Hokin Project Gallery in Chicago, and has collaborated with her colleagues for Dock 6 Collective. She was selected from among several contenders who competed for the opportunity to produce a mural at 1001 South State.

“We are thrilled to add Columbia alumna Melanie Vazquez’s work to the Wabash Arts Corridor

and on 1001 South State, which already features a mural by another Columbia alumnist Justus Roe,” said Neysa Page-Lieberman, executive director of Columbia’s Department of Exhibitions and Performance Spaces and chief curator of Wabash Arts Corridor. “Melanie’s vibrant palette and engaging design have earned her a place among a roster of local, national, and international artists who continue to make the South Loop one of Chicago’s most significant cultural assets and a top destination for public art.”

1001 South State caters to a community

of artists, entrepreneurs, and makers. The building’s many technology-friendly amenities include the Makerspace, a communal workspace where residents have access to the state-ofthe-art milling machine and 3D laser printer to create projects and prototypes. The newly constructed 40-floor, 397-unit building opened in 2016 and features an outdoor pool and aqua lounge, a living biowall, a stylish communal lounge and coworking space, and more modern amenities. For more information, visit https:// www.1001southstate.com/

TRAVEL

AfroZons Show Is Looking For A Lucky Winner To Take To Lagos, Nigeria For RBRM Concert The first syndicated Afrobeats radio show in the United States is giving a lucky listener (and guest) a round trip; 5 Days and 3 Nights stay in Lagos, Nigeria to attend the Flytime Rhythm Unplugged Festival V.V.I.P Concert with RBRM (Bobby Brown and Bel Biv De Voe) with city tour December 19th – December 23rd.

AfroZons is a "groundbreaking" two-hour weekly radio show that fuses today’s hip hop with Afrobeats’ and highlights the latest in global urban trends. After enjoying ratings success in 2017 airing weekends on Power 92.3 in Chicago the show debuted April 2018 in Washington, DC, Houston, Miami, and SiriusXM HURVoices Channel 141. A leader in the movement to bring the African culture to American audiences featuring an array of African artists, DJs, designers, activists and entrepreneurs the show features the ‘hottest’ new musical genre Afrobeats. That provides a ‘niche’ for hip hop stations to fuse the

growing trend of African artist such as Black Coffee, Wiz Kid, Yemi Alade and Davido in their mix.

With a background as an International booking agent to A-list stars and on air radio personality for AfroZons, founder Sheila O. wants her listeners to experience the raw and pure beauty of Africa. “Africa is a hidden gem that most people have listed on their bucket list. I have been so blessed in life, so why not create the travel opportunity for Afrozons listeners,” said Sheila O., “It's all about bridging that gap and that’s my purpose. Our goal is to document all winners experience so they can cherish and share with the world.

Listeners can go to www. afrozons.com and click on the ‘AfroZons Lagos, Nigeria RBRM Holiday Get A Way” banner to enter to win. Winner will be announced November 25th.

AfroZons Show syndicated by Miles Ahead Broadcasting LLLC and can be heard on: WPWX Power 92.3 Sunday 10pm

The first syndicated Afrobeats radio show in the United States is giving a lucky listener (and guest) a round trip; 5 Days and 3 Nights stay in Lagos, Nigeria to attend the Flytime Rhythm Unplugged Festival V.V.I.P Concert with RBRM (Bobby Brown and Bel Biv De Voe) with city tour Dec. 19 – 23.

– 12 Midnight, Chicago, WHUR World HD2: Wednesday 5pm -7pm Washington DC, Amazing 102.5FM: Saturday 9pm- 11pm, Houston TX,MOC Radio: Friday 5pm- 7pm and Every Saturday 8amwww.thechicagocitizen.com

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CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 21, 2018

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COMMUNITY

PopUp Science Shop Will Soon Be Open, Just In Time For Holiday Shopping Continued from page 1

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

This holiday season, the Homewood Science Center is hosting a PopUp Science Shop which will feature a collection of thoughtfully selected gifts and toys for kids of all ages that are fun and which incorporate science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) ideas and activities.

The Homewood Science Center, located at 18022 Dixie Highway in the Village of Homewood, is a nonprofit organization that works to create interactive opportunities for people to explore and connect with STEAM concepts and careers. They are able to accomplish this through support from the Village of Homewood and their community partnerships.

“Our goal is to provide opportunities for people to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math through strong community partnerships. We do that in a variety of ways starting with our first program called PopUp Science. PopUp Science is a family-based program that is offered once a month in partnership with corporations, businesses, and also scientists,” said Edie Dobrez, executive director of the Homewood Science Center.

The success of the PopUp Science program is what inspired the PopUp Science Shop.

“OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO EXPLORE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ART, AND MATH THROUGH STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. WE DO THAT IN A VARIETY OF WAYS STARTING WITH OUR FIRST PROGRAM CALLED POPUP SCIENCE.” EDIE DOBREZ Executive director of the Homewood Science Center “During PopUp Science. we explore all different types of science. The program is family based and free. What we do is host a three-hour event on a Saturday where families can come and stay for as long or short as they want and we create interactive exhibits that explore different topics of science,” said Dobrez.

The PopUp Science Shop will be a way for families to continue exploring various STEAM concepts at home.

“We believe that there are lots of ways to get young people interested in STEAM fields and

some of them are through really fun toys and gifts. Our team worked and scoured tons and tons of websites to create a curated collection of STEAM gifts for children that are preschool age all the way to around 13 years old. We have put together a great assortment of gifts that we really endorse,” said Dobrez.

Aside from providing families with educational and exciting gifts for their children this holiday season, the PopUp Science Shop is also a fundraiser for the Homewood Science Center.

Proceeds from the purchase of each STEAM gift will benefit the organization and allow them to continue providing programs and exposing people to STEAM. “As a not-for-profit, we need to look for ways to keep ourselves financially viable and this is one of the ways that we are choosing to do it,” said Dobrez.

The Homewood Science Center PopUp Science Shop will run from Nov. 24 through Dec. 27 and will be open on Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 18022 Dixie Highway in the Village of Homewood.

For more information on Homewood Science Center programs visit www.homewoodsciencecenter.org.

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4 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 21, 2018

POLITISCOPE

Americans elected mayors who care about climate change

BY MARY ALICE HADDAD

Being pro-environment was a winning strategy for this country’s mayors.

Twelve mayors in America’s 100 largest cities faced re-election battles during the 2018 midterms, and mayors – both Democrats and Republicans – who followed pro-environmental policies were rewarded. All six mayors who had demonstrated their commitment to the environment by signing the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy – including Stephen Adler of Austin, Texas, Greg Fischer of Louisville, Kentucky, and Libby Schaff of Oakland, California – won re-election. The other big city mayors in re-election battles weren’t so fortunate – two won, two lost and two are facing runoffs.

Of course, voters consider many issues when they cast their ballot.

It’s unlikely that the environment was the deciding issue in these races. However, mayors that prioritize the environment seem to be making changes in their cities that please constituents. The positive election results in 2018 were not an anomaly – all 15 mayors who signed the covenant and sought re-election in the last two years have been victorious at the ballot box, usually by large margins.

Mayors with pro-environmental agendas aren’t just popular. I believe they are an important part of the answer to the global challenge

Mary Alice Haddad

of climate change.

As a scholar of civil society and environmental policy – this is just one of the positive signs I see not just in American cities, but around the world.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS URGENT A month before the election, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued its latest report about the risks associated with climate change. The news was bad. Our planet is now expected to reach a 1.5 degrees Celsius increase in average global temperatures as early as 2030.

One billion people will regularly endure conditions of extreme heat. Sea levels will rise, exposing between 31 and 69 million people to flooding. Seventy to 90 percent of coral reefs will die. Fishery catches will decline by 1.5 million tons. And that is if we are lucky

and keep the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, which will not be easy.

As my colleague Gary Yohe reflected in a recent New York Times article, “2 degrees is aspirational and 1.5 degrees is ridiculously aspirational.” At exactly a time when we need to become more ambitious in our efforts to tackle this global problem, the United States has pulled out of the Paris agreement and is dismantling many of its clean energy and other climate policies at home.

One of my students recently expressed a common feeling of helplessness: “It makes me wonder if the best thing I can do is just go out in the backyard and compost myself.”

So, I’d like to say: There is hope.

While the president of the United States may not be making much progress, many other people are.

The election of pro-environment mayors and governors is one excellent sign.

CITIES TAKE THE LEAD A number of U.S. cities have gained global reputations for their innovative responses to the challenge of climate change.

Once one of America’s most polluted cities, Pittsburgh has demonstrated how creative collaborations with the private sector, nonprofits, philanthropists and academics can turn toxic urban environments into one of America’s most livable cities.

Austin’s vulnerability to climate related disasters, including drought, wildfires and hurricanes, has made it especially aggressive about addressing climate change. It has committed to being net-zero greenhouse gas emitter by 2050. Its innovations in developing and spreading renewable energy have earned it awards in green technology, climate protection and redevelopment. Austin’s pro-environmental efforts are transforming the city into a more livable place for its residents and a better one for the planet.

San Francisco, which reduced its carbon emissions by 30 percent between 1990 and 2016, cemented its global leadership position by hosting the 2018 Climate Action Summit this past September, which gathered 4,500 leaders from local governments, nongovernmental organizations and business together to address climate change. The summit resulted in numerous corporate and city commitments to become carbon neutral, as well as trillions of dollars of investment in climate action.

New York City reduced its emissions by 15 percent between 2005 and 2015. Its residents have a carbon footprint that it only onethird that of the average American. The mayor of the financial capital of the United States has also become a champion of oil divestment.

These American cities are not alone. They are part of a global movement working to combat climate change. The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy has more than 9,000 local governments from 127 countries representing more than 770 million residents committed to making headway on climate change.

C40, ICLEI, Metropolis, United Cities and Local Governments and other organizations are helping cities find solutions that work and implement them.

As in the U.S., global cities are also making significant progress on climate change. Tokyo reduced its energy consumption more than 20 percent between 2000 and 2015, with the industrial and transportation sectors making astounding 41 percent and 42 percent reduction respectively. By 2015, the city of London had reduced its emissions 25 percent since 1990, and 33 percent since peak emissions in 2000.

These cities are not waiting for presidents and prime ministers to act, they’re making changes right now that are improving the lives of the tens of millions of their own residents by improving air quality, reducing flooding risk and expanding green space, all while helping to bend the global emissions curve downward.

Mary Alice Haddad is a Professor at Wesleyan University.

NEWS

Illinois Unemployment Rate Inches Up on Labor Force Growth The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced recently that the unemployment rate increased 0.1 percentage points to 4.2 percent in October and nonfarm payrolls increased by +10,300 jobs over-the-month, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The September job gains were revised downward from the preliminary report (from +2,800 jobs to +1,700 jobs).

Job growth was moderate during the August to October period posting an average monthly change of +3,000 jobs, an improvement over the prior month when the threemonth average change was -500 jobs.

“Nonfarm payrolls were up over-themonth led by gains in trade, transportation and utilities, information and manufacturing, “said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “The unemployment rate was about unchanged in October, inching up only slightly but lower

“WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE ILLINOIS’ UNEMPLOYMENT RATE CONTINUE TO DECLINE OVER THE YEAR.” LESLIE MUNGER DCEO Acting Director than it was a year ago.”

“We are excited to see Illinois’ unemployment rate continue to decline over the year,” said DCEO Acting Director Leslie Munger. “We are experiencing the benefits of working to create a more business-friendly environment and expanding new training and apprenticeship opportunities for those entering the workforce.”

In October, the three industry sectors with the largest over-the-month gains in employment were: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+5,300); Information Services (+2,000); and Manufacturing (+1,300). The industry sectors with the largest payroll declines were: Professional and Business

Services (-2,000), and Financial Activities (-600).

Over-the-year, nonfarm payroll employment increased by +59,300 jobs with the largest gains in these industry sectors in October: Government (+14,800); Manufacturing (+12,800); and Construction (+9,800). The industry sectors with overthe-year declines were: Other Services (-1,800) and Information Services (-1,200).

Illinois nonfarm payrolls were up +1.0 percent over-the-year in sharp contrast to the nation’s +1.7 percent over-the-year gain in October.

The state’s unemployment rate is +0.5 percentage points higher than the national

www.thechicagocitizen.com

unemployment rate reported for October 2018, which held at 3.7 percent. The Illinois unemployment rate is down -0.7 percentage points from a year ago when it was 4.9 percent.

The number of unemployed workers increased +1.2 percent from the prior month to 270,100, down -15.5 percent over the same month for the prior year. The labor force increased +0.2 percent over-the-month but was down -0.2 percent over-the-year.

The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and are seeking employment.

An individual who exhausts or is ineligible for benefits is still reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work. To help connect jobseekers to employers who are hiring, IDES’ maintains the state’s largest job search engine, IllinoisJoblink.com (IJL), which recently showed 57,508 posted resumes with 199,099 jobs available.

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 21, 2018

*To be eligible for the down payment assistance of 3% of the home’s purchase price, up to $3,600, the property must be in one of the following eligible states: MI, IN, IL, KY, TN, OH, WV, NC, GA, FL and either located in a low Income Census Tract or borrower must meet the low income limit threshold based on the qualifying income per FFIEC website. Down payment assistance may be taxable as income and reported to the IRS. Consult your tax advisor. Not available with all loan products.

Loans subject to credit review and approval. Prices and programs subject to change without notice. Fifth Third Mortgage Company, 5001 Kingsley Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227, 1-877-841-7511, an Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act and by the N.J. Department of Banking and Insurances. Fifth Third Mortgage Company d/b/a Fifth Third Mortgage Company Incorporated and licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department. Fifth Third Mortgage is the trade name used by Fifth Third Mortgage Company (NMLS #134100) and Fifth Third Mortgage-MI, LLC (NMLS #447141). Fifth Third Bank, Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

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6 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 21, 2018

FOOD

Easy Holiday Hosting and Toasting Family Features - If the very notion of holiday hosting has you feeling a bit overwhelmed, get organized with these simple ideas that can help you serve up a successful holiday celebration.

Entertainment: Ensure guests enjoy a good time by offering entertainment that is suitable for their personality types. If your guests are more drawn to energetic activities, choose light-hearted, competitive games like charades. For guests who are more laid back, organize classic board games. There are many popular games available in special holiday editions for extra-festive fun.

You can also simply play holiday movies and music in the background for crowds that would rather just mingle.

Beverages: Stock up on refreshments all ages can enjoy. Keep a kid-friendly favorite like lemonade on hand, and tea is a traditionally well-received option for the grownups. Put a special holiday touch on your drink menu with a recipe like this Holiday Hot Tea featuring Milo's Famous Sweet Tea, which has been fresh brewed from custom-blended tea leaves with no added acids or preservatives for generations.

Favors: Send guests home with a sweet memory of the event, such as an ornament that connects to the party's theme or a bag of seasonal treats like homemade cookies or candy to nibble on during the trip back home.

Simple Snacks: Building your menu around simple snacks and finger foods guests can nibble on while they mingle is perfectly acceptable for almost any type of holiday gathering. Include options that can satisfy all the taste buds. You can even combine sweet and sour with a seasonal crowd-pleaser like this Lemonade Cranberry Orange Bread, which draws its flavor from a secret ingredient: Milo's All Natural Lemonade.

Find more holiday hosting ideas and recipes at drinkmilos.com.

LEMONADE CRANBERRY ORANGE BREAD Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 1 hour Servings: 8 1 can cranberry sauce 3/4 cup Milo's All Natural Lemonade 1 orange, zest only

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 egg 2 cups flour 1 cup sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda Heat oven to 350 F. In large bowl, mash cranberry

sauce into small pieces. Add lemonade, orange zest, vegetable oil and egg; mix until blended.

In separate bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Combine wet and dry ingredients; mix until batter is formed.

Pour batter into greased loaf pan.

Bake 1 hour. Let cool 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

HOLIDAY HOT TEA Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 2 hours, 30 minutes Servings: 12 12 cups Milo's Famous Sweet Tea 2 cans (12 ounces each) frozen limeade juice concentrate 1 orange, thinly sliced, plus additional for garnish (optional) 12 whole cloves 4 cinnamon sticks 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup fresh cranberries 1 cup ginger ale raw sugar, for garnish (optional) In large slow-cooker, combine sweet tea, limeade concentrate, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, vanilla, cranberries and ginger ale; stir.

Heat on high 30 minutes then reduce heat to low for 2 hours, or heat on low 2 hours then reduce setting to warm overnight.

Invert moistened glass rims in sugar then fit orange slice over rim, if desired.

Note: For easier serving, place cloves in tea ball or double layer of coffee filters sealed with kitchen twine.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (Lemonade Cranberry Orange Bread) Source: Milo's Tea Company www.thechicagocitizen.com

CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 21, 2018

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NEWS

From Radio To Public Relations, South Suburban Resident Shares Her Story Of Struggle and Success

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Denise Jordan Walker is the founder of Candid Public Relations and a well-known former smooth jazz radio host in Chicago. Over the last few decades, Walker has built a long list of celebrity clients and developed an impeccable ear for jazz music.

Walker got her start as the spokesperson for Fashion Fair Cosmetics with Johnson Publishing Company, a Chicago based company known for publishing Ebony Magazine and Jet Magazine. Eventually, Walker was hired as a radio host for WNUA 95.5 FM which was a popular smooth jazz radio station based in Chicago.

“I got hired at WNUA and I was there for a long time. I was hired at WNUA before I got married and I actually got married on the air and listeners got a chance to decide if I should be Denise Jordan, or Denise Walker, or Denise Jordan Walker and everybody loved Denise Jordan Walker. That was in 1989 when I got married and I stayed at WNUA for years until I was offered a position at V103,” said Walker.

Walker inevitably took the job at V103, a competing radio station in Chicago, after they gave her an offer she couldn’t refuse, even though she loved her job and colleagues at WNUA. “It was just devastating to me because WNUA was the best place ever. Literarily the best place that I have ever worked in my life and we were like a family but I made the

decision because at the time, the money they were offering me was crazy,” said Walker.

As a result of her decision to accept a position at a competing radio station WNUA enacted a non-compete clause on Walker and made it so she could not begin working at V103 for a year after leaving WNUA. “Before I got to V103, WNUA somehow found out about it and they slapped a no-compete clause on me so that meant that I couldn’t work in radio anywhere else for up to a year. I was totally shocked,” said Walker.

Little did she know, this seemingly life-shattering event would lead her to a successful career in public relations. The same night that Walker was released from WNUA and learned that she could not begin working at V103 for a year was the same night she met Bernie Mac who would become her first celebrity client as a public relations specialist.

“The day WNUA let me go was the day I met Bernie and then next day here I was working for Bernie and on the payroll,” said Walker.

Today, Walker has a long list of clients including the Chicago Bulls, The Walter Payton Foundation, The Hadiya Pendleton Foundation, Bernie Mac, Billy Dee Williams, Al Roker, Maysa, The Harlem Globetrotters, John Travolta, Al Richard Simmons, and many more.

Through the years of struggle and success, Walker has remained a resident of Chicago’s south suburbs.

Media professional Denise Jordan Walker (pictured) is a long time resident of Chicago’s south suburbs and recently opened up to share her story with the Chicago Citizen Newspaper. Photo Credit: Provided by Denise Jordan Walker

EEOC responds to a significant increase in inquiries concerning potential discrimination claims The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) responded to a significant increase this past fiscal year in calls, emails and online inquiries concerning potential discrimination claims and high demand for its new Respectful Workplaces Training Program.

The increased demand is reflected in over 554,000 calls and emails to the EEOC and more than 200,000 inquiries concerning potential discrimination claims. The launch of a nationwide online inquiry and appointment system as part of the EEOC’s Public Portal resulted in a

30 percent increase in inquiries and over 40,000 intake interviews.

“Many people in thousands of workplaces around the country depend every day on the work of the EEOC. I am proud to say that the EEOC met the increased demand for our expertise, for information and training, and for strong enforcement to combat all forms of discrimination, including sexual harassment,” said Victoria A. Lipnic, Acting Chair.

Other fiscal year 2018 highlights include: The EEOC's outreach programs

reached 398,650 individuals, providing them with information about employment discrimination and their rights and responsibilities in the workplace. To address persistent workplace harassment, the EEOC conducted more than 300 Respectful Workplaces trainings that reached over 9,800 employees and supervisors in the private, public and federal sectors.

The EEOC secured approximately $505 million and other relief for over 67,860 victims of discrimination in the workplace. The EEOC’s legal staff resolved 141 merit www.thechicagocitizen.com

lawsuits, filed 199 more in FY18, and filed 29 amicus curiae briefs on significant legal issues in employment discrimination cases.

The EEOC also made significant progress in reducing its backlogs, reporting a 19.5 percent reduction in its private sector charge backlog, a 19.4 percent reduction in the backlog of federal employee appeals, an 8.5 percent reduction in the backlog of federal employee hearings, and a 7.6 percent reduction in the backlog of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

The EEOC’s accomplishments

were detailed in the EEOC's fiscal year 2018 Performance and Accountability Report that which posted on the agency's web site on November 15, 2018. Comprehensive enforcement and litigation statistics for fiscal year 2018 will be available on the agency's website in early 2019.

The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov. Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.

8 | CITIZEN | Suburban Times Weekly | Week of Nov. 21, 2018

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