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Week of December 13, 2017 | Vol 1 • No 18 • www.cstweekly.com

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Poe Elementary Receives 2017 National Blue Ribbon School Award

Congresswoman Kelly congratulates school on its success More Inside Community > PAGE 3

w Black Ensemble Theater 2018 Season TRAVEL > P2

w The GOP tax plan, state and local taxes deductions – and you POLITISCOPE > P3

If Trump wants nuclear war, virtually no one can stop him The future of healthcare advertising@cstweekly.com

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First Artifacts in Place at National Army Museum

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December 13 2017

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ARTSCENE

A Tribute to the Blues: From Muddy to BB Starring Rick Stone and Theo Huff

Written and Directed by Jackie Taylor July 14 – August 26, 2018 Previews: July 14, 15, 20 and 21 The history of the blues never looked so good as it does in this fun-filled bluesical featuring the music of some of the greatest blues artists of all time including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Koko Taylor and B.B. King, just to name a few. Hip Hop Revolution Written and Directed by Rueben Echoles and Daryl Brooks September 29 – November 4, 2018 Previews: September 29 & 30 and October 5 & 6 Hip Hop Revolution takes audiences on a journey through decades of Hip Hop music and how it changed the music industry we have today. With music by artists such as Biz Markie, Doug E. Fresh, Public Enemy, Lauren Hill, Biggie, and Tupac, this show is sure to entertain and educate about a musical genre that has taken the world by storm! Women of Soul Written and Directed by Daryl Brooks December 8, 2018 – January 27, 2019 Previews: December 8, 9, 14 and 15 Women of Soul guides us through the life of some of the most powerful women of soul music. Women like Chaka Khan, Sade, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Tina Marie and the incomparable Whitney Houston made a huge impact on the music industry. Women of Soul takes a look at the struggles and the triumphs these women went through to reach the pinnacle of their success. In addition to Black Ensemble Theater’s regular season, a number of special events will be presented during the year: BPI Black Playwrights Festival January 23 - 25, 2018

The 13th Annual Black Playwrights Festival brings a weekend of new scripts to the BE stage, as part of the company’s Black Playwright’s Initiative (BPI). Written by BPI members and developed through the BPI process, all featured scripts will receive engaging and innovative readings. Sex In The Summer Series Dates TBA Black Ensemble presents its 10th Annual Sex in the Summer Series, featuring new works by members of the Black Playwright’s Initiative (BPI) focused on the subject of sex. Black Ensemble Theater Gala Friday, October 12 at the Swissotel Chicago. The Annual Black Ensemble New Year’s Eve Show December 31, 2018 Like all Black Ensemble events, the New Year’s Eve celebration will be an occasion filled with joy and excitement. Guests at the celebration will enjoy a performance by the stars of Black Ensemble Theater, along with great entertainment, fabulous food, dancing with the stars and champagne flowing all night long! Tickets Tickets are available at www.blackensemble.org, (773) 769-4451 or at the Black Ensemble Theater Box Office, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago. Single tickets for regular season performances are priced at $55 on Thursdays, and Saturday matinees; and $65 on Fridays, Saturday evenings, and Sunday matinees. A 10% discount is available for students, seniors, and groups. The Black Ensemble Theater will sell the Gold Card which allows the holder to see all 5 plays for $210 which represents a $30% discount on full price tickets. The Gold Card is good for 1 ticket per production. For more details or to purchase a Gold Card contact the box office at 773-769-4451.

TRAVEL

Poe Elementary Receives 2017 National Blue Ribbon School Award Congresswoman Kelly congratulates school on its success CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

school, located in the Pullman Community on the southside of Edgar Allan Poe Classical Chicago is counted among the top Elementary School was one of 342 schools in the nation. schools recently recognized as a We are extremely proud of this National Blue Ribbon School for accomplishment,” he added. 2017. “It validates the innovations The recognition is based on a that we have implemented in our school's overall academic perschool, and it inspires us to work formance or progress in closing even harder to create the best achievement gaps among student educational experience for our subgroups. students,” Dockery stated. The National Blue Ribbon Achievement is the school’s Congresswoman Robin Kelly reads to students at Edgar Allan Schools Program honors public highest priority, he said, adding, Poe Classical Elementary School, which recently became a and private elementary, middle and National Blue Ribbon School for 2017. the school believes students need to be high schools where students achieve more prepared for success in the 21st schools as measured by state assessments very high learning standards or are Century. or nationally normed tests. making notable improvements in closing Leadership and service are additional pilExemplary achievement gap closing the achievement gap. lars of the school's mission. “We act locally, schools are among their state's highest Now in its 35th year, the National Blue but think globally,” he said. performing schools in closing achievement Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed Up to 420 schools may be nominated gaps between a school's subgroups and all recognition on more than 8,500 schools. each year while the Department of Educastudents over the past five years. In November, the Secretary and the tion invites National Blue Ribbon School Poe was recognized as an exemplary, Department of Education celebrated with nominations from the top education official high-performing school. the honorees at an awards ceremony in in all states, the District of Columbia, “It is a tremendous honor for Edgar Allan Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the DepartWashington, D.C. Poe Classical Elementary School to be All schools were honored in one of two ment of Defense Education Activity and the named a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School performance categories, based on all stuBureau of Indian Education. Private schools for exemplary high performance,” said dent scores, subgroup student scores and are nominated by The Council for AmeriEric Dockery, principal at Edgar Allan graduation rates. can Private Education (CAPE), according to Poe Classical Elementary School. Exemplary high performing schools are a released statement. “It's almost unimaginable that our little among their state's highest performing Congresswoman Robin Kelly recently By Lisette Gushiniere

Want to Take The Road Less Traveled? Here's How (NewsUSA)- Off- driving on scenic, challenging trails can be fun, but it's completely different than cruising down the road; keep these tips in mind to stay safe and avoid getting stuck. --Soft obstacles: When you plan to tackle sand, snow, or mud, deflate your tires to improve your traction by decreasing the tire footprint. Maintain momentum, and if your wheels start spinning in the sand or snow, ease off the gas a bit. In mud, keep the wheels spinning to help clear the mud from the tires. --Hard obstacles: When you approach large rocks, logs, or ditches during off-road driving, take them at an angle, so only one tire engages the obstacle and the other three remain on level ground to maximize traction. Place one tire on the obstacle, then drive over it slowly to help protect the underside of your vehicle. --Hills: Always have an escape plan in case your trek doesn't turn out as expected. However, you can increase your odds of safely taking on hills by approaching them straight on for maximum traction to all four tires. Use the highest gear possible to

comfortably take the hill. Having the right vehicles and tires makes for an unparalleled off-roading experience, according to Pearse Umlauf, president and CEO of Jeep Jamboree. "Jeep Jamborees are off-road adventure weekends that bring down-to-earth people to enjoy their Jeep 4x4s in the outdoors," said Umlauf, who works to

coordinate operations for safe use and maintenance of off-road vehicle trails in the U.S. and worldwide. When you are ready to head to the backcountry, Del Albright, Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Famer, and BFGoodrich Performance Team Expert, has 50 years driving experience with tires on trails. "The All-Terrain T/A KO2 tire is my tire of choice, with a rugged, durable design that makes it ideal for off-roaders who want to torture test their vehicles or just enjoy the backroads," he said. Albright also is a longtime advocate for conservation and preservation of trails for off-roading use. One of his favorite trails, the Rubicon Trail in Lake Tahoe, California, was at risk for closure due to erosion concerns, but Albright helped lead a group of volunteers to fix the trouble spots and preserve the trail for off-roaders and other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. Some of his other favorites include Rausch Creek Off-Road Park (Pennsylvania), San Hallow State Park (Utah) and the Hatfield-McCoy Trail (West Virginia). For more information about BFGoodrich and offroad adventures, visit bfgoodrichtires.com.

COMMUNITY

BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER 2018 SEASON Chicago, IL—Black Ensemble Theater’s Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor recently announced the 2018 Season featuring tributes to legendary artists Chuck Berry and Patti LaBelle, as well as the Blues (highlighting the music of some of the greatest Blues artists from Muddy Waters to B.B. King), Hip Hop music, and the Women of Soul. Performances will be held at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago. Jackie Taylor comments, "This 42nd Season titled ‘Movers and Shakers’ has something for everybody! From Rock and Roll, to Soul, to Blues, to Hip Hop and everything in between, this is a musical smorgasbord that cannot be missed." The Black Ensemble Theater’s 2018 ‘Movers and Shakers’ Season includes: Hail, Hail Chuck: A Tribute to Chuck Berry Written by L. Maceo Ferris Directed by Daryl Brooks February 17 – April 1, 2018 Previews: February 17, 18, 23 and 24 Hail, Hail Chuck pays tribute to a man that revolutionized the music industry in an era of overt racism enforced by Jim Crowe laws. With songs like “Maybellene,” “Roll Over Beethoven” and “Johnny B. Goode,” the Black Ensemble pays tribute to one of the greatest rock and roll artists of our lifetime. A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle Written and Directed by Rueben D. Echoles May 5 – June 17, 2018 Previews: May 5, 6, 11 and 12 A New Attitude is a fun-filled tribute to the ultimate diva—Patti LaBelle. This night of singing is sure to have you “Over the Rainbow.”

December 13 2017

SuburbanTimes

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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POLITISCOPE

The GOP tax plan, state and local taxes deductions – and you While Washington is claiming victory, states are crying foul. Late last week, the U.S. Senate passed its version of the tax reform package that Capri Cafaro cleared the House a few weeks earlier. Within the hundreds of pages of legislative language in each bill lay a number of provisions that have significant impact on state governments, including modifications to the state and local tax deduction. Under current tax law, individuals who choose to itemize and deduct eligible expenses on their federal tax return are able

to deduct state and local income, sales and property taxes. Both the House and Senate bills eliminate the so-called “SALT deduction” for state and local taxes while capping the property tax deduction at US$10,000. As a former Ohio state senator, I served on the Senate Ways and Means Committee for a number of years. I also went through five state budget cycles over 10 years. Because of that experience, I believe the federal changes to the SALT deductions will be detrimental to American families and have long-term negative impacts on balancing state budgets. An uncertain future I am not alone in my concern. The bipartisan National Conference of

State Legislators issued a scathing statement on the proposed changes to the SALT deduction. The organization’s president, South Dakota State Senator Deb Peters, a Republican, expressed her opposition by saying, “SALT is one of the six original federal tax deductions and has been a staple of the federal tax code and the state-federal fiscal relationship for over 100 years. We will continue to fight for the more than 43 million Americans who claim this deduction every year.” State lawmakers have reason to be worried, as most state budgets rely on state income and sales tax as primary revenue streams for their operating budgets. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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Learn To Love Your Leftovers

According to the center left think tank Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, eliminating the SALT deduction could place strain on funding needed for critical programs and services provided at the state level such as education and infrastructure. Cities and towns usually benefit from property taxes. So the fact that the tax plan caps – rather than eliminates – the property tax deduction could help insulate local governments for now. However, it has been my experience in Ohio that when the state cuts funds for essential services, the funding burden gets dropped to the local communities. During my time in the Ohio Senate, state government cut allocations to local governments. This caused local communities across my home state to cut

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safety forces and scale back infrastructure repairs. This is why the SALT deduction is so important. It essentially protects against double taxation and serves a bit like a subsidy to the state and local governments. If the SALT deduction goes away, state and local governments may try to lower taxes to offset the cost of higher federal taxes. What does this mean in real terms? According to modeling done by the Government Finance Officers Association, budget cuts caused by revenue shortfalls could result in cities and towns losing five police officers, 10 teachers and five public works employees. The changes to the SALT deduction could hit Americans in two significant ways. First, citizens often carry the burden when states

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scale back their services. For example, when police and fire forces get cut, response time gets longer and community safety is jeopardized. Second, individual Americans would also shoulder increased tax burdens should the proposed SALT deduction changes be signed into law. Elimination of the state and local income and sales tax deductions would result in a tax increase for those who itemize their deductions and deduct SALT. A report recently issued by the Government Finance Officers Association in partnership with seven other nonpartisan state and local government associations stated 30 percent of all taxpayers across all income levels use the

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The GOP tax plan, state and local taxes deductions – and you

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(NAPSI)—If you’re like most gluten-free, non-GMO and Americans, you sometimes full of flavor. open your refrigerator and Made with wholesome wonder what’s to eat inside. ingredients from trusted That can be especially true at sources, these simply deliholiday time. cious snacks are crafted to fit Fortunately, there’s more every healthy lifestyle. you can do with leftovers than throw them away. Sweet Potato Hummus and Goat Cheese Snacks • For example, you can plan to have them. As long as Prep Time: 15 minutes you’re cooking anyway, make Total Time: 15 minutes twice the amount you need Serves: 12 for dinner and you’ve got two w ½ cup chopped cooked dinners or a lunch or two, sweet potato saving time and effort later in w ¾ cup canned chickpeas, the week. drained and rinsed • Be sure to store your w 3 Tbsp tahini leftovers properly. Label and w 5 tsp lemon juice date the contents. Use glass w 1 clove garlic or plastic containers that let w ½ tsp salt you see what’s inside. w ¼ tsp pepper • Make soups and stews. w ¼ tsp ground cumin Puree leftover vegetables w 24 Crunchmaster® Pump with some broth and heat it kin Harvest Crackers up with cut-up leftover meat. w 4 Tbsp crumbled goat • Don’t just eat them. Grind cheese up leftover half lemons and w 2 Tbsp toasted pumpkin limes in the garbage disposal seeds to keep it clean. If you have In food processor, blend leftover citrus fruit peel, let sweet potato, chickpeas, Sweet Potato Hummus and Goat Cheese served with Crunchmaster® crackers make for a tasty it dry and then toss it into tahini, lemon juice, garlic, snack that’s great anytime and a good way to use up leftover cooked sweet potatoes. your fireplace for a delightful salt, pepper, cumin and ⅓ cup aroma. Another way to fill water until smooth, scrapthe house with a great scent: ing down sides if necessary. Making hummus in a food procesWhen there’s just a few grains of cinnaSpread 2 tsp hummus over each cracker. sor takes just a few minutes and can be mon or nutmeg left in the jar, fill it with Sprinkle with goat cheese and pumpkin seeds. enjoyed with Crunchmaster® Pumpkin water and microwave it for a minute. Tip: Refrigerate leftover hummus in an airtight Harvest Crackers for a seasonal taste • Repurpose them. Here’s a great idea container for up to three days. sensation. about what to do with leftover sweet potaLearn More The crackers combine real pumpkin toes from Thanksgiving or any occasion. For other great recipes, coupons, tips and and autumn spices with the goodness Give these savory Sweet Potato Hummus nutrition information, visit www.crunchmasof whole grains and flaxseeds. Because & Goat Cheese Snacks a try. ter.com. they’re Crunchmaster crackers, they’re

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December 13 2017

NEWS

Poe Elementary Receives 2017 National Blue Ribbon School Award CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

paid a visit to Edgar Allan Poe Classical Elementary School to congratulate parents, students and staff on earning the 2017 National Blue Ribbon School award. Only 25 Illinois schools received the prestigious honor in 2017 and according to Kelly, the award proves Poe is moving in the right direction. “Poe is forward-thinking and has designed a curriculum that’s successfully preparing students for 21st Century careers,” she said. The school has, “created a real school community,” she added, “where parents, faculty and staff support student success through all-embracing support for students as they work to achieve their goals.” “I think it takes a community,” Kelly continued. “Getting parents involved is very important and Poe does this well,” she said. “In today’s economy, technology skills are critical to student success,” Kelly added. As a federal lawmaker, she said one of her top priorities is ensuring students graduate career-ready. “If we want students to be career-ready at graduation, we need to invest in computer science and technical education,” she said. To help expose students in her district to the STEM fields, Kelly has formed traveling STEM boot camps in partnership with professionals across the STEM fields. The boot camps visit local schools throughout the district to create interest and excitement for science and technology. Kelly, who has introduced several bills to help Illinois students succeed, including the Today’s American Dream Act (H.R. 3839) added, the bill, “increases the number of computer science teachers in our schools by helping them to pay for their education in exchange for teaching our students the skills they will need in today’s and tomorrow’s job market.” It would also expand aid for technical programs that provide industry-recognized certification, expand work opportunity tax credits for summer jobs, invest in apprenticeship programs, increase the number of computer science teachers in classrooms and plus-up existing training and re-training programs, she stated. Each year in October, Kelly hosts a hiring event for residents of the 2nd Congressional District. In April, she focuses on young people by hosting the annual Youth Job Fair and Resource Expo. The events are a great opportunity for people of all ages who are seeking employment or looking for new or better opportunities, she says. Her last hiring event attracted over 300 job-seekers and featured more than 70 companies and agencies with active job openings. “As I organize my job fairs, my first priority is recruiting companies that have open jobs right now. Too many people are still struggling to find a job or a better job, helping them make the connection is my first priority,” stated Kelly. The idea is to find and recruit companies that are excelling in today’s 21st century economy, Kelly added. The goal is to get people a job, “that will be around for “decades.,” she said.

Long Time Lansing Resident Elected to South Suburban College Board of Trusteesa Vivian Payne, the newest member of South Suburban College Board of Trustees is sworn in by Vice President of Administration Martin Lareau. Photo Credit: South Suburban College

By: Katherine Newman

The Board of Trustees of South Suburban College (SSC) held a special meeting on Nov. 16 to fill a vacant seat within the board. In a unanimous vote, Vivian Payne was appointed to the position and sworn in immediately. “I’ll start each day with a commitment to helping the college succeed in it’s mission to provide the best education possible for every student and while doing, so I’ll keep a close eye on the tax payer dollars,” said Payne. Payne currently serves as Lansing’s Village Clerk and sees her experiences in local government as an asset to the SSC board. “I think one important strength I have is a solid background in serving the public, both on a professional level and and of course on a volunteer basis,” said Payne. Payne has been a resident of the SCC district for over fifty years. She is currently President of the Lansing Business Women’s Association, past

Executive Director of the Lansing Chamber of Commerce and past Secretary of the Planning & Zoning Board of Appeals, according to SSC. Payne will continue to work as Village Clerk of Lansing while serving on the board at SSC and said that she “[doesn’t] see any conflicts at all.” “My position as Village Clerk is a full time position, but serving as a trustee is one board meeting a month and then also preparing for that meeting,” said Payne. Payne hasn’t attended her first board meeting yet, but is looking forward to meeting with students, staff, and other board members to see what can be done for SSC and the community. “I would like to work with the other trustees on the college board to make the college the best that it can be for all the students and for all the communities that it serves,” said Payne. South Suburban College is located on 15800 S. State Street in South Holland, IL. For more information visit www.ssc.edu.

The GOP tax plan, state and local taxes deductions – and you CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

SALT deductions, and 50 percent of those choosing to use SALT make under $200,000 per year. This means the SALT deduction is widely used by middle-income Americans. While the amount would vary by income, the Urban-Brookings Microsimulation Model estimates a roughly $2,000 increase in taxes on those taking the deduction. Capping the property tax deduction at $10,000, while better than a full elimination, still falls short for a number of communities. California, Illinois, Texas, New York, New Jersey and most of the Northeast have the

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majority of property owners nationally that would exceed the $10,000 threshold. For example, in New Jersey the average property tax deduction is $9,500, meaning a fair number of property owners in the Garden State would fall above the $10,000 cap. In states with high numbers of properties that are above the $10,000 deduction, the cap threshold is not sufficient to offset the costs associated with the SALT deduction change. The data suggest that changes to the SALT deduction would result in higher taxes and fewer local services for a large number of

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middle-income Americans. Changes to SALT have passed both the House and the Senate. The bills must now come together in conference where the differences between the two versions are negotiated. While it is possible that changes could still be made, both versions of the bill have the same language. That makes it less likely to be modified. States and individuals alike will need to start planning for the changes on the horizon. Capri Cafaro is an Executive in Residence at American University

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Clergy members from Cook County stood behind Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President, as she spoke at the Lake Shore Cafe on Dec. 7. The religious community members were in attendance to show their support for the Preckwinkle re-election campaign. Photo Credit: Katherine Newmana

Clergy Members Stand behind Preckwinkle in Re-election Campaign

By: Katherine Newman

aith and community leaders from across the County gathered on Dec. 7 at the Lake Shore Cafe to endorse Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President, in her re-election bid. Speakers praised Preckwinkle for her strong record on healthcare and criminal justice reform. “We are trying to make our healthcare system more sustainable and provide health care to those who are indigent or have health care plans that don't fit their needs or are uninsured,” said Preckwinkle. “On the criminal justice side, we’re trying to bring people out of the jail who are accused of crimes, not convicted, and give them a chance to go to work and go to school and support themselves and their family.” Several clergy members gathered in the Kenwood Conference Room at Lake Shore Cafe to stand behind President Preckwinkle and show support for her re-election campaign. Several people spoke about the accomplishments and positive impact Preckwinkle has had on Cook County during her last two terms as Board

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President. Dr. Phelese Binion, President and CEO of the West Side Ministers Coalition stood at the podium to speak about health care in Cook County and how it has improved under President Preckwinkle. “In 2014, for the first time in county history, Cook County served more insured people than uninsured people through the County Care program,” said Binion. “I’m one of those people, I remember, because health care is so expensive, that I suffered for a long time because I didn't want the hospital bills.” Dr. Binion experienced first hand the benefits of affordable public healthcare in the county and endorsed Preckwinkle because of it. “I am truly in support of president Preckwinkle. I appreciate her thinking about peoples’ lives and qualities of lives,” said Binion. President Preckwinkle has not only focused on health care and the criminal justice system, she has also work hard to close budget gaps for the county. “We inherited a very difficult situation and in the last seven years we have closed budget gaps of about 2 billion. We’ve reduced our work force

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by about fifteen percent and we’ve reduced our debt by about eleven percent,” said Preckwinkle. “We have been hard at work trying to make the county more efficient.” Reverend Dr. Leon Finney Jr., founder and CEO of Urban Broadcast Media, also stood at the podium to endorse Preckwinkle for re-election, stating, “when you add Toni to anything, anything gets better.” “Jobs for those who are structurally unemployed and denied better opportunities because of their pasts are better off because of Toni Preckwinkle. Business opportunities are better for us because of Toni Preckwinkle,” said Finney. “Our senior citizens who need care and nurturing in their golden years are better off because of Toni Preckwinkle. Women all through [Cook Country] are better off because of the stance Toni Preckwinkle has taken through the years.” Rev. Finney said that from now until the primary election in March, he will be working to build a coalition to help deliver the votes across Cook County for Toni Preckwinkle. For more information about Toni Preckwinkle visit www.tonipreckwinkle.org or www.cookcountyil.gov.

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December 13 2017

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