Facing weekend may 17 2017

Week of May 17, 2017 Vol 48 • No 20 • www.thechicagocitizen.com

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Weekly

CHICAGO KIDNEY ACTION DAY

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Chicago Weekend

Audit Bureau of Circulation ABC AUDITED

Special Finance Edition MAKING YOUR DOLLARS COUNT

BUILDING BLACK WEALTH

Programs Help Homeowners Secure the American Dream > SEE MORE PAGE 3

Member

North & Northwest Side Aldermen Pledge Leadership to Advance City’s Desegregation CHICAGO – . Seven north and northwest side Aldermen concerned about Chicago’s enduring segregation and accelerating gentrification recently pledged publicly to take action to bring the first new CHA family housing into their wards as part of advancing efforts to heal the City’s divisions and build more open, inclusive, equitable communities.

The Aldermen, include Alderman Joe Moreno, Alderman Chris Taliaferro, Alderman Deborah Mell, Alderman Carlos Rosa, Alderman John Arena, Alderman Ameya Pawar, and Alderman Harry Osterman, who recently signed an enlarged public pledge declaring their commitment to bring at least 50 units of CHA family housing into each of their wards during the remainder of their current Aldermanic terms.

This Aldermanic pledge follows swiftly on the heels of the recent “Cost of Segregation Report: Lost Income, Lost Lives, Lost Potential”, published by the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) last month.

> SEE MORE ON PAGE 2

News NEW BOOK EXPLORES LOVE, RELATIONSHIPS AND YOUR MONEY P4

DON’T OVERPAY FOR HOME RENOVATIONS P2

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COMMUNITY FOCUS Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Meets With Representatives From Industry and Small and Minority Busines

Chicago, IL – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and past 1st Vice Chair, released the following statement about the CBCF Executive Economic Summit taking place in Chicago: “We have gathered in Chicago and we have been welcomed by the congressional office of Representative Bobby Rush, and by Representative Danny Davis, and Representative Robin Kelly, to explore ways to open doors of economic opportunity to those who are far too often shut out. The CBCF Executive Economic Summit offers a unique chance to glean best practices of black-owned businesses while also recognizing the realities of black business flight and socioeconomic hardships facing many of our urban centers.”

“Our purpose is to identify strategies for black business growth and development. Attendees are provided unprecedented access to some of the nation’s most compelling business and marketplace thought leaders, CEOs,

entrepreneurs, philanthropists, investment groups, financial professionals and policy makers.”

“Distinguished guests include John Rogers Jr., the Chairman and CEO of Ariel Investments, one of the largest African-American-lead money management firms in the country; actor, philanthropist, and businessman Hill Harper; attorney, businesswoman, and TV commentator Star Jones and members of Congressional Black Caucus Foundation board and staff.”

“Together, we will explore ways to enhance capital expansion, support entrepreneurial education, strengthen strategic partnerships, and develop strategies and policy recommendations for achieving economic parity. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation has held Executive Economic Summits across America in New York, Silicon Valley, Atlanta, and Chicago. We have engaged with many business leaders in those areas. We will hold our next Summit in Houston, Texas. Our goals are to ensure that the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, which has its origins in the Congressional Black Caucus, bring policy issues outside the beltway and listen to African Americans throughout America.

briefly EDUCATION The Thurgood Marshall Center Trust (TMCT) is celebrating the 63rd anniversary of passage of the historic Brown vs Board of Education case that ended centuries of ‘separate but equal’ education in the United States.

The Center is hosting a fundraising Gala on Wednesday, May 17 to observe the seminal event and also announce the TMCT Call to Action: “Equal Education for All Based on the Brown Decision.”

The event, to be held at the Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage, 1816 12th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, comes against the backdrop of a significant and troubling retrenchment of access to education for African America, Latino and other children.

According to The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, beginning in the 1980s, courts turned against desegregation plans - denying new petitions to desegregate schools, ending previous court imposed plans and even striking down voluntary plans created by local school districts.

HEALTH Trotter Bill expands HIV testing for at-risk mothers SPRINGFIELD – Legislation intended to offer additional HIV testing for at risk pregnant woman in their third trimester passed an important Senate committee recently. House Bill 2800 equips pregnant women with the another opportunity to know their HIV status during the prenatal stage to make informed decisions that will benefit them and in return reduce the risk of spreading the disease.

The measure adds on to the Perinatal HIV Prevention Act by furthering efforts to provide

vital information to pregnant at risk women. “This is a significant piece of legislation that passed out of the Public Health Committee. It is vital that we increase HIV testing for at-risk pregnant woman in their third trimester as opposed to only testing in the first trimester to prevent the spread of disease. Too often we see the need to do more good in improvised communities as far as HIV testing is concerned and we ignore it, but no more. By offering additional prenatal testing, we decrease the chance of transmission to the infant,” said State Senator Donne Trotter (D-Chicago).

LAW AND POLITICS Steans Sponsors House Bill 40

SPRINGFIELD – Recent rollbacks to women’s rights led State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) to sponsor House Bill 40 to ensure that Illinois will remain a state where women can safely and legally exercise their right to choose.

House Bill 40 removes the “trigger” provision from a 1975 Illinois law that would reinstate previous state policy banning abortion in the event that Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. Additionally the legislation will allow abortion coverage for individuals on Medicaid or covered by State Employee Health Insurance plans. “I hope that Gov. Rauner will stick to his word and sign HB 40,” Steans said.

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North & Northwest Side Aldermen Pledge Leadership to Advance City’s Desegregation Continued from page 1

The MPC report quantifies the steep price the Chicago area pays for segregation, and lifts up the significant benefits that will accrue to all residents in the Chicago region if Chicago is able to drop its level of residential segregation to the national median, including $4.4 billion in additional annual revenue to the region, a $6 billion increase in residential real estate values, a 30% drop in increased violent crime levels, and an estimated annual savings of $283 million in policing and corrections costs.

The Aldermen pledged to take leadership in their own communities and citywide to expand access to affordable and CHA housing in low-poverty regions of Chicago to help transform the city’s entrenched patterns of residential segregation as well as the impacts of accelerating gentrification and rising income inequality, two forces that will increase the city’s divisions by race and income.

The Aldermen have also announced the delivery of a letter to Alderman Joe Moore, signed by numerous Aldermen on the City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate, urging Alderman Moore to allow due process on the Keeping the Promise Ordinance, a proposal stalled in his Committee for nearly three years which would mandate integration of CHA housing into low-poverty areas of the city where racism historically blocked its creation, according to a press release. The Keeping the Promise Ordinance will also provide significant new resources to

combat housing discrimination and enforce fair housing laws that are routinely violated in Chicago.

The Aldermen were joined by citizen activists from across Chicago’s north, northwest, and south sides all advocating for affordable, accessible, integrated housing through the citywide Coalition Chicago Housing Initiative, as well as 11 diverse community-based organizations including Access Living, Jane Addams Senior Caucus, Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, Logan Square Neighborhood Association, Lugenia Burns Hope Center, Metropolitan Tenants Organization, ONE Northside, Neighbors for Affordable Housing in Jefferson Park, People for Community Recovery, Pilsen Alliance, and Southside Together Organizing for Power.

Alderman Joe Moreno, the lead sponsor of the Keeping the Promise Ordinance said in a released statement, “It is a pleasure to be joined in the fight to bring more affordable, accessible, integrated family housing to areas of the city that have either never had affordable family housing, or are rapidly losing it due to displacement. In the face of growing income inequality, we cannot allow our city to become more divided and unequal. We must take intentional action to bring our city forward from its dark past and become the city we aspire to be, one that values inclusion, equity, compassion, tolerance and diversity, not just in word but in action and in law.”

Why Do 1 in 3 Illinois Homeowners Overpay for Renovations?

Imagine this:

You pay for your $45,000 bathroom renovation on several credit cards— swearing you’ll pay it off in three years.

By year three, unexpected expenses have come up, and you’ve only paid off $15,000. The other $30,000 is now subject to double-digit interest rates that quickly pile on more debt.

According to the home improvement finance experts at Hearth [www.gethearth.com]—a startup launching in Illinois that makes it easy to get great deals on home improvement loans—most people overpay for home renovations (like a new kitchen or bathroom), because they put them on credit cards, which have deceptively low rates during a teaser period, followed by huge leaps.

Hearth CEO Anthony Ghosn recommends that Illinois homeowners follow these three tips to avoid overpaying and causing a financial nightmare:

1. SHOP AROUND—COMPARE CONTRACTORS AND FINANCING OPTIONS

You should meet with several contractors to establish market rates, and look at more than one lender to establish how you’re going to pay.

2. BUDGET WITH EXCESS IN MIND

40% of home renovations end up going over budget. Reduce your chances of needing to put emergency funds on a credit card by building a buffer into your budget. Get a home inspection before you start to uncover any hidden problems that could increase costs.

3. SIT DOWN AND CALCULATE YOUR COSTS

Don’t rely on back-of-envelope calculations. Use a home improvement loan calculator, like this one from Hearth [https:// www.gethearth.com/learn/tools/homeimprovement-loan-calculator/], to plan your interest rates and loan terms and create a pay-off plan that works for you.

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CITIZEN Chicago Weekend / Week of May 17, 2017 / 3

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GOVERNMENTAL Affairs

BUILDING BLACK WEALTH Programs Help Homeowners Secure the American Dream

Janice Garth

Our View: Oberweis’ bill imperils public’s right to know

Legislation to allow the dissemination of public notices only on the internet in Illinois is a radical departure from the proven public notice system that all other states use. As a result, the public’s right to know would suffer. The bill should be defeated.

Dissemination of information to citizens through publication of public notices protects the public’s right to know.

Through public notices, units of government inform the public about what they are doing or proposing which, in turn, helps the pubic effectively engage in the democratic process. The cost for public notices is minimal to each unit of government, usually less than a 10th of a percent of the budget.

Legislation that took effect five years ago goes further. The Illinois Legislature unanimously approved a bill requiring newspapers to post all public notices they print on a public, free-access centralized website at no additional cost to government. That website is PublicNoticeIllinois.com.

The system works well. Newspapers disseminate public notices and then certify that governments have complied with public notice laws. The public is served efficiently, in print and online.

However, some people want to change it.

Senate Bill 2032 would allow units of government to bypass publishing notices in local newspapers and, instead, post public notices on their own websites or on a state-run website.

State Sen. Jim Oberweis, R-Sugar Grove, introduced the bill in February; a Senate committee is reviewing it.

Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti is a strong supporter; a task force she headed issued a report in December 2015 that favors the concept of “modernizing public notices.”

Frankly, we are appalled by their cavalier attitude toward public notices and government transparency.

As a respected, independent third party, newspapers reliably transmit this information in print and online. Newspapers for centuries have played a key role in the legal process of public notices by publishing, certifying and archiving them. It’s a long proven process.

By contrast, government is unreliable.

The Citizens Advocacy Center reviewed Illinois local governments’ track record for posting notices online in three basic areas – public meeting notices, public meeting agendas and approved minutes from public meetings – as required by law through the Open Meetings Act. Of more than 750 websites surveyed, only 73 percent of governments complied with posting meeting notices, 57 percent complied with posting an agenda and a mere 48 percent complied with posting approved meeting minutes.

That’s unacceptable.

What can the public expect if local governments bypass newspapers and post public notices online?

The same dismal record of noncompliance and lawbreaking.

That would be a terrible blow to transparency.

We are unconvinced that public notices, if placed only on government-controlled websites, would have anything close to the same readership they have now.

Senate Bill 2032 is a radical departure from the proven public notice system that all other states use.

Government would inevitably become less transparent, especially for people who aren’t online.

And the public’s right to know, rather than being protected, would be diminished.

Politicians like Oberweis and Sanguinetti ought to know better.

They should realize that public notices in Illinois were “modernized” more than five years ago through legislation establishing the centralized website, which is PNI. The bill should be defeated.

Published in Shaw Media April 24, 2017

Richardson said, “The reality is that there are he National a number of banks that Urban are offering affordable League products as little as played a 3 percent down and pivotal you don’t have to have role in the 20thforeseen credit and forms Century Freedom of documentation.”

Movement and grew He continued to say out of the spontaneous that the National Urban grassroots movement League believes that for freedom and the system of structure opportunity that came should maintain its Cy Richardson Photo Courtesy of The to be called the Black openness for access to the National Urban League Migrations, according to community of color. iamempowered.com. In “We want to prepare a time where black homeownership is people responsibly, prepare people “endangered,” according to the National for products that suit them and be Association of Real Estate Brokers deliberative in terms of the timing that (NAREB), the National Urban League it takes to be a successful homeowner,” is still helping blacks build generational Richardson said. wealth through homeownership.

“Now is the time not to retrench, Cy Richardson, who is the National but to continue to [take advantage] of Urban League Senior Vice President for homeownership opportunities in the Economics and Housing Programs, said merging market by connecting with banks the National Urban League has been a and other financial service companies long-time provider of home-ownership that have products that are affordable and preparation, home-ownership education suitable to the constituents that we care and house-counseling service for over about.”

20 years.

According the thechicagourbanleague.

“We are permanently committed to org, The Chicago Urban League opening up first time home ownership Housing Department is a HUD-certified for communities of color,” Richardson counseling agency as well as a City of said. “It is predominantly the way Chicago Department of Housing Delegate to build into generational wealth in Agency. It provides low-to-moderate American society.” income residents with professional Richardson explained that there housing counseling assistance t hrough has been some retrenchment and fall various programs and services. back for African Americans in home The Chicago Urban League programs ownership. So, he said the National provide, mortgage default counseling, Urban League decided to double down predatory lending counseling and firston their commitment for social compact time homebuyer’s counseling. Free around the ability to own a home workshops and individual counseling sustainably and responsibly, which services are provided by Certified results in the wealth of generational Housing Counselors through the assets. following programs: “Our acknowledgement of w First Time Home Buyers homeownership is a key accelerator w Education and narrows the nation’s wealth gap, w Foreclosure Counseling which is something we have to be w Financial Literacy more intentional in talking about,” The Chicago Urban League Housing Richardson said.

Department continually searches for He said one key piece of information new opportunities in both development that he would give to first time home project related services and private owners is to introduce them to some of partnerships for financial support, the myths of home ownership. according to its website.

“The first piece of advice would For more information, contact be to introduce them to some of the Margret Wooten, Senior Director of myths that are out there today in terms Housing at 773-285-1500 or mwooten@ of having to have 20 percent down, thechicagourbanleague.org. For more having to have foreseen credit and information about the National Urban having to have a certain documentation League, visit http://nul.iamempowered. structure,” com

By Christopher Shuttlesworth

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Five Key questions when choosing a broker to sell your home

Pych of RE/MAX in the Village, Realtors, Oak Park, Ill. “Those fees will vary depending on local custom, so even with experienced sellers, I go through all that with them: costs for title search, for the lot survey, for attorney fees, transfer taxes and other things. In some cases, those fees can determine whether or not a seller must bring money to the closing table, so they need the full picture,” she said.

3. How will you market my home, especially online?

Because more than 90 percent of buyers use the internet as part of their home search, effective online marketing is vital these days.

“Sellers need to understand how a prospective broker approaches internet marketing,” said Karen Danenberg of RE/MAX Suburban in Buffalo Grove,

NABJ Names Ryan 2017 Journalist of the Year

April Ryan

(Black PR Wire) Washington, D.C. -- April Ryan has been selected as the 2017 Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). The annual award recognizes a black journalist who has a distinguished body of work that has extraordinary depth, scope and significance to people of the African Diaspora.

A 30-year journalism veteran, Ryan has a unique vantage point as the only black female reporter covering urban issues from the White House - a position she has held for American Urban Radio Networks(AURN) since

January 1997. Her position as a White House correspondent for AURN has afforded her unusual insight into the racial sensitivities, issues and political struggles of our nation’s last three presidents.

“April Ryan is a true trailblazer and truth seeker. She’s dogged and unapologetic about her pursuit of the story,” said NABJ President Sarah Glover.

“In the White House press corps circle, where too few black women have been given an opportunity to report, April has excelled and persevered in spite of the many obstacles she has confronted. Her work has risen to the top.”

Ill. “If done right, it lets buyers get to know a house before they walk in, but to do that you need good pictures and good verbiage. If I were a seller, I’d ask to see how a broker had marketed comparable properties, and not just the photos and text on the MLS, but also what they did on social media, which is becoming a huge factor.”

4. How will the seller and broker work together?

It’s a key issue and one with many dimensions, noted Damian Ciszek of RE/ MAX 10, Chicago, but there can be marked differences among brokers.

“I work on my own,” Ciszek explained, “so I handle everything for my clients, but other brokers may be part of team of brokers or may have unlicensed assistants who deal with some aspects of the sales and marketing process.

Sellers should understand from the beginning what information they will be getting and how frequently and just what is expected of them.”

5. What is the broker’s approach to preparing a home for sale?

Some brokers focus on maximizing value.

That can mean a fair amount of pre-listing preparation for the seller but also a higher sales price. Other brokers are more willing to price a home to reflect its current condition if the buyer lacks the time or the resources to make cosmetic improvements.

Jennie McLaughlin of RE/MAX Hub City in Rochelle, Ill., said she is among those who emphasize making the homes she lists more salable, both in terms of exterior curb appeal and interior appearance.

“Curb appeal is extremely important because it defines the first impression that buyers have of the property. Inside the home, it isn’t always necessary to invest a lot of money, but getting the home clean and decluttered can pay huge dividends, not only in a better sales price but also in a faster sale,” she said.

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Alfred A. Edmond Jr. Pens Free E-Book on How Love and Relationship Choices Impact Your Career, Business and Finances Verona, NJ, – A new book by award-winning business journalist and relationship educator Alfred A. Edmond Jr. focuses on how business, career and financial success is either served or sabotaged by the choices we make in pursuit of sex, love and relationships. Buy Love, Get Trouble. Sell Love, Get Screwed is available as a complimentary E-book for a limited time only.

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CHICAGO, May 4, 2017 – When it’s time to sell their home, most Americans have their eye on the bottom line. RE/MAX brokers say sellers want to know, first and foremost, how much their home is worth, what commission the broker will charge and how much they might have to spend to get the home ready to sell.

“Those are vital questions, but they aren’t the only ones,” said Jack Kreider, executive vice president and regional director of RE/MAX Northern Illinois.

Choosing a broker can be confusing because most of us sell a home only every 10 to 15 years, and the real estate business has seen dramatic changes over the last decade thanks to the internet.

According to Kreider, the secret to success lays in choosing a broker whose approach to selling homes meshes with a seller’s goals and preferences, and the way to make that happen is to ask the right questions.

Based on interviews with RE/MAX brokers, here are five questions that sellers should definitely ask when selecting a selling broker.

1. What is an appropriate listing price?

Whatever the ultimate sales price, the listing price is a vital important starting point, noted Mary Reuter Kenney of RE/MAX Excels in Geneva, Ill. “Some sellers and some brokers may be tempted to start with an elevated list price hoping to find an eager buyer, but if the list price is too high, it can keep buyers away. The longer a home sits on the market, the lower its eventual selling price is likely to be, so a realistic list price is essential. Sellers should ask a broker to present a list price recommendation based on the recent sales prices of comparable homes in the area, while also keeping the impact of current competition in mind.”

2. What are the expenses, besides commission, that sellers will face?

“Many sellers aren’t aware that there are selling expenses beyond the broker’s commission,” said Kyra

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fashion

BEFORE BUYING A HOME, LEARN THE LINGO!

Fashion tips that help make a statement Fashion is not just the clothes, the hair, the shoes or the accessories; fashion is every little element combined that makes “the look.” Makeup is one of those crucial elements that can make or break your desired look. While going natural is acceptable, a little make-up can enhance any look. Here are a few tips to make sure you don’t waste a great outfit on bad make-up.

Always remember that make-up is applied in layers.

Just like with other fashion elements, you have to start with the right foundation; then you have to build on it.

When it comes to clothes, it’s about matching the right shirt or blouse with the right skirt, then matching the right skirt with the right shoes, adding the right accessories etc. When it comes to make-up, you have to match the right eye shadow with the right lip color, then

match that combo with the right sparkling highlighter.

The right make-up can complement any look that you want to create as long as you remember that every element has to work together.

Make-up artist Ebony Harris, uses multi-colored shadows, glitters, and everything else in her make-up arsenal to capture her clients’ vision for their look.

“I always ask my clients, ‘What’s the occasion?’ or ‘What does your favorite outfit look like?’ so, that I can make sure that I apply the perfect look,” said Harris.

When it comes to clothes, it’s always best to not be too “matchy, matchy,” but when it comes to your face, a coordinated look is your best bet.

Source: Delaney George (Data News Weekly/NNPA Member)

Next Level of Gentlemen’s Sneakers by RUBIROSA

borrow money for your house. The lower, the better.

• Fixed-rate mortgages. A mortgage with an interest rate that doesn’t change during the term of the loan, and is typically 15 or 30 years.

• APR. The annual percentage rate, commonly referred to as “APR,” is a broader measure of your cost for borrowing money and includes the interest rate, points, broker fees and other credit charges you’ll be T:10.75”

required to pay. Because these costs are rolled in, the APR is usually higher than your interest rate.

• Credit Score. A number ranging from 350 to 800 based on an analysis of your credit files. Your score plays a significant role when securing a mortgage, as it helps lenders determine the likelihood that you’ll repay future debts. The higher your score, the more options that may be available to you, including lower interest rates.

• Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). If you make a down payment of less than 20 percent on your conventional loan, your lender will require PMI. PMI serves as an added insurance policy protecting the lender if you’re unable to pay your mortgage, and it can be cancelled from your payment once you reach 20 percent equity in your home.

Hear a term not included or confused by some of the processes?

Check out Freddie Mac’s myhome. freddiemac.com for everything homebuying and be sure to follow the Freddie Mac’s Spring Homebuying Season Blog Series at freddiemac.

com/blog.

“Homebuying speak can seem like an entirely new language, especially for first-time homebuyers. Before entering the market, it’s helpful to learn key phrases and terminology so you can be a confident, savvy shopper,” says Mike Dawson, Vice President of SingleFamily at Freddie Mac.

Saks OFF 5TH Celebrates Grand Opening NEW YORK -- On Thursday, May 11, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH celebrated the grand opening of its new store in Honolulu, Hawaii at Ala Moana Center.

“We’re excited to open our second store in Hawaii, and provide shoppers with convenient access to designer brands at the exceptional value that Saks OFF 5TH is known for,” said Jonathan Greller, President, Saks OFF 5TH and Gilt. “Ala Moana Center is a prime tourist destination for travelers around the world and a great location for us to expand our Hawaiian presence in.”

Saks OFF 5TH features an ever-evolving selection of luxury designer fashion, accessories and footwear from more than 800 leading brands for men, women and children. The new store will feature an open, modern layout and playful, graphic elements in an easy-to-shop environment.

Flavio Agosti, the co-founder of RUBIROSA, recently announced the launch of a new sneaker for men.

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ST. GALLEN, Switzerland-- Flavio Agosti, the co-founder of RUBIROSA, recently announced a men’s shoe that helps the wearer relax and move better either at home or on-the-go by combining comfort and high quality in line with the ability to correctly secure the shoe with a simple well-knitted shoelace.

RUBIROSA is a Swiss-based private firm established with the primary aim of ensuring that customers get high quality and innovative products at great prices, leveraging on years of experience in craftmanship, quality control and production management. The firm is focused on designing gentlemen’s shoes using the high quality leather materials as well as the experience of centuries of traditional Italian craftmanship.

RUBIROSA products are born out of the philosophy of the legendary Latin American gentleman Porfirio Rubirosa, a fashion icon who lived between 1909 and 1965.

For more information about the gentlemen’s sneakers, visit www.rubirosa.com

(StatePoint) Buying a home for the first time? You may discover that one of the biggest obstacles is learning the lingo.

Homebuying can be overwhelming and perhaps a bit intimidating if you aren’t familiar with the terminology.

To help aspiring homeowners gain confidence in the homebuying process, the experts at Freddie Mac are sharing a guide with some top terms you’ll hear.

• Pre-approval letter. A letter from your lender telling you how much home you can afford and the maximum amount you are qualified to borrow. Having a preapproval letter while shopping can help you move faster, and with greater confidence in competitive markets.

• Appraisal. After you make an offer on a home, your lender will order an appraisal to get a professional opinion on its value. This is a necessary step in getting financing secured, as it validates the worth to you and your lender.

• Closing costs. In addition to a home’s price, a buyer must pay “closing costs.” This is the cost to complete the real estate transaction. This includes points, taxes, title insurance, financing costs, items that must be prepaid or escrowed and other costs. Closing costs are generally two to five percent of your home purchase price.

• Escrow. The holding of money or documents by a neutral third party before closing, escrow can also refer to an account held by the lender or servicer into which a homeowner pays taxes and insurance.

• Mortgage rate. The interest rate you pay to

Make “the perfect new home for us” happen New neighborhood. Bigger house. Closer commute. Whatever your reason for buying your first or next home, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

You’ll have personal support, low down payment options, and online resources to help you find the right loan—and enjoy your new home for years to come.

Information is accurate as of date of printing and is subject to change without notice. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. © 2017 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801

Call: 1-888-424-4943 Explore your options at: wellsfargo.com/yournewhome

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calendar

DuSable High School’s 82nd anniversary celebration will salute DuSable’s Men of Distinction

The DuSable High School Alumni Coalition for Action invites all classes, past and present, as well as the general public to this scholarship fundraiser which will benefit the DuSable campus’ small high schools.

DuSable High School’s 82nd anniversary celebration will honor some of the men of distinction the school has produced since opening in 1935. Honoree Timuel Black, whose expertise is often called upon by the Chicago news media regarding historical matters, was a member of the school’s first graduation class in 1937. Black also taught at DuSable for a period of time.

Some of the other honorees are Judge William Cousins, politician Howard Brookins, community activist Kublai Toure, educator Reuben Crawford, banking specialist Lawrence Allen, recording artist Marshall Thompson and jazz guitarist George Freeman.

The DuSable Alumni Coalition for Action’s last gala featured “Powerful Women.” Other galas have featured themes such as “DuSable’s Landmark Status,” which the DuSable High School Alumni Coalition for Action fought hard to win before it became official in 2013.

Event Details: The New Martinique 8200 So. Cicero Ave. Burbank, Illinois Saturday, June 3, 2017 12pm to 4:30pm Dinner and an open bar are included.

Tickets are $60 per person.

For ticket information contact: Sylvia Alston at 773-419-4835. All are welcome to join this historic celebration and fundraising event.

Chicago Youth Centers Hosts Annual Believe In Kids Dinner: Above & Beyond

Chicago Youth Centers (CYC), Chicago’s largest independent youth and family services organization will host its largest fundraiser, The Believe in Kids Dinner: Above & Beyond sponsored by Wintrust on Thursday, May 18th at The Standard Club. The mission of Chicago Youth Centers is to empower children and teens to recognize and experience their full potential. This annual dinner celebrates CYC alumni, families, staff, and supporters, and raises needed funds for Chicago’s largest private youth organization. Chairs of this critical fundraiser are Dixie Adams Erwin (IBM) and Daniel M. Feeney (Miller Shakman & Beem LLP) with Honorary Chair Edward J. Wehmer (Founder, President and CEO of Wintrust.) Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception, dinner and a program.

This year’s program is hosted by CNN correspondent Rosa Flores and will feature remarks from Honorary Chair Edward J. Wehmer (Founder, President and CEO of Wintrust.) The program will also feature the Honorable Kimberly M. Foxx, Cook County State’s Attorney and CYC Alumna as the keynote speaker. Foxx will discuss her personal journey with Chicago Youth Centers and how that put her on a path to becoming the first African American women to lead the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office—the second largest prosecutor’s office in the country.

The program highlights include the 2017 Epstein-Donnelley Spirit of Youth Award

Entrepreneurship Is Only For Risk Takers

By Christopher Shuttlesworth

EVENT OF THE WEEK

CHICAGO KIDNEY ACTION DAY

On June 6, Chicago Kidney Action Day will include free health screenings, healthy food samples and more.

Kidney Action Day is coming to Chicago on Tuesday, June 6! The American Kidney Fund’s Kidney Action Day offers free health screenings, healthy food samples, interactive fitness demonstrations, prizes and giveaways, and lots of entertainment and activities for the entire family.

Take action for your health on Kidney Action Day. The event will be held at the Richard J. Daley Center Plaza from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. for a day of awareness and action against kidney disease.

Event Details: Chicago Kidney Action Day

Winner, Lydia Diaz, a CYC parent, and 2017 Epstein Scholarship Winner, Maleek Willis.

Willis is a senior at Farragut High School that will be attending Florida Memorial University with help from Chicago Youth Centers. He will discuss how the nonprofit impacted his life growing up in North Lawndale and how entering college became a reality for him.

CYC supports children and families in underserved communities so they can succeed in the 21st century. Through its seven centers and several partner sites, CYC provides the experiences and resources needed for youth ages 3-18 to persist academically and develop socially and emotionally. Learn more at www. chicagoyouthcenters.org or www.facebook. com/chicagoyouthcenters Event Details: Believe In Kids Dinner: Above & Beyond presented by Wintrust Thursday, May 18th The Standard Club, 320 South Plymouth Court, Chicago

Tuesday, June 6, 2017 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Richard J. Daley Center Plaza 50 W. Washington Street Chicago, IL 60602 For more information visit http://www. kidneyfund.org/prevention/free-kidney-healthscreenings/kidney-action-day/chicago/ or contact: Chad Stewart, cstewart@kidneyfund.org / (301) 984-6644 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ events/1266317273484300/

Cocktail Hour 6-7 PM, Dinner and Program 7-9 PM Attire: Business/Cocktail Attire For Tickets: www.chicagoyouthcenters. org or call 312.913.1700 ext. 424

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY FEATURED PROGRAMMING

Chicago Public Library offers a variety of programs and events each month to engage patrons of all ages and to explore relevant cultural topics. All events are free and seating is first come, first served. Unless noted, events listed here take place at Harold Washington Library Center, Cindy Pritzker Auditorium, lower level. For a complete list of CPL events at all locations, visit www. chipublib.org/events.

Event Details: David McCullough, author of “The American Spirit: Who We Are and What We Stand For” Tuesday, May 16 at 1 p.m.

HWLC, Winter Garden, 9th floor In honor of the opening of the

new American Writers Museum, David McCullough will read from and discuss his new book. This is a collection of speeches by the most honored historian of the United States, and reminds us of who we are and for what we stand. Dr. McCullough will sign copies of the book, which will be available for sale at the event.

One Book, One Chicago Season Finale: Barbara Kingsolver, author of “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” Thursday, May 18 at 6 p.m.

We are thrilled to welcome renowned author Barbara Kingsolver for the finale of the 2016-2017 One Book, One Chicago season. Kingsolver will discuss her book, “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” which has helped launch a modern transition in America’s attitudes toward food. Overflow seating with live simulcast video will be available. Books will be available for purchase, and Kingsolver will sign books at the program’s conclusion.

www.thechicagocitizen.com • 52 years of serving the Black community

Meg Herman, director of entrepreneurial services at the Women’s Business Development Center, discussed the importance of entrepreneurship and gave insight on how business owners can get their ideas off of the ground and running. Herman made her remarks on May 15 and 17, 2017 at two local events entitled, ‘Is Entrepreneurship Right For You?’ and ‘Meet With A Small Business Advisor.’

Herman, who has been in business for more than 30 years, said she has come to realize that entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone and that entrepreneurs must be passionate as they go through the ups and downs of owning a business.

“You have to be willing to step out there and take some risks,” Herman said. “You have to be willing to do the work of working on the business as well as doing your passion so you can grow the business. It’s a lot of work, but there can be a lot of rewards.”

Herman explained that it takes more money to build a start-up business than most people realize. She said there are not any grants for small businesses, but there are loans.

“It’s a journey of thinking as well as opportunities for doing,” Herman said. “You really have to curve your spending appetite if you want to have a business because the business needs the money to grow,” she said. “People think that somebody is just out there offering grants and that’s just not true.”

She continued to explain that in some cases, small business owners can be considered for community development grants and small business innovation funds up to $150,000. But Herman said these types of grants require business owners to pay out of their pocket first and then the City of Chicago will pay the business Meg Herman, director of entrepreneurial services at the owner back.

Women’s Business Development “If you don’t have the money Center, has been in the business for to put out first then you’re not more than 30 years. Herman said going to be reimbursed for it,” she has learned that entrepreneurs Herman said. “It also depends on need to be risk takers, well-thinkers whether it’s in the right location and have an advisor to guide them through the financial and legal for which those reimbursement aspects of raising capital and gaining grants are offered. So, there isn’t more success overtime. Photo By: any magical money out there.”

Christopher Shuttlesworth Robert Flair, owner of Ora Lee’s Gourmet Foods is one of those risk takers. He recently had the family’s special recipe of gourmet potato salad featured on Windy City Live and the future of the business looks bright. Flair said he is fortunate to have the potato salad in 15 restaurants including Red Snappers and Sharks. But he said his ultimate plan is to get the recipe in grocery stores like Jewel Osco and Mariano’s, with the support of local business owners and community residents.

“I just need people in the community to know more about black home-made food and black-owned businesses,” Flair said. “We need our products on the market and in the stores too. Why not? We used to have it and everyone else has their food out there.”

Flair said if his product was in grocery stores like Jewel Osco, it would be easy for local residents to get good, home-made potato salad.

“If residents don’t feel like cooking, I want them to have a place where they can get some good, old-school potato salad,” Flair said. “I want them to go to Sharks, Red Snapper’s, Jewels or [Mariano’s] and pick up some potato salad and not have to do anything to it, but just eat it. That’s the kind of support that I need.”

Herman said major challenges of this nature can be averted by small business owners working with an advisor, learning how to work more on their business and learning how to build a business plan.

“You have to develop your thinking about the business and how it should be run and who’s the market,” Herman said. “You must know your competition for just the kind of clients that you’re going to have, not everyone in the world. Then learn how do I reach my specific clients and how do I do it in a way that I can replicate the offer consistently and that is where operations comes in? [Also] learn how do I price things effectively given the cost of the market? These are things for new businesses to think through in order to be successful overtime,” he said.

THE POWER

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© Commonwealth Edison Company, 2017 Grant amounts may vary while funds are available

CITIZEN / Chicago Weekend / Week of May 17, 2017 / 11

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