South End Citizen 1-20-2021

Y O U R S O U R C E F O R C O R O N AV I R U S N E W S

Citizen The Citizen: Serving The Black Community For 55 Years Week of Jan. 20, 2021

| Vol. 53 | No. 50 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SOUTH END

Free COVID-19 Testing Available at State Mobile Testing Sites in Northern Illinois Page 2

New survey finds 70% of consumers improved home during COVID-19, more than half used smart devices Page 4

LaToyia Huggins, executive director of Christmas in the Wards, talks about the importance of the partnership between Christmas in the Wards and the Chicago Park District. Photo by Tia Carol Jones

Why a Tech Career Might Be Right for You Page 7

CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT RECEIVES $10K

Christmas in the Wards and Chicago Football Classic each awarded Chicago Park District $5,000 for programs that focus on children during an event at Soldier Field. PAGE 2

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NEWS briefly EDUCATION 500 PAGES OF PRESCHOOL WORKSHEETS GIFTED TO THE PUBLIC DOMAIN The website www.abbythepup.com, which was launched recently, provides free quality educational materials to teachers and parents to help educate their 3 and 4 year old children. All preschool printables and worksheets on the website have been placed under the Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication (CC0). The content is provided with no logins, no fees and no advertisements. Abby the Pup’s purpose is for social good, dedicated to improving the lives of children through education.

According to a press release, there are hundreds of pages of preschool printables and worksheets in literature, math, general knowledge and skills and for the classroom. Users can download, print and distribute the materials freely. The contributors and supporters of the website believe that quality preschool educational materials should be freely available to all children. The website was created in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when many young children could not go to school or were required to learn remotely from home.

For more information, visit www.abbythepup.com.

HEALTH

FREE COVID-19 TESTING AVAILABLE AT STATE MOBILE TESTING SITES IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has several mobile testing teams that are dispatched to various locations around the state each week to provide COVID-19 testing. Anyone can be tested, regardless of symptoms or immigration status. There is no cost to the individual for testing, but they should bring their insurance card if they have one. However, insurance is not required. Specimens will be collected using a simple nasal swab. Drive-through and walkup testing are both available at most locations.

Site locations are subject to change. Please check the IDPH website for the most current mobile testing site location information at http://www.dph.illinois.gov/testing/mobiletesting-sites.

LAW & POLITICS

NEW ABA BOOK TELLS STORY OF FIRST HISPANIC AMERICAN JUDGE ON U.S. TAX COURT The American Bar Association Section of Taxation has published “From the Texas Cotton Fields to the United States Tax Court: The Life Journey of Juan F. Vasquez,” a biography of the first Hispanic American to serve on the United States Tax Court.

The book traces Juan F. Vasquez’s journey, which surmounted numerous challenges such as poverty, manual labor and discrimination. It explores his pursuit of education to build — with the support of family, friends and mentors — a professional career serving community, taxpayers and the tax system.

Vasquez was appointed and confirmed to the United States Tax Court in 1995 and reappointed and reconfirmed in 2011.

Written by Mary Theresa Vasquez and Anthony Head, the book is based on family records and interviews with family, friends and colleagues. Mary Theresa is Vasquez’s wife and the author of “Mi Mamacita Tiene Alzheimer’s.” Head is the author of “Spirit: The Life and Art of Jesse Trevino,” “Lucid: A Novel” and “Meatless in Cowtown.”

Vasquez was born to a working-class family in San Antonio, Texas, and grew up learning the value of education and hard work, as well as an appreciation for justice. After graduation from San Antonio’s Fox Technical High School, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin, a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center, and a Master of Laws in taxation from New York University School of Law. During his career, he worked in private practice, at the Internal Revenue Service and in teaching.

Book Price: $34 / $44 / $29 Place Orders: 800-285-2221 or shopaba.org

Larry Huggins, founder of Christmas in the Wards and co-founder of Chicago Football Classic, speaks before presenting a $5,000 check to the Chicago Park District. Photo by Tia Carol Jones

Chicago Park District receives $10K Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Christmas in the Wards and Chicago Football Classic each awarded Chicago Park District $5,000 for programs that focus on children during an event at Soldier Field.

Christmas in the Wards is a non-profit organization, founded by Larry Huggins, CEO of Riteway-Huggins Construction, that provides assistance to underserved families in Chicago.

Chicago Football Classic was founded

by Everett Rand and Huggins as a way to expose young people to Historically Black Colleges and Universities through football games and events.

LaToyia Huggins, executive director of Christmas in the Wards, said Chicago Park District has helped Christmas in the Wards bring education, laptops, food and other resources to people in communities on the South and West sides.

Larry Huggins said Christmas in the Wards was very happy to present Chicago Park District with the $5,000 donation, so they can provide help to needy families.

Alonzo Williams, of the Chicago Park District, thanked Christmas in the Wards and Chicago Football Classic for the donations. “This is a great opportunity for the Chicago Park District

and all of our programs, both for the young kids that you see running around parks, as well as our teens that you see represented here today. These checks will go a long way to help continue to support families who can’t afford to be in some of our programs, as well as our teen-based programs that we are really trying to enhance,” he said.

LaToyia Huggins said Christmas in the Wards presenting two students with laptops was the organization’s way to help with the challenges of remote learning. She said families need all the support they can get. She also spoke about the importance of education technology. “Education technology is really vital, essential and important for children to be able to meet the educational needs and demands to be able to thrive to be able to go on to college and be able to do the things they really want to do with their lives,” she said.

Rand said that while Christmas and the elections are over, there is no finish line with Chicago Football Classic.

He said without the support of city of Chicago and sponsors, Chicago Football Classic doesn’t happen. “HBCU’s are down in attendance and we are trying to make sure we bring that back and make sure we keep them on the map,” he said.

LaToyia Huggins said 8th Ward Al-

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derwoman Michelle A. Harris and 34th Ward Alderwoman Carrie M. Austin have been part of Christmas in the Wards almost from the very beginning.

“They have helped support thousands of families throughout their communities, but also in communities throughout Chicago to help bring them Christmas, educational resources, food. Each year, these women go and shop for families, and they did it again this year with really supporting hundreds of families who have really had needs,” she said.

Harris said that Christmas in the Wards is a worthy organization. And, it is really rewarding for her to participate.

She presented Quincy James, a resident of the 8th Ward, with a laptop.

Austin said it has been an honor for her to participate in Christmas in the Wards and to bring some kind of betterment to her constituents. Austin presented 34th Ward resident Laurun Hall with a laptop.

“With the support of the Chicago Park District, we have continued to make 2020 and now 2021 filled with amazing programs to celebrate the families, communities, students and individuals of Chicago. We know that we will continue to have that great relationship with the Chicago Park District and all of its programs,” LaToyia Huggins said.

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NEWS Sweetened beverage sales bounced back quickly after Cook County tax repealed

Attorney General Kwame Raoul recently urged residents throughout Illinois to be on alert for scams related to the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul Urges Illinois Residents To Be Alert For COVID-19 Vaccine Scams Attorney General Kwame Raoul recently urged residents throughout Illinois to be on alert for scams related to the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

As the general public begins to receive doses of the vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna, Raoul’s office is cautioning people to be alert for scams and theft of personally-identifiable information.

“People should be wary of anyone who offers the vaccine or promises priority access to the vaccine or a COVID-19 cure in exchange for money,” Raoul said. “I am urging Illinois residents to be vigilant for scams related to the vaccine, which could compromise their health and personal information. People should report these scams to my office.”

“Currently, there is a limited amount of vaccine in Illinois and in the U.S.,” said Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Because of the limited amount of vaccine, we want people to be aware of potential scammers who may ask you to pay out of pocket to get the vaccine, who offer to give you early access to the vaccine, or offer to ship you vaccine for payment. Until more vaccine is readily available, we ask people to be patient, understand there may be others in similar risk categories who may get vaccinated first, and continue to wear their mask, watch their distance, and avoid gatherings.”

The vaccine’s distribution is being overseen by Illinois public health officials, and it is currently available in limited quantities. Residents will be able to receive the vaccine only through a designated health

As the general public begins to receive doses of the vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna, Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office is cautioning people to be alert for scams and theft of personally-identifiable information.

clinic. No one can pay to put their names on a distribution list or purchase early access to the vaccine.

Consumers should also be aware that Medicare or Medicaid will not call seniors or residents to proactively offer the COVID-19 vaccine. Residents should consult their health care providers or local health departments for guidance

in determining when the vaccine will be available to them.

Raoul encourages people to take steps to protect their health and information: Do not buy any kind of COVID-19 vaccine or treatment on the internet or from an online pharmacy. You should not have to pay any amount of money out of pocket in order to receive the vaccine.

Everyone eventually will be able to receive the vaccine, even if they do not have health insurance.

Ignore online, phone, and text offers for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Hang up on any calls, including robocalls, which direct you to take immediate action or provide personally-identifiable information, such as your Social Security number or bank account number.

Report solicitations from telemarketers, text messages and social media platforms, as well as door-to-door visits. You can file a consumer complaint with the Illinois Attorney General’s office.

Delete emails and texts that promise or offer access to COVID-19 treatments, and do not click on any links contained in such emails as they may place malware on your devices.

Additional materials and data are available free of charge on the Illinois Attorney General’s website and on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website.

Individuals who have questions or need to report a scam should call the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline at 1-800-386-5438 (Chicago), 1-800-2430618 (Springfield), or 1-800-243-0607 (Carbondale), or file an online complaint.

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Following the repeal of the short-lived Cook County, Illinois Sweetened Beverage Tax, sales of sweetened beverages went right back to where they were before the tax went into place, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago. The study is published in JAMA Network Open.

The tax, which included both sugar-sweetened and artificially-sweetened diet beverages, was largely pitched as a way to reduce county budget deficits. The tax lasted just four months — it went into effect on Aug. 2, 2017 and ended on Dec. 1, 2017.

“We know that the tax worked to bring down demand for sweetened beverages significantly while it was in place,” said Lisa Powell, UIC distinguished professor and director of health policy and administration at the School of Public Health and lead author of the paper. “The repeal of the Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax was a missed public health opportunity.

If it had stayed in place, we could have seen a lasting reduction in consumption of sweetened beverages, which are linked to obesity, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease which, in turn, have recently been found to be associated with increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.”

Previous research by Powell and colleagues showed that while the tax was in effect, it worked to bring down volume sold of sweetened beverages by 27% in Cook County, with a net effect of 21% after taking into account cross-border shopping in response to the tax.

In the new study, Powell and Julien Leider, a senior research specialist at the UIC Institute for Health Research and Policy, compared the price and volume of sweetened beverages sold in Cook County in the two years before the tax, during the four months the tax was in place and in the eight months after the tax was repealed relative to St. Louis, Missouri, which did not have a similar tax.

Employing a different analytical method than they used in their previous research, Powell and Leider found that sweetened beverages increased in price by 1.13 cents per fluid ounce in Cook County while the tax was in place. After the repeal of the tax, the price dropped 1.19 cents per fluid ounce. They also found that the volume of sweetened beverages sold in Cook County dropped by about 26% under the tax and increased by about 30% after the tax was repealed.

Ultimately, there was no net change in the volume of sweetened beverages sold pre-tax compared to after the tax was repealed.

“Volume of sweetened beverages sold in Cook County went right back to pre-tax levels following the repeal of the tax,” Powell said.

Powell notes that the results suggest that the tax worked to bring down demand for sweetened beverages through price point alone and did not appear to change perceptions regarding the harms linked to consuming sugary beverages. Public messaging about the tax, focused mostly on proceeds being used to address budgetary deficits rather than on public health.

“We don’t know if public messaging were more focused on health benefits if there would have been some lasting impact of the tax, but as it stands, we see that the substantial impact from the tax fully disappeared once it was repealed,” Powell said.

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BUSINESS STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS CHANGED THE VERY NOTION OF HOW PEOPLE INTERACT AND LIVE IN THEIR HOMES, DRIVING PEOPLE TO RECONFIGURE THEIR PHYSICAL SPACE TO MEET NEW FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING WORKING AND LEARNING AT HOME, CREATING AT-HOME GYMS, OR FINDING NEW WAYS TO RELAX AND ENJOY THEMSELVES.

New survey finds 70% of consumers improved home during COVID-19, more than half used smart devices A new study released recently

by Xiaomi, a global leader in smart devices, found that since March 2020, 70% of consumers have reported making changes in their living environment due to spending more time at home during the pandemic, and more than half (51%) have reported purchasing at least one smart device during that period.

Stay-at-home orders changed the very notion of how people interact and live in their homes, driving people to reconfigure their physical space to meet new functional requirements, including working and learning at home, creating at-home gyms, or finding new ways to relax and enjoy themselves.

The survey found that 3 out of 5 respondents said that since their leisure and work environments have become one, it has become harder to carve out personal space to relax and find joy at home. Of those, 63% purchased smart home devices, 82% adapted a room for working from home during COVID, and 79% reconfigured at least one room.

“Smart living has always been about reimagining and optimizing physical space to solve problems and adapt to new realities through the use of technology, and we’ve seen this adoption accelerate in 2020,” said Daniel Desjarlais, global product marketing manager at Xiaomi. “Connected homes, automated systems, and new technology are helping people create ecosystems within their homes to solve new challenges presented by increased time at home, whether it’s adapting or creating new uses for old spaces, such as office space or classrooms, or just creating a more streamlined home that is easier to manage and control.”

Key survey findings include: * People had to adapt existing spaces to serve new purposes, particularly younger generations: Makeshift spacing

PRNewsfoto/Xiaomi

arrangements were widespread across all age groups, with nearly two-thirds (66%) of all respondents saying that they had to use makeshift spacing arrangements in response to staying home more during the pandemic. This was particularly pronounced among Gen Z and Millennials -- 91% of Gen Z consumers and 80% of Millennials indicated this was something they were forced to do. * Smart home device purchases were a solution: On average, consumers bought two new smart devices since March in response to being home more during the pandemic, with Gen Z consumers buying an average of three. Smart devices can help to streamline a space and provide solutions for problems generated by more time at home, such as the need to carve out specific work or study space.

Regardless of devices purchased, there is an overwhelming consensus among consumers (82%) that there are significant advantages to a home with smart devices. * For many, these makeshift solutions may end up being permanent. According to a press release, 60% of consumers say they plan to continue using their home for activities typically performed elsewhere, even after a COVID-19 vaccine is widely available. If stay-at-home orders go into effect again in 2021, nearly 2 in 5 (39%) of consumers have reported that they want to upgrade their devices and 41% will adapt a room. In 2021, the adoption and integration of smart home technology will be a prevailing trend in home improvement as consumers look to smart devices as part of their

long-term solutions.

As of September 30, 2020, the number of users with five or more devices connected to Xiaomi’s AIoT platform reached 5.6 million. Much of Xiaomi’s growth is coming from overseas markets, including expansion into Western markets. The newest product to be readily available for U.S. consumers is Mi Air Purifier 3H, which went on sale on January 14, 2021.

The Xiaomi Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 18+, between December 11th and December 16th, 2020, using an email invitation and an online survey.

For more information on Xiaomi and their smart home ecosystem, visit mi.com.

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Six Workforce Trends to Watch in 2021 The Center for State and Local Government Excellence (SLGE) helps local and state governments become knowledgeable and competitive employers so they can attract and retain a talented and committed workforce.

Recent research by SLGE reveals key challenges and opportunities facing states and localities in 2021. The research offers insights into what strategies and tactics to monitor as governments of all sizes strive to attract and retain talented state and local employees.

SLGE offers the following six trends to watch in 2021: 1. Embracing a holistic approach to employee well-being: Public employers will embrace a holistic approach to employee well-being through expanded financial wellness programs, increasing their understanding of employee benefit preferences, and evaluating the impact of structural change to retirement benefits on retirement security.

2. Strengthening the post-COVID-19 workplace: The public sector will continue to work to address the impact of COVID-19 on employers and employees and identify a balance between remote work environments and more traditional approaches for a wider range of positions, while expanding the use of flexible work practices more generally.

3. Implementing innovative staffing practices and collaborative approaches: Budget challenges and increased service demands will incentivize state and local governments to assess current staffing levels, project future needs, expand the use of innovative staffing practices, and collaborate with other organizations.

4. Focusing on financial wellness: Given the impact the pandemic has had on individuals’ personal finances, employee financial education programs will be expanded to cover more topics, leveraging enhanced communications methods, while evolving to more specifically meet the needs of more employees.

5. Expanding workforce management tools: The comprehensiveness and fiscal sustainability of public retirement plans will continue to be a central focus for these workforce management tools, while new approaches for providing benefits, including retiree health care, will be explored.

6. Developing a diverse and inclusive workforce: As public sector employers work to attract and retain a talented workforce of the future, they will look to ensure that their workforce is diverse, inclusive, and more reflective of the populations they serve, taking into account the disproportionate health and economic impacts of COVID-19 on racial and ethnic groups.

According to a press release, SLGE identifies leading practices and conducts research on public retirement plans, health care benefits, workforce demographics and skill set needs, and labor force development. SLGE brings state and local leaders together with respected researchers. You can access all SLGE publications and sign up for its newsletter at slge.org and follow @4govtexcellence on Twitter.

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FASHION

Black-Woman Owned Online Shoe Boutique Celebrates First Anniversary With All Items on Sale

Low Heel No Heel Owner, Shannon Ashmore-McMath

Shannon Ashmore-McMath founded Low Heel No Heel in 2019. Low Heel No Heel is a Black Woman-owned online shoe boutique that specializes in offering women’s shoes that are affordable, comfortable, and under 4 inches tall.

The company offers free shipping on all orders over $50 and no monthly subscriptions and just celebrated their first full year in business.

To honor their first year in business, the entire site is on sale.

“The goal was to provide women with stylish footwear options that can be worn for all occasions,” says Shannon who is from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

She continues, “We just completed our first full year in business. Like many other small businesses, we were also affected by the pandemic;

however, we are grateful to still be in business due to the unwavering support of our customers and remain optimistic regarding our future. We are hoping to inspire other women and minority entrepreneurs to do the same as well.”

To view their selection, please visit LowHeelNoHeel.com Follow the brand on social media and follow the Owner, Shannon on Instagram

HALSEY SET TO LAUNCH about-face Make-u(p) without rules Created by multimedia, awardwinning artist and bestselling author Halsey, about-face is a multidimensional color beauty brand which is set to launch direct-toconsumer via www.aboutface.com on January 25, 2021.

Inspired by music, fashion and art, about-face honors inclusivity, acceptance, experimentation and the democratization of beauty for our multiple identities.

About about-face is described as Make-u(p) without rules, made for the many versions of you. It’s a multidimensional makeup for everyone, everywhere created by Halsey and built on the truth that no one is just one thing and humans are weird, complex and imperfectly beautiful beings.

Halsey, a self-taught makeup artist, has always taken ownership of what makes her feel most beautiful, creating and applying her own looks for performances, editorials and music videos. A true makeup junkie, she has an encyclopedic knowledge of brands, application methods, and best-in-class products from drugstore heroes to luxury leaders.

Perfecting her craft, she was often blending, cocktailing and color-correcting to achieve levels of vibrancy, pigment intensity and shine. From this extensive base knowledge of beauty, she created a brand rooted in performance-driven formulations.

“Makeup is an art and art is about happy accidents, not any one ideal of perfection,” said Halsey, founder and chief creative officer of about-face. “I always feel the most free when I am creating looks without following any rules. The beauty industry has norms,

Light Lock Highlighter Collection by about-face

but I want to encourage people to challenge those standards and allow things to be imperfect and fun.”

The about-face launch collection embodies Halsey’s personal style and love of diverse beauty, initially with three distinct franchises - Light Lock, Matte, and Shadowstick. Light Lock, her signature face highlighter range with stratospheric shine, includes Stick, Powder, Fluid and Lip Gloss.

The Matte range of velvety smooth, creaseless, high-intensity colors consists of Paint-It Matte Lip Colors, Matte Fix Lip Pencils and Matte Fluid Eye Paint, as well as a Set and Prime Spray with application sponge for face. Shadowsticks are precise, multi-tasking cream eyeshadow crayons that feature soft pearly pastels, as well as a high intensity matte velvet in white, teal blue and black for a range of looks for liner

and lids. The launch consists of 10 product categories (inclusive of beauty tools and limited edition cosmetic bags) across a total of 40 skus. All about-face products are formulated to be vegan, clean, and cruelty free. Prices range from $17.00 to $32.00. about-face will be sold direct-toconsumer in the US, Canada, UK and Europe on www.aboutface.com, as well as via an exclusive year-long partnership with Ipsy, featured in the newly launched and limited edition Glam Bag X on www.ipsy.com. The next about-face drop will be AntiValentine’s Day, a limited-edition matte lip range launching in early February 2021.

About Halsey: GRAMMY® Awardnominated multi-platinum singer/ songwriter Halsey burst onto the scene in 2015 with her first studio www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Halsey for about-face

album, Badlands, which has been RIAA certified 2x platinum. Her second release, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard Top 200 chart upon its debut. Since then, Halsey has continued her success with her 7x Platinum “Without Me,” which made Halsey the first and only female artist to have at least three songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100 for 50 weeks each. Halsey continues to push creative boundaries, expanding her influence and impact beyond music. In 2019, she was awarded the Hal David Starlight Award, presented by the Songwriters Hall

of Fame, to honor her songwriting.

In 2020, Halsey released her latest album, Manic, to rave reviews. The album has already attained RIAA Platinum status as did the single “Graveyard” from the album. Most recently, it was announced that she will executive produce and star in “The Players Table” alongside Sydney Sweeney and in November of 2020, she debuted her first original poetry book, I Would Leave Me If I Could, which made her a NY Times bestselling author.

For more information please visit www.aboutface.com @aboutfacebeauty

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NEWS

Why a Tech Career Might Be Right for You StatePoint - If you have an interest in innovation, a passion for helping people and the confidence to let your creativity shine, there are exciting and rewarding career opportunities available to you in technology in almost every industry. From supporting the development of critical vaccines; building the next generation of electric vehicles; creating new and engaging ways to deliver distance learning; keeping air, food and water safe and sustainable; or bringing efficiencies to the delivery of government services, there is a career in tech waiting for you.

Even better, you don’t necessarily need to be a computer whiz or math genius to land one of these jobs, as technical skills can often be taught, but professional and personal skills are often more difficult to find. Those in the know say that a growing number of employers are more interested in creativity, organization, verbal and written communications skills and a willingness to be a team player and less in technical acumen.

“That’s true for people joining the labor force for the first time, returning to the workforce, burned out or hitting a ceiling in their current job, or downsized out of a job through no fault of their own,” said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association.

It’s a field that offers a certain amount of job

Employers across the country continue to advertise job openings for tech workers – there were nearly 200,000 listings in November 2020.

security, too. The economic and employment disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have had an impact on tech occupations, though not nearly to the degree that other industries have been affected. The unemployment rate for IT occupations in the U.S. stood at 2.4% in November 2020, below the national unemployment rate of 6.7%.

Employers across the country continue to

advertise job openings for tech workers – there were nearly 200,000 listings in November 2020.

These openings were spread across many industries outside the technology sector, including financial services, manufacturing, retail, government, healthcare and education. You’ll also find great variety in the types of positions companies need to fill. They include application and software developers; tech support professionals,

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whose roles are increasingly important as more people work and learn from home; network analysts, architects and engineers; cybersecurity pros responsible for securing our data, devices and networks; and project managers tasked with keeping mission-critical projects on track.

There are a number of free resources available to help you learn more about tech careers: • The Future of Tech (futureoftech.org) is a free and growing library of resources to get you up to speed on what’s new and next in the world of technology.

• Cyberstates (cyberstates.org) is the definitive guide to information on the U.S. technology industry and workforce.

• If you’re interested in cybersecurity, CyberSeek (cyberseek.org) has detailed information on the U.S. job market, including guidance on career paths and professional certifications.

• CompTIA (comptia.org) offers many tech career planning tools, including salary calculators and job search help.

“There are career options available that allow you to combine an interest in technology with something you are passionate about,” Thibodeaux said. “With the right access, encouragement and opportunity, anyone can maximize their digital knowledge and skills so they can achieve their life’s ambitions.”

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CITIZEN On The Move

"Christmas In The Wards" in Collaboration with CFC Awarded $10,000.00 To Chicago Park District Recently

Pictured left to right are: Everett Rand, Board Member "Xmas in the Wards" and Co-Founder Chicago Football Classics; Elzie Higgenbottom, Alderwoman Carrie Austin, 34th Ward; Alderwoman Michelle Harris, 8th Ward; Larry Huggins, Founder, "Xmas in the Wards" and Co-Founder Chicago Football Classics; Tim LeFevour, General Manager, Soldier Field, ASM Global and Board Member "Xmas in the Wards".

Christmas in the Wards is a non-profit organization, founded by Larry Huggins, CEO of Riteway-Huggins Construction. CFC organizations gave away a laptop to a deserving student of the 34th ward. Alderman Carrie Austin personally congratulated the wards resident and made the presentation. (Photos by CREDD). www.citizennewspapergroup.com

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HOME

Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality and Breathe Better at Home (StatePoint) With more of life centered at home due to cool weather and social distancing, it’s time to ensure the space where your family spends the majority of its time is healthy and safe.

What many people don’t know is that concentrations of air pollutants can typically be up to five times higher inside one’s home than out, and sometimes far more, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. However, there are many simple actions you can take to breathe better in your home: • Monitor carbon monoxide: This potentially deadly gas can be emitted by a faulty gas-burning home appliance. Monitor for carbon monoxide using detectors placed in major areas of the home, especially the bedrooms.

• Make the switch to VOC-free: Most paints and stains, along with aerosol sprays, air fresheners and other household products, contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which emit gases that can result in respiratory problems, headaches and irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, among other health problems. Take a cue from forward-thinking institutions like the Getty Museum and Google and swap out conventional paints in your home interiors for an eco-friendly, non-toxic alternative such as ECOS Paints. The brand, which has a 35-year history of offering VOC- and odor-free paints and stains in virtually any color, uses sustainable ingredients and can deliver directly to a home or business. To learn more, visit ecospaints.net.

“We want people to feel good about what they are bringing into their homes. This is why we are transparent about ingredients and VOC testing results,” says Julian Crawford, ECOS Paints CEO. • Keep airborne dust to a minimum: Dust carries a variety of contaminants, including bacteria and allergens. Mop and dust often using a wet mop and dust cloth. Vacuum often as well using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which traps small particles.

• Eliminate moisture from the air: Moisture promotes mold, which can cause serious health problems when left unabated. Reduce moisture by eliminating sources of water leaks, installing exhaust fans in kitchens, using air conditioning, and positioning dehumidifiers in high-moisture rooms such as bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements.

• Reduce airborne particles: Install an air purifier to trap irritating particles, including mold, pollen and pet dander, which are particularly bad for people with respiratory problems like asthma.

Brush pets often -- outdoors if possible -- and give pets regular baths.

• Decrease dirty air: Replace HVAC filters regularly. While the optimal frequency that you perform this task depends on the type of filter, the number of pets at home and other factors, a good reference point is the manufacturer’s guidelines.

When it comes to creating a healthy home sanctuary, taking steps to manage the most common indoor air pollutants should be a top priority.

PHOTO SOURCE: Interior by Lisa Tharp. Photo by Michael J. Lee.

PERSONAL FINANCE Need Mortgage Relief Due to COVID-19? Here's What to Know (StatePoint) As the pandemic continues to affect Americans across the country, many are facing financial hardship.

For homeowners with a Freddie Mac loan, COVID-19 mortgage assistance is available in the form of “forbearance,” which temporarily suspends or reduces your mortgage payment without penalty so you can get back on your feet.

Here is how forbearance works and what happens when it ends: How do I request forbearance? To request forbearance, you must contact your loan servicer (the company listed on your mortgage statement) who will help you understand your options. Forbearance is available for up to a year, though servicers will typically start you on a shorter forbearance plan and reassess to see if your financial situation has changed.

What happens when forbearance ends? It’s important to remember mortgage forbearance is not the same as mortgage forgiveness and you will have to repay your missed payments. About 30 days before the forbearance plan is scheduled to end, you and your servicer will determine next steps. This could include additional forbearance or a workout option to make up the missed payments. Just remember, you are never required to pay back missed payments in a lump sum if your loan is owned

by Freddie Mac. How does repayment work? Even though you must pay back payments that were missed during forbearance, you have several options for doing so. Additionally, you won’t accrue additional fees, penalties or interest beyond the amounts already scheduled or calculated based on the terms of your mortgage. For example, let’s say you enter into a www.citizennewspapergroup.com

forbearance agreement of three months. If your monthly mortgage payment is $1,000, you will owe about $3,000 in missed mortgage payments at the end of your forbearance term. Your servicer can help you determine the workout option that works best for you, including: • Full repayment, where you pay back the missed payments all at once.

• Repayment plans, which allow you to catch up gradually while you are paying your regular monthly payment.

• Payment deferral, which allows you to resume making your normal monthly payment. Your servicer can work with you to leverage alternative ways for you to pay back the missed payments from your forbearance period at a later date and in a manner that is affordable.

• Modification of the loan, which changes the terms of your loan, usually to reduce your original monthly payment amount.

Your servicer can help with a modification that might suit your new circumstances.

Additional Information: To stay on track with paying down your loan balance and less interest over the life of the loan, it’s important that you resume your payments as soon as you’re financially able. Keep in mind that while you’re not charged “extra” interest, you won’t be paying down your principal, and the interest will continue to accrue on your unpaid mortgage balance.

For information on forbearance and how to get help with your mortgage, visit My Home by Freddie Mac at myhome.freddiemac.com.

Remember, contacting your servicer is the first step in getting help with your mortgage payments if you are facing financial hardship due to COVID-19 or for other reasons. They can explore available options with you and determine what works best for your circumstances.

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Jan. 20, 2021

Bob, remove this tag before printing- this page is for southend and Chatham only

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SERVICE

REAL ESTATE HUD/BANK FORECLOSURES CITY & SUBURBS

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SAMUEL UMUNNA; ALLURE CONSTRUCTION INC.; JACKLIN BATARSEH; CURRENT SPOUSE IF ANY OF SAMUEL UMUNNA; MARVIN FAULKNER; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 10 CH 34661 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 26-31-227-001-0000 and 26-31227-002-0000. Commonly known as 13301 and 13303 South Burley Avenue, Chicago, IL 60633.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a multi-family residence. The successful purchaser is entitled to possession of the property only. The purchaser may only obtain possession of units within the multi-unit property occupied by individuals named in the order of possession. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff's Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 360-9455. W160306 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3162588 _______________________________________

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THE THREE GREATEST FINANCIAL RISKS YOU FACE TODAY

Social Media and Kids: What Parents Can Do to Ensure Safe Use (StatePoint) The negative effects of social media have been much discussed as of late, thanks to the recently released documentary on Netflix, “The Social Dilemma.”

The documentary argues that while platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook have at times been used to facilitate social movements and meaningful change, they can also make

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) AntonioGuillem / iStock via Getty Images Plus users obsessed with them.

As many parents know, children can be susceptible to the most common pitfalls of social media, but there are some key steps that they can take to help ensure that children’s usage remains balanced, healthy and safe: • Sorting fact from fiction: Information about the world is often delivered via social media tools. Unfortunately, much of that content is actually misinformation.

Parents can help stem the tide of “fake news” by teaching kids how to sort fact from fiction and pointing them in the direction of trusted sources of information.

• Privacy measures: An enormous amount of data is gathered by social media companies. Parents should teach kids to be wary of sharing private information and opinions online. They can also add privacy settings to children’s profiles to ensure they are connected only to their friends and family.

• Social media and feelings: Social media usage can be an emotional roller coaster. Parents should consider having a conversation with children about the way social media makes them feel. As part of this discussion, parents can remind kids that while “likes” and nice comments may make them feel good, it’s important not to rely too heavily on social media for emotional validation or real connection with friends. Unfortunately, cyberbullies and online “trolls” are active social media users, too, making social media apps a sometimes unfriendly place.

• Monitoring usage: New tools are helping parents seamlessly monitor social media usage and protect kids from unsafe content. In fact, over 1.2 million families use the screen time management solution, OurPact. The app, which allows parents to block or limit app access automatically, gives families the flexibility to set schedules for usage around recurring activities like school and bedtime, keeping access well-balanced. Parents can even view screenshots of kids’ digital activity. Available at the iOS App Store and Google Play Store, parents can also sign up for an account at www.ourpact.com.

While the ever-evolving social media landscape can make it difficult for adults to keep up with the way their children are interacting with these platforms, parents can help protect their kids by communicating regularly and by using new tools.

Darrell Garth

President /Publisher

Janice Garth

Sales Manager General Manager

Editorial

Send news tips, press releases, calendar listing etc to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com

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Coverage Areas: CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

Chatham, Avalon Park, Park Manor, Greater Grand Crossing, Burnside, Chesterfield, West Chersterfield, South Shore,and Calumet Heitghts.

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SOUTH SUBURBAN Serves communities in Harvey, Markham, Phoenix, Robbins, Dixmoor, Calumet Park, Blue Island, South Holland, and Dolton. Shopping- their favorite pastime!

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SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY Bloom Township, Chicago Heights, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, Glenwood, Homewood, Lansing ,Lynwood, Olympia Fileds, Park Forest, Sauk Village, South Chicago and Steger Citizen Newspaper Group Inc., (CNGI), Publisher of the Chatham-Southeast, South End, Chicago Weekend, South Suburban and Hyde Park Citizen and Citizen Suburban Times Weekly. Our weekly publications are published on Wednesday’s (publishing 52 issues annually). Written permission is required to reproduce contents in whole or in part from the publisher. Citizen Newspaper Group, Inc. does not assume the responsibility for nor are we able to return unsolicited materials, therefore they become property of the newspaper and can or will be discarded or used at the newspapers disgratation. Deadlines for advertising is every Friday at noon. Deadlines for press releases are Thursdays at 10 am prior to the next week’s edition. Please send information for the calendar at least three weeks prior to the event. Send to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com. For more information on subscriptions or advertising, call us at (773) 783-1251 or fax (872) 208-8793. Our offices are located at 8741 South Greenwood Suite# 107, Chicago, Illinois 60619.

12 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Jan. 20, 2021

This shouldn’t be how we say hello...or goodbye.

It’s our reality right now. But it won’t be if we do what it takes to beat COVID-19. Vaccines are coming, but until enough of us are vaccinated, we all still need to wear our masks, stay at least six feet from others, and avoid indoor social gatherings. The more we slow the spread, the faster we’ll return to normal hellos … and fewer goodbyes.

Learn more about vaccines and slowing the spread at cdc.gov/coronavirus Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services