South End Citizen 3-18-2020

ELECTION RESULTS — PAGE 8

Citizen Week of March 18, 2020

| Vol. 53 | No. 6 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SOUTH END

There’s a growing community movement underway in Englewood to get a shuttered Green Line train station at 63rd Street and Racine Avenue reopened. Photo credit: Wendell Hutson

ENGLEWOOD COMMUNITY PUSHING TO REOPEN SHUTTERED GREEN LINE TRAIN STATION There’s a growing movement in Englewood to have a shuttered Green Line train station reopened now that economic development is underway nearby. PAGE 2

NEWS

BUSINESS

REAL ESTATE

5 Innovations that are Making the World a Better Place

UPS’ ‘Circle of Honor’ Recognizes The Company’s Safest Drivers PAGE 4

Check out our real estate listings for important foreclosure information

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PAGES 9-10

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2 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of March 18, 2020

NEWS briefly EDUCATION NEW ‘TEST-BLIND’ POLICY IS FIRST OF ITS KIND FOR AN ILLINOIS INSTITUTION Northern Illinois University recently announced it will eliminate the use of standardized test scores for general admission and merit scholarship decisions. This new “test-blind” policy will begin for students applying to NIU for the fall of 2021.

Any high school graduate who applies to NIU with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above will be guaranteed admission.

All freshman applicants will be automatically considered for NIU Merit Scholarships, based on their GPA. The sweeping change includes the University Honors Program, with students applying to that program for the fall of 2021 no longer required to submit standardized test scores.

National higher education studies and NIU’s own data show a student’s high school GPA is a better indicator of future academic success than performance on a standardized ACT or SAT test. Research shows that the costs and inaccessibility of test preparation resources and courses often inhibit minority and low-income students, as well as students with disabilities.​

HEALTH

ACADEMY ENCOURAGES CONSUMERS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEW NUTRITION FACTS LABEL The updated Nutrition Facts Label can help the public make more informed decisions about their food and beverage choices. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, understanding the label can make you a wiser shopper and help you eat right.

“Nutrition Facts Labels help you find out which foods are good sources of particular nutrients such as vitamin D or dietary fiber,” says Registered Dietician Nutritionist Lauri Wright, a national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in Jacksonville, Fla. “Nutrition Facts Labels can help you compare similar foods so you can select those lower in salt, saturated fat, trans fat and added sugars.”

Many manufacturers already have started to use the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s updated Nutrition Facts Label, which was announced in 2016. The new label must appear on all food items by January 1, 2021. The updates are based on the latest information about nutrition and the links between what people eat and chronic diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. The new label reflects the most significant changes since its inception in 1993.

LAW & POLITICS

LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION COUNCIL OFFERS NEW DIGITAL LSAT PREP PRODUCTS The Law School Admission Council, administrator of the industry-leading Law School Admission Test, recently announced the launch of two new Digital LSAT preparation products that will help law school candidates improve their skills as they take the LSAT and begin their journey toward a career in the field of law.

The two new Digital LSAT preparation products are designed to complement the wide range of existing test prep tools and services, providing even more options to meet the individual needs and learning styles of today’s students. The new products are: Official LSAT Prep, which is free and included when a student registers for a free LSAC account, offers two full practice tests using the authentic Digital LSAT test environment launched in 2019.

Official LSAT Prep Plus, which is available as a one-year subscription for $99, offers more than 60 practice tests in the authentic Digital LSAT test environment.

Students who qualify for an LSAT test fee waiver will automatically qualify for a free one-year subscription to Official LSAT Prep Plus, with more than 60 practice tests. To learn more about LSAC’s Official LSAT Prep and Official LSAT Prep Plus, or to register for one of these new options, visit lsac.org/lsat/lsatprep. For more information about LSAC, please visit LSAC.org.

Englewood Community Pushing to Reopen Shuttered Green Line Train Station Continued from page 1

BY WENDELL HUTSON Contributing Writer

There’s a growing movement in Englewood to have a shuttered Green Line train station reopened now that economic development is underway nearby.

A recent groundbreaking at 63rd Street and Racine Avenue for Phase I of an economic development plan, “Go Green on Racine,” that includes opening a fresh produce store this fall; converting a nearby vacant, 16,500 square-foot building into a 12-unit apartment complex, and repurposing the former Granville Woods Academy building, 6206 S. Racine Ave., into a recycling facility.

And all of this is the beginning of a bigger development plan for Englewood, contends Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th).

“Racine Avenue is where we [Englewood residents] work, live and play.

And with so much economic development planned for the 63rd Street Corridor, it only makes sense to have it supported by public transportation,” said Coleman, whose ward includes the train station. “The time has come to reopen this station.”

She added that Ogden Park, 6500 S. Racine Ave., is walking distance from the train station, and if it reopens, that makes the park more accessible to families.

“We don’t want any barriers preventing foot traffic to the area, especially for

“RACINE AVENUE IS WHERE WE [ENGLEWOOD RESIDENTS] WORK, LIVE AND PLAY. AND WITH SO MUCH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNED FOR THE 63RD STREET CORRIDOR, IT ONLY MAKES SENSE TO HAVE IT SUPPORTED BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. THE TIME HAS COME TO REOPEN THIS STATION.” Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th) those who live in that immediate area,” added Coleman.

The station opened in 1907, but closed in 1994 when the CTA shut down the entire Green Line for two years to make extensive repairs. But when the Green Line opened back up in 1996 the Racine station never reopened.

Brian Steele, vice president of communications for the CTA, declined comment.

Despite the closure, Englewood still has two Green Line stations at 63rd and Halsted streets and 63rd and Ashland Avenue. The distance between the two stations is 1.1 miles, and while that might not sound far to some people, Englewood resident Martha MacArthur, 68, said try walking from one station to the next one.

“It’s a nice walk, especially if you are old with bad knees like me,” said MacArthur, who lives on 64th Street and Racine Avenue. “I would kill to have that train station (63rd Street and Racine Avenue) reopened because then I wouldn’t have to walk or wait on these slow buses.”

Local nonprofits and community groups like Teamwork Englewood and the Resident Association of Greater

Englewood support Coleman’s desire to reopen the station.

Asiaha Butler, a longtime Englewood resident and co-founder and president of R.A.G.E., said the station never should have closed.

“It was no reason to close it in the first place because there’s a lot of foot traffic over there. And I’m sure the closure has created a transportation barrier for residents,” said Butler. “By reopening the station, it would compliment any type of economic development and beautification work along that Racine Corridor.”

Both Coleman and Butler said ideally they would like to see the station reopened by 2025, but acknowledged it could take longer because the CTA is not the only agency involved.

“All hands on deck will be needed for this to happen. I’m talking about the federal government, Cook County, Chicago Department of Transportation, and the state of Illinois,” explained Coleman. “Right now we [community organizers] are in the early stages of discussions with these agencies, but I definitely plan on pushing until the station reopens because it isn’t doing the community any good boarded up.”

Free Tax Preparation Assistance Available Throughout Illinois Low-to-moderate income families and senior citizens needing assistance filing their 2019 income taxes can receive free help through several trusted programs across the State of Illinois. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and AARP Tax-Aide programs are providing free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in over 300 locations statewide.

“Taxes are due in one month. If a qualified taxpayer needs help filing their return, there is free assistance available for them,” said David Harris, director of the Illinois

Department of Revenue.

“In locations all across the state, working-families or elderly taxpayers can meet with a certified volunteer who will help them file their state and federal returns accurately and on time. By increasing participation and compliance, we build trust in our tax system and ensure every taxpayer receives any refund they are due.”

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs offer free tax help for individuals making $56,000 or less, persons with disabilities, taxpayers who speak limited English and individuals

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60 years of age or older.

AARP’s Foundation TaxAide program focuses on helping low-to-moderate income individuals, with special attention to those over 50 years of age. An AARP membership is not required.

“I want to thank the Illinois Department of Revenue, Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), and AARP Tax-Aide programs for providing this much needed service to older adults across the state that just need help,” said Paula Basta, director of IDoA. “I encourage everyone to spread the word to those that need assistance with filing their 2019 income

taxes, all of which can be quite frankly overwhelming and confusing.”

Taxpayers can search for a free tax assistance provider closest to them by visiting the Illinois Department of Revenue’s website tax.illinois.gov.

Get the latest news and updates from the Illinois Department of Revenue by following the department on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Get the latest news and updates from the Illinois Department on Aging by following the department on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or by calling the Senior HelpLine at (800) 252-8966.

CITIZEN | South End | Week of March 18, 2020

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NEWS

Forecast: State should see modest revenue growth in FY 2021 Current year revenues meeting earlier estimates

BY PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com

Springfield – State revenue officials say tax collections have been coming in about as expected so far this fiscal year, and they predict modest revenue growth in the fiscal year that begins July 1.

“All three large categories – individual income tax; corporate income taxes and sales taxes – are trending upward,” Revenue Department Director David Harris said recently in an interview after briefing the House Revenue and Finance Committee.

That new estimate is essentially the same as earlier estimates upon which Gov. JB Pritzker based his latest budget proposal. Overall, according to the report, the state should see about $40.7 billion in revenue from both state and federal sources. That’s an increase of about $656 million, or 1.6 percent, in base year-over-year revenues.

And if voters in November approve a constitutional amendment to allow for a graduated income tax, where people are charged higher rates on higher levels of income, Illinois could see an additional $1.4 billion during the last six months of the fiscal year, bringing the total to $42.1 billion.

Even without the constitutional amendment, individual income taxes are expected to grow about

Illinois Department of Revenue Director David Harris (right), agency economist Marty Johnson and Alexis Sturm, director of the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, brief the House Revenue and Finance Committee on Wednesday at the Capitol in Springfield about their forecast for revenue growth in the upcoming fiscal year. Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock

3.5 percent, to $20.1 billion.

Marty Johnson, chief economist for the Department of Revenue’s Research Office, said wage growth in Illinois has been sluggish in recent years, compared to the national average, but she said the cur-

rent tight labor market, combined with the state’s higher minimum wage, should push wages up in the coming year.

“So certainly, wages and salaries are moving in the right direction,” she said. “We will see that in our

forecast for both income taxes and sales taxes.”

Sales tax receipts are projected to grow 3.4 percent, to just over $9 billion, while corporate income taxes are expected to hold steady at just under $2.5 billion.

Johnson noted that the state saw a bump in corporate income taxes during the current fiscal year due to an amnesty program lawmakers approved in 2019. Discounting that, she said, corporate income taxes are expected to grow 0.5 percent.

Those estimates are based on the department’s economic outlook for both the state and the nation.

Johnson described the outlook for the national economy as “stable” as fears about an economic downturn are receding with the signing of a “Phase I” trade deal with China that is expected to boost U.S. exports, including agricultural products.

But she also warned of clouds on the horizon, such as the possibility of increased trade tensions as well as the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has disrupted manufacturing supply chains and threatens to disrupt the travel and tourism industry.

Johnson said the Illinois economy has been lagging that of the U.S. during the economic expansion, which has now lasted 111 months.

She said the tight labor market has driven down the state’s unemployment, last reported at 3.5 percent in December, a 50-year low.

But she said that number is expected to climb to about 3.9 percent by the end of the current fiscal year in June, and could hover around 4.1 percent for the next fiscal year.

“This tight labor market is expected to translate into decelerating job growth and hit some of the limits that we can expect, so we won’t be adding the jobs as we have in the past, but it’s still solid performance that’s expected,” Johnson said.

Affiliate Marketers to Pay More Than $4 Million to Settle Charges A group of affiliate marketers who lured consumers into a business coaching and investment scheme known as My Online Business Education (MOBE) will surrender millions of dollars in assets to settle Federal Trade Commission charges.

According to complaints filed by the FTC, the defendants made millions of dollars in commissions by enticing thousands of consumers to pay as much as $60,000 for MOBE “mentoring” services, using false claims and misleading testimonials about how much money they could make. The defendants advertised on social media, YouTube, online news sites, and at live events, specifically targeting teenagers, students, and older consumers.

“These so-called ‘affiliates’ helped MOBE swindle consumers out of millions of dollars by making outlandish and false earnings claims,” said Andrew Smith, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Affiliates should

take note that the FTC will hold you personally and financially accountable for false or unsubstantiated marketing claims.”

The named defendants in the FTC’s case against the affiliate marketers are Michael Giannulis and Michael Williams, along with several corporate entities they control, as well as Steven Bransfield, Gar Leong Chow, and Scott Zuckman and their companies.

Ultimately, most people who bought into the MOBE program were unable to recoup their costs, and many experienced crippling losses or mounting debts, according to the FTC. The FTC sued MOBE and its main operators in 2018, and its founder, Matthew Lloyd McPhee, recently settled the FTC charges against him.

The defendants, as part of their efforts to recruit people to MOBE, created their own branded “programs” and “systems” with names like Dot-Com Lifestyle, Entrepreneurs Club, and Rookie Profit System.

The FTC further alleges that one set of defendants, led by Giannulis and Williams, started another deceptive coaching scheme, called “My Ecom Club,” after MOBE was shut down. According to the complaint, Giannulis and Williams also solicited friends and family members to stand as straw owners and signers for shell companies they used to open merchant accounts, a practice known as credit card laundering.

The settlement orders permanently ban each of the defendants from selling or marketing any business coaching program or money-making method, as defined in the orders.

The order against Chow requires the judgment amount of $3,350,000 to be paid in full to the FTC for potential consumer redress.

The order against Giannulis, Williams, and their companies imposes a monetary judgment of $31.6 million, which will be suspended once defendants pay $760,000 and turn over personal items ob-

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tained from their participation in MOBE. The order against Bransfield and his companies imposes a $4.7 million judgment that is suspended due to inability to pay. Bransfield filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2019.

The order against Zuckman includes a judgment of $1.8 million and requires Zuckman to pay $406,150 to the FTC, after which the remainder of the judgment will be suspended due to inability to pay.

In the case of each judgment that is suspended, the full judgment will become due immediately if the defendants are found to have misrepresented their financial condition.

The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaints and stipulated final orders was 5-0. The FTC filed the complaints and stipulated final orders in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, where the FTC’s lawsuit against MOBE was also filed.

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BUSINESS

This page is sponsored by

UPS’ ‘Circle of Honor’ Recognizes The Company’s Safest Drivers UPS recently announced the induction of 1,316 men and women into an elite group of UPS drivers who have not had an avoidable accident for 25 years or more. With those new inductees, the Circle of Honor now includes 10,411 of UPS’s active brown-clad drivers.

Collectively, these drivers have achieved more than 280,969 years of safe driving throughout their careers.

That’s enough time behind the wheel to drive non-stop from Miami to San Diego – over 65 million times. And they’ve done it while helping to deliver 3 percent of the world’s GDP – 20 million packages a day.

“My congratulations go out to the thousands of hard working UPS drivers around the world, including those from my home state of Oregon, who not only keep our economy moving, but who are also part of an elite group with a remarkable record of decades of safe driving,” said Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), the Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “I applaud the commitment to our communities and the safety of our neighbors.”

Along with drivers in all 50 U.S. states, this year’s Circle of Honor includes new members from Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan. In addition to those countries, the list of non-U.S. countries with active Circle of Honor drivers now includes: Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

UPS’s longest-tenured safe driver remains Livonia, Mich., package car driver Tom Camp, who has now driven well over half a century – a remarkable 57 years – and delivered

UPS Circle of Honor patch

more than 5 million packages without an accident.

UPS began recognizing its safe drivers in 1923.

Founder Jim Casey honored the company’s first 5-year safe driver, Ray McCue, in 1928.

UPS extends its safe driving expertise to the communities it serves through UPS Road Code® training, a teen safe driving program available in the United States and internationally. Taught by UPS volunteers, based on the company’s safe-driving methods, the program is available to teens between the ages of 13 and 18 and other novice drivers. To date, more than 76,700 new drivers have participated. The program has been extended to Canada, China, Germany, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.

U.S. Department of Labor Offers Guidance For Preparing Workplaces for Coronavirus The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently published “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19” to help companies respond in the event of coronavirus in the workplace. The guidance was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).

The document provides practical guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19, also known as novel coronavirus, and contains information on safe work practices and appropriate personal protective equipment based on the risk level of exposure.

“Protecting the health and safety of America’s workforce is a key component of this Administration’s comprehensive approach to combating the coronavirus,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt. “This guidance outlines practical ways that employers and workers can address potential health risks from the coronavirus in their workplaces.”

This guidance is part of the Department of Labor’s ongoing efforts to educate the workers and employers about the COVID-19 outbreak.

In addition to the guidance, OSHA recently launched a COVID-19 webpage that provides

infection prevention information specifically for workers and employers, and is actively reviewing and responding to any complaints regarding workplace protection from novel coronavirus, as well as conducting outreach activities.

The Wage and Hour Division is providing information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to COVID-19, including effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs has also published guidance for federal employees and outlines Federal Employees’ Compensation Act coverage as it relates to the novel coronavirus.

For further information about Coronavirus, please visit the HHS’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

Two updated IRA publications, other online resources can help anyone planning for retirement The Internal Revenue Service has updated two comprehensive publications designed to help anyone making IRA contributions or receiving IRA distributions for tax year 2019 or considering making retirement donations before April 15, 2020.

The 2019 editions of Publication 590-A, Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) and Publication 590-B, Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), are both now available on IRS.gov. Both publications address the unique features of www.citizennewspapergroup.com

both Roth and traditional IRAs. Most people who work can make contributions to a traditional or Roth IRA. Contributions to a traditional IRA are usually tax deductible and distributions are generally taxable. On the other hand, contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax deductible, but qualified distributions are tax-free. Taxpayers can make contributions until April 15, 2020, and count them on their 2019 tax returns.

For details, visit IRS.gov/rmd or see fact sheet FS-2020-4, also available on IRS.gov.

CITIZEN | South End | Week of March 18, 2020

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NEWS

5 Innovations that are Making the World a Better Place Family Features - With new technologies and innovations improving many aspects of daily life, humanitarian work should be no different.

Saving and protecting children for decades, UNICEF, the United Nations children’s agency, has been implementing new ways to reach families more quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. In honor of World Creativity and Innovation Day, meet five innovations that are making 2020 the start of a decade of good: 5. A cryptocurrency fund for game-changing ideas Blockchain increases transparency, security and efficiency, as transactions are publicly visible and do not have to be converted into other currencies for immediate use. A first for the United Nations, the UNICEF Cryptocurrency Fund is able to receive, hold and distribute donations in ether and bitcoin. The fund is helping accelerate and grow social good projects such as Prescrypto, Atix Labs, Utopixar and GIGA, which work in the areas of prescription tracking, investor-matching, community engagement tokens and bringing internet connectivity to schools around the world.

4. An inclusive period tracking app There are more than 200 period-tracking apps; most are targeted to Western adult women and provide information that can be gender-stereotyping or fertility-focused. Founded

by UNICEF’s Asia branch, Oky is the world’s first period tracking app co-created with girls, for girls. Packed with information vetted by

sistant, waterproof, insulated and lighter and quicker to assemble than regular bricks.

2. Drones that cut transport times from hours to minutes Drones help reduce carbon emissions and cut transport times from 1.5 hours driving to 25 minutes flying. Leveraging technology, UNICEF works with drones to deliver crucial medical supplies to the hardest-to-reach areas. The African Drone and Data Academy in Malawi, a first-of-its-kind program, trains and certifies young students across the continent on building, operating and maintaining the drones, building a pipeline of future experts in the field.

UNICEF, the United Nations children’s agency, has been implementing new ways to reach families more quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. Source: UNICEF

global health experts, the app is tailored to Indonesian and Mongolian cultures and available in local dialects. To support further advancements in this sector, the app is open source, digitally inclusive and available even in areas where online access is limited. In its next phase, the organization plans to scale and adapt the app for use in East Africa.

3. Schools made from recycled plastic waste There are three significant problems facing

children in Côte d’Ivoire: There are not enough schools, there are not enough employment opportunities for adults and there is an overabundance of trash. Daily, the Abidjan metropolitan area produces 288 tons of plastic waste.

Tackling all three issues, UNICEF works with Conceptos Plásticos to employ women to recycle plastic into bricks to build classrooms. The bricks, which will be used to build more than 500 classrooms across the country this year, are 100% non-toxic plastic, fire- and wind-re-

1. A warehouse that can send lifesaving supplies to anywhere in the world With the world’s largest humanitarian supply warehouse, the UNICEF Supply Division is able to deliver necessities anywhere in the world as quickly as 48-72 hours. The size of four football fields, the Copenhagen, Denmark warehouse is equipped with enough health kits, vaccines, rescue gear and more to support 200,000 people at any given time. The warehouse is also home to an innovation lab that tests, designs and produces new and improved products needed in the field.

In 2018, the supply network procured nearly $3.5 billion of goods and services for children in 175 countries and territories. In 2020, UNICEF expects to respond to around 300 emergencies and assist 95 million people with support.

To learn more about and support these lifesaving innovations, visit unicefusa.org/decadeofgood.

Royal Caribbean Group adopts policy allowing cancellations up to 48 hours before sailing With COVID-19 adding uncertainty to travel plans around the world, Royal Caribbean Group said it will give guests greater control over their vacation decisions, allowing guests to cancel cruises as late as two days before departure.

The “Cruise With Confidence” policy allows guests on Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea to cancel up to 48 hours before a sailing.

Guests will receive a full credit for their fare, usable on any future sailing of the guest’s choice in 2020 or 2021. The policy applies to both new and existing cruise bookings.

“Our previous policy set earlier

deadlines for guests to cancel their cruises, and that added unnecessary stress,” said Richard Fain, the company’s chairman and CEO. “Trying to guess a month or more in advance where areas of concern about coronavirus might be is challenging for medical experts, much less a family preparing for vacation.

“When circumstances are as fast-changing as they have been recently, it’s good to know you have the option to take a rain check,” Fain said. “We think putting more

control in our guests’ hands helps them make informed decisions about whether to keep their existing vacation plans or trade out for a more convenient time or itinerary.”

In addition to easing concerns for booked guests, Fain said the policy would also give consumers more confidence in making new bookings, knowing that they could later adjust their plans without penalty.

The policy applies to all cruises with a sailing date on or before July 31, 2020, and will be offered by the company’s global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea.

Full details of the “Cruise with

Confidence” policy can be found at the respective brand websites.

Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com,

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6 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of March 18, 2020

CITIZEN On The Move

The Chicago Cluster of the Links, Inc. Hosted Their Women's Day 2020 Event Recently Focusing on Disparities of Health For Women Of Color

The Chicago Cluster of the Links, Inc. International Trends and Services presented the International Women’s Day 2020 “Global Health Equity, The Disparities of Health Care for Women of Color”. The panelist included: The Honorable Robin Kelly (D-IL), 2nd Dist.; Dr. Claudia Fagen,M.D., Cook County Chief Medical; Officer. Lizzie Scobrugh, Ph.D., The Links, Incorporated Central Area ITS Chair Assoc. Professor, University of Cincinnati; Ms. Phumzile Mazibuko, Counsel General of South Africa of Chicago; Pamela Garmon Johnson, National Vice-President, Health Equity Impact and Partnerships, American Heart Association.

Pamela Garmon Johnson, National Vice-President, Health Equity Impact and Partnerships, American Heart Association. Also joining the festivities are: Former Alderman & Attorney Latasha Thomas and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. Photo by CREDD

Celebrating Women Who Represents Excellence During Women's History Month Richard R. Boykin, candidate for Clerk of the Circuit Court kicked off Women's History Month by honoring women who represented "Excellence". Boykin 2020 Honorees: Mary Anselmo; Zenobia Black; Maria D'Amezcual; Dr. Helen Gardner; Richard Boykin; Christina Nonato; Carolyn Palmer; Bobbie Steele; Dr. Angelia Roberts-Watkins; Dr. Janette L. Wilson. Photo

by Antonio Dickey

Congresswoman Robin Kelly Recently Hosted A Census 2020 Community Briefing At The Quarry Event Center

The Alvin Ailey, American Dance Theater Performed at the Auditorium Theatre Recently Congresswoman Robin Kelly and special guests Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore, 5th Ward Alderman Leslie Hairston and 7th Ward Alderman Greg Mitchell recently hosted a Census 2020 Community Briefing on the importance of the Census. Attendee were briefed on and the importance of returning the survey as well as the impact of not filing out the form correctly could have on funding for the state . Photo by Marie Warbington

The Alvin Ailey, American Dance Theater “Ailey Revealed” performed at the Auditorium Theatre last week.

Enjoying a special reception with the famous, beautiful and awesome face of the Ailey company, Judith Jamison are: Sharee Zlatkova, Trust Officer and Business Analyst for Global Sustainable Investing Northern Trust; Judith Jamison, Alvin Ailey; Jacki Robinson-Ivy, Senior Vice-President Northern Trust Bank; Monique Brinkmanship-Hill, Executive Director South Side Community Arts Center. Photo by CREDD

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CITIZEN | South End | Week of March 18, 2020

If I could do one thing, I’d have a daycare closer to work.

If you could do one thing for your community, what would it be? More daycare centers? More funding for Head Start? Completing the 2020 Census is a safe and easy way to inform how billions of dollars in funding flow into your community for hundreds of services.

Respond online, by phone, or by mail.

Complete the census at:

2020CENSUS.GOV Paid for by U.S. Census Bureau.

B24097_73a_2019_Census_Motivation_Daycare_Newspaper_SizeA_9_75x12_25.indd 02.24.2020 EPSON

4C Newspaper - Size A

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8 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of March 18, 2020

NEWS

Election in Illinois sees Biden as winner

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Decision day in Illinois saw Joe Biden winning as the Democratic Presidential candidate at press time, with 49 percent; Dick Durbin as United States Senator; Bobby Rush as U.S Representative for the 1st District, with 79 percent; Robin Kelly as U.S. Representative for the 2nd District, with 80 percent; and Danny Davis as U.S. Representative for the 7th District, with 64 percent.

“Americans in three states went to the polls today,” said Biden during a live stream. “Today, it looks like once again, our campaign had a very good night. With strong support from the African American community and the Latino community.”

Biden said he and Sanders share a common vision. Then, he spoke to the young voters who support Sanders.

“I hear you, I know what’s at stake. I know what we have to do,” he said.

Biden encouraged people to see the best in each other. He also said his prayers are out there for healthcare workers.

The election took place on Tuesday, March 17, despite closures due to COVID-19. While polls closed at 7 p.m., some polling places were given the authority to stay open late.

According to the Board of Elections for the City of Chicago, 73,149 ballots were cast. And, there are 1,524,598 registered voters.

According to the Cook County Clerk’s Office, 251,533 ballots were cast in Suburban Cook County.

And, 950 of the 1,599 precincts reported.

In the Cook County State’s Attorney’s race, Kim Foxx won. Despite allegations of wrongdoing in the handling of the Jussie Smollett case.

Voters seemed to look at Foxx’s gains when it came to criminal justice reform.

Robert Rita, Illinois State Representative for the 28th District; William Davis, Illinois State Representative for the 30th District; Debbie Myers-Martin, Illinois State Representative for the 38th District; Marcus C. Evans, Illinois State Representative for the 33rd District; Nick Smith, Illinois State Representative for the 34th District; ran unopposed for their seats. Michael Hastings, Illinois State Senator for the 19th District, also ran unopposed for his seat.

Thaddeus Jones won for Illinois State Representative for the 29th District, with 55 percent; and Lori Wilcox won for Illinois State Senator for the 40th District. Robert Peter won as Illinois State Senator for the 13th District.

Kimberly du Buclet, Cameron Davis and Frank Avila won for Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board.

Jesse Reyes won to fill the vacancy of Illinois State Supreme Court Justice Charles Freeman, who passed away on March 2. Iris Y. Martinez won as the Clerk of Circuit Court of Cook County.

Sharon O. Johnson won as Judge of the Appellate Court, filling the vacancy of Bellows; Celestia L. Mays won as Circuit Court Judge, filling the vacancy of Funderbunk; Teresa Molina won as Circuit Court Judge, filling the vacancy of McCarthy; Sheree Desiree Henry won as Circuit Court Judge, filling the vacancy of Murphy Gorman.

Kim Foxx (pictured) won as Cook County State’s Attorney, with 55 percent. Photo credit: Neal Stevens Jackson of the Kim Foxx Campaign.

Joe Biden (pictured) won, with 49 percent, at press time, as Democratic Presidential candidate.

Robin Kelly (pictured) won, with 80 percent, as U.S. Congress 2nd District.

Bobby Rush (pictured) won, with 79 percent as U.S Congress for the 1st District.

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Danny Davis (pictured) won, with 64 percent as U.S. Congress 7th District.

CITIZEN | South End | Week of March 18, 2020

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CITIZEN | South End | Week of March 18, 2020

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