South End Citizen 6-16-2021

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 Week of June 16, 2021

| Vol. 54 | No. 19 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SOUTH END

Chicago State University’s Pre-Freshman Program in Engineering and Science (PREP) won second place and a $10,000 grant for the 2021 Ford Gives Back Freedom Award from the Ford Motor Company Fund. Photo courtesy of Chicago State University

CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY’S PREP PROGRAM WINS $10,000 GRANT Chicago State University’s Pre-Freshman Program in Engineering (PREP) won second place and a $10,000 grant in the 2021 Ford Gives Back Freedom Award. PAGE 2

Black Women’s Health Imperative Launches Covid-19 Vaccine Campaign

EEOC Provides Additional Information On Vaccinations

The Cook County Assessor’s Office Re-Opens for In-Person Appointments

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Serving The Black Community For Decades |

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NEWS briefly EDUCATION CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY MOTHER AND DAUGHTER GRADUATE IN SAME DAY COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES Clark Atlanta University doctoral student Dr. Lorri Saddler and her daughter Jaelyn Rice graduated on the same day at the university’s 2020-21 dual commencement ceremony on May 15. Dr. Saddler earned her doctoral degree in education and had the privilege of watching her daughter Jaelyn Rice, a 2020 cum laude graduate, receive her bachelor’s degree in sociology.

After postponing the 2020 commencement ceremony due to COVID-19, Clark Atlanta University kept its promise to the CAU Class of 2020 and held its commencement ceremony on the same day as the Class of 2021. This was the first time that two commencement ceremonies were held on the same day in the university’s history. Dr. Saddler, who also works as the university’s Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions and in the university president’s cabinet, served as an administrator during the morning ceremony when her daughter graduated. She then walked across the stage as a student herself during the afternoon ceremony.

HEALTH

BLACK WOMEN’S HEALTH IMPERATIVE LAUNCHES COVID-19 VACCINE CAMPAIGN TO REACH BLACK WOMEN AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WITH A $400,000 GRANT FROM THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION The Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) recently announced that it has received a $400,000 grant from The Rockefeller Foundation to improve vaccination rates among Black women and communities of color. The grant is part of The Rockefeller Foundation’s $20 million Equity-First Vaccination Initiative, which supports hyper-local, communityled programs to improve vaccine access and support educational outreach in five cities. Learnings from the initiative will help inform strategies across the country to increase access to Covid-19 vaccinations in communities of color, contributing to a collective, national north star goal of ensuring at least 70 million people of color will be fully vaccinated by July 2021.

LAW & POLITICS

PROMINENT BLACK ATTORNEY WINS MULTIPLE AWARDS FOR HIS DIGITAL CHILDREN’S SERIES AND PODCAST ADDRESSING POLICE BRUTALITY AND SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE Attorney Zulu Ali has been recognized with six Communicator Awards through the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA).

The Communicator Awards is the leading international creative awards program honoring creative excellence for communication professionals for work that transcends craft, make a lasting impact, and is sanctioned and judged by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts.

The winners of the 27th Annual Communicator Awards have officially been announced with over 5,000 entries received from across the US and around the world, Attorney Ali received six communicator awards for his podcast, video, and children’s animated film addressing injustice and police brutality.

Attorney Ali received two awards for distinction in educational and social issues in Film for writing, directing, and producing the children’s animated short film Izem Meets Officer Joe: Izem Learns How to Deal with Police Encounters https://vimeo.com/ondemand/izemmeetsofficerjoe; an award for distinction in political issues in video for producing The Cost of Being A Black Lawyer Fighting for Justice https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=M5C4lqkO4_Q&t=340s; and three awards for distinction for political, awareness, and feature in podcasts for hosting and producing Justice Watch with Attorney Zulu Ali, a podcast and syndicated radio talk show https://www.justicewatchradio.com/. Attorney Zulu Ali is a trial attorney, social commentator, social entrepreneur, and activist.

Chicago State University’s PREP Program wins $10,000 grant Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Chicago State University’s Pre-Freshman Program in Engineering (PREP) won second place and a $10,000 grant in the 2021 Ford Gives Back Freedom Award.

The Ford Gives Back Freedom Award is given by the Ford Motor Company Fund, Ford’s philanthropic arm. CSU’s Pre-Freshman Program in Engineering has been around for more than 30 years and exposes young students to career opportunities in STEM, with hands-on experience through projects.

In a release, Pamela Alexander, director of community development for the Ford Motor Company Fund said, “Chicago State University’s Pre-Freshman Program provides vital support to the African American community and especially to Black youth.” She continued: “We are proud to recognize the important role PREP plays and to invest in its future success.”

Marni Boyd, PREP program director and assistant director of Engineering Studies at Chicago State University, said PREP has serviced more than 1000 students throughout it’s 32-year history.

Boyd said she is excited the program won second place. “We work hard, we work hard and my students work hard, so I’m just really proud of them,” she said. “Just to be able to work through the pandemic is really amazing.”

Boyd said the PREP program really prepares students for careers in STEM. She said they get challenging projects

and they really pull through. “It’s just nice to be recognized through the Ford Motor Company Fund to receive this opportunity,” she said, adding the grant money will be used to support the STEM activities the program does. “We do a lot of hands-on projects to prepare students for careers in STEM. This summer we’ll be doing a project with grain energy, we’ll be buying supplies to support that project. It’s definitely a great benefit to have these additional funds.”

Boyd said, continuing the program through the pandemic meant working in a remote setting. The grant money will be used to ensure each student gets a kit to complete the hands-on projects, with the necessary materials.

Kaleia Maxey has been a participant of the PREP program since she was in eighth grade. She said she wanted to participate because she was interested in learning about what engineering was. She said being in the program has opened a lot of doors for her and given her different experiences in engineering.

Maxey will attend Purdue University in the fall and will major in engineering.

Sabine Ramirez was introduced to the PREP curriculum after she won an internship to participate in the program. She said she was never part of any STEM program at her school, Epic Academy Charter School, because they never offered those programs. “Being in the PREP Program gave me the opportunity and resources to dive into my passion for engineering, build different components and projects,” she said.

Ramirez will also attend Purdue

University in the fall and major in mechanical engineering. She said she hopes other children get to experience the PREP program because it helped her get into college.

“With the PREP program, I was able to get exposed to different types of projects,” she said, adding that she was able to put experiences from completed projects on her resume. “That allowed me to apply to different scholarships that I knew I qualified for because I had these different things on my resume, these different programs, these different organizations. That offered me great scholarships, like the Lockheed STEM Scholarship and Internship Opportunities that are offered to all engineering disciplines.”

Maxey said because of the PREP program, she knew she wanted to major in engineering in college. During her junior year, while in the program, she discovered she wanted to focus on industrial and civil engineering. “Being exposed to those different things while being in the PREP program, helped me get into college but also helped me realize my future,” she added.

Boyd said the grant money will allow the PREP Program to remain true to its mission of exposing underrepresented middle school and high school students to careers in STEM. For more information on the Ford Motor Company Fund, visit www. fordfund.org.

For more information on the PREP program at Chicago State University, visit tinyurl.com/2xnb4mnx.

Instacart Introduces 30-Minute Grocery Delivery Instacart recently introduced “Priority Delivery,” a new experience that unlocks faster grocery delivery for customers across the U.S. and Canada, according to a press release.

As part of this launch, customers in some of the largest cities in the U.S. will now have access to grocery delivery in as fast as 30 minutes. With Priority Delivery, Instacart is bringing the in-store express lane online, helping customers immediately get what they need delivered from their favorite grocers and specialty retailers. With this launch, Instacart is unveiling a new Priority Delivery product experience that makes it even easier for customers to

discover the fastest delivery windows available in their area.

As part of the rollout of Priority Delivery, customers in more than 15 of the largest cities in the U.S., including Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle, across more than 300 store locations, will now be able to access 30-minute delivery from dozens of grocers and specialty retailers in their area.

After this initial launch, Instacart plans to bring 30-minute delivery to more cities across more retailer locations over the coming months.

Additionally, as part of the Priority Delivery

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launch, Instacart is also expanding 45-minute and 60-minute delivery for more customers in more cities nationwide - making the weekly grocery shop faster than ever before, the press release continued.

“We know that no two grocery shops are created equal - whether it’s a bulk buy for the week ahead or just a few ingredients for tonight’s dinner - so we’re launching new features that support the many ways people shop for their groceries today,” said Daniel Danker, vice president of product at Instacart.

“For many customers, every minute counts when they’re in a pinch and need something in a hurry. With

today’s launch of Priority Delivery, we’re redefining the ‘quick run to the store’ and bringing the grocery express lane online for customers.”

Instacart is ushering in new product experiences that make it even easier for customers to shop from the Instacart marketplace and discover their favorite retailers and fastest delivery windows available in their area.

Priority Delivery gives customers a real-time view of the fastest available delivery windows - indicated by a new lightning bolt icon - enabling customers to shop based on what they need, when they want it and where they want to shop.

CITIZEN | South End | Week of June 16, 2021

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NEWS

POLITICAL Affairs Rep. Kelly Advocates for Increased Gun Violence Prevention Funding at Appropriations Hearing If your father enjoys reading, there are options that align with almost every hobby and interest when shopping for Father’s Day. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Get Ready to Read this Father’s Day Family Features - Shopping for Father’s Day can be difficult. From tools to tech toys, some gifts are used over and over again, but thoughtful gifts that match your dad’s interests can make this year’s present a memorable one.

If he enjoys reading, there are options that align with almost every hobby and interest, from advice for hands-on projects to thrilling mysteries and exploration of the challenges many dads face every day, and these picks can provide dad with a reminder of you every time he sits down to read another chapter.

Find more stories to share with your dad at Facebook.com/ WilliamMorrowBooks.

Practical ‘Dadvice’ for Everyday Tasks From the host of the YouTube channel that went viral, “Dad, How Do I?,” comes a book of the same title that’s part memoir, part inspiration and part DIY advice. Rob Kenney wished he had someone who could teach him the basics – how to tie a tie, jump-start a car, unclog a drain, use tools properly – as well as succeed in life. In this book, he shares his story of overcoming a difficult childhood with an absent father through the strength of faith and family, and offers words of inspiration and hope. In addition, he provides instructions for 50 practical DIY projects, illustrated with helpful line drawings, as well as the occasional dad joke.

A Riveting Race Against Time “New York Times” bestselling author Linwood Bar-

clayreturns with a riveting thriller, “Find You First.” Diagnosed with a terminal illness, tech millionaire Miles Cookson begins a search for the children he’s never known.

Somewhere out there, after having been a sperm donor, he has nine unknown kids who might be about to inherit both the good and the bad from him – maybe his fortune, or maybe something much worse. One by one, Cookson’s heirs are vanishing – every trace of them wiped, like they never existed at all.

An Exploration of the Challenges Fathers Face Growing up in Columbia, South Carolina, Craig Melvin, news anchor of NBC News’ “Today,” had a fraught relationship with his father. Lawrence Melvin was a distant, often absent parent due to his drinking as well as his job working the graveyard shift at a postal facility. A powerful, intimate exploration of fatherhood, addiction and resiliency, “Pops: Learning to Be a Son and a Father” is the story of their long journey to reconciliation and understanding, as well as an investigation of the challenges facing all dads.

SOURCE: Harper Collins

Efforts To Make This “The Safest Summer Ever” The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is traditionally the most dangerous time for teen drivers, with a 21 percent spike in teen traffic fatalities.

Traffic safety officials often refer to it as “the 100 deadliest days.”

This year, thousands of young people active in SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) are partnering with The National Road Safety Foundation to instead make it “The Safest Summer Ever.”

The two groups are mounting a massive social media campaign to call attention to a range of safe driving issues from distracted and drowsy driving, as well as many other driving skills.

The campaign will have different safe driving messages posted on social media every week, with those posts amplified by shares and re-posts by SADD chapters and members nationwide.

“We’re mobilizing the tens of thousands of student safety advocates in the SADD community at the middle school, high school and college level to help spread important safe driving messages to peers, friends and family,” said SADD President and CEO Rick Birt. “We hope to make this the safest summer ever, not only for teens on the road, but for all drivers and passengers.”

“The messages being shared by our

friends in SADD can be lifesaving,” said Michelle Anderson, director of operations at The National Road Safety Foundation, a non-profit that promotes safe driving behavior and a longtime SADD supporter and program partner. “Our hope is that these efforts will help bring a decline in teen crashes that will, indeed, make this the safest summer ever.”

Messages will include material from the Passport to Safe Driving, created by SADD students and NRSF to engage teens and adults on the driving skills they need to be safe.

Posts can be seen throughout the summer at #SADD and #NRSForg.

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Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), Vice Chair of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, recently appeared before the U.S. House Appropriations Committee to advocate for increased gun violence prevention funding.

“Many communities require increased support for gun violence intervention and prevention programs focused on interrupting cycles of violence, and increased funding for direct services, including mentorship to individuals at high risk of engaging in gun violence,” said Congresswoman Kelly. “Research shows that sustained funding for evidence-based programs, which are tailored for specific local contexts, and working in partnership with the affected communities can achieve significant and long-lasting reductions in gun violence.”

Earlier this year, Congresswoman Kelly led 39 of her colleagues in an appropriations funding request letter calling for an investment in community violence intervention programs. The letter requests: • • •

$100 million for the Office of Justice Programs $100 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) $10 million to establish a resource center under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

The recent Appropriations Committee hearing follows the release of President Biden’s fiscal year 2022 discretionary funding request, which included significant investments in working families, including a double digit increase for education and health programs. The Appropriations Committee is now using that blueprint and Member requests to formulate spending bills for the upcoming fiscal year.

PAPPAS UNVEILS NEW ONLINE TOOL TO WEIGH GOVERNMENT DEBT BURDEN ON INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNERS Cook County – Property owners for the first time can find out what portion of local government debt falls on them, thanks to a new, groundbreaking online tool created by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas.

“Most reports identify government debt as an amount per person,” Pappas said. “My latest study takes a more targeted approach by showing debt in relation to each property in Cook County.”

The new, unique tool reveals that Willis Tower carries local government debt of nearly $289 million, equal to 41.5% of the iconic skyscraper’s $697 million value. A Riverdale house carries $31,800 in local debt, equal to 48% of its $67,000 value. And the debt on a house on Hodgkins has $127,400 in debt, equal to 25.7% of its $496,000 value.

By contrast, the debt on properties in more affluent, lower-tax areas, like Barrington Hills and Winnetka, falls below 10% of the value of the properties in those locations.

These new calculations are available at cookcountytreasurer.com, where property owners can click the purple box on the homepage and search their address to see their local debt burden compared to the value of their home in both dollar and percentage amounts.

The new methodology also allowed Pappas to better compare the overall debt burdens borne by residents of any Cook County city or village. That exercise revealed the burden of local government debt varies greatly throughout the county, with generally heavier burdens in less-affluent suburbs where the populations are more than 50% Black or Latino. The taxes tend to be much higher in many of those minorityy areas, an indication that more debt leads to higher property taxes.

“Property purchases in Cook County come with a hidden credit card balance, in the form of local government debt,” Pappas said.

“Property owners end up paying down that debt, on top of also covering their mortgage, utility and maintenance costs.”

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BUSINESS

Target Names Samara Tuchband Senior Vice President of its Home Merchandising Division Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) recently named Samara Tuchband senior vice president of merchandising, home. Tuchband will oversee the retailer’s merchandising and omnichannel business for the home category, inclusive of decorative home, stationery, home textiles, kitchen, storage and seasonal.

In this role, she will help execute and advance Target’s home strategy, which is centered on defining a differentiated guest experience through a curated assortment of quality owned brand and national brand products at competitive prices.

Tuchband joined the company on May 3, 2021 and reports to Jill Sando, Target’s executive vice president and chief merchandising officer.

“Samara brings a deep understanding and strong reputation for driving digital and merchandising success within the home category,” says Sando. “At a time when home is more important than ever to our guests, Samara’s passion for creating memorable consumer experiences will strengthen our home business and enhance our commitment to bringing joy to our guests’ everyday lives.”

“I have been a Target guest for decades and have long admired the brand’s commitment to the democratization of design,” says Tuchband.

“I am thrilled to join an inspiring team of leaders and am looking forward to continuing to offer guests incredible design, style inspiration and new omnichannel shopping experiences every day.”

Tuchband joins Target with nearly two decades of merchandising and marketing experience in the home and lifestyle categories, having recently served as vice president of merchandising and head of diversity and inclusion at Crate and Barrel Holdings, Inc. In this role, Tuchband led the overall strategy and execution of product assortment and pricing for the brand across in-store and online channels.

Under her leadership, kitchen and entertaining delivered double-digit growth and she led the creation and implementation of new tools and resources for improved diversity and inclusion efforts across the company.

Previously, Tuchband served as general manager, digital home for The Home Depot, where she drove strong growth focused on digital expansion into the home décor market.

Small Business-Banking Relationships Are Challenged by Rising Expectations, New CI&T Report Finds CI&T, a leader in driving digital transformation for global brands, recently published (Re)open for Business, a new report examining how banks can better serve small businesses in a post-pandemic world.

The research revealed that while the pandemic caused accelerated digital change in financial services, small businesses still want, and need, banking relationships.

“Small businesses are considered the lifeblood of the American economy, and banking relationships are the lifeblood of small businesses,” said Robin Borelli, business director, financial services at CI&T. “The post-pandemic rebirth of small businesses in the U.S. will create enormous opportunities for the banking industry. The primary research that formed the foundation of this study revealed significant insights into the possibilities – and risks – for small business-banking relationships of the future.”

This report analyzed survey responses, focus groups and interviews from 500+ U.S. based small and medium-sized businesses with an annual revenue up to $25M. Two key themes emerged from the research for small business-banking relationships in the future, including: Redefining value: * 84% of small businesses reported having “very much” or some degree of trust in their bank, but focus groups and interviews revealed that while there is trust in banks, expectations are rising along with frustration and confusion over complex and opaque fee structures. * Banks are uniquely positioned as the

key partner for small businesses seeking efficient, day-to-day operations management such as payroll services, expense management, and tax advice. Banks may not want to provide these as direct offerings, but being a connector can create a deeper customer relationship.

The winners will be those banks that can help the needs of these small businesses beyond that of the traditional deposit and credit model.

Digital as the primary way of doing business: * Small business customers understand the convenience and cost-saving benefits of automation, but still want personal interaction and relationships due to the complexity of their work. * Small businesses have options when it comes to technology and platforms designed to make their lives easier. This presents an excellent opportunity for trusted, reliable partners like banks to help with the technical and operational demands of making these systems work cohesively.

According to a 2020 report from the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for 44% of economic activity in the United States, employ 60.6 million people, which equates to over 47% of the private workforce.

The impact of the pandemic was hard on small businesses, but as the country begins recovering, CI&T’s research shows the rebirth of small businesses presents an opportunity for banks to reform those partnerships.

EEOC Provides Additional Information On Vaccinations The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently posted updated and expanded technical assistance related to the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing questions arising under the federal equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws.

The EEOC also posted a new resource for job applicants and employees, explaining how federal employment discrimination laws protect workers during the pandemic.

These publications are provided to help employees and employers understand their rights and responsibilities at work during the pandemic.

The expanded technical assistance provides new information about how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) apply when an employer offers incentives for employees to provide documentation or other confirmation of vaccination when an employee gets a vaccine in the community or from

the employer or its agent. The technical assistance answers COVID-19 questions only from the perspective of the EEO laws. Other federal, state, and local laws come into play regarding the COVID-19 pandemic for employers and employees.

The updated technical assistance recently released addresses frequently asked questions concerning vaccinations in the employment context,” said EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows. “The EEOC will continue to clarify and update our COVID-19 technical assistance to ensure that we are providing the public with clear, easy to understand, and helpful information. We will continue to address the issues that were raised at the Commission’s recent hearing on the civil rights impact of COVID-19.”

The key updates to the technical assistance are summarized below: Federal EEO laws do not prevent an employer from requiring all employees physically entering the work-

place to be vaccinated for COVID-19, so long as employers comply with the reasonable accommodation provisions of the ADA and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other EEO considerations. Other laws, not in EEOC’s jurisdiction, may place additional restrictions on employers.

From an EEO perspective, employers should keep in mind that because some individuals or demographic groups may face greater barriers to receiving a COVID-19 vaccination than others, some employees may be more likely to be negatively impacted by a vaccination requirement.

Federal EEO laws do not prevent or limit employers from offering incentives to employees to voluntarily provide documentation or other confirmation of vaccination obtained from a third party (not the employer) in the community, such as a pharmacy, personal health care provider, or public clinic. If employers choose to obtain vaccination information from www.citizennewspapergroup.com

their employees, employers must keep vaccination information confidential pursuant to the ADA. Employers that are administering vaccines to their employees may offer incentives for employees to be vaccinated, as long as the incentives are not coercive.

Because vaccinations require employees to answer pre-vaccination disability-related screening questions, a very large incentive could make employees feel pressured to disclose protected medical information.

Employers may provide employees and their family members with information to educate them about COVID-19 vaccines and raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination.

The technical assistance highlights federal government resources available to those seeking more information about how to get vaccinated.

The new resource for job applicants and employees provides basic information about how federal employment

discrimination laws help workers who are being harassed; who need extra protection against getting sick; who are not being allowed to work; or who need a modification of their employer’s COVID-19 safety requirements.

These two publications follow an EEOC hearing on April 28 on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on civil rights in the workplace at which the EEOC heard from a wide range of experts. They were prepared prior to the CDC’s new guidance for fully vaccinated individuals issued on May 13, 2021, and do not specifically address that new guidance. As new developments occur, the EEOC will consider any impact they may have on EEOC’s COVID-19 technical assistance and will provide additional updates and assistance to the public as needed.

The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employ­ment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov.

CITIZEN | South End | Week of June 16, 2021

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NEWS

5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Money Family Features - Working toward financial stability can be a daunting task, but developing healthy spending habits and practicing smart saving can make it easier to plan for the future and take control of your finances.

Improve your financial stability and security with these tips from the experts at Credit One Bank, a data-driven financial services company that is also one of the largest and fastest-growing credit card issuers in the United States.

Create a Spending Plan and Budget By building a budget and examining your spending habits, you’re able to see exactly how much money you have coming in and where – or on what – you’re spending it.

This is often the first step toward meeting short- and long-term financial goals, whether those involve taking a vacation, paying off debt, buying a new house or saving for retirement.

Add up your household income, including paychecks and other income, such as investments or rental property, then figure your monthly expenses starting with recurring bills like rent or mortgage, car payments, insurance, utilities and subscriptions.

Also, account for variable expenses like gas, groceries and entertainment.

Once you have your income and expenses calculated, look for places you may be able to cut back to help meet your financial goals. Don’t forget to be flexible; your budget and spending will change along with your needs and situation.

Earn Rewards on Everyday Purchases You can stretch your budget further by taking advantage of rewards offered by your bank or credit card company. For example, some credit cards provide cash back rewards for specific everyday purchases. An option like the Credit One Bank Platinum Rewards Visa is one such credit card. Customers can earn 5% cash back for the first $5,000 of eligible purchases per year on things like gas, groceries, internet, cable, satellite TV and mobile phone services, plus 1% cash back rewards on all other purchases.

“Make sure your rewards are working for you – and not just as a gimmicky signup bonus,” said David Herpers, head of product at Credit One Bank. “Find a credit card that continues to give you more for your everyday spending habits.”

Compare Interest Rates When Opening a Savings Account When selecting a savings account, look for the highest yield

but also consider the minimum balance requirement, any introductory rates that may expire after a set period of time and the ease with which you’re able to access your money and account information. Often, digital banks can offer higher rates than traditional brick-and-mortar branches due to their lower overhead costs.

Ensure any bank you consider is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) so you can earn a fair rate and protect your money.

Build an Emergency Fund Emergency funds create a financial buffer that can keep you afloat in times of need without having to rely on high-interest loans or maxing out a line of credit.

These funds can be used to pay for large, unexpected expenses such as medical bills, the loss of a job, car repairs or home appliance repair or replacement.

To build your emergency fund, set a monthly savings goal – even an amount as small as $50 per paycheck can make an impact over time – and set up a way for the funds to be automatically transferred to the account each time you get paid to make the task less daunting. Check on the account periodically and adjust if necessary or if your budget allows. A good rule of thumb is to set aside 3-6 months of living expenses.

Keep Track of Your Credit Your credit score provides lenders and other parties a quick way to get an idea of your financial history and your ability to pay. Having a good credit score typically provides better interest rates and makes it easier to get approval on loans, rent an apartment, take out a mortgage or finance large purchases. Poor credit can saddle you with higher rates and lead to potential loan requests being denied.

To help you understand how different actions affect your credit score, many sites offer free credit reports and tools that allow you to stay up-to-date and track your score over time. Be sure to check reviews and verify the site’s legitimacy before entering your information. Additionally, many credit card companies, including Credit One Bank, provide free access to online credit reports on a regular basis to give customers an easier way to stay on top of their finances.

have grown in popularity due to their convenience in comparison to cash, but technology has evolved even further to allow for a rise in contactless payment. Consider these capabilities many cards now offer: Chip (EMV) cards utilize smart technology to store data on the microchip embedded in the card, allowing for an extra level of security with a one-time code generated as

part of each transaction to keep payment information more secure than swiping the magnetic strip.

Contactless cards are equipped with near-field communication technology that allows payments to be made at a terminal without swiping or inserting. The card member’s name, billing information and security code are never transmitted when cards bearing the contactless indicator are tapped on

an equipped terminal.

Smart device payments can be made by adding your credit or debit card to the wallet app on your smartphone or tablet. Apps can also be added to some smartwatches to make contactless payments at participating merchants even easier.

Find more ways to make your money work for you at CreditOneBank.com/articles.

SOURCE: Credit One Bank

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Understanding Emerging Card Capabilities Alternative methods of payment, like credit and debit cards, have now been around for decades and

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6 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of June 16, 2021

CITIZEN | South End | Week of June 16, 2021

NEWS The Cook County Assessor’s Office Re-Opens for In-Person Appointments Online services are also available for property owners The Cook County Assessor’s Office announces the resumption of in-person visits by the public to its downtown and branch offices, in accordance with Cook County’s reopening plan on Monday, June 14, 2021. All inperson visits are by appointment only and will require a mask, physical distancing, and a health screening. These requirements apply to the downtown location as well as the Markham and Skokie branch offices. Bridgeview is currently closed due to construction.

“With reductions to Chicago’s COVID numbers, we’re able to resume in-person access to our office while keeping both staff and the public safe, said Assessor Fritz Kaegi. “During the entirety of the pandemic our office has continued to function remotely and offer exemplary customer service virtually and over the phone. Property

owners should know they can continue to apply for many of our services online.”

Please see the various ways to interact with our office below.

Schedule an appointment: www. cookcountyassessor.com/appt Call: 312-443-7550 Send a message: www.cookcountyassessor.com/contact Attend a workshop: www.cookcountyassessor.com/event-list Although the office is open to the public, taxpayers are still encouraged to explore the many online services offered. Homeowners can apply for missing exemptions and file assessment appeals entirely online.

For other property tax related topics such as questions about ownership of property, foreclosures, or liens contact the Cook County Clerk’s Office at www.cookcountyclerkil.gov. For information on how to pay your property tax bill, obtain a copy of your tax bill, or duplicate or overpayment contact the Cook County Treasurer’s Office at www. cookcountytreasurer.com.

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“For the church, it has been a tremendous blessing for us.

It allowed us to do things that we were not going to do.”

Pastor Mark claimed nearly $40K! The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office connects people with their unclaimed money and property through the I-Cash program.

ADULTS DISCOVER PROPERTY TO CLAIM WHEN THEY SEARCH

ILLINOISTREASURER.GOV/ICASH

unclaimedproperty@illinoistreasurer.gov or 877-581-3689

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CITIZEN On The Move

Project Needy Provided Essential Goods To Families in Need At A Recent Event Members of the South Shore Community Were Given Free Clothes, Meals, Toys and Hand Sanitizer During Last Saturdays Event Photos by L.M. Warbington

CITIZEN | South End | Week of June 16, 2021

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The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and there’s no cost to you.

I got mine.

BE NEXT MEDICARE.GOV

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10 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of June 16, 2021

CITIZEN | South End | Week of June 16, 2021

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CLASSIFIEDS SERVICE

SERVICE

REAL ESTATE HUD/BANK FORECLOSURES CITY & SUBURBS Call: FRED D. CLINK (773) 294-5870 REALTY SERVICES CONSORTIUM ____________________________________ 3+ Bedroom HOMES FOR SALE SELLER FINANCING Call: FRED D. CLINK (773) 294-5870 REALTY SERVICES CONSORTIUM ____________________________________

GREEN LIVING 5 Surprising Ways Clean Technology is Improving Daily Life

HELP WANTED The Calumet City Board of Fire and Police Commission will be accepting applications for the position of Firefighter Immediate positions available pending academy start date Applications will be available for pickup at the Office of the City Clerk; 204 Pulaski Road, Calumet City, IL beginning Monday, June 21, 2021.

The Clerk's office hours are as follows: Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Application deadline July 2, 2021 Starting Firefighter Salary is $59,145.92 Salary after one year is $74,442.81

THERE IS NO NEED TO KEEP THE UNWANTED POUNDS GAINED DURING COVID-19?

TRY A PERSONAL TRAINER. . .

CALL JOHNNY BARNES @ 773-875-0536 * ONE -ON-ONE * MEAL PLANS * WEIGHT TRAINING

Shaymar Media Productions LLC

Promoting you using TV, Radio, Videos, Google Awards & Social Networking WE Make Great TV Shows!

Call Us Today!

773-416-7555 http://shaymarmedia.com shaymarmedia@gmail.com

Full benefit package includes: * Health, dental, vision and life insurance * 2 weeks paid vacation after one year * Illinois Fire Pension Fund * 20 mile residency radius You must meet the following minimum requirements by the application deadline: * $20 non-refundable application fee; * Must be a U.S. citizen; * Must be 21 years of age and under 35 years of age by July 24, 2021; unless otherwise exempt by statute; * No felony arrests; * Must be an Illinois State certified paramedic at time of hire; * Must have a current CPAT card valid within 12 months of test date; * Must have a valid driver's license; * Application must be returned with required information, postmarked 7/2/2021 Mandatory Orientation Saturday, July 17, 2021 - 9:00 a.m.

Test Date Saturday, July 24, 2021 - 9:00 a.m.

SERVICE JP PROPERTY SERVICES * Junk Removal * Gutter Cleaning * Demolition * Power Washing * Delivery * Snow Removal (312) 897-0113 _____________________________________ Do You Want To Improve Your Bad Credit Score?

Call Credit Restoration Service Today!

(218) 833-3769 9:00a.m. - 5:00 p.m. _____________________________________

LEGAL SERVICE INJURED? If you've been hurt in an accident in Illinois, call for a FREE CASE CONSULTATION. Calls Answered 24/7 by Staver Accident Injury Lawyers: 1-888-310-8322

__________________________________

By Order of the Calumet City Board of Fire and Police Commission William B. Galgan, Chairman Mary L. Cox, Commissioner Carmela J. Ziobro, Commissioner ____________________________________

You Can Make This Space Yours By Calling For a Quote Today: (773) 783-1251

(StatePoint) Climate-related crises like rising sea levels, severe weather events and longer drought seasons are challenging the global economy. They’re also driving the launch of new clean technologies.

Darrell Garth

President /Publisher

Here are five examples of how these new technologies are changing and improving daily life: 1. Making clean energy easier to access: With the renewable energy sector experiencing tremendous growth, solar energy is becoming a more affordable solution for Americans who were previously left out of the solar revolution. Projects like the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund are putting solar on homes and tribal buildings in rural parts of Indian Country to reduce energy costs and advance Energy Sovereignty.

Janice Garth

Sales Manager General Manager

Editorial

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

Advertising

Display Advertising advertising@citizennewspapergroup.com or jgarth@citizennewspapergroup.com

2. Creating new jobs when they’re needed most. In addition to cleaner air and reducing carbon, the renewable energy sector is creating thousands of clean energy jobs in communities across the U.S.

Classified Advertising

3. Improving buildings like hospitals, schools and offices. With commercial buildings accounting for about 40% of all electricity use in the U.S., and heightened concern around safety and indoor air quality, the founders of startup 75F are using internet-of-things-powered building management systems and cloud-based software to improve heating and cooling efficiencies, maintain occupant comfort and improve air quality in commercial buildings.

(773) 783-1251

4. Helping farmers become more productive and resilient. Agriculture currently accounts for 70% of the world’s water usage and 14% of its energy usage.

Startup Pluton Biosciences is using microbes to help identify and address soil imbalances and diseases before they become a larger problem on particular parcels of land. This is helping farmers remain productive and efficient in the face of unpredictable weather patterns, pollution and crop infestations. The company CoverCress is working on a new cash crop for the Midwest that farmers can plant during winter months in between corn and soybean seasons. The crop sequesters carbon and can be harvested as a low-carbon feed for livestock.

5. Boosting affordable housing inventory so more people can find homes.

Construction technologies like Blokable’s pre-fabricated building system are addressing the housing affordability crisis by creating multi-family housing units that are highly efficient, drastically reducing the volume of construction waste.

Programs like the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator, which works with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, are investing in new clean energy startups, helping them bring game-changing climate solutions to market. Experts say that such investments will be critical in the years to come.

“Continued investment in startups and entrepreneurs focused on low-carbon solutions will help build a stronger global economy and more resilient communities, and help avoid the worst impacts of climate change,” says Ramsay Huntley, sustainable finance strategist at Wells Fargo.

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) RossHelen / iStock via Getty Images Plus

call us at

(773) 783-1251

Display Advertising call us at

Coverage Areas: CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

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

SOUTH END

Washington Heights, Roseland, Rosemoor, Englewood, West Englewood, Auburn-Gresham, Morgan Park, Maple Park, Mt. Vernon, Fernwood, Bellevue, Beverly, Pullman, West Pullman, West Pullman, Riverdale, Jeffrey Manor and Hegewisch.

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

HYDE PARK

Lake Meadows, Oakland, Prairie Shores, Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Woodland, South Shore and Hyde Park.

CHICAGO WEEKEND

Chicago Westside Communities, Austin and Garfield Park

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., (CNGII), 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.

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On the patio, online or streaming on-the-go, Xfinity celebrates the season with the music that unites us all.

Just say, “Black Experience,” into your Xfinity Voice Remote to enjoy a Black Music Month collection filled with your favorite groups, collabos, duets, TV shows, and more. Plus, with Xfinity Internet, your entertainment starts at FREE with a Flex 4K streaming box that puts all your apps in one place. Xfinity, the ultimate in Black storytelling and a way better way to watch.

Visit xfinity.com/blackexperience to learn more.

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Access for Xfinity Internet customers via the Xfinity Stream app or Flex. Flex is not available in all areas or to current Xfinity Video customers. Requires post-paid subscription to Xfinity Internet, excluding Internet Essentials. Pricing subject to change. Taxes, fees and other applicable charges extra, and subject to change. Limited to 3 devices.

1 device included, additional devices $5/mo. per device. All devices must be returned when service ends. Separate subscriptions required for certain streaming services. Viewing uses your Internet service and will count against any Xfinity data plan. Streaming content limited to the U.S. ©2021 Comcast. All Rights Reserved.

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Amplify your summer.