South End Citizen 10-30-2019

Several City, State, And County Officials Address Residents At South Side Community Meeting — Page 3

Citizen Week of Oct. 30, 2019

| Vol. 52 | No. 38 | www.thechicagocitizen.com

SOUTH END

Mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, recently announced the new INVEST South/West initiative that targets 10 neighborhoods on the south and west sides of Chicago for investment and revitalization.

Photo Credit: Heidi Zeiger

MAYOR ANNOUNCES NEW PLAN TO INVEST IN SOUTH AND WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS

During a recent press conference, Mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, announced a new neighborhood investment initiative called INVEST South/ West. The initiative is designed to support revitalization in 10 underinvested neighborhoods on the south and west sides. The City will combine resources with community and corporate partners to activate millions of dollars worth of investments in the targeted neighborhoods. PAGE 2

NEWS

NEWS

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Forever stamp honors Esteemed Journalist Gwen Ifill

ENTERTAINMENT

Third Consecutive Year, CondĂŠ Nast Traveler Names Chicago As Best Large City To Visit

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Black News Channel (BNC) TV Launches in America PAGE 8

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2 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 30, 2019

NEWS briefly EDUCATION

NLRB EXTENDS TIME FOR SUBMITTING COMMENTS ON PROPOSED RULE CONCERNING STUDENTS The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has extended the time for submitting comments on its proposed rule concerning the definition of “employee” under Section 2(3) of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The proposed rule would exempt from the NLRB’s jurisdiction undergraduate and graduate students who perform services for financial compensation in connection with their studies. The original notice of proposed rulemaking was published at 84 FR 49691. The submission window will remain open and interested parties may now file comments on or before Monday, December 16, 2019. Comments replying to the comments submitted during the initial comment period must be received by the Board on or before Monday, December 30, 2019.

The additional time will allow parties the opportunity to respond to a technical correction within the NPRM’s Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis.

The correction was posted to the Federal Register recently. Public comments are invited on all aspects of the proposed rule and should be submitted either electronically to www.regulations.gov, or by mail or hand-delivery to Roxanne Rothschild, Executive Secretary, National Labor Relations Board, 1015 Half Street S.E., Washington, D.C. 20570-0001.

HEALTH

SC JOHNSON LAUNCHES GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP TO FIGHT OCEAN PLASTIC AND POVERTY SC Johnson, an industry-leading manufacturer of household consumer brands, and Plastic Bank recently launched a global partnership to stop plastic waste from entering the ocean and fight poverty.

The three-year effort creates recycling infrastructure on a massive scale across five countries and pays residents to collect plastic in exchange for digital savings and rewards. Once the plastic is collected and exchanged, it will be recycled into the first-ever 100% Social Plastic® bottle, which SC Johnson will use for its iconic Windex® line beginning in February 2020.

LAW & POLITICS

HARPER SPOTLIGHTS PROGRAM TO REPAY OVERDUE TAXES State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is spotlighting an Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) tax amnesty program that is offering local taxpayers the opportunity to eliminate delinquent taxes that may be owed to the state without penalty.

The Harper-backed law, Senate Bill 689, created the IDOR’s Tax Amnesty Program to give consumers and businesses the chance to pay back taxes without penalties and interest. To be eligible for the program, the tax liability must have occurred between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2018 and a taxpayer must pay their entire outstanding tax liability from the period covered by the amnesty. Additional information on liabilities that qualify for amnesty and payment options can be found at tax.illinois.gov.

“Anyone who owes overdue taxes to the State of Illinois should use this opportunity to pay back what they owe without interest or penalties,” Harper said.

“I encourage any local taxpayer who may have a tax debt to check their eligibility and take advantage of the Tax Amnesty Program.”

Mayor Announces New Plan To Invest In South And West Side Neighborhoods Continued from page 1

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

During a recent press conference, Mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, announced a new neighborhood investment initiative called INVEST South/West. The initiative is designed to support revitalization in 10 underinvested neighborhoods on the south and west sides. The City will combine resources with community and corporate partners to activate millions of dollars worth of investments in the targeted neighborhoods.

The 10 neighborhoods that will be impacted by the INVEST South/West initiative are Auburn Gresham, Englewood, Roseland, South Shore, South Chicago, New City, Quad Communities, Humboldt Park, Austin, and North Lawndale.

“We are here to make a significant announcement that will not only hopefully transform the west side but the south side as well and neighborhoods that have been starving for resources for way too long,” said Lightfoot. “In order to be able to do the work that’s necessary, everybody has to be all hands on deck. Not just the business community, not just the philanthropic

and faith community, not just the political leadership, everybody has to be on board and moving in the same direction and that is the way that we will transform neighborhoods.”

INVEST South/West’s will use $250 million in existing city funding by way of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Small Business Improvement Fund, and Neighborhood Opportunity Fund programs. In addition, the initiative’s first corporate sponsorship is coming from BMO Harris Bank through a $10 million investment, according to information provided by the Office of the Mayor of Chicago.

“It is hugely important for us to be supportive of Chicago and all of our neighborhoods because we understand how important it is. We are only as great as our neighborhoods and if our neighborhoods can’t step up and people can’t feel comfortable being in our neighborhoods, they won’t want to bank in Chicago, they won’t want to live in Chicago, and they won’t want to even vote for anybody in Chicago. This is too great of a city to not be supporting our neighborhoods and we are delighted to be part of that,” said David

Casper, CEO of BMO Harris Bank.

The funding from the city and corporate sponsors will be used in part to support existing community-based improvement plans that have already been developed in many of these neighborhoods by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and other community agencies. The Chicago Department of Planning and Development will facilitate even more community engagement in the 10 INVEST South/West communities to find even more ways that funding and resources can be leveraged in these communities, according to information provided by the Office of the Mayor of Chicago.

“What we are doing is really reprioritizing, from the city’s perspective, projects that have been in the pipeline and really focusing on not just individual projects but thinking about ways in which we can use city resources, philanthropic dollars, business dollars, to come together to really catalyze investments in neighborhoods.

It’s not just about retail space, it’s not just about public spaces, it’s about all those things together that we know are critically important to creating healthy vibrant neighborhoods driven by the direction of local businesses,” said Lightfoot.

Young adults not seeking treatment for substance use disorders A growing number of young adults are dealing with a substance use disorder – in some cases, multiple substance use disorders – and not seeking help, according to a study published in the Journal of American College Health.

Brooke Arterberry, lead author and assistant professor of psychology at Iowa State University, says two in every five young adults reported a past-year SUD, consistent with the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria. The researchers found no significant difference in the prevalence among college students (39.6%) and non-college peers (44.5%).

Just over 14% of college students and nearly 19% of non-college peers had multiple SUDs. This is the first study to examine the prevalence, remission and treatment associated with SUDs among young adults. The results show a majority of young adults with any SUD during their lifetime rarely achieved abstinent remission, and had not received treatment, regardless of education.

“It’s clear that substance use disorders are a public health issue, but we don’t know why young adults are not seeking treatment,” Arterberry said. “We need more research to identify where to intervene and direct prevention efforts designed to encourage young adults to seek treatment.”

Arterberry and colleagues Sean Esteban McCabe, Carol Boyd and Brady West, with the University of Michigan; and Ty Schepis, Texas State University; analyzed data from the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III. The sample included 2,057 college students and 1,213 non-college peers. The survey included questions about substance use, psychiatric disorders and substance use treatment.

The researchers found young adult women who identify as lesbian had significantly higher rates of SUDs than heterosexual peers, but there was no difference among young adult men.

Approximately 73.1% of men and 61.1% women with a lifetime

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Two in every five young adults reported a past-year substance use disorder, according to an Iowa State University study.

personality disorder had a least one SUD in the past year. The researchers noted the percentages were significantly higher than those without personality disorders.

Barriers to treatment The percentage of young adults with a substance use disorder who were able to stop using substances was extremely low. Arterberry says only one in every 100 college students were able to stop. Based on the data, the researchers were not able to investigate why young adults are not seeking treatment.

It is particularly troubling given the resources available to students on college campuses. They recommend future research focus on access and barriers to treatment.

Currently, substance use disorder diagnosis, research and treatment models focus on single substances. However, McCabe,

study principal investigator and co-director of the University of Michigan Center for the Study of Drug, Alcohol, Smoking, and Health, says the large numbers who report multiple substance use disorders supports the urgent need to shift the focus in that direction.

“Few studies have focused on addressing multiple SUDs and adverse effects of multiple SUDs,” McCabe said. “This is a major oversight because we know multiple SUDs are most prevalent during young adulthood, associated with a more persistent course, and can be more challenging to treat.”

The researchers recommend colleges and universities assess the prevalence of substance use and substance use disorders on their own campuses to address barriers to treatment and plan appropriate prevention and intervention efforts.

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 30, 2019

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NEWS

Several City, State, And County Officials Address Residents At South Side Community Meeting

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Alderman of the 17th Ward, David Moore, recently hosted the Fall Quarterly Community Meeting for his ward and invited numerous elected officials to come and briefly address their constituents. Not only were the officials able to give updates on their work, but attendees were also able to ask questions and many officials stayed until the end of the meeting to talk with residents one-on-one.

Cook County States Attorney, Kimberly Foxx, spoke to the crowd at Alderman Moore’s meeting to share first of all what her office does and how she approaches her work. Additionally, she spoke about the legalization of marijuana in Illinois and what her office is doing to vacate certain marijuana convictions dating back to the 1950s.

“Back in January, I announced that not only would we not prosecute

marijuana offenses, knowing that it was going to be legalized, but our office pledged, and we are well on our way, to vacating the convictions of anyone who has ever been convicted of marijuana prosecution for 30 grams or less and we are going back to the oldest record that we have which is from 1956,” said Foxx. “They don’t have to do anything but wait for a letter to come in the mail from our office telling them that it’s done.”

Another guest at Alderman Moore’s Fall Quartley Community Meeting was newly elected State Representative Aaron Ortiz who represents the 1st District of Illinois which includes parts of Gage Park and Chicago Lawn. Ortiz took office in January of 2019 and during the recent meeting, he reflected on the state legislation that has been passed this year.

Ortiz said some of the work done this year, including increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour, was “very

17th Ward Alderman, David Moore, recently invited several elected officials to address residents at his Fall Quarterly Community Meeting. Photo Credit: Provided by the Office of 17th Ward Alderman David Moore

important for the working class in our city.” He added, “One of the biggest highlights that we’ve been able to do at the state level this year is pass House Bill 833 which Governor Pritzker just signed into law and makes it so senior citizens do not have to reapply every single year for senior exemption status.”

Another guest at the 17th Ward Fall Quarterly Community Meeting was Kari

Steele, president of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Steele took the time to share what the Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago does and shared that as president, she is interested in finding ways for the organization to implement new green infrastructure concepts.

“We deal with all of the water that leaves your house and we are a

totally separate agency from the City of Chicago that provides your drinking water,” said Steele. “Basically, when you are running your dishwasher, taking a shower, washing your clothes, or flushing the toilet, that water has to go somewhere and it goes to one of our seven treatment plants and we treat the water there before it’s released into the waterways.”

Poll of likely voters shows rising student debt problems

BY CHARLENE CROWELL Center for Responsible Lending’s Communications Deputy Director

When likely voters across the country were recently asked their opinions about student loan borrowing, 82% agreed that the still-growing $1.5 trillion debt is a national crisis.

Even when partisan affiliations were included, the solid concern for this unsustainable financial burden held strong: 74% of Republicans, 80% of independents, and 90% of Democrats.

When asked further about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)’s reduced efforts to protect students from abusive student loans and student loan services, those most concerned were Blacks, Latinx (73%), consumers earning less than $50,000 per year (72%). Additionally, voters in early Democratic Primary States agreed at 77%, as did both women and military or veterans’ households that polled 70% each.

Conducted by Lake Research Partners and Chesapeake Beach Consulting, the poll was jointly commissioned by the Americans for Financial Reform (AFR) and Center for Responsible Lending (CRL). Its student loan results, released on October 2, found that recent actions by the Department of Education (DOE) and the CFPB both contributed to consumer concerns.

Higher penalty fees charged to struggling borrowers, making it harder for state and federal law enforcement agencies to pursue wrongdoing by state loan servicers and blocked

Twenty years after starting school, the typical Black borrower owed about $17,500 more than their white peers.

debt relief for students who were defrauded by for-profit institutions were the top DOE criticisms cited in survey. “[T]he Department of Education seems to be making it easier for for-profit colleges and servicers to take advantage of students,” said Debbie Goldstein, CRL executive vice president.

“We need a Department of Education that holds for-profit institutions accountable for abusive practices and a CFPB with a division that protects borrowers from predatory student loan servicers.”

“Without proactive regulatory action and strong state laws,” continued Goldstein, “students of color will continue to carry larger debt burdens, exacerbating the racial wealth gap.”

“The student debt crisis in the United States de-

serves greater attention and voters know it,” noted Alexis Goldstein, AFR senior policy counsel.

“Borrowers need federal authorities as allies, not as apologists for the for-profit college industry.”

The disproportionate student debt burdens borne by Black and Latino borrowers was the focus of a joint research report by the NAACP, National Urban League, UNIDOS US, Leadership Conference Education Fund and CRL. Initially published this July, QUICKSAND: Borrowers of Color & the Student Debt Crisis, the report examined how unprecedented debt levels weigh heaviest on Black America.

Key findings from that report show that: l Today, over half of all families with Black heads of household aged 25-40 have student debt. l Black bachelor’s degree graduates are unable to afford loan repayments at five times the rate of comparable white graduates. These Black grads are also more likely to default than whites who never completed a degree. l Four years after graduation, nearly half of black graduates owe more on their undergraduate student loans than they did when they received their degree; by contrast, only 17% of white graduates face this same dilemma.

Similar findings and concerns were found in a September student loan debt report entitled Stalling Dreams by Brandeis University’s Institute on Assets and Social Policy, a part of its Heller School for Social Policy and Management. Among its key findings: l Twenty years after starting school, the typ-

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ical Black borrower owed about $17,500 more than their white peers; l The typical Black student loan holder in their 30’s, has negative total wealth of $10,700 compared to whites who are close to breaking even; and l About half of all Black borrowers and a third of all Latinx borrowers wind up defaulting on their student loans within 20 years.

With researchers and consumers agreeing that student debt is at crisis levels, the larger question becomes: What – as a nation – are we prepared to do about it? And if so – when?

With 44 million people affected by student loan debt, this trillion- dollar issue should not be ignored but rather vigorously debated as part of the 2020 elections in the interest of our collective futures.

“We need a racial equity filter for solutions to reverse the consequences of our current privatized high education financing regime,” states Brandeis’ Stalling Dreams. “We need a return to strong public investment in higher education that acknowledges the societal benefit on an educated public.”

In other words, if you’re drowning in student debt, your education is working against you – instead of for you. It’s time for a new paradigm in American education.

Charlene Crowell is the Center for Responsible Lending’s Communications Deputy Director. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org

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BUSINESS The National Black MBA Association® Announces the 42nd Annual Conference and Exposition to Be Held in Washington, D.C. During Its 50th Anniversary Year September 22-26, 2020 #NBMBAA The National Black MBA Association® recently announced Washington, DC as the home for their 42nd Annual Conference and Exposition, taking place September 22-26, 2020. The organization will also celebrate a major milestone as it commemorates its 50th anniversary year.

The NBMBAA® just concluded another successful conference in Houston, Texas where the organization helped 9,000 attendees explore career opportunities and interview for valuable internships with companies including FedEx Corporation, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Johnson and Johnson, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Marriott International, Microsoft, Nationwide and a number of other leading Fortune 500 companies. Attendees were exposed to an array of informative sessions and workshops around professional growth, leadership development and entrepreneurship.

The NBMBAA® provided undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to compete for academic scholarships with the execution of its annual business case competitions. The competition allows student teams to analyze a multifaceted business case and use their problem-solving skills to present their findings before a panel of the nation’s top thoughtleaders. The NBMBAA® awarded over $150K combined for scholarships and funding of start-up businesses who placed in their annual Scale Up Pitch Challenge

sponsored by FedEx Corporation.

“This year’s conference was an incredible experience,” said Kay Y. Wallace, NBMBAA’s new president and CEO. “As we enter into our 50th anniversary in 2020, the National Black MBA Association® will continue to curate dynamic and innovative programming throughout the year culminating with the annual conference in September in Washington, DC – an important election year. I’m inspired and focused on making 2020 a memorable and impactful year for our members, stakeholders and sponsors.”

To learn more about the National Black MBA Association® and how to get involved, please visit www.nbmbaa.org.

About National Black MBA Association® NBMBAA® is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) professional member-based organization which leads in the creation of educational, wealth building and growth opportunities for black professionals. Representing more than 14,000 members within 39 professional chapters, 33 Leaders of Tomorrow® chapters and over 280 corporate and university partners, the organization is dedicated to developing partnerships that create intellectual and economic wealth in the Black community through its five channels of engagement: career, education, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle.

Real Estate Investors Benefit as Competition Eases Hard Money Lending Terms

BY CHRISTOPHER G. COX Managing editor and publisher of www.realesavvy.com

In the wake of the housing crash that shook the U.S. economy in the mid- to late 2000s, real estate investors had few borrowing options as financial institutions severely tightened lending practices. According to Nathan Trunfio, president of Lending for Pennsylvania-based Direct Lending Partners (DLP), this led to the rise of so-called hard money lending, where those willing to make real estate loans could demand returns of 15-20 percent and four to five points.

As a result of the bursting of the housing bubble, there were a lot of properties that needed to be foreclosed on, Trunfio said.

“They were foreclosed on, but people were still in them or banks were holding them on their books and they needed to find a way to dispose of them,” he continued.

This created opportunities for investors to buy low, Trunfio explained. Many of these properties needed to be renovated and banks did not have the infrastructure to handle the renovations themselves. “Real estate investors needed a source of capital,” he said, “so they would turn to hard money loans, which were largely based on the value of the asset.”

Although the term “hard money lending” is still in common use, this lending practice has evolved to show a softer side. Trunfio notes that for many years a hard money loan was viewed as a “bad news loan,” one associated with some sort of “distressed situation where someone needs to pull equity out of a property.” These loans, he continued, typically reflected “some type of turmoil or big need that isn’t necessarily going to result in a good situation.”

In the current lending

environment, Trunfio said, people are looking to utilize a loan for the purpose of “navigating a business plan on a piece of real estate.”

“I call it soft money,” Trunfio notes, “because the approach that is taken is a combination of the analysis of the strength of a real estate investor and the asset. We are in the business of providing short-term bridge loans to experienced real estate investors.”

Asked why a borrower would seek one of DLP’s bridge loans as opposed to a more traditional loan from a bank, credit union or other lending institution, Trunfio says there are a number of reasons. “The main reason,” he notes, “is that nowadays banks have credit policies that are too tight. They can’t move quickly enough, and they won’t lend on an asset that needs renovation, or that needs a tenant, or something along those lines.”

Trunfio notes that DLP works with a wide array of investors from singular individuals and small teams to organizations of 20-50 people. “Our loans are to real estate investors – I call them serial investors – who invest in real estate as a way to make their money, whether it’s a primary or secondary focus.”

For about the last 10 years, Trunfio said, more and more institutional investors have begun to recognize that there are many financially savvy borrowers with sound investment plans. This has led to increased lending competition which allows investors to find loans requiring 8-12 percent interest and one to three points, as opposed to tougher terms in the immediate wake of the crash.

“Hard money has evolved into opportunistic money for real estate investors,” said Trunfio, “which helps the economy in a number of ways by providing more housing where there is currently a housing shortage.”

FOR ABOUT THE LAST 10 YEARS, MORE AND MORE INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS HAVE BEGUN TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE MANY FINANCIALLY SAVVY BORROWERS WITH SOUND INVESTMENT PLANS. THIS HAS LED TO INCREASED LENDING COMPETITION WHICH ALLOWS INVESTORS TO FIND LOANS REQUIRING 8-12 PERCENT INTEREST AND ONE TO THREE POINTS, AS OPPOSED TO TOUGHER TERMS IN THE IMMEDIATE WAKE OF THE CRASH. www.thechicagocitizen.com

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 30, 2019

Eighth Ward RDO Celebrates its 50th Year Annual Dinner Dance

Photos by Jerome Simmons Photography

8th ward Alderman Michelle Harris poses for a photo with Secretary of State Jesse White.

Alderman Michelle Harris and Guest are all smiles for the camera during the Regular Democratic Organization Annual Dinner Dance.

Pictured left to right: Kimberly E. McCulloughStarks, Judge Freddrenna M. Lyle, Angel Perez.

Pictured left to right at the 8th ward 50th Year Anniversary celebration are: Larry Huggins, 8th Ward Alderman Michelle Harris and guest.

Justice Nichole Patton Holds Fundraiser in Southland

Il. State Rep. Nicholas Smith Pose for a photo with the President of MWRD, Kerri Steele and her sister.

Pictured left to right: Todd Stroger, 8th Ward Alderman Michelle Harris, Kim Foxx, Cook County States Attorney, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Senator Elgie Sims.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Hosted Fundraiser at Riddles Comedy Club

Photo by Kimberly Mitchell

Justice Nichole Patton recently hosted a fundraiser in the Southland kicking off her bid for re-election to the Circuit Court 15th Judicial SubCircuit. Pictured with Judge Patton is Matteson Mayor Sheila Chalmers- Currin.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. recently hosted a Fundraiser at Riddles Comedy Club featuring Comedians Damon Williams as host and "J" Deep" and Correy Bell were the Funny Men on Stage entertaining the audience.

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NEWS

Forever stamp honors Esteemed Journalist Gwen Ifill With 2020 rapidly approaching, the U.S. Postal Service recently revealed several of the new Forever stamps and others to be issued next year.

Since 1847, the Postal Service stamp program has celebrated the people, events and cultural milestones unique to the history of the United States.

“These miniature works of art offer something for everyone interested in American history and culture,” said U.S. Postal Service Stamp Services Acting Executive Director William Gicker.

“From notable figures such as golf legend Arnold Palmer and esteemed journalist Gwen Ifill to the cultural phenomenon of hip hop to a celebration of the great outdoors, this program is wide-ranging and adds to the history of our great nation as recorded through the U.S. stamp program.”

The 43rd stamp in the Black Heritage series honors Gwen Ifill (1955–2016), one of America’s most esteemed journalists. The stamp features a photo of Ifill taken in 2008 by photographer Robert Severi. Among the first African Americans to hold prominent positions in both broadcast and print journalism, Ifill was a B:10” trailblazer in the profession. Art director Derry Noyes designed T:10” the stamp.

“The U.S. Postal Service’s 2020 stamp program has something for everyone, including Forever stamps honoring legendary golfer Arnold Palmer and esteemed journalist Gwen Ifill.”

S:10”

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CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 30, 2019

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NEWS

Third Consecutive Year, Condé Nast Traveler Names Chicago As Best Large City To Visit Condé Nast Traveler www.cntraveler.com, recently announced that its readers have voted Chicago as the best large city in the U.S. “This wonderful recognition not only reflects the beauty and excitement of our great city, but also our tourism industry’s dedicated efforts to attract people from across the country and around the globe,” said Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “Chicago will always roll out the welcome mat for visitors, and continue showcasing the sights and sounds of our world-class institutions and cultural life throughout our dynamic neighborhoods and communities, as well as in our magnificent downtown.”

According to a press release, Condé Nast Traveler’s 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. This year, more than 600,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers across the globe submitted a recording-breaking number of responses rating their travel experiences to provide a full snapshot of where and how we travel today. The “Best Large City” category was first added in 2015 with New York nabbing top spot in 2015 and 2016. Chicago was first voted “Best Large City” in 2017, repeating the selection in 2018 and

Condé Nast Traveler www.cntraveler.com, recently announced that its readers have voted Chicago as the best large city in the U.S.

has now won for a third year in a row.

“Chicago being named best large city to visit is a true accolade for all of us in Chicago’s hospitality and meetings industry,” said Glenn Eden, chair of Choose Chicago’s Board of Directors. “This recognition validates the momentum that we have been able to build upon these past few years but further underscores the City’s impact on the

nation and world as a destination that everyone should experience.”

The award comes as the city continues to be recognized for its world-renowned culinary scene, including a growing number of Michelin-starred and James Beard award-winning restaurants, the buzz created by the expanded Riverwalk, top rankings of numerous Chicago museums, attractions and tours, a thriving entertainment scene, including the ongoing celebration of the Year of Chicago Theater and the city’s international acclaim for architecture and music.

Adding to this momentum, Chicago has opened no fewer than 26 additional hotels in the past four years, including many that are located in emerging neighborhoods, further adding to the breadth and impact of the visitor industry, according to a press release.

“It’s always significant when a leading travel publication and its savvy and knowledgeable readers vote you the number one large city destination in the nation,” said David Whitaker, president and chief executive officer of Choose Chicago. “But to be selected now for a third year in a row speaks volumes about the kind of city and

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destination that Chicago is becoming and the incredible potential that we have to further build on our emerging reputation. It’s also a tribute to the overall effort and investments of so many in our community who are working hard every day to invite, serve and welcome the world to our home.”

The recognition from Condé Nast readers coincides with a strategic decision three years ago to expand the focus to attract more leisure visitors to Chicago from major feeder markets throughout the United States as well as a concerted effort to garner more overnight visitors. According to hotel occupancy reports generated by Smith Travel Research, leisure room demand (rooms consumed) has grown 14% in the past three years, with the majority of this growth generated from visitors outside of Chicago’s traditional market of nine neighboring states. This growth trend has continued in 2019 as leisure room demand (rooms consumed) is up 4.7% for the first eight months of the year.

Choose Chicago’s recently redesigned website, www.ChooseChicago.com, has generated more than 6.3 million site visits in the first 8 months of 2019 representing a year- over-year increase of 10.7%, a press release further stated.

8 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 30, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

Black News Channel (BNC) TV Launches in America

BY STACY M. BROWN NNPA NEWSWIRE CORRESPONDENT @StacyBrownMedia

In a joint teleconference broadcast live from the Four Season’s Hotel in New York’s Financial District, the Black News Channel (BNC) and the National Newspaper Publishers Association recently announced the official launch date and time for the nation’s first 24-hour, 7-days a week allnews TV channel that will focus on African American news.

The new channel promises to inform, educate, and empower nearly 50 million African Americans now living in the United States.

The potential for the network appears almost limitless.

BNC will immediately have the potential to reach 33 million households daily in all the major media markets across the nation.

Combined with the millions of readers who consume information from NNPA’s Black-owned newspapers and media companies each week, the BNC could quickly become the top destination for all who want to consume African American news on TV and on mobile devices.

BNC, which officially launches at 6 a.m. on Friday, November 15, 2019, has agreements with Charter Communications, Comcast and DISH TV. The network already has commitments for carriage in major African American hubs like Atlanta, New York City, Chicago, New Orleans, Houston, Philadelphia, Detroit, Washington, DC, Baltimore and Los Angeles.

Tallahassee, Florida, houses BNC’s headquarters, and the network will have news bureaus around the country, including Washington, D.C. and New York City.

Former Republican U.S. Congressman J.C. Watts is chairman of BNC, which is backed financially by business mogul and Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan.

“This platform will create a venue for the African American community to have a dialogue to talk about news, education and cultural things,” stated Watts, who added that the network has been in the planning stage for many years.

NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., who participated in the teleconference,

NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. (pictured at right), who participated in the recent teleconference, said the NNPA’s partnership with the BNC is a profound win-win for Black America. (Also pictured are Former Republican U.S. Congressman J.C. Watts, chairman of BNC (left) and Jacksonville Jaguars owner, Shad Khan, who is a primary investor in the new network (center).

said the NNPA’s partnership with the BNC is a profound win-win for Black America.

“This year marks the 192nd year of the Black Press of America. Black Americans striving for excellence in all fields of endeavor give life to our culture that attracts and impacts all people. We set trends for ourselves and others,” Chavis stated.

“We’re not a cursed people, and we are a blessed people. We continue to strive for excellence, and to have Shad Khan announced as a primary investor for the launch and sustainable development of the BNC is of major significance,” Chavis noted.

“We’re not looking to be Republican or Democrat. There will be current affairs, but we are culturally specific to the African American community. MSNBC, Fox News, CNN may have African American faces on their news shows, but they are not necessarily covering the community from a cultural perspective,” Watts stated. “We’re not looking to be left or right. We will be authentic and true to enriched and diverse African American experience.”

“THIS PLATFORM WILL CREATE A VENUE FOR THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY TO HAVE A DIALOGUE TO TALK ABOUT NEWS, EDUCATION AND CULTURAL THINGS.”

David Rooney

K. Austin Collins

“A SUPERHERO ORIGIN STORY” ROGER EBERT Robert Daniels

T H E U N BE L I E VA BL E T RU E S T ORY OF H A R R IET T U BM A N STORY BY

GREGORY ALLEN HOWARD SCREENPLAYBY GREGORY ALLEN HOWARD AND KASI LEMMONS DIRECTEDBY KASI LEMMONS

© 2019 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

STARTS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1 IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATER LOCATIONS AND SHOWTIMES

J.C. WATTS

Former Republican U.S. Congressman

www.thechicagocitizen.com

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 30, 2019

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CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 30, 2019

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CLASSIFIEDS SERVICE

Skill Share

SERVICE

Is your child struggling in one class and excelling in another? Before coughing up the cost of a tutor to get your child up to speed, consider a skill share as a free and friendly alternative. There is likely a student in your child’s class who possesses the opposite strengths and challenges.

Encourage your child to team up with that student and become cooperative study buddies.

Online Calculators All-in-one web-based mathematics resources can eliminate the expense of a calculator and other math supplies. For example, ClassPad.net, free to educators and students, is a tool geared toward K-12 and beyond that exceeds the functionality of a calculator. A user-friendly tool that’s also offering educators an innovative way to share lesson plans, among its many features are a virtual protractor and compass, and a math-based text editor that provides a rich assortment of mathematical templates.

This web-based calculator is designed to be equally usable by keyboard and mouse as with touch-based platforms and gives users the ability to create folders, organize and share work. To register, or for more information, visit ClassPad.net.

Organize a Fundraiser From band uniforms to chess club fees, participation in extracurricular and after school activities frequently comes with a price tag. To reduce or eliminate such expenses for not only your child, but for every club or team member, consider spearheading a fundraiser and getting everyone involved. From car washes to silent auctions, fundraisers do more than the name implies, building team spirit among participants and community awareness of the club’s goals and accomplishments.

With a few tricks and some new tech, your family can save significantly on the cost of school. __________________________________

LIVING 4 Ways to Make Turning Back the Clocks a Cinch (StatePoint) Daylight Saving Time may end like clockwork each fall, but that doesn’t make the transition any easier. Here are four ways to avoid scheduling snafus, missed appointments and lost sleep.

• Revamp Evenings: Time changes are best handled when you’re well-rested.

Encourage plenty of sleep in the weeks ahead. Before bed, avoid activities that make sleep more evasive, such as looking at bright screens, consuming caffeine or indulging in too much alcohol. A vigorous workout, while great for your cardio health, is best performed at least several hours before lights out.

Tidy Housekeeping & Laundry Services 773-782-1414 NOW SERVING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD Affordable- Reliable www.tidyhousecleanlaundry.com

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MISCELLANEOUS TRAINING/EDUCATION AIRLINE CAREERS FOR NEW YEAR BECOME AN AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECH. FAA APPROVED TRAINING. FINANCIAL AID IF QUALIFIED - JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE. CALL AIM 800-481-8312 __________________________________

RENTAL Newly decorated 4 room, 2Br apt. 5200 block S Racine, $650/mo., stove and refrigerator Ask for Mr. Lambert 773-370-7744 __________________________________

DRIVERS FALL INTO A GREAT NEW CAREER AT TTI! $1600 Sign-on Bonus! EXPERIENCED DRIVERS *Flatbed *Step Deck *Van *LTL Reefer. Pay is 26% Gross Flatbed/Step Deck & up to .53/mile Van/Reefer. Full benefits w/FREE Health & Life Insurance, 6 paid Holidays, + Industry leading Driver Bonus Program! Must have Class A CDL. Call Ruth or Mike at TTI Inc. 1-800-222-5732 Apply online ttitrucking.com __________________________________

PUBLIC NOTICE

The annual return of The Love and Unity Prayer Circle church is available, at the address noted below, for inspection during normal business hours, by any citizen who so requests within 180 days after publication of this notice of its availability.

The love and Unity prayer Circle 1153 E. 82nd Street Chicago, Il 60619-4513537.

The principal manager is Cynthia A Cohen, Pastor Telephone (773) 993-9796. __________________________________

EDUCATION Great Ways to Make Education More Affordable (StatePoint) As most parents know, even a free public school education comes with certain expenses that over the course of a school year can really add up. While many of these expenditures feel unavoidable, there are certain ways that families can save money on the hidden costs of schooling.

• Connected Tech: You don’t necessarily need a smartwatch to avoid the hassle and potential risk of forgetting to wind watches back. Instead, consider a connected watch that updates automatically when Daylight Saving Time starts or ends or when traveling to a different time zone. For example, the shock-resistant, solar-powered GShock GSTB100XA-1A is equipped with Bluetooth that lets it connect with a smartphone to receive time information from an internet time server. Likewise, the Casio Edifice EQB1000D-1A, a new high-spec super-slim model with phone linking capabilities can keep you further on track with a daily alarm, full auto-calendar and stopwatch.

• Avoid Anxiety: The anxiety caused by a time change can ironically make it harder to function. Make a point of engaging in some stress-reducing activities like meditation, yoga or relaxing with a book. These activities can also serve to create a calming bedtime routine.

• Think of the Family: Time changes can be especially difficult on young children and pets who don’t understand why bedtimes and feeding schedules have changed.

Ease kids and furry creatures into the time change by shifting their schedules 10-15 minutes each day.

While “falling back” is a time-honored tradition, it can take its toll on schedules and health. With some smart strategies, you can set your clocks back with ease. __________________________________

Darrell Garth

President /Publisher

Janice Garth

Sales Manager General Manager

Editorial

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

Advertising

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

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(773) 783-1251

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CHICAGO WEEKEND

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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@thechicagocitizen.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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