South End Citizen 11-20-2019

New Chicago-based Community Initiative Aims to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes — Page 3

Citizen Week of Nov. 20, 2019

| Vol. 52 | No. 41 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SOUTH END

After losing a $2.5 million federal grant, the Chicago Department of Public Health reduced hours at its Roseland health clinic, 200 E. 115th St., to two days a week from five days. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

ON THE SOUTH SIDE, BUDGET CUTS AFFECT FREE TESTING AND TREATMENT FOR STDS

Budget cuts by the Chicago Department of Health have made it more difficult for low-income and unemployed residents to access free testing and treatment on the South Side for sexually transmitted diseases. PAGE 2

BUSINESS Amtrak ridership hits record highs on two Illinois lines PAGE 4

ENTERTAINMENT

NEWS

Underscore Theatre Company Presents PROXY

5 Pro Tips to Prep Homes for Winter PAGE 7

PAGE 8

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2 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

NEWS briefly EDUCATION

DISTRICT 148 PROMOTES 2020 CENSUS The upcoming Census is set to begin on April 1, 2020, and Dolton-Riverdale School District 148 is emphasizing the importance of residents’ participation, including a new district logo.

Starting April 1, 2020, District 148 buildings will be available to assist members of the Dolton-Riverdale community in completing the census. Residents are encouraged to share any questions or concerns with District 148 staff, and to visit https://2020census.gov for more information. “To say the upcoming Census is important would be an understatement,” said District 148 Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kevin J. Nohelty. “The participation of parents and guardians helps ensure our schools and staff receive the resources needed to provide the best education and instruction for many school years to come.”

HEALTH

STUDY FINDS GLUTAMATES SUCH AS MSG CAN HELP REDUCE AMERICANS’ SODIUM INTAKE Promising results from a new study published in the journal Nutrients add to accumulating evidence that glutamates such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) can be used to reduce sodium in the food supply. The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), looking at what Americans eat and estimating the reduction in sodium if glutamates are used as a partial replacement for sodium in certain food categories.

“Most of our sodium intake comes from restaurant meals and packaged foods,” says Dr. Taylor C. Wallace, an adjunct professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at George Mason University and lead researcher in the study. “MSG can be used to reduce sodium in these foods without a taste trade-off. MSG contains about 12 percent sodium, which is two-thirds less than that contained in table salt, and data shows a 25-40 percent reduction in sodium is possible in specific product categories when MSG is substituted for some salt. As Americans begin to understand that MSG is completely safe, I think we’ll see a shift toward using the ingredient as a replacement for some salt to improve health outcomes.”

LAW & POLITICS

PRITZKER ADMINISTRATION RELEASES $9.3 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR PURCHASE OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES ACROSS THE STATE Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez and Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) Executive Director Christopher Meister recently issued over $9.3 million in no interest or low interest loans to emergency responders across the state. The loans are made available through the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Program and Ambulance Revolving Loan Program.

“Fire departments throughout Illinois face financial stressors that can make it difficult to properly equip and train their firefighters. These no and low interest loans allow departments to obtain vehicles they may not otherwise have been able to afford. This new equipment will help them serve their communities in a safer, more efficient and effective way,” said State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. Under the FTRL program, fire departments, fire protection districts and township fire departments may apply for up to $350,000 in low interest or no interest loans for purchase of a fire truck or brush trucks. The loans must be repaid within 20 years.

On The South Side, Budget Cuts Affect Free Testing And Treatment For STDs Continued from page 1

BY WENDELL HUTSON Contributing Writer

Budget cuts by the Chicago Department of Health have made it more difficult for low-income and unemployed residents to access free testing and treatment on the South Side for sexually transmitted diseases.

After losing a $2.5 million federal grant in 2017, the city’s health department closed its longtime Englewood health clinic on Jan. 12, 2018, thus eliminating free testing and treatment for common STDs such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.

The city’s health department received a $9.3 million federal grant from the Integrated HIV Surveillance and Prevention Program, and $1.2 million is used to operate its three STD clinics, said Elena Ivanova, a spokeswoman for the CDPH. In 2018, the University of Illinois’ Mile Square Health Center took over health services at the clinic, 641 W. 63rd St., which includes STD testing and treatment.

Prior to taking over services from the city, the Mile Square Center was awarded a contract by the city in 2011 “to provide comprehensive primary care services at the Englewood clinic,” said Henry Taylor, chief executive officer of UI Health Mile Square Health Center.

Since the Mile Square replaced the city’s

health clinic in Englewood, more patients have visited the Mile Square Center.

“In 2017, our Englewood location provided approximately 6,600 patient visits. [But Mile Square is] providing more patient visits than the Englewood clinic did when it was operational,” said Ivanova. “In August 2019, [Mile Square] provided 635 patient visits, as compared to Englewood, which provided 557 visits monthly, on average. To that end and because of funding limitations, there are no plans to reopen a clinic in Englewood.”

Further south though, the city reduced hours at its Roseland clinic, 200 E. 115th St., to two days a week from five days due to budget cuts, according to Ivanova. And unlike Englewood, there’s no Mile Square Center in Roseland to pick up the ‘slack,’ but there are Mile Square Centers in South Shore, Back of the Yards, Humbodlt Park, Cicero, and the Near West Side.

Also, the city operates one STD clinic in Lakeview and Austin that is open five days a week providing free testing and treatment, while the South Side clinic is only open on Mondays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Funding only allows each clinic to see no more than 16 patients daily, which includes HIV and Syphilis testing.

According to statistics, young adults could benefit from free testing and treatment for common STDs where 18 and 30-years-olds are the leading group contracting sexually

transmitted diseases, according to a 2018 HIV/STI Surveillance Report by the CDPH. The report showed adults between 20 and 29-years-old accounted for 16,410 of the 30,292 new Chlamydia cases reported in the Chicago area for 2017. Blacks accounted for the majority of Gonorrhea and Syphilis cases for the same year (2107), the last year data was available.

Current neighborhoods with the highest STD rates, according to the report, are North Lawndale and Washington Park with Chlamydia; Uptown, Washington Park and North Lawndale with Gonorrhea; and Edgewater, Uptown and Lakeview with Syphilis.

The second highest age group with Chlamydia in 2017 was adults 20 to 24-year-olds accounting for 10,206 cases with black women making up 60 percent, data showed.

One difference between the Mile Square Center and the city’s STD clinics is cost.

Patients without insurance are asked to pay a $20 service fee when visiting the Mile Square Health Center even though many patients may be low-income or unemployed.

“During registration, patients without insurance are asked to pay a sliding fee, but we will treat anyone regardless if they cannot pay,” said Dr. Ashish Ansal, director of the Mile Square Clinic in Englewood. “For faster service, we ask everyone to call and make an appointment but walk-ins are accepted too,” she said.

COMMENTARY

Explainer: No, House Democrats Aren’t Violating Trump’s Rights

BY THOMAS L. KNAPP

“If the facts are on your side,” famed attorney and former law professor Alan Dershowitz instructed his students, “pound the facts into the table. If the law is on your side, pound the law into the table. If neither the facts nor the law are on your side, pound the table.”

As Republican attacks on the US House of Representatives’ impeachment inquiry grow in fury, they more and more resemble the third instruction in Dershowitz’s maxim.

The latest Republican angle on the inquiry is that House Democrats are violating President Donald Trump’s constitutional rights under the Sixth Amendment.

“Impeachment is a legal proceeding,” writes Federalist Society Chairman and law professor Steve Calabresi at The

Daily Caller, “and just as criminal defendants have constitutional rights in criminal trials so too does Trump have constitutional rights, which House Democrats are denying him.”

These rights, says Calabresi (and the US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment) include the right to a speedy public trial, the right to be informed of the charges against him, and the right to be confronted with the witnesses against him.

At first blush, these might sound like cogent legal arguments — pounding the law into the table, so to speak. But they’re not. They’re just pounding the table.

Calabresi calls impeachment a “legal proceeding,” but that term appears nowhere in the Sixth Amendment. The rights protected therein are protected in “criminal prosecutions.”

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Impeachment is not a criminal prosecution. The maximum penalty is removal from office.

It’s an employee disciplinary proceeding of sorts.

To the extent that the process does resemble a criminal prosecution, the House inquiry function is analogous to a police investigation or a grand jury probe. As of yet, there are no “charges” for the president to be informed of. A House vote to impeach is the equivalent of filing charges or handing down an indictment. That happens at the end of, not during, the inquiry.

If the House votes to impeach, there will be a trial in the US Senate. At that point the “prosecution” will identify those whom it intends to call as witnesses, and Trump’s attorneys will “be confronted with” those witnesses and have an opportunity to vigorously cross-examine them.

Calabresi’s claims are the equivalent of arguing that if a 911 caller reports a bank robbery in progress, the suspects’ constitutional rights are violated unless the police chief takes them and the 911 caller out on the bank’s front steps and lets them argue the matter in front of a crowd — before charging the suspects, and whether or not the caller would be summoned as a trial witness.

When Trump’s defenders merely pound the table, the presumptive reason is that they’re fresh out of fact and law to pound instead.

Thomas L. Knapp (Twitter: @ thomaslknapp) is director and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism (thegarrisoncenter.org). He lives and works in north central Florida.

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

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NEWS

Budget Proposal Would Open All Public Libraries on Sundays

Hunter appointed Chair of Senate Transportation Committee

BY WENDELL HUTSON Contributing Writer

If Mayor Lori Lightfoot has her way, the City Council will approve her proposed $11.65 billion budget for 2020 that includes funding to open all libraries on Sundays.

Currently, there are four regional libraries, Woodson, 9525 S. Halsted St.; Harold Washington, 400 S. State St; Legler, 115 S. Pulaski Road; and Sulzer, 4455 N. Lincoln Ave.; open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. But the other 77 branches located throughout Chicago neighborhoods are only open Monday through Saturday, said Patrick Molloy, director of government affairs for Chicago Public Library (CPL).

“We are not in a position to open all 77 branches at once and we would need to roll out expanding library hours over time,” Molloy told the Chicago Citizen.

“More hiring may be needed to meet this mandate but we will get it done.”

Molloy added that there is a demand for Sunday hours too.

“The Chicago Public Library averages 10 million visitors a year from children, teenagers, young adults, and seniors,” he said. “And while many people see the Internet as a threat to libraries, we have seen a steady growth in visitors. Besides books, we offer computer use for those without one at home, computer training, and so many other resources.”

The current budget for the CPL is $76.1 and the proposed 2020 budget is $84.5 million. But an increase of $5 million for additional personnel

The newly renovated Whitney M. Young Library branch, 415 E. 79th St., now has a toddler section as well as a music studio, community rooms, parking lot, and an outdoor patio. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

would be needed to open all branches on Sundays, according to Molloy, who added the increase would also cover any union, negotiated salaries for staff.

Mayor Lightfoot, whose wife Amy Eshleman is a former assistant library commissioner for the city, said she plans to keep her campaign promise to find a way to open all libraries on Sundays.

“We’re gonna provide more resources so that our libraries can continue to grow,” said Lightfoot. “So that we can expand our hours because it’s important for us to be present and visible for our residents and the libraries are really ground zero for what’s good about Chicago.”

Library Commissioner Andrea Telli

was unavailable for comment.

One branch that plans to open on Sundays beginning Dec. 15 is the Whitney M. Young Library branch, 415 E. 79th St., according to Mitchell Smith, branch manager.

“Back in the old days, libraries were open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. so there was no need for Sunday hours then,” said Smith. “I can remember when children would come to the library after school and stay here until their parents got off work to pick them up.”

The Whitney Young branch reopened in January after closing to complete a $12 million renovation, which added a music studio, community room, more study rooms, toddler section, parking lot, and an outdoor patio.

State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) was recently appointed Chair of the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee.

“I look forward to working with Gov. Pritzker and IDOT officials to move forward with our historic Rebuild Illinois plan and other public safety issues to ensure the future of our critical infrastructure across the state,” Hunter said.

Hunter’s leadership will place a renewed focus on improving fairness in the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Tollway’s procurement processes. In 2016, she passed legislation creating the Fair Practices In Contracting Task Force, which is charged with making recommendations for removing barriers to minority-owned business participation in state procurement.

“This issue still lacks the appropriate attention from state leaders. Racial disparities in the awarding of state contracts are widening. When African-American businesses are shut out of opportunities, our communities are shut out of economic development and our families are shut out of jobs,” Hunter said. “It’s time to get serious about eliminating racial bias in the bidding process and systemic barriers to equity in state contracting.”

Hunter’s other immediate priorities as Chair of the Transportation Committee include: · Seeking ways to make public transportation more accessible and affordable, particularly in underserved communities. · Reviving the Disadvantaged Business Revolving Loan Program to provide capital necessary for properly certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises – small, minority and female-owned businesses - to finance IDOT project-specific work, acquire valuable work experience and establish or rebuild credit lines. · Conducting a study to evaluate the usage of controversial redlight cameras throughout the state. · Increasing the number of minority-, veteran- and woman-owned businesses engaged in state and local government contracting. · Ensuring transparent and efficient implementation of IDOT’s Multi-Year Plan.

New Chicago-based Community Initiative Aims to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), AllianceChicago, EverThrive Illinois, the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative and other community partners have joined forces to combat the maternal mortality crisis in Chicago.

The newly formed Chicago Collaborative for Maternal Health (CCMH) is one of nine innovative, evidence-based community solutions in cities throughout the U.S. to receive funding through the Safer Childbirth Cities* initiative with a goal of improving maternal health outcomes.

“It is a privilege to bring together organizations and stakeholders across Chicago to collectively invest their time and effort towards a unified maternal health effort,” said Dr. Lisa Masinter, director of research at AllianceChicago and practicing obstetrician/gynecologist. “So many of us are working on this issue in our own

way and we believe this collaboration will prove essential to both improve our understanding of the complexities underlying maternal mortality and our ability to address them.”

The CCMH will facilitate improved quality of care in the outpatient setting and coordination of care across multiple sectors, as well as increase community awareness to improve maternal health outcomes throughout Chicago.

The Collaborative will prioritize those most affected by maternal health disparities, low income and non-Hispanic Black women, and ensure that women in the community have an opportunity to contribute and inform the work.

Once complete, the CCMH will support other efforts in communities across Illinois through dissemination of the knowledge gained through the project. The CCMH will focus on three

main activities over the next three years: 1) a quality improvement collaborative to improve health care quality for women receiving care in the outpatient clinics; 2) a community engagement campaign to improve awareness and empower women and families; and 3) a policy agenda informed by the findings of the initiative.

“Maternal health is a touchstone for the health of any community. The rising rates of maternal mortality and the unacceptable racial disparities require a comprehensive response by the greater public health system,” said CDPH Acting Commissioner Allison Arwady, MD, MPH. “CDPH is proud to join the Safer Childbirth Cities initiative which will focus on improving maternal outcomes through quality health care, community education and policy.”

According to the 2018 Illinois www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report, Chicago has the highest rate of pregnancy-related mortality compared to other jurisdictions. Also, consistent with national trends, non-Hispanic Black women in Illinois are six times more likely to die from a pregnancy or childbirth complication than non-Hispanic White women.

The overwhelming majority of maternal deaths are preventable, with gaps noted in the clinical setting and post-partum, limited awareness of available support services in the community, and lack of coordination across organizations and sectors.

“There is no person or organization with more expertise in the experience of pregnancy and childbirth in Chicago than women in our communities,” said EverThrive Illinois Executive Director Chi Chi Okwu. “In convening a community advisory board for the CCMH, we look forward to learning

from and partnering with women and families who have experienced maternal mortality or severe morbidity to ensure that the programs and policies we champion meet their expectations.”

“Local coalitions play a pivotal role in helping women have safe pregnancies and deliveries. These organizations know the health and social factors facing their communities, including what the maternal health gaps are and what solutions can work,” notes Dr. Mary-Ann Etiebet, lead and executive director of Merck for Mothers. “Through Safer Childbirth Cities, I’m excited to see the impact the Chicago Collaborative for Maternal Health can have, both in Chicago and through the insights they will be able to share nationally.”

For more information, please visit the Safer Childbirth Cities website: www.merckformothers.com/SaferChildbirthCities/.

4 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

BUSINESS Illinois to Seek Disaster Declaration from Small Business Administration to Aid 1.4M Illinois Residents The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently denied the state’s appeal for federal assistance to help residents in 22 counties recover from 2019’s severe storms and historic flooding along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. In light of these new developments, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency will seek a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

If approved, an SBA disaster declaration would enable residents and business owners in the approved counties, and its contiguous counties, to apply for grants as well as lowinterest, long-term loans.

To date, the federal government has approved public assistance funding for 28 counties in Illinois.

The federal public assistance program provides grants to assist state and local governments, nonprofits and houses of worship with the response and recovery costs associated with the declared disaster. Under the guidelines of the PA program, local jurisdictions can be reimbursed for up to 75 percent of eligible costs. Based on the $61M in

losses identified during the joint preliminary damage assessment, Illinois stands to receive an estimated $45.7M. Of that, FEMA has already obligated $1.3M to launch the public assistance program in Illinois.

“While we are extremely disappointed that Illinois did not qualify for Individual Assistance funding, we will not give up fighting to provide resources to the citizens of Illinois,” said Alicia Tate-Nadeau, acting IEMA director. “We are committed to working with our federal delegation to encourage FEMA to change the eligibility requirements of the Individual Assistance program that hurts states like Illinois, and in the meantime, we will work with our state and federal partners to identify any other available resources.”

The state will work with the federal delegation to encourage changes to FEMA’s rules for determining Individual Assistance grants. These rules outline six factors for funding consideration: uninsured home and personal property loss; disaster impacted population profile; impact to

community infrastructure; fatalities; disaster unemployment and the state’s fiscal capacity to recover from this devastating event. However, the practical effect of these rules is that state’s with large urban population centers struggle to reach FEMA thresholds, particularly when disasters are confined to rural or sparsely populated areas of the state.

Public assistance is available in the following counties: Adams, Alexander, Bureau, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Fulton, Greene, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jackson, Jersey, Knox, Lee, Madison, Mercer, Monroe, Morgan, Pike, Randolph, Rock Island, Schuyler, Scott, St. Clair, Stephenson, Union and Whiteside.

For individuals and homeowners who still need immediate assistance in the wake of these devastating floods, the State of Illinois has a comprehensive flood recovery website dedicated to assisting flood survivors. From mortgage assistance, emergency housing and debris removal, available resources can be found online at www.illinois. gov/2019floods.

Amtrak ridership hits record highs on two Illinois lines

BY PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com

Springfield – Amtrak routes that connect Chicago to St. Louis and Milwaukee saw record numbers of riders in the federal fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 while the national passenger rail system turned in its best financial performance in several years.

Amtrak reported recently that the Chicago-St. Louis corridor recorded 756,062 riders during the fiscal year, up 5.5 percent from the previous year, and 24 percent higher than fiscal year 2011.

That corridor includes the “Lincoln Service” route that makes four daily trips between the two urban hubs, as well as the “Texas Eagle,” which makes one daily round trip. Both of those services are partially funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The Amtrak “Hiawatha Service” between Chicago and Milwaukee gained nearly 38,000 passengers over the year, growing to 882,189, a 4.5 percent increase over 2018. That route is operated under contract with both the Illinois and Wisconsin

NATIONWIDE, AMTRAK SET A COMPANY RECORD WITH 32.5 MILLION CUSTOMER TRIPS, A YEAR-OVERYEAR INCREASE OF ABOUT 800,000 PASSENGERS. transportation agencies, is Amtrak’s most-travelled corridor in the Midwest.

Nationwide, Amtrak set a company record with 32.5 million customer trips, a year-over-year increase of about 800,000 passengers.

Amtrak also reported its best financial performance in many years, taking in $3.3 billion in operating revenue, 3.6 percent better than 2018. That resulted in a net operating loss of $29.8 million, the closest the company has come to breaking even in its history.

Amtrak was founded in 1971 and operates passenger rail service in the 48 contiguous states and portions of Canada. Although it receives state and federal subsidies, it is managed as a for-profit corporation.

Redfin Report: New Home Sales Up 5.6% in the Third Quarter New-home sale prices dropped 1.5 percent year over year to a median of $370,300 in the third quarter, according to a new report from Redfin (www.redfin.com). This marks the biggest decline since at least 2012 and the third consecutive quarter of declines.

Meanwhile, new-home sales rose 5.6 percent, marking the second consecutive quarter of increases.

New-home supply decreased 7.9 percent year over year, the biggest inventory drop since at least 2012, and the second straight quarter of declines.

Existing-home prices rose 4.2 percent year over year, while sales increased 2.1 percent and inventory fell 6.9 percent.

The price decline for new homes is partly a reflection of builders responding to buyer demand for affordability, which strengthened sales.

The surge in sales, along with a www.citizennewspapergroup.com

nearly 10 percent year-over-year increase in residential building permits—the biggest in two-and-ahalf years—signals the beginning of a moderate recovery for the newhome market.

“Buyers are returning to the new-home market thanks to low mortgage rates and relatively low prices,” said Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather. “And builders, also taking advantage of low interest rates to fund projects, are paying attention to preferences for affordability, which has led to more sales. Residential construction was a bright spot in the economy in the third quarter, a sign that builders are working to fill an inventory gap. As we head into the new year, I expect more new-home listings to hit the market, which should help sustain the relatively high level of sales.”

To read the full report, please visit: https://www.redfin.com/blog/ new-construction-q3-2019.

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

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NEWS National Portrait Gallery Announces Winners of the 2019 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition and Opening of “The Outwin 2019: American Portraiture Today” The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has announced artist Hugo Crosthwaite as the first-prize winner of the fifth triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition.

Crosthwaite is the first Latinx artist to receive this prestigious award since the national competition was founded in 2006. His prize-winning stop-motion drawing animation, “A Portrait of Berenice Sarmiento Chávez” (2018), recounts a woman’s journey from Tijuana, Mexico, to the United States in pursuit of the American dream.

It is on view in the exhibition “The Outwin 2019: American Portraiture Today,” which features nearly 50 portraits by the finalists of the 2019 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. The triennial competition encourages artists living and working in the U.S. to submit works that challenge the definition of portraiture.

This year’s competition received more than 2,600 submissions from 14 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Selected by a blind jury based on artistic merit, the featured works reflect the state of contemporary portraiture in the U.S. and is on view in Washington, D.C., now through Aug. 30, 2020, before traveling to up to four venues across the U.S. As winner of the first prize, Crosthwaite, a San Diego resident, will receive $25,000 and a commission to create a portrait of a living individual for the museum’s permanent collection. Second prize was awarded to Sam Comen of Los Angeles, for his photograph “Jesus Sera, Dishwasher” (2018). Third prize was awarded to both Richard Greene of Los Angeles for his photograph “Monroe, LA” (2016) and Wayde McIntosh of Brooklyn, New York, for his painting “Legacy” (2017). Commended artists are Natalia García Clark of Los Angeles and Mexico City for her video “Self-Portrait” (2017); Lauren Hare of Portland, Oregon, for her photograph “Secrets” (2017); and Adrian Octavius Walker of Oakland, California, for his photograph “Black Virgin Mary” (2018).

One exhibiting artist will also win the People’s Choice Award, to be announced in May 2020. Visitors to the exhibition, both at the museum and online, will be able to cast a vote for their favorite finalists.

“The Outwin 2019” is co-curated by the Portrait Gallery’s Dorothy Moss, curator of painting and sculpture and performance art, and Taína Caragol, curator of paint-

Credit: “A Portrait of Berenice Sarmiento Chávez” by Hugo Crosthwaite, stop-motion drawing animation, (3:12 min.), 2018. Collection of the artist, courtesy of Luis De Jesus Los Angeles

ing and sculpture and Latinx art and history. This year’s exhibition addresses themes of socio-political relevance, including immigration, Black Lives Matter, urban youth, the status of American workers, gun violence and LGBTQ+ rights.

The work spans a variety of media and includes performance art for the first time with Sheldon Scott’s “Portrait, number 1 man (day clean ta sun down)” (2019).

The 2019 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition is directed by Moss. Jurors for the 2019 Competition include Harry Gamboa Jr., artist, writer and co-director of the program in photography and media at the California Institute of the Arts; Lauren Haynes, curator of contemporary art at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art; Byron Kim, artist and senior critic at the Yale School of Art; and Jefferson Pinder, artist and professor of sculpture and contemporary practices at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The Portrait Gallery’s curators Caragol, Moss and Chief Curator Brandon Brame Fortune also served on the committee.

The Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition is made possible by the Virginia Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition Endowment, established by Virginia Outwin Boochever and continued by her children.

For more information on the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery visit npg.si.edu.

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Visit mwrd.org and click the Unwanted Medicine banner for a listing of other medication disposal locations throughout Cook County.

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Find us at mwrd.org and on social media

6 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

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NEWS

5 Pro Tips to Prep Homes for Winter Family Features - Before blustery winter days arrive, there are plenty of home improvement projects contractors can tackle for homeowners. Many cooler weather projects focus on cost efficiency and sustainability, making the improvements all around smart investments.

Winter is the perfect time to implement upgrades that boost energy efficiency and lower heating bills, helping to manage household costs while improving comfort and enjoyment of the home. Consider these practical upgrade ideas.

Add insulation. Depending on the age of the home, improving the quality or increasing the volume of insulation can make a difference in the home’s energy efficiency. An expert can determine whether old insulation needs to be removed or new insulation should simply be added. A contractor can examine the home to determine where there may be gaps, as well as provide recommendations on the type and amount of insulation needed.

Seal air leaks. Air leaks can cause chilly drafts, contribute to frozen pipes and lead to energy loss. Eliminating leaks is an important aspect of winterizing any home, but not all leaks are easily identified. A skilled contractor can scour the home, checking unknown areas like basement through-wall penetrations, sill

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

plates and the tops of concrete walls. Interior features like light receptacles and outlets are also common sources of air leakage. The caulking around windows and doors is another common culprit to be examined by an expert.

For most leaks, a solution like Great Stuff Pro™ Polyurethane Foam Sealant can seal gaps and cracks to help block air, moisture and pests from entering the home. In some cases,

blocking drafty vents with cut pieces of foam board insulation or replacing seals will suffice to address leaks.

Install a programable thermostat. A programmable thermostat helps to regulate temperatures based on daily routines, so homeowners aren’t heating homes while no one is there to appreciate it. Experts can ensure electrical installation is done safely and provide

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guidance selecting a model that is appropriate for managing a home’s heating and cooling needs.

Replace weather stripping and seal trim. Over time and with frequent use, weather stripping breaks down and loses its shape, even becoming brittle. Cracked trim around doors and windows leads to air leaks, and sometimes homeowners think the only solution is replacing windows and doors, but they still end up with drafts.

Contractors can periodically replace trim using foam sealant to help eliminate inevitable drafts and save homeowners money in the long run – a more cost-effective approach than paying for new windows and doors.

Prevent ice dams. Snow-covered roofs and freezing weather can lead to ice dams – thick ridges of solid ice that build up in gutters and along eaves. Dams can damage gutters and shingles and cause water to back up, which could force the water inside where it can peel paint, warp floors and lead to stained or sagging ceilings. To prevent damming, have a professional clear your gutters of leaves and debris ahead of the first snow and consider installing gutter guards to help prevent melting snow from refreezing in gutters.

For more tips and ideas on how to prepare homes for winter, visit GreatStuff.com.

8 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

Underscore Theatre Company Presents PROXY PROXY, by Alexander Sage Oyen, Rachel Franco and Austin Regan, is a story of journalistic and personal integrity set to a punk rock score. Now playing at Underscore Theatre Company’s newly-remodeled, permanent home, The Understudy, 4609 N. Clark St. in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, the play is directed

by Stephanie Rohr with music direction by T.J. Anderson..

The cast includes Tessa Dettman, Carisa Gonzalez, Kyle Kite, Michael Mejia and Jenny Rudnick.

Swings: Matt Tatone and Sinclair Willman.

Fifteen years ago, when she was a kid, Vanessa was almost murdered by her best friend. Now, she is an investigative journalist in a bind and she decides to do what anyone would do – exploit her personal story by disguising herself and interviewing her childhood best friend and attempted murderer.

Vanessa must navigate her estranged family and confront her trauma in the age of going viral. Who has the right to tell our story? When we have been traumatized, how do we pass that pain onto others – and can we ever really heal?

Regular run: Sunday, November 24, 2019 Curtain Times: Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm; Sunday at 4 pm.

Tickets: Previews: $10. Regular run: $25. Tickets are currently available at underscoretheatre.org.

Pictured (left to right) Kyle Kite, Tessa Dettman, Carisa Gonzalez, Michael Mejia and Jenny Rudnick in Underscore Theatre Company’s production of PROXY. Photo by Michael Brosilow

Agent-CEO Tiauna Jackson opens doors to Black writers The Jackson Agency recently announced a new partnership with the Writers Guild of America – West. The Jackson Agency has been the home for underrepresented artists of color since its founding in 2014. Now, as a WGA Signatory, this partnership will create more opportunities for writers of color, allowing for historically underrepresented writers to have Agency representation.

Even amidst the diversity push by the industry, many people of color have lamented the slow transition and challenged industry norms on social media via the widely used #showusyourroom hash tag.

“This is historic. To the best of my knowledge, The Jackson Agency is the first African-American owned agency to become a WGA-West Signatory,” Jaia Thomas, Esq., sports and entertainment and intellectual property attorney and founder of Diverse Representation.

Brandon Miree, writer and producer states, “Bringing about a diverse change in Hollywood will take bold and fearless people like Tiauna

The Jackson Agency was founded by Tiauna Jackson (pictured) in 2014 after seeing a need for underrepresented artists to be given a voice through proper representation. The agency exists for those who have been denied opportunities based on an aversion to diversity.

who’s working behind the scenes and willing to have those uncomfortable conversations.”

“I’m excited to play a part in bringing these deliberately ignored artists to the mainstream.

Championing Diversity has been the heart and soul of this agency,” said Tiauna Jackson, founder of Jackson Agency.

“As a female writer of color, the barrier to entry into Hollywood can feel much higher than for others but having representation like Tiauna increases the odds of getting in front of the right people to allow my work to speak for itself,” says Danielle Motley, screenwriter.

“This agency is legit and honest in an industry that needs it. People of color need an agency founded by a person of color that understands their needs and how to navigate the industry,” Jeffery Thompson, Jr., filmmaker/ CEO of Epoch Media.

“TJA is on the forefront of introducing the world to the works of writers of color,” M. LaVora Perry, author, “TANEESHA NEVER DISPARAGING.” The benefits of this new partnership include: l Writers of color will have an opportunity to submit their materials for consideration. l Showrunners and Producers now have

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the ability to find writers of color for their staffing needs. l All artists of color have a highly visible champion of diversity in their corner. l Making history, Tiauna is currently the only known Black Literary Agent who owns a boutique agency.

About Jackson Agency: Founded in 2014 after seeing a need for underrepresented artists to be given a voice through proper representation, The Jackson Agency exists for those who have been denied opportunities based on an aversion to diversity. The Jackson Agency works tirelessly to combat that by focusing on representing artists of color.

About Tiauna Jackson: CEO and Agent, Tiauna was profiled by the New York Times along side ICM agents Lorrie Barlett and Andrea Nelson-Meigs. As the only boutique agent profiled, Jackson spoke truth to what it is like for lesser-known actors in entertainment.

For more about The Jackson Agency: http:// tja.agency

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

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CITIZEN | South End | Week of Nov. 20, 2019

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CLASSIFIEDS BIDS

HELP WANTED

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Barnard Soletanche Bessac JV (BSB) An Equal Opportunity Employer

MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes, 333

Requests subcontractor bids from qualified WBE/MBE Subcontractors and Suppliers for: Design-Build Services South Airfield Consolidation O’Hare International Airport

The filing of an assumed name does not provide a user with exclusive rights to that name. The filing is required for consumer protection in order to enable customers to be able to identify the TRUE owner of a business. ASSUMED NAME: ALEXANDER ROHSAAN K

OWNER: City of Chicago BID DATE: December 6 th , 2019 at 4:00 PM (CST) BID ITEMS: Earthwork/Excavation; Asphalt Paving; Site Security; Traffic Control; Office Maintenance; Materials Testing; Rebar Furnish & Install; Concrete Ready-Mix; Concrete Pipe; Preconstruction & Post-Construction Surveys; Environmental Consulting; Tunnel & amp; Site Survey; Geotechnical Instrumentation and Monitoring; Erosion & Sediment Control; Site Restoration; Muck Disposal; Reservoir Wall Support; Geotechnical Instrumentation & Monitoring; Water Pumping/Pipeline; Electrical; Mechanical; Plumbing; HVAC; Trucking & Disposal; Hazardous Material Handling; Tunnel & Shaft Construction Safety; Equipment Rental; Heavy Equipment Mechanics; and Steel Fabrication for the Tunnel Liner.

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: 8212 SOUTH ESCANABA AVENUE CHICAGO ILLINOIS [IL 60617-2119 US] NAMEHOLDER(S): R A Bey Trust C/O General Delivery 433 West Harrison Street Chicago Illinois [IL 60699-9998 US]

PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS: Contact Rivers Topping – Barnard Construction at PH: (406) 5861995 or email: rivers.topping@Barnard-Inc.com for information on obtaining plans and specifications.

ASSISTANCE AND QUESTIONS: BSB will provide technical assistance as needed through- out the bidding process. We will work with subs and suppliers to develop a delivery schedule that accommodates the needs of subs and suppliers on non-critical work items. When economically feasible, we will divide total contract requirements into small portions to permit maximum qualified Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Women Business Enterprises (WBE) participation. Upon request, we will assist interested businesses in obtaining bonds, lines of credit and/or required insurance. Questions regarding assistance and bids should be directed to Rivers Topping at (406) 586-1995. Questions regarding obtaining bonds should be directed to Austin Neff at (760) 8222184, or Austin.Neff@TheBondExchange. com. All bids should be faxed to (406) 586-3530 or emailed to BWBids@Barnard-Inc.com.

Rohsaan Kwame Alexander Bey C/O General Delivery 433 West Harrison Street Chicago Illinois [IL 60699-9998 US]

SERVICE

SERVICE

CITY OF CHICAGO or COOK COUNTY MBE/WBE CERTIFICATION FORM DUE BEFORE: November 6 th , 2019 SCHEDULE C AND SCOPE DUE BEFORE: November 20 th , 2019 BID DUE BEFORE: November 27 th , 2019 _________________________________________

DATE FILED: October 24, 2019 ORIGINAL FILE NUMBER: 1113542400027

MISCELLANEOUS

SIGNED BY:

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 __________________________________

Rohsaan Kwame Alexander Bey All Rights Reserved UCC 1-308 EMAIL FOR NOTICES: shyraent@gmail.com PUBLISHED IN THE:

HELP WANTED

This space can be yours Call us at (773) 783-1251.

R A Private Bank Estate & Trust C/O General Delivery 433 West Harrison Street Chicago Illinois [IL 60699-9998 US] I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath.

PROPOSALS: We ask that all subs and suppliers complete this form and return to BSB as soon as possible indicating your interest in the Project. At this time we are asking all subs and suppliers follow the below schedule for submitting cost proposals to insure sufficient time to evaluate all proposals.

Bookkeepers: 12 mo. exp. in bookkeeping or related req. Mail Resume to: Manning & Silverman Ltd. , Attn: HR- 175 Olde Half Day Road, Ste. 290, Lincolnshire, IL 60069. __________________________________

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