South Suburban Citizen 5-15-2019

Citizen SPECIAL REPORT: Mass Incarceration of Women and Minorities a New Crisis — Page 3 Week of May 15, 2019

| Vol. 38 | No. 25 | www.thechicagocitizen.com

SOUTH SUBURBAN

SOUTH SUBURBAN TOWNSHIP WILL HOST FREE SUMMER CAMP FOR RESIDENTS

On June 10, Thornton Township will kick off its free Summer Camp for Township residents. The camp will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday and will conclude on August 1.

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Thornton Township recently announced that it will hosts a Free Summer Camp from June 10 to August 1 for Thornton Township residents. The camp is free and will focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math learning experiences for people of all ages. Photo Credit: Thornton Township

BUSINESS

Speakers Announced for First Annual Vault Conference

FASHION

ENTERTAINMENT

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The Marvin Gaye Musical

Randa Accessories to Acquire Haggar Clothing Co.

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2 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of May 15, 2019

NEWS briefly EDUCATION

JONES PUSHES FOR PARENTS TO BE ON CHARTER SCHOOL BOARDS A parent or guardian would be required to be on charter school boards of directors under an initiative from State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago).

“Parents have the strongest interest in a school doing well because they have a child attending there,” Jones said. “They wouldn’t be using the position as a springboard for higher office.” Currently, charter schools are administered and governed by their boards of directors or other governing bodies in the manner provided in their charters. Also under the legislation, every voting member of a charter school’s board or governing body must complete a minimum of four hours of professional development leadership training.

House Bill 3659 passed the Senate Education Committee and is scheduled to go to the Senate floor for further debate.

HEALTH

ROBINSON BACKS MEASURE TO PREVENT HEALTH INSURANCE RATE INCREASES To help ensure access to affordable health care for Illinois residents, state Rep. Lamont Robinson, Jr., D-Chicago, recently supported legislation to prevent excessive health insurance rate increases.

The Robinson-backed House Bill 471 aims to prevent increases to health insurance premiums by requiring current plans and proposed rate changes to be reviewed and approved by the Department of Insurance. The Department would have the authority to Lamont Robinson prohibit rate increases that are excessive or unreasonable. In addition, this legislation would require the Department to issue an annual report to the General Assembly on health insurance rates in the Illinois market.

“No one should have to sacrifice their wellbeing as a result of health care costs that are too high,” Robinson said. “While more work must be done to expand access to health care, this legislation takes a necessary step toward ensuring affordable health insurance for all.”

LAW & POLITICS

ABA CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND LSC LAUNCH LEGAL TECH DONATION EFFORT Seven legal tech companies are the first to join a new partnership between the American Bar Association and the Legal Services Corporation to provide free technology products and services to legal aid offices that help low-income Americans.

“The ABA and LSC seek to produce a win/win for tech companies and legal aid providers,” ABA President Bob Carlson said. “More than 85 percent of low-income American households have a civil legal need that goes unmet each year. The donations from these generous companies will directly help bridge this ‘justice gap’ at a time when our nation’s legal aid organizations are being challenged to do more with less.”

Interested legal tech companies and LSC-funded grantees can indicate their interest in participating by signing up at www.legaltechforachange.org.

South Suburban Township Will Host Free Summer Camp For Residents Continued from page 1

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

On June 10, Thornton Township will kick off its free Summer Camp for Township residents. The camp will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday and will conclude on August 1.

The camp will offer both Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) programs for a wide range of age groups.

The camp will offer programs for young people from ages seven to 13 from Monday to Thursday and on Friday and Saturday the camp will be open to people of all ages including youth, adults, and seniors. The only requirement for participants is that they must live in Thornton Township.

“On Friday and Saturday, we’re making the camp for all ages and that means it will be for toddlers all the way to senior citizens because we know that everyone can learn different things from technology, engineering, and sciences,” said Ernst Lamothe, community

relations manager for Thornton Township.

When conceptualizing this camp, the leaders at Thornton Township wanted to make sure it would have a broad impact on the community and not just be for young children. By doing it this way and by offering expanded programs on the weekends, the township is making sure that the whole community can enjoy the Summer Camp, said Lamothe.

The idea for having a STEM/STEAM focus for the upcoming Summer Camp began when Thornton Township started to implement some of these learning experiences in their after-school program.

“We got such a positive response from both parents and students in the after-school program, that we decided we wanted to expand it into a summer program,” said Lamothe. “Technology is really something that connects people and the kids get excited when they can use technology, science, and engineering.”

Young people who get to have handson learning experiences with STEM and STEAM in the Thornton Township after school program tend to share their excite-

ment with family members and the whole community has become interested simply by word of mouth, according to Lamothe.

“The kids go home and talk to their parents about the various things are they doing and what parents are hearing about all the excitement that the kids are having has really captivated the area of Thornton Township,” said Lamothe.

Thornton Township decided to make the Summer Camp free just to add another layer of access for all residents. Lamothe said he understood that most parents wanted to put their kids in summer camps but were limited by financial barriers.

“We know that parents are often looking for things for their children to do during the summertime and a lot of camps can be expensive. We decided that we wanted to have a large camp that parents would be able to utilize for a couple of months instead of only a couple weeks and we wanted to definitely make sure that it was free,” said Lamothe.

To learn more about the Thornton Township Summer Camp, contact India Blakely at 708/596-6040, Ext. 2015.

District 148 educator to become Principal RIVERDALE - A Dolton West School District 148 educator looks forward to having a broader impact on more learners after the current school year ends.

Dione Wilson has been selected as the new Principal of Park Elementary School, effective July 1. She will replace retiring Principal Dr. Dell McFarlane. Dr. McFarlane will retire at the end of the school year after 23 years in District 148.

“I observed the influence I had on a class of 30 … I just felt if I took it to another level, I could impact a larger population,” Wilson said.

Wilson is currently the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Facilitator (MTSS) at Washington Junior High School. She is also the sponsor of the school’s chapter of the National Junior Honor Society.

Chosen from a field of more than 40 principal applicants, Wilson has served the District 148 school community for the past seven years. Before that, she spent 17 years in the Chicago Public Schools system where she worked as a teacher, instructional coach and assistant principal.

“Ms. Wilson’s educational experience coupled with her passion for helping students to develop as astute and compassionate individuals made her the ideal choice for Park School’s leadership. Her

Dione Wilson

energy and creativity will compliment the teaching and learning environment in District 148,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kevin J. Nohelty.

She has enjoyed being able to establish lifelong relationships with students and their families.

She cherishes the appreciative remarks she receives from parents and former students who freqently thank her for her love, support and inspiration.

Looking ahead to her new administrative role, Wilson

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said her objective is simply to, “continue the works of changing young minds and motivating and inspiring them to be the best they can be.”

“I want to be able to say I was the Principal of this next lawyer, this next doctor, this next congressman, this next president. I’d like to feel I played a part in that,” she said.

Wilson has a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruc-

tion with a Type 75 administrative endorsement from Lewis University in Romeoville and a Master’s degree in Reading from Concordia University in River Forest.

She is the mother of three young adult children: Kiara, 24, Kiyonna, 22, and Ken, 18.

District 148 has six elementary schools, three junior high schools and one early childhood center.

The District serves approximately 2, 280 students and their families in sections of Dolton, Riverdale, Harvey and South Holland.

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NEWS SPECIAL REPORT: Mass Incarceration of Women and Minorities a New Crisis

BY STACY M. BROWN NNPA Newswire Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

Although the number of people in prisons and jails in America has slightly declined, numbers released on Thursday, April 25, by the Bureau of Justice Statistics still show that nearly 1.5 million individuals were in prison by the end of 2017.

The statistics also note that the U.S. continues to lock up more people than any other nation. And, despite a narrowing disparity between incarcerated black and white women, females have emerged as the new face of mass incarceration.

“I don’t think this should be much of a surprise as two of the main for-profit prison companies were founded around the same time,” said Ron Stefanski, whose website prisoninsight.com, works to hold prisons accountable for the treatment of current, former and future inmates.

“When these for-profit companies were created, they found a way to generate revenue off of inmates and this led to a huge influx of prisoners, both male and female,” Stefanski said.

In 2000, black women were incarcerated at six times the rate of white women, but in 2017, black women were imprisoned at less than double the rate of white women, according to the latest information.

The number of white women in prison has increased by more than 40 percent since 2000 while the number of black women incarcerated has fallen by nearly 50 percent.

The most recent report from the Prison Policy Initiative revealed that, looking at the big picture shows that a staggering number of women who are incarcerated are not even convicted with one quarter of the women behind bars having not yet gone to trial.

Sixty-percent of women under the control of local authorities have not been convicted of a crime and adding to the picture of women in local jails, aside from women under local jurisdictions, state and federal agencies pay local jails to house an additional 13,000 women, according to the Prison Policy Initiative.

For example, ICE and the U.S. Marshals, which have fewer dedicated facilities for their detainees, contract with local jails to hold roughly 5,000 women – so the number of women physically held in jails is even higher.

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, avoiding pre-trial incarceration is uniquely challenging for women.

The number of un-convicted women stuck in jail is surely not because courts are considering women, who are generally the primary caregivers of children, to be a flight risk, according to the Prison Policy Initiative report.

The far more likely answer is that incarcerated women, who have lower incomes than incarcerated men, have an even harder time affording cash bail.

When the typical bail amounts to a full year’s income for women, it’s no wonder that women are stuck in jail awaiting trial, the report’s author said.

Even once convicted, the system funnels women into jails: About a quarter of convicted

incarcerated women are held in jails, compared to about 10 percent of all people incarcerated with a conviction.

Also, while stays in jail are generally shorter than in stays in prison, jails make it harder to stay in touch with family than prisons do.

Phone calls are more expensive, up to $1.50 per minute, and other forms of communication are more restricted – some jails don’t even allow real letters, limiting mail to postcards.

This is especially troubling given that 80 percent of women in jails are mothers, and most of them are primary caretakers of their children.

Thus children are particularly susceptible to the domino effect of burdens placed on incarcerated women, the report’s author said.

Black and American Indian women are markedly overrepresented in prisons and jails, according to the report.

Incarcerated women are 53 percent White, 29 percent Black, 14 percent Hispanic, 2.5 percent American Indian and Alaskan Native, 0.9 percent Asian, and 0.4 percent Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander.

“While we are a long way away from having data on intersectional impacts of sexuality and race or ethnicity on women’s likelihood of incarceration, it is clear that Black and lesbian or bisexual women are disproportionately subject to incarceration,” Prison Policy Initiative Author Aleks Kajstura said.

Three out of four women under control of any U.S. correctional system are on probation, according to Kajstura.

Probation is often billed as an alternative to incarceration, but instead it is frequently set

with unrealistic conditions that undermine its goal of keeping people from being locked up, she wrote for the Prison Policy Initiative.

For example, probation often comes with steep fees, which, like bail, women are in the worst position to afford.

Failing to pay these probation fees is often a violation of probation.

Childcare duties further complicate probation requirements that often include meetings with probation officers, especially for women with no extra money to spend on babysitters or reliable transportation across town.

“All of these issues make women particularly vulnerable to being incarcerated not because they commit crimes, but because they run afoul of one of the burdensome obligations of their probation supervision,” Kajstura said.

Still, she noted in the report that the picture of women’s incarceration is far from complete, and many questions remain about mass incarceration’s unique impact on women.

“Based on our analysis in this report, we know that a quarter of incarcerated women are un-convicted,” she wrote in the report.

Kajstura continued: “But is that number growing? And how do the harms of that unnecessary incarceration intersect with women’s disproportionate caregiving to impact families?

“Beyond these big picture questions, there are a plethora of detailed data points that are not reported for women by any government agencies, such as the simple number of women incarcerated in U.S. Territories or involuntarily committed to state psychiatric hospitals because of justice system involvement.”

New President Of South Suburban Chamber Will Focus On Building Business Services

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

The Board of Directors of the Homewood Area Chamber of Commerce recently elected Rodney Young Jr. to lead the organization as their next President. Young has lived in the Village of Homewood for about three years and said that his love for the Homewood community coupled with his natural knack for entrepreneurship has made this new opportunity a perfect fit for him.

The Homewood Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization made up of business professionals who work to strengthen the business community in not only Homewood but also the nearby Village of Flossmoor and Village of Glenwood. The Chamber was organized to help advance the commercial, industrial, civic, and general interest of these three Villages, according to information from the Homewood Area Chamber of Commerce website.

“The Homewood Area Chamber of

Homewood resident, Rodney Young Jr. (pictured), recently took over as the President of the Homewood Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Photo Credit: Provided by Rodney Young Jr.

Commerce is a local and independent group that really serves the business community through advocacy and through providing resources, services, and connections to strengthen the

local economy,” said Young.

Young said that he has been interested in entrepreneurship since he was about nine years old and grew up learning about business from his www.thechicagocitizen.com

mother who was also an entrepreneur.

“I’ve always had a natural knack for entrepreneurship. My mother is an amazing entrepreneur and I grew up underneath her wing learning the ins and outs of business. Entrepreneurship was something that was definitely a family gift,” said Young.

From running his own lawn care service as a teenager to selling art in college to finding success in the music industry, Young said he has an expansive history as an entrepreneur which makes him uniquely qualified to lead the Homewood Area Chamber of Commerce.

As the new Board President for the Homewood Area Chamber of Commerce, Young said he plans to approach things a little bit differently than how it was done in the past. Instead of focusing his efforts on growing membership numbers, he said that he plans to expand the services that the Chamber provides as a way to draw in more businesses.

“Chambers all over have been

suffering for the last few years, in terms of dropping membership, and we’re definitely no exception. The chamber has to become more relevant to the changing community and to the changing business scene,” said Young.

With Young as their leader, the Homewood Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is committed to becoming more service-oriented for the business communities in Homewood, Glenwood, and Flossmoor.

“In the past, it has been more about membership and just driving membership and getting people to become members and to attend events.

What we’re doing with the present board is we’re really looking to learn more of the needs of our local business community and how we can specifically service those needs. So, I would say that the big shift is really a shift on providing service versus just building membership,” said Young.

To learn more about the Homewood Area Chamber of Commerce visit www.homewoodareachamber.com.

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BUSINESS Chicago Booth Professor Anil Kashyap reappointed to BoE’s Financial Policy Committee

Governor Pritzker Announces New Funding for Capital and Infrastructure Program to Support Growth of Minority-Owned Businesses

University of Chicago Booth School of Business Professor Anil Kashyap has been reappointed by UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond as an external member of the Financial Policy Committee (FPC) at the Bank of England.

This is Kashyap’s second term. The three-year term will begin on Oct. 1, 2019. His first term ends Sept. 30, 2019.

The FPC was created in the wake of the banking crises by the Financial Services Act of 2012 to protect and enhance the stability of the UK’s financial system by identifying, monitoring and addressing systemic risks.

Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, said, “I look forward to the FPC benefiting further from Anil’s insights from academia, creative thinking and willingness to challenge and to sharpen our communications.”

Kashyap is the Edward Eagle Brown Professor of Economics and Finance at Chicago Booth, where he teaches classes on central banking and financial crises.

His research focuses on monetary policy, financial intermediation and regulation, and business cycles.

Prior to joining the Chicago Booth faculty in 1991, Kashyap spent three years as an economist for the

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Minority Economic Empowerment is posting two Notification of Funding Opportunities for a total of $15 million to provide minority-owned businesses with resources to help create jobs, build capacity, increase revenues, and expand regionally.

The announcement marks the first time the program has been funded.

“My administration is committed to expanding opportunities for minority-owned businesses, especially as an important way to help underserved communities grow,” said Governor Pritzker.

“This funding will help businesses overcome one of their key obstacles – access to capital – and will help businesses across the state grow.”

“A key component of our mission at DCEO is to ensure minority enterprises have an equal opportunity to grow their businesses and succeed,” said DCEO Acting Director Erin Guthrie. “We are excited about the opportunity to provide the assistance these businesses need to bolster their economic impact in communities most in need.” $10 million in funding is open to minority-owned businesses located in underserved populations.

Anil Kashyap

Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System. He currently works as a consultant for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and as a research associate for the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). He is also a research fellow for the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR).

Kashyap graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and statistics, and he earned a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1989.

Learn more about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business at www.chicagobooth.edu

Eligible applicants include minority- owned businesses using the federal definition of minority owned firms (at least 51% of the firm is directly and unconditionally owned by one or more members of a minority group), startups or established businesses requiring public infrastructure improvements. $5 million in funding is available for incubators who serve or would like to serve minority-owned businesses.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will offer informational workshops across the state for businesses and incubators seeking additional details about the grants. Sessions will be held in various neighborhoods including Pilsen, Little Village, Metro East, Southland, Decatur, Westside, West Suburbs, and Rockford. Interested applicants can also stop by one of the small business development centers located across Illinois. The application process is competitive and not all businesses or incubators will receive funding. Interested parties can go to https://www2. illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/ Pages/2019_OMEE_NOFO.aspx to learn more about the application process and upcoming workshops.

Speakers Announced for First Annual Vault Conference Vault, the new learning hub for future leaders, entrepreneurs and corporate visionaries presented by Emmy® Award-winning entertainer, radio personality, speaker, New York Times best-selling author, businessman and philanthropist Steve Harvey, will launch its first conference in Los Angeles at Sheraton Universal Hotel; 333 Universal Hollywood Drive; Universal City, CA 91608. The conference will take place from Friday, May 17-Sunday, May 19.

This three day event brings leading creative visionaries together across multiple industries, including Steve Harvey technology and finance, to address the needs of young professionals in five core areas of development: career, entrepreneurship, wealth building, relationships and personal empowerment. www.thechicagocitizen.com

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FASHION

Randa Accessories to Acquire Haggar Clothing Co. Randa Accessories, one of the world’s leading accessories companies, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Haggar Clothing Co. Randa, a privately-held company founded in 1910, produces belts, wallets, headwear, slippers, luggage, neckwear, jewelry, and other accessories under 50 brands, including Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Columbia Sportswear, Dickies, and Kenneth Cole. Randa distributes its products globally through more than 20,000 stores and employs over 4,000 associates at 26 offices located in 10 countries.

Since its beginnings in a one-room office in Dallas in 1926, Haggar Clothing Co. has grown from a manufacturer of men’s fine dress pants and slacks into one of the most recognized apparel brands in the market.

Haggar also owns Montreal-based Tribal.

Tribal was founded in 1971 and is the largest women’s sportswear supplier to the specialty boutique market in North America, with over 2,400 active accounts.

“The acquisition of Haggar is an important waypoint on our strategic journey,” said Jeffrey Spiegel, CEO of Randa Accessories. “Following our Moats, Boats & Bridges strategic roadmap, this acquisition allows Randa to bring its existing expertise to adjacent brands, channels of distribution, and product classifications.

This transaction brings together two successful,

financially strong, and complementary businesses to better serve our retail and brand partners, our associates, and our consumers.

We believe that brands matter -- and Haggar and Tribal are highly relevant brands in their respective markets.”

Randa reports that revenues for the combined companies will be greater than $1 billion this year.

“Randa is the ideal strategic partner for Haggar because of the combined strengths of our two companies,” said Michael Stitt, Haggar CEO. “Jeff and his extraordinary leadership team add invaluable scale, resources, expertise, and marketing, in addition to retail partnerships. They align with our core values and high standards.”

In 1938, Haggar created the first ready-towear, finished bottom, pre-cuffed pant. During World War II, the company kept factories running 24 hours a day to supply over 10 million uniforms to the U.S. military. Haggar coined the word “slacks” to be worn during “slack time.” By the end of the decade, Haggar had become the largest producer of slacks in the world.

In 1980, the company began production of sport coats, vests, and Haggar “Custom Fit” suits, which allowed customers to purchase jackets and pants separately, creating a new menswear category: “suit separates.”

Randa Accessories to Acquire Haggar Clothing Company.

Haggar has over 80 branded brick-andmortar retail locations, a dedicated directto-consumer ecommerce platform, and its products are sold in over 10,000 stores throughout North America.

“Today, understanding and applying consumer data is an essential tool,” Spiegel added. “The addition of Haggar’s retail stores and e-commerce business will supply us with invaluable insight into our consumers’ evolving expectations and path-to-purchase.

This information will provide a powerful and actionable lens for our retail and brand

partners, as well as our consumers.”

Haggar will remain in Dallas and will be managed by Haggar’s current leadership team.

“This is a healthy company, led by a strong and respected team of talented professionals,” said Spiegel. “We intend to provide this extraordinary company with additional resources to drive our mutual success.”

Randa is funding the acquisition through a combination of cash on hand and committed financing provided by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A

Degree® Deodorant Launches Mission and Grants to Encourage America to Move More As the world around us continues to get faster, we seem to be slowing down. More than 60 percent of people today describe their behavior as “sedentary” or only “lightly active,” and 73 percent acknowledge they need to be moving more.

This increase in physical inactivity can be attributed to factors such as job types, technology habits and local environment, but what’s worrisome is that a sedentary lifestyle may negatively impact mental well-being and physical health. That’s why Degree Deodorant, a longtime proponent of moving more – is formalizing its mission by committing to help create movement opportunities, tools and resources for 10 million people by 2024 through a variety of partnerships and programs.

To get started, Degree is joining forces with Blue Zones, global experts in community health and well-being transformation, to launch a #MadeToMove grant program that will provide half a million dollars in funding for city projects that encourage increased physical movement, with the ultimate goal of promoting more walkable, bikeable and transit-friendly environments for all ages, incomes and abilities.

Five communities will receive funding from Degree for technical assistance from Blue Zones’ built environment experts on

ways to advance activity-friendly design, as well as support for movement-first policies and projects tailored to their needs.

Examples include, but are not limited to, projects such as: • Repurposing vehicle lanes for various modes of active transportation • Creating protected or buffered bicycle lanes • Completing shared-use trail links • Improving local pedestrian environments (e.g.: curb extensions and crosswalks) • Installing parklets in a downtown or neighborhood business district Cities will be selected and announced this summer with technical assistance, planning and community events rolling out in 2019. Physical project builds will extend into 2020. As part of their partnership, Degree and Blue Zones will measure impact for each city project at multiple touchpoints to track against the brand’s larger commitment.

Community organizations and city officials can visit BlueZones.com to apply and access Degree and Blue Zones’ #MadeToMove grant criteria and supporting documentation.

Everyone looking to move more can visit DegreeDeodorant.com for Blue Zonesapproved tips and inspiration.

LiP SMACKER® and Crayola® Collaborate to Launch a Colorful Collection

LiP SMACKER® and Crayola® Collaborate to Launch a Colorful Collection.

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Coloring outside the lines has never been more fun than with two American brands infusing flavor and color, LiP SMACKER® and Crayola®, teaming up to create an exciting new collection of bold and colorful products— the LiP SMACKER® x Crayola® collaboration.

The collection, which pairs LiP SMACKER’s® iconic best flavors forever with iconic Crayola® crayon colors, includes a five-piece Liquid Lip Gloss Party Pack, a Lip Balm Trio and an eight-piece Lip Balm Party Pack.

Each Crayola® crayon-shaped lip balm and lip gloss was carefully matched to a Crayola® color associated with a flavor name, for a co-branded product that resonates with consumers. Flavor names include Crayola® color names like Jazzberry Jam™, Granny Smith Apple™, Banana Mania™, Cotton Candy™, Outrageous Orange™, Pink Sherbert™, and Wild Watermelon™.

The LiP SMACKER® x Crayola® collection is available now at Target stores and target.com.

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NEWS

Life or Death: IDOT safety campaign aims to educate drivers, honor legacies

What College Kids Need NAPSI - To give college students something that’ll help them for years, consider these job search tools and resources.

1. Give books on how to successfully navigate the job search process. One of the more popular books is “The Secret to Getting a Job After College: Marketing Tactics to Turn Degrees into Dollars.” The newest edition addresses obstacles that college students have to overcome to make it through the job search process.

The author, Dr. Larry Chiagouris, is a professor at Pace University. He wrote the book after several years working in corporate America, where he realized most students don’t have a clue how to find the best opportunities and then sell themselves to employers.

With this gift, you can provide much-needed guidance. The book provides answers to the tough questions employers tend to ask college students during an interview. It also has tips on preparing cover letters, résumés, and an online presence that can capture the attention of employers. A quick read (something students prefer), it’s available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

2. Give a gift certificate to a printer or to Vistaprint. com, where they can purchase business cards. These can help students appear more professional than their peers who don’t have them.

3. Provide gift certificates to clothing stores to help with interview prep. Many students don’t understand the importance

A great gift for near or recent college grads is a book that can help them get good jobs.

of a professional appearance when going on an interview. In his book, Dr. Chiagouris provides suggestions as to what to wear—and what not to wear. His bottom line suggestion: Avoid appearing too casual when going on an interview. Overdressing rarely hurts.

For more tips, go to https:// thesecrettogettingajobaftercollege.com.

www.thechicagocitizen.com

The Illinois Department of Transportation has launched the second year of Life or Death Illinois, expanding the successful multimedia safety campaign to feature the real stories of Illinois residents killed in traffic crashes.

Life or Death Illinois debuted in 2018 as the first comprehensive approach by IDOT to reduce injuries and fatalities associated with motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, seatbelt use, work zones and impaired and distracted driving.

“With more than 1,000 traffic fatalities each year in Illinois, this campaign is an important part of our effort to drive that number to zero,” said Acting Transportation Secretary Omer Osman.

“These stories involve someone’s parent, brother, sister, son, daughter, neighbor or coworker. By putting names and faces to these people, we show the human toll that’s tied to the decisions we make behind the wheel every day.”

Earlier in the year, IDOT asked

the public to submit stories of loved ones killed in traffic crashes. Using these real stories, including the county where the fatal crash occurred, audiences are asked to consider the seriousness of the issues on our roads and how their actions play a role.

The campaign is running throughout the year on various media, including digital billboards, social media and online platforms, as well as traditional radio and TV channels. Additional information is available at lifeordeathillinois.com, where the public can follow the campaign on social media and continue to share stories of lives lost.

According to provisional data, 1,032 people died on Illinois roads in 2018, the third consecutive year of more than 1,000 traffic fatalities in the state. This year, there have been 244, based on preliminary statistics through May 2.

Life or Death Illinois is made possible by federal traffic safety funds administered by IDOT.

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ENTERTAINMENT The Marvin Gaye Musical

(PRNewsfoto/Meredith Corporation)

(PRNewsfoto/Meredith Corporation)

(PRNewsfoto/Meredith Corporation)

Banks, Morgan And Kostek Revealed As Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s 2019 Cover Models Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (SI Swimsuit) has revealed this year’s covers, each one featuring a single model: Tyra Banks, supermodel, entrepreneur and media mogul; Alex Morgan, US National Women’s Soccer team star and Olympic gold medalist; and Camille Kostek, 2018 SI Swimsuit Model Search winner and SI Swimsuit Rookie this year. SI Swimsuit hit the newsstands on Wednesday, May 8.

This marks the third SI Swimsuit cover for Banks, who came out of modeling retirement specifically for this shoot. She was photographed in Great Exuma, Bahamas by Laretta Houston. Morgan was photographed in St. Lucia by Ben Watts, and Kostek was photographed in Kangaroo Island, South Australia by Josie Clough.

“The three women that make up the covers of the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue represent the brand in the most powerful way possible.

While each individual woman is so unique, they come together cohesively to tell a spectacular story,” said SI Swimsuit Editor, MJ Day, who marks her seventh year as editor and 22nd year working at the brand.

“Since Tyra’s first cover in 1996, she’s transformed herself into nothing less than a mogul, a cultural force and a supernova of inspiration and empowerment. She’s kind of the Swimsuit Issue ethos come to life, everything we know this franchise can be.

Alex Morgan stands for feminine strength and power- using her voice to fight for gender discrimination and equal pay and Camille Kostek, only a year after we discovered her in our annual Model Search casting, marks the launch of a career swimming in potential.

These women emulate determination to own who they are and demonstrate how limitless they can be.”

The theme for the 56th installment of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is ‘Shattering Perceptions.’ The issue continues to redefine the

cultural conversation around beauty by celebrating a diverse group of women who include: three returning cover models, seven worldrenowned athletes, four mothers, six rookies, six model search contestants and two female cover photographers who collectively round out this impressive group of motivational and aspirational women.

For the first time, Day tapped a model, SI Swimsuit veteran, Paulina Porizkova, to pen the back page column of the issue. The 54-yearold model and author discusses ageism- an issue Porizkova has been outspoken about. The issue also features a piece about Banks, whose career was launched when she first graced the cover of SI Swimsuit in 1996, with Valeria Mazza, followed by a solo cover in 1997.

Marking Morgan’s third appearance in the issue, she collaborated with SI Swimsuit by helping select three additional US National Women’s Soccer team members to participate in the shoot: Megan Rapinoe, Crystal Dunn and Abby Dahlkemper. All exemplify the strength, individuality and femininity that exist not only in sports, but also in women in general.

The 2019 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit features a diverse group of 34 women, who in addition to Banks, Morgan and Kostek, include Abby Dahlkemper, Anne de Paula, Barbara Palvin, Brooks Nader, Crystal Dunn, Danielle Herrington, Erin Willerton, Hailey Clauson, Haley Kalil, Halima Aden, Hunter McGrady, Jasmine Sanders, Jessica Aidi, Kate Bock, Kelsey Merritt, Lais Ribeiro, Lindsey Vonn, Manuela Alvarez Hernandez, Megan Rapinoe, Myla Dalbesio, Olivia Brower, Olivia Culpo, Paige VanZant, Paulina Porizkova, Raine Michaels, Robin Holzken, Samantha Hoopes, Simone Biles, Tara Lynn, Veronica Pome’e and Winnie Harlow.

Shoots for the 2019 SI Swimsuit issue took place in Kangaroo Island, South Australia; Costa Rica; Kenya; Paradise Island, Bahamas; Great Exuma, Bahamas; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and St. Lucia.

MSI Offers Free Museum Entry To Illinois Residents On Select Days In June

The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago.

On June 3-5, Illinois residents can kickoff summer with free Museum Entry to the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) giving them opportunities to explore more than a dozen exhibits. Investigate the science behind nature’s power as you control a 40-foot tornado inside Science Storms; experiment with 50 interactive displays including a giant 3D-heart in YOU! The Experience; and discover the beauty of the patterns that surround us in Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze—all included with Museum Entry.

Free Museum Entry for Illinois residents

MGIII Global Licensing Inc. and New Day Entertainment present PRIDE & JOY - The Marvin Gaye Musical playing at the historic Chicago Theatre for 7 performances from June 19th – 23rd.

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at the Chicago Theatre Box Office Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling 800-745-3000.

Tickets start at $30.00 (plus applicable service charges) with pricing subject to change. Group pricing is available for groups of 10 or more.

Sitting at the piano at a Motown Christmas party, life cannot get any better for a young Marvin Gaye, until his attention is captured by one of the most beautiful and glamorous women he has ever laid eyes on.

This woman’s beauty rivals any Hollywood movie star’s and Marvin has to have her, but there is just one problem, she is Berry Gordy’s sister.

Marvin finds this intriguing and embarks upon a flirtatious conquest of Anna until she relents. However, Marvin who refers to himself as a “ram and a rebel,” is met with the fierceness of Anna’s strength, independence and power, which makes for an explosive love affair with neither willing to be controlled by the other.

Amid the turbulent sociopolitical backdrop of the 50’s and 60’s, life experiences that grow out of familial strife, war and social struggles give birth to artistic genius, such as the building of Motown Records and its many iconic talents. This era also births epic love stories, among which is the tumultuous and passionate journey of one of history’s most intriguing power couples, Marvin Gaye and Anna Gordy. Marvin is a smooth, young and sexy balladeer. And Anna, though ahead of her time, is a brilliant entrepreneur, songwriter and talent developer. This makes the crossing of their paths inevitable.

PRIDE & JOY tells the riveting story of this union and how the two change history, the music industry and Motown Records through ballads inspired by their love, conflict and creativity. The story journeys through romantic and even volatile clashes between Marvin and Anna, which ultimately influence the direction and sound of Motown. For more information, visit www. newdayentertainmentlive.com.

makes it a perfect opportunity to experience: U-505 Submarine, Makers United and l Wired to WearTM The U-505 On-board Tour, Wired to Wear and Makers United are not included with Museum Entry and require an additional, timed-entry ticket. Wired to Wear is presented by BMO and Makers United is sponsored by ArcelorMittal.

MSI is located on 5700 S Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. For more information, visit www.msichicago.org

www.thechicagocitizen.com

MGIII Global Licensing Inc. and New Day Entertainment present PRIDE & JOY - The Marvin Gaye Musical playing at the historic Chicago Theatre for 7 performances from June 19th – 23rd.

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of May 15, 2019

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10 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of May 15, 2019

CALENDAR Major General Marion Garcia will serve as Grand Marshal at Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony The City of Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) recently announced the Grand Marshal for Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony on Saturday, May 25.

The Wreath Laying Ceremony will begin at 11am at Daley Plaza (Dearborn and Washington Streets). The parade will then step off at noon and proceed south on State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street and Major General Marion Garcia, Commanding General, 200th Military Police Command, United States Army Reserve, will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal.

During the Wreath Laying Ceremony and Parade, the City of Chicago honors fallen heroes and Gold Star family members who have lost a loved one in the United States Armed Forces to combat operations or while on active duty.

Approved by Congress beginning in 1947, Gold Star Lapel Pins and the Next of Kin Lapel Pins are presented to families not as an award, but as symbols of honor worn by family members in remembrance of their fallen loved ones and their ultimate sacrifice.

Parade Grand Marshal Maj. Gen. Garcia graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1987 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps. She has served in a wide variety of staff and leadership assignments as well as during multiple deployments including: Rear Battle Plans Officer with the 14th Military Police Brigade during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm; Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment 720th Military Police Battalion during Operation Provide Comfort Somalia, Commander of the 324th Military Police Battalion with a deployment to Baghdad, Iraq; and, Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Her numerous awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Parachutist Badge and German Armed Forces Efficiency Badge (Bronze).

Major General John A. Logan Patriot Award The late Ron Salazar, a City of Chicago employee from 2000 to 2019 will be honored as the recipient of the Major General John A. Logan Patriot Award for his dedication, patriotism and selfless devotion to Chicago’s citizens, veterans and our nation’s military. Throughout his time with (DCASE), Ron took great pride in working as the event designer for the Memorial Day’s Wreath Laying Ceremony and Parade. At the time of his unexpected passing in January, he was hard at work on plans for this year’s ceremony to honor fallen soldiers and Gold Star Families. His love for the city was only matched by his passion to share it with everyone. Ron also had a keen eye for the beauty around him and within the people he encountered along the way.

Cadets of the Year Award The mission of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) is to motivate young people to be better citizens. Each year, the City of Chicago acknowledges the outstanding contributions of our cadets to our community by honoring JROTC students with the Cadet of the Year Award. Lydia Johnson of Lindblom Math and Science Academy and Stoykof Nunez of Phoenix Military Academy will be honored for their stellar academic records and leadership. Each cadet will receive a scholarship for future academic endeavors awarded by Tom Day and his organization Bugles Across America.

The Congregational Church of Park Manor, UCC Holds 66th Anniversary Celebration

The City of Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) recently announced the Grand Marshal for Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony on Saturday, May 25.

History of Memorial Day in Chicago Memorial Day has a rich history, beginning shortly after the Civil War ended when Maj. Gen. John A. Logan proclaimed that the 30th day of May be designated for the purpose of decorating the graves of soldiers who died during the conflict. First observed on May 30, 1868 as “Decoration Day,” our modern day event has been expanded to honor all of our soldiers and service members who have fallen in the line of duty.

Chicago’s Memorial Day parade is one of the largest in the nation. Participants include area high school marching bands, drum and bugle corps, as well as many veterans’ groups, 6,000 JROTC cadets and current members of our armed forces. Visitors and residents are encouraged to visit the Daley Center and Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington St.) to view the Illinois Fallen Heroes Traveling Memorial Wall on Daley Plaza on Saturday, May 25, and The Portrait of a Soldier Exhibit on display from Monday, May 20 to Friday, May 31, in the east lobby of the Daley Center.

Chicago Cultural Center Veterans Exhibition National Veterans Art Museum Triennial: On War & Survival (now through July 29, Chicago Rooms, 2nd Floor) With a focus on the visual, literary, performative and creative practices of veterans, the National Veterans Art Museum (NVAM) Triennial explores a century of war and survival, and challenges the perception that war is something only those who have served in the military can comprehend. Throughout history, art has provided a means to express the complicated experiences of war, as well as seek justice and reconciliation. The NVAM Triennial draws on this history to connect today’s veteran artists with the history of veteran creative practices and their impact on society over the past century. For more information, visit nvam.org/triennial.

The Chicago Memorial Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony are presented by the City of Chicago.

For more information about the Illinois Gold Star, visit goldstarpins.org. For more information regarding the ceremony and the parade, please visit Chicago.gov/dcase.

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) enriches Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses, providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan, marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience, and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors. www.thechicagocitizen.com

Enjoy music, refreshments and fellowship at The Congregational Church of Park Manor, UCC’s 66th Anniversary Celebration on May 19th from 3-6 pm. This year’s theme is Seasons: God is Life Changing. Attendees will be entertained by the musical stylings of the George Cooper Trio and enjoy foods from each of the four seasons. Funds raised from the celebration will help the church enter a new season of service to the Park Manor community and beyond. Current initiatives the Church has launched include: Choir for the Park Manor Elementary School The Black Seed Gardening Program for Youth Community Summer Cookout Back-to-School Book Bag Giveaway Summer Cone & A Prayer Ministry Young Adult Choir 5th Sunday Jazz Service Monthly Caregivers Support Group Senior Citizen Computer Literacy, Exercise, and Yoga Classes Monthly Senior Health Luncheon Community Christmas Party No reservations are required; donations are accepted for the refreshments.

Businesses and individuals are invited to place an advertisement or tribute to a loved one in the Church’s 66th Anniversary Yearbook 2019-2020. The Congregational Church of Park Manor is located on 7000 South Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Chicago, Illinois 60637. Questions about the celebration or any of the church’s programs can be directed to Rev. Jackson at (773) 224-4700.

Sixth Annual Bluestem Earth Festival Returns to USF on May 18 The University of St. Francis (USF) welcomes the sixth annual Bluestem Earth Festival to campus on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Pat Sullivan Recreation Center and on the quad area on the university’s main campus in Joliet. The festival will feature over 90 eco-conscious exhibits and vendors, earth-friendly activities, live demonstrations, local food and children’s activities. Families with children can stop by the Bluestem Children’s Tent for crafts, activities, a fun presentation on “The Dynamic Energy of Worms” by Joan O’Keefe, as well as an interactive animal program from Scales and Tales Traveling Zoo. The festival is free to attend and is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate and their associates. For more event information, visit bluestemearthfestival.com.

More information about University of St. Francis sustainability efforts are available at stfrancis.edu/sustainability.

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of May 15, 2019

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CLASSIFIEDS SERVICE

REAL ESTATES AC 5-15-2019 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS TRUSTEE FOR REGISTERED HOLDERS OF CWABS, INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 20063 Plaintiff, -v.- OLYMPIA MITCHELL, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2018 CH 09301 12529 S. LAFLIN ST CALUMET PARK, IL 60827 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on March 20, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 24, 2019, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 12529 S. LAFLIN ST, CALUMET PARK, IL 60827 Property Index No. 25-29-315-052-0000. The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon pay-

SERVICE

ment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiff's attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-18-08015. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-1808015 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2018 CH 09301 TJSC#: 39-1888 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff's attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. I3119273 ________________________________________

PUBLIC NOTICE Date: 1st day of May, 2019 Public Notice and Proclamation To All General Public, to All Elected United States Republic Officials and Public Servants of Federal, State, City, and Municipal Governments, Personnel and Corporate Entities: Concerning the Constitution and all Statutory and Civil Law Codes of the Land, etc., Know All Men by These Presents: Notice is hereby given as I Arro Abdul Jamel Bey, Arro Abdul Jamel of the family Bey am the competent Lawful Beneficiary, Heir to the Estate

and Owner of ARRO ABDUL JAMEL BEY and competent Lawful Beneficiary, Heir to the Estate and Owner of GEORGE ABDUL JAMEL GILBERT, furthermore known as Estate's.

Notice is hereby given as I Arro Abdul Jamel Bey, Arro Abdul Jamel of the family Bey am the competent Lawful Beneficiary, Executor to the Trust and Owner of NIARA NIKKO GILBERT. Notice is hereby given to all persons indebted to said Estate's and Trust to make immediate payment and those Persons having claim, objection or interest over and against the same to present them properly authenticated for settlement by the 22nd Day of May, 2019. Persons failing to state a claim, objection or interest over this matter by the 22nd Day of May, 2019, then it stands for the record that thereafter NO claims shall be entertained. Where there are no objections this matter shall stand as Truth.

Whereas, I State, Proclaim, Claim and Declare the following to be true, correct, certain, complete, not misleading, supreme, and not intended to be presented for any misrepresented, 'colored' or improper use or purpose, to wit: Address all matters to: Arro Abdul Jamel; Bey c/o 8708 South Bennett Avenue #174 Chicago Territory, Illinois Republic [60617-9999] ________________________________________

homes. Meanwhile, the average customer saves $9,000 in commission.”

Among the emerging business models that are shaking up the real estate industry, tech-focused brokerages like Clever differentiate themselves by being human focused, too. “Real estate commissions are ready to be revolutionized,” says Babich.

“But we’re selling homes the same way that they’ve been sold for the last half century—with great, attentive, professional agents.”

With dramatic changes in the real estate industry—which some have said threatens to displace real estate agents—tech-focused brokerages like Clever differentiate because they are agent focused, too.

“In the end,” concludes Huffman, “you’re not losing money because you’re gaining more clients.”

To learn more about the ways that technology is changing the real estate industry, visit https://listwithclever.com. ________________________________________

Home Owner TIps

President /Publisher

It Doesn’t Have To Cost 6 Percent To Sell A Home (NAPSI)—If you’re thinking about selling a home, you may have wondered: “What, really, does a real estate agent do to earn a 6 percent commission?”

In the past, real estate agents had to scour literal books of listings and drive clients around to see listings to make sales. But today’s real estate process is much simpler—and increasingly digital.

According to a 2017 study from the National Association of REALTORS®, 44 percent of home searches now start online. And as the search process moves online, almost all of the paperwork has, too, allowing agents to handle more business even more quickly.

So if everything’s easier now, why are most agents still charging 6 percent?

It comes down to the time and money that agents spend finding new clients. “Many agents still find most of their business by cold calling, sending mailers or knocking on doors,” explains Ben Mizes, CEO of online real estate brokerage Clever Real Estate. “The time it takes agents to find customers puts a floor on how low they are willing to go on commissions.”

Clever works nationwide to solve this problem by matching customers with local Partner Agents, who sell homes for a flat fee of $3,000 or 1 percent in listing commission. Clever is part of a growing trend in the real estate industry; discount firms like Redfin now operate in many U.S. metro areas and even local brokerages are increasingly discounting their rates. In a 2017 article, The Washington Post estimated that average commission rates nationwide will soon fall to 5 percent as agents compete more aggressively to win business.

Tech-focused entrants to the discount real estate space have the potential to accelerate the change.

Unlike traditional brokerages, which expand one city at a time with local brick-and-mortar offices, Clever partners with agents all over the country.

Mizes says, “We have a full-time team dedicated to recruiting and vetting top-performing agents from major agencies. They provide the exact same full service that a top agent usually offers, but when you come through Clever, they do it for our competitive prices.”

Steve Huffman, a Keller Williams broker and Clever Partner Agent in Atlanta, says that discount prices don’t stop him from providing a quality, fullservice experience for his clients. “If you do a good job with discount clients, they can refer friends, and you have buyers who will call your yard sign,” he explains. “The more listings you have, the more exposure you have.”

Luke Babich, Clever’s Chief Strategy Officer, explains why it’s a win-win: “Our Partner Agents can focus on doing what they do best: selling

Darrell Garth Janice Garth

Sales Manager General Manager

Editorial

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12 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of May 15, 2019

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