South Suburban Citizen 10-31-2018

Citizen

Commentary: Georgia election fight shows that black voter suppression, a southern tradition, still flourishes — Page 3 Week of Oct. 31, 2018

| Vol. 37 | No. 49 | www.thechicagocitizen.com

SOUTH SUBURBAN

Jane Elliot (pictured) recently visited South Suburban College to speak about conscious and unconscious bias and to give a message on equality and how to overcome racism. Photo Credit: Provided by Thornton Township

JANE ELLIOT VISITS SOUTH SUBURBS TO DISCUSS RACE AND AMERICAN BIAS

The Youth & Family Services Department of Thornton Township recently hosted Jane Elliot, at the South Suburban College Performing Arts Center in South Holland, to speak about conscious and unconscious bias and to give a message on equality and ways to overcome racism. PAGE 2

BUSINESS

ENTERTAINMENT

NEWS

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PAGE 8

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Money expert Clark Howard releases annual rating of 529 plans by state

Suburban Cook County residents take advantage of early voting

The Magic of the Wizard of Oz Opens at the Paramount Theatre |

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NEWS briefly EDUCATION

CAREER-BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES AWAIT MINORITY ACCOUNTING STUDENTS The Illinois CPA Society is seeking minority college students who are sophomores, juniors, or seniors interested in accounting to apply for the Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program. This highly competitive and all-expenses paid program will be held January 3-5, 2019. This program prepares up to 25 racially/ethnically diverse students for entry-level positions with access to practical training, resources, and potential future employers. Highlights from the agenda include resume advice and interview coaching from recruiters and volunteer experts.

Additionally, all participants receive a $500 scholarship, business cards, a professional headshot, and a LinkedIn profile. At the end of the program, participating employers conduct onsite interviews with the students for a variety of opportunities, including Abbott Laboratories, Crowe LLP, Deloitte LLP, Ernst & Young LLP, Grant Thornton LLP, KPMG LLP, PwC LLP, and Sikich LLP. Students interested in the program can apply at www.icpas.org/mtww. The application deadline is Friday, Nov. 16, 2018.

HEALTH

MULTI-STATE SALMONELLA OUTBREAK LINKED TO RAW CHICKEN The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting five cases of multi-drug resistant Salmonella infantis illness. This is part of a multi-state outbreak, which includes 92 cases in 29 states and is being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The initial investigation indicates a link to raw chicken. Nearly 90% of cases report preparing or eating chicken products that were purchased raw, including ground chicken, chicken pieces, and whole chicken.

The CDC has indicated there have been more hospitalizations with this outbreak than what is typically seen. The elderly, infants, and those with compromised immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

The outbreak strain was identified in live chickens and many types of raw chicken products, indicating it might be widespread in the chicken industry. The CDC continues to investigate the outbreak. More information can be found on the CDC website at http:// www.cdc.gov/salmonella

LAW & POLITICS

CAMPAIGN FEATURES WE TV TALENT ENCOURAGING VIEWERS TO VOTE ON NOV. 6 NAACP, the nation’s foremost civil rights organization, recently announced a partnership with WE tv, the #1 cable network for African-American viewers on Thursday nights, that encourages the channel’s viewers to make their voices heard by voting on November 6.

The non-partisan effort features WE tv talent delivering the “get out the vote” message that underscores the importance of participating in the democratic process and emphasizes that together with the NAACP, WE make a difference.

The national spots, which began airing on the network’s social and linear channels on Thursday, October 4, feature WE tv celebrities such as Romeo Miller, Angela Simmons, Trina Braxton, Towanda Braxton, Bossip’s Tyler Chronicles and more. In addition to WE tv platforms, the NAACP will also distribute the campaign via its Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook accounts, and naacp.org/vote will serve as a hub for resources and information regarding voting.

Jane Elliot Visits South Suburbs To Discuss Race and American Bias Continued from page 1

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

The Youth & Family Services Department of Thornton Township recently hosted Jane Elliot, at the South Suburban College Performing Arts Center in South Holland, to speak about conscious and unconscious bias and to give a message on equality and ways to overcome racism.

Jane Elliott is an internationally known teacher, lecturer, diversity trainer, and recipient of the National Mental Health Association Award for Excellence in Education. Elliot gained notoriety, shortly after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s was assassinated, when she devised the Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Exercise which famously labels participants as inferior or superior based solely upon the color of their eyes and exposes them to the experience of being a minority, according to information provided on Jane Elliots professional website.

“We decided to bring Jane Elliot to Thornton Township because she is a dynamic woman who brings an interesting

perspective that people need to hear,” said Dr. Jerry Weems, director of youth and family services at Thornton Township.

“The community has responded well to us bringing global speakers like Jane and Dick Gregory.”

Thornton Township Supervisor, Frank M. Zuccarelli, collaborated with the Youth and Family Services Department, the Human Relations Commission, and the Faith, Dignity, and Respect Initiative to sponsor this forum on Race and Bias.

Elliot very light-heartedly discussed many of the experiences in her life that have made her ask questions about the role that race plays in people’s day to day lives, the way that race and religion are connected, and the way that people are perceived because of their race.

“The only reason I got away with doing the Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Exercise in my classroom in Iowa the day after Martin Luther King Jr. was killed was because I am a white woman and the only reason people ask me to come talk to them today is because I am a white woman. If a black man

would say the things that I say, he would never get hired “It is important to have these open conversations about conscious and unconscious bias. We can’t shy away from these important discussions because that’s how we can grow as a nation and grow individually,” said Ernst Lamothe Jr., communication manager at Thornton Township.

While Elliot kept the tone of the entire event very light, she hit on some very real topics including how highly Americans regard certain physical features over others.

“We all need to realize that we assign power in the United States of America on the basis of physical characteristics of which we have absolutely no control. We assign power on the basis of height, skin color, gender, and age. That is ridiculous. I know 10-year-old black girls who understand more about race than I will ever be able to learn but they don’t have the power to stand up to a teacher that is making racists statements,” said Elliot.

To learn more about Jane Elliot visit www.janeelliot.com.

Suburban Cook County residents take advantage of early voting Early Voting for the November 6 Gubernatorial Election got off to what Cook County Clerk David Orr called, “a great start” in suburban Cook County Monday, October 22 with more than twice as many voters casting their ballots as did on the first day of Early Voting for the 2014 Gubernatorial Election.

A total of 17,361 suburban Cook County voters went to their Early Voting sites on Monday, October 22, a number that reinforces Orr’s observation that, “early voting, in all forms, gets more popular with each election.” That number more than doubled the 8,298 on the first day of Early Voting in the 2014 Gubernatorial Election.

The most popular of suburban Cook County’s 53 Early Voting sites on Monday October 22 were: Orland Township, where 899 ballots were cast; Northbrook Village Hall, where 773 ballots were cast, and the Arlington Heights Village Hall, where 701 early voting ballots were cast.

October 22nd’s total not

Suburban Cook County voters have the option of voting at any Early Voting site in suburban Cook County or at the Clerk’s downtown Chicago office.

only exceeded the total for the first day of Early Voting for the 2014 Gubernatorial Election, it surpassed the combined number of early votes cast in the first two days of early Voting in 2014, 17,148. It was also busier than any day of Early Voting in 2014.

The record number of voters

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on the first day of Early Voting in any election was set in the 2016 Presidential Election, when 25,578 voters went to vote early. October 22nd’s total puts the first day of Early Voting in the 2018 Gubernatorial Election in second place, though.

Suburban Cook County

voters have the option of voting at any Early Voting site in suburban Cook County or at the Clerk’s downtown Chicago office. They can take advantage of a new feature to make the Early Voting experience quicker and easier, the Early Voting Wait Time Viewer. Viewable either on desktop computers or mobile devices, the Wait Time Viewer on the clerk’s office website provides visitors to the page with an interactive map that will show the wait time – if any – at each of suburban Cook County’s Early Voting sites. The site updates every 20 minutes.

In-person early voting is not the only way that you can vote before Nov. 6. Approximately 91,000 suburban Cook County voters have applied for mail ballots. The deadline to apply for a mail ballot is Nov. 1. To apply online for a mail ballot go to cookcountyclerk.com/ VoteByMail.

The Clerk’s website also has a complete list of early voting locations and hours, with an early voting map and chart, and early voting totals from previous elections.

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Oct. 31, 2018

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COMMENTARY GEORGIA, LIKE MANY SOUTHERN STATES, HAS SUPPRESSED BLACK VOTERS EVER SINCE THE 15TH AMENDMENT GAVE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN 1870. THE TACTICS HAVE SIMPLY CHANGED OVER TIME.

Georgia election fight shows that black voter suppression, a southern tradition, still flourishes

BY FREDERICK KNIGHT

Georgia’s Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp has been sued for suppressing minority votes after an Associated Press investigation revealed a month before November’s midterm election that his office has not approved 53,000 voter registrations – most of them filed by African-Americans.

Kemp, who is running for governor against Democrat Stacey Abrams, says his actions comply with a 2017 state law that requires voter registration information to match exactly with data from the Department of Motor Vehicles or Social Security Administration.

The law disproportionately affects black and Latino voters, say the civil rights groups who brought the lawsuit.

As a scholar of African-American history, I recognize an old story in this new electoral controversy.

Georgia, like many southern states, has suppressed black voters ever since the 15th Amendment gave African-American men the right to vote in 1870.

The tactics have simply changed over time.

DEMOCRATS’ SOUTHERN STRATEGY With black populations ranging from 25 percent to nearly 60 percent of southern state populations, black voting power upended politics as usual after the Civil War. During Reconstruction, well over 1,400 African-Americans were elected to local, state and federal office, 16 of whom served in Congress.

Loyal to President Abraham Lincoln, whose Emancipation Proclamation sounded the death knell for slavery, black Americans flocked to the Republican Party. Back then, it was the more liberal of the United States’ two mainstream political parties.

Southern Democrats fought back, using both violence and legislation.

White paramilitary groups like the Ku Klux Klan and White Leagues threatened black candi-

Frederick Knight

dates, attacked African-American voters, pushed black leaders out of office and toppled Republican governments.

After establishing single-party control over the South, white Democrats in the late 1800s instituted a poll tax, making voting too expensive for former slaves and their descendants.

“White primaries” excluded blacks from choosing candidates in primary elections.

These attacks proved effective.

Between 1896 and 1904, the number of black men who voted in Louisiana plummeted from 130,000 to 1,342.

After North Carolina U.S. Rep. George White retired, in 1901, the South would send no African-Americans to Congress until the 1972 election.

VOTER SUPPRESSION IN JIM CROW MISSISSIPPI In the early 20th century, many black Americans voted with their feet, migrating north and west.

Around the same time, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal – which instituted racial quotas in hiring for federal public work projects and included policies aimed at reducing inequality – was shifting northern black voters’ allegiance to the Democratic Party. Black voters

in northern cities began putting African-American Democrats into congressional office.

But they did not give up on the South, pressing the Supreme Court to reaffirm voting rights in the 1944 case Smith v. Allwright, which prohibited white-only primaries.

But black voter suppression remained deeply entrenched in the South. Several states required new voters to complete literacy tests before they could cast a ballot. In the 1880s, 76 percent of southern blacks were illiterate, versus 21 percent of whites.

Strategies for excluding black voters evolved along with federal law.

In reaction to Brown v. Board of Education, which in 1954 overturned “separate but equal” segregation laws, Mississippi in the same year modified its poll test. It asked voters to interpret a section of the state’s constitution, authorizing county registrars to determine whether the applicant’s answer was “reasonable.”

Virtually all African-Americans, regardless of education or performance, failed.

Within a year, the number of blacks registered to vote in Mississippi dropped from 22,000 to 12,000 – a mere 2 percent of eligible black voters. www.thechicagocitizen.com

Political violence – including the 1955 attempted assassination of voting rights activist Gus Courts and murder of George W. Lee – accompanied the legal restrictions, showing the cost of black political independence.

majority of the registered Democrats in Deep South states from South Carolina to Louisiana.

They turn out in high numbers and have been key voters for getting Democrats into office in the conservative-dominated South.

FIGHTING FOR THE VOTE Activists were not deterred.

The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the Congress of Racial Equality continued to wage grassroots voter registration campaigns and fight for official representation in the Democratic Party.

In 1964, a new political party, the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, was founded to welcome “sharecroppers, farmers and ordinary working people.”

The Freedom Democratic Party elected 68 delegates to attend the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, hoping to transform the all-white Mississippi delegation.

Trying to broker a deal, national Democratic leaders extended Mississippi’s Freedom Democrats two nonvoting atlarge seats at the convention – a minor concession that led most white Mississippi party members to walk out in protest. Freedom Democrats rejected the two seats as tokenism, holding a sit-in on the convention floor in Atlantic City to highlight the lack of black political representation.

VOTER SUPPRESSION TODAY Over the past decade, Republican lawmakers have chipped away at the last century’s advances, enacting voter ID laws that make it harder to vote.

Claiming they seek to deter election fraud, some 20 states have restricted early voting or passed laws requiring people to show government ID before voting.

Voter identification laws have hidden costs, research shows.

Getting a government ID means traveling to state agencies, acquiring birth certificates and taking time off work. That puts it out of reach for many, a kind of 21st-century poll tax.

Federal and state courts have overturned such laws in some states, including Georgia, North Carolina and North Dakota, citing their harmful effect on African-American and Native American voters.

But the Supreme Court in 2008 deemed Indiana’s voter ID law a valid deterrent to voter fraud.

Perhaps most damaging to black voters was a 2013 Supreme Court decision that weakened the Voting Rights Act. Shelby County v. Holder ended 48 years of federal oversight of southern voting laws, concluding that the requirement relied on “40-year-old facts that have no logical relation to the present day.”

Current events show that voter suppression is hardly a thing of the past.

From Georgia’s voter registration scandal to gerrymandered districts that dilute minority voting power, millions may be shut out of November’s midterms.

BLACK VOTERS MAKE GAINS Over time, the civil rights movement sparked a political shift that dramatically changed the U.S. electorate. The 24th Amendment outlawed poll taxes in 1964, abolishing a major barrier to black enfranchisement in the South. Literacy tests, too, were restricted, under the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The Voting Rights Act also established federal oversight of voting laws to ensure equal access to elections, particularly in the South.

By the early 21st century, African-Americans constituted a

Frederick Knight is an Associate Professor of History at Morehouse College.

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BUSINESS

Money expert Clark Howard releases annual rating of 529 plans by state According to money expert Clark Howard, a 529 plan is the best way to save for college. However, plans vary so wildly by state that it is crucial to carefully select the right plan for you and your family. For this reason, Clark reviewed every commission-free plan in each state and selected the top options for consumers.

“I am so excited about 529 plans this year because the best plans have the lowest management fees ever,” said money expert Clark Howard. “Many plans around the country have slashed costs to the point that only those charging less than 0.20% per year in total management fees make my top-tier list.”

Both Nevada and Ohio are new to Clark’s elite group — the Dean’s List — this year. California, Illinois and New York are Clark’s favorite options in the country because of the extremely low costs. While Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin were on the Dean’s List last year, those plans are now just a step behind the best in the Honor Roll category.

Not all states have a recommended plan included in Clark’s 529 guide. Texas is off of the list because the size of its population does not match its passive plan. Arkansas, Kentucky and Mississippi are rolling off of the Honor Roll this year, and Wyoming does not currently offer a plan.

“A 529 plan is a beneficial way to save for a child’s education because the money grows tax-free and is spent tax-free for eligible expenses like tuition, books and fees,” notes Clark. “Even better, 529 plans can help younger generations avoid student

Money expert Clark Howard says a 529 plan is the best way to save for college. He reviewed every commission-free plan in each state and selected the top options for consumers.

loans and better prepare for the cost of college so they are not in a mountain of debt after graduation.”

This is Clark Howard’s opinion as of October 2018, and these plans are subject to change.

To see the full list and learn more about 529 plans, visit https://clark.com/education/clarks-529-plan-guide/.

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Clark hosts a nationally syndicated radio talk show, prominent podcast and provides advice on television stations around the country. In 1993, he opened the Consumer Action Center helpline — 404-892-8227 — to provide the community with free advice and education to resolve money problems.

Federal Court Orders Illinois Pension Plan to Restore $419,758 Following U.S. Department of Labor Investigation The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into an agreement with the fiduciaries of the Neuroscience Center LLC Defined Benefit Pension Plan to restore $419,758 to the Deerfield, Illinois-based retirement plan. The agreed-upon restoration is part of a consent judgment approved by the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois.

The action follows an investigation by the Department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) that found violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) by fiduciary and sole trustee Steven R. Devore Best and the Neuroscience Center LLC. EBSA investigators found Best used monies from the plan for the Neuroscience Center LLC’s operating expenses, funded other companies he owns, and made personal loans to himself. Best conducted most of the unauthorized transactions in 2014 and 2015.

“Our investigation and the settlement that followed restores hard-earned retirement benefits to employees and protects their future,” said Employee Benefits Security Administration Regional Director Jeffrey Monhart, in

Chicago. “This case should remind all fiduciaries that they must work solely in the interest of plans and participants.”

The consent judgment enjoins Best and the Neuroscience Center LLC from serving as fiduciaries to any employee benefit plan subject to ERISA in the future. The court ordered the restored monies to be allocated to participants’ pension accounts - with the exception of Best’s account - and appointed an independent fiduciary to distribute benefits to eligible participants.

Employers and workers can reach EBSA toll-free at 866-444-3272 for help with problems related to privatesector retirement and health plans.

Additional information can be found at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa.

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www. dol.gov. The Department’s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the Department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).

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CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Oct. 31, 2018

EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS. . .

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 Get Out And Vote!

Take a neighbor, take a friend or a family member… you want change then get out to the polls.

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CITIZEN ON THE GO

Highlights From Lori Wilcox, Bloom Township Committeeman Birthday Celebration And Fundraiser

Left to Right: Cook County Board President Toni Preckwikle, Water Rec. Donna Miller, unidentified guest and supporter, Sen. Toi Hutchinson, Committeeman Lori Wilcox, Rich Township Highway Commissioner Calvin Jordan, unidentified supporter, State Rep. Robin Kelly, Cook County Commissioner Deborah Sims and Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin.

Carolyn Palmer Griffin, Sen. Toi Hutchinson and Rep. Robin Kelly

Calvin Jordan, Donna Miller, Toi Hutchinson, Lori Wilcox, Robin Kelly and Joey Stanford

Lori Wilcox surrounded by supporters at her Birthday and Fundrasing event held recently.

Pictured with Lori are her fundraising committe alone with her event chair Marva-Campbell Priutt.

Rep. Debbie Myers- Martin, State Rep. De Luca, Committeman Lori Wilcox and State Rep. Nicholas K. Smith.

All Photos Provided by Gene Sparing

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CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Oct. 31, 2018

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ENTERTAINMENT RCA Inspiration garners three wins at the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards From left: Paramount’s The Wizard of Oz stars (from left) Elizabeth Stenholt as Dorothy, Kyle Adams as Scarecrow/Hunk, Carl Draper as Tinman/Hickory, PaulJordan Jansen as Cowardly Lion/Zeke, Caron Buinis as the Wicked Witch of the West/Almira Gulch, Harriet Nzinga Plumpp as Glinda the Good Witch/ Aunt Em and Gene Weygandt as Wizard of Oz/Professor Marvel.

The Magic of the Wizard of Oz Opens at the Paramount Theatre Acclaimed Chicago director Amber Mak dazzled audiences with Paramount’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

She made kids of all ages believe in Santa again with Elf The Musical. Now she’s taking audiences over the rainbow and into another fantastical world with The Wizard of Oz, Nov. 14, 2018-Jan. 6, 2019 at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in Aurora.

It’s a production for the whole family and a chance to experience a musical theater extravaganza. Show times are Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Thursday at 7 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Exceptions: No show Thursday, Nov. 22 (Thanksgiving Day). No show Sunday, Dec. 23, at 5:30 p.m. There is one added Tuesday evening performance on Nov. 27, at 7 p.m.

Added family matinees are Friday, Dec. 21, at 1:30 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 27, at 1:30 p.m.; and Thursday, Jan. 3, at 1 p.m. Evening show times Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 2 and 3, are at 6 p.m., one hour early. Matinee show times Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 2 and 3 are at 1 p.m., 30 minutes early.

Members of the public can pose for photos in front of a two-story Christmas tree and fully decorated lobby during the holidays. Single tickets to The Wizard of Oz are $36 to $69. For tickets, visit ParamountAurora.com, call (630) 8966666, or stop by the Paramount box office Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Paramount Theatre is surrounded by affordable parking and a variety of restaurants for pre- or post-show dining.

The Wizard of Oz is suggested for ages 5 and older.

ESSENCE Festival Now Leads the Nation's Top Entertainment and Cultural Events in Average Daily Attendance Essence Communications, the leading media, technology and commerce company serving Black women, recently announced a record-breaking economic impact of $280 million for its 2018 ESSENCE Festival® presented by Coca-Cola.

Growth in Festival attendance, which reached more than 510,000, and a boost in tourism spending within the host City and State of New Orleans, Louisiana, garnered the highest fiscal input in the event's 24-year history.

Nearing 130,000 attendees per day, the ESSENCE Festival is now also the nation's largest entertainment and cultural event based on average daily attendance, leading events including Coachella, SXSW, New Orleans Jazz and Made in America festivals.

"As one of the world's largest annual curated content experiences attracting an international audience of more than a half million people over the course of one weekend, the Essence Festival packs a proven and powerful economic punch--and continues to reach new heights in collaboration with the State of Louisiana and City of New Orleans," said Michelle Ebanks, CEO of Essence Communications. "Working together with our government and enterprise partners, we are pleased to report the highest-ever contribution to the growth and profitability of local businesses

and services that help to create an unforgettable experience for our Festival community."

With the 2018 summer Festival season wrapped, the 4-day Essence Festival has emerged as the leader in size and economic significance among the country's largest live events and a top destination for tourism during Fourth of July weekend. Through attendee surveys and analysis based on event production, lodging, food & beverage, retail, gaming and transportation spend, the annual economic figure represents a substantial benefit to Louisiana and New Orleans seasonal tourism and shines a spotlight that furthers the legacy of one the nation's most culturally rich and diverse destinations.

"This year's Essence Festival was a great success in terms of attendance and national exposure for New Orleans and Louisiana. I believe many of the Essence Festival attendees will be returning to our state for years to come," said Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.

In addition to the attendance and economic impact, the scale of talent, programming and digital engagement at the ESSENCE Festival is unmatched. A 2018 Essence Festival by-thenumbers analysis reveals further record-breaking engagement including 100+ performing artists;

200+ influencers, leaders, creators and celebrities; 150+ Marketplace entrepreneurs; and 200+ hours of live content throughout the weekend that generated 5 billion+ media and PR impressions and reached trending status on social media, featuring 103+ million posts, shares and likes and resulting in 14+ billion social media impressions.

"On the eve of the ESSENCE Festival's 25th anniversary, scheduled for July 4-7, 2019, this summer's extraordinary gathering underscores the convening power of culture, as well as the continued interest and engagement of Black women globally around community and content that empowers and inspires," said Ebanks. "We were thrilled this year to be able to introduce new entrepreneurial and business experiences such as our ESSENCE E-Suites and our ESSENCE Marche e-commerce platform. But there's so much more.

As an almost five-decade old startup, we are excited to move forward not only as a reimagined media and content company, but also as a technology and commerce company using 21st century platforms to provide even more effective solutions to our community of women. We are continually evolving to shape our work to meet their needs with increasing depth and relevance, and this is just the beginning."

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RCA Inspiration garnered three wins at the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards, as charttopping artists Travis Greene, Koryn Hawthorne, and Marvin Sapp were honored for their hit songs this past year.

Travis Greene won his first Dove Award in the category of Urban Worship Recorded Song of the Year for his charttopper “You Waited.” Koryn Hawthorne won her first Dove Award in the category of Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year for her hit track “Won’t He Do It” (ft. Roshon Fegan). Marvin Sapp took home his second Dove Award, winning in the category of Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for his hit single “Close.”

Held live in Nashville, TN, Koryn Hawthorne took the main stage at the Dove Awards in a duet performance with chart-topping recording artist Natalie Grant, marking their television debut together on their song “Speak the Name.” Marvin Sapp and Israel Houghton also presented awards on the show.

Additionally, gospel icon Kirk Franklin joined Tori Kelly on the main stage in a first-time Dove Awards performance together of their song “Never Alone.”

Phil Thornton, SVP and General Manager of RCA Inspiration says: “We’re thrilled to celebrate the wins of Travis, Koryn, and Marvin at the Dove Awards! Thank you to the Gospel Music Association for the recognition, from their songs to Israel, Kirk and the work of everyone showcased on this year’s show.”

Celebrating the diverse styles of artists from every form of Christian/Gospel music, the GMA Dove Awards honors the contributions of recording artists, filmmakers, and producers, including Contemporary Christian music, Traditional, Contemporary, and Southern Gospel, Pop, Spanish Language, Rock, Rap/ Hip-Hop, Inspirational Film, Children’s Music, Worship, and more. The 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards recently aired exclusively on TBN on Sunday, October 21st, 2018.

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Oct. 31, 2018

ANNUAL TREASURER’S REPORT FOR PERIOD ENDING 04/18

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ANNUAL TREASURER’S REPORT FOR PERIOD ENDING 04/18 (CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)

VILLAGE OF ROBBINS GROSS PAYROLL FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING APRIL 30, 2018

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Oct. 31, 2018

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CLASSIFIEDS SERVICE

SERVICE

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, contact Plaintiff's attorney: JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC, 230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125, Chicago, IL 60606, (312) 541-9710 Please refer to file number 18-0990. 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. JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC 230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125 Chicago, IL 60606 (312) 541-9710 E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com Attorney File No. 18-0990 Attorney Code.

40342 Case Number: 18 CH 7442 TJSC#: 38-8029 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. I3101302 __________________________________

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Job searching? Be prepared for the possibility of a video interview and get a leg up by learning to avoid the most common mistakes.

CAREERS

William Garth Sr.

5 Ways to Blow Your Next Job Interview (StatePoint) The unemployment rate in the U.S. is at an all-time low, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics, and many employers are struggling to find skilled workers. To overcome the challenge, companies are connecting with job candidates using emerging technologies, like video interviewing.

MISCELLANEOUS MOVING / GARAGE SALE November 2-3, 2018 12-5 pm 14204 S. State St. Riverdale, IL Items for men, women, children and home __________________________________ MISCELLANEOUS SAWMILLS from only $4397.00- MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship!

FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 800 567-0404 Ext.300N __________________________________ TRAINING/EDUCATION AIRLINE CAREERS FOR NEW YEAR BECOME AN AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECH. FAA APPROVED TRAINING. FINANCIAL AID IF QUALIFIED - JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE. CALL AIM 800-481-8312. __________________________________ WANTED TO BUY FREON R12 WANTED: CERTIFIED BUYER will PAY CA$H for R12 cylinders or cases of cans. (312) 291-9169; www.refrigerantfinders.com __________________________________ LEGAL SERVICES NEED LEGAL HELP? Get a FREE referral to an attorney! Call the Illinois State Bar Association Illinois Lawyer Finder The advice you need 877-270-3855 or h t t ps : / / w w w. i s b a . o r g / p u b l i c / i l l i n o i s lawyerfinder __________________________________

PUBLIC NOTICE The annual return of The Love and Unity Prayer Circle Church is available, at the address noted below, for inspection during normal business hours, by any citizen who so requests within 180 days after publication of this notice of its availability. The Love and Unity Prayer Circle 1153 E. 82nd Street Chicago, Il 60619-4513537. The principal manager is Cynthia A Cohen, Pastor Telephone (773) 993-9796. __________________________________

REAL ESTATE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION LENDINGHOME MARKETPLACE, LLC. Plaintiff, -v.L.S.T. CONTRACTING INC, VILLAGE OF CALUMET PARK, CITY OF CHICAGO Defendants 18 CH 7442 12532 SOUTH PAULINA STREET 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 September 27, 2018, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 13, 2018, 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 12532 SOUTH PAULINA STREET, Calumet Park, IL 60827 Property Index No. 25-30-423-016-0000. The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was

$84,348.29. 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 in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. 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 payment 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,

Video interviewing can be daunting, and it’s easy to make crucial mistakes that will ensure you don’t get that next job -- but it doesn’t have to be!

To prepare, keep in mind these five “don’ts,” from the experts at Randstad US, one of the largest HR services and staffing companies in the country.

1. Don’t forget to wear a shirt. Rather than sitting across from the person conducting your interview, you can sit in whatever quiet place you choose. However, it’s still important to dress the part. Your appearance should be similar to how you would look for an in-person interview.

“Under no circumstances should you complete a video interview in a t-shirt -- or worse, without a shirt at all. Yes, we have actually seen this,” says Greg Dyer, president of Randstad Commercial Staffing.

2. Don’t choose the wrong location.

Coffee shops can be a great place to catch up on work, but they’re not so great for video interviews due to background noise and other distractions. Opt for a quieter location, like your own home. If you live somewhere close to construction or noisy sirens, look into reserving a room at your local library. And, if all else fails, consider investing in a noise-cancelling headset.

Don’t let a jackhammer upstage you!

3. Don’t forget to tidy up. Before you settle into your interview, take stock of what’s going on behind you. It may be time to take down that psychedelic band poster or toss those empty soda cans sitting around. You should be the star of your interview -- not your clutter.

4. Don’t pick your nose. Don’t do anything during your video interview that you wouldn’t do during an in-person interview.

This means picking your nose, responding to text messages, and yes, going to the restroom. Approach your video interview with the same level of professionalism that you’d approach an in-person interview. And if you live in a busy household, don’t forget to lock the door. You don’t want your family members barging in mid-interview.

5. Don’t let your battery die. You really only need two things to successfully complete a video interview: a phone or computer with a camera and a reliable internet connection. Avoid sabotaging yourself, and make sure your device is fully charged and your internet is running without disruption prior to the start of your interview.

“The growing use of video interviews is a no-brainer in today’s always-connected world,” says Dyer. “Once you get past the learning curve, it’s a win-win for both job seekers and employers. Video interviewing is convenient and, best of all, fast. Most video interviewing technologies work on smartphones, which makes an interview on your 30-minute break much more feasible.”

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Valèry Kloubert __________________________________

Darrell Garth

President /Publisher

Janice Garth Sales Manager General Manager

CEO Emeritus

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*To be eligible for the down payment assistance of 3% of the home’s purchase price, up to $3,600, the property must be in one of the following eligible states: MI, IN, IL, KY, TN, OH, WV, NC, GA, FL and either located in a low Income Census Tract or borrower must meet the low income limit threshold based on the qualifying income per FFIEC website. Down payment assistance may be taxable as income and reported to the IRS. Consult your tax advisor. Not available with all loan products.

Loans subject to credit review and approval. Prices and programs subject to change without notice. Fifth Third Mortgage Company, 5001 Kingsley Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227, 1-877-841-7511, an Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act and by the N.J. Department of Banking and Insurances. Fifth Third Mortgage Company d/b/a Fifth Third Mortgage Company Incorporated and licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department. Fifth Third Mortgage is the trade name used by Fifth Third Mortgage Company (NMLS #134100) and Fifth Third Mortgage-MI, LLC (NMLS #447141). Fifth Third Bank, Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.