Chicago Weekend Citizen 3-27-2019

Citizen

Chicago Citizen Newspaper endorsement for Mayor of the City of Chicago — Page 2 Week of March 27, 2019

| Vol. 50 | No. 13 | www.thechicagocitizen.com

CHICAGO WEEKEND

A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held for The Will Group’s new manufacturing facility in North Lawndale. Photo Credit: City of Chicago/Walter Mitchell

DOZENS OF NEW JOBS COMING TO THE WEST SIDE THANKS TO NEW CONSTRUCTION

A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held to kick off the construction of a $5.4 million electrical equipment production facility just south of Interstate 290 in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood. The new manufacturing facility will be owned and operated by the Will Group and will create 60 temporary construction jobs along with 48 permanent jobs in the community. PAGE 2

BUSINESS

FASHION

Synchrony Car Care Credit Card Expands Acceptance Categories to Cover Even More AutoRelated Needs

Outerknown Launches Women’s Collection PAGE 6

Illinois Medicaid officials vow to improve services

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2 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of March 27, 2019

NEWS briefly EDUCATION

HBCU STUDENT INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE Students at the state’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions of Higher Education can apply to participate in a 10-week paid summer internship within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The internships may be at one of the state historic sites, N.C. Symphony, N.C. Art Museum, State Park, N.C. Aquarium, State Capitol, N.C. Zoo, or another state attraction. Essential components include professional development, leadership training and networking opportunities. The program is a partnership with the state’s HBCUs and the Minority Institution of Higher Education.

Rising juniors, seniors and graduate students may apply. Interested candidates should submit an application, resume, cover letter and transcript to employment@ncdcr.gov. Applications must be received by Mar. 30.

For additional information contact Internship Program Coordinator Charles Graves at Charles.

Graves@ncdcr.gov or visit https://www.ncdcr.gov/ hbcumihe-summer-internship-program.

HEALTH

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS BREAKS GROUND ON $150 MILLION MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT CENTER The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is constructing a 200-bed mental health and general medicine treatment center in Joliet. This facility will provide the most intensive level of care for incarcerated men and women with mental illness or who require long-term skilled nursing care.

The 180,000-square foot Inpatient Treatment Center will be located in Joliet, Illinois on the same grounds as the existing Joliet Treatment Center. The $150 million facility will provide services to both male and female patients. More than 400 people will work at the facility including physicians, nurse practitioners, licensed psychologists, and correctional treatment officers.

This new Inpatient Treatment Center will ensure IDOC meets its obligation to provide inpatient beds and programming space for seriously mentally ill offenders, as outlined in the Rasho v Baldwin settlement agreement.

Construction of the Joliet Inpatient Treatment Center is expected to be completed in 2021.

LAW & POLITICS

HAHN LOESER & PARKS ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF BIOMETRIC PRIVACY PRACTICE GROUP IN CHICAGO Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP recently announced it has established a new practice group—the Biometric Privacy Practice Group—to better support clients’ needs in the areas of privacy and data protection.

The new group will focus on claims relating to the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) and the emergence of biometric privacy issues across the country. Fisher and Gillian G. Lindsay will represent employers, timekeeping technology companies, and other clients using and implementing biometric data with BIPA and privacy compliance and class-action defense.

Hahn Loeser provides the full spectrum of legal services in one firm. With six offices and more than 115 attorneys, the firm represents large corporations, privately-held businesses, non-profit institutions, governmental entities and individuals across the country and around the world.

Dozens Of New Jobs Coming To The West Side Thanks To New Construction Continued from page 1

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held to kick off the construction of a $5.4 million electrical equipment production facility just south of Interstate 290 in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood. The new manufacturing facility will be owned and operated by the Will Group and will create 60 temporary construction jobs along with 48 permanent jobs in the community.

The Will Group manufactures electrical equipment for a variety of clients out of two smaller manufacturing facilities in Roseland and in Austin. When complete, the 60,000 square-foot complex located on 825 S. Kilpatrick Ave. in North Lawndale will become the new home for the company’s manufacturing operations.

“We had a vision of the things that we could do on the west side and a few months ago I met with Mayor Rahm Emanuel and

I was just blown away at his desire to help us do something impactful here,” said Steve Davis, chairman of The Will Group. “We have been doing business with the City of Chicago for over 35 years and this is a culmination of years and years of work.”

At the new North Lawndale facility, LED street lights and solar panels will be produced for the City of Chicago. The Will Group also has already made a commitment to hiring ex-offenders to work in the factory where they will learn job and life skills to help sustain themselves and their families.

“When I first got in office, I called Mr. Davis and I called him to ask for money.

When we got to sit down and talk he didn’t want to just give me money, he wanted to invest in this community and that is much greater than any check that he could give me,” said Michael Scott, Jr., alderman of Chicago’s 24th Ward. “Mr. Davis is not just taking these returning citizens and giving them jobs, he is giving them 401ks, he’s giv-

Citizen Newspaper Endorses Toni Preckwinkle For Mayor Of Chicago The next Mayor of Chicago will make history as the first African American woman to hold the office, that much we know. After watching the pool of candidates dwindle from roughly 20 to now just two highly qualified women, we at the Chicago Citizen Newspaper are endorsing Toni Preckwinkle for Mayor of the City of Chicago.

If you have ever heard Preckwinkle speak, you know that she is proud to have begun her career as a high school history teacher where she was able to impact the lives of countless young people. She also served as Alderman of the 4th Ward for two decades before being elected to serve as the Cook County Board President in 2010. It is her life-long commitment to public service that motivates us to endorse Preckwinkle for Mayor.

As a result of Preckwinkle’s time as Cook County Board President, an office that she still holds today, over 350,000 more residents have access to healthcare through a local Medicaid expansion known as CountyCare. Additionally, under Preckwinkle’s leadership as Board President, the daily population of inmates at the Cook County Jail has decreased by 30 percent. If elected as Mayor, Preckwinkle has said that she will continue to fight for the rights of the city’s most vulnerable residents across the city and continue to be a champion for improved access to healthcare and criminal justice reform.

At the Citizen we are endorsing Toni Preckwinkle as the best candidate to be the next Mayor of Chicago but more than that we encourage everyone, no matter who you favor, to vote on April 2nd and have your voices be heard in this historic election. www.thechicagocitizen.com

Toni Preckwinkle

ing them living wages, and he’s giving them the opportunity to learn skills that they can take anywhere.”

Additionally, the land where the new factory will be built has sat vacant in the community for over a decade. After years of disinvestment on the west side, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said that this new development will have a positive impact on the young people living in the community.

“There are kids in this neighborhood who every day walk to school or drive by and see an empty lot,” said Emanuel. “Kids internalize what they see and in a short period of time they are going to see something that they have gotten used to as being a dump full of bottles and garbage turn into a new factory that is making solar panels. Imagine a child here in North Lawndale walking by a place that they had only seen as being empty and deserted and collecting garbage that will now be helping to power the city by building solar panels.”

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of March 27, 2019

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NEWS

Former model making plans to expand restaurant

BY WENDELL HUTSON Contributing Writer

It’s been a little over a year since Nichelle Benford, a former model and ex-offender, opened a West Side restaurant and now she plans to open a second location possibly on the South Side.

Benford, 37, said her next location for Dream Chef Kitchen Restaurant & Catering, 611 S. California Ave., will be located on either the South or North Side, and it would be located close to high traffic entities, such as a shopping center, bar or even a school.

“I live in Woodlawn but I grew up in Roseland and I would love to open my second location on the South Side,” Benford told the Citizen. “My current location is not near any establishments that could generate foot traffic for my business and that’s one thing I plan to make sure does not happen with the next location.”

Retail experts said it is essential for any commercial business like a restaurant to have a good location.

“Location, location, location is key to any retail business being successful and profitable,” said Craig Robinson, a real estate agent with Virtual Properties Realty in Atlanta. “That’s why you see so many retail businesses with corner locations especially at busy intersections. You’ll often see gas stations, drug stores and fast-food restaurants occupying these spots.”

Still, Benford said she does regret choosing her current location.

“I think where we are is a good location and it could be better if we had marketing capital, which we don’t right now,” explained Benford. “Most

of our customers are ‘regulars’ and they come here everyday. The problem is not staying open but striving.”

For now, Benford said the business is being kept afloat from revenue generated from the restaurant’s catering unit.

“We have done a lot of catering for nearby hospitals and other local businesses and that has allowed us to remain operational,” said Benford.

“One catering job could generate more money than what the restaurant makes in eight hours.”

However, long before Benford opened her restaurant, she spent time in federal prison after being found guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice. In 2010, Benford was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison, but only served 14 months.

“I enrolled in a program while in prison that shaved one year off my sentence and instead required me to stay at a halfway house for six months once I was released,” recalled Benford.

“Originally, my boyfriend was being investigated for arson, but based off my testimony, he was not charged because I said he was with me.”

Upon being released from a halfway house in December 2012, Benford launched a food truck business with a childhood friend only to dissolve her partnership a year later to start Dream Chef Catering in 2014.

Starting capital to open the restaurant came from the nonprofit Chicago Neighborhood Initiative and former 46th Ward Alderman Helen Shiller (from 1987 to 2011).

David Doig, president of the CNI, said his organization typically makes between $10,000 and $25,000 loans to entrepre-

Nichelle Benford, founded Dream Chef Kitchen Restaurant & Catering on the West Side January 2018, and is now considering a second location on the South or North Side. Photo by Wendell Hutson

neurs and small business owners.

“Nichelle came to us with a great business plan. We looked at her plan, determined it was a good investment and we are excited she is now in business,” said David Doig, president of the CNI. And Shiller said she was “delighted to help Nichelle get her dream business off ground.”

After signing a five-year lease with her landlord, the nonprofit West Side Justice Center, Benford said she developed the vacant space into a place that serves ‘comfort’ food.

“When I say ‘comfort’ I mean foods that make you feel good,” said Benford. “I want my customers to leave my restaurant happy, satisfied and eager to return.”

The restaurant increased employees to 10 from six when it opened January 2018 and is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. And starting March 31, the restaurant will be open on Sundays with a soul-food menu.

Prices for meals range from $9

Dream Chef Kitchen Restaurant & Catering, 611 S. California Ave., opened January 2018. Photo by Wendell Hutson

to $13 and entrees include grilled salmon; roast beef, fried chicken, blackened catfish, shrimp scampi, as well as a vegan menu. Side dishes include salads, vegetables, soup, mash potatoes, collard greens, and macaroni & cheese, and dessert is also offered. Orders are available online at dreamchefkitchen.com.

The single entrepreneur with no children said when she is not working at the restaurant she likes to spend time with family and catch up on her sleep.

“Sometimes on Sundays, I just lay in the bed all day,” she said. “Then I like to hang out with family and friends too.”

Agreement Reached to Release Back Pay and Implement Required Raises for Workers SPRINGFIELD – The State of Illinois and SEIU Healthcare Illinois recently reached an agreement to implement rate increases and release previously withheld increases for more than 40,000 Department of Human Services low-wage home care and child care providers that had been withheld under the former Rauner administration.

SEIU Healthcare Illinois and the Pritzker administration released the following statement announcing the agreement: “Today marks a significant and long-anticipated step in repairing the years of damage and devastation that occurred under former Gov. Bruce Rauner’s leadership. This administration has shown that it will operate in compliance with court orders and the laws of the state. In

that spirit, this agreement carries out a law passed by the General Assembly that Governor Rauner refused to comply with – on which the courts ruled against the State – regarding a wage increase for Home Services Program workers. The agreement also implements and ends litigation over a similar law providing a wage increase for child care providers.

“For 20 months, 28,000 Personal Assistants in the Department of Human Services’ Home Services Program have been denied a 48-cent raise. That’s because even after it became law, Governor Rauner refused to pay it, resulting in costly litigation and courts ruling that it must be paid. For eight months, 14,000 child care providers in the Child Care Assistance Program have been denied a 4.26% rate increase, even though

it was also law. These caregivers provide valuable services to their communities, supporting independent living for people with disabilities and delivering quality child care so low-income working parents can remain in the workforce.

“Our agreement establishes a timeline for implementation of the mandated raises and for the release of back pay that is owed, ensuring the funding for these already approved increases finally gets into the pocketbooks of those it was intended for.

“Today, we are putting the State of Illinois back on the side of working families, and rebuilding the vital services and the workforces that deliver them to people with disabilities, working parents, and kids in every corner of our state. We look forward to continuing to

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stabilize these programs together, and we share a commitment to fixing other harmful Rauner policies through the bargaining process. We are committed to ensuring that our child care and home care workers have the stability and training they need to provide child care for working families and to support people with disabilities across the state.”

Workers will receive their new wages for hours worked on or after April 1. The state will immediately begin its accounting for the back pay, and workers will receive the back pay no later than the end of the annual lapse period, which should occur, at the latest, by late fall.

The Home Services Program workers’ back pay has been held in an escrow account holding more than $29 million.

4 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of March 27, 2019

BUSINESS Synchrony Car Care Credit Card Expands Acceptance Categories to Cover Even More Auto-Related Needs Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), a consumer financial services company, recently announced that Synchrony Car CareTM has increased its acceptance network of merchants more than tenfold to include more auto-related categories and locations. Cardholders will now have the ability to use this all-inone solution at more than 500,000 locations across 25 categories including gas, auto parts and service, car washes, parking, ride sharing and more.

Introduced in 2017, Synchrony Car Care is a no annual-fee credit card that meets the needs of drivers by offering a dedicated payment solution for both planned and unexpected car expenses. In addition to greater acceptance, the card now offers six-months promotional financing on purchases of $199 or more at more than 500,000 automotive service and parts locations across the country.

Gas station purchases are not eligible for promotional financing.

“Synchrony Car Care continues to be a financial resource for consumers who want to manage their family’s

Photo credit: Synchrony

auto spending needs with one convenient payment method.

With this expansion in acceptance and financing opportunities, our cardholders have security in knowing the card is there for them when they need it,” said Neeraj Mehta, chief executive officer, Payment Solutions, Synchrony. “The new enhancements are part of our ongoing commitment to help our cardholders reach every destination.”

Synchrony is partnering with Discover® Global Network®. For cardholders, this means increased nationwide acceptance in more locations outside Synchrony Car Care’s

Photo credit: Synchrony

traditional parts and service categories.

Synchrony is constantly innovating to enhance digital customer experiences, according to a press release. Synchrony Car Care delivers with a dedicated mobile app, available for free for iOS devices and Android devices.

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Technology is Changing the Way Female Advisors Serve Clients, According to Edward Jones Survey A recent survey of female financial advisors taken at Edward Jones’ Annual Women’s Conference shows that, rather than looking at new disruptive technology as a challenge to their practice, financial advisors are increasingly embracing technology to better serve clients and scale their businesses.

Only 1 in 10 (11%) of polled financial advisors cited disruptive technologies—which include advances in artificial intelligence and roboadvisors—as the biggest challenge to the financial advisory industry in 2019.

This is despite the substantiated growth in assets under management for robo-advisors which is expected to reach between $2.2 trillion to $3.7 trillion by 2020 according to many analysts.

On the contrary, financial advisors are using technology as a way to complement and enhance the services they offer to the clients they already serve. When asked how they see their practice changing in the next five years, over half (57%) responded that they will offer a broader range of services to fewer clients, while 60% stated that technology will enable them to have more data and tools available to personalize advice based on their clients’ life goals.

“While new and disruptive technology has put pressure on the financial services industry, it has also enabled financial advisors to better determine appropriate solutions for clients’ increasingly complex needs,” said Katherine Mauzy, principal of financial advisor talent acquisition at Edward Jones. “Financial Advisors are able to speed up cumbersome and tedious processes while creating a clearer path for more personalized, goals-based planning.”

Financial Advisors are using a multitude of technological advances to enhance the way they interact with their clients. Over two-thirds (66%) of respondents say they now employ client relationship management (CRM) software to keep track of leads, prospects and clients.

Another 60% also use web-based meeting tools to hold client meetings.

In this new digital age, online resources and even social media are increasingly becoming popular ways for financial advisors to interface with clients. 38% of respondents said they are increasingly using online resources to educate clients on investment offerings and strategies.

Another 28% are utilizing social media to interact with clients, signaling their willingness to attract and retain a younger generation of investors who are increasingly more internet-savvy.

“As a firm, we are seeing on a daily basis how financial advisors are leveraging new tools to anticipate

clients’ current and future needs, making client-centricity a reality,” said Ken Cella, principal of the client strategies group at Edward Jones.

“This client centricity allows advisors to deeply understand the clients they serve and empowers clients to engage on their own terms, enabling both parties to make better decisions and to operate with more ease and speed.”

Ongoing training and coaching required to keep up with needs To keep up with constant changes in technology and client needs, financial advisors benefit from constant training and coaching. Eight in ten (80%) of the women advisors polled believed that ongoing training and coaching is the most important thing their firm can provide to help financial advisors grow their practice and almost half (43%) say the biggest piece of advice for women looking to find success in the financial services industry is through mentoring and coaching.

Another 42% think that support designed for women financial advisors is essential, while 45% agree that opportunities to grow through leadership skills are important.

They’re not alone. According to the World Economic Forum, while 35% of the skills demanded for jobs across industries will change by 2020, at least 1 in 4 workers are already reporting a skills mismatch with regards to the skills demanded by their current jobs.

Thus, enabling and empowering financial advisors to transform and update their skills through tailored training, coaching and leadership opportunities will better prepare them to meet the needs of more demanding clients and ever-evolving technology.

“It is important that the financial services industry as a whole continues to invest in programs and opportunities that build and support the development of female financial advisors,” added Mauzy. “At Edward Jones we take a vested interest in building the careers of our financial advisors from day one through best-inclass training, technological support, and programs like WINGS, our firmwide network for female advisors.”

Methodology: The survey of 107 top-earning financial advisors was conducted on the grounds of Edward Jones’ 2019 annual Women’s Conference, which took place at the firm’s St. Louis headquarters from February 21-22, 2019.

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CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of March 27, 2019

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NEWS

Illinois Medicaid officials vow to improve services Governor’s budget request depends on new tobacco and other taxes

BY PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com

SPRINGFIELD – Officials in charge of managing the Illinois Medicaid program told state lawmakers they are focused on improving services and reducing the program’s cost to taxpayers, but that will depend on whether lawmakers are willing to impose a new tax on insurance companies.

“This budget proposal has been referred to technically as a maintenance budget, but to us that means far from business as usual,” Theresa Eagleson, the new director at the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, told a Senate appropriations committee Tuesday. “The governor has vowed to preserve Medicaid funding, and under this budget not a single person will see their health coverage or their child support assistance reduced in any way.”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is proposing a total operating budget for DHFS of $25.1 billion, or about $900 million more than the current year’s budget.

The vast majority of that is for the state Medicaid program, which is jointly funded with state and federal money to provide health coverage to more than 3 million low- and moderate-income people in Illinois.

However, under Pritzker’s proposal, the cost to Illinois taxpayers would actually be about $700 million less than it is this year. That’s because within the Medicaid program, Pritzker is proposing to levy a host of new taxes that would go into a special fund used to reimburse health care providers while at the same time drawing down additional federal matching funds.

Those new taxes include an assessment on certain insurance companies known as managed care organizations, or MCOs, which are the type of companies that now ad-

minister most of the state’s Medicaid program. Pritzker is also seeking a 32-cent per-pack increase in the state’s cigarette tax as well as new taxes on e-cigarettes.

Among the things the new money would pay for would be the hiring of 59 additional staff members to coordinate physical and behavioral health care for Medicaid patients.

That new “managed care” system, however, has been the subject of intense criticism since it was implemented statewide in 2015. Known as “Health Choice Illinois,” it was intended to improve health outcomes and bring down costs by coordinating each individual’s care between their primary care provider and various therapists and specialists.

Sen. Heather Steans, a Chicago Democrat who chairs the committee, was among the group of lawmakers who pushed for shifting to a managed-care model for Medicaid. But she said Tuesday that there have been signs the new model isn’t working as planned, and that the MCOs have actually been controlling costs by denying claims.

“The history we’ve had with the MCOs has been much more (about) denials, not providing care,” she said.

Eagleson, a former executive director of the Office of Medicaid Innovation at the University of Illinois system, acknowledged earlier in her testimony the agency was “deeply aware” of concerns about denial rates, late payments and other issues in the program. But she also said there are indications managed care is achieving some of its goals.

A photo of the front door to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services building in Springfield.

Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock

“… We’re seeing anecdotally things like increased assessments of behavioral health needs, decreased hospital admissions, decreased (emergency room) utilization,” she said. “So we do think that the statistics are going in the right direction in most cases, but we’d like to bring more transparency to you around those issues as well.”

Sen. Laura Murphy, a Democrat from Des Plaines, meanwhile, said there were concerns that go beyond the managed care system, and that’s the difficulty people have getting recertified for Medicaid in order to continue their benefits after their initial period of approval expires.

“I’m sure my office is not unlike most other districts’ offices, where 90 percent of my staff ’s time is spent on

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trying to get people recertified,” she said, calling the process “the most consumer-unfriendly thing we could possibly do.”

“And the amount of frustration that my constituents, and I’m sure everyone’s experienced, it is beyond unacceptable,” Murphy said.

Eagleson said the agency was working “across the board” to find solutions to that problem, including hiring and training new staff at local offices where Medicaid applications are processed. She said the agency was also looking into a more streamlined process for the frail elderly and people with chronic disabilities whose medical conditions that qualify them for Medicaid are unlikely to change.

Sen. Dale Righter, a Republican

from Mattoon, said his major concern about the budget request was the reliance on new taxes, which the General Assembly has not yet approved. He asked how the agency would make up the difference if lawmakers decline to enact those new taxes.

“We would have to explore other funding options for the budget, senator, whether that would be (general revenue funds) or other resources,” said Mike Casey, DHFS finance director. “We would have an issue of funding our budget, to the tune of approximately $400 million, net.”

The committee took no action Tuesday, but will continue discussing the proposed Medicaid budget as lawmakers work toward passing a final budget later in the session.

6 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of March 27, 2019

FASHION Adore Me Featured In The Final Season Of Project Runway: All Stars Adore Me, a disruptive e-commerce lingerie startup ranked #36 on Crain’s 2018 Fast 50 list of fastest-growing companies in NYC, recently announced its participation in the seventh season of Project Runway: All Stars.

Adore Me was featured on Project Runway: All Star’s fourth episode of season 7. The challenge, introduced

Outerknown, the sustainable lifestyle brand, moves into spring 2019 with the launch of its first-ever women’s collection. (L to R) Raychel Roberts, Candace Reels, Lauren Singer

Outerknown Launches Women’s Collection

O

uterknown, the sustainable lifestyle brand founded by Kelly Slater and John Moore, moves into spring 2019 with the launch of its first-ever women’s collection.

In 2015, professional surfer Kelly Slater and creative director John Moore set out to create a brand that would disrupt the fashion landscape by making a true connection between sustainability and style.

Since then, Outerknown has succeeded in building brand affinity within the conscious lifestyle and menswear markets by offering quality products, made with the best partners, and most importantly, with the highest regard for People and Planet.

“We started Outerknown to prove that we could make great clothes using fair labor practices and materials that are not harmful to the environment,” says Slater. “Our growing business shows us that people want to make conscious choices about their clothes—you don’t have to harm people or the planet for the sake of fashion.”

Inspired by and designed for the women who

are making change – in their respective fields and in their communities all over the world – Outerknown women’s seeks to reach those whose style is led by their intelligence.

The debut collection of 17 styles includes a variation of tops, dresses and bottoms in various color ways that all work together to create a versatile wardrobe of effortless, everyday essentials that come with a clean conscience. Incredibly, the entire collection is made of 100% benefit fibers (organic, recycled, and/or regenerated) with prices ranging from $48 - $268.

John Moore adds that over the years, they noticed that Outerknown’s customer base was growing beyond just men. “Women were always ‘borrowing from the boys’ and have continuously showed their support of our ethos, quality and style. We thought it was time to give them pieces they could call their own.”

Some of these pieces include the Canyon Dress, Bee Shirt, Sunrose Top and Pacific Kimono, all made of 100% Organic Cotton and

produced in collaboration with Piece & Co, an organization working to empower women around the world through textile manufacturing.

It is an organization that is near to Outerknown as it parallels the brand’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Outerknown women’s debut campaign features environmental activist and Trash is for Tossers blogger Lauren Singer, activist and founder of Female Collective, Candace Reels, and model and founder of Chasseresse, Raychel Roberts. “It was important for us to look to women with an authentic connection to People and Planet,” says Moore. “Lauren, Candace and Raychel each embody the intelligence, enthusiasm, and drive to leave this planet better than they entered it, and more importantly, are sharing their knowledge to inspire change.”

Outerknown launched in 2015 and is sold at outerknown.com and at select premium retailers worldwide. For more information about Outerknown, its products, and sustainability efforts, please visit www.Outerknown.com.

BRIEFLY

Women Grow Strong and Black PR Wire host a Fashion Webinar with I Am CHIC Women Grow Strong and Black PR Wire recently encouraged women to stay in style during Women’s History Month and all year round! The organizations partnered up with Christie Grays,

the Commander-In-Chic of I Am Chic, and held a fashion forward webinar on March 26, 2019 from 2:00 – 3:30 PM (ET). The webinar, entitled “Be CHIC on Purpose: Style Tips and Spring Trends” was

presented by Grays.

During the webinar, Grays discussed: l How to dress for success, finding your style while being authentically you www.thechicagocitizen.com

l How to add flair to your basic wardrobe l Hot fashion tips and spring trends found on the runway that can translate into your wardrobe, among other topics.

by Adore Me’s head designer, Helen Mears, was for the designers to create a fashion corset that can be worn as an outfit.

The winning designer would win $1,000 and the winning design would be available to purchase on AdoreMe. com. Christina Exie, former winner of Project Runway Australia, won the challenge with her white, structured corset and dress.

Adore Me’s corset challenge episode of Project Runway: All Stars aired January 23, 2019. The winning Project Runway corset is now available on AdoreMe.com.

Christina Exie, winner of the Project Runway: All Stars, Adore Me Corset Challenge said, “My thought process behind the design was based purely around the corset being the female armour. Since our challenge was to make the corset as outerwear, I decided to create a dress where the entire garment is the corset. As the true corset uses many techniques and materials in its internal construction, I thought it would be interesting to use some of these elements, such as the boning channels and interlinings as external design features. Without making the garment too avant-garde through the deconstructed concept, I made this design completely in ivory to give it a feminine and luxurious appeal that looks sexy and almost like a second skin.”

About Adore Me Adore Me is a lingerie e-commerce company based in NYC with over 200 employees across the U.S. and Europe. The company was started

by Morgan Hermand-Waiche in his days as an MBA student at Harvard Business School. Adore Me offers designer, fast-fashion, affordable and inclusive intimates. The company has established a strong customer base of over 11M women, predominately urban millennials, and 80% of its traffic comes from mobile.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of March 27, 2019

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CALENDAR

A Defining Moment In History For Black Women Startup & THRIVE! is the new social impact accelerator and emerging venture capital fund, that is planning to host its first, Startup & THRIVE! Wealth Building Week this Fall in Philadelphia from September 16 – 21, 2019. The 6-day event aims to help African-American women founders get on the path to prosperity, gain access to the venture capital pipeline, get their businesses off-the-ground and THRIVING and close the wealth gap in America through entrepreneurship.

“Entrepreneurship is a key driver for building wealth in this country and, ironically, African-American women who ‘lack wealth’, have been starting businesses, at much higher rate, than any other ethnic group, over the past 20 years” says founder and emerging fund manager Barbara Bamba. “This entrepreneurial growth trend presents African-American women with a defining moment in history -- as we are, now, in a position to, start closing the wealth gap.”

Startup & THRIVE! Wealth Building Week will feature 6 days of wealth building activities that can breakthrough barriers to startup

success and lead to financial security, freedom and inclusion. l On Day 1: “Get On The Path to Prosperity” Participate in 5 wealth building sprints that can kick-start your wealth building marathon in the following areas: 1. Building good personal and business credit 2. Starting personal savings accounts and emergency funds 3. Pursuing home ownership 4. Starting an education savings account 5. Starting a retirement savings account l On Day 2: “Get The Word Out with Confidence” Learn what to say and practice pitching your innovative ideas, in 2-minutes or less to prospective: l Clients l Partners l Sponsors l Policy Makers l The Press l Investors l On Days 3, 4 and 5: “Get Your Business Off-The-Ground & THRIVING!”

Gain access to the venture capital pipeline.

1. Pitch your startup idea to a panel of investors. for the chance to win capital ON-THE-SPOT! 2. Learn how-to fast track your startup idea into a viable and validated venture IN JUST 3-DAYS!

On Day 6: “Get Entrepreneurial Experience & Exposure” Attend the E-Innovation & Internship Fair and get entrepreneurial experience and exposure to high growth market opportunities with Fortune 2000 companies.

Bamba has launched a national l

speaking and media tour to build awareness about the wealth gap, raise capital for her emerging venture capital fund and garner partnership, promotional and sponsorship support for her upcoming event.

For more information, visit www. startupnthrive.com

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S FORUM Hundreds of women will gather at the Georgetown University Women’s Forum to be held from March 28-29, 2019, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The forum will feature women leaders in law, business, government, technology, and the public sector to discuss substantive issues. Created in the early 1990s by the Georgetown University Law Center, the forum celebrates and empowers Georgetown women from all nine schools, featuring discussions on timely and intersectional issues.

“This is a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, when a highly diverse group of women are joining forces to demand equal opportunities and equal pay, and to prevent discrimination and sexual assault,” said Melanne Verveer, executive director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, and formerly the nation’s first U.S. Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues. “The Georgetown Women’s Forum will assemble our most notable alumnae from around the globe to share insights on significant issues facing women today, help address barriers to success, and empower the next generation to reach their full potential.”

Evolving Role of Women in Global Peace Negotiations Ambassador Melanne Verveer (I’66, MS’69, P’94), Uzra Zeya (F’89), Dr. Reem Al-ansari (L’15), and Rachel Milner Gillers will host a luncheon conversation about the role women play in peace negotiations. Women play a key role in advocating for and maintaining peace around the world, yet according to the Georgetown Institute for Women,

Peace and Security, are largely excluded from conflict related negotiations, despite evidence that they are critical to achieving sustainable peace.

Congresswoman Lori Trahan (F’95) to Deliver Opening Keynote Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), a member of the historic 116th Congress, is a member of the House Education and Labor and House Armed Services Committees and is focused on fighting for working families on issues such as affordable healthcare, quality public education, workforce development, the environment, and addressing the opioid crisis.

New to the Women’s Forum this year, the Book Nook will feature more than 100 titles by alumnae and female faculty authors. Attendees can stop by the book nook in the registration area to peruse the variety of books and pick up a limited edition Women’s Forum bookmark. Several alumni and faculty authors will be available for book signings throughout the Forum including: l Soraya Chemaly (C’88), Rage Becomes Her l Leslie Crutchfield, How Change Happens: Why Some Social Movements Succeed While Others Don’t l Mary Giuliani (C’97), Tiny Hot Dogs and The Cocktail Party l Allison Gilbert (C’92), Passed and Present l Alycia Kelly (C’02), A Criminal Magic l Lori Mihalich-Levin (L’05), Back to Work After Baby l Chudney Ross (C’97), Lone Bean l Christina Van-Houten (C’89), Men@Work and Fashion@Work l Melanne Verveer (I’66, MS’69, Parent’94), Fast Forward: How Women Can Achieve

Power and Purpose Georgetown University is leading efforts to address issues of gender, with the Women’s Forum and programs such as the Institute for Women, Peace and Security (Walsh School of Foreign Service), the International Women’s Human Rights Clinic (Law Center); and the Women’s Leadership Institute (McDonough School of Business). Georgetown is one of 10 impact champions recognized by the United Nations Women’s HeforShe campaign. In the classroom, programs such as the Certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies give students the opportunity to explore gender dynamics globally, across multiple disciplines. Outside the classroom, Georgetown Women in International Affairs (GWIA) provides networks and resources for leadership development.

In addition to the opening keynote from Congresswoman Lori Trahan, panels will explore topics such as: Modern media with Lulu GarciaNavarro and Alison Becker; the McKinsey & LeanIn.Org Women in the Workplace Report; the core principles of great change makers - past and present - with Jean Case; artificial intelligence and ethics; strategies for getting into the boardroom; and, many more.

To register, visit womensforum.georgetown. edu/#about Be a Part of the Change at the National Association of Black Social Workers 51st Annual Conference in Atlanta, April 23-27, 2019 The National Association of Black Social Workers recently announced that registration

www.thechicagocitizen.com

is open for the 51st Annual Conference, April 23-27, 2019 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel. This year’s theme is “Honoring Our Legacy: Constructing Social Policy that Shapes Our Future.”

Take part in a broad array of workshops, institutes and symposiums and celebrate 51 years of advocacy and service in the interest of the Black community.

This is an educational conference which will feature prominent keynote speakers, and inspiring and motivational institutes. Instructional workshops will be conducted on practice, social policy and social justice issues that affect the everyday lives and destiny of Black individuals, Black families and Black communities.

Make plans to join the historical cultural heritage tour of the Atlanta community. Chapter presidents will be able to participate in the presidential leadership roundtable hosted by the NABSW national president. The national finance committee has designed a special finance workshop for chapter representatives who have fiscal responsibilities for their chapter.

Atlanta has numerous attractions outside of the conference. Make your travel arrangements soon, to take full advantage of conference discounts.

Now in its 51st year, the National Association of Black Social Workers invite you to join them in celebrating the beginning of their new decade in the interest of NABSW’s sustainability and as warriors for social justice and civil liberties for people of Black African ancestry.

For more information and to register, visit the National Association of Black Social Workers website at www.nabsw.org or call (202) 678-4570.

8 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of March 27, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

Legendary songstress Dionne Warwick announces, ‘She’s Back,’ first new album in five years Legendary Grammy Award winner DIONNE WARWICK will release her first new album in 5 years, “SHE’S BACK,” on May 10th. Produced by her son Damon Elliot, the album will be released via his Kind Music and Entertainment One (eOne).

The lead-off single will be an updated version of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David classic, “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” which Dionne recorded during the 1960s.

In addition to ten tracks of new songs as well of remakes of pop/soul gems, “She’s Back” will be packaged with a bonus disc of Warwick’s 1998 album, “Dionne Sings Dionne,” which

features her greatest hits, remastered for this package. “She’s Back” also includes duets with Kenny Lattimore (“What Color Is Love”), Musiq Soulchild (“Am I Dreaming?”) as well as Bone, Thugs & Harmony’s Krayzie Bone (“Déjà Vu”).

“She’s Back” is Warwick’s 36th full-length studio recording, and her first dedicated R&B/ soul album in fifty years, since the release of Dionne’s stellar 1969 Scepter LP, Soulful, which she co-produced in Memphis with the late Chips Moman (who manned the boards for Dionne’s then-label mate, B.J. Thomas).

Warwick will begin a highly anticipated concert residency in Las Vegas on April 4, 2019.

Dionne Warwick will begin a highly anticipated concert residency in Las Vegas on April 4, 2019.

FILM REVIEW: Captain Marvel

BY DWIGHT BROWN NNPA News Wire Film Critic

It’s hard to launch an action hero franchise based on a comic book character when you can’t deliver dazzling special effects, innovative super powers, imaginative action scenes, uncanny makeup, vibrant costumes or a consistently affecting storyline. Those essential elements are missing in this feeble origin tale about a superhero who deserves better.

Far off in another galaxy opening scenes depict Yon-Rogg (Jude Law), commander of the Kree civilization’s militia called Starforce. He’s training a soldier named Vers (Brie Larson, Oscar-winner for Room) in martial arts combat. The characters/actors don’t seem particularly convincing.

The Kree are at war with the Skrulls, led by Talos (Ben Mendelsohn, Bloodline); they’re green shapeshifters with elf ears who can turn themselves into anyone they see.

It’s hard to spot the Skrulls; they’re difficult to track and can sneak up on you quicker than a heart attack.

The battle between the Kree and the Skrulls shifts to the 1990s on earth, aka Planet C-53. Vers’ trip to the planet triggers memories.

Was she there before? Did she have a pivotal role in a crucial event?

Why do people call her Carol? Her voyage of self-discovery may be more

Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN MARVEL. L to R: Att-Lass (Algenis Perez Soto), Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and Minn-Erva (Gemma Chan). Photo: Film Frame. ©Marvel Studios 2019

fascinating than her mission.

First views of the footage are disappointing. The costumes (Sanja Milkovic Hays) are dull and lack eye-catching colors and designs (Oscar-winner Ruth Carter’s clothes in Black Panthermade a statement as important as any aspect of that film). The makeup (Erica Akin) is uninspired; especially on the Skrulls who look like they’re wearing green Halloween masks from Toys R Us. Set decoration (Lauri Gaffin), art direction (Elena Albanese), production design (Andy Nicholson) and cinematography (Ben Davis) all look rehashed from other nondescript action hero/sci-fi movies. Add in the dullest of special effects (once you’ve seen Larson shoot power waves out her fists, it loses its shimmer) and visually everything is humdrum.

With nothing to look at, attention gets focused on the story, direction, pacing and acting: One civilization fighting another civilization is not

exactly an earth-shattering premise.

When the oh-too-conventional script by writers/directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (Half Nelson) and co-writer Geneva Robertson-Dworet concentrates on fighting green plastic looking beings, it shoots blanks. A subplot that centers on Vers’ personal hurdles and discovering her previous life hits its target.

Adding in funny moments about the ineptitude of ‘90s technology, compared with today’s high tech causes several smirks (remember floppy discs and pay phone booths?)

Plus, the characters on earth, like the smart-mouthed Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), who works with an organization called S.H.I.E.L.D, fellow pilot friend Maria (Lashana Lynch) and the enigmatic Supreme Intelligence being (Annette Bening) provide needed diversions.

Hopefully, if Boden and Fleck go on to direct more Marvel films, they’ll keep these standards in mind: Rivalries between warring factions www.thechicagocitizen.com

have to be vicious, not polite. Fight scenes should be thrilling. Battles in space need to be spectacular. Airplane chases should be riveting. Fistfights have to be imaginatively staged and choreographed. Chase scenes where heroes run after enemies must be an adrenaline rush. If you can’t hit those marks, why bother?

Editors Debbie Berman and Elliot Graham do the best they can with the footage they were given. What’s on view has a rhythm. It’s not like you’re squirming in your seat for 2h and 4m.

Boredom is not the overwhelming takeaway. Neither is excitement.

Brie Larson, an excellent dramatic actress, injects humanity, doubt and imperfection into her Vers. It’s just enough to make what could have been a cliché character somewhat intriguing. Not much more.

Jackson as Fury buddy’s up to the lead and adds comic relief.

Jude Law is miscast and too British and reserved for his mentor role.

Mendelsohn fares slightly better

as the green monster Talos. Other supporting actors don’t get enough screen time to show their real talent: Gemma Chan, Algenis Perez Soto and Djimon Hounsou.

The perfectly written, directed, acted and produced Wonder Womanshould have been nominated for an Oscar. It paved the way for Captain Marvelto succeed as an art form, at the box office and with a female protagonist in a predominantly male genre. WWcasts a shadow so big that any similar film that follows will have to bring its A game to equal it and an A+ game to beat it. Captain Marvelrates a C. In the least, thanks to this prequel, audiences will know how Captain Marvel got her ultra-powerful mojo and how the S.H.I.E.L.D. got its start.

Many will wish that the film aimed higher than that.

Visit NNPA News Wire Film Critic Dwight Brown at DwightBrownInk. comand BlackPressUSA.com.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of March 27, 2019

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ART SCENE The artist behind Oscar winning Hannah Beachler’s iconic face chain

Children of Afghanistan

Rich Poverty Presents the Alliance Collection A gallery of photographs made by veterans and their families is on display now inside the Pentagon.

The Alliance Collection, a project of photography company, Rich Poverty, will be on display now through March, 2020 in Apex 1/2, level 2 (2A-1/2 Apex).

Including over fifty veteran artists from around the globe (to include family members), The Alliance Collection promotes veterans in the arts. “Our intent is to bridge the gap between the

civilian population and our returning troops,” said founder, Tim Wallace. “We’re presenting a mix of imagery made by service members while in uniform and -- also upon their return home. Our artists are sharing more than just the stories of their wartime missions - this is the full journey, through the eyes of the veteran.”

Much like the coalitions of overseas deployment, The Alliance Collection includes imagery from international partners. Photogra-

phers hailing from Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Canada and more are prominently featured.

The collection includes veterans from all branches of service and many different conflicts ranging from WWII through the present.

To explore the life stories of each photographer and their imagery, visit www.richpoverty. com or follow them on https:// www.facebook.com/RichPoverty/ or https://www.instagram.com/ rich_poverty/.

Douriean Fletcher, specialty jeweler for Oscar winning Marvel’s Black Panther, was commissioned to create the iconic face chain worn by Academy Award winning production designer Hannah Beachler for her red carpet look.

Fletcher and Beachler maintained their connection after working together on the historic film. As a Los Angeles based metalsmith specializing in wearable fine art in lustrous gold tones, Douriean Fletcher seized the opportunity to fashion the delicate face adornment with its cascading chain ear cuff.

Her work has been seen on Oscar award winning Ruth Carter, Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett and others making her Douriean Fletcher, specialty jeweler for no stranger to award season Oscar winning Marvel’s Black Panther, was requests. commissioned to create the iconic face Hannah’s groundbreaking win chain worn by Academy Award winning and moving speech was a proud production designer Hannah Beachler moment for the entire Marvel (pictured) for her red carpet look.

Black Panther creative team and women of color everywhere including Douriean.

According to Fletcher, her “…immediate and primary passion as it relates to wearable art is her commitment in supporting women in revealing their true beauty by telling their stories through her work.” The story of film aesthetics has a new chapter and Douriean Fletcher’s masterpiece punctuated the moment.

To learn more about fine art adornments by Douriean, browse current collections and place custom orders, visit www.douriean.com

TRAVEL Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Offers 50 percent Off Companion Rail Fares for Spring Getaways The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner® is offering special savings on midweek train travel through May 23, 2019. For a limited time, passengers who travel midweek, from Monday through Thursday, can purchase one full-fare adult ticket and book an additional ticket on the same reservation at a 50 percent discount.

“We are excited to offer this promotion as part of our Hug the Coast campaign, which celebrates everything that makes Southern California great,” said Al Murray, chairman of the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency, which oversees the Pacific Surfliner service. “We hope this encourages midweek getaways and scenic train trips along the coast to our region’s beautiful beaches, natural preserves, and vibrant downtowns.”

Program details: To take advantage of the Midweek Getaway Discount, purchase one full-fare adult ticket for Pacific Surfliner travel, and receive one additional ticket at a 50 percent discount on the same reservation. Book through PacificSurfliner.com, Amtrak. com, or the Amtrak app, select “Adult” as passenger type (for all passengers), then enter V402 in the promotion code field. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 800-USA-RAIL or visiting a staffed station and referring to discount code V402.

The Pacific Surfliner carries nearly 3 million passengers a year and offers daily service between San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, connecting travelers to

The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner® is offering special savings on midweek train travel through May 23, 2019.

popular destinations along the Southern California coast.

Visit pacificsurfliner.com/save to view complete details on the Midweek Getaway Discount.

About Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner® The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile coastal rail route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, serving 27 stations. It is the busiest state-supported intercity passenger rail route in the United States with 24 daily trains and annual ridership of nearly 3 million. To learn more and plan a trip, visit PacificSurfliner. com. www.thechicagocitizen.com

About the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency is a joint powers authority composed of rail owners, operators and planning agencies along the entire LOSSAN rail corridor. In addition to working to improve passenger rail ridership, revenue, on-time performance, operational flexibility, and safety, the LOSSAN Agency assumed management responsibility for the Pacific Surfliner service in July 2015, following the execution of an interagency transfer agreement with the state of California.

For more information, visit lossan.org.

SOURCE Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

10 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of March 27, 2019

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Listen To Our Weekly Podcast For The Latest In Community News.

When Tuning Into Our Podcast You Can Expect To Hear News Topics Such As: Community Improvement, Entrepreneurship, Education, Politics, Or Simply The Honoring Of Our Own Community Unsung Heroes.

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CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of March 27, 2019

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CLASSIFIEDS SERVICE

SERVICE

Get More Bang for Your Buck With These Spring Home Improvements (StatePoint) The warmer weather means it’s time to start thinking about home improvement projects. Whether you’re getting your home in tip-top shape for your own enjoyment, or getting it ready to put on the market, not all home improvement projects are created equal when it comes to return on investment (ROI). Here are top areas on which to focus:

Interiors The kitchen is the heart of the home and it’s one of the best areas to renovate in terms of ROI, according to Remodeling magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report, which puts the price tag of the average minor kitchen remodel at $22,507, with 80.5 percent of the cost recouped upon resale.

To give the kitchen an updated appearance, replace the flooring, countertops, sink and faucet. A fresh coat of paint in a trendy shade, such as Living Coral, Pantone’s Color of the Year, can add a vibrant pop of color to energize any kitchen. Not looking to go that bold?

Consider an accent wall, or stick to a classic palate of gray and white in terms of cabinets and countertops. White on white is also a popular new style for kitchens and bathrooms.

Other features home buyers are paying close attention to are laundry rooms and such energy-saving elements as Energy Star appliances and windows, according to the survey “What Home Buyers Want in 2019” by the National Association of Home Builders.

Curb Appeal

The popularity of outdoor projects remains strong and it’s for a good reason. According to the Cost vs. Value Report, the biggest bang for your buck in 2019 will come from replacing a garage door. The report says the average price is $3,611, and 97.5 percent of it is recouped when the house is sold. ______________________________________

Darrell Garth

President /Publisher

Janice Garth

Sales Manager General Manager

Editorial

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

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