Chicago Weekend Citizen 4-3-2019

Citizen

Van Pelt demands answers, seeks ways to end the backlog in murder DNA processing — Page 2 Week of April 3, 2019

| Vol. 50 | No. 14 | www.thechicagocitizen.com

CHICAGO WEEKEND

Chicago Public Schools recently announced they will be investing $32 million dollars in expanding academic programming at 32 schools throughout the city over the next six years. Photo Credit: Chicago Public Schools

$32 MILLION INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE WEST SIDE

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) recently announced that they will be investing $32 million across the district to expand educational programs at 32 different schools. This investment will impact nearly 17,000 students and will be the largest academic program expansion that CPS has ever implemented. PAGE 2

BUSINESS

ENTERTAINMENT

FASHION

55places.com Names the Most Affordable Small Towns to Retire in 2019

Greenhouse Theater Center, in association with The Marsh, presents THE MUSHROOM CURE

Want To Be A P.O.P Star?

H&M Launches Latest Employer Branding Campaign

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advertising@thechicagocitizen.com thechicagocitizen@thechicagocitiz www.facebook.com/durrell.garth.9 www.thechicagocitizen.com

2 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 3, 2019

NEWS briefly EDUCATION

HUNDREDS OF CPS STUDENTS GATHER FOR THE FIRST TIME AT ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY TO PRESENT THEIR STEM RESEARCH PROJECTS The Illinois Institute of Technology recently hosted the Chicago Public Schools Exhibition of Student Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Research for the first time at its main campus in Chicago on March 18-24.

Each year, more than 200 students from grades 7-12 from across the CPS system participate in the annual STEM Exhibition, which has awarded more than $3 million in student scholarships to date, including cash grants and tuition waivers from Illinois Tech, DePaul University, Loyola University Chicago, University of Chicago, and University of Illinois at Chicago. The top student STEM projects will go on to compete for awards at the statewide Illinois Junior Academy of Science State Fair, and four (4) high school students will be selected to compete at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, AZ.

Postpartum Support International (PSI) supports FDA’s decision to approve new treatment which can benefit women suffering from postpartum depression.

HEALTH

POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL STATEMENT ON FDA APPROVAL OF FIRST TREATMENT INDICATED FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION On March 19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Brexanolone, the first treatment indicated specifically for postpartum depression.

“As the leading organization serving on the front lines advocating for women and families, Postpartum Support International (PSI) supports FDA’s decision to approve this new treatment which can benefit women suffering from postpartum depression,” said Ann Smith, CNM, President of PSI. The new treatment will require an infusion administered in a hospital setting and is expected to be available in summer of 2019.

LAW & POLITICS

GRANT & EISENHOFER LAUNCHES CIVIL RIGHTS PRACTICE, HEADED BY FORMER CHIEF OF CIVIL RIGHTS BUREAU FOR ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL KARYN BASS EHLER Leading plaintiffs’ law firm Grant & Eisenhofer announced the formation of a new Civil Rights practice, led

by Karyn Bass Ehler, who joins as senior counsel in the firm’s Chicago office.

Bass Ehler brings a distinguished track record in civil rights matters in both private practice and the public sector. She most recently served as Chief of the Civil Rights Bureau for the Illinois Attorney General. Among numerous high-profile cases she oversaw during her four-year tenure, Ms. Bass Ehler was one of the lead counsel in State of Illinois v. City of Chicago, which resulted in a historic consent decree in 2019 to reform alleged misconduct within the Chicago Police Department (CPD).

At Grant & Eisenhofer, Ms. Bass Ehler will help direct a new docket of cases addressing civil rights violations.

$32 Million Investment In Public Schools Will Make An Impact On The West Side Continued from page 1

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) recently announced that they will be investing $32 million across the district to expand educational programs at 32 different schools. This investment will impact nearly 17,000 students and will be the largest academic program expansion that CPS has ever implemented.

The investment will allow for brand new international baccalaureate (IB), science technology engineering and math (STEM), Adual language, world language, fine and performing arts, personalized learning, and gifted programs to be added to the curriculum at the 32 different schools that have been chosen for investment.

Because of this investment, Michele Clark High School in Austin will become the first IB high school on the west side.

The IB program focuses on international education and is designed to help students develop the knowledge, understanding, and skills that are needed to actively and responsibly participate in a changing world. The IB program is also a comprehensive college prep program, according to information from CPS. “I’m excited because I got into education to help change lives and I feel like being here at Michelle Clark, and being awarded this new IB program, will give me an opportunity to do that and be more committed to making a change in these students’ lives which then will change the neigh-

Michelle Clark High School in Austin will become the first west side high school to offer an international baccalaureate program. Photo Credit: Chicago Public Schools

borhood and the community,” said Charles Anderson, principal at Michele Clark High School.

This investment by CPS is about expanding academic programs across the city and the school district was very intentional about creating IB and STEM neighborhoods where students can access advanced programming at a young age and be able to complete the course work in their own community without having to commute.

Making Michelle Clark an IB high school means that there is now an IB neighborhood on the westside with four

elementary schools in the Austin community that offer IB programs. Up until now, those elementary students would have to eventually leave the neighborhood if they wanted to stay in the IB program through high school.

“For me, this is bigger than Michelle Clark,” said Anderson. “There are about four IB elementary schools in the Austin area and if those students wanted to continue on with the IB certification they had to leave Austin. They had to go to other communities to do it which sent a few messages like maybe our community wasn’t smart enough or if you want

to pursue it, you have to go out of the neighborhood to learn more.”

Implementation of the new programs will take place over the next six years to make sure that each school is receiving adequate training and learning resources for their faculty and staff.

“I’m really grateful that CPS awarded us this opportunity because it means a lot to hear them say that they are investing,” said Anderson. “It’s a mindset to think that if you want to be smarter you have to change where you live so I’m just really excited that they did this for us.”

Van Pelt demands answers, seeks ways to end the backlog in murder DNA processing CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) demanded answers and sought solutions to the state crime lab’s backlog of DNA from nearly 700 murder cases during a Senate Public Health and Criminal Law committee hearing recently.

“The backlog in murder DNA processing at the state crime lab is unacceptable,” Van Pelt said. “Technology exists to test DNA in under two hours, yet DNA from

nearly 700 murder cases from the past few years is still backlogged. Law enforcement needs to be taking advantage of this technology. There are 700 families waiting for answers. They deserve closure.”

The committee heard from family members of victims who have been impacted by the backlog; representatives from the Illinois State Police; representatives from ANDE, a Colorado-based rapid DNA processing firm; and a represen-

www.thechicagocitizen.com

tative from the Murder Accountability Project, a non-profit organization that tracks unsolved homicides.

“When I first learned about this last year, I promised to do whatever it takes to end this backlog and make sure families of murder victims get justice,” Van Pelt said. “I will continue doing everything I can to hold the state police accountable and make sure they end this backlog in a transparent and timely manner.”

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 3, 2019

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NEWS

Lori Lightfoot Wins 2019 Mayoral Election, Community Leaders React

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

For the first time in the city’s history, Chicago will be led by an African American woman.

Lori Lightfoot was elected to be the next Mayor of Chicago in yesterday’s historical election that saw two female African American candidates go into the final runoff. Both candidates fought hard by participating in multiple mayoral forums, running advertisements, visiting neighborhoods, and executing massive fundraising efforts.

At press time, Lori Lightfoot had received 74 percent of the vote and her opponent Toni Preckwinkle had received 26 percent of the vote.

Chicago’s first African American Mayor, Harold Washington, served from 1983 to 1987 and many people compared this historic election to the election of Mayor Washington.

“As a candidate, we knew Harold Washington, his capabilities, as well as his commitment to the community. We had a great expectation and knew who he was and how he was as an elected official. He was a proven commodity and we were proud that he was an African American and we knew that he would serve us well and he did not disappoint us,” said Don Rashid, former assistant press secretary for Mayor Harold Washington.

Rashid said that he doesn’t expect Light-

Lori Lightfoot (pictured) was elected to be the next Mayor of Chicago. Photo Credit: Lori Lightfoot for Chicago

foot to disappoint him or the city but that he believes that you can not compare the two elections.

“It’s almost odious to compare them to Harold Washington even though he is the gold standard. We could measure all candidates by

his example of commitment and effectiveness but I caution our people to not look for another Harold. We need a very capable, honest, willing candidate who will serve honorably in the office,” said Rashid.

As a former candidate for Mayor, LaShawn

Ford made it onto the ballot in February but didn’t garner enough votes to enter yesterdays runoff election. After his run for Mayor, he returned to his position as Representative of the 8th District of Illinois which covers several neighborhoods on the west side of the city.

According to Ford, Lightfoot can’t ignore the needs of the south and west sides of Chicago and still be successful.

“You can’t be an effective Mayor if the south and west sides of Chicago are not impacted in a positive way. When you look at the first 100 days, if the south and west side of Chicago are not part of your plan and if there is not an agenda for the south and west side, I can tell you now that the rest of your administration will not be successful,” said Ford.

Economic development was a focal point of both Mayoral campaigns and Melinda Kelley, chairman and president of the Chatham Business Association’s board of directors, said that she hopes that the new administration can recognize that small business development will help to address crime and poverty in the city.

“To be quite honest, we have made a lot of strides in terms of small business development,” said Kelly. “The challenge is how you keep the momentum going because even though it has been going up, it has not been going fast enough or far enough.”

Major Athletic Brand Partners With South Side Business To Talk About Probation Reform

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Global sportswear company, Puma, recently released the Clyde Court #Reform sneakers which are more than just a basketball shoe, they are part of a movement. The new sneakers made their debut in Chicago at The Alpha Space, 2014 S. Michigan Ave., where Puma was able to collaborate with Dave Jeff, owner and founder of Chicago’s own PHLI brand, to host a Forum on Probation and Parole Reform.

Puma has committed to donating 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the Clyde Court #Reform sneakers to the Reform Alliance which is a nonprofit organization that is committed to reforming the United States criminal justice system.

The purpose of the Reform Alliance is to drastically reduce the number of people who are cycling through the criminal justice system by focusing on reforming probation and parole procedures.

The Reform Alliance is cochaired by Meek Mill, a wellknown rapper who has become a public face for the reform movement after being arrested in 2007 and sentenced to 11 to 23 months

in prison with eight years of probation which was then extended through 2023 because of probation violations. In 2017, Meek Mill was sentenced to serve an additional two to four years in prison due to a technical probation violation despite never having been convicted of a crime since his initial arrest in 2007, according to the Reform Alliance website.

“The event was initially about the drop of the Clyde Court #Reform shoe, both online and in store, that weekend. When Puma brought the shoe to me I saw that the message behind #Reform was just so big and I wanted to speak to that because I’m familiar with it and I know people who have gone through the probation system so I know that reform itself is so important,” said Dave Jeff, host of the Forum on Probation and Parole Reform.

In addition to Jeff ’s voice, Demetrius Nash, a civic activist, Ayesha Jaco, co-founder of M.U.R.A.L. and senior program director at West Side United, and 600 Breezy, a Chicago-based hip-hop artist, all shared their perspective and ideas for probation and parole reform during the panel discussion that

Dave Jeff (left) recently hosted a sneaker release event for Puma’s new Clyde Court #Reform shoes and invited activists from Chicago to join him in an open discussion about criminal justice reform. Photo Credit: Dave Jeff

took place at the event.

“I wanted to have an open discussion about change and prison reform and about what’s happening in our community,” said Jeff. “I’ve had stores in Hyde Park for the last 15 years or so and because of www.thechicagocitizen.com

my platform, now that I’m older, I have a voice and can talk to people about changing how we look at things and deal with problems in our community.”

There are currently about 6.6 million people in the United State’s

criminal justice system and 4.5 million of those people are on probation or parole, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

To learn more about the Reform Alliance visit www.reformalliance. com.

4 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 3, 2019

BUSINESS

Unemployment rate up in most metros CHICAGO–Unemployment rates increased over-the-year in February in ten of Illinois’s metropolitan areas, decreased in two, and was unchanged in two, according to preliminary data released recently by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Data also show nonfarm jobs increased in eight of the metropolitan areas.

Illinois businesses added jobs in eight metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in: Peoria (+2.4%, +4,000), CarbondaleMarion (+2.1%, +1,200), ChicagoNaperville-Arlington Heights (+1.4%, +51,600), and Lake-Kenosha (+1.4%, +5,600). The metro areas showing an over-the-year decrease in total nonfarm jobs were Danville (-2.2%, -600), Bloomington (-1.4%, -1,300), St. Louis-IL Section (-0.4%, -1,000), and Champaign-Urbana (-0.4%, -400).

The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Manufacturing (10 of 14), Professional and Business

Services (9 of 14), Mining and Construction (8 of 14), and Government (8 of 14).

Not seasonally adjusted data compares February 2019 with February 2018. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.7 percent in February 2019 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in February 2019 and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work and is not tied to collecting unemployment insurance benefits.

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metro Division The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.0 percent in February 2019 from 4.6 percent in February 2018. The February 2019 unemployment rate of 4.0 percent is the lowest February unemployment rate on record. For the month of February 2019, the estimated number of unemployed

people in the labor force was 147,500.

Total nonfarm employment increased +51,600 compared to February 2018. Educational-Health Services (+17,900), TransportationWarehousing-Utilities (+9,000), and Professional-Business Services (+6,800) reported the largest payroll gains. The Retail Trade (-2,300) and Information (-2,200) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Elgin, IL Metro Division The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 5.9 percent in February 2019 from 5.3 percent in February 2018. For the month of February 2019, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 19,500.

Total nonfarm employment increased +3,400 compared to February 2018. The Manufacturing (+1,900), Government (+1,500), and Wholesale Trade (+600) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. The Professional-Business Services (-1,100) sector recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

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Ten of the 20 most affordable small towns to retire in 2019 based on 55places. com rankings.

55places.com Names the Most Affordable Small Towns to Retire in 2019 Many may think retiring on a budget means sacrificing comfort in order to find the cheapest place to live, but that doesn’t have to be the case—especially for those interested in small-town living. As the number one resource for people searching for active adult communities in the United States, 55places.com is the go-to website when retirement is on the horizon.

Understanding not everyone wants to live in a big city or large community, the company researched the most affordable small towns to retire in 2019.

To identify the rankings, 55places used the U.S. Census to analyze metropolitan areas across the country with a population of 55,000 or less. From there, certain locations were eliminated based on local crime rates, cost of living, and extreme real estate prices, narrowing it down to 215 places. The remaining locations were determined based on 12 weighted data points, including median income and cost of living via Sperling’s Best Places, average home sale price, tax friendliness to retirees, active adult communities, local health care options, job growth based on the Milken Institute, AllTransit™ Performance Score, and more.

In addition, 55places surveyed its readers to uncover anticipated costs for buying a home for retirement when comparing it to the value of their current one. They found 26 percent of respondents answered “about the same,” 27 percent said “slightly less” and 24 percent said “much less.” And when specifically asked how much they expect their next home to cost, 30 percent said $200K or less, while 62 percent expect to pay $300K or less.

The most affordable small towns to retire in 2019 include: Logan, Utah Wausau, Wisconsin Cedar Falls, Iowa Winchester, Virginia Dunedin, Florida West Lafayette, Indiana Concord, New Hampshire Cœur d’Alene, Idaho Mankato, Minnesota Neenah, Wisconsin Goshen, Indiana Blacksburg, Virginia Bangor, Maine Marion, Iowa Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Columbus, Indiana Dodge City, Kansas Lewiston, Maine Ithaca, New York Gainesville, Georgia “Affordability is clearly a driving factor when purchasing a home for retirement,” said Danny Goodman, COO of 55places.com. “Whether retirees are looking to stay close to family, move to a warmer climate, adopt a low-maintenance lifestyle, or join the camaraderie that comes with active adult communities, the small towns recognized here offer practical options and attractive amenities at a reasonable price point.”

The company also identified the most affordable places to retire in 2019 earlier this year. To learn more about this or the most affordable small towns to retire and its ranking methodology, visit 55places.com.

www.thechicagocitizen.com

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 3, 2019

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LegaL Notice

To merchants who have accepted Visa and Mastercard at any time from January 1, 2004 to January 25, 2019: Notice of a class action settlement of approximately $5.54-6.24 Billion.

Si desea leer este aviso en español, llámenos o visite nuestro sitio web, www.PaymentCardSettlement.com.

Notice of a class action settlement authorized by the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York.

This notice is authorized by the Court to inform you about an agreement to settle a class action lawsuit that may affect you. The lawsuit claims that Visa and Mastercard, separately, and together with certain banks, violated antitrust laws and caused merchants to pay excessive fees for accepting Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards, including by: •

Agreeing to set, apply, and enforce rules about merchant fees (called default interchange fees);

•

Limiting what merchants could do to encourage their customers to use other forms of payment; and

•

Continuing that conduct after Visa and Mastercard changed their corporate structures.

The defendants say they have done nothing wrong. They say that their business practices are legal and the result of competition, and have benefitted merchants and consumers. The Court has not decided who is right because the parties agreed to a settlement. The Court has given preliminary approval to this settlement.

administrative costs of settlement or notice), not to exceed $40 million and (ii) up to $250,000 per each of the eight Rule 23(b)(3) Class Plaintiffs in service awards for their efforts on behalf of the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class.

hoW

legal righTS

Every merchant in the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class that does not exclude itself from the class by the deadline described below and files a valid claim will get money from the class settlement fund.

The value of each claim will be based on the actual or estimated interchange fees attributable to the merchant’s Mastercard and Visa payment card transactions from January 1, 2004 to January 25, 2019. Pro rata payments to merchants who file valid claims for a portion of the class settlement fund will be based on: •

The amount in the class settlement fund after the deductions described below,

•

The deduction to account for certain merchants who exclude themselves from the class,

•

Deductions for the cost of settlement administration and notice, applicable taxes on the settlement fund and any other related tax expenses, money awarded to the Rule 23(b)(3) Class Plaintiffs for their service on behalf of the Class, and attorneys’ fees and expenses, all as approved by the Court, and

•

PaymenT

and

oPTionS

•

File a claim to ask for payment. Once you receive a claim form, you can submit it via mail or email, or may file it online at www.PaymentCardSettlement.com.

•

Exclude yourself from the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class. If you exclude yourself, you can individually sue the Defendants on your own at your own expense, if you want to.

If you exclude yourself, you will not get any money from this settlement. If you are a merchant and wish to exclude yourself, you must make a written request, place it in an envelope, and mail it with postage prepaid and postmarked no later than July 23, 2019, or send it by overnight delivery shown as sent by July 23, 2019, to Class Administrator, Payment Card Interchange Fee Settlement, P.O. Box 2530, Portland, OR 97208-2530. Your written request must be signed by a person authorized to do so and provide all of the following information: (1) the words “In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation,” (2) your full name, address, telephone number, and taxpayer identification number, (3) the merchant that wishes to be excluded from the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class, and what position or authority you have to exclude the merchant, and (4) the business names, brand names, “doing business as” names, taxpayer identification number(s), and addresses of any stores or sales locations whose sales the merchant desires to be excluded. You also are requested to provide for each such business or brand name, if reasonably available: the legal name of any parent (if applicable), dates Visa or Mastercard card acceptance began (if after January 1, 2004) and ended (if prior to January 25, 2019), names of all banks that acquired the Visa or Mastercard card transactions, and acquiring merchant ID(s).

•

Object to the settlement. The deadline to object is July 23, 2019. To learn how to object, visit www.PaymentCardSettlement.com or call 1-800-625-6440.

Note: If you exclude yourself from the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class you cannot object to the settlement.

For more information about these rights and options, visit: www.PaymentCardSettlement.com.

if

courT aPProveS final SeTTlemenT

The

The

Members of the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class who do not exclude themselves by the deadline will be bound by the terms of this settlement, including the release of claims against the released parties provided in the settlement agreement, whether or not the members file a claim for payment.

The settlement will resolve and release claims by class members for monetary compensation or injunctive relief against Visa, Mastercard, or other defendants. The release bars the following claims: •

The total dollar value of all valid claims filed.

Attorneys’ fees and expenses and service awards for the Rule 23(b) (3) Class Plaintiffs: For work done through final approval of the settlement by the district court, Rule 23(b)(3) Class Counsel will ask the Court for attorneys’ fees in an amount that is a reasonable proportion of the class settlement fund, not to exceed 10% of the class settlement fund, to compensate all of the lawyers and their law firms that have worked on the class case. For additional work to administer the settlement, distribute the funds, and litigate any appeals, Rule 23(b)(3) Class Counsel may seek reimbursement at their normal hourly rates. Rule 23(b)(3) Class Counsel will also request (i) an award of their litigation expenses (not including the

for

Merchants who are included in this lawsuit have the legal rights and options explained below. You may:

The SeTTlemenT

WhaT merchanTS Will geT from The SeTTlemenT

aSk

To receive payment, merchants must fill out a claim form. If the Court finally approves the settlement, and you do not exclude yourself from the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class, you will receive a claim form in the mail or by email. Or you may ask for one at: www.PaymentCardSettlement.com, or call: 1-800-625-6440.

Under the settlement, Visa, Mastercard, and the bank defendants have agreed to provide approximately $6.24 billion in class settlement funds. Those funds are subject to a deduction to account for certain merchants that exclude themselves from the Rule 23(b) (3) Settlement Class, but in no event will the deduction be greater than $700 million. The net class settlement fund will be used to pay valid claims of merchants that accepted Visa or Mastercard credit or debit cards at any time between January 1, 2004 and January 25, 2019.

This settlement creates the following Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class: All persons, businesses, and other entities that have accepted any Visa-Branded Cards and/or Mastercard-Branded Cards in the United States at any time from January 1, 2004 to January 25, 2019, except that the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class shall not include (a) the Dismissed Plaintiffs, (b) the United States government, (c) the named Defendants in this Action or their directors, officers, or members of their families, or (d) financial institutions that have issued Visa-Branded Cards or Mastercard-Branded Cards or acquired Visa-Branded Card transactions or MastercardBranded Card transactions at any time from January 1, 2004 to January 25, 2019. The Dismissed Plaintiffs are plaintiffs that previously settled and dismissed their own lawsuit against a Defendant, and entities related to those plaintiffs.

If you are uncertain about whether you may be a Dismissed Plaintiff, you should call 1-800-625-6440 or visit www.PaymentCardSettlement.com for more information.

To

•

Claims based on conduct and rules that were alleged or raised in the litigation, or that could have been alleged or raised in the litigation relating to its subject matter. This includes any claims based on interchange fees, network fees, merchant discount fees, no-surcharge rules, no-discounting rules, honor-all-cards rules, and certain other conduct and rules.

These claims are released if they already have accrued or accrue in the future up to five years following the court’s approval of the settlement and the resolution of all appeals.

Claims based on rules in the future that are substantially similar to – i.e., do not change substantively the nature of – the above-mentioned rules as they existed as of preliminary approval of the settlement. These claims based on future substantially similar rules are released if they accrue up to five years following the court’s approval of the settlement and the resolution of all appeals.

The settlement’s resolution and release of these claims is intended to

be consistent with and no broader than federal law on the identical factual predicate doctrine.

The release does not extinguish the following claims: •

Claims based on conduct or rules that could not have been alleged or raised in the litigation.

•

Claims based on future rules that are not substantially similar to rules that were or could have been alleged or raised in the litigation.

•

Any claims that accrue more than five years after the court’s approval of the settlement and the resolution of any appeals.

The release also will have the effect of extinguishing all similar or overlapping claims in any other actions, including but not limited to the claims asserted in a California state court class action brought on behalf of California citizen merchants and captioned Nuts for Candy v. Visa, Inc., et al., No. 17-01482 (San Mateo County Superior Court). Pursuant to an agreement between the parties in Nuts for Candy, subject to and upon final approval of the settlement of the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class, the plaintiff in Nuts for Candy will request that the California state court dismiss the Nuts for Candy action. Plaintiff’s counsel in Nuts for Candy may seek an award in Nuts for Candy of attorneys’ fees not to exceed $6,226,640.00 and expenses not to exceed $493,697.56. Any fees or expenses awarded in Nuts for Candy will be separately funded and will not reduce the settlement funds available to members of the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class.

The release does not bar the injunctive relief claims or the declaratory relief claims that are a predicate for the injunctive relief claims asserted in the pending proposed Rule 23(b)(2) class action captioned Barry’s Cut Rate Stores, Inc., et. al. v. Visa, Inc., et al., MDL No. 1720, Docket No. 05-md-01720-MKB-JO (“Barry’s”).

Injunctive relief claims are claims to prohibit or require certain conduct. They do not include claims for payment of money, such as damages, restitution, or disgorgement. As to all such claims for declaratory or injunctive relief in Barry’s, merchants will retain all rights pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure which they have as a named representative plaintiff or absent class member in Barry’s, except that merchants remaining in the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class will release their right to initiate a new and separate action for the period up to five (5) years following the court’s approval of the settlement and the exhaustion of appeals.

The release also does not bar certain claims asserted in the class action captioned B&R Supermarket, Inc., et al. v. Visa, Inc., et al., No. 17-CV-02738 (E.D.N.Y.), or claims based on certain standard commercial disputes arising in the ordinary course of business.

For more information on the release, see the full mailed Notice to Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class Members and the settlement agreement at: www.PaymentCardSettlement.com.

The courT hearing abouT ThiS SeTTlemenT On November 7, 2019, there will be a Court hearing to decide whether to approve the proposed settlement. The hearing also will address the Rule 23(b)(3) Class Counsel’s requests for attorneys’ fees and expenses, and awards for the Rule 23(b)(3) Class Plaintiffs for their representation of merchants in MDL 1720, which culminated in the settlement agreement. The hearing will take place at: United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York 225 Cadman Plaza Brooklyn, NY 11201 You do not have to go to the Court hearing or hire an attorney.

But you can if you want to, at your own cost. The Court has appointed the law firms of Robins Kaplan LLP, Berger Montague PC, and Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP as Rule 23(b)(3) Class Counsel to represent the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class.

QueSTionS? For more information about this case (In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, MDL 1720), you may: Call toll-free: 1-800-625-6440 Visit: www.PaymentCardSettlement.com Write to the Class Administrator: Payment Card Interchange Fee Settlement P.O. Box 2530 Portland, OR 97208-2530 Email: info@PaymentCardSettlement.com Please check www.PaymentCardSettlement.com for any updates relating to the settlement or the settlement approval process.

www.PaymentCardSettlement.com • 1-800-625-6440 • info@PaymentCardSettlement.com

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6 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 3, 2019

FASHION

Want To Be A P.O.P Star?

H&M Launches Latest Employer Branding Campaign

Victoria’s Secret announces return of Swim Online.

Victoria’s Secret Announces Return of Swim Online Due to overwhelming demand, Victoria’s Secret has curated a limited assortment of the popular swimwear on its e-commerce platform for spring/ summer featuring the best brands, silhouettes and trends of the season.

In addition to Victoria’s Secret Swim, a select assortment of the world’s best swimwear brands, including Seafolly, Banana Moon, Lascana and La Blanca will be available at VictoriasSecret.com.

The Swim range offers must-have

patterns, colors and styles. Styles include high-waist bikinis, Braziliancut legs and asymmetric shapes, plus classics that Victoria’s Secret Swim is known for.

The Swim campaign features Supermodels Sara Sampaio, Jasmine Tookes, Romee Strijd, Grace Elizabeth, Lorena Rae, Aiden Curtiss, Megan Williams and Maya Stepper.

Additionally, an all-new assortment of Victoria’s Secret Sunglasses—the ultimate swimwear accessory—will be

available at select stores and online. The collection features fashion designs and a range of classic and modern styles. #VSswim@VictoriasSecret Stay Connected: Victoria’s Secret: https://www. victoriassecret.com/swimwear Instagram: https://www.instagram. com/victoriassecret Twitter: https://twitter.com/ VictoriasSecret Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/victoriassecret

Taliah Waajid’s 3-Step Textured Hair Health Solution Now Available Nationwide Taliah Waajid Brand, the pioneer brand in natural hair care, is now offering its New Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition Collection at over 800 Walmart stores throughout the nation. Previously available only online and in select beauty supply stores, this most recent Taliah Waajid brand collection offers its users a simple 3-step solution to cleansing and styling chemical-free hair.

Textured hair and straight hair, can suffer from dryness, lack of moisture, breakage and sometimes itchy, unhealthy scalp. The Apple & Aloe collection works to address those issues in all hair textures. For textured hair, the curls and/or waves of the hair strands can make it difficult for naturally-produced oils to travel the entire length of the hair strand to properly moisturize and fortify it. Hair that lacks moisture is more

Apple and Aloe in Walmart Now.

susceptible to breakage and damage. Also, a clean, nonirritated, hydrated scalp free of dead skin cells promotes healthy hair follicles and healthy hair growth.

The Taliah Waajid Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition Collection uses a blend of apple seed extract, aloe and extra virgin coconut oil to strengthen, hydrate and moisturize hair strands, restore hair follicles and help deliver optimal hair and scalp health. Specifically, the fiber contained in apple seed extract supports hair pH balance as aloe enzymes promote hair growth,

moisture retention and itchy scalp relief.

Users of the collection simply shampoo, condition and style with little to no fuss because their hair’s resulting healthy feel and appearance is itself the ultimate style.

Taliah Waajid created this collection with busy folks in mind so that they can meet the demands of their schedules and still have healthy, gorgeous hair. The Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition is revolutionary because it supports hair health first and foremost while underscoring the fact that “good hair health

is what makes individual styling choices so beautiful,” said Taliah Waajid.

Individual products of the collection include: Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition Shampoo, Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition Leave-In Conditioner, Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition Curl Definer, Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition Hold Me Down! Gelle, Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition Curl Elixir, and Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition Apple Cider Deep Conditioner. Each of these six (6) products promote soft, strong beautiful hair and a well-nourished, healthy scalp. Products will be available early this April, 2019 at Walmart locations throughout the country and are $10.99 each.

As with every Taliah Waajid product, the Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition line is completely chemical, paraben and cruelty free.

www.thechicagocitizen.com

H & M, Hennes and Mauritz Inc., one of the world’s largest fashion retailers famous for offering fashion and quality at the best price in a sustainable way, recently announced the launch of its latest Place of Possible (P.O.P) campaign; H&M’s employer branding campaign aimed at attracting the best in retail talent. The campaign aims to show people looking for a great place to start a career that H&M is truly the place of possible, the place to be!

Featuring the brand’s own employees from H&M locations around the country, this year’s campaign builds on the intrinsic H&M value of “we are one team” and takes a deeper dive into the idea of community at H&M as represented by the phrase “me, us, we and you”.

Whether a teammate has been here for a few weeks, or since the retailer first opened in the United States 19 years ago, the values of the brand are what tie all H&M employees together.

This is H&M and H&M is community.

H&M offers a competitive benefit package to its employees.

Several key changes will be made to the part time employee benefit program beginning this year, offering opportunities for H&M employees that will put a

PRNewsfoto/H&M

focus on both their professional and personal needs. One of those changes includes a weekly schedule commitment with options ranging up to 12 minimum hours guaranteed for part time employees from March through December. This year, employees will also be able to use a new scheduling mobile application which will allow more flexibility and an easier process to pick up hours and swap shifts. In addition, H&M offers six weeks of paid parental leave to eligible part time employees.

“At H&M our belief in people is the biggest key to our success and they are what has allowed us to grow the brand in the United States to over 549 stores today, along with our growing ecommerce business. We truly believe this is the Place of Possible, where every employee is given equal chance to develop not just a job, but a career,” according to a press release.

For more information about career opportunities at H&M, visit career.hm.com

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 3, 2019

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7

NEWS

New Independent Poll Shows Broad Support For Fair Tax Plan CHICAGO – A new poll released recently from the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute shows broad support for Governor Pritzker’s fair tax plan, with 67% of Illinoisans in favor.

The plan received strong support from all across Illinois, including 74% in Chicago, 68% in suburban Cook and Collar Counties, and 60% downstate.

These results are similar to Think Big Illinois’ poll released recently, which showed strong support for a fair tax and that individual elements of the plan all garnered more than 70% support, including that it would help the state fund schools, that 97% of taxpayers would have their taxes remain the same or reduced, and that it would provide $3.4 billion to fix the state budget crisis.

“Opponents of a fair tax have already hit the panic button, launching false attacks and desperate political stunts, and today’s poll from Paul

“OPPONENTS OF A FAIR TAX HAVE ALREADY HIT THE PANIC BUTTON, LAUNCHING FALSE ATTACKS AND DESPERATE POLITICAL STUNTS, AND TODAY’S POLL FROM PAUL SIMON PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE MAKES CLEAR WHY.” QUENTIN FULKS Executive director for Think Big Illinois Simon Public Policy Institute makes clear why,” said Quentin Fulks, executive director for Think Big Illinois.

“Illinoisans across the state want a tax system that forces the wealthy to finally pay their fair share, lifts the burden off middle and working-class families, and brings much-needed revenue into our state. Think Big Illinois remains committed to fighting for a fair tax system that works for everyone.”

B:10.75” T:10.75” S:10.75”

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Offers available in AK, IA, ID, IL, KS, MN, MO, MT, NE, UT, WI and WY. Portfolio by Wells Fargo® customers are eligible to receive an additional bonus interest rate on these accounts.3 1. To qualify for this offer, you must have a new or existing Platinum Savings account and enroll the account in this offer between 03/25/2019 and 05/31/2019. This offer is subject to change at any time, without notice. This offer is available only to Platinum Savings customers in the following states: AK, IA, ID, IL, KS, MN, MO, MT, NE, UT, WI and WY. In order to earn the Special Interest Rate of 2.08% (Special Rate), you must deposit $25,000 in new money (from sources outside of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., or its affiliates) to the enrolled savings account and maintain a minimum daily account balance of $25,000 throughout the term of this offer. The corresponding Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for this offer is 2.10%. The Special Rate will be applied to the enrolled savings account for a period of 12 months, starting on the date the account is enrolled in the offer. However, for any day during that 12 month period that the daily account balance is less than the $25,000 minimum, the Special Rate will not apply, and the interest rate will revert to the standard interest rate applicable to your Platinum Savings account. As of 02/15/2019, the standard interest rate and APY for a Platinum Savings account in AK, ID, KS, MN, MO, MT, NE and WY with an account balance of $0.01 to $9,999.99 is 0.05% (0.05% APY), $10,000 to $49,999.99 is 0.15% (0.15% APY), $50,000 to $99,999.99 is 0.25% (0.25% APY) and with an account balance of $100,000 and above is 0.35% (0.35% APY); and for a Platinum Savings account in IA, IL, UT and WI with an account balance of $0.01 to $99,999.99 is 0.05% (0.05% APY) and with an account balance of $100,000 and above is 0.10% (0.10% APY). Each tier shown reflects the current minimum daily collected balance required to obtain the applicable APY. Interest is compounded daily and paid monthly. The amount of interest earned is based on the daily collected balances in the account.

Upon the expiration of the 12 month promotional period, standard interest rates apply. Minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $25. A monthly service fee of $12 applies in any month the account falls below a $3,500 minimum daily balance. Fees may reduce earnings. Interest rates are variable and subject to change without notice. Wells Fargo may limit the amount you deposit to a Platinum Savings account to an aggregate of $1 million. Offer not available to Private Banking or Wealth customers. 2. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is effective for accounts opened between 03/25/2019 to 05/31/2019. The 11-month New Dollar CD special requires a minimum of $25,000 brought to Wells Fargo from sources outside of Wells Fargo Bank N.A., or its affiliates to earn the advertised APY. Public Funds and Wholesale accounts are not eligible for this offer. APY assumes interest remains on deposit until maturity. Interest is compounded daily. Payment of interest on CDs is based on term: For terms less than 12 months (365 days), interest may be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or at maturity (the end of the term). For terms of 12 months or more, interest may be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. A fee for early withdrawal will be imposed and could reduce earnings on this account. Special Rates are applicable to the initial term of the CD only. At maturity, the Special Rate CD will automatically renew for a term of 6 months, at the interest rate and APY in effect for CDs on renewal date not subject to a Special Rate, unless the Bank has notified you otherwise. 1,2.

Due to the new money requirement, accounts may only be opened at your local branch. Wells Fargo reserves the right to modify or discontinue the offer at any time without notice. Minimum new money deposit requirement of at least $25,000 is for this offer only and cannot be transferred to another account to qualify for any other consumer deposit offer. If you wish to take advantage of another consumer deposit offer requiring a minimum new money deposit, you will be required to do so with another new money deposit as stated in the offer requirements and qualifications. Offer cannot be combined with any other consumer deposit offer, except the Portfolio by Wells Fargo $500 offer, available from March 25, 2019 until May 31, 2019. Offer cannot be reproduced, purchased, sold, transferred, or traded. 3. The Portfolio by Wells Fargo program has a $30 monthly service fee, which can be avoided when you have one of the following qualifying balances: $25,000 or more in qualifying linked bank deposit accounts (checking, savings, CDs, FDIC-insured IRAs) or $50,000 or more in any combination of qualifying linked banking, brokerage (available through Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC) and credit balances (including 10% of mortgage balances, certain mortgages not eligible).

If the Portfolio by Wells Fargo relationship is terminated, the bonus interest rate on all eligible savings accounts, and discounts or fee waivers on other products and services, will discontinue and revert to the Bank’s then-current applicable rate or fee. For bonus interest rates on time accounts, this change will occur upon renewal. If the Portfolio by Wells Fargo relationship is terminated, the remaining unlinked Wells Fargo Portfolio Checking or Wells Fargo Prime Checking account will be converted to another checking product or closed. © 2019 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Deposit products offered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLSR ID 399801

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8 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 3, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT Greenhouse Theater Center, in association with The Marsh, presents THE MUSHROOM CURE The Greenhouse Theater Center, in association with The Marsh, will present the Chicago premiere of the off-Broadway hit THE MUSHROOM CURE, the true story of one man’s attempt to treat his severe OCD with psychedelics.

Written and performed by Adam Strauss and developed with and directed by Jonathan Libman, THE MUSHROOM CURE will play April 4 – May 5, 2019 in The Greenhouse Theater Center’s Downstairs Main Stage, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at greenhousetheater.org, in person at the box office or by calling (773) 404-7336.

Inspired by a scientific study showing that hallucinogenic mushrooms may cure obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD), Adam Strauss embarked on a program of vigilante psychopharmacology.

The true tale of Strauss’ hilarious, harrowing and heartrending attempts to treat his debilitating OCD with psychedelics, THE MUSHROOM CURE was named a Critics’ Pick

by Time Out New York, which praised it as “riveting… true-life tour de force” and hailed by The New York Times as “mining a great deal of laughter from disabling pain.”

THE MUSHROOM CURE first ran in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe garnering widespread acclaim. Critics called the show “hugely intelligent and incredibly engaging,” (The Scotsman) “outstanding,” (Edinburgh Festivals Magazine), and “a revelation” (Broadway Baby).

Strauss’ riotous tale appeared next in the New York International Fringe Festival, winning the Fringe’s Overall Excellence Award for Solo Performance. It then was given its Off-Broadway premiere at New York’s Cherry Lane Theatre, where it had a sold-out, extended run, before transferring to The Marsh in San Francisco for its West Coast premiere with a soldout, extended run. The show then moved to Theatre 80 St. Marks in New York, where it ran for over a year before closing in January.

THE MUSHROOM CURE is produced by the Greenhouse Theater Center, in association with The Marsh, a breeding ground for new performance.

Production Details: Title: THE MUSHROOM CURE Written and performed by: Adam Strauss Developed with and directed by:

The Greenhouse Theater Center, in association with The Marsh, will present the Chicago premiere of the off-Broadway hit THE MUSHROOM CURE, the true story of one man’s attempt to treat his severe OCD with psychedelics.

Jonathan Libman Location: The Greenhouse Theater Center’s Downstairs Main Stage, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago Dates: Previews: Thursday, April 4 at 8 pm and Friday, April 5 at 8 pm Regular run: Saturday, April 6 – Sunday, May 5, 2019 Curtain times: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm; Sundays at 3 pm Tickets: Previews: $25 Regular run: $29 - $35. Discounts: $19 students, seniors, teachers, military and industry. Group discounts are available. Tickets are currently available at greenhousetheater.org, in person at the box office or by calling (773) 404-7336.

About the Artists Adam Strauss is a writer and performer based in New York City. He won the Leffe Craft Your Character Storytelling Competition and the New York Fringe Festival’s Overall Excellence Award for Solo Performance. He is also a standup comedian who performs throughout the US and the UK. Strauss received his BA in psychology from Brown University. His upcoming solo show The Uncertainty Principle

will receive its world premiere at The Marsh in May 2019.

Jonathan Libman is currently directing and writing for Amy Schumer’s ensemble company The Collective. As a member of the Actors Studio Playwrights/ Directors Unit, Jonathan is directing Chazz Palminteri (A Bronx Tale) in Palminteri’s new play The Bench, and National Endowment for the Arts recipient David Libman’s play The Townhouse, featuring Joey Collins.

He recently worked with Christina Masciotti (2016 Guggenheim Fellow) on her play Raw Bacon From Poland, featuring Sean Carvajal (2018 Lucille Lortel and Obie Awards for Best Actor).

Jonathan won a scholarship to write and direct at Tony Spiridakis’ Manhattan Film Institute, and has just finished writing two original television pilots, The Little People and Accidents Waiting to Happen.

In 2019-20 he will be directing new work by Nicole Pandolfo (2017 Dramatist Guild Fellow), Sam Kahn (Chatter), Eli Walker (Drunk Yoga) and Daniel Mitura (The Picture of Dorian Gray).

About the Greenhouse Theater Center The Greenhouse Theater Center

(GTC) is a producing theater company, performance venue and theatre bookstore located at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.

GTC began its producing life in 2014 with the smash hit Churchill, followed by 2016’s much-lauded Solo Celebration!, an eight month, 16 event series highlighting the breadth and depth of the solo play form.

In 2017-18, the Greenhouse presented its first full subscription season, including Machinal (4 stars from Chicago Tribune’s Chris Jones) and the Chicago premiere of Birds of a Feather.

As a performance venue, the Greenhouse complex offers two newly-remodeled 198-seat main stage spaces, two 60-seat studio theaters, a newly-built 44-seat cabaret space, two high-capacity lobbies and an in-house rehearsal room. GTC also houses Chicago’s only dedicated used theatre bookstore, located on the second floor the complex.

The Greenhouse Theater Center’s mission is first and foremost to grow local theatre.

GTC seeks local theatre companies and artists to partner on coproductions, offering partners a multitude of resources including an equitable split of production costs, production manager, fullservice box office and front-ofhouse staff, artistic consultation, marketing and public relations support and a full-service bar with concessions. For additional information, contact Nicholas Reinhart at (773) 404-7336, ext. 13.

About The Marsh The Marsh, known as a “breeding ground for new performance,” was launched in 1989 by Founder and Artistic Director Stephanie Weisman, and now annually hosts more than 600 performances of 175 shows across the company’s two venues in San Francisco and Berkeley.

A leading developer and outlet for solo performers, The Marsh’s specialty has been hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as “solo performances that celebrate the power of storytelling at its simplest and purest.” The East Bay Times named The Marsh one of Bay Area’s best intimate theaters, calling it “one of the most thriving solo theaters in the nation. The live theatrical energy is simply irresistible.”

For more info about The Marsh, visit www.themarsh.org or email artisticdirector@themarsh.org.

www.thechicagocitizen.com

Michael Bublé performing in “bublé!”, the brandnew, one-hour special starring the international, best-selling singer/songwriter/entertainer. Alfred Haber Television, Inc. has secured the exclusive international distribution television rights for this NBC special.

International Superstar Michael Bublé Shines In NBC Special “bublé!” With International Distribution Rights Awarded To Alfred Haber Television, Inc. Alfred Haber, President of Alfred Haber Television, Inc., recently announced that the company has secured the exclusive international distribution television rights to “bublé!”, the brandnew, one-hour special starring the international, best-selling singer/songwriter/entertainer, Michael Bublé. This musical extravaganza premiered in the U.S. on March 20th on the NBC Television Network.

Alfred Haber Television, Inc. will be offering “bublé!” at the upcoming MIPTV for the first time.

Backed by a 36-piece orchestra, the multiGRAMMY® Award-winning Bublé performs some of the classic songs that inspired him, including “Fly Me to the Moon”, “You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You”, “My Funny Valentine” and “Just A Gigolo.” Several of his most popular, original tunes, including smash hits “Haven’t Met You Yet,” “Home” and “It’s a Beautiful Day,” are featured as well, along with songs from his new album, “love”, including “Such a Night” and the timeless “When You’re Smiling.”

“The worldwide, chart-topping Bublé is one of the most sought-after performers in the world. He has sold over 60 million records worldwide over the course of his extraordinary career,” commented Haber. “He has performed hundreds of sold-out shows around the globe, won four GRAMMYs, and recent shows this past summer in London, Dublin and Australia were seen by more than 150,000 fans. We are delighted to be offering this special at MIPTV.” For more information about the Alfred Haber companies, please visit www.alfredhaber.com.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 3, 2019

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9

NEWS

African American Artist Creates Exhibit To Provide A Space For Relaxation And Reflection

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

The Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave., recently hosted an opening reception for the new Dark Matter: Celestial Objects as Messengers of Love in These Troubled Times exhibit that was created by Folayemi Wilson.

The sights and sounds of the exhibit are meant to create a peaceful atmosphere for reflection, meditation, and healing.

As an artist, Wilson has a background in furniture design, art history, and art theory. She is an assistant professor at Columbia College Chicago and gives lectures about art and design to both her students and international audiences.

Additionally, writings and reviews created by Wilson have appeared in The NKA Journal of Contemporary African Art and the International Review of African American Art. The new Dark Matter exhibit showcases a combination of visual art, audio, and video to create a captivating room that has been transformed from floor to ceiling to give the space a truly celestial feel. Wilson said that she hopes to have created an exhibit that will serve as a relaxing space for reflection and healing.

“I think the western view of art is so divorced from the body. We make art that is just on the wall, we view it, and there is this distance,” said Wilson. “That’s why I wanted to create this more bodily experience.”

Wilson said that she wants Dark Matter: Celestial Objects as Messengers of Love in These Troubled Times to be an exhibit that is more than just walking around a room and looking at pieces of art. Those that visit this new exhibit should be able to feel the art and feel connected to the space and the environment that Wilson has created.

“The African world view very much acknowledges what you don’t see and the spirit that is part of all things. That spirit is not necessarily acknowledged in the western world because you can’t prove it scientifically but I know it’s there,” said Wilson.

The exhibit will be open from now through July 14 and during the duration of the exhibit there will be several different experiences held in the gallery to enhance the experience.

“I’m inviting yoga groups to come in and use the space, there is a meditation group that I participate in sometimes and I want to invite them to have a meditation session here, and it’s kind of open to other groups that might want to use the space,” said Wilson.

Just before the exhibit closes, on July 11 at 6 p.m., Krista Franklin, a poet and visual artist, will present a long-form poem inside of the gallery that she will write in response to the exhibit and accompanying her will be Ben LaMar Gay, a Chicago jazz musician. This event is free and open to the public.

Folayemi Wilson (pictured) recently opened her new exhibit, Dark Matter: Celestial Objects as Messengers of Love in These Troubled Times, at the Hyde Park Art Center. Photo Credit: Katherine Newman

The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust presents its 2019 Wright Plus Housewalk The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust presents its 2019 Wright Plus Housewalk on May 18, inviting the artistically curious to explore a variety of architectural forms located in the historic Chicago suburb of Oak Park.

The Wright Plus Housewalk offers the unique opportunity to tour stunning interiors of eight private residences open to the public only on this tour.

Wright-designed buildings on the walk include the William G. Fricke House (1901), a study in architectural geometry with distinctive wood banding and leaded glass windows; the William E. Martin House (1903), a stunning Prairie composition featuring original murals and a water garden; and the Francis J. Woolley House (1893), an example of his pre-Prairie style work, on the walk for the first time.

Also making their Wright Plus debut are the John S. Van Bergen-designed George L. Smith House (1914) featuring original art glass windows throughout; the Ernest P. Waud House (1914), an open plan Tallmadge & Watson design with Prairie style furniture; and the Ashley B. Smith House (ca. 1925), a charming French Eclectic style home designed by Wright’s contemporary Robert E. Seyfarth.

The walk also features two lavish

Prairie-style homes, the Barrett C. Andrews House (Tallmadge & Watson, 1906), a blend of Prairie style and Arts & Crafts details, and the George D. Webb House (Henry K. Holsman, 1910), a grand country home featuring elegant woodwork and original light fixtures.

In addition, visitors are invited to tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home and Studio where Wright experimented with space, light, materials, furnishings, and decorative arts, as well as Unity Temple, Wright’s greatest public building of his Prairie era.

Ticket sales are now underway with ticket prices starting at $95 (until March 31), then increasing by $5 to $10 monthly on a tiered pricing schedule. Fast Passes are available for priority access to all ten sites. Trust members enjoy discounts and special privileges at the Housewalk.

The Wright Plus ticket includes free basic admission through the end of 2019 to: Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, newly-restored Robie House, The Rookery, and Unity Temple (self-guided tour). For more information, visit flwright.org/wrightplus.

ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS: May 16-19: Ultimate Plus Weekend Package

Club; and gourmet dining at the newly restored Robie House.

May 19: Renewing Wright’s Vision: Restoring the Robie House Panel discussion about the recently completed restoration of Wright’s iconic Robie House in Hyde Park, followed by a cocktail reception. Panelists include Chicago’s cultural historian Tim Samuelson, preservation architect Gunny Harboe of Harboe Architects, and Karen Sweeney of the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, moderated by Frank Lloyd Wright Trust curator David Bagnall.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust presents its 2019 Wright Plus Housewalk on May 18, inviting the artistically curious to explore a variety of architectural forms located in the historic Chicago suburb of Oak Park. Additional offerings include a panel discussion about the recently completed restoration of Wright’s iconic Robie House in Hyde Park, followed by a cocktail reception on May 19.

A one-of-a-kind weekend celebrating Wright’s extraordinary creative vision. The offerings include a Wright Night at Chicago’s renowned Rookery Building; a special excurwww.thechicagocitizen.com

sion to Crab Tree Farm, Wright’s Glore House and Heurtley House; priority entry to the Wright Plus Housewalk; private luncheon at Oak Park’s historic Nineteenth Century

May 20: Wright on the Farm – Muirhead Farmhouse and Fabyan Villa Tour of Fabyan Villa, Colonel George and Nelle Fabyan’s residence remodeled by Wright in 1907, creating a focal point for the family’s expansive riverbank complex. The tour includes a stroll through the estate’s 1910 Japanese Garden, designed by famed landscape architect, Taro Otsuka. Lunch in Geneva, followed by a tour of Muirhead Farmhouse, Wright’s Usonian solution for a working farm and a growing family. An award-winning restoration won the site a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

10 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 3, 2019

Staying Digitally And Socially

Connected To Us Can’t Get Any Easier. .

If you miss us in print, you can find us here:

www.thechicagocitizen.com Publisher Of The: * Chatham-Southeast Citizen * Hyde Park Citizen

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Let Us Help You Tell Your Story. . .

If You Have A News Story Idea That You Would Like To See In The Citizen Let Us Hear About It. Email Us At: editiorial@thechicagocitizen.com.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 3, 2019

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11

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(StatePoint) Understanding abbreviations is essential, whether you’re texting “LOL” to a friend or asking guests to “RSVP” to a party. In a professional setting, they can provide useful information about an individual’s services and qualifications.

Those used in the financial services industry can be particularly difficult to decode. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has identified nearly 200 certifications and designations for financial advisors alone.

For any of these certifications and designations, you should know what each letter stands for, but you also need to understand the education and experience behind the letters. Some designations have extensive requirements that involve months or years of work, while others can be earned in a day.

Here are eight questions you should ask to fully evaluate a financial advisor’s credentials: 1. What educational requirements, both qualifying and ongoing, has the professional met?

2. How many years of experience does the advisor have within the profession?

3. What is the advisor’s professional standing, conduct and character?

4. Has the professional’s competence been assessed through an exam or other type of measurement?

5. What are the professional’s obligations to you, with regard to disclosing conflicts of interest, compensation and terms of engagement?

6. Has the professional committed to putting your financial interests ahead of his or her own?

7. How is the professional regulated or supervised?

8. What consequences does the professional face if he or she is found guilty of malpractice?

If you need financial planning assistance, you can help make sure you’re getting a well-qualified individual subject to high ethical standards when you look for the CFP certification, which stands for Certified Financial Planner professional.

If you ask these eight questions about CFP professionals, you’d learn that they have to complete a comprehensive financial planning program and hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university, in addition to meeting continuing education requirements. They must also pass a six-hour exam that tests their ability to apply financial planning knowledge to real-life situations and must have at least two to three years of professional financial planning experience.

Developed by the non-profit CFP Board and certified by the International Organization for Standardization, the CFP professional code of ethics and practice standards require those with this certification to provide financial planning in a client’s best interests. Those found to have violated these standards can permanently lose their certification.

When evaluating a financial advisor’s qualifications, understanding the acronyms and certifications in the industry, and asking the right questions, can help you determine the extent of a financial advisor’s expertise and help ensure you are working with a qualified professional. ______________________________________

RENTAL Room for rent Grand Crossing neighborhood no deposit required has laundry facility use of kitchen full bathroom and central air if interested contact Ms. D 312 208 8870 __________________________________

This space can be yours. Place your ad today. Call us at (773) 783-1251.

Advertising In The Classified Section Can Be Easy As 123.

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Darrell Garth

President /Publisher

Janice Garth

Sales Manager General Manager

Editorial

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

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Citizen Newspaper Group Inc., (CNGI), Publisher of the Chatham-Southeast, South End, Chicago Weekend, South Suburban and Hyde Park Citizen and Citizen Suburban Times Weekly. Our weekly publications are published on Wednesday’s (publishing 52 issues annually). Written permission is required to reproduce contents in whole or in part from the publisher. Citizen Newspaper Group, Inc. does not assume the responsibility for nor are we able to return unsolicited materials, therefore they become property of the newspaper and can or will be discarded or used at the newspapers disgratation. Deadlines for advertising is every Friday at noon. Deadlines for press releases are Thursdays at 10 am prior to the next week’s edition. Please send information for the calendar at least three weeks prior to the event.

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12 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 3, 2019

RISE ABOVE IN A CADILL AC SUV

2019 X T4

DURING THE

SPORT

ULTRA-LOW MILEAGE LEASE FOR WELL-QUALIFIED LESSEES S

A

L

E

S

E

V

E

N

T

$

379

PER MONTH 1

36 MONTHS

$

$

0

FIRST MONTH’S PAYMENT

3,839

DUE AT SIGNING AFTER ALL OFFERS

No security deposit required. Tax, title, license, dealer fees extra. Mileage charge of $.25/mile over 30,000 miles. At participating dealers only.

PLUS, CURRENT ELIGIBLE NON-GM OWNERS/LESSEES RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL $1,000 ALLOWANCE 2 TOWARD THE LEASE OF A NEW 2019 XT4 SPORT.

1. Example based on national average vehicle selling price. Each dealer sets its own price. Your payments may vary. Payments are for a 2019 XT4 Sport with an MSRP of $40,490. 36 monthly payments total $13,644. Payments may be higher in some states. Option to purchase at lease end for an amount to be determined at lease signing. GM Financial must approve lease. Take retail delivery by 4/1/19. Mileage charge of $.25/mile over 30,000 miles. Lessee pays for maintenance, repair, excess wear and disposition fee of $595 or less at end of lease. Not available with some other offers. 2. Must be a current owner or lessee of a 1999 model year or newer non-GM vehicle for at least 30 days prior to the new vehicle sale. Not available with some other offers. Take retail delivery by 4/30/19. See dealer for details. © 2019 General Motors. All Rights Reserved. Cadillac® XT4®