Chicago Weekend 4-24-2019

Citizen Lawmakers, advocates stress importance of accurate 2020 Census count — Page 2 Week of April 24, 2019

| Vol. 50 | No. 17 | www.thechicagocitizen.com

CHICAGO WEEKEND

Bright Promises Foundation will soon celebrate their 150th anniversary with the Elevating Youth Voices Nonprofit Fair that will take place on June 1 at Columbia College’s Conaway Center. Photo Credit: Bright Promises

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION SERVING CHICAGO’S YOUTH PREPARES TO CELEBRATE 150TH ANNIVERSARY

Almost 150 years ago, the Bright Promises Foundation, originally known as the Illinois Humane Society, came into existence with the purpose of providing a voice and assistance to those who needed their protection the most which at the time were children and animals. PAGE 2

BUSINESS

FASHION

Gov. Pritzker and Business Leaders Release Economic Development Report to Build Workforce

Metro areas’ population losses symptomatic of statewide trend

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Look shows big-number loss in Cook County

Sarahi Jeans Announces The Market At Macy’s As New Retailer For April 2019 PAGE 6

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2 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 24, 2019

NEWS briefly EDUCATION

SIMS: VOTING SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE, INCLUDING STUDENTS A plan to give students time off from school to vote passed out of the Senate recently.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) spearheaded the effort to encourage youth voting after students at one of his local schools were not allowed to participate in a “March to the Polls” event during school hours. “This effort is intended to help and encourage our young people to understand the importance of voting early on. We should make voting easy and accessible for everyone all across Illinois, including our students,” Sims said.

“This is not a new concept; state workers get time off to vote, and it makes sense to provide our students with the same opportunity.” Senate Bill 1970 amends the Election Code to allow students who are 18 or older to leave school for up to two hours to vote in a primary, general or any other election in the state that requires a popular vote. The school can decide which hours students can be absent to vote.

SB 1970 passed out of the Senate. It is now headed to the House for consideration.

HEALTH

NEW RESEARCH IN JNCCN TOUTS ICE CHIPS AS A SIMPLE, INEXPENSIVE WAY TO REDUCE A COMMON CHEMOTHERAPY SIDE EFFECT A new study in the April 2019 issue of JNCCN— Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network from the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania found that cancer patients who kept ice chips in their mouths (termed ‘oral cryotherapy’ by the authors) during oxaliplatin chemotherapy infusions reported less trouble with eating and drinking cold things, less trouble eating and drinking overall, fewer negative effects on quality-of-life due to oral symptoms, and a shorter duration for oral symptoms.

“Patients being treated with chemotherapy often have reduced appetites and may have trouble finding foods or beverages that appeal to them. Not being able to tolerate anything cold can further limit their ability to eat and drink, which certainly lowers quality-of-life. Our findings suggest that it might make sense to educate patients about this strategy during standard chemotherapy teaching,” said Kim Reiss (Kim Reiss Binder), MD, Abramson Cancer Center.

LAW & POLITICS

ONE YEAR AFTER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DEPORTED ILLINOIS VETERAN, DUCKWORTH RE-INTRODUCES COMPREHENSIVE BILL PACKAGE TO PROTECT VETERANS AND SERVICEMEMBERS FROM UNFAIR TREATMENT One year after the deportation of Afghanistan War Veteran Miguel Perez, Jr., combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) recently re-introduced several bills to protect and support Veterans and service-members—men and women who have proven they are willing lay down their lives defending America. Duckworth’s proposals—the Veterans Visa and Protection Act, HOPE Act and I-VETS Act— are co-sponsored by several of her House and Senate colleagues and would prohibit the deportation of Veterans who are not violent offenders, give legal permanent residents a path to citizenship through military service and strengthen VA healthcare services for Veterans.

Nonprofit Organization Serving Chicago’s Youth Prepares To Celebrate 150th Anniversary Continued from page 1

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Almost 150 years ago, the Bright Promises Foundation, originally known as the Illinois Humane Society, came into existence with the purpose of providing a voice and assistance to those who needed their protection the most which at the time were children and animals.

Over the years, the Bright Promises Foundation has evolved to meet the changing needs of Chicago’s children. Today, the organization uses innovative grant-making to support community programming that provides a positive and life-long impact on young Chicagoans.

“Bright Promises Foundation is the biggest little foundation that you’ve probably never heard of and we are making the biggest impact that we possibly can in the lives of vulnerable children,” said Katherine Korey, director of development and marketing for Bright Promises Foundation.

“Over the years our mission has grown and evolved and very quickly the majority of cases that we were taking on dealt with

protecting children.”

Bright Promises currently serves over 10,000 children through partnerships with organizations across Chicago including After School Matters, The ARK of St. Sabina, the Gary Comer Youth Center, and Mikva Challenge. These partnerships help the organization fulfill their mission of creating opportunities for all children, no matter their background or zip code, to reach their full potential, according to information provided by Bright Promises Foundation.

Bright Promises Foundation provides multi-year grants to their partnering organizations that range from $10,000 to $40,000 per year for multiple years to ensure that they are able to continue supporting the city’s vulnerable children.

On June 1, Bright Promises will host the Elevating Youth Voices Nonprofit Fair at Columbia College’s Conaway Center. This event will feature more than 100 youth leaders who will be representing upwards of 20 organizations. The youth leaders will educate the public and other civic leaders on how they are working to bring about positive change and tackling the most prev-

alent issues in their communities.

“We put out a call for proposals asking young people from across the city what they would do with $10,000 to improve their communities. Part of the way that they answered that question was through a series of videos where these young people give a snapshot story of how they would use the money to improve their community while sharing some of the work they are already doing,” said Korey.

The event is free and open to the public.

Attendees will be able to explore interactive displays that have been created by the youth leaders and show how they would use $10,000 to create change in their communities.

There will also be performances from the young leaders including DJ sets, live podcasting, and original plays. In addition, those who attend the event will also be able to participate in a collaborative art project that celebrates the power young people can have when their voices are heard.

To learn more about Bright Promises Foundation and their 150-year anniversary celebration visit www.brightpromises.org.

Lawmakers, advocates stress importance of accurate 2020 Census count SPRINGFIELD – Senate lawmakers and advocates gathered recently to stress the importance of getting a full and accurate count in Illinois during the 2020 Census.

Assistant Majority Leader Iris Y. Martinez spoke to the potential consequences of an undercount.

“The census is used to determine federal funding and representation for our state,” Martinez (D-Chicago) said.

“That means, if we are undercounted, we stand to lose billions in federal funding, along with two congressional seats and two Electoral College votes.”

Martinez is the sponsor of legislation, contained in Senate Bill 1408, that would appropriate $25 million to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide grants to community providers and local governments for the purposes of encouraging full participation in the 2020 federal census.

State Senator Kimberly Lightford, who is also sponsoring legislation to appropriate funds for grants to ensure

an accurate count, spoke about the impact an undercount could have on minority communities.

“We know that minority communities are in jeopardy of losing out on funding for vital services and representation if they are once again undercounted, and there are a number of challenges in ensuring participation,” Lightford (D-Maywood) said. “My colleagues and I recognize that, and we are preparing by setting aside resources for the 2020 census now.”

Lightford’s measure, Senate Bill 2053, would appropriate $25 million to the Illinois secretary of state for grants to community providers and local governments for the purposes of encouraging full participation in the 2020 census, especially those historically under reported.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr., who is sponsoring similar legislation, contained in Senate Bill 1600, that would appropriate funds to the secretary of state, noted that minority communities are often underrepresented in the census count.

www.thechicagocitizen.com

“It is vital that all communities are accounted for in the next census,” Sims (D-Chicago) said. “Minority communities historically have been underrepresented. We must take every necessary step to ensure that census data is as accurate as possible to provide the necessary resources for every community.”

State Senator Emil Jones III spoke on his legislation, Senate Bill 1621, that makes changes to the Illinois Complete Count Commission to make sure it approaches historically undercounted communities with a strategic focus.

“Senate Bill 1621 directs the Illinois Complete Count Commission to expand the census to address the poor communities that the census historically overlooks,” Jones (D-Chicago) said. “The census should reflect a fundamental truth: We all count.”

Advocates also spoke on statewide efforts to reach hard-to-count communities in 2020.

“It’s really important that people go out and vote, but it’s also important that they take that a step further and ensure

that they get self-counted,” said Anita Banerji, director of Forefront’s Democracy Initiative, a three-year program aimed at increasing civic engagement.

Forefront is a statewide organization for nonprofits and grant makers that is heading several initiatives aimed at public awareness and education for the 2020 Census.

Griselda Vega Samuel, Midwest regional counsel for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), said her organization has been conducting listening tours across Illinois ahead of the census.

“While there are a variety of barriers and challenges, the biggest concern we’re hearing across the board is about access to internet,” Vega Samuel said. “This will be the first modern census, completely online, and that poses a massive challenge for a lot of people.”

MALDEF is the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organization.

For more information on the 2020 census, visit www. census.gov.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 24, 2019

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NEWS

Advocates Call for Fair Housing Protections for People With Arrest & Conviction Records On March 21, 2019, Commissioner Johnson introduced an amendment which would ensure that individuals with records cannot be discriminated against when searching for housing in Cook County.

“This is an issue with far reaching impacts,” says Patricia Fron, Executive Director of the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance and Just Housing Initiative leader. “One in three Americans has an arrest record before they turn 23. That’s more than have fouryear college degrees. In Cook County, this means that more than 1 million residents are potentially directly impacted. Barring individuals with records from stable housing opportunities is simply unjust.”

“The Just Housing Amendment offers a path to fairness and equity for Cook County,” says chief sponsor Commissioner Brandon Johnson of the 1st District.

“In my district alone, we have over 3,000 people per year returning to our communities from Illinois prisons. These are men and women with families, with children, who deserve the support needed to make a change.”

Currently, many housing providers impose blanket arrest and conviction record bans that result in people with records being shut out of housing options.

This practice impacts the ability for individuals to access stable housing and rebuild their lives, but is also often an avenue for race-based discrimination. The Just Housing Amendment will ensure that housing providers and housing authorities do not consider certain aspects of criminal records—such as arrests, juvenile records, and sealed and expunged records—when making housing determinations.

For applicants with a conviction on their record, housing providers will need to conduct an individualized assessment and consider factors such as the nature of the offense and the time that has past since the offense.

“This issue goes beyond the person with the record, “ said Andrea Hall, Director of Organizing at Community Renewal Society. “The families are impacted just as harshly as those with the actual record.

When I went to apply for a rental, I had no idea that the whole family is treated as though we all have a record. How can we move forward rebuilding our lives if we cannot even access housing?”

“The use of criminal records in housing limits the ability of justice-involved individuals to rebuild their lives and benefit their communities, and the burden of

this harmful discrimination falls most heavily on Black and brown families,” said Marie-Claire Tran-Leung, Senior Attorney in Housing and Community Justice at the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law. “Blanket bans on housing applicants with criminal records are fundamentally unfair and undoubtedly contribute to racial and economic injustice. It is time for Cook County to join the movement towards just housing and fairness for all.”

Supporters and members of the Just Housing Initiative, a coalition of 114 organizations that advocate for fair housing, will be rallying in support of the amendment on April 24 when the Cook County Human Relations Committee holds a hearing to consider the proposal.

“This is not a new idea. Other jurisdictions across the country are implementing similar measures as an integral component of criminal justice reform,” says Gianna Baker, Outreach Manager of Housing Action Illinois and Just Housing Initiative leader. “We see drastically reduced rates of recidivism when individuals with records have stable homes. This translates into stronger families, safer communities, and a more resilient Cook County.”

Chicago Becomes the Largest City in the Country Committed to 100 Percent Clean Energy The Chicago City Council recently unanimously voted to establish the goal of transitioning the entire city to 100 percent clean, renewable energy, like wind and solar, by 2035.

Chicago becomes the largest city in the country to make this commitment, following cities like St. Louis, Madison, Atlanta, and San Francisco.

The city’s resolution was championed by the Ready For 100 Chicago Collective, a coalition consisting of several community- and state-based organizations, including Sierra Club Illinois Chapter, Chicago Youth Alliance for Climate Action, People for Community Recovery, Respiratory Health Association, The Climate Reality Project Chicago Chapter, SEIU Local 1, Citizens Utility Board, and other environmental, education, youth, labor, and justice groups across Chicago.

The recently introduced Illinois Clean Energy Jobs Act aims to move the entire state to 100 percent clean energy by 2050. By adopting this goal, Chicago provides a state and national model for other communities looking to transition away from fossil fuels.

The resolution also calls for complete electrification of CTA’s bus fleet by 2040. It directs the Mayor’s Office Sustainability Team, in partnership with the Ready for 100 Chicago Collective and other community groups and stakeholders, to develop a community-wide transition plan by December 2020 for achieving 100 percent renewable electricity.

Chicago joins 118 other cities across the U.S. already committed to an equitable transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy community-wide, including Evanston in Illinois.

COMMENTARY

Legal Double Standard Keeps Us In Shackles

BY OSCAR H. BLAYTON

It’s time we stop lying to ourselves.

The lying has gone on much too long and every time the lie is repeated, we are all the worse for it.

The lie is that in America, everyone is equal under the law.

It’s time to pull back the curtain on this lie, but in order to do so, first we must have an understanding of what “Law” actually is.

In its most basic form, law, is a process of authoritative control whereby certain members of a particular community establish and maintain a specific public order.

This definition may seem like a mouthful, but history can help us unpack it. Nazi Germany had anti-Jewish laws, the racist regime of South Africa had apartheid laws and the southern states in this country had Jim Crow laws. The Nazis, the Afrikaners and the Southern segregationists all had authoritative control over their respective national and state communities. And with that control, they each ordered their societies in the manner they desired.

In each of these instances, it is not difficult to identify those community

Oscar H. Blayton

members who sought to maintain a specific public order, nor is it difficult to identify the “specific order” they sought to maintain.

For Blacks in South Africa and the segregated southern United States, subjugation was the public order where they lived. And in the case of Jews living under Nazi control, it was extermination. For these people, those were the laws.

A law need not be just or fair or benign to be the law. Law, like a gun or any other tool, can be used for good or for evil.

To disguise the fact that laws can be cruel, unjust and designed to harm certain members of our community, “Blind Justice” was the myth created to foster the notion of a fair legal system in America. But observations in most American courtrooms will instruct us that what passes for justice in this country is not color-blind.

Our laws are written with highsounding words, full of dignity and sensibility but words are not deeds.

And as in courtrooms, the long arm of the law, embodied in the form of law enforcement officers, reaches out into the streets and neighborhoods where we witness the double standards that are applied in enforcing our laws written in lofty language.

Even though the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ended slavery more than 150 years ago, people of color are still forced to wear the shackles that are the double standards in our country’s legal system. Bigots and racists use our system of laws and law enforcement to police Black and Brown bodies, making it clear to people of color that we are neither welcome nor expected to exist in white spaces. www.thechicagocitizen.com

Ohio maintains a specific public order that allows whites to walk the streets with automatic rifles unmolested by the police, but justifies gunning down a Black man who is purchasing a BB rifle in an open carry state. And it finds no fault in a police officer executing a 12-year-old Black boy for playing with a toy gun in a park. This is the law in Ohio.

Many cities and states maintain a specific public order that targets people of color for fines and the confiscation of property in order to fund local and state governments.

Ferguson, Mo was proven to use the disproportionate levying of fines on people of color to fund their municipal activities. That was the law in Ferguson. The state of South Carolina’s civil forfeiture law allows police to confiscate money and property from people merely suspected of having committed a crime. This is often done without a trial, and in some instances, without even an arrest. Black men are subjected to this law at a rate vastly disproportionate to their numbers in the general population. A statewide journalism project in South Carolina titled “TAKEN” reports that while

comprising only 13 percent of that state’s population, Black men represent 65 percent of all citizens targeted for civil forfeiture. This is still the law in South Carolina.

The slave codes, the Fugitive Slave Act, the Jim Crow laws of years past and the gutting of the Voting Rights Act just a few short years ago are all part of a process of authoritative control by certain community members to establish and maintain a specific public order that keeps people of color in shackles. There are many more laws that do this, but the list is too long to discuss in this short commentary.

We must pull back the curtain to determine the true public order purpose of each law governing our lives and to identify those community members who seek to establish and maintain them. Once we do this, then we can ask ourselves, if this is the America we want for ourselves. And if not, what are we going to do about it?

Oscar H. Blayton is a former Marine Corps combat pilot and human rights activist who practices law in Virginia.

4 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 24, 2019

BUSINESS

Gov. Pritzker and Business Leaders Release Economic Development Report to Build Workforce CHICAGO – Building on one of his earliest commitments in office, Governor Pritzker recently released a report detailing ideas to improve employment opportunities for Illinois residents, especially those in underserved communities.

The governor took immediate action to advance one of the key recommendations with a statewide apprenticeship model that builds on a successful partnership in Chicago, the expanding Chicago Apprentice Network between City Colleges of Chicago, Aon and a growing list of other businesses.

Joined by apprentices, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Acting Director Erin Guthrie of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Aon CEO Greg Case and other leaders from the Chicago business community, the governor announced his administration will work with local businesses to create more apprenticeship programs for Illinoisans statewide.

The agenda was developed in response to the governor’s third executive order, and it focuses on uniting workforce development

partners regionally, preparing Illinois workers for careers and connecting job seekers with employers. The report’s recommendations draw on evidence-based practices, promising innovations, and collaborative input from leaders across the state, with the goal of ensuring that businesses, individuals, and communities across the state have the opportunity to prosper and contribute to the state’s economic growth.

“Illinois workers are dedicated, educated and skilled – and they’re the reason businesses around the world are proud to operate here,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “I’m deeply committed to ensuring that Illinoisans around the state – especially those in disadvantaged communities – can get good jobs in their communities, and to build on what works. Illinois’ future depends on a well-trained workforce.”

Expanding the reach of available apprenticeship programs is one of several key recommendations. As one of his first steps to address the report’s recommendations, Governor Pritzker announced an apprenticeship partnership between the St. Clair

County Workforce Development Group, East St. Louis Community College Center, and Lewis and Clark Community College with Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation (SIHF) to develop Incumbent Worker Medical Assistant Apprentices.

SIHF is a provider of affordable, accessible and integrated healthcare serving over 1,100 patients on a daily basis and providing services to low-income and most in need individuals. Apprentices receiving the Medial Assistant Certification through the apprenticeship program will be encouraged and supported to receive further education and credentials for nursing or other related occupations, such as an Associate Degree that could pave the way for the worker to eventually pursue a Bachelors of Nursing.

“I want Illinois to be the gold standard when it comes to talent and workforce development. With the creation and continued expansion of apprenticeship programs like the one being offered by the Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation, we will be on track to achieve that goal,” said Erin Guthrie, acting director of the

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economic and community development, higher education, industry, and employer partners in Southwestern Illinois,” said Larry McCulley, president and chief executive officer of SIHF. “We strongly support this project’s focus on expanding apprenticeship opportunities to deliver a pipeline of skilled workers in advanced manufacturing and healthcare to fill the jobs of today, while preparing the workforce of tomorrow.”

“East St. Louis Higher Education Center – Lewis and Clark Community College provides the setting to bring together a respected employer, Southern Illinois Health Foundation, a high-demand, high quality Medical Assisting program and an ambitious Workforce Development Group, St. Clair County IGD to deliver an apprenticeship program that helps to meet a labor market gap and to provide opportunities for upward mobility for area residents,” said Dr. Linda T. Chapman, vice president of Academic Affairs at Lewis and Clark Community College. “It is a rewarding program for all of us who are involved in the program.”

“McDonald’s and its independent franchisees separately employ over 50,000 people in Illinois, and we are committed to helping people who come to work in our restaurants build the skills they need to be successful,” said Rob Lauber, global chief learning officer at McDonald’s.

“McDonald’s has developed multiple programs including upfront tuition assistance, high school completion courses, career advising services and our Chicago Apprenticeship Program – which pays for time spent in class while working towards an accelerated restaurant management role – to propel young adults with the desire to achieve big things.”

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Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

In 2017, City Colleges of Chicago, in partnership with Aon, Accenture and Zurich launched the Chicago Apprentice Network, which serves as the model for the recently announced partnership. The Network works with City Colleges of Chicago to connect students in apprenticeship programs with Chicago-area employers. There are currently over 420 apprentices in the programs across the city with a goal of creating 1,000 apprentice positions by 2020.

“Building on their successful past, apprenticeships are the wave of the future in all industries. They create opportunity for students who are seeking a career and for companies looking for talent,” said Greg Case, chief executive officer of Aon. “We look forward to bringing the Chicago Apprentice Network to cities across the country as a model of excellence.”

With the recent announcement, Governor Pritzker re-emphasized his commitment to creating new pathways to employment for historically underserved groups. The partnership offers the opportunity for young people to develop critical skills in the workplace while maintaining a salary and sets them on the road to future success.

“City Colleges of Chicago’s apprenticeship program is providing opportunities for hundreds of talented Chicagoans to pursue careers that meet employers’ needs,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “We look forward to seeing this proven, Chicago-built apprenticeship model expand across the state to give more Illinoisans access to in-demand careers.”

“SIHF Healthcare enthusiastically supports this innovative apprenticeship model proposed by a dedicated coalition of workforce,

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PCF Insurance Services has completed the acquisition of Hipskind Seyfarth Risk Solutions, LLC, located in downtown Chicago, and Broadfield Group, LLC d/b/a Warwick Resource Group, located in the New York metro-area.

Peter Foy, chief executive officer of PCF, said, “We are delighted to add the professionals at Hipskind Seyfarth and Broadfield into the PCF family. Not only has the partnership with these agencies brought us years of industry knowledge, experience and leadership, it has also provided us the opportunity to expand into new geographies with offices now in the Midwest and Northeast.”

The management teams at Hipskind Seyfarth and Broadfield were attracted to the growth potential as a partner with PCF utilizing the Company’s broader platform of carrier appointments, industry expertise and technology capabilities.

In February 2017, PCF partnered with BHMS Investments, LP to accelerate the Company’s growth through a series of retail agency acquisitions. BHMS is a private investment firm located in New York with a track record of success in aggregation strategies, including insurance brokerage. www.thechicagocitizen.com

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 24, 2019

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NEWS

Metro areas’ population losses symptomatic of statewide trend Detailed look shows big-number loss in Cook County, high-percentage drop in Danville

BY GRANT MORGAN Capitol News Illinois gmorgan@capitolnewsillinois.com

SPRINGFIELD – Census numbers released Thursday show that for the first time in seven years, every major metropolitan area in the state saw population decline between July 2017 and July 2018.

The numbers give a county and metro-area look at population changes, and provide more detail on the statewide numbers the Census Bureau released for the same time period last December, which showed Illinois lost about 45,000 that year.

To Bryce Hill, research analyst at the conservative think tank Illinois Policy Institute, the detailed numbers released Thursday are no shock.

“This is something that was expected,” Hill said. “But it is concerning that all of the state’s metro areas are losing population.”

According to Hill’s analysis, most of the population loss is due to outmigration – more people leaving the state than arriving.

The Chicago metro area, which extends beyond Cook County into the collar counties and parts of southeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Indiana, had the greatest raw number decline of more than 22,000 people.

In Cook County alone, more than 24,000 people left.

Hill said the reason Cook County had a greater loss than the surrounding metro area is because of a continuing, longtime trend of people moving from the city to the nearby suburbs.

While the population drop of 970 people in the Danville metro area was smaller by comparison, it was the fourth worst decline of any metro area in the country at 1.25 percent.

In all, only 16 of Illinois’ 102 counties saw population

increases. A few of them, like Grundy (359), Monroe (176), and Jasper (71), are downstate, which Hill attributed to the natural result of births still outpacing deaths in those areas, rather than people moving there.

In most other places, Hill said, the gap between births and deaths is closing, and migration into Illinois is not enough to make up for the people leaving.

“As the population ages,” Hill said, “outmigration is going to become a bigger and bigger issue.”

While the Policy Institute cited the recent numbers as signs of Illinois’ poor labor market, high tax burden and reckless spending, others say the reasons for population shifts are more complicated.

“The problem of fixing outmigration is different depending on where you are,” said Kent Redfield, a political science professor at the University of Illinois Springfield. “If we mechanize farming and lose manufacturing downstate, that’s a different issue than dealing with gentrification in northeastern Illinois, for example.”

While admitting the trend is concerning, Redfield added that no single solution will fix the population problem.

“To say that if we adopted Florida’s tax structure, both downstate and metro areas would suddenly turn around – it’s much more complicated than that,” he said.

Population changes in the state will also affect the outcome of the 2020 census count, on which rides billions of dollars in federal funding and the number of congressional seats for Illinois.

Redfield said, based on current census estimations, at least one congressional seat will be lost, and it will likely come out of southern Illinois.

www.thechicagocitizen.com

Illinois unemployment grows to 4.4 percent in March State reports 2,300 fewer jobs over the month

BY PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com

SPRINGFIELD – The unemployment rate in Illinois climbed onetenth of a point to 4.4 percent in March as the state recorded a net loss of 2,300 jobs, the Illinois Department of Employment Security said Thursday.

According to preliminary, seasonally-adjusted numbers, the biggest job losses occurred in the professional and business services sector, which lost 4,200 jobs, transportation and utilities, which shed 3,000 jobs, and the construction industry, where employment was down by 1,600 jobs.

Those losses were partially offset by job gains in manufacturing, financial activities, leisure and hospitality, and other services.

Meanwhile, the number of people counted as unemployed in March grew 1.1 percent from February, to 284,400. That was 1.3 percent higher than in March 2018.

Nationally, the U.S. economy added 196,000 jobs in March, while the nation’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.8 percent.

Despite the overall loss of jobs in Illinois, IDES said the state still saw a net gain in employment for the thee-month period from January through March. And the total job count for Illinois in March was up by 47,400 compared to a year ago.

“This administration has begun the hard work of restoring fiscal sanity to our state so that we can build a thriving economy for all Illinoisans,” Deputy Gov. Dan Hynes said about the numbers in a news release.

Erin Guthrie, acting director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, said Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration is working to turn the state’s job market around.

“Governor Pritzker has made training and preparing the workforce for the jobs of tomorrow a priority, and I am excited to work with him on achieving that goal,” she said in a statement.

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6 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 24, 2019

FASHION

Sarahi Jeans...now The Market @ Macys

SARAHI JEANS ANNOUNCES THE MARKET AT MACY’S AS NEW RETAILER FOR APRIL 2019 Sarahi Jeans recently announced The Market @ Macy’s, a oneof-a-kind pop-up marketplace featuring a variety of both up-andcoming and established brands as a new retailer for April 2019.

Located right inside select, high traffic Macy’s stores, each brand will be featured for a confined time only. The Sarahi Jeans retail experience went live April 7, 2019, at Alderwood (Seattle), Northshore (Boston), Twelve Oaks (Detroit), Lenox Square (Atlanta) and Century City (Los Angeles). On May 5, Hillsdale (San Francisco) will be added with Ft. Lauderdale Galleria (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) to follow on June 2.

Founded in 2009 by Suzette A. Kelly, Sarahi Jeans embodies all shapes, sizes, and silhouettes of the female figure. “My

passion for designing denim stems from years of buying jeans that never fit correctly. It was a daily struggle just to pull them on to wear out of the house. Jeans are meant to hug a woman in all the right places and too many brands cater to a specific body type. It’s no secret our bodies aren’t created equal. That’s what made me want to find #ThePerfectFit,” said Kelly.

Sarahi Jeans offers two signature, patented cuts. Italian made, the Signature Collection retails $180-$220 and is shaped with a “V” on the front rise. After rave reviews and popular purchasing, many women requested Sarahi create a more affordable version of this form-fitting favorite. The Market @ Macy’s will feature this Signature Collection spin-off for the cost-savvy fashionista.

Often referred to as “the perfect fit” by industry insiders, the Curves Collection retails $59-$100 and is shaped with a “C” opening on the front rise.

Both the Signature Collection and Curves Collection are available in sizes 0-24. Wearers appreciate Sarahi’s signature patented high-back rise that is sculpted, yet still sexy in design and eliminates buttock cleavage, according to a press release.

Online only, Sarahi allows customers to customize lengths whether petite, regular, medium or tall for an additional fee.

Sarahi’s mission is to create affordable, yet comfortable AND flattering denim that can be every girl’s “go to” for day to night looks. For more information, visit SarahiJeans.com.

AXE® Promotes Self-Care and Self-Confidence with ‘Bathsculinity’ — the Modern Man’s Take on Masculinity Far too often, guys are constrained by old-fashioned male stereotypes, like men should always be tough and never cry. AXE believes that guys deserve to live without these external pressures and be able to express all their unique traits, quirks and features. As a grooming brand, AXE wants to inspire young guys to be whoever they want to be – and have fun doing it – by showing that there is no one way to be a man.

That’s why AXE is introducing a new word and concept to the world – Bathsculinity. That’s right.

Bathsculinity is an attitude for the modern man who is confident in himself and can be defined as: Bathsculinity, noun: Qualities or

attributes regarded as characteristic of young men who take pride in their appearance and feel confident in expressing their most attractive selves, inside and outside of the bathroom.

To help spread the word, AXE has teamed up with actor and comedian Lil Rel Howery to encourage guys to embrace their own brand of Bathsculinity through its latest series of spots, available on YouTube. AXE has also enlisted additional partners to challenge guys to explore their own self-care and share their ‘bathsculine’ moments on social media with #AXE and #Bathsculinity.

“Growing up, I definitely felt the constraints and effects of society’s expectations of men,” Howery said.

“That negativity is actually one of the reasons I turned to comedy in the first place, and why I’m so excited to be partnering with AXE to help guys move away from traditional masculinity and explore their bathsculinity.”

Bathsculinity is an extension of the work AXE has done over the past few years with the message that “there’s no one way to be a man”. This started with the publication of The Man Box research in 2017 which revealed that 72% of men have been told that real men should behave a certain way*.

This month, AXE and Promundo built upon The Man Box study to identify the economic impact of harmful masculine stereotypes through the new The Cost of the www.thechicagocitizen.com

Man Box research, which found that dated stereotypes of what it means to be a man, and the behaviors they lead to, are costing the US economy at least $15.7 billion annually.

These costs were calculated based upon six key behaviors and public data, estimating how these costs would be reduced if the Man Box was not a factor.

To address the negative effects of the Man Box, AXE created the AXE Senior Orientation program to go directly into schools and work with teens to help break outdated stereotypes of manhood. This year, they are evolving the program into an in-school curriculum, developed in partnership with education specialists, Cairn Guidance, that

will address gender roles, sexuality, self-expression, and more, in middle school health classes this fall.

“AXE continues to break the barriers of masculine stereotypes each year by partnering with great organizations and individuals who support this mission,” said Dawn Hedgepeth, general manager and vice president of Unilever Deodorants, Men’s Grooming and Hand and Body Lotion. “It is our hope that the Bathsculinity mindset will encourage guys everywhere to embrace self-care and self-confidence in every aspect of life.”

To learn more about Bathsculinity, follow @AXE on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 24, 2019

COMMENTARY

Clinical Researchers Give Medicine a Necessary Shot in the Arm

BY KURT AMSLER

Researchers at the University of Maryland recently announced a potential breakthrough in “neuropathic” pain -- pain that results from malfunctioning or damaged nerves. Neuropathic pain afflicts 100 million Americans and costs the nation over half a trillion dollars every year.

Though the condition isn’t caused by physical trauma, it can create a phantom sensation ranging from mild discomfort to debilitating agony. The Maryland researchers developed a new technique that uses ultrasound waves to neutralize pain.

That research team has a distinctive feature: It’s composed of physician-scientists. These specialized healthcare providers treat patients while conducting research to develop new medicines and procedures.

Unfortunately, the physicianscientist is an endangered species.

Our country is suffering a severe and growing shortage. If we don’t reverse this trend, patients could lose out on life-saving treatments.

Physician-scientists’ formal training includes both a medical degree and a Ph.D. in the biological and/or physical sciences. Unlike typical researchers, physician-scientists have an intimate perspective of the patient experience. They bring those insights into the laboratory, where they guide research and the discovery process.

Shortly after the University of Maryland team announced its breakthrough, a physicianscientist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles discovered a blood protein linked to a common type of heart failure.

Other research teams failed to find such a clear biomarker. This finding will likely be used to create a simple blood test to determine patients’ risk of developing a catastrophic heart condition.

And In June, a group of physician-scientists at Oregon Health & Science University published research on a compound that could stop cancer cells from spreading throughout the body.

Such monumental discoveries are the specialty of the physicianscientist and the benefit of blending practical medicine with academic research.

Physician-scientists also help patients make informed decisions.

They’re well-equipped to see through pharmaceutical and medical device marketing that saturates the health care industry.

Consider the story of Dr. Jalees Rehman, a physician-scientist at the University of Illinois. Dr. Rehman recalled a patient asking him about a heart procedure offered by a private clinic in Thailand. Thai doctors would treat the patient’s advanced heart disease with a bone marrow injection. The stem cells in the marrow would, supposedly, heal damaged valves, chambers, and nerves.

Dr. Rehman knew the procedure was bogus: bone marrow contains few stems cells and the injection process presented enormous health risks. He successfully deterred the patient from undergoing the procedure.

It’s increasingly difficult for patients to receive informed advice. Between 2003 and 2012, the population of physicianscientists shrunk by nearly 6 percent. Today, physicianscientists represent just one out of every 100 doctors.

It’s imperative to grow a new crop of physician-scientists. If we don’t, medical innovation could stagnate.

More federal funding for young physician-scientists would help tremendously. Currently, most funding goes to physicianscientists who are already well established in their respective fields. From 2012 to 2017, nearly six in 10 NIH pediatric research grants went to seniorlevel physician-scientists. When young physician-scientists can’t secure grants, they often decide to abandon their research and practice medicine full-time.

Institutions of higher education also have a role to play. Schools that only offer traditional medical degrees could create physicianscientist programs to attract young people to the profession. My school -- the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine -- recently launched a seven-year D.O./Ph.D. program.

Physician-scientists bridge the gap between scientific theory and practical medicine. We need to boost their ranks.

Kurt Amsler, Ph.D., is a professor of biomedical sciences at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine.

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NEWS Major Changes Headed To A Product Label Near You NAPSI - If you’re like 90 percent of shoppers, you consult the Nutrition Facts panel on food packages before you buy.

To make it easier to make informed food choices, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed a new Nutrition Facts label. Here are the seven major new features: 1. Increased print size for “Calories.”

Calorie counts will be easier to see.

2. Inclusion of “Added Sugars.”

The FDA currently defines added sugars as “sugars that are either added during the processing of foods, or are packaged as such, and include sugars (free, mono- and disaccharides), sugars from syrups and honey, and sugars from concentrated fruit or vegetable juices that are in excess of what would be expected from the same volume of 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice of the same type.” Sugar alcohols, or polyols, provide sweetness but aren’t counted as “added sugars” because they’re not sugar. These low-digestible carbohydrates can replace sugar as a lower-calorie alternative. Common polyols include erythritol, maltitol, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, lactitol, isomalt and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates.

3. Changing “Sugars” to “Total Sugars.”

Sugar can be present in healthy foods. This change can help consumers understand the amount of sugar the product contains from any source.

4. Removal of “Calories from Total Fat.” Research shows the type of fat (for example, polyunsaturated) is more important than the total calories from fat. Labels still include “Total Fat,” “Saturated Fat” and “Trans Fat.” 5. Increased print size for “Serving Size” and “Servings per Package/Container.”

Portion control remains a problem for many. Increased visibility of recommended serving sizes can help people

New food labels are easier to understand and may promote healthy eating.

make better, more accurate decisions.

6. The amounts of vitamin D and potassium are now required, instead of vitamins A and C. Based on research from the Institute of Medicine, the new labels will include this information to increase visibility of vitamin D and potassium requirements.

Though voluntary, similar information for vitamins A and C may still be included.

7. Revision of “Percent Daily Value” Footnote.

The new language will specifically state: “The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.” Experts at the Calorie Control Council, a nonprofit association that seeks to provide objective, science-based communications about lowcalorie foods and beverages, suggest that this revision may help clarify the meaning of “Daily Value”.

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8 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 24, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT The 25th Anniversary ESSENCE Festival® Kicks Off on July 4-7 in New Orleans, LA The ESSENCE Festival® presented by Coca-Cola, the world’s largest cultural, entertainment and empowerment experience and largest celebration of global Black culture, is set to bring the 90’s heat with special performances that celebrate the 25th anniversary of some of the top albums of the decade. The Festival also just announced the official night-by-night performance line up for its concert series taking place July 5th, 6th and 7th at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

With hits that remain timeless, the 90’s era of R&B and hip-hop music significantly impacted our global culture – setting musical trends and a standard of excellence that made space for artists to thrive as creators, visionaries and entrepreneurs. By spotlighting some of the era’s most forwardlooking, game-changing albums that are also celebrating their 25th anniversaries, the celebration will reach beyond nostalgia to new school—with special performances to elevate the groundbreaking sounds that continue to influence the most popular, chart-topping artists of today.

“We are celebrating our 25th anniversary with an extraordinary, multigenerational, cultural celebration featuring nearly 100

The ESSENCE Festival® is set to bring the 90’s heat with special performances that celebrate the 25th anniversary of some of the top albums of the decade.

Black artists who know that the ESSENCE Festival is ‘home,’” said Michelle Ebanks, CEO of ESSENCE Communications. “Through an imaginative slate of 25th anniversary curations and a fresh take on our night-bynight line-up, this year’s milestone Festival will creatively represent some of our culture’s most important and influential bodies of work – past, present and future. We are excited to place the spotlight on the music that captivated and inspired our global communities—all reimagined exclusively for the ‘only-at-ESSENCE’ Festival stages.”

Each “25th” set will be curated and performed by the original artists, including Mary J. Blige’s My Life, Nas’ Illmatic, Brandy’s Brandy, Scarface’s Diary, Big Daddy Kane’s Daddy’s Home, Da Brat’s Funkdafied, Slick Rick’s Behind Bars and Brownstone’s From the Bottom Up.

Kicking off Friday night are marquee performances from some of music’s biggest acts including Missy Elliott, RBRM (Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike) and more; opening night will also include a 25th anniversary set presented by Doug E. Fresh that will feature Brandy, Ledisi and Sheila E., MC Lyte, Morris Day, Former Members of New Power Generation, among others.

Saturday night is anchored by Mary J. Blige, Nas, H.E.R. and more, with 25th anniversary celebrations by some of the most influential names in hip-hop, including Big Daddy Kane, Scarface, Slick Rick and more.

Closing night on Sunday will feature a performance by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly with a special tribute to Frankie Beverly delivered by Anthony Hamilton; Jermaine Dupri’s Atlanta-focused curation with performances by Musiq Soulchild,

Da Brat, Lil Jon and Dem Franchize Boyz; Teddy Riley’s Legends of Music curation that includes Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, Teyana Taylor, MAJOR., Ro James and more; as well as a NOLA-style bounce performance with Mannie Fresh and Big Freedia.

Each night will be hosted by Loni Love and will feature music by DJ D-Nice.

The ESSENCE Festival takes place July 4-7, 2019 in New Orleans, LA. Single night ticket are on sale now.

For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the ESSENCE Festival® visit Essence.com/ festival. Join the festival community: Follow them on Twitter @essencefest #EssenceFest and become a fan of Festival on Facebook.

The ESSENCE Festival is sponsored by Coca-Cola, AT&T, Ford, State Farm and Walmart.

Grammy Hit Songwriter and Singer, Gordon Chambers Signs with PR Firm to Debut New Album

Singer, songwriter, producer and recording artist, Gordon Chambers, just signed a deal with CarVer Communications Public Relations, LLC, an independent PR firm specializing in brand management, publicity and promotions.

Singer, songwriter, producer and recording artist, Gordon Chambers, just signed a deal with CarVer Communications Public Relations, LLC, an independent PR firm specializing in brand management, publicity and promotions.

A music icon, Chambers is best known for writing and producing greats such as the Grammy award-winning hit, “I Apologize” by Anita Baker as well as Brownstone’s Grammynominated “If You Love Me,” Angie Stone’s “No More Rain (In This Cloud),” Yolanda Adams’ “Someone Watching Over Me,” and the Grammynominated movie theme song to Set It Off “Missing You”

performed by Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan.

Since 2005, Gordon Chambers has written for over 75 recording artists, including superstars like Beyoncé, Usher, Jamie Foxx and Marc Anthony just to name a few. Songs he wrote years ago continue to be sampled and performed by artists such as Ed Sheeran, Sevyn Streeter and Chrisette Michele. Recently, Chambers was introduced to Carver Communications CEO, Nicole Kirby, and decided to move away from the big powerhouse PR firms to a small boutique to handle the launch of his latest album Surrender.

“After meeting Nicole Kirby,

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it just felt right to place this special project in the hands of someone who wouldn’t treat me like a machine,” attests Chambers. The album is a collection of neo-soul, hypnotic R&B rhythms that feature duets with Grammywinner, Lalah Hathaway and Grammy nominee, Eric Roberson.

“Immediately Gordon and I hit it off!” exclaims Nicole Kirby. “I was listening to him share his passion for wanting to produce, sing, and get back to really reconnecting with people. I look forward to promoting the new album, Surrender, but more importantly, reconnecting Gordon with the people who

love his music.” Gordon is set to perform at multiple music festivals, private events, master classes and music conferences in the coming months.

CarVer Communications provides creative services in public relations, branding, publicity and content to a wide range of clients. This group of curators and creators specializes in fostering connections between clients and their respective audiences, bringing well-deserved attention to some of the most exciting projects in the marketplace! The agency combines traditional best practices with strategic fluency in cutting-edge social media, broadcast and print platforms

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 24, 2019 CITIZEN |Hyde Park | Week of April 24, 2019 | 10

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NEWS

Marielle Sainvilus appointed Communications Director to Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot recently announced Marielle Sainvilus as the Communications Director for the transition period.

Marielle is on leave from the University of Chicago, where she has served as Director of Public Affairs since 2015. A veteran communications strategist, Marielle previously held the position of Press Secretary for Chicago Public Schools, the Office of the Governor of Illinois, and for the Illinois Department of Human Services.

“Marielle’s strategic skills and extensive communications and public engagement experience in both the public and private sectors will be invaluable as we prepare to lead the City of Chicago,” said Mayor-elect Lightfoot, who will be sworn in as Chicago’s next mayor on May 20th In addition to the Communications Director, Mayor-elect Lightfoot also announced additional members of the communications team on Monday.

Anel Ruiz will serve as the transition Press Secretary. Ruiz most recently served as the Public Affairs Director for the Chicago Department of Public Health. Her background includes positions with the National Museum of Mexican Art, Free

Marielle Sainvilus

Spirit Media and the Cook County Board.

Han Nguyen will serve as the transition Digital Director. Nguyen was a Lead Digital Strategist at When We All Vote, a non-profit started by Michelle Obama, and National School Walkout, an anti-gun violence initiative born out of the

Helping Heroes (NAPSI)—The Department of Defense reports that 1.3 million Americans serve in the military.

If you or someone you care about is ever among them and sent overseas, you may be glad to learn about an organization that’s been assisting members of the U.S. armed forces, veterans and their families since the early 1900s: the American Red Cross. It provides emergency communication services, resiliency programs and morale activities.

“We are committed to delivering critical services with a caring touch wherever and whenever they’re needed—24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year —for military members and their families at home and around the world,” said Koby Langley, senior vice president for Service to the Armed Forces at the Red Cross.

Now, the organization is expanding support for U.S. military personnel in Eastern Europe with a new office in Romania.

In addition to aiding military members and their families, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to disaster victims; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; and provides humanitarian aid. A not-for-profit organization, it depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public.

Learn More The free Hero Care App helps members of the military and veteran communities access emergency and other Red Cross services anywhere in the world.

Go to your app store or text GETHEROCARE to 90999 to download the app.

For further facts, visit www.redcross.org.

Parkland school shootings. Prior to these roles, Nguyen served in digital strategy leadership roles at Biss for Illinois and Hillary for America.

Mayor-elect Lightfoot also commended Nadia Perl, who served as Communications Director during her historic run for mayor. Nadia is stepping down to pursue other career opportunities.

“I truly cannot thank Nadia enough for her hard work and dedication to the campaign,” Lightfoot said.

“Her work from the very beginning has helped lead us to a historic victory. While I’m sad to see her go—and tried to get her to stay—we are also thankful for her time in the post-election period to ensure a seamless hand-off. I wish her all the best and look forward to watching her success in her next endeavor.”

Carolyn Grisko, president and CEO of Grisko LLC, is continuing in her role as communications advisor and helping the transition team shape the way City government communicates. “When it comes to communicating with all of Chicago, not only through the media, we need to bring in the light,” said Lightfoot. “We need more openness, closer links with all communities, and more transparency in the decision-making processes that are too often held behind closed doors.”

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10 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 24, 2019

CALENDAR 12th Annual Rush Casino Night on May 10 to Benefit Healthcare Programs for Chicago’s West Side Families Local Celebrities and Media Personalities to Man Game Tables The Rush Associates Board will roll out the 12th Annual Casino Night, Friday, May 10, raising money to provide community health improvement programs for families on Chicago’s West Side. Featuring blackjack, craps and roulette tables; food stations; open bar; music and dancing, the 6:30-to-11:30 p.m. event will be held at The Geraghty, 2520 S. Hoyne Ave. Val Warner, the Emmy-award wining host of ABC7’s Windy City Live will emcee the

event. Attendees will mingle with Val and other Chicago media personalities and luminaries who are manning the game tables and raising the stakes to help provide accessible health care for Chicago’s West Side families. Other celebrities include: Marion Brooks, NBC5 anchor; LeeAnn Trotter, NBC5, one of Chicago’s top entertainment reporters; Rob Stafford, NBC5 anchor, with his actress daughter, Addy Stafford; Sylvia Perez, Fox 32 anchor; and Susanna Homan, Chicago Magazine publisher.

David A. Ansell, MD, MPH, senior vice president for Community Health Equity,

Rush University Medical Center, is honorary chairman for the event. Since joining Rush in 2005, Dr. Ansell helped develop quality science methodology to accelerate health equity efforts.

Health equity means everyone has a fair and just opportunity to live a healthier life. The 520,000 residents in 10 West Side neighborhoods near Rush University Medical Center have among the worst health outcomes in the nation. For example, a striking 16-year gap in life expectancy separates residents who live in West Garfield to those in Chicago’s Loop. Rush is committed to improving socio

economic conditions and providing cradle-tocareer health care education pipeline programs to these neighborhoods. Ongoing initiatives include more than 10,000 annual health care visits to churches, shelters and health fairs, and health care career programs for youth.

Individual tickets are $200. To purchase tickets, visit the Casino Night ticket page or contact Jaclyn Groves, (312) 942-6874, or jaclyn_groves@rush.edu. For information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Michelle Boardman, (312) 942-6884 or michelle_a_boardman@rush.edu.

Free Public Access to Legal Advice Offered During Law Week

The Seventh Annual Edgewater Arts Festival will feature over 100 local artisans with crafts in the mediums of paint, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, wearables, photography, and more.

Seventh Annual Edgewater Arts Festival to Benefit Edgewater Artists in Motion Open Call for Artists to Apply through May 1, 2019 Edgewater Arts Festival http://www. edgewaterartists.com/, the premier artfocused, neighborhood festival occurring in the diverse Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago, has set a date for the 2019 fest.

The seventh annual festival will happen on Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29, 2019, in the 1000 to 1200 block of West Granville, rain or shine.

This family-friendly fest will feature over 100 local artisans with crafts in the mediums of paint, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, wearables, photography, and more. Two stages of live music will bookend Broadway and Sheridan and feature an eclectic mix from plugged-in rock and roll to acoustic flamenco to big band brass horn sounds. A children’s area will offer art activities for kids, face painting, a puppet show, and children’s music. The beer garden will sell beer and wine plus food and other drinks.

The festival will request a suggested donation of $5 per person to enter. Food and beverages will be for sale along with artistries from the 100 local artists.

Edgewater Arts Festival is currently accepting applications for artists to participate

in the 2019 festival. The application fee is $20, and artisans may apply through May 1, 2019, online at http://www.edgewaterartists. com/2019-call-for-artists.html.

EVENT DETAILS: What: 7th Annual Edgewater Arts FestivalWhen: September 28 & 29, 2019, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM/6:00 PM – rain or shine!Where: Edgewater – 1000

W Granville to 1200 W Granville – Between Broadway & Sheridan Why: Benefitting Edgewater Artists in Motion Website: http://www.edgewaterartists.com/ Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/ edgewaterartistsinmotion/ https://twitter.com/edgewaterartist https://www.instagram.com/gallery1070/

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Free public access to quality legal advice will be offered and attorneys from all areas of Chicago’s legal community will come together to support efforts to strengthen the American system of freedom and justice as the Chicago Bar Association and its Young Lawyers Section celebrate Law Week 2019.

The Law Week program, held in conjunction with the American Bar Association’s celebration of national Law Day, will take place April 27 to May 3. The week will include a series of events that recognize and promote the role of law in society and promote a deeper understanding of the legal profession. The theme for the law week events this year is “Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society.”

Law week will kick off on April 27 with an important offering for members of the public who are in need of legal advice from a qualified attorney. Lawyers with the CBA’s Call-A-Lawyer Program will be available to take calls and offer brief legal advice on Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to noon at (312) 554-2001.

Citizens can call in and briefly explain their situation to an attorney who will then work to suggest self-help strategies or provide advice to help resolve their issues. If callers need further legal services, or have questions beyond the scope of the attorney’s practice area, they will be advised to contact the CBA Lawyer Referral Service for a referral to an attorney in the appropriate area of law.

The remaining Law Week events include the following: Thursday, May 2 – Meet the Judges Reception and Liberty Bell Award Presentation The Young Lawyers Section will host a meet and greet with judges from the Illinois Appellate Court, Federal Court and the Circuit Court of Cook County in recognition of Law Day. The YLS will also present the annual Liberty Bell Award to an individual (non-lawyer) who works within the legal system to advocate for the disadvantaged and help increase access to the justice system for citizens who need it most.

Friday, May 3 – Law Day Public Celebration Members of Chicago’s legal community will provide personal reflections on Law Week and its theme at a public ceremony at Noon at the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington. The CBA’s Symphony Orchestra will also perform musical selections.

The Law Week program, held in conjunction with the American Bar Association’s celebration of national Law Day, will take place April 27 to May 3.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 24, 2019

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Here’s where you can sell your professional services, your home, used auto, gently used appearel, rent a apartment or sell your used house hold goods. You can place your ad for a reasonable price. Call for a quote today:

(773) 783-1251.

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.

Send to: editorial@thechicagocitizen.com. For more information on subscriptions or advertising, call us at (773) 783-1251 or fax (872) 208-8793. Our offices are located at 8741 South Greenwood Suite# 107, Chicago, Illinois 60619.

12 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 24, 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

* South End Citizen * South Suburban Citizen

* Chicago Weekend Citizen * Citizen Suburban Times Weekly

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.