Austin Weekly News_050521

FREE

■

Vol. 35 No. 18

■

Renew 312 hosting community cleanup May 8,

May 5, 2021

■

austinweeklynews.com

■

Also serving Garfield Park

@AustinWeeklyChi

PAGE 4

West Siders voice concerns about vaccine access, page 5

@AustinWeeklyNews

Loretto paid millions to biz’s formed by ousted COO’s pals

Before COO Anosh Ahmed resigned after hooking up friends with early vaccines, Loretto was paying millions to companies founded by his close friend and business partner

By KELLY BAUER AND DAVID JACKSON Block Club Chicago & Better Government Association

Loretto Hospital paid millions of dollars to private companies founded by a close friend and business partner of Dr. Anosh Ahmed, who helped run the hospital until he resigned last month amid a COVID vaccine distribution scandal.

The publicly funded hospital paid nearly $4 million to the three companies in one year alone, making them the top-paid “independent contractors” listed on the hospital’s tax statements between July 2018 and June 2019.

All three companies have ties to Ahmed’s business partner and friend Sameer Suhail, according to an investigation by Block Club Chicago and the Better Government Association.

One of Suhail’s companies, One Health Billing Co., received $2.1 million from Loretto during the 12-month time period. Headquartered in Suhail’s Trump Tower condo, the firm doesn’t have a website and isn’t registered with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office.

The three companies were created in 2018, See LORETTO on page 8

Photos by Paul Goyette

A mural for Malcolm and others

A group of artists are working on a mural at the corner of Chicago and Lockwood in Austin that pays prominent tribute to Black leaders like Malcolm X. See more photos on page 2.

W. Side biz leaders get updated on Laramie Bank project Developers of Laramie Bank Building spoke with members of the Austin African American Business Networking Association in April

By SUZANNE McBRIDE AustinTalks

The group recently chosen to develop the former Laramie State Bank building,

5200 W. Chicago Ave., gave an update last month on the nearly $40 million project to members of the Austin African American Business Networking Association.

The group said more than 200 jobs will

be created by the project, which will include 76 units of mixed-income housing, a bank branch, a café and an interactive See LARAMIE BANK on page 3

2

Austin Weekly News, May 5, 2021

Expressing themselves Last week, Dwight White, seen below left, and other community artists were hard at work on the colorful homage to Black pillars.

PHOTOS BY PAUL GOYETTE

Austin Weekly News, May 5, 2021

New art exhibit features Austin, Oak Park activists

‘Everyday Activists’ exhibit opened May 4 at the Oak Park Art League

Council.

While the exhibit opened May 4, the reception will be held May 14. There will also be a panel discussion on May 20 featuring four of the participants, which will be streamed on YouTube.

The Oak Park exhibit ends May 26.

By SHELBY E. HAWKINS Susan Stall, president of the nonAustinTalks profit Arbor West Neighbors and one of the creators of “Everyday Activists,” is An exhibit called “Everyday Activin the process of solidifying a date and ists” featuring several Austin commuvenue for the Austin exhibit. nity leaders opened May 4 at the Oak Stall said it will likely take place in Park Art League, 720 Chicago Ave. in June or July, and she is hoping it can be Oak Park. held at the Austin Branch library, 5615 Part of a larger “Intersection: Art & W Race Ave. Word” exhibit, the photography and AustinTalks Stall said since starting the project interview-driven project highlights the last August, she’s rediscovered the richwork of 19 Austin and Oak Park resi- Leroy Duncan, a resident of Austin for nearly 50 years, ness of Austin. is one of several West Siders featured in the exhibit. dents.

“I feel more like I’m getting close to Tameka Wilson, the project’s photoglearning how we can strengthen relaLiz Abunaw, food justice advocate and ownrapher and one of its interviewers, is using a collection of portraits and interviews er of Forty Acres Fresh Market, is featured tionships through communities and who’s with participants to show the positive change in the project as is Leroy Duncan, a commu- dedicated to doing it,” she said.

The gallery is open to in-person viewing and nity activist who’s lived in Austin for nearly community members are making. will offer a virtual option. It will be available Some of the issues the activists explore in- 50 years.

Other Austin staples portrayed in the ex- at arborwestneighbors.org once launched. clude environmental sustainability, immigration reform, voting rights and youth mentorship, among other things.

hibit include artist Vanessa Stokes, Jeremy Mercado of BUILD and the Northwest Austin

LARAMIE BANK

units, will need to apply and show they qualify based on income. Seventy-percent of the housing units will be income restricted.

Earl Chase, executive director and vice president of real estate at Heartland Housing/Heartland Alliance, another partner in the project, said a family of four making $55,000 will qualify.

“This is going to be a high-quality project … and it’s going to look world class. ..

It will be open to those who have restricted incomes,” Chase said Friday at AAABNA’s monthly meeting held over Zoom. Heartland Housing has operated in Austin for 22 years and currently has 38 residents.

Tameeka Christian, an Austin native who has lived in the community for over 40 years, will run the coffee lounge; she said her grandfather used to be a customer of the bank.

“I love the feel of a AustinTalks coffee shop. It brings community.”

Former alderman Ike Carothers, who works for The Safer Foundation, asked if there will be a community benefits agreement and whether people with an arrest or conviction record will be hired to work on the project.

In response, Williams described the project as “private meets public,” noting the city doesn’t own the former bank building so her

Developers vow outreach from page 1 blues history museum at the corner of Laramie and Chicago.

Athena Williams, executive director of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center, one of the partners chosen by the city of Chicago earlier this year to develop the site, said Austin United Alliance will keep the community up to date as the project progresses.

This pledge comes after some West Side residents and leaders complained about a lack of outreach from many of the developers earlier in the process, before the city picked Austin United Alliance out of seven proposals to develop the long-dormant site.

Williams said one goal will be to work with the eventual tenants of the multi-story housing development on the site to help those who want to become homeowners to be able to do that. This work will be managed through the Oak Park Regional Housing Center’s Austin office, which has been open since 2017.

Those interested in living in the new complex, which will have 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom

CONTACT: austintalks.org@gmail.com

AUSTIN WEEKLY

news

Equity Editor/Ombudsman/Editor Michael Romain Senior Editor Bob Uphues Contributing Reporter Igor Studenkov Reporting Partners Block Club, Austin Talks Columnist Arlene Jones Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Digital Strategist James Kay Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Javier Govea, Mark Moroney Sales & Marketing Representavies Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner ≈

group had to come in with a plan for how their proposal would benefit residents.

She said the project will include many community benefits, including affordable housing, energy savings (solar panel), a new bank branch and a business incubator. Williams also noted the courtyard planned for the property will host public concerts, talks and plays, and there will be a communityled board of directors.

Williams confirmed that people with records will be able to apply for jobs.

Project representatives said the first “outreach event” for jobs related to the project will happen in the community before any other contractors learn of employment opportunities.

Lee Fantroy, project executive for BOWA Construction, which is also involved in the project, said their focus “is going to be working with everyone” and identifying local businesses that could bid with a larger company on the project.

“We will work for you” so that you can understand every aspect of this project, Fantroy said.

Carothers, writing in the Zoom chat, said, “It appears that a lot of decisions have been made prior to the board being established, the community should be involved on the front end.”

Williams conceded “there were some decisions that were made because they had to be made” due to the way city officials handled the request for proposal (RFP).

CONTACT: austintalks.org@gmail.com

Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich ≈ GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA Board of Directors Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson , Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer ≈ HOW TO REACH US 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 773-626-6332 FAX 708-467-9066 CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.com ONLINE www.AustinWeeklyNews.com TWITTER @AustinWeeklyChi Austin Weekly News is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. It is distributed free of charge at locations across Austin and Garfield Park. Our hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Advertising rates are available by calling our office.

Printed entirely on recycled paper. © 2021 Growing Community Media NFP.

3

4

Austin Weekly News, May 5, 2021

Community cleanup planned for May 8 The community group Renew 312’s Oak Park/Austin District (OAPD) is hosting a community-wide cleanup on Saturday, May 8, 11 a.m. Teams will check-in outside of Austin Town Hall, 5610 W. Lake St. “This event will greatly benefit the Renew 312 dream of strengthening the relationships between our two communities

in tangible ways that allow folks to connect with each other,” the organization stated on a flyer.

For more information on the cleanup, visit renew312.org. To donate, please Venmo the organization at: @DLK0719.

CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com

“The” Friendship BAPTIST CHURCH Rev. Dr. Reginald E. Bachus, Pastor 5200 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60644 773-378-6600 fbcchicago.org facebook.com/friendshipbcchicago JOIN US FOR ONLINE SERVICES • FACEBOOK @FriendshipBCChicago • YOUTUBE @The Friendship Baptist Church of Chicago

Sundays - 9:30 AM Sunday School • 11:00 AM Worship Service

Wednesdays - 6:00 PM Bible Study

Bring Mom a Taste of the Best!

B.B.Q. RIBS & CHICKEN BURGERS & HOT DOGS

RibFest Every Day!

Mickey’s is the place!

Wednesday

Gyros Plate Dinner 1 lb meat, 2 pita breads, fries & 3 cups sauce $10.99

Every day Special!

Gyros with fries $7.99

1/4 Lb Double Cheeseburger

Big Mickey! $ .99

2

525 N Harlem Ave, Oak Park (708) 848-3333 • 11am - 9pm Daily

An Austin soap company launches amid pandemic

Jemarquis Wright’s Health Clean company makes soaps and other wellness products

By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

Many entrepreneurs would hesitate to start a business during a pandemic, but for Austin resident Jemarquis Wright, it was never just about profit.

He originally started making organic soaps to help his daughter deal with skin issues. He and his family started giving soap away to others during the pandemic, and he started selling soap to help offset the costs of making it. He continues to give away soap at events and Wright said that sales have been robust enough to make some profit.

Ultimately, his ambitions for Healthy Clean go beyond making soaps. Wright said that he wanted to devote his life to doing something meaningful and show a good example for his kids. He is gearing up to release a children’s book and children’s songs about healthy living, and is also working with a group of Austin businessmen to set up a permanent location that will distribute free groceries and provide other services.

Wright said that he’s been working and pursuing business opportunities since he graduated high school. Like many entrepreneurs, he launched his own company because he couldn’t find any business that had the products he was looking for.

“The company started because of my daughter,” Wright said. “She had really bad skin, and we couldn’t find a soap that could accommodate her situation. We reached out to the doctor and he suggested looking into an organic soap.”

But the organic soaps on the market were too expensive for his liking, so Wright decided to make them himself. When the pandemic started, his daughter suggested giving the soap away, but that didn’t cover the cost of making the soap. So, in October 2020, he launched the company to sell his soap for profit.

Wright said he didn’t have any kind of start-up funding, loans or grants, but that his relatives have helped him buy supplies such as soap wrappers. He said that he makes the soap with his family’s help.

According to marketing materials, Wright’s products include oatmeal cream, activated charcoal, aloe and olive oil soaps.

Healthy Clean regularly takes part in weekly food and clothing giveaways organized by Temple Baptist Church, 3622 W. Douglas Blvd. The giveaways are held every Monday, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“We have great reviews, we have repeat customers all the time,” Wright said. “The

profit is not like a million dollars, but we’re blessed to be able to meet quotas.

We’re not in the red.”

In recent months, Healthy Clean has been expanding beyond soaps. Wright has been posting educational videos featuring his kids on the “Healthy Clean Kids” Youtube channel, and he is working on releasing a children’s book about staying healthy, as well as kids’ songs, under the same label.

He hopes to release both by the end of May. Wright also said he’s been working with Black Men United, a community service organization founded by Pastor John Harrell, of Maywood’s Proviso Missionary Baptist Church, 1116 S. 5th Ave. The organization has been distributing food, baby supplies and other goods throughout the Chicago area. Wright said that he’s working with Harrell and a group of Austin businessmen to set up a more permanent community service hub near the intersection of Division Street and Austin Boulevard. “[It will be] a community hub, a house in the community,” he said. “We want to build a garden, we’ll provide jobs, do grocery giveaways and deliver groceries to the elderly in the community.”

Customers can order Healthy Clean products by phone, at (312) 989-9102, by e-mail at healthy_clean@yahoo.com, or through its Facebook (@healthyclean122) and Instagram (@healthy_clean1) pages.

CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com

Austin Weekly News, May 5, 2021

W. Siders raise concerns about vaccine accessibility for seniors

During monthly ward meeting last month residents said they were worried about accessibility Loretto resumes vaccinations

By ZACH CUNNING AustinTalks

Senior Ella Houston, a 29th Ward resident, ran into a lot of issues while registering by phone for a vaccine appointment, she said at the ward’s monthly Zoom meeting last month.

Houston initially received a call from the city telling her to register for a vaccine appointment at The Loretto Hospital.

She said when she called the number back, she was connected first to the Wrigleyville vaccination site and then to one in Aurora.

After calling 311, Houston was able to reach Loretto, but no one was available to answer her call or take a message, she said.

“So I don’t know exactly what to do. I can’t get anywhere,” she said.

Loretto’s vaccine program resumed last month after being paused by city officials due to allegations the hospital improperly vaccinated people.

As reported by AustinTalks, CEO George Miller took full responsibility for the improper vaccinations.

“We absolutely made mistakes,” he said in March.

The city is managing Loretto’s reopened clinic, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.

Houston said when she got to the point of scheduling her appointment, “everybody wants to email or go to a computer.

“Now, as you know, most seniors in Austin don’t have computers. How are they going to schedule an appointment if they don’t have a computer?”

Ald. Chris Taliaferro said his office would look into the phone number Houston called — (312) 746-4835 — which was consistent with the one provided by CDPH for appointment scheduling — and try to ensure residents have a usable phone number for booking appointments.

Information about where and how to sign up for the vaccine will be included in the 29th Ward’s regular email blasts, as well as a physical newsletter that will be sent to all ward residents in the next few weeks, Taliaferro said at the April 21st ward meeting.

While there are some temporary sites popping up, Loretto will be the consistent site for the Austin community, he said.

There’s still a lot of people in Austin who

AustinTalks

haven’t been vaccinated, he said. “So, continue to be safe when you go out. Make sure you’re wearing a mask.”

The ward office, at 6272 W. North Ave., has PPE available for those that need a mask or hand sanitizer, Monday through Friday.

“We can make sure that you get an adequate supply of hand sanitizer or a mask for your personal use,” the alderman said.

At last month’s ward meeting, the alderman said he’d spoken with the commanders of Chicago Police Department’s 25th and 15th districts, and “both have assured me that they have put together summer violence reduction plans or initiatives that will help to keep our shootings as low as possible.”

Those plans include the districts receiving extra officers from the city’s roving units, along with support from the Cook County Sheriff ’s office and the Illinois State Police.

Taliaferro said the strategy goes beyond simply having more units patrolling the community; officers will be expected to get out of their cars and actually engage with residents.

“I am fairly confident that we will have, particularly in the 15th and 25th Districts, plans that will somewhat keep our residents and keep our neighborhoods safe over the summer.”

Update on grocery store also discussed during ward meeting Residents also got an update on a new grocery store planned for Austin.

Liz Abunaw’s Forty Acres Fresh Market will be moving into the old Salvation Army building at 5317 W. Chicago Ave. Forty Acres currently operates pop up markets in underserved communities and a delivery service providing affordable access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Chicago Avenue site will be their first brick and mortar.

“I am very proud of Ms. Liz’s business,” the alderman said. “We want to be able to say, ‘we are not a food desert in Austin.’”

CONTACT: austintalks.org@gmail.com

5

6

Austin Weekly News, May 5, 2021

I

If America is racist, Black America is a part of it

haven’t ranted in a while. So let me get a couple of things off my chest.

I don’t believe in white supremacy — because the polar opposite would be black inferiority, and that is not true. White privilege/black underprivilege?

Now that is a reality.

I also don’t believe in the blanket statement that America is racist. I grew up during the Civil Rights Era. I saw racism that limited the ability of Black people to go, to do, and to have.

America is not perfect. And she may never be perfect. But she has made many strides forward that we need to acknowledge. To simply say that America is racist, is to empower those who feel that their racism is valid. I refuse to give them that kind of power, the same way I refuse to acknowledge any kind of existence of white supremacy. However, making a general statement that America is racist overlooks the fact that Black America is part of America! And with the recent attacks that have occurred against Asians, the majority of which were perpetrated by black people, well we need to do some introspection!

And what about black people attacking other people? There was a whole bunch of young black folks this past weekend who went downtown and misbehaved. They’ve been pouring out the subway system and attacking people, spraying them with pepper spray, trying to carjack cars, fighting under The Bean, and in general acting like complete idiots.

The only way I learned of this is that there’s a person on Facebook who runs “The Ghetto News Network.” Basically James Hawthorne listens to the police scanner and reports on what is occurring. Some of the stuff is absolutely embarrassing! To know that our young people have absolutely no home training and are going about acting like complete morons, is going to lead to a horrific incident where the outcome is not going to be pretty.

When one of them is seriously injured or killed, I don’t want to see a damn community activist talking about shutting down any expressway.

And by the way, can somebody let our police superintendent, David Brown, know that we have expressways and not freeways in this city? Why our one-term mayor picked him is anybody’s guess.

Anyway, getting back to those young people going downtown and clowning, a reminder that COVID-19 is still a reality. I don’t know why parents are allowing their young people to roam the streets as if this pandemic were not a reality. It is time to have the court system hold accountable the individuals who create children but don’t take the time to rear them. Not surprisingly, I haven’t heard any local politicians, the mayor, or community activists begin to address the situation.

The warm weather is coming and if we don’t nip this bad behavior right now, we are in for the kind of long hot summer that will make life miserable for everyone!

ARLENE JONES

AUSTIN WEEKLY NEWS Email letter to the editor: michael@austinweeklynews.com

S W NE SH! FLA

You can get local news delivered right to your email in-box.

Sign up for FREE at AustinWeeklyNews.com

Austin Weekly News, May 5, 2021

Support4U is a free anonymous text line for

WHAT IS SU SUPPORT4U?

students, answered within minutes by licensed clinicians.

Students can text about anxiety, school pressure, relationship conflict or when in a crisis.

These are difficult times

SUPPORTING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF LOCAL STUDENTS The Pandemic has impacted lives of students, families and educators.

Compared with 2019, the proportion of mental health– related visits for children aged 5–11 and 12–17 years increased approximately 24%. and 31%, respectively.

– you are not alone!

HOW DO WE USE IT?

Simply go to www.support4u.live and click on your school logo to start texting with a licensed mental health professional.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE www.support4u.live Find us on Instagram! @support4u

7

8

Austin Weekly News, May 5, 2021

LORETTO

From Dance Clubs to Medical Residency

More controversy from page 1 soon after Ahmed took over as chief financial officer and chief operating officer at the cash-strapped safety-net hospital in the Austin neighborhood.

Ahmed resigned in March after Block Club revealed the hospital vaccinated ineligible people tied to its executives — but Loretto is still working with Suhail’s companies, according to Suhail’s spokesman.

Loretto’s most recent tax filings raise questions about why the financially troubled hospital was awarding contracts to a friend and business partner of its chief operating officer.

The 122-bed, acute-care center serves mainly low-income people and patients of color, records show.

The money Suhail’s firms collected represents about 5 percent of the hospital’s $81 million spending during that 12-month period. But those records don’t show how much any of Suhail’s companies billed Loretto after June 2019. And the records don’t indicate if any smaller hospital contracts went to other firms run by Suhail and his family, including a medical residency program that records show is headquartered in the hospital building.

Spokespeople for Ahmed, Suhail and Loretto declined to explain why Loretto awarded the multi-million dollar contracts after Ahmed took control of the hospital.

In an emailed statement, hospital spokeswoman Becky Carroll said over the past three years Loretto has experienced a financial and operational turnaround “resulting in savings for contracted services, millions more in increased revenue and the expansion of critical health care services for the community it serves.”

Public tax records showed Loretto’s expenses and overall losses rose significantly during Ahmed’s first year as an executive at the hospital. Carroll said one of Suhail’s firms bid for its contract but she did not provide specifics about the bid and about the hospital’s recent finances.

Ahmed’s spokesperson did not respond to

Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago; Loretto Hospital; Instagram Photo

Loretto Hospital paid millions of dollars to private companies founded by Sameer Suhail (right), close friend and business partner of ousted Loretto COO Anosh Ahmed. written questions. Hours after Block Club and the BGA requested comment about the Loretto transactions, Ahmed posted a statement on a public relations newswire stating he is an entrepreneur, angel investor and physician whose “portfolio consists of bars, clubs, hospitals, clinics, schools, and apartments. These, he believes, are useful in bringing the community closer together.”

Suhail’s spokesman, Dennis Culloton, called Suhail an entrepreneur with longstanding business ties to more than a dozen community hospitals in Chicago, as well as in Georgia, Florida and internationally. He said one of Suhail’s medical residency businesses has provided services to Loretto since 2011, years before Ahmed arrived.

“His reputation providing services to community hospitals is well known,” Culloton said. “Sameer is proud of the work he has done to help Loretto and other community hospitals deliver quality health care while improving their financial position.”

He added: “Every one of Sameer’s agreements undergo rigorous review by compliance counsel to ensure all contracts are negotiated at arm’s length and meeting all health care regulations.”

Loretto has been embroiled in scandal

since March, when Block Club reported ineligible people were vaccinated at places with ties to Ahmed — including people at Trump Tower, where Ahmed and Suhail live, as well as a luxury jewelry shop and a high-end Gold Coast steakhouse.

Block Club and the BGA analyzed public hospital tax statements as well as court and corporate records, and conducted dozens of interviews with medical practitioners, business executives and friends.

City officials last year chose Loretto to administer Illinois’ first COVID-19 vaccine doses. The non-profit hospital serves communities which suffered disproportionately during the coronavirus pandemic.

Loretto reported a $12 million operating loss in its 2019 tax report, and it has struggled with funding during the pandemic, CEO George Miller has said. In recent years, Loretto has warned it could close due to funding shortfalls.

But while Loretto appealed to state lawmakers for taxpayer support, Ahmed and Suhail were living side-by-side in a Downtown high-rise and pursuing businesses together, according to land and corporate records as well as interviews with business and medical colleagues.

Ahmed and Suhail are business partners, friends — even neighbors. The two bought and leased units next door to each other on two floors of the luxury Trump Tower, according to land records and interviews.

They met through a mutual friend around 2015, after Ahmed graduated from medical school and was a resident at Mount Sinai Hospital, Culloton said. They’ve invested together in real estate and in a hemp farm venture, according to government records; they have not invested together in medical firms, Culloton said.

A decade ago, Ahmed was neither a doctor nor a hospital executive. He was a Houston businessman who operated trendy dance clubs — Meridian and The Drake, among other ventures, according to news accounts and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission records.

Ahmed also invested in a small Houston firm that arranged hospital residencies for medical students. Soon he was embroiled in lawsuits in which he and the firm’s founder accused each other of fraud before settling out of court, Harris County court records show.

Ahmed went to medical school at Windsor University School of Medicine in St. Kitts in the Caribbean. He established himself in Chicago doing medical rotations in safety-net hospitals, which serves people regardless of their insurance or ability to pay. He became a resident at Mount Sinai Hospital in about 2015.

As Ahmed neared the end of his residency at Sinai, Loretto forced out its CEO in November 2017. The hospital’s board replaced her with Miller, its current CEO and president.

Just after Miller took over as CEO, Ahmed in November 2017 was named Loretto’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer.

His Illinois medical license was issued a month later in December 2017, according to the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation.

Soon after taking the job, Ahmed sold Miller the luxury Aqua Tower condo where the CEO subsequently lived, records show.

Miller declined to discuss the circumstances under which Ahmed was hired or any financial transactions between them, re-

Raffles & Contests

place t e k r a M m e e t s E ing! n Model e p O , Fun n o i h s Grand a d, F

• Foo 1 3 y a M May 8 - Vendors wanted

Models wanted Ages 12-99

(no experience, will train)

7451 MadisonStreet , Forest Park

M-F 6pm-10pm • Sat: 10am -10pm • Sun: 10am-6pm Sign up at www.modelesteem.com

7435 Madison, Forest Park

Austin Weekly News, May 5, 2021 Ahmed took his executive positions at the hospital in 2018, the Block Club and BGA investigation found. They are not mentioned in prior tax returns for Loretto.

Little information about the companies is available in public records — but at least one was partly owned by a psychiatrist at Loretto facing a malpractice lawsuit and another is connected to a man charged with shooting a relative in March.

Instagram

Brothers Sam and Sameer Suhail. ferring reporters to hospital spokeswoman Carroll.

Loretto paid Ahmed $420,000 in his first full year as CFO and COO ending in June 2019, according to the hospital’s public tax return.

Soon after taking the job, Ahmed bought a $555,000 condo on the 68th floor of the Aqua Tower. That was the unit he later sold to Miller for the same price.

It was Ahmed’s first in a string of major real estate purchases after becoming a Loretto executive. In 2020, Ahmed bought a Trump Tower apartment for $2.7 million, and since 2019 he has bought three Houston properties for a total of $7 million, according to land records in Illinois and Texas.

Along for the ride was Suhail.

On one LinkedIn posting, Suhail described himself as a lifelong Chicagoan who has devoted his business skills to highquality health care training programs in underserved parts of the city.

Over the past decade, Suhail registered more than 25 Illinois corporations with medical names and then listed a plethora of assumed names for many of those companies, state corporate records show.

Revive Medspa & Esthetics Inc. took on assumed names Allegra Pharmaceuticals Inc. and National Surgical Corp., for example. The assumed names make it difficult to determine the function of each corporation.

Over the years, Suhail has incurred tax liens and incurred small claims court judgments against his businesses and properties, land and court records show.

In a 2017 court deposition, Suhail outlined his portfolio of enterprises: “I own several businesses in the medical field,” he said. “I own imaging centers. I own a clinical placement group at — 155 N. Michigan is my head office. We do clinical clerkship for students. I am an associate dean of one of the medical schools, which is in St. Vincent.

I’ve owned and operated Allertech, which is an allergy business. So you know, we have a variety of health care businesses.”

A New Hospital CFO — and New Business Opportunities After Ahmed joined Loretto’s executive suite in 2018, Suhail’s business with the hospital grew.

Suhail joined the board of directors for the Loretto Hospital Foundation, the facility’s fundraising arm, in October 2018. Ahmed was also on the board.

In 2019, Loretto proposed Suhail create a dialysis center at Loretto with financing shared by the hospital. Ahmed was listed as a hospital contact for the application. Loretto withdrew its application in December 2020 after a state board flagged concerns about whether the facility was needed. Loretto’s board later said it hadn’t been aware of the business relationship between Suhail and Ahmed.

Suhail’s wife, Dena Besumi Suhail, is also listed as the director of Medical Education at Loretto on the hospital’s website, though Carroll said she is not an official Loretto employee. Among those in the residency program are her brother-in-law, Sameer’s year-older brother Sam Suhail. She and her husband, Sameer, own and run residency firms that connect medical students to residency positions and rotations for a price, state corporate records show.

One of the Suhails’ medical residency firms, called Comprehensive Clerkship Group, has listed its headquarters at the hospital. It has operated under assumed names, including American International Alliance for Residency Programs and others.

New Records Reveal Business Ties While Culloton said the Suhails have operated their medical residency business at Loretto for nearly a decade, the hospital’s newly released tax report shows Sameer Suhail took on a lucrative new role starting in 2018.

Loretto’s tax return for the year ending June 30, 2019 — the most recent available — lists the nonprofit hospital’s five highest-compensated independent contractors.

The tax return said Loretto’s financial books and records were in possession of Ahmed, who was listed as COO and CFO. Suhail created the three top firms soon after

Here are snapshots of Loretto’s ties to the Suhail firms: ■ Loretto’s highest-paid independent contractor, One Health Billing Co., was headquartered in a Trump Tower condo where Sameer and Dena Suhail live, according to Loretto’s tax report and separate land and court records.

Loretto paid One Health Billing Co. $2.1 million during the 12 months ending June 30, 2019.

Culloton confirmed that a company with the same name incorporated in Delaware on Sept.

13, 2018, was the one billing Loretto.

Paying $2.1 million to a corporate entity that is not registered in Illinois raises questions about board oversight of the non-profit hospital, said Lloyd Mayer, a University of Notre Dame law professor.

“In my book, the fact that they’re paying so much money to a company that isn’t registered to do business in Illinois certainly raises a yellow flag,” Mayer said. “That is the kind of thing the hospital board would be obliged to look into.”

Culloton said the company is owned completely by Suhail and is not registered in Illinois because of an oversight by a company accountant. “Sameer’s lawyer agrees with you that One Health Billing should be registered and is taking steps to do so,” Culloton said.

He said One Health increased Loretto’s reimbursements by millions of dollars by improving collections and billing processes.

Hospital spokeswoman Carroll said Loretto decided to outsource its billing work “to a company with the expertise required to bill more efficiently in order to boost the hospital’s cash flow. [One Health Billing] had the most cost effective bid and ultimately helped to capture significantly more cash collections … and therefore revenue for the hospital.”

■ Loretto paid $887,188 for “outside lab services” to SKS Healthcare Management Group, which is registered at Suhail’s 155 N. Michigan Ave. office, the hospital’s tax statement shows.

Suhail registered this company with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office on Feb. 19, 2019, listing himself as president, director and registered agent. He owns 100 percent of it, Culloton said.

Then on March 26, 2021 — two days after Ahmed resigned over the improper vaccinations — Suhail was removed from the state corporate registration and a new individual replaced him as president and registered agent: Jamil Elkoussa.

Elkoussa has been listed as an executive on websites for some of Suhail’s medical companies, including American International Clinical Group, and a Suhail umbrella firm named United Healthcare Investment Group, headquartered in another office Suhail uses in the

9

Equitable Building at 401 N. Michigan Ave. Two and a half weeks after Elkoussa took charge of SKS, on April 11, he was charged with felony reckless discharge of a firearm after he shot a gun in his home and the bullet hit a family member in the chest, according to Cook County criminal court records. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge. He did not respond to requests for comment.

Culloton said Suhail was unaware of Elkoussa’s arrest. “Upon learning of the events involving Mr. Elkoussa, Sameer is considering all options for discipline, up to and including termination,” Culloton said. He added, “SKS has provided efficient reliable outside lab services to Loretto — after other vendors failed to perform.” Following questions from reporters, Elkoussa’s name was removed from the websites of Suhail corporations.

Loretto spokeswoman Carroll said of SKS, “They provide cost-effective services for lab services performed at the hospital.”

■ In Loretto’s third top payment to an “independent contractor,” the hospital paid $980,000 for “behavioral services” to Metropolitan Behavioral Associates Inc. of Suhail’s 155 N. Michigan Ave. office.

Suhail is listed as the registered agent of the corporation, which was formed in April 2018.

Culloton said Suhail was not an owner but had an employment agreement as CEO with an annual salary of $220,000.

Besides Suhail, the company’s other listed officer is psychiatrist Thodur Ranganathan, who works at Loretto and other safety-net hospitals. Culloton said Ranganathan owns 100 percent of Metropolitan.

Ranganathan faces a pending medical malpractice lawsuit over injuries allegedly sustained by a Loretto psychiatric patient. He and Loretto have denied wrongdoing in that case.

He did not respond to a request for comment.

Carroll said Loretto’s contract with Metropolitan enabled the hospital to expand the number of beds it devotes to psychiatric patients and provide round-the-clock care.

Connections Remain Loretto’s board is responsible for overseeing contracts and financial billings to ensure top vendors aren’t overcharging or charging for services that weren’t provided. Loretto has said about 75 percent of its funding comes from the federal Medicaid and Medicare programs, and the inspector general for those programs watches how taxpayer dollars are spent at U.S. hospitals.

As pressure mounted over Loretto’s vaccine scandals, the hospital’s board met — but the board’s members, including state Sen. Kimberly Lightford and Rep. LaShawn Ford, who has since resigned, initially refused to say how they would hold Ahmed and Miller accountable.

After Block Club reported on more improper vaccinations, Ahmed resigned March 24.

Miller was suspended for two weeks.

In partnership with Block Club Chicago, this story was produced with the Better Government Association, a nonprofit news organization based in Chicago.

CONTACT: pascal@blockclubchi.org

10

Austin Weekly News, May 5, 2021

deadline: 9:30 am Monday office hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday

CLASSIFIEDS TO PLACE AN AD HELP WANTED

CALL: 773-626-6332 | FAX: 708-467-9066 | E-MAIL: classifieds@AustinWeeklyNews.com Place your ad online anytime at AUSTINWEEKLYNEWS.COM/CLASSIFIED HELP WANTED

SUBURBAN RENTALS OAK PARK: ROOSEVELT/ OAK PARK AVE. CORRIDOR 2BR 4RMS close to blue line. On site laundry, parking, heat & water incl. $1200/ month 708-383-9223

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT We are hiring Relationship Bankers in Oak Park, IL.

Visit the link below to check out this opportunity to join a great team! https://wintrust.taleo.net/careersection/2/ jobdetail.ftl?job=2100424&lang=en You can also learn about other career opportunities nearby.

SENIOR POLICE RECORDS CLERK The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Senior Police Records Clerk in the Police Department. this employee is responsible for distributing assignments, checking the work of others to ensure compliance with rules, policies, codes or other requirements, and referring matters that require supervisory intervention to the Police Records Supervisor.

This employee also performs the full domain of clerical duties in the support of the Police Department including processing and maintaining documents, correspondence and coding reports; and to provide information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs.

Application deadline May 14, 2021.

SEASONAL FARMERS’ MARKET ASSISTANT The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmers’ Market Assistant in the Development Customer Services Department.

This position will provide administrative support to the Farmers’ Market Manager to allow growers and producers of food to sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This position requires work in inclement weather conditions; some heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds; walking or standing for sustained periods of time. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

Open until filled SECRETARY/ASSISTANT Part-time, very flexible small law office in Oak Park. Ability to navigate a desktop essential Email resume to: bob@downslaw.com

DRIVER NEEDED NOW HIRING DRIVERS!!!!

Lucas Medi Car has an opening for a full time wheelchair van driver.

To be considered must have: • a current Illinois driver license • be friendly and courtoues • have a good driving recoed • must be 18 years or older in age • pass a criminal background check To schedule an interview CALL (708) 442-7533, MONDAY THRU SUNDAY (10AM TO 4PM) HOMECARE AIDES Sahara Homecare is hiring Homecare Aides for our Melrose Park location. We are looking for compassionate caregivers to assist elderly clients with everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and other errands. Pay starts at $14.00 per hour and flexible hours are available. Please call our Melrose Park office at (708) 344-2273 if interested or email Nicole Gray at nicoleg@saharahomecare. com and Greyder Martinez at greyderm@saharahomecare.com.

OFFICE SPACE, PROFESSIONAL SHARED Comfortable furnished. AVAILABLE MAY 1: subletting blocks of time, minimum four hours per week at super reasonable hourly rate.

Psychotherapy starter or retiring?

Working at home yet need professional setting? It’s a perfect space on border of Oak Park - River Forest in clean building, free street parking, ACCESSIBLE, steps from bus and train. DON’T delay!

INQUIRIES: Please phone/text 708-387-9000 MUST include name & profession for response.

1040 NORTH BLVD OFFICE Sub-lease, Move right in. Private furnished window office 10×15 @1040 North Boulevard, walk to CTA green line and Metra train.

Asking $600m + 1m SD. Includes all utilities and internet. Note: this is a 2nd-story walkup space.

Call Michael @ 708 383-7900

FOREST PARK HIGHLY VISIBLE OFFICE/STORE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE 1350 SF w/ AC & HIGHLY VISIBLE MADISON STREET EXPOSURE. 7607 Madison Street. Village parking lot next door. Bright, clean office. Great Madison Street exposure! Call Francis 708-383-8574.

SUBURBAN RENTALS

Apartment listings updated daily at:

ALL POSITIONS AVAILABLE Bartenders Bussers Line Cooks Servers Apply in person after 3pm.

KALAMATA Greek Cuisine 105 N Marion Street 708-628-3661

CEMENT

MAGANA

C O N C R E T E C O N S T RU C T I O N “QUALITY IS OUR FOUNDATION” ESTABLISHED IN 1987

COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL

708.442.7720 '5,9(:$<6 )281'$7,216 3$7,26 67(36 &85% *877(56 6,'(:$/.6 612: 3/2:,1* 67$03(' &2/25(' $**5(*$7( &21&5(7( FREE ESTIMATES LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

ELECTRICAL

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors • Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added • New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est.

708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area

• Electric • Heating • Air Conditioning

To Be Given Away, Items for Sale and Lost & Found classified ads run free in Austin Weekly News!

Call 773/626-6332 to place your ad.

SUBURBAN RENTALS

CEMENT

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue.

Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.

John Giatras Licensed, EPA Certified

Phone: 708-556-5540

Email: adinstubc@yahoo.com Always ready for Reasonable Pricing! emergency repairs

ITEMS FOR SALE

ITEM FOR SALE

ANTIQUE HALL TREE Antique American Hall Tree, solid oak. Excellent condition. 29”w x 78”h x 11”d, with covered shelf and mirror. $159.00.

708-488-8755

BRASS HEADBOARD Solid brass headboard. Originally from Marshall Field’s. $189.00.

708-488-8755

BLONDE CHEST OF DRAWERS 5 drawers. Blonde wood. Very old.

Excellent condition. $89.00 708-488-8755

BLONDE DRESSER WITH MIRROR 4 drawers. Blonde wood. Very old.

Excellent condition. $89.00 708-488-8755

ELECTRIC HEDGE TRIMMER $50.00 708-488-8755 LADDERS 24 FT EXTENSION LADDER $30 708-488-8755



WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead or plastic – other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

HANDYMAN

HANDYMAN Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates

773-637-0692 Ask for John

HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING

HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

LANDSCAPING BRUCE LAWN SERVICE Spring Clean-Up Aerating, Slit Seeding Bush Trimming, Lawn Maintenance brucelawns.com

708-243-0571

LANDSCAPING FAST DELIVERY

Mulch & Topsoil

Premium Shredded Hardwood ���������������$25/yd Dyed Red ������������������$30/yd Dyed Brown ��������������$30/yd Playmat��������������������$28/yd Premium Blend Dark �$34/yd Premium Bark Fines��$42/yd Blonde Cedar ������������$48/yd • Spreading Available! • Topsoil, Garden Mix, Mushroom, Super Mix, Compost, Gravel, Sand

SureGreenLandscape�com

847-888-9999 •• 630-876-0111 630-876-0111 847-888-9999

PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING

Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

708.749.0011

PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

Small & big work. Free estimates.

Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services



Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed

Illinois Classified Advertising Network WANTED

FREON WANTED: We pay $$$ for cylinders and cans.

R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. Certified Professionals.

Call 312-291-9169 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com

Attention! Home improvement pros!

Reach the people making decisions–your target demographic.

Advertise your business in Austin Classified. Call 773/626-6332

Austin Weekly News, May 5, 2021

Hire Local.

Place an ad on AWN’s Local Online Job Board.

Go to AustinWeeklyNews.com/classified today!

Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information.

(773) 626-6332 • maryellen@austinweeklynews.com

11

12

Austin Weekly News, May 5, 2021

. . .

O T K C A B ET

G S ’ T LE

c i s u M e Liv

E N I C C A V R U O Y D N FI

X A V D I V O C / V O G .

I H C T A