Chatham-Southeast Citizen 1-1-2020 by CITIZEN NEWSPAPERS

The World’s Most Inspiring People in 2019 - Eight Women in the Top 10 — Page 3

Citizen Week of Jan. 1, 2020

| Vol. 55 | No. 40 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

CHATHAM SOUTHEAST

The Chatham Food Market, 327 E. 79th St., opened in 1983 as a black-owned grocery store, before it was sold in 2008 and closed in 2019. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th), who was first elected in 2011, was re-elected in 2019 by Chatham voters. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

Several elected officials and community stakeholders participated in a Sept. 30, 2019 groundbreaking ceremony in Auburn Gresham for a new Metra station slated for completion in 2021. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

A YEAR IN REVIEW FOR THE CHATHAM COMMUNITY

BJ’s Market & Bakery, 8734 S. Stony Island Ave., relocated in 2019 to 9501 S. Stony Island Ave. and will now focus more on carryout orders instead of dinning in. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

ENTERTAINMENT

BUSINESS

FASHION

A Streaming Solution for Subscription Fatigue

PayPal to Acquire Honey PAGE 4

Start the New Year off right, reach your weight loss goals with these expert tips

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2 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Jan. 1, 2020

NEWS briefly EDUCATION

DATA FROM FIRST BOOK IDENTIFIES THE MOST IMPORTANT SCHOOL SUPPLY FOR KIDS IN NEED: SUPPORT FOR TOXIC STRESS OF POVERTY The most common barriers to learning faced by kids in need have nothing to do with what goes on at school, according to survey results released by First Book and ImpactED at the University of Pennsylvania. The majority of those surveyed – 3,000 educators exclusively serving low-income communities – reported that a lack of family engagement, inadequate access to behavioral health support, and the impact of trauma are the most significant obstacles preventing kids from learning. “Educators are on the front lines of a crisis in our public schools that has its roots in poverty,” said Kyle Zimmer, president, CEO, and co-founder of First Book. He added, “we have to equip educators—and schools as a whole— to address the full spectrum of health and social needs that are showing up in their classrooms, or we will lose a generation of kids.” The study also revealed hope. Educators surveyed reported that they felt they could address the most common barriers to learning with the right resources, citing professional development as equally as important, if not more, than funding in some cases.

HEALTH

FDA APPROVES NEW TREATMENT OPTION FOR PATIENTS WITH HER2-POSITIVE BREAST CANCER The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently granted accelerated approval to Enhertu for the treatment of adults with HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2-positive breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which promotes the growth of cancer cells. Approximately one of every five breast cancers have a gene mutation in the cancer cells that makes an excess of the HER2 protein. HER2-positive breast cancers are an aggressive type of breast cancer. Enhertu’s approval was based on the results of a clinical trial enrolling 184 female patients with HER2-positive, unresectable and/ or metastatic breast cancer who had received two or more prior anti-HER2 therapies in the metastatic setting.

LAW & POLITICS

DURBIN, SENATORS CALL ON MNUCHIN TO STRENGTHEN IRS CRIMINAL DIVISION U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), recently sent a letter to the Department of the Treasury urging the Administration to strengthen the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) enforcement efforts, including focusing on tax code violations and financial crimes. The Senators, in a letter to Secretary Steven Mnuchin, expressed serious concern over the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Division’s Annual Report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, which revealed a drastic drop in the volume of tax fraud identified in FY2019 compared to previous years. The Senators urged the Department to commit to prioritizing enforcement efforts to identify and combat tax fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering. According to its own report, the IRS CI Division only identified $1.8 billion in tax fraud during FY2019, an 81 percent decline compared to the $9.7 billion in tax fraud identified in FY2018. The report also indicated the IRS CI Division initiated 2,485 cases in FY2019, a 53 percent drop from the 5,314 cases initiated in FY2013.

A Year In Review for the Chatham Community Continued from page 1 BY WENDELL HUTSON Contributing Writer

In 2019, a lot took place in Chatham, a black, middle-class community on the South Side, such as residents re-electing the incumbent alderman, experiencing longtime businesses shutting down, and gaining a nearby Metra station for commuters. Election Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th), whose late father Eugene Sawyer Jr. served as Chicago’s 53rd mayor from 1987 to 1989, was elected by voters to continue representing Chatham at City Hall. He narrowly defeated Chatham resident Debra Foster-Bonner in an April runoff. Sawyer, who was first elected in 2011, is an attorney and also the former chairman on the City Council’s Black Caucus. Economic Hardship Even though the economy overall remains healthy for the country, that did not transfer over to local, retail stores. Target closed its store at 8560 S. Cottage Grove Ave. in February after a grand opening in 2002. The 126,000-squarefoot store had employed 120 people, according to Jacqueline DeBuse, a spokeswoman for Target Corp. “Our decision to close the store at 8560 S. Cottage Grove Ave. is based on the performance of the stores and is not

about a neighborhood or geography,” DeBuse, told the Citizen. But Target would not be the only casualty for Chatham. Soon afterwards, the Chatham Food Market, founded as a black-owned business before it was sold in 2008, temporarily closed for remodeling. However, since its closure, the 4,000-square-foot store at 327 E. 79th St., has given away its entire inventory of meats and canned goods to produce and housewares to the public. And the city of Chicago’s Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Department confirmed the store would not reopen even though the license for the business does not expire until October 2020. “This summer, city investigators from the Building Department went there to check for any building code violations and found none,” said Isaac Reichman, a spokesman for the BACP. But according to Reichman, city investigators were told by management that it would likely close the store. “So, it’s unclear right now what the owners plan to do with the business,” Reichman added. And BJ’s Market & Bakery in nearby Calumet Heights, whose regular customers included many Chatham residents, relocated its longtime location at 8734 S. Stony Island Ave. down the street to 9501 S. Stony Island Ave. “(On Dec. 9) we signed a (five-year) lease and now we have to go through the process of setting up equipment, getting

it inspected and all sorts of stuff,” said Hank Meyer, who co-owns BJ’s Market with his brother John Meyer. Transportation While Chatham already has a Metra station at 83rd Street and Ellis Avenue, the commuter company announced in 2019 plans to open a nearby station in Auburn Gresham at 79th Street and Lowe Avenue in 2020. “This community needs a station and it is Metra’s goal to make that happen as quickly as possible,” said Jim Derwinski, CEO and executive director of Metra. “Access to public transportation is proven to improve the overall economic health and vitality of a community.” The long awaited project was first conceived by former Alderman Latasha Thomas (17th) and later spearheaded by State Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-16th) and State Representative Mary Flowers (31st) in the Illinois Legislature; U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (1st) in Congress; Ald. David Moore (17th) in City Council; and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “I’m excited and hopeful that the Auburn Park Metra Station will be more than an added convenience for consumers but rather a key part of economic renaissance for this hard hit area,” said Collins. “This station is also a crucial step in the direction of equalizing infrastructure investments across all communities.”

Getting Around Illinois provides latest winter road conditions IDOT site provides continually updated info during snow-and-ice season Now that winter is upon us, the Illinois Department of Transportation reminds travelers to visit and bookmark GettingAroundIllinois.com for continually updated information on road conditions. “GettingAroundIllinois. com site is a great resource for getting you the latest information to keep you and your family safe in your travels,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “At this time of year, the weather can quickly change with little warning. Conditions at Point A can be much different than your destination at Point B. GettingAroundIllinois.com is an easy way to keep updated on winter road conditions throughout the state.” Available on your computer and optimized for smartphones, the site includes the ability to identify and zoom in to a location, travel route

Available on your computer and optimized for smartphones, GettingAroundIllinois.com allows you to keep updated on winter road conditions throughout the state of Illinois.

or destination on a state map. Road conditions are recorded by plow drivers out in the field and relayed to GettingAroundIllinois.com through a cloud-based system to provide a general overview on IDOT-maintained highways. The road conditions map

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averages more than 2 million visitors during snowand-ice season, featuring a color scheme of pinks and blues to differentiate from the red, yellow and green of traffic congestion reporting as well as to increase accessibility for those who have difficulty distinguishing

colors. “The safest thing is to not be driving during winter weather, but if travel is a must visit GettingAroundIllinois. combefore you go,” Osman said. “Planning ahead and using safe winter driving habits can help you get it together during winter weather.”

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Jan. 1, 2020

NEWS

The World’s Most Inspiring People in 2019 Eight Women in the Top 10 OOOM Magazine recently published its fourth annual OOOM 100: THE WORLD’S MOST INSPIRING PEOPLE list, compiled by an international jury. The results are remarkable: No less than eight spots in this year’s OOOM 100’s top 10 are claimed by women. GRETA THUNBERG was voted the most inspiring person of 2019, who “grew into a symbol and role model for an entire generation, a generation that takes to the streets by the millions to protest for better climate policies,” says OOOM Editor-In-Chief Georg Kindel, chairman of the jury. “She dominated the year and showed all of us with her persistence that every person on this planet has the power to change the world.” In second place of the OOOM 100 ranking is JANE FONDA: “Fonda stands out as a passionate climate activist who is fearless and radical in her protests, to the point that she accepts weekly arrests. She is a woman that shows us all what courage means,” says the OOOM 100 jury. Third place goes to MICHELLE OBAMA, who, in the words of the jury, “is the president of hearts, the antithesis to Trump’s White House. A strong woman and role model for all.” Number 4 in the ranking of the world’s most inspiring people is SANNA MARIN, Finland’s new prime minister and the world’s youngest head of government

at only 34: “She proves that real change is possible.” In fifth place is American soccer star MEGAN RAPINOE, the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year, who also fights vocally against the discrimination of homosexuals and minorities. In sixth place is NANCY PELOSI, speaker of the House of Representatives. According to Jury Chairman Kindel, “She is Donald Trump’s worst nightmare, and America’s political conscience. Pelosi is a woman with principles, something America now needs more than ever.” In the seventh spot is POPE FRANCIS, the highest ranking man in this year’s vote (“A great spiritual leader, a hope for many”), followed by JACINDA ARDERN, prime minister of New Zealand as number 8: “She represents a modern type of power woman.” The ninth spot in this year’s ranking is claimed by Tesla and Space-X founder ELON MUSK: “Musk is a visionary who lets humanity reach for the stars.” Number 10 goes to the much-awarded actress and screenwriter PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE (e.g., Fleabag): “She changes the image of women with charm and self-irony.” Read the entire ranking in OOOM 100: THE WORLD’S MOST INSPIRING PEOPLE 2019 online in English at www.ooom.com/digital/ooom100

Pritzker signs pension consolidation bill into law 649 funds will be combined into two BY JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois Jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com

Springfield — A new law recently signed by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker will consolidate 649 downstate and suburban police and firefighter pension funds into just two. Pritzker signed the measure, passed in the recent fall veto session, in Chicago and hailed it as an initiative 70 years in the making. “Bipartisanship in this General Assembly has achieved what none of their predecessors have been able to do: consolidate the (nearly) 650 downstate and suburban pension funds to just two, amplifying their investment power and reducing the burden on property taxpayers,” Pritzker said in a news release. “Working together, we are helping hundreds of cities in Illinois alleviate their spiraling property tax burdens, and just as importantly, we’re showing that Illinois can tackle its most intractable problems.” The governor’s office said Senate Bill 1300, the legislation he recently signed will leverage “$15 billion in assets — $8.7 billion in the police fund and $6.3 (billion) in the fire fund — to increase investment returns and lower management costs.” It estimated the new law would create greater returns from $820 million to $2.5 billion over the next five years, and “billions more over the

next 20 years.” The bill passed with broad bipartisan support by tallies of 96-14 in the House and 42-12 in the Senate. It was also supported by the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police and the Illinois Municipal League, a statewide organization that represents local communities throughout Illinois. “Consolidating the assets of the … downstate public safety pension funds throughout Illinois will help provide stronger investment returns for active and retired public safety employees and reduce redundant administrative costs on Illinois’ taxpayers,” IML Executive Director Brad Cole said in a release. “This is a good first step forward on the complicated and comprehensive issue of pension reform.” Despite bipartisan support, detractors, including several Republicans, opposed a provision that retroactively enhances benefits for so-called “Tier 2” employees — those hired after Jan. 1, 2011, when the state implemented new retirement systems with substantially lower benefits. Several pension experts, however, have said the provision was necessary because many of those positions are not covered by Social Security. That’s allowed under federal law known as a “safe harbor” provision, but only if the benefits are at least as generous as what Social Security would pay.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks Thursday, Nov. 14 during a news conference at the Capitol in Springfield about the General Assembly’s passage of legislation to consolidate 649 downstate and suburban police and firefighter pensions into two unified systems. The bill was the byproduct of a task force that Pritzker appointed in February. Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki

The governor’s office said the new law “brings Tier 2 pensions into compliance to avoid future additional liabilities, which is estimated to cost $70 to $95 million while projected investment gains can generate an additional $820 million to $2.5 billion.” Rep. Mark Batinick, a Plainfield Republican who serves as minority spokesperson on the House Personnel and Pensions Committee, praised the passage of the bill in a news release. “Our state’s broken pension system has been a

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heavy weight on the backs of Illinois taxpayers,” Batinick said. “With today’s bill signed into law I can proudly say that we are providing relief to our hardworking residents. This was a significant bipartisan reform effort that will make positive change. The work is not done on pensions, but today we can all celebrate this success.” The bill was a recommendation of the Illinois Pension Consolidation Feasibility Task Force, which is a body Pritzker created early in February.

4 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Jan. 1, 2020

BUSINESS

Gig Economy Targeted to Grow Beyond $440 Billion by 2023 The Gig Economy had made quite a splash in recent years and according to recent reviews, it will continue to grow for the next several years… at least. Since the term “gig economy” became popularized in 2008-2009, task-based labor has evolved and has become a significant factor in the overall economy. The concept of creating an income from short-term tasks has been around for a long time but the rise of the Gig Economy has created an ever growing demand for these workers and the supply is also rising accordingly. The size of the Gig economy workers segment in 2017, represented 31% of all US workers in 2017 — a total of 48 million workers — according to recently released research by Staffing Industry Analysts, an industry insider. That’s up from 29% in SIA’s previous report based on 2015 data which increased according to a Harvard Business Review in 2018, which said that: “… it was equal to approximately 150 million workers in North America and Western Europe (who) have left the relatively stable confines of organizational life to work as independent contractors…” and the need for workers has continued to rise since then. Active companies in the markets recently include: YayYo, Inc. (NASDAQ:YAYO), LMP Automotive Holdings (NASDAQ:LMPX), Lyft, Inc. (NASDAQ: LYFT), Uber Technologies Inc (NYSE: UBER), Groupon, Inc. (NASDAQ: GRPN). A recent report projected that the Gig Economy

was targeted to grow to $443 billion by 2023 from 204B in 2018. This 123% increase in 5yr had investors paying attention for emerging companies in the space. Another report from Statista had an even higher projection saying that: “In 2023, the projected gross volume of the gig economy is expected to reach $455.2 billion U.S. dollars.” Helping push the economy along is the growing demand and supply on the driving-service side of the business. Two of the biggest players are Uber (NASDAQ: UBER) and Lyft (NASDAQ: LYFT) and they both need drivers to continue to scale their ride share businesses. Yayyo, through its subsidiary, RideShare Rentals, supplies vehicles to these drivers on a daily basis. Drivers renting vehicles through YayYo have the ability to work for multiple platforms which allows drivers to maximize their time, take more fares which equals more money per day. Also according to Statista.com, “the ridesharing market has seen significant growth in recent years. A survey of almost 11,000 people in the U.S. indicated that 36 percent of people used ride sharing services in 2018, an increase from 15 percent in 2015. The largest two companies in the U.S. ridesharing market are Uber and Lyft, which reported net revenue in 2018 of $11.3 Billion U.S. dollars and $2.6 Billion U.S. dollars respectively.”

Online Holiday Shopping is Strong, But Many Still Shop Brick-and-Mortar, New BIGresearch Report Discovers SRAX, Inc., a digital marketing and consumer data management technology company, recently released a new study of over 116,000 Americans revealing this year’s holiday spending behaviors and trends. In a BIGtoken study conducted during the two weeks prior to Thanksgiving 2019, 40% of respondents planned to shop online for the holidays, 28% planned to shop in store, and 32% planned to shop both online and in store. Where do men and women shop during the holidays? Despite the hype about digital merchants, it’s not all online, though men typically shop Amazon more than women (56% versus 44%, respectively). Also, men were twice as likely to say they were going Black Friday shopping than not—while only about half of women take advantage of Black Friday sales. The study was conducted on users of BIGtoken, the first consumer-managed data marketplace where people can own and earn from their data.

BIGtoken also provides a platform for conducting primary research across a fast-growing, 100% opt-in audience exceeding 16 million consumers. “Holiday purchasing patterns are complex, and retailers, both online and bricks-and-mortar, will benefit from understanding the nuances of the key demographic groups,” said Kristoffer Nelson, COO of SRAX and cofounder of BIGtoken. “We are happy to freely share the latest BIGresearch results. Topical surveys such as this demonstrate the power of our platform to quickly and accurately gather insights from specific audiences.” SRAX’s 2019 Holiday Spending Report contains detailed information based on shopping surveys, with results broken out by gender, age, household income, and ethnicity. There are special breakouts for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The full 2019 Holiday Spending Report can be downloaded at https:// go.bigtokenresearch.com/holidayspending-report-1219/

Left to right: Honey Co-Founders Ryan Hudson and George Ruan.

PayPal to Acquire Honey PayPal Holdings, Inc. recently announced that it has agreed to acquire Honey Science Corporation, a rapidly-growing technology platform for shopping and rewards, for approximately $4 billion. According to a news release, Honey, in combination with PayPal’s twosided network, will transform the shopping experience for PayPal’s consumers while increasing sales and customer engagement for its merchants. Founded in 2012, Honey is best known as a popular discovery tool that helps consumers find savings www.citizennewspapergroup.com

as they shop online. Honey has continued to grow and evolve, expanding its suite of products and services to include a mobile shopping assistant, offers and rewards program, and price-tracking tools and alerts. With approximately 17 million monthly active users, Honey has helped millions of people find more than $1 billion in savings in the past year. Honey currently works across approximately 30,000 online retailers ranging from fashion and technology, to travel and pizza delivery.

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Jan. 1, 2020

Happy

From all us us at the Citizen www.thechicagocitizen.com

6 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Jan. 1, 2020

ENTERTAINMENT Mayor Lightfoot Appoints New Members to the Cultural Advisory Council of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

Tubi, via its free, advertiser-supported service, allows entertainment fans to stream thousands of movies and TV shows without using credit cards.

A Streaming Solution for Subscription Fatigue Family Features Entertainment seekers have an almost overwhelming number of options available today when it comes to viewing television shows and movies. The rise in alternative entertainment options, such as streaming video services, has only increased the amount of choices. With cable and satellite television costs continuing to rise, plus the monthly subscription fees charged by many of those streaming services, joining more entertainment platforms can add up over time. However, an option like Tubi, which allows entertainment fans to stream thousands of movies and TV shows without the hassle of credit cards, can help alleviate

that “subscription fatigue” via its free, advertiser-supported service. “I admit it – I found someone new,” said singer, actress and dancer Carmen Electra of “Baywatch” fame, who is featured in new commercials alongside “Sex and the City” star Chris Noth as they look to find the cure for subscription fatigue during what appear to be typical therapy sessions. “At first, I felt guilty for leaving my first streaming love, but not anymore. Tubi has thousands of movies and TV shows and, to be honest, those monthly fees were starting to get old.” The service features more than 15,000 premium movies and TV shows – more

than double the content library of other popular streaming providers – including everything from Hollywood blockbusters like Electra’s “Scary Movie” to smaller independent and foreign films, all of which are available right at your fingertips on nearly every type of device, including Android and iOS mobile devices, video game consoles, plug-and-play streaming devices and more. Fans of specialty content can even find selections in categories such as anime, martial arts, classic TV, cult films and more. Visit Tubi.TV to learn more where you can start streaming for free. SOURCE: Tubi

BRIEFLY

Miami Super Bowl Host Committee Announces Five New Official Partners Five industry leaders – retail banker Truist, sustainable technology company Footprint, healthy preparedmeals delivery service Deliver Lean, safety mobile application Safer Watch and medical transportation provider American Medical Response – have all joined the roster of teams partnering with the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee (MSBHC) for activations and official

presences as the city hosts its 11th Super Bowl, a record. Super Bowl LIV, which takes place February 2, 2020, will also mark the culmination of the NFL’s centennial season. The new partners join existing partners including Perry Ellis and Brightline. Perry

Ellis International joined the ranks as the official uniform provider for the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee. The custom uniforms provided are made of recycled materials and will be worn by MSBHC staff as well as over 10,000 volunteers serving as ambassadors throughout South Florida. Brightline has provided their Virgin MiamiCentral train station to

serve as the official headquarters for the Host Committee’s volunteer program. These headquarters will be a rallying point for the program, allowing volunteers to coordinate their efforts throughout the community during the week of the game. To become a sponsor for the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee and be a part of Super Bowl LIV please reach out to info@miasbliv.com.

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot recently introduced the new members of the local arts community to the Cultural Advisory Council of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), including Council Chair Amina J. Dickerson and Vice Chair Alison Cuddy. The Mayor will submit these appointments for City Council approval this month. “A robust Chicago arts community inspires us, engages us, questions the status quo, and has the power to bring our diverse city together in conversation around the critical challenges of our day,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “I am grateful to the outgoing members of the Council and excited to bring these new voices to the table, who will work with us to ensure that Chicago remains a vibrant and innovative cultural hub – and that all Chicagoans have equitable access to the arts.” The entirely new slate of Cultural Advisory Council members will advocate for a vital Chicago arts community and help advance the Mayor’s arts and culture priorities, which include making Chicago livable and affordable for artists and creative professionals, expanding public arts programming to help drive the economic life of our neighborhoods, collaborating with communities and creative industries to engage our artists and expand quality jobs, and expanding equitable access to high-quality arts education for all young people in Chicago. The proposed appointees are a diverse group of Chicagoans from across the city representing a broad cross-section of arts genres. They include practicing artists, representatives from major cultural organizations, neighborhood and community organizations, and the community at large. “Mayor Lightfoot has appointed an incredible group of Chicagoans to serve on the reinvigorated Cultural Advisory Council and I am looking forward to working closely with all of them to strengthen the cultural landscape,” said DCASE Commissioner Mark Kelly. Pending approval, the new Cultural Advisory Council will be comprised of the following individuals: l Paola Aguirre Serrano, Founding Principal, Borderless Studio l Alison Cuddy, Artistic Director, Chicago Humanities Festival l Sandra Delgado, Theatre Artist, Writer, Actor and Producer l Amina J. Dickerson, President, Dickerson Global Advisors l Juan Díes, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Sones de México Ensemble l Bob Faust, Owner, Faust and Special Projects Director, Nick Cave Studio l Robert Gomez, Owner, Subterranean/ Beat Kitchen/Underbar

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l Esther Grisham Grimm, Executive Director, 3Arts l Tracie D. Hall, Director, Culture Program, Joyce Foundation l Akilah S. Halley, Executive Director, Marwen l Tempestt Hazel, Arts Program Officer, Field Foundation of Illinois l Kevin Iega Jeff, Creative Director, Deeply Rooted Productions l Ginger Lane, Arts & Culture Project Director, Access Living l Josephine Lee, President & Artistic Director, Chicago Children’s Choir l Tonika Lewis Johnson, Artist, Folded Map Project l Bill Michel, Associate Vice President and Executive Director of UChicago Arts and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, University of Chicago l Heather A. Miller, Executive Director, American Indian Center l Cesáreo J. Moreno, Chief Curator & Visual Arts Director, National Museum of Mexican Art l Margaret C. Murphy-Webb, Executive Director & Co-Founder, South Side Jazz Coalition l Coya Paz, Artistic Director, Free Street Theater l Claire C. Rice, Executive Director, Arts Alliance Illinois l Silvia Rivera, Managing Director, Vocalo l Myrna Salazar, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Chicago Latino Theater Alliance l David Schmitz, Executive Director, Steppenwolf Theatre Company l Jennifer A. Scott, Director & Chief Curator, Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, University of Illinois at Chicago l Paul J. Sznewajs, Executive Director, Ingenuity l Vivian Teng, Managing Director, Cinema/Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival l Omar Torres-Kortright, Executive Director, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center l Tanner Woodford, Founder & Executive Director, Design Museum of Chicago l One additional member to be named later The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events enriches Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. According to a news release, this includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the city’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the city’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Jan. 1, 2020

NEWS

Help For The Self-Employed NAPSI — Whether you run a part-time business, do freelance work, or own your own business, you’re in good company. About 16 million adults in America work for themselves, and nearly half that number are baby boomers. Even though self-employment comes in many forms, with a wide range of specific needs, some of the challenges are universal—including taxes. If you’re new to the self-employment journey, you’ll need to be prepared for some financial adjustments. Avoiding Surprises at Tax Time Older adults who have spent most of their careers benefiting from the services of a human resources department are often caught off guard by the tax requirements for self-employment. Instead of the familiar W-2 from a single full-time job, self-employed adults may find themselves juggling multiple 1099s, wrestling with the time-consuming work of tracking expenses learning how to plan, save and submit quarterly tax payments. If you work for yourself, you may need a resource that can help you handle multiple self-employment tax requirements. AARP Foundation Self-Saver is an online tax-tracking resource that allows you to connect your bank account and automate your

self-employment tax withholding and payments. As user Connie Johnson explained, “I’m an AARP member and I just happened onto Self-Saver. I felt like a miracle had happened. I had no idea I had to pay self-employment tax because as a contractor you’re considered self-employed, so that was a little bit of a shock. I feel peace of mind knowing that has been taken care of.” AARP Foundation Self-Saver Self-Saver saves you time and money with a set of tools that make tax time simpler, automated and less of a surprise. By syncing to your bank account, Self-Saver informs you automatically about self-employment income received and expenses paid. The program provides an estimated tax rate based on factors that adjust as your income and other statuses change. Self-Saver also gives you the option to automate your tax withholding, storing the right amount in an FDIC-insured bank. At the end of the quarter, Self-Saver submits your quarterly tax payments to the IRS automatically. For additional self-employment education or to sign up for a FREE account, go to Self-Saver. org. Sign up before 04/15/2020 and Self-Saver will always be free!

Managing your self-employment taxes just became easier with AARP Foundation Self-Saver.

COMMENTARY

A Modest Proposal for Improving Senate Impeachment Trials BY THOMAS L. KNAPP

US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) makes no bones about his position on the likely upcoming impeachment trial of US president Donald Trump. “I am trying to give a pretty clear signal I have made up my mind,” he tells CNN International’s Becky Anderson. “I’m not trying to pretend to be a fair juror here.” Well, okay, then. Graham has publicly disqualified himself as, and should be excused from serving as, a juror. Republican politicians, including Graham, have spilled quite a bit of verbiage whining — ineffectually and incorrectly — about a lack of “due process” in the House segment

of the impeachment drama. Their errors on those claims are simple: Impeachment isn’t a criminal prosecution, nor is a House impeachment inquiry a trial. There won’t be any “nature and cause of the accusation” for Trump to be “informed of ” until the House passes articles of impeachment. If impeachment was a criminal matter, he would be constitutionally entitled “to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence” at trial. And in fact he will be treated as entitled to those things, even in the Senate’s non-criminal equivalent. But Graham and friends want to

talk about due process, so let’s talk about due process. In addition to those aforementioned items, the Sixth Amendment also mandates “an impartial jury.” If you’re accused of armed robbery, your brother won’t be allowed to serve on the jury at your trial. Neither will the bank teller who was ordered to stuff money in a sack at gunpoint, or the police officer who arrested you, or anyone else who’s known to likely be prejudiced either way. Is there any particular reason why the due process requirements Graham hails as paramount wouldn’t mandate a similar standard for impeachment trials in the US Senate? I can’t think of one. In Senate trials of impeachment www.citizennewspapergroup.com

cases, the Chief Justice of the United States (in the current controversy, John Roberts) presides as judge. Once the House passes articles of impeachment, Roberts should order his clerks to drop everything else and get to work examining the public statements of all 100 members of the US Senate. His first order of business at the trial should be to excuse any and all Senators who have publicly announced their prejudices on Trump’s guilt or innocence from “jury duty.” Yes, Democrats too. That should come as a relief to several Democratic presidential aspirants who would probably rather spend their time on the 2020 campaign trail than as impeachment jurors. The Constitution only requires

the votes of 2/3 of US Senators PRESENT at the trial to convict, so excusing those members who have announced their prejudice and partiality wouldn’t prevent a valid verdict. Would “impeachment voir dire” render future impeachments more “fair” and less “partisan?” Probably not. But it would at least spare us some theatrics from the likes of Lindsey Graham by making pretrial silence a condition of participation. Thomas L. Knapp (Twitter: @ thomaslknapp) is director and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism (thegarrisoncenter.org). He lives and works in north central Florida.

8 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Jan. 1, 2020

FASHION

NIOREBELLA Aims to Empower Women Through Wearable Confidence The team at NIOREBELLA is on a mission to empower women in the best way they know how: wearable confidence. The startup online department store with a twist offers a broad selection of signature luxury hair extensions, trendy women’s apparel for petite to plus sizes, designer brands, beauty and hair products, fragrances, accessories and shoes to satisfy a variety of tastes - with a percentage of all sales going to projects and investments that better communities.

NIOREBELLA is an inclusive, online store for women’s diverse head-to-toe shopping needs. It sells the NIOREBELLA brand of luxury hair extensions, wigs, hair products, lashes, women’s clothing, shoes, handbags, fragrances, accessories, and more with two percent of profits going to community investments. Yet the founder is quick to point out that this is not just about shopping - NIOREBELLA is a movement.

Sally Beauty Launches ‘SBH Going Green’ Program Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. recently announced the launch of ‘SBH Going Green,’ a companywide effort intended to reduce the brand’s environmental impact by reducing waste and energy usage throughout its stores, supply chain and headquarters. In an effort to be a good corporate citizen, by reducing waste and conserving energy, Sally Beauty Holdings aims to enhance the sustainability of the planet and the communities in which it operates. “Sally Beauty is committed to a top-down transformation. Making our operations more sustainable helps our communities and our business,” said Aaron Alt, president of Sally Beauty Supply. “Our customer base wants to see a more environmentally-friendly Sally, and we’re proud of the plan we’ve developed to get us there.” This year, Sally Beauty, CosmoProf and corporate-owned Armstrong McCall stores will discontinue the use of plastic bags, instead offering their customers a choice between paper bags and reuseble bags made from recycled materials, in each case available for a small fee. According to a news release, this effort alone will eliminate more than 104 million plastic bags from landfills per year. In addition, Sally Beauty Holdings is committed to removing all instances of styrofoam from its operations, leading to an initial reduction of 300,000 pieces from landfills in the first year. Finally, corporate headquarters has launched a cardboard recycling program in an effort to recycle five to seven tons of cardboard per year. Together, these changes will contribute to an estimated $2-$3 million in annual savings. The Sally Beauty banner also continues to make progress with cleaner product development and sourcing. All finished owned-brand products are already ‘cruelty-free,’ and more than half are vegan, including Ion Renewing Shampoo and Ion Color Solutions Conditioner. Sally Beauty Holdings plans to have at least 80 percent of its owned-brand products become vegan by the end of fiscal year 2021. Finally, earlier in 2019, the brand also launched an energy management pilot program in 64 stores that resulted in a 34 percent reduction in energy per store. Based on the success of the program, the brand will be implementing the energy conservation plan in additional stores over the next three years, targeting locations with the highest energy usage.

“We want our customers to feel like part of the brand. They are NIOREBELLA. We listen to what they want from the product line because it is their product line too. And we listen to what community projects they would like us to invest in because their giving priorities are ours,” said Porcha Akins. “NIOREBELLA supports women in becoming the best versions of themselves, instead of trying to be what society tells them to be. We help them to express themselves

by offering products that assist them in identifying and adopting their own unique fashion styles and beauty routines,” she added. “Since we started, our assortment of wares has expanded to include more and more everyday essentials with a luxurious feel at reasonable prices - because that is what the women in the NIORBELLA movement told us they want.” For more information about the company or to shop its products, go to https:// shopniorebella.com.

Start the New Year off right, reach your weight loss goals with these expert tips Family Features - Losing weight is a highly personal journey as a wide range of factors can affect a person’s ability to do so. There’s no one approach to weight loss; rather, the best approach is the one that fits your life and body best. Get motivated to reach your weight loss goals with these expert tips. Set realistic goals. Most experts agree you shouldn’t lose more than 1-2 pounds per week. More rapid loss may shock your system, and chances are you’re depriving your body of important nutrients. More aggressive loss is also less likely to be permanent or sustainable; long-term results generally come with steady loss over a period of time. Eat well. Regardless what eating plan you choose, recognize the importance of nutrition in your weight loss program. Weight loss occurs when you burn more calories than you consume, so build your menu around nutrient-rich foods that fill you up. Strive for a well-balanced diet that encompasses all the food groups and, if necessary, discuss your goals with a doctor or nutritionist who can help you identify the best foods to enjoy and those to avoid. Consider a supplement. If managing cravings or your appetite hinders your weight loss, a supplement may be a good solution. For example, RiduZone is a patented supplement that gives your body more of a substance it already creates called Oleoylethanolamide (OEA). In essence, OEA tells your brain you are full and it’s time to stop eating. Developed and endorsed by Dr. Jay Yepuri, a boardcertified gastroenterologist, the supplement is a non-stimulant that may help you feel full faster to reduce caloric intake and boost metabolism to burn stored fat. Get active. Creating a calorie deficit is necessary to lose weight, and increasing your physical activity helps ensure you’re burning calories. However, getting active isn’t just about playing the numbers game. Physical activity also promotes overall wellness with numerous physical and mental health benefits, including improving circulation and stimulating feelgood endorphins. Stay committed. It’s easy to fall off your weight loss plan when unexpected

There’s no one approach to weight loss; rather, the best approach is the one that fits your life and body best. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

circumstances arise. Give yourself a little grace and permission for occasional misses so you stay motivated to get back to your program. That may mean waiting for a cold to pass and doing less strenuous workouts at home or making extra healthy choices at mealtime in advance of an indulgent event. To help make keeping your commitments easier, consider an option like RiduZone to boost your body’s natural appetite-curbing power. What is OEA? Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is a metabolite of oleic acid, a naturally produced substance that interacts with appetite-controlling receptors in the small intestine to signal the brain you are full. It also helps boost metabolism. However, as a result of food choices and excess body fat, naturally produced OEA may require supplementation to achieve the desired effect on appetite or body fat. Created to mimic this naturally occurring metabolite, RiduZone is the

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only weight management supplement that contains OEA as an ingredient. Its production has been reviewed and is accepted as safe by the Food and Drug Administration. Less fat A clinical study published in the “Journal of Lipid Research” shows higher blood levels of OEA, which is derived from oleic acid-rich olive oil, correlate to lower amounts of body fat. This means weight loss results may be more visible. Fewer calories A prominent research study published in the journal “Food & Function” shows higher circulating levels of OEA can result in a significant reduction in calorie intake. Over time, OEA users become satisfied with smaller, healthier-sized portions. Find more information to help jumpstart your weight management program at RiduZone.com . SOURCE: NutriForward

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Jan. 1, 2020

10 | CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Jan. 1, 2020

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Jan. 1, 2020

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FAMILY LIVING

Tips for Families Gifting Kids Mobile Devices This Holiday Season (StatePoint) Buying children mobile devices this holiday season? You’re in good company. Fifty-three percent of children own a smartphone by age 11, and 84 percent of teenagers have their own phones, according to Common Sense Media. While there are many great benefits to being digitally connected at a young age, there are certain issues families should address. Once the dust settles after your child receives their gift, consider these suggestions for safer, more responsible mobile device use: 1) Discuss Privilege and Trust. Have a casual, open-ended chat about the privilege and responsibilities of device ownership. Ask questions about whether their friends own devices, and what they’re most excited to use it for. 2) Set Clear Agreements. Setting clear rules about device usage is essential. Depending on your child’s age, you may agree that the device only to be used for certain purposes (for example: contacting you, FaceTiming relatives, doing homework). Even with older kids and teens, it’s important to discuss appropriate online behavior, healthy digital habits and “screen etiquette.” Consider putting together a “contract” to be displayed somewhere visible. 3) Buy a Protective Case and Warranty. Devices are easy to lose or break -- especially by kids. Consider buying a durable case and screen protector as additional presents, and definitely purchase a warranty through your carrier or a third party. Finally, make sure you have a location monitoring app installed on your child’s device, which offers peace of mind, saves headaches coordinating pickups and can help you locate lost devices in a pinch. 4) Download a Parental Guidance App. Download a parental guidance app onto

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SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY Bloom Township, Chicago Heights, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, Glenwood, Homewood, Lansing ,Lynwood, Olympia Fileds, Park Forest, Sauk Village, South Chicago and Steger

your own device, such as OurPact, which allows you to install a simple profile on your child’s device. Then, you can remotely set up automated schedules for when internet and apps are unavailable, or block access manually to the device for a specified period of time. With such features as URL whitelisting and blacklisting, daily screen time allowances and iMessage/SMS blocking, you can be engaged with how your child uses their device, letting you enjoy the peace of mind knowing they aren’t playing Angry Birds or Fruit Ninja past

bedtime when they should be snoozing. Available at the iOS App Store and Google Play Store, parents can also sign up for an account at www.ourpact.com. 5) Screen Applications for Quality. Make sure all apps installed on your child’s device pass your approval. It’s good practice to have the App Store blocked using a tool like OurPact. This way, when your child wants to install a new app, you can research it together. 6) Practice What You Preach! Kids are more likely to respond to actions over

words, so make sure that you’re setting a good example. Don’t send emails at the dinner table. Never text and drive. Make eye contact when you talk. Last but not least: always put relationships -especially with your children -- before devices. For a joyful holiday season, be sure any gift of a digital device is used safely and responsibly by the recipient.

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@citizennewspapergroup.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.

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