CITIZEN SUBURBAN 1-22-2025 by CITIZEN NEWSPAPERS

Dr. Ngozi Ezike, then the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, is pictured at a news conference in Gov. JB Pritzker’s office. (CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS FILE PHOTO)

New state laws taking effect Jan. 1

Minimum wage hike, pets in public housing among new changes

COVID-era public health chief fined $150K for ethics violation

Continued from page 1

BY PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com

SPRINGFIELD – Minimum wage workers in Illinois will see a boost in their hourly pay to $12 per hour starting Jan. 1, while tenants in affordable housing units will be allowed to keep pets.

Those are just some of the more than 300 new laws that take effect in the new year.

Dr. Ngozi Ezike, a face of the state’s pandemic response, took job with hospital that received

The minimum wage increase is actually the result of a 2019 law that phases in a state minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025. This year, it will increase by one dollar to $12 an hour.

tenants to keep pets is the result of Senate Bill 154, by Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, and Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego. It provides that tenants of multifamily housing units that are acquired, built or renovated with money from the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund may keep up to two cats or one dog weighing less than 50 pounds. It applies to residents of housing units that are designated as affordable housing for low- and very-lowincome families. The bill passed both chambers in its final form on May 30 and Gov. JB Pritzker signed it into law Aug. 6. Other new laws include:

BY BRIGETTE FOX CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS BFOX@CAPITOLNEWSILLINOIS.COM

Former Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health Dr. Ngozi Ezike, who led state health policy during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, will pay a $150,000 fine for violating a state anti-corruption law.

Ezike violated the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act’s “revolving door” provision in 2022 by accepting a job as CEO of Sinai Chicago, a hospital based on Chicago’s West side.

The state’s former top doctor admitted to state investigators she was guilty of the violation, according to a report released Friday outlining the almost three-year-long investigation by the state’s Executive Ethics Commission into her taking that job. Ezike could not be reached for comment.

Under the Ethics Act, a high-level state employee, like Ezike was, can’t take a job with an organization that was subject to certain contracts, licensing or regulatory decisions from the state within one year of leaving their government position.

and appreciates the Office of the Attorney General’s role in settling this matter. She also asks the Commission to recognize the challenges for employees navigating the revolving door prohibition.”

The Executive Ethics Commission accepted the $150,000 settlement agreement between Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office and Ezike.

However, the investigation from the Office of the Executive Inspector General found that “there was not ‘good faith’ or an honest intent to find out whether the revolving door provisions applied.”

Ezike did not disclose that she’d talked to other government employees about wanting to be hired at Sinai, according to the OEIG.

The law allowing public housing

Vehicle taxes: SB58 raises the private vehicle tax, which is a sales tax paid on the purchase of vehicles, by $75 for each model year where the purchase price is less than $15,000 and by $100 for vehicles priced above that amount. However, the registration fee for trailers weighing less than 3,000 pounds will drop to $36 instead of $118.

Sinai Health System received $4.2 million in grants from IDPH in the year before Ezike left and was the subject of IDPH regulation.

According to a statement from her legal team in the report, Ezike sought opinions from counsel and her ethics officer at IDPH before accepting the position. That counsel told Ezike not to consider the money Sinai Chicago received in grant funding from the IDPH to be “contracts.”

“She thought she was able to accept the job,” Ezike’s legal team wrote in its filing to investigators. “Dr. Ezike accepts responsibility

Ezike contacted the OEIG to let them know she was planning to take the job with Sinai in April 2022 after she left the IDPH in March 2022. However, the OEIG report said she had been interviewing for the position since November of the previous year.

The office reportedly told Ezike to continue consulting with legal counsel and the IDPH ethics officer during the year after her employment ended.

Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to note that Ezike sought an opinion from an ethics officer at IDPH, not the governor’s office.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation

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College admissions: HB226, establishing the Higher Education Fair Admissions Act, prohibits public colleges and universities from requiring applicants to submit SAT, ACT or other standardized test scores as part of the admissions process, although prospective students may choose to submit them if they wish.

Giannoulias Announces IDs in Apple Wallet Will Be Coming to Illinois

CST Weekly, published weekly on Wednesdays and distributed in the Township of Bloom, (publishing 52 issues annually). W ritten permission is required to reproduce contents in whole or part from the General manager or the publisher CST Weekly does not assume the responsibility for nor are we able to return unsolicited marterials. Deadline for advertising is every Monday at noon. For information on subscriptions or advertising call us at (773) 783-1251. Our office is located at 8741 S. Greenwood Ave., Ste# 107, Chicago, Illinois 60619.

CST Weekly,published weekly on Wednesdays and distributed in the Township of Bloom, (publishing 52 issuesannually). W ritten permission isrequired to reproduce contents inwholeor part from the Generalmanager or the publisher CST Weekly does not assume the responsibilityfor nor are weable to return unsolicited marterials. Deadline for advertising is everyMonday at noon. For information on subscriptions oradvertising call us at (773)783-1251. Our office is locatedat 8741S. Greenwood Ave., Ste# 107, Chicago, Illinois 60619.

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The Illinois Secretary of State‘s office is working to bring IDs in Apple Wallet to Illinois residents in the future with the goal of launching by the end of the year, Secretary Alexi Giannoulias announced today.

Drug prices: SB1682 requires pharmacies to post a notice informing consumers that they may request current pharmacy retail prices at the point of sale.

FOID card changes: HB562 enacts several changes to the Firearm Owner Identification card law. Among other things, it provides for a streamlined renewal process for FOID cards and Concealed Carry Licenses for people who voluntarily submit fingerprint records. It also allows the Illinois State Police to issue a combined FOID card and Concealed Carry License to qualified applicants, and it establishes a new Violent Crime Intelligence Task Force to take enforcement action against people with revoked FOID cards.

This capability will enable residents to seamlessly and securely add and present their driver’s licenses and state IDs in person and in apps using their iPhone or Apple Watch. The news follows legislation that took effect at the beginning of the year, which enabled the Secretary of State’s office to begin this work. The plan includes robust testing requirements to ensure the office delivers the most secure and private product for Illinois residents, Giannoulias said.

“We’re excited to have kickstarted our work with Apple – a company that shares our commitment to data security – to provide IDs in Apple Wallet that will offer convenience and privacy for Illinoisans,” said Giannoulias, whose office pushed for the legislation enabling the development of mobile driver’s licenses and state IDs in Illinois. “This is the first component of a multi-faceted approach to deliver a state-of-the-art mobile driver’s license and state ID program that leverages best-in-class technology for residents.”

to the appropriate school support personnel.

Anyone interested can visit www.ilsos.gov/mDL to sign up.

Mobile driver’s licenses and state IDs will not be mandatory and will serve as a companion – rather than a replacement – to a physical card.

Presenting an ID in Apple Wallet will allow for more security and privacy than presenting a physical card. Using Apple Wallet, only the information needed for the transaction is presented, and the user has the opportunity to review and authorize the information being requested with Face ID or Touch ID before it is shared. This means that a mobile driver’s license or ID holder can provide proof of their age when legally purchasing alcohol or renting a car, without sharing other personal information – like their address.

Illinois joins ten states and territories that have adopted IDs in Apple Wallet, including Arizona, Colorado, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio and Puerto Rico.

Official flags: HB605 requires state agencies and institutions to purchase Illinois and American flags that are made in the United States.

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Student mental health: HB576 and SB1577 allow students in Illinois up to five excused absences to attend to their mental or behavioral health without providing a medical note. Those students will be given an opportunity to make up any work they missed during the first absence and, after using a second mental health day, may be referred

Once the program launches, driver’s licenses and state IDs in Wallet will provide an easy and more secure way for Illinoisans to present their identification. Users will have the ability to add their driver’s license or state ID to Wallet and simply tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to present it in person, without taking out their physical card or handing over their device.

Hair styles: SB817 prohibits discrimination in schools against individuals on the grounds of wearing natural or ethnic hairstyles, which include dreadlocks, braids, twists and afros.

its public health authorities from regulating or shutting down lemonade stands or similar operations that are operated by children under the age of 16. Known as “Hayli’s Law,” it was inspired by 12-year-old Hayli Martinez, whose lemonade stand in Kankakee was shut down by local officials.

The office has set up a sign-up page for Illinoisans to receive updates about the mobile driver’s license and state ID program and when IDs in Apple Wallet will become available for users.

Lemonade stands: SB119 prohib-

Giannoulias also expects to bring mobile driver’s licenses and IDs to additional digital wallets, such as Google Wallet for Android users, in the future.

Juneteenth: HB3922 recognizes June 19, or “Juneteenth,” as an official state holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the

United States. In June, President Joe Biden also signed a bill designating Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

HB 4592, which enabled the Secretary of State’s office to begin the process of developing mobile IDs in Illinois, was sponsored by State Representative Kam Buckner (26th District – Chicago) and State Senator Michael Hastings (19th District – Frankfort). The bill is part of Giannoulias’ commitment to modernizing the office, while getting up to speed with other states that already have secure mobile driver’s license and state ID programs in place.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

For more information on IDs in Apple Wallet, visit https://learn.wallet.apple/id

The Crown Publishing Group partners with Storehouse In A Box to launch Storehouse Voices™

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- The Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, announced today the establishment of Storehouse Voices™, a new imprint committed to elevating Black voices.

Developed in partnership with award-winning entrepreneur and philanthropist Tamira Chapman, Storehouse Voices will issue books across a broad range of nonfiction categories and fiction genres, promoting the richness of Black storytelling through intentional acquisitions and hiring efforts, strategic partnerships, and authentic, equity-minded community outreach. Founded with a mission of bridging the representation gap of authors of color in the publishing industry, Storehouse Voices is informed by a deep understanding of the unique cultural and historical contexts of the Black experience in America and committed to ensuring that literary works by underrepresented authors are presented authentically, respectfully, and powerfully across the publishing and media landscape.

The founder and CEO of Storehouse In A Box, LLC (SIAB), a global merchandising company that in 2022 was recognized as the eighth-fastest-growing

woman-led enterprise globally, Mrs. Chapman has an established reputation for developing and delivering content that reflects the values and interests of the audiences and communities she serves. Through her multiyear association with Penguin Random House, she has supported numerous publications by hosting large-scale virtual events with authors such as Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman. Mrs. Chapman will serve as Publisher of Storehouse Voices. Porscha Burke, who most recently served as Senior Editor and Director of DEI Strategy for the Crown and Random House Publishing Groups, has been named Associate Publisher of Storehouse Voices, effective immediately. She will work closely with Mrs. Chapman in shaping the imprint’s publishing program and mission and in leading the imprint’s community engagement initiatives. Ms. Burke brings more than twenty years of experience in the publishing industry and has acquired and edited works by Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Jon Meacham, among other authors. An inaugural board member of People of Color in Publishing and PRH’s DEI Council, she has long championed diversity in the industry. She

will report to Mrs. Chapman.

Jennifer Baker, a widely respected publishing professional who previously served as Senior Editor at Amistad Books and who most recently was Senior Program Manager at Narrative Initiative, has been appointed as Editorial Director of Storehouse Voices and will join the company on February 10.

Also joining the Storehouse Voices editorial team will be Chelcee Johns, who has been named Executive Editor, effective February 3, reporting to Ms. Baker. With 15 years of editorial and digital content strategy experience spanning book publishing, digital media, and online magazines, Ms. Johns brings a passion for and belief in impactful, entertaining books to help shape and create culture.

The blueprint for Storehouse Voices developed from the success and community engagement demonstrated by the Women & Words program, a collaboration between Penguin Random House and SIAB: a series of virtual workshops and unprecedented networking sessions pairing literary agents with aspiring authors.

In keeping with its roots in Women & Words, Storehouse Voices will include an innovative community-based author incubator program in addition to acquiring books from literary agents. Five writers who participated in the Women & Words program have already been signed to book deals by Storehouse Voices, including Nia Gilliam (memoir); Cheryl Polote-Williamson (inspirational nonfiction); Temple Day Smith (historical fiction); Marie Sutton (biography/memoir); and Michael A. Tinsley (YA/fantasy).

Further details about Storehouse Voices’ inaugural roster of authors and works can be found at www. storehousevoices.com.

The HBCU Executive Leadership Institute at Clark Atlanta University Announces Record-Breaking Number of 2025 Community of Fellows

CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker announced the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will receive $43 million in federal funding for the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency’s (CREATE) 65th & Harlem Avenue rail project. The project will create an overpass for travel over Belt Railway of Chicago’s (BRC) tracks via 65th street each day, improving efficiency for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians in Chicago and neighboring Bedford Park, Summit, and Garfield Ridge, as well as allowing faster travel for freight trains heading into and out of BRC’s Clearing yard.

“This sort of smart, people-focused infrastructure investment exemplifies the best in what federal/state funding partnerships can do—present a solution that will make the daily commutes of Chicagoans and their neighbors and the daily movement of freight more efficient, making everyone’s day a little easier,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m grateful to CREATE for identifying and supporting these projects, and to President Biden’s administration for making such substantial investments in our roads and bridges under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Federal dollars in partnership with IDOT have made a major impact on Chicago’s south side in recent years, from this project to the Red Line Expansion grant funding which was allocated this week as well.”

Nearly 10,000 vehicles and 200 buses travel through the 65th St crossing each day, and an additional 17,500 vehicles travel through the adjacent intersection on Harlem and 63rd St, many of whom are slowed or stopped due to train crossings. This project will eliminate daily to over 1,100 vehicles daily, giving Illinois drivers 644 hours of time back

per day. This crossing, designated a “911 Critical Crossing,” will also have easier access for emergency vehicles needing to enter the area and will improve emergency response times throughout the area.

In addition to the grade separation elevating 65th St over the BRC, the project will also include infrastructure improvements at area intersections, elevation of 65th St’s intersections with Harlem Ave (IL 43) and Old Harlem Ave; intersection improvements on IL 43 at 63rd St and 65th St, new multi-use path and sidewalk connections, and drainage and lighting improvements in the area. Cars will be able to cross rail tracks regardless of train passage, reducing vehicle delay and improving rail crossing safety numbers.

The $43 million grant will be supplemented by $25 million in federal National Highway Performance Program funds and $13 million in IDOT matching funds, as well as $4.3 million in matching funds from private partner railroads.

The CREATE program has been a key driver of federal funding to Chicago-area transportation projects. In October, Governor Pritzker and IDOT announced $290 million in grants for the 75th St Corridor Improvement Project, the largest piece of the CREATE program, a partnership between federal, state, and local partners, as well as the freight and passenger railroads, to deliver a total of 70 projects to improve the flow of goods, services and people over roads and rails throughout the region. The funding will rebuild track infrastructure, add tracks, fix or replace 14 aging bridges and viaducts as well as implement mobility improvements on surface streets in target areas. Through his historic Rebuild Illinois capital program, Governor Pritzker’s administration

has made record investments in infrastructure, committing more than $1 billion in funding for the rail network, with $600 million supporting passenger rail and $450 million supporting the CREATE program since he took office in 2019.

“Today’s funding is a major investment in Chicago’s future. This federal funding will help reduce vehicle delay due to gate-down time, improve railroad crossing safety, promote mobility and connectivity, and advance sustainability and resiliency within Chicago’s neighborhoods,” said Senator Dick Durbin. “I’m proud to have worked with Sen. Duckworth to help secure more than $800 million for CREATE Program projects and will continue to ensure that our state has the federal resources to improve and expand its infrastructure.”

“Bedford Park is one of the most important transportation hubs not only in Illinois, but in the United States,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “I’m proud to see this federal funding invested in the 6th Congressional District that will improve our local infrastructure, increase railroad crossing safety, reduce traffic congestion in the area, and reinforce the Chicago region’s essential role as a national transportation center.”

“The Chicagoland region is home to one of the busiest freight rail hubs in our country, and the residents and stakeholders of the region know how critical freight rail is to our economy,” said Congressman Chuy García. “This investment will enhance railroad crossing safety, reduce traffic, improve supply chain efficiency, create jobs, and much more. As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am proud to have played a key role in securing these funds for my community.”

Discover Unforgettable Experiences on Miami Beach in Early 2025: Culture, Cuisine, Music and Wellness

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., PRNewswire -- Miami Beach is ready to welcome visitors with an extraordinary lineup of activities, events, and experiences in early 2025, making it the ultimate destination for travelers and locals seeking world-class entertainment, hotels and beaches. From food and fitness festivals to outdoor and musical adventures, Miami Beach is the perfect place take to advantage of upcoming long weekends and the winter season.

“The Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority is proud to support a number of experiences in early 2025 that represent a diverse collection of industries and activities and invite visitors to make the most of holiday weekends on the beach,” says Peggy Benua, Chairwoman, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA). “Our city’s hotels are set to offer preferred rates, paired with upscale services and amenities, providing guests with new opportunities to discover Miami Beach’s celebrated properties.”

For the first time, the TYR Wodapalooza (WZA), the world’s premier functional fitness festival since 2012, will bring thousands of athletes, spectators, and fitness fanatics together on Miami Beach over four days January 23-26th to celebrate fitness, community, and life. Participants and spectators can find inspiration and relaxation during the festival at destination wellness hotels and spas including the Carillon Hotel Miami Beach and 1 Hotel South Beach. In February, the GroundUP Music Festival will return to Miami Beach on the 8th and 9th, featuring a variety of talented artists including Grammy Award-Winning Snarky Puppy, Gaby Moreno and Eric Gale. The 2025 edition will showcase international artists and a Family Dinner Show. Visitor and locals can make it a weekend and experience a stay at one of the official host hotels.

Passionate food lovers will experience the best of the best in the culinary world at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 installment of the famous festival taking place February 20-23rd. The national, star-studded, fourday destination event showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities will feature more than 105 events and 500+ culinary experts. Returning for its 24th year on Miami Beach, 100% of net proceeds benefit the Chaplin School of Hospitality &

Tourism Management at Florida International University.

“Miami Beach visitors from near and far are invited to take time between marquee 2025 events to discover our city through the lens of local experts. The award-winning EXP Miami Beach Tours App is a great way to access self-guided tours and itineraries while spending time on Miami Beach,” adds Grisette Marcos, Executive Director, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority.

“From hidden gems tours and culinary recommendations to art deco and architecture guides, the app brings Miami Beach’s many iconic experiences together in one, easy-touse resource.”

For a more exclusive experience, the Open House Miami Festival 2025 will return for the second year. A city-wide celebration that invites visitors to explore cultural landmarks, public art and design, Open House Miami will give insider-access to more than 75 curated and complimentary experiences from February 28th – March 2nd.

Plan an inspired start to the year with the EXP Miami Beach Tours App, featuring event guides, gallery highlights, and tailored recommendations. Available in the app store and google play. For more information on hotels, events, and experiences, please visit, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (miamibeachvca.com) and follow @ experiencemiamibeach on Instagram.

FOOD & WINE Classic Returns to Aspen this June with an All-Star Program for Its 42nd Year

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- FOOD & WINE announced today the star-studded 2025 lineup and ticket sales information for its signature event, the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen. The 42nd annual three-day culinary festival, which will take place from June 20-22, will transform the mountain town of Aspen into a culinary wonderland, featuring an all-star lineup of celebrity chefs, wine and spirits experts, dozens of cooking demos, wine tastings, a legendary tasting pavilion in the center of town, and buzz-worthy parties, dinners, and special events. Tickets will be available on Jan. 22, beginning at 12 pm ET at classic.foodandwine.com.

Renowned chefs and culinary stars, including Maneet Chauhan, Ayesha Curry, Tiffany Derry, Tyler Florence, Carla Hall, Stephanie Izard, Kristen Kish, Padma Lakshmi, Martin Yan, Claudette Zepeda, Andrew Zimmern, and the winner of Top Chef Season 22, will lead cooking demonstrations and panel discussions, with more to be announced. Wine and beverage seminars and tastings will be led by experts Anne Becerra, Julia Coney, Anthony Giglio, Ray Isle, Carlin Karr, Wanda Mann, Amanda McCrossin, Gary Obligacion, Mark Oldman, Femi Oyediran, June Rodil, Prairie Rose, Sabato Sagaria, Monica Samuels, Bobby Stuckey, Miles White, among others.

FOOD & WINE Editor in Chief Hunter Lewis said, “We spend 12 months of the year thinking of ways to surprise and delight our guests at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen through unique culinary experiences, world-class chefs and wine experts, educational seminars and tastings, and new ways for participants to discover the biggest culinary trends and innovations. The 2025 event promises to be another unforgettable party, and we are beyond excited to have so many of our favorite presenters joining us again alongside some new faces.”

For more than four decades, the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen has been widely regarded as a can’t-miss event for industry insiders and food and wine enthusiasts alike. The iconic event has become Aspen’s ‘unofficial kickoff of summer,’ transforming the mountain town into an adult summer camp for food and beverage lovers. This year, new and enhanced experiences will be introduced for an even more action-packed weekend. For more information on festival programming, participating talent, and travel, please visit classic.foodandwine.com.

As part of the FOOD & WINE Gives philanthropic initiative, which supports outstanding charitable partners in the community and culinary industry, the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen will make a donation to Southern Smoke Foundation, a national emergency relief fund that supports workers in the food and beverage industry in crisis, and No Kid Hungry, the only national campaign committed to ending childhood hunger in the U.S. Sponsors of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen 2025 include American Express, Lexus, S.Pellegrino, and SKS.

Dubbed “the granddaddy of them all” by The New York Times and often hailed as the original food festival, the iconic event expanded its storied legacy in 2024 with the debut of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston, further cementing its influence as a cornerstone of culinary culture. The second annual FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston will take place November 14 - 16, 2025, and tickets will be available later this year. For more on this event, visit https://foodandwineclassicincharleston. com/

Food & Wine, the ultimate culinary authority, celebrates the global epicurean experience through its magazine, website, social platforms, newsletters, podcasts, premium events such as the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, and accolades like its annual Best New Chef awards. With rigorously tested recipes and the most trusted restaurant, drinks, culinary travel, and home coverage, the brand inspires and empowers people to discover, create, and devour the best in food and drink—every day and everywhere. FOOD & WINE is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.

Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority

IPSY Joins Forces With Gabrielle Union to Celebrate Black History Month

LOS ANGELES, PRNewswire -- IPSY, the world’s largest beauty subscription that delivers monthly drops of the greatest beauty discoveries, is thrilled to announce Gabrielle Union as the curator of its February Icon Box. Featuring makeup, skin, and hair products, Icon Box by Gabrielle Union is designed to reflect the star’s belief that beauty is a journey of self-expression and invites users to explore their unique layers with unapologetic confidence.

Available starting February 1st, Icon Box by Gabrielle Union will feature coveted brands, such as LYS Beauty, Kosas, Elemis, and Benefit Cosmetics, along with Union’s own brand Flawless by Gabrielle Union. Also included will be tips for how Union uses beauty as a way to constantly redefine her most happy, confident, and truest self every day.

“Collaborating with IPSY on the Icon Box and being part of its Black History Month social content has been such a meaningful experience for me,” said Gabrielle Union. “As a Black female founder, it’s important to me to find ways to highlight the joy found in self-expression and vibrancy found in the Black experience. Through this collaboration, I hope I can empower everyone to hold space for the many versions of themselves and help them find the looks that celebrate each one.”

champions the art of embracing, loving, and expressing your authentic self, will also be released at the start of February.

“As the founder of Flawless by Gabrielle Union, an actress, wife, mother, and activist, Union is constantly refining and evolving her look to show up as her most-authentic self in all her roles,” said Kristy Westrup, Chief Merchandising Officer at IPSY. “This authenticity is something we know inspires our community, which makes her partnership with IPSY a true collaboration in both spirit and execution.”

Amplifying the Black Joy Is Beautiful social campaign, IPSY will spotlight inspiring stories, content, and products across its platforms, elevating the beauty and resilience of the Black community throughout Black History Month. In addition, IPSY’s February Limited Edition Mystery Bags are designed by students from Project Level, a Bay Area non-profit program that nurtures the creative needs of at-risk and underserved youth, and feature two distinct designs inspired by an ode to hair.

“During the month of February, IPSY will also provide our members with exclusive access to Blackowned brands, including Fenty Beauty, Briogeo, Danessa Myricks, Pat McGrath Labs, and Buttah Skin, via our online IPSY Shop,” adds Westrup.

Charm subscribers, offering eight premium beauty products valued at up to $350 for just $65.

For more information about IPSY and its subscription options, please visit www.ipsy.com. For updates and news around the February Icon Box and IPSY’s Black History Month campaign, be sure to check out the brand’s socials @IPSY during the month of February.

As the world’s largest beauty subscription, IPSY delivers monthly drops of the greatest beauty discoveries and curated community favorites just for you. Uniting over 20 million hyper-engaged fans to a network of established and emerging brands, creators, and experts, IPSY is the only place that curates endless beauty finds to discover what’s right for you. Whether you’re a beauty enthusiast or just starting your journey, IPSY lets you experiment, evolve, and find new ways to express yourself with every box.

In addition to curating the February Icon Box, Union will also serve as the narrator in IPSY’s upcoming Black History Month social campaign, entitled “Black Joy Is Beautiful.” The short film, which

Fans and beauty enthusiasts are encouraged to sign up for an IPSY subscription to secure their February Icon Box. The Icon Box is a quarterly upgrade available exclusively to IPSY Glam Bag and Boxy-

Gabrielle Union is an actress, producer, activist, and best-selling author. She executive produced the hit romantic comedy THE IDEA OF YOU, which was the number one most watched Amazon original film on Prime Video in 2024. Next up Union will be seen starring in RIFF RAFF opposite Bill Murray and Jennifer Coolidge and recently wrapped production on the horror film CASKET GIRLS. She also starred in and executive produced THE PERFECT FIND on Netflix, earning an NAACP Image Award nomination. Union has authored multiple New York Times best-selling books, including We’re Going to Need More Wine and You Got Anything Stronger? She launched the haircare line Flawless by Gabrielle Union for textured hair, co-founded Proudly, a baby care brand focused on the needs of children with melanated skin, and co-founded Bitsy’s, a healthy children’s snack company. She is a strong advocate for inclusion, accessibility, and diversity in entertainment and beyond.

FASHION POWERHOUSE MAKES DEBUT WITH FALL/WINTER 2024 COLLECTION

Womenswear Brand, Ada & Edith, Makes Luxury Fashion Accessible

HOUSTON – Ukonwa Ojo, former Chief Global Marketing Officer for M.A.C Cosmetics, Amazon Prime Video & Studios and Global Brand President of CoverGirl, today announces the formal launch of Ada & Edith, her luxury, style-driven womenswear brand, with the introduction of the Fall/Winter 2024 capsule collection. Ojo founded Ada & Edith in January 2024 after pausing a highly successful, decades-long corporate career which included over 60 awards and honors from Forbes Magazine, Women’s Wear Daily and Financial Times among others. Inspired by an extended journey through Italy, Ojo began sketching and tapped into her true passions – fashion and design. Her Fall/Winter 2024 collection features eight highly curated, sophisticated pieces made with beautiful fabrics and expert tailoring. With Ada & Edith, Ojo aims to empower women to easily incorporate high fashion into their everyday lives without sacrificing function or comfort.

“For too long, the fashion industry has been dominated by men designing for women. Women are trailblazers in every part of their lives and deserve beautiful clothing that compliments their dynamic lifestyles,” said Ukonwa Ojo, Designer and Founder/CEO. “Ada &

Edith is designed for women with multiple responsibilities, or ‘commas,’ in their lives – career, kids, friends, family. I’m thrilled to introduce a luxury brand for real women doing incredible things.”

On this premise, Ada & Edith is redefining women’s fashion with modern, elegant designs that fit today’s busy lifestyle. From an early age, Ojo was encouraged by her late mother, Adaora Edith – a London-trained, Nigerian fashion designer and the brand’s namesake, to explore and define her unique sense of style. With Ada & Edith, Ojo hopes to continue to inspire women to look and feel their best in effortlessly stylish designs.

Ada & Edith’s designs are made in Italy from the highest quality Italian fabrics and tailored masterfully to last. To accommodate women of all shapes and sizes with a flattering fit, each style comes in

three sizes - S/M, M/L and XL/XXL. The Fall/Winter 2024 collection features timeless pieces and tailored silhouettes peppered with bursts of bold, vibrant color. New arrivals include the Jos Cape in green and black; the Sebastian Shirt in white; the Brera Mini Dress in pink and burgundy; the Manhattan Vegan Leather Skirt in brown; the Brooklyn Pants Set in black, the Waterloo Sweater Dress in black; the Cordoba Dress in burnt orange and beige; and the Windsor Dress in white and black. Prices range from $200 - $500.

“The beauty of Ada & Edith is that the clothes effortlessly accompany you on your daily journey,” said Ojo. “You can choose to dress the pieces up with heels and statement jewelry, or you can go the more casual route and with a pair of sneakers. Either way, the pieces will leave you feeling confident in every room you walk into.”

Future collections to be announced. For more information, please visit https://adaandedith.com/.

IPSY

Ammons Shares Policy Accomplishments, Priorities Ahead

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Continuing her efforts to advancing equity-driven policies across Illinois, state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, is outlining her priorities for the upcoming legislative session while reflecting on significant accomplishments from the past year, including over 30 new Ammons-backed laws that took effect on January 1, 2025.

“Last year, we made incredible strides to support our communities, from expanding assistance for low-income households to introducing tax credits that help families raising young children,” said Ammons. “These investments reflect the values of equity and opportunity that guide my work. But as we enter this new legislative session, I’m eager to tackle the challenges still facing our residents — especially the rising costs that are putting undue pressure on families. We need bold, transformative policies to deliver real relief.”

As chairwoman of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and an integral member of several key com -

mittees, Ammons has spearheaded impactful legislation benefitting residents statewide. Notably last session, Ammons was instrumental in advancing birth equity protections for women of color and safeguarding reproductive rights, slashing healthcare costs for working families, and securing funding to combat homelessness.

With a focus on equity, inclusion, and transformative solutions, Ammons remains committed to ensuring that Illinois works for all its residents, especially those who have been left behind.

“I’m deeply honored to serve as a voice for the Urbana-Champaign community and for historically excluded communities across Illinois, particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) populations,” said Ammons. “This year, I will continue prioritizing safe communities, equitable access to high-quality education, and expanding economic opportunities for every Illinoisan.”

Delgado Delivering Bold Solutions for Illinois’ Public Transit and Communities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Representative Eva-Dina Delgado, D-Chicago, began her new term with a powerful call for action to address critical issues impacting Illinois residents. Taking the oath of office on Wednesday, Delgado pledged unwavering dedication to improving public transit, reducing cost of living, and ensuring affordable housing.

“In taking this oath, I reaffirm my commitment to the promises we made to our communities: creating tangible solutions for rising living costs, combating crime, and delivering a public transit system that truly works for every Illinoisan,” said Delgado.

Public transportation remains a cornerstone of Delgado’s legislative agenda. Drawing from insights gained during her recent visit to Germany, where she studied their world-class transit infrastructure, Delgado emphasized the urgent need for reform.

“Over the past year, I have not

only listened to the families and commuters who depend on our transit system but also sought innovative solutions globally,” Delgado stated. “Germany’s integrated, efficient transit model offers invaluable lessons. It is time we apply expert-driven strategies to modernize and unify our own fragmented system, restoring public trust in buses and trains.”

Delgado also outlined her vision for fostering community-driven approaches to crime reduction and economic relief. “Our solutions must be rooted in the lived experiences of those who face these challenges daily. Together, we can create safer, more affordable, and connected communities for future generations,” she added.

As the new legislative session begins, Delgado calls on her constituents to join her in shaping the future. “It is an honor to serve this incredible community. Your voices fuel my fight in Springfield. Together, we can build a stronger, more equitable Illinois.”

Walsh Lays Out Legislative Session Priorities

JOLIET, Ill. – Reducing costs for families and improving critical resources are among the top priorities this legislative session for state Rep. Larry Walsh Jr., (D-Elwood), who will work toward propelling policy that alleviates everyday struggles, including his key sponsorship to remove the senior driving test requirement.

“This session, I’ll continue my focus on fueling growth and making our communities more livable,” said Walsh. “Rising costs in Illinois and across the country are making everyday life harder for our families. We must think ahead by prioritizing workable solutions that will pour more back into our communities — initiatives that focus on creating jobs, improving infrastructure,

and expanding services.”

“This session, I’ll continue my focus on fueling growth and making our communities more livable,” said Walsh.

During his tenure, Walsh has supported slashing costs and holding government spending accountable to ensure funding and resources to help those in need, especially working families and seniors living on fixed incomes. Last year, Walsh pushed for essential property tax relief for seniors and also led initiatives to expand affordable housing, improve critical resources for first responders, and protect workplace rights.

“Economic opportunity is the foundation of a thriving community. By making smart investments and working across the aisle, we can support working families and build a stronger future for everyone,” said Walsh.

Pay Yourself First

Get Your House In

Order

“Pay yourself first!” is one of the first and the most important lessons to be learned from a financial advisor. Yet, it is not a lesson well known or followed in Black communities. Why? For decades too many of our Black families have lived a hand-to-mouth existence and experienced a long history of being overworked and underpaid. It is no surprise that many families in our communities have worked on jobs that have only had Social Security as a retirement option.

Scripture tells us in in Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” So, I am determined in this column to share my knowledge and information to help somebody. Then my living and this column will not have been in vain.

If you work on a job that does not offer a retirement plan, guess what? The State of Illinois may have a retirement savings plan for you. Illinois is one of twenty states that has enacted a Work and Save Program for its residents. It is called Illinois Secure Choice. It is an IRA (individual retirement account) operated by the state. For additional information call: 855-650-6913 (employers) 855-650-6914 (workers) or go to their website clientservices@ilsecurechoice.com You now have a way to pay yourself first through Illinois Secure Choice.

Bye for now, Bren.

QUIZ: Is there a difference between a Durable Medical Power of Attorney and a Medical Power of Attorney?

Answers to last week’s quiz: There is no difference.

Answers to last week’s quiz: The difference between a Durable Medical Power of Attorney and a Medical Power of Attorney is that a DURABLE Medical Power of Attorney will allow the appointed agent to continue to make decisions even if the person becomes mentally incompetent, whereas a standard Medical Power of Attorney might not.

Get more detailed answers to last week’s QUIZ question or for broad questions that you may have, please call me: 773-817-0601 or 773-819-1700

Disclaimer: The illustrations presented in this column are not, nor are they intended to be, legal, financial, or any other licensed professional advice, you should contact the licensed professional of your choice for advice on your individual situation.

Bren Sheriff

FROM HOMELESSNESS TO HOLLYWOOD:

The Johnson Family’s Inspiring Journey of Faith, Unity, and Triumph

ATLANTA, PRNewswire

-- The Johnson family’s rise from homelessness to national acclaim is a testament to resilience, faith, and unity. Their documentary, Embracing the Dream, debuts January 26, on Amazon Prime Video, capturing their extraordinary journey of overcoming challenges and building a legacy in entertainment.

Dasha and Takela Johnson, founders of Fresh Oil Apostolic Center in 2002, stood firm in their faith despite homelessness, public judgment, and strained family relationships as they supported their sons’ creative aspirations. Their story demonstrates how love and perseverance can transform even the direst circumstances into platforms for greatness.

Their sacrifices fueled extraordinary success. Dontrell became an award-winning songwriter and singer, while Caleb flourished as a young entrepreneur. Aaron, who began his career at age 9, emerged as a visionary storyteller. By 13, Aaron was producing videos for Grammy-nominated artist Betty Wright, and by 18, he had secured a production deal with Wendy Williams Productions. At just 15, Aaron spoke in place of Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders

for the Diversity Conference in Vermont. At 17, he represented the United States at a major film festival in London, winning for his acclaimed feature LOST. That same year, Miami’s Mayor Francis Suarez and the City of Miami honored him with his own day and

a proclamation celebrating his achievements.

Aaron’s journey includes sharing stages with luminaries like the late Oscar winner Harry Belafonte, and he has earned numerous accolades, including the 365 Black Award, where he was honored alongside icons like Ava DuVernay and Marvin Sapp. A four-time author, Aaron’s story reflects a global impact, inspiring audiences with a message of perseverance and faith.

Embracing the Dream showcases the Johnson family’s incredible resilience and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how they turned obstacles into opportunities. Accompanying the documentary is their book, A Family Guide in Faith & Entertainment, now available on Amazon. The book provides insights into balancing faith and ambition while navigating life’s challenges.

“This story is for every dreamer,” Aaron shares. “It’s proof that faith, love, and unity can overcome anything.”

Embracing the Dream premieres Jan. 26, on Amazon Prime Video, celebrating the power of faith and family to inspire audiences worldwide.

The Johnsons. Aaron Avont Johnson Productions LLC

Navigating Changes as a Family

(Family Features) Every family experiences changes. Some are planned, others are unexpected. Some are joyful, others are marked by pain or uncertainty.

Whether it’s divorce, the death of a loved one, welcoming a new sibling or moving to a new home, these events impact every member of the family. For young children, even small changes can feel monumental, and how adults talk with them affects how they respond and cope.

Dr. Lauren Loquasto, senior vice president and chief academic officer at The Goddard School, shares this guidance to help families navigate change.

Why Transitions Matter to Young Children

To understand why transitions affect children so deeply, it’s important to remember children see the world differently than adults. Their routines, relationships and surroundings establish a sense of security and safety. Their families and role within them form their initial identities. Any disruption, big or small, can shake their foundation. Children can handle change, but adults must help them process it.

Children are naturally perceptive. When something changes, they notice. When they lack the language or understanding to ask questions, they express their feelings through behavior. It’s how young children express, “I’m feeling something, but I don’t have the words for it.”

When children become clingier after a new sibling is born or struggle with meltdowns in a new classroom, they’re trying to process the changes in

their lives. These behaviors signal, “I’m not sure what to do with all these feelings.”

View Changes Through Children’s Eyes

Everyone experiences changes differently. Even within the same family, adults and children may perceive and respond to the same event in unique ways. An adult may see moving to a new home as an exciting fresh start while children may see it as leaving behind the only bedroom they’ve ever known.

Approaching changes through a child’s lens helps reframe what’s happening. Instead of minimizing feelings, adults can acknowledge the shift children are experiencing and guide them with care.

Proactively Communicate

When families face big changes, one of the most common questions is, “What do we tell the kids?” There’s often a struggle between wanting to protect children from overwhelming emotions and offering them enough information to make sense of what’s going on.

GNC AND JENNY CRAIG JOIN TOGETHER TO LAUNCH THE GNC TOTAL LEAN PROGRAM to Support Weight Loss and Empower a Healthier Lifestyle

PITTSBURGH, PRNewswire -- GNC, the global leader in health and wellness, has partnered with Jenny Craig, a division of Wellful, Inc. and a leading provider of weight loss and weight management solutions, to introduce GNC Total Lean® by Jenny Craig®. This comprehensive program is a complete weight loss solution delivered directly to consumers’ doors that combines Jenny Craig’s portion-controlled, nutritious and tasty meals with GNC’s Total Lean line of shakes and snacks. The partnership expands GNC’s current Total Lean line to include a complete weight management system, providing customers with an innovative solution to help them reach their goals.

Available now, customers can purchase the multi-week GNC Total Lean meal plans online at totalleanprogram.com. Each plan includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert options.

“Joining forces with Jenny Craig marks an exciting evolution for our Total Lean brand, expanding from supplementation into complete meal solutions,” said Michael Costello, CEO at GNC. “Jenny Craig’s clinically backed expertise in weight loss combined with GNC’s nutritional science leadership offers customers a comprehensive program that takes the guesswork out of losing weight and eating healthier. The GNC Total Lean meal plans represent our continued commitment to providing customers with best-in-class products and programs for their wellness journeys.”

“At Jenny Craig, we believe in collaborating with organizations that align with our goal of helping people lose weight and live healthier lives,” said Steve Mikulak, President of Wellful’s Jenny Craig brand. “Partnering with GNC to develop GNC Total Lean by Jenny Craig allows us to not only enhance our mission, but also expand our cus-

tomer base and offer an easy-to-use program that delivers results.”

What’s included in GNC Total Lean® by Jenny Craig®:

Complete Weekly Meal Plans: Customers receive a combination of Jenny Craig’s program of portion-controlled and nutritionally-balanced meals and recharge bars for multiple weeks, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts. Plus, customers have access to GNC’s Total Lean shakes and snacks.

Real Results: The program helps participants lose up to 24 pounds in eight weeks through a delicious, balanced and effective approach.*

Convenient Delivery: Multi-week meal plans are available nationwide and delivered directly to customers’ doors,

Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation’s

eliminating the need for frequent visits to the grocery store.

The new GNC Total Lean® by Jenny Craig® is a complete solution that provides consumers with convenient, ready-to-eat meals coupled with an easy-tofollow plan to help them achieve their weight loss and wellness goals.

For more information on the program, customers can consult with GNC’s in-store coaches to learn more or visit totalleanprogram.com.

GNC is a leading global health and wellness brand that provides customers with a wide variety of science-based products and solution services to Live Well. The brand touches consumers worldwide by providing its products and services through company-owned retail locations, domestic and international franchise locations, digital commerce and strong wholesale and retail partnerships across the globe. GNC’s diversified, multi-channel business model has worldwide reach and a well-recognized, trusted brand. By combining exceptional innovation, product development capabilities and an extensive global distribution network, GNC manages a best-in-class product portfolio. www.gnc.com.

Jenny Craig is a leading provider of weight loss and weight management solutions and is a division of Wellful, Inc., the premier direct-to-consumer and omnichannel health and wellness company that combines best-in-class technology with scientifically formulated solutions to help consumers live happier and healthier lives. In addition to Jenny Craig, Wellful’s portfolio of clinically studied wellness brands include Peptiva, Instaflex, Nugenix, Super Beta Prostate, Dr. Sinatra and Nutrisystem. Wellful, Inc. is a Kainos Capital portfolio company. For more information, visit jennycraig.com.

*In a study, avg. weight loss was 22 lbs in 8 weeks.

Diagnostics Accelerator (DxA) invests $10M in Alamar Biosciences, Inc. to Advance Precision Medicine in Alzheimer’s Disease

NEW YORK and FREMONT, Calif., PRNewswire

-- The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)’s Diagnostics Accelerator (DxA) announced a $10M investment in Alamar Biosciences, Inc. This landmark investment, the largest in DxA history, will expedite the translation of the ARGO-HT research platform into an FDA-cleared system to support the development of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests – the gold standard of diagnostics. Alamar’s ARGO HT System automates high-throughput NULISA™ assays, offering ultrasensitive protein detection and multiplexing for analyzing blood-based biomarkers related to Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

“In cancer and other diseases of aging, we have biomarker panels that allow clinicians to better differentiate from many underlying causes of the disease and more importantly, how to tailor treatments based on each patient’s individual biomarker profile,” said Howard Fillit, MD, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at the ADDF. “There is a pressing need to have biomarker panels for Alzheimer’s patients so we can better diagnose and develop new treatments. Alamar’s innovative platform provides the opportunity for a first of its kind blood panel in Alzheimer’s, which will be an important step as we move forward to delivering a more personalized approach for patients.”

“The powerful combination of ultra-high sensitivity and multiplexing unlocks the potential to measure novel biomarker signatures, enabling differential diagnosis in neurodegeneration,” said Niranjan Bose, Managing

Director, Health and Life Sciences at Gates Ventures. “The investment in the development of ARGO DX focuses on translating this capability onto a scalable platform for widespread clinical use. We are excited to partner with the Alamar team to bring this vision to reality and advance the molecular diagnostics landscape in Alzheimer’s disease.”

The holy grail for Alzheimer’s diagnostics is to develop an accessible and scalable blood panel that can detect multiple biomarkers, providing clinicians with a better understanding of each patient’s individual disease biology. Alamar’s NULISA™ technology is unique in that it enables ultra-high sensitivity with the ability to test for multiple targets at once.

“Experts in the field have showcased the performance of the NULISA technology in detecting essentially all the important biomarkers in blood for Alzheimer’s and related dementias,” said Yuling Luo, Ph.D., Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Alamar Biosciences, Inc. “The ARGO DX platform can potentially revolutionize the biomarker space by allowing researchers to go from discovery to detection of biomarker panels that stratify patient subsets and disease factors that would otherwise have gone unnoticed.”

“A diagnostic platform such as Alamar’s, that can detect and measure multiple disease pathways, will be instrumental in paving the way for early detection, biology of aging-based differential diagnosis, allowing for a precision medicine approach in Alzheimer’s,” commented Dr. Fillit.

This recent investment in Alamar reflects the DxA’s

larger vision to accelerate the development of new biomarkers and diagnostic tools to enable early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. To date, the DxA has invested more than $80 million in nearly 70 projects, underscoring its commitment to bringing accessible, affordable, and scalable diagnostics to patients struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. Along with blood tests, the DxA’s diverse portfolio includes retinal scans and digital tools that will not only provide patients with early and accurate diagnoses but also work in tandem and have the potential to be used for screening, prognostic, and prevention efforts.

Founded in 1998 by Leonard A. and Ronald S. Lauder, the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation is dedicated to rapidly accelerating the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer’s disease. The ADDF is the only public charity solely focused on funding the development of drugs for Alzheimer’s, employing a venture philanthropy model to support research in academia and the biotech industry. The ADDF’s leadership and contributions to the field have played a pivotal role in bringing the first Alzheimer’s PET scan (Amyvid®) and blood test (PrecivityAD®) to market, as well as fueling the current robust and diverse drug pipeline. Through the generosity of its donors, the ADDF has awarded more than $360 million to fund over 760 Alzheimer’s drug discovery programs, biomarker programs and clinical trials in 21 countries. To learn more, please visit: http://www.alzdiscovery.org/.

PRNewsFoto/GNC Holdings, Inc.

REAL ESTATE

AC 1-08-2025

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Plaintiff, -v.- BRITNEY BOYDE; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORO CLAIMANTS; UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS Defendants. 22 CH 4273 353 Blackhawk Drive, Park Forest, IL 60466 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 10/21/2024, an agent of Auction.com LLC will at 12:00 PM on February 19, 2025 located at Auction.com, 100 N LaSalle St, suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60606, sell at public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate. Commonly known as 353 Blackhawk Drive, Park Forest, IL 60466 Property Index No. 31-35-204-028-0000 The real estate is improved with a Single Family Residence. The judgment amount was $121,043.66 Sale Terms: 20% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to Auction.com LLC, No third party checks will be accepted. All registered bidders need to provide a photo ID in order to bid. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. (relief fee not required) The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a certificate of sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property, prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by the Condominium property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9 (g)(l) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 151701 (C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. For information, contact Plaintiffs attorney: LOGS Legal Group LLP (847) 291-1717 please refer to file number 22-096176-FC01. Auction.com LLC 100 N LaSalle Suite 1400 Chicago, IL 60606 - 872-225-4985 You can also visit www.auction.com. Attorney File No. 22-096176-FC01 Case Number: 22 CH 4273 NOTE: PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, YOU ARE ADVISED THAT PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. I3255695 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. Bank National Association Plaintiff, -v.Christopher A. Wilson Sr.; Illinois Housing Development Authority; United States of America - Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Ashley Dillard; Unknown Owners and Nonrecord Claimants Defendants. 2024CH01796 3321 WALLACE AVE, STEGER, IL 60475 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 7/18/2024, an agent of Auction.com LLC will conduct the auction in person at 12:00 PM on February 19, 2025 located at 100 N LaSalle Street, Suite 1400, Chicago IL, 60602, and will sell at public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate. Commonly known as 3321 WALLACE AVE, STEGER, IL 60475 Property Index No. 32-33-327-051-0000 The real estate is improved with a Residential Property. The judgment amount was $90,342.17 Sale Terms: 20% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to Auction.com LLC, No third party checks will be accepted. All registered bidders need to provide a photo ID in order to bid. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. (relief fee not required) The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid,

plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property,

bidders are admonished to check the court file

verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by the Condominium property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9 (g)(l) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 151701 (C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. For information, contact Plaintiffs attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES PC (630) 794-5300 please refer to file number 14-24-01225. Auction.com LLC 100 N LaSalle St., Suite 1400 Chicago, IL 60606 - 872-225-4985 You can also visit www.auction.com.

Attorney File No. 14-24-01225 Case Number: 14-24-01225 NOTE: PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, YOU ARE ADVISED THAT PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. I3258327

AC1-15-2025

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

Nationstar Mortgage LLC Plaintiff vs. Ronald G. Axelson; Unknown Owners and Non Record Claimants; Defendant 24 CH 1057 CALENDAR 58 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on February 18, 2025, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty's office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 32-03-301009-0000. Commonly known as 111 North Wabash Ave., Glenwood, IL 60425. The real estate is: single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff's Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group LLC, 33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1540, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 360-9455. W22-0085 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3258532

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF STANWICH MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST I Plaintiff, -v.- UNKNOWN HEIRS AND/OR LEGATEES OF ELLEN S. THORNTON, DECEASED, CRYSTAL PHILLIPSPIERCE, JANET MERRILLS, DAMON RITENHOUSE, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR ELLEN S. THORNTON, DECEASED, PARK PLACE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, CHICAGO TITLE AND TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, UNITED CREDIT UNION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS Defendants 20 CH 2215 3507 PARK PLACE FLOSSMOOR, IL 60422 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 24, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 11, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 3507 PARK PLACE, FLOSSMOOR, IL 60422 Property Index No. 31-11-405-052-0000 The real estate is improved with a condominium. The judgment amount was $252,799.93. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The

property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, contact The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff's Attorneys, 2801 LAKESIDE DRIVE, SUITE 207, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 291-1717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 20-093178. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. LOGS Legal Group LLP 2801 LAKESIDE DRIVE, SUITE 207 Bannockburn IL, 60015 847-291-1717 EMail: ILNotices@logs.com Attorney File No. 20-093178 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 20 CH 2215 TJSC#: 45-31 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff's attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 20 CH 2215 I3258850 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff vs. JAMES W. REED A/K/A JAMES W. REED, JR; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; LISA REED; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendant 23 CH 7203 CALENDAR 59

NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on February 24, 2025, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty's office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 29-31-401048-0000. Commonly known as 1847 Pine Road, Homewood, IL 60430. The real estate is: single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff's Attorney,

Diaz Anselmo & Associates P.A., 1771

West Diehl Road, Suite 120, Naperville, IL 60563. (630) 453-6960. 6722-194310

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com

I3258922

AC 1-22-2025

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION Plaintiff, -v.- SANDRA COX, TWIN ARBOR IN PARK FOREST, INC., UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2023 CH 06025 22 MCGARITY ROAD PARK FOREST, IL 60466 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on May 30, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 18, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 22 MCGARITY ROAD, PARK FOREST, IL 60466 Property Index No. 31-36-200-028-1035

The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff's Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCI-

ATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-23-04297 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2023 CH 06025 TJSC#: 45-52 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff's attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2023 CH 06025 I3259277

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISIONU.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.- ISABELLA GRAY, ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORIT Defendants 2023 CH 02943 434 SHABBONA DRIVE PARK FOREST, IL 60466 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 24, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 21, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:Commonly known as 434 SHABBONA DRIVE , PARK FOREST, IL 60466 Property Index No. 31-35407-013-0000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $126,334.05. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit