Hyde Park Citizen 8-23-2023

REP. ROBIN KELLY CELEBRATES $45,000 AMERICORPS AWARD FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY

Pontiac, Ill. – Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) celebrated a $45,180 federal award to the Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County in Pontiac to support a new AmeriCorps VISTA project.

This investment will support up to two AmeriCorps VISTA members per year to help high school students in the county obtain employment or internships, promote financial literacy, and organize volunteer activities. In addition to these funds, AmeriCorps will also provide education scholarships to AmeriCorps VISTA members to assist them in paying for college, vocational training, or to pay back student loans.

“I am thrilled to see federal resources coming back to the Second District to invest in the future of Livingston County. This award provides the Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County with crucial resources to advance their mission of enabling all young people to reach their full potential,” said Congresswoman Kelly. “These investments will set our young people up for success and ensure that our communities thrive.”

ADVANCING BLACK WEALTH TOUR COMING TO CHICAGO IN AUG. 26

(Black PR Wire) OAKLAND -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- JPMorgan Chase is excited to announce the return of its Advancing Black Wealth Tour. The multi-city event series, now in its second year, delivers financial health education, home-buying and real estate workshops, wealth building seminars and other vital financial insights to Black communities nationwide.

The tour will stop in four cities across the country in 2023. The first stop was in Oakland, CA on Saturday Aug. 12. The second stop is in Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 26. Each stop will feature prominent business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and talent.

Oakland will feature Stephen Curry, four-time NBA Champion and venture capitalist, and Ian Dunlap, Master Stock Investor and influencer. Chicago will feature Kevin Hart, Hollywood entertainer and entrepreneur.

“We’re so excited to be back on the road and deliver financial information and insights to communities across the country,” said Justin Grant, Executive Director of Community Development for Advancing Black Pathways at JPMorgan Chase. “The Advancing Black Wealth tour’s purpose is to empower everyday people and aspiring entrepreneurs with the resources and tools needed to build and sustain wealth.”

The tour will conclude later this year in New York City on November 4 and Miami on December 9 where additional influencers will be named at a later date.

Events will be free to attend with registration. Attendees will have access to personalized consultations, interactive activations, and networking opportunities. Each event will be an inclusive atmosphere designed to help build and grow wealth regardless of participants age, background and income level.

For more information visit: jpmorganchase. com/ABWT.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading financial services firm based in the United States of America (“U.S.”), with operations worldwide. JPMorgan Chase had $3.9 trillion in assets and $313 billion in stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2023. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. Under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands, the Firm serves millions of customers in the U.S., and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients globally. Founded in 2019, JPMorgan Chase’s Advancing Black Pathways is committed to strengthening the economic foundation of Black communities. Advancing Black Pathways is committed improving financial health for Black communities worldwide. For information about Advancing Black Pathways visit www.jpmorganchase.com/ABP.

Gluten-free journey leads to Gluten Free Snack Food Business

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BY TIA CAROL JONES

It started with the Ms. P’s Gluten Free Cookie Bar and now includes three flavors of gluten-free granola.

In 2009, Marsh put herself on a gluten-free diet, taking out everything that included wheat, rye or barley. Then, went back to the doctor who told her to stay away from wheat, rye and barley. She started to feel better and she lost a few pounds. In her quest to find good gluten-free snacks, she only found one gluten-free cookie that was a little more on the expensive side.

It led her to start baking her own snacks, finding recipes online and making them gluten-free. She would take her snacks to her job and the positive response from her co-workers served as confirmation that she should turn her gluten-free snack making into a business.

“They said they were so addictive and so delicious they couldn’t believe they were gluten-free,” she said.

The first store Ms. P’s Gluten Free was carried in was the Whole Foods Market in Englewood, which closed in 2016. But, you can find the products at any Mariano’s in the city, as well as Amazon, Community Fresh Market and on the Ms. P’s Gluten Free website: www.mspsgfree.com.

Marsh made the shift from law enforcement to entrepreneur as a leap of faith. A faith-based entrepreneur, she planned her transition over a number of years. After 27 years in federal law enforcement, she went into Ms. P’s full time in 2017.

“My firm belief is that with God, anything is possible,” she said, adding that she started the business with her own money, without a loan.

Marsh didn’t take out a loan until 2019. She described that time as challenging, but she made it. She took a class with Sunshine Enterprises, which helped her with developing her

business. She also had a mentor who tasked her with finding a product that would sell the most. It turned out the granola was outselling the cookie bars. So, she started with the Berry Nutty Granola, and expanded to the Chocolate Hazelnut Pecan Granola and the Harvest Blend.

Marsh said it was very important to have resources, development and organizations that could help her scale and grow her business. While she just wanted to bake, there were so many other aspects she had to learn – marketing, branding, cash flow.

“If you don’t come from that retail world, you don’t know that. Going through all of these cohorts or incubators really helped us to solidify the business, they helped us to understand the different aspects of running Ms. P’s and to be better entrepreneurs,” she said, adding that she also has connected with Ernst & Young EY, which has a yearlong cohort for minority business owners.

Marsh estimates she has participated in 10 or 15 small business cohorts. She is currently participating in a small business cohort. She believes if she is going to run a successful business, she needs to understand the best ways to grow and scale the business.

The most popular granola is the Berry Nutty Granola, it is sweetened with organic, liquid Stevia and honey. Marsh was recently informed the Harvest Blend, which includes pumpkin seeds, cranberries and chia seeds is quickly becoming a favorite among people. Her advise to other Black women entrepreneurs is to go for it. She has learned a lot and has taken other entrepreneurs under her wing so they can learn and grow together, while building strategic partnerships. She said, if people have an idea they can turn into a product, it can be done.

“When I started this, I had no idea about retail. I had no idea about business or marketing or branding or financing, none of that. And, here we are, finally, after having to learn all that, starting to see the fruits of our labor,” she said.

Gov. Pritzker Signs Bill to Explore Creation of New State Flag

CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker signed SB1818 which creates the Illinois Flag Commission for the purpose of exploring the creation of a new state flag and developing new state flag designs. The commission will make recommendations to the General Assembly concerning whether the current State flag should be replaced with a redesigned flag. By September 2024, the Illinois Flag Commission will select no more than ten potential flags and submit a report to the General Assembly by December 2024.

“Throughout our 205-year history, Illinois has boasted two official state flags—and it may be time we create a new one that exemplifies the values of our great state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, I am proud to sign SB1818 to establish the Illinois Flag Commission to aid us in this process as we decide what our future flag should represent.”

“Our state flag demonstrates who we are as one Illinois, uplifting our history and our values. This bill will ensure the Illinois flag continues to be a symbol

of progress and the ideals we uphold with the utmost honor,” said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. “With the creation of the next flag of our state, we are ushering in a new era that will represent every Illinoisan and commemorate how far we have come so we may go even further together.”

Prior to this, Illinois has had two official state flags. The first of these was adopted on July 6, 1915, after a campaign by Ella Park Laurence, State Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Thirty-five designs for the flag were submitted and the winner was crafted by Lucy Derwent. The flag became law on July 6, 1915. In September of 1969, the original flag was amended to carry the state’s name so it was easily identifiable. The next move to design a new state flag was initiated by Governor Ogilvie. The former Governor convened a committee to develop specifications for a new state flag to ensure uniformity in reproduction of design and color by flag makers. Sanford Hutchinson of Greenfield, who had previously done extensive research on the official

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Ms. P’s Gluten Free, founded by Lisa Marsh, is a gluten-free granola and snack food company that includes Berry Nutty Granola, Chocolate Hazelnut Pecan Granola and Harvest Blend Granola, as well as the Cookie Bar. PHOTO PROVIDED BY MS. P’S GLUTEN FREE.

Gov. Pritzker Announces Mental Health Center Renamed for Elizabeth Packard

SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced a new name for the McFarland Mental Health Center. By executive proclamation, it is now officially the Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard Mental Health Center. On signage and in common use, it will become known simply as the Packard Mental Health Center. Located on the south side of Springfield, the psychiatric hospital employs more than 250 staff and supports over 120 patients with serious mental illness on a 24/7 basis.

“Today, we are putting a spotlight on the real hero associated with this institution, someone who in truth better expresses our proud history of positive reform and someone who changed our world for the better,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Here in Illinois, we are committed to righting the wrongs of the past wherever we can. Renaming this

Center in honor of Elizabeth Packard, who founded the Anti-Insane Asylum Society and pushed multiple states to reform their laws to better recognize the rights of mental health patients, is an important step in the right direction.”

“The renaming of the Packard Mental Health Center in memory of Elizabeth Packard comes as a reminder that for too long, systems worked to repress and discount the voices of women and individuals in psychiatric facilities. But Elizabeth Packard’s legacy lives on to show us that a commitment to truth and justice can break down barriers and build toward something greater,” said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. “Today, we honor her experiences and contributions by working to ensure we continue to do better as leaders, and by creating opportunities that uplift and support every resident so they are seen, heard, and can live with dignity.”

The name change was initiated by staff at IDHS/Division of Mental Health and was supported by grassroots advocates in an online petition. The announcement comes at a time when IDHS is further transforming its approach to the care of individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In 1860, Packard was institutionalized against her will in the (now-closed) Illinois State Asylum and Hospital for the Insane in Jacksonville. At the time, Illinois law allowed men to have their wives involuntarily committed. Packard disagreed with her husband, a Calvinist priest, over religious doctrine, and on issues including women’s rights and slavery.

CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

Serves

Dr. Andrew McFarland was the superintendent of the Illinois State Asylum for the Insane in Jacksonville from 1854 to 1869. Following Packard’s release from the Illinois State Asylum, Packard became a fierce and visible advocate for the rights of women and psychiatric patients, and successfully advocated for passage of a “Bill for the Protection of Personal Liberty” in 1867. Dr. McFarland opposed this effort and was also against independent state inspections of mental health facilities. Nevertheless, when the State built a

GOV. PRITZKERL...

design of the state seal, submitted a flag design that was accepted by the committee, the Secretary of State, and the Governor. It became the official flag of Illinois on July 1, 1970.

SB1818 creates a similar committee to the one in 1970, convening the Secretary of State, three members appointed by the Governor, four members appointed by the

hospital in Springfield in 1968, it named the facility after McFarland.

“People like Elizabeth Packard inspire us and teach us how to do better for those struggling with mental illness. Our system must be informed by people with lived experiences,” said Grace B. Hou, Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services. “This reckoning with our state’s history reminds us why our dedication to efforts such as IDHS’s Peer Recovery Support Training Program is necessary.”

Best-selling author Kate Moore published The Woman They Could Not Silence about Packard in 2021. This non-fiction book tells the story of Packard’s involuntary commitment and chronicles Dr. McFarland’s role in keeping her inappropriately confined. Since the book’s release, staff and community members have questioned the appropriateness of keeping Dr. McFarland’s name on the building. In January 2023, an online petition was created, calling on the State to rename the facility.

This renaming reflects the State’s commitment to righting the wrongs of the past, while celebrating the contributions of those who have historically been overlooked.

“Though the names granted to public monuments and facilities –which have historically represented the political values at the moment—have literally been etched in stone, values, fortunately in many cases, are less firmly fixed,” said Community Behavioral Healthcare Association CEO Blanca Campos. “Renaming the McFarland Center for Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard recognizes that her revolutionary social justice vision of mental health care and women’s rights in 1867 fits comfortably with values of the State of Illinois in 2023.”

“The symbolism of changing the name of this institution is so important as we continue to work toward the equity of women in our society,” said Vickie Smith, President and CEO, Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “This story is important for us all to understand that domestic violence is built on the legacy of this kind of power men have had over women.”

SENATOR PETERS ON PFA MISINFORMATION: TRANSFORMATIONAL LAW PRESERVES PROTECTIONS FOR CRIME SURVIVORS

State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to false narratives spread by McClean County State’s Attorney Erika Reynolds in Bloomington-Normal based radio station, WGLT:

“Unlike the old system of cash bond, the Pretrial Fairness Act focuses on the immediate threat to others instead of cost when determining release. The transformational law preserves protections for crime survivors to ensure the very people who harmed them can’t do it again solely because they can afford to pay for their freedom.

“The Pretrial Fairness Act was the result of hours of testimony and negotiations with domestic violence advocates, gender-based violence survivors, proponents of reform, law enforcement and states attorneys at the table working to create a pathway to a better and more equitable criminal legal system.

“I will not stop preserving the essence of this landmark for justice by fighting back against the fearmongering and misinformation.”

JOYCE HIGHLIGHTS $205,000 IN LOCAL RESTAURANT BACK TO BUSINESS GRANTS

State Senator Patrick Joyce joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in announcing the latest round of Back to Business grants for restaurants in the 40th District.

“Restaurants were hit hard during the pandemic, and it has been difficult for some to bounce back,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This is a great grant program that puts local businesses, like restaurants, back on their feet after facing tougher times the last few years.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest hit industries. Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, DCEO has provided more than $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

Five restaurants in Joyce’s district will receive a combined total of $205,000 through this round of Back to Business grants.

“These small businesses fuel our economy and are important to each region around the state,” said Joyce. “It’s great to see businesses return to normal again, and a lot of them would not be able to if it weren’t for financial assistance and support from community members.”

For more information about B2B grants visit DCEO’s website.

COOK COUNTY PENSION FUND TO BE FULLY FUNDED THANKS TO NEW MARTWICK LAW

A new law championed by State Senator Robert Martwick will secure the finances of the Cook County Pension Fund and protect taxpayers.

“President Toni Preckwinkle’s willingness to enshrine fiscal responsibility in the law should be the example that every elected leader seeks to duplicate,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “I am thrilled that I could work with her to pass this impactful legislation.”

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President of the Senate, four members appointed by the Speaker of the House, four members appointed the minority leader of the Senate, and four members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the State Superintendent of Education, and Chairperson of the Board of the Illinois State Museum.

The law makes various changes to the Cook County Pension Fund, most notably requiring an actuarially determined contribution and adjusting benefits to ensure compliance with the Social Security safe-harbor provision. These provisions set a standard to ensure that plans provide benefits equal to Social Security for employees who would not be covered by the program.

Under the new law, the CCPF will be required to retain an actuary in good standing who would create an annual report to ensure it is properly funded.

“By ensuring the solvency of pension funds, taxpayers are protected from future property tax hikes and economic shocks, while guaranteeing that our dedicated public servants receive the retirement security they’ve earned” Martwick said.

House Bill 2352 was signed into law on Friday.

Stackwell and Fintech in Action Announce Financial Wellness Pilot Program with Spelman College Students

BOSTON and ATLANTA, PRNewswire -- Stackwell, the digital investment platform designed to eliminate the racial wealth gap, and Fintech in Action, a social impact initiative that accelerates progress, innovation, and opportunity for Black talent in finance and fintech, announced the launch of a new financial wellness program supporting historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) students. The pilot program will provide a cohort of Spelman College students with a finance and investing course plus a seeded Stackwell account to begin building wealth during their college careers.

The first cohort of students comprises 16 Spelman sophomores who won the Braven Accelerator Capstone Challenge — funded by Fintech in Action coalition members Zogo Finance and MEMX. Each winner will receive their own seeded Stackwell account with $250 to begin their investment journey. Additionally, students will participate in Stackwell workshops that focus on finance and investing fundamentals to help them start to build wealth while in college. With the support of coalition member, Apex Fintech Solutions, Fintech in Action and Stackwell will be tracking student progress over three years to assess how students can build sustained wealth over time. The program’s goal is to provide access to the financial markets, a foundational investment education, and ongoing support and resources to enable and empower the students to grow their investments over time. Students will graduate with all the funds they have amassed, providing a solid financial foundation as they begin their professional careers.

“Fintech in Action is thrilled to partner with Stackwell to build and launch this new initiative,” said Korene E. J. Smith, Director of Fintech in Action. “Going into the Braven Capstone Challenge, I wanted our sponsorship to offer a challenge question and prize that made an impact beyond the classroom. We truly believe this program has the potential to be scaled to larger cohorts of students and expanded

across HBCUs and other colleges and universities –providing access to critical and functional financial education and an understanding of the markets to countless Black students in America.”

“I am so excited that our cohort is being given the opportunity to start an investment journey while we’re still in school,” said Morgan Newson, a rising junior at Spelman. “To be provided with a program that teaches us how to be successful investors on our own, along with a seeded account is a huge deal. As a Black woman, it means a lot to have this kind of support and head start in learning how to build wealth. Being able to start years before graduation gives me leverage as I think about financial stability and my future.”

The pilot program is part of a larger strategic partnership between Fintech in Action and Stackwell, including a broad set of initiatives for Black college students and student-athletes. Beginning this Fall, Fintech in Action will be launching a national HBCU financial wellness tour with Rapunzl Investments focused on education, and investment access through Rapunzl’s stock simulator app. Stackwell will be participating in the HBCU tour, speaking at on-campus events and providing other hands-on educational programming. In addition, Fintech in Action and Stackwell are set to launch a national student-athlete name, image, and likeness (NIL) program providing financial education to help student-athletes navigate how they can save and invest their earnings to grow that wealth over time and opening up access to mentorship and career opportunities in the world of finance and fintech.

“We are deeply committed to our work with HBCU students and student-athletes and are excited to expand access to the markets to students at Spelman College and beyond,” said Trevor Rozier-Byrd, founder, and CEO of Stackwell. “Fintech In Action offers a unique partnership opportunity where we can build new programs that will impact different student populations and help instill core investing values and behaviors from a young age. Together, we have a chance to establish a culture of wealth building and financial wellness that impacts a new generation of Black students.”

For more information about the Fintech in Action and Stackwell pilot program, please visit: https://stackwellcapital.com/community. Fintech in Action is a social impact initiative founded in 2020 in response to the industry’s need to prioritize racial equity and inclusion. In its first year alone, the initiative invested over $1 million in strategic support and paid internship opportunities to further its mission and cause. Together with its coalition and community partners, Fintech in Action is a powerhouse resource, accelerating progress, innovation, and opportunity for Black talent across fintech and ancillary industries. Learn more at https://fintechinaction.com

Stackwell Capital, Inc., is a fintech company that has created a digital investment platform for the Black community that is designed to eliminate the racial wealth gap in America. Stackwell provides the financial investment tools and guidance necessary to help build lasting wealth, equity, and equal opportunity. We’ve developed a unique ecosystem of strategic partners in financial services, higher education (HBCUs and MSIs), professional sports, and created an ever-growing NIL student-athlete ambassador program. Stackwell was a member of the 2022 Financial Solutions Lab, and MassChallenge U.S. Early Stage accelerator programs. For more information, visit stackwellcapital.com.

Guava Launches Huddle, a New Community Platform for Black Entrepreneurs

BROOKLYN, N.Y., PRNewswire -- Guava, the premier banking and networking platform for Black entrepreneurs, creators and small business owners, announced the launch of a new community hub, Huddle. The platform connects the dots for entrepreneurs, empowering members by fostering engagement, collaboration and support to grow and scale their businesses.

Guava champions the tenacity and triumphs of Black business owners. The goal of Huddle is to ensure that all members can benefit from mutual collaboration and can gain from and contribute to the collective pool of knowledge to help uplift others.

Kelly Ifill, Founder and CEO of Guava, said, “Small business owners have faced unprecedented challenges over the last three years,

from business closures, to supply chain issues, to inflation. Black business owners have faced the same challenges while also fighting an uphill battle against unconscious bias, structural challenges, and institutionalized racism. We built Huddle so these entrepreneurs can connect, collaborate, and learn from each other, while also celebrating and supporting our collective achievements.”

Unique membership features include:

Member discounts

Access to live events

Curated content from industry experts

Access to funding vehicles

To learn more about the community platform please visit: Huddle.

Guava will also host a live webinar for the public on August 9 on how to build your online

retail business. Participants can sign up at this link.

Founded in 2021, Guava offers digital banking services and a community platform built to address the specific needs of Black entrepreneurs. Guava announced a funding round of $2.4 million in July 2022 to continue building and scaling the platform.

Guava is a financial technology company and is not a bank. Banking services provided by Piermont Bank, Member FDIC.

Guava is a digital banking platform designed for and by Black small business owners. We are tackling the racial wealth gap head-on by facilitating the development, growth and resilience of our small businesses, the backbone of our communities. For more information, visit joinguava.com.

Fintech In Action logo (PRNewsfoto/Stackwell)

State Treasurer Frerichs Announces Winners of 2023 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced the winners of the 2023 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest, which provides an opportunity for young photographers to share their vision of agriculture in our state. Students who won first, second or third place in each age category will be awarded Bright Start scholarships.

“Thank you to all the young photographers who shared their talents by participating in this year’s contest. We’re impressed with everyone’s creativity in capturing the beauty of Illinois agriculture,” Frerichs said. “Congratulations to the winners, who will be awarded Bright Start scholarships that they can use for qualified expenses related to their post-secondary education.”

Students participating in this year’s contest were allowed to submit up to two photos, and a panel of judges selected the winning entries. The judges were Mary Morgan, principal asset quality & assurance officer at Compeer Financial; Scott Rhoads, regional president of Carrollton Bank; Gary Mueller, vice president of Havana National Bank; and Riley Duckworth, associate director of Illinois Foundation FFA.

The contest consisted of three age categories — ages 8-10, 11-14 and 15-18. Top winners were awarded Bright Start scholarships, with first-place winners in each age category receiving $1,000, second-place winners receiving $500, and third-place winners receiving $250. Students who won more than once were permitted to receive one scholarship award.

Treasurer Frerichs administers Bright Start, the Illinois direct-sold 529 program that provides families with a tax-advantaged investment vehicle to help save for future education expenses at a university or college, community college, trade school or apprenticeship. For more information about the Treasurer’s Office College Savings programs, visit ILCollegeSavings.com or call 877.432.7444.

The Cream of the Crop Photo Contest is part of the Illinois State Treasurer’s Ag Invest program, which marks its 40th anniversary this year. Ag Invest is an agriculture-focused impact investment program providing loan opportunities

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QUINTAE Student MALCOLM X COLLEGE

Letter to the Editor

Chief of Police Gideon Cody Marion Police Department

112 N. 5th Street Marion KS 66861

Dear Chief Cody:

On behalf of the Illinois Press Association, I write to Jorn the chorus of journalism associations around the nation that are outraged by your actions to raid the office of the Marion County Record and the home of its co owners. The correspondence from The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and others very accurately establishes that the actions of your office are violative of very well-established press freedoms.

Your actions, and the unfortunate death of Mrs. Meyer, caused me to recall the story of Elijah Lovejoy, also a victim of an effort to silence an American newspaper. Ifyou have not yet done so, 1 urge you to learn this bit of American history. Mr. Lovejoy was murdered by a pro-slavery mob, while defending his anti-slavery newspaper in Alton, Illinois. The mob tossed Lovejoy’s press (actually three of them) into the Mississippi River. One of those presses sat in the office of the Alton Telegraph as a reminder to all. A monument to Lovejoy was erected in the city.

While the actions of your office leading up to the raid are of grave concern, your inability or unwillingness to explain your actions compounds the aggravation. Obtaining and executing a warrant, without the need for an underlying affidavit, and conducting a search of a newsroom and the publishers’ home should be unthinkable. Overbroad. Chilling. Intrusive into newsgathering. All the descriptors used by the courts over the years are brought to mind.

And to think this was brought about---as best we can tell --- by the newspaper being advised of a public record of a driving conviction of a local resident. Under what theory is possession of a public court record a crime?

You and your office should apologize to Mr. Meyer and his staff, the newspaper, and to your community for your egregious actions. You can’t fix this, you can’t hide from it. You should own it, apologize, and resign.

60609, 60615, 60616, 60617, 60619, 60620, 60621, 60624, 60628, 60629, 60636, 60637, 60643, 60644, 60649, 60651, 60652, 60409, 60411, 60419, 60422, 60429, 60443, 60461, 60473, 60478 and more………

Donald M. Craven

‘Act Your Age’ season finale July 29 on Bounce TV

ATLANTA, PRNewswire -- Bounce TV’s newest hit series “Act Your Age” will wrap its record-breaking first season on Saturday, July 29 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.

The 16-episode first season, produced in partnership with MGM, premiered in March and was seen by 2.14 million viewers in its debut telecasts, making it the most-watched half-hour series launch in Bounce history and the No. 3 new comedy of the season, alongside NBC’s “Night Court” and “Lopez vs. Lopez.”

The multiple-camera, half-hour comedy tells the story of three vibrant, successful Washington D.C./Northern Virginia-area women in their 50s who are each at a personal crossroads and who decide the best way forward in life is together. “Act Your Age” stars Kym Whitley (“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Next Friday,” “Young and Hungry”) and Tisha Campbell (“Uncoupled,” “My Wife and Kids,” “Dr. Ken”) with special guest star Yvette Nicole Brown (“Community,” “The Mayor,” “Big Shot”).

Whitley plays Bernadette, a successful, no-nonsense real estate developer. Campbell plays Keisha, the wild card of the group who is always up to something, and Brown plays Angela, the former First Lady of Norfolk, Virginia, who is looking to redefine her life after being widowed by her husband, a revered career politician. In the season finale, Bernadette

imagines a world where Angela and Keisha never moved into the penthouse.

The multi-generational sitcom also features Mariah Robinson (“The Wrong Valentine”) and Nathan Anderson (“Black-ish,” “Richie Rich,”) as the 20-something children

of Angela and Bernadette, respectively.

Alyson Fouse (“Big Shot,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “The Wanda Sykes Show”) created the series and serves as showrunner and executive producer. The series is produced by MGM Television and executive produced by Barry Poznick, Bradley Gardner (“Hot in Cleveland”) and David Hudson; and co-executive produced by Ranada Shepard and Ken Ornstein (“Everybody Loves Raymond”). The show is also available on streaming service Brown Sugar.

Source: Nielsen, Live+SD. 03/04/2023. Average delivery across the six episodes (Bounce 8p, 8:30p, 11p, 11:30p and ION 11p, 11:30p). Comedy includes series coded as situation comedy, comedy variety, and evening animation, excludes programs with less than 3 telecasts; based on M-SU 8-8:30P Strict Daypart 9/19/22 – 4/9/23)

Bounce (@bouncetv) features a programming mix of original series and movies, theatrical motion pictures, off network series, specials and events designed for African American audiences. Bounce is available to 98% of U.S. television homes free and over the air with a digital antenna, on cable, on DISH channel 359, DIRECTV channel 82, over the top on Roku, Pluto TV and Apple TV; on mobile devices via the Bounce app; and on the web via BounceTV.com. Bounce XL, Scripps Networks’ newest free ad-supported television (FAST) channel, is available on Samsung TV Plus, Pluto TV and Xumo. Bounce is part of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP).

UMe Celebrates Hip Hop 50 With 80,000 Collectible Metro Cards Featuring Cam’ron, LL Cool J, Rakim, & Pop Smoke

(Black PR Wire) Los Angeles, CA – Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) launches a hip-hop music collaboration with The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in celebration of Hip Hop At 50 – Honoring 50 Years of Hip Hop: A Legacy of Rhythm, Revolution, and Soul.

Together with the MTA, UMe have created 80,000 “Metro Cards” available in subway vending locations across New York City. These collectibles feature four generational East Coast hip-hop icons, namely Cam’Ron, LL COOL J, Rakim, and Pop Smoke.

About the cards, Rakim commented, “From standing on top of the Empire State Building to grabbing a slice at the corner pizza shop, NYC creates iconic moments that are recognized around the world. But it doesn’t get closer to real city life than swiping a metro card and standing clear of the closing doors. It’s an honor to be celebrating the 50th Anniversary on the streets… and now below them… of the city where hip-hop was born.”

LL COOL J added, “When I first started in Hip-Hop, we were using tokens and then in the 90’s the MetroCard came out. And through the pandemic I remember riding

the subway anonymously by myself. Now in 2023 I have my own limited-edition MetroCard in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop. This is a beautiful full circle moment. Hip-Hop is amazing!”

The LL COOL J cards are coinciding with the second year of The Rock The Bells festival in Forest Hills, Queens. Rock The Bells is dedicated to the ongoing preservation and illumination of the culture that Hip Hop has made global. This metro card project celebrates 4 watershed moments in New York hip hop and represents the ever-changing bedrock of the culture, this is a symbol to the next generation that ideas and self-expression matters, and putting a positive and uplifting message into the world can make you a super star.

Cards can be found across New York City. The LL COOL J cards can be found in Forest Hills at the 71st Ave metro stop in CTR areas N333, N333A, and N333B. In collaboration with the Shoot For The Stars Foundation, the Pop Smoke cards appear at the Canarsie-Rockaway Pkwy stop in CTR area R634, in addition to the New Lots Ave stop in CTR area H041. Vending machines with the

Cam’Ron and Rakim cards will be revealed soon. As part of this initiative, hip-hop quite literally courses through the nervous system of New York City, adorning these subway locales.

As part of Hip Hop At 50 – Honoring 50 Years of Hip Hop: A Legacy of Rhythm, Revolution, and Soul, one of the culture’s most influential artists Eric Haze developed a very special logo for Hip Hop 50 as chronicled by All Access, uDiscoverMusic, and more.

UMe just released a new “Best Hip Hop Hits – HIP HOP 50 Edition” Spotify playlist.

Hip Hop 50 traces the history of rap music with a series of very special anniversary editions of classic albums on exclusive vinyl colorways throughout 2023. These LPs span Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded on June 2, Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III (Deluxe) on June 9, and Salt-n-Pepa’s Very Necessary on October 13. In the fall, releases include Gang Starr’sDaily Operation, LL COOL J’s Mama Said Knock You Out, Onyx’s Bacdafucup, and Guru’s Jazzmatazz Vol. 1 on November 3 followed by Public Enemy’s It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back on November 10.

Colorways and details will be revealed soon for these limited-edition pressings.Experience UMe’s Hip Hop 50 in 2023.

Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) is the centralized global catalog division of Universal Music Group (UMG). Working closely with all of UMG’s record labels, territories and operating companies, UMe provides a frontline approach to catalog management, a concentration of resources, opportunities in new technologies and an emphasis on strategic marketing initiatives to engage all types of consumers across multiple entry points and platforms.

The season finale of Bounce TV’s hit series “Act Your Age” is for Saturday night, July 29 at 8 p.m. ET. Bounce

BlackPRWire

STATE TREASURER.... Continued From Page 6

for Illinois farmers and agri-businesses to start, expand or add value to their farm operations. Ag Invest offers affordable financing through two options: the Ag Invest Agriculture Operating Line of Credit and the Long-Term Ag & Value Added Ag program. The Treasurer’s Office partners with eligible financial institutions in Illinois to provide low-interest loans to Illinois farmers. The loans provided by the financial institution can be used for the purchase of farm equipment, purchase of land, construction-related expenses, operating lines of credit or other costs related to conventional or sustainable farming.

Since 2015, when Frerichs became treasurer, the

Ag Invest program has supported more than 7,000 agriculture borrowers and partnered with more than 45 financial institutions.

8-10 Age Bracket Winners

First Place: Bennett Schumacher, At Sunset, Jacksonville, IL (Morgan County)

Second Place: Bennett Schumacher, Working Hard, Jacksonville, IL (Morgan County)

Third Place: Leah Johnson, Rose Lettuce, Pleasant Plains, IL (Sangamon County)

11-14 Age Bracket Winners

First Place: Carolyn Lee, American Cattle, Wellington, IL (Iroquois County)

Second Place: Anna Parr, Moo, Mason City, IL (Mason County)

Third Place: Anna Parr, Mama and Her Babies, Mason City, IL (Mason County)

15-18 Age Bracket Winners

First Place: Macy McLaughlin, Evening Elegance, Mason City, IL (Mason County)

Second Place: Alec Shields, Beneath the Bluffs, Carbondale, IL (Jackson County)

Second Place: Sophie Robinson, Crop Sprayer, Taylorville, IL (Christian County)

Third Place: Hallie Smith, Mary the Little Lamb, Taylorville, IL (Christian County)

The Healthy Churches 2030 Conference Equips Faith Communities to Respond to Racial Health Disparities

RICHMOND, Va., PRNewswire -- In response to the alarming health disparities affecting Black Americans, the Healthy Churches 2030 Conference equips Black faith communities and families to become community hubs for health awareness, education, and support. The four-day virtual conference, running Nov. 13-16, will provide dozens of expert presentations and educational sessions for faith and community members, pastors, deacons, missionaries, elders, public health and medical professionals, caregivers, advocates, and more. Registration is available at www.HC2030.org.

The conference is presented by The Balm In Gilead, Inc., a 35-year-old organization that mobilizes faith communities to respond to health crises in Black communities. “Faith communities are the oldest, most important, and most ubiquitous institutions that Black people own, lead, and fund,” says Dr. Pernessa C. Seele, the founder and CEO of the organization. “Their potential

and influence to lessen the impact of systemic disparities and improve the health status of African Americans is unmatched.”

In responseto health disparities affecting Black Americans, the Healthy Churches 2030 Conference equips communities.

The conference provides a unique setting for faith and public health representatives to work together toward solutions aimed at reversing

and eliminating health disparities. The Healthy Churches 2030 Conference will focus on many conditions documented as having worse impact on African Americans as a result of systemic racism, including higher rates, and inadequate treatment for, infant and maternal morbidity, cardiovascular disease, mental health challenges, Alzheimer’s and other diseases.

Healthy Churches 2030 is founded in the principles of Healthy People 2030, an initiative of the Department of Health and Human Services. The focus of Healthy People 2030 is the elimination of health disparities and creating equitable opportunities for people to live healthy lives.

Registration for Healthy Churches 2030 is required and costs $50 per person, covering all four days of the conference. Special rates of $35 per person are available for groups of 20 or more. For more information, visit www.healthychurches2030.org.

National Urban League and Takeda Partner on a New Community-Based National Initiative to Advance Health Equity

(Black PR Wire) NEW YORK, New York and CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts – The National Urban League, a historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization, and Takeda (TSE:4502/ NYSE:TAK) together announce a new health equity initiative that seeks to address the obstacles that disproportionately hinder access to better health care for historically marginalized populations in the U.S.

This par tnership will ultimately help to raise awareness, knowledge and action across the National Urban League’s network of local affiliates and partners on social determinants of health (SDOH) and the barriers to accessing timely diagnosis and treatment in communities. Takeda’s support through this initiative will enable the creation of a Health Equity Continuum of Service Structure across the National Urban League’s network, including the development and implementation of local health equity plans to address identified health inequities and barriers to access in communities. Additionally, Takeda will support the National Urban League in developing webinars and workshops for continued health equity education and professional development among its affiliates. Long-term efforts under this partnership will engage key stakeholders to shape local and national policy, institutional commitments and structural investments in communities to achieve health equity holistically.

“The COVID-19 pandemic shone a harsh light on the historic and structural inequities in our health care system and the urgent need for reform,” said Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of

the National Urban League. “The National Urban League is proud to work with forward-thinking partners like Takeda, the first organization to fund our health equity infrastructure.”

“Working alongside trusted leaders in the community and community-based organizations is vital to ensure we’re prioritizing the complex needs of historically marginalized people and can help to implement thoughtful solutions,” said Dr. Chris Reddick, head of U.S. Health Equity at Takeda. “That’s why we’ve partnered with the National Urban League, an organization that looks to the root of inequities and prioritizes communi -

receiving health care.1 In order to solve for these deep-rooted health disparities, Takeda is committed to supporting community-serving organizations that are closest to the nuanced challenges and needs of a population, to ultimately create lasting change.

ty-led solutions to deliver care that reflects local needs.”

Health inequities result in higher rates of disease and poorer health outcomes for a wide range of health conditions among people in racial and ethnic groups when compared to their white counterparts.1 For example, the average life expectancy among Black or African American people in the U.S. is four years lower than that of white people.2 Data also shows that LGBTQ+ people were more likely than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts to report negative experiences while

The National Urban League is a historic civil rights and organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. The National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its 90 local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than three million people annually nationwide. Visit www.nul. org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @NatUrbanLeague. Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma- derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. For more information, visit www.takeda.com.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD

THEME: BACK TO SCHOOL

ACROSS

1. *Medical school entry requirement, acr.

5. *Atlas image

8. Hula dancer's necklace

11. German money

12. Ready for picking

13. Nerd

15. Like many Brothers Grimm stories

16. Month of Purim

17. *Some exams

18. *Laptop and books container

20. Fastens a fly

21. Licorice-like herb

22. *Teacher's favorite

23. Like hot lava

26. Cassava, pl.

30. Chapter in history

31. Deadly

34. DEA agent

35. Second person singular past of "do," archaic

37. Greet, to a dog

38. Be in harmony

39. Inwardly

40. Opposite of pluralism

42. Even, to a poet

43. *Academic planners

45. *High predecessor 47. Passé

48. Barnyard honker

50. Rooftop contraption

52. *Meal container

55. Emerald or aquamarine, chemically speaking 56. Trans-Siberian Railroad city

57. Venus de Milo's are missing

59. *Plural of #51 Down 60. Comments from prompt box 61. Do like Ella Fitzgerald 62. *PE in school

DOWN

1. Actress Ryan

2. Larry David's "____ Your Enthusiasm"

3. Bizet's "Habanera," e.g.

4. Tabby's mate

5. King with a golden touch

6. Rapidly

7. ____ up, to become more cheerful 8. Spring 9. Morays

10. Abdominal pain cause, acr. 12. Plunder 13. Dirty one 14. *One of 3 Rs in grade school 19. Genuflected 22. Letter-writing friend 23. *M in LMC, educationally speaking 24. Circular gasket 25. Big Dipper's visible shape 26. Biblical gift-givers 27. Propelled a boat

Angler's basket

Part of