South End Citizen 1-1-2020 by CITIZEN NEWSPAPERS

Congressional Black Caucus Members Talk Impeachment, HBCU Funding â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Page 3

Citizen Week of Jan. 1, 2020

| Vol. 52 | No. 47 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SOUTH END

Since construction began in 2015 on the Positioning Pullman 2.0 in Pullman, $56 million has been invested in the project that organizers said would ultimately increase tourism on the Far South Side. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

The Obama Presidential Center will be built in Jackson Park on the South Side and is expected to jumpstart the local economy surrounding the center. Photo courtesy of Obama Foundation

CHICAGOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SOUTH SIDE ENDS 2019 WITH A BANG OF SURPRISES

Former Ald. Willie Cochran (20th) plead guilty in 2019 to onecount of wire fraud and was sentenced to one year in federal prison. Photo credit: By

Wendell Hutson

ENTERTAINMENT

BUSINESS

FASHION

A Streaming Solution for Subscription Fatigue

PayPal to Acquire Honey PAGE 4

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

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NEWS briefly EDUCATION

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

HEALTH

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

LAW & POLITICS

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

“CAN YOU IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES FOR THE FAR SOUTH SIDE IF A CASINO IS BUILT NEARBY? WE’RE TALKING ABOUT METRA STATIONS ALREADY IN PULLMAN AND THE BISHOP FORD EXPRESSWAY AT OUR FRONT DOOR, SO TRANSPORTATION GETTING THIS WAY IS NO PROBLEM.” Ald. Anthony Beale (9th)

Chicago’s South Side Ends 2019 With a Bang of Surprises Continued from page 1 BY WENDELL HUTSON Contributing Writer

The South Side of Chicago, whose population is predominately black, according to census data, had a surprising yet interesting year in 2019 with construction underway on historic buildings to an unexpected guilty plea by a popular alderman and a new, state-of-the art public high school built in one of the most violent neighborhoods in the city. Education In February 2018, the Chicago Board of Education voted to close four, public high schools (Harper, Robeson, TEAM Englewood, and John Hope), where enrollment was consistently low, and replaced the schools with Englewood STEM, a new, $85 million high school that opened in September at 6835 S. Normal Blvd. where the focus is on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). And despite Englewood being one of the most violent neighborhoods in the city, more than 400 students enrolled in the first freshman class. There has not been a new public high school built in Englewood since the 1970s when Robeson first opened its doors. Chicago Public Schools officials said they foresee no problem with filling up the school by 2022 with all four grades and keeping it that way for years to come. “I think in the past we said we were gonna do something, and in some cases it didn’t happen,” Janice Jackson, CEO of CPS, said on opening day of the new school. “And people just didn’t trust that it was going to happen. This moved quickly and I think it’s gonna go a long way to show that when we commit to doing something, it’s actually gonna happen.” One high school, John Hope College Prep at 5515 S. Lowe Ave., still remains open even though no students are currently enrolled. But there’s a reason why the nation’s third largest school district with 355,000 students is keeping the building open. “There is a state-mandated school closure process that the district

must follow. This includes required community engagement and a public hearing,” said Emily Bolton, a spokeswoman for CPS. “The district could not move to close the school prior to completing this process.” Politics Shortly after Lori Lightfoot was sworn into office as the first black, female Chicago mayor, a popular South Side alderman, who is also a retired Chicago police officer, started a oneyear prison sentence. Former Ald. Willie Cochran (20th), whose ward includes several South Side neighborhoods like Woodlawn and Englewood, pleaded guilty in March to one count of wire fraud. In an exclusive interview with the Citizen, Cochran said he did not violate his oath and did not steal money from the “20th Ward Activities Fund” as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois alleged he did in a 13-count indictment. “I am innocent of these charges and if I had the money to fight this case, I wouldn’t have plead guilty,” contends Cochran. In a plea deal, the U.S. Attorney’s Office acknowledged that Cochran contributed monies into the Fund, but withdrew more than what he paid. “While defendant personally donated in excess of approximately $32,000 to the Fund, he withdrew money, and used that money for his own personal expenses in excess of that amount,” the plea deal stated. “Defendant acknowledges that between January 2010 and April 2014, he took approximately $14,285 in excess of what he donated from the 20th Ward Activities Fund, and converted the money to his own personal use.” In the end, Cochran said he accepts responsibility for his actions regardless how flawed the government made it seem, and is ready to move on with his life. “I don’t want to make excuses because this falls on me. I should have made better choices,” said Cochran. Development The Pullman neighborhood on the Far South Side is home to several developments underway on historic buildings most notably the Positioning

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Pullman 2.0 project. The development, which began in 2015, stretches along Cottage Grove Avenue from 111th to 103rd streets, and upon completion will feature a visitor center, hotel, pedestrian walkways, bike trails, public space, community rooms, exhibit halls, and the historic clock tower would be renovated. The history of the Pullman site dates back to 1880 when industrialist George Pullman developed the site initially as the first American industrial town. The goal of the project is to redevelop old, historic buildings in Pullman as a way to improve the community from transportation to tourism, which would ultimately help boost the local economy as well, said Lynn McClure, senior Midwest director for the National Parks Conservation Association. “This project will sit on historic grounds and so it must be preserved in a way that keeps its original structure,” added McClure. “The visitor center could be open as early as 2021 but as far as when the total project will be complete, there’s no completion date for this project although ideally I’d love to see it wrapped up in the next five years.” But not far away from Pullman is the Jackson Park neighborhood which is set to become home to the 500-acre Obama Presidential Center (OPC) by 2021. OPC officials contend that despite parkland being used to build the library named after President Barack Obama, the center will be a new landmark for the South Side and an economic engine for the city of Chicago. They add the OPC will attract thousands of visitors annually thus boosting tourism on the Far South Side. Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), whose ward includes Pullman, said he agrees with that notion. “Can you imagine the possibilities for the Far South Side if a casino is built nearby? We’re talking about Metra stations already in Pullman and the Bishop Ford Expressway at our front door, so transportation getting this way is no problem,” said Beale. “And let’s not forget the Obama Presidential Center that will also be built on the South Side. Tourism is about to go through the roof for the Far South Side, an area rarely visited by tourists coming to Chicago.”

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Jan. 1, 2020

NEWS

Congressional Black Caucus Members Talk Impeachment, HBCU Funding BY STACY M. BROWN NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

Shortly after the House Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to impeach President Donald Trump on Friday, December 13, members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) held a conference call with publishers of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade association of Black Press publications from around the country. While CBC members addressed the impeachment proceedings, the call was a reminder that Congress continues to work on other pressing issues. The call included CBC Chair Karen Bass (D-Calif.), and Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Val Demings (D-Fla.), Alma Adams (D-North Carolina), and Bobby Scott (D-Virginia). The members discussed the passage of the FUTURE Act, legislation that provides needed funding to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other educational institutions. “Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges or Universities, and other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) play a significant role in expanding access to higher education for low-income students and students of color,” said Scott, the chair of the House Committee on Education and Labor.

“Unfortunately, despite their outsized role in serving our nation’s most underserved students, these schools have historically been under-resourced compared to other institutions of higher education,” Scott stated. “The FUTURE Act won’t only guarantee at least $250 million per year for HBCUs and MSIs; it will simplify the Free Application for Student Aid (FASFA) and makes it easier for students to access student aid and repay their loans,” Scott continued. The FUTURE Act, which stands for Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education, unanimously passed the Senate. The bill has been sent to the president for his signature. Through the FUTURE Act, HBCUs will receive $85 million per year – about $1 million per school. American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities will receive $30 million annually, while Hispanic-serving institutions will get $100 million per year. Also, predominately Black institutions will continue to reap an annual payment of $15 million, and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions will receive $15 million each year. Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions and Native American-serving nontribal institutions each will continue to receive $5 million annually.

“HBCUs and MSIs provide pathways of opportunities for millions of Americans who come from low-income families. As a twotime graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, and a retired professor of 40 years at Bennett College for Women, I as well as all the pupils that I had the pleasure of teaching, are a testament to the power of these schools which mold their students into the leaders of tomorrow,” said Adams, the Chair of the House Higher Education and Labor subcommittee on Workforce Protections. “This agreement will secure $255 million a year for these institutions to serve over eight million students of color, preparing them for careers in our STEM professions,” Adams stated. The legislation also reduces FAFSA by 22 questions and allows the Internal Revenue Service to directly share applicants’ tax information with the U.S. Department of Education. “The simplification in the provision was to get information from the IRS to make the applications more accurate,” Scott stated. “If you can get the necessary information from the IRS, there would be more accuracy.” Meanwhile, Jackson-Lee addressed the impeachment vote against Trump. “Abuse of power and obstruction of Congress,” she said of the two articles of impeachment that the House Judiciary Committee voted in favor of on Friday, December 13. “What the president was essentially caught

doing was attempting to interfere in the 2020 election. So, in terms of the significance of this for our community, the idea that the president would cheat on the election and attempt to get himself re-elected, I think, would change our lives for generations,” Jackson-Lee stated. She continued: “If you think about the fact that [re-election] would mean there will be one if not more appointments to the Supreme Court. He has already appointed over 100 judges, and I am sure 99 percent of them would be horrible when it comes to our issues. “When you think of the dismantling of so much as what we have fought for over these years, the idea that our people would have to endure another term of this President is almost beyond our comprehension.” Jackson-Lee conceded that the Senate in all probability would not remove Trump, but impeachment in the House was still necessary. Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton are the only presidents in American history to have faced impeachment. Nixon resigned before the House could vote. Johnson and Clinton were impeached in the House, but both were acquitted in the Senate. “We felt that it was so important that we had to put the brakes on him interfering in the election, that even if impeachment was not going to remove him successfully, it was still critical that we did this,” Jackson-Lee stated.

Uber To Pay $4.4 Million To Resolve EEOC Sexual Harassment And Retaliation Charge Uber Technologies, Inc. has entered into a nationwide agreement to strengthen its business culture against sexual harassment and retaliation, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced recently. This settlement resolves a 2017 EEOC Commissioner’s Charge of sex discrimination, ending an extensive investigation in which the EEOC found reasonable cause to believe that Uber permitted a culture of sexual harassment and retaliation against individuals who complained about such harassment, in violation Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The pre-litigation agreement was voluntarily entered into by Uber and obtained through the EEOC’s conciliation process. Uber will establish a class fund of $4.4 million to compensate anyone who the EEOC determines expe-

rienced sexual harassment and/or related retaliation after January 1, 2014. In addition, the company has agreed to create a system for identifying employees who have been the subject of more than one harassment complaint and for identifying managers who fail to respond to concerns of sexual harassment in a timely manner. It will also update its policies with input from a third-party consultant and continue conducting climate surveys and exit interviews with specific attention to workplace sexual harassment and retaliation. Uber has agreed to be monitored for 3 years by an outside party, former EEOC Commissioner Fred Alvarez. “This resolution demonstrates the benefits of working cooperatively with EEOC and serves as a model for businesses committed to

truly leveling the playing field where opportunity is not circumscribed by one’s gender,” said EEOC Chair Janet Dhillon. EEOC Commissioner Victoria Lipnic, co-chair of the EEOC’s Select Task Force on the Study of Harassment in the Workplace who also initiated the Commissioner’s charge after widespread publicity in 2017 concerning the treatment of female employees at Uber, said, “This agreement holds Uber accountable, and, going forward, positions the company to innovate and transform the tech industry by modeling effective measures against sexual harassment and retaliation.” EEOC San Francisco District Director William Tamayo added, “In particular, employers should take note of Uber’s commitment to holding management accountable and identifying repeat offenders www.citizennewspapergroup.com

so that high-performing, superstar harassers are not allowed to continue their behavior. The tech industry, among others, has often ignored allegations of sexual harassment when an accused harasser is seen as more valuable to the company than the accuser.” EEOC Senior Trial Attorney Ami Sanghvi, who advised on the investigation, added, “This agreement will hopefully empower women in technology to speak up against sexism in the workplace knowing that their voices can yield meaningful change.” Uber’s Chief Legal Officer Tony West said, “We’ve worked hard to ensure that all employees can thrive at Uber by putting fairness and accountability at the heart of who we are and what we do. I am extremely pleased that we were able to work jointly with the EEOC in continuing

to strengthen these efforts.” A claims administrator will be sending notices to all female employees who worked at Uber at any time between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2019. Potential claimants will be able to submit a response to a questionnaire that will allow the EEOC to determine whether they may be eligible for monetary relief. For information about the claims process, contact Senior Federal Investigator responsible for investigating the Commissioner’s Charge, Malinda Tuazon at malinda. tuazon@eeoc.gov or (415) 522-3126. According to www.uber.com, Uber Technologies, Inc. is a San Francisco-based American multinational technology company. The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov.

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BUSINESS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Jan. 1, 2020

Happy

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

6 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Jan. 1, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

BRIEFLY

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

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

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

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

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

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

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Jan. 1, 2020

NEWS

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

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

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

COMMENTARY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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FASHION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Jan. 1, 2020

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CITIZEN | South End | Week of Jan. 1, 2020

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

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

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

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

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