Grants of up to $5,000 available to cultural, community service programs from Nicor Gas

NAPERVILLE, ILL. – Expanding on its commitment to support neighborhoods across its service territory where stabilization needs are the greatest, Nicor Gas is announcing $100,000 in funding to support cultural and community service programs.

Starting May 1, 501(c)(3) designated nonprofits may apply for grants from Nicor Gas to support their cultural and community service initiatives. Applications are available at www.NicorGas.com/ CharitableGiving through July 31, with funding decisions made by September 30. Selected nonprofits and community organizations are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in grant funds this year.

Nicor Gas invests in nonprofit organizations that contribute to the vitality, sustainability and livability of neighborhoods where its customers live and work through the support of local museums and theatres, social services and early childhood organizations, and non-core health services such as mental health, substance abuse and domestic abuse, mentorship and job services programs, and organizations that target civic development.

removes barriers to attending productions through “pay what you can” nights and sign language interpreted performances.

Tri-City Family Services – Supports family centered counseling for children, adolescents, adults, families and community members across all income levels and life stages.

Children’s Advocacy of North and Northwest Cook County – Supports trauma focused therapeutic intervention for child survivors of abuse and family violence.

Children’s Discovery Museum –Supports the STEAM-based “Museum in Motion” program that brings the museum experience into local classrooms.

To submit an application for the community enrichment grants, www. NicorGas.com/CharitableGiving.

To learn more about Nicor Gas’ commitment to its communities, visit www.NicorGas.com/Community.

CUNNINGHAM PUSHES LAW TO PROTECT FIRST RESPONDERS WITH LONG-TERM COVID-19 ILLNESS

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced legislation that ensures Chicago police officers, firefighters and paramedics who contracted COVID-19 while on the job will receive the disability benefits they earned.

“Chicago first responders are entitled to the exact same health and safety protections that were provided to other essential workers during the pandemic,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “If the Chicago police and fire pension funds are going to claim a legal technicality to refuse to protect our first responders, then the state legislature will have to step in to put protections in place. That is exactly what House Bill 3162 does — it requires the Chicago pension funds to grant the same COVID-19 presumption that all other workers receive.”

CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

Chatham, Avalon Park, Park Manor,GreaterGrand Crossing, Burnside,Chesterfield, West Chersterfield, South Shore,and Calumet Heitghts.

SOUTH END Washington Heights,Roseland,Rosemoor, Englewood,West Englewood, Auburn-Gresham, Morgan Park, Maple Park, Mt. Vernon, Fernwood, Bellevue, Beverly, Pullman, West Pullman, West Pullman,Riverdale, Jeffrey Manor and Hegewisch.

SOUTH SUBURBAN

Serves communities in Harvey, Markham, Phoenix, Robbins, Dixmoor, Calumet Park, Blue Island,SouthHolland,and Dolton. Shopping- their favorite pastime!

HYDE PARK Lake Meadows, Oakland, Prairie Shores,Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Woodland,South Shore and Hyde Park.

CHICAGO WEEKEND Chicago Westside Communities, Austin and Garfield Park

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY

BloomTownship, Chicago Heights, Flossmoor,FordHeights, Glenwood, Homewood, Lansing ,Lynwood, Olympia Fileds, Park Forest,Sauk Village,South Chicago and Steger

Citizen

Group Inc., (CNGII), Publisher of the ChathamSoutheast,South End, ChicagoWeekend,South Suburban

“At Nicor Gas, we are committed to improving our local neighborhoods and communities by partnering with nonprofits who are making an impact through cultural and community services,” said Jackie Nagel, manager of Community Engagement. “Strong communities depend on good citizens working together, and we are proud to invest in organizations that hold these same values and support these causes across the state.”

Grants awarded last year include:

Paramount Arts – Supports the Paramount Access Program which

Nicor Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Nicor Gas serves more than 2.3 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit nicorgas. com.

Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.3 million natural gas customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states with approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.

STATE TREASURER Continued From Page 2

erty. Illinois is a national leader in the unclaimed property space and is frequently consulted by other states who are reforming their unclaimed property laws, rules and procedures.

You can check icash.illinoistreasurer.gov to see if unclaimed property is waiting for you.

As Illinois State Treasurer, Michael Frerichs (FRAIR’-ikz) is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer and actively manages approximately $52 billion. The portfolio includes $26 billion in state funds, $17 billion in retirement and college savings plans and $9 billion on behalf of local and state governments. Frerichs’ office protects consumers by safeguarding more than $3.5 billion in unclaimed property, encouraging savings plans for college or trade school, increasing financial education among all ages, assisting people with disabilities to save without losing government benefits, and removing barriers to a secure retirement. The Treasurer’s Office predates Illinois incorporation in 1818. Voters in 1848 chose to make it an elected office.

As a result of this presumption, affected police officers and firefighters would be entitled to 75% of their salary at the time of disability and duty disability benefits, instead of the current 50% under ordinary disability benefits. The legislation applies retroactively, providing relief to those who were denied full duty disability benefits after contracting COVID-19 while on the job.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza has been leading the fight for passage of House Bill 3162. Her brother was denied full duty disability benefits after contracting COVID-19 while working 17 straight days before a vaccine was available in November 2020. Police Sergeant Joaquin Mendoza spent 72 days in the hospital, suffered kidney failure, had five strokes, and lost the use of his left arm. If he had been granted full duty disability, he would have received 75% of his salary and health insurance. His claim was denied and he was instead granted 50% of his salary for no more than four years, regardless of injury, and had his health insurance canceled.

“There are a few dozen officers and firefighters like Sgt. Mendoza who contracted COVID-19 on the job and have been unable to return to work because of the extent of their injuries,” Cunningham said. “House Bill 3162 will ensure they will be able to pay their bills, support their families, and keep their health insuranc.”

MAYOR-ELECT BRANDON JOHNSON STATEMENT ON NEW IMMIGRANT ARRIVALS IN CHICAGO

CHICAGO – Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson released the following statement on the new arrival of asylumseekers in Chicago:

“The truth of the matter is that we have governors around the border who have demonstrated they are not open to collaborating, and that of course is a disappointment. I’m prepared to have conversations with everyone — particularly those who have used this as a weapon against cities — because asylum seekers are experiencing extremely difficult conditions, both emotionally and physically.

“What we will do day one is make sure there is a real effort to coordinate our resources at the federal, state, county and city levels. We are already in the process of developing the infrastructure for that type of coordination, but also for engaging in a real community process that allows for our response to not just meet the need, but include all stakeholders in solving what is ultimately a crisis that was engineered by outside forces.

“I’m going to work collaboratively with the people of Chicago and alderpersons who represent areas where we can be supportive for asylum seekers to make sure every community, and every person in it, is protected. Many communities have for too long been denied basic amenities and resources that could help strengthen them, but the stronger our communities are, the better position we are in to support both newcomers, and current residents and families.”