South Suburban Citizen 4-26-2023

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL JOINS

Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 18 states, today called for a federal recall of Hyundai and Kia vehicles following the companies’ continued failure to take adequate steps to address the alarming rate of vehicle thefts.

BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION SELECTS BLACKS IN GREEN TO SERVE AS NEW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER

CHICAGO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that Blacks in Green has been selected to serve as an Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (EJ TCTAC). Blacks in Green will receive at least $10 million to help communities across Region 5 access funds from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. This includes historic investments to advance environmental justice.

From day one of his administration, President Biden made achieving environmental justice a top priority. Through the Investing in America agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration will continue to support and strengthen communities that for too long were left out and left behind. Administrator Regan announced the technical assistance centers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America tour.

Blacks in Green is among 17 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) the EPA announced to receive a total of more than $177 million to remove barriers and improve accessibility for communities with environmental justice concerns.

EPA will deliver these resources in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, whose funding allows the EJ TCTACs to provide support for identifying community opportunities for clean energy transition and financing options, including public-private partnerships supporting clean energy demonstration, deployment, workforce development and outreach opportunities that advance energy justice objectives.

The EJ TCTAC program is part of the Federal Interagency Thriving Communities Network and delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative to ensure that 40% of the benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities.

HARPER BILLS ADVANCE BOLD AGENDA FOCUSED ON EQUITY, SUSTAINABILITY

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Following the first half of the 2023 legislative session, state Rep. Sonya M. Harper, D-Chicago, has successfully passed an ambitious package of bills aimed at improving healthy food access, economic and social equity and environmental sustainability.

Harper passed eight bills, which now move to the Senate for debate and approval:

House Bill 2214 — Allows the state to reimburse SNAP recipients who have been victims of card skimming and tracks incidents of fraud;

House Bill 2557 — The Farmer Equity and Innovation Act. Creates a program designed to help keep small and mid-sized farms competitive;

House Bill 2879 — Creates the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Program, which aims to help food banks source healthy produce directly from Illinois farms and food producers;

House Bill 3086 — Raises some pesticide registration fees and uses the money to aid pesticide safety education;

House Bill 3087 — Gives the Illinois Dept. of Agriculture more authority to prevent the transportation and sale of affected animals during a livestock-related epidemic, in response to last year’s avian flu outbreak;

House Bill 3556 - Provides land access, assistance and training for farmers that have been historically underserved and affected by discrimination and inequality;

House Bill 3557 — Aims to increase the proportion of food procured by state agencies that is sourced from socially and economically disadvantaged farmers.

House Bill 3814 — Removes a major barrier to youth participation in agricultural education programs by preventing them from being marked absent from school while doing so.

Harper’s office is reachable at 773-9256580 or repsonyaharper@gmail.com.

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL JOINS STATES CALLING FOR FEDERAL RECALL OF THEFTPRONE HYUNDAI AND KIA VEHICLES

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The letter, sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), encourages the NHTSA to recall unsafe Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2022 that have easily-bypassed ignition switches and lack engine immobilizers that make the vehicles vulnerable to theft.

In a letter issued in March 2023, Raoul and a coalition of attorneys general urged the companies to take stronger steps to address the safety concerns caused by vehicles’ vulnerability to theft. Because the companies have failed to address safety issues, Raoul and the coalition are now calling on the NHTSA to step in. The attorneys general argue that the vehicles’ systems remain out of compliance with federal standards and pose an unreasonable risk to public safety.

“Kia and Hyundai have still not fully addressed vulnerabilities in certain models that have resulted in increased thefts in Illinois and around the nation,” Raoul said. “I am calling for a federal recall of unsafe Kia and Hyundai vehicles because I stand committed to protecting consumers and our communities from crime. Because these car companies have not done their part to prevent thefts, I am urging the federal government to help us protect our residents.”

From approximately 2010 to 2021, Hyundai and Kia failed to equip base vehicle models with engine immobilizers, which prevent the vehicle from operating without a key or key fob. In 2022 alone, there were over 7,000 Hyundai and Kia thefts in Chicago, which account for 10% of all registered Kia vehicles

and 7% of all registered Hyundai vehicles in the city. Raoul and the coalition assert Kia and Hyundai have not gone far enough in attempting to remedy their vehicles’ vulnerability to theft. While the companies have offered a software upgrade, the upgrade will not be available for many affected vehicles until June, or not installed at all for some 2011 to 2022 models. Vehicle owners who cannot receive the software upgrade can reportedly receive a free steering wheel lock from Kia and Hyundai, but the lock does not address the underlying ignition system flaw that makes the vehicles so vulnerable to theft.

According to Raoul and the attorneys general, the vehicles violate federal requirements to have a starting system that prevents the engine or motor and steering system from being activated when the key is removed. Additionally, the letter highlights the vehicles’ vulnerability to hotwiring and theft, which has created safety risks and consumed law enforcement and emergency responders’ resources. As a result, Raoul and the coalition are urging the NHTSA to take immediate action by instituting a recall of affected Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

Joining Raoul in the coalition are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

LUX LEAF DISPENSARY OPENS ITS DOORS IN MATTESON

MATTESON TO RECEIVE 3% RECREATIONAL SALES TAX ANNUALLY

Matteson, Ill. -- Residents, Regional and local officials gathered on Wednesday, April 12, at the allnew Matteson Lux Leaf Dispensary store for its official grand opening to the public. Lux Leaf is an employee-owned company.

Lux Leaf originally opened in March of 2023 at 5539 Miller Circle Drive, near the Matteson Auto Mall, southwest of the interchange of Interstate 57 and U.S. 30. It received its license from the state of Illinois to sell cannabis on March 14.

Lux Leaf is projecting sales of $10 million in its first year. Matteson requires a 3% tax on recreational sales, which would equate to $300,000 for the Village.

“The cannabis industry has become could a major boon to many local economies throughout the nation. It has led to the creation of new jobs, has built wealth in historically underserved communities, and has increased state and local tax revenue,” says Matteson Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin.

Chalmers-Currin adds, “With the new regulated adult-use cannabis market now having a significant impact on society, the Village board decided to make proactive investments to ensure the people disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of these substances can reap the benefits of the new industry.”

“I am happy to express my support for Mayor

Chalmers-Currin and the Matteson Village Board’s plan to welcome the cannabis industry within its borders because it addresses important historical inequities in the way cannabis was criminalized throughout Illinois,” said Illinois State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin. Rich Township Supervisor and Democratic Committeeman says, “Matteson continues to break barriers by its unique ability to attract diverse forms of economic development. The Village is one of few communities in the United States that has rebounded so quickly from the retail meltdown of 2019. I applaud Sheila Chalmers-Currin, the village board and the administration for its unwavering efforts to overcome such challenges.

Wind Creek Chicago Southland to partner with Fabio Viviani Hospitality

ATMORE, Ala., PRNewswire -- Wind Creek Hospitality announced a partnership with Fabio Viviani Hospitality, LLC to operate the food and beverage outlets at Wind Creek Chicago Southland, located in the Villages of East Hazel Crest and Homewood.

Viviani, who has participated in multiple seasons of Bravo’s Top Chef and also has his own cooking show, Fabio’s Kitchen, has over 50 locations of various offerings in his portfolio, many of which are in the Chicago area.

“Bringing in a partner like Fabio Viviani to our Chicago Southland property is a home run for our food and beverage offerings. Fabio’s expertise in the hospitality industry will give Wind Creek Chicago Southland an unmatched competitive edge,” said acting General Manager, Roger Kuehn.

CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

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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.

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Serves communities in Harvey, Markham, Phoenix, Robbins, Dixmoor, Calumet Park, Blue Island,SouthHolland,and Dolton.

Shopping- their favorite pastime!

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

“We are delighted to be collaborating with Wind Creek on their Southland property! It’s an impressive project and the fact that it’s in my hometown of Chicago makes it even more appealing. We look forward to sharing more details with you soon. Something truly special is in the works,” said Fabio Viviani.

The partnership will include a steakhouse, food hall, in-room dining as well as banquets. Wind Creek Chicago Southland is expected to open in Spring 2024.

Wind Creek Hospitality is an authority of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the only federally recognized Indian Tribe in the state of Alabama. Wind Creek Hospitality manages the Tribe’s gaming facilities including: Wind Creek Aruba, Wind Creek Atmore, Wind Creek Bethlehem, Wind Creek Chicago Southland (Coming Soon), Wind Creek Curacao, Wind Creek Montgomery, Wind Creek Wetumpka, Casinoverse,

Magic City Casino in FL, as well as racetracks in Alabama and Florida. Visit www.windcreek. com for more information.

About Fabio Viviani Hospitality (FVH): Helmed by celebrity chef, restauranteur, best-selling cookbook author and TV Host, Fabio Viviani, FVH is one of the fastest growing hospitality groups in the United States. With over 30 different restaurants, bars and event spaces across the country, FVH is an industry leader when it comes to creating concepts that are innovative, exciting and managed with the highest level of hospitality. In 2017, FVH entered the worlds of gaming and hotels with casino partnerships across the Northeast and a variety of high profile hotel partnerships in the Midwest. America was first introduced to Viviani in 2008 when he appeared on the reality television competition series Top Chef where he was voted “Fan Favorite’’. A native of Florence, Italy, Fabio subsequently returned to the Bravo network to compete on Top Chef: All Stars. Fabio is a recurring guest on national television shows such as Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show, and numerous Food Network Shows, such as Cutthroat Kitchen: All-Star Tournament, which he won. Off-screen, Fabio is a regular headliner at global food events, and he has authored four successful cookbooks: Café Firenze Cookbook, New York Times Best-Seller Fabio’s Italian Kitchen, Fabio’s American Home Kitchen, and most recently Fabio’s 30-Minute Italian. Fabio’s online presence draws millions of viewers yearly with his own cooking show, Fabio’s Kitchen, now in Season 5.

For more information, please visit www.FabioViviani. com. For more information, visit www.windcreek.com/chicagosouthland.

POLITICAL AFFAIRS

BOOMING GAINS IN GOVERNMENT PENSION FUNDS LIKELY SHORT-LIVED; AIRPORTS BOOST ECONOMY WITHOUT BURDENING PROPERTY TAXPAYERS, REPORT FINDS

A once-in-a-generation investment market for government worker pension funds likely will be fleeting, according to a Cook County Treasurer’s Office report of local government debt. The office’s latest analysis shows overall local government debt in Cook County rose 1.6% to $160.5 million from fiscal 2020 to 2021 — a modest increase held in check by the exceptional investment performance of the pension funds. But those gains are expected to be diminished by investment losses in fiscal 2022 that have yet to be fully recorded.

The report, based on data submitted to Treasurer Maria Pappas under the Debt Disclosure Ordinance enacted at Pappas’ urging in 2009, also explains how the region’s primary economic engines — its two airports — rack up significant debt that is no burden on Chicago property taxpayers. Although billions of dollars of debt stem from work at O’Hare and Midway airports, all of it is paid off with federal revenue and from fees and taxes paid by airline travelers.

That’s just one way some types of local debt don’t push up property taxes. That’s also the case for water and sewer line upgrade debt, which is paid off with water and sewer fees, and bonds backed by sales taxes instead of property taxes. Those alternate debt-funding sources help explain why Chicago has one of the lowest tax rates in Cook County despite having one of the highest debt levels.

The report also explains why some predominantly minority south suburbs have high property tax rates despite relatively low amounts of overall debt. That occurs when troubled finances constrain the ability to borrow, forcing local leaders to instead raise property taxes to fund government.

In addition, this report includes dozens of governments previously excluded for lack of adequate assessment data, including 13 additional municipalities, 17 more school districts and 50 other local governments.

“This is the ultimate in government accountability,” Pappas said. “It opens government books that were previously closed. People can now see where their tax money goes and how much debt their governments have incurred.” The latest debt report can be found at cookcountytreasurer.com.

SENATOR VAN PELT ANNOUNCES $1 MILLION INVESTMENT IN UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO’S EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM

State Senator Patricia Van Pelt announced that the University of Chicago will receive a $1 million Early Childhood Faculty Preparation grant to increase the number of early childhood providers and faculty diversity in the field.

“Providing early childhood education workers with more applicable resources and tools allows our community to become stronger and our children to have a better chance at success,” said Van Pelt (D-Chicago). “This funding will provide students seeking to enter the early childhood workforce better opportunities to do so.”

The Illinois Board of Higher Education awarded $3.37 million in Early Childhood Faculty Preparation grants to four universities, including $1,027,989 to the University of Chicago. This funding is designed to implement programs of study for working adults from diverse backgrounds and those who work with diverse populations interested in becoming early childhood faculty. The grants will fund scholarships and other academic and holistic supports for 78 students to earn master’s degrees.

“This funding allows us to provide a diversified education curriculum and faculty that can meet the needs of all students from an early age,” said Van Pelt. “We owe it to our youth to enrich their early childhood experience while making sure educators feel secure in doing their jobs at the highest level.”

The Early Childhood Faculty Preparation Grants are a part of the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity initiative, a key strategy in A Thriving Illinois, the state’s strategic plan for higher education. Those who enroll in the programs are expected to graduate by the summer of 2024.

“We are delighted to be collaborating with Wind Creek on their Southland property! It’s an impressive project and the fact that it’s in my hometown of Chicago makes it even more appealing”

said Fabio Viviani.

How to Exercise Good Financial Health

SPONSORED CONTENT FROM JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.

April is Financial Literacy Month – a perfect time to start building a foundation for a healthy financial future. Good financial health is the foundation on which strong and resilient households, communities and economies are built, but the reality is, many struggle to manage their financial daily lives.

In recognition of Financial Literacy Month, Jared Evans, a Community Manager with JPMorgan Chase who works from the Stony Island Community Center branch, offered top financial tips to help achieve financial freedom and build generational wealth. 1

Small steps lead to bigger opportunities: No matter what amount of money you have, taking small steps towards building a solid financial foundation is key. Whether it’s saving a little more each month, starting to save for the first time or monitoring your credit score, these steps can help you prepare for the unexpected while setting you up for long-term success.

2

Establish good credit: The main elements of securing a good credit score include paying your bills on time, the length of time you’ve had a credit history, and the amount and type of accounts you have. Potential lenders will use this information to determine your credit risk. Managing your finances wisely will help you establish strong credit, a practice that will pay off when you want to make larger purchases like a car or a home.

3

Embrace digital tools: Apps, online goal sheets and budget builders are a great way to manage your finances. Look into what digital tools your financial partner offers. Whether it’s credit and identify monitoring, or setting up repeating automatic transfers from your checking account to

A joint account can offer features designed to help kids learn the importance of saving and meeting their financial goals, whether it’s tracking their spending, creating recurring payments and setting spending limits, or being rewarded when completing chores and earning an allowance to deposit. Once your child understands the importance of saving the money they earn, they can begin to build savings habits that will last a lifetime.

5Ask for help: Whether it’s meeting with a banker or talking to friends or family, conversations and advice can be critical to improving financial health, from building a budget to more complex matters like saving for retirement.

your savings account, these tools will help keep you on track with your payments and savings goals.

6 Keep the conversation going: Talk with your partner or other family members regularly about your financial goals and how you plan to achieve them, and check in with your children to discuss their financial activity – whether it be what or where they’re spending, how much they’re earning, or their savings goal. These discussions all provide opportunities to keep money as part of your family conversations.

4

Include the whole family in the process: It’s never too early to get kids started on their financial journey. Ask your bank about opening up a joint checking account geared towards children to help them establish good financial habits.

Establishing solid financial habits can be a lifetime process, but it’s easier if you learn the fundamentals as early as possible. It’s never too early, or too late, to begin your journey, and this month is a great time to get started or recommit to your financial health. For more financial health tips, visit chase.com/financialgoals.

OkayMedia Hires New EIC To Oversee OkayPlayer + OkayAfrica

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- OkayMedia, the multimedia organization dedicated to uplifting the artistic and progressive voice of global Black culture, announced the hiring of Geo Hagan as the new Editor-in-Chief.

Hagan will serve as Editor-in-Chief for both OkayPlayer and OkayAfrica, and report directly to the CEO, Isha Sesay. He’s based in NYC, and shuttles back and forth regularly to Ghana, his native country. Throughout his 19-year career, he has led diverse editorial teams and created impactful content for respected print & digital publications including: The Source, Nylon, Bullett, Man of the World, ONE37pm, YRB, and Complex. His accomplishments also expand into the realm of marketing and advertising. He has worked with several global creative agencies including Hudson Rouge/WPP and VaynerMedia, delivering winning campaigns for international brands including Anheuser Busch, Lincoln, Red Bull, and Pepsi. Hagan will be responsible for creating the multi-platform OkayMedia editorial vision for content serving audiences across the African continent, Europe, and the U.S.

As part of his new role, Hagan will lead OkayPlayer’s year-long coverage of Hip Hop’s 50th year anniversary which will include digital covers, video franchises, podcasts, merchandise, and live programming. He will also spearhead the launch of OkayAfrica’s brand new fashion, beauty and style vertical which aims to capture the dynamic creativity that has made Africa one of the hottest destinations for fashion designers and style lovers everywhere.

Hagan: “I’m thrilled to be joining OkayPlayer & OkayAfrica as Editor-In-Chief during this dynamic era of surging Black creativity, Black culture, and Black media,” Hagan states.

“It feels like a fitting victory lap for an exciting career journey that began in Hip-Hop journalism, evolved into leading various lifestyle & culture publications, and includes creating winning campaigns for well-known international brands.” He concludes, “I’m excited to partner with Isha Sesay and the entire talented OkayMedia team to grow the company into a trailblazing, multi-faceted, global media powerhouse.”

Geo Hagan. OkayMedia.

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CANTU BEAUTY CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL BLACK WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

STAMFORD, Conn., PRNewswire -- Cantu Beauty, an award-winning textured hair care brand, once again joins Women Empowering Nations (WEN) to host the 2023 Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) Global Cohort: an immersive, high impact leadership coaching experience beginning this month through July 2023 for women of color across the globe. This year’s cohort builds on the 2022 program and received applications from more than 2,500 young women from seven countries — the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, France, Germany, Ghana and Nigeria. This year’s investment will eclipse $1 million in total by Cantu toward community efforts across programs and partners including Women Empowering Nations.

“In order to be truly empowered, you must first have access and Cantu Beauty is committed to supporting the next generation of female leaders by equipping them with those resources to make a difference in their personal and professional lives,” said Dametria Kinsley, Cantu Beauty’s Global Vice President of Marketing. “Through our multi-year partnership with WEN, we’re able to take our commitment to the next level at a larger scale to reach Black and Brown women all over the world.”

This year, WEN and Cantu Beauty have selected 50 young women ages 17-23 to participate in the GLOW Global Cohort, an immersive 10-week virtual experience sponsored by Cantu Beauty. The cohort runs from April 15 - June 17 touching on topics such as culture and identity, public speaking, personal and professional branding, executive leadership, and mental health and wellness. At the conclusion of the cohort, members will have planned and organized a Global Day of Service where all of the GLOW cohort members complete their service initiatives on the same day in partnership with each other around the world. Cantu and WEN are excited to announce the 2023 cohort includes the following esteemed young women:

• Cara Doumbe Kingue — Lyon, France

• Diwura Williams — Ondo State, Nigeria

• Jill-Anaïs Lafages — Goyave, France

• Blessing Osarumwens — Lagos, Nigeria

• Elmire Raboteur — Paris, France

• Tariro Hova — Springs, South Africa

• Zinhle Apleni — Paris, France

• Kgaogelo Makgoba — Johannesburg, South Africa

• Anaïs Brochec — Montepellier, France

• Mambesi Matiwane — Cape Town, South Africa

• Faouziya Schremmer — Munich, Germany

• Michell Lethubuhle Chiremba — Johannesburg, South Africa

• Mirjam Mekonnen — Wiesbaden, Germany

• Thandolwenkosi Nkosi — Johannesburg, South Africa

• Anne Achieng Alwala — Accra, Ghana

• Micaleb Lawrence — Cape Town, South Africa

• Deborah Oduro Kwarteng — Accra, Ghana

• Sino Rodrigues — Kaiega, South Africa

• Chleo-Patra Awonpomi Azantilow — Kumasi, Ghana

• Anjolaoluwa Awe — London, UK

• Joy Tari-bagshaw — Koforidua, Ghana

• Marlene Twinomugisha, London, UK

• Opeyemi Adesegun — Lagos, Nigeria

• Ilham Ali — Birmingham, UK

• Oluwadamilola Akintewe — Lagos, Nigeria

• Elle-sue Calderbank — Manchester, UK

• Vanessa Osinlaru — London, UK

• Jeanne’ Spencer — Tulsa, OK

• Chimdinma Okpalauko — London, UK

• Camillah Canty — Belleville, IL

• Sumayyah Adeyemi — Leicester, UK

• Kaylah Harris — Ruston, LA

• Jessica Amponsah — London, UK

• Kyla Hurns — Southfield, MI

• Joanne Kadiri — London, UK

• Nigeria Segure-Watson — Baltimore, MA

• Destiny Daniel — Washington, DC

• Youma Diabira — Philadelphia, PA

• Awa M Sumareh — New York, NY

• KiaraSkye Dodson — Harlem, NY

• Ranita Opoku-Sarfo — Stafford, VA

• Zyahna Bryant — Charlottesville, VA

• Jayda Rogers — Cincinnati, OH

• Blandine Cadet — Atlanta, GA

• Khadijah Merriweather — St. Louis, MO

• Deborah Olatunji — Seattle, WA

• Alina Wilson — Oklahoma City, OK

• Jacqueline Azah — Atlanta, GA

• Te’a Williams — Tulsa, OK

• Ose Ehianeta Arheghan — Brooklyn, NY

We are thrilled to continue investing in the future and talent development of young women of color with Cantu Beauty,” said Carlisha Williams Bradley, Women Empowering Nation’s Founder and Executive Director. “Cantu goes above and beyond in their dedication to the community. Cantu’s executive team has provided their time, resources and financial investment to change the career trajectory of young women around the world. I am proud to continue our work together.”

Since 2020, Cantu has been a sponsor of the GLOW Virtual Summit, providing scholarships and business grants to young Black women around the globe to continue their education. Last year, the Cantu GLOW Global Fellowship included a paid, four-month hands-on experience in the beauty industry, which concluded with a capstone and group travel seminar in Accra, Ghana. The partnership is part of Cantu’s continued commitment to elevating and uplifting Black and Brown communities.

To learn more, follow Women Empowering Nations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Stay connected with Cantu Beauty on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter or visit them at cantubeauty.com.

THE BROTHERHOOD SISTER SOL CELEBRATES 18TH VOICES GALA ALONGSIDE HONOREE DAPPER DAN

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- The Brotherhood Sister Sol (BroSis), the Harlem-based youth development and social justice organization, today announced the return of its signature Voices gala. Returning for its 18th iteration on Thursday, May 11th, Voices serves as the organization’s annual benefit that celebrates its youth members and enriching programming. Taking place at New York City’s Ziegfeld Ballroom, this year’s event will honor special guest Dapper Dan to recognize his legendary work within fashion, music and culture timed with the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop.

“We are very excited to be honoring Dapper Dan at our 18th annual Voices gala. Dap is a true icon, a son of Harlem whose unique creativity and innovative designs have captured the attention of the world,” said Khary Lazarre-White, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Brotherhood Sister Sol. “Dapper Dan deeply believes in our mission and our commitment to uplifting young people and providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed. We are excited to celebrate his lasting impact on our community and we look forward to recognizing and honoring him as we also uplift and elevate the voices of our young people and the mission of BroSis.”

A fellow Harlem native, Dapper Dan pioneered streetwear in the early 1980s, co-opting luxury branding to design original garments with high-end detail. With an impressive client roster of celebrities and entertainers, Dapper Dan changed fashion and design through his bold take on styling. Following BroSis’ recent partnership with Dapper Dan for the

DAP GAP collection, the organization is pleased to recognize his deep impact across fashion, music, and culture.

“I am truly humbled and honored to be recognized at The Brotherhood Sister Sol’s annual Voices Gala,” said Dapper Dan. “As a son of Harlem, it means the world to me to give back to the community that has given me so much. The work that BroSis does to uplift young people is truly inspiring, and I am proud to support their efforts. I look forward to celebrating with them and continuing to work together to make a positive impact in the lives of young people in Harlem and beyond.”

Voices is BroSis’ signature annual benefit highlighting its inspiring young people. Putting a spotlight on their personal journeys through spoken-word performances, heartfelt speeches, and more, the event provides an extraordinary opportunity for dynamic supporters to celebrate BroSis’ commitment to helping youth develop into critical thinkers and community leaders. This year’s event will additionally include special appearances from supporters of the organization to be in attendance.

“It is very exciting to celebrate the endeavors of an organization dedicated to empowering the lives of Black and Brown youth,” said Detavio Samuels, CEO of REVOLT and BroSis Board Member. “The Voices Gala is a tribute to the unwavering spirit of Black excellence and honors trailblazers who are paving the way for future generations. I’m excited to honor and amplify Black voices of all ages, from those who led the way to those who will be doing so in the future.”

“BroSis continues to pave the way for our next generation of leaders, that leaves an impact not only on the youth members but also the communities they represent,” said Rahsan-Rahsan Lindsay, CEO of Mediaco Holding Inc., and BroSis Co-Chair. “Voices speaks to the organization’s accomplishments and sheds light on how important our community’s resources are in making a difference.”

The organization’s Voices gala further carries out its mission of celebrating and recognizing future leaders of tomorrow. The evening features a festive reception, seated dinner, and dynamic program to make for an evening to remember.

“We are thrilled to kick off this year’s Voices gala, a powerful event that showcases the immense potential and promise of Black and Brown youth in our communities,” said Clara Markowicz, BroSis Co-Chair. “As we honor Dapper Dan’s legacy, we also celebrate BroSis’ enduring impact on the lives of young people in Harlem. This is a momentous occasion to uplift the voices of our future leaders and recognize their resilience, strength, and perseverance.”

For more information, please visit brotherhood-sistersol.org and follow The Brotherhood Sister Sol on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.

For over 25 years, the Brotherhood Sister Sol (BroSis) has been at the forefront of social justice, educating, training, and organizing to challenge inequality and champion opportunity for all. With a focus on Black and Latinx youth, BroSis is where young people own the power of their history, identity, and community to create the future they want to see. By training educators across the nation and around the world and organizing a community of change agents, BroSis builds on its legacy of youth-led activism to realize a more just and equitable future.

2023 Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) Global Cohort. PRNEWSFOTO.

A Nation’s Air Quality Divided: New Report Reveals Growing Disparities in Exposure to Air Pollution

CHICAGO – (April 21, 2023) – The American Lung Association’s new “State of the Air” report finds that nearly 120 million people in the U.S., or more than one in three, live in counties that had unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. Overall, air quality has improved across the nation; however, major differences exist between air quality in eastern and western states and between air pollution exposures for white people and people of color.

The Lung Association’s 24th annual “State of the Air” report grades Americans’ exposure to unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone air pollution, annual particle pollution, and short-term spikes in particle pollution over a three-year period. This year’s report covers 2019-2021. The report found that out of the nearly 120 million people who live in areas with unhealthy air quality, a disproportionate number – more than 64 million (54%) – are people of color. In fact, people of color were 64% more likely than white people to live in a county with a failing grade for at least one measure, and 3.7 times as likely to live in a county with a failing grade for all three measures.

This is an increase compared to last year’s report where people of color were 61% more likely to live in a county with a failing grade for at least one measure, and 3.6 times as likely to live in a county with a failing grade for all three measures. Differences in air quality were also seen between eastern and western states.

More than 18 million residents in Western states live in counties with three failing grades and the worst 25 counties for short-term particle pollution were all located in the Western U.S. “The good news is that ozone pollution has generally improved across the nation, thanks in large part to the success of the Clean Air Act. In this year’s ‘State of the Air’ report, we found that 19.3

million fewer people are living in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone pollution, also known as smog,” said Harold Wimmer, National President and CEO of the American Lung Association.

“However, the fact is that 120 million people still live in places with unhealthy air pollution, and not all communities are seeing improvements. This is why it is crucial to continue our efforts to ensure that every person in the U.S. has clean air to breathe.”

Particle Pollution Fine particulate matter air pollution or soot, can be deadly. These unhealthy particles in the air come from wildfires, wood-burning stoves, coalfired power plants, diesel engines and other sources. Technically known as PM2.5, these microscopic particles can trigger asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes and cause lung cancer. (more) CONTACT for ALA: Flo McAfee| E: flo@summerlandstudio.com C: 202.486.3673 Press Release In total, 63.7 million people lived in counties that experienced unhealthy spikes in particle pollution, the most reported in the last 10 years. In positive news, the report revealed that 1.5 million fewer people were living in a county that received a failing grade for annual particle pollution.

A total of 18.8 million people lived in a county with a failing grade for this measure. Ozone Pollution Ground-level ozone pollution (also known as smog) is a powerful respiratory irritant whose effects have been likened to a sunburn of the lung. Inhaling ozone can cause shortness of breath, trigger coughing and asthma attacks and may shorten life. Warmer temperatures driven by climate change make ozone more likely to form and harder to clean up. Although there were exceptions, ozone pollution has generally improved across the nation. 103 million people lived in an area with unhealthy ozone pollution, which is 19.3 million

fewer than last year’s report. “As a result of numerous current and legacy racist policies and practices, Black Americans are more likely to face environmental risks and live in areas with unhealthy air quality than majority-white communities.

In fact, a report by the NAACP found that 78% of Black Americans live within 30 miles of a coal-fired power plant and 71% live in counties violating federal air-quality standards,” said Cedric “Jamie” Rutland, MD, national volunteer medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association. “On top of that, people of color are more likely to be living with one or more chronic conditions that make us more vulnerable to the health impact of air pollution, including asthma, diabetes and heart disease, and Black Americans are over three times more likely to die of particulate matter exposure than Whites. These disparities are sobering, but important to highlight as we urge local, state and federal governments to invest more in environmental justice.”

The “State of the Air” report relies on data from air quality monitors managed by state, local and tribal air pollution control authorities in counties across the U.S. Unfortunately, out of 3,221 counties in the U.S., only 922 counties are able to monitor for at least one pollutant. That means that there are more than 71 million people who live in counties where their ozone and particle pollution levels are not being monitored.

The American Lung Association is calling on President Biden to urgently move forward on several measures to clean up air pollution nationwide, including new limits on ozone and particle pollution and new measures to clean up power plants and vehicles. See the full report results and sign the petition at Lung.org/ SOTA.

Fifth-Grade Students Learn How to Meet Future Energy Needs Through ComEd’s Power of STEM Program

Educational workshops pair students with ComEd mentors to learn about careers in energy industry

CHICAGO (April 18, 2023) – Twenty-five 5thgrade students of James R. Doolittle Elementary School are the latest to receive hands-on learning about the intricacies of electricity as part of ComEd’s Power of STEM education course.

ComEd worked with Doolittle Elementary in Chicago’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood to engage students in a series of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) sessions during March and April. Bronzeville is the site of ComEd’s first Community of the Future, through which the company offers its expertise, resources and personnel to introduce advanced technologies that are tailored to address residents’ needs.

The centerpiece of that collaboration is one of the nation’s first community microgrids, a technology which incorporates distributed energy resources, such as solar panels and battery energy storage, to operate in conjunction with the main power grid or disconnect and operate standalone to keep power flowing to a segment of the Bronzeville community when the main grid is challenged.

“At ComEd, our success is rooted in celebrating and embracing the spirit of engineering which, as creators, means always looking at, and working towards, what could be,” said Michelle Blaise, ComEd’s senior vice president of technical services. “As a participant in every community we serve, ComEd’s role is to create, generate, and support STEM-related education for students – our workforce of the future.”

ComEd’s Power of STEM program consists of three, two-hour sessions during which students in grades 4 through 12 complete hands-on projects with ComEd engineering mentors to learn about electricity, how solar energy is generated, the Bronzeville microgrid, and the roles ComEd STEM professionals play in maintaining a community’s power supply. Since the launch of Power of STEM in 2022, 250 students from 10 schools, community organizations and nonprofits have learned about energy fundamentals and careers through the program.

During the closing session in April, students from Doolittle Elementary were assigned mentors to learn about climate change, the challenge it poses to meet ongoing energy needs and discuss possible solutions for meeting future energy needs. As students work and learn, mentors discuss careers in electric power that require two- and four-year degrees and those that require technical training.

Schools and organizations interested in scheduling a Power of STEM session can email Rebecca. Niemeyer@ComEd.com.

More STEM programs for northern Illinois students

ComEd’s Power of STEM is one of the many programs ComEd sponsors to encourage more women and students of color to pursue STEM careers. Other ComEd programs include ComEd’s STEM Labs, the Stay in School Initiative and the ComEd EV Rally for Chicago-area girls.

Scheduled this year for July 29, the EV Rally educates and empowers any female-identifying Illinois resident, between the ages of 13 and 18, to explore careers in STEM and become the innovative workforce of the future. The program provides opportunities to learn about electric vehicles and STEM, connect with female STEM mentors and build electric go-karts. The program is accepting applications through June 1, 2023 at ComEdEVRally.com.

Live Nation Entertainment Elects Rich Paul To Board Of Directors

LOS ANGELES, PRNewswire -- Live Nation Entertainment

(NYSE: LYV) announced the election of Rich Paul to its Board of Directors. Paul is the Founder and CEO of KLUTCH Sports Group, as well as Head of Sports at United Talent Agency (UTA) where he also serves on the board. Paul represents some of the world’s top athletes, helping them make strategic decisions about professional playing careers as well as develop successful brand and business ventures.

“Rich brings a valuable perspective from sports, business, entertainment and more,” said Greg Maffei, chairman of the Live Nation Board of Directors. “We’re fortunate to welcome him as a new addition to our board.”

“Rich understands what it takes to help talent develop a long and successful career. His input will be a great addition as we continue driving more value for artists and their fans through live shows,” said Michael Rapino, President and CEO, Live Nation Entertainment.

“Live Nation’s artist-centric approach to business makes this a really natural fit for me,” said Paul. “Going to an event live is one of the most powerful ways to experience sports and music, and I look forward to contributing to the company and the industry in this new way.”

Paul has received a number of accolades for his excellence and innovation within the industry, including being named GQ’s 2019 “PowerBroker of the Year” as well as “The King Maker” on Sports Illustrated’s 2019 cover, and being honored on Variety’s “Variety500” list of the most influential business leaders shaping the global media industry. KLUTCH Sports has also been recognized by TIME on their inaugural TIME100 Most Influential Companies List. He has also become well known for using his influence to power important social impact - driving the reversal of what was known as the “Rich Paul Rule,” which would have banned agents without a college degree from representing NCAA student athletes.

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

TIME Reveals the 2023 TIME100 List of the 100 Most Influential People in the World

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -TIME reveals the 2023 TIME100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The issue has 4 worldwide covers, each highlighting a member of the TIME100: actor Jennifer Coolidge, recording artist Doja Cat, CEO of The Walt Disney Company Bob Iger, and actor Michael B. Jordan.

TIME Chief Executive Officer Jessica Sibley said: “We are thrilled to recognize this year’s list of the world’s most influential people. We look forward to convening the TIME100 community—one of the largest leadership communities in the world—to spotlight and hear from individuals who are wielding their influence to drive positive action toward a better world at the TIME100 Summit Featuring TIME CO2 and Gala this month in New York City.”

To celebrate the 2023 TIME100 list of the World’s Most Influential People, TIME will host the annual TIME100 Summit Featuring TIME CO2 on April 25 and the TIME100 Gala on April 26.

For the fourth year in a row, TIME Studios and ABC will present a “TIME100” primetime television special, and for the second year in a row, the television special will bring viewers inside the 17th annual TIME100 Gala, airing Sunday, April 30 (7:00-8:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC, which will be available to stream on Hulu and Disney+. The gala will be hosted by Jennifer Coolidge, and feature performances by Doja Cat and Lea Michele, as well as honorary tributes from members of this year’s list, remarks from TIME CEO Jessica Sibley, and more.

The third annual TIME100 Summit Featuring TIME CO2 will convene leaders from the global TIME100 community to spotlight solutions and encourage action toward a better world. Speakers for the day-long event include: filmmaker, Steven Spielberg, Speaker Emerita of the U.S. House, Nancy Pelosi, President and CEO, GLAAD, Sarah Kate Ellis, Founder and President, Dolores Huerta Foundation, Dolores Huerta, and more. Visit Time100summit.com for program and speaker updates.

The 2023 TIME100 Summit Featuring TIME CO2 and the TIME100 Gala are presented by exclusive premier partner Cadillac, and signature partners Booking.com and Citi. Both events will take place at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.

The 2023 “TIME100: The World’s Most Influential People” television special will be created by TIME Studios, the Emmy Award®-winning television, film and immersive division of TIME, produced in partnership with P&G, and presented by exclusive premier partner Cadillac and signature partner Booking.com.

This year’s TIME100 list includes surpris-

ing pairings of the list members and the guest contributors TIME selects to write about them. The twentieth annual list features: Mia Farrow on Jennifer Coolidge, Mary Barra on Bob Iger, Mila Kunis on Zoe Saldaña, Amy Poehler on Aubrey Plaza, Hillary Rodham Clinton on Oleksandra Matviichuk, Tina Turner on Angela Bassett, Sue Bird on Brittney Griner, Yo-Yo Ma on Laurene Powell Jobs, Jimmy Fallon on Drew Barrymore, Emma Stone on Nathan Fielder, Bill Frist on Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi on Hakeem Jeffries, and more.

The 2023 TIME100 features 16 climate leaders, a record number for the list, including Anthony Albanese, Gustavo Petro, Catherine Coleman Flowers, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Robin Zeng and more.

Entertainers on this year’s list include: Jennifer Coolidge, Michael B. Jordan, Austin Butler, Zoe Saldaña, Angela Bassett, Aubrey Plaza, Colin Farrell, Drew Barrymore, Jerrod Carmichael, Ali Wong, Salma Hayek Pinault, Nathan Fielder and more.

Athletes on this year’s list include: Patrick Mahomes II, Lionel Messi, Brittney Griner, Iga Swiatek, Kylian Mbappé and Mikaela Shiffrin.

Journalists on this year’s list include: Evan Gershkovich, Elaheh Mohammadi, Niloofar Hamedi, Imara Jones and more.

This year’s list features 50 women, including Jennifer Coolidge, Beyoncé, Laurene Powell Jobs, Karen Lynch, Doja Cat, Lea Michele, Kate Orff, Colleen Hoover, Brittney Griner, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Cindy McCain, Sarah Kate Ellis, Angela Bassett, Bella Hadid and others.

PRNewsfoto/TIME

NCHE’S LEVERAGING HOPE PROJECT HELPS HEALTH AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS TURN HEALTH DATA INTO A CATALYST FOR CREATING HEALTHIER & MORE EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES

WASHINGTON - The National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE) today issued a report on Leveraging HOPE: A Community of Practice, which applies to communities the comprehensive health data collected under NCHE’s groundbreaking Health Opportunity and Equity (HOPE) Initiative. A HOPE interactive data tool designed to help states and the country move beyond measuring disparities is used to help expand health equity in communities.

The HOPE Initiative has tracked social determinants of health and health outcomes by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Its interactive data tool measures how different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic populations fare on 27 indicators of health and well-being within five domains- one for health outcomes and four that influence longevity and well-being.

HOPE data portrays a dramatically different America if the impact of structural racism was eliminated and everyone experienced equal social, economic, and health opportunities: 70 million more people would live in low-poverty neighborhoods; 55 million more adults would live in households with a livable income; and 54 million more adults would achieve very good or excellent health.

Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) in 2018, HOPE Initiative dramatically changed the disparity narrative to one of opportunity. Instead of merely identifying health inequities, HOPE data pinpoints where resources must be directed to make meaningful and lasting changes.

“The COVID-19 pandemic revealed many challenges for public health and healthcare systems,” said Dr. Gail C. Christopher, NCHE’s Executive Director, citing the rationale for utilizing the HOPE data to directly improve equity and reduce institutional racism in communities. “The many challenges are being transformed into opportunities for action. We are applying data on the social determinants of health to address historic and contemporary structural racism. Our Leveraging HOPE work is an innovative action directed at disproportionate disease and deaths borne by populations of color.”

Sponsored by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in 2022, Leveraging HOPE helps develop collaborative regional strategies that leverage state and local capabilities to apply and update existing HOPE data resources to local priorities. Virginia Commonwealth University’s Center on Society

and Health partnered with NCHE on the Community of Practice with 10 initial organizations included in the report.

“We discovered data challenges faced by community equity initiatives and make recommendations for the availability, accessibility, and scope of data that can inform local advocacy and policy work.,” Dr. Christopher said, noting the project’s impact on communities.

The health equity and social justice organizations use the HOPE database and framing as a catalyst for expanding policy and practices in local jurisdictions that promote health and racial equity in communities disproportionately harmed by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initial organizations were: Center for Achieving Equity (Cleveland, OH); Collaborative for Health Equity Cook County (Chicago, IL); Equity Matters (Baltimore, MD); Health Equity Solutions (Hartford, CT); LatinX Racial Equity (Oakland, CA); Louisiana Center for Health Equity (Baton Rouge, LA); One Love Global (Lansing, MI); Partnership for the Public Good (Buffalo, NY); Selma Center for Non-Violence, Truth & Reconciliation (Selma, AL); and Neshoba Youth Coalition (Philadelphia, MS).

In Hartford, Health Equity Solutions (HES), promotes policies, programs, and practices that result in equitable healthcare access, delivery, and outcomes. To achieve these goals, HES organizes coalitions, engages in outreach and education with the community, policymakers, and healthcare professionals, and advocates for policy changes. HES holds listening sessions and workshops to learn the health equity priorities of people across the state and support them in policy identifying and building coalitions around key issues. HES leveraged the HOPE data to provide framing for a series of conversations with community members about their health equity priorities.

“The data helped illustrate how health inequities impact the lives of people in Connecticut and how issues such as affordable housing impact health equity,” said Luz E. Benitez Delgado, NCHE Deputy Director for Programs and Strategy. “Data were presented on premature death, livable income, poverty concentration, and affordable housing metrics stratified by race and ethnicity to illustrate the wide-reaching consequences.”

Similarly, in Alabama, the Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth, and Reconciliation educates communities on the factors impacting health, supports

advocacy, and partners with leaders and decision-makers. Through Leveraging HOPE’s interactive data tool, the Selma Center focused on lowering homicide rates, which is a safety factor indicator. The impact of low income, limited access to education, and residential segregation is recognized, as is the importance of positive portrayals of the community, sharing local knowledge, supporting racial healing, and creating employment opportunities.

“Their work recognizes the power of pairing narrative and story to impact culture change and the importance of using data to tell a story and shift narratives from disparities to opportunities,” said Benitez Delgado, adding that the HOPE data helped shape conversations and narratives.

With generous support from RWJF, NCHE is launching the next phase with Leveraging HOPE to Transform Public Health Data Systems, which will include 12 more health and social justice organizations: Black Economic & Wellness Coalition of Akron (Akron, OH); Metropolitan Tenants Organization (Chicago, IL); Morgan State University’s School of Community Health and Policy’s Center for Urban Health Equity (Baltimore, MD); The Ministerial Health Fellowship (Hartford, CT; Cultivar La Salud (Fresno, CA); National Congress

for Black Women (Baton Rouge, LA); The Firecracker Foundation (Holt, MI); Grassroots Gardens of Western New York (Buffalo, NY); Rural Health Medical Program, Inc. (Selma, AL); Alluvial Collective (Jackson, MI); New Mexico Social Justice and Equity Institute (Gallup, NM) and VOCES (Battle Creek, MI).

“We are learning how to apply the HOPE interactive data tool to local health equity work, and the different approaches that can be customized for local jurisdictions,” Dr. Christopher said. “Leveraging HOPE is helping to turn data into results on the ground that are expanding equity for populations of color.”

About NCHE

Founded in 2014, NCHE was established to promote health equity through action, leadership, inclusion, and collaboration. We work to create environments that foster the best possible health outcomes for all populations, regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or nativity. NCHE also works to improve conditions for health and well-being, including those related to housing, education, income and wealth, and the physical and social environment. Further, it is imperative that we address historic and contemporary structural, institutional, and interpersonal racism, which fuels inequities in our society.

* Best Colleges Online.

Dr. Gail Christopher

Chicago mayor-elect hails Illinois as ‘vanguard for progressive policy’ in speech to lawmakers

BY JERRY NOWICKI & ANDREW ADAMS CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS NEWS@CAPITOLNEWSILLINOIS.COM

SPRINGFIELD – Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson said Wednesday his goal was to unify the state while calling Illinois a “vanguard for progressive policy all over this country” in an address to a joint session of the General Assembly.

Johnson, a former middle school teacher and onetime staffer for Senate President Don Harmon, said he came to Springfield to “establish a productive, collaborative and energetic partnership to invest in the people of Chicago and the engine of this economy here in Illinois.”

Some of Johnson’s agenda for the city, such as increasing the city’s real estate transfer tax on properties exceeding $1 million, would require action from the General Assembly. In his speech to lawmakers, he also supported a “revised school funding formula,” with unspecified changes that would “help ensure there is a nurse and a social worker in every single school in Chicago.”

“I stand ready to continue to make those strong investments and to deliver on the promise of fully funded neighborhood schools,” he said. “Public education at the expense of the state, after all, is a Negro idea.”

One major ask for state funding was an increase to the Local Government Distributive Fund, a share of the state’s income tax that is directed to local municipalities across Illinois. It was originally earmarked for 10 percent of those revenues to go to municipalities in 1969, but that number has decreased over the years to 6.16 percent of personal income tax collections and 6.85 percent of corporate income taxes.

Mayors from across the state were in Springfield Tuesday night to request that funding be increased to 10 percent once again over the next four fiscal years. That would cost about $250 million for each percentage point the rate is increased.

“By increasing funding, this body can help provide Chicago and cities and towns across the state with the resources that are needed to build from the ground up,” Johnson said. “And when we build a better, stronger, safer Chicago we are building a better, stronger safer Illinois.”

He praised recent state budgets that included hundreds of millions of dollars aimed at addressing gun violence with youth intervention programs, and increasing spending on public schools, domestic violence prevention and trauma recovery centers.

Johnson’s speech aimed to weave a staunchly liberal agenda with a conciliatory tone.

“For years, they’ve told us that this is a zero-sum game, that if something’s good for Chicago, well, that means we’re taking something away from Peoria,” Johnson said. “They tell us that the challenges that we face in the city of Chicago and families like mine, on the West Side of Chicago, aren’t the same challenges shared by families from Rockford to Carbondale from East St. Louis

to Champaign, and everywhere in between.”

It’s an approach that didn’t land with House Republican Leader Tony McCombie, of Savanna.

“House Republicans were open to hearing the mayor-elect’s vision for Chicago, but what we heard today was a partisan political speech unheard of in our legislative chamber,” she said in a statement. “Where Mayor Johnson says he wants to collaborate on job growth, support law enforcement, and increase education funding, Republicans will be good partners. However, we won’t stand for rhetoric that divides our state, burdens Illinois families, or support bailouts for ineffective programming.”

The strongest pushback from Republicans came regarding the mayor-elect’s stance on public safety.

His recent election win over a more conservative

on social media showing large gatherings in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood and at a beach on the city’s South Side, with at least one showing a group of young people assaulting a woman.

Johnson issued a statement on Sunday calling for the creation of “spaces for youth to gather safely and responsibly, under adult guidance and supervision.”

“In no way do I condone the destructive activity we saw in the Loop and lakefront this weekend,” Johnson said in the statement. “It is unacceptable and has no place in our city. However, it is not constructive to demonize youth who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities.”

The violence — and Jonson’s statement — have attracted criticism.

Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez, a Democrat who ran for mayor earlier this year, in an appearance on Fox News, said that the city needs to deal with “the here and now,” not just the “root causes” of crime.

“We absolutely need to demonize this kind of behavior because this is unacceptable,” Lopez said on Fox. “We know not all of our youth are bad, but we do know there are organized efforts to bring them downtown and other neighborhoods to cause chaos and pandemonium.”

Some conservative downstate lawmakers called a news conference following Johnson’s address to criticize his plans for addressing violence in the city.

While Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, said downstate lawmakers respect the city’s role as an economic engine, they believe the violence in Chicago poses a threat to business and tourism. The Republicans sought a tougher approach to policing with more accountability for those committing crimes.

candidate, Paul Vallas, was an electoral mandate for his response to crime in the city, he said.

“Public safety is a prerequisite to the prosperity of Chicago,” he said. “And the voters have sent a clear message that they want to get smart, not just tough on crime. We have a mandate to make bold, necessary investments that address the root causes of violence.”

His plan includes adding 200 detectives in the city and expanding mental health services for police officers, who are asked to do too much, he said.

His agenda would also aim to decrease the city’ unemployment rates of 19 percent for those 16 to 19 years old and 12 percent for those 20 to 24 years old.

“As a result, too many young Chicagoans feel there is nowhere to turn,” he said. “Instead of lagging behind other major cities on youth summer jobs, Chicago will look to aggressively expand the number of jobs for young people. We’ll do it by bringing government, philanthropy, the private enterprises together around our common interests to invest in people, particularly young people.”

The mayor-elect’s visit to Springfield comes after a weekend of widely publicized reports of property damage and assault in downtown Chicago. Videos circulated

“Imagine being a Missouri resident contemplating visiting Chicago and seeing what has happened on Michigan Avenue,” Halbrook said. “People do not want to visit places where they may get mugged or beaten.”

Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, spoke directly to the camera in addressing potential attendees of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which Johnson celebrated in his speech.

“What you saw last weekend is just the tip of the iceberg,” Caulkins said. “It’s just the beginning. Be very aware of the environment that you’re being invited to.”

Johnson defended his statement on the violence in the city at a news conference on Wednesday following the address.

“You can make sure that we eradicate the root causes that lead to violence,” Johnson said. “And we also can make sure that there’s support on the front line to make sure that we’re preventing violence.”

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.

Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson speaks to reporters outside of the Illinois State Capitol Wednesday after addressing a joint session of the General Assembly. (CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS PHOTO BY JERRY NOWICKI)

The next generation network got game

Young ballers are more connected at home than ever. Unlike last season’s crew, this generation has it easy thanks to the X nity 10G Network. Now, today’s players are scoring reliable connections from every yard line, running at faster speeds, and using the most cutting-edge WiFi to soar their imagination. Introducing the X nity 10G Network. The future starts now.