Y O U R S O U R C E F O R C O R O N AV I R U S N E W S
Citizen Week of June 9, 2021
| Vol. 40 | No. 29 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com
SOUTH SUBURBAN
MOORE SAYS DELAY THE VOTE BEFORE CHANGING THE NAME FROM COLUMBUS DAY TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY
Travel Advisors Smooth the Way for PostPandemic Getaways Page 7
UNCF Chicago hosts virtual UNCF “A Mind Is...” Gala Supporting HBCUs and Students Page 9
Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore wants the Cook County Board to delay the vote before changing the name of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day until the Five Tribes acknowledge their part in the enslavement of Africans and recognize Freedmen as members of the tribes. PAGE 2
Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore wants the Cook County Board to hold off on a vote to rename Columbus Day Indigenous Peoples’ Day until the Five Tribes acknowledge their part in the enslavement of Africans and denial of those descendants of Freedmen membership to tribes. Photo provided by Stanley Moore
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NEWS briefly EDUCATION UNCF LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN TO RE-ENROLL FORMER HBCU AND PBI STUDENTS THROUGH COACHING UNCF (United Negro College Fund), recently announced a new initiative designed to help students who left college before graduating to re-enroll in a network of nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) across the country. Through a collaboration with student success nonprofit InsideTrack, UNCF will provide personalized success coaching to thousands of former HBCU and PBI students nationwide to help them successfully navigate the complexity of college re-enrollment, resume their studies, and develop a plan to successfully complete their degrees. Through the initiative, 4,000 returning HBCU and PBI students will receive up to four months of one-on-one coaching to help them complete their academic studies. Coaches will help students set goals, build skills to balance work, family, financial and academic commitments; and develop individual plans to help make graduation a reality.
HEALTH
STUDY REPORTS HIGHER CHILDBIRTH COMPLICATION RATES FOR BLACK AND HISPANIC WOMEN REGARDLESS OF AGE Black women under the age of 24 are more likely to experience severe childbirth complications than white women over the age of 35 – an age group usually considered high risk, according to new data from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA). Data shows the rates of childbirth complications have been increasing for women of color. In the last two years, the rate of Hispanic women with severe childbirth complications increased 19%. “There is an urgent maternal health crisis in our country,” said Kim Keck, president and CEO of BCBSA. “It is unconscionable that women of color face a greater risk of childbirth complications compared to white women. We must confront health disparities across the board to change the trajectory.” For more information about the BCBSA National Health Equity Strategy and maternal health programs, visit BlueHealthEquity.com.
LAW & POLITICS
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ADVANCES PRESIDENT BIDEN’S FIRST SLATE OF JUDICIAL NOMINEES The Senate Judiciary Committee recently advanced the nominations of Ketanji Brown Jackson, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit; Julien Xavier Neals, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; Zahid N. Quraishi, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; and Regina M. Rodriguez, to be United States District Judge for the District of Colorado. Ahead of the votes, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on how the five nominees will bring much-needed professional and demographic diversity to the judicial branch. All five nominees were rated “Well Qualified” by the American Bar Association, the highest rating possible for nominees. “These nominees will bring to the bench outstanding credentials and experience, and a variety of professional perspectives that have been underrepresented many times in the Judiciary. And, of critical importance, these nominees fundamentally understand the role a federal judge plays: apply the law to the facts, without consideration of politics or ideology, so they can make evenhanded and fair-minded judgments,” Durbin said.
Moore Says Delay The Vote Before Changing The Name From Columbus Day To Indigenous Peoples’ Day Continued from page 1 Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore wants the Cook County Board to delay the vote before changing the name of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day until the Five Tribes acknowledge their part in the enslavement of Africans and recognize Freedmen as members of the tribes. Moore said as a student of history and someone who researched his own history, he found out that in his family, an ancestor was stolen from Angola in Africa, sold into slavery in Richmond, Virginia and was a slave in Oklahoma, enslaved by the Choctaw Indians. “My great grandfather’s name was Albert Trotter and he was a Freedmen,” Moore said, adding that years ago, his cousin, former Senator Donnie Trotter, signed up with the Choctaw Nation. Moore said when he tried to sign up with the Choctaw Nation years later, he was not able to sign up. Moore said as he started to do more research, he found out the Indigenous people started not to acknowledge Freedmen, those Africans who were enslaved by Indigenous People as citizens. “If you’re a Black man born on a Reservation, you’re an Indian. And, our people were born on these Reservations,” he said, adding that when Indigenous people started to receive benefits – casinos, education reimbursement and housing, they stopped acknowledging
the slaves and those descendants, but still include those descendants in census data. “How can you in good conscience use our population to get money from the federal government and in turn, not allow us to benefit from those very dollars you are getting from the federal government, based on our population.” Moore said he is not saying what Indigenous people in the United States experienced was not horrific, nor is he saying they are undeserving of a holiday. He said that he believes he cannot support a group that is still discriminating against the descendants of Freedmen, some of whom still live on Reservation land. “Cook County and no other body of government should vote to give them a holiday until they agree to the terms of the Treaty of 1866,” he said. The Treaty of 1866 mandated emancipation and enfranchisement of the Black slaves of each of the Five Tribes. The Cherokee, Creek and Seminole treaties provides Freedman with unqualified rights. Moore said the Choctaw Nation can rectify this situation and gave the example of the Cherokee Nation. On May 12, Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland approved a new Constitution for the Cherokee Nation that ensures the protection of political rights and citizenship of all Cherokee citizens, which includes the Cherokee Freedman. Moore said his original request was
to delay the vote, but if Commissioner Brandon Johnson called it to a vote, he is asking for a “no” vote. “I think we should start to pull back the veil over the history of the Indigenous People. Everyone is saying we need to tell the truth about what Columbus did and how Columbus was a slave owner, and how he mistreated his slaves, but the Indians were slave owners, too. If we’re going to tell the truth, we need to tell the truth about both groups. You can’t pick and choose who you want to tell the truth about,” he said. In an open letter from Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton, published on May 27, Batton announced the launch of an initiative to consider tribal membership for Choctaw Freedman. He stated that changing the membership requirements would require a Constitutional amendment, which would require a vote from tribal members. “This initiative will engage Choctaw Freedmen, the Department of Interior, existing tribal members, our elected officials and membership department officials, and other Choctaw proud in listening sessions to present findings and a recommendation to Choctaw elected officials,” Batton wrote. “The story of Choctaw Freedmen deserves our attention and thoughtful consideration within the framework of tribal self-governance.”
More Americans in Living Wage Jobs for Third Straight Month, says Ludwig Institute More American workers continue to move into living-wage jobs, with the percentage of Americans classified as “functionally unemployed” dropping to the lowest level since December 2019, according to the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP). In its April True Rate of Unemployment (TRU) report, LISEP’s analysis indicates that the percentage of Americans classified as functionally unemployed – defined as seeking, but unable to find, full-time employment that lifts them over the federal poverty line – has dropped for the third consecutive month and now stands at 23.1%. This is a 1.6 percentage point improvement over March, the largest percentage drop since 1995 (when TRU began to be calculated). This is
the lowest TRU since 22.7% in December 2019. The decrease in the TRU is in contrast to the April unemployment report issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which showed an uptick in the jobless rate, from 6.0% to 6.1%. According to LISEP Chairman Gene Ludwig, this is an indication that more part-time employees are seeing an increase in hours worked and as the economy reopens, employers are boosting wages “Three months of wage and employment growth is encouraging, and certainly signals a recovering economy. But we’re far from out of the woods,” Ludwig said. “We still have nearly a quarter of the workforce without a full-time living wage job, which is all the more reason to keep our foot on the gas with aggressive policy initiatives
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designed to create dependable, good-paying jobs. And it will still take some time for families to recover from the Covid recession – now is not the time to stop unemployment benefits for Americans in need.” The TRU improved across all demographics, with Black workers posting the biggest improvement, from 31.8% to 27.6% -- dropping below 30% for the first time in more than a year. Hispanic workers saw a 1.3 percentage point drop, from 28.5% to 27.2%, while White workers improved from 22.8% to 21.6%. The TRU for men dropped a full percentage point, from 20.3% to 19.3%, thus dropping below 20% for the first time since March 2020. The rate for women also improved, from 29.3% to 27.4%. Ludwig notes that contrary to analysts and pundits
lamenting a “bad” BLS jobs report, he finds the news encouraging, with a larger swath of the workforce moving out of poverty and into living-wage employment. “April’s job numbers, far from being an indictment, point to a much brighter future,” Ludwig said. “And while we shouldn’t read too much into month-over-month numbers, they are certainly going in the right direction. “This is a good sign that our economy is rebounding to where it was before the pandemic, but we cannot forget that the pre-pandemic economy was marred by severe inequality, with nearly a quarter of all workers lacking a living-wage job. That’s why we need to take advantage of this generational opportunity to build back better.”
CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of June 9, 2021
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NEWS
POLITICAL Affairs Senator Elgie Sims moves to give law enforcement agencies more time and resources to effect criminal justice reforms Illinois Supreme Court building in Springfield. (Capitol News Illinois file photo)
State auditor general’s campaign committee violated election law, court finds Ruling ends 5-year saga over Mautino’s campaign finance case BY SARAH MANSUR Capitol News Illinois smansur@capitolnewsillinois.com
SPRINGFIELD — The campaign committee of former state Rep. Frank Mautino, who is now the Illinois auditor general, violated state law when it spent campaign funds on gas and car repairs for personal vehicles, the Illinois Supreme Court recently decided. But the court did not find Mautino’s committee violated a separate section of state election law that prohibits spending more than fair market value for goods and services. However, since Mautino’s committee was dissolved in 2015, any fines levied against it would likely not be collected, a spokesperson for the Illinois State Board of Elections said. The case against Mautino’s campaign committee dates back to early 2016 when Mautino resigned from his position as a state representative, after 25 years in the General Assembly, and was appointed auditor general. Illinois resident David Cooke filed a complaint against Mautino’s campaign committee with the State Board of Elections in February 2016. Specifically, Cooke argued the committee’s expenditure of more than $225,000 on gas and repairs at Happy’s Super Service for personal vehicles violated section 9-8.10(a) (9) of the Act to Regulate Campaign Financing. He also claimed the committee’s spending at Spring Valley City Bank for travel expenses violated section 9-8.10(a)(2). Section 9-8.10(a)(2) of the Act bans political committees from spending campaign funds on items or services that are more than “fair market value.” Section 9-8.10(a)(9) provides that if a committee does not own or lease the vehicle, it can spend campaign funds only on reimbursements for mileage expenses. Cooke also alleged the committee’s documentation regarding the Spring Valley City Bank was improper, and the committee’s inadequate disclosure reports willfully violated the law. In May 2016, ISBE ordered the committee to file amended disclosure reports, but the committee failed to do so, leading ISBE to determine it willfully violated the law. While the committee had destroyed its pre-2014 records according to statute when it dissolved, it did possess records for 2014 and 2015, the board found. The board imposed a $5,000 fee on the committee but did not address the merits of Cooke’s complaint. Cooke appealed to the state appellate court, which sent the case back to ISBE for a decision on the merits. In July 2018, ISBE decided the committee did not violate any sections of the act and Cooke again appealed. In its second hearing of the case, the appellate court reversed ISBE’s decision and ruled that the committee violated the law when
it came to travel and vehicle expenses. The committee appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, and the justices agreed that the committee’s spending on gas and repairs for vehicles that were not owned or leased by the committee was in violation of the law. “(W)ith regard to a vehicle neither owned nor leased by a committee, the committee may only make expenditures for actual mileage reimbursement when that vehicle is used for campaign or governmental purposes,” Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman wrote in the 28-page opinion. But the justices disagreed with the appellate court on its decision that the committee’s expenditures for travel and vehicle expenses violated the law in regard to their relation to fair market value. “Cooke did not present evidence demonstrating that, for example, the price per gallon paid by the Committee clearly exceeded the market price on the relevant date,” Garman wrote. On the spending at the bank, the justices found that Cooke could not “compare the amount of money withdrawn from the bank with the travel costs Mautino purportedly incurred,” because the committee refused to amend its disclosure reports to identify the specific purpose of the bank spending. “Instead, Cooke could only demonstrate the peculiarity of the (c)ommittee and Mautino’s method of reporting expenditures for certain travel expenses. Therefore, the Board was without the requisite information to determine whether it was more probably true than not that the Committee violated section 9- 8.10(a)(2),” Garman wrote. The justices ordered that the case return to ISBE, which will decide whether the committee “knowingly” violated the law with its spending on gas and car repairs. Matt Dietrich, spokesperson for ISBE, said the board could add another fine for the committee, although it no longer exists. “Because our Board is empowered only to impose and collect fines against/from committees, not individuals, there is no mechanism for obtaining payment from a committee that no longer exists,” Dietrich said in an email. “The only leverage we have for getting payment in such cases is when a candidate later decides to run for office and still has old fines on the books. A candidate can’t get on the ballot in Illinois if they have unpaid fines. We can refer those unpaid fines to the Attorney General’s Office for collection. However, they’d also be faced with attempting to collect from an entity that has not existed for more than five years.” In an emailed statement, Mautino said he is pleased with the decision today by the Illinois Supreme Court and looks forward to finalizing the matter. A representative for the right-leaning Liberty Justice Center, which provided legal representation for David Cooke, did not respond to a request for comment. www.citizennewspapergroup.com
Recently, members of the Illinois Senate voted to clarify language in SAFE-T Act, a law passed early this year, championed by State Senator Sims (D-Chicago) that works to address police reform and sentencing reform, eliminate the cash bail system and establish violence reduction initiatives. Sims released in a statement following the passage of the bill: “Public safety has always been the number one priority of the SAFE-T Act and our goal remains the same— to create safer communities. That's why, when negotiating these changes, we again included input from advocates, law enforcement officials and various stakeholders. This legislation seeks to clarify and address issues identified by stakeholders as well as providing more time to make the changes necessary to ensure the SAFE-T Act is effective for our communities. "House Bill 3443 moves us another step forward in our efforts to reimagine public safety. Sims says he remain committed to transforming the criminal justice system in Illinois.
3rd Ward Alderman Pat Dowell receives endorsement from Chairman of the Black Caucus
Alderman Jason Ervin, Chairman of the Black Caucus of Chicago City Council, recently announced his support of Alderman Pat Dowell candidacy for office of Secretary of State.
“Alderman Pat Dowell is one of the most hardworking and conscientious members of the Chicago City Council,” Alderman Ervin said. “She champions the needs of African Americans while making sure that all of her constituents are respected and protected. We have worked together for more than a decade. She is smart and focused and gets the job the done.” “When Alderman Pat Dowell is Secretary of State, Illinoisans will have a Secretary of State that is a true public servant,” he added. Dowell looks forward to building on the office programs and to continue its quality service.
Chicago lawmakers celebrate passage of elected school board legislation A group of Chicago-based state Senators, led by State Senator Robert Martwick (Senate District 10), is celebrating the Senate passage of a proposal to enact an elected school board for Chicago Public Schools. Martwick issued the following statement: “The recent win in culmination of a decade-long fight that is an important step toward giving our communities a say in how the schools their children attend are run. We’re delivering accountability to the school board and ensuring that the people who will be making the decisions about how CPS is run and will always act in the best interests of CPS students and families.” “Teachers, parents, students and community advocates came together to advocate for this historic piece of legislation that will put Chicago at the forefront of community-led education. I am honored to have sponsored this measure. I am grateful to my colleagues who helped move it through the Senate, and I look forward to a brighter future for our city’s youth that a fully elected school board is sure to bring.” The following State Senators stood in solidarity with Martwick’s statement: • • • • • • • • •
State Sen. Omar Aquino (SD-2); State Sen. Mattie Hunter (SD-3); State Sen. Mike Simmons (SD-7); State Sen. Ram Villivalam (SD-8); State Sen. Celina Villanueva (SD-11); State Sen. Robert Peters (SD-13); State Sen. Emil Jones, III (SD-14); State Sen. Elgie Sims, Jr. (SD-17); and State Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (SD-20).
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BUSINESS
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Allyship is Key to Creating Inclusive Workplaces Public coverage of systemic racism has challenged businesses to promote cultures of inclusion, often utilizing allies who serve as collaborators to support historically underrepresented individuals and communities. But along with that comes a need to understand the complex issues required to become an advocate for change, according to a report from Bentley University’s Center for Women and Business (CWB). Elevating Allyship in the Workplace highlights relevant research and interviews with diversity, equity and inclusion thought leaders, employees and executives to present best practices for creating an inclusive workplace. “The report establishes the need for allyship through data that highlights the lived experiences of workers with unique identities, including race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, and LGBTQ+ status,” CWB Executive Director Trish Foster says. “It delves into complex issues that are central to effective allyship including white privilege, systemic racism, performative allyship, the role of fear and Intersectionality.” Foster notes that the report specifically explores allyship approaches for those who are Black and Asian American while also including strategies for those who want to be white allies for racial justice and male allies for gender equity. It also explores LGBTQ+ allyship and advocacy for disability, including mental health. The benefits of an inclusive work culture Discouraging data from LeanIn. Org indicates that, “despite an overwhelming majority of white employees seeing themselves as allies, less than half of Black women and only slightly more than half of Latinas feel they have strong allies at work.” Deloitte research suggests that “allies might be the missing link” in creating inclusive organizations. Employees in organizations with cultures of inclusion and allyship report feeling greater happiness and are more likely to go above and beyond for their employers: They are 50 percent less likely to leave; 56 percent more likely to work to improve their
A new report from Bentley University’s Center for Women and Business highlights best practices for creating successful allyship programs.
performance; 75 percent less likely to take a sick day; and up to 167 percent more likely to recommend their organizations as great places to work. Allyship is necessary for psychological safety. Research from Deloitte concludes that, “teams where workers feel psychologically safe bringing their views to the table, and where their relationships with other team members are strong enough to allow them to do so in an assertive yet constructive way, will be well positioned to engage in productive friction—the ability to draw out conflict and learn from disagreements to generate new insights.” Barriers to effective allyship The CWB report cautions that a significant hurdle to progress is performative allyship, which occurs when individuals or organizations share information about inequities but don’t take authentic action to make change. Examples include posting social media pieces on racial justice without further action to press for change or making statements of anger about current examples of social injustice without following up
to learn more about the underlying historic, systemic issues. A barrier to employees becoming allies is personal discomfort. But the good news is that there are ways to lean into that discomfort: Learn more about people with different identities such as gender, LGBTQ+ status, race and religion without putting the onus on underrepresented peers and friends. Think about intersectionality and how it impacts others’ lives. Read, watch documentaries, and listen to podcasts to learn about people’s unique identities. Work through potentially defeating concerns and fears with other would-be allies. Best practices to create an organizational allyship program “If you are developing an organizational program, leverage proven best practices and view the journey as an iterative process, allowing for trial and error along with transparency about mistakes,” Foster says. “Take a flexible approach and recognize that even the most sophisticated
organizations face challenges when it comes to allyship and inclusion.” Best practices to elevate workplace allyship include: Embed an organizational culture of safety; the tone from the top is critical. Adopt the practice of non-judgmental dialogue that allows employees voices to be heard. Admit mistakes, apologize, and work to correct them as you move forward. Learn how to distinguish between intent and impact and be willing to discuss it. Celebrate the success of allies and underrepresented individuals. Make a public commitment to allyship as an organization. Prioritize employees before profits and ensure that branding, client relationships and vendor agreements emphasize inclusion. Ensure accountability on teams and among leadership. One example is establishing a diverse personal advisory board that gives leaders regular feedback. Utilize an assessment tool to measure the effectiveness of your
organizational and individual allyship initiatives. Recognize the challenges of a virtual environment, which requires more intentional allyship and sensitivity to those struggling or feeling excluded in a remote setting. Virtual drop-in times, for example, could give employees a chance to connect more spontaneously with managers and each other. Foster says that while the CWB report highlights numerous allyship strategies and approaches to create an inclusive workplace, individual actions are key to success. “All allies should work to amplify others’ voices and engage in brave dialogue. Try to move beyond performative allyship; true allies use their power, skills, knowledge and relationships to advocate for change. Doing so requires pushing back against long-standing practices and attitudes. It is not easy but change seldom is.” Founded in 1917, Bentley University enrolls 4,200 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and PhD students and is set on 163 acres in Waltham, Massachusetts, 10 miles west of Boston. For more information, visit bentley.edu.
MBDA Announces 2021 National MED Week Call for Nominations-Nominate MBEs TODAY through July 15 MBDA recently announced the call for nominations for the 2021 National Minority Enterprise Development Week (MED Week) Awards. National MED Week celebrates the outstanding achievements of minority entrepreneurs, as well as the individuals and organizations that have demonstrated their commitment to advancing minority business enterprises.
This year, MBDA will continue to highlight businesses that have developed and implemented innovative solutions that promote business continuity and the ability to thrive through the challenges. To complete an online nomination for minority-owned businesses and/or other champions in the minority business community, please visit https://my.reviewr.com/mbda/ www.citizennewspapergroup.com
site/MedWeek_Awards_2021. All nominations are due on June 15, 2021 by 11:59 pm ET. MBDA will honor award winners during the virtual National MED Week conference, September 12-18, 2021. If you have questions, please contact the National MED Week Program Manager Antavia Grimsley at agrimsley1@mbda.gov.
NOT TO BE USED FOR COLOR APPROVAL ACD: A. Del Valle
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CW: A. Walentin
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AM: L. Mitchell
BM: E. Schmidt
CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of June 9, 2021
NEWS
Nearly 50% of adult women have high blood pressure, and nearly three-quarters of those with high blood pressure don’t have it under control
Women Face Unique Risks for High Blood Pressure and Stroke (NewsUSA) Women have a lot on their plates, and sometimes important self-care can take a back seat to work, family and other obligations. In fact, nearly 50% of adult women have high blood pressure, and nearly three-quarters of those with high blood pressure don’t have it under control. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can significantly increase a woman’s risk for a stroke, but a few important steps can help reduce that risk and give women (and their loved ones) one less thing to worry about. “High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke and we know that 1 in 5 women will have a stroke and stroke kills more women than breast cancer,” according to Dr. Monik Jiménez, a volunteer with the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association and associate epidemiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and assistant professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “While high blood pressure isn’t directly linked to gender, different health issues throughout a woman’s life, such as birth control, pregnancy, and menopause, can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of stroke if left uncontrolled,” according to Jiménez. Doctors and researchers have found a link between birth control pills and an increase in blood pressure among some women. They say that it is more likely to occur in
women who are already overweight, have kidney disease or have a family history of high blood pressure. A combination of birth control pills and smoking can be very dangerous to women and is not recommended. A woman’s health during pregnancy can be a preview of her health in the future. Women who had high blood pressure during pregnancy are at an increased risk for developing high blood pressure and having a stroke later in life. The physical changes associated with menopause also increase a woman’s risk of developing high blood pressure. Of note, women of Black and Hispanic ethnicity may develop high blood pressure at a younger age and have a higher average blood pressure than other racial groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fortunately, 80% of strokes may be prevented and lowering high blood pressures reduces stroke risk. Women can measure their blood pressure at home regularly and let their doctors know if it’s normally above 120/80. In addition, lifestyle adjustments such as getting enough exercise, eating healthfully, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking can go a long way to reduce women’s disease risk from high blood pressure. For more information and tips about women’s health and stroke prevention at all stages of life, visit GoRedForWomen.org/Risk
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GOOD EATING Creative ways apples can elevate your next brunch (BPT) - Brunch is the perfect pairing of morning delights and mid-day favorites. Whether celebrating holidays, anniversaries, friendships or simply a sunny Sunday, brunch is guaranteed to satisfy and bring smiles. "From making pancakes with the kids on Saturday mornings to frittatas and mimosas with the best of friends, brunch foods are the ultimate in connection and warmth," said Faith Durand, editor-in-chief of Kitchn, a cooking and lifestyle website whose brunch recipes in particular have continued to gain in popularity. Take your spring brunch to the next level by incorporating a crowd-pleaser like apples. Big, beautiful Envy™ apples uniquely deliver a delightful crunch, uplifting aroma, and a sophisticated, balanced sweetness, making them a perfect addition to both savory and sweet dishes. What's more, Envy™ apples remain white and crisp upon slicing, so brunch spreads will stay fresh and eye-catching. Sweet or savory, brunch offers a range of possibilities for a creative sunny-day spread: B r u n c h b o a r d s : The popularity of charcuterie boards has inspired countless spinoffs and one of the most delicious and customizable is the Brunch Board. While the concept is simple, the presentation is impressive. Find a large platter and arrange all your favorites in an eye-pleasing fashion. For example, place a row of mini pancakes or crepes on the platter between sweet and savory items, with sliced Envy™ apples and assorted fruit on one side and hard-boiled eggs, bacon and sausage on the other. A v o c a d o t o a s t : With the massive popularity of avocado toast, adding this dish to your brunch is a no-brainer. To make your brunch special, upgrade standard ingredients for added flavor. Thin, crisp Envy™ slices, lime juice, chopped chives and shaves of fresh Parmesan take this quintessential brunch treat to the next level. Prepare slices for the entire table or invite guests to express their creativity with an avocado toast bar. Fruit-enhanced bakery: Add a touch of sweetness and irresistible crunch to baked goods by adding diced Envy™ apple. Pancakes, muffins, crepes - the possibilities are endless. S h a r a b l e s i z e s : Brunch is all about bringing people together, and sharable items are the perfect way to please all palates. A platter of sliced fruit, including large Envy™ apples that are naturally the perfect size for slicing and sharing, brings vibrant color to the spread and is also a delicious and healthy addition to brunch. You can't beat the refreshing crunch in balancing out other savory or salty foods. To celebrate all things brunch, Envy™ is the official fruit partner of Kitchn's 2021 Brunch Fest. "With our first ever Brunch Fest social takeover, we're celebrating the dishes and drinks that wake us up, bring our families together, and give us a reason to say cheers with the people we love," said Durand.Find recipes and more information on EnvyForBrunch.com.
This brunch recipe celebrates spring by pairing the sophisticated sweet flavor and crunch of Envy™ apples with seasonal fresh asparagus and umami-rich shiitake mushrooms. Tossed with a bright and zesty lemon vinaigrette, this delightful dish can star as an entrée or serve as a side. Ingredients: For the asparagus: 1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt For the mushrooms: 4 cups shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, sliced 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt For the vinaigrette: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1 teaspoon kosher salt 40 turns fresh cracked pepper 2 cups orzo pasta 1 Envy™ apple, small diced 4 tablespoons chopped parsley Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss the asparagus in olive oil and salt and spread out on half of a sheet tray. Toss the mushrooms in the olive oil and salt and spread out on the remaining half of the sheet tray. Roast in the oven until asparagus and mushrooms are tender, about 10 minutes. Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients until well combined. Cook the orzo in salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain well and then toss with the vinaigrette. Fold in the asparagus, mushrooms, apples and parsley. Serve warm.
Spring Vegetable and Envy™ Apple Orzo www.citizennewspapergroup.com
CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of June 9, 2021
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NEWS
Travel Advisors Smooth the Way for Post-Pandemic Getaways (NewsUSA) - As travel opportunities reopen with increasing COVID-19 vaccinations and a decline in cases, eager travelers are booking post-pandemic trips to connect with friends and family, celebrate a special occasion, or just get out of the house. However, after years of making their own travel arrangements online, many potential travelers are rediscovering the value of a professional travel advisor to identify and navigate the variety and shifting safety protocols of post-pandemic travel. “We are dealing with a fragmented travel landscape with shifting public health protocols and entry restrictions that are constantly changing,” says Brianna Glenn, owner and travel designer at milkandhoneytravels. com, a boutique travel service that designs custom vacations. “Travelers don’t need the added stress of trying to navigate this new maze on their own, a good travel advisor can smooth the way and get their trip off to a great start,” she adds. “For example, I just had a honeymoon trip that had their outbound flight delayed
due to weather and they missed their connecting flight to Frankfurt on their way to Croatia. We stepped in and worked with United to rebook their flights, secure a hotel inside the Frankfurt airport since they were not able to leave the transit area and adjust their hotel booking and airport transfers in Dubrovnik without them having to worry about a thing.” Results of a survey by the travel industry website Skift showed that almost half of Americans planning post-pandemic travel plan to use travel advisors. Some key benefits of engaging a professional travel advisor to plan your post-pandemic trip include: - Preparation upfront. An old wedding planning adage says, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Especially in the post-pandemic landscape, a good plan is essential, and a professional advisor, like a good wedding planner, can make sure that everything is set up in advance. Advance planning includes knowing what to expect at your destination regarding safety protocols such as masking requirements
and testing or quarantine requirements. - Backup if you need it. Upscale travelers are seeking peace of mind and expertise as they plan the often complex and exotic trips they have dreamed about during more than a year of staying at home. The more complex the trip, the more important it is to have a knowledgeable advocate in your corner if something goes wrong or if safety regulations should suddenly change. Professional travel advisors can help with purchasing travel insurance to recoup costs in case of cancellation due to COVID and with negotiating refunds if reservations, flights, cruises, or other travel-related activities are cancelled. “There is a big difference between people who love to travel, and people who love to plan travel,” Ms. Glenn says. “Ultimately, we save you hours of time and energy so you can focus on the things that matter most to you,” she emphasizes. Visit milkandhoneytravels.com to learn how professional travel advisors can help make your post-pandemic getaway flow smoothly.
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Results of a survey by the travel industry website Skift showed that almost half of Americans planning post-pandemic travel plan to use travel advisors.
8 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of June 9, 2021
CITIZEN On The Move Kappa Alpha Psi, Theta Zeta Alumni and Richton Park Alumni Association Team Up to Swing for Education
Last Staurday, in University Park, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity kicked off its first event post covid to help send a student to college. This was the first time two Kappa Alpha Psi chapters in the southern suburbs came together to do an event. Because so many lives have been affected due to the pandemic and negative events happening, the organizations thought this event will bring more unity and fellowship, thus showing a great example for young men. The event raised money for Jalen Brown who graduated from Homewood Flossmoor he announced that he will attend The University of Arkansas Pine Bluff in the fall. “We were excited to see everyone in person post COVID-19 to fellowship,” said Brian Kimbrough, organizer of the Swinging for Education, “Thanks to everyone that attended and donated had a very successful event and were excited to team up with Richton Park Alumni Chapter to change a young man’s life through this event” In Attendance to support the organization and the event was former Bulls star Craig Hodges, Hodges led the league in 3-point shooting percentage three times. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is a historically African American fraternity. Since the fraternity's founding on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University Bloomington, the fraternity has never restricted membership on the basis of color, creed or national origin. The fraternity has over 160,000 members with 721 undergraduate and alumni chapters in every state of the United States, and international chapters in the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Japan, United States Virgin Islands, Nigeria, South Africa, South Korea, Bermuda and The Bahamas.
Brain Kimbrough and Former Chicago Bulls Star Craig Hodges Pictured is Jalen Brown with his Mother
CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of June 9, 2021
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ENTERTAINMENT
UNCF Chicago hosts virtual UNCF “A Mind Is...” Gala Supporting HBCUs and Students Special celebrity guest hosts and performers to join Gala to benefit deserving students and historically black colleges and universities – will also honor those who are helping to advance educational opportunities for young people of color The annual Chicago UNCF “A Mind Is...” Gala is moving online this year and is set for Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 6:00pm (CST). This annual event is one of Chicago’s signature fundraising galas and premier social events of the year. Due to the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the gala has been reimagined as a digital experience packaging together an extraordinary virtual affair. Hosted by Stefan Holt, anchor of NBC 5 with special guest host acclaimed actor Samuel L. Jackson, the event will include performances by Grammy-nominated singer Kenny Lattimore and Chicago’s own powerhouse singer Terisa Griffin. Gala Co-Chairmen include: NBA players Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers), Tim Hardaway, Jr. (Dallas Mavericks)
and Derrick Rose (New York Knicks). Honorary Co-Chairpersons include Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Cook County Board President Toni
Preckwinkle and Mayor Lori Lightfoot. This year’s honorees, who are being recognized for helping to advance educational opportunities
for African-Americans, include Mary Spio, Founder and CEO of CEEK VR, Inc. receiving the “A Mind Is… Trailblazer Award” and Wintrust
Financial receiving the “A Mind Is… Corporate Award. For 77 years, UNCF has supported hundreds of thousands of deserving students, private historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and advocated for minority higher education. Current sponsors of the virtual gala include: ITW, Peoples Gas, BMO Harris Bank, Wintrust, US Bank, COMED, Allstate, Nicor Gas, American Airlines, CEEK VR Inc and NBC 5 Chicago. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit UNCF. org/AMIChicago. or contact the local Chicago UNCF office at (312) 845-2204. Follow this event on social media @UNCFChicago #UNCFChicago #UNCF.
Vereen and Gossett Cement their “Roots” as Fellow Inductees Frazier and Avery join them in the American Black Film Institute’s Hall of Fame On Saturday June 19th, decades of talent rule the day, as The American Black Film Institute hosts it Juneteenth celebration, inducting Hall of Fame nominees, Oscar-winning actor Lou Gossett Jr., along with multi-faceted Tony award-winning actor Ben Vereen. The induction will take place at the American Black Film Institute’s 2021 Juneteenth celebration, to be held virtually and in-person, with a live simulcast. The Juneteenth celebration entitled “Upon Whose Shoulders We Stand,” is a salute to the trailblazing artists, who have cast an indelible legacy of film and television projects, for current and future generations to revere. The American Black Film Institute is known for ensuring that artists of color are recognized for their lifelong contributions to film, television and theatre, and that their work is preserved.
Tony Award-winner Ben Vereen
Academy Award-nominee Margaret Avery
Rounding out the 2021 class of inductees include; multi-talented actress/singer Margaret Avery, best known for beloved roles such as “Shug” in the Color Purple and ac-
tress/producer Sheila Frazier known for her iconic screen portrayals as the demure leading lady, opposite leading men of classic Black 70’s cinema, most notably Superfly, and
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mainstream films such as California Suite and The Lazarus Syndrome. “Our Juneteenth holiday steeped in the rich tradition of African American resilience pre and post-emancipation, should be viewed by us, as an opportunity to reflect on the past as we look ahead to the future. In that vein we seek to bring both young people and our elders together, so that the young may know the shoulders upon which they stand, and those who sacrificed so they may enjoy many of the benefits they do today,” stated ABFI Executive Director G. Scott Kenney. The American Black Film Institute will additionally be hosting young people currently making strides nationally and in their community. Among them include Twyla Joseph, Time Magazine’s recent cover story, who triumphantly represented the
face of the challenges young people are meeting head-on in the wake of COVID. She will be joined by The Young Men of Elmont, whose recent “See Me, Know Me” video campaign, focusing on mutual respect between law enforcement and young Black Men, was so well received in its heartfelt and truthful messaging, that it is now being used as a mandatory training video in suburban New York Police jurisdictions for new recruits. The Black Film Institute continues its tradition of honoring the past, while cultivating future generations of creative leaders, toward the goal of giving young people a further appreciation for the generation before them, who made the road they now travel, just a little easier. For further information on this event, you may call (646)245-6232. The event is free and open to the public.
10 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of June 9, 2021
FASHION
kidpik Boys Summer 2021 Clothing Box
Keshia Knight Pulliam was recently announced as Mielle’s new Global Education Ambassador.
Actor and venture capitalist partners with Black-owned beauty brand Mielle Organics recently announced the celebration of their 7-year anniversary. The global beauty brand commemorated their milestone with a $5.99 blow-out sale in May and also announced that actress and venture capitalist Keshia Knight Pulliam as Mielle’s new Global Education Ambassador. As Mielle’s Global Ambassador, Keshia Knight Pulliam will lead the beauty brand’s initiatives to roll out their inaugural Global Certificate Program in partnership with Rutgers University and the Newark Business Hub. As part of the brand’s promise to provide opportunities for entrepreneurship and education in the community, Mielle Organics will allocate part of their $1 Million More Than A Strand Fund to cover the tuition and start-up costs for 60 2021 program applicants. For Mielle Organics’ founder and CEO, Monique Rodriguez, choosing Keshia Knight Pulliam as Mielle’s Global Education ambassador was a must. “We chose Keshia Knight Pulliam as our new Global Education Ambassador because of her passion for providing opportunities for mentorship, education and venture capital for Black women,” said Rodriguez. “Entering this
next chapter of our journey with someone who is equally as passionate about building community entrepreneurship is a testament to what God has to come.” “I am elated to work with Mielle Organics to bring new education and venture capital opportunities to Black women worldwide,” said Global Ambassador, Keshia Knight Pulliam. “It’s amazing to partner with a company that has so much mutual synergy when it comes to sewing into our community. I’m honored to celebrate their 7-year anniversary.” Mielle Organics’ Global Education Program will educate 60 applicants annually on the necessities for new and growing startups. At the end of the program, ten out of those 60 applicants will be chosen to travel to South Africa and compete for Series A funding in 2022. Applications for Mielle’s 2021 Global Certificate Program are now open through June 15. Winners will be announced on June 30. To learn more about Mielle Organics’ 2021 Global Certificate Program, visit https://www.morethanastrand. com.
kidpik Girls Summer 2021 Clothing Box
Summer Forecast: Stress-Free, Fashionable and Fun With hot, sunny days on the horizon, kidpik, has released its Summer 2021 collection of personalized clothing boxes packed with kids’ outfits designed to keep up with stylish kids’ warm weather routines. Parents can prioritize relaxation this summer by allowing kidpik’s team of fashion experts to do the shopping and the styling for them. After members take the brand’s 3-minute style quiz, kids await a surprise at their doorstep—a box of curated fashion selected just for them based on their unique preferences. “With our summer collection, we’ve captured the happiness the season brings with bold and bright styles created with summer fun top of mind,” said Dina Sweeney, kidpik’s chief merchandising officer. “Our goal is always to make parents and kids happy by delivering clothing kids love and want to wear. Parents can test out new trends from the comfort of their home and receive personalized, seasonal looks in their kids’ updated sizes without having to spend a beautiful day shopping indoors.” Standout trends from the summer collection include
bold stripes, tropical prints, denim, colorful and monochromatic coordinated sets and color blocked swimwear for boys and girls. Additional highlights include easy dresses in of-themoment florals and tie dye patterns for girls and bold graphic t-shirts and lightweight shorts for boys. Each kidpik subscription box ships with 7 pieces of coordinated fashion, including shoes, that create a minimum of 3 mix-&-match outfits. The average box is $98 when the 30% keep-all discount is applied, bringing each item to $14. Shipping, returns and exchanges are free and there is no styling fee—making kidpik entirely commitment-free. “We enjoyed our box so much! It was as fun for mom to open as it was daughter. The sizes and styles were perfect. My daughter loved every piece! Thank you for offering quality kids clothing for a reasonable price,” said one happy member in a recent 5-star review. In addition to kidpik’s time-saving kids subscription boxes, the brand is set to release pre-styled vacation and camp boxes, which will be available to purchase with no subscription required beginning on June 15, 2021. For more information, visit kidpik.com
Eastman expands capacity to produce Naia™ cellulosic yarn To serve rapidly growing customer demand, global specialty materials provider Eastman (NYSE: EMN) is increasing its capacity to produce Naia™ filament yarn at its Barcelona, S.L., site by 30% by mid-2021 and more than 50% by the end of 2022. “The growing importance of sustainability and circularity as key market drivers is accelerating adoption of sustainable fibers. As a result, Naia™ cellulosic filament yarn is gaining a lot of traction among our customers,” said Burt A. Capel, Eastman vice president and general manager of fibers. “Our vision is to make sustainable www.citizennewspapergroup.com
“Our vision is to make sustainable fashion accessible to all, and we have a very committed team at our Barcelona site actively working to bring this expansion onstream as soon as possible to serve our customers across the globe,” said Burt A. Capel, Eastman vice president and general manager of fibers.
fashion accessible to all, and we have a very committed team at our Barcelona site actively working to bring this expansion onstream as soon as possible to serve our customers
across the globe,” Capel added. The expansion will support new brand adoptions of Naia™ in womenswear fashion, where there is a growing demand for sustainable fibers.
CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of June 9, 2021
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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION US BANK TRUST, N.A., NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST Plaintiff, -v.- UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF JULIA VALENTINE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, BRENDA FLEX, THOMAS P. QUINN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR JULIA VALENTINE (DECEASED) Defendants 2019CH11807 12512 SOUTH LOOMIS STREET CALUMET PARK, IL 60827 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on May 12, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 29, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 12512 SOUTH LOOMIS STREET, CALUMET PARK, IL 60827 Property Index No. 25-29-316-066-0000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS"
condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 151701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff's Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-08986 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH11807 TJSC#: 41777 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff's attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2019CH11807 I3169451 ________________________________________
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(StatePoint) What motivates entrepreneurs to become self-employed? How do they measure success? What’s their cutoff for profitability and self-reflection on status? A new survey examining these very questions provides important insights to small business owners and those looking to start their entrepreneurial journey. “The Tipping Point: Making the Jump to Self-Made” report from global small business platform Xero surveyed 1,200 small business owners nationwide and, among respondents, 58% gave themselves five years or less to make it or break it - with newer businesses giving themselves an even shorter timespan on average. Here are some of the survey’s key findings, along with tips for surviving your first five years of small business ownership: 1. Define what success looks like: When they made the move to branch out on their own, 48% of small business owners defined success as achieving profitability, and 34% defined it as making more money than they were previously. Fast forward to the present with their businesses up and running and 28% of business owners cite creating a legacy as their success measure. Having tangible and intangible benchmarks of achievement can help you stay focused. 2. Know your “why”: According to the survey, one of the strongest motivators for starting a small business is the belief that it provides greater flexibility and control when you’re your own boss (45%). Passion/purpose in work (28%) and financial reasons (15%) were also strong motivators. Running a business can be tremendously satisfying when you understand what your “tipping point” was for taking a leap of faith and venturing out on your own. 3. Be flexible: Twenty-nine percent of small business owners say the pandemic has increased their desire to run a business, particularly among younger business owners (43% of Gen Z vs. 18% of Boomers) and
Janice Garth
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women (34% of women vs. 24% of men). But what do those businesses that thrived in the COVID-19 era have in common? “The majority of newer businesses have been set up on technology platforms and digitally enabled since their inception,” says Ben Richmond, US country manager for Xero. “They’re ready for and in many cases even expecting disruption, so they’ve established afoundation that’s open to pivots.” 4. Be realistic: While most business owners say they started their business for increased flexibility and control, being the boss doesn’t equate to less stress. In fact, that’s the biggest misconception about starting a business (47%). Another top misconception is that starting a business will be more fun than working for someone else (25%). Understanding the realities of entrepreneurship can help you avoid surprises, and ensure comfort in the role as it changes. 5. Lean on digital tools: When you’re a small business owner, it can often seem like there are never enough hours in the day. Using software that streamlines the nitty-gritty can free your time so it’s better spent on the big picture. For example, the cloudbased accounting software platform Xero gives small business owners and their advisors access to real-time financial data on any device. Its 2.45 million subscribers are leveraging its array of tools that simplify tasks like paying bills, payroll, claiming expenses and sending invoices. To view the full report and for more information, visit xero.com. “It’s certainly been an unusual year for business, but entrepreneurs are generally feeling positive about the economic outlook in the months ahead. For enterprises still in the make-it-or-break-it period, that’s especially good news,” says Richmond.
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SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY Bloom Township, Chicago Heights, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, Glenwood, Homewood, Lansing ,Lynwood, Olympia Fileds, Park Forest, Sauk Village, South Chicago and Steger Citizen Newspaper Group Inc., (CNGI), Publisher of the Chatham-Southeast, South End, Chicago Weekend, South Suburban and Hyde Park Citizen and Citizen Suburban Times Weekly. Our weekly publications are published on Wednesday’s (publishing 52 issues annually). Written permission is required to reproduce contents in whole or in part from the publisher. Citizen Newspaper Group, Inc. does not assume the responsibility for nor are we able to return unsolicited materials, therefore they become property of the newspaper and can or will be discarded or used at the newspapers disgratation. Deadlines for advertising is every Friday at noon. Deadlines for press releases are Thursdays at 10 am prior to the next week’s edition. Please send information for the calendar at least three weeks prior to the event. Send to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com. For more information on subscriptions or advertising, call us at (773) 783-1251 or fax (872) 208-8793. Our offices are located at 8741 South Greenwood Suite# 107, Chicago, Illinois 60619.
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. . . O T K C A B T
E G S ’ LET
s r e n n i D y a d n u S R U O Y D FIN
H C T A E N I C C A V
X A V D I V O C / V I.GO