South suburban Citizen 9-30-2020 by CITIZEN NEWSPAPERS

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 The Citizen: Serving The Black Community For 55 Years Week of Sept. 30, 2020

| Vol. 39 | No. 45 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SOUTH SUBURBAN

LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO END HEALTH DISPARITIES Congresswoman Robin Kelly, D-Ill., has introduced H.R. 8200, the Ending Health Disparities during COVID-19 Act. The legislation focuses on data collection, contact tracing, health IT, insurance access, community grants, public awareness and increased federal oversight.

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Congresswoman Robin Kelly has introduced H.R. 8200, the Ending Health Disparities during COVID-19 Act, which focuses on data collection, contact tracing, health IT, insurance access, community grants, public awareness and increased federal oversight. Photo courtesy of Congresswoman Robin Kelly

$1 million in scholarships bridges financial gaps during COVID-19

Open House Chicago expands to 10 days for its 10th anniversary in fall 2020, highlighting South and West Side neighborhoods

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Top Ways to Take a Safe Vacation Page 6

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2 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Sept. 30, 2020

NEWS briefly EDUCATION VOTING FOR THE 2020 ABBVIE CF SCHOLARSHIP THRIVING STUDENT AWARDS IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC The annual public voting period for the 2020 Thriving Undergraduate and Thriving Graduate Scholarship ends today at 11:00 AM EDT. Following this voting period, scholarships totaling $25,000 each will be given to two commendable students living with cystic fibrosis (CF), an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. AbbVie is inviting the public to visit the official AbbVie CF Scholarship website (www.AbbVieCFScholarship.com) to view the achievements of this year’s forty scholars and vote for their top picks to help determine the 2020 Thriving Undergraduate and Thriving Graduate Scholarship recipients. Votes can be cast online or via text message by texting the student’s personalized ID code to “60193” during today’s public voting period. “These students living with CF are committed to succeeding both in and out of the classroom and are determined to ultimately overcome challenges,” said John Duffey, vice president, U.S. Specialty, AbbVie. “AbbVie continues to demonstrate our commitment to students with CF pursuing higher education through the AbbVie CF Scholarship, as it has for the past 28 years.” AbbVie will announce the 2020 Thriving Undergraduate and Graduate Students in October.

HEALTH

ANGELE MOSS-BAKER BECOMES FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENT OF AMHCA Angele Moss-Baker is the first Black woman to become President of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) in its 44-year history. She is the owner of Comprehensive Addiction & Psychological Services LLC, in Washington D.C. Moss-Baker is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Master Addiction Counselor, Employee Assistance Counselor, and holds the Diplomate, Clinical Mental Health Specialist in Substance Abuse and Co-Occurring Disorders. She has over 25 years of experience providing behavioral health treatment services to diverse populations with a specialty in co-occurring disorders and integrated treatment practices. MossBaker will focus on strategy and work to address the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic and structural and systemic racism present to our society and mental health care.

LAW & POLITICS

KATTEN RENEWS MANSFIELD RULE PARTICIPATION TO INCREASE DIVERSITY IN LAW FIRM LEADERSHIP Katten recently announced that the firm achieved certification for Mansfield Rule 3.0 for meeting the benchmarks that women, attorneys of color, LGBTQ+ attorneys, and attorneys with disabilities account for at least 30 percent of the candidate pool considered for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions. The firm also has signed on as a participant in the next iteration to further increase representation of historically underrepresented attorneys in law firm leadership and sustain a diverse and inclusive workforce in the legal industry. The Mansfield Rule, a winning idea from the 2016 Women in Law Hackathon hosted by Diversity Lab in collaboration with Bloomberg Law and Stanford Law School, was inspired by the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which requires NFL teams to interview at least one minority candidate for head coach vacancies. The rule was named after Arabella Mansfield, the first woman admitted to practice law in the United States. In addition, Katten’s Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) this fall is launching a six-part boot camp series to provide practical business development training and support for women in all stages of their careers. The series will include sessions on personal branding, leveraging the firm’s internal resources to identify business targets and prepare strategies to develop and expand business relationships, and guiding attorneys on how to successfully implement their action plan for business development. Katten is a full-service law firm with nearly 700 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. For more information, visit katten.com.

Legislation introduced to end health disparities Continued from page 1 BY TIA CAROL JONES

Congresswoman Robin Kelly, D-Ill., has introduced H.R. 8200, the Ending Health Disparities during COVID-19 Act. The legislation focuses on data collection, contact tracing, health IT, insurance access, community grants, public awareness and increased federal oversight. Kelly said it was already known that there were racial health disparities, but COVID-19 exacerbated the issue. She said the numbers were shocking, but not surprising, especially when you look at diabetes, AIDS and hypertension. “We wanted to put something together that works toward ending these disparities. And, we say COVID, this COVID pandemic but, of course, we want it to be period. That’s why the bill is divided into immediate efforts related to targeting and testing and tracing and public awareness,” she said. “And then, longer term, it seeks to reform our broken and unfair healthcare system through community grants, and health IT and increase insurance access.” Kelly said the bill also looks at diversifying the healthcare pipeline. She said it shows that there is something ugly and very inequitable in a

system where as compared to other populations, a disproportionate number of Blacks, Native Americans as well as many Latinxs are getting sick and dying from COVID-19. “The communities of color were the ones mostly affected,” Kelly said. “We’re the essential workers, we don’t [have] the access to healthcare. We live more in multigenerational environments. It says a lot that’s not good,” she added. Kelly said we need to make sure that, “in the richest country in the history of the world, that people have access to healthcare.” There is also a push towards telemedicine and trying to increase the number of Black doctors in the medical profession, Kelly stated. She went on to explain that there has been a multifaceted approach towards ending the health disparities. Kelly said the legislation has been endorsed by the Congressional Tri-Caucus, along with the National Health Board. Co-sponsors include Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Representative Karen Bass, as well as Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Representative Joaquin Castro and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chairwoman Representative Judy Chu.

To get past COVID-19, Kelly continued, “we have to have more testing, more contact tracing, more public awareness and of course, more treatment,” she said. “That’s the first thing and people have to play their part and wearing their mask[s] and socially distance themselves. So, we have to deal with the immediate to even get to the other part,” she said. Kelly said systemic racism has been one of the reasons for inequities in healthcare when it comes to Black people. Implicit bias and the need for more doctors of color can also be attributed to the inequities. In a press release, Bass said that while the spread and outcome of COVID-19 brought issues of healthcare disparities to the forefront of national attention, it did not catch Black America by surprise. “What we are seeing is more than just an overstretched healthcare system, but instead the result of years of systemic racism, disenfranchisement, and oppression of Black people in America,” she said. “The Ending Health Disparities during COVID-19 Act provides targeted legislation to tackle longstanding inequalities in our healthcare system and ensures that our most vulnerable populations receive the quality care they deserve.”

Former state Sen. Link pleads guilty to tax evasion Agrees to cooperate with federal investigators BY PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@ capitolnewsillinois.com

Springfield – Former state Sen. Terry Link pleaded guilty in federal court last Wednesday to a felony charge of tax evasion. Link, a Democrat from Indian Creek who resigned his seat recently, admitted in a plea agreement that he willfully underreported his income on his federal and state tax returns from 2012 through 2016. Specifically, the plea

agreement noted that in 2016, Link reported income of $264,450 when, in fact, he had total income of at least $358,309. The difference included $73,159 in money from his campaign account that he used for personal purposes. As part of the plea agreement, Link agreed to pay restitution of $71,133 to the IRS, and $11,527 to the Illinois Department of Revenue. Federal sentencing guidelines provide a maximum sentence for tax evasion of up to three years

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in prison and a $100,000 fine. However, based on Link’s lack of criminal history and other factors, his sentence would more likely be in the range of 10-16 months, according to the plea agreement. Link will not face immediate sentencing, however, because he also agreed to cooperate with continuing federal investigations, according to the agreement. If link continues to “provide full and truthful cooperation,” according to

the agreement, prosecutors could recommend a sentence of probation. It has been widely reported that Link was the unnamed state senator mentioned in a federal indictment last year who wore a wire during a conversation with former Rep. Luis Arroyo, D-Chicago, who was later charged with attempting to bribe the senator to support gaming legislation that would have benefited one of Arroyo’s lobbying clients. Link has denied being that confidential informant.

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Sept. 30, 2020

NEWS

College Graduate Discusses Experience as NASA Intern If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that life is a chaotic system, where small differences cascade into a variation of outcomes. Recent Prairie State College (PSC) graduate, Emanuel “Manny” Gomez, who spent his summer as an intern at NASA, anecdotally agrees. You see, if Gomez had not left the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) to complete his general education requirements at a community college, he would have never enrolled at PSC. And if he had not enrolled at PSC, he could not have been hanging around “the math nook”—what he calls the cloistered study area tucked in the college’s math department—the day Dr. Natalie McGathey, associate professor of mathematics, invited him to attend the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) panel hosted by the PSC STEM Club. “I was sitting in the nook, and Dr. McGathey walked past in a rush and offhandedly said, ‘Oh Manny, I’m going to this NCAS meeting—why

don’t you come?’ I wanted a break from doing homework anyhow, so I tagged along.” Gomez continued, ”NCAS is the opportunity at PSC that led to me getting an internship with NASA.” According to NASA’s website, NCAS is “an agency-wide STEM engagement activity for community college students to engage in authentic learning experiences with NASA’s diverse people, content and facilities. Funded by the Minority Undergraduate Research and Education Project’s (MUREP) competitive awards, NASA provides financial assistance to minority-serving institutions.” Participation in NCAS meant problem-solving and learning theory, taking weekly quizzes, and exchanging ideas with other students through online forums. Ordinarily, the program would culminate in four days on-site with NASA for select students—but the heavy presence of the novel coronavirus canceled that module. Despite its abbreviation, the program brought

inspiration and opened doors for Gomez. “After NCAS, I applied for the NASA Summer Internship, and I wasn’t really thinking about getting accepted. I just wanted to try,” Gomez said. “I learn best when I don’t care about the results, just that I enjoy what I’m doing.” But Gomez was accepted. At the very end of April, he became a summer intern at NASA. Assigned a mentor, he spent approximately two months learning the National Aeronautics and Space Administration culture—he described it as a family—and participating in high-level meetings on real NASA projects. “We worked on Artemis, the mission to put people on the moon again,” Gomez said. “I was part of the team that decided who gets the 2024 moon contract. It was down to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin, and a company called Dynetics. Being a fly on the wall for meetings while they pitched and seeing

the soft skills at play was amazing. They’re such heavy hitters. It was incredible watching them interact.” Gomez, who plans to work at NASA in the future, says he is thankful to have stumbled into such a fortunate position. “NASA is such a big entity, but working with them this summer, I discovered they’re regular people who sought out opportunities. At NASA and PSC, I learned if you’re consistent in what you want, you’ll get there eventually.” McGathey, who guided Gomez toward the program, said, “NCAS is one of the ways we strive to connect our students with real-world experiences that help them build their futures. It’s an opportunity I encourage any of our STEM students to take advantage of at PSC.” NCAS is funded, in part, by the Minority University Research and Education Program. For more information, visithttp://ncas.aerospacescholars.com/.

COMMENTARY Black Households Earned 61 Cents for Every Dollar of White Median Incomes BY CHARLENE CROWELL Senior Fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending

The August 23 police shooting of an unarmed Black man in Kenosha, WI, triggered yet another round of community protests and national news coverage of a Black man. A series of multiple gunshots fired by a local police officer, were not fatal for 29-year old Jacob Blake; but may have permanently paralyzed him from the waist down. Days later on August 28, the National Action Network served as a major organizer for a Commitment March, rededicating the yet unaddressed dreams of the historic 1963 March on Washington. Assembled again at Washington’s Lincoln Memorial, the day’s speakers spanned nationally-known leaders like Rev. Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King III, and Attorney Ben Crump to the family members of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake and others. The irony is that despite the passage of nearly 60 years between the original march and its 2020 recommitment, many of the issues that have plagued Black America remain the same. Black America and other people of color still cry for justice, equality, and freedom. Yet noticeably, what formerly focused national attention on events in Selma, Montgomery, and Birmingham have now emanated from Ferguson, to Kenosha, Minneapolis, Portland and other locales. Why measurable forward strides in policing, or economic progress have remained elusive after decades of calls for reforms may partly be

explained by the findings of a new policy analysis by the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis. Using U.S. Census Bureau data, Ana Hernandez Kent, a policy analyst with the St. Louis Fed, found that America’s racial poverty gap continues to suppress social and economic justice. Moreover, Wisconsin, not a southern state, claims the dubious distinction of having the largest poverty gap in the nation. Nationally the St. Louis Fed found that in 2018, Black households earned 61 cents for every $1 of White household median income. Further, the Black/White median household income gaps ranged from 87 cents per dollar in Maine and Hawaii, down to 32 cents per dollar in the District of Columbia. The disparity in median translates into 22% of all Black Americans living in poverty, a gap of 13% compared to Whites who are poor. Wisconsin’s gap is 23%. “In noting the socioeconomic indicators of median income, poverty rates and health insurance rates, I found that White people had more favorable outcomes than Black people in every state,” wrote Hernandez Kent. Poverty’s racial disparity extends to other key measures such as median incomes, homeownership and retirement. Even with the enactment of the Fair Housing Act more than 50 years ago, today’s Black homeownership rate is dwindling. According to Ohio State University professor, Trevon Logan, “The homeownership gap between Blacks and whites is higher today in percentage terms than it was in 1900.” Prof. Logan’s position is bolstered by findings from a 2020 report by the

National Association of Realtors, A Snapshot of Race and Homebuying in America that found: l 62% of Black mortgage applicants were rejected because of their debt to income ratio, compared to only 5% of whites; and l 51% of Blacks are first-time homeowners, compared to only 30% of Whites. Moreover, since the Great Recession that heavily hit Black homeowners a decade ago, today’s Black homeownership rate has yet to return to pre-recession levels. With lower and life-long disparities in median income earnings, the ability to prepare for retirement is hindered as well. Social Security figures each worker’s retirement benefit on the basis of a taxpayer’s 35 highest-earning years. With lower incomes and a corresponding lack of monies available for savings or retirement, Black Americans rely on Social Security more than other races and/or ethnicities. Now, for much of Black America, Social Security is a financial lifeline and often the major retirement benefit. In sum, it seems that in 2020, historic ills remain virtually unchanged. A key component of what continues is police violence against Black America. In 1963, escalating racial tensions that worsened with growing numbers of peaceful protests that became violent by counter-protesters and led to multiple arrests, prompted President John F. Kennedy to deliver a nationally televised address on America’s racial reckoning. “One hundred years of delay have passed since President Lincoln www.citizennewspapergroup.com

freed the slaves, yet their heirs, their grandsons, are not fully free”, he continued. “They are not free from the bonds of injustice. They are not yet freed from social and economic oppression. And this Nation, for all its hopes and all its boasts, will not be fully free until all its citizens are free.” Fast forward and it is nearly inconceivable that the current president would deliver such an address. In fact, President Trump and HUD Secretary Ben Carson co-authored a recent op ed in the Wall Street Journal that portrayed mixed income neighborhoods as “social engineering.” The redlining of Black communities, racial covenants, real estate steering and restrictive zoning laws that together perpetuated segregated housing were never acknowledged in the guest column. In response, Nikitra Bailey of the Center for Responsible Lending recently spoke with ABC News saying that the suburbs “intentionally created opportunities for White families while holding back opportunities for families of color…What we are really talking about is opportunity in our nation.” With escalated violence in a growing number of cities occurring just months before an election, everyday citizens and scholars are echoing community and national leaders on the connection between key policies like housing segregation to violent eruptions. Last December, the Journal of the National Medical Association, the professional organization of Black physicians, published an article titled, The Relationship between Racial Residential Segregation and Black-White Disparities in Fatal Police Shootings at the City Level,

2013–2017. The authors concluded that “Racial residential segregation is a significant predictor of the magnitude of the Black-White disparity in fatal police shootings at the city level. Efforts to ameliorate the problem of fatal police violence must move beyond the individual level and consider the interaction between law enforcement officers and the neighborhoods that they police.” Before the thousands gathered this August, Rev. Sharpton also spoke to this same concern. “It’s time we have a conversation with America. We need to have a conversation about your racism, about your bigotry, about your hate, about how you would put your knee on our neck while we cry our lives. We need a new conversation…You act like it’s no trouble to shoot us in the back. You act like it’s no trouble to put a choke hold on us while we scream, ‘I can’t breathe,’ 11 times. You act like it’s no trouble to hold a man down on the ground until you squeeze the life out of him.” “Our vote is dipped in blood,” he continued. “Our vote is dipped in those that went to their grave. We don’t care how long the line, we don’t care what you do, we’re going to vote, not for one candidate or the other, but we going to vote for a nation that’ll stop the George Floyds, that’ll stop the Breonna Taylors.” Let the church say Amen. Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at charlene.crowell@ responsiblelending.org.

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BUSINESS WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR FOUNDING SPONSOR HUGGIES, THE NATIONAL DIAPER BANK NETWORK AND OUR MEMBER PROGRAMS ARE CHANGING LIVES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BY WORKING TO END DIAPER NEED. THEY ALSO NEED IMMEDIATE HELP TO DO WHAT THEY DO. PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THE COVID-19 CRISIS HAS CAUSED AN UNPRECEDENT NUMBER OF FAMILIES TO TURN TO DIAPER BANKS FOR SUPPORT. Joanne Goldblum, CEO of the National Diaper Bank Network

Awareness Week Takes Action To Help End Diaper Need Kimberly-Clark® and its North American Huggies® brand recently asked consumers to join them during National Diaper Need Awareness Week—which was recognized on September 21 - 27, 2020—by taking action to help end diaper need in America. Diaper need is the lack of a enough supply of diapers to help keep a baby or toddler clean, dry, and healthy, and it is a recognized public health issue that impacts the physical, mental, and economic well-being of U.S. children and families. Diaper need can result from poverty, unexpected life hardships, natural disasters, and so much more. Together with the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN), Huggies is helping struggling families secure this basic need of clean, dry diapers for babies and toddlers. Throughout the month of September, Huggies will donate a case of diapers for every specially marked package purchased at Walmart, helping to ensure all babies have access to clean diapers and other basic necessities required for them to thrive and reach their full potential. For every specially marked HUGGIES brand diaper product purchased between 9/1/20 and 9/30/20, HUGGIES will donate a pack to the National Diaper Bank Network, up to five million diapers.

(PRNewsfoto/Kimberly-Clark Corporation) (PRNewsfoto/Kimberly-Clark)

A nationwide study conducted by the NDBN and Huggies helped reveal the facts on diaper need in the U.S.: * One in three U.S. families reported experiencing diaper need. * Nearly three in five families experiencing diaper need reported missing work or school due to lack of access to clean diapers needed for childcare services. * Families reporting diaper need encompass a wide array of ages, racial groups and income levels. Of those in diaper need, 96 percent are under 45 years of age with the majority between 25 to 34 years of age. * Of those in need, two-in-five families said they stretch the use of diapers by keeping a child in the same diaper longer, which can increase a child’s risk for skin irritation and other serious side effects. “Diapers are a basic necessity for every baby and toddler,” said Joanne Goldblum, CEO of the National Diaper Bank Network. “With the support of our founding sponsor Huggies, the

National Diaper Bank Network

National Diaper Bank Network and our member programs are changing lives of children and families by working to end diaper need. They also need immediate help to do what they do. Particularly because the COVID-19 crisis has caused an unprecedent[ed] number of families to turn to diaper banks for support.” With five million children in the U.S. aged three or younger living in poor or low-income families, National Diaper Need Awareness Week aims to draw attention to the issue of diaper need in the U.S. The week was created to provide individuals, organizations, communities, and elected officials the opportunity to engage in real talk and simple actions. “Raising awareness for diaper need is more important than ever before given the COVID-19 crisis,” said Robert Raines, Huggies North America general manager. “Huggies is dedicated to helping parents provide essentials needed to

OF THOSE IN NEED, TWO-IN-FIVE FAMILIES SAID THEY STRETCH THE USE OF DIAPERS BY KEEPING A CHILD IN THE SAME DIAPER LONGER, WHICH CAN INCREASE A CHILD’S RISK FOR SKIN IRRITATION AND OTHER SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS. ensure all babies thrive and get the best care. 2020 will mark our biggest donation year to the NDBN in the brand’s history through our #HelpingHugs campaign, and we look forward to continue to find more ways to help.” The National Diaper Bank Network member diaper banks help families in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. To find a diaper bank near you, please visit the Member Directory at NationalDiaperBankNetwork.org. Follow the National Diaper Bank Network on Twitter (@DiaperNetwork), Instagram (@ DiaperNetwork) and Facebook (facebook.com/ NationalDiaperBankNetwork).

Wells Fargo gives $1 million in scholarships to bridge financial gaps faced by students amidst COVID-19 Students dedicated to making a positive difference in the world offer the greatest hope for the future, but for many, their plans are threatened due to the unexpected financial gap posed by COVID-19 – sometimes prohibiting them from continuing and completing college. Wells Fargo wants to help close that gap by launching the Wells Fargo Student Impact Scholarship. This new initiative will provide 200 students with $5,000 each – funds that could help them cover various costs for their instruction and potentially make the difference in being able to continue their education. Wells Fargo’s commitment will go beyond financial assistance to include an optional mentorship opportunity to provide ongoing guidance for these students. The program, which began accepting applications on Sept. 14, will be administered with longstanding partner APIA Scholars

THESE STUDENTS ARE MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT, BUT ARE FACED WITH A NEGATIVE IMPACT FROM COVID THAT COULD LIMIT THEIR OPTIONS. WE WANT TO HELP THEM REMAIN ON THEIR ACADEMIC PATHS AND CONTINUE CULTIVATING THEIR POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT THOSE AROUND THEM. John Rasmussen Leader of the Student Lending Wells Fargo to students entering college and current college undergraduates for the Spring 2021 semester. The financial aid will be able to help cover costs of education like books, computers, materials to support distance learning, tuition, and housing. A recent survey of leaders at various colleges and universities in July showed that 85 percent of colleges intended to maintain their tuition levels, with another twelve percent saying they would increase them, while another recent study showed that more than half (56%) of college students say they can no longer afford their tuition

costs. These factors combined with the impacts of the pandemic to jobs overall creates a significant and unexpected financial gap for some students in continuing their educational journey. “Despite the incredible disruptions the COVID-19 pandemic has created in their personal and academic lives, students remain some of the key drivers of change. Many are rising to the challenges we are all facing today, and they are working hard to make a difference in their communities,” said John Rasmussen, leader of the Student Lending at Wells Fargo. “These www.citizennewspapergroup.com

students are making a positive impact, but are faced with a negative impact from COVID that could limit their options. We want to help them remain on their academic paths and continue cultivating their potential to benefit those around them.” Expanding Support Through a collaboration with Wells Fargo’s scholarship partners, awardees will also have the opportunity to be matched with mentors from Wells Fargo that will offer practical expertise and guidance as they navigate academic life and their post-graduation

journey. These mentors will provide guidance to better position these students for their futures and continue the positive impact they make in their communities and beyond. “It has been our long-held belief that a post-secondary education can be a valuable tool in building long-term financial health, not just for individuals, but for their communities,” said Mike Weinbach, head of Consumer Lending at Wells Fargo. “The value of this program stems not just from the funds being allocated, but from pairing students with Wells Fargo team members and information that will help them long after they have utilized the direct financial support.” Scholarship applications will be accepted from now until Oct. 2. Those interested in learning more about eligibility can visit wellsfargo. com/impactscholarship. Learn more about how Wells Fargo is responding to COIVD-19.

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Sept. 30, 2020

NEWS Open House Chicago expands to 10 days for its 10th anniversary in fall 2020, highlighting South and West Side neighborhoods The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) recently announced the return of Open House Chicago (OHC) for a 10th consecutive year. Part of the worldwide family of 46 Open House events, inaugurated by Open House London in 1992, Open House Chicago is the second-most widely attended event of its kind. OHC engaged 109,000 individuals in 2019, who made 370,000 total site visits to 352 sites in 39 Chicago neighborhoods, plus the near suburbs of Evanston and Oak Park. In support of public health and with sensitivity to the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CAC has reconfigured OHC for outdoor and online attendance from Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 25. This reimagined OHC framework—designed for individuals, families and small groups that have isolated together—will highlight and promote visitation of specific areas, encouraging foot traffic and participants to patronize local businesses while learning more about the unique histories and stories of these featured areas. More than 20 Chicago neighborhoods and two suburbs will be highlighted during OHC 2020, with an intentional focus on, and engagement with, areas and corridors prioritized by the City of Chicago’s INVEST South/West initiative including Auburn Gresham, Austin, Back of the Yards, Bronzeville, Englewood, Humboldt Park, North Lawndale, Pullman, Roseland and South Shore. Fourteen additional focus areas confirmed to date are Chicago’s Loop, Near North Side and Near West Side plus Beverly, Chinatown, Evanston, Hyde Park, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Oak Park, Pilsen, Rogers Park, Wicker Park and Woodlawn. Visitors to each OHC 2020 area will be supported in their self-guided exploration by free resources available online at openhousechicago.org, as well as through an application for mobile devices compatible with both Android (Google) and iOS (Apple) operating systems. Using these free resources, OHC 2020 attendees will be able to explore and select routes on a variety of themes, learn more about buildings and sites of interest in each neighborhood, browse and register for related OHC online programs and more. CAC walking tours continue throughout the festival, some highlighting OHC neighborhoods.

Austin Town Hall in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers

Building upon the success of more than 50 remotely accessible CAC Live programs offered continuously by the CAC since April 4, 2020, OHC will include a variety of online events aligned with its 2020 neighborhoods and themes. Featuring guest presenters and representatives from numerous Chicago organizations, these online events may include classes, discussions and lectures, music and performance presentations, virtual tours and other offerings designed to bring the expressions, flavors and voices of OHC 2020 neighborhoods into the homes of people across and far beyond Chicago. To further embed OHC 2020 into the neighborhoods it spotlights, the CAC will again engage multiple communitybased organizations for advice and mutual support in communications and engagement, route creation, site selection, the development of program content and more. Chambers of commerce, cultural centers and neighborhood associations confirmed to date include 826CHI, Beverly Area Planning Association, Chicago Cultural Alliance, Chicago’s North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau, Chicago Public Library, Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, Evanston History Center, Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, Logan Square Neighborhood Association, North Lawndale Historical and Cultural Society, Oak Park Art League, Preservation Chicago and The Renaissance Collaborative. Additional community partners will be announced at later dates, as will the complete schedule for OHC 2020 online programs and details Continued on page 8 www.citizennewspapergroup.com

6 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Sept. 30, 2020

NEWS

Top Ways to Take a Safe Vacation StatePoint - After months spent indoors at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s clear that many people are itching to get back out there and take a vacation. This is with good reason. Staying isolated for too long can take a substantial toll on one’s mental health and well-being, according to the American Psychological Association. If you still feel uncomfortable with going far from your home for a travel experience however, traveling domestically can be a step in the right direction. There are lots of great places to visit a few hours’ drive from your home that you probably didn’t think of! Whether you’re looking for a beach stay, or some nature, exploring options close to home can allow for an escape you and your family want, and in a safe environment, such as an apartment or home vacation rental. And it’s an increasingly popular choice. According to trivago,

a global accommodation metasearch provider, the share of users clicking on deals for such vacation rentals increased by 5 percent from February to June 2020, both in the U.S. and internationally. As you book and plan your travel, here are a few tips to consider to help ensure you have a healthy and safe experience: • DIY Cleaning: If you are worried about cleaning standards, consider seeking out accommodations where you don’t have to worry about someone else coming into your space during your stay. Bring your own wipes, anti-bacterial soap and other supplies and wipe down surfaces when you arrive, and as often as needed. Of course, you should always check with your accommodation provider about their hygiene standards to make sure they meet your expectations. Major hotel chains have announced special cleaning

protocols in light of the coronavirus. • Beating the Crowds: From beach houses to mountain cabins, try to look for a vacation experience away from densely populated city destinations, which is a good choice for those wanting to beat the crowds. • Staying Active: Getting away doesn’t have to mean staying indoors somewhere new. Take a leisurely stroll on a beach. Go on a hike in the mountains. Explore a national park you’ve always wanted to see. Brunch at a small local café. There are plenty

of ways to stay active and have fun, all while following social distance guidelines. • Choosing Your Destination: So where is everybody going? The current most popular U.S travel destinations by click share according to trivago are: 1. Las Vegas 2. Myrtle Beach, S.C. 3. Panama City Beach, Fla. 4. Virginia Beach, Va. 5. Destin, Fla. 6. Miami Beach, Fla.

7. Ocean City, Md. 8. Galveston, Texas 9. South Padre Island, Texas 10. Orlando, Fla. 11. Key West, Fla. For more travel tips and ideas, visit trivago.com, and trivago.com/ corona for the most up-to-date travel restrictions. Whether you hit up a popular destination or head somewhere remote, make sure you adhere to local health guidelines when traveling. And above all, stay safe and healthy.

BUILD BACK BETTER

JOBS AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY AGENDA Joe Biden believes we cannot build back better without a major mobilization of effort and resources to advance racial equity across the American economy. Visit joebiden.com/racial-economic-equity to learn more PAID FOR BY BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT

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CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Sept. 30, 2020

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8 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Sept. 30, 2020

NEWS Open House Chicago Continued from page 5 regarding the free OHC app for mobile devices. Advance registration for most free and paid online events will be required, through the OHC mobile app, at architecture.org or openhousechicago.org. Current CAC members will receive exclusive benefits and discounts throughout OHC 2020. Acknowledgments In addition to continued support from Presenting Sponsor Wintrust, Open House Chicago 2020 is made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities through its CARES Act grant program, the National Endowment for the Arts, the TAWANI Foundation and ComEd. About the Chicago Architecture Center The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1966, dedicated to inspiring people to discover why design matters. A national leader in architecture and design education, the CAC offers field-leading tours, programs, exhibitions and more that are part of a dynamic journey of lifelong learning. Opened to the public in 2018, its riverfront location is in the heart of the city, where Michigan Avenue meets the Chicago River, featuring nearly 10,000 square feet of exhibition space filled with super-sized models— and views—of iconic skyscrapers built over the course of more than a century. Exhibitions focus on Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods,

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housing types, leading architects and future projects, and include the largest scale model of the city, with more than 4,250 miniature buildings, interactive touchscreens, and a cinematic backdrop animating key moments in its history. Highly knowledgeable, enthusiastic CAC docents guide visitors and residents through more than 75 walking tours with more than 7,000 annual departures, plus the Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady. Through partnerships with schools and youth-serving organizations, the CAC reaches approximately 30,000 K–12 students annually, while teacher workshops provide educators with tools and resources they need to advance STEM curricula in their classrooms. Committed to increasing access for populations historically under-represented in ACED (architecture, construction, engineering, and design) professions, the CAC offers many of its education programs—and all of its programs for teens—at no cost to participants. CAC programs for adults and members include talks with acclaimed authors and practicing architects, in-depth presentations on issues and trends in urbanism, and classes unlocking a wide range of subjects with connections to the built environment. Proceeds from programs, tours and the CAC Design Store, as well as from grants, sponsorships and donations, support its educational mission. Visit architecture.org to learn more and follow @chiarchitecture and #chiarchitecture on social media.

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Sept. 30, 2020

CITIZEN On The Move

Photos by CREDD

The Black Contractors Owners Executives "Sounds & Soul Festival" At The Country Club Hills Amphitheater

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Kendra Dinkins joined Award Recipient on stage for a photo. Photo by CREDD

Cassandra Matz, Kendra Dinkins, Founding President of BCOE, State Representative Debbie Meyers- Martin.

Photo by Steve Capers

The "Mad Hatter", Shon Harris, President-Owner Live Wire; Mayor Roger Agpawa, Markham, Il; Mayor Sheila chalmers-Currin, Matteson, Il; Commissioner Donna Miller

Photo by CREDD

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Enjoying the concert are Mayor James Ford, Country Club Hills,IL and Mayor Tyrone Ward, Robbins, Il. Pictured to the Left: Shon Harris, Founding President of the BCOE and host of the show Comedienne Damon Williams Photo by Steve Capers

Nothing Like Good Music, Great Weather and Terrific Company On A Saturday Evening. Event goers proved with facial mask and social distancing that they can still have a great time despite a Pandemic. Pictured Left to Right are: Maria Williams; Andre Satchell; Mayor Riley Rodgers Dolton, IL; Keith; Dr. Octavia Altheimer; Marlene McClinton; William "Bill" McClinton; Joseph Woods, Trustee, Park Forest; Joseph Woods, Trustee Richton Park; Julian Alexander. Photo by CREDD

10 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Sept. 30, 2020

ENTERTAINMENT

Haitian Artist BélO Wins Grand Prize in Prestigious 2020 Unsigned Only Music Competition The winners of the US-based Unsigned Only Music Competition were recently announced. For the first time in its history, the Grand Prize is awarded to a World Music artist, BélO, for the song “EDA.” He is also the winner of Fandemonium, Unsigned Only’s online public vote. Established in 2012, Unsigned Only has become known as the leading music competition honoring international artists who are unsigned to a major record label. It has become an important source for discovering new talent and acts as a benchmark for excellence in the arena of contemporary music. Selected from more than 7,000 entries from 109 countries, the winners share in over $160,000 in cash and prizes split among 38 winners. Winners were selected by a judging panel comprised of high-profile industry experts and renowned recording artists, including: Charli XCX; Aimee Mann; Sanctus Real; O.A.R.; Ruthie Foster; Robert Smith (The Cure); David Benoit; Tyler Williams (The Head And The Heart); NLE Choppa; Bibi Marin (Reik); Darryl Worley; Piso 21; Janiva Magness; Tinariwen;

The Devil Makes Three; Buika; and more. Hailed as Haiti’s musical ambassador to the world, BélO is a socially conscious singer/ songwriter whose music reflects the issues and challenges facing his home country. BélO has always been committed to the causes of the less fortunate, the education of children, women’s rights, social solidarity, environmental protection, and peace in Haiti and around the world. His social activism is especially significant during these challenging times and exposes the enormous contradictions and inequalities of our societies. “Haiti has a lot to offer to the rest of the world, and our culture reflects the beauty of its diversity,” said BélO. “When we are united there’s not much that we can’t achieve. As always, I am proud to represent my country and to share my music with the world.” BélO’s sound is a mixture of world, rock, reggae, jazz, and Afro-Haitian traditional rhythms known as “ragganga.” Born in Croixdes-Bouquets, near Port-au-Prince, BélO was

Unsigned Only 2020 Grand Prize Winner - BélO

only 11 years old when he realized he wanted to be a professional musician. For him, it was seemingly his destiny because music was everywhere: in his home, on the streets, and all over Haiti. His first album was released in 2005, and since then he has performed all over the world, garnering accolades and multiple awards, including winning the prestigious “Prix Radio France International Discoveries” award. “BélO’s message is so relevant right now; it speaks to the turbulent and challenging times in which we all live,” said founders/directors Candace Avery and Jim Morgan. “His message of unity and peace resonates now more than ever.” In addition to winning $20,000 in cash (US)

and much more in prizes, BélO will also receive one-on-one mentoring from a group of upperechelon music industry executives from: ARC Music, Because Music, Cumbancha/Putumayo, Naive Records, Montreux Jazz Festival, Omnium Records, RCA, and Summerfest Music Festival. Unsigned Only is sponsored by: CAD Audio; Celebrity Access; Disc Makers; Eventric; Hybrid Studios; Killer Brownies; Lurssen Mastering; Merch Cat; Mojave Audio; Musicians Institute; Ortega Guitars; Symphonic Distribution; and The Music Business Registry. Submissions for the 2021 competition are currently open. Entry information can be found at https://www.unsignedonly.com

Annual REVOLT Summit x AT&T Returns: Programming Empowers Next Generation Of Black Leaders The annual REVOLT Summit x AT&T is back and going entirely virtual and free of cost for a 3-day summit from October 23-25. Leading up to the flagship event, REVOLT and AT&T are premiering a digital content series, ROAD TO SUMMIT - THE WORLD IS YOURS, co-produced by Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor & the Aunties. In response to the pandemic, the virtual event and content series will continue the REVOLT Summit x AT&T tradition of creating viral, cultural moments with the young, Black, and vocal audience at the center of history-making events, instilling the idea that “the world is yours.” The ROAD TO SUMMIT - THE WORLD IS YOURS is an original series that highlights emerging artists, entrepreneurs and creators sharing the trials and triumphs of chasing success. Offerings include digital episodes on important narratives surrounding Hip Hop and the current cultural climate. ROAD TO SUMMIT episodes are available to stream at no cost on the REVOLT Summit app and

will be released weekly, leading to the 3-day summit in October. This accompanies the return of one-onone mentoring with AT&T’s Office Hours sessions and all new Executive Chats, virtual group conversations with leading industry executives, including Ghazi Shami, CEO and Founder of EMPIRE. “The goal of the REVOLT SUMMIT is to empower and inspire the next generation of leaders,” said REVOLT Chairman Sean Combs. “Last year, we had huge success in Atlanta and Los Angeles, and this year we are opening up the REVOLT SUMMIT to the world. This is a pivotal moment in history and we are bringing together the best minds in entertainment, political activism and business to share their experiences, educate and motivate our community.” “As we face a critical moment in our history, it’s more important than ever that we create an experience anchored in empowering the next generation of cultural leaders and elevating the Black community globally,” said Detavio Samuels, REVOLT Media & TV COO. “AT&T is thrilled to be back with

REVOLT this year for the first-ever virtual Summit. We recognize the value of Black-owned businesses and continue to put resources towards initiatives that focus on fostering economic growth and innovations within the communities we serve,” said Corey Anthony, chief diversity officer, AT&T. “Now more than ever before, it’s imperative for communities of color to bring our voices together and lead our future generations to success.” Empowering and Energetic Programming Designed to bring the uplifting spirit and energy of past REVOLT Summits to life in a virtual format, each Summit day, along with inapp content, will provide valuable engagement and connectivity for attendees through the following: l Notable Hosts, Culture Curators, www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Masterclasses and Interactive Workshops: Culturally relevant and renowned talent will introduce upcoming segments, participate in one-on-one conversations, and provide hands-on group demos with a focus on sharing tactics & tips. l AT&T Office Hours: The Summit will provide direct access to some of the most successful and inspiring leaders of our time with AT&T Office Hours. This offering is back by popular demand and will offer 10-minute one-on-one mentoring sessions that Summit attendees can sign up for at no cost with top leaders of today. Interested attendees can register via the REVOLT Summit app. l Be Heard: Virtual music competition hosted by a panel of notable celebrity and industry judges, to be announced. Coming soon, interested participants can submit a 3-minute audition video. Selected finalists will compete in front of a virtual panel of judges and live virtual audience during the October summit. For more information on the REVOLT Summit x AT&T visit www. revoltsummit.com. Join and follow the social

conversation on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and via #REVOLTSummitxATT and #DreamInBlack. ABOUT REVOLT MEDIA & TV REVOLT is the voice of the culture across platforms, engaging Millennial and Gen Z audiences, on REVOLT. tv, across social, TV and live events, through original and live content. Attracting over 50 million young people, REVOLT is accessible 24/7 on digital, TV and on demand. Founded by Sean “Diddy” Combs, REVOLT launched in broadcast in October 2013 and is available on DIRECTV, AT&T U-verse TV, Charter Spectrum, Comcast Xfinity, Verizon FiOS, CenturyLink, Altice/Suddenlink, Frontier Communications, Comporium and Cincinnati Bell, Atlantic Broadband, Hotwire, as well as OTT platforms DIRECTV Now, Sling TV, Fubo TV and Philo TV. REVOLT is also available internationally in the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Barbados, Nevis, Anguilla, Monserrat, Bermuda, Aruba, St. Maarten’s, Trinidad and the U.S.V.I. Check local listings at https:// revolt.tv/listings.

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Sept. 30, 2020

CLASSIFIEDS SERVICE

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Back to school in the new normal: What teachers need most this fall Darrell Garth

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(BPT) - Heading back to school during the COVID-19 pandemic means most of our nation’s teachers are facing unprecedented challenges this year. Some teachers are implementing new rules, procedures and classroom configurations to limit the spread of the illness. Others are creating entirely new online curricula for students who will be learning from home. Many teachers are tasked with doing both at the same time, often without additional financial resources to make it all happen.

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“I feel like waiting for answers is the hardest part,” notes Rosemarie, a teacher who responded to the DonorsChoose survey. “It is a wait-andsee with the health and safety of students, families and staff members always in the forefront.”

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A recent survey of 1,000 U.S. teachers by the education nonprofit DonorsChoose found that 42% of teachers are planning to teach in a hybrid format this fall, with students undergoing a combination of online learning and inperson learning. Thirty-five percent will teach entirely remotely, while 8% will teach in person and 14% were unsure at survey time. Eighty-six percent of teachers report feeling uncertain, anxious and overwhelmed as they prepare for the coming school year, and 81% expect that their schools will be forced to go online only at some point this school year.

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Of those teachers who expect to return to the classroom, 79% say they need cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep their students healthy and safe. In fact, DonorsChoose - which allows teachers to create requests for school resources that the public can help fund - saw a surge over the summer in teacher requests for hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, and air filters. Teachers have also been quick to request basic supplies like glue, scissors, crayons, and pencils, since 72% of teachers report their schools are no longer allowing students to share materials. Teachers online: Instructional technology Many teachers began teaching online at the end of last school year. As school starts this fall, 52% of teachers report feeling more prepared to teach online than they did last spring, but there are still a number of challenges. The hardest part of teaching online, teachers report,

is keeping students engaged. To do so, their greatest need is for instructional technology: laptops, tablets, document cameras, and other technology to help them do demonstrations and keep their students interested in the content. Fifty-

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SOUTH SUBURBAN three percent of teachers also report a greater need for technology for their students, so they can follow along at home. All teachers: Professional development Even for teachers who have been teaching for years, this school year will likely feel like the first year of teaching all over again. The lessons they’ve built and refined over years of experience will have to be recreated to work for online or socially distanced learning. In the DonorsChoose survey, 41% of teachers say the professional development they need most is for online instruction techniques; 20% are interested in learning more about online tools and technology to help them become stronger at remote teaching. All of these resource needs can add up quickly for teachers as the school year begins. “There will be a much greater need for classroom supplies as teachers have to change many things in their classrooms to keep materials, belongings and children separated,” says Gwendolyn, a teacher who responded to the DonorsChoose survey. “This expense will fall on the teachers.” Since July, thousands of people have helped fund more than 70,000 teacher requests on DonorsChoose to help teachers start their year strong whether they’re teaching at home or in the classroom. Still, there are nearly 50,000 teacher requests awaiting support. To find a teacher request to support, visit www.donorschoose.org.

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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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12 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Sept. 30, 2020

A WORKFORCE OF GOOD

T: 13 in

A city is only as strong as its neighborhoods. And now, more than ever, it is important to support the people who make them up. That’s why ComEd oﬀers training opportunities that give Chicagoans access to good-paying jobs, both at ComEd and beyond. Because better careers mean better communities. Learn more at ComEd.com/Training

Communities that work