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March 13—24, 2014
Chicago Street Journal
Rev. Charles Koen, one of the nation’s leading civil rights leaders and a human rights icon, most known for his efforts to issues in Cairo, IL, during the 1960s from the historical segregation as imposed by law, discrimination and violence. Koen was persecuted and was sentenced by the State of Illinois on August 25, 2011 to 12 years in prison for crimes related to his work. Koen is in poor health and is working to appeal what many say an unjust conviction and needs moral and financial support. Supporters are working to raise funds for his appeal, which includes renowned Civil Rights Counsel, Attorney Standish Willis and U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis. Other Supporters & Speakers Include: Dr. Webb Evans, Chuck Harris, Zaki Baruti, Jeff Baker, Josephine Wade ,Linda Mallory, Father George Clements, Bruce Crosby, Attorney Williams Jackson, Ezra McCann, Donald Muhammad, Bishop Jackson, and many more.
IDES Recovers $44 Million from Unemployment Cheats. In 2012, more than $44 million was recovered from 20,000 people who wrongfully collected unemployment insurance, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) said Federal tax returns were confiscated from those who refused IDES’ offer of a repayment plan. So far this year, IDES has asked the Internal Revenue Service to seize an additional $226 million from 71,000 people who either purposefully defrauded the IDES or should have known they were not entitled to the temporary benefits. “Not only are we criminally prosecuting benefit fraud, this shows we are fighting to claw back the money,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “Every dollar we get back means businesses will pay less in taxes so they can use that money to hire more employees and help grow our economy.” This is the second year that IDES can garnish federal tax returns following reforms enacted in 2011. The initiatives to fight fraud, increase tax fairness and reduce costs for businesses are part of Gov. Pat Quinn’s plan to improve the state’s climate for job creation and strengthen the Illinois economy. Protecting the integrity of the Trust Fund is paramount. Money that pays for unemployment insurance benefits comes from a business payroll tax. The Trust Fund’s balance is among the factors considered when determining the payroll tax amount. The lower the Fund balance, the higher the payroll tax. Unemployment insurance’s temporary dollars most often pay for essentials at the neighborhood grocery, gas station and clothing store, thereby supporting the local economy. Every $1 in unemployment insurance benefits generates about $1.63 in economic activity.
Potential boycott of Schaumburg after village official brags about their murder rate; National Block Club University (NBCU) reached out to the people of Schaumburg and Elgin seeking widespread help for the anti-violence efforts. A media contact from Schaumburg forwarded the request to the Village of Schaumburg’s Information Officer, responded to the fact that Schaumburg boast having only three murders in seven years and issued a deadline of one week to remove the title Schaumburg off of NBCU’s website. Totally shocked at the level of insensitivity, the founder of National Block Club University, Syron Smith, responded with a letter to the six trustees and the village president asking for an apology for the lack of concern to a fellow American. With no response from the administration. NBCU will focus on a petition drive from 20 neighborhoods in Chicago to possibly boycott spending in the Village. NBCU is an Illinois not for profit since 2003 designed to combat violence across 167 America’s most dangerous neighborhoods. Additional information Syron Smith 312 4058844 or email at syronsmith@yahoo.com.
Unity Hall Saved from Wrecking Ball Bronzeville- In 2012, Unity Hall located at 3138-40 South Indiana was on Preservation Chicago's Most Endangered Buildings list. This building is a Chicago Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and over the years was threatened with demolition by neglect. Unity Hall is one of eight buildings and a monument that compose the National Register's Black Metropolis Historic District in Bronzeville. Built in 1887 as a Jewish social club, Unity Hall later became the home of The People's Movement, a black political organization headed by Oscar S. DePriest, Chicago's first Black Alderman and the nation's first Black Congressman from a northern state. In later years, the building was also used for public gatherings before being converted into the Moorish Science Temple of America and more recently into a church. The building, with its noble Queen Anne exterior, has sat vacant for the past few years and was the well known home for a family of raccoons. Thanks was given to Tom Boney, a resident of the 3rd Ward and local developer, with the active support of Alderman Dowell, Unity Hall will not face the wrecking ball. After weeks of negotiation and public presentations, the building was rezoned on March 5, 2014 by the City Council from RS-3 to RM-6 to allow for the rehabilitation of the building to include 21 units of market-rate student housing. The historic legacy of Unity Hall will be preserved in the common areas throughout the building. Alderman Dowell thanks the Gap Community Organization and the Michigan Indiana Condominium Association for their input and suggestions. Construction will begin in March and will be complete by August 2014.
Black Firefighter's Museum,
Washington Park-The City Council approved an ordinance that leases the vacant firehouse located at 5349 S. Wabash Avenue on a $1, 10 year lease to Morris Davis, retired firefighter and founder of the museum. Earza
McCain, who has lead many of the fights for African American firefighters said the museum will honor black firefighters and their many contributions and inventions towards firefighting and is set to open next year. (Continued on page 9)
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An MSNBC host apologize to Mitt Romney's family after she and guests on her show joked about a Christmas picture that showed the Republican presidential candidate's adopted, AfricanAmerican grandson.. Comedian Dean Obeidallah, said it 'sums up the diversity of the Republican party.' However, Sammy is living out being the adopted son of Romney family with skin lighting and blue eyes. On the Chicago’s Black Business Network Radio Blog, produced by Sonja Perdue, The “Rock” Charles Dutton said hold him accountable to making a movie on the late great Mayor Harold Washington which he say he can play the part well and with the weight he has gained, In addition Jeffery Dawkins of the South Suburbs Black Wall Street want to follow-up with Dutton saying he would want to produce a movie on the Black Wall Street of Tulsa Oklahoma. John Porter not the director of the Bronzeville Visitor and Tourism Center on 35th Street. Hmmmm.
Amara Enyia, 30, a municipal consultant and community organizer, is planning to run against the 55th mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel in February 2015. In and out of Chicago is Bill ‘Dock” Walls, 54, is questioned if will he have to address the same challenge of where he live as the present mayor did. Even more south suburban, former Alderman and County Commission Robert Shaw, 78, who now lives in the Hyde Park area, is running for the 5th floor office as well. Then there is Frederick Collins, 40 something, a Chicago Police officer from the Westside is campaigning for the office as well….PPP surveyed 557 Illinois voters; Thirty-six of those surveyed had a favorable opinion of Emanuel, with 46 percent unfavorable and 19 percent unsure. Numbers like that gives Emanuel a second term if three candidates are in the race. Who is the spoiler or part to run……...However, Jimmy Tillman (2nd congressional candidate, son of Dorothy Tillman) will advocate for Chicago to have a two party municipal election in which he says to end the one party rule that has caused disenfranchisement, disengagement, and distrust of the Chicago election process. League of Women Voters of Chicago, Jodi Biancalana, Bruce Crosby, Will Crosby, Stephanie Crowell) Ignazia Angela Daidone, Jim Ignatowski) Gearld A. Judge, Amelia Kabat,Ernie) Luasik,Keith McDoanld, Robert McKay) ) No. 13-cv-2455 Lynn Seermon, Patricia Swindle and ) Alonso Zara Goza)P LAINTIFFS, ) JURY DEMANDED V. ) CITY OF CHICAGO, a municipal corporation, ) the defendant, the City of Chicago, is acting under color of law to deny plaintiffs their right to vote. Is a "thanks” in order from Union Team Members and Prairie Material for RTW Veteran Center on 55th and King Drive. On January 31, 2014, RTW reported a check of approximately $5,000 was collected on their behalf. However the checks) are still flooding around. RTW Veteran Center, understanding was that a check would possibly be ready on Tuesday, February 04, 2014 that was being prepared by Prairie Material. However, no check as of this date. The Name of the late Richard Pegue was Officially Placed Into Nomination Into The Radio Hall Of Fame but will he get into the Radio Hall of Fame'