November 7 - 13, 2022

Our Vendors Deserve a Raise!

Vendors will now earn $1.85 per issue for every magazine sold.

Why now?

StreetWise has not increased the price of our magazine to the vendors or customers since 2008! It was only the second increase in the 30-year his tory of StreetWise.

Our vendors deserve more money in their pockets to offset the rising costs of food, transportation and housing.

Selling StreetWise is a Job

Selling StreetWise isn’t begging, and it isn’t asking for charity. It’s a job. Our vendors are self-employed microentrepreneurs who build relationships and create connections between and across communities that change perceptions about homeless and lowincome individuals.

We talked with our vendors and received feedback from some of our customers and supporters. We have nearly unanimous support for the price increase.

The price increase, by expanding one of the most reliable income sources we have, will give StreetWise vendors an income they need to thrive, and not just survive.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Compiled by Sarah Linde

Dancing for Hispanic Heritage!

Ballet 5:8 Presents ‘Ver la Música, Oír la Danza’

Ballet 5:8 presents a free performance of “Ver la Música, Oír la Danza” at the National Museum of Mexican Art on Sat urday, November 12, at 1 and 3 p.m. to continue celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month and give back to the community. The program features high-spirited and vibrant original ballets including “Día de los Vivos,” “Mi Familia” and other works that directly amplify Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager’s voice as a groundbreaking Latina cho reographer. “Mi Familia” is drawn from the choreographer’s own personal experiences growing up in a multi-racial family and celebrates the beauty of family and relationships that can be experienced by all people, transcending racial and cultural differences. The work has a fun-filled flavor, utilizing traditional Mexican folklorico movements to create a lively, relatable picture that is sure to have audiences dancing along. Tickets must be reserved in advance at ballet58.ticketleap.com/nmma/

Genre-defying!

Steep Theatre Presents ‘Our Dear Dead Drug Lord’

Join Steep (1115 W. Berwyn Ave.), the quintessential storefront theatre, for a magical, genre-bending play that is sure to leave the audi ence in awe. Whether you are an avid theatergoer, or seeking a fun, new experience, “Our Dear Dead Drug Lord” is a play you don’t want to miss! In an abandoned treehouse, four teenage girls armed with a Ouija board call to order a meeting of the Dead Leaders Club to summon the ghost of Pablo Escobar, but navigating adolescence may be more perilous than communing with the dead. This performance continues on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. until December 10. Tickets are $30 and can be bought at steeptheatre.com/our-dear-dead-drug-lord

Free Short Films!

Shortcut 100 International Film Festival The Shortcut 100 International Film Festival is an annual showcase dedicated to promoting the best in independent short film from emerging filmmakers. In the equivalent time of an average feature film (around 100 minutes), audiences have access to up-and-coming voices in inde pendent cinema from around the world. The "short and sweet" three-hour program also fea tures an opening reception, awards chosen by the audience and an after-party with filmmak ers. The 9th annual event, by Chicago-based Nebula Creatives L3C, will be at 5 p.m. Friday, November 11 at the Claudia Cassidy Theater of the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. The virtual viewing will be on Pixquid.com The event is FREE. More information is available at www.choosechicago.com/event/shortcut-100-international-film-festival/

Leaving A Legacy!

‘Riveting’

Wanderers Theatre Company presents its debut production of “Riveting'' by Maria Welser, at the Greenhouse Theater Center (2257 N. Lincoln Ave.) at 7:30 p.m. November 11-13. As we face increasing pressure to leave a legacy, “Rivet ing” is more relevant than ever. In the play, Anna examines the roadmap of her life, realizing she may not want to fol low such a predictable path. As a museum archivist, she reflects on the historical women she’s studied, and laments that her own legacy will be forgotten. In a twist of fate, a ghostly figure from her research comes to her with a proposi tion: to trade her life for one that will live on forever. Directed by Maria Welser, this production explores the complexity of relationships and their intersection with self-discovery, while also confronting historical immorality, honoring female heroism, and finding meaning in ordinary things. $16 at greenhousetheater.org

Chicago Institutions Collaborate!

CSO & The Joffrey Ballet

Dancers from Chicago’s world-renowned Joffrey Ballet invigorate the Symphony Center stage (220 S. Michigan Ave.) with two newly commissioned choreographies set to “Siegfried Idyll,” Wagner’s glowing birthday gift to his wife, and Rameau’s vivid ballet, composed for a royal wedding at the Palace of Versailles. Ravel evokes Baroque dance in “Le tombeau de Couperin,” with each movement becoming a touching tribute to friends who died in World War I. The program opens with the beguiling elegance of Mozart’s “Symphony No. 34.” The event runs No vember 10, 11, and 12 and begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Stephen Alltop will lead a free, 30-minute conversation in Orchestra Hall 75 minutes beforehand. Tickets start at $49 at cso.org

Lunchtime Concert!

Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts | Danae Doerken, Piano

Classical Music Chicago (formerly the International Music Foundation) presents the Dame Myra Hess Me morial Concerts. The free weekly concert series features extraordinary music by artists who are early in their careers. Enjoy classical concerts in-person at the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago, located at 55 E. Wacker. Face masks are optional. You may also view from the comfort of your own home. Join CMC in person or online at 12:15 p.m. November 9 for pianist Danae Doerken in music by Fazil Say, Claude Debussy, Manos Hatzidakis and Felix Mendelssohn. Concerts can be viewed from classicalmusic chicago.org and 98.7 WFMT.

Honoring Our Veterans!

Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony

The City of Chicago presents a ceremony honoring those who served, in times of war as well as peacetime, Friday, November 11 at Soldier Field, Gate O, 1410 S. Special Olympics Drive. Business attire or service dress uniform are expected for those who choose to attend. Doors open at 10 a.m. and the ceremony begins at 11 a.m. This free event is hosted by the Depart ment of Cultural Affairs, and more information can be found at www.chicago.gov/city/en/ depts/dca/supp_info/veterans_day_.html

In Tune With Nature!

Teen Nature Days

Teen Nature Days provide opportunities for teens to help our planet by taking action for animals and the environment in their local communities. Teens will get to explore local beaches, waterways and forest preserves while helping to restore and protect them and meeting new friends! Programs include removing invasive species from a local forest preserve and observing ecosystems in Chi cagoland. All programs meet at Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, and provide transportation to local worksites. FREE! Saturday, November 12 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Visit www. sheddaquarium.org/teen-nature-days for tickets and more information.

Poetry for All!

Open Door: Arnold Kemp, AJ McClenon, Ayanah Moor, and isra rene

Join The Poetry Foundation for an in-person reading with Arnold Kemp, AJ McClenon, Ayanah Moor, and isra rene (pictured). This is a hybrid event, which will also be offered via livestream. All four artists have deep ties and connections to Chicago, because they grew up in the area, or because they live here now. This free event willl be at 7 p.m. November 10 at The Poetry Foundation, 61 W. Superior St. More information can be found at poetryfoundation.org/events

Libations for All!

Koval ASL Tour with Chicago Hearing Society

Join Koval Distillery, 4241 N. Ravenswood Ave., as it partners with the Chicago Hearing Society for a distillery tour accessible to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. This tour will feature a deep dive into Koval’s history, a look at its grain-to-bottle process, will explain its heart-cut distillation method. Of course, there will be a tasting of some of its most popular products. The tour will feature ASL interpretation provided by the Chicago Hearing Society as well as printed information packets for guests to peruse at their leisure. November 11 and 12 at 6 p.m., $12 at www.koval-distillery.com

Patrick: We’ve touched a little bit on the NBA recently, but let’s focus specifically on the Bulls. Whether they improved from last year, what they’re looking like in this early part of the season, how y’all expect them to be, and, most impor tantly, how far can they go this season? Russ, you look like you’re ready to go, so hit us.

Russ: Hello, all. So, to start, I had high hopes for the Bulls this season; unfortunately, Zach Levine didn’t play the first two games. I mean, look, I get that he has knee issues— I do, because that was a serious injury he had—but, come on, man, he gets a max contract—

Donald: Over $200 million for 5 years…

John: $215.2 million, to be ex act.

Russ: A lot of friggin’ money, is all I know. I wasn’t too keen on giving him the max as it was, even though he’s very good. However, I’m now really hav ing doubts.

Patrick: I’m kinda there, too,

Russ. I like Zach a lot. The man’s a beast when he’s on; unfortunately, I feel he’s so not a beast when he’s not on that it gets to me. Fortunately for us last season, we had DeMar DeRozan who could hold up anybody the way he’s been hooping—DeMar’s, simply, a beast all the time. But, trying not to compare the two, con sidering DeMar is a perennial All-Star who has played with the battle-tested San Anto nio Spurs under Coach Gregg Popovich, so he’s already there.

Donald: No, good point, Pat. It may just take Zach a couple more years before he’s some body. At the moment, with or without him, I can’t take the Bulls that seriously as a cham pionship contender—not yet.

Patrick: What do you think we need?

Donald: A center. A true one. A Patrick Ewing type. Some body like the guy over there

in Atlanta. I can’t think of his name.

John: John Collins? Yeah, he and Clint Capela are somewhat splitting that position, although Clint has the official title.

Donald: I just want a center with a heart, a good bit of tal ent, someone who's big.

John: The Bulls’ll have their moments. However, without Lonzo Ball, and Andre Drum mond as their main rebounder, it’ll be tough to repeat the semisuccess of last season. They still have a good 1-2 punch in De Mar and Zach, with Nikola Vučevi in the middle. How ever, the rest are average, in cluding Barack Obama’s buddy Ayo Dosunmu.

Patrick: I feel the Bulls could make a lil’ bit of noise. I feel we’re not great, but DeMar is so good that I, almost, feel the same way I felt about Kobe ev ery time he shot: that it would

drop. Except, in DeMar’s case, he drops them at a higher rate—just less in quantity.

Russ: Hilarious. You just can’t let that man be. RIP, Kobe!

Donald: You ain’t no good, Russell.

Russ: Let the man rest already! All right, so my seeds go like this: 1. Milwaukee Bucks, 2. Boston Celtics, 3. Miami Heat, 4. Chicago Bulls, 5. Philadel phia 76’ers, 6. Cleveland Cava liers, 7. Toronto Raptors, 8. Atlanta Hawks.

Patrick: I can rock with that.

Donald: Me, too. Not so sure the Bulls will climb that high, but it is possible.

John: I’d move the Bulls down to the 7th spot, let the board shift—then stick it.

Any comments or suggestions? Email pedwards@streetwise.org

Rashanah Baldwin

Vendors Russell Adams, John Hagan and Donald Morris chat about the world of sports with Executive Assistant Patrick Edwards.

Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast cancer can affect all women. However, deaths due to breast cancer have decreased in recent years as awareness has grown. It is important to detect cancer early.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. It is also the leading cause of death due to cancer in women around the world. Breast cancer is common in Latinx and Black communities. Latinx women may have risk factors for developing breast cancer based on race and genetics. Breast cancer can be identified in early or advanced stages. Un fortunately, Latinx women may be 30 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than non-Latinx women.

Factors that affect one’s risk of getting breast cancer include:

• Genetics

• Lifestyle

• Access to healthcare

• Living conditions and social practices

• Age

• Medical History

Genetics

It is important to understand how certain genes can increase one’s risk for breast cancer. However, Latinx populations may be less likely to get screenings for genetic defects compared to other populations worldwide. Carriers of cancer-related genes may also pass on risks to their children. If you want to know more about genetic testing, check with your doctor.

Prevention

Eating right can help lower your risk of breast cancer. It is recom mended that you eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid high amounts of red meat and alcohol. This type of diet may help lower your risk of breast cancer. Eating the wrong foods or gaining too much weight may raise your risk of breast cancer. The risk may also increase after menopause.

Get mammograms regularly. This can help detect cancer in its early stages. Waiting too long to follow up on your screening results may lead to a delay in care. Early detection and treatment are key to a more positive outcome.

Breast Self-Exam

Be aware of how your breasts normally look and feel. Report any changes to your provider right away. If you are in a high-risk population, talk to your doctor about the best options for you.

How to do a breast self-exam https://www.breastcancer.org/screening-testing/breast-selfexam-bse

It may be confusing as to when to get your mammogram. Rec ommendations may change from one medical organization to another. It is important to talk with your provider about breast cancer screening. For more information, visit: https://www.cdc. gov/cancer/breast/pdf/breast-cancer-screening-guidelines-508. pdf

Reference: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/what-is-brca https://www.bcrf.org/blog/hispanic-latina-breast-cancer-facts-statistics/

Dr. Marina Claudio is a board-certified family physician who has been in practice since 2003. She is currently a Medical Director at Molina Health care of Illinois/Wisconsin. She's a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago and completed her residency in Family Medicine at the UIC/Advocate Illinois Masonic Family Medicine Resi dency Program.

by Dr. Marina Claudio

THISPAGE:

by Sarah Linde | intro by Kathleen Hinkel

The past 2 years have been a challenging time for all of us, especially musical artists who have not been able to perform in front of live audi ences. For many artists, COVID has been a time to reflect on the state of the world and create art accordingly. Multiple artists in this guide have created fresh work in the pandemic, and this year will be their first time on the road to test out new material developed while on lockdown. Chicago has no shortage of impres sive bands that come through town as a stopping point on their tour, and there is also a long list of beloved local venues where we can wander out and catch music any night of the week. Here are a few suggestions of shows to check out this winter.

Alt-J

BethOrton

Orton Smallpools

November 10

BETH ORTON

Irish American Heritage Center |

7:30 pm | $40 4626 N. Knox Ave. English singer and songwriter Beth Orton has announced her first US headlining tour in over five years. Orton is known for her “folktronica” music, creating a unique blend of both folk and electronica. Her newest single, "Friday Night," from her upcoming album Weather Alive, was just released this September. Come support her as she performs in the Mayfair Theatre inside the Irish American Heritage Center.

November 11

Cody Johnson

NOW Arena | 7 pm | $44+

5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy, Hoffman Estates

Known for his explosive live shows and electrifying stage presence, Cody Johnson will be stopping in Chicago land with special guest Randy Houser.

Johnson is a country singer who has self-released six albums, including country album chart topper Gotta Be Me, as well as two additional albums released under major labels. His new est album, Human: The Double Album, was released just last Fall, and featured hit songs such as “'Til You Can’t,” which reached #18 on the Hot 100, and #1 on Billboard's Country chart. He has also collaborated with fellow artists such as Reba McEntire and of course, in his upcoming concert,

November 15

Smallpools

House of Blues | 6:30 pm | $25+ 329 N. Dearborn St. Smallpools is an indie pop band featur ing vocalist/keyboardist Sean Scanlon, guitarist Mike Kamerman, and drum mer Beau Kuther. The band had its debut single “Dreaming” chart number one on the popular music blog The Hype Machine, and number 23 on Bill board’s alternative songs chart when it released in 2013. With its newest album Life is a Simulation released just last year, this band has a lot of fantas tic new music to discover.

November 15

AFI (A Fire Inside)

The Riviera Theater | 7 pm | $41+ 4746 N. Racine Ave. Award-winning rock veterans AFI (A Fire Inside) will perform live as a part of their Bodies tour. Bodies, their latest album, was released June 2021 and is finally coming to the stage. The band is currently composed of four members: Davey Havok, Adam Carson, Hunter Burgan and Jade Puget, who are ready to rock your world with their new

Passion and Warfare, Steve Vai has been nominated for a Grammy 15 times, and has won thrice! From the '80s to today, Vai continues to rock our worlds. See the artist who was voted one of the top 10 greatest guitarists in Guitar World Magazine on tour to celebrate his newest album.

November 18

The Garden

Metro Chicago | 7 pm | Resale only 3730 N. Clark St.

Started by Wyatt and Fletcher Shears, experimental rock band The Garden has been touring since 2012 and has played all over the world including in the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, Mex ico, Canada and the United States. The band describes its music as “Vada Vada,” a term they created in back in 2011 that represents total freedom of expression without guidelines. Tickets for their Chicago show are sold out, but available for

SteveVai

Copernicus Center

Grammy-winning guitarist Steve Vai will perform as a part of his Invio late tour. After being resched uled from earlier this year, he will finally be coming to Chicago to show off his skills as a guitarist, composer, and songwriter.

Best known for his album

November 18 Streetlight Manifesto

| 8 pm | $45+

640 W. Cermak Rd.

Streetlight Manifesto is a ska punk band that will be perform ing as a part of its The Calm Before the Chaos tour. Many of the band’s members are well known for their roles in the third wave ska community and previous ska bands. If you are a fan of ska music, or know someone who is, check out this awesome group this month.

November 19

Bad Omens

Concord Music Hall | 5:30 pm | $25

2051 N. Milwaukee Ave. Formed in 2015, metalcore band Bad Omens has released three albums in the past seven years, including their newest album The Death of Peace of Mind, which was released just this year. Their song “Like a Villian” hit number 10 on the Mainstream Rock Billboard chart shortly after the album released.

StreetlightManifesto

Beabadoobee

Along with Bad Omens, Concord Music Hall will also be hosting bands Day seeker, Make Them Suf fer, and Thousand Below.

November 26

Amon Amarth

Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom | $57+

1106 W. Lawrence Ave. Nordic metal warriors Amon Amarth are coming to Chicago for their brand new The Great Heathen Army Tour, joined by special guests Carcass, Obituary and Cattle Decapitation. Amon Amarth is a Swedish melodic death metal band that formed in the early 90s, with lyrics that pull from Viking history and mythol ogy. Their tour namesake album The Great Heathen Army, was released just this August. With a unique sound fol lowing an epic history, any fans of rock or death metal should give this spin on the genre a listen.

November 29 Beabadoobee

The Riveria Theater | 7:30 pm | $43+ 4746 N. Racine Ave. As November draws to a close, FilipinoBritish singer Beabadoobee will be coming to The Riveria Theater for her Beatopia tour. With five EPs under an independent label and what is now two studio albums under her belt, Beaba dobee is still a fresh face in the music scene, but one that is quickly gaining fame as she was nominated for the Ris ing Star Award at the 2020 Brit Awards.

Foals

The Vic Theatre | 7:30 pm | $35+ 3145 N. Sheffield

British indie rock band Foals has released seven albums throughout their career, with their most recent - Life is Yours - just this year. The band has been touring internationally for over a decade and has won several awards, including best live performance at the UK’s 2013 Q Awards. After having their tour postponed due to COVID lock downs, the band is finally continuing on with their newest international tour.

December 3

Rainbow Kitten Surprise

Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom |

7:30 pm | $46 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is an alterna tive rock indie band from North Caro lina, best known for unique harmonies, instrumentation, and lyrics that form a perfect surprise storm. While their latest album, How to: Friend, Love, Freefall, came out in 2018, the band has since released a few singles, including one that came out just this past April.

December 6 Pond

Metro Chicago | 8 pm | $25 3730 N. Clark St.

A psychedelic rock band that originally formed in 2008, Pond has managed to produce nine studio albums in their time as a group. Their newest album, aptly named 9 was released just last year. Pond has been nominated for several awards over the years, includ

RainbowKittenSurprise

December 7

Yung Lean

Concord Music Hall

8 pm | $100+

2051 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Swedish rapper, singer and song writer Yung Lean is commonly cited as one of the most influential figures in the early cloud rap era after his song “Ginseng Strip 2002” went viral on YouTube in 2013. Yung Lean’s newest album, Starz, was released in 2020, and his newest mixtape Stardust, was released just this year.

December 7

The Soft Moon Metro Chicago | 9 pm | $25

3730 N. Clark St.

Post-punk/industrial rock artist The Soft Moon has released five albums thus far, with their newest album Exister just this past September. The Soft Moon believes in a full sensory experience when it comes to music, and so their live performances often will integrate visual elements, such as light shows, while they play.

December 9

Mclusky

Metro Chicago | 9 pm | $25

3730 N. Clark St.

First forming in the 1990s under the name Best, this post-hardcore trio first began to release their music in the early 2000s before disbanding in 2004. Now they’re back and on tour! With their raw vocals and intense lyr ics, their music may not be for the faint of heart, but it sure packs a punch for those who can handle it. Listen to this band’s 20th anniversary album,

December 10

Giant Rooks

House of Blues

6 pm | $35+ 329 N. Dearborn St.

German indie band Giant Rooks formed in 2014, and is comprised of five members: Frederik Rabe, Finn Schwieters, Finn Thomas, Jonathan Wischniowski, and Luca Göttner. The group has since released three EPs and an album since their formation, with the song “Wild Stare” from the EP of the same name hitting the top 20 radio hits chart in 2019.

December 11 MAX

House of Blues | 5:30 pm | $27+ 329 N. Dearborn St. American singer, songwriter, and model MAX is best known for his song “Lights Down Low,” which went double platinum in the US, platinum in Canada, and Gold in Australia in 2018.

MAX was nominated for iHeart Radio’s ‘Best new pop artist’ in 2018 follow ing the single’s smash success. He was also nominated for and won best pop artist in the Asia Artist Awards in 2020. Along with his hit single, MAX has three studio albums full of songs you’re sure to love, so check him out as he takes the stage!

December 23

Straight No Chaser

Chicago Theatre | 8 pm | 175 N. State St.

If you love a cappella music, then look no further than Straight No Chaser. Originally gaining attention from a You Tube video uploaded by original mem ber Randy Stine singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas” in 2006, the group has since been swept up into the world of record labels and professional concerts. Their album sales rack up to over 1.7 million in the U.S. alone, and the group was a big part in bringing a cappella music into the mainstream. Now, with pandemic lockdowns and restrictions lifting, the band is touring once again.

OPPOSITE PAGE:

The Soft Moon (Matteo Nazzari photo).

Beabaddoobee (photo courtesy of Primary Talent).

Streetlight Manifesto (courtesy photo).

CENTER:

Rainbow Kitten Surprise (Aubrey Denis photo).

THIS PAGE:

Bad Omens (photo courtesy of Atoms Splitter PR).

Pond (Matsu photo).

Yung Lean (Samantha Moore photo).

YungLean

Mayor lightfoot signs will support community

Chicago Independent Media Alliance (CIMA) members, including StreetWise Creative Director Dave Hamilton (center, green sweater) and CIMA founder and Chicago Reader Publisher Tracy Baim (fourth from left) gather around Mayor Lori Lightfoot at her office in City Hall as she signs the Executive Order (Kathleen Hinkel photo). Right: A copy of the Executive Order provided by the Office of the Mayor.

On October 26, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot signed an Execu tive Order designating that City of Chicago departments allo cate at least 50 percent of their annual advertising spending to community media outlets. More than 153 languages are spoken in households citywide, in addition to other diversity factors. Together, Chicago’s local media outlets reach all 77 commu nity areas in all of the languages the city’s communities speak.

This is an effort that the Chicago Independent Media Alli ance (CIMA) has been advocating for since 2020.

“Chicago is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and it’s only right that City government honors that diversity by supporting community and ethnic media outlets,” said Chi cago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “Through this equity-based Ex ecutive Order, we will ensure that City communications and information on programs are accessible to all of our residents — no matter their circumstances. This effort will also serve as an economic boon for many of our local media outlets, and strengthen the City’s relationship with the communities they represent.”

With this Executive Order, the City demonstrates its com mitment to equitable access to vital information about City services and resources. It also commits to supporting the small, local media outlets that reach, cover, and hire people from all of Chicago’s communities.

“We are so excited Mayor Lightfoot is taking this first big step toward creating a more equitable playing field for the city’s marketing and advertising spending. We urge all city, county

and state agencies to follow this lead,” said CIMA founder and Chicago Reader Publisher Tracy Baim. “This decision will not only ensure that Chicago’s local media can grow and support more voices; it will ensure that Chicago can be a blueprint for other cities.”

“Chicago is a leader in hyperlocal journalism. This is a sig nificant step for advancing equity of voice in Chicago and be yond,” said Jhmira Alexander, president & executive director of Public Narrative. “Agency marketing and advertising dol lars will offer community media outlets the chance to increase their capacity for coverage and innovation in better serving the different communities in our diverse city.”

Chicago’s local media outlets have been advocating for this effort since October 2020, when CIMA — a project of the Reader Institute for Community Journalism linking more than 60 community media entities representing more than 80 out lets — began the work of replicating a study of New York City

executive order that community media

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO 2022 4

WHEREAS, the City of Chicago is among the most diverse cities in the United States and according to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 35 percent of its residents reside in a household where a language other than English is spoken; and

WHEREAS, over 400,000 City of Chicago residents do not speak English as their primary language and have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English, and over 153 languages are spoken in Chicago households; and

WHEREAS, the City of Chicago values community media outlets and believes these outlets provide a critical pathway to allow members of local communities to access vital information about City services, resources, and announcements and

WHEREAS, the City of Chicago believes that it has the responsibility to communicate in equitable ways and that it is essential for all residents to have access to City programs, services, and activities regardless of native language, race, color, sex, gender identity, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, or sexual orientation now, therefore,

I, LORI E. LIGHTFOOT, Mayor of the City of Chicago, do hereby order as follows:

SECTION 1. DEFINITION.

For the purposes of this Executive Order, the term “community media outlet” shall mean any print or digital publication, or any television radio, or digital broadcast, that: (i) targets a discrete neighborhood or geographic area within the Chicago region; (ii) targets a population that may or may not typically receive information from English language outlets because of its exclusive or predominant use of one or more non English languages; or (iii) targets a population based on culture or specifically tailored subject matter as may be identified by the Office of the Mayor

SECTION

Except

City of Chicago (for the purposes of this Executive Order, Department ) shall seek to direct at least 50 percent of the Department’s annual advertising spending to community media outlets, provided that a Department may apply to the Office of the Mayor for a waiver of this goal

SECTION 3 APPROVED MEDIA OUTLET LIST.

The Office of the Mayor shall develop and maintain a list of community media outlets that promote and exemplify the City’s many interconnected communities for use by Departments. A Department may request that the Office of the Mayor recognizes advertising spending in an outlet that is not on the approved list for the purpose of determining the Department’s community media outlet spending

SECTION 4 DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPARENCY.

Department representatives that work on purchasing advertising shall participate in regular trainings conducted by the Office of the Mayor. Beginning in fiscal year 2023 and for every fiscal year thereafter, each Department shall submit a year end data report to the Office of the Mayor regarding its annual advertising spending. The report shall include, but is not limited to, the total amount each Department spent on advertising and the total amount each Department spent on advertising in community media outlets during the fiscal year Data regarding each Department’s advertising shall be made available to the public through the Chicago Data Portal at the beginning of 2024 and at the beginning of each fiscal year thereafter.

SECTION 5 EXEMPTION FOR LEGALLY REQUIRED NOTICES

To the extent that the goals and requirements of this Executive Order conflict with a Department’s or the City s obligation to comply with legal and statutory notice requirements pursuant to local, State, or other applicable law, such notices are exempt from the goals and requirements of this Executive Order. In implementing the advertising goal set forth in SECTION 2 of this Executive Order, a Department shall omit the publication cost of such legally required notices from its total advertising budget before calculating its community media outlet spending.

SECTION 6 EFFECTIVE DATE

This Order shall take effect upon its execution and filing with the City Clerk.

The New York project resulted in an Executive Order signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio in mid-2019. In 2020, the first year of full implementation, there was a multi-million-dollar shift to community and ethnic media.

For the Chicago project, CIMA hired Sam Stecklow — jour nalist and researcher currently at Invisible Institute — who con ducted a FOIA investigation of advertising spending by city, county, and state agencies. Unlike New York City, Chicago and sister city agencies do not handle advertising in a central fashion. Thus, FOIA requests were made to all City depart ments and sister agencies, other local agencies that are run by appointees of the Mayor of Chicago, and City-affiliated non profits that are run by appointees of the Mayor of Chicago.

CIMA Co-Directors Yazmin Dominguez and Savannah Hu gueley created the City of Chicago Marketing Report (PDF) summarizing the investigation results. Overall, it found that, from 2015 to 2020, while 47.4% of advertising from city agen cies was in community media, that only translated to 18.8% of total dollars spent. For what the City reported, 38.8% was spent in community media, but that was just 13% when viewed on dollars spent.

“This project has been a goal of the Chicago Independent Media Alliance since its inception. This win could not have been accomplished without Sam Stecklow’s one-year dedica tion to the project,” said co-director of CIMA Yazmin Domin guez. “For a full picture, I encourage interested parties to read our City of Chicago Marketing Report (PDF). This Executive Order has the opportunity to be a gamechanger for Chicago’s local outlets. A more consistent and solid flow of advertising dollars will equate to stable newsrooms, resulting in secure re sources to fund and uplift more on-the-ground and investiga tive reporting.”

As part of the Executive Order, the Office of the Mayor will maintain a list of local media that exemplify Chicago’s inter connected communities. Agencies will also be able to utilize the Chicago Independent Media Directory created by CIMA. Featuring outlet statistics and audience demographics, this free media directory includes a growing list of Chicago’s indepen dent and local media outlets in one central website.

-From prepared materials

governmental advertising conducted by the Center for Com munity Media at the City University of New York (CUNY) Newmark Graduate School of Journalism.