The Voice Newspapers, Serving Chicago's West Side

REPORT FROM ALDERMAN EMMA MITTS

IMPORTANT NEWS FOR 37TH WARD RESIDENTS
Chicago Public Schools Accepting 2020-21 School Year Enrollment Applications

Parents, Guardians and Students - - Chicago Public Schools (CPS) 2020-21 Year Enrollment Applications are available NOW starting Sept. 30. Get started on your High School, Elementary, or Pre-K application today. The GoCPS portal allows families to learn, research, explore, and apply to nearly every CPS school and program through one safe, convenient online platform. Whether you are a current CPS family or new to the District, GoCPS is the gateway to finding the right school for you. Application deadline is December 6, 2019. Interested? Check out: www.go.cps.edu or contact the CPS Office of Access & enrollment at 773-553-2060 or via email: gocps@cps.edu .

New Amnesty Program Eliminates All Chicago Public Library Late Fees & Fines

Owe money or loaned materials to the Chicago Public Library (CPL) system? You’re in luck! Starting Oct.1, 2019 late fees and delinquent fines are permanently eliminated. Currently, CPL users were ‘locked out’ from utilizing high-speed Internet, other tech services and borrowing books/materials when overdue fees and fines for unreturned items reached $10. Now - - all overdue books, materials, etc. can be returned with no financial penalties. So get moving and return them! The newest amnesty program erases all past library debts owed by residents! The exceptions: Outstanding balance exceeding $30 on your account makes you unable to renew materials or check out additional materials. Also, loaned items from other library systems, including Kids Museum Passports (which allow free admission to Chicago museums), will still be subject to overdue fines. For more information, go to chipublib.org/AccountFAQs.

Got a question or concern? For more information, contact the 37th Ward Alderman’s Office at 773-379-0960.

AS I SEE IT By Representative La Shawn K. Ford

Gun Policy On Trial

On September 13, 2019, Speaker Madigan established the Illinois House Firearm Public Awareness Task Force at my urging, and I was honored to be named Chair of this bipartisan Task Force. The Task Force “will review the issue of gun violence and make recommendations designed to reduce violence”.
We are very interested in the issue of gun violence on the West Side of Chicago because, according to the Illinois Violent Death Reporting System, in 2016, Chicago’s overall adolescent (15-19 years old) firearm homicide rate was about three times the national rate, while Chicago’s black male adolescent firearm rate was nearly 50 times the national rate. Unfortunately, the highest death rates due to firearms in 2016 and 2017 were on the West Side, in Austin and North Lawndale.
But, the issue of gun violence affects everyone in Illinois. In 2016-2017, middle-aged non-Hispanic white women were most impacted by suicide in Illinois, and 15% of these suicides were due to firearms, according to the Illinois Violent Death Reporting System. The issue of firearms, violence, homicide and suicide greatly affects the West Side, but it is not just a West Side issue.

Members of the Illinois House Firearm Public Awareness Task Force have received this same email from many senders over the last few weeks:

State Representative,
I am writing to you as you are a member of the House Firearm Public Awareness Task Force. As a member you have a heavy burden on your shoulders to find a way to end so called “gun violence” that plagues urban areas of Illinois, such as Chicago. However, as you do consider means of curbing violence in Illinois I feel it is important for you to remember that making it harder for lawful gun owners to exercise their rights does nothing to stop the criminals from being violent.
I wish my message to be clear: No New Gun Laws!
As an Illinois voter I am no longer prepared to compromise on my rights. We as a nation of gun owners have been compromising on our rights for nearly 100 years. We have enough data to know that gun control does not work.
Evil people shall do evil things regardless of the laws you place on good people. Disarming good people doesn’t make a dangerous person less dangerous. In fact quite the opposite, disarming the good people makes the dangerous people even more dangerous.
In good conscience I will be unable to vote for ANY elected official who violates their oath of office by supporting any gun laws.

After receiving these emails and others and talking with many people throughout Illinois, as Chair of this Task Force, I hope we can all agree that as a society, we want to end unnecessary violence, injuries and deaths due to firearms in all of Illinois, and prevent those people who disregard our laws and don’t value the rights afforded by the Second Amendment from having illegal guns. Legislators are elected to reflect the will of the people and to amend and improve outdated laws when it is learned that current laws are not working.
Proposed Hearing Content for the Task Force:
1. Have the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Violent Death Reporting System, or other entities present updated data about deaths due to firearms, including suicides, homicides and accidents; including the types of guns used in these deaths; whether these guns were obtained legally; and from where they were obtained; gun sales by community; other gun crimes; a report on communities’ socio-economic status correlated with gun violence, the number of gun deaths and gun crimes. (If data are not available or are incomplete, this may be an indication that more data collection is required.)
2. Have Behavioral Health professionals testify on the trauma that gun violence inflicts on people, families, communities and the state of Illinois
3. Analysis of the Cash Bail Bond system
4. Public Space Safety discussion
5. Testimony to hear security concerns from universities, school districts, hospitals
6. Testimony from law enforcement
7. Testimony from mayors
8. Concerns from persons opposed to any gun law changes
9. Testimony from organizations for gun law reform
10. Review of current gun laws
11. Current and past bills that tried to address these issues
12. Testimony from victims and their families
13. Higher Education input

Activities: Visit Gun Stores in Illinois and Indiana
Look at a Midwest multi-state partnership to prevent gun-related violence - By working cooperatively, participating states are making an effort to tackle issues related to the epidemic of gun violence even if Congress and the president fail to take federal action. We can take action that will directly confront the threat of gun violence and reduce the toll it takes on our communities. We can work with higher education to help chair the Midwest Multi-state Firearm Task Force Research Consortium, the multi-disciplinary data-collection group tasked with producing recommendations for reducing gun violence.
1. Trace and Intercept illegal guns in the region
2. Intelligence gathering, information sharing and response efforts related to gun violence
3. Share information about individuals who are prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm within each state.
4. Gun sales
It is crucial to identify at-risk youth early on, provide them with consistent supports, and encourage schools to work more closely with law enforcement and others to keep those youth from either falling prey to, or perpetrating, gun violence.
The Task Force will present its findings to all branches of government and offer opinions to municipalities, and the Task Force will likely draft a comprehensive, statewide omnibus bill on firearms. Please contact me at repford@lashawnford.com with your ideas and suggestions for the Task Force.

For more information, contact one of Ford’s Constituent Service Offices: 816 S. Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park at 708-445-3673, 4800 W. Chicago Avenue in Chicago at 773-378-5902 or in the Stratton Office Building in Springfield at 217-782-5962, or visit www.lashawnford.com.

What Does God Have To Do With It? Who’s Running It?By Angie Mims

Let Your Vision Meet God’s Will

Woes and Wonders of Leadership – Have We Forgotten The Basics? What makes a positively impactful leader? Is it the ability to persuade people to execute an agenda? Is it the ability to dictate directives? In fact, what is a leader?
According to linguistic gangers like Merriam and Webster, a leader is someone who has commanding authority or influence. It takes Trevor Noah, South African host of the Daily Show, to comedically yet truthfully, pin point just how poor of a leader Donald Trump is. Lori Lightfoot, Chicago’s current mayor, made a host of promises like most political leaders do. Civil rights activists and pastors alike backed her including kind hearted American businessman and politician, Willie Wilson. And yet, when Wilson was in an attempt to try to bridge gaps and make moves that he felt would benefit Chicago, Lightfoot unapologetically ignored his calls and texts. Why are leaders operating in various capacities losing sight of what should be fundamental and at the core of every human being?
Born in New Zealand, John Oswald Sanders was a General Director of the Overseas Missionary Fellowship authoring over forty books. As a law degreed graced Christian man, he stated that effective leaders must be disciplined, must have wisdom and they must have a vision. The characteristics of a great leader must be that of courage, humility, integrity and sincerity. Nevertheless, effective leaders must have a righteous anger at wrongdoing and injustice.
Working in the education capacity, I have witnessed cliques, politics and etc. Because we work with children you would think the above characteristics would be at the forefronts of our minds.
Nevertheless, we as humans are bogged down with the woes of possible narcissism, uncontrolled insecurities with strategic plans that only damage us as a whole in the end. So, what does God have to do with it? Not much. We as leaders operating in the gifts God has given us must take our purpose more seriously in life. We have witnessed so much wickedness and deplorable acts full of depravity and evil that if any of us had an ounce of sense, would run towards attributes that edify our families, communities, schools and churches. Leaders we must not allow self absorption, divisiveness and wickedness deter us from our purpose. Men rise up and women rise up. God has a great wonder to work in each of our lives.

Angie Mims is a radio personality for the Promoting Precision Radio Show. She has interviewed many greats on her show such as NBC 5’s Art Norman, CLTV News Dr. Garrard McClendon, Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, Ebony Magazine’s Senior Editor, Lynn Norment, the former president of Nigeria, General Olesugun Obasanjo, NBA players and many others. Visit her online at www.promotingprecision.com. Angie loves to meet new people and is in a constant attempt to unite people from all over the world. If you have a great story, don’t hesitate! Email her at AngieMims@PromotingPrecision.com today! You may also call (708)-612-4864. Support The Austin Voice Newspaper and let them know your thoughts about her column.

SISTER HOUSE by Lisa Steward-Baugh, Executive Director

Message

(By, J. D. – SisterHouse resident)

Night to day, day to night, terrifying, scary, a frightening sight.
A new sunset means a new sunrise to an active addict is something to despise.
I strive for sobriety just for today.
I smile with my sanity and a message to say.
Insane my actions in my activities may seem bizarre to you,
but necessary to me in order to stay clean and serene.
I put all my feelings on the line, blaming my own self all the time.
I’m no longer carrying that baggage with me, it’s necessary for my sobriety.
If you feel down and out, if you feel alone, reach out, speak out,
and don’t hold it in. It could save your life or the life of a friend.
Some want to run, some want to stay, but we all have a message to say……so stay, talk and listen.

Just for today!

Recovery Is Possible

By SisterHouse Executive Director Lisa Steward-Baugh

The above is a poem shared by a resident of SisterHouse. Often times the women are asked to share how they are coming along either in their RECOVERY and/or how SISTERHOUSE assists them in their process.

To receive more information on SisterHouse’s services for women and/or volunteer opportunities, please call 773/626-0525 or email Lisa Steward-Baugh sisterhousechicago@yahoo.com.

REACHING BEYOND THE WALLS By Reverend Dr. T.C. Thomas, Sr. Pastor

PACKING TAPE

Blessed be God for His bountiful blessings. Not sure if anyone has had to pack some boxes for a move or just placing them in storage. Recently, I had to help a fraternity brother of mine pack some boxes so he could prepare to move. I must admit, I questioned him and asked him, “why didn’t you get a moving company to do this for you?” He showed me the quote for the moving company, thus, I understood why he had some of us brothers there to help him. The boxes were broken down and had to be taped together. There had to not only be enough tape for the box to be strong, but the tape had to be precisely taped onto the box so the bottom did not break. Once we got the contents in the boxes, we had to give with the same care and direction how to properly close and tape the boxes for the moving truck. While we were packing, we were purging unnecessary things from his house, so they did not make the move.
This process got my mind thinking. How often do we have things in our lives that we really need to pack up and decide to not allow them to move where we are going? The purging process is one that we should be doing on a daily basis. The enemy will allow the junk, the old things and the unnecessary things to try to move in our lives. We must ask God to give us a clean slate and not take the things that cause us to stray away from God to move in our spiritual lives. No matter what, God is stretching us to a greater understanding in Him, so pack up the struggles and allow God to replace them with the praise and worship in our lives!

Stay rooted and grounded in Him!

May the blessings of God be upon you all!

Rev. Dr. T.C. Thomas is the Pastor of Walls Memorial C.M.E. Church, 200 S. Sacramento Blvd., on Chicago’s west Side. He is a strong advocate for children, education, healthcare and most of all the people of God “being better and not bitter.” Rev. Thomas is the author of the young reader series: “Who Am I Really?” and “Me and My Crew, Change is Coming.” Copies may be purchased by contacting the church office. Rev. Dr. Thomas may be contacted at 773-533-2721.

A Call To Action: By Reverend Charles C. Brown, Ph.D. - Pastor, New Heaven Christian Church

Marriage and Romantic Relationships Are for Grown Folks Only

The major issue that most dysfunctional marriages and romantic relationships share is a lack of maturity. More often than not, relationships that are defined by their emotional instability or inconsistency are governed by an individual or individuals that were really too immature to be in a relationship. Consequently, it is within this type of toxic environment that individuals can potentially become emotionally scarred for life, and this makes maturity a key component when searching for a possible mate. Nevertheless, by no stretch of the imagination am I solely referring to the idea of chronological maturity, and neither am I attempting to foolishly suggest that relational bliss is achieved by simply waiting until both parties have reached the legal age of maturity.
Some individuals may view this as being a great idea, and others may even argue that our chronological age is the only valid factor in determining whether an individual is mature enough to become emotionally involved with another individual. It is this faulty way of thinking that causes many parents to falsely believe that a 16 or 17-year-old hormone raging teenager, who is still developing mentally and physically is somehow ready to start dating. However, I wholeheartedly believe that the deciding factor in determining the right time for an individual to become emotionally connected to another individual is found within the delicate balance that resides in between an individual’s level of mental maturity and their chronological age. This simple ideology not only provides a clearer picture of an individual’s readiness to take on basic responsibilities in life, but it also provides useful insight as it relates to their ability to make adequate plans for the future.
Therefore, it stands to reason that immature individuals are the ones that search for a 50/50 love, refuse to compromise, are emotionally insensitive, speak before they think, and can only view what happens in a relationship from one side. However, mature individuals completely understand that a 50/50 relationship does not exist, and neither will it ever exist because a real grownup relationship is not governed by the tit-for-tat rule. In fact, within a mature relationship there will be times when it is 70/30, 40/60, and even feel like it is 80/20. Consequently, grown folks just know that this a part of two people being together and dealing with the unexpected issues that come along with everyday life. Sometimes one person is up and the other person is down, but through the good times and the bad times they are always there for each other.
A mature individual’s vocabulary consists of inclusive pronouns such as we, us, and ours, and they are old enough to realize that focusing on exclusive pronouns such as me and mine only create undue stress within the relationship. Grown folks are willing to compromise, know that everything is not always about them, and they understand that mutual happiness in the relationship is founded on the concept of give and take. Furthermore, when making decisions, they consider their significant other’s thoughts, feelings, and emotions because they realize that whatever they do has a direct effect or impact on their loved ones as well. Mature individuals understand the power that their words possess, and they never use a heated argument as an excuse to verbally abuse their mate. Grown folks fully comprehend the lingering effects of a harsh word, so they tend to think before they speak and build up instead of tearing down.
Most importantly, a mature individual has the uncanny ability to view things from a different perspective, which is one of the most effective skills within his or her arsenal when attempting to resolve a conflict or maintain the peace within the relationship. Truthfully, mature individuals tend to take their relationships very seriously, and they seldom if ever have time to play emotional games. Furthermore, most mature individuals not only understand that both marriages and romantic relationships are strictly for grown folks, but they also realize that tricks are for kids.

Pastor of New Heaven Christian Church, Professor of Psychology, Advisor to State Representative LaShawn K. Ford, Illinois 8th District Chair of Higher Education, Co-Chair for the 37th Ward Pastors Alliance, member of the New Baptist Ministers Fellowship, and Board of Directors for the Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund.

JESUS FREEWAY EXPRESS

THE RAPTURE IS NEAR – DON’T BE LEFT BEHIND; BE YE READY
Greetings my dear brethren (everyone). God is Holy and so therefore we (His) special creations must be holy – for God is not mocked. Holiness must be maintained for only the Righteous shall be admitted in Heaven. It is the abode of those who are obedient to the Word of God. His commandments must be obeyed for obedience is better than sacrifice. Don’t risk your soul in hell; it is a place of total regrets, torture and pain for eternity (forever) and there is no pardon in hell. Get saved today while you are still alive (breathing) for tomorrow is not promised to no one. God is the only giver of life; the owner of your soul that must maintain holiness in accordance to God’s heavenly requirement.
Heavenly Father God had provided us (His Children) a way of escape from damnation of hell through His grace (unmerited favor); He ask that we acknowledge our sins before Him. Repent and change to be forgiven; commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass (Psalm 37:5). Whatever is troubling you? In sickness pray that Dr. Jesus, the Great Physician, touch you for by His stripes you are healed (1 Peter 2:24). When in need (lacking) in any daily substance (food, clothes, shelter, etc.) know assuredly that you are in the good hands of the Lord, God Almighty for He shall supply all our needs according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19), fulfilling His Word. In fear of your safety and protection at any time, claim the power of the word of God, recite God’s remedy in Psalm 91:1-6.
Know of certain that whatever the problems in your life including your worries about Mr. Bill who may harass you even in the middle of the night when you are resting from the hard days job or you are just trying in the evening to fill an empty stomach with couple of peanut butter and jelly sandwich, washing it down with just a glass of cool aid while your daughter neighbor’s girlfriend during phone talk hinted they are having tasty dinner with wine just delivered to their house from a well-known restaurant. You suddenly felt sad in jealousy of this family who already had 3 luxury brand new cars (Mercedes) packed on their driveway. Jesus invitation will ease your pain and anguish as you open your Bible with your right hand tumbling the passage – “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in hearts; and ye shall find rest unto your souls; for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
Jesus said, “Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give everyone as the work of his or her hand shall be (Revelation 22:12,13). Refrain from all acts of wickedness, jealousy, envy & strife; receive abundant blessings and protection of God. Keep hope alive. Jesus is the way, the truth & the life. Many have strayed away; many are so engrossed in demand of wealth (prosperity) forgetting the supplier. Many forget that the things of this our world are only temporary - not forever. Get closer to God today for time is fast running out. For prayer support, please call me at (630) 965-0256. God bless. Apostle/Prophet E. Dada. Please note that the next Parade for Jesus/Revival Planning Meeting will be Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 1030 North Mason, Chicago. Please plan on attending. Thanks.

Dr. James Poulos Presents:

Chewing Gum to Prevent Cavities

Clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.
The chewing of sugarless gum increases the flow of saliva, which washes away food and other debris, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth. Increased saliva flow also carries with it more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen tooth enamel.
Look for chewing gum with the ADA Seal because you can be sure it’s sugarless. All gums with the ADA Seal are sweetened by non-cavity causing sweeteners such as aspartame, xylitol, sorbitol or mannitol. Of course, chewing sugar-containing gum increases saliva flow too, but it also contains sugar which is used by plaque bacteria to produce decay-causing acids.
Don’t let chewing sugarless gum replace brushing and flossing. It’s not a substitute. The ADA still recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning plaque from between your teeth once a day with dental floss or other interdental cleaners.
Look for chewing gum that carries the ADA Seal. The ADA Seal is your assurance that the sugar-free chewing gum has met the ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness. You can trust that claims made on packaging and labeling for ADA-accepted products are true, because companies must verify all of the information to the ADA. Products with the ADA Seal say what they do and do what they say.

James Poulos, DDS, leads a team of dental specialists at Madison Pine Dental Clinic, 5470 West Madison Street, Chicago. Kidzone is a part of Madison Pine Clinic providing care to children and teenagers in a comfortable, nonthreatening setting. The clinic provides orthodontic care, braces, implants, and cleaning, in addition to fillings, crowns, and dentures for patients of all ages. Madison Pine accepts Medicaid patients and most insurance plans. For an appointment, call (773) 287-2277.

COMMENTARY - Rev. Mitchell Johnson

$200 million to fund our community’s needs – the case for safe and legal sports wagering.
With underfunded health care facilities and schools in our communities crying out for resources, it is essential that we look for new state revenue sources that can address these challenges – immediately.
There is now a simple and responsible way to generate $200 million to help our state meet its budget needs. A recent US Supreme Court decision effectively allowed all 50 states to legalize, regulate and tax wagering on sports if they so choose.
Other states are already bringing in millions to address their budget needs by legalizing sports wagering – and they are helping their residents by taking the market out of the shadows where it was dominated by unethical black-market operators and unregulated offshore websites. As a talk show host, resident, and community organizer who works with blighted communities, I have seen the negative impact that dangerous and illegal operators have had preying on our community. Change is sorely needed.
If Illinois acts quickly and implements a simple and fair sports wagering policy, it can almost immediately start generating revenue for key state services without further burdening taxpayers, while creating jobs and better protecting its residents. Every day that Illinois waits to legalize, regulate and tax sports wagering, significant amounts of money go to other states, which have already done so -- or to the illegal black market.
There is a big difference between legalizing sports wagering and other gaming expansion proposals such as building new casinos. Most importantly, legalized sports wagering can begin generating significant revenue for the state almost immediately after its enactment and implementation. Alternatively, the process of licensing and building new casinos will take many years and can be fraught with unforeseen challenges and delays. Illinois has pressing budget needs – particularly for education and health care – that cannot wait for years to be met.
Illinois already has ten operating casinos and over 30,000 video gaming machines in 6,000 locations. Expansion of casinos may simply further cannibalize an existing and saturated industry, forcing communities and casinos to fight for smaller slices of the same pie. This could put at risk the jobs of 6,200 employees at the existing casinos. Alternatively, legalized responsible sports wagering will bring an entirely new market out of the shadows and generate revenue and jobs without harming existing businesses. The large demand for sports wagering in Illinois is already clear; residents already wager on sports through offshore websites, through the large black market, or by traveling to the states that have already successfully legalized sports wagering. These wagers currently generate zero dollars for our community’s needs.
The creation of a legal and responsible sports wagering system in Illinois – run by experienced and qualified operators - will dramatically reduce the reach and impact of unethical and dangerous black market operators who prey on our communities, while helping us fund vital services and projects.
Illinois should pass a simple and responsible sports wagering legalization plan in to law as soon as possible. It is the right thing to do for our budget, our residents and our communities.

MONEY RUN By Kevin Pearson

Plan to Plan

Have you ever wondered why do I need a business plan? One may say to ones self “ I know what I want to sale. Can I just open my doors and start making money.” This is a thought that has crossed many entrepreneur minds, but having or not having a business plan can be the beginning or the end of ones business.
In early 2001, you all may know I published a hip-hop magazine that circulated in Chicago and two other major cities. The idea to start the magazine came over night. I can remember sitting on the floor in my brother’s room flipping through some old magazines. I looked him right in the eye and said, “ I want to start a hip-hop magazine.” Neither of us had writing experience and definitely no publishing experience, yet he was all in. Our entire business plan was fluttering in our imaginations.
Finally in 2003, after hundreds of hit or miss (only by the grace of God) we put out a full color glossy magazine. The hip-hop community loved the publication. We were on the media list of major music labels; we got passes to just about every hip-hop event. So what was wrong with that you ask? NO MONEY. We had zero revenue coming in, and no strategy in place to get any. We were the new guys on the block, and no ad agency would touch us. Also, big hip-hop publications where adding online versions of them selves, called e-zines, yet we still owed the printer. We hung on for a few years but closed shop in 2006.
In the end, we had a great product and tenacity, but no plan to execute anything. Today I plan everything, ever phone call, email, I even wrote a plan to write this column. “Remember no business has ever been totally successful with out a plan in place to make it successful.”

Want to increase your customers and profit, but don’t know where to start? Let us help, contact the Voice Newspapers at Ph: 773-889-0880 or email: austinvoiceads@gmail.com

PCC WELLNESS CENTER By Alexandra T. Chavez, Development Coordinator

PCC Offers Care Centered Around You
Pregnant and struggling with addiction?

With growing heroin use on the west side of Chicago, PCC Community Wellness Center (PCC) has started a chemical dependency program that offers combined prenatal care and substance abuse treatment for pregnant women. In this program, the treatment of heroin, alcohol, and prescription drug abuse is offered right in the doctor’s office.
PCC’s goal is to meet patients where they are in their recovery and help them to set goals without judgment. PCC can help improve the patients’ health and the health of their babies. Patients in this program receive safe, medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine and counseling. They visit weekly, are given ultrasounds, and deliver their babies at West Suburban Medical Center with a PCC doctor.
Services are available at our Chemical Dependency Clinic, located inside PCC Walk-In Wellness Center at West Suburban Medical Center at 1 Erie Court, Suite 1300, Oak Park, IL 60302. Pregnant women and their families in this program may continue to receive primary care, pediatric care, and behavioral health care at a nearby PCC location.
PCC accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and many health plans and also offers a sliding fee program for patients without insurance. They do not deny services because of inability to pay.

CANCER SOCIETY WARNS WOMEN OF THREAT FROM RADON EXPOSURE

A new report finds a statistically significant positive association between high levels of residential radon and the risk of hematologic (blood) cancer in women. This study is the first prospective population-based study of residential radon exposure and hematologic cancer risk, leading the authors to caution that it requires replication and whether it truly differs by sex.
Radon is a naturally-occurring byproduct of the decay of radium and is a known human lung carcinogen, the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Modeling studies show that radon delivers a non-negligible dose of alpha radiation to the bone marrow and therefore could be related to risk of hematologic cancers. More than 171,000 new cases of hematologic cancer and more than 58,000 deaths are expected in the United States in 2016. Hematologic cancers are the most expensive cancers to treat per quality-adjusted life year gained.
For the current study, researchers led by Lauren Teras, Ph.D., of the American Cancer Society used data from the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort established in 1992, to examine the association between county-level residential radon exposure and risk of Hematologic cancer. The analysis included 140,652 participants among whom there were 3,019 hematologic cancers during 19 years of follow-up. They found women living in counties with the highest mean radon concentration had a statistically significant 63% higher risk of hematologic cancer compared to those living in counties with the lowest radon levels. They also found evidence of a dose-response relationship.
The authors say men may have a higher baseline risk, possibly because of more exposure to occupational or other risk factors for hematologic cancer, reducing the impact of any additional risk from residential radon. In women, who have a smaller baseline risk, residential radon exposure might be a larger contributor to overall risk. Another reason may be that the women of this generation spent more time in their homes, so had more residential exposure than men.
According to Dr. Teras, “Radon is already associated with lung cancer and if other studies confirm the link to blood cancers, we think it would warrant strengthened public health efforts to mitigate residential radon risks.”

ST. MALACHY + PRECIOUS BLOOD REQUESTS HELP FOR MOBILE PANTRY

Father Matthew Eyerman, Pastor of St. Malachy + Precious Blood Catholic Church, 2248 West Washington Boulevard, reminds everyone that his congregation hosts deliveries by the Greater Chicago Food Depository Mobile Pantry on the third Tuesday of each month. Volunteers unload the truck, bag the food, and distribute non-perishables, fruits, and vegetables to West Side residents. This food is available to anyone free of charge and without income verification. Each month, St. Malachy + Precious Blood serves more than 250 households representing well over 750 people, regardless of weather conditions.

In past years, the public has donated a pallet mover, tables, and bins. This year, Father Eyerman is requesting help in obtaining items to keep staff and clients dry and warm:

• $500 will install a retractable canopy

• $100 will purchase a pop-up canopy to keep food and volunteers dry

• $75 provides hand warmers for volunteers

• $50 provides single-use rain ponchos for clients & volunteers

For information about the monthly Mobile Pantry at St. Malachy + Precious Blood or making contributions to the program, call Father Eyerman at 312/733-1068 or 312/919-1610.

MT. VERNON BAPTIST CHURCH OFFERING YOUNG ADULT RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR EAST GARFIELD

MT. VERNON BAPTIST CHURCH OFFERING YOUNG ADULT RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR EAST GARFIELD AND NEAR WEST YOUTH

Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, 2622 West Jackson Boulevard, is providing assessment, support, and referral services as part of its Community Violence Prevention Program (CVPP) Re-Entry Program for East Garfield and Near West youth and young adults being released from Department of Correction facilities.

Any East Garfield Park and Near West juvenile between the ages of 13-28 currently on parole from any Department of Correction facility, or returning to CVPP communities from Department of Correction facilities are eligible to participate in the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church CVPP Re-entry Program. Interested persons should call Denise Harris at 773/826-3295.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Thursday, September 19, 2019