The Voice Newspapers, Serving Chicago's West Side: 2016-08-21

REPORT FROM ALDERMAN EMMA MITTS

New State-of-the-Art Public Safety Training Facility to be Built in West Garfield Park
As you’ve probably heard, recently the Mayor and I make known that the City is poised to establish a new, state-of-the-art Public Safety Training Academy in Chicago’s West Garfield Park neighborhood. This initiative is a major component of Chicago’s ongoing efforts to make available the best technology, tools, and training to first responders, namely - - - police, fire and emergency technicians. The ultimate goal is to provide improved services to all Chicago residents.
However, that’s not the only advantage to benefit the community. This new training facility will also help stimulate the local economy, providing good, well-paying construction and other full-time jobs once the building is completed and operational.
This new Academy will be built on 30.4 acres of vacant land located at 4301 W Chicago Ave. The new facility is designed to strategically allocate program resources, allowing first responders to receive specialized training to address both improving current and emerging twenty-first century public safety operations. This facility will also enhance citywide collaboration in emergency response efforts, and further, provides receive hands-on practice in real-world situations. Chicago police officers, fire fighters and paramedics to receive training based on the nation’s best practices.
“I am both proud and extremely pleased that Mayor Emanuel chose the West Garfield Park community for this important and long-lasting investment,” said Alderman Emma Mitts. “This is further evidence highlighting the positive strength and future potential of this great neighborhood. The thousands of first-responders reporting there for training every day will not only drive economic and community development throughout the neighborhood, but also add a big public safety presence to our streets giving children and families more confidence as they travel about their lives.”
The new Public Safety Training Academy would include two buildings, and outdoor space, including classrooms, labs, simulators, conference rooms, an auditorium and administrative offices. Also planned are a shooting range, indoor and outdoor active scenario training areas and a dive training swimming pool. The outdoor space would also incorporate a driving course, and skid pad among other amenities.
The estimated $95 million project is expected to get underway next year. Currently privately-owned, the City seeks to acquire the selected property in 2018, and working with the Chicago Infrastructure Trust, construction is expected for a projected 24 to 36 months, bringing nearly 100 construction jobs to the neighborhood.
During this critical, defining time, Mitts expressed the fact that there’s still more work to be done to instill healing, reform and community trust. She looks forward to supporting that crucial work to begin reestablishing confidence and safety for Chicago’s residents in the communities she serves.
“As 37th Ward Alderman, I am both proud and extremely pleased that Mayor Emanuel chose the West Garfield Park community for this pivotal, important and long-lasting investment,” said Alderman Emma Mitts. “This is further evidence highlighting the positive strength and future potential of this great neighborhood. The thousands of first-responders reporting there for training every day will not only drive economic and community development, bring needed jobs throughout the neighborhood, help foster a better sense of trust between the police and the community - - and it also adds a major public safety presence to our streets, giving children, seniors and families more confidence and sense of security as they live, work and play.”
Need assistance or have a question? The 37th Ward Service Office is OPEN AND READY TO SERVE YOU during regular business hours, so feel free to call 773-379-0960 or stop by 4924 W. Chicago Ave. Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon (except holidays). Thank you! You can also send an email: emitts@cityofchicago.org.

AS I SEE IT By Representative La Shawn K. Ford

Funding for Education in Illinois

Article X of the Constitution of the state of Illinois states that “a fundamental goal of the People of the State is the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities. The State shall provide for an efficient system of high quality public educational institutions and services.”
“Education in public schools through the secondary level shall be free. There may be such other free education as the General Assembly provides by law. The State has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education.”
As many know, Illinois currently has the least equitable education funding system in the country. Illinois comes in last place among all states in the amount of state funding contributed to its public schools. And because education funding is built primarily on local property taxes, we also have the nation’s largest gap between its wealthy and poor school districts. The way we fund education in Illinois doesn’t allow school districts to meet the needs of every child.
During this session, the Illinois General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1, which would change how Illinois funds public education, if it is signed into law by Governor Rauner.
The new funding formula, which is based on the Evidence-Based Model (EBM), would be a more adequate and equitable way to fund public schools in Illinois. I support and I voted for SB 1, aiming to change the K-12 public education funding formula based on the EBM.
The state’s current “Foundation Level” funding formula is not based on any research — nor is it based on the actual costs of educating children. Instead, a per-pupil funding amount is developed for the entire state based on what decision-makers determine the state can afford. Given that Illinois state government has run a deficit in its General Fund every year since 1995, this method of determining school funding has proven to be consistently inadequate.
The EBM determines educational expenditures by identifying how much research-based “best practices” actually cost, and the EBM accomplishes this by first identifying and then costing-out those educational practices which the research shows: Enhance student achievement over time; Improve school climate while reducing disciplinary problems; Reduce drop-out rates while enhancing high school graduation and college enrollment rates; Meet academic and the social/emotional needs of students from diverse backgrounds; and Help create a K-12 system with the capacity to provide an education of sufficient quality for all students to graduate high school college and be career ready, irrespective of income, race, geography, or ethnicity.
The current formula uses a Foundation Level that is set by the General Assembly at the same dollar amount for all districts across the state. This fails to recognize the different needs and capacities of local school districts — and actually penalizes those districts which have low equalized assessed values (EAV) but high taxes.
On top of that, a third of all state education funding currently flows through categorical items, like special education or programs for students who are English learners, which do not account for the wealth of a district. Thus a wealthy district receives the same amount as a low-income district via categorical funding.
SB 1 recognizes that all school districts, and their individual needs, are different. The new formula would establish a local capacity target for each district based upon that district’s local property wealth, and then discounts some of the local investment made by low EAV-high property tax districts, to provide those districts with more state resources, which can support both reaching an adequate level of educational funding, as well as providing property tax relief.
Because most categorical funding is included in the EBM formula, future distributions will be more equitable, as they will account for local wealth and the demographics of each school district. And because of the hold harmless provision in SB 1, no school district will lose even a dollar of the categorical funding that it received in the year prior. Under current law, if more money is added to the Foundation Level, most districts receive the same percentage increase in funding, no matter how far away from adequacy those districts happen to be.
The funding distribution in SB 1 fixes this inequity by directing proportionately more funds to districts that are furthest from adequacy. In fact, approximately two-thirds of all new funding in the first year of SB 1 will go to those districts furthest from adequacy.
SB 1 now goes to Governor Rauner, who will either sign the bill into law or veto it. Hopefully the Governor decides to sign SB 1, and thus create a more adequate and equitable public education funding system.
Either way, there is still much work to be done. Illinois still woefully underfunds public education, and more money is needed to properly fund our public schools. But SB 1 is a major step in the right direction. By first establishing how much money that a school district needs — the adequacy component — to be a high-performing school district, and then by ensuring that any new money put towards K-12 education will go to the schools that need it the most and towards programs that are shown to improve educational outcomes, education funding reform can bring Illinois closer to fulfilling the promise of educational opportunity for all.
A letter from one of my constituents says it best: “Gov. Rauner has vowed to ‘amend’ SB1, the bill to channel funds to public schools across the state. The governor’s move will punish one-third of Illinois’ low income students who live in Chicago -- overwhelmingly Black and Brown students -- and do nothing to help Chicago reach more stable financial ground or improve the funding climate for ALL of Illinois’ school districts over the long term. This is short-sighted, mean-spirited and fundamentally unfair. I urge you to vote to override Governor Rauner’s amendatory veto and pass SB1 in the original form that was passed by the state legislature.”
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.

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

Look Up and Live

All of us remember the superman opening trailer: “faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. It’s a bird; it’s a plane, its superman! Can you imagine all of the enjoyment from this comic strip, tuned cartoon? Superman was there to save Metropolis, a fictitious city from any and all evil that came against it. While Superman is not real, we have a true superhero that saves us from all manner of evil. Now I must admit, you might be thinking the problems or struggles you have are way too advanced. Let me assure you that this super hero can and will save us from the most vile villain including ourselves. His name is Jesus, our Lord and Savior! Jesus was able to endure death upon the cross, a 3 day grave stint and rising early the third day morning. Superman had one achilles heel and it was kryptonite. Jesus has no kryptonite; He just has ALL POWER in His hands! If you don’t know him or want to know more about him, please come and meet me at Walls Memorial and I will introduce you to Him and His soul saving power!

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 may be contacted at 773/533/2721.

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

Is it Love, Lust, or Like?

During the past couple of weeks, I have had numerous conversations with different couples in various stages of their relationship. Although each couple explained to me how madly in love they were, no one could really define exactly what love is. I was told that love is a strong emotion, a way they make me feel, an inner connection, and a state of being within the relationship. However, true love is so much more, and the Merriam Webster dictionary (2017) defined it as, “An unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another that arises from kinship, personal ties, sexual attraction, admiration, or common interest.” It is a complexed emotion that intertwines excitement, interest, fulfillment, and belonging into a powerful bonding agent. It may also be the central component in determining not only the strength of the relationship, but the probability of the relationship enduring hard times as well. Courtney Carver summed it quite eloquently, when she stated, “Love may not solve an argument, but it gives you the patience to work through it.”
Psychologist, Dr. Robert Sternberg, argues that love consist of three major components: intimacy, passion, and commitment. When the three components interact, or combine with one another they form different types or forms of love. This emotional interaction also determines the way individuals communicate, interact, and perceive the value or importance of their relationships. As it relates to the three components, Sternberg believes intimacy is the feelings of closeness that one has for another person or the sense of having close emotional ties to another. Couples must realize that true intimacy is developed over time. It is an emotional bond, and not a physical attraction. It is strengthened through conversation, and by spending quality time together. The process of developing intimacy cannot be rushed, and if adequate time is taken it will last for a lifetime.
Passion is the emotional and sexual arousal a person feels toward another person. Normally, it develops first, and it is the spark within the relationship. True passion is physical, and at this stage of the relationship couples cannot seem to keep their hands to themselves. It can lead to intimacy and commitment, and without it the relationship becomes stale or uneventful. On the other hand, if intimacy is the only thing holding the relationship together, the love is empty and the relationship is shallow. At this level, the only thing the couple has is lust, and it will never bring true fulfillment within the relationship for both individuals.
Commitment involves the decisions one makes about the relationship. In a committed relationship, the focus is on doing what is best for each other, and on making sure the needs of both individuals are met. Problems arise, when one person is committed to the relationship, and the other person is committed to him or herself. The key to a healthy relationship is found in a mutual commitment, and built upon the concept of reciprocity. At this level, there is a sense of give-and-take that is grounded on the internal commitment to give as much as, if not more than, what is taken. However, if commitment is the only thing keeping the couple together, there may only be a strong or deep sense of like and not love within the relationship. Therefore, when a couple works to combine intimacy, passion, and commitment eventually they will create consummate love, which is the ultimate level for their relationship. At this point in the relationship the focus is on mutual fulfillment, and in the timeless words of William Blake, “Love seeketh not itself to please, nor for itself hath any care, but for another gives its ease, and builds a Heaven in Hell’s despair.”

By: Charles C. Brown, PhD
drccbrown@gmail.com
Pastor, Professor, Advisee to State Representative LaShawn K. Ford, Illinois 8th District Chair of Higher Education, and the Co-Chair for the 37th Ward Pastors Alliance

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

THE LITTLE FOXES OF SIN IN A BELIEVING CHRISTIAN’S LIFE

If we’re honest with ourselves, some sins have a tendency of feeling good. Whether it’s the succulent kiss and hand filled grasp of our forbidden romantic love or the ongoing sips of Sangria, Moscato and Courvoisier with our friends, sin, plainly put, has a tendency of feeling good. After all, what is wrong with enjoying great company, with a room full of laughter and fun? Imported spirits that perfectly satisfy our palettes with honey suckle, pomegranates, raspberries, limes and green apples, provide us with a surge of relaxation that just could not be wrong, let alone be evil. Besides, it isn’t like we’re out snorting cocaine or parading up and down Cicero soliciting for paid sex from a hypocritical deacon. So what’s the problem?
As you’ve already gathered, this columnist previously didn’t mind a taste of a fine imported wine with great company around. Nevertheless, upon discovery during this Christian walk, I’ll readily admit that although many of us aren’t being serial killers, as Paul was in the Bible days nor are we aiding Boko Haram in kidnapping and trafficking young girls, it’s sometimes the subtle sins that cloud our judgement, blind our vision and stunt our growth in Christ.
And before the Christian who proudly proclaims that they’re neither a fornicator or a drinker, rest assured, the gossiper, the back stabber, the liar and the Big Pick Lottery Player are not guaranteed to have VIP seating in heaven’s box office.
So, what does God have to do with it? It’s the little foxes of sin that deter us from our destinations. Be it gossiping, a lack of integrity, over indulging in drinking, fornicating, or being envious of our fellow brothers and sister in Christ within our churches, inevitably, we end up spoiling the vine and wreaking havoc in our own lives. If these sins are unchecked, unfortunately, we delay our own destiny. My dear friend, you could be on the cusp of something so great, but these little foxes of sin are trying to delay your destination. Identify those little foxes and protect what God has given you - a future and a hope.

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.

JESUS FREEWAY EXPRESS

The Power of Positive thinking –
“The Bible Act of Faith”
Greetings my dear brethren (everyone that I may ask you this household question of old, which came first – the chicken or the egg’? Bible tells us how that in the beginning the earth was void and there was darkness all over the world; then came the Divine Spirit of the Living God who was, He is, and will be forevermore. Who hovered all over the face of the earth (the deep) causing light to appear dissipating the darkness. Then followed His creation of the inhabitants of His new earth in six days and rested the 7th day. The devil (Lucifer – Satan) began the cunning acts of disobedience on man to dishonor the supernatural power of his creator (God). Negative thoughts was brought to the man who God created; but the positive thoughts (faith) in God is needed by man in order to move God to answer his prayers.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Psychologists & sociologists infer that baby chicken must have come first before the egg in the beginning, but the supernatural power of God had concealed chicken life in the egg He first created and which on command the egg hatched giving birth to the baby chickens male & female – thus starting the generation of this big land bird (chicken) great for food (meat).
My lovely wife (Dorothy) now up in age reflected on her youthful years being raised in a Christian home where all the children must read the Bible daily; their mother a retired Rev. (Retired Pastor) of a church in Mississippi. One day the sky got gloomy, dark clouds hanging overhead, the wind blowing feartlessly with lightening skies – heavy high rain soon started, horrific thunder followed, everything in the house shaking and the light outage came while little Dorothy (age 10 at the time) read the Bible. Her mother had covered the mirror and turned off the lights earlier due to the strong lightening. Little Dorothy was disturbed by light outage because she wanted to read her Bible. She complained to the mother as she could not see to continue reading the Bible in which she was so engrossed. She innocently appealed to God in faith to stop the rain and lighting and God answered. Light soon returned. And Dorothy continued reading the Word of God (the Bible).
Little Dorothy’s situation taught all two things: 1. To have faith (trust) in God as an innocent little child with no atom of doubt. 2 Read the Bible daily. It is the heart and voice of God and pray without ceasing in faith. Prayer changes things for better. For prayer support call mat at (630) 965-0256. Also to volunteer in this year (2017), “All Christians, All churches Parade for Jesus/Revival – planning meetings continue. The events scheduled for August 26, 2017. Please call same number above to volunteer. Jesus loves you and so do I. Your brother in the Lord, Rev. (Apostle/Prophet ) E. Dada.

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, August 25, 2016

HAVE SOME FUN THIS SATURDAY AND JOIN US AT THE ANNUAL TASTE OF AUSTIN