Obama Gets Our Nod for President
Posted on 29. Oct, 2008 by admin in Community Focus, Global News
Four years ago, no one outside of Illinois knew much about U.S. Senator Barack Obama. But after his stint at the Democratic National Convention in 2004 in Boston, everyone wondered what the buzz was all about. Since he was elected in 2004 as U.S. Senator, Obama’s political career has risen beyond measure and it has ascended to new heights. He has created excitement about the political process and has inspired an entire generation. In addition, he has run a campaign unlike any other campaign in American politics.
During this race, an historic event, the country has already changed. People understand the need to put aside petty differences and want to come together to fix the ills that have prevented this country from moving forward. The son of a Kenyan father and a White Kansan woman, Obama has helped us to understand what Americans can do when we come together as a community. At one time, no one would have dreamed of seeing a Black man win the nomination to become president. And although some may criticize him for not being qualified enough to run for office, he has shown us that he is ready to lead based on his temperament, judgment and the many outstanding accomplishments he has made throughout his life.
Obama has traveled to the Middle East and Europe to become acquainted with world leaders and has been well received. He has roused support from people everywhere and has been consistent in helping working families, providing affordable education for students, and for his stance against the Iraq War. The Democratic presidential nominee has also promised a tax cut for 95 percent of working families who make less than $250,000 because he feels that in this economy, raising taxes on the middle class, is not the answer.
For businesses that create jobs here in the United States, Obama has also pledged to provide tax incentives so they can continue to prosper. He also promised to invest $150 billion dollars over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy, which is an investment that will lead to new industry and five million new jobs that pay well and that can’t ever be outsourced.
More recently, Obama called for a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures that will help people to stay in their homes and voted for a $700 billion bailout plan to help unlock frozen credit markets. Endorsed by former U.S. Secretary General Colin Powell and U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, he understands the need to build coalitions with people across party lines and reaches out to people from all backgrounds.
While U.S. Senator John McCain proves to be a worthy opponent, his vice-presidential pick and his lack of understanding about the economy greatly concerns us right now. McCain, running scared, has nothing else better to say in terms of solving America’s problems, but has run a negative campaign, where he has focused too much on small issues and not enough on the big picture. Instead, Obama offers solutions to getting America back on track and provides the change we need, with the right attitude. This will be important as America seeks to rebuild its reputation around the world during this pivotal time in our country’s history. With that being said, we think Obama is the change America needs and the change it deserves.
Drunk Driving Victims Remembered by DUI Memorial Signs
Posted on 29. Oct, 2008 by admin in Community Focus, Global News
by Dwayne T. Ervin
In order to remind motorists to drive safely, Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown supported and Governor Rod R. Blagojevich signed “Tina’s Law,” which authorizes the first DUI memorial sign to recognize the tragic loss of life due to drunk driving.
“Tina’s Law,” allows DUI crash victims’ family members to request IDOT install memorial signs along Illinois Highways. The overall number of traffic fatalities in 2007 reached its lowest level since 1994. There was a - 0.4 percent change in the number of people killed in Illinois due to motor vehicle crashes between 2006 and 2007. Nationally there were 13,491 fatalities related to alcohol in 2006 and 12,998 in 2007, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report.
The first sign will be in memory of a 17-year-old DUI crash victim Caitlin Elizabeth Weese of Elgin, who died in 2003. IDOT recently installed the sign along Illinois 72 in the north suburbs of Chicago. “The family knows that the DUI related deaths are tragic, but the sign will be a memorial to her and will bring comfort to her family,” Cook County Circuit Court Clerk spokesperson Deana Williamson stated. “This is a reminder on the road telling people not to drink and drive,” she said. “Tina Bell’s family was involved in getting the legislation passed,” Williamson continued. “We had people putting in requests for more road markers.”
Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM) played a part in having the sign put up. AAIM’s goal has been to create a program to install state signs where fatalities have occurred as a result of an impaired driver. The law allows relatives of DUI crash victims to request a memorial marker for any crash that occurred on or after January 1, 1990.
The memorial markers are a 26 x 24 inch blue signs with white letters that read, “Please Don’t Drink and Drive.” At a relative’s request, a separate 36 x 18 inch panel reads, “In Memory of (victim’s name)” followed by the date of the crash.
The law was named after Tina Bell, a mother of seven and a road construction worker who was killed by a drunk driver while she was working on I-57 on September 15, 2003. The Tina Bell Memorial DUI Task Force was instrumental in pushing for passage of “Tina’s Law,” formally known as House Bill 1900. The bill’s sponsors were Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) and Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago).
Family members of DUI crash victims can apply for memorial signs through IDOT’s district offices. AAIM and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) can assist family members in obtaining and completing applications. There is a $150 fee for the “Don’t Drink and Drive,” sign and a $50 fee for the plaque bearing the name of the victim. The Teamsters International Union is also providing funding for signs memorializing their members who have been killed by DUI offenders.
Hudson Living Under Spotlight of Tragedy
Posted on 29. Oct, 2008 by admin in Global News
by Dwayne T. Ervin and Lesley R. Chinn
Officials from the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office released an autopsy statement on Tuesday that ruled the cause and manner of death of seven-year-old Julian King, nephew of actress-singer Jennifer Hudson as a homicide. King was shot multiple times, officials said.
King was found dead on Monday morning on the 1300 block of S. Kolin inside a white 1994 Chevrolet Suburban vehicle. An AMBER Alert was previously issued for Hudson’s nephew after her older sister Julia, reported him missing.
Joined by King’s two aunts and uncle, Jennifer Hudson identified the body of her nephew on Monday by looking at his face on a live-feed flat-screen monitor in a separate room at the family’s request. The viewing took 20 minutes.
“Hudson kept her composure with the family. They were crying and distraught and held hands as a sign of strength. Hudson was the leader of that group and encouraged her family to remain strong,” said Sean Howard, a spokesman for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Before she flew into town, Hudson was on vacation in Florida with her fiancé, when she heard about the deaths of her mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, who were found dead last Friday at their Englewood home on 70th and Yale.
The tragedy of the triple homicide drew an outpour of support for Hudson from U.S. Senator Barack Obama, where she had the pleasure of singing the national anthem in August for the Democratic National Convention in Denver, CO., where he accepted the presidential nomination.
“Michelle and I were absolutely heartbroken to learn about this unimaginable tragedy, and we want Jennifer to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time,” Obama said.
Chicago Richard M. Daley, who once described Hudson as an extremely talented actress and singer at an event the city hosted last year in her honor, said to reporters that his “prayers go out to them, and (the police) are working to make sure they get the offender and other facts involved in the case.”
Congressman Bobby Rush, whose district includes Englewood where the Hudson family lives, described the killings as senseless murders that never should have happened.
“I mourn today because three people in the Englewood community died a senseless death apparently at the barrel of a gun. I mourn because Darnell, Jason and Julian are members of my community. I mourn because everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States, which is more than the number of American soldiers killed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. Americans of conscious must come together to stop these senseless deaths. We must say ‘enough is enough, stop the killing,” Rush stated.
Support also poured in from actress Queen Latifah, whom Hudson starred with in the recent movie, “The Secret Life of Bees.” “I know the family is devastated and heartbroken and I hope that friends and fans and those who care about her just pray for her and give her all the support that she needs at this moment and for quite a long time to come,” Queen Latifah stated.
According to reports, Jennifer Hudson’s sister Julia and her husband William Balfour, had a history of domestic violence. The two were separated and on the verge of a divorce.
Although he has not been charged, Balfour is considered a “person of interest,” in the case and has been questioned but not charged in the killings. Julia Hudson and Balfour’s marital problems reportedly led up to his eviction from the household on the 7000 S. Block of Yale earlier this year.
He has convictions for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, according to the Illinois Corrections Department and is currently being held on a parole violation by the department.
Jennifer Hudson, an Arista Records label artist, currently has a top R&B debut single “Spotlight,” on the Billboard Chart.
NAACP Officials Urge Voters to Avoid Election Day Pitfalls
Posted on 29. Oct, 2008 by admin in Community Focus, Global News
by Lesley R. Chinn
A projected 130 million voters are expected to vote on Election Day. This includes millions who are voting for the first time.
While a vast majority may not have any problems casting their ballots, the other half might run into problems with machines that don’t work properly, polling places without enough machines or just simply not having their names registered in a database.
From then on, all the tools and equipment necessary for an individual to cast their vote legitimately must be present on Election Day. According to a TIME Magazine report, lines were long in 2004 in Columbus, Ohio because of a lack of resources. It was estimated that between 5,000 and 15,000 voters gave up on waiting and never voted.
Khalid Johnson, chairman of the Westside Branch NAACP’s political action committee, said while a lack of resources shouldn’t be an excuse for voters not to vote, a greater responsibility lies on a local election board to make sure that the equipment is working properly, resources are available, and election judges are well trained and qualified to help satisfy the voter turnout. “There are going to be long lines on an election like this one where there are so many people who have for the first time have turned out to vote. If we properly plan [for this], then it should make the process a lot easier,” he stated.
Some states might require voters to leave their t-shirts or buttons or any other paraphernalia supporting or opposing a candidate at home just to prevent electioneering. “If you’re in line, get rid of the t-shirt when you go vote. Avoid the risk. We know that there will be poll workers and other challengers that could utilize their authority to challenge your voting,” said Richard J. McIntire, NAACP National spokesman. There’s always effort in every election to disenfranchise voters, but Johnson stated it shouldn’t have a detrimental impact on the process. “The best thing for all of us to do is vote. Every time we go and vote, we make a difference in how to improve the process for the next time.”
In the 1960s, numerous people sacrificed their lives when they marched from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama just to make it possible for today’s generation and future ones to vote. “We have to keep that more important at the center of our hearts because that’s the responsibility that we have, to make sure that this process goes accordingly,” Johnson stated. Every time people vote, Johnson added, new leaders could be elected to make laws that will help make a difference. “If people try to put up hurdles to keep you from voting, the turnout should be even stronger. The more we do it, we’ll see a change in how this process works.”
McIntire said that people need to be empowered now so that when they go to the polls, they know what to expect. “When they get to the polls, people’s emotions can run high and they might decide not to vote. We want everything to go smoothly.”
In case voters feel like they are being disenfranchised at the polls, the NAACP suggests calling 1-866-Our-Vote for assistance.
Officials Take Issue with Alleged Voter Suppression
Posted on 22. Oct, 2008 by admin in Community Focus, Global News
Minority and poor communities allegedly the target
by Lesley R. Chinn
From Indiana to New Hampshire, issues of voter suppression have taken form as both Senators Barack Obama and John McCain come into the home stretch of the presidential campaign.
Reportedly, issues surrounding voter suppression have mostly been targeted toward low-income families, minorities, senior citizens, residents who do not speak English, and first-time voters. Issues such as placing armed guards at the polls, telling voters they can cast their votes on alternative days after the election is over, demanding forms of identification not required by law, and telling voters that outstanding warrants or utility bills could prevent them from voting, are raising concerns with only fifteen more days left in the campaign.
ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), which recently registered 1.3 million young people, minorities, poor and working-class voters, is currently under investigation by the FBI about its voter registration activities. However, in a letter written to the Attorney General of the United States and the FBI, Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), chair of the house judiciary committee questioned both the process and the timing of the investigation
“It is with shock and disappointment that I read today’s Associated Press report that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened and leaked an investigation into whether ACORN, a longstanding and well regarded organization that fights for the poor and working class, is involved in nationwide voter fraud,” Conyers said.
“As an initial matter, it is simply unacceptable that such information would be leaked during the very peak of the election season. Such leaks of information about ongoing criminal investigation matters are always inappropriate, and likely violate the provisions of the U.S. Attorney manual governing release of information about ongoing investigations…” he said.
“Moreover, this news is all the more troubling in light of the proven wrongdoing at the Justice Department in the United States Attorneys scandal. As you are aware, there is extensive evidence that political operatives improperly pressured United States Attorneys to investigate and prosecute spurious claims of vote fraud in close proximity to an election. When some did not, they were terminated. Thus, one must view the timing of this extraordinary leak with added suspicion, given that it comes less than 24 hours after the Republican Presidential candidate raised these allegations in a nationally televised debate,” he added.
NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, who recently hosted a press conference in Washington, D.C., condemned the recent attacks. Bond noted that Republicans have already tried to prevent Ohio registered voters from voting at its early voting registration sites and have gone to court to try to block early voting by closing sites in predominately minority cities such as Hammond, East Chicago, and in Gary, IN.
“Ever since they first practiced voter suppression, they’ve yelled ‘voter fraud!’ ” Bond said. “There is almost no evidence of fraud in today’s American politics, and it is nearly impossible to find a single proven case of anyone, anywhere casting an illegal vote as a result of a fraudulent voter registration application,” he added. “No one believes registration authorities will let Mickey Mouse or Elvis Presley vote. But surely some partisans believe that they can prevent qualified voters from registering or casting their legitimate votes, that they can frighten voters away from the polls, and that they can win elections through their own fraud and deceit and trickery. We think the American people are too smart for that,” he said.
Voters came to a courthouse in East Chicago, IN. last Wednesday to vote after the Lake County Circuit Court ordered the courthouse be reopened after representatives from the Lake County, Indiana GOP Party attempted to have the location, along with two other locations in Gary and Hammond, IN closed. Lawyers representing the party are currently appealing to the Lake County Superior Court to close the sites. The Lake County, Indiana GOP reportedly claimed that the polling places were opened without a state-required unanimous vote of the county elections board. Democrats went on the defense and responded by saying that the Republicans are trying to suppress thousands of legitimate votes in the county’s poor and minority communities.
“Closing down the site is nothing but politics and it’s unfair,” said East Chicago, IN., resident Earl Davis, who voted early on last Wednesday. Closing the site could make it “inconvenient for people to vote,” he said. “Any opportunity to keep the satellite offices open should be allowed to increase voting,” Davis further stated.
“You may not be able to get out because you might be sick or maybe the weather will be bad. If they’re able to cast their votes now, then why not?” said an East Chicago resident, who wished to remain anonymous after casting her ballot.
Responding to questions that surfaced in other jurisdictions nationwide, Election Board Chairman Langdon Neal said in a statement released on Monday that voter registration in Chicago is up. According to the Chicago Board of Elections, more than 1.4 million Chicagoans are registered to vote for the upcoming General Presidential Election, the highest registration total for a presidential election since 1992. Moreover, according to statistics from the Cook County Clerk’s Office, there are more than 1.403 million registered voters in Cook County; a new record that topped a previous one set in the same year.
While Attorney David Neely, a law professor at the John Marshall Law School said the recent allegations are least likely to have much impact in Illinois, he advised voters to stay informed as matters surrounding the issue are likely to continue to occur between now and Election Day.
To report problems or complaints, voters can call Election Central on Election Day at (312) 269-7870 or (312) 269-7900 for questions, comments or concerns associated with early voting.
Report Finds Younger People With Oral Cancer
Posted on 22. Oct, 2008 by admin in Community Focus, Global News
by Dwayne T. Ervin
Agrowing number of adults have contracted oral cancer from oral sex, excessive alcohol and tobacco use in a recent study.
Mouth cancer occurs when cells on your lips or in your mouth develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. These mutations allow cancer cells to grow and divide when healthy cells would die. The accumulating mouth cancer cells can form a tumor, according to Mayo clinic.com.
The Journal of Clinical Oncology reported in February 2008 that there was an increase of oral cancer linked to oral sex among reported from 1973 to 2004. This has come from people who had a history of a number of lifetime sex partners, oral sex, and a history of sexually transmitted diseases that lead to human papillomavirus (HPV.) The Journal of Clinical Oncology reported that HPV increased among black men during 1973 to 1987, but among women the virus decreased during 1973 to 2004. The incidents were lower for ages 55 to 59 years.
The journal concluded that HPV related cases had increased nationwide form 1973 to 2004 due to a change in sexual behaviors, which included an increase in premarital sex, and the number of lifetime sex partners. HPV increased because of change in sex behaviors during the 1960s.
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy had improved the survival rate for people diagnosed with oral cancer. Illinois Department of Public Health reported that 2,887 black males from 1986 to 2005 were diagnosed with oral cancer in the oral cavity (the mouth area) and pharynx (in the throat). Black women had a lower count in Illinois of 1,079 from 1986 to 2005.
According to a fact sheet from Illinois Department of Public Health division of oral health, Oral cancer will be found in an estimated 30,000 Americans this year and will cause close to 8,000 deaths. More than 90 percent of all oral cancers are found in people 45 years of age or older and men are twice more likely to develop can cancer than women and it occurs more often in African Americans than whites.
One of the other causes of oral cancer high exposure to the sun leads to lip cancer.
Some of the symptoms of oral cancer are a sore in the mouth that bleeds easily, a lump or thick spot on the cheek, a white patch or red patch on the gums, tongue or anywhere in the mouth, or soreness. Other symptoms are a feeling that something is caught in the throat, difficulty moving your jaw or tongue, and numbness of the tongue or other parts of the mouth.
Black McDonald’s Operators Association Kicks Off Write to Achieve
Posted on 22. Oct, 2008 by admin in Community Focus
by Dwayne T. Ervin
The Black McDonald’s Operators Association (BMOA) held a “Write to Achieve!” (WTA!) pep rally with poets, tumblers and music for students in grades 5 to 12 at UIC Pavilion, 525 S. Racine Ave. last Thursday.
“Hot Boys,” from Power 92.3 hosted the rally and stressed the importance of writing and using it as a way to positively express emotions. ”Sometimes you have to work to play,” one of the Hot Boys said. Derrick Taylor, owner and operator member of BMOA, asked the students to write a 200 words or less essay about living together, loving each other and stopping the violence.
Three poets gave a spoken word to encourage students to participate. Deana Dean spoke to the young women about respect. As part of a group of artist called “Chicago Poetry Underground,” (CPU) Dean has opened up for Brian McKnight, Syleena Johnson and Tyrese at the ”Expo For Today’s Black Woman.”
Khari B. talked about different types of music and has been performing poetry since 1992, where he has used his talent of poetry to reach, teach, and entertain young people. J.Ivy gave a spoken word about how writing has inspired him and told the children to write when they are happy or sad. He has worked with Kanye West on the album “College Dropout,” and had three appearances on HBO’s “Def Poetry Jam.” Ivy supports the community through the “Dream Big Project,” which encourages young people to explore careers in the arts.
Each of the participants received a gift bag which included a “Writing to Achieve,” journal, pen and tshirt. The BMOA launched WTA! during the 2003-2004 school year in 17 Chicago Public Schools. In its six-year history, the organization targets students in 5th through 12th grades and seeks to improve writing skills, enhance creativity and provide a comfortable outlet by encouraging students through creative expression. With the intent of raising standards and improving overall academic achievement, WTA! provides a stepping-stone to encourage and empower students to strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives.
The Black McDonald’s Operators Association (BMOA) of Chicago is a membership organization comprised of 17 Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana area McDonald’s restaurant owners. In addition to contributing to the success of McDonald’s brand name, BMOA of Chicago is also committed to exhibiting leadership, supporting education and developing partnerships within the African American communities they serve.
New Plan Announced to Get Economy’s Clogged Arteries Pumping
Posted on 15. Oct, 2008 by admin in Global News
by Lisette Livingston
In an effort to shore up the economy, President Bush announced a program early Tuesday morning to unfreeze stagnant credit markets. According to the plan, the government will use its authority under the $700 billion Wall Street bailout package to pump billions of dollars into banks, expand deposits and guarantee loans. Following Great Britain’ lead, which took the same steps recently, the United States is hoping the measure will unclog the nation’s financial markets and promote lending among banks.
The measure goes one step further to intervene as the government has sought ways over the last month to deal with the nation’s pressing economic crisis. When an announcement to simply buy toxic assets held by major banks and Wall Street failed to unfreeze markets, the government moved one step further Tuesday to directly intervene by investing a reported $250 billion into the nation’s banking system, putting taxpayers in a position to become preferred stockholders under the plan. The move comes on the heels of a historically bad period last week in the U.S. stock market. Joined by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair, President Bush outlined four major aspects of the plan in a televised statement released from the White House.
“This weekend, I met with the finance ministers from the G7 and G20, organizations representing some of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies. We agreed on a coordinated plan for action to provide new liquidity, strengthen financial institutions, protect our citizens’ savings, and ensure fairness and integrity in the markets. Yesterday, leaders in Europe moved forward with this plan. They announced significant steps to inject capital into their financial systems by purchasing equity in major banks. And they announced a new effort to jump start lending by providing temporary government guarantees for bank loans. These are wise and timely actions, and they have the full support of the United States.
“First, the federal government will use a portion of the $700 billion financial rescue plan to inject capital into banks by purchasing equity shares. This new capital will help healthy banks continue making loans to businesses and consumers. And this new capital will help struggling banks fill the hole created by losses during the financial crisis, so they can resume lending and help spur job creation and economic growth.
“This is an essential short-term measure to ensure the viability of America’s banking system. And the program is carefully designed to encourage banks to buy these shares back from the government when markets stabilize and they can raise capital from private investors. Second, and effective immediately, the FDIC will temporarily guarantee most new debt issued by insured banks. This will address one of the central problems plaguing our financial system—banks have been unable to borrow money, and that has restricted their ability to lend to consumers and businesses. When money flows more freely between banks, it will make it easier for Americans to borrow for cars, and homes, and for small businesses to expand. Third, the FDIC will immediately and temporarily expand government insurance to cover all noninterest bearing transaction accounts. These accounts are used primarily by small businesses to cover day-to-day operations. By insuring every dollar in these accounts, we will give small business owners peace of mind,” he said.
Currently, the Federal Reserve is taking steps to finalize work on a new program where it will serve as a buyer of last resort for commercial paper, President Bush added. “This is a key source of short-term financing for American businesses and financial institutions. And by unfreezing the market for commercial paper, the Federal Reserve will help American businesses meet payroll, and purchase inventory, and invest to create jobs.”
While each of these new programs contain “safeguards” to protect taxpayers, President Bush described the government’s role as “limited” and “temporary” and “are not intended to take over the free markets, but to preserve it,” he stated. Experts predict the result of the plan could significantly impact on small businesses, the backbone of America’s economy.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses make up 99.9 percent of the 27.2 million businesses nationwide and provide about 50 percent of all private-sector jobs. Moreover, small businesses generate about 80 percent of new jobs each year and create more than 50 percent of the nonfarm gross domestic product.
When businesses can’t get credit, Robert Korajczyk, finance professor at Northwestern University’s Kellog School of Management agreed that it makes it difficult for small businesses to meet financial obligations. The inability to secure credit has the effect of putting “the squeeze on profitability,” he said.
A National Small Business Association survey taken in August, reported that 67 percent of business owners surveyed reported that they have felt the effects of the credit crunch, more than double the amount who were surveyed last year. In a PNC Economic Outlook survey taken at the same time, about 25 percent of business owners said they found it harder to obtain credit. As an incentive to help small businesses, Democratic Presidential nominee U.S. Senator Barack Obama has outlined a plan that would give companies a $3,000 tax credit per new worker for jobs created in the United States through 2010. While his Republican opponent U.S. Senator John McCain’s plan did not highlight tax incentives for jobs in the U.S, McCain has called for cutting spending, providing a $5,000 tax credit to help families buy health insurance and increase domestic oil drilling to help stimulate the economy.
Madigan Announces Loan Modification Settlement at PUSH
Posted on 15. Oct, 2008 by admin in Uncategorized
PUSH also recognizes homeownership relief efforts
by Lesley R. Chinn
By 2012, more than 6.5 million people are predicted to face foreclosure if efforts aren’t put in place to modify risky loans to help preserve homeownership, according to Illinois Atty. General Lisa Madigan.
Madigan recently was instrumental in reaching an $8.7 million settlement with Countrywide. Under the settlement, which is the largest predatory lending settlement in history, the mandatory loan modification program will provide immediate relief to homeowners who were put into the riskiest types of loans.
At a press conference held last Friday at PUSH, Madigan talked about the settlement, which was recently negotiated with Bank of America, which acquired Countrywide shortly after she filed suit in June 2008. Madigan’s lawsuit alleged that Countrywide engaged in unfair and deceptive conduct by marketing and originating unnecessarily risky and costly mortgage loans for Illinois homeowners.
As part of this landmark agreement, Countrywide agreed to implement a range of homeowner relief programs and to modify its future lending practices. These terms included suspending foreclosures on the riskiest loans to determine if borrowers qualify for modification, assisting homeowners through a $1 million relocation assistance program, waiving loan modification fees and late fees, and paying $1.7 million for the costs incurred in Madigan’s investigation.
“We want to make sure that the people who are responsible for these unfair and risky loans are held accountable,” Madigan stated. Translating into nearly $185 million in modifications, the agreement will affect approximately 21,000 people in Illinois. “This settlement will hold Countrywide accountable for its conduct of putting hundreds of thousands of homeowners into loans they didn’t understand, [could not] afford, and couldn’t get out of,” Madigan said.
In 2004, Southeast side resident Minnie Christmas was on the verge of losing her home when Countrywide increased her interest rate from 7.5 percent to 8.75 percent. “They didn’t have to go to 8.75 percent because my credit score was 600. It wasn’t real good, but it was decent. I asked them why they wanted to go to 8.75 percent, but they didn’t answer my questions. Their tactics were really sneaky,” she said. Christmas was on the brink of foreclosure until she went to the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, which intervened, on her behalf. “They got my interest rate down to 3.0 percent and my mortgage payment from $955 to $556.90. I’m still in my house right now. All the bad turned out to be pretty good.”
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., who announced a meeting with Secretary Treasury Henry Paulson scheduled for October 13, said the crisis on Wall Street really started on the regular streets and in rural areas of America. “These are hardworking people that were targeted to be exploited. This is massive thievery and what is astonishing is that those who committed this are not under indictment,” he said.
Also recognized was Cook County Board President Todd Stroger for helping to keep residents in their homes by sponsoring countywide home foreclosure education workshops in conjunction with the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America. Stroger also called on the state legislature to enact a statewide moratorium on foreclosures. It is an initiative designed to help people stay in their homes throughout the county and state. Stroger said petitions are currently being circulated to support the moratorium. Another part of the initiative includes discontinuing county business with unfair lenders that refuse to provide loan modifications for at-risk homeowners, he said.
Homeowners want to “work and pay but they need a loan restructured at the present-day market value,” Jackson said. “That way, they can pay, stay in their homes, and keep their tax base and families secure,” Jackson concluded.
CTA Announces 2009 Budget Recommendations
Posted on 15. Oct, 2008 by admin in Uncategorized
by Dwayne T. Ervin
Chicago Transit Authority President Ron Huberman announced the proposed 2009 budget last Thursday in the midst of one of CTA’s most difficult years.
On October 29, CTAwill hold a public hearing on the budget to allow city residents to provide feedback on the proposal. The Chicago Transit Board must submit a budget to the RTA by November 15th and RTA must approve the budget by the end of the year.
The proposed 2009 operating budget is over $1.3 billion, which is $120 million higher than 2008. The CTA expects to generate over $600 million in fares and other revenue and anticipates over $720 million in public funding.
“We tried to keep the fare increase as modest as possible,” Huberman said. Even though the fares will increase, they will keep the same service, he stated.
With resources directed at operations–administrative and support staffing will be reduced by 396 positions compared to 2008. In addition, due to a reduced capital program, 236 positions that were funded by capital projects will be eliminated, for a total workforce reduction of 632. Bus fuel, which makes up 8 percent of the budget, is up 112 percent, $54 million more than in 2008. Energy costs at $40 million makes up 3 percent of the budget, and is up 34 percent from last year, while the agency has also seen increases in costs for sheet metal, wire, cable and asphalt.
The free rides for 2009 are estimated to cost $35.8 million. The average costs for free rides for seniors per day from March 17 through September 1st this year was $94,637. “We leveled money for the fleet with fewer broken buses,” Huberman continued. ”We have a $42.2 million deficit and the fare increase will lower it. We cannot cut more positions. There is no doomsday in essence,” he added.
The CTA had the highest rail rider ship in 41 years. The increase was due to higher gas prices. Reduced fare prices will remain the same. “People with disabilities are struggling financially,” he added. Disabled riders will pay reduced fares unless they are part of the Circuit Breaker program for free rides.
The proposed budget also includes an across-the-board fare increase an across-the-board fare increase, to begin in January 2009, which will generate an estimated $42.1 million. This will be the first time that bus and rail pass fares will increase since 1998 and, adjusting for inflation, the price will still remain below 1998 levels.
