Proud of her Chicago roots, Shepherd told the Chicago Citizen, “I got folks all over Chicago.” (Photo Credit: Steve Fenn/ABC)

Sherri Shepherd, co-host of ABC’s “The View” has come a long way from her humble beginnings on Chicago’s South Side.

The comedian actress and author began her career as a standup comedian in 1991.

“I always liked making people laugh so I just stayed with it and pushed through it,” Shepherd said.  “Eventually an agent saw me, started representing me and sending me on TV shows for auditions.”

Today, the successful television and motion picture actress has several sitcoms to her credit including “30 Rock”, “Less Than Perfect”, and “The Jamie Foxx Show.”

Shepherd is also basking in the glory of her work on the silver screen.  Her next movie, “One for the Money” starring Katherine Heigl, hits theaters Jan. 27 and is based on the novel by Janet Evanovic.

In addition, Shepherd recently wrapped production on Steve Harvey’s movie, “Think Like a Man,” which is based on his best-selling book, “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man.”

In 2009, the acclaimed actress debuted her own book in the form of an autobiography entitled, “Permission Slips:  Every Woman’s Guide to Giving Yourself a Break.”

During her formative years, Shepherd attended Foster Park Elementary located 8530 S. Wood St. and had planned to attend Chicago Vocational High School but her family relocated to northwest suburban Hoffman Estates.

President Barack Obama records an episode of "The View" at ABC Studios in New York, N.Y., July 28, 2010. Pictured, from left, are Whoopi Goldberg, Barbara Walters, Joy Behar, Sherri Shepherd, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Shepherd recently told the Chicago Citizen that President Obama is among her favorite guests that visit the show. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Proud of her Chicago roots, Shepherd told the Chicago Citizen that she has many fond memories of growing up in the Windy City.

“My girlfriends and I used to sneak to Evergreen Plaza,” Shepherd said. “We would sneak over there and get on that doggone CTA and we would go to Evergreen. We would walk from one end to the other.”

“I got folks all over Chicago,” she added.

Leading a healthy lifestyle is among Shepherd’s top goals for 2012. A Type 2 diabetic, she has made a pledge to stop consuming artificial sweeteners and drinking diet soda.

“I’m on my 45^th day of just water, no diet soda,” she told the Chicago Citizen.  “I want to eat healthy, be healthy.  One of my goals is to make exercise such a part of my life that I want to do it.”

Shepherd is the mother of a six-year- old son, Jeffrey and married Lamar Sally, a television writer in Chicago last year.

As a mother and wife, making health conscious decisions are very important to Shepherd.  Her mother died at the early age of 41 which is why it is extremely important to her that she lives to see her son grow up.  The actress commented about how she doesn’t want people telling him how funny she was or explaining to him where heaven is.

“That’s not the future that I want,” Shepherd said.

Approaching five years as one of five co-hosts of “The View,” Shepherd revealed to the Chicago Citizen that President Barack Obama is among her favorite guests.

“It inspires me to see a Black president,” she said.

In regards to her “View” co-hosts, Shepherd said she relates to Elisabeth Hasselbeck the most.  “We’re both mothers. Our kids are the same age.  Even though there’s a 10 year difference between her and I, we pretty much have the same values [and] belief system,” Shepherd said.  “We don’t agree politically, but we are both married, so we are always encouraging each other about our marriage[s]. We both go through the ‘guilty mother working syndrome’ and we’re both really silly.”

By Thelma Sardin

Twitter: @thelmasardin

Deputy Governor Cristal Thomas presents IEF Scholar Timothy Bradford with a tie signed by Governor Pat Quinn. (Photo Credit: IEF)

Individuals searching for employment in today’s tough economic climate must have job seeking savoir-faire.

During a mini-training session on Jan. 21, fifty fortunate college students were counseled about the professional skills they now need to land a job and also received brand new professional business attire during the Illinois Education Foundation’s (IEF) second annual “Suited for Success” event.

Suited for Success, which was held at The Standard Club this year, is a ground-breaking event designed to provide high-quality, interview-worthy clothes and footwear to low-income, highly motivated community college students who will soon be entering the business world.

Brooks Brothers, The Standard Club, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Davis Imperial Cleaners, Allen Edmonds, Lori’s Shoes, LODIS, and juliewatsonstyle donated tens of thousands of dollars in clothing and services to 50 IEF Scholars, ages 18-58.

IEF is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 that empowers extremely driven community college students to thrive in school, work and life. IEF also partners with all seven City Colleges of Chicago and Prairie State and South Suburban Colleges.

Prairie State College student Nadia Crawley (right) and Truman College student Luz Cardoso (left) receive apparel at Suited for Success event. (Photo Credit: IEF)

The students who participated are enrolled in IEF‘s Signature Scholarship program which provides comprehensive student support services including mentoring, academic advising, professional development and financial assistance.

According to IEF, its scholars have a median household income of $14,000. In addition, 43.5 percent of IEF Scholars are African American and another 43.5 percent are Hispanic.

Surprisingly, the average age of scholars in the organization’s program is 27 years old. Many of the older participants have returned to college because they have found it difficult to compete in the global market without having at least a bachelor’s degree.

“I can’t think of a better way to give back to the community than investing in students,” said Tony Anderson, Ernst & Young Vice Chair and Midwest Managing Partner, who gave the keynote address.  “At Ernst & Young, we’re committed to supporting education and creating a path toward college completion for students in underserved communities. The strength of our economy, the caliber of our future workforce and our global competitiveness depend on it. That’s why we applaud the efforts of IEF, which helps low-income students attend college, prepare for a career and achieve their full potential.”

Il. Deputy Governor Cristal Thomas presented scholar Timothy Bradford with a tie donated and signed by Governor Pat Quinn, to inaugurate the IEF’s Ties That Bind/Scarves That Support initiative, a new effort to provide pathways for IEF Scholars into the professional world.

“Access to higher education is critical to ensuring that Illinois continues to compete in the global economy,” Gov. Quinn said in a statement. “Organizations like the IEF are leading the way in helping more students attend community college and preparing them for successful careers.”

Bradford is a student at Harold Washington College studying anthropology.  An Iraq War veteran, he plans to become a community organizer because he wants to “educate” people”.

“I feel special,” Bradford told the Chicago Citizen about receiving recognition from the governor. “I feel like someone is paying attention to my work.”  Bradford said he is a non-traditional student and the honor made him feel a sense of achievement. “It’s always good to have positive reinforcement,” he added.

Bradford appreciated the apparel he received too. “I got several suits, shoes and ties…quality tools for me to go in for a job interview,” he said.

Nadia Crawley, a student at Prairie State College in south suburban Chicago Heights also spoke on the new additions to her wardrobe.

“I absolutely loved the Suited for Success event,” she told the Chicago Citizen. “It was literally an ‘out of body’ experience. I wasn’t too sure what to expect, other than being fitted for a donated suit. But when I discovered the other items we were to receive, the dress workshop, and the room full of dedicated professionals, I was blown away. I thank the IEF and everyone who came that to show support and encouragement for us students.”

Ekaterina Munter, a student at Truman College realized during the event, the importance of maintaining a professional appearance

“It was a fabulous experience!” she said.  “This event made me rediscover myself. I am a completely different person when I wear business attire. Only through this event I realized how it’s crucial to look professional. The event motivated me to finish my education and move on into my business career in Human Resource Management.”

The IEF is currently accepting applications for its 2012-2013 Signature Scholarship Program.  For more information visit www.iledfoundation.org/applynow.

By Thelma Sardin

Twitter: @thelmasardin

HIV/AIDS activist Rae Lewis Thornton is also a licensed minister. She received a master's degree in divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in 2003. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. (Photo Courtesy of Rae Lewis Thornton)

Name: Rae Lewis Thornton

Occupation: HIV/AIDS activist

Why does she stand out?

In 1986, at the age of 23, Rae Lewis Thornton was diagnosed with HIV.  Thornton appeared on the cover of the December 1994 issue of Essence Magazine and the coverage served as a catalyst that allowed the activist to share her story globally.

“If you become infected, you have to make the decision you want to live,” Thornton told the Chicago Citizen.  “Living in a denial that it will never happen to you is ridiculous.”

During the 1990’s, Thornton received an Emmy Award for serving as a contributing editor at CBS 2 Chicago. Through a series of news segments, she gave viewers a glimpse into her daily struggle with the disease.

Today, Thornton is living with full blown AIDS and despite her status she is still heavily involved with HIV/AIDS activism.  In 2009, she created a fashion bracelet line called the RLT Collection, and pieces are worn by stars such as Sheryl Lee Ralph and Kim Coles.

As for HIV/AIDS awareness in the Black community, Thornton says more activism is needed from everyone. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness day is Feb. 7 and she encourages the public to get informed.

“There are a lot of people doing a lot of great work, but more can be done,” she said.

By Thelma Sardin

(L to R ) Ald. Carrie M. Austin (34th), Ald. Latasha Thomas (17th), Ald. Howard Brookins (21st), Larry Huggins, president/CEO Riteway Construction Services and Walmart store manager Keith Richards officially open the Chatham Walmart Supercenter with a ribbon cutting Jan 25. (Photo by Thelma Sardin)

Last Wednesday’s grand opening of Chicago’s second Walmart Supercenter was the successful culmination of a long political battle and journey for 21^st Ward Alderman Howard Brookins.

Brookins worked tirelessly for eight years to bring the world’s largest retailer to West Chatham and now Chicago’s newest Walmart Supercenter is located at 8331 S. Stewart Ave. on the new Chatham Market development site.  The city’s first Walmart opened in 2006 in the Austin neighborhood.

“This is a great day,” said Alderman Brookins. “It was worth the fight. Chicagoans who live on the South Side deserve to have the same economic opportunities Chicagoans on the North Side take for granted. I believe that the Walmart Supercenter will enable the Chatham Market development to expand and grow, providing even more opportunities for the residents of my community to work and shop close to home.”

Fresh produce stands ready for customers at the new Chatham Walmart Supercenter Jan. 25. (Photo by Thelma Sardin)

The 157,000 sq. ft. store brings a bounty of fresh food, fruits and vegetables to the area which means residents like Denise Stewart no longer has to face long commutes to other communities for a comprehensive or “all inclusive” shopping experience.

“I absolutely love it,” said Stewart. “I usually have to go all the way out to Orland Park and I live in over in Chatham, so it’s a great thing.”

Keith Richards, the Walmart Chatham store manager, is a prime example of why Brookins fought hard to bring super store to his ward. Richards begin his career as an hourly associate with Walmart 11 years ago and two years prior to Alderman Brookin’s first bid for the retailer.

“[It’s] absolutely amazing to be here on the South Side of Chicago, saving people money so they can live better; it’s not just a slogan it’s what we do every day,” Richards told the Chicago Citizen.

Brookins explained that Richards’ story was particularly special. “Now he [Richards] makes more than Chicago aldermen as the general manager for this store…it’s a lot of good stories today and I’m just glad I could see this day happen,” he said.

Richards most recently managed the Country Club Hills store.

The new Walmart store brings 350 jobs to West Chatham and more than three-quarters of the store associates are South Side residents.

The construction of the Walmart Supercenter was contracted to two minority-owned companies—Powers & Sons and UJAMAA Construction.  According to Jimmy Akintonde, president, UJAMAA Construction, an estimated 300 construction jobs were created.

“Walmart continues to create opportunity for minorities within the construction industry,” said Akintonde. “Through a close working relationship with Walmart, Alderman Brookins and the community, we awarded 39 percent of all subcontracts on this project to M/WBE companies, many of whom were local contractors like ourselves with offices in close proximity to the site.”

Several elected officials also joined Brookins for the store opening.

“This is a great day,” said State Sen. Donne Trotter (D-17). “It’s a great day when you can wake up with a roof over your head  and you can put food on the table [and] when you can feed your children. This provides an opportunity  for people to do that—help stabilize the community and become self-sufficient. I am very proud of this moment. It’s a long time coming.”

Alderman Carrie Austin (34^th)  is thrilled about the store opening, not only for Chatham but her community as well.  She said her constituents not only  have  the  Jewel –Osco located in Marshfield Plaza but  now also Walmart.

“I think I am just as excited as Alderman Brookins,” said Austin. “This has been a long hard fight. I’m glad that I was one of those  that stuck with him all the way and to give him encouragement…This is just a win-win for our community.”

State Representative Monique Davis (D-27) also attended the grand opening and after the festivities grabbed a cart to do a little of shopping.

“I am really grateful to God that this store  has finally come to fruition,” Rep. Davis told the Chicago Citizen. “Three hundred and fifty jobs for people in this community,  a manager who started as  just a clerk in the store  and the food looks so wonderful and fresh. I will be shopping here  at Walmart  and I thank God that Alderman Brookins  and all of those who helped  including Governor Quinn continue do to do this hard fight. We know there were people that didn’t want it in this community for whatever reason, but we need food and we need  jobs like everybody else.”

By Thelma Sardin

Twitter: @thelmasardin

Friday, Rev. Marshall Hatch (shown above) of New Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church led members of the Leaders Network in a prayer vigil outside the Cook county medical examiner’s office on the West Side in hopes of improving conditions in the morgue there. Complaints about the conditions at the facility date back to 2010.

Several African American faith leaders are so outraged by the published reports and images of the stockpile of unburied bodies at the county morgue that they organized a prayer vigil, set up a hotline and are demanding a meeting with Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle.

Friday, Rev. Marshall Hatch of New Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church and Ira Acree, pastor of Greater St. John Bible Church, led members of the Leaders Network (LN) in a prayer vigil outside the county medical examiner’s office on the West Side where the morgue is located.

“Every human being deserves dignity in death. County officials must be held accountable to the citizens and to God for this sacred trust. Given the level of disorganization and neglect at the morgue, any one of these bodies could have been any one of us,” said Hatch.

In recent days, televised images showed dozens of bodies wrapped in blue and clear plastic piled “like junk cars” on shelves in the morgue. The deceased were said to be unclaimed corpses – some children – and indigents’ remains. A morgue worker blew the whistle, setting Preckwinkle and county officials back on their heels. Publicly, Preckwinkle would only say that the county was investigating the matter. Then she announced last week that there would be reorganization at the medical examiner’s office, including management changes and the addition of new positions.

Hatch said that LN extends its support to the changes and would like to see a citizen’s panel set up that would be authorized to issue periodical reports on conditions at the morgue and the panel would also act as a community “advocate.”

LN sent a letter to the county board president requesting to meet with her.  Hatch said a spokesperson from the county president’s office contacted the organization and plans for a meeting are in the works.

Preckwinkle’s press secretary confirmed in an e-mail to the Chicago Citizen that she will meet with Hatch’s group.

“The president is planning to meet with the clergy, but we are in the process of outreach and scheduling that meeting,” said Liane Jackson. She said nodate or time has been confirmed.

Hatch said LN had called attention to the county morgue last spring.

Conditions at the Cook county medical examiner’s office morgue are currently under investigation by the Cook County Inspector General and the Illinois Department of Labor. Recent finding revealed that coolers there (similar to those shown above) are designed to hold 300 bodies but actually contain over 360.

“We sounded the alarm about eight or nine months ago when the state funding was cut off for indigent burials,” Hatch told the Chicago Citizen. “Now that it has reached crisis point, we see that an overwhelmed morgue really means that they don’t know whose bodies are in there. Now that the state funding has been cut back on, we want to help them to clean up the mess there.”

Conditions at the morgue are currently under investigation by the Cook County Inspector General and the Illinois Department of Labor — which is looking into employee safety. Complaints about the conditions at the facility date back to 2010. A recent finding revealed that coolers there designed to hold 300 bodies actually contained over 360.

Faith leaders were firm in their call for transparency in any overhaul Preckwinkle decides to make at the medical examiner’s office.

“This is immoral and it is disrespectful of the families of the dead. As pastors, we are moved with compassion to offer pastoral care for these unnamed souls,” said Rev. Cy Fields, president of Leaders Network.

LN also set up a hotline for people with relatives at the medical examiner’s office.

On Saturday, Bishop Claude Porter, head of Proviso-Leyden Council for Community Action and chairman of Interfaith Illinois, launched a petition drive urging county board support for Preckwinkle and Sheriff Tom Dart and called for the two to change the morgue’s burial policy.

Porter also urged donation of wood to build caskets for the decedents and recommended that some in county correctional custody help to construct them.

“This would save needed money for the county and the taxpayers,” he said.

The LN pastors believe that by partnering with faith leaders and others in the community, public trust in the medical examiner’s office could be restored.

By Rhonda Gillespie

Helen Dumas, principal of St. Sabina Academy says she believes the school will raise one million dollars by Dec. 31, 2012. The parish and school’s theme for 2012 is “Mission Possible 2012: When Challenges Become Opportunities!” (Photo Courtesy of St. Sabina Academy)

Helen Dumas, Minster of Education/Principal of St. Sabina Academy located in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood, has created a program geared to help families with paying tuition there. Dumas recently told the Chicago Citizen that she has noticed families struggling over the past six years with the loss of jobs and foreclosures of homes.

“Some of our families have shed tears having to make the decision to provide their children with food and shelter or a quality Catholic education in the safe, nurturing and faith-based environment we provide,” Dumas said.  “Many had no choice but to send their children to some of the failing and violence-ridden schools in our community.”

Dumas added that the Catholic elementary school has been able to offer families a “considerable amount of financial assistance” but the need continues to grow.

The idea came to her during a moment of solace.

“One evening, the Holy Spirit gave me the vision to raise one million dollars as part of my legacy to our school. When I asked God, ‘How do you raise a million dollars?’ The response was, ‘$1.00 at a time.’ Thus our ‘Million Dollar Project!’”

Dumas said she believes the school will raise one million dollars by Dec. 31, 2012. The parish and school’s theme for 2012 is “Mission Possible 2012: When Challenges Become Opportunities!”

“The primary purposes of the campaign are to keep the cost of tuition affordable for our students and families as well as to establish an endowment or pool of monies for tuition assistance in order to offer a sliding tuition scale to assist low income families,” she said.  “We desire that all children and families who want to attend St. Sabina are not denied that opportunity due to lack of the financial resources.”

The school is working diligently to get the word out to the community. Dumas is presenting the project to the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation.  Members of the school and church community are also busy promoting.

“We began by sharing the vision for the project with parishioners, school families and staff. School parents are becoming parent ambassadors to spread the word about the project as well as recruit students for the 2012-2013 school year,” Dumas told the Chicago Citizen.

The Archdiocese of Chicago reported in January that Catholic elementary school enrollment has seen a surge for the second consecutive year. Shown here, St. Sabina Academy students perform at the school board's annual scholarship gala. (Photo Courtesy of St. Sabina Academy)

St. Sabina’s current enrollment is 296.  About half of the students are from the surrounding Auburn-Gresham and Englewood communities. Dumas said that number was higher prior to the economic recession. The remaining 50 percent of students travel from other neighborhoods including the south suburbs. Some students commute in from as far away as Indiana.

The school has already raised nearly $1,000 and students have also donated.

“It has been heartwarming to see our students now taking the initiative to bring in their coins to take ownership for their own destinies,” she said.

The Archdiocese of Chicago reported in January that Catholic elementary school enrollment has seen a surge for the second consecutive year.

According to the results from a recent survey, the increase reflects an influx of 650 students. The results represent the first positive movement in Chicago’s Catholic school enrollment since 1965.

Moreover, the second consecutive year, over half of the 216 elementary schools in the Archdiocese have a stable or growing student population. This growth is happening at the preschool, kindergarten and first grade levels, which are up a combined eight percent from two years ago for an improvement of 1,150 students.

For more information, interested parties or donors may call St. Sabina Academy at 773-483-5000 and speak with Ms. Dumas or Mrs. Woodland.  St. Sabina Academy is located at 7801 S. Throop St. in Chicago.

By Thelma Sardin

Twitter: @thelmasardin

Dr. Sheila Harrison-Williams, superintendent of Hazel Crest Illinois School District 152.5.

HAZEL CREST, Ill. – Dr. Sheila Harrison-Williams, superintendent of Hazel Crest Illinois School District 152.5, was publicly honored Thursday for receiving the 2011 Joseph E. Hill Superintendent of the Year Award from the National Alliance of Black School Educators, and the 2012 Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award from the American Association of School Administrators.  The open reception was held at the district’s administrative offices, 1910 West 170th Street in Hazel Crest, IL.

Illinois State Representatives William “Will” Davis (30th Legislative District) and Al Riley (38th Legislative District) were among the attendees at the event, which was organized by the School District 152.5 Board of Education.  Several administrators from neighboring school districts also were on hand to congratulate the Hazel Crest superintendent.

Harrison-Williams received her NABSE award in November during the organization’s conference in New Orleans.  The award is presented annually to superintendents who have exemplified the highest excellence in their professions and have achieved measurable improvements in the academic performance of their students.  Harrison-Williams will be handed the coveted AASA award next month during a national conference in Houston. She earned the award for her commitment to diversifying the field of education with high quality leaders.

No stranger to accolades, the superintendent has garnered a treasure trove of acknowledgements during her more than 10 years as a district leader, including an award from the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association and the 2009 NABSE “Phenomenal Woman” Award.

Harrison-Williams said she is always overwhelmed when she receives an industry award, but that her primary focus is her students.   She approaches her duties as a school superintendent based on the philosophy of Dr. Ron Edmonds, the founder of the Effective Schools Movement, who believed that: “We can, whenever and wherever we choose, successfully teach all children whose schooling is of interest to us. … Whether we do it must finally depend upon how we feel about the fact that we haven’t so far.”

Her goals are to continuously offer students the best opportunities to succeed in school so that they can assume leadership roles as adults.

“I’m a strong believer that all children can learn and every child deserves a good teacher,” states Harrison-Williams, who refers to her extended staff as her “Dream Team.”

Harrison-Williams, who was raised in Chicago, is a graduate of Northeastern University’s bachelor’s and master’s programs in various fields of education.  She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

Among her many roles, Harrison-Williams serves on the Executive Committee of the Superintendents Commission for the Study of Demographics and Diversity, and collaborates with school district leaders to provide professional development for teachers and administrators. She also serves as an At-Large Governing Board Member of the Illinois Association of School Administrators, representing minority superintendents in Illinois, and is a life member of NABSE.

Approximately 1,200 students are enrolled in Harrison-Williams’ School District 152.5, which comprises five elementary and middle schools serving the communities of Hazel Crest and Markham, Illinois.

Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. shows members of the Healthcare Consortium of Illinois a map of his district at the group's general assembly meeting Jan 30. (Photo by Thelma Sardin)

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. gave a fiery speech at the Healthcare Consortium of Illinois’ general assembly meeting in Dolton Jan. 30.

Several elected officials from the Southland were also present at the gathering including: State Rep. Will Davis (D-East Hazel Crest), Andrè B. Ashmore, Village President of Matteson, Debbie Meyers-Martin, Village President of Olympia Fields.

Jackson, who is currently seeking re-election for his 2^nd Congressional district seat, focused on the necessity of healthcare equality in America and economic development in Chicago’s Southland.

“Healthcare is a human right,” Jackson told Consortium members.  “Even more I believe this human right should be put in the Constitution of the United States so that this can become an individual American right.”

The congressman said that healthcare should no longer be the responsibility of the states but a national accountability.

“Healthcare Consortium we can no longer wait for Springfield to provide everybody with healthcare,” Jackson said. “We can no longer wait for state legislatures in 50 states –many of whom are broke –to provide healthcare for every American.”

Jackson added that if America can fund outer space projects, then it can fund to help citizens on American soil.

“Any nation that can spend billions of dollars to put a man on the Moon ought to be able to spend billions of dollars to put a man and a woman on two feet right here in America,” he said.

Jackson also presented a map of his congressional district. He explained that it is imperative that economic development come to Chicago’s South Side and Southland region.

“The City of Chicago has nowhere else to go,” Jackson said. “It’s already touching Milwaukee. The City of Chicago and economic growth of the State of Illinois and for our region has got to come south.  It’s got to come south. Which means it’s our time.”

The congressman also discussed how a third Chicagoland airport in Peotone would spur economic development in the area.

He said the proposed airport could bring an estimated 350,000 jobs and would over time be four times the size of Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.

As a result, Southland residents would not have to travel far for employment. “People would be able to practically ride their bikes to work,” Jackson said.

The proposed airport would also become international over time. Jackson said international access in the Southland would require local high schools to hire teachers that educate students about global culture including more foreign languages.

“Your congressman promises to bring you a global economy, not just a job.  That means Kankakee High School and Thornton Fractional High School has to hire a Chinese teacher and up until this point you’ve not needed to hire one,” Jackson said.

By Thelma Sardin

Twitter: @thelmasardin

Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford’s office reunited over $101 million to owners after they had been separated from their belongings for more than five years, paying out more than 53,000 claims last year. Photo by Illinois State Treasurer’s office.

If a bank or business has been is in possession of your unclaimed cash or property for over five years, then chances are your assets have already been turned over to the Illinois state treasurer’s office.

That is why dozens of people turned out to the south suburban Homewood village hall Friday – braving the snow storm – to find out if they had unclaimed property being held by the state.

Cash Dash, sponsored by the state treasurer’s office, seeks to reunite unclaimed property with its rightful owner.

State Treasurer Dan Rutherford was at the Homewood Cash Dash event answering questions for would-be claimants. According to Rutherford, last year his office reunited over $101 million to owners after they had been separated from their belongings for more than five years, paying out more than 53,000 claims.

The program’s process was simple.

One-by-one hopeful claimants sat down with Alan Banks, a representative from Rutherford’s office on hand with his laptop chockfull of names associated with unclaimed property data. Individuals gave their name and even the names of the others they knew, and Banks searched the database for a match.

If a name match was found, Banks then completed a claim form which in some cases had to be

Alan Banks of the Illinois state treasurer's office sat down with hopeful claimants who came out to the Homewood Village Hall last Friday for the Cash Dash program. The program, run by state Treasurer Dan Rutherford's office, reunites unclaimed property with its owners.

notarized before mailing back to the unclaimed property division of the treasurer’s office.

Banks explained that the unclaimed money or other assets could come from such sources as a banksafe deposit box, a deposit refund from a utility company, unpaid wages or commissions or even paid-up life insurance policies.

“They tried to give it back to you but were unable, for whatever reason, to reach you,” Banks told the Chicago Citizen.

After five years of going unclaimed, the property is turned over to the state treasurer’s office.

Rutherford boasts that the Cash Dash program isn’t paid for through taxpayer dollars, but rather from the interest earned on the property waiting to be claimed by its owner.

“Upon taking office, I made it a priority to get unclaimed property I was holding back in the hands of the rightful owners,” said Rutherford.

For more information on the Cash Dash program, or to search online for unclaimed property you think you may have, visit www.treasurer.il.gov.

Photo by Dan Rutherford Campaign Committee

By Rhonda Gillespie

Desiree Rogers

Desiree Rogers, CEO of Johnson Publishing Company and former White House social secretary is one of seven speakers lined up for AT&T’s 28 Days — a Black History Month campaign  with an objective to encourage consumers to be vocal and mobilize into action throughout the year.

This year’s AT&T 28 Days will feature a seven-city speaker series tour and a performance from award-winning hip-hop artist, actor, author and activist Common.

Rogers will speak on Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Park West Theatre, 322 West Armitage Ave. in Chicago.

The speaker series events are free and open to the public. Tickets are available at att.com/28days on a first come first serve basis.

Other speakers and stops on the tour include Holly Robinson Peete in Oakland, Calif., and Michael Eric Dyson in Detroit.

“We are now in the fourth year of AT&T 28 Days and we continue to recognize past achievements while engaging and challenging consumers to make their own history today,” said Jennifer Jones, vice president of Diverse Markets, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “We want to connect with consumers, especially youth, in relevant ways and extend the AT&T 28 Days live experience into new markets.”