Joe Berrios, candidate for Cook County assessor, said he agrees with proposed reform legislation for County that was announced today.

In a statement, Berrios said: “Earlier today, three individuals proposed reforms which would prohibit any Cook County public official from lobbying any unit of government on behalf of an entity other than the county. 

“I couldn’t agree more. Our current assessor, Jim Houlihan, lobbied for three years as an elected official.  

“I said last August during the Cook County Democratic Party slating process that I would no longer work as a lobbyist as soon as I take office. I committed back then that I would stop, and if I need to reiterate that promise to Roger Keats, Dick Simpson, and Andy Shaw, I will.  

“Being Cook County assessor is a full-time job. I want the people of Cook County to be comfortable knowing that I will be concentrating solely on the job at hand - and that is making sure their properties are fairly assessed throughout Cook County.”

Commentary 

Civil Rights Leader Benjamin L. Hooks’ legacy will take its rightful place in the annals of history.

By Juanita Bratcher

It’s a quote synonymous to the Civil Rights Movement: “The Struggle Continues.” So is the song, “We Shall Overcome.”

And over the years, as a news reporter covering a myriad of events and rallies on various issues, I’ve heard the quote time and time again, used as a sounding board to rally and fire-up the troops. Sometimes it was used by speaker or speakers at the beginning of speech, but more often used at the end of speech.

In essence, the quote was used by speakers as an admonishing connotation: “Don’t rest on your laurels, there is much more needed to be done. The battle hasn’t been won yet, regardless of what has already been accomplished. We have a long way to go.”

So when I read a quote attributed to the legendary Civil Rights Icon Benjamin L. Hooks, who died April 15, at his home in Memphis, Tennessee, after a long illness, “The Struggle Continues” resonated in my mind.

According to news reports, NAACP Executive Director Benjamin Todd Jealous recalled a speech Hooks gave last year.

“Right up to the last, he conveyed…the need for us to fight,” Jealous said.

Hooks was a trailblazer. He was a fighter for social justice and against bigotry. He took over the helm of the NAACP as its Executive Director in 1977 and served until 1992. He came to the civil rights organization during a declining membership. Under his tenure, he galvanized the membership, adding hundreds of thousands to its membership roll.

Hooks was one of the great communicators of the Civil Rights Movement; a champion for civil rights. He was a voice for many, and once served as President of the National Civil Rights Museum in his hometown Memphis. He was a lawyer; graduated from DePaul University in Chicago, after being declined by law schools in his native Tennessee. No law school there would admit him. After earning his law degree, he returned to Tennessee, passed the bar exam and set-up practice there. He was a Baptist minister, a warrior in fighting for the downtrodden. 

He was the first African-American judge to sit on the bench in Tennessee Criminal Court, appointed by Tennessee Governor Frank G. Clement; the first African-American appointed to the Federal Communications Commission by President Richard Nixon, in 1972; and was awarded the “Presidential Medal of Freedom” by President George Bush in 2007, the highest U.S. civilian honor.

As a news reporter, I followed Hooks’ career over the years. But I got the pleasure of meeting him briefly in the 1980s, one-on-one, at a convention in Chicago where he was one of the keynote speakers.

When I realized he was on his way out of the Ballroom where the convention was in session, I hurried out the door to wait for him to come out to get an interview for the article I would be writing (No, it wasn’t stalking).

As he exited the Ballroom, I approached him, identified myself and the media organization I worked for – the historical Chicago Defender – a black newspaper, founded by the late Robert Abbott.

Hooks said he was running late for the airport, that he had an engagement in another state. He said, “Young lady, I’m on my way to the airport. I’m running late. But I tell you what, you can walk with me and get the interview. I walked alongside him, interviewing him as we waited for the elevator and continued on into the elevator. When I heard of his death last week, I thought of that encounter with him. I thought about his patience and consideration in giving me that interview even though he was trying to get to the airport on time. I am forever grateful.  

Hooks, born January 31, 1925 in Memphis, died at the age of 85. He left a great legacy of achievement. His endless efforts and energy to bring about justice and equality for African Americans and other minorities in this country will take their rightful place in the annals of history.

Beware of fake complaint reports  

 “This is not the first time that the Better Business Bureau name and logo identification have been used in an attempt to impersonate our organization and legitimize a message, which in fact is a phishing attempt to have people disclose personal information or transmit a potentially harmful virus,” said Steve J. Bernas president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago & Northern Illinois.

 Bernas noted that while there have been two reports of companies in northern Illinois receiving such messages, he encourages all companies to be watchful.

Chicago, IL (BlackNews.com) — Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority expressed profound sadness on the death of Dr. Benjamin Hooks. Hailing him as a “civil rights and human rights icon” the Sorority’s international president Barbara A. McKinzie praised him for his courage, strength and for being a champion for justice.

Recalling his journey to greatness, McKinzie noted that as executive director of the NAACP from 1977 to 1992, Dr. Hooks served the nation’s venerable civil rights organization during a period when the organization was going through turmoil. When he took on the position, membership was declining along with the organization’s prestige. At the same time, the nation continued to need the type of outspoken leadership that the NAACP was legendary for providing.

Reflecting on how he plied his skills to guide the organization to the summit of worldwide influence, McKinzie said: “Through his leadership, charisma and ability to galvanize, Dr. Hooks took on these challenges, grew the organization and led the NAACP to a period of sustained greatness.”

She noted that his efforts were rightfully awarded, including receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the nation’s highest civil honor.

She said that leaders of his caliber are rare but that their heroic example of strength and fortitude should serve as an inspiration to everyone who aspires to make a difference.

She extended condolences to the NAACP family and to all who admire the life he led. She offered special words of comfort to his wife Frances, who was his steadfast partner in his life’s journey.

If you know how to think for yourself, there’s no need

for anyone else to think for you – Juanita Bratcher

Fifteen school districts to update technology through                                                             federal  stimulus  dollars                                                                

Springfield, IL — The Illinois State Board of Education announced today it will distribute $10 million in recovery funds toward enhancing student achievement in literacy and mathematics with the use of one-to-one technology such as laptops, computer notebooks and i-Pods touches. The competitive grants were awarded to 15 districts across the state as part of a federal grant program designed to improve student academic achievement through the integration of technology in schools and help every student become technologically literate by the end of eighth grade.

“Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more school districts in Illinois will be able to increase access to critical technology and resources to enhance learning and better prepare them for academic and career success,’’ said State Superintendent Christopher A. Koch. “This will help students who might not otherwise have access to laptops and other technology keep up with their peers across the state and the nation.’’ 

School districts that have the highest percentages of children from low income families and serve one or more schools identified for improvement under the No Child Left Behind Act, or have a substantial need for assistance in acquiring technology, were eligible to apply for the federal grant as well as eligible local partnerships. Such partnerships must include at least one high-need district and at least one of the following:

• A school district that can demonstrate that teachers in its schools are effectively integrating technology and proven teaching practices into instruction.
• An institution of higher education that is in full compliance with the reporting requirements of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and that has been identified as low-performing.
• A for-profit technology business or organization.
• A public or private non-profit with demonstrated expertise in the application of educational technology in instruction.

The grant period expires September 30, 2011. ISBE received and reviewed 182 proposals before awarding grants to the following districts:

District Name                                                                                    Amount Recommended

Marshall CUSD C-2                                                              $630,000

Hoover-Schrum Memorial SD 157                               $700,000

United CUSD 304                                                                $480,000

Round Lake Area SD 116                                                  $850,000

Bradley-Bourbonnais CHSD 307                                   $850,000

Pontiac Twp HSD 90                                                           $480,000

Carlinville CUSD 1                                                               $828,000

Herrin CUSD 4                                                                      $660,000

Rich Twp HSD 227                                                              $830,000

Thomasboro CCSD 130                                                     $332,000

Creve Coeur District 76                                                    $640,000

Unity Point CCSD 140                                                        $675,000

Lincoln SD 156                                                                      $590,000

Madison CUSD 12                                                                $850,000

Alton CUSD 11                                                                      $605,000

TOTAL                                                                                 $10,000,000

State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac), GOP candidate for Illinois State Treasurer, questioned current State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and his staff on what business analysis they used to determine the sale of a state-owned hotel asset for less than half the appraised value.

The Treasurer and his staff had two different appraisals of the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Conference Center in Springfield. The Chicago Sun-Times obtained copies, through Freedom of Information requests, showing the appraised value in the range of $17 million to $22 million. The Treasurer and his staff sold the property at auction for $6.5 million. An appraisal after the sale pegged the value at $11.2 million.

“I appreciate more than most the need to have cash in the state treasury, but it is apparent a logical business approach was not taken in the disposition of this state asset,” said Rutherford. “When a private industry expert notes that it does not make sense to sell such a property at such a low price, unless there is other motivation, it makes one question what that motivation was and ask what business analysis was used to make the decision.”

“Previously learning that $150 million was lost in Bright Start funds and now that a state asset, which was making a profit, was sold for less than half its appraised value should cause one to take pause and expect answers from the Treasurer and his staff,” emphasized Rutherford. “I ask the Treasurer and his staff for those answers. What business analysis did they use on the hotel decision?”
Contact: Dan Rutherford
Phone: 815-842-2475

Link to Press Release:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dan-Rutherford/104696265020?v=app_2347471856

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Campaign for Better Health Care will celebrate passage of health reform at a YES WE DID Rally today  (April 6) at the Chicago Temple First United, 77 W. Washington, in Chicago, IL. Doors will open at 5:15 p.m., and program is from 5:45-6:45 PM
 
The rally is being held to celebrate the passage of historic health reform legislation and thank the members of the Illinois Congressional delegation and U.S. Senators for their efforts in making it happen.