Las Vegas, NV (BlackNews.com) — On Friday, April 8th 2011, multiple African American construction firms filed a lawsuit against Laborers International Union Local #872 for racial discrimination, breach of contract, and fraudulent and misleading business practices.

The lawsuit alleges that for the past 5 years, Local #872 has targeted African Americans owned construction firms to add to its member roster for political and economic reasons. The complaint alleges that on multiple occasions, Local # 872 has published defamatory and/ or misleading statements regarding the African American small business contractors who are plaintiffs in this action. More specifically, the complaint alleges that Tommy White, the business manager and secretary of local #872 is largely responsible for the extreme financial hardship suffered by the plaintiffs herein.

The plaintiffs in this action look forward to resolving all of the disputes and restoring their reputations and retaining their businesses. All the plaintiffs and their employees and supporters were present at a press conference on April 8th to discuss the issue with the media.

Releases longer version of birth certificate

By Chinta Strausberg

Amazed that network stations ran his press conference live about a “silly” non-governmental issue that has dogged him for more than two-years, President Barack Obama released a longer version of his birth certificate and said it’s time for his critics and the media to get serious about some very pressing national issues and end the “side show” drama over this prolong “birther” controversy.

“This issue has been going on for two, two-and-a-half years now,” said Obama. “Every news outlet that has investigated this” has confirmed the validity of his birth certificate.

Yet, Obama said, while normally he would not comment on these rumors and made-up speculations, he felt it was time to put this “silly” issue to rest. Obama said the topic has become a “side show” fueled by “carnival barkers.”

In 2008, Obama released a shorter version of his birth certificate which according to the State of Hawaii Department of Health’s 61 10641 form that Obama was born on August 4, 1961 at 7:24 p.m. on the Island of Oahu in Honolulu, Hawaii. This proves Obama is qualified to be President of the United States.

Obama’s birth certificate also states that his father, Hussein Barack Obama was a 25-year-old African student and his mother, Ann Stanley Dunham, 18, was white and born in Wichita, KS.  His mother signed the birth certificate on August 7, 1961. The document was certified by Dr. Alvin T. Onaka.

This “birther” debate has been raging since 2008 (http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html) and gaining steam especially since possible presidential hopeful Donald Trump has been publicly accusing Obama of not being qualified to be president.

Upon learning that Obama was going to release his birth certificate publicly, Trump told reporters he is responsible for Obama’s move and will now examine the document for its veracity. Trump has begun yet another rumor accusing Obama of not being smart enough to enter Harvard University.

Tired of “made up stuff” about his birth, Obama posted his birth certificate on the White House website.  “We are not going to be able to solve our problems if we get distracted by sideshows and carnival barkers,” said Obama during a White House live press conference.

Saying this nation is facing serious issues like unemployment, the budget deficit debate and making sure “we have a strong safety net for our seniors…,” Obama chided the media and his critics for focusing on the “birther” political controversy instead of national issues he said will affect generations to come.  “We do not have time for this kind of silliness. We’ve got better things to do,” said Obama.

Chinta Strausberg is a Journalist of more than 33-years, a former political reporter and a current PCC Network talk show host.

Announcement will be made today, Thursday, April 28^th, at the Haymarket Memorial, 175 N. Desplaines, (Corners of Desplaines St & Lake St), at 1:30 p.m.

Chicago, IL – On the 125^th anniversary of the Haymarket protest, immigrant rights activists will gather on the historic Haymarket Memorial to put out the call to march on May Day (Sunday May 1^st) in support of the rights of both documented and undocumented workers.

Activists and organizers will drop a “migra-manta” calling Chicagoans to come to the march, as well as release a series of balloons symbolizing Chicago’s long history of struggle to overcome oppression. Members of the Moratorium on Deportations Campaign will be available for interview, as well as members of the endorsing organizations, listed below.

“We march because the classic union anthem of ‘Solidarity Forever’ refers to every worker – documented and undocumented, waged and unwaged, in the US and around the world,” stated Robin Hewlett, an artist and organizer for the May Day March.

What: Press Conference and Action to invite Chicagoans to march on May 1^st 2011

Itinerary for Sunday May 1^st 2011
2PM Reunion at Union Park, Corners of (N. Ashland & W. Lake St.)

3PM March kick off to Pilsen

4PM Rally at 18^th St. and Blue Island Ave

When: Thursday, April 28^th at 1:30PM

Where: Haymarket Memorial, 175 N. Desplaines, (Corners of Desplaines St & Lake St)

Who: Members and Supporters of the Moratorium on Deportations Campaign (MDC)

“US corporate interests concentrate wealth and power in the hands of a few, while destabilizing economies and displacing working people at home and around the globe. Together we must oppose the forces making us pay for a crisis we did not create. Together we must stand against policies that limit workers’ collective political representation. Together we must fight for justice, fair wages, decent working conditions, basic dignity and full legal status for all working people. Solidarity forever must be for everyone!” stated the Organizers’ website for the Chicago May Day march.

Organizations endorsing the May Day March in Chicago:

Moratorium on Deportations, The Flying Skeletons Marching Band, 3d Graphics Inc, 8th Day Center for Justice, Albany Park, North Park, Mayfair Neighbors for Peace and Justice, ANSWER Chicago, Biblioteca Popular, Caucus Of Rank-and-file Educators (CORE), Centro Americano para la Cultura y las Artes, Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign, Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism (CCAWR), Chicago Coalition for Reproductive Justice, Chicago Jobs with Justice, Chicago New Sanctuary Coalition, Chicago Otra, Committee Against the Militarization of our Youth (CAMi), Finding Our Roots Anarchist Collective, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Gay Liberation Network, Iglesia Metodista Amor de Dios, Iglesia Unida de Cristo-Berwyn IL, Immigrant Solidarity Dupage, International Socialist Organization, Join The Impact Chicago (JTIC), Justice Mission, La Villita-Chicago Facebook Community, La Voz de los de Abajo, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO), M19 Anti War Coalition, Movimiento Migrante Mesoamericano, Pilsen Environment Rights and Reform Organization (PERRO), Radios Populares, Red Migrante, Socialist Worker Party, Teachers for Social Justice, Chicago

Teamsters Local 743, The American Party of Labor, The Chicago Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, The Coalition of Utah Progressives (CUP), Voices for Creative Nonviolence, Wright College-Students for a Democratic Society, World Can’t Wait, Chicago Chapter,

BACKGROUND:  

On May 1st millions of people around the world march to celebrate international solidarity among working people. In 2006, Chicago’s immigrant communities marched in protest and defeated the harsh anti-immigrant Sensenbrenner Bill; it was this struggle for immigrant rights that breathed new life into Mayday and re-ignited the fight for the rights of all working people.

Today the political and economic problems facing the nation are even more dramatic than in 2006. The attack on workers in Wisconsin, and the enormous nation-wide response of support, comes against the backdrop of copy-cat anti-worker bills around the Midwest. At the same time, deportations continue at historically high rates, and anti-immigrant legislation is being introduced around the country including proposed bill HB 1969 here in Illinois. As two sides of the same coin, these dual attacks highlight the importance of solidarity for workers regardless of their legal status.

Mayday is the largest show of worker solidarity in the world, in which teachers, workers, immigrants and students in Chicago will join their counterparts around the world to march for a fair and equal Chicago.

“We march because the scapegoating and criminalization of immigrants is a crucial part of the overall attack on working people. We march because anti-immigrant legislation has created the conditions of modern-day slavery for migrant workers. We march because as long as one worker is deport-able, all workers are exploitable” stated the Organizers’ website for the Chicago May Day march.

For more Info on the Chicago May Day March 2011, please visit http://moratoriumondeportations.org/

(From Housing Action Illinois)

Federally-funded housing counseling agencies in Illinois are reeling from the fiscal year 2011 budget deal that reduced funding for their work from $88 million to zero.  In response, they are figuring out how to cope with cuts at a time when demand for their services already generally exceeds their resources.  Supported by Housing Action Illinois, agencies are also joining nationwide efforts to restore funding for their work in the fiscal year 2012 budget.

Based on a survey of HUD-certified housing counseling agencies conducted by Housing Action Illinois after the cuts became public on April 12, of the 27 responding agencies, 24 indicated that the cuts would force them to lay off staff and/or see fewer clients.  Two agencies anticipated that they would be forced to shut down and two agencies were uncertain of the impact. 

Counseling agencies work with troubled homeowners to determine the best possible options for keeping borrowers in their homes, and foreclosure counseling sessions often provide homeowners with their best chance at preventing foreclosure through a loan modification or graceful exit.

“We have been concerned that funding would be eliminated due to the perception among some members of Congress that efforts to assist homeowners facing foreclosure haven’t worked, but the data actually shows that housing counseling adds significant value,” said Bob Palmer, the Policy Director at Housing Action Illinois, citing a November 2009 Urban Institute released a study that found that homeowners who received foreclosure counseling were 60% more likely to keep their homes versus homeowners who did not receive counseling.

Housing Action maintains that the main reason why even more homeowners in foreclosures haven’t been able to successfully work with their lender to get a positive outcome is that the federal government hasn’t held loan servicers and lenders accountable for implementing programs such as the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). 

According to RealtyTrac, there were 151,304 foreclosure filings in Illinois in 2010 and recent projections suggest that there will be an increase in foreclosures in 2011 as families and communities continue to struggle to find relief. 

The elimination of the housing counseling line item is compounded by a 22% cut to the Community Development Block Grant program, which provides additional funding for many counseling agencies through their local government.

The only remaining federal funding for housing counseling agencies is the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling (NFMC) Program, which provides a small performance-based fee to a counseling agency for each homeowner in foreclosure they assist.  The program was created in 2007 to supplement existing resources and generally provides far less revenue to agencies than the funding that was just eliminated.  It also does not cover the costs of other services provided by counseling agencies, such as pre-purchase and reverse mortgage counseling. Illinois agencies impacted by the budget cuts include, but are not limited to:

• Access Living, Chicago
• Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Chicago 
• C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation, Effingham
• Chicago Urban League
• Community And Economic Development Association Of Cook County
• Community Investment Corporation Of Decatur
• Du Page Homeownership Center, Wheaton
• Greater Southwest Development Corporation, Chicago
• Housing Opportunity Development Corporation, Techny
• Interfaith Housing Center Of The Northern Suburbs, Winnetka
• Latin United Community Housing Association (LUCHA), Chicago
• METEC, Peoria
• Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago
• Northwest Side Housing Center, Chicago
• Rockford Area Affordable Housing Coalition
• Rogers Park Community Development Corporation, Chicago
• South Suburban Housing Center, Homewood 
• Spanish Coalition for Housing, Chicago
• The Resurrection Project, Chicago
• TSP-Hope, Springfield
• Will County Center For Community Concerns, Joliet

Housing Action Illinois has already contacted key members of the Illinois Congressional delegation to seek their support for restoration of the funding, including Senator Richard Durbin, Assistant Majority Leader, and Representative Judy Biggert (R-Hinsdale), Chair of the Financial Services Committee Subcommittee Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity.

Housing Action Illinois provides advocacy support and technical assistance to HUD-certified housing counseling agencies.

 By Yasmeen Muqtasid, Founder & President of Black Women Matter, Inc.

Tickets for the extension are available online at timelinetheatre.com or via phone by calling the TimeLine Theatre Box Office at 773.281.TIME (8463).

Performance Schedule

The performance schedule for extension performances (starting June 15) is Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Sunday, July 17, 2011. NOTE: There will be no performance on Sunday, June 26.

The Front Page runs approximately 2 hours 30 minutes, including one intermission.

Buying Tickets

Tickets for extension performances are $32 (Wednesday Friday) or $42 (Saturday & Sunday). Student tickets for extension performances are $10 off regular price, with valid ID. Group rates for groups of 10 or more are available. Advance purchase is strongly recommended as performances are likely to sell out. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 773.281.TIME (8463) or visit timelinetheatre.com.

About The Front Page

In this landmark comedy set inside the crowded pressroom at Chicago’s Criminal Courts Building during the 1920s, a group of reporters covers a controversial execution and exposes the rampant corruption, scandal and hi-jinx associated with Windy City politics and journalism. In reviving this quintessential Chicago classic, TimeLine highlights the wealth of local history embedded in Hecht and MacArthur’s semi-autobiographical script and brings to life the toughness and grittiness inherent in its tale of rough-and-tumble reporters and politicians jockeying for control of a story and the city.

TimeLine’s production has been met with acclaim from audiences and critics alike:

Chicago Tribune: “It is a pleasure to see The Front Page, that zesty yarn of hacks, scoops and screwball derring-do, back up in Chicago in a very solid, fast-paced and entertaining production.”

WBEZ: “A delicious skewering of Chicago politics and journalism … TimeLine Theatre does an impeccable job a superlative production.”

Talkin’ Broadway: “The Front Page is a perfect play for TimeLine’s mission and they’ve delivered what must surely be a near-perfect production of The Front Page.”

The 18-member cast of The Front Page features TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers as Hildy Johnson and TimeLine Associate Artist Terry Hamilton as Walter Burns, with Bill McGough, Rob Riley, Larry Baldacci, Don Blair, Angela Bullard, Malcolm Callan, Rob Fagin, Alex Goodrich, John Gray, Michael Kingston, Laurie Larson, Loren Lazerine, Mike McNamara, Mechelle Moe, Bridgette Pechman Clarno and Mark Richard.

The production staff for The Front Page includes Collette Pollard (Scenic Design), Lindsey Pate (Costume Design), Heather Gilbert (Lighting Design), Andrew Hansen (Sound Design), Julia Eberhardt (Properties Design), Aaron Carter (Dramaturg), Ana Espinosa (Stage Manager), Brittainy Barattia (Production Assistant), John Kearns (Productions Manager), Bridget Dehl (Assistant Director), Eva Breneman (Dialect Coach), Dina Spoerl (Lobby Designer), Caleb McAndrew (Technical Director) and Mac Vaughey (Master Electrician).

Sponsor

The Front Page is supported in part by The Pauls Foundation.

Location/Transportation/Parking/Accessibility

TimeLine Theatre is located at 615 W. Wellington Ave., inside the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ building, near the corner of Wellington and Broadway in Chicago’s Lakeview East neighborhood. CTA El stops at Wellington (Brown/Purple lines) and Belmont (Red/Brown/Purple lines) are nearby. CTA busses #36-Broadway, #76-Diversey, #77-Belmont, #22-Clark and #8-Halsted stop nearby.

The LAZ Public Parking lot, located 1/2 block north of the theater at 3012 N. Broadway, is available for $6.25 (3-5 hours) or $10 (5-8 hours). TimeLine also offers parking for $8 for up to 6 hours with validation at the Standard Parking garages at Broadway Center (2846 N. Broadway, at Surf) or the Century Mall (2836 N. Clark), both within two blocks of TimeLine. Note that the Broadway Center garage closes at 11 p.m. There is also limited street parking and other paid parking lots nearby. Visit timelinetheatre.com for complete directions and parking information.

There are two flights of stairs totaling 18 steps between the street and the theater, with no elevator.

Audience Resources

An extensive production Study Guide, video previews, events information and many other details are available at timelinetheatre.com/front_page.

About TimeLine Theatre Company

Founded in April 1997, TimeLine Theatre Company’s mission is to present stories inspired by history that connect with today’s social and political issues. During its first 13 seasons, TimeLine has presented 45 productions, including seven world premieres and 13 Chicago premieres. Recipient of the 2006 Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence and the 2009 Richard Goodman Strategic Planning Award from the Association for Strategic Planning, TimeLine has received 43 Jeff Awards, including an award for Outstanding Production eight times.

Announced for TimeLine’s 2011-12 15th Anniversary season:

• A WALK IN THE WOODS by Lee Blessing, directed by Nick Bowling
• Chicago premiere of THE PITMEN PAINTERS by Lee Hall, directed by BJ Jones
• Chicago premiere of ENRON by Lucy Prebble, directed by Rachel Rockwell
• World premiere of MY KIND OF TOWN by John Conroy, directed by Nick Bowling

TimeLine is led by Artistic Director PJ Powers and Managing Director Elizabeth K. Auman. Company members are Nick Bowling, Janet Ulrich Brooks, Lara Goetsch, Juliet Hart, David Parkes, PJ Powers and Benjamin Thiem. TimeLine is a member of the League of Chicago Theatres, Theatre Communications Group and the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce.

Attorney General Intervenes in Federal Case to Allow Army Corps Authority to Alleviate Rising River Waters in Southern Illinois

Cape Girardeau, Mo. – Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan today moved to intervene in a lawsuit brought by the state of Missouri that attempts to stop the Army Corps of Engineers from pursuing its plan to save the town of Cairo, Ill., from potential floods due to dangerously high water levels on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.

“Any delay in the Army Corps’ operation plan will put the residents of Cairo in the direct path of almost certain disaster,” Attorney General Madigan said. “I am intervening in this case so that the people of Southern Illinois are fairly represented and given a voice in this critical decision. It is imperative that the Corps be allowed to do everything it can to protect the people who are at risk of losing their homes, or even worse, their lives.”

In addition to her motion to intervene, Attorney General Madigan filed a response opposing Missouri’s request for a temporary restraining order that would prevent the Corps from implementing its Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway Operations Plan. The plan, which has been in place since 1986, calls for the demolition of a frontline “fuseplug” levee. The controlled demolition would release water into farmland located on the Floodway to alleviate flooding on both sides of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers in the tri-state area and beyond. The levee was constructed specifically to be demolished.

Madigan argued that banning the Corps from acting will directly threaten the nearly 3,000 residents of Cairo. The motion notes that if the levees protecting Cairo are breached, water levels in the city will rise 18 to 20 feet, a height that reaches above most two-story buildings.

Among the filings, Madigan included affidavits from an expert at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and James Wilson, the director of the Alexander County Housing Authority and former mayor of Cairo, attesting to the tremendous impact on Southern Illinois communities if the Corps is not permitted to implement the Floodway Operations Plan.

Representatives of Attorney General Madigan’s office will appear at a 1:30 p.m. hearing in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri to argue these motions

Scholarships are available to non-profit organizations and community groups serving youths 17 years of age and under who otherwise would be unable to participate in the 2011 MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive, Sunday May 29th, 2011 (visit www.bikethedrive.org for all the information you need)

The Complimentary event registration will recognize 200 outstanding qualified youth groups and organization members. This award is conferred on youths who best demonstrate their potential use of the bicycle as a healthy, economical and nonpolluting form of transportation and recreation.

Groups of 10 members may apply together in one application. It is not necessary for applicants to have experience with bicycles, only the enthusiasm to create change. Groups, however, must bring their own bicycles or plan to rent them at the event. There is a potential opportunity for discounts on rentals–contact us for more information. Groups must also provide their own transportation to and from event.

Ideally groups will consist of:
–8 youths/2 adults
–16 youths/4 adults

Applicant organizations must write a one-page letter explaining why their group deserves the scholarship, and how they intend to become active in the Chicagoland bicycle community.

In the application, be sure to highlight:
–A proven record of excellence by the organization and its youth
–Extra-curricular activities and/or other event participation by the youth

All applications must be submitted by May 9, 2011. Winners will be contacted that week and will need to return completed registration forms with the names of individual participants (youth and chaperones) by May 16, 2011.

Fore more information, contact Katie Leisner, Active Transportation Alliance sponsorship manager, at katie@activetrans.org or 312.427.3325 x241. Applications may be emailed or faxed to Katie’s attention at (312) 427-4907.