Illinois House lawmakers visit Cuba

Stella’s column WITH STELLA FOSTER sfoster@suntimes.com September 21, 2011 7:42PM
Updated: September 22, 2011 2:17AM


S TATE REP. LaShawn Ford was among House lawmakers led by state Reps. Dan Burke and Jack Franks who visited Cuba earlier this month with the goal of increasing exports from Illinois to Cuba and creating jobs for folks in our state. Ford, who is over the 8th District and is chairman of the House Small Business Empowerment and Workforce Development Committee (whew!), told this columnist that “no taxpayer dollars were spent on the trip” and that he paid his on way.

“We didn’t meet President Fidel Castro; however, we did meet with other Cuban leaders during our mission. One of the highlights for me was meeting Jontay Darko, a first-year medical student, and two other medical students from Chicago’s South Side. The students are taking advantage of a free, all-expenses-paid medical school program offered by Cuba. This program covers tuition, room/board, food, and health-care costs and after they graduate from medical school, they will return to Chicago to practice DEBT-FREE,” he excitedly told this reporter. “The program is open to the entire world, but due to the embargo, the United States does not provide support for the students like other countries do,” Ford said.

“I look forward to spearheading support for these students and I hope others will join me. They need phone/Internet cards to stay in touch with their families and friends here and moral support,” Ford said. You can find out more about this program at LashawnFord.com.

WHEN TYRA BANKS was in town last week to promote her first novel, Modelland, the supermodel and creator of TV’s “America’s Next Top Model” stopped by the offices of Sophisticate’s Black Hair magazine to be interviewed for the mag’s upcoming December issue. The cover of her book was designed by folks at the Chicago-based Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy.

When asked what she likes best about Chicago, she responded, “When I think of Chicago I think of the food — the amazing pizza and steaks. I also like to walk up and down Michigan Avenue,” Banks said.

AROUND TOWN: WLS-Channel 7’s Sylvia Perez will be the commentator at the Easter Seals’ “Spreading Our Wings” fashion show Saturday at the Drury Lane Oak Brook. Beautiful children will be strutting down the runway and the evening benefits kids and adults with disabilities. . . . WFLD-Channel 32’s Mike Flannery is emceeing the Emerald Society of Illinois dinner/dance Friday at the Gaelic Park in Oak Forest.

POLITICAL STUFF: Clerk of the Circuit Court Dorothy Brown will be initiated into the Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity Friday. . . . Politico Terrence A. Duffy, whose late grandfather, John J. Duffy, was a former Cook County Board president, is speaking at Saint Xavier University/Chicago campus Sept. 27. Duffy is chairman of the CME Group.

A STELLAR REMINDER: Channel 7’s Karen Jordan and her hubby, WMAQ-Channel 5’s Christian Farr, will co-emcee the Chicago Journalists Association’s annual awards dinner Oct. 14 at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza. The honorees include CBS News chief foreign correspondent Lara Logan and this humble columnist. Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to attend. CJA president Allen Rafalson said, “The response to date has been overwhelming.” For more info call (312) 458-9792.

THE SIGHTS: Singer Jennifer Hudson gave a private performance at the Paris Club’s fabulous Studio Paris lounge Tuesday evening. . . . The Food Network’s new “Chef Hunter” show filmed an episode Tuesday at the trendy Quay restaurant on East Illinois where the affable Zak Dich is the GM and a co-owner. The diners included Arny Granat, Irene Michaels and Shell Reyes. . . Magic Johnson dined at Mastro’s.

CONGRATS TO U.S. Cellular exec Greg Hinton, who has accepted the newly created position of chief diversity officer for the Democratic National Committee in Washington D.C. . . . Media personality Bonnie DeShong is now the director of external affairs for the DuSable Museum. . . . TV One’s “Will To Live” episode on Sunday profiles Chicago’s Rasul “Rocky” Clark and his battle with an insurance company. . . . George Clinton and Cameo Sept. 30 at Horseshoe Casino, and Roger Daltrey is there Oct. 7.

BIRTHDAYING: Channel 7’s Mike Caplan, UIC’s Howard Moore, Hazel Thomas and anniversary wishes to Wendell & Maizelle Hutson. On Friday: Juan (Hard Rock) Kirkman. On Saturday: Hermene Hartman, Mel Markon and Gloria Majewski. On Sunday: Barbara Walters, Michael Douglas, and Scottie Pippen. On Monday: Roche Schulfer and Raymond Ward.

Well, that’s Stella in the City!