May 22, 2012

When Lou Byrd opened Lou’s Barber Shop in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood in 1966, he was the first black business owner on the block.

“It was just me and five raggedy chairs,” he said. “But I had guts, know-how and prayer. It wasn’t much, but mama always said, ‘You can change things.’”

It seems she was right. Over his more than 40 years serving this community, Byrd’s business has thrived while the one constant, he says, has been change.

“I’ve seen people come and go,” Byrd said. “I’ve evolved with every new hair trend. I survived the last big recession, now I’m toughing it through this one. The South Side is a good place to be, but you’ve got to pay attention to the people.”

Those words couldn’t ring more true for organizers of a new photo project under way at the University of Chicago Medicine. Byrd is among the first South Siders to be photographed as part of a large-scale undertaking aimed at capturing people, places and scenes that uniquely represent the South Side of Chicago. The goal of the project, known as the South Side Photo Show, is to showcase the South Side that is rarely seen in the pages of a newspaper and to give a visual tribute to the neighborhoods that the hospital serves as it unveils its New Hospital Pavilion in January.

“I’ve been very pleased with many of the images we’ve collected so far,” said Cheryl Reed, director of strategic communications for the medical center, who is leading the project with social media specialist Matthew Wood. “We’re going beyond what people think they know about the South Side. We’re capturing a moment in life, including little oddities and surprises — stories that have potential to make a real connection with people.”

Photographers assigned to the project haven’t had to look far for inspiration. From Sunday church services and activities in parks, to birthday parties, iconic businesses, nighttime hangouts, schools and more, impromptu snapshots are archiving a slice of life for people who call the South Side home.

Organizers are now calling for members of the community to submit their own photos and ideas. If a submitted photo is selected for the show, the photographer will receive a cash stipend.

“Community engagement is what will truly make this project special,” Reed said. “We can’t capture the South Side from one lens. Everyone sees the community differently. We want people to tell us about the things, places and events they truly care about.”

The final collection, which will feature up to 60 images, will be displayed during several events leading up to the New Hospital Pavilion opening. There are plans for the photos to be shared more broadly via a traveling exhibit across the city. Ultimately, the vision may even include a coffee table-style photo book.

“The New Hospital Pavilion will be an incredible gift to this community,” Reed said. “The University of Chicago Medicine has always been a very proud member of the community and its strongest supporter. We’re thrilled to have found a meaningful way to celebrate who we are and the people we serve.”

While there have been many photo projects featuring Chicago, none has focused on life south of Roosevelt Road. Perceptions shaped by media reports often leave the area’s vibrant landscape, diversity and abundance of activities unnoted.

Byrd said he’s glad he was asked to take part in the show, and hopes people will take the hospital up on its offer to get involved.

“It’s a nice picture,” he said, “and I felt proud placing it among all the other pieces of history on these walls. I look forward to seeing the exhibit.”

Submit your photos

The University of Chicago Medicine welcomes contributions from the community for consideration in the South Side Photo Show. Email your photo submission and a few lines of caption information to Southsidephoto@uchospitals.edu. For more information, call 773-795-7652.

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Photo show taps community for images of life south of Roosevelt Road | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Thefindings of the BBB poll match the general expansion of mobile computing thatmay present new challenges and opportunities for both consumers and retailers.

“Mobileaccess to information is changing the way consumers shop,” explained Steve J.Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois.“When customers have product and price information at their fingertips they arenot only more educated but also put pressures on retailers.”

“Showrooming”is a relatively new retail phenomenon where consumers look at products in abrick-and-mortar store then opt to make purchases online from another source ata lower price.

Whiletwo-thirds of poll respondents are shopping without using mobile computing tocompare prices, retailers should not be complacent and give up on the otherone-third using this method.

 “Respondingto this trend stores are improving their websites to make specific informationmore easily available on the go,” Bernas said. “In addition to the competitionbetween different brick-and-mortar stores, consumers compare prices on thestore’s own website and those of other online sellers.”

Better Business Bureau Poll: Rising Number of Consumers Using Mobile Devices for Comparison Shopping | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

WASHINGTON—The principal of a Costa Rican brokerage firm was sentenced today in Miami to 20 years in prison for his role in a stock manipulation scheme that defrauded investors in a company called CO2 Technologies, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida, Chief Postal Inspector Guy Cottrell of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

Jonathan Curshen, 47, the principal of Red Sea Management and Sentry Global Securities, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard W. Goldberg. Red Sea Management and Sentry Global Securities are companies located in San Jose, Costa Rica that provided offshore accounts and facilitated trading in penny stocks.

In addition to his prison term, Curshen was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release and was ordered to forfeit approximately $7.3 million. Curshen and his co-defendant, Las Vegas stock promoter Nathan Montgomery, were convicted by a jury in January 2012 on all counts. Montgomery, 31, is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Goldberg later today.

The evidence at trial showed that in January and February 2007, Curshen, of Costa Rica and Sarasota, Florida; and Montgomery, of Las Vegas, were involved in a scheme to illegally manipulate the stock price of CO2 Tech (ticker CTTD).

Evidence at trial showed that Curshen’s and Montgomery’s co-conspirators controlled the outstanding shares of CO2 Tech, which were used in the stock manipulation scheme. Montgomery and his conspirators engaged in coordinated trades in conjunction with the issuance of false and misleading press releases that were designed to artificially inflate the price of CO2 Tech shares to make it appear that it had significant business prospects. According to these press releases, CO2 Tech purported to have a business relationship with Boeing to reduce polluting gases emitted from airplanes, when, in fact, CO2 Tech never had any business or relationship with Boeing.

According to the evidence at trial, Montgomery and his co-conspirators, Robert Weidenbaum, Timothy Barham, Jr., Ryan Reynolds, and others fraudulently “pumped” the market price and demand for CO2 Tech stock through these press releases and coordinated trades of shares of CO2 Tech stock in order to create the appearance of legitimate buying interest by legitimate investors. The evidence showed that as Montgomery and his conspirators pumped the price of the stock, Curshen and his conspirators facilitated the “dumping” of shares through the trading desk at Red Sea and Sentry Global Securities by selling the shares to the general investing public. The evidence showed that these shares, which became virtually worthless, were purchased by unsuspecting investors, including investors in the Southern District of Florida. The evidence showed that Montgomery, Weidenbaum, Reynolds, and Barham were paid approximately $1 million in cash by their conspirators to participate in sham stock trades of CO2 Tech. The cash was delivered to them in Miami via a private jet from an airport outside New York.

The evidence further showed that, from approximately 2003 through 2008, Curshen operated Red Sea as a money laundering hub in Costa Rica that established bank accounts and brokerage accounts in the United States and Canada under false pretenses and through nominee owners. The evidence further showed that Curshen and his co-conspirators laundered the proceeds of the stock fraud from accounts in the United States to an account in Canada, all in an effort to conceal and disguise the nature and source of the proceeds.

Stock promoters Barham and Weidenbaum were sentenced yesterday to 30 months and 26 months in prison, respectively. Michael Krome, a securities attorney from New York who participated in the conspiracy and evaded federal securities registration requirements, was sentenced yesterday to 34 months in prison. Reynolds is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the USPIS. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys N. Nathan Dimock and Rina Tucker Harris of the Fraud Section in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida provided significant assistance in this case. The Department of Justice acknowledges the significant assistance of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in its investigation. The criminal case originated as a referral from the SEC, which has a pending parallel civil case. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and Costa Rican authorities also provided assistance.

The Department of Justice has established a website for potential victims of the crime, which may be accessed at www.justice.gov/criminal/vns/caseup/, under case numbers 11-cr-20121 and 12-cr-20049. Potential victims are urged to contact the Department of Justice as directed on the website.

This prosecution is part of efforts under way by the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. President Obama established the interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to wage an aggressive, coordinated, and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. The task force includes representatives from a broad range of federal agencies, regulatory authorities, inspectors general, and state, and local law enforcement who, working together, bring to bear a powerful array of criminal and civil enforcement resources. The task force is working to improve efforts across the federal executive branch and, with state and local partners, to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes, ensure just and effective punishment for those who perpetrate financial crimes, combat discrimination in the lending and financial markets, and recover proceeds for victims of financial crimes.

Principal of Offshore Brokerage Firm Sentenced in Miami to 20 Years in Prison for $7 Million Stock Manipulation Scam | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

SPRINGFIELD –Illinois EPA emergency responders and water quality specialists are in Tazewell County again today in response to yesterday’s release into Prairie Creek, on Allentown Road west of the Village of Allentown, of several hundred gallons of a mixture of 28 percent nitrogen and 13.3 percent of an herbicide containing Atrazine. The address is reported to be 24815 Allentown Road. In addition, approximately 60 gallons of diesel fuel were released in the vehicle accident that caused the release. The spill resulted in a large and “complete” fish kill downstream of the incident site.

Along with the Morton and Pekin fire departments and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois EPA continues to monitor the situation, and is collecting periodic samples to determine how quickly the chemical is moving downstream and the effectiveness of the remedial measures being taken.

The Illinois EPA cautions anyone using the water from Prairie Creek between the spill site and the Mackinaw River (approximately eight miles) as drinking water for animals, recreation or any other purpose to avoid the area until the water is determined to be safe through testing. 

While concentrations of the chemicals appear “milky” in the water, the chemicals can still be dangerous even after the water appears to be clears. 

Illinois EPA Responds to Chemical Spill into Prairie Creek Resulting in Fish Kill | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, IL – April 24, 2012 –In a tough economy some struggling families look for ways to reduce their expenses. One popular option is to unload any timeshares in order to recoup their investment or stop paying maintenance fees. With many businesses specializing in reselling timeshares, the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and northern Illinois (BBB) warns some companies may use deceptive sales tactics to swindle already cash-strapped timeshare owners.

“While timeshare owners are looking to lessen a financial burden, many vacationers are not buying,” said Steve J. Bernas, President & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and northern Illinois, “Unfortunately, some unscrupulous timeshare resellers are taking advantage by misleading actual  owners in the hopes of selling their timeshare quickly.”

The BBB offers the following tips to timeshare owners looking to sell:

• Use a Business You Can Trust – Make sure the timeshare reseller you use is a BBB Accredited Business or at the very least has a good rating with BBB. Check out a business’s BBB Business Review for free at www.bbb.org

• Confirm Licensing Requirements – Some timeshare resellers will use fake addresses or PO boxes in order to mislead timeshare owners. Confirm where the company is located and in what states it does business. Ask if the company’s salespeople are licensed to sell real estate where your timeshare is located. If they are, verify this with the state licensing board.

• Get the Facts on the Figures – Find out if the business charges a commission. Do they handle the entire closing and provide escrow services? Do they charge an up-front listing or advertising fee? What does it cover and is it refundable?

• Be Wary of Upfront Fees – Some companies may charge an advance “appraisal” fee for services. Strongly consider opting for a company that offers to sell for a fee only after the timeshare is sold.

• Don’t Fall for the Hard Sell or an Offer that Sounds Too Good to Be True – Don’t agree to anything over the phone; instead ask the salesperson to send you written materials. Take the time to think it over and don’t be pressured.  Unscrupulous timeshare resellers may claim your property is in demand and they can sell it immediately; unfortunately, these promises are often empty.

For more advice you can trust, visit www.bbb.org

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As a private, non-profit organization, the purpose of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of conciliation, mediation and arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims, online business practices and charitable organizations. BBBs develop and issue reports on businesses and nonprofit organizations and encourage people to check out a company or charity before making a purchase or donation.

Better Business Bureau Cautions: Don’t Get Duped When Selling Your Timeshare | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, IL – April 19, 2012 –The Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois (BBB) is warning consumers to be on the lookout this spring for traveling con artists. These scammers stake out neighborhoods and knock on doors offering great deals for homeowners. They tend to offer services for home repair, driveways or yard work at low prices, but then raise the fee substantially once the work is completed and use intimidation to obtain payment.

“Workers may appear harmless, and a good alternative to seeking out people on your own to do your spring home repairs,” said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “Choosing them as an option does not allow you an opportunity to research a company or contractor so you can determine whether you’re dealing with someone who is legitimate.”

If you are considering hiring someone who solicits services at your door, the BBB offers the following tips:

• Don’t agree to allow someone to perform work right away. Take their information such as a business card or flyer and check them out with the BBB at www.bbb.org. You may also want to call the company directly and make sure the person who approached you is an actual employee.
• Don’t ever let someone unexpected into your home. If they say they are with the city, utility company or something similar, contact that company directly and verify the visit and work to be done.
• Do not fall for any high pressure tactics. High pressure sales may be the first red flag that you are dealing with someone untrustworthy.
• Get three bids before hiring any type of contractor. The BBB has a free Request a Quote service at www.bbb.org/chicago/accredited-business-directory/get-a-quote to get bids from Accredited Businesses in northern Illinois.
• Before doing business with any company check out their Business Review for free at www.bbb.org

For more information on finding services you can trust, visit www.bbb.org

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As a private, non-profit organization, the purpose of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of conciliation, mediation and arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims, online business practices and charitable organizations. BBBs develop and issue reports on businesses and nonprofit organizations and encourage people to check out a company or charity before making a purchase or donation.

Better Business Bureau Warns: Beware of Home Repair Con Artists This Spring | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

By Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News

SPRINGFIELD — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday visited a state he has used as a political punching bag to campaign ahead of a historic recall election in the Badger State.

Walker spoke to a crowd of about 300 lobbyists, lawmakers and members of the business community at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center.Walker’s speech was part of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and National Federation of Independent Business lobby day here. 

Walker’s visit comes less than two months before the embattled governor faces a recall election, spurred mostly by Act 10, a law passed during his administration that largely removes the ability of unions to use collective bargaining.

Walker said payment for his visit came from his political war chest.

Walker used the half-hour speech to highlight his fight against “a handful of big union bosses” and budgeting that allowed Wisconsin to dig itself out of a $3.6 billion deficit without increasing taxes.

Walker blamed the recall on “a handful of big union bosses (who) … think that I’m standing in the way of their power and their money.”

The Republican governor criticized Illinois’ Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and the General Assembly for passing a 67 percent income tax increase on individuals, and a 47 percent income tax increase on corporations in 2011.

The temporary tax increases eliminated the state’s structural deficit, but they failed to address the state’s $8.5 billion backlog of overdue bills.

“There’s always been this false choice, between either raising taxes or cutting core services,” Walker said. “Who amongst you in business would say, ‘You know what, times are tough so I’m going to double the price of my product?’”

Quinn’s office had no official response to Walker’s visit, although the Illinois governor addressed the issue in a news conference Friday.

“I don’t know what he’s doing coming to Illinois. He has enough challenges in his own state. I don’t plan to go to Wisconsin anytime soon,” Quinn said.

Quinn used the opportunity Tuesday to raise money. His campaign sent an email asking for donations shortly after Walker visited.

“If you want a governor with a proven record of job creation, rather than just rhetoric, show your support for Governor Pat Quinn,” the email said.

Quinn and Walker have traded jabs since about the time Walker took office.

John McAdams a political science professor from Marquette University in Milwaukee, said Walker’s trip to Illinois offered a way to garner media coverage ahead of the June 5 recall election.

“Everything Scott Walker does is part of his re-election campaign, just like, let’s be honest about this, everything (President) Barack Obama does is part of his re-election campaign,” McAdams said.

McAdams said Walker used his speech in Illinois in much the same way an environmental crusader would use a polluted river as backdrop for a news conference.

“This is the message that Walker’s people want Wisconsinites in general to get. Illinois is sort of a paradigm of what happens when you have a liberal governor that raises taxes to deal with a budget crisis,” McAdams said.

Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Doug Whitley said Walker was invited to the event because of his ability to cut Wisconsin’s deficit.

“Let’s hear some fresh thoughts and fresh ideas,” Whitley said.

Walker’s visit to Illinois fell on the same day a pension-reform working group was to release recommendations for fixing the state’s public pension funds. The state’s pension system faces an $83 billion unfunded liability, and pension payments are eating up more and more state spending.

Recommendations, which could range from eliminating cost-of-living increases for retirees to asking current workers to pay more, now are expected to be released later this week, Quinn said in a news release.

Whitley said Walker’s visit wasn’t intended to be seen as an endorsement for eliminating collective bargaining for Illinois’ public unions.

“We brought him here strictly to talk about fiscal issues,” Whitley said.

The more than 1,000 union protesters outside thought differently.

Protesters chanted, “Tell me what Democracy looks like? This is what Democracy looks like” while marching around carrying signs what read “Go Home Gov. Walker.”  

“We sent a strong message to Illinois politicians that we won’t tolerate Walker-style attacks on the middle class, including the push to slash the modest pensions of teachers, police and other public employees,” said Anders Lindall, spokesman for the public union American Federation of State, City and Municipal Employees Council 31.

McAdams said Walker and his Democratic opponents are not talking about collective bargaining in the run-up to the special election.

“Clearly, Walker wants to run on his fiscal successes,” McAdams said. “Democrats, on the other hand, are pointing to things like reductions in state aid to education” made during Walker’s term.

Originally reported by Illinois Statehouse News. Read the original article here.

Walker talks unions, budgets in IL visit ahead of recall | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, IL - April 10, 2012 – Deciding what to do with your tax refund is vital in this economy. The Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois (BBB) advises consumers to consider a few different options that may go toward your financial future.

“Making the right decision with your money is a great way to reward yourself for all the hard work you did to earn it,” said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of unplanned or extra cash, but you’ll be glad you saved.”

Here are some options for tax refund recipients:

Pay down your debt. Use your refund for some much needed debt relief such as paying off a credit card. Or, apply the refund toward other debts, like a car loan or a home equity loan.

Consider your financial goals. Are you trying to save for a down payment on a house or car? Do you hope to contribute to your child’s college tuition? Consider applying your tax refund toward these goals. If you don’t yet have a set of short-term and long-term financial goals, put one together. You’ll be more conscientious about how you spend your refund, or any other extra money that comes your way.

Consider Savings Options. It may be beneficial to put the money into a savings account, CD or retirement fund and allow it to grow. It’s always helpful to have a savings account to draw from if a major car repair bill, medical emergency or other unexpected expense comes along. That way, you won’t have to borrow money and add to your debt-load.

Consider investing in your home. Using the money to spruce up your house may add to its property value. Consumers can “Request a Quote” for free from BBB Accredited Businesses at www.bbb.org

Donate to Charity.  You may want to donate some of your tax refund to a charitable organization. Check out reports on charities in northern Illinois for free at www.bbb.org/charity

If debt is a problem, consider a credit counselor. Certified consumer credit counseling agencies can assist people who are facing financial challenges and are looking for debt relief. The BBB has free Business Reviews on Credit & Debt Counseling firms in northern Illinois at www.bbb.org

For more consumer tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org

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As a private, non-profit organization, the purpose of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of conciliation, mediation and arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims, online business practices and charitable organizations. BBBs develop and issue reports on businesses and nonprofit organizations and encourage people to check out a company or charity before making a purchase or donation.

Better Business Bureau Tips for Using Your 2012 Tax Refund | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, IL – April, 5, 2012 – Spring is usually a popular time of year for home improvements and according to a Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois (BBB) online poll, this year may be a busy one for local contractors. The month-long survey indicates 75-percent of respondents plan to use some type of professional help for home improvements.

“This overwhelming majority of people planning to use contractors to improve their homes, condos and yards this spring bodes well for the construction business,” explained Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “The large number of people interested in using contractors for work ranging from roofing to landscaping shows the home improvement sector of the construction industry should have a busy spring.”

Of those seeking professional help for repairs, 20-percent indicated planning exterior home repairs. Tied for second place with 18-percent each were roofing and landscaping; followed by a 10-percent vote for deck/patio/walkway improvements. Professional painting was selected by 9-percent of the respondents. 

 “Almost one-quarter of respondents stated they are postponing the use of contractors for fix-up and improvement needs,” explained Bernas. “This could potentially indicate the economy is holding consumers back from spending money on the construction industry.”

75-percent of Home Owners Planning Spring Repairs and Improvements According to Better Business Bureau Poll | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Chicago, IL- April 3, 2012 – Following a few
simple rules when selecting a mover will go a long way toward protecting against
potential scams this moving season. The Better Business Bureau serving Chicago
and Northern Illinois (BBB) recommends doing homework before selecting a mover.

As we
approach the busiest time of the year for changing residences, the BBB
encourages consumers to know their rights and the red flags of moving scams. The
BBB serving Chicago and Northern
Illinois received 471 complaints during this last 12 month period
compared to 354 in the previous 12 months or an increase of 33%.

“Anyone
can claim to be a mover, so checking a mover’s credentials is critical and easy
to do,” said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business
Bureau serving Chicago and northern Illinois. “Know
your rights, and take necessary precautions before turning your precious
belongings over to a mover.”

The BBB
offers the following checklist for finding a trustworthy moving company:

• Research the company thoroughly. While state
  regulations vary, all interstate movers must, at minimum, be licensed by
  the federal government and are assigned a motor carrier number you can
  verify. Get a
  free BBB Business Review on movers from across North American, including
  ratings and complaint information at www.bbb.org

• Get at least three written in-home estimates. Not all price-quotes online
  or over the phone are legitimate. Keep in mind that the lowest estimate
  can sometimes be an unrealistic low-ball offer, which can cost you more in
  the end. Get free quotes from BBB Accredited Businesses at www.bbb.org

• Know your rights. Research your rights as a consumer for
  interstate moves or for moves within Illinois. Also, enlist the help
  of BBB or local law enforcement if the moving company fails to live up to its promises or threatens to hold your belongings
  hostage.

• Consider getting full-value protection. It may cost a few dollars
  more up front, but it may provide some peace of mind and eliminate a
  headache after your move. Investing in full (replacement) value
  protection means any lost or damaged articles will be repaired or
  replaced, or a cash settlement will be made to repair the item or to
  replace it at its current market value, regardless of age.

Bernas
added, “More than 48,000 people contacted the Chicago BBB about movers in the
past 12 months. Those kind of numbers show the importance of researching a
company before doing business with them.”

For more
consumer news you can trust and to check out a mover near you, visit www.bbb.org

Better Business Bureau Warns: Know Your Rights and Red Flags of Moving | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Release Date: April 3, 2012

For immediate release

The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday announced a Consent Order against Morgan Stanley to address a pattern of misconduct and negligence in residential mortgage loan servicing and foreclosure processing at its subsidiary, Saxon Mortgage Services, Inc.

Morgan Stanley sold a substantial portion of the assets of Saxon to Ocwen Financial Corporation on April 2, 2012, and has taken other actions to cease to conduct residential mortgage servicing. Prior to the completion of these actions, Saxon was the 34^th largest mortgage servicer in the United States.

The Consent Order requires Morgan Stanley to retain an independent consultant to review foreclosure proceedings initiated by Saxon that were pending at any time in 2009 or 2010. The review is intended to provide remediation to borrowers who suffered financial injury as a result of wrongful foreclosures or other deficiencies identified in a review of the foreclosure process. The foreclosure review will be conducted in a manner consistent with the reviews currently underway at several large mortgage servicers that consented to enforcement actions brought by the banking agencies last year.

If Morgan Stanley re-enters the mortgage servicing business while the Consent Order is in effect, it will be required to implement enhanced corporate governance, risk-management, compliance, borrower communication, servicing, and foreclosure practices comparable to what the mortgage servicers subject to the 2011 enforcement actions were required to implement.

As noted in the announcements relating to the 2011 enforcement actions, the Federal Reserve believes monetary sanctions are appropriate and plans to announce monetary penalties in these cases. The monetary penalties against Morgan Stanley will be in addition to the corrective actions that Morgan Stanley will be taking pursuant to today’s action. Morgan Stanley has acknowledged that it will be responsible for satisfying any civil money penalty that the Board of Governors could have assessed against Saxon for its conduct.

For media inquiries, call 202-452-2955.

Attachment (76 KB PDF)

Federal Reserve Board announces consent order against Morgan Stanley | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

For the last few years we’ve been hearing about a much-anticipated wealth transfer occurring in the United States. As parents pass on, and family wealth is handed down from one generation to the next, more than $40 trillion dollars worth of accumulated assets will change hands, according to researcher Paul Schervish, director of the Center for Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College.

Paul Katz, founder of LifeAuditors, Inc. (http://www.lifeauditors.com), a new fee-based consulting service that examines the totality of personal and business planning tools, urges families to look outside the box when seeking counsel on wealth transfer issues. Katz says it’s been his experience that not many families are prepared for the challenges that occur with the passing of the guard.

“Everybody I know is pressed for time,” Katz says. “When a parent gets ill or dies suddenly, the surviving adult children face a range of emotional issues and aren’t in the best position to make decisions about the families accumulated wealth. That’s why the best time to plan is right now.”

Katz’ company, LifeAuditors, Inc., provides families with somebody to lean on with an objective, unbiased point-of-view (http://lifeauditors.com/how-we-work/). Family, friends and “Mom & Dad’s trusted advisors are great, but they sometimes lack the perspective the next generation needs. Try to look for professional advisors without bias and the ability to take a horizon-wide view,” Katz advises.

A life audit is an exceptional tool that involves having a LifeAuditorsSM counselor challenging you while helping address a variety of concerns, all while being non-judgmental. The four simple steps involved in a life audit include:
1. Holding an initial consult with a LifeAuditorsSM consultant to gauge the current state of your life and/or business plan.
2. Reviewing existing documents, including: Personal and corporate tax returns; Wills; Trusts; Estate Plans; Buy-Sell Exit Strategies; Retirement Plans; Pre and Post-Nuptial Agreements; Special Needs Plans (for dependents); and Blended Family Plans.
3. Preparing a life audit that pinpoints areas of strengths and weaknesses to create a comprehensive planning document.
4. Communicating the plan, if appropriate, to financial and legal advisors to ensure everyone is working together to achieve objectives and goals. Katz says he is happy to make referrals to other professionals if clients need legal and/or financial planning assistance.

“A lot of our business is referred by accountants, attorneys and financial planners,” Katz says. “From our perspective we earn our clients’ trust. Not surprisingly we are told that LifeAuditors has no appearance of a hidden agenda nor do we make preconceived judgments.”

LifeAuditors, Inc. provide a comprehensive, independent assessment of personal and business objectives that includes analysis of corporate and personal tax returns, wills, trusts, buy-sell agreements, retirement plans, insurance, pre and post-nuptial agreements, special needs arrangements for dependents, blended family planning and personal exit strategies. LifeAuditorsconsulting services are on a fee-basis only; no products are ever sold. To learn more, visit http://www.lifeauditors.com to schedule a complimentary consult.

LifeAuditors Process Reveals New Process for Families Seeking Greater Peace of Mind | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

SCHILLER PARK – March 29, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn and representatives from the Illinois Tollway, 350Green LLC and 7-Eleven, Inc. today announced the availability of the nation’s largest network of fast-charging electric vehicle (EV) stations. As part of Governor Quinn’s commitment to increasing sustainability across Illinois, the initiative will support the use of electric vehicles and create jobs in sustainable transportation. Motorists can charge an electric vehicle in under 30 minutes using the current fast-chargers at 7-Eleven sites at four Tollway Oasis locations, and will soon be able to charge vehicles at all seven Tollway Oases.

“We want Illinois to be the greenest state in America,” Governor Quinn said. “By installing the largest network of cutting edge fast-chargers, Illinois will continue to support green jobs and provide people with environmentally-friendly and affordable travel options.”

Through the Chicago-Area EV Infrastructure Project, 26 fast-chargers have been installed, with 73 total fast-chargers planned. Eight of these are currently in place at Tollway Oases along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) at the Des Plaines Oasis and on the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) at the Lake Forest Oasis, O’Hare Oasis and Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis. The installations, managed by 350Green, were performed by Chicago-based JNS Power & Control Systems.

“Today, the Tollway is taking steps to ensure that electric vehicle drivers on our roadways have the same convenient access to electricity as other drivers have to fuel,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “At the same time, we are continuing our commitment to ‘clean and green’ technology and making the Tollway a leader in environmental sustainability.”

The City of Chicago is overseeing the project’s installation of 280 charging stations overall to increase accessibility to EV charging. With a budget of $8.8 million, including $1.9 million in public funding and $6.9 million in private investment, EV stations are being installed mostly in areas with dense residential and worker populations and in high-traffic areas. The overall EV infrastructure project has created approximately 18 jobs and its construction will support 8,500 labor hours.

“This project is an excellent example of Mayor Emanuel’s commitment to promoting sustainability throughout the city of Chicago, while maximizing the positive economic impacts and job creation of these efforts,” said Karen Weigert, Chief Sustainability Officer at the City of Chicago. “This project represents one of the largest concentrations of fast-charging stations in the world, and is an outstanding example of private investment optimizing value to taxpayers.”

“With this announcement, the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois have the largest and most advanced fast-charging EV infrastructure in the U.S.,” said Mariana Gerzanych, co-founder and CEO of 350Green. “Whether you are at a mall, a drugstore or now on the open road, electric vehicle drivers can take comfort in knowing a charging station will be just around the corner.”

Partnerships with charging station hosts such as 7-Eleven have been key to the rollout of the network across the state. 7-Eleven convenience stores at four of the Illinois Tollway Oases now have dedicated space for fast-charging stations.

“Our support for electric vehicle charging stations is a perfect fit with our commitment to providing travelers with the things that make their trip more enjoyable – whether it’s our coffee, energy drinks or variety of fresh food products we offer at our stores,” said 7-Eleven Market Manager Tim Hale. “Now we offer the most advanced charging technology to people driving the most advanced vehicles.”

Before plugging in to one of the Tollway’s fast-chargers, drivers must purchase a payment card from 350Green (www.350Green.com/cards). The $21 card includes three 15-minute sessions at fast-charging stations.

The Chicago-Area EV Infrastructure Project is funded in part by the state’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital plan and Clean Cities Grant funds that the city of Chicago received through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The project is one of several initiatives now underway in Illinois to promote the adoption and use of electric vehicles.

The Illinois Jobs Now! plan includes up to $10 million in capital funding for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to award EV manufacturing and infrastructure incentives, which will begin rolling out this spring. In July 2011, Governor Quinn signed the Electric Vehicle Act to form the Illinois Electric Vehicle Advisory Council, a group of public- and private-sector electric vehicle stakeholders collaborating to develop policies and programs that support EVs.

In addition, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) offers the Illinois Alternate Fuels Rebate Program, which provides a rebate of up to $4,000 toward EV purchases (www.illinoisgreenfleets.org/fuels/ ). The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) also launched a Plug-in Electric Vehicle Initiative (PEV) Initiative to explore regulatory issues related to EV deployment (www.icc.illinois.gov/Electricity/PEV.aspx).

About 350Green

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, 350Green is a project developer that designs, builds and operates a scalable, nationwide network of electric vehicle (E.V.) charging stations. The company partners with retailers, commercial property managers and developers, and municipalities to locate charging stations at places near where E.V. drivers live and work. Current projects are underway in Illinois, California, Washington, D.C., New York, Indiana and Pennsylvania. The company has signed partnerships with Walgreens and Simon Property Group, among others. More information is available at www.350green.com.

About 7-Eleven

7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 9,100 7-Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, there are approximately 45,600 7-Eleven stores in 16 countries. During 2010, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales close to $63 billion. 7-Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations recently. Accolades include: #2 on Forbes magazine’s 2011 list of Top Franchises for the Money; #4 spot on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list for 2009, #3 in Forbes magazine’s Top 20 Franchises to Start, and #2 in Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Companies. Hispanic Magazine named 7-Eleven in its Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics. 7-Eleven received the 2010 Retailer of the Year honor from PL Buyer because of the company’s private-label brand initiative. 7-Eleven is franchising its stores in the U.S. and expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com.

About Illinois Tollway

The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 286 miles of interstate tollways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80).

Related Materials
EV Fast-Charging Network Facts (PDF, 253 KB)

Governor Pat Quinn Rolls Out Nation’s Largest Electric Vehicle Fast-Charging Network – 350Green and 7-Eleven help drivers re-charge vehicles in under 30 minutes at Illinois Tollway Oases | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Springfield—The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has granted the Exelon Generation’s LaSalle County Power Station a provisional variance from the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) water discharge permitted temperature limits, due to recent unseasonably warm weather conditions. 

LaSalle Station is an electric generating facility located in southeastern LaSalle County, six miles southeast of Marseilles. Circulating water used to cool and condense steam from the generating process is discharged into the Illinois River. 

LaSalle Station’s NPDES permit places limits on the temperature of the effluent versus the temperature of the river water during a given season, and gives the facility an allowance of excursion hours it can use if its discharge exceeds the temperature. Because of recent record breaking warm weather, the river temperature at the intake has already exceeded the maximum temperature standard. Without this provisional variance, LaSalle Station will be forced to stop the blow down of water from its cooling pond which, in turn, may compromise the integrity of the pond’s exterior dikes.

During the variance period, LaSalle Station must continuously monitor both discharge and receiving water temperatures and must visually inspect all discharge areas at least three times each day to assess the impact on aquatic life.   It must also notify the Illinois EPA and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources if aquatic life is shown to be affected. If the increased discharge temperature results in adverse environmental impact, appropriate reparations must be conducted.

Exelon LaSalle Power Station must continue to meet all other effluent conditions in its NPDES permitalong with additional conditions contained in the provisional variance but not expressly listed above. 

The Illinois EPA has determined that any environmental impact from the variance would be closely monitored, and the Agency will be notified immediately of any adverse impacts; no reasonable alternative appears to be available; no public water supplies will be affected; no federal regulations would prohibit granting the request; and the facility would face an arbitrary and unreasonable hardship if the IEPA did not grant the requested variance. 

The provisional variance will be in effect no later than March 31, 2012. All other NPDES permit requirements will remain in effect.

Illinois EPA grants Exelon LaSalle Station Provisional Variance from Discharge Requirements | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, IL – March 22, 2012 – The Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and northern Illinois (BBB) received a report about a smishing attempt via text message being sent to users claiming customers won a $1,000 Best Buy or Wal-Mart gift card. The message continues to tell the user to visit a website to claim the amount.

“This is not a legitimate offer and is not promoted nor sent by Best Buy or Wal-Mart,” said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois.  “We strongly advise consumers to not complete the form or enter any personal information into the website provided.”

Smishing is the practice of sending a phishing message to steal credit card or identity information via cell phone text messaging. 

Bernas explained text messages are not typically blocked and only contain text, making it easier for scammers to make smishing messages appear legitimate.

“As consumers utilize their cell phones more and more to access the Internet, they need to guard against scams as they would on their home or office computers,” he added. 

Smishing messages may also direct recipients to call a phony toll-free number in order to complete or cancel some financial transaction where a fake operator will take down your financial information over the phone.

The BBB offers the following tips if you receive a questionable or unsolicited text message:

• Check out the URL or phone number of a company before you disclose any personal or financial information for FREE at www.bbb.org

• Most financial institutions, utility, or other business will not communicate with you via text message. If you do not recognize the website or phone number being sent to you, don’t visit or call it;
• Avoid e-mailing and texting personal and financial information. If you have determined the website to be legitimate and do decide to submit financial information, look for the “lock” icon on the browser’s status bar. It signals that your information is secure during transmission;
• Review your credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them to determine whether there are any unauthorized charges. If your statement is late by more than a couple of days, call your credit card company or bank to confirm your billing address and account balances. 

For more information on smishing and other scams targeting consumers, visit the BBB online at www.bbb.org

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As a private, non-profit organization, the purpose of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of conciliation, mediation and arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims, online business practices and charitable organizations. BBBs develop and issue reports on businesses and nonprofit organizations and encourage people to check out a company or charity before making a purchase or donation.

Better Business Bureau Alert: Scammers Using Wal-Mart and Best Buy Names to Lure Consumers Into Gift Card Scam | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“A tax refund can provide much-needed aid for families enduring financial hardship,” said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “Your BBB advises the public to fill out their tax return forms carefully to help ensure they don’t make mistakes at a time when they can least afford it.”

The BBB offers the following tips for individuals still working on their returns:

·         Research tax preparers you can trust for free at www.bbb.org

·         Be wary of Tax Refund Anticipation Loans, or RAL. This is a loan provided by a third party against a taxpayer’s expected refund. The tax refund anticipation loan is not provided by the U.S. Treasury or the IRS and is subject to the interest and fees set by the lender. Some of these lenders have hidden fees and file inaccurate tax returns without consumer consent;

·         Check for missing, incorrect or illegible Social Security Numbers which can delay a tax refund;

·         Taxpayers must sign and date returns. Both spouses must sign a joint return, even with one income. Anyone paid to prepare a return must also sign.

·         File electronically instead of using paper tax forms to receive your refund more rapidly;

·         Make any check out to “United States Treasury” and enclose it with, but don’t attach it to, your return or Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher. Include your Social Security number, daytime phone number, the tax year and the type of form filed;

·         If you are behind, get an extension for your return. By April 17, you should have either filed a return or requested an extension of time to file. Remember, the extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay;

·         Be sure to keep all receipts and other documents and forms that were used in preparing your tax return. The IRS has three years to audit a return. They can audit you without limitation if you do not file, file a false return, or purposely avoid paying taxes;

·         If you notice a mistake on your prepared federal tax return, you can make changes by filing a 1040X. You have three years after filing to correct your return with this form.

For more advice on finding professionals you can trust, visit www.bbb.org

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As a private, non-profit organization, the purpose of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of conciliation, mediation and arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims, online business practices and charitable organizations. BBBs develop and issue reports on businesses and nonprofit organizations and encourage people to check out a company or charity before making a purchase or donation.

Top Tax Tips from your Better Business Bureau | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Originally reported by Illinois Statehouse News. Read the original article here.

Bloomington woman firght taxi cartel | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

PHOENIX—Phoenix FBI Special Agent in Charge James L. Turgal, Jr. announced the FBI’s Bank Robbery Task Force is seeking the public’s assistance in determining the whereabouts of Cynthia Marie Alaniz. Alaniz is a 23-year-old Hispanic female.

Alaniz is charged with bank robbery, attempted bank robbery, and aiding and abetting. She allegedly robbed the National Bank of Arizona, 219 North 4th Street, Buckeye, Arizona on January 20, 2011. In addition, on January 21, 2011, she allegedly attempted to rob the Arizona Business Bank, 12775 West Bell Road, Surprise, Arizona.

Any information regarding the whereabouts of Cynthia Marie Alaniz should be reported to the FBI at 623-466-1999 or to Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.

The Bank Robbery Task Force is comprised of the Phoenix Police Department, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Mesa Police Department, and the FBI.

An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Cynthia Marie Alaniz Wanted for Bank Robbery | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

PHOENIX—Joseph N. Gagliano, 43, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was arraigned on March 7, 2012 on a seven-count indictment charging three counts of bank fraud in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1344, one count of wire fraud in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and three counts of false loan and credit applications in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1014. Gagliano entered pleas of not guilty to all charges.

Ann Birmingham Scheel, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, spoke of the significance of this indictment when she said, “SBA loans are intended to provide qualified small business owners access to capital to finance and grow their businesses. When SBA loans are procured through fraud, deserving small business owners are effectively denied business opportunities. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who fraudulently attempt to obtain financial assistance through SBA’s guaranteed loan programs. I would like to thank the SBA OIG and the FBI for their thoroughness and dedicated professionalism throughout this investigation.”

“Corrupt borrowers who attempt to defraud SBA’s loan programs will be aggressively pursued by our office,” said SBA Inspector General Peggy E. Gustafson. “This successful investigation and indictment demonstrates our commitment to insuring that SBA loans are only disbursed to deserving small businesses helping to grow our economy. We appreciate the leadership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the support of the FBI to bring this indictment forward.”

“This case is the culmination of a joint investigation by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General and the FBI,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge James L. Turgal, Jr., Phoenix Division. “When an individual allegedly seeks to line his own pockets through deceptive practices, it takes away needed capital from legitimate small business owners. The FBI and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to investigating and prosecuting those individuals who commit fraud against the government and seek to harm our economy.”

The indictment alleges that, between June 2006 and August 2010, Gagliano falsely represented that his father was applying for loans and loan modifications for two residential properties located in Scottsdale and Phoenix because Gagliano would be unable to obtain, or would have difficulty obtaining, the requested loans and loan modifications for himself. Gagliano allegedly submitted, in his father’s name, loan applications and requests to modify loans that contained false information regarding his father’s income, assets, liabilities, and his intent to occupy the properties as his primary residence. Gagliano also allegedly submitted false information to lenders regarding his father’s ownership interests in car wash ventures that Gagliano actually owned.

Additionally, the indictment alleges that Gagliano sought SBA loans for a carwash located in Chandler. In obtaining the loans, Gagliano allegedly used his father’s name and misrepresented his father’s ownership interests in car wash ventures that Gagliano actually owned. Gagliano also allegedly misrepresented on the SBA loan applications that his father had injected nearly $1.5 million in personal cash into the construction of the car wash, that his father had a personal net worth in excess of $1.5 million and assets valued at just under $4 million, and that his father would be the primary on-site manager of the car wash. The indictment alleges that, based on Gagliano’s false representations, Gagliano obtained in excess of $3.5 million in SBA loans. Those SBA loans went into default, resulting in substantial losses to the lenders and to the SBA.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Gagliano faces a potential maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for each count. Gagliano is also subject to fines and mandatory restitution if convicted.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Kevin M. Rapp Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

Former Car Wash Owner Indicted for Mortgage Fraud and for Fraudulently Obtaining $3.5 Million in Small Business Administration Loans | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Chicago, IL – March 8, 2012 – Doris Christopher, founder of The Pampered Chef, Ltd., Addison, Ill., will receive the Torchbearer Award from the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois (BBB) at the organization’s Annual Dinner Meeting in the Hilton Palmer House Hotel on March 15, 2012. The BBB is honoring Ms. Christopher for her consistent dedication to ethical business practices throughout her career as a highly successful business owner.

“The BBB Torchbearer Award is presented to a person who not only practices but exemplifies business ethics,” said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau.  “Ms. Christopher is such a person, focusing on ethical and trustworthy practices from the founding of The Pampered Chef in 1980, through the company’s purchase by Warren Buffet in 2002, to her continued involvement today.”

The former home economics teacher, Doris Christopher started The Pampered Chef in the basement of her suburban Chicago home in 1980.  It is best known for its at-home sales parties of professional-quality kitchen equipment by a sales force of “Pampered Chef Consultants.”  In 2001, the year before its sale to Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway operation, The Pampered Chef had sales of $740 million.

Ms. Christopher has been a member of the BBB Board of Directors for 13 years and Board chair in 2005.  Her company received the prestigious Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in 1998.  In addition, she is the Immediate Past Chairperson of the Direct Selling Association, and is the Chairperson of the Direct Selling Education Foundation.

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As a private, non-profit organization, the purpose of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of conciliation, mediation and arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims, online business practices and charitable organizations. BBBs develop and issue reports on businesses and nonprofit organizations and encourage people to check out a company or charity before making a purchase or donation.

Doris Christopher, Founder of The Pampered Chef, To Receive BBB Torchbearer Award | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.