Afternoon Edition: Oct. 7, 2020

Christina Jordan sits inside her Oakland condo. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about a 5-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.

We’ve got another beautiful afternoon in the forecast: sunny with a high near 75 degrees. Tonight’s low will be around 50 degrees. Tomorrow will be a bit cooler, with a high near 72 degrees expected, and more sunshine.

Top story

Black homeowner, 2 appraisals, $62,000 difference

Christina Jordan was in the process of purchasing a new condo in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood when the coronavirus pandemic upended daily life, making her question if it was the right time to move.

The 37-year-old dropped her plans but decided to refinance her Oakland condo, which is west of Oakwood Beach, after hearing it was a good time to get a lower interest rate. When she got her home appraised, she was surprised to see it valued at $278,000 — $1,000 less than she paid six years earlier.

After posting on social media about her experience, she started to hear from Black colleagues and friends — some working in high-level positions — who faced similar obstacles in getting their home valued correctly.

“That there are multiple people who have been going through the same experience and started coming out of the woodwork based on the posting was really jarring and frustrating,” Jordan said.

Jordan decided to get a second appraisal; this time, she didn’t disclose her race on forms. It was $62,000 higher than the first.

Experts say home appraisals add to the inequities Black homeowners face compared to their white counterparts. Despite housing reforms, inequities for homeowners in communities of color have increased since the 1980s, said Junia Howell, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Pittsburgh, co-author of a recent study about the issue.

Among the study’s findings: from 1980 to 2015, homeowners in white neighborhoods have gained wealth at twice the rate of homeowners in Black and Latino communities. The study also found the racial makeup of a neighborhood plays more of a role in home appraisals now than it did in 1980.

Myra Winding-Hermann, a friend of Jordan’s who lives in the same neighborhood, said she and her husband purchased their condo in 2017 and decided to refinance in 2019 to try to lower their interest rate.

As part of the process, her home was appraised for $475,000 — which was a $6,000 increase from when the couple purchased the condo for $469,000, Winding-Hermann said. She, too, thinks her home wasn’t valued correctly and thinks the appraiser overlooked recent upgrades.

She heard stories of nearby homes selling for more but didn’t realize there was an issue around home values until she started opening up to others about her own experience. “Then you realize it’s not me, it’s a systemic problem that needs to be addressed,” she said.

If Winding-Hermann were to do the process again, she would take down her photos and consider letting her husband, who is white, be home alone for the appraisal. She doesn’t want to do that, but absent of reform, she thinks that’s what it would take to get a better appraisal.

“I hate to play the race card,” she said. “But it’s real and it’s valid.”

Read Elvia Malagón’s full story here.

More news you need

1. Chicago activists will hold a vigil outside the Metropolitan Correctional Center this evening as part of a national week of mourning for victims of the coronavirus pandemic. Those who want to participate are encouraged to create signs, shrines and collages to mourn pandemic victims.
2. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability released videos yesterday of police exchanging gunfire with downtown looters during a night of civil unrest in August following the police shooting of a man in Englewood. No one seems to have been shot, COPA said.
3. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has moved to acquire land from the CTA for the construction of two Black-owned restaurants adjacent to a police and fire training academy in West Garfield Park. The move is clear sign that it’s “full-steam ahead” for a $95 million project that progressives want shelved.
4. A New York hospital executive has been named to lead Cook County’s public health system, which faces a $187 million budget deficit for 2021. County commissioners will consider Israel Rocha Jr. when they meet later this month.
5. Film critic Richard Roeper says Adam Sandler sinks to new lows with “Hubie Halloween,” which is now streaming on Netflix. Read his full review and watch the trailer here.

A bright one

Bulls’ Denzel Valentine is excited to share a more personal side with his upcoming album, ‘517 Made Me’

The first time Denzel Valentine ever freestyled for anybody was in middle school.

He came home from class and sat with his older brother, Drew, who asked how his day went. The future Bulls shooting guard told his brother he had a few bars to get out, and seconds later, he had a YouTube instrumental track pumping through their computer speakers and dropped a smooth flow for a kid in middle school.

“Music was a big part of our life growing up,” Valentine said. “In high school, we used to do beats and freestyle at the lunch table. Then in college, Eron Harris transferred in from West Virginia, and he was making music on his laptop. One day he said, ‘try it.’” Valentine tried rapping on one of Harris’ beats and was hooked.

Bulls guard Denzel Valentine plans to release his debut album, “517 Made Me”, sometime before the next NBA season begins.

This summer, Valentine has been in the gym and the studio. He doesn’t have a specific date in mind, but before the 2020-21 season, he’ll drop his debut album titled ‘‘517 Made Me.’’ He said the album will give fans a look at his life from a more personal perspective.

“Music has definitely allowed me to express how I feel,” Valentine said. “As an artist, I want people to see a side of me that nobody really gets to see. As an athlete, I want everyone to see I’m a hardworking player who deserves to play in the NBA.”

The 517 in the album title is a nod to Lansing, Michigan, where Valentine grew up, and the influence his hometown, family and childhood friends he’s still close to have had on him.

Read Annie Costabile’s full story here.

From the press box

After drafting German forward Lukas Reichel with their first-round pick last night, the Blackhawks got started on Day 2 of the NHL Draft by taking American goaltender Drew Commesso with the 46th overall selection. It’s the highest pick the Hawks have used on a goalie since Adam Munro in 2001.

And ahead of the Bears’ “Thursday Night Football” matchup against the Buccaneers, there’s concern rookie receiver Darnell Mooney will miss the game with a shoulder injury.

Your daily question ☕

If you could ask Mike Pence and Kamala Harris one question during tonight’s debate, what would it be?

Email us (please include your first name and where you live) and we might include your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.

Yesterday, we asked you: What issues are most important to you in this election, and why? Here’s what some of you said…

“Healthcare disparity. Everyone should have the right to quality healthcare, no matter your economic status.” — Jennifer S. Fischer-Hooge

“Renewing environmental regulations. Everything literally depends on the environment. And for the sake of future generations.” — Gary A. Lucas

“I wanna see protection of black lives, free healthcare for all, and $20 an hour minimum wage.” — Jeffery Jones

“So many. I want our country to resume granting asylum to refugees and allow immigration to continue enriching us. I want healthcare to be affordable for all. I would like to see voting be uniform for the entire country.” — Carmie Daugird Callobre

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