StreetWise has been a part of the fabric of Chicago for 33 years, empowering individuals and creating opportunities.
We'd love to hear from you: What does StreetWise mean to you personally? How has it impacted you or your community? Feel free to share your thoughts, stories, or favorite memories!
4
Arts & Entertainment
Event highlights of the week!
SportsWise
The SportsWise team chats about a possible WNBA strike.
Cover Story
The annual Rummage and Garage Sale Guide is a StreetWise story for several reasons. First, the sales offer working people the dignity of great clothes and household items at an affordable price amid a philosophy that there truly is enough to go around for everyone. Second, many of the sales are run by churches that use the money raised from them for small benevolence grants to nonprofits. Third, items sold are kept out of landfills. And finally, the sales are an initial marketplace for people trying to earn extra income buying and reselling online.
12
6 8 15
From the Streets
The State of Illinois is ready to seek redevelopment bids on the Hotel Florence in Pullman, which will benefit tourism in surrounding neighborhoods.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development distributes a record amount of funds nationwide to programs that fight homelessness, but advocates worry that the Trump administration will not cut the checks and will not renew the funding next year.
A Kenwood tenants union begins a legal rent strike to prevent takeover of their building by another slumlord like the one that caused the building to fail 16 City of Chicago building inspections in a row.
The Playground
DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of StreetWise.
Dave Hamilton, Creative Director/Publisher dhamilton@streetwise.org
Amanda Jones, Director of programs ajones@streetwise.org
Julie Youngquist, Executive director jyoungquist@streetwise.org
Ph: 773-334-6600
Office: 2009 S. State St., Chicago, IL, 60616
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Compiled by Dave Hamilton
Attention All Gamers!
King’s Quest @ 40
The name Sierra On-Line was synonymous with adventure gaming on personal computers in the 1980s. In 1984, players were introduced to the feather-capped King Graham and tasked with aiding him on his quest for magical treasures in the land of Daventry. Sierra’s founders, Ken and Roberta Williams, had created the first graphical adventure game, “Mystery House,” in 1980. However, King’s Quest marked a significant evolution by introducing animation and 16-color graphics. Its success established Sierra’s flagship franchise, helped transform the company into a powerhouse of adventure gaming, popularized the genre, and inspired numerous sequels, remakes, and reimaginings of the “King’s Quest” universe. Chicago Gamespace presents the game that started it all. Visitors will have the chance to play an version of the original 1984 King’s Quest and immerse themselves in its fantasy world—while also discovering just how challenging and primitive the game feels to modern audiences. Saturdays and Sundays, 2-5 p.m., through April 27 at Chicago Gamespace, 2418 W. Bloomingdale Ave, Apt 101. $8 (Ages 13+), Kids Admission $5 (Ages 5-12), Free Admission for Kids under 5 and Active-duty military personnel and their families.
Supreme Choreography with Local Flair!
Twyla Tharp Diamond Jubilee featuring Third Coast Percussion
The legendary Twyla Tharp celebrates her 60th anniversary as a choreographer with a coast-to-coast diamond jubilee tour that includes three performances at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St., April 10 & 11 at 7:30 p.m. and April 12 at 2 p.m. Each performance features Tharp’s “Diabelli,” set to Beethoven’s masterpiece of the same name, and a new work set to a reimagining of Philip Glass’s iconic “Aguas da Amazônia,” arranged and performed live by Chicago’s own Third Coast Percussion. Showcasing Tharp’s uncanny and witty use of music to create work of startling originality and beauty, the two dances once again ensure Tharp’s place as one of the great artists of our time. Tickets start at $52.90 at harristheaterchicago.org
Anime Come to Life!
'Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: The Super Live' "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: The Super Live," the groundbreaking 2.5D musical, is bringing the iconic Sailor Moon universe to life like never before. This stunning stage adaptation—based on the legendary manga and anime—transports audiences into a dazzling world of magic, friendship and justice with its electrifying performances, unforgettable choreography and showstopping music. Ushering in a new era of live theatre that merges the visual style of manga and anime with the immersive power of live performance. Tuesday, April 15, 7:30 p.m. at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St. Tickets start at $49.50 at www.msg.com/calendar/the-chicago-theatre-april-2025-pretty-guardian-sailor-moon
Spooky Sounds!
Halfway to Halloween Spooktacular: Nightmare Notes
A spine tingling, haunted evening where the eerie beauty of Halloween meets the captivating power of live string music. Celebrating the halfway to Halloween mark, talented musicians will bring to life iconic spooky themes, thrilling sounds and chilling melodies. Each haunting note and sinister chord will transport listeners to the heart of Halloween. Set in only the light of shimmering candles, the dark and mysterious ambiance, combined with the evocative sounds of violin, cello and viola will keep viewers on the edge of their seats as the music sends shivers down their spines. Take in the custom compositions of the Lizzie Borden House and the Villisca Axe Murder House, powerfully played on delicate strings evoking the unsettling thrill of the stories. Whether you’re a Halloween enthusiast or simply a lover of haunting melodies, this unique event promises a one of a kind experience that will leave you eagerly awaiting the season of thrills, chills, spooks and scares. Saturday, April 12 at 7 & 9 p.m. at Second Unitarian Church of Chicago, 656 W. Barry Ave. Tickets start at $42 at tourismo.com
A Tale of Streeterville!
‘The Distrikt of Lake Michigun: A Most Lamentable Comedy and Most Ridiculous Tragedy’ Shortly after the Great Fire, “Captain” George Streeter and his wife Ma are building a utopian community on a sandbar in Lake Michigan right outside the city limits of Chicago. Unfortunately, his ex-wife Minnie is tagging along to set the record straight. Combining elements of Greek tragedy, vaudeville, farce, history play, and Brechtian Lehrstücke, this is the outrageous (mostly) true story of how Chicago’s most expensive neighborhood came into existence. At Water Tower Place, 6th floor, 835 N. Michigan Ave., through April 27. Tickets start at $40 at stagelefttheatre.com
History, Home & Lasting Hatred!
‘Prayer for the French Republic’
In 1944, a Jewish couple in Paris desperately awaits news of their missing family. More than 70 years later, the couple’s great-grandchildren find themselves facing the same question: “Are we safe?” Following five generations of a French-Jewish family, “Prayer for the French Republic” is a sweeping look at history, home, and the effects of an ancient hatred. This Chicago premiere, a co-production with Theatre Wit, is at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd. in Skokie, from April 10-May 11. Tickets are $35+ at northlight.org or 847.673.6300.
Musical Lunch Break!
Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts
Classical Music Chicago presents the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts. The free weekly concert series features extraordinary music by artists who are early in their careers. Enjoy live classical concerts at 12:15 p.m. at the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, 55 E. Wacker. Face masks are optional. You may also stream from the comfort of your own home at classicalmusicchicago.org or listen on WFMT. On April 8, enjoy marimbist Britton-Rene Collins (pictured). On April 16 listen to Sirena Huang on violin and Chih-Yi Chen on piano. FREE.
Here's to Your Health!
Chicago Tea Festival
Tea lovers, get ready to steep yourself in a world of flavor and tradition at the Chicago Tea Festival 2025, taking place on April 12-13 at the Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave. This annual notfor-profit event is organized by passionate volunteers and is dedicated to uniting tea enthusiasts, connoisseurs, and casual drinkers alike. Over two days, attendees will have the chance to explore the rich and diverse world of tea through hands-on experiences, including tea tastings, workshops, and presentations led by industry experts. From discovering rare, world-class teas to learning about brewing techniques and tea’s global heritage, there’s something for all tea drinkers. $30 at the door for a 2-day pass. Learn more at chicagoteafestival.com
Awe-inspiring Dance!
Parsons Dance
The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, presents a special evening with Parsons Dance, the New York-based contemporary American dance company founded in 1985, and internationally renowned for its athletic ensemble work, boundary-pushing artistry and life-affirming joy. This performance will mark the company’s first in Chicago in 30 years. Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $30 and are available at auditoriumtheatre.org
Light It Up!
We Call it Ballet: ‘Sleeping Beauty’ in a Dazzling Light Show Experience “Sleeping Beauty” like never before in this dance and light show. Enjoy a unique fusion of classical ballet and modern technology, where local dancers literally light up the stage with glittering routines and glowin-the-dark costumes. The timeless tale of the cursed princess awakened by her true love’s kiss comes to life on stage, as pirouettes and gravity-defying leaps cast a kaleidoscope of colors across the space. Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m. at the Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave. Tickets start at $40 at feverup.com
A Possible wnba strike?
John: Today we are going to talk about the potential WNBA strike. Last year the WNBA had its best year by far with Caitlin Clark. Meanwhile, the DailyMail.com said that Angel Reese was unimpressive in a 3-on-3 lead game. She went 5 for 13 while only scoring 10 points, even though her team won 74-46. She is expected to make about 75K with the Chicago Sky in 2025. She says that the players themselves deserve better pay, and if they can’t negotiate better pay, they may walk. I am kind of confused about why they want to walk after they had their best year ever. A. Allen, what do you have to say?
Allen: In my opinion, the women’s basketball league is really coming forth. They are bringing a lot of fans in and a lot of money to the WNBA. They deserve more pay because the Indiana Fever has already moved games to larger
arenas because of the Rookie of the Year, Caitlin Clark. And Angel Reese, she’s bringing a lot of fans to Chicago. They are bringing in money, just from the fans in the stadium, not counting offers they may have for commercials. They are bringing a lot of money to places they play. If six teams are moving to larger arenas because of games with Caitlin, that means more fans are coming to see them play and that means more money being made and that should be shared with the players. We did an article about women getting equal pay, especially if they are bringing fans to larger stadiums, they should get paid too, they deserve equal pay. To avoid a walkout, they should pay the players.
John: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver should step in. The NBA is not doing so well and the WBNA is a hot iron. They should strike now, in the sense of knowing their power,
while it’s hot. Silver should have some NBA players donate their salaries to the women players, especially Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. Angel’s going to make $350,000, if she’s still playing, at the end of her four-year rookie contract, it’s not out of the realm of possibility for her and Caitlin Clark to become the first millionaires in WNBA history. All parties should walk back to the bargaining table to see what they can get, because if the WNBA walks out, they could be making a huge mistake that could be more devastating than when Major League Baseball walked out from August 1994 to April 1995 and canceled the 1994 World Series.
Allen: Since we are talking about WNBA, we can’t help but talk about Golden State and the Golden State Valkyries expansion team, the women Warriors of San Francisco Bay. Atlanta just
came up with an expansion team, the Dream. The Women’s Basketball league is really growing, and growing fast. We were getting tickets here at StreetWise to DePaul and the Sky and I would like to get more.
John: My favorite team is Indiana Fever because of Caitlin Clark, but if the WNBA does walk, I hope they don’t because they have a chance now to really grow and prosper to what we have never seen before.
Any comments, suggestions or topic ideas for the SportsWise team? Email StreetWise Editor Suzanne Hanney at suzannestreetwise@yahoo.com
Vendors (l-r) A. Allen and John Hagan chat about the world of sports.
Accessible via the Addison Red Line stop and bus routes 8, 36, and 152. A W A R E N E S S T H R O U G H T H E A R T S
Food | Activities | Speakers
Come celebrate the first look at a community created, multi-media art installation that highlights the awareness of mental well-being!
Meet local community organizations and learn about where to access art programs and behavioral health resources!
DATE & TIME
APRIL 27TH
11 AM - 2 PM
LOCATION
CENTER ON HALSTED, 3656 N HALSTED ST, CHICAGO, IL
OPEN TO ALL
SECONDHAND CHIC FIRST-RATE FINDS
A GUIDE TO RUMMAGE SALES IN CHICAGOLAND
by Suzanne Hanney
Rocky Castro got into antiques picking a decade ago after he bought an 1800s fishing lure for $20 – and sold it for $5,000. He also trained his eye working for an estate sale company and with his 84-year-old father, who had also been in the business.
Hot items to sell right now are hunting knives, guns, jewelry, men’s older watches, records, tin toys and Xbox and Nintendo games, says Castro, who lives and works in metro Detroit. Also in demand are musical instruments– from '80s rock 'n' roll to punk rock, jazz and blues; and midcentury modern furniture and lamps.
Lately, Castro sees teens buying antiques. Part of the reason may be historic interest, but mostly, “people want to make money.
“When I go to the thrift store, I see a lot of people researching items. You have to put in your time. I paid for my own lessons: if you keep buying junk and losing money, that’s how you learn.”
Walking through thrift and antique stores is a good way to study items and how much to price them, he said. Researching them on eBay, however, is better and faster. See what they actually sold for, their high and low bids.
His best advice for newbies to antiques picking is to specialize. “Take small steps. Just concentrate on one thing to look for and resell.”
Castro showcases items on Instagram and sells them on eBay, with the remainders brought to a large flea market. Any leftovers there he gives away or trades.
A side benefit of being an antiques picker is that Castro has become a repurpose artist. “I take junk and make something of it.” He designs fancy cowboy hats, sculptures and lamps out of cowboy boots, all of which he exhibits on Instagram. “When you can make something and you can sell it, that’s a trick.”
Similarly, Erin Toole Williams has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. She made and sold earrings in high school.
The majority of her professional career, however, has been in hospitality, which is in her actual DNA. She considers herself to be an independent concierge, with vintage reselling
the second part of her business under the label, “A Road to Somewear” on Instagram. The third piece is hospitality mode, which goes back to her ancestry. She is a descendant of J.B. Stradford, a founder of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, OK, who had several businesses that burned to the ground in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, including his crown jewel, the 54room Stradford Hotel.
Two years ago Toole Williams connected the dots on the three skillsets of concierge, vintage reselling and white glove service with what she calls a “pre-estate sale business.”
“I am specifically helping people preserve their family legacies one household at a time. What enters into it is that my family lost everything as a result [of the massacre]. The Stradford Hotel was around before Hilton. We cannot afford to lose our history, now more than ever.”
She consults with her clients after a death or when they have to get rid of a home they’ve known since childhood. “It usually happens at a time people should not have to make a hard decision. I treat clients as family members rather than dollar signs. If they want to sell something, I will contact people on my client list, hence my vintage resale business. I will set it up. There’s a lot more handholding going on. Bringing my experience to it, I help people navigate the process.”
Like Castro, Toole Williams uses Instagram as a creative space, to illustrate her personality and her brand image. The app allows her to consistently structure it her way. She tries to post twice a week: perhaps a quote to do with fashion or an item she saw at a market, something that is a conversation piece. Prospective buyers can direct message her on Instagram. She has a separate Instagram page, @TheStradfordHotel, regarding her family’s story.
Since Poshmark began taking a larger cut, sellers have been moving off the platform and looking for alternatives, Toole Williams said. For people just getting started with items they make or vintage clothing, she advises smaller markets, such as Hyde Park Handmade at the Promontory.
Vintage Coach handbags are big with her client base, along with vintage costume jewelry – brooches, earrings (clip-ons or pierced), necklaces of any length to wear alone or to layer. Clothes from the 80s and 90s are abuzz with the younger generation. Vintage wear from the 20s to 40s remains strong for cocktail or eveningwear.
Philosophically, Toole Williams is against breaking up sets of furniture, china or clothing – “anything that is meant to be together. I think it diminishes the design of the product.”
Buy the 12 place settings of china and use them, she says. “If one piece breaks, you have another one. It’s better than it sitting in a china cabinet or getting dusty. There’s no such thing as a special occasion. Every day is a special occasion.”
And if you have to get rid of something large at the end of a sale, lowball the price, use Facebook Marketplace – but don’t leave it on the curb.
“I think we have a responsibility to get rid of it some other way, to be green.”
Mosaic Ceiling (1907)
UPCOMING RUMMAGE SALES
April 4-5
PARK RIDGE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Fri., 6-8 p.m. ($5 entry fee)
Sat., 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
1300 W. Crescent Ave. / 847.823.4135 / CASH and credit / $5 Bag/Half Price Sat, 1-2 p.m. Check back for October sale parkridgepresby.org/rummagesale
April 12
ST. ATHANASIUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL (ST. JOHN NEWMAN) - EVANSTON
Sat., 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.
2510 Ashland St. / 847.864.2650 CASH or Venmo saintas.net
Items priced separately Friday. Saturday bag sale is whatever you can fit in a trash bag for $8. If you stuff two bags, you get the third for $4. Some select items will still be priced separately on Saturday. Check www.ccjpucc.org or Facebook for October sale.
May 9-10 WINNETKA
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Fri., 8 a.m.-2 p.m./Sat., 9 a.m.-Noon, Half Price
630 Lincoln (at Pine) /725 Pine (at Prospect) / 847.441.3401 / CASH/ Venmo/ checks over $25/credit cards over $50
Donation center at 630 Lincoln Ave., Pine Street parking lot 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. To donate furniture, email pictures to wccrummage@gmail.com and church will
pick up for $35.
Check back in Octo
ber for smaller sale.
Sale began in 1902 and has run every year since, except during world wars and COVID. winnetkacongregationalchurch.org
May 10
ST. ANDREW CATHOLIC CHURCH CHILDREN’S GARAGE SALE
8 a.m.-noon
St. Andrew Gym, Addison & Paulina
Find gently used clothing (except underwear), shoes, coats for infants to preteens; Maternity wear; Baby gear (except car seats); Toys, games, puzzles and books; Nursery and children’s furniture (except drop-side cribs); Baby/children’s décor; Halloween costumes and holiday outfits; Strollers; Bikes, scooters, ride-on toys; Dolls and doll houses. Watch standrew.org for info on how to donate items.
May 17
WEST WALKER ANNUAL YARD AND GARAGE SALE
Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Irving-Montrose/Pulaski-Central Park Avenue
38th annual event, always on the Saturday after Mother’s Day. More information and free permit downloads for residents at www.westwalkercivic.org/events/2025/ garage-sale
May 18
RAVENSWOOD MANOR GARAGE SALE
Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Montrose to Lawrence/Chicago River to Sacramento
125+ households, 1000s of bargains in one of Chicago’s largest community sales. Driving through neighborhood is discouraged and driving down alleys forbidden. Public transportation (CTA 78 Montrose and 81 Lawrence bus, Brown Line) is encouraged. Physical maps available at
Manor Park pergola; digital map at ravenswoodmanor.com Be prepared to pay digitally: Zelle, Paypal, Apple Pay, Cash App, etc. Some sellers may not take cash. Please use small bills.
May 30-June 1 SKOKIE COMMUNITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Participation is free and does not count towards a dwelling’s three (3) allotted garage sales per calendar year. Locations, dates, times and types of items for sale will be viewable on the Village's Community-Wide Garage Sale map: www.skokie. org/1369/Garage-Sales
June
JACKSON PARK HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE
TBA, generally first Saturday in June 6700-7000 Blocks of South Cregier, Constance, Bennett and Euclid jacksonparkhighlands.org
ROSCOE VILLAGE GARAGE SALE
TBA, generally first Saturday in June. Belmont-Addison/Ravenswood-Chicago River roscoevillage.org
GREATER ROCKWELL COMMUNITY SALE
Montrose-Lawrence/Western Ave.- Chicago River / TBA thegreaterrockwell.org
June 7
CHRIST CHURCH -WINNETKA
Sat., 8 a.m.-Noon
470 Maple (at Oak)
847.446.2850 (ext. 124) CASH/Check w/ proper ID/Venmo. Monthly pickups for furniture donations at christchurchwinnetka. org/donate Check back for its flagship sale in October. One of the oldest and largest sales in Chicago, rummage is its largest outreach ministry.
June 7
EDGEWATER YARD & SIDEWALK SALE
Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Foster-Devon/Sheridan-Clark Shop over 200 households, group sites, business yard and sidewalk sales. Participating organizations include the BARGE Neighbors, Edgewater Beach Neighbors Association (EBNA), Edgewater Glen Association (EGA), Edgewater North Neighbors (ENN), EPIC Block Club, Edgewater Triangle Neighborhood Association (ETNA), and the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce. All proceeds benefit Care for Real (CfR). Through locations in Edgewater and Rogers Park, CfR provides food, clothing, referrals, and additional services with compassion to improve the health and well-being of low-income residents to foster a stronger, healthier, equitable, and more stable community. edgewateryardsale.com
June 7
NORTH MAYFAIR COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE
Sat., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Lawrence-Foster/Pulaski-Cicero 100+ homes in annual sale. northmayfair. org
June 7 - 8
NORTH CENTER NEIGHBORS ASSOCIATION
Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Addison-Montrose/Ravenswood-Chicago River. Registration details at www.ncnaneighbors.org
June 14
NORTH SHORE UNITARIAN CHURCH –DEERFIELD
Sat., 8 a.m.-1 p.m. 2100 Half Day Road-Bannockburn
312.880.9473 CASH-small bills only /credit cards/ $20 Clothing Bag Sale All Day nsucrummage.org
June 20, 21 & 22 RICKOVER NAVAL ACADEMY
Fri., Sat., Sun.
8 a.m.-3 p.m.
5700 W. Berteau
Expect to find jewelry, clothing, art, collectibles, home goods, tools, toys, books, sporting goods, small electronics. Drop-off donations 9 a.m.-
noon Saturday April 12, 19, 26, May 3 & 10 behind the school at Cullom & Major; no large appliances or furniture. rickovernaval.org
1300 W. Crescent Ave / 847.823.4135 / CASH and credit parkridgepresby.org/rummagesale
October 9
CHRIST CHURCH - WINNETKA
Thursday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
470 Maple (Oak & Maple) /847.446.2850
CASH/ Check/Venmo
Flagship sale, with everything from furniture to fur coats. christchurchwinnetka.org
October 18
WINNETKA CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Saturday / Sale Hours TBD
620 Lincoln (Lincoln/Pine)/ 847.446.0575
CASH/ Venmo/checks over $25/credit cards over $50
November 22 & December 6 HIGHLAND PARK PRESBYTERIAN
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
330 Laurel Ave / CASH/checks with proper ID www.hppcil.org
IDNR requests solicitations for Hotel Florence in Pullman
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is scheduled to post a Request for Solicitations (RFS) – to leverage $21 million in state funding – for restoration and operation of the Historic Hotel Florence and Hotel Florence Annex within the Pullman State Historic Site.
Responses to the Capital Development Board’s e-Builder Bidding program will be due in late June, with notification around October. The public-private partnership could be for 75 years and could also include portions of the Pullman factory, train car display building and ADVANCE passenger car.
Designed by Solon Spencer Beman, the Hotel Florence was built in 1881 and the Annex in 1914 for customers of the Pullman Company, which built luxury railroad cars for comfortable cross-country sleeping in the era before airplane travel. The hotel and annex are just south of the former factory at 111th Street and St. Lawrence Avenue.
The Pullman Site is historically significant in U.S. labor history. Pullman employees lived in company housing, but during a recession in 1894, the company did not reduce rents. Workers who went to management to protest were fired and workers went on strike – which was ultimately broken by a federal government injunction. In addition, African Americans worked as porters on Pullman trains. Under A. Phillip Randolph, they formed a union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, which won higher salaries, better job security and more protection for workers’ rights through grievance procedures – the first major labor agreement between an
African American union and a corporation (see See StreetWise, "The Coalition of Black House Museums," February 19-March 4).
The hotel structures were purchased by the State of Illinois in 1991. That same year, the State of Illinois purchased the Pullman Administration Clock Tower Building, which was damaged by an arson fire in 1998 but rebuilt and restored in late 2005. President Obama named the district a National Monument (now National Historical Park) in 2015 and since Labor Day 2021, the Clock Tower has hosted the National Park Service’s Visitor Center.
IDNR contracts with ExplorUS (previously Ortega National Parks), a hospitality management company with 50+ properties across the U.S., for management of Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center, located in the heart of Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby; for White Pines Forest State Park in Mt. Morris and for Illinois Beach Hotel at Zion.
The Starved Rock concession offers 90 private accommodations, a restaurant, gift shop, and pool, while White Pines has a lodge, cabins, gift shop, and restaurant/dinner theatre. In September, the State of Illinois completed a $73 million restoration of three sections of Lake Michigan shoreline at Illinois Beach State Park. “Thanks to all those who tirelessly worked to execute this project – Illinoisans will continue to visit the lakefront here for generations to come, and we’ll keep this habitat and the local economy flourishing,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said.
–Suzanne Hanney, from online sources
Hotel Florence (Eric Allix Rogers / Historic Pullman Foundation photo).
H.U.D.
Notice of Funding Opportunity is high in 2024
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a record $3.6 billion in mid-January for FY 2024 homeless programs. HUD’s annual Continuum of Care (CoC) program is the largest source of federal support for these programs, which advocates are seeking to protect from future cuts by the Trump administration. As of March 11, HUD had not sent award letters out nationwide, according to Shelterforce.org, which was told that the CoC program would continue. The Trump administration wants to cut the HUD workforce in half, according to the Washington Post, however.
All Chicago: Making Homelessness History received $112,018,190. Its nearly 150 awardees included nearly $6 million for a Domestic Violence bonus expansion program, as well as rental assistance and supportive services for Catholic Charities, Thresholds, Inc., Mercy Housing, the LowIncome Housing Trust Fund, and numerous smaller agencies.
The next largest Illinois awardee was the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County, with $27,475,978, which funds 45 different programs in 28 nonprofits. About 30% of its annual HUD CoC funds go to salaries and benefits for 138 homeless support staff. The suburban alliance on February 13 urged average citizens to contact their members of Congress and urge them to finish the FY24 CoC distribution as well as that for FY2025, the 2-year Notice of Funding Opportunity that both parties in Congress secured.
Among the 17 other CoCs in Illinois are DuPage County (awarded $8.1 million); Joliet/Bolingbrook ($6.09 million); Waukegan/North Chicago/Lake County ($3.74 million); Aurora/Elgin/Kane County ($3.21 million); and McHenry County ($1.18 million).
Ellis tenants strike to prevent slumlord acquisition
Roughly 30 members of a Kenwood tenant association began a legal rent strike March 1 to prevent sale of their Freddie Mac-owned building to another slumlord like the one that caused the building to fail 16 City of Chicago building inspections in a row. The Ellis Lakeview Tenant Association (ELTA) is seeking a collective bargaining agreement with any buyer, to force accountability regarding staffing, maintenance, rehab scope and timeline and tenant protections.
“Without a contract we will face empty promises, leading to empty results,” tenant Arthur Evans said at a February 26 press conference at the 4624 S. Ellis Ave building. “We could be back at square one dealing with another criminal slumlord that has slipped through HUD [the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development] and Freddie Mac’s screening process again.”
In September 2020, facing egregious conditions such as mice, roaches, mold, roof leaks and trash backed up to a 6th floor chute, tenants formed the association. They began documenting conditions and sending complaints to HUD, the City and elected officials. They held press conferences, testified in Building Court, and even filed a class action lawsuit.
Their efforts bore fruit: In 2021, the City sued the landlord, which HUD fined more than $800,000. In 2022, the City’s case forced a replacement of management. When the landlord failed to pay their bills causing building issues, Freddie Mac eventually foreclosed.
ELTA’s organizing also exposed the corruption of their landlord, which had acquired dozens of HUD buildings and fraudulently borrowed hundreds of millions of dollars from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac nationwide.
“We stayed organized and got Freddie Mac to file for receivership, which we won this January,” said tenant Kimberly Marzette. “Regular payments and maintenance have resumed, and we’ve gotten 24/7 onsite security and a new boiler. But we’ve fought too hard and long to settle. Our elevators constantly break down. The carpets are moldy, our windows are covered with ice every winter because there is no insulation, and we’ve had years-long mice and roach infestations.”
Major issues remain, from broken elevators to lack of sufficient heat. Tenants also say that improvements could be reversed by a new, profit-hungry corporate landlord. They are particularly concerned about rollbacks to their rights amid Trump administration cuts to HUD staff and programs or threats of privatization.
–Wendy
Rosen and Suzanne Hanney, from emails. Photo by Wendy Rosen
–Suzanne Hanney, from online sources
Crossword
Anyone who wants to work has the opportunity to move themselves out of
How StreetWise Works
StreetWise provides “a hand up, not a handout.” Vendors purchase the magazine for
All vendors go through an orientation focusing on their rights and responsibilities as a StreetWise Magazine Vendor. Authorized vendors have badges with their name, picture and current year.
you buy the magazine, take the magazine, and read the magazine, you are supporting our microentrepreneurs earning an income with
