AustinWeeklyNews_030525 by Wednesday Journal

Developer calls for locals to apply for missing middle homes

Alteza is one of six developers building multi-unit housing on vacant lots in Nor th Lawndale

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Are you looking to buy a multi-unit building, possibly a condominium or townhome unit?

Schaumburg-based Alteza Group LLC is planning to build 23 housing units around North Lawndale – two two-flats, five three-flats one four-flat on eight lots scattered throughout the neighborhood. And since Alteza launched its project website in February, you can fill out an intake form to access a pre-sale offer multi-unit buildings, plus possible condominium or townhome units, hit the market.

and Senior Vice President of Academic A airs Chicago State University; Tegan

2025 ComEd

The multi-unit buildings are one private developer’s part of the City of Chicago’s Missing Middle Housing Initiative, which aims to build market-rate, middle-density housing – something in between apartment buildings and singlefamily homes – in neighborhoods where it no lon-

; Gil Quiniones, ComEd President & CEO

ComEd scholarship to Chicago State awarded to Austin native student

‘This scholarship has given me even more motivation to push forward … and make a meaningful impact in my career and in my communit y,’ Tegan Robins says

By JESSIC A MORDAC Q Staff Reporter

Every year, the electric service company ComEd awards scholarships to

Chicagoland college students who are studying STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – as a way to promote equitable opportunities in these fields.

“The ComEd Scholars program pro-

vides students with the resources and knowledge to excel in their educational and career journeys, while instilling

SCHOLARSHIP on page 8

From le

right: Melissa Washing ton, ComEd SVP Customer Operations and Strategic Initiatives; Dr. Sonja Feist-Price, Provost

Robins,

Scholar

Music can be joyful! We seek joy in our lives, through experiences and relationships. OPCC will o er its experiences of joy through special choral works. We will present newer compositions by composers Ben Parry and William Schuman, madrigal-inspired works by Williametta Spencer and Jan Pieter Sweelinck, and beautifully re-envisioned spirituals by Moses Hogan and Gwyneth Walker. OPCC will also bring the joy of singing works from our traditional repertory by Lindblad, Howells, and others. Michael Costello will be our esteemed organist and soloist. Join us in a joyful concert!

GENERAL ADMISSION: $18 in advance/$20 at the door

Purchase tickets through Eventbrite. See our website for the ticket link or contact us at the phone or email below. All advance purchase ticket holders will need to check-in at the Will Call Desk.

708.848.2130 or info@oakparkconcertchorale.org www.oakparkconcertchorale.org

ACT pushes for community land trust

Holds information sessions on separating land and home ownership to improve housing a ordability in Austin

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

In Austin, a home at 5020 W. Erie St. sold for $36,000 in 2013, but a decade later, was put on the market for $385,000. One at 605 N. Laramie Ave. sold for $99,900 in 2022 and was priced at $310,000 just one year later. And a house at 5445 W. Au gusta Blvd. that sold for $190,000 in 2010 sold last year for $475,000.

“These price increases are making it difficult for longtime Austin residents to buy homes in their own community,” said La’Shawna Bundy, Austin Coming Together’s community land trust coordinator, at an informational meeting Feb. 25. “Household incomes in Austin have not ke pt pace with rising housing values.”

The nonprofit Austin Coming Together held two information sessions in February, and one on March 1, for those interested in learning more about planning and developing a community land trust in Austin. Though the community land trust doesn’t exist yet, locals are working toward it in order to keep housing prices stable and prevent displacement on the West Side. A land trust separates land ownership from homeownership, providing more affordable housing options that allow Austin residents to remain locals in their own neighborhood.

When a house is up for sale, a community land trust can buy it with funds from subsidies and grants. Then, the trust resells it to a resident at a fraction of the cost. The resident also leases the land from the community land trust through a 99-year renewable lease, usually for less than $100 a month.

Community land trusts “provide af fordable home ownership by keeping housing prices 25-to-30% below value,” Bundy said. “Homeowners can make improvements, they can stay as long as they want, they can pass down their homes.”

In addition to building generational wealth by buying lots with residences on

them or buying lots and building on them, community land trusts can also make it more af fordable for residents who already own their homes.

“Part of the land trust is giving the opportunity for our residents to stay placed where they are at and not be priced out, making it more af fordable for them to stay in their homes,” Bundy said. As the community land trust develops, there would likely be the option for the trust to buy the property of homeowners who are on the brink of foreclosure, then sell the house back to them.

T he hypothetical Austin c ommunity land trust started out of ACT’s q ualityof-Life plan Austin Fo r ward. To g ether, wh ich focuses on improving ke y areas including housing, education, c ommunity narrative and economic development in Austin.

But community land trusts aren’t a new idea. The modern concept is thought to have started in Georgia to help Black far mers secure land during the Civil Rights Movement, and has since spread across the country.

In Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood, the Casas del Pueblo community land trust launched after the 2007 housing crisis. And in 2019, a group of nonprofit housing organizations created the

Here To Stay Community Land Trust , which covers Avondale, Hermosa, Humboldt Park and Lo g an Square.

The next step in creating a community land trust in Austin would be forming a board that makes decisions for the trust (though there would be a fiscal agent overseeing the land trust). The board would be tripartite – made up of one-third stakeholders like nonprofit leaders and government officials, one-third community members, and one-third homeowners.

ACT is working to secure funds to launch a community land trust from philanthropic foundations, private institutions, plus state and federal programs.

Come spring, ACT plans to organize more community engagement events. The group hopes to develop an action plan for a community land trust this year, including getting together a working group and developing a strategic plan. ACT aims for the community land trust to go live next year.

Those who are interested in learning more about the Austin community land trust or being a part of the process of creating it should fill out the following survey: https://docs.go og le.com/for ms/d/e/1F AIpQLSfwTOdjfBJunUryAb1J9UG3cgjI dT-zG8r5hq7TZYkpa2k_5Q/viewform

AU STIN WEEKLY news

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ADOBE STOCK

Lawmakers grill mass transit leaders as clock ticks

By BEN SZALINSKY Capital News Service

Public transportation reform in the Chicago area is at the top of state lawmakers’ to-do list this spring, but exactly what that reform will look like remains unclear.

Metra, the Chicago Transit Authority and Pace, along with the Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees some aspects of the Chicago area’s transit systems, collectively face a $771 million funding shortfall in 2026 as federal pandemic dollars run out. That includes inflation, according to the RTA, which previously said the shortfall would be $730 million.

Without money to fill that gap, transit users could face up to a 40% reduction in services, RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden said. The transit agencies were peppered with questions from lawmakers during a House hearing last week about their shortfalls in planning, organization and execution of services. Lawmakers have said for months the agencies will not receive new state funding without major refor ms to their operations happening first.

In a particularly tense exchange, Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, ripped into RTA Chair Kirk Dillard.

“I think that we need to blow up the RTA, totally blow it up, get rid of everyone, because again, systemic incompetence for the last 50 years,” Mayfield said. “I don’t want to keep anyone other than the janitors and the basic clerical staff. Anybody in a leadership position needs to be removed.”

What has been proposed?

Various reform plans have been proposed, including some from transit activists and la-

bor organizations. Dillard is pushing a plan that focuses on empowering the RTA to coordinate more operations between the transit agencies.

Current state law limits the power of the RTA to regional planning, setting standards for service, developing performance measures, allocating funding, financial oversight, and capital planning. The three agencies that actually provide public transportation are left to determine levels of service, schedules and fares.

“What the RTA’s role is at best is the bully pulpit and trying to coordinate, convene and have conversations if there is no compelling mechanism — financial, statutorily or out of penalties — whereby the RTA can control that outcome,” Redden said.

About 17% of the transit systems’ funding comes from the state, according to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. State law mandates half of the funding must come from rider fares, though that requirement has generally been suspended since the pandemic.

Dillard’s plan aims to address some of those areas where transit agencies are left to make their own decisions. Under his proposal, the RTA would gain more power to set fares, including on a unified app. The RTA would also have more control over service coordination and receive quarterly reports from the three systems that would allow the RTA to require improvements in exchange for more funding.

Dillard also said the RTA has identified $100 million in “efficiencies” to provide savings to the agencies.

“We’re not asking just for money,” Dillard said. “We have presented significant reforms that will be there.”

But Mayfield, who chairs the House appropriations committee that oversees transportation, questioned why the RTA is needed

“I for one will never vote to give you more anything, definitely not more power or more money, because I’ve not seen anything good come out of the RTA,” Mayfield said.

Other lawmakers said regional oversight remains necessary, but significant reforms are needed

“I believe that we need this regional oversight,” Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, a for mer RTA board member, said. “My frustration has always come from a place of us not being able to get that in a meaningful way.”

Labor unions have proposed their own plan. The AFL-CIO-led plan calls for more coordination between agencies including universal fare tools, coordinated safety on public transportation and reducing the percentage of the agency’s budget that must come from fares.

Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, has introduced a bill that would merge all the transit agencies into one entity known as the Metropolitan Mobility Authority.

Challenges toward reform

Achieving reform faces numerous challenges and differing opinions among transit leaders and lawmakers. It also faces the financial reality that the state has limited resources to dole out.

Similar-sized transit agencies in other states receive far more state funding than Chicago’s systems. Pennsylvania funds half of Philadelphia’s public transit costs while other systems receive at least a quarter of their funding from the state

It’s this “chronic underfunding” by Illinois that has made this shortfall worse, Redden said.

Even among the Chicago-area systems, there’s disag reement about how funding should be prioritized between agencies.

CTA Chief Financial Officer Tom McKone said the CTA wants a greater share of transit funds for carrying 86% of the re gion’s daily riders and to provide more service. But lawmakers weren’ t sold

“If we can’t take care of what we have already, how the hell are we going to expand into anything?” Rep. John Cabello, RMachesney Park, said. “It just doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t make sense at all. I mean if we can’t pay for what we have today, how can we expand?”

There’s also disag reement between the agencies about what the governing structure should look like as some push to consolidate transit gover nance.

“This issue, in our opinion, is not from a gover nance issue,” CTA Acting Presi-

dent Nora Leerhsen said. “This discussion of consolidation is not something that we think would solve the issues that we know riders want to see solved, from CTA’s perspective. Consolidation would bring additional administrative burdens that would in fact exacerbate some of the inequities that we’ve seen.”

Consolidation could also cause problems at Metra, CEO Jim Derwinski said.

“I do believe because we represent six counties, because the RTA taxing re gion represents so many communities, an oversight board that can see a regional perspective is required,” Derwinski said.

Metra is also bound by other agreements, contracts and federal railroad laws. Many operations that appear to the average rider to be run by Metra are actually run by freight companies that own Metra’s rail lines. For example, employees who work on the BNSF Metra line to Aurora are BNSF employees and the passenger schedules on the Milwaukee District North and West lines to Fox Lake and Elgin are dictated by Canadian Pacific, according to Derwinski

“It almost sounds like, I’m not going to say impossible, but close to impossible, for you to actually be a part of some big service board,” Rep. Will Davis, D-Homewood, said.

Logistical questions about a governing structure are only part of the issue. The other question that must be addressed is how the budget shortfalls, which RTA officials said will grow beyond $771 million in subsequent years, will be addressed, particularly as the state faces its own financial constraints

Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed $55.2 billion state budget for the next fiscal year raises spending by just 1% across most of state gover nment but doesn’t include any new spending for public transpor tation.

“Who’s covering how much of that is a negotiation that will take place,” Pritzker told reporters after his budget address. “So it’s near impossible for us to put a number into a budget, to make a determination of what the state should be putting forward when we don’t yet know.”

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning has recommended various funding mechanisms including raising the RTA sales tax in the six-county re gion, a sales tax on services, and higher tolls, vehicle re gistration fees or downtown Chicago parking taxes.

“As a for mer legislator and a for mer state senator in this body, I know how difficult it is to support new revenue,” Dillard said.

A disturbing experience at the Lake eatre

Recently, after supporting a dear friend at her father’s burial, I decided to take some time to decompress. I headed to the Lake Theatre in downtown Oak Park to see the latest Captain America movie, A Brave New World, starring Anthony Mackie as the first Black Captain America.

My youngest daughter, Gynesis, has conditioned me over the years to become a solid Marvel fan, so I arrived eager to escape into a world of cinematic storytelling — popcorn in hand, seat warmers on, and recliner in full action. But that brief moment of solace was shattered when I heard a voice yell, “We want the white Captain America back!”

Before I could fully process what I’d heard, multiple voices echoed the same phrase in succession. Though they stopped short of further desecrating Anthony Mackie’s character, the message was clear: a rejection of his presence in a role they deemed reserved for a white

man. The blatant racial bias on display was unacce ptable. I refused to nor malize this kind of behavior. I left the theater and requested a refund for my $7.21 matinee ticket. When I addressed my concer ns with Doug Green, the manager on duty, he seemed unbothered, even raising his voice at me — citing that he was handling multiple issues, including other patrons who had also complained about the same incident. I redirected his frustration toward the true source of the disruption: the young white men in rows M and/or N who had disturbed the peace. He sent employees into the theater to investigate, but as I observed the staf f, I noticed a palpable tension among them. One young black woman, in particular, wore an expression of tremendous discomfor t, her face reflecting what I can only assume was a mix of unease and resignation. It is sad when one becomes

LA TONYA JAMES

accustomed to such situations developing a sense of reluctant acce ptance. A woman in line confided in me that she “got chills” when she heard the outburst. Yet she refilled her drink and returned to her seat. I, however, could not bring myself to do the same.

T he Lake Theatre is the theater of my youth. Though I never lived in Oak Pa rk, my f amily frequented the area often, given its proximity to our home just beyond Austin Boulevard and La ke Street. Over the years, I’ve watched the neighborhood shift and change, yet my love for the community has never wavered — until now.

At this moment, I can no longer ignore the whispers I’ve long heard about racial under tones and civil unrest in Oak Park Yes, this could have happened anywhere, and undoubtedly is happening somewhere else as I write this. But I chal-

lenge the Oak Pa rk community to come out of hiding and confront the realities of racially charged behavior. This isn’ t about a fictional character — it ’s about real people who deserve to feel welcome in a space meant for enter tainment, not exclusion.

I have never felt unsafe in Oak Pa rk. But now I do. And I find myself questioning whether the community I have cherished for so long has ever truly cherished me in retur n.

If we are to change as a nation, we must first start with the communities, neighborhoods, and towns that shape the world around us. I felt compelled to share this experience because silence serves no one.

T hank you for taking the time to read this. I hope for a future where I can once again melt into a movie theater seat as simply a lover of film—without my presence, or that of the movie characters being a point of contention.

La Tonya James is a resident of Austin.

Online registration opens Monday, March 10 & Tuesday, March 11 View programs online the week of March 3

In-person registration opens Saturday, March 15

Spring Programs session runs March 31 to June 8

Spring Programs session runs March 31 to June 8 In-person registration opens Saturday, March 15

In-person registration opens Saturday, March 15

From Kitchen Islands to Home Bars: Bar & Counter Stools

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Renderings of Alteza’s preliminar y designs for its multi-unit developments.

MISSING MIDDLE

Housing in the North Lawndale

from page 1

ger exists, starting on the West Side.

The pilot initiative was launched in North Lawndale to revitalize a community with hundreds of vacant lots in the hope that missing middle housing will help repopulate North Lawndale and enhance the community

While there are six developers building missing middle housing for the city initiative, those interested in purchasing one of Alteza’s can fill out an intake form online

If a buyer qualifies, Alteza will schedule a virtual meeting to discuss their goals and choices. Then, the potential buyer will get pre-qualified through Alteza’s attorneys and lenders. When a buyer is approved, Alteza will collect a non-refundable deposit and draw up a pre-sale agreement.

Alteza told Austin Weekly News that about 10 people have filled out the intake form so far, but the developer is looking for additional interested locals.

Alteza said it wants to give families living in North Lawndale an opportunity to own their homes. For its missing middle homes, Alteza is prioritizing those who live in North Lawndale and are renting or living with extended family

Though there was a requirement that potential buyers must have a household in-

come no more than 140% of the area median income, that requirement no longer applies. Instead, the City of Chicago has capped home prices based on that number.

In the traditional sense, these missing middle homes are not affordable housing, which must be occupied by those with incomes below 60% of the area median income. But they’re also cheaper than most new builds that are on the market today. Those who qualify for missing middle units are looking for something in between.

Missing middle housing is for “the people who earn too much to qualify for housing vouchers and affordable subsidies, but not enough to qualify for full-blown market-rate homes,” an Alteza representative said.

Prices for Alteza’s developments will vary The developer is looking for one buyer to purchase buildings that house two-flats and three-flats and rent out units they don’t live in. Or potential buyers can look into buying what will likely be a townhouse or condo unit in Alteza’s four-unit development.

Alteza is open to offering concessions or credits, and working with lending partners to help buyers apply for down payment assistance and other programs

Alteza aims to break ground on all eight of its lots’ buildings in May, though that date depends on how quickly the City of Chicago can get a predevelopment agreement approved at a city council meeting. Only w hen the predevelopment agreement is OK’d will Alteza be able to break ground.

After construction begins, Alteza estimates it will take about six-to-eight months to finish all its construction.

The Missing Middle Housing Initiative

As the Missing Middle Housing Initiative kicks of f in North Lawndale, six developers are slated to construct about 100 units of housing across 44 vacant lots. The initiative is funded by a Housing and Economic Development bond out of the Department of Planning and Development. The City of Chicago sold developers these lots for $1 each and is subsidizing each unit $150,000.

North Lawndale is the site of the first missing middle project because, officials said, of its land value, zoning and local investments. If the West Side pilot is successful, the city may expand its missing middle initiative to other neighborhoods.

Other developers and where they’re building missing middle housing are as follows:

■ The Trumbull Collective, which will construct eight two-flats on eight lots on Drake and Trumbull avenues

■ Austin-based Citizens Building a Better Community, which will build 16 units on eight lots across Trumbull Avenue, Homan Avenue and Douglas Boulevard

■ Beauty for Ashes Developers LLC will develop four two-flats and one three-flat on five Christiana Avenue lots

■ Sunshine Management will construct five three-flats, two four-flats and one 10flat on seven lots on Douglas Boulevard and Spaulding Avenue

Those interested in purchasing one of Alteza’s units can fill out an intake form at www.missingmiddlechicago.com.

St. CatherineSt. Lucy Church closing

Rising costs, dwindling attendance prompts decision

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Lower mass attendance and costly upkeep has resulted in the anticipated closure of St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy church

The building, located at 27 Washington Blvd. in Oak Park, is part of a Catholic parish that includes St. Giles, 1045 Columbian Ave., Oak Park. Building closure will occur prior to the end of the parish’s fiscal year on June 30. A final commemorative mass will be hosted in June, according to a press release made available Monday by the parish, though no official closing date has been set.

Rev. Carl Morello, pastor of St. Catherine-St. Lucy and St Giles, made the announcement after 9 a.m. mass Sunday. He invited the roughly 75 parishioners in attendance at St. Catherine-St. Lucy to speak to each other and him about the announcement.

“I can tell you than in 42 years I’ve been a priest, I never imagined that I would be in a position to tell people that their sacred place was being closed,” he said Monday morning. “I had to pray about it. I had to struggle with it emotionally.

“I’ve come to appreciate the community, who they are, the cultural gifts they bring, some of the things they taught me, so there is a sense of connectedness.”

Sister Teresita Weind speaks at St. Catherine-St. Lucy Catholic Church, which was completed in 1931.

The press release noted that St. Catherine-St. Lucy Catholic School will remain open, while the nonprofit SisterHouse, which offers a temporary home to women seeking recovery from substance abuse, will remain in the church’s for mer convent building. The Neighborhood Bridge and the Faith and Fellowship Ministry will continue to operate out of the repurposed rectory, along with Housing Forward, an emergency overnight shelter

Morello said the church building will become relegated by the Archdiocese of Chicago, meaning it will no longer be considered for sacred use or space. The archdiocese can elect to rent the building or sell it to an organization that has use for it. But until it gets relegated, it will stand vacant.

A legacy of servanthood

According to the book “The Archdiocese of Chicago: A Journey of Faith,” St. Catherine of Siena church was founded in 1889 and merged in 1974 with St. Lucy, located in Austin. The St. Catherine building was designed by Joseph W. McCarthy and completed in 1931. It was built in a Tudor Gothic style

Though the church has had a long history of spiritual servanthood, the evolution to ultimate closure likely began in the late 1980s, when the Rev. Edward Braxton, now a retired bishop, arrived as pastor. At the time, Braxton and the now-deceased Sr. Teresita Weind had a brewing disagreement about her role in the parish.

“She would offer homilies and reflections during mass, and of course, women aren’t supposed to be doing that,” Valerie Jennings said. “Only an ordained priest and dea-

cons are allowed to give homilies. That was the downtur n of St. Catherine-St. Lucy. People were upset and they left.

Jennings said that while the church was decidedly “more lenient in some areas.” Braxton was focused on creating alignment with the Catholic church as a whole Weind left the church in 1991, but her influence is still there for Jennings.

“She encouraged me,” she said. “I was working in a corporate environment and she was pushing me toward church and be a lay person with a family. I did a lot on a volunteer basis.”

Weind died on April 28, 2024 at the age of 81. After leaving St. Catherine-St. Lucy Church, Weind went on to lead her order internationally.

-Gregg Voss

“The church was not targeted for closure,” the Archdiocese of Chicago said in a statement. “At the request of St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles parish, the archdiocese assisted with a multi-site review in early 2024 to assess its buildings and finances. Following a townhall in October 2024, the parish determined that maintaining St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church was not sustainable due to finances and significant maintenance costs.”

Morello said ongoing maintenance and repair costs, including things such as tuck pointing, can cost more than a million dollars, which says nothing of the monthly costs to operate the church, such as electricity, heat, cleaning and air conditioning, which can cost as much as $20,000 per month.

“Ultimately, it’s the community that made the decision,” he said.

St. Catherine-St. Lucy parishioners have multiple options for Sunday mass and other ministries. St. Giles will remain open, and so will Ascension Catholic Church, 808 S. East Ave., and St. Edmund, 188 S. Oak Park Ave.

Valerie Jennings, a 40-year parishioner of St. Catherine-St Lucy, said keeping the church open was not sustainable.

“I’m going to be that direct and to the point,” she said. “We had low church attendance. We are good stewards of the treasures we’ve been entrusted by God, but it’s not enough to provide additional educational and spiritual opportunities for parishioners.

“It’s not easy, but it made sense.”

With Ash Wednesday this week, marking the beginning of Lent, Morello said the closure does provide a unique opportunity for all Catholics in Oak Park

“We look at these challenges in faith,” he said. “We carry these crosses, [and] gain some new life from this.

“This is an important thing for me as a priest.”

SCHOLARSHIP

Student at Chicago Stat

from page 1

confidence that they can make a meaningful impact in their chosen STEM field, as well as in their community,” said Gil C. Quiniones, president and CEO of ComEd, in a statement.

This year, Te g an Robins, who grew in Austin, won a 2025 ComEd scholarshi along with eight other Chicago State Uni versity students and several at other le ges.

“When I found out I received the scholarship, I was honestly overwhelmed with excitement, gratitude and relief,” sai Robins, a third-year student pursuing an accounting de gree at Chicago State Uni versity, to Austin Weekly News. “It like my hard work, my late nights, sacrifices that I had made, were finall paying of f.”

To apply for the annual ComEd Scholarship, students must have a grade point erage above 2.8, major in physics and engineering, computer science, or finance and accounting, and get nominated by Chicago State University faculty. Applicants must also submit transcripts, a personal statement, and a financial aid application.

In Robins’ personal statement, the CSU Honors Colle ge student said she high lighted her resilience and dedication her academics

“I just wanted to just break the barriers and show people, just because of things that you come from, you don’ t ha to make that an obstacle of your futur said Robins.

Robins is a first-generation colle ge student and wants other Chicago Stat e University students, and students from Austin, to know that they can accomplish what she has

“I do hope to serve as an inspiration to others from my neighborhood, proving that no matter where you come from, success is within reach with hard work, perseverance and the right opportunities, such as this ComEd scholarship,” Robins said.

In addition to a scholarship that covers educational and financial aid, ComEd also offers awardees mentorships and internship opportunities with ComEd and its parent company, Exelon. Robins has two mentors and an inter nship at ComEd lined up for this summer.

“I want to use it to gain exposure to different aspects of the energy and the fi-

nance industry,” Robins said. “I’m seeking career advice, learning about potential career paths and gaining leadership skills.”

When it comes to those potential career paths, Robins wants to become a Certified Public Accountant, of which only 2% are African American nationwide, she said. But she’s also thinking about opening up her own real estate firm.

“Accounting and real estate go hand in hand,” Robins said. “I also want to contribute to economic development in under re presented communities, such as my neighborhood. I want to use my financial expertise to help people build wealth.”

ComEd has awarded 90 scholarships to

students from Chicago State University, DePaul University, DePaul Colle ge Prep, the Illinois Institute of Technology, and the University of Illinois Chicago. Sixty of those scholarships have gone to colle ge students, and 30 to those participating in a high school program.

Last year was the first year that Chicago State University students won ComEd scholarships. Four CSU sophomores were awarded in 2024.

“This incredible support enables our students to learn and grow to their fullest potential, leading to a diverse and talented STEM workforce in our city and across the country,” said Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott,

president of Chicago State University, in a statement. “We are grateful for ComEd’s ongoing commitment to advancing technology, investing in the future, and promoting innovation for all.”

In her interview with Austin Weekly News, Robins’ gratitude toward Chicago State University and ComEd overflowed. “If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be in this position,” she said. “It was a moment of validation that others saw potential in me and they were willing to invest in my future. This scholarship has given me even more motivation to push forward, excel at my studies, and make a meaningful impact in my career and in my community.”

PROVIDED

Eight of the nine Chicago State University students who received a 2025 ComEd Scholarship.

New cafe and art galler y in the works for Austin

Community advocate also plans to launch a quar terly magazine

By MICHAEL LIPTROT Block Club Chicago

An Austin resident and community advocate is working to bring a cafe and gallery to the neighborhood that she envisions will serve as a hub for West Side stories and art.

While it won’t be a reality until next year, Vanessa Stokes plans to open Outwest Gallery & Cafe at 5249 W. Chicag Ave. in what is now a vacant storefront. In addition to providing art exhibition space and Outwest will also publish a terly magazine, Stokes said.

“I’m looking to create connectedness [and] community,” said Stokes. “There’s a lot of developments happening in Austin and especially Chicago enue, and over the next 10 years it’s going to look very different. … The impact [of the cafe] is to reimagine what community is.”

The project, approved in receive $735,000 from the city hood Opportunity Fund and $250,000 in debt financing. The funds will go toward tions of the building, including windows, casting a concrete ing the brick facade, Stokes said.

The Westside Review, a quarter Stokes plans to publish and make available

in the gallery and cafe, will cover the culture and issues of the West Side.

Stokes and Igor Studenkov, a local journalist who will serve as editor, released a pilot issue of the magazine in November “to give [people] a taste of what we can do if we have more funding,” Studenkov wrote on the magazine’s Substack page Studenkov has written ring the West Side, inustin Weekly News and ay Journal of Oak Park Forest.

tokes and Studenkov said they lan to launch a fundraiser on Substack to raise money to hire and freelance writers. been encouraged by the early responses otten,” said Studenkov. “I part of the problem is there’s a lot of news coming out est Side and the perennial problem is that media outlets red some of it … and I conwere getting lost.” ntends for the Westside ulture, politics, investi-for m stories that are imtant but not necessarily time sensitive.”

It will also feature artwork by local artists. ssue includes cover art by Chicallustrator Luis Colindres and photography by Austin resident Kenn Cook Jr.,

Legler Library’s artist-in-residence for 2025.

Born in Lincoln Park, Stokes lived around the city before moving to Austin in 2013. She worked a variety of jobs that she said led her to launch the cafe, including managing cafes, bars and even a bookstore.

As an Austin resident, Stokes has been involved with community development through several organizations, including working with Austin Coming Together to found the Austin Community Food Co-op in 2017.

Stokes worked with the Westside Health Authority from 2020-2023 managing Special Service area 72, Austin’s first business improvement district tax area, also known as Austin Village, around Chicago and Cicero Avenues. She later helped found Special Service area 77 around the Madison/Pulaski corridor in 2022. Stokes said she is currently working with Austin nonprofit Bethel New Life on a community food initiative Next door to the future home of Out-

west Gallery & Cafe is Westside Health Authority’s Public Outdoor Plaza, or POPCourts!, a community art space and basketball court that Stokes helped lead in 2021 as a consultant. T he city’s planning department has since launched 11 other POPCourts! spaces across the city

A mural at the Austin POPCourts! of prominent figures in Black history such as Malcolm X, Maya Angelou and Harriet Tubman is on the side of the building that Outwest Gallery & Cafe will occupy Updates on Outwest Gallery & Cafe and the fundraising campaign for the Westside Review will be posted on the magazine’s Substack.

BREAKING

PROVIDED

A rendering of Outwest Gallery & Cafe, which is set to open in 2026 at 5249 W. Chicago Ave. in Austin

VANESSA STOKES

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION

HELP WANTED

Human Resources Analyst (Original)

Laboratory Assistant (Original)

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago will be accepting applications for the following classification(s):

Human Resources Analyst (Original)

Laboratory Assistant (Original)

Additional information regarding salary, job description, requirements, etc. can be found on the District’s website at www.districtjobs.org or call 312-751-5100.

Published in Austin Weekly News

March 5, 2025

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: M25000243 on February 25, 2025 Under the Assumed Business Name of SMOOVEE’S ITALIAN ICE & BITES with the business located at: 529 NORTH KEDZIE, CHICAGO, IL 60612. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: MARK ANTHONY ANDERSON 529 N. KEDZIE CHICAGO, IL 60612, USA.

March 5, 12, 19, 2025

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF CIM 2021-R5 Plaintiff, -v.SEARCY CARTER, AS INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF ELNORA CARTER, SEARCY CARTER, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF ELNORA CARTER, TORREESE CARTER, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2022 CH 11095 5047 ‘’C’’ W. JACKSON CHICAGO, IL 60644

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 26, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 A.M. on March 27, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R,

Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: PARCEL 1: A PART OF THE FOLLOWING TRACT OF LAND DESCRIBED AS: LOT 12 (EXCEPT THE EAST 32 FEET THEREOF) AND ALL OF LOT 13 IN BLOCK 11 IN COMMUNITY RESUBDIVISION OF CERTAIN LOTS AND PART OF LOTS IN THE SCHOOL TRUSTEES’ SUBDIVISION OF THE NORTH PART OF SECTION 6, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT RECORDED APRIL 22, 1946 AS DOCUMENT 13774213, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, SAID PART BEING DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF LOT 13; THENCE SOUTH A DISTANCE OF 61.45 FEET TO A POINT IN THE WEST LINE OF SAID TRACT FOR A PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH ALONG SAID WEST LINE A DISTANCE OF 17.58 FEET TO A POINT IN THE WEST LINE OF SAID TRACT; THENCE EAST AT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID WEST LINE OF SAID TRACT A DISTANCE OF 50.00 FEET TO THE EAST LINE OF SAID TRACT; THENCE NORTH ALONG SAID EAST LINE A DISTANCE OF 17.58 FEET TO A POINT IN SAID EAST LINE; THENCE WEST AT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID EAST LINE OF SAID TRACT A DISTANCE OF 50.00 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING.

PARCEL 2: THE WEST 12.50 FEET OF THE EAST 37.50 FEET OF THE SOUTH 27.18 FEET OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED TRACT OF LAND: LOT 12 (EXCEPT THE EAST 32 FEET THEREOF) AND ALL OF LOT 13 IN BLOCK 11 IN COMMUNITY RESUBDIVISION OF CERTAIN LOTS AND PART OF LOTS IN THE SCHOOL TRUSTEES’ SUBDIVISION OF THE NORTH PART OF SECTION 6, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT RECORDED APRIL 22, 1946 AS DOCUMENT 13774213, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. PARCEL 3: EASEMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF PARCELS 1 AND 2 FOR INGRESS AND EGRESS AS SET FORTH IN THE DECLARATION OF EASEMENTS RECORDED MARCH 24, 1972 AS DOCUMENT 21845538 AND AS GRANTED BY DEED IN TRUST MADE BY CHRISTINA KLAJA TO CHICAGO TITLE AND TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE UNDER TRUST NUMBER 58367, DATED FEBRUARY 1, 1972 AND RECORDED MARCH 24, 1972 AS DOCUMENT 21845544, ALL IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Commonly known as 5047 ‘’C’’ W. JACKSON, CHICAGO, IL 60644 Property Index No. 16-16-213-1200000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527

630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-04713

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2022 CH 11095

TJSC#: 45-465

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2022 CH 11095

I3261236

U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of the Bungalow Series IV Trust Plaintiff vs. Cheryl Brown; Irving P. Brown; City of Chicago; Unknown Owners and Non Record Claimants; Defendant 22 CH 8585

CALENDAR 56

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on March 31, 2025, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-05-209-010-0000.

Commonly known as 1429 N. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60651. The real estate is: single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Sottile & Barile, LLC, 7530 Lucerne Drive, Suite 210, Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130. (440) 5721511. ILF2203038

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com

I3261033

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION SELECT PORTFOLIO SERVICING, INC. Plaintiff, -v.MICHAEL LINDSEY JR.

Defendants 2024 CH 01582 1309 N LOREL AVE

CHICAGO, IL 60651

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 19, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 31, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1309 N LOREL AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60651

Property Index No. 16-04-119-0160000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $236,680.82.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without

any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

For information, contact CHAD LEWIS, ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 205 N. MICHIGAN SUITE 810, CHICAGO, IL, 60601 (561) 241-6901. Please refer to file number 23-116791. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CHAD LEWIS ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC 205 N. MICHIGAN SUITE 810 CHICAGO IL, 60601 561-241-6901

E-Mail: ILMAIL@RASLG.COM

Attorney File No. 23-116791 Attorney ARDC No. 6306439 Attorney Code. 65582

Case Number: 2024 CH 01582 TJSC#: 45-501

Case # 2024 CH 01582 I3261467

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR MERITAGE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2005-1 ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-1 Plaintiff, -v.RONNIE A. BARNES A/K/A RONNIE BARNES A/K/A RONNIE BARNES SR, AETNA FINANCE COMPANY D/B/A ITT FINANCIAL SERVICES, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC

REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants 24 CH 7295 5849-51 WEST OHIO STREET CHICAGO, IL 60644

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 5, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 10, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 5849-51 WEST OHIO STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60644

Property Index No. 16-08-217-0010000

The real estate is improved with a multi unit building containing two to six apartments. The judgment amount was $119,860.64.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, contact The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2801 LAKESIDE DRIVE, SUITE 207, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 2911717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 24-101651. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312)

236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. LOGS Legal Group LLP 2801 LAKESIDE DRIVE, SUITE 207 Bannockburn IL, 60015 847-291-1717

E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com Attorney File No. 24-101651 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 24 CH 7295 TJSC#: 44-3219