Austin Weekly News 030624

Austin neighbors honor slain Dollar Store security guard

One man has been charged in the shooting death of Loyce Wright, a father of four

By FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Block Club Chicago

A Growing Community Media Partner

A suburban man has been charged in the killing of dollar store security guard Loyce Wright, who was honored at a public safety march Tuesday to uplift the grieving family of the father of four Rodgerick O’Neal, 36, of Maywood, was arrested and charged in the Friday shooting death of Wright, police announced Tuesday.

Wright, 43, was working as a security guard Friday at the Family Dollar store at 5410 W. Chicago Ave. when O’Neal walked in around 1:30 p.m. and shot him several times, police said. Wright was taken to Stroger Hospital before being pronounced dead, police said.

O’Neal previously worked at the store, and the two appeared to have a prior argument that led to the shooting, police officials said Tuesday.

Groups seek climate change solutions as West Side grows hotter, rainier

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

As a virtual community conversation about impacts of climate change on the greater Chicago area unfolded last week, multiple tornadoes touched down in the western suburbs amid intense downpours and 70-de gree weather. Tem-

peratures dropped overnight and, the following day, it snowed.

“Today is a perfect case study for us to launch this discussion,” said Crystal Gardner, an Austin resident and founding member of the 290 IPO, an independent political organization representing Chicago’s West Side and the western suburbs, which co-hosted the event.

That week’s whiplash temperatures were connected to climate change, experts said. Harsh changes in weather like this are just one result of the changing climate, which, in addition to having worldwide effects, also influences communities on a local level with rising

Black Girl Equestrian aims to diversify horseback riding

Makesha Flournoy-Benson hopes to launch the nonpro t soon

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

A Black mother has seen the need to diversify the sport of horseback riding and is working to answer the call through by creating a nonprofit organization aimed to ease the financial burden for f amilies of color.

Makesha F lournoy-Benson, for merly of Oak Park, was inspired by her daughter’s love for riding horses, so she founded Black Girl Equestrian to make the spor t accessible to more Black children and other traditionally marginalized groups. She hopes to launch a fully-fledged nonprofit in coming months.

T he mission of Black Girl Equestrian would be to help f amilies af ford the high ly expensive sport, bringing diversity and inclusion to a world that typically has been accessible to white, af fluent riders

According to a 2023 New York Times article detailing the struggle for Black riders to find appropriate helmets tha would keep them safe without having to compromise their hair — which has a long history and deep meaning for the Black community — their number of riders identifying as Black isn’ t clear. The United States Equestrian Federation, one of the major governing bodies for competitive horse sports, re ported that only about half of their 447,000 members disclose their race and of that half, 92% are white. Black riders only account for 0.5 percent of that re gistered population.

“When you are little sometimes you don’ t even think that riding a horse is an option, it is not even in your list of wish list items because you don’ t see girls like you and others like you on horses,” F lour noy-Benson said.

F lournoy-Benson is no stranger to community activism.

She was a co-founder and serve president of Oak Park Elementary School District 97’s Diversity Council, w served for seven years before ily decided to make the move to the Dominican Re public, where they cu reside. T he f amily lived in Oak more than 20 years.

During her family’s time in Oak her daughter, Lucy Custard, began showing an interest in horses, prompting the family to pa rticipate in various trail ride But other than that, Flournoy-Benson said, there weren’ t many local opportunities for Lucy to continue to dive deeper into English Equestrian, a style of riding, and was available was far and expensive

When the family began living part-time in the Dominican Republic, Lucy had the

Flournoy-Benson said. “After going to many competitions, I saw there were a lot of girls, even here that were under represented and when I started thinking about our barn, it really felt like there was an opportunity to open up this idea of really having a dream.”

To help with the growing costs of the sport, Flournoy-Benson set up a GoFundMe for Lucy.

Right now, the GoFundMe is 40% funded, with $4,645 out of the goal of $12,500 raised. Flournoy-Benson said they have also received donations aside from the GoFundMe.

gan horseback riding and wanted to pursue the equestrian sport.

Blue said throughout the years she began to see her daughter gain confidence and other important life skills through her work with her horse, Ohlala. But the sport is expensive, she said, and being able to aid families could really open that door for many future riders.

There is training, owning a horse, stable fees, medical expenses, horses’ shoes, and then fees to enter competitions, along with lessons, which even in the Dominican Republic, can be costly, Blue said.

opportunity to interact more with horses at the local barn.

“It was nice to see a lot more Brown girls riding horses,” Flournoy-Benson said. “There was sort of a level of comfort for Lu but also the cost of taking lessons here was so much less.”

Riding then turned into something Lucy became very passionate about and wanted to keep pursuing.

The issue then became cost. For Lucy to compete and perform at her preferred level, the costs added up.

“It is an extremely expensive sport,”

Although the current GoFundMe that is set up to benefit Lucy, Flournoy-Benson said the funds donated after the $12,500 will be used to get the nonprofit up and running as well as begin benefiting other children.

“Those funds that we are raising money for will help with that process,” F lournoy-Benson said, adding that she knows of a few kids at Lucy’s barn who could use the financial assistance.

Nykia Blue, who is helping F lournoyBenson launch BGE, and her f amily relocated to the Dominican Re public from New Orleans, Louisiana, to escape the “rat race” they were experiencing in the United States

After arriving on the island in 2017, Blue said her daughter, Kylie Blue, now 14, be-

She added that if her family hadn’t relocated, there would be a very good chance that Kylie wouldn’t have been able to participate in the sport, because the costs in the States were surely higher.

By bringing in that financial accessibility to other Black girls and families, Blue said the sport would be able to grow and diversify

As Flournoy-Benson and Blue continue to work out the details for BGE, including whether the benefiting ranch would be in the Dominican Republic or in the U.S.

“There has to be a change in re presentation within equestrian sports but not only equestrian sports, there are so many other league sports that all of our kids need to have access to so they can find something they truly love,” F lournoyBenson said.

PROVIDED BY MAKESHA FLOURNOY-BENSON Lucy Custard, whose family moved from Oak Park to the Dominican Republic, began horseback riding about seven years ago.

PROVIDED BY MAKESHA FLOURNOY-BENSON Lucy Custard has been training at Seahorse Ranch Equestrian in the Dominican Republic since 2022.

Holy Family Ministries reformats career day

“I think that’ di er ability to see themselves the school’s CEO says

With more than a decade perience hosting career days, Holy Ministries of North Lawndale “made an intentional ef start shifting to speakers who the students,” said Cheryl Collins, CEO of Holy Family focusing on students of Holy Family held last Frida School of kinder graders and the Little Learner its early childhood education pr

And while Holy Family Ministries have organized career day since 2007, it has shifted to inviting only Black speakers in the last few years, according to Collins.

In 2021, when career day went virtual for a year because of the pandemic, Holy Family decided to link it with Black History Month, calling it “Black History in the Making Career Day at Holy Family,” a title that has since stuck.

The decision for the change was deliberate. Holy Family Ministries’ student body of 320 preschoolers through eighth graders are around 99% Black and 1% mixed or Latino, Collins said.

“We made a decision in 2021 that the speakers would be African American,” Collins said. “If I’m honest, most of the speakers were not Black when we first started this, but we made an intentional ef fort throughout the years to start shifting to speakers who re present the students they’re speaking to.”

Collins was Holy Family School’s principal when career day started in 2007 and said she noticed that all the students yearned to have the same jobs.

“When you would ask the children what they wanted to be when they grew up, you got the boys with NBA player or something sports-related, and the girls would typi-

cally say, ‘teacher, nurse, doctor,’” Collins said. “It was clear to see they didn’t have a lens for other careers.”

“If they go into a professional place, whether it’s a hospital or a clinic, or if they are invited into a legal office or something of that nature, they don’t often see people who look like them,” Collins said. “We wanted them to be aware of the vast array of things that they could become as they matriculated into high school.”

Because no one can be sure what careers these children will have — some may not even exist yet — career day speakers visit each classroom for about 30 minutes to discuss what led them to their job and what students can do to prepare now.

“They really focus on education, doing well at school, paying attention to your teachers, discovering your passion, following it, getting better at something,” Collins said. The speakers aim to help students discover their talents and strengths, both inside and outside the classroom.

Even the preschoolers at the facility’s Little Learner’s Academy get a bit of face time with the speakers, who mainly interact with these students by showing them

tools they use at their job.

This year’s career day speakers included an electrical engineer from Radio Flyer, a family outreach coordinator from Argonne National Laboratory, a private banker at BMO Wealth Management, an account manager at Pinterest, a musician educator and someone who works at a publishing house.

Speakers usually have connections to Holy Family Ministries staff or are in the surrounding community. In the past, the school has hosted a doctor from the Lawndale Christian Health Center two doors down and someone who owns a nearby restaurant.

After career day, classrooms discuss their favorite speakers and what students learned. While it’s difficult to measure the success of Holy Family’s changing career day goals, Collins said feedback from students has been positive, especially since more of the speakers look like them.

“I think that’s made a difference in a shift in their ability to see themselves,” Collins said.

Holy Family School is recruiting for the upcoming school year. Apply online at https://www.hfm.org/.

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Stacy Coleman

oordinator Brooke Duncan

Block Club, Austin Talks ones, Aisha Oliver

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Susan McKelvey

Sales & Marketing Representatives

icholls, Ben Stumpe

Business & Development Manager

ry Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Dan Haley

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

BOARD

Treasurer Nile Wendorf

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CIRCULATION

STASA WADE

Holy Family School students answer questions from career day speaker Akeem Jamal Kennedy, an electrical engineer at Radio Flyer.

Melissa Conyears-Ervin hosts local meet-and-greet as primary approaches

‘Being the only working mother in this race, I’m used to challenges, but it won’t stop me because I know who it is I’m ghting for,’ she says

By HOPE BAKER Contributing Reporter

Candidate for the 7th Congressional District and Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin spoke with local residents during a meet-and-greet Sunday at YogaSix in Oak Park

Conyears-Ervin is running to unseat longtime U.S. Rep Danny K. Davis in the upcoming primary election March 19. The Democratic ballot also includes activist and community organizer Kina Collins, principal Nikhil Bhatia and for mer Obama campaign staffer Kouri Marshall.

During the infor mal gathering, community members had a chance to speak with the candidate while enjoying snacks and refreshments. Conyears-Ervin said she was happy that residents from all walks of life stopped by to participate in the event.

“I believe people are hungry for change,” she said.

Conyears-Ervin served as a state representative for the 10th District before resigning in 2019 to run for city treasurer. She won a

3, 2024.

three-way race then ran unopposed in 2022. She officially announced her Congressional run in October 2023.

Despite past allegations of ethical misconduct while serving as city treasurer, Conyears-Ervin has endorsements from the Chicago Teachers Union, the Chicago Firefighters Local 2 and the Illinois Nurses Association in her bid for congress. She is also backed by Ald. Jeanette Taylor of the 20th Ward on the South Side and West Side Al. Chris Taliaferro of the 29th Ward.

Last year, the city released a 2020 letter from two of Conyears-Ervin’s for mer

staff members. Tiffany Harper, who was Conyears-Ervin’s for mer chief of staff, and Ashley Evans, a city treasurer employee, said they were fired after questioning what they call Conyears-Ervin’s abuse of power. Among those alle gations were that the treasurer used staf f to run her personal errands and to plan her daughter’s birthday party. The letter also accused Conyears-Ervin of hiring an assistant who lacked the required financial training and of approaching BMO Harris Bank to give a mortgage to the building where her husband, Ald. Jason Ervin, previously worked. The city settled with the ex-employees and Conyears-Ervin denied the alle gations

When asked during Sunday’s meet-andgreet about how she has remained competitive in the race and bounced back from the ethics allegations, Conyears-Ervin said she’s accustomed to challenges

“Being the only working mother in this race, I’m used to challenges, but it won’t stop me because I know who it is I’m fighting for,” she said. “When I speak with working families, they talk about the increase in costs, but their wages are staying the same. They talk about women not being protected in DC, the increasing prices of prescription drugs in healthcare, and about our failing schools -- so

I know the task at hand and I’m focused.”

The predominantly female crowd at the meet-and-greet included Oak Park resident Jessica Corchin and her 11-year-old daughter, Grae

“We met one of the candidates on the street in the fall and we figured this would be a good opportunity to meet somebody else and lear n a little bit more about her,” Corchin said.

Susan Bohanon of Forest Park said she attended the event to meet Conyears-Ervin and to voice her concerns about ageism in the job market.

“I’m raising my 5-year-old granddaughter so I like that she’s a mom and can understand where I’m coming from,” Bohanon said. “I feel that we need somebody who represents more women in congress.”

Another Forest Park Resident, Stephen Chertok, said he participated in the event to speak with Conyears-Ervin about af fordable housing.

“I want to hear what some of her ideas are and try to get support for some of my ideas,” Chertok said.

During the event, Conyears-Ervin expressed her enthusiasm about the endorsement she received from the Chicago Teachers Union last month.

“I think it’s awesome and it really speaks to the partnership that we look forward to,” Conyears-Ervin said. “I understand what parents are dealing with every day who have school-aged kids. I also understand what the teachers and administrators are dealing with in not having enough resources to really educate our kids in the way they deserve.”

As a lifelong resident of the 7th District, Coyears-Ervin said endorsements from the Chicago Teachers Union and the Illinois Nurses Association mean a lot to her

“I’m about the everyday people so when people ask me about endorsements, it’s endorsements from everyday people that really matter to me,” she said.

If elected, Conyears-Ervin aims to strengthen public schools, decrease healthcare costs, protect abortion rights, curb gun violence and fight to create better-paying jobs.

According to data published by the Federal Election Commission, Conyears-Ervin has raised more than $516,000 in campaign donations, which is more than anyone else in the race.

TODD A BANNOR

Melissa Conyear-Er vin speaks with a voter at a meet & greet at YogaSix in Oak Park on Sunday March

Pritzker, Johnson, Democra establishment endorse Rep. Danny Da

‘Congressman Danny Davis has been a true advocate for the ongoing mission of advancing social justice,’ Gov. Pritzker said

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Danny K. Davis, the incumbent for the 7th District congressional seat in the primary election March 19, has picked up key endorsements in the past week, including those from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

The 7th congressional seat, which represents much of Chicago’s West Side, plus suburban Oak Park and Forest Park, is a hotly contested race this election season as several challengers contest Davis’ position, which he’s held since 1997.

Davis is up against Kina Collins, an organizer who has run against him in the last two congressional elections, and Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Chicago’s treasurer. Nikhil Bhatia, a principal, and for mer Obama campaign staffer Kouri Marshall are also in the race.

Davis’ support from Pritzker and Johnson is largely backed by the congressman’s legislative record. Before he ran for the 7th district, Davis served on the Cook County Board of Commissioners and was alderman of the 29th Ward. In the 118th Congress, he is on the powerful Committee on Ways and Means and is the Subcommittee Ranking Member of the Worker and Family Support Subcommittee. He also serves on several congressional caucuses and is well-known for his work on af fordable healthcare, criminal justice reform and civil rights issues.

According to Pritzker’s statement released March 1, Davis has sponsored nearly 7,000 bills, proposed another 375 and voted over 16,000 times.

“Danny has worked with his colleagues across the aisle to deliver investments and solutions for communities across his district,” Pritzker said in his endorsement

announcement. “As a leader in criminal justice reform, Danny has shepherded through ef for ts to reduce mass incarceration, systemic racism, and support rehabilitation programs.”

Pritzker added, “His unwavering commitment to defending our individual freedoms has never been more important for our future and the future of this country than it is right now. From a woman’s right to choose to voting rights to LGBTQ rights and civil rights. Congressman Danny Davis has been a true advocate for the ongoing mission of advancing social justice.”

At his endorsement announcement, Pritzker was joined by for mer Governor Patrick Quinn, for mer Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White and President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners Toni Preckwinkle.

Mayor Johnson’s endorsement

Johnson also announced his endorsement for Davis Monday, like Pritzker, citing Davis’ track record of delivering results and his advocacy for social justice and economic equity.

“In Cong ressman Danny K. Davis, we have a dedicated leader who consistently fights for the interests of our community, always has and always will,” Johnson said in a statement. “From securing critical funding for infrastructure projects to championing legislation that supports working f amilies, Cong ressman Davis has been an effective voice for our city and our district.”

Johnson added, “Cong ressman Davis is my cong ressman, he is my neighbor and my friend. I am proud to stand with Cong ressman Davis in his reelection campaign.”

Other endorsements for Davis

Last month, the Clergy Coalition, a group of faith-based organizations and religious leadership that has supported Davis sinc 1997, announced their endorsement with 89 letters from the local church community .

“Seniority and tenure are critical, said Dr. Michael Eaddy, pastor at People’ Church of the Harvest on West 5th Av nue. “A part of what we are doing is maintaining our gains. That’s our rally cry:

Maintain the Other Davis include Speaker Pelosi, ty Assessor Maywood, Hillside, Bell and Fo endorsements from state senators 3rd, 4th, 5th Districts and state tatives

78th Districts, plus 14 alder

Despite these endorsements, arguments against sons ag

“Age or ageism has become a number one issue in this election. And it’s not just his campaign, it’s the presidential campaign as well,” Delmarie Cobb, owner of T he Publicity Works, a political consulting and media relations firm in Chicago has told Austin Weekly News in the past. “People are using it either directly or in-

directly to say it’s time for a new g eneration of leaders.” Despite these comments, Cobb added, “He is considered one of the most prog ressive congressmen in Congress, no matter what age.”

Danny Davis

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Black Men Lawyers’ Association � Black Women’s Bar Association � Cook County Bar Association � Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois � Puerto Rican Bar Association � Women’s Bar Association of Illinois

Davis, Conyears-Ervin and challengers square o in forum

The Congressional Distric t 7 candidates faced each other on the West Side

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

The four main candidates in the 7th Congressional District primary made a case for themselves in a West Side forum earlier this month. They had two-and-a-half minutes each to do so

“I feel like I’m on a speed date this evening,” said Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, one of four candidates challenging longtime incumbent Danny Davis.

Davis said that seniority in Congress has its perks, noting that he is the 24th longest serving member of the current Congress.

“My opponents don’t seem to understand how this business works,” Davis told the Wednesday Journal in a telephone interview, noting that if Democrats regain the majority of the House of Representatives, he would likely chair the Worker and Family Support subcommittee of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

Davis said that his health is decent and his mind his shar p.

Two years ago, Davis won a close primary race receiving only 51.9% of the vote against challenger Kina Collins and one other opponent. Collins received 45.7% of the vote and is back this year making her third attempt to unseat Davis. Two years ago, Collins received nearly 74% of the vote in Oak Park and nearly 68% of the vote in River Forest, showing Davis’s weakness in the villages.

Conyears-Ervin is also a strong challenger to Davis. She has been the Chicago City Treasurer since 2019 and before that was a state representative. She is married to 28th ward alderman Jason Ervin and recently was endorsed by the powerful Chicago Teachers Union.

“Working families believe that Washington, D.C. is broken, and they are looking for someone who is not only going to say what they are going to do but someone who has a proven track record,” Conyears-Ervin said at the candidate forum. “I am that person.”

While Davis, Conyears-Ervin and Collins are seen as the three main candidates, Kouri Marshall, a 41-year-old who worked on the Obama campaign and now serves as the director of state and local public policy for a trade group, and math teacher Nikhil Bhatia, are also in the race.

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March 19, 2024

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“My mind is as shar p, as sharp as it’s ever been,” Davis said. “I’ve got great thinking capacity; I have a tremendous knowledge base. I understand the system.”

And if he doesn’t move quite as quickly as he once did that’s not a requirement for the job.

“I’m not running to be part of the relay team in a track meet, I’m not running to be the quarterback for the Bears, or a running back, that’s not why I’m running,” Davis said adding that he is running for the same reason he ran for office decades ago, to make the world a better place in which to live

Davis, 82, has served in Congress for 28 years and has served in an elected office for the past 45 years. Before his Congressional election in 1996, Davis served as the alderman of the 29th ward from 1979 to 1990. That year, he became a commissioner of Cook County Board and stayed until 1996. From the 1970s to the 1990s, Davis was a leader of independent Black progressive politics on the west side of Chicago. Although he fought the city’s Democratic machine, his opponents now say it is time for younger, more vigorous representation in Congress

Marshall said that his background and experience equip him to work across the aisle noting that he can work with all sorts of people. Marshall pointed out that he was one of only eight Black students at Eureka College when he was elected as the school’s first Black Homecoming King.

Marshall made an oblique reference to ethical issues that Conyears-Ervin has been facing and that have been alleged against Davis

“I also believe that it’s possible to send a leader from the Illinois 7th Congressional District, a new leader who is ethical in his deeds when the lights are on and when they are off,” Marshall said.

The Chicago Ethics Board determined that Conyears-Ervin fired two employees, including her chief of staff, in retaliation for complaining that they were asked to do personal work for Conyears-Ervin on city time. Davis is facing a complaint that he used congressional funds to further his campaign.

In a telephone interview Davis told GCM that there is nothing to the allegation that was reported by The Intercept in January.

“Everything that we sent out was approved by the Franking Committee, it was approved by the ethics committee, it was fact checked, otherwise we could not have sent it out,” Davis said.

2024 is my year for project completion

As I have written in the past, I am a glutton for home improvement projects. Give me the opportunity to think of something to do and I have a million things that I want to get done. The problem with having so many things un-started or half-finished, is that my house has taken on a semblance of being one purchase away from making me a confirmed hoarder.

Yeah it’s that serious. Over the past couple of years, I have done some significant things to the exterior of my house. But now, I have to get of f the dime. It’s time for the interior.

I have a significant reason for making this confession. I want to host Thanksgiving dinner this year. And to do that, my basement and first floor have to be presentable for guests. Especially since sitting in the middle of my living room at the moment is a gigantic tub.

Somehow my son managed to put a crack in the existing fiberglass tub, then proceeded to use some sealing product to try to fix the hole, but in the end it didn’t work. Since that was predominantly his bathroom, I had no clue there was a problem. It wasn’t until my cabinet in the basement, which had a ton of stuf f inside, became wet that I learned the truth.

I know what a lot of you are thinking … just demo the tiles of f! But the decorative tiles I have are dif ficult/impossibl e to find. Currently my spirit says I can do it. Thanksg iving is eight months away, so I have a little bit of lead time But we know what happens with time. It flies!

Right now I have an “accountability call” that I am on every Monday evening. There is someone I know who is in a similar conundrum across the country. And we both are holding one another accountable for the progress we are making. It’s an honor system. At the same time it’s a loving, caring and non-judgmental way to report to each other our progress and to hold ourselves responsible for any lack thereof.

“It’s been working for a couple of years now. But when failure comes, I’ll be in big trouble.”

I found a replacement tub, but because I want to save the tiles around the current tub, I have to chisel them of f the wall. T hus the new tub has not been installed. A friend told me about using Red Devil clear acrylic caulk on that crack and it worked. It’s been working for a couple of years now. But when failure comes, I’ll be in big trouble

I love doing a lot of home repairs myself. However, my personal moniker is “that lazy old handywoman.” Calling in the professionals would mean I can get everything done “fast and a hurry.” But that also comes with a price tag that I may not be able to af ford. So I’m going to balance what the professional must do with the speediness of what I can do Hopefully I can update you folks every six weeks or so with the progress I’m making. Feel free when you see me to ask if that tub is out the living room. If I hold my head down in shame, you’ll know the answer. But if it’s installed, I’ll whip out my phone and show you a picture.

Lastly, the Re pair Cafe last Saturday was a big hit. I am grateful to each and every one of you who read the ar ticle and came out to support that wonderful event. I’ ll be there again in March, cuz

I have a vintage deep fryer that I need somebody to take a look at

SECURIT Y GUARD

‘Tremendous trauma’

from page 1

Wright “was simply at the store, doing his job, when his life was tragically taken from him,” Supt. Larry Snelling said at a press conference Tuesday.

Acting on a tip, police arrested O’Neal Saturday in suburban Dolton after officers and O’Neal shot at each other, Snelling said. No one was wounded in that incident, officials said.

O’Neal faces multiple charges related to both incidents: two felony counts of murder, two felony counts of attempted murder, three felony counts of aggravated battery and six misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing a police officer.

O’Neal was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, but his pretrial detention hearing has been delayed until Friday because he is in the hospital, according to the the State’s Attorney’s Office.

ice Wright, wrote on the fundraiser page

About an hour after police announced charges, dozens of neighbors, business owners, local officials and police leaders gathered for a business and safety walk on Chicago Avenue. The Austin District community policing office and its faith-based subcommittee of community organizations organized the walk.

“We wanted to make sure as a community, [we] can show some love to that family. Not just monetarily, but just in concern and compassion,” said Robbie Wilkerson,

faith leaders, Wilkerson said. He has also of fered spiritual and emotional support to two of Wright’s sisters and the mother of his daughters.

Community organizers also want to provide support to “all those traumatized by the violent shooting, including employees of the Family Dollar store and nearby businesses,” Wilkerson said.

Wright’s family launched a GoFundMe page to support his loved ones as they grappled with their loss. Donors have given more than $10,000 toward the $20,000 goal as of Wednesday afternoon.

Wright, a father of four daughters, was “a selfless man” who “loved his community and took care of others as if they were his own flesh and blood,” his daughter, Shan-

an Austin pastor who owns Urban Essentials coffee shop near the store where Wright was killed

Wright’s funeral costs will be covered by donations from neighbors and several local

Wilkerson said he wants community violence intervention organizations and other groups to offer employment and emotional support services to the store’s employees, who may be reluctant to return to work after the traumatic incident.

“There [were] individuals inside of there that witnessed that,” Wilkerson said. “Emotionally, they’ll never be the same. It’s tremendous trauma.”

Dollar Tree, the parent company of Family Dollar, did not respond to Block Club’s request for comment on how it is supporting its employees.

Last week, City Council passed an ordinance restricting where smallbox retailers such as dollar stores can open locations. The measure comes as alderpeople and neighbors have raised numerous concerns about such stores, and after a Block Club Chicago investigation into dollar stores citywide found chronic violations and thousands of dollars in fines.

Latasha Shields, a system manager of a Dollar General store on the next block, said she did not want to go back to work after she learned of the shooting.

Although Shields did not work that day, she received calls from worried family members who also heard about the shooting, she said.

“None of us should be coming back to work,” Shields said. “We all need some downtime until we can get back on our feet and figure this out and be more comfortable, more safe to work.”

Commander Carlin Morse and business leaders walked into local businesses Tuesday and invited staf f and business owners to participate in monthly police and business meetings. They also told them of an available program by local nonprofit West Side Health Authority that helps business owners install security cameras.

Organizers said the outpouring of support at Tuesday’s walk is proof Austin is a resilient community.

“This is a good place to start a business, to live,” said Malcolm Crawford, executive director of the Austin African American Business Networking Association. The business support organization has pushed for developing the commercial corridor in Austin’s section of Chicago Avenue, known as the “Soul City Corridor.”

“This is a place that’s vibrant, and we’re in the process of building this place back up,” Crawford said.

COLIN BOYLE/BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO

Marshawn Feltus, local business ow ner, speaks as local police and community members conduct a public safety march on West Chicago Avenue in Austin follow ing the fatal shooting of Dollar Store guard Loyce Wright.

COLIN BOYLE/BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO

Commander Carlin Morse speaks as local police and community members hold a public safety march on West Chicago Avenue in Austin, follow ing the fatal shooting of dollar store guard Loyce Wright in the 5400 block of West Chicago Avenue, on Feb. 27, 2024.

GOFUNDME PROVIDED

Loyce Wright (center) was killed while working his security job in Austin.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Bracing for heat

from page 1

temperatures and increased precipitation.

The conversation also was sponsored by One Earth Collective, a nonprofit in Oak Park that organizes environmental programming, and the Great Lakes Inte grated Sciences and Assessments, a re gional team that partners with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to investigate area climate issues and provide synthesized information to decision makers.

According to GLISA climatolo gist Omar Gates, since 1951, average temperatures in Northeast Illinois have increased by nearly three de grees. GLISA predicts that from 2040 to 2059, that number will increase by another three-to-six de grees Gates said GLISA also projects up to 38 more days a year of temperatures over 90

de grees — up to 25 of those over 100 degrees — by mid-century.

Detrimental heat on the West Side

The Chicago area has already experienced these temperatures during last summer’s heat wave, which caused some days to feel as hot as 115 de grees. Residents living on the West Side, in Austin, Garfield Park and Lawndale, are often impacted more by this weather than other Chicagoans, since many live in heat islands where temperatures feel hotter because of the lack of green space and a higher density of buildings and pavement.

Increased amounts of ground level ozone and particulate matter are also impacting the climate and local communities. Decreased air quality especially affects those on the West Side, who live closer to sources of pollution, like areas of heavy transit and industrial corridors, than those in other neighborhoods. While poor air qual-

ity increases levels of respiratory and cardiovascular illness, the severity of these health problems increases when combined with high levels of heat.

Increasing precipitation in Chicago

In addition to rising temperatures, climate change will bring about more precipitation in Northeast Illinois in the coming decades. Gates said that, because of warming winters, there will likely be less snowfall in the future and an increase in rain.

Since 1951, precipitation has increased in the area by 15%. GLISA predicts up to 3.1 more inches of annual precipitation by 2059.

“Looking at the extremes, based upon observations, we’re seeing that those heaviest 1% of storms are actually increasing by 15%, just in Northeast Illinois,” Gates said, adding that events like these result in increased flooding — something the West Side is no stranger to.

Many Austin residents bore the brunt of damages from last July’s flooding, resulting in over $66 million in FEMA aid just to the West Side.

“We already knew this was coming in a sense, and we didn’t have a plan in place,” said Princess Shaw, a community organizer for West Side Long-Term Recovery

Group, which has helped West Siders with flood damage. “How do I help people feel more safe or content knowing that there’s a possibility this might happen again?”

Mitigating climate change e ects

Gates responded by offering the options of mitigation, via removing greenhouse g ases from the atmosphere, or adapting to the changing climat e. He mentioned the EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers. T here are 16 of these centers across the country that have received $177 million to serve communities affected by environmental injustices. One of these centers is Blacks in Green in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood

Gates also suggested focusing on local programs for young people to teach them about inequalities associated with climate change and encourage them to pursue solutions in their communities.

“It’s not all doom and gloom because you, as the community, you as the local organizations here today, can lay the groundwork in order to address many of these impacts,” Gates said, “whether it’s through discussion, outreach, using Technical Assistance Centers, and trying to understand what’s available out there in order to adapt.”

LAMYA I - ADOBE STOCK

COURTESY OF THE UNITED S TATES GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH PROGRAM

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HOURS:

PUBLIC NOTICES

In re the marriage of JAHAIRA ESCAMILLA, Petitioner and ANTHONY CLAUDIO, Respondent, Case No. 2023 D 9170.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now,

Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before April 1, 2024, default

be entered against you at any

after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Austin Weekly News February 21, 28, March 6, 2024

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. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption.

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).

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, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527

Deadline: Monday at 9:30 a.m.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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.

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. 14-22-02478

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2022 CH 03845

TJSC#: 43-4435

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 03845 I3238655

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION BANK OF AMERICA N.A. Plaintiff, -v.-

JOSE VALDEZ, GUADALUPE

DELGADO, MARIBEL

GUTIERRES A/K/A MARIBEL D. GUTIERRES, CITIBANK, N.A., AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO CITIBANK (SOUTH DAKOTA), N.A. , PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, LLC, ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC, STATE OF ILLINOIS

Defendants

2014 CH 08593

1427 N. LAWNDALE AVENUE

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 August 11, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 28, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 1427 N.

LAWNDALE AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60651

Property Index No. 16-02-114-005

The real estate is improved with a multi-family residence.

The judgment amount was $631,427.02.

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

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 Alexander Potestivo, POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 263-0003. Please refer to file number 112204.

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.

POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610 Chicago IL, 60606 312-263-0003

E-Mail: ilpleadings@potestivolaw. com

Attorney File No. 112204

Attorney Code. 43932

Case Number: 2014 CH 08593

TJSC#: 44-340

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 # 2014 CH 08593

I3239052

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION ATHENE ANNUITY & LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY Plaintiff, -v.ARIEL PASTOR, U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Defendants 2021 CH 02701 1227 N. ARTESIAN AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60622

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 27, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 3, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1227 N. ARTESIAN AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60622

Property Index No. 16-01-229-0120000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $370,778.97.

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).

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 JOHNSON,

BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC

Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650, Chicago, IL, 60602 (312) 541-9710. Please refer to file number 21 8491.

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.

JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC

30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE

3650 Chicago IL, 60602 312-541-9710

E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com

Attorney File No. 21 8491

Attorney Code. 40342

Case Number: 2021 CH 02701

TJSC#: 44-465

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 # 2021 CH 02701

I3239362

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF GREENE STREET FUNDING TRUST II Plaintiff, -v.-

MAEBANE LLC, STEPHANIE SHOOK, CITY OF CHICAGO, LOAN FUNDER LLC, SERIES 37134

Defendants 2023 CH 05833

3943 WEST 14TH STREET CHICAGO, IL 60623

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 27, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 1, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 3943 WEST 14TH STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60623

Property Index No. 16-23-114-0030000

The real estate is improved with a commercial property.

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).

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, 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) 236-

SALE 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. 14-23-00472

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2023 CH 05833

TJSC#: 44-73

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 # 2023 CH 05833 I3239328

Deadline to be included in the 2024-2025 lottery: March 18, 2024

The lottery is scheduled at 9:00 am on March 20, 2024 at Catalyst Circle Rock

15

WIND SYMPHONY HOME CONCERT

8 p.m.

Chapel of Our Lord Free admission

Dr. Richard R. Fischer, conductor Christopher O’Hara, trumpet soloist

KAPELLE HOME CONCERT

4 p.m.

Chapel of Our Lord Free admission

Dr. Charles Brown, conductor

MARCH

22

FRIDAY

UNIVERSITY BAND CONCERT

8 p.m.

Chapel of Our Lord Free admission

Dr. Richard R. Fischer, conductor Jean Harrison Bojes, commentary

AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2024 QUARTER 1

March

THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY PUBLISHED ITS FIRST QUALITY-OF-LIFE PLAN CALLED AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. (AFT) IN 2018. THIS QUARTERLY PUBLICATION DESCRIBES HOW AUSTIN COMING TOGETHER (ACT) IS SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY TO IMPLEMENT AFT AND OTHER EFFORTS.

AUSTIN’S GOT NEXT

The evolution of the community’s plan

PROGRESS IN SIGHT: HOW THE COMMUNITY’S PLAN LOOKS TO ADVANCE PAGE 3

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AUSTIN EATS INITIATIVE PAGE 4

THE COMMUNITY SUMMIT: AN ANNUAL FORUM TO CULTIVATE AUSTIN’S FUTURE PAGE 7

Special thanks to these Austin Forward. Together. quality-of-life plan legacy investors:

Since 2010, Austin Coming Together (ACT) has facilitated collaboration to improve education and economic development outcomes in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.

Today, we serve a network of 50+ organizations committed to improving the quality of life in the Austin community. Our strategic plan is called Thrive 2025 and outlines how we will mobilize our resources to achieve four impact goals by the year 2025: Quality Early Learning, Safe Neighborhoods, Living Wage Careers, and Stable Housing Markets.

ACT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers

CHAIR

Larry Williams

Broker, State Farm Insurance

VICE CHAIRMAN

Bradly Johnson

Chief Community Officer, BUILD Inc.

SECRETARY

Jerrod Williams

Law Clerk, Illinois Appellate Court

ACT STAFF

Leadership

Darnell Shields Executive Director

Andrew Born*

Senior Director of Community Impact

*Also part of the ACT Leadership Team

Operations

TREASURER

LaDarius Curtis

Senior Director of Community Engagement & Health, West Side United

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Darnell Shields

Austin Coming Together

Directors

Sharon Morgan

Director of Graduate Support & Community Outreach, Catalyst Schools

Reverend Reginald E. Bachus Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church

Deirdre Bates*

Director of Operations

Dearra Williams

Executive Operations Lead/ Assistant to the CEO

Londen Mance

Office Administrator

Strategic Initiatives

Sandra Diaz* Service Delivery Enhancement Manager, Austin Community Hub

Emone Moore Engagement Coordinator, Austin Community Hub

WE’RE HIRING! View job openings at AustinComingTogether.org/Careers

ACT MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS

A House in Austin

Academy of Scholastic Achievement

Austin Childcare Providers Network

Austin Community Family Center

Austin Weekly News (Growing Community Media)

Be Strong Families

Beat the Streets Chicago

Bethel New Life Beyond Hunger BUILD Inc.

By The Hand Club For Kids Cara Catholic Charities

Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventures

Chicago Community Loan Fund

City of Refuge

Defy Ventures Illinois

Erikson Institute

Friends of the Children

Friendship Community Development Corp. of Austin

Greater West Town Community Development Project

Tenisha Jones

Vice President of Community & Government Engagement, Catholic Charities

Reginald Little

Business Development Specialist, Great Lakes Credit Union

Dawn Ferencak

Senior Marketing Strategist, Chicago Parent

Deborah Williams-Thurmond

Community Outreach & Engagement Specialist, Habilitative Systems, Inc.

Dollie Sherman Engagement Specialist, Austin Community Hub

Ethan Ramsay*

Planning and Investment Manager

Grace Cooper Lead Organizer

Mia Almond Project Coordinator

Housing Forward

i.c. stars

IFF

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago

Jane Addams Resource Corporation

Kids First Chicago

KRA Westside

American Job Center

Learning Edge Tutoring (fka Cluster Tutoring)

Ruth Kimble

Founder & CEO, Austin Childcare Providers Network

Max Komnenich

Associate Principal, Lamar Johnson Collaborative

In Memoriam

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jack Macnamara

1937–2020

FOUNDING BOARD CHAIR

Mildred Wiley

1955–2019

Arewa Karen Winters

Community Organizer

Natalie Goodin

Special Projects Manager

Nicholas Galassini

Chicago Neighborhood Recovery Program Associate

Rachel Follenweider Research and Evaluation Intern

Legal Aid Chicago (fka LAF)

Manufacturing Renaissance

Mary Shyrese Daycare

Maryville Academy

Mercy Housing Lakefront

New Moms

OAI, Inc.

Oak Park Regional Housing Center

Open Books

PCC Community

Wellness Center

Project Exploration

Renaissance Social Services, Inc.

Sarah’s Inn

South Austin Neighborhood Association

St. Joseph Services

St. Leonard’s Ministries

Stone Community Development Corporation

Marketing & Development

Alicia Plomin* Director of Marketing and Development

Sydni Hatley Marketing and Development Coordinator

The Catalyst Schools

The Journey Forward

The North Avenue District, Inc.

Towers of Excellence

UIC Jane Addams

College of Social Work

VOCEL

Westside Health Authority

West Side Forward Worldvision

Youth Guidance

Progress in sight: How the community’s plan looks to advance

By Darnell Shields Executive Director, Austin Coming Together

Since its genesis in 2018, the Austin Forward. Together. (AFT) quality-of-life plan has been an impactful driver for extensive change and transformation in Chicago’s Austin community. As most readers know, the plan set forth an ambitious array of detailed actions outlined in five years between 2019 and 2024. Despite these parameters, the plan’s impact will go beyond these five years by continually tapping the collective and collaborative power of the community.

The success and implementation of the AFT plan and key actions have established a world of opportunity for Austin and has been the recipient of many awards. Austin Coming Together (ACT) is incredibly proud of the

unrelenting commitment and work put into the plan by community residents and partners and is excited to see what it will evolve into in the future.

In recent months, ACT has been working closely with AFT leaders to begin discussing and envisioning just how the massive plan will look moving ahead. As part of the assessment period, these convenings allowed AFT leaders to gain a better understanding of the plan at its five-year mark and its unique implementation landscape regarding current actions.

ACT staff were able to provide an in-depth overview of progress, along with key takeaways from the five-year implementation period. Some of these takeaways have included:

• Tested by a global pandemic, AFT’s leadership remained strong and emerged more unified than ever, working together in new, innovative, and exciting ways.

• Our impact has been driven by continuous and growing community engagement as we use and promote the AFT plan as a compass for Austin.

• AFT Leaders are committed to the plan, making slow and steady progress—some

The work we do in this plan is the spark for a renaissance that goes beyond all we outline in the plan’s pages.

FROM THE AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. (AFT) QUALITY-OF-LIFE PLAN

aided by unique opportunities and accelerants, and others struggling against strong headwinds.

• In partnership with numerous Implementation Partners, we’ve used the plan, its Actions, Focal Projects, and Infrastructure to gain traction, catalyze change, and attract investment to Austin.

• There are still unrealized opportunities across the plan that can help propel us forward as we seek to make a greater impact.

Symbolically, AFT has represented a unified vision AND agenda for comprehensive community development in Austin. As such, it has been highly influential—attracting millions of dollars of investment, inspiring countless hours of change-making activity, and catalyzing numerous projects and partnerships that would not have happened if not for the plan.

When we started implementing AFT in 2019, we began with three key assumptions:

• AFT Strategies and Actions are not all equal in scope, effort, and resources needed

• AFT was too massive to mobilize all at once

• We needed to identify initial priorities to gain traction

After our first five years, we’ve both confirmed these assumptions and learned new lessons:

• There is a great deal of overlap and intersection across the plan.

• Priorities change over time.

• We should continue to prioritize different Actions in the plan.

• Unique implementation models, like the Austin Eats initiative, have emerged from the Action planning processes, showing that once Action plans are created, they are more likely to generate successful projects if there is dedicated funding involved.

The AFT quality-of-life plan continues to exist and progress but is entering a new phase where we sustain and deepen community ownership and amplify its impact, and conduct robust research & evaluation to better understand what works and what needs to change in the future.

On March 9th, we are hosting our annual AFT Community Summit at By The Hand Club For Kids. We are inviting the whole community to celebrate our past five years of progress and to help us confirm our path forward.

We will seek community feedback at the Summit about what actions should be prioritized in the near term and onward into the future. After more years of implementation, the plan will once again be subject to further review and evolution. ACT firmly believes that community involvement will be essential to continue the plan. For the past five years, we have seen a deeply unprecedented level of progress, a direct result of Austin partners and residents. n

AFT Leaders met in December 2023 to discuss initial recommendations for the plan’s future.

Highlights of the Austin Eats Initiative

Born out of the ‘Austin Forward. Together.’ quality-of-life plan, the Austin Eats initiative is a network of deeply committed organizations working to combat food insecurity by promoting healthier food choices and building up the Austin community’s food access infrastructure. We believe by synergizing organizations already promoting healthier food choices through emergency food preparedness, grocery access, culinary entrepreneurship, food education, community gardens & farms, Austin Eats will strengthen the community’s food access ecosystem. Below are some key highlights of the initiative:

AUSTIN TOWN HALL FARMERS MARKET

In 2023, the the Austin Town Hall Farmers Market traffic grew by over 40% with a weekly average of 100 people buying high-quality fresh-food groceries. A high proportion of the market’s customers are residents from Austin’s senior buildings and people living in Austin zip codes. Led by Forty Acres Fresh Market, the the Austin Farmers Market also hired a full-time market manager, which lead to further developments in market expansion and advertising. Forty Acres also celebrated a milestone this year in breaking ground for a future brick-and-mortar fullservice grocery store in Austin!

Austin Town Hall Farmers Market traffic grew by over 40%  with a weekly average of 100 PEOPLE buying high-quality fresh-food groceries.

AUSTIN GARDEN COLLECTIVE

The Austin Garden Collective’s volunteer days have also had a positive impact on green space access in Austin. On average, around 8.25 volunteers (a total of 99 over the summer) showed up to support the community gardeners, who are primarily senior residents. A total of 12 Volunteer Saturdays had occurred in 2023.

99 PEOPLE volunteered at 12 Volunteer Saturdays

FILM SCREENINGS

Austin Eats and One Earth Collective hosted two food justice film screenings in 2023 that took place at BUILD’s community garden and Bethel New Life. Altogether, 373 people came out to hear from panels of local food professionals, discuss pertinent food issues, and eat food prepared by local vendors. Both screenings, which happened in July and October, saw an increase in attendance from the previous year.

Bags of food distributed to 65–100 FAMILIES per week.

EMERGENCY FOOD ACCESS

373 PEOPLE attended two food justice film screenings.

300+ PEOPLE fed at each Hot Meal Pop-up.

Our partner Jehovah Jireh provides healthy food to those experiencing food insecurity by distributing to homebound residents and by opening up his space to the public weekly. He continues to distribute food (5 bags/ person) to 65-100 families a week. Jehovah Jireh also serves about 300 people per hot meal pop-up.

Plan Leaders

Community Narrative

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

Briana Shields

Briana Janeé Arts

Kenneth Varner

Healthy Schools

Campaign

Dearra Williams

Austin Coming

Together

STRATEGY LEADS

Lasondra Kern Community Resident

Suzanne McBride

Austin Talks

Alicia Plomin

Austin Coming Together

Cindy Gray Schneider Spaces-n-Places

Jai Jones

PSPC, The Chicago Community Trust and Community Resident

Economic Development

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

Jerrod Williams South Austin

Neighborhood Association

Heather Sattler

Community Development Consultant

STRATEGY LEADS

Erica Staley

Manufacturing Renaissance

Emily Peters

Jane Addams Resource Corporation

Tina Augustus

Chicago West Side Chamber of Commerce

Roxanne Charles

West Side Forward

Melissa O’Dell Defy Ventures

Fanya Berry Community Resident

Education

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

Crystal Bell

Ella Flagg Young Elementary School (retired)

Charles Anderson

Michele Clark High School

STRATEGY LEADS

Ruth Kimble Austin Childcare Providers Network

Madelyn James

Austin Childcare Providers Network

Pam Price

Chicago Public Schools

Cata Truss Community Resident

Housing

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

Athena Williams

West Cook Homeownership Center

Allison McGowan

Community Resident

STRATEGY LEADS

Shirley Fields

Community Resident

Rosie Dawson

Westside Health Authority

Athena Williams

West Cook Homeownership Center

Baxter Swilley

Oak Park Regional Housing Center

Public Safety

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

Bradly Johnson BUILD Inc.

Marilyn Pitchford

Heartland Alliance

STRATEGY LEADS

Adam Alonso BUILD Inc.

Edwina Hamilton BUILD Inc.

Gina Young

Catholic Charities

Bertha Purnell

Mothers OnA Mission28

Jose Abonce

The Policing Project

Ruby Taylor Taproots, Inc.

INTERESTED IN JOINING AN IMPLEMENTATION TASK FORCE?

Youth Empowerment

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

D’elegance Lane

Community Stakeholder

STRATEGY LEADS

Deonna Hart BUILD Inc.

Gina Young

Catholic Charities

Aisha Oliver

Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

Helen Slade

Territory NFP

Dollie Sherman

Austin Coming Together

Chris Thomas

YourPassion1st

Civic Engagement

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

Deborah Williams-Thurmond

Habilitative Systems Inc.

STRATEGY LEADS

Arnold Bearden

Community Resident

Crystal Gardner

Protest to the Polls

Sharif Walker

Bethel New Life

Contact ACT’s Lead Organizer Grace Cooper at gcooper@austincomingtogether.org

The Community Summit: An annual forum to cultivate Austin’s future

By Scott Prywitch Marketing & Development Coordinator, Austin Coming Together

The initial recommendations on the evolution of the Austin Forward. Together. (AFT) quality-of-life plan will be put on full display on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at the annual Community Summit.

The community summit model has been integral to the plan’s success and continuation ever since its inception in 2018. Since the plan was created, ACT has been intentional about updating the community on key actions and how residents can continually be involved in the process. In the five years between the plan’s launch and today, the community summit has also served an important purpose in convening the community to focus on what they created together. It is an opportunity for community leaders and residents to add their voice to the conversation.

Not only has the annual summit been an extremely vital method in updating the community, it has also served as an opportunity for the community to simply gather together and celebrate. The event has allowed for local small businesses to provide food for attendees such as Schweet Cheesecake, Splyt N Half Kitchen, and Forty Acres Fresh Market.

The first community summit took place in 2018, where the Austin Forward. Together. (AFT) plan was unveiled. With hundreds of residents and leaders in attendance, the community had their first glance at the massive plan and what it would come to

symbolize for Austin. After an 18-month process of engaging the community over what they felt were the most significant concerns in Austin, the plan came to life. The inaugural summit was a moment in time. A moment when the community knew it could take complete ownership of its future.

The plan celebrated one year of implementation at the 2019 Summit. At this point, nearly 30% of plan actions had been initialized in one year alone. Highlights included the launch of the implementation infrastructure for the plan as well as ACT unveiling its new logo and branding.

When the pandemic hit, the mode of the in-person community summit pivoted to something different. Throughout 2020 and into 2021, ACT began to mobilize support and programs to focus on emergency COVID-19 response, but remained intentional about updates through regular and highlevel communications. Despite the absence of the in-person summit, ACT persisted with implementation even in the face of rapid programmatic changes.

In 2021, the efforts of the AFT plan and its direct impact in the community were showcased in a short documentary film. Created by Digifé, a black-owned production company, the film not only tells the story of the year’s progress, but also aims to inspire the support needed to achieve all that was left to accomplish.

The plan represents a roadmap and a starting point for how we can convert our potential power into action, into real collective power in the neighborhood.

DARNELL SHIELDS, ACT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE 2018 SUMMIT

The community summit returned to its customary in-person format in January 2023. Over 300 attendees gathered to hear from community leaders about community development projects and learned more about the plan in-depth.

Additionally, the 2023 summit helped to inspire more residents and stakeholders to become part of the AFT work as it began its fifth year of implementation. This upcoming community summit will truly be something special. With attendance expected to approximate 300 community residents and partners, the summit will be unique as the AFT plan enters its next phase beyond the original five year scope. Community input will be crucial to the direction of the plan, and ACT is thrilled to use this year’s summit as a launching pad. n

The AFT Community Summit is an annual opportunity for Austin residents to gather together, hear progress of the plan, and learn how to become involved.