Austin Weekly News 031324

White woman on pilgrimage to talk about racism says a collective can end it

Not just any white woman –Rachelle Zola’s anti-racism work guides her way

By DEBORAH BAYLISS Contributing Reporter

If someone said that an end to systematic racism in this country is possible – with reasonable doubt – the likely response would be to question the statement.

Well, someone did say it, out loud and publicly Her name is Rachelle Zola, a 75-year-old white woman who has led a privileged life in a country that was built for her

Zola said she not only believes it is possible, but that it’s possible within her lifetime

“We can do it if we have the collective will to do it,” Zola told the Austin Weekly News during an interview regarding her mission to do her part to make it happen.

Her comments are not from the sidelines. Zola, a restorative practitioner, is out front, on a journey

Five years and $100 million later, the groups’ projects are nearly half-way to that goal.

The group, a community organization called Austin Coming Together, first published its quality-of-life plan called Austin Forward Together in 2018. The plan outlined a five-year

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

PHOTO

ZOLA

Outside lines

from page 1

to build bridges between Black and wh people and to exchange stories and har truths that she said she learned too late

She’ll be sharing her beliefs and experiences this spring at two events: A show in North Lawndale in March and in a 754-mile walking pilgrimage from Chicago to Montgomery, Alabama.

Zola, of Oak Park, grew up in Long Island, New York, and has lived in various parts of the country and the world work as an advocate for children with developmental disabilities.

While it’s shocking to hear someone sa out loud that it’s possible to end systemi and structural racism in this country, also shocking to hear the same person sa they did not have a clue about the dep harm done by the country’s long history of slavery from 1619 to 1865 and the Jim Cr era that followed.

Enacted in 1876, Jim Crow – laws that prohibited Black people from using the same public facilities such as restrooms, restaurants and drinking fountains as white people – was enforced through 1965 with lynchings and other atrocities against Black people. They were engrained in state and local laws that mandated se gregation in the South.

She clarified that it’s not that she wasn’t aware that racism exists.

For example – although it may be impossible to know for certain – an Equal Justice Initiative report documented nearly 6,500 lynchings in which Black people were hung by the neck from trees until they died between 1865 and 1950.

It wasn’t until 1954 with the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Kansas lawsuit that the Supreme Court declared school segregation unconstitutional. The remaining Jim Crow laws were overturned by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Asked how it’s possible she wasn’t aware of the depth of harm from racism, Zola responded: “That’s a question I ask myself all the time. I grew up in a time when no one challenged me. If someone had said to me, we need to do something about systemic racism, I would have said yes. I didn’t even know the questions to ask. I didn’t even know there were questions to be asked. So how is that possible? I’ve lived in Jordan, Ecuador, Mexico, and it took me moving to Chicago to lear n about my own country.”

Zola added that it’s really easy as a white person to not acknowledge racism.

“It goes deeper than that,” she explained. “I wasn’t thinking about Black lives but I also wasn’t thinking about Irish lives, Germans lives, Asians lives… I wasn’t thinking about anybody else’s life. I had my own trauma growing up and I just knew how to get from point A to point B.”

What makes her qualified to do this work?

Austin Weekly News delves into her background and her teachings on race.

Her hunger strike

Back in 2021, Zola embarked on a 40-day hunger strike in support of federal legislation (HR40) that establishes a commission to study and develop reparation proposals for African Americans

Black groups, activists, elected officials, everyday citizens continue to fight and speak out in their demand for reparations for the harm done by structural and systemic racism.

Activist Deondre Rutues, who serves on the 15th Police District Council, told the Austin Weekly in a recent interview that reparations are necessary.

“Had it not been for the blood, sweat and tears of the enslaved ancestors of African Americans, this country would not be where it is today,” Rutues said.

Zola agreed that generations of Black people have been denied the wealth they cre-

Why do white people dislike Black people so much?

what is so scary and that’s y I’m walking down South to find out,” Zola said of her upcoming walk to Alabama. “I want to hear their stories. If I hear their stories, I’m not going to

Her stage production

Now heading in a direction that ventures outside straight lines, with purpose, Zola is sharing her story and saying the unspoken to as many audiences as will listen to what she has to say in her one-man show, “Late: ” written by Zola and Emily Bragg and directed by Melissa Lorraine.

PROVIDED

ated and that reparations should be paid to African Americans

“Any pushback on that from white people comes from a place of ‘not enough,’ that if African Americans receive what’s owed to them, there won’t be anything left for them,” Zola said. “We’ve done harm for generations, and we need to repair that harm. Repairing the harm starts with admitting that har m was done. It’s like we don’t want to admit our legacy, the lynchings. George Floyd is another example of that. It was a modernday lynching.”

Zola said her restorative justice involvements are callings from the universe which is how she said she ended up in Chicago.

“The first place I went to when I got here was the North Lawndale Restorative Justice Community Court where I met people I’m still connected with,” she said.

Zola’s thoughts on book-banning

Re garding the Republican-led movement to white-wash American history by banning certain books, Zola said it’s absurd.

“Reading, educating oneself is power,” Zola said. “These people want our youth in school to be ignorant, not ask questions and not to question systemic racism, not to question the very foundation that our country was built on … They want to remain a country of white supremacy. They won’t get their way and they are doing everything in their power to stop progress.”

Zola said she states right at the beginning, “This is a tribute to the people of Chicago and beyond that so many deem as invisible and dismiss and or hate because of the color of their skin, I have never even considered them, their lives, their lived experiences, the depth of their trauma and the harm they experience every day. So, to share my ignorance, what I’ve learned, and to change the course of history.”

The play is also an opportunity to tell white audiences they’ve got it wrong if they’ve never been involved in trying to right the wrongs they see against Black people.

Some Caucasians who’ve seen the show were moved to take a closer look at what they can do outside of what they’re already doing. Black people who’ve seen the show spoke favorably, Zola said.

The show will be held at 2 p.m., March 30 at Theatre-Y in North Lawndale. Free tickets are available at Theatre-Y.com. Donations are accepted.

Her pilgrimage

Set for April 2, Zola’s walking pilg rimage steps of f at about 10:45 a.m. from TheatreY. She’ll walk 10-15 miles each day, performing her one-person show wherever she finds a host along the 754-mile-long jour ney to Montgomery, Alabama.

The first 10 miles will take her to Evergreen Park She’ll keep supporters posted with updates on her website, www latealovestory, Facebook page, Rachelle Zola and Tilk Tok by the same name. You can find her on Instagram @I Am Rachelle Zola.

A friend will drive along in an RV to accompany Zola.

The walk event will include breakfast and speakers at 9: 30 a.m

Rachelle Zola

Motor vehicle the down in 15th, 25th Districts

Crime statistics in West Side neighborhoods also show a slight increase in robberies and no change in homicides

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Motor vehicle thefts are significantly down on the West Side at the star t of 2024.

Figures from the 15th District of the Chicago Police Department, show that as of March 3, 127 motor vehicle thefts occur red, down 15% from the same time last year. The district covers the majority of Chicago’s Austin neighborhood

In the 25th District, bordered by sion Street to the South and Central Avenue to the East, there have b motor vehicle thefts so far, a 34% de crease over last year

“We constantly are in communication with each other,” said Captain Patrick ward of the districts’ collaboration with each other and those on the West Side. He made the comments in a virtual community leadership meeting hosted by West Side Community Stakeholders, a group that meets re gularly to strengthen local collaboration and reduce local substance use and crime.

Because of the continuing incidents at the intersection of Division Street and North Long Avenue in Austin, the 25th District has created a team to patrol the area in the afternoons, police said.

Although Chicago as a whole has seen an increase in vehicle hijacking, “we are still one the lowest throughout the city, along with the 25th District,” said Sergeant Ed Brown of the 15th District.

Robberies, however, have spiked slightly along Division Street between the two districts, according to Aylward.

So far this year, there have been 27 burglaries in District 15, in line with last year’s rate, and 59 in District 25, a 16% increase.

The number of shootings in the 25th District are also down.

“Our shootings are pretty much the same from last year,” Aylward said. “We have no murders for this year.” They’d seen three at this time last year.

While four homicides have occurred in the first part of this year in the 15th District — no change from the same period in 2023 — they have been personal altercations or domestic-related cases, rather than gang-related ones, Brown said.

The 15th District organized a domestic violence outreach March 7 at the station to help local victims of domestic violence, which are often also victims of gun violence, get resources.

“A lot of times, victims are scared or don’t know what to do,” Brown said, and the station outreach aims to help with that.

AC T

Quality-of-life plan

from page 1

velopment for a Chicago neighborhood that has long faced racial disparities and systematic disenfranchisement.

Today, more than 45 volunteers leading seven task forces have received at least $100 million in investments, and ACT has seen 37 of the 85 action items have been completed or initiated

This year’s annual summit March 9 celebrated five years of the quality-of-life plan with a presentation to about 300 attendees to show past successes and future expectations for the West Side neighborhood

“We are here to celebrate our plan. We’re here to celebrate our progress. And we are here to celebrate the people who are getting it done, day in, day out, on behalf of the community, for the betterment of the community,” said Darnell Shields, ACT’s executive director and a member of Growing Community Media’s board of directors.

AFT’s development started in 2017, when over 500 people attended three summits to discuss Austin’s needs and prioritize the plan’s goals

“Very important people, in terms of status and all that, were in the room, but you wouldn’t have known it because they were sitting at the table with grandma,” Shields said. “We had congressmen, childcare providers, everybody just sitting at the tables working it out.”

From there, AFT was for med, outlining 23 strategies and 85 action items in seven issue areas: economic development, civic eng agement, community narrative, education, housing, public safety and youth empowerment.

One of the in-progress action items is im-

Ethan Ramsay, Austin Coming Together’s planning and investment manager, and Fanya Burford-Berry, a strategy lead for AFT’s economic development task force, present the plan’s highlighted agenda

proving Austin’s Chicago Avenue and Central Avenue corridors. Updates to the two main commercial stretches will enhance public spaces and infrastructure to attract businesses to the area.

On Chicago Avenue, the POPCourts! Community Plaza was completed in 2021. Planning is underway for the $51 million project to re purpose the for mer Laramie State Bank. Inside the new building will be a cafe, a business incubator for emerging entrepreneurs and a bank branch. The 20,000-square-foot plot of land next to the building will become a multi-story, mixedincome building with 51 units of af fordable housing and 27 units of market-rate housing. The Laramie State Bank project is expected to generate around 22 jobs, plus 150 more during construction.

In 2019, the Kehrein Center for the Arts opened just of f Central Avenue. On the

Central Avenue corridor proper, the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation broke ground last May, re purposing the for mer Emmet Elementary School into a space for workforce training. The project will be completed by November.

When it was introduced, AFT was called a five-year plan, but it was always intended to span longer

“We believe it is essential that the Austin Forward Together quality-of-life plan continues to exist and progress as we enter into a new phase,” said Ethan Ramsay, Austin Coming Together’s planning and investment manager. “In this new phase, we want to sustain and deepen community ownership of the plan and amplify its impact,” as well as conduct research to discover what parts of the plan are working and which need improvement, he said.

At the summit, Ramsay and Fanya Burford-Ber ry, a strategy lead for AFT’s economic development task force, presented a highlighted agenda that focuses on a few items on AFT’s current and upcoming efforts. The agenda — which includes building out the Chicago Avenue and Central Avenue corridors, and the Aspire Center — will sustain at least 32 of the 37 active action items, and potentially move another 30 action items forward.

The highlighted agenda includes:

■ Expanding mental health services, trauma-infor med programs and training, and connecting such offerings to food access, workforce education and housing initiatives.

■ Weaving restorative justice practices

nto schools and increasing related activities in the community by creating a restorjustice community court. Restorative ustice “is an understanding of life that fouses on building community healing and ccountability, and it seeks long term soluto conflict,” said Burford-Ber ry who is also director of the West Side Heroin/Opiask Force.

dvocating for housing policies that increase local home ownership and affordhousing. “Eviction rates in Austin are ouble the rates compared to the city on ave,” Ramsay said. “These problems are systemic, and they require policy change.” ontinuing the Austin Eats initiative to food insecurity by offering high-quality, healthy foods and access to nutritional ination through grocery stores, gardens and farms, emergency food access, food education and collaborative marketing.

■ Creating living wage careers with job training organizations, workforce and entrepreneurship programs through the ongoing Austin Workforce Collaborative

■ Campaigning for early childhood education by increasing special needs programs and educator salaries with training and accreditation opportunities. The continuing Childcare 2 Kindergarten initiative offers early education professionals year-long coaching, and the Austin Childcare Providers Network trains around 10 early childhood educators yearly but aims to grow with AFT’s help.

■ Improving parks and vacant lots, plus launching peer support groups to encourage young people through organizations like Territory, BUILD, Root 2 Fruit and YourPassion1st. A youth job fair will also take place this summer to offer exposure for young people to professionals and potential employers, along with tips for resumes and job applications.

■ Creating an authentic storytelling campaign about Austin by amplifying local voices, bridging the gap between residents and how they’re reflected by the media. “For every one positive story about Austin in 2017, there were three negative stories,” Ramsay said, mostly about crime and violence.

“I believe we can own this transformation of our community into the community that, not only we’ll be proud of, but generations beyond us and to come will always be proud of,” Shields said. “Everybody told us, ‘Your plan is too ambitious.’ And I said, ‘How many people know that Austin only does amazing?’”

He added, “I’m glad that we didn’t give into that. I’m glad that you were all willing to dream big together.”

PHOTO BY DION TURNER

What to do on the West Side

March 16 through April 20

Compiled by Austin Coming Together

Youth Entrepreneurship Workshop Experience by the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Do you know a young entrepreneur with a product to sell? Join the workshops to learn how to sell and showcase your product. Ages 13-21will receive a stipend to help develop their products, display items for vendor table and marketing materials. To apply or ask questions, contact program manager Janice Anthony at Janice@austinchicagochamber.org, 224-5036210 or visit the website.

Tuesday, March 19, 6 - 9 p.m.

Community meal by Soup and Bread West to bene t the Austin Eats Initiative, a community-led e ort to create environments that foster health and wellness and promote healthier food choices across Austin. $10 donation at the door. Robert’s Westside. 7321 Madison St., Forest Park.

Tuesday, March 19, 5:30 p.m.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra concert at the Kehrein Center for the Ar ts. 5628 W. Washington Blvd. Free.

Tuesday, March 26, 2:30 -1:45 p.m.

Hub 101: Your Passion 1st! Interested in being connected to resources that will help to empower our youth? YourPassion1st looks to transform communities by inspiring young adults to pursue their passion through, collaborative events and festivals, innovative workshops, coaching and mentoring programs, and project-based learning experiences Register for this virtual event at the group’s website.

Mondays: SLAM

An event focused on games / mentors / God and hosted by GRIP Youth. This event is for high school students and will take place at By The Hand Club For Kids at 415 N. Laramie. Learn more at the group’s website.

Tuesdays and Saturdays

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

JI2, a job training and mentoring program for those who have been Justice Impacted, hosted by West Side Forward. Register at the group’s website.

Tuesdays, 6 – 8 p.m.

Wednesdays, 6 – 9 p.m.

Circle for Circle Keepers and Fireside Chats at BUILD: Interested in connecting with and getting to know other Circle Keepers? Desire to ne-tune your Circle Keeping skills, while learning new techniques, while building resources? Learn more about Circle Keepers at the website, and as well as for Fireside Chats information. 5100 W. Harrison.

Wednesdays, 10 a.m. or 6 p.m.

The Young Manufacturing Association will host virtual info sessions for young individuals to learn about various job placement services and training programs in business manufacturing, entrepreneurship, technology, and more. If interested, contact DeeDee Jones at djones@mfgren.or

Thursdays, 3 p.m.

The Good Neighbor Campaign’s weekly Faith, Family and Community Overcomers Meeting 5437 W. Division St

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Tuesda

Wednesda

Thursday of the month

15th District Police Department happen virtually. For more information, email

Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Wednesday , 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Thursday, 2 – 6 p.m.

Grace

Found qualified and recommended by a dozen Bar Associations including:

Josephinum Academy o ers free tuition to all incoming freshmen

The scholarships, which have an application deadline of March 17, are a rst for Chicago’s longest-standing all-girls Catholic high school

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Hear is offering full tuition scholarships to it entire incoming freshman class for the 20242025 school year

Although the all-girls Catholic high school is located in Wicker Park, it educates approximately 100 students from around 50 zip codes, nearly one-third of who live in the 60651 zip code of Chicago’s Austin and Humboldt Park neighborhoods.

The THRIVE Scholarship program, sponsored by financial donors, will cover scholarships for up to 40 students, the maximum enrollment for the incoming class. This is the first time in Josephinum’s 134-year history that every freshman will be able to attend for free, helping to alleviate financial pressures that applicants might face

“We want to provide affordable education to all students who are interested in attending our school,” said Monique NoringtonJoseph, Josephinum Academy’s director of community partnerships and student life.

Tuition is over $9,000 for returning students. In past years, incoming students could also apply for a scholarship, funded by donors, when they applied to Josephinum.

“We are so grateful to our donors to have this THRIVE Scholarship opportunity,” said Richard McMenamin, president of Josephinum Academy, in a statement. “Access to a top-quality Catholic education should be open to young people, re gardless of their family’s resources.”

This year’s THRIVE scholarship comes at a critical time, as the Illinois Department of Revenue Invest in Kids tax credit expired. From 2017 to the end of last year,

Invest in Kids of fered a 75% income tax credit to those who contributed to Scholarship Granting Organizations.

The tax credit’s termination might discourage donors to fund organizations like Catholic schools. The end of Invest in Kids has reportedly affected the education of children already as, in January, it contributed to the closure of two schools each in the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Diocese of Belleville Despite this, donors have still contributed to Josephinum Academy

Norington-Joseph graduated from Josephinum Academy in 1992. She was raised by her grandmother on Chicago’s West Side and, though she said it was initially her grandparents’ decision for her to attend Josephinum, rather than a Chicago Public School, she quickly realized its value

“After the first few years, it became something that was important for my life and for my future,” she said. Part of that, she said, was attending a single-sex school, where distractions were limited. “You’re really able to thrive in a way that you might not be able to thrive in a coed institute.” Norington-Joseph went on to the University of Illinois and got her master’s de gree.

She added, “I gained my love and my passion for community outreach and community service through being a student here.”

Eighth grade girls interested in apply-

COURTESY OF JOSEPHINUM AC ADEMY Four of Josephinum Academy’s 100-some students.

Black

How we discipline children

There’s a video currently making the rounds on Facebook. In it, a young boy who might be as young as eight or as old as 12 is seated on the couch. In front of him is a man who is reprimanding the kid for having used foul language toward his mother.

Specifically, the boy called his mother out of her name. And we know what that probably means. The child is also chastised for telling his mother what he was and was not going to do. As the man lashes out at the child, he dares the boy to treat him the way he was treating his mother. Or to say to the man what he has said to his mother. When the child does respond, what he says is unintelligible. The words of the man doing the haranguing are closed captioned across the screen for emphasis.

JONES

scared straight session with the boy.

This kind of video is important to me because in just a little over eight months, we will begin the year that signifies the first quarter of the 21st century is being completed. And if the Black community is still having these kind of problems today and the same kind of issues were just as prevalent in the year 2000, what if any progress have we made? Sociologists have continuously told us about the importance of a nuclear family. So why are these issues still happening? At some point enough has to be enough! And someone has to speak truth to ignorance.

Now I have mixed feelings about parents putting their grandiose disciplinary actions on social media. But that particular part of the debate is for another day. Many people were giving the man accolades for his having fronted off the young boy without using any profanity. However, I do question if the man is the father because he never once calls himself the dad. The man speaks about the boy’s mother, but never calls her his wife. To me, the man sounds like he’s an ‘intervener’ doing a

ing to Josephinum Academy, and receiving this year’s full-ride scholarship, will take an entrance exam and be interviewed by the school’s principal and admissions department. But Josephinum takes into account more than just academics

“Girls from The Joe tend to be young women who, as we titled this scholarship, thrive, women who have a certain tenacious spirit and attitude about themselves,” Norington-Joseph said.

To apply to Josephinum Academy, eighth graders must fill out an online application packet and financial aid application, plus submit seventh and eighth grade records by March 17. Visit https://www.josephinum.

Now the video doesn’t give us enough facts so a lot of my feelings are suppositions and assumptions. But I believe that in the last 70 years of my watching certain people raise children, you know which ones were going to go to jail, and which ones would be okay. And rare is it for those that I thought would be okay to stray from that line. And the same with those that were headed toward jail. They usually made it!

I don’t know what the rest of this entire century has planned for the descendants of enslaved Africans. But I do know this. Accountability is a two-way street. It is time to be mindful.

org/ for an application or contact the admissions department at admissions@ Josephinum.org or 773-276-1261.

“If someone is looking for their young student to really excel, this is a place where we cultivate leaders and students and visionaries of tomorrow,” Norington-Joseph said.

“That’s one of the reasons why I came back,” she added. “They really have an opportunity to learn who they are and utilize their voice, which is so important for young women. Oftentimes we shy away from those character traits. Here, we cultivate that in these students, and so they leave with an amazing outreach and outlook on life.”

FJoin Uniting Voices Chicago - a loving community

or Westinghouse College

Prep freshman Jayla Conley, singing in the Austin Neighborhood Choir Program of Uniting Voices Chicago has been a constant in her life since 2017. Now that her brother has joined and she has made fast friends with peers from across Chicago, Jayla is excited to embark on a tour to Los Angeles. “I’m looking forward to traveling to where many world renowned artists like Etta James, Ice Cube and many more grew up, as well as creating new memories with singers like me,” she says.

Alongside youth from across the city, the Austin Neighborhood Choir Program will visit the Grammy Museum, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Santa Monica Pier, attend a workshop with acclaimed choreographers Corey Anderson and Tyne Stecklein, and perform at Disneyland. The upcoming tour is just one of many enriching learning and performance experiences for Jayla. She previously toured with singers to Puerto Rico, and notes Uniting Voices Chicago’s annual performance with 3,000+ singers in

Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park as one of her favorite moments. Jayla’s confidence and leadership have grown immensely throughout her seven years in the program. “Being a part of Uniting Voices Chicago means so much to me. It helps me expand throughout my city, learn about new cultures, and meet singers like me who share the same morals and passion for singing.”

Jayla hopes other youth in the Austin neighborhood will join the choir because it is a loving community and because of the lasting impact of the connections between the music and audiences. Visit unitingvoiceschicago.org/join to learn more.

Free urban shing program teaches West Side youth how to sh

Columbus Park and Gar eld Park are among the participating lagoons

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ urban fishing program will once again partner with local youth organizations this summer to teach children throughout Chicago how to fish for free.

Since 1985, the program has connected with organizations offering summer camps — like CYC-Sidney Epstein Youth Center in North Lawndale and the Union League Boys and Girls Club’s Barreto Club in Humboldt Park — to teach upper elementary and middle school youth the fundamentals of fishing. Participants will learn how to bait a hook, cast a line and handle a caught fish, all with equipment provided for free.

means to be an ethical angler,” said Jonathan Schlesinger,

ing program coordinator for the Illinois Depar tment of Natural Resources. “We want them to understand their role in the environment and wh at it means to appreciate and take care of nature in thei r neighborhood.”

Though this year’s official program schedule is still under development to start in late June, the IDNR is hiring nine conservation education representatives to teach the basics of fishing Monday through Friday at parks across the city — including the West Side’s Columbus Park, Douglass Park, Garfield Park and Humboldt Park

These parks have lagoons where participants can practice fishing, but some youth organizations don’t have easy access to these areas. For them, instructors teach how to cast and about conservation at Chicago parks without lagoons.

“We do, of course, want to get groups on the water and provide Chicago kids with the opportunity to catch that first fish,” Schlesinger said. “But at the same time, we at and do that angler and aquatic educa-

‘We want to meet groups where they’re at and do as much of that angler and aquatic education where we can,’ said Jonathan Schlesinger, Chicago’s urban shing program coordinator for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

All participants w ill learn the basics of shing, including how to bait a hook, cast a line and handle any sh they catch.

At Chicago’s 13 parks with lagoons, the IDNR stocks fish to facilitate public fishing While catfish have often been stocked in the past, this season, the organization is introducing hybrid sunfish into local lagoons

Outside of using equipment provided during the urban fishing program, Schlesinger said that anglers can check out fishing combos — around 20 of which are available at Chicago’s public libraries and include a fishing rod, reel, plus bags of tackle and artificial bait — for free with a library card.

Children ages 15 and younger don’ t need a fishing license, while those 16 and older can purchase a one-day or annual fishing license online or at a local sporting goods store.

The urban fishing program provides

many of these children with their first introduction to fishing. Schlesinger himself is still learning how to fish. Although he said he had fun fishing as a kid, he wished he would have been involved in something like the urban fishing program.

“I was the type of kid who would race to the TV on a Saturday morning at 6 a.m. so that I could watch fishing shows and beat my sisters to the TV,” he said. “I’m really excited to provide this opportunity for kids who might have been like me as a kid, and have an interest in fishing but maybe not know where to start or not have a mentor in their life who can teach them.”

Organizations that have summer programs and are interested in partnering with the urban fishing program should email Jonathan.Schlesinger@Illinois.gov

COURTESY OF CHIC AG O’S URBAN FISHING PROGRAM

COURTESY OF CHIC AG O’S URBAN FISHING PROGRAM

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In the Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Chancery Division.

Clarice A. Shackleford, Plaintiff, vs. Unknown Owners, et. al Defendants. No. 23 CH 7531.

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Lot 3 in Block 3 in Henry DirkÕs Subdivision of the South 1/2 of the North West 1/4 of the North West 1/4 of Section 4, Township 39 North, Range 13 East of the Third Principal Meridian, in Cook County, Illinois.

Commonly known as: 1450 North Linder Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60651. P.I.N.: 16-04-109-021-0000.

Notice is also hereby given you that the said Complaint prays for other relief, that summons was duly issued out of said Court against you as provided by law, and that the said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said above named defendants, file your answer to the Complaint in the said suit or otherwise make your appearance therein, on or before April 10, 2024, default may be entered against you at any time after that day and a Judgment entered in accordance with the prayer of said Complaint. E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider. Visit http://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/ serviceproviders.htm to learn more and to select a service provider. If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/FAQ/g ethelp.asp. The form: “Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury for State of Illinois ExecutiveOrder 2020-72” is available at www.IHDA.org or at https://df7qosnywqs6g.cloudfront.n et/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ TenantsDeclaration-Form.pdf for any resident of the property to notify the bank and plaintiff’s attorney if the resident qualifies as a Covered Person under the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-72 (Nov. 13, 2020).Iris Y. Martinez, Clerk. LTS3232979

Published in Austin Weekly News March 13, 20, 27, 2024

OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

Request of Marisol Vazquez Case Number 2024 CONC000304

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Marisol Vazquez to the new name of: Marisol Roldan

The court date will be held:

On May 16, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. at 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602 on Calendar 6.

Published in Austin Weekly News March 13, 20, 27, 2024

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC

Plaintiff,

-v.-

UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF HENRY MURRAY, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, DAMON RITENHOUSE, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR HENRY MURRAY (DECEASED), EVELYN GLOVER

Defendants 2022 CH 03845

1218 N PARKSIDE 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 November 20, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 25, 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 1218 N PARKSIDE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60651

Property Index No. 16-05-230-0290000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

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,

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

mation 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 (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. 14-22-02478

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2022 CH 03845

TJSC#: 43-4435

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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 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

der, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 1227

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.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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 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

Plaintiff,

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@johnsonblum-

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

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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

Plaintiff, -v.-

DERRICK D. MCINTYRE, BARBARA A. MCINTYRE,

Defendants

09630

IL 60651

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. 14-22-09305

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2022 CH 09630

TJSC#: 44-494

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 09630

I3239885

Sale

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

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

real estate:

Commonly known as 4844 WEST FERDINAND STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60644

Property Index No. 16-09-223-0250000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

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).

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC

Plaintiff, -v.CONETHA MOORE, DENISE MOORE, GLORIA MOORE, JUDON MOORE, DEVON MOORE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF LILLIE L. MOORE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, CARY ROSENTHAL, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR LILLIE MOORE (DECEASED)

Defendants 2022 CH 10652 4844 WEST FERDINAND 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 January 4, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 8, 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 FOR SALE

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. 14-22-07114

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2022 CH 10652

TJSC#: 44-129

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 10652 I3239765

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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.

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-6699777.

GROWING

Teaching Minds and Touching Hearts

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

Educating scholars in the Austin Community since 2007

ATHOMEONTHE GREATERWESTSIDE For Cynthia Rodriguez, finding a forever home was a top priority

By DELANEY NELSON Special Projects Reporter

Whether growing up in Edgewater and Portage Park or renting in Belmont-Cragin — and now buying a house in Montclare — Cynthia Rodriguez has spent most of her life on the northwest side of Chicago.

Last January, Rodriguez and Abraham Roman, her husband of 20 years, attended an information session at YUB Realty. Roman was ready to start the home-buying process, but it took Rodriguez a bit longer to warm up to the idea.

“I was always the hesitant one,” she said. “[I was like], ‘We’re not going to be able to do it. How can we afford it?

How are we going to save for a down payment?’”

With two teenagers and an 18-month-old, Rodriguez was also worried about the prospect of balancing daily life with the ins and outs of buying a home, like submitting all of the necessary paperwork and visiting houses.

But by the end of the year, with some convincing on Roman’s end, the couple decided they were ready to dive into what they see as the “American Dream.” He told her, “I know it’s stressful to gather documents and have these financial conversations, but we can definitely do it.”

“It’s always a dream to buy a home for your kids and for yourself,” Rodriguez said. They wanted to give their kids a place to call their own, and it felt like time to transition away from renting, and instead invest in their own property.

They returned to YUB Realty in January, where they met with real estate broker Lorena Ramirez-Carrillo’s team. Within

A GCM GUIDE TO HOMEOWNERSHIP

a week, the couple received their preapproval letter, visited houses, submitted an offer, and closed on the house. Within the next month, they hope to move into their new home.

Rodriguez said she is excited that her kids will now have more room for themselves. Her 16-year-old daughter, for example, will stay in the finished basement, where she can chill without her two younger brothers “in her hair.” Her oldest son, 13, will

now have his own room, and her toddler will grow up in the family home.

“[I’m] looking forward to my little one growing up in his forever home,” she said. “With my older kids, we’ve moved a couple of times. I’m just looking forward to now, for my

It took some convincing, but Cynthia Rodriguez said investing in her own home was worth it in the end.

What you should know about buying a home, according to 3 real estate agents

By DELANEY NELSON Special Projects Reporter

For most prospective buyers, finding a real estate agent is a major step in the home-buying process. While it is possible to complete the process without a real estate agent, they can provide future homeowners with expert knowledge of the local real estate market, established connections to attorneys, loan officers and inspectors, and a wider variety of listings than you might find on Zillow.

Austin Weekly News spoke with three Chicago-based real estate agents about what buyers should look for in an agent and what to expect from the process.

Lorena Ramirez-Carrillo is a designated managing real estate broker and owner of YUB Realty. She has worked with attorneys in the real estate field, has worked as an underwriter and has run a title company. She works with first-time home buyers, people without a valid social security number and veterans, among others.

Eve Benton is a designated managing broker for EXIT Strategy Realty and an instructor with the Chicago Association of Realtors. Her specializations include first-time homebuyers, veterans, multi-unit sales and purchase/rehab.

Mario Greco is a real estate agent at Berkshire Hathaway’s HomeServices Chicago, where he founded the MG Group. He has been in the real estate business for over 20 years, serving the city and surrounding suburbs. Most recently, he has worked in West Town, Bucktown, Wicker Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, West Loop, Roscoe Village, North Center and Uptown.

Do I need a real estate agent?

Ramirez-Carrillo: You don’t need a real estate agent to buy a house, but it is always recommended if you want to make sure that there’s not going to be any room for mistakes, if you want to make sure that your purchase is going to go smoothly and that you’re going to be guided the right way. You also may not have access to all the resources that we have, and even to all the listings. If you don’t have a real estate agent, you might be limited to whatever you find on public sites.

Greco: If you wanted to go look for houses, you could find whatever you wanted to find online, you could call the listing agent and have an appointment and show the place and then if you want to buy it, you can have an attorney write up the contract. You really don’t need an agent for the looking process — although I think you do — but now I think that is less important. What I think you need an agent for more now is: One, their knowledge of existing buildings, as well as the reputation of a builder or developer for new buildings. Two, you want the agent’s contact list for trusted attorneys, trusted contractors, trusted inspectors, even. And in a very competitive market, you also want an agent because listing agents like to work with buyer’s agents because

they actually have counsel and guidance and the transactions tend to close much more often and in a much smoother way. And then finally, in this market where there are multiple offers galore, the buyer’s agent is going to advise the client in such a way that the potential for disappointment or anger is lessened. But all of that aside, a buyer’s agent is most important not to find the property, but to close the transaction. In other words, once you’ve found it, after you’ve negotiated — which an agent is very important for — keeping the deal together is just as hard if not harder than finding the property itself and a buyer’s agent is uniquely qualified to know of all the hurdles and bumps and potholes along the way.

How do I choose an agent?

Greco: The prospective buyer should interview at least three agents. They should always look at their website presence to see what it is they’re putting out to the public and they should also then go to any of the review sites like Zillow, Yelp, Google and see what’s out there. Obviously, most Realtors® only post their good reviews but Yelp doesn’t allow you to take down your bad reviews. Zillow does, but Google and Yelp do not.

Benton: I’m going to start by saying, don’t believe what you see on HGTV and those TV shows where they make it look easy. Even if they don’t have the experience, even if it’s a new agent, you want to look for someone who has a desire to advocate for you. It’s incredibly important for you to feel comfortable with the person, with their knowledge base, or even their desire to garner

Lorena Ramirez-Carrillo Managing real estate broker and owner of YUB Realty

“Don’t believe what you see on HGTV and those TV shows where they make it look easy. Even if they don’t have the experience, even if it’s a new agent, you want to look for someone who has a desire to advocate for you.”

Eve Benton Managing broker for EXIT Strategy Realty and an instructor with the Chicago Association of Realtors

the knowledge. So that’s why if it’s somebody who is new, that’s not a problem. In my opinion, it’s important to them to have a desire to learn and have other seasoned resources to go to. You also want somebody that’s tech savvy.

Ramirez-Carrillo: Whoever you choose as your real estate agent should be able to tell you right there at the first consultation whether or not you meet the basic requirements to buy a house. Make sure that that real estate agent is knowledgeable in the area [you’re looking to buy in]. Years of holding a license does not automatically mean that that agent has experience, experience is based on the number of transactions that you have closed because the more transactions that you are involved in, the more of a chance that you have gone through different situations and that you’re able to help your clients.

What should my relationship with my real estate agent look like?

Ramirez-Carrillo: For me, it’s one of trust, and making my clients understand that for me, the most important part is that they ask questions, that they understand the process, that they feel comfortable with making a decision. Since the very first conversation with my clients, I make it clear that I want them to ask me

questions — don’t ask the neighbor, don’t ask any relatives because they’re all going to have their own ideas based on their own experience. With me, it’s never about, “Oh, I’m the professional and you should respect me.” It’s more, you are my client and I want to make sure that you feel comfortable with whatever decision you’re making. If it takes us months to get you the house that you want, or if it takes us going to see 50 houses, that’s what it’s going to take and that’s what we’ll do. But I always make sure that they are comfortable with making decisions and understanding the whole process.

Benton: A lot of times, people will meet their Realtor® the first time at a property. That is not the most ideal way to do it. Ideally, we should be having a consultation with the buyer prior to even showing properties. It gives me an opportunity to go over the forms, explain the process, set up a search. Set expectations. You should be checking in with them weekly. Time is of the essence once you’re under contract and at the end of the day the buyer is going to be at work doing something else. So between your agent and the attorney, they’re gonna help you manage those deadlines. What I also explain to my clients is: I consider myself a professional but you are the boss. You’ve hired me to do something for you, so I’m not going to make the decision I make recommendations.

I don’t have a Social Security number. What’s your advice?

Ramirez-Carrillo: There are lenders out there that do the type of loan for people that don’t have a social security number but they actually meet the [homebuyer] guidelines. A lot of companies or agents don’t service Individual Taxpayer Identification Number clients and I’m very proud to say that I do help a lot of them and that’s when it becomes really rewarding, when somebody who has had so much trouble getting the help actually gets to buy their own house. Definitely reach out and inquire about different lenders. I’m not the only one who services them, but it’s just not one lender that does loans with ITIN. Be careful to not ever give

Mario Greco

Real estate agent at Berkshire Hathaway’s HomeServices Chicago

money upfront because there have been a lot of scams. You should never pay a real estate agent upfront, especially thousands and thousands of dollars.

What’s your advice for prospective home buyers?

Benton: Think of Pareto rule, the 80/20 rule. If it has 80% of the things you want, it might be worth considering. No home is perfect. Something is wrong with every house — that comes with home ownership. But the benefits outweigh the challenges. If it has 80% of the items on your wishlist, you’re winning.

Greco: One thing they shouldn’t be hung up on is square footage. They should be looking for layout and not number of square feet. Two: along with their agent, they should be looking for obvious signs of neglect or disrepair. The other thing buyers need to do is look at, whether or not they like natural light, they need to walk into a place and if all the lights are on, they need to turn the lights off, and see what it feels like. If it’s a super bright day, this is the best it’s ever gonna get. Finally — and this is critical — a buyer should come to the property, not necessarily having to go inside, to the neighborhood at different times and on different days. You might have seen that at two o’clock on a Saturday and there’s no one around, it feels really peaceful. Well, come there Friday at seven o’clock or come there in the morning on a Tuesday and see what’s going on.

Ramirez-Carrillo: If you’re paying rent somewhere else, you’re already spending your money on housing, why not apply it to your own house? Why not apply to something that is gonna generate you equity and wealth in the future as opposed to just paying for basically staying in somebody else’s house for that month?

What should people look for in a home?

Benton: I wouldn’t worry about the cosmetic issues. If you want 42-inch cabinets, you can get that later. Quartz counters, you can get that later. [Look at the things] you can’t change very readily: the floor plan and your neighbors. While the floor plan can be changed, it’s usually not practical or affordable. Think about your lifestyle also, some people don’t mind living on major thoroughfares and some people don’t want to. Where are you in terms of your family setup? Kids or no kids? Are you moving to an area because of the school district? How does that impact your taxes?

Ramirez-Carrillo: We all have priorities and we all have wants when it comes to a property. So what is a priority? You want to be close to your job, you want to be in a good school district, you want to have at least three bedrooms because you have four kids. Things that are very, very important. I want them to tell me at the very first consultation; I want to make sure that at least we focus on all the priorities, whatever it is, and if we can throw in some of their wants, that is wonderful. If I can find them a house that meets all their priorities and still has some of their wants, that would be excellent. But what I tell them is do not try to find everything in a house because it’s rare that you’re going to find everything in a house. You’re going to have to compromise on some things.

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toddler, this is his home and the one he’s going to remember growing up in. I’m excited for just making memories in our own home.”

Rodriguez credits her realty team with making the process smooth and easy. Their real estate agent was quick to respond to their messages and phone calls, and was sure to clarify information during each step of the process, she said.

“Our Realtor®, was so accessible,” Rodriguez said. “I’m fluent in English and Spanish, but when it comes to stuff like this, it’s like, I’d rather you explain it in Spanish to my husband so that we’re on the same page and I don’t miss or say something that maybe wasn’t translated correctly. So just having that accessibility of being able to speak with our Realtor® in both English and Spanish to where we all understand what we’re going through and understand what we’re reading and signing made it a lot easier.”

“That put us at ease that we had someone in our court that was able to provide us with that support in case we had any questions or didn’t thoroughly understand what was being asked,” she added.

The search

“One of the first questions Lorena asked us was, ‘What are you looking for? What does your ideal home have?’ It was at least two bathrooms and a dining room because with all the chaos, we do enjoy having family dinners together every day. That was one of the things that I must have had in my new home, was a large dining room. And honestly, all the properties that [Lorena] sent us had what we asked for, which made it really easy. It (was) like okay, they heard me, they are on our side, and want us to find what we consider an ideal home.”

The deciding factor

“At the end, we did have two [finalists]. The second house we saw, we really liked. There happened to be an open house that day, so of course there was other competition, there were going to be other offers.

With the last one we saw, the location and the size and it being move-in ready were those deciding factors. That second one we saw did not have a finished basement, where this one does.

[The situation was] having to go through that negotiation process with the one property that we liked, versus the last one where it was like, this has everything that we’ve been looking for, okay, let’s just do it and see what happens. We weren’t looking to do it so fast, it just happened this way. But again, because it was ready and had everything we were looking for, that is the reason why we decided to go with that last one we saw.”

Advice for prospective homebuyers:

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s one of those things where sometimes you’re like, ‘Oh, I should know this or I can Google this and I shouldn’t be asking so many questions.’ Or it’s like ‘Oh, I don’t want to bother you with this question.’ But I think [it’s important to] just be okay with asking for help or additional clarification. [Lorena’s team at YUB Realty] just made it seem like it’s not a bother, we’re here to support you and in a way educate you and make sure that you understand everything. So don’t be afraid to ask. [Real estate agents] are here to help you achieve your goal, your dream of owning a home.”

What is the housing market like on the West Side?

As demand for housing on the greater West Side grows, affordability for longterm residents hangs in the balance

By DELANEY NELSON Special Projects Reporter

Whether you’re a long-term Austin renter, homeowner, or prospective home buyer, the area’s housing market likely affects your dayto-day life. Familiarizing yourself with the housing market is one way to get realistic about the cost of becoming a homeowner.

The housing market describes the types, cost and amount of housing in an area.

The demand for and supply of housing are key drivers of the market and its prices. Typically, the economy, available mortgage credit, a neighborhood’s affordability and its amenities all contribute to the demand for housing in a particular area.

When there’s more demand than supply for a particular type of housing, like move-in ready single-family homes, for example, prices go up — especially if the demand is coming from higherincome home buyers.

Smith said. Some investors may just hold a property and rent it out.

On the other hand, if there are not enough move-in ready homes, for example, flippers may come into a neighborhood, purchase homes at a relatively low price, invest in home improvement, and then sell the home at a higher price to new owner-occupants. Flippers may bridge the gap between high demand and low supply for movein ready homes — but they also run the risk of pricing current residents out.

“One of the big challenges in a lot of neighborhoods is, if you do create a significant amenity in a neighborhood, how do you ensure that the housing in that neighborhood remains affordable for the long-term residents, or potential homebuyers from the community that want to stay in the community?” Smith said. “That is one of the key, I think, vulnerabilities of the way that housing markets work, unfortunately.”

West Side resident Eve Benton, who is the designated managing broker at EXIT Strategy Realty, has seen this influx firsthand.

But in some neighborhoods on the South and West Sides, historic disinvestment also puts a “bit of a wrinkle” in the story of the housing market, said Geoff Smith, executive director and principal investigator of the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University.

Communities with lower costs and a lessmaintained, disinvested housing stock can attract investors that play myriad roles in the market,

Sale price changes for single family homes

Price trends from the first quarter of 2000 to second quarter of 2023

Values indexed in each submarket to the first quarter of 2000. Data: Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University

As mortgage rates rose, people who already owned homes weren’t too interested in selling, which would mean trading in a 3% or 4% interest rate mortgage for one at 7% or 8%. Supply started to drop. Then, when the Federal Reserve raised interest rates to cool inflation, mortgage rates rose too.

Humboldt Park/Garfield Park

Austin/Belmont Cragin

Lake View/Lincoln Park

Benton said her own neighborhood’s defining features, including central location and beautiful architecture, have attracted outside interest that can impact pricing in the area. As more people find neighborhoods on the West Side attractive, the more development it will likely see, she said.

“I have seen people are becoming aware of the benefits of living on the West Side,” Benton said. “There are some areas that may have been considered maybe not as desirable, and you’re seeing activity in those areas too, because those are probably the only areas where someone can do a renovation, turn it over to a first-time homebuyer, and make it profitable for everybody.”

Increasing demand

In 2021 and 2022, interest rates were low and the national housing market saw a boom. But then things changed.

Today, there’s more demand than supply in the nationwide housing market, or a “sellers market,” said Mario Greco, a real estate agent and founder of Berkshire Hathaway’s MG Group, a Chicago real estate firm.

“Right now, the market is a contradiction: Interest rates are high and inventory is very low, but buyers have gotten used to interest rates being higher and they are looking for things to buy and there isn’t enough for them to buy,” he said.

This means for people looking to buy, there might be lots of competition for a few available homes, and many prospective homeowners may encounter multiple-offer situations, according to Greco. Higher prices in the market means buyers will spend more on a downpayment and are therefore looking for a turnkey property — one that is move-in ready and doesn’t need expensive renovations.

On a regional level, there’s a fairly flat population in Chicago, so the city overall is not seeing a ton of price growth, compared with other markets. But as areas away from downtown and the Loop are becoming more coveted, the market for some neighborhoods on the West Side is more volatile.

From January 2000 to June 2023, the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul tracked quarterly

price trends for single-family homes in more than 30 submarkets in the city and suburban Cook County. The team’s research indicates prices have increased more, and faster, in some neighborhoods on the West Side.

In the Humboldt Park/Garfield Park market, prices have gone up by 330% since the bottom of the market in 2013. Since the pandemic began in 2020, its prices have increased by 61%. These are some of the highest rates in the city, Smith said, which indicates a flow of demand into the neighborhoods. While prices in this area are still considered relatively affordable, with the median sale price below the city average at $215,000, concerns about affordability for long-term residents still loom.

The Austin/Belmont Cragin market, where the median sale price sits at $275,000, has seen a price increase of more than 150% since 2013. Before the second half of 2023, this submarket was previously the only submarket with single-family home prices lower than its bubble-era peak before the recession.

By contrast, the Lakeview/Lincoln Park submarket saw just a 29% price increase since 2013. Its median sale price is a hefty $1.28 million.

“I would say in the past three or four years, I’ve seen the prices increase in Austin,” said Lorena Ramirez-Carrillo, a designated managing real estate broker and owner of YUB Realty. “We all know that gentrification happens all the time, right?”

She said she believes in a couple of years, Austin is going to be “kind of like Logan Square” in terms of an influx of new residents.

Geoff Smith Executive director and principal investigator of the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University