AustinWeeklyNews_040925 by Wednesday Journal

Parade honors King, 57 years af ter his death

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

It’s been 57 years since Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed in Memphis, Tennessee.

When King was assassinated in 1968, the shock waves were felt on Chicago’s West Side, where protests, looting and fires consumed stretches of Madison Street and Roosevelt Road. Many of these areas have yet to be restored.

To commemorate the minister and civil rights activist, and the impact he had on Chicago’s West Side, local clergy and community members marched about a mile from Divine Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church to Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church in North Lawndale — the neighborhood where King lived for eight months in 1966, starting a campaign to improve housing in the area.

The Christian Council on Urban Af fairs organized the involvement of elected officials, residents and over 40 local pastors. After the march, more than 100 people gathered for a rally at Stone Temple, where King once preached while fighting inequity in Chicago.

Rev. Paul Jakes of the New Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church said his family went to watch King preach at the church, and he got to meet King.

“Something happened to me when he shook my hand, and I haven’t been the

BANNOR

Austin church seeks donations for new roof

New Inspirational Missionar y Baptist Chur hopes to raise $55K by May 18

By JESSICA MORD Staf

A small Austin roof is looking for help to buy a new one New Inspirational Missionary Church moved into the W. Division Street in 1985. a theater became the property owner donated the to the church. But the structed in the 1930s and needed of f the bat.

“From ‘85, we struggled to bring it up to where we are no the church’s founding and sole pastor, told Austin Weekly News. “You spend $1,000 in material to cover maybe 300 or 400 square feet. But then you patch that, and in another month or so, in another area, your [roof] walls are collapsing.”

Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Operations Associate Susan Babin

The church has continually had to patch leaks in the roof since moving into the building. The re pairs are getting worse and are too costly to keep up with.

“I’ve had several contractors that have said, ‘Listen, you’ re wasting good money,’” Griffin said of the patchwork repairs. Contractors suggest a brand-new roof, estimated at $55,000 — an amount the church has struggled to work toward with its declining membership since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Griffin said New Inspirational has about 30 members who live in Austin, Lawndale and Chicago’s South Side. But the church had more before the pandemic.

While Griffin said he doesn’t know why some members didn’t return to the church, existing ones can’t finance a new roof on their own. And if ignored, the damaged roof will cause additional structural issues to the building, which could ne gatively impact visitor safety.

So, Griffin said the church will “just use what we got and keep going,” adding that he has no intention of closing the church if it can’t raise $55,000 immediately. Whatever the church collects, a contractor will use that money to start re placing

the roof on the building’s west end while fundraising ef for ts continue. Contractors will re place the remaining parts of the roof in stages.

“We’ re definitely not going to close our doors,” Griffin said. “We’ re not going to stop until the roof is done.”

At the time of publication, Griffin said New Inspirational Missionary Baptist Church has raised about $5,000 of its $55,000 goal. Starting in mid-March, the church launched its Go Fund Me page and started advertising its needs in Austin and Lawndale.

Those interested in donating can find a Go Fund Me link on the church’s Facebook page, send a check payable to New Inspirational Missionary Baptist Church, or drop of f contributions at the church inperson on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or any time in the building’s mailbox. Donors can also attend the climax of the church’s fundraising ef for ts at 5825 W. Division Street on May 18 at 3 p.m.

“If it’s fulfilled by the 18th of May, then we’ ll thank God for it,” Grif fin said of the $55,000 goal. “But if we don’t have enough for the contractors by the 18th, we’re going to continue.”

The New Inspirational mission

In addition to keeping members protected from the weather during Sunday services, a new roof would also help the church continue to host other efforts, including programs that provide disaster relief, emotional counseling, and food for the homeless and elderly The church has even helped pay rent for West Side residents

Funding for such efforts “came out of our pockets and mainly came from our congregation,” Griffin said.

For example, the church, other organizations and Austin community members raised money and collected donations for Rolling Fork, Mississippi after a tornado devastated the community in 2023.

“Some people in rural areas after the storm, their transportation was demolished,” Griffin said. Church members and volunteers took several trucks full of donated supplies to those locations

And the church has been a part of disaster relief efforts at home, too.

After heavy rainstorms in the summer of 2023, hundreds of West Side residences were flooded. Many are still living in homes with standing water or water damage.

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Senior Advisor Dan Haley

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Eric Weinheimer

Treasurer Nile Wendorf

Deb Abrahamson, Mary Cahillane, Steve Edwards, Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson

Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson

HOW TO REACH US

141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302

PHONE 773-626-6332 • FAX 708-467-9066

CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.com

ONLINE www.AustinWeeklyNews.com

PROVIDED

MLK MARCH

King’s legacy from page 1

same,” Jakes said. Jakes experienced a similar feeling hearing of the pastor’s death. “I can remember years ago, when hearing about Dr. King’s assassination, it certainly changed my life.”

Decades after King’s presence in Chicago and his death, last week’s rally celebrated inclusivity and love, while speakers denounced the current presidential administration and how it has eliminated necessary public services and programs.

“This is not time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous, positive action,” Jakes said, quoting King. “And here we are 57 years later, fighting the same fight, dealing with someone who is in the

Oval Office who cares less about us, who cares less about Medicaid, who cares less about social security, saving military veterans programs and wraparound programs, and the lives of those who are outside and people who need to be cared for.”

“We have decided, as clergy, that we are not going back,” Jakes added. “This is our hope, this is our faith, that we shall be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together.”

While the Trump administration threatens diversity, equity and inclusion ef for ts across the country, local officials reco gnize that there have been advancements against racism, though it certainly still exists.

“If you think there ain’t been no change, you get a book and read history,” said U.S. Congressman Danny Davis. “There are folks now trying to take all of that change away, trying to take us back to prehistoric times in our country … They want to break your

Marching in North Lawndale

spirit, that’s what they’re really trying to do They’ll cut everything that is good and beneficial for poor folks in this country,” he said, like Medicaid and SNAP benefits.

But there is progress being made.

Davis gave an example from the U.S. Senate, which passed a bill last week to stop tariffs on Canadian goods.

“As a result of the crowds of people who are showing up, there were four Republican senators who voted against Trump yesterday,” Davis said at the rally. The bill will now be voted on in the House of Representatives Davis also said that, despite Elon Musk spending over $20 million earlier this month

to support Republican Brad Schimel in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race, Democratbacked Susan Crawford won.

“You don’ t always have to have the most money, if you’ve got the most faith, you will have the faith of a mustard seed and say to yonder mountain, move. And the mountain will g et out of the way,” Davis said, referencing a Bible passage from the book of Matthew.

“Martin Luther King taught us to believe that all things are possible if you only believe,” Davis added. “He taught us that you might give out, but don’ t give up. We’ve come too far.”

Rev. Paul Jakes addresses march participants at Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church on April 4.

JESSICA MOR DACQ

TODD BANNOR

and organizers

West Side residents demand local hiring from new owners of Galewood bakery

New corporate owners agree to follow up meeting with demonstrators

By MICHAEL LIPTROT Block Club Chicago

West Side residents are urging the new owners of a Galewood bakery to prioritize local hiring practices instead of using temporary employment agencies to find workers.

Organizers and workers from the Cloverhill Bakery gathered last week in front of bakery facilities at 2035 N. Narragansett

Ave. The bakery, for merly owned by The J.M. Smucker Company, was sold to JTM Foods, LLC as part of a $40 million transaction that was finalized March 3, according to a JTM representative. Workers organized a “speak-out” demonstration, hosted by a local job placement program, aimed at the bakery’s Pennsylvania-based owners after it failed to answer multiple requests to discuss preserving local community hiring practices.

“Not only am I a worker here at [Cloverhill Bakery], now controlled by JTM, but I am also part of the community. I live just down the block,” said Javier Soberanis, who is also a member of the bargaining unit of the bakery’s union, Local 30 of the Chemical and Production Workers Union. “I find it unfair that my neighbors, my friends don’t get first dibs here for an opportunity here.”

For decades, Cloverhill Bakery was al-

most fully staffed by temp workers, according to material distributed by organizers Monday. But for the past seven years, community organizers worked to include local hiring with Hostess Brands, the owner of Cloverhill Bakery that was acquired by J.M. Smucker in 2023.

The current union contract, which expires May 31, limits the use of temp agen-

MICHAEL LIPTROT/BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO

Workers

call for the preservation of local hiring practices by JTM Foods LLC in front of Cloverhill Bakery, 2035 N. Narragansett Ave., on March 31.

GALEWOOD BAKERY

from page 5

cies “as a hiring hall to screen employees/ workers for employment” for entry-level employees within a 120-day probationary period, according to union documents. After 120 days, employees are considered senior employees. For the first 30 days of an employee hired by a temp agency, the agency pays the employee, with the employee being placed on the bakery’s payroll after the 30th day, according to the union contract.

Organizers said there is a high turnover rate of workers hired by temp agencies within the first two weeks of employment. Temp employees can often work 12-hour shifts and may receive inadequate training because of over-hiring amid short-term production demands, organizers said.

Demonstrators advocated for more local, direct hiring that they argue will provide more support for employees through the 120-day probationary period and decrease turnover.

Labor organizing groups including Black Workers Matter and Working Family Soli-

darity joined Cloverhill Bakery employees at the speak-out. Edie Jacobs, an Austin resident who started the community-based job placement program Get to Work, Inc., led demonstrators as they marched to the front door of the bakery.

The group demanded to speak with the company’s human resources staf f, presenting letters from elected officials such as county Commissioner Tara Stamps and state Sen. Lakesia Collins.

As organizers left, Michelle Samluk, JTM Foods senior human resource director, and Joe Amboyer, JTM Foods vice president of operations, approached with hiring fliers.

“We use temp agencies in all our facilities, and we literally j ust purchased thi s facility March 3, so we ’re brand new, ” Amboye r said. “We’ re still t rying to learn the business and understand how it wo rks here. ”

The day ended with organizers and JTM Foods executives ag reeing to meet. Organizers said they viewed the demonstration as a win.

“It was a success for us to be out today and make things happen,” Jacobs said. “They go t the message. They had to come out and answer to us because otherwise this wasn’t going to be the last round” of demonstrations

LUNCH & COMMUNITY

Kehrein Center for the Arts | 5628 Washington Boulevard April 11, May 9 | 11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

VIVA LA VIDA

National Museum of Mexican Art | 1852 W. 19th Street April 24 | 1:00–3:00 p.m.

WALKING & WELLNESS CLUB

Salvation Army Freedom Center | 825 N. Christiana Avenue Fridays | 8:30–10:00 a.m.

MICHAEL LIPTROT/BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO

Workers and organizers march for local hiring by JTM Foods, LLC at Cloverhill Baker y, 2035 N. Narragansett Ave.

Mary Baldwin, board member and former CHA resident, sings during the ribbon cutting ceremony of the National Public Housing Museum, 919 S. Ada St., in Little Italy on April 4.

National Museum of Public Housing:

‘This is a destination’

The museum, in the works since the late ’90s, opened Friday in the last remaining building from the Chicago Housing Authority’s Jane Addams Homes

By FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Block Club Chicago

The visions of housing advocates and cultural leaders were realized F riday when for mer public housing neighbors, city and state officials joined do z ens of suppo rters for the gr and opening of the National Museum of Public Housing.

“This is a d estination. This always will be, always has b een,” said CHA b oard member and longtime public housing a dvo cate Francine Washington at the museum’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This is a p lace we have to see.”

T he opening is the culmination of a dream that star ted more than 18 years ago when for mer public housing residents, a dvo cates and preservationists org anized to

create a museum to preserve the stories of p eople wh o have lived in public housing

Deverra Beverly, housing commissioner, advocate and for mer Chicago Housing Authority resident, was a major force behind the push for a museum. Beverly, who died in 2013, org anized ag ainst the CH A’s plan to demolish 11 public housing developments, displacing thousands of residents without providing alternative homes

S unny Fischer, museum co-founder and b oard chai r, said Beve rly wanted “to leave something so that our children and our gr andchildren will know that we were here, that we existed as a community.”

A lmost 20 years later, Beve rly c ould not see her visio n c ome true. Yet, her le ga cy will live on in the museum’s “new home,” Fischer said.

Construction of the museum faced years of challenges

Onlookers peruse Edgar Miller sculptures at the National Public Housing Museum.

An audience member shows his appreciation.

An Austin Weekly News partner

amid the resilience of advocates, preservationists and public housing residents. Lisa Lee, the museum’s executive director, said it will be a place for important conversations to learn from the p ast and build a b etter c ollective future.

“The National Public Housing Museum is a clario n c all — loud, clear and unwave ring — to our nation of the importance of historical fact and truth, of the importance of preserving dive r se p eople’s stories and sharing this histor y, ” she said.

T he museum was built i nside the last remaining building from the CH A’s Jane A ddams Homes — one of the public housing projects that was pa rt of the ABLA (Addams, Brooks, Loomi s, Abbott) Homes.

Marshall Hatch, a prominent West Side leader, live d in the Jane A ddams Homes with his f amily for 12 year s,

COLIN BOYLE/BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO

A cut above.

a p lace for an “ ideal childhood,” he previously said. Now, visitors c an tour Hatch’s recreated apar tment in the museum’s Historic Ap ar tments exhibition.

“Tod ay, we re cognize more than j ust an opening of a museum. This is a preservation of vital histor y, ” Mayo r Brandon Johnson said.

Johnson, a West Side r, said Friday that the city remains c ommitted to expanding af fordable and public housing .

A long with the museum, 15 housing units i nside

Lisa Lee, National Public Housing Museum executive director, smiles dur ing the National Public Housing Museum opening ceremony, 919 S. Ada St., in Little Italy.

e National Public Housing Museum.

the restored Jane A ddams Homes, 1322 W. Taylor St., have b een c ompleted and leased. Two hundred units have b een built on the Roosevelt Square development housed on the for mer ABLA Homes site. Th e city is also building 1,800 af fordable units and 4,600 are anticipated in the next 18 months, Johnson said.

“It’s a human right and I’m g onna do everything in my powe r to re populate the city of Chicago with wo rk ing people,” Johnson said.

If you go

The National Museum of Public Housing, 919 S. Ada St., is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, with extended hours until 8 p.m. Thursday.

Visitors can access the museum for free, except for the Historic Apartments exhibition. Tickets for a 60-minute guided tour of the Historic Apartments exhibition are $25 for adults and $15 for seniors, students ages 18-24 and children ages 6-18.

COLIN BOYLE/BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO

Mayor Brandon Johnson addresses attendees at the National Public Housing Museum.

COLIN BOYLE/BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO

HELP WANTED

Human Resources Manager (Original)

IT Support Analyst II (Original)

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

Human Resources Manager (Original)

IT Support Analyst II (Original)

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

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 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.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC Plaintiff, -v.UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW AND LEGATEES OF LORETHA WILLIAMS A/K/A LOURETHA WILLIAMS, ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, STATE OF ILLINOIS, WILLIAM P. BUTCHER, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF LORETHA WILLIAMS A/K/A LOURETHA WILLIAMS, DECEASED, TRACY A. WILLIAMS, ETHEL WILLIAMS, MINNIE FOUNTAIN, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants 2019 CH 13445 1007 N. LARAMIE AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60651

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

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 19 7607. 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.

JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC

30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650 Chicago IL, 60602 312-541-9710

E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com

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

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSORIN-INTEREST TO U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-KS9 Plaintiff, -v.RESTORATION TIME INC., REGINALD KEARNEY, LUCY VALENTINE, SPRINGCASTLE FINANCE FUNDING TRUST, THROUGH ITS TRUSTEE WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Defendants 23 CH 7537 2535 WEST WARREN BOULEVARD CHICAGO, IL 60612

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 13, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 14, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 2535 WEST WARREN BOULEVARD, CHICAGO, IL 60612 Property Index No. 16-12-427-0140000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $178,398.11.

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

For information, contact The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2801 LAKESIDE DRIVE, SUITE 207, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 2911717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 23-099520. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

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

E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com

Attorney File No. 23-099520

Attorney Code. 42168

Case Number: 23 CH 7537 TJSC#: 45-544

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 # 23 CH 7537 I3263693

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 29, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 16, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1007 N. LARAMIE AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60651

Property Index No. 16-04-407-0160000 (Vol. 545)

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $117,997.79.

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.

Attorney File No. 19 7607

Attorney Code. 40342

Case Number: 2019 CH 13445 TJSC#: 45-608

Case # 2019 CH 13445 I3263910

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.

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: 1-800-669-9777.

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA