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AUSTIN WEEKLY news ■ Rep. La Shawn K. Ford on confronting carjackings, PAGE 5
Vol. 32 No.20
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May 16, 2018
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austinweeklynews.com
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Also serving Garfield Park
@AustinWeeklyChi
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Marseill Jackson k takes k on radio, page 3
Budgets to increase at Austin schools
Eleven of 17 Austin schools to get small funding boosts By ANALISA TROFIMUK AustinTalks
Fewer Austin schools will see funding cuts next year compared to this year. Six of Austin’s 17 schools will see cuts ranging from -0.17 percent to -6.5 percent, while the remaining 11 schools will see increases ranging from 0.06 percent to 3.97 percent. George Leland Elementary School is facing the largest budget cut at -6.5 percent, leaving the school with $3,683,437 for the year, while John Hay Community Academy will receive a 3.97 percent increase, with $2,434,529. Last year, school budgets were not available this early. Chicago Teachers Union Communications Director Chris Geovanis said the earlier release makes it slightly easier for principals to staff the schools before the start of the school year. “Without additional funds to hire in more teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, social workers, school nurses and other vital staff, we can expect that the hardships that students and CPS members experience because of the mayor’s constant shortchanging of educational needs will, in fact, persist,” Geovanis said. Jennie Biggs, communications director of the parent advocacy group Raise Your Hand, said the last five years of budgeting delays has been a nightmare. “There is a general lack of trust in those See SCHOOL BUDGETS on page 10
In praise of mothers
SEBASTIAN HIDALGO/Contributor
Members of Greater St. John Bible Church worship during a special Mother’s Day service held at Ella Flag Young Elementary School in Austin on May 13. Far left, the church’s pastor, Rev. Ira Acree. Story and photos on page 4.
Austin bakery opens brick-and-mortar shop Schweet Foods, once online-only, opens at 5051 W. Chicago Ave.
By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter
Austin residents and customers from as far away as Atlanta filled a tiny storefront space on May 12 to get some cheesecakes and other pastries at Schweet Foods, 5051 W. Chicago Ave., officially opened its first brickand-mortar location in Austin. Schweet was founded by Camille and Bri-
an Weddington. They started out online before taking their wares to markets and festivals throughout Chicago. They were the first tenants at the Boombox popup retail space, which launched last fall near the intersection of Chicago and Mayfield Avenues. The weekend opening was the culmination of ambitions the married couple, both lifelong West Siders, have harbored for quite some time. It all started with a cheesecake
recipe his wife learned from her grandmother. The couple took the recipe and “kind of made it our own,” Brian said. “We started out [cooking] for the holidays,” he said. “[Then], we got a brilliant idea that we should make some money off of it.” The business started out exclusively online, with the couple selling several differ-
Austin Chamber of Commerce on the move... 773.854.5848 • www.austinchicagochamber.com
See SCHWEET FOODS on page 6