Austin Weekly News 060524

West Siders backing Ald. Mitts

call on

Ald. RamirezRosa to resign

The appeal comes amid controversy over a coveted position and repor ts of assault

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Community leaders gathered at North Waller Ave. and West Superior St. in Austin May 27 to call for the resignation of Carlos Ramire z-Rosa, alderman of Chicago’s 35th Ward, which covers parts of the Avondale, Hermosa and Logan Square neighborhoods.

They also called for the Office of Inspector General to investigate Ramire z-Rosa and his staf f. The press conference came after an online post from Raymond Lopez, alderman of the 15th Ward. Lopez said that Charles Sirridge, one of Ramire zRosa’s staf f members, was charged with aggravated assault in November for cursing at Lopez

Chicago Westside Sports starts swinging into 6th baseball season

Opening day was June 1 for the Chicago Westside Police and Youth Spor ts Conference

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

On June 1, several hundred children, parents, neighbors and organizations came together at Garfield Park’s Little League Field for Chicago Westside Sports’ opening day of baseball.

After a 9 a.m. parade heading south on Central Park Ave., and an opening ceremony, the first pitch of the season was thrown at 10 a.m. to kick of f the sixth year of the Chicago Westside Police and Youth Sports Conference.

TODD BANNOR

Baseball teams and suppor ters walk in

Chicago Westside Police and Youth Parade of Teams on Saturday June 1, 2024.

$10,000isrequiredtoopentheaccountandtoobtainthestatedAPY.Feesmayreduceearningsonthe account. Apenaltymaybeimposedforearlywithdrawal.Offerisfornewmoneyonly.

ASSAULT

Mitts support

from page 1

wanted to disenfranchise by stopping her from going to council,” Easley added. “To make sure that the Black vote and voice is not properly counted in gover nment.”

‘A bet between colleagues, rather than the disrespect of the voters’

outside of the City Hall Chambers, according to Politico. In May, Ramire z-Rosa was seen in court in support of Sir ridge.

This charge follows reports in November of Ramire z-Rosa assaulting Ald. Emma Mitts of the 37th Ward, which serves Austin and Humboldt Park

Officials calling for Ald. Ramire z-Rosa to step down said his actions support a culture of violence that they want checked, especially after word that he will likely be appointed as chair of the city’s housing committee, a spot that was promised to Ald. Mitts, the Sun-Times re ported.

Aldermen Lopez, Mitts, and Ramire z-Rosa did not respond to requests for comment.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, during a city council meeting in November, Ramire z-Rosa harassed and manhandled Mitts to keep her from voting for a referendum to allow voters to have a say on Chicago’s sanctuary city status.

After Ramierez-Rosa physically restricted Mitts from voting, she left the meeting and the vote was tabled for a later date, said attendee P. Rae Easley, founder of Chicago Red, the organization that hosted the May 27 press conference and aims to engage and empower conservative voters.

Following her assault, Mitts addressed the city council during another meeting attended by Easley

“What she said is that it made her feel like she was back in the South. It made her feel like she could not do her job properly. It made her feel physically sick,” said Easley, a lifelong resident of Chicago’s West Side Mitts later said in a statement that she forgave him, although some say she wasn’t the only one wronged.

“Emma Mitts is not the only victim. The main victims are the people that Carlos

Mitts told the Sun-Times that Mayor Brandon Johnson asked her in April to chair the housing committee. She said she would replace Alderman Byron SigchoLopez of the 25th Ward, who would move to the city’s zoning committee. In March, Sigcho-Lopez faced backlash from other aldermen, including Ald. Chris Taliafer ro of the 29th Ward, when he spoke at a rally where a United States flag was bur ned

But in May, Mitts said a mayoral advisor called to tell her that the Latino Caucus wanted to replace Sigcho-Lopez with another Latino — Ramirez-Rosa.

While the council has yet to vote on mayoral appointees for a new chair, Ramirez-Rosa could be chosen, considering he resigned as the city council’s floor leader and chair of the zoning committee days after the November council meeting where he assaulted Mitts.

“Alderman Ramirez-Rosa has acknowledged his transgressions, apologized to his colleagues and committed himself to rebuilding trust,” Johnson said in a statement announcing Ramire z-Rosa’s resignation.

Yet some aren’t sure the alderman really did throw in the towel for his leadership positions.

“We have no evidence that he ever resigned,” Easley said, adding that an attempt to file a public records request for Ramirez-Rosa’s resignation letter came back saying there was no resignation letter. “Carlos still carries himself as if he’s the floor leader.” Johnson has not named a new floor leader.

“We want Brandon Johnson to directly address this culture of violence,” Easley said. “We’re making this about a bet between colleagues, rather than the disrespect of the voters in my ward.”

AUSTIN’S BANK FOR OVER 100 YEARS.

¡BENEFICIOS A TU ALCANCE!

El Benefits Access Network trabaja para conectar a nuestros vecinos en Austin y a través de Chicago con beneficios alimentarios y médicos, como SNAP (Link) y Medicaid. La asistencia es gratuita.

PARA CONOCER MÁS, VISITA: bancodealimentoschicago.org/BAN

Esta institución es un proveedor y empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. Este proyecto se ha financiado en parte con fondos federales del Departamento de Agricultura de los EE.UU. El contenido de esta publicación no necesariamente refleja la opinión o las políticas del Departamento de Agricultura de los EE.UU, ni la mención de nombres comerciales, productos comerciales u organizaciones implica apoyo del gobierno de los EE.UU.

PROVIDED

Emma Mitts

COLIN BOYLE/BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO

Carlos Ramirez-Rosa

80 years later,

A Galewood w

By HOPE BAKER

Contributing Reporter

June 6 marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when more than 150,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, as part of the largest seaborne invasion in history.

Oak Park native James Francis Collins was a decorated World War II veteran and a D-Day survivor. His daughter Grace Collins is honoring the 80th anniversary of that fateful day by sharing her late father’s story. Her father enlisted at just 18 in March 1943. He was honorably discharged with the rank of PFC in December 1945.

“It is important to me because my dad is a hero,” said Grace Collins, who now lives in Galewood. “I have a hard time reconciling the joking, loving father with the boy of that day. He did not like to speak of that day. He brushed it of f by saying the real heroes died on that beach.”

James Collins was one of 10 children. He and three of his older brothers enlisted during World War II and they all returned home safely after serving in the military. As a child, he attended Ascension School in Oak Park and then went to Fenwick High School. Collins left halfway through his se-

“He knew he had a responsibility to his country and to what was right,” Grace Collins said.

On D-Day, Collins was part of the fourth wave of soldiers to storm Omaha Beach, one of the five landing areas along the 50mile stretch of the Normandy coast.

Throughout his life, Collins never discussed the details of D-Day with his family. However, that changed in 1998 when he decided to open up about it. He was 74. His niece’s 18-year-old son had just announced that he was joining the U.S. Marines, and because his niece and her husband wanted to better understand what their son was getting into, they turned to Collins for insight about his years in the military. For the first time, he told his family all about what he had experienced on June 6, 1944. Collins, his daughter said, told his family that after his boat landed on Omaha Beach, all he could do was run a few yards because the machine gun fire from the top of the clif fs was so intense. He was then able to climb into a fox hole that had been dug by another solider from a previous wave. In

order to enter the fox hole, he had to pull a deceased soldier out so he could get in. Once the gunfire weakened, he was able to advance farther up the beach and reunite with his squad.

“What he went through was just so frightening and he was only 19 years old,” Grace Collins said.

Collins told his family that the bravest men he saw that day were Navy signalmen who stood with their backs to the machine gun fire. He said they held flags and guided landing crafts so they could maneuver and avoid underwater stanchions. Collins told his family that when a signalman was killed, another one would pick up the flags and take over. In Collins’ eyes, those men were the most selfless that day.

After he was discharged in December 1945, C ollins returned to Oak Pa rk and started wo rk ing at Burt’s S hoes on La ke Street. S oon after, he be g an dating a f ellow Oak Pa rk native named Patricia Gale, who also wo rked on La ke Street, at T he Fair Stor e. Collins had been just tw o

years older than Gale when they we re k ids at Ascension School. T he two married, move d to C harlotte N. C. and had eight children. A lthough they move d to the south, the f amily re g ularly c ame back to the Oak Pa rk area for f amily reunions. C ollins, who died at 76, spent his career selling textiles. Fo r f un, he c oached youth football.

“He was such a natural coach,” Grace Collins said. “He could teach any kid how to play football.”

She added that although her father rarely spoke about being a veteran, he was a very patriotic man who loved the Four th of July.

“He carried a pocket-sized version of the Constitution with him at all times,” she said. “The Constitution was very impor tant to him.”

Grace Collins also recalled the answer her dad gave her when she would ask him about their family’s heritage as a kid.

“When I’d ask ‘What are we? Are we Irish?’

“‘No,’” he would say, “‘you’re American.’”

CREDIT MARY GR AC E COLLINS

James Francis Collins Sr with Band of Brother

CREDIT MARY GR AC E COLLINS

James Francis Collins

Baseball teams and suppor ters walk in the Chicago Westside Police and Youth Parade of Teams Saturday June 1, 2024.

“That says a lot about the health of the community and the commitment to the kids and the neighborhoods and the blocks,” Marquardt said. “You create this really great community around the kids.”

Responsibilities include maintaining a personal and professional schedule, coordinating meetings and events. Must be reliable and arrive at appointments on time. The ideal candidate must have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and must be incredibly organized with a strong work ethic.

The league brings together children from Austin, Garfield Park and North Lawndale with volunteer coaches in the form of police from the 10th, 11th, 15th, and 25th Districts of the Chicago Police Department, plus leaders of faith-based and nonprofit organizations.

But the Chicago Westside Police and Youth Sports Conference is about more than just baseball.

Co-founders Stephanie Marquardt, Lieutenant Jermaine Harris of the 15th District and Pastor Steve Epting from Hope Church created Chicago Westside in 2018 to offer baseball, basketball and archery to children on the West Side. But participating children also gain mentorship and learn character building from local leaders.

“Our purpose is to create a vision that’s big enough so that all of our organizations, businesses, churches and block clubs can see themselves in it,” Epting said.

Of the over 60 adults involved, all are volunteers who give up to ten hours a week to coaching teams and organizing games, Marquardt said.

At the baseball games, nonprofit organizations often bring resources to distribute, like groceries or a van for medical screenings.

“There’s relationships being built throughout this ef fort, and there are also resources being identified throughout this ef fort,” Epting said. “That’s what neighborhood is all about, us connecting in ways that we probably wouldn’t have if Westside Sports wasn’t in place.”

Chicago Westside Sports also offers free basketball leagues to approximately 500 participants annually and, in past years, archery lessons.

And its current baseball season continued June 2 as nearly 300 girls and boys in third through eighth grade played their first games of summer at Columbus Park Franklin Park, Garfield Park, La Follette Park, Levin Park and Moore Park. On opening day June 1, there were also about 70 local vendors present and a peace march organized by Pastor Cy Fields.

“It really has turned into an all-West Side, all-organization, let’s come around the kids and build community kind of a day,” Marquardt said.

TODD BANNOR

AU STIN WEEKLY news

Editor Erika Hobbs

Sta Reporters Jessica Mordacq Amaris E. Rodriguez

Special projects reporter Delaney

Digital Manager Stac y Colema

Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Dunc

Reporting Partners Block Club, Au

Columnists Arlene Jones, Aish

Design/Production Manager Andrew

Editorial Design Manager Javier Go

Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Ga

Sales & Marketing Representatives

Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe

Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wa

Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projects Manager Susan

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Judy Gre n

Treasurer Nile Wendor

Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

HOW TO REACH US

June 5-12

BIG WEEK

Men’s Night Out BBQ Cook-o

Wednesday, June 12, 4 to 7 p.m. BUILD Chicago

Join in for an evening of f ood, basketball, games yoga, reiki and hai rc uts Q uestions? Contac t Taesean B ro wnlee at taeseanbro wnlee@ buildchicago.org.

The Austin Town Hall Farmers Market

Every Thursday until Oc t. 31

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 Austin

Don’t forget to stop by the market for your fresh food x and to chat up the neighbors. Need a ride? Check out this year’s trolley. 5610 W. Lake S A Growing Community Media Partnership

Austin’s Got Talent III

Friday, June 7 6 to 9 p.m.

Kehrein Center for the Arts

Top 10 contenders will strut their stuff at this talent show sponsored by Chicago’s 15 th police district and Meridian. Wi nners take home cash prizes! DJ Phantom will be in the mix. It’s free and open to the public. 5628 W. Washington Bl vd.

Let’s Grow Together Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 8 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Proviso East High School

Th is Juneteenth celebration is hosted in part by YourPassion1st. Join them for a festi ve day that is dedicated to holistic wellness! Register here: https://ow.ly/Prh350S47An. 807 S. 1 st Ave., Maywood

Historic Community Gardens of Nor th Lawndale

Virtual event, date to be announced. Chicago Architecture Center Discover the stories behind empty North Lawndale lots that have become beautiful havens for residents to share gardening skills and gather outdoors for peace circles, storytelling, art and music events and outdoor recess. The discussion will highlight nine of more than 50 community gardens in the neighborhood, and examine how they are steering North Lawndale toward a safer, more sustainable future. Moderated by architect Odile Compagnon. Ticket sales for end three hours prior to the event. It is a free event, but you must register

Annual Pride Month is in full swin

Celebrations of identity and self-expression invigorate the West Suburbs and Chicago

By ALEX GOLDSTEIN Contributing Reporter

As June marks a month of celebration in LGBTQ+ communities nationwide, the Western suburbs and West Side are no strangers to the festivities.

Looking to celebrate? Here are concerts, parades, scavenger hunts and other events you don’t want to miss.

Oak Park/River Forest

Wednesday Matinee Film Series: “Pride”

Wednesday, June 12, Oak Park Public Library Veterans Room, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

This film screening highlights a friendship between a mining community in Wales and a group of London-based queer activists. Re gistration is limited

Grandad’s Pride Parade & Craft

Monday, June 17, Oak Park Public Library outside plaza, 11 a.m. to noon

This craft hour will start with a reading of “Grandad’s Pride” outside the main library. Afterward, staff will scatter ribbons throughout Scoville Park for participants to find to create their own rainbow wands.

Pride Shake, Rattle & Read with Oak Park Public Library

Tuesday, June 20 , Lindberg Park, 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

This storytime session features books, songs and games centered around identity, self-expression and love Weather permitting, the event will feature a visit from the Oak Park Book Bike, OPPL’s mobile library where patrons can learn about services and programs, check out books and apply for a library card.

2024 Oak Park Pride Party

Saturday, June 22, Village Hall South Lawn, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Participants should bring their rainbow-themed outfits for this family-friendly celebration. Hosted by the Village of Oak Park, it will feature ice cream, face painting, a DJ, games, a bounce house and a magician.

Brunchin’ Beauties drag show

Saturday, June 29

Two shows at Kettlestrings Tavern, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the OPRF Chamber of Commerce, this year’s event features two drag shows, up from one due to popular demand, along with drinks, mocktails and a fourcourse meal.

Pride

Kite Kits

Forest Park

June 1 to June 17, Forest Park Public Library

Starting on the first day of Pride Month, the library will distribute make-your-own kite kits to library patrons for pride-themed decoration. Participants must return their kite by June 17 for display at the library and a chance to win an Escape Factor gift card.

The winner will be drawn July 5. Participants who wish to be entered in the raffle must include their name somewhere on the kite. Re gistration is limited

Rainbow Dance Party Pride Storytime

Thursday, June 20, Forest Park Public Library Austin Room, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Celebrate love and self-expression with a morning of music and movement at the Forest Park Public Library. The event is designed for children ages six and under, accompanied by a parent. Re gistration is limited

Forest Park Annual Pride Fest

Friday, June 21, Constitution Court, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Co-hosted by the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association (OPALGA+), Play it Again Sports and Robert’s Westside, admission is free to this evening of drag performances, live music, food and drinks.

Pisco 4 Pride

Friday, June 21, Table and Lain, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Featuring cocktails, appetizers, a live DJ, dancing and a drag show, all proceeds from ticket sales for this community party will go towards OPALGA+ fundraising.

Riverside/Brook eld and Ber wyn

Teen Craft: Rainbow Bookmarks

Wednesday, June 12, Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Library patrons are invited to make their own rainbow bookmarks. Re gistration is required and limited, but walkins are welcome to observe.

Fifth Annual Berwyn Pride Walk

Saturday, June 24, Beginning at Stanley Av enue and Gunderson Av enue, noon. to 2 p.m.

The Progress and Pride LGBTQ+ Youth Advocate Panel will precede the parade at noon at Youth Crossroads, where youth activists will welcome participants and provide insights on challenges and triumphs in the community.

The parade starts outside Youth Crossroads at 1 p.m., loops around Proksa Park and ends at 2 p.m. with a Juneteenth celebration.

West Side/Chicago

Film screening: The Kids Are Alright

Wednesday, June 5, Chicago Public Library — Branch, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p

This romantic comedy is a tale of commitment and the emotional flows of raising children in a queer relationship. It’s a part of the Chicago Public Library’s Community Cinema program.

West Side Chicago Gay/LGBTQ+ Ride

Sunday, June 23, Starting at 2 p.m. at Joey G’s Mac n’ Cheese, Augusta Boulevard. and Western Av enue

This event is tailored to enthusiasts of bikes, motorcycles, scooters and other two-wheeled contraptions. Joey G’s Mac n’ Cheese organized the ride through Chicago’s West Side as a celebration of love, identity, diversity and the community for med around riding in groups. Participants are free to don their pride-themed gear, and no prior re gistration is required.

Film screening: Bros

Thursday, June 27, Chica go Public Library — Austin Branch, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.,

This coming-of-age film follows a gay couple’s journey from attraction to commitment as they expose their vulnerabilitie s. It ’s shown as a pa rt of the Chicago Public Library’s Community Cinema pr ogr am.

Pride Picnic — Chicago Urban Pride

Sunday, June 30

Be ginning at Jackson Pa rk from noon to 8 p.m. with an after party at The Promontory from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

This free and family-friendly picnic will feature live DJs, entertainment, giveaways and food. The after party is limited to patrons 21 and over.

PRIDEChicago’s Chicago Pride Parade

Saturday, June 30, Starting at West Sheridan Road and North Broadway at 11 a.m.

On the last Sunday of June for more than 50 years, the organization PRIDEChicago has topped of f the month of celebration with a procession through Lakeview and Lincoln Park. It’s one of the city and country’s most widely known and well-attended pride events, and one of the world’s largest neighborhood parades.

This year’s parade features 150 re gistered entries including community organizations, businesses, government officials and individual community members. It’s decked out with floats, outfitted vehicles, marching bands and performance groups.

How to change your gender on Illinois state IDs

A new law permitting this went into e ect in April — what does that mean for nonbinary residents?

By ELIZABETH SHORT Contributing Reporter

As of April 1, Illinois residents now have three gender options, “M,” “F,” and gender-neutral “X,” on driver’s licenses and state identification documents. By doing this, Illinois joins 21 other states with similar policies.

A 2019 law allowe d g ender- neutral marke rs on I llinois ID s, but it wasn’t until this s pring that residents had the o pportunity to select the g ender- neutral option for ID s, because the Secretary of State’s office needed to u pdate i ts card issuance system.

Shortly after the new policy came into effect, Christopher Jensen, board member of LAGBAC, Chicago’s LGBTQ+ bar association, went to the DMV to change their ID. Jensen uses he and they pronouns and was the first openly nonbinary member on the board.

“I was excited,” they said. “I wanted it so badly. I was just really excited to have it, for it to accurately reflect who I am…It’s a really powerful affirmation from the state, and it takes a step towards taking away that erasure, giving people their identities back, hearing their voices.”

The National Center for Transgender Equality’s 2022 U.S. Trans Survey Early In-

sights report showed that 22% of respondents had been “verbally harassed, assaulted, asked to leave a location, or denied services” after showing an ID with a name or gender that did not correspond with their presentation. Gender incong r uent identification ca n result in d enial of employment, housing , and b enefits and bring harassment and violenc e, a ccording to the NCTE’s 2015 National Transgender Discriminatio n Survey. Accurate and c onsistent ident ification is necessary to open b ank ac -

c ounts, starting jobs, enrolling in school, and tr aveling

For transgender and nonbinary individuals, affirmation of gender and pronouns can also be life-saving and vital in suicide prevention. According to the Trevor Project, respecting gender identity among young transgender and nonbinary people

See GENDER ID on pa ge 12

Pride is ‘loving who you are,’ Angel LeBare says

Forest Park’s famous drag queen shares insights into their life behind the stage

By JACK HELBIG Contributing Reporter

Angel LeBare, Forest Park actor, ballroom dancer, drag queen sublime, used to host shows for five years at the late, lamented Oak Park branch of Hamburger Mary’s, but now hosts at the original Hamburger Mary’s in Andersonville.

LeBare also hosts events throughout the suburbs and is one of the forces behind the Forest Park Pride Celebration Friday, June 21, that was founded three years ago by Forest Park business owner and resident, Erich Krumrei, LeBare, and their partner, Dan Walsh.

T he event includes Pride Drag Perfor mance at 7 p.m. at the Constitution Cour in downtown Forest Park, which LeBare, naturally, hosting. T he event also includes a retinue of other performers: Fox E. Kim, Andromeda, Alex Kay, Akasha Voyer, Elle Bowz, Britney Taylor, and London BaCall. After the event, an after part y with additional drag performances will be held at the 2nd floor of the nearby Scratch Public House

We recently caught up with Angel to discuss their life and career. The conver sation has been lightly edited for clarit style and length.

Reporter: You have been performing drag for how long?

Angel: 15 years.

Reporter: What do you like best about performing drag?

Angel: Things I like most to perform in drag are impersonations or female artists I like to pay homage to their looks and perfor mance styles. I do impersonations of Dolly Parton, Katy Perry, JLo, Cher, and Pink. I also enjoy doing cosplay and character drag, perfor ming various superheroes, cartoon characters, and Disney characters. I have costumes for almost every Disney Princess, superheroes and villains. Every Halloween my perfor mance troupe does a Hocus Pocus tribute. I play Winnifred.

Reporter: Who were the perfor mers you idolized growing up?

Angel: The Spice Girls, Judy Garland, Charlie’s Angels

Reporter: Who, other than yourself, is your favorite performer?

Angel: Beyonce

Reporter. If you could meet anyone in history, who would you meet and why?

Angel: Judy Garland. I am a huge Wizard of Oz fan.

Reporter: What was the last movie or TV that really touched you?

Angel: I am currently entrenched in watching Bridgerton. The storyline is great and the costuming is sublime.

Reporter: How did you get into performing?

Angel: I have been a perfor mer my whole life. I have always been a natural performer. I have studied theater, music,

and dance and am also ballroom instructor and musical theater teacher.

Reporter: So, you were, like, a theater growing up?

Angel: I did plays and musicals growing up. Roles I have played outside or drag include Paul in “A Chorus Line,” The Beast in “Beauty and the Beast,” Emmett in “Legally Blonde,” Judas in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” The Tin Man and The Lion in “The Wizard of Oz,” The Scareow in “The Wiz,” and Skimbleshanks and Munkustrap in “Cats.”

Reporter: How did you get into drag?

Angel: I got into drag when I pl ayed the role of Angel in a production of onathan Larson’s iconic musical) ENT. Side note: Angel is an ambiguous haracter in RENT who some beli eve is a drag queen, others a transgender oman, and others read as genderfluid; the author neve r specified. The piece tself is incredible, and I felt honored to be able to be a pa rt of telling that story. he perfor mance as Angel inspired my drag career and will always hold a ve ry special place in my hear t. While performing as Angel, I entered a local drag c ompetition and won. Th at led to c ompeting the following month. ontinued to win, wh ich led to me being of fered a host p osition. While pe rrm ing there, various other ve nues approached me about performing for them and things just sort of took of f.

Reporter: Where have you performed?

Angel : I have performed extensively throughout the Chicagoland area, I was a hostess at the Hamburger Mary’s in Andersonville for 8 years and the Oak Park location for 5 years. I’ve also perfor med at every other perfor mance venue in Chicago’s Boystown, as well as The Office in Rockford, LaCa ge in Milwaukee, and Club Icon in Kenosha. I have also perfor med at venues in New York, Texas, Florida, and Hawaii.

Reporter: How long does it take you to get ready for a show?

Angel: It really depends on the look I am

doing and how extensive the makeup and/or costuming is. Generally, about 2 hours.

Reporter: Do you become someone different when you become Angel, or is Angel just another side of your real life personality?

Angel: Angel is absolutely an extension of me, Angel is a very extroverted version of me.

Reporter: What do you like to do when you are not on stage?

Angel: I like to play video games and enjoy time with my par tner and pets. I have two Pomeranians, a Shiba Inu, and two Persian cats.

Reporter: Are you developing something special for the show in Forest Park in June?

Angel: I have created three new looks for the Forest Park Pride Performance and the after party at Scratch Public House. I am looking forward to presenting them.

Reporter: This is not your first Pride event in Forest Park. What is it about this event that keeps you coming back?

Angel: This has been a project my par tner and I helped to build and create from the ground up three years ago and we are very proud and honored of what we have built and hope everyone will join us. Our first year was a trial, setting up the event with the village. It went well, so the next year we added some elements and this year we are adding more. The community really seems to love it so that is why it has continued into year three.

Reporter: What does Pride mean to you?

Angel: Loving who you are and striving to be the best person you can be.

Reporter: What does Pride mean in Forest Park?

Angel: I can only speak for what

Pride means to me, but I would assume the feelings would be similar for the village of Forest Park — Pride in oneself and pride in the community.

Reporter: As a Forest Parker, do you find the community welcoming? A good place to live? Open to the LBGTQIA+ community?

Angel: Yes, I do. I have been a part of various Pride events in Forest Park, Oak Park and Berwyn, and have always felt that the general populace is welcoming and inclusive.

Reporter: How do you create energy and a sense of community in your shows? Or is it just something you have always been able to do?

Angel: I don’t really think about it to be honest. Once the show starts it just sort of naturally happens. I am a people person and I try to make everyone at my shows feel welcome and a part of it.

Garland Flowers Celebrating Pride!

Kate McGuire Kroker long time president of PFLag

GENDER ID

is consistently associated with lower attempts of attempted suicide.

“For people who are getting it, it’s a peace of mind,” said Jensen. “There is a comfort in knowing that the state acknowledges that we aren’t male or female, and that’s okay.”

Jensen also said that having documentation of nonbinary residents in Illinois could help to create new programs for nonbinary and transgender residents.

“While including a g ender-neutral option on identity documents is a step in the right direction, it would be better to eliminate gender from IDs alto g ether. It’s not relevant anymore since the photo ID became prominent,” Step hanie Skora, executive director of Brave Space Alliance, a Black- and Trans-led LGBTQ center on the South Side, told the Chicago SunTimes in 2019.

Correcting the record from page 9 m v sen

For people who do choose to change the gender on their ID, the nonbinary option can bring security, comfort, and affirmation.

“I think if they noticed that there is a significant enough amount of the population then they can say this is a community that needs to be addressed,” they said.

However, some people are hesitant to identify as nonbinary on IDs. The trans community experiences high levels of violence, especially transgender people of color and Black transgender women. According to the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey Illinois State Report, 69% of respondents who interacted with police or other law enforcement who knew they were transgender reported experiencing mistreatment. Especially for those with additional identities targeted by police violence, the “X” marker as an automatic signifier of a trans identity brings some concer ns

p g e be v u hb

“The most important thing is for affirmation of individual people’s g ender identity,” said Jensen. “For me, having a state ID that says accurately what my g ender is, rather than being forced to pick between one of two things that don’ t apply, there’s a psychological enefit to that for individuals.”

“I’ve talked to a lot of people about this and a lot of them are concerned about the fact that it is going to be a signal immediately to a police officer that they’re trans,” Jensen said. “Just by handing over their ID. Same for TSA security, bars checking IDs… I think there’s some personal safety concerns that people have about sharing that info rmation with everyone they encounter.”

Some people have advocated for an elimination of gender altogether on identification documents.

To ensure that this new policy is positive, re gular trainings could be essential. “Anybody that interacts with the public, as a government official, should have some kind of training on how to have a respectful conversation with people that you may not understand or even ag ree with,” Jensen said. “It’s still none of your business. You still have to treat them with as much respect as you do anyone else.”

Since April 2022, United States citizens also have been able to choose the nonbinary “X” gender on passports. The government has resources for nonbinary international travelers: https://ow.ly/ SIIf50S7gzm

Illinois residents wanting to change their gender can go to the DMV and complete a gender designation change form

The fee for a new driver’s license is $5 and for a new state ID card is $10.

Planned Parenthood has a comprehensive guide on how to change gender and name markers in Illinois: https://ow.ly/ b0GO50S7gI2

To find more information on different states’ policies on ID documents and gender, visit transequality.org/documents.

Are you caring for a spouse, parent, relative, or

Are you caring for a spouse, parent, relative, or friend? We are here to help!

Caregiver Services Programs include FREE services such as:

Caregiver Services Programs include FREE services such as:

Are you caring for a spouse, parent, relative, or friend? We are here to help!

Are you caring for a spouse, parent, relative, or friend? We are here to help!

Are you caring for a spouse, parent, relative, or friend? We are here to help!

Are you caring for a spouse, parent, relative, or friend? We are here to help!

Are you caring for a spouse, parent, relative, or friend? We are here to help!

Education & Training: Learn new skills to care for you and loved ones

Education & Training: Learn new skills to care for you and loved ones

Caregiver Services Programs include FREE services such as:

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Gap-Filling Funds: Help buying essential items like clothing, furniture, grab bars, eyeglasses, technology, and hearing aids

Caregiver Services Programs include FREE services such as:

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Are you caring for a spouse, parent, relative, or friend? We are here to help!

Gap-Filling Funds: Help buying essential items like clothing, furniture, grab bars, eyeglasses, technology, and hearing aids

Education & Training: Learn new skills to care for you and loved ones

Caregiver Services Programs include FREE services such as:

Education & Training: Learn new skills to care for you and loved ones

One-on-One Counseling: Help with decisions, self-care, and support

One-on-One Counseling: Help with decisions, self-care, and support Support Groups: Share your stories, successes, and challenges caring foryour loved ones with fellow caregivers

We are here to

Education & Training: Learn new skills to care for you and loved ones

Caregiver Services Programs include FREE services such as:

Support Groups: Share your stories, successes, and challenges caring foryour loved ones with fellow caregivers

Education & Training: Learn new skills to care for you and loved ones

Gap-Filling Funds: Help buying essential items like clothing, furniture, grab bars, eyeglasses, technology, and hearing aids

Are you caring for a spouse, parent, relative, or friend? We are here to help!

Ban on ‘captive audience’ meetings, AI regulations among 466 bills to pass this session

Gap-Filling Funds: Help buying essential items like clothing, furniture, grab bars, eyeglasses, technology, and hearing aids

Education & Training: Learn new skills to care for you and loved ones

Gap-Filling

Gap-Filling Funds: Help buying essential items like clothing, furniture, grab bars, eyeglasses, technology, and hearing aids

Respite: Take a short-term break with help at home from a professional caregiver or caregiver of your choice or a nursing home stay for the person receiving your care

Education & Training: Learn new skills to care for you and loved ones

One-on-One Counseling: Help with decisions, self-care, and support

Gap-Filling Funds: Help buying essential items like clothing, furniture, grab bars, eyeglasses, technology, and hearing aids

One-on-One Counseling: Help with decisions, self-care, and support

One-on-One Counseling: Help with decisions, self-care, and support Support Groups: Share your stories, successes, and challenges caring foryour loved ones with fellow caregivers

Services Programs include FREE services such as:

Respite: Take a short-term break with help at home from a professional caregiver or caregiver of your choice or a nursing home stay for the person receiving your care

Support Groups: Share your stories, successes, and challenges caring foryour loved ones with fellow caregivers

Caregiver Services Programs include FREE services such as:

Bill allowing digital driver’s licenses also clears General Assembly

Support Groups: Share your stories, successes, and challenges caring foryour loved ones with fellow caregivers

One-on-One Counseling: Help with decisions, self-care, and support Support Groups: Share your stories, successes, and challenges caring foryour loved ones with fellow caregivers

Gap-Filling Funds: Help buying essential items like clothing, furniture, grab bars, eyeglasses, technology, and hearing aids

One-on-One Counseling: Help with decisions, self-care, and support Support Groups: Share your stories, successes, and challenges caring foryour loved ones with fellow caregivers

Respite: Take a short-term break with help at home from a professional caregiver or caregiver of your choice or a nursing home stay for the person receiving your care

Respite: Take a short-term break with help at home from a professional caregiver or caregiver of your choice or a nursing home stay for the person receiving your care

Programs are for individuals of any age who are caring for:

Respite: Take a short-term break with help at home from a professional caregiver or caregiver of your choice or a nursing home stay for the person receiving your care

By ALEX ABBEDUTO, COLE LONGCOR & DILPREET RAJU

how, is not well defined.

One-on-One Counseling: Help with decisions, self-care, and support Support Groups: Share your stories, successes, and challenges caring foryour loved ones with fellow caregivers

A Chicago resident age 60+ OR under age 60 with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related

Respite: Take a short-term break with help at home from a professional caregiver or caregiver of your choice or a nursing home stay for the person receiving your care

Learn new skills to care for you and loved ones

Respite: Take a short-term break with help at home from a professional caregiver or caregiver of your choice or a nursing home stay for the person receiving your care

Education & Training: Learn new skills to care for you and loved ones

Programs are for individuals of any age who are caring for: A Chicago resident age 60+ OR under age 60 with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related

Programs are for individuals of any age who are caring for: A Chicago resident age 60+ OR under age 60 with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related

“Let’s not play politics with unconstitutional legislation that’s going to get thrown out in the court of law,” Plummer said.

Respite: Take a short-term break with help at home from a professional caregiver or caregiver of your choice or a nursing home stay for the person receiving your care

Programs are for individuals of any age who are caring for: A Chicago resident age 60+ OR under age 60 with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related

Contact the DFSS Senior Services Division Information and Assistance Unit aging@cityofchicago.org • 312-744-4016

Contact the DFSS

Programs are for individuals of any age who are caring for:

Programs are for individuals of any age who are caring for: A Chicago resident age 60+ OR under age 60 with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related

¿Está cuidando a un cónyuge, padre, familiar oamigo?

buying essential items like clothing, furniture, grab bars,

Gap-Filling Funds: Help buying essential items like clothing, furniture, grab bars, eyeglasses, technology, and hearing aids

Contact the DFSS

¿Está cuidando a un cónyuge, padre, familiar oamigo? ¡Estamos aquí para ayudarlo!

Senior Services Division Information and Assistance Unit aging@cityofchicago.org • 312-744-4016

DFSS

¡Estamos aquí para ayudarlo!

¿Está cuidando a un cónyuge, padre, familiar oamigo? ¡Estamos aquí para ayudarlo!

A Chicago resident age 60+ OR under age 60 with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related

Contact the DFSS Senior Services Division Information and Assistance Unit aging@cityofchicago.org • 312-744-4016

Senior Services Division Information and Assistance Unit aging@cityofchicago.org • 312-744-4016

Programs are for individuals of any age who are caring for: A Chicago resident age 60+ OR under age 60 with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Contact the DFSS Senior Services Division Information and Assistance Unit aging@cityofchicago.org • 312-744-4016

Programs are for individuals of any age who are caring for: A Chicago resident age 60+ OR under age 60 with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related

¿Está cuidando a un cónyuge, padre, familiar oamigo? ¡Estamos aquí para ayudarlo!

DFSS

Counseling: Help with decisions, self-care, and support your stories, successes, and challenges caring foryour caregivers

Contact the DFSS Senior Services Division Information and Assistance Unit aging@cityofchicago.org • 312-744-4016

Los programas de servicios para cuidadores incluyen servicios GRATIS como:

A bill banning what unions refer to as employer-sponsored “captive audience” meetings about religion and politics has cleared both chambers of the General Assembly. It was one of 466 measures to do so during the Illinois legislature’s recently concluded spring session, including measures targeting artificial intelligence and allowing for digital driver’s licenses. A Capitol News Illinois analysis shows 287 of the bills passed in the session’s final two weeks.

Of the six states that have introduced similar legislation, only two have ongoing lawsuits. One is in Minnesota, filed by business groups including the National Federation of Independent Business Inc., and another is in Colorado, which was partially dismissed in 2023.

One-on-One Counseling: Help with decisions, self-care, and support Support Groups: Share your stories, successes, and challenges caring foryour loved ones with fellow caregivers

Los programas de servicios para cuidadores incluyen servicios GRATIS como:

Contact the DFSS Senior Services Division Information and Assistance Unit aging@cityofchicago.org • 312-744-4016

Los programas de servicios para cuidadores incluyen servicios GRATIS como:

DFSS

Educación y capacitación: Aprenda nuevas competencias para cuidar de usted y de sus seres queridos.

Los programas de servicios para cuidadores incluyen servicios GRATIS como:

short-term break with help at home from a professional of your choice or a nursing home stay for the person

Educación y capacitación: Aprenda nuevas competencias para cuidar de usted y de sus seres queridos.

the DFSS Senior Services Division Information and Assistance Unit aging@cityofchicago.org • 312-744-4016

Educación y capacitación: Aprenda nuevas competencias para cuidar de usted y de sus seres queridos.

Fondos para cubrir necesidades: Ayuda para comprar artículos de primera necesidad como ropa, muebles, barras de apoyo, gafas, tecnología y audífonos.

Fondos para cubrir necesidades: Ayuda para comprar artículos de primera necesidad como ropa, muebles, barras de apoyo, gafas, tecnología y audífonos.

Educación y capacitación: Aprenda nuevas competencias para cuidar de usted y de sus seres queridos.

Respite: Take a short-term break with help at home from a professional caregiver or caregiver of your choice or a nursing home stay for the person receiving your care

If the “captive audience” bill is signed by the governor, employers would still be allowed to discuss religion and politics with employees, but workers would have the right to skip the meeting, whether on or of f the clock, without retaliation.

Senate Bill 3649 advanced out of the Senate on partisan lines, 39-18, after clearing the House 79-30 with some Republican support. The final version was amended to specifically exclude certain groups – including 501(c)(4, 5 and 6) organizations –that participate in lobbying activities and generally exist for the purpose of advocacy

The bill still needs to be signed by the governor to become law.

Consejería individual: Ayuda con la toma de decisiones, el cuidado personal y para obtener apoyo.

Fondos para cubrir necesidades: Ayuda para comprar artículos de primera necesidad como ropa, muebles, barras de apoyo, gafas, tecnología y audífonos.

Consejería individual: Ayuda con la toma de decisiones, el cuidado personal y para obtener apoyo.

Fondos para cubrir necesidades: Ayuda para comprar artículos de primera necesidad como ropa, muebles, barras de apoyo, gafas, tecnología y audífonos.

Grupos de apoyo: Comparta con otros cuidadores sus historias, éxitos y retos en el cuidado de sus seres queridos.

Consejería individual: Ayuda con la toma de decisiones, el cuidado personal y para obtener apoyo.

Grupos de apoyo: Comparta con otros cuidadores sus historias, éxitos y retos en el cuidado de sus seres queridos.

Consejería individual: Ayuda con la toma de decisiones, el cuidado personal y para obtener apoyo.

Relevo: Tome un breve descanso mediante la ayuda en casa de un cuidador profesional o de su elección, o envíe a la persona que cuida a una residencia de adultos mayores

Grupos de apoyo: Comparta con otros cuidadores sus historias, éxitos y retos en el cuidado de sus seres queridos.

Programs are for individuals of any age who are caring for: Chicago resident age 60+ OR under age 60 with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Contact the DFSS Services Division Information and Assistance Unit aging@cityofchicago.org • 312-744-4016

Relevo: Tome un breve descanso mediante la ayuda en casa de un cuidador profesional o de su elección, o envíe a la persona que cuida a una residencia de adultos mayores

Grupos de apoyo: Comparta con otros cuidadores sus historias, éxitos y retos en el cuidado de sus seres queridos.

The Illinois AFL-CIO labor organization brought the legislation to state Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, and celebrated its passage as a win for workers. In a news release, Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea said the meetings “are a direct violation of workers’ rights.”

Arti cial intelligence protections

Relevo: Tome un breve descanso mediante la ayuda en casa de un cuidador profesional o de su elección, o envíe a la persona que cuida a una residencia de adultos mayores

Los programas están dirigidos a personas de cualquier edad que cuidan:

Relevo: Tome un breve descanso mediante la ayuda en casa de un cuidador profesional o de su elección, o envíe a la persona que cuida a una residencia de adultos mayores

A un residente de Chicago mayor de 60 años O menor de 60 años con enfermedad de Alzheimer o demencias relacionadas

Los programas están dirigidos a personas de cualquier edad que cuidan: A un residente de Chicago mayor de 60 años O menor de 60 años con enfermedad de Alzheimer o demencias relacionadas

Los programas están dirigidos a personas de cualquier edad que cuidan:

A un residente de Chicago mayor de 60 años O menor de 60 años con enfermedad de Alzheimer o demencias relacionadas

Comuníquese con la Unidad de Información y Asistencia de la División de Servicios para Personas Mayores (Senior Services Division Information and Assistance Unit) del Departamento de Servicios Familiares y de Apoyo (DFSS) aging@cityofchicago.org • 312-744-4016

Comuníquese con la Unidad de Información y Asistencia de la División de Servicios para Personas Mayores (Senior Services Division Information and Assistance Unit) del Departamento de Servicios Familiares y de Apoyo (DFSS) aging@cityofchicago.org • 312-744-4016

Los programas están dirigidos a personas de cualquier edad que cuidan: A un residente de Chicago mayor de 60 años O menor de 60 años con enfermedad de Alzheimer o demencias relacionadas

Programs are for individuals of any age who are caring for: A Chicago resident age 60+ OR under age 60 with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Contact the DFSS

Comuníquese con la Unidad de Información y Asistencia de la División de Servicios para Personas Mayores (Senior Services Division Information and Assistance Unit) del Departamento de Servicios Familiares y de Apoyo (DFSS) aging@cityofchicago.org • 312-744-4016

Comuníquese con la Unidad de Información y Asistencia de la División de Servicios para Personas Mayores (Senior Services Division Information and Assistance Unit) del Departamento de Servicios Familiares y de Apoyo (DFSS) aging@cityofchicago.org • 312-744-4016

The meetings were made legal in 1947 under what’s known as the Taft-Hartley Act. But labor advocates across the country, including other state chapters of the AFL-CIO and the current National Labor Review Board General Counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo, are working to definitively outlaw mandatory attendance at meetings where anti-union rhetoric is shared.

Citing the Colorado governor’s recent veto of similar legislation in which he said he would sign a nar rower and more neutral bill, Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, said during debate that the pending legislation, particularly who it would impact and

A bill that would outlaw the creation and sharing of child pornog raphy made using artificial intelligence was one of several AI-focused measures to clear the General Assembly in its final days.

House Bill 4623, which was backed by Attorney General Kwame Raoul, would expand current child pornog raphy laws to also cover AI-generated child pornog raphy. Backers of the bill said if AI-generated child pornog raphy rapidly increases, law enforcement’s ability to identify real cases would be more difficult.

The bill, which passed both chambers unanimously, would also ban the distribution of various AI-generated sexual images without consent.

Capitol News Illinois|A GCM partnership

House Bill 4875 would protect individuals from having their voice, image or likeness duplicated by AI for commercial purposes without their consent. The bill would allow recording artists and those they contract with to seek damages for nonconsensual use of their likeness.

The measure, as amended, cleared both chambers unanimously.

House Bill 4762, also passed by both chambers unanimously, would protect perfor mers and other individuals from wrongful use of AI replicas. The bill would make contracts unenforceable if the performer would have performed in person, the use of the digital replica was not defined or detailed in the ag reement, and if they were not re presented by a lawyer or labor union during the ag reement.

Digital IDs

T he secretary of state’s office would be able to i ssue digital identification such as drive r’s licenses, learner ’s pe rm it s

or state I Ds to I llinois residents under House Bill 4592, wh ich p assed b oth chambers unanimously.

The cards would be issued “in addition to, and not instead of” a physical ID, under the bill.

The measure has an effective date of Jan. 1, 2025, giving the secretary of state’s office time to implement and test a new digital ID platfor m before it goes live

Under the bill, agencies and private entities may choose if they want to accept electronic IDs in place of physical ones, but “upon request by law enforcement, a credential holder must provide the credential holder’s physical credential.”

A di gital p hone application that re gisters identification cards with the secretary of state’s office would c ost a maximum of $6 under the bill heading to the gove r nor ’s desk.

In 2021, the American Civil Liberties Union published a report warning of potential privacy risks that could come with digitizing government IDs. The bill ad-

dresses some concerns by barring law enforcement from requesting or searching through an individual’s phone.

It also requires the secretary of state’s office to “use an electronic credential system that is designed to maximize the privacy of the credential holder ... and shall not track or compile information without the credential holder’s consent.”

Family obligation discrimination

House Bill 2161 bans workplace discrimination based on family responsibilities.

Senate sponsor Sen. Natalie Toro, DChicago, said the bill’s goal is to “prohibit discrimination on an assumption that your family responsibility will impede your work performance.”

For example, Toro said, a woman cannot currently be passed over for a promotion because of her family status if the promotion goes to a man with a similar status. But she could lose out on the promotion to another woman with no children.

e Illinois Capitol dome is pictured through the trees in Spring eld. Law makers adjour ned their spring session last week a er passing 466 bills this year.

S en. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, c alled the bil l unnecessar y, as the U. S. Supreme C our t has i nterpreted federal Title V II – wh ich prohibits gender and sex-based discrimination – to apply to c ases re ga rding f amily obligations.

T he bill p assed the S enate 37-19 and the House 74-29. It will become law if signed by the gove r nor

Exoneree higher education bene ts

S enate Bill 3771 allows exonerated individuals to p ass a state b enefit cove rin g higher education c osts on to de p endents. It p assed the S enate 45-11 and the House 71-38.

I llinois leads the nation in exonerated individuals, with over 500 p eople having wrongful convictions overturned Payouts to exonerees in I llinois remai n some of the lowest in the c ountr y, but the Higher Education S tudent A ssistanc e Act cove rs public unive rsity tuition and f ees for exonerees.

The bill allows the state benefit to cover private, not-for-profit university costs so long as the total does not “exceed the maximum grant payable” towards a grantee in “the most expensive comparable” program at an Illinois public university.

If the recipient, either an exoneree or their dependent, maintains “satisfactory academic progress,” grant funds can pay up to eight semesters or 12 quarters of full tuition and mandatory fees.

Mold public health campaign

Senate Bill 1087 requires the Illinois Department of Public Health to create a public health awareness campaign informing the public about the dangers and importance of removing indoor mold. It also requires IDPH to establish “procedures for parties that provide mold remediation services to re gister with the state.”

The bill passed out of both chambers without opposition.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide. It is funded primaril y by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCor mick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.

C APITOL NEWS ILLINOIS PHOTO BY ANDREW ADAMS

BUILD’s 4th conference shows impact restorative justic

One focus was on revamping law enforcement prac

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

BUILD’s programs have had a dramatic impact on the 2,100 youth it serves, data from the agency showed.

Of them, 84% have stopped or reduced incidents of fighting and 61% of those in gangs left them or are in the process of leaving them within the last year. And 14% of youth involved in the court system were rearrested from 2022 to 2023 after working with BUILD – in contrast to the national average of 55%.

The figures came as part of the group’s fourth annual restorative justice conference May 31. More than 100 people attended the conference, which discussed reframing the criminal justice system to focus on offender rehabilitation and healing, rather than punitive measures

Founded in 1969 on Chicago’s West Side, BUILD offers violence intervention, education, community wellness and engagement. More than 40% of its clients live in Austin, and 14% live in Garfield Park.

“We’re here to explore the transformative potential of restorative practices in police accountability and strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve, particularly on the West Side,” said Alexandra Auguste. She moderated the breakout session on police accountability and is co-founder and executive director of Community Leadership Fellows, a leadership development organization on the West Side.

Auguste asked four panel members, all a part of CLF, questions about restorative justice’s role in police accountability.

Their answers have been lightly edited for clarity and space.

How do restorative practices impact a police officer building relationships in a community?

Jamil Brown, a Chicago police officer in North Lawndale, works with community policing models, largely alongside youth and

faith-based organizations. He said his job is all about building relationships

“Restorative practices help me bridge those divides, help me fill in those we can be able to connect on a personal le Brown said. Such practices include peace ci cles and restorative justice circles

“To me, peace circles are just that, trying to establish that common language around what is peace and how we achieve that,” said Arewa Karen Winters, a 15th district councilwoman and community organizer. She said that restorative justice circles, on the other hand, often include someone who has been harmed or has caused harm.

“And now we have to begin to dissolve this together and create a plan of action for us to heal,” Winters said of restorative justice circles.

“When you sit down and you’re in a circle with someone and you are open and transparent, those are those important moments where you guys are able to connect and find that common ground,” said Brown, who has been trained in facilitating peace circles for about eight years.

Brown said CPD used to hold peace circles with the community through Bridging the Divide, a program that focused on building local relationships and partnerships to strengthen trust and facilitate healing. But, he said, the program wasn’t as much of a priority after CPD administration changed and the program possibly ran out of funding.

However, Brown said he’s seen first-hand the effect that peace circles have had on residents. The other day, he said, his community partner told him, “I still got, to this day, guys who you have interacted with who said, ‘Man, I miss Officer J.B. or I miss officer soand-so,’” Brown said. In peace circles, “you have that healing, you had those moments, you had that deep connection.”

How can we foster open dialogue and collaborative effor ts between the police and the Black community?

“For me, especially when I talk about

From le to right: Alexandra Auguste, Jamil Brow n, Alees Edwards, Jermaine Harris and Arewa Karen Winters speaks at BUILD’s 4th annual conference

safety, I’m going to preface every answer with one word. And that’s accountability,” said Alees Edwards, a block club president in Humboldt Park and councilwoman for the 11th police district. “Step one is admitting that wrong has been done harm to the black community by CPD.”

After taking accountability, Edwards suggests more peace circles between the community and police, since hearing about someone’s background and intent helps to humanize them, even in cases of harm.

“Restorative justice is often highlighted for its potential in addressing and preventing violence by fostering dialogue,” Edwards said.

What role does restorative justice play in reducing violence?

Je r maine Harris, a p olice officer fo r the 15th District, said that violent acts are often a c ulmination of systemic raci sm and har m.

Harris said that, when he goes into classrooms of young children, many say they want to be police officers when they grow up. But by the time they’re in middle or high school, that changes.

“It’s a whole different perception of policing and the world. Things are happening to these young people,” Harris said. “So really understanding this idea of harm and how it affects trauma, how it affects the person, that’s an essential piece.”

And to do that, Harris said police have to address the causes of violence.

“We have to start asking, ‘Why,’” and then address the reasons that come up, said Har-

ris, who was trained in peace circles in 2018.

“We’re not going to be able to say, ‘If we can keep people in jail longer, we can stop violence. If the state’s attorney does this, we’re going to stop violence. If we have no police, we’re going to stop violence,’” Harris said. “We’re not really understanding what’s wrong with the system itself.”

What changes or actions do you believe are necessary to begin building trust between police and the Black community?

Like in peace circles, where participants are encouraged to humanize other participants, Edwards said it’s important to humanize police officers.

“The institution is broken, so I separate the institution from the individual,” Edwards said.

“It is, I don’t want to say a broken system, but the system is dealing with the system,” said Winters, who lost her nephew to a police-involved shooting in Lawndale in 2016. Though the 15th District council can make recommendations on policies, she said the Chicago Police Department is used to commanding themselves.

“I don’t think they were ready to have community input at the level of where it is,” Winters said of district councils, which were created after the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance in 2021. But it’s not just the CPD’s bureaucracy. “I believe if we had a relationship with CPD without city attorneys and what not being involved, I believe we would be able to push the needle further along.”

JESSICA MOR DACQ

Chicago could start pl owing sidewalks in pilot program

If the initiative moves forward, Chicago would be the largest city in the U.S. to pilot a sidewalk plowing program.

By MOLLY DEVORE

Block Club Chicago

GCM partnership

Chicago c ould start pl ow ing s idewalks in four parts of the city as soon as Dec ember 2025.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office leased the city’s recommendations for a “Plow the Sidewalks” pilot pr T he 40-page re port lays out 11 recommendations for a city-run sidewalk c operation in parts of the Austin, Belmont Cragin, Uptown, Lincoln Squar Englewood, Gage Park and Brighton Pa neighborhoods.

If the pilot program receives all the necessary approvals and funding, it would begin Dec. 31, 2025, and would continue one year, or until the city has a chance to plow sidewalks during seven snow according to the report

The city should allocate between $1.1 million and $3.5 million to the pilot pr according to the report. The funding would be appropriated in the 2025 city budget.

“Chicago is a world-class city, and as a world-class city, it must be accessible for our seniors and individuals living with disabilities in the winter months during periods of heavy snow and ice,” Johnson said in a news release. “Today is an important step forward in building a safer city where no resident is left behind.”

If the initiative moves forward, Chicago would be the largest city in the United States to pilot a sidewalk plowing program. Advocates have been pushing for a city sidewalk clearing program for years.

In 2021, org anizers with Better Streets Chicago circulated a p etition d emandin g the city create a shoveling service that would clear “pedestrian infrastructure” of snow. T he p etition was able to ge t 5,000 signatures.

Later that year, re presentatives from Better Streets and Access Living for med the Plow the Sidewalks Coalition. The coalition consulted with the city on the recent re port

“Chicago is overdue in providing sidewalk snow plowing services for its residents, and this pilot will demonstrate it is an operationally, administratively and fiscally viable program,” members of the

CREDIT: COLIN BOYLE/BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO

Vereniz Mieves shovels the sidewalk in Ir ving Park as snow con tinues to fall across Chicago dur ing Winter Stor m Landon on Feb. 2, 2022.

coalition said in the report.

“This service will provide life-changing benefits to disabled residents and seniors, improve quality of life for families with small children, provide economic development for local businesses, improve safety for workers who use sidewalks, and ensure the city’s entire transportation system is accessible and usable all year – no matter the weather.”

Landlords can be fined up to $500 per day for not shoveling or plowing the sidewalk in front of their buildings. But sporadic reporting and enforcement often leads to stretches of sidewalk covered in snow and ice for days or even weeks in the winter, advocates have said.

Some cities do shovel sidewalks, including Rochester, New York, and Toronto and Montreal in Canada, according to Better Streets Chicago. Last year, the Minneapolis City Council approved a city snow removal program which is slated to begin this fall.

The most recent attempt at a citywide

shoveling program in Chicago was in 2012.

Then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel launched a citywide shoveling initiative that included a program called Snow Corps, pairing volunteers with older residents and people with disabilities who need shoveling help. That program was scrapped in 2017 due to a lack of volunteers, sources told Block Club in 2021.

Representatives from the Plow the Sidewalks Coalition worked with Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) to create the Chicago Plow The Sidewalks ordinance. The legislation, which passed City Council last summer, tasked a multi-department working group with creating a list of recommendations for a pilot sidewalk plowing program.

How it would work

The working group selected four 1.5-square-mile “zones” where the pilot program should be implemented. When selecting the zones, working group members

considered several demographic factors; including the number of residents over 65, public transit ridership, the number of zero-car households, the percent of residents with disabilities, the concentration of lowincome households, the concentration of families with children and population density, according to the re port

The zones would be:

South Side: bounded by 59th Street, State Street, 67th Street and Racine Avenue. West Side: bounded by Ar mitage Avenue, Avenue, Van Buren Street and Laraenue.

North Side: bounded by Foster Avenue, Marine Drive, Montrose Avenue and Daenue

outhwest Side: roughly bounded by Archer Avenue between Lawndale Avenue and 43rd Street, California Avenue, and 51st Street and Kedzie; then and another section between 51st, Kedzie, 59th wndale.

Crews would shovel when it snows 2 inches or more in a 24-hour period. The program would last a year or up to seven “snow events” in each zone, whichever comes first, according to the report

The working group recommended that the South and West side pilot zones receive universal snow clearance, meaning all sidewalks within the zones will be plowed. The North and Southwest sides will get targeted residential clearance, meaning the city will only plow blocks with residential proper ties of four or fewer units.

T he city will also plow vacant lots under the targeted approach, according to the re port

T he city would use a combination of in-house services and contractors to clear snow and ice on sidewalks, according to the re port

The working group recommends the city experiment with both universal and targeted approaches to see which is more efficient, according to the report. The working group also recommended the city use both contracted and in-house plow services to see which is better.

The working group will now present its recommendations to the city’s Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.

Keeping busy through the pain

Back in March of this year, I professed that this was going to be my year of project completions. Everything was going well, my plans were reaching fruition, until being in a hurry to get somewhere, r ushed out the house, tripped of f the curb and fell flat on my face

I have a high curb that is over 8 inches off the ground. Landing on that concrete roadway was unforgiving. Falling as I did, I sustained a multitude of injuries. I injured my right shoulder which took the brunt of the fall. I pulled my right achilles tendon in the back of my right le g. As a senior citizen, I know falls are death sentences for us. So though I was injured and refused to go to the doctor, I was prepared for what has proven to be

a long, and extremely painful, recovery period.

I am right-handed. So injuring my right shoulder has proven to be a game-changer. The pain that radiates from my shoulder area for no reason, has been harsh. I’ve always been told that pain is a sign of healing However, that pain caused me to actually go to the doctor and have x-rays taken. Nothing broken, just old bones and arthritis setting in. That gave me some peace of mind, but it did little to alleviate the pain.

I have been forcing myself to move. And it’s working. It is still dif ficult for me to raise my right hand above my shoulder. Simple actions like scrubbing out the tub with my right hand has become impossible. The pain generated has been brutal. I think it is so horrific because I

injured bone more than just muscle. And bone pain cannot be easily alleviated by taking painkillers.

Forcing myself to keep moving is paying off. It’s been almost three months and I can just barely get my right ar m above my shoulder. But it’s a slow go

I am never one to let anything make me sit still. If I can’t do the major stuff, I’m going to definitely do the minor one. One of my favorite relaxation activities is to paint ceramic figurines. It requires concentratio along with a steady hand. My right shoulder may have been in pain, but my right hand is fine. Painting this ceramic angel was the therapy I needed.

I’m going to try to catch up with some of the projects that were put on pause because of the injury. I’ve decided to make June my project installation completion month. Every day I’m going to complete a minimum of 3-5 installations around my house. I’ll let you guys know in July with the outcome is.

Finding joy amid rehabilitation

LET’S AGE WELL TOGETHER!

LUNCH & ENTERTAINMENT

Kehrein Center for the Arts | 5628 Washington Boulevard

Upcoming Dates: June 7, July 12 | 11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

CONNECT & LEARN

CULTURAL & CREATIVE ARTS

National Museum of Mexican Art | 1852 W. 19th Street

Upcoming Dates: June 27, July 25 | 1:00–3:00 p.m.

WALKING & WELLNESS CLUB

Salvation Army Freedom Center | 825 N. Christiana Avenue

Meets every Friday from 8:30–10:00 a.m. To register, email programs@mather.com or text (847) 316.1365.

Registration appreciated! Anyone 55+ is welcome at these FREE programs.

15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527

630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-04713

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2022 CH 11095

TJSC#: 44-1247

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.

Plaintiff, vs. TAMIKA WARREN; ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants, 23 CH 3608

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, June 24, 2024 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-14-328-035-0000.

Commonly known as 3617 W. GRENSHAW ST., CHICAGO, IL 60624.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563. (630) 453-6960. 6766-182603

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3244161

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF CIM 2021-R5 Plaintiff, -v.-

SEARCY CARTER, AS INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF ELNORA CARTER, SEARCY CARTER, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF ELNORA CARTER, TORREESE CARTER, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants 2022 CH 11095 5047 ‘’C’’ W. JACKSON CHICAGO, IL 60644

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 26, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 18, 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 5047 ‘’C’’ W. JACKSON, CHICAGO, IL 60644

Property Index No. 16-16-213-1200000

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. 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.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

Case # 2022 CH 11095 I3244437

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE OF THE BUNGALOW SERIES IV TRUST; Plaintiff, vs. CHERYL BROWN; IRVING P. BROWN; CITY OF CHICAGO; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 22 CH 8585

NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-05-209-010-0000. Commonly known as 1429 N. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60651. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection For information call Ms. Mary E. Spitz at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Sottile & Barile, LLC, 7530 LUCERNE DRIVE, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OHIO 44130. (440) 572-1511. ILF2203038

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3245110

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: 1-800-6699777.

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