Austin Weekly News 061224

S HOVEL R EADY

Mayor Brandon Johnson and other dignitaries break ground for the Austin Hope Center on June 10. Stor y on page 21.

Rep. La Shawn Ford pushes for construction of high school in Austin

His latest resolution follows an in ux of state funding and would likely merge Austin’s under-enrolled Chicago Public Schools

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

La Shawn Ford, who represents the 8th District in the Illinois House of Representatives, filed a resolution in May calling for immediate construction of a high school in Austin.

The resolution is an ef fort to support educational equity on Chicago’s West Side, where student enrollment has been declining for years as a result of school closures and the rise of magnet and charter schools.

“Students go outside of Austin to find schools to meet

See SCHOOL PLAN on page 6

‘Family reunion’ in Columbus Park

To Walk in My Shoes hosted its rst get-together of the year over the weekend

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Locals gathered in Columbus Park June 9 for a neighborhood get-to gether hosted by To Walk in My Shoes, a nonprofit that offers free programs for substance abuse, violence prevention and money management.

From noon to 7 p.m., residents of the West Side talked, danced to music and shopped at vendor booths. Alcohol, drugs, weapons and fireworks were restricted at the event.

“We want to show our children, the children of the community and the community, that we can all get together, listen to music, dance and have a good time without any violence,” Shrone Conaway, co-founder of To Walk in My Shoes, previously told the Austin Weekly News.

The event was originally scheduled for May 26 at Garfield Park but was rescheduled due to rain. There will be more gettogethers throughout the summer.

“We’re trying to get this thing as big as Riot Fest or Taste of Chicago,” Conaway added. “I want people to look at it like a family reunion.

AU STIN WEEKLY news

Editor Erika Hobbs

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Vanessa Garza

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Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Publisher Dan Haley

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Photos by TODD BANNOR

Jacqueline Malone and her son, Matthew Bell, at To Walk in My Shoes, an event held in Columbus Park on June 9.

Growing Community Media takes home Illinois Press Association awards

The nonpro t took home 19 rst-place plaques across its four newspapers

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Growing Community Media won big at the 2024 Illinois Press Association convention this week. At the annual convention in Bloomington, held June 6, the nonprofit — which is the parent company of the Wednesday Journal of Oak Park & River Forest, Austin Weekly News, the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark and the Forest Park Review — took home 16 first-place awards and 35 total awards across

editorial and advertising categories. The first-place awards are as follows:

■ Best one-time special section —

Wednesday Journal

■ Best website, nondaily —

Wednesday Journal

■ Editorial page, nondaily —

Wednesday Journal

■ Original column, Division C —

Wednesday Journal — “Someone who cared” by Harriet Hausman

■ Informational graphic, Division

C — Wednesday Journal — Andy Mead

■ General excellence, Division A

— Forest Park Review

■ News reporting, series, Division

A — Forest Park Review — D209 election coverage by Amaris E. Rodriguez

■ Feature writing, Division A — Forest Park Review — “Proviso

West teacher champions trade school as a path for students” by Amaris E. Rodriguez

■ Special sections, Division A — Forest Park Review — Forest Park Community Guide 2023

■ Local editorial, Division A — Forest Park Review — “Petty politics on council” by Dan Haley

■ General advertising excellence, Division G — Forest Park Review

■ Newspaper design, nondaily — Riverside-Brookfield Landmark — Javier Govea, Andy Mead

■ News reporting, single story, Division B — Riverside-Brookfield Landmark — “Brookfield True Value closing its doors” by Amina Sergazina

■ Obituary tribute, Division B — Riverside-Brookfield Landmark —

See IPA AWARDS on page 9

Growing Community Media, the nonpro t parent company of Austin Weekly News and three other newspapers, took home 19 rst-place plaques at the 2024 Illinois Press Association Convention on June 6.

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

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SCHOOL PLAN

A new high school?

from page 1

their needs,” Ford said.

And a new high school would encourage people to move to, and stay around, Chicago’s West Side.

“When people look for a place to move, they ask, ‘What school will we send our kids to?’” Ford said. “It’s good for population growth. It’s good for property value, and it’s good for a healthier community.”

With the construction of a comprehensive high school, including programs for arts and the trades, Ford said he expects Austin’s underenrolled public high schools, Austin Colle ge and Career Academy and Frederick Douglass Academy, to be consolidated. He added that the emp-

Provided Austin College and Career Academy High School had 157 students enrolled at the end of this school year.

¡ Conéctate !

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,

ty space could become housing, a resource center or a site for the new high school.

“I’ve heard that we’re under-enrolled in the neighborhood and there’s no need for a comprehensive high school,” Ford said. But, he added, “I don’t know if there’s enough confidence in Austin High School and Douglass High School for parents to feel that that’s their number-one choice.”

Austin College and Career Academy High School has 157 students, according to Chicago Public School data Frederick Douglass Academy High School only had 33 students enrolled going into this school year

Ford said construction of a high school will come with new resources that attract quality teachers and technology to improve enrollment in public schools on the West Side

“If you’re under-enrolled and you only have 30 students, it’s hard to have the resources to provide the needs for the students,” Ford said. “The money follows the students.”

Funding and support

Ford said he’s filed similar resolutions to build a new high school every year since 2007, when he was first elected.

But this year’s resolution comes with more funding via capital money that’s a part of the Illinois budget for the 2025 fiscal year. The Illinois House of Representatives passed the budget late last month, and Gov. JB Pritzker signed it June 5.

“Students go outside of Austin to nd schools to meet their needs.”

And with that money, a comprehensive high school could become so much more than a place where students take classes, like a resource or community center. On weekends, Ford said the new high school in Austin could stay open for students to play sports and work out, plus socialize while feeling safe.

LA SHAWN FORD Illinois

“When I was going, you didn’t have to leave school when the bell rang,” Ford said of his high school. “Many students don’t go to school just because they want to be smart or learn. Sometimes, it’s the result of them being attracted to extracurricular activities.”

The new capital bill sets aside $3.5 billion for infrastructure projects, half a billion more than Pritzker’s February budget proposal allotted, according to Capitol News Illinois. It also allocates $400 million for local road projects, which Ford said could create better streets around a new school and develop the Austin neighborhood. In addition to a previous lack of funding, Ford said it has been difficult to get support for a new high school in Austin. To see movement on his most-recent resolution and get money from the state budget, Ford said he needs help from Mayor Brandon Johnson.

“This is the best time, like never before,” Ford said of building a new high school in Austin. “We have a mayor that says that education is his priority. We have a mayor that says that he wants to invest more in neighborhood schools.”

After getting backing from officials, Ford said the school will need input from locals.

“Once we get an ag reement that we’re going to do this, I think the community should definitely be a part,” Ford said.

“If you open a new business and you support it with the things that people want and need, you will do well,”

Ford added. “And that’s what a comprehensive high school would do.”

It’s always been easier for me to help others than to help myself

It’s always been easier for me to help others than to help myself

It’s always been easier for me to help others than to help myself

It’s always been easier for me to help others than to help myself

As a Veteran, when someone raises their hand for help, you’re often one of the first ones to respond. But it’s also okay to get help for yourself. Maybe you want or need assistance with employment, stress, finances, mental health or finding the right resources. No matter what it is, you earned it. And there’s no better time than right now to ask for it. Don’t wait. Reach out.

As a Veteran, when someone raises their hand for help, you’re often one of the first ones to respond. But it’s also okay to get help for yourself. Maybe you want or need assistance with employment, stress, finances, mental health or finding the right resources. No matter what it is, you earned it. And there’s no better time than right now to ask for it. Don’t wait. Reach out.

As a Veteran, when someone raises their hand for help, you’re often one of the first ones to respond. But it’s also okay to get help for yourself. Maybe you want or need assistance with employment, stress, finances, mental health or finding the right resources. No matter what it is, you earned it. And there’s no better time than right now to ask for it. Don’t wait. Reach out.

Find resources at VA.GOV/REACH

Find resources at VA.GOV/REACH

Find resources at VA.GOV/REACH

As a Veteran, when someone raises their hand for help, you’re often one of the first ones to

JESSICA MORDAQ

Katrina and Cornelius Coe at T&C

Licenses for cyclists and consequences for criminals

Irecently turned and headed west on Grand Avenue at Western. The city has installed protected bike lanes beginning at Western and ending at Chicago Avenue. The trucks traveling that stretch of Grand could be going to the salt depot, the big railyard, or to some of the few factory buildings that still line that stretch.

No one is requiring the bicyclists to prove that they know the rules of the road. All they have to do is just get a bicycle and ride. Therein lies the problem: Inexperienced cyclists traveling with dangerous traffic. Sadly those riders ignore traffic signals as well as the basic

JONES

road rules. Those bike lanes give a cyclist the illusion of safety. And I wonder why are bike lane and truck routes being put together? That is a recipe for disaster.

I still recall the incident up north, where the mother was biking with her toddler. The right lane was blocked by a utility truck and a semi was in the other lane. The mother rode in between the utility truck and semi. When the light turned green, she attempted to pull of f. She lost her balance, the bike went down, and the child was killed.

For the life of me, I could never understand why she would attempt to ride next

to a semi and a utility truck. Bike versus any motorized vehicle, bike loses. I wonder, since bicyclists can pretty much go down any side street, why one would choose to ride with such dangerous traffic. Right now the city is hell-bent on putting bike lanes everywhere, even if they aren’t being used.

be displayed on an arm band. The licensing fee could help offset the money the city is spending on those bike lanes. Plus those who are biking would be assured to have the proper rules of the road training.

Therein lies the problem: Inexperienced cyclists traveling with dangerous tra c.

plaques from page 4

“JoAnne Kosey personified community involvement” by Bob Uphues

■ Feature writing, Division B — Riverside-Brookfield Landmark — “Hard work, some play pay of f for Riverside ballerina in starring role” by Erika Hobbs

■ Informational graphic, Division B — Riverside-Brookfield Landmark — Javier Govea

In addition to first-place awards, Growing Community Media’s newspapers also placed in the general excellence categories based on circulation. The Forest Park Review came in second place for the best small, nondaily newspaper in Illinois. The Riverside-Brookfield Landmark also placed second for the best medium, nondaily paper. The Wednesday Journal placed fourth for the best large, nondaily paper. For news reporting series in Division C, Austin Weekly News placed second for a series on the West Side’s opioid crisis by Francia Garcia-Hernandez. In the same category, the Wednesday Journal placed third for Erika Hobbs’s series on migrants in Oak Park who are seeking asylum.

For feature writing in Division A, the

Forest Park Review placed fourth for “Anastosios Doulas, Kyriacos Philippou, Elias Politis” by Tom Holmes. The Forest Park Review also placed first in that category.

For spot news photos in Division A, the Forest Park Review placed second for a photo shot by Todd Bannor for a story titled, “Sunday flooding brings Ike to a halt.” For the same category in Division C, the Wednesday Journal placed third for a photo shot by Amaris E. Rodriguez for her story titled “‘This is not a new issue to OPRF,’ students say during Friday walkout.”

For newspaper design, nondaily, the Wednesday Journal placed third for designs by Javier Govea and Susan McKelvey.

For special sections in Division A, the Forest Park Review placed third for No Glove Nationals 2023. The Forest Park Review also placed first in this category.

For special sections in Division B, the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark placed second for the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark Answer Book 2023.

For special sections in Division C, Austin Weekly News placed second for At Home on the Greater West Side. Wednesday Journal placed third for the Wednesday Journal Answer Book 2023/24.

For nondaily websites, the RiversideBrookfield Landmark placed second.

I understand Milwaukee Avenue has had a number of deadly incidents with traffic and bicycles. Rather than continue to force the traf fic to crawl along at one mile per hour, perhaps it would be smarter to remove the bike lanes. And for those riders biking into the central business district, which I would define as Ashland on the west, Fullerton on the north, Cermak on the south, those individuals need to be licensed. To ride on the streets in those areas, the license would need to

Speaking of a lack of common sense, the recent battery charges against those two young people who were part of a group that jumped a couple returning from dinner in Streeterville need to have those charges upgraded to felonies. Young people share information that they won’t get charged if they do certain things. The same sort of message needs to go around that they can be charged heavily for criminal activity. Their parents also need to face some charges. We are becoming a lawless society and the wilder it gets, the more it cannot easily be contained with rules that don’t have consequences.

Juneteenth 2024

JUNETEENTH 2024

For Rep. Danny Davis, Juneteenth is ‘a holiday of movement’

The U.S. congressman won’t rest that day despite his years of work pushing for national recognition of Juneteenth

By MICHAEL BANIEWICZ Contributing Reporter

While U.S. Cong ressman Danny Davis was growing up in the small town of Parkdale in Arkansas, Juneteenth was an annual celebration for him and his f amily. He was told that day was his “real Four th of July.”

He and his f amily would spend part of the day sharing a large meal, and after they finished, he would spend time reading outside

Now, Davis said, Juneteenth is a time for people in the United States to reflect on the history surrounding the federal holiday. There are some parallels between the post-Civil War, reconstruction era and the current times, Davis said.

Obama, who was then a senator, duced legislation in 2005. And Davis and cosponsors tried ag ain in 2008.

In 2021, he spoke from the House during the vote

“Madam Speaker,” he said, “I rise in strong support of the recognition of J teenth as a national holiday to celebrate the ending of the most horrific period and the most horrific policy and practices this Na tion has ever known: slavery. I heard one of my colleagues suggest a moment that perhaps the cost of Juneteenth is not known. I guarantee you, Madam Speaker, that whatever the cost, it will not come close to the cost of slavery.”

Rep. Danny Davis with elected o cials from Chicago and the west suburbs area greet well-wishers along the route during the inaugural West Villages Juneteenth Parade in 2022, which passed through Oak Park, River Forest and Maywood.

“So, celebrating Juneteenth as a national holiday is simply an idea whose time has come.”

“Juneteenth” he added, “is the reco gnition that darkness can come to light and that there is a celebration as my fore fathers and -mothers struggled to endure the hor ror they experienced. So, celebrating Juneteenth as a national holiday is simply an idea whose time has come.”

U.S. CONGRESSMAN DANNY DAVIS

“The progress, the policies…getting rid of martial law which protected Blacks in the South…getting rid of all that, seems to me to be what some are trying to do right now,” Davis said. “That some of the protections of affirmative action. Some of the protections of laws to protect rights of individuals.”

Long before President Joe Biden signed a bill in 2021 that made Juneteenth the 11th American federal holiday — and the first since 1983, when Martin Luther King Jr. Day was created — Davis, along with others, had been pushing for national recognition of Juneteenth. He and Barack

Today, Davis said, for progress to be made, one has to understand their history and how they got here.

“If you don’ t know where you come from, you won’ t understand to know how you got to where you are,” Davis said. “Then you don’ t have a good prognosis for where you ought to be going. Individuals look to what has been done and how people managed to do it. It was blood, sweat and tears, it was hard work. It was serious ef fort, but if those ef for ts don’ t continue then you don’ t go any fur ther.”

T he holiday also highlights that there is still work to be done for equality and equity, Davis said.

“There is a possibility that all men and women can in fact experience equality and equal expectations, equal justice,” Davis said. “We’ve come a long way, but

Rep. Danny Davis has worked with countless others for recognition of a Juneteenth holiday.

we’re not there yet.”

While Juneteenth is federal holiday, it is not a day of f the job for Davis.

“We will have a chance to experienc e

a holiday, but for me it will be a holiday of wo rk . A holiday of movement. And I hope lots of other p eople will be doin g the same thing.”

avery r. young teaches ‘folks to become better painters with language

Chicago’s poet laureate hosts monthly workshops for the public in Austin

By HOPE BAKER Contributing Reporter

Chicago’s poet laureate avery r. young brings poetry to his back Kind of. T he Austin monthly poetry workshop soul workshops, at the Austin Branch library in Chicago.

“With chi-soul workshops, we really want to concentrate on narratives that are centered in Chicago and really shed light on all that happens in Chicago, not just what people see on the news,” young said. “Poetry is a great vehicle for shedding light on the things that everyday Chicagoans get to see and experience.”

Selected as Chicago’s first-ever poet Laureate in April 2023, young is an award-winning poet, educator, composer, performer and producer whose work spans the g enres of music, performance, visual arts and literature. His work has been featured in several exhibitions and theatre festivals including the Chicago Hip Hop T heatre Fest, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and the American Jazz Museum. With more than two decades of experience in the teaching artist field, young has led progr ams within schools, community-based organizations,

and other learning en

When young was named the city laureate, he was commissioning of ate public progr year ter m.

“Writing poetry is painting with language,” young said. der to be good at and workshops help with the craft of ing. I want to teach folks to become better painters with language

etry and literature.

“I spent days upon days upon days at that library,” young said. “I tell folks all the time that the library is an airport. You can go anywhere in the world. Every book is an airplane. That’s what I love about the library. And it’s free.”

His love of poetry began in third grade when he first read the anthology

“I Am the Darker Brother,” a collection of poems by Langston Hughes, Mari Evans, Gwendolyn Brooks, Robert Hayden and others.

Young said that since he “had a mouth” as a kid, poetry also became a helpful tool for expressing his emotions.

“I realized that when I wrote a poem people didn’t see me as flippant,” he said.

“When I said what I wanted to say in the context of metaphors or rhyme scheme or haiku, I didn’t get in trouble. In fact, I got praise for expressing myself in that form.”

Although he has written since elementary school, it wasn’t until his early twenties that young decided to seriously pursue poetry.

“I was able to do that through the open mic scene and through performance poetry,” he said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine one day becoming a poet laureate of any city, let alone Chicago.”

Young said the sights, smells, sounds and people of Austin undeniably shaped who he is as a poet today

“I want to teach folks to become better painters with language.”

and the celebration of such liberty – and that’s what a poem can be. It’s a celebration of our liberties. It can be a way that we honor what it means to be a liberated soul. To be armed with your voice is liberty and it’s everything that Juneteenth is about.”

avery r. young

“A writer is constantly ear hustling and a writer is also constantly taking mental photographs,” he said. “I don’t think I would be the writer that I am had I not been incubated in the Austin community.”

Chicago Poet Laureate

When asked about how Juneteenth can be honored through poetry, young said “when I think about Juneteenth, I immediately go to emancipation and liberation

young’s workshops are designed for adult writers of all skill levels to build poems and poetry manuscripts centered on tales of Chicago. The two-hour sessions will include time to edit, workshop and present poetic works in a personal setting.

Re gistration for chi-soul workshops is required and participants must be at least 18 years old. Workshops will take place from 2 p.m to 4 p.m. on June 2, July 7, Aug. 4, Sept. 1, Oct. 6 and Nov. 3. Re gister at chipublib.org/chi-soul. T hey are held at the Austin Branch Library, 5615 W. Race Ave.

SARA JANZ

avery r. young, Chicago Poet Laureate dur ing a per formance at the Logan Center for the Arts on April 27, 2023.

CHIC AG O PUBLIC LIBRARY

avery r. young

Happy Juneteenth, I celebrate with you!

Since 1972, The Oak Park Regional Housing Center (OPRHC), an organization regarded as a leader for fair housing rights, expansion of housing options, and economic opportunity, has been providing services to residents of the Village of Oak Park and the surrounding West Cook

County communities including Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. For many years, OPRHC spent much time creating the residential integration you see in the Village of Oak Park today. This work, intentional in nature, allowed people of all races to learn about fair housing and their opportunities to live

where they choose to live. Fast forward to a new century, as we celebrate 53 years of service to the community, we are beginning to pivot our work to strengthen community ties and residential relationships while continuing to help people with their housing needs. We are still here… for you!

Main Office:

1041 South Boulevard

Oak Park, IL 60302

708-848-7150

info@oprhc.org

City of Chicago Office:

West Cook Homeownership Center 5934 W. Lake St. Chicago, IL 60644

773-887-5187

info@westcookhomeownership.org

Athena Williams, Executive Director

Austin United Alliance is a property development initiative of The Oak Park Regional Housing Center (OPRHC). As The Oak Park Regional Housing Center begins to pivot to work to increase housing inventory, we will continue to assist residents with their housing needs. Over the past 17 years as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, we’ve assisted thousands of BIPOC families on their homeownership journey providing counseling on credit-debt management, financial empowerment services, and home and rental maintenance for healthy, sustainable, and stable housing on the Greater West Side.

Construction begins! Coming Fall 2025! The Laramie State Bank Redevelopment Project, 5200-5226 W. Chicago Ave.

As we develop more housing, we will continue to keep the community updated about the Austin United Alliance Laramie State Bank Project and others. For more information, call: 708-848-7150 or send an inquiry to: info@oprhc.org. www.oprhc.org

Emancipation Ball heads into its 3rd year

Moor’s Brewing Company’s gala celebrates Juneteenth

By HECTOR CERVANTES Contributing Reporter

In a blend of entrepreneurship and community engagement, Moor’s Brewing is gearing up to mark its third anniversary with the Emancipation Ball.

This milestone celebration not only honors the brewery’s success but also serves as a platfo rm for promoting Black excellence and empowerment in Chicago. In June 2021, Moor’s Brewing, owned by members of the Black community, was founded by co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Damon Patton and Chief Financial officer Jamhal Johnson, marking both an anniversary celebration and Juneteenth observance.

Moor’s Brewing also launched the Care Moor Foundation for Civic Engagement. This foundation aims at promoting civic involvement through fundraising ef for ts and scholarship provisions.

Johnson said this celebration is designed for this sole purpose of emphasizing Black excellence through the achievement of another year in business.

“We aim to showcase our business alongside other Black-owned beers, wines, and spirits and collaborate with and highlight Black chefs, food curators, as well as dessert providers, utilizing Black-owned bakeries for our desserts and coffee bars,” Johnson said. “By showcasing these outstanding companies and their impactful work, we emphasize and celebrate Black excellence.”

The funds raised from the celebration will go toward supporting the Lafayette Gatling Sr. Scholarship Fund and the Marcus J. Bradshaw Foundation. The MJBF will be granting the MJBF Care Moor scholarship to recipients selected by the Moor’s Brewing team in July. Moor’s Brewing also supports the AROSE Foundation and the Lotus Globe.

“We are awarding scholarships to entrep reneurs for students who are entering their freshman year of c olle ge,” Johnson said.

The Emancipation Ball will have nine food stations across the venue, enhancing

the culinary experience for attendees.

Attendees can enjoy an open bar featuring a curated selection of premium drinks.

The selection at the open bar will include Alexandra James Whisky, Bull Young Bourbon, Disbəlēf Tequila, Love Corkscrew Wine, Michael Lavell Wine, Duo Vodka, and spirits from NG Distillery.

Moor’s Brewing is also celebrating its three-year anniversary with the release of its flagship beer called Moor’s Kölsch that will be released on Juneteenth.

DJ Envy from The Breakfast Club will be providing music and a local DJ named DJ Sean Mac will perform.

“We’re also in the final stages of securing another celebrity DJ. The event will be in a gala style,” Johnson said.

Johnson also plans to collaborate with local artists to enhance the ambiance and visual appeal of the event space.

Johnson said that in the previous year,

the event showcased an art installation imbued with the vibrant essence of Hispanic and African-American cultures

“We partnered with a prominent ar t collector from Englewood, collaborating closely with Hispanic muralists to bring these themes to life. Furthermore, the event featured the live artistic talents of Dana Topp Hope, who created a painting on-site, later purchased by one of the attendees,” Johnson said.

Johnson said that they will collaborate with a nearby t-shirt printing business.

General Admission tickets are priced at $100. For those seeking an elevated experience, the Single VIP ticket, granting exclusive benefits, is available at $115.

The VIP Admission for groups of four, providing a collective VIP experience, can be purchased for $440. Johnson said that the VIP package provides unique privile ges such as reserved seating, a perk not

available with general admission.

“The event will have three stations specifically allocated for VIP guests,” Johnson said. “While chefs will exclusively cater to the VIP section, most food vendors will be accessible to general admission ticket holders. VIP attendees will enjoy full access to all areas, including a riverfront patio where they will receive gift bags and complimentary swag items such as t-shirts.”

“As we look to the future of The Emancipation Ball, our aspirations center around three key pillars of our company: culture, community, and commerce.”

The Emancipation Ball will be held from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., Tuesday, June 18, at Rockwell on the River, 3057 N. Rockwell St. For more information and to purchase a ticket, visit the event’s web page. https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/the-emancipationb all-2024-chicagos-premiere-juneteenthevent-tickets-803921690417

Emancipation Ball in 2023.

The history of Juneteenth

A refresher on the origins of this federal holiday

By LORET TA A. RAGSDELL Contributing Reporter

On June 17, 2021, U.S. President Joseph Biden, signed into law the Bill establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

The Bill was sponsored by D-Mass. Senator Edward Markey and 60 cosponsors. The Bill, unanimously approved by the Senate, faced opposition from 14 House Representatives, many of whom represented states that had been part of the 19th Century slave-holding Confederacy.

The celebration of Juneteenth originated in 1865 after enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were infor med by a Union general that the Civil War had ended and they had been freed in 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

“Now, therefore I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in-Chief, of the Army and Navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion, do, on this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixtythree, and in accordance with my purpose so to do publicly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days, from the day first above

mentioned … I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.”

T he actual abolishment of slavery occurred on January 31, 1865, after Congress passed the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It was ratified Dec. 6, 1865.

However, news of the Civil War’s ending traveled slowly from the North to the South. In addition, some slave owners did not share the news with the slaves in hopes of holding on to their slaves. As a result, military officers had to travel to Union states and inform them of Lincoln’s Proclamation.

On June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and delivered General Order No. 3:

“The people of Texas are infor med that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between for mer masters and slaves, and connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages.”

As a result of this proclamation, more than 250,000 slaves were freed in Texas Throughout Texas, great celebrations emerged. The enslaved people celebrated their newfound freedom with great merriment, including elaborate cookouts, dancing, singing, and religious services. One of the highlights of many gatherings was the symbolic ritual of removing their tattered and torn garments they had worn as slaves and throwing them in the river.

Over the years, as Galveston celebrations became more elaborate, Juneteenth celebrations spread throughout other Union States and became known as African Americans Independence Day. For more than 150 years, there was no for mal acknowledgement of slavery, one of America’s most horrific human stains, and its abolishment.

The road to Juneteenth’s acceptance and destination as an American Federal Holiday has been a long and untiring one for Opal Lee. Lee, born in Marshall, Texas, in 1924, a retired educator, has been an activist for African-American rights since her early teens. Lee, as told through her books, television appearances, and public interviews, has witnessed many atrocities of slavery, racism, and prejudice.

At age 12, after her f amily move to Fort Wo r th, Texas, into a predominately white neighborhood, her f amily home was bur ned to the ground by an angry white mob. T he fire took place on June 19, 1939.

T he date and its significance propelled

Lee to work diligently to bring about a for mal reco gnition of the emancipation of African Americans from slavery.

“The fact that it happened on the 19th day of June has spurred me to make people understand that Juneteenth is not just a festival,” Lee has said.

L ee’s civil rights activism and wo rk has ga i ned her national reco gnition. Sh e is reverently c alled the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.”

At age 89, Lee started her symbolic 2.5mile walks from her Fort Wo r th Texas home to the U.S. Capitol in support of her goal. In 2017, Lee launched an initiative to gather online signatures in support of making Juneteenth a national holiday. Her goal was to gather 100,000 signatures; howeve r, the net goal was more than 1.6 million.

By 1979, every U.S. state and the District of Columbia for mally reco gnized the holiday in some way. It is also celebrated by the Mascogos, descendants of Black Seminoles who escaped slavery in 1852 and settled in Coahuila, Mexico

Joining members of Cong ress and Vice President Kamala Harris, Lee, then 96, was present on June 17, 2021, when Biden signed the Bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday.

After distributing the pens used to sign the bill to those around him, Biden said, “I hope this is the beginning of a chang e in the way we deal with one another.”

AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER, AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Juneteenth Emancipation Day Celebration, June 19, 1900, Texas

JUNETEENTH 2024

Annual Juneteenth celebrations to kick o in Chicago, suburbs

Marking what many perceive as the true date of emancipation in the United States, the holiday is a celebration of unity and Black culture

By ALEX GOLDSTEIN Contributing Reporter

As Juneteenth approaches, so too does a month of educational, commemorative and entertainment opportunities across the country. Here’s Growing Community Media’s most complete list of ways to celebrate the holiday across the Chicago area.

FOREST PARK

Juneteenth Fair — Forest Park

Public Library and Liberated Ar t Movement

Saturday, June 8

Forest Park Public Librar y, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. This celebration highlights Black artists, authors, creators and small business owners. The event will include refreshments and book giveaways

Fifteenth Annual Juneteenth Family Pool Celebration

Saturday, June 15

Park District of Forest Park Aquatic Center, 6:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.

AUSTIN/WEST SIDE

1865 Fest

June 14-16

Gar eld Park ’s Music Court Drive

Day one of this three-day experience features Juneteenth military honors, highlighting Black veterans and active service members and including a Juneteenth ag-raising ceremony. Day two, the “cultural experience,” features family activities centered around Juneteenth history, with educational workshops, live music and free food The nal day of celebration honors Father’s Day on June 16

with a grill-o and house music event.

The annual event is put together by the 1865 Coalition, a collaboration of community organizations, residents enforcement, educational institutions, elected o cials local businesses and churches on Chicago’s West Side

Far South CDC

Juneteenth Festival

Saturday, June 15

11420 S. Halsted St., noon to 4 p.m.

The Far South Community Development Corporation will be hosting an afternoon of celebration including live music, food from Black-owned restaurants, a resource vendor fair and a small business marketplace.

Juneteenth Wellness 5K Walk/Run

Saturday, June 15

Starting at the Gar eld Park football eld at 8 a.m.

Proceeds from this fourth annual 5K will go to Peace Runners 773 as well as Fresh Supply, a not-for-pro t organization with the goal of providing resources and safe spaces to underprivileged youth in the Austin area.

Front Porch Ar ts Center Annual

Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 17

Columbus Park, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This family-friendly event will feature music, food and dancing. There will also be a Juneteenth art exhibit curated by the Front Porch Ar ts Center and family artmaking activities.

Teamwork Englewood

Juneteenth Celebration and Resource Fair

Tuesday, June 18

Multiple locations, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Part one of this fair, hosted by Teamwork Englewood, will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 63rd Street and Halsted

Avenue. It will feature a job fair, legal clinic, ra es, food and a live DJ.

Part two will transition to 63rd Street and Justine Street for a celebration from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with line dancing, card games, a bounce house and a “foot working session” in store.

The Black Au ra

June 29, 6:30 p.m. – Jun 30, 11:00 p.m.  5628 W. Washington Blvd. Kehrein Center For The Arts

The Black Aura: A Weekend of Liberation and the Ar ts is a response to the city›s need to dev elop a greater sense of identity and clarity around the values associated with Juneteenth. Scheduled to take place June 28-29, the weekend between Juneteenth and Independence Day, this artistic experience leverages the ar ts to illuminate the tensions in African American histories and struggles, and the resiliency that has emerged.  It promises a broad array of experiences, including performances, documentaries and workshops. The weekend

will highlight the aura of “Blackness” and re ect the resilience and humanity of Black people in the arts. The end is designed to feature local artists, intentionally building upon and strengthening our collective sense of community in Austin and beyond.

CHIC AG O

Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of The 1619 Project

Chicago Public Librar y, Thursday, June 20, 6 – 7 p.m.

Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St.

In honor of Juneteenth, Chicago Public Library welcomes Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of The 1619 Project and a sta writer at The New York Times Magazine. Hannah-Jones will be in conversation about her work on The 1619 Project with Chicago journalist Natalie Moore.

How to Attend in person: D oors to the Auditorium open at 5:30 p.m., and seating is rst come, rst served (350 capacity). Books are available for purchase, courtesy of Semicolon, and the author will autograph books at the conclusion of the program.

How to attend vir tually: This event will also take place live on CPL’s YouTube channel and CPL’s Facebook page. You’ll be able to ask questions during the event as well. Can’t make it to the live stream? The video will be archived on YouTube to watch later.

OA K PARK

Juneteenth Flag-Raising Ceremony

Wednesday, June 12

Oak Park Village Hall cour tyard, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Coordinated by Oak Park ’s Juneteenth Committee of community leaders and sponsored by the village’s O ce of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, o cials at Village Hall will raise the Juneteenth ag to kick o a week of celebration. The ceremony will be followed by speakers, refreshments and more.

PROVIDED

Nikole Hannah-Jones

JUNETEENTH 2024

Juneteenth Community Cookout

Saturday, June 15

Oak Park Village Hall south lawn, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This family-friendly event, coordinated by the J uneteenth Committee, will include music, food, resource tables and a vendor market featuring local B lack-owned businesses.

Juneteenth Oratory Competition

June 16, 18 and 19, Various locations

Students of all grade levels are invited to craft original, persuasive speeches on the signi cance of the Juneteenth holiday and importance of its celebration. Winning students will receive a cash prize and be invited as featured speakers at a community luncheon. The event was designed by Asé Productions, which partnered with the Suburban Unity Alliance and Ra re Conscious Dialogues.

RIVER FOREST

Juneteenth Family Barbecue and Keynote Address at Dominican University

Thursday, June 13

Barbecue 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the quad, keynote 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Springer Suites

A keynote address by Danielle Walker, Ph.D., will follow a family barbecue at Dominican University. She’ll discuss the lessons learned from Juneteenth and how Americans can use them to work towards an objective of racial justice. Walker is the chief diversity, equity and inclusion o cer for the Village of Oak Park.

MAY WOOD

“Let ’s Grow Together” Holistic Wellness Festival and Juneteenth

Celebration

Saturday, June 8

Proviso East High School, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This festival will feature tness events including a 3K walk/run, food provided by various local Black-owned restaurants, live DJ showcases and “Best of Proviso”

competitions including tug-of-war and a football distance throw Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins and Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman will be in a dunk tank for par ticipants to indulge

The event is hosted by A Greater Good Foundation, which o ers social-emotional learning curriculums, restorative practices and other opportunities and programs for connection among youths in the Chicago area.

WESTCHESTER

Juneteenth Freedom Walk and Flag-Raising Ceremony

Wednesday, June 19

Lineup at Broadview Missionary Baptist Church at 9:45 a.m., ag-raising ceremony at Westchester Village Hall from 10:45 a.m. to noon

Community members can register to participate in this freedom walk, which will proceed to village hall for a ag-raising ceremony. Afterward, a Juneteenth Traveling Museum, book display from Westchester Public Library and complimentary refreshments will ser ve as enter tainment and educational opportunities to celebrate the holiday.

Juneteenth Community Celebration

Saturday, June 22

Gladstone Park, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This celebration is the other half of the Village of Westchester’s two days of festivities. Food trucks, live music, line dancing lessons and a vendor market will round out the holiday, complete with a performance from Grammy award-winning Pastor Darius Brooks.

HILLSIDE

Speaker Chris Welch’s Juneteenth Festival

Wednesday, June 19

Memorial Park Distric t, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Emanuel “Chris” Welch, 7th distric t state representativ e and speaker of the house, is hosting this free even t. It will feature food, games, v endors , ar tists , enter tainers and more.

Cicad-amazing art!

sam ferri

Maximus

Margot Qualiato

Au tin HOPE Cent breaks ground

The cer star building that will house clinical and community ca for local y

Lurie Children

Community Development Co broke gr which will offer nity services to young people on West Side.

Over 100 people cago Ave. of dirt before new community resource tin adolescents.

“The Austin Community Health Hub, soon to be renamed Austin HOPE Center, will be a healing and welcome center for young people and families who seek care, community services, and resources as a whole,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson, an Austin resident.

CONSTRUCTIVE: Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at the groundbreaking for the Austin Community Health Hub on June 10.

rienced conflict and chaos could come and

The first floor of the Austin HOPE Center will house Stone CDC offices and programming space, plus a cafe, community gatheen space. It will also host a teen lounge and two community training and programthe Magoon Institute.

here Lurie’s Children exams and services for pediatric behavioral and physical health. services include those for high-risk asthma, autism, kidney disease, ight management. Thresholds, community mental health and substance use. Thresht see any patients here, but infices for its outreach teams. onstruction comes after ollecting local input on the buildat services it will of fer.

Lurie’s held the first community input meeting April 2023. Around the same time wned architecture firms to design the project: Gregory

Ramón Design Studio Inc. and TnS Studio. Later in 2023, officials gathered input from clinicians and healthcare providers who live and work in Austin, then from about a dozen middle schoolers at KIPP Academy Chicago. The middle schoolers chose the name Austin HOPE Center, which stands for healing, opportunity, partnerships, and equity and engagement.

After securing zoning approvals at the beginning of this year, construction on the health hub has officially started. Blackowned UJAMAA Construction is the general contractor and construction management company for the project.

Construction will continue through summer 2025 and likely open next fall. In June, UJAAMA will hold an event to engage subcontractors. The following month, the construction management company will host a local hiring event.

“This day is especially exciting to me because it is all about community,” Jenkins said. “This is a chance for us to celebrate what the community asks for, how they help us shape this entire project and what we are going to do together.”

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Johnson announced that he would give $5 million to the Austin HOPE Center from the city’s $1.25 billion bond, which was approved earlier this year as a commitment to neighborhood development. The center will be the first resource funded by the bond.

“I brought it to the West Side first because I know that it’s going to make a real difference in the lives of the people in this community and across the city,” Johnson said. “From the very beginning of my administration, I made it a priority to ensure that all residents, no matter their zip code, have access to af fordable and quality healthcare. And today, we are making great strides to invest in our people and to uplift our communities that have often been left behind.”

‘All about community’

The Austin HOPE Center is a part of the local ef fort to revitalize the Chicago Avenue Corridor after Chicago’s Austin neighborhood has experienced decades of

see a change. I see a new day in Chicag right here on the West Side,” said Emma Mitts, alderman of the 37th Ward, who lives just blocks away from the site where Austin HOPE Center will sit. “That’s wh we want to see, using every inch of this space to bring help for our children, our most vulnerable ones.”

The Austin HOPE Center will focus services for children, based on what Lurie’s Children has noticed among their young patients.

According to data from Lurie Children Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities, from 2016 to 2018, Lurie Children saw over 7,000 emergency room visits and hospitalizations from young people for violence-related injuries.

New clinical care, services and programs will help serve this demog raphic.

The 24,500-square-foot Austin Community Health Hub will be split between its codevelopers, Lurie’s, Thresholds and Stone CDC, which was birthed out of Live Stone Missionary Baptist Church.

“I begin to envision a place where people who are hurting could come and get help in healing,” said Contrell Jenkins, pastor of Lively Stone Missionary Baptist Church, of the Austin HOPE Center. “I begin to envision a place where those that have expe-

Photos by TODD BANNOR

HOPEFUL: Mayor Brandon Johnson, 37th Ward Alderman Emma Mitts and State Representative La Shaw n Ford applaud the new development.

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One-on-One Counseling: Discuss self-care, decision-making, and ways to cope with stress when feeling overwhelmed with the challenges of raising children unexpectedly.

Thursday at the Illinois Press Association (IPA) awards ceremony, Growing Community Media walked away with 35 awards – 19 for first place – including for our coverage right here with our Austin Weekly News.

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IPA awarded honors to a series of stories reported by Francia Garcia Hernandez exploring West Siders responding to Chicago’s opioid epidemic. Francia’s knack for acknowledging the human side of the crisis shines through in stories like No end in sight to West Side’s opioid crisis, but one drug can help. Francia spent time on the ground with a mobile van that provides harm reduction services for people who use drugs to understand and explain why this strategy saves lives.

Contact the DFSS Senior Services Division Information and Assistance Unit aging@cityofchicago.org

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

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Our special project, At Home on the Greater West Side, brought home honors, too. Over the course of this year, reporters Delaney Nelson and Francia Garcia Hernanez show how to own your home, regardless of credit scores or residency status. They talk to local real estate professionals, home inspectors and West Side homeowners themselves to explore the process in detail. We have a new issue in this very paper!

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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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION LONGBRIDGE FINANCIAL, LLC Plaintiff, -v.-

FREDDIE MAE CONNER, THE CITY OF CHICAGO, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING BY AND THROUGH ITS AGENCY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants 2023 CH 09774 1054 N. SPRINGFIELD AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60651

NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on April 4, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on July 8, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

LOT 169 IN WILLIAM B. WEIGEL’S SUBDIVISION OF WEST ONEHALF OF THE NORTH WEST ONE QUARTER OF SOUTHWEST ONE QUARTER OF SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY ILLINOIS.

Commonly known as 1054 N. SPRINGFIELD AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60651

Property Index No. 16-02-310-0210000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $298,126.20.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition.

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

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay

the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact CHAD LEWIS, ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 205 N. MICHIGAN SUITE 810, CHICAGO, IL, 60601 (561) 241-6901. Please refer to file number 23-157423. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CHAD LEWIS ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC 205 N. MICHIGAN SUITE 810 CHICAGO IL, 60601 561-241-6901

E-Mail: ILMAIL@RASLG.COM

Attorney File No. 23-157423

Attorney ARDC No. 6306439

Attorney Code. 65582 Case Number: 2023 CH 09774 TJSC#: 44-905

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2023 CH 09774 I3245729

When veterinary care is unavailable or unaffordable, ask for Happy Jack ® animal healthcare products for cats, dogs, & horses. At Tractor Supply (www.happyjackinc.com).

GREATERWESTSIDE

Think you’d never qualify to buy a house? Think again

NACA is a solution for people with low credit scores or low but stable income

By DELANEY NELSON Special Projects Reporter

Founded in 1988, the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America provides more than 30% of housing counseling throughout the country. The HUD-certified nonprofit serves homebuyers and homeowners in nearly 30 states, including Illinois. NACA provides mortgages to low-to-moderate income

people looking to buy homes in low-to-moderate income communities. Bank of America has committed $15 billion to NACA’s Best in America Mortgage program, which boasts no down payment, no closing costs, no private mortgage insurance and a below-market fixed rate to eligible individuals.

Amarilis Wise, who directs NACA’s Chicago office, spoke with Austin Weekly News about the work the organization is doing to promote economic justice and make homeownership accessible to historically marginalized groups.

Why is the NACA mortgage program unique?

Wise: Why do we say NACA is the best mortgage in America? NACA is the first housing counseling company in the United States to counsel people to buy a home in the right way. We’re a housing counseling company. The actual lender is the Bank of America — we have an agreement with them until 2026, which says whoever buys a home through NACA, they

See NACA on page B2

Spanish Coalition for Housing to host annual housing expo this month

By DELANEY NELSON and FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Special Projects Reporters

The Spanish Coalition for Housing will host its 23rd annual “Camino a Su Casa” housing exposition this month to connect prospective homebuyers with the resour need to start their home-buying journey

The organization will host 30 exhibitors, including HUD-approved housing counselors, lenders, real estate attorneys, home inspectors and government officials. To Joseph Lopez, CEO and executive director, the event is an opportunity for community members to start building their home-buying team.

“We’ll have those lender partners who have affordable lending products that are safe and affordable for first-time homebuyers, our realtor partners who understand the mission of not only getting folks in their homes, but ensuring that it’s affordable and sustainable for the long term,” Lopez said. “There’s all mission alignment with our partners in the work that we do. The community values that, to say, ‘Spanish Coalition for Housing is hosting this event. We know that the resources at this event are valuable resources, have been vetted and are within that trust ecosystem.’”

The event, which will be held on the West Side on June 22, will include information sessions about grants for down payment and closing cost assistance. The first 60 attendees will receive free credit checks.

For folks who are not yet ready to start the home buying process, the expo is still a helpful opportunity to learn more about the steps to homeownership, meet counselors who can pr epare them for their journey and connect with credit and financial coaching if needed, Lopez said.

“(It’s an opportunity) to share critical information to community members around the basics of homeownership, and make it accessible and meet the community where they’re at — bringing our lending partners, our realtor partners, our government partners,

and all the programs under one roof,” Lopez said. “It’s bringing all those resources in one location and dedicating the time and resources to connect prospective homebuyers.”

The expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Plumber’s Union Hall on West Washington Boulevard. The event is free and open to the public.

Are you a new homeowner? Are you currently going through the home-buying process? We want to hear from you! Contact Delaney Nelson at delaney@austinweeklynews.com.

COURTESY OF SPANISH COALITION FOR HOUSING

COURTESY OF SPANISH COALITION FOR HOUSING

About 400 people attended the 2023 Camino A Su Casa housing expo.

NACA

Continued from page B1

will not be required to pay any down payment. If you want to put down a down payment, that’s fine — but it’s voluntary. The other important stuff is the closing costs: title insurance, appraisal, all those expenses that a buyer must go through when they buy a house, NACA pays for all of that, so they’re saving all that money that sometimes people are not able to even have the capacity to save for to become a homeowner

The regular median or lower-income people, it’s very hard for them to save for a down payment or save for their closing costs. Here, NACA gives you the opportunity to buy a house. We have people that have a credit score (as low as) 500. Why? Because what we evaluate is the behavior. You have to be paying on time at least the last 12 months of your liabilities, right? Some people have hardships in the past. Maybe they lost a job, they have charges they couldn’t pay two, three, four years ago. They do not need to pay it [back]. They just need to explain it. Any medical bills, even if it happened just two months ago — you don’t need to pay, you need to explain it. So those things open the door for much more low- and moderate-income people that normally will be rejected, or be treated with a much higher interest rate at any regular mortgage company or bank. So that’s why NACA is the best mortgage in America. No down payment, no closing costs, no interest in the credit score, no PMI.

Can you talk about NACA’s work in the Chicago area?

Wise: A lot of the members go for multifamily units. Others just want the house, right? We have communication with certain areas where they are building houses — not much in Chicago — but there are new construction houses, right? We do a lot in the suburbs. We also have our own in-house realtors that members can use if they want. They can bring their own realtor, or they can use one of NACA’s. They know the market, they know how to deal with NACA. They negotiate with the seller, know what to ask for, and can help the member with the transaction. The market in Chicago is growing exponentially, especially over the suburbs.

What can NACA members expect?

Wise: My counselors really go through, “did you upload your pay stub? Do you have a bank statement?” They are not just loan officers, they’re counselors. And I’ll tell you: the percentage of foreclosure with NACA loans is 0.00012. So almost nobody that buys a home through NACA goes into foreclosure, and this is because we do it in the right way. What does “the right way” mean? Very simply: You go to the bank. You get approved for $300,000 based on your

income. You go look for a home where you can make the monthly mortgage payment. You need to check with your counselor, what is your budget? How much can you afford, at most, for a house? That amount is the amount we’re going to approve you for. We’ll give you an estimate for what that mortgage amount can buy

We do multifamily, which is awesome in Chicago. They do it a lot. A lot of members have become investors, because they buy a unit where they live, but they rent the other unit, and technically, they pay off the mortgage with the rent that they receive for the other unit, or units. So that’s awesome.

The other mortgage companies don’t have anything close to this. They may say, “NACA takes a lot of time with the process.” That might be true, but it really depends.

What advice would you give prospective buyers?

Wise: The first thing I will say is, have a stable income — whatever it is, a fixed income, a selfemployment income, or a W-2 income, you have to be stable for at least two years of employment history. [It does] not necessarily [have to be] in the

same company, but at least two years working and producing money, because your income is going to determine how much you can afford.

Also, budget. Where am I spending my money? How much money do I have? Most people don’t know where their money goes. They start to budget, and they didn’t realize how much money they were spending every day at Starbucks. People don’t realize that until they don’t put it on paper and do their budget. So for us at NACA, the budget is a must. Do your own budget to see how you’re doing and what you need to adjust. Or maybe you’re saving well. We don’t know. It depends on different people. But becoming a homeowner is a financial situation that you need to have in order, and make sure that the monthly payment you are going to sign for is affordable for you.

Also, people that pay their rent on time can pay their mortgage on time. However, sometimes people want to be approved for a higher amount than the rent, so they need to save more money to prove that they can.

It doesn’t just matter how much money you make — it’s about how much money you make and how much you spend.

How does a prospective homebuyer get involved with NACA?

Wise: If you want to use NACA, the first thing you go is to the website: www.naca.com. Then, we have two options: We have, every two weeks, a face-to-face homebuyer workshop in Chicago, which I love to do. Or, you can do a webinar by yourself in two, three hours. Then, you get your NACA ID, and you are able to have your own online portal where you can upload your own documents, you can call us, and you can make an appointment in the system. Now, I would love for people to call directly to the office and we take care of them, because I still love the face-to-face. Nothing compares to talking to people. Every counselor here has their own office. But they also take care of a lot of people virtually. Members can come to the office, which is at 4425 West 63rd Street.

Follow us each month in print and at https://www.austinweeklynews.com/ at-home/, where you’ll find additional resources and useful information.

Giving homebuyers “peace of mind”: What to expect when you’re inspecting

By DELANEY NELSON Special Projects Reporter

Picture it: You found a home you love, and your offer has been approved. Often, the next step is a home inspection. An inspection is not a test to pass, but rather an evaluation of what is and is not working properly, giving the buyer a clear picture of the property’s condition. An inspector will examine the heating system, central air conditioning, interior plumbing, electrical systems, roof, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors and foundation, among other things. Inspections typically occur after the contract or purchase agreement is signed, but before a buyer and seller close the deal on a property. Depending on the results of the inspection, the buyer can rescind their offer on the home or renegotiate the terms of the purchase. When faced with bidding wars for limited housing stock, some prospective buyers skip inspections to be a more competitive applicant. But homeowners — who end up responsible for expensive property surprises — often regret doing so. Plus, the benefits outweigh the cost: Inspectors generally charge somewhere between $200 and $500 for their services.

defects in their electrical system, defects in their plumbing, or just the overall condition of the home that they’re purchasing, giving them peace of mind of any defects or potential things that could come up later

What should a homebuyer expect from a home inspection?

Rodriguez: The inspection takes maybe about two hours, sometimes three, and they get a thorough report of my findings of the property.

What do you check during the inspection?

Carmelo Rodriguez became a licensed home inspector in 2016, with the goal of making the homebuying process a little easier for buyers in Chicagoland. He works as the master property inspector at Hometec Property Inspections.

Austin Weekly News spoke with Rodriguez about what homebuyers can expect going into an inspection — and what red flags to keep an eye out for

What exactly is a home inspection, and what is its purpose?

Rodriguez: A home inspection’s goal is to give clarity to the client, which is usually the home buyer, the purchaser. (That could be)

Rodriguez: I’ll check the roof. If it’s a shingled roof, I check for any missing shingles, any deterioration, any clogged gutters. I check windows, doors and siding. I check all the mechanicals, the heating system, the air conditioning system, the electrical system. I’ll check for proper drainage in the plumbing system. I also make a note of the age and model number of all the mechanicals, so (the buyer) can get an idea of the age of all the mechanicals. I basically test all the water and I test for water pressure. I’ll check the foundation. If there’s a crawl space, I look for any moisture accumulation in the crawl space, and I’ll check for any cracks in the foundation.

What are some of the red flags that you look out for during an inspection?

Rodriguez: Major electrical issues, like maybe an old electrical panel that could potentially lead to a fire hazard. I also look for foundation issues that can lead to flooding or settling, where it could cost them a lot of money in the long run to repair

What might an inspection look like for a unit within a building?

Rodriguez: That depends. If it’s a big complex that maybe has 30 or more units, [the inspection] is mostly focused just on their

unit. The common areas are not included in those inspections because those are homeowner-association issues. So, it’s mostly the dwelling unit within the walls when it’s a condo. Now, if it’s a building that’s maybe only three units or three condos, sometimes they would want me to check the roof, just because those could be added special assessments later, or things that could affect them later. So then I’ll go ahead and check the exterior, the roof.

What is your advice to prospective homebuyers?

Rodriguez: I would advise them to definitely get a home inspection. There’s instances where they might not want one, or think that they know somebody that can go and walk through with them, but there’s been instances

where they have done that and they regretted it. So I always encourage homebuyers to get into home inspection.

What should buyers look for in a home inspector?

Rodriguez: They have to be comfortable with who they speak with. There’s questions they can ask, like how long (the inspector) has been in business, what they’re going to be looking for, what’s included in the report, turnaround time, just basic questions.

Follow us each month in print and at https://www.austinweeklynews.com/ at-home/, where you’ll find additional resources and useful information.

Carmelo Rodriguez Licensed home inspector