Austin Weekly News 071024 by Wednesday Journal

What’s next for Rev. Ira Acree

a his RTA nominatio withdrawal?

‘I’m just more determined to do the work,’ he said about his preaching and advocac y

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

In late May, Rev. Ira Acree, lead pastor at Greater St. John Bible Church in Austin, withdrew his name from consideration for the Regional Transportation Authority board, the oversight body for Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace services.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson nominated Acree for the RTA board in March, Acree said. But about two months later, the pastor rescinded his nomination amid opposition by two aldermen during the interview process.

Now, Acree, a seasoned activist, is setting his journey into politics aside for the moment to continue living his faith and speaking truth to power, he said.

The father-daughter team of owners plans to open their restaurant bar later this month

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

In June, father-daughter team Rodrick Harris and Felicia O’connor opened The Blōōhol, a high-end Belizean restaurant in Austin, the first of its kind in the neighborhood, and likely in the city as a whole.

“This is the first upscale Belizean restaurant in Chicago,” O’connor said. Its menu consists of popular Central American and Caribbean dishes that Harris grew up eating in Belize

“Our Sunday dinner is rice and beans,

JESSICA MOR DACQ

Felicia O’connor and Rodrick Harris standing in front of a photo of the Great Blue Hole in Belize, their restaurant’s namesake.

Organizer Jitu Brown vies for 5th District school board seat

He is one of 5 candidates running for the new seat in November

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

At the end of June, 47 candidates filed nomination petitions for Chicago’s first elected school board. Five residents from the 5th District, which covers Austin, Galewood, Garfield Park and Lawndale, along with parts of Humboldt Park, Pilsen and Little Village, will throw their hats in the ring.

In the months leading up to the election, Austin Weekly News will highlight the 5th District candidates and their goals for Chicago Public Schools, if they win the November election.

One of these candidates, Aaron “Jitu” Brown, 58, has lived in Austin since 2006 and has advocated for education justice for over 30 years. At least 20 of those years, he said, he’s been fighting to be able to have an elected school board in Chicago.

“I’m thankful that other people are running. I’m thankful that people have the right to run,” Brown said. “I’ve been on the front lines of the fight to have this right. I’ve been arrested for this right. I’ve been dragged out of school board meetings for this right.”

“I never intended on running for school board,” Brown added. But as he collected wins for community schools — at a time of mass privatization of Chicago’s schools, which he said leads to the closure of neighborhood schools and expansion of charter schools — he changed his mind.

“We have to have people on those school boards, not only who understand community schools and understand equity , but also can be trusted behind closed doors,” Brown said.

Brown’s background

Brown was raised on Chicago’s South Side, where he attended Chicago Public Schools.

In 1991, he began volunteering for the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, which convenes parents, stu-

Aaron “Jitu” Brown

dents, teachers and community members to improve the education system. In 2006, he was hired as the organization’s education org anizer.

Brown has also served as a local school council member for over a decade and started training other members in 1999. KOCO’s Mid-South Education Alliance, a group that collects resources and serves schools in the Mid-South area of Chicago, was the first to train local school council members, a model replicated across Chicago, Brown said. Brown is a national director of the Journey for Justice Alliance, a nationwide group of organizations founded in 2012 that advocates for community alternatives to the privatization of public schools.

Throughout decades of fighting for Chicago Public Schools, Brown’s ef for ts have led to the creation of sustainable community schools, or hubs that serve as resource centers for the community beyond the school day.

In 2015, for mer Mayor Rahm Emanuel closed Dyett High School. Brown led other community activists and members in a 34-day hunger strike to protest the school’s closure, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Their ef for ts resulted in Dyett undergoing $14 million in renovations and reopening in 2016 as one of Chicago’s, and the country’s, first sustainable community schools

“I talked with a few thousand people in the Bronzeville area, and we created a vision not only for Dyett, but for six of its feeder schools, what we call the sustainable community school village,” Brown said. “And now this model of education is spreading across the country. And Chicago has committed to becoming a sustainable community school district.”

Although he has no experience as an elected official, Brown has decades of community organizing knowledge around education.

“I’ve helped to improve schools and win education justice not only in Chicago, but across the country,” Brown said.

Brown’s goals for Austin schools

Brown’s own experience — he attended public schools on the South Side, his son goes to Kenwood Academy High School in Hyde Park, and he now lives on the West Side — has demonstrated the city’s lack of education justice.

“A baby that lives on Diversey and Ashland has a completely different educational reality. And it’s as simple as looking at course offerings [compared to] a child that lives in the Austin community or who lives in Humboldt Park,” Brown said.

“That inequity has been ignored for too long. I’m running to really push the City of Chicago to finally confront its ugly and then to do something about it, to actually put resources in the communities that have been so long ignored and give those communities a voice.”

While schools on the West Side possess some attractive qualities — Brown cites Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet High School’s freshman connection program, where eighth graders are given a pre-orientation of sorts — Frederick Douglass Academy High School and Austin Colle ge and Career Academy High School are still both underpopulated and under-resourced.

Douglass enrolled only 33 students this year, and Austin High School had 165, according to Chicago Public School data.

To revitalize these schools, Brown said the community needs to be involved in creating a vision. One way to do this is by asking parents and students about what curriculum and wraparound support services should be of fered in schools.

PROVIDED

BIG WEEK

Movie at the Farm

Austin Eats, Thursday, July 18, 6 -9:30 p.m.

mic event is July 23. Don’t miss it! 5851 W. Madison St.

Registration Now Open for Youth Leader Activation Summit

Join in for an evening of food, music, and activities at BUILD Chicago’s beautiful urban farm in Austin, and a screening of “Farming While Black .” It’s free and for all ages, but is intended for those who live, work, play or worship in Austin. This event examines the historical plight of Black farmers in America, and the rising generation reclaiming their rightful ownership of land and reconnecting with their ancestral roots. Find tickets here: https://ow.ly/iAzT50Swhfy

My CHI. My Future. Summer Kickback Series - Early July

Dates vary by location

Join My CHI. My Future. community partners for one of many Kickbacks across Chicago in July as a part of the Safe Spaces for Youth series.

Austin: Peace and Healing Festival 13, 12-5 p.m. (1140 N. Lamon Ave Project Exploration.

Gar eld Park: Big Jam Talent Show, Friday, July 12, 4:30-7:30 p.m. (Marillac Foglia C Jackson Blvd.), hosted by After School Matters with Marillac St. Vincent Family Ser vices.

Learn more by downloading the My CHI. My Future. app or visiting: https://ow.ly/oWiO50SwheV

Saturday, Aug. 3, 12-3 p.m. Registration for the Youth Leader Activation Summit is now open. Hosted by the Mayor’s Youth Commission.The summit aims to empower Chicago’s youth, ages 14-19, to take action and positively impact their communities. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from various youth leaders, engage with local organizations and programs that promote youth leadership, and connect with peers from across the city. Lunch, snacks and drinks will be provided throughout the event. For questions, email mayorsyouthcommission@cityofchicago.org.

750 S. Halsted St.

E-Commerce Bootcamp

mHUB Curriculum, July 20, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. E-Commerce Bootcamp, a collaboration between mHUB, West Side Forward and Rosemint Media is a workshop designed to equip business owners with knowledge and topline takeaways to jumpstart or scale their e -commerce business. By the end of the day, attendees will have a clear understanding of e -commerce fundamentals, how to build and optimize an online store, e ective digital marketing strategies and best practices for managing sales and customer service. Register here: https://ow.ly/ pj2L50Swhf6. 1623 W. Fullerton St.

Editor Erika Hobbs

Sta Reporters Jessica Mordacq Amaris E. Rodriguez

Special projects reporter Delaney Nelson

Digital Manager Stacy Coleman

Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan

Reporting Partners Block Club, Austin Talks

Columnists Arlene Jones, Aisha Oliver

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza

Sales & Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe

Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Gre n Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.com ONLINE www.AustinWeeklyNews.com

BLŌŌHOL

Taste of home

from page 1

stewed chicken, potato salad and fried plantains,” Harris said.

For $25, diners can order just that of f the restaurant’s “dinna” menu. Jerk chicken with the same sides is $25, while melt-inyour-mouth oxtail, the restaurant’s mostpopular item, is $35. Customers can also order a la carte items like mac and cheese, smashed potatoes and jerk wings.

Harris and O’connor said they plan to add more entrees to the restaurant’s menu and are waiting for The Blōōhol’s liquor license before opening the bar, hopefully by July 20.

After the bar is open, signature cocktails will include the Pina Breeze, made with tequila-soaked pineapple, and Down Di Blue Hole, made with mango.

Down the blue hole

Down Di Blue Hole contains the Americanized spelling of the restaurant’s name. The owners named both the drink and the restaurant after the famous sinkhole of f Belize’s coast.

“It’s very close to being a wonder of the world because it’s so unique,” O’connor said about the Great Blue Hole, which is more than 400 feet deep and part of a

UNESCO World Heritage Site.

And the only high-end Belizean r estaurant in Chicago may pr ove to be j ust as uniqu e.

The Blōōhol sold out on its opening day June 8 and business has been relatively good since.

“It’s still in the slow parts, but it’s getting there because everybody’s just learning

about it,” O’connor said. “For a restaurant to just start, and where we are at so far, I’m okay with that.”

The Blōōhol is the long-awaited result of over three years of O’connor asking her father to go into business with her.

Harris grew up in Belize, where his mom taught him how to cook in his childhood home’s stand-alone kitchen among a large backyard. When he was 17, he moved to Chicago. Later, Harris moved to Texas to work construction.

But his first-born, O’connor, was born and raised in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. In high school, she moved to the West Side with her mother.

“She kept inviting me to come up here and cook for her because they like my food,” Harris said about his daughter. He cooked for her wedding and several times for her friends during visits to Chicago.

It was during one of these trips when O’connor took Harris to an upscale Caribbean restaurant.

“I see the crowd and the way people are eating, like they’re having their last meal,” Harris said. But when he tasted the oxtail O’connor ordered, her favorite Belizean dish, he knew he could prepare it better.

After that experienc e, and unable to do heavy c onstruction wo rk as he grew older, Harris ag reed to go i nto business with his daughter.

The father-daughter duo used their own funds to finance The Bl ōōhol. Before open-

ing the restaurant, O ’connor was wo rking as a landlord and r unning her nai l salon and trucking c ompany. T he pair paid for the building’s remodeling out-ofpocket, too.

Harris, with his construction background, built the bar and benches, plus painted the walls and tables.

“T he way we ’re set up, you c ome in here, you g et the f eel of being at home,” Har ris said.

Caribbean music plays throughout the restaurant. Above a mural of The Blue Hole are three TVs playing videos of beaches and colorful fish. The back hallway leading to the bathroom is decorated with tropical animals. Fake flowers hang down from the ceiling and flags from various countries cover the walls.

“Even though this is a Belizean restaurant, we’re welcoming all races, all people,” O’connor said. She and her father hope that visitors feel a sense of belonging when they dine at The Bl ōōhol.

“We want to make it as safe and as c omfortable as p ossibl e, ” O ’connor a dded. “We want to have a g ood time and make sure that they g et the b est Belizean food around.”

The Blōōhol is open at 5101 W. North Ave. Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. After the bar is open, The Blōōhol’s kitchen and bar will stay open on Fridays and Saturdays until 1:30 a.m.

JESSICA MOR DACQ e restaurant’s bar will open by July 20.

JESSICA MOR DACQ

Rodrick Harris built e Blōōhol’s benches and painted the table tops with O’connor and her daughter. e hallway (right) in the back of the restaurant that leads to the bathroom.

Low-income immigrants over 42 may need to renew their health insurance

Members of the state Health Bene ts for Immigrant Adults/Seniors programs must renew coverage by July 15

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

If you qualify for either oftwo Illinois programs designed to give ance to low-income immigr may need to renew your coverage losing your benefits with no way to get them back.

federal government.

Members ofthe state’s Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults/Seniors programs will need to submit paperwork — for an annual benefits eligibility check that the state refers to as redeter mination — to renew their coverage for another year by Monday, July 15, or they may lose their insurance benefits effective August 1.

According to a written statement from Cook County Health, all information that immigrants provide during the redeter mination process “is used solely for program operation and is not shared for immigration enforcement purposes.”

The two programs have similar requirements to join, although re gistration for both is currently paused, as both programs have met their capacity and do not have the space to accept new members. For that reason, any members who do not renew their membership will not be able to reapply for health insurance after the redeter mination deadline has passed According to Cook County Health, almost 35,000 low-income county residents have secured access to health insurance through one of the progr ams

Members of the HBIA prog ram must be Illinois residents between the ages of 42-64 who are either lawful permanent residents who hold green cards or undocumented immigrants, including anyone who has been granted temporary protected status by the

An individual HBIA member must make $18,754 or less per year; members in households oftwo must make $25,268 combined or less per year. According to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the income limit “differs depending on the number of household members” beyond two.

The HBIS prog ram is similar; the main difference from the HBIA program is which age group members fall into. HBIS members must be Illinois residents age 65 or older who have green cards or are undocumented.

The HBIS program has stricter financial requirements. Individual seniors must make $13,590 or less per year to qualify for the program, while couples must make $18,310 or less annually. Seniors on the program must also have assets worth less than $17,500.

According to Cook County Health’s statement, HFS mailed paperwork for the rede termination process in April to all members of both programs.

Members ofeither program can find thei renewal due dates and confirm their mailing addresses online at abe.illinois.gov by calling 800-843-6154. If you need in-person support to fill out redeter mination pape work, you can find an upcoming event online at countycare.com/redeter mination Fo r more info rm ation about either progr am, visit the HFS we bsit e,

Help Wanted

Responsibilities include elding telephone and in-person inquiries, preparation of reports, ling, typing and problem solving. Candidate must have the interpersonal skills required to interact with contractors and the general public. Strong communication and organization skills desired in addition to knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and database computer applications. Must have the ability to organize, prioritize and work independently. High School diploma or equivalent required. 18 regular hours per week $18.70/hourly - no bene ts.

*AnnualPercentageYield(APY)accurateasofOctober26,2023andissubjecttochange. Aminimumof $10,000isrequiredtoopentheaccountandtoobtainthestatedAPY.Feesmayreduceearningsonthe account. Apenaltymaybeimposedforearlywithdrawal.Offerisfornewmoneyonly.

*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) accurate as of May 22, 2024 and is subject to change. A minimumof$10,000is requiredtoopentheaccountandtoobtainthestatedAPY.Feesmay reduceearningsontheaccount.Apenaltymaybeimposedforearlywithdrawal.Offerisfor newmoneyonly.

Time to reinstate the death penalty

number of children being shot and killed should have us holding our heads in shame. Specifically, the killing of two women and an 8-year-old at 71st and Woodlawn. The police re ported it was a “personal issue” that caused the carnag e. But what kind of personal issue causes two carloads of individuals to show up with rifles and handguns? What kind of shooters have no problem shooting and

is no indignant outrage, no anger. It has become so common that Black society has slowly being indoctrinated to a gradual acce ptance that this is just how it has to be.

I want the same politicians (especially our state’s attor ney, Kwame Raul) who so vigorously rallied to end the death penalty, to vigorously rally to reinstate it. These are crimes that should be death-penalty eligible!

In the past, populations were ke pt in check because of the death penalty being imposed. It is one of the few things that is guaranteed to work so

What are the school board elections?

After about a decade of lobbying for an elected representative school board, Chicagoans in November will now be able to vote for 10 members for the board.

The first election of its kind in Chicago follows legislation signed by Gov. JB Pritzker in 2021, which changed the structure of the board. It expanded the school board from seven members who were appointed by the mayor. In January, after the election, the new school board will have 21

members, just under half of which will be elected by Chicago residents. Mayor Brandon Johnson will also appoint 10 members and a board president.

According to the Chicago Board of Education, the elected members will serve twoyear terms and volunteer up to 30 hours a month, most of it spent at or preparing for board meetings. Meeting responsibilities include establishing district priorities, approving district policies, purchasing decisions, contracts and improvement plans

“An elected school board will help students and their families have a strong voice in important decisions about the ed-

JITU BROWN

Reforming schools

from page 2

“People will fight for what they help to build,” Brown said.

Brown added that the key to revitalizing a community is making sure residents have equitable basic quality-of-life institutions, like grocery stores, af fordable housing and schools.

“The way that you rebuild communities is that you invest in those basic quality-oflife institutions. And you can’t do that in a way that’s honest if the people that are directly impacted don’t have say-so over how those institutions function,” Brown said.

When asked about the potential for the construction of a new high school — which Re p. La Shawn Ford filed a resolution for in May — Brown said that the state of West Side schools is bigger than a new high school.

“I think there has to be a vision for public education,” Brown said. “In Austin, what is our definition of education? In Chicago? If you have a definition, then you can shape the institutions to align with that vision, but there is none.”

Brown’s hopes for CPS

What would Brown’s ultimate goal be if he’s elected to the school board?

“I would say it’s for a world-class, pre-K through 12th grade system of education within a safe walking distance of every Chicagoan’s home,” Brown said.

To pay for equitable schooling across all Chicago neighborhoods, Brown said there would need to be a restructuring of the district’s budget.

ucation system in Chicago,” Pritzker said in a statement.

“A board appointed by the mayor is not accountable to the public,” Brown, who’s running in the 5th District, said.

The new school board will cover 10 districts, which are divided into two subdistricts. The mayor will appoint school board members in the subdistrict that the elected candidate doesn’t live in.

While the school board’s 5th District represents the 24th, 28th, 29th and 37th Wards, District 7 also covers parts of the 24th and 28th Ward. District 3 covers part of the 37th Ward, while District 1 covers

“You still have departments in Chicago Public Schools that are dedicated to privatization,” Brown said.

“We have to re-allocate those resources towards neighborhood schools and towards making education easily accessible for every child within CPS.”

A nother g oal is to hire more teachers of color.

Last year, just under 48% of CPS teachers reported were white, 21% Black and 23% Hispanic, state figures show. That contrasts with the 11% of students who say they are white, 36% who reported they are Black and nearly 47% who are Hispanic.

Brown suggests increasing the number of educators of color by investing in partnerships with post-secondary institutions, like Historically Black Colleges and Universities that have teacher development programs.

“Every child benefits from having a diverse teaching force,” Brown said. “And research bears this out: Children do better when they have teachers that can relate to them culturally.”

CPS officials told the Austin Weekly News that they’re working to increase the number of Black staff and students in CPS.

Although there was a 1.8% decrease of Black students enrolled in CPS from last year to this year, that decline is about half the rate that it was the last five years, according to CPS officials.

Last winter, the district launched the Black Student Success Working Group, which convenes students, parents, educators and other local leaders to help Black students succeed and provide recommendations to the Chicago Board of Education.

“Ultimately, I want to become the national model for how a big-city school district can actually be equitable and do right by its children,” Brown said. “And I think we have that opportunity right now.”

part of the 29th Ward.

In the upcoming months, Austin Weekly News will profile c andidates r unning in the 5th District: Aaron “Jitu” Brown, Michilla “Ky la” Blaise, A nthony Hargrove, Ke r netha Jones and Jousef M. Shkoukani . Jennifer Custer, Charles Her nandez and Michelle Pier re are running for the 1st District. Carlos Rivas Jr., Jason Dones and Kirk Ortiz are candidates for the 3rd District. And in the 7th District, names on the ballot will include Yesenia Lopez, Felipe Luna Jr., Jesus Ayala Jr., Eva Villalobos and Raquel Don.

Aaron “Jitu” Brown speaks into a megaphone.

IRA ACREE Next steps

from page 1

“I’m just more determined to do the work. I will continue doing what I’ve always done: pastor and advocate for human rights,” Acree told the Austin Weekly News. “Any role or any task that comes my way will be just an extension of my work.”

He would have considered the RTA board as one such extension. Other areas of his work that he will focus on include opening Austin’s first credit union in a neighborhood that has been historically underbanked

“I will continue to do my part in trying to change lives, whether it’s via financially empowering families or providing hope by the light of my faith, by showing people a better way to live,” Acree said.

The road to the RTA board

The RTA board is composed of 15 directors from six counties. Five are appointed by Chicago’s mayor, four by the suburban Cook County Board and one by the board’s president, plus five by county chairmen. Whoever is appointed to the RTA board serves for five years with a $25,000 annual salary.

Board members attend monthly meetings and approve RTA budgets

When he applied to sit on the RTA board, Acree, who supports Mayor Johnson, said he submitted his resume to the mayor’s office and talked with someone on his staf f.

T he mayor’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

Acree said he wanted to be on the RTA board to help improve quality of service and capital projects on Chicago’s West Side.

following a preliminary hearing with the City Council’s Transporta Way Committee.

At the May 8 hearing to appr son’s appointment of Acree, the pastor answered nearly an hour of questions, and some of his responses faced backlash.

For example, when Acree was asked how the RTA will address a $730 million shortfall after federal funding VID-19 relief runs out year, he responded, “This is hearing about a $735 million shortfall. So, I wouldn’t want to respond to that tod without doing the research.”

Acree also said he doesn CTA: “I’m for tunate to ha the CTA often when I come downtown.”

During the press c he withdrew his nomination, Acree said he knew there was a significant he just didn’t know the exact number And as for criticisms ing the CTA, Acree told the Austin Weekly News: “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he transformed the Montgomery transit system, and he was neve the city needed at that time was leadership and someone who could org and speak up for the public good.”

Though Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) and Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) opposed Acree’s nomination — citing the pastor’s lack of experience with public transit and preparation on the RTA’s agenda and finances — the committee passed his appointment to the RTA board, and the vote went to city council.

“Ira Acree willingly accepted this assignment because it would amplify the voices of many who have been left out and left behind.”

RE V. IR A ACREE

Lead pastor at Greater St. John Bible Church

“In the midst of a grueling and challenging role as pastor and civil rights advocate in this tale of two cities, Ira Acree willingly accepted this assignment because it would amplify the voices of many who have been left out and left behind,” Acree told the Austin Weekly News. But some aldermen, and members of the public, started questioning Acree’s chops

“It was surprising and disappointing to me that a couple of aldermen turned this appointment into a politically divisive issue,”

Acree said. “It’s just unfortunate to me that, in 2024, some on the city council, opponents of AfricanAmerican empowerment camouflaged as our allies, are determined to deny individuals like me the chance to fight for the men, women and children who rely on public transit every day.”

When he withdrew his nomination, Acree said the aldermen held him to a higher standard than previous board appointees who came from backgrounds different than the board they served on.

There are many examples of this on the city’s transit boards. Block Club reported

Rev.

Ira Acree

that, over the last 40 years, out of more than 50 CTA board appointments, only three have been transportation experts.

Vasquez said that his dissenting vote wasn’t racially motivated, but rather because of Acree’s lack of transit experience.

Waguespack said his vote was due to wanting to see more about Acree’s plans for Chicago’s public transportation system, which has faced scrutiny in recent years.

In April, Illinois lawmakers proposed merging CTA, Metra and Pace services, aiming to improve the effectiveness and financial stability of Chicago’s public transit. And in May, a majority of the city’s aldermen called for CTA President Dorval Carter’s resignation, since he hasn’t restored CTA’s staffing or services since COVID.

At the council meeting May 22, when Acree was set to be appointed, the mayor’s office postponed the vote. After the meeting, Johnson said he wanted to “give people more time to have inquiry,” according to CBS News.

But there wasn’t an opportunity to reschedule the vote before Acree withdrew his nomination two days later

“Initially, I believed it would be strategically advantageous for the community to have a leader from the West Side on the

board,” Acree told the Austin Weekly News. “But not if it meant silencing my voice.” T he c omment largely stems from a q uestion Acree was asked during the May 8 hearing about whether or not he would fire Carter from his p osition as CTA president.

“I would never betray him or my community to secure a political position,” Acree said. “I would not want to silence my voice to be a part of some political puppeteering.”

“I’m not going to be sitting on the sideline while you have these opponents of African-American empowerment trying to sabotage any kind of movement that we make in our community,” Acree added during the press conference May 24, when he withdrew his nomination.

While Acree said he d oesn’t know who Johnson’s next nomination will be for the RTA b oard, he said he trusts the mayo r’s judgment.

“He should continue to look for someone who’s deeply rooted in the community, someone who understands the pulse of the people, someone who represents the working class and the voiceless,” Acree said. “And most importantly, it should be someone with a proven track record of speaking truth to power.”

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG Deadline: Monday at 9:30 a.m.

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE INVITATION TO BID TO METROPOLITAN WATER

RECLAMATION DISTRICT OF GREATER CHICAGO

Sealed proposals, endorsed as above, will be submitted back to the District via an electronic upload to the Bonfire Portal only, from the date of the Invitation to Bid, up to 11:00 A.M. (Chicago time), on the bid opening date, and will be opened publicly as described in the Invitation to Bid by the Director of Procurement and Materials Management or designee at 11:00 AM on the stated bid opening date below for: CONTRACT 24-651-21 REMOVE AND REPLACE PAVEMENT AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS

Estimated Cost Group A:

$158,000.00

Bid Deposit Group A: NONE

Estimated Cost Group B:

$400,000.00

Bid Deposit Group B: NONE

Estimated Cost Group C:

$689,000.00

Bid Deposit Group C: NONE

Estimated Cost Group D:

$303,000.00

Bid Deposit Group D: NONE

TOTAL FOR ALL GROUPS:

$1,550,000.00

Voluntary Technical Pre-Bid Conference: Friday, July 19, 2024, 10:00 am Chicago Time, via ZOOM Link.

Compliance with the District’s Affirmative Action Ordinance

Revised Appendix D, Appendix V, Appendix C, and the Multi Project LaborAgreement are required on this Contract.

Bid Opening: July 30, 2024 *************************************

The above is an abbreviated version of the Notice Invitation to Bid. A full version which includes a brief description of the project and/or service can be found on the District’s website, www.mwrd. org; the path is as follows: Doing Business > Procurement and Materials Management > Contract Announcements.

Specifications, proposal forms and/ or plans may be obtained from the Department of Procurement and Materials Management by downloading online from the District’s website at www.mwrd.org (Doing Business > Procurement & Materials Management > Contract Announcements). No fee is required for the Contract Documents. Any questions regarding the downloading of the Contract Document should be directed to the following email: contractdesk@ mwrd.org or call 312-751-6643. All Contracts for the Construction of Public Works are subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130/1-et.seq.), where it is stated in the Invitation to Bid Page.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals if deemed in the public’s best interest.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation Districtof Greater Chicago

By Darlene A. LoCascio Director of Procurement and MaterialsManagement

Published in Austin

2024

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSOR-ININTEREST TO U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION; SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR C-BASS MORTGAGE LOAN ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-SP1 Plaintiff, -v.-

OSCAR PATTERSON, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TERRACE JOHNSON

Defendants 2022 CH 04779 1139 N. MASSASOIT AVE. CHICAGO, IL 60651 NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on May 2, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on August 5, 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: LOT 40 AND THE SOUTH 5 FEET OF LOT 41 IN BLOCK 3 IN HOOD’S SUBDIVISION OF BLOCKS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 AND 18 IN SALISBURY’S SUBDIVISION OF THE EAST HALF OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 5, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Commonly known as 1139 N. MASSASOIT AVE., CHICAGO, IL 60651 Property Index No. 16-05-405-0050000

The real estate is improved with a multi-family residence.

The judgment amount was $105,272.88.

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

ESTATE FOR SALE

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).

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact Alexander Potestivo, POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 263-0003. Please refer to file number 314009.

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.

POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610 Chicago IL, 60606 312-263-0003

E-Mail: ilpleadings@potestivolaw. com

Attorney File No. 314009

Attorney Code. 43932

Case Number: 2022 CH 04779

TJSC#: 44-1204

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

Case # 2022 CH 04779 I3247580

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE

SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF WASHINGTON MUTUAL ASSET BACKED

ESTATE FOR SALE

CERTIFICATES WMABS SERIES 2007-HE2; Plaintiff, vs. LINDA FOOTE; LIONEL L. FOOTE; UNKNOWN OWNERS

GENERALLY AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 23 CH 2211

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 Wednesday, August 21, 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: LOT 37 IN HOGENSON`S 3RD ADDITION BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THE WEST 1/4 OF THE EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHEAST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 AND THE EAST 175 FEET OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE NORTHEAST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 4, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

P.I.N. 16-04-313-035. Commonly known as 1000 N. Lockwood 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 Mr. Matthew C. Abad at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Altman, Strautins & Kromm, LLC d/b/a Kluever Law Group, 200 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (312) 2360077. SPS001884-23FC1 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com

I3247859

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC; Plaintiff, vs. SHELDON I. JONES, JR.; KELLEY C. WEAVER; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 23 CH 3288

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, August 13, 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. 16-09-321-010-0000. Commonly known as 41 N. Long Ave., Chicago, IL 60644. 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. 7034192028

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3247437

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF THE TRUMAN 2021 SC9 TITLE TRUST; Plaintiff, vs. SARAH M. MCKNIGHT; SENTA R. MCNIGHT; ETHEL WORMELY; JAMES D. WORMLEY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 18 CH 8225 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, July 29, 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. 16-02-116-008-0000. Commonly known as 1346 and 1352 N. Springfield Ave., Chicago, IL 60651.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a multi-family residence. The successful purchaser is entitled to possession of the property only. The purchaser may only obtain possession of units within the multi-unit property occupied by individuals named in the order of possession.

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. 1460-183931

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3246548

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-7 Plaintiff, -v.JOHNNY WOODS Defendants 2023 CH 06483 1422 S KOSTNER AVE CHICAGO, IL 60623

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in

the above cause on April 18, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on July 22, 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 1422 S KOSTNER AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60623

Property Index No. 16-22-110-0300000, 16-22-110-031-0000, 16-22110-032-0000

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

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100

BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-23-04545

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2023 CH 06483 TJSC#: 44-1121

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 06483 I3246729

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR FREMONT HOME LOAN TRUST 2004-D, MORTGAGE-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-D Plaintiff, -v.-

ANTOINETTE SUMPTER, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, CITY OF CHICAGO Defendants 2022 CH 11659 1539 S. HARDING CHICAGO, IL 60623 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on April 23, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on July 25, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1539 S. HARDING, CHICAGO, IL 60623 Property Index No. 16-23-123-0150000; 16-23-123-016-0000 The real estate is improved with a residence.

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

Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527

630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-08765

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2022 CH 11659 TJSC#: 44-1118

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

BMO BANK, N.A.

Plaintiff, -v.KHALILAH PRATT, CITY OF CHICAGO, USAA FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

Defendants 2019 CH 13175 2706 WEST JACKSON BOULEVARD

CHICAGO, IL 60612

NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on April 29, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on July 31, 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 2706 WEST JACKSON BOULEVARD, CHICAGO, IL 60612

Property Index No. 16-13-212-0420000

The real estate is improved with a residence.

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).

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527

630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-23-01522

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2019 CH 13175

TJSC#: 44-1260

Case # 2019 CH 13175

I3247122

AT HOMEONTHE GREATERWESTSIDE

A GCM GUIDE TO HOMEOWNERSHIP

How a West-Side family has used their home to create community and connection

Since the Great Migration, the West Side has welcomed thousands of Black Americans searching for a new place to call home

By DELANEY NELSON and FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Special Projects Reporters

For generations, West Side families have called home communities like Garﬁeld Park, North Lawndale, and Austin. In this series, we talk to longtime West Side residents about the meaning of living, owning, and staying on the West Side.

AUSTIN

Felicia Oliver has lived with her family in Austin for around 40 years. In her Austin home, near the intersection of North Menard Avenue and West Washington Boulevard, Oliver said she and her husband created a safe, thriving and strong place for opportunity, for her family and for the community

Aisha Oliver, Felicia’s ﬁrst-born daughter, said she remembers moving into the house in 8th grade. Oliver is also an occasional columnist for Austin Weekly News. Some of her core memories were made within the home’s walls, on the front porch and in the backyard, where family, friends and neighbors continue to gather.

In many ways, Aisha said, that home shaped who she is and how she shows up for the community. She still lives in Austin, just a walk away from her family home.

In an interview with Austin Weekly News, Aisha and Felicia Oliver shared the hurdles and value of owning a home in Austin, and, perhaps more importantly, what the signiﬁcance means for the family.

The interview has been edited for clarity and length.

AWN: How did you ﬁnd this home?

Felicia: When we started our homeownership process, we were living in my aunt’s building [on the West Side]. It was a family building. They were getting older and we wanted to give

them a home — I think that’s everyone’s dream, or at least, I think it’s most Americans’ dream to have home ownership. So we started this process.

We found a realtor and we had only looked at three houses, literally. I remember when we went to see the homes, this was the last one. And I remember walking through, and, you know how you just know when something is it? We were like, “OK this is it.” It had enough space.

One of the things that we knew was that we wanted to give our kids somewhere to call their own. So we came from LeClaire Courts in the projects, left there, and went to my aunt’s building, and from there, to our own home, and we’ve been here ever since.

AWN: What was it like moving into this home in 8th grade?

Aisha: I am the oldest of all my siblings. So, I was old enough to know what was going on. We’re really family-oriented, so we’ve always been around our relatives in some capacity. Even when we lived in the projects, the rest of my family lived two blocks away, so our entire family was in one neighborhood, one community. I never felt like we were being taken out of space and thrown into something new, because I knew wherever I went, my family was close by. We moved into a space where it was community

See HOME on page B2

TODD BANNOR

Felicia Oliver (at right) and her daughter Aisha sit on the steps of their family home on Wednesday July 3, 2024.

HOME

Continued from page B1

Moving into the house, it was exciting as a kid, because now we’re in this space that’s totally ours. We’re coming from my brother and I sharing rooms, we were bunk-bed kids, those are core memories for us. At night, you get to talk to your brother about everything he did during the day. Going into the house, immediately my brother was like, “I’ll take in the whole attic, that’s my room.” My mother did my sister’s room in pink and purple, super girly.

My father immediately jumped into maintaining the property. I mean, grass cutting, hedges cut. Maintaining it is very much generational, because we understand what it took to get the homes and how family helped family

That transition was really a core memory for me because I know what it took for my parents to get that house for us. I saw my mom stressing. I probably never told her, but I saw how they were really pulling strings to get through the home-buying process. Kids listen when you think they’re not listening. Sometimes, my mom would cry because they would be so close and then felt like they hit a brick wall.

But, in my opinion, it was bigger than the house. My parents are extremely passionate about giving us what they didn’t have. So, in my mind, it was like hell or high water, they were giving us that house, that home. And it was bigger than that because as soon as my parents got the house, not only do we get our space — our cousins were there every weekend, our friends wer there every weekend. My parents are the all-thekids-want-to-go-to-their-house type of family

I know it’s generational because my son told me two days ago that he wants to be the grandfather that has the big house and all his grandkids want to come there — because that’s what he knows of his grandpa. That’s what he saw his grandfather do.

AWN: How does home ownership shape West Side families and their history in the neighborhood?

Aisha: I’ve been organizing since I was 19. Watching my parents buy their ﬁrst home, and once we got in the house, really made me think about my great-grandmother. At one point, our whole family lived in that one house when I was a little kid. You had close to about 20 people living in this one space—my great-grandparents, my grandparents, great-aunts and uncles, my mom, her sisters, and her cousins. And then they started having kids, us.

As I got older, I realized my grandmother came here from Mississippi at age 17. They lived in the projects, moved to other projects, and then bought their ﬁrst home. They raised their family in the home that she still lives in, to this day. So a lot of my organizing is really empowered behind the struggles that I’ve seen in my own family, but I also recognize that there is a lack of education in Black communities. It’s truly structural if we’re being completely honest – it’s very much structural and economic. I think about the things that I saw them go through silently and it made me go do things so that I wouldn’t have to go through the same thing.

It was a confirmation of being raised in love. My parents had [me] at 16. They had us really young. As the firstborn, I pay close attention to how much compassion and effort my parents put into making sure that they can give their children what they didn’t have and then turned around and gave it to their grandchildren the same way They are the epitome of the born-and-bredand-raised on the West Side. They are the epitome of wanting to continue that legacy by passing it on to their children first and teaching us, showing us how to do it — and then opening up that space so that not only do we get the experience of growing up in the home, but all of our friends who were still living in the projects could come to our house and be able to stay there for three or four days — that was life-changing for them.

AWN: What are some challenges you faced during your homeownership journey, and what tips do you have for prospective home buyers?

Felicia: The ﬁrst tip I would really recommend, knowing what I know now and actually living through it is, making sure that you save — and not just for the home. The upkeep of the home when things break, when things happen, you can’t call your landlord. You are the landlord. You have to have money set aside for incidentals. We learned that the hard way. We came out of an apartment into a home — my parents didn’t have a home. As [Aisha] was saying, each generation wants to see the next generation do better. But the

backlash of that is when you don’t have the education to do so. You want to do better than your parents, but if there is no one to educate you on the process, that makes it harder, even though you might have saved the money and you might have gotten the home. When you need things done around the house, you have to do all those things yourself because you’re the owner. We ended up learning that, but it took a while. We didn’t have the know-how, we just knew we had this huge home.

So I will tell people [to] not only plan for the purchase, but make sure you put money aside every pay period, or however you want to do it. Get on a budget. Budgeting is key, that way you don’t feel as overwhelmed.

Make sure you take a homeowner’s class. Make sure you are ﬁnancially prepared for the down payment and for what comes after the down payment. After you move in, make sur you are prepared, place yourself in some organized groups where you are constantly educating yourself about this process, even after the process, after the closing. You want to make sure you stay connected to others that could give you wise counsel. The whole housing process is so overwhelming. I’ve seen so many people lose their homes for not knowing that they have to pay the property taxes, and you could end up losing your home for pennies on the dollar. So just making sure that you know all of what it entails, and not just going and thinking, “Oh, I got this house.” There’s a lot that comes with homeownership

AWN: What can West Side families do to ensure they can own or preserve a home in the community they have long called home?

Aisha: I haven’t bought a property, but I take a free homebuyers class every so often. I’ve been certiﬁed by Neighborhood Housing Services twice. I was taking classes when I was in my 20s just because I knew how hard it was for my parents, and I always aspired to have a home in this community I’ve taken the classes at least three times, even though at those times, I was nowhere near ready to purchase a home.

AWN: Why is seeking homebuyers’ education a priority for any West Side neighbor who wants to own a home?

Aisha: I come from a family that prioritizes education because they [my parents] were not

TODD BANNOR

The large backyard of Felicia Oliver’s home on July 3, 2024.

TODD BANNOR

Felicia Oliver

TODD BANNOR

Aisha Oliver

Thinking about renovating a home? These are some numbers you need to know

No matter the reason a homeowner pursues home renovations, knowing what to expect will ensure their home ownership experience is successful, according to West Side realtor Shantel Franklin.

In Chicago, 43% of renovating homeowners went over their renovation budgets in 2023, according to data provided to Austin Weekly News by Houzz. The main reason renovating homeowners exceeded their budgets was unanticipated costs. In 2022, home improvement project spending increased to $472 billion, up from $328 billion in 2019, according to the Joint Center for Housing Centers of Harvard University

Before you start renovating, West Side-based realtor Shantel Franklin advises you to take a look at the costs — including the ones you might not expect. Knowing your budget and timeline is key to preventing a home renovation from becoming a nightmare.

“A realtor is deﬁnitely going to help you ﬁnd a

able to go to college, they were not able to do certain things. You know what I mean? They were teenage parents. But, I know there are answers out there because my greatgrandparents had less education than they did, but they bought a home and raised generations in it.

It’s about making that a priority because that’s not something that is just passed on. It’s not like they’re teaching ﬁnancial literacy, homebuyers’ education and taxes in schools. We have to really understand that a lot of that education is not a fair game and no one’s gonna come in and teach it to us. It has to be a responsibility to make education a priority and pass that on so we don’t have to continue to struggle, ﬁnding out the hard way and learning the hard way.

Felicia: I am especially focused on ﬁnancial literacy in this community for that reason. In order to sustain even just paying your rent and preparing you for homeownership, you need a level of ﬁnancial literacy. I feel a strong pull, now more than ever, to teach it at a younger age — we should be teaching kids how money works, how to create a small budget and how to invest.

home or a property in general that you will want to rehab, but (they’re) going to rely heavily on the buyer in terms of knowing their numbers, what they’re trying to do, their capacity to do it and their timeline,” Franklin said

AWN: From your perspective, why is owning and keeping a home vital to preserving West Side culture and community?

Aisha: When longtime homeowners pass and there’s nobody to take up the responsibility, these homes are going to be sold to somebody who doesn’t understand not just the value of that home, but the value of the community that the home is in. That’s the key

When they sold and repainted the pink house on North Central Avenue, that was heartbreaking for people who lived in this community. You have no clue what that home meant not only to the family that lived there but, to the families that grew up around it. It signiﬁed you were in Austin; you knew you were on the West Side.

Felicia: We should have more people saving their families’ homes. Their grandparents worked hard coming from the south to the north and planting [roots] in this city. I have so many friends and neighbors who lost their parents’ home and grandparents’ homes because they didn’t have the tools and the right information — not because they didn’t want it, but because they were devoid of knowledge.

Austin is already transitioning, and my con-

cern is that many will lose their homes. Many will sell without understanding what they have in their hands. Austin is historically a beautiful and strong community, but it’s shifting. When

you know the backstory to something that your family worked hard for, it fuels you to say, “No, I’m gonna keep it and do whatever I can do to keep what we have in our bloodline.”

Felicia Oliver and her daughter Aisha in the dining room of their family home.

Spanish Coalition for Housing hosts 23rd annual housing exposition

By DELANEY NELSON Special Projects Reporter

Around 400 people attended Spanish Coalition for Housing’s annual “Camino a Su Casa” homeownership exposition, which connected

prospective homebuyers with housing counselors, banks, real estate agents and government ofﬁcials.

The event provided free credit checks to the ﬁrst 60 attendees, and hosted homebuyer workshops and over 30 exhibitors.

ERICA BENSON

Derenda Bradley of Chicago adds her contact information to Home Loans Officer with Self Help Mortgage Yesmin Ramierz during the Camino A Su Casa Housing Expo in Chicago June 22, 2024.

ERICA BENSON

Chicago Hosing Trust Project Coordinator for Marketing and Community Outreach, Cassandra Sneed helps answer questions from Victoria Lara and Desiree Diaz of Oak Lawn during the Camino A Su Casa Housing Expo.

ERICA BENSON

Valerie and Loronzo Young of Chicago get home ownership tips from US Bank Loan Officer Jose Chavez during the Camino A Su Casa Housing Expo held

ERICA BENSON

HUD Housing Counselor, Jeanette Rodriguez provide a housing workshop to people att held in Chicago Saturday June 22 , 2024.

People including Vincent Ledesma of Chicago receive brochures, bags and resources from vendors including Housing Loan Officer Giovanny Gonzalez during the Camino A Su Casa Housing Expo.