Austin Weekly News 091124 by Wednesday Journal

People’s Convention draws crowds to celebrate Black

culture

Aug. 31 event also promoted civic engagement in Austin and beyond

By MICHAEL BANIEWICZ Contributing Reporter

West Side residents gathered in large numbers Aug. 31 to celebrate artistic talent and global Black cultures at The People’s Convention: The African Fest Out West.

The event was hosted by the Kehrein Center for the Arts (KCA), 5628 W. Washington Blvd., in collaboration with The Black Panther’s Annual People’s Convention. More than 150 people attended.

Reesheda Graham-Washington, executive director of the Kehrein Center, said the partnership supports tenets shared by both organizations, including inspiring civic engagement.

It is also a way, she said, to tie together other opportunities for community engagement for residents of Austin. One example of this would be U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis’s Back to School picnic and parade, which was scheduled for the same day.

Johncuanay Johnson of Build Inc. with Divvy electric bikes at Build’s Ride for Peace on Sept. 7.

BREAK CYCLES TO BUILD FUTURES

Women of Color Salon explores ‘All About Love’

13-week virtual series begins Sept. 21; registration required

By HECTOR CERVANTES Contributing reporter

The Women of Color Salon is continuing its virtual series, providing a space for women to connect, share and explore themes of love and community

The 13-week series is hosted by Reesheda Graham Washington, the founding executive director of the Kehrein Center For The Arts. Participants will explore transformative themes in literature, with “All About Love” by bell hooks the focus of the season.

The Saturday series runs via Zoom from Sept. 21 to Dec. 14, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. There is a $50 registration fee that covers all sessions Participants are responsible for obtaining their own copy of the book.

The goal is that the community, under Washington’s guidance, will gain a deeper understanding of the true nature of love –what it is and what it is not, as well as what it should and should not do. Those who have participated in the past are encouraged to come again – and bring their friends.

“I hope that women of color will find a space where they can be exactly who they are – fully and unapologetically themselves,” Washington said. “I also hope they experience liberation in embracing their whole

selves and find sisterhood amongst the other participants in the Women of Color Salon.”

She added: “We talk a lot about where we are and where we are going and what we are up to and what we are celebrating. I think women hearing from other women about how their integrated concepts from the books that we share gives them something to grow on.”

Washington stressed that pa rt icipants do n’ t have to dress up or look their b est to show up. – that they c an show up as they are and will still be love d, c elebrated and acce p ted

In past series, participants frequently shared their stories and learned from each other as both individuals and practitioners of love, she said, developing a sense of community and connection even in the virtual setting.

“We also encourage existing members to invite new women, so participants come to the salon already familiar with some faces and connections within the group,” she said. “Oftentimes since I do so much work in the community, I am inviting someone in the community to grow this salon, and when I do that typically women are coming in with other women they know in the community. This is a great way to continue to

foster a community.”

While the group is often small and intimate, Washington said that many women could benefit from a space like this.

T he feedback from past participants and supporters suggested that having a weekday evening session would be beneficial for the Women of Color Salon.

“It is always on Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. It would be beneficial to offer a weekday evening session to grow the salon and provide options for w omen who ca n’ t pa rticipate on weekends. We welcome and are excited to explore this as we continue to grow and as funding for the project increases,” Washington said.

Before the pandemic, the Woman of Color Salon was launched as an in-person event at Live Cafe, but after just one meeting, it transitioned to Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift proved beneficial for participants with chronic illnesses, who found it challenging to attend in-person events. Recognizing the value of virtual accessibility, the salon committed to offering both hybrid and Zoom-based options.

For more information visit the Kehrein Center For The Arts website or follow Washington on Instagram at Reeshedanicole

AU STIN WEEKLY news

Editor Erika Hobbs

Sta Reporters Jessica Mordacq Amaris E. Rodriguez

Special projects reporter Delaney Nelson

Contributing Editor Donna Greene

Digital Manager Stacy Coleman

Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan

Reporting Partners Block Club, Austin Talks

Columnists Arlene Jones

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

PEOPLE’S CONVENTION

Celebrating the West Side

from page 1

“We have been able to work together to combine a few different events that are happening in Austin … which makes room and invites Austin to celebrate its own self as a community all day long,” Graham-Washington said. “So, us partnering together to host both of our events the KCA on the same day allows us to bolster community engagement and community participation in ways that are really excited about.”

Among the events scheduled for the festival included a commemorative birthday celebration of Fred Hampton Sr., the civil rights leader who served as deputy chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party. While he was deputy chairman, Hampton coordinated several community service projects to address racial injustices in Chicago. He was shot and killed by Chicago police of ficers during a raid on his West Side apartment on Dec. 4, 1969. Additional opportunities included a conversation with Chairman Fred Hampton, Jr., and a screening of Judas and The Black Messiah. The People’s Convention also hosted multiple vendors whose products included food, essential oils, African clothing, African art, jewelry, accessories and more. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, an Austin resident, spoke to the event’s attendees and participated in a Q and A where questions were drawn from residents

Mayor Brandon Johnson (standing, center) was among the

in Austin.

The planning and initiatives taken to successfully organize the festival were due to a collaboration of community leaders, Graham-Washington said.

“This has really been a grassroots-organized curation of activities and programing, where local artists, local artisans, local civic leaders have come together and contributed in the best ways that they could for this all to come together in one event,” Graham-Washington said. “I think

that is the way that the programming at the KCA should be, and we’ve just really been a support and a beacon to shed light on the work that is always already happening in the neighborhood of Austin.”

The African Fest Out West is part of longtime South Side tradition called the African Festival for the Arts, which is usually located in Washington Park. The program began in 1995 and has turned into a four-day celebration that focuses on highlighting the voices of Black artists and their work

Earlier this summer, Patrick Saingbey Woodtor, CEO African International House USA and founder of the African Festival of the Arts, released a statement which announced that the festival would be postponed citing increased production costs

“Over the past few years, especially during the COVID-19 andemic, we have faced numerous challenges that have impacted our ability to host the festival to the high standard we strive for,” Woodtor said in a press release. “This postponement will allow us the necessary time to evaluate and retur n to a stronger position to deliver an even better festival.”

Despite the African Fest Out West being scheduled for one day instead of four, there are current initiatives to increase more civic engagement opportunities in Austin. GrahamWashington says that conversations are already ongoing for additional collaboration for another large event hosted by the Annual People’s Convention in December.

“We are already in some preliminary conversations about how we can connect with [the Annual People’s Convention] to bolster and uplift that programming as well,” Graham-Washington said.

TODD BANNOR

Maya Alyse and her art graced the People’s Convention at Kehrein Center for the Arts.

TODD BANNOR

SIZING IT UP: A customer tries on hats at the People’s Convention on Aug. 31.

PROVIDED

attendees.

LUNCH & ENTERTAINMENT

Kehrein Center for the Arts | 5628 Washington Boulevard September 13 | 11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

CULTURAL & CREATIVE ARTS

National Museum of Mexican Art | 1852 W. 19th Street September 26 | 1:00–3:00 p.m.

BOOST YOUR BRAIN & MEMORY

Chicago Public Library – Humboldt Park Branch 1605 N. Troy Street Thursdays | 1:00–2:00 p.m.

African-American beekeeper talks about the fascinating life of bees

Businessman awed by 800 species of bees just in Illinois

By DEBORAH BAYLISS Contributing Reporter

“All bees matter!”

Those are the words of African-American beekeeper Thad Smith, founder and owner of Westside Bee Boyz LLC, a prolific bee and honey-based product business with apiaries operating in North Lawndale and other parts of the city.

But how exactly did beekeeping pique his interest?

“Long story short, I was homeless and did some things and had to do some time,” Smith explained.

After following a more positive path, Smith found himself at Sweet Beginnings, a wholly owned subsidiary of the North Lawndale Employment Network. It is here where he got his start in beekeeping. (Sweet Beginnings has several apiaries operating throughout Chicagoland.)

“I fell in love with it and that was in 2013,” he said.

A year later, he turned his passion for beekeeping into what is now a thriving business.

By incorporating sustainable methods into neglected and abandoned properties, his bee operation serves as an urban center for sustainable community development and an urban outpost for Midwest permaculture studies, according to information on his website.

“Lawndale is where I learned beekeeping, that’s why I love Lawndale,” Smith said. “The other special meaning for me is that my grandmother owned a restaurant in Lawndale. I was born in Cook County, so the West Side has a strong cultural significance to me.”

A black man raising bees is not something one often comes across, he said.

“When I first started, there was another Black master beekeeper by the name of Michael Howard,” Smith said. “He’s one of my

heroes in this industry. ... It’s really me and him in the city doing things with bees. There are other Black beekeepers you may not hear about, but as far as being in the forefront and doing this, it’s just me and him.”

Wherever he brings his bees, Smith attracts attention with people asking a lot of questions. This gives him the opportunity to talk about the origin and the life of bees.

“There are 20,000 bee species on the planet and close to 800 in Illinois and we really only talk about the honeybee and that’s because of honey,” Smith explained. “People like to put hives on the West and South side because there’s a lot of vacant land, but the honeybees crowd out the native bees that were there before the honeybees got there.”

When you hear people talking about saving the bees, they are talking about the honeybee,” Smith added. “Honeybees are the largest growing livestock in the last five years and are never going to go out of style.”

The native pollinators, he added, do a better job at pollination than the honeybees that are brought in. Smith said that the “save the bee talk” is propaganda from honey organi-

zations that want to sell more honey

“They want you to focus on the honeybee and take your attention from the native bee which has declined, some species 70 to 80 percent.” Smith said. “Right here in Chicago, the rusty patched bumble bee is on the endangered species list, but we don’t even talk about it here.”

Without bees, many of the world’s most important crops would fail, impacting the food supply of humans and countless other species, according the Earth Day.org

“Being a beekeeper means, I’m a keeper of all bees,” he said. “My honeybee should not be over any other species. We should find a way to work together with all the species. All bees matter.”

Smith is working with a couple of schools as a way to engage Black youth and to hopefully pique their interest in running a beekeeping operation. The connection with bees and food production is a critical part of any education to beekeeping, he said.

“Black beekeepers and Black far mers need to work together,” said Smith. “It’s essential that the apiaries are located in areas where there is no pesticide spraying.”

Business is thriving and he’s looking to expand

“I consider myself a honey palace where you can buy at any point, up to six different kinds of honey,” Smith said.

Though he cu rrently does not have hives in operation, Howard, the other beekeeper, runs Eden’s Place Nature Center and Eden’s Place Far ms on the South Side. He’s also the founder and CEO Fuller Park Community Development,

“We have a full farm, and we feed a lot of people,” Howard said.

Howard ag reed that too African Americans are in the beekeeping field. He added that it’s vital for African Americans, who have the highest numbers in chronic disease, to get involved with farming beekeeping as a way to have better control of their food sources.

“If people could see a profit in it, they would do it,” he said. “The city limits the hive sites and locations. There’s so much bureaucracy in trying to establish a honeybee and honey-based product business.”

For Bee Boyz Product and other infor mation go to www.westsidebeeboyz.com.

COURTESY OF THAD SMITH

ad Smith, ow ner of Bee Boyz LLC, shows o some of his bees.

COURTESY OF THAD SMITH

Bee Boyz honey

COURTESY OF THAD SMITH

Smith, talks with visitors at one of his apiar ies.

Don’t let the space under the your basement stairs go to waste .

Build storage under stairs

Iam always looking for stor age space. If there is one downfall we have as Americans, it’s that we tend to keep a lot of things we don’t want to get rid of. Thus, finding a place to put them becomes a chore. I considered renting a storage unit, but paying money for one just is not in my budget.

I was browsing Facebook Marketplace when I was inspired by a storage system made out of 2x4s. It was a pretty basic, simple, structure that even I, an amateur carpenter, could do. However, the scale for it was larger than the area I had available. The price for those premium 2x4s has come down significantly since the COVID epidemic when they skyrocketed. Now they’re running less than $3.50 a board. For under $50, I could turn the area under neath my backstairs into a usable, multi-storied storage space.

JONES

PROVIDED

I already had a piece of treated 4x4. Whenever one is working with wood that needs to touch the ground, it is best to use treated wood. That way the wood won’t rot like re gular wood could. First, I used my table saw to cut that wood down to a 2x4 size. Those two pieces would be the side base frame upon which I would then use the other 2x4s to make the floor.

To begin, I attached each piece of

treated wood to fit adjacent to the existing stringer for the stairs. When I tested to see if everything was level, it wasn’t. I spent hours trying to figure out how to get those treated wood pieces level, to no avail. The concrete patio is slanted so that water runs down toward the grass. Finally it dawned on me that I could level the structure by adding wood to the top of the treated framework. I’m sure a professional would know that to begin with. But as an amateur, “you live and you learn.”

With both sides now being level, I began to cut the 2x4s to build the platform floor. I found it was best to measure each piece individually for length. That is a time-consuming process, but it allowed for each piece to fully cover the area like I wanted. Before screwing the board down, I used polyurethane to coat the edges to protect the wood from rain and snow. Once everything was installed, I polyurethaned the entire base.

I had a couple of wire shelving units. I attached 2x4s directly under each step to form the side ledge on which the wire shelvings could sit. I used an angle grinder to cut the shelvings down to size. I now have a perfect storage area for all my barbecue supplies.

Now if I would only pull out the grill and use it.

New West Side program has the tools to aid nonpro ts

The program, recently star ted through Nonpro t Utopia, o ers assistance for local leaders to grow their nonpro ts

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Nonprofit Utopia just held its first class for its Capacity Building for Community Healers Program, a free offering for nonprofit leaders to build their leadership skills and grow their organizations.

“The goal is for people to learn and do, and have sufficient resources, such that every week, if you’re so inclined, you can immediately use what you have learned in your own workspace,” said Valerie Leonard, founder of Nonprofit Utopia.

The program’s first class took place Sept. 3 at Sankofa House, the location serving the cohort in North Lawndale and Garfield Park. But the program also holds classes at Friendship Baptist Church in Austin, and Teamwork Englewood in the South Side Chicago neighborhood.

Participants in the five-month cohor t for the Capacity Building for Community Healers Prog ram have taken a pretest, a leadership assessment that identifies their strengths and weaknesses, and a capacity assessment to see where their organization is at with the likes of finance, human resources, program and board development, and impact.

From these assessments, program participants will develop a plan of action to become more effective leaders over a 16week workshop series. Training will be led by Leonard, along with Cecile DeMello, executive director at Teamwork Englewood.

The road to building capacity Leonard — who occasionally teaches colle ge classes and does consulting — started

Nonprofit Utopia in 2018 to take a deep dive into building the capacity of nonprofit leaders on the West Side.

“It just seemed to me that this community would be a great place to put everything under one umbrella,” Leonard said.

Leonard also wanted to pass on the knowledge of how to navigate and grow the nonprofit landscape before eventually retiring, though she’s not close yet.

“I want to work until I die. I want to be used up,” said Leonard, 60. “I want to pour into people as long as I can.”

Founding her nonprofit with the goal to build capacity, Leonard launched the R3 Capacity Building and Beyond program. It was designed to help leaders develop leadership skills and organizational capacity for programs related to the three Rs — restore, reinvest and renew — those often working in violence prevention, youth or economic development, civil or legal aid, and reentry.

Nonprofit Utopia’s R3 progr am came after Leonard, and clients she worked with, struggled while seeking R3 funds from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

“That process, I found to be overwhelming,” Leonard said of ICJIA’s grant proposal application, though she had about 30 years of nonprofit experience when she filled it out.

Though Nonprofit Utopia didn’t get the grant, Leonard vowed that wouldn’t happen again and started her own R3 capacity building program.

State Senator Lakesia Collins funded Nonprofit Utopia’s R3 program. The $300,000 came from her office, as legislators are allocated discretionary funds to give to organizations in their districts.

“I noticed that there were not a lot of organizations within my district that had access to learning how to write grants or how to access the R3 funding,” Collins said. “I wanted to make sure that the people who have boots on the ground doing this work, that they have the funds to do it.”

“It allows people whose organizations

could not normally af ford something like this the opportunity to go really deep into capacity building, and it’s not costing them a dime,” Leonard said of Nonprofit Utopia’s R3 program. “The state is picking up the tab.”

After Nonprofit Utopia’s R3 capacity building program ended in June, about a year-and-a-half after it started, Leonard and Collins said they both saw local leaders’ successes that they wanted to continue.

“In many instances, they doubled their knowledge of the concepts as they relate to organizational development, as it relates to developing programs,” Leonard said of the R3 program’s attendees.

About 135 students signed up for the yearlong R3 capacity building course, Leonard said, and about 27 attended enough of the workshops to graduate.

Because of that success, Leonard said Collins wanted to fund another capacity building course, and gave Nonprofit Utopia another $300,000.

“As time went on, I saw how beneficial it was. I heard a lot of good feedback, and so I decided to fund it again,” Collins said. “This has definitely went to a whole other level than what we originally thought.”

The newest version of the program isn’t just for R3 sectors.

“She wanted me to focus on capacity building, but more generally,” Leonard said of Collins.

For Nonprofit Utopia’s newest Capacity Building for Community Healers Program, a majority of the 62 people who have signed up work in youth development, community development, education, or violence prevention, according to Leonard.

Graduates of the new program will leave the five-month class with a proposal concept. Leonard also said she’s going to work to get graduates of the program in front of funders who can critique their proposal pitches The Capacity Building For Community Healers Program also includes a one-year membership to Nonprofit Utopia, including access to courses, office hours and access to purchase discounted software for grants and case management.

“This has really put people in a stronger position,” Leonard said of the program. “Whether or not they get any additional funding, they’ll still be better of f.”

Leonard said she’ll start recruiting for the second iteration of the program in November, and start the program itself in February.

Collins said she wants those participating in the latest version of the program become more inde pendent.

“I’m just hoping that they continue to build of f of this,” Collins said of Nonprofit Utopia’s program, “but also other areas that organizations might struggle with and need some more training around or can get some more skills around it.”

VALERIE LEONARD

Nonpro t Utopia’s Capacity Building for Community Healers Program held a kicko at Sankofa House on Aug. 26.

Annie Mae Matlock, 89

Community leader, Church overseer

Overseer Evangelist Annie Mae Matlock, 89, a pillar of the Chicago religious community and longtime proprietor of A&A Grocery, died on Aug. 23, 2024. Known affectionately as “Madear,” Matlock leaves behind a le gacy of faith, service, and community leadership spanning over seven decades. Born on Feb. 23, 1935, in Ofahoma, Mississippi, she moved to Chicago in 1947, where she would become a transformative figure in the Austin neighborhood. Together with her late husband, Rev. Dr. Archie Matlock Sr., she operated A&A Grocery for over 50 years, serving as a cornerstone of the local community.

Her impact extended far beyond her business endeavors. In 1980, she co-founded the Jesus Christ Mission, which grew into the Jesus Christ Holy M.B. Church. Her spiritual journey saw her progress from deaconess to ordained minister in 1991, eventually becoming the church’s pastor in 2020 and overseer in 2022.

“Overseer Matlock’s dedication to her faith and her community was unparalleled,” said Krystal Porter, a longtime member of the church. “Her warmth and

genuine love for people touched countless lives across Chicago and beyond.”

Matlock was instrumental in establishing the Jesus Christ Learning Center and the Jesus Christ Bus Ministry, which provided educational support and transportation services to the community. She was also known for organizing annual vacations to Walt Disney World and Wisconsin Dells, allowing many families in her community to experience travel opportunities they might not otherwise have had. Her commitment to service extended to feeding the hungry and providing shelter for the homeless

Madear Matlock is survived by three children, Patricia Matlock, Janice Matlock-Wilson, and Minister Lathel Matlock, as well as numerous grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Dr. Archie Matlock Sr., and two of her children.

A public viewing was held on Sept. 6 at Paradise Missionary Baptist Church, 5250 W. Kinzie, Chicago, IL 60644. The funeral service took place on Sept. 7 at Miracle Revival Cathedral, 2010 St. Charles Road, Maywood.

College students from Austin awarded Obama Foundation scholarship

The Voyager Scholarship will fund the three Austin students’ travels to develop their careers in public ser vice

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

At the end of August, for mer President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and Airbnb CEO and Co-founder Brian Chesky announced the third cohort of their Voyager Scholarship. Three of the recipients are Austin residents: Jose Sebastian Saltos Potes, Eric Veal Jr. and Frank Ward.

The Obama Foundation’s Voyager Scholarship finances juniors in college who want to go into public service. The two-year program includes up to $50,000 in financial aid and funding for a work-travel experience.

Ward was working as program director at a Union League Boys & Girls Clubs’ summer camp when he told his director he was accepted for the scholarship.

“We both just started running around the forest, and we were pretty happy about it,” Ward said. “Coming from where I come from, the idea of receiving scholarships and people believing in your ability to achieve greatness, it’s not rare, but it’s almost movie-like.”

Veal said he was super excited and started screaming when he found out he was awarded the Voyager Scholarship. He called his mother, who is a teacher and was driving home from work

“She had to pull over,” he said.

Saltos Potes said he was surprised when he found out.

“It was really amazing,” Saltos Potes said. “I was like, ‘Am I reading this right?’”

Like Saltos Potes, many of this year’s 100

Voyager Scholarship recipients are interested in exploring mental health after graduating high school during Covid-19, according to officials in a statement.

During Saltos Potes’ freshman year, studying biological sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago, he researched mental health among LGBTQ groups, specifically in the Latino community.

The reason Saltos Potes said he applied for the Voyager Scholarship is because he had done a lot of research and data analysis on mental health, but the scholarship would allow him to take more action through the work-travel trips and provide mentorships to give him guidanc e.

“I actually want to do something,” Saltos Potes said. “I actually want to t ry to help this issue.”

Ward, who’s studying English secondary education at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign, said he has wanted to be a teacher since he was a freshman in high school, largely inspired by his own educators.

“I’m really excited about being in a classroom and being able to give back and instill the same guidance that I was given,” Ward said. “Teachers really guided me and woke me back up and gave me a lot of perspective. I just want to make sure I can do the same thing for other people.”

Veal – who’s pursuing political science and secondary education, plus a minor in public policy at the University of Michigan – said the application process made him think about what he wants to do with public service and how to help his communities “Education is super important to me,” he said. “The way we’re educating students and what we’re educating them on is something that I find interesting, something that has really been my passion.”

Bon voyage

Saltos Potes, Veal and Ward will all take their work-travel experiences next summer, including a $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing. While none of the three applicants have any concrete plans yet, they have ideas about where their travels might take them, or what they want to explore.

Saltos Potes said he might go somewhere in South America. Veal said he is considering Washington D.C., Australia or the Netherlands to study educational policies and systems.

Ward said he wants to explore academic inequity during his trip. He has the idea of bringing a back-to-school drive overseas to

help kids in another country gain access to school supplies and backpacks.

But travel opportunities don’t stop there for Voyager Scholarship awardees. After graduating, they also receive an annual $2,000 Airbnb travel credit for 10 years to allow them to broaden their horizons and connections.

Recipients also receive mentorship through a network of leaders. In addition to having access to an ongoing speaker series over the next two years, scholarship awardees are in the process of being paired with their mentors. They filled out surveys to give input into what kind of experience they wanted their mentor to have and topics they were interested in learning more about from their mentor

Networking with other leaders is what Saltos Potes, Veal and Ward say they are most excited for about the Voyager Scholarship.

“That network of knowing other change makers, knowing other people who are pushing for a better tomorrow and a better today,” Veal said, “I think is one thing that I’m really the most excited for.”

Ward is also looking forward to “getting to know people, asking questions about their lives, forming relationships and establishing connections,” he said. “I love conversation, so I’m excited about that aspect of it.”

After graduation, Voyager Scholarship awardees will have access to the Obama Foundation’s resources and programming. They will also get to meet Barack Obama and Chesky – who funded the Voyager Scholarship with a $100 million personal contribution to the Obama Foundation.

“When Michelle, Brian and I launched the Voyager Scholarship in 2022, we were excited to see what young people with a passion for public service could do when given the right support,” said for mer President Obama in a statement. “The past two cohorts have shown tremendous passion, curiosity, and collaboration – all while working hard across their college campuses.”

Chesky added in the statement, “We created the Voyager Scholarship to help the next generation of leaders build bridges and develop the tools needed to take on the next generation of challenges.”

IMAGES PROVIDED

Eric Veal Jr., Jose Sebastian Saltos Potes, and Frank Ward are Austin residents who were awarded this year’s Voyager Scholarship.

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.

WANTED

Treatment Plant Operator I (Original)

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

Treatment Plant Operator I (Original)

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

An Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/D

Published in Austin Weekly News September 11, 2024

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 24-612-22

ROOF REPLACEMENT AND REHABILITATION AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS

Estimated Cost Group A:

$450,000.00

Bid Deposit Group A: NONE

Estimated Cost Group B:

$1,177,000.00

Bid Deposit Group B: NONE

Estimated Cost Group C:

$433,000.00

Bid Deposit Group C: NONE

Estimated Cost Group D:

$300,000.00

Bid Deposit Group D: NONE TOTAL $2,360,000.00

Voluntary Technical Pre Bid Conference: Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 1:00 pm Chicago Time, via ZOOM Link

Compliance with the District’s Affirmative Action Ordinance

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

Bid Opening: October 8, 2024

Compliance with the District’s

Affirmative Action Ordinance

Revised Appendix D and the Multi Project Labor Agreement are required on this Contract.

*************************************

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

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 District of Greater Chicago By Darlene A. LoCascio Director of Procurement and Materials Management

Published in Austin Weekly News September 11, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: G24000399 on August 21, 2024 Under the Assumed Business Name of ARTISTRY AND DESIGN with the business located at: 4835 SOUTH CICERO AVENUE APT 405, CHICAGO, IL 60632. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: CLEASTER ADAMS 4835 SOUTH CICERO AVENUE APT 405, CHICAGO, IL 60632, USA

Published in Austin Weekly News August 28, September 4, 11, 2024

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

U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR CITIGROUP MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2021-RP6

Plaintiff, -v.-

BIAGIO A. GRISI A/K/A BIAGIO A. GRISI JR., BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., UNIFUND CCR, LLC, CAVALRY SPV I, LLC, GRAND ORLEANS CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants 2024 CH 00950 330 W. GRAND AVENUE, UNIT 1003 CHICAGO, IL 60654

NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on May 20, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 23, 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 330 W. GRAND AVENUE, UNIT 1003, CHICAGO, IL 60654

Property Index No. 17-09-236-0261017

The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse.

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

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

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

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the

foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

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

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

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. 14-24-00020

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2024 CH 00950 TJSC#: 44-1405

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 # 2024 CH 00950 I3250577

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES, LLC Plaintiff,

-v.-

WILLIAM BUTCHER, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF JAMES BENTLEY, DECEASED, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF JAMES BENTLEY, SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, DARLENE BROWN Defendants

22 CH 11353 5518 WEST CONGRESS PARKWAY CHICAGO, IL 60644

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 1, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on October 2, 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 5518 WEST CONGRESS PARKWAY, CHICAGO, IL 60644

Property Index No. 16-16-117-039-0000

The real estate is improved with a two flat apartment building.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid,

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.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 3469088.

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.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC

One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088

E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com

Attorney File No. 22-13132IL_855151

Attorney Code. 61256

Case Number: 22 CH 11353 TJSC#: 44-1798

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION NYMT COMMERCIAL ACQUISITIONS, LLC Plaintiff, -v.WALTER HERBERT MATTHEWS III Defendants 2024 CH 03695 3637 W GRENSHAW ST CHICAGO, IL 60624

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on August 8, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 26, 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 3637 W GRENSHAW ST, CHICAGO, IL 60624

Property Index No. 16-14-328-0270000 The real estate is improved with a commercial property.

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.

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) 236SALE 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. 14-24-00228

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2024 CH 03695

TJSC#: 44-2218

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC Plaintiff vs. CHRISTOPHER L. DONALD, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendant 23 CH 10212

CALENDAR 64

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial

Sales Corporation will on October 8, 2024, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-14-312-040. Commonly known as 3606 W. Polk St., Chicago IL 60624. The real estate is: 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: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Marinosci Law Group, PC, 2215 Enterprise Drive, Suite 1512, Westchester, Illinois 60154. (312) 940-8580. 23-05705 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3250823

AT HOMEONTHE GREATERWESTSIDE

Property tax hike got you down?

An income-based circuit breaker program could help

ABy DELANEY NELSON Special Projects Reporter

ustin, West Garﬁeld Park and North Lawndale residential property values were reassessed earlier this year, meaning some homeowners will pay more on their 2025 property tax bills than they did in 2024. They’ll be in good company. Cook County property taxes rose an average of 4% this year, marking the 30th consecutive year of hikes, a Cook County Treasurer’s Ofﬁce analysis showed.

As property taxes rise, some policymakers and county ofﬁcials are advocating for a new way to ease their ﬁnancial burden: A circuit breaker program that serves low-income homeowners.

Economists classify property taxes as regressive because lower-income households pay a higher share of their income toward the tax compared with wealthier counterparts. In Illinois, the property tax system is based on assessed home value, meaning the 1.3 million homeowners who will pay more next year won’t all see the same percent increase on their bill. It also means property tax amounts are disconnected from homeowners’ ability to pay

The result? Lower-income homeowners struggle to keep up with property tax payments. The 19 highest tax rates in Cook County are in Chicago’s south suburbs, where the population is primarily lower-income Black

“The sticker

shock

is too late:”

Here’s what you need to know about your

property taxes

West Chicago homeowners have until Sept. 24 to ﬁle an appeal with the Board of Review

By DELANEY NELSON Special Projects Reporter

Overwhelmed by your property taxes? Got your tax bill in the mail and don’t know what to do?

Property taxes are used to fund state and local government programs, including public education. Illinois is known for its high property taxes, ranking eighth in the nation for heaviest reliance on the tax, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy

In Cook County, properties are reassessed every three years. The assessor’s ofﬁce splits the city of Chicago into several townships. The area of the West Side of Chicago, which includes Austin, West Garﬁeld Park and North Lawndale, was reassessed earlier this year.

Your reassessment comes from the Cook County Assessor’s Office, while your annual tax bill — which comes in two installments, one due in March and another in August — comes from the Cook County Treasurer’s Office. In Illinois, property taxes are paid in arrears, meaning if your property is reassessed in 2024, you won’t see the new value reflected until the second installment of your tax bill in 2025.

Salvador J. Lopez, a practicing consumer rights attorney at Robson & Lopez LLC, advises homeowners to be aware of any notices they receive in the mail and to familiarize themselves with their township’s tax timeline.

A

“People say, ‘I’m going to appeal my tax bill.’ That’s incorrect. You can’t appeal your taxes. Your tax bill is what it is. It’s calculated based on the numbers that are provided from the state, the county, and municipalities, as far as how much they need,” Lopez said. “The sticker shock is too late. You can no longer appeal that bill. You can only appeal in 2024, which is paid in 2025.”

What you can appeal is the state-assessed value of your home. Once you receive your reassessment notice, you typically have 30 days to ﬁle an appeal with the Cook County

“There’s a lot of avenues for reducing and managing your taxes. You can’t make them go away, but chipping away 10% over time can make a big difference in a family’s budget.”

— Greg Hilton

Assessor. You may want to appeal if the property’s assessment appears too high or your reassessment notice includes incorrect property characteristics, among other reasons. This year, the deadline to appeal with the assessor’s ofﬁce was June 20.

The second level of appeal is with the Cook County Board of Review. Homeowners on the West Side have until September 24, 2024 to ﬁle a complaint with the Board. Those in other townships should check the county’s website for deadlines. You can then appeal a Board of Review decision in circuit court or ﬁle with the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board, though that process can take several years before a decision is made.

In between each triennial reassessment, homeowners can re-appeal if any of their property’s characteristics have changed drastically “There’s a lot of avenues for reducing and

managing your taxes,” said Greg Hilton, attorney and founder of Property Tax Solutions. “You can’t make them go away, but chipping away 10% over time can make a big difference in a family’s budget.”

While the ﬁrst level of appeal is generally a manageable process for a homeowner, Lopez and Hilton recommend turning to a professional for help with a Board of Review complaint.

The property tax experts also have a key piece of advice for prospective homeowners: Ask about the tax bill before purchasing a property While a real estate agent cannot guarantee how much your tax bill will be, you can inquire about the property’s history, and tax records from previous years can typically be found online.

“There shouldn’t be any surprises,” Hilton said. Lopez stresses that the assessed value of your home does not impact your actual property value. An appeal will not decrease your property’s market value.

Because the reassessed value of a home is impacted by the assessed value of nearby properties, Lopez encourages homeowners to communicate with their neighbors about the assessment and appeals processes. If your neighbor’s assessed value is going up, yours is likely to go up as well, he said.

If you live in an area where surrounding property values have increased signiﬁcantly since the last reassessment, Lopez recommends you be “uber-aware.”

“A lot of this is planning. If the tax is going to be unaffordable, maybe it’s time to put the property up for sale. I want to be clear, it is horrible that that’s a lot of the only option for a lot of people. But, you know, I say, ‘Look, I’d rather you sell it than lose it to foreclosure or lose it in a tax sale,’” Lopez said. “The more information you have, the better.”

TAX HIKE

Continued from page B1

residents, according to the treasurer’s ofﬁce. This year, the area’s median bill grew nearly 20%. Fewer than a quarter of reassessed homes across the county saw their bills go down.

On average, middle-class Illinois homeowners spend 6% of their income on property taxes. Millionaires spend just 1%.

“Simply put, disparities of this magnitude are not fair or equitable, and we need to ensure we’re supporting the people who make our state run: the firefighters, teachers, social workers, and other working-class people who would benefit from desperately needed property tax relief,” Cook County Board of Review Commissioner George Cardenas told Austin Weekly News in an email. “By easing property tax burdens on working-class and lower-income households, people are better able to invest in their futures.”

A circuit breaker program could relieve this disparity by providing an income tax credit for property taxes that exceed a certain percentage of the homeowner’s income. Depending on the program, renters may also be eligible to earn credit.

Right now, many Americans are struggling with the cost of housing and

property taxes contribute to that, said Brakeyshia Samms, a policy analyst at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy

“A lot of families are overloaded, and circuit breakers can kick in and help mitigate that problem by rebating a share of income for the property taxes,” she said. “These credits really are one of the most effective tools that promote property tax affordability.”

In 2012, Illinois implemented a circuit breaker program that provided credits to qualifying seniors and people with disabilities. The state legislature did not approve funds for the program for the 2013 ﬁscal year, ending the program.

More than half of U.S. states administer circuit breakers of some kind, although they vary widely in size and scope. Thirteen states make this type of credit available to working-age homeowners.

County ofﬁcials are working with legislators and community groups to draft a program proposal for next year’s legislative session, said Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi. The state will have to decide on income criteria, home value cutoffs, timing and structure of the program.

“We want to be a leader in making sure that property taxes are fair to everyone,” Kaegi said. “It’s a good idea for the state to incorporate a circuit breaker program that provides relief for when bills increase, for the people who need it most.”

Homestead exemptions: How to save on property taxes

By DELANEY NELSON Special Projects Reporter

In the 2021 tax year, homeowners in Cook County saved $16.7 billion in exemptions, according to research from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and the University of Illinois Chicago Government Finance Research Center. Property taxes are a major expense for homeowners, and exemptions

are one way to ease that burden.

In the same year, total homestead exemptions equaled $16.7 billion. But, property taxes fund infrastructure and other needed services, so local governments try to make up the difference by raising tax rates for everyone.

The result is an asymmetrical tax burden distribution. Some residents — particularly in suburbs south of Chicago — have seen greater increases in their tax rate as a result of homestead

exemptions than others, research from CMAP and UIC shows. Take Park Forest, a south suburb that’s over two-thirds Black: The tax rate increase due to exemptions in 2021 was ten times higher than the county average.

Austen Edwards, a senior policy analyst with CMAP, says the practice of raising overall rates can erode the apparent savings homeowners get when claiming exemptions and raise costs for businesses.

“What we found was that there’s sort of a mixed picture when it comes to exemptions, that we are providing tax relief to each homeowner who claims the exemptions, but they’re paying a higher rate on the lower taxable value. And how that math works out for each homeowner depends on where they live in Cook County,” he said.

Edwards said tax policies try to be as neutral as possible. That is, they are supposed to treat similar taxpayers in the same way. But policies play out in different ways in different locations, based on the size, characteristics, property values, land use mix and share of homeowners who claim exemptions in each municipality.

“So the actual effects of an apparent uniform, neutral tax policy like homestead exemptions can vary widely across all towns and villages,” he said.

To address these disparities, the county established last year the Property Tax Reform Group, a working group researching solutions to these inequities.

HOW CAN YOU GET A PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION?

Cook County offers eight exemptions for homeowners to reduce their property tax bill. The most common is the homeowner exemption, which saves homeowners an average of $950 annually.

You can apply for an exemption through the Cook County Assessor’s Office, which will review your application. If you think you missed out on an exemption in a previous tax year, you can file a certificate of error with the Assessor’s Office. Aside from the homeowner exemption, many Cook County residents may be eligible for other property tax breaks. Exemptions are available for seniors, low-income seniors, people with disabilities and veterans. Home renovations that improve the home’s property value are also eligible for a tax break.