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AUSTIN WEEKLY news ■
A grocer seeks to move into old Moo & Oink space,
Vol. 30 No. 41
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October 19, 2016
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austinweeklynews.com
@AustinWeeklyChi
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PAGE 9
Also serving Garfield Park
Iberia Hampton passes at 95, page 4
Residents skeptical about Emmet proposal A plan to turn the empty school into a medical facility draws community pushback By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter
The proposal to turn currently vacant Robert Emmet Elementary School, 5500 W. Madison St., into a medical facility and a community center was met with apprehension and skepticism by most of the Austin residents who attended an Oct. 11 town hall meeting organized by Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th). While many said that they liked the proposal in theory, they were worried about how it would affect the neighborhood residents and businesses. Many also worried about how far along the process actually was, accusing Taliaferro of not being transparent. One particular concern that loomed over the entire proceedings was that the new facility wouldn’t actually benefit residents, especially when it comes to jobs. Emmet was one of the four Austin schools closed by Chicago Public Schools in the spring of 2013. Since then, one of the other schools, George Leland Elementary School, has been acquired by Austin non-profit Kidz Express. The remaining schools, including Emmet, are still vacant. The proposed facility would be a joint project of the Cook County Health and Hospitals System, the Sinai Health System and the Oak Park-based PCC Wellness Center. All three entities already have facilities in Austin. CCHHS operates the Austin Health Center See EMMET ELEMENTARY on page 5
WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer
In praise of ‘black man magic’
Dozens of men gather outside of Deer Rehabilitation Services in North Lawndale on Oct. 15 for a balloon release and to sign a pledge against domestic violence of any kind. “We’ve got to get our black men standing up,” said psychologist Dennis Deer, pictured wearing sunglasses. Deer is the president of Deer Rehabilitation. Read more on page 4.
$7,500 reward for Austin teen’s murderer(s) An anonymous Oak Brook businessman has pledged an extra $5,000 to West Side clergy’s reward for info into Demetrius Griffin case By LEE EDWARDS Contributing Reporter
With tears rolling down her cheeks, Polynesia Sykes, mother of slain 15-yearold Demetrius Griffin, Jr., made a heartfelt plea to Chicago. “We have to stop this pattern; these people are killing our kids” Sykes said at an
Oct. 11 press conference held at Columbus Park Refectory, 5701 W. Jackson Blvd. During the press conference, members of the West Side-based religious organization the Leaders Network announced that an anonymous donor pledged an additional $5,000 to their standing $2,500 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever murdered the Aus-
tin teenager. Griffin, a Steinmetz High School freshman, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head and severely burned on the 5500 block of West Cortez last month. The Chicago Police Department has yet to announce new information about the case.
Austin Chamber of Commerce on the move... 773.854.5848 • www.austinchicagochamber.com
See GRIFFIN REWARD on page 11