Austin Weekly News 121323

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December 13, 2023 ■ Also serving Garfield Park ■ austinweeklynews.com

West Side sees unusually competitive party office races in three out of five wards Several represent rematches of 2023 city council races

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A look at the upcoming West Side Christmas events Austin, Garfield Park and North Lawndale are brimming with family activities

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The elections for West Side committeepersons promise to be more competitive than usual – and two of them are rematches of the 2023 city council elections.

Ward committepersons represent their party on the ward level, helping with their party’s campaigns. Most importantly, when an elected office becomes vacant, committeepersons representing the officeholder’s party appoint a replacement.

On the West Side, the elections are relatively humdrum affairs – aldermen are usually the only ones running for Democratic commiteepersons in their ward, and Republican offices usually get See RACES on page 5

ROMOLO TAVANI/ADOBE STOCK

Friday, Dec. 15

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

This season, West Side is alive with the holiday spirit. This weekend alone features plenty of places where kids can pick up free toys, enjoy tasty treats and take pictures with Santa.

There are also some events for adults and seniors.

This list isn’t intended to be all-comprehensive, but we tried our best to include as many as we could.

Better Life Faith Church, 5401 W. Lake St., is hosting a Christmas Spectacular Spectacle. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., but the festivities will kick off at 7 p.m. The church promises a “LipSync Battle, great music, giveaways and an entertaining night of fun.”

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2 Austin Weekly News, December 13, 2023 Note from the Publisher

The future of local news? We’re it.

Here’s why we became a nonprofit newsroom and why your donation is important

By Dan Haley Publisher

I

know you believe in independent local news. You are either reading this piece in print or on one of Growing Community Media’s digital platforms. So I know you understand why local news is so vital to each of the neighborhoods we report on.

Here’s the worry. Either you take us for granted – we’ve been publishing each of our four newspapers for between 25 and 43 years – and you assume we’ll be here to cover village hall, school boards, elections, business and faith, prep sports and obits next week and next year.

Alternatively, you’ve read about the imminent crisis in local news across this country. The two papers a week that just close down. The “ghost” newspapers which publish press releases and pick up copy from the wires but provide no local news. It feels pretty grim.

You understand how this diminishes life in your hometown. Less accountability.

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Here’s your enthusiastic wake-up call.

There is a bright future for independent local news. And the good news for our readers who follow the Austin Weekly News, Wednesday Journal, Forest Park Review and the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark is that we are that future.

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remarkable news engine we are building then that’s welcome.

It’s a hybrid. We’ve kept print advertising and grown local digital advertising. Our reach into each of our nine neighborhoods is larger than it has ever been. We’ve kept paid print subscriptions and we are grateful for the thousands of you who keep re-upping even as we’ve hiked the annual cost.

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Across the bottom of these two pages are the names of 399 neighbors who have made a donation to GCM since our end-of-year fundraising effort began on Oct. 1. That’s a lot of people. Look at this list for the names you know. And then join them by Dec. 31 by making a donation, an investment, in the local news you trust and rely on.

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Austin Weekly News, December 13, 2023

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4 Austin Weekly News, December 13, 2023

Austin Weekly News, December 13, 2023

RACES

Unusually competitive from page 1 only one candidate, if they get any at all.

But, this time, two out of five West Side Democratic Committeeperson races are competitive – and they involve many familiar faces. In the 29th Ward, Ald. Chris Taliaferro is facing off against C.B. Johnson, who forced him into a runoff during the 2023 City Council election, and Zerlina Smith-Members, who ran for the aldermanic seat in 2015 and 2019.

In the 24th Ward, incumbent Monique Scott, who was appointed to the seat after her brother, previous CHRIS TALIAFERRO 24th Ward Ald. Michael Scott, resigned as committeeperson, is facing off against Larry G. Nelson, who ran against her for the aldermanic seat in 2023, and ran against her brother in 2015.

Just as unusually, this year will see two competitive races for Republican committeepersons. In the 29th Ward, Antoine Members, Smith-Members’ husband, is facing off against incumbent Walter Adamczyk.

In the 27th Ward, Kimberly Saunders and Stephen Boulton are running to fill the seat that has been vacant since April 2023, when incumbent Mark Spognardi died.

Ward committeepersons are elected during presidential primaries. On the West Side, none of the committeeperson races for either party were competitive in 2020, 2016, 2012 and 2008 elections.

29 Ward th

During this year’s 29th Ward city council elections, it initially looked like Taliaferro was going to avoid the runoff, but updated vote tally and results for write-in candidates denied the incumbent the 50% +1 vote margin he needed to achieve that. The runoff race also ended up close. Rep. Danny Davis (D-7), who endorsed Taliaferro in the 2015 and 2019 races, threw his support behind Johnson that time.

Taliaferro declined to comment on the committeeperson races. Johnson didn’t

respond to a request for comment by publication. Smith-Members previously downplayed her candidacy in that race, saying that she was focused on running for Cook County Board of Commissioners’ 1st District seat.

Adamczyk tried to run for 29th Ward alderman in 2023, but his nominating petitions drew objections, and he decided to withdraw and run as a write-in candidate rather than challenge the objections. Members, a longtime Republican, has run for several Chicago offices, but this would be his first West Side office. While Members didn’t respond to a request for comment, SmithMembers has said that she was unaware he was running until he shared his nominating petitions.

Chicago Republican Party spokesperson Jeff Fiedler said that he didn’t believe C.B. JOHNSON the race would be competitive for too long, because Members would have to survive the objections first. While he said that he wouldn’t be the one doing the objecting, he believed that “because of the quality of lack thereof of the signatures” on the nominating petitions, someone else was bound to challenge them.

“I have a feeling,” Fiedler said. “That’s how politics is played in Chicago.”

He said that he doesn’t have any opinion on the candidates themselves, saying the Adamczyk and Members both have the right to run for the office.

“I’m sure [Members] has things that he wants to do in the ward, perhaps,” Fiedler added. “If [he and his wife] both make the ballot, that should make for a very interesting discussion around the kitchen table.”

24th Ward Nelson’s history in the 24th ward politics is long and spans both parties. He worked for then-24th Ward Ald. Michael Chandler in 1995 to 2002 and then in 2007 to 2015, but he also served as the ward’s Republican committeeperson in 2008 to 2019, and he worked for Davis for a few months in 2022.

After Chandler decided not to run in 2015, Nelson was one of the 10 candidates running to replace him, which Michael Scott eventually won.

When Scott resigned in June 3, 2022, Nelson was one of the 19 people who applied

to replace him. Then-mayor Lori Lightfoot appointed Monique Scott to finish the rest of her brother’s term. Nelson ran against her in 2023, but he didn’t earn enough votes to make the runoff.

When Scott was appointed to her brother’s seat, Michal Scott originally remained a committeeperson, but he left the seat last summer, and Monique Scott was appointed to fill it in August.

Neither Nelson nor Scott responded to a request for comment by the deadline.

Other West Side wards The 37th Ward races are non-competitive.

Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) is the only candidate running for Democratic committeeperson, while Velda J. Brunner, president of the 300 of North Lotus block club, is running for Republican committeeperson.

While the 28th Ward races are not competitive, with Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) and business owner Tamiko Holt running for Democrat and Republican seats, respec-

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Editor Erika Hobbs Staff Reporters Amina Sergazina, Igor Studenkov, Amaris Rodriguez Special projects reporter Delaney Nelson Digital Manager Stacy Coleman Reporting Partners Block Club, Austin Talks Columnists Arlene Jones, Aisha Oliver Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey 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

JASON ERVIN

TAMIKO HOLT

tively, the two candidates have history. Holt ran for the 11th Police District council in 2023, only to get knocked off the ballot. With the other candidate not responding to summons, the three remaining candidates on the ballot won by default. While Ervin denied that he had anything to do with objections against Holt, he attended most of the hearings on Holt’s case, and he supported two out of the three candidates that stayed on the ballot.

Holt didn’t respond to a request for comment by deadline.

In the 27th Ward, both Republican committeeperson candidates come from the Near North Side portions of the ward. Boulton is an attorney and former 32nd Ward Republican committeeperson. Saunders has not held a political office position.

Fielder said that the Chicago GOP is taking a hands-off approach to this race.

“It’s America, anyone can run for any office, whether or not they’re qualified, as long as they fit the established criteria,” he said.

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Loretto Hospital offers free HIV rapid tests The initiative comes in response to a recent report that showed Austin has the city’s second-highest number of new HIV diagnoses

By AMINA SERGAZINA Staff reporter

Loretto Hospital is offering free Rapid HIV testing every Thursday throughout December.

The testing is open to all Austin residents, as well as to those in the surrounding West Side neighborhoods. Uninsured and underinsured residents are also welcome, and no appointments are necessary.

Tests will take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in outpatient services on the sixth floor of the hospital.

This initiative comes in response to a concerning report from the Chicago Department of Public Health released last October that showed Austin had the second-highest number of new HIV infection diagnoses of

all Chicago neighborhoods in 2020.

While the total number of Chicagoans diagnosed with HIV or AIDS was the lowest in four decades, the report showed that nonHispanic Black people represented a disproportionate 50% of all new cases.

Carlos Zambrano, vice president of physician recruitment and retention and clinical research, said that the reason for these high numbers is lack of education on the topic, lack of access to healthcare and stigma around HIV. “These viruses affect all people with all kinds of ways of life and, and it doesn’t discriminate at all, it’s just like any other sexual transmitted deceases,” Zambrano said.

“The stigma is a barrier that is preventing the patient population to come and get diagnosed and get treated.”

During each Rapid HIV test appointment, the provider will also send the sample for a confirmatory test. The rapid test will have results within 20 minutes and confirmation results can take up to a week.

If the individual tests positive, Loretto Hospital officials said they will educate them about it, give information about available treatments and help apply for programs that provide free medication.

CDPH’s report also highlighted a disparity in the viral suppression rate among Aus-

Austin Weekly News, December 13, 2023

7

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon touts progressive agenda in lecture He said their arrival has triggered the “It took me 16 years of trying and failing Lawmakers would come to Springfield and He spoke at the Rev. Donald same kind of divide within the society that would win political points by taking exist- before I got that to the governor’s desk, and was seen 20 years ago when debating the ing crimes and making sentences longer. even then it was vetoed by Governor RaunH. Wheat Lecture at the Third Human Rights Amendment, which granted But now the approach to crime has er,” Harmon said. rights to LGBTQ+ people.

Harmon pointed out that one successful changed, and Harmon said he was all for Unitarian Church in Austin equal He also acknowledged the friction some it. As part of that change, he sponsored the effort was to pass and enact the assault

communities, including those on the West Side have expressed, over feeling ignored Staff reporter in light of the rapid assistance for the asylum seekers.

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon “For generations, government has told said Sunday that the state needed to “cre- [citizens] we don’t have the money to address ate a more durable social infrastructure” so mental health, the unhoused and food insecuthat when a crisis hits, like the humanitarian rity in our communities,” he said. “But now, one the busing of migrants created, officials all of a sudden, we have the resources to deal can respond properly and quickly. with people arriving from a dif“We need to do a better job ferent country?” of using these opportunities Such concerns should be to create a more durable social added to the public discussions infrastructure, so that we are he said, and they “should be an prepared to handle the next added perspective to the debate, crisis that comes around the not an excuse for turning our corner, because once this one is backs on people.” addressed, another will inevitaHe also said that if the state bly come,” Harmon, of the 39th funding temporary housing for district, said. migrants from Central and South His remarks came as part of America -- like it should -- it also DON HARMON Sunday’s annual Rev. Donald H. needed to make sure it has reWheat Lecture at the Third Unisources to support the unhoused tarian Church on North Mayfield Avenue neighbors when they are in need. where about 80 people attended in person or Harmon reminded the audience that the by videoconference. Harmon, who has served state does not get to choose what challenge as president since 2020, was invited to speak comes next and the migrant crisis, because about progressive issues congregants are in- just like COVID-19, they often fall into the terested in as part of the lecture series. state’s lap.

Harmon said the biggest test the state faces “Bemoaning the circumstances doesn’t is managing the arrival of migrants who are solve the problem,” he said. “We need to refuge in the United States. use this as an inflection point to examine “We cannot turn away from them,” Har- the fundamental inequities in our society mon said. “We see them in the community, in and how to address them, for everyone.”

Columbus Park, at the police station. We see Harmon also remarked on how the crimithe people selling candy on the corner every nal justice system changed since he’s been time we drive through the neighborhood.” in office.

By AMINA SERGAZINA

tin residents diagnosed with HIV, which was 54% as opposed to 60% citywide.

Viral suppression is crucial for individuals living with HIV, as it allows them to live a high-quality life with a reduced risk of passing HIV to others.

Zambrano said that HIV treatment in Austin needs to have a multidisciplinary approach because many members of the community struggle with behavioral health issues and substance abuse at the same time.

“It’s not only writing a prescription, that is the easy thing, but making sure the patient has a social network, support and housing,” Zambrano said. “If the patient doesn’t have a stable housing, some of these medications may need to be refrigerant and or be taken with food.”

Loretto Hospital aims to become a leader for HIV treatment for the community and is applying for grants to widen their HIV prevention mission.

second chance probation law that removed the mandatory life sentences for certain crimes, giving younger people the ability to have parole which they could not have before and a chance to turn their life around.

He also touched on the state’s elimination of cash bail.

“People, who I will remind you are legally considered innocent until proven guilty, will forfeit their freedom based on their threat to society and individuals,” he said. “They will not forfeit their freedom because they lack the cash to buy it.”

Harmon added that he is also fighting for gun control and is the sponsor of the state’s gun dealer licensing law.

weapons ban that is taking effect now.

Anyone who owned an assault weapon, a high-capacity magazine, or an assault weapon attachment before the law took effect must register them with the Illinois State Police by Jan. 1, 2024.

The law also prohibits the sale, manufacture, purchase, or transfer of any new assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, or assault weapon attachments in Illinois.

“Yes, more needs to be done to protect our children and our communities,” Harmon said. “But I bring up these hardfought, long-term accomplishments to show that change is happening – you just have to keep at it.”

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8 Austin Weekly News, December 13, 2023

East Garfield Christmas Store seeks donations as it marks 20th year Breakthrough Urban Ministries’ store lets residents buy gifts at discounted prices

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

East Garfield Park families will be able to shop for Christmas gifts for a fraction of their retail price at the Breakthrough Urban Ministries’ FamilyPlex building.

Now in its 20th year, the Christmas store will be open next Saturday Dec. 16, at 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Anyone wishing to shop will need to register ahead of time at the FamilyPlex’s front desk at 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Breakthrough is still actively looking for donations, whether it’s money or gifts. The gift drop-off deadline is Dec. 14 at 8:30 p.m.

Originally located in the North Side’s

HOLIDAY EVENTS Winter festivities from page 1

Saturday, Dec. 16 UCAN and the Chicago Park District are organizing a Christmas Party at Franklin Park, 4320 W. 15th St, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children will get a chance to take pictures with Santa and get free toys and books. The organizers also promise “food and lots of fun.”

Garfield Park Community Council is holding a Pajama Jam and karaoke event at the Hatchery, 135 N. Kedzie Avenue, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Singing, dancing, activities and pizza are on tap.

345 Art Gallery, 345 N. Kedzie Ave., is host-

Uptown neighborhood, the shop moved to East Garfield Park in 2000 to serve local children and families. Since then, it expanded to multiple facilities based on or near the intersection of Kedzie and Carroll avenues, offering a range of supportive housing, education, health, economic development and violence prevention programs. As the name suggests, FamilyPlex houses programs for kids and teens, as well as health and fitness programs.

According to Breakthrough spokesperson Lindsey Tollefson, the organization put together the first market back in 2003 to give about 40 families who were enrolled at the youth programs at the time a chance to get nice gifts without having to break the bank.

“It has continued to grow over the last 20 years and now engages 500 participants across Breakthrough programs and families in Garfield Park,” she said.

Tollefson said that residents not in the programs will pay anywhere between $1

ing its fourth annual Ugly Sweater Party and Toy Drive from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Guests are invited to bring unwrapped gifts suitable for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. There will be a raffle and treats, a comedy show and music by DJ Imani. Tickets are $10 a person.

Light Up Lawndale initiative is organizing a special “Gingerbread Edition” event at Douglass Park. Held from 5 to 9 p.m., the event will feature youth carolers, a fully decked out CTA Holiday Bus, a gingerbread house exhibition, free photos with Santa and live music. This is another opportunity for families to pick up free toys.

Sunday, Dec. 17 Earth’s Remedies, a West Side organization that seeks to connect local residents, businesses and scholars to resources and information, is teaming up with Youth Guidance tutoring organization and My

CREDIT: BREAKTHROUGH URBAN MINISTRIES

to $10 per item. Families participating in Breakthrough’s programs would be able to use “Breakthrough bucks” to get the items for free. Tollefson said that there are many ways program participants can earn the Breakthrough Bucks – for example, people staying at one of Breakthrough’s shelters can earn them by doing chores.

According to the market wish list, Breakthrough is looking for gifts for kids and adults alike. That includes toys, video games, clothing, household appliances, dishes, tool sets, hygiene items and electronics. Anyone interested in donating can bring the items in, buy items off of online Target and Amazon wish lists, buy gift

cards that Breakthrough will use to buy items off the list, or make cash donations.

Tollefson said that they hope to have at least 5,000 gifts available at the store. She said that as of Nov. 29, about 15% of the items on the wish lists were purchased.

Unwrapped gifts and gift-wrapping supplies can be dropped off at FamilyPlex at 3219 W. Carroll Ave. on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., and on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

CHI My Future initiative to hold a Winter Wonderland event for the West Side youth.

The event will be held at the Garfield Park Conservatory, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Families will be able to pick up toys, electronics, art prints and warm meals.

The 29th Ward staff is organizing a “Christmas with Chris” event from 12 to 2 p.m. at the ward office, 6272 W. North Ave. The staff will give away toys and home supplies, and free food will be provided.

And more!

Monday, December 18 Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin and her husband, Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) will be hosting a Senior Holiday Luncheon at Cinespace Studios’ Kedzie campus, 3555 W. 31st St. The luncheon will take place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., with the lunch served at noon. The event is free, but attendees must register by Dec. 15 by calling 773-242-6547

For the full wish list for physical gifts, links to online wish lists, information on how to donate money and other details, visit https:// breakthrough.org/christmas-store-2023/

This year, Metra is running trains decked out in Christmas-style decorations on all of its lines. The trains will run on Milwaukee District West Line, which has stops in North Austin and Galewood, all the way until Jan. 2, 2024. The trains will follow regular schedules – the trick is catching the right train.

All trains will stop at the two of the stations serving Galewood – the Galewood station at Narragansett Avenue and Montclare station at Medill Street. Catching the train in North Austin is trickier, since Grand/Cicero station at the eponymous intersection and Hansen Park station at Central Avenue are weekday, rush hour only stops, and so is the Galewood’s Mars station at Oak Park Avenue.

For detailed list of decked-out trains, see https://metra.com/newsroom/decoratedmetra-trains-debut-season

Austin Weekly News, December 13, 2023

Join us! Enroll now in the Chicago Park District

Lifeguard $475 Lifeguard feguard Lifeguard Lifeguard Explorers Training Program Explorers Explorers Explorers Explorers

Join us! Enroll now in the Chicago Park District Enroll now in the Chicago Park District JoinJoin us! Enroll us! Enroll nownow in the in the Chicago Chicago ParkPark District District

Get paid

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upon completing the upon completing upon completing the the training program!

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trainingtraining program! program!

Training Training Program Program Enroll now! The next training Training Program Training Program program begins January 8!

We will teach you the required skills and provide supervised practice time needed to successfully pass the lifeguard skills test, and become eligible to skills be hired as a Chicago Park District Lifeguard.

We willWe teach will you teach the you required the required and skills provide and provide

January 8 – March 1

Locations: Homan Square La Follette Park Community 1333 N. Laramie Ave. January January 8 – March 8 – March 1 1 Enroll Enroll now! now!

The The nextnext training training Center Park Thurs. 5-7pm www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com/Lifeguard-Explorers supervised supervised practice practice time needed time needed to successfully to successfully Locations: Locations: We willand teach you the required skills and provide January 8 3559 – March 1 W. Arthington & Sat. 12-2pm program begins January 8! 8!January program begins January ou thepass required skills Open tobecome all 15-22 olds. the pass lifeguard the lifeguard skillsprovide test, skills and test, become and eligible eligibleyear 8– March 1 Homan Homan Square Square La Follette La Follette Park Park supervised practice time needed to successfully be hired to be as hired ato Chicago as a Chicago Park District Park District Lifeguard.

Lifeguard. actice to time needed successfully Community Community 1333 N.1333 Laramie N. Laramie Ave. Mon. Ave. & Wed. 5-7pm Locations: Locations: Don Nash passbecome the lifeguard and become eligible For more information about your Chicagowww.ChicagoParkDistrict.com/Lifeguard-Explorers Park District, CenterCenter Park Park Thurs. 5-7pm Thurs.

5-7pmSquare www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com/Lifeguard-Explorers ard skills test, and eligibleskills test, Homan LaPark FolletteCommunity Park Homan Square La&Follette Park visit www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com or call 312.742.7529 Austin Town Hall Center 3559 W. 3559 Arthington W. Arthington Sat. 12-2pm & Sat. 12-2pm Open Open totoDistrict all to 15-22 all 15-22 year year olds.olds. be hired as a Chicago Park District Lifeguard.

Community a Chicago Park Lifeguard.

Community 1333 N. Laramie Ave. 5610 W. Lake St.1333 N. Laramie 1833 E. Ave. 71st St. City of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Mon. &Mon. Wed.&5-7pm Wed. 5-7pm Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners Center Park Thurs.

5-7pm www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com/Lifeguard-Explorers Don Nash Don Nash Center Park Thurs.

5-7pm www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com/Lifeguard-Explorers Tues. & Thurs. 5-7pm Mon. & Wed. 4-6pm For more information For more information about your Chicago about your Park Chicago District,Park District, Chicago Park District Rosa Escareño, General Superintendent & CEO visit www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com visit www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com or call 312.742.7529 or call 312.742.7529 Austin Town Hall Town Park Hall&Park Community Community Center 3559 W. Center Arthington & Sat. 12-2pm 3559 Austin W. Arthington Sat. 12-2pm Open to all 15-22 year olds. l 15-22 year olds.

W.5610 Lake W. St.Lake St. 1833 E. 1833 71stMon. St. E. 71st&St. City of Chicago CityMayor of Chicago Brandon Mayor Johnson Brandon Johnson Wed. 5-7pm Mon. 5610 & Wed. 5-7pm Chicago Park Chicago DistrictPark Board District of Commissioners Board of Commissioners Tues. &Tues.

Thurs. & 5-7pm Thurs. 5-7pm Mon. &Mon. Wed.&4-6pm Wed. 4-6pm Chicago Park Chicago DistrictPark RosaDistrict Escareño, Rosa General Escareño, Superintendent General Superintendent & CEO & CEO Don Nash Don Nash ore information about your Chicago Park District, For more information about your Chicago Park District, visit www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com or call 312.742.7529 Austin Town Hall Park Community Center www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com or call 312.742.7529 Austin Town Hall Park Community Center 1833 E. 71st St. 5610 W. Lake St. 1833 E. 71st 5610 St. W. Lake St. City of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson f Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson go Park District Board of Commissioners Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners Tues. & Thurs. 5-7pm Mon. & Wed. 4-6pm Tues. & Thurs. 5-7pm Mon. & Wed. 4-6pm go Park District Rosa Escareño, General Superintendent & CEO Chicago Park District Rosa Escareño, General Superintendent & CEO

Enroll now! The next training Enroll now! The next training program program begins January 8! begins January 8!

9

10 Austin Weekly News, December 13, 2023

Applications open for West Side United’s local small business grants

WSU plans to give $10,000 each to 14 small businesses

By AMINA SERGAZINA Staff reporter

West Side United, a collaborative initiative that aims to improve health and economic outcomes in 10 Chicago neighborhoods, is accepting applications for its 2023 Small Business Grant program.

The program, first launched in 2018, offers grants of $10,000 to small businesses

with revenue less than $1 million and are located in or owned by a resident of Austin, Belmont Cragin, East Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, Lower West Side (Pilsen), Near West Side, North Lawndale, South Lawndale (Little Village), West Garfield Park and West Town community areas.

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Catalytic Converter Theft is Down in Illinois

ne of the many worldwide impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic was the disruption of supply chains. Most of us likely remember the shortages on toilet paper and groceries, and the difficulty getting packages delivered on time. Among these difficulties was the sharp rise in the theft of catalytic converters, which became such a dire state of affairs that it made national news.

Chicago and other cities in Illinois were hit particularly hard, creating considerable stress and financial hardship for motorists.

Catalytic converter theft has risen steadily for the last few years -- but that might be starting to change. According to some recent data from State Farm, the number of catalytic converter thefts has actually been dropping.

Data from January 1 to June 30, 2023 shows catalytic converter thefts at 14,000 this year, as compared to over 23,000 reported thefts the year before. Although this still amounts to a whopping $41.7 million in payouts, it’s far less than the $115 million from the year before, and even $73 million from 2021.

Of all the states hit hardest, Illinois ranked third, with almost 1,300 claims reported and around $2.9 million in payouts. So although those numbers are dropping, there are still good reasons to be concerned, especially if you’re a resident of Chicago.

Why Are Catalytic Converters Valuable?

So what exactly is a catalytic converter, and why are they so valuable that there’s an epidemic of theft? Why has the rate of theft risen so sharply in recent years?

A catalytic converter is part of a car’s exhaust system. Its job is to convert harmful pollutants (hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide) into water and less harmful versions of

those same chemicals. Catalytic converters have been in use since the 1970s and are found in pretty much every new vehicle.

The reason they’re so alluring to criminals?

A few factors. Number one, they’re easy to remove -- about the size of a loaf of bread, mounted between the muffler and the engine, it’s relatively quick and easy to remove. But the major reason they’re so valuable is their metal content. Catalytic converters contain substantial amounts of palladium, platinum, and rhodium, the prices for which have all skyrocketed in recent years due to demand.

For example, in 2001 platinum was approximately $530 per ounce. In 2011, it reached a high of $1,700 an ounce. Palladium went from about $600 per ounce to almost $2,400 an ounce by 2021. But neither of those elements compare to rhodium, which reached an astronomical all-time high of $26,000 an ounce in 2021.

The increased demand, coupled with the difficulty in acquiring these materials thanks to supply chain issues, has led junkyards to actively collect catalytic converters in order to sell them for scrap, along with the highly valuable metals inside. Some junkyards even accept shipping of converters, which can go for anywhere from $140 to $1,500 apiece.

This makes them an enticing target for thieves.

Chicago in particular has had high rates of catalytic converter theft in recent years. In fact, Illinois was one of the top five states for catalytic converter thefts between 2020-2022, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

How Thefts Impact Car Insurance Rates Unfortunately, even if you don’t have the

catalytic converter stolen out of your car, you may still be financially affected by this rash of thefts. The reason? Stolen catalytic converters are covered by auto insurance, and a big surge in payouts can also mean a surge in your auto insurance premiums, making it challenging to find cheap Illinois car insurance. For example, the average yearly premium for auto insurance in Illinois is $1,394, per numbers from Renata Belasco at The Zebra. This is 9% less than the national average -- but it’s a different story in Chicago, where the average yearly premium is $2,171.

Factors such as urban traffic density and population do make a difference, but no doubt the high rates of auto theft in Chicago plays a part.

What Illinois is Doing to Combat Catalytic Converter Theft Fortunately, the Illinois government is not standing idly by, and has recently taken steps to attempt to curb this serious (though declining) rash of thefts. The state has recently introduced new legislation with stricter penalties for individuals caught for illegal trading of catalytic converters. This legislation includes mandatory documentation for the sale of such converters, which will make it less easy for thieves to traffic in them. The law will also facilitate creating more of a paper trail for converter sales, meaning law enforcement will have an easier time tracking down thieves and illegal resellers.

What can you do in the meantime?

Consider installing an alarm system on your car and security cameras around your house or garage. Engrave your VIN on the catalytic converter itself, and make sure your car is always parked in a garage or well-lit area if you can help it.

• This article consists of paid content and does not represent the view of GCM or its editorial staff •

The grants are intended to increase economic opportunities in the West Side neighborhoods by supporting businesses that create jobs, wealth and wellness in the community.

This year the grant is funded by several partner organizations, such as the American Medical Association, Lurie Children’s Hospital, Rush University Hospital, Molson Coors and couple anonymous family foundations. Lurie and Rush are WSU founding partners.

When business owners apply, they become part of the WSU’s system and have access to their resources, partners and monthly networking events. One of these resources is an upcoming webinar in early 2024 in which businesses can learn more about business insurance.

“A lot of businesses do not have insurance and do not see the value, until something happens and they are now looking at a lawsuit,” said director of anchor mission strategies Sanita Lewis.

WSU also provides every applicant with technical support by aligning business with business coaching through Allies for Community Business that is also their grant facilitators.

Another partner, North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council provides financial literacy program for businesses.

The program also connects businesses with vendor contracts with West Side United’s partner organizations, which include healthcare providers, universities and corporations.

The application period runs to Dec. 15.

Businesses can apply online or through physical applications available at Allies for Community Business, 135 N Kedzie Ave. The grant recipients will be announced in 2024.

‘Like’us on Facebook to view additional content @AustinWeeklyNews

Austin Weekly News, December 13, 2023

I

t was somewhere between 8 and 9 p.m. last Wednesday, that I kept hearing loud noises that sounded like explosions/ fireworks. I was on the first floor in the kitchen and there was something really annoying about those booms.

Of course the first thing that goes through one’s mind is to question who in the heck is shooting fireworks in December? The second thing was that the sound was really different from what I’ve heard in the past, I came upstairs and went out on my second-story deck. I could tell that the sound was coming from south of North Avenue. I couldn’t see any kind of light explosions going off in the air, but I kept hearing the continuous sound.

Boom ... boom ... boom.

I began checking my Citizens and Neighbors apps. Both are usually good sources of information to find out what’s going on.

And of course, someone had posted about hearing the loud booms. Other people

11

A ‘Men in Black’ moment? joined in to concur and offer their opinions. Then people began trying to locate where the the sound came from. For reference, I live near North Avenue and Laramie. A lot of the people posting were in the Humboldt Park area. One person said they lived at Damen and Cermak! Someone else said they were at Armitage and Damen.

Another was at Western and Fullerton. When a person told me they were at Oakdale and Laramie, I definitely became suspicious about what kind of explosions could have noise that traveled that far? And what would that be like for the next 4th of July?

Others claimed it was an individual setting off fireworks near Kostner and 21st Street. I have heard fireworks my entire life. I’ve never heard of any where the

sound was traveling for miles!

Someone then posted a flyer claiming the Chicago Fire TV show was setting off controlled explosions. However, based on the addresses, that production is located in Blue Island. Plus the filming was supposed to be between 2 and 4 in the afternoon. It was now after 8 at night.

Finally someone posted a video of the explosions from the front porch of their house.

What I didn’t see was any rocket/missile/projectile going up into the air. Rather, the video just showed explosions occurring. Instead of the light particles falling to the ground, all one saw was a puff of white smoke that really didn’t disperse.

I got a text from a friend who lives off Western and I-290. She said that the noise

ARLENE JONES

seemed to be coming from the east, then moved west. She went outside and felt that the air was strange. The noise eventually abated, but the curiosity of myself and others as to the origins did not abate. Someone reported that 911 was getting a lot a phone calls about the noise. So I presumed the following day there would be news reports that would clarify all the data in a factual information report.

But guess what? None of the major newspapers or television stations reported on it.

It was as if it hadn’t happened. But I have some wonderful sources and they hadn’t heard anything about it even on some of the sites the police tend to chatter on. Interesting. I understand that Rogers Park has also experienced loud noises prior to this.

Did we have a close encounter here in the city? Or just like in the film Men in Black, what really happened is being erased from our memories through disinformation — or no information.

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12 Austin Weekly News, December 13, 2023

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n recent years, it can feel like neighbors and nations are divided on every issue.

That there is no common ground, and the focus is more on who’s right and who’s wrong than on what is best for everyone as a whole. It can be discouraging, but it’s important to remember the antidote: compassion.

Compassion not only allows us to empathize with the perspectives and experiences of others, but it spurs us into action to help alleviate suffering of those in need and make the world a better place.

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CHRISTMAS CHURCH GUIDE

13 December 13, 2023

Christmas 2023

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CHRISTMAS CHURCH GUIDE

December 13, 2023 14

The Catholic Community welcomes you to our celebrations of the Advent and Christmas Seasons!

The Parish of Ascension and St. Edmund www.ascensionoakpark.com · 708-848-2703 or 708-848-4417 Ascension Church 808 S. East Avenue, Oak Park

St. Edmund Church 188 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park

The Parish of St. Catherine of Siena - St. Lucy and St. Giles www.stgilesparish.org · 708-383-3430 St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church 38 N. Austin Boulevard, Oak Park

St. Giles Church 1045 Columbian Avenue, Oak Park

Advent Prayer Services Evening Prayer Under the Wreath

Wednesdays, December 13 and 20 at 6:30 pm at Ascension Church.

Gather under the wreath for scripture, song & contemplation.

Contemplative Prayer

Saturday, December 16 at 8:30 am on Zoom Contact d.anderson@ascensionoakpark.com for the Zoom link.

Advent Circle Garden (a meditative prayer experience, open to all)

McDonough Hall on the St. Giles Campus, 1101 Columbian Ave, 2nd Floor Saturday, December 16, 8:30 – 10:00 am Sunday, December 17, 11:30 am – 2:00 pm Monday, December 18, 4:00 – 8:30 pm (Prayer Service at 7:00 pm) Tuesday, December 19, 7:15 – 8:30 pm Wednesday, December 20, 7:15 – 8:30 pm Thursday, December 21, 7:15 – 8:30 pm

The Nativity of the Lord

Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24 3:30 pm Mass with the Ascension Schola at Ascension Church

3:00 pm Mass with Children’s Gospel at St. Giles Church

4:30 pm Mass with the St. Edmund Choir at St. Edmund Church

5:00 pm Mass with Children’s Gospel at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church

5:30 pm Mass with the Ascension Choristers and String Ensemble at Ascension Church

5:00 p.m. Mass with Teen Choir at St. Giles Church

11:00 pm Mass with the Ascension Choir at Ascension Church Carols begin at 10:30 pm

7:30 pm Family Mass Community Mass in the St. Giles School Gym Carols begin at 7:00 pm 10:30 pm Christmas Vigil Mass with the Combined Choirs at St. Giles Church Carols begin at 10:00 pm

Christmas Day, Monday, December 25 9:00 am Mass with organ, instruments and cantor at Ascension Church 11:00 am Mass with organ, instruments and cantor at St. Edmund Church

9:00 am Mass with the Praise Choir at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church 10:30 am Mass at St. Giles Church

*Certain Masses may be livestreamed; times to be determined. Please see our websites, ascensionoakpark.org or stgilesparish.org, for further information, and to find links to online or livestream events.

AustinWeekly News, December 13, 2023 15

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PUBLIC NOTICES 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: 24-627-12 Repairs to Air Compressors and Air Dryers at Various Locations (Re-Bid) Total Estimated Cost: $ 154,400.00 Bid Deposit: None Voluntary Technical Pre-Bid Conference via ZOOM: Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 10:30 am CST. Compliance with the District’s Affirmative Action Ordinance Revised Appendix D, Appendix C, and the Multi Project Labor Agreement are required on this Contract.

Bid Opening: January 23, 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 District of Greater Chicago

By Darlene A. LoCascio Director of Procurement and Materials Management Chicago, Illinois December 13, 2023 Published in Wednesday Journal December 13, 2023

We Connect We Connect

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16 Austin Weekly News, December 13, 2023 Sponsored Content

Getting Your Home Ready for the Holidays with Mr. Appliance of West Loop Q: Why bother with appliance TLC before the holidays and family gatherings?

A: Picture this: you’re in the midst of holiday cooking, and suddenly, your oven decides it’s time for a vacation. Avoid the chaos with a little pre-holiday appliance love.

Q: What’s the lowdown on easy kitchen gadget survival tips for the holidays?

A: Simple stuff – clean filters, fix leaks, check cords. And for ovens, make sure they’re not playing temperature tricks on you.

Quick fixes now can save you from a holiday kitchen disaster.

Q: How to prep our trusty fridge for the holiday grocery haul?

A: Clean coils, show door gaskets some love, and adjust settings. No one wants eggnog turned ice-cold or a turkey not thawing in time.

Q: Dishwashers, the unsung heroes. Any

easy peasy maintenance tips before holiday chaos?

A: Clean the filter, check spray arms, and run an empty cycle with vinegar.

Don’t forget the door seal; you don’t want leaks causing a post-dinner flood.

Q: Microwaves – what’s the drill before holiday leftovers start pinging?

A: Wipe inside and out, ensure the door seals, and give the turntable a spin. No one wants their reheated cocoa to taste like last night’s curry.

Q: Stovetops and ovens, the MVPs during the holidays. Any special treatment they need?

A: Scrub burner grates, check for gas leaks, and ensure the oven temperature isn’t playing games. You don’t want a holiday ham surprise.

Q: Washing machines – what to check before the holiday laundry marathon?

A: Lint filter love, hose inspection, and a vinegar cleanse for freshness.

Balance it out; you don’t want a spin cycle dance party.

Q: Dryers – because damp socks are a holiday downer.

What’s the drill for them?

A: Clear lint traps, check vents, and ensure it’s not making odd noises. And of course, make sure the door seal is holding up – Santa’s suit deserves better.

A: Basics first – check breakers and cords. If it persists, Mr. Appliance of West Loop is just a call away.

Q: When to say goodbye to an appliance instead of a fixer-upper for the holidays?

A: If it’s acting like the Grinch too often, jacking up bills, or being inefficient, it might be time to bid farewell. Mr. Appliance can help you navigate that decision without holiday drama!

Q: Quick fixes for common refrigerator glitches during the holiday hustle?

A: Check temps, listen for odd fridge noises, and push the door to test the seal. If not, call in the pros at Mr. Appliance of West Loop.

Book online at: Q: Disaster strikes, and an appliance takes MrApplinace.com/West-Loop a holiday break. What’s the first aid? or call 312-626-5467

December 13, 2023

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

AT HOME ON THE GREATER WEST SIDE A GCM GUIDE TO HOMEOWNERSHIP

Introducing At Home on the Greater West Side The yearlong GCM project dives deep into homeownership in the area and offers guidance to show that despite barriers, it is attainable

By DELANEY NELSON

Special projects reporter

W

hen Chicago Community Trust asked our publisher in April if we wanted to take part in a yearlong project aimed at boosting homeownership on the West Side, the answer was a no-brainer. Growing Community Media, a media organization committed to equity, would happily and graciously apply to take part in the project.

A proponent of community journalism, Dan Haley, president and publisher of GCM and its four flagship papers, has been with what is now GCM since its inception in 1980. When Haley launched the Oak Park Wednesday Journal 40 years ago, his main goal was to cover race and diversity throughout the community. At the time, that coverage included the ongoing racial integration of Oak Park and the greater West Side.

GCM’s At Home on the Greater West Side project is an opportunity to continue covering racial inequities and paths toward change. Our goal is to contribute to closing the racial homeownership gap in Black and Hispanic communities of the West Side.

The reality is that Black and Hispanic Chicagoans have lower homeownership rates than their white counterparts. In comparison to the citywide homeownership rate of 45.6%, 40% of Austin residents own a home, as do 23.8% of North Lawndale residents and 27.4% of West Garfield Park residents.

“The incessant inequities in housing in West Side communities, goes back forevermore,” Haley said. “It is baked in the cake of Chicago and this country that if you are Black or brown, if you have less resources, that your path to stability in housing is undermined – actively, consciously, undermined.”

Throughout the next 12 months, GCM will commit both print and digital space and resources to homeownership coverage in Austin, West Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and the greater West Side. Our goal is to produce onthe-ground, community-oriented journalism.

We’ll meet community members who have gone through, or are currently navigating, the homeownership process. We’ll connect with community organizations such as the Oak Park Regional Housing Center, Austin Coming Together, the Greater St. John Bible Church, and Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago. We’ll scour data and reports to learn about appraisals, mortgages, and credit. We’ll interrogate existing government housing programs and provide resources to help you maneuver the system of becoming a homeowner.

As Haley said, this grant provides GCM with the opportunity to dig into how “people have found ways through a corrupt system into homeownership or how people have lost their

bid for homeownership through these baked in inequities – to tell those stories, to provide resources for people who are trying to make this leap, and to report the fairly grotesque impact of disinvestment on the West Side.”

Be on the lookout for our four public community events for potential homeowners, where we’ll partner with trusted community organizations to share resources and information about the path to homeownership, and, just as importantly, to meet you and hear your stories and feedback.

In the next year, we don’t want to just report the news and tell stories. We want to find solutions to the disparities in homeownership in our communities. We’ll introduce you to folks who will share their own homeownership journeys. And we’ll give you resources to show how you can do it, too.

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

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Homeownership then and now: Why disparities persist ROBERT K. NELSON, LADALE WINLING, RICHARD MARCIANO, NATHAN CONNOLLY, ET AL., “MAPPING INEQUALITY,” AMERICAN PANORAMA, ED. ROBERT K. NELSON AND EDWARD L. AYERS, ACCESSED DECEMBER 8, 2023, HTTPS://DSL. RICHMOND.EDU/PANORAMA/REDLINING/[YOUR VIEW]

From blockbusting to subprime loans — a look at why buying and maintaining a house on the West Side historically has been difficult

By DELANEY NELSON

Special projects reporter

A

1969 Chicago Tribune headline said it all: O.B.A. Runs Housing Service to Brake Austin Racial Change.

That change, the reporter wrote, “brought fear and confusion” to homeowners in a neighborhood “long famous for its churches, schools, and community traditions.” That change referred to Black families at the time.

By 1969, the article said, Austin was 15% Black.

“Whether they are called panic peddlers, block busters or good businessmen, hundreds of licensed and unlicensed real estate agents have descended on Austin to take advantage of the property movement and some alarmed residents have resisted,” the Tribune reported.

“A group of residents, the Organization for a Better Austin (O.B.A.) have formed a housing referral committee and are striving militantly to keep the neighborhood from becoming totally black.”

The effort appeared to be working, the paper reported.

That was 55 years ago.

The same story, the same dance today? Yes and no.

Statistics show that homeownership in Austin is roughly 41%. In North Lawndale, it’s about 24%. And in West Garfield Park, it’s just more than 28%.

Those figures show that yes, West Siders can and do buy homes. But the number of people who could buy them isn’t where it should be. The reason, as the Tribune story demonstrates, is far more complex than money.

MOVING TO CHICAGO During the Great Migration, more than 500,000 Black people from the South landed in

A 1930s Home Owners’ Loan Corporation map of Chicago. Through these maps, the federal government classified neighborhoods by their lending risk. Areas the agency deemed to have the highest risk level were colored with red ink. Most “redlined” areas were majority Black neighborhoods. Yellow, one tier above red, indicated a “declining” area. Majority white neighborhoods were often colored green, classified as the best places for banks to lend.

Chicago, sending the number of African Americans to 33% of the population in 1970 from 2% before the migration north began, data from the Chicago Historical Society’s Encyclopedia of Chicago shows. From 1910 to 1930 alone, the Black population in Chicago increased fivefold, from 44,000 to over 230,000, according to a WTTW report. Most settled along Chicago’s “Black Belt” on the South Side, but the West Side also became a large area for housing Black residents. After World War II, “housing-starved” Black citizens flocked to North Lawndale, making it the largest

new Black community created in that period, according to Arnold R. Hirsch in his book “Making the Second Ghetto: Race and Housing in Chicago, 1940-1960.”

The Chicago Defender, the nation’s leading Black newspaper, in its own way, helped recruit these transplants by running stories during this period detailing racial atrocities in the south and promoting a better life in northern cities. Many Black soon-to-be migrants wrote to the paper for advice and information about securing housing and employment, such as in this archived letter

from a woman in Greenwood, Mississippi, on April 22, 1917: “Sir: I noticed in the Defender about receiving some information from you about positions up there or rather work and I am very anxious to know what the chances are for business men. I am very anxious to leave the South on account of my children but my husband doesn’t seem to think that he can succeed there in business, he is a merchant and also knows the barber trade what are the chances for either? Some of our folks down here have the idea that this Northern movement means nothing to any body but those who go out and labor by the day. I am willing to work myself to get a start.

Tell me what we could really do. I will do most anything to get our family out of Barn. Please let this be confidential.”

The promise of an alluring, new life in the north, however, didn’t always pan out.

The 1930s New Deal brought the Federal Housing Administration, whose purpose was to stimulate new home construction, ensure “economically sound” home loans and create lending guidelines outlining which borrowers should be given loans.

The FHA and the Homeowners’ Loan Corporation, however, implemented redlining maps, which classified areas across 200 U.S. cities by relative lending risk — that is, how likely borrowers were to pay home loans back to banks — to determine which areas were worthy of government-backed mortgages and other home lending programs. Places with the highest risk level, D, were often colored with red ink, hence the term “redlining.” Those most redlined: Majority Black neighborhoods.

The FHA also supported racially restrictive covenants, which prevented Black people or members of other racial/ethnic groups from buying a property or parcel of land. As WBEZ’s Natalie Moore reported, remnants of these restrictive covenants linger on property deeds across the Chicago area to this day, such as this one: “The restriction of that no part of said premises shall in manner be used or occupied directly or indirectly by any Negro or Negroes. … except house servants or janitors or chauffeurs employed…”

These covenants were outlawed in 1948 and are not enforceable today.

But because of this redlining, residents of

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AT HOME ON THE GREATER WEST SIDE

December 13, 2023

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Who owns homes on the Greater West Side?

By DELANEY NELSON

Special projects reporter

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hy do households of color own only a quarter of the nation’s housing wealth when they compose a third of the nation’s households?

This is the question that begins a 2021 research report from the Urban Institute, a D.C. think tank that studies among other things, the relationship between housing and finances. A central reason is the racial wealth gap.

The study’s analysis uses American Community Survey data, which comes from the Census Bureau. Their research shows that white Americans are more likely to achieve homeownership than households of color.

When Black or Latino families do buy homes, they tend to be of lower value than their white counterparts. Because home value contributes to housing wealth, this puts white homeowners at an advantage.

Measuring housing wealth is important, the authors wrote, because it can “uncover compromises households of color make to achieve homeownership.” In other words, families of color may sometimes choose small homes or property in less desirable locations to achieve homeownership. But beyond that, this data shows a broader trend of discrimination in the process of buying a home, which contributes to the lower net wealth of Black and Latino families when compared with white families.

The racial wealth gap means families

Black neighborhoods across Chicago were denied access to credit, and the increasing borrowing costs made homeownership difficult. It also led to housing disinvestment, setting up Black Americans to be generations behind white ones in terms of the wealth that comes with owning one’s home.

But it’s just part of the story.

BLOCKBUSTING THE GREATER WEST SIDE Much of the West Side wasn’t redlined — the practice was made illegal in 1968, while Austin was still majority white and Black families had begun to move to adjacent neighborhoods. At the time, most of Austin was rated “declining,” one

of color are at a disadvantage when it comes to buying a home, and by being unable to achieve homeownership, it’s difficult for families of color to accumulate wealth.

BY THE NUMBERS Research out of the Racial Wealth Divide Initiative at nonprofit Prosperity Now showed that in 2017, more than half of white households in Chicago owned their homes. In contrast, homeownership rates hover at around one-third for Black households and 43% for Latino households, the study, cited by the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University, showed.

The Community Metropolitan Agency for Planning, a regional planning agency, collects

tier above redlined areas.

But neither restrictive covenants nor redlining were the only tactics white realtors and homeowners used to keep Black families from moving into neighborhoods. In the 1940s, Austin was a largely white and somewhat affluent area, one that was growing and attractive to Black residents who were being pushed out from the crowded South Side.

Real estate agents engaged in “blockbusting,” or sowing fear among white homeowners living next to Black families, by telling them these new neighbors would decrease their property values. As the Tribune reported in 1969, one Austin group worked “militantly” to peddle panic so that eventually, white residents sold

demographic data – from race to income to housing costs – from all of the city’s community areas to produce community snapshots. Its data shows that Austin, North Lawndale, and West Garfield Park – all majority Black neighborhoods – have lower homeownership rates than the city as a whole. The homeownership rate in North Lawndale, for example, is more than 20 percentage points lower than the city average.

Some have pointed to disinvestment and the exodus of Black people from Chicago as a factor for the neighborhood’s low homeownership rates.

And according to a study from Chicago Urban League, Black

residents are more likely to own homes in majority Black neighborhoods, where research also has shown there are higher vacancy and foreclosure rates – both of which diminish the benefits of homeownership and cause further disinvestment.

“Black Chicagoans bear the triple burden of having been relegated to the least valued land and then having their property undervalued for being owned by Blacks and existing in a Black community,” the authors wrote.

The Urban Institute has also cited high rental cost burdens, lack of knowledge about the housing system and language barriers as impediments to homeownership among marginalized groups.

These factors are compounded by the historically racist housing-finance system, and inequitable income, credit access, generational wealth accumulation, as well as historic city disinvestment on the Greater West Side.

their property at lower prices. However, Black Chicagoans — whose housing options were limited — were forced to pay inflated prices on those same houses.

White residents in the meantime were promised “something better.” Matt Wilson, economic development planner at the University of Illinois Chicago’s Great Cities Institute, explained the suburbs were sold to white families as a “pure utopia and the greatest human invention ever.”

Part of that utopia promise was that the suburbs were mostly off-limits to people of color due to racially restrictive covenants. Enter white flight.

Manufacturers and industries followed white residents to the suburbs, where land was cheaper, Wilson said. As neighborhoods like Austin hol-

lowed out, more houses became vacant, lowering property values in the area and discouraging investment. Meanwhile, blockbusting caused home values to drop by 14% from 1950 to 1980 in majority-Black neighborhoods, according to a study by the Chicago Federal Reserve.

“The downward pressure on housing prices came from the onerous financial positions in which blockbusters left new Black residents. Significantly marked up sales prices likely contributed to highly elevated foreclosure rates among those who dealt with blockbusters,” the authors wrote. “The results depict the challenges faced by new Black homeowners in building wealth

See HOMEOWNERSHIP on page B4

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December 13, 2023

AT HOME ON THE GREATER WEST SIDE

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

The benefits of homeownership

‘Being able to own property and own our home is really key to a sense of belonging,’ one homeowner says

By DELANEY NELSON and FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Special projects reporters

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ronzeville homeowner Lionel Kimble Jr. has watched the advantages of homeownership firsthand. His mom took out a home loan to help pay for his sister’s wedding. His aunt and uncle used earned home equity to prepare for retirement.

“Owning a home is the bedrock of America,” said Kimble, history professor at Chicago State University and vice president and executive director of the Research and Policy Center at the Chicago Urban League. “It allows people once they die to pass on something to their children and grandchildren, which they can use as investments to build wealth.”

HOMEOWNERSHIP Continued from page B3

through housing at the moment many likely became homeowners for the first time.”

Government initiatives like the 1977 Community Reinvestment Act, which required banks to meet the credit needs of low and moderate-income depositors, tried to alleviate the effects of discriminatory housing practices. But disinvestment in these neighborhoods persisted.

Much of this was by design from the city. As ProPublica reported in 2020, after the 1968 riots, the city never created a comprehensive plan to revitalize Madison Street in East Garfield Park, one of Chicago’s poorest neighborhoods, and former Mayor Lori Lightfoot even left it out of her West Side reinvestment plan.

DISINVESTMENT AND HOMEOWNERSHIP Disinvestment leads to inadequate infrastructure and parks, low commercial development and poor schooling – all of which drive property values down.

“Why invest in North Lawndale when I can

ments to a home without being Homeownership is a key at the mercy of a landlord or havtool for building generational ing to move if rent prices drastiwealth. It provides homeowners cally increase. with unique opportunities rentYet, the road to owning a ers can’t access, and resources home does not always look the they can tap into to pay for same. Though Franklin’s homeweddings, retirement, and colbuying journey started in 2018, lege, Kimble said. she did not purchase a property Shantel N. Franklin, a real esuntil 2021. Like Franklin, potentate broker who lives and works tial homebuyers may need to on the West Side, has helped Shantel N. Franklin improve their credit score, infamilies and individuals become Real estate broker crease their savings or reduce homeowners since 2020. Franklin is an Austin homeowner. their debt-to-income ratio beA quick scroll through her social media (@Sh- fore moving forward on a home purchase. antelsellsproperties) shows the variety of propBeing informed about the home-buying proerties available for sale in communities such as cess, improving their finances and accessing Austin, Garfield Park and North Lawndale. A available financial tools are key to “getting to the well-maintained single-family home, a beautiful closing table,” she said. As a real estate broker, brick two-unit building and a historic graystone she said she not only helps potential homebuyhome are among the properties she has helped ers find a home, she helps them be ready to buy. get on – and off – the housing market.

Purchasing a home can bring financial benefits As a real estate broker affiliated with Coldwell as property values increase over time, helping Banker, Franklin helps owners sell their prop- homeowners accumulate thousands of dollars in erties and helps others reap the benefits of equity. With higher interest rates and increased homeownership. prices, it may not be the best time to buy, WilOther homeownership benefits include having son said. Yet, if house prices continue to increase, the ability to make desired changes or improve- those who buy now may see their property value

take the same amount of money and go out to Oak Park?” said Lionel Kimble Jr., vice president and executive director of the Research and Policy Center at the Chicago Urban League.

For example, Wilson said, while banks may not directly discriminate based on race, practices like avoiding investment in certain neighborhoods deepens the racial divide. “(Banks) more indirectly (discriminate) through either not seeing certain neighborhoods as good investments or they don’t want to get involved in certain neighborhoods,” Wilson said. “They’re systematically isolating some populations from lending.”

It’s not just banks who have avoided neighborhoods that have experienced historic disinvestment. Affluent people moving to the city are most likely to choose an affluent neighborhood, bringing their income and spending power with them. The result is concentrated wealth – and homeownership – in areas like the Loop and the North Side of the city.

Black Chicagoans, on the other hand, are concentrated in areas experiencing disinvestment, with lower home values, less access to loans and fewer opportunities for homeownership.

“As a result, the financial resources that the

house can provide between the average white family and the average Black family has disparate returns,” said Kimble. “So Black homeownership, while still a path into the middle class, doesn’t allow Black people and white people to appreciate what middle classness in Chicago means on equal levels.”

Not only have Black residents faced greater difficulty buying a home, but they have also disproportionately experienced foreclosure. The financial crisis of 2008 and the resulting real estate crash is an example.

That year, the average foreclosure rate in Chicago was 2.9%. Lincoln Park, which is nearly 80% white, experienced a foreclosure rate of 0.4%, with Lakeview at 0.7%. In contrast, Austin, North Lawndale, and West Garfield Park all experienced higher-thanaverage foreclosure rates: 5.9%, 7.2% and 7.6%, respectively.

One reason for those higher foreclosure rates is that Black and Latino homeowners were more likely to have loans with high-interest rates, or subprime loans.

Subprime lending is a predatory practice banks employed to the detriment of Black and Latino homeowners across the country. By

increase within a few years.

“I’m somebody who bought back in 2021 and I’m reaping the benefits as of today, in 2023,” Franklin said.

Like Franklin, who is also a block president, many who purchase homes in communities like North Lawndale, Austin and Garfield Park are not only overcoming systemic barriers causing low homeownership rates, but also are fostering a sense of pride and care for the community they live in and sharing it with others.

“Homeownership gives you that pride to want to step up and want to see better on these blocks and in the community as a whole.”

For Kimble, owning a home gives people a connection to a place and is a way to pursue the so-called “American dream,” especially for Black residents.

“Since 1619, [Black people] have been trying to figure out where we really fit here. The larger American ethos is owning a home. Making your own way is something that all Americans strive for, and having access to your own home helps Black folks try to make sense of what the American dream is,” Kimble said. “That dream has been denied us for so many years. Being able to own property and own our home is really key to a sense of belonging.”

2006, 54% of African American and 47% of Hispanic mortgage holders had subprime loans, according to the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. These mortgages were extremely difficult to pay on schedule, causing many to lose their homes — and their wealth.

In 2005, the median net worth for Black families was a little over $12,000, according to the Pew Research Center. By 2009, it was less than half that.

As a result, most families of color haven’t been able to accumulate wealth through homeownership in the same way white families did, which contributes to homeownership disparities today.

Next up: But that doesn’t mean homeownership is out of reach for people of color. In January, we’ll explore the policies that helped break down historical barriers for those on the Greater West Side and demonstrate how owning a home is within reach as we continue our yearlong series.

For an online supplement to see maps and other archived materials, visit: https://www.austinweeklynews.com/at-home/