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Vol. 34 No. 51

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Massive fire engulfs West Side warehouse,

December 16, 2020

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austinweeklynews.com

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Also serving Garfield Park

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Sibli raise Siblings i ffunds d tto give i back for holidays, PAGE 5

Registration for W. Side COVID-19 vaccine trials now open Free healthcare for up to two years offered to qualified participants

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Last week, Crain’s Chicago Business reported that Loretto Hospital, 645 S. Central Ave. in Austin, will be among the sites that will test individuals taking the first wave of COVID-19 vaccines.

According to the Crain’s report, a Loretto representative said the hospital expects to start testing “”three potential COVID-19 vaccines as early as February,” but declined to identify the drugmakers.”

Crain’s reported that “a source familiar with the impending trial said at least one is manufactured by Merck.”

In a joint statement released Dec. 7, Loretto Hospital and Affinity Health — an Oak Brookbased healthcare provider that helps facilitate clinical trials — announced that people can now start registering for the vaccine trials.

Qualified participants must be at least 18 years old and in relatively good health. Individuals who are interested in registering can visit affinityhealthcorp.com.

“Selected participants will receive free healthcare for up to two years, regardless of insurance status, including medical examinations by Board certified physicians and bloodwork, and are free See VACCINES on page 8

Jay Simon

TELLING THEIR STORIES: A portrait of Jimmie Lee is part of the Lawndale: A Living History exhibit by the Lawndale Pop-Up Spot.

West Side portrait series unveils public art installations

A Living History, a photography and oral history series, highlights stories of West Side elders

By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago

Public art installations that celebrate West Side elders with portraits and oral histories are expanding beyond the minimuseum where the exhibit launched.

The exhibit, Lawndale: A Living History, is a project of the Lawndale Pop-Up Spot. The work recognizes the wisdom of older residents and gives them a chance to tell their stories and pass that wisdom down to younger generations.

The original exhibit at the shipping-

box-turned-museum at 16th Street and Spaulding Avenue features portraits of six neighborhood elders. But the minimuseum’s cofounders, Jonathan Kelley and Chelsea Ridley, broadened the project See PORTRAIT SERIES on page 9

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Austin Weekly News, December 16, 2020

Massive fire engulfs West Side warehouse Dec. 10

By 10:30 a.m., the North Lawndale blaze had been elevated to a four-alarm fire.

By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago

A massive fire broke out at a West Side automotive warehouse on the morning of Dec. 10.

At 8:48 a.m., the Chicago Fire Department received a call that the roof of an auto body supply warehouse at 4425 W. 16th St. had gone up in flames.

By 10:30 a.m. the blaze had been elevated to a four-alarm fire.

The scope of the fire is “very significant,” said Fire Department spokesman Larry Merritt, but he said there is no risk of it

spreading to the surrounding area.

Andrea Nelson saw “a colossal amount of smoke” in the morning, but she said the massive plume had dissipated significantly by 11 a.m. The smoke was visible as far away as Nelson’s workplace in the Near West Side.

The foul-smelling tower of smoke emanating from the warehouse blew to the north, covering the surrounding neighborhood, “all the way up to what seems to be up to Avondale,” Nelson said.

Nelson drove through the area with the windows of her car rolled up, but she could still smell the burning building.

“I still got a bit of a headache. You could smell it: very, very intense black smoke,” she said.

Due to the hazardous materials in the warehouse, the fire requires a Level-1 Hazmat response.

One person was transported to get medical

Provided

MASSIVE FIRE: Fire crews are battling a fire at a West Side warehouse. care due to a non-fire related injury, Merritt said.

Crews are “working hard to put the fire out,” but it is not immediately known how the fire started or how long it will take to extinguish, Merritt said.

CONTACT: pascal@blockclubchi.org

First installment property tax bills made available online Cook County board waives late fees through May 3

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Taxpayers can now see their First Installment Cook County property tax bills online at cookcountytreasurer.com, Treasurer Maria Pappas’ office announced in a statement released Dec. 3.

The First Installment payment for 2020 is 55 percent of the previous year’s total tax bill and is due March 2, 2021. Last week, Pappas explained, the Cook County Board of Commissioners waived late fees through May 3, 2021.

“People need more time to pay,” Pappas stated. “That’s the bottom line. By posting the bills to my website now, property owners can start thinking about how to pay their bills for 2021, which is going rot be a hard year for many, many people.”

If Cook County property owners do not pay their property taxes by May 3, 2021, the county will charge 1.5 percent a month, which is mandated by state law.

Taxpayers can download their tax bills or make payments at cookcountytreasurer. com by going through the following steps, Pappas explained:

■ Select the blue box labeled ‘Pay Online for Free’ ■ Enter your address or 14-digit Property

Index Number (PIN) ■ There is no fee if you pay from your bank account

Taxpayers can also visit the treasurer’s website, in order to search if they’re eligible for refunds and property tax exemptions.

They can also read the treasurer’s 20-year study of Cook County property taxes on the site.

CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com

Austin Weekly News, December 16, 2020

Austin Black businesses navigate new challenges

Buying Black amid pandemic easier said than done

ing a la carte delivery options and started making flat rate produce boxes.

Consumers have

By SHELBY E. HAWKINS power when it comes AustinTalks to deciding who to patronize – and the The Buy-Black movement garnered interimpact that has, Abunational attention after the George Floyd naw said. When you protests and the disproportionate affect CObuy from within your VID-19 has had on Black communities. neighborhood, that Liz Abunaw, founder and owner of Forty money gets recirculatAcres Fresh Market, has experienced an ined back into the comcrease in sales since the pandemic began. munity.

Because people have been encouraged to For example, Forty stay home as much as possible, grocery deAcres gets all of its livers have been in higher demand. With recipe cards, door people depleting grocery supplies from local hangers and flyers stores as a result of panic buying and people printed at DLV Printnot feeling safe enough to go to the store, ing, a Black-owned consumers turned to delivery options – like Austin print shop at Forty Acres.

5825 W. Corcoran Place. Buying from Forty Abunaw said she also attributes the influx Acres also means supporting a local Austin of customers to conscious spending. farm, Finding Justice Garden, where Abu“I think there was a recognition early in the pandemic that local businesses were go- naw’s business buys its produce.

Similarly, buying Black holds other peoing to be affected,” Abunaw said. “There was ple accountable for not serving Black coma concerted community effort to support lomunities. cal businesses because people fundamental“So, so often larger companies bypass our ly understood that small businesses are the neighborhoods,” Abunaw said. “They set up backbone and economic foundation of their shop a mile or two away and then are hapneighborhoods.”

As a result of Forty Acres’ subscription py to have us leave our communities to go and delivery growth, they’ve had to adjust spend money elsewhere, while they profit their usual mode of operation. They’ve hired off of us while giving us nothing except for more people, and they’ve discontinued offer- maybe a few crumbs of charity.”

Chamille Weddington, owner of Schweet Cheesecake and an associate professor at Columbia College Chicago, said the negative perception of the West Side contributes to the challenge of operating a business in Austin.

There’s a misperception that Black businesses are not up to par, Weddington said. Having a good product is not enough for Black entrepreneurs; they are always forced to legitimize themselves and their brand, she said.

Weddington said she thinks the efProvided fort to buy Black will have a lasting SURVIVING: Camille Weddington, top, and Liz Abunaw of Forty impact because of a Acres Fresh Market are among many Black businesses navigating heightened awarethe COVID-19 pandemic.

AUSTIN WEEKLY

news Editor Michael Romain

Senior Editor Bob Uphues Contributing Reporters Bonni McKeown, Igor Studenkov Reporting Partners Block Club, Austin Talks Columnist Arlene Jones Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designer Debbie Becker Sales & Marketing Representavies Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck ness of inequity.

It’s unfortunate the coronavirus pandemic and social unrest is what pushed this initiative, she said, adding: But a pandemic has always been sweeping through Black and brown neighborhoods.

Black entrepreneurs have faced more challenges than their white counterparts, and still are.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the economy. Economic resources have traditionally not been accessible for people of color… that’s why it’s important to put a focus on Black businesses,” Weddington said.

A short drive away from Schweet’s, located at 5248 W. Chicago Ave., is Shine King, a shoe shine and repair shop that just marked its 56th anniversary. Vernon Cole said his father, the shop owner, never had to consider closing Shine King’s doors until recently.

The holiday season is typically their busiest time. As a result of holiday events being cancelled this year, fewer people are patronizing the shoe shop. Cole estimates business is down by 50 percent or more.

They’re abiding by social distancing guidelines, mask requirements and offering curbside services to guests to still serve their clients.

Despite the current hardships, Cole said his father’s store, located at 338 N. Central Ave., is a staple of the community, and they’re hopeful the neighborhood will continue to patronize them once things get better.

“We live in the neighborhood in which we service. We support the local baseball leagues and local basketball leagues, the schools and things like that. When you support local businesses, you’re supporting your community,” Cole said.

CONTACT: austintalks.org@gmail.com

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Austin Weekly News, December 16, 2020

Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office

DOING JUSTICE: The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office in Chicago. Representatives with the office said recently they are teaming up with nonprofit to help victims of gun violence.

A ‘holistic’ approach to violence prevention

Cook County State’s Attorney shares ideas for reducing crime during Dec. 10 webinar

By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

Since she first ran for Cook County State’s Attorney in 2016, Kim Foxx has been promising not to rely on prison sentences and other punishments alone to reduce crime, and that a more multi-pronged, restorative approach would be more effective.

The Strategies for Reducing Violence in our Communities webinar held on Dec. 10 laid out Foxx’s office has been working with other law enforcement agencies and commu-

nity organizations to accomplish that.

County prosecutors have been working with police officers on the West and South sides to get a better sense of which people or groups might be causing the violence. Her office has also teamed up with nonprofits to help the victims of gun violence – even if they were shooters in the past – to deal with their trauma, state’s attorney officials explained.

The webinar also delved into the office’s work with community development organizations and violence interruption organizations, such as the Austin-based Institute for Nonviolence Chicago.

Assistant State’s Attorney Ethan Holland explained that, since 2016, the office’s Gun Crimes Strategies Unit has been focused on six Chicago Police districts that saw a spike in gun violence this year. That included three West Side districts: the 10th District,

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which includes North Lawndale; the 11th District, which includes West Garfield Park, West Humboldt Park and portions of East Garfield; and the 15th District, which is located entirely in the portion of Austin south of Division Street.

Foxx’s office, Holland explained, focused on “violence drivers,” or individuals who are more likely to either shoot or be shot.

Working with officers within the six target districts, as well as federal law enforcement agencies, they “try to develop an understanding of those individuals, their groups, gangs, [and] understand established and evolving conflicts.”

Because many of those individuals post incriminating photos on their social media accounts, they often don’t have to dig very deep to find that information, Holland said.

“My father used to have a saying that no one can hurt you like you can hurt yourself,” he said. “And, looking at those postings, I can understand why.”

At the same time, they want to make sure that individuals that do end up serving prison time have support once they get out.

Under the Returning Citizen Initiative program, the county starts working with them while they’re still incarcerated.

Chris Patterson, the director of programs at the Institute for Nonviolence, said that his organization approached the problem from a different angle.

Like many people in the organization staff, he used to be one of the “violence drivers” Holland described. Members of Holland’s organization bring their experiences to provide support to individuals they’re helping, as well as to teach conflict resolution skills.

And Patterson said that the institute has been lobbying for justice reform to give people who are caught in the cycle of violence “an exit ramp.”

He said that he was hopeful that under Mayor Lori Lightfoot the city can make more systemic changes “People are resilient and [capable of] change, but that change needs to be supported with mentorship and the systems around it,” Patterson said.

Jennifer Duran, the trauma intervention specialist at Healing Hurt People Chicago, agreed.

“We have to understand the complexities of trauma, the structural violence relational to racial and social disparities,” she said. “We have disinvestment in the community, poverty, we have the lack of comfortable housing, segregation, and we have huge disparities in education that have been amplified by COVID, as well as generational trauma.”

Her organization works with gunshot victims who are treated at Stroger Hospital, 1969 W. Ogden Ave., and University of Chicago Emergency Department and Trauma Center, 5656 S. Maryland Ave., helping them cope with trauma and linking them to resources they might need.

Fellow Crisis Intervention Specialist Kyle Brand Padilla emphasized that they work with perpetrators who get shot. When asked how well the approach has worked, Holland said that it was too early to tell, but he felt that the program is worth continuing.

“We can’t just arrest our ways out of this problem - we need to take a more holistic approach,” he said.

CONTACT: igorst3@hotmail.com

Austin Weekly News, December 16, 2020

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W. Side siblings give out holiday care packages

Charles and Mercedes Pickett, founders of Earth’s Remedies, launched GoFundMe to raise money for giveaways

By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago

A West Side neighborhood group is collecting donations to give winter wellness packages to elders and families.

The wellness packages are being given out

by Earth’s Remedies. They will provide relief to families facing challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic, especially those who

are seniors, low-income or experiencing homelessness.

The brother and sister behind Earth’s Remedies, Mercedes and Charles Pickett, launched a GoFundMe to raise money for the giveaways. They are also accepting donated items for the packages, including warm winter clothing, books, non-perishable foods, learning resources and toys and games for children.

Families who sign up to receive a kit will get a contactless delivery Tuesday of up to four hot meals from Chicago Food On The Run, as well as a box of groceries with meats, produce and nonperishables from local food pantries.

The group will distribute other critical supplies throughout the week. Those giveaways will include STEM learning kits for students doing e-learning, water filters for

families dealing with contamination from lead water pipes and energy-efficient lightbulbs to help keep utility costs low.

“Black and Brown families are struggling from an economic level, from a social level,” Mercedes Pickett said. “But it all starts with resources being readily available and families understanding those resources: where to look and who to connect to.”

Earth’s Remedies will include hygiene and sanitation kits in the wellness packages.

Pickett said people looking to contribute to the effort can easily assemble the kits at home, then give them to the nonprofit.

“The community knows what the community needs. People may have time, they may have resources or skill sets, or they may have the money. If you don’t have either of those you may be one of the individuals who

need the help. So there’s always a space for someone in our environment,” Mercedes Pickett said.

The Picketts launched Earth’s Remedies in 2016 as “a one-stop shop that connects families to resources and other resource centers,” Mercedes Pickett said. The siblings hope to continue to build partnerships with West Side families, small businesses and organizations that need support or have skills or services that can benefit those in need.

The Picketts offered more than $40,000 in COVID-19 relief grants to 26 Black- and Brown-owned businesses on the West Side over the summer. That network of small businesses has now helped donate resources for the wellness packages and has referred local families to Earth’s Remedies so they can benefit from the programs.

Building a network of support is a key element of Earth’s Remedies — families and businesses who apply for food, care packages and grants are automatically entered into other opportunities, like the upcoming Can We Pay Your Bills mini-grants the nonprofit is launching Dec. 31.

“Once you apply to one of our services, you’ll be forever within our network. The families that are within our network, we will always refer you to our partners,” Charles Pickett said.

To volunteer or donate food, toys, winter clothes or sanitation kits, email remedies.earth@ gmail.com.

Pascal Sabino is a Report for America corps member covering Austin, North Lawndale and Garfield Park for Block Club Chicago.

CONTACT: pascal@blockclubchi.org XXXXX/Contributor

GIVING BACK: The Pickett siblings distributing food on the West Side.

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Austin Weekly News, December 16, 2020

West Side Lives (throwback edition)

Bill Hampton, brother to Fred, looks back

By MICHAEL ROMAIN

I had to something. But I’m glad I wasn’t able to do some of the negative things I may have wanted to do. I wouldn’t have been able to do very much from jail or on drugs, saying, ‘Well, those white folks killed my brother.’ I’m glad that I’ve been able to keep his legacy alive.

Editor

On the truth rising up

This month was the anniversary of the Dec. 4, 1969 assassination of Illinois Black Panther Party Chairman Fred Hampton, I’ll reprise a snippet of an interview I did with Hampton’s brother, Bill, who died in 2018.

Fred Hampton was killed on Dec. 4, 1969 in his West Side apartment during a raid conducted by law enforcement officials from Cook County, the Chicago Police Department and the FBI. At the time, Cook County State’s Attorney Edward Hanrahan said that the raid was a “shoot-out” even though virtually all of the bullet holes found in the apartment came from the government’s assault team.

Bill Hampton recalled the day he learned of his brother’s death and what Fred’s assassination means today.

[There’s this myth that the Panthers were totally against the police]. Nobody ever said that the whole police force was all bad. For example, the Afro-American Patrolmen’s League worked very closely with the Panthers. The [patrolmen] caught slack. They were harassed because they wanted to be decent policemen.

Loretta Lynch, the former attorney general, came here and said that the Chicago Police Department needs to be shook up. What happened in Ferguson, Cleveland, New York (‘I can’t breathe’), and to Laquan McDonald — all that shows there’s something wrong and it goes way back to Fred and even Emmett Till [who my mother used to babysit]. The woman who accused Emmett said he didn’t do those things she claimed he did.

We left the door to Fred’s apartment open for 10 days so people could see that all the shots went in.

See, Hanrahan thought he was going to advance from [Fred’s assassination] but he just went down, down, down …

I never want to experience [that moment] again. I was at work. I had talked to him on the phone the night before. We talked about a lot of family things. The next morning, after I got off work, I saw his picture on the front page of the paper that said, ‘Cops kill panther leader.’ I rushed home and my family was there.

It’s one of those things that’s hard to explain. I felt

CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com

File

STILL REMEMBERING: The late Bill Hampton, the brother of slain Black Panther leader Fred Hampton, recalled the death of his brother back in 2017.

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Austin Weekly News, December 16, 2020

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NEED TO REACH US?

Call Editor Michael Romain at 773-626-6332 michael@austinweeklynews.com

C

hicago has a rat problem. From the four-legged variety that scamper to and fro across the city’s streets and alleys to the two-legged criminal variety, the issue is a major problem.

As we go into the second major phase of this COVID-19 pandemic, the number of the four-legged variety scurrying about has increased tremendously. They are huge. They PD012005_1k07_QEXL1069000_PRINT.ai are numerous.

And many are Client: ComEd Campaign: ComEd Edu Campaign Workforce wreaking havoc on private property by burrowing holes in Agency Job #: B1241-021281-00 the ground Prodigious to createJob a #: network B1124-012005 of tunnels underneath garages.

AD #/AD QEXL1069000 Several weeks ago,ID:I dedicated Page: Full Page an entire column to my plight of evicting Date Modified: 12-7-2020 2:04 PM them from my garage. They were not happy with my decision, and I see evidence that

Time to truly eliminate the rats! owners who allow their garages to become one has attempted to chew through the four just a “shack in the back” as well as those inches of steel-mesh-encased whose property is so filthy, their overflowconcrete without success. ing garbage cans and junk-filled yards Chicago’s current method of on pickup day have been a source of the baiting for them using poison problem. pellets is no assurance that the Now let’s move on to the two-legged action being taken is incurring variety. From carjackings, which are up results. I think it is time for the in Chicago 127% over last year, to attacks city to begin a two-step program. on the subway lines, to the daily shootings The first step is offering trained (especially those that occur on the expressindividuals a bounty to set traps ways), to the continued attempts to go to catch and kill them. They downtown and create havoc, our two-legged would take the dead carcasses to variety of rats are very busy.

Anyone in police parking lotsPub: Austin Bleed: 10.25 in xlocations 5.58 in Notes: Weekly News Savoya Inks Used: CMYK who Trim: 10.25 in x where 5.58 in the bodies can be disposed Posterama Text watched the firefighter inFonts: the shootout that Live: 10.25 in x 5.58 in a bounty of say $2 a rat occurred near the popcorn shop on the of and South Side, knows that these thugs, armed paid.Size, 100% Keyline Scale: Actual with weapons, have no problem about using The second step is to have Region: US them. At the same time, nobody is calling streets and san on garbage Language: English for a return of the death penalty against pickup day make note of properties that are such individuals. Our criminal element is harboring rats. It is time the city began an NOT TO BE USED FOR COLOR APPROVAL getting bolder and bolder, and because their active fining process against those property

ARLENE JONES

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AUSTIN WEEKLYNEWS

own life isn’t at risk, the threat of life in prison for someone who doesn’t expect to live to be 25, is not a deterrent.

One of the first things we can begin to do is to ask for more police stops because unless they prove to be immediate, livingin-the-same-location family members, four adult people together in a car is a violation of the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. The driver can be ticketed and fined as well as the passengers.

We also need to address the tinted windows that are so dark no one can see Links: CC012005_1k02_44.32.tif (300 ppi; CMYK) into them. Time for that ability to end. All it does is give criminals a place to hide behind.

According to the Chinese calendar, 2020 is the year of the rat. That calendar has been accurate in its description! However, instead of celebrating the rat, we need to eliminate them!

Send your letter to the editor to: Austin Weekly News, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 T:10.25 in

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A city is only as strong as its neighborhoods. And now, more than ever, it is important to support the people who make them up. That’s why ComEd offers training opportunities that give Chicagoans access to good-paying jobs, both at ComEd and beyond. Because better careers mean better communities.

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Austin Weekly News, December 16, 2020

Attorney launches new criminal justice group

Kendra Spearman’s Justice Renewal Initiative to help West, South siders with legal challenges

By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

In her years as a criminal defense attorney, Kendra Spearman kept getting frustrated with what happened to her clients after the trial was over, even when they weren’t convicted of anything.

“Many of my clients need help with issues that extend beyond the courtroom,” she said. “Sometimes clients need access to services like job training, mental health [services] or education.”

Spearman wanted to show that there’s a better way, so she’s workProvided ing to launch the Justice Renewal Initiative. When MEETING THEIR NEEDS: Kendra Spearman, the founder of Jusit opens in January 2021, tice Renewal Initiative, wants to help people on the West and the program will provide South sides with issues they may have beyond the courtroom. support services for residents ages 18 to 32, who counseling, help in finding jobs and help are “transitioning out of the criminal justice with getting GEDs and getting into colleges system,” as well as lobby for reforms that or trade schools. Spearman said that therawould create a more supportive and restorpists have already been meeting clients onative justice system. line.

Spearman has already been hiring staff, Although the pandemic has complicated setting up services and assembling a board some of her work, Spearman feels that virof directors. She said that the organization tual meetings can go a long way. The plan, will primarily serve South and West Side she said, is to do much of the work virtuneighborhoods, and the initiative has severally until the pandemic is over. al West Siders involved. Rev. Joseph Griggs The West Side already has multiple orJr., who serves as the organization’s deputy ganizations that try to address the root director, grew up in Austin, and Austin lacauses of violence and provide services for bor union organizer and activist Crystal returning citizens, such as the Westside Gardner serves on the organization’s board.

Health Authority, the Austin-based InstiThe Initiative plans to offer mental health

tute for Non-violence Chicago and the North Lawndale Employment Network.

Spearman said that, as an attorney, she would probably represent many of the Initiative’s clients, which would allow her to help them in a different way than other organizations.

“To have a lawyer saying, ‘I am helping my client find a job or I have a mental health counselor working with him or her,’ goes a long way,” she said. “Some judges are actually more lenient when they see how closely I work with my clients to keep them out of the system.”

Seeing their attorney fight for them also makes the clients more likely to do their part to change their lives, Spearman added.

She also touted the fact that the board and the staff come from multiple backgrounds.

The board includes activists, social workers, attorneys, businessmen and educators.

“This makes us unique because we are attempting to show everyone that they can be involved in criminal justice reform, no matter their background,” Spearman said.

Gardner serves as labor organizer for AFSCME Council 31, a labor union that represents government employees. She has also been involved in several campaigns, including a push to rename Austin’s Columbus Park.

Gardener got to know Spearman when they worked on their master’s degrees at the DePaul University School of Public Service, and the two stayed in touch since then. When Spearman invited her to join the board, Gardner said she was extremely honored to be offered an opportunity to serve the community with such an intelligent and

VACCINES

Registration open from page 1

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to opt out of the study at any point,” according to the statement.

Dr. Lois Clarke, Loretto’s director of clinical research, said that Blacks and Hispanics account for half of the country’s COVID-19 cases, but only 15 percent of participants in early vaccine trials were nonwhite.

“Even if everyone’s immune system reacts the same way to the virus, we know that people of color may respond differently to the infection and vaccine based on differences in overall health and underlying conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or emphysema,” she said. “By including minority representation in the

CRYSTAL GARDENER fierce woman of God.” She said that, so far, she’s been working on the business development and community relationships as the head of the Community/ Business Partnerships Task Force. Gardner said that what she learned from her activist parents, as well as her own experiences, have been helpful in that regard.

“I am eager to employ my organizing skills to not only promote JRI’s mission, but to identify, build and secure relationships with individuals, organizations and businesses that believe in criminal justice reform and the clients that we serve,” she said.

For more information about the Justice Renewal Initiative, see https://www.thejri.org.

CONTACT: igorst3@hotmail.com

t i trials there will be a way of ensuring the vaccine is equally safe and effective for all populations.”

George Miller, Loretto’s president and CEO, said the trials represent an “opportunity to make sure our voices are heard and our lives considered as we join in the fight to end the worst pandemic our world has seen in the past century.”

According to Loretto officials, the hospital has provided more than 18,000 COVID019 tests to community members “at no out-ofpocket cost, regardless of insurance status, symptoms, exposure, or medical history.

“The hospital offers walk-up testing, 9 a.m. to Noon, Monday through Friday, with no physician referral or appointment needed,” according to the joint statement.

For more info on the free COVID-19 tests at Loretto, visit www.lorettohospital.org/covid19-testing/.

CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com

Austin Weekly News, December 16, 2020

PORTRAIT SERIES Up for viewing from page 1 since there are so many more residents in the area who deserve to be honored.

They’ll unveil the final portrait of the year noon Wednesday at Unity Park. With that, there will be installations of the exhibit at five places around North Lawndale.

The photography series is a way to visually connect areas of North Lawndale in a way that draws attention to community parks and gardens. Organizers hope the installations will bring in visitors to see Lawndale and appreciate the rich history of the neighborhood, which is often ignored in favor of negative stereotypes, Kelley said.

And since “the narratives of Lawndale so often come from the outside,” Kelley said the exhibit provides people a chance to learn the history of the area from the people who lived it.

“We want to highlight the various different destinations that Lawndale has to offer … really revolutionary ways in which neighbors are reclaiming places to turn them into powerful community spaces.” Kelley said.

One of the latest portraits in the series,

which is of longtime West Side resident Jimmie Lee, is at the African Heritage Garden, 1245 S. Central Park Ave. The wisdom shared by Lee’s story is “about making a change in your life,” said Jay Simon, the project’s curator and photographer.

Lee came to Chicago from Mississippi at 6 during the Great Migration, when millions of Black families came to the North in search of better opportunities.

At a young age, Lee joined the Vice Lords, a Lawndale-based gang that once was incorporated as a nonprofit and had a reputation for helping West Side communities that had been forsaken by city policies, even as they remained heavily involved in drug dealing and street violence.

“I was motivated by the things they was doing at the time — protecting the community and looking out for elders — stuff like that,” Lee said.

After rising through the ranks of the Vice Lords, Lee was eventually convicted on drug trafficking charges and given the maximum sentence of 30 years.

By 1995, he’d appealed his case and was released early.

Lee decided to make a change after returning from prison by using his foothold in the community to guide young people toward a path of nonviolence.

Many in the community eventually came to claim Lee as a surrogate father or grandfather, he said.

“I had to look out for lots of young guys. I held onto that.

Especially the ones out on the street,” Lee said.

Lee now does violence intervention

WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS: Jonathan Kelley and Chelsea Ridley, co-founders of the Lawndale Pop-Up Spot.

Pascal Sabino/Block Club Chicago

9

and prevention work as a youth coach for UCAN. His work bring resources like food, jobs and legal help to young people who are at risk for violence.

“It’s a story of redemption. A story of somebody really changing his life and giving it back to society by helping other young people not make similar mistakes and to learn from that lesson,” Simon said.

The elders featured in the series also preserve the memory of what Lawndale was like in its heyday as a thriving economic and cultural center for Chicago’s Black community, Simon said.

The portrait of Lee was taken on 16th Street, a site that was once one of the main commercial areas on the West Side. It was lined with taverns, corner stores and other businesses in Lee’s youth.

“Now it’s vacant lots. It’s really powerful to see those visuals and hear those stories,” Simon said.

The portraits in the series are accompanied by oral histories recorded by StoryCorps. They can be heard by scanning a QR code at the site of the installations, or on the Lawndale Pop-Up Spot website.

Lawndale: A Living History portraits can be found here: ■ Lawndale Pop-Up Spot at the Spaulding Memorial Garden, 16th Street and Spaulding Avenue. Portraits: Sterling Tate, Barbara Stewart, Dorris Calhoun, Larry Gallion, Barbara Simon and Charles Jenkins.

■ Unity Park, 1900 S. Kostner Ave.

Portraits: Marion Perkins and Gladys Woodson.

■ African Heritage Garden, 1245 S. Cen-

tral Park Ave. Portrait: Jimmie Lee. ■ CCA PermaPark, 1322 S. Pulaski Road.

Portrait: Charlie Wilson.

■ Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Ave.

Portrait: Irvin Davis Sr.

CONTACT: pascal@blockclubchi.org

10

Austin Weekly News, December 16, 2020

deadline: 9:30 am Monday office hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday

CLASSIFIEDS TO PLACE AN AD HELP WANTED POLICE RECORDS SUPERVISOR The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Police Records Supervisor in the Police Department. This position will manage, supervise, plan and coordinate the activities and operations of the Police Records Division Support Services Bureau, within the Police Department including records maintenance and management services; and coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies and the general public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/ jobs. First review of applications will be December 21, 2020.

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PUBLIC NOTICES 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: Y20005360 on December 4, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of FOREVER FATAL CLOTHING with the business located at: 3301 W ARTHIINGTON, CHICAGO, IL 60624. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: DEJON L BARNES, 3301 W ARTHINGTON, CHICAGO, IL 60624, USA Published in Austin Weekly News 12/9, 12/16, 12/23/2020

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: Y20005307 on December 4, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of TRINKETS with the business located at: 401 N LAWLER, CHICAGO, IL 60644.

The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: LAVERN HERRON 401 N LAWLER, CHICAGO, IL 60644, USA. Published in Austin Weekly News 12/16, 12/23, 12/30/2020

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR GSAMP TRUST 2006-HE1 Plaintiff, -v.JERMAINE BEARD, CITY OF CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF WATER, HARRIS N.A., CITY OF CHICAGO, NHS REDEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND CLAIMANTS Defendants 18 CH 09518 1049 S. MAYFIELD AVENUE 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 January 16, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 14, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1049 S. MAYFIELD AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60644 Property Index No. 16-17-407-0160000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $250,909.08.

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

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. 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, Alexander Potestivo, POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 263-0003.

Please refer to file number 111928.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610 Chicago IL, 60606 312-263-0003 E-Mail: ilpleadings@potestivolaw.

com Attorney File No. 111928 Attorney Code. 43932 Case Number: 18 CH 09518 TJSC#: 40-368 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 # 18 CH 09518 I3155750

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

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

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

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

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

For information, 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. 14-19-08710 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH11669 TJSC#: 40-2442 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 # 2019CH11669 I3161385

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION AMERICAN ADVISORS GROUP Plaintiff, -v.A B WILLIAMS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF ROSIE L. WILLIAMS, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, JULIE FOX, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR ROSIE L. WILLIAMS (DECEASED) Defendants 2019CH11669 5442 W KAMERLING AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60651 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 12, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 13, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 5442 W KAMERLING AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60651 Property Index No. 16-04-117-0280000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. 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.

Austin Weekly News, December 16, 2020

(773) 626-6332 | FAX: (708) 467-9066 | E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@AUSTINWEEKLYNEWS.COM

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Go to AustinWeeklyNews.com/classified today!

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12

Austin Weekly News, December 16, 2020

Dear friends, We have some good news – and it is news that makes us proud of our independent, non-profit newsroom here at Growing Community Media.

We’ve been chosen to take part in NewsMatch, that’s the national matching-gift campaign that drives donations to nonprofit newsrooms (like this one of ours!) around the U.S. Since 2016, NewsMatch has raised over $100 million for nonprofit journalism. That’s a lot of impact.

We know you are actively reading the work of our reporters across our four flags. Thanks to the many of you who have already donated to support this work. And, what about you? to the larger number who follow our work but haven’t donated yet?

Here’s the moment to jump in or to make a follow-up donation. With NewsMatch at work we are able to DOUBLE your donation. NewsMatch has put an $11,500 match on the table. So the first $11,500 we raise in the days ahead will turn into $23,000.

That’s real money we can put to work reporting in Brookfield, Oak Park, Forest Park or on the West Side.

Don’t let this ask slide to the bottom of your to do list. In fact, after you’ve donated and NewsMatch has doubled that donation, mention it to someone you know who values the work we do at Wednesday Journal, Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review and the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark so they can donate too.

With all of our thanks, Dan Haley Editor and Publisher 141 S. Oak Park Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302

To donate, visit www.austinweeklynews.com/donate

December 16, 2020

AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2020 QUARTER 4

THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY PUBLISHED ITS FIRST QUALITY-OF-LIFE PLAN CALLED AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. (AFT) IN 2019.

THIS QUARTERLY PUBLICATION DESCRIBES HOW AUSTIN COMING TOGETHER (ACT) IS SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY TO IMPLEMENT AFT AND OTHER EFFORTS.

AUSTIN

REMAINS RESILIENT After a long year, the community continues to go forward together.

AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT PAGE 3 | 2020 AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. HIGHLIGHTS PAGE 4 DISTANCED AND DISCONNECTED PAGE 7

2

Austin Weekly News • December 16, 2020

AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2020 QUARTER 4

Since 2010, Austin Coming Together (ACT) has facilitated collaboration to improve education and economic development outcomes in Chicago’s Austin community.

Today, we serve a network of 50+ organizations committed to improving the quality of life of all residents. Our strategic plan is called Thrive 2025 and outlines how we will mobilize our resources to achieve four impact goals by the year 2025: Quality Early Learning, Safe Neighborhoods, Living Wage Careers, and Stable Housing Markets. Learn more at AustinComingTogether.org.

ACT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers CHAIR

Larry Williams Broker, State Farm Insurance VICE-CHAIR

Angela Waller

TREASURER

LaDarius Curtis Senior Director of Community Engagement & Health, West Side United

Directors Sharon Morgan

Community & Government Relations Director, Advocate Aurora Health

Director of Graduate Support & Community Outreach, Catalyst Schools

SECRETARY

Reverend Reginald E. Bachus

Bradly Johnson Director of External Affairs, BUILD Inc.

Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church

Tenisha Jones

Ruth Kimble

Senior Director of Strategy & Operations, West Side United

Founder & CEO, Austin Childcare Providers’ Network

Reginald Little

Jerrod Williams

Mortgage Loan Originator, Fifth Third Bank

Law Clerk, Illinois Appellate Court

Dawn Ferencak Senior Marketing Strategist, Zoe Communications Group

Deborah Williams Community Outreach & Engagement Specialist, Habilitative Systems, Inc.

In Memoriam BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jack Macnamara 1937–2020 FOUNDING BOARD CHAIR

Mildred Wiley 1955–2019

ACT STAFF Leadership Team

Service Delivery Team Sandra Diaz

Planning & Investment Team

Marketing & Development Team

Darnell Shields* Executive Director

Community Hub Coordinator

Ethan Ramsay

Alicia Plomin**

Project Coordinator

Shavion Scott

Jai Jones

Marketing & Development Manager

Director of Strategic Initiatives

Community Engagement Coordinator

Nicole Marcus

Andrew Born

Dollie Sherman

Micro Market Recovery Program Intern

Dearra Williams

Research & Evaluation

Youth Engagement Coordinator

Marketing & Development Associate **Also part of the ACT Leadership Team

*Ex Officio Member of the ACT Board of Directors

We’re hiring! Learn more at AustinComingTogether.org

ACT MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS A House in Austin Accion Austin Childcare Providers’ Network Austin Weekly News Be Strong Families Beat the Streets Chicago Because I Care Bethel New Life Beyond Hunger (fka Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry) BUILD Inc. By the Hand Club for Kids Cara Catholic Charities Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventures

Chicago Community Loan Fund City of Refuge Cluster Tutoring Program Erikson Institute Friends of the Children Friendship Community Development Corp. of Austin Greater West Town Community Development Project Housing Forward I.C. Stars IFF Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Jane Addams Resource Corporation Kids First Chicago KRA Westside American Job Center

Legal Aid Chicago (fka LAF) Manufacturing Renaissance Mary Shyrese Daycare Maryville Academy Mercy Housing Lakefront New Moms OAI, Inc. Oak Park Regional Housing Center Open Books PCC Community Wellness Center Project Exploration Renaissance Social Services Inc. Sarah’s Inn South Austin Neighborhood Association

St. Joseph Services St. Leonard’s Ministries Stone Community Development Corporation The Catalyst Schools The Loretto Hospital The North Avenue District, Inc. Towers of Excellence UIC Jane Addams College of Social Work VOCEL Westside Health Authority West Side Forward (evolving from Bethel New Life) Worldvision Youth Guidance

AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2020 QUARTER 4

Austin Weekly News • December 16, 2020

An unwavering commitment

By Darnell Shields Executive Director, Austin Coming Together

A

ustin Coming Together (ACT) was built on the foundation of our core values: unity, commitment, transparency, collaboration, and action; the same stable ground we stand on today.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, this foundation is what has allowed us to anchor a response.

These recent events have revealed an unfair system that is perpetuating disadvantage in Black and Brown communities in Chicago.

If we are to break the cycle, we must name and confront the obstructions in our way.

That is why ACT has continued to enhance the coordination of social services; attract public and private investment; and build capacity for policy change.

Our work is rooted in relationships. Through these relationships, we are able to more fully understand what Austin needs. By implementing the Austin Forward. Together. plan and generating at-scale investments, we will spur economic development and bring equitable opportunities to the community. And to ensure our improvements take hold long term, we are building strategies to address institutional barriers.

The pandemic has turned out to be a cumulative burden weighing more heavily on some communities than others. Needs have increased in already distressed areas like Austin.

Students forced into remote learning are struggling with lack of connectivity, parents We can reimagine are losing jobs, and access to fresh food the way we treat is limited. Plus, those who are employed in our neighbors, in all roles that require them situations, whether in to be in the office or the field risk increased community, business, exposure to the virus in order to support government, or society themselves and their families during these as a whole. uncertain times.

At ACT, we have seen a strain on individuals as well as the social services that support them.

DARNELL SHIELDS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AUSTIN COMING TOGETHER

However, our dynamic member and partner network continues to function as a safety net of the essential services Austin residents need to sustain themselves.

As Chicagoans and people across the country spoke out in protest during the civil unrest that followed, we were reminded of the importance and urgency of our work. No matter the circumstances, we advocate for justice for all, which can only be accomplished through organizing, strategizing, and mobilizing to take action in opposition to systemic racism and disinvestment.

As discouraging as the current economic crisis may seem, we cannot let ongoing systemic inequities threaten the progress we have made.

We must keep up what has proven to be most effective if we are to help Austin residents thrive: a comprehensive, collaborative approach.

We must do it by empowering the people and groups who are here.

This is our chance to not just respond, but to recommit, recalibrate and restructure the systems that should equitably serve us all.

IS RESPONDING! ACT has established a COVID-19 Response Strategy to gather information on community needs and support them through: ADVOCACY COMMUNICATION RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT

5

50K+

600K+

COVID-19 Testing Sites

Masks distributed

Pounds of food distributed

We can reimagine the way we treat our neighbors, in all situations, whether in community, business, government, or society as a whole.

There is nothing stronger than pushing forward in a world that has not always been kind to you. This is the true measure of resiliency and that is what we will continue to do in Austin...remain resilient! n

$140K

500

Direct financial assistance to families

Laptops distributed

3

4

Austin Weekly News • December 16, 2020

AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2020 QUARTER 4

2020 Highlights from Austin’s quality-of-life plan, called Austin Forward. Together (AFT), is a set of goals created by and for the community designed to address 23 strategies with 84 total actions across 7 Issue Areas between 2019 and 2023: Community Narrative, Education, Housing, Youth Empowerment, Economic Development, Public Safety, and Civic Engagement.

Today, there are more than 40 dedicated volunteer members across seven Task Forces, one for each Issue Area.

In partnership with ACT, these Task Forces have signed on over 40 unique organizations as Implementation Partners and together have initiated more than 30% of the plan’s total actions so far!

Although this year has caused many organizations involved to pivot or slow their work, here are some of the actions that have been able to move forward.

COMMUNITY NARRATIVE The goal of the Community Narrative Task Force is to revitalize the image and spirit of Austin by promoting assets such as our historic housing, creating a healthy community and building a more robust environment for local arts and culture.

STRATEGY 3:

Create environments that foster health and wellness in the community.

ACTION 2:

Promote healthier food choices across Austin.

STRATEGY 2:

Increase the number of authentic images and stories portraying the Austin community.

Racial Reconciliation Symposium makes space for important issues

Working together to feed Austin Existing food insecurity has worsened recently. Fortunately, there has been a paradigm shift in the way Austin’s broken food ecosystem is being revitalized. Numerous partners formed a large planning group to create a grant proposal called Austin Eats. The Lumpkin Family Foundation, The Christopher Family Foundation, and The Builder’s Initiative has awarded $250,000 that will allow this strategy to support: • • • •

emergency food grocery access and culinary entrepreneurship food education gardens and farms

Getting together such a dynamic group to work as collaborators, instead of competitors, does not happen often.

Austin Eats will begin immediately and include both short and long term projects.

19

partners involved in the Austin Eats planning process

23

minimum groups will be needed in order to implement all the goals in Austin Eats

$250K

grant will improve the food ecosystem in Austin

On November 5, 2020 the Austin Renaissance Council hosted the Racial Reconciliation Symposium at the Kehrein Center for the Arts, the new state-of-theart theatre inside Catalyst School in Austin.

Candace Moore, Chief Equity Officer for the City of Chicago, spoke about the efforts of Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot’s Racial Equity Response Team at the Racial Reconciliation Symposium.

To reconcile is not only to restore connection but create it anew.

HANNAH BONECUTTER HIP HOP/SPOKEN WORD ARTIST AND PERFORMER AT THE 2020 RACIAL RECONCILIATION SYMPOSIUM

The agenda focused on youth empowerment and community narrative, including a youth panel, adult panel, several artist performances, and an interview with State Representative La Shawn Ford.

The event was created to discuss how to work towards restoring years of devastation created by a racist system, while also combating the damaging stereotypes Austin still faces today.

In order to repair decades of mistrust and mistreatment, we need to learn, adapt, and take action. Everyone must play their part in solving such a large, complex problem. And that solution can only be identified through open, honest conversations like the ones had at this symposium.

AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2020 QUARTER 4

Austin Weekly News • December 16, 2020

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The goal of the Economic Development Task Force is to create economic revitalization in Austin and

by Austin. We will support new and existing local businesses, entrepreneurs, and the workforce; improve our commercial corridors; and attract new investment to build a stronger, more dynamic local economy.

STRATEGY 3:

Build the local economy and small businesses to improve community wealth and selfsufficiency.

ACTION 2:

Attract major commercial anchors.

New event space coming to Chicago Avenue and Lockwood By creating a dedicated space for private events as well as public use along the Chicago Avenue corridor, a formerly unused lot will help the area become a main shopping, dining, and entertainment district. Efforts to encourage local small businesses to use the space, as well as for physical improvements like adding elements to the streetscape, are now underway.

Inspired by vibrant pop art, the fittingly named POPCourts is a collaboration between the Special Service Area 72 Austin Chicago Avenue Cultural Corridor, the Westside Health Authority, United Way of Metro Chicago and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development. Once finished, the space will have a basketball court, a plaza for pop-up markets, a lawn for seating, a spot for food trucks, and a mural painted by local artists.

This colorful space will offer events like pop-up markets complete with musical performances and create excitement for residents nearby. The groundbreaking took place on Saturday, October 24, 2020.

EDUCATION The goal of the Education Task Force is for our local educational system and partners to provide the services, opportunities and support to help all our students stay on track, enrich their education and serve their needs, from early childhood through high school, to job and career readiness.

STRATEGY 1:

Improve and expand access to quality early childhood programs.

ACTION 4:

Partner with CPS to align curriculum for a seamless transition to kindergarten.

Setting up support for kindergarten transition Austin Childcare Providers’ Network (ACPN) is a collection of the area’s early childhood educators and an ACT Core Member. The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development and A Better Chicago will fund ACPN to help improve the framework for Chicago Public School (CPS) students to transition from pre-k to kindergarten.

ACPN is leading the efforts in planning the Austin Kindergarten Transition Initiative Pilot which will include childcare providers and kindergarten teachers who have been trained on a shared curriculum and assessment companion, working together to prepare Austin children for kindergarten. Research shows there must be more alignment, coordination, and continuity of learning and practice among childcare owners, state pre-k teachers, and kindergarten teachers.

Offering a consistent and effective experience for Austin youth, no matter where they receive their early education, will build a strong foundation for a bright future.

READ THE AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. PLAN ONLINE AT AustinComingTogether.org/QLP

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Austin Weekly News • December 16, 2020

AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2020 QUARTER 4

Plan Leaders Community Narrative

Economic Development

TASK FORCE COMMITTEE CHAIRS

TASK FORCE COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Briana Shields

Jerrod Williams

Briana Janeé Arts

Kenneth Varner Healthy Schools Campaign

Community Resident & SANA Member STRATEGY LEADS

Erica Staley

STRATEGY LEADS

Manufacturing Renaissance

Lasondra Kern

Heather Sattler

Community Resident

Suzanne McBride Austin Talks

Alicia Plomin

Austin Coming Together

Michael Romain

Austin Weekly News

Cindy Schneider Spaces-n-Places

Community Development Consultant

Education TASK FORCE COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Natasha Smith-Walker Project Exploration

Crystal Bell

Ella Flagg Young Elementary School

Charles Anderson

Michele Clark High School STRATEGY LEADS

Housing

Public Safety

TASK FORCE COMMITTEE CHAIRS

TASK FORCE COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Athena Williams

Bradly Johnson

West Cook Homeownership Center

Allison McGowan

Community Resident STRATEGY LEADS

Shirley Fields Hunters Realty

Rosie Dawson Westside Health Authority

Athena Williams

West Cook Homeownership Center

Ruth Kimble

BUILD Inc.

Marilyn Pitchford Heartland Alliance

Chris Patterson

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago STRATEGY LEADS

Adam Alonso BUILD Inc.

Bradly Johnson BUILD Inc.

Edwina Hamilton

Jane Addams Resource Corporation

Pam Price

Gina Young

Chicago Public Schools

Catholic Charities

Melody Lewis

Natasha Dunn

Bertha Purnell

Roxanne Charles West Side Forward

Cata Truss

TASK FORCE COMMITTEE CHAIRS

TASK FORCE COMMITTEE CHAIR

Carmen Scott-Boria

Deborah Williams

BUILD Inc.

D’elegance Lane Westside Health Authority

Deonna Hart BUILD Inc.

Jeramie McGill

Habilitative Systems Inc. STRATEGY LEADS

Arnold Bearden

South Austin Neighborhood Association (SANA)

Sharif Walker Bethel New Life

St. Joseph Services

Gina Young

Catholic Charities

BUILD Inc.

Juan Villalobos

Austin Chamber of Commerce VOCEL

Civic Engagement

STRATEGY LEADS

Austin Childcare Providers’ Network

Emily Peters

Youth Empowerment

BUILD Inc.

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago

Community Resident

Sean Schindl

Kids First Chicago

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE IMPLEMENTATION TASK FORCE?

Contact ACT’s Project Coordinator, Ethan Ramsay at 773.417.8616 or eramsay@austincomingtogether.org for more information

AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2020 QUARTER 4

Austin Weekly News • December 16, 2020

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Distanced and disconnected:

How COVID-19 has widened the digital divide and what we can do to address it

By Alicia Plomin Marketing & Development Manager, Austin Coming Together

F

orced into remote learning, already vulnerable students are falling farther behind because of the ‘digital divide.’

There is a stark inequity inhibiting those without internet or devices from accessing everything from basic education and jobs, to healthcare and safety information. This divide stood out as an important issue early in the COVID-19 crisis and has since been getting worse, becoming an immediate, critical area of need.

There are startling connectivity gaps across Chicago. Just in terms of youth, 1 in 5 kids under the age of 18, approximately 110,000 children, lack access to broadband.

Austin, with the city’s largest geographic community and a population near 97,000, has the largest number of disconnected families. Kids First Chicago (K1C), an education and parent advocacy organization, released a report in the spring that stated Austin has nearly 8,000 kids without access to the internet, the most of anywhere in the city.

CHICAGO CONNECTED To address this serious issue, K1C spoke with Austin Coming Together (ACT), a community-based organization working to increase access to the resources Austin residents need to thrive. K1C then established a sponsored internet services program for high-need communities and families. The work of K1C and ACT helped inspire the city to create the Chicago Connected Initiative, a groundbreaking program designed to provide free highspeed internet service and digital literacy to approximately 100,000 Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students citywide for the next four years.

ACT’s mission has been anchored in the power of community and collaboration since their 2010 inception. This led to ACT being selected as the lead Community Based Organization Partner in Austin for Chicago Connected.

Expertise facilitating collaboration has enabled ACT to leverage their network unlike any other community. Their Austin Community Hub team is working to mobilize member organizations and other engagement partners to expand digital literacy support for students and families over the next several months. Plus, ACT looks to these partner networks to help identify areas and populations of greatest need, as well as to stay current on what resources are available.

The digital divide is an issue that has been magnified; but it’s not new. I was on a team almost ten years ago that focused on broadband access and adoption in response to this issue then. Even as a lead agency, we recognize that this is an issue bigger than a single organization can handle.

SHAVION L. SCOTT DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AUSTIN COMING TOGETHER

A GRAND CHALLENGE

COLLABORATION IS KEY

In-person connection is decreasing and the digital divide is widening. Not only is it affecting CPS students, but people of all ages -- adults working or learning from home or on the job hunt, or even seniors who need critical health information or virtual doctor’s appointments.

To date, eight organizations are now working together to support Chicago Connected outreach efforts to reach up to 11,500 households in Austin. They include:

The grand challenge of scaling this effort is there simply are not enough resources to meet the needs.

PROGRAM FACTS • The Chicago Connected team has already reached out to all eligible families via robocall, text, email, or mail and has provided activation codes for them to sign up for internet access immediately.

• Families with questions can get assistance at cps.edu/chicagoconnected/eligibility or the Parent Support Hotline at 773-417-1060.

• Austin Childcare Providers’ Network (ACPN) • Project Exploration • Austin Coming Together (ACT) • Helping Our People Excel (HOPE) CDC • What About Us Charitable Enterprises • Vessels Unto Honor Ministry • Life Changing Community Outreach (LCCO) • BUILD Inc. A few additional organizations are also prepared to support digital literacy efforts at both basic and advanced levels in the coming weeks and months.

Where the world is right now, being digitally connected is a necessity for everyone, regardless of race, income, or geographic location. Getting everyone connected will take a consistent, collaborative approach over time. n

Chicago’s Austin community is full of incredibly passionate individuals and groups who truly care for one another. It has beautiful architecture, housing stock, and an immense potential for growth. But it is also struggling now more than ever. From job loss to food insecurity, existing problems have recently gotten worse.

Austin Coming Together (ACT) has worked alongside our 50+ member network to serve and care for Austin families since 2010. We have connected thousands of residents to critical resources this year, but the need is still growing.

Show how much you care.

Join the #AustinCares campaign today!

In order to continue supporting Austin families right now, we need your help. Make an impact where it’s needed most!

DONATE ONLINE AT

AustinComingTogether.org/AustinCares