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AUSTINWEEKLY news ■
Vol. 35 No. 3
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Kidz Express builds positive peer-to-peer relationships,
January 15, 2020
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austinweeklynews.com
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Also serving Garfield Park
@AustinWeeklyChi
PAGE 10
@AustinWeeklyNews
Kwame Raoul K R l eyes unpaid refunds, page 2
Looking forward to 2020 on the West Side New developments, proposals hold promise By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributor
As the new year dawns, Austin Weekly News is looking ahead to some promising developments coming to the West Side next year.
Community Development One initiative that could potentially have the biggest long-term impact is the Invest South/West Initiative. It will use $250 million in funds from Tax Increment Financing districts, the Small Business Improvement Fund, and the Neighborhood Opportunity fund to “provide transportation, housing and quality-of-life enhancements” based on existing plans, such as the Austin Quality of Life Plan for 10 community areas, including Austin and North Lawndale. As part of the process, the city is holding four events meant to introduce what is being planned and collect resident input. The West Side event will be held on Jan. 18 at 11 a.m. at Kehrein Center for the Arts, 5628 W. Washington Blvd. City funding is already being used to support the opening of West Side busiSee 2020 on page 11
Cool beans
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Owner and founder Joshua Millman, middle, talks with guests on Jan. 10, at the new roastery for Passion House Coffee and Roasters in East Garfield Park.
Billions held by state treasurer waiting to be claimed Residents owed $2.9B in unclaimed funds, Treasurer Michael Frerichs says
By AUSTIN TALKS Partner
The state treasurer is holding $2.9 billion in unclaimed funds that officials hope local residents will try to claim in 2020. Last month, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs, who oversees the state’s unclaimed
property program, recently announced the return of nearly $40,000 to the Salvation Army in Chicago. The proceeds were turned over to state from the estate of Ernest Ulrich, who named the non-profit as a beneficiary. Ulrich passed away in 1999. The state holds lost or unclaimed funds until they are claimed by either the original
owner or their heirs. Property is returned at no cost with the proper identification. Common types of unclaimed property include checking and savings accounts; uncashed wage and payroll checks; uncashed stock dividends and stock certificates; insurSee UNCLAIMED FUNDS on page 4
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