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AUSTINWEEKLY news ■ Austin woman dies in Oak Park crash, PAGE 9
Vol. 33 No. 12
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March 20, 2019
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austinweeklynews.com
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Also serving Garfield Park
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Austin’s Randy Duncan leaves his mark, page 6
City Council says yes to ‘cop academy’ Despite protests, aldermen approve $95M center, gives contract to controversial AECOM By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter
Amid protests happening in the gallery and outside of the Chicago City Council chambers on March 13, aldermen voted 38-8 to give an $85 million construction contract related to the development of the police and fire training center in West Garfield Park to a controversial Los Angeles company. During the March 13 council meeting, all of the aldermen in the 24th, 28th, 29th and 37th Wards voted in favor of giving the lucrative contract to Architecture, Engineering, Consulting, Operations and Maintenance (AECOM) corporation. Later during the same meeting, the aldermen approved zoning changes that will allow two black-owned restaurants to open near the training center, in what would otherwise be a strictly industrial area. The vote does not necessarily requires the businesses See COP ACADEMY on page 8
They are the champions
SEBASTIAN HIDALGO/Contributor
The Providence St. Mell Knights look at a homemade video of their IHSA State Championship celebration during a prep. rally at Providence St. Mell High School, on the Westside of Chicago. The Knights haven’t won a state trophy since 1984-1985. More on page 6.
$10.5 M raised to improve West Side health West Side United plans more investments in jobs and health care access by 2021 By SARAH CONWAY City Bureau
There’s a stark 16-year gap between Garfield Park, where residents have a life expectancy of 69 years, and the Loop where the life expectancy is 85 years. West Side United, a public-private coalition of West Side hospitals, professionals and residents, has raised $10.5 million to fund proj-
ects that it say will help reduce this “death gap” 50 percent by 2030. The group convened on March 5 at Malcolm X College to share progress from 2018 and present a strategic plan for 2019 to supporters, local residents and other stakeholders. So far the group has paid out about $2 million in economic justice and public health projects, grants and loans, which it believes are key to closing the gap.
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Additionally, local leaders who spoke at the event urged West Side residents to seize the moment and get involved in leadership positions within the group in 2019. West Side United opened online applications for its new Community Advisory Council during Tuesday’s event. The 17-member committee will keep a finger on the pulse of the West Side See WEST SIDE UNITED on page 5
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