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AUSTIN WEEKLY news ■
Vol. 32 No. 13
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March 28, 2018
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Arlene Jones on immigration and jobs,
PAGE 7
austinweeklynews.com
@AustinWeeklyNews
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Also serving Garfield Park
@AustinWeeklyChi
Streetwise, page 3
Johnson upsets Boykin in 1st District race The Chicago teacher ran to the left of the incumbent By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor
Brandon Johnson, the Chicago Public Schools teacher and Chicago Teachers Union organizer, entered the Democratic Primary race to replace incumbent 1st District Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin as a serious underdog. By Monday, however, Boykin — a firstterm elected official who seemed to have the visibility and political prowess of a veteran, and the backing of suburban mayors, high-profile leaders like businessman Willie Wilson, and Congressman Danny K. Davis — had conceded. By the time the polls closed on March 20, Johnson was up on Boykin by fewer than 400 votes, with no more than a dozen precincts still to be reported. Those outstanding votes left Boykin with an opening to stave off a concession call until provisional ballots had been counted. Since last Tuesday’s election, however, Johnson’s lead had gradually opened up to 436, with all precincts in the city and suburbs reported, according to online election data from the Cook County Clerk’s office and the Chicago Board of Elections. See 1ST DISTRICT RACE on page 4
SEBASTIAN HIDALGO/Contributor
Marching for their lives
Young people on the West Side board a bus on March 23 headed for Washington, D.C., for the March for Our Lives rally against gun violence. The trip was sponsored by the Chicago Westside Branch NAACP. More photos on page 6.
Taliaferro launches volunteer program The 29th Ward alderman is seeking volunteers for block representative
By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter
Alderman Chris Taliaferro (29th) is launching a new community volunteer initiative to get the word out about goings on in his ward. Anyone who lives in the 29th Ward can volunteer to be a block representative. As Taliaferro and his staff explained, the
representatives will get information about ward programs and upcoming events, and it would be their job to spread the word. They would also serve as another way residents can get in touch with the ward office and local police districts. The idea, Taliaferro said, was to get as much information out to residents as possible. The alderman held the informational
meeting about the program on March 15 in his ward office at 6272 W. North Ave. It wound up standing room only, with at least 54 people attending — a fact that Taliaferro believes bodes well for the program’s future. During his March 7 ward community meeting, which was held at Columbia Park
Austin Chamber of Commerce on the move... 773.854.5848 • www.austinchicagochamber.com
See BLOCK REP on page 5