FREE
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Vol. 34 No. 14
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Census Sunday debuts on West Side,
April 1, 2020
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austinweeklynews.com
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Also serving Garfield Park
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@AustinWeeklyChi
West Side d baker b k delivers joy, page 5
@AustinWeeklyNews
Black-owned restaurants fight to survive COVID-19 Loans may not be enough to overcome steep losses, owners say By LA RISA LYNCH Contributing Reporter
Neighborhood streets in Austin that once bustled with life are now sparsely populated as residents shelter in place to help curb the spread of COVID-19. And local restaurants are feeling the effects. Gov. Pritzker first ordered all bars and restaurants to scale back operations after St. Patrick’s Day revelers took to the streets ignoring calls for social distancing. That order ceased in-person dining for two weeks, but allowed pickup and delivery. Then a shelter in place order left streets eerily devoid of foot traffic, which added to struggling businesses’ attempts to stay afloat amid the outbreak. That order will last until at least April 7. As of March 30, there have been 4,596 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Illinois and 65 deaths, according to state public health data. As the crisis persists, small Black and family-owned businesses – already operating on thin margins – will be in a fight to survive. Some business owners are trying to adapt to a new way of doing business. Charmaine Rickette, the owner of Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken, has seen a 40 percent dip in the business her parents See RESTAURANTS on page 5
Chicago Community Bond Fund .
COVID-19 AT COUNTY JAIL: Faith leaders gather at Cook County Jail to seek the release of detainees to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
COVID-19 hits Cook County jail As of March 26, 38 detainees, 6 staffers have tested positive
By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago
Thirty-eight Cook County Jail detainees and six jail staffers have tested positive for COVID-19, the sheriff’s office confirmed on March 26 The confirmed cases are evidence the virus is spreading rapidly at the jail that houses 5,000 detainees. Earlier this week, just two inmates and a corrections officer had tested positive for the virus. A detainee at home being electronically monitored by the sheriff’s office has also tested positive, officials said last Friday.
Six have been confirmed negative for the virus and the results of 123 tests are still pending. The county is working to reduce the jail population as quickly as possible to prevent further spread, said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. The courts introduced an expedited bond review process earlier this week . Non-violent pretrial defendants will be eligible for release. Women who are pregnant, older adults and people with underlying health conditions who are at risk of developing a severe illness due to COVID-19 will be prioritized.
“We’re talking about those who would face the worst outcomes if they were exposed to the virus,” Preckwinkle said. “We’re also talking about people who are in jail simply because they are too poor to pay the small monetary bond that has been set by a judge.” Each detainee who is released is being screened so they don’t spread the virus to their family or others. The jail has moved nearly all inmates to single cells so they can better follow social distancing guidelines, Sheriff Tom Dart
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See COUNTY JAIL on page 4
Larry Williams,Agent 5932 W. Lake Street Chicago, 60644 (773) 379-9010 larry.williams.b0bk@statefarm.com