FREE
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Vol. 34 No. 19
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Black female business owner sues JP Morgan Chase,
May 6, 2020
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austinweeklynews.com
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Also serving Garfield Park
@AustinWeeklyChi
‘The party’s over,’ Mayor Lightfoot says After Galewood house party footage makes TMZ, mayor doubles down on enforcement
Workers at 40 homes, three in Austin, demand hazard pay, higher wages
By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter
By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor
See STRIKE THREAT on page 9
M h ’ D Mother’s Day generosity, PAGE 2
@AustinWeeklyNews
Area nursing home workers threaten to strike May 8
Workers at 40 Chicago area nursing home facilities, including three in Austin — Austin Oasis, at 901 S. Austin Blvd.; Symphony of Chicago West, at 5130 W. Jackson Blvd.; and Mayfield Health Center, at 5905 W. Washington Blvd. — could go on strike on May 8, in order to demand higher wages, hazard pay and adequate staffing levels. “This crisis is not new,” said Greg Kelley, the president of SEIU Healthcare Illinois, which represents the frontline workers, who include receptionists, cooks, nursing assistants and other employees. “Our members have been working in difficult circumstances for a long time,” Kelley said. “They’ve been underpaid, overworked and understaffed. COVID-19 has brought this reality to the forefront. It’s made a difficult job a dangerous job.” The workers delivered the strike notices to facilities on Monday. Kelley said that the workers voted “overwhelmingly” to authorize a strike. One worker at Oak Park Oasis in nearby Oak Park, who was contacted by phone last week, said that about 51 frontline workers at her facility plan on going on strike on May 8. The worker, who requested anonymity, said that she and her colleagues are experiencing conditions similar to Tamika Haynes, a certified nursing assistant at Alden Debes Manor in Rockford.
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PACKED HOUSE: Footage of a house party held in April in a house in Galewood recently went viral and now Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is warning would-be violators of the state’s stay-at-home order that they could face jail time.
As Gov. J.B. Prtizker’s stay-at-home order enters its seventh week, house parties in defiance of the order, which prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people, are popping up all over the city, including on the West Side. Footage of a house party that was held on April 25, at a townhouse on the 2000 block of North Narragansett Ave. in Galewood, went viral after one of the participants, a West Garfield Park woman who goes by the name of Tink Purcell on Facebook, live-streamed the party for 24 minutes. The video captures of a crowd of what appears to be at least 100 people. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the party was organized by Janeal Wright, the 26-year-old son of the building’s owner, Chicago Fire Department Commander Christine Matthews. According to the TRiiBE, the party was held to honor two of Purcell’s friends who fell victim to gun violence in 2018. At the time, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. Pritzker both spoke out against the party and urged residents to follow the stay-at-home order to try to slow transmission of the highly contagious novel coronavirus, which causes the respiratory disease COVID-19. Since that April 25 party, the city has reported several more parties that have happened. On May 2, Lightfoot held a press conference in West Humboldt Park, in a block where the police received a tip that a party would take place, the mayor said. Lightfoot held the press conference to warn would-be violators of the governor’s stay-at-home order that they face fines, tickets and possibly even arrest. The mayor put the matter in life-and-death terms, saying that those who take part in the prohibited parties are endangering their older, more vulnerable loved ones and making the lockdown drag on for longer than it has to. See HOUSE PARTY on page 3
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Austin Weekly News, May 6, 2020
Local group to give bouquets to West, South Side mothers Purpose Over Pain raised funds to purchase flowers to 75 mothers who have lost children By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago
For over a decade, Purpose Over Pain has answered the call of mothers looking for emotional support after losing their children to the epidemic of gun violence across the South and West Sides. But with coronavirus disproportionately impacting those same communities, the organization has stepped up to help mothers struggling with isolation brought on by the public health emergency while mourning their lost children. With Mother’s Day coming up, one of the toughest days for these parents, the group is raising money to gift flower bouquets to 75 West and South Side moms. It’s a gesture to remind them that even though they have lost a beloved child, the unique love of motherhood will continue to bloom within them forever. “It’s a struggle for a lot of our parents because now they’re stuck in the house… all they do is think about is how their child is not here anymore,” said Pam Bosley, cofounder of Purpose Over Pain. “The flowers going to let you know you’re not alone and that somebody’s thinking about you.”
Bosley is a 2020 Chicago Peace Fellow and is supported by other community leaders in the nonviolence fellowship cohort. Bouquets are being designed by Southside Blooms, a social enterprise flower shop that creates jobs for at-risk youth in sustainable farming. Founder Quilen Blackwell is also a Peace fellow, and said the locally grown flowers show that the same communities that struggle with trauma also have the power to create healing. “The flowers were grown right here, in a place of pain for a lot of people. But it sort of symbolizes hope… there can be a brighter future,” he said. The fellows started a GoFundMe to raise $1,500 to purchase the bouquets that, as of last weekend, were scheduled for delivery on May 3, a week before Mother’s Day. Any leftover funds will go towards mutual aid projects driven by the fellows for addressing coronavirus. “I grew up on the West Side, and losing family members to gun violence is not new,” said Burrell Poe, the director of Chicago Peace Fellows. “This is just another wave of loss that’s hitting people who have been dealing with loss for a long time, even harder.” Purpose Over Pain typically meets weekly so mothers can support each other and foster a sense of community around the shared experience of loss. But with the stay-at-home order, the group is going virtual and finding new ways to support moms. One mom, who did not want to use her name, said a bouquet would help to honor
Block Club Chicago
A SPECIAL GIFT: A bouquet of flowers from Southside Blooms, a social enterprise flower shop that creates jobs for at-risk young people in sustainable farming. the memory of her son. “I’m a mom who loss my son to gun violence in 2014. I would love to receive flowers as this was something my son always did for me,” she said. Poe said amid the public health emergency and the ongoing violence in Chicago, the bouquets can show others that a simple gesture can go a long way. “This is this is a good idea for a lot of people
who could potentially be involved,” Poe said. He hopes the project can inspire others to “set up their own spontaneous efforts to really do some intentional outreach to moms who lost loved ones.” Pascal Sabino is a Report for America corps member covering Austin, North Lawndale and Garfield Park for Block Club Chicago. CONTACT: pascal@blockclubchi.org
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Growing Community Media receives PPP loan from U.S. Funds to be spent on payroll, rent, utilities
Pleased to share news today that Growing Community Media, the nonprofit entity that publishes the Austin Weekly News and three other community newspapers, has received a loan from the U.S. government’s Paycheck Protection Program. PPP is an initiative aimed at supporting small businesses and their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic shutdown which has resulted. The loan amount is $242,500, an amount calculated based on GCM’s payroll. The loan was made through Byline Bank. Under terms of the federal program, portions of the loan used to fund payroll, rent and utilities over the next 60 days can be forgiven. The balance of the loan will have to repaid over time at a 1-percent rate of interest. We are appreciative of this funding at a
time when advertising revenue, our most important revenue source, has been decimated by the pandemic’s direct impact on local businesses. We thank local merchants and nonprofits that have continued to share their messages with readers through our
print and digital news channels. And, as we come up this July on our company’s 40th anniversary, we assure our many friends and partners in local business that we will be there for them as we all gradually and safely reopen our lives into what will be a changed world. We continue working hard to tell our readers that we need them to help pay for our independent community journalism. Whether that is a print subscription or a digital membership, we will thrive in the mid-term only if readers pay their share. It is gratifying that only a few months into our new nonprofit incarnation that nearly 1,000 organizations and individuals have signed on as donors and digital members. And, we will intensify our efforts to bring more donors and foundations into our cause of providing the essential glue in each of our seven neighborhoods. This PPP loan is a critical bridge for us. But we still need to build the road on the far
side of that bridge. It is a new road, different from the one that has brought us through nearly 40 years. Like all of our colleagues in local journalism we are inventing this road even as we drive it. Finally, while we are grateful for this PPP loan, it does not feel entirely natural for a newspaper to accept a loan/grant from the federal government. The founders of this great nation intended it to have a free press. It is separate from government, and actively adversarial. When earned, there is a respectful tension with that government. That said, this is an extraordinary and difficult moment. Be assured that we are aware of our responsibility to serve as a watchdog on local government and will, to the best of our ability and resources, continue to fill that key role. Our thanks to each of you in these hard days.
Dan Haley, publisher
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Austin Weekly News, May 6, 2020
HOUSE PARTY Lights out from page 1 When it was enacted in late March, the stay-at-home order prohibited all nonessential activity, grounding many services that were not deemed essential (i.e. grocery stores, restaurants, public transit systems) to a halt. On May 1, the governor eased that original restriction, allowing more businesses formerly deemed non-essential to reopen, with certain precautions, including the requirement that all residents wear face masks in public.
The new restrictions, however, do not permit the return of large gatherings, which have happened across the West Side at an alarming clip since the stay-at-home order took effect. Last month, the Chicago Tribune reported that out of the 930 reported incidents of socalled “coronavirus loitering” in the early weeks of Pritzker’s stay-at-home order, between late March and early April, about 700 incidents happened on the West Side. Five-hundred incidents happened in the 11th District, while the 10th and 15th districts had 100 reported incidents each. The Galewood party that Purcell videotaped garnered the attention of national media outlets such as TMZ and MSNBC. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that
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Wright had a key to the property, with Matthews telling the paper that she had no idea that the party was happening until the police showed up at her door the following day. ““I want to apologize to my neighbors and I saw the video,” she wrote in an e-mail to the Sun-Times. “I was completely blindsided. I would never condone this behavior. I am a paramedic. I have had people die from this!!!” The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Matthews is currently one of the nine firefighters under a separate COVID-19related investigation for participating in a video for the “Don’t Rush Challenge.” Participants of the challenge filmed a video of themselves inside of a firehouse transforming from firefighting attire into evening clothes and cocktail dresses. Chicago Fire Department policy does not allow filming inside of CFD facilities without the department’s permission. Matthews said that racism has informed much of the reaction to the “Don’t Rush Challenge,” explaining that all of the women who participated in the video were black. In a Facebook interview with state Rep. La Shawn Ford (8th), Wright said that he didn’t follow the news and didn’t realize why social distancing was important. He has since pledged to make up for his lack of awareness by getting the word out about the dangers of COVID-19 and encouraging his peers to get tested for the virus. The TRiiBE reported that Purcell, a 26-year-old mother of two whose uncle died of COVID-19, wasn’t worried about contracting the disease. “I’m not afraid of it,” she told the TRiiBE. “I mean, I know it’s serious. I had an uncle that passed away from it. But it’s like, I’m not letting my fear outweigh my faith.” The online media outlet also said Purcell has been doing her best to comply with the stay-at-home order, but that she’s tired of being inside. “Nobody looked sick,” she said. “Nobody acted sick. I know we weren’t really social distancing. It’s been two to three days now and I’m perfectly fine. They say wait seven to 14 days. We’ll see. During her May 2 outdoor press conference in Humboldt Park, Mayor
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Lightfoot reinforced the warning that she’s been repeating since the COVID-19 crisis began. “I can’t make this any clearer — you absolutely must stay at home,” she said. “And that means your home, not somebody else’s home, not at anAirBnB, not at some party place. Going to a party now, during this pandemic is the height of foolishness.” Lightfoot emphasized that, while young people are less likely to get COVID-19 and to experience severe symptoms if they do, people under 60 have gotten sick and even died from the virus. “You are risking the life of your mamma, your grandma who has an underlying condition; you are bringing death to your doorstep. Make no mistake about it,” Lightfood said. “And if you care about them, you will stop this foolish, reckless behavior. And that goes double for communities like this one, on the West Side, where we’re seeing a disproportionately large number of cases and, yes, deaths.” Lightfoot doubled down on her law-andorder rhetoric, insisting that the “time for educating people into compliance is over. “We will shut you down, we will cite you and, if we need to, we will take you to jail — period,” she said. If you refuse to do what is necessary to save lives in this city, we will take you to jail.” David Brown, who was sworn in as Chicago police superintendent on April 22, said that, while he understood that the weather was warm and people have been cooped up inside of their homes for over a month, now is more important than ever to stay at home, particularly as hospitalizations and deaths continue unabated. “We are aware of six parties tonight, and we’re reaching out to the hosts and advising them to cancel these parities,” Brown said, adding that, while they would rather simply fine or ticket participants, they do have the ability to arrest flagrant offenders of the stay-at-home order. When asked about her tough stance on enforcing the stay-at-home order in communities like the West Side that are already over-policed, Lightfoot said: “This isn’t about over-policing. This is about saving lives. Period.” CONTACT: igorst3@hotmail.com
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Austin Weekly News, May 6, 2020
New coalition takes aim at displacement
The Preserving Affordability Together Garfield Park Housing Coalition seeks to hold developers accountable By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter
Even amid the stay-at-home order designed to slow the spread of COVID-19, the newly formed Preserving Affordability Together Garfield Park Housing Coalition is keeping its eye on its mission — to ensure that any development that comes to the neighborhood benefits the area’s long-term residents and gets built with community input. The coalition was created as part of the East Garfield Park Affordability Plan. The plan, officially unveiled March 10, was developed by the Metropolitan Planning Council, the Garfield Park Community Council and DePaul University’s Institute for Housing Studies. The coalition held its first meeting on April 7 online. While the coalition is still something of a work in progress, activists involved are hoping to tackle three development projects coming to the community as soon as possible.
They are particularly interested in Garfield Green, a mixed-use environmentallyfriendly development at 201 S. Kedzie Ave., which received Low Income Housing Tax Credits on March 30. The affordability plan is meant to ensure that new development and rising real estate values in East Garfield Park don’t result in the displacement of the area’s longtime residents as they have in places like Wicker Park and Logan Square. The plan lays out a total of 40 strategies designed to empower the community through political activism, support local businesses, support existing homeowners and ensure that residents who can’t afford to buy homes are still able to secure ownership stakes in their buildings through cooperatives. The community coalition will be responsible for making sure the plan is executed. Juan Sebastian Arias, the Metropolitan Planning Council’s manager, previously told Austin Weekly News that it was important that this coalition be made up of people who represent the community; otherwise, the coalition would just translate into yet another entity imposing its vision from the outside. The April 7 meeting was advertised on the coalition’s website, with members of the public free to dial in. It attracted many community stakeholders who were involved in developing the affordability plan, but some
residents new to the plan dialed in as well. After some discussion, the coalition agreed to set up three committees: an organizing committee, a development committee and a policy committee. An executive committee will coordinate the three subcommittees and provide overall direction. Anyone who lives and/or works in East Garfield Park is eligible for committee membership. The meetings are open to the general public. Metropolitan Planning Council The coalition does not THE WIND AT THEIR BACKS: Th eron Hawk plays the saxophone currently have a leader. Debbie Liu, a communi- at the Preserving Affordability Together East Garfield Park ty engagement associate Celebration held March 10 in West Garfield Park. with the Metropolitan at this point, and, when things are more esPlanning Council, said that her organization felt that it would be tablished, you can have elections or things better to wait until the coalition solidifies like that,” Liu said. before thinking about leadership. They said For information about the collation’s upthey would rather a pool of potential leaders coming meetings and how to dial in, visit emerge organically. gpcommunitycouncil.org. “We’re going to co-learn from each other CONTACT: igorst3@hotmail.com
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Black business owner files class action suit against Chase Stacey Hawkins-Armstrong says bank unfairly prioritized larger clients in federal loan process, seeks more plaintiffs to join her lawsuit By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor
A small, minority-owned business in suburban Westchester has filed a federal class action lawsuit against JP Morgan Chase, alleging that the giant bank unfairly prioritized large corporations over small businesses in the process of administering the first round of federal Paycheck Protection Program loans earlier this month. Stacey Hawkins-Armstrong, the owner and manager of Sha-Poppin Gourmet Popcorn, said that she has been a JP Morgan Chase client for well over 20 years and had already held a small business account with the lender at the time she applied for PPP funding. But her bad experience with trying to get a federal loan with the bank has prompted her to sue and she’s hoping more small businesses, especially minority-owned businesses, in the Chicago area that have experienced similar treatment by Chase during the PPP application process join her as plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The funding, which included a $349 billion loan program for small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, was part of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 27. The small business loans were supposed to be distributed on a “first-come, first -served” basis to qualifying small businesses in order to provide them with roughly two months’ worth of financial assistance to cover basic expenses like payroll, benefits and rent. Most of the long will be forgiven, as long as the business spends at least 75 percent of the loan on payroll and agrees not to cut the wages and salaries of workers making less than $100,000 in the first year of the loan by more than 25 percent, the lawsuit explains. Otherwise, “the loan matures in two years and carries a 1 percent interest rate.” According to the lawsuit filed on behalf of Sha-Poppin, Hawkins-Armstrong, whose business employs five people, including herself, “diligently attempted to submit Sha-Poppin’s application through Chase’s online portal” the very day the PPP loan application window opened on April 3. But the website “returned error messages each time she attempted to submit her application, with instructions indicating that she should not call Chase customer services.” Meanwhile, multimillion dollar corporations like sandwich chain Potbelly, pharmaceutical company MannKind and steakhouse chain Ruth’s Chris were jumping the line for federal loans, as JP Morgan
“only 18,000 [or roughly Chase made “all efforts to 6 percent] of more than prioritize processing the 300,000 small -business loan applications of its banking customers who favored customers first” applied through Chase’s while deciding to “deal with retail bank, where they the remainder later, if they normally did business, got ever managed to make it loans, according to the bank. through Defendant’s failing “In all, Chase handed website.” out $14 billion through the During an interview program — more than any earlier this month, other bank, but still less Hawkins-Armstrong said than half of the $36 billion that the error messages that customers had sought.” “continued for days, several The lawsuit names JP times a day.” Eventually, Morgan Chase and three the business owner said that other corporations, including she got a call from a Chase Ruth’s Chris Steak House Midwest vice president Operations, as defendants who “was apologetic that and seeks an unspecified my application didn’t go amount of damages for the through. Her answer was defendants’ “efforts to cheat that, if I wanted, I could Plaintiff and countless small change banks and she’d businesses out of their right understand, which was to apply for and receive really unacceptable to me. federal stimulus funding in It lets me know that they a moment of national crisis.” really don’t care.” So far, at least 100 other Hawkins-Armstrong small businesses have joined ended up applying for a Hawkins-Armstrong’s class PPP loan through a much action lawsuit, but she said smaller institution — she’s hoping more small Seaway, a division of SelfStacey Hawkins-Armstrong/Facebook businesses in the Chicago Help Federal Credit Union. area particularly black and She said she successfully FIGHTING BACK: Stacey Hawkins-Armstrong, the owner and manager of secured $6,000 through Sha-Poppin Gourmet Popcorn, during a recent TV news interview inside of brown businesses, come on board. Seaway, much less than she her suburban Westchester shop. “I’m getting overwhelmed needs. April 24, in the Northern District of Illinois, with emails and calls from “As a result of Defendants’ actions, Sha-Poppin is now at a severe risk of Easter Division, claims that Chase, the retail business owners in different states who are having to lay off its employees and shutter its banking company of parent company JP upset and want to be part of this,” she said. Hawkins-Armstrong’s lawsuit against business — the very result Congress sought to Morgan, knowingly made it more difficult avoid in creating a first-come, first-served loan for smaller businesses to apply for the loans Chase is just one among “a series of lawsuits lodged by small businesses against big banks program to be deployed by [the Small Business through a “carefully executed plan.” The lawsuit references a nationwide such as Wells Fargo, Bank of America and Administration] banking partners with all deliberate speed,” the lawsuit explains. “At conference call “to provide workers with Bancorp citing unfair business practices minimum, Sha-Poppin lost out on $19,000 directions on how to handle customers, and false advertising,” according to an in PPP loan funds it would have otherwise and to discourage branch employees from article in USA Today. getting involved in customers’ PPP loan The federal government recently passed received, but for Defendants’ misconduct.” Ruth’s Chris, a company with annual applications. As a result, Chase’s favored an additional $310 billion of PPP funds for revenue of $450 million, 5,700 employees and customers (as well as its parent company’s small businesses, as part of a $484 billion 150 locations across the country received two favored customers) got the special treatment COVID-19 emergency funding bill signed by $10 million PPP loans, the lawsuit notes. The they desired.” President Trump on April 24. Because she The bank had an incentive to reach this already secured a loan in the first round of company eventually returned the loans after public outrage, “but the damage was done.” outcome, the lawsuit claims. For each loan funding, Hawkins-Armstrong is not eligible Many of its workers — including busboys, processed and approved, “the bank would for this second round of PPP funds. dishwashers and hosts — have already been receive an origination fee of 5 percent on Chase representatives were not loans up to $350,000; 3 percent on loans immediately available for comment on laid off, the lawsuit states. The $20 million that Ruth’s Chris received between $350,000 and $2 million; and 1 April 30, but in a letter posted to the bank’s “could have instead funded $25,000 loans percent on loans between $2 million and $10 website that was last updated on April 27, to 800 actual small businesses” like Sha- million.” Jennifer Roberts, the CEO of Chase Business “If they know that they get 1 percent off of Banking, said that the bank “will work Poppin. Chase’s alleged actions have drawn the $20 million or 5 percent off of $20,000, they’re diligently with the SBA and Treasury to ire of state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch going with the former,” Hawkins-Armstrong serve as many small businesses as possible. (7th), a Westchester resident whose district said during an interview on April 30. “For “I wish we could help every business encompasses Sha-Poppin. Earlier this them to give the concierge treatment to those through this program, but funds could run month, Welch created a Change.org petition large corporations that should not have been out again quickly and we have preexisting to demand that Chase and other large banks involved with this money in the first place applications in our queue. We know how “treat black and brown businesses equitably was disgraceful.” important this funding is to your business, during the COVID-19 crisis.” As of April 30, The lawsuit states that “nearly all of and will continue to process and submit the petition had garnered 261 signatures. the 8,500 commercial and private banking applications until funds are exhausted.” The federal lawsuit, which was filed clients who applied for a loan got one” while CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com
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Austin Weekly News, May 6, 2020
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Austin Weekly News, May 6, 2020
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Austin Weekly News, May 6, 2020
STRIKE THREAT Making demands from page 1 “I’ve been on the job for 17 years and make only $16.76 an hour,” Haynes said during a videoconference on April 29. “In most professions that require training and experience, you expect to get decent wages as the years go by. Not us. We’re just getting deeper in the hole. And I have a lot of coworkers who make less.” In a statement released April 27, SEIU officials said that the union members’ contract covering the 40 facilities is set to expire on May 1. “Workers were hopeful that the Illinois Association of Health Care Facilities would agree to a one-year agreement with modest and reasonable accommodations to address the extreme risks and challenges workers now face as a result of working on the frontline of a pandemic,” according to the statement. The workers are calling for $15 an hour and $16 an hour for CNA’s; a 50 percent hazard pay bonus for working during the pandemic; an additional 80 hours of paid sick leave for COVID-19 or related illnesses; better training; more personal protective equipment; and “provisions for continued health care coverage for any vulnerable workers who have to take leave from their job to protect themselves and their families.” Kelley said that a federal mediator has gotten involved in the negotiations. “Today is our first virtual face-to-face negotiation for some time,” Kelley said during Wednesday’s videoconference. “We’ve indicated that we’re prepared to meet as often as necessary to avoid a strike. As someone who has been on the strike line a bunch of times in normal circumstances, going out on strike isn’t easy. Going out on strike during pandemic is infinitely more difficult.” Kelley said that the union is “prepared to do what’s necessary over the next nine days to avert a strike,” but that the union is serious about the workers’ demands. Bob Molitor, the CEO of The Alden Network of nursing homes who sits on the board of the Illinois Association of Health Care Facilities, which represents the nursing home owners, wrote in a letter to state lawmakers that the association “offered an 11% one-year pay hike, stable employee health insurance contributions, earlier access to sick days, paid sick time during the pandemic in addition to contractual sick leave, creation of a training fund, and more for certified nursing assistants, dietary, activity, laundry and housekeeping employees,” according to an April 27 Chicago Tribune report. “We sincerely hope the union is not using this once-in-alifetime crisis to incite a walk-out and put our seniors at even greater risk,” Molitor stated in the letter. In an email to AustinTalks, Lauryn Allison, the director of communications for Symphony of Chicago West stated that certified nursing assistants “fill a critical role in caring for the elderly and vulnerable patients at our facilities We support the (nursing homes’) offer to increase CNA pay and are already issuing hazard pay at Symphony facilities. “We sincerely hope the union can work through its concerns with the operators’ association by remaining at the negotiating table rather than instructing their members to walk off the job during our patients’ time of greatest need.” First District Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, whose district covers Oak Park, said during Wednesday’s videoconference that he stands with the front-line workers. “We, as elected officials are calling upon the nursing home owners to settle this contract with the provisions that are needed to safeguard the workers and the residents,” Johnson said. “The majority of nursing home workers are African-American, black women in particular. It’s clear that the higher risk factor of COVID-19 are people within my district. The black community that has borne the brunt of not just this criss, but others … We are calling on the leadership of these facilities do what’s right by workers.” CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com
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Whose project is it anyway? In search for equitable collaborations We read textbooks, scholarly journals and articles on best practices for collaboration, touting the benefits in great detail, and barely glossing over the down sides of collaboration. The “real deal” is often messy, and no one wants to be the one who shares all the gory details, for a number of reasons. As a result, many of us go into collaborations wide eyed and bushy-tailed, not knowing the dangers that lurk within. Yet, it is these very lessons that need to be shared so that others who come after us can structure collaborations in a manner that codifies roles, responsibilities, risks and rewards; maximizes transparency and accountability; outlines the “rules of the road”, so to speak; describes how decisions will be made and how conflicts will be resolved. While I have been blessed to have been a part of some great collaborations in which the outcomes were better than any individual or single entity could achieve, I have also been part of collaborations that didn’t work so well. I learned a lot from the collaborations that worked, but, I have learned infinitely more from those that didn’t work. I think you can relate. There have been times I’ve invited people to work with me, only to have been outmaneuvered politically, finding myself on the outside looking in, while others reaped the economic benefits of my work. There have been other times when I have made grants to collaborations that fell apart, because at least one of the collaborative partners “didn’t play nicely in the sandbox,” or perform as agreed. I have seen other collaborations that functioned nicely only until funding was granted. In those cases, there were no rules concerning what would happen in the event that funding would occur; how to equitably compensate people who created value and the terms and conditions under which funding would be divided among the collaborative partners. Ironically, I have learned, through some of my very best efforts at structuring collaborative agreements in a manner that minimizes conflict, that it is impossible to legislate collaboration. Either people have the hearts, minds and core values to behave ethically, or they don’t. Legal documents don’t change the essence of who we are. However, having a formal agreement in writing does mitigate the risks involved, and provides for legal remedies in the event of disputes. It is very important to consult with an attorney as early as possible in the formative stages of the collaboration—even if you’re dealing with people with whom you have been acquainted with for years. And yes, this includes people that you consider to be friends and colleagues. Every collaboration is different and has different levels of risks and rewards. On top of that, people’s circumstances and motives can vary over time. I have learned a lot over the years and have gotten much better at collaboration. Even so, there are still questions that I find that must be asked to inform the collaboration while others are still subject to further exploration. For example, for those projects that aim to develop broad-based community coalitions to create new initiatives that scale programs and services: Who really owns the resulting proprietary processes and systems, particularly when the group facilitating the initiative is not a legal entity? Who owns intellectual property that is developed as a result? Who gets to
decide who can and cannot participate? What objective criteria should be used to determine who gets accepted, screened out or “voted off the island”? How do we ensure that collaborative partners and other community stakeholders are properly recognized and fairly compensated for their contributions to the success of the initiative? What role can philanthropy play in facilitating an equitable planning and implementation process? How do we ensure that the due diligence they perform goes beyond looking at annual reports and 990’s to better understand the community dynamics and take into account the voices of a broad range of local actors? How do we prevent marginalization of stakeholders based on criteria that have nothing to do with their ability to help the collaborative produce positive outcomes? How do we make sure that the people who are most impacted by the work have a real voice and power in the process and not just a listing on a roster? I don’t have all the answers. In fact, I don’t think anyone does. However, I am sufficiently curious that I will spend time exploring the possibilities, incorporating the findings in my work and sharing what I learn. I love the sound of Kumbaya.
— Valerie Leonard, Founder, Nonprofit Utopia
Illinois is counting on you During these disturbing times, it is difficult to imagine what it will be like to gather again in worship, celebration and bereavement. While that future remains elusive, the need for strong communities, good schools, safe roads and fair representation will remain the same. The results of Census 2020 will indeed shape our future. Think of your community: Census results help determine how money is allocated to prevent child abuse and to provide housing assistance for older adults; to show where schools, clinics, food assistance, and community mental health services are needed; and to fund libraries. Business owners will use 2020 Census data to make critical decisions. Think of your local schools: Census results help determine how money is allocated for the Head Start program, school lunches, grants that support teachers, and for special education. Think of your morning commute: Census results influence highway planning and construction, as well as grants for buses, subways and other public transit systems. Think of your government: The results of this once-adecade count determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is used to draw congressional and state legislative districts. While these are unpreceded times, it is more important than ever that we do our part to ensure a fair census count, so that when this is behind us, whatever that may look like, Illinois will have the resources needed to strengthen and rebuild our state. If you haven’t done so, please take a few moments to complete the census. You can respond in English by calling (844) 330-2020 or in Spanish by calling (844) 4682020. To respond online or for help in other languages, go to https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond.html. Stay safe, stay strong and please be counted!
— Beverly Graham, President, Women League of Voters of Oak Park and River Forest CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com
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Austin Weekly News, May 6, 2020
REAL ESTATE FORÂ SALE
deadline: 9:30 am Monday office hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday
CLASSIFIEDS TO PLACE AN AD
CALL: 773-626-6332 | FAX: 708-467-9066 | E-MAIL: classifieds@AustinWeeklyNews.com Place your ad online anytime at AUSTINWEEKLYNEWS.COM/CLASSIFIED
ROOMS FORÂ RENT AUSTIN CLEAN ROOM With fridge, micro. Nr Oak Park, Super Walmart, Food 4 Less, bus, & Metra. $116/wk and up. 773-637-5957
OFFICE SPACE FORÂ RENT THERAPY OFFICES FOR RENT Therapy offices for rent in north Oak Park. Rehabbed building. Nicely furnished. Flexible leasing. Free parking. Free wifi; Secure building; Friendly colleagues providing referrals. Shared waiting room; optional Conference. Call or email with questions. Shown on Sundays. Lee 708.383.0729 drlmadden@ameritech.net
ITEMS FOR SALE LENOX CHINA 5 piece place settings Lenox china, Tuxedo pattern WATERFORD GLASSES Colleen pattern, 2 water goblets, 2 wine glasses, 5 double old fashioned glasses IRISH CARDIGAN Men’s size large. 708-386-6160
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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE F/K/A NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR RENAISSANCE HEL TRUST 2004-1; Plaintiff, vs. JASPER HALL; CITY OF
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE CHICAGO; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 18 CH 12601 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Thursday, June 11, 2020 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-13-412-001-0000. Commonly known as 801 South California Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 3609455. W18-1542 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3150338
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777. Austin Weekly News
Starting a New Business? Call the experts before you place your legal ad! Publish your assumed name legal notice in • Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review • Riverside/Brookfield Landmark • Austin Weekly News Call Mary Ellen for details: 708/613-3342
Austin Weekly News, May 6, 2020
(773) 626-6332 | FAX: (708) 467-9066 | E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@AUSTINWEEKLYNEWS.COM REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
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Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information. (708) 613-3342 • maryellen@forestparkreview.com
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12
Austin Weekly News, May 6, 2020
Anger Management Anger Management Program Management Program Anger
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Ms. Monique Byrd, Case wsafechild@sbcglobal.net Manager www.sankofasafechildinitiative.org 457 W. 79th St. Chicago, IL 60621