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Vol. 35 No. 19
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Oak Park restaurant initiative expands to Austin
May 12, 2021
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austinweeklynews.com
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Also serving Garfield Park
@AustinWeeklyChi
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An LED murall planned pl d for West Side, page 3
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Austin cleanup designed to bridge invisible divide Renew 312 hosted May 8 cleanup By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter
Around 30 people, most of whom were from Oak Park, got together on May 8 to pick up garbage and wash storefront windows in Austin’s Madison Street and Lake Street corridors. The clean-up was organized by Renew 312, a nonprofit founded by Shawn Netisingha and Dani Kowack-Dengel, both of Oak Park, to address the long standing disparities between Austin and Oak Park by bridging the divides between the two communities. The clean-up was meant to do something good for Austin while supporting Austin businesses and getting the residents of two communities to talk to each other and make connections. Netisingha said that Renew 312 is planning to do another clean-up during the summer, but they haven’t settled on the exact date. “There hasn’t been a lot of trust between Austin and Oak Park, and there hasn’t been a lot of listening to what Austin residents want,” said Kowack-Dengel, adding that the Saturday cleanup hopefully helps remedy that problem. Dearra Williams, of Austin, said the cleanup was particularly important to her. “I was born here in Austin, I was raised here, I live here now, and it’s very important to me to give back to my community,” Williams said. “Austin is often neglected. You can see it in the amount of trash.” Janelle Martin, who lives on the North Side but works for Austin Coming Together, a coalition of Austin stakeholders that collectively work on various quality of life initiatives, said she participated because she wants to See RENEW 312 on page 6
A Mother’s Day Extravaganza
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Volunteers hand out gifts to community members on Saturday, May 8, 2021, during a Mother’s Day Extravaganza on Chicago Avenue in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.
Could planned West Side roller rink help cut crime?
Ald. Ervin, community leaders say planned roller rink and plaza at Madison and Pulaski could reclaim area from crime, critics say otherwise By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago
A city plan to bring an outdoor roller rink and community plaza to a vacant
West Side lot this summer has the lofty goal of reclaiming the area from violent crime. The proposed Community Plaza on Madison is part of the mayor’s Neighbor-
hood Activation pilot program to invest in neighborhoods experiencing high levels of violence as a way of improving safety. See RINK on page 5
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Austin Weekly News, May 12, 2021
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Austin Weekly News, May 12, 2021
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Equity Editor/Ombudsman/Editor Michael Romain Senior Editor Bob Uphues PROVIDED
Visualizations for the mural set to go up at Harrison and Homan.
This LED mural will light up West Side intersection
The mural was developed to make the area around Homan and Harrison more pedestrian-friendly By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago
An illuminated mural planned near a busy West Side train station could make a tricky intersection more pedestrian-friendly. Students at SAIC Design Homan Square are designing the public art piece to be installed at Homan Avenue and Harrison Street, near the Kedzie-Homan Blue Line station. The project will include upgraded signs to make the flow of car traffic more efficient and reduce congestion. The LED mural is inspired by Electric Street in Philadelphia, a public art project created along a secluded street that saw much illicit activity before the project was installed. The West Side mural and other fixes to make the intersection safer and easier to navigate will be developed in June, said Eric Hotchkiss, who teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Homan Square campus. The mural builds upon efforts led by the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council’s transportation committee to make the Homan Square neighborhood more walkable, especially around transit stations. The group’s members have worked with Department of Transportation Commissioner Gia Biagi for feedback on implementing their ideas. “The idea behind this project isn’t just beautification,” Hotchkiss said. “It’s connectivity and comfortability.” The goal is to help people feel more comfortable walking to the Blue Line station on the east side of the road. The east side of the route along Homan Avenue has a crosswalk, but many people choose to take a roundabout way
to get to the CTA station “because of serious issues around wellbeing and safety. It made them uncomfortable,” student designer Nandini Kothari said. Students designed the mural in collaboration with Lawndale residents at a series of community workshops, helping to identify the biggest challenges with navigating the area. “This was an attempt to create a list of wants and needs to help the residents of North Lawndale create a more preferred environment,” said Liliann Odisho, a student in the design class. The main issues deterring people from walking in the area were a lack of appropriate lighting, safety issues, unsafe crosswalks and lack of beautification and landscaping, Odisho said. The design workshops were also an opportunity to get residents’ input on the images, themes and colors that could be included in the mural. Neighbor participation will allow the mural to represent the history and culture of Lawndale so people can relate to the art and feel empowered by it, said design student Elishia Li. “This process was so important to establishing community ownership over neighborhood spaces,” Li said. Some of the well-liked themes: Afrofuturism, female strength, unity, the historical roots of North Lawndale and the mom-andpop shops that once dotted the neighborhood. The most popular design guiding the final project depicts the Black Power fist over a backdrop that incorporates line patterns that “hint at the theme of connectedness with the CTA train lines,” design student Camille Billie said. The mural can incorporate LED neon lights to light up the dark corridor for people walking to and from the train station. “These LED lights are meant as a way to deteriorate crime and increase public safety at the intersection,” Li said. The class is creating the signs to be installed at the intersection to help drivers and pedestrians better navigate the intersection, reduce
congestion and improve pedestrian safety. One strategy will be to redirect traffic more efficiently though the Citgo gas station at the intersection. The entrance and exit often disrupts traffic and creates safety issues for pedestrians. The mural project also will create a community bulletin board for residents to share information about programs, resources, events and jobs in the area. The North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council’s transportation committee worked with SAIC Homan Square in 2020 to conduct a walkability assessment called WalkH to make key intersections in Lawndale safer. The study evaluated 22 intersections within a half mile of the Kedzie-Homan station, collecting data on the condition of streets, sidewalks, bump-outs, crosswalks, road signs and traffic lights. With the help of neighborhood youth, the Walk-H team also surveyed more than 130 CTA users and pedestrians on barriers to walkability in the neighborhood. The report found poor pedestrian infrastructure, such as ineffective crosswalks and poor lighting, made the area difficult and unsafe to navigate on foot. The Homan and Harrison intersection lacked a painted crosswalk and had a poorly marked bump-out that cars frequently cut across while turning, according to the study. The study also found the design of the streetscape discouraged many people from walking. Trends from the survey showed residents felt unfamiliar with the walking routes in the area, and that lack of a visual identity and curb appeal made the neighborhood less pedestrian-friendly. “We think about walkability in terms of physically, but also emotionally. It changes the way you think about an intersection if you’re always stressed about walking past the intersection,” Hotchkiss said. Pascal Sabino is a Report for America corps member covering Austin, North Lawndale and Garfield Park for Block Club Chicago.
CONTACT: pascal@blockclubchi.org
Contributing Reporter Igor Studenkov Reporting Partners Block Club, Austin Talks Columnist Arlene Jones Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Digital Strategist James Kay Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Javier Govea, Mark Moroney Sales & Marketing Representavies Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner ≈ Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich ≈ GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA Board of Directors Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson , Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer ≈ HOW TO REACH US 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 773-626-6332 FAX 708-467-9066 CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.com ONLINE www.AustinWeeklyNews.com TWITTER @AustinWeeklyChi Austin Weekly News is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. It is distributed free of charge at locations across Austin and Garfield Park. Our hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Advertising rates are available by calling our office. Printed entirely on recycled paper. © 2021 Growing Community Media NFP.
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Austin Weekly News, May 12, 2021
Mother’s Day Extravaganza PHOTOS BY ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Keith Duckworth hands out toys on Saturday, May 8, 2021, during a Mother’s Day Extravaganza on Chicago Avenue in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.
Attendees look through different outdoor plants and trees on Saturday, May 8, during a Mother’s Day Extravaganza.
Earline Vell, left, and Mariel Harris, both from the Austin neighborhood, help hand out items to attendees on Saturday, May 8. Al Scott cooks up burgers, chicken and hot dogs for attendees during a Mother’s Day Extravaganza.
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Austin Weekly News, May 12, 2021
RINK
Revitalization coming from page 1 The roller rink, plaza and recreational facility would be built on a vacant lot at Madison Street and Pulaski Road in the main commercial corridor of West Garfield Park. But some worry the plaza, slated to open in July at 4008 W. Madison St., would attract young people to a high-crime area, putting children who come to skate in harm’s way. The idea for the roller rink grew from a series of design meetings and town halls hosted by the Garfield Park Wellness Collaborative. Residents discussed ways to improve economic development and the urban environment and reduce crime. The group partnered with the Mayor’s Office, Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) and city agencies to bring the idea to life. The Community Plaza on Madison aims to honor the history of the corridor as the booming downtown of Garfield Park. The initiative is an effort to “reclaim that space, taking it not only to its former glory but beyond,” said TJ Crawford, director of the Garfield Park Wellness Collaborative. “It’s going to be a place that the community will co-program with the Park District to fill the need for safe spaces for families and children,” Crawford said. In addition to the roller rink, the plaza will host activities and programs for young people, like chess, pickleball, dance, fitness classes and volleyball, organizers said. The plaza will also host events like farmers markets, movie nights, art workshops and open mics to “give young people the opportunity to express themselves,” Ervin said. But the stretch of Madison Street around the Pulaski Road intersection experiences a lot of crime, including open-air
COLIN BOYLE/Block Club Chicago
The vacant lot at 4008 W. Madison St., the site of a roller rink development in the West Garfield Park neighborhood on April 29, 2021. drug markets that police have been unable to address, said Siri Hibbler, president of the Garfield Park Chamber of Commerce. The roller rink shouldn’t go in an area troubled with violence, Hibbler said, especially since it is an outdoor facility. It should instead be built on a quieter spot along the business district, she said. “It’s a very serious hot spot,” Hibbler said. ‘”How is putting our kids right in the middle of the shootings, right in the middle of the drug dealing, going to improve public safety?” Hibbler launched a petition to stop the creation of the roller rink. Children already frequent the area since it is the main shopping district for the neighborhood, Ervin said. There is
a youth sports facility less than a block north of the site of the proposed roller rink. Every element of the plaza will be designed with public safety in mind, Crawford said. Organizations rooted in antiviolence, like the MAAFA Redemption Project and the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago, will help design a community safety plan to ensure the plaza can be a safe place for people in the area, he said. The project also tackles the historical disinvestment that is at the root of the violence on the West Side, Crawford said. “We know the type of investment that is needed. We know the presence that is needed. We know the community involvement and leadership that is required for us to help the community evolve and turn around and recover,” Crawford said. The roller rink and plaza would activate the area, bring more foot traffic and increase the presence of city workers and police, Ervin said. The increased engagement from residents, businesses, neighborhood groups and the city will help push crime out of the corridor, the alderman said. “We’re going to have more people there … as well as the Park District programming, as well as security and Police Department,” Ervin said. “This is the type of activity we want in that area.” The added presence will also help businesses and boost the local economy, Ervin said. “You go to other business districts, they have places for people to actually sit down outside. We don’t have that,” Ervin said. “This has been one of those things that people have asked for, and it’s in a location where there’s a lot of foot traffic. It will also be a help for businesses because it’s bringing families there who might want to stop and buy a T-shirt.” 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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Austin Weekly News, May 12, 2021
PHOTOS BY SHANEL ROMAIN/Contributor
NEVER TOO YOUNG: Cecilia McManus, 8, an Oak Park student, picks up trash in Austin Park on May 8.
FOUNDERS: Co-presidents of OPAU Danielle Dengel and Shawn Netisingha in Austin Park on May 8.
PITCHING IN: Janelle Martin, 24, of Chicago and Dearra Williams, 25, of Austin, join the clean-up the Austin area on May 8.
RENEW 312
a logical place where Oak Park and Austin residents could come together. “I am all about destroying any kind of barriers between Oak Park and Chicago,” Derks said. “So long as the community is OK with us cleaning up, I’m all for it. You never want to go into a community when you’re going to feel like you’re going to be unwelcome, and that’s why community engagement is essential.” Throughout the clean-up, several Madison Street business owners said they appreciated what the volunteers were doing and urged them to come back again. Netisingha and Kowack-Dengel said they spoke with several business owners about potentially collaborating on events, as well as promoting those businesses to Oak Park residents. Kowack-Dengel mentioned that she planned to come back later to do some shopping. “It comes back to building relationships,” Netisingha said.
Bridging divides from page 1 learn more about the community where she works. Aaro McManus, of Oak Park, said since Austin residents spend so much money in Oak Park, residents of the suburb should give back to their neighbors to the east. “We sort of treat Austin like a weaponized military zone, instead of like neighbors,” he said. Laura Derks, who lives in Oak Park, said she felt like Austin was practically in her backyard. She said that the community deserves more attention and appreciation, pointing to its long history and the many “community assets,” such as its schools and parks. She pointed to Columbus Park, 500 S. Central Ave. ini Austin as a “crown jewel” and
CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com
Austin Weekly News, May 12, 2021
P
‘The Crown’ is a fascinating series
rior to the interview with Oprah, the British monarchy had never really interested me. I do remember watching the marriage of Prince Charles to Diana, and I even watched bits of Prince Harry’s marriage to Meghan Markle. But I’ve never been a royal follower. However one thing in the Oprah interview did fascinate me. That was Meghan’s proclamation that she had never looked up anything about Prince Harry or his family. I found that to be totally unbelievable and, even more, irresponsible. As an already divorced woman, Meghan is well aware of the mistakes one can make in choosing a spouse. So my curiosity was piqued when Oprah briefly mentioned the Netflix series: The Crown. I started watching it out of curiosity, and have continued watching it out of fascination. Since I’m not a Royal follower, the accuracy and depictions as presented in the program may include some artistic license. I am well aware of that. But for the most part, the program appears to be accurate retellings of what goes on in the monarchy. I never once gave a thought to the kind of education that Queen Elizabeth got in order to become queen until the program dwelt on it. A formal worldwide education was not bestowed upon her. However, she was indoctrinated with knowledge of the British Constitution. But beyond that, her formal education was limited. One hears the term “King” or “Queen” and, for the most part, automatically assigns them characteristics that they may not possess. They may not be
wise. They may not have good judgment. But the title makes us want them to have these characteristics. Watching the program I have since learned that those in the monarchy cannot vote. They should not take sides on any political issues or express opinions thereof. And the queen doesn’t have a passport. Even when she visited the television set of Game of Thrones, she could not sit on the mythical throne chair because that would be a violation of her role as sovereign. The more I have gotten into the show, the more vividly I can see the realistic depiction of the term “old guard” as the show accurately portrays those who want to hold onto the status quo. The more I watch the show, the more I wonder how Meghan Markle could have jumped into that family situation without knowing the history. The royal family is a complicated business with rules and regulations that individuals are required to adhere to. There’s even a royal marriage law about whom the family could marry, because the queen is the head of the Church of England. If Prince Edward renounced the crown because he wanted to marry a divorcee, Wallis Simpson, a divorced Megan Markle should have done better homework. If nothing else, the death of Princess Diana and the controversy surrounding it, should have been all the warning Meghan needed. Royal life is not a happily-ever-after event. The reality is that the monarchy is not the fantasy that most of us would believe it to be.
ARLENE JONES
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Austin Weekly News, May 12, 2021
Takeout 25 expands to Austin West Side restaurants signing on to Facebook page By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats
After several weeks of discussion, Malcom Crawford, executive director of the Austin African American Business Networking Association and Ravi Parakkat, Take Out 25 organizer and an Oak Park village trustee, announced the Austin community is officially joining the Takeout 25 family — the online community made up of thousands of food-lovers dedicated to supporting local restaurants. “This is the right direction to take Takeout 25,” said Parakkat. “We’ve had the idea for some time, and it was just a matter of finding the right connections to make it happen.” Austin residents spend a high percentage of their disposable incomes in the Oak Park area and Austin restaurants are already popular within the Takeout 25 group. The official partnership will create the opportunity for 100,000 residents and 50 Austin restaurants, including Two Sisters Catering and Restaurant, Chubby’s Char House, and Chef Daddy’s to join the throng of avid restaurant supporters. Crawford is committed to promoting the collaboration through business networking meetings. Austin residents and restaurant owners are encouraged to join the Takeout 25 Oak Park Facebook page to promote their favorite restaurants in Austin, Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park.
Wellness Corner
Five tips to help you stay focused on your 2021 health and fitness goals By FORTY ACRES FRESH MARKET We are still fresh into 2021, with months left to make it a successful year! Each January 1st, many of us set resolutions for things we’d like to accomplish throughout the year for ourselves, family/friends, and/or in our communities. The most common New Year’s goals are related to personal health and fitness. If you are starting to lose steam on your fitness journey or want to adopt new habits to promote better health, here are some tips and resources to help you conquer your 2021 health and fitness goals:
Get rid of distractions Focus on the task at hand! Whether it’s eating, writing, exercising, or working, concentrate on what you have to accomplish. Be intentional about what you are consuming in all forms and how it affects your mood and overall health. Committing to this way of life may mean less screen time daily, but imagine how much more you could achieve.
w e n e h t t a s u Join
Competition and motivation Find a motivated partner or group who are on a similar journey as you. There is nothing wrong with friendly competition because it pushes you and your partner(s) to higher heights. Trying new recipes and sharing ideas for a healthy lifestyle can only add to the fun, so push yourself to be more social on this journey (in a responsible way that protects you and other parties).
Useful Apps* Try to dedicate more of the time you spend on devices to apps that help your overall health and well-being. Apps like Myfitnesspal for meal tracking, Headspace for mindfulness and meditation, Fitplan for fitness training sessions, and many more can all be valuable resources.
Find your peace Simple actions like drinking tea while watching the sunrise, quiet walks after lunch, and listening to your favorite playlist at the park can aid in making your journey more joyous. Ask yourself, what am I able to do today to remain in
a peaceful and happy mood? Once you have the answer, reasonably incorporate that action into your routine.
Make a meal game plan Shopping for groceries may pose a challenge in one’s busy schedule. So, utilizing quick and easy methods of getting healthy food is ideal for any shopper. Forty Acres Fresh Market provides you with that service! Forty Acres allows you to order fresh produce boxes online and have them delivered directly to your door. The process is simple and inexpensive, with produce boxes starting at $5! Shopping with Forty Acres offers convenience, but most importantly, quality fresh produce that will aid in a flavorful meal plan. Visit fortyacresfreshmarket.com for produce box delivery service and subscriptions, to sign up for weekly newsletters, and more. Follow @ fortyacresfreshmarket on Facebook and Instagram for healthy recipes and helpful tips.
CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com
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Austin Weekly News, May 12, 2021
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HELP WANTED tions; some heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds; walking or standing for sustained periods of time. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled
We are hiring Relationship Bankers in Oak Park, IL.
Visit the link below to check out this opportunity to join a great team! https://wintrust.taleo.net/careersection/2/ jobdetail.ftl?job=2100424&lang=en You can also learn about other career opportunities nearby.
HELP WANTED
PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER River Forest Public Schools District 90 is seeking a Part-time (FTE 0.77) Elementary School Physical Education Teacher. Qualifications: Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with Grade-Appropriate Physical Education Endorsement; successful teaching experience in physical education preferred; master’s Degree is preferred. Job Duties: The part-time PE Teacher will work in partnership with the fulltime PE teacher to instruct students in Pre-K through 4th grade on how to develop habits of mind and actions that support good health, fitness and enjoyment of sport and play. The PE teacher will facilitate a learning environment that engages students in learning skills for sport and fitness, as well as SEL skills by growing confidence, sportsmanship and team spirit. Application Procedure: Interested candidates should complete the online application available at district90.org. Please do not send hard copies of supporting documentation, i.e.cover letters, resumes, licensure, etc. to River Forest Schools District 90; instead, upload these materials onto the online job application system for proper processing. Bitron Marketing USA Inc. – Mechanical Project Engineer Perform mechanical engineering design, testing, analysis, and prototyping of automotive components. Bachelor Degree in Mech. Eng. or similar reqd. (foreign edu. equiv. acceptable). Also reqd. is 12 months of exp. as a Mech. Design Eng. or Project Eng. Edu. or exp. must include demonstrated ability (may have been gained concurrently and may have been gained within any type of occupation) in utilizing the following software/programs: AutoCAD; Unigraphics NX; Teamcenter; and CATIA. Location of employment at 1101 Lake Street, Ste. 202A, Oak Park, IL 60301. Limited domestic and international travel is reqd. to client sites in the U.S., Mexico, and Italy. Please send resume to: Bitron Marketing USA Inc., Attn: Carlo Bernocco, GM, 3250 W. Big Beaver Rd, Ste. 505, Troy, MI 48084. SENIOR POLICE RECORDS CLERK The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Senior Police Records Clerk in the Police Department. this employee is responsible for distributing assignments, checking the work of others to ensure compliance with rules, policies, codes or other requirements, and referring matters that require supervisory intervention to the Police Records Supervisor. This employee also performs the full domain of clerical duties in the support of the Police Department including processing and maintaining documents, correspondence
and coding reports; and to provide information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Application deadline May 14, 2021. SEASONAL FARMERS’ MARKET ASSISTANT The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmers’ Market Assistant in the Development Customer Services Department. This position will provide administrative support to the Farmers’ Market Manager to allow growers and producers of food to sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This position requires work in inclement weather condi-
SUBURBAN RENTALS
SECRETARY/ASSISTANT Part-time, very flexible small law office in Oak Park. Ability to navigate a desktop essential Email resume to: bob@downslaw.com
ALL POSITIONS AVAILABLE Bartenders Bussers Line Cooks Servers Apply in person after 3pm. KALAMATA Greek Cuisine 105 N Marion Street 708-628-3661 DRIVER NEEDED NOW HIRING DRIVERS!!!! Lucas Medi Car has an opening for a full time wheelchair van driver. To be considered must have: • a current Illinois driver license • be friendly and courtoues • have a good driving recoed • must be 18 years or older in age • pass a criminal background check To schedule an interview CALL (708) 442-7533, MONDAY THRU SUNDAY (10AM TO 4PM) HOMECARE AIDES Sahara Homecare is hiring Homecare Aides for our Melrose Park location. We are looking for compassionate caregivers to assist elderly clients with everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and other errands. Pay starts at $14.00 per hour and flexible hours are available. Please call our Melrose Park office at (708) 344-2273 if interested or email Nicole Gray at nicoleg@saharahomecare. com and Greyder Martinez at greyderm@saharahomecare.com.
SUBURBAN RENTALS
Apartment listings updated daily at:
SUBURBAN RENTALS OAK PARK: ROOSEVELT/ OAK PARK AVE. CORRIDOR 2BR 4RMS close to blue line. On site laundry, parking, heat & water incl. $1200/ month 708-383-9223
OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT OFFICE SPACE, PROFESSIONAL SHARED Comfortable furnished. AVAILABLE MAY 1: subletting blocks of time, minimum four hours per week at super reasonable hourly rate. Psychotherapy starter or retiring? Working at home yet need professional setting? It’s a perfect space on border of Oak Park - River Forest in clean building, free street parking, ACCESSIBLE, steps from bus and train. DON’T delay! INQUIRIES: Please phone/text 708-387-9000 MUST include name & profession for response. 1040 NORTH BLVD OFFICE Sub-lease, Move right in. Private furnished window office 10×15 @1040 North Boulevard, walk to CTA green line and Metra train. Asking $600m + 1m SD. Includes all utilities and internet. Note: this is a 2nd-story walkup space. Conference rm, available. Call Michael @ 708 383-7900
FOREST PARK HIGHLY VISIBLE OFFICE/STORE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE 1350 SF w/ AC & HIGHLY VISIBLE MADISON STREET EXPOSURE. 7607 Madison Street. Village parking lot next door. Bright, clean office. Great Madison Street exposure! Call Francis 708-383-8574
ROOMS FOR RENT Large Sunny Room with fridge, microwave. Near Green line, bus, Oak Park, 24 hour desk, parking lot. $125.00. New Mgmt. 312-212-1212
ITEMS FOR SALE ANTIQUE HALL TREE Antique American Hall Tree, solid oak. Excellent condition. 29”w x 78”h x 11”d, with covered shelf and mirror. $159.00. 708-488-8755 BLONDE CHEST OF DRAWERS 5 drawers. Blonde wood. Very old. Excellent condition. $89.00 708-488-8755
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BLONDE DRESSER WITH MIRROR 4 drawers. Blonde wood. Very old. Excellent condition. $89.00 708-488-8755 BRASS HEADBOARD Solid brass headboard. Originally from Marshall Field’s. $189.00. 708-488-8755
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Phone: 708-556-5540
HANDYMAN
HANDYMAN Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates
773-637-0692 Ask for John
HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING
HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience
FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.
708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000
Starting a New Business?
Email: adinstubc@yahoo.com Always ready for Reasonable Pricing! emergency repairs
ITEMS FOR SALE ELECTRIC HEDGE TRIMMER $50.00 708-488-8755 LADDERS 24 FT EXTENSION LADDER $30 708-488-8755
WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead or plastic – other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400
APPLIANCE REPAIR
Supreme1 SUPREME ONE APPLIANCE
All major appliances•refrigerators•dryers washers•dishwashers•disposers•ovens
Julio Gonzalez 773-366-6520
supremeoneappliance@gmail.com
Attention! Home improvement pros! Advertise your business in Austin Classified. Call 773/626-6332
Call the experts before you place your legal ad! Publish your assumed name legal notice here. Call 708/613-3342
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Austin Weekly News, May 12, 2021
CLASSIFIEDS (773) 626-6332 | FAX: (708) 467-9066 | E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@AUSTINWEEKLYNEWS.COM LANDSCAPING
Let the sun shine in...
BRUCE LAWN SERVICE Spring Clean-Up Aerating, Slit Seeding Bush Trimming, Lawn Maintenance brucelawns.com
708-243-0571
FAST DELIVERY
Mulch & Topsoil
Premium Shredded Hardwood ���������������$25/yd Dyed Red ������������������$30/yd Dyed Brown ��������������$30/yd Playmat��������������������$28/yd Premium Blend Dark �$34/yd Premium Bark Fines��$42/yd Blonde Cedar ������������$48/yd • Spreading Available! • Topsoil, Garden Mix, Mushroom, Super Mix, Compost, Gravel, Sand
SureGreenLandscape�com
847-888-9999 847-888-9999 •• 630-876-0111 630-876-0111
PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING
Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost
708.749.0011
PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.
Small & big work. Free estimates. Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services
708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed
Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years
Public Notice: Your right to know
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
PUBLIC NOTICE
All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject
PUBLIC NOTICE Chicago Transit Authority Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Proposed ThreeYear Overall Goal & Methodology For Federal Fiscal Years 2022-2024
to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination
This announcement will serve as notice of the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) proposed Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) overall goal of 26% for United States Department of Transportation (USDOT)–assisted contracts for a three-year period for Federal Fiscal Years (FFYs) 2022-2024.
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
The overall goal is expressed as a percentage of federal funds CTA projects to expend each year during FFYs 2022-2024. The annual goal methodology used is in accordance with USDOT regulations entitled “Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Department of Transportation Financial Assistance Programs,” 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 26. The annual goal is established to achieve a “level playing field” for DBEs to participate in CTA’s federally–assisted contracting opportunities.
• In print • Online • Available 24 /7/365 AustinWeekly News.com PublicNoticeIllinois.com
Illinois Classified Advertising Network WANTED
FREON WANTED: We pay $$$ for cylinders and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. Certified Professionals. Call 312-291-9169 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com
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
CTA’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) overall DBE goal and methodology report for FFYs 2022-2024 will be made available on the CTA’s website (transitchicago.com/dbe) for 30 days from May 3, 2021 – June 2, 2021. The public may review and provide comments on the overall DBE goal for 30 days. Public comments will be accepted at the email address listed below starting on May 3, 2021 and ending on June 2, 2021.
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:
Chicago Transit Authority Diversity Department Attn: DBE Liaison Officer Diversty@transitchicago.com
1-800-669-9777.
Published in Austin Weekly News May 12, 2021
Austin Weekly News
Hire Local.
Place an ad on AWN’s Local Online Job Board. Go to AustinWeeklyNews.com/classified today!
Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information. (773) 626-6332 • maryellen@austinweeklynews.com
Graduation is almost here! Be part of something fun, something positive and celebrate! Being a student during COVID-19 has been especially challenging. During the first two weeks of June, Growing Community Media will publish graduation coverage across all of our four newspapers.
Give the Grads in your life a much deserved shout out! Place a personalized ad honoring your graduating high school, middle school or elementary student. The suggested cost is $60 per ad, but no ad will be turned away for inability to pay. If you would like to make an additional donation to defray the cost of another student’s ad, you can do that too!
Ads will run on June 2 and June 9. To place an ad visit: AustinWeeklyNews.com |
ForestParkReview.com | OakPark.com | RiverForest.com | RBLandmark.com
Austin Weekly News, May 12, 2021
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Perfect Weather graced the 38th Hunger Walkathon West CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday May 2nd. The Planning Team wishes to thank and bless the Team Captains and Participants who raised money for this annual event and the businesses and individual donors who supported them. Due to COVID concerns and to keep gathering numbers low, we did not hold a centralized walk but each team captain arranged an event for their team. Photos from various teams are included here. Recipients of the money raised in 2021 include hungry and hurting people served by international relief and development programs of Church World Service and the following ten local agencies: Beyond Hunger, Cluster Tutoring Program, First Baptist Church of Melrose Park Food Pantry, Forest Park Food Pantry, Housing Forward, Pine Avenue Food Pantry, Proviso Food Pantry, Quinn Center of Saint Eulalia Hunger Ministries, St. Martin de Porres Food Pantry and Vision of Restoration Food Pantry. These agencies provide services in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago, Oak Park, Forest Park, Maywood and Melrose Park. We are pleased to report that the amount raised to date is over $86,000. The 2020 Walk raised $100,000. The need continues and donations of any size are still welcome.
It’s not too late to donate! Just visit our website: hwwcrop.org and press the “DONATE NOW” button THANKS TO:
SILVER LEVEL:
The following Businesses that provided financial and/or in-kind support:
CLO Marketing, Inc. Bernie’s Saw and Supply, Inc. Chosen Ones Learning Center
GOLD LEVEL:
BRONZE LEVEL:
Farmington Foods / Big Shoulders Smoke House M & M Property Management REM, Inc. / Ideal Facilities Services Wednesday Journal, Inc.
Team Captains and Walk Planning Team* Members Delrice Adams Lauren Brightmore Marty Colchamiro* Bill Cragg Joanne Despotes* Ted Despotes* Meghan Dowdle Mary Lou Dwyer* Karen Dylewski Susan Fleming Brent Friesen Harriet Hawkins* Jerry Hills Rev. Tom Holmes* Frank Hughes Erik Johnson Laura Kliewer Ted Lietz Marcus Love Linda Martens Charlaine McAnany Maxine McGhee Michael McKee* Margie McKenzie Nick Menninga* Martha Minnich
Downtown Oak Park Excel Environmental, Inc. Forest Agency Insurance Forest Park National Bank & Trust Co.
Mohr Oil Co. Storino, Ramello & Durkin Superior Ambulance Service, Inc.
ALL OTHER BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS:
JCS Construction Louie’s Grill McADAM Landscaping Todd & Holland Tea Merchants Yum Thai Pinyo, Inc.
Christopher B Burke Engineering, Ltd. Classic Cinemas, Lake Theater David King & Associates, Inc. Elite Tire and Auto
Cynthia Mobley Karen Murphy Rev. Kathy Nolte John O’Rourke* Amy Stearns Leon Williams Douglas Wyman* Liz Young Craig Zeller
Participating Teams (in addition to recipients): Ascension Church OP Euclid Ave United Methodist OP Fair Oaks Presbyterian OP First Baptist Church OP First United Church of Christ FP First United Church of Oak Park First United Oak Park Youth First United Methodist OP Good Shepherd Lutheran OP Pilgrim Congregational OP Social Media St. Catherine-St. Lucy OP St. Christopher Episcopal OP St. Paul Thai Lutheran FP Unity Church of Oak Park
The CROP Team wishes to acknowledge and thank
Wednesday Journal, Inc.
for their many years of outstanding generosity and continual community support!
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Austin Weekly News, May 12, 2021
. . . O T K C A B ET
G S ’ T LE
k r a P m u i n n X A e l V l D i M ACCINE AT CHI.GOV/COVI
V R U O FIND Y