AustinWeeklyNews_060425 by Wednesday Journal

Help build something this summer

Territor y needs volunteers for its summer woodshop program

By LEAH SCHROEDER Contributing Reporter

Territory, a youth-based design studio, didn’t have to look far to find the property they needed for their summer woodshop program.

The Austin-based organization, where people build better futures for themselves and their communities, was in search of a woodshop conveniently located to their studio when they realized there was a functioning woodshop just down the street.

Though the woodshop had been shuttered since 2018, after Territory revitalized the location in La Follette Park, it became the new home of their summer woodwork design program.

“That particular space already exists in our community, but it wasn’t functional or active, and it just needed a little bit more care, a little bit more love to be up and running,” said Ashanti Leach, Territory’s community impact specialist, of the facility at 1333 N. Laramie Ave.

The location will be used as a woodworking studio that Territory youth can use to bring their creative designs to life. The teens come up with their own project designs and see the building process through to the end.

According to Nicole Castro, Territory’s lead facilitator, teens have expressed that this respon-

on his impact on Austin

Halfway

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

May marked the halfway point of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s four-year term. In honor of the milestone, Johnson, an Austin resident, sat down with

Austin Weekly News to outline what he’s accomplished so far in his neighborhood and the strides he still hopes to make – all while his local community shapes his citywide administration.

“The influence that Austin has had on my leadership has been centered

around family and community as a whole. I’m going to show up for all of Chicago because that is the spirit of Austin. The strength of our neighborhood is quantified in the pride of our

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson interview at Urban Essential Café on May 23.

TODD BANNOR

Running ho pride on full di Chicago 13.1

The 13.1-mile race returned Sunday, guiding thousands through West Side parks in a community celebration

By HECTOR CERVANTES Contributing Reporter

Runners from 49 states and 35 filled the streets of Chicago’s W Sunday for the Bank of America 13.1 half marathon.

Participants had a total of three hours and 15 minutes to complete the 13.1-mile requiring them to maintain a pace of 15 minutes per mile to finish within the time limit.

This year, Zouhair Talbi claimed victor in both the men’s division and the race with a time of 1:01:08, while Meseret Belete Tola won the women’s division, finishing in 1:09:36. Both runners surpassed last year’s winning times—Peter Njeru’s 1:01:46 and Joyline Chemutai’s 1:11:45.

pleted 19 half marathons, including races in other cities and many different events throughout Chicago.

dog Bongo the Third were both cheering on Victor who was running.

oona mentions that this half-marathon sweet, as events like this in preominantly BIPOC communities often leave esponsibility of cleanup to the community members themselves, since the city oesn’t do a good job maintaining the area afterward.

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Contributing Editor Donna Greene

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Fellow Vanessa Lopez

Austin resident Kyra Marcano, executive director of Chicago Run participated in this year’s half-marathon.

Chicago Run provides inclusive, traumainfor med running and physical activity programs for youth across Chicago, supporting their physical, mental and social-emotional development.

Marcano participated in Team Chicago Run’s charity program for five Chicago marathons and multiple half marathons and the Chicago 13.1 marked her second time running the race after a two-year break.

Additionally, Marcano and her team volunteered on Saturday at Bank of America Chicago’s 13.1 as they hosted a variety of West Side wellness events, including a family-friendly 1.31-mile walk, youth running races, and a community vendor village showcasing local businesses and organizations

“Growing up in Humboldt Pa rk and being able to run past my childhood home, to be in community, and to see beautiful parts of the city — like the boulevards that typically don’t get showcased in events like these, I was just really grateful to be on the course today,” Marcano said.

Grateful to be part of the organizing, Marcano noted a clear difference between the first race and this year’s event. She appreciated the intentional planning, especially the emphasis on community input and representation throughout.

“The festival was engaging. There were local businesses highlighted alongside event sponsors like Nike, and I think it’s just a really great opportunity. I hope it continues to maintain this local-but-global feel, and that the community continues to have more access and involvement,” Marcano said.

Marcano emphasized Chicago Run’s focus on building strong partnerships with schools and community organizations, particularly in the Austin community, Garfield Park, and Lawndale.

“If there are any school-based personnel or community-based organizations interested in engaging young people, they should definitely reach out to our team,” Marcano said.

Besides participating in the race itself, many community members were also out along the route, cheering on runners and creating a lively, supportive atmosphere.

Gela Soona and Erza Carranza and their

we have to be stewards of our wn spaces, but it’s also really nice to see a presentation — a lot of BIPOC folks participating in spaces that are predominantly white,” Soona said. anza is also running the Bank of Chicago Marathon in October lthough they do not belong to a running anza is participating in this race undraising for the Little Village vironmental Justice Organization. nspirational to see so many runners out here — lots of movement and different aspects, not just necessarily focused wn performance. It’s really nice and motivating to witness that. Running definitely isn’t easy; it’s one of those sports that people often use as punishment in other sports,” Carranza said.

This race even drew runners who no longer live in Chicago, like Charles Robinson who currently resides in Houston—one of the original Peace Runners 773 highlighting just how deep the group’s roots and impact truly run.

Peace Runners 773 is a community-based running group founded in June 2020 to create a safe, inclusive space for fitness in Chicago’s Garfield Park neighborhood. It was founded by Jackie Hof fman.

“I was one of the original Peace Runners. There were probably about three to five of us back then. To see where we began and where Jackie, his mom and the team have taken it now is incredible,” Robinson said.

Near the finish line, Robinson paused to cheer on his teammate Siok, who was approaching the finish line. Robinson calls Siok ‘the funniest man in Chicago.’

“It felt good to cheer him on because I’ve seen where a lot of the Peace Runners started and how far they’ve come. Many of them began by just walking or running a few days a week, and now they’re completing half marathons, full marathons — even major marathons,” Robinson said.

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‘Heart of the school,’ Leamy wins Big Shoulders Award

St. Catherine-St. Lucy School principal grows enrollment with welcoming ways

By HOPE BAKER Contributing Reporter

Ever since taking on her role as principal seven years ago, Sharon Leamy has been a transformative leader at St. Catherine-St Lucy School at the intersection of Austin and Oak Park.

During her time as principal of the Catholic elementary school, Leamy has driven growth in enrollment, strengthened academics, and secured essential funding to enhance the school’s programs and facilities. On May 6, the Big Shoulders Fund honored Leamy’s dedicated service and achievements by presenting her with the Gretchen A. Ludwig Outstanding Principal Award. Each year, the Big Shoulders Fund presents the $2,500 award to an exceptional school leader who embodies excellence, inte g rity and commitment to providing children with a path to success

“It was very unexpected and a really nice surprise,” said Leamy. “Big Shoulders supports schools like ours — schools that serve an under-resourced population —and we would never be able to make it without their help and support.”

Located at the intersection of Washington and Austin boulevards, St. CatherineSt. Lucy School serves students from 10 zip codes, with 85% of its 227 students coming from the Austin neighborhood By this fall, the school will also be the rare Catholic school operating without a partnering church parish. The Catholic Archdiocese announced this spring that the church will close before the end of June In 2020, the Big Shoulders Fund, a non-

profit that works to ensure under-resourced areas have access to quality, values-based ed ucation, took over about 30 Catholic schools including St. Catherine-St. Lucy

According to Rebecca Lindsay-Ryan, schools officer for the Big Shoulders Fund enrollment at St. Catherine-St. Lucy from 159 students in 2019 to 231 in 2024, making it the fastest-growing school in the Bi Shoulders Fund Plus network.

Lindsay-Ryan said Leamy is a fierce vocate for her school, working tirelessly to secure meaningful community partnerships that benefit her students and their families

“Sharon’s dedication to data-driven de cision-making, teacher development, and fostering a collaborative school culture is paying off, and it is evident in the ongoing success of her students,” Lindsay-Ryan said.

After working for many years in the ness sector, Leamy went back to school to get her teaching certificate. She began her teaching career at St. Catherine-St. Lu 2006 as a junior high teacher before ev ally transitioning into her current position as principal during the 2017-2018 school

“This is a beautiful place and I lo very much,” Leamy said. “It’s certainly not perfect. We have our share of challenges but it’s a really wonderful place.”

According to Leamy, students at St. Catherine-St. Lucy take the i-Ready test, an assessment that is used in the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic schools to monitor student progress.

“Our scores have gone up every year, which is a testament to our teachers,”

Leamy said. “I’ve been proud of our academic growth. Both the kids and the teach-

Catherine-St. Lucy School

ers have worked really hard.”

Even though her days are packed with tasks, Leamy treasures the time she spends greeting students each morning as they arrive at school.

“One of my favorite things is going out with some of the teachers every morning to welcome the kids,” she said. “It’s a great way to start the day.”

Leamy said that in addition to teachers and staf f, volunteers also play a crucial role at St. Catherine-St. Lucy.

“We have so many people from the community who volunteer here,” Leamy said. “We are so blessed to have all these people helping us help our kids.”

In October, St. Catherine-St. Lucy School announced the appointment of its first president, Staunton Peck. As president, Peck oversees the school’s business operations and community partnerships, with a special focus on fundraising initiatives. In his role, Peck works closely with the school

administration, the Big Shoulders Fund, the archdiocese and the local community

“I was brought on as president to handle all outward facing relationships, primarily donor relationships and volunteer relationships,” Peck said.

According to Peck, the school — which offers a range of scholarship opportunities and financial aid options — operates at a deficit

“For students, our cost to educate is about $6,000 more than the average family can pay,” he said. “Our most acute need is filling that gap.”

Peck said one of the reasons he joined the team at St. Catherine-St. Lucy is because he was drawn to Leamy’s vision and the sense of belonging that she cultivates for everyone at the school.

“She’s incredibly humble, which is part of what makes her a great teammate and a great leader,” Peck said. “She’s the heart of the school.”

TODD BANNOR

St.

Principal Sharon Leamy with her favorite students on May 29.

Galewood community’s latest focus is tree planting

Trees help the environment and people

By DEBORAH BAYLISS Contributing Reporter

With the help of some grant money, Galewood Neighbors is focusing some extra attention these days on tree planting, just one more way to promote a healthier environment in the West Side community.

“The benefits of trees are endless,” said Sarah Cunningham, vice chairperson of the Galewood Neighbors, a group of about 300 neighbors, businesses, board members and businesses that works for the betterment of the community.

“They [trees] hold rainwater, they lower heating and air conditioning costs, they mitite flood waters and increase your property value. So 130 trees have been planted,” she said.

The tree planting initiative has its roots (pun intended) two years ago when two Galewood board members applied for a grant through the Chicago Tree Ambassador Program through the Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Re gional Tree Initiative (CRTI).

“A big part of the grant is working to plant over 100 trees in your community,” Cunningham explained. “We also have to do events related to trees. We go door to door and talk to neighbors about planting parkway trees. The trees are free. If they ag ree, we have a special entry into Chicago’s 311 system to request the trees.”

An arborist was also hired to do tree walks, educating residents about trees.

Though Galewood is not as industrial as it once was, an active train line still runs through the neighborhood, Cunningham noted. North Avenue, she said, is a major east-west street along with Harlem Avenue being a major north-south street so any amount of trees will help miti gate exhaust pollutants.

The Galewood community on Chicago’s West Side is the most diverse part of Austin, with Harlem Avenue to the west, Austin Avenue to the east, the Milwaukee District West Rail line to the South and North Av-

enue to the north.

“With that’s happened d emo gr over the last few decades, Galewood is a ve community with 30 percent 30 percent Black and 30 percent Hispanic, and very proud of our diversity in our neighborhood,” said St Green, founding member and chai of Galewood Neighbor

The tree planting is just one example of the kinds of projects the Galewood has undertaken. One of the ects is its role along with other ensure the community ored in terms of what happens to the Mars Wrigley’s candy factory site built in 1929.

Mars announced in 2022 its intention to close the Galewood factory, 2019 N. Oak Park Ave., pledging to donate the Spanish Renaissance architecture style property to whichever developer or organization the community chose.

ich included community areas, green spaces, housing, businesses and a small business park

Though originally intended as a donation, it is now going to be a sale to McCafich will develop the site based on the plan the groups put together.

“The sale was supposed to take place at the end of last year, but delays have stalled it to likely the end of this year,” Green said. “What’s happened is the factory is so outdated and has been retrofitted a couple of different times. Mars is building a new factory in Pennsylvania and that factory has had some delays as far as being up and running and fully operational, so Mars is still making chocolate at the [Galewood] site.”

Another important component of the process was the community’s desire to maintain the facade of the old Mars factory as a historical landmark. Last October, the city designated the Mars office building as an official Chicago landmark, protecting significant features of the building along Oak Park Avenue.

Re zoning for the reuse also took some time but was approved in May.

“McCaffery is still working with the Department of Planning to go over the details of what was approved,” Green said.

“It’s a very unique situation where Mars wanted to donate the 20-acre parcel to the community,” Green told the Austin Weekly News. “Mars chose [Chicago-based] McCaffery Interests Inc., because they were the ones that were very well experienced in redeveloping historic buildings and also their proposal came closest to what the community wanted.”

Desires of the Galewood community were represented in a Local Initiatives Support Corp. report and local community groups, including Austin Coming Together, Galewood Neighbors and Northwest Center, as well as other community members. Participants advocates for a mixed-use site,

“We’ve met with McCaffery twice with Mars and because of the Department of Planning and Re and the fact that the plant is not fully closed, we’ve had a pause in meetings. I’m sure we’ll resume those meetings with McCaffery and Mars.”

McCaffery will likely make some tweaks to the plan based on what McCaffery needs to do to the site versus what the community plan laid out, Green said, adding that the group realizes that.

Still, the sale cannot move forward Mars fully vacates the premises.

“We’re just going to have to wait until Mars is completely moved out of the site and then the sale happens, and things will speed up pretty quickly,” Green said. “Mars is not sure, but they could be out by the end of this year.”

More about Galewood Neighbors

The Galewood Neighbors hold community engagements and have membership meetings seeking input on priorities. A 2025 Community Plan is posted on their website at Galewoodneighbors.org

Rush Hospital is moving into Galewood. A ribbon cutting for their new facility is set for June 17 at Harlem and Wabansia, the site of the old Sears store.

“We’ve been engaging with them since they started building,” Green said.

The Fifth Annual Galewoodstock, the community’s music and arts festival takes place every August. This year the free event will take place on Aug. 23 from noon to 8 p.m. at Bloomington and Sayre Avenues.

One of the things that is lacking, is that Galewood is the only neighborhood in the city without its own library. The one that was there closed 10 or 11 years ago, Green said.

Galewood residents use both the Oak Park and the Austin Library depending on where they live

Possible location sites fell through. Green said that Ald. Chris Taliafer ro is working to try to find a new location, He added, the unfortunate thing about Galewood is that there are not a lot of suitable parcels of land where you could put a library.

Discussions about putting the new library in the landmark building of the Mars plant has been considered, Green said.

GALEWOOD NEIGHBORS

Mars Wrigley candy factor y.

COLIN BOYLE/Block Club Chicago Music group, Rocket & Gizzae, per form at the Galewoodstock music festival on Aug. 24, 2024.

STEVE GREEN

SARAH CUNNINGHAM

WOODSHOP

sibility – being able to handle the creation of designs from beginning to end – is especially important to them.

“I think they really enjoy that aspect of being in the wood shop, being able to see their design go from an idea to the finished product,” Castro said. “I think them being able to stay from the beginning of their process to the very end is very important and pushes them to be able to take that ownership.”

However, many of these teens have not had experience with woodworking and their schools lack opportunities to explore design, construction and architecture, Castro said. Thus, Territory is looking for volunteers from the community to participate in the summer program by teaching youth woodshop safety and leading them through their respective projects

The opportunity will be open to any community members willing to help youth produce their projects, including designers, architects and city planners.

“For people in those professions, it really helps the teens know a little more and it’s just a good way to be able to connect the teens in those fields that some are really interested in or bring a broader view to the conversation, to their projects,” Castro said.

Last summer, teens created everything from benches to tables to decks, even dealing with building on an uneven foundation. One of the most creative projects was a welcome heart arch for the Territory space.

A nearby daycare even commissioned a heart arch of their own later in the summer, which allowed the teens to improve on their original design.

“I think with every iteration of a project that they do, they kind of are able to expand their skills,” Castro said. “Since they already did it once, they’re like, ‘Okay, we got this. How can we create the design better?’”

This summer, one of the projects the teens will focus on is creating a fence for Ter ritory’s space, after community workshops that will take place in June and July to collect community feedback on what the fences should look like.

Leach would encourage people to volunteer in the woodshop to make intergenerational connections and engage with the community, while helping the youth to take away important life skills from the program.

“I want our youth participants to know that it’s the process that matters,” Leach said. “The process of getting a chainsaw and a saw, I think that’s the whole point. That’s the experience and the fun part is just being there because we’re fun. I think we’re a fun team.”

If you’d like to volunteer with Territor y, follow them on Instagram at @territorynfp where you’ ll find a volunteer for m. Or go to its website at territorychica go.org.

PROVIDED

Territory teens display the bench they built last su mmer in the woodshop.

MAYOR

Austin resident assesses impact from page 1

parts, the pride of our schools, the pride of our commercial corridors,” Johnson said. “One of the things that’s remarkable about the Austin neighborhood is its soulfulness, its profound community roots that are deeply tied to the vibrancy of Chicago.”

Johnson said perhaps one of the things that has changed the most in Austin since he became mayor – the first from the West Side in nearly a century – is community safety.

“When I ran for office, the number one concern that people had was community safety, and I took it head on,” Johnson said. He added that homicides, robberies and vehicular carjackings are down citywide.

In 2022, Chicago saw 30,988 violent crime victimizations, according to the city’s violence reduction dashboard, which accounts for fatal and non-fatal victims of shootings, robberies, car hijackings, aggravated batteries and assaults. After Johnson took office in May 2023, the number for that year was 35,146. In 2024, there were 32,649 victims of violent crime. Those numbers also decreased specifically in Austin from 2023 to 2024, from 2,298 to 2,158.

hiring, we’ll continue to see the strengthening of our community.”

Johnson has expanded youth employment in Chicago for the last three year In 2024, the city hired 1,672 young people from Austin for One Summer Chicag the program that provides jobs to young people – the largest number employed from any Chicago neighborhood. This year, Austin is on track to accomplish the same as nearly 1,700 young people have b employed so far. Throughout the city this year, Johnson hopes to hire for 29,000 summer employment jobs, a 45% increase since he took office.

With these ef forts, Austin is changing physically too. On the day of his interview with Austin Weekly News on May 23 at ban Essentials Cafe, Johnson came from a ribbon cutting marking the completion of the first part of Soul City Corridor – a stretch of Chicago Avenue in Austin that now has wider sidewalks, new landscaping and lighting. With two more po tions of Chicago Avenue that still need construction, this celebration marked the start of infrastructure improvements that Johnson hopes will transform the street into more of a business district.

“When I ran for o ce, the number one concern that people had was community safety, and I took it head on.”

BRANDON

JOHNSON Chicago Mayor

Johnson largely credits this drop in violent crime to his People’s Plan for Community Safety, which invests resources in people and places that need it most, including on blocks in Austin and West Garfield Park. The plan targets root causes of violence, like poverty and trauma, by creating career opportunities and af fordable housing, plus supports people through youth outreach and community violence intervention. Since launching the plan at the end of 2023, Johnson’s administration has hosted several safe space activations and hiring fairs in West Side neighborhoods.

Another large change Johnson sees in his community is an increase in youth employment – not entirely separate from a decrease in crime.

“I believe that our attention to young people is one of the reasons why violence is going down in Chicago,” Johnson said. “As we give more opportunities to young people, like through our summer youth

“People want more economic development. They want our major corridors to be flooded with investment,” Johnson said about something he hears often from his neighbors. “Austin is the entry point to the city of Chicago coming from the west. It’s the first and last impression, depending on which direction you’re going.”

Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development’s Small Business Improvement Fund provides up to $250,000 for storefronts and businesses. During Johnson’s administration, Austin businesses MacArthur’s Restaurant, Austin Laundromat, Chromium Industries and T&C Fitness Club each got such funds.

A large contributor to economic development on the West Side, Johnson’s $1.25 billion Housing and Economic Development bond – the largest investment in those areas in Chicago’s history – helped fund the Austin HOPE Center, which Lurie Children’s Hospital and Stone Community Development Corporation broke ground on last summer to provide clinical care to young people on Chicago’s West Side.

On Madison Street in Garfield Park, City Colleges of Chicago and state funding is fi-

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said one of the things he hears most o en from his neighbors is concern about their neighborhood schools.With the new Chicago Teachers Union contract nalized in April, he said, Austin schools w ill have more social workers and suppor t sta . e contract also focuses on protecting Black history, culturally releva nt curriculum and Black and Brow n educators.

nancing the 3,000 square-foot expansion of Malcolm X Colle ge’s West Campus. In the same area, ground broke on the Sankofa Wellness Village last Se ptember. The K Entrepreneurship Hub, a part of the village at 4400 W. Madison St., is the economic wellness component of the village.

“Along Chicago Avenue and Madison Street, between mental health, af fordable homes and economic development as a whole, we have shown up for the people of Austin,” Johnson said, adding that these are “all trending in the right direction. Investments are up and violence is down.”

But Johnson also acknowledges there’s more he can do to create a safer Austin –what he says remains one of the neighborhood’s most urgent needs. And a big part of that is creating more af fordable housing in the area, plus ensuring that Austin residents can keep living in their homes.

To address the latter, Johnson said his administration is moving into the next phase of the federal resources they secured under the Biden administration to repair infrastructure that “unfortunately has been ignored, quite frankly, which caused

the flooding in 2023.” He added that he is working to secure additional resources for families affected by the flooding, like funding to pay for home repairs and providing down payment assistance for homeowners.

Johnson said he and his wife wouldn’t have been able to buy their home in Austin, where they are raising their three children, without investment from government programs under the Bush and Obama administrations, which helped finance a down payment on his house.

“Investing in people is how we build a stronger Austin,” Johnson said. “If we’re putting neighborhoods and families first, you can never go wrong.”

“Austin has helped shape my world views because it’s a resilient community,” Johnson added. “The resiliency of my administration is really tied to how Austin remains resilient to protect our families, protect our businesses, protect our schools, protect our values – and taking that confidence and perspective citywide. I’m working to build the safest, most important city in America. And if we can do that in Austin, we can do that anywhere else.”

TODD BANNOR

Theatre Y takes you to e End of Reality

Nor th Lawndale theatre company continues bold excursions

By DEBORAH BAYLISS Contributing Reporter

The talented folks at North Lawndale’s Theatre Y invite everyone to come out and experience Obie Award-winning playwright Richard Maxwell’s, The End of Reality

The play showcases a ragtag crew of security guards wavering between vigilance and distractions of on-thejob chatter as they protect a building from an imminent threat.

In an interview with Jesse Green of the New York Times, Maxwell said the play’s focus on the banality of violence grew out of his despair with George W. Bush’s 2004 reelection and an ef fort to see if he could break away from the pattern of his past work

“I never tell people to avoid realism or naturalism or what feels natural,” Maxwell told Green. “It’s just that I’m saying you’re not obliged to pretend that you feel something.”

In Theatre Y’s concept, the audience is the “object” of the security team’s protection, treated as if they’ve come to seek refuge from the menace of the outside world. The theater becomes a disorienting holding pen in which actors and audience together wait out the danger.

Melissa Lorraine, Theatre Y’s co-founding artistic director and director of Maxwell’s play, “invites vulnerability into this satire, and a feminine relationship to violence.

“We’re proud of receiving the rights to this first ev production of his work without his directorship, and eager to continue shining a spotlight on Chicago’s West Side

tre Y cast (above and below le ) stage their production of Obie Award-winning playwright and ector Richard Maxwell’s, ‘ e End of Reality. ’

and its enormous talents!” Lorraine said.

Co-founder of the Cook County Theater Department unYork City in 1994, Maxwell was born in , and studied acting at Illinois State University. work with the New York City Players, a company he founded in 1999, it’s said that Maxwell reduces theater to its most essential elements, creating plays critic Hilton Als, oscillate between the “mythic” and the “mundane.”

features North Lawndale’s own Marllie Round, and Shawn Bunch (Ensemble Members and Artists in Residence for Theatre Y’s Friday Night Swerve) together with Ensemble Members Matt Fleming, Kris Tori, and Arlene Arnone.

Set, lighting and costume design was done by Lorraine (with technical assistance from Makoto Yamaguchi and toll), sound design by Kimberly Sutton (with technical assistance from James Clayton Bowman), Fight ChoreRJ Cecott, Stage Management by Ro Townsel, Assistant Stage Management by Shawn Bunch, graphic

design by Jimi Geiyer, marketing by Darien Williams, photography by Karl Soderstrom and Devron Enarson, and facility management and assistance from E.R. Emison and Deena Eichhorn.

The play opened May 15 and runs through June 15. Located at 3609 W. Cermak Rd., showtimes are 7 p.m. Thursdays; 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays.

All performances are free to the public. Donations are welcomed. Reserve your ticket at https://www.ticketleap. events/tickets/theatre-y/the-end-of-reality

A Chicago-based international incubator that creates connections between diverse artists seeking mutual growth through collaboration, since 2006, Theatre Y prides itself on being a point of convergence for diverse activism and all of the uncomfortable conversations that happen as a result.

Newly and permanently relocated to the West Side, on the border of North Lawndale and Little Village, Theatre Y, is now in its 19th year of experimental productions, challenging international content.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARL SODERSTROM

NOTICE INVITATION TO BID TO METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT OF GREATER CHICAGO

Sealed proposals, endorsed as above, will be submitted back to the District via an electronic upload to the Bonfire Portal only, from the date of the Notice for Request for Proposals, up to 11:00 A.M. (Chicago time), on the proposal due date.

CONTRACT 25-RFP-17

SCANNING SERVICES

Estimated Cost: $715,500.00

Bid Deposit: NONE

Optional Pre-Proposal WalkThrough/Inspection Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 10:00 am Chicago Time at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, Room A266, 6001 W. Pershing Rd., Cicero, IL 60804. Voluntary Technical Pre-Bid Conference: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 10:30 am Chicago Time via ZOOM Link.

Bid Opening: June 27, 2025

********************************

The above is an abbreviated version of the Notice- Invitation to Bid. A full version which includes a brief description of the project and/or service can be found on the District’s website, www.mwrd. org; the path is as follows: Doing Business > Procurement and Materials Management > Contract Announcements.

Specifications, proposal forms and/ or plans may be obtained from the Department of Procurement and Materials Management by downloading online from the District’s website at www.mwrd.org (Doing Business > Procurement & Materials Management > Contract Announcements). No fee is required for the Contract Documents. Any questions regarding the downloading of the Contract Document should be directed to the following email: contractdesk@mwrd.org or call 312-751-6643.

All Contracts for the Construction of Public Works are subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130/1-et.seq.), where it is stated in the Invitation to Bid Page.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals if deemed in the public’s best interest.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

By Darlene A. LoCascio Director of Procurement and Materials Management

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION Longbridge Financial, LLC

Plaintiff vs. Gerald Nordgren Appointed as Special Representative for Frankie Jones (Deceased); Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; City of Chicago; Willie R. Jones; Vondesia Jones; Unknown Heirs and Legatees of Frankie Jones; Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants Defendant 19 CH 6526

CALENDAR

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on July 1, 2025, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-16-112-011-0000.

Commonly known as 5525 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60644. The real estate is: 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: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Potestivo & Associates P.C., 223 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 610, Chicago, IL 60606. (248) 853-4400 ext 1200. 309590

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3266742

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION

U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of the Igloo Series V Trust Plaintiff vs. Bensie B. Wallace; Dawana J. Wallace; City of Chicago; Unknown Owners and Nonrecord Claimants; Defendant 24 CH 6923

CALENDAR 58 NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on July 2, 2025, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-04-411-029-0000. Commonly known as 4920 West Cortez Street, Chicago, Illinois 60651.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

The real estate is: 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: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Sottile & Barile, LLC, 7530 Lucerne Drive, Suite 210, Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130. (440) 5721511. ILF2406026 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3266709

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION Freedom Mortgage Corporation

Plaintiff vs. Genese Owens; Robert Hightower; Unknown Owners and Nonrecord Claimants; Divis Hightower; Unknown Heirs and Legatees of Robert Hightower; Gerald Nordgren, as Special Representative for Robert Hightower (deceased)

Defendant 23 CH 2601 CALENDAR 60 NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on June 24, 2025, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-04-214-023-0000.

Commonly known as 4950 W. Kamerling Avenue, Chicago, IL 60651.

For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Codilis & Associates, P.C., 15W030 North Frontage Road. Suite 100, Burr Ridge, IL 60527. (630) 7945300. 14-23-01998

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3266363

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC

Plaintiff, -v.-

THOMAS QUINN, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF TYRONE M CARR, DECEASED, ILLINOIS HEALTHCARE AND FAMILY SERVICES, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, LATASHA D SCOTT, TYRONE M CARR, JR., UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF TYRONE M CARR

Defendants

23 CH 09804

744 NORTH PARKSIDE AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60644

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on April 2, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on July 7, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 744 NORTH PARKSIDE AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60644

Property Index No. 16-08-206-0140000

The real estate is improved with a three unit apartment building.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys,

One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC

One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088

E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com

Attorney File No. 23-16985IL_1006515

Attorney Code. 61256

Case Number: 23 CH 09804

TJSC#: 45-960

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 23 CH 09804 I3267177

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCAF ACQUISITION TRUST Plaintiff, -v.5501 W QUINCY LLC, AN ILLINOIS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, YISSOCHER ROTENBERG, AN INDIVIDUAL, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, CITY OF CHICAGO Defendants 2024 CH 06527 5501 WEST QUINCY STREET CHICAGO, IL 60644

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on May 12, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 30, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 5501 WEST QUINCY STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60644

Property Index No. 16-16-109-0200000

The real estate is improved with a commercial property.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a

mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identifi cation for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527

630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-24-07208

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2024 CH 06527

TJSC#: 45-1329

Case # 2024 CH 06527 I3267340

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.

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA