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AUSTINWEEKLY news ■
Vol. 33 No. 25
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Michele Clark seniors bike during ‘Grad Ride’
June 19, 2019
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austinweeklynews.com
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Also serving Garfield Park
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Playground Pl d construction t ti in a day, page 6
West Siders denounce judicial appointment Activists, clergy, elected officials say Cara Smith’s selection to replace Marianne Jackson a sign of ‘disrespect’ By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor
A group of African American elected officials, ministers, activists and attorneys are speaking out against the recent decision by the Illinois Supreme Court to replace a retiring subcircuit court judge who is an African American female and a resident of Austin with a white suburban woman who is a top staffer to Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. Earlier this month, the state’s highest court picked Cara Smith, Dart’s chief policy advisor, to replace Judge Marianne Jackson on the Cook County 7th Subcircuit, which covers a significant part of Austin, Lawndale and Garfield Park, as well as West Suburbs like Forest Park, where Smith lives. Jackson, who retired last year, was appointed to the bench in 2014 to replace Judge Anthony Burrell, who died that year. On June 14, the group of African American leaders, most of whom are from the West Side, gathered outside of the downtown office of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke to demand that Burke rescind Smith’s appointment. Burke is the wife of indicted Ald. Ed Burke (14th), who for years headed up the Cook County Democratic Party’s Judicial Slating Committee. In January, after Ald. Burke was charged with attempted extortion, Cook County Board See APPOINTMENT on page 4
ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer
It’s a party …
Parade participants sit on a float and wave flags and cheer last Saturday, during the fifth annual African-American Awareness and Appreciation Parade Juneteenth Celebration on Madison Street on the West Side. More photos on page 14.
Taliaferro to hold final meeting on North Ave. Sears site
The public will vote during June 19 community meeting By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter
Residents of Galewood and nearby Oak Park, River Forest and Elmwood Park will
get one last chance to give their input on the proposed redevelopment of the former Sears store and its parking lots at the northeast corner of North and Harlem Avenues. Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th), whose ward includes the site, said that he intends to have one final vote during his regular June 19 community meeting, which will be held at 6 p.m. at Rutherford Sayre Fieldhouse, 6871 W. Belden Ave.
On June 14, Taliaferro had not yet announced the vote on his ward Facebook page or through his online newsletter. When reached by phone, however, he indicated that the vote would take place during his community meeting. Seritage Growth Properties, which owns the site, is working with Highland Park-based Tucker Development to build
State Farm Mutual Automobile • Insurance Company State Farm Indemnity Company • Bloomington, IL • statefarm.com® Larry and his staff are licensed and together have over 75 years of State Farm experience.
See SEARS on page 13
Larry Williams,Agent 5932 W. Lake Street Chicago, 60644 (773) 379-9010 larry.williams.b0bk@statefarm.com