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Vol. 34 No. 32
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Businesses struggle with national coin shortage,
August 5, 2020
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Also serving Garfield Park
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‘Austin is where we want to be’
Despite pandemic looting, West Side small businesses still loyal to community By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter
On June 6, less than a week after the wave of looting swept through West Garfield Park’s Madison Street corridor, Out of the Past Records store, which has been operating at 4407 W. Madison St. since 1986, was open for business. Marie Henderson, who founded the store with her husband, Charlie Henderson, said that the store has been struggling throughout the pandemic. And while it wasn’t looted, in the month after the reopening, the business hasn’t fully rebounded to where it was pre-COVID-19. The Hendersons are among a handful of small business owners on the West Side who were interviewed about how they’ve fared since the pandemic and the death of George Floyd. Some of the entrepreneurs reported an increase in profits while others found their business model completely disrupted. The Hendersons said that at one point they owned 12 record stores throughout Chicago, but as tapes and later CDs became popular, the demand for records plummeted and they wound up consolidating their inventory into their current location. “We never tried to change and we never jumped to conclusions,” Marie said. “My husband said, ‘I ain’t selling my records.’ Because, he said, people be looking for that stuff. And he was right.” When Out of the Past had to close after the looting, customers kept up with their demands for product, so the Hendersons wound up doing curbside pick-up. “It wasn’t that great, because I lost a lot of business,” Marie said. “And the business hasn’t See BUSINESSES on page 6
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TAKE & GIVE: A pop-up food shop called Alt-Market aims to rewrite the narratives of scarcity embedded into Black communities on the South and West Sides.
Free grocery store pops up on West Side Inspired by Little Free Libraries, artists stock vacant building with food donated by neighbors, nonprofits
By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago
An art installation has transformed an abandoned building near the Austin Town Hall into a gathering place where residents can get free food. The pop-up food shop is a project of Alt _, an art nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing the area. The group uses art as a way to rewrite the narratives of scarcity embedded into Black communities on the
South and West sides. People who need food can grab anything they see on the shelves installed on the outside of the shop, while those who are able are encouraged to leave their own excess nonperishable food items on the shelves. The model is inspired by the Little Free Libraries scattered across Chicago neighborhoods, and it follows the same give-and-take principle. “Our communities, we needed help long
before George [Floyd] was murdered. Long before the looting, long before COVID, a lot of Black communities happened to be food deserts,” said Alt_ co-founder Jon Veal. The idea for the free market came after Alt_ gave away hundreds of care packages in June filled with groceries to help communities whose grocery stores and corner markets had shut down due to the See FREE GROCERY STORE on page 2
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Austin Weekly News, August 5, 2020
Free Wi-Fi installed at Douglass Park
The new, solar-powered WiFi system is aimed at improving digital access as CPS plans to continue virtual learning. By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago
Students can get high-speed internet for free at the newly-renamed Douglass Park thanks to recently-installed solar-powered Wi-Fi nodes. Chicago Public Schools plans to have most students doing a mix of in-person and athome learning this fall, but many students struggled in the spring because they didn’t have internet access. Ald. Michael Scott (24th) said he welcomed the solar-powered solution to improve wireless access so students don’t get left behind again. “There is a push that learning continue to happen online or remotely because of COVID,” Scott said. “And I want to make sure that the folks that are in my community have the ability to use their devices online whether they have Wi-Fi at home or they don’t have any at all.” The Wi-Fi devices installed at the park were donated by Chicago-based tech startup Mesh ++, a company that builds solarpowered wireless infrastructure. “When the pandemic hit, we figured the
Provided
UP TO SPEED: Alderman Walter Burnett helps install a solar panel in a West Side park. most efficient way we could help would be to set these up in neighborhoods feeling a higher strain … from e-learning and working from home,” said founder Danny Gardner. Since the devices run on solar energy, they are helpful for bringing digital access to areas that otherwise lack the infrastructure to connect to the internet, Gardner said. “They are able to reach new areas
FREE GROCERY STORE
by eliminating the cable and trenching requirements to get there,” Gardner said. The wireless nodes don’t need to be connected to the power grid, which makes them even more versatile. Installation of each device at Douglass Park took only about 10 minutes. The Chicago Park District worked with Ignite Cities to coordinate a tech-driven
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things out, the more we see neighbors,” Veal said. “The neighbors come and have been adding and taking and really making it their own, which is what it was meant for.” Veal said neighbors have eagerly embraced the concept, so Alt_ Market has looked for ways to keep the free store stocked so the project can be self-sustaining.
pandemic and the riots. Businesses contacted the artists to chip in and donate groceries. Alt_ wanted to tackle the longstanding issues with food access on the West Side, but Veal recognized the focus of the group must be on using art to enact social change. So rather than just distributing food, the organizers decided to envision a self-sustaining model for how residents and neighborhood organizations might address food scarcity. The artists converted previously vacant spaces and abandoned storefronts into makeshift food markets. They built shelves and installed them first in Austin, then at a site in Grand Crossing. The Alt_ artists and their partners stock the shelves several times a week at each location, and as the project has picked up steam they’ve had more community participation. “There are distributors who have more than enough supplies to be able to give, and it’s just about finding that space for them to give,” Veal said. “We’re just artists. The art is symbolic. Symbolic gestures is our realm. But how can a symbolic gesture get these other types of people to start making some movements.” Since the market is out in the open, Alt_ is easily able to coordinate with volunteers to get groceries and supplies dropped off. “The more consistency that we show, being able to put
The market has partnered with Grocery Run Club. The organization offers a subscription allowing people to chip in $10 or more a month that goes towards fresh produce for families in need. Grocery Run Club co-founder Lucía Angel said the arrangement can help Alt_ Market become a long-term, reliable food source rather than a pop-up. “It should be a sustainable idea where it can just go on and on and on,” she said. Donations can be made to Alt_ Market by subscribing to Grocery Run Club, or by contacting altspacechicago@ gmail.com. Grocery Run Club donates to other projects addressing food scarcity in the area, like the North Lawndale Community Garden, where people assemble produce boxes for neighborhood families. “These problems stem from the segregation of the city and discrimination against black and POC people,” said Jorge Saldarriaga, Grocery Run Club co-founder. “The overall focus is all coming together to build community and to specifically give these neighborhoods access to food.” Pascal Sabino is a Report for America corps member covering Austin, North Lawndale and Garfield Park for Block Club Chicago. CONTACT: pascal@blockclubchi.org
Literary inspiration
solution to the city’s digital divide. The project is also supported by Verizon. As part of CPS’ efforts to bridge the digital divide during the pandemic, the district gave out thousands of laptops and tablets to students who didn’t have devices at home in the spring. It also distributed wireless hotspots to students experiencing housing insecurity. The district recently announced it will give free internet access to 100,000 students. But expanding public Wi-Fi throughout communities that lag behind in digital access will make it easier for families to work and learn outside where they can practice social distancing. “The hope is that people will come to the park to study, maybe to work. Some of the parks have good areas to work outdoors and take advantage of nature. And to encourage people to socially distance,” Gardner said. The Wi-Fi nodes have also been installed at Kells Park, and the city may begin to expand the pilot program to other neighborhoods. Ald. Walter Burnett (27th) said the Wi-Fi nodes are versatile and inexpensive enough to be installed all over the city. “That is what is really exciting to me,” Burnett said. “Small, solar powered sites like this can be installed over the city. They make economic sense everywhere.” Pascal Sabino is a Report for America corps member covering Austin, North Lawndale and Garfield Park for Block Club Chicago. CONTACT: pascal@blockclubchi.org
Provided
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: A group of artists, inspired by Little Free Libraries, have stocked Alt_Market with free food and household supplies. Above, the artists working on an Alt_Market in Grand Crossing.
Austin Weekly News, August 5, 2020
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New hotline helps West Siders find local relief
The helpline was created by a neighborhood group that is also offering direct financial assistance to residents By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago
The North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council has created a helpline where residents can find local resources to help them meet basic needs. The helpline was created because so many organizers and neighbors banded together amid the coronavirus pandemic to provide emergency help for residents, providing food, supplies and assistance getting tests. The helpline will help keep track of all the relief efforts and the people who need support. Organizers are encouraging residents to reach out if they are struggling to pay for child care, transportation, medical care or mental health resources, or if they are experiencing food or housing insecurity. “There’s a ton of resources that are going around … but I know that gets overwhelming,” said DuShaun Branch, a community organizer for the neighborhood group. “So if you can call a place that can give you a list of resources, and then maybe they follow up with you, that helps you stay accountable. I think it’s very helpful.” The helpline is available to North Lawndale residents and those in nearby communities, including Little Village. Residents can request help online by submitting a request form or calling the helpline at 800-655-1626. Volunteers and helpline staff are available 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday for
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HOTLINE HELP: Lawndale resident sews masks at Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church. immediate assistance. Those who submit a request online can get support within 24 hours. As more resources and giveaways become available, workers on the helpline will notify residents about new opportunities that fit their needs. The neighborhood group is also offering financial support to struggling families through a new Compassion Fund. The projects emerged out of the Lawndale Cares mutual aid network the community group
AUSTIN WEEKLY news Editor Michael Romain Senior Editor Bob Uphues Contributing Reporters Bonni McKeown, AustinTalks, Igor Studenkov Columnist Arlene Jones Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designer Debbie Becker Sales & Marketing Representavies Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner ≈ Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich
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formed in response to the pandemic. Residents needing direct financial support can apply online. The Compassion Fund is a way for North Lawndale residents to get help paying for food, child care, transportation assistance and housing. Any resident in need is encouraged to apply. The group aims to respond to those who apply with direct support within a week and a half of submitting a request. “I think the goal is to have that entry point and then to continue to engage with people to let them know about all the resources that come our way,” Branch said. Branch said the helpline is intended to provide long-term support for residents who needed help even before COVID hit.
“We see the helpline going beyond COVID. We know there have been and will be needs in the community that people can get help navigating,” Branch said. The community group was able to staff the helpline with West Side residents through its partnerships with trauma-informed care agency I Am Able and the North Lawndale Employment Network. Local groups like Sinai Community Institute are supporting the initiative, which allows staff at the helpline to follow up with callers to make sure they have received the support they requested. 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, August 5, 2020
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Pritzker unveils overhaul of juvenile justice system
New model for Department of Juvenile Justice based on reducing harms of incarceration By RAYMON TRONCOSO Capitol News Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – The state of Illinois plans to begin placing minors in the justice system in smaller, community-based detention centers that focus more on providing intervention services and education. Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announced plans to overhaul the juvenile justice system during a news conference on July 31 in Chicago. A four-year blueprint split into three phases would move the Department of Juvenile Justice from “an antiquated theory of juvenile incarceration” in larger holding facilities into what the governor called a “21st century transformative model.” Phase 1 is to start immediately with increased investment in community-based interventions and re-entry programs. Phase 2, starting next year, involves housing incarcerated youths in smaller, dorm-like facilities closer to their homes. Phase 3, also set
to begin next year, would involve continued investment into communities and the transfer of prison-like facilities from DJJ to the Illinois Department of Corrections for housing overflow adult prison populations. According to Pritzker, data has shown for decades the Illinois juvenile justice system is too punitive and discriminatory. While the total number of youths in custody has decreased from 282 in January 2019 to 97 by June 2020, the governor said Black children still make up more than 70 percent of those in DJJ care despite being only 15 percent of the under-18 population in Illinois. Outside of claims of systemic racism, another point of contention is that the current system just doesn’t work. Pritzker said that between 2010 and 2018, an average of 55 percent of juvenile offenders released from DJJ custody eventually returned. According to DJJ’s seven-page overview, a benefit of the transformative model would be increased positive outcomes while also saving DJJ and IDOC money. “This model does not starve the children or employees in the juvenile justice system of resources,” DJJ Director Heidi Mueller said. “Instead, this model recognizes that the people we serve matter, and the people who are doing the serving matter.”
A theme that permeated throughout the news conference was that the current model of criminal justice attempts to treat the symptoms of crime. The new model Pritzker and the DJJ are proposing will aim to tackle the roots of crime. Historically, Black communities in Illinois have been especially impacted by negative factors that increase the crime rate like discriminatory policies, segregation, disinvestment and gun violence. “I’m especially excited about how this model will intentionally invest in victim services in communities hit hardest by violence, acknowledging that our current system does little to directly support victims, and that more than 90 percent of the kids in our system were victims before they were offenders,” Mueller said. Pritzker’s announcement comes a day after the national organizations Youth Correctional Leaders for Justice and Fair Prosecution of Youth released a joint statement condemning the use of youth prisons. Criminal justice groups in the state, including the ACLU of Illinois, the Children and Family Justice Center at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, the Illinois Justice Project, and the John Howard Association of Illinois released a joint statement Friday afternoon commending Pritzker, Strat-
ton and Mueller “on this important reform of the juvenile justice system in Illinois.” The JHA, an independent watchdog group that acts as oversight for Illinois prisons, went a step further and released an additional statement on its own praising the change and adding that it hopes “we will apply these same principles to the adult prison system.” The transformation of the juvenile justice system in Illinois is part of a broader push by Pritzker’s administration to institute social justice reforms, culminating in the Justice, Equity, and Opportunity Initiative established by executive order last year that coordinates justice reform through Stratton’s office. Other initiatives that have had potentially wide-ranging socioeconomic consequences for Illinois include legalized adult-use cannabis, social equity licenses for dispensaries and equity grants for investing in disadvantaged communities. “We cannot continue to be a country that criminalizes the children who need the most help,” Stratton said. “We need to help our young people heal, to redirect their energy to realize their potential and foster their dreams.”
Capitol News Illinois reporter Hancock contributed to this story. CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com
Suit charges ComEd with consumer fraud
Bribery scheme netted utility at least $150 million, lawyers argue By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – A class action lawsuit filed this week against utility giant Commonwealth Edison seeks to recover potentially hundreds of millions of dollars for consumers who were charged rates under legislation that the company has admitted was aided by a bribery scheme involving Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. The suit, filed July 27 in Cook County Circuit Court, accuses ComEd of violating the state’s Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Businesses Practices Act, which is designed to protect consumers against unfair business practices. It comes on the heels of an announcement July 17 that ComEd had agreed to pay a $200 million fine after admitting to federal prosecutors that it doled out jobs and payments to close associates of Madigan in an effort to influence him and secure passage of legislation that benefitted the company. Madigan has not been charged in the case and he has denied any wrongdoing. “Even though ComEd has already paid a $200 million fine. I think it’s important to keep in mind that not a penny of that is going
to the ComEd ratepayers,” Adam Levitt, one of the attorneys involved in the case, said during a video news conference Tuesday. “That money is simply a fine …that will ultimately be remitted to the US government.” ComEd serves roughly 4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in northern Illinois. Between 2011 and 2019, according to documents filed in federal court, ComEd engaged in a systematic practice of awarding jobs and subcontracts to Madigan’s associates with the intent of gaining the powerful House speaker’s support for legislation that the utility company wanted. Those included the Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2011, which established a formula for automatically adjusting utility rates instead of having to submit rate requests to the Illinois Commerce Commission, and the Future Energy Jobs Act of 2016, which provided its parent company Exelon with additional revenue to rescue its economically troubled nuclear power plants. In a document known as a “deferred prosecution agreement,” ComEd admitted that the “reasonably foreseeable anticipated benefits” of those laws exceeded $150 million. However, the Citizens Utility Board, an agency that represents consumers in rate cases before the Illinois Commerce Commission, estimates that the formula-based rate
adjustments will yield about $700 million for ComEd over 10 years while the Future Energy Jobs Act could yield up to $2.35 billion over 10 years. “This lawsuit is to determine the full extent because we all know that Commonwealth Edison did not admit to $150 million, that this goes much deeper than that,” said Stephan Blandin, another attorney in the case. “And we’re going to have a full accounting from Commonwealth Edison to determine how extensive the fraud was so that the 4 million ratepayers in the state of Illinois will get their money back as a result of this bribery scheme that took place.” Class action lawsuits are different from traditional civil actions because they involve only a handful of plaintiffs who represent an entire class of individuals who might be victims of the same offense. They are used in instances in which there are so many potential plaintiffs that it would not be feasible for each individual plaintiff to pursue legal action on their own. In this case, three residential customers and three businesses are the named plaintiffs who represent the entire class of ComEd’s 4 million customers. They include Randall Kuhn, of Lake Forest; Robert Nieman, of Glencoe; Erica Lieschke, of Chicago; Windward Roofing & Construction Inc.; In Demand Electronic Court Reporting Inc.;
Peter
and Standard Equipment Company. Although ComEd has admitted to engaging in bribery, the plaintiffs in the lawsuit will need to show they were the victims of fraud, which is a different offense. The Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act typically involves cases such as pyramid schemes or the sale of some product or service in which the seller intentionally withholds material information. Blandin, however, said he believes the actions of ComEd fall within the scope of the consumer protection law. “One of the things to keep in mind is that Commonwealth Edison and Exelon (its parent company) have been given a stateauthorized monopoly in the state,” he said. “They provide 70 percent of Illinois’ population with electricity in exchange for a guaranteed profit. In this particular case, one of the things that we’re going to be delving into are the two nuclear power plants that were underperforming that ratepayers bailed out as a result of this legislation that was influenced by the admitted bribery.” Officials at ComEd did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Levitt and Blandin said they do not anticipate calling Madigan for a deposition in the case, but they do plan to depose ComEd’s lobbyists and top executives. CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com
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Austin Weekly News, August 5, 2020
BUSINESSES Staying afloat from page 1 been so good [since reopening].” She said that while she was aware of grant opportunities like the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program, she wasn’t able to apply. Meanwhile, the neighboring King’s Hardware, 4415 W. Madison St., never had to close because, as a hardware store, it was considered an essential business. Owner Duane Ehresman said that the store actually got more business since the pandemic hit. “We’re probably up 40 percent,” he said. “I think, with people staying at home, people decide to improve their apartments and houses, so people are buying lots of things to fix it up.” Because of the boost in sales, Ehresman said, he didn’t need to apply for any financial aid. But that isn’t to say COVID-19 hasn’t hurt the business at all. Ehresman said that he and three of his employees contracted the virus. While he and two of his employees have recovered, another employee is still recuperating three months later. Like King’s Hardware, Physical Therapy and Cafe integrated (PTCi), 5515 W. North Ave., never had to close. The business, which sells juices, smoothies, teas, soups and sandwiches, closed its dining area and switched exclusively to carry-out and delivery. Justine Dela Cruz, the manager and daughter of the owner, said that her family’s business saw an uptick in sales, as well. Customers were interested in buying products that would improve their health and strengthen their immune systems, which may not protect them from COVID-19, but at least makes it more likely that they will get through the disease without complications. Cruz said that the family business did not
AUSTIN WEEKLY NEWS
need to apply for financial aid, but even if aid were necessary, she and her family doesn’t believe in it. “Because we’re Christian, we don’t really ask for help,” she said, adding that they believe that God will provide if things do go bad. Cruz said there’s nothing wrong with other businesses asking for help; in fact, she said, she knew of several that were struggling and said she hoped they would get the financial assistance. Unlike some essential businesses on the West Side, Crystal Dyer, the owner of Gone Again Travel and Tours, 5940 W. Chicago Ave., didn’t have the option of doing carryouts or curbside pick-ups to stay afloat. “[In mid-March], I had clients that were going to Africa, going to France, going to Italy,” Dyer recalled. “As a travel company, I [ended up] out of commission. I had to refund all of their bookings. It wiped out my income for the entire year.” “A lot of people are still very hesitant to book anything, because, you know, what the media is saying,” Dyer said. “I just got some
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STILL STANDING: Charles and Marie Henderson, (pictured top left in a file photo from 2017), the owners of Out of the Past Records, said that they switched to curbside pickup after the pandemic to keep up with customer demand. calls [in June], but when people had to pay their deposits, they hesitated.” Dyer said that she has put together newsletter to share positive news with her customers and keep her business visible. She’s also organized community events, both online and in-person. Dyer said that
Austin Weekly, Block Club launch West Side newsletter
The free newsletter debuted last week By STAFF Growing Community Media/Block Club Chicago
Growing Community Media is proud to announce that one of our local weeklies, Austin Weekly News, has partnered with the highly respected Block Club Chicago to launch a new free newsletter for our readers on the West Side. The newsletter, which debuted last
week, is sent via email on Wednesdays and Fridays, and aims to be a one-stop shop for Austin, North Lawndale and Garfield Park news and events. Austin Weekly News editor Michael Romain and Block Club West Side reporter Pascal Sabino will co-curate the newsletter. It will also routinely highlight crucial stories being told by other West Side-based or -focused newsrooms, including The Triibe, Austin Talks, Free Spirit Media and City Bureau. The free newsletter is a new effort but Austin Weekly and Block Club have been quietly collaborating for months. Austin
Weekly routinely republishes Block Club’s West Side stories to our readers inprint each week and Sabino and Romain coordinate to ensure they are covering unique stories about the West Side instead of competing. “Hopefully the partnership between Block Club Chicago and Austin Weekly News can become a model that other media outlets emulate,” Romain said. “Our readers are better served by this economy of scale that gives us more bandwidth — more resources, more reporters — to tell more West Side stories.” CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com
she’s received small private grants and loans, but is always looking for other funding opportunities. None of the businesses whose owners were interviewed were damaged by the looting. Dyer said that the strip of Chicago Avenue where she’s located did not see any looting. Out of the Past Records was not hit at all. Ehresman said that, while looters did try to break into King’s Hardware, neighbors intervened before they could do any damage. “The neighbors actually kept the looters from coming in here, so we were never hit,” he said. While a number of stores around the intersection of North and Central avenues were hit, Cruz said that neighbors intervened to protect their business, as well. “When people not from our neighborhood tried to break into the store, they protected our store,” she said. “A lot of people are saying, ‘You should open in Wicker Park,’ but this is the place where God placed us,” Cruz said. “[Austin] is a place where we want to be.” “Since we’ve been here, we went through the storm of [the riots that erupted after Martin Luther King Jr.’s death] in 1968,” Henderson said. “We’ve been through the riot that just happened this year and we’re still standing. I say we’ve been blessed.” CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com
Austin Weekly News, August 5, 2020
Taxpayers have until Oct. 1 to pay bills without penalty Treasurer Pappas talks ‘Black Houses Matter’ campaign
Houses Matter, which she is “an offshoot of Black Lives Matter.” “The reason we’re calling it Black Houses Matter, is because of some stats,” Pappas said in a July 21 Zoom town hall. By MICHAEL ROMAIN Pappas pointed out the disparity between Editor Black and non-Black communities when it comes to the number of homes listed on the Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas annual tax sale of delinquent properties. announced Monday that her office was “We are grabbing people by the neck,” the extending the time taxpayers have to pay their second installment Cook County county treasurer said, adding that her Black Houses Matter initiative is an aggressive property tax bills without effort to draw people to her incurring late fees. The bills are website to apply for property tax due Aug. 3, but taxpayers have exemptions they may be eligible until Oct. 1 to pay them without to receive and to find out whether penalty. or not they’re among thousands “In my nearly 22 years as of people in the county who are Treasurer, I’ve never told people owed tax refunds because they not to pay their taxes,” Pappas overpaid their property taxes. said in a statement. “But the “In all of Cook County right pandemic has changed a lot of now for 2016, there are 40,000 things.” parcels up for sale,” Pappas said. In order to download a “The taxes on those parcels get copy of a tax bill or to make sold. Almost 20,000 people in payment, residents can visit the entire county owe less than cookcountytreasurer.com. Once $1,000. And of those owing less there, they can select the blue COOK COUNTY than $1,000, for almost 8,000 of box labeled “Pay Online for TREASURER them, the mail came back to Free.” They can also search by those homes, so they don’t even property address or Property know they’re on those tax sales.” Index Number (PIN) in the treasurer’s Pappas said that many of the unwitting searchable PIN database. There is no fee incurred by paying from a bank account, people on those tax sales are likely senior citizens who may not realize that they can Pappas explained. The announcement comes weeks after wipe out their taxes by taking advantage Pappas launched an initiative called Black of the homeowner’s exemption, the senior citizen’s exemption or the senior property tax freeze. They may even apply for tax refunds, if they’ve overpaid. According to the Cook County Treasurer’s website, nearly 28,000 senior citizens in Cook County “could have saved hundreds of dollars on their property tax bills due August 1, 2019, by applying for exemptions they previously received. “Those homeowners received the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption for Tax Year 2017 but did not reapply for Tax Year 2018 (due in 2019). Of those seniors, roughly 21,000 previously received the Senior Freeze Exemption but also did not reapply.” In Ald. Jason Ervin’s 28th Ward, the treasurer’s office listed 79 possible missing Google Earth senior homestead exemptions AVOIDING BLIGHT: Cook County Treasurer Maria Papand 68 possible missing senior pas is trying to save homeowners in predominantly freeze exemptions. Black communities like Austin from getting kicked out CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com of their homes because of back taxes.
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Our families deserve the Fair Tax
T
he last few months have been an incredibly difficult time for our state and its residents, and the constituents I serve as State Representative for Illinois’ Seventh District are certainly no exception. So many families are living paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet, and it’s the responsibility of our government to do what we can to help those most in need. For decades, Illinois has failed at that fundamental responsibility when it comes to the way we levy our state income tax. Our current tax system taxes everyone at the same rate whether you’re a billionaire or an essential worker like a janitor or grocery store clerk at a minimum wage job. That’s simply not fair. This tax system also forces low and middle income Illinoisans to pay almost 14% of their income in state and local taxes, while the wealthiest 1% get away with paying nearly half of that. Luckily, we don’t have to settle for the status quo. We have the power to change our tax system to one that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few, by passing the Fair Tax in this election. The Fair Tax would update our broken, outdated tax system to the 7TH DISTRICT STATE one used by a majority of states and federal government, while REPRESENTATIVE keeping taxes the same or less for at least 97% of Illinoisans. Only those making more than $250,000 a year – those who have found success in our state and can afford to pay their fair share – would see a tax increase. The extra revenue generated by the Fair Tax can help Illinois on more stable fiscal footing and go toward funding critical programs, including our education system. I think all Illinoisans can agree that we must ensure our schools are properly funded to give our children the best education possible. Before becoming State Representative, I worked on the Proviso Township High School Board of Education for over a decade. During that time, I saw firsthand how a lack of funding makes it much more difficult to teach our children and prepare them for the future. It’s far past time to put the years of outdated textbooks, crumbling schools, and ever-growing class sizes behind us, and the Fair Tax is a critical step toward making that a reality. Throughout my time in the legislature, I’ve always been driven by trying to pass policies to help people of color and our working families in my district and across the state. There is so much to be done, especially to help address the inequality in this state, that it can be easy to get discouraged. But I’m hopeful that we’ll take a major step forward by passing the Fair Tax in November. A better Illinois is one where everyone, regardless of gender, race, or zip code, can access opportunities to thrive. We have a long road ahead of us to get there, but one thing we can do right now is pass the Fair Tax in November to fix our broken tax system and help all Illinoisans get ahead. Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch is the State Representative for Illinois’ Seventh District. CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com
EMANUEL “CHRIS” WELCH
Mourning the death of common sense
R
ight now, the death I mourn most is the death of common sense. What was once normal, flowing throughout the Black community, common sense has perished as stupidity reigns. Bad judgment, poor judgment, no judgment, stupid judgment, and downright ignorance has gained momentum by leaps and bounds. Social media has contributed vastly to the death of common sense. When people communicated in person, there were boundaries that were not readily crossed. Calling someone out by their name could lead to a fight. So people were careful with what they said and how they said it. No more. Social media allows people to say things and when the other person reacts, the beef is on. Am I the only one confused as to how you continue to fight with someone over social media? I don’t have a problem blocking people, especially if they call me out by my name. Once blocked, they can’t communicate with you. So everything from that point on should be “game over.” Speaking of games, what kind of role has video games played in the death of common sense? I truly believe the willingness of certain people to pick up guns and shoot is due to the inability to distinguish between the fantasy world of those games and the reality of real-world consequences. When they are playing those video games, they can shoot and kill with impunity. But it’s all make-believe. However, there are consequences in the real world, and people, especially children, are dying. I spoke with a friend who had a hypothesis that the reason these kids are getting killed when they are with their fathers is because the mothers want so much for the fathers to be involved with their children, that they put aside the father’s criminal lifestyle. They want to be able to say that their child is with their father. Yet the father has a target on his back and unfortunately the children are taking the bullets! Where is the common sense when the father leads that kind of lifestyle? The death of common sense has affected the entire age spectrum. Older people who should have attained wisdom, prove that if they were stupid when they were young, it
doesn’t improve when they grow older. I am no longer amazed at the ages of people arrested for still being involved in gangs and drugs. They make it into their 40s and 50s, still living the lifestyle from when they were in their 20s — amazing. Instead of trying to get into legitimate businesses, they’re still dealing with the same mess. And mess is the foundation of many of the ills that contributed to the death of common sense. Talking mess. Putting up with mess. Getting involved in mess. Living in mess. Bringing the mess. On and on. Common sense needs a resurrection and it is incumbent upon each individual to bring it back from its untimely demise.
ARLENE JONES
Courtesy Arlene Jones
WILD DELIGHTS: Columnist Arlene Jones’ garden that features everything from zinnias to wild petunias.
Austin Weekly News, August 5, 2020
West Side Lives
Jamara Gilmore, 18, young newspaper reader By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor
Jamara Gilmore, 18, is that rarest of specimens — a teenager who reads print newspapers, Austin Weekly News, in particular. A week before Gilmore’s family hosted a trunk party for the teen, a recent graduate of Christ the King Jesuit College Prep, 5088 W. Jackson Blvd. in Austin, Gilmore’s grandfather, James Ruffin, called our offices and asked if we could cover the milestone event. “She reads the newspaper all of the time,” Ruffin said of his granddaughter, before explaining how she’d appreciate seeing
“Tuskegee is still planning on starting classes in the fall on Aug. 11. They’re only housing freshmen and sophomore students right now and encoring upperclassmen to study online, if they aren’t able to find housing off-campus.”
herself in its pages for the first time. During an interview on July 26, Gilmore talked about her wise habit, how she’s been coping with the transition from high school to college amid an unprecedented pandemic and her plans for the future (Gilmore will attend Tuskegee University in Alabama in the fall on her path to a career in nursing).
On her nursing ambitions
On newspaper reading “Reading the newspaper broadens your view on multiple things and gives you the opportunity to know what’s going on around your neighborhood. It gives you the idea to try to make a change and to inform others about what’s going on. “So, I just feel that it’s very fundamental and even if you aren’t in school, reading
Provided
WISE BEYOND HER YEARS: Jamara Gilmore, pictured middle top and below with relatives during a trunk party her family hosted last month at their West Side home, has a passion for reading the local newspaper. newspapers gives you a great amount of knowledge.”
On transitioning from high school to college “Christ the King had a virtual graduation and a ceremony where they had us walk across the stage and get our diploma, but we were only able t have two guests attend. We also had a parade on graduation day.
“I’ve had my career goal in mind since before my grandmother, Rose Ruffin, passed last year, but after she passed, it came to me even more that this was something I want to do. “I went to see her the day before she passed and her nurse was interacting with all of the family members — not just focused on her job, but on the wellbeing of my family. I see myself as someone who makes sure everybody around me is taken care of and OK, because I feel like I’m a very caring person.
West Side Lives This is the first in a new series we’re launching called West Side People, designed to introduce our readers to their fellow West Siders.
West Side alderman introduces flurry of proposals
Taliaferro introduces COVID-19-related housing ordinances, police database proposal, resolution calling for hearing on area nonprofits By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter
West Side Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th) recently introduced a series of ordinances designed to address housing insecurity among people living in congregate settings and police accountability. He also introduced a resolution calling for the leaders of some nonprofits working to confront violence on the West Side to appear before a committee to explain their effectiveness. The housing ordinance that would make it easier for Chicagoans living in homeless shelters, jails and other “congregate settings” to secure affordable housing. The alderman introduced the proposed legislation, called the COVID-19 Chicago Public Health Housing Ordinance, because he was concerned about the vulnerability of people living in large congregant settings where COVID-19 has a tendency to spread. “Our goal is to look at whether there is city housing that could be available for residents who are stuck in congregate settings during the pandemic, to help decrease the spread of the virus,” Taliaferro said in an interview last week. The Chicago Housing Initiative, a coalition of 11 affordable housing advocacy
organizations in the city, had been pushing for a similar proposal. Under Taliaferro’s proposed ordinance, all public housing developments, as well as rental properties that get affordable housing subsidies from the city and/or accepts tenants with Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers would be required to fill vacant units as quickly as possible. They would also be required to prioritize applicants coming from congregate settings. Don Washington, the executive director of the Chicago Housing Initiative, described Taliaferro’s proposed ordinance as a way of ensuring that city funds are spent on the public good. “While aldermen don’t directly control the leasing or occupancy practices of the Chicago Housing Authority, we control the purse strings and have an obligation to protect the health of everyone in Chicago and respond to this public health emergency,” Washington said in a statement on the organization’s website. The ordinance was referred to the Committee on Housing & Real Estate, which is chaired by Ald. Harry Osterman (48th). Taliaferro said that Osterman has agreed to hold discussions in the future with other alderman and the Chicago Housing Initiative to hammer out the details of the ordinance. Taliaferro is also behind a proposed ordinance that would require the city to create a searchable database of all complaints against police officers that have been investigated. In addition, the West Side alderman introduced a resolution calling for representatives of certain anti-violence nonprofits to appear before a committee hearing.
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The proposal for a police complaints database says any information that is not revealed under the city’s collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police doesn’t have to be included in the database. Talaiferro said that the city will be discussing the exact language to ensure that nothing runs afoul of the union contract and the consent decree. “The talks are in the initial stages, but we do look forward to providing full transparency to the public,” he said. Taliaferro, a former police officer, said that the proposal was a direct response to efforts to resolve the lawsuit brought by Charles Green to force the city to release police misconduct records going back to 1967. Green was sentenced to life in prison in the late 1980s for allegedly helping to orchestrate a quadruple murder. He was released in 2009 after his sentence was reduced, and he sued to have the misconduct files released to help prove his innocence. The city has argued that the request was too burdensome — a claim with which Taliaferro agrees. But the alderman said he felt that, if the city truly wanted to reform CPD, it had to be transparent and release the more recent files of completed investigations. “I believe [Green’s] request to be overly burdensome for the city,” Taliaferro said. “However, I do believe that, in the spirit of transparency and in accordance with the [CPD) consent decree, we are required to disclose those investigations of the Chicago Police Department [that were completed].” Taliaferro said that he introduced the resolution calling for a committee hearing,
in order to learn more about organizations that have received city funds to help reduce violence on the West Side, such as UCAN Chicago, the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago and Breakthrough Ministries Taliaferro said that he’s never had meetings with representatives of those organizations in his six years as an alderman. “I cannot recall having meetings with those organizations,” he said. “That’s why I believe it’s important [for them] to not only reach out to the [local] alderman, but to inform the community about what they’re doing.” Although Taliaferro’s resolution states that the city needs a multi-pronged approach to address violence and that community groups should be a part of that approach, the alderman’s document questioned those organizations’ effectiveness. The resolution cited gun violence statistics from 2016 to 2019 before stating the city, “in the last several years, has provided millions of dollars in violence prevention funding with little or no accountability by this body as to which organizations have been funded, the violence prevention plans of operation by the recipients of funding, and results achieved by each organization receiving funding.” The resolution calls for Susan Lee, deputy mayor of Public Safety, as well the commissioner of the Department of Public Health, and officials from Metropolitan Family Services and the Institute of Non Violence Chicago to appear before the committee. “I believe that isn’t important that my colleagues know, and I know, how the money is being spent, and what the plan of action those organizations have in their attempts to reduce violent crime,” he said. CONTACT: igorst3@hotmail.com
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Austin Weekly News, August 5, 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 HELP WANTED
CALL: 773-626-6332 | FAX: 708-467-9066 | E-MAIL: classifieds@AustinWeeklyNews.com Place your ad online anytime at AUSTINWEEKLYNEWS.COM/CLASSIFIED HELP WANTED
River Forest Public Schools District 90 is seeking an Elementary School Special Education Teacher. Qualifications: Valid Illinois Professional Education License with Learning Behavior Specialist I Endorsement, a Master’s Degree is preferred and successful teaching experience in special education resource and instructional classrooms is preferred Job Duties: The teacher will be responsible for instructing students with multiple disabilities including: autism, communication disabilities, cognitive and physical disabilities within the least restrictive environment at the elementary level. 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.
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
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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
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NOVENAS PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (NEVER KNOWN TO FAIL) Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to suc cor in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and publish; your request will be granted. R.B.
WATERFORD GLASSES Colleen pattern, 2 water goblets, 2 wine glasses, 5 double old fashioned glasses
AIR CONDITIONING/ HEATING
IRISH CARDIGAN Men’s size large. 708-386-6160
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CABINET AND HUTCH Beautiful ranch oak cabinet and hutch, bought at Marshall Field’s. Cabinet dimensions 49W x 28H x 18D. Hutch dimensions 49W x 29H x 11D. $199.00 708-488-8755
CEMETERY PLOTS 2 WOODLAWN CEMETERY PLOTS (2) Side by side Woodlawn Cemetery plots. Birchwood Section Lot 415 Part 4 Graves 3&4 unit D. $4,000 for both, includes transfer fees. I will meet at Woodlawn for transfer of deeds. Contact: 847-858-7726
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
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PLASTERING
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PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,� as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20003681 on July 17, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of GARDEN OF SECRETS with the business located at: 1124 N MASON, CHICAGO, IL 60651. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: JOHNNAE MITCHELL 1124 N MASON CHICAGO, IL 60651
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Published in Austin Weekly News July 22, 29, August 5, 2020
Items for Sale ads run free in AWN! Call 773/626-6332 to place your ad.
PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,� as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20003600 on July 14, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of CEE ZEE TRUCKING with the business located at:4530 SOUTH PRAIRIE AVENUE 2N, CHICAGO, IL 60653. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: CORTEZ ZOLLICOFFER 4530 SOUTH PRAIRIE AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60653 Published in Austin Weekly News July 29, August 5, August 12, 2020
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004SC1; Plaintiff, vs. LEE WATT; SHIRLEY WATT; CITY OF CHICAGO; Defendants, 16 CH 14732 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 Tuesday, August 25, 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. 16-09-227-028-0000. Commonly known as 418 North Lavergne Avenue, Chicago, IL 60644. 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.
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 16-029325 F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3152732 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005HE3; Plaintiff, vs. HILDRED SATTERFIELD; CALVIN BOBO; CITY OF CHICAGO; JOHN LYDON AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF CALVIN BOBO; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF CALVIN BOBO; UNKNOWN OWNERS GENERALLY AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 6071 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 Tuesday, August 25, 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. 16-15-105-004-0000. Commonly known as 4647 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60644. 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 Mr. Matthew C. Abad at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Kluever Law Group, 225 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 236-0077. SPS000182-19FC1 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3152740
Illinois Classified Advertising Network WANTED TO BUY
FREON WANTED: We pay CA$H for cylinders and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. Certified Professionals. Call 312-598-1758 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com
Austin Weekly News, August 5, 2020
(773) 626-6332 | FAX: (708) 467-9066 | E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@AUSTINWEEKLYNEWS.COM Public Notice: Your right to know
• In print • Online • Available 24 /7/365 AustinWeeklyNews.com PublicNoticeIllinois.com
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
CLASSIFIEDS
local employees happy employees
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.; Plaintiff, vs. GERALD NORDGREN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR DEBORAH Y. STEPTER; KIRK STEPTER; STARIESHA HENRY; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF DEBORAH Y. STEPTER; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 18 CH 5197 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 Wednesday, September 2, 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. 16-23-307-027. Commonly known as 1622 S. CENTRAL PARK, CHICAGO, IL 60623. 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 Ms. Kimberly S. Reid at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Marinosci Law Group, PC, 134 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602. (312) 940-8580. 18-01797 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3153031
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
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Place an ad on Austin Weekly News’s Local Online Job Board. Go to AustinWeeklyNews.com/classified today! Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information. (708) 613-3342 maryellen@oakpark.com
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Austin Weekly News, August 5, 2020
presents
A Wednesday Journal & A Tribe Called Aging Production
wabi sabi F I L M F E S T I V A L
Our Covid-19 free gift to the community - watch it free on ZOOM in your own home
Appreciating the beauty of impermanence, a quarterly Film Series encouraging everyone to embrace and respect our aging population and the transformation of our society.
Gen
Silent
Friday, August 21 • 10am Gen Silent asks six LGBT seniors if they will hide their lives to survive. They put a face on what experts in the film call an epidemic: gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender seniors so afraid of discrimination, or worse, in long-term/health care that many go back into the closet. And, their decisions are captured through intimate access to their day-to-day lives over the course of a year in Boston, Massachusetts. The film shows the wide range in quality of paid caregivers --from those who are specifically trained to make LGBT seniors feel safe, to the other end of the spectrum, where LGBT elders face discrimination, neglect or abuse. As the film chronicles the challenges that these men and women face, each subject crosses paths with a small but growing group of impassioned professionals trying to wake up the long-term and healthcare industries to their plight. WE WILL BE JOINED BY DIRECTOR STU MADDUX AND PRODUCER JOE APPLEBAUM FOR Q+A AND DISCUSSION FOLLOWING THE MOVIE.
Signature Sponsors
Non Profit Patron Sponsors
Oak Park Township/River Forest Township
Learn more and register at: wabi-sabi-GenSilent.eventbrite.com