Austin Weekly News 102920

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Vol. 34 No. 44

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October 28, 2020

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US Bank branch at North and Austin to close,

austinweeklynews.com

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Also serving Garfield Park

@AustinWeeklyChi

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Meett Ti M Tina Augustus, PAGE 5

@AustinWeeklyNews

Photograph Shanel Romain

ALL ABOUT UNITY: About 50 people gathered in Austin earlier this month to mark the 25th anniversary of the Million Man March and to call on men in Austin to come together to better their community. Story on page 9.

Craft cannabis Arrested without representation those arrested in Chicago warehouse could be Just 2%gotoflawyer in early 2020, legal watchdog group says headed to West Side Clave9 Chicago LLC gets special use permit to open craft cannabis facility at 5851 W. Dickens Ave.

By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

During a meeting on Oct. 16, the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved a special use permit that will allow Clave9 Chicago LLC to open a craft cannabis cultivation facility in a warehouse at 5851 W. Dickens Ave., near Austin’s northern border.

The company won’t sell any cannabis on site; rather, it will grow and process the cannabis plant and sell the resulting product to other companies, with the product delivered in secured trucks.

Company representatives said the impact on the surrounding community will be minimal. They told See CRAFT CANNABIS on page 3

By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago

Newly released records show that less than 2 percent of people arrested in the first half of 2020 received access to an attorney while in Chicago Police custody, according to a legal watchdog group.

Watchdog groups had been pressuring police to turn over the records since June to no avail. The police department finally released the data just days after First Defense Legal Aid filed a legal complaint asking a judge to force the department to make the records public.

The data shows that years of slow improvements in enforcing the constitutional right to an attorney have come to a grinding halt, in spite of a consent decree and other reforms to the Chicago Police Department.

“It is my opinion that these reform efforts are disingenuous and a way to quell pressure and dissent,” said Damon Williams of the #LetUsBreathe Collective. “The fact that there’s such resistance to this fundamental concept, I think speaks to the larger, corrupt and violent and destructive nature of the Chicago Police Department.”

First Defense Legal Aid has collected data from Chicago Police on how many people in police custody get access to an attorney since 2013. At that time, only .2 percent of people detained by police were able to get legal advice.

Access to an attorney increased each year since the legal aid group began reporting on the data until reaching a high of around 2 percent in 2018. The 2019 data and the newly released data through May 2020 shows the upward trend has plateaued, and the rate of access to an attorney has not increased in two years.

“Everywhere else that we’ve seen globally that … has actually implemented real access to counsel for arrestees has seen improvements in public safety, decrease in violent crime, decrease in wrongful convictions,” said Eliza Solowiej, executive director of First Defense Legal Aid. Behind the low rates of access to an attorney is the refusal of Chicago Police leadership to implement policies that would allow people to use a phone shortly after their arrest, Solowiej said. Illinois state law requires that detainees be allowed to make phone calls to their family and attorney “generally within one hour” of arrest, but police routinely flout those rules, Solowiej said.

The overwhelming majority of people impacted by this practice are Chicagoans of Black or Native ancestry, Solowiej said.

Without an attorney, arrestees risk self-incrimination when they are questioned by police. Every person has the right to legal advice regardless of what they are arrested for because See PEOPLE ARRESTED on page 8

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.

Larry Williams,Agent 5932 W. Lake Street Chicago, 60644 (773) 379-9010 larry.williams.b0bk@statefarm.com

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Austin Weekly News, October 28, 2020

Under the Fair Tax, 97% of Illinoisans will see a tax cut

PAID FOR BY VOTE YES FOR FAIRNESS

Austin Weekly News, October 28, 2020

US Bank branch at North and Austin to close The US Bank branch at 6011 W. North Ave. in Oak Park will close permanently on Jan. 2, 2021.

person for the bank, which is located on the plaza at the Oak Park side of the intersection of Austin Boulevard and North Avenue.

Several businesses in the intersection were looted on May 31, following the protests in the wake of the shooting death of

By IGOR STUDENKOV George Floyd.

Contributing Reporter Evan Lapiska, a spokesperson for the bank, said the closing had nothing to do with The US Bank branch at 6011 W. North Ave. those recent events; rather, it was part of the in Oak Park, just west of the Oak Park-Aus- national bank’s effort to revamp that has tin border, will close permanently on Jan. 2, been going on since early 2019, in order to 2021. “optimize our branch delivery networks in The closing was confirmed by a spokes- response to changing customer preferences and behaviors.”

The bank will still have four branches in Oak Park, and Oak Park and Galewood customers will be able to bank at the North Avenue branch at 6726 W. North Ave. “Although we are closing some branches, we are continuing to open and enhance others, as well as rapidly enhancing our digital capabilities,” Lapiska said.

Lapiska said that the North Oak Park branch employees LoopNet will have opportunities to apply FAREWELL: The US Bank branch at 6011 W. North Ave. for jobs at other branches. in Oak Park will close early next year.

“Impacted employees wish-

ing to stay with the organization will have the opportunity to apply for other openings that may be available, particularly in areas that include our mortgage division and customer care centers, where we have identified the need for additional support while allowing for flexibility in work location,” he said.

Lapiska emphasized that the employees will be able to keep working at the North Oak Branch until the end of the year and that the bank is providing a “comprehensive severance package and outplacement services” to employees who don’t stay on.

“We are proud of our history serving customers in Oak Park,” he said. “[We] look forward to continuing to serve the community through our other locations in the area along with our convenient digital and voice offerings.”

US Bank previously closed a bank facility at Austin Boulevard and Roosevelt Road.

That site might be converted into a Taco Bell. And if plans for a new apartment building are approved, the US Bank drive thru on Lake Street across from the main library will also close. Recently US Bank announced its branch at Madison Street and Desplaines in Forest Park will close at the end of this year.

CONTACT: igorst3@hotmail.com

AUSTIN WEEKLY

news Editor Michael Romain

Senior Editor Bob Uphues Contributing Reporters Bonni McKeown, Igor Studenkov Reporting Partners Block Club, Austin Talks 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

CRAFT CANNABIS

HIGH HOPES: The warehouse in the Armitage Planned Manufacturing District that may become a place where a company will grow and process cannabis.

Setting up shop from page 1

board members that they’ll install filters to make sure the odors created as part of processing won’t affect the surrounding community, especially residential properties further north.

The warehouse is located in the Armitage Planned Manufacturing District, which encompasses the industrial businesses on both Montclare and the Austin/Galewood sides of the Milwaukee District North railroad tracks. The warehouse was last home to the Midwestern Recycling company.

Under city zoning laws, all cannabis businesses have to apply for special use permits. In Clave9’s case, the company had to apply for separate permits to grow and process the cannabis. Both applications came before the zoning board on Oct. 16.

Stewart Blankenhorn, who will be serving as one of the company’s managers, told the board that the company held three community meetings in July, both online and in-person. Only two people showed up to both, he said.

Blankenhorn emphasized that they are taking measures to ensure the community isn’t negatively affected by the facility and that cannabis remains secured in every stage of the process. The trucks will drive into newly built internal docks.

Google Earth

“All parking will be internal, all loading will be internal,” Blankenhorn said. “No supplies will be delivered outside, and no product will be loaded for shipping out outside.”

Blankenhorn also said that all entrances will require a keycard or a typed code to get in, and the building will be under constant surveillance. In addition, the Illinois State Police will have live access to the cameras, he explained.

He said that the company plans to start with 5,000 square feet of growing space — the most the state allows for growing in the first year. After that, the company will have the option of adding 3,000 square feet a year before maxing out at 14,000 square feet.

Blankenhorn said that they ultimately plan to double the growing space, but the growth would be contained entirely within the footprint of the existing building.

Once processed, the product will be stored

in vaults and they will check the inventory on a regular basis. Even the waste from the process, Blaneknhorn said, will be kept locked and disposed of by a company that will mix it with other waste to render it inert.

Bankenhorn said that they expect to initially hire 25 employees, with the goal of hiring 20 more as the growth space is expanded.

Clave9 also agreed to repair the parking lot facing Dickens Avenue, as well as add a sidewalk and landscaping. Michael Blue, the consultant for the project, told the board that the landscaping and exterior improvements, along with the safety and security measures, would be beneficial to the surrounding neighborhood.

The zoning board didn’t ask any questions and unanimously approved the application.

CONTACT: igorst3@hotmail.com

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Austin Weekly News, October 28, 2020

New manufacturing training center opens on West Side

New center opened by Jane Addams Resource Corporation to focus on training for high-wage jobs

By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago

A training center for jobs in the manufacturing sector has opened on the West Side, bringing expanded opportunities for residents to enter high-wage careers close to home.

The Chicago West Side Training Center was opened by the Jane Addams Resource Corporation after the manufacturing workforce development organization’s previous West Side location was shut down last year.

Reopening a training facility on the West Side is an affirmation of the corporation’s long-term support for the revitalization of Austin in alignment with the neighborhood’s Quality-of-Life Plan, said corporation President Regan Brewer-Johnson.

“We’re really intentional about providing the tools that you need in order to build wealth. Just getting a $20-an-hour job out the gate does not necessarily lift you from a lower socio-economic status to a middle class,” Brewer-Johnson said.

The center is at the facility of Freedman Seating Company, 4545 W. Augusta Blvd.

It made sense for the organization to expand its partnership on the West Side since about a quarter of participants in the workforce development programs at its Ravenswood headquarters came from the West Side, Brewer-Johnson said. About one in four Austin residents are unemployed, the organization estimates, and Brewer-Johnson hopes having a local presence will make high-paying careers more accessible to West Siders.

“The West Side has a lot of manufacturing companies. And so we’re able to recruit people from the West Side, train them on the West Side and put them in jobs on the West Side,” Brewer-Johnson said.

Adonis Summerville is an Austin resident who took a 20-week program with Jane Addams Resource Corporation in 2011, before the organization had a center on the West Side. He became interested after talking to a friend on the bus about what kinds of opportunities he had.

“He asked me what was I doing with my life. It was kind of at that moment where it hit: I’m not really doing anything,” Summerville said.

Summerville applied for JARC’s Careers in Manufacturing Program and within weeks was in a metalworking skills training class. It took about an hour and a half to get to the North Side for the classes, he said, but he knew he didn’t want to pass up the opportunity.

“After the first few days, it just clicked

for me, and I never looked back,” Summerville said. “It’s opened up so many doors for me, from teaching at a college to probably being able to work at any machine shop that I could choose.”

During the program, Summerville learned to make manufacturing blueprints and use Computer Numerical Control Programming to build machine parts.

He used the skills he learned to work in manufacturing at John Crane. He also started teaching metalworking at Wilbur Wright College.

Now that Jane Addams Resource Corporation has opened the Chicago West Side Training Center, he will be a senior metalworking skills instructor for programs serving his own community.

The West Side training center will make it easier for others in the neighborhood to improve their career prospects and build wealth, Summerville said.

“I don’t have to go to it. They brought it to me. They’re giving me another resource to propel myself to the next level,” he said.

Summerville hopes giving residents more local options to improve their careers will have a powerful impact on improving conditions in Austin and other resourced-starved neighborhoods on the West Side.

“Having something right there in the neighborhood is trying to show that we want to improve our neighborhoods,” he said.

“You gotta put resources in your area to improve your area.”

Jane Addams Resource Corporation is a key partner with Austin Coming Together for implementing the Austin Quality-of-Life

Plan by improving career opportunities in the neighborhood. The organization will eventually be an anchor at the workforce development and training center being planned at the closed Emmet Elementary School, 5500 W. Madison St. The redevelopment of Emmet Elementary School is a focal point of the Austin Qualityof-Life Plan that will transform the school into a community center that offers career development programs, vocational training, entrepreneurship resources and apprenticeships for high-demand fields like health care and manufacturing.

The corporation had previously contracted with Chicago Public Schools to run programs at Austin College and Career Academy. But the school district canceled the contract in 2019 after disagreements emerged around the CPS background check policy, which would exclude those with a criminal record from doing programs at the school.

Providing opportunities for people with barriers to employment, including past convictions, is core to the organization’s mission. JARC’s leadership penned an open

letter to Mayor Lori Lightfoot about the canceled contract, describing it as a matter of racial equity since a blanket exclusion of people with prior convictions would disproportionately impact Black people and West Side residents, many of whom have been involved in the justice system.

“As we all celebrate the new marijuana entrepreneurs, generations of Black and Latinx residents have had their lives and their life chances ruined. Where is the racial equity in that?” the letter said.

But the new West Side home for the training center has presented new opportunities to expand its programs, Brewer-Johnson said. The Freedman Seating Company facility, where the training center is, will be able to add two programs in 3D printing and mechanical assembly.

“There can be this aspect of hopelessness because of the disinvestment, because of the lack of economic development, because of the lack of jobs,” Brewer-Johnson said. “We didn’t want to be one more broken promise for the West Side, one more entity that came in … and then left.”

Pascal Sabino is a Report for America corps member covering Austin, North Lawndale and Garfield Park for Block Club Chicago.

CONTACT: pascal@blockclubchi.org

GEARING UP: Participants in a JARC training program for manufacturing skills can quickly finding themselves on career pathways.

Provided

Austin Weekly News, October 28, 2020

West Side Lives

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Last week, I interviewed Tina Augustus, the well-known Austin community activist and untiring advocate of block clubs as the leader of both the Austin Adams Block Club and the Block Club Association, for a story about a year-end event the clubs are hosting Saturday.

For West Side Lives, I asked Augustus, 58, to tell me about her love affair with Austin and the greater West Side.

On her roots

the churches, the schools and residents will respond to certain situations.

Another thing we have going for us on the West Side is our sports associations.

When I was a child in grammar school all the way into high school, schools would host different after-school programs like marching band. I was in marching band. You had schools competing against one another in all sorts of areas of specialty — whether it was in band or the arts.

It was all good fun, but that also allowed us to hone our skills and talents, and to learn life skills.

I was born and raised on the West On a memory Side. I was born in from childhood North Lawndale and lived there up I remember being until my 20s. I then able to ride my bike moved to East Garand go anywhere. field Park. And then, I felt very safe. And I in 1993, my husband loved the camaradeand I purchased a rie of the neighborbuilding in Austin. hood.

We moved my mom I also rememand our family here ber my third-grade and have been here teacher, Ms. Taylor. ever since — almost She was over the 30 years now. majorettes at Bryant On the rich sense Elementary School, of community in which doesn’t exAustin and the West ist anymore. I was a Side majorette all the way The Austin comthrough 8th grade.

TINA AUGUSTUS munity is one-of-aI was a flag twirler kind. For one, we with them. We had have this push service on our cell phones our own version of the South Shore Drill that connects to a response team. Our re- Team right on the West Side. sponse team is not just the police responding, but the community — the nonprofits, CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com

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Be Safe! In light of the Covid-19 pandemic during this election cycle please practice social distancing, wear your mask, and wash your hands.

VOTE FOR DEMOCRAT

STATE REPRESENTATIVE 78TH DISTRICT Serving the Vision of Every Resident with Dignity, Equality, and Respect Election Day November 3

PUNCH 41 Vote for Lilly’s Leadership Lilly is a committed leader in the fight for affordable healthcare, economic development, clean energy, education, affordable housing and violence prevention.

Education Funding education as a #1 priority and supports job training programs to prepare youth for high wage jobs Clean Energy Participates annually in One Earth Film Festival to promote clean energy awareness Arts Lilly Chairman of Museums, Arts, and Cultural Enhancements increased funding by $50 million for the Arts Property tax relief Repeatedly voted and advocated for property tax relief Affordable housing Creating affordable housing programs through the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)

Economic Development Earmarked more than $91 million to rebuilding the infrastructure of business districts on Chicago Avenue, North Avenue, plus Art, Theater, and Parks Health Care Fighting for health care for all, and to protect healthcare for individuals with pre-existing conditions Violence Prevention Lilly funded more than $700,000 for grassroots violence prevention programming Gun Laws Supports common sense gun laws that keep our neighborhoods safe

VOTE BY MAIL HAS STARTED!

Early Voting Locations 29th and 37th Wards Oct. 14th – Nov. 2nd

Monday-Friday 8:30 am-7:00 pm Saturday-Sunday 9:00 am-5:00 pm Burbank Elementary School 2035 N. Mobile Ave. (1 block East of Narragansett) St. McNair Elementary School 4820 W. Walton (1 block South of Augusta Blvd.)

Drop Boxes at the same locations above Vote Election Day: Nov. 3, 2020 6:00 am-7:00pm 6200 W Bloomingdale

Suburban locations Oct. 19th – Nov. 2nd

Monday-Friday 8:30 am-7:00 pm Saturday-Sunday 9:00 am-5:00 pm Oak Park Village Hall: 123 Madison St., 60302 Elmwood Park Village Hall: 11 W Conti Place, 60707 Franklin Park Village Hall: 9500 Belmont Ave, 60131 Melrose Park Village Hall: 1000 N. 25th Ave, 60160

For locations go to www.cookcountyclerk.com/service/early-voting-locations

Traditional Early voting October 14-November 2

For dropbox locations go to chicagoelections.gov/dropbox

Camille Lilly Is Endorsed By • Congressman Danny K. Davis, Central Committeeman, 7th District • Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, Committeeman • Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb Village of Oak Park • Mayor Angelo "Skip" Saviano Village of Elmwood Park • Mayor Barrett Pedersen, Committeeman Village of Franklin Park • Mayor David B. Guerin Village of River Grove • Mayor Nick Caiafa Village of Schiller Park • Alderman Chris Taliaferro, Committeeman 29th Ward • Alderman Emma Mitts, Committeeman 37th Ward

• Westside Black Elected Officials • Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois • Chicago Fire Fighters Union • Coalition of Austin • Democratic Party of Oak Park • Democratic Party of Illinois • Faith In Place Action Fund • Illinois AFL-CIO • Illinois Alliance • Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans • Illinois Beverage Association • Illinois Farm Bureau • Illinois Health and Hospital Association • Illinois Nurses Association • Illinois Retired Teachers Political Action Committee • INCS Action (Illinois Network of Charter Schools)

• Italian American Political Coalition • Local 150 Operating Engineers • Mont Clare - Elmwood Park Chamber of Commerce • National Association of Social Workers • National Association of Social Workers Illinois Chapter • North Avenue Business Association • Personal PAC • Restore Justice Illinois • Reverend Ira Acree • Reverend Marshall Hatch • Teamsters Joint Council No. 25 • UAW Illinois State Community Action Program Council (CAP)

Thank you for your continued support as we approach Election Day

@friendsofcamilleylilly

872-221-3307

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Austin Weekly News, October 28, 2020

Cook County reopens Housing Choice voucher waiting list Deadline for applying is Oct. 19

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

During a news conference held Oct. 19, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced that the Housing Authority of Cook County has opened its wait list for Housing Choice vouchers for the first time in 18 years. She said that the program will be open to 10,000 applicants, who will be determined at random. Residents have until Nov. 2 to apply. Applications can be accessed at: https://myportal.thehacc.org/.

“In the most recent report published by the DePaul Institute for Housing Studies, over 180,000 households across Cook County are facing housing instability,” Preckwinkle said on Oct. 19. “This means that they’re paying more than 30 percent of their total household income just toward rent. In many cases, that percentage is larger. This is unacceptable.”

Richard Monocchio, the executive director of the Housing Authority, said that his agency had already seen high demand for the applications.

“At 10:30 a.m., we had 6,000 applications already,” he said. “We are going to take applications and will cut the list off on Nov. 2, and randomize it to make a list of 10,000.

Those 10,000, we hope to be able to house within the next four years.”

Monocchio said that eligible applicants must be at 50 percent of the area median income or below.

“For a family of four that means income can’t exceed $45,500,” he said. “For a one person household, it’s $31,850.”

CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com

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Austin Weekly News, October 28, 2020

NEED TO REACH US?

Call Editor Michael Romain at 773-626-6332 michael@austinweeklynews.com

T

Parables as life lessons

here was a time, whenever any kind of incident happened, that a parable would be made and a corresponding “life lesson” would be learned. For example, the village idiot would never be seen as someone who could teach anyone anything. But he or she goes out and climbs an electrical pole, touches the wire, and is instantly killed. From that point forward, everybody in the village has learned the lesson that climbing the light pole and touching the wire will lead to death. They will speak of the incident and hopefully even the most hard-headed of villagers will take heed and not attempt it themselves.

But in today’s world, we have something known as “victim shaming.”

So the ability to discuss any situation has been hindered by those who automatically defend the victim when the discussion is to learn a “life lesson” and not simply to be critical of that individual. Such is the case of Stacy Jones, 35. She worked as a Cook

County probation officer. She was pregnant at the time she was shot twice in the back and killed by the alleged perp. To try to throw the police off, he spraypainted KKK and the n-word on her home. The baby was delivered, but it, too, died after living for four days.

Now the news has broken that the alleged perpetrator is Corey Deering, 39. Not only is he now charged in the murder, he turns out to be the baby’s daddy. He has worked as a football coach for the Chicago Park District on the South Side. He is not only married, but has a second woman pregnant with his child. That woman is the one who drove him to the house of Stacy Jones, where he committed his dastardly deed.

Now if this had happened on an episode of a soap opera or television drama series, we could discuss it forever because what happens on television is not reality. But when the soap opera drama becomes reality and hits home, the discussions go quiet.

ARLENE JONES

And that for me is part of the problem: The continuation of behaviors that lead to situations that are the source of all of our problems cannot be overlooked. Discussions about what is going on cannot be muted.

Life lessons should not be silenced.

There’s a responsibility in the reproductive world and it cannot be overlooked.

There is a responsibility in the moral world that cannot be overlooked. There is a responsibility in the reality world that cannot be overlooked.

I started this column with a parable and I’ll end it with one. Let’s say a woman has $50 to buy a dress to go to an event. Does she go into the first store she sees and buys the first dress she finds? Or does she go from store to store, seeking the best dress she can find, with the $50 that she has? More than likely, she will keep searching and seeking until she finds the best dress she can for the money she has. Yet when it comes to a man, does she pick the first one she finds with no regard for the price she will have to pay?

Apply this parable to every female and ask: Do you want to be known for being better at picking out a dress, than a man?

See what all the buzz is about.

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The Fair Tax is a tax cut for

97% of Illinoisians No matter what we look like or where we come from we all want to know our families are safe and taken care of.

When our community hospitals are closing but the wealthy get tax breaks something is wrong.

TOGETHER WE CAN FIX THE TAX SYSTEM, MAKING IT FAIRER, AND PROTECTING ALL OF OUR FAMILIES PAID FOR BY VOTE YES FOR FAIR TA X

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Austin Weekly News, October 28, 2020

PLANS FOR CHANGE: The community members who participated on Oct. 16, in the 25th anniversary of the Million Man March said that they want to address many issues confronting Black men on the West Side.

“The” Friendship BAPTIST CHURCH Rev. Dr. Reginald E. Bachus, Pastor

5200 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60644 773-378-6600

fbcchicago.org • facebook.com/friendshipbcchicago SUNDAY SCHEDULE 8:30AM 1st Sunday Communion 8:30AM Morning Worship Service 9:30AM Sunday Church School 11:00AM Mid-Morning Worship Service MIDWEEK SERVICES (Wednesday) 12:00PM Noon Bible Study 6:00PM Bible Study 7:00PM Prayer Meeting

Shanel Romain

Austin men commemorate Million Man March About 50 people gathered on Oct. 16 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Million Man March

By ZACH CUNNING AustinTalks

About 50 people gathered on Oct. 16 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Million Man March and to call on men in Austin to come together to better their community.

Robbie Wilkerson urged men throughout Austin to stand up and take “responsibility and authority” for their community.

“We’ve decided that no longer will we allow other people to decide for us what’s best for us. We don’t need people coming into our community… babysitting us or telling us what’s best for us.

Wilkerson said the Men Accountability Council’s goal is to recruit 2,000 men who can come together and do the work of improving their own community.

State Reps. Camille Lilly and La Shawn Ford, both of whom represent Austin, attended Friday’s event.

Lilly said she was excited to see the MAC group coming together to be accountable for what happens in their community. “As a MAC lady, I just want to stand next to you walk alongside you as you bring that vision to fruition.”

The event was held in the parking lot of the former Robert Emmet Elementary School, at 5500 W. Madison St. Then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel closed the Austin school in 2013 along with 49 other CPS schools including three others in Austin.

The Westside Health Authority acquired the former school building in 2018, from Chicago Public Schools, which has been trying to sell the unused buildings.

Morris Reed, CEO of Westside Health Authority, said his organization wants to turn the building into an education center for workforce training and innovation.

He said Westside Health Authority gets “approached by companies all the time saying, ‘We need labor. We need people to take these jobs.’” But, he said, those companies need workers with certain qualifications.

“We can train our own people to get jobs,” Reed said.

“We want to build this center [as] a place where if you want a job, you can get trained for a job, learn how to get a job and get placed in the job,” he said.

Virgil Crawford, a community organizer, called on all the men present to take an oath to make their communities safe, work to build them up, create opportunities for other Black men and women, and “be a testament to the world of what Black men can do when we come together.”

The Million Man March, which the Washington Post called “the largest civil rights demonstration in U.S. history,” was held in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 16, 1995.

Crawford said the march was about “Black men in this country recognizing that we had fallen short of our responsibility.” He said it was based on Black men who were committing to make changes in themselves to “do a better job as men, as fathers, as husbands, as leaders.”

The Friday event ended with about two dozen of the group, all wearing MAC shirts, marching silently to the former Laramie State Bank building at Chicago and Laramie avenues.

Jacqueline Reed, Westside Health Authority’s founder, said the organization wants to take ownership of the Laramie State Bank building through the city’s RFP program and turn it into a museum about the Great Migration.

CONTACT: austintalks.org@gmail.com

Austin Weekly News, October 28, 2020

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SPEAKING OUT: Damon Williams of the #LetUsBreathe Collective speaks at Homan Square black site in the summer. Williams said hundreds of people were arrested and many were “disappeared” for hours without being able to tell their families where they were.

Pascal Sabino/Block Club Chicago

ARRESTED Unlawfully from page 1 even minor accusations can snowball into something more serious, Solowiej said.

“Anything you say can be used against you, so it’s really a lot at stake. And it’s often people who are arrested for a misdemeanor, that ended up being the ones who give false confessions for serious cases, and then convicted of murder that they never did,” she said.

The practice of denying arrestees the right to make a timely call to family members and get legal advice from an attorney is known as incommunicado detention. During the summer protests against police violence and racial injustice, hundreds were arrested, and many were “disappeared” without being able to tell their families where they were for hours, said Damon Williams of the

#LetUsBreathe collective.

“You are in some kind of experience where you have been taken and captured.

To be able to communicate with your loved ones where you are, what’s going on is just a primary need,” he said. “Particularly at this time when there’s been no investigation, no verdict, and no court proceedings.”

When Williams was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge May 31 during protests calling for justice for George Floyd, he wasn’t given an opportunity to use the phone until the very end of the day, he said.

“I wasn’t even present or asking for my own rights or advocating for myself in the way that I should have because it was such an intense time. Because I was getting berated and argued with by officers,” Williams said.

While he was in lockup, Williams said he witnessed several teen demonstrators being mocked by police.

“His people did not know where he was… they never called their family members,” he said.

Chicago Police declined to comment on the release of the records due to an ongoing lawsuit against the department for its practice of incommunicado detention.

The lawsuit was filed by the Cook County Public Defender’s Office along with other plaintiffs including Black Lives Matter Chicago, the #LetUsBreathe Collective, Stop Chicago, UMedics and GoodKids MadCity.

The legal complaint would force the city to follow state laws that require access to a phone upon being arrested within a reasonable time, which is generally agreed to be one hour.

Public Defender Amy Campanelli’s office surveyed around 1,500 people detained by police between April and June 2020 and found that a quarter were never given their right to a phone call. Those that were given access to a phone had to wait an average of four hours, she said.

“We should all be angry at this. Chicago is considered, unfortunately, the false confession capital of the world because of the

S W NE ASH! FL

abuses of this Chicago Police Department,” Campanelli said.

Chicago Police have a history of violating civil and constitutional rights, according to Williams. The department is overshadowed by the legacies of former commander Jon Burge, who tortured hundreds into giving false confessions, and the Homan Square black site where at least 7,000 people were disappeared to the off-the-books interrogation compound.

But the continued practice of incommunicado detention and denial of access to legal counsel shows that “this is not isolated, but institutional,” Williams said.

“If the police are not following the law, that shows the law is not for protection, but for oppression,” Williams said.

Pascal Sabino is a Report for America corps member covering Austin, North Lawndale and Garfield Park for Block Club Chicago.

CONTACT: pascal@blockclubchi.org

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Austin Weekly News, October 28, 2020

deadline: 9:30 am Monday office hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday

CLASSIFIEDS TO PLACE AN AD HELP WANTED CASHIER/RECEPTIONIST Looking for a detailed oriented individual with dealership experience.

Alternate Saturday schedule, must be flexible. call 708-848-8500 BILINGUAL CCP SUPERVISOR Sahara Homecare is hiring a Bilingual CCP Supervisor for the Melrose Park location. We provide homecare services to seniors through the state-funded Community Care Program. Duties for the position include managing both homecare aides and client cases.

Requirements -Able to communicate in both Spanish and English -Minimum High School Diploma -Familiarity with Microsoft Office including Excel -Strong written and verbal communication skills Please send your resume to Human Resources Coordinator Habeeba Nazneen at: habeeban@saharahomecare.com.

For more information on job opportunities, please visit https://saharahomecare.com.

ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER PART-TIME Part-time Electrician’s Helper.

Must have own transportation.

Call for more info.

708-738-3848 HAPPY KIDD’S WEST INC. 6928 W 16th St Berwyn, IL 60513 We are seeking a Director and 2 teachers. Director must be qualified and have Associate’s degree or equivalent. Teachers must be director or teacher qualified. Mon thru Fri. working with Infants to 6 yrs old. Compensable salary negotiable based on experience.

Call 773-619-5545 or fax resume to 773-728-5437.

TEACHER AND TEACHER AIDE MINI ME BUNCH seeks teacher and teacher aide to enhance and expand daycare serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Teacher must have at least Associates’ degree in Early Childhood Education. Minimum 1 year experience preferred in each position.

Must love children and be outgoing, patient, flexible. Contact 773-521-9499.

PART TIME DRIVER Local Co looking for Part time Driver. Must be able to lift 75lbs, Valid Drivers License.

Hours 6 am til 12 pm.

Email HR@sievertelectric.com

CALL: 773-626-6332 | FAX: 708-467-9066 | E-MAIL: classifieds@AustinWeeklyNews.com Place your ad online anytime at AUSTINWEEKLYNEWS.COM/CLASSIFIED ROOMS FORÂ RENT AUSTIN CLEAN ROOM With fridge, micro.

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773-637-5957

SUBURBAN RENTALS OAK PARK 2BR 2BA CONDO Condo for rent on a great location near downtown oak park: 2 bedroom 2 bath condo, only electric bill not included. $1400 a month, $1400 deposit. For more information please call 224-475-7929.

OAK PARK: ROOSEVELT/ OAK PARK AVE. CORRIDOR 2BR 4RMS close to blue line. On site laundry, parking, heat & water incl. $1200/ month 708-383-9223

SUBURBAN RENTALS

Apartment listings updated daily at:

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue.

Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.

ITEMS FOR SALE BENCH PRESS WITH WEIGHTS Set includes (9) 5 lb weights; (7) 10 lb weights; (4) 3 lb weights together with poles. $79.00 708-488-8755 COLLECTION ITEM LLADRO STUDIOS About 30 years old. Madonna and Child by Martinez. No. 11. Inscribed in sculpture. Brown porcelain, approx. 2 ft tall. $651.00 708-488-8755 FISH TANK AND STAND 75 gallon fish tank and stand $50.

(630) 697-1739 ITEMS FOR SALE CHERRY WOOD CHAIRS Two beautiful cherry wood chairs with leather seats. $60.00 each.

FAN $20.00 AUDIX SPEAKERS Two new Audix speakers. $60.00 each.

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Attn: Home-Improvement Pros!

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FIREWOOD

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Items include furniture, lamps, DVD/ Blue Ray movies, video games, bedding, kitchen items, and many other great finds. No early birds and please wear your mask.

GARAGE SALE 1234 KENILWORTH SAT 10/31 8AM TO 3PM

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Credit Cards Accepted

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; lead or plastic â&#x20AC;&#x201C; other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

SUBURBAN RENTALS

HEATING/ AIR CONDITIONING

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PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to â&#x20AC;&#x153;An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,â&#x20AC;? as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20004709 on October 5, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of THE PERFECT PLAN 4 U 2 with the business located at: 3636 213TH PL, MATTESON, IL 60443.

The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: ELLEN MCKAY 3636 213TH PL MATTESON IL 60443, USA.

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to â&#x20AC;&#x153;An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,â&#x20AC;? as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20004728 on October 6, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of MAID 2 ADORE with the business located at: 3301 W ARTHINGTON 205, CHICAGO, IL 60624. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: LATISHA PATRICE LACEY 3301 W ARTHINGTON CHICAGO, IL 60624, USA. Published in Austin Weekly News 10/14, 10/21, 10/28/2020

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to â&#x20AC;&#x153;An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,â&#x20AC;? as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20004905 on October 14, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of VONLONGMIRE with the business located at: 1639 N. LOREL AVE., CHICAGO, IL 60639. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: DAVONTE LONGMIRE 1639 N. LOREL AVE. CHICAGO, IL 60639, USA. Published in Austin Weekly News 10/21, 10/28, 11/4/2020

Published in Austin Weekly News 10/14, 10/21, 10/28/2020

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

Selling your home by owner?

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Advertise here.

Call 708-613-3342 to place your ad.

Starting a New Business?

Call the experts before you place your legal ad!

Publish your assumed name legal notice in â&#x20AC;˘ Wednesday Journal â&#x20AC;˘ Forest Park Review â&#x20AC;˘ Riverside/Brookfield Landmark â&#x20AC;˘ Austin Weekly News Call Mary Ellen for details: 708/613-3342

Austin Weekly News, October 28, 2020

(773) 626-6332 | FAX: (708) 467-9066 | E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@AUSTINWEEKLYNEWS.COM

11

CLASSIFIEDS

local employees... happy employees!

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Hire Local. Place an ad on AWN’s Local Online Job Board.

Go to AustinWeeklyNews.com/classified today!

Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information.

(773) 626-6332 • maryellen@austinweeklynews.com

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

12

Austin Weekly News, October 28, 2020

GET HELP VOTING

Your vote matters. Call Election Protection at 866-OUR-VOTE if you run into problems or have any questions about voting, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be connected to a non-partisan trained volunteer who can help you. #ElectionProtection

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