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AUSTINWEEKLY news ■ Youth Outreach Services open to feedback, PAGE 12
Vol. 33 No. 44
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October 30, 2019
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austinweeklynews.com
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Also serving Garfield Park
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JJesse Howard’s H d’ workk on display, page 8
Clergy get behind embattled police supt. Facing investigation, noconfidence vote, Johnson has Black ministers’ support By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor
A group of prominent Chicago ministers, most of them from the West Side, have expressed support for beleaguered Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson. The clergy held a closed-door meeting with Johnson at Greater St. John Bible Church, 1256 N. Waller Ave. in Austin on Oct. 23 to discuss the Oct. 9 release of an Inspector General’s report that implicates Johnson in the police coverup of Laquan McDonald’s 2014 murder. “This meeting was scheduled shortly after the IG’s report went forward and we had some concerns about the superintendent’s involvement in the Laquan McDonald shooting,” said Rev. Ira Acree, pastor of the Greater St. John and cochairman of the Leaders Network, a faith-based social justice organization based on the West Side. “This meeting was very helpful to me,” Acree said during a press conference held in the church’s foyer shortly after the meeting. “We heard him come to the community. I commend him for that. He came out here and basically gave us his side of the story.” In 2015, according to Inspector General Joe Ferguson’s report, Johnson — who was a deputy chief at the time — met with other top brass who reviewed the shooting and determined that “16 shots was justified,” a lieutenant who was present at the meeting told the IG. See JOHNSON on page 13
Photo by Paul Goyette
Border crossing
Activists and clergy from Chicago and Oak Park, including Rev. Ira Acree (center), who pastors on the West Side, traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border last week. Now back, they’re condemning the “atrocities” related to the country’s immigration system. Read more on page 4.
BMO Harris Bank giving $10 million to Austin United Way of Metro Chicago is also contributing $25 million over five years By MATEUSZ JANIK AustinTalks
BMO Harris Bank is donating $10 million to help deepen its impact in the Chicago community with a specific focus on resident-led efforts guided by Austin Coming Together. “Economic inclusion and strong neigh-
borhoods go hand in hand,” BMO Harris Bank CEO David R. Casper said in a statement. “As an institution with deep Chicago roots, we consider it our responsibility to boldly grow the good across the city, and that includes building strong, resilient neighborhoods.” The donation – the largest corporate gift in United Way of Metro Chicago’s history
– will be used to help implement Austin’s quality of life plan and to support social service infrastructure and development in the city’s most-populated community area. The investment was announced last week at an event hosted by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who has a plan to bolster eco-
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