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Instacart stipend program aims to combat West Side food insecurity Participants can use these funds to shop at local grocery stores By FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Staff Reporter
A new program will provide a monthly grocery stipend to West Side residents with chronic illnesses who also experience food insecurity. The initiative aims to reduce the negative impact food insecurity has on people’s health, recognizing that health does not only depend on medical treatment, but a patient’s social and economic circumstances. About 34% of 15,000 West Side patients reported running out of food or worrying about it in the last year because of the lack of money, according See INSTACART on page 3
How much will your Metra tickets cost? page 10
IGOR STUDENKOV
South and West side residents were at the Chicago City Hall ahead of the Nov. 7 special meeting to demand the aldermen put a referendum on Chicago’s Sanctuary City status on the ballot.
How your West Side alder voted on whether to censure Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa Ramirez-Rosa tried to block Ald. Emma Mitts from entering the council chambers By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter
The West Side aldermen were split on whether to censure Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th) last week over trying to block Ald. Emma Mitts (37th)
from entering the council chambers Nov. 2, a move the Black Caucus called “bullying” and “unprofessional and unbecoming of his role.” Ramirez-Rosa also reportedly threatened three aldermen, including Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th).
WS ! NEF H S A L
At the contentious meeting, a group of aldermen called for Chicago to reconsider its status as a sanctuary city and want to put it to vote next year. On Nov. 7, Chicago City Council came See CENSURE VOTE on page 8
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2 Austin Weekly News, November 15, 2023
Austin Weekly News, November 15, 2023
AUSTIN WEEKLY
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Editor Erika Hobbs Staff Reporters Amina Sergazina, Igor Studenkov, Francia Garcia Hernandez, Amaris Rodriguez Digital Manager Stacy Coleman Reporting Partners Block Club, Austin Talks Columnists Arlene Jones, Aisha Oliver Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Sales & Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Publisher Dan Haley
INSTACART
Funded delivery from page 1 to Wellness West, a Chicago-based health collaborative. By eliminating barriers to food, patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, depression and severe mental illnesses could see their health improve. The program, called Food Connections, is a partnership with Instacart that works a bit like SNAP, said Misty Drake, executive director of Wellness West, one of the program’s leading partners. It will provide monthly food benefits for people who have been assessed to be food-insecure. The program is one of several initiatives that Wellness West has begun to address health inequities in Chicago’s West Side. It is partly funded by the Illinois Department of Health to provide comprehensive care to nearly 200,000 insured and uninsured patients. In their model of care, patients get access to medical services and are connected to community health workers who assess their needs beyond a medical or
physical examination. “They are cultural, linguistic and lived experience translators,” Drake said. Because they understand patients’ experiences, community health workers can identify some of their barriers to a healthy lifestyle or health care in a way doctors not always can. Thus, they can help them get access to programs or resources that address these barriers, such as lack of access to food or housing. By addressing these needs, Wellness West looks to improve patients’ health in ways that traditional health care models fail to do. It’s like: “How do we think about health differently?” Drake said. Through the Food Connections program, eligible West Siders will receive $79 a month on the e-commerce platform Instacart to purchase fresh and frozen food from grocery stores. They can choose to have their groceries delivered to their home, eliminating transportation or mobility barriers. That money can be used to offset monthly subscription or delivery fees. It can also be combined with SNAP or other benefits to supplement grocery budgets. “We have to start treating these barriers to care just like we treat [with] medicine … You screen, you assess and you provide the
service,” Drake said. “And what that means is that we have to invest in it as well.” Over the next six months, Wellness West and Instacart aim to bring some hyperlocal independent stores into Instacart. While they are scarce, some could join, potentially increasing their visibility and bringing in new customers — and more revenue, Drake said. This provides an opportunity to invest back into the few hyperlocal independent grocery stores that have stayed in West Side communities and circulate dollars within the community, she said. Other retailers with West Side locations, such as Pete’s Fresh Market and Cermak, are already on Instacart and could also benefit from this program, Drake said. So far, Wellness West has invested about $350,000 to combat food insecurity on the West Side, yet more is needed to achieve health equity, Drake said. “There has to be some investment in the infrastructure,” Drake said. “Just like there’s an investment in having imaging machinery in order to assess for breast cancer screening, this is no different.” “If I’m not addressing inadequate housing, if I’m not addressing the lack of transportation … then I’m never going to achieve health equity,” she said.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer HOW TO REACH US 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 773-626-6332 • FAX 708-467-9066 CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.com ONLINE www.AustinWeeklyNews.com Austin Weekly News is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. It is distributed free of charge at locations across Austin and Garfield Park. Our hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Advertising rates are available by calling our office. Printed entirely on recycled paper. © 2023 Growing Community Media NFP.
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4 Austin Weekly News, November 15, 2023
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IGOR STUDENKOV
FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at Washington Square Mall.
About $66 million in FEMA aid heading to the West Side More aid may still come as agency processes applications for help after the July flooding By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter
More than 912,800 West Side residents, most of them in Austin, may be receiving about $66.2 million in federal emergency aid to help recover from flood devastation in July. Because FEMA is still reviewing applications after the Nov. 7 deadline, those amounts could rise. According to FEMA data, an Austin Weekly News analysis of applications by zip code showed that as of Nov. 9, about
2,203 applicants in the zip code 60639 area, which includes most of the Austin community area north of North Avenue and a portion of Galewood, has received around $12.47 million in aid so far. The Austin community area, especially parts south of North Avenue, bore the brunt of the flooding in the city. The amount of aid approved so far reflects that. In the zip code 60707, which includes the remaining part of Galewood, about 337 eligible applicants received around $1.44 million so far. For zip code area 60651, which includes much of central Austin and most of West Humboldt Park, 3901 eligible applicants have received about $21.92 million. In the rest of Austin, in zip code 60644, another 3,735 eligible applicants have received around $18.15 million. The flooding has also devastated other West Side community areas that qualified for aid. In zip code 60612, which includes
Austin Weekly News, November 15, 2023 West Garfield Park, half of East Garfield Park and most of the northern edge of North Lawndale, 2,122 eligible applicants have received around $10.25 million so far. For zip code 60612, which includes the remaining half of East Garfield Park and a northeast corner of North Lawndale, those figures are 573 eligible applicants receiving about $1.98 million. Across the city and suburbs, FEMA granted more than $305 million in individual assistance to 73,073 households in Chicago and the suburbs. This includes about $267 million in housing assistance and $38 million in other needs-based assistance. At least 19,846 people visited disaster recovery centers FEMA set up in Chicago and the suburbs by early November. While the flooding happened July 2, it wasn’t until Aug. 15 that President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration, permitting FEMA to begin accepting applications for disaster aid. The agency set up multiple recovery centers throughout Chicago and the suburbs where residents could apply in person, and they could apply online and over the phone. Two of those recovery centers were located in Ausitn, and one was located in East Gar-
field Park. The centers closed Nov. 4. FEMA spokesperson Darrell Habisch said that it will take the agency time to process all the applications received by that point, and the numbers may go up in the coming weeks. Residents can check on the status of their application and ask application-related questions by using the FEMA app, visiting DisasterAssistance.gov or calling 800-621-3362.
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6 Austin Weekly News, November 15, 2023
How does housing impact health on the West Side? Experts weigh in People experiencing homelessness live 27 years less than those who are housed, medical experts said By FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Staff Reporter
Unhoused people ages 24 to 44 are nine times more likely to die than those who have houses, research shows. Overall, people experiencing homelessness live 27 years less than those who are housed, said Thomas Huggett, physician and medical director of mobile health at the Lawndale Christian Health Center. Yet homelessness among Black Chicagoans — who make up about 70% of the people experiencing homelessness in the city – persists, said Brandi Calvert, vice president of housing for the Center for Housing and Health. The shocking figures come from a forum last week run by Wellness West, a Chicago-based health collaborative. “Bridging the Equity Gap: A Wellness West Discussion on Health and Housing” brought together leading experts to discuss how housing — or the lack of it — affects West Sider’s health, and to explore how affordable housing and collaboration among agencies and social services providers can improve those conditions.
How housing impacts health Studies show that lack of housing increases the risk of hospitalization, infectious disease and pregnancy complications, Huggett said. “Pregnant women, they are particularly vulnerable if they’re experiencing homelessness,” Huggett said. They have twice the risk of having heavy bleeding, preterm labor and other complications. On the other side, health can impact people’s ability to find housing or stay housed. Adults with disabilities are four times more likely to lose housing, Huggett said. Those who are housed can also see impacts to their health if their housing conditions are inadequate, a reality often faced by low-income communities. These can include such things as pests and mold, triggers that can
FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ
Experts shared how health is correlated to housing at a forum held at Malcolm X. College on Nov. 7, 2023. lead to respiratory and infectious diseases or exacerbating asthma symptoms.
Unhoused children and youth are impacted for life Children and adolescents experiencing homelessness have unique needs that need to be prioritized, medical experts said. “Everything that is happening to them, good and bad, is carrying with them, said Sadhana Dharmapuri, interim chief of the division of adolescent medicine at Cook County Health. A 2021 Center for Disease Control and Prevention survey found 2.7% of U.S. high school students were unhoused or had unstable housing. Yet, the numbers could be higher as the numbers only include results from youth in grades 9-12 who participated in the survey. Children and youth are most often dependent on their parents or guardians, who have a direct impact in their ability to be housed or have stable housing. Therefore, conditions that affect adults such as parental unemployment and domestic violence can also place children at risk of homelessness. Homelessness can have adverse health effects for children and adolescents. Unhoused children and adolescents at a time when they are also at higher risk of experiencing food insecurity, malnutrition and obesity, studies show.
Homelessness also increases the likeliness of children and adolescents to be exposed to violence or become victims of violence, Dharmapuri said. What is most worrying, medical experts added, is that all of these risks can affect children and adolescents when their brains are still growing and developing. Therefore, any negative impacts in early childhood and youth, can affect adult health. “Everything that a child experiences during this time, positive or negative, affects their adult brain,” Dharmapuri said.
The need for systemic change Chicago is not the only city in the United States affected by homelessness, driven by the lack of affordable housing, said Marisa Novara, vice president of community impact for The Chicago Community Trust. The former commissioner of the city’s Department of Housing said the cost of housing drives the rates of homelessness in major cities. High costs of housing, paired with insufficient of affordable housing units, drive the homelessness crisis. “We have a120,000-unit gap in the number of affordable units that we need as a city versus the number that we have,” she said. “And that’s very real in the lived experience of our neighbors.”
Austin Weekly News, November 15, 2023
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8 Austin Weekly News, November 15, 2023
CENSURE VOTE Council tensions from page 1 within one vote of censuring the former floor leader. He stepped down from that role ahead of that vote. Mayor Brandon Johnson and his allies oppose the idea, and Ramirez-Rosa used heavy-handed tactics to try to make sure there weren’t enough aldermen in the council chambers to reach a quorum. CBS2 news cameras captured RamirezRosa blocking Mitts as she tried to enter the chamber. Four other aldermen – Taliaferro and Alds. Michelle Lee (11th), Felix Cardona (31st) and Desmon Yancy (5th) have said he threatened to block votes on zoning issues in their wards. City council committee chairs have a broad discretion when it comes to setting agendas and can put off votes for years. During the Nov. 7 meeting, Mitts has said that Ramirez-Rosa didn’t “manhandle” her, but the interaction was still “uncomfortable” because she was “literally blocked at that door.” “I felt like I was back in the South,” Mitts,
who grew up in Elaine, Arkansas in the late 1950s and early 1960s, said at the time. She said that Ramirez-Rosa has apologized, and she said she accepted his apology. Later during the meeting, he said that, while he “cannot take away the mistakes [he] made last week,” he was committed to trying to make amends with Mitts and his other colleagues. In a statement sent to Austin Weekly News after the meeting, Mitts added that she appreciated that support she has received, and while she forgave him, she also believes Ramirez-Rosa could do more to make amends to her and the other aldermen. “All Chicago Alders and everyone everywhere should be held accountable for their actions and be transparent,” Mitts said. “We must all be governed by the same high professional and ethical standards which are demanded of City officials — regardless of our different positions regarding legislation proposed by Council lawmakers.” Still, the confrontation with Mitts led to push back from the city council’s Black Caucus and West Side faith leaders and community activists. Pastor Ira Acree, co-head of the Leaders Network coalition of West Side faith leaders, denounced Ramirez-Rosa’s “bullying tactics.” “Alderman Ramirez-Rosa’s actions are not
Here’s how West Side alders voted on the measure: ■ Mitts. No ■ Taliaferro. Yes
He told Austin Weekly News after the meeting that he believed “the censure was very proper” – and the fact that the vote was “very split down the middle” showed that a significant portion of his colleagues agreed. ■ Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) and Black Caucus chairman. No ■ Ald. Water Burnett (27th) and vice mayor. No ■ Monique Scott (24th). Yes
only disrespectful to Alderman Mitts but also an insult to every senior citizen, every woman, and every Black person in Chicago,” Acree said. “The Black woman has been a champion in American society, and Alderman Mitts herself has shown remarkable resilience and leadership in her community.” He also told Austin Weekly News that he thought that by voting down the censure motion, the city council missed a chance “to send a resounding message that there
Scott said during the meeting that it was important to acknowledge that Mitts and others were “victims,” and she wanted to have an honest conversation about bullying behavior and pressure tactics on the council. She also said she wasn’t entirely convinced that Ramirez-Rosa would’ve been as contrite if circumstances were different. “While I appreciate your apology, if we didn’t have a tape, would it be sincere?” Scott said. Neither Ervin nor Burnett explained their votes at the censure meeting. is no place for playground bullies in our city council.” “We appreciate Alderman Emma Mitts for taking the high ground and refusing to vote for the censuring of Alderman Ramirez-Rosa,” he said. “However, I was very disappointed that the city council didn’t stand up for her when the vote was tallied. At the very least, the city council should have reprimanded him for his disrespectful treatment of his senior colleague.”
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9
At Restorative Justice Court Graduation, Young Men Caught In The System Get A Second Chance The restorative justice program graduated 46 participants Thursday, giving young, nonviolent offenders a clean slate and chance to start over By TREY ARLINE Block Club Chicago
Last year, 26-year-old Jeremiah Clark was facing charges of unlawful use of a weapon, a crime punishable with a minimum of four years in prison, even if no one gets harmed. After being bonded out of jail and placed on house arrest, Clark wrote a letter to his future self about his goals, sought a job and talked with others about his future. Now, Clark is in the process of having that weapons charge wiped from his record, and he hopes to make the most of his second chance. “I am happy that this happened to me. I think this is a good opportunity,” Clark said.
Clark was one of 46 people who graduated Thursday from the North Lawndale Restorative Justice Community Court program, a Cook County recidivism-focused program that helps people caught in the legal system get a fresh start. The graduation ceremony was held at UCAN, 3605 W. Fillmore St., with Cook County Chief Judge Tim Evans and other officials looking on. The community court program, which is aided by social justice nonprofit Heartland Human Care Services, gives participants a chance to get their lives back on track by providing housing, job assistance and, most importantly, a clean record. Restorative justice court programs are run out of North Lawndale, Englewood and Avondale.
COLIN BOYLE/Block Club Chicago
Graduates stand up to be recognized during the North Lawndale Restorative Justice Community Court graduation ceremony on Nov. 9, 2023.
COLIN BOYLE/Block Club Chicago
McKyle Roach gets a hug while receiving his certificate of completion during the North Lawndale Restorative Justice Community Court graduation ceremony on Nov. 9, 2023. “These are our ambassadors to come back into society as citizens rather than convicted felons,” Evans said at the event. “They’ll be the ones to tell people about this program. Nobody is perfect. We’ve all had to have grace and a second chance, or even a third chance. You are just like us. You’re going to be whatever you want to be.” Tytrevious Mims, 24, said he wants to establish his own delivery business with his clean record. The Mississippi-born father also had been charged with unlawful gun possession, and he credits the program for giving him the space to express his true self. “I’m a known troublemaker. I’m not proud of my mistakes, but if it weren’t for those mistakes, I wouldn’t have met such great people,” Mims said. The program “gave me a push that I didn’t know I needed. I’m grateful that I went through this program and did everything that I needed to succeed.” Restorative Justice Community Court began in 2017 and focuses on adults aged 18-26 charged with non-violent felony or misdemeanor crimes. Those who successfully complete the program have the opportunity to have their charges dismissed and even have their court records expunged after the program is complete. To graduate, participants must complete the requirements of an individualized “repair of harm agreement.” This comes in the form of getting a high school diploma or GED, getting job training and employ-
ment, or making amends to anyone they have wronged through their actions, said Mary Wisniewski, Cook County Circuit Court spokesperson. Judges in the program meet regularly with participants for six to 12 months, and participants work with social workers who provide resources such as counseling and help prevent them from reoffending, Wisniewski said. The program is funded by the Edward R. Byrne Justice Assistance Grant from the Department of Justice. “This is the best part of my job,” assistant state’s attorney Jamal Jackson said at the graduation ceremony. “Knowing that there’s one less person in the system, one less person that looks like me on the inside. There’s a way to prosecute without locking them up, without putting them in cages.” Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer, who was born and raised in North Lawndale, sought to give encouragement to the graduates about their paths in life after they completed the program. Deer has worked in restorative justice for years, working as an aide to Rep. Danny Davis to create the Second Chance Act of 2007 to help prisoners transition back into their communities after serving their sentences. “It’s not going to be easy for you. There are people you grew up with that don’t want you to do good,” he said. “What we are doing with this can create generational change. You can choose change, for the better.”
10 Austin Weekly News, November 15, 2023
Most Metra ticket fares will decrease in February Among the changes: reduced prices for one-way and monthly tickets, and no more 10-rides By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter
Most Metra riders within the Growing Community Media’s coverage area will pay less for oneway trips and monthly passes under the new fare structure that will take effect on Feb. 1, 2024. During its Nov. 10 meeting, Metra Board of Directors unanimously approved a new fare policy that reduces the number of fare zones from 10 to 4. All but one station within the Growing Community Media’s coverage area will fall into Fare Zone 2. Brookfield’s Congress Park station will fall into Fare Zone 3. Riders traveling from Fare Zone 2 to downtown Chicago will pay $3.75 for one-way tickets and $75 for monthly passes. For example, that represents roughly a 12% decrease for one-way Oak Park riders, and a 25% decrease for monthly ones. Congress Park riders traveling toward the Loop will pay $5.50 for one-way tickets and $110 for monthly passes. In other words, they will pay the same for one-way tickets and $10 more for monthlies. In a major change, the fare for any trips that don’t start or end at any of the downtown terminals will be the same regardless of distance, or $3.75 for one-way trips and $75 for monthly passes. This represents a decrease even for riders who travel short distances. For example, a one-way trip between River Forest and Oak Park now costs $4. The new fare policy will eliminate $6 unlimited ride day pass that’s good for up to three fare zone and the $10 day pass that’s good system-wide. It will be replaced with a zone-based pass with a value that will increase the farther one travels from the
Milwaukee District North
Station Grand/Cicero Hanson Park Galewood Mars Montclare
Location Austin Austin Galewood Galewood Galewood
Loop. Riders within Growing Community Media coverage area who use the $6 pass will need to pay $7.50, and riders who use a $10-day pass will need to pay between $7.50 and $13.50 if they are traveling to and/or from the Loop. They’ll pay $7.50 if they want to travel elsewhere in the system. While both of the current day passes can only be purchased on Ventra app, the new Day Pass will be available in physical form, as well. The $100 Super-Saver monthly pass, which is good system-wide, is going away, too, in favor of zone-based passes. But the increase will mostly affect collar-county riders traveling to and from the Loop. But in perhaps the most dramatic change, the 10-Ride tickets, which allow riders to take 10 trips for a price of nine, will be going away. It will be replaced by a Ventra-only “Day Pass Five Pack,” which will allow riders to buy five, one-day passes for the price of 9.5 monthly tickets. Since the price of one-way tickets is decreasing, that still represents a decrease for riders who use 10-rides for round trips in the newly minted Fare Zone 2. Aaron Maertins, Metra’s director of operations, planning and project management, told the Metra board last Friday that they wanted to move away from tickets that are “trip-limited” and toward those that are “time-limited.” And he noted that when the trains are crowded, it’s easy for conductors to forget to hole-punch paper tickets or swipe digital ones during those trips. Riders who buy five-packs will be able to share passes within the pack with other riders, similar to how 10-ride ticket holders can use it to pay for their companions’ fares. Riders who board at stations that either have ticket agents or ticket vending machines now pay a $5 surcharge if they buy a ticket on the train. Maertins said that Metra will be “suspending the surcharge for the time being” to make it easier for riders to adjust to the new fare policies. He did not specify how long that would be.
Fare Zones One Ways Current Feb. 2024 Current Feb. 2024 10-Rides Five Packs B 2 $4.25 $3.75 $40.50 $35.75 B 2 $4.25 $3.75 $40.50 $35.75 B 2 $4.25 $3.75 $40.50 $35.75 B 2 $4.25 $3.75 $40.50 $35.75 B 2 $4.25 $3.75 $40.50 $35.75
H
Oh no, another one-term mayor!
e’s barely been in office for six months, but I’m already labeling Brandon Johnson a one-term mayor! He looks like a deer caught in the headlights whenever the media can find him to ask a question. Former mayor Lori Lightfoot was always in the news. But we can’t find Brandon anywhere. He’s taking no accountability for anything either. And if he brings up his wife and children being raised on the West Side of Chicago again as part of a non-answer, I’m going to scream! For all his talk about how he was a Cook County commissioner and knows how to run government, he’s proving the exact opposite. I never understood how someone who was so unknown could take out an incumbent. And once in office, he did not make a name for himself the way former commissioner Richard Boykin did. I’ve talked to a number of Brandon’s supporters, who are disappointed in him. I gladly tell them, “I am not disappointed. I actually listened to the nonsense he said when he was running. I watched the debates very carefully (even when I missed them live, I found the videos on YouTube) during the election cycle. And based on what I saw, I knew he was not the candidate for me. So I didn’t vote for him. You all are getting exactly what you didn’t want to pay attention to!” I hope one of the lessons being learned from this after-the-fact revelation is to change the method of hosting the mayoral and aldermanic debates. I went to a debate and was very disappointed about how contrived the whole situation was. If you really want a candidate to show what they know or don’t know, let the audience ask questions! Who remembers that presidential debate where an audience member asked then candidate George H.W. Bush about the price of milk? Bush didn’t have a clue. In attending the debates here on the West Side, audience questions put on index cards were never asked. Instead the tired guest panelists asked the same doggone questions that everybody else asked. When candidates come to my neighborhood, I want neighborhoodrelated questions, asked and answered. Speaking of neighborhoods, I’ve been supporting the Amundsen Park Advisory Council in their battle to keep the field house open and not be taken over by asylum-seekers. They have a country and a consulate. Instead of coming here, they need to go back home and fight for their country. To be living at the expense of the American taxpayer is an insult. And even getting a job making $15 to $20 an hour is not enough to raise a family in this city. Rent is high. Food is high. Gas, electric and all the other amenities are high. Why the government is allowing this importation of poor people who in turn are being housed in marginalized communities makes no sense. And speaking of marginalized communities, pay attention to Brighton Park’s reaction to their upcoming migrant camp. But more importantly, the city’s response to each area needs to be monitored. My mantra of “Pay attention, folks” needs to be heeded now more than ever.
ARLENE JONES
AustinWeekly News, November 15, 2023 11
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708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area
PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING Fast & Neat • Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost - 708.749.0011
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO USA HOLDINGS INC. Plaintiff, -v.WANDA CARTER, AKA WANDA C. CARTER, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS NOMINEE FOR CITIMORTGAGE, INC., ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF HAROLD E. CARTER, AKA HAROLD CARTER, AKA HAROLD EARL CARTER, SR., DECEASED, WILLIAM P. BUTCHER, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF HAROLD E. CARTER, AKA HAROLD CARTER, AKA HAROLD EARL CARTER, SR., DECEASED Defendants 2022 CH 01421 1301 NORTH PARKSIDE AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60651 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 18, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 5, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1301 NORTH PARKSIDE AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60651 Property Index No. 16-05-223-0180000 The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by
The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-23-06118 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2022 CH 01421 TJSC#: 43-3964 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2022 CH 01421 I3231903
Commonly known as 1015 N. Laramie Ave., Chicago, IL 60651. 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 The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates, P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563. (630) 453-6925. 6706-186960 ADC INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3231643
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC; Plaintiff, vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF MARKEE COOPER; CITY OF CHICAGO; MARKEE COOPER JR.; DAMON RITENHOUSE AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR MARKEE COOPER; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 22 CH 9500 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 Monday, December 4, 2023 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. 16-04-407-014-0000.
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR LEHMAN XS TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1 Plaintiff, -v.OMAR D STOVER A/K/A OMAR STOVER, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF OMAR D. STOVER, IF ANY, CITY OF CHICAGO Defendants 09 CH 44139 1534 NORTH LAVERGNE AVE CHICAGO, IL 60651 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 21, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 18, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1534 NORTH LAVERGNE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60651 Property Index No. 16-04-203-0240000 The real estate is improved with a two-story single family house with white siding and a detached garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 3469088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 20-05240IL_615260 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 09 CH 44139 TJSC#: 43-3139 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 09 CH 44139 I3232144
Commonly known as 4038 W. ARTHINGTON STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60624 Property Index No. 16-15-414-0350000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $203,557.77. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, contact JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650, Chicago, IL, 60602 (312) 541-9710. Please refer to file number 22 1289. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650 Chicago IL, 60602 312-541-9710 E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg. com Attorney File No. 22 1289 Attorney Code. 40342 Case Number: 2023 CH 04861 TJSC#: 43-4059 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2023 CH 04861 I3232479
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION CSMC 2022-NQM5 TRUST Plaintiff, -v.CLS SOLUTIONS IL, LLC, JUSTIN SABO, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2023 CH 04861 4038 W. ARTHINGTON STREET CHICAGO, IL 60624 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 26, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 14, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:
12 Austin Weekly News, November 15, 2023 Sponsored Content
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