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AUSTIN WEEKLY news ■ Owners of Austin’s famous ‘Pink House’ show off home’s interior, PAGE 10
Vol. 32 No. 47
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November 21, 2018
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austinweeklynews.com
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Also serving Garfield Park
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Alderman denies role in alleged attack on campaign volunteer Jason Ervin responded to residents during Nov. 13 community meeting By IGOR STUDENKOV
Oh, give thanks
Contributing Reporter
Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) strongly denied that he had anything to do with an alleged attack on two campaign petition circulators who were collecting signatures for rival 28th Ward candidates. The alleged incident took place in Nov. 6. Loukessa Hawkins, who was collecting signatures for 28th ward candidate Justina Winfrey, said that she and Shannice Jackson, who has been collecting signatures for 28th Ward candidate Beverly Miles, were assaulted by a man who tried to snatch away their nominating petitions and campaign literature. Hawkins was able to get a picture of the man leaving with the petitions and campaign literature in his arms. Once he saw Hawkins taking the photo, he returned the clipboards, but not the petition sheets. Hawkins and Winfrey both said that they believed the man acted on Ervin’s orders. Hawkins and some of her supporters confrontSee ERVIN on page 8
SHANEL ROMAIN/Contributor
Austin community members enjoy free meals after taking in a talent show and a slew of other activities at St. Paul Lutheran School, 846 N. Menard on Nov. 18. The event, called the Soul Food Pow-Wow, has been an Austin community tradition for the last 11 years.
Residents chime in on North Avenue
During Nov. 15 meeting, community members expressed concerns with, desires for the corridor By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter
Residents and business owners from the Galewood and Oak Park sides of North Avenue got a chance to share what they think should happen to the major corridor during a Nov. 15 public hearing held at Galewood’s Redeemer Church, 6740 W. North Ave. The North Avenue District, Inc., an area nonprofit focused on how North Avenue is
developed, the village of Oak Park and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning have been collaborating on an improvement plan for the section of North Avenue that is between Harlem Avenue and Austin Boulevard. The Nov. 15 meeting was part of that planning process. The plan would set development priorities for the corridor, delving into what kind of new businesses should setup in the area, what kind of housing should be built near-
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by and what can be done to improve the corridor’s appearance and branding. Earlier this year, residents and businesses filled out surveys to collect the information, while CMAP delved into the corridor’s demographics and economic data. The Nov. 15 meeting gave CMAP a chance to refine some of the information and give residents an opportunity to share suggestions and See NORTH AVENUE on page 5
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