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7th District congressional candidates to discuss issues Tuesday night

By AustinTalks | 2 hours ago

A forum featuring Democrats Kina Collins, Danny Davis and Denarvis Mendenhall will be held at 6 p.m. May 24 at Bethel New Life, 1140 N. Lamon Ave.

When skyscrapers are not of men

Our AustinTalks columnist writes about the mental toll of navigating the world as a Black man. He’s working as a traveling social worker in Oregon.

Austin youth doing restorative justice

Austin Coming Together has received a grant from the Tides Foundation. It is funding a restorative justice program that teaches young people to become peace circle keepers.

Early voting for 2022 primary begins next week

Early voting for the June 28th primary was supposed to begin May 19th, but the date was pushed back to accommodate recent changes to the ballot, including the removal of the city ward map referendum question.

More Headlines

West Side credit union one step closer to opening
Teens, young adults can apply now for summer jobs
Austin resident found place to start her dream career

News

  • Many summer activities available for Austin youth

    This summer, teens and young adults in Austin will be able to enjoy multiple events and activities organized by the 15th Police District and community partners. Events for Memorial Day weekend (May 28-30), a date that traditionally marks the start of summer and an uprise in violent crimes, were announced at the 15th District's faith leaders' monthly meeting.

  • Young West Siders explore summer job opportunities

    More than 100 teenagers and young adults attended last week's youth summer job fair at La Follette Park - and many decided to apply on-site. Members of Austin's Youth Empowerment Committee, a working group of Austin Coming Together, helped them complete their applications.

  • Innovation center may soon be underway in the 29th Ward

    A project for the property located at Madison Street and Central Avenue will be announced soon, Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th) said at his monthly ward meeting held last week.

  • Witness protection program to receive funding in new state budget

    The state budget that takes effect July 1 includes $12 million to fund the state's witness protection program, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford told members of the Leaders Network at their monthly meeting. The funding will help neighbors actively assist in reporting crimes, cover witness protection costs, and pay for a tip line and a pilot program to use ring cameras to help solve crimes, Ford said at last week's meeting.

  • Project to renovate mural at Central Avenue Green line stop moving along

    Austin residents voiced their concerns at a community forum meeting held last week about moving forward with the mural project on the viaduct at Lake Street and Central Avenue. Some residents called for the viaduct walls to be repaired before the mural is placed, saying they showed signs of deterioration, with some parts of the wall falling off.

  • Share your thoughts about mural

  • Over $150 million in utility assistance available to needy Illinois families

    Families in need may apply for $150 million in utility bill assistance through the Help Illinois Families Program. Families who meet the criteria and provide required documentation are eligible to receive utility bill assistance for natural gas, propane and electricity through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

  • ‘Violence is the expression of poverty’ – Mayor Lightfoot stresses importance of investing in the West Side

    Investing in the West Side is a key to reducing violence, Mayor Lori Lightfoot told about 100 people at a recent town hall meeting. "Violence is the expression of poverty," Lightfoot said.

  • Michele Clark students, parents ask CPS to hear their voices

    Students, parents and members of the Local School Council from Michele Clark Academic Magnet Prep High School asked CPS to consider their views regarding plans for property near the school at a recent meeting. Students have been building community support through an online petition that urges the Chicago Board of Education and Chicago Public Schools to engage with students and residents as decisions are made about the property, located between the school's parking lot at Flournoy Street and Lavergne Avenue, that CPS recently purchased.

  • Local nonprofit helping feed Austin families

    By Kevin Ashley A South Side nonprofit hopes to help feed dozens more Austin families. The Thierer Family Foundation has given a $25,000 grant to Dion’s Chicago Dream, an Englewood-based grocery delivery service, to expand food deliveries in Austin.

Recent Updates

  • Overdose reversal medication to be available at Austin libraries

    Later this month, patrons at three libraries in Austin - 5615 W. Race Ave., 5724 W. North Ave. and 4856 W. Chicago Ave.

  • Apply for $500 monthly subsidy by Friday’s deadline

  • Loretto offering free mammograms, bone density scans

    Celebrating mothers throughout the month of May, The Loretto Hospital is offering free mammograms and DEXA (bone density) scans for uninsured or underinsured residents of Austin. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among all female populations in the U.S., and while incidence of breast cancer is comparable among Black and white women, Black women are 40% more likely to die from the disease than their white counterparts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  • Clean up Amundsen Park

  • Learn why redistricting matters to you and the West Side

  • West Side CTA train station to be renovated

    The Central Green line stop is one of nearly 30 CTA stations across the city that will be repaired and improved. The work is being done under the CTA's ongoing station revitalization program, which last year was expanded and accelerated to target more than 90 percent of all rail stations.

  • Attend housing summit on Saturday

  • You can save someone from overdosing

  • West Side women to be honored Saturday

  • Stop by summer job fair for youth

  • Homeowners late on mortgage, property taxes due to COVID can get state grants

    Homeowners who are behind on their mortgage or property tax payments due to COVID-19 can apply for housing assistance grants through the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund. The Illinois Housing Development Authority is accepting applications for grants of up to $30,000.

  • Low-income Chicagoans can apply for the city’s new monthly cash assistance program later this month

    Applications for Chicago's new cash assistance program will be accepted starting at 9 a.m. Monday, April 25 and ending by midnight Friday, May 13. The Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot is a $31.5 million program that will support 5,000 low-income households with $500 monthly payments for one year.

  • Tickets still available for Friday night blues performance in Austin

  • Stop by the free sealing, expungement workshop

  • West Side institution reopens Tuesday after major renovation

    Chicago officials, community leaders, executives of Uncle Remus and Gus Rickette himself officially unveiled the revamped Uncle Remus, 5611 W. Madison Ave. A ribbon cutting was planned for today, a day before the restaurants is set to open to the public.

  • City launches events, days of service to keep youth engaged during spring break

    Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and First Lady Amy Eshleman announced a week-long campaign to connect Chicago’s youth to events, programs and community service activities during CPS' spring break from April 8 through April 17. Spring Forward will provide hundreds of opportunities for young people at MyCHIMyFuture.org, the website of Mayor Lightfoot and First Lady Eshleman’s signature youth initiative, My CHI.

AustinTalks on Twitter

  • Westside Health Authority's efforts to turn the former Emmet Elementary School into a job training center and a com… https://t.co/NTVLYlp5f93 days ago
  • New ward map largely keeps West Side intact despite population shifts Despite decreasing Black population and incre… https://t.co/SP08MnpYhd3 days ago
  • Hundreds of Chicago Public Schools students on the West and South sides were automatically enrolled in JROTC progra… https://t.co/SiB5Rq4tb65 days ago
  • Cook County will launch a guaranteed income pilot program this fall; 3,250 residents will get $500 a month for 2 ye… https://t.co/sXZBwUyXut5 days ago
  • Longtime Chicago police officer Frederick Collins announced his second run for mayor on Sunday. The 29-year veteran… https://t.co/Blw5p2N93o6 days ago
  • Glad no Austin schools reported problems with air conditioning. https://t.co/aam7jLgn7O6 days ago
  • An analysis of readings from newly-installed air sensors across the city found parts of Austin have some of the hig… https://t.co/zzQeTc5xJ37 days ago
  • Austin native Tyla Abercrumbie's play "Relentless" was inspired by the people she knew growing up. https://t.co/GyRzCgMx4W7 days ago
  • Austin resident Isaiah Cunningham is ready for his first shot at a national gold medal in the national Special Olym… https://t.co/Swu46jzqyH10 days ago
  • Look forward to seeing West Siders out on this course! https://t.co/9hIPjKUbxd10 days ago
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The Austin community, home to nearly 100,000 people, is rich in diversity, culture and life. AustinTalks seeks to reflect this richness and provide residents of Chicago's most-populated neighborhood with news and information not available anywhere. Help us make this a meeting place that showcases all Austin has to offer. Share your tips and questions; we'll share your stories.

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