AustinTalks | News and information covering Chicago's Austin neighborhood on the West Side

Austin’s monthly fresh produce market held this weekend

By AustinTalks | December 14, 2019

This month’s fresh produce market will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 13; from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14; and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m Dec. 15 at 5051 W. Chicago Ave. There will be a large selection of affordable fresh produce, recipe demonstrations, free sampling and giveaways.

29th Ward

29th Ward projects decided for 2020

29th Ward residents approved six out of seven projects that will be completed over the next several months. The projects include street resurfacing, community park improvements and a pedestrian crosswalk, with a safety island.

census

Black lawmakers push West Siders to take part in census

Traveling as part of the “Get Counted” bus tour, members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus made a stop at MacArthur’s Restaurant to unveil a new partnership they hope will help hard-to-count areas such as Austin get an accurate count in next year’s census. The data collected every decade determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities.

health

Loretto Hospital jumps in patient safety rating after new report

The hospital – which remains the largest private employer in Austin, with 624 people on staff – received an A rating for its fall report, after receiving average ratings of C’s and D’s. The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit based in Washington, grades hospitals across the country on factors like in-patient care, infections and practices to prevent error. Hospitals voluntarily participate, and Leapfrog releases reports twice a year.

News

Voting begins Nov. 6 on 29th Ward projects

Ald. Chris Taliaferro and the 29th Ward office has finalized the ballot for this year's participatory budget vote.
West Side parents, students relieved school is resuming

West Side families uttered a sign of relief Thursday with the news that the Chicago Teachers Union had suspended its 11-day strike and that classes for roughly 300,000 students will resume Friday. “It hasn’t impacted me so much, but it has impacted my children because they’re not in school,” said Austin resident Vanessa Stokes, co-founder of Front Porch Arts Center and manager of her late father’s photo archive.
BMO Harris Bank giving $10 million to bolster Austin

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 neighborhoods go hand in hand," BMO Harris Bank CEO David R. Casper said in a statement.
Good Neighbor Campaign to take trip to Cape Town

The Westside Health Authority’s Good Neighbor Campaign is organizing an immersive trip to Cape Town, South Africa, in spring 2020. Targeted to young people ages 16 to 24, Good Neighbor Campaign is also inviting family members and anyone else from the community to go on the one-week trip, which will take place from April 4 to 11, 2020.
Congressman Davis, four challengers report campaign cash raised in third quarter

One of the our candidates challenging U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis (D) in Illinois’ 7th District out-raised him in campaign cash in the third quarter, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports filed last week. The long-term congressman, though, has more cash on hand.
Nine Austin sites featured in this weekend’s Chicago architecture tour

Hundreds of people are expected to visit nine historic sites in Austin this weekend as part of the Chicago Architecture Center’s annual “Open House Chicago.” Included in this year’s two-day tour – the ninth annual that will feature more than 350 sites across the city and in a few nearby suburbs such as Oak Park – are several Austin sites that participated last year, the first time Austin was part of the event. “We usually add one or two neighborhoods every year,” said Eric Rogers, manager of Open House Chicago and community outreach for the Chicago Architecture Center.
Alderman seeks input from 29th Ward on local projects

Ald. Chris Taliaferro will be discussing how the 29th Ward should spend about $1.3 million in "menu money" 6 p.m. Wednesday at Rutherford Sayre Park at his monthly community meeting.
Front Porch Art Center hosting workshop, film screening

Front Porch Arts Center will present three films about the lives of incarcerated and returning citizens Wednesday at Austin Town Hall, 5610 W. Lake St. The center, a new group formed by Austin residents Keli Stewart and Vanessa Stokes, is partnering with the sixth annual (In)Justice For All Film Festival and Austin Town Hall Art & Culture Committee.
By The Hand breaks ground on addition

By The Hand Club For Kids broke ground over the weekend on a new $8 million, 30,000-square-foot addition that will allow both the non-profit and Moving Everest Charter School to serve more students. “Anytime we’re able to build something new and safe for our children and families, it provides a functional benefit but also hope for the whole neighborhood,” said Donnita Travis, founder and executive director of By The Hand.
15th police district Commander Cato promoted

The 15th Police District Commander, Ernest Cato III, has been promoted to deputy chief of patrol (North) overseeing nine districts on the North and West sides. As he wraps up his work in the 15th District, Cato said he'll continue to work for Austin.