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Ellyn Fortino

News

Tenants of troubled, foreclosed apartment building hope to vacate its units

By Ellyn Fortino | May 31, 2012

While some repairs have been made by a temporary property manager appointed earlier this month, residents say mold and pest problems have not been fixed.

News

Mandatory STD disclosure among inmates may become law

By Ellyn Fortino | May 29, 2012

The bill sponsored by West Side Illinois State Sen. Kimberly Lightford passed both the House and Senate; now it’s up to Gov. Pat Quinn to sign it.

News

Austin youth participate in “Summertime” performance

By Ellyn Fortino | May 25, 2012

The event was part of Circle Urban Ministries’ LIFT program designed to empower youth through the arts.

News

Austin public schools will see millions of dollars for improvements

By Ellyn Fortino | May 22, 2012

Health and safety renovations, technology investments and athletic upgrades are among the many repairs to be completed at West Side schools.

News

Illinois students may soon have required recess

By Ellyn Fortino | May 21, 2012

The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Kimberly Lightford, is also working on a measure to increase the drop out age from 17 to 18.

News

Ald. Mitts looking to ban sagging pants

By Ellyn Fortino | May 18, 2012

If passed, the city’s indecent exposure ordinance would be amended to prohibit wearing pants three inches below the hip in public places.

News

Emanuel surprises Depriest Elementary Golden Apple Award winner

By Ellyn Fortino | May 14, 2012

First-grade teacher Monique Blakes was one of 10 educators throughout the state to receive the award recognizing outstanding performance.

News

George Leland Elementary students get lessons in proper dining etiquette

By Ellyn Fortino | May 8, 2012

They showed off their new table manners learned in the six-week course with a lunch celebration at Alice’s Soul Food May 3.

News

Tenants see some court-ordered fixes at foreclosed Austin apartment building

By Ellyn Fortino | May 4, 2012

While a temporary property manager was appointed to turn on utilities and make repairs, residents fear the progress isn’t a long-term solution.

News

Internet access, computer literacy lacking in Austin

By Ellyn Fortino | May 2, 2012

With the help of a state grant, Austin Coming Together will announce next month its plans to bridge the digital divide on the West Side.

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News

  • Expungement, record sealing event helps West Siders get jobs after leaving prison

    Austin resident Anthony Jefferson has been working over the past six years to expunge his criminal record. With help from the Monroe Foundation, he's moving toward the clean slate he wants to achieve to secure employment.

  • Get free groceries, other help from these Austin groups

    On a recent Thursday, volunteers from What About Us Charitable Enterprises spent the morning filling dozens of grocery bags with fresh food and staples that soon filled the arms of West Side residents in need. Dorin “Pastor Mac” McIntyre, executive director and co-founder of What About Us Charitable Enterprises and pastor of Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church, is one of many helping Austin residents struggling with food insecurity.

  • 29th Ward residents invited to holiday events on Tuesday

  • 29th Ward residents invited to propose how to spend $450,000

    Austin residents are invited to participate in this year's participatory budgeting cycle. The annual process lets ward residents ages 14 and up decide how to spend a portion of the aldermanic menu money.

  • Forty Acres Fresh Market marks important moment this week in bringing store to Austin

    Austin moves one step closer this week to getting a new grocery store with the groundbreaking of Forty Acres Fresh Market in the heart of the Soul City Corridor. Another effort to expand food offerings on the West Side continues with the Austin Community Food Co-op, which held a virtual info session last week on its efforts to bring a grocery store to the area.

  • Healing in nature workshop set for Saturday

    The Westside Cultural Alliance continues its "See, Feel and Heal" nature series Saturday at Garfield Park Nature Area, 100 N. Central Park with a workshop on making memory boxes. The workshop sessions focus on art and nature as vehicles of healing through art therapy, which provides wholistic healing for the body, mind and spirit.

  • Illinois residents can apply for help with paying gas, electric bills

    Applications are now open for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for qualified residential customers who are over the age of 60, have a disability or have children under the age of 6 to receive financial assistance to pay their energy bills. LIHEAP is a federally funded bill payment assistance program that helps low- and fixed-income families pay their utility during the winter heating season.

  • West Siders turn out for chili cook off in Austin’s Soul City

    Over a dozen local chefs competed in the second annual "It’s Getting Chili in Soul City" event on Saturday. A team of five who make up the Austin African American Business Networking Association board – Malcolm Crawford, Shirley Fields, Sharmine Rickett, Ronald Smith and Marshawn Felton – created the chili contest last year.

  • Chicago Marathon runner raises money for West Side girls

    Over the last 20 years, Ashley Graham has run 56 marathons - including the Chicago Marathon five times. Several of those marathons she raised money for charity - and this year was no different.

  • Stop by Austin farmers market this week

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