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Francia Garcia Hernandez

News

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

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | November 16, 2023

Residents can suggest and vote on community projects in the north, central and south portions of the ward, helping decide how to spend $450,000 in city funds.

News

Austin high school recognized for female participation in computer science courses

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | February 26, 2023

Austin College & Career Academy is one of two dozen Chicago Public Schools that earned the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award.

News

City’s network for no-barrier mental health care includes six Austin groups

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | February 23, 2023

Nearly 200 groups across Chicago are providing community-based mental health services in partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health.

News

Residents discuss proposed restaurants on North Avenue

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | February 14, 2023

Tensions rose as some residents argued the restaurants’ request to sell alcohol on site violates the moratorium in the area, while others voiced their support.

News

Mayoral candidates share their priorities for West Side

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | February 10, 2023

Six of the nine candidates discussed some of the key topics affecting West Side residents as voters make their choice in the Feb. 28th election. Early voting expands to all 50 ward on Feb. 13.

News

Police District Council, 29th Ward candidates share priorities at West Side forum

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | February 6, 2023

Candidates discussed public safety, economic development, housing and mental health, among other key topics Austin residents are considering as they vote in the Feb. 28th local election.

News

New sports center for youth opens soon in Austin

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | February 5, 2023

Local leaders celebrated a state-of-the-art community center and youth athletic facility that will serve hundreds of young people.

Ald. Chris Taliaferro

Ald. Taliaferro joins faith leaders in calling for firing of police officer linked to Proud Boys

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | January 11, 2023

“It is my opinion that Supt. Brown should fire this officer,” 29th Ward Ald. Chris Taliaferro told members of The Leaders Network this week.

News

‘Say It Loud! I’m Westside Proud’ series dives into Chicago’s West Side history

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | December 20, 2022

Two Illinois Black Panthers who lived on the West Side in the 1970s shared their experiences and the impact of the party.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez

West Side faith leaders call for firing of CPD officer over Proud Boys statements

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | December 15, 2022

The Leaders Network joined 25th Ward Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez in urging the officer be immediately removed.

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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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