AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/author/max-harris-damato/)
After years of vacancy, Preservation Chicago has added the historic Laramie State Bank Building to its annual list of endangered buildings with the hope that city officials and others will help save the West Side landmark.
The new Oak Park facility, which features 18 one- and two- bedroom apartments, offers permanent housing to young mothers. That differs from the New Mom’s main facility located nearby in Austin at 5317 W. Chicago Ave., where mothers can stay no more than two years.
The first-term alderman won another four years on the Chicago City Council, beating Dwayne Truss and Zerlina A. Smith. Incumbents Emma Mitts (37th) and Jason Ervin (28th) also easily won re-election.
The Austin nonprofit is one of 15 groups nationwide vying for five $20,000 grants to be awarded by The Atlantic magazine and Allstate. The public can vote until 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time March 1.