AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/category/news/page/30/)
The Chicago Department of Planning and Development hosted two community roundtables last week to get West Side residents’ input on proposals for developing the Laramie State Bank and surrounding land. Attendees expressed concern over how the projects would grow wealth, benefit the Black community and ensure community engagement.
Residents of the 29th Ward have until Jan. 29th to vote on how $1 million in menu money will be spent. In addition to street repairs and surfacing, the money will be allocated for community projects. Residents will be able to choose up to five of seven projects, which include public art, community gardens, speed bumps and a fitness course at Austin Town Hall.
West Siders are invited to share their ideas about what kind of art they’d like to see in Austin on Jan. 26, either at 12 or 6 p.m. The meeting will be held over Zoom and led by Antonia “Toni” Ruppert.
The 14th annual family health challenge, organized by state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday by stressing the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Rev. Ira Acree and Rev. Marshall Hatch were in Washington, D.C., Tuesday to pray for the country’s future and condemn white supremacy a day before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Virtual community meetings about the building’s future will be held from 6 to 8:15 p.m. Jan. 19th and 20th. There will be presentations about seven proposals to West Side residents to learn more, then participants will be asked to provide feedback.
Free testing will be offered from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 19-22 at Friendship Baptist Church, 5200 W. Jackson Blvd., and Jan. 27-30 at 2nd Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 5729 W. Chicago Ave.
A number of events are being held this weekend to honor the civl rights leader, starting with an interfaith celebration at 10 a.m. Jan. 15. Other events are planned by Nonviolence Chicago and the Community Renewal Society on Jan. 18 and 19.
The relatives of several Illinois prisoners shared their concerns about how COVID-19 is affecting their loved ones. As of Jan. 11, 9,318 prisoners and 3,625 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, said Alan Mills, executive director of Uptown People’s Law Clinic. That number would be far lower if the Illinois Department of Corrections had started universal testing sooner, Mills said.
Two Austin businesses received small business grants to help them keep their doors open during the coronavirus pandemic. Mary Shyrese Home Day Care, 5418 W. Jackson Blvd., and Raze Up Grooming, 520 S. Laramie Ave., both secured small business grants from LISC Chicago, which received funding from the Verizon Foundation. LISC is now accepting applications for its Rebuild Distressed Communities grant program. An informational webinar will be held later this week.