Austin

More local residents can dine in at MacArthur’s, other West Side restaurants

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Indoor dining capacity increased this month, which helps MacArthurs, the popular soul food restaurant on West Madison Street. But the increased capacity is far more helpful to other parts of Chicago that have more restaurants. “One of the things we’re fighting right now is the lack of opportunities to sit down in a restaurant” in Austin, said Malcolm Crawford, executive director of the Austin African American Business Networking Association.

29th Ward

West Side residents help decide how $1 million will be spent in the 29th Ward

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Sixty percent of the $1 million will go to street repairs and resurfacing in the ward. The rest of the projects to be funded – and listed here in order of popularity – are: street safety upgrades, community gardens, a fitness course at the Austin Town Hall, bike lanes, a mural in Columbus Park and public art at Sayre Language Academy. Nearly 400 residents voted this time around.

Black Panthers

Fred Hampton’s son keeping his father’s legacy alive

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The Feb. 4th episode of The TRiiBE’s TV show “We Real Chicago will feature special guest Fred Hampton Jr., the son of the 21-year-old chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party who was killed by Chicago police officers in December 1969. The Block Club Chicago’s Pascal Sabino is marking Hampton’s death 52 years ago this week by asking readers to share what they learned about Hampton in school. Who are your favorite unsung heroes of the West Side?

community policing

Chicago police official vows to improve relations with community

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Speaking at the monthly meeting of the 15th Police District’s faith-based leaders group, Richard Wiser acknowledged that detectives have at times been insensitive in dealing with the families of murder victims. Wiser, commander of the Area Four Detective Division, which includes Austin, pledged the department would do better and asked West Siders for recommendations on how police can do better.

COVID-19

As Chicago’s vaccination program expands, questions remain for some

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Chicago has moved to phase 1B of vaccine distribution, which includes people 65 and over and many essential workers. While some people are jumping at the chance to get the two shots, concern remains over misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine, especially among African Americans. The Westside Health Authority’s Good Neighbor Campaign held a meeting last week aimed at debunking misinformation and encouraging Austin residents to get vaccinated as soon as they can.