AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/west-side/page/5/)
Former federal prosecutor Lori Lightfoot answered questions about a number of issues before a crowd of a few hundred West Side residents on March 28. Her opponent, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, was a no show at the mayoral forum held less than a week before the April 2nd runoff.
The Chicago Westside branch of the NAACP and the Austin Quality of Life Plan’s Taskforce for Civic Engagement will host a candidates forum featuring Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle Thursday night.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford says the city of Chicago has to work with the Trump administration. The Austin lawmaker appeared on Fox and Friends last week to discuss why he thinks Mayor Rahm Emanuel and other Democrats should put politics aside and collaborate with the Republican president.
The state lawmaker plans to announce members of the new West Side Development Task Force on Aug. 1. For more information, contact his district office.
Johnson spoke to members of the Austin African American Business Networking Association at their monthly meeting. The former teacher and union organizer defeated the incumbent, Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin, in the March 20 Democratic primary
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, Loretto Hospital, the West Side Heroin Task Force and Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti are hosting a breakfast April 4th, 50 years after the civil rights leader was assassinated. Fighting the West Side’s heroin epidemic will be the focus of this morning’s event. Then at 12:30 there will be a wreath laying at the corner of 4800 W. Chicago Ave.
Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin will host the event from 9 to noon Jan. 27 at 5100 Harrison St. Breakfast will be served at 9 a.m., with the discussion starting at 10 a.m. Adam Alonzo, Iesha Hollins and Valerie Leonard will serve as moderators.
Austin native Khiry Johnson was recently named “alum of the month” by Mikva Challenge. Johnson is a stand-up comedian and motivational speaker who travels extensively. His speeches have inspired youths as well as adults across the nation.
The annual event will be held at George Leland Elementary School, 512 S. Lavergne, from 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 15. Donations and volunteers are still be accepted. For more information, call (773) 287-5821 or email westsidecommunitystakeholders@gmail.com
All ages are welcome this Saturday, Sept. 16 at BUILD, 5100 W. Harrison St. Registered riders will receive a free T-shirt and water bottle, while supplies last. There will be music and snacks before the ride, which starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 12 p.m. Loaner bikers will be available for those 16 and younger; there also will be a limited number of DIvvy bikes available for those 18 and up.