U.S. Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García (D-4th)

U.S. Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García (D-4th)

Society failed Melissa, Chuy says

Spread the love

Calls for more gov’t funds to fight violence 

From staff reports

Hours after police announced the arrest of two suspects in the slaying of 8-year-old Melissa Ortega, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th) issued the following statement.

“Since the tragic death of Melissa Ortega, we have seen the resilience and strength of Little Village. A community wrapped its arms around a mother experiencing the greatest pain, losing a child. No parent should have to live through the horror of losing a child. In the past week, I heard anger and outrage in the voices of my neighbors, calling for change. I echo their call for justice and accountability.

chuygarcia

U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th)

“Today, we learned that the police have two suspects in custody. I applaud the swiftness of the investigation and urge for the same level of attention for so many unsolved cases like Melissa’s. Their apprehension will never bring Melissa back to her family, but it provides some relief to a grieving community.

“Melissa’s tragic death is a reminder of how we have failed our youth and find ourselves at a moral crossroads – it is unfathomable to see children killing children. We must dismantle the system of organized crime that preys on our children and our communities while our neighborhoods are starved for resources. I have lived in Little Village for more than five decades and can attest to the invaluable efforts led by faith-based leaders, organizations, parents, and youth to bring an end to violence, but that alone is not enough.

“This tragedy is a call to action: we demand substantive, targeted investments in our city and in suffering communities across the country to combat the epidemic of violence. From access to affordable housing, jobs, and mental health care, to greater investment in violence prevention, youth workforce development, and education, it will take more than our little village to raise a child – our Chicagoland community, the state of Illinois, and the full force of our federal government must take responsibility.”

1 Comment

  1. Dr. Kenneth J. Yerkes on February 5, 2022 at 5:33 am

    Dear Southwest Regional Publishing,
    I just submitted a post that was not posted.
    So this is my 2nd attempt!

    “America is not free unless ‘We The People’ can speak freely.”

    Sorry Congressman Jesus Garcia,????????
    Like you, I pray ???? for the families victimized by violence, and especially in Chicago, where I was born, where I lived, where I went to school, and more importantly, where I went to Church, and where I worked for a number of years.

    However, your unwillingness
    to stand against Kim Foxx, and her failed policies, of not being tough on crime, and not being a strong advocate of Law and Order, along with you not protecting our Borders against Illegal Immigration that has allowed Illegals to come into Our Country, cheating those who came into Our Country legally, well, sorry, you will win re-election to your Illinois Congressional District, but not because you are principled.

    In Closing,
    I pray that you change for the better.
    I pray for all who work hard to become American Citizens,???????? who have come into the United States of America???????? legally, and honor our laws.

    I was #BornLeftRaisedRight,
    born in Marquette Park, actually Holy Cross Hospital, the son of a mom and dad, who raised my sisters and brothers to be Christians, to Live Fully, and Love Always.

    My dad served in Korea, as a Sergeant, who blew up bridges, so that #WeThePeople???????? can Live Always, and Live Forsver,

    I’m a spiritualist, not a secularist,
    Congressman Garcia,????????
    And I care less about being popular, and care more about being principled.

    “Handouts in return for Democrat Socialist Votes don’t work for #USCitzens???????? and especially Our Middle Class who the Democrat Socialist Party have subjected to paying higher and higher taxes.

    Sorry Congressman Garcia,????????
    I cannot support your lack of support of Our Police in Chicago, almost all who serve and protect us.

    I cannot support you advocating for the disastrous, and destructive policies
    of Kim Foxx.

    Sorry that a Republican like me, won’t run against you in 2022, and if a Republican runs against you, I will most likely support her or him, depending on what their platform and policies are that will protect our citizens so that “We The Prople” can feel safe in our schools, shopping centers, and in our streets.

    In God WeTrust????????
    And Love We Must????

    With Sincere and Kind Regards,

    Dr. Kenneth Joseph Yerkes????????
    #DoctorY????
    Former 2018
    Write in Candidate
    Citizen CNdidate????????
    Illinois Congressional District 3
    #IL03

    “People and Principles Over Money and Power”

    2022 Candidate
    Illinois Representative
    Illinois District 31
    “YERKES For Illinois 31”



Local News

GSWNH_GraceWilliamsCake_041522

A century plus 2

Spread the love

Spread the love   West Lawn resident Grace Williams walked a path of rose petals as she celebrated her 102nd birthday earlier this month at Senior Suites at Midway Village, 6800 S. Keating.   Born in 1920 in Huntsville, Ala., she still reads the Bible daily and is active with Landmark Baptist Church.   She…

Mayor Lori Lightfoot

Thousands of summer jobs coming for youths

Spread the love

Spread the loveLightfoot unveils One Summer Chicago 2022  From staff reports Mayor Lightfoot and several City departments and agencies this week announced a variety of summer youth programming, including the 2022 One Summer Chicago (OSC) application. OSC 2022 will run from July 5 to Aug. 12 and marks the return of in-person job and life-skills…

U.S. Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García (D-4th)

Chuy says yes to marijuana act

Spread the love

Spread the loveCalls war on drugs ‘racist and anti-immigrant’  From staff reports U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th) recently touted his vote for the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act. “Since the first anti-marijuana laws and throughout the war on drugs, marijuana policy has been constructed according to racist and anti-immigrant biases,” García said. “Even…

CRRNH_DinoJoanHadacColumn_110321

County to vaccinate dogs, cats

Spread the love

Spread the loveFrom staff reports The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control has announced its 2022 Partners in Prevention clinic locations. ARC is partnering with local animal organizations to offer low-cost or free one-year rabies vaccines and microchips. Clinics are available to Cook County dogs and cats. Owners must bring proof of residency (driver’s license or…

Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart

Dart applauds action on ‘ghost guns’

Spread the love

Spread the loveFrom staff reports Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart recently applauded the Illinois General Assembly for passing legislation to combat the proliferation of un-serialized “ghost guns” that are impossible to trace and make it harder to solve violent crimes. “Untraceable ghost guns pose a significant threat to our efforts to combat violence.” Dart…

Peggy Zabicki

A bright community with a dark problem

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place •  (773) 504-9327 West Lawn is a great neighborhood. Now that everything is finally open once again, we can find a little something for everyone. There’s dining, shopping, convenient transportation, places to take your kids, places of worship and a great local library.…

Kathy Headley

Preserve the park, preserve the planet

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 Last week we talked a bit about Earth Day plans in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor. Today let’s add another. This time it’s an opportunity to beautify the centerpiece of our neighborhoods: Marquette Park. For more…

Mary Stanek

Polish Easter traditions are cherished

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place •  (773) 284-7394 “If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street, if you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat. Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman.” – the Beatles. Yes, the taxman is knocking on…

Mayor Lori Lightfoot

Mayor unveils gas giveaway

Spread the love

Spread the loveTax dollars to aid some city residents By Tim Hadac Days after multi-millionaire businessman Willie Wilson attracted nationwide attention by giving away a million dollars of his own money to pay for gasoline at stations across the Chicago area, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Chicago Moves, a financial assistance program related to transportation expenses.…

Screen Shot 2013-03-27 at 11.06.13 PM

79th St. slaying leads to fed gun bust

Spread the love

Spread the loveCharge reputed gang members with buying weapons, ammo from soldiers By Tim Hadac A federal investigation launched in the wake of a shooting in a Wrightwood storefront a year ago has led to the indictment of nine reputed gang members allegedly tied to three U.S. Army soldiers accused of illegally selling firearms and…

Neighbors

Just weeks before Republican National Convention, Illinois GOP chair announces resignation

Just weeks before Republican National Convention, Illinois GOP chair announces resignation

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Halfway through the 2024 election cycle and just a few weeks away from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Illinois GOP Chair Don Tracy on Wednesday announced his resignation as head of the state Republican Party. Tracy, who’d held the job since February 2021, explained his resignation in…

Pritzker signs bill creating new Department of Early Childhood

Pritzker signs bill creating new Department of Early Childhood

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Tuesday creating a new cabinet-level state agency dedicated to early childhood education and development. The new Department of Early Childhood, which will become operational in July 2026, will take over programs currently housed across three state agencies, including funding for preschool…

Speaker Welch rebuffs lawsuit from would-be staff union as ‘forum shopping’

Speaker Welch rebuffs lawsuit from would-be staff union as ‘forum shopping’

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is urging a Cook County judge to dismiss a lawsuit members of his staff filed against him last month seeking to force recognition of their union. In a new filing Monday, attorneys for Welch argued the Illinois Legislative Staff Association has no…

Advocates say SCOTUS ruling paves way for law ensuring abusers have guns confiscated

Advocates say SCOTUS ruling paves way for law ensuring abusers have guns confiscated

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com After the U.S. Supreme Court last week upheld a federal law that bars those under domestic violence-related restraining orders from owning guns, victim advocates say Illinois lawmakers should pass a measure to ensure firearms are actually confiscated in those situations. The legislation has been stalled for more than…

Communities, commission push Pritzker admin for more prison plan details

Communities, commission push Pritzker admin for more prison plan details

By DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com Jimmy Soto spent more than 42 years wrongfully imprisoned in Illinois Department of Corrections facilities. In 2020, he was moved to the “F-House” at Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet, a condemned unit, not because he was being punished, but because it was where the facility was housing individuals…

Elections board urged to dismiss complaint that Bailey illegally coordinated in 2022 campaign

Elections board urged to dismiss complaint that Bailey illegally coordinated in 2022 campaign

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com A hearing officer is recommending the Illinois State Board of Elections dismiss a complaint that alleged conservative radio host and political operative Dan Proft illegally coordinated with former Republican state Sen. Darren Bailey during his 2022 campaign for governor. Proft, a one-time gubernatorial candidate himself, is behind an…

State highway shootings decline as critics sue over ‘dragnet surveillance’

State highway shootings decline as critics sue over ‘dragnet surveillance’

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois State Police say an automated license plate reader program has helped the agency identify witnesses or suspects in 82 percent of highway shooting cases this year, including all eight that resulted in a death.  But as the state looks to further expand its network of more than…

Just weeks before Republican National Convention, Illinois GOP chair announces resignation

Just weeks before Republican National Convention, Illinois GOP chair announces resignation

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Halfway through the 2024 election cycle and just a few weeks away from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Illinois GOP Chair Don Tracy on Wednesday announced his resignation as head of the state Republican Party. Tracy, who’d held the job since February 2021, explained his resignation in…

As Illinois session ends, lawmakers’ attempt to reinstate wetland protections fails

As Illinois session ends, lawmakers’ attempt to reinstate wetland protections fails

by JENNIFER BAMBERG Investigate Midwest jennifer.bamberg@investigatemidwest.org In 2006, 19-year-old Jessica Whinston inherited 20 acres of land that her grandparents once farmed in Quincy, Illinois. The land had sat dormant since the 1980s and was overgrown, but Whinston and her husband Bradley worked to turn it into a productive farm. The couple were eventually able to…

Elections board dismisses illegal campaign coordination complaint, declines to clarify law

Elections board dismisses illegal campaign coordination complaint, declines to clarify law

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – State elections officials on Tuesday indicated they were unlikely to step in to clarify what constitutes illegal campaign coordination after voting to dismiss a complaint alleging such coordination in the 2022 campaign for governor. At their monthly meeting in Chicago, Illinois State Board of Elections members…