Kathy Headley
SWOP invites all to confront community concerns
By Kathy Headley
Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor
6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778
Remember the term Reclaiming Southwest Chicago? It goes back to 2013 when the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) formed a partnership with United Power for Action and Justice and Real Estate developer Brinshore.
Their plan began with buying and refurbishing abandoned properties and then converting them into affordable housing. They were so successful in their initial targeted area that they were able to extend their reach faster than anticipated.
To Reclaiming Southwest Chicago the group added issues of mental health and criminal justice. The pandemic may have slowed progress down a bit, but the work now continues.
On Sunday, July 17, these and other issues will be addressed in a live in-person action. You can be a part of the progress simply by being there. You can join an expected 2,500 people from 100 member organizations from across the six-county Chicago area–meeting with top officials from local, state and federal government as well as religious leaders, to address root causes of problems we are all facing.
It always feels good to do something. Travel together with SWOP members. Reserve your seat on the bus now. Sign up by emailing Imelda Salazar at isalazar@swopchicago.org or call (773) 987-4070.
On Tuesday, June 28, anyone that cast a ballot at the Marquette Park fieldhouse was treated to dinner. Now that was quite a surprise to me. As I watched the roast pork and potatoes go by, I was sorry I had already eaten.
Dinner was courtesy of Hope Church. Pastors Ben and Jordan Arias were serving up the eats, along with church members. I spoke with Pastor Jordan and asked her about this generous gesture.
“We hold these community dinners to get to know the community,” she answered. “We plan on being here every Tuesday for a while. So please tell anyone you know not to cook on Tuesdays, but to join us here at 6 p.m. We’ll be happy to have them!”
So, there you have it. No need to cook dinner on Tuesdays.
Last week, I took my little granddaughter over to the Chicago Lawn Branch Library for CircEsteem. The concept was begun in 2001 by a former Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus employee with the purpose of using the arts of juggling and clowning to promote self-esteem in children.
Doug Grew hosted the workshop and incorporated some historical facts, along with a bit of clowning around as he showed the audience different kinds of juggling and circus tricks. Everyone, both children and adults, were encouraged to join in and try their hand at the different tricks. It was a unique program that everyone certainly seemed to enjoy.
The newly elected officers of the Clearing Post 600 American Legion were scheduled to be sworn in yesterday, for the 2022-2023 year. Congratulations to the incoming Commander Rick Chlarella Sr., Vice Commander Al Cadena Jr. Vice Commander Jerry Rangel, Finance Officer Marv Gadbaw and Sergeant-at-Arms Ron Kalat.
On Saturday, July 9, the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S. Kedzie, will screen the 2021 modern day retelling of the classic story of Cinderella at 2:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, July 13, it is Pre-School Story Time at the library from 11 a.m. to noon. Then from 4 to 5 p.m., it is Family STEAM Hour where families get together and complete a simple project.
The Young Adult group of St. Rita of Cascia Parish is hosting Theology and Tacos on two Saturdays, July 16, and July 30 at 3 p.m. in the garden of St. Rita (behind the rectory), 6243 S. Fairfield. All adults over the age of 18 are invited to join in. The guest speaker on the 16th will be Jeff Bartow, executive director of SWOP. On the 30th Emily Cortina, coordinator of outreach and formation for Kolbe House, will speak. For more information, call or text (773) 656-0776.
We had an early deadline for this week’s paper, so no one would have had a chance to answer last week’s history question in which case we will let it ride another week. What was the name of the business at 3927 W. 63rd St., before D C Sales and before R & S Liquors?
Local News
Icy spill yielded plenty of good will
Spread the loveBy Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 284-7394 Here is a giant shout out to our first responders in the community. On Jan. 9, when a sheet of ice descended on Chicago, I was walking the dog. Walking around Peck School was great.…
It’s a busy January in Gage Park
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Neighborhood correspondent at large Greetings, Gage Parkers! I’m pleased to be filling in this week for Karen Sala. It’s fun for me to report on Gage Park, the neighborhood where I lived for the first 26 years of my life. There’s always something happening in this big, exciting part of…
You can bank on good service here
Spread the loveBy Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 In this world of corporate takeovers, it is kind of hard to feel safe in the hands of big business. First, we have to supply some of our personal information to the automated system. Then there’s…
A heavenly sound
Spread the love In what is arguably the most ornate and beautiful house of worship on the Southwest Side—St. Joseph Church in Back of the Yards–the Polonijna Orkiestra Chicago played liturgical music selections last Sunday. Founded in 2011, the orchestra is designed to teach young musicians Polish music and culture. St. Joseph parishioner Konrad Pawelek…
Crime images spark outrage in Gage Park
Spread the loveRobbed at gunpoint in his own garage By Tim Hadac Home-security camera images of a 48-year-old Gage Park man being robbed at gunpoint in his own garage outraged a number of Southwest Siders this week. Images showed the man driving his car down the alley in the 5500 block of South Richmond at…
College Report: McAuley grad Swiatek plays hero for St. Francis
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Hannah Swiatek comes off the bench for the University of St. Francis and is averaging 3.1 points per game. But when called on for the biggest shot of her college career, the 5-foot-8 junior guard from Oak Lawn delivered. Swiatek scored the winning basket in a wild 99-97…
Tax exemptions will be automatic, Kaegi says
Spread the loveFrom staff reports In response to the ongoing pandemic, the Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office will continue the automatic renewal of the Senior Freeze, Veterans with Disabilities and Persons with Disabilities Exemptions. The Homeowner and Senior Exemptions will continue to auto-renew every year. If a homeowner received any of these five exemptions…
Troop 1441 Scout earns Eagle rank
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A journey that began years ago for Adrian Ayala recently culminated in Boy Scouting’s highest honor. Ayala, a member of Boy Scout Troop 1441 (sponsored by the St. Mary Star of the Sea Holy Name Society) was honored at an Eagle ceremony at Duggan Hall on Jan. 13. The Eagle rank…
Neighbors
Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?
by Meredith Newman, Illinois Answers Project April 16, 2024 This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. The electricity in Mary Buchanan’s home in West Garfield Park was not working – again. The outage lasted four days, starting just after a crew dug up her front lawn to install a check valve in…
Lawmakers pitch sweeping changes to energy industry and Chicagoland transit system
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com A group of lawmakers and influential environmental advocates are calling for broad changes to the state’s energy industry and a massive increase in state oversight of Chicagoland’s transit system – which faces a projected $730 million budget shortfall. Advocates for the policy platform, which is broken up into…
Democrats flex muscle to kick off final month of session as revenues remain on track
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – With about three weeks to go before the Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn its spring legislative session, supermajority Democrats showed their strength this week as fiscal forecasters noted state revenues remain on track. April is typically a make-or-break month for state coffers, as income…
Former state trooper who caused fatal crash halts effort to get driving privileges restored
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com The former Illinois State Trooper who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter of two sisters in 2007 has abandoned his efforts to have a hearing into the restoration of his driving privileges – for now. Matt Mitchell, 45, requested at least two delays in the hearing after he failed…
Capitol Briefs: Senate advances elections bill, measure targeting ‘predatory’ lending
By PETER HANCOCK & HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A bill that would put more controls on certain kinds of high-cost loans to small businesses cleared the Illinois Senate Thursday. Senate Bill 2234, known as the Small Business Financial Transparency Act, targets a relatively new kind of nontraditional lender in the credit…
Law enforcement community honors fallen officers at Illinois Capitol
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Six fallen police officers were honored at an annual memorial service outside the State Capitol Thursday. The Illinois Police Officers Memorial occurs annually on the first Thursday of May to honor officers who died in the line of duty and to support their families. “No one…
Democrats muscle through changes to ballot access, advisory questions
By JERRY NOWICKI HANNAH MEISEL & PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Supermajority Democrats in the Illinois House moved quickly Wednesday to push through a change to state election laws that partially limits ballot access and adds three nonbinding referendums to the 2024 general election ballot. It’s a move that caused minority party…
After 3 years, state poised to enforce law aiming to end lending discrimination
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – In 1977, then-President Jimmy Carter signed into law the Community Reinvestment Act, a federal law that sought to wipe away the last vestiges of racial discrimination and redlining in America’s home mortgage industry. The idea was simple. By requiring lenders – primarily banks – to make…
Capitol News Illinois partners with ‘Illinois Lawmakers’ program to bring it back to air
Capitol News Illinois announced today it will produce the long-running “Illinois Lawmakers” program this spring, in partnership with longtime host and producer Jak Tichenor. “This new partnership is absolutely critical to providing Illinois residents with reliable, independent, in-depth, up to date coverage from the Illinois Capitol after many newspapers and broadcasters shuttered their Statehouse bureaus over…
Election officials to weigh whether Darren Bailey and GOP operative Dan Proft illegally coordinated
By ANDREW ADAMS & HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – A year and a half after Republican Darren Bailey lost his campaign to challenge Gov. JB Pritzker, state election officials are weighing whether he illegally colluded with conservative radio show host and political operative Dan Proft in the 2022 campaign. The State Board…