Westside Weekly Review - December 1-7, 2024
A look at the past week, plus meetings and events coming up on the West Side
As we work to get a full-fledged Westside Review quarterly magazine up and running, we are trying out some recurring features on our Substack. The Weekly Review is our look back at the week past and a look ahead at what’s coming up. Let us know what you think. What, if anything, did you like? What would you like to see us do differently? Is this something you’d like to see more of? Please feel free to email us, or leave a comment down below.
Now, let’s get to our first-ever Westside Weekly Review.
This week in West Side news
In this section, we will spotlight noteworthy news to come out of the West Side over the past seven days. For now, it will be just be coverage from other media outlets, but expect to see our coverage in the future.
Austin Weekly News covers Austin Coming Together’s ambitious plan to revitalize Central Avenue as the true commercial and recreational heart of the Austin community. The plan is an outgrowth of the earlier Austin Quality of Life plan, and it has been in the works for the past few years.
Block Club Chicago reports that North Lawndale-based Saint Anthony Hospital launched a youth mental health support program. Now, the program is based in Archer Clinic, which is located in Brighton Park, in 4177 S. Archer Ave. but it is open to youth from all over the city. They just need to be 18 or younger and have Medicaid. If they don’t have Medicaid, Saint Anthony can can help they apply.
Speaking of supportive services, Austin Weekly News recently profiled Life is Work, which provides housing, workforce development and health services primarily (but not exclusively) for trans individuals. The West Side organization recently moved to a larger space in Austin, in a Westside Health Authority-owned building at 600 N. Cicero Ave. Life is Work had its grand opening at the new digs this Sunday, Dec. 1
And coming up later this week…
29th Ward City Budget update
As the city council continues to wrangle over the next year’s city budget, Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th) scheduled a virtual meeting on Monday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. to give his constituents an opportunity to sound off on Chicago’s financial future. Directions to join Zoom are in the flier below.
During his Nov. 20 community meeting for the Galewood/Montclare portion of his ward (which only three people attended, most likely because of the sudden cold snap), Taliaferro touched on a revenue idea that, he said, he got from a constituent. The city would offer a partial amnesty for unpaid permit fees - so long as the person is willing to pay off 1-2 years of permit fees, the city will forgive the rest.
Taliaferro said that, even if only 20-30% of people who owe permit fees take advantage of the amnesty, it would still bring Chicago millions.
Other things up ahead
The budget isn’t the only thing Chicago City Council is talking about. On Tuesday (Dec. 9), the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks & Building Standards will review a zoning change request from Clean Community. The nonprofit trains people for renewable energy related jobs, and it seems to turn a former New Kingdom Church in Austin, at 5213 W Potomac Ave., into their new training center. According to the application document, the first floor will be used for classes and events, while the second floor will be offices.
The committee meeting takes place at the Chicago City Hall and will start at 10 a.m., but there’s no way to tell how far into the meeting this item will be discussed (the order on the agenda isn’t always followed). If the application clears the zoning committee, the full council approval is all but certain.
Also on Tuesday, the Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development will be reviewing the budgets, tax levies and service provider agreements for Special Service Areas, including the ones in Austin, West Garfield Park and West Humboldt Park.
Community Commission on Public Safety and Accountability will be holding its last meeting of the year this Thursday (Dec. 12) at 6:30 p.m. Community Office of Police Accountability, Chicago Police Board and Chicago Police Department will present their goals for 2025. The meeting will be held at Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave, and there is a Zoom option.
Chicago Public Library system will be doing Christmas-themed events for youth ages 13-19 next week. Austin branch library, 5615 W. Race Ave., will give teens a chance to learn how to make tree ornaments next Wednesday (Dec. 11) at 3:30 p.m. Legler Regional Library in West Garfield Park, 115 S. Pulaski Rd., will will kick off a gingerbread-making contest next Thursday (Dec. 12) at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Legler staff will announce the winner the following Thursday (Dec. 19)
Austin Town Hall Park fieldhouse theater, 5610 W. Lake St., is hosting a free, very Chicago take on the iconic Tchaikovsky ballet. The Chi Nutcracker will be performed next Saturday, Dec. 14, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The Chicago Park District describes it as “an unforgettable magical explosion [that] takes you on a journey through the Chicago Park District as Cara and her family remember all the Joy and the wonderful experiences that have filled their lives.” Admission is free, but advance registration is advised.
Again, this is our first time doing one of those. Let us know what you think.
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