LOOKING BACK ON 2018


Looking Back on 2018

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Over the past year, the Citizen Newspaper has worked diligently to provide thought provoking news that uplifts the communities that we serve. As 2018 comes to a close, we went through the archives to share some of this year’s highlights.

To start the year off, a new Illinois state law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2018 that established guidelines for judges to give higher sentences to repeat gun offenders.

The law also expanded diversion programs for first-time nonviolent offenders. Many people and places celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January, including the DuSable Museum of African American History. During their annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, the Museum launched a new interactive mobile app that has transformed the way visitors experience the exhibits and African American history.

In February, the Citizen celebrated Black History month by spotlighting significant moments and people in African American history throughout Chicago and across the country including the story of Henrietta Lacks, Thomas J. Burrell, and Chicago’s own Black Panther Party.

Also in February, Useni Eugene Perkins released Rise of the Phoenix – a compilation of voices from Chicago’s Black Struggle from 1960-1975 which is a book that documents the lives and voices of people who took part in the Black Empowerment and Black Arts Movements of the 1960s and 1970s.

In March, community leaders broke ground on a much needed Jewel-Osco at the northwest corner of 61st St. and S. Cottage Grove Ave. in Woodlawn. The 48,000 square foot store will provide quality food options to the neighborhood as well as a 24-hour pharmacy.

As Chicago’s harsh winter began to end, the Chatham community said goodbye to Izola White who passed away on April 10. White was well known in the community for operating Izola’s Fine Dining Soul Food Restaurant at 522 E. 79th St. for over 50 years.

This past summer was a busy time for community activists who successfully executed the Dan Ryan Expressway Shut Down, Lake Shore Drive Shut Down, and the O’Hare Airport Shut Down which were all orchestrated as a way to call for peace in the city.

Pastor John Hannah from New Life Covenant Southend Church hosted his annual Prayer on the 9 initiative in May and called for all of Chicago to gather on 79th Street to march and pray for the lives that are most at risk in the city.

Likewise, Saint Sabina Church in Auburn Gresham hosted their annual End of the School Year Rally and Peace March in June which was led by Father Micheal Pfleger.

In July, members of the Chatham community met with 6th Ward Alderman, Roderick Sawyer, to discuss their concerns about King Food and Deli opening on the corner of 87th Street and King Drive.Since then, the 24-hour convenience store has closed and a Krispy’s Fried Chicken and Seafood opened in its place.

Also in July, Congressman Danny Davis released his State of the African American Male Post Conference Report which shared research, analysis, and a plan of action to improve the quality of life for black men.

During the month of August, we said goodbye to two more beloved figures. After battling advanced pancreatic cancer, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Louise Franklin, died on Aug. 16. at the age of 76.

Shortly after the death of Aretha Franklin, news broke of the passing of Senator John McCain (R-AZ) who died of a brain tumor on Aug. 25.

In September, a grand opening ceremony was held for the Blue Cap Food Pantry located on 2155 Broadway St. in Blue Island. The Food Pantry is partnering with the Greater Chicago Food Depository

and is mostly operated by people with intellectual disabilities as a way for them to learn vocational skills and prepare for future employment opportunities.

Lakeside Alliance, the construction manager of the future Obama Presidential Center, hosted a Career Training and Opportunities Fair at Malcolm X College in October as a way to connect Chicagoans with training resources and new construction jobs that will come with the Presidential Center.

Also in October, an emergency community meeting was held at Bethlehem Star Missionary Baptist Church where six people were shot leaving a funeral on Oct. 22. Eighth Ward Alderman, Michelle Harris, along with several community activists, residents, public officials, and law enforcement officers attended the meeting to offer their input on how to prevent violence on the south side of Chicago.

In Chicago’s historic Hyde Park neighborhood, a brand new 98-room boutique hotel called the SOPHY Hyde Park finally opened its doors for business in October.

The hotel is located on 1411 East 53rd St. near the site of the future Barack Obama Presidential Center, the University of Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry. The hotel also features a full-service restaurant, Mesler Kitchen.

In November, Illinoisans voted in one of the most expensive governor’s races in the state’s history and elected democrat JB Pritzker as the new Governor of Illinois.

Along with electing a new governor, democratic candidate Kwame Raoul was elected to be the new Illinois Attorney General over his republican opponent, Erika Harold.

Aside from the election, The Chicago Urban League received a $1 million grant for the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in November.

The organization plans to use the money to fund infrastructure improvements at their headquarters in Bronzeville.

An updated Quality of Life Plan for the entire North Lawndale community was unveiled in November and was produced by a collaborative effort from the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council, LISC Chicago, and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. The plan provides thoughtful strategies on how to best leverage the communities assets and spark investment to improve the lives of people living and working in North Lawndale.

Lastly, in December we honored the death of Black Panther Party Chairman Fred Hampton Sr. who was killed 49 years ago. More than 100 people, including his son Fred Hampton Jr. and widow Akua Njeri, attended an event that was held in honor of Hampton at the West Side home where he was shot dead by Chicago police. We also said goodbye to Nancy Wilson, a legendary singer, three-time Grammy-winner who passed away on Dec. 13.

As we reflect on 2018 and prepare to celebrate another new year, the Citizen staff looks forward to continuing to bring our audience the news that matters most to them.

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