Civic leaders, block clubs, and city officials celebrated success in a 3-year grassroots battle to close a problem liquor store in East Garfield Park. Responding to complaints and demands from neighbors and police, Alderman Robert Fioretti, the Department of Buildings, and the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection worked to document both the poor condition of the building housing Willis Liquor & Sundries at 2901 West Madison Street, and the problems plaguing the neighborhood because of the way the business was operated and the unsavory elements it attracted.
The business was closed by the Department of Buildings and the Circuit Court because of the condition of the structure. More than 40 code violations were lodged against the business. Two community meetings were held with the Business Affairs Department. Area residents complained that the store sold liquor to minors and gangbangers, and attracted prostitutes, drug dealers, and thieves to the neighborhood.
Finally, the owner of Willis Liquor surrendered his licenses and ended his attempts to reopen. The building is now in Demolition Court as the City pursues efforts to tear it down.
Malik Elliott, East Garfield Park Commercial District Manager, says, “This is not about closing stores, but about making store owners more accountable.” Ald. Fioretti says he is working to bring more convenience stores into the community.
The Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, as lead agency for the East Garfield Park New Communities Program, a long-term project of Local Initiatives Support Corporation/Chicago (LISC) to promote comprehensive community development, supported the citizen campaign to close Willis Liquor and is working with residents, City, and Chamber of Commerce to design a viable business plan for the Madison Street commercial corridor.
In the past year, a coalition of block clubs on Monroe, Wilcox, and Adams has been collaborating to address crime, organize neighborhood cleanups, create community gardens on empty lots, and pressure absentee owners to secure their vacant buildings. The Monroe, Wilcox & Adams Block Club is a diverse mix of residents representing a strong commitment to their neighborhood.
John Perryman, who lives behind Willis Liquors, says there are a lot of empty lots in the area, so he wants to see people buy them and build businesses. He says he also wants families to move into the many vacant houses in the area.
Click Image to go to GoFundMe Page
Friday, April 8, 2011
OPERATION 438 CHICAGO POLICE POURING KOOLAID & HIS GANG DOWN THE DRAIN
 |
| Koolaid also owns this restaurant at Laramie & Lake, which authorities may seek to seize as fruit of an illegal enterprise. |
During the course of this investigation, undercover officers conducted numerous purchases of cocaine and marijuana in the area of North Avenue to Bloomingdale Avenue and Long Avenue to Leclaire Avenue in North Austin. Police used a variety of investigative techniques to gather evidence substantiating charges of Felony Criminal Drug Conspiracy, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Delivery of Cannabis, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon against arrested offenders. OPERATION 438 targeted the cocaine distribution network run predominantly by members of the 4 Corner Hustlers on Chicago’s West Side. During the course of the investigation, police officers learned that Kevin Shorter used a source of supply for the cocaine and marijuana – Lekendrick Richards – a California resident. Richards frequently shipped quantities of cocaine and marijuana to Shorter via UPS and the U.S. Postal Service. The bulk quantities of the drugs were sold to individuals who then repackaged them in smaller street-level quantities and sold them throughout Chicago neighborhoods.
During this 14-month ongoing investigation, police executed four search warrants seizing 594 grams of powder cocaine with an estimated street value of $74,250; 570 grams of crack cocaine worth $70,048; 1,477 grams of cannabis with an estimated street value of $23,641; and four firearms.
On March 15, police officers executed four additional search warrants, recovering 1,010.6 grams of cannabis with an estimated street value of $15,136; approximately 16 grams of heroin with an estimated value of $2,400; four more handguns; seized four vehicles; and arrested 15 individuals, including Shorter.
Conducting OPERATION 438 for the Chicago Police Department Gang Investigations Unit are officers under the command of Lieutenant Scott Dedore, Lieutenant Eric Washington (now interim 11th District Commander), Commander Joe Gorman, and Sergeant Joseph Brennan.
Shorter grew up on the 1600-block of Latrobe Avenue and recruited teenagers in the neighborhood to his drug enterprise. He purchased a building on the south side of North Avenue, opening a beauty salon called Hype Hair and using the apartments above it to house his drug dealers. Recently, he took ownership of a fast-food restaurant at Lake Street & Laramie Avenue called Season N Salt. Authorities tell THE VOICE they may take action to seize these under the Gang & Drug House Ordinance as being part of his criminal enterprise. Several years ago, when THE VOICE reported that Drug Enforcement agents and Chicago Police were investigating Shorter, he and his henchmen threatened to kill the staff of THE VOICE Newspapers.
OFFENDERS CHARGED AS PART OF OPERATION 438
(AND POTENTIAL SENTENCES IF CONVICTED)
• KEVIN Koolaid SHORTER, 3748 W. Eastwood Avenue,
Criminal Drug Conspiracy (9-40 years – IDOC)
• SAM Black CAIN, 1754 N. Lorel Avenue,
Criminal Drug Conspiracy (9-40 years – IDOC)
• DARYL D4 HARRIS, 5160 W. Wabansia Avenue,
Criminal Drug Conspiracy (9-40 years – IDOC)
• LEKENDRICK RICHARDS, Los Angeles, California,
Criminal Drug Conspiracy (9-40 years – IDOC)
• RON HARRIS, 5160 W. Wabansia Avenue,
Delivery of Cannabis (2-5 years – IDOC)
• EDDIE KNIGHTEN, 906 N. Kildare Avenue, Possession of
Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute (6-30 years – IDOC)
• ANTAVIOUS Tavi MURPH, 5500 W. Gladys Avenue,
Delivery of Controlled Substance (9-40 years – IDOC)
• DAVID FLEMING, Green Bay, Wisconsin, Possession of
Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute (9-40 years – IDOC)
• SHAWN SHERMAN, Franklin Park, Illinois, Possession of
Controlled Substance (1-3 years – IDOC)
• ANTUAN Scotty ALMON, 2834 W. Walnut Street,
Possession of Controlled Substance (4-15 years – IDOC)
• JOHN MACON 18 N. Lockwood Avenue, Possession of
Controlled Substance (1-3 years – IDOC)
• DERICK MITCHELL, 4333 W. Cortez Avenue, Possession of
Controlled Substance (6-30 years – IDOC)
• A. WILKERSON, 5013 W. Bloomingdale Avenue,
Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon (2-4 years – IDOC)
• LASHAWN CAIN, 1754 N. Lorel Avenue,
Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon (2-4 years – IDOC)
• WILLIE WILLIAMS, 1748 N. Lorel Avenue,
Unlawful Use of a Weapon, No FOID (Up to 1 year – IDOC)
 | |||||||
| Kevin Shorter, aka Koolaid, owns this building on North Ave., and police say he is still housing his drug dealing crew in the apartments. Authorities say they may seek to seize the building under the Gang & Drug House Ordinance. |
Lawndale Cinemas reopens, Michael Chandler works for jobs.
 |
| Lawndale Cinemas Reopening: A line of job-seekers wait for employment applications for 22 jobs at the long-closed movie theatre at Homan & Roosevelt. It is being reopened in phases, beginning April 15. (Photo by Isaac Jones) |
 |
| Michael Chandler greets voters & job-seekers at the Lawndale Cinemas after meeting with owners about plans to reopen the theatre he brought to the Homan-Roosevelt Mall. Chandler is seeking to reclaim his old job in the April 5 Aldermanic Runoff Election. (Photo by Isaac Jones) |
 |
| Michael Chandler returns to the Homan-Roosevelt Mall to encourage people seeking jobs at the Lawndale Cinemas. He was responsible for opening the shopping mall and attracting the theatre when he served as 24th ward alderman. (Photo by Isaac Jones) |
Friday, April 1, 2011
MINISTERS CONVERGE ON GOV. QUINN DEMANDING JOBS, CONTRACTS & GRANTS
More than 200 members of the International Ministers Community Alliance traveled to Springfield to meet with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and state legislators demanding jobs, grants, and contracts. They said, “Our churches’ collection plates are getting smaller and our taxes are getting higher.”
The ministers and community leaders told the Governor, “We come to get your support as we gave you our support in the last election.”
The group was led by West Side businessman and philanthropist Willie L. Wilson, founder and CEO of Omar, Inc. Joining him were Pastor Johnny L. Miller of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, Shani S.P. Smith of the Association of Block Clubs, Ziff A. Sistrunk, Kirby Puckett Boys Club, Inc., Dr. Sidney E. Grandberry of Gospel Temple COGIC, Mozo Construction, Inc., Michael Carruthers of Carruthers Construction & Safety Company, and more than 200 Chicago ministers.
The Governor appointed Darryl Harris, Director of Diversity Enhancement, and Andre B. Ashmore to meet monthly with the group and to report to the Governor on how the group is achieving its goals.
Early in the day, the group met with House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senator Mattie Hunter, Senator James Meeks, and Senator Jacqueline Collins, who offered their support for the group’s principles. The Governor answered questions from the group for more than an hour.
The next meeting of the group is Monday, March 28, 10:00 AM, at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, 2622 West Jackson Boulevard.
PROSSER CULINARY STUDENTS COMPETING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS TO PRESTIGIOUS CHEFS SCHOOLS
 |
Jessica Klasek applies delicate chocolate designs to strawberries in Prosser’s commercial kitchen. (Photo by Isaac Jones) |
They are preparing for an extremely difficult cooking competition with the prize being possible admission to the CIA. No, these aren’t junior spies. They are aspiring chefs who want to learn their art at the Culinary Institute of America, the most prestigious cooking school in America. Five Prosser seniors are competing at Washburne Culinary Institute in Kennedy-King College on April 2. The goal is grabbing valuable scholarships.
Each student chef is required to prepare the same recipes: a soup and Chicken Chasseur – pan seared chicken finished in the oven and folded in a crepe, with a sauce of tomatoes, mushrooms, shallots, garlic as a glaze, presented with a garnish. Students are making this dish over and over to guarantee they perfectly master the exact blend of ingredients, achieve the right consistency of the crepe and glaze, and control every nuance of the recipe.
The five student chefs representing Prosser are: David Orochena, who wants to attend CIA and eventually own his own restaurant; James Molter; Zarai Orroyo; Alice Hixson; and Veronica Chavez. They are preparing under the direction of Prosser Culinary Arts Instructor, Master Chef David Kulasik.
 |
James Molter makes Ruben sandwiches for a student catering assignment. (Photo by Isaac Jones) |
 |
David Orochena keeps his eye on other ingredients he is cooking as he folds his chicken crepe. (Photo by Isaac Jones) |
 |
Voila! The finished crepe presented by David Orochena, Zarai Orroyo, and Alice Hixson. Veronica Chavez is also competing at Washburne April 2, but was not present for this photo. (Photo by Isaac Jones) |
PROSSER STUDENT EARNS $94,000 4-YEAR CULINARY ARTS SCHOLARSHIP
 |
| Master Chef David Kulasik stands proudly with his star student, Marlene Sanchez holding her $6,500 check from Chartwells Hospitality. She also won a $94,000 CCAP 4-year scholarship to attend the prestigious Culinary Institute of America beginning March 28. (Photo by Isaac Jones) |
Marlene Sanchez is moving quickly to realize her dream of one day managing a major hotel. By writing a 1,000-word essay on Why I want to work in the hospitality industry, Marlene won a $6,500 scholarship from Chartwells Hospitality, the company that provides the meals for all Chicago Public School students.The Careers through Culinary Arts Program (CCAP), which provides $600,000 in scholarships annually to Chicago students planning careers as chefs, awarded Marlene $94,000, allowing her to attend the Culinary Institute of America in New York for a full 4 years.
And Marlene knows where she wants to go and how she intends to get there! She interned at Girl & the Goat Restaurant in Chicago and worked in a catering company. Currently, she is employed at Prosser High School as a Culinary Mentor. On March 28, she starts her academic career at CIA.
zaardhi-N-designs PRESENTING WEEKLY ART EXHIBITIONS IN AUSTIN
Victor O, an African-inspired artist, is presenting zaardhi-N-designs, a weekly art exhibition every Friday, 4:00-8:00 PM, March 18-April 1, at the Austin Wellness Center, 4800 West Chicago Avenue. The public is invited to attend. This exhibition is offered in partnership with Westside Health Authority. Admission is free but donations are appreciated and will be used to establish a permanent art gallery in Austin.
Victor O is exhibiting a collection of sculptures entitled Wired Art. There will be a live Jazz band and light refreshments. Other local artists will also be featured in upcoming weeks.
For information, contact Victor O at 773/957-6510 or e-mail to zaardhi@yahoo.com.
AMBER SCOTT SERVING WORK-BASED INTERNSHIP FOR JOB CORPS AT THE VOICE NEWSPAPERS
 |
Jeff Potter, Chief Graphic Designer for THE VOICE, shows Job Corps intern Amber Scott newspaper layout techniques. (Photo by Isaac Jones) |
Amber Scott came from Kokomo, Indiana to attend the Paul Simon Job Corps Center in Chicago on October 12, 2010. “I am a Certified Graphic Designer thanks to it,” Amber proclaims. She is serving her required Work-Based Learning Internship at THE VOICE Newspapers to gain practical experience in a business setting.
Amber is interested in pursuing a career in animation. When her uncle urged her to call the Job Corps, she was told the closest thing to animation that the Job Corps offers is Graphic Design training and the Paul Simon Center in Chicago is the only site in the country offering the course. Amber says, “The Job Corps has given me the chance to move closer to my goals. It is a very helpful program that gives young adults a way to move ahead toward achieving their goals. People can earn their high school diploma or GED while learning one of nine trades taught at the Paul Simon Center.”
The Paul Simon Center, located at 3348 South Kedzie Avenue, provides training in Carpentry, Painting, Certified Nursing Assistant, Office Practice, Pharmacy Technician, Bricklaying, Manufacturing, Computer Repair, and Graphic Design. There are 125 Job Corps centers across the country, with many vocational courses. Job Corps applicants can apply to any center and will be admitted to the location offering the course he or she is interested in pursuing. Job Corps students must be ages 17-24. For information on courses and admission, call 773/890-3131.
Amber has received her html and Xhtml web design certifications and also passed the certifying exam for ACA Photoshop utilizing the skills she learned in her Graphic Design course.
Amber is participating in the Job Corps college program and is looking forward to attending Harold Washington College studying animation. Graduates of the Paul Simon Job Corps are entitled to attend the Chicago City Colleges tuition free.
She is also an artist and fiction writer who looks forward to having her fiction works published. Amber says she enjoys life at the Job Corps. The Rec Center offers movies, pool games, and trips to theatres, sporting events, and cultural attractions.
“I am enjoying my internship at THE VOICE, learning how a newspaper operates. It is also teaching me what it is like to have a real job,” Amber concludes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)