■ Can’t keep a good woman down PAGE 6
FREE Vol. 38 No. 13
March 27, 2024 ■ Also serving Garfield Park ■ austinweeklynews.com
@AustinWeeklyNews
@austinweeklynews
@AustinWeeklyChi
FFree skating k ti iin Garfield Park, page 3
Bring Chicago Home fails The ballot measure was more popular on the West Side than the city as a whole By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
The Bring Chicago Home measure on the March primary ballot caused quite a bit of discourse, and survived challenges in circuit court, Illinois Appellate Court and the Illinois Supreme Court. But that didn’t necessarily sway voters. Of over 347,000 votes, over 47% approved the measure and 52% opposed it. On the West Side, where issues of affordable housing and homelessness have long been impacted by a housing crisis, the measure was more popular. In the 29th Ward, more than 50% voted “yes” for the ballot question. In the 37th Ward, over 53% of voters approved the referendum, while in the 28th Ward, more than 56% of voters indicated they wanted Bring Chicago Home to pass. A “yes” vote would have amended the one-time transfer tax on real estate transactions in Chicago, estimated to generate an annual $100 million to fund resources for the unhoused community, like affordable housing, subsidized rentals, updating shelters and other services. In today’s world of Chicago real estate, those who buy a property pay a 0.75% transfer tax. If passed, the referendum would have placed a 2% tax on properties sold for $1 million to $1.5 million, and a 3% tax on those sold for more than that. At the same time, Bring Chicago Home would have decreased the transfer tax for properties sold for under $1 million to 0.6%.
TODD A. BANNOR
Congressman Danny Davis gives a victory speech to supporters on the night of his Democratic Primary win at Westside Community Services in Chicago on March 19, 2024.
Depsite doubts about age, Danny Davis sweeps 7th District congressional race His top challengers, Melissa ConyearsErvin and Kina Collins, respectively pulled only 23% and 16% of the vote By JESSICA MORDACQ
Incumbent Danny Davis came out far ahead in the race for 7th District, securing 30 years of holding the title “Congressman” after completing his next term. And detractors thought he was too old. Minutes after 8 p.m. Tuesday, the Associated Press called the race, with Davis securing about 52% of the vote with over 35,000 ballots cast at that time in his favor.
Staff Reporter
See BRING CHICAGO HOME on page 9
West Side
2024
A magazine for the West Side
See DANNY DAVIS on page 4
published by
Austin • Garfield Park • North Lawndale
Reserve your space today
Lourdes Nicholls 708.613.3329 lourdes@oakpark.com
Publication Date: May 2024
Ben Stumpe 708.613.3330 ben@oakpark.com
West Side 2023/24
AUSTIN
✮
G A R F I E L D PA R K
✮
N O R T H L AW N D A L
E