■ Referendum to aid homelessness off ballot PAGE 4
FREE Vol. 38 No. 9
February 28, 2024 ■ Also serving Garfield Park ■ austinweeklynews.com
Deondre’ Rutues believes police reform can happen in Chicago The 15th Police District Councilman says it’s about relationships and community – and he’s seen it work By DEBORAH BAYLISS Contributing Reporter
Chicago’s 15th Police District Councilman Deondre’ Rutues demonstrated finely tuned multitasking talents as he picked up his daughter from school while speaking with the Austin Weekly News on a busy Friday afternoon earlier this month. “I’m very family oriented, “ Rutues said after exiting an Uber to get his daughter. Along with his focused family values, Rutues describes himself as a strong, God-centered Black man deeply rooted in Blackness. Integrity, authenticity, and respect for others are also principles that govern his life. See POLICE REFORM on page 9
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Ald. Emma Mitts of the 37th Ward and Jitu Brown.
West Siders hit by July floods demand $50M in clean-up aid Their press conference called for help for over 200 seniors struggling to restore their homes from flood damage By JESSICA MORDACQ
A group of Austin residents, nonprofits and disaster relief agencies are demanding as much as $50 million from Mayor Brandon Johnson to help victims of last July’s floods recover from the damage. The West Side Long-Term Recovery Group gathered at the Christian Community Center on West Augusta Boulevard See FLOODS on page 5
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Injustice Watch’s guide to the 2024 judicial primary elections kC
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