■ Progressive lane in the 7th District is crowded PAGE 7
FREE Vol. 40 No. 9
March 4, 2026 ■ Also serving Garfield Park ■ austinweeklynews.com
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Johnson Remembering Delores McCain and the mentorship that shaped Thaddeus Wright outlines 2026 Wright recalls Austin Weekly’s budget at McCain and her lessons in faith, perseverance and compassion town hall By HECTOR CERVANTES
Budget protects youth jobs and domestic violence prevention programs
Contributing Reporter
When Thaddeus Wright received the Third Unitarian Church Scholarship in 2010, it wasn’t just the award that changed his life, it was the mentorship and unwavering support of Austin Weekly News columnist Delores McCain, whose influence he carries with him decades later. Wright recently wrote a letter to the editor reflecting on the influence of McCain, a longtime journalist and community advocate at the Weekly who mentored and encouraged young people, highlighting how her support and guidance gave him confidence and DELORES MCCAIN hope that carried him through college and beyond. “First and foremost, when I first met Ms. McCain, she was very calm. She was, what can I say, very loving. She had a loving spirit that she shared with others,” Wright said. See WRIGHT on page 9
By HECTOR CERVANTES Contributing Reporter
PROVIDED
Thaddeus Wright
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson held a town hall Feb. 26 at Friendship Baptist Church, where West Side residents learned about what they can expect from the hard fought and recently approved 2026 city budget. They also hear Johnson, an Austin resident, explain why the long fight with the city’s alders was worth it. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and share their thoughts directly with the mayor and staff. Johnson said his plan relied on asking large corporations to pay more, while critics on the City Council pushed with some success for alternative revenue options. “I’m proud to have worked with him on this 2026 budget. I think this budget reflected his values, the values he held very highly and those are values that put people first,” West Side Alderman Chris Taliaferro said. Johnson said the city is moving forward with residents involved at every step, noting that See BUDGET on page 8
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