■ Credit union comes to Austin PAGE 4
FREE Vol. 38 No. 27
July 3, 2024 ■ Also serving Garfield Park ■ austinweeklynews.com
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Remembering R b i Commissioner Dennis Deer, page 7
New task force to address highrisk funeral processions
The goal is to discuss how to prevent what officials say is dangerous behavior during these processions By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
On June 7, Bernadette McLain of Forest Park was driving north on Des Plaines Avenue. But when she turned right on Jackson Boulevard, she encountered a funeral procession traveling west down the same road. Suddenly, McLain said, a big black SUV was speeding toward her, traveling the wrong direction into her lane. Farther down the road, two other cars in the funeral procession did the same, swerving out of their lane toward McLain’s car before getting back into the procession’s line of cars. “I was shook,” McLain said. “I was very scared.” Her experience is not unusual in Forest Park and surrounding areas, where funeral processions — See FUNERAL PROCESSIONS on page 4
SOMARTIN - ADOBE STOCK
Love red, white and blue? Here’s where to celebrate the 4th of July Events include firework displays, parades and a 5K run By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter
Are you looking for ways to show your American spirit this Fourth of July? Luckily, events around Austin have you covered so you can rock red, white and blue in style. Events in the western Chicago suburbs include firework displays, parades, festivals and even a 5K Independence Day run for visitors and residents alike to enjoy. See 4TH OF JULY on page 8
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