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Vol. 35 No. 36
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West Side artists author children’s coloring book
September 8, 2021
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austinweeklynews.com
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Also serving Garfield Park
@AustinWeeklyChi
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A ‘fairy house’ built at Galewood park, page 6
Proposed second Galewood Starbucks clears final hurdle
The coffee shop needed to get approval to construct a drivethru at the proposed site at 2001 N. Harlem Ave. By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter
The Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals recently approved the drive-thru for what will be the second Galewood Starbucks at 2001 N. Harlem Ave., clearing the way for its construction. The coffee shop will be located roughly a mile north of the Starbucks at 7112 W. North Ave., currently the only Starbucks location not just in Galewood, but anywhere on the West Side. The project required the Chicago City Council to approve zoning changes for the two lots the Starbucks will occupy and for the Zoning Board to approve the drive-thru. The city council approved the zoning change on April 21, but the drive-thru didn’t go before the zoning board until Aug. 20. The Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) wanted the Starbucks abutting Harlem Avenue, while the coffee chain and project developer Capri Development favored keeping the building further from the sidewalk. See STARBUCKS on page 5
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Attendees pray with Sherita Galloway on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, during a tree dedication ceremony for Elijah Sims at Rehm Park in Oak Park
Now a tree grows for Elijah Sims Murdered in 2016, Sims remembered with tree, plaque at Rehm Park
By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter
On the night of Aug. 30, Sharita Galloway sat underneath the canopy of a tree in Rehm Park in Oak Park. It’s the eve of what would’ve been her son’s 22nd birthday, and Galloway, who was anchored by her rollator walker, found herself surrounded by friends, family, neighbors and local leaders. Galloway’s son, Elijah Sims, was shot
on Aug. 29, 2016, while standing outside with friends in nearby Austin on Chicago’s West Side. Sims, who was just shy of turning 17 and a student at Oak Park and River Forest High School, died a day later. In the years following his death, community members, elected officials and activists have joined Galloway and her family at candlelight vigils, prayer services and balloon releases to keep Sims’ spirit alive. And now, a tree at Rehm Park bears Sims’ name with a plaque placed at the base of
S W E N LASH! F
the trunk, a new remembrance. The park is at East Avenue and Garfield. “I can only speak for myself,” said Galloway into a small megaphone. “I’m not doing anymore balloon releases.” Galloway and her friend, Barbara Dolan, explained to the crowd that the tree dedicated to Sims served as a living memorial. The two recently teamed up and inquired about the Park District of Oak Park’s memorial tree and bench program. See SIMS on page 9
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