■ Public Defender opens legal center in Austin PAGE 7
FREE Vol. 39 No. 39
October 1, 2025 ■ Also serving Garfield Park ■ austinweeklynews.com
@AustinWeeklyNews
@austinweeklynews
@AustinWeeklyChi
ICE declares d l ‘‘war’’ on Broadview, page 4
Institute brings peace efforts across Austin Blvd.
Unity Temple collaborated with the street outreach agency to learn about violence prevention efforts By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter
Unity Temple volunteers Madeleine Van Hecke and Marsha Borders said they felt honored to hear that the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago wanted the church’s help setting up an event in Oak Park. Both volunteers on the church’s gun violence prevention team, they said the event presented an opportunity for them to help chip away at barriers that prevent Oak Parkers from connecting with their neighbors in the Austin Community, where Institute staff works tirelessly to mediate conflicts, advocate for victims, prevent shootings and support at-risk people get on track with education, job opportunities, mental health care and more. “This feels really nice, trying to create that sense of connection,” said Van Hecke, who grew up in Austin. “Oak Park can be a very isolated kind of community. It’s very liberal politically, but I’m not the only one who’s said that sometimes it’s felt like See ANTI-VIOLENCE on page 6
Forty Acres Fresh Market aims to be an oasis in the food desert TODD BANNOR
Owner Liz Abunaw cuts the ribbon at the Forty Acres Fresh Market Grand Opening on Sept. 27 Whether you’re looking for $3.49 into launching the full-service grocery Independent grocery store Heinz gravy, $2.29 Food Club gravy, or a store with a wide range of selections. are servicing people with differMcCormick gravy mix for $1.49, there’s opened on Sept. 27 and an option for you at Forty Acres Fresh ent“Wetastes, with different budgets, and we’re trying to make sure there are oppromises ‘something for Market. The independent grocery store opened tions for everyone,” Liz Abunaw, founder at 5713 W. Chicago Ave. in Austin on Sept. of the market, told Austin Weekly News. everyone’ 14 and held its grand opening Sept. 27, While the store stocks name brands like
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
when locals and public officials gathered to celebrate the years of work that went
See FORTY ACRES on page 8
Follow us on Instagram! @austinweeklynews Top stories, local government, features, events, dining, art, and schools right at your fingertips!