■ Third City Studio opens in North Austin PAGE 3
FREE Vol. 39 No. 42
October 22, 2025 ■ Also serving Garfield Park ■ austinweeklynews.com
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Austin’s matriarch, Lillian Drummond, turns 104
W Westt Sub S b owes state t t millions, page 5
Kina Collins enters race for Illinois’ 7th Congressional District
Lifelong community leader is celebrated at the senior center she helped open By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
Lillian Drummond, a prominent activist and advocate for Austin, turned 104 on Oct. 13. Community members and public officials celebrated Drummond’s birthday with her the following day at the Austin Satellite Senior Center, 5071 W. Congress Pkwy — a space she helped create. Drummond helped build the Austin Satellite Senior Center, which opened in 2004, as a place for seniors to access essential resources and support. Mary Futrell helped Drummond launch the senior center. At Drummond’s birthday celebration, she told Austin Weekly News how Drummond went to former Mayor Richard Daley’s office to petition for the center and waited hours until he was available to speak with her. “She wasn’t afraid,” Futrell said. “If you have a problem, talk to her and she’ll know who to call.” Joyce Gallagher was working as the City of Chicago’s head of aging when, in 2003, she said Drummond marched into her office and demanded a senior center in Austin. “Everyone said, ‘Watch out, Ms.
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Progressive voice from Austin wants to build a working-class economy By HECTOR CERVANTES Contributing Reporter
gher said, adding that her favorite qualities of Drummond include “her tenacity, her willingness to put herself on the
Kina Collins, a longtime community organizer and progressive voice from Austin, has announced her candidacy for Illinois’ 7th Congressional District. Collins has previously challenged Rep. Danny Davis, the retiring incumbent, in two primary races and is now entering the contest for an open seat. The primary will take place March 17, 2026. She emphasizes grassroots organizing, building a working-class economy and championing issues like voting rights, healthcare and housing. Her campaign, she said, is committed to rejecting corporate PAC money and advocating for policies that reflect the district’s diverse communities. “I’m back in the race on a mandate from the
See DRUMMOND on page 8
See KINA COLLINS on page 4
TODD BANNOR
City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin and 29th Ward Alderman Chris Taliaferro with Lillian Drummond at her 104th birthday party at the Austin Satellite Senior Center on Oct. 14. Drummond’s coming.’ I had no idea who she was,” Gallagher said. “She told me if I did not build a senior center, she was going to march.” “We’ve been friends ever since,” Galla-
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