Thursday, September 29, 2022

Tabares Hosting Paper Shredding Event

 Looking to get rid of unwanted yet sensitive documents (like old

utility bills, medical records, tax returns, Social Security/pension statements, etc.)?


Looking to get rid of unwanted, outdated prescription drugs?

Then make plans to head over to Peck School, 3826 W. 58th Street, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 1--where 23rd Ward Alderman Silvana Tabares will host a shred/drug take-back event.
Ald. Silvana Tabares

The prescription drug take-back is sponsored by the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

Meds should be in their original containers or a sealed plastic bag. Not accepted are liquid meds, anything in an aerosol container, medical waste (including used gloves, masks, syringes, needles, lancets, tubing, IV bags) and illegal drugs.

According to a Tabares representative, small electronics will be accepted at the event for recycling.

For details, call the alderman's office at (773) 582-4444.

Thanks to Alderman Tabares for providing this useful public service.

Saturday, September 24, 2022

The King Returns: Encore Performance For Seniors, Vets and First Responders

By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post

Three months after he packed the house—and nearly brought it down at the senior center in Garfield Ridge, one of the nation’s top Elvis tribute artists will return in an encore show of sorts.
Hugo's Elvis


Hugo’s Elvis, a rising young star who has even played Las Vegas, will perform for 90 minutes on stage at Our Lady of the Snows parish hall, 4810 S. Leamington, on Saturday, October 22

Doors open at 11:15 a.m., and a pizza lunch will be served promptly at 11:30. For dessert, single-serve Fasano Junior Pies will be offered, courtesy of the Fasano Pie Company.

Hugo's Elvis will perform from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Then from 2 to 3:30 p.m., Motown tribute group Fred & Friendz will take everyone on trip down memory lane as it ran through the Motor City.

Invited to attend are all local senior citizens, military veterans and first responders.

There is plenty of off-street parking on the building's west side, where the hall entrance is.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required. To make a reservation, call the Garfield Ridge Satellite Senior Center at (312) 745-4255.

There is no admission charge or charge for lunch. The show is paid for as a public service to seniors, veterans and first responders by Geno Randazzo of All Exterior Contractors, Mike Riordan of Mike Riordan State Farm Agency and Al Cacciottolo of First Rate Realty.


"Based on the tremendous response Hugo's Elvis received when he packed the senior center back in July, we knew we just had to bring him back for an encore performance," Geno Randazzo said. "This is just one way Al, Mike and I salute the community's senior, vets and first responders. They deserve our best efforts, and we are delivering for them."

Friday, September 23, 2022

Free Fest Coming to West Lawn Library

Just sent to us by the Chicago Public Library Foundation:

On Saturday, September 24, Chicago Public Library, the Chicago Public Library Foundation and Amazon will celebrate the start of the school year with the community at the newly renovated West Lawn Branch, 4020 West 63rd Street.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., families can enjoy learning and discovery with activities ranging from live animal shows to hands-on STEM activities for children of all ages. Students can also pick up their back-to-school Grab & Go kits at the event.

This event is free, and all are welcome.

The celebration will also introduce families to accessible and free homework help resources available, including Teacher in the Library. This donor-powered program has helped bridge
the academic opportunity gap for more than 30 years.

Families are encouraged to explore the branch, talk to our Teachers, and ask questions about the program and other free learning resources.

“The Library is deeply committed to improving learning goals for our children and teens,” said Chicago Public Library Commissioner Brown. “Not only do we believe in providing safe spaces for learning, we believe in providing learning programs designed to assist with closing the achievement gap for those who have historically faced challenges with access to academic
support.”

For more than two decades, Chicago Public Library has provided homework help to thousands of Chicago’s students, especially to lower-income children and non-white children who
continue to face the most significant obstacles to educational opportunity in Chicago.

According to the Brookings Institution, students continue to experience prolonged learning disruptions from the past two years. Estimates suggest there is up to a 30% loss in reading
skills and a 50% loss in math skills. More concerning is that the achievement divide between students in low-poverty and high-poverty areas grew by 20% in math and 15% in reading.

The Library’s Teacher in the Library program gives students after school access to accredited teachers that help students complete their schoolwork, prepare for tests, build strong study
skills, and review concepts covered in their classes such as reading and comprehension skills, multiplication, and more.

Teachers also work with parents and caregivers ─ giving them additional resources and strategies to help reinforce school lessons at home. Teachers even help prepare students to
thrive outside of school by supporting them as they transition to adulthood, assisting with college applications and career road-mapping.

“I have been a Teacher in the Library for 20 years and have witnessed the impact of the program to students in the community, making accessible critical academic support that every child deserves. The Teacher in the Library has also become a welcome resource for parents and caregivers to help their children, making sure that learning continues from the school to the Library to the home,” said Melody Farmer.

In 2020, this signature Library program pivoted to a virtual format to prevent further loss of valuable learning hours and offer the after-school academic support many students lost access to due to the pandemic. To help students as they returned to the classroom, teachers returned to the
branches in fall 2021, while continuing virtual sessions, providing 9,619 sessions of free one-on-one homework help across the city, in-person and online.

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Crime News Update

       Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post---taken directly from Chicago Police Department incident reports---is not by any means an exhaustive catalogue of all crime reported in the Chicago Lawn (8th) District. For example, it typically does not include news of crimes committed in the eastern sectors of the district---because the Southwest Chicago Post's coverage area is primarily the neighborhoods that border Midway Airport and secondarily because including the relatively large volume of crime news from elsewhere in the district would be a logistical challenge. We make this note to offer a little helpful perspective and remind everyone that while crime is definitely a concern in all parts of the district (as it always has been), crime remains relatively low overall in the western section of the district. May all of us work together diligently to keep it that way. May all of us also remember that a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.


* * *


Shot in the elbow on Pulaski
A 21-year-old man was shot in the right elbow as he rode as a rear-seat passenger in a southbound vehicle in the 5200 block of South Pulaski at about 11 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15. The victim was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was listed in good condition. Police said the shooter fired from the street. No one is in custody.


Accused murderer arrested at MDW
Jackson


A Morgan Park man arrested at Midway Airport at 11:51 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12 was charged with murder, police said.

Hezekiah L. Jackson, of the 11800 block of South Ashland, allegedly shot and killed 20-year-old Ceasar Calvin Shears Jr. in the 2600 block of East 85th Street on July 5. 

Jackson was charged with two counts of resisting arrest when he allegedly resisted being handcuffed. Police would not say why Jackson was at the airport or offer any other information.


* * *
Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in and/or own a business in Beats 813 or 833 (see map) make plans to attend your next CAPS meeting, set for 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 27 at West Lawn Park, 4233 West 65th Street. Hear updates on crime in your neighborhood and learn how you can work with neighbors and police to make the community safer and better for all.


* * *


Charge pair with attempted murder
Renteria


Two Southwest Side men were each charged with five counts of attempted murder after they were arrested on Sept. 13 in the 800 block of East Avenue in suburban La Grange.

Isaiah Renteria, 22, of the 6500 block of South Kedvale, and Pedro Molina, 23, of the 3600 block of South Damen, allegedly opened fire on a group of people in the 1800 block of West 21st Place, a short time before they were arrested.

Police said a 12-year-old boy was shot and critically injured. Four other people: two more 12-year-old boys, a 20-year-old man and a 23-year-old man were fired upon but not hit.
Molina


Bond was denied for both men. They are in custody of the Cook County Department of Corrections and are scheduled to appear in court again on Friday, Sept. 23.

According to public records, Molina was arrested by CPD near 19th and Seeley in April 2018 and charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

According to public records, Renteria has been arrested five times by CPD since 2019, on charges that included possession of burglary tools, burglary, theft, criminal trespass to a vehicle, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance and being an armed habitual criminal.




Claim woman stole laundry soap

A 60-year-old Clearing woman was charged with retail theft after she was arrested at the Jewel-Osco at 6107 S. Archer at 3:40 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22. Teresa J. Bajic, of the 6100 block of South Nagle, allegedly stole a bottle of laundry detergent and other items, a CPD spokesman said without elaborating.


Charge man with aggravated sexual assault

A 31-year-old West Lawn man was charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault after he was arrested at his home in the 6200 block of South Kildare at 11:31 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12.
Mondragon


Christian Mondragon allegedly assaulted a 32-year-old woman and hit her with the handle of a knife during the attack. A CPD spokesman said the victim escaped by locking herself in a room until police arrived.

Two days earlier, Mondragon was charged with aggravated assault after he was arrested outside a home in the 6400 block of South Karlov at 1:10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10. He allegedly came to the home of a 62-year-old man and threatened him, a CPD spokesman said without elaborating.

According to public records, Mondragon has been arrested seven times by CPD since 2016 on such charges as reckless conduct, public indecency, DUI and battery.



Say man threatened to slap airline worker

A 62-year-old South Side man was charged with assault after he was arrested at Midway Airport at 4:52 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11. Donald Hank Smith, of the 1100 block of West 110th Street, allegedly threatened to slap an airline employee during a disagreement.


Charge man with damaging property

A 42-year-old Northwest Side man was charged with criminal damage to property after he was arrested at a home in the 6400 block of South Kedvale at 3:17 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10. Miguel A. Lopez, of the 4100 block of North Marmora, allegedly damaged property while engaged in an argument with a landlord, a CPD spokesman said without elaborating.





Say man punched elderly man in the face
Talmadge


A 31-year-old man from suburban South Holland was charged with battery after he was arrested at the CTA Orange Line terminal, 4612 W. 59th St., at 9:15 a.m. Friday, Aug. 19.

Darron C. Talmadge, of the 15200 block of South Drexel, allegedly punched a 79-year-old man in the face, on a train platform. Because of the victim’s age, police requested aggravated battery charges, but were turned down by an assistant state’s attorney.

According to public records, Talmadge has been arrested five times by CPD since 2019, on charges that included criminal trespass to land, aggravated assault of a state employee, aggravated assault of a transit worker and violation of terms of bail.





He punched and choked me, woman says
Gonzalez


A 37-year-old man from suburban Northlake was charged with aggravated domestic battery, aggravated kidnapping and criminal damage to property after he was arrested in the 7800 block of South Kolmar at 3:58 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 7.

Steven J. Gonzalez, of the 200 block of West Grand, allegedly punched and choked a 39-year-old woman in her home and damaged some of her property, a CPD spokesman said.

According to public records, Gonzalez has been arrested five times by CPD since 2014 on charges that included unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and theft.





Claim man pushed boy off bike
Halloway



An 18-year-old West Rogers Park man was charged with battery after he was arrested at Wentworth Park, 5600 S. Mobile, at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24.

Jay Halloway, of the 2600 block of West Estes, allegedly pushed a 14-year-old boy off his bicycle in the park on July 27.

A CPD spokesman did not explain the gap between incident and arrest, or why police believe it was Halloway who committed the crime.





Charge Worth man with DUI after crash
Rysha



A 30-year-old man from suburban Worth was charged with DUI, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and driving an uninsured vehicle after he was arrested in front of 5958 S. Narragansett at 12:56 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 28.

Kreshnik Rysha, of the 7400 block of West 111th Street, allegedly drove a vehicle and crashed it into a parked vehicle.

Police at the scene added a charge of illegal possession of a pellet gun.







Charge man with domestic battery
Lopez



A 28-year-old Clearing man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 6000 block of South Mulligan at 12:27 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7. 


Sergio D. Lopez allegedly pushed a 28-year-old woman against a fence and then threw her to the ground during an argument, a CPD spokesman said.


Say man damaged barbershop window

A 32-year-old Chicago Lawn man was charged with criminal damage to property after he was arrested in the 4300 block of West 63rd Street at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24.
Patterson


Cory D. Patterson, of the 3100 block of West 71st Street, allegedly threw an object at a window of a storefront on the block where he was arrested. A CPD spokesman declined to name the business, but a source in the neighborhood identified it as the Elite Cuts barbershop.

According to public records, Patterson has been arrested 17 times by CPD since 2014 on such charges as criminal trespass to land, battery, aggravated battery of a peace officer, assault, aggravated assault, reckless conduct, reckless driving and violating terms of bail.







Arrest man on 63rd Street
Abdur-Rahman


A 32-year-old Auburn Gresham man was charged with failure to yield the right of way after he was arrested by police investigating a traffic crash in the 5100 block of West 63rd Street at 5:35 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26.

Hassan I. Abdur-Rahman, of the 9000 block of South Laflin, also was cited for driving an uninsured vehicle and driving on a suspended license.

According to public records, Abdur-Rahman was arrested by CPD in March 2021 near 60th and Menard and charged with domestic battery.



Charge man with battery
Gonzalez Lopez



A 33-year-old from suburban Elmwood Park was charged with battery after he was arrested in the 6000 block of South Tripp at 11:06 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26.


Victor M. Gonzalez Lopez, of the 2400 block of North 75th Court, allegedly pushed a 39-year-old woman and struck her in the face during an argument.








Claim Ohio man stiffed driver
Horton



A 30-year-old man from Columbus, Ohio was charged with theft after he was arrested outside Midway International Airport, 5701 S. Cicero, at 5:05 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30. 


Riley Austin Horton allegedly refused to pay what he owed a rideshare driver, a CPD spokesman said with elaborating.



Claim man harassed woman via text
Mora

 
A 28-year-old Gage Park man was charged with assault and telephone harassment after he was arrested at 63rd and Kostner at 7:15 a.m. Friday, Sept. 2.

Isaac Mora Jr., of the 3400 block of West 54th Place, allegedly sent threatening text messages to a 27-year-old woman, a CPD spokesman said.

According to public records, Mora was arrested by CPD in December 2020 and charged with aggravated domestic battery.






Say man violated court order
Barajas


A 39-year-old Gage Park man was charged with violating an order of protection after he was arrested at a home in the 6200 block of South Tripp at 10:53 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2.

Asencion Barojas, of the 5500 block of South Sawyer, allegedly entered the home of a 37-year-old woman, in violation of a court order.

According to public records, Barojas was arrested by CPD in April 2021 near 63rd and Kenneth and charged with violating an order of protection.


Say woman punched man in face
Figueroa



A 38-year-old Clearing woman was charged with battery after she was arrested in her home in the 6800 block of West 65th Street at 4:24 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10.


Crystal Figueroa allegedly punched a 38-year-old man in the face during an argument.





Claim man molested teen relative
Andrade Lopez



A 47-year-old man from Indianapolis, Ind. was charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault of an underage family member after he was arrested at Midway Airport at 11:31 p.m. Monday, Sept. 5.


Luis Andrade Lopez allegedly molested a 15-year-old girl in a home in the 1700 block of West 32nd Street in October 2021, a CPD spokesman said without elaborating.



Say man carried pellet gun
Balbino


A 26-year-old Chicago Lawn man was charged with illegal possession of a pellet gun after he was arrested during a traffic stop in the 6200 block of South Pulaski at 10:55 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8.

Cristian Balbino, of the 3400 block of West 59th Place, also was cited for driving on a suspended license, failure to have a front license plate and failure to have a registration sticker on the vehicle’s rear plate.

According to public records, Balbino has been arrested seven times by CPD since 2015 on such charges as obstructing identification, battery, aggravated arson and violating an order of protection.







Crash leads to weapons charge in Vittum Park
Villasenor



A 34-year-old man from suburban Mokena was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon after he was arrested by police investigating a traffic crash in the 4900 block of South Lamon at 4:11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9.


Guillermo A. Villasenor also was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, possession of cannabis and driving without a license. A CPD spokesman did not elaborate on the weapons charge.



Police make bust at illegal car gathering
Marin


A 23-year-old Southeast Side man was charged with assault after he was arrested in the 4700 block of South Cicero at 2:51 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 28.

Ricardo Marin, of the 10800 block of South Avenue G, was allegedly part of an illegal gathering of motorist drag racing and drifting on Cicero Avenue. A CPD spokesman said Marin tried unsuccessfully to flee.

He also was charged with illegal possession of fireworks, as well as illegal modification of a license plate (police said he had put tape over his license plate). A CPD spokesman did not elaborate on what led to the assault charge.