Vol. 9, No. 1
Published Bi-Weekly © Copyright 2001 Jarrell Communications Inc.     ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
November 8 - 21, 2001  |
ucus seeks
input on Ward remap
From the Publisher
With a lost of Black population, Minority can still bo the Majority
Alderman Ed Smith (28), chairman of the City Council Black Caucus lead discussion of the remap for community input at the Chicago Urban League with other aldermen and community representation. Smith pointed out the challenge aldermen meet in saving 20 Black wards.
Holding meetings with many sectors of the community leadership, in a show of unity, representative of both the City Council's Black and Hispanic Caucuses move to end speculation about their individual ward maps.
After working for months to remap their wards, members of the Black Caucus revealed that their map retains their goal for 20 predominantly black wards. The Hispanic Caucus is looking to add four new wards - bringing the total to 11, oppose to a goal of 12 in early reports. Which leaves white aldermen 19 wards.
However, the balance of power with the City council still rest in the control of Mayor Richard Daley.
Led by Aldermen Carrie Austin (34) and Billy Ocasio (26), both said that from the beginning their goals were not to accept any cutback of wards.
"Based on history, we realize what a monumental responsibility we have to make this process work. None of us wants a repeat of the city's last remap fight. Consequently, we're making every effort to comply with the law and to protect each of our communities' (Continued on page 6)
West Chatham -
Located on 83rd Street in the West Chatham's moderate-income Community Honeysuckles might as well be an illusion for Black business expansion.
It has the upscale Southern cuisine restaurant ingredient. Its interior design join's the likes of many fine dining establishments as it caters as a banquet facilities for meetings and events that the Black community normally retreat to downtown or to the suburbs for. It serves as a more economic advancement and in the most sense of the community. But the growth could be a mirage as the community is unsure what magnitude of business will take place in the establishment.
On the Southside of Chicago there is limited banquet facilities and restaurants,   especially   African   American owned, that could compare to the many suburbs and loop establishments Black groups mostly pa-
A case for smoothing up to the community for::;,. :■' ■: ,l;,;!1;;,
tronize. The lobby has a historical wall mural of "Who's
the ownership pride in its upscale  interior design. One side has the mingle lounge sating: the other is the dining room and banquet facility. The furnishings, equipment and the renovation costs ran close to 1.2 million dollars.
Employing over 140 people over its business history, Honeysuckles' talented Chef, James Dillard prides itself for making the place a class act for solid service and cooking. "The kitchen grills to perfection." He says. We are famous for our Soul Food at the top of the list."
"We take the hassle out of life when planning an event at Honeysuckle," says Larry Hollins, who now handles community relations and operations. The past community relationship departed on complicated sides. "It interfered with the original zoning as my brother (Calvin Hollins) acquired the property in 1996, (formally the Net, another black restaurant. After purchasing the building and receiving the (Continued on page 13)
of America.
While having a front yard conversation with my white neighbor, expressing compassion for those who are lost in the assault, the discussions lead him to talking about his racist friends and in-laws. No big deal. Most whites know people like that. He then asks me; What are Blacks (not me) feeling about this war? The hidden nerve was hit.
Africa Americans are often re- * minded of that color line. Clearly from the events of September ll', there is no doubt the enemy of the U.S. has a color again. The (Arab looking) American Islamic community has begun to get a taste of America Racism. That is what made it so easy for America to retain over 1,000 Arab people. We've come a long way since 1941 when we put Japanese Americans in concentration camps during the attack on Peal Harbor.
It hits a nerve hearing WLS callers proclaiming; "Let's be united", "We are ar  '  ' ■-.••■ snr. " "Forget all of that now. Can't we all just all be Americans now." "In the memory of the 5,000" and sometimes with revenge America People charge the President to carry out its mandate. "Kill the Taliban and Osama bin Laden!", Then WLS TV News commercial,
(Continued on page ! 1)
Black and Hispanic leaders strategize to strengthen HealthCare
Conference to Lobby
Legislators For Adequate Funding
Grand Blvd. - African American and Hispanic leaders from all over the state, recently attended an unprecedented Advocacy Conference. In an effort to revitalize and empower those in need of physical and emotional health healing in Illinois' communities of color,
More than 100 attendees took part in the five-hour Conference held at the Charles A. Hayes Family Investment Center, 48th Wabash. Leaders strategize in workshops and completed an agenda as a collective
body, to be presented to Black and Latino Legislators.
One central point presented was more funding is desperately needed for agencies to effectively address the physical and emotional challenges of the poor, disadvan-taged, un-employed and under-employed.
An agenda action was based on if health needs aren't addressed, many communities of color will continue to face hopeless, helpless lives.
Doris Lomax, of the Human Resources Development Institute and Lee Smith, of Case Management Services of the Westside Association for Community Action addressed  issues surrounding funding  to
meet the physical and emotional needs of the community followed by the discussion on advocacy was lead by Jaime Delgado of Community Outreach Intervention Projects at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The legislative advocacy agenda was presented by Salim Al Nurridin, Executive Director of the HealthCare Consortium of Illinois, (a statewide coalition of health and social service agencies) with Will Burns, Vice President of the Chicago Urban League.
The mission for an advocacy agenda in communities said Al Nurridin is, "We want the community to develop policy into law and affect the health in the community,"
One of the first steps the conferences members needed to address is an effort to bring people together to advocate legislators for the funding needed said Richard Jackson, Vice President of External Relations for Habilitative Systems, Inc. Adding, "It's very important that we understand policy as it relates to what people need."
"Unfortunately human service issues have been far too long off the legislative agenda. "The people who control the money seem to be totally out of touch with the needs. But we still have to provide the services.. Waiting lists don't work."
(Continued on page 8)
|  With no surprise in the political circle    mary March 2002. Roland Burris 64, is ahead of all candi-
dates running for Governor. The former state attorney general and comptroller,, made it official for the 3rd time as a Democratic in the pri-
A Tribune//WGN poll of likely Democratic candidates found Burris leading with 25%.  The poll also found that the voters said Burris has the best chance of winning in the November general election.   But almost 4 in 10 voters are undecided.
(Continued on page 10)
Communft Agenda &8 Resources
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