Chicago Heights, IL

Otto Veterans Square Construction Begins in Downtown Chicago Heights

South Suburban News

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3IasyS_0m8XFK7q00
Mayor David Gonzalez (right) poses with city leaders in celebration of the first day of construction of Otto Veterans Square.Photo byJT Taylor

On a wonderful spring day last week, the Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC), in collaboration with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez, announced the construction of the Otto Veterans Square development. It is an affordable housing project for veterans located in downtown Chicago Heights.

The 82-unit, four-story development featuring an exercise room, media room, walking paths, and raised planting beds for community gardens, will also include design strategies tailored to the special needs of veterans. These will include calm color palettes, quiet spaces with heightened acoustic requirements, and units and common spaces with open plans which provide visibility with no hidden corners. Pets will also be allowed.

All 82 units will receive Project-Based Voucher assistance from the Housing Authority. This subsidy means that tenant rents will be set at a sliding scale so that residents pay no more than 30% of their income on rent. All residents will have incomes at or below 50% of the Area Median Income for the Chicago region, as set by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“Every veteran deserves a home, and this new development will help us move a step closer to achieving our goal of making sure every veteran in Cook County is provided with access to decent, safe and affordable housing,” said President Preckwinke.

Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez was also very pleased to see the development come to fruition. It is a project that is dear to his heart as well.

“The initiative between the City of Chicago Heights and the Housing Authority of Cook County to revitalize the property formerly occupied by Franciscan Hospital with a modern, 82-unit veterans housing development represents both a dignified and deserved investment in our military veterans,” said Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez. “We are proud to host the veterans housing facility and grateful for the short and long-term economic boost to the city’s center that the project represents.”

Read full story in "NewsBreak" App
# Chicago Heights# Toni Preckwinkle# Otto Veterans Square# Matteson

This is original content from NewsBreak’s Creator Program. Join today to publish and share your own content.

Comments / 0

Published by

Accurate, Honest and Local

Kankakee, IL
580 followers

More from South Suburban News

$2mil. project underway. Bloom Township is Preparing For the Future, Stands Ready to Deliver

With an eye toward ensuring that Bloom Township is ready to meet the challenges of the future, the township has embarked on an aggressive $2mil. infrastructure improvement program. Currently, the Township Center, is being fitted with a new roof, HVAC, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, state of the art LED motion detecting lights, floors, ceilings and many other improvements.

Read full story
Cook County, IL

Wife of Chief Apostle, McCoy, Dr. Rose Marie McCoy, Passes On

Dr. Rose Marie McCoy, the wife of noted Southland Pastor and Civic Leader, Chief Apostle William McCoy, and his partner in the implementation of many programs to fight poverty, hunger, underemployment, drug and alcohol addiction, hopelessness and despair, has passed on. After the announcement of her passing, our publication was contacted by many who wanted to give thanks for her work, and offer their condolences. At press-time we are only able to include a few words from area leaders, and apologize for not being able to share more. We at the South Suburban News offer our most humble and sincere prayers and condolences to the McCoy family, and thank her for her sacrifices and the many years of service to our community. Michael Taylor, Publisher - South Suburban News.

Read full story
Kankakee, IL

Kankakee School District Supt. Dr. Genevra Walters Announces Run For IL 79th District State Rep.

Kankakee School District #111 Superintendent, Dr. Genevra Walters met with South Suburban News Editorial Board and the Publisher, Michael Taylor this week to announce that she will be seeking election to the Illinois House of Representatives 79th District, as a democrat. That seat is currently held by republican, Jackie Haas.

Read full story
Illinois State

Gov. Pritzker and State Supt. of Education, Dr. Tony Sanders Amazed by Elementary School STEM Center

On Thursday, August 31st Governor J.B. Pritzker and State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Tony Sanders made a special visit to Elementary School District 159 to tour their state-of-the-art STEM Center. The event was also attended by State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin, Village of Matteson President, Sheila Chalmers-Currin, and Rich Township Supervisor, Calvin Jordan. In addition, Elementary School District 159 Board President, Mrs. Sharee Morton, Vice President, Mrs. Regina Edgecombe, members, Veronica Franklin, Kimberly Johnson, and Kenneth Williams were in attendance. Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Tiffany Brunson opened the event by thanking everyone for attending, with a special thank you to the Governor. “I am the proud Superintendent of Elementary.

Read full story
Chicago, IL

Chicago Gospel Tribune Publisher To Feature Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. In The Sept. Issue

Chicago Gospel Tribune and South Suburban News Publisher, Michael Taylor, shared a conversation with “Civil Rights Icon” Jesse Jackson, Sr. this past week. Taylor said that he is happy that he was able to meet with Jackson and shared a copy of the Gospel Tribune with Jackson’s picture on the front.

Read full story
Illinois State

Bloom Township Trustee Jacquelene Stewart Named To State TOI Board, Spearheads Scholarship Program

Bloom Township Trustee Jaquelene Stewart was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Township Officials of Illinois (TOI). She is also the Township Officials of Illinois’s Treasurer for the Trustees' Division. The Bloom Township Trustee strives to improve township government in Illinois to benefit its taxpayers and citizens. Given the opportunity at TOI allows her to do just that. One of the ways that she’s able to impact Illinois citizens is by way of TOI’s Educational events throughout the state. Her most recent educational event was held in Rockford, IL on July 26th at IBEW Hall, where she participated in a panel discussion and answered questions from the viewpoint of a Township Trustee.

Read full story
Dolton, IL

Optus Bank Funds Multi-Million Dollar Project In Dolton, IL. They Stepped-Up When others would Not

Optus Bank of Columbia, SC, is committed to helping all people build wealth and improve their lives, regardless of their background or situation. They offer innovative ways to manage, move, save and borrow money for individuals and small businesses with the goal of ensuring that wealth building is not just for the wealthy. Unlike traditional financial institutions that seek to solely maximize the financial returns for their shareholders, they strive to balance the needs of all stakeholders their customers, communities, employees and shareholders. Now they are in Dolton, IL. Recently, they put their services to work to finance the Saint Patrick’s. It is the vision of Patrick and Tiffany Kamara. Announcing recently that the Optus Bank had financed the $3.2Mil. Saint Patrick’s project, they are working to take what started as vision into a reality. “When we bought the Dolton site, we just had a vision and a rough plan of what we wanted to do in this community, “said Tiffany Kamara. She and her husband Patrick took their savings and got renderings of the project completed. They knew that it was going to take several million dollars to bring a project like the Saint Patrick’s to Dolton. The Saint Patrick is a multi-story 5 star restaurant, banquet hall, Live music venue and roof top space, all to be located in Dolton. “When we started this, we spent our money and invested heavily in a vision. We had no idea where the money would come from, we just knew we wanted to bring something special to Dolton, “said Patick Kamara. “Why should people in Dolton have to go to other cities like Tinley Park, Orland or Chicago to enjoy fine dining?” He and Mrs. Kamara believe Dolton residents and those from surrounding areas should have the opportunities to have a great and safe recreation space that they can be proud of. They said, the both of them put faith in each other and the community and went searching for financing to get the project done. They went to the usual players in Dolton banking to finance the project, but no one would come up with a funding plan that the Kamaras could by into. “Banks were reluctant to finance a Dolton project and they were not shy about saying it, “they both shared.

Read full story
1 comments
Illinois State

Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly Announces The Passing Of Her Husband Dr. Nathaniel Horn

On Thursday, August 24th, family, friends, and colleagues paid their final respect to the late Dr. Nathaniel Horn, husband of U.S. Congresswoman, Robin Kelly. Dr. Horn passed on Friday, August 18th. “Thank all of you for coming. Nate was a big deal to me. He was my rock. My proudest moments in life were becoming a mother to my children and becoming Nate’s wife. Nate was remarkable. Horn family, we will get through this,” said Congresswoman Kelly.

Read full story
Dolton, IL

Saint Patrick 5 Star Restaurant, Banquet Hall, Roof ToP Venue and 100 Jobs Coming To Dolton

It was December 23, 2022 when the South Suburban News ran its first in a series of articles about a business in Dolton Illinois. Emporium Beverage Depot, one of only a few Black and woman owned beverage sales operators in the state of Illinois is still going strong. Out of the 1450 liquor establishments in the state, less than 1% are Black owned, and less than that are Black woman owned.

Read full story
Homewood, IL

Ford of Homewood Comes To The Rescue and Makes A Young Entrepreneur's First Car Dream Come True.

Ford of Homewood is an automotive dealership known for its philanthropic practices. The South Suburban News spoke with a recent customer and learned of his experience with the dealership.

Read full story
Oak Forest, IL

30th District 2024 Election Could See Area Leaders Seek State Representative Post

For that past 20 years, the 30th District of Illinois State Representative seat has been held by Democrat Willam “Will” Davis. Davis took the seat in January of 2003 and has held on to it for two decades. A native of Harvey, with a district office in Hazel Crest Illinois, he has served his constituency well over the years.

Read full story
Homewood, IL

Opinion: Arielle and Chaka Cotton Providing Top Quality Services For All Clientele

Located in Studio 208, 19150 Kedzie Ave. in Homewood Illinois, Beau La Vie Beauty Network is the brian child and thus “our baby” according co-founder Chaka Cotton. Mrs. Cotton and her husband; Co-founder, Arnell Cotton began their journey to provide the best in personal aesthetic care for there clients. Arnell specialized in Barber Care services and Chaka focused on hair, make-up, and beauty photography.

Read full story
Sauk Village, IL

Sauk Village Trustees Boycott Meeting

“As the Board of Trustees, we have the responsibility of the financial health of the village, “says Aretha Burns. Burns, who is also the Public Health and Safety Committee Chairperson, is very concerned about the future health and safety of Sauk Village reason.

Read full story
Sauk Village, IL

Former Sauk Village Trustee Claims Corruption in Mayor’s Office

Former Sauk Village Trustee Claims Corruption in Mayor’s Office. The South Suburban News spoke with former Trustee of Sauk Village, Gary Bell, regarding Mayor Derrick Burgess. Burgess is highly suspected of corruption in his office according to Bell and many others who have reached out to the South Suburban News over the past several months. Bell was once of Burgess’ most loyal foot soldiers, even a friend of his at first. Bell now says Burgess’ office and his actions have all been detrimental to the Village.

Read full story
Dolton, IL

Opinion: Dolton And Thornton Twp. Residents ask Tifffany Henyard, "Can you work as hard as you Twerk?"

Recently we have received hundreds of comments directed to our email accounts regarding Thornton Township Supervisor and Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard. In one of the emails, we were directed to a page called Dolton Politics on the Facebook social media platform. What we saw after joining and inspecting the page was shocking, eye opening and sad. It really shed light on some of the animosity that is out in the Dolton and Thornton Township community. To be fair, some post were in support of Henyard, but many, more than many showed a seemingly eclectic, simple, over exposed politician, who just can’t get right.

Read full story
Thornton, IL

Opinion Is Thornton Township Leadership Yielding To Tiffany Henyard Dictatorship In Thornton Township?

Has it happened yet? Has the real leadership in Thornton Township, the body who’s job it is to advise and provide consent for the laws, legislation, rules and censure, of an unruly, and seemingly out of step Supervisor, Tiffany Henyard, stood up yet? Has the tax issues surrounding the Thornton Township Assessor being locked out of her office and how that has affected the many municipalities in Thornton Township, become important enough for leaders in Thornton Township to stand up?

Read full story
Dolton, IL

Tiffany Henyard Administrations under Fire For More Questionable Dealings in Dolton and Thornton Township

On the night that Tiffany Henyard was appointed to fill the seat formerly occupied by South Land political powerhouse Frank Zuccarelli as the Township Supervisor of Thornton Township, it was a shock to everyone in attendance. After being the last one of nine nominations, Thornton Township Trustee, Christopher Gonzalez nominated Tiffany Henyard. In a facebook video, it does not appear that the motion was seconded, but none-the-less, with nine minutes left to install a successor to Zuccarelli according to state statute, Henyard was approved by the board and sworn-in by the Thornton Township Clerk, Loretta C. Wells. It was a shocking development. Henyard was also serving as the youngest Mayor ever elected in Dolton and the first Black female Mayor as well. The same could now be said for Thornton Township. The event was historical but there were some tell-tale signs immediately that this historical moment might be the beginning of something less than wonderful. She vowed on that night to continue the work of Frank Zuccarelli in an interview with a reporter. Shortly thereafter, while the interview was going on, Deputy Supervisor, Joyce Washington joined the interview and hugged and congratulated Henyard. She was soon followed by Trustee Jerry Jones. They both demonstrated support for Henyard and shared their hopes. Jones said at the time that Henyard had the “potential to take this township to new heights”.

Read full story
1 comments
Calumet City, IL

20 Year-Old Zamyr McGee-Bohannon Killed On Grandparents Porch Footage On Ring-Cam

20 year old Zamyr McGee-Bohannon was shot and killed Sunday, June 11, 2023 by two shooters, wielding what appeared to be semi-automatic weapons. Mr. Bohannon had just left a car in the drive-way of his grandparents home at approx. 7:00 pm and walked to the door of his grandparents home on Price Street in Calumet City, when the shooters left an auto across the street and opened fire. After the shooting they fled the scene. The shooting was caught on the families Ring-Cam.

Read full story
Dolton, IL

FBI Probes Tiffany Henyard Administration While Thornton Township Spending Also At Issue

It was only a week ago that the Editorial Board of the South Suburban News presented an editorial regarding Tiffany Henyard and her leadership in the southland community of Dolton, where she serves as mayor. In addition, she serves as the Township Supervisor of Thornton Township. It was shortly after a news report on FOX News Chicago, where questions were raised about her “Cares” charity and questions about public funds allegedly being laundered by the charity according to the reporting.

Read full story
1 comments
Dolton, IL

Opinion: Tiffany Henyard A Total Embarrassment To Upward Mobility Of Black Excellence?

One doesn’t have to look very far to know which African American elected official is a total embarrassment to our race, our advancement, and our history. Current Dolton Mayor and appointed Thornton Township Supervisor Tiffany Henyard has disgraced her role in both respective offices and has shed new light on the term, “Ghetto Style Politics”

Read full story

Comments / 0

Community Policy