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public radio’s first one-hour radio show and podcast dedicated to investigative reporting A weekly program presented by the New Yorker magazine’s editor killer beats and the edgiest new talent in storytelling come together for a weekly show that straps audiences into an audio rollercoaster Radiolab is known for its deep-dive journalism and innovative sound design Created in 2002 by former host Jad Abumrad the program began as an exploration of scientific inquiry Over the years it has evolved to become a platform for long-form journalism and storytelling Radiolab is hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser A Chicago police officer was injured after trying to pull over a vehicle in West Garfield Park May 3 A Chicago Police officer was injured after officers pulled over a car driving “erratically” in West Garfield Park Saturday evening The driver tried to flee and the car struck and dragged an officer The driver was pulled over in the 4700 block of West Madison Avenue around 6:40 p.m The officer’s weapon also discharged when they fell to the ground which was later found abandoned in the 4500 block of West Adams Avenue The officer was taken to the hospital in good condition The Civilian Office of Police Accountability and CPD’s investigative response team are investigating Terms of Use • Privacy Notice • Cookie Policy • Terms of Sale Planned by Westgate Partners in response to a 2022 Department of Planning and Development (DPD) Request for Qualifications (RFQ) the project will feature a five-story building with 55 affordable apartments a ground-floor restaurant and a 10,400-square-foot grocery store A public plaza and 72 exterior parking spaces for tenants and visitors will be located at ground level Public assistance is proposed to include up to $20 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) $690,000 in Neighborhood Opportunity Fund proceeds Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and New Markets Tax Credits Approximately 250 temporary and up to 20 permanent jobs are projected to be created by the project The development site includes a former Aldi grocery store at 3835 W that was acquired by the City following an abrupt closing that left 15,000 nearby residents without convenient grocery access Westgate was selected as the winning proposal due to its design and development team experience and composition The proposal will advance to the Community Development Commission for review in coming months followed by an introduction to City Council The Westgate project was one of two responses to the RFQ Developer: The Community Builders and West Side UnitedArchitect: Canopy and Brook Architecture The Garfield Gather development team is proposing to build a pair of mixed-use buildings separated by a one-story 9,500-square-foot neighborhood grocery store and an 11,689-square-foot public plaza The six-story eastern building would contain 69 affordable apartments with ancillary ground-floor retail space The five-story western building would contain 32 affordable apartments with ancillary ground-floor retail space Fifty parking spaces would be available to residential tenants with an additional 17 spaces available to shoppers from a rooftop parking deck above the grocery store The complex would primarily consist of concrete cast-in-place construction with panelized exterior walls The project would be completed over three phases Proposed City financial support$20+ million Dwelling unit compositionTotal units: 101 1 bedroom: 522 bedrooms: 403 bedrooms: 9 WATCH VIDEO  Proposal summary (.pdf) The Chicago Department of Planning and Development has announced the winner of its West Garfield Park RFQ. Originally launched in 2022, two competing proposals were announced in August 2023.  Located at 3835 W. Madison, the 1.8-acre site at the southwest corner of W. Madison St and S. Hamlin Blvd was formerly home to a grocery store that closed and a parking lot. The City of Chicago decided to purchase the property as well as privately owned commercial buildings on the adjacent lots and pursue redevelopment through this RFQ process Designed by Valerio Dewalt Train and Latent Design the winning proposal has been revised from the competition proposal scope which has now been scaled back to the five-story winning scheme that will have 55 units The project’s design language has remained consistent public assistance for the development may include up to $20 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and New Markets Tax Credits.  The proposal will advance to the Community Development Commission for review in coming months were shot Monday in the 4700 block of West Flournoy Street in West Garfield Park A man and woman were injured in a shooting in West Garfield Park on Monday night were in a verbal altercation with men and got in their vehicle in the 4700 block of West Flournoy Street at 8:41 p.m. The men then pulled alongside them and fired several shots and the woman was shot in her legs and finger; the two took themselves to Loretto Hospital A man was shot to death Thursday night in West Garfield Park Troy Haynes was found unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds about 7:50 p.m in an alley in the 4200 block of West Van Buren Street Mayor Brandon Johnson is visiting various neighborhoods for what his administration is calling a “Faith in Government Tour.” The second stop of the public town hall-styled event brought him to East Garfield Park on Chicago’s West Side he spoke about his investments in Black people government has consistently let down and disappointed people,” Johnson said now I made a commitment to do the opposite the People’s Church of the Harvest on 5th Avenue off Central Park Avenue was half packed with community members who came to join the conversation in the predominantly Black neighborhood which suffers from historical disinvestment Johnson answered questions from the audience and spoke with Bishop Dwight Gunn and Pastor Michael Eaddy who both chair the Westside Community Development Collaboration such as the 2019 approval of Emanuel’s $95 million cop academy in West Garfield Park.“There’s more noise now because there’s more direction towards our people,” Johnson said said they learned about the event from the church said he had no expectations coming into the event but he left feeling like the mayor cares about the Black community “I wanted to make sure that he cared for us as Black people With everything that he was saying and the way he introduced himself and connected back to the audience it made me feel more secure.”Mayor Johnson doubled down on the $830 million bond deal stating that it will create jobs while repairing the city’s deteriorating infrastructure Narrowly passing 26-23 in City Council just hours before the town hall the plan aims to address infrastructure needs like bridge renovations and repaving roads by borrowing $830 million Opponents criticized the bond deal as burdening taxpayers in the years to come who also serves as vice mayor and was in attendance during the community event Burnett said the deal was standard and addresses the city’s infrastructure issues sooner rather than later who chairs the Committee on Contracting Oversight and Equity also backed the bond deal and attended the community event “I was at a community town hall a few weeks ago and a Black woman said you gonna fix these streets or fix my car?’ Today we put forth those investments and our streets are going to be paid regardless of who’s in the White House,” Mayor Johnson told the crowd learned about the event through a text message from a friend who attends the church She said she also went into the event with doubts about investments Johnson was making into Chicago She said she’s been in many debates with people who feel the mayor isn’t doing anything for them she said she felt that Johnson was working “hard to accomplish many of the things that we need accomplished here in Chicago.” but you got these other cons coming to you saying We got to get rid of him.’ You get confused.” Rodriguez said validated that he’s doing what we need done even though we may not like the process.”During the event Mayor Johnson detailed specific developments currently taking place on the West Side such as the $17.5 million expansion of Malcolm X College’s West Campus in Austin Expansion plans have been in the works since 2017 The remaining funds are coming from City Colleges of Chicago He also touched on an upcoming ribbon cutting for the $40 million Grace Manor affordable housing complex in North Lawndale, though funding for the project was secured before he took office For the privately-funded $7 billion 1901 Project near the United Center Burnett (27th Ward) are working on right now; they want the project to include more affordable housing The project was approved by City Council earlier this month.Rodriguez said she was pleased to hear of the investments happening in her neighborhood “I like hearing what he’s saying instead of someone else coming [and] telling you what they think he’s saying or what’s written in the [news]papers about what people think that he said [or] their interpretation of it.” Bronzeville resident Dwayne Lindsey learned about the event through Bishop Dwight Gunn Lindsey said he has been to other community events with Mayor Johnson and knew what to expect from the conversation as it relates to solutions and investments he’s made in Chicago Lindsey said he learned about the network of pastors who are doing work to build up the West Side but I didn’t know it was a coalition of pastors and people on the West Side trying to address some of the issues — social issues and just financial issues that people are dealing with in the city,” Lindsey said Lindsey said he felt the goal of the event was to inform residents of investments and programs they may not be aware of Though he couldn’t specifically say whether he feels connected to Johnson’s investments Lindsey said he connected with the mayor’s morals and viewing everyone like humans referencing his decision to address migrants sleeping on floors in public spaces.“I think their race shouldn’t have determined if you’re going to help those people,” Lindsey said about the migrants from Latin America or take that as that money could have been used somewhere else but what would’ve happened to these people And if we don’t begin to care about people as a whole this is our problem that we’ve had with people not caring about us.” Subscribe to The TRiiBE Weekly to receive top stories and movement calls-to-action delivered straight to your inbox The TRiiBE is a media company that is reshaping the narrative of Black Chicago in pursuit of truth and liberation Officers responded to a call of a person shot in West Garfield Park Monday night and found a man who had been shot several times A man was injured in a shooting in West Garfield Park on Monday night Officers responded to a call of a person shot and found a man who had been shot multiple times in the 3900 block of West Madison Street at 9:24 p.m. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition The Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative recently broke ground on the Sankofa Wellness Center the project will occupy the southwestern corner of W made up of New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church are leading the development with important health and nonprofit partners Rush University Medical Center Positioned as the largest building within the village the Sankofa Village Wellness Center will provide West Garfield Park’s more than 17,000 residents with health care and wellness programs Designed in collaboration between Bureau Gemmell the 60,000 square foot building will rise at the corner of W Erie Family Health Center plans to provide more than 6,000 patients annually with comprehensive health care services Through a partnership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago thousands of people will have access to fitness activities and childcare programs A new credit union on the ground floor will help 10,000 residents open a bank account thereby providing strengthened economic security and mobility.  The $35 million development will be getting funding from multiple sources including its winning from the Chicago Prize, New Market tax credits funds, and others. With the full building permit issued and ground broken general contractor Leopardo Companies can begin construction Shoppers wait at the check out line during the grand opening of Save A Lot’s West Garfield Park store A line of eager shoppers snaked around the freshly painted Save A Lot store in West Garfield Park on Thursday morning Some customers waited more than three hours in the heat after word spread of a food giveaway at the grocery store Save A Lot employees and officials from operator Yellow Banana handed out small bottles of water $5 gift certificates and reusable bags filled with pantry food items “Everybody is basically here for the free giveaway,” said longtime resident Allen Richardson I had to go way down to [Fairplay Foods] miles away for groceries.” A Save A Lot employee opens the doors as shoppers wait outside Customers said they were happy to have the Save A Lot store back, after years of full-service grocers abandoning the area City leaders and Yellow Banana executives gave speeches before opening the doors shortly after 10 a.m. The West Garfield Park location marks the first opening out of the six Save A Lots that are part of Yellow Banana’s city-funded $13.5 million deal. If the Ohio-based discount grocery operator opens all six stores by the city’s April deadline, it will receive the full $13.5 million in funding. The Englewood Save A Lot “To everyone who has seen this location change and transform today is the day that we start a new beginning here in the West Garfield Park community,” Ald “You don’t have to leave to get fresh foods Chicago Department of Planning and Development Commissioner Ciere Boatright said in a news release that the city is looking forward to the reopening of its Morgan Park “Food security is essential to healthy neighborhoods which is why the City is committing more than $13 million to support the six stores’ capital improvement needs,” Boatright said West Garfield Park resident Timothy Hamilton and his mother “We’re waiting because he told us yesterday that the first 100 people get a free bag of food,” Timothy Hamilton said Sharon Hamilton shops for items at the renovated Save A Lot in West Garfield Park Many residents said the store’s reopening meant they no longer had to travel several miles for fresh food It’s hard to get food right now,” said Kadedra Taylor who traveled more than two miles to an Aldi after the Save A Lot closed the $5 gift certificates — part of a week full of daily giveaways — had run out Lines inside the store grew as shoppers filled their carts with grocery items such as spices and garlic bread Residents said the store looked and smelled better than before eggs and frozen pizzas in his shopping cart He said getting groceries has been “hectic and he’d often go without groceries rather than spend all the time to travel for groceries.” “They couldn’t have [opened] at a better time,” he said Minne Wilson doesn’t mind traveling for groceries But she said it can be difficult for older residents such as herself to take public transit so sometimes she’ll take an Uber or rely on others who can drive her to the market she said she can find what she needs at Save A Lot’s produce section “I would rather come here than go anywhere else,” Wilson said Other shoppers beelined for the giveaway bags that had free items including ketchup “I was looking for a little piece of meat in there or something though … but I really was just coming to see how it looked and it looks nice in there.” The freezer section of the Save A Lot grocery store at 420 S Yellow Banana CEO Joseph Canfield and Save A Lot Chief Development Officer Bill Mayo told the Sun-Times during a store preview Wednesday that they’re excited to “prove themselves” to Chicago residents, who have complained about its expired food and dirty stores Pulaski Road was expected to offer an updated shopping experience after Yellow Banana closed it for renovations The site incorporates suggestions from residents such as the addition of two organic produce items — baby spinach and lettuce Fresh-cut turkey was also added at the urging of residents along with new floors and lighting Canfield said the biggest change at the store is the updated refrigeration which previously caused “product integrity issues.” He said the other five stores are expected to open by Thanksgiving In the past two years, Yellow Banana’s 38-store portfolio has shrunk to only include its Chicago locations Texas and Wisconsin have either closed or been taken over by Missouri-based Save A Lot “Save A Lot is the custodian and has taken financial and operational control of some of the stores,” Mayo said “But that also has allowed Yellow Banana to really focus on Chicago.” Canfield and Mayo didn’t want to talk about the challenges that have plagued Yellow Banana from missing store opening deadlines to the nearly $2 million in lawsuits filed by suppliers “We’re looking forward on things; we’re really not going to talk about things in the past,” Canfield said Any challenges we have with suppliers we are actively working through with them.” The duo also declined to discuss what led to vendors such as PepsiCo and Sherwood Food Distributors to file lawsuits against the company over unpaid bills The new store didn’t appear to sell Coca-Cola Pepsi and Frito-Lay products — all vendors that filed lawsuits against Yellow Banana “We’re trying to focus on getting this store open getting in the market and being successful,” Mayo said Vendors claim $950,000 remains unpaid in active lawsuits Other debt includes utility bills and more than $167,000 for property tax bills on six Chicago stores Canfield said the property tax bills are in the process of being paid Yellow Banana transferred ownership of its 13 stores outside of Chicago to a new entity controlled by Save A Lot and we really need to be able to deliver what we said … There’s public tax dollars there,” he said we should figure out a partnership here that’s going to allow this to move forward.’” Contributing: Hailey Bosek of WBEZ and Lauren FitzPatrick Fresh produce and fruit is on display inside the renovated Save A Lot in West Garfield Park is facing felony charges of first-degree attempted murder aggravated battery through the discharge of a firearm and aggravated domestic battery A Chicago man is facing attempted murder charges in connection with a shooting that critically injured a woman in West Garfield Park Tuesday He also faces two misdemeanor charges related to the shooting: aggravated assault through the use of a deadly weapon and theft of less than $500 police responded to a call of shots fired and found a 22-year-old woman who had been shot in the chest in the 4300 block of West West End Avenue The victim told police she had been arguing with the man when he shot her He had initially fled the scene in a gray sedan He was arrested Friday about a block away from the scene Williams was ordered held in custody after a detention hearing Saturday Chicago Police Department | Sun-Times file photo A 36-year-old man was fatally shot Wednesday night in West Garfield Park on the West Side officers responding to calls of a person shot in the 4000 block of West Carroll Avenue and found Edward Hemphill shot on the ground Hemphill was shot twice in the back and he was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:19 p.m. police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said An autopsy was planned for Thursday for Hemphill A man has been charged with fatally shooting another man on Nov A man has been charged with shooting through the window of a West Garfield Park home fatally striking a 62-year-old man sitting inside on Thanksgiving Day the 62-year-old was sitting inside his home in the 4000 block of West Monroe Street when someone fired through his window He was initially transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition but was pronounced dead Saturday afternoon The Cook County medical examiner’s office has identified him as Ignacio Mendiola was arrested Friday in the 200 block of West Garfield Boulevard He was charged with first-degree murder and possession of heroin He was scheduled to appear for a detention hearing Sunday This story is part of Reframing Crime Narratives a 10-part series about public safety by The TRiiBE to create space for community conversation about crime in Chicago The series is supported in part by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Envisioning Justice grant by Illinois Humanities the word “gun violence” is often more synonymous with the city’s identity than the word  “safety.” This association stems from the city’s long-standing struggles with high crime rates Longstanding socio-economic and systemic disparities creating underserved neighborhoods across Chicago where such violence is more likely to occur Although the urgent need to end gun violence often dominates news narratives and programs that prioritize a safer city for all often marked by increased violence due to warmer weather The TRiiBE interviewed people experiencing the most divestment in West Garfield Park and Englewood to understand their visions for safety they describe what they believe would be most effective in creating safety and security in areas with high levels of poverty the challenges and barriers shaping the safety of their neighborhoods and the role law enforcement should play in building a safe community “The neighborhood I come from is a place where suspicion hangs heavy in the air It’s a reality where 96 shots can be fired because of tinted windows,” Pablo Mendoza he works as an organizer in East Garfield Park and a Research Fellow for the Prison + Neighborhood Arts/Education Project East Garfield Park ranked in the third quartile of communities served by Rush for its rate of crimes against people Amid these challenges with gun violence, tension, and suspicion linger in the atmosphere. In March, Dexter Reed was fatally shot 13 times during a traffic stop on the West Side after officers fired at him 96 times that incident personifies the harsh realities and extreme measures that contribute to perpetual distrust I don’t see law enforcement playing a positive role [in communities] They are the violent arm of the state,” Mendoza explained Being an abolitionist often means advocating for the dismantling of current policing and prison systems which are seen as inherently oppressive and violent particularly towards marginalized communities Abolitionists believe in creating alternative systems of community safety and support that do not rely on punitive measures I recognize that police officers are people too While I don’t advocate for partnerships with police Abolishing the police and redirecting resources toward community well-being is crucial and focusing on future generations will shape a different with a population of just over 37,400 residents is a predominantly Black community where nearly 90% of residents in East Garfield Park and more than 93% in West Garfield Park identify as Black The area contains a disproportionate amount of the city’s vacant land an exhibit that exemplifies how these trauma-informed practices can be effectively integrated into artistic and educational initiatives fostering social justice and trauma-centered care The removal of such spaces in the past has had lasting effects,” Mendoza said a 31-year-old resident of Garfield Park who has worked as a background extra on the TV dramas “Chicago P.D.” and “Empire,” has a different perspective on creating safer environments She said she’s observed that there are more police with service dogs in train stations downtown but not in the South She said she wants police surveillance in her community Asked if she’s heard of gunshot detection technology Shotspotter used by the Chicago Police Department (CPD) “The current state of my neighborhood has its ups and downs of gang violence and shootings off and on,” Jackson said like putting police cameras in the neighborhood making families feel safer especially when heading to work and leaving their home early in the morning.”  Jackson also noted that residents haven’t been proactive or engaged enough in communicating their needs and concerns to law enforcement “That would be great to hear if the law enforcement wanted to collaborate with the community to address a safety environment for their community but the community is so lazy to even communicate so that’ll be something the law enforcement would have to bear handling the situation on their own.” the Englewood neighborhood has a population of more than 24,000 residents with 91% identifying as Black or African American Englewood, too, has faced significant challenges, including high crime and economic instability. So far this year, 33 people have been shot in Englewood as of May 18, with eight of those shootings being fatal, according to the city’s “Violence and Victimization Trends” dashboard numerous local organizations and initiatives work tirelessly to improve the quality of life for its residents and change the narrative a 44-year-old former resident of Englewood now living in Bronzeville emphasized the neighborhood’s need for offering people the necessary resources and ensuring they are genuinely accessible rather than keeping them in secluded areas or limiting them to a select group and community support networks can help everyone thrive distributing them widely can benefit the entire community “Poverty and gun violence often coexist because people in survival mode are not understood we need to reinvent the wheel and change how we view low-income individuals,” she said Sims also shared that she received a Mental Health and De-Escalation Training certification from U.S Bank to be able to better help those in need and prevent further harm “Greed and power can blind people to the needs of others but it’s important to remember that the ‘little man’ is essential for the success of the ‘big man.’ We need to create a space where everyone has an equal opportunity poverty and violence will persist because it becomes a matter of survival,” Sims said the more conflict arises as people fight for what they need.” Although the 63-year-old left Chicago to reside in Dallas-Fort Worth in December she made the transition back to the city because that’s where the majority of her work is centered She wants to prove wrong anyone who speaks badly about Englewood and pretty well maintained thus far,” she said “My vision for the future is committed to community investment Horace said she believes that changing the negative language and narratives that have permeated and become deeply embedded in the mindsets of Englewood residents would be instrumental in bringing about safety and security Terms such as “crime-ridden,” “dangerous,” or “impoverished” further stigmatize the community and perpetuate negative stereotypes and hopelessness among residents She also emphasized the need for local organizations and experts to provide more training and informational sessions on conflict resolution and community engagement to equip residents with the skills and knowledge necessary to address and prevent violence in their neighborhoods Horace urged residents to call on elected officials to become more actively engaged in the community beyond election season and to advocate for increased funding for critical community programs The barriers faced by the Englewood community include a lack of funding for after-school programs as well as limited access to viable economic opportunities and educational resources Horace believes that the community can build a stronger “Law enforcement can bring about a change by changing the way they operate providing officers who can identify with the people and hold them accountable for wrongdoing I wholeheartedly believe that a collaboration can be formed “It can’t be done overnight because of the extensive damage but with the implementation of safe spaces to have open and authentic dialog For Englewood residents, safety isn’t solely about policing; it’s about coming together. Initiatives like the R.A.G.E. Englewood (Resident Association of Greater Englewood) have been pivotal in giving residents the agency to reclaim their neighborhoods I’ve always wanted to see my community thrive and live outside of the narrative broadcast by the news and the media,” Wright said and changing the narrative one day at a time It’s pivotal and central to the longevity of our community.”  Like the other Chicagoans interviewed in this story the biggest challenges and barriers their communities face are related to media These narratives often paint a bleak picture of neighborhoods like Garfield Park and Englewood overshadowing the strength and potential within these communities “Many youth actually want to live outside of what is being broadcasted in the media they become disillusioned by what they see on YouTube “They feel that they either can’t overcome those obstacles or that they must conform to the negative images portrayed.”  It’s crucial to understand that these communities are not defined by their challenges but by their creativity and collective fortitude to forge a better future Their stories highlight a shared vision: a future where safety determination and community-led transformation are the new norm A tightknit group of four longtime friends, two of whom are brothers, were on their way to a party early Saturday when their car collided with an SUV in West Garfield Park leaving two of them dead and a third still unconscious days later “They were in Pampers when they met each other,” said Marshawn Shields “They just liked to be outside celebrating life.” survived the crash in the 4200 block of West Street according to Shields and traffic reports obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times Xavier Moore was behind the wheel of a 2007 Pontiac Grand AM driving north on Kildare Avenue when a 2021 Dodge Durango that was westbound on Lake Street crashed into them in the intersection about 2:10 a.m she recalled family members frantically pulling her two brothers and their friends out of the overturned car I couldn’t even really see what was going on,” Shields said Jackson was taken to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park and Hemphill was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and died less than 10 minutes later according to traffic reports and the Cook County medical examiner’s office A 25-year-old West Side man driving the Durango and a 26-year-old man who was a passenger were both initially listed in serious condition who suffered a dislocated arm in the crash “broke down” when he learned the fate of his friends and temporarily left Mount Sinai Hospital to mourn with their families remains unconscious and on a breathing machine as of Monday doctors told Shields her brother’s condition had improved compared to when he was first hospitalized hopefully he wakes up,” Shields said of Kyrian Shields was “happy and blessed” that her two brothers survived the crash but “distressed” about their friends dying Xavier “was crying because they told him about his friends,” Shields said No citations were issued Officers responded to calls of shots fired in the 3900 block of West Madison Street about 3 p.m A man was killed in a shooting in West Garfield Park on Sunday afternoon A man was critically injured in a shooting in East Garfield Park Saturday morning was on the sidewalk in the 200 block of North Hamlin Avenue at 2:06 a.m when he heard a gunshot and realized he had been shot in the left hip He was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition Trash and old produce overflow out of dumpsters in an alley alongside the West Garfield Park Save A Lot which has been cited by city officials over rats Since its highly anticipated reopening in September the renovated Save A Lot grocery store in West Garfield Park has angered neighbors because of its overflowing dumpsters and insufficient rodent prevention measures — problems that have resulted in new city citations and fines expired produce and jugs of milk a week past their sell-by date sit on the shelves is the first of six city-funded stores that promised to offer quality groceries in neighborhoods historically lacking fresh food options The city is supporting the businesses to try to address the food deserts on the South and West sides where many residents live far from grocery stores store trash cans and dumpsters overflowing with food and other garbage once sat on a vacant lot adjacent to the property “a vacant lot they don’t own,” said Talei Thompson founder of the Westside Block Club Association whose relatives live in a home behind the Save A Lot The containers still spill over in the alley and then the food is spoiling all over the ground for rats to eat The Save A Lot grocery store in West Garfield Park reopened in September as part of a $20 million city deal prepares to open its last store in the $20 million city deal a Sun-Times analysis shows the cash-strapped company has yet to meet key requirements needed to get money by a March 31 deadline Aside from renovating and reopening markets in neighborhoods on the South and West sides Yellow Banana promised city officials that it would spend a certain percentage of its money on women- and minority-owned businesses at each store Those companies then would show the city certified documents proving they’ve been paid by Yellow Banana according to the redevelopment deal signed in March 2022 Yellow Banana also has $47,000 in outstanding citation fines and utility bills — debt that could sully its $20 million deal Such payments “can be withheld for debts under certain conditions that may involve various city departments,” said Peter Strazzabosco deputy commissioner of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development Yellow Banana officials did not return messages seeking comment Yellow Banana was still short paying minority- and woman-owned companies it hired at two of the stores in the redevelopment deal: 7240 S according to records obtained under the state’s Freedom of Information Act The company’s vendors have yet to certify payment in full on four stores Those records show it still owes about $1.7 million to its contractors across five stores These difficulties have prevented the company from obtaining a necessary certificate of completion for each store as well as a final certificate for the entire project tasked with monitoring compliance with disadvantaged businesses said it can’t sign off on any of the stores “The developer and their [general contractor] have not completed [their] compliance reporting,” said Michael Cox Each delay has stalled payments to the deeply indebted company Each completion certificate entitles Yellow Banana to 75% of its contracted amount for that store all funded by grant money from the Chicago Recovery Fund and federal sources is paid when the final overall completion certificate is approved — provided everything is done by March 31 — or else Yellow Banana gets $0 obtained under the state public records law suggest problems installing signs at several stores caused a delay of at least six weeks impacting its ability to receive completion certificates signs at certain locations hadn’t been manufactured and hung — and still needed aldermanic approval Yellow Banana CEO Joe Canfield told city officials that the sign company he initially chose went bust after he sent them a deposit losing work time as he searched for a replacement “South Water Signs was the original sign vendor They took the deposit but went out of business before they performed any work or provided any materials,” Canfield wrote to the city’s program auditor in an Oct South Water Signs had a long history — easily searchable online — of complaints describing poor service unpaid invoices and no response from the company via phone or emails telling the court he owed more than $10 million including $1 million in state and federal sales tax the Sun-Times documented serious financial problems facing Yellow Banana The company founded in 2021 shrank from 38 stores across five states to its six Chicago stores under the redevelopment deal as well as an Englewood store not part of the deal Its debts from lawsuits and unpaid bills topped $2 million The company has also failed to address legal actions initiated by suppliers such as PepsiCo and Sherwood Food Distributors who claim they’re still owed hundreds of thousands of dollars for delivered merchandise an Ohio judge finalized a $300,000 default judgment against Yellow Banana in a PepsiCo lawsuit The company has been “evasive and avoiding service,” one lawsuit affidavit claims A Cleveland court also issued a garnishment order against Yellow Banana for money owed to Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages following an August judgment that went unpaid according to correspondence reviewed by the Sun-Times “I was hoping to close down this open item on 420 Pulaski so we can move this project towards payment,” Canfield wrote Oct “Anything we could do to prime the pump and try to get the 420 Pulaski payment out the door ahead of the 12/15 payment we have due to our lender would be extremely helpful for us,” Canfield wrote to city auditors “I know we were pessimistic on the call today I am hoping a few more days of lead time might help us beat the clock.” the general contractor overseeing the renovations for each store also informed the city that it was still waiting for payments from July and August City records show Yellow Banana had yet to pay Osman money at five stores as of Jan Osman Construction did not return messages seeking comment Soon after the West Garfield Park store opened Sept began reporting garbage problems outside the store The store has also been cited three times — all for an accumulation of garbage 25 by the Department of Streets and Sanitation The city had shuttered the building in 2022 due to a rat infestation Activists had petitioned in vain for the building It’s the only store Bryan Ramson can walk to from his house It’s also adjacent to his train stop so he was optimistic when it opened He’s been “pleasantly surprised with the quality of the meat.” he regularly sees spilled garbage — as if Yellow Banana doesn’t pay for enough dumpsters Westside Block Club Association members Talei Thompson (left) and Bryan Ramson have complained about garbage outside the Save A Lot grocery store at 420 S We thought [Yellow Banana] would do a better job than just essentially putting a coat of paint over what was a pretty bad situation,” Ramson says “I don’t think that they would have this sort of behavior towards any other neighborhood .. They don’t treat the residents who live around them like that.” city inspectors claimed the store owners not only neglected to manage the garbage outside but also provided food and shelter for rats Similar problems were documented in August including one for “materials and junk allowed to accumulate on premises when Canfield and other officials gave away free bags of pantry goods inspectors from the Department of Streets and Sanitation caught the same issues “Failure to remove abandoned/derelict vehicle waste or other material that threatens public health/safety,” they wrote Sept “Warning was issued … trash is always all over the ground.” That’s in addition to $15,000 in previous unpaid fines and $17,000 in unpaid utility bills at multiple Chicago stores since June And city records fail to show whether Yellow Banana has paid $2,750 in fines — knocked down from around $10,000 in a settlement agreement with city officials — stemming from a 2022 inspection revealing expired baby food and safety concerns at 420 S reporters documented milk a week past its expiration date and dozens of packages of expired greens and lettuce on store shelves in West Garfield Park as well as expired ground meat in the cooler at 2858 E A woman was shot in the West Garfield Park neighborhood early Saturday and died a short time later A woman who was shot and killed in the West Garfield Park neighborhood early Saturday has been identified Officers responded to a call of shots fired and found 34-year-old Ebony D Hill with a gunshot wound to the head about 2 a.m according to Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office Hill was taken to Stroger Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 2:42 a.m. No one is in custody and Area 4 detectives are investigating A man was killed and another injured in a shooting after an argument in West Garfield Park early Saturday The men were in the 4900 block of West Madison Street when a Silver Ford Explorer approached them and someone got out of the car was taken to Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office was listed in fair condition with a gunshot wound to the thigh at the same hospital A man was fatally shot Thursday morning in the West Garfield Park neighborhood on the West Side was in the 3800 block of West Monroe Street when four gunmen exited a black SUV and opened fire Conway was shot multiple times in the body and he was taken to Stroger Hospital where he died The attackers fled in the SUV and are not in custody Three people were injured when a sedan fleeing from police struck a CTA bus Jan A car crashed into a CTA bus late Thursday leaving three people injured including one who was arrested in West Garfield Park a CTA bus was going south in the 300 block of South Pulaski Road when a gray car going west on Jackson Boulevard crashed into it No passengers were on the bus but the bus driver was taken in good condition to Stroger Hospital with “minor” injuries it fled but its driver was eventually placed into custody and a gun recovered The driver and the car’s other occupant were also taken in good condition to Mount Sinai Hospital Two women were critically wounded in a shooting Jan Two women were critically wounded in a shooting early Tuesday in East Garfield Park on the West Side were traveling in a vehicle in the 2800 block of West Fulton Street when someone exited a dark-colored vehicle and opened fire Both women went to Mount Sinai Hospital with gunshot wounds to their bodies They were both listed in critical condition Mourners hug on Saturday during the funeral for Larry Neuman who was a Transportation Security Administration explosives specialist retired Chicago police officer and minister Michael Missionary Baptist Church in West Garfield Park Pastor Paul Sims asked the hundreds gathered at St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church in West Garfield Park on Saturday morning to consider a world where people “served each other like Larry Neuman did.” a retired Chicago police officer — one of the longest serving and one of the first Black members of the Chicago Police Department’s bomb squad Michael’s — was killed earlier this month when he tried to help a man and get him “out of harm’s way” as two teens approached them with guns drawn “He wouldn’t give you the shirt off his back; he’d take you to the store and buy you one,” Sims said during the service where about 250 people had gathered to pay their final respects “He lost his life while saving somebody else’s.” The 73-year-old was found about 11:30 a.m June 20 with multiple gunshot wounds in the 4300 block of West Monroe Street Neuman was on his way to the church to discuss starting a job training program there Lazarious Watt, 16, and Marquan Jones, 17, have been charged in his death. Jones was ordered detained in custody while awaiting trial Saturday as Neuman’s loved ones left the church where he preached to inter him at Oakridge Cemetery in Hillside the service was largely a celebration of the 73-year-old’s legacy in multiple law enforcement agencies The church was filled beyond capacity Saturday sending some into overflow seating and more than a dozen people standing along the back wall Lively gospel music was performed as several audience members stood to clap along — with CPD TSA and other law enforcement agency officers seated between them At the front of the room was Neuman’s casket draped in a Chicago flag and surrounded by wreaths bearing the logos of several agencies he had worked for Danny Davis speaks Saturday during the funeral for Larry Neuman at St Michael Missionary Baptist Church alongside Neuman said that although it was important to grieve Neuman he also would’ve wanted everyone to recognize the “moment is bigger than this.” “Let’s not just hold those young men accountable Two young lives have now entered into the judicial system and will be locked behind bars,” Sims said “That’s two more young people that we’ve lost Several officials also spoke at the service Ervin recalled the first time he saw the “trailblazing technician” in uniform at a Chicago Police Department event a debt of gratitude for being here,” Ervin said at the service often shared recipes with him — especially Neuman’s favorite to cook “We’d just bounce recipes off each other and I’d tell him what I cooked over the weekend,” Davis told the Sun-Times before the service began “It was always nice to get your mind on something other than keeping people safe.” leads the choir and audience Saturday during the funeral for Larry Neuman at St The two saw each other “practically every day” for several years before Neuman was transferred to Midway Airport Davis recalled Neuman always had a smile on his face and often encouraged others to do the same “There was always something to smile about “All I can tell anybody to do is to smile.” a South Side resident and retired member of CPD’s bomb squad met Neuman in 2006 when he joined the team In a “small field,” his knowledge was highly valued by others on the team who would often ask Neuman questions about the job Jones said others in CPD had tried to get Neuman to move out of the neighborhood “Larry always helped everyone,” Jones said Pallbearers carry the casket at Larry Neuman’s funeral Saturday as the funeral procession heads to Oakridge Cemetery in Hillside for A 34-year-old man was fatally shot in East Garfield Park on Oct A man was shot to death late Tuesday morning in the East Garfield Park neighborhood on the West Side was in the 3900 block of West Jackson Boulevard when he was approached by a gunman who shot at him around 11:15 a.m. Battle suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was dead at the scene The shooter left the scene in a silver SUV and has not been arrested Two people were shot early Sunday in the West Garfield Park neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side One was pronounced dead at the scene in the 4600 block of West Monroe Street One person was killed and another was critically injured during a shooting in the West Garfield Park neighborhood early Sunday were in the 4500 block of West Monroe Street around 1:30 a.m according to the Chicago Police Department was shot in the back and pronounced dead on the scene The other person was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition No one is in custody and detectives are investigating An 18-year-old man was shot and killed early Friday in the East Garfield Park neighborhood on the West Side Daniel Alexander Gonzalez was outside in the 2800 block of West Polk Street when a black vehicle approached and someone inside opened fire who police said was shot multiple times in the body and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 3:21 a.m. Area 4 detectives are investigating and no arrests have been made A full building permit has been issued for the Sankofa Wellness Village The $35 million development will be getting funding from multiple sources including its winning from the Chicago Prize A 26-year-old was on a sidewalk about 5:30 p.m in the 3200 block of West Walnut Street when someone in a car pulled up and fired shots A man was shot to death Thursday in East Garfield Park Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was taken in critical condition to Mount Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead about 10 p.m. according to police and the medical examiner’s office