Last issue of the year
This is our final print issue of 2020. Back in April, we weren’t sure we would be able to continue to print the paper—but in this challenging, chaotic year we didn’t miss a single issue. We’re proud of that, and taking a little break to rest and recharge. We’ll continue to post stories online throughout December (keep an eye out at southsideweekly.com) and we’ll be back in print with a full complement of South Side stories on January 7, 2021. Happy holidays!
Aid for Illinois motorists
The Illinois Tollway is reminding drivers that they have until December 30 to take advantage of pandemic-related reductions. Fines are being reduced to $3 per outstanding toll for passenger vehicles, regardless of amount owed. Their website illinoistollway.com may automatically show that unpaid violations have already been “partially paid”. Meanwhile, most Secretary of State facilities will remain closed until January 5, 2021 due to the second wave of COVID-19. Therefore regular driver’s licenses and IDs have been validated until June 2021.
Some relief for immigrants, finally
On December 4, a federal judge ruled that undocumented adults who were brought to the country as children will be able to reapply for protection under DACA, the Obama administration’s temporary work permit program that Trump attempted to eliminate beginning in 2017. Though activists dubbed Obama “Deporter-in-Chief” for having deported millions of people, many in immigrant communities breathed a sigh of relief at Joe Biden’s presidential election victory, because the former vice president promised in a televised debate that he would create a path to citizenship for undocumented residents.
In Illinois, governor Pritzker approved Medicaid benefits for low-income undocumented senior citizens in Illinois, effective December 1.
NewsMatch
This year, our newsroom has been selected to receive an additional matching grant from NewsMatch for our dedication to serving communities of color in Chicago. That means if we raise $10,000 before the end of the year, we’ll receive an additional $20,000 in matching funds from NewsMatch and local funders. This is a huge opportunity for us and it means every dollar you donate until we get to $10,000 is tripled! If you’re able, please consider supporting our journalism today. You can donate online at southsideweekly.com/donate or by mailing a check to 6100 S. Blackstone Ave., Chicago, IL 60637. Checks can be made payable to our fiscal sponsor, “Experimental Station.” Thank you!