City Government

Linda Hudson Endorsed for Alderman of Chicago’s 8th Ward by Post News Group

Local elections are February 28 in Chicago, the third-largest city in the country with a nearly 30% Black population. The city’s South and West sides, once marked by thriving and vibrant Black neighborhoods, now struggle with widespread disinvestment and other issues. One candidate running to make a change in the Eighth Ward is Linda Hudson, a longtime community organizer who has been endorsed by the Chicago Tribune.

Published

2 years ago

February 21, 2023

Oakland Post

Linda Hudson Endorsed for Alderman of Chicago’s 8th Ward

By Post Staff

One candidate running to make a change in the Eighth Ward is Linda Hudson, a longtime community organizer who has been endorsed by the Chicago Tribune. We talked to Hudson about why she’s running and what she hopes to accomplish if elected. Their interview has been edited for brevity.

Oakland Post: Why are you running?

Linda Hudson: [My family] moved to Calumet Heights in 1969. It was beautiful. There was homeownership and a sense of community. We had Black professionals and a working class. We had strong Black elected leaders.

I’m not sure exactly what happened, but I’m running because I don’t recognize my community. Our business corridors are filled with boarded up businesses. We’ve got tons of vacant and boarded up homes. There’s been an uptick in crime. There are many seniors in the community. I’m hearing over and over, “We feel like we’re under siege.” We don’t have a lot of programs for our youth. So, I’m running because I just don’t recognize the community that raised me and I want to bring it back to its glory. I want to bring professionalism back to the Eighth Ward office.

OP: What are your three biggest priorities?

LH: My top priority is safety. I want more police presence. I think we should know our police officers by name. There’s a shortage of officers and they are moved to downtown to protect that area. And the ones in the community are moved around to other areas of the city. If police officers could give our community two years without being transferred, that could be great for building community relationships.

Economic development is another issue. We don’t have decent businesses in the ward. We don’t have a nice sit-down restaurant. We don’t have healthy options. There needs to be a marketing strategy to bring business in and make sure businesses can thrive in this environment.

Stony Island is going to be the gateway to the Obama Center. And right now, there’s nothing for people traveling down this gateway. When I go out of town, I want to go to that restaurant or that store that I heard about. But this area has nothing for a visitor coming in.

The third thing is more activities for our youth. Many of our young people are opting out of college, so we need to put trades back into the school. We need more mentoring, and more activities.

OP: Why you instead of the incumbent?

LH: Because I have a vision. The incumbent does not. She was appointed and has been in office for 16 years. And, there has been a drastic decline in the community in the last 16 years. There’s no clear vision. We have the Regal Theater on 79^th Street that has landmark status and this administration has done nothing to help renovate and restore it to its past grandeur with the many grants that are available through city programs.

And right across the street from the Regal is a coffee shop that was built with millions of dollars but never opened. I see 79^th Street being our arts district. I see more viable business in our business district – trying to help small entrepreneurs grow their businesses. I’ve talked to people and they want to be in this community. But they must go through the alderman’s office and the incumbent makes it very difficult.

We’re an older ward and older people are going to leave. The only way to attract younger people is to have activities. Young people like to go out. A bowling alley or movie theater. We’ve got to be able to grow this area. And I have the vision and the professionals willing to assist in the effort.

I will be the alderwoman for the entire ward, not just those residents that go along with the incumbent’s program.

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Activism

City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

3 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org

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Activism

BWOPA Honors Black Leadership and Legacy at 2024 Ella Hill Hutch Awards Dinner

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

Published

4 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

L-R: BWOPA State Executive Director LaNiece Jones; State Asm. Mia Bonta; BWOPA 2024 Man of The Year/Urban League SFBA CEO Ken Maxey; BWOPA State President Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones; State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; Rowena Brown, Oakland Councilmember At-Large, Elect; BWOPA State Regional Director Vashone Huff. Courtesy photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is a statewide non-profit advocacy and membership organization committed to solving problems affecting Black Californians.

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills.

At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

The evening was hosted by Dr. Shawna Charles, founder of The Charles Communications Group (CCG) headquartered in Los Angeles. Charles served as mistress of ceremonies.

With a track record of elevating voices and empowering communities, Charles’ leadership and insight brought a certain dynamism to the celebration.

“Each year, this event not only celebrates the enduring legacy of our beloved BWOPA founding member, Ella Hill Hutch, but also reaffirms and amplifies our unwavering commitment to building and sustaining Black political power across California,” said Dezie Woods-Jones, BWOPA founding member and State president.

“Ella Hill Hutch’s trailblazing leadership continues to inspire us as we forge ahead, empowering Black women to lead, advocate, and shape a more equitable future for all,” added Woods-Jones.

This year’s event introduced the DWJ Rising Star Award, honoring young leaders like Solano County Board Supervisors-elect Cassandra James, Danielle Motley-Lewis, Naomi Waters and newly elected State Assemblymember elect Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

According to organizers, the awardees all exemplify “the next generation of changemakers.”

Other awardees included:

Lifetime Achievement Awardees: Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
Man of the Year: Kenneth Maxey, CEO of the Greater SF Bay Area Urban League
President’s Corporate Award: Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente
In the Spirit of Ella State and Chapter Awards: Dr. Carolyn Greene, Dr. Marcella K. Smith, Dr. Carolyn Drake, Tinisch Hollins, Jackie Jones, Gloria Burgess Johnson, Tamika L’Ecluse, Ellen Nash, Betty Reid Soskin, and Ay’Anna Moody.

BWOPA also celebrated local champions across its chapters, including leaders in voter education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and community advocacy.

In a statement, BWOPA said, “Honoring Ella Hill Hutch’s legacy, BWOPA recognizes her pioneering efforts as the first Black woman elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Her tireless work amplifying underrepresented voices continues to inspire BWOPA’s mission to build Black political power across California.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, partners and allies who believe in BWOPA’s vision to invest in building power for Black women’s leadership,” said LaNiece Jones, BWOPA State executive director. “Your support ensures that Black women have a voice at decision-making tables locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally, advancing diversity and equity in leadership spaces.”