Austin, Chicago

In 1835, Henry DeKoven purchased prairie land in the region. In 1857, a group of citizens formed the Town of Cicero, a ten-member local governing body that covered modern-day Cicero, Oak Park, Berwyn, and Austin.{{cite book|last=Seligman|first=Amanda I.|date=May 10, 2005|title=Block by Block: Neighborhoods and Public Policy on Chicago's West Side|url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0226746658 |location=Chicago, Illinois|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0226746654}} Eight years later, DeKoven's land was bought by Henry W. Austin. Austin, a businessman and real estate speculator, developed the namesake Austinville subdivision. Its population grew exponentially as the area's attractive amenities and access to suburban railroad service drew in population. In 1870, the Town of Cicero placed its town hall in Austin.{{cite encyclopedia|last=Martin|first=Judith A.|editor-last1=Reiff|editor-first1=Janice L.|editor-last2=Durkin Keating|editor-first2=Ann|editor-last3=Grossman|editor-first3=James R.|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Chicago|publisher=Chicago History Museum|title=Austin|url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/93.html|year=2005|access-date=March 13, 2017}} However, by the 1890s, the heavily populated Austin area dominated town politics, but did not constitute a majority of voters. The Austin-controlled township government allowed the Lake Street Elevated to extend into Oak Park. Outraged, the other residents of Cicero Township voted to allow Chicago to annex the Austin area in an 1899 referendum. The residents of Austin voted against the referendum.{{cite encyclopedia|last=Cain|first=Louis P.|editor-last1=Reiff|editor-first1=Janice L.|editor-last2=Durkin Keating|editor-first2=Ann|editor-last3=Grossman|editor-first3=James R.|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Chicago|publisher=Chicago History Museum|title=Annexation|url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/53.html|year=2005|access-date=March 13, 2017}}

After its annexation, Austin continued to maintain an independent, suburban identity. By the 1920s, the area had developed significant street railways to serve its commuter population. This infrastructure attracted a large group of European immigrants to the community.{{cite encyclopedia|last=Martin|first=Judith A.|editor-last1=Reiff|editor-first1=Janice L.|editor-last2=Durkin Keating|editor-first2=Ann|editor-last3=Grossman|editor-first3=James R.|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Chicago|publisher=Chicago History Museum|title=Austin |url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/93.html|year=2005|access-date=March 13, 2017}} In 1926, the area had an estimated 140,000 residents. In 1923, Austin Hospital opened. In 1938, the hospital, now called William Temperance Hospital, was taken over by Sisters of Saint Casimir, who operated the hospital as Loretto Hospital.

In 1949, construction began on the Eisenhower Expressway, which bisected the southern portion of Austin.

After World War II, African Americans increasingly moved into the surrounding community areas of East Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and West Garfield Park. After the arrival of African Americans during the Great Migration, race-related prejudices such as a case of the White flight movement, with a dramatic decrease in White residents, White-owned businesses, equal city services support and resources, racially motivated realtor practices, and industrial jobs. By 1970, the Austin community was 32% Black. A decade later, it was 73% Black. These trends of a decline in city services and resources and jobs would continue for the rest of the 20th century with Austin.{{cite book|last=Fremon|first=David K.|date=October 22, 1988|access-date=March 13, 2017|title=Chicago Politics Ward by Ward|url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0253204909|location=Bloomington, Indiana|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=0-253-31344-9}}

The Austin community became known for violence after the loss of free-flowing capital during white flight when prostitution, drug dealing, gang activity, and shoot-outs became commonplace in the Austin neighborhood. Many trace the problems that impacted this community to the crack cocaine epidemic, as well as the opioid crisis, mass incarceration, and the HIV epidemic, which resulted in further economic decline and the loss of many social safety nets.Kamada, T. (2020). The Emergence of the Crack Epidemic and City-to-Suburb Mobility Between and Within Ethno-Racial Groups. Center for Open Science. https://ideas.repec.org/p/osf/socarx/wkxqv.html This led to many middle- and upper middle-class African Americans leaving for the suburbs. In 1992, the 15th District (Austin) of the Chicago Police Department located at 5327 West Chicago Avenue at the time recorded about 48 homicides, which covers most of the Austin neighborhood, making the Austin District the fourth-deadliest police district at the time, before the 11th District (Harrison), which had 93 homicides, 7th District (Englewood), which had 80 homicides, and the 2nd District (Wentworth), which had 69 homicides.

The latter half of the 20th century saw significant divestment from the community. The Central station of the Chicago Transportation Agency's Congress Line was closed on September 2, 1973.{{cite news|title=CTA Shutting Down 7 Rapid Transit Stations Today|last=Buck|first=Thomas|date=September 2, 1973|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|page=5}} - [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/138671841/ Clipping at] Newspapers.com. In 1988, West Side Health Authority was formed after the closure of St. Anne's Hospital. In 1991, the Sisters of Saint Casimir gave control of Loretto Hospital to a management company.

In 1999, developers agreed to turn the abandoned Galewood railyard into an industrial park.{{cite news|last=Tribune Staff|date=July 17, 1999|title=Northwest Side Industrial Park Planned|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|location=Chicago, Illinois}}

During the development of the property, then-Alderman Ike Carothers solicited a bribe to allow the permitting process and zoning changes to move forward. The subsequent trials created a political scandal,{{cite news|last1=Lighty|first1=Todd|last2=Mihalopoulos|first2=Dan|date=September 23, 2009|title=Six aldermen subpoenaed for developer's fraud trial|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|location=Chicago, Illinois}} and ended with the conviction of the developer and Carothers on various felony charges.{{cite news|last=Lighty|first=Todd|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-bn-xpm-2010-02-01-28528585-story.html|date=February 1, 2010|title=Source: Carothers bound for prison: Alderman to plead guilty to tax charges, bribery and lose post|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|location=Chicago, Illinois}} The $60 million development ultimately brought new homes and a movie theater to the neighborhood.{{cite news|last=Mihalopoulos|first=Dan|date=October 31, 2008|title=Aide: Daley blank on letter|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|location=Chicago, Illinois|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-daley-gutierrezoct31,0,4479930.story|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026003130/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-daley-gutierrezoct31,0,4479930.story|via=Wayback Machine|archive-date=2010-10-26}}

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Austin is Chicago's second-largest community area both by population and by land area. The Austin community area is made up of four neighborhoods: Galewood, The Island, North Austin, and South Austin.{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/doit/general/GIS/Chicago_Maps/Citywide_Maps/City_Neighborhoods_1978_11x17.pdf|title=City of Chicago Neighborhoods (1978)}}

Galewood is named for Abram Gale, who bought a farm on the area in 1838. The neighborhood is bordered by the Milwaukee District / West Line to the north, Harlem Avenue to the west, North Avenue to the south, and Narragansett Avenue to the east. The area is a historically Italian-American community with a sizable population of Chicago city employees.{{cite news|last=Steele|first=Jeffrey|date=February 12, 2010|title=Timeless community with spirit: Galewood is convenient, close-knit neighborhood|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-home-0212-galewood-profile-chomes-20100210-story.html|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|location=Chicago, Illinois|access-date=March 13, 2017}} Since the 1980s, it has seen an increase in African-American and Latino residents, but this integration has occurred peacefully in contrast with other areas of Chicago.{{cite news|last=Dold|first=R. Bruce|date=September 18, 1989|title=These Northwest Siders give integration a boost|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1989/09/18/these-northwest-siders-give-integration-a-boost/|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|location=Chicago, Illinois|access-date=March 13, 2017}}

Galewood has two stations on the Milwaukee District West Line. The first, Mars station functions as a stop for employees of the nearby Mars, Incorporated factory, closing in 2024, and Shriners Hospitals for Children, the latter of which is located in Montclare. The Mars station only stops during traditional commuting hours. The second, Galewood station is located east of Mars station and is a regular service station. Canadian Pacific (which operates in the U.S. Midwest as the Soo Line Railroad) operates freight trains on the line via trackage rights.

The neighborhood has strong ties with neighboring Montclare, including sharing a namesake library in the Chicago Public Library system, and is sometimes considered as part of that neighborhood and not the Austin community.{{cite news|last=Anderson|first=Hilary|title=Suburban feel in city neighborhood: Space, stability are big draws for Montclare|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/03/16/suburban-feel-in-city-neighborhood/|date=March 16, 2003|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|location=Chicago, Illinois|access-date=March 20, 2017}}{{cite news|last=Felton|first=Robert|title=Residents still pining for new Galewood-Montclare library building|url=http://www.austinweeklynews.com/News/Articles/7-17-2015/Residents-still-pining-for-new-Galewood_Montclare-library-building/|date=July 17, 2015|newspaper=Austin Weekly News|location=Chicago, Illinois|access-date=March 20, 2017}}

Galewood is significantly whiter than the remainder of Austin. Galewood is 22.51% White, 50.17% African American, and 1.77% from two or more races. Residents who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.96% of the total Galewood population, with the western half of Galewood being 36% White and 31% African American.{{refn|group=N|Census Tracts 2504-2505 in Cook, IL and Galewood (as defined by Google Maps) are coterminous.{{cite web|title=Census Tract 2504, Cook, IL|publisher=Census Reporter|access-date=December 25, 2017|url=https://censusreporter.org/profiles/14000US17031250400-census-tract-2504-cook-il/}}{{cite web|title=Census Tract 2505, Cook, IL|publisher=Census Reporter|access-date=December 25, 2017|url=https://censusreporter.org/profiles/14000US17031250500-census-tract-2505-cook-il/}}}}

The Island neighborhood is located in the southwest corner of the Austin community. It has a population around 1,700 residents.{{cite news|last=Schmidt|first=John R.|title=The Island, past and present|newspaper=WBEZ 91.5|date=August 17, 2012|location=Chicago, Illinois|url=https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-blogs/the-island-past-and-present/ba6b321c-84c8-42be-a4e5-ae39e02321b3|access-date=March 21, 2017}} It encompasses roughly a square mile and its western and southern borders are to the suburbs of Oak Park and Cicero, respectively. It is further isolated from the rest of Austin by an industrial corridor to its east and railroad tracks and Interstate 290 to the north. It is only accessible from Austin Boulevard and Roosevelt Road.

The Island was the last of Austin's neighborhoods to integrate. In the 1980s, when the rest of Austin was over 70% African American, The Island did not have a single African-American family. In 1984, when an African-American family attempted to move in on Roosevelt Road, they were met with violent resistance and shortly moved out. Politically, the area went heavily for Jane Byrne in the Democratic primary and for Edward Vrdolyak against Harold Washington in the 1987 mayoral election that broke down on racial lines. Today, The Island is an integrated community.

The area, once industrial, has a diverse economy. Chicago Studio City, the largest film studio in the Midwestern United States, is located here. The films Transformers: Dark of the Moon, The Dark Knight, and Public Enemies were partially filmed in The Island, as were episodes of Empire and Shameless.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagostudiocity.com/2000-through-current.html |title=2000 through current |publisher=Chicagostudiocity.com |access-date=2017-04-29}}

One of Austin's neighborhoods is North Austin; its boundaries start north at Milwaukee District/West Line and Armitage Avenue, western boundaries are Austin Avenue or Austin Boulevard south of North Avenue, eastern boundaries to Cicero Avenue, and southern boundaries to Division Street. The Robert LeFlore Jr. Post Office at 5001 West Division Street is in this neighborhood.{{cite web|url=http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/71522?p=3&s=IL&service_name=post_office&z=Cicero |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720064649/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/71522?p=3&s=IL&service_name=post_office&z=Cicero |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 20, 2012 |title=Post Office Location – ROBERT LEFLORE JR. |publisher=United States Postal Service |access-date=April 17, 2009 }}

South Austin is the area's largest neighborhood. It is bordered by Division Street to the north, Austin Boulevard to the west, Roosevelt Road to the south, and Cicero Avenue to the east. During the Austin area's transition from a predominantly white community to a predominantly African-American community, the South Austin neighborhood was the first neighborhood to become African-American majority. The neighborhood is characterized by its numerous historic buildings. The neighborhood is home to six landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places: Austin Historic District, Midway Park, Austin Town Hall Park Historic District, Columbus Park, First Congregational Church of Austin, Joseph J. Walser House, and the Seth Warner House. Austin Town Hall Park, modeled after Philadelphia's Independence Hall, is also in this neighborhood.

It is also home to an additional seven Chicago landmarks not listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Beeson House and Coach House, Hitchcock House, Laramie State Bank Building, Schlect House, F. R. Schock House, Marie Schock House, and the Third Unitarian Church.

{{US Census population

|1930=131114

|1940=132107

|1950=132180

|1960=125133

|1970=128084

|1980=138026

|1990=114079

|2000=117527

|2010=98514

|2020=96557

|footnote={{cite web|last=Paral |first=Rob |title=Chicago Community Areas Historical Data |url=http://www.robparal.com/downloads/ACS0509/HistoricalData/Chicago%20Community%20Areas%20Historical%20Data.htm |access-date=September 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318055428/http://www.robparal.com/downloads/ACS0509/HistoricalData/Chicago%20Community%20Areas%20Historical%20Data.htm |archive-date=March 18, 2013 |df=mdy }}

}}

According to a 2016 analysis by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, 99,711 people and 32,277 households were residing in the area.

The racial makeup of the area was 4.2% White, 84.2% African American, 0.5% Asian, and 0.80% from other races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 10.3% of the population.

In the area, the age distribution was 30.5% under 19, 20.8% from 20 to 34, 18.7% from 35 to 49, 18.4% from 50 to 64, and 11.60% who were 65 or older. The median age was 33.9 years.

The median household income for the area was $31,435 as opposed to $47,831 for the city. The area's residents were disproportionately lower income; 41.0% of residents earned less than $25,000, 27.6% of residents earned between $25,000 and $49,999, 14.1% earned between $50,000 and $74,999, 8.0% earned between $75,000 and $99,999, 6.4% earned between $100,000 and $149,999, and 2.9% earned $150,000 or more.

About 41,807 residents were in the labor force; 18.9% of workers were employed in the healthcare industry, 11.3% were employed in retail, 11% were employed in administration, 8.4% worked in education, and 8.3% worked in hospitality and food services. The area had an unemployment rate of 22.1%.

According to the Chicago Tribune "Crime in Chicagoland" page, the Austin neighborhood ranked 11th out of 77 community areas in Chicago in violent crime, 25th among Chicago community areas in property crimes, and fifth out of 100 for quality-of-life crimes.{{cite web | title=Austin -- Crime in Chicagoland -- chicagotribune.com | publisher=chicagotribune.com | url=http://crime.chicagotribune.com/chicago/community/austin | access-date=December 24, 2016}}

As of 2023, a general lack exists for food-oriented retail in Austin, and many people living in Austin go to suburban communities to the west to buy groceries. The Austin Town Hall City Market is held to stave off the food desert complex.{{cite web|last=Chu|first=Louisa|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/reviews/ct-food-guide-austin-neighborhood-west-side-20230905-5peatyepgva55ddkd4tystaanm-story.html|title=Guide: A food critic's perfect day in 'the beautiful Austin neighborhood on the mighty West Side of Chicago'|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|place=Chicago|date=2023-09-05|access-date=2024-01-16}}

{{expand section|date=January 2024}}

File:Austin community academy high school Sign.jpg]]

File:Schoolchildren reading 1911.jpg

Austin Community Academy High School{{cite web|url=http://www.austin.cps.k12.il.us/ |title=Welcome to Austin Community Academy Online! |date=November 3, 2002 |access-date=April 29, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021103035508/http://www.austin.cps.k12.il.us/ |archive-date=November 3, 2002 }} closed after spring 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.cps.k12.il.us/schools/hsdirectory/austincommunityacademy.shtml |title=Chicago Public Schools: OSHP High School Directory |date=February 11, 2007 |access-date=April 29, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211235858/http://www.cps.k12.il.us/schools/hsdirectory/austincommunityacademy.shtml |archive-date=February 11, 2007 }} New smaller schools have replaced Austin Community Academy High School: Austin Business and Entrepreneurship Academy, which opened in 2006, and Austin Polytechnical Academy, which opened in September 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.chitowndailynews.org/Chicago_news/New_high_school_to_focus_on_hightech_manufacturing,9239 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722071944/http://www.chitowndailynews.org/Chicago_news/New_high_school_to_focus_on_hightech_manufacturing,9239 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 22, 2012 |title=New high school to focus on high-tech manufacturing |publisher=Chitowndailynews.org |date=May 31, 2007 |access-date=August 12, 2014 }}

Other portions of the community area are zoned to Manley High School, Marshall High School, and Orr Campus. Michele Clark Magnet High School is in Austin.

K-8 schools:{{cite web|url=https://schoolinfo.cps.edu/schoollocator/docs/CPS_School_Locations_SY2023.pdf|title=CPS School Locations

|website=schoolinfo.cps.edu|access-date=17 February 2024}}

• George Rogers Clark Elementary School - It is a part of the "Island" Community.{{cite web|url=https://islandchicago.org/|title=Home|publisher=Island Civic Association|access-date=2024-01-16}} - See the dropdown for "Community" and the school is linked. In 2022 there was a proposal to have CPS acquire an abandoned parking lot to add play space for Clark ES.{{cite web | url=https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2022/06/24/austin-residents-unite-to-push-playground-expansion/ | title=Austin residents unite to push playground expansion | date=June 24, 2022 }}
• DePriest Elementary School
• John Hay Elementary School{{cite web|url=https://schoolreports.cps.edu/EFMP/EFMP_HAY_609975.pdf|title=John Hay Elementary Community Academy|publisher=Chicago Public Schools|access-date=2024-01-16}}
• Howe Elementary School
• Leland Elementary School
• Leslie Lewis Elementary School
• Joseph Lovett Elementary School
• Nash Elementary School
• Ronald E. McNair Elementary School
• Harriet E. Sayre Elementary School
• Spencer Elementary School
• Ella Flagg Young Elementary School

Former public schools:

• Robert Emmet Elementary School - Closed in 2013.{{cite web|last=Daniels|first=Cheyanne M.|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/9/20/22664735/west-side-health-authority-austin-robert-emmet-elementary-school|title=West Side initiative hopes to revitalize closed school in Austin|newspaper=Chicago Sun Times|date=2021-09-20|access-date=2024-01-16}} The West Side Health Authority acquired the building in 2018.{{cite web|last=Studenkov|first=Igor|url=https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2018/03/20/west-side-nonprofit-buys-emmet/|title=West Side nonprofit buys Emmet |newspaper=Austin Weekly News|date=2018-03-20|access-date=2024-01-16}} The author planned to make a community service center for a cost of $120,000,000. This was because the Austin community was not interested in the former Emmet School being a medical facility.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago formerly operated:

• Our Lady Help of Christians School.{{cite news|title=Survivors of School Fire Return to Class Tuesday|newspaper=Chicago Daily Tribune|place=Chicago|date=1958-12-06|page=Part 1, p. 4|quote=[...]Our Lady Help of Christians school, 851 N. Leamington av.}} - [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/132321307/ Clipping] at Newspapers.com. (closed 1998[http://www.illinoisloop.org/cath_closed_school_84_04.pdf Closed School History: 1984 – 2004]." Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. Retrieved on February 16, 2009.)
• St. Peter Canisius School (closed 1990){{cite web|last=Hirsley|first=Michael|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1990-06-08-9002160770-story.html|title=GRADUATION'S SOMBER AT DOOMED SCHOOLS|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|place=Chicago|date=1990-06-08|access-date=2024-01-16}}
• San Miguel School Gary Comer Campus - Opened in 2002,{{cite web|url=https://sanmiguelchicago.org/history-2/|title=History|publisher=San Miguel School|access-date=2024-01-22}} closed in 2012.{{cite web|last=Martin|first=Michelle|url=https://www.chicagocatholic.com/chicagoland/-/article/2012/03/11/san-miguel-school-to-close-gary-comer-campus-after-10-years|title=San Miguel School to close Gary Comer Campus after 10 years|newspaper=Chicago Catholic|publisher=Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago|date=2012-03-11|access-date=2024-01-22}}

Chicago Public Library:

• Austin Branch - Opened in 1929, named after Henry W. Austin, with Alfred S. Alschuler as the architect. From 1979 to 1981, the library was renovated.{{cite web|url=https://www.chipublib.org/about-austin-branch/|title=About Austin Branch|publisher=Chicago Public Library|access-date=2024-01-16}}
• North Austin Branch - Its opening was August 5, 1995.{{cite web|url=https://www.chipublib.org/about-north-austin-branch/|title=About North Austin Branch|publisher=Chicago Public Library|access-date=2024-01-16}}
• West Chicago Avenue Branch - Its opening was June 2, 2006.{{cite web|url=https://www.chipublib.org/about-west-chicago-avenue-branch/|title=About West Chicago Avenue Branch|publisher=Chicago Public Library|access-date=2024-01-16}}

Austin is served by three free weekly newspapers. [https://westsuburbanjournal.com/ The West Suburban Journal],{{cite web|url=http://westsuburbanjournal.com|title=West Suburban Journal|access-date=April 29, 2017}} founded in 2004, published by black-owned press Trottie Publishing Group, based in the West Cook County suburb of Westchester. L. Nicole Trottie, founder and publisher of West Suburban Journal, is the first black woman in Illinois' 190-year history to found an accredited weekly newspaper. Trottie is also the first African-American woman ever elected to serve on the Illinois Press Association's executive board of directors in its 150-year newspaper-rich history. The Austin Voice{{cite web|url=http://thevoicenewspapers.blogspot.com|title=The Voice Newspapers, Serving Chicago's West Side|work=thevoicenewspapers.blogspot.com|access-date=December 23, 2016}} has been published in Austin since 1988. The Austin Weekly News,{{cite web|url=http://www.austinweeklynews.com/|title=Austin Weekly News|work=austinweeklynews.com|access-date=December 23, 2016}} founded in 2005, is published by The Wednesday Journal, a publisher of free weekly newspapers based in Oak Park, Illinois. Both papers are published on Wednesdays and distributed in stores, office buildings, and recreational venues throughout the community. Austin is also served by Austin Talks,{{cite web|url=http://austintalks.org/|title=AustinTalks - News and information covering Chicago's Austin neighborhood on the West Side|work=austintalks.org|access-date=December 23, 2016}} an online publication maintained by journalism students at Chicago's Columbia College and underwritten in part by the Chicago Community Trust.

{{expand section|date=April 2024}}

St. Anne's Hospital, located in the Austin community area, had a capacity for 437 patients. Its property had seven buildings on {{convert|9.2|acre|ha}} of land.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/09/17/st-annes-hospital-will-gain-new-life/|title=ST. ANNE'S HOSPITAL WILL GAIN NEW LIFE|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=1997-09-17|access-date=2024-04-21|quote=4950 W. Thomas St.}} - Compare address to [https://www.chicago.gov:443/content/dam/city/depts/doit/general/GIS/Chicago_Maps/Community_Areas/CA_AUSTIN.pdf map of community area]. In August 1988 the Chicago Tribune reported that it was "expected" to end operations.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/08/30/st-annes-expected-to-join-list-of-shuttered-hospitals/|title=ST. ANNE'S EXPECTED TO JOIN LIST OF SHUTTERED HOSPITALS|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=1988-08-30|access-date=2024-04-01|quote=St. Anne`s, 4949 W. Division St.,[...]}} In September of that year, it closed. In 1997, it was announced to become apartments for elderly people who are financially disadvantaged.

Austin is a stronghold for the Democratic Party. In the 2016 presidential election, Austin cast 37,492 votes for Hillary Clinton and 1,280 votes for Donald Trump. Despite this landslide victory, it was Clinton's 23rd-largest margin of victory by percentage points in the 76 community areas she won.{{cite web|last=Ali|first=Tanveer|title=How Every Chicago Neighborhood Voted In The 2016 Presidential Election|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/numbers/president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-election-results-voting-general-primary-illinois|date=November 9, 2016|publisher=DNAinfo.com|location=Chicago, Illinois|access-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317144802/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/numbers/president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-election-results-voting-general-primary-illinois|archive-date=March 17, 2017}} In the 2012 presidential election, Austin cast 44,734 votes for Barack Obama and 965 votes for Mitt Romney. It was Obama's 24th-largest margin of victory by percentage points in the 76 community areas he won.{{cite web|last=Ali|first=Tanveer|title=How Every Chicago Neighborhood Voted In The 2012 Presidential Election|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/numbers/obama-romney-president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-2012-election-results-voting-general-primary-illinois|date=November 7, 2012|publisher=DNAinfo.com|location=Chicago, Illinois|access-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317233235/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/numbers/obama-romney-president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-2012-election-results-voting-general-primary-illinois|archive-date=March 17, 2017}}

At the local level, Austin is located in Chicago's 28th, 29th, and 37th wards represented by Democrats Jason Ervin, Chris Taliaferro, and Emma Mitts, respectively.{{cite web|last=Connolly|first=Colleen|title=Get to Know Your Ward: 28th Ward|date=February 6, 2015|work=Ward Room|publisher=WMAQ-TV|access-date=December 25, 2017|url= https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Get-to-Know-Your-Ward-28th-Ward-290971061.html}}{{cite web|last=Connolly|first=Colleen|title=Get to Know Your Ward: 29th Ward|date=February 6, 2015|work=Ward Room|publisher=WMAQ-TV|access-date=December 27, 2017|url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Get-to-Know-Your-Ward-29th-Ward-290972681.html}}{{cite web|last=Connolly|first=Colleen|title=Get to Know Your Ward: 37th Ward|date=February 6, 2015|work=Ward Room|publisher=WMAQ-TV|access-date=December 27, 2017|url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Get-to-Know-Your-Ward-37th-Ward-291109711.html}}

• William J.P. Banks, longtime Alderman from Chicago's 36th ward. He resided in Galewood while on the Chicago City Council.{{cite news|last=Studenkov|first=Igor|date=October 26, 2016|title=Lack of will or lack of clout?: 29th Ward meeting generates debate about Ald. Taliaferro's responsiveness|url=http://www.austinweeklynews.com/News/Articles/10-26-2016/Lack-of-will-or-lack-of-clout%3F/|newspaper=Austin Weekly News|location=Chicago, Illinois|access-date=March 13, 2017}}
• Danny Boy, hip-hop artist with Death Row Records
• Da Brat, rapper and actress
• Hannibal Buress, stand-up comedian, actor, and television writer{{cite news|last=Fishman|first=Elly|title=Is Hannibal Buress the Funniest Man Alive?|date=March 25, 2014|newspaper=Chicago Magazine|access-date=February 4, 2018|url=http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/April-2014/Hannibal-Buress-Comedian/}}
• Peter M. Callan (1894–1965), member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1959-1965. During his time in the legislature, he resided at 5567 West Gladys Avenue.
• Ralph Capone, member of the Chicago Outfit and brother of Al Capone, lived in The Island before moving to Wisconsin.
• Ike Carothers, Alderman from Chicago's 29th ward from 1999 until his resignation in 2010, lives in South Austin.{{cite news|date=October 8, 2013|title=Former Austin Alderman Isaac Carothers enters Cook County Board race|url=http://www.austinweeklynews.com/News/Articles/10-4-2013/Former-Austin-Alderman-Isaac-Carothers-enters-Cook-County-Board-race/|newspaper=Austin Weekly News|location=Chicago, Illinois|access-date=March 13, 2017}}
• Crucial Conflict, a Chicago-based hip-hop group, famous for their 1996 single "Hay", started at North Long Avenue and West Bloomingdale Avenue.{{cite news|last=Lacey|first=Jennifer T.|title=West Side schools compete for top honors in knowledge bowl|date=May 16, 2011|newspaper=Austin Talks|access-date=May 20, 2019|url=http://austintalks.org/2011/05/west-side-schools-compete-for-top-honors-in-academic-competition/}}{{Citation needed|reason=Reliable source needed for the whole sentence|date=October 2018}}
• Danny K. Davis, member of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois' 7th congressional district since 1999, resides in South Austin.{{cite news|last=Gray Brosious|first=Emily|date=March 15, 2016|title=Bill Clinton stumps for Hillary Clinton in Chicago on Illinois primary day|url=http://national.suntimes.com/national-world-news/7/72/2761257/bill-clinton-campaigns-for-hillary-clinton-in-chicago-on-illinois-primary-day/|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|location=Chicago, Illinois|access-date=March 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311152515/http://national.suntimes.com/national-world-news/7/72/2761257/bill-clinton-campaigns-for-hillary-clinton-in-chicago-on-illinois-primary-day/|archive-date=March 11, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
• Sam DeStefano (1909−1973), member of the Chicago Outfit, resided on the 1600 block of Sayre in Galewood.Roemer, Jr., William F., The Enforcer (1994), p.90Roemer, Jr., William F., Accardo: The Genuine Godfather (1995), p.271
• La Shawn K. Ford, member of the Illinois House of Representatives, resides in Austin.
• Bud Freeman and the Austin High School Gang{{cite encyclopedia|last=Wang|first=Richard A.|editor-last1=Reiff|editor-first1=Janice L.|editor-last2=Durkin Keating|editor-first2=Ann|editor-last3=Grossman|editor-first3=James R.|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Chicago|publisher=Chicago History Museum|title=Austin High Gang|url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/92.html|year=2005|access-date=March 14, 2017}}
• Sam Giancana (1908–1975), member of the Chicago Outfit, lived in The Island before moving to the suburbs.
• Deborah Graham was a member of the Chicago City Council from the 29th ward from 2010 to 2015.{{cite web|url=http://wgntv.com/2015/02/17/meet-the-candidates-city-council-29th-ward/|title=Meet the Candidates: City Council, 29th Ward|date=February 17, 2015 }}
• Andrew Greeley (1928–2013), a Roman Catholic priest, sociologist, journalist, and popular novelist, was a childhood resident of the Austin community area.{{cite news|last1=Jensen|first1=Trevor|last2=Ramirez|first2=Margaret|title=Andrew Greeley -- priest, author, critic -- dead at 85|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/chi-andrew-greeley-dead-20130530-story.html|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=May 30, 2013|access-date=February 14, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625004834/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/chi-andrew-greeley-dead-20130530-story.html}}
• John Marshall Hamilton (1847–1905), 18th governor of Illinois (1883–1885), resided at 4720 West Madison Avenue at the time of his death.{{cite news|title=EX-GOV. JOHN M. HAMILTON ILL: Early This Morning Reported to Be Near Death at His Residence, 4720 Madison Avenue|newspaper=Chicago Daily Tribune|date=September 23, 1905}}
• Edward Hanrahan (1921–2009), Cook County state's attorney from 1968 to 1972, was infamous for his role in the murder of Fred Hampton. He resided in Galewood during his political career.{{cite news|last=Dwyer|first=Bill|title=Hanrahan's life transcended '69 Panther raid|date=June 16, 2009|newspaper=Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest|url=https://www.oakpark.com/2009/06/16/hanrahans-life-transcended-69-panther-raid/|access-date=November 4, 2022}}
• Steve Harris, actor (Diary of a Mad Black Woman, The Practice). He attended Resurrection Elementary School in Austin.{{cite news|date=November 12, 2011|title=Fundraiser to benefit Austin school|url=http://austintalks.org/2011/11/fundraiser-to-benefit-austin-school/|newspaper=Austin Talks|location=Chicago, Illinois|access-date=March 14, 2017}}
• Wood Harris, actor (The Wire, Remember the Titans, Creed), attended Resurrection Elementary School in Austin.
• Hugh Hefner, founder and longtime editor-in-chief of Playboy, was raised in the Galewood neighborhood and attended Sayre Elementary School.{{cite news|author=|title=Hugh Hefner's Chicago: The Neighborhoods That Helped Make The Man|date=September 28, 2017|newspaper=DNAinfo|access-date=December 26, 2017|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170928/gold-coast/hugh-hefners-chicago-neighborhoods-that-helped-make-man|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227061928/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170928/gold-coast/hugh-hefners-chicago-neighborhoods-that-helped-make-man|archive-date=December 27, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
• Brandon Johnson (born 1976), is the current mayor of Chicago.
• Roberta Karmel (born 1937) was the first female commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.[https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/druid:hr655yg4563/hr655yg4563_KarmelR_Transcript.pdf "Transcript of Interview with Roberta S. Karmel (Feb. 20, 2013; Mar. 28, 2013; July 16, 2013; July 24, 2013; July 30, 2013),"] ABA.
• Camille Y. Lilly, member of the Illinois House of Representatives,e lives in Galewood.{{cite web|url=http://www.riverforest.com/News/Articles/4-27-2010/OPRF-alum,-Austin-resident-named-state-rep/|title=OPRF alum, Austin resident named State Rep.|last=Clauss|first=Hunter|date=April 24, 2010|newspaper=Wednesday Journal|access-date=May 14, 2017}}
• Robert F. McPartlin (1926–1987) was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1960 until his bribery indictment in 1976. During his time in the legislature, he resided at 5100 West Adams Street.{{cite book|title=Illinois Blue Book 1961-1962|page=260|access-date=February 14, 2022|url=http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/bb/id/13840}}{{cite news|title=Clark Post To McPartlin|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/54960616/?terms=%22Robert%2BF.%2BMcPartlin%22|access-date=July 1, 2017|work=Suburbanite Economist|date=January 20, 1960|page=12|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=registration }}
• Emma Mitts, Alderman from the 37th ward. She lives in South Austin.{{cite news|last=McClelland|first=Edward|date=July 26, 2012|title= Better Know A Ward: Emma Mitts's 37th|url= http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Better-Know-An-Alderman-Emma-Mitts-163706576.html|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|location=Chicago, Illinois|access-date=March 14, 2017}}
• Thomas J. O'Brien, member of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois's 6th congressional district, resided in South Austin while in Congress.{{cite book|title=Illinois Blue Book 1947-1948|chapter=Illinois Members of Congress Listing|page=100|year=1948|url=http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm/ref/collection/bb/id/8271}}
• Pat Quinn, former Governor of Illinois. As of 2020, he lives in Galewood.{{cite news|last=Warren|first=James|date=February 11, 2013|title=Can't Pat Quinn Get Any Respect?|url=http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/March-2013/Can-Pat-Quinn-Get-Any-Respect/|newspaper=Chicago Magazine|location=Chicago, Illinois|access-date=March 14, 2017}}{{cite news|last=Chiarito|first=Bob|title=Blagojevich Ignored Prisoners Who Sought The Mercy He Was Given — And They Actually Apologized, Ex-Gov. Pat Quinn Says|date=February 21, 2020|access-date=February 22, 2020|newspaper=Block Club Chicago|url=https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/02/21/blagojevich-ignored-prisoners-who-sought-the-mercy-he-was-given-and-they-actually-apologized-ex-gov-pat-quinn-says/}}
• John Rice (1968–2015), Alderman from the 36th ward from 2009 to 2011. He resided in Galewood while on the Chicago City Council.{{cite news|first=Dan|last=Mihalopoulos|title=Daley names Banks aide new alderman|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/05/daley-praises-retiring-banks-mum-on-successor.html|date=October 6, 2009|access-date=March 14, 2017}}Rice served as Alderman in the same Galewood ward as Banks. He would need to be a resident to do that.
• Philip J. Rock, President of the Illinois Senate from 1979 to 1993. He lived in the Midway Park neighborhood until he relocated to suburban Oak Park in 1977.{{cite book|last1=Rock|first1=Phil|last2=Wojcicki|first2=Ed|date= November 28, 2011|title=Nobody Calls Just to Say Hello|url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0809330725|location=Carbondale, Illinois|publisher=Southern Illinois University|page=xvii|isbn=978-0809330720}}'Illinois Blue Book 1975-1976,' Biographical Sketch of Philip J. Rock, pg. 106
• Saba, rapper and record producer. He grew up in Austin.{{cite web|last1=Krzeczowski|first1=Jake|title=Saba's West Side Story Is One Worth Listening To|url=http://noisey.vice.com/blog/saba-comfortzone-chicago-interview-profile|website=Noisey|date=September 29, 2014 |publisher=Vice|access-date=30 January 2016}}
• Nick Sposato, Alderman from Chicago's 36th ward from 2011 to 2015. He lived in Galewood until moving to the 38th ward after redistricting moved Galewood to the 29th ward.
• Jim Tobin (1945–2021), economist and founder of anti-tax advocacy group Taxpayers United of America.{{cite web|last=Janota|first=Laura|title=Jim Tobin: Fighting taxes is his only cause|work=Illinois Issues|publisher=Sangamon State University|date=September 1990|access-date=June 24, 2017|url=http://www.lib.niu.edu/1990/ii900829.html}}
• Robert Townsend
• Tom Tuohy
• Lois Weisberg, Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for the City of Chicago noted by Malcolm Gladwell in The Tipping Point for her expansive social network. She was born and raised in Austin.{{cite news|last=Kogan|first=Rick|title=Lois Weisberg dead at 90: Tireless champion of city's cultural life|date=January 14, 2016|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=May 14, 2019|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-lois-weisberg-dead-was-chicago-arts-chief-for-daley-20160114-story.html}}
• Erick Williams, chef{{Cite web |last=Hautzinger |first=Daniel |date=2019-08-22 |title=How Chef Erick Williams Shows Kindness Is a Virtue at His Restaurant |url=https://interactive.wttw.com/playlist/2019/08/22/erick-williams |access-date=2023-07-26 |website=WTTW |language=en-US}}
• Bobby Wilson, defensive tackle for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He attended high school in Austin.{{cite news |title=Skins' Top Pick Wilson Isn't About To Quit Now|first=Don|last=Pierson|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1991/04/28/skins-top-pick-wilson-isnt-about-to-quit-now/|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=April 28, 1991|access-date=June 18, 2015}}
• Frank Peter Witek (1921-1944), U.S. Marine and awardee of the Medal of Honor, resided at 1342 North Parkside Avenue.{{cite news|title=Country Honors Valiant Marine for his Courage|newspaper=Chicago Daily Tribune|date=July 27, 1947|page=W14|via=ProQuest}}
• Violet Bidwill Wolfner (1900–1962), owner of the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League, with her husband, Walter Wolfner, resided at 5825 West Washington Boulevard in 1951.{{cite news|title=BANDITS SEIZED IN RAID ON HOME FACE SHOWUP: Insist Slain Pal Guided Them to Victim|date=August 6, 1951|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|page=26|access-date=February 14, 2022|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/372313689/}}
• Abe Woodson (1934–2014), American football cornerback and kick returner, played nine seasons in the National Football League, mainly with the San Francisco 49ers. He was raised and attended high school in Austin.{{cite news|last=Mitchell|first=Fred|title=Former Illinois, NFL star Abe Woodson dies|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|location=Chicago, Illinois|date=February 16, 2014|access-date=June 24, 2017|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/02/16/former-illinois-nfl-star-abe-woodson-dies/}}

{{Reflist|group=N}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Austin, Chicago}}

{{Portal|Chicago}}

• [http://www.austinweeklynews.com Austin Weekly News, local newspaper]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160313081406/http://austinchicago.com/ Directory of Community Organizations Serving Austin, Chicago]

{{Chicago}}

{{Community areas of Chicago}}

{{Neighborhoods in Chicago}}

{{Geographic Location

| Center = Austin

| North = Montclare and Belmont Cragin

| Northeast = Hermosa

| East = Humboldt Park
West Garfield Park

| Southeast = North Lawndale

| South = Cicero, Illinois

| Southwest = Berwyn, Illinois

| West = Oak Park, Illinois

| Northwest = Elmwood Park, Illinois

}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Community areas of Chicago

Category:West Side, Chicago

Category:Populated places established in 1865