Opinion Page

Todd Stroger to replace father on November ballot

2006-07-19T05:09:00.000-07:00

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State Sen. Jeff Schoenberg, the Democratic committeeman for Evanston Township, backed Davis' candidacy though he knew the vote was a foregone conclusion.

"It's like professional wrestling,"
Schoenberg said after voting ended.
"You know who's going to win, and then they build the plot around it."

Unlike the anticipated outcome of Tuesday's meeting, no one is forecasting the result of the County Board's meeting on Wednesday. The 16 remaining commissioners will select an interim board president from among themselves to fill John Stroger's term, which expires Dec. 4.

Claypool, who attended the vote, said the actions of party leaders could portend problems in November.

"The ward bosses are treating the leadership of a $3 billion government that's responsible for public health and safety as a family heirloom to be passed down from generation to generation. It's not right, and I think there's a lot of anger out there and I think that it could come back to haunt the Democrats in the fall."

Full Story from The Tribune
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Sunday's Tribune Asks: Why a Gay Games?

2006-07-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

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With every stop the Gay Games have made across the globe for the last 24 years, a simple question has followed. Why do gay people need their own Olympic-style competition? More...

Mary Schmich says....
Sports is rarely just about sports, and the Gay Games aren't just about the games. They're about all the ways gays continue to be stigmatized and limited, from the athletic field to the military to marriage.

"We can't serve--supposedly because we inhibit unit cohesion and make Marines nervous in showers," David said.

"We can't support our intimate relationships in marriage, lest we threaten the institution of marriage. We can't be out as teachers, or coaches, or baby-sitters, lest we corrupt the young."And openly gay athletes still don't get a fair shot at commercial endorsements or the other perks of athletic prowess.

That's not some distant yesterday. That's July 2006.It's been a generation since I knowingly met a gay person for the first time. A generation since the Gay Games started. A generation of huge, encouraging changes. And still not enough has changed.

Maybe the Games will have run their course when fear mongering about gays is no longer an effective political tactic.

"I guess the simple moral," David said, "is there's no need for a gay Olympics the day that there is no problem being who you are in the regular ones."
more...
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2006-07-14T01:16:00.000-07:00

Already tiffs about plan for LaSalle Street

Tribune --Few dispute the commercial weakening of the LaSalle Street neighborhood, where office rents have declined and vacancies have climbed to 40 percent, or even 60 percent. Most also agree that its historic architecture, which includes 10 city landmarks, defines what Chicago taste, past and personality are all about.

"Many of [these buildings] are really historic," the mayor said at a City Hall press conference Wednesday. "We don't want them all taken down," which, he noted, "developers would love to do."
But some wonder whether it is the best strategy to make LaSalle Street one of the city's 143 Tax Increment Financing districts, in which tax revenue is diverted from various municipal departments for revitalization work.

I hope it helps these old buildings, they need it," said Peggy McTigue, a senior vice president overseeing downtown leasing here for the Dallas-based Trammel Crow Co. But, she asked, "Should we pull money away from schools? No one will be working if we don't have a good education system. If an old building isn't architecturally significant, why should we put the money in?"

TIF specialist Jeff Chapman, a professor of public affairs at the University of Arizona at Tempe, said that such tax policy succeeds if it is well planned."But one must ask: is it really necessary or will the market work without it?" Also, Chapman added, "Who gets hurt when taxes are rechanneled?"

David Merriman, a professor of economics at Loyola University Chicago, raised another question. "Will it be worth the cost if the investment doesn't pay off?" Then he queried, "Why not finance economic redevelopment as part of the regular city budget rather than sequestering tax receipts?"

" The city, its businesses and visitors will reap rewards from a TIF that helps preserve hand-fashioned masonry facades, upgrade antiquated mechanical systems and beautify crumbling streetscapes, said David Bahlman, president of the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois."A LaSalle Street TIF would be terrific," he said.

"A TIF will provide a huge incentive for the very costly job of rehabilitating historic buildings and can be a springboard for the economic redevelopment of a whole area," he added.Since the 1980's many LaSalle Street office tenants have relocated to the West Loop and Wacker Drive. They find "more light, air, river views and easier transit access," said John O'Donnell, vice chairman of The John Buck Co.

"TIFs are an important way to generate money to keep the city healthy," McTigue added. "It just has to take in the interests of the entire business community."

The city is scheduled to hold a public review of the proposal Aug. 4 and a public hearing Sept. 12. more from The Tribune
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It's Not About the Money

2006-07-13T04:29:00.000-07:00

This article appeared in yesterday's Sun Times

Beavers could get 3 pensions
William Beavers' decision to trade his $98,125-a-year aldermanic paycheck for the $85,000-a-year salary paid to county commissioners might sound like a financial comedown. But it could be a ticket to a triple pension. Once he leaves the city payroll, Beavers can start collecting the police pension he earned, but wasn't qualified to receive after retiring from the Chicago Police officer's job he left a generation ago.

More important, Beavers will be eligible to collect an aldermanic pension of $78,500 a year.
That's 80 percent of the $98,125-a-year salary paid to City Council members.

Both pensions would be in addition to the $85,000-a-year County Board paycheck. If the 71-year-old alderman remains at the County Board for 10 years, he would also become eligible for a county pension -- at $68,000 a year or 80 percent of the county commissioner's salary. The bottom line: If Beavers lives long enough, he could get a triple government pension. more...

And today the reactions from every County Board member about Mr. Beavers' remarks
Entire County Board slaps Ald. Beavers

Hhmm...and not a word about the triple pension possibility.
I guess it isn't about the money.

Letter to the Rogers Park Review

2006-07-12T01:33:00.000-07:00

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Dear Gary,
Thank you so much for the nice story that you wrote about my husband, it was really a positive message. We appreciate your sincerity and good will in trying to get our name out to the public. I also appreciate that you took into consideration Deta's Cafe. She was truely happy and excited. On behalf of all of us we thank you again. Have a nice day.

Sincerely,
Maria and Stanley Von Medvey

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The Wrong Message

2006-07-11T06:57:00.000-07:00

The following are excerpts from the Sun Times article on the Arbour Health Care Center housing convicted and registered juvenile sex offenders:

“Police determined that child sex offenders Angel Campos, James R. Carroll, Lynn Eichhorst and Gregory S. Kenlay should not live in the nursing home because it's within 500 feet of a playground, officials said.

A state inspection last week found that Arbour was not complying fully with a provision in the new law that requires nursing homes to house sex offenders in single-occupancy rooms to keep them from preying on vulnerable residents, officials said.

But Arbour seemed to be making an effort to comply with the spirit of the law, officials said.

Because of a lack of single-occupancy rooms, the nursing home housed the male sex offenders together in one room, while Eichhorst -- a woman convicted of having sex with three boys for whom she was baby-sitting -- was housed with other able-bodied women, authorities said.”

When I read this article yesterday, a few issues didn’t seem to make sense. First, Chicago Police clearly indicated that Arbour Health Care Center, which is located at 1512 West Fargo, was in violation of the “ within 500 feet” provision in the sex offender law. Yet state inspectors, according to the article, seemed to speak more about Arbour complying with the spirit of the law, when their inspection found several of the men living in the same room, which is apparently against state regulations.

Also, there seemed to be questions about how this park was used. Citing anonymous comments, investigators suggested that the small park was not used by kids in the neighborhood, but by adult dog walkers.

This out of the way park is 2 blocks from my house and I pass it all the time. Although it doesn’t have many kid friendly amenities as many other parks do and is basically an open lawn, I have seen kids playing in that park. I’ve seen the dog walkers and vagrants too. L. Dubkin Park is no different in how it is used than any other park. Besides, the sign clearly states “playground” as just about all other park signs do and there would be no other reason for an unsuspecting parent to think otherwise.

I walked off the distance this morning, from the entrance to the park, to the entrance to Arbour and it is approx. 300+- feet, door to door.

This law was written for good reasons and all the provisions should be complied with, to the letter, not just in spirit.

When officials who are responsible for upholding this law start splitting hairs citing vague reasons why this facility is complying with “the spirit” of the law or how a certain park is being used, they are sending the wrong message to victims, parents and our community.

Is it more important how the offenders are housed or where they are housed?

And btw, for those who live in the area, there is a registered juvenile sex offender listed on the CPD website on the 1500 block of Birchwood, which is also within 500 feet of L. Dubkin Park.

Gary Fuschi

Bush Says "This is a well-run city."

2006-07-10T02:16:00.000-07:00

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"For a long time, that's been good enough for lots of us. We've lived by the tacit principle that the highest civic good is a city that works, even if it takes a little wrongdoing to get the work done.Yeah, so the hiring process for tree-trimmers was rigged. How many people--besides rejected applicants, political rivals and professional moral guardians--were going to protest, as long as the trees got trimmed?

We could wink at the existence of a political machine as long as we didn't have to inspect the crud in the gears.

But the Sorich trial made the jury, and everyone in Chicago, look at the details of Chicago patronage--at the crud in the machinery.What the jury saw and helped many Chicagoans to see was a set of hiring practices that wasn't just biased, but fraudulent."

"We took the common man approach," said the jury foreman, S. Jay Olshansky, a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
"We asked the question, `How would a common person interpret that?' And, of course, the 12 of us are common people, so we went around and we all came to the exact same conclusion.
"Twelve citizens without any apparent political motive concluded: This is wrong.
More from the Tribune

I would like to have been the proverbial "fly on the wall" when the Presidents' spin meisters got together to discuss what he should say during his birthday visit to Chicago last week.

The Republican President first supports the lifelong Democrat Daley, endorses Republican gubernatorial candidate Topinka and then declares that
"This is a well-run city", fresh on the heels of a guilty verdict in the Sorich trial.

So, is the jury out of touch or is the President just a little confused?

Gary Fuschi
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Taste Tickets Can't Buy Class

2006-07-07T05:01:00.000-07:00

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If Chicago is a culinary mecca, why is the Taste of Chicago little more than a beer-and-brat fest? Some top Chicago chefs were asked just that.
According to the Sun-Times, Spiaggia’s Tony Mantuano says the Taste is missing “some other important aspects of the flavor or taste of Chicago.”

And, Charlie Trotter plans to be on vacation because “it’s just obnoxious.” More from TheChicagoist
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Club divides Rogers Parkers Plan for former Biddy Mulligan's

2006-07-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

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About half of the approximately 80 East Rogers Parkers attending a community meeting last week said they would love to be jammin' at the Island Groove Café, 7644 N. Sheridan Road, where owners are seeking to open a tavern/music venue with food.

"It's a decent place. We welcome it," said Karl Villanueva, who lives a few blocks away. The site is the home of the former Biddy's Mulligan's, a longtime, live-act bar that closed several years ago. Many neighbors complained about problems that occurred when Biddy's was open, yet others said new owners shouldn't be held responsible for the past.

"They shouldn't be judged by what happened before," said Andy McGhee, a nearby neighbor. "If they put jazz in here, I'm here."

Others attending couldn't have disagreed more. "We cannot take any more pressure," said Kevin Richards. "This is way too much to bear. It's a wildly inappropriate space for a liquor license...you're dooming us."

According to Alderman Joe Moore, 49th, the owners would require liquor and public place of amusement licenses and a Special Use Permit. The café recently opened its door on weekends, for coffee, muffins and such.

Ald. Moore said his next step would be to speak with individuals/groups for more feedback before making a final decision. More from Pioneer More from Rogers Park Review

As much as I would like to see an adult oriented, jazz club there, it seems counter intuitive at this time and with this owner and I think granting this liquor license will move our neighborhood more than a few steps backward. There are many in the community who feel the same way. I have nothing against the new owners; I will personally support the new restaurant and applaud them for their courage, investment and vision. But the history of Billy Mulligan’s should tell us that the issues that were problematic then are still a problem. Nothing has changed very much except the owner, Sargon Isaac. Most neighbors I spoke with believe granting a liquor license at this location to the owner of this property with his history of irresponsible behavior in our community is the wrong idea and I agree.
Gary Fuschi

"So why can't John Stroger anoint his son?"

2006-07-05T05:17:00.000-07:00

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THE ISSUE: In a maneuver typical of how things operate in these parts, John Stroger's son is having the way paved for him to succeed his ailing father as county board president.
WE SAY: This move and another one that would result in an alderman's daughter taking over his post are insults to good government. Unfortunately, voters around here seem to have become oblivious to these family handoffs.

"How can they get away with this?"
a caller to our office asked on Wednesday morning. The answer isn't all that complicated. They can get away with it because we Chicagoans expect things to work this way and most voters in Chicago and the rest of Illinois don't really see anything wrong with hereditary elected offices.
As Chicago Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) said: "Mike Madigan anointed his daughter. Tom Hynes anointed his son. Bill Lipinski anointed his son.

"So why can't John Stroger anoint his son?"

More from The Daily Southtown
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Public Shaming for Grafitti Artists

2006-06-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

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The city of Chicago plans to publicly shame graffiti artists convicted of vandalizing property.
Under a program Mayor Daley is expected to unveil today, taggers would be forced to ride with Streets and Sanitation workers to the neighborhoods they defaced.
They'll clear weeds from vacant lots, pick up trash and paint over graffiti -- similar to the convicts who perform community service for the Cook County sheriff, according to Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Michael Picardi.
But Streets and San workers also will videotape convicted graffiti artists when they are doing their clean-up service. More from Sun Times..
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"Crime Is Down But Ignore The Police Blue Light Cameras Going Up"

2006-06-27T05:44:00.000-07:00

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If you wanted to keep a watchful electronic eye on a busy 49th Ward commercial strip that is "owned" by Rogers Park's Latino gangs and drug dealers, where would you put it? If you guessed that a good spot would be just two blocks north of our very own police station headquarters you'd be right on target.

Yes, at 6700 N. Clark St., up high on a light pole and smack dab on the corner of North Shore and Clark Street, is the fourth and latest entry in our "Crime Is Down But Ignore The Police Blue Light Cameras Going Up" design competition. Compared to the three others that have been installed during the past year or so, this new one has a slightly less garish flashing blue beacon. It's got a tiny disco blinker that is barely visible. New technology or just a smaller, cost-saving light bulb? Anyway, the other police cameras - one on Morse Avenue and two on Howard - still shine brightly.

Did the Howard/Ashland camera catch the shootings Monday night?

When will we get to watch the 24/ video transmissions from these cameras live, in real time on Chicago's cable access television?

Note: Sent to the Rogers Park Review via e mail by a Neighbor
Pics by gf yesterday.

Would You Sign This Petition?

2006-06-26T02:46:00.000-07:00

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To Mayor Daley, the Chicago Police Department and Alderman Joe Moore:

We, the undersigned, the citizens of Rogers Park and Chicago are interested in the betterment of Rogers Park and it’s image.

We no longer want the 24th District Police Station to be referred to as “The Rogers Park Police Station”. The actual boundaries of the district are Peterson Ave. 5900 North to the south and Kedzie Ave. 3400 West to the west. Rogers Park is only 20% of the 24th district work load yet we get 100% of the bad press.

Please help our tarnished image and change the name to simply the “24th District Station”

Thank you in advance.

The undersigned:

Note: Petition Being Circulated in Rogers Park. Sent to the Rogers park Review by a Neighbor.

Protesters blast police in gay-book arson investigation

2006-06-21T03:57:00.000-07:00

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About three dozen people gathered outside a Lakeview library Tuesday night, brandishing gay-rights flags, signs and angry words as they protested how Chicago police handled the burning of about 100 gay and lesbian and African-American history books in the building last week.Organizer Andy Thayer said that what he views as police reluctance to quickly label the incident at the Merlo Branch Library, 644 W. Belmont Ave., a hate crime was shameful.

"We will not stand by idly while this kind of hate infests our community," Thayer said. "Attacks on any groups ... are against my principles," Asidao said as he waved an anti-discrimination placard. "We're going to try to connect it to other struggles in the community, like immigration.

More from the Tribune.

Files shredded in mayor's office

2006-06-20T01:06:00.000-07:00

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"It was something that was not supposed to be done in the office. "

A secretary in Mayor Richard Daley's office testified today that she shredded two file drawers of documents related to hiring in 2002 at the direction of the mayor's patronage chief, Robert Sorich.
Patricia Molloy, who has worked in the mayor's office since shortly after Daley's election in 1989, said she used a shredder in the mayor's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.
The destroyed documents contained lists of people seeking city jobs or promotions and their political sponsors, Molloy told jurors in the City Hall corruption trial.

'I just remember [Sorich] coming in and saying I should shred the files,' she said. More from the Tribune...
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Residents Not Pleased With Pleasure Chest Sex Store

2006-06-19T03:01:00.000-07:00

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Alderman: Store Is Zoned Properly

NBC News--Some residents are concerned because the store is located within blocks of a church and a school.
"I have a child. There are children everywhere. They're building a park 100 feet away from the store's entrance," area resident Rob Gregg said.

Video: Outraged Residents
Images: Pleasure Chest
Survey: Would You Protest?
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Do You Have a Moonroof on Your Car?

2006-06-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

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When ex-con, Four Corner Hustler and would-be carjacker Malcolm Lofton spotted a 5-foot-1-inch, 125-pound woman at the wheel of a new $25,000 SUV on Wednesday night, he probably thought he'd found an easy mark.
It was the last bad decision he made.

As Lofton attempted to climb into the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder via the moonroof, shouting "I am going to kill you," the 41-year-old woman, an off-duty nine-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, plugged him with bullets from a 9mm handgun, police said Thursday.
He was pronounced dead at the scene less than two hours later on the 10900 block of South Wentworth Avenue. More from the Daily Southtown
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24 new schools..........

2006-06-16T05:01:00.000-07:00

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Mayor Daley said using money that has already been collected from these specialized tax districts means this project can be done without any increase in the city's tax rate.

From the Tribune.

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"Quote of the Day"

2006-06-15T23:58:00.000-07:00

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“Paul Vallas promised everybody a new school. All 50 wards. If he saw you, he would build one wherever you live,” Daley said. Sun Times.

Will Mayor Extend Central Loop TIF?

2006-06-15T05:27:00.000-07:00

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$1 bil. building plan calls for 24 new schools

......using $400 million in school bond funds and $600 million generated by existing tax-increment financing (TIF) districts.

Now that local aldermen have signed off on the use of TIF funds, new schools will be built in the Chicago neighborhoods of South Chicago, Washington Heights, Chicago Lawn, Lawndale, McKinley Park, Back of the Yards, South Shore, Roseland, Englewood and Garfield.

In April 2000, Daley agreed to borrow $170 million against the windfall of cash expected when the Central Loop TIF expires at the end of this year. TIFs freeze property taxes within the boundaries of a defined district for 23 years, but there is a bonanza of new revenue when the freeze is lifted.

City Hall has not yet decided whether to extend the life of all or parts of the Central Loop TIF, .or allow the district to expire. More from Sun Times.....
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Doggy Heaven

2006-06-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

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you can
Get Fit With Fido At A Doggie Yoga Class
CBS- The classic yoga pose called downward facing dog is taking on a whole new meaning. CBS 2's Vince Gerasole reports on the newest way to get fit with Fido.
A new class aims to clam and strengthen man's best friend through yoga. It's the invention of West Loop dog trainer Ami Moor.

"I like to keep the more advanced dogs in this position so they are in your chakra and aligned with your energy path and you are sharing your energy back and forth," Moor said. More....

and then after class you could ask the waiter to
Put One of Those Double Latte's in a Bowl?
The ostrich country pate? To drool for. The bone marrow gateau? Delightfully crunchy. The grilled steak hache? Gone in a gulp.

Durand and other chefs across the city are preparing to serve a canine clientele as the Chicago City Council considers an ordinance this month that would let dogs eat next to people in outdoor cafes.

"When spring comes, everyone wants to be outside with their pets," said Alderman Walter Burnett Jr., who owns Star, a Shih Tzu, and a pit bull named Shadow.

"It seems ridiculous that people can't stop off at a cafe for a sandwich and get their pet some water to drink or something to nibble on too." More from the Tribune
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TIF's - Robin Hoods in reverse?

2006-06-13T05:33:00.000-07:00

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The corruption of TIF's is like the corruption of copyrights - something originally intended for a limited time and defined purpose that high-powered lobbyists have hijacked into a perpetual entitlement.

Connected developers and contractors get the feast, while the bungalow owners get stuck with the check. Public purposes such as schools, pensions and the CTA face seemingly unending financial crisis even as hundreds of millions of dollars of TIF funds accumulate unspent. This is not sound fiscal management; this is your government on crack.
More from ArchitectureChicago PLUS

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"Quote of the Day"

2006-06-13T02:16:00.000-07:00

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'We can't sit around idly and wait for funding that never seems to come,' said one official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

According to a report from the Neighborhood Capital Budget Group, a not-for-profit group that has been critical of the city's oversight of the program, the city's 131 TIF districts collected a total of $329 million last year. That was up 15 percent from 2004.

Here's the rest of the article Tribune

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News Flash! Property Taxes, Costs Burden Chicago

2006-06-12T05:20:00.000-07:00

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“The Roosevelt University report points to an inescapable fact: Illinois’ dependence on property taxes, especially to bear the primary burden of school funding, puts Chicago at a competitive disadvantage when compared to other cities and jeopardizes Chicago’s long-term economic prospects,” members of BOMA/Chicago caution in the report’s introduction.

According to the study, Chicago had the highest property taxes during the past ten years, with an average of $6.98 in taxes per sf. This compares to $5.31 per sf for New York, $2.78 per sf for Dallas, $2.40 per sf for Atlanta and $1.98 for Los Angeles."
More from Globe St.

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"Quote of the Day"

2006-06-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

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"Yes, we have to strengthen our border security, but we also have to protect the millions of immigrants who are already in America. Give them a fair chance, bring them out of the shadows. We're not talking about an amnesty,"

Bill Richardson said at the Rainbow / PUSH Coalition Conference. More....

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33 Parents Already Fined Under New Curfew Law

2006-06-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

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The law states that children under the age of 17 may not be out after 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday or after 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Chicago police began implementing the revised policy last week. As of Wednesday, 33 parents whose children were charged with a crime have been fined, Cline said. The fines range from $50 to $500 and are determined by a judge at an administrative hearing. More.....
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NOH: Washington Playlot Issues

2006-06-09T06:17:00.000-07:00

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From: Cecelia Fandel
To: Robert.Steele@ChicagoParkDistrict.com
Sent: Thursday, June 08, 2006 9:21 AM
Subject: Park Enhancement?
Dear Robert,

Please forward this on to the Park Enhancement Committee.

For three evenings running now, there has been a group of young teens in the Washington Playlot, playing Basketball, and dunkball eliminating any use of the baby swings, or the circular hanging equipment. In addition, for two nights, I chased them out because they were lighting fire crackers in the playlot. When they left, they spent 45 minutes lighting all types of fireworks on the parkway and in the street. All dangerous activities.

As it is now, when the parents of young children see them coming in the playlot, they leave with their tykes.

Last night I went out because they again were throwing a ball up against our building.
The night before they had climbed over our fence and trampled in our garden to get their ball. As I talked to them I noted that one took out a lighter and started to light litter on fire.

I said, that's it, out... They went over the fence. The fence is now being bent over and down on two sides because they are using that for exits and entrances. It needs repair.

As I exited the playlot I saw a police car parked at the end of Paulina on Juneway. I started to walk toward it, and flagged it down. I'm fortunate they stopped. Sometimes, they don't. I told them about the boys with the lighters and that they were starting down the alley.

The police DID enter the alley. By this time they had lit a box on fire in a neighbors' back yard. The garden site worker saw them, hollared at them and they were trapped between the police and the worker...

A long way to say that THIS IS NOT PARK ENHANCEMENT. THIS PARK DESTRUCTION. AND IT NEGATES THE PURPOSE THIS COMMUNITY ASKED FOR THIS PARK, that is, SO LITTLE CHILDREN COULD PLAY IN A BEAUTIFUL AND SAFE environment. This is PRECISELY why we asked for specific rules to be placed on the sign, and to be enforced.

PARENTS with small children ARE NOT ABLE to bring their children IN AT THEIR CONVENIENCE. Maybe they are able to sneak them in when the bullies are not around. THIS IS AN INSULT TO GOOD PARENTS.

Are these young teens supervised? ARE THEIR PARENTS BRINGING THEM IN?
NO!
Definitely, I AM ASKING THE PARK ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE to meet with parent and community reps to go over again WITH US, Here in the neighborhood, the suggested rules we offered in a collaborative spirit. And I want YOU as our laiason to make this happen as soon as possible, as the school term is over in a few weeks.

Our North of Howard Parks Advisory Council meets Tues, June 20. IT would be terrific if this could be accomplished before that meeting.

Sincerely,
Sr. Cecilia
Other Correspondence
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Quote of the Day

2006-06-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

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1340 West Morse

"Gordon added that there's,
"not a concentration of poor people here,
just a concentration of poor management,"

49th Ward Aldermanic candidate Don Gordon from
'Gooning' worries Rogers Parkers article
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What's Next, Popeye's?

2006-06-08T04:59:00.001-07:00

Alderman wants to limit fatty, fried fast food

Sun Times- If the City Council can ban foie gras, a fatty liver delicacy that most Chicagoans have never tasted and cannot afford, why not ban a product that's known to cause obesity and heart disease? Chicago's most powerful alderman raised that question Wednesday, then began to answer it -- by thinking out loud. More.....
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Early Campaigning

2006-06-08T04:59:00.000-07:00

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"Yep, while driving the kids to their school bus at 7:50am this morning I saw the "Joe Moore 49th Ward Satellite Service Office" set up at the Howard El, a giant poster and the candidate greeting commuters. Joe shook hands while his city staffer Wayne Frazier and a couple of $10 day-labor guys (sad, shabbily dressed guys, living on the edge, and thankful for the bucks) were handing out something. Maybe it was his new campaign literature or a flyer about the Dawson jobs program he's pushing? Many folks were gathered around their card table outside the entrance to the station"

Sent to Rogers Park Review yesterday by a neighbor
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$88Million in Budget Cuts for Schools. Why?

2006-06-07T00:50:00.000-07:00

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Chicago School District Proposes Taxes, Cuts To Balance Budget
AP-- The nation's third-largest school district on Tuesday proposed a $4.7 billion budget for 2007 that would increase property taxes and slash spending for some programs to help overcome a yawning deficit.
The Chicago Public Schools' budget for next year would include $88 million in reductions - $25 million through job cuts, a pay freeze and by shaving consultant costs, as well as $63 million in cuts for school-based programs.
``The only thing left to cut would have been teachers, and that's absolutely the wrong thing to do,'' said the district's chief executive officer, Arne Duncan. More.....
Related Story:Sun Times-CPS proposes $55 mil. tax increase
Related Story:City planning to extend 1st TIF: no payday for schools
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Does Rogers Park Need A Similar Program?

2006-06-06T06:20:00.000-07:00

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City Council Approves Ordinances Supporting the Preservation of 236 Units of Affordable Rental Housing

May 24,2006
The Chicago City Council today approved two ordinances,( Dept. of Housing, May 24 ) with a commitment of $25 million, supporting the preservation of 236 units of affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income families and seniors.

Britton Budd Apartments
The first ordinance approves the transfer of up to $20 million in tax-exempt bond financing to the Chicago Housing Authority, providing funds for the rehabilitation and preservation of 173 units of senior housing. The CHA will use the allocation to generate approximately $15.4 million in tax credit equity for the renovation of the Britton Budd Apartments at 501 W. Surf St. in the City's 44th Ward, furthering the CHA's redevelopment mission.
The $34.8 million project will include new apartment amenities, exterior work and a full scale renovation of plumbing, electrical and heating systems. Once the rehabilitation is completed, the project-based Section 8 development will have 36 studios and 137 one-bedroom apartments for low- to moderate-income seniors, ranging in size from 600 to 820 square feet. Britton Budd Apartments are located within the nationally registered Lakeview Historic District.

Note:Sent to Rogers Park Review from a neighbor.
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Quote of the Day

2006-06-06T05:54:00.000-07:00

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Every once in awhile something is introduced that makes us wonder thoughtfully:
“Why the hell did it take so long for the ad wizards to come up with that one?”

More from the Chicagoist.....
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Quote of the Day

2006-06-05T05:46:00.000-07:00

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"If you have any cash lying around, think about investing in some West Side speculation - it'll pay off in 20 years or so." More from Second City Cop....
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Letter to Crain's Chicago Business

2006-06-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

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From: "Hugh J. Devlin"
To: editor@chicagobusiness.com
Subject: City planning to extend 1st TIF: no payday for schools
Crains Chicago Business, May 29, 2006

When our local politicians and the real estate developers who sponsor them, pitch Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts to our communities, we are told that we are investing in our future, that we are making sacrifices to grow our property tax base. But no TIF in Chicago has ever expired and now it looks like they never will. Our home town's first and most lucrativeTIF, the Central Loop TIF, was established in 1984, and is supposed to expire next year.

Central Loop TIF profile
http://ncbg.org/tifs/tifprofile.aspx?id=15

Since 1984 the Central Loop TIF has collected nearly $1B. Sure, Millennium Park looks mahvelous, but recall that in Chicago roughly half of every property tax dollar goes to our public schools. The Central Loop TIF has diverted roughly $500M from our schools to developers.

Recently, the Central Loop TIF is collecting nearly $100M a year. If the Central Loop TIF
were to expire next year as we were promised back in1984, our schools would see
roughly $50M a year in enhanced operating revenues.

TIF expiration is the pot of gold at the end of the TIF rainbow, the big pay-off we have all
been sacrificing for more than two decades toachieve. As a school funding crisis looms, our local politicians move to bolster their war chest for their developer pals. Our City's plans to extend their1st TIF expose TIFs for what they are: corporate welfare for campaign contributors. Our City has hijacked a temporary development tool and are poised to make City-awarded property tax rebates for big guys a permanent feature of our property tax landscape.

Our City made a pact with property owners back in 1984. We need to hold them to it.

Hugh J. Devlin

Note:Reprinted with Permission
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Quote of the Day

2006-06-03T04:59:00.000-07:00

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"The National Assn. of Charter School Authorizers was drawn to Chicago’s central U.S. location and its deep reserves of not-for-profit talent, said President Greg Richmond, a former Chicago Public Schools (CPS) official. It will be based at 105 W. Adams St." More from Crain's....
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NOH Washington Play Lot Issue

2006-06-02T18:28:00.000-07:00

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Sent to Rogers Park Review by a neighbor.
From Sister Cecilia
To: Steele, Robert
Sent: Friday, June 02, 2006 4:49 PM
Subject: Fwd_RE_Washington PlayLot Sign.eml

Robert,
We were sadly disappointed to read that the community input to the making of the sign was discarded without speaking directly to us. As you know, when we first talked with you, we said that we wanted to be part of a conversation with the park district on the make up of the rules for this playlot, before the decision was made. That was your job, Robert, to be our advocate, and to see that we were included, not excluded, from the conversation and decision.

Who is this "Park Enhancement Committee"? Have they ever visited this neighborhood? Why were we not invited to be part of this conversation? I thought the community was something other than a rubber stamp. I thought the community was to be part of a collaborative effort to make our parks more effective and safe, livable, etc....use whatever words to want for "enhancement".

Certainly a trashed park, constantly having to repair equipment and thereby not having on-going usable equipment for the children, keeping a "threat" to the safety of little ones for whom this park was built by bigger children, and teens overrunning the park, not really caring for the little ones, and the sadness and disgust of parents who tell us, "I can no longer bring my children in here to play" is not "PARK ENHANCEMENT".

A few park rules, enforced (otherwise - why have rules, they mean NOTHING) consistantly and fairly, would make this new park something to be proud of.

I understand, in fact, you told me, that communities can have special rules put on the sign due to particular circumstances of the community. Robert, this is a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT, and almost a "slap in the face" to a community who have been trying to work with the park district to provide a quality park for the community.

I would ask that before that sign is made, that you as our laiason and advocate, make it possible for us to have a meeting with this "Park Enhancement Committee", here in our neighborhood, to go over our proposed rules with them.

Sister Cecilia

From NHNA
Sister Cecilia,
The North Howard Neighbors Association stands with the NoH Parks Advisory Council 100% on this matter! You can count on our support.
M Luckenbach
NHNA
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Quote of the Day

2006-06-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

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Madigan asks court to block ComEd auction
In today’s filing, the Attorney General asks the Supreme Court to take up the issue on an expedited basis and halt the state’s preparation work on the auction in the meantime.

“It’s really an extraordinary request,” says Susan Hedman, senior assistant attorney general. “But this is an extraordinary situation.”
More...

Quote of the Day

2006-06-01T07:20:00.000-07:00

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"These students and their families have shown a heroic commitment to their education, and they deserve to be recognized for that." CPS Chief Executive Officer Arne Duncan said. More...
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Do You Think the Police Bike Patrols Help ?

2006-06-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

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Police Bike Patrols are Back
Two uniformed officers on bicycles stopped 4 young men on suspicion of selling drugs on the 7600 block of North Bosworth last night at approximately 10pm. The men had gathered on the west side of the street in front of the single family homes located between the Northpoint and the Broadmoor buildings. The four men were asked for their identification and searched. According to one officer, no drugs were found but one or more of the men had a large amount of cash. The officers explained to the four men and two passerby that loitering in this manner was illegal and were asked to disperse after the officers determined that the men did not live on the block.
Gary Fuschi
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Quote of the Day

2006-05-31T08:16:00.000-07:00

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"[The classes] speak of how the [citizenship] exam will be," Briones said. "[They have] also helped me because I am still learning English, a little history about the rights of citizens and about their responsibilities." More....
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Quote of the Day

2006-05-30T03:04:00.000-07:00

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Since 2004, the Department of Natural Resources has been preparing a multimillion-dollar renovation of the dam that would make it less hazardous, said Gary Clark, director of the agency's Office of Water Resources.
"We were hoping to get it fixed before we had another accident there," Clark said. "This was selected as our No. 1 project." More....
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Quote of the Day

2006-05-29T05:57:00.001-07:00

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'Oh, I knew it was gone,' said Bonds, who hit his 49th career homer off Colorado. 'I knew it was definitely gone. There was no doubt.' More...
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Lexie's Former Favorite Spot

2006-05-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

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While conventional wisdom in Chicago suggests that there are only two seasons in our calendar year, winter and construction, anyone who gardens or takes care of a front lawn and or parkway space knows that there is another season: The Growing Season.

I thought about this today as I watched a sleepy man, still in his pajamas stop in front of a house that wasn’t his and let his dog meander and do his business on the front lawn and garden. I have admired this garden for years and I always try to pass by a few times a year just to check it out.

I don’t know the owners, but through the gardener’s grapevine, I‘ve been told that they designed, planted and meticulously maintain this garden and front lawn themselves. It’s beautiful.

Obviously, this man was too sleepy or too oblivious to care that his dog was creating a mess on someone’s carefully maintained property and I wondered why he thought that was ok. I used to have a daily morning war of words with a man who allowed his dog to urinate daily on my boxwood shrubs ( whose scent naturally attracts dogs) when I had a front yard garden too. He refused to listen to reason so every morning the sprinkler was turned on just before he arrived. He found another yard soon enough.

By now, the dog owners who are reading are probably getting upset. Perhaps you are thinking that I harbor some pet peeve against dogs or maybe I’m a crabby old man and just hate all animals in general. Hhmm, not so fast neighbors because there happen to be 16 legs walking around in our house, not including the millipede I saw yesterday. Our collection includes 2 humans, 2 cats and a dog. Although I do get crabby more than I should, I’m anything but an animal hater.

So, I think I can straddle this issue fairly between dog owners and gardeners because I think there IS an issue. I’m not the only gardener / property owner this happens to and the man I saw today is not the same one who used to let his dog kill my boxwood.

Plain and simple: I think it’s rude. It’s un neighborly and …..well, I’ll just leave it there.

Urine Damage

Lexi's Former Favorite Spot

Most dog owners are surprised to learn that dog urine is not harmless.

“Oh, he’s just peeing. What’s the big deal? “

Well, it is a big deal. Dog urine, especially female dog urine, is deadly and in fact it kills many plants and totally wreaks havoc on grass. I personally switch out grass for plants whenever I can but some people absolutely love grass. And I have to admit that when grass is well cared for, there is nothing like it. It makes me want to golf and I don’t golf. Well, I did once.

My neighbors down the street recently planted sod on their front lawn and parkway and it looks great. Unfortunately, this was one of Lexie’s favorite spots to do her business and as soon as the stakes and orange caution tape came down she of course headed straight for it.

“Lexie girl, let’s go find another spot”
On my block, there are still a few parkways that people haven’t spent a lot of time and money improving and ours is one of them so far. Our building has had bigger issues to deal with like the $8000.00 we’ve had to spend “fixing” our perfectly good porch to comply with the cities’ new building code. But that is a story for another day.

Parkway planting is becoming increasingly popular and as more and more of these spaces that we don’t really own get planted with sod, gardens and gated, there will be fewer and fewer “neighborly” spots for our dogs to go. Look, I know this isn’t the biggest issue facing our community but it is one of those daily “quality of life” things that tend to make both property and dog owners mad.

We all want our neighborhood to look great and I appreciate my neighbors who take the time to beautify their property and the parkway too. But as you can see from the pictures, urine is deadly and it is a pain in the butt and the wallet to repair.
So, what’s the solution?

Gary Fuschi

Some Lawn Repair Advice.... .
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Quote of the Day

2006-05-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

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“We decline the implicit invitation to embroil ourselves in questions of what constitutes ‘legitimate journalism,” he wrote. “The shield law is intended to protect the gathering and dissemination of news, and that is what petitioners did here.” -Justice Conrad Rushing of the 6th District Court of Appeal wrote in a unanimous 69-page ruling
More from BuzzMachine...
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What Do You Think?

2006-05-25T03:53:00.000-07:00

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Council pay could be increased $5,000 a year
For weeks, aldermen have been whispering among themselves about who would take the first step.
"I'm tired of hearing people talk about it," Stone said. "I wanted to introduce something and get it on the table. As far as I'm concerned I'm worth that money." More...

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From NewCity Chicago

2006-05-25T01:13:00.000-07:00

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A Matter of Taste
Welcome to the summer of the foie gras frenzy
The ban itself is morally relative. How can the aldermen designate one form of animal slaughter as more torturous than others? How can they be meat-eating, leather-wearing legislators with no plans for other laws?
When I called the bill's chief proponent, Alderman Joe Moore, and asked if he had ever eaten foie gras, he said, "I may have. I didn't know what I was eating. But I am told by a friend of mine that dined with me at one of our trendy restaurants, a while back, this is before the controversy kinda blew up last year, that it may have been part of an appetizer that was served to us. But I honestly can't remember it and I can't remember what it tasted like." More....

Note: Sent to the Rogers Park Review by a Reader
Thanx gf
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From YoChicago

2006-05-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

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Despite idiotic name, nice design for "Juneway Jungle" condo.
What is it with real estate developers and the stupid names they pick for their projects? Case in point: the Esoterica, at 1528 W Jonquil Terrace, where units range from $349,000 to $499,000 and where an appealing design redeems the judgment lapse in branding. More....

Brand New Landscaping Too.
gf
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From The Daily Herald

2006-05-23T04:15:00.000-07:00

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Do You Agree?

Student bloggers beware:
School district now can issue punishments based on what's on Web
Blogs that depict Libertyville or Vernon Hills high school students involved in illegal or inappropriate behavior could officially lead to disciplinary action under a much-publicized policy adopted Monday night.The Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 board unanimously approved the policy by updating the codes of conduct for students in athletic, fine arts and extracurricular programs. The rules are effective starting in the 2006-07 term. More......
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Do You Agree With This Proposed Legislation?

2006-05-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

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Parents could be fined for school violence, City Council measure calls for `safety zone'
Tribune
In a move to crack down on school violence, Chicago aldermen have advanced a measure that calls for stiff fines and possibly jail time for anyone involved in violence at or near a city school.Ald. Michael Zalewski (23rd Ward) said Saturday that he supports the effort as a way to "strengthen a safety zone around schools where we see a spike in violence. We want to make it safer for students, faculty and residents of the community."The measure, expected to come before the City Council on Wednesday, calls for fines of $500 to $1,000 and/or jail time of up to 6 months for anyone convicted of battery within 1,000 feet of a Chicago school--including private schools. More...
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Poll

2006-05-20T03:57:00.000-07:00

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Should
English
be the official language
of the United States?
The Northwest Herald
Results....

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Molly Ivins, Creators Syndicate

2006-05-20T02:32:00.000-07:00

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The Politics of
Lunacy
Molly Ivins, Creators Syndicate
I hate to raise such an ugly possibility, but have you considered lunacy as an explanation? I mean, you announce you are going to militarize the Mexican border, but you assure the president of Mexico you are not militarizing the border. You announce you are sending the National Guard, but then you assure everyone it's not very many soldiers and just for a little while.
Militarizing the border is a totally terrible idea. Do we have a State Department? How much do you want to infuriate Mexico when it's sitting on quite a bit of oil?It's quite possible that lunacy and politics are closely related. It's damned hard for the Guard, though, which continues to be heavily deployed in Iraq. And the Army Reserve is "in grave danger of being unable to meet other operational requirements," according to Lt. Gen. James Helmly, head of the Army Reserve. Happy hurricane season to you too. More....
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Could Rogers Park Support a Farmers Market?

2006-05-18T03:38:00.000-07:00

Farmers' work, challenges are always growing
Tribune
I'd ridden the "L" downtown Tuesday, thinking I'd write a sunny little ode to Chicago's summer romance with its farmers markets. The markets, which begin opening this week, are as close as many of us get to the part of the Midwestern soul that still resides in its soil. More......

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Muggers Guide to NU

2006-05-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

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The mugger's guide to NU
Tony Evans The Daily Northwestern 5/16/06
Do you want to make money and meet new people? Do you want to be your own boss and set your own hours? Are you an Evanston male age 18 to 25? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you might fit the profile for a career in professional wealth reallocation.Mugging is one of the fastest growing job sectors in the Evanston area. Northwestern students are an untapped natural resource that could make YOU rich TODAY. And the best part about being a mugger is that you can show up to work drunk. Just follow these simple steps and you'll be mugging like a pro in no time! More.....

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Should United Get Concessions from City?

2006-05-16T04:09:00.000-07:00

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United lines up for a squeeze play
Crain's Chicago Business Airlines may move downtown, but not until Glenn Tilton gets what he wants. Before moving its headquarters downtown, United Airlines can be expected to demand rich concessions from city and state officials. More........

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New Signs at 7644 North Sheridan

2006-05-15T04:57:00.000-07:00

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Letter to Alderman Moore

2006-05-15T04:45:00.000-07:00

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Alderman Moore,

I noticed recently that there is a Public Notice: Application for a Tavern ( file# 177-s ) sign posted in the window of 7644 North Sheridan Road. Application was apparently filed on April 25, 2006 with the Department of Zoning. There are also new temporary signs above the entrance which announce Food, Music and Dance in The Island Grove Café.

In our earlier correspondence, you had opposed the liquor license request for this owner at this location and your office was in the process of gathering information on the current owner in regards to the liquor license request.

Could you please provide an update on the status of the information, liquor license request and any information your office might have regarding the The Island Grove Café.

Sincerely,
Gary Fuschi
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From The Daily Southtown

2006-05-13T06:28:00.000-07:00

Should anthem be only in English?
Saturday, May 13, 2006
To coincide with the May 1 immigrant rallies, some Latin American artists recorded a Spanish version of "The Star Spangled Banner." President Bush said our national anthem should always be sung in English. Do you agree with the president?

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Charles Madigan, Tribune

2006-05-11T07:38:00.000-07:00

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The financial side of ethics
May 9, 2006,
What a wonderful thing congressional reform is, like spring itself, coming along to signal big ethical changes for the better.
Perhaps not.
Pretend for a minute that we were allowed to run our lives the way Congress does.Say you robbed a bank with a bar of soap carved into the shape of a gun and you were captured by a tough, towel-wielding federal agent shouting, "Drop the soap!"
You would be indicted by a federal grand jury, perhaps convicted, then sent to the slammer for a good piece of time because, in the real world, money is protected against such things.
But if we lived the way Congress does, the outcome would be a lot more jolly.

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About Blogging

2006-05-11T05:47:00.000-07:00

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Citizen Journalism
Chi Town Daily News
What is citizen journalism? It's an opportunity for you to get involved in producing the news, instead of just reading it or watching it on TV.There's a growing sentiment that one reason newspapers are losing so many readers is that they're unapproachable, arrogant and insistent that only they have information worth passing on.

PressThink
Top Ten Ideas of '04: Open Source Journalism, Or "My Readers Know More Than I Do."
The audience always knew more, but it didn't have a network for pulling its scattered self together. An atomized public needed the journalist to know for it. That's how we got a professionalized press. Now Gillmor says his readers know more than he does. Open Source journalism builds on that insight.
It was always true that the readership of the San Jose Mercury News knew more than the editors and writers employed by the Merc. But so what? There was no way the readers could awaken and mobilize that knowledge or use it to inform themselves. There was no easy way for them to communicate horizontally (also called peer-to-peer) in order to share and sift what they knew.
The audience always knew more than the journalist about a great many things, but it didn’t have a network for pulling its scattered self together. The public needed the press to know for it. These are the foundations of a professionalized press.
That was then. Gillmor saw, long before others in his profession, that once an effective horizontal network (the Web) arrived, professional journalism had a natural competitor. It’s not that blogs will suddenly rise up and “replace” the traditional media in the market to inform the public.
It’s that blogging is only one part of a larger development........

Note: There will be more discussion about this trend and the direction of the Rogers Park Review in the next few days.