47th Ward Alderman Ameya Pawar

The approximately 25 neighbors and business owners that attended a public meeting at the Revere Park Fieldhouse on Tuesday evening objected to the proposed residential development at 4131 North Rockwell (Rockwell between Berteau and Belle Plaine) but for different reasons.  Most of the discussion came from neighbors immediately adjacent to the proposed development. The adjacent residential neighbors supported a residential use but only in single family homes.  One neighboring business owner and a representative from the LEED Council, a quazi-governmental industrial development organization, objected to a change to residential preferring to leave a commercial/industrial use.  Opinions varied but one thing seemed clear—nobody wanted the proposed development.

Developer and ward resident Rob Schildgren seeks a zoning change from manufacturing to a residential permissive zoning in order to construct a four unit townhome development. Mr. Schildgren described his “green” development which would likely be the first house in the City to meet the U.S. Department of Energy’s Builders Challenge—a program to encourage and highlight energy efficient, renewable and clean technologies in home construction. The proposed development consists of four townhome units for 20” by 50” homes of 2100 square feet plus a full basement with a two car detached garage.  The target price for each is $650,000 to $700,000.

47^th Ward Alderman Ameya Pawar attended the meeting. He explained his zoning change approval process.  He also explained the competing interests that he must take into consideration in deciding where to recommend this zoning change in the City Council. One of his principal concerns is the development’s impact on Coonley School.  Alderman Pawar expects to make a decision on the zoning change request in about a week.

See more photos from the event at the Welles Park Bulldog facebook page.

40th Ward Alderman Pat O'Connor Talks to a Constituent

40th Ward Alderman Patrick O’Connor hosted a meeting to discuss development plans for the Edgewater Hospital property this past Tuesday at St. Gregory High School. Approximately 200 people attended and heard Alderman O’Connor outline the current plan for the development of the former Edgewater Hospital property. Ald. O’Connor recapped the years of development, or lack thereof, as Edgewater Hospital navigated its way through the Bankruptcy Court.

After years of formulating, discussing and reformulating potential development plans for the long ago stuttered hospital, Ald. O’Connor described the current proposal. This current plan calls a twelve story apartment building on Ashland Avenue with 214 units which is down from 360 in the 2009 plan. TIF funds are to be used for demolition. Single family homes would be built on Edgewater Avenue. The most attractive part of the plan for the neighborhood is the 39,000 square feet park at the center of the development. The Chicago Park District has agreed to take title to the park, but not be responsible for maintenance.

The current plan proposal goes back to the City of Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development for further consideration and approval in the Bankruptcy Court.

See more photos from the meeting at the Welles Park Bulldog facebook page.

Ald. O'Connor at Edgewater Hospital Meeting

County Commissioner Bridget Gainer Explains County Pension Problem

Local politicians, 47th Ward Alderman Ameya Pawar, County Commissioner Bridget Gainer (D-10th Dist.), County Commissioner John Fritchey (D-12th Dist.)  and State Representative Ann Williams (D-11th Dist.), hosted a town hall meeting Thursday evening at St. Benedict High School to discuss the pension crises facing the City, County and State.  The overflow crowd heard what could only be described as a bleak situation facing property tax payers.  Alderman Pawar described the massive liability that the City Council and the Mayor must act to avoid before 2015. Similarly, County Commissioners Bridget Gainer and John Fritchey described the systemic problems faced by the county pension funds. State Representative Ann Williams, who had just returned from Springfield, brought everyone up to speed on events in the Springfield to address the State of Illinois pension crisis. Also in attendance were 45th Ward Alderman John Arena and former Cook County Controller and former County Pension Fund Chairman John Chambers.

See more photos from the Town Hall Meeting at the Welles Park Bulldog facebook page.

Surrounded by his family Chicago teacher Emilo Perez addresses the the meeting stating" We did not leave the classroom, we expanded it." in reference to CTU's job action this week. Photo Credit: Jane Rickard

On day two of the Chicago  teachers strike a group of Chicago Public School parents, teachers and supporters met at Luther Memorial Hall for a “Strike Camp”.  Speakers included Emilio Perez who spoke movingly of the need of the country to educate the 98% and to respect all children of all abilities. Karen Soto a PK teacher and union representative from Waters who gave an update on the contract talks.Lastly Francie Reiser spoke briefly on the specific issues that had been settled in the contract.  The biggest interruption of the night when a local resident was singled out for taking notes and “writing everything down that we say” by  Waters teacher Karen Soto from the podium.  The gentleman in question Les Nister, identified himself and the fact he had been invited to attend by community activist Pete Leiki.

The meeting ended with a call to action and a request for all attending to contact their elected officials and support the strikers in any possible.

To view a gallery of the days events please follow the link to our FaceBook page;

https://www.facebook.com/The.Chicago.Bulldog 

Mike Roberts and Alderman Ameya Pawar

The new West 47th Neighborhood Assoication and its spokesman, Mike Roberts, hosted a one hour public meeting open to area residents for 47th Ward Alderman Ameya Pawar to answer questions concerning several development proposals for the former Illinois Battery property on the southeast corner of Irving Park Road and Campbell Thursday evening at the Revere Park Field House.  A group of neighbors around Revere Park formed the organization within the last few weeks in response to a proposed developments on the Irving Park Road site.  A door-to-door effort raised awareness of the development proposals prompting neighbors to ask Alderman Pawar for a meeting.  Pawar explained the history of the development proposals for the site.  Mike Roberts asked questions to Alderman Pawar.  The North Center Neighborhood Association plans a further meeting to discuss housing issues in North Center next Tuesday, July 24, 2012, at Revere Park Fieldhouse.

See more photos from the meeting at the Welles Park Bulldog facebook page.

On the other hand Paula Basta has had a long record of service to seniors, most recently as a director of the North Side Levy Senior Center.

Paula Basta. Credit: PaulaBasta.com

The race has gained attention not just for the refusal of Basta to step aside for Cassidy. Cassidy was appointed to the fill the term by Democratic Ward Bosses after Harry Osterman resigned the seat to accept his election to Chicago City Council, but for the infighting in the lesbian community.

Cassidy received a key endorsement early in the campaign from Equality Illinois PAC. The LGBT group counted Basta on its board of directors.

The group acknowledged Basta, but said it would support sitting LGBT candidates in preference to challenging candidates.

Both candidates acknowledge the split in the community, but downplay any lasting effects. And interviews with the candidates indicate there is more respect between the two, than disdain.

“I think Kelly and I are running great campaigns,” Basta told The Welles Park Bulldog.

Cassidy noted she thought the key difference between the candidates was her effectiveness.

Cassidy has become a master at using bills to put forward a provocative progressive agenda. Despite doubts about the viability, Cassidy got the other LGBT statehouse reps to back her in pushing for gay marriage this year. She gained the attention of the National Rifle Association, proposing a tax on the retail sale of ammunition, earmarking the proceeds for trauma centers.

And, Cassidy countered the push for an Illinois trans vaginal ultrasound requirement for anyone requesting abortion with an amendment requiring men to view a video on the potential side effects of erectile dysfunction medications. The video would include a medically realistic description of treatment for priapism and other side effects.

Kelly Cassidy, candidate for 14th District State House. Credit: Illinois General Assembly

Priapism is better known as the ‘four-hour’ erection featured in ads for Cialis. The cure for priapism is very unpleasant.

She dismisses NRA concerns about the loss of second amendment rights due to her tax proposal and dismisses criticisms leveled by such sites as Capitol Fax which have said her numerous bills are “red meat for her constituents.”

Since the moment I arrived in Chicago I’ve been in the thick of things,” Cassidy told The Bulldog. “This is who I am forever.”

Rich Miller of the Capitol Fax says “I’ve teased Cassidy about her slew of bill sponsorships in person, and she insists that she fully supports the policies. That’s undoubtedly true. She’s not pushing bills she opposes. But she is focusing on some of the highest profile legislation in the House right now, so there’s really no way to deny that this isn’t also political. She’s simply working the tried and true program for anyone in a tough race, and doing it better than many.”

Basta in turn has quietly pointed to Cassidy’s background as a deputy campaign manager and legislative aide for Senate President John Cullerton. Basta’s ethics pledge is being considered a direct challenge to the Illinois Senate President and House Speaker Michael Madigan by some observers, including A-Ville Daily, an Andersonville News site that has come out swinging for Basta.

Basta started the year with $63,697 in campaign contributions and has gathered another $9,500 in reported contributions, only one contribution for $2,000 coming from outside Chicago. That contribution was from “Bridget Basta” of Garfield Heights, Ohio.

Basta is originally from Cleveland and this is undoubtedly a family contribution.

Cassidy started the year with $40,467 in the bank. Since then she has gathered $102,980 in reported contributions. But of those only a handful are from neighbors:

• Leo Smith (husband to Ill. Sen. Heather Steans) $1,000
• Fred Eychaner (owner of News Web) $2,000
• Richard Dennis $5,000

The support of the machine for Cassidy has been a continuing issue in the campaign. Cassidy’s appointment was clouded first by the decision of Harry Osterman to run for both Illinois Statehouse and Chicago City Council in overlapping election periods.

Osterman ran unopposed for the statehouse in November 2010, gathering 21,432 votes. Then in the February 2011 election, a month after being sworn in as the statehouse rep, he defeated four opponents to take the 48th Ward seat in City Council.

In that election Osterman received 81.36 percent of the vote, banking 10,465 votes. None of his opposition broke 1,000 or gathered more than six percent of the vote.

Due to the composition of the 14^th District, the selection of a person to fill Osterman’s term was thrown to the Democratic bosses of the wards composing the district. Four wards could vote, but only one vote was important. Because of state rules the votes were weighted with 48^th Ward boss Carol Ronen having more than 50 percent of the weight.

Ronen’s support for Cassidy has led to reinvigorating the debate over how Ronen received a large pension bump prior to retiring when convicted Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich named her to serve for six weeks as senior advisor.

“When it came down to it, the Ronen connection to Cassidy, and the entire machine support for Cassidy made me support Basta,” Avy Meyers, the host of North Town News Magazine told The Bulldog. There aren’t two independents running, Meyers said. There is Basta and a machine candidate.

Basta said Meyers support has been critical in raising awareness of her candidacy among Jewish voters in the district.

Go to the Paula Basta for State Representative site

Go to the Citizens for Kelly Cassidy site

The LinkedIn Pages

• Kelly Cassidy
• Paula Basta (1)
• Paula Basta (2)

A-Ville Daily

Bill sponsorships by Kelly Cassidy in the General Assembly

A schedule of campaign contributions to Kelly Cassidy reported to the Illinois Board of Elections (since 1/1/12)

A schedule of campaign contributions to Paula Basta reported to the Illinois Board of Elections (since 1/1/12)

Map of district

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny

Chicago’s 56^th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Ravenswood resident, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, welcomed Irish Taoiseach (the Irish word for prime minister) Enda Kenny to this year’s festivities in honor the patron saint of Ireland, Patrick.  Tens of thousands of Chicagoans celebrated the warmest St. Patrick’s Day in this history of the Parade.  Illinois Senate President and Ravenswood Manor resident, John Cullerton, marched again this year with his Cullerton Marchers, a long time fixture in the Parade.  Illinois Attorney General and North Center resident, Lisa Madigan, marches with the Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick and rode on her own float.  40^th Ward Alderman Patrick O’Connor marched with his 40^th Ward marching group.  Illinois Supreme Court Justice and Ravenswood resident, Mary Jane Theis marched with her own unit as well.  See more photos from the parade on the Welles Park Bulldog facebook page.

As the Chicago Sun-Times reported earlier, “bodies are piling up… stacked atop each other in blue plastic tarps against a wall of the storage cooler.”

In the aftermath, the Cook County Board of Commissioners is moving to change the way the  Medical Examiner,  Dr. Nancy Jones serves. Jones, it was learned, has what amounts to an appointment for life.

According to the language submitted by Commissioners John Fritchey and Jeff Tobolski, “The Medical Examiner, once approved by the Board, shall serve at the direction of the President and may be removed at the request of the President, subject to a vote of a majority of the members of the Cook County Board.”

Tobolski issued a statement saying, “for a family to have their loved one’s remians shuffled around at this Morgue like they’re a returned sweater without a tag is wholly unacceptable. There are no more excuses, just incompetence run amok.”

A way to save you and your pet the anxiety of being lost: get a digital ID at a special event at Heal, 4108 N Rockwell, February 11, 2-4P, $20

While public outrage has given politicians a mandate to act, the idea was met with some skepticism. Republican Commissioner Tim Schneider (15th District) asked rhetorically, “Why was the medical examiner’s term lifetime? Was it to avoid politics? Probably!”

Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman worried that Dr. Jones was being put out to take the fall for a much bigger problem. Fritchey hoped to have the ordinance voted on by the full board today, but instead the rest of the board only approved moving it to committee.

The legislation now heads to the Finance Committee chaired by Cook County Commissioner John Daley. Dr. Jones will be one of those called to testify when the Finance Committee has its hearing.