Sunday, January 30, 2011

Early Voting Information

Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago

Early Voting Starts Monday, January 31, 2011

For the 41st Ward:
Roden Library
6083 N. Northwest Highway
Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Wildwood Local School Council's Aldermanic Forum Information

41st Ward Aldermanic Candidate Forum

Tuesday, February 8 at 7:00 - 9:00 PM • Wildwood World Magnet School (Gymnasium), 6590 N. Hiawatha Ave.

The Wildwood Local School Council (LSC) will be hosting a 41st Ward Aldermanic Candidate Forum two weeks before the election. This is a nonpartisan debate and all active candidates are encouraged to participate.

The forum will be conducted in a round-robin format. All candidates will answer every question put forth by a moderator. The core topics will be educational (how we can improve the quality of education, student performance and facilities in the 41st Ward’s public schools?) and related issues (transportation/public services, economic development, and other concerns that affect public education).

The Wildwood LSC will solicit questions from students, parents, community organizations, and the general public, and then select representative questions to ask the candidates.

Don’t miss this chance to hear the candidates address these issues.

For further information contact John Blake at 773-517-1231 or via email.

Friday, January 28, 2011

The Airport Expansion Project - New Developments


UPDATE:  In the comments 
O'Hare Airport is the second busiest airport in the world and exists within the 41st Ward.  It would be interesting to hear from the candidates about airport issues:

1.  The O'Hare Expansion Project:   The project is about 50% completed/50% undone at this stage and finding the money to complete it has been very difficult.  The major airlines who initially committed to partially financing the project have indicated that the current economic climate has hurt air travel and there may not be a need to expand after all.  The two major airlines involved have filed a lawsuit because they want to halt financing plans for the projects they have not yet approved.  The city wants to begin construction in time for the spring season.

The mayor wants to move forward with the expansion, and the city was positioned to sell about 1.2 billion dollars in airport bonds this week.  Selling the bonds is on hold until the outcome of the airlines lawsuit is made. While airline approval is not needed for borrowing, the airline carriers are challenging the city’s ability to proceed with the construction of projects that would be financed with the bond proceeds.  Every layer of gov't is involved including state legislators and the feds too.  Will the next 41st Ward Alderman see his/her involvement in this project as important?  And why?

  • Should the O'Hare Expansion Project continue? And in what manner?  It has been one of the largest construction projects in the country over the last few years and it is managed by the Chicago Department of Aviation (http://flychicago.com/).
  • How will it be financed?  The city is now trying to sell over 1 billion in airport bonds and plans to sell another 1.5 billion in the near future to pay for the next phase of the 6.6 billion dollar expansion project.
  • How will  continuing and/or not continuing the expansion project impact the communities in the 41st ward? 

2.  The Airport and the Environment
  • The last Illinois EPA Air Monitoring assessment of  communities surrounding the airport, was done in the year 2000, from what I could find; almost eleven years ago.  Will the next alderman try to push the Illinois EPA to perform annual and on-going testing of the air, soil and water in and around our communities?
  • What steps has the city and the ward taken to be involved in the "Airports Going Green" Program.

3.  The Airport and Noise
  • What on-going efforts has the city made on our behalf to monitor, mitigate and abate air travel noise  within the 41st Ward?

Readers:  What other airport questions should the aldermanic candidates be answering?

The Next 41st Ward Alderman

What qualities do you think the 41st Ward Alderman should have and why?

Send a comment.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Sun-Times Disregards Qualified Independent Candidates

The Chicago Sun-Times endorsed an under qualified candidate for 41st Ward Alderman today.

There are a couple of 41st Ward Aldermanic Candidates who have the education, qualifications, knowledge and experience to run the ward, in my opinion. They happen to be independent candidates.  A political party candidate, O'Connor, has money and support from a special interest group and a political party with a long history of corrupt behavior in the city, and unfortunately received an endorsement from the Sun-Times.

The Sun Times newspaper editorial board bows to political parties and special interest groups who buy their advertising. Good, solid independent candidates, who are qualified for the position and would be best for the well being of the community are being mowed over in the aldermanic candidate endorsement process.


Editorial: More endorsements for aldermanic races - Chicago Sun-Times

Sunday, January 23, 2011

41st Ward Candidates' Financial Disclosure Information

Take a look at who is financing aldermanic campaigns for the candidates in the 41st Ward:

Which candidates are primarily supported by businesses (local & non-local)?

Which candidates are primarily backed by his neighbors, friends and family who live in the ward?





Candidate Disclosure Search

Saturday, January 22, 2011

TIFS and the 41st Ward. Questions we need to be asking...

Tax Increment Financing (TIFs):

Simply put, a percentage of property tax money in designated areas called "TIF Districts" is put in a separate budget set aside for economic development:  housing, job training, corporates subsidies, infrastructure, schools, public safety or anything else that city officials determine will jump start economic development. 

The city benefits from the improvements in that the economic development project increases property values, and that translates into a greater tax base for the city.  "About 500 million dollars has gone into the TIF program in the last 4 years".  The TIF budget is a separate budget and is not included in the city's annual budget of about $6 billion (NYT).


TIF districts were designed to stimulate development in "blighted" areas.  Unfortunately, many TIF dollars have gone to wealthy downtown/lakefront neighborhoods in non-public decisions made by city bureaucrats and aldermen. 

One example of questionable TIF dollars use that I am aware of has to do with a project Loyola University, Lakeshore Campus proposed and  received over a million dollars in TIF funds for: renovating one of their older buildings, on campus, after it was designated to have historical significance.  Loyola University is far from "blighted", and many local community residents wondered why a rich private school was receiving money earmarked for a "blighted" community economic development project.  There needs to be reform legislation drawn up to clarify how TIFS  should work.

The 41st Ward is not a TIF district.

In the mayoral race, TIF reform is an important campaign issue.  Should the TIF program be thrown out, redesigned or halted and the current money placed in the current annual budget?  In the future, should the TIF budget be placed in the regular budget and voted on by the city council, in public?   Should we use TIF funds to hire more police?  Should a percentage be set aside for CPS, small business development, job training, throughout the entire city etc... There are many questions about how TIFs should be structured, and TIF dollars designated for appropriate projects.

How many of our aldermanic candidates are TIF savy?  I think we need to ask them what they think about the TIF program.

If the TIF program did not exist, those tax dollars would be in the general annual city budget and would go to CPD, CPS, and other city departments/programs for use throughout the city.

Endorsement Chart for all City Candidates

Endorsements - For A Better Chicago

WardFor A Better Chicago PACChicago Federation of Labor  Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce SEIU IVI-IPO Citizen Action AFSCME Chicago Teachers Union Chicago Sun-Times Chicago Tribune
 1 Proco "Joe" MorenoProco "Joe" Moreno
 Proco "Joe" Moreno
No Endorsement
Proco "Joe" Moreno
 Joe Moreno
 Proco "Joe" Moreno

 Proco "Joe" Moreno

 2
 Genita Robinson
No Endorsement
 Genita C. Robinson
Robert Fioretti
Robert Fioretti
 Robert Fioretti
 Robert Fioretti

 Genita Robinson

 3
 Pat Dowell
Pat Dowell
 Pat Dowell
Pat Dowell
Pat Dowell
 Pat Dowell
 Pat Dowell

 Pat Dowell

 4
 William "Will" Burns
William "Will" Burns
 William D. "Will" Burns
William "Will" Burns
William "Will" Burns
 William "Will"  Burns
 William "Will" Burns

 William "Will" Burns

 5
 Leslie Hairston
Leslie Hairston
 Leslie Hairston
Leslie Hairston
Leslie Hairston

 Leslie Hairston

 Leslie Hairston

 6
 No endorsement at this time
Freddrenna Lyle
 Freddrenna Lyle
Freddrenna Lyle
No Endorsement
 Freddrenna Lyle
 Freddrenna Lyle

 Freddrenna Lyle

 7
 Sandi Jackson
No Endorsement
 No endorsement
No Endorsement
Sandi Jackson
 Sandi Jackson
 Sandi Jackson

 Sandi Jackson

 8
 Michelle A. Harris
Michelle A. Harris
 Michelle A. Harris
No Endorsement
No Endorsement

 Michelle Harris

 Michelle A. Harris

 9
 Anthony Beale
Anthony Beale
 Anthony A. Beale
No Endorsement
Anthony Beale



 Anthony Beale

 10
 John Pope
John Pope
 John A. Pope
No Endorsement
No Applications



 Richard L. Martinez, Jr.

 11
 James Balcer
No Endorsement
 No Endorsement
No Endorsement
No Applications



 James A. Balcer

 12
No endorsement at this time
No Endorsement
 George Cardenas
Deferred
No Endorsement

 George Cardenas

 Jesus "Jesse" Iniguez

 13

Frank Olivo
 Marty Quinn
Marty Quinn
No Applications





 14

Ed Burke
 Ed Burke
Ed Burke
No Contest





 15
 No endorsement at this time
Toni Foulkes  No endorsement Toni Foulkes
No Endorsement
 Toni Foulkes
 Toni Foulkes

 Toni Foulkes

 16
 JoAnn Thompson
JoAnn Thompson
 No endorsement
No Endorsement
No Endorsement
 JoAnn Thompson
 JoAnn Thompson

 JoAnn Thompson

 17
 Latasha Thomas
Latasha Thomas
 Latasha R. Thomas
No Endorsement
David H. Moore



 Latasha Thomas

 18
 Lona Lane
Lona Lane
 Lona Lane
No Endorsement
Michael A. Davis
 Chuks Onyezia
 Chuks Onyezia

 Chuks Onyezia

 19
 Matt O'Shea
Matt O’Shea
 Matthew J. O'Shea
Matt O'Shea
No Endorsement

 Matt O'Shea

 Matt O'Shea

 20
 Willie Cochran
Willie Cochran
 Willie B. Cochran
No Endorsement
Che "Rhymefest" Smith

 Willie Cochran

 George E. Davis

 21
 Howard B. Brookins, Jr.
No Endorsement
 Howard B. Brookins, Jr.
Sheldon Sherman
No Endorsement



 Howard B. Brookins, Jr.

 22
 No endorsement at this time
Ricardo Munoz
 No endorsement
Ricardo Munoz
No Applications
 Ricardo Munoz
 Ricardo Munoz

 Ricardo Munoz

 23
Michael Zalewski
Michael Zalewski
 Michael R. Zalewski
No Endorsement
Charles "Chuck" Maida



 Michael Zalewski

 24
 No endorsement at this time
No Endorsement
 No endorsement
Sharon Denise Dixon
Valerie F. Leonard

 Sharon Denise Dixon

 Melissa L. Williams

 25
 Danny Solis
No Endorsement
 Daniel "Danny" Solis
Ambrosio “Ambi” Medrano Jr.
Ambrosio " Ambi" Medrano, Jr.



 Danny Solis

 26
Roberto Maldonado
No Endorsement
 Roberto Maldonado
Roberto Maldonado
No Applications



 Roberto Maldonado

 27
Walter Burnett, Jr.
Walter Burnett, Jr.
 Walter Burnett, Jr.
Walter Burnett, Jr.
Walter Burnett, Jr.
 Walter Burnett, Jr.
 Walter Burnett, Jr.

 Walter Burnett, Jr.

 28
 Jason Ervin
Jason Ervin
 Jason C. Ervin
Jason Ervin
Jason C. Ervin
 Jason Ervin
 Jason Ervin

 Jason Ervin

 29
 Deborah Graham
Deborah Graham
 No endorsement
Deborah Graham
Deborah L. Graham
 Deborah Graham
 Deborah Graham

 Deborah Graham

 30
 Ariel Reboyras
Ariel Reboyras
 Ariel E. Reboyras
Ariel Reboyras
No Endorsement
 Ariel Reboyras
 Ariel Reboyras

 Ariel Reboyras

 31

Ray Suarez
 Ray Suarez
No Endorsement
Esteban Burgoa





 32
 Scott Waguespack
Scott Waguespack
 No endorsement
Scott Waguespack
Scott Waguespack
 Scott Waguespack
 Scott Waguespack

 Scott Waguespack

 33

Richard Mell
 Richard F. Mell
No Endorsement
No Applications





 34
 Carrie Austin
Carrie Austin
 Carrie Austin
No Endorsement
Burl L. McQueen



 Carrie Austin

 35
 No endorsement at this time
Rey Colon
 No endorsement
Rey Colon
Miguel Sotomayor
 Rey Colon
 Rey Colon

 Rey Colon

 36
 John Rice
John Rice
 No endorsement
No Endorsement
No Endorsement
 John Rice
 John Rice

 John Rice

 37
 Emma Mitts
No Endorsement
 Emma Mitts
Deferred
No Applications



 Emma Mitts

 38
 Timothy Cullerton
Timothy Cullerton
 No endorsement
Timothy Cullerton
No Endorsement
 Timothy Cullerton
 Tim Cullerton

 Tom Caravette

 39
 Margaret Laurino
Margaret Laurino
 Margaret Laurino
No Endorsement No Endorsement  Margaret Laurino
 40Patrick O’Connor  Patrick J. O'ConnorNo Endorsement No Contest
 41 No endorsement at this timeNo Endorsement  No endorsementMary O'Connor No Endorsement  Mary O'Connor
 42Brendan Reilly  Brendan ReillyBrendan ReillyNo Contest  Brendan Reilly
 43 No endorsement at this timeCarmen Olmetti  Tim EganNo Endorsement Charles E. Eastwood  Tim Egan Michelle Smith
 44No Endorsement  Thomas M. TunneyNo Endorsement No Contest
 45No endorsement at this time Marina Faz-HuppertNo endorsementMarina Faz-Huppert John Arena  Marina Faz-Huppert Marina Faz-Huppert
John Arena
 46No endorsement at this time No Endorsement  Mary Anne "Molly" PhelanNo Endorsement Don Nowotny Emily Stewart 
 47 Tom O'DonnellGene Schulter  No endorsementNo Endorsement
 Gene Schulter Eugene SchulterAmeya Pawar 
 48 Harry OstermanHarry Osterman  Harry OstermanNo Endorsement Harry Osterman
 Harry Osterman
 Harry Osterman
Harry Osterman 
 49 No endorsement at this timeJoe Moore  No endorsementJoe Moore Joe Moore  Joe Moore Joe MooreJoe Moore 
 50 Debra SilversteinDebra Silverstein  Bernard L. StoneDebra Silverstein Greg Brewer  Debra Silverstein Debra Silverstein Debra Silverstein

Who’s funding group donating to City Council candidates? Don’t ask - Chicago Sun-Times

This will be interesting....


Who’s funding group donating to City Council candidates? Don’t ask - Chicago Sun-Times

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Comments about the Edison Park Community Council Aldermanic Forum

Tonight's forum sponsored by the Edison Park Community Council was attended by about 200 community members.
Aldermanic candidates in attendance:  Maurita Gavin, Richard Gonzalez, Barbara Ateca, Brock Merck, Thomas Patrick Murphey, John Quinn, Mary O'Connor.
Aldermanic candidates not in attendance:  Dan Lapinski, George Banna, James Schamne and Jim Mullins

Format:  Each candidate was given 2 minutes for an opening statement and 3 minutes at the end for a closing statement.  In between, there were five (5) questions asked about schools, parks, services & resources, public safety  and the Zoning & Land Use Advisory Committee; each candidate was given two minutes to respond.

It was good to hear a few of the candidates improve the depth of their answers.  I also noticed that each candidate seemed to have researched and refined their ideas about critical ward issues.  A few of the candidates spent time, at this forum, explaining the alderman's ward management budget (1.32 million) and where it may be used to improve infrastructure and services in the ward.

Anyone who attended the Edison Park Community Council Aldermanic Forum is welcome to post their thoughts.....

Jim Mullen Receives Chicago FOP Aldermanic Endorsement for the 41st Ward

Congratulations...

http://www.chicagofop.org/updates/2011/01/2011_endorsements.pdf

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Red Flags: Start Asking Questions

Readers,

One of the reasons I decided to catalogue and post as much information about the candidates as possible has to due with the lack of information about the candidates and their platforms, ideas and vision for the ward.  Candidate fundraiser details and where to call to get a yard sign is all that is really out there about the aldermanic race in the 41st Ward.  Casting a vote for an office as important as alderman based on the number of yard signs a candidate can put up is absolutely ridiculous.

I have been impressed by a few of the candidates and how hard they are working in this race. They have been completing not for profit endorsement questionnaires, canvassing the largest ward in the city, and attending forums prepared to speak to the community about some very complex subjects.

Conversely, I have seen some red flags go up and think it is important for us, as voters in a vital aldermanic race, to be aware and see these problems for what they are...  red flag behavior indicative of a possible pattern of the same behaviors while in office. 

Examples of Red Flag behavior in this race so far:

1. Chamber of Commerce candidate who accepts an endorsement (financial and human capital support surely to follow) from a special interest group/labor union who she never supported or had interest in prior to the election, allowing herself and her office to be used to cohort special interest power within the city council.

2. Candidate who didn't show up at a forum because he made a decision to attend his own fundraiser instead.

3. Candidates who don't follow through with opportunities to express their platforms/ideas in writing or at editorial board (and IVI-IPO) endorsement forums & appointments for whatever reason.

Some of the reasons given:  appointment times aren't convenient for the candidate, political ideology differs from the newspaper editorial board ( this is a really poor excuse....being a politicians means learning how to get along with people with diverse ideologies), dog ate the questionnaire etc...

4. Candidates who show up unprepared to answer questions at forums/debates.

5. Candidates who try to cover up knowledge deficits with attempts at humor, diversion, and disorganization. 

6. Candidate who allowed a person banned from ever doing business with the City of Chicago for his involvement in the "hired truck scandal" and tax payer rip-off, to throw her a fundraiser and support her candidacy.

7. Candidate who was fired from the city for not cooperating in a land/zoning corruption scandal.

8. Candidates who don't show up at forums/debates sponsored by community groups


It will be up to the voters to seek out as much information as possible about these candidates through the aldermanic forums & debates, as well as to call/write the candidates yourself and ask them your questions directly.  It is our responsibility as voters to educate ourselves about the candidates and cast our vote for the candidate that can best serve the community, our families and ourselves.  We need to start asking questions.

Edison Park Aldermanic Forum: Thursday, January 20, 2011

Aldermanic Forum sponsored by the Edison Park Community Council will be on Thursday, January 20, 2011 from 7 to 9 pm at Olympia Park, 6566 N. Avondale, Chicago, Il.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

41st Ward Aldermanic Candidates' Questionnaires for the Chicago Tribune and Sun Times Editorial Board Endorsements


Readers,

I have posted the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun times Editorial Boards' questionnaires completed by the 41st Ward candidates seeking their endorsements in earlier posts. 

Chicago Tribune Editorial Board questionnaires were not found for Mary O'Connor, Dan Lapinski or George Banna.
And I did not find Chicago Sun Times Questionnaires for John Quinn, Dan Lapinski, or George Banna.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Labor Laying Ground for Gains in Council Races

Labor Laying Ground for Gains in Council Races / Chicago News Cooperative

Mr. John Quinn: Where Are Your Priorities?

Mr. Quinn:

Some of my readers are wondering why you attended a fundraiser for your campaign on January 13, 2011 from 7pm to 10pm at the Thatch instead of attending the Aldermanic Forum sponsored by the Norwood Park Chamber of Commerce at the very same time?  I saw the fundraising event posted on your Facebook page and wondered about your priorities?  I think this is a fair question.

Would you care to respond?

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Participitory Budgeting for the 41st Ward?

Would participitory budgeting work for the 41st ward?  Take a look at what participitory budgeting entails and why it may be good for the community:

Participitory Budgeting:

What:  Participatory budgeting is a process of democratic deliberation and decision-making, and a type of participatory democracy, in which ordinary residents decide how to allocate part of a municipal or public budget. Participatory budgeting allows citizens to identify, discuss, and prioritize public spending projects.

How:  Participatory budgeting is usually characterized by several basic design features: identification of spending priorities by community members, election of budget delegates to represent different communities, facilitation and technical assistance by public employees, local and higher level assemblies to deliberate and vote on spending priorities, and the implementation of local direct-impact community projects.

Why:  Various studies have suggested that participatory budgeting results in more equitable public spending, higher quality of life, increased satisfaction of basic needs, greater government transparency and accountability, increased levels of public participation, and democratic and citizenship learning.

Question for the Candidates: Chicago City Council Committees....

Office of the Chicago City Clerk

Take a look at the different City Council Committees our current Alderman sits on.

"Membership on a specific committee is determined by City Council by resolution duly adopted"

Question for the 41st Ward Aldermanic Candidates:

Which committees do the Aldermanic candidates think are important for them to sit on and why?

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Comments about the Norwood Park Chamber of Commerce's Aldermanic Forum

The Norwood Park Chamber of Commerce sponsored an Aldermanic Forum tonight in which seven (7) of the candidates attended and were given the opportunity to:
  • Present a two minute opening statement.
  • Answer questions that were written by the audience, on index cards, upon admission and read by the moderator for each candidate to answer.
  • A few individual candidates were asked specific questions from the index card questions.
  • Present a two minute closing statement.
The forum was held at Norwood Crossing and approximately 75 people were in the audience. 
Candidates who participated:  James Schamne, Mary O'Connor, Thomas Patrick Murphey, Brock Merck, Richard Gonzalez, Maurita Gavin and Barbara Ateca.  Candidates not in attendance:  Daniel Lapinski, Jim Mullins and John Quinn.

The forum was informative and gave everyone a chance to hear from the candidates directly.  Each candidate had some discernible strength. I admire all of the candidates for running and participating in the political process.   I walked away being most impressed with one candidate over the rest, but want to spend tonight processing and thinking about what I heard, and will post a few thoughts over the next few days.  I invite my readers, who attended, to share your thoughts as well.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Term Limits

For the 41st Ward, this election will hopefully end the complacency and fatigue felt by a community governed by a long term career politician.  "Time for a change", my 76 year old neighbor says.  "The best thing the voter can do is vote for someone new each election...it keeps everyone honest".  I couldn't agree more. 

The office of Alderman needs to have term limits.  The only way to end the problems that often accompany  career politicians, specifically, to much power, manifested in corruption, complacency and other serious issues, is to pass term limit legislation.  In Chicago, incumbents have been known to win elections using the power of their office, and the resources they have at hand. 

An old friend of mine recently wrote about incumbents who have been in office to long: 
 " political seniority puts persons in tremendous positions of power even though they have small bases of voter support".  He cited a few politicians like Ed Burke and Mike Madigan, who have amassed an incredible amount of political power (and huge political war chests) over the years..so much power & money, who can really run against them?

What do our aldermanic candidates think about term limits?  Hopefully, none of them want to be a career politician and will introduce and support the legislation to limit any one person's time in office....

Monday, January 10, 2011

Services & Systems for Young Families Living in the 41st Ward

Question for the Aldermanic Candidates:

Population estimates for children ages 0 – 5 y/o have increased in the communities within the 41st Ward: Edison Park (+18.7%), Norwood Park (+27.3%), and O’Hare (+25.4%) in the last decade, while the City of Chicago, as a whole, has dropped (-8.9%) according to UChicago, Chapin Hall Policy & Research Division.


What services & systems within the 41st Ward may need reassessments for possible development to best support young families and the needs of young children, and describe the process you would use to assess current systems that serve young children?

41st Ward Aldermanic Forum: January 13, 2011

The next 41st Ward Aldermanic Debate:


Thursday
January 13, 2011
7:00 pm
Event: Image The Norwood Park Chamber of Commerce is hosting an ALDERMANIC FORUM on Thursday, January 13th, 7:00 PM- 8:30 PM. The event will take place at the Heritage Hall of Norwood Crossing, 6016 N. Nina in Norwood Park. All candidates for alderman of the 41st Ward have been invited to participate in this important debate. Here is the list of candidates running for the alderman's office in the 41st...
ALDERMANIC FORUM

Upcoming Aldermanic Candidate Events

This info comes from one of the Aldermanic Candidate Websites as "Upcoming Events".  I'm assuming they are Aldermanic Candidates Forums and/or debates.  I will do some more research about the events and post details when I find them.  Meanwhile save the dates:

Upcoming Aldermanic Events:

Upcoming Events

January 13 - Norwood Park Chamber of Commerce, Heritage Hall of Norwood Crossing, 7pm
January 20 - Edison Park Community Council, Olympia Park gym, 7pm
February 8 - Wildwood Local School Council, gym, 7pm
February 17 - Foster Harlem Property Owner's Association, St Monica Church, Beyenka Hall, 7pm

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Stimulating New Jobs in the 41st Ward

The 41st Ward is no different then the rest of the country in terms of job loss.  But creative communities have been able to stimulate jobs and attract retail/ small manufacturing companies. 

How many light industrial manufacturing jobs has the 41st Ward lost in the last decade?  We do have a manufacturing "corridor" along Northwest Highway & Avondale (along the Railroad tracks).  Driving through the area the other day, I noticed many more of the small factories and warehouses looked shut down. Many empty storefronts also.  How will the Aldermadic candidates stimulate manufacturing jobs along the Railroad track corridor and retail jobs in other parts of the Ward?

Norwood Park

Profile of Selected Economic Characteristics - Employment

Job Type
2005 estimates
Change (2000-2005)
2010 Projections
Change (2005-2010)
Manufacturing
1822
-17.9 %
1531
-16%
Retail
1207
-19.2%
957
-20.7

 Data Source:  Metro Chicago Information Center (MCIC)
O'Hare

Profile of Selected Economic Characteristics - Employment
Job Type
2005 estimates
Change (2000-2005)
2010 Projections
Change (2005-2010)
Manufacturing
772
-9.9
665
-13.9
Retail
608
-11.0
494
-18.8

 Data Source:  Metro Chicago Information Center (MCIC)


Pensions

Question posed to the Aldermanic Candidates by Me: 

The City of Chicago has $44.8 billion in unfunded pension liabilities ($41,966/ Chicago household) and has a solvency horizon of 2019. Pension reform for all city workers is a reality all elected City officials will have to deal with very soon. Long term stabilization of the city pension funds will require increased ...employee contributions, higher taxes and other major changes to the pension system. How will you as alderman support or not support pension reform, and how will you inform your constituents about the steps that need to be implemented?

Check out this article at:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/us/09cncpulse.html
Emanuel Says He Favors Reduced Pensions for Current Workers and New Hires

How will our aldermanic candidates fare against a mayor who wants to reduce pensions for current workers in a Ward loaded with city workers?

Corruption in Chicago & Some Thoughts from our Out-Going Alderman Brian Doherty

BBC World Service - Documentaries - Extreme World: Oiling the Machine

Radio documentary about corruption in Chicago and the State of Illinois. Interviewed Brian Doherty, who spoke about the attempted bribery he had to deal with in office, especially in terms of land and zoning changes.

Ricky Hendon talked about the difficulties of running against an incumbent and all the shenanigans that can happen...