Ex-Chamber of Commerce head, long-time aldermanic aide face off in 41st ward - Chicago Sun-Times

The Irish-American Catholic schools grads, just six months apart in age, work just around the corner from each other near Devon and Northwest Hwy. in Chicago’s leafy northwest corner.

Mary O’Connor runs O’Connor’s Market and Catering and the Blackthorn Manor banquet facility. She has run the Edison Park Chamber of Commerce and the Edison Park Turkey Trot.

For the last 15 years, Maurita Gavin has been a top administrative aide to Ald. Brian Doherty — the go-to person in his office for getting things done in the ward.

These success-story, girls-from-the-neighborhood might be the kind you’d expect to see sharing laughs over a cup of tea at Le Flour Bakery across from the Edison Park Metra station. Gavin even held her mother’s birthday party at O’Connor’s banquet hall a few years ago.

But the two — who face off in the 41st runoff next week — aren’t exchanging pleasantries anymore, particularly as the field of candidates narrowed from 11 to two.

O’Connor is the Democratic committeeman for the ward. Doherty has been the council’s lone Republican for 20 years, and Gavin could continue in that vein.

Appearing recently on WTTW-Channel 11’s “Chicago Tonight,’’ Gavin said she was qualified to be alderman because “I have a lot of integrity and character and recently information has surfaced in the race that my opponent was illegally registered to vote at her place of business and did so several times.”

What’s wrong with O’Connor voting from the banquet hall she owns?

“My understanding is it is illegal to register at your place of business,” Gavin said later. “I don’t think her business is zoned for her to be able to vote there.”

But the board of elections records no “non-voting’’ zones in the city.

O’Connor admits she did vote five times from her business when she was “in transition” between houses from 2004 to 2007.

Gavin fires back: “That’s a long time to be ‘in transition.’ ’’

O’Connor says she has the business experience that Gavin lacks. She supports a city inspector general with power to investigate aldermen.

Gavin said she is more familiar than O’Connor with the ward’s needs, and believes an inspector general that could probe aldermen would give the mayor too much power.

They do agree on some issues, however: both say they will fight any plan to redeploy police from this low-crime area to higher-crime neighborhoods.

And of the 14 runoffs, theirs is the only one between two women — guaranteeing the 41st Ward will get its first female alderman no matter who prevails.

Gavin is endorsed by Republican officials and takes conservative stands on social issues that generally don’t come before the City Council. O’Connor is endorsed by Democratic officials and is more liberal on social issues.

Click on the link below for the full version

Ex-Chamber of Commerce head, long-time aldermanic aide face off in 41st ward - Chicago Sun-Times

Recycling Rundown | Chicago Tonight | Chicago Tonight - More on the Story

 What do you think about privatizing recycling in Chicago?

Recycling Rundown

By Diana Novak | Published March 31, 2011

While Chicago debates the decision to privatize recycling, Chicago Tonight takes a look at what other major cities across the U.S. are doing to ensure that their recyclables are picked up:
San Francisco: The city of San Francisco has partnered with private company Recology to provide curbside removal of recycling, trash and compostable material in three different bins. Residents pay Recology directly for their services. Ordinances passed in San Francisco make it mandatory for the city to recycle 75 percent of all waste after 2010 and 100 percent by 2020.
Los Angeles: According to their website, the Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation collects over 240,000 tons of recyclables annually. The city operates the largest residential curbside recycling program in the United States, offering services to 530,000 single family homes and 220,000 small multi-family units. In 2009, Waste & Recycling News reported that Los Angeles had the highest recycling rate out of the 10 largest U.S. cities.
New York City: The city Department of Sanitation Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling runs New York’s recycling program. They offer services ranging from curbside collection to leaf and Christmas tree collection, as well as chlorofluorocarbon (C.F.C.) evacuation. While most businesses in New York use a private recycling company for their waste, the city collects between 366,000 and 423,000 tons of mixed paper recyclables per year from residents alone. In 2009, Waste & Recycling News reported that New York’s recycling rate ranked third out of the 10 largest U.S. cities.
Indianapolis: The Department of Public Works will remove curbside recycling for a monthly fee that residents may pay, or they may drop off their own recyclables at locations all over the city. Private recycling company Abitibi Bowater collects paper at many local grocery stores and donates some of the proceeds to a tree-planting fund in Marion County, Indiana.
Houston: The Solid Waste Management Department offers curbside and automated recycling, as well as removal of yard waste in compostable bags. According to their website, 19,000 homes participate in the curbside recycling program, and an additional 70,000 homes receive curbside recycling service from automated vehicles. In 2009, Waste & Recycling News reported that Houston’s recycling rate ranked ninth out of the 10 largest U.S. cities.
Seattle: The city of Seattle organizes free curbside recycling for its residents, with pickup every other week. By law, recyclable items like glass bottles and paper are forbidden from being part of garbage removal. Larger recyclable items like tires and yard waste may be dropped off at sites around Seattle.

Portland: The city Bureau of Planning and Sustainability hired 20 different waste removal companies for curbside recycling service. The city sets the fee per pickup, and each resident is given a green cart for yard waste and a blue cart for recyclable materials.
For more information on Chicago’s recycling history, check out the Chicago Recycling Coalition’s website.
Would you pay a monthly fee for citywide recycling? Sound off on our discussion board!

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Recycling Rundown Chicago Tonight Chicago Tonight - More on the Story

Recycling Event, Saturday, April 2, 2011

From the Harlem-Foster Homeowners' Association:

SATURDAY, APRIL 2ND


10 A.M. TO 12 P.M.
Parking lot – O’Connor’s Deli & Market - 7280 W. Devon
(773) 609-4141    http://www.maryforaldermanm.com/


41st Ward Aldermanic Candidate
Mary O’Connor thinks recycling is important and you should too!
FREE      UNLIMITED              SHREDDING!
              
RECYCLE your old Cell Phones, E-Media (CD’s, Cassettes, Floppy Disks), Computers, Laptops and Components


Electronics will be collected, cleaned and disposed of for the low price of $10 per item!  FREE SHREDDING!
FIRST 50 PEOPLE RECYCLE 1 ELECTRONIC ITEM FOR FREE
This recycling event is sponsored by Friends for Mary O'Connor

Taft PTSA Public Forum March 29, 2011

Taft PTSA Public Forum - 41st and 45th Ward Candidates
Taft High School
6530 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue
March 29, 2011  7:00 p.m.
Audience:  about 65

Mary O'Connor home sick with the flu.  Volunteer, Jason Hernandez stands in - nice job Jason.

Rahm Emanuel regime and City Hall power structure - chicagotribune.com

How do you think things will change in city hall?  Contracts etc..?

chicagotribune.com

City Hall on edge as Emanuel moves in

Bureaucrats, lobbyists wonder about their futures under the next mayor

By John Chase and David Heinzmann, Tribune reporters
March 26, 2011

A nervous energy is crackling through City Hall as bureaucrats, businesspeople and lobbyists wonder how the first regime change since 1989 will affect their livelihood.

For these insiders, Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel's promise to get things done in a new way is more than just a campaign slogan.

Many made a comfortable living during the 22-year administration of Mayor Richard Daley, building political capital, forging relationships and making deals. Now they face the prospect of a new boss with different priorities, a fresh voice on the phone at a crucial department — another power structure to scale. Emanuel is set to be inaugurated on May 16.

"There will be a new paradigm," said public relations executive Marilyn Katz, a Daley loyalist who has won city contracts going back to the administration of the city's first black mayor, Harold Washington. "It is a period of transition, and people are scrambling to get the ear" of Emanuel's team.

Still, some insiders say they don't expect the kind of upheaval that happened when Washington or Daley took over.

"It's not like somebody beat the incumbent and beat the old guard," said former 43rd Ward alderman Charles Bernardini, now a lobbyist and lawyer at Ungaretti & Harris. "There's a great deal of good will for Rahm, even those who supported other candidates."

Billions of dollars are at stake in City Hall. Road, airport and school construction. Legal work, bond financing and advertising. Not to mention the money spent — legally — on lobbyists, politicians and consultants to influence the decisions.

Click on the link below for the whole story

Rahm Emanuel regime and City Hall power structure - chicagotribune.com

Rahm Emanuel eyes cuts in city council seats - Chicago Sun-Times

What do you think about cutting City Council Seats in half?

Chart from:  http://bgathinktank.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/cutting-size-of-chicago-city-council-bga-analysis-does-the-math/   Thanks Emily from BGA!

Rahm Emanuel eyes cuts in city council seats - Chicago Sun-Times

41st Ward Ahead in Early Voting

Published on WBEZ (http://www.wbez.org/)

Some runoffs attract hundreds of early voters, others get forgotten

Sam Hudzik March 24, 2011

There's one week to go for early voting ahead of the April 5th elections. In Chicago, some aldermanic runoff races are getting a lot more attention than others from voters.

There are 14 Chicago runoffs, and one of them is getting more than its share of early voting love. According to the Chicago Board of Elections, the 41st Ward on the Northwest Side attracted more than 1,600 early voters through Wednesday. It's a tight race, an open seat where the current alderman, Brian Doherty, is retiring.

Turnout for early voting in Chicago, by ward

Ward	Early voters*
41	1634
6	1077
50	842
43	772
45	705
36	659
46	624
17	476
24	440
25	371
20	320
38	302
16	196
15	148
Total	8566

* Totals are updated through through Wednesday.

 To see the entire article:  http://www.wbez.org/story/brian-doherty/some-runoffs-attract-hundreds-early-voters-others-get-forgotten-84201

Job Opening at the Northwest Side Housing Center

HELP KEEP FAMILIES IN THEIR HOME!

Position: Housing Counselor

The Northwest Side Housing Center (NWSHC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

that was opened in June, 2003, in response to the needs of the residents of the northwest side

of Chicago. The mission of the Northwest Side Housing Center is to build and strengthen our community by working with people for safe and affordable housing. Over its seven years of existence, the Housing Center has grown to be a multi-program agency incorporating service programs as well as

community organizing.

Job Description and Responsibilities: Working with the Associate Director, Housing Counselor will work with homeowners on the northwest side of Chicago primarily focused on foreclosure prevention. Responsibilities include:

• Conduct intake and follow-up with homeowners currently at risk of foreclosure.

• Maintain contact with lenders to obtain regular case updates

• Follow-up on case files as needed

• Maintain detailed case files electronically

• Provide monthly reports as needed

• Promote community leadership development

• Participate in community meetings as needed

• Assist in the coordination of outreach efforts

Qualifications:

This position requires an energetic and detail oriented team player with a deep

commitment to fighting for what’s right. Candidates must possess a strong background in social

justice or advocacy work and previous housing counseling experience is a plus. Candidates must be

able to work well with others, be a good listener, think creatively and have a desire to work in

an environment that encourages community empowerment. The position requires basic computer skills

and knowledge of Microsoft Office. Flexible work schedule is needed. Bilingual Spanish-English or

Polish-English is required.

Compensation: Compensation is commensurate with experience.

How to Apply:  Please send resume and cover letter by email to mtaylor@nwshc.org or by mail:

Northwest Side Housing Center

Michele R. Taylor

5007 W. Addison

Chicago, IL 60641

NO CALLS PLEASE

NWSHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

DEADLINE TO APPLY: APRIL 1, 2011

41st Ward Aldermanic Candidates on Chicago Tonight, March 23, 2011

VIDEO LINK:  http://blogs.wttw.com/chicagotonight/2011/02/28/41stward/
type in "Aldermanic Run-off Races" in the Search box, then look to the right side margin and click on 41st Ward Video.

41st Ward candidates will be on Chicago Tonight with Phil Ponce

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Channel 11

7pm

UPDATE:  Moved to March 24, 2011

Internships & Volunteering | Illinois Campaign for Political Reform

Check out the Paul Simon Fellowship Program

Another Opportunity for Undergraduate and/or Graduate Students interested in Goverment and working with the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform



Internships & Volunteering Illinois Campaign for Political Reform

Norwood Crossing Aldermanic Debate Wednesday, March 23, 2011

March 23, 2011

Norwood Park Chamber of Commerce Public Forum

7:00 PM

Norwood Crossing

6016 North Nina Avenue, Chicago

Wildwood School Aldermanic Debate March 22, 2011

41st Ward Aldermanic Candidates Debate

Tuesday March 22, 2011 

Wildwood School 

6950 N Hiawatha Avenue.

Audience:  about 75 people

New Information: One of the questions asked to the candidates was their knowledge of a flyer distributed to ward homes by an unregistered group identifying itself as "Chicago Citizens for an Ethical Government" alleging that Mary O'Connor's voter's registration card from 2004 listed her voting address as her business address (against voter regs).   Gavin stated her campaign knew nothing about the flyer or the group sponsoring the flyer.

O'Connor stated Alderman Doherty was seen going door to door stuffing mailboxes with the flyers.   

Additionally, O'Connor said that she was registered to vote via her business address in 2004, but has since changed her voting address to her residence.

CLTV 41st Ward Candidates Interviews Tonight

CLTV "Politics Tonight" will feature 41st Ward Aldermanic Candidates tonight at 6pm and is repeated at 9:30pm.

This information came from a reader.


Lets keep comments substantive.

CPS Selective School Process for High School Students in the 41st Ward

At the last forum, one of the questions asked related to the CPS selective enrollment process for high school students and is it fair for students who live on the northwest side of the city?  Mr. Arena (from the 45th Ward) spoke about the process from his own personal experience and advocated for a change in the system to make it more equitable for students who come from the NW side. 

Posted below are the guidelines that were set up for the 2011 - 2012 school year released by the CPS school board in November of 2010.  Letters of acceptance for the school year 2011-2012 were mailed out this week.

Take a look at the process and how could it be made better for students living in the 41st Ward?  What's right/wrong with the current system?  And what steps need to be made to make sure 41st ward high students are allowed a fair shot for entry into the schools of their choice?

http://www.cpsoae.org/ourpages/auto/2010/11/4/48394361/Magnet%20and%20Selective%20Enrollment%20Admissions%20Policy%20-%2011-17-10.pdf

16th Police District Newsletter

	16th District News & Views Published by the 16th District Community Policing Office
MARCH/APRIL 2011	Volume 13, Issue 1
In This Issue: ·  Commander’s Corner ·  Upcoming Events ·  News You Can Use ·  Success Stories ·  Beat Meeting Schedule Community Policing Staff Sergeant Patrick Haran Officer Rose Miller Officer Jennene Whalen Contact Us: Phone (312) 742-4521 Fax (312) 747-4421 Email CAPS016District@ chicagopolice.org THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS A NEW WEBSITE THAT SERVES AS A LIBRARY OF CRIME STATISTICS CITYWIDE, AND IN PARTICULAR, THE 16TH DISTRICT. TO VISIT CRIME AT A GLANCE GO TO: WWW.CHICAGOPOLICE.ORG IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN SELECT CRIME AT A GLANCE AND THEN SELECT THE 16TH DISTRICT.	16th District – Jefferson Park 5151 North Milwaukee, Chicago, IL 60630 (312) 742-4521 Commander’s Corner: David R. McNaughton, Commander, 16th District      As we open 2011 we find that crime in the 16th District has not changed much as in years past.   We remain an area that has maintained a low level of public violence, and it is our first goal as police officers to ensure the public’s safety.   Crimes that remain problematic are those that target senior citizens.  There are currently two types of con games that are active in the 16th District.  Please pass this information on to family members and friends, and keep an eye on your neighbors.      We have written in the past about con artists who come to a senior’s residence and pose as city or utility workers and gain entry to test the water pressure.  These con men are very convincing, and are able to gain entry.  While one offender is escorted by the senior to the kitchen or basement to check the water, their accomplices enter the unlocked door and rummage through the rooms of the house searching for cash and valuables.  This con game continues to happen from time to time throughout the district.      There is another con game that is now occurring in which grandparents receive a frantic phone call from a person who purports to be a friend of their grandchild who is being held by a law enforcement agency overseas, and requires money for bail.  The con man usually knows some facts about the family like the name and occupation of the grandson.  The con man is able to gather the victim’s trust and confidence, and the grandparent wires the con man large sums of money.   It is believed that this organized crew of con men are hacking emails and monitoring social network web sites to gather personal information.      Both of these despicable crimes are difficult to solve and prosecute.  The best method of combating this crime is by warning our family members, and asking them to take some common sense precautions.  First, if someone comes to the door claiming to be city or utility worker advise your family members not to open the door, have them call 911 and let the police check it out.  Second, please advise your senior family members never to withdraw or wire money without first checking with a trusted friend or family member.      Hopefully by passing the word around on these scams we can prevent future victims. Another Job Well Done by Chicago’s Finest!                  The 16th District would like to salute some of their own for a job well done.                    16th District Officers Jakubowski and Martin were assigned in a covert capacity to a Honda motor vehicle theft mission.  The Officers observed a subject driving a Honda vehicle without a catalytic converter.  The Officers conducted an investigation, and although the vehicle was not stolen, the driver was a convicted felon and criminal street gang member driving on a revoked driver’s license and wanted on an outstanding warrant.                    Later that afternoon, these same Officers became aware of a stolen Honda motor vehicle parked at Osceola and Forest Preserve Drive .  The Officers conducted a surveillance and several hours later a subject entered the stolen vehicle.  The subject was subsequently placed under arrest.                     Officers Ganz, Giovannielli and Weller learned that a subject was working on cars in his garage at odd hours.  The location was in the center of the area that vehicles were being stolen. The Officers conducted an investigation and observed rusted metal scrap cut from catalytic converters in the alley behind the residence.  The discovery of these materials was vital and ultimately led to the capture of a subject who was attempting to pull a stolen Honda into his garage.  This arrest led to the recovery of eight Honda vehicles and an additional seventy-five motor vehicle thefts were cleared the Detective Division.                    The patience displayed by these Officers was exceptional. Their ability to work in an undercover capacity, which was a critical component to this investigation, resulted in the arrest of offenders who were plaguing the 16th District with crime.           Thanks for a job well done!!

The 16^th Police District has a Graffiti Database

If you see anyone performing graffiti please

CALL 911

If you observe any graffiti:

1.     Call 311 to remove graffiti or go online to www.cityofchicago.org, click on 311 online services and click graffiti removal under top requested and follow the prompts.

2.     TAKE A PICTURE

3.     NOTE THE ADDRESS, DATE AND TIME.

4.     E-MAIL ABOVE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS TO

graffiti016@chicgopolice.org or drop off information and photos to the 16^th District Police Station, 5151 N. Milwaukee.

---

CON GAME SCAM(S)

We need your help to protect your friends and neighbors!

Recently senior citizens have been the victims of thefts and attempted thefts by individuals posing as tradesmen, city employees or utility workers.  These individuals are very convincing and often work in groups of two or more.  Common among all these incidents is that one person diverts the victim’s attention while others enter the home and steal valuables.  After identifying themselves as a city worker or gas company employee, they state they have to enter the house to conduct a test on the water or gas.  They may escort the elderly victim to the kitchen or bathroom leaving the front door open for accomplices to gain entry and commit the theft.  Often victims won’t realize that a theft has occurred until they discover items missing or their bedrooms ransacked. 

Preventions Tips:

Ø  Alert your elderly neighbors and relatives of these scams.

Ø  Do not keep large amounts of cash in your residence.

Ø  Remind everyone to keep their doors locked.

Ø  Be suspicious when approached by someone who states they work for a utility, the city, or a construction crew.

Ø  Do not open the door.  Announce to these individuals that you are calling 911.  The police will check out their credentials.

Ø  Never accompany the stranger to the rear yard or the side of the house.

Ø  Neighbors should keep an eye out for each other.  If you see workers arriving at an elderly neighbors residence call 911.

Ø  Try to obtain identifying information on suspicious persons and their vehicle.  Many times these offenders travel in work vans, pick-up trucks and SUVs as well as passenger cars.

GET INVOLVED ON YOUR BEAT – ATTEND YOUR BEAT MEETINGS

Join friends and neighbors who are working together

to make our communities safer and stronger.

The UPCOMING BEAT MEETINGS will be held promptly at 7:00 p.m.

                       

BEAT	DATE	LOCATION
1611	3rd Thursday of the Month on all odd months.  Alternate is 1612.	St. Thecla (Queen of Peace) 6333 N. Newcastle
1612	1st Tuesday of the Month on all even months.  Alternate is 1611.	Olympia Park 6566 N. Avondale
1613	2nd Tuesday of the Month on all odd months.  Alternate is 1614.	Oriole Park 5430 N. Olcott
1614	4th Tuesday of the Month on all even months.  Alternate is 1613.	Pavilion Apartments 5441 N. East River Rd
1621	3rd Monday of the Month on all odd months.  Alternate is 1622.	First Congregational Church of Forest Glen  5400 N. Lawler
1622	2nd Wednesday of the Month on all even months.  Alternate is 1621.	Dunham Park 4638 N. Melvina
1623	3rd Wednesday of the Month on all odd months.  Alternate is 1624.	16th District Police Station 5151 N. Milwaukee
1624	4th Wednesday of the Month on all even months.  Alternate is 1623.	Portage Park Senior Center 4100 N Long
1631	1st Thursday of the Month on all odd months.  Alternate is 1632.	Hiawatha Park 8029 W. Forest Preserve
1632	2nd Thursday of the Month on all even months.  Alternate is 1631.	Schorsch Village Hall 6940 W. Belmont
1633	3rd Tuesday of the Month on all odd months.  Alternated is 1634.	Merrimac Park 6343 W. Irving Park Rd
1634	4th Thursday of the Month on all even months.  Alternate is 1633.	St. Bartholomew Church 3601 N. Lavergne