The State Representative race has begun in the 20th District which includes parts of the 41st Ward. See a previous post to get a glimpse of incumbent Michael McAuliffe's challenger, Mohammad, "Mo" Khan, http://41stwardcitizens.blogspot.com/2013/10/state-representative-mike-mcauliffe.html.
This comment came in today....
"Its time for a change, this guy hasn't been opposed in ten years? Thats why term limits would be great, complacency in office is the worst thing that can transpire. If he feels no threat to his job what is pushing him to keep it and do better for the community. New Blood is in order, Khan will defiantly get my ear and hopefully a fair chance. I agree that his chance will be better if Madigan does not support him, no one wants another puppet part of the machine. From what i have read and heard from Khan is, he is a Democrat with Independent Ideas, mostly focusing on education and job growth in the area. The particulars to these points centralize around more money going to community colleges for specialty courses in IT and other areas where young or old people can go get a crash course or certified education for a cost efficient price. So far I like what I hear coming from the Khan Camp and have heard that the number raised is more around 40k. I hope people can keep an open mind and are not bigoted towards someone with a middle eastern background, he was born and raised in Park Ridge and is as American as baseball. The District lines make me believe that it is set up for McAullife to thrive, and proves gerrymandering is still present in today's politics".
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
No Ice Rink in the 41st Ward: Chicago Park District Website
http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/ice-rinks/
Featured photo: Midway Plaisance Park Outdoor Ice Rinks
Ice Rinks
Get ready for a fun winter of skating in the parks.
Programs
New this year, most ice rinks will offer programs including learn to skate and pick up hockey games.
Learn more about ice rink programming.
Sled Assisted Skating
Sled assisted skating allows people of all abilities to skate together. These specialty sleds for both children and adults are designed with a foot guard, ABS bucket seat, foot rest and pusher handle. No usage charge; reservations required by calling individual rinks.
Featured photo: Midway Plaisance Park Outdoor Ice Rinks
Ice Rinks
Get ready for a fun winter of skating in the parks.
Outdoor ice skating rinks open for the season Friday, Nov. 29, weather permitting. The skating season runs through Sunday, Feb. 23 at most outdoor rinks, weather permitting. A new rink has been added this year at Wentworth Park, 5625 S. Mobile Ave., which will open in December 2013.
All ice rinks will be closed on Christmas, Wednesday, December 25.
All ice rinks will be closed on Christmas, Wednesday, December 25.
Open Skate
Offered all open days (see rink schedules below).
Skate rental for all ages: $6
Skate rental for all ages: $6
Admission: adults $3; children and students with valid ID free
Adult admission with skate rental: $7
Friday evening family skate, 6:30 – 9 p.m., special price: $10 per family (includes skate rental)
Programs
New this year, most ice rinks will offer programs including learn to skate and pick up hockey games.
Learn more about ice rink programming.
Sled Assisted Skating
Sled assisted skating allows people of all abilities to skate together. These specialty sleds for both children and adults are designed with a foot guard, ABS bucket seat, foot rest and pusher handle. No usage charge; reservations required by calling individual rinks.
SEARCH Ice Rinks
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Wednesday, November 20, 2013
More Concerns about the 41st Ward: A Post from a 41st Ward Resident
A Post from a 41st Ward Resident...
After O'Connor stood by and did nothing as the ward lost the 90N, 64 and 56A CTA buses, I went ahead and sent FOIA requests about communications between the CTA officials and her office, which were flatly denied.
This happened after O'Connor assured 41st Ward residents would have alternatives to reductions in CTA service and that she was in communication with CTA officials. I sent the same request to Alderman Arena, he actually had the decency to reply and search through his office's records regarding conversations between CTA officials and his office. Despite O'Connor saying there would be transit "alternatives", I did not receive any information from her office. I learned Pace would be operating along the 90N route and be accepting CTA transit passes before the Ventra debacle because I contacted our Congresswoman, Jan Schakowsky, about the transit cuts. Her office had the decency to communicate with me regarding reductions in transit service. I requested FOIA documents from the CTA and obtained them through actions of the office of Lisa Madigan which outlined how the service cuts to the 41st Ward were planned far in advance and based on the CTA projecting declines in ridership as the means to eliminate routes.
I am not sure how a world class transit agency could plan for the 21st century on the basis of decreasing ridership, but that's what the CTA and O'Connor agreed on. O'Connor and the CTA said the 41st Ward would have increased train service, service on the O'Hare Blue Line has not increased and in fact slow zones have reduced service. The CTA blamed 41st Ward residents for not defending CTA service at budget hearings, but they were held in the evening in Garfield Park, miles from the 41st Ward.
I am sharing all of this because I attended a forum on TIFs in the City of Chicago. There are not TIFs in the 41st Ward, yet all taxpayers in the ward get TIF dollars siphoned to pay for improvements in other neighborhoods, namely the Loop. Why are the buses being cut in the 41st Ward? Why are police patrolling less frequently? Why is the infrastructure rusting, property values declining and taxes increasing? The money is going places, just not to the overcrowded schools, public transit or public safety. The time for new representation for the 41st Ward is now.
After O'Connor stood by and did nothing as the ward lost the 90N, 64 and 56A CTA buses, I went ahead and sent FOIA requests about communications between the CTA officials and her office, which were flatly denied.
This happened after O'Connor assured 41st Ward residents would have alternatives to reductions in CTA service and that she was in communication with CTA officials. I sent the same request to Alderman Arena, he actually had the decency to reply and search through his office's records regarding conversations between CTA officials and his office. Despite O'Connor saying there would be transit "alternatives", I did not receive any information from her office. I learned Pace would be operating along the 90N route and be accepting CTA transit passes before the Ventra debacle because I contacted our Congresswoman, Jan Schakowsky, about the transit cuts. Her office had the decency to communicate with me regarding reductions in transit service. I requested FOIA documents from the CTA and obtained them through actions of the office of Lisa Madigan which outlined how the service cuts to the 41st Ward were planned far in advance and based on the CTA projecting declines in ridership as the means to eliminate routes.
I am not sure how a world class transit agency could plan for the 21st century on the basis of decreasing ridership, but that's what the CTA and O'Connor agreed on. O'Connor and the CTA said the 41st Ward would have increased train service, service on the O'Hare Blue Line has not increased and in fact slow zones have reduced service. The CTA blamed 41st Ward residents for not defending CTA service at budget hearings, but they were held in the evening in Garfield Park, miles from the 41st Ward.
I am sharing all of this because I attended a forum on TIFs in the City of Chicago. There are not TIFs in the 41st Ward, yet all taxpayers in the ward get TIF dollars siphoned to pay for improvements in other neighborhoods, namely the Loop. Why are the buses being cut in the 41st Ward? Why are police patrolling less frequently? Why is the infrastructure rusting, property values declining and taxes increasing? The money is going places, just not to the overcrowded schools, public transit or public safety. The time for new representation for the 41st Ward is now.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
16th District Beat Meeting Cancelled for the Third Time Due to Technical Difficulties? Come On!
So, for the third month in a row, the 16th District Webinar Beat meeting has been cancelled due to "technical difficulties"? Is this real? Or more of the cutbacks to the 16th District? What do we have to do in the 16th District to have ANY attention brought to public safety?
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
The Alderman's Response to a Constituent Letter... What do you think?
An email comment arrived today, from a 41st Ward resident unhappy with airport noise and other reflections regarding the disrepair of the neighborhood. The writer asks valid questions: Where are my tax dollars going? Where is the reinvestment of my tax dollars into THIS community, the 41st ward?
I wonder where our tax dollars are going too... Downtown, the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park and other tourist locations? Why aren't tax dollars going into NEIGHBORHOOD infrastructure, public safety and basic amenities? True we have had couple of 120+ year old sewers replaced, a few 19th century arterial streets repaved, watched a few family movies in the park and the Seniors have had a grand time at their holiday parties.
Where is the new high school? Major upgrades to the parks, including a hockey rink, repaved sidestreets, etc, etc, etc...
Here is the letter and the RESPONSE from the alderman's office:
Bellow is a letter I wrote to the 41'st wards office. Bellow is the letter is their arrogant response.
Hello,
I am writing in regards to the constant airplane noise flying overhead my house at....Newcastle Ave. Ever since the flight patterns were changed we hear loud noise day and night. This has really become a quality of life issue and something needs to be done about this.
I very much agree that the airport is vital to our economy in the 41st ward, however I've seen little in terms of return. Our street, and surrounding ones, are crater like roadblocks that needed to be resurfaced many years ago. Additionally, our light posts and fire hydrants are rusted/totally faded, and needed to be painted years ago. In essence our streets have been forgotten, almost left in a time warp.
Under your leadership, virtually nothing has been accomplished. Property values continue to plunge and the once great neighborhood is definitely changing for the worse.
As I expect nothing to be done about the airplane noise, streets, and dilapidated look of our light posts and hydrants, it will be my pleasure to quickly vacate the city and start a new life in the suburbs where the tax dollars work for the community.
Kind regards,
The office's response:
I'm sorry you feel that way. Best of luck in the suburbs.
Regards,
41st Ward Service Office
6107 N Northwest Highway
Office: (773) 594-8341
Fax: (773) 594-8345
Email: ward41@cityofchicago.org
Click here to sign up for our 41st Ward Newsletter
I wonder where our tax dollars are going too... Downtown, the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park and other tourist locations? Why aren't tax dollars going into NEIGHBORHOOD infrastructure, public safety and basic amenities? True we have had couple of 120+ year old sewers replaced, a few 19th century arterial streets repaved, watched a few family movies in the park and the Seniors have had a grand time at their holiday parties.
Where is the new high school? Major upgrades to the parks, including a hockey rink, repaved sidestreets, etc, etc, etc...
Here is the letter and the RESPONSE from the alderman's office:
Bellow is a letter I wrote to the 41'st wards office. Bellow is the letter is their arrogant response.
Hello,
I am writing in regards to the constant airplane noise flying overhead my house at....Newcastle Ave. Ever since the flight patterns were changed we hear loud noise day and night. This has really become a quality of life issue and something needs to be done about this.
I very much agree that the airport is vital to our economy in the 41st ward, however I've seen little in terms of return. Our street, and surrounding ones, are crater like roadblocks that needed to be resurfaced many years ago. Additionally, our light posts and fire hydrants are rusted/totally faded, and needed to be painted years ago. In essence our streets have been forgotten, almost left in a time warp.
Under your leadership, virtually nothing has been accomplished. Property values continue to plunge and the once great neighborhood is definitely changing for the worse.
As I expect nothing to be done about the airplane noise, streets, and dilapidated look of our light posts and hydrants, it will be my pleasure to quickly vacate the city and start a new life in the suburbs where the tax dollars work for the community.
Kind regards,
The office's response:
I'm sorry you feel that way. Best of luck in the suburbs.
Regards,
41st Ward Service Office
6107 N Northwest Highway
Office: (773) 594-8341
Fax: (773) 594-8345
Email: ward41@cityofchicago.org
Click here to sign up for our 41st Ward Newsletter
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