Congressman Mike Quigley's Newsletter

As your Representative in Congress, it is an honor to be in Washington fighting for you.

This means voting and speaking on the House floor with your concerns and priorities in mind, as well as providing the best constituent service and communication I can for all of our communities.

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UNDER THE DOME

The halls of Congress have been very busy lately. Here are some highlights of what I’ve been doing:

Fighting for Ethics Reform, Transparency, and Fiscal Responsibility

Recently, I introduced two bills to target and root out what has become far too common in Illinois - public corruption. The State Ethics Law Protection Act (SELPA) will allow Illinois to crackdown on pay-to-play without federal interference, and the Public Officials Accountability Act restores a statute to prevent elected officials from using their offices for personal gain. The Chicago Sun-Times called our bipartisan, bi-cameral efforts “welcome teamwork.”

I also introduced The Taxpayer Receipt Act, a bill to give each taxpayer an itemized receipt of how your tax dollars are spent. As I said when we announced the legislation last month, we check our grocery receipts to make sure our hard-earned dollars are being spent properly. There’s no reason we can’t do the same with our taxes. It’s simply good government.

On the budget front, I recently released a report with 60 recommendations to save the federal government $2 trillion over the next 10 years. We are on an unsustainable fiscal path, and must make some tough – but necessary – choices in the coming years. The key to reducing our deficit is to look at every part of our budget to ensure we are not protecting sacred cows (like weapons systems the Pentagon says it does not need!) while stifling job growth or eliminating services middle-class Americans count on.

And as always, I remain committed to what have always been key priorities to me: protecting our environment, a woman’s right to choose, and fighting for equality and justice.

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CLOSER TO HOME

No matter how much time I spend in Washington, our neighborhoods are where the rubber meets the road. Here is what my staff and I have been doing in the district:

Providing Outstanding Service

In the past months, my staff and I have held a number of successful Constituent Service Fairs, geared toward assisting seniors, veterans, and homeowners. We’ve also worked with residents on individual issues they’ve encountered with federal agencies, ranging from Social Security and veteran’s benefits to obtaining a visa to deciphering loan modification paperwork. Since taking office in 2009, my office has closed more than 1,000 of these cases and returned more than $1 million to 5th District taxpayers. If you have a concern or problem with a federal agency, please don’t hesitate to call my office for help.

“Undercover Congressman”

For the past two years, I have worked alongside 5th district residents in dozens of jobs so I can better understand the challenges my constituents face on a daily basis. I’ve done everything from delivering mail to making pinball machines to working as a car hop at Superdawg. Recently, I traded in my suit for scrubs to work with the staff of Illinois Masonic Medical Center and the following week, joined the manufacturers at Graymills to learn more about what they do.

There is nothing better than summer in Chicago, and I’m looking forward to sharing the great weather with my neighbors and constituents. I hope to see you out at a Cubs game, a street festival, or one of our district offices!

And remember, to stay up to date on what’s happening in the district and in Washington, please follow me on Facebook and Twitter.

If I can ever be of assistance to you, please let me know through the contact information below. It is an honor to serve you in Congress.

Sincerely,

Mike Quigley
www.quigley.house.gov

P.S. CLICK HERE to continue receiving updates from Congressman Quigley

Onahan School Wins Contest!

DISCOVER : Chicago's WJ Onahan School Wins Discover® $25,000 School Giveaway Contest

05/23/2011 | 12:35 pm

Discover^® today announced that the WJ Onahan School, located in Chicago's Norwood Park neighborhood, won its $25,000 School Giveaway contest. The Onahan School received the most votes out of more than 2,900 schools nominated.
Building on its commitment to supporting public education, Discover gave its Facebook fans the opportunity to nominate their favorite public school (K-12) for a chance to win $25,000. Each fan could cast one vote each day throughout the contest period. The Onahan School received the most votes, winning $25,000 to use on books, supplies, technology and other much-needed items.
"Onahan School is very excited to be the winner of the Discover School Giveaway Contest. We continue to increase our enrollment and our curriculum demands to advance as a school on the rise academically," said Karen Koegler, principal of Onahan School. "The use of the $25,000 will be part of a discussion with our Local School Council, PTA, parents and students. We are adding a 10-room annex next year and this could help in our new building. We also have talked about helping to support our performing arts with upgrades to our sound system. Thank you so much for the donation to help our school remain 'The Pride of the Northwest Side.'"
"We believe supporting education is critical to giving students a chance to achieve a brighter financial future," said David Nelms, chairman and chief executive officer of Discover. "This event gave us an opportunity to engage with our Facebook fans, many of whom are our cardmembers, in supporting public schools. Congratulations to Onahan for receiving the most votes and winning $25,000 from Discover."
Discover's School Giveaway contest is an extension of its year-long "Everyday Giveaway" sweepstakes program. Throughout the year, every purchase made on a Discover card is automatically entered for a chance to win one of 150 daily prizes and a monthly prize of $25,000, which Discover will match with a $25,000 donation to a public school of the winner's choosing. A grand prize of $1 million will be awarded early next year.
There was no purchase, transaction or card application necessary to enter or win the School Giveaway contest. WJ Onahan School was chosen based off the most votes received from fans of Discover's Facebook page. The contest ran on Discover's Facebook page from Mar. 14-April 30. For official rules, terms and conditions, please visit: http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.discovercard.com%2Flanding-pages%2Fschool-donation-rules.html&esheet=6733145&lan=en-US&anchor=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.discovercard.com%2Flanding-pages%2Fschool-donation-rules.html&index=1&md5=4c8191f18223e4be2954e29ea2a9e3ba.
About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company operates the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers personal and student loans, online savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its Discover Bank subsidiary. Its payment businesses consist of Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.discoverfinancial.com&esheet=6733145&lan=en-US&anchor=www.discoverfinancial.com&index=5&md5=6771619f2c08605034f803f933570880.
About WJ Onahan School
The Onahan School's mission is to develop a Math and Science Cluster School, which will empower its students to be responsible and self-directed learners in pursuit of academic excellence and life-long knowledge. It strives to evoke engaged learning, stimulate curiosity, and sharpen problem-solving skills.


Discover
Matthew Towson, 224-405-5649
matthewtowson@discover.com

Chicago Alderman Seeks To Increase Cost Of Vehicle Stickers For SUVs | Progress Illinois

Chicago Alderman Seeks To Increase Cost Of Vehicle Stickers For SUVs Progress Illinois

Owners of gas-guzzling cars in Chicago could see city sticker shock to go with the pain at the pump if an alderman's plan to increase the cost of the annual stickers is approved.
Ald. Joe Moreno, 1st, hopes to raise about $21 million per year for the cash-strapped city by raising the price of city vehicle stickers for certain types of cars.

Moreno's plan, which he introduced to the City Council today, also would lower the cost of the stickers for electric cars and hybrids.

"The long-term goal is to give more incentive for people to drive more fuel-efficient cars," said Moreno, who drives a hybrid himself.

Currently, stickers for small passenger cars that run on gas cost $75 per year. Those would go up $20 to $95 under the Moreno proposal, which will head to the Finance Committee for further consideration.

The New 41st Ward Website www.ward41.com

41st Ward Office Information

Phone Number:  773-594-8341

Address:   6107 N. Northwest Highway Suite A
Chicago, IL 60631

Website:  http://www.ward41.com/

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For Email Marketing you can trust

Welcome to what will soon be the 41st Ward’s very first virtual office.

In the weeks to come, this web page will provide residents and businesses with information on a variety of city services, community events, important links, and many more exciting features designed to improve accessibility and transparency.

Since the election, I have been busy assembling a talented staff, coordinating the transition and putting a plan in place to start serving your interests on day one.

I’ve also established your new 41st Ward Office which can be located at :

6107 N. Northwest Highway Suite A
Chicago, IL 60631

Thanks for your patience and support as we launch this exciting new project.
All the best,
Alderman Mary O’Connor

(copied from the website)

Foster Harlem Property Owners Association May Meeting

5/19/2011 UPDATE:  See post - meeting comments The Foster Harlem Property Owners Association’s next meeting is scheduled for Thursday May 19, 7:00pm at St. Monica's Beyenka Hall, 5101 N Mont Clare. Our scheduled guest speakers will be:   Gregg Cunningham, City of Chicago, O’Hare Modernization Project will give an update on the progress of the project and discuss concerns regarding air and noise pollution.    Mary O’Connor, newly elected Alderman of the 41st Ward We hope you can join us for this informative meeting.      Bring a neighbor, new members are always welcome!

16th Police District "Cops on the Rooftop" Special Olympics Event May 20, 2011

16th District Police Department Hosts:
“COPS ON THE ROOFTOP” SPECIAL OLYMPICS FUNDRAISING EVENT

The Chicago Police Department 016th District – Jefferson Park Station and Dunkin Donuts
FRIDAY - MAY 20, 2011 5:00AM – 1:00PM

6342 N. Milwaukee
(Milwaukee & Nagle)

Come join the 16th District Police Officers who will once again be staking out the rooftop of the Dunkin Donuts to raise donations for the Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting SPECIAL OLYMPICS. Officers will be taking donations as well as selling Coffee Mugs, T-shirts, Baseball
Caps, Harley Motor Cycle Raffles & Pins.

(THOSE WHO DONATE WILL RECEIVE A COUPON FOR A FREE DONUT

Inauguration Day

Inauguration Day Today!

Post comments here:

2nd Annual Neighborhood Paper Drive

Got Paper? Recycle it!

2nd Annual
Neighborhood Paper Drive

Thirty percent of what Chicagoans throw away is paper, yet it is one of the most readily recyclable materials. Through the City of Chicago’s 2010 Neighborhood Paper Drive, over 61,000 pounds of paper were recycled resulting in a savings of 519 trees, 91 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and 214,000 gallons of water. Help us beat our 2010 results by participating in the City of Chicago’s 2011 Neighborhood Paper Drive.
Turn your paper into something valuable. Cash prizes ranging from $250 to $1,000 will be awarded to the neighborhood groups that collect the most of each paper type in addition to any revenues from the recyclables.
The Edgebrook Community Association is asking your help in collecting and recycling as much paper as possible. Mixed paper (junk mail, chipboard such as cereal boxes, white and colored paper, brown kraft paper bags, telephone books, newspapers, and magazines) will be collected from May 14 through May 31. Our neighborhood collection location is Ace Hardware at 5423 W. Devon Ave.
All paper with personal information should be collected and recycled at the Paper Shredding Event on June 25th at the United Center.
Click here for more information. To learn about other recycling plans, visit chicagorecycles.org

From:  The Edgebrook Community Association  http://edgebrookcommunity.org/

New Cook Co. property tax assessment forms hit mail today

New Cook Co. property tax assessment forms hit mail today

chicagotribune.com

New Cook Co. property tax assessment forms hit mail today

By Mary Ellen Podmolik
Tribune reporter
10:14 AM CDT, May 13, 2011

Homeowners in two Chicago suburbs and parts of three other communities will be the first to receive a redesigned Cook County property tax assessment notice, one that specifically states that an attorney is not needed to appeal the findings.

For each property, the new form will include a three-year history of estimated fair market value, Recorder of Deeds transactions like a mortgage refinance or payoff, two years of property tax payment history, a photo and property characteristics including the home's size and age. The notices also will include comparable properties in the neighborhood, their recent sale prices and the estimated market value per square foot of those properties.

While specific addresses of the comparable properties will not be provided, the property index numbers are, so the addresses can found on the assessor's web site.

Previously, the assessment notices contained individual property characteristics and the property's value.

The first communities to receive the new forms, which will be mailed Friday, are Riverside and River Forest and some taxpayers in Rogers Park, Evanston and Norwood Park.

Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios acknowledged that the inclusion of more data may lead to more appeals, but he stressed that homeowners do not need to hire an attorney to make their case for a lower assessment.

"If they feel they cannot get that price for their homes, they should file an appeal," he said. "We will do the research for them if they feel we are incorrect."

Each year, the Cook County Assessor's office reassesses about one-third of the almost 1.8 million parcels in the county. That means the data used to compute home value is several months old and in declining markets, comparable home values may have sunk further since the calculations.

Berrios, who was elected last fall, campaigned on a platform that included making the assessment notices more transparent to homeowners.

Chicago 2011 Transition Plan Priorities

Index of Initiatives Number	Initiative
1	Cut $75 million immediately
2	Implement budget reform
3	Reform TIF
4	Initiate ethics reform
5	Set high standards for open, participatory government to involve all Chicagoans
6	Simplify the structure of government a. Internally, by centralizing and coordinating services b. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations and other governments, to strengthen the effective delivery of services
7	Simplify fees, regulations, and inspections
8	Centralize, professionalize, and reform procurement
9	Integrate public performance targets with service delivery and cost effectiveness standards
10	Invest in the health and well-being of City workers and their families
11	Ensure that worker safety is a top priority
12	Introduce a consolidated, comprehensive capital planning and management process

CHICAGO 2011 Transition Plan
From:  http://www.chicago2011.org/ Chicago's Transition Plan Website

Clearing Up Misinformation and Rumors

Hi Everyone,

Today, someone sent a comment asking/eluding that former aldermanic candidate, Richard Gonzalez's cousin was hired by Mary O'Connor to be a member of her staff.  See the comment posted under "Analysis of the 41st Ward Aldermanic Race".

THIS IS NOT TRUE. 

None of Richard Gonzalez's family (primary or extended family members) have been hired by Mary O'Connor (this information comes from Richard Gonzalez, directly).

A former campaign volunteer, Jason Hernandez, who worked on both Mary O'Connor's and Richard Gonzalez's campaigns has been hired as a staffer for Alderman Mary O'Connor office.  Jason Hernandez is NOT related to Richard Gonzalez.  Those of us who followed the 41st Ward aldermanic election closely, were able to meet Jason and see for ourselves how knowledgeable he is about city issues, the political climate and the ward itself. 

I am happy to hear that Mary has hired a young staffer, former volunteer, who put long hours of hard work into two campaigns.  We need young people to be involved in municipal government.  Moreover, I am encouraged that Mary has hired someone who can represent two emerging demographic groups within the ward  1. youth, 2. diverse culture, ethnicity and/or race.  I look forward to hearing about positive changes like this.  Join me in welcoming Jason to the community and I wish him well in his new position.

41st Ward Service Event

41st Ward Community Service Event

Time	Monday, May 16 · 9:00am - 12:00pm
Location	Multiple Locations Northwest Hwy & Overhill, Harlem & Foster, Devon & Central, & Harlem & Foster Chicago, IL
Created By	Alderman Elect Mary E. O'Connor
More Info	The 2011 Inaugural festivities will start on Saturday, May 14th with a city-wide day of community service. Chicagoans, along with the Mayor-elect, City Clerk-elect, and Treasurer will participate in service activities in neighborhoods across the city. Please join ALDERMAN-ELECT MARY O'CONNER on Saturday for the 41st Ward service project. Volunteers will be collecting food for the New Hope Community Food Pantry located in Norwood Park. DROP OFF LOCATIONS: Happy Foods Edgebrook Happy Foods Edison Park Jewel/Osco Harlem Foster Dominicks Devon and Nagle MORE: Volunteers are needed for collection of dry foods, paper goods and toiletries at these sites. All collected items will then be dropped at New Hope Community Church in Norwood Park by 12:00noon For more information or to volunteer: Call Nick at 773-609-4141

Security Detail For A Civilian Richard Daley?

Outgoing Mayor Richard M. Daley wants some members of his current detail of bodyguards to keep watching his back after he is out of office. Problem is, the security team would likely be funded at taxpayer expense. And Daley's requests don't end with the security detail, according to reports. A piece in the Chicago Sun-Times claims that Daley also wants cars made available for he and his wife, Maggie.
But Daley’s timing couldn’t be worse. Considering the fact that Chicago has cut back on services left and right and the 2011 city budget is somewhere between $500 million and $700 million in the red, the requests seem slightly out of whack.
Will incoming Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the new City Council be the ones to make the final call on whether to bestow a civilian Daley with a security detail -- and how long that protection will last? It's pretty clear that he may need one, but can Chicago afford to foot the bill? And can the Chicago Police Department afford to spare the officers? Does all of this beg the question that if Ald. Ed Burke (14th Ward) can have a security detail, is it fair -- or even possible -- to say no to Mayor Daley? According to the Secret Service's findings, Daley should be protected "for a period of time", but there's no insight as to the exact length. These are tough questions Emanuel and the incoming City Council will have to chew on.
It's also worth noting that Emanuel vowed to rid Burke of his security officers while on the campaign trail stating at the time, "There will be a shared sacrifice, including for Ed Burke and all of the City Council. If Ed Burke has six police officers, that just can't continue." Meanwhile, former mayor Jane Byrne is offering her thoughts on the issue. She told the Sun-Times that the request isn't "appropriate" and echoes the concerns of the Fraternal Order of Police, who point to the police shortage as a reason for the Mayor's request to be denied.  
"Even then, there was a shortage of police," said Byrne. "It takes a lot of people to do it. They have to do shifts. And I didn’t feel physically threatened ... But I knew I had to take care of myself. ... As he said, there’s only one mayor at a time. There’s no need to give somebody protection for the rest of their life. I don’t see it.”
Here's another question about Daley's plans to have CPD bodyguards after his stint as mayor is over: What would a Daley security detail do when the outgoing mayor is just sitting at home reading? Would they work 24/7 or just when the soon-to-be former mayor is heading out in public? Chicago has a long and crazy history on this topic. For instance, former city Ald. Ed Vrdolyak had six police officers guarding him at one point back in 1986. Click here to check out a list of Chicago political players who felt the need to be cradled by a thicket of bodyguards.

Mayor Daley at Garvy School Friday Morning

Mayor Daley says goodbye to 36, 38, 41 & 45th Wards tomorrow

Mayor Daley's Neighborhood Appreciation Tour is visiting the the NW side this Friday, May 6. Community members are welcome to attend, regardless of which ward they live in.
41st & 45th Wards: Garvy Elementary School addition, 5225 N. Oak Park Ave., Friday, May 6, 9:30 AM
36th & 38th Wards: ribbon cutting at new Dunning Branch, Chicago Public Library, 7455 W. Cornelia, Friday, May 6, 10:45 AM

An Analysis of the 41st Ward Aldermanic Race

Forty First Ward Welcomes Political Cash

Russ Stewart 29 April 2011

“Money,” famously observed Jesse Unruh, onetime boss of the California legislature, “is the mother’s milk of politics.”
To expand upon and embellish that apt metaphor, Maurita Gavin lost the 41st Ward aldermanic race because she lacked enough political lactose.
According to official results, Mary O’Connor, the ward’s Democratic committeeman, edged Gavin on April 5 by 7,354-7.104 (50.9 percent), a meager margin of 250 votes. From July 1, 2010 through March 31, O’Connor raised $98,763, had $17,933 in in-kind contributions, and spent $109,780; Gavin raised $77,836 and spent $68,713.
In the five-week runoff campaign, O’Connor had eight wardwide mailings, three of which were paid for by the SEIU Illinois Council, a union political action committee; five by the candidate’s Friends of O’Connor; and one by Alderman Pat O’Connor’s (40th) Citizens for O’Connor. Gavin had just one mailing.

“We lacked the money,” acknowledged outgoing Alderman Brian Doherty, whose political operation backed Gavin, his top aide for 15 years. “We had a superb field organization. But she (O’Connor) had the money for more mailings. Had the election been held a week or so later, we would have won.”
Added Doherty: “Her negative mailers featured unflattering photos of Maurita, and blamed Maurita for every ward problem. Voters, especially women, resented it.”
Overall, O’Connor’s mailers were more positive than negative, highlighting her endorsements by the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times, emphasizing her ownership of a small catering business, claiming that experience “in putting people to work” will enable her to treat ward residents “like customers,” and promising a “trained, courteous staff” to provide services. She also pledged to seek “tough reform to change politics as usual in Chicago,” a “crackdown on pay-to-play politics,” and an effort to “identify wasteful spending.”
Wait a minute. Hasn’t Rich Daley, a Democrat, been Chicago’s mayor for 22 years? Aren’t the feds investigating pay-to-play politics in the Daley Administration? That’s what the Hired Truck scandal was all about. Doesn’t the city bureaucracy control the dispensation of city services? In the 41st Ward, police manpower in the 16th District is being deployed elsewhere, garbage trucks are down to one collector, and property taxes are increasing while property values are decreasing.
So who does O’Connor blame? Not our beloved mayor. Three O’Connor mailers ripped Gavin, one for “promising to continue the level of service you’ve come to expect from Maurita Gavin’s office,” blaming her for potholes, Doherty’s lack of an aldermanic website, and no recycling program; a second for having “worked in the Alderman’s office” but opposing “having the (city) Inspector General track corruption in Aldermanic offices”: and a third for allegedly opposing such investigations “in a city where 31 aldermen have gone to prison.”
As circus entrepreneur P.T. Barnum once said: “There’s a sucker born every minute.” And, in the 41st Ward, O’Connor sucked up the sucker vote.
Doherty is the council’s only Republican, and is not allied with the Daley Machine. O’Connor is. Despite a Democratic mayor, 49 Democratic aldermen of 50, and a 311 call line for city requests, O’Connor successfully demonized Doherty and Gavin as the purveyors of “lousy city services.”
That also occurred in 2010, when Illinois Senate Democrats spent close to $1 million attacking Doherty in the state senate race for “supporting the parking meter lease” and for being responsible for city “waste, mismanagement and corruption.” Democrat John Mulroe, O’Connor’s ally, beat Doherty for senator in the 10th District, and lost the 41st Ward to Doherty by just 1,036 votes (46.6 percent).
What’s O’Connor’s take? “Voters did a cost-benefit analysis,” explained Jason Hernandez, O’Connor’s press spokesman. “She’s run a business, managed a budget, has experience.” Hernandez said that Doherty and Gavin ran a “cowardly and negative campaign” and circulated a flyer attacking O’Connor’s voting history. “I’m not surprised their ragtag outfit couldn’t raise money,” he added.
In the Feb. 22 primary, an eight-candidate field, coupled with the mayoral primary, boosted turnout to 20,109 (54.3 percent), in a ward with 37,025 registered voters. O’Connor finished first, with 30.5 percent, to Gavin’s 25 percent. O’Connor ran first in 36 of the ward’s 57 precincts, getting a majority in none, but more than 40 percent in five; Gavin ran first in 18 precincts, and got more than 40 percent in one; they tied in one precinct, and Dan Lapinski was first in two.
In the primary, no candidate was well-defined. It was a friends-and-neighbors campaign or, in the case of O’Connor and Gavin, a deliver-the-base-vote campaign. The other nine contenders got 8,967 votes (44.5 percent).
O’Connor’s 6,132 votes were more than her 5,744 votes for Democratic committeeman in 2008, but less than Mulroe’s 7,266 votes in 2010. Gavin’s 5,030 votes were barely half Doherty’s and State Representative Mike McAuliffe’s (R-20) prior votes.
My pre-April 5 column, which predicted a 30 turnout decline from Feb. 22, and a 7,400-6,600 O’Connor win in a turnout of 14,000, was close-to-the-mark. Turnout on April 5 was 14,458, and O’Connor won 7,354-7,104. O’Connor carried 35 precincts, eight with more than 60 percent. Gavin won 21 precincts, 5 with more than 60 percent, and her home precinct with more than 70 percent.
The line of demarcation was Bryn Mawr. O’Connor’s political and geographic base is to the north, primarily in Edison Park and Edgebrook, with strong support in Norwood Park and the apartment complexes south of the Kennedy Expressway between River Road and Cumberland. In the primary, O’Connor finished first in 30 of the 36 precincts north of Bryn Mawr. Gavin’s (and Doherty’s) political and geographic base is to the south, in the 21 precincts centered in Oriole Park and the Union Ridge/Nagle-Foster area., where Gavin finished first in 12 precincts.
On April 5, O’Connor triumphed because she ran stronger in Gavin’s base than Gavin ran in hers. North of Bryn Mawr, O’Connor piled up a 674-vote margin, getting 5,503 votes (53.3 percent) to Gavin’s 4,829 in a turnout of 10,322; O’Connor won 28 of the 36 precincts in her base, and carried 8 by more than 60 percent. In the precincts around Saint Juliana parish, where Mulroe is popular, O’Connor won only narrowly; around her business at Avondale-Devon, she won with over 55 percent; in Edgebrook, she won four precincts with over 60 percent; and she won five of 6 of the apartment precincts along Cumberland. In the primary, O’Connor topped Gavin in the north by 4,681-3,302, which O’Connor hiked by 822 votes in the runoff, and Gavin by 1,527 votes. By 2-1, those who backed others in the primary broke for Gavin, but almost half didn’t bother to vote.
South of Bryn Mawr, Gavin won by a 424-vote margin, getting 2,275 votes (55.1 percent) to O’Connor’s 1,851 in a turnout of 4,126. Gavin won 9 of 12 precincts in Oriole Park, and six of 8 in the Union Ridge/Nagle area. In the primary, Gavin won her base by 1,728-1,451, which she hiked by 547 votes in the runoff, to O’Connor’s increase of 400 votes. By only 55-45 percent did those who backed others in the primary gravitate to Gavin, and nearly half didn’t vote
In the primary, 8,947 voters backed somebody other than O’Connor and Gavin. In a runoff turnout of 14,500, where the goal was 7,250 votes, O’Connor needed another 1,118 votes — or 15 percent of those 8,947 voters; Gavin needed another 2,220 votes – or 25 percent.
Because of her repetitious mailings, endorsements, funding and precinct organization, O’Connor got 1,222 more votes on April 5 than on Feb. 22. Gavin, by contrast, got 2,074 more votes. In the brief runoff, exposure was critical, and O’Connor had the money to buy the exposure.
Will O’Connor be a one-termer? Three developments, over which O’Connor has minimal control, will decide.
First, Chicago’s population has declined by 182,066 according to the 2010 census, but the 41st Ward’s population hasn’t. At least seven of 57 precincts must be sliced. Expect the 13 precincts south of the Kennedy Expressway and west of Harlem, including the Doherty/Gavin base in Oriole Park and the Cumberland apartments, to be attached to the 36th Ward. That kills the McAuliffe-Doherty organization as a factor in future ward politics.
Second, expect the five precincts in the northwest sector of the 45th Ward, in the Nagle-Devon area, stretching east to Austin, where aldermanic loser John Garrido resides, to be attached to the 41st Ward. That removes Garrido as a possible 2015 opponent to John Arena, and means he has to start anew to build an organization to challenge O’Connor.
And third, the legislative remap will necessitate attaching the 41st Ward to a suburban district, putting Republicans McAuliffe and Rosemary Mulligan in the same House district, and Democrats Mulroe and Dan Kotowski in the same senate district. Expect Mulroe to be “promoted” to a judgeship. Should that occur, it removes a vital cog in the O’Connor-Mulroe political machine.
E-mail Russ@russstewart.com or visit his website at www.russstewart.com.

Richard Gonzalez News! Well Done...

Cops Talked Undocumented Worker Out Of Suicide: Sgt. Rich Gonzalez, Others Could Win Lifesaving Award

Chicago police sergeant Richard Gonzalez. He helped talk a suicidal undocumented worker down from an expressway overpass in early April.

A Chicago police sergeant and two officers have been nominated for one of the department’s highest honors after their extraordinary actions to save the life of a suicidal undocumented worker.

Officers Frank Zotta and Charlie Bell were on patrol on April 5th in the 13th police district, an area that covers much of Humboldt Park. Rolling past a highway overpass near Augusta Boulevard and Milwaukee Avenue, the officers spotted a man clinging to the fence, apparently ready to jump to his death onto the Kennedy Expressway.
"We saw him climbing up there, screaming and crying, we realized right away what he was going to do," Officer Bell told HuffPost Chicago. Bell had seen another suicide jump from the same spot. "We went right up to him, talked to him, tried to keep his mind off jumping."
They radioed for a supervisor, and Sergeant Richard Gonzalez, who was right around the corner, sped to the scene. He spoke to the officers, realized the man was a Spanish speaker, and approached him nervously.
“I’ve been on the job eighteen years, but I’ve never gone through this,” Gonzalez said. “This guy’s six inches away from me, holding onto a fence, ready to jump. His life, the life of anyone possibly driving on the expressway are at risk.
“If I say the wrong thing, this guy’s gonna kill himself. That’s gonna haunt me. I remember I thought, ‘God, give me the right words. Let me say the right thing.’”
Gonzalez approached the man and asked him to come down. The man responded angrily. “He said, all you cops do is take undocumented workers, lock us up, give us a hard time, things like that,” Gonzalez said.

The sergeant struggled to earn the man’s trust. Eventually, he took an unorthodox approach.

“I told him, I’m a Latino just like you,” Gonzalez said. “He keeps looking at me like I’m full of it. So I get into my phone, I dial a friend of mine who’s Mexican, this guy gets on the phone and we have a three-way conversation.”
There they stayed — the 18-year veteran cop, fresh off a stint in politics (he won 10 percent of the vote in the crowded race for 41st Ward Alderman); the undocumented worker hanging over the interstate; the Mexican immigrant dialed in on speakerphone — for ten minutes, talking. Sgt. Gonzalez’s friend told the man to trust the policeman, and they talked about the potential jumper’s circumstances. He couldn’t find a job, was at the end of his rope, was hoping that his family would get a life insurance payout from his death that might tide them over.
Eventually, the sergeant and his friend on the phone persuaded him. Gonzalez helped him down from the overpass, took him to a hospital, and reunited him with his family.
“After that day, I said to myself, if anything ever happened to me, I know for a fact that I made a difference in one person’s life,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve done what I came to this earth to do.”
Both Bell and Gonzalez mentioned that they had been nominated for the Department's Lifesaving Award following the incident, though the nomination and selection process is lengthy. Chicago Police News Affairs could not immediately confirm nominees or winners of future awards.
For Gonzalez, the incident spoke to a greater need for police to engage with the community they serve and protect.
"People need to know there are Latino police officers who care about them, who genuinely care about them," he said.

Grease returns to its Chicago roots -Norwood Park chicagotribune.com

Grease returns to its Chicago roots - chicagotribune.com

Post here: What would you like to say to Mayor Daley as he leaves office?

Ok, everyone:

Daley is leaving in a few weeks and will be visiting each ward to say goodbye. 

Post here:  WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO MAYOR DALEY, ON HIS WAY OUT THE DOOR?


Month-Long Farewell for Chicago’s Longest Serving Mayor United States Epoch Times

CHICAGO—In his final month in office, Chicago’s longest-serving mayor is taking the time to say goodbye to the city one neighborhood at a time.

Mayor Richard M. Daley kicked off his farewell neighborhood tour last week at a ribbon cutting ceremony for a drug treatment center for women in the city’s West Town neighborhood. The facility recently underwent a $1 million renovation.

"I think the greatest job in America is to be the mayor of the city of Chicago,” said the mayor at the ceremony. “That's why everybody comes back from Washington, everybody else wants to come, you know? They all want to come to Chicago.”

On Friday, the mayor attended another ribbon-cutting at Adam Clayton Powell Elementary School—the 12th new school opened in the past two and a half years under the city’s “Modern Schools Across Chicago” program. Since Mayor Daley assumed responsibility for city’s school system in 1995, 47 new schools have been opene

SPRING BREAK YOUTH ACTIVITIES From CAPS

16th District Spring Break Youth Activities 2011

 COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS.
Teens that participate in any of the following activities will receive community hours.

19 April 2011             Information table set up at Harlem and Irving shopping mall in which CAPS officers discuss with teenage girls on the topics of date rape and domestic abuse.  Harlem and Irving is in Norridge, but it is the number one location for 16th District teens to congregate.  No Community Service Hours.
Information TableOnly

20 April 2011             Forest Glen Community walk through and clean up;. Meet at Forest Glen Drive and Elston Ave.  11:00 am -2:00 pm.

21 April 2011             Jefferson Park, 4822 N. Long         -  Clean park and then meet and greet with police and play basketball at Jefferson Park field house.  16th District CAPS to provide refreshments and ref some games.  10:00 - 2:00 pm

22 April 2011             Spring clean for the Hungry Garden which is vegetable garden for homeless. We will provide equipment and water.  Meet at 5220 W. Ainslie.  11:00 am – 2:00 pm.

 Patrick A. Haran #861
Community Policing Sergeant
016th District
(312)742-4523
Patrick.Haran@chicagopolice.org 

Edgebrook Clean and Green

Mayor’s Clean and Green

Saturday, April 16 at 10 AM – 11:30 AM • Jinny Mose Triangle, 5501 W Devon (Lehigh, Caldwell & Devon)

Make our neighborhood shine!

Please help us with our neighborhood beautification plans. We’ll meet at the Triangle (intersection of Lehigh, Caldwell & Devon) and get down to business. Our goal is to spruce up the Jinny Mose Triangle, landscape along the railroad tracks, spread wood chips, and tidy up Old Edgebrook Garden. Wear appropriate clothing, bring tools if you have them and remember to bring work gloves. Let’s hope for good weather; this project will be canceled in the event of rain.
To volunteer or to request more information, email MJ Garnier or speak to her directly at 773.775.4065.
For more than two decades, Chicagoans have teamed up with community groups and the City of Chicago to help beautify neighborhoods by cleaning up and recycling accumulated litter and trash. The City will provide the brooms, rakes, shovels and bags we need to get the job done. We’ll provide the muscle. Together we can make Edgebrook shine

NO to Privatizing Recycling in Chicago

From the Chicago Recycling Coalition  http://www.chicagorecycling.org/
Chicago’s Plan
for Privatizing RecyclingDeja Blue All Over Again (CRC responds to reports that the City of Chicago plans to privatize the blue cart recycling program.)

Over twenty years ago, U.S. cities large and small began implementing new municipal recycling programs, including two or even three-cart collections, which encouraged residents to separate their clean recyclable materials from general waste. The most successful municipalities worked hard to understand their residents’ needs and best match them with city-run programs.

Not in Chicago. In the early 1990’s, City government decided – with no public support – to outsource the processing of all its recyclables to the giant waste corporation Waste Management, which had proposed a mixed-waste “blue bag” program to the City. At the cost of millions of public dollars, huge sorting facilities were built for the waste corporation to use, where recyclables were supposed to be removed from raw garbage. The rest is history. The blue bag program failed, with single-digit recycling rates and low-quality materials.

It took the City until 2008 to admit there might be a better way, and it created a new City-run, source-separated recycling program. The program provided blue carts to over 200,000 residents, secured a favorable contract with a local sorting facility for its materials, and did its best to educate the public. Now, just three years later, and with only one-third of the program in place, the City is determined to give recycling back to private haulers. Didn’t it learn anything?

The City issued request-for-proposals in late 2010, but has provided almost no information regarding the process and the number of unanswered questions continues to grow. These are questions that should be answered before the City signs contracts and commits to yet another privatization scheme.

1) What are the real cost savings? Often the estimated cost savings from privatizing City services are primarily due to significantly lower wages and benefits for the workers, which raises serious concerns about the impact on workers and their families. In addition, cost savings estimates frequently make unsupported assumptions about greater productivity and fail to account for private firms’ overhead and profit.

2) What happens to the materials collected? The RFP appears to allow the vendor to keep the entire revenue from the sale of the collected materials. A revenue sharing approach may be more favorable – ensuring greater accountability and an opportunity to support local recycling industries.

3) What are the performance requirements? To ensure effective recycling rates, the contracts should include clear incentives to maximize participation and collection. For example, if the private vendors are paid by the household, rather than the number of collections made from blue carts, there is no incentive to increase participation. There should also be clear recycling goals and penalties if the vendors fail to meet those goals.

4) Who decides which firms get the contracts? When? How? While the bid tabulations have been posted, it is unclear whether the award selection has been made. Also unclear is what the basis for selection would be. The bids appear to be vastly different (bids for covering the entire city range from $1.2 million to $63.3 million), but information that could explain this is not publically available. There are also questions regarding the qualifications and track records of the private vendors. Brackbox, Inc, which submitted a bid and by one news account will be awarded a contract, is described by the Illinois EPA as a chronic violator of environmental regulations. This calls into question what exactly Chicago will get by outsourcing the recycling, a scenario that, given other recent outsourcing experiences, causes concern.

5) How will the City hold these private firms accountable to residents? If there are problems with recycling services, residents will turn to their aldermen, but responding to concerns will take time and energy. The cost of overseeing contracts and responding to residents’ concerns are rarely factored into privatization scenarios. In addition, there should be a clear reporting mechanism in order to provide citizens and advocates alike with timely and accurate information detailing the results of the program.

Chicago Recycling Coalition
Calls for Public Participation

While CRC is eager to expand the blue cart program, we have concerns about the rush to privatize. CRC recommends that the city NOT award a contract from this RFP and instead create a more inclusive process to develop a citywide expansion plan.

Inspector General Finds More Waste

Clout St: Money wasted, computers missing at Chicago 911 center, watchdog says

Below - From BGA's Shaw Blog:     Click on the word "Initiative" to see the entire document from the IG's Office

Chicago Inspector General Announces New Transparency Initiative “Open Chicago”
Citing the importance of promoting and enhancing transparency in City government Inspector General Joe Ferguson today announced “Open Chicago,” a new transparency initiative.
Hosted on the City of Chicago’s Office of Inspector General’s (IGO) newly redesigned website, the initiative is aimed at increasing the public’s understanding of City government and to further the IGO’s mandate of promoting economy, efficiency, effectiveness and integrity in the administration of the programs and operations of the City government.
“The mission of the IGO is to promote efficiency and effectiveness in government programs.  Vindication of that mission requires accountability, which is elusive without transparency,” said Inspector General Joe Ferguson.  “Public information, necessary to the IGO’s understanding and assessment of government operations, is equally necessary to making City government more transparent to Chicago residents.  With this initiative, the IGO is committing itself to making public data available utilized in the course of our work to inform our understanding of what the City does and how it does it.”
Open Chicago will have three main components: (i) increasing the transparency of the IGO’s audits and program reviews; (ii) publishing and linking to public, non-confidential City data on the IGO’s website; and (iii) identifying best practices in government transparency and accountability.
The goal of Open Chicago is to make City government more transparent.  When appropriate, the IGO will ask the City departments responsible for public data to publish the data themselves.  If City departments agree to these requests and publish the information in a manner that meets the Open Chicago criteria for true transparency, the IGO will simply link to this information on its website.
In response to the first Open Chicago request from the IGO, the City has published its Collective Bargaining Agreements with local unions, Single Audit Reports on Federal Grants, as well as the list of property the City leases.  The IGO has provided these links on its website.  Previously, the IGO posted an Excel version of the City’s budget.
“The City has made strides in committing itself to transparency, but gaps remain.  The IGO is uniquely positioned to shore up those gaps, and our office has the knowledge to provide context for and analysis of City data, as well as the capabilities for making that data accessible to the public,” said Mr. Ferguson.
The IGO will periodically update its Open Chicago page with new datasets.  Questions or suggestions for new data can be directed to openchicago@chicagoinspectorgeneral.org.  Follow the IGO on Twitter at ChicagoIGO for the latest Open Chicago information, as well updates on how the IGO continues to fight waste, fraud, abuse, and inefficiency in Chicago government.

Chicago’s Changing Neighborhoods /Population Growth in 41st Ward Communities

Click here to see entire city-wide chart:
Chicago’s Changing Neighborhoods / Chicago News Cooperative

34/77 Chicago communities have had population growth, including the three communities within the 41st Ward.  Norwood Park ranks #7/77 communities with most population growth. This chart from the Chicago News Cooperative via the 2010 Census.  About 43/77 communities experienced population loss.

Community Area	2009 Total Population	2000 Total Population	Total Change
Edison Park	11715	11328	+387
O’Hare	11795	11665	+130
Norwood Park	41097	37543	+3554

Edgebrook School Gets an ADDITION.

• To start this Spring through Fall 2012
• 18 million dollar project
• Will use some CPD land perpendicular to the existing school.
• Will double the size of the school :  9 classrooms, a science lab, kitchen, dining facility, play lot, new parking lot, green roof, rain garden, additional new native plantings and trees.

• 450 students currently enrolled, current capacity is 360.  The addition will provide capacity for 600 students.

From the 'Press", April 6, 2011

Tax Assistance Information from Mike Quigley

Dear John,

As you know, April 18 is Tax Day, and it’s approaching quickly. Preparing your taxes can be confusing, but you don’t have to tackle it alone. Below you’ll find advice and links to help you make sense of tax season.

Simple Filing

Due to recent changes in tax law, you can now e-file your taxes for free at www.irs.gov.  This website also features helpful tips and tools for filing your taxes on your own or using commercial tax software.

Credits

The City of Chicago helps eligible residents file for a federal Earned Income Tax Credit. Many constituents owe less in taxes than credits earned, meaning they may get a refund check from the IRS. Even if you don't owe income tax, you may be eligible for the credit and cash. In 2010, the City's assistance sites returned $35 million in refunds to more than 20,000 families.

Full Assistance

Families earning less than $50,000 and individuals earning less than $25,000 can get free tax preparation assistance from professionally-trained volunteers at 26 sites in Chicago and 13 in the suburbs. Residents should bring all current W2 and 1099 forms, Social Security cards for all members of your household, a copy of your last recent tax return, and a photo ID. In Chicago, call 311 to find locations near you. In the suburbs, call 312-409-1555 or 312-630-0273.

Refund Help

You can see the status of your federal refund here. Typically, you’ll be able to get information about your refund 72 hours after the IRS receives your electronically-filed return or in three to four weeks if you filed a paper return. Customer service representatives are also available by calling 1-800-829-1040.

Need an Extension?

If you are not able to file your federal individual income tax return on time, you may be able to get an automatic 6-month extension by filling out this IRS form.


Have more questions? The Internal Revenue Service provides resources and FAQ’s, or feel free to call my office at 773-267-5926. For information about State of Illinois returns, visit the Illinois Department of Revenue.

And remember, to stay up to date on what’s happening in the district and in Washington, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter.

Please let me know if I can ever be of assistance to you. It is an honor to serve you in Congress.

Sincerely,

Mike Quigley
www.quigley.house.gov

O'Connor Defeats Gavin...

From the Nadig News

O'Connor defeats Gavin in close runoff race for 41st Ward aldermanic seat

by JASON PORTERFIELD

Mary O’Connor defeated Maurita Gavin in a close race to replace retiring 41st Ward Alderman Brian Doherty in the runoff election held April 5.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, O’Connor received 7,332 of the votes, or 50.9 percent of the total against 7,067, or 49.1 percent, for Gavin, according to early results from the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.

In the Feb. 22 election, O’Connor and Gavin finished ahead of nine other candidates to make the runoff, with O’Connor receiving 6,126 votes, or 30.5 percent of the ballots cast, to 5,022, or 25.0 percent for Gavin.

O’Connor is the 41st Ward Democratic committeeman and the owner of the O’Connor’s Deli and Market and Unforgettable Edibles Catering, 7280 W. Devon Ave. Gavin has served for 15 years as an administrative assistant to Doherty.

 Gavin ran on her experience working in the ward office and her knowledge of ward issues. O’Connor campaigned on improving the ward’s infrastructure, bringing in new businesses and helping residents navigate the city’s bureaucracy.

During the final weeks of the campaign, a flier circulating in the ward accused O’Connor of registering to vote at her business address so that she could vote in a referendum affecting the business, a claim that O’Connor called “false.” Gavin denied involvement in the publication of the flier and said that her campaign had been the victim of “robocalls” that misrepresented her views.

Mary O'Connor WINS

Alderman O'Connor WINS
Congratulations

Editorials: Why a fake IG when you can have a real one? - Chicago Sun-Times

A number of readers have commented that they want to see a REAL Inspector General to oversee the Aldermen and their staff- not the fake legislative Inspector General Gavin & Doherty are in support of. Weigh in here: Editorials: Why a fake IG when you can have a real one? - Chicago Sun-Times

Just six weeks before a new mayor and new aldermen are to be sworn in, the old City Council is moving ahead with plans to hire a pretend inspector general.

That’s what we like to call it, anyway. Others prefer fake IG, a sham or a scam.

Whatever it’s called, this is one office that should be shut down before it even opens.

For that, we’re looking to Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel and the new crop of aldermen who will be sworn in May 16.

Nearly a year ago, you may recall, the aldermen voted to create an inspector general to investigate themselves and their staffs. They dreamed this up as an alternative to a strong and much-needed proposal by Mayor Daley to let the city’s existing independent inspector general investigate the City Council. The aldermen have always been exempt from IG oversight.

Over the howls of good government advocates, the City Council voted 28-17 to create the legislative IG, an office destined to do nothing.

The rules governing this new office are so restrictive, confounding and absurd that few people will even bother to come forward to file complaints. Just the way the City Council majority intends.

After dragging their feet for months, the Council last week finally got around to posting the fake IG job on the city’s website.

The delay, we hope, works in our favor. Why bother launching an office when it’s not even clear it still has support at City Hall?

During the campaign, Emanuel said he would prefer that the existing IG investigate aldermen, though he said that decision would be up to the Council.

The new Council, it’s important to note, will likely include several new aldermen opposed to the legislative IG, depending on the outcome of Tuesday’s election. By our count, as many as seven aldermen in favor of the legislative IG may be replaced by aldermen who think the city is better off with a real IG — one with a track record of independence — watching over Chicago’s aldermen.

Hold off on that fake IG. A better way of thinking may be headed to City Hall.

Sun-Times Follow Up April 3, 2011

Click here for the full story...
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/4631189-418/oconnor-office-vote-wrong-but-didnt-hurt-anybody-experts-say.html.

Budget Crisis and Jobs, Jobs, Jobs - NYTimes.com

41ST WARD
Emanuel’s Shorter Coattails

It would seem like Mayor-elect Emanuel has an easy choice in the 41st Ward runoff election. The nonpartisan race pits the ward’s Democratic committeeman, Mary O’Connor, against a Republican, Maurita Gavin.
Mr. Emanuel, long one of the nation’s top Democratic operatives, has remained neutral, even after meeting with both candidates. A spokeswoman for him declined to comment on the race.
But the reason seems obvious: Mr. Emanuel’s coattails may be short in the 41st Ward, one of only 10 wards where he was not the top vote-getter in the February election. Mr. Emanuel received 42 percent there, to 50 percent for Gery Chico.
The police and firefighter unions endorsed Mr. Chico over Mr. Emanuel. Brian Doherty, the retiring alderman, said the unions’ stand against him most likely cost Mr. Emanuel many votes in the suburban-like ward on the far Northwest Side, which is home to many city workers. Mr. Doherty is supporting Ms. Gavin, his aide.
“Police and firefighters don’t like him and are afraid of him,” Mr. Doherty said of the mayor-elect. “They are the backbone of the vote up here.”
Matt Joyce, a ward resident who works as an engineer for the City Colleges of Chicago, said he voted for Miguel del Valle for mayor because Mr. Del Valle seemed less likely to balance the city’s budget on the backs of public workers.
But Mr. Joyce said that with the poor economy, “anyone who gets in there is going to have to cut jobs.”
Last week, in a campaign office in the banquet hall of her restaurant, O’Connor’s Deli and Market, Ms. O’Connor said that she did not ask for Mr. Emanuel’s endorsement.
“I think there will be many times where we passionately disagree, and I’m O.K. with that,” she said.
Behind her, on the wall of the banquet hall, hung a reminder of an era in the city’s history when the mayor clearly was not O.K. with City Council dissent: A black-and-white picture of former Mayor Richard J. Daley.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

Ballot Subtext - Budget Crisis and Jobs, Jobs, Jobs - NYTimes.com

City of Chicago Clean and Green Day

3-1-1.

On Saturday, April 16, 2011, you

and community groups in your

area can make an immediate

difference in your neighborhood

by volunteering your time

and efforts to take part in Mayor

Daley’s Spring Clean & Green Day.

For more than two decades

Chicagoans like yourself have

teamed up with community

groups and the City of Chicago

to help beautify your communities by cleaning up and recycling

accumulated litter & trash. All you have to do is sign up and join

us at a location close to you that could really use a good cleaning.

The City will work with you and your community organization to

provide use on that day of all the brooms, rakes, shovels and bags

needed to get the job done.

Join us on April 16th and help make a big difference in your

neighborhood.

To register or for more information, call us at 3-1-1