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As 2017 kicks off, I want to thank everyone for the continued support on many issues we've tackled this past year. Working with our neighborhood associations, chambers of commerce and Special Service Areas, schools, individuals and other organizations in our ward and throughout the City of Chicago continues to be an endless process of learning and new experiences. I am grateful to continue the work we are doing together and look forward to finishing work we started this year and the new challenges of 2017.
Our 32nd Ward schools continue to get stronger. I'm always excited to hear parents from our community talk about the enjoyment their children get from our public and private schools. We need to continue expanding our high school options and making sure the opportunities after elementary school are the best our city has to offer. Having strong public neighborhood schools has to be the top priority all of us, and especially for the CPS Board and Mayor. We must assure that our most vulnerable students - those with special education needs--see an end to the backdoor cuts by CPS that have hurt the students the most. I encourage parents to reach out to my office and keep me apprised on this issue. I depend upon information from those affected by these cuts.
A resolution I introduced in November of 2015 regarding CPS' compliance with the ADA and the implications of further slashing SPED programming has yet to be called up for hearing. We were pleased with CPS' response to the the lead contamination of drinking water at Chicago schools. We will have to continue to monitor that situation to ensure that remediation is swift and thorough, and hold the Department of Health accountable in its response and treatment for families affected by the contamination.
The uneven approach to combating crime throughout Chicago neighborhoods has to change as well. Mayor Emanuel's last few city budgets have reduced the number of police officers on the street, while his position of spending hundreds of millions in overtime to combat crime has largely been proven a failure. I voted for the Mayor's 2017 budget that includes hiring substantially more police officers for the first time after in years. However, with the number of officers having left the force it may be a wash.
But a few additional officers alone will not solve our crime problems. Our ward, comprised of several community areas, has seen a real increase in crime, which isn't always accurately reflected in crime statistics. The state budget impasse has cut crucial social services to all parts of the City. People are desperate to make ends meet and provide for their needs and those of their families during a time when trust in the police and elected of the City is at an all-time low. Communities must build up from within and strengthen the relationships with neighbors, community members and organizations, as well as the Chicago Police officers who patrol our streets every day.
This city must focus on neighborhood redevelopment efforts and job creation in areas with greatest need. It's good to see executive type jobs coming into Chicago from the suburbs, but it's more important to build the manufacturing base in the city, and not tear it down anymore. Building up small to medium-sized businesses, and providing livable wages should be our focus in the year to come. Our city is becoming an increasingly unaffordable place to live, largely because of substandard wages and reasonably priced housing. We can change this, and make a difference to the future quality of life in all our neighborhoods.
As the chairman of the Progressive Caucus in the City Council, I've taken on issues that often get swept under the rug or sidelined by City Hall. These issues affect everyone in our ward and our city. I'm committed to continuing our efforts to improve our city. Our caucus is made up of Aldermen from across the City. We share a vision to improve the quality of life for people in all of our wards, while legislating for cost savings, and better ways of doing business for the City. we'll continue to work on issues like better access for people with disabilities, protecting our crossing guards, and tightening lax TIF rules.
In 2016, our Progressive Caucus in the Chicago City Council:
· Passed the Privatization Transparency and Accountability Ordinance to try to prevent future bad privatization deals for taxpayers, like the two parking meter deals.
· Pushed a comprehensive slate of progressive revenue options to lighten the burden on working families, and advanced the argument that progressive revenue is needed at the City level while lessening the property tax burden.
· Won crucial improvements to the police oversight legislation passed in fall 2016, including sufficient funding for the new police oversight body and access to critically needed independent counsel.
· Fought for the passage of the Welcoming Cities Ordinance amendment to protect Chicago immigrants from abuse by law enforcement.
· Introduced legislation calling for a moratorium on new charter schools, with overwhelming support.
· Played a key role in passing legislation requiring that 400,000 Chicago workers are guaranteed earned sick time off work.
· Ensured that City Hall created a property tax rebate program for working families.
· Passed legislation making it clear anti-Muslim hate speech and violence has no place in our city.
· Prevented an ordinance from passing that would overly restrict citizen access to speaking at city council meetings.
· Passed the Debt Transparency, Accountability and Performance Ordinance, which creates oversight of the City's big debt deals. The recent email release revealed how vital this legislation is. It's a first step toward ending pay-to-play politics at City Hall.
Chicago faces continual challenges, from funding pensions and keeping our promises to our public workers, to stemming the rampant violence and crime in our streets, to defending and investing in our neighborhood schools. Problems with oversight and transparency continue to undermine our City's credibility, while leadership not focused on the needs of it's own people often blurs the distinctions between right and wrong, and enables behavior we find unacceptable. The Caucus will continue to legislate for changes to strengthen Chicago, and we'll push realistic solutions that grow prosperity and put Chicago families and neighborhoods first.
In the 32nd Ward, we are working to maintain neighborhoods and business districts as vibrant places to enjoy a quality of life that we all want. We constantly assess what we are doing to improve on what we have built.
Our 32nd Ward Community Service Program continues to grow. We assist people who are required to perform community service as part of agreements with our circuit court judges and the State's Attorney. Most people assigned to the ward program are required to do 100 hours of community service and then assist our ward in doing small but necessary jobs like removing or painting over graffiti and cleaning public ways. This has helped reduce the impact of graffiti and helped keep the ward cleaner while city services and staff are reduced by budgets.
This year, we saw the major portions of the Damen/Elston/Fullerton intersection come together, and we will put finishing touches on the makeover in the next few months. The intersection is already showing improved traffic flow. The Western Avenue Corridor Improvement Project has been a difficult undertaking but with all lanes open by year's end, the project will be completed within a few months in 2017. Other projects on the table for reconstruction include the Lincoln/Belmont/Ashland intersection the Southport/Lincoln/Wellington intersection, and the Bicentennial reconstruction of Logan Square. The long awaited Fullerton Streetscape was completed this year after years' long efforts to find funding and work through a hundred years of underground issues. Logan Boulevard also saw new work done for the first time in many years.
We are constantly identifying problem areas in the ward on everything from lighting or traffic signal problems, refuse and recycling collection to street signage. We count on you, the residents and businesses in the area to keep us informed of these concerns. We deal with a few thousand requests each year and try to facilitate each one as quickly as possible. I encourage you to continue to call or email us on these issues. Some problems can be solved overnight; others require us to find funding or work with other government agencies or private companies to deal with the issue, although it is not as fast as we would like. For instance, street lighting problems can stem from a variety of issues; burnt-out bulbs or aged wiring, squirrels chewing through wires (or when wiping out an Alderman), a contractor cutting wiring, or other problems that may require either the City Bureau of Electricity or ComEd to handle.
We work with City departments navigating dozens of complex and, at times, frustrating issues with City water and sewer main projects, private utilities like Comcast/AT&T, traffic problems, pedestrian zones, loading zones, the ward infrastructure menu and streetscapes. This year also saw an increase in various zoning type issues, and the City pushed through new zoning plans or ordinances for Affordable Housing (ARO), Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and Planned Manufacturing Districts. We continue to review and provide guidance to neighborhood groups and city departments on all planned developments, TIFs, and planning for a constantly changing landscape.
Some things to watch out for in 2017 include the new plastic bag charge at stores, where a retailer can charge 7 cents for each bag with 5 cents of that going to the City general fund. A law passed last year in Illinois law allows that bicyclists receive the same rights to the "right-of-way" as drivers of motor vehicles. And, while all drivers are required to change lanes or slow down for a stationary emergency vehicle, a new law requires the same for all stranded vehicles with hazard lights on.
Throughout the year, we spend time working on issues that are not always addressed by the Emanuel Administration, even when we request audits or reviews by the Office of the Inspector General. In February, our City Council took a historically close vote to expand the jurisdiction of the Inspector General, we narrowly lost the 25-23 vote. Until the offices and committees of the Chicago City Council and the Mayor can be adequately monitored and audited by our Inspector General, there is no meaningful mechanism of professional responsibility and accountability. The Chicago Inspector General is launching the 2017 Audit Plan and you can review or contribute to it here. Citizens are always encouraged to read up on this work.
I know there are many more issues that concern each of you, and we'll keep working with you to fix them now and in the new year. My staff, and my family wish each of you and your families the best of health and life in 2017.
Sincerely,
Scott Waguespack
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| Water Project #1701021 Notice: Maplewood (Fullerton to Logan) and Altgeld (East Alley of Maplewood to West Alley) |
Project: The Department of Water Management will soon be installing 1,145 feet of 8-inch water main in N. Maplewood Ave, from Fullerton Ave to Logan Blvd and in W. Altgeld St. from the alley east of Maplewood Ave to the alley west of Maplewood Ave.
Reason: The old main consists of 6-inch pipe, and they want to expand capacity. Further, the old pipe dates back to 1894 and needs to be replaced.
Timing: They will begin installing the new water main in late January, and expect the work to be completed in spring. Restoration will follow. Dates may change depending on weather and other factors. If there is any appreciable change, they will notify you.
Traffic: They will allow traffic to flow outside of their working hours. When they are working in the street, they have to close it to traffic for reasons of safety. You will always be able to reach your home or business, even if it means putting a metal plate in place. Outside of working hours, a lane will be left open for local traffic only.
Parking: They will post their work area for "No Parking" as needed, during work hours (7am-4pm). They are agreeable to parking outside of those hours, but will have to insist that cars be moved by the start of the next workday. They will try to preserve as much parking as they can.
Alerts: If you would like to receive regular email updates about the progress of the project, please go to BuildingANewChicago.org to register for the WaterALERT program. Simply enter your name, email address, and the project identification number (1701021). By signing up for the WaterALERT emails, you will be notified as the project enters each new construction phase - from mobilization of equipment onto the site, to the installation of new pipes, to the final restoration of the street.
Please feel free to contact the Department of Water Management at
312-744-6635.
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| APPLY! Shared Cost Sidewalk Program |
 The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is an extremely popular voluntary program in which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City.
The cost per square foot charged to property owners is well below what a private contractor would charge.
Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may qualify for a further discounted rate.
Applications will be accepted online or by calling 311 starting at 9 a.m. on January 10, 2017. Applications are
taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of participants is based on availability of funds.
The program typically reaches capacity quickly, so you are encouraged to apply early.
The property owner's contact information and the property address are required at the time of request. To find out more, click here.
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| Christmas Tree Recycling! |
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| South Lakeview Neighbors Education Forum - Open to All |
Benjamin Franklin once said, "An investment in education pays the best interest." It follows that the better the education the better interest results. With this in mind, the South Lakeview Neighbors organization is presenting principals from 5 top area CPS schools - Burley, Jahn, Agassiz, Prescott and Lakeview H. S. for an education forum that is open to anyone who would like to attend.
These schools have boundaries that include parts of South Lakeview Neighbors as well as the greater Lakeview area. Local parents, including those beyond the immediate area or who plan on moving into the area, with current or future school age children will have the opportunity to ask questions and get answers regarding the fine educational opportunities at these schools. This is a rare opportunity to get personal input into one of the most important decisions that a parent can make - where and how their children get educated in their formative years.
Feel free to make a small investment of about an hour and half on Tuesday, January 10 at 7pm at the Athenaeum Theater, 2936 N Southport. Doors and lobby bar open at 6:30pm.
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| Bring Your Own Bag and Save Money! |
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| Help DFSS and the Homeless |
The Point-In-Time Homeless Count is conducted every two years to provide the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) with a "snapshot" of Chicago's homeless population. The data gathered on the actual number of homeless in Chicago serves as a basis for federal funding, for service and resource planning, and to raise public awareness about homelessness.
DFSS is presently conducting one hour-information sessions about volunteer opportunities for those interested in assisting us with this effort. If you are interested in volunteering, and have not previously volunteered for the Point-In-Time Homeless Count, you are encouraged to attend.
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| Buy Tickets Now to Savor Lincoln Park! |
Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce invites you for a one-of-a-kind celebration of food
and the Lincoln Park community. Sample cuisine from some of Lincoln Park's finest restaurants, and toast your friends and neighbors. Guests will enjoy delicious food,
wine and beer (featuring Revolution Brewing), and exciting silent auction items from Chicago's best destinations. Don't forget to savor your memories with a snapshot at the
Fotio
vintage photo booth.
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| Become a Chicago Police Officer |
The Chicago Police Department (CPD) is seeking to hire nearly 1000 police officers. To assist in that effort, CPD will be hosting a new Police Entry Exam on April 1st and 2nd at McCormick Place. In their effort to remove barriers to community members to ensure that Chicagoans (18 and over) who are interested in law enforcement can apply, the CPD has eliminated the application fee, so it is FREE TO APPLY.
Below are a number of events in different locations across the city where CPD will be on hand to answer questions and help residents apply for the 2017 Police Entry Exam.
WVON -New Year, New Career!
Saturday, January 7, 2017
11:00am - 2:00pm
1000 East 87th Street
Lakeview Recruitment Event
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
1:00pm - 7:00pm
Center on Halsted - 3656 North Halsted
Training Academy Open House
Saturday, January 14, 2017
10:30am - 2:30pm
1300 West Jackson Boulevard
Austin Recruitment Event
Monday, January 16, 2017
12:00pm - 4:00pm
By The Hand Club
415 N Laramie Street
Training Academy Open House
Saturday, January 28, 2017
10:30am - 2:30pm
1300 West Jackson Boulevard
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| 32nd Ward Office |
Chicago, IL 60614
Hours:
Monday - Friday
9 am to 6 pm
Please email or call us with any requests.
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| Walk with Light on the 606 |
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