Today is Veteran's Day and I hope that all of you who have served, and your families have a blessed day, each and every day.  We appreciate the work veterans have done for our country and continue to do in the future.  As we walked to the polls this week, I thought about what my family and friends fought for and believe in- a free and open society that come election time, allows each of us to cast the vote for the person or issue of our choice. They also fought for a society that should value all people no matter their race, ethnicity, gender, religious preference or status.   That fight will have to be elevated in the upcoming months and years. 

Chicago had a high turnout in Tuesday's election, and the 32nd Ward voters came out strong with over 78% of registered ward voters casting their ballot. I hope that as you went to the polls, your experience was free of any stigma or threat when casting your ballot.  It is the experience we should all work to guarantee in the future. 

The CTA is putting together some final meetings to start construction on the upcoming Red Line modernization that includes funding via a new TIF. See below for final notice information and links to the modernization project. 

The Mayor's 2017 budget is moving forward through the legislative process. This week, we discussed the Mayor's and City Treasurer's proposed Catalyst Fund and worked to make amendments to the budget.  The autonomous fund will use $100 million in city funds and try to attract private funds to fund projects in areas of the city needing business development. The concerns with such a fund are the need for oversight of the fund projects as well as making sure this new autonomous fund board adheres to Freedom of Information and Open Meeting Acts, and official oversight from the Chicago Inspector General. The same issue arose during discussions about the Chicago Infrastructure Fund, a body that works with several years ago. See the Daily Line brief for more on the issue.  Presently, there is "no direct oversight" by the Inspector General, the fund is "not subject" to Freedom of Information laws and its meetings are exempt from the Open Meetings Act. ( Suntimes ) 

Finally, leaves are coming down fast and street sweeping is winding up for the year. Please work with your neighbors to clean up leaves and prevent them from clogging sewer basins in the street, especially before winter sets in and freezes drains. Thanks in advance for your assistance.