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March 24, 2024
Dear Neighbors,
It’s Women’s History Month, and I hope you’re supporting and cheering on the women in your life this month and every month. I’m thankful for all the strong women in our community who are leaders to each and every one of us, every day.
I am also thankful and proud to have been chosen to be the new Chair of the Women’s Caucus by my colleagues this week. We have more alderwomen representing our city in Council than ever, and I am excited to re-energize the Women’s Caucus in my new role as Chair.
Street cleaning season begins on April 7, you can find more details here.
For all those on CPS Spring break this week, I hope you and your families have a fun and relaxing week off.
City Council
This week the full City Council met: we approved a Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner, approved several TIF expenditures, and voted to settle three police misconduct cases for $57.2 million. I introduced resolutions commemorating Sikh Appreciation Month and the 20th anniversary of Clarity Partners, a firm that has contributed significantly to public sector advancements in our city. We also celebrated Women’s History Month.
Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight
We reviewed a Rule 45 report, as well as the Quarterly Report of the Office of the Inspector General.
Committee on Finance
The Committee on Finance held a public hearing on Friday about the Mayor’s proposed ordinance to issue a $1.25 billion bond funded by 45 expiring TIF districts to be spent on initiatives led by the Department of Housing and the Department of Planning and Development over the next five years.
To be clear, I believe the city’s 40-year reliance on TIFs as its primary source of funding has significant flaws and we need to find other ways to fund development in our city. This bond ordinance is certainly novel, and could theoretically be more equitable and geographically nimble than TIFs are.
However, the ordinance requires significant amendments, as my colleagues and I voiced during the hearing. Personally, I have concerns about:
- The ordinance language delegating authority to the administration to execute bond sales without City Council approval;
- Lack of clarity on what criteria and prioritization would be used for project selection, including assurances that priority would actually be given to communities in demonstrable need;
- Uncertainty about whether existing programs funded through other means would actually see additional money through the bond, or if funds could be redirected to general expenses instead of outlined projects;
- Whether the issuance of the bonds would negatively impact our city’s credit rating;
- How other taxing bodies, especially CPS, will be impacted from a significant reduction in available TIF funding.
The Chief Financial Officer, as well as representatives from the Department of Housing and the Department of Planning and Development, suggested that a substitute ordinance will be forthcoming to address concerns voiced by alderpersons during the hearing.
Committee on Police and Fire
We reviewed the Civilian Office of Police Accountability’s 2023 Annual Report, and appointed members of the Chicago Emergency Telephone System Board, as well as a member of the District Council 001.
Miscellaneous business
I signed on to a letter to the Board of Education letter drafted by CPS Parent advocates asking for a commensurate solution to help the 5,500 hundred students in magnet and selective enrollment schools that CPS recently decided to stop bussing. 85% of these affected students resident in low-income households, so it’s important to find a solution for these families, many of whom are in our community.
Pubic Safety
Two significant fires broke out on Wednesday and Thursday at 33rd & Morgan and 41st & Packers respectively. I am relieved to report that neither incident claimed any victims. One firefighter, however, required medical treatment and is recovering from injuries sustained as a result of attending to the fire on 23rd & Morgan. I am deeply grateful to all our first responders for their bravery and rapid response. As always, my office is available to provide any support possible to those affected and/or displaced by these incidents. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Events
Design the Riverfront Collaboration Event
This past Friday, my office attended a collaborative community event regarding the future development of Bubbly Creek as well as the South Branch of the Chicago River. This long-term project seeks to create more connecting biking and walking trail, as well as increase public access along the river. I’m looking forward to collaborating with this group going forward, as well as advocating for the support to move forward these transformative projects.
Shredding, Electronic Recycling & Prescription Drug Take Back
Over 100 cars dropped off shredding, recycling or prescriptions yesterday at our annual Spring event. Thank you to all the volunteers as well as the Cook County Sheriff’s recycling team members who came out in 30 degree weather to ensure the event’s success!
Housekeeping
Participatory Budgeting Group
We are still looking to add members to our participatory budgeting group, especially from regions of the ward other than Bridgeport, which is the most represented in the makeup of our current group. If you’d like to put your voice into action in helping decide the distribution of our annual ward menu items, please sign up by emailing us here.
Sox Parking
After an unfortunate delay at the mailing house, I’m glad to report that Sox Parking decals have begun arriving in neighbors’ mailboxes as of Friday. Our office has also begun distributing parking passes for the upcoming season, and we will continue to have expanded staffing capacity to ensure that we attend to residents within the Sox parking residential boundaries that visit our office as quickly as possible. Thank you to all the volunteers assisting us in these efforts.
To accommodate for any USPS delays, the Department of Finance has approved our request to allow the 2023 Sox stickers to remain valid until April 5th. Anyone who did not receive stickers in the mail or require courtesy stickers are welcome to drop by the office beginning next Thursday, March 28th.
If you are dropping by our office for parking passes or decals, please don’t forget to bring a photo ID with your address on it. If you’re new to the neighborhood and you haven’t updated your ID, please bring a copy of your lease or a utility bill to verify your address. Only vehicles registered with the City of Chicago may receive a Sox parking decal.
Spring Park District Registration
Online registration for Spring Chicago Park District programs has already begun, and in-person registration is ongoing. Registration information is available here.
For your calendars
March 25-March 26
Street Closure in Chinatown
Our office has received notice that Wentworth St will be closed on Monday and Tuesday between 23rd St and 23rd Pl for Lead Service Line Replacement. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this closure as the City works to ensure our water is clean and safe for drinking.
March 28
Sox Season Opener
Baseball season is back, and we begin the season this Thursday at home against the Detroit Tigers! If you haven’t been back in the vicinity of Sox Park since the end of last season, you will notice new infrastructural installations on 35th Street from Wentworth to Wallace to reinforce pedestrian and cyclist safety especially during ball games. We ask that drivers, pedestrians and cyclists take extra care while adapting to these traffic flow changes.
Community Meeting about the proposed demolition of 3809 S Ashland Ave for the new Karis Cold Storage Facility
The City will be holding a community meeting at the McKinley Park Fieldhouse from 6pm-7:30pm regarding Karis Cold Storage’s plan to demolish the current building at 3809 S Ashland Ave to build a new cold storage facility. Public comments will be accepted via email to communityengagement@cityofchicago.org through Wednesday, March 27.
March 29
Our office will be closed in observance of Good Friday. Normal working hours will resume on Monday.
Have a great week ahead,
Nicole
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