Nearly 800 residential buildings would cease to benefit from free garbage collection if the City Council approves an ordinance the Budget Committee approved yesterday. The ordinance Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) sponsored would give these building owners 90 days to arrange their own garbage service.

“These 794 buildings are cheating the system, cheating the taxpayers and there are more out there,” Ald. O’Shea told the committee Tuesday. He says ending the loophole would free up much-needed cash and resources for other city services.

The measure is in response to a 2014 Inspector General report that found the Department of Streets and Sanitation was wasting $3.3 million collecting trash from buildings that were no longer exempt under the city’s grandfather clause. It allowed continued garbage services for buildings that had been receiving the service since July 19, 2000. Buildings that changed ownership should have been removed from the exemption list, but DSS hadn’t updated that list since 2007, the IG report concluded. Last March, the IG’s Office issued a follow up report claiming DSS failed to implement any changes.

Testifying before the Budget Committee, Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Charles Williams provided an updated inventory of that list. Of the 2,500 properties that received the exemption 15-years ago, 1800 remain on the list and 794 buildings no longer qualify for free trash pickup but still benefited from the service, Williams said. While the department is making an effort to crack down on the list, he says it is “very difficult to track down land trusts or corporations” which own most of these buildings, but he’s aiming to have a complete inventory by November.

The item passed without dissent, but not everyone on the committee was thrilled with the ordinance. Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) said it’s unfair that all Chicagoans pay taxes that help pay for garbage collection, but only certain home and building owners benefit from the city service. “So what we have now is a situation where one homeowner gets free pick up provided by the city, and literally the next door neighbor has to pay an additional fee to contract with a private waste hauler,” Ald. Hopkins said, arguing it would incentivize people to dump their trash in other people’s garbage cans. “Just imagine what it would do to the alleys.”

Ald. James Cappleman (46) was also hesitant to vote in support, because like Hopkins, most of the buildings in his ward are multiple dwelling buildings. He suggested a garbage collection and fee system based on the amount of garbage buildings produce instead of the current system based on building size. Ald. Cappleman said this would incentivise more buildings to recycle.

In addition to Ald. O’Shea’s ordinance, the Committee also approved the following items:

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  An ordinance amending the Voluntary Water Meter Installation Pilot Program, more commonly known as the Meter Save Program. Building owners would have to install and pay for water meters at the time their building is connected to the city’s water system. The ordinance also removes the pay rate system currently in place for using water from a fire hydrant. Anyone who wants to use water from a fire hydrant would have to apply for a permit. Construction crews and street sweepers that use fire hydrants would pay the Department of Finance a flat rate of $83.78 a day. The ordinance also clarifies what sewer repairs the city is on the hook for, and what building owners would have to pay.

  
  


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  An additional $77,000 grant from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to the City’s Department of Public Health for the Morbidity and Risk Behavior Surveillance Program. The ordinance also authorizes the Health Commissioner to enter into an agreement with the National Opinion Research Center and Planned Parenthood of Illinois to provide grant money for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Evaluation Program.

  
  


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  An amendment to the XLI Community Development Block Grant Ordinance. The item the Office of Budget and Management directly introduced in committee would reallocate funds in two city departments. The Department of Family and Supportive services would like to reallocate $75,000 of funding originally awarded to the Samaritan Community Center and Wellspring Center for Hope, neither of which are open, to Family Rescue for its Domestic Violence Services Program. The Department of Planning and Development wants to put an additional $904,981 towards its Developer Services Program. Those funds were made available after “unexpected repayments of rehabilitation loans,” according to the ordinance.

  
  

Four council committees meet this morning:

Aviation: There are two ordinances on the Aviation agenda related to car use at O’Hare Airport. The first ordinance introduced by Mayor Rahm Emanuel would create a new premium parking service program that lets travelers reserve a parking spot for an additional $10 a day fee added to the normal parking price. Users would also get amenities like a car wash or detail. All parking providers within airport boundaries would have to enter into concession agreements with the Commissioner of Aviation. Parking companies would have to pay a fee that is 10% of revenue. Companies that fail to file a concession agreement will be fined up to $2,000 a day.

The other agenda item is an updated concession agreement with Simply Wheelz, LLC, the company that operates Advantage Rent-A-Car. Simply Wheelz filed for bankruptcy in 2013 and was recently acquired by a private equity firm based in Toronto, The Catalyst Group. The ordinance updates the concession agreement to include the rental car company’s new owner.

Budget: There are three items on the agenda, including an ordinance requiring owners of buildings with four or more residential units to pay for trash collection. The ordinance is a response to a March report from Inspector General Joe Ferguson that says the city is spending millions providing free trash collection to hundreds of these buildings. The ordinance has 29 co-sponsors.

An amendment to the Metersave Program also spawned from an IG’s investigation that found buildings were benefiting from free water because meters had not yet been installed. The ordinance mimics the IG guidelines, requiring all new buildings to install meters as soon as the building is connected to the city’s sewer system. A clarification in the ordinance says the Commissioner of Water Management would oversee the program.

The committee is also slated to vote on an approval of an additional $77,000 grant from the federal government to the Department of Public Health for the Morbidity and Risk Behavior Surveillance Program.

License & Consumer Protection: Among several routine items, the Committee will discuss an ordinance amending the cutoff date of the crane operator’s license examination from September 1, 2015 to March 1, 2016. The ordinance was posted online Monday and will be directly introduced into committee today.

Workforce Development: The only item on the agenda is an ordinance updating the Municipal Code that requires all officers and employees of the city be Chicago residents. Anyone currently employed who fails to comply will be terminated, but the ordinance adds an exception for new employees, who would be given 90 days to establish residency, and employees who cannot move in that time frame due to “extraordinary circumstances.” In order to be exempt from the requirement, the employee would have to file for a waiver with the Commissioner of Human Resources.

The Committee on Housing and Real Estate quickly worked through a nine item agenda at Monday’s meeting, approving eight ordinances in roughly half an hour. The only testimony against any agenda item was from Council fixture George Blakemore, who insisted the city was getting “hoodwinked” by selling a downtown parcel currently being used for a parking lot. Ald. Susan Sadlowski-Garza (10) recommended the committee hold a decision on the $20,000 sale of a lot in the South Chicago Redevelopment Area to The Lights of Honor International, a non-profit.

Members present: Chairman Joe Moore (49), Pat Dowell (3), Gregory Mitchell (7), Raymond Lopez (15), David Moore (17), Michael Scott Jr. (20), Walter Burnett Jr. (27), Ariel Reboyras (30), James Cappleman (46)

Start Time: 9:36 a.m.

Steven Stults with the Department of Fleet and Facility Management, Efrain Hernandez-Diaz with the Department of Planning and Development, and City Law Department Senior Counsel Rose Kelly all testified before the committee. The following items were approved and move to Wednesday’s full City Council meeting:

Board of Education Sales: Three agenda items were approved involving sales by the Chicago Board of Education totaling $782,000. The largest is the $635,000 sale of a 5,200 sq.ft. parking lot from the Board to Park One/Dearborn Parking. Blakemore, the only person to testify against, told the committee the downtown property is worth much more than the sale price, but Stults says the offer was the highest bid. The Committee also approved the sale of an old two story red brick school building at 115 W. 108th St. in the 34th Ward to Holy Ghost Cathedral for $3,000. The building is in poor condition, but Stults says Holy Ghost plans to turn it into a community center. And the $144,000 sale of an empty lot at 5221-5229 S. Prairie Ave. to Washington Park Development Group, LLC also passed committee. Ald. Pat Dowell (3) spoke in favor of the sale, and says there is a proposed market rate affordable housing development in the works.

Redevelopment Area Sales: Negotiated sales of two city-owned sites in redevelopment areas cleared committee, totaling $105,000:

• The $5,000 sale of a vacant lot in the Chicago/Central Park Redevelopment Project area to The Anawim, a Roman Catholic non-profit that addresses extreme poverty. Efrain Hernandez-Diaz says Anawim will landscape the space.

• The $100,000 sale of a lot in the Division/Homan Redevelopment Project Area to Richard and Susan Karwowski, who plan to landscape the open space adjacent to their home.

Municipal Code Amendment: The committee approved an amendment to the City’s Municipal Code to give the Commissioner of Planning and Development explicit authority to implement rules concerning the preservation of single room occupancy (SRO) housing. Rose Kelly with the City Law Department said there was an oversight in the original ordinance.

Testimony on tweaks to ethics rules took up most of the roughly ten minute Committee on Committees, Rules, and Ethics Monday. Steve Berlin, Executive Director of the Board of Ethics, described the changes as a “snag list of repairs that a buyer can expect from a developer after moving into new construction,” saying the goal of the changes is to make the ordinance work more smoothly and correct minor errors and oversights. Jeffrey Levine, Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel, sat with Berlin during his testimony but was not called on for questioning by aldermen.

Members Present: Chairman Michelle Harris (8), Michael Scott Jr. (20), Walter Burnett Jr. (27), Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35), Michele Smith (43), James Cappleman (46), Joe Moore (49)
Start Time: 10:06 a.m.

Read the full ordinance for the entire list of changes to current law. The ordinance's changes are, Berlin’s words:

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  Expands role of departmental and aldermanic ethics officers

  
  


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  Clarifies that neither city property nor city-owned property can be used for unauthorized purposes -- this includes property that the city doesn’t own but might be leasing for official city business

  
  


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  Moves the threshold for ownership in stock of a publicly traded company from $15,000 to one half of 1% of that company’s outstanding shares

  
  


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  Clarifies that people who disclose they have committed a past or ongoing ethics violation in the course of seeking advice from the Board of Ethics may report themselves voluntarily, but if they don’t, the board is legally obligated to report them within 14 days of their disclosure.

  
  


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  Refines the reverse revolving door provision that applies to incoming city officials or employees, permanently prohibiting them from participating in a city matter if they worked personally and substantially on that matter for their immediate pre-city employer or client. They would be prohibited for 2 years from working on any other matter that involves their pre-city employer or client unless they’ve severed monetary ties.

  
  


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  Subjects late filing and late training lobbyists to the same standard that applies to all city employees or officials. If an annual ethics form is filed late or training is completed late, the names of lobbyists would be made public.

  
  


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  Strengthens gift restrictions by requiring advance Board of Ethics approval for any city employee or official who wishes to accept reasonable hosting for meetings, public events or ceremonies related to official city business.

  
  


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  Enables the Board of Ethics to seek further clarification of issues raised in an investigative report.

  
  


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  Legalizes a Board of Ethics regulation allowing city prosecutors to exercise discretion not to file charges and instead go straight to a hearing on the merits of an ethics trial, if, in a prosecutor’s judgment, the evidence doesn’t support charges.

  
  


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  Clarifies that appeals from any final decision by the Board of Ethics would be subject to judicial review by the Cook County Circuit Court under applicable state law.

  
  

Almost half of yesterday's nearly four hour Finance Committee meeting was spent discussing Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposed changes to the Chicago Infrastructure Trust Board, followed by a heated debate on Ald. Will Burns’ (4) resolution requesting the state block film director Spike Lee’s application for a film production tax credit for his movie Chiraq. Chairman Ed Burke allowed discussion on Mayor Emanuel’s proposed appointments to the CIT board, but rescheduled the vote for Wednesday morning. He said the appointees to the board won't be asked to testify at Wednesday's meeting, since they had an opportunity to speak yesterday.

Chairman Burke also dedicated some time to discuss two pet issues: unprocessed rape test kits, and a ban on the sale and ownership of cell phone cases that look like guns. Both were approved in committee.

Ald. Joe Moreno’s (1) ordinance adding new fees for companies that hold permits to operate trash cans on public streets was deferred because Ald. Moreno was absent by the time it was brought up for discussion. Chairman Burke also wanted to more time to discuss an ordinance Ald. Tom Tunney (44) and Mayor Emanuel introduced concerning municipal depositories.

At the tail end of the meeting, the committee approved in bulk and without discussion various appointments and reappointments to nine Special Service Areas (SSAs), and an ordinance giving City Treasurer Kurt Summers authority to oversee the Public Building Commission’s investment portfolio. The PBC oversees the construction, rehab, financing and land acquisition for new and existing City owned property. The committee also approved additional funding to the Small Business Improvement Fund Program to help pay for development projects in nine Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts.

Members Present: Chairman Ed Burke (14), Joe Moreno (1), Pat Dowell (3), Will Burns (4), Leslie Hairston (5), Roderick Sawyer (6), Gregory Mitchell (7), Michelle Harris (8), Anthony Beale (9), Patrick Daley Thompson (11), Marty Quinn (13), Matt O’Shea (19), Michael Zalewski (23), Danny Solis (25), Roberto Maldonado (26), Ald. Walter Burnett, Jr. (27), Jason Ervin (28), Ariel Reboyras (30), Scott Waguespack (32), Emma Mitts (37), Nick Sposato (38), Ald. Marge Laurino (39), Brendan Reilly (42), Tom Tunney (44), John Arena (45), Joe Moore (49), Debra Silverstein (50).

Others Present: Ald. Raymond Lopez (15), Ald. David Moore (17), Ald. Michael Scott Jr. (24), Ald. Milly Santiago (31), Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36), State Sen. Jackie Collins, FOP President Dean Angelo.

Ordinance Amending Chicago Infrastructure Trust Board

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced plans last week to revamp and restructure the Chicago Infrastructure Trust Board by replacing all but one board member, Chicago Federation of Labor President Jorge Ramirez. The board would expand from five to seven members. Leslie Darling, First Assistant Corporation Counsel with the City’s Law Department, would oversee the revamped Trust as its Executive Director. Hers is the only appointment that doesn’t require City Council approval. Bios for the appointees are in the Mayor’s press release announcement.

While the committee will need more time to review the changes to the CIT Board before it could vote on the matter, Burke says he would allow discussion, since the mayoral appointees were already present at the meeting and he didn’t want to “impose on their time.” But instead of using the time to discuss individual appointments, aldermen were more concerned about the lack of transparency in how the board conducts business.

Newly-elected South Side Ald. David Moore (17) started that line of questioning, asking City Treasurer Kurt Summers, who Mayor Emanuel appointed the new board chair, how he thinks the CIT can help blighted communities. While infrastructure is much-needed throughout the city, Summers says a need “exists in a most compelling fashion” in the city’s most underserved neighborhoods. Addressing Moore’s concerns about transparency, Summers said South Carolina’s program might serve as a model for benchmarking and public accountability.

Ald. Tom Tunney (44) then asked Ald. Matt O’Shea (19), another appointee to the board, how the CIT plans to keep the City Council informed with new projects. Chairman Burke referred the question to the city’s new Chief Financial Officer Carole Brown. The board is required to publish annual reports, Brown said. All CIT projects require City Council approval and she would be “happy” to a answer any questions at any time. “Yes, but we approve a lot of things,” Ald. Tunney responded.

Ald. Anthony Beale (9) agreed with Ald. Tunney, suggesting the board’s first order of business should be a public report listing money spent, the types of public-private partnerships created, goals moving forward, and a ward-by-ward breakdown of investments.

Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6) noted that after several meetings with CIT board members, he noticed a fundraising issue and was told that staff members haven’t been paid. Brown conceded that the the organization has had challenges finding viable projects and investors, but wasn’t aware of the payroll issue.

When Mayor Emanuel first unveiled plans to create the Chicago Infrastructure Trust in 2012, he highlighted it as a way to leverage private dollars to fund “transformative” public infrastructure projects with minimal cost to the taxpayer. But CIT only has one completed project, Retrofit One, a plan to reduce building energy consumption by 20 percent. CIT’s other project to bring 4G mobile data to CTA’s underground subways is still in the works and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Ald. Tunney noted that after looking at the resumes of the appointees he saw a lot of great finance experience but few with real estate backgrounds.

Chiraq Tax Credit Hearing

Ald. Will Burns found little support among his peers and local community leaders in his effort to block film director Spike Lee’s application for a state film production tax credit for his movie Chiraq.

Ald. Burns introduced the symbolic resolution in May, shortly after Lee announced plans to film a movie about the prevalence of gun violence on the South Side of Chicago. Prior to the public debate, Burns told the committee he wanted to “signal his displeasure” with the movie’s title because the term “Chiraq” was created by “gang bangers” and it would be inappropriate to “validate and support them.” Given the state’s current financial woes, he said it would also be wrong to give Lee a $3 million dollar tax credit for a movie putting Chicago in such poor light.

But many who signed up to testify said the debate should be about solutions preventing the prevalence of gun violence, not a movie title. As a life-long resident of Auburn Gresham, and a co-sponsor of the legislation that created the tax credit in 2008, State Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) said she has yet to see any economic development in the community and thought it ironic Ald. Burns was concerned Lee’s movie would stifle growth and tourism on the South Side, saying the whole point of the tax break is to incentivize local hiring and training in film production. Since production started on Chiraq, Lee has recruited and employed nearly 3,000 movie extras, 100 crew members and 20 interns from local neighborhoods, Collins said. “We need better statistics, not semantics.”

Ald. Walter Burnett, Jr. (27) noted that as the former Chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Special Events and Cultural Affairs and the Choose Chicago Board, he understands Ald. Burns’ concerns but believes the state should give Lee a break. “I think [Lee] is on a mission and something thought-provoking is going to come out of this,” Burnett said. Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) echoed Burnett, calling it a “slippery slope” if the Council got involved in regulating movie titles. The TV show Boss, which Ald. Reilly said was “not a flattering political account” of Chicago, still netted the city $3.7 million dollars in film production tax breaks.

No one gave a more infuriated and impassioned speech on the issue than Fr. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church. “I’m almost insulted by the fact that we are discussing this…I think this is an orchestrated distraction,” Fr. Pleger said when called to testify. “Yes, Chicago should be worried,” he told Ald. Burns. “We should be worried about the image problem. We should not be worried about the title, because if the title was changed to Disneyland, we still have the same image that is portrayed on the media every day, because it is the reality of what is going on everyday. This is about lives, not a damn movie,” said the priest.

Request for Public Hearing on Untested Rape Kits Approved

The Committee approved Chairman Burke’s request to invite representatives from the Chicago Police Department and hold a public hearing on the backlog of untested rape kits in Chicago.

Burke and Budget Chairman Carrie Austin (34) testified they became aware of the issue after reading a recent USA Today article detailing a backlog of 70,000 untested rape kits across a thousand law enforcement agencies in the U.S. Burke also highlighted a U.S. Department of Justice report that found more than 400,000 rape kits are sitting in storage rooms awaiting forensic testing.

When Burke brought the item up for discussion, he said he was unsatisfied with CPD’s response to his inquiry about the city’s backlog. CPD would only reveal the number of rape kits it submits to the state for forensic testing, but could not accurately detail how many kits go untested, Burke testified. Chicago doesn’t have its own forensic lab and is required under the state’s Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act to submit rape kits to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab for forensic testing. Since 2008, CPD collected and submitted more than 7,784 rape kits to the state lab for forensic testing, according to Burke. In 2014, CPD submitted 957 rape kits to the state, but only received results from 271 kits that same year. “This leaves a considerable gap,” Ald. Burke said, adding that the numbers get “more confusing” because returned kits were from previous years.

Sharmili Majmudar, the Executive Director of the local non-profit Rape Victims Advocates, testified that every year, roughly 600 children, women and men report being sexually assaulted in Chicago, and 80% of those alleged victims undergo a medical examination. Ald. Leslie Hairston (5) asked Majmudar what an appropriate wait time should be. Majmudar said Chicago should emulate New York’s processing timeline of six weeks to three months.

We saw in the Council cloakroom, and a CBS 2 producer reported, that the police commander responsible for the rape test kits waited the entire hearing to testify. He was never called.

Proposed Ban on Gun Replicas Approved

Aldermen advanced Chairman Burke’s ordinance banning the sale and purchase of cell phone cases modeled after handguns. Burke says he introduced the ordinance after learning how easy it is for someone order an iPhone case online that looks almost identical to a 9 millimeter handgun, “What’s even more disturbing is these smartphone cases are marketed as cool, trendy and stylish.”

President of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Dean Angelo’s testimony included the recitation of an online product review describing the cell phone case as a “fun novelty” while also warning the consumer to “be careful where you answer your phone.” Ald. Burke concluded the presentation by having one of his staffers model one of the cases by putting it in his back pocket and waistband. “See what this looks like,” Ald. Burke told the committee, “What would the cop do if he saw this?”

SSA Appointments Approved

The Committee approved commissioners to a series of Special Service Areas, specially drawn districts in commercial areas that levy a fraction of a percent of property taxes and then use those funds for beautification and promotion of the district’s businesses. SSAs are typically administered by neighborhood chambers of commerce and directed by commissioners appointed by the Mayor. The nominees approved by the committee yesterday were:

Central Lakeview Commission - Area #17 - Link

• David L. Gassman - Realtor and one-time owner of Spin nightclub.


• Jeanne R. Saliture - Central Lake View Neighbors officer, retired flight attendant.

Clark Street-Lincoln Park Commission - Area #23 - Link

• Raeonin W. Lisenby - Manager of tween fashion store, “Frankie’s On The Park”

Clark Street Commission - Area #24 - Link

• Joseph A. Prino - General Manager at Mayne Stage.

Lincoln Avenue Commission - Area #35 - Link

• Kenneth Dotson - Angel investor in tech companies.


• Brent P. Holten - Owner, i.d. gym.


• Neer S. Patel - Import/Export company owner.


• Jeannine M. Campbell

Old Town Commission - Area #48 - Link

• Timothy K. Egan - CEO of Roseland Hospital. 2011 candidate for 43rd Ward Alderman.


• Don B. Klugman - President of media, inc.


• Dean G. Lubbat - Chef/owner of Dinotto Ristorante.


• Mark K. Proesel - Attorney


• David L. Stone

A short agenda for Monday’s Committee on Housing and Real Estate meeting includes two big sales from the Chicago Board of Education, an amendment to the Municipal Code regarding rule-making to preserve single room occupancy housing, and other routine sales and lease agreements.

Board of Education Sales: Three agenda items involve sales by the Chicago Board of Education totaling $782,000. The largest is the $635,000 sale of a 5,200 sq.ft. parking lot from the Board to Park One/Dearborn Parking. The  Board says the lot is no longer needed for school purposes. The property can’t be used for K-12 public, charter, or tuition fee school purposes for 40 years from the date of the deed. The Board is also looking to sell an older, two story red brick school building at 115 W. 108th St. in the 34th ward to Holy Ghost Cathedral for $3,000. There aren’t current plans to redevelop, and the building is in poor condition. And an empty lot at 5221-5229 S. Prairie Ave. is going for $144,000 to Washington Park Development Group, LLC, who currently has no plans to redevelop.

Redevelopment Area Sales: Negotiated sales of three city-owned sites in redevelopment areas are slated for sale, totaling $125,000:

• The $5,000 sale of a vacant lot in the Chicago/Central Park Redevelopment Project area to The Anawim, a homeless shelter.


• The $20,000 sale of a lot in the South Chicago Redevelopment Area to The Lights of Honor International, a non-profit.


• The $100,000 sale of a lot in the Division/Homan Redevelopment Project Area to Richard and Susan Karwowski, who plan to landscape the open space.

Municipal Code Amendment: Ald. Walter Burnett (27) introduced an ordinance to amend the City’s Municipal Code to give the Commissioner of Planning and Development explicit authority to implement rules concerning the preservation of single room occupancy (SRO) housing.

The Committee on Finance is scheduled to discuss and vote on new appointments and changes to the Chicago Infrastructure Trust Board, a financing agreement for the St. Edmund’s affordable housing project in the Washington Park community, additional funding for small business improvement grants, and $800,000 in legal settlements.

Finance Chairman Ed Burke (14) is also expected to formally introduce his ordinance to ban the sale or possession of cell phone cases that look like guns. He announced the ordinance last week in a press release, calling the replicas a threat to public safety. If approved by committee, it’ll get voted on two days later by the full City Council. Ald. Will Burns' (4) resolution requesting the state deny Spike Lee’sapplication to get a tax break for his film Chiraq, and Ald. Joe Moreno’s (1) ordinance adding new fees for trash collection are also on the regular agenda.

Chicago Infrastructure Trust Board: This ordinance will be directly introduced into committee, and if approved will be voted on by the full City Council Wednesday. The speedy timetable is likely due to the fact that the Board’s next meeting is on August 7th. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has announced his plan to put Leslie Darling, with the City’s Law Department, and City Treasurer Kurt Summers at the helm of the Board, where they will invest in city infrastructure projects with a mixture of private and public funding. He also wants to expand the number of commissioners on the board from five to seven. Mayor Emanuel first introduced the Chicago Infrastructure Trust in 2012 as an “innovative way to leverage private investment for transformative infrastructure projects and guide the city’s renewal”, but it has since seen a slow rollout.

Bonds for St. Edmund’s Oasis Apartment Project: The City wants to execute a $5.5 million loan agreement with and issue up to $12 million in Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds on behalf of St. Edmund’s LLC, the developer behind a plan to build 58 affordable housing units in Washington Park. Nineteen units will be set aside for public housing. Cities approve these federal bonds to help finance the construction of multi-family housing projects catered to low-income families or elderly residents. The Chicago Housing Authority will provide the funds for the $5.5 million loan. The City owned the property valued at $630,000, and sold it to the developer for $14 in 2014. The $20.4 million project will consist of 1-4 bedroom units in 4 town homes and includes a community garden and play lot.

Legal Settlements: There are three legal settlements pending committee approval. The largest proposed settlement ($360,000) concerns several police officers who were allegedly involved in shooting and injuring two minors. The mother, Catherine Waller, filed the suit on behalf of her two sons. The second case, filed by Brenda Dawson in 2008 on behalf of her deceased husband James Yearwood, is a medical malpractice suit involving St. Bernard Hospital.

Ald. Moreno’s Trash Fee Ordinance: Any business that holds a permit to place a trash can in the public way would get fined if the trash is overflowing to the point that it’s falling onto the street, according to the ordinance. Violators would be fined up to $250 per trash can per day. The ordinance also adds language excluding trash bins paid for with Special Service Area tax revenue. Last year, Ald. Moreno introduced an ordinance amending the municipal code so that SSAs wouldn’t have to pay a fee for certain items installed in the public way, i.e. trash cans, but it never left committee.

The Committee approved an ordinance giving the Department of Transportationauthority to remove about a dozen street signs downtown as part of the Loop Link Project, among other routine matters like residential parking permits and loading zones on an 18 page agenda. The ordinance will help the DOT as it adds new bus stations, protected bike lanes and designated bus lanes, as planned under the $41.5 million project.

Committee Members Present: Chairman Walter Burnett (27), Vice Chair Deb Mell (33), Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6), Ald. Jason Ervin (28), Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29), Ald. Emma Mitts (37), Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41), Ald. James Cappleman (46), Ald. Debra Silverstein (50)
Start time: 12:00pm

Testimony about the Loop Link Project from Michael Amsden, the Assistant Director for Transportation Planning, took up the bulk of the 15 minute meeting Thursday. Amsden responded to questioning from Ald. Emma Mitts (37) about funding, saying a federal grant is paying for half of the project, as well as $19 million in TIF Funds and $1 million in state money. Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) asked if the Department plans to replicate rapid-bus transit and designated bus lanes in other parts of the city. Amsden said expansion plans are slow moving, as the CTA has received a lot of public comment on the issue. Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41), a former police officer, wanted to know whether the city plans to use cameras to enforce the designated bus lanes. Amsden says there will be manual enforcement by police on the ground.

Yesterday afternoon Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Eileen Mitchell will take over as his Chief of Staff in mid-August. Currently AT&T Illinois' Vice President of External Affairs and a registered lobbyist, Mitchell was previously Issues Director and Special Assistant for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. She also volunteers as Chairman of the Leader Council for Mercy Home for Boys & Girlsand serves on the advisory board for Misericordia, a non-profit that provides housing for the developmentally disabled, according the the press release from the Mayor’s Office. Mitchell replaces Forrest Claypool, who was recently appointed as the CEO for Chicago Public Schools after working in the Mayor’s Office for less than three months.

ComEd executive John Hooker will take over as Chairman of the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) Board. He’ll replace Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott, who held the position for the past four years. Hooker has worked at ComEd for 44-years and is currently the company’s Executive Vice President of Legislative and External Affairs. The CHA Board is a ten-member body and commissioners serve five-year terms. Their appointments need City Council approval.

Progressive Caucus Meetup
The City Council’s Progressive Caucus will hold a public meeting 6:00pm Sunday night at Puebla Restaurant (2658 N. Milwaukee). Each month, one member of the eleven member caucus commits to hosting a meet and greet with the public to discuss their agenda and priorities for the city. This month, newly-elected Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) will host.

Developer Withdraws Plans to Build Residential Highrise in Lincoln Park
Ald. Michele Smith (43) announced developer Lexington Homes LLC will not move forward with its plan to build a 17-story, 78-unit apartment complex at the site of the Market Place Food Store (523 W. Diversey / 2775 N. Hampden Court). “After several months of discussion and prolonged negotiations among my office, the Park West Community Association, local neighbors and the developer to explore potential changes, it became clear that the current proposal could not be realistically modified to address neighborhood concerns,” Ald. Smith wrote in an email.

Obama Romantic 'Dramedy' Filming in 4th Ward This Weekend
Ald. Will Burns (4) notified ward residents about street closures related to filming for the upcoming movie "Southside With You". The film follows a young Barack and Michelle Obama on their first date in Chicago. In an email sent to Burns' 4th Ward newsletter subscribers, location managers say they have cooperation from the City's Film and Police Departments. "In the past Thirty-five [sic] years, more than 1300 film and television projects have been made in Illinois creating over 700,000 temporary jobs and leaving in excess of 1.7 billion dollars in our economy," the email says, "Ultimately it is the cooperation of individuals like you that make Illinois a great place to make movies."

Chicago public health inspectors would have the authority to ticket dry cleaning facilities and auto repair shops that improperly dispose of perchloroethylene (“PERC”), a hazardous chemical found in polishes and cleaners, according to an ordinance the committee approved Thursday.

Committee Members Present: Chairman George Cardenas (12), Ald. Brian Hopkins (2), Ald. Gregory Mitchell (7), Ald. Toni Foulkes (16), Ald. Deb Mell (33), Ald. Carlos Ramirez Rosa (35), Ald. Emma Mitts (37).
Start Time: 10:30 a.m.

The Environmental Protection Agency says long-term exposure to PERC can contribute to cancer and lead to “impaired cognitive and motor neurobehavioral performance.” There are state and federal laws regulating the use and disposal of the solvent, but the city has had to rely on state inspectors for enforcement.

The ordinance Mayor Emanuel introduced on behalf of the city’s public health department aligns Chicago code with state and federal standards. City inspectors would now be able to ticket businesses that violate those laws. Fines range from $1,000 to $5,000. Dave Graham, the Assistant Commissioner with the Department of Public Health, told the committee the state has been asking the city to take over enforcement for the past three years. It’s actually easier for the city to issue violations, Graham says, because the “administrative hearing enforcement process” takes just two months. When the state regulates the chemical, violations are handled through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Attorney General’s office.

Before the vote, Ald. Emma Mitts (37) asked if anyone from the dry cleaning industry was going to testify. Chairman George Cardenas (12) said council fixture George Blakemore was the only person who signed up to comment.

The Zoning Committee pushed through more than 50 agenda items in about three hours Wednesday morning, dedicating only a few minutes per agenda item and hearing little public opposition. The Committee approved Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s appointment of Judy Frydland as the new Commissioner for the Department of Buildings, approved an ordinance to create the Pullman National Monument Advisory Commission and approved several large scale development projects. With committee approval yesterday, projects like the proposed Nobu Hotel in Fulton Market, a residential complex off the Brown Line’s Southport stop and a new development next to the Apollo Theater in Lincoln Park have one final hurdle: approval from the full City Council next week.

We have highlighted some of the items discussed at yesterday’s meeting and provide a list and brief synopsis of deferred items.

Committee Members Present: Chairman Danny Solis (25), Vice Chairman James Cappleman (46), Joe Moreno (1), Michelle Harris (8),  David Moore (17), Matt O’Shea (19), Walter Burnett (27), Deb Mell (33), Carrie Austin (34), Margaret Laurino (39), Brendan Reilly (42), Tom Tunney (44)
Also present: Anthony Beale (9), Gilbert Villegas (36), Michelle Smith (43)
Start time: 10:00am

Approved Items – Highlights

Appointment of Judy Frydland as Commissioner of Buildings
The Committee swiftly approved Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s request to put Judy Frydland in charge of the Department of Buildings. Fryland is currently serving as Acting Commissioner. Her appointment requires City Council approval.

Frydland made a brief statement highlighting her 25 years with the City’s Law Department where she prosecuted landlords and revoked licenses from law-breaking business owners. Frydland highlighted some of her highest profile cases, including the E2 nightclub disaster in 2003. 21 patrons were crushed to death after a security guard used pepper spray to stop a fight, prompting more than a thousand patrons to flee down a narrow staircase. Frydland said she was also part of the prosecution that took on the owner responsible for the 2003 Lincoln Park porch collapse that killed 13 people and injured dozens, and the construction firm that abandoned a crane on top of the Waterview Tower in 2010.

Following her testimony, Ald. James Cappleman (46) made sure to mention additional accomplishments, like her work on the Hotel Chateau and the Uptown Theater. Ald. Margaret Laurino (39), Ald. Matt O’Shea (19), Ald. David Moore (17), and Ald. Michelle Harris (8) added to the praise, and Ald. Walter Burnett (27)joked Frydland is “cold, but fair,” warning developers that Frydland wouldn’t hesitate to, “put down the hammer,” to enforce the city’s building codes.

Pullman National Monument Advisory Commission
Ald. Anthony Beale (9), who represents the Pullman neighborhood, testified on behalf of an ordinance Mayor Emanuel introduced at the last City Council meeting to create a Pullman National Monument Advisory Commission. Since the official designation ceremony in February, Ald. Beale noted an increased interest in the area, and said he and the Mayor agree on the need for the commission to provide a point of contact for the surrounding community.

Pullman is the city’s first national monument. The ordinance passed without discussion. The seven member body would include a chairman and six members appointed by the mayor, “with input from Pullman community leaders, business owners, and residents”, according to the ordinance. The board would be responsible for coordinating projects to promote tourism and raise community awareness, maintaining the area, and reporting new developments with the City Council and Mayor’s Office. The board could also solicit and accept public and private contributions, but would have to coordinate spending with the National Park Service.

Lincoln Center Development Approved – 43rd Ward
Baker Development Corporation secured approval from the committee to tear down the old Lincoln Center Condos (2500 block of N. Lincoln Ave.) and build a mixed-use residential and commercial building next to the Apollo Theater in Lincoln Park. Baker’s plans include a ten story building with 200 residential units, roughly 16,300 square feet of retail space, and at least 138 off-street parking spaces. The neighboring Apollo Theater would remain.

The Plan Commission approved the application last week, a required step since the developer seeks to rezone the area as a residential business planned development. Attorney Rolando Acosta’s presentation Wednesday highlighted the 18-month review process the developers went through, including nearly 50 community meetings. Three neighborhood residents and local Ald. Michele Smith (43) testified in support. They called the current building an “eyesore,” and said the new development will bring life and commerce to the neighborhood.

Nobu Hotel for West Randolph – 27th Ward 
The Nobu Hotel at 848-856 W. Randolph Street won committee approval Wednesday. The Nobu Hospitality Group, started by famed Japanese Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, operates hotels and restaurants across the country, and boasts actor Robert De Niro as an investor. The new, 7-story boutique hotel includes 83 hotel rooms and 35 off-site parking spots. Plans also include an amenity level, rooftop penthouse, and outdoor seating for the restaurant. Ald. Walter Burnett, Jr. said the scaled-down project is a result of several meetings with five different community organizations over the past two years. “We love hotels,” Ald. Burnett joked. This is third new hotel to come to the 27th Ward.

The new Soho Club is down the block from the proposed Nobu site, and the Ace Hotel near the Google’s Fulton Market office is almost complete. Ald. Joe Moreno (1) called it a “boutique hotel row.” And while six people signed up to testify in support and against this project when it was brought before the Plan Commission, only one person from the public, George Blakemore, signed up to testify at Wednesday’s meeting.

90-Year-Old Tavern Seeking Full Service Kitchen – 47th Ward
Spyners Pub, 4623 N. Western Ave., has been around for almost a century. It’s so old, the building pre-dates the zoning code. It was grandfathered in as a community shopping district (B3-2), according to attorney Thomas Moore. He says his client, Maureen Sullivan, has owned the bar on 4619-23 N. Western Ave. for the last 25 years and is now seeking a zoning change to a neighborhood commercial district (C1-2), so she can add a commercial kitchen and restaurant. The Committee approved the request without discussion.

Ohio State Teachers Pension Fund-owned Building Gets Rezone – 47th Ward
Applicant STRS L3 ACQ3, LLC, received approval from the Zoning Committee to rezone the property on 3355-61 N. Lincoln Ave. to lease the first floor to Bareburger, an “upscale burger restaurant and bar.” Attorney Meg George with the law firm Neal and Leroy, says the current zoning doesn’t permit restaurants.

Ald. Tom Tunney asked about the building’s existing use. George said her clients already tore down the building and are in the middle of constructing a new one. Her client is applying for a special use permit to add a salon on the second floor. Ald. Carrie Austin (34) then asked what the acronym for the LLC stands for, to which George responded, that it is a joint fund of the Ohio State Teachers Pension Fundand L3 Realty. Ald. Austin and Chairman Solis seemed intrigued the pension fund invested in property in Chicago. George said that they own several pieces of property in the city.

Deferred Items

The committee deferred five items on the agenda because they require prior approval from the Plan Commission:

• NO. 18413-T1 (32nd Ward): Jarla LLC submitted an application to rezone an existing sports and recreation facility property on 1819 W. Webster and its two off site parking lots (1823-1855 W. Webster; 2134 N. Wood St.). The three lots are currently designated as a heavy industry district (MS-3), but the applicant wants the site redesignated as a neighborhood commercial district (C1-3) to build a second story outdoor dining area that would serve liquor.


• NO. 18410 (42nd Ward): Jupiter Realty Company LLC wants to amend Residential Business Planned Development No. 368 to construct a 45 story, 513 ft. tall residential building with 444 units and 181 parking spaces near the new Loews Hotel and North Water Apartments. Ald. Brendan Reilly (42)and the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR) got a look at development plans in mid-June (slideshow here).


• NO. 18402 (43rd Ward): The owners of the Inn at Lincoln Park, L.V.M Corporation, want to tear down the existing building to construct a nine story building with a penthouse, 150 hotel rooms, and 7,700 sq. ft. of retail space with an adjoining restaurant that would serve food and liquor outside. Plans also include 83 parking spaces. The applicant needs to rezone the site, 601-09 W. Diversey Pkwy./2726-36 N. Lehmann Ct., from a neighborhood shopping district (B1-2) to a community shopping district (B3-5) and then eventually to a Planned Development. While the plans are over a year old and a public hearing was held in December, the ordinance was referred to the zoning committee in June.


• NO. 1840 T1 (40th Ward): Half Acre will need approval from the Plan Commission to build a 35,000 sq. ft. brewery that will include a full service kitchen, tasting room and beer garden. Gabriel Magliaro, owner of Chicago’s Half Acre Brewery, is managing member of GMB Partners LLC, which manages Bastion of Balmoral, LLC, the applicant on file for this zoning request. The company seeks to rezone 2050 E. Balmoral Ave from a manufacturing zoned district (M1-2) to a commercial district (C3-3).


• NO. 18415 (2nd & 27th Ward): The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago would like to amend Institutional Planned Development No. 447 to allow for residential use so it can build a senior residence building. The Institute’s PD has been in place since 1989, and currently allows for public ministry, publication, broadcasting, worship, assembly, academic, office, residential and recreational and special uses primarily to support physical education and recreation.

Deferred at Request of The Attorney

• No. 18417 (47th Ward): The applicants, Lisa Mullaney and Martin Kelly, applied to rezone their property on 3622 N. Leavitt St. from a residential single unit (RS3) designation to a residential two-flat, townhouse (RT3.5) to build a third floor. They are represented by Mark Kupiec & Associates. Chairman Solis said the attorney on file requested an August hearing.


• No. 18392 (21st Ward): Miles Management Corporation would like to re-designate the site of its recycling facility from an M1-2 Limited Manufacturing and Business Park District to an M3-2 Heavy Industry District. M1 designated areas are for low impact manufacturing and warehouse distribution, while M3 designated areas are high impact and allow for extractive and waste-related production. M3 areas also permit outside storage of raw materials. According to the application, the property will remain a Class V recycling facility that handles construction and demolition materials.


• No. 18406 (1st Ward): The applicants, Faizullah and Saba Khan, would like to rezone their property on 1256 N. Wood Street to accommodate construction of a new three-story rear addition. The applicants are represented by the law offices of Samuel V.P. Banks.

Deferred by Request of Local Alderman

• No. 18398 T1 (25th Ward): Applicant GLPE LLC, represented by attorney Thomas S. Moore, is asking for the committee to re-zone a chunk of West Loop to build a four story, 70-unit residential building. The site in question (1038-1050 W Monroe St., 1039-1051 W Rundell Pl) is currently zoned as a downtown service district (DS-3), which allows for a mix of small scale office, commercial and public use that is supposed to compliment downtown businesses and residents. Amending the zoning to a downtown mixed use district (DX-3) would accommodate residential use. The property is next to the site of the former Carmichael’s Steakhouse, which announced it was closing its doors earlier this spring. The building’s owners, Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group, had originally planned to build 131 residential units at the site. But last fall, DNA Info reported Chairman Solis effectively blocked those, or any new apartments from popping up on the 1000 block of West Monroe unless developers had approval from neighbors. Solis asked for the item to be deferred at the start of the meeting, but didn’t say why.


• No. 18384 (25th Ward): Elizabeth Avina’s application to rezone a property on 1911 W. Cullerton to convert the existing one-story commercial space and basement into two residential dwelling units was first referred to the committee in May. The Chicago Title Land Trust Company owns the property and Avina is the beneficiary.


• No. 18404 (32nd Ward): The applicant and property owner, Michael Cordaro, wants a zoning change to build a new six-story mixed-use building with 38 apartments, 21 on-site parking spaces, and 12 additional parking spaces behind the building. Cordaro needs to reclassify the site on 1868-78 N. Milwaukee Ave., which has split zoning as a community shopping district (B3-3) and a neighborhood mixed-use district (B2-2). His application seeks a uniform zone: B3-5 Community Shopping District which would change the density allowed on site.

The Committee on Public Safety advanced Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s appointment of former federal prosecutor and Chicago Police investigator Lori Lightfoot as President of the Chicago Police Board, an independent body that decides disciplinary action against police accused of misconduct. But that support didn’t come without some concern from three new aldermen on the committee who asked Lightfoot to detail her plans to make the Police Board more transparent and the relationship between police and residents more amicable.

Committee Members Present: Chairman Ariel Reboyras (30), Gregory Mitchell (7), Patrick Daley Thompson (11), Ed Burke (14), David Moore (17), Matt O’Shea (19), Ald. Walter Burnett, Jr. (27), Chris Taliaferro (29), Ald. Carrie Austin (34), Nick Sposato (38), Anthony Napolitano (41)

“I ask of you of this one request: treat each and every case with an open mind. Do not view or investigate anybody with a preconceived notion of guilt,” newly elected alderman and former police officer Anthony Napolitano (41) told Lightfoot. Speaking from a prepared statement, Ald. Napolitano told Lightfoot that, “We are now living in a society where the almighty lawsuit rules the country” and numerous “fraudulent cases” filed against police officers around the county have caused police to be “more reactive and less proactive.”

During her testimony, Lightfoot noted her nomination comes at such a “pivotal national and local time” when cases of police misconduct regularly make national headlines.

“I am committed to doing my part to make sure there is constructive dialogue. Many of our communities are hurting,” Lightfoot told the committee, noting that while the Police Board plays an “important but limited role” as an impartial decision maker, she’ll do what she can to improve fairness, transparency and efficiency. She emphasized and repeated those goals throughout the nearly 40 minute committee meeting. She also highlighted the importance of the Board’s monthly public meetings because she believes those interactions provide accountability and they help board members “learn how its decisions impact the public.”

Another former police officer on the committee, Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29), said after attending several of those meetings over the last nine years, he’s seen room for improvement. He asked Lightfoot if she considered moving the meetings from the public safety building to a more “neutral zone” as a way to improve dialogue with the public. Lightfoot said she couldn’t think of another venue.

Ald. Taliaferro, who campaigned on a promise to improve community policing in his ward, which includes the Austin neighborhood, also lamented that the disconnect between the city’s police department and his community is at the worst level he has seen during his 21 years as a police officer. He blamed past decisions made by the Police Board as one of the root causes.

But no alderman on the committee had more questions for Lightfoot than Ald. David Moore (17), who grilled Lightfoot on everything from her thoughts on increasing diversity within the CPD to how the board would handle a police officer caught lying under oath.

Lightfoot told Moore if there is evidence an officer has lied, they should be terminated. “There is a lie, you die rule across the country,” Lightfoot said.

When Ald. Moore asked Lightfoot if she believed the Police Board was representative of the city, she responded that was a “tough question,” adding that the board “isn’t just a bunch of lay people.” Moore pressed her, asking how the board could remain impartial if everyone is appointed by the Mayor. Lightfoot said there is a significant amount of transparency in how the board makes its decisions and reminded him that everything the board does is disseminated to the public.

If the full City Council approves her nomination at the end of the month, it won’t be Lightfoot’s first job with the City of Chicago. Former Chicago Police Superintendent Terry Hillard recruited Lightfoot from the US Attorney’s Chicago office in 2002 to head the Chicago Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards (OPS), where she investigated cases of police misconduct. The City replaced OPS in 2007 with what is currently the investigative arm of the police department, the Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA). After two years as Chief Administrator for OPS, Lightfoot worked in the City’s Office of Emergency Management and Communication (OEMC), and eventually migrated over to the Office of Procurement Services. Following her tenure with the City, Lightfoot went back to private practice and has since worked with the law firm Mayer Brown.

The Police Board is made up of nine members appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. In addition to Lightfoot’s appointment, Mayor Emanuel has also asked the council to approve two new appointments, John Simpson and Claudia Valenzuela, and to re-appoint William Conlon.

Simpson is a partner at Broadhaven Capital Partners and spent $77,800 to get Mayor Emanuel re-elected in 2015.

Valenzuela is an Associate Director of Litigation at the Heartland Alliance National Immigration Justice Center, an organization that provides legal services to immigrants, and Conlon is a partner at Sidley Austin, LLP.

The Committee on Zoning meets in the City Council Chambers at 10:00 a.m. to discuss the appointment of Judy Frydland as the new commissioner for the the Department of Buildings and the creation of the Pullman National Monument Advisory Commission, among other routine zoning requests. We also preview major projects like a new Streeterville high-rise and a senior center in the Moody Bible Institute’s planned development.

Mayoral Appointment of Judy Frydland to Department of Buildings
(Doc # A2015-46)

Judy Frydland currently serves as the Deputy Corporation Counsel for the Chicago Department of Law’s Building & License Enforcement Division. If approved by the City Council, Frydland would replace Commissioner Felicia Davis, who was appointed by the Mayor as the Executive Director of the Public Building Commission (PBC), which oversees new construction and renovation projects for the city and sister agencies including the Park District and Chicago Public Schools. Frydland will be responsible for enforcing the building code and modernizing the department, according the to press release the mayor’s office disseminated when the appointment was first announced in May.

Pullman National Monument Advisory Commission
(Doc #O2015-4653)

The ordinance would create a seven member body to oversee and promote tourism to the Pullman National Monument, which received official designation by President Obama in February. Mayor Emanuel introduced the ordinance at the last City Council meeting on behalf of the Department of Planning and Development and in conjunction with Ald. Anthony Beale (9), whose ward encompasses the historic Pullman neighborhood.

The seven member body would include a chairman and six members appointed by the Mayor, “with input from Pullman community leaders, business owners, and residents”, according to the ordinance. The board would be responsible for coordinating projects to promote tourism and raise community awareness, maintaining the national monument, and reporting new developments with the City Council and Mayor’s Office. The board could also solicit and accept public and private contributions, but would have to coordinate how they spend that money with the National Park Service.

The terms for the initial six Board members would be equally divided in three groups: two members will serve a one year term; two members will serve a two year term; and two members will serve a three year term. The chair serves for two years. After the initial terms expire, all board members will serve three year terms.

New residential building near site of Carmichael’s Steakhouse
(Doc #O2015-4618)

Applicant GLPE LLC, represented by attorney Thomas S. Moore, is asking for the committee to re-zone a chunk of West Loop to build a four story, 70-unit residential building. The property is next to the site of the former Carmichael’s Steakhouse, which announced it was closing its doors earlier this spring. The building’s owners, Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group, had originally planned to build 131 residential units at the site. But last fall, DNA Info reported Chairman Danny Solis(25) effectively blocked those, or any new apartments from popping up on the 1000 block of West Monroe unless developers had approval from neighbors.

Proposed senior living building in Moody Bible Institute PD
(Doc #O2015-4635)

The Moody Bible Institute is asking for an amendment to its Institutional Planned Development (No. 477) to allow for construction of a senior residence building. The Institute’s PD has been in place since 1989, and currently allows for public ministry, publication, broadcasting, worship, assembly, academic, office, residential and recreational and special uses primarily to support physical education and recreation. The proposed subarea of the PD along the train tracks parallel to Orleans between Walton and Oak would be designated for no more than 100 senior living units for people 55 years and older. Renderings provided in the proposed ordinance say the 7-story building would be called Wisdom Village Oak Street Senior Living. The Plan Commission approved the application at its March meeting.

Half Acre plans new brewery on Balmoral in Bowmanville
(Doc #O2015-4625)

Bastion of Balmoral LLC is asking for a zoning change from a manufacturing zoned district (M1-2) to a commercial district (C3-3) to establish a brewery with a tasting room and beer garden at 2050 W. Balmoral Ave in the Bowmanville neighborhood just south of Rosehill Cemetery. Gabriel Magliaro, owner of Chicago’s Half Acre Brewery, is managing member of GMB Partners LLC, which manages Bastion of Balmoral. In a blog post from March 2014 on Half Acre’s website, the company said it bought the property to serve as an extension to their Lincoln Avenue tap room 5 minutes away. “The additional space will allow us to expand our distribution footprint to the entire Chicagoland area, add more onsite enjoyment at both locations and explore our interests as brewers and beyond.” The space would include a 35,000 sq. ft. brewery, a 16,000 sq. ft. tasting room and full service kitchen and an outdoor terrace.

New Streeterville high rise proposed near Loews Hotel and North Water Apartments
(Doc #O2015-4630)

465 N Park Dr. LLC c/o Jupiter Reality Company LLC is looking for a zoning change in Planned Development No. 368 downtown to build a 45 story, 513 foot tall residential building with 444 residential units near the new Loews Hotel and North Water Apartments. Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) and the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR) got a look at development plans in mid-June (slideshow here). Developers took down an initial proposal by four floors and 139 parking spaces, while adding 171 units. They also committed to renovating and upgrading nearby Ogden Park. According to Curbed Chicago, “The lot itself was previously approved by the zoning board as a Planned Development for a 57-story residential tower to be developed by a different developer, who backed out of the project years ago. Jupiter was able to develop this new tower with a whole new design under the existing PD, except for the change from condos to apartments necessitating an increase in the number of units as rentals tend to be smaller.”

Since Aldertrack tracks weekly contributions from the date the donation was filed with the State Board of Elections (SBOE) rather than the date the contribution was received, this article includes contributions that date back to April, but went unreported until July 15, which is when most aldermen filed their quarterly reports.

Spreadsheet of Contributions – Download CSV

For example, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle reported three in-kind contributions for political communications to the candidate committees for Ald. Willie Cochran (21) and Ald. James Cappleman (46). The group Preckwinkle for President spent $5,375.04 on “paid communications” for Ald. Cappleman and two in-kind contributions totaling $5,263.78 for phone communications for Ald. Cochran. Since both were reported on July 15, which is the same date the quarterly report was filed, the contributions could be election related.

In addition to the contribution from President Preckwinkle, Ald. Cochran also reported a $2,500 contribution from A-1 Roofing Company, a commercial roofing and sheet metal company that operates in Chicagoland and Northern Illinois. While the company hasn’t had a contract with the City of Chicago since 2002, it is on the pre-qualified list of contractors for Chicago Public Schools. Ald. Cappleman also got a $1,000 donation from The Building Group Inc., a property management company that oversees several high-rise, mid-rise, town homes, co-ops, and rentals across the city and surrounding suburbs.

Ald. Margaret Laurino (39) reported receiving $2,500 from Chicago Food Corporation President Ki P. Hong. The CFC owns three stores in Chicago that specialize in Asian produce and groceries. One of their stores, Hi Mart, sells restaurant supplies, gift sets, and china. The company, founded in 1980, bills itself as one of the largest suppliers of specialty food imported from Asia.

Ald. Pat Dowell (3) got a $1,000 boost from labor. The A-1 Ald. Dowell reported lists “Construction & General Labors”, but the address matches up with the Chicago Laborers District Council, a labor organization with 20 local affiliates representing 20,000 construction workers across the city. The organization is part of the Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA).

ComEd transferred $1,500 from its political action group, ComEdPAC to Ald. Carrie Austin (34).

Ald. Leslie Hairston (5) reported a $1,000 contribution from Brown and Momen, Inc., a general contracting service company.

Ald. Deb Mell (33) reported receiving $1,000 from the owner of Cermak Produce, Jimmy Bousis, and Ald. Toni Foulkes (16) reported a $1,000 contribution from UKAMAA Construction, Inc., which mainly does large-scale projects for retail, healthcare and higher education. UKAMAA built the Aldi supermarket in Chatham, among other projects.

New D-1s Filed

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) created a new political action committee United Neighbors of the 35th Ward, tasked with “organiz[ing] support of local candidates and issues chosen by our members,” according to the D-1 Ald. Ramirez-Rosa filed with the State Board of Elections on May 22. It is common for aldermen to create political action committees because they do not have the same contribution restrictions as candidate political committees. The committee currently has $619 of un-itemized contributions, according to the quarterly report filed July 15.

Newly elected Ald. Michael Scott, Jr. (24) plans to run for 24th Ward Democratic Committeeman according to this D-1 Ald. Scott filed with the SBOE July 13. The seat formerly held by retired Ald. Michael Chandler is now vacant, and the election is during next year's Democratic primary.

After a 30-minute delay due to technical difficulties with the PowerPoint presentation, the Committee approved Midway Moving and Storage’s application to renew a Class 6(b) tax break for its 60,400 square foot warehouse on 4100 W. Ferdinand St. The ordinance will advance to the full City Council for a vote at next week’s meeting.

Committee Members Present: Chairman Howard Brookins, Jr. (20), Gregory Mitchell (7), Patrick Daley Thompson (11), Toni Foulkes (16), David Moore (17), Willie Cochran (20), Michael Scott, Jr. (24), Jason Ervin (28), Milly Santiago (31), Gilbert Villegas (36), Emma Mitts (37), Michele Smith (43), Tom Tunney (44)

A Class 6(b) real estate tax incentive is intended to reduce vacant industrial real estate in Cook County by providing businesses with a lower tax rate if they commit to rehabbing vacant industrial buildings or constructing new industrial property. Properties receiving a Class 6(b) designation will be assessed by the Cook County Assessor at 10% of market value for the first 10 years, 15% in the 11th year and 20% the 12th year. Industrial buildings that don’t receive the designation are assessed at 25% of market value.

According to testimony from Denise Roman, with the Department of Planning and Development, the company seeks a renewal to expand the warehouse and hire additional staff. The company plans to spend $1,226,300 on the expansion plan, she says.

Ald. Jason Ervin (28) sponsored the ordinance to renew the company's 6b designation which was first awarded in 2004. He touted the company’s record of hiring ex-offenders and the free shredding days the company co-hosts with local aldermen. Neighboring Ald. Emma Mitts (37) gave similar praise.

Former Committee chairman Ald. Tom Tunney (44) asked the company’s principal, Jerry Siegel, about the need for additional document storage space. Siegel says the company is looking to expand its document storage services and that he is actively pursuing area hospitals as new clients.