Aldertrack sources tell us that Mayor Emanuel held individual closed door meetings yesterday to discuss the budget with the various City Council caucuses with confirmation that he met with the Progressive and Latino Caucuses. The Mayor has been holding regular meetings with aldermen to field revenue and cost saving ideas ahead of his budget unveil scheduled for Tuesday, September 22nd.
Mayor Meets With Caucuses
Jack Lydon, the 47th Ward Democratic Committeeman, stepped down from his post last Wednesday evening, September 2, and was immediately replaced by Paul Rosenfeld, a Springfield lobbyist who plans to run for the spot next spring. Rosenfeld was voted in by the 47th Ward Democratic Organization, who met in the back of O’Donovan’s Pub on West Irving Park Rd., as the organization has not had an official office since former Ald. Eugene Schulter stepped down from the post in 2012.
Rosenfeld says he plans for the organization, “to make decisions collectively. We’ve got a lot of really smart attorneys that live in this ward, I’m going to lean on them especially for vetting judicial offices.”
Rosenfeld, who says his run for committeeman already has the support of most elected officials living in the way, says he'll revitalize leadership in the ward organization, including naming Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer as president of the organization.
Rosenfeld, who currently leads Ald. Ameya Pawar’s Grow 47 public schools initiative, was also once a staffer for former Ald. Dick Mell (33) and a top fundraiser for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Rosenfeld was labeled “Lobbyist #2” in federal investigator phone tap transcripts of Blagojevich that led to the governor’s conviction and imprisonment.
Rosenfeld briefly ran for the post in 2011, but dropped out of the race in favor of an Mayor Rahm Emanuel-favored candidate, Peter Coffey, at the last minute. Emanuel lives in the ward.
Other political leaders in the ward say off the record that there are no other candidates openly passing petitions for the committeeman seat, so Rosenfeld may run unopposed. Candidates must file no fewer than 751 good signatures with the Chicago Board of Elections no later than November 30.
New 47th Ward Committeeman Has Old Political Ties
Former 2nd Ward Alderman and mayoral candidate Bob Fioretti plans to run for State Senate in the 5th legislative district, according to this D-1 Fioretti filed with the State Board of Elections. The seat is currently held by State Sen. Patricia Van Pelt Watkins, a West Side political activist who was elected to the state legislature in 2012, a year after she ran a quixotic fifth-place campaign for mayor of Chicago.
Watkins was supported by several West Side aldermen and ward organizations, including Ald. Walter Burnett, Jr. (27). Fioretti reported no funds for his new candidate committee, Bob Fioretti for State Senator, but his old aldermanic committee, which he used to fundraise for his mayoral bid, reported a balance of $8,461.70 as of June 30th.
Fioretti To Run for State Senate
Barnette serves as chief of staff of the Cook County College Teachers Union, and as chairman of the College and University Credit Union Board of Directors.
Patrick Molloy, the current Chairman of Friends of Margaret Laurino, will take his place.
Before Barnette stepped down, he was facing a challenge from Robert Murphy, an architect who lives in Forest Glen, who is also active in 45th Ward politics. He co-founded the recently very active Fair Allocation in Runways (FAiR) Coalition that opposes O’Hare noise, and ran for alderman against Laurino in this year’s election. Murphy won the endorsement of the Chicago Tribune in 2015, who called him a “fresh thinker,” but lost to Laurino by 1,100 votes. He complained of ballot irregularities on his Facebook page.
The 49th Ward Democratic Committeeman vacancy created by the death of David Fagus was filled by Ald. Joe Moore.
The 24th Ward post has been filled by new Ald. Michael Scott, Jr. He filed a D-1 on July 13th to run for the position. The seat previously belonged to retired Ald. Michael Chandler.
And the 36th Ward post, formerly occupied by now-38th Ward Ald. Nicholas Sposato, will be filled by State Rep. Luis Arroyo. Arroyo is broadly credited with architecting 36th Ward Ald. Gilbert Villegas’ campaign.
Cook County Dems Fill Committeemen Slots
The meeting lasted for nearly four hours, with most of the public opposition directed toward the planned Viceroy Hotel in the Gold Coast. Developers are interested in demolishing the old four-story Cedar Hotel, and replacing it with an 18-story, 180 room hotel that would incorporate parts of Cedar’s historic, brick facade. Newly elected Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) testified in support, noting the “numerous” reductions the developer made to the original site plan. After several community meetings over two years, the developer cut 40 rooms and 53 ft. from the original plan, Hopkins said.
But those residents who testified against the project demanded more concessions. Nearly a dozen residents, most of whom were affiliated with the group Preserve our Dearborn, created specifically to oppose this hotel plan, demanded a shorter building and more parking.
“I think of [State St.] like a circulatory system,” concerned resident Jerry Silverman said. “That’s how things circulate in our neighborhood. When your circulatory system gets blocked up, you have a heart attack. And all I am suggesting is, that plan, as it’s laid out now, is going to give our community a heart attack.”
Nevertheless, the project received unanimous support from the Plan Commission, while another contentious development proposal, Half Acre’s proposed brewery for Bowmanville, did not.
Commissioner Linda Searl cast the lone vote against the beer company’s application to build a new brewery, taproom and beer garden in a predominantly residential neighborhood south of the Rosehill Cemetery.
Half Acre bought the subject site, 2050 W. Balmoral Ave., currently zoned as a manufacturing district, so they could expand operations outside their current location on Lincoln Ave., less than two miles away. Since the location is zoned as a manufacturing district, brewing is already permitted as right of way, but their proposed taproom with adjoining restaurant is not allowed under the current designation.
A handful of residents spoke in opposition to the project over concerns that the outdoor beer garden would bring additional car traffic and noise. “I dont want to raise my kids across the street from a liquor store,” local resident Ashley Katsia said, adding that the plans did not fit with the “tenor” of the neighborhood.
“The growth of Half Acre Brewery is requiring them to move, which is a wonderful thing for the city of Chicago,” Commissioner Patricia Scudiero said. The project architect, Angel Valtierra with Space Architects, added the company was interested in creating a “family-style” atmosphere. Gabriel Magliaro, owner of Half Acre Brewery, said they wouldn’t be a nuisance to the surrounding residents.
Half Acre wasn’t the only application to receive a divided roll call vote. Vice Chairman Smita Shah voted against a proposed four-story, 18 dwelling unit at 3418-3420 North Lincoln Avenue in the 47th Ward. Since the project is adjacent to the Paulina station on the CTA’s Brown Line, it qualifies as Transit Oriented Development (TOD), which means the applicant, Lincoln & Roscoe, LLC, was allowed to reduce on-site parking by 50%, increase the number of residential units by a third, and add an additional five feet to the building’s height.
Resident Roberta Stevens testified against, telling the commission “I think the city should slow down on the TODs. Make sure you want to build it. It’s like watering a plant, and it grows, and grows, and grows and then it dies.”
Chicago Plan Commission Approves Brewery, Boutique Hotel, New Loop Skyscraper
Before the end of the day, Cook County Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarbrough expressed her intention to run. “I absolutely do have plans to [run],” Yarbrough told Aldertrack last night. “I’m excited about the possibilities of running and hope that I can put together a team that can help me get there.”
Yarbrough, who is also the Proviso Township Democratic Committeeman and African-American, is likely banking on following White’s path to Secretary of State. In 1998, he was Recorder of Deeds and the 27th Ward Democratic Committeeman.
Earlier this week Yarbrough was slated by the Cook County Dems for Recorder of Deeds in 2016.
A broad array of other Democrats have privately expressed interest in White’s seat over the years, including State Reps. John Bradley and Brandon Phelps, two of the few elected Democrats from south of I-70. In Chicago, sources say Hyde Park State Sen. Kwame Raoul, as well as Northwest Siders State Reps. Luis Arroyo and John D’Amico have expressed interest. Park Ridge State Sen. Dan Kotowski, a profligate fundraiser, is also a potential candidate.
“Kotowski has been waiting for something. This could be it,” says one high-ranking Democratic Party official.
Then there’s also the possibility that Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza, or Evanston’s State Sen. Daniel Biss, both already eyeing runs for Illinois Comptroller in 2016, could just pivot now or after losing the statewide election and toss their hats into the ring in 2018.
The Republican field is likely even broader. Jesse White has barely attracted any serious GOP opposition in the last 12 years, as he’s the most popular politician in Illinois, attracting 70%+ vote totals. Now that White’s will be off the ballot, Republicans will have the clearest shot to winning the Secretary of State spot they’ve had in decades.
White has not made it clear if he intends to serve out his current term, which ends in 2018. If he were to leave soon, a special election could be scheduled next year to fill the spot. If he were to leave after the 2016 elections, Gov. Bruce Rauner could appoint someone to serve in an acting position until the end of the 2018 term.
Sec’y of State White Not Running in 2018; Yarbrough’s In & Many Other Rumored
If ordered by the Supreme Court, this would be Stewart's second disciplinary action. He was previously censured, essentially given a warning, in 2002. In this case, Stewart could still request a full hearing from the Supreme Court.
Political Columnist Threatened With Law License Suspension
There was, “no response. Not from the Mayor’s office or any member of Council,” Khan told Aldertrack this weekend.
Khan, who has had an uneasy relationship with members of Council, is not surprised at the outcome.
“I don’t think there’s a real interest in sustaining this office. It was just a cover for real aldermanic abuse,” said Khan. ‘“As soon as we started doing real work, there was real push back. There’s been nothing but an adversarial relationship.”
The OLIG received a minimal budget of $350,000. Khan found it difficult to hire enough staff to do the job he believed he was hired to do. And, since his office had to seek a new appropriation each year, Khan believed the deck was stacked against him.
Making it worse, Khan thinks, is that his office has looked into hundreds of ethics complaints, including 425 potential campaign finance violations from the last election. Then, when he finds something potentially criminal, he refers it to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
“It’s impossible to do your job when you’re supposed to ask for money from the people you’re supposed to oversee. That’s one of the problems of this office. We’re at a point where when you know you’re under investigation you’re not [going to be] interested in supporting the office,” he said.
Khan, who has been commuting back to New York City each weekend to spend time with his wife and newborn twin sons, understands the end is near for his office. Now he’s beginning to look to the future, like packing up all his investigation documents and turning them over to federal investigators.
The feds are working on the cases, slowly and deliberately, said one of his former staffers. “There are cases referred to federal investigators that are of major import.”
In the meantime, the Legislative Inspector General won’t be waiting for City Council when it comes back from August vacation.
OLIG Will Shut Down August 28; Sending Case Files to Feds
There’s more bad news for the city in its annual financial analysis released late Friday afternoon: Chicago will have to come up with at least $754 million more for next year’s budget, potentially hundreds of millions more if certain pension reforms aren’t enacted by Springfield. But incomplete data in the analysis may be covering much worse problems. The amounts break down as:
- $233M - operations deficit in Corporate Fund
- $100M - additional debt payment to end “scoop and toss”
- $93M - pension payments to labor, municipal, police and firefighter pensions
- $328M - additional payments to police and firefighter pensions
The total could go up another $221 million more if Senate Bill 777 is not enacted in Springfield, a change to Chicago’s police and firefighter pensions that pushes payments into the future–essentially switching from an 30-year to a 40-year mortgage.
The analysis, as has been done in the past, provides a tremendous amount of detail about the city’s Corporate Fund, where most the city's operations spending is done, but much less detail about the Property Tax Fund, where most of the city’s pension payments and debt service are carried.
In past years this was not a big deal, since property tax revenue was more than enough to cover pensions and debts. But since this year’s budget problems are centered on pensions and debt payment, more detail in this area would answer some big questions. For instance, comparing last year’s financial analysis to this year’s, there’s a $712 million difference between 2015’s projected and actual general obligation bond debt that’s largely paid by property taxes. In other words, this past year Chicago borrowed $712 million more than originally anticipated.
Why that money was borrowed and what it was used for is an important question, since it sheds light on how well the city has been managing its existing debt load–and how manageable that debt load can remain under existing revenue plans.
This may seem like green eyeshade kind of stuff, but the numbers–pushing into billions–are so big they have the potential to overwhelm every other aspect of the city’s budget and programs.
The Mayor’s Office did not respond to our weekend requests for explanation.
City Financial Analysis Released Late Friday With Bad News
CHA Residents Back “Keeping the Promise” Ordinance
Members of the Chicago Housing Initiative, a Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) accountability group, gathered to back Ald. Joe Moreno’s (1) “Keeping the Promise” ordinance, which co-sponsor Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26) says “urges CHA to properly utilize its federal funding for those in need of housing and phase-in 3,000 additional vouchers/year over 3 years.” The ordinance would strengthen City Council oversight of the CHA by requiring that the department issue quarterly reports to the City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate. Attending aldermen also included Susan Sadlowski-Garza (10), Toni Foulkes (17) Ricardo Munoz (22), Walter Burnett (27), James Cappleman (46) and Ameya Pawar (47). Press materials. Draft ordinance.
Stop and Frisk, Police Brutality Targeted by #ChiStops
Youth organizers with #ChiStops gathered with Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26), Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6), and a tardy Ald. Joe Moreno (1) to call for passage of the STOP Act ordinance. The ordinance aims to end stop and frisk in the city by requiring CPD to collect and share data for all stops it performs, including demographics, badge numbers, location, reason, and result of stop. Cops would also have to give a receipt for every stop, and make data collected publicly available on a quarterly basis. The ordinance has support from more than 30 community groups, including the ACLU of Illinois, Chicago Votes, and Black Youth Project 100. Press materials.
Dyett Defenders Block Elevators, Disrupt Other Press Events
Protesters gathered to support saving Bronzeville’s Walter H. Dyett school and turning it into Dyett Global Leadership and Green Technology High School. Their action caused the biggest stir Wednesday morning as protesters sat down with a sign reading “Save Dyett” and blocked the bay of elevators that open into the 2nd floor lobby, forcing some to climb over, and others to take the elevator up a floor and walk down the stairs just a few minutes before the Council meeting was scheduled to begin. The volume of their chanting overtook several press conferences scheduled in the lobby, some who refused to remove were arrested, and others were still in their spots more than an hour after conferences had wrapped. Press materials.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Speak Out Against Deportation Threats
Perhaps the most sidelined presser of the day, Asian Americans Advancing Justice held a conference supporting an amendment to Chicago's Welcoming City ordinance preventing city employees, including police officers, from using coercion and threat of deportation against community members. Andy Kang, Legal Director of Advancing Justice, Chicago, tried his best to speak over Dyett protesters, and tell the story of Jessica Klyzek, an American citizen who was threatened with deportation in a police run-in last year. Ald. Scott Waguespack (32) introduced the amendment at Wednesday’s meeting. Press materials.
Protesters Demand A.G. Madigan Take On Pyramid Scheme
Latino protesters held the last presser of the day, competing with Dyett chants with their own against Herbalife, a global nutrition and weight loss company that relies on multi-level marketing. The group called for Attorney General Lisa Madigan to wrap up an investigation into the company, which they say is a get-rich-quick pyramid scheme that targets Latino consumers. Ald. George Cardenas (12), supports a resolution calling for an end to an investigation. Press materials.
Protests, Press Conferences Overlap Before Yesterday's Council Meeting Start
The City budget is typically introduced and voted on in September, so today's presser and budget briefing marks the beginning of a process overshadowed by Springfield's own stalled and broken budget process. Because Chicago's budget gap is so yawning, with a shortfall in the billions of dollars and much of the gap coming from unavoidable debt and pensions service, the city will ultimately have to turn to major new revenue sources, like a big property tax increase (think 25-40% increase), a financial services tax or creation of a services sales tax, all of which would require approval from the state legislature and Governor Bruce Rauner.
In addition, large fund transfers from state government, such as the municipal portion of state sales tax for the city and the state portion of CPS' budget are likely to remain in the air through August and into September. Since major portions of the city's and CPS' operating budgets will be unclear for some time–as well as Gov. Rauner's likelihood of approving major new taxes–the city will be forced to devise and maybe even vote on a budget that will become one more pawn in the Springfield budget fight. One scenario discussed is that Council votes on a budget with major portions unfunded by the state, and then fill them in later as part of the larger Statehouse budget scrum.
In short: The Cloud Tax introduced earlier this month is a harbinger of what's to come, as city budget leaders struggle to find as many home rule taxes and fees they can, so the city can reduce the amount of money–and political capital–needed from Springfield. Expect a lot of ideas to come over the transom this month.
Today: Council Budget Focus Starts Under Springfield Cloud
No Meetings In August
Following tradition, Council will not meet in August and there are no scheduled committee meetings next month, according to our sources. Some sort of emergency could change that, but vacation plans have been made so we do not expect it to change.
Finance to Vote on Infrastructure Trust Changes
The Committee on Finance scheduled an extra meeting at 9:15 a.m. this morning before the 10:00 a.m. full Council meeting to vote on Mayor Rahm Emanuel’sproposed amendments to the Chicago Infrastructure Trust Board. On Monday Finance Committee Chairman Ed Burke allowed discussion on the two ordinances appointing new leadership to the Trust and expanding the board by two members, but deferred consideration for today because he wanted more time to review the Mayor’s proposed changes. (Agenda)
Ald. Moreno Holds Stop And Frisk Press Conference
Ald. Joe Moreno (1) plans to hold a press conference ahead of the full City Council meeting to address issues he has with the police department’s “stop and frisk” policy. Moreno will introduce an ordinance based on an American Civil Liberties Union report, asking that Chicago police officers record all stops–not just those that result in an arrest. The ordinance would also mandate a training program to teach officers how stops should be conducted.
OLIG Rejects Ethics Amendment Up for Vote
Legislative Inspector General Faisal Khan blasted amendments to the ethics code the Committee on Committees, Rules, and Ethics approved Monday, saying the changes “will destroy the ability for citizens to make complaints without fear of retaliation and will have a chilling effect on potential witnesses.” He is especially concerned with the provision requiring his office submit all evidence gathered in the course of an investigation to the Board of Ethics, who he says in turn will provide that information to the subject of the investigation. “The evidence turned over would include complainants’ names, addresses, testimony, and other investigative materials. This is flat out wrong and dangerous,” Khan says in a press release.
Steve Berlin, Executive Director of the Board of Ethics, described those changes as a “snag list” that will make the ethics rules run smoother. We wrote about his testimony in Monday’s newsletter, or you can read the full ordinance.
Council Meeting Preview
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.
Council Committees Meeting Preview
"Raising the floor," is a common refrain from Women Employed Executive Director Anne Ladky. Much of her summer has been spent co-chairing Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Working Families Task Force with Ald. Ameya Pawar (37). Modeled after the Minimum Wage Task Force, the group is responsible for recommending worker-friendly employment changes throughout the city after 82% of Chicagoans said they’d be in favor of mandating paid sick leave in a February referendum. A paid sick leave ordinance already has the support of more than half the City Council, but Ladky says the task force is also talking about scheduling and access to dependent care, but employers have to take the bait.
“Profitability and good care of employees can go hand in hand…we know it can be done,” Ladky told Aldertrack in an interview last week. To get businesses to buy in, the Task Force and in turn, city government “need to make job quality a business advantage.”
Working Families Task Force Co-Chair, Anne Ladky on Sick Leave
When we sat down with Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 7 President Dean Angelo to ask what Chicago is doing right on crime, he paused. It was the only time in our interview when he didn't have an answer ready. "I think Chicago is looking for opportunities, and I think they're looking for answers, and that's a step in the right direction." And Chicagoans are watching their police force's every step.
Angelo has been the top union leader for just over a year, stepping up to the position mid-contract negotiation, pivoting to a pension agreement, and now helping his members manage a summer where the number of shootings in the city have already topped 1,000. In our "Chicago Influencers" interview with Angelo, he talks overtime ("Do we need more policemen? Yes. Will that lower overtime right away? I don't think so."), to Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy ("I can't fathom how it is down there on 35th every day.") to how the FOP's relationship with Mayor Rahm Emanuel has changed ("I think it could be worse,").
FOP President Talks Overtime, Growing Violent Crime and Resources For Police
The Illinois House adjourned without passing a state budget last night, continuing a weeks-long stalemate that’s left state and city grant recipients' futures in limbo. Today, lawmakers are expected to vote on $2.2 billion in funding that will go towards “core services” like Medicaid, corrections, state police and child care. Governor Rauner is expected to veto the measure. At the moment, state funding for non-profit organizations like the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)is not budgeted for 2016. The group is planning a walkout and rally this morning at the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago to protest.
ICIRR says 70% of its network organizations will be forced to cut citizenship, translation, and human services for immigrants, many will lay off staff, reduce the number of people they serve, or shut down entirely. In the latest installment of our Chicago Influencer Series, we speak to Fred Tsao, policy director at ICIRR, about how the cuts affect immigrant communities in Chicago and across the state.
Chicago Influencers: Fred Tsao, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
We continue our Chicago Influencer Series with Wendy Katten, Executive Director of Chicago Public School parent advocacy group, Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education. Katten's organization has been often straddled the gap between teachers and CPS management while consisently advocating for smaller class sizes and a stronger school system. Katten discusses with us possible outcomes of the CPS and city budget crisis for schools.
Aldertrack Interview: Wendy Katten, Raise Your Hand
The Committee unanimously approved landmark designation for the Fulton Randolph Market, expansion plans for Hadiya Pendleton Park, construction of a new building for an existing University of Chicago Charter School, and construction of a residential and office high rise in downtown Chicago.
While there was some community opposition to the park expansion and confusion as to whether Ald. Willie Cochran (20) supported the charter school construction plan in his ward, most ordinances passed with little discussion.
Committee members present: Chairman Danny Solis (25), Vice Chairman James Cappleman (47), Joe Moreno (1), George Cardenas (12), Matt O’Shea (19), Walter Burnett (27), Deb Mell (33), Brendan Reilly (42), Tom Tunney (44), Ameya Pawar (47)
Non-members present: Pat Dowell (3), Rick Munoz (22)
Amended Landmark Designation approved for Fulton Randolph Market (27th Ward)
Document #O2015-458
No one from the Fulton Market community signed up to testify against the ordinance, a stark contrast to the public outcry during the Commission on Chicago Landmarks hearing in April. And at the last minute, it was revealed that Ald. Walter Burnett (27)had decided to remove one of the properties from the district’s landmark list: a large condo building at 1001 W. Randolph St.
Neither the alderman nor any of his staff were present in the chambers when Chairman Solis first brought the ordinance up. Instead, it was Eleanor Gorski, the Director of Historic Preservation for the Department of Planning and Development, who told the Committee about Ald. Burnett’s decision to amend the proposal. Unclear about the new changes to the ordinance, Chairman Solis asked the committee to hold off on voting until Burnett or someone from his office explained the substitute. The committee moved on to other business until a representative from Ald. Burnett’s office, Askia Abdullah, joined the meeting and testified on the alderman’s behalf. He said the exempted property is on the edge of the district. Two people spoke in support of the plan: Ward Miller with Preservation Chicago and Will Tippens with Landmarks Illinois.
University of Chicago’s Charter School Plan approved (20th Ward)
Document #O2015-2680 & Document #O2015-2587
After some confusion as to whether Ald. Willie Cochran supported the University of Chicago’s plan to build a new charter school in the 20th Ward, the committee eventually approved the zoning change. Ald. Cochran wasn’t present at yesterday’s meeting, but his Chief of Staff, Margaret Boyd, told the committee the alderman wouldn’t support the project unless additional on-site parking was added to the plan.
The University of Chicago wants to build a new three-story school and athletic field for approximately 750 middle and high school students. The plan calls for 25 parking spaces. Boyd said local residents don’t think that’s enough. The new request blindsided representatives from the University, who testified they were under the impression Cochran was already in support of the plan.
Boyd requested the committee table the item so she could call the alderman. Chairman Solis asked, “Why didn’t you take care of this before we brought [the item] up?” A representative from the Department of Planning and Development interjected, saying the parking satisfied the zoning requirement and any extra spaces would have to be submitted in a separate application.
The application has been sitting in committee for several months. At the last Zoning meeting, it was deferred back to the Plan Commission, where it was approved last week. Ald. Joe Moreno suggested the committee pass the ordinance but hold off on submitting it to the full council until Ald. Cochran gave the okay. Ald. Ameya Pawar (47) invoked Rule 14 and abstained from the vote. His wife works for the University.
At the end of the meeting, Chairman Solis said he got word that Ald. Cochran supported the project, which means it will go before the full Council next month.
Hadiya Pendleton Park Expansion Approved (3rd Ward)
Document #O2015-3739
Despite community opposition, aldermen approved Ald. Pat Dowell’s zoning request to expand a South Side park that was recently renamed after a King College Prep High School student killed by two gang members.
Originally proposed by the Chicago Park District, the Hadiya Pendleton Parkexpansion project would turn the former Buckthorn Park, a small quarter acre playlot, into a two acre park outfitted with a new playground, walking path and fitness stations.
The vacant land around the park is currently zoned for residential use. Neighbors who testified against the expansion plan said they would rather have additional market-rate housing on the land, because the existing park is a breeding ground for gang violence. There was also concern that a bigger park would create more congestion and parking headaches.
Ald. Dowell said that while she agrees the old park was an eyesore, she is working on addressing violence, parking and housing issues in the area.
Downtown Mixed Residential & Office High Rise Approved (42nd Ward)
Document # O2015-2625
Developers got the green light from the Zoning Committee to rezone a large plot of land at Hubbard and Wells streets next to the L tracks so they can construct a 152 ft. office tower, 200 ft. residential building with 180 dwelling units, and retail on the ground floor. Rich Cloutier, with the law firm DLA Piper, testified before the committee on behalf of the applicant, 215 Hubbard LLC.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42) and James Cappleman (46) were very excited about this development project, because the developers pledged to make two big payment towards the City’s affordable housing and public transportation funds.
According to the agreement, the development project will make a $1,169,228 contribution to the Transit Infrastructure Improvement Bonus and a $1,461,536 contribution to the Affordable Housing Bonus, commonly referred as the “ARO.” Ald. Reilly said this project is the reason he introduced the Transit Infrastructure Improvement Bonus, which lets developers add extra square footage to a project if they pay into a fund earmarked for public transportation development. This high rise will be located close to the Merchandise Mart Brown Line stop.
Ald. Reilly says the bonus money will be used to finish stalled CTA improvement projects around Franklin St. A few years ago, the CTA was in the middle of removing toxic, lead-based paint chips and fixing an “ugly structure” when they ran out of money, says Reilly. He expects money from this project and two other proposed development plans along the same corridor will help the CTA finish the stalled plans.
Zoning Changes for Amusement Arcades Approved (33rd Ward)
Document # O2015-4207
The Committee approved Ald. Deb Mell’s ordinance to amend the Municipal Code to make it easier for internet and console gaming businesses to open. Current zoning law restricts these kinds of businesses to areas zoned for strip malls and taverns. Ald. Mell’s Chief of Staff, Dana Fritz, told Aldertrack the ordinance change is for a business in the 33rd Ward that doesn’t fit the ordinances narrow definition and doesn’t want to serve alcohol since most of its patrons are underage.
New 22nd Ward Community Center Approved (22nd Ward)
Document #O2015-4244
An abandoned residential building in the 22nd Ward got the committee okay to become a community center. Ald. Rick Munoz’s (22) requested to rezone the building on 2653-59 S. Kildare Ave. for a project for Erie Neighborhood House, a community group that provides social services. Erie House will expand the neighboring site near their 25th St. location to add a computer lab, communal space and daycare facility. Ald. Munoz said the plan has widespread support in the community, but said there are no renderings of the proposed site. Ald. Moreno invoked Rule 14 and abstained from the vote, as his wife Celena Roldan, is the executive director of Erie Neighborhood House.
Site of Former Crispus Attucks Elementary School Rezoned for Commercial Use (3rd Ward)
Document # O2015-4243
Ald. Pat Dowell was listed as the alderman sponsoring this ordinance, but when it came up early in the meeting, she expressed confusion and asked that it be deferred so she could confer with the Department of Planning and Development. After speaking with DPD, Ald. Dowell revealed that the property in question is the former site of the Crispus Attucks Elementary School, one of the nearly 50 public schools the Chicago Board of Education closed in 2013. She said the large building is currently split into two zoning categories, and the proposed zoning change would solidify the area into one zoning classification should CPS decide to sell it. “It’s really for planning purposes,” Ald. Dowell said.
This ordinance struck a personal cord with City Hall fixture George Blakemore, who said, “once upon a time, a long time ago,” he was a teacher at Attucks. He demanded the City reopen the school instead of possibly turning it into a commercial property.
Rear Coach House Partial Demolition Approved (1st Ward)
Document # O2015-344
The Commission on Chicago Landmarks submitted a request to demolish the rear portion of the historic landmark on 1935 W. Shiller St. in Wicker Park. Eleanor Gorski, the Director of Historic Preservation for the Department of Planning and Development, testified on behalf of the property owner. She said the homeowner wants to add a new rear addition and renovate parts of the house. The landmarks commission had already approved the renovations, but since it is a landmark, demolition or renovation of 40% or more of the property needs City Council approval. When Chairman Solis asked Ald. Joe Moreno if he wanted to speak on the record, since the building is in his ward, Ald. Moreno gave the ordinance two thumbs up. “We need some sort of verbal articulate response to this,” Solis joked. Moreno laughed and said it’s an, “excellent use for the ward.”
Additional Items Approved
Citywide: [DOCUMENT # O2015-4193] Mayor Emanuel’s proposed compost expansion. This ordinance would expand the list of compostable materials community gardens and urban farms can turn into fertilizer. The legislation would also create a city-wide registry of community gardens and urban farms. Farms that want to make their own compost would have to pay the city $3,000 for a three year permit. Non-profit farms could apply for a discounted, $300 annual permit.
36th Ward: Motorcycle Shop [DOCUMENT # O2015-4178] A motorcycle repair company asked for a zoning change at 5800 W. Addison so that it could build a shop at the existing property. The application was filed by an LLC and the attorney on record is Samuel VP Banks. Freshman Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) submitted a letter of support and it passed without any questions.
40th Ward: Standard Zoning Changes [DOCUMENT # O2015-3741] Ald. Pat O’Connor’s (40) request to rezone several properties that were added to his ward as a result of redistricting. A representative from his office said the alderman wanted one unified zoning classification to conform to the, “residential feel of the neighborhood.” It passed without any questions.
Zoning Committee Report
Zoning Request for Proposed Downtown Office High Rise to be Deferred
The long-delayed plan to construct a 53-story office tower in the Loop may be on today’s agenda, but it won’t see any action. The zoning committee will defer a rezoning request from real estate developer Tishman Speyer, who has been trying for years to turn the surface parking lot and surrounding vacant land at 130 N. Franklin into a glass, angular high rise.
Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly (43) reportedly promised to expedite the project. He held a community meeting in April inviting the developers to present their plans to local residents (slideshow presentation and traffic study). A month later, the applicant, 130 N. Franklin LLC, submitted an official zoning request to redesignate the 65,000 square foot property as a Planned Business Development site, a requirement for large-scale construction projects. The proposed building would be approximately 1.3 million square feet, with office space, retail, and parking.
But all “T1” designated Planned Development projects need prior approval from the Plan Commission before the City Council can take action, and since this item wasn’t discussed at the Commission’s monthly meeting last week, it will have to be deferred.
When asked about the status of the ordinance, Ald. Reilly said he wouldn’t submit the developer’s proposal to the Plan Commission until he was satisfied. “I’m not done negotiating the final project,” Ald. Reilly said in an email, “so timing could get pushed out a bit longer. [It] Depends on how negotiations over the site plan goes.”
South Side Hadiya Pendleton Park Expansion
Document #O2015-3739
Another item on the agenda, if approved, would green-light the Chicago Park District’s plan to turn a quarter acre play lot into a two acre park. The site formerly known as Buckthorn Park was recently renamed Hadiya Pendleton Park in honor of the King College Prep High School student who was fatally shot by local gang members in 2013. Pendleton performed as a drum majorette in President Barack Obama’s second inauguration and earlier this month, First Lady Michelle Obama gave the commencement speech to Pendleton’s classmates. Ald. Pat Dowell’s (3) ordinance would rezone the vacant land around the park from a residential zoned district to a neighborhood park zone. Plans include a new playground, interactive water feature, a walking path, and fitness stations.
Fulton Market Landmark Designation
Document # O2015-4588
The Fulton Randolph Market District could be one step closer to obtaining landmark designation if the Zoning Committee approves Mayor Emanuel’s ordinance on behalf of the Department of Planning and Development.
The Commission on Chicago Landmarks approved landmark designation for Fulton Market last month, despite opposition from local business and property owners who argued landmark status would reverse decades of economic investment in the neighborhood. The Near West Side community, historically known for its industrial buildings, meat and produce markets has become one of Chicago’s trendiest neighborhoods. DPD said the city must recognize and preserve the historic significance and importance of the district’s historic streetscapes and buildings. The City Council will get the final say. If approved, 142 properties would be affected by the change. Here’s a brief FAQ on Landmarking from Preservation Chicago.
Citywide Composting Expansion
Document # O2015-4193
This ordinance would expand the list of compostable materials at community gardens and urban farms to include biodegradable food packaging and utensils. The ordinance would also create a city-wide registry of community gardens and urban farms. Farms that want to make their own compost would have to pay the city $3,000 for a three year permit. Non-profit farms could apply for a discounted, $300 annual permit.
Proposed Arcade Restrictions
Document # O2015-4207
Ald. Deb Mell’s (33) ordinance would change the zoning requirements for amusement arcades. The Municipal Code defines an “amusement arcade” as any place that offers four or more games that patrons have to pay to play.
Deferred Agenda
University of Chicago’s Charter School Proposal
Document # O2015-2587
The University of Chicago requested a zoning change to construct a new charter school, The University of Chicago Charter School-Woodlawn, on the city-owned property known as Residential Planned Development Number 723. The University originally proposed expanding their Woodlawn campus, but eventually decided to build a new facility on the property which expands over several addresses, or about 2 acres of land (1101-1145 East 63rd Street; 1100-1144 East 64th Street 6300-6336 South University Ave; 6301-6337 South Greenwood Ave ). According to the application, the school for middle-school and high-school students and will be three stories tall and about 70,000 square feet. It will also include “extensive green roof space, outdoor activity space, on-site parking, and community space”.
Zoning Committee Meeting Preview
The city and state budget crises are endangering smaller social service agencies and some might not make it through the year, says Craig Maki, who leads up the North Side's Asian Human Services. Today, we're kicking off our new interview serieswith leaders who work closely with city government as part of their business with a discussion of how the budget crisis impacts social service delivery in Chicago.
