The 6th ward aldermandic meeting was full of information with a number of city of chicago departments present. The department of neighbor affairs, purchasing and consumer services were present and encouraged residents to inquire about opportunities to do business with the city and if there are businesses that are presenting a nuisance to file a complaint.
Also, Governor Pat Quinn field representative stopped in and encouraged residents to vote in the upcoming November election and why it is important to vote for Governor Quinn.
One of the featured speakers was Tammy Collins from the City of Chicago Department of Community Development and 6th ward resident. She came to the meeting to speak about the 67th Street tax increment financing (TIF) district. A TIF district is a designated area where a portion of the real estate taxes paid by commercial property owners go into a pool that can be used to make improvements, create job training programs, etc. The TIF district is being created to ensure that the area surrounding the old Kennedy King College receives some benefits from the redevelopment of the that site. The district will run approximately from 67th Ashland to Cottage Grove and south to 79th with the same east and west coordinates. No details were given about what is going to be built on the Kennedy King site. Several questions were raised regarding crime in that area which were answered that the money generated by the TIF can be used to get additional law enforcement presence.
The second featured speaker was Ervin Currin who is the Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services(DCFS)and 6th ward resident. Mr. Currin gave some facts about DCFS interaction in the 6th Ward. Mr. Currin stated the following:
375 investigations
14 removals
79 foster parents
113 foster children
Mr. Currin stated that mission of DCFS is to strengthen families and not take kids out of homes and place them in the foster care system. he did state that they are having problems placing older children and are creating group homes that teach these young people independent living skills because most will leave the system at age 18. he gave two websites that discuss several initiatives the department is involved in.
www.fosterkidsareourkids.org
www.strengtheningfamiliesillinois.org/
Lastly, the alderman asked residents to volunteer to become block liaisons. These liaisons would be responsible to disseminate information to their neighbors. it was stressed that these individuals would not be paid and are not precinct captains. Also, the alderman asked for volunteers to help with the various programs sponsored by her office.
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