Sun-Times: Aldermanic privilege steeped in power, politics — and prejudice, critics contend

Believe it or not the long-term practice here in Chicago of "aldermanic privilege" is being subjected to a federal civil rights complaint:

Aldermanic prerogative, the unwritten rule that gives local aldermen final control over zoning and development issues in their own ward, is the ultimate source of power for Chicago’s 50 City Council members.

It’s what makes them the lords of their 55,000-constituent fiefdoms and brings a steady stream of campaign donors to help them get re-elected.

It’s also the means by which aldermen illegally perpetuate the city’s segregated housing patterns, argues a federal civil rights complaint filed Thursday on behalf of nine affordable housing and neighborhood organizations that want to curb the practice.

The complaint, filed by lawyers for the Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, contends aldermanic prerogative has been used for decades to block affordable housing in the city’s white neighborhoods.

But it was racially-tinged community opposition to a pair of apartment developments proposed in recent years for the Northwest Side that prompted the legal action.

The practice of aldermanic prerogative, also known as aldermanic privilege, gives aldermen veto power over zoning, land use, sale of city land and public financing for projects in their wards.

Read the whole thing! 

#CTAfail = TWO groups of bunched buses in a row!

MAJOR #CTAfail today. 

TWO Batches of bunched buses resulted in me walking to my meeting, and now complaining on the internet.

I was at first hesitant to write this, as I complain about North Siders being complaining brats at times. But I guess that’s how service works. I am also curious to see if anyone has had the same problem. And if so, let’s unite to hold CTA accountable!

So I was less than a block from the bus stop near 80^th & King, going South bound at 8:21am.  I saw a bus sail past my stop. So I walked, thinking, well, maybe another bus will come in a few minutes. Try a few SECONDS. About 45 seconds later (if that), a SECOND bus FLIES by.

I am in utter shock. After s couple of seconds, I try to run to the next stop, which has a stoplight which is turning yellow (and then red). That SHOULD have been enough time for me to catch up. (And an “excuse” for the bus to slow down and NOT bunch up with the first bus). But instead, they GUN IT, and I miss that bus.

I am extremely frustrated, but think, well, maybe there’s another one in a few minutes. SO I text in the info (which has actually been helpful).

Here’s my text log:

8:22am = stop 2249 King& 80^th

19 min. & 19 min.

WHAT????? With a 20 minute gap, NO ONE at CTA HQ or the Bus Supervisor SEES this discrepancy?

8:24am = stop 2252 King& 83^rd

19 min. and 19 min.

I texted this stop to see if perhaps that 2^nd bus that passed me slowed down at all. Clearly not. But 20 minutes between buses??? That 2^nd bus couldn’t have slowed down AT ALL???

At this point, I actually stop, and call in to complain.  The customer service person says she can only take the complaint, and can NOT communicate with the bus supervisor, who COULD have stopped that 2^nd bus for a couple of minutes.  She says she’ll call me with the ticket number (for my complaint) later, as I have to walk really fast to my destination (a school board meeting – not one I wish be sweaty at).

8:39am = stop 2257 King & 88^th

10 min and 10 min.  STILL bunched up. The latter bus COULD have waited at some stops (i.e. major intersections) for 2 minutes, and no one would have noticed.

8:48am = stop 2260 (King at 91^st)

Said DUE and 2 min. 

At that point, I was 1 ½ blocks east of stop, WALKING to my destination, and still did not see the bus. 

Basically, I had beat the bus from my home to the near my destination. I was cold in some parts and sweaty & smelly in others. And my sore foot may have gotten worse.

Oh, and remember that complaint I sent in? It’s 3PM and no phone call. There’s a 311 complaint number: 14-02004134

Let’s see if anything happens from that.  Feel free to call 311 with this complaint number and see if you get anything.

MAJOR MAJOR fail, here CTA.  Will you make a change? Call me back?

I will have to look up later Chicago Public Radio’s Curious City story on bunched buses, and to see if South Siders get the shaft more than North side buses.

But please share your stories – and see if we can make this better.

p.s. Unrelated CTA complaint – I asked on their Facebook page if they could post the DATE of when the Red Line Holiday Train will happen. I understand that the TIME is not yet set…but I need to know if I should plan ahead for THAT event or another.  How hard can setting a date be? They've been doing this every year!

Family Dollar on Cottage Grove closed

A story from yesterday courtesy of Breaking News, via the Blotter. Does anyone know if this Family Dollar is open this morning?

Family Dollar, 8341 S. Cottage Grove Ave., was inspected today after complaints about the East Chatham store, according to a news release from the city.

Inspectors found between two and four feet of water in the basement near the sump pump and garbage bins overflowing outside the store, according to the release.

The store "will have to correct all these problems, clean the place from top to bottom, and pass a full reinspection before they can get back to business," Josie Cruz, Deputy Commissioner of Streets & Sanitation's Bureau of Rodent Control, said in the release.

How to get relief from a section 8 neighbor

Its no secret that the number of households under the Housing Choice Vouchers (i.e. Section 8) has increased. The exact number is not known because that information is protected under privacy laws per CHA.

When this program was outsourced to an entity called CHAC it was a waste of time attempting to get relief from the "neighbors from hell". Based on the presentation from representatives from CHA have made to members of our community they are not any better but because of political pressure from Alderman Lyle and others they are following up on complaints filed against their residents.

The agency has a complaint line and the phone number is 1.800.533.0441. You can report properties in disrepair, illegal subletting, illegal tenants and any other complaints. When making a complaint be specific as possible with names, actions, time of actions and if in a multi family building what floor. Also you can write and attach the form at the right of the page to the regional office at

Southwest Regional Office
10 W. 35th Street
5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60616

Lastly, contact the Alderman's office and let them know what actions you have taken and always document your actions.