Yesterday we had a special election...

Pic from Robin Kelly's campaign flickr page

Yesterday Robin Kelly won the primary election against former Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson and Ald. Anthony Beale.

Former state Rep. Robin Kelly easily won the special Democratic primary Tuesday night in the race to replace the disgraced Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress, helped by millions of dollars in pro-gun control ads from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's political fund.

A snowstorm and lack of voter interest kept turnout low as Kelly had 52 percent to 25 percent for former U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson and 11 percent for Chicago 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale with 99 percent of precincts counted.
...
Kelly framed her win as a victory for gun control forces.

"You sent a message that was heard around our state and across the nation," Kelly told supporters in a Matteson hotel ballroom. "A message that tells the NRA that their days of holding our country hostage are coming to an end.

"To every leader in the fight for gun control ready to work with President (Barack) Obama and Mayor (Rahm) Emanuel to stop this senseless violence, thank you for your leadership and thank you for your courage," she said.

I would like to talk about the Republican primary now granted the 2nd district is solidly Democratic but we're still supposed to live in a two-party democracy even in this state. At this moment no seems to be able to call the race for any of the Republican candidates so I'm going to hold off here. We'll just focus on Robin Kelly.

She had been a member of the Illinois General Assembly and worked in the state treasurer office under former Treasurer Alexis Giannoulias. She attempted to run statewide for the Treasurer's office but lost against current office holder Dan Rutherford.

It's very likely that she'll win the election, but let's not forget that there are others who are running againts here in the general election on April 9th.

When we get more news on the Republican primary we'll share it here on this blog as well.

AUDIO: Last Friday's "Afternoon Shift" live broadcast from Brown Sugar Bakery

[AUDIO] JP Paulus mentioned this last week and now we can share some audio of this WBEZ program on this blog. The audio embedded above features not only 6th Ward Alderman Roderick Sawyer but also Brown Sugar Bakery owner Stephanie Hart and Park Manor Neighborhood Association President Darlene Tribue.

Subjects that came up during this segment the history of Park Manor, 75th Street as a commercial street, also the issues of living in an area such as Park Manor or the 6th Ward in general. Also host Rick Kogan had Hart make a case for people from the suburbs to come down to 75th Street and the 6th Ward for a visit. This was a very interesting segment and lots of stuff said about the area and its history.

You can hear more clips from last Friday's The Afternoon Shift here.

Also the pic below was taken at Brown Sugar Bakery last Friday for the live WBEZ broadcast. In the pic from left to right is Darlene Tribue, Ald. Sawyer and Rick Kogan. This was posted on 6th Ward Chicago - the Alderman's office official website -  as the pic for last week.

Chatham Parks: A Few Good Men and Women wanted

As we enter into spring and the temperature starts to rise our young people will start to come into the parks in our community. Our Chicago Park District parks supervisor, Gene Morgan, has done a yeoman's task of creating opportunities for our young people to engage in positive activities. He has created tumbling, gymnastics and soccer teams that compete in citywide events and is planning more for the spring and summer. Gene and his staff have gathered young men from 13-18 to play in Mayor Rahm Emmanuel's basketball tournament.

Unfortunately, because of budgetary constraints the current staff cannot accompany the teams to play in the tournament that will be held at Jackson Park on Thursday and Friday evenings. The teams need coaches who can commit to working the entire 47 week schedule. Coaches must be Chicago Park District certified volunteers. Individuals interested can obtain a volunteer form from the Chicago Park District website http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/assets/1/7/Volunteer_Application_for_Adults.pdf  and for information on the basketball program or other volunteer opportunities contact Gene Morgan at 312.747.6063.

Over the last year, many residents have expressed their displeasure with the condition of Brown Memorial Park http://www.chicagonow.com/concerned-citizens-of-chatham/2012/05/the-fight-to-save-brown-memorial-park-is-race-a-factor/ . The park needs an overhaul as the playground equipment, tennis courts and grounds in general are in disrepair. The Friends of the Parks, a non for profit organization that supports the parks is accepting applications from community groups to be selected for one of 35 playgrounds they will build this summer. A copy of the application is below. Any group(block club, community based organization, church, etc.) can apply

Chicago Plays Application by Worlee Glover

95th Improvement Project hearing on March 14th!

This information was provided to us by the West Chesterfield Community Association. I do plan to post reminders in the future as we get closer to March 14th.

The meeting's location as well as date & time:

• 95th Street Terminal Improvement Project - Public Hearing
  Thursday, March 14, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.
  Harlan High School
  9652 S. Michigan Avenue

The first public hearings for this project occurred last September. Nearby neighborhoods such as not only West Chesterfield but Roseland Heights expressed their expectations for this project. This project is expected to start in 2014 and not long after the reconstruction of the Dan Ryan route of the CTA Red Line is finally completed and re-opened.

Refer to document below for more details.

Renovated Shell Gas Station Set to Reopen in Chatham - DNAinfo.com Chicago

Renovated Shell Gas Station Set to Reopen in Chatham - DNAinfo.com Chicago

 There's been some controversy over this project namely concerns that neighborhood residents weren't get jobs on this project or at least Blacks were getting jobs in a predominantly Black community. So it looks like residents have something to look forward too in the near future:

Owner Azam Kham plans to reopen his Shell gas station at 8659 S. State St. on March 16 after it closed two years ago. The renovated station will be open 24 hours a day and will have four additional pumps, bringing the total to 10. In addition, Kham has doubled the size of a convenience store at the site, to 2,000 square feet, and plans to sell more food as well as household items like soap, toilet tissue and paper plates.

"Customers can come inside to pay for their purchases and not stand outside as they did before," Kham said. "They can buy household products, snacks and other items."

But the convenience store will not be selling lottery tickets, he said.

"I do not plan on getting a lottery machine unless it is something the community later says it wants," Kham said. "I want to offer services the community needs."

Additionally, he plans to house two retail tenants at the site.

"I expect to have a restaurant and a bakery," added Kham, who also owns another Shell gas station in Bridgeport at 215 W. 31st St.

Kham said he had hoped to reopen the station last year, but was slowed by the permitting process and city inspections.

Ward Room: Mayor Emanuel is liked by few and loved by fewer

We can name the politician we can from President to Governor to Congress to Mayor and even Alderman. If we did a poll on any such politicians we may find if you continue to monitor the data that at some point the people aren't very happy with them.

Today however we're focusing on Mayor Emanuel. He's not looking so good right now.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's image in Chicago is taking a turn.

A new poll by Crain’s Chicago Business notes the mayor’s job-approval rating “has taken a big hit in recent months.”

According to 600 voters in Illinois, only 19 percent somewhat or strongly approve of the mayor’s performance. When Crain’s polled a similar group back in September, 34 percent approved of the job Emanuel was doing.

Crain’s points to the Chicago Teachers Union strike as well as the spike in murders and the push for government workers pension reform as possible reasons for his poor poll numbers.

He hit the ground running and now the people aren't happy. Then again we're two years away from electing the next Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer and City Council. A lot could happen by then.

BTW, Capitol Fax recently criticized this poll!

People will forget about these polls and it won't matter much if there's no one on the horizon who could credibly challenge Mayor Emanuel.

Dan Ryan Red Line shutting down in 86 days!

[VIDEO] Well this video which aired on ABC 7 yesterday says 87 days it's now 86 days. The Dan Ryan portion of the Red Line will be shut down for reconstruction. Will you be ready by May 19th to either seek alternatives or to take shuttle buses to take you where you need to go?

Of course shuttle buses are only one leg of the trip as you can also take the shuttles to the CTA Green Line stop at Garfield. In the ABC 7 write-up, ridership is expected to go from 1,300 passengers a day to 13,000 passengers during the reconstruction. It will get more busy there for the next five months starting in May.

Also, according to the Chicago Sun-Times the rides on the Shuttle buses and the transfer from the buses to the trains at Garfield are free. Furthermore:

The CTA and Metra also will offer a discounted combined fare card during construction that should run until Oct. 19.

Dan Ryan drivers also could face some inconvenience during track rebuilding. One lane of the Dan Ryan on each side of the Red Line tracks will be shut down between 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. near work sites, CTA spokesman Brian Steele. 

The CTA estimates it will lose $7.3 million in revenue during the $425 million project.

According to a press release from CTA:

CTA today also launched a new project website — www.redlinesouth.com — with extensive project information and history, as well as a project Twitter account, @redlinesouth.

CTA previously announced the multiple alternative travel options and discounts the agency will provide, including:

• FREE shuttle buses from Red Line stations south of 63rd Street to connect customers with the Garfield Green Line rail station
• FREE entry at Garfield Green Line station for bus shuttle passengers
• Red Line train service running on Green Line tracks from Roosevelt to Ashland/63rd
• Expanded bus service on numerous nearby bus routes
• 50-cent discount on bus rides south of 63rd Street

Also noted in the press release is more service on the Metra Electric. So we might need another look at the 95th Street Metra State near Chicago State. In addition there are also fare options if you are utilizing Metra to get downtown.

Are you ready for May and the five months after that?

Some of the links were provided by Chicago-L.org.

National Guard help curb street violence, do you agree?

Lt. Gen. Russel Honore

This article caught my eye today:

At the news conference at the Chicago Military Academy in the Bronzeville neighborhood, [former US Army Lt. General Russel L. Honore] spoke out against the gun violence that affects the lives of so many of the students.

Honore was mild in his tone and fell short of demanding action. Instead he suggested a strategy he thinks could work.

To tackle the violence here, Honore said, the state police and other law enforcement agencies could lend a hand to local police. And the National Guard could take over routine duties, patrolling the streets and handling traffic, while police concentrate their efforts on solving crimes and increasing their presence in troubled neighborhoods.
...
"Trust me, we can tap this down," Honore said of the shootings. "It would take a commitment, and it's not going to be popular. Many people are going to say why are you bringing that to my community? (But) do you want law enforcement or do you want people shooting day and night and destroying the lives of innocent people like the little girl who lost her life here a few weeks ago?"
...
"We should do whatever it takes to end the violence, so we won't have to feel scared," he said. "These kids have guns. We need experienced people that can stop them."

BTW, even Police Officer and former Aldermanic Candidate Richard Wooten has something to say:

When he's not working as a Chicago police officer, Richard Wooten said he's in the neighborhoods — Auburn Gresham, West Chesterfield and Chatham — helping residents develop neighborhood watch groups.

"Crime in Chicago is just running rampant," said Wooten, who does community work as part of his own organization, the Gathering Point Community Council. He attended Honore's news conference.

"This is going to require more than just the Chicago Police Department," he said. "We are in a state right now where we need not only to get the community activated and mobilized and dealing with the issues in their community, but somewhere along the way, we're going to have to tap into some federal funding."

Still, I would say the last thing we would want is to get the National Guard on our streets. Hopefully what the city is facing at the moment doesn't even warrant that. But what say you on this subject?

Job fair coming up for CTA Customer Service Assistants

I recognize this is very last minute but it's worth sharing. If you're not able to make this one Friday morning - tomorrow - you certainly have time to make the other scheduled job fair one month later at Clemente High School. According to a Press Release from CTA, they expect to create at least 700 customer service assistant posts for L stops around the city.

Please refer to flyer below for more details. It was provided by the people at the Greater Chatham Alliance.

UPDATE Expect a reminder when the one for March comes near!

Afternoon Shift Remote Broadcast: VENUE CHANGE - to Brown Sugar Bakery!

Afternoon Shift Remote Broadcast: VENUE CHANGE - to Brown Sugar Bakery!

from WBEZ (Chicgao Public Radio, 91.5 FM)

Come out and enjoy The Afternoon Shift with Rick Kogan at Brown Sugar Bakery! (328 E. 75th Street) this Thursday 2/21 from 2:00pm-4:00pm.

Rick will talk with WBEZ's Richard Steele and V103's Herb Kent ("The Cool Gent") about Chicago's Black radio legacy and history; famed Chicago author, Lowell Thompson about Chicago's "Black" History; 6th ward Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer about changes in the neighborhood; and Harper High School Principal, Leonetta Sanders. Her school is now featured on This American Life.

 

Please post a comment if you can make it. (We will NOT be able to read questions or comments to the guests)

The Grid: The Area

[VIDEO] This has been a concern for RAGE since they brought this to our attention almost two years ago. The section affected is in the northwest corner of Englewood.

I got wind of this mini-documentary by Gaper Block's David Schalliol  - who is not only the managing editor there but also a PhD sociology student at University of Chicago - via Lee Bey. This doc is part of Gaper Block's The Grid series that also shown a fishmarket located near 71st & State Street a while back.

In any case this video shows how the community has come together since the effort by the Norfolk Southern railroad have come to light. There was a community forum about this and we see the residents who getting active in order to oppose the efforts of the railroad for their inter-modal facility.

Chatham Residents Impatient for Young Library Expansion - DNAinfo.com Chicago

Chatham Residents Impatient for Young Library Expansion - DNAinfo.com Chicago

Five years ago the city announced plans to expand the Whitney M. Young Library branch, but residents wonder if they will have to wait another few years before the project is done.

The Public Building Commission this week approved a $1.2 million federal grant to perform an environmental cleanup on the expansion site next to the library, but that isn't expected to be done until toward the end of this year. And officials say they haven't secured the funds to actually complete the expansion.

Residents are growing impatient.

City officials "make promises all the time to the black community and do not keep them," said Doris White, 51, who grew up in Chatham. "If this library was in Lincoln Park or downtown they would have been finished expanding it, but because it is in the black neighborhood they figure we can wait."

The vacant lot adjacent to the 11,000 square-foot library at 7901 S. King Drive was previously occupied by a dry cleaners. Expansion plans include expanding the library to 16,500 square feet.

A cleanup "is necessary due to pockets of contamination from a cleaning establishment which occupied one of the lots," said Ruth Lednicer, a spokeswoman for the Chicago Public Library.

But while the environmental cleanup is expected to be finished later this year, Lednicer said there is still no timetable on when the expansion would begin. That's because the commission, which is overseeing the project, has not yet secured money to pay for it.

Read the whole thing!

Jesse Jr. and wife expected to plead guilty to federal charges!

This is a very unfortunate development and apparently months if not years in the making. It's very unbelievable but at some point we knew this day would come!

Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife Sandi intend to plead guilty to federal charges alleging the former congressman misused $750,000 in campaign funds while she understated their income on tax returns for six years, their lawyers say.

Jackson Jr., 47, a Democrat from Chicago, was charged in a criminal information Friday with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and false statements. He faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and other penalties.

Sandi Jackson was charged with one count of filing false tax returns. She faces up to three years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and other penalties.

Jackson Jr. is accused of diverting $750,000 in campaign funds for personal use.

Federal authorities allege that Jackson Jr. used campaign funds to purchase a $43,350 men’s gold-plated Rolex watch, $5,150 worth of fur capes and parkas, and $9,588 in children’s furniture. The purchases were made between 2007 and 2009, according to the criminal information, which authorities noted is not evidence of guilt.

Other expenditures listed by prosecutors include $10,105 on Bruce Lee memorabilia, $11,130 on Martin Luther King memorabilia and $22,700 on Michael Jackson items, including $4,600 for a "Michael Jackson fedora."

The government also alleged that Jackson Jr. made false statements to the House of Representatives because he did not report approximately $28,500 in loans and gifts he received.

"He has accepted responsibility for his actions and I can confirm that he intends to plead guilty to the charge in the information," Jackson Jr.'s attorney Brian Heberlig said.

Sandi Jackson is accused of filing incorrect joint tax returns with her husband for calendar years 2006 through 2011, reporting income “substantially less than the amount of income she and her husband received in each of the calendar years,” with a substantial additional tax due.

Her attorneys released a statement saying she has "reached an agreement with the U.S. attorney’s office to plead guilty to one count of tax fraud."

It's very unfortunate that two promising political careers in Chicago has come to an abrupt end. In fact they were going to be the next best "political machine" in Chicago and they had defeated a rival machine in the form of the organization for current Cook County Commissioner Bill Beavers. Unfortunately, even the feds have him under indictment.

For now we have many aspirants to succeed Jesse Jackson Jr. who had resigned not long after his successful re-election bid although he hadn't been in the public eye since June. Also Sandi Jackson's replacement on the Chicago City Council has already been appointed.

Sun-Times: Feds shut down Covenant Bank on West Side

Now defunct

WOW!

Federal regulators late Friday shut down Covenant Bank on the West Side, which has been losing money since its 2008 founding by megachurch pastor Bill Winston.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. sold the bank’s assets to Liberty Bank and Trust Co. of New Orleans. Liberty will continue to operate Covenant’s only office at 1111 S. Homan.

The sale will protect account holders, who are insured up to the $250,000 per-account maximum. But it will wipe out the bank’s owners, including members of Winston’s Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park who provided cash for the purchase.

The FDIC estimated the closure will cost its insurance fund $21.8 million. It said that as of year-end 2012, Covenant had $58.4 million in assets.

Many of the bank’s owners, who provided Winston at least $1,000 each, are people of modest means. Winston did not return a call Friday.

He purchased the former Community Bank of Lawndale for a reported $3 million, preaching the need to put religious faith into practice by supporting revitalization of the West Side. But FDIC records show the bank’s losses have been heavy, especially in the last couple of years.

Liberty Bank appears to be a Black-owned bank so such an institution will be continuing to serve the West Side of Chicago. The official website for Covenant Bank is still up! Usually such websites of failed financial institutions are often shut down with a notice that it had been shut down by the FDIC.

CPS chief releases list of 129 schools that could close — most on South and - Chicago Sun-Times

CPS chief releases list of 129 schools that could close — most on South and - Chicago Sun-Times

VIDEO: Jahmal Cole "Inclination vs. Obligation"

Part 1


Part 2

[VIDEO: PART 1 & PART 2] This footage is of Jahmal Cole giving a presentation at Whitney Young Library last Thursday. Here's a description of what he discusses in these two videos:

Role Model Movement founder Jahmal Cole speaks 2-7-2013 at Whitney Young Library. The topic of discussion is Choices "Inclination vs. Obligation."

The first vid is 8 minutes and the second vid is 10 minutes. Hope you enjoy!

CPS gets $50,000 Fed Grant to Deal With Englewood Violence - DNAinfo.com Chicago

CPS gets $50,000 Fed Grant to Deal With Englewood Violence - DNAinfo.com Chicago

Chicago's public schools are getting a $50,000 federal grant to help deal with violence in the Englewood neighborhood.

The funds come through the U.S. Department of Education's Project School Emergency Response to Violence and are specifically meant to address 35 shootings over the past year at four high schools in the Englewood community.

“These grants provide support to students, educators and communities impacted by these senseless shootings,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

“Tragic events damage students and entire communities, and disrupt teaching and learning. These funds will support Chicago schools as they continue to recover from these acts of violence and work to make the community safer so all children can live free of fear.”

CPS applied for the grant and intends to use it on its Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program as well as Response-to-Intervention plans to address violence, including crisis counseling.

According to the Project website, funds can be used for mental health assessments, overtime for teachers, counselors, law enforcement and security officers, and temporary security measures such as metal detectors and additional security guards and security cameras.

I wonder if RAGE is going to get their hands on these funds.

Ald. Sawyer releases plan on violence

You can read the whole letter at the Alderman's official website at the following link:
http://www.6thwardchicago.com/2013/02/11/alderman-roderick-t-sawyers-open-letter-on-violence/

Below you can read a one-page press release which is basically the short hand version of the letter you can access via link.

2nd Congressional District Candidate Forum

To take place right on the south side of Chicago at the Historic Pullman Visitor Center 11141 S. Cottage Grove Ave. Blogger Lee Bey will be the moderator. Refer to flyer - sent to us by the GCA - below for more details.

I wonder if any Republican candidates will be invited to this one!

REMINDER: Black History Presentation Whitney Young library

We posted about this on January 19th. It's still coming up February 7th (TONIGHT) at Whitney Young Library - 7901 S. King Dr - to start at 6 PM. An updated flyer was sent to us by event organizer Jahmal Cole.