Who's running for Bobby Rush's seat

I've made some hay about Jahmal Cole and he doesn't mind saying that he was the first one to place his hat into the ring. Of course that was before Rep. Rush decided he wasn't running again.

I see on wikipedia and of course if you have any names that isn't in the picture feel free to share.

To start some names were through around in the news such as Ward 3 Ald. Pat Dowell who announced that she was pursuing this today. She also dropped out of the contest for yet another open seat for Illinois Secretary of State. 

Then other names that surprises me State Sen. Elgie Sims, Ward 6 Ald. Roderick Sawyer, Ward 8 Ald. Michelle Harris, former city treasurer Kurt Summers, or State Rep. Marcus Evans. Sims, Sawyer and Harris are names familiar to those who live in the 6th ward. It's interesting that they're looking into this open seat.

However this is a wide open contest and time will tell who might ultimately get the nod once the primary is over in June - don't forget the primary is on June 28, 2022 this year. Let's see how many of those names listed as potential challengers will contest for the Congressman's seat.

Here's a story about Rep. Bobby Rush's announcement regarding his retirement [VIDEO]

Oh wait, Ald. Sawyer was quoted in the above story from CBS 2 saying he's happy with where he is, however, admitted that he'd be lying if he said he wasn't interested. Another name is activist Ja'Mal Green and also Rush's son Flynn Rush - who's listed in the wikipedia article linked above.

Capitol Fax: Robin Kelly wins DPI chair

 Well tonight the cribbing from CapFax continues Congresswoman Robin Kelly is the new Chair of the state Democratic Party. She effectively succeeds former state house Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Kelly defeats 8th Ward Alderman Michelle Harris this evening.

Robin Kelly wins DPI chair https://t.co/umnh4hHwkV

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) March 4, 2021

There were a number of items coming out of the jockeying over the weekend which comes from whether or not as an federal elected official if the Congresswoman was eligible to become the chair of the party. There were also questions over whether or not the Congresswoman as Chair could raise or spend soft money. She even acknowledged that she won't be able to do much with soft campaign money.

However, she got the chairmanship of the state party and as you see in the above Capitol Fax post the state Republicans had something to say about Gov. Pritzker. Pritzker backed Ald. Harris and it didn't quite work out and is viewed as yet another defeat for Pritzker.

Decision '21: Ald. Harris closer to the chair of D.P.I.

 Yeah been cribbing a lot from the CapFax as of late. Probably should do better but surely Rich Miller doesn't mind that much. He's a good source as far as what's going on politically in Illinois. If you have sources that I should look at for this state or in the city let me know.

Either way Harris is reportedly close to being the new state Democrat chairwoman she's gotten a few endorsements and that translates into weighted votes of the states Democrat committee-people two from each of the state's 18 congressional districts. She's got a slight edge over Congresswoman Robin Kelly.

Decision '21: Race for Democratic Party of IL chair

 It seems for now it's going down to Ald. Michelle Harris (Ward 8) and US Rep. Robin Kelly (2nd US Congressional District) a couple of updates for you on Capitol Fax. Just to let you know former IL House Speaker Michael Madigan quit that position earlier this week. It's strange to type that but things must change right?

To start, Ald. Harris picked up the endorsements from US Reps Bobby Rush and Danny Davis. So they didn't endorse their colleague in Robin Kelly I see....

Rush, Davis back Harris for state party chair https://t.co/NJSJgwH4P2

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) February 24, 2021

This was just posted today as Ald. Harris shared her endorsements, however, in Lake County prominent Democrats there have endorsed Rep. Kelly.

Harris announces some endorsements for DPI chair while some Lake County House Dems back Kelly https://t.co/3DbgynwDfk

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) February 25, 2021

Like I said some shakeups going on in this state with the changes in leadership. And it's interesting to see some of our local leaders begin to take on more prominent roles in Illinois.

Could Ald. Michelle Harris be the new IL Democrat Party chairwoman?

 Things are changing at a rapid pace right now. First Michael Madigan is no longer speaker of the IL House of Representatives, then just last week he resigns his seat and was able to install his successor an Edward Guerra Kodatt. 

Then yesterday Madigan resigns his longtime chairmanship of the state Democrat Party. He's been in that role for over 20 years.

Madigan resigns chairmanship of Democratic Party of Illinois https://t.co/qQRRD09S3A

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) February 22, 2021

Ald. Michelle Harris is Mayor Lightfoot's floor leader

 You might have seen this on last night's news Ald. Gilbert Villegas (Ward 36) resigned his role for the mayor's office on the city council and will be replaced by Ald. Michelle Harris (Ward 8).

The Sun-Times writes about it:

CBS 2 Chicago on the bus shelter at 79th/Cottage Grove

[VIDEO] You might have seen this on our fb page over the weekend. CBS 2 Chicago news picked up the story regarding the missing bench at a bus shelter at 79th & Cottage Grove. Nothing really new to report here, just that the story gained more traction.

CTA, Chicago Police, Alderman Michelle Harris (Ward 8), and Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) all want to address the issue of any loitering at this bus shelter.

What's going on with this bus shelter at 79th/Cottage Grove

79th/Cottage Grove bus shelter loitering

You might have seen this photograph circulating on Facebook and I've been trying to determine where at 79th/Cottage Grove this was located. I see in a recent article from Block Club Chi that this was probably in front of the currency exchange on the north east corner of 79th & Cottage.

A bench was removed from this shelter and people who want to just hang out here simply bring their own chairs. I've even seen reports online that although these loiterers may seem menacing at first glance have been courteous enough to offer their chairs to those waiting for a bus. Certainly a plus for any senior citizen who are taking public transit.

However, this is an issue that the police and the 8th Ward Ald. Michelle Harris are looking to take care of the loitering and have taken steps:

Administrators of the Concerned Citizens of Chatham, a popular neighborhood Facebook page, said there were requests to remove the bus shelter bench, as well as one on 71st Street and Indiana Ave., due to the robberies and other “dangerous activities” at both locations.

The shelter bench at 71st Street remained in place as of Sunday.

Harris and 6th District Police Cmdr. Rahman Muhammad said they believe the removals are a good way to combat loitering. But when asked about how the removal affects elderly riders and passengers with disabilities, Harris said the move removal was only temporary.

“Once we get things under control, it will return,” Harris said. “I and Cmdr. Muhammad will be monitoring the intersection for the next week or so, and going from there.”

Muhammad said he is taking a “three-pronged approach” to tackle the problem.

“Firstly, offering those individuals a warning to leave the area, while at the same time giving them job fliers for employment opportunities,” Muhammad said.

Harris and Muhammad are planning to meet with CTA leadership “in the near future” about the issue and possible solutions.

“There will be weekly updates,” said Harris, who added that she hopes to have a meeting with the owner of the nearby currency exchange to persuade them to hire security.

Here's an update with the above photo from Worlee Glover's Concerned Citizens of Chatham

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Speedy Cash or Modern Day Slave Owner

We have a guest poster today. The Rev. Dr. Marc Robertson.

Speedy Cash or Modern Day Slave Owners

DNA Info: Title Loan Store in Chatham Draws Mixed Reaction From Community

8701 S Cottage Grove by Wendell Hutson/DNA Info

Last year Worlee Glover wrote about Speedy Cash coming to the southeast corner of 87th/Cottage Grove. The building it will take over was once an autoshop and it appears the project is coming along nicely. At the same time there are still many in the general community who aren't very happy about the new business.

Wendell Huston of DNA Info has the story:

A vacant auto repair shop in Chatham is being redeveloped into a new title loan store, generating mixed reactions about its value to the community.

The store at the corner of 87th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue is set to open in April and will be the first Chicago store by Speedy Cash, a national lender headquartered in Wichita, Ks.

Ald. Michelle Harris (8th), whose ward includes the store, said it would become the fourth short-term loan store in her ward.

"I would have rather had anything else built there that would have been a fit in for the community," Harris said. "I feel like I don't have a choice [in the matter]. I don't control the process."

She added that she has not had a lot of complaints from her constituents about the loan store.

Noted in the article there are nearby bank branches to this Speedy Cash. Seaway has a drive-in branch and their HQ is nearby. Also PNC is nearby on the southwest corner of 87th/Cottage Grove. In addition in the shopping center anchored by Target in the northwest corner is a branch of Chase Bank. Furthermore to Ald. Harris' comments:

"Traditional banks hold a process for people that have great credit," Harris said. "But what about the population of people that have nowhere to go? What are they going to do?"

In other words, there are people who need money and they wouldn't be approved by a bank. OK, so there is a need whether we may like it or not. What would the community rather see come into the neighborhood if they don't approve of a loan store:

And for that reason Roosevelt Vonil, president of the nonprofit Greater Chatham Alliance, said he is opposed to title and payday loan stores.

"They ... [put] people in a bad position," Vonil said. "What we need around here is a community credit union that has easy lending terms."
....
"We don't need any more title loans or places selling lottery tickets," said [Ann] Gore, 57, who has lived in Chatham for seven years. "I would have preferred a job training center or something to help people find jobs. That's what is missing in Chatham."

Well what do you think? You think there's a need for a loan store? If you don't approve of a loan store, what would you rather see come into the area?

Will MegaChurches Squeeze Chatham Residents

Two weeks ago, the Chicago Public Schools approved a charter for Horizon Science Academy at 8522 S Lafayette. The school is reported to  have signed a lease that would pay an affiliate of  Fellowship  Missionary Baptist Church who's pastor is Charles Jenkins, $1.0 million in yearly rent.  Mr. Jenkins  is a trusted advisor to Mayor Rahm Emmanuel. Many believe that this figure is out of line compared to what other schools are paying for similar space. Many believe this is a diabolical covert way of publicly funding a church pastored by an ally of the mayor. The church with an estimated congregation of 6,000 is planning to relocate on adjacent land and build several buildings http://legacyprojectchicago.com/.

  The Chatham community has a number of churches. There are churches of all denominations and faiths.  A number of these churches have dwindling congregations for a variety of reasons. Prior to the announcement, it was announced that to the east of Chatham in the 8th ward  at 1021 E 78th Street that Alderman Michelle Harris gave another megagchurch, New Life Covenant, several city owned lots so they could build their church complex. New Life Covenant has an estimated congregation of 6,000 members and is pastored by radio personality Mr. John Hannah.  While most would see a combined estimated $60-80 million in developments  as a positive to the respective communities, there comes some issues with these churches. Several years ago, Pastor and former State Senator James Meeks of Salem Baptist church started a crusade to close stores in Roseland  that sold liquor and tobacco that his church deemed "undesirable". He was successful in closing stores but the strip of Michigan Ave. between 100th-119th has not seen any businesses come in to take the place of those that are closed and until the recent opening of Walmart was left without a grocery store. In Chatham, along 79th street there are several liquor store and lounges. Most are law abiding, while one has become the target of community leaders to get closed and was closed for several months.  So the question in my mind is as a resident of Chatham who is of legal age, sound mind, taxpaying and law abiding citizen do I lose my right to purchase wine and spirits as a result of the church moving nearby and a bunch of people who come into the neighborhood one day for several hours feel that its not what they want? In west Chatham, the proposed Fellowship MBC development will end adjacent to the parking area of the new Studio Movie Grill-Chatham. SMG-Chatham is on track for renovations of its lobby and the renovations will place a small scale casual dining restaurant  that will include a bar. The theater itself has been at 210 W 87th for over 16 years but when the church moves in and disagrees with a particular movie or the serving of wine and spirits do I lose my chose as a legal age. law abiding, sound mind and tax paying citizen? While the churches may believe that they can provide alternatives I believe not. They are not going to be able to replace the 150 jobs at SMG-Chatham and the other jobs lost along 79th street. Also, will younger families want to move to a community that offers no entertainment venues? These are questions the Chatham community will have to answer. What do you think?    

ABC7: Mayor Emanuel works to repair image in African-American community

Charles Thomas reports on the mayor's efforts to repair his relationship with the Black community:

If polls suggest the mayor's popularity among African-Americans has slipped, he's working hard to repair the damage.

The mayor began his day surrounded by African-American business leaders and politicians promoting a September 21st football game to benefit historically black colleges.

"This game is about the community. So the mayor supports it because it's an example of what you can do," said Everett Rand, Chicago Football Classic.

"Most importantly it's about the dedication we all have to making sure every child goes to college," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Minutes later, Emanuel proposed re-naming Stony Island Avenue in honor of a religious and civil rights leader, the late Bishop Arthur M. Brazier.

"Bishop Brazier is larger than life in the African American Community on the South Side. He's made tremendous contributions to our community," said Ald. Michelle Harris, 8th Ward.

"In my view the street naming is a small tribute for somebody who's done big things," said Mayor Emanuel.

After winning 59% of the black vote in 2011, worsening crime, unemployment and school closings have raised questions about Emanuel's image.

"More substantive work needs to be done as it relates to economic empowerment in our neighborhoods," said Ald. Roderick Sawyer, 6th Ward.

Also this month, the mayor has promised a Whole Foods store in Englewood, delivered a bus line to the new Pullman Walmart within hours, and appears to have made good on a promise last spring to involve more black workers on the Red Line reconstruction.

"I don't know his political motivation if there is one behind it so I'm not going to speculate as to that," said Ald. Roderick Sawyer, 6th Ward.

It's not that long now before the next mayoral election. Worlee even speculated about the timing of the Whole Foods Market coming to Englewood, perhaps there was some politics considered with that timeline. Of course this all depends on who might make the Mayor sweat in 2015.

Who could credibly step up to the plate and run against him then? And hopefully they've started the groundwork right now.

Can Domino's Pizza Make it the Second Time Around

On a recent visit to the local Chase bank branch at 82nd Cottage Grove, I noticed that the adjacent community room had paper on the window and a Dominos Pizza sign above it. I was taken back because Dominos opened  several years ago directly across the street on the west side of Cottage Grove. The store stayed opened approximately 1 year and closed.

Recently, there was quite a bit of after the fact discourse about the relocation of Dunkin Donuts to 87th Vernon. So I took the time to write a statement to Dominos. My statement is as follows:

I'm a resident of the Chatham community in Chicago and noticed that you are planning to open a new store at 82nd Cottage Grove. The store is directly across the street from a store you previously operated that failed. I'm  concerned that this store will not succeed based on your current menu options, that I do not feel will be appealing to my neighbors and lack of outreach to my community regarding employment and management opportunities. Unless there are some changes I see this ending up like the first store.

 I felt that the time to complain and ask for changes to the standard model is before a store opens and not after everything is inked. While the store is officially located in the 8th ward and not the 6th, they must get business from the 6th to stay in business.

The Dominos today is different from the previous store as the corporation was sold and they have made attempts to change their menu to attract a more diverse customer base. That is why I do not feel that its not a problem to ask them to sell alternative crust( whole, wheat, gluten free, etc), alternative protein(chicken, turkey, etc) and other options that would answer the "healthy" issue that many are asking for. Also, I believe that they should hire locally and our children should have opportunities to work in the community.

So far Dominos has not responded to my email and I have not been notified by any of our community organizations or Alderman that they have been contacted. I plan to contact them again and if they do not respond then I will respond by not spending my money at their location. So what do you think?

Why Speedy Isn't Always Good

Recently, it was brought to my attention that a Payday Loan store was coming to the community. The site at 8701 S Cottage Grove, which was previously a Michaels's muffler will be the new home to

When a pawn shop or payday loan store want to open up they must apply for a special use permit. In April 2012, EZ Pawn, a national pawn shop company presented their case to the residents of the 8th and 6th ward at a community forum held at the offices of Michelle Harris, Alderman of the 8th ward and President Pro-tem of the City council. The community was not receptive and although the community said resoundingly NO they decided to plead their case to the City of Chicago Zoning board. The case was continued until earlier this year and the Zoning Board denied the special use permit for EZ Pawn. The reasons they cited were:

Speedy Cash. of Wichita Kansas currently has no locations in Chicago and this choice of locations is puzzling.

Speedy Cash

Pursuant to Section 17-13-905 of the Chicago Zoning Ordinance, the Board makes the following findings with reference to the Applicant's application for a Special use Permit: 1. The application is not in the interest of the public convenience and will have an adverse effect on the general welfare of the neighborhood in that the community is overwhelmingly opposed to the establishment of a pawn shop at the Subject Property; 2. It is not compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood as it is incompatible with the economic development in the surrounding area in that it will have a negative impact on other potential tenants; 3. The proposed project does not contribute or promote pedestrian traffic in that there are at least four banks within the immediate vicinity of the Subject Property and a pawn shop at the Subject Property will not contribute to the convenience of those residing in its immediate vicinity.

With the zoning board's decision on EZ Pawn, why would Alderman Michelle Harris believe that a payday loan store would add to the community. There is an existing location located in the East 1200 block, one at the 8300 S Cottage Grove and three banks in the East 700 block and several church credit unions with a half mile radius. So why didn't Alderman Harris host a community forum on this site? Why wasn't it published in any of her newsletters? Guess to find those answers we will have to wait for her updated D2 statements to be published by the State of Illinois Election commission to find out.

Who else might be interested in replacing Bill Beavers...

A friend of the blog recently pointed this out to me from the Sun-Times article I linked to on Friday. Sometimes I miss things that are in front of me!

Two other names surfaced as possible replacements on Friday; both of whom are tied to Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th). Sawyer acknowledged that his cousin, Ken Sawyer, and his chief of staff, Brian Sleet, are among those angling to replace Beavers.

Beavers’ replacement will be by appointment, based on the Democratic ward committeemen’s vote, which is weighted according to voter turnout in Beavers’ last election.

JP Paulus stated that some portions of the 6th is embedded within the 4th District. That means if Rod Sawyer wants his chief of staff to get the position that will mean he may well already got a vote there. Although let's remember the votes are weighted and that means:

Ald. Howard Brookins (21st), chairman of the City Council’s Black Caucus, will cast the largest number of weighted votes as 21st Ward Democratic committeeman. Brookins told the Chicago Sun-Times on Friday that he does not yet have a favorite to replace Beavers.

So time will only tell who will be the favorite. I'm so curious if any other potential candidates will step forward.

Also the Tribune noted:

Ald. Howard Brookins, 21st, who had the most votes in 2010, will serve as chairman of the committee, which will include nine committeemen, said party Executive Director Scott Cisek.

Ald. Michelle Harris, 8th, whose ward had the second- most votes, will be vice chairman.

County and Democratic Party officials believe Beavers was out as commissioner upon the guilty verdict, and that’s the assumption on which the party is proceeding. “We want to have the new board member appointed by the next meeting” on April 17, Cisek said.

Concerned Citizens of Chatham: Will EZ Pawn Find 8th Ward Residents EZ

Worlee had these comments with regards to the possibility that EZ Pawn may want to find their way back to this part of town:

The 8th ward is represented by Michelle Harris, who is the president pro-tem of the city council. The 8th ward is also the home of the deposed Stroger regime that has recently seen several top lieutenants indicted on corruption charges. The City of Chicago requires the following :post a $1,000 bond with the city, pass a background check, fork over a $1,200 annual fee, and make sure you're located in a building with high-intensity retail zoning. EZ Pawn is feeling pretty good about themselves as the Pawn industry has recruited political insiders from the Hispanic Democratic Organization to grease the way through the city licensing maze. Also, EZ Pawn and competitors have proliferated in Logan Square(http://chicago.everyblock.com/announcements/feb27-pawnshops-boom-logan-square-4776716/#comment-102323). Logan Square went from zero to six in a matter of 2 years. EZ Pawn currently has 7 locations in the City of Chicago, primarily in Hispanic and African American communities.

 While some will argue that pawn shops are innocent businesses, there is a report from a University of Chicago professor that shows emperical data that crime increases as pawn shops increase in a community http://www.law.umich.edu/centersandprograms/lawandeconomics/workshops/Documents/Winter2008/miles.pdf . What do you think? Well, we will find out what 8th ward residents think on Thursday, August 16,2012 at Alderman Harris's community meeting.

Meeting coming up regarding EZ Pawn

Looks like they're trying again in the 8th ward and it's the subject of a meeting with Ald. Michelle Harris on August 16th. Also another meeting to attend a zoning board of appeals hearing on August 17th. Refer to flyer below for more details. Remember last year they sought to move into the former site of the Chatham Pancake House which had been demolished this year.

Hat-tip Greater Chatham Alliance.

WBEZ: High school hopes to change image two years after beating death

It's great to hear a story about how Fenger High School - located at 11220 S. Wallace - seeks to rebound after the death of one of their students - one Derrion Albert - back in 2009. At the same time I want to know why is Ald. Michelle Harris commenting about a school that isn't even located in her own 8th Ward. Shouldn't there be a quote by Ald. Carrie Austin because the school is located in the 34th Ward?

20 Block Prayer on 79th street THIS Saturday!

From John Hannah's New Life Covenant Oakwood church -

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: NEW LIFE COVENANT ANNOUNCES 2ND

PRAYER ON "THE 9" EVENT

CHICAGO (May 16, 2012)- As an urban church, Senior Pastor John F. Hannah and New Life Covenant Church don't routinely target and fish for souls in a traditional way. In fact, when violence and crime continue to be a way of life in the Grand Crossing community, New Life goes beyond the four walls of their sanctuary to break the code of silence through prayer. Back by popular demand, New Life is having its 2nd "Prayer on 'The 9" event Saturday, May 26th at 11:30am CST.

If you missed the last Prayer on 'The 9 event, more than 1,000 residents and church goers stretched from 79th Street and Dobson Avenue to the Dan Ryan Expressway to pray for the Grand Crossing community and its surrounding areas. "We do this event because we want to gather in one location and ask God to send us peace in our community," said Pastor Hannah. In the past, this event has caught the attention and participation of former Mayor Richard M. Daley, former 6th District Police Commander Eddie T. Johnson, and 8th Ward Alderman Michelle Harris. "I was tremendously overwhelmed by the outpouring of the church [New Life] in terms of their commitment to the community they are serving, and the community's response to them," said Alderman Harris. "I would like to commend Pastor Hannah because he's connecting the community through prayer. We need more of these events."

This event starts prompt. Early arrival is suggested.

Meeting Location and Time

*New Life Covenant Church
1021 E. 78th Street
Chicago, IL 60619

Prayer Time: 11:30am CST

*Other churches and organizations may have different meeting location for this event.

###

If you would like more information about this event and others, please call the main office at 773.285.1731, or e-mail info@newlifeoakwood.org

Alderman's daughter recieves state tuition waiver...

This was brought to my attention on Monday so I figure this is something (hat-tip Capitol Fax) worth posting today.

In state Rep. Robert Rita’s legislative district — which covers a swath of Chicago’s south suburbs and part of the city’s far South Side — just one out of 10 people has a college degree. The daughter of Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) — a friend and political ally of Rita — is being given the chance to buck those odds and earn a degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign tuition-free courtesy of a coveted “legislative scholarship” handed to her by Rita.

That four-year freebie to the state’s flagship state university is valued at nearly $37,000.

It’s the latest in a string of cases in which the children of political insiders have been given one of the two four-year scholarships to a state university that each Illinois legislator gets to award every year to students who live in their district. Legislators also can split the scholarships, giving a partial tuition break to as many as eight students a year.

Beale and Rita (D-Blue Island) have close ties. Beale has endorsed Rita for re-election in the past, calling him a “strong” ally. Beale’s wife works for Rita. Dana Beale is a part-time, $400-a-month legislative aide at Rita’s district office who, until recently, was also making $76,684 a year working for Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. And Rita has contributed more than $20,000 to the alderman’s election campaigns over the years.

Beale, who makes $110,556 a year as a Chicago alderman, says none of that put his daughter, Taylor Beale, at the head of the line when Rita was deciding which students would get four years of free college tuition.

“She filled out the application, submitted it to the state rep and received the scholarship,” says Beale.

He describes his 21-year-old daughter as a good student who earned the tuition waiver on merit.

There have been attempts within the last year to eliminate these perks which it has been contended by many was abused by state legislators. For example these waivers - or scholarships - have often been given to the children of other politicos around the state.