Joe Zekas R.I.P.

 Joe Zekas ran the real estate news website YoChicago. If you have been following that site and their social media channels i.e. YouTube or X/Twitter you might find that he hadn't updated since June 2023 which was the month that he was said to have passed away unexpectedly.

Zekas in the early days would link to us frequently and you might find a few comments here from him in the past. And he caught my eye thanks to his coverage of some of the south side neighborhoods such as Pill Hill, Pullman, Englewood, Chatham, West Chesterfield, etc.

Even did a video I featured here called "treating your skin disease" he railed against the bias toward buying and living in "certain" communities based upon the predominant ethnicities in those communities. For example I do believe he was speaking of Chatham he might say why isn't Chatham a destination for everyone to consider buying and living there? [VIDEO]

As of late I see YoChicago appears to be a one man shop with Zekas running everything. He's the only one listed on staff there. He's had people like Joe Askins, Eric Stonikas, Whet Moser, and others work with him over the years. In addition some of the people who worked with him at YoChicago had also joined Curbed Chicago back when the Curbed publication had more local editions. So I'm sure there's quite a learning tree out there for people who want to follow what's going on in Chicago real estate.

My condolences to Zekas' family.

As we head into 2024, I couldn't allow this to go unnoticed on this blog! 

Anyone looking for a 2023 #Ward06 elections page?

Remapped 6th Ward - adopted May 2022

The map you see above is of a remapped 6th Ward which was adopted in May 2022. This is the ward that candidates for Alderman will be running to represent.

At this moment I don't know if there will be an election page here which will be typical for this blog since 2011. I have shared again publicly the links for all local elections in 2015 and 2019 we covered multiple wards especially in light of the 2011-12 ward remap.

I don't know if there is any interests from the other bloggers here in other wards especially other than wards 6, 9, and 21. As you know there is some turnover as Ward 6 Ald. Roderick Sawyer is running for mayor next year and Ward 21 Ald. Howard Brookins is retiring from the city council. The only incumbent since 2011 that weve covered who's running again next year is Ward 9 Ald. Anthony Beale.

BTW, in shameless self promotion there is a 2023 Elections page over at Ninth Ward Chicago.

If nothing else if you would like to see a separate page here on at least the race to succeed Ald. Sawyer for Ward 6 Alderman feel free to drop a comment and let us know.

Just to let you know right now Worlee Glover at Concerned Citizens of Chatham has a concise list of candidates who want to succeed Ald. Sawyer in Ward 6.

And, yes I need to update with vote totals the 2019 page. Not sure why that didn't happen back then although if you're looking for 2019 results for Ward 9 you can check Ninth Ward Chicago. 

The crime issue in Chicago

 

[VIDEO] I've been hearing about this on the radio today and decided this is a good story to share. We see a spat between Mayor Lightfoot and State's Attorney Foxx over the lack of charges in the case of a shooting in Austin on the west side.

Both the Mayor and the State's Attorney have polled under water as far as the crime issue this past August. Also bear in mind Cook County voters re-elected Kim Foxx last year.

I want to share another post from yesterday over at the CapFax which discusses the lack of charges in the Austin neighborhood shooting from last Friday. Here's one quotable:

False arrests and convictions have cost city taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. A more careful and just approach has been warranted, but this is ridic.

Is Lightfoot wrong in her comments towards the State's Attorney? Should there be more effort to charge the gunmen? 

CapFax: WGN Chicago Poll Mayor and State's Attorney under water crime huge issue

 Get a load of this. I'm not too surprised about this poll regarding Mayor Lightfoot, but State's Attorney Foxx? Really? We just gave her a second term last year and now Chicago voters especially disappove of Kim Foxx's performance?

WGN Chicago poll: Lightfoot and Foxx under water, crime top issue, positive opinion of CPD at 70 percent and rising https://t.co/ppdsdrB5LQ

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) August 17, 2021

And also support for Chicago Police is growing. 70% of Chicago residents have a positive view of the police.

Perhaps someone reading this is among them.

Capitol Fax: New hybrid Chicago school board plan floated

I found this update at the CapFax yesterday on where a new hybrid school board proposal for Chicago is in Springfield.

New hybrid Chicago school board plan floated https://t.co/bN4ZcYY5Gu

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) May 26, 2021

Bridge Phase begins today

 Well a year later but I'm glad. Check this press release over at the CapFax blog yesterday we're one step closer to a full re-opening if nothing weird happens full reopening will begin June 11, 2021. 

Bridge Phase will begin tomorrow as scheduled https://t.co/HCetbpuNNR

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) May 13, 2021

Also I want to share 50,000 tickets to Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois is being offered to those Illinoisans who have been vaccinated. Still do your due diligence as far as the vaccine, however, if you need extra encouragement use this.

CapitolFax: Lightfoot’s proposal would elect just three school board members

 We see more about Mayor Lightfoot's hybrid proposal for the CPS school board which by 2028 will elect three to an 11 member board with ultimately 8 appointed by the mayor. However, the voters will elected two members to a 7 member board the remainder appointed by the mayor by 2026.

The comments in this CapFax is showing how this could go over and it's not very well. The legislation is sponsored by state senate majority leader Kimberly Lightford who unfortunately has tested positive for the coronavirus. I do wish her well at this time.

Lightfoot’s proposal would elect just three school board members https://t.co/vsZkraDxCU

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) April 15, 2021

Beyond that your thoughts. You like the idea of a hybrid school board? Do you like the mayor's proposal? Do you think there needs to be an elected school board in Chicago?

Capitol Fax: Rep. Thapedi to step down

Rich Miller has more about the resignation of state Rep. Andre Thapedi (D-32) on his blog yesterday. As you know this was reported on Sunday evening.

Rep. Thapedi to step down https://t.co/9Huw4GVFMD

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) February 1, 2021

Not to go too negative on this, but the comments to that post well a few of them discuss how they hate that an incumbent gets elected to their legislative seat then turn around and resign. Some call for special elections to state legislative seats. Especially for house seats.

There should be some discussion on this at the very least. Perhaps even special elections for Alderman upon a resignation, removal or death. 

The Magiskist Carpet sign that once stood near 87th & Dan Ryan #tbt

The Magikist sign was a childhood landmark for myself until it was dismantled in 1992 according to Pete Kasantes of Vanished Chicagoland. I'm sharing this with you as the Chatham neighborhood was home to this recognizable landmark for many commuters going into the city on the Dan Ryan Expressway. I was disappointed to see it was gone at some point in the 1990s, however, the memories remain.

What happened this weekend with the Dan Ryan protests

On Saturday morning, I wrote a post about a planned protest on the Dan Ryan. I reminded everyone about the Dan Ryan protest held further south near 79th street back in 2018 which was held without incident though controversial as this one was more controversial considering the times we're living in right now.

We have a pandemic going on and not only that the week before downtown Chicago and 87th street evidently had events of mass looting. Then we still have unrest around the nation especially since the death of George Floyd which largely hadn't settled down and every urban area has experienced some form of civil unrest.

Thankfully there was no protest on the Dan Ryan which would've started near 47th Street on Saturday. I wrote that post assuming many of you read the blog before you do anything else in the AM, although I don't always post in the morning though my goal is to post at 8:30 AM when possible.

According to this report from CBS 2, protesters didn't have the turnout they expected to hit the Dan Ryan on Saturday. Instead they marched through the Bronzeville neighborhood and found their way to Grant Park downtown where clashes between these so-called protestors and police happened. [VIDEO]

There were videos of people trying to get to their homes in Bronzeville, but not allowed to walk down their street due to the police presence. The language here in coarse so it's not safe for work of some Bronzeville residents going back and forth with a wall of state police blocking their street.

CapFax: A night of looting in Chicago

Rich Miller is looking into the looting that took place downtown overnight. We get an idea of what was going on and how organized this mayhem was.

A night of looting in Chicago https://t.co/taKPivLDCw

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) August 10, 2020

I understand that this rash of mayhem started in Englewood with a police involved shooting. Probably will find an article on that later.

"It only works if you wear it" PSA #Pandemic

[VIDEO] This public service announcement was announced in a press release from Gov. J.B. Pritzker. It's basically encouraging citizens to wear a mask to beat this pandemic.

Governor JB Pritzker launched a new $5 million awareness campaign today to encourage Illinois residents to wear a face covering every time they’re in public — because it only works if you wear it. Following the data-driven approach that has guided Illinois’ coronavirus response, the campaign uses local information to advertise on broadcast and cable television, radio, billboards and social media to the communities with the greatest risk from COVID-19.

The Governor launched the campaign from the State Emergency Operations Center in Springfield with those who are helping to lead the state’s response: Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, and Alicia Tate-Nadeau, Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. As of Friday, 11 counties have now reached IDPH’s “warning level” for virus spread, including here in Sangamon County.

“I’m proud to launch a new public awareness campaign today that has a straightforward message for Illinoisans: A mask is like anything that keeps us safe. It only works if you wear it,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We’ve made so much progress since the beginning of this pandemic. Let’s protect that progress. This is our moment to pull together as families, friends and neighbors. We’re all safer and stronger when we go all in, Illinois.”

It only works if you wear it! Here's a press kit for this new campaign where I uploaded the longer PSA to The Sixth Ward's YouTube channel and a shorter one was shown on The Sixth Ward's twitter account.

It only works if you wear it campaign from @GovPritzker as referenced from @capitolfax. A 15 sec. spot! Encouraging us in Illinois to wear a mask to beat this #Pandemic #AllInIllinois #twill pic.twitter.com/SDt1IRzcYu

— The Sixth Ward (@TheSixthWard) August 3, 2020

This blog is set up for alternate points of view, however, I'll set up my own stance. Wearing a mask is only temporary, this won't be forever. I'm as eager as anyone to get out of this pandemic and get back to normal.

However, I do want to hear from those of you who don't want to wear a mask. Do you think wearing masks are effective in helping to control the coronavirus?

Chicago Board of Ed. continues CPD contract

Ald. Roderick Sawyer (Ward 6) discussed this issue last week and I would say he made some good points as far as why police are in CPS schools and what CPS could replace police with in their schools. It's interesting that even the 2nd City Cop blog seemed to support removing police from CPS schools at one point.

Then Wednesday's Board of Education vote and the contract continues [VIDEO]

And 2nd City Cop discusses this some more

The obvious answer is that the four votes don't want to face the political fallout when schools become uninhabitable for the good kids along with the three or four hundred teachers who would resign instantly should their last modicum of safety was removed. That makes them reasonably intelligent....for public school employees that is.

Also from the above video, Miguel del Valle noted that LSCs can make the decision as far as whether they want police officers or school resource officers in their individual schools. I suppose if each school can make that choice then so be it as opposed to making this a system wide mandate. It was noted in this article that Minneapolis' schools made their decision to end their contraction with Minneapolis police. They also voted to abolish their police department.

I wanted to show you this video of the protest on Wednesday in downtown Chicago. I drove right through it at least before Dearborn Street got shut down. Even saw a car with "Defund the police" in big letters and a huge figure of a pig on top of it - fill in the blank on that one though no need in this case I know their point. In this 1 min 30 sec video I don't see that car but we do see the protest. [VIDEO]

Coronavirus updates #COVID19

I don't want to share too many stats with you on this. We already get daily updates if you follow the news especially from the federal and state gov't. We now have 330 new cases of coronavirus the statewide total is now 1,865 across 35 of Illinois' 102 counties.

EDIT: According to the IL Dept. of Public Health there are now 19 deaths from the coronavirus which should include the the three other deaths reported today. Among the three deaths one was in Cook County.

Three more counties reportedly have coronavirus cases this time Douglas, Marshall, and Morgan counties.

330 new cases, 3 new deaths and it’s now in Stateville https://t.co/NhgYCb9tM4

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) March 25, 2020

Also noted that two correction officers and one inmate at Stateville has tested positive for coronavirus. We got a lot of people out there still working and their not just in retail or medicine. I'm referring to our first responders especially the police and fire. There was news that someone walked into a police station here in the city and coughed, that's a very petty and irresponsible prank if there was one. I'm glad he was arrested for his trouble.

CapitolFax: Today's #COVID19 numbers

Announced earlier today 250 news cases and four more deaths to the coronavirus. Of the four deaths one was in the city, one in DuPage and the other two in Cook County. In the state total are 1535 in 32 of Illinois' 102 counties, reportedly Grundy County is reporting a coronavirus case. There are a total of 16 deaths to the coronavirus as reported by the Illinois Dept. of Public Health.

Here's a graph of state coronavirus cases to date as you see at CapFax

Want to work in Springfield with the Illinois House Democrat caucus?

Probably more of a criticism from CapFax, however, for those of you who have a passion for politics this is very worthwhile. Of course many of these positions requires working in Springfield, the state capital. Check here to see what's available.

Do better https://t.co/oPqLTSLH0J

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) January 16, 2020

Chicago Police superintendent fired

Via Newsalert

I feel if this has been brewing anyway. With that incident of him slumped in his vehicle and news that he intends to retire at the end of the year. The situation seemed suspicious and orchestrated.

Either way we know there will be someone else at the top of the police department.

Teacher's strike at an end?

A couple of items regarding the teacher's strike from CapFax. To start, he was on it when it appears that CTU and the mayor came to an agreement to finally end the strike. A few updates to the post were made once developments had occurred.

CTU House of Delegates to meet tonight to discuss strike settlement - but one sticking point remains https://t.co/vJDb7zk0Ot

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) October 30, 2019

Also another update from today about miscommunication between legislative leadership in Springfield who publicly made their own efforts to end the teacher's strike and of course the governor's office. It seems no state politicans wants to enter the sticking point of an elected school board that could only serve to prolong the strike.

A miscommunication or is somebody not telling the truth? https://t.co/WEthZYBw0F

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) October 31, 2019

R.I.P. James Crawford

This was noted a week ago via Nextdoor, however, I just decided to check out 2nd City Cop and found this item about a retired police officer who killed himself - Lt. James Crawford - in the Chatham neighborhood. This year and last year have seen a number of active and retired police taking their own lives. It's very sad, and I hope some steps are being taken to help those active and retired officers in need.

RELATED: R.I.P. Derod Henderson

Capitol Fax: Question of the day

Wednesday's question of the day at CapFax involved whether or not judges in this state should be appointed. For example should judges to the Cook County Circuit Court be appointed?

Question of the day https://t.co/UnIYJkt3T1

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) September 11, 2019

And end to those candidates running for judge coming to neighborhood events for votes. Especially since it's often difficult to find much information on them.