All members are invited to join us starting at 7PM for some warm-up drinks and for pizza and more beer and wine that will follow the conclusion of the meeting issues. This is the final formal meeting of the season.

Fr. James Hurlbert

MEETING AT A GLANCE
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Location: Basement – St.Alphonsus Church
1429 W. Wellington
Agenda: Refreshments @ 7:00 PM. Meeting begins @ 7:30 PM.

• Good Neighbor Award – Fr.James Hurlbert
• Cook County Assessor – Real Estate Tax Appeal Process
• Election of Officers and Directors.
• Pizza, appetizers, beer, wine and pop

What happened at the April meeting?

• Two representatives from ComEd, Ms. Vanessa Williams and Ms. Kelly Jones, provided a presentation on the Alternative Energy Program.
• The potential owner/developer of the 1244 W. George St property presented plans for a single family house to be built under a zoning change from M-1-2 to RT-4.
• The Athenaeum, which is owned by St. Alphonsus, but was leased to a theater group has been allowed to run down over the last few years, with few performances at the site. St. Alphonsus has now taken over the operations of the Athenaeum.

Read more about these issues and find other important neighborhood news in the May Newsletter. Missed an issue?  You can read past newsletters here.

We’re going to be discussing appealing property valuation assessments, electing a new board for next year, and giving out our annual “Good Neighbor” award.

Cubs Care and by the way of being sponsored by the ball club the Theo Epstein Chicago Cubs (no players) will appear this month. A representative will discuss the charitable activities of Cubs Care and how the summer concerts, Brad Paisley in June and maybe the Boss later generate funds for area schools and organizations.

ComEd – the SLN Board has been discussing alternative energy providers that are now available. But inviting one would seem to be promoting that particular company. So the Board decided to bring the electric provider to give their viewpoint on the issue and to discuss plans to improve Chicago’s electric issues as we approach what may be a hot summer following the warm Spring.

1244 W. George

1244 W. George St – Zoning Change. The 2900 block of Lakewood, the 1200 block of George St. and the west section of 1200 Oakdale were at one time major meat processing plants. Battles between businesses and residents were frequent. But all the businesses moved to more spacious areas that were more conducive to conducting meat processing and allowing truck deliveries. The final meat processor, Wetterlings, is on the block. Currently zoned M1-2 for limited manufacturing. The developer is requesting a zoning change to RT-4 in order to build a 3 story single family house.

What’s happened at last meeting in March? Check the newsletter.

Circuit Court Judge – Chiola Vacancy

Judge Celia Louise Gamrath – www.judgegamrath.com

• 16 years of experience as an Attorney
• Endorsed by the Democratic Party
• Rated “Highly Qualified” by the Chicago Bar
• Currently Circuit Judge of Cook County

Thomas Osran

• 21 years experience of litigating complex cases in State and Federal courts
• Rated “Qualified” by the Chicago Bar Association

Judge James Shapiro – www.judgeshapiro.org

• Rated “Highly Qualified” by Chicago Bar Association
• 5 years of experience on the bench and over 20 years practicing law
• Endorsed by:
  • Independent Voters of Illinois – Independent Precinct Organization
  • Personal PAC
  • Progressive democrats of America

Rod Stewart – www.rodneystewartforjudge.com

• Over 28 years of trial and appellate courtroom experience
• Rated “Qualified” by the Chicago Bar Association
• Over 15 years representing parents and children in the Cook County Juvenile Justice Abuse and Neglect Courts

Circuit Court Judge – Cole Vacancy

John Ehrlich – www.ehrlichforjudge.com

• Attorney for 17 years in the city of Chicago
• Currently Deputy Corporation Counsel for city’s law department
• Endorsed by Chicago Tribune
• “Highly Qualified” by the Chicago Bar Association

Judge James Kaplan – www.judgekaplan.com

• Over 40 years of experience as an Attorney
• Judge since 2005
• Judge in the 8^th Subcircuit of Cook county since 2010
• Rated “Qualified” by Chicago Bar Association

Ellis Levin – www.ellislevinlaw.org

• State Representative for district for 15 years
• Circuit Court Judge
• Rated “Qualified” by Chicago Bar Association
• Former 8 term State Representative

Brad Trowbridge – www.bradforjudge.com

• Represented over 500 victims of domestic violence
• Serves on Board of Directors of the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network
• Endorsed by IVI-IPO and Personal PAC
• Rated “Recommended” or “Qualified” by Illinois State Bar Association

Circuit Court Judge – Durkin-Roy Vacancy

Judge Deborah Jean Gubin – www.electjudgegubin.com

• Over 35 years experience as an attorney
• Appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court
• Rated “Qualified” by Chicago Bar Association

Sharon Finegan Patterson

• 31 years of diverse experience
• Former Schoolteacher
• Rated “Highly Recommended” by Woman’s Bar Association of Illinois
• Rated “Qualified” by Chicago Bar Association

Circuit Court of Cook County Judge – Frossard Vacancy

Judge Diann Karen Marsalek – www.electjudgemarsalek.com

• Attorney for 21 years with trial experience
• Former President of Lake View Citizens’ council
• President Central Lake View Neighbors Chair of 23^rd District Steering Committee
• Rated “Qualified” by Chicago Bar Association

Meet Judicial Candidates for the upcoming March elections

For our March meeting, that our members may be fully informed, we have invited those candidates in the 8th judicial subcircuit to a forum so that we can find out who these people are, what they believe in, and why we should vote for them over anyone else with a law degree. You can send questions that you would like these candidates to answer to president@slneighbors.org.  Because candidates are not supposed to say how they would rule in a particular case, we reserve the right to screen or revise these questions.

The judicial position is for the 8th Subcircuit:
For vacancy of Melvin Cole : Brad Trowbridge, John Ehrlich, Helaine Berger and Ellis Levin. For Thomas Chiola vacancy: Thomas Osran and Celia Gamrath. For Maureen Roy vacancy Deborah Gubin. In addition, Diane Marsalek, SLN member, often president of the Lakeview Citizens Council and St. Alphonsus graduate will attend. She is running for Circuit Court of Cook County.

What’s happened since the last meeting in February? Check the newsletter.

Last week the Chicago Police Department informed members of the 19^th District that 03 March 2012 will be the last day the current 19^th district facility will be used by the officers who patrol this area.

Beginning on 04 March 2012, all police matters that involve the 19^th district will be addressed at the police station located at 850 W. Addison. This facility will be the home of the newly redistricted 19^th district that will include both the former 19^th district and the 23^rd district. This will result in one police district with the following boundaries:

North:                 Lawrence Avenue
South:                 Fullerton Avenue
East:                     Lake Michigan
West:                   Chicago River

As a result of this combination of districts, all the current beats will be replaced by new beats with new boundaries and beat numbers. The beat meetings that have already been scheduled for 19^th district residents will continue to be held through June so you can be informed as to your new beat number and beat boundaries, along with providing you with any other information as it becomes available.

As of today, the department has not announced who the Commander of the new 19^th district will be. The current staff of the 19^th district Community Policing office should be available at the new station to assist you as they have in the past with any community issue. The phone number to the Community Policing office is 312 744 4247. The phone number to the new district desk is 312 744 8320.

Finally, I will not be assigned to the new district. It has been a pleasure to work with you in our combined efforts to address the issues in our community and I am proud of the success we have been able to enjoy. I hope each of you remains active in your community and continues to work with your new district’s Community Policing office to ensure your district remains the great place to live that you have made it….

Thanks,

John
Lt. John E. Willner
District 019
2452 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, Il. 60618
312 744 5574 Office
312 744 3103 Fax
john.willner@chicagopolice.org

“By coincidence, our regular February meeting falls on Valentine’s Day this year, a once in seven years occurrence more or less. While most of our members may be a bit beyond the age of romantic love (should I speak for myself?), we must be solicitous of those who play into the hands of the flowers-and-chocolates-industries. So we have scheduled a type of “political speed dating” for the  meeting: a forum between the two candidates for 32nd ward Democratic committeeman: Ald. Scott Waguespack (the challenger) and County Commissioner John Fritchey (the incumbent). You get to decide whom you want a second date with. And to show that we are truly equal opportunity, we’ve asked the unopposed Republican candidate John Curry to add his 2 cents worth.” — David Duggan, SLN President

Also at the meeting, the Alderman or a representative from the Alderman’s office will explain the recently passed redistricting as a result of the 2010 Census.

What’s happened since the last meeting in November? Check the newsletter.

Update 4 (Fri, 7:15AM): The Tribune has published a map that compares old and new boundaries and a story describing how the map came to be.  South Lakeview Neighbors remains in the 32nd ward.

Update 5 (Friday afternoon): Alderman Waugespack’s office has confirmed that the Tribune map is correct and that the text description of the ward (published yesterday) is incorrect.

Update 3 (Thurs, 5:04PM):  I just called Ald. Waugespack’s office.  They’re doing some digging and will get back to me.  As soon as I have authoritative word from the alderman, I’ll post it here.

Update 2: According to this map from WBEZ, SLN is still in the 32nd ward.

Update 1:  See Mia’s comment — Ald. Waugespack’s office says we are still in 32, they think.

Will’s Northwoods Inn
3030 N. Racine
6:30 PM 0 8:30 PM

Your project support and enthusiasm will make this dream a reality for students  and neighbors to enjoy. The park will be funded by a combination of public funds, grants, corporate gifts and private donations.

Please download the flyer to see plans for the park.

Tuesday, December 6th at 7pm
Burley Elementary School
1630 W. Barry
Refreshments will be served.