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April 21, 2024
Hello Neighbors,
I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely ready for the warm spring weather to stay - these last couple of days of cooler weather have been deceivingly cold!
I was thrilled earlier this week to join Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and other elected and community leaders to open the first “One-Stop-Shop” Driver and Motor Vehicle office in Chinatown! This is the first office of its kind that the Secretary of State’s office has opened in many years, and we are so happy it’s in the 11th Ward! Residents can now go to this convenient location to get Drivers Licenses, Real ID, State ID, vehicle registrations and disability placards. This is a walk-in facility, no appointments required, where staff speak English, Cantonese, Mandarin and Spanish. The new facility is located at 2350 S. Canal Street and is open Monday-Friday from 8am to 5:30pm. Street parking on Archer and free parking is available in the building which is accessible from Archer Avenue (there are two lots, one on the ground level and one upper level). Big thanks to Secretary Giannoulias for choosing Chinatown and the 11th Ward for this wonderful facility!
I want to thank the newly renamed “Greater Bridgeport & South Loop Chamber of Commerce” for honoring me on Thursday at their “Revitalize” cocktail party at the Bridgeport Arts Center. Under the leadership of President, Matt Palmisano, from Lakeside Bank (and native son of Bridgeport), the board of the chamber has undergone a transformation in the last year, launching a new brand for the organization and focusing on helping businesses thrive in our community. If you’re a business owner in the area and are not a member yet, please check them out!
Public Safety
I am heartbroken to hear about the death of CPD Officer Luis Huesca, who was killed when returning home from a shift this morning in Gage Park. Our office sends prayers and condolences to the officer's family as well as their family at CPD.
If you have any information about this crime, please report it to CPD immediately.
City Council
This week, I attended two committee meetings as well as TWO meetings of the full City Council. Through those meetings and committee hearings, we passed two major pieces of legislation. I voted “yes” on both items.
Bond Deal
We approved an ordinance to issue a $1.25 billion bond funded by 45 expiring TIF districts. These funds will be spent on initiatives led by the Department of Housing and the Department of Planning and Development over the next five years. While I was pleased to see that the ordinance was revised to address concerns over oversight, the revised ordinance only ensured all bond-financed projects of $5 million or more would be subject to a vote before City Council. As I expressed in my previous newsletter, I believed that a $1 million threshold would be more appropriate. During Friday’s City Council meeting, I supported multiple motions made to amend the ordinance to lower the $5 million threshold that did not pass.
Ultimately, I still supported the proposed spending plan, because I believe it is a way to move away from TIF, the deeply flawed funding mechanism which the City has depended on for some 40 years. This bond ordinance is a different kind of public finance tool and could be more equitable and free from the geographic restrictions that come with TIFs. This means access to funding for businesses that do not fall within a TIF, including many parts of our ward. That said, $1.25 billion is A LOT of money, and as a Council, we need to ensure that this money is spent responsibly and equitably. I am committed to closely monitoring this spending to ensure it benefits our communities appropriately.
Migrant Funding
Second, we passed $70 million in additional funding to support initiatives for migrants. I have heard from some residents who are unhappy with that funding’s passage, and I understand and share some of the frustration they’ve expressed. This crisis is expensive and difficult to manage.
Nonetheless, I voted in support of the funding for the safety of our residents and the migrants alike. I believe it is our duty to ensure these shelters are safe and adequate, and that we are able to provide people with support as they work to obtain asylum and work permits from the federal government. I also believe a lack of proper funding will lead to worse outcomes for our communities–like just last year, when our 9th District police station became a tent encampment for people who had no access to proper shelter or food.
The fact is, we are facing a humanitarian crisis that is unique: our city has seen over 36,000 migrants bussed into Chicago–many of whom with little but the clothes on their backs–in just the last year. This massive influx of migrants is unprecedented in the history of our city and it has necessitated an unprecedented response.
As a City, we can and must do better managing this crisis–and better utilizing this additional $70 million in funding: transparency around the use of this funding is paramount. We also need better coordination with our government partners at the State, County, and Federal levels. Along with $70 million from Cook County and an additional $182 million anticipated from the State, the City’s $70 million injection is expected to meet the funding needs of the continued influx of migrants being bussed into Chicago through the end of the year.
Comprehensive immigration reform at the Federal level is desperately needed to address our border crisis and federal funds for immigration need to be distributed equitably to the states and cities that are most impacted. Until we have a system that makes it possible for those seeking asylum to support themselves legally in this country, cities like ours will bear the burden of their needs.
Legal Settlements
Finally, with guidance from the City of Chicago Law Department, I also voted to approve three lawsuit settlements totaling $1.31 million. Generally, these settlements are a way to ensure that taxpayer dollars are saved by avoiding a costly civil trial and potentially even larger settlement ruling.
Housekeeping
Participatory Budgeting Group
We are still looking to add members to our participatory budgeting group, especially from regions of the ward other than Bridgeport, which is the most represented in the makeup of our current group. If you’d like to put your voice into action in helping decide the distribution of our annual ward menu items, please sign up by emailing us.
Sox Parking
Anyone who did not receive stickers in the mail or require courtesy stickers are welcome to drop by the office.
If you are dropping by our office for guest parking passes or decals, please don’t forget to bring a photo ID with your address on it. If you’re new to the neighborhood and you haven’t updated your ID, please bring a copy of your lease or a utility bill to verify your address. Only vehicles registered with the City of Chicago may receive a Sox parking decal. Note: as a courtesy to all 11th Ward Resident and Canaryville residents including those In the 15th Ward, we provide a decal for each vehicle registered with the city, to ensure folks can come into Bridgeport on game days to park their cars and access local businesses.
For your calendars
April 22 - Quarterly meeting
Our second quarterly meeting of the year will be held on April 22 at Pui Tak Center from 6-7:30pm.
April 27 - Palmisano Park Stewardship Day
The first Palmisano Park Stewardship day will take place later this month. Join your neighbors as a Volunteer Steward, to help pick up trash, and participate in this year’s City Nature Challenge. For information about the program and to get on the email list, visit: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/get-involved/volunteer/natural-areas-community-stewardship-days#palmisano
Wishing a Happy early Earth Day to everyone and a reflective Passover to all those celebrating over this upcoming week.
Have a great week ahead,
Nicole
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