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Thursday, March 30, 2023

Could social media be utilized to influence people to move into a neighborhood?

 Over at the Capitol Fax today there is a post about a Peoria, ILL resident who is using her reach on TikTok to influence people to live there. She doesn't work as a real estate agent or even for Peoria itself she is sure to tell people about what to do there (say entertainment or restaurants), what movers to rely on, or certainly another important aspect finding a job in a particular city.

The question I may ask is what things are available for people to do in say Roseland or Pullman? What restaurants exist? What entertainment options? What kind of retail?

Also the price of housing - that is rent or a mortgage. What kind of people live there? Certainly what types of opportunities entrepreneurial or employment might exist?

Perhaps there a person out there pondering these things whatever neighborhood in the city they live in. Of course if we're lacking in those attributes that makes a particular community attractive what can be done to change that?

The Chicago Neighborhoods

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Chicago Decides: Brandon Johnson, Paul Vallas square off in CBS 2 debate #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] We have one week before the April 4, 2023 runoff and this is the last televised mayoral debate between Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson which aired tonight on CBS 2 Chicago WBBM-TV.

You know allow me this opportunity to look at a recent mayoral poll via Rich Miller at CapFax.

Saturday, March 25, 2023

NewsNation: Tale of two Democrats running for Mayor #ChiMayor23 #RushHour

 

[VIDEO] WGN Anchor Ben Bradley goes on NewsNation's Rush Hour program to talk about the mayoral election. He is already predicting 30% voter turnout among those voters who have a vested interest in the system, the teacher's union. Crime is a big issue, however, they talk a little about the education system.

Brandon Johnson is a former teacher and an organizer for the teacher's union vs. Paul Vallas who former ran CPS in the 1990s under Mayor Daley. Could the teacher's union make a difference in the April 4th runoff?

Thursday, March 23, 2023

CapFax: Toddlin Town roundup - Is Vallas losing support of Black voters?

 At the start of this roundup looking at support among likely voters in the mayoral race we see where both Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas are at with voters. I can see Commissioner Johnson's standing beginning to rise, especially with the Black vote. And then the whole issue of Vallas saying things with regards to Gov. Pritzker managing the pandemic and what he says on right-wing talk shows that are starting to become issues.

Before Feb 28, 2023 election people were taking shots at him for being a Republican. What say you all once you check out the round-up at Capitol Fax.


Wednesday, March 22, 2023

FOX 32 Mayoral Forum #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] Another mayoral debate airing on WFLD-TV 32 aka FOX 32 Chicago between Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson and former CPS CEO Paul Vallas. About an hour debate which I hope you guys well let the public know who you think did the best in this debate. 

I'm sure there will be react about it!

Early voting has been going on since March 20th and through to April 3, 2023. Election Day for the mayoral runoff will be on April 4, 2023.

ABC 7 Chicago: Ed Gardner dies at 98

 

[VIDEO] Ed Gardner in addition to being a husband, father, grandfather was also a longtime businessman having owned Soft Sheen Products and this entertainment business known as House of Kicks located at 95th & Cottage Grover you might see some scenes of that in the above story from WLS-TV. He was also formerly a CPS teacher. Also he was a veteran of the Second World War.

He was still active in 2012 as you see part of a protest to help Black workers on these public works jobs. He helped to register people to vote also. He made the world a better place.

Oh wait he also at one point owned the Avalon Regal Theater located at 79th & Stony Island.

May he rest in peace.

CBS 2 Chicago: Johnson & Vallas get fiery at latest debate #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] This most recent debate took place on WGN Tuesday night and I wanted to share this brief story about is from our local CBS affiliate. If I see a video of that whole debate that is embeddable I will share here.

Anyone has any thoughts on these runoff debates? In your opinion who won?

Monday, March 20, 2023

Chicago Tonight: CTA & City eyes community centric development around future Red Line extension #Ward09 #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] I suppose this could be a question for both Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson for the 2023 runoff, what is their position on the CTA Red Line extension. What would they be able to do to make this future extension into Ward 9/Roseland a reality?

Friday, March 17, 2023

Join Ald. Beale to Rally in support of Paul Vallas #Ward09

This was sent to those who joined Ald. Beale's email blast list. As you know earlier this past week Ald. Beale who recently won re-election to his city council seat endorsed Paul Vallas for Mayor in the April 4, 2023 runoff.

The rally for Vallas will take place at the

  • Pullman Community Center
    10355 S. Woodlawn Ave
    Saturday, March 18, 2023
    From 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

 

Last night's #ABC7Chicago #ChiMayor23 debate

 

[VIDEO] This debate aired last night and you can see it in full here. I hear it got spicy between candidates Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson. I didn't get a chance to watch it, but let's watch it together and decide who won this one.

I want to share this link from Capitol Fax this morning. Looking at polling numbers from the mayoral election late last month. Who predicted the runoff and who would be in it? How did especially Vallas and Johnson fare last month? What about Chuy Garcia how did he falter in his mayoral bid?

Also we see how "defund police" is faring amongst voters and we see it largely doesn't. I wonder if there is any data on "defund police" among Black voters.

The runoff is on April 4, 2023 and early voting begins on March 20, 2023.

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Ald. Beale endorses Paul Vallas #ChiMayor23 #Ward09

 I found it in a tweet today and then found this BlockClubChi article.

Let's get to BlockClubChi Ald. Beale's name is buried with other members of the City Council who also endorsed Vallas recently. It was in the news that State Rep. Kam Buckner endorsed the other candidate in the April 4 runoff, County Commissioner Brandon Johnson.
The Vallas campaign announced support from several South and West Side City Council members and former Illinois Senate President Emil Jones.

Alds. Michelle Harris (8th), Anthony Beale (9th), David Moore (17th), Derrick Curtis (18th) and Emma Mitts (37th) will endorse Vallas Thursday afternoon in Chatham, his campaign said in a news release.

The run-off is on April 4, 2023, however, early voting is scheduled to start on March 20, 2023. 

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Spelman College Glee Club coming to Chicago this weekend

I just wanted to show some love to the women of the Chicago chapter of Spelman College alumni. The Spelman College Glee Club is coming to the Chicago area this weekend. Never fear if you cant make it to Winnetka, perhaps you can go to St. Benedict the African Parish at 66th & Stewart in Englewood on Sunday March 19, 2023 at 3 PM. There are no tickets required, however, if you can donate it would help the Glee Club's tour expenses.

Now when is the Morehouse College Glee Club going to be back in town. It's about time for them.

Monday, March 13, 2023

CapFax: That toddlin’ town roundup #ChiMayor23

 A number of campaign and certainly political updates from the mayoral runoff. Who endorsed who? What are their policy proposals? And of course who called who a Republican? Via Capitol Fax


Thursday, March 9, 2023

NBC Chicago: Mayoral debate between Paul Vallas & Brandon Johnson #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] As I promised this debate is available to be seen on this blog for those of you who are looking for it and haven't yet watched this. Via CapFax is a react to last night's debate that aired on both NBC 5 & Telemundo and hosted by NBC 5 political reporter Mary Ann Ahern.

The mayoral runoff is on April 4, 2023.

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

WGN News: Vallas & Johnson prepare for tonight's debate #ChiMayor23

 

[VIDEO] This is very short notice so I do apologize for this. The debate airs tonight on NBC-5 hosted by political reporter Mary Ann Ahern. You can watch online via this link from NBCChicago. Wait it will be going on now as I post this as it begins at 6 PM this evening.

As you see on this brief report from WGN you see what's been going on since last week's election. You see Vallas picks up a great endorsement from his fellow mayoral challenger Willie Wilson. And then you see how much support Johnson has from the LGBTQ community, they question Paul Vallas' comittment to their community.

If there is a embed to share of tonight's debate it will be shared here. The runoff election will be on April 4, 2023. Early voting is scheduled to begin March 20, 2023. 

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Lightfoot concedes #ChiMayor23 #Ward09

 For those of you paying attention to the results of yesterday's election race, well this is not breaking news. For those of you who weren't well after the April 4, 2023 runoff we will have a new mayor. The mayoral race has been whittled down to former CPS CEO Paul Vallas and current Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson. Incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot was relegated to third place in last night's results.

If you don't believe she conceded video here. Perhaps I expected her to be more combative than she seemed to have been last night. [VIDEO]


I plan to update the 2023 page with current numbers and especially for the mayoral race who will be moving onto the runoff. Final numbers - per the experts - won't be known for at least a couple of weeks as electoral authorities continue to count ballots especially the early votes and mail-in votes.

From the results I've seen last night in Ward 9, it appears Anthony Beale has secured yet another term on the Chicago City Council.

Via ABC 7 Chicago 2023 election results