Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel interviewed by Mary Ann Ahern

 

[VIDEO] Our former mayor and current Ambassador to Japan speaks on the recent Presidential race which resulted in a win for the 45th President Donald Trump who returns to the Presidency as the 47th President. What he says about the Democrats and perhaps what caused them to lose the election last month and he cited the feel good about themselves messaging of the Democrats and even looked at the measures enacted during the 2020 pandemic.

I do think we'd be in a different place in 2020 or so had he still been mayor.

FOX News - Chicago city council meeting EXPLODES: 'We're turning red'

 

[VIDEO] I think turning Chicago "red" isn't realistic if we primarily judge by the last mayoral election.

I haven't read into too many of these clips I've seen on YouTube in recent months leading up to this month's presidential election. There are clips out there of Chicago residents going to City Hall declaring their going to turn Chicago red and they often wear red baseball caps - though not necessarily MAGA hats.

Whether or not Chicago will turn red in the future remains to be seen. We know that the presidential race in this state was remarkably close. The margin of victory for Vice President Kamala Harris in this state was not millions of votes but at least 600K votes. An opportunity statewide for Republicans in the future but it remains to be seen if they could capitalize.

I'm sure many of you who are on X/Twitter have seen maps of which precincts in Chicago voted for President-elect Trump and some of those areas are no surprise. Especially if those areas primarily contain first responders (police & fire).

Of course one thing we can glean from comments of "turning Chicago red" is that people aren't very happy with what's going on with the city right now.

Three Sisters on Michigan Avenue #tbt

 Another photo found through the Roseland History Facebook group. This photo is undated though I do remember the Three Sisters chain which had locations throughout the city.

This photo I really like because these days the shopping area on Michigan Avenue seems depressed boarded up and those business that are open are often locked up with burglar bars when they're closed for the evening. And you see wide open windows with displays and this would be a nice thing to find in the neighborhood at least for those businesses which would be benefit from this.

#fbf Gately's People's Store

 The above photo is undated probably 1960s or 1970s. As you may know this building was lost after a fire back in the summer of 2019. The fire created a vacant lot.

I found this photo in the Roseland History FB group. Some recall donuts in the basement of this store. Another commented that they want to bring back "The Ave" which is what they called the shopping strip along South Michigan Avenue.

I'm curious what happened to the Gately's sign as it was an easily recognizable landmark that perhaps many took for granted even if the store itself had long ago closed.

DO NOT SKIP school board races

 I found this on the FB page for Ward 15 Ald. Ray Lopez sharing this graphic of preferred candidates for the Chicago Board of Education. One of those names was highlighted yesterday Miquel Lewis, and this graphic is basically against the Chicago Teachers Union and Mayor Brandon Johnson.

It may explain the anti-Lewis mailer I shared with you yesterday.

Anti-Miquel Lewis flyer - candidate for Chicago School Board Dist. 9

The below flyers are from the Chicago Teachers Union that are urging voters to reject Miquel Lewis who is running in the 9th District for the Board of Education along with Lanetta Thomas. 

As you will see Lewis is being tied with former President Donald Trump and this so-called Project 2025 agenda. Also note that the School Board races are non-partisan and there is nothing that shows Lewis' political affiliation.

 I'm sure there is a way to verify any campaign funds that Lewis is receiving for his bid for a seat on Chicago's school board. As we even saw with Paul Vallas who ran for Mayor of Chicago in 2023 to tie anyone to Trump or any Republican is something that voters in Chicago may well respond to.

Below are flyers from Lewis' campaign. We need a counterpoint here and hopefully you might decide for yourself what his inclinations are before you hit the ballot box.

You can visit his campaign website here: https://www.miquellewisforeducation.com/

Candidate for CPS School Board Dist. 9

 We're less than one month away from Election Day on Nov. 5, 2024. We'll be voting especially for President (I have to add that early voting had started on October 3, 2024). Also this year we'll be voting for members of the Chicago Board of Education.

This mailer arrived in my mailbox recently for a candidate for the Board of Education a woman, a veteran of the U.S. Army - Lanetta Thomas -  is seeking a seat on the new school board representing District 9.

You can check her out at the website friendsforlanetta.org or check her "socials" X/Twitter & Facebook @friendsforlanetta.

Anyone else seeking a Chicago school board seat?

Again Election Day is Nov 5, 2024 and early voting is going on in downtown Chicago starting on Oct. 3, 2024. Have you registered to vote, yet?

Last townhall for the year #Ward09

•  9th Ward Community Meeting
  This WILL be the last townhall for the year
  Tuesday, September 24, 2024
  6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
  Pullman Presbyterian Church
  550 E. 103rd Street
  773.785.1100
  

Oh wait don't forget about the Alderman's Residential Night posted on his website ward09.com.

Alderman Beale will host Residential Night every Monday between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM. Residents are welcome to walk in and meet with the Alderman, one on one on a "first come, first served basis".

**Please call BEFORE arrival**

Attendees must have a government-issued ID with a 9th Ward address.

Residential night is for residential concerns.

All business inquiries must go through the Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce.

There will NOT be an December Community Meeting

 Ald. Beale's ward office is located at

• 34 E. 112th Place
  Chicago, IL 60628
  773.785.1100
  773.785.5849
  

Roseland Plaza 115th & Michigan #tbt #Ward09

Via VanishedChicagoland FB

This is what you would've found on the vacant lot at 115th & Michigan perhaps before the mid-2000s at least. 

Of course as you can see by the cars here, this is a vintage photograph. Coffee Pot is likely in the foreground. And then the National grocery store you see in the background here.

Once the Red Line is built in this area, here's hoping we can have this block brought back to life again in the future. Retail, restaurants, hopefully some other services.

Is the Red Line extension worth it?

 

[VIDEO] Just found this video this morning and discusses some thing I knew was going to happen.

For example we know that bus service through the affected areas of the Red Line extention will change. Bus routings will either be combined, extended or even eliminated. So the proposed routings we see here such as extending buses into Indiana aren't very likely.

I would like to see more utilization of Metra Electric service especially within those areas that won't be directly served by CTA extension. Especially in the South Chicago/South Shore area and certainly going into West Pullman and Blue Island - further west.

And transit oriented development. I don't know about developing high density projects. High rises for example or even developing say a new neighborhood. Roseland and Altgeld Gardens aren't very desirable areas anyway.

I would say the lot at 115th/Michigan - where a stop will be located would be a great possibility for a multi-use development. I'm thinking certainly housing and retail - perhaps another grocery store and certainly businesses with the commuter in mind. So I think in that area that's a possibility of developing something that might work for the area.

Also I'd be curious how the YouTuber - BurjTransit - gets these numbers 38,000 riders are expected to use this extension once it's online. However, it's more likely that 6,000 rides would utilize the services. I'm sure the 38K comes from CTA's projection itself.

However, let's note as he had that the Red Line ridership hasn't been great post-pandemic. CTA as a whole has issues as far as rail service and certainly if you've had to take a bus anywhere in recent years.

What are your thoughts on the CTA extension? What do you think it would bring to this part of Chicago's south side?

Some of you may have gotten this in your mailbox recently

I found this flyer in my mailbox this week a short time before this event is to take place today regarding plans for the 95th Street Corridor.

Event details

• Location: 
  The Chicago State University 
  Jones Convention Center
  9501 S. King Drive

• Date & Time: 
  Wednesday, July 19, 2024
  From 6 PM to 8 PM

• Doors open at 5:30 PM and light refreshments will be provided

Flyer is provided below

CBS Chicago: Advance work to begin for Chicago's Red Line Extension project

 

[VIDEO] The work is starting and while the funding for this project isn't yet secured, I'm still hoping to ride the first trains past 95th Street in the near future. For now, construction crews are preparing to work on utilities and possible demolish properties along the extension.

J.C. Penney in Roseland #fbf

This pic is south of 111th Street & Michigan during the 1960s.

 The building where the JC Penney was located is still standing. The Gately Store across the street, however, was demolished after it suffered a devastating fire. And the Herman's Army Surplus store the building where that was located is also demolished.

 I like seeing these pics of a South Michigan Avenue in Roseland as a vibrant shopping area. If you could have any other store take up shop in this building what store would you like to see? 

 I found this pic in the FB group Roseland History in a posting asking if anyone remembers the elevator operator. A job that we don't hear a lot about these days.

Summer Clear-Out Fair #Ward09

9th Ward - Summer Clear-Out Fair

Thursday, May 23, 2024

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Pullman Community Center

10355 S. Woodlawn

*Early arrival strongly suggested

• Prescription drug disposal
• electronic recycling
• shredding

**All services are drive-thru only

Alderman Anthony A. Beal

9th Ward ✶ Chicago

(773) 785-1100

Ward09.com

Coming events: Job opportunity and a shred day

 There's some good information at Concerned Citizens of Chatham. And hopefully it's something you could use. Starting with a coming job fair on May 6, 2024 at the old Target store 11841 S. Marshfield which is currently the Blue Cross Blue Shield Morgan Park facility.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Morgan Park is having OPEN interviews hiring on the spot Monday, May 6, at 10am. *Bring updated resumes (copies).

*Google "STAR Interview" which will help you prepare for the interview.

Customer Advocate I is the position. Duties: speaking with members regarding insurance needs.

*Interview question examples:
They will ask the question what would you do in a situation where you had to help someone?
How you would you work to resolve matters?
*Again, google for examples.

Bring a nice personality, a smile and speak to everyone you come in contact with at the office. *Dress code: Business casual.

Also mark your calendars on June 1, 2024 a Shred Day is being hosted by State Sen. Elgie Sims and County Commissioner Stanley Moore at 8233 S. Princeton Ave.

Clevan Tucker R.I.P.

If you've never heard of Mr. Clevan Tucker, he was the longtime President of the Roseland Heights Community Association. In addition he was also a former CPS teacher and a small business owner. He passed away late in the month of March

He was known to me as person interested in the issues of Abbot Park, which is the local park at 95th & Michigan. He was at one point on the Advisory Council there, and he became President of the RHCA at some point in the last decade.

Mr. Tucker was very good at getting information out and you would be well versed in neighborhood issues if you were on his many email blasts. He most certainly will be missed.

My apologies for not noting this sooner. His funeral occurred on April 12, 2024 and sadly I wasn't able to attend. However, it was important for me to not let the month of April go by without acknowledging his transition and his accomplishments.

Thanks to the acting president of the Roseland Heights Community Association for allowing me to share information on Mr. Tucker.

My condolences to his family and friends.

NBC Chicago: State's Attorney's race

[VIDEO]As you may know the incumbent State's Attorney Kim Foxx has opted not to run for a second term. And the two likely successors are in a close race to replace her former Cook County prosecutor Clayton Harris III & former Judge Eileen O'Neill Burke. Below are the results as I wrote this post.

This was in interesting discussion that was had in the above clip from NBC Chicago which included former IL GOP state house minority leader Jim Durkin who had considered throwing his hat into the race on the Republican side. However, he concluded that he would be running a more challenging race where he'd have to answer for the now Republican nominee for President Donald Trump. He would state for the record that he's not a Trump supporter and that he opposes him but he knows instead of saying what he could bring to the State's Attorney office he'd have to answer any possible connections that could be made with former President Trump.

Regardless though it's an obvious conclusion, Cook County is a solidly Democrat county and most likely any Republican would have a tough time here. Perhaps who might head the ticket in a Presidential Race might prove to be a huge issue in the long run.

Let's open up the discussion here. How did you vote in the State's Attorney race? Is crime an important issue? You think either Burke or Harris have different approaches to the crime issue in Chicago?

Write-in for Ward 9 Democrat Committeeman

 Actually it's "commiteeperson" but that just sounds awful like "alderperson," yuck!

Anything it's unusual to see two flyers for the volunteer, elected position of ward committeeperson, committeeman, or committeewoman which is up for election on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 (wait that's this coming Tuesday) in time for our state's presidential primary. On top of that both the incumbent Committeeman is one Ald. Anthony Beale and his opponent ran against him last year for Alderman Cleopatra Draper. Both of these flyers show that both are seeking write-in votes.

Really?

Granted in the last few years, the committeeman err sorry committeeperson ewww spot doesn't have the importance it used to. Historically when Chicago had its strong political machine, the committeeman was a very important - and especially the Democrat committeeman - position for getting out the vote. And perhaps doling out political patronage, anyone is free to correct me if I'm not entirely correct on this.

However, for both candidates to chase write-in votes this year? What happened?

I can't believe an incumbent Alderman couldn't get enough votes to secure a spot on this ballot for this position. Ms. Draper, I think I understand her though she was on the ballot for Alderman err sorry Alderperson yuck last year. This year in 2024 what gives why are both candidates chasing write-in votes?

2024 is already being set up as an usual election we know former President Donald Trump has snapped up the GOP nomination. So you may want to vote against him in this state if you pull a Republican ballot, it really doesn't matter. And never mind the confusing attempt to use the 14th Amendment to keep him off the ballot not just here but in Vermont and Colorado for example.

As far as the incumbent President in Joe Biden unless something weird happens he'll probably be the Democrats choice in November and I'm not sure who's on the ballot against him in Illinois. I do wish it was a Kennedy though it seems he's choosing to run as an independent.

Regardless as we consider other offices beyond committeeperson or President this year. What we may see at the top of our ballots in November will be two former presidents in a rematch of the 2020 race.

However, we have to get through the primary this coming Tuesday, March 19, 2024. If you haven't voted early go ahead and do that on Monday, March 18, 2024.

I also hope you all had a safe and fun St. Patrick's Day 🍀

Tonight is the Spring Time Change

 Tomorrow March 10, 2024, we'll be gaining an hour and that also means Daylight Savings Time is here. More daylight and of course spring is near!

Don't forget to set your clocks forward one-hour before you go to bed. 

Clean out your closets for Rosemoor Community Association

Collection days coming up for March 2, 23, and April 6 & 13, 2024. 

Drop-off time 9 AM to 10:30 AM and on April 13 8 AM to 12:00 PM

Location St. John Parking Lot 10205 S. King Drive

Pickup available 10 bags or more upon request

Refer to flyer for more details

Questions? Contact Rosemoor Community Association office 773.264.0783

h/t Concerned Citizens of Chatham

 

Best wishes to WGN's Tom Skilling

 

[VIDEO] I'm sorry I didn't tune in tonight for the longtime Channel 9 meterologist Tom Skilling. On Wednesday night he signed off for the last time on Channel 9 and soon we'll be seeing more of Demetrious Ivory giving us our nightly weather updates.

It's sad to see longtime personalities move on from their most familiar roles. I want to wish Skilling the best in his retirement. He will be missed.

Here on this blog you can check current temperatures and current conditions at the top of this blog just under the blog title.

EDIT: This is about Tom Skilling if you're a fan find him at facebook.com/TomSkilling

IL Channel - Cook County Dem State's Attorney candidates, a choice not an echo

[VIDEO] We see Public Affairs host Jeff Berkowitz discuss the race for Cook County State's Attorney - Kim Foxx the sitting State's Attorney is not running for re-election. 

Eilenn Burke and Clayton Harris are Democrats running to replace Kim Foxx. Former Alderman Bob Fioretti is running as a Republican. And Berkowitz points out that there is a Libertarian running also, Andrew Charles Kopinski.

Earlier this month there was a debate between the two Democrat candidates for State's Attorney. You can watch that here if you didn't see it the first time.

The primary election is March 19, 2024. This year in addition to Cook County State's Attorney we're voting for President, so in March we vote in a presidential primary for the candidate to stand for election in November 2024. Of course we vote for a Republican or Democrat committeeman err committeeperson. In addition to voting our respective state legislators, county judges, etc.

Check out ChicagoElections.org to see who's on your ballot when you vote.

Also, early voting is paused due to court order. A judicial candidate is to be kicked off a ballot! 

Early voting had started on February 15, 2024. However, as soon as it's open again that news will be shared here on this blog.

CapFax: (state senate president) Harmon still waiting for “clear direction” from mayor on elected school board

What's going on with that fully-elected schoolboard & what is that Chicago Teacher Union activist Mayor's position on this issue? Why won't he make a clear position on an elected schoolboard?

Harmon still waiting for “clear direction” from mayor on elected school board https://t.co/cWftLG4IqJ

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) January 17, 2024

 

#TBT Michigan Avenue in Roseland

Long time no see. Allow me to wish you all a Happy New Year. Hopefully the past holiday season was a wonderful and joyous one.

I found the three pics below in the Roseland History Group on Facebook and just though this was a great look back at Michigan Avenue in the past. And my hope is that one day it could go back to its former glory. Especially once that Red Line extension is finally built

The first two pics shows the area surrounding the long demolished State Theater which is about one block north of 111th Street. It appears these two photographs below are shown on the Cinema Treasures site credited to Dr. Gene Ossello and was taken in 1967.