Update on the Shedd School property

Photo shot March 2025

I'm sorry to say I missed the meeting with regards to Shedd School, however, upon Googling found that this was hosted by CPS and found this recent update. Shedd is among three other closed schools where there were bids and plans for these properties.

BlockClubChi:

The potential buyer for the old Shedd Elementary building at 99th and Indiana Ave. is the Peace for Preston Foundation, led by Dionne Mhoon, the mother of slain Chicago Police Officer Aréanah Preston. Two years ago, Mhoon launched a GoFundMe to support the foundation and raise money for a community center in honor of her daughter. Mhoon’s bid for the old Shedd school is $25,000.

Elected school board member Carlos Rivas said Wednesday he was Preston’s college counselor in the 2015-16 school year when he worked at Noble’s UIC College Prep.

“She was such a determined young lady and graduated from Illinois State in three and a half years because of her determination,” Rivas said. “She had such a bright life ahead of her, and she did so much for her community.”

“I am so incredibly proud that we’re going to be honoring her and using this building in this way for the Peace for Preston Foundation,” Rivas added.

There was some interest in the old Shedd school in 2017 from a private Christian school and another buyer, but neither bid had the backing of the local alderperson, according to South Side Weekly.

The board resolution says Peace for Preston wants to offer youth recreational programming, educational programming, youth mentoring and counseling, mental health support, job readiness and vocational training, wellness programs, and access to health care support, as well as GED and financial literacy courses.

Check out this list of closed schools that are up for bid. Perhaps you have a solid plan for these properties.

Here's the listing for Shedd.

Community meeting: Former Shedd Elementary School - TONIGHT

 Just saw this today via Concerned Citizens of Chatham. How many you already know about this? This meeting is with regards to the shuttered Shedd School property.

This meeting is happening tonight at Harlan Community Academy High School - 9652 S. Michigan between 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Set your clocks back an hour

Credit 94thepoint.com

 Fall is here and it's that time to set your clocks back an hour. Daylight saving time is ending on November 2, 2025. And never fear, we'll have to reverse the process again on March 8, 2026 at which point spring is around the corner again.

Tribune Editorial: A hardheaded rethinking of the Red Line Extension is needed now

RLE Extension Project

 I've seen articles about the cost of the Red Line Extension, and now this recent Chicago Tribune editorial. Here's an excerpt:

In the meantime, though, the Trump-induced uncertainty surrounding the project, combined with the push in Springfield this month to reform the Chicago area’s transit agencies and infuse them with more revenue as they face budget shortfalls, should resurface the lingering and legitimate questions about the wisdom of the Red Line Extension. Even if that nearly $2 billion is restored, the overall project cost that now sits at $5.75 billion — an ungodly $1 billion per mile, about twice what an above-surface train line should cost — is impossible even for fervent transit advocates to justify.

We’ve spoken in recent weeks to officeholders with a keen interest in the initiative, among them state Rep. Kam Buckner and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, both of Chicago. What we heard from both — and they clearly reflect how many others in local and federal government feel — is disbelief and consternation about how high the RLE cost has gotten but fatalism, too, that Chicago simply can’t afford to say no to $2 billion in federal cash.

Buckner, who knows this part of the city well, went beyond criticizing the eye-watering price tag to questioning whether extending the Red Line from its current 95th Street terminus south to the city limits makes practical sense. The neighborhoods through which that extension would run simply are hollowed out, and while project advocates hope the line will galvanize development and repopulation, there’s plenty of reason to be highly skeptical. The risk of a new $5.75 billion (or likely higher when all is said and done) train line that serves just a smattering of riders is high.

We understand the point of view that so much federal help is politically difficult to refuse, but we also disagree with it. A project that only a few years ago was penciled at $3.7 billion now requires even more than that total in financing from the Chicago Transit Authority and other local resources — and that’s after the $2 billion in federal cash.

Even if city officials are able to reverse the Trump administration’s decision, does the RLE make sense anymore given the cost?

Read the whole thing. 

Commissioner Larry Rogers: Hyde Park Township Property Tax Appeal Forum

Hat-tip Chesterfield Community Council

Commissioner Larry Rogers of the Cook County Board of Review - that body that hears appeals of property tax assessments is hosting the Hyde Park Township Property Tax Appeal Forum which will be follwed by a dedicated Q&A session.

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Petition Season Begins: Meet a Candidate for 2026

 Over the weekend I observed some people in yellow safety vests going from door to door in my neighborhood and found two flyers in my mailbox they were handing out. They did actually have clipboards and it is petition collection season - 2026 is an election year.

As you may know State Rep. Nick Smith will not run for another term in Springfield so here's one possible contender for his seat. 

Cleopatra Cowley as you see in the flyer is quoted talking about her daughter Hadiya Pendleton - the one who was shot to death in Bronzeville in 2013. It’s a moving message that underscores her motivation to serve.

I want to add that the people who were working the neighborhood over the weekend also handed out flyers for State Sen. Elgie Sims, who is running for re-election. That flyer will be shared on this blog at a later time.

Does Ms. Cowley have your vote to go to Springfield? Do you know anyone else who's running for the 34th District State Representative? If you do, who has your vote?

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Columbus Day.

Sun-Times: Trump freezes $2.1B for Chicago projects, Red Line extension in shutdown fight with Dems

Red Line Extension

This is terrible and thanks to the feud between Trump & Pritzker and we could include the Mayor also. It's a shame because the Red Line extension is a worthwhile project.

Sun-Times:

19th Annual Silas Purnell College Expo

Hosted by the Chesterfield Community Council and sponsored by among others Seaway/Self-Help FCU.

19th Annuel Silas Purnell College Expo

Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025

11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Tuley Park Fieldhouse

501 E. 90th Place

For more information

chesterfieldcommunitycouncil.org

chesterfield @ ameritech.net

(773) 651-3958

Follow Chesterfield Community Council on Facebook

 Oh and how about this for an added bonus. Are you interested in becoming a Morehouse Man?

Capitol Fax: Rep. Smith won’t run for reelection

Nicholas Smith has been a state representative since 2018 representating District 34 in the Illinois House of Represtatives. Here's the statement posted at CapFax

After much thought and careful consideration, I’ve decided not to seek reelection. Serving as a member of the Illinois General Assembly in the House of Representatives has been an honor of a lifetime. Serving the people of the 34th Representative District and the state of Illinois has been an absolute privilege. As I look forward to the next chapter in my life, I’m confident the next representative of the mighty 34th District will serve with distinction, integrity, and honor.

It was reported that he plans to serve out his term and has no favorite to replace him. I do hope he doesn't leave this process to an appointment denying voters an opportunity to make their choice at the ballot box.

I see comments in that post talking about District 34 map, I will show you an available map of it. 

On brining the National Guard to Chicago, for or against

Unfortunately, I hadn't been on top of the discussion regarding Pres. Trump sending the National Guard to Chicago as I should've been. It proved to be part of the contentious back and forth between the President and Gov. J.B. Pritzker especially and our ineffective Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Rich Miller wrote a column about the dynamics of the battle between Gov. Pritzker and Pres. Trump. One question to be asked if whether or not Gov. Pritzker could ever call the President to lower the temperature? Just bear in mind our Governor is running for re-election next year and may run for President in 2028.

One other comment I may add is that there were within at least the past 20 years been calls from people in some south side neighborhoods asking for the National Guard to come in. Often I've been opposed to this at least because of the idea that our neighborhoods could be under martial law.

The National Guard is a dramatic solution as opposed to requesting more law enforcement resources to come into these crime hotspots. Over the years I do believe some neighborhoods had the benefit of the Cook County Sheriff coming into crime hotspots. So this is where my support would go more than bringing in the National Guard short of an outright insurrection.

Meanwhile the President is opting to send the National Guard and federal law enforcement resources to Memphis, Tennessee.

Another focus of the contention was the Presidents emphasis on expelling undocumented aliens from this county. Chicago is a sanctuary city and I've always supported expelling especially violent criminals and support those efforts.

In the news in the past week was that ICE was pursuing an undocumented alien and was killed by an ICE agent. He was said to have resisted arrest and attempted to run down the pursuing ICE Agents.

Let's start a discussion here. Would you like the National Guard to come to our neighborhoods? Would you like more law enforcement resources in our neighborhoods (city, county, state, & federal)?

Upcoming CAPS beat 511 meeting

 Here are some more immediate events. There's a CAPS beat 511 meeting today at Rose Haven Manor at 10220 S. Michigan Avenue. Too short notice for you - in case you're not following the Rosemoor Community Association on FB then there's another one schedule for November 4, 2025.

 

Perhaps you're wonder where Beat 511 is. Here's a map!

Coming soon (next year): Bennett-Shedd All-Class Reunion

It wasn't my intention to publish on Labor Day, however, since this post is live hopefully everyone is having a wonderful and safe holiday. It's the unofficial end of summer and fall 🍂 is coming. Also who's ready for football season 🏈.

Meanwhile....

Let's get away from government & politics for a moment given that this is a blog that is an homage to my grammar (elementary) school alumnus. Who knew that there was a soon to come all-class reunion for Bennett-Shedd School.

Check out this group on Facebook for more info on this reunion. Mark your calendars.

Perhaps the alumni of the Pride (or I prefer Badgers) took an idea from Harlan Alumni who hold an all-class reunion every year themselves.

With this said since this will be coming next year - mark your calendars NOW!

115th & Michigan

We can add these pics to the historical pile in the future. As of May 2025 when I took these pics, this is how this corner looks. And it will be a stop on the CTA Red Line extension, and I've shared proposals for what should be built next to the future L stop. I suppose this block would be ripe for some transit oriented development. The Red Line extension is currently underconstruction and the future is here!

Chicago State University presents Jazz on the Grass

 Long time no hear. Here's an event to put on your calendar, especially if you live near the campus of Chicago State University (9501 S. King Drive) . Jazz on the Grass on August 20, 2025. 

h/t Concerned Citizens of Chatham

Looking toward 2026 & 2027

 Next year we have another election. There is an open seat for Dick Durbin's US Senate spot in this state and what's is Gov. Pritzker going to do as far as a third term.

Rahm Emanuel has been making his rounds lately question is will he run for that open Senate seat next year, does he want to run for Governor next year, does he want to be back in Chicago's mayoral office in 2027, or does he want to run for President in 2028?

And this recent column from CapFax's Rich Miller discussing some possibilities for 2026 and the mayoral race in 2027.

Will Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias choose to run for re-election as Sec. of State next year and/or is he going for the mayor's office in 2027.

Susana Mendosa - our current state comptroller. She already ran for mayor in 2019 and lost and this column makes sure to note she was elected state comptroller in 2018, ran for may in 2019 and that didn't quite work out for her. And just think she was campaigning for office and then had to turn around and do it again so soon.

If Pritzker runs for Governor again he needs a new Lt. Gov and he fell in behind her. Juliana Stratton wants to succeed incumbet Dick Durbin in the US Senate. Who might Gov. Pritzker choose as his running if he runs again in 2026.

And of course with possible other retirements such as Congressman Danny Davis or Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky retired and closer still 2nd District Congresswoman Robin Kelly seeking Durbin's senate seat. For those running for office next year there are opportunities abound.

However, with  Mayor Brandon Johnson unpopularity right now the main question is who else may want to take City Hall's 5th floor in 2027? Anyone know any other names other than what's on Wikipedia?

 Forgot to note, that I just recently published a page for the 2011 elections.

2011 Election

This was the election where President Obama's former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was elected Mayor of Chicago. He had a tumultuous two terms as mayor and fun fact 2011 was the last time a candidate outright won the mayoral election without having to go to a run-off.

In 2015, Mayor Emanuel was in a runoff with then Cook County Commissioner Chuy Garcia. In 2019, Lori Lightfoot won the mayor's race against Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. And then in 2023 then Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson defeats former Chicago Public School CEO Paul Vallas.

Question is what would 2027 hold. We're at more than the halfway point for the next municipal elections here in Chicago.

Also, it causes me to want to tweak the 2015 and 2019 pages to include the mayoral race. I've included in all these election pages the Ward 9 Alderman election as that's the race that should be very important, not just the mayoral race.

Feel free to let me know if there's anything I should add to these pages.

Also for the record this is now Ward 9 looked up until 2015.

110th/Michigan back in 1912 #tbt

 I found this through the Roseland Chicago FB group with this caption:

Black and white HR Koopman postcard showing Michigan Avenue in Roseland looking south from 110th Street, 1912. Chicago's other "Magnificent Mile".

I wish we could bring back the hustle & bustle to this street. In my own research I've learned longtime residents at least before "white flight" would refer to Michigan Avenue as The Avenue. You see from one of the signs here to the right.

This is about how this same area looks now via Google Streetview in 2011. You head south on Michigan Avenue from 110th Street you see a bend, especially near that storefront that used to be Major Motors on the east side of the street. 

Click for better resolution

Lime scooters on the sidewalk

I wanted to share an update, at least not from Chicago Like a Local but just to share some of the pics I took recently. These were taken this month perhaps not long after seeing that video you saw on this blog most recently.

Who knew that there is a bike rack in front of Harlan High School at 96th/Michigan. And anyone who is done with the scooter actually locked it to the rack. There aren't too many bicyclists up and down Michigan Avenue unlike some of the more pedestrian heavy corridors of the north side or even the Loop. So I'm thinking locking scooters on these racks in front of Harlan would be no big deal.

In front of Harlan High School

Now these other shots are basically no-nos as far as what to do when you're done with these Lime Scooters. As discussed in the Chicago Like a Local video.

Chicago Like a Local: Chicago’s Lime Scooter Problem

 Before sharing this video, I had been for the past month or so documenting scooters that have been left on my street overtime. And in my opinion these scooters were left on the sidewalk on my street as an afterthought. Many of these scooters are in the way and are obstacles.

My solution is that these scooters need to be left in designated areas. Such as a bus stop, however, I understand that with these Lime scooters that's not allowed. So what do we do?

Also these scooters are supposed to be locked on bike racks, however, this might be inconvenient to bikers. That's not a "perfect" solution either.

Downtown I witnessed scooters being docked, just like these Divvy Bikes. And there are some of them in the community. Why can't these be placed at these docks?

Thankfully if you're tired of these scooters being left around the community and being in the way of pedestrians, one solution is to call 311. 

You can always visit the 311 site here or with your smartphone you can use the 311 app. And using the website and app you can send the city pictures of these scooters that you want removed.

Now with this knowledge this is something I'm taking advantage of to clear the sidewalks of these scooters. Allow me to share the video from Chicago Like a Local on YouTube. [VIDEO]

Allow me to open the floor to you all. If you walk on the sidewalk are you annoyed with these scooters being left on the sidewalks? What would you like to see done about it? Would you prefer that these scooters are left in designated areas.

#tbt South Michigan Avenue 1970s

 Actually I don't know when this photo was taking. I presume 1970s looking at the cars.

Earlier on Thursday "business" took me into Roseland and decided to snap a few shots. I can't stand the ruin porn, a lot of vacant storefronts. 

You see that Hillman's sign? That used to be a grocery store. This is a block or so north of 115th Street. The old Hillman's store faces a Chicago Fire Department firehouse. The only grocery store appears to be home to a medical facility of some sort.

And this isn't that far away from the Red Line Extension to be built near 115th & Michigan.

In fact to give credit where credit is due, this photo was shared on the Red Line Extension FB page.

Also allow me to announce you can now find Ninth Ward Chicago on TruthSocial & BlueSky. You can always follow us via @TheSixthWard on X formerly known as Twitter, although perhaps it's time to change the handle there.