CTA is hosting meetings on the South Side to discuss what to expect when construction begins on the extension. There will be three of these meetings this month.
You are encouraged to register: Click this link to RSVP.
March 10, 2026
Altgeld Gardens Community Youth Center
951 E. 132nd Street
5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
March 11, 2026
Another Chance Church
9550 S. Harvard Ave
5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
March 12, 2026
Visions Odeum & Events
11901 S. Loomis St.
5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
The image you see is the back of a sample ballot mailed to voters from the Cook County Democratic Party. The sample ballot itself shows you the slated or endorsed candidates for the county party.
Hat-tip Concerned Citizens of Chatham
Bear in mind the meeting coming up this month on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 which features the Chicago Water Department. All meetings held at the Pullman Presbyterian Church located at 550 E. 103rd Street.
The year's schedule for all community meetings are below.
Nothing particularly new this time, just these mailers from candidate Aja Kearney. Remember I shared a mailer from another candidate last year for one Cleopatra Cowley. Both are running to succeed state Rep. Nick Smith who's retiring in 2027.
The primary election first and foremost is coming March 17, 2026. I need to find out about early voting.
This first mailer is more introductory for those who want to know her background. She wants us to know she's a union member and a small business owner.
First and foremost, Happy New Year. I mark this almost one month in 2026 and allow me to share this history video regarding the Roseland neighborhood.
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| 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.
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.Check out this list of closed schools that are up for bid. Perhaps you have a solid plan for these properties.
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.
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.
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| Credit 94thepoint.com |
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| 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.
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| Hat-tip Chesterfield Community Council |
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.
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.
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| 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.
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.
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)?
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.
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.
With this said since this will be coming next year - mark your calendars NOW!
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.
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?
