Capitol Fax: Garcia to run TV ad quoting Vallas calling himself a Republican and saying “Fundamentally, I oppose abortion” #ChicagoElections

 Earlier in the year I had found a flyer possibly from Lori Lightfoot that accused Willie Wilson of being a Republican. However, we live in Chicago and this city is a Democratic city. For some perhaps uniformed voters it probably will cause many of them to veer away from the longtime city businessman and philathropist.

And then you get something like an ad from Congressman Chuy Garcia who is certainly favored to defeat incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot in this year's mayoral race. I'll share the video though I want to suggest reading up on the ad itself at CapFax before watching it. 

Basically in the ad below Garcia's campaign is taking aim at how former CPS CEO Paul Vallas identifies himself. Is he a Republican? I he pro-life? Well calling Vallas a Republican is a very easy swipe, however, the abortion issue will probably get someone's attention. However, I just wonder how relevant the abortion issue is to Chicago voters? [VIDEO]

The next question is whether or not the abortion issue is more relevant than the issue of crime or even education?

WGN: Recap of the Chicago Mayoral Forum

 

[VIDEO] Basic roundup in case you all don't have time to watch the hour and half debate that aired this evening on WGN. It's safe to say crime was a major issue in this debate with all candidates except the Mayor herself wanting to fire current Police Superintendent David Brown.

Here's the full debate below [VIDEO]

Public Affairs: Mayoral candidates ignore issues crushing Chicago #ChicagoElections

 

[VIDEO] If you follow us on instagram (@thesixthward) you might see stores from Wirepoints.org whom you see it's President Ted Dabrowski discuss some of the issues that affects Chicagoans with Public Affairs host Jeff Berkowitz. I'd say let's open the door to you, what issues do you think Mayoral Candidates in the city need to address?

They do discuss crime and a lot of the data Wirepoints does address is the issue of crime. I'd say economic issues are a factor though there is only so much a city can do about the national economic environment. Another issue is certainly insuring our young people are adequately educated and they do mention the power of the teachers union over public education in the city.

Capitol Fax: Chicago and crime #ChicagoElections

 The mayoral candidates in Chicago and hopefully those who want to join the City Council have crime on their minds right now. On the CapFax we hear about some historical states with regards to crime. Will these stats be on your mind when you vote next month?

Chicago and crime https://t.co/6bDLNNjbjP

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) January 25, 2023

Sign theft? #Ward09

 

[VIDEO] I found this video via the YouTube channel Pullman Videos. Candidate Cleopatra Draper was caught on surveillance camera on 103rd & St. Lawrence stealing a sign for incumbent Ald. Anthony Beale. Being confronted by longtime Chicago political editor Mike Flannery (you may remember him from WBBM-TV now he's with FOX 32), Draper at first didn't want to talk about the incident. He shows her the footage, and it seems there have been other incidents of this.

According to the report there is surveillance footage of stealing campaign signs near his home  though Draper says she had nothing to do with that incident. Beale is in the report himself saying someone found some signs in the trash ion 73rd Street.

Oh and I forgot Draper after having to answer for this, she considered that one sign she did take as garbage.

Is this typical political hijinks?

WGN: Chicago mayoral candidates debate with less than month before election day

 

[VIDEO] Nine mayoral candidates debated last night on WLS-TV from Paul Vallas to Ald. Roderick Sawyer to Chuy Garcia to JaMal Green to Brandon Johnson to Willie Wilson to Kam Buckner to the incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot to Ald. Sophia King. In this report from WGN above they discussed issues such as keeping the Bears in the city, the issue of crime especially on CTA, and of course the issue of migrants being sent to Chicago which is a sanctuary city.

I didn't watch last night's debate however WLS-TV shared the live stream on their YouTube channel which I will share below [VIDEO]

Last day of petition filing #Ward09

 Today, Lori Lightfoot has filed her papers to run for a second term as Mayor. [VIDEO]

I'll eventually update the 2023 elections page with all candidates that have filed petitions to run against Mayor Lightfoot for the city's top job. In addition these candidates have filed for Alderman of Ward 9.

• Cleopatra Draper
• Alderman Anthony A. Beale
• Sonya Thompson Dorsey
• Cameron M. Barnes

Also bear in mind these petitions will be challenged so this field or for any office in the city for next year will change and we will know for sure who will be on the ballot in February. Those who were able to file for office have done so.

As a reminder here is the ward 9 map from 2023 onwards

CBS Chicago: This is the longest weekend of the year

 

[VIDEO] Turn your clocks back one hour this weekend, Daylight Savings Time will end at 2 AM in the wee hours of Sunday Morning. Of course we fall back and gain an hour which is how WBBM-TV meteorologist Laura Bannon explains makes this particular weekend the longest weekend of the year.

Turn your clocks back an hour today for the time adjustment on Sunday. And have a good one today, it's a bit windy and wet today!

I'm sorry I missed out on CTA 75th anniversary part 2

 

[VIDEO] I mentioned the old L cars in a previous post which showed a ride on an old CTA bus. These L cars and buses are part of CTA's heritage fleet and on October 1st the Chicago Transit Authority celebrated 75 years. 75 years ago the CTA was created merging Chicago's previously separate and privately owned transit services - primarily the L and streetcar services - and the merger of the bus service would come separately in 1952.

What you see in this video is the 4000-series car. And sadly I never had the chance to see these in actions in my life as they were retired long before I was born. I think before this series served on CTA's L system most of the rolling stock were wooden cars. These cars were the ones permitted to run through the State Street subway when it was opened for service during the 1940s.

I'm glad artistmac was able to record most of heritage fleet that were on display this past weekend.

I'm sorry I missed out on CTA 75th anniversary

On October 1st you could ride some of the heritage fleet equipment from old CTA L trains to old CTA buses. Such as this one which marked a lot of my transit rides in my youth the old fishbowl GM buses. I would've been very cool to have taken a ride on one of these buses again. [VIDEO]

Resource Fair #Ward09

Ward 9 Ald. Anthony A. Beale in partnership with State Representatives Nicholas "Nick" Smith and Robert "Bob" Rita presents their 

9th Ward Resource Fair

Thur. October 27, 2022

From 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Pullman Community Center

10355 S. Woodlawn

If you're looking for a shred event the flyer below says all documents will be destroyed on site. Any questions about this event I would refer you to the Ward 9 service office, contact info on the flyer. Or you can check out their ward service office webpage.

Capitol Fax: Texas governor expels migrants to Chicago

 Rich Miller discusses more about those migrants sent to Chicago from Texas on Wednesday. Statements form our political leaders and of course from Gov. Abbott in Texas.

Texas governor expels migrants to Chicago https://t.co/rM6ov3m551

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) September 1, 2022

My two cents is that this could add to the issues of Chicago.

CBS 2: Texas Governor Greg Abbott sends busload of migrants to Chicago

 

[VIDEO] More of a national news story, however, now it's beginning to affect the city adding to many of our city's other issues - especially crime. Gov. Abbott under the guise of being overwhelmed by the many border crossings by these migrants sent them to sanctuary cities such as Chicago.

What is a sanctuary city from lirs.org

In general, a sanctuary city is a community with a policy, written or unwritten, that discourages local law enforcement from reporting the immigration status of individuals unless it involves investigation of a serious crime. These sanctuary communities go beyond cities, though. One can find entire counties and states declaring sanctuary status.

These communities typically do not honor requests by ICE to detain undocumented immigrants whom local agents apprehend for misdemeanor crimes or investigations. Many in sanctuary cities also refuse to deputize their local officers as federal agents, a necessary technicality if those local officers carry out the duties of ICE agents. There is no specific federal law against sanctuary city policies.

Let me add that others cities as New York City and Washington, DC that I know of had also recieved busloads of migrants fresh from the southern border. The mayors of both of those cities have expressed their own complaints.

Now it's Chicago's turn... 

Ald. Lopez plan to reform city gov't

 Speaking of mayoral contender for 2023 Ald. Ray Lopez he's proposed a series of reforms for the city. Fran Spielman writes about it today and I'm sorry I missed it before posting about Ald. Lopez asking for Nat'l Guard help for the city.

Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) on Monday unveiled a dramatic plan to rein in mayoral control and give Chicago the strong council-weak mayor form of government that the municipal code intended.
...
Either by seeking a change in state law or by flexing Chicago’s home-rule powers, Lopez is promising to:

• Cut the City Council by half, empower Council committees to approve spending by departments they oversee and give the Council its own, truly independent budget office and parliamentarian to challenge dubious mayoral rulings from the chair.
• Create three new citywide elected officials — the corporation counsel, inspector general and city comptroller — instead of empowering the mayor to appoint “pawns” to those pivotal positions.
• Create a 21-member Municipal Charter Commission to reexamine the structure of city government every 10 years.

The most dramatic and controversial of those changes is to reduce the size of the City Council from 50 members to just 25.
...
“It is my hope that a leaner, reinvigorated City Council with new and guaranteed oversight authority and budgetary authority over departments would be able to flex its muscles accordingly and be a true partner in government,” said Lopez, one of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s most outspoken critics.

Lopez noted that 85% of requests for city services are “handled outside the local ward office” through 311, city apps or online. When the local aldermanic office does get involved, it’s “often the stumbling block,” he said.

“We are not the City Council of the 1800s. We are a 21st century city and we need 21st century Chicago. One that is able to focus on city services as they are currently being delivered as well as focusing on the legislation and oversight that they’re meant to take care of,” he said.

Why clip the mayor’s wings with three new citywide elected officials?

“Mayoral control and authoritarianism … often comes from his or her ability to have the corporation counsel do the legal maneuvering they need to secure their power, squash or silence reports aimed at making government more efficient and to play the smoke-and-mirrors games of budgeting,” Lopez said.

“Making those three positions independently elected … would ensure there are other players on the board who will hold the mayor’s feet to the fire to ensure that they are honest, fair and representing the truth in all of their dealings.”

Well I do think it's time to re-evaluate how many Aldermen (still Alderperson or Alder ewww) must represent the city of Chicago so I'm with that. The idea of a municipal charter commission, I want to see more about that. Surely he has a page for that! 

h/t 19th Ward Chicago

Capitol Fax: Duckworth and Pritzker take different paths on Lightfoot endorsement

US Sen. Tammy Duckworth made a robocall endorsing the re-election bid of Mayor Lightfoot in 2023, however, Gov. Pritzker who's going through his re-election for Governor (actually Sen. Duckworth is running for re-election herself) wants to focus on his race before making any endorsements.

Duckworth and Pritzker take different paths on Lightfoot endorsement https://t.co/YHY8iKqPq2

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) August 5, 2022

ALSO, I might add in that posting someone wrote in the comments that Gov. Pritzker won't endorse the first Black mayor of Chicago. Someone doesn't know Chicago history now do they. Perhaps they weren't yet born in 1983 or they slept through most of the 1980s in Chicago....

America's Crime Crisis: Lightfoot is the worst mayor in America

 

[VIDEO] I don't know how many of you are watching cable news whether CNN, MSNBC or even FOX News with the clip above. The discussion is over the latest proposal by Mayor Lori Lightfoot to help keep the Bears within the city limits as opposed to potentially Arlington Heights. Frankly I hope the end of the road isn't that close for the racetrack where a new Bears stadium would be located but then again....

Anyway, the mayor proposed a domed stadium on the site of Soldier Field so that historic and architecturally unique structure would again be gutted and a much larger stadium would be located on the site. It could be open for more than an NFL season, it would be open year round. Some soccer matches could be played there and even better still a future WrestleMania....

Well the crime crisis fits in because well as FOX News and our local news discusses the issues of crime. The crime in the neighborhoods unfortunately spill into the more tony areas of our city. So the portrayal by Steve Doocy and Clay Travis is that Chicago is so crime ridden the Bears don't even want to stay.

BTW, I'm still hanging my hat on the Bears locating at the former Southworks site in the South Chicago neighborhood if they want their own stadium.

ALSO, I do actually admire the mayor's plan for Soldier Field, however, the problem has always been even last year with the Bears inking a deal with Arlington Heights is that I don't think politically she'll be able to keep the team in the city.

Be careful on CTA especially during the late night hours

 

[VIDEO] This report from FOX 32 discusses the many violent incidents on CTA recently. The focus seems to be on the red line especially. Most recently an attempted robbery at the 63rd Street L station resulted in a stabbing death noted in this video report.

There was another incident closer to downtown. Another attempted robbery had the victim fight off his attackers with a knife further north at the North/Clybourn L station. Most of these incidents take place after midnight to perhaps early rush hour which is about 5 or 6 AM.

If you have to take CTA especially to get to work be very careful out there. 

#Beattheheat

 We had a hot month last month with temps in the 90s. And we're just in the middle of summer. The 311 has tweeted out this info on cooling centers if you have no way of cooling off at home.

It's HOT HOT HOT #Chicago. Be sure to check in on friends, relatives & neighbors who live alone, are elderly and/or disabled. Get out of the heat and make your way to one of the City's Cooling Centers. Call 311 for the location near you. #beattheheat pic.twitter.com/eAsU9zpqWg

— 311 (@CHI311) July 5, 2022

I hope you're having a safe 4th of July....

 

[VIDEO] I wanted to share this video from artistmac, who's showing the flag from the inside of the Macy's - and for those of you like me who are old school the former flagship Marshall Field's store. I reminds us of where we are right now.

BTW, there's been a lot of craziness including people throwing fireworks into police squad cars. 

And in the suburbs someone was randomly shooting people at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park. So far there are six reported dead in that shooting. 

 Here's hoping you're enjoying a BBQ with people you care about today.

Another candidate for mayor

 

[VIDEO] This is really old news from two days ago, however, this report from WBBM-TV shows 26-year-old Ja'Mal Green entering the 2023 race for mayor. How remarkable that at 26 he wants the very challenging position of running the city of Chicago. 

He also joined the race in 2019 when Mayor Rahm Emanuel bowed out leaving the mayor's office an open seat however according to WTTW Willie Wilson was successfully able to challenge his petitions and knock the young man off the ballot.

Here's his announcment video shared on his twitter page @JaymalGreen