[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]
[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.
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
[VIDEO] I suppose this is a quick meme about Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the state of Chicago. The Mayor says the business climate of the city is great, yet we hear about the city losing businesses.
The most recent news is the Old Navy on State & Randolph is closing. I remember that it was home to a Borders Books up until the company went bankrupt in the early 2010s. And Old Navy used the have the store one block south on State & Washington which was briefly a Gap and now is home to another retailer Primark.
And now Old Navy is leaving State Street entirely. Worse still there are a number of empty storefronts along State Street. Just look further south beyond Monroe Street at least. I was shocked to see after the riots downtown in 2020 - after George Floyd's death - that a Foot Locker store closer to the DePaul University Campus near Adams & State had closed down.
The issue is crime. It's shocking to see police with their flashing blue lights sitting on the streets in and near downtown Chicago basically there as a presence. It was true during the unrest of 2020 and it's true even now just go up and down Michigan Avenue at night.
You know I must say I wanted Rahm Emanuel to go in 2019, well he stands down and is replaced by Mayor Lightfoot. Right now, he looks like a better mayor compared to Lightfoot as he is now Ambassador Emanuel in Japan. While it's a bit early to say, how many people could say that about Mayor Lightfoot?
BTW, with the above video I like the Marvel Comics Antman references.
[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?
[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]
I would like to see the shopping strip south of 111th Street at least get the attention it needs. From Chicago Public Radio:
Roseland is the last of the 10 communities targeted for redevelopment under the city’s ambitious INVEST South/West economic program; Michigan Avenue is a centerpiece. Compared to other neighborhoods struggling with vacant land, this part of Michigan Avenue has comparatively few – only 10 empty lots, according to my informal count.
The city owns three vacant lots in the vicinity, including the former Gately’s department store at the corner of 112th and Michigan. The city’s vision for that location is housing with retail stores. The planned CTA Red Line extension is a few blocks south near 116th and Michigan, and the city wants to develop the land next to it. And there’s a third vacant lot that was the site of a movie theater that Cox sees as a blank canvas.
Other elements of the city’s revitalization plan include affordable housing, transit-oriented development and retail connected to the emerging medical district anchored by the nearby Roseland Community Hospital. Normally when the city looks to redevelop land it owns, its department of planning and development, which Cox leads, puts out a request for proposals.
“We found that that was an unfair barrier for a lot of Black and brown developers,” Cox said. Instead Cox says the city is asking for a request of qualifications for Michigan Avenue. Developers and architects will then be matched up to create a joint venture. Those teams will each get a $20,000 to $30,000 stipend from a philanthropic foundation to pitch a proposal.
“We eliminate that barrier of smaller emerging developers from being able to compete and having to advance those dollars to come up with their proposals,” Cox said.
The community will hear the proposals by March 2023.
Read the whole thing. Perhaps this is something that those candidates running for Alderman in Ward 9 where this strip is located can express their ideas.
Oh and there is a theater in the neighborhood still standing waiting for redevelopment although if that vacant lot that once had a theater is the State Theater perhaps if they could make a good deal with the Post Office.
Today, Lori Lightfoot has filed her papers to run for a second term as Mayor. [VIDEO]
[VIDEO] Over the summer he had been one of the first candidates to announce his run for the mayor's office. Yesterday he had dropped out of the race stating that a crowded field could help Lori Lightfoot get a second term as Chicago Mayor. Well while I could be disappointed that's he's dropping out, he is running for re-election as Ward 15 Alderman and well it'll have to be another candidate who could potentially defeat Mayor Lightfoot.
Earlier this month Congressman Chuy Garcia announced another run for Mayor.
Meanwhile this week candidates seeking an elected office in Chicago have started filing their petitions. You can check out them out here at the Chicago Board of Elections.
These two candidates are running for Alderman of Ward 9. Ald. Anthony Beale is running for re-election and so far Cleopatra Draper has filed to run against him. Time to start that Ward 9 elections page.
Also I see also on the ballot next year in 2022 is three positions in 22 Chicago Police Districts around the city. I'm sorry but had no idea about this, when did this start? Anyone reading this blog running for a seat on the Chicago Police District council?
BTW, I wish I could create an iniative no more of this alderperson junk. Let's just change the job title of Chicago alderman. Find something that is "gender neutral" and a bit more logical to say...can't get used to it!
Meanwhile, Crain's has a list of candidates who have announced and a list of possible candidates and then a list of those who will NOT be running. At least we got through those midterms this past Tuesday.
[VIDEO] He speaks with WGN anchor Micah Materre. Here is the description for this 6 mins chat
WGN anchor Micah Materre talks with Chief Cook co. Circuit Judge Timothy Evans about the SAFE-T ACT, bail reform and changing the juvenile justice system to put young people on the path to success.
Judge Evans is also on the ballot for retention to another 10 years on the Cook County Courts. Election day is November 8th.
Democrat Gov. Pritzker & Republican state Sen. Darren Bailey will have a debate tonight which will air on WGN. If you aren't able to be in front of TV for whatever reason then you can watch online.
Rich Miller offers a preview for tonight's debate. And bear in mind soon it will be time for early voting in the General Election in November.
Try to keep in mind that tonight’s televised gubernatorial debate is not a presidential debate. Most voters won’t watch. Some will get their information from the news media, others will see clips and commentary online. So, when someone tells you that a gubernatorial debate can change the trajectory of the race, you might wanna take that with a grain of salt. Gov. Pritkzer would have to perform well below expectations for that to happen and Bailey would have to perform well above. Not saying it won’t happen. Just sayin.
I want to add that Darren Bailey made an appearance on CAN-TVs Political Forum earlier this week that I will share with you here. I watched his conversation with Sylvia Snowden for about 20 mins and it seemed like a great discussion. However, if you have about 30 mins to spare you an decide that for yourself. [VIDEO]
The latest news reports are now that when the migrants from Texas arrive at Union Station they get sent to the suburbs such as Burr Ridge. The Mayor of Burr Ridge is upset about it. Not a lot communication whether it's from Texas to Illinois or even Chicago to those suburban towns that are affected.
Of course as always Capitol Fax gives some more in-depth coverage of this ongoing issue.
A false equivalence, but somebody should still probably pick up a phone https://t.co/DFxCycs948
— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) September 9, 2022
This is related to the ongoing issue of Texas sending migrants from the Texas/Mexico border up to Chicago as one of America's "sanctuary" cities. Via Capitol Fax today.
Pritzker: “What the governor of Texas is doing is disgusting and it needs to stop” https://t.co/phzaZS0SVg
— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) September 8, 2022
According to this Campaign Notebook post over at CapFax we see a couple of names.
Congressman Chuy Garcia and remember he ran against Rahm Emanuel in 2015 and forced a run-off that still resulted in a second term for Mayor Emanuel.
And we also have Pat Quinn. Remember him? He used to be the Governor of Illinois he's looking for a comeback. He tried to come back as an Attorney General of Illinois and fell short in a primary race to current AG Kwame Raoul.
Anyway those items and more over at Capitol Fax.
Campaign notebook https://t.co/kdg55FD3gR
— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) September 7, 2022
[VIDEO] Announced today joining another south side Alderman (or Alderwoman or Alderperson or Alder....yuck). Anyway he will be retiring from the Chicago City Council at the end of his term next year. Bear in mind that he attempted a run for Cook County Judge in the June 2022 primary and his ward has been redrawn. Ald. Brookins had been in office since 2003.
Also add to this news that 15 Alderman declined a 9.62% pay raise via Chicago Sun-Times.
Here's an updated list of this via CBS Chicago at least of those Alderman who will retire at the end of their terms and not counting those who have either been convicted in federal court, running for a higher officer, or even retired already:
Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th), Ald. Harry Osterman (48th), Ald. James Cappleman (46th), and indicted Ald. Carrie Austin (34th) also plan to retire at the end of their terms next year.
And I must add Tom Tunney as mentioned in the Sun-Times article linked above is mulling a run against Mayor Lori Lightfoot joining fellow Aldermen Ray Lopez, Rod Sawyer, and Sophia King in the 2023 mayoral election.
I suppose that next summer we will see a number of unfamiliar faces - and hopefully a new mayor - in the city council chambers at city hall.
[VIDEO] And more to come reportedly according to this report. The latest Alderman to announce she won't run for re-election is Ward 10 Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza. You can read more about it at Crain's.
You can check out this list also from Crain's in August the Alderman who are calling it quits, some are trying to attain higher office as three Alderman are looking to challenge Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Others are outright retiring also.
Portrayed as a mass exodus, I'd pay attention if half of the 50 members of the city council are leaving.
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:The most dramatic and controversial of those changes is to reduce the size of the City Council from 50 members to just 25.
- 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.
...
“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!
This time the demand is from 2023 mayoral contender Ward 15 Alderman Ray Lopez via today's Capitol Fax blog. And after sharing the tweet I'll show you in part what this is in reference to.'
Another day, another demand for using the Illinois National Guard https://t.co/Ph69an2tYJ
— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) August 29, 2022
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.
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....Duckworth and Pritzker take different paths on Lightfoot endorsement https://t.co/YHY8iKqPq2
— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) August 5, 2022
