Do you support recalling a Chicago Mayor?

 This recent post by CapFax talks about the current movement to recall a Chicago Mayor and the history of such a movement.

Elected Chicago Board of Education district map

 The Illinois State Senate Democrat Caucus puts out new map for an elected Chicago School Board. This is the map below

You can also click here for an interactive map

Over at CapFax there is a demographic background. According to this tweet from Ben Szalinski the breakdown is 7 latino, 6 Black, and 5 white districts throughout the city. A vote in Springfield could come as soon as next week.

CapFax: Alderman attacked....

 Ald. Julia Ramirez (Ward 12) was attacked by constituents who were "protesting" a proposed tent camp in the Brighton Park neighborhood.

I would say citizens have a right to be concerned about immigrants to be housed in their communities. There have been stories out there about crime involving these immigrants who have been bused from places such as Texas primarily. Something needs to be done and there needs to be a better plan than a tent camp or just allowing them to shelter at district police stations.

What we don't need is footage of an Alderman (or Alderwoman but never Alderperson yuck) being whisked away from their constituents because of a violent mob (verbal or physical abuse). I'm glad to see today that the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council denounces the actions of the crowd.

Here's raw footage from what happened on Thurday via WGN News [VIDEO]

CapFax: CTU president won’t answer questions about enrolling her son in private prep school

 Let me enter a quote before we link to Capitol Fax

To me, the Chicago Magazine quote, “I can’t advocate on behalf of public education and the children of this city and educators in this city without it taking root in my own household” really leaves her open to this.

CapFax: MAA grills the mayor on the CTU, CPD and Arwady

 NBC Chicago's Mary Ann Ahern speaks with Mayor Johnson and when you click through to the Capitol Fax blog be prepared for the evasive answers.

MAA grills the mayor on the CTU, CPD and Arwady https://t.co/5Y493Eyegf

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) August 22, 2023

CapitolFax: Chicago’s air quality is worst in world because of Canadian wildfires

 If you're not currently aware NPR discusses the smoke from the Canadian wildfires:

CapFax: Pritzker says he’s worried about future of Ford’s Chicago plant because of the coming end of internal combustion vehicles

 One day that Ford plant that has been at 130th & Torrence forever, well what's the future once electric vehicles become the norm instead of these internal combustion engines or gas powered vehicles?

The Governor of Illinois discusses this on a segment of Mike Flannery's Fired Up on FOX 32. Rich Miller has a brief transcript of this discussion.

Pritzker says he’s worried about future of Ford’s Chicago plant because of the coming end of internal combustion vehicles https://t.co/HPTfQy9wZZ

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) June 20, 2023

From this same segment Pritzker is talking about the police situation in Chicago [VIDEO]

I've also learned recently that longtime Chicago Political Editor Mike Flannery is retiring after 50 years in the business. Best wishes to him, he's expected to retire at the end of this month.

Capitol Fax: Crowds ease at Mexican border, but will that lead to fewer asylum-seekers in Chicago?

 Many of us are concerned about the illegal immigrants who have been bused from such places as Texas or Florida to Chicago which is considered a "sanctuary city". This may be old news to some of you, I've heard that a lot of these immigrants are being housed in some of our closed schools, those that were closed over a decade ago.

It's been in the news that many of these illegals immigrants are sheltering in many of our district police facilities also. Just look for any local news story about them on WGN, WLS, or WBBM.

Then I see that that the number of immigrants have begun to slow at the Southern US border, does this mean less busing into Chicago? Check out today's post from CapFax

Crowds ease at Mexican border, but will that lead to fewer asylum-seekers in Chicago? https://t.co/UH34AMcazZ

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) June 2, 2023

Could social media be utilized to influence people to move into a neighborhood?

 Over at the Capitol Fax today there is a post about a Peoria, ILL resident who is using her reach on TikTok to influence people to live there. She doesn't work as a real estate agent or even for Peoria itself she is sure to tell people about what to do there (say entertainment or restaurants), what movers to rely on, or certainly another important aspect finding a job in a particular city.

TikTok infulencer persuades hundreds to settle down in Peoria https://t.co/WiVx7cL8EL

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) March 30, 2023

The question I may ask is what things are available for people to do in say Roseland or Pullman? What restaurants exist? What entertainment options? What kind of retail?

Also the price of housing - that is rent or a mortgage. What kind of people live there? Certainly what types of opportunities entrepreneurial or employment might exist?

Perhaps there a person out there pondering these things whatever neighborhood in the city they live in. Of course if we're lacking in those attributes that makes a particular community attractive what can be done to change that?

The Chicago Neighborhoods

CapFax: Toddlin Town roundup - Is Vallas losing support of Black voters?

 At the start of this roundup looking at support among likely voters in the mayoral race we see where both Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas are at with voters. I can see Commissioner Johnson's standing beginning to rise, especially with the Black vote. And then the whole issue of Vallas saying things with regards to Gov. Pritzker managing the pandemic and what he says on right-wing talk shows that are starting to become issues.

Before Feb 28, 2023 election people were taking shots at him for being a Republican. What say you all once you check out the round-up at Capitol Fax.

That toddlin’ town roundup: Poll has Vallas’ Black support plummeting https://t.co/jBUdU3IMpB

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) March 23, 2023

CapFax: That toddlin’ town roundup #ChiMayor23

 A number of campaign and certainly political updates from the mayoral runoff. Who endorsed who? What are their policy proposals? And of course who called who a Republican? Via Capitol Fax

That toddlin’ town roundup https://t.co/Lnw1eWIbhJ

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) March 13, 2023

Tomorrow is Election Day #ChicagoElections #ChiMayor23

 If you have't early voted, tomorrow is the day to cast a vote for Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer, City Council, and those little known & new police district board council.

If you're looking for some last minute stories check out this round by via Capitol Fax.

That toddlin’ town Monday morning roundup https://t.co/EFpBL82gXt

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) February 27, 2023

And how about a video from FOX 32 regarding Tuesday's election. They speak with Max Bever of the Chicago Board of Elections [VIDEO]

Capitol Fax: Where does Paul Vallas really live #ChiMayor23

 I'd say this is more significant in this mayoral race than Paul Vallas' positions on abortion or even whether or not he's a Republican as opposed to being a Democrat. As Rich Miller says in this morning's post on his blog, "Vallas has been registered to vote in Chicago since 2018. These candidate residency requirements are not difficult to skirt. But he has some more explaining to do."

Where does Paul Vallas really live? https://t.co/IZG95Xp6aw

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) February 10, 2023

I suppose the question is from what I have already read, he moved into an apartment in Bridgeport perhaps about a year before running for mayor. The story is that his residence is in Palos Heights, Illinois although his wife currently resides in Palos Heights to care for her parents and mother-in-law.

Come to think of it, after his service as a congressman and White House chief-of-staff in Washington, DC didn't Rahm Emanuel have to face questions about his residency. Although in his case the home he owned in the city was rented out so that was the story back then. Many tried to keep him from even being on the ballot because of this back then.

Did anyone check on this before Vallas turned in his petitions?

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

I hope you're all staying warm out there... #Chiberia

 Well, I'm glad there wasn't a lot of snow Thursday night. At the same time it was a beast to get around if the streets and expressways weren't clear.

The snow has given way to frigid temperatures as I look on my phone this morning at about 9:30 AM -5°F out there according to my Yahoo weather app. I hope you have heat at home, if not from Mayor Lori Lightfoot on twitter, there are warming centers out there for you.

Winter Storm is coming! DFSS six community service centers operates as warming centers & are open from 9am-5pm. Our Garfield Center is available 24/7 to connect residents to shelter!

Call 3-1-1 to find your nearest warming center & for well being checks! #StayWarmChicago ❄️ pic.twitter.com/Bvszwnll9N

— Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (@ChiFamSupport) December 22, 2022

Of course call 311 if you want more updated information on warming shelters.

Capitol Fax: Chicago poll shows crime and public safety far above any other issues for voters

A poll showing the standing amongst likely voters of the candidates running against incumbent Mayor Lightfoot also who do Chicago's likely voters view the crime issue. Is the crime issue important to them?

Chicago poll shows crime and public safety far above any other issues for voters https://t.co/9iO4jMcAsJ

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) December 13, 2022

November 19 - Willie Wilson Foundation Gas Giveaway

 The gas giveaway takes place November 19, 2022 starting a 7:00 AM providing $50 of gas per car until funds are exhausted. I will share a tweet that will have all listed locations throughout the city and suburbs including locations in northwest Indiana. If you want updated information check Willie Wilson's facebook & twitter pages

Half-off sale at the soon to close Englewood Whole Foods Market

 Starting on Friday there is a half-off sale at the soon to close Whole Foods Market Englewood store. The store is scheduled to close for business on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. The closing was announced earlier in the spring after being in business since Fall 2016.

According to the Sun-Times some customers are lamenting the loss of this store located in Englewood's former business district 63rd & Halsted Streets. Also those who are working there were offered transfers to other locations, when the store opened in 2016 they hired 100 people to work there many of whom live in the community.

Of course here's a silver lining, the store's closing has inspired a community garden in Englewood.

Whole Foods’ decision to close its Englewood store inspired resident to build a thriving community garden. https://t.co/hLW29lA7Av pic.twitter.com/R3EBTflW9q

— Block Club Chicago (@BlockClubCHI) November 11, 2022

CapFax: A false equivalence, but somebody should still probably pick up a phone

 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

Cap Fax: Gov. Pritzker goes after Gov. of Texas

 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