Red Line extension gets $2 billion, one step closer to reality

Well this is what the Sun-Times says that $2 billion is pledged towards.

The $3.7 billion Red Line extension has “advanced to the final phase” of the painstaking, federal funding process. The feds are making a $2 billion commitment to cover half the cost and authorizing CTA to advance to the engineering stage, which CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. called the “final step ... in order to begin construction.”

The CTA hopes to award an engineering and construction contract and begin preliminary work before the end of this year, then reach the final step — a full-funding grant agreement with the feds. That would pave the way for construction of the extension and four stations to begin in 2025.

“You have heard us talk about this project for decades, but I’m here to tell you the project is now happening,” Carter told a news conference at the Red Line Extension Community Outreach Center, 401 W. 111th St.

The Red Line extension includes new stations at 103rd; 111th Street near Eggleston Avenue; along Michigan Avenue near 116th Street; and the new terminus at 130th Street near Altgeld Gardens.

Here's a WGN story about this which aired on the news yesterday. It features comments from Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Mayor Brandon Johnson, CTA Pres. Dorval Carter, and Ald. Anthony Beale as he will benefit from this new L branch. [VIDEO] 

Michael Madigan gives up his ward committeeman position

 Not exactly huge news, but worth sharing I suppose.

The base of Michael Madigan's power as Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party is being the committeeman for the 13th Ward. There was a reason that he had been the longest serving speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives since about 1983 until he resigned in early 2021.

Well he resigned from his seat in the Illinois General Assembly, he dropped out of the running for his Speakership as his continued leadership was said to be toxic in Democrat races around the state. It came out that there was a sexual harassment scandal involving people on his staff.

And then of course there is this ComEd bribery business. People connected with his organization have faced trial and he will have his federal trial next year on April 1, 2024 - sorry to note this it's April Fool's Day '24.

However for a man who had been so powerful and I respect some aspects of his cunning and political acumen it's amazing how far he has fallen from power. He gave up his seat in the Illinois House of Representatives, his speakership, the chairmanship of the state party, and now his Democratic ward committeeman spot.

Times have truly changed.

Now petitions are circulating for next year. We vote for among other offices for President. In next years party primary one of those offices up for election is ward committeperson.

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.

Silas Purnell College Expo - Sat. Sept. 16, 2023

The Chicago Football Classic game between Central State University & Mississippi Valley State University is today along with a HBCU college fair to take place at Soldier Field at 12 Noon. However, here's another local college fair operated by a local community association which was blasted out by state Representative Nicholas Smith.

• Chesterfield Community Council Presents
  
The 17th Annual Silas Purnell College Expo
Saturday, September 16, 2023
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Chicago State University
Jones Convocation Center
9501 S. King Drive
Chicago, ILL

• College, university, & trade school representatives

• Seminars
• Scholarships
• HBCU Life
• Apprenticeships

• Giveaways
• Free Admission
• For more information: chesterfieldcommunitycouncil.org or
• (773) 651-3958

Refer to flyer below

I forgot about the Chicago Football Classic...

 

[VIDEO] Great to see this football game return to Soldier Field perhaps for the first time since the pandemic. This game features two football teams from Historically Black Colleges this year the game will be between Central State out of Wilberforce, Ohio vs. Mississippi Valley State out of Itta Bena, Mississippi which will start tomorrow on Saturday, Sept 2, 2023. Again sorry to be last minute on this.

Usually there are events surrounding this game which includes a college fair which will take place hours before the game at  Soldier Field in the United Club at 1410 Special Olympics Dr (perhaps this is at Soldier Field) which will start at 12 Noon tomorrow Sept, 2, 2023.

There was at the end of last month an HBCU Day at Wrigley Field which if you at least follow the IG for the Chicago-area Morehouse College Alumni organization this was also connect with the Chicago Football Classic.

Also as you see in the above clip there was a battle of the bands for both Central State & Mississippi Valley State in Daley Plaza earlier today.

Feel free to check the website chicagofootballclassic.org

Chicago Women in Trades Wednesday August 30, 2023

Sorry to have posted this at the very last minute since this event is to take place tomorrow. There are other events taking place in September advertised in an email blast by state Rep. Nick Smith that I would like to share with you all.

I also want to remind you of the Roseland Hospital hiring far to take place also on August 30, 2023 which I shared a flyer for that event recently as well.

• Chicago Women in Trades
Interested in building a career in the trades?
Join us for an open house at Chicago Women in Trades
Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 4:00 PM
2444 W. 16th Street, Suite 3E
Chicago, IL
• Programs start soon!
• Pre-Apprenticeship training for construction trades
• Hand-on Welding Programs
• Orientation registration
• Limited Seating
• http://bit.ly3qaSQPH 

Or refer to the flyer below.

How to beat the heat?

 

[VIDEO] As I write this at 12:00 Noon the temperature is 97°F here in Chicago - according to Accuweather - and we're in a serious heatwave which actually started on Wednesday. This WGN-TV report shows cooling centers open around the Chicago area. 

If you are in need of a cooling shelter please call 311. Here's a link from the City of Chicago for six community service centers utilized as cooling areas. Masks are currently required however. Dang you coronavirus! 

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

#Ward09 events

A portion of future events received through email blasts from Ald. Anthony A. Beale flyers are below each bulleted event.