Everything Old is New Again

Helen and Angela 

With Shiller-mentum in the air, let's jump in the UU time machine and revisit what we said just over a year ago in surveying the Aldermanic race:

For her part, Ms. Clay has little track record and has bound herself closely to former Alderman Helen Shiller, who was on hand when Ms. Clay announced her candidacy. Ald. Shiller is effectively looking for someone to pass the baton. In our view, a vote for Ms. Clay is effectively a vote for Helen Shiller and her favorite organizations to regain power in the 46th Ward. 

We have witnessed a neighborhood that has made tremendous strides in public safety and livability over the past 12 years under Alderman Cappleman. If you asked us what we expected to see in 2011 when he was sworn in for the first time, we were most hopeful for a change from a status quo that was willing to accept regular gang shootings and street crime as part of the "fabric" of the neighborhood. That change has happened, in large part, due to the work of police, the Alderman and his office, neighborhood groups, and Uptown's citizens, who have worked together to make Uptown a safe, clean and desirable location. 

We started this blog in 2007 because we were sick of the way Uptown was in the thrall of special interests who had no interest in the neighborhood ever improving. The status quo (and worse) were acceptable, as was the loss of life and subhuman living conditions that accompanied it. We don't want to return to the way things were under Helen Shiller, which is what a vote for Ms. Clay (or Ms. Lalonde) would bring. 

So here we are, a year later, and the prediction has come true. Call us NostradamUUs!

As the above photo (taken recently by a friend) illustrates, Helen Shiller is right behind Angela Clay, "counseling" Ms. Clay (who she has been grooming for years) and acting as shadow alderman. And in a brazen move straight out of her Wilson Yard and kitchen renovation playbook, she's trying to kill Uptown's decade-long renaissance by sticking a curfew free men's homeless shelter directly in the middle of the Wilson Avenue business district. 

Oh, and she's using $4.5 million dollars in local taxpayer TIF funds, killing two businesses, and bolstering old supporters at JPUSA at the same time. A Shiller-Clay win-win-win-win!

From what we see and hear at the UU mothership, this is a VERY unpopular move, yet Alderwoman Clay seems unwilling to hear or consider the voices of the block clubs that surround the proposed shelter. 

What can you do to share your opinion if you weren't able to make it to the ONE meeting that was held to discuss this? Email the Zoning Board of Appeals at ZBA@cityofchicago.org and be sure to mention the zoning change at 1140 W. Wilson. You can also sign a petition that is circulating here.

Don't just take it from us. Here's reader Ken's comment yesterday. Everything old is new again!

This sounds like Helen Schiller's way of doing things in 46th ward for over 20 years. I put up with it for 10 years (2005-2015) and that was enough. Everything happens magically under the table and decisions are discussed and made in secret, all the time. It's exhausting, but nothing ever changes.

As we have said repeatedly, elections have consequences. Hopefully the voter turn-out will be much higher in 2027 and this political move is remembered when Uptowners go to the voting booth. We won't forget!!! 

Oh, and Alderwoman Clay? We know you're a reader. We still have questions you haven't answered. Pink ribbons come to mind.