Hazardous Walking: Leland and Kenmore

A reader sends us some unfortunate news and warns pedestrians to use caution:

There was a fire tonight at approximately 4:30 PM on the top floor (3rd story) of a condo building on the southwest corner of Kenmore and Leland. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured and the damage was contained to one unit. They didn't even have to water down the surrounding units (thankfully - that'd cause serious damage to the hardwood!). All the windows were blown out in the unit. There are glass shards around that area - be careful with your dogs, children, bare feet, etc...

UPDATE: Neighbors tell us that Ald. Shiller was present at the scene of the fire; some sent in photos to prove it. If this is, indeed, her reaction to the comments at Wednesday's meeting that she is an absentee alderman, we're happy to think she may have taken those comments to heart.

WBBM-AM Covers Truman Meeting, Too

A commenter alerted us to WBBM 780's coverage of yesterday's meeting:

Uptown Residents In An Uproar Over Recent Violence

CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Some 300 Uptown residents packed the Truman College cafeteria to talk to Chicago Police about what they say is big increase in crime in their neighborhood. Resident after resident took the microphone to tell police about shootings, drug dealing and auto theft in and around Uptown.

Chicago Police Commander Kathy Bowmer says there has been an uptick in violence, particularly auto thefts, in the area but she says they are doing their best to crack down on what she says is three specific gangs. There have been 8 shootings and one homicide in Uptown this year.

Neighbors say they want an increase in patrols and security cameras., but police say residents can't be afraid to report crime and then follow through and testify in court against suspects if needed. Police are pledging to increase bike patrols and even bring in the Tactical Response Unit when needed.

A 22-year old Freshman at Truman College was shot and killed near campus in May. Police say he was an innocent victim caught in the crossfire of a gang shootout.

Chi-Town Daily News Covers Wednesday's Meeting

"Uptown Residents Pack Meeting to Address Crime"
BY AMY CRIDER, July 31, 2008 12:45 PM

An excerpt:

"But gunfire and gang activity weren't the only issues. As Uptown Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Christie Hahn put it, businesses can no longer put up with the "everyday harassment" of their patrons that included public drinking, pot smoking, urination, and panhandling.

Molly Phelan, the Buena Park CAPS liaison, drew loud applause when she demanded that someone "take a leadership role" in addressing the problems.

The loudest applause of the night came when a man turned to Alderman Helen Shiller, (D-46) who was seated in the audience, and asked why she was seated there rather than on the dais with the panel.Thunderous response drowned out the rest of his remarks, exposing an undercurrent of frustration with the alderman's office. One speaker was booed when she attempted to defend Shiller.

Shiller did not respond to the complaints during the meeting."


Read the entire article here.

Wilson Yard Litigation Meeting Tonight At 7pm

The neighborhood is a flurry of meetings and activity and that is a good thing. Be sure to head on over to the Buena Point condominium at 4350 N. Broadway on the 2nd floor at 7pm tonight for a Wilson Yard Litigation Meeting. Uptown Neighborhood Council is hosting the meeting to "Fix Wilson Yard." Tax deductible donations can be made out to "Graceland Wilson Neighbors Association" and mailed to:

Fix Wilson Yard PO Box 13365 Chicago, IL 60613

Uptown Events For National Night Out Against Crime

From the always informative News-Star:

Next Tuesday, Aug. 5, neighborhoods across the city will be observing the 25th annual National Night Out. The designated theme of this year's citywide National Night Out is "Imagine a World without Violence."

The first National Night Out began in 1984 to heighten crime and drug awareness, generate support for anti-crime programs and strengthen community and police partnerships in fighting crime. The annual event is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. In 2007, over 35 million people participated in National Night Out in communities both large and small.

News-Star encourages all of its readers to get out and meet your neighbors and take back the street corners from drug dealers and gangbangers, instead of carping about it on the neighborhood blogs. For those of us fortunate enough to have running cars, jobs that pay a decent wage, flat-screen televisions and quiet buildings to live in, we also encourage you to walk a mile in our less fortunate neighbors' shoes, for they are the most greatly impacted by street crime and violence.

Uptown (20th and 23rd District)

St. Augustine's College, 1345 W. Argyle - National Night Out kicks off at 4 p.m. with a block club convention hosted by 20th District CAPS, with green tips, refreshments, children's games, prizes, face-painting, jumping jack, community tables and K-9 and mounted police demonstrations taking place from 6 to 9 p.m. Free trolley rides through the beautiful 20th District will also be available on a first-come basis starting at 6:10 p.m. For more information, call (312) 742-8770.

Aster Playlot, 4639 N. Kenmore - CAPS 2312, along with Chase Park, will sponsor an outdoor barbecue for neighbors from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Face painting, art projects and other activities for children are also planned. Residents of all ages are encouraged to attend. For more information, call (312) 744-4247.

Sunnyside Mall, on Sunnyside, between Malden and Magnolia - "Taking the beat to the street," CAPS 2311 will hold its regular monthly meeting outside. Neighbors will be grilling hot dogs and hosting activities for kids starting at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call (312) 744-4247.

"Move!" But Give Us Your TIF Money First...

Ald. Shiller's staff is mighty quick to tell residents and taxpayers to move if they don't like the crime here.

But they want to bleed the homeowners dry at the same time.

Sneaked into the end of a Sun-Times article today:

"Daley proposed using $10 million in TIF funds to help develop a 75,000-sq.ft. student center and parking facility at Truman College."

Why don't Truman students pay for their own parking and student center in the form of increased registration fees? Why put the burden on residents who live near Truman? The same people who are mocked by Denise Davis at a public meeting and told "leave and don't come back!" by George Atkins.

Ald. Shiller Sounds Off On Vehicle Booting, Not Crime

First pigeons, then plastic baggies, then felons and massage parlors. Check out her latest endeavor at the Sun-Times here.

Ald. Shiller Turns Her Back On Uptown Crime, Literally And Figuratively

Details of the town hall meeting that just took place this evening are still trickling in, but the word from those who attended is that the turnout was phenomenal. We are told that Alderman Shiller sat in the front row with her back to the audience and did not say ONE word to those in attendance, not even commenting on what she is doing to help combat crime in Uptown. Representatives from the 47th and 48th Wards were there and spoke and were even on the panel of speakers, but not one peep from our own alderman. Were you there? Let us know what you saw and heard in the comments. Oh, and Christie Hahn from Uptown Business Partners...you rock.
Update: Fox Chicago was at the meeting. Their coverage can be seen here. The coverage is great until the end when the anchor mentions that Ald. Shiller was not on the panel but her chief-of-staff was. Another example of people confusing "Shiller" and "Schulter." Dan Luna from Gene Schulter's office was on the panel but Alderman Shiller's own Denise Davis was sitting in the front row. The 46th Ward was NOT represented on the panel.

Sunnyside Mall: "National Night Out Against Crime"

(click on the image above for a full-size copy)

Sounds like a festival! The beat coordinator tells us there will be a BBQ, a sno-cone machine and fun. She also asks that you print out the flyer and distribute it to your friends and neighbors. If just one person per building prints out the flyers and passes them around, we should be able to cover most of Uptown.

If you have neighbors who don't have internet access, please let them know about it as well.

Reminder: Town Hall Meeting Tonight At 6:30pm At Truman College

As if you had not heard, there will be a Town Hall Meeting on Public Safety tonight at 6:30pm at Truman College in the cafeteria. We have heard that Ald. Shiller will be in attendance as well as someone from her staff. We suggest residents bring both cameras and video cameras to document the meeting as it is sure to be an interesting one! Be sure to bring your questions and comments as well. We are pretty sure you might have a few things on your mind and if you do, we suggest you email a concerned resident named Molly Phelan who is taking suggestions for fighting/reducing crime in Uptown and will give those suggestions to our elected officials. They can be reached at helpuptown@gmail.com

No Headline Necessary

Seen this morning at the Alderman's "Community Service Office."

No ATM Here

We noticed the ATM that was just to the east of Nick's on Wilson (Wilson and Clifton) has been removed and covered with plywood. Is this going to be turned into an entrance into this building? Does it have something to do with the upcoming 7-Eleven? We will have to wait and see.

Splish Splash

A reader observes about the Clarendon Park playlot, next to the fieldhouse:

As a daily dog walker - early morning and later at night, I was noticed a huge waste of water on display coming from the large children's sprinkler in the playground. The water from this sprinkler seems to runs non-stop 24 hours a day at what has to be a rate of gallons of water per minute - I have never seen it turned off.

Can't they install a shutoff or set it up for automatic turn on - it was pointed out by friends in from the suburbs where they are on restricted water use and lawn watering schedule.

Ald. Shiller has really been parroting promoting the Mayor's "green" and "recycling" shtick lately. We have to wonder: Is water running 24 hours a day, rain or shine, an ecological and green-planet "best practice"?

Ald. Shiller's Appearance On CAN-TV Postponed

A reader writes: "Just received this via email after sending a link from UU about the crazy behavior at Shiller’s office:

Hello. Thank you for your recent request regarding tomorrow's Political Forum program.. Alderman Shiller's appearance is being rescheduled for a date TBD in the future."

Sound Sleeper

Another reader who was passing by the Wilson L station today sent us this photo of a man who has taken up residency in front of the station. We had seen him in the same spot yesterday. He never flinched when trains screeched by overhead or fire trucks with sirens blaring passed by. The reader said they contacted 911 for a wellness check.

Lining Up Early For The Graeme Stewart Park Opening

A reader sent us this photo from this afternoon at Broadway and Sunnyside. It appears that this corner, next to the upcoming Graeme Stewart School Park, is the happening new hangout for Uptown residents. The reader saw these gentlemen cracking open beers and passing them around, all in front of a "No Loitering" sign, no less, AND steps from a school. Whose idea was it to put a park here? Nice.

Ald. Shiller's Staff: 'This Isn't Your College Campus, Sweetie'

Dear Alderman Shiller,

I stopped into your office today to make an appointment with you, which I was told wouldn't happen. I told your staff what my concerns were, that I wanted to talk about the violence, and the drugs, and the trash and broken glass, the condition of the park and state of our neighborhood. Your staff told me that this was a safe clean neighborhood, and where did I think I was moving into, that there was no trash, and there were no drugs. I was told that all I want is to kick people out of the neighborhood who don't look like me. At this point I was crying, asking them why don't they care, why don't they come walk down my street and pick up a bag of trash with me and see the kids doing drugs out in the streets. They laughed and said if I don't like it I should just move, "this isn't your college campus sweetie." I told them that is not the answer, that poor people deserve better, poor people do not deserve to live with violence, it should not be a way of life for anyone, that everyone deserves to live in a safe, clean neighborhood. I repeatedly asked them why don't they care, why don't they come out and look for themselves. What I experienced in your office was governmental negligence, and it was disgusting. I can't believe your offices' total lack of disregard for this community, for concerned citizens, for the safety of everyone in this neighborhood. We have to get you out of office. I'll run, I may not win, but I will fight for this neighborhood. I am just so sad about the negligence and your ability to turn a blind eye, to assume that anyone who wants to make a difference, to make this neighborhood better for everyone is racist, that just sickens me. Your office is totally incompetent, there is no concern about the safety and cleanliness of this community, your answer to voters complaints is to call them racist and tell them to move. You clearly do not care, but I do, and I am going to make it my mission to let the people in my neighborhood know that they deserve better, that government can care about them, that the cyclical nature of racism and poverty does not need to continue, that they deserve to live free of violence, free of trash filled streets, free of constant crime and drug abuse, that maybe their government does not care, but I do, and there is a better way. I will keep fighting for this neighborhood, and I will come by your office every day until you meet with me about the violence and drugs in this community.

Sincerely,
Stephanie McNeely

Breaking News: Uptown Theatre Sold!

Update 7/30: From Crain's- Uptown Theatre Buyer Calls City Requirements 'Onerous'
Update #2: Check out "Clout City's" take on the sale of the Uptown Theatre
Update#3: Uptown Theatre Makes The News In The UK

From Chicago Real Estate Daily (Crain’s) — Without any drama, a venture led by concert promoter Jam Productions Ltd. bought the historic Uptown Theatre Tuesday for $3.2 million in a court-ordered foreclosure sale.

Jam principal Jerry Mickelson was the only bidder for the long-vacant theater at 4816 N. Broadway. The sale price was essentially a “credit bid” that covers repayment of about $1.8 million owed on a first mortgage and $1.4 million owed on a second mortgage that’s held by Mr. Mickelson’s group.

Mr. Mickelson, who has said he plans to restore the Uptown, declined comment at the sale.

The property’s ownership has been in dispute, and Mr. Mickelson — in a venture with Block 37 developer Joseph Freed & Associates LLC — began pushing for a foreclosure sale early last year when the venture acquired a defaulted $500,000 second mortgage on the theater.

A court must still approve the sale of the 4,500-seat theater. Mr. Mickelson’s attorney, Todd Rowden of Thompson Coburn Fagel Haber, says he expects there won’t be any objections and that the court will soon approve the sale.

“It went pretty smooth,” Mr. Rowden said after Tuesday’s sale. “Given the publicity, we were expecting some other bids.”

Jam competitors Live Nation Inc. and Madison Square Garden Entertainment both looked into buying the 1925 building, which was originally constructed as a movie palace. Jam in 2006 bought the Riviera Theatre down the street and also owns the Park West in Lincoln Park and the Vic Theatre in Lakeview, all music venues.

In addition to receiving court approval, Mr. Mickelson must also resolve some $1.8 million in liens that the city has against the Uptown related to maintenance work the city performed. That puts the total cost of the theater at roughly $5 million, a fraction of the $40 million that’s estimated to be required to renovate the building that’s lain fallow since closing in 1981.

Mr. Mickelson told the Chicago Tribune in a story published Tuesday that the restoration will require assistance from the city.

Uptown Broadway Building Gets Windows

Workers are installing the ground floor retail windows of the Uptown Broadway Building this afternoon. They have also replaced a large section of brick on the north side of the building.
Also, we remember hearing that a West Coast-based burger joint was interested in a retail spot in this building. Could it be "The Counter" custom built burgers? They are planning to open their first Chicago location in Lincoln Park, but could they soon be calling Uptown home as well? If this a business you would like to see in our neighborhood, click "contact" at the bottom of their website and send them an email mentioning this location.

Block Club University This Weekend

No Uptown Update If You Work For The City

We had to laugh when we read this email:

So I was using my Google reader to check out the Uptown Update and thought I should share with you to share with your readers some news about a show at the Annoyance on Thursday's called Tommy's Place (go see it, it is ridiculously hilarious).

Lo and behold, the Uptown Update has been banned from my approved websites! It is banned due to Malicious Content. I work for the city and cannot gain access to your site anymore! This is sad and annoying, it's because of all the degenerate activities that have been happening in our neighborhood the past few weeks.

If I can't see it, I bet when Shiller comes into her office she can't either, not that she would anyway because that would mean she was involved in her community....

Baby You Can Tag My Car

We were driving down Broadway and saw this car parked on Cuyler, with the arrow pointing east on the block where the infamous "Cuyler Boys" gang is. So who -- or what -- does the tag point the way to?

Uptown Theatre On The Radio

UPDATE: Read the Tribune's take on it. "The fortunes of the long-imperiled, down-at-heel Uptown look brighter now than at any point in the last two decades." Uptown Theatre Goes On The Block

We received this email from the Uptown Adviser, which is monitoring the situation regarding the auction of the Uptown Theatre:

Eight Forty-Eight (WBEZ) reporters have been working since last Friday on covering the scheduled judicial auction of the UPTOWN THEATRE property, 4816 N. Broadway, in Chicago, which is set for tomorrow, Tuesday, July 29.

The best of our collective understanding is...) This sale was rescheduled from previously cancelled dates. It is based on a judge's decision to force two parties to sell their interests to one party.

What's for sale? The property and all of its debt, including debt from previous owners borrowing against it and from liens for services provided, such as scaffolding and stabilization. Observers anticipate that two known prospects - JAM Productions and Live Nation, who each own portions of the debt - will be first in line at the sale. However, no specific plans or intentions have been made public.

Purchasing the building and its debt could be a first step toward renovation and reuse. However, one has to keep in mind that tens of millions of dollars will be needed after satisfying the purchase cost and debt in order to actually renovate the theatre for some entertainment use.

The news radio show Eight Forty-Eight airs at 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. on WBEZ, 91.5 FM, in Chicago and streams online via: http://www.wbez.org/Program_848.aspx

Both Crain's Chicago Business and rock critic Jim DeRogatis have covered this topic well in recent stories: Uptown Theatre draws crowd of suitors and The fight for control of the Uptown

Wilson L Update

Success! Well, at least partial. You may remember the numerous lights that were burned out all around our beloved Wilson L station. We are happy to report that the 4 lights at the auxiliary entrance on Wilson have been replaced (who knows how long they have been burned out). The 4 lights under the tracks on Broadway have yet to be replaced but the station was a flurry of activity this afternoon as police caution tape was blocking part of the sidewalk for work. We can only hope the workers are there to replace the remaining lights and maybe even give the station a good ol' scrub down.

An Ironic Fiasco

Il Fiasco is no more. The Italian restaurant closed for business yesterday, July 27th, after less than two years in existence. Within a month, the space will be transformed to Tapas Las Ramblas, a tapas restaurant.

The owners of Il Fiasco, one of the two Italian restaurants in the 5100 block of Clark Street, sent the following email to customers this weekend:

Dear Friends,
Beginning Sunday, July 27th, Il Fiasco is closed for renovations and will reopen as Tapas Las Ramblas within a month. We will keep you posted on our progress and with our official reopening date. Also, we want to inform you that all gift certificates from Il Fiasco will be honored at Tapas Las Ramblas. Thank you for your patronage and we look forward to seeing you soon!

All the best,
Michael and Natalie Moore (owners)
Nannette Patterson (manager)

Those of who you have been in the neighborhood for a while will know that Il Fiasco was previously Rioja, a Spanish tapas restaurant. With no less than four other Italian restaurant options within a mile of Il Fiasco, the change of cuisine will give Uptown and Andersonville residents a opportunity to enjoy sangria and tapas.

Prefer 2 Wheels To 4? A Site For Cyclists

An Uptown Update reader has created an online community for Chicago bikers called thechainlink.org. It's a place where bikers can find group rides and routes, share information and connect with other bikers.

"I created it because even though there are tons of bikers in Chicago, it's a pretty fragmented community. My hope is that this site will allow bikers in Chicago and surrounding areas to connect with each other, explore the area through interesting rides and routes, and most of all, bring a sense of community to Chicago biking."

Although this has nothing to do with the new chainlink site, it's a good time to slip in a plug for a successful local business that's known citywide, Uptown Bikes.

Gunfire Still Happening In Our Streets

We received this report from a reader about another gunfire incident over the weekend, right on our residential streets. Folks, we can't stress enough how important it is that there's a huge turnout at the Town Hall meeting this Wednesday.

For years, Uptowners have been ignored or belittled by our elected officials when we've complained about crime and violence. Now there are two politicians who've been listening and are holding a meeting to hear our concerns. Let's hope that incidents like the one described below happen less and less as we do everything we can to create safer streets and a healthy community.

I was awoken last night by about 7 gunshots on the corner of Sunnyside and Hazel - the corner which I live on. They were so loud last night, that I leaped out of my bed and down onto the floor, fearing getting hit by a stray bullet. After the gunshots, my boyfriend and I heard someone shrieking outside, literally screaming bloody murder. I called 911 but it was busy.

The whole corner was lit up like a carnival - at least 4 cop cars, an ambulance, and if I recall correctly, a fire truck as well. We caught a glimpse of a man going insane, being arrested on the hood of a cop car. He was the one screaming and I heard a cop yelling at him to "stop being a fucking idiot".

This is definitely not the first time I have ever heard gunshots out on this corner since I've lived here {a year now}. Since March, gunfire has been at least a monthly occurrence. This was the biggest one that I was around for. I wish I knew more details, but of COURSE the newspapers never report ANYTHING.

Lights ... Camera ... Parking

Massive Ego Productions is filming scenes in our neighborhood for their upcoming film "The Landlord." An exterior scene at 1060 W Buena will be filmed Sunday evening.

Parking has been banned for all of Buena west of Sheridan from 7 p.m. Sunday till 3 a.m. Monday.

Anyone with special needs or concerns is invited to call Dan Kiggins, location manager for Massive Ego, at 847-373-8952.

Good News: Riley Is Home

We're sensing a a theme here: Remember Riley, the Wheaten Terrier who disappeared at Montrose Beach around the time of Independence Day? Well, some good news about Riley this morning.

My Wheaten Terrier, Riley, has been found. A woman and her fiancé picked him up at the park, knowing he was lost and took him home. She wasn't sure how to contact me, even though he had all of his tags. She saw one of my flyers at the beach yesterday and thankfully decided to return him to me. He's in very good condition and is really happy to be home. Thanks so much for posting our story!

Two Children Missing; Last Seen In Uptown

Update: According to The Broken Heart of Rogers Park, the boys were found and are safely home.

Lorraine Swanson of the News-Star alerted us to this breaking story. We hope the two boys are found and are okay.

Two Rogers Park boys missing
Police Searching Their Route Home from Camp in Uptown

Police are looking for two 9-year-old Rogers Park boys who did not get home yesterday afternoon from a summer camp in Uptown. Both boys live in Rogers Park, on the 1300 block of West Touhy.

Officer Brady of the 24th Police District confirmed that police and Area 3 detectives are out on the streets and in the parks of the Far North lakefront looking for the boys. Brady said he did not know how long the boys have been missing, but that unconfirmed reports from residents questioned by police put the time at Friday afternoon.

The parents of the boys were at the 24th District police station at 6:45 a.m. Saturday to report them missing, Brady said.

The boys' names have not been released, but neighbors in Rogers Park say the first names of the missing 9-year-olds are Khalid and Ali. Both boys are from Nigeria; they were last seen leaving the Sunlight African Community Center at 4554 N. Broadway.

The boys are a little taller than 5 feet. One was wearing a red Phat Farm T-shirt; the other was in a shirt with vertical stripes. Residents said they were told by police that both boys knew their way home to Rogers Park from Uptown.

Police have not issued an Amber Alert, but Brady said that a police radio flash message has been issued, and that officers from the 23rd and 24th police districts in Uptown and Rogers Park are out searching for the boys.

Ald. Shiller: Let Felons Have Massage Parlors

CHICAGO (WBBM) - Chicago aldermen have given preliminary approval to a measure that might allow some convicted felons to operate massage parlors.

WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports.

The ordinance approved by the City Council licensing committee would still bar anyone convicted of sex crimes from running a massage business. But, those with old convictions for unrelated crimes could prove they are rehabilitated and get an okay.

Ald. Helen Shiller knows of someone with a shoplifting record who was denied a license.

Lt. Eve Gushes, head of Police Vice Control, still has some misgivings. She says the intimate nature of the massage act itself, and the prevalence of criminal activity in the industry, make it important to protect the public and the women who are often exploited.

But Gushes acknowledges the safeguards and says police will enforce whatever laws the aldermen pass.

Web Extra From The News-Star

The News-Star has a "web extra" story about the circumstances leading up to next week's Town Hall meeting and a report on last night's FORUM meeting.

State Representatives to Hold Emergency Town Hall in Response to Uptown Shootings

The News-Star also encourages Uptown Update readers to sign up to receive Web Extras via email.

Montrose Closed At Ashland For Next Three Months

A note from Ald. Schulter with news that might affect your commute:

For the next three months, Montrose Avenue will be unavailable to through traffic between Damen and Ashland. Local traffic will remain open along with all sidewalk access. All of the businesses on Montrose Avenue will remain open. I encourage 47th Ward residents to shop locally and to continue to support the businesses on Montrose.

Repeated partial collapses during cleaning and inspection operation have persuaded the Department of Water Management that a full sewer replacement between Damen and Hermitage is necessary.

The Montrose CTA Bus (#78) will be rerouted eastbound at Damen to Wilson. The bus will continue east on Wilson to Ashland and then back to Montrose. The west bound route will continue through the construction area on Montrose. The Montrose El Station will remain open at all times during this work and access to the station will be ensured from all directions.

Uptown Theatre To Be Auctioned Next Week?

From the Cinema Treasures website:

Uptown Theater to be auctioned

posted by balabanandkatz on July 25, 2008 am31 8:05am

CHICAGO, IL — It has come to the attention of the Balaban and Katz Historical Foundation that the Uptown Theater building at 4816 North Broadway in Chicago will be auctioned publicly on July 29th at 10:30 am at the offices of the Judicial Sales Corporation. The address is 1 South Wacker Drive (24th floor) in Chicago.

The Judicial Sales Corporation has a website. The law firm involved in the case is Noonan and Lieberman Ltd. located at 105 West Adams Street Chicago.

Last Night's FORUM Meeting

Here are some observations a reader sent in from last night's grassroots FORUM (Friends Organizing to Repair Uptown's Mismanagement) meeting.

A special thanks to the couple who organized it at such short notice, as one of them will take the bar exam next week. And to Kahawa Coffee House for hosting it and being a good neighbor to the community. We appreciate all of our Uptown businesses, and a brand new store allowing residents to hold a meeting at their place makes us appreciate Kahawa even more.

• The meeting was very informal, and it was made clear at the start that it should not, and did not intend to replace traditional CAPS meetings or other meetings with represented officials.


• It became clear that we needed a sense of unity as far as both meetings and information outlets is concerned. People simply don't know how to make a difference, and how and when to attend meetings. The more bodies at these meetings (especially CAPS meetings), the sooner we can make a difference.


• People need to call 911 often. If in doubt as to whether you should call 311 or 911, call 911. Give your name and phone number, get a case number, and follow-up later that day or the next. Everyone must call 911 at least once this week. Brush your teeth, make coffee, dial 911... Post Cappleman's "How to make an effective 911 call" -- available on uptownneighbors.org


• We have people working on a new sign/window placard campaign that says something to the effect of "NOT ON OUR BLOCK. UPTOWN RESIDENTS AGAINST CRIME, DRUGS, AND GANGS"


• Spread the word about Uptown Update. The more people who read the depressing stories, the more informed our community gets, and the more active they want to become. Make signs with Uptown Update on them, write Uptown Update with sidewalk chalk, tell everyone you know...


• Take back our community by acknowledging everyone when you walk by them. Including drug dealers. Saying hi to the gangbangers will catch them off guard, and let them know that we are watching them.


• Court advocacy flyers handed out -- When an Uptown resident who is arrested is brought to court, we need to have Uptown residents attend the court hearing. If a judge sees residents from that area, they are more likely to impose a stiffer sentence.


• There is only one blue-light police camera in our district (Sheridan and Wilson) even though every district has funds allotted for two. Bombard Shiller's office with e-mails demanding why. Make signs saying "Uptown has one police camera when every other district has two. Demand answers from Helen Shiller"


• Possibility of starting a 911 phone tree so that instead of 1 person calling about a particular incident, 3 or 4 or 5 can. The more 911 calls, the more police presence.


• Fill out 1/2 sheets at CAPS meeting to let them know of constant problem areas. First and foremost, attend the CAPS meetings.


• A petition will be made demanding answers from the Police Superintendant, and will also be sent to other interested parties in our community (the Alderman, public housing landlords, police chief, mayor).


• Join your block club. Go out into the community. Know your neighbors. Take back Uptown. Don't be afraid of Sunnyside Mall or any other hot spot.


• FORUM meeting was beneficial -- it will be done again, although there is a need to combine forces with all other similar community meetings.

Mobster Dies In Uptown Hospital

Since Uptown's mobster past is so well-known, it's fitting that reputed Outfit killer Frank 'The German' Schweihs died yesterday in this very neighborhood, at Thorek Hospital.

If you ever saw Casino (corrected) and shuddered at the fictionalized cornfield hit on the Spillotro Brothers, well, you've got Frankie Schweihs to thank for your nightmares.

Um, allegedly.

Around The Hood: Profiles Theatre

We stumbled across a blog post that celebrates Profiles Theatre's upcoming 20th Season in Buena Park. If you've never been there, give it a try. We've seen some fine shows there, up close and personal, at about a third of the cost of a show in the Loop.

Read All About It

A few commenters have floated the idea of raising money to buy display ads in the newspapers to showcase Uptown.

Should this idea come to fruition, a reader was kind enough to send us the rate cards for both major Chicago dailies.

Click here for the Sun-Times's rates, and here for the Tribune's.

Don't forget about our local papers, the News-Star and Inside.

And Speaking Of The Press....

We have a community paper that covers Uptown and areas north, and does it very well, the News-Star. Lorraine Swanson, the editor of the paper, would like it to be known that she welcomes the input and story ideas of Uptown's residents.

If you would like to speak with her -- particularly about the shootings we've experienced in the past ten days -- call her anytime at 708-613-3314. Leave a voicemail and she'll call back.

If you want to support the News-Star (and we do, whole-heartedly, because it's the only media source that covers Uptown in depth), please consider subscribing.

Where Am I Located?

There's been so much turmoil in the neighborhood lately that we wanted to post something dignified and graceful. Earn the respect and admiration of your peers by identifying the location of the mystery picture above. Bonus points if you can tell what the "S" stands for.

Wilson Yard Site Progress

The Bench, in Rogers Park, has gotten some good photos of what's been going on behind the double fences at the Wilson Yard construction site. Take a peek here at photos taken earlier today.

Too bad we have to learn what's going on from glimpses of the site taken from the el passing by. But, hey, if you want to take in a movie at Cricket Hill, or learn about recycling, check out Alderman Shiller's web site.

Community Town Hall Meeting About Public Safety

State Sen. Heather Steans and State Rep. Greg Harris have announced a community Town Hall Meeting to address the issues of public safety. It's in response to the community's concerns and anger over the recent violence and gun battles in our streets.

The meeting will be held Wednesday, July 30th, at the Truman College Cafeteria at 6:30 p.m.

23rd District Commander Kathleen Boehmer will be present. Ald. Helen Shiller has been invited, but it's not certain whether she can attend. (Note: The meeting conflicts with Ald. Shiller's scheduled appearance on CAN-TV.)

Cmdr. Boehmer confirms that there have been eight warrants issued and six arrests made at the problem building at Magnolia and Wilson already. There are two outstanding warrants.

We urge everyone who read and comments on this blog to attend the meeting. Posting here helps build a sense of community and helps make people aware of the problems and joys of life in Uptown, but it's no substitute for action, and activism.

Let's have a huge turnout at this meeting to see what we, as citizens who are fed up with living with fear and crime, can do to create a community that's safe and healthy.

UPDATE: Here's a flyer for the event. We strongly suggest you print it and distribute it to your neighbors who may not be aware of the meeting. The more of us who are aware and active, the stronger a statement we make.

News-Star Editorial On Last Week's Wilson Avenue Shootout

A little thing called the U.S. Constitution

Last week an Uptown man found himself caught between a hail of bullets near the corner of Wilson and Malden around 3:30 in the afternoon. Thankfully, the man was able to escape being injured or killed by flooring his car through what appeared to be a gang fight.

The man did the right thing by calling 911. In fact, 23rd District police officers interviewed by News-Star, including the police commander, stated that other witnesses who observed the midday gun fight also called 911. Police confirmed that the incident had indeed taken place.

After meeting police officers at a nearby Walgreens, the man was taken back to the scene of the crime where several male suspects had already been rounded up by police.

From the back of a Chicago police squad car, the man was able to point out the shooters. Since no one was killed or injured, and there was no property damage, police told the man that the shooters could only be charged with a misdemeanor for discharging a firearm within city limits.

Weighing his options, the man decided not to file a complaint. He could not be anonymous and would have to show up to court, where his name and face would then become known to the alleged shooters. He said he would have been glad to file a complaint if he had not feared for his safety.

Before everyone jumps on the man for not "getting involved," there is a little thing called the United States Constitution that presumes innocence for all persons charged with a crime. It also guarantees the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and the right to a fair trial. The Constitution also grants the accused the right to face their accusers in a court of law.

Eighth-grade civics teaches us that the Constitution was written to protect innocent persons from being unjustly arrested or imprisoned for crimes which they did not commit.

Still, it seems unfair that a citizen trying to do right thing by reporting a crime to police would have to fear for his own safety, especially when he was the victim. Millions of guilty persons have escaped punishment by law when their guilt could not be established beyond a reasonable doubt.

The U.S. Constitution is certainly not a perfect document. Then again, it isn't a perfect world.

News-Star: "Midday Gun Battle Shocks Uptown Residents"

Midday gun battle shocks Uptown residents

Witnesses wouldn’t sign complaints

News-Star, July 23, 2008

A mid-afternoon gun battle last week across traffic near the corner of Wilson and Malden in Uptown showed one man how quickly - and easily - it was to get caught in crossfire.

The Uptown man, who requested his name be withheld because he fears for his safety, said he was driving home from work at about 3:30 p.m. July 15. As he headed westbound on Wilson toward Malden in slow traffic, he heard what he thought were firecrackers exploding nearby.

"I saw two shooters shooting about 100 feet north of the intersection at Malden and Wilson in the middle of the Malden," the man said. "One car was double-parked and the shooter was shooting from behind or at the side of the car in a southerly direction toward another shooter who was standing in the front of my car, about 5 feet from my passenger window, where the sidewalks convene at Wilson and Malden."

There's a lot more to this story. Read the entire article before making any snap judgments. Click here.

Uptown Theatre Ownership To Be Decided Soon?

We were alerted to some interesting news hidden in the comments section of another website, written by someone with a really good Uptown Theatre pedigree (the theatre was built by Balaban & Katz in 1925; David Balaban is the grandson of one of the founders):

There is a rumor going around that the final ownership of the theatre will be decided by the end of September. I took a walking tour with my friend Rene Rabiela Jr., a few days ago. (His dad, Rene Rabiela, operated the theatre during its time as a rock and roll palace.) The inside of the theater is in pretty rough shape but it is overwhelmingly beautiful.

[...] Email me with any questions..

David Balaban
Dated July 21, 2008

The TIF Consultant Who Keeps On Giving

Note that S.B. Friedman has given Alderman Helen Shiller a political contribution ($500) once again this reporting period.

S.B. Friedman, led by Steven Friedman, is the supposedly independent outside consultant that did the Wilson Yard TIF study. The study concluded that our Broadway/ Montrose /Wilson area qualified as a Conservation TIF because it had four blight factors, which proved that it was in serious danger of slipping into decay conditions, despite the fact that the real estate market for the surrounding land was booming.

This particular firm has undergone criticism from its peers for two reasons:

1. It gives political contributions to the alderman in the ward in which it "finds blight" (and a potload of TIF funds for that alderman to control)

2. It plays both sides of the fence. Most consultants will only work as city consultants or for developers. This firm appears to operate in a conflict of interest mode because it takes money to do both roles simultaneously.

*Criticized in Chicago Magazine July 2005 for working for both developers and municipalities by competitor Beth Ruyle, Exec. V.P. and director of Ehlers & Assoc, which does TIF creation and analysis only for municipalities.

The Day After The Bullets Flew

A reader sent in this photo of the site of Tuesday's shooting, as it looked Wednesday: "The crime scene on Leland. Nomad. Is he the shooter or shootee? They are at least telling us this is the "'official site.'"

Montrose Rocks!

There are two community events within a couple blocks of each other tonight, Thursday, July 24. We hope you can make one or the other, or both.

Clarendon Park Neighborhood Association has its Dog Park Fundraiser from 6-9pm at the Driftwood, 1021 W. Montrose. THE SPOT stepped up in big way and gave us fifty $10 gift certificates for their place. We will be giving these away to the first 50 people at the Dog Park Fundraiser tomorrow. We also have free goodies bags for the first 75 people who come, compliments of SOGGY PAWS. THE DRIFTWOOD will be donating a free hour of drinking for you and 19 friends. We will have two of those available. THANK YOU DRIFTWOOD. YOU ARE AWESOME!

Beyond that we have raffle prizes from the good folks at THE HOUNDRY, DANNY'S DOG WALKERS, UPTOWN BIKES, OUT-U-GO, SOGGY PAWS, and KATHERINE DUNCAN CHOCOLATIERS. All this for a suggested donation of $15 to help us build a neighborhood Dog Park. Your time and generosity is always greatly appreciated.

And just a couple blocks east:

FORUM (Friends Organizing to Repair Uptown's Mismanagement) will have its inauguaral meeting at Kahawa Coffee House (838 West Montrose) at 7pm. Meet our newest community group at one of our newest locally owned establishments, a Kenyan coffeehouse. The owner will provide free coffee to meeting attendees. Great way to get in on a grassroots opportunity to help change our neighborhood for the better.

Smoke And Mirrors: Ald. Shiller's Website Addresses Wilson Yard

http://www.aldermanshiller.com/ has been updated to address the Wilson Yard situation. The only problem is, they don't have anything much new to say in The Facts About Wilson Yard.

They say: 1. Target is coming and link to the months-old Crain's article that says "talks have opened" with Target and they would "give additional details/updates towards the end of June."

No mention of the fact that for the past TWO YEARS they've claimed to have a letter of intent from Target. How are negotiations just now starting if they've had this never-produced-in-public letter of intent all along?

They say: 2. There are two residential buildings that are part of the Wilson Yard development. Both are rental and will be affordable to households earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income.

But, as usual, no mention of all of the minimum household income -- just the ceiling amount. No mention of the fact that the Illinois Housing Development Authority has classified 100% of the Wilson Yard rental units as low-income, very low-income and extremely low-income.

Read it for yourself and make up your mind. But don't just read what the Alderman's office is saying (and it seems to be quite a defensive position). Look between the lines and see what's NOT being said.

Remember, "there are lies, damned lies, and statistics."

UPDATE: A reader points out in the comments:

From the aldermanshiller.com website Terms and Conditions: "Citizens for Shiller does not warrant or make any representations as to the quality, content, accuracy, or completeness of the information, text graphics, links and other items contained on this server or any other server."

Sewer Work? Really?

Could it be that all the Uptown streets that are currently ripped up might have to do with work on the sewer system, rather than a resurfacing project? The same ageing sewer system that was the ostensible reason for funding the Wilson Yard TIF?

We're curious to know how much money -- if any -- from the let's-go-back-to-the-well-for-more Wilson Yard TIF is being used for this sewer upgrade. Anyone know? And does anyone know if this will in any way solve the problems caused by the corroding, century-old pipes under our streets?