I just got an email from Fix Wilson Yard asking for people to email their objection to the TIF amendment.
With all the bad publicity of late, if the city council gets enough emails asking them to vote the increase down, they just might - having seen what the community does when we feel our voices aren't heard. That, and Daley needs for Uptown to quiet down to get the Olympics, and is probably so upset with Shiller for the bad press, that he might be willing to slap her hand and have her make do with the $54 million she already has. Plus, the email goes back to Fix Wilson Yard, too. So, if they can show the media a stack of emails from the community, objecting to the increase, it may help them move forward.
Uptown Update has 700 Facebook friends and thousands of viewers. If everyone emails their objections, it could help to compensate for the fact that the meeting is inconveniently scheduled for September 8th. UU Readers, please take a minute to send an email; copy and paste the addresses and the text and sign your name. Pass it on to people who you think would be interested. Thanks to everyone!!
In the address field, copy and paste-
cityclerk@cityofchicago.org, communitydevelopment@cityofchicago.org, ward46@cityofchicago.org, info@fixwilsonyard.org
In the text field, copy and paste (or write your own objection)-
To Whom it may Concern:
I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed Wilson Yard TIF Amendment. Increasing the Wilson Yard TIF to $112 million dollars will divert essential tax dollars from areas of the city budget that already are desperately under funded and put the area's financial future at risk. Allowing an additional $54 million dollars to fund this project will put an added strain on the financial health of the schools, the police and fire departments, the park district and other vital city services that are needed to ensure the safety and vibrancy of our city. Please do not allow additional funds to be appropriated to the Wilson Yard TIF.
Sincerely,
My cut:
ReplyDeleteTo Whom it may Concern:
I am writing to further express my opposition to the proposed Wilson Yard TIF Amendment.
Ald. Shiller convened a public meeting earlier this summer where the majority of attendees voiced their displeasure and disapproval on this matter.
My voice was part part of that majority.
By sending this email, I want to ensure that my voice is heard.
Increasing the Wilson Yard TIF to $112 million dollars will divert essential tax dollars from areas of the city budget that already are desperately under funded and put the area's financial future at risk. Allowing an additional $54 million dollars to fund this project will put an added strain on the financial health of the schools, the police and fire departments, the park district and other vital city services that are needed to ensure the safety and vibrancy of our city.
As we have witnessed recently with the outbursts of gang violence within the Wilson Yard TIF district, it is painfully clear that the property tax dollars which would be diverted by amending the Wilson Yard TIF could better serve the community by staying committed to their original intent: city services.
Additionally, the concepts Ald. Shiller presented during that recent public hearing do not satisfy the requirements for TIF usage as far as revitalizing an area which will already require more tax dollars to cover the ongoing costs of the Wilson Yard housing project.
Please do not allow additional funds to be appropriated to the Wilson Yard TIF.
Sincerely,
Thanks for the info, I just sent an email telling them i support the TIF amendment.
ReplyDeleteDone!
ReplyDeleteAlso, regarding the TIF amendment notification letters, my husband and I have received no less than 7 mailings of the exact same letter and there will probably be more in our mailbox today. Has anyone else had this experience? More misguided and wasteful spending by way of the extra postage just adds insult to injury regarding this TIF.
I've received 3 copies of the letter so far.
ReplyDeleteI received 9 copies of the mailing.
ReplyDeleteSomething else worth mentioning is the fact that HUD does NOT recommend more that 20% of subsidized housing being concentrated in one area. Isn't the Wilson Yard housing project now turned into 100% subsidized?
ReplyDelete"Federal HUD guidelines discourage concentration of poverty at more than 20%. Communities which have higher poverty proportions are deemed to be "very high poverty" and "unstable"." (Source: http://www.uptownchicagocommission.org/tifs.htm#3)
So essentially Shiller is already making Wilson Yard an unstable and unsustainable area of Uptown by ignoring Federal HUD recommendations. Which seems to go agaist the very purpose of the TIF. If the city approves the extra funds, they are aiding in the further demise of this area of Uptown and okaying TIF use fraud.
We got 4 of them at my house too.
ReplyDeleteShe is trying cover her butt because of litigation.
It's not her money she doesn't care.
People like her never know what money is because they never have to earn it.
Otto - do you pay property taxes in the Wilson Yard TIF District?
ReplyDeleteI've received 4 copies of it...2 had certified mail stickers on the envelopes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting that the amendment is to increase the TIF. I read through it, and all that I got out of the letter was that they are holding a meeting and then 10 pages defining the geographical boundaries.
I bet Otto does not pay property taxes or live in the Wilson Yard TIF. He lives in the Jesus People compound on Wilson.
ReplyDeletePer the documents: they refer to Ms. Shiller's website for details on the amendment. And that's it.
ReplyDeleteUnless, of course, Ms. Shiller is trying to redefine the boundaries.
Either way - sending out two packages of page after page of confusing and disjointed documentation may satisfy the "rule of the law" but certainly flies afoul of the "spirit of the law".
And, Otto - would you be so kind as to detail the reasons for your support of the amendment?
Maybe your logic can cut through some of the confusion and enlighten others.
They are definitely covering their tracks to ensure there is no further litigation. In the end they are going to do what they want and skew things to favor the amendment.
ReplyDeleteBut as long as the residents of Uptown keep raising a fuss and drawing attention to this mess the heat stays on Shiller and her mess of a ward.
I do think it's worth noting in any emails/letters you write that you actually live in the TIF district if you do. I happen to live in the same block as the Salvation Army and the parcel of land that is supposed to become parking. I know the powers that be probably don't care, but I feel that should give my voice more weight.
ReplyDeletethanks for the info I just sent my e-mail to oppose the additional TIF dollars to the Wilson Yard project...I've been in this neighborhood for 5-years and love it here, wouldn't it be great if we beat all the naysayers and make this a community that folks and families want to move to...
ReplyDeleteMr. Fitzgerald are you watching?
ReplyDeleteSent in my email today as well...
ReplyDeleteTo Whom it may Concern:
I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed Wilson Yard TIF Amendment. I am opposed to this project in its entirety. As a property owner, woman in my 30's, resident of Uptown for over 4 years, and Chicago resident for over 10 years I thought the city was trying to eliminate High Rise Low Income housing a la Cabrini Green. Now I find out that there is one being built just a few blocks from my home. The increase in gang activity has me scared to leave my home on foot and constantly looking over my shoulder. As I stated, I've been a Chicago resident for 10 years. I'm aware that with a big city there comes crime, but I have never before been scared to leave my home or that I may get shot just sitting in my living room, walking my dog, or driving my car. I do not believe adding money to this project will increase my safety, health, well being or for that matter my property value. I actually believe it will have quite the opposite affect. I'm ashamed to admit that I feel hatred for a woman that I've never met, but our Alderwoman Helen Schiller seems to be blaming the residents instead of actually addressing this issue. Therefore, I believe that increasing the Wilson Yard TIF to $112 million dollars will divert essential tax dollars from areas of the city budget that already are desperately under funded and put the area's financial future at risk. Allowing an additional $54 million dollars to fund this project will put an added strain on the financial health of the schools, the police and fire departments, the park district and other vital city services that are needed to ensure the safety and vibrancy of our city and neighborhood. Please do not allow additional funds to be appropriated to the Wilson Yard TIF. I would be in full favor of using TIF money to fund more public safety measures (i.e. increasing the police force) and positive neighborhood projects.
Sincerely,
(full name)
Property owner and concerned resident of Uptown
P.S. on a side note I would like to mention that I've received 9, yes that's NINE, notices for this amendment. I hate to think how many tax dollars were spent while making sure I knew something that in this case, I already knew. I would hope in the future you could use a filter to ensure that only one notice goes out to each address.
I'm hurt, I've only gotten five!
ReplyDeleteDon't feed the trolls.
ReplyDeleteMy voice will be heard. I just emailed to all of them listed and I passed it on to all the other concerned residents in our large condo building.......
ReplyDeleteHere's one voice that can't be heard.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/08/help-sought-in-year-old-killing-of-college-student.html
Hopefully, in the future fewer murders will happen and we don't have an alderman who says "crime is not her issue". Although fish farms and being a stooge for the Mayor apparently is.
I got 11 mailings...7 of them certified mail...1 for every year I've lived in Uptown!!! Money well spent???
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to overwhelm the city with emails! I'm taking the day off work to be at the hearing as well.
I could be wrong, but does the new map include the property at Montrose and Sunnyside...that was not supposed to part of this TIF? She stated this at the last meeting at Truman.
Larry, I do believe you are correct. At the public meeting that Helen was forced to have (remember, it was going to be a closed meeting), she told us that the property at Montrose and Clarendon (Maryville building) would NOT be included in this TIF. Well, the map sent out clearly shows that it is included. Another example of her lying to us.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure we can all add 2 + 2 and figure out what she intends to do with the Maryville property if she is allowed to add it into the TIF. Please send out those e-mails to raise objections to the TIF and attend the September 8th meeting if you can.
Just a note. Channel 2 news led off the 5pm broadcast with the Francis Oduro story. They even had daley on camera asking him about it. He didn't criticize Shiller, but did say that alderman should make themselves available to their constintuents.
ReplyDeleteReporters name was Mike Puccinelli. Just sent him a thank you note via the CBS 2 web site.
Near the end of the video there is a moment where a cop places a flyer regarding Francis' murder on Shiller's office window.
ReplyDeleteIronic, huh?
I don't hold the aldercritter responsible for every crime in this ward. As she said we're not an island.
Although, now that I think about it compared to neighboring wards we may be an island of gang violence.
Anyway, while she is not directly responsible for any one crime,unless you want to define crime as the screwed up Wilson Yard TIF, she is responsible for not trying to deal with crime.
Ignoring it will not make it go away.
Even that hack Tom Tunney has the sense to speak out and address crime issues. Perhaps that idea of "service" comes from his restaurant experiences. Shiller's ideas of "service" seem to be "my way or move".
If Shiller had used any common sense in the past she would not be in the position she is in now. With the community in an uproar and her support from other politicians rapidly disappearing her time in office is likely drawing to a close.
Helen, here's some advice. It's likely much better than that advice you may pay those close to you for. When Daley decides to let you know that it's time to go, the person who will deliver the message will be someone close.
Remember the Godfather trilogy?
When you receive that mercury infested carp from Bubbly Creek, wrapped in the final issue of the Chicago Sun Times, you will know that your career "sleeps with the fishes".
That day is coming Helen.
I know someone who grew up in the 19th Ward who now lives in the 46th Ward, not me. He or She was approached the other day about running for 46th Ward aldercritter.
As the southwest side slowly becomes increasingly Hispanic the politicos from there look for places to extend their influence and family ties. Notice how Lisa Madigan and Dan Hynes live just west of Uptown. There are others with south side ties who live nearby too.
Others who want to go from relatives or "operatives" to "elected" officials.
They're coming for you, Helen.
Email sent. I decided to spice up the template to add a personal touch, expressing my extreme disappointment in our elected officials and the abuse of TIFs in general.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great idea - hopefully lots of people are sending their 2 cents along.
Its amazing, I have lived in Uptown nearly 3 years now and I have yet to receive even one TIF Amendment letter. Makes me think that they are not sending out letters to notify all constituents but instead sending several notices to fewer people. My guess is to get less opposition while being able to say "We sent out 250 thousand letters and only 2,000 people are voicing an objection. This shows then that most people are in favor of increasing and amending the TIF funding." Of course I am making these numbers up but you can see the point I am making. Truly all the people (especially the tax payers) living in Uptown are NOT receiving notice of this!
ReplyDeleteHIU,
ReplyDeleteyou would only receive a letter if you were in the TIF area.
That means you could be directly across the street from Wilson Yard on Kenmore and not receive a letter.
As the French say such is life. To which I might add a
Vive La Resistance!