As expected, the rubber stamp CDC approved Ald. Shiller's proposal for yet another TIF to give her unlimited control over millions of tax dollars, with no oversight. A reader who was at the hearing passes on this gem from our "transparent" alderman, which leaves the people of the 46th Ward on the hook for paying for more Shiller follies, and also leaves us on the outside, looking in:
In today’s CDC hearing, a hearing officer asked for evidence that there had been public hearings that notified the public of the Montrose–Clarendon proposed TIF. In prior communications, the Chicago Dept of Community Development was asked to provide evidence of such public hearings and the date and location where the public meetings were held. They responded that there were no public hearings related to this TIF.
The Chicago Dept of Community Development was told that the community heard that there was a meeting at 4300 N Clarendon but that it was a closed meeting and the public was not invited. The Chicago Dept of Community Development countered that the meeting could be closed because it was the alderman’s personal meeting and that had nothing to do with them.
Today, at the Chicago Community Development Commission hearing, Shiller did what she always does. She ran to the microphone and claimed that there had been public meetings at many community group and condominiums. But, those were not public meetings. Those were private meetings between her and her supporters or a targeted group of persons whom she felt would be in favor of or not oppose the proposed Montrose – Clarendon TIF.
When will this alderman stop representing her patronage army, special interest groups, and her campaign supporters as the voice of the public in the 46th Ward?
Actually, this is typical of the behavior of other alderpeople as well. I lived for several years in another ward recently, and only once received a letter asking for my "input" regarding a new building in the neighborhood. The letter came to my mailbox the day before the hearing. The meeting itself was obviously "stacked" with pro-building "neighbors."
ReplyDeleteWe need reform-across-the-board here.
Was the new Clarendon Park dog park the trade off for this TIF? I'm tired of the backroom deals in this ward.
ReplyDeleteSo the public stands up and says there we no meeting held, Shiller says there were meetings and they simply take her word without having to show proof?
ReplyDeleteDoesn't she have to answer to anyone? Why do they let her keep getting away with breaking the rules and spending unnecessary tax payers money?
It's frustrating that there is no way the actual people that live in the ward can be heard.
see you next (election) Tuesday, Helen.
ReplyDeleteAh, a reference to "The Treasure of Sierra Madre".
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rudebadmood.com/badges/fullbadges.wav
Great movie.
Don't be fooled for one second that this TIF development won't contain yet more low income housing. And, she'll use money from that TIF to "preserve" more of it in the immediate area.
ReplyDeleteWY was only the beginning of her salt the earth movement.
Why would she stop doing this type of thing? She has been doing it for two decades and has continued to remain alderman. Maybe if more than 29% of people showed up on election day, or the 30 days where you can vote early, she and everyone else would be more hesitant to act this way. As it stands it is no surprise to me that this will continue until more people in the community go out and get involved and VOTE.
ReplyDeletePlease everyone, it's not just you voting. Volunteer and give money to your chosen candidate. If you have ever given a dime to the Wilson Yard lawsuit or the Labor Ready lawsuit, then by all means give money to your favored candidate. It will save you money in the long run when you are asked to give money to fund the next lawsuit related to one of Helen's shenanigans.
ReplyDeleteI own a condo in Clarendon Park and I believe members of the CPNA have come out and said they DO NOT support this TIF and the dog park is not a trade-off for such support. It was either in an email I received from the block club or posted right here on UU (I can't remember).
ReplyDeleteOne of the major causes for opposition is the concern over the loss of parking with such a large scale development and the fact that Sedgewick will be taking the Maryville parking lot that many residents use.
I do know the push for a dog friendly area in this park started long before the Maryville TIF. Probrably around the time people kept getting killed on Hazel and Windsor.
Although I was disappointed CPNA chose not to endorse a candidate (Cappleman) in the 2007 election. So maybe they did sell out, but I hope not.
When will this alderman stop representing her patronage army, special interest groups, and her campaign supporters as the voice of the public in the 46th Ward?
ReplyDeleteWHEN WE VOTE TO GET RID OF HER!!!
5 of the 15 seats on the Community Development Commission are vacant.
ReplyDeleteThe Mayor is making it easy on Shiller. Her next appointment is likely already drafted.
I'm with you Uptown Vegetarian. Don't eat meat and believe in voting! We need to all choose 1 person to get behind, and get behind them with force. If aldercreature runs, a split vote does none of us any good. Let's open the dialogue up and start deciding on who our winning horse will be.
ReplyDeleteSure that's not 6 board members missing off the board? Someone just resigned last meeting.
ReplyDeleteThe very definition of 'Smarmy'
ReplyDeletethe dog park is not a trade-off for such support.
ReplyDeleteReally?
I think you might want to talk to the people who are involved in the creation of the dog park on that one.
Never saw her at a meeting at 4343 Clarendon....nor any of her mental midget staff members....
ReplyDelete"Really?
ReplyDeleteI think you might want to talk to the people who are involved in the creation of the dog park on that one."
Well then the CPNA is not being straight forward with the residents because I have an email in my inbox from them that states they have not given the project their blessing. I haven't received anything from them stating the opposite.
Does anybody think the CPNA could have stopped this? Weren't all the block clubs opposed to WY?
You really can't stop "city hall" at this point in the TIF process.
ReplyDeleteThe Chicago Development Commission that voted this week is comprised of 100% Daley appointees and while they allow public comments and written statements, the law is written so that they do not have to consider anything that the community says.
The community is represented in other parts of this process by 1 community rep who is never chosen by the community.
Pablo,
ReplyDeleteIndeed. There is much which isn't being shared with regards to this.
I spoke to a member of CPNA who said that they weren't excited about the TIF, but since it's coming anyway, they're going to try to get what they can in the deal.
Park renovations. Parking and the dog park.
I don't know if CPNA could have stopped the new Paris'ville TIF, but, it doesn't sound like they made their concerns known outside of the email you recieved.
IE - the CDC.
Also - is it just me who can't find any information about this TIF on the alderman's website of transparency?
ReplyDeleteWeren't all the block clubs opposed to WY?
ReplyDeleteWhich Wilson Yard plan? That snake shed its skin a few times before it arrived at its latest armor.
That snake IS SHEDDING it's skin as we speak, no make that blog. It has a yet another redevelopment plan snaking its way through the CDC and city council.
ReplyDelete