Coming Soon: El Diamante Azul Brings Its Popular Mexican Food to Uptown

the future home of El Diamante Azul

Edgewater's loss is Uptown's gain. The much-loved family-owned restaurant El Diamante Azul is closing its doors on the 5600 block of Clark and will be moving south, to the 4400 block of Broadway.

A sign in its window tells the tale.

Its upcoming location is 4431 Broadway, most recently the home of Halal Taco (and Tolotzin before that), just a couple doors away from the Tattoo Factory.

El Diamante Azul has been delighting patrons with its delicious and reasonably priced authentic Mexican food since 2010, and we look forward to having them right here in the neighborhood. 

Check out the Facebook page while we wait for its Grand Opening.

And visit them in Edgewater on Thursday if you'd like to tell them "Welcome to Uptown" in person. It's their last day at that location.

ZBA Approves Variances for New Residential Development at Former Site of Happy Wash

After a marathon virtual meeting that started Friday morning and ended in the wee hours Saturday morning, the Zoning Board of Appeals gave its approval to several variances requested by the developer of a new residential building at 4553 North Dover (southeast corner of Wilson and Dover). Currently, the site contains a parking lot and vintage building that housed Happy Wash laundromat for many years.

The new building will have interior ground-floor parking for 25 vehicles, and a total of 28 residential units on floors 2 through 5. Because it will be built to right (no zoning change required), the city's Affordable Requirements Ordinance will not be triggered, and all units will be market rate. (The ARO goes into effect if the city grants a zoning change or the developer requests municipal financial assistance.)

You can see the plans and renderings, revised last month, on the 46th Ward website.

Limited Hours For 46th & 48th Ward Aldermanic Offices As Transition Approaches

As the 46th and 48th Wards prepare for their new alderwomen to be sworn in on May 15th, the offices of James Cappleman and Harry Osterman will be slowing down operations during the transition. If you need parking passes or any other service that you usually get from their offices, please read the following from their weekly newsletters:

From Ald. Osterman:

"As our office looks ahead at the final weeks of my tenure (can you believe there will be three Friday Updates from me after this week?), I want to share that due to transition meetings, my office will be open by appointment only from May 8th-May 12th. Please continue to reach out about constituent services."

From Ald. Cappleman:

"46TH WARD OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED STARTING APRIL 28TH. Please note that Alderman Cappleman's physical 46th Ward Office will be permanently closed starting Friday, April 28th at 5:00 PM. However, Ald. Cappleman will be available by email at Ward46@cityofchicago.org until May 12.

Information about Alderperson Angela Clay's plans for office operations will be available soon. During the month of May, Ald. Cappleman and staff will help her transition into her new role. This newsletter will also be used to help Alderperson Angela Clay get people signed up for her newsletters so that residents can remain up-to-date with what's happening around the Ward and the City of Chicago.

46TH WARD OFFICE GUEST PARKING SALES END TOMORROW [Friday]. Ald. Cappleman's 46th Ward Office will be unable to sell Guest Parking Passes after Friday, April 21st at 5pm as the City of Chicago collects computers and office infrastructure. Passes will still be available for purchase online or at any City Clerk Office location."

Ald. Cappleman: New Ordinance Addressing Homelessness

From today's 46th Ward newsletter:

"Dear Neighbor,

Addressing homelessness has been a major focus of mine starting in the 1970s when I opened my apartment to two different people who had no place to live after their discharge from a psychiatric facility.  In the 1980s, I was as a case manager for people experiencing homelessness in Uptown, and that focus remained with me when I was elected in 2011. 

When I first got into office, I came across one shelter where a man had been living for over 20 years. Another nonprofit was handing out food to people staying in the parks, but had little to no success rate with getting them into permanent housing after 10+ years of providing assistance. 

As the first licensed clinical social worker to ever be elected to the City Council. I used my social work expertise to encourage greater use of evidence-based, best practices to push for interventions that got people into permanent housing more quickly.

Over the years, I’ve had a lot of communication with different City departments and nonprofit agencies, along with discussions with experts on homelessness all over the country. I’ve learned the causes of homelessness are complex, and there’s no easy quick fix. Oddly enough, it was COVID where we learned the most. 

Here are some takeaways:

1. Effective interventions are done with, not to, people experiencing homelessness. If they’re not involved in the creation of the interventions, it will fail. 
2. When addressing homeless encampments, it’s also important to bring in all the stakeholders (Dept. of Family & Support Services, Chicago Dept. of Public Health, Dept. of Housing, CPD, Chicago Dept. of Transportation, Dept. of Streets & Sanitation, the Dept. of Law, the CARES Team, the Continuum of Care, CHA, HUD, Chicago Park District, along with area residents, businesses, area hospitals, and nonprofits). The best solutions must include everyone who interacts with the unhoused. Collaboration and a coordinated effort are paramount to coming up with solutions that will produce outcomes of getting people off the streets and into housing in a quicker manner. 
3. There needs to be greater promotion of case management services for people experiencing homelessness. The case manager focuses first on building trust, and then takes the lead with ensuring work is done in a coordinated and collaborative fashion. It’s counterintuitive, but when others who mean well get over involved with people in encampments, it delays getting them housed. That’s because it slows down the case manager’s efforts to build trust with the people they're serving, many of whom are reluctant to receive help for a multitude of reasons. 
4. Homelessness is a city-wide problem that requires a city-wide response. When every community takes on the task of doing their fair share of addressing homelessness, adequate funding for this issue will follow. (The 46th Ward has a disproportionately higher number of shelters than all the other wards in Chicago, yet it was the only ward to provide its entire $100,000 micro-grant on addressing homelessness.)
5. More affordable housing is a key component for addressing homelessness. Some alders are advocating for the Bring Chicago Home Ordinance, but given around 10% of downtown buildings are in foreclosure and there’s a 21.4% vacancy rate, the unintended consequences for that ordinance first need to be identified and addressed. A better and more cost effective way to provide more housing would be through the Chicago Low Income Housing Trust Fund (CLIHTF) which can provide rental units at 1/3 of the costs in already existing market-rate apartment buildings throughout Chicago. Providing landlords with incentives of reduced property taxes to lease out units utilizing this program would drastically increase housing for people experiencing homelessness. In addition, we need to work with our federal legislators to have HUD release more housing choice vouchers. 
6. Per the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, after an intervention has successfully moved people from an encampment and into a safer situation, there are times when steps should be taken to prevent an encampment from returning. For instance, after a number of fires at the Wilson viaduct under DuSable Lake Shore Drive, CDOT’s assessment of the bridge’s safety in their email dated Sept. 29, 2022 included this statement:
   
   “Overall, the structure was found to be safe for pedestrian and overhead traffic on Lake Shore Drive. But please note that the life of this bridge has dramatically been reduced because of these fires. And because of these fires, we may need to replace these bridges within the next 20 years. The reason we can prolong the replacement of these structures is because the Lake Shore Drive is not open to trucks (HS-20 semi trailers). But if these fires continue, the structure will be compromised and we may need to close it.”
   
   Not only were the fires tragic and life threatening for those living in the encampment, but these fires are now leading to the risk of closing the Drive. It is urgent that we as a community work to house those living underneath the viaducts, and discourage encampments from returning. 

I’m known in City Council for having a strong voice on the subject of homelessness due to my education and expertise in this field, but it’s time for me to move on. 

For that reason, I introduced an ordinance that was passed yesterday in City Council that calls for regularly scheduled briefings to update my colleagues and the public on efforts of multiple departments and agencies on the work being done to reduce homelessness by 25% by January 2025 per the federal strategic plan by the Biden-Harris Administration. 

Due to the complexity of homelessness, as it involves so many different entities, forward movement can sometimes be tedious. However, I am pleased with the direction we’re moving, and it’s my belief we will move faster when we commit to working together on proven strategies that will produce outcomes of getting people more quickly into permanent housing.

Click here to review the ordinance."

CircEsteem Awarded $5 Million to Expand Its Programming, Restore Its Space, and Create New Jobs

From the City of Chicago after Wednesday's City Council meeting:

TIF APPROVED FOR UPTOWN YOUTH CIRCUS ARTS ORGANIZATION

The youth development circus arts organization CircEsteem will receive $5M in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) support to convert Uptown’s former Lakeside Theater into its permanent headquarters under a proposal approved by City Council today.

CircEsteem's plans for the 14,000-square-foot building at 4730 N. Sheridan Road include restoration of its historic terra cotta façade, reconfiguration of the lobby, and the build-out of office, training, and performance spaces. The project is expected to create 20 permanent full-time jobs and 15 part-time positions. It will enable the organization to increase its programming from 18 hours a week to a minimum of 40 hours a week.

CircEsteem works to unite youth across all backgrounds and identities by fostering self-esteem and mutual respect through the practice and performance of circus arts. CircEsteem was selected to receive City support through the Department of Planning and Development’s Community Development Grant program.

Celebrate The End Of An Era With Harry Osterman

From Ald. Osterman:

"Dear Neighbors, 

Please join me and my team for two Goodbye & Thank You events this week to thank you for all of your support over the past 12 years.

• Our first event will be an open house at my office, 5533 N Broadway, on Friday, April 21st from 10am-2pm. Stop by for coffee and refreshments. 
• The second event will be on Saturday, April 22nd from 4-8pm at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, 5649 N Sheridan, and will have live music, good food, and great company. 

I hope you can make it to these events, and can't wait to share memories and laughs with so many of you!

Sincerely, 

Harry Osterman

Alderman, 48th Ward"

Thank You! From Courtenay School

We asked, you responded! 

Thanks to generous donations, the kids at Courtenay went home with books of their own from the Scholastic Book Fair that they wouldn't have without you. Much appreciated, community members.

"I wanted to reach out and thank you again for promoting our book fair and sharing the e-wallet. 

Thanks to the generous donations from the Uptown and Courtenay communities, we were able to make sure that almost every child from PreK-5th grade as well as a handful of middle-schoolers walked away from the book fair with a book! Thank you for making that a possibility!"

Joe Dunne Concedes 48th Ward Aldermanic Run-Off

In a statement released Friday, Joe Dunne conceded the race against Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth:

"April 7, 2023

Friends,

Earlier today I called Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth to congratulate her on winning the election for Alderperson of the 48th Ward. Although the Board of Elections continues to count mail-in ballots, this morning's tally made it apparent that the outcome of the race will be in her favor.

It has been my honor and privilege to have received so much support from our community over the past months. Old friends and new have helped to carry my campaign forward and I am proud of what we have accomplished together. However, now is the time to acknowledge that a majority of the voters in our ward have chosen a different candidate.

I have enjoyed working with each and every one of you to articulate a vision for the future of the 48th Ward that celebrates our diversity, keeps our homes affordable, and our community safe for everyone.

Thank you all for your support. And, as always, thank you to my family for their patience and endurance throughout the campaign.

Yours truly.

Joe Dunne"

Clark Street Bank Robbed Thursday; FBI Seeks Help Identifying Suspect (Updated!)

The Chase Bank at 5134 North Clark (at Winona) was robbed Thursday afternoon around 2pm. The robbery suspect is pictured above. No weapon was implied or displayed; no one was injured. A note demanding money was given to a teller.

The suspect is described as 5'6" to 5'7" inches tall, white, with a thin build. He or she is estimated to be in his/her 20s, and was wearing black sunglasses, a black beanie, a red flannel sweatshirt, with short brown hair but may have had long hair tucked into hat.

The FBI is investigating and welcomes tips to help them apprehend this person. If you can help, you can report tips (even anonymously) at 312-421-6700 and tips.fbi.gov.

UPDATE: Turns out an Instagram buddy of suspect Dylan Pedersen, age 22, turned him in and asked about the reward. Read about it in CWB Chicago.

The Toast of Uptown Takes Place on April 23 (Two Routes This Year!)

Join your neighbors and Uptown United for the 5th annual Toast of Uptown Wine Walk – an afternoon of strolling and sipping through Uptown – on Sunday, April 23rd from 1:30pm – 5pm!

All attendees will receive a wine tasting glass, which is your ticket to this event — simply present it at each stop along the route for delicious wine samples. This wine walk will take you on a tour through the many businesses that call Uptown home. 

Wine selections have been generously curated by some of Uptown’s wine merchants as well as local restaurants and cafes. Small bites from local eateries will be provided along the route as well.

• 1:30pm – Event check in opens:
• Buena Park Route:  4101 N. Broadway (vacant storefront)
• Sheridan Park Route:  My Buddy’s, 4416 N. Clark St.
• 2pm – 5pm:  Wine tasting stations open along both routes

BUENA PARK ROUTE:

• All Strength Training
• First Dental Center
• GNS Foods
• IRPINO Real Estate
• Jake’s Pup in the Ruf
• Klein’s Bakery and Cafe
• Le Barkery
• North Buena Deli & Wine
• Ox & Oona
• State Farm – Jenny Tola Agency
• The Bar on Buena
• The Reservoir

SHERIDAN PARK ROUTE:

• Alexis Zimmer State Farm
• Bodi Shak
• Carol’s Pub
• Chicago Center for Photojournalism
• Haitian American Museum of Chicago
• Hearthstone & Terrace
• Max’s Place
• Munno Pizzeria & Bistro
• My Buddy’s
• Rayan’s Fine Liquors and Spirits
• Uptown  Taproom

TICKETS:

• $40 – Regular admission
• Online ticket sales will close on Sunday, April 23rd at 10am or when sold out.
• $50 tickets available at the door based on availability. 

Click here to purchase tickets.

Uptown Model Railroad Club To Hold Open Houses Off-Site As Fieldhouse Is Reconstructed

 

The Garfield-Clarendon Model Railroad Club in the Clarendon Park Community Center is one of Uptown's hidden gems. There's a track that's so large, ornate, and detailed that trains take 25 minutes to make a complete loop!

Unfortunately for visitors / fortunately for the future, its home, the Fieldhouse, is currently being overhauled to update the neglected and deteriorating conditions within. That means you can't see the entire model village in its home until sometime early in 2024, when reconstruction will be finished.

But the members of the Garfield-Clarendon Model Railroad Club have been busy putting together a portable model village that they will display in a series of Open Houses. You can attend the first one later this month:

• Lincolnwood Town Center
• 3333 W Touhy Ave, Lincolnwood Illinois
• April 29th, Noon - 5pm
• Free
• For more information, call 773-609-2788 or visit garfieldcentral.org/open-houses

They'd like to do more open houses throughout the summer, but need some ideas on where to find local venues with a large enough space. Got something in mind? Contact yardmaster@garfieldcentral.org.

If you'd like to take a virtual tour of the display, you can do so here: https://garfieldcentral.org/tour.

As for what lies in store when the rehab of the Fieldhouse is done, they say, "We’re excited for the enhanced water protection, new energy efficient lighting, better HVAC with air conditioning, and we will be getting a workshop space." Can't wait.

A Statement From Kim Walz

Tuesday evening, Kim Walz released the following statement on the race for Alderwoman in the 46th Ward:

"I want to congratulate Angela Clay for her victory in the race for 46th Ward Alderwoman. While this isn’t the result we hoped for, I am so proud of the campaign we ran. It has been an honor to meet with residents throughout this campaign to share my vision for moving the ward forward without leaving anyone behind.

"I am endlessly grateful to my supporters who put their faith in me and my campaign. I also want to thank my friends, family, team, and our amazing volunteers for their unwavering encouragement throughout this journey. None of this would be possible without them, and I am so grateful for their support.

"Over the last few months, I’ve listened to people across the 46th Ward speak about the issues facing them and their families – they want safer streets, more affordable housing options, and better support for people with substance abuse or mental health challenges, or who are unhoused. 

"I will do whatever I can to support Angela in bringing people together to enact real progress on those issues and more to make our neighborhood a stronger, safer place for everyone.

"From a young age, my parents instilled in me the importance of service, and I look forward to identifying additional opportunities to improve the community I call home."

UU Note: As of late Tuesday night, there has been no statement from the 48th Ward's Joe Dunne on his race with Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth.

Join The Chicago Parks Foundation, and Celebrate Monty & Rose

Here's a fun way to celebrate Earth Day and the return of Piping Plovers at the same time! 

On April 20, Chicago Parks Foundation will be showing the original Monty and Rose film at Corinthian Yacht Club, 601 West Montrose Avenue, along with a reception and Q&A with cast members and plover monitors. 

To join us, become a member of the Chicago Parks Foundation at the following link. You'll receive event details from there: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx.

The goal of the parks foundation, an independent 501c3 organization, is to help park users and lovers become park givers and stewards. The foundation brings community ideas to action, raising funds and awareness for park projects throughout our city. 

Easter Egg Hunt At St. Mary of the Lake on Sunday

 

What's the Count? (Updated: Final Counts Are In!)

Well, here we are again, waiting for the results of a runoff election.

It's 7pm and the polls are closed! So how do we know how the voting went?

Well, you could stand at Racine and Broadway and stare at First Ascent / Huntington Bank, in hopes of seeing the returns projected on a screen on the building, as Uptowners did 103 years ago for the 1920 presidential election.

Or, you could call up the websites for the Tribune and Sun-Times, or the Chicago Board of Elections.

We'll update throughout the night, right here.

The precincts are all counted, and Angela Clay and Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth have won the run-offs in the 46th and 48th Wards, respectively. Congratulations to them both, and here's hoping Uptown thrives during their tenures.

8:55pm

46th Ward:  23 of 23 precincts in

Angela Clay      8,815 (55.78%)

Kim Walz          6,987 (44.22%)

48th Ward:  35 of 35 precincts

Joe Dunne                               7,655 (48.11%)

Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth      8,256 (51.89%)

8:35pm

46th Ward:  22 of 23 precincts in

Angela Clay      8,093 (55.84%)

Kim Walz          6,399 (44.16%)

48th Ward:  33 of 35 precincts

Joe Dunne                               7,137 (49.72%)

Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth      7,217 (50.28%)

7:35pm

46th Ward:  19 of 23 precincts in

Angela Clay      6,927 (55.35%)

Kim Walz          5,587 (44.65%)

48th Ward:  30 of 35 precincts

Joe Dunne                               6,431 (49.01%)

Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth      6,691 (50.99%)

7:30pm

46th Ward:  14 of 23 precincts in

Angela Clay      4,975 (55.74%)

Kim Walz          3,951 (44.26%)

48th Ward:  22 of 35 precincts

Joe Dunne                               4,632 (49.19%)

Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth      4,784 (50.81%)

7:25pm

46th Ward:  12 of 23 precincts in

Angela Clay      4,353 (55.49%)

Kim Walz          3,492 (44.51%)

48th Ward:  17 of 35 precincts

Joe Dunne                               3,570 (51.77%)

Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth      3,326 (48.23%)

7:20pm

46th Ward:  4 of 23 precincts in

Angela Clay      1,337 (53.22%)

Kim Walz           1,175 (46.78%)

48th Ward:  4 of 35 precincts

Joe Dunne                               819 (58.75% )

Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth      575 (41.25% )

8 Simple Questions For Angela Clay

Kim Walz press release:

Today, the Chicago Tribune published a story containing more information on Angela Clay’s mystery business ventures that raise serious questions about her failure to comply with ethics filings that are required for candidates for office and potential shady business dealings. This follows Crain’s Chicago Business reporting on Clay’s failure to file her Statement of Economic Interest correctly and failure to disclose federal PPP loans and a tax lien.

This reporting raises many questions about Clay’s fitness for public office and voters deserve answers from Clay to the following questions:

• 1. Why does Clay refuse to provide media or voters proof of any of her businesses, including the Pink Ribbon Hair Company which received $40,000 in PPP loans?
• 2. According to an SBA report, the $40,000 in PPP loans that Angela Clay received were for a “packaging and labeling company,” which Pink Ribbon Hair Company is not. However, there is another company called AC Scents (which shares a business address with her and her third company, Saij Corp, at 6028 S. Wabash), which IS a packaging and labeling company, according to an Experian report. Therefore, why is Clay receiving PPP loans for a business that is NOT a packaging and labeling company? 
• 3. Clay claims in the Chicago Tribune story that Pink Ribbon Hair, which launched in 2014, made $100,000 in 2019. If it was doing so well, why did she not disclose this business or any income of $1,000 or more from it in her Chicago Board of Ethics filing when she ran for Alderwoman in 2019? 
• 4. Why is Pink Ribbon Hair Company not registered as required by law with the Cook County Clerk? Why is AC Scents, whose business address is also listed at 6028 S. Wabash, also not registered as required by law with the Cook County Clerk?
• 5. Why is there absolutely no digital presence or footprint for Pink Ribbon Hair Company or AC Scents?
• 6. Why is Clay’s Delaware-incorporated company Saij Corp. not registered with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office despite having an Illinois business address at 6028 S. Wabash?
• 7. Why does the email contact not work nor does the phone number on the website for Saij Corp?
• 8. Has Angela Clay paid taxes on her businesses if she is failing to register them with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, given that she also has an outstanding $18,000 lien for unpaid federal taxes?

“Voters of the 46th Ward deserve answers from Angela Clay before election day,” said Mars Rodriguez, Campaign Manager for Kim Walz. “For weeks, voters and media have been asking Clay questions about these businesses. Her inability to be transparent and answer these questions should raise serious concerns with voters about her ability to represent them. The 46th Ward deserves transparent leaders, and if Clay continues to refuse to address these questions, voters should ask themselves what is she hiding? Chicago has an unfortunate history of ethics failures in our elected officials and voters should beware when candidates refuse to be transparent. These are the same kind of accountability failures that Kim Walz has been fighting against her whole career.”