Courtesy of Reader SA, some interesting info on Uptown's not-for-profit dance organization Kuumba Lynx:
Hey UU -
I just thought you would like to see these donations from Kuumba Lynx to the Angela Clay campaign.These are illegal donations since Kuumba Lynx is a 501c3 nonprofit.About six weeks later, Kuumba Lynx received a city grant. Looks like pay for play is alive and well in the 46th!
| Kuumba Lynx 4501 N. Clarendon Ave Chicago, IL 60640 | $1,000.00 | 1/6/2026 | 4/14/2026 | Individual Contribution Neighbors for Angela Clay | |||
| Kuumba Lynx 4501 N. Clarendon Ave Chicago, IL 60640 | $2,000.00 | 1/6/2026 | 4/14/2026 | Individual Contribution Neighbors for Angela Clay |
None of us here are experts, but what SA said checks out. Certainly interesting.
SA's question reminded us of another recent question: why did Kuumba Lynx leave the space at 4755 N. Sheridan less than a year after a ribbon cutting for their new space in May 2025? Event space operator Movement on Montrose now occupies the vacated Kuumba Lynx space, operating an event space called Movement on Sheridan (MOSH). Where did the grant money go?
And while we're asking questions, we are also still waiting on answers to the questions posed by Alderwoman Clay's opponent last election cycle.
I need to do some research.
ReplyDeleteQuick AI hit gave me this.
Absolute Prohibition
• 501(c)(3) organizations are strictly banned from making political campaign donations.
• No contributions to candidates, parties, or political action committees (PACs).
• Violating this rule risks losing tax-exempt status.
This is just rotten. Kuumba Lynx has been around since 1996 and these are their first campaign donations. I just looked at state campaign donation website.
Stupid thing to solicit and/or accept a donation from this type of non profit.
I'll do some more research and pop back with insightful and sarcastic commentary later.
Here we go wheeeeeeee. I feel like a child on a roller coaster. This is so much fun.
Deletehttps://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/ShakmanSettlement/4th_Qtr_Independent_Contractor_Requests.pdf
I'll make it easier. Seems Alder Angela of the suspicious PPP loans and the Kuumba Lynx kerfuffle used city funds to hire Brendan Shiller. I'm sure it was all legit. Line 21.
21 12/5/2024 Angela Clay 46 Andre Peden 773-878-4646 Independent Contractor BSatChi LLC (Brendan Shiller) Policy Research and Writing Approved 12/12/2024
Now the City Inspector General addressed this type of thing in a report. (cue ominous music)
https://igchicago.org/publications/quarterly-report-second-quarter-2025/#docaccess-38056123a52b97ec948f252195a32b08
Brendan Shiller
(BSatChi)
Ward 46 9/24/2024 No 2014 Hiring Plan prohibitions;
No contractor selection
certification
Seems the proper paperwork wasn't filed to hire Brendan the Policy Wonk etc Shiller.
I can't find it at the moment, but my recollection is Brendan Shiller also did some contracting for Cook County. He's a popular guy. As Trump might say:
Big guy. Good looking. Great poker player. Came up to me with tears in his eyes and said "Sir........"
I just looked around. Brendan Shiller is seemingly back in Chicago from his long term Las Vegas hiatus and seems to be looking to earn money. He's back to being a somewhat active attorney and at this point seems to be concentrating on cannabis consulting and government related counseling etc.
Doesn't seem to be doing criminal defense work. I'm curious about that, but maybe he's moved beyond that to more profitable endeavors.
Good for him.
He's also back to gambling. Poker seems to be his main game. Well not counting any politically connected shenanigans.
Here's old Brendan the Poker Guru and new Top Cook County Judge Beach.
https://www.cookcountycourtil.gov/news/judge-charles-s-beach-ii-forms-transition-committees-lead-courts-next-chapter
Beach may find out he's running out of sand. Bad choice Judge.
Brendan took about an eight month hiatus from formally gambling awhile back. He's now back and in fine form.
Good for him.
and as Elwood Blues might say
"and God Bless the United States of America". 2:23 in the youtube video.
I think that's all I have at the moment. Maybe something else will pop up. I'm sure it will. I'm just not sure how soon.
Goodnight and good luck.
youtube.com/watch?v=PZpH9Khn0E0&time_continue=150&source_ve_path=NzY3NTg&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Delwood%2Bblues%2Bgod%2Bbless%2Bthe%2Bunited%2Bstates%2Bof%2Bamerica%26rlz%3D1C1PRFI_enUS778US778%26oq%3Delwood%2Bblues%2Bgod
I should have posted this. Shows tax status.
DeleteKuumba Lynx
Chicago, IL
Tax exemption issued: Aug. 1999
EIN: 36-4246321
Subscribe
Receive an email when new data is available for this organization.
Organization summary
Type of Nonprofit
Designated as a 501(c)(3)
Organizations for any of the following purposes: religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition (as long as it doesn't provide athletic facilities or equipment), or the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.
Category: Arts, Culture and Humanities / Performing Arts Organizations (NTEE)
Donations to this organization are tax deductible.
Summary charts: organization finances over time
Revenue
$2.15M (2024)
2011
2024
$0
$500k
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
$2.5M
Expenses
$2.04M (2024)
what in the boomer stream-of-consciousness is this nonsense?
DeleteHey man who said I was a boomer? I'm very youthful looking.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apBWI6xrbLY
We need money to get our space back on Lawrence we need to do more bigger shows and bring mad dog back to kuumba lynx we need to make money by doing these shows to get our space back on Lawrence they should care about the community here in uptown we to lose no more kids here in uptown
ReplyDeleteHere's the 2024 tax filing for Kuumba Lynx.
ReplyDeletehttps://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/364246321
It's a nice easily readable format. Executive compensation looks reasonable as does everything else. Good so far.
Only thing that strikes me is that Brendan Shiller is/was on the board of directors, but received no compensation.
(at this point if I were more skilled I'd insert a photoshopped picture of Brendan peering through bushes)
Brendan seems to be near much of what is questionable in Uptown.
https://www.uptownupdate.com/2024/02/everything-old-is-new-again.html
Read the comments here for some enlightenment. Post from February 2024. Seems to tie Brendan's daughter to PPP loans she received using an address her granny owns on the South Side and former Alderman's Sawyer's daughter to granny's Uptown address.
I'm shocked.
Did I mention I was shocked?
Well I am. I'm flabbergasted.
Here's something I just pulled off AI. I really love AI. Makes research much easier. Might kill us all in a few years, but research is easier. Anyway that manipulated virus the Russkies let escape their death lab in Siberia might kill us all before anyway.
AI Overview
The terms "BSatChi" and "Shiller" refer to BSatChi LLC, a consulting and policy research firm founded by prominent Chicago civil rights attorney and political strategist Brendan Shiller.
Key details regarding the entity and its principal include:
• The Entity: BSatChi LLC is registered as an independent contractor providing policy research and writing services.
• City Engagements: Public transparency logs from the City of Chicago and the Chicago Office of Inspector General note independent contractor approval requests under this name for municipal advisory and consulting work.
• The Founder: Brendan Shiller is well-known in the Chicago area as a legal advocate focusing on civil rights, defense, and local government policy.
If you are looking for specific documents, contract compliance records, or legal services related to Brendan Shiller or BSatChi LLC, please let me know so I can help you find the exact details.
(end of part one)
This stuff didn't post in the order I expected or wanted. Oh well.
DeleteI have nothing else at the moment.
If anyone else can bring some light to this please feel free to jump in.
I leave you with Mr Blue Sky. I'm bringing the light.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTd1P6za1oQ
Brendan Shiller being on Kuumba's Board means little. I don't think he's stupid enough to approve contributions like this. Too much heat.
ReplyDeleteWay to do it would have been personal donations to the Clay campaign from one or more top Kuumba employees.
Wouldn't likely draw scrutiny or obviously break federal laws. This has Angela Clay written all over it. Expect the contributions to be returned with a short note stating everyone was unaware it was illegal. Maybe the media will run with this.
Thanks for posting this. I had started a project to have AI review all Angela's contributions posted on the required State of Illinois campaign disclosure web site dating back to 2019, but haven't finished. I can say that many non-profits have contributed to her campaigns over several cycles going back to 2019. Whether they are in this category is still TBD. I was more interested in Sara's Circle related connections, but haven't yet found any. Will post something closer to the election.
ReplyDeleteAt this point change your name to Angela’s Update lol the desperation to smear this woman’s name and legacy is so sad. You wake up with her on your mind, you go to sleep probably dreaming about what she ate for lunch. I’m sure you know if she uses Charmin or Scott tissue to wipe her ass by now. I’m hopping this was a simple mistake in reporting as they’ve been working together on community events for years. Unlike UU that just stalks the events and hates from outside. Again, do better UU, or at least STFU.
ReplyDeleteThe Alderwoman is a Kuumba Lynx alumnus. Terrible that her avarice puts the groups tax deductible status in jeopardy.
ReplyDeletehttps://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/19/uptown-hip-hop-youth-group-opens-its-own-studios-30-years-after-founding/
I'd like to know why they left their new space.
Maybe they were $3000 short on rent.
Is anyone running against her? She’s objectively a bad alderman and seems like she is also corrupt.
ReplyDeletebut is anyone running against her
ReplyDeleteI did a check of Clay's contributions.
ReplyDeleteTwo large contributions totalling $7500 from that newish Hope Clinic on Broadway.
That type of LLC isn't a prohibited contributor.
Still a lot of cash from a new business.
Suspicious I am.
are there any non-angela clay updates from around uptown? maybe something cool like how the trees are starting to show fall colors at the lakefront and in graceland cemetery?
ReplyDelete