Keep An Eye On The Returns

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 99 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. CLTV is running live election coverage.

We'll be here updating returns for a couple hours. Keep checking back and hitting refresh.

NOTE: There were a very large number of mail-in votes this election, so if a race is close, it can change as the Board of Elections counts the mailed ballots manually. It may be a couple of days before we know for sure.

UPDATE: 7:14pm -- nothing yet. CBoE website is very slow to respond. Half the city is probably clicking on it.

UPDATE: 7:31pm

46th Ward:

3 out of 40 precincts (7.50 %)

MARIANNE LALONDE 231 22.87 %
ERIKA WOZNIAK FRANCIS 209 20.69 %
JUSTIN KREINDLER 35 3.47 %
JAMES CAPPLEMAN 359 35.54 %
ANGELA CLAY 152 15.05 %
JON-ROBERT MCDOWELL 24 2.38 %

47th Ward: 

2 out of 48 precincts

EILEEN DORDEK 96 12.06 %
ANGELA ''ANGIE'' MALONEY 18 2.26 %
HEATHER WAY KITZES 35 4.40 %
MICHAEL A. NEGRON 208 26.13 %
MATT MARTIN 289 36.31 %
GUS KATSAFAROS 19 2.39 %
THOMAS M. SCHWARTZERS 23 2.89 %
KIMBALL LADIEN 1 0.13 %
JEFF JENKINS 107 13.44 %

48th Ward:

8 out of 46 precincts (17.39 %)

HARRY OSTERMAN 2,130 85.47 %
DAVID EARL WILLIAMS III 362 14.53 %

UPDATE: 7:35pm:

47th Ward:

18 out of 48 precincts (37.50 %)

EILEEN DORDEK 1,226 17.90 %
ANGELA ''ANGIE'' MALONEY 290 4.23 %
HEATHER WAY KITZES 293 4.28 %
MICHAEL A. NEGRON 1,437 20.98 %
MATT MARTIN 2,737 39.96 %
GUS KATSAFAROS 123 1.80 %
THOMAS M. SCHWARTZERS 141 2.06 %
KIMBALL LADIEN 22 0.32 %
JEFF JENKINS 580 8.47 %

UPDATE: 7:40pm:

Alderman 46th Ward

18 out of 40 precincts (45.00 %)

MARIANNE LALONDE 1,040 18.01 %
ERIKA WOZNIAK FRANCIS 1,046 18.12 %
JUSTIN KREINDLER 203 3.52 %
JAMES CAPPLEMAN 2,406 41.68 %
ANGELA CLAY 980 16.98 %
JON-ROBERT MCDOWELL 98 1.70 %

UPDATE: 7:42pm:

Alderman 48th Ward
27 out of 46 precincts (58.70 %)

HARRY OSTERMAN 7,256 84.18 %
DAVID EARL WILLIAMS III 1,364 15.82 %

UPDATE: 7:45pm:

Alderman 48th Ward
27 out of 46 precincts (58.70 %)

HARRY OSTERMAN 7,256 84.18 %
DAVID EARL WILLIAMS III 1,364 15.82 %

UPDATE: 7:53pm:

Alderman 47th Ward

24 out of 48 precincts (50.00 %)

EILEEN DORDEK 1,640 17.67 %
ANGELA ''ANGIE'' MALONEY 427 4.60 %
HEATHER WAY KITZES 410 4.42 %
MICHAEL A. NEGRON 1,924 20.73 %
MATT MARTIN 3,841 41.39 %
GUS KATSAFAROS 149 1.61 %
THOMAS M. SCHWARTZERS 166 1.79 %
KIMBALL LADIEN 28 0.30 %
JEFF JENKINS 694 7.48 %

Alderman 46th Ward
24 out of 40 precincts (60.00 %)

MARIANNE LALONDE 1,470 18.82 %
ERIKA WOZNIAK FRANCIS 1,352 17.31 %
JUSTIN KREINDLER 285 3.65 %
JAMES CAPPLEMAN 3,276 41.94 %
ANGELA CLAY 1,306 16.72 %
JON-ROBERT MCDOWELL 123 1.57 %

UPDATE: 7:57pm

Alderman 47th Ward
32 out of 48 precincts (66.67 %)

EILEEN DORDEK 2,217 18.01 %
ANGELA ''ANGIE'' MALONEY 556 4.52 %
HEATHER WAY KITZES 555 4.51 %
MICHAEL A. NEGRON 2,551 20.72 %
MATT MARTIN 4,942 40.14 %
GUS KATSAFAROS 209 1.70 %
THOMAS M. SCHWARTZERS 247 2.01 %
KIMBALL LADIEN 38 0.31 %
JEFF JENKINS 998 8.11 %

UPDATE: 7:59pm

Alderman 48th Ward
35 out of 46 precincts (76.09 %)

HARRY OSTERMAN 9,294 83.74 %
DAVID EARL WILLIAMS III 1,805 16.26 %

UPDATE: 8:07pm 

Alderman 46th Ward
25 out of 40 precincts (62.50 %)

MARIANNE LALONDE          1,534          18.81 %
ERIKA WOZNIAK FRANCIS         1,418          17.39 %
JUSTIN KREINDLER          311          3.81 %
JAMES CAPPLEMAN          3,428          42.03 %
ANGELA CLAY          1,335          16.37 %
JON-ROBERT MCDOWELL          130          1.59 %

UPDATE: 8:10pm 

Alderman 47th Ward
38 out of 48 precincts (79.17 %)

EILEEN DORDEK          2,579          17.71 %
ANGELA ''ANGIE'' MALONEY          672          4.61 %
HEATHER WAY KITZES          716          4.92 %
MICHAEL A. NEGRON          3,016          20.71 %
MATT MARTIN          5,881          40.38 %
GUS KATSAFAROS          246          1.69 %
THOMAS M. SCHWARTZERS          289          1.98 %
KIMBALL LADIEN          45          0.31 %
JEFF JENKINS          1,121          7.70 %

UPDATE: 8:14pm 

Alderman 48th Ward
41 out of 46 precincts (89.13 %)

HARRY OSTERMAN          10,801 83.90 %
DAVID EARL WILLIAMS III 2,072 16.10 %

UPDATE: 8:33pm 

Alderman 46th Ward
27 out of 40 precincts (67.50 %)

MARIANNE LALONDE          1,698          18.94 %
ERIKA WOZNIAK FRANCIS          1,540          17.18 %
JUSTIN KREINDLER          344          3.84 %
JAMES CAPPLEMAN          3,843          42.86 %
ANGELA CLAY          1,393          15.54 %
JON-ROBERT MCDOWELL          148          1.65 %

Alderman 47th Ward

39 out of 48 precincts (81.25 %)

EILEEN DORDEK	2,643	17.71 %
ANGELA ''ANGIE'' MALONEY	697	4.67 %
HEATHER WAY KITZES	738	4.95 %
MICHAEL A. NEGRON	3,089	20.70 %
MATT MARTIN	6,033	40.43 %
GUS KATSAFAROS	254	1.70 %
THOMAS M. SCHWARTZERS	294	1.97 %
KIMBALL LADIEN	45	0.30 %
JEFF JENKINS	1,130	7.57 %

UPDATE: 8:40pm:

Alderman 48th Ward

43 out of 46 precincts (93.48 %)

HARRY OSTERMAN	11,158	83.85 %
DAVID EARL WILLIAMS III	2,149	16.15 %

UPDATE: 8:43pm

Alderman 46th Ward 30 out of 40 precincts (75.00 %)

MARIANNE LALONDE	1,839	18.50 %
ERIKA WOZNIAK FRANCIS	1,685	16.95 %
JUSTIN KREINDLER	408	4.11 %
JAMES CAPPLEMAN	4,276	43.02 %
ANGELA CLAY	1,575	15.85 %
JON-ROBERT MCDOWELL	156	1.57 %

UPDATE: 8:59pm

Alderman 47th Ward

41 out of 48 precincts (85.42 %)

EILEEN DORDEK	2,745	17.64 %
ANGELA ''ANGIE'' MALONEY	712	4.57 %
HEATHER WAY KITZES	791	5.08 %
MICHAEL A. NEGRON	3,244	20.84 %
MATT MARTIN	6,271	40.29 %
GUS KATSAFAROS	267	1.72 %
THOMAS M. SCHWARTZERS	315	2.02 %
KIMBALL LADIEN	48	0.31 %
JEFF JENKINS	1,172	7.53 %

UPDATE: 9:10pm

Alderman 46th Ward

31 out of 40 precincts (77.50 %)

MARIANNE LALONDE	1,896	18.72 %
ERIKA WOZNIAK FRANCIS	1,711	16.89 %
JUSTIN KREINDLER	417	4.12 %
JAMES CAPPLEMAN	4,352	42.97 %
ANGELA CLAY	1,596	15.76 %
JON-ROBERT MCDOWELL	157	1.55 %

UPDATE: 9:25pm

Alderman 46th Ward

33 out of 40 precincts (82.50 %)

MARIANNE LALONDE	1,987	18.45 %
ERIKA WOZNIAK FRANCIS	1,800	16.72 %
JUSTIN KREINDLER	436	4.05 %
JAMES CAPPLEMAN	4,629	42.99 %
ANGELA CLAY	1,755	16.30 %
JON-ROBERT MCDOWELL	160	1.49 %

Alderman 47th Ward

44 out of 48 precincts (91.67 %)

EILEEN DORDEK	2,937	17.55 %
ANGELA ''ANGIE'' MALONEY	763	4.56 %
HEATHER WAY KITZES	849	5.07 %
MICHAEL A. NEGRON	3,505	20.95 %
MATT MARTIN	6,654	39.77 %
GUS KATSAFAROS	306	1.83 %
THOMAS M. SCHWARTZERS	334	2.00 %
KIMBALL LADIEN	64	0.38 %
JEFF JENKINS	1,319	7.88 %

UPDATE: 9:40pm

Alderman 48th Ward

44 out of 46 precincts (95.65 %)

HARRY OSTERMAN	11,420	83.79 %
DAVID EARL WILLIAMS III	2,210	16.21 %

UPDATE: 9:58pm

Alderman 46th Ward

36 out of 40 precincts (90.00 %)

MARIANNE LALONDE	2,183	18.38 %
ERIKA WOZNIAK FRANCIS	1,955	16.46 %
JUSTIN KREINDLER	455	3.83 %
JAMES CAPPLEMAN	5,191	43.71 %
ANGELA CLAY	1,911	16.09 %
JON-ROBERT MCDOWELL	181	1.52 %

Alderman 47th Ward

46 out of 48 precincts (95.83 %)

EILEEN DORDEK	3,062	17.49 %
ANGELA ''ANGIE'' MALONEY	790	4.51 %
HEATHER WAY KITZES	876	5.00 %
MICHAEL A. NEGRON	3,721	21.25 %
MATT MARTIN	6,869	39.22 %
GUS KATSAFAROS	316	1.80 %
THOMAS M. SCHWARTZERS	340	1.94 %
KIMBALL LADIEN	67	0.38 %
JEFF JENKINS	1,471	8.40 %

**FINAL** UPDATE of the evening: 10:28pm

Alderman 46th Ward

38 out of 40 precincts (95.00 %)

MARIANNE LALONDE	2,243	17.98 %
ERIKA WOZNIAK FRANCIS	2,087	16.73 %
JUSTIN KREINDLER	493	3.95 %
JAMES CAPPLEMAN	5,506	44.13 %
ANGELA CLAY	1,947	15.61 %
JON-ROBERT MCDOWELL	200	1.60 %

Alderman 47th Ward

47 out of 48 precincts (97.92 %)

EILEEN DORDEK	3,128	17.49 %
ANGELA ''ANGIE'' MALONEY	827	4.62 %
HEATHER WAY KITZES	882	4.93 %
MICHAEL A. NEGRON	3,771	21.08 %
MATT MARTIN	7,049	39.41 %
GUS KATSAFAROS	324	1.81 %
THOMAS M. SCHWARTZERS	345	1.93 %
KIMBALL LADIEN	68	0.38 %
JEFF JENKINS	1,494	8.35 %

Alderman 48th Ward

45 out of 46 precincts (97.83 %)

HARRY OSTERMAN	11,607	83.87 %
DAVID EARL WILLIAMS III	2,233	16.13 %

Another Upzoning Request From The Owners Of 4642 N Magnolia

Well, this should be interesting.

A RECAP:  Many readers remember the high emotions surrounding the fate of an 1896 Victorian house at 4642 N Magnolia (above).  Last winter, it was sold by the only family who had ever owned it to developers, who proposed building a modern six-flat on the double lot.  The property is zoned for a single-family home (RS-3), so the new owners applied for a zoning change.

Many lots in Sheridan Park have been downzoned in past years to preserve the historic character of the community, and to discourage developers from demolishing single-family homes to build higher-density homes in their place.  Much spirited discussion about what the best course of action should be took place among neighbors, preservationists, the original owners, and the new owners over the course of several months.

Because the price of the proposed development was less than ten million dollars, the decision on whether to approve the proposed upzoning didn't go before the 46th Ward's Zoning and Development Committee, but instead fell to residents living within the boundaries of the house's block club, Magnolia Malden Neighbors.

The new owners of the property said that if residents didn't vote in favor of the requested zoning change, they would knock down the house and leave the lot vacant for years. When the residents at two different community meetings voted against upzoning the property, the new owners kept their word.  In February, the house, garage and several trees on the lot were demolished.  What remains is an empty lot.

PRESENT DAY:  We are hearing that the new owners are requesting another zoning change for the lot, this time to an RS-3.5 designation.  They propose splitting the lot into two parcels.  On one, they want to build a single-family home, and on the other, a three-flat.

Once again, the community will make the decision on the upzoning.  This time it will be made by residents of all of Sheridan Park, who will hear the proposal and vote.  The meeting should take place in a couple weeks and will be announced when a date and location have been determined.

If you live in the areas covered by Magnolia Malden Neighbors, Graceland Wilson Neighbors, Dover Neighbors and Beacon Block Club, start thinking about hearing the presentation from the vacant lot's owners on why their latest upzoning request should be considered and what your vote will be.

You can see all UU's posts about 4642 Magnolia here.

Update:  As of 6/12/2014, the owners of the property have withdrawn their request for upzoning.

Demolition Permit Issued for 1896 Victorian House.Updated 3x: Demolition Completed

It appears that the efforts to save the 1896 home at 4642 Magnolia have failed, as Everyblock reports that a demolition permit for the house and garage was issued last week.  We feel it's a pity to lose a piece of Sheridan Park history, but the house's advocates made every effort to save it. Because the city's landmarking division declined to protect the house, and apparently no offer to buy it was accepted, it's the owners' prerogative to wreck it.

Under current zoning, the owners have the option of leaving the current home standing; selling it; demolishing it and building another single family home; or demolishing it and leaving an empty lot.  It looks as if they've decided to demolish it, unless the permit is simply a way to keep their options open.

Update:  As of this morning, demolition is underway.  You had a good run, house, existing for parts of three centuries.  Farewell.

Update:  And there goes the house.

Update:  All that's left as of noon:  rubble.

First The Trees And Fencing....

Quite a few readers are telling us that heavy-equipment work has been going on at the 1896 Victorian home at 4642 N Magnolia.  Since around 8am, four mature trees and the back fence have been removed.  "It looks like the property is getting prepped from demolition. I don’t think there’s a glimmer of hope for anything but an empty lot for the foreseeable future."

1896 Home Set For Demolition Next Week

According to the Architecture Chicago blog, the 1896 Victorian home on Magnolia is set to be demolished by its new owners on January 13th.

"If the scorched-earth tactics deployed to destroy the Phillips house succeed, homes like these could also soon be history, and the architectural legacy of Sheridan Park needlessly erased for a monotonous pottage of absentee-landlord six-flats."

Read the entire article here.

Meeting Tonight To Vote On Zoning For 1896 Victorian Home in Sheridan Park

The home today

Historic photo of the home, from the Phillips family

Historic photo of the home, from the Phillips family

Tonight at 7pm, there will be a community meeting for neighbors to discuss and vote on the proposed upzoning (and future) of the 1896 Victorian home located at 4642 N Magnolia.

The meeting will take place at Truman College at 7pm, and anyone is welcome to attend and to speak.  The voting, however, will be open only to those in attendance who live on the 4600 and 4700 blocks of Malden and Magnolia.

A quick recap:  Most of Sheridan Park, including this home, has been downzoned for the purpose of maintaining the character of the community and avoiding the teardown of single family homes to build multi-unit residences.  A local couple owns the home on Magnolia, which was gutted in a fire several decades ago, but which still has many of the architectural features that make Victorian homes popular:  fireplace, stained glass windows, ornate woodwork.

• The couple want to sell the home to another local couple (developers), who want to have it upzoned for the purpose of demolishing the home and building a six-flat on the property's double lots.  
• People opposing the upzoning maintain that other possible buyers exist who would be happy to buy and rehab an existing Victorian home, and that upzoning this property flies in the face of Sheridan Park's community downzoning as a historic district.  
• The current owners of the property have said if the pending sale is blocked, they will demolish the house no matter what. 

Ald. Cappleman is leaving the decision about the zoning of this property up to block club members and community residents.  Hence, tonight's meeting.

The last time there was a meeting regarding this issue, in November, the personal attacks and high emotions made it uncomfortable and unproductive.  We trust that those who turned the previous meeting into a circus will temper their behavior and that this meeting will be constructive without descending into inappropriateness.

A reader sent us a bit of the history of the home, which has remained owned by one family since it was built in 1896:

4642 Magnolia - The George H. Phillips house.  The house at 4642 North Magnolia Avenue was the residence, from 1901 until his death in 1916, of George Harshaw Phillips, who was known as The Corn King.

Phillips was born in Morris, Illinois, in 1869, came to Chicago after finishing high school, entered the grain trading business, so impressed his boss that he was given a seat on the Board of Trade while still in his early twenties, and then became nationally famous by his trading exploits in 1900 and 1901.

He bought the house at 4642 Magnolia in early 1901, at the height of his fame. The Chicago Tribune published a graphic showing a portrait of Phillips with illustrations of the modest house in which he had been living (with his family of five) in Rogers Park, and the house in Sheridan Park (now 4642 Magnolia) which was his new "abode."

The home was inherited by George Phillips' descendants, one of whom married Thomas Rutherford.  After her passing, it became the property of Mr. Rutherford and his second wife, Judith, who now seek to sell it.

We apologize for the late notice, but we only were made aware of this meeting yesterday.  If this issue is important to you, one way or the other, and especially if you live on the 4600 - 4700 blocks of Malden and Magnolia, we urge you to attend the meeting this evening.

Plans For 4642 Magnolia Presented, Pending Upzoning Approval

Proposal for 4642 N. Magnolia

If upzoning is approved, and the 1896 Victorian home is demolished at 4642 N. Magnolia, here is a good idea of what you can expect. Those in attendance say that the meeting tonight at Clarendon Park Fieldhouse was especially uncomfortable during a "spirited," impromptu presentation by the the Victorian home's owner. No decision has been made and the potential developer is willing to tweak the design if upzoning is granted. A tough decision for sure.

Meeting Monday Night On Rezoning Request For 1896 Victorian Home On Magnolia

A note from Dover Street Neighbors' Facebook page:

"Re: 4642 N. Magnolia Ave:

Ald. Cappleman's office has scheduled a meeting on Monday, November 25th, at 6 p.m., at the Clarendon Park field house [4501 N Clarendon], to discuss a proposal for possible upzoning and redevelopment of 4642 N. Magnolia. Neighbors welcome. My understanding is that residents of the Magnolia-Malden Block Club will be eligible to vote on the issue."  

UU Note:  Magnolia-Malden Block Club covers the area bordered by Wilson, Broadway, Lawrence and Malden.

Background:  Ald. Cappleman said in his weekly newsletter in late October:

• "4642 N. Magnolia Home.  This home in Sheridan Park is gutted inside due to a fire that occurred close to 2 decades ago. The prospective buyer is only interested in purchasing this home if he is allowed to tear it down in order to build something else on this site. Because the home is orange-rated (meaning it has historical significance), there's an automatic evaluation to assess if this building has Landmark status. All orange-rated buildings go through this same process.

1. If the Historic Preservation Division (part of the Dept. of Planning) deems this property to be historically significant, it will not be torn down and there will be no need to upzone the property. Someone who is interested in restoring the house would have to purchase the property. For information how a property is determined to have historical significance, click here.
2. If the Historic Preservation Division does not want to proceed with landmarking this building, the house will be torn down and the new owner will present new building plans to the Magnolia-Malden Block Club. If the new proposal requires an upzone, members of the block club will have a strong say on whether or not this would occur. If the new proposal does not require any zoning change, the new owner does not need community input to build as long as it remains within the current zoning guidelines.

Email the block club president to join: kathy.cook@am.jll.com. You must live within the boundaries to vote."

More Info On The 1896 Victorian Home

People may not be able to read the public notice from the street, but an intrepid reader did some online sleuthing and we're betting it reads something like this:

"Applicant seeks to construct a new building consisting of six residential units.  The subject property will be used for six residential dwelling units. Six parking spaces will be provided. No commercial space is proposed. The proposed building will be thirty-eight feet in height."

• To see the entire zoning reclassification application filed by the prospective new owners, click here.
• According to DNAinfo, the zoning request was to come before the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards today, but was delayed at the request of Ald. Cappleman, who wants to get community feedback.
• If you'd like to see what the inside of the house looks like, there are photos on Redfin.  Remember that the interior is gutted, which isn't very visible in the photos (very effective photography!).  But there are some pretty, pretty bones in that home.
• To read a quick review of the issues involved, here's a link to Ald. Cappleman's newsletter from late October.

What's That Public Notice Say?

A reader writes:  "If you look closely, there is a "Public Notice" on the front door [of the 1896 Victorian home on Magnolia that is up for sale and rezoning/demolition]. It is public and notifies in form only as one would have to break the lock on the gate or jump the fence to be able to get close enough to read anything more than 'Public Notice.'"

If it's a request for upzoning the property for the purpose of demolishing it, which has been a controversial move in Sheridan Park, we hope the presumptive owners relocate the notice.  By law it needs to be posted where the public can read it.  Putting a "public notice" out of the eyesight of the public defeats the purpose, eh?

Sheridan Park Home Slated For Demolition

If the buyer of 4642 N. Magnolia has their say, this home from 1896 will meet the wrecking ball. A reader sends us the letter (see below) he received notifying him of the impending plans to demolish and build a 6 unit building. We know the home is in need of major TLC, but does that warrant demolition? The home is rated "orange" by the city so that means there is a waiting period while its fate is determined by the city. Just like with Nick's Uptown, you can contact the Landmarks Commission (info below) and let your thoughts be known.

click to enlarge

33 N. LaSalle St.
Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60602
TEL: (312) 744-3200
FAX: (312) 744-9140
landmarks@cityofchicago.org