’08 was eventful year in Gazette communities

By William S. Bike | January 2009

If you like news, you do not have to wait long for news to be made in the ten neighborhoods of this community. Some of the city’s biggest news stories of 2008 happened right here.

January

West Loop community members expressed opposition to redevelopment plans for the former Fed Ex site on Madison St. Third Ward Alderman Pat Dowell expressed her opposition to development of a park on dormant land in Bronzeville. Home foreclosures were on the rise in the community. The City struck a deal to privatize four Grant Park garages. A variety of events were planned to commemorate the Harold Washington Commemorative Year project.

Bloggers increasingly began writing about the progressives running against incumbent Congressman Dan Lipinski in the Third Congressional District. West Haven development expanded into East Garfield Park. Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley issued a report showing that tax bills rise when the number of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts do. A suspect was arrested for the murder of local resident Nailah Franklin. The Chicago Park District acquired the site of the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, the Chicago Women’s Park, and Clarke House.

February

The Gazette profiled candidates running for Congress, the Illinois General Assembly, Judge, and Ward Committeeman to provide readers with the pre-election information they needed.

March

The Gazette revealed the lack of modern technology at the state’s attorney’s office. The University Village Association (UVA) expanded its boundaries west and south. A Chicago Transit Authority feasibility study looked at the possibility of an el station at Morgan and Lake Streets. The Grant Park Advisory Council (GPAC) examined the “street wall” of building facades bordering Grant Park. Altier Realty became part of Koenig & Strey GMAC.

Erie Neighborhood House and the Chines American Service League were honored as Neighborhood Builders by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. The Bridgeport home of Tim Harris and Alanna O’Connor was “deconstructed” instead of torn down–building materials were reused and recycled.

April

Chicago Public Schools teaching staff reductions at Montefiore School led to fears that the school may be closed in the future. The Chicago Cubs considered moving to U.S. Cellular Field during potential Wrigley Field repairs. Taylor Street Beat Officer Chuck Parrillo retired. The South Loop community scrutinized two residential towers planned for Clark and Polk Streets amid objections about the construction system. Parents United for Responsible Education charged that the Chicago Public Schools are trying to take power away from Local School Councils.

Structured Development LLS saved the landmark Powerhouse Building on Clinton St. The Tzu Chi Foundation and University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry students offered free dental care in Chinatown. City Treasurer Stephanie Neely upgraded her office’s operation. Delta Dental of Illinois funded a pediatric dentistry clinic at UIC. Rare art by Buddhist grand master Shinjo Ito came to the South Loop.

May

The City announced plans to acquire the Michael Reese Hospital land for the 2016 Olympic Village. Plans for the Chicago Children’s Museum to move to Grant Park went to the Chicago Plan Commission. The University of Illinois at Chicago opened a charter high school focusing on mathematics and science. Police Superintendent Jody Weis appointed new commanders, Roberto Zavala, Dennis Keane, Judith Martin, Eric Washington, and John Doty, in various area districts. The developer of the AvalonBay Communities at Polk and Clark Streets responded to community concerns about parking and construction methods by improving their development plans.

U.S. Senator Richard Durbin and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency were influential in the removal of illegally dumped waste from Ping Tom Park. Alderman James Balcer introduced a resolution to erect a war memorial to the men and women who have served the U.S. in the War on Terror. Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired President and Executive Director Jim Kesteloot announced his retirement. The Chicago Cubs’ fan group the West Side Rooters was re-created after a 100-year hiatus. Another Cubs’ fan group, the Way Out in Left Field Society, received approval to place a plaque at the site of the Cubs’ old West Side home field.

Slam Dunk for Diabetes, which is sponsored by the Chicago Bulls, and artist Anne Farley Gaines, spearheaded a project whereby youngsters created a mural related to coping with diabetes. Construction of an East Tower for Rush University Medical Center was approved by the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board. Roosevelt College and Loras College students began volunteering at the Chicago Christian Industrial League. Bridgeport resident Rino Scalise’s movie Baby on Board was filmed in Chicago.

June

CVS/Pharmacy announced it would open a drug store at Roosevelt Square. Locals called for better traffic controls at the intersections of Ada and Washington Streets and Taylor and Wood Streets. Draper and Kramer announced it would redevelop Lake Meadows into mixed-income property. The City scrapped blue bags in favor of blue bin recycling. The Local Initiatives Support Corp./Chicago’s New Communities Program recognized 28 community heroes.

The Chicago Plan Commission approved putting the Chicago Children’s Museum in Grant Park. The Randolph/Fulton Market area got $2.5 million from the City for infrastructure improvements. Attorney General Lisa Madigan warned of the dangers of social networking sites. The University of Illinois at Chicago studied water safety for boaters and fishing enthusiasts. The Chicago Partnership for Affordable Neighborhoods worked to ease the area’s housing crisis.

The Adler School of Professional Psychology studied the lives of the haves vs. the have-nots. The Street Dreams program of the Cook County Juvenile Courts successfully worked to get young offenders jobs. Fr. Tom Hurley settled into his role as pastor of Old St. Patrick’s Church. Alhambra Palace restaurant sought to expand its late night hours. Holy Trinity High School expanded its services.

July

The City considered not building a new 12th District Police station at Ashland Avenue and 14th Street to provide room for a Costco instead. The Old Neighborhood Italian American Club created a new memorial for veterans. The Grant Park Advisory Council/Grant Park Conservancy raised concerns over pedestrian and bicyclist safety on Solidarity Drive. A Federal funding shortfall put Section 8 families at risk of not being able to find housing. Longtime Notre Dame de Chicago parish Musical Director Philip Runge left his job and moved to California.

Union Park’s Advisory Council sought more volunteers. West Haven residents and business owners worked to increase the retail presence in the community. The University of Illinois at Chicago opened a Sleep Science Center for those suffering from sleep disorders. Community groups worked for the revitalization of Grand Avenue. Charles Menghini of VanderCook College of Music was named a National Association for Music Education Lowell Mason Fellow.

August

The City offered to buy the Michael Reese site so developers could build housing for the 2016 Olympics. Attorney General Lisa Madigan ordered the owner of Chicago Plating Company to clean up the site of the factory. A Special Services Area was again suggested for Taylor Street. The community examined various designs for Skinner Park in the West Loop. Veterans lost the use of the Northwest Armory for their annual fair, so the event was moved to Fosco Park.

The Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization asked aldermen to stop creation of new tax increment financing (TIF) areas.

The University Village Association started painting traffic signs black without permission of the alderman, police, or Chicago Department of Transportation. The late Sgt. Eric Lill, killed in Iraq, was honored at the Freedom Run. The Central Station development gained City zoning approval. Advocates for the disabled protested two Taylor Street restaurants for lack of access.

A draft of West Side youth for local basketball teams was held at the United Center. The West Town Chamber of Commerce stated its opposition to an ordinance that would regulate music promoters. Commemoration of the Century of Progress fair was urged for Northerly Island. Teacher John Nieciak received a Golden Apple Award.

September

The Bronzeville community was angered by the Chicago Public Schools plan to close Attucks Elementary School. Residents and business owners from the University Village and East Pilsen communities expressed their opposition to a proposed hot dog stand at Halsted and 18th Streets. Residents of 1717 S. Prairie Ave. sought repairs and funds from the corporations that formerly controlled the building. Improvements were scheduled for Sheridan Park. Governor Rod Blagojevich vetoed $43 million for substance abuse treatment and recovery, harming social service agencies such as the Haymarket Center.

St. Leonard’s Ministries considered opening a coffee shop in West Haven that would employ ex-offenders. The City defended its proposed Promoter Ordinance to regulate live music events and concerts. Chicago Public Schools increased gang and violence prevention efforts. Heart of Chicago Networking, a business owners’ organization, was formed. The area was hit by a string of home burglaries and bank robberies.

The City committed several million dollars to Grant Park and Congress Parkway improvements. Gazette reporters Miriam Cintron, Michael Comstock, April Galarza, and Anne Nordhaus-Bike won international Apex Awards for their writing.

October

Plans for a National Public Housing Museum were announced for Taylor Street. Lake Meadows developer Draper and Kramer made a public commitment to creating affordable units in the development. Chicago Police and the community pushed for the release of unjustly imprisoned 11th District Police Officer Michael Mette. The University Village Association resumed painting the backs of street signs without official approval to do so. Bronzeville received a $12 million loan and grant package from several banks, the City, and the Quad Communities Development Corp.

Differing views on where to locate a dog-friendly area in Skinner Park caused controversy. A law proposed by Senator Kwame Raoul and Representative Art Turner improving legal representation for arrested youth was passed by the Illinois General Assembly. The Chicago Fair Trade organization worked on making Chicago a fair trade city. Near West Sider Catherine Maritato celebrated her 100th birthday. A plaque was placed commemorating the old West Side home of the Chicago Cubs. The Bridgeport Art Walk was held.

November

The Randolph/Fulton Market Association succeeded in its battle to get the Chicago Transit Authority to put a Morgan Street stop on the Green Line elevated train route. The Gazette profiled candidates running for Congress, the Illinois General Assembly, Judge, and Ward Committeeman to provide readers with the pre-election information they needed. State Senator Rickey Hendon announced his intention to seek the Presidency of the State Senate. Bridgeport bar Jimbo’s lost another round in its legal battle to stay open. Chicago Hope Academy, a religious high school, considered joining the Chicago Public School system as a financial solvency measure.

Eleventh District Police Officer Michael Mette, unjustly imprisoned in Iowa, was released and returned home.

December

The Illinois Medical District delayed a decision as to whether to allow Children of Peace School to upgrade its facilities. A U.S. Cellular Field refurbishing plan included shops and restaurants. The City planned improvements to Congress Parkway to make it a “Gateway to the City.”
Alderman Walter Burnett defended TIFs (tax-increment financing zones) at a West Central Association meeting. Adapt, a disability rights group, increased the pressure for handicapped accessibility to a Subway restaurant on Taylor St.

The Career Pathways Initiative provided jobs for Bronzeville and South Side residents. Near West Sider Donna Siano was murdered in her apartment. The Art Institute showcased its European tapestry collection.