Dear Friends, 

I was recently advised that budget items I had raised during recent budget meetings were being implemented. 

The first item deals with the number of police officers called to testify on criminal matters.  If you have been to any of the courthouses, you are aware of the large number of police officers involved in court hearings.  The Office of Budget and Management met with the Chicago Police Department and the State's Attorney's Office and has agreed to try and limit the officers to those directly responsible for an arrest rather than all of those who were on the scene.  That working group will meet quarterly to track progress on this issue. 

The second is more elementary and was based on my exasperation with the amount of printed materials that departments and agencies produce and ship.  Distribution plans will now be required when items are produced by the City's Graphics and Reproduction office to ensure that only what is needed is produced.  

In the past, I have supported the City's  budget proposals while opposing tax increases.  I always attempt to find additional revenue sources or recommend other cuts.  While my efforts are largely behind-the-scenes, these latest changes in policy are worth sharing. 

I continue to push for more significant fees for any dumpster that remains on the street for a significant amount of time.  The problems caused by these extremely lengthy timeframes are numerous.  It is my feeling that the current fee is so low that it encourages the retention rather than the removal of the dumpsters. 

These are just a few of the measures I have supported.  I will keep you posted when any further discussions yield a positive resolution.

I mentioned several new retailers in my last newsletter and would like to point out that two more frozen yogurt locations are opening on Clark Street.  YoBerry has opened on the 2200 block and another will open on the 2500 block.  Also, Palermo Bakery will bring their Harlem Avenue cookies and breads to the 1500 block of Wells.  These and our already existing businesses need your support.  Visit and shop local - it really does make a difference.

Vi

  Upcoming Events

Monday, July 12 Wrightwood Neighbors Association meeting at New Life Church, Seminary and Lill.  Residents in the WNA boundaries are invited to attend the regular meeting. 

WNA meetings begin at 6:30PM with a networking / informational half hour catered by local businesses (this month's sponsors are Hi-Tops and Fiesta Mexicana).  The CAPS meeting will be followed by an up-date from Congressman Mike Quigley with a Q  A session. 

Meeting topics to be covered include zoning issues, the neighborhood history project and info on the upcoming Taste of Lincoln Avenue.  

Monday, July 19 6:30PM The Mid-North Association hosts their general meeting at St. Paul's Church, 2235 N Orchard.  All residents and business owners of the Mid-North area are welcome to attend.

Wednesday, July 21 7PM The Park West Association host their annual meeting at Children's Memorial Hospital's Bigler Auditorium (across from the main entrance). Park West residents and businesses are welcome to attend and learn about the state of the neighborhood at this meeting.

Saturday/Sunday, July 24  25 The Wrightwood Neighbors Association hosts their annual Taste of Lincoln Avenue.  This is one of the biggest street festivals of the year.  More than 40 music acts on five stages, a kids' carnival, food vendors and the Lill Street Art Fair.   Noon to 10PM both days on Lincoln Avenue from Fullerton to Wrightwood.

 CAPS Beat Meetings

Monday, July 12, 7:00PM - Beat 1933 meets at the New Life Church, 1100 W Lill for the area north of Fullerton and West of Clark Street in the 43rd Ward.

Tuesday, July 13, 6:30PM - Beat 1822 meets at 1407 N Burling Street for the area in the 43rd Ward south of North Avenue and West of Larrabee.

Wednesday, July 14, 6:30PM - Beat 1812 meets at St. Vincent dePaul Center, 2145 N Halsted Street for the area bounded by Armitage, Sheffield, Fullerton and Clark/Sedgwick.

Wednesday, July 21, 7:00PM - Beat 1811/1813 meets at St. Michael's, 1711 N Cleveland for the area west of Sheffield between Dickens and Armitage and the area between Armitage and North from Halsted to Sedgwick. 

Thursday, July 22, 7PM - Beat 1814 meets at the Old Town Triangle office, 1765 N North Park for the area east of Sedgwick/Clark from Fullerton to North.

  LaSalle Drive Reconfiguration

LaSalle Drive will be reconfigured thanks to the economic stimulus program.  I have been garnering support for this project for several years from local, state and federal offices.  Due to these efforts, this is one of the projects that was deemed to be "shovel ready" and qualified for federal funding.  Because all of the plans were complete and funding was the only issue holding up the start of the work, LaSalle qualified for this special consideration.

The current strike involving heavy-equipment operators and laborers has the start date in question.  However, staging for the onset of the work will begin in the coming days.  The installation of tree protection, temporary fencing and erosion control measures will begin along with signage for detours and street closings.  Existing concrete barriers will be removed on LaSalle Drive as well as the grass medians at the intersection of LaSalle Drive and inner Lake Shore Drive.  Temporary pavement will be installed where medians have been removed. 

When work begins, it is expected that the eastern end of LaSalle Drive, where it intersects with inner Lake Shore Drive, will be the focus.  At the completion of the reconfiguration, there will be less of a curve and more green space.  We will have an addition of over 7,000 feet of park space when the work is complete.

 Lincoln Park Market/Park West Community Assn. Need Your Help

U.S.-based Friends of the Orphans and the organization it supports, Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (NPH), work tirelessly to provide medical relief and coordinate a massive supply effort after the Haitian earthquake.  St. Damlen Hospital is a 120-bed pediatric hospital caring for more than 200 patients each day.  They also send a special one-month survival kit home with each family. 

Lincoln Park Market and the Park West Community Association have arranged to purchase the contents for the survival kits in bulk and have the boxes needed for packing.  Arrangements for and cost of shipping the kits to Haiti have also been secured.  Their goal is to supply and pack a minimum of 250 kits for shipment to Haiti this summer.

They need three things to make this work.

1)  Donations.  The cost of each kit is $50.  You may sponsor one kit, several kits or make a smaller donation.  All contributions are tax deductible and payment should be made to Friends of the Orphans and dropped off at Lincoln Park Market, 2500 N Clark.

2) Volunteers.  On Saturday, July 17th at 10:00AM they will have a packing party.  All the supplies and boxes will be at Lincoln Park Market for packing.  Children are welcome to participate.  Please email Bruce(at)LincolnParkMarket.com and let him know how many adults and children will be helping.

3) Spread the word. 

 Helping a Hero Benefit

Illinois True Hero is a local organization helping raise funds for HelpingAHero.org.  HelpingAHero.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides housing needs for military personnel, severely injured in Iraq or Afghanistan.  Through its Wounded Hero Home Program, it works with developers and builders to construct specially adapted homes for qualifying service members.  A $100,000 commitment from the community is needed to bring this effort to Illinois.  

Illinois True Hero is hosting a benefit on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at 5:30PM at he National Veterans Art Museum, 1801 S Indiana Avenue.  Ticket prices start at $50.  Enjoy the catering from local favorite, Marcello's.  Bid on great silent auction items.  To R.S.V.P. call 312-799-2812 and leave your name and any guest's names along with a contact number.  If you are not able to attend but would like to make a donation, make your check payable to HelpingaHero.org and send to Illinois True Hero, P.O. Box 10673, Chicago 60610.  

Your support will help build a customized home for a service member severly wounded.  The community commitment of $100,000 will be supplemented with a lot valued at $50,000 donated by the developer; a matching amount from a builder and the veteran will carry a $50,000 mortgage.  The home is titled in the veteran's name and allows the vet and the family to take part in the purchase of their home.

 Events for the Weekend of July 17/18

There are so many events this weekend that they deserve special recognition.

Sheffield Garden Walk - Sheffield Neighborhood Association celebrates 42 years of the garden walk.  Enjoy the rocking music, delicious food, kids' corner, glorious gardens and unique architectural tours at this completely volunteer event.  Gates open at 11AM each day.

The Tres Petite Concours takes over Armitage with its teeny, tiny cars.  Enjoy the display of 10 - 15 microcars and minicars from Chicago collections.

The Armitage/Halsted/Webster Merchants Association hosts its annual Sidewalk Sale to provide some of the best prices of the year.  All of these events will ensure something for every taste along the Sheffield and Armitage area.

The 52nd Dearborn Garden Walk takes place on Sunday only from Noon to 5PM.  Entry at the corner of Goethe and Dearborn.  Enjoy walking tours, live jazz and classical performances.

Looking for something a little different for the family this weekend?  The Lincoln Park Zoo offers you the chance to Sleep Under the Skyscrapers!

The new Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo provides the perfect setting for your family to explore an urban ecosystem at night, take a hike, explore the wildlife and enjoy a pizza.  Pitch your tent and sleep under the skyscrapers and wake to the sound of morning birdsongs.   For families with children age 5 an older, $50/$45 for zoo members.   6PM Friday through 9AM Saturday.  Call 312-742-2056 for more information.  

Not up for an overnight but still interested in a family friendly event?  Wrightwood Neighbors hosts movies in the park at Jonquil Park.  Enjoy Raiders of the Lost Ark on Saturday at dusk.  Popcorn will be provided - bring your own blankets, picnic baskets, etc.  

City Stickers/Permit Parking

Due to the problems encountered with non-adhesive stickers, the City Clerk has sent out an advisory that enforcement of City Stickers will not begin until August 1, 2010.  The same is true of permit parking stickers.

If you received a City Sticker that does not stick to your windshield, the Clerk will replace it for free.  You can bring the sticker to my office and we will work with the City Clerk to get you a new sticker.  If you have any questions about your sticker, permit parking pass or daily guest passes, please do not hesitate to call my office.

Paid for and authorized by Friends of Vi Daley.  No taxpayer funds are used in the production of this newsletter.