YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago Vice President Receives
 Nonprofit Marketer of the Year Award
Anne Bergquist recognized for extraordinary leadership and achievement
by American Marketing Association & Foundation

CHICAGO—Anne Bergquist, vice president of brand management and marketing for the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, was honored today with the Nonprofit Marketer of the Year Award for Special Marketing Initiatives by the American Marketing Association (AMA) and the American Marketing Association Foundation (AMAF).  The AMA/AMAF Nonprofit Marketer of the Year Awards honor extraordinary leadership and achievement in the field of nonprofit marketing.
 
“We are thrilled to present this year’s award for excellence in special marketing initiatives to Anne,” said Lisa Chernick, AMAF Executive Director.  “She is an innovator in the field and her creative approaches to marketing the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago have not only transformed the outreach efforts of her organization, but have also helped bolster the nonprofit marketing industry.”
 
Bergquist is responsible for the YMCA’s brand image through its corporate marketing program that drives annual membership revenue in excess of $28 million from more than 120,000 members at 19 branches across Chicagoland.  In addition to the corporate marketing strategy, she also directs the development and execution of the marketing plans at each YMCA membership branch.  As a result of this concerted effort, the YMCA grew membership revenue by $6 million while increasing retention by 11 percent from 2003-2006.
 
Stephen S. Dahlin, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago said, “Anne’s extraordinary creativity combined with her influential leadership and a well-executed strategy has allowed the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago to thrive in these tough economic times. The marketing and outreach tactics she has implemented will benefit our organization – and in turn benefit the communities we serve – now and into the future.”
 
During her tenure at the YMCA, Bergquist has restructured the corporate marketing department and developed a comprehensive graphic design/copy template system for membership marketing, retention and fund-raising. Additionally, she developed and directed the YMCA’s first image awareness campaign tied to the YMCA’s 150th anniversary in 2008.
 
Bergquist has a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from the University Of Notre Dame. She and her husband, Kent, reside in Chicago.

 
About the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
Through its 65 locations and more than 100 extension sites, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago helps children learn and grow, teaches young people to lead, brings families closer, and encourages individual health and well-being. The fourth largest non-profit in Chicago and one of the largest human services organizations in the nation, YMCA programs impact hundreds of thousands of lives annually, helping to strengthen neighborhoods and respond to community needs across Chicagoland. To learn more, visit www.ymcachgo.org
 
About the American Marketing Association
The American Marketing Association is the largest marketing association in North America.  It is a professional association for individuals and organizations involved in the practice, teaching and study of marketing worldwide.  Is it also the source that marketers turn to every day to deepen their expertise, elevate their careers, and, ultimately, achieve better results.  American Marketing Association members are connected to a network of experienced marketers nearly 40,000 strong. To learn more, visit www.marketingpower.com <http://www.marketingpower.com>  
 
About the American Marketing Association Foundation
The American Marketing Association Foundation maximizes marketing for the betterment of society. This is accomplished by:
Ø Investing in the growth and use of nonprofit and social marketing knowledge;
Ø Supporting appropriate community outreach efforts; and
Ø Acknowledging academic and practitioner marketing excellence.
 
The AMAF works in partnerships and other strategic collaborations with the AMA, AMA chapters, marketing practitioners and academics, and scores of voluntary and community organizations.  For additional information about the AMAF and its programs or to make a contribution, please visit www.themarketingfoundation.org <http://www.themarketingfoundation.org> .

###

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or Michelle Valmond at 312-933-7594.
--
MALORIE JANASEK
Junior Account Executive, Digital Strategies
Jasculca/Terman and Associates, Inc.
730 N. Franklin Street, Suite 510
Chicago, Illinois 60654
P :: 312.573.5438   F :: 312.337.8189
malorie_janasek@...
http://www.jtpr.com
Public Affairs :: Events :: Design :: Digital

I don't know if anyone else is following this story, on the affordable housing
units that went to people to make profits. It's really, really discouraging that
these things are going on. Among all the other abuses, it would be so simple to
say that you can't buy more than one of these units. Who needs more than one
house to LIVE in?

---------------------------------------------

  1 man, 2 'affordable' homes
How did Orland Park teacher get OK to buy taxpayer-aided condominiums?
Comments

July 27, 2009

BY TIM NOVAK and CHRIS FUSCO Staff Reporters

The City of Chicago spends millions of dollars to create "affordable'' homes for
working families.

And the program has worked out really well for Rob M. Twardy, who bought one
taxpayer-subsidized condo in March 2003 -- and a second one just six months
later.
» Click to enlarge image
One of Rob Twardy's properties at 1500 S. Halsted. Twardy paid $886,500 for
three Chicago condos. Two are "affordable" homes subsidized by taxpayers, public
records show. The third is in a development that allows him to save money on
property taxes.

(Scott Stewart/Sun-Times)


RELATED STORIES
1 man, 3 subsidized condos

Twardy -- who's 34 and teaches chemistry at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland
Park -- doesn't appear to live in either affordable home.

He has the tax bills sent to a third condo, purchased in 2005, that's part of
another taxpayer-funded program that saves him thousands of dollars a year in
property taxes.

If the southwest suburban teacher could afford to buy two condos in one year,
how did City Hall find that he qualified to buy any condo subsidized by Chicago
taxpayers?

Twardy, who purchased all three homes as a single man, declined requests for an
interview, saying, "I have no interest in talking to you."

He now has a tenant living in the second affordable condo he bought.

"I don't understand how he could meet the income requirements and buy two
condos," says Julie Dworkin of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, which is
pushing for more affordable housing. "It doesn't make sense. It sounds like
there is very little scrutiny of these buyers.

"Also, I don't think someone should be able to buy an affordable unit and rent
it out because that defeats the purpose of providing an opportunity for
homeownership to someone who otherwise would not have that opportunity.''

Twardy's first taxpayer-subsidized condo is in University Village, a 900-unit
development that uprooted the historic Maxwell Street market and created a
"campus town" for the University of Illinois at Chicago. City Hall committed at
least $75 million to the project. In return, its three clout-heavy developers --
Mayor Daley's pal Michael Marchese, indicted Springfield businessman William F.
Cellini and Richard Stein -- agreed to sell 187 homes to people who met the
city's affordable-housing income limits, making no more than 120 percent of the
area's median income.

In May, a Chicago Sun-Times investigation found that 50 of those affordable
homes had been resold -- often within months -- for huge profits. Other units
were sold to people who, rather than live there, now lease them out.

Twardy applied to buy that first affordable condo Oct. 31, 2001. At the time, he
reported he was making $38,721 a year. Since then, his salary as a teacher has
increased to more than $75,000, state records show.
Second application OK'd

City housing officials approved Twardy's application, saying he was making less
than 90 percent of the area's median income.

On March 11, 2003, he bought the condo in the 1500 block of South Halsted for
$223,000, taking out a $171,000 mortgage from Harris Bank. Records show the
developers gave him a $20,000 taxpayer-funded subsidy, portions of which he has
to repay if he sells the unit within 10 years.

That June, city officials OK'd a second application Twardy had filed to buy
another affordable condo -- at River Village Lofts in the 1000 block of North
Kingsbury, near Montgomery Ward's old headquarters.

Twardy then refinanced his first condo, getting a lower-interest mortgage, and
also took out a $50,000 line of credit.

On Sept. 18, 2003, he bought the second condo for $217,000, taking out a
$176,000 mortgage from ABN Amro. He also got a $10,845 loan from the developers,
the Enterprise Companies, which are getting more than $3 million from City Hall
for the project.

Enterprise owner Ron Shipka Jr. signed the deed with Twardy.

Shipka says there's something wrong when someone can buy two homes set aside for
affordable housing. But he says he didn't know Twardy had recently bought
another taxpayer-subsidized condo.

"I guess nothing would have prevented him from buying more units if he was
approved by the city," Shipka says. "I would think the onus would be on the city
to search the database. The point of the program is to provide affordable units,
not to let somebody buy affordable units. It's not right. It shouldn't be done."
Wasn't against the law

City officials say there was nothing to keep Twardy -- or anyone else -- from
buying more than one affordable housing unit, as long as they met the city's
income limits.

"No rules or laws were broken when the contracts for these purchases were
signed," says Molly Sullivan, spokeswoman for the city's Department of Community
Development. "At the time ... we did not have in place the same sorts of
policies we have in place today.

"Our policies have evolved over time and now require buyers who purchase
affordable units to occupy and use them as their primary residence. We agree
that our housing units should not be used as investments, other than the
inherent investment that goes with homeownership.''

Twardy has the property tax bills for his two affordable condos mailed to a
third condo, at University Commons, a former produce market at 1000 W. 15th St.
that Shipka redeveloped into condos.

Twardy bought his University Commons condo for $446,500 on May 26, 2005 -- a
month after he took out another line of credit on his first affordable condo,
this one for $115,000, records show.

Twardy and the other condo owners at University Commons are getting huge breaks
on their property taxes -- as much as $6,000 a year. That's because Shipka's
rehab of the property met historic-preservation guidelines and qualified for the
state's "Property Tax Assessment Freeze" program. So Twardy paid just $814 in
property taxes on the condo last year.

Anybody know anything more about the shooting death on Wood St. just south of
Division? I just heard a young guy was shot in the head a few weeks ago. Thanks!

I did check out EveryBlock and I think this is it.

Homicide
1100 block N. Wood St
Homicide: First degree murder
Place: Sidewalk. Reported at 11:04 p.m. on July 15, 2009.

It will probably be discussed at the upcoming CAPS meeting, but I don't attend
those, so I can't promise to report back.

Cross-posted from Facebook group Save Saint Boniface in Chicago's West Town:

Alderman Burnett is attending the Eckhart Park Community Council meeting on
August 18, 2009 to discuss community issues and one of our primary issues has
been saving St. Boniface. There has been some recent activity that lead us to
believe the church will demolished in the next two weeks. Update here:
http://www.saintbonifaceinfo.com/SaintBoniface/Home.html

Please attend this meeting to voice your support to keep St. Boniface a
community landmark.

The meeting is 7:00 PM at the Northwestern Settlement House located 1010 N
Noble, 2nd floor. Please join us!

Yes, we're doing it again.  These yard sales on the 1100 block of North Damen
have been a huge success and a great way to recycle unwanted stuff and turn it
into cash. The next one is scheduled for Sept 12 & 13 to coincide with the
Division Street Renegade craft fair.

This will probably be the big one of the year, and likely the last one this
year.  So start putting aside your clutter now, and get ready to turn it into
money.

If you don't live on Damen, but want to participate, talk to someone there or
email me and we can probably find you a spot.  Usually there is plenty of space.

IVI-IPO SUES OVER PARKING METER GIVE-AWAY

IVI-IPO Sues Over Parking Meter Give-Away
Meter deal illegal, suit asks for court to declare contract void

CHICAGO - The Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization
and board member Aviva Patt filed suit in Cook County Court Wednesday in an
attempt to overturn the city's privatization of parking meters.
The suit, docket # 09CH28993, asks the court to declare the contract between the
city and Chicago Parking Meters, LLC, illegal and void.  The deal between the
city and CPM violates state law because: the city did not have authority to
lease city streets; the city cannot delegate police functions (parking
enforcement) to a private company; the city cannot, through the 75-year lease,
deprive future City Councils from the chance to exercise control over city
streets; and the city cannot ask the Illinois Secretary of State to suspend
driving privileges for violations at privately-held meters.
CPM subcontracts enforcement and maintenance of the meters to LAZ Parking. 
Meter rates immediately skyrocketed following the transfer from the city to CPM
and LAZ.
Although the deal brought the city more than $1.15 billion, a report from the
City of Chicago Inspector General indicated the city should have received
between $2 billion and $3.5 billion for the meters.  Furthermore, the deal
requires that the city reimburse CPM if the city shortens parking meter hours or
removes parking spaces for such improvements as bike lanes, crosswalks or bus
stops.
Despite the scope of the deal, the City Council only had two days to review the
contract before voting to approve the lease.
"This is a horrible deal for Chicago taxpayers," IVI-IPO spokesman Owen Brugh
said.  "But IVI-IPO intends to hold the city accountable.  Even the City of
Chicago has to follow the law."
About IVI-IPO: Since 1944, IVI-IPO has fought for an idealistic vision of open
and honest government. The organization's primary tools are voter's
registration, voter information and candidate endorsement. IVI-IPO also lobbies
on behalf of governmental reforms designed to open the system and better inform
the public about the political process.
For more information, log onto www.iviipo.org.




  FOLLOW IVI-IPO's Lawsuit on CHICAGO TONIGHT
  Wednesday, August 19th  7pm & 10pm
WTTW-TV Channel 11

Got an hour at lunch or before work? Be an Open Books Buddy at Mitchell
Elementary School, 2233 W. Ohio. Volunteers and kids pair up to work on fluency,
comprehension, vocabulary, expression, confidence, and developing an overall
love of reading.

The program also operates at Jenner Academy of the Arts, Chicago International
Charter School and other city and suburban locations. For details, email
apiepmeyer@... or visit http://open-books.org.

Host: Lake Claremont Press
Location:  Northwestern University Settlement House
1012 N. Noble, 2nd Floor (Vittum Theater)
Chicago, IL 60642 US
View Map
When: Friday, September 18, 5:30PM to 8:30PM    Add to my Outlook Calendar
Phone: 312/226-8400
Jane would warmly welcome you to a distinctive evening of Chicago history,
looking ahead, and festive mingling with friends, colleagues, and other
interesting Chicagoans.

Please join Lake Claremont Press at the historic and lovely Northwestern
University Settlement Association building to celebrate the release of Janice
Metzger's new book What Would Jane Say? City-Building Women and a Tale of Two
Chicagos and its contributions to the discussions of ongoing planning for the
Chicago region.


~ Food and drink.
~ Appreciation of the landmark building.
~ A few theatrical scenes from the book.
~ Some words from Jan.
~ Book signing.
~ Lake Claremont Press books and representatives.
~ Your delightful company and conversation.


  Thank you for joining us.

~ Please feel free to invite your friends. ~

- Thursday, October 15, 6pm-9pm
- Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive

The Shedd Aquarium is opening its doors to Chicagoland community organizations
to show how Shedd educational facilities and staff can benefit your
organization. Staff from community organizations that work with teens and
children are particularly encouraged to attend this event. Shedd staff are
working to start education programs in communities outside of the aquarium and
are looking to work with you organization to accomplish this goal. Register here
(but sorry,I can't get the link to paste into this messsage. I'd call the Shedd
and ask if you are interested). Following registration, more event details will
be emailed to participants.

City plans to curb recycling program, pick up blue carts every third week

Chicago Sun-Times October 22, 2009

BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter fspielman@...
Chicago's citywide switch to curbside recycling would hit the brakes in some
neighborhoods, while pickups would be less frequent in others, under cuts tied
to Mayor Daley's 2010 budget.

The mayor's proposed budget includes no money to continue the citywide switch to
blue-cart recycling that was supposed to be completed by 2011 for all 600,000
households that get city garbage pickup.

Also, some of the 240,000 households that have blue carts will see pickups every
third week instead of every other week.

"We're just looking for creative ways to expand the program, but not commit more
resources to it [by] just working more efficiently," Budget Director Eugene
Munin said Wednesday.

Munin said Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Tom Byrne "suspects they don't
need to be picking up [recycled] garbage every other week" in "some areas of the
city."

Streets and Sanitation spokesman Matt Smith said the pilot program would be
"very limited" and is only one of several ideas under consideration to "give us
the resources to apply toward recycling in the future."

Mike Nowak, president of the Chicago Recycling Coalition, called the proposed
recycling cuts "disappointing," especially after the city's failed, decadelong
experiment with blue-bag recycling.

"It's hard to tell people to recycle more if you're picking it up less," Nowak
said.

If people are recycling as much as they should, blue carts should fill up as
quickly as the black carts used for regular garbage that are picked up once a
week, Nowak said. "If they're picking up the blue cart every three weeks,
instead of every two, I'm afraid it's gonna create a problem where we have
recycling spilling into our alleyways. Either that or people will stop doing
it."

I went by the PO on Division Street Saturday and found in closed and cleaned
out. The sign on the door said the new PO was (OK I am forgetting the address,
maybe 1300 N. Ashland?) but anyway, right next door to Staples.

I received this email this morning from a friend in the 49th Ward. All Alderman
get funding to be allocated at their discretion in their wards. Instead of
making those decisions himself, Alderman Moore is asking his constituents.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Alderman Joe Moore [mailto:ward49@...]
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 10:20 AM
Subject: 49th Ward Residents to Vote on How to Spend $1 million for Neighborhood
Infrastructure

49th Ward Residents to Vote on How to Spend $1 million for Neighborhood
Infrastructure
Dear Neighbor,

Last week I sent you an e-mail announcing a novel experiment in direct democracy
that will occur right here in the 49th Ward.  Known as Participatory Budgeting,
the process will give all 49th Ward residents the right to vote directly on the
infrastructure projects that will be funded in our community next year.  For a
complete description of the 49th Ward's Participatory Budgeting process, CLICK
HERE.

The first step of that process begins this week with the first two Neighborhood
Assembly meetings.  Residents in two neighborhood areas will meet to learn more
about Participatory Budgeting and elect representatives who will be charged with
developing infrastructure spending proposals that will be voted on by all 49th
Ward residents next spring.

On Tuesday, November 4th, 7p.m., residents who live in the vicinity of St.
Margaret Mary Church (the area bounded by Howard, Touhy, Western and Ridge) will
meet at the St. Margaret Mary Activity Center, 7311 N. Claremont.

On Wednesday, November 5th, 7 p.m., residents who live in the vicinity of
Pottawattomie Park (the area bounded by Howard, Touhy, Ridge and Clark) will
meet at the Pottawattomie Park Fieldhouse, 7340 N. Rogers.

Residents in other areas of the ward will meet later this month and next.

I strongly urge you to attend the neighborhood assembly in your area.  However,
if that's not possible, you are free to attend a neighborhood assembly in
another area.  Most importantly, I urge you to bring your ideas.

FOR A SCHEDULE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSEMBLY MEETINGS, CLICK HERE or scroll to
the bottom of this e-mail.

FOR A MAP OF THE 49TH WARD THAT DELINEATES THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSEMBLY AREAS,
CLICK HERE or scroll to the bottom of this e-mail.

I look forward to seeing you as we start this exciting and path-breaking
process.

Sincerely,

Joe Moore

In talking with neighbors who have lived in the area a long time 917 N. Damen
was a notorious problem building with various drug dealers and criminals
occupying it.

That makes completion of the renovation of this building even more satisfying as
the curb appeal and caliber of its occupants has drastically improved.

This Sat 11/7 from 11:30-1:30PM I will be holding an open house for neighbors
and potential tenants at 917 N. Damen for the Coach House rental unit.  Its 1800
sqft, never lived in, gut rehabbed, luxury, 3 bed 2 bath with ALL the bell and
whistles of an upscale condo.  It's listed on MLS, MLS# 07373328 with a full
month COOP commission.

Plus I think for those of you that know me personally this is a convenient
opportunity to see an example of the kind of upscale development and general
contracting work I do.

Here is a link to my Craig's List Ad:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/apa/1454380962.html

Here is a Link 8 Pictures:
http://tours6.vht.com/STD/T1212132

Regards,
Greg Nagel, CPA
President
Ask Nagel LLC, A Full Service Multi-Unit Property Solution

For those of us who loved going over to Logan Square for their farmer's
market....

Now that the weather has changed, some of the regulars at the Wicker Park
Farmers' Market can be found inside at the Logan Square Farmers' Market at the
Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee, in Logan Square. The Market will run on
Sundays through March 28, from 10am - 2pm. There will not be a market on
November 27, December 27 and January 3. For more information, call the Logan
Square Chamber of Commerce: (773) 489-3222.

With the colder weather comes higher energy bills, but there are effective ways
to reduce your costs by weatherizing your home.  The Alderman from both the 1st
and 32nd Wards will be offering weatherization vouchers for 1st and 32nd Ward
residents to assist in their own winter home weatherization efforts.  These $40
vouchers are good at most Home Depot locations in Chicago and can be used
towards the purchase of programmable thermostats, insulation, caulk and furnace
filters, as well as windows and doors.  Visit the 1st Ward Office, 2058 N.
Western, or the 32nd Ward Office, 2657 N. Clybourn, with proof of residency and
the staff will be happy to assist you.

Quinn picks Ald. Flores to head state commerce panel

January 4, 2010

BY CHERYL V. JACKSON Staff Reporter
Ald. Manuel "Manny" Flores is being tapped to head the Illinois Commerce
Commission, the state body responsible for regulating utilities.

Gov. Quinn is expected to announce Flores' appointment as ICC chairman this
morning.

» Click to enlarge image

Ald. Manuel "Manny" Flores is being tapped to head the Illinois Commerce
Commission, the state body responsible for regulating utilities.
(Sun-Times File)


It is unclear when Flores will resign.

Quinn is one of the founders of the consumer advocate Citizens Utility Board.

"Consumer protection and rights is a long-standing mission and concern of his,"
said Robert Reed, Quinn's spokesman. "He believes that Manny Flores is going to
be a very strong pro-consumer force with the ICC."

Flores, a former assistant Cook County state's attorney and ex-aide to U.S. Rep.
Luis Gutierrez, unseated Ald. Jesse Granato in 2003.

On the City Council, he called for monitoring of Olympic 2016 spending and
aldermanic oversight of Olympic contracts and tried to cap the taxpayer
contribution at $500 million for a Chicago-hosted 2016 Olympics.

He became a critic of the parking meter privatization deal after voting in favor
of it and later questioned Mayor Daley's 2010 budget.

With Ald. Scott Waguespack (32rd), he proposed making information about the
city's tax increment financing districts accessible in one spot online.

"I'm honored for the governor's appointment to serve as the chairman of the
ICC," Flores said.

The five-member ICC also regulates interstate motor carriers and rail, bus and
barge transportation; sets rates for privately owned electric, natural gas,
telephone, water and sewer companies; regulates intrastate rates of property
motor carriers; inspects railroad crossings and tracks, and railroad cars
carrying hazardous materials.

The appointment requires state Senate confirmation.

If confirmed, Flores would replace Charles E. Box, a former Rockford mayor
appointed by then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2006. Box's term is expiring.

I'm sorry I meant to send this earlier - but if anyone has time, or wants to
stop by and see what's happening on this interesting project, note the below.
THe Montessori school is establishing a year-round urban farm at the vacant lots
on Wood Street, between Thomas and Haddon.
-------------------------

Hey Everyone!

Our greenhouse kit is finally arriving and we need your help to construct it. 
There will be two phases of construction over 4 or 5 days and we need all the
help we can get so please spread the word.

Please join us Saturday, January 16th, and Sunday, January 17th, for our first
two days of construction with foreman Matt Wolf.  We will be pounding in posts
and getting the frame up.

Please join us Monday, January 18th, and Tuesday, January 19th, with foreman
Mike Bollinger for framing end walls, doors, vents, and hanging plastic.

We will meet at the vacant lot at 1102 N. Wood street, from 10 am til 5 pm.

If you have sledgehammers, an electric drill, skill saw, or hand saws and can
bring them for the day we would very much appreciate it.

There will be refreshments and plenty of good work to keep us warm!

Please let me know if you will be available to assist by emailing me at
aviertel@...

Thanks everyone!
Anna



--
Anna D. Viertel
Urban Farm Manager, Near North Montessori School
1434 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60642

773.771.2760 Cell
773.269.6271 VM
aviertel@...

Story URL: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=153693
Story Retrieval Date: 1/15/2010 3:36:36 PM CST

Flores has ideas on who should replace him, but will Daley listen?
by Aaron Stern
Jan 14, 2010

A battle is brewing between departing Ald. Manny Flores and Mayor Daley over
Flores' replacement on the City Council.
For more than a week, no potential successor names were circulating publicly. On
Thursday, a list of Flores' preferences surfaced.
One fellow alderman said Flores' choices came out as a way to force Daley's
hand.
"These guys don't want the mayor to pick," said Waguespack.
Daley has selected 17 members of the current City Council and has tended to go
with someone recommended by the outgoing alderman. He is not obligated to do so,
however, and Flores' history of butting heads with the mayor raises the
possibility that Daley could go his own way.
The last time he did so, Waguespack said, was when Daley rejected two names put
forth by Ald. Billy Ocasio when he left to work for Gov. Pat Quinn.
Flores, tapped by Quinn to chair the Illinois Commerce Commission, is scheduled
to step down Friday; Daley's office said there is no set timetable to fill the
position.
Among the possible replacements Flores prefers are Proco "Joe" Moreno, who ran
for state senate in 2008, and Raymond Valadez, Flores' chief of staff. Jesse
Ruben Juarez, the Democratic Ward Committeeman, is also a possibility, as is
Juan "Johnny" Elias, a Flores campaign worker.
Should Daley and Flores be unable to reach a compromise, one possible Daley
selection could be state Rep. Maria "Toni" Berrios, Waguespack said.
Berrios' father, Joe Berrios, is running for Cook County assessor and Toni
Berrios would be "a perfect Chicago Machine candidate – all in the family,"
political observer Joe Lake said. Lake said that Cook County Commissioner Edwin
Reyes might also be a possible Daley choice.
Neither Berrios nor Reyes returned calls on Thursday.
Elias denied that he was a candidate and said that Moreno is the strongest
candidate, someone both Flores and Daley could agree upon. He dismissed Juarez
as a possibility.
"He just doesn't have the capacity to do the job, not in the 1st Ward, not with
the demands of the 1st Ward," Elias said.
With Moreno and Valadez as the two strongest candidates, Paula Barrington, the
executive director of the Wicker Park and Bucktown Chamber of Commerce said that
both would serve the 1st Ward well.
Moreno said that his background as both a community activist and a businessman
would be a good fit for the socially and economically diverse ward.
Whoever ultimately fills the seat will have big shoes to fill.
"When you come in behind Manny, you're expected to perform and be accountable
and do a lot," Elias said.

Chicago's East Village neighborhood joined the National Register of Historic
Places on Dec. 8.

Architect Scott Rappe, who chairs the East Village Association's landmarks
committee, tells what that means in the Sun-Times last week and on WLUW (88.7
FM) in an interview scheduled to air at 10 a.m. Thursday. The radio program will
be available as a podcast from producer Outside the Loop Radio,
outsidetheloopradio.com.

A New Year's Eve announcement describes East Village as an "Ethnic (European)
Historic Settlement in the city of Chicago (1860-1930)." Its boundaries are
Division Street and Chicago, Hermitage and Damen avenues.

The City of Chicago created the East Village Landmark District four years ago as
an example of "Chicago working-class neighborhoods developed in the late 1800s
and early 1900s," in the city's description. The state Illinois Historic
Preservation Agency nominated the district to the National Register last year at
the city's request.

Tax breaks are available to homeowners who renovate properties the city has
earmarked as significant. Apartment buildings on the National Register can
qualify for a 20% income-tax credit.

More links on this topic at:
http://news.eastvillagechicago.org/2010/01/east-village-on-national-register-of.\
html

Fifty years ago I lived at 1620 W. Augusta Blvd in Chicago. That
building has been demolished and a condo built in its stead. I am
interested in obtaining photos of that old building for my files.

dgeat92y <dgeat92y@...>

Mayor Daley Seeks Candidates for Aldermen in 1st and 29th Wards

Mayor Richard M. Daley is seeking residents of the 1st and 29th Wards who are
interested in being considered for Aldermen to apply to fill the vacancies in
those wards. Applications should be submitted to the Mayor's Office by Friday,
February 19, 2010. Applications should include the following items:

A cover letter to Mayor Richard M. Daley expressing your interest in being
considered for the appointment.
A resume that includes details about your community involvement and prior work
experience.
At least three letters of recommendation from community leaders, business
leaders, or residents of the ward.
Because Mayor Daley has only sixty days from the time of the vacancy to appoint
a new Alderman, please kindly submit your application by Friday, February 19,
2010 to
Mayor Richard M. Daley
City Hall - Room 406
121 North LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60602

In order to be eligible to serve as Alderman, potential applicants must:

Be prepared to sign a statement of financial interest as required by Section
2-156- 150(c)(ii) and (d) of the municipal code of Chicago at the time of
application. (see attached).
Have resided in the ward for at least 1 year prior to acceptance of the position
of Alderman (65 IL CS 5/3.1-10-5 (a)).
Owe no taxes or other debt to the City of Chicago (65 ILCS 5/3.1-10-5(b)).
Not have been convicted in any court located in the United States of any
infamous crime, bribery, perjury, or other felony (65 IL CS 5/3.1-10-5(b)).
Be registered to vote (65 IL CS 5/3.1-10-5 (a)).
Not hold any other office under the municipal government during the term of
office Alderman unless granted a leave of absence as required by 65 IL CS
5/3.1-15-15, nor shall the person hold any other civil service office under the
federal, state or city government unless granted a leave of absence, except in
the National Guard, or as a notary public, and except such honorary offices as
go by appointment without compensation (65 ILCS 20/21-14(b)).

Dee's Place, 2114 W. Division, plans to open when permits come through and has
been booking private events. Chef-owner Kareem Abdullah plans open mics, jam
sessions, jazz, poetry, comedy, blues, karaoke, and Motown Mondays.

http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/restaurants-bars/83306/new-restaurant-dees-p\
lace-wicker-park

http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/southern/dees-place-east-village-ukraini\
an-village/1502209/content

http://www.thrillist.com/chicago/dees-place

Today's group-on deal is for AUgust Groceries, $12 for $25 worth of product.

http://www.groupon.com/deals/august-grocery-store-chicago

Mose people know about the basic exemptions like the homeowner or senior
citizen. However, many people do not know about a relatively new the Long Term
Homeowner exemption that became law just 2 years ago.  This exemption limits the
annual increase you can get to your ppty taxes if you own ur home 10 years or
more and make 100K or less.  With the way ppty taxes are rising, you can see how
beneficial that could be.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1116371/hanover-township-assessor-long-time-occu\
pant-exemption

Exemptions show in the 2nd installment of your taxes and are not ever reflected
on the 1st installment.  I always forget this when I look at my 1st installment
and assume I'm getting cheated.

The Board of Review has not announced their schedule yet for when they are
opening up their appeal window. The Board of Review appeal process is an
incredible free and easy way to lower your ppty taxes. I have got my taxes
lowered over 30% in last 2 years using this process.  We'll try to get some
representatives to come to the EVA meeting again this year.

I found great new breakfast placed called La Fonda Delgusto at 1408 N. Milwaike
(Mil/Wood). I had the Huevos Mexicana - the chile de arbol salsa that came with
it was amazing.  They are open for dinner too.

http://home.lafondadelgusto.com/brunch