How Could Chicago's Aldermanic System NOT Be Corrupt?!

Posted by Elizabeth Fama

I got a giant flyer in the mail yesterday, from my incumbent alderman. Unfolding it, I see a map and a list of her accomplishments since 1999. Under the column "New & Reinvested Businesses" there are the names of some new-ish ventures (Open Produce, Jimmy Johns, Z&H) and some old ones (Walgreens, Hyde Park Animal Clinic). It led me to wonder, exactly what does an alderman do to help businesses get started or "reinvested" in his or her ward in Chicago?

The answer, as far as I can tell, is "not obstruct." Apparently, if you're starting a business, there are approximately a million hurdles that the City puts you through: forms to fill out, zoning approvals (let alone variances) to obtain, licenses to purchase, and inspections to survive. Then, at the very end, the alderman puts his or her John Hancock on a final form that basically says it's OK with the alderman that you're opening this business. Without it — no matter how well you hurdled up until that point — your business can't open.

I'm not an expert, so local entrepreneurs should feel free to correct me, but it sounds like the alderman has point blank veto power over every business in the ward that wants to open, to remodel, to "reinvest," or to install an outdoor sidewalk patio.That means every business is afraid of him or her. Every business feels like a campaign contribution is probably a good idea, even if it hasn't received direct pressure to do so. Why is this one signature necessary, with all those City hurdles? Do all cities do this?

How could this not end in corruption?

Once Upon a Time in Chicago Politics

Illustration: Michael Robertson, Samba for Rats.

Once upon a time on the South Side of Chicago a brave woman dared to challenge the longtime incumbent for her position as Grand High Exalted Mystic Alderman. The Challenger was diligent and hard working in her preparations for the race: she gathered more than 600 petition signatures when only 181 were necessary; she defended each and every signature in grueling, arbitrary Board of Election hearings; she turned in her petitions on time and won the lottery for first position on the ballot; she responded to the questionnaires of the local newspapers; she met with merchants and constituents in every part of her ward; she launched a compelling campaign website.

And then the time came to open her campaign office. A friend and supporter who ran a shop on 71st and Jeffery Boulevard offered to share her storefront with the brave Challenger for no fee, as a campaign contribution. The Challenger's campaign office had its grand opening on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

But the Grand High Exalted Mystic Incumbent was displeased. Her own campaign office was mere blocks away on 71st Street (and incidentally located in "Suite 2B" of the same address as her ward office, perhaps unnecessarily raising eyebrows about her compliance with section 9-25.1 of the Illinois Election Code, which forbids using ward resources for campaign purposes, but I digress). The Incumbent fumed: who was this Challenger to take the top spot on the ballot? Who was this Challenger to dare to open her campaign office so close to the Incumbent Castle?

Within forty-eight hours, the unsuspecting landlord of the Storekeeper received a phone call from the Grand High Exalted Mystic Ward Office: have your tenant evict the Challenger, or the dreaded Building Inspectors will be out to check the property, to verify whether its new use as both a retail space and office space conforms with zoning restrictions, and maybe to pillage and burn it if they were in a truly foul temper.

The Challenger, to spare her friend the Storekeeper any worries or heartache, and knowing there are some Good Ol' Boy tactics that you can't beat, packed up her office and moved, but did not give up.

The End. 

5th Ward Candidate Debate

LEARN ABOUT THE 5th WARD CANDIDATES FOR ALDERMAN

What: Candidate Forum, 5th Ward Aldermanic race
When: this Thursday, January 20, at 6:30 PM
Where: the Don Nash Center, 1833 East 71st Street

This event is organized by South Side Neighbors. It will be in a debate format. All of the candidates have been invited.

Candidates:
Anne Marie Miles
Leslie A Hairston
Michele Tankersley
Carol Hightower Chalmers
Glen Ross.

PRESS RELEASE

Anne Marie Miles Opens Fifth Ward Campaign Office at 71^st & Jeffery on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Candidate calls for empty lots to be used for urban farming and attention to abandoned buildings

CHICAGO – January 13, 2011 – Anne Marie Miles, aldermanic candidate for the Fifth ward announced today the opening of her campaign office on Monday January 17, 2011, Martin Luther King Jr., Day from 3 pm until 6 pm. The campaign HQ will be located at 1955 E. 71^st Street, near the corner of Jeffery Boulevard across from Bryn Mawr Metra station. General campaign office hours will be from 9:00am until 7:00pm Monday to Friday.

Miles will be inviting constituents, business owners and the media to the campaign offices starting next week. “We needed to be in the heart of the Fifth ward community,” stated Miles. “There is no doubt that constituent services, abandoned buildings and empty lots are a major problem in this vicinity, we must have our fingers on the pulse of the community.”

“It is evident that constituents are not happy,” noted Miles. “The Fifth Ward no longer represents the independent vibrant community it once was for so many years. Consistency is required regarding constituent services, and we must find ways to turn empty lots into useful spaces, such as urban farming, as well as working with local police to fight crime. Gangs cannot be allowed to be a permanent fixture on the streets, disturbing businesses and putting fear in citizens.”

Miles noted that the priority of the Fifth Ward must be economic revitalization, with an alderman who is willing to confront the difficult issues that are affecting the ward, and one who is able to provide a productive plan for economic development, encouragement for children to graduate from high school, and facilitating more community program development.

Miles became committed to run for Fifth Ward aldermanic race, after she learned that vital ward funds were being used to pay for free parking spaces for people who live in co-ops and condos along the lake; while the city saw the highest youth unemployment rates in years.

Anne Marie Miles is an advocate, community activist and a loyal, passionate Fifth Ward supporter. She is involved with parent associations and local community groups focused on improving children’s lives and reducing teen violence. Miles is the former Secretary and President of the University of Chicago Comer Hospital Service Committee, and has worked for Chicago Volunteer Legal Services providing free legal services to lower income residents. She is currently on the steering committee of Safe Youth Chicago of the Union League Club of Chicago.

Herald's Chicken: Herald off to brilliant start in "Rumsy" Campaign

posted by chicago pop

Ahh, just like old times. Based on this headline, we're looking forward to another 7 months of campaign coverage: