October 19, 2021 via Zoom

Board members present: Maureen Martino, Heather Way Kitzes, Michael Zink, Jean O’Neill, Tom Rothschild, Patrick Nagle, Brandon Cunningham, Tim Lindsay, Gregory Ratcliff,

Board members absent: Kit Welch, Terie Kata, Brian Murphy, Marty Wallace, Mark Usiak and Patrick Carlson

At 6:02 pm, President Michael Zink called the meeting to order.

Report from IL 5^th District Staff: Yoni Pizer

Congressman Quigley and other members of the Chicago area delegation held a field hearing regarding the USPS. Service from the USPS has been on the decline and Congressman Quigley and others feel it is time for the Postmaster General to resign. This hearing gave constituents a chance to voice their opinion.

The new congressional map based on 2020 Census date is still being considered. From Pizer: The Congressman is confident East Lake View will remain in the IL 5^th.

Rep. David Price (DC-NC 4^th) is retiring. This is important because he is the chairman of the THUD Appropriations subcommittee to which Congressman Quigley is the vice-chair. This retirement could lead to the subcommittee chairmanship for Congressman Quigley.

Report from the 46^th Ward: Alderman James Cappleman

Repaving of inner LSD to beginning. The 46^th Ward gained population and will therefore likely shrink in geographic size.

Hearing have been held for the 2022 city budget and now awaiting full City Council vote.

He reminds everyone to register for Smart 911.

His longtime chief of staff, Tressa Feher, has moved on to a new role in the private sector. ELVN thanks her for her service.

Report from the 44^th Ward: Calvin Cottrell and Alderman Tom Tunney:

On Monday, October 25^th at 6 pm, CPD 19 will host a community conversation/strategic planning session which is open to all community members. Information can be found at 44thward.org.

Kelly Park on Grace Street is slated to receive state funding for improvement. The park’s community led PAC will be applying for those funds via a grant (although the money has been committed via State Senator Feigenholtz and State Representative Croke).

Northalsted Business Alliance will be hosting their annual Halloween Parade this year after a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Information is available at 44thward.org.

Resident Linda Cohn had questions for Alderman Tunney regarding Redefine the Drive project. Specifically, in regard to scope, timeline and budget/financing. She asks if residents will “actually have a say” in the design concepts before they are finalized. Alderman Tunney assures her there is still time for input and nothing is finalized yet. He does not have timeline and process specifics.

Michael Zink adjourns the meeting at 6:30 to a closed board session.

Directors Roll Call

• Mike Zink, President
• Patrick Nagle, Vice President
• Brian Murphy, Secretary
• Tom Rothschild
• Heather Way Kitzes
• Terie Kata
• Kit Welch
• Jean O’Neill
• Maureen Martino
• Patrick Carlson
• Tim Lindsey
• Mark Usiak

Reports-Elected Officials

46th Ward Update James Cappleman

• Menu funds will be used to install license plate readers on main through streets in the 46^th
• Budget talks are ongoing
• Daily parking passes may be able to be purchased in similar to the way parking is paid for through the park Chicago app. This may be a few years down the line.
• Smiley Brother Brew Pub opened this week
• Dakin and Sheridan intersection bump outs will be installed at some point in the near future. Once the CDOT study has been done they have to take action. If an Alderperson tries to go against the findings of a study like this it is a big problem for the city legal department.

44th Ward Update

• Security cameras and license plate readers have been added to inner lake shore drive to help curb and track car jackers.
• Redefine the drive project is still in planning process and there is still a lot of work to be done with the community. Nothing is moving forward without a lot more community input.
• Engine 78 is closed and is supposed to be reopened in October. Floor foundation needs to be replaced.

12^th District State Rep Croke

• New map has moved the 12th district south so that it just touches the south end of East Lakeview.
• Ethics reforms around ComEd are coming.
• Bill to allow civil law suits to be brought against gun dealers, manufacturers and straw buyers.
• Lake Shore drive has been exempted from speed cameras in the original speed camera legislation. This was done to prevent cars suddenly slowing down at the camera and causing accidents.

Congressman Quigley – Yoni Pizer

• Debt ceiling crisis is looming
• House democrats pass the equal act that eliminates sentencing disparity for crack and powder cocaine offenses
• Preventing future pandemics act is included in the national defense authorization act sponsored by Rep Quigley
• FDA is updating blood donation rules

Cubs Update – Heather Way Kitzes

• Race to Wrigley is this Saturday. $5 off for people who live in the neighborhood.
• There will also be a STEM fair at Wrigley Field this Saturday.
• November Northwestern Football game.
• Contact Heather at neighbors@cubs.com

Adjournment

The meeting was called to order by President Mike Zink at 6:00 p.m. Meeting was held over Zoom.

Directors Roll Call

• Mike Zink, President
• Patrick Nagle, Vice President
• Brian Murphy, Secretary
• Maureen Martino
• Tom Rothschild
• Terie Kata
• Gregory Ratcliff
• Heather Way Kitzes
• Jean O’Neill
• Patrick Carlson
• Kit Welch
• Tim Lindsey
• Megan Grochowiak
• Marty Wallace

Reports-Elected Officials

• 46th Ward Update James Cappleman
  • Sheridan L stop, Stop would actually have to move to Irving Park on the north side of the street. This will take minimum 10’s of millions of dollars and federal money is a must for it to happen.
  • CDOT study on Sheridan is complete
  • Semenary shared street is funded and should start this summer
  • Waveland underpass getting cleaned, painted and new lighting will be installed
• 44th Ward Update Calvin Catrel
  • What input about how people feel about the renaming of lake shore drive
  • 19^th District Police are offering free security assessments. Reach out to aldermans office to schedule
  • Block parties and Yard sales applications should be opening up soon, no exact dates yet.
  • Will street closures still be a thing for restaurants? Southport, Broadway and Sheffield will have closures for restaurants
  • Will ward boundries be changing in light of the census? 44 and 46 may shrink as both have had population growth

• Rep Croke – Jessica Lach
  • Please contact office with unemployment issues
  • Crypto currency bill and womens rights bill both passed the senate and looking to pass the house
  • COVID Vaccines distribution going well
  • Create better policy for moms in the state of Illinois
  • Redistricting is coming, our district may actually shrink because our district has grown in population.
  • CPS

• Cubs Update 
  • Neighborhood Grounds Crew Event June 6^th 10am meet at Wilton and Waveland last Sunday in June
  • Vaccination site still up and running at Wrigley around 36,000 people have been vaccinated. Walk ins still available every day.
  • Some Gallagher Way programing is coming, starting slow in June with fitness classes and family oriented events.
• Congressman Quigley – Yoni Pizer
  • 10 community funding projects selected from 100 applications center on haltead youth housing, CPS elementary schools capital improvements, Lincoln Park zoo upgrades, advocate Illinois Mosonic expantion,
  • Upgrade of CTA blue line Irving Park Stop and making all stations accessible
  • Espanssion of 606 trail to Elston avenue 1.5 million
  • Mail delivery issues, USPS is short on staff and mail is not getting delivered
  • Q: Will the Sheridan L stop be getting repaired? A: funding was not granted in this round, but hopefully can get funded in the upcoming infrastructure bill.
• Treasurer’s Report
• Crime Update
  • Carjacking’s-Be aware entering and exiting your car even as incidents have been on the decline.
  • Catalytic converter theft have increased 5 fold over the last few months
• New Business/Old Business
  • Lincoln Park Zoo Rat/Public Health Study-Jacqueline Buckley 
  • Next meeting is June 22, 2021 via Zoom
• Adjournment

12^th District Representative Margaret Croke

• Contact (773) 348-8974
• AIDS Garden grant money is coming through.
• COVID vaccines for CPS teachers will be administered at Wiess Hospital March 24th
• BIG Grants may be coming back for businesses in need.
• May be a good idea to get an IRS pin number if you have been the victim of identity theft with unemployment benefits.

Questions:

What is the state holdup in cannabis laws? Cannabis expansion is getting stalled by the black caucus because of equity issues and this is also causing problems with zoning.

Bridget Gainer

Commissioner Bridget Gainer’s office contact: district10@cookcountyil.gov and (312) 603-4210

5^th Congressional District Update – Yoni Pizer

• Offices are open for phone and Email

Elli.Song@mail.house.gov

• 773-267-5926
• American Rescue Plan will send $1,400 to people making less than 75k per year
• ACA has reopened
• HR1 For the People Act is strengthening voting rights
• Restoring the post office is a top priority.

Questions:

Where will the 2 trillion dollars to pay for the American Rescue Plan? Hoping to reestablish past tax rates to pay for bill. Spending in time of need will more than pay for itself in the future.

46th Ward Update –Alderman James Cappleman

• Sewer collapse repairs continue should be completed by March 22
• North Sheridan & Dakin Traffic Study – No stop sign, but bump out curbs would be appropriate.

Questions:

Is it possible to use a federal arts grant for 10k to be used on an art project under the Irving underpass? Yes, will look into it further, and am all for it.

44th Ward Update – Neighborhood Liaison Calvin Cottrell

• Contact Info – calvin.cottrell@cityofchicago.org or at (773) 525-6034
• Look for information on ward website and get on the ward email list: https://www.44thward.org/
• 3440 N Broadway passed zoning, but still needs to pass final step for a use variance.
• Former Treasure Island grocery store site is pushing traffic down Cornelia. Aldermans office will monitor.

Questions:

Will Broadway pedestrian space on street be available again this year? Yes, on the weekends. Would also like to expand to close more streets for pedestrians.

Cubs Update – Heather Way Kitzes

• April 1^st 1:20 Opening Day.
• Cubs schedule is currently unchanged and is expected to go forward as scheduled
• neighbors@cubs.com
• Fans back at 20% for start of season
• Safety measures in place: timed entries, touchless entry, no cash, Gallagher Way will not be open, designated bathrooms,
• Cubs neighborhood advisory meeting is Thursday at 6pm on zoom.
• Hoping to open mass vaccination site in Cubs building, may open as early as March 25^th
• No Remote parking will be available at the beginning of the season.

New/Old Business:

Brandon Cunningham:

• Green team is looking for recruits.
• Seminary shared street is moving forward.
• Kelly Park Earth Day event April 24^th
• It’s Your Park Day at Kelly Park will be in May.
• Construction plans are next step in Kelly Park renovation.

Sculpture requests are in, top 5 choices have been selected. Please send in location suggestions.

Lakeshore Drive Task force meets on Thrusday.

Oktoberfest Update: Patrick Nagle

• Oktoberfest 2021 is 369 days away

Crime Update – Mike Zink

• Be vigilant when getting in and out of your car, carjacking’s are on the rise in the neighborhood

36636Lakeshore Drive Development- Jack George

• New York building issues have been resolved
• Still some sticking points with the building to the north but a compromise appears to be eminent.
• ELVN Board will vote on approval when issues are resolved with all neighboring buildings.
• For info on this project go to: http://james46.wpengine.com/infrastructure/development/

ELVN Board Election

• Motion to seat slate of candidates by Mike Zink
• Seconded by Gregory Ratcliff
• Slate of Candidates was approved by acclimation

The meeting was called to order by President Mike Zink at 6:00 p.m. Meeting was held over Zoom and in person at 19^th District Community Room.

Directors Roll Call

• Mike Zink, President
• Patrick Nagle, Vice President
• Brian Murphy, Secretary
• Tom Rothschild
• Heather Way Kitzes
• Patrick Carlson
• Tim Lindsey
• Marty Wallace

Reports-Elected Officials

• 46th Ward Update James Cappleman
  • Menu process is starting early this year. 1.5 million allocated
  • Email office with suggestions and needs for funding
  • There will be police pod cameras and license plate readers being installed on lake shore drive to help with the carjacking problems.
  • 2022 budget engagement forum will be at Truman College Thursday 6pm
  • 19^th District will be a test area for mental health responders there will be a forum on August 30^th at the 19^th district
  • City ward remapping is coming soon
  • 640 Irving Park Road Islamic College is not yet ready for zoning committee
  • Questions: What are your thoughts on redistricting? Population loses are on the south and west sides and those are the Alderpersons running the process for redistricting. Personally feel that redistricting should not involve alderperson input.
  • Why can’t Lake Shore Drive have speed cameras? It is a state law, Not sure the exact reasoning, but will find out.
• 44th Ward Update
  • Shred event coming Saturday September 25^th
• Rep Croke
  • Back to Business Plan will have similar grants as the BIG Grant had 25 million allocated to restaurants. There will be grants available to other industries totaling $250 million.
  • Kelly Park has received around $500,000 grant from the state
  • Illinois Credit rating was upgraded in the first time in a long time
  • Changing state districts will move Representative Croke’s district, but district will still include East Lakeview Neighbors.

• Congressman Quigley – Yoni Pizer
  • Infrastructure bill looks like it is going to pass. This will help with Redline extension and replacing lead water pipes throughout the city.
  • Congressman is looking to pass other bills that would create more green jobs and lower prescription drug prices.
  • Question: What is the time frame for making CTA stations ADA compliant? Starting with Blue and Purple Lines now, hoping to do the rest over the next couple years.

• Adjournment. Meeting was cut short by technical difficulties