May 28, 2024 ELVN Meeting Minutes

Posted On August 26, 2024

Meeting called to order at 6:02 p.m.

In attendance

  • Patrick Carlson
  • Tim Lindsay
  • John McCarthy
  • Brian Murphy
  • Patrick Nagle
  • Kit Welch
  • Michael Zink

Reports-Elected Officials

  • 44th Ward Report:
    • Isaac Troncoso was present to give the report.
    • Ald. Lawson voted in favor of keeping ShotSpotter. He also supported the call for the replacement of the head of the CTA.
    • In public safety matters, the Alderman’s office brought court advocates in the first hearing with the defendant who is accused of posting swastikas at the Nettelhorst School. The individual who was accused of battering and assaulting residents was arrested.
    • While ELVN supported the proposed project at 3627-33 N. Sheffield, it strongly opposes the developer’s suggestion to remove the tree in proximity of the current structure. Kit Welch has begun a petition to ensure that the tree remains intact.
    • Ald. Lawson’s year in review is online to outline his accomplishments during his first year as 44th Ward Alderman.
    • Regarding the proposed development at the current Ann Sather building, the developers proposed a new design. The number of residential units was reduced to 200 units from 210. The bottom brick design will look the same as it is now. There will be paneling on
      the side and back of the building to reduce sun glare. They will widen the back alley to
      22 feet.
  • 46th Ward Report:
    • Alderwoman Clay’s office was not present. However, her staff asked Michael Zink to report that there will be a Zoom meeting on June 6th regarding the proposed development at the Holiday Club building at 4006 N. Sheridan. The link will be sent to our community and the meeting will be recorded and made available publicly afterward.
    • Several residents asked for the 46th Ward office to consider several ideas. One was a bumpout at Bradley and Fremont due to heavy and fast traffic through the intersection.
    • Another resident asked for the office to consider a bike lane for Waveland during the new one-way stretch. Michael Zink will pass those ideas to the 46th Ward office.
  • Sen. Feigenholtz:
    • Samantha Biel was present from Sen. Feigenholtz’s office.
    • The budget passed in the Illinois Senate late Sunday. This was the first post-Covid fiscal year without Covid assistance. The Senator secured several million dollars for local schools and parks. Schools including Burley will now get lockers.
    • HB303 was sponsored by Rep. Margaret Croke and called for a moratorium of closing CPS schools until the fully elected school board is in place. Although it passed easily in the House, the Illinois Senate did not call it for a vote due to a public letter written by the Mayor to the Senate President promising that no closings will occur until an elected board in place. Sen. Feigenholtz would have supported the bill and will closely monitor the mayor’s actions to ensure that he does as he indicated in his open letter.
  • CUBS Update:
    • Heather Way Kitzes was not present but asked Michael Zink to report that there will be two consecutive Saturday night events at Wrigley Field. June 1 will be a Cubs game at 6:15 and June 8 will be the Red Stars soccer game at 6:30.
  • Treasurer’s Report:
    • Kit Welch is the new ELVN Treasurer. She will work with Michael Zink to ensure a smooth transition.
  • Public Safety:
    • John McCarthy was present to give a public safety report.
    • The next Beat 1925 Meeting will take place on June 18, 2024 at 6:30 at the Gill Park Fieldhouse, 825 W. Sheridan Road.
    • Vehicular hijackings are down from last year.
    • More serious crimes such as robberies, shootings, and burglaries are way up from the same 30-day period from last year.
    • The Nettelhorst School hate crime defendant pled not guilty. The next hearing will be July 24 at 9:00 via Zoom in Room 208 of the Skokie courthouse.
    • The 19th Police District Council will meet May 29, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at Waters Elementary, 4540 N. Campbell Avenue.
  • New Business:
    • The Pride Parade will be June 30, 2024. It will have fewer marching groups and it will begin at 11:00 a.m. It will also now stage at Broadway and Sheridan.
    • The 2024 ELVN Oktoberfest will be September 15, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. at Murphy’s Bleachers. Please contact Michael Zink if you have any donations that you would like to provide.
    • The annual 19th District Police Appreciation Day has been postponed. If you wish to make a monetary or in-kind donation, please contact Jennifer Dedes at (773) 404-4027. 
    • The next ELVN meeting will be June 17, 2024 at 6:00 at the 19th District police station.

Upon motion that was seconded and passed, the meeting was adjourned at 7:11 p.m.