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Check out our new city services website - www.WARD32.org
For the Latest News, Click on 'NEWS' in the left.
For more information about policy positions, continue reading below OR visit my ward office website at www.ward32.org where we have additional information about budgets, street sweeping, schools and alerts.
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Returning Law and Order to Chicago - Course of Action
June 22, 2010
Chicago has seen an apparent escalation of violence and crime in the city, despite statistics and reports that crime has been on the decrease... (read more in the Issues column to the left) The full version of this policy position is available in PDF.
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Chicago - Ride of Silence
On May19, 2010, Rides of Silence took place all across the United States and the world, including one in Chicago. "Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.
The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than12 mph and remain silent during the ride. There are no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists,police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for those who have been killed or injured.” Rideofsilence.org
Video from the Chicago Ride - thanks to the Chicago Police Bike Patrol
Alderman Gives a Critic of the Mayor a New Vest and New Duties
One thing I work hard on is to get the residents of the ward basic services they deserve. I've hired a former city worker, Frank Coconate, (not using city dollars) to help my staff and I handle basic clean up issues.
by Dan Mihalopoulos, New York Times (Chicago News Cooperative)
They form an odd sight on the once-mean, now-trendy streets of Bucktown and Wicker Park: The bespectacled alderman of a young, affluent ward and his blue-collar aide, popping sewer grates and wielding shovels.
Almost five years after the Daley administration fired Frank Coconate from the Water Management Department for allegedly loafing and lying about it, the unrelenting mayoral critic is again sticking his shaved head into the city's plumbing system and wearing a yellow safety vest. Except the name written on the back of the vest is not Mayor Richard M. Daley, but rather Alderman Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward), who pays Mr. Coconate about $100 a week from campaign funds for part-time help as an "infrastructure consultant." <more>
More photos by Jose More/Chicago News Cooperative (scroll to bottom of this linked page)
Ever wonder why Mayor Daley pulled Chicago out of the USA World Cup 2018/22 bid? A soccer city, a soccer state, and plenty of jobs and economic opportunities, but not good enough for Daley?
Privatizing our Public Water Asset? Is it possible in Chicago?
These and other questions and concerns will be raised at a community forum on water privatization and the effect it has had on cities across the U.S. What could mean for Chicago’s water system, when John Schmidt, an advisor to Mayor Daley proposes continued privatization of Chicago's publicly paid for assets?
The Community Forum is Monday, April 19th, 7 to 9 pm at the Chopin Theater, 1543 West Division, right next to the Blue Line & Ashland, Milwaukee and Division Bus Lines.
The Case for selling off the City's Assets - by Mick Dumke, The Chicago Reader
Now that the funds from that sale are dwindling, Mayor Daley has indicated that all options are onthe table. It is important that citizens be involved to make sure their voice is heard if the city decided
to lease another taxpayer-owned asset like our water system.
Speakers include Alderman Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward, Jon Keesecker, Food and Water
Watch, Phineas Baxandall, U.S. PIRG
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2010 City of Chicago Budget
Why I voted "No" on Mayor Daley's 2010 budget:
Events of this decade have contributed to the most severe financial meltdown since the Great Depression. States and municipalities all across the US are struggling with dwindling revenues and surging demand for public services as more and more of our neighbors lose their jobs and their homes. This severe downturn has unearthed the unfortunate truth that the City of Chicago's finances are in a state of disarray. <continue reading my response to the 2010 budget>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Property Tax Assessments
Property Tax Assessments are made every three years by the Cook County Assessor. Your "Notice of Proposed Valuation" is how your taxes are calculated. Various factors, including increases in area values, damages to property, and local government tax levies set your bill. Most important to me is the need to change the system that no longer works in this city and county.
To learn how to appeal,something you can do every year, go to this info page.
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Parking Meter Transparency? Does it exist? Apparently not. Check out this NY TIMES/CNC story about the new shareholders of Chicago's Parking Meters. I do not have an issue with who they are, just how the city went about misinforming the public. They said it was almost wholly owned by Morgan Stanley, but shortly after the city closed the deal, the shareholders seemed to change from 90%+ Morgan Stanley to roughly 50% MS, 27% Abu Dhabi Investment Agency and 23% Allianz Germany.
The Chicago Reader worked on the front end of the worst deal of the century, and it just doesn't end.
George C. Parker and William McCloundy would be proud of this response from the city to the NY TIMES/CNC story on the meters.
I've introduced an asset lease ordinance that would help prevent these types of failures in the future, when aldermen are up to the task. Thanks to IL-PIRG for their help.
Listen to Scott on Myfoxchicago.com -
You tube excerpt: The Old Way of doing things no longer works.
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Listen to Scott on Gerard McClendon CLTV <here>
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TIF Sunshine Ordinance Passed. View Ordinance <here>. More information is available in the News Archives. The Sunshine Ordinance is just one foot in the door for TIF transparency.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2009 Street Sweeping Schedule <here>. The 2010 Street Sweeping Schedule will be released early next year. We are working on a plan to place permanent street sweeping signs in parts of the ward to replace the temporary color signs but implementation will depend on various factors including funding availability.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Download a copy of "Your 32nd Ward" Newsletter here!
This newsletter is the printed copy we will send via US Mail on an occasional basis.
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Contact the Alderman
For city business, please contact me at info@ward32.org or stop by the ward office.
32nd Ward Office hours:
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Ward Night:
Monday, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., with holiday and special meeting exceptions
32nd Ward Office: City Hall Office:
2657 North Clybourn 121 North LaSalle, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60614 Chicago, IL 60602
Tel: 773-248-1330
Fax: 773-248-1360
We are located directly across the street from the COSTCO on Clybourn.