Dunning or Belmont Heights?

"Explore Chicago" (www.explorechicago.org) is the Chicago Office of Tourism's program to promote Chicago neighborhoods as destinations for visitors. Once again, the neighborhood map in the new fold-out paper brochure identifies Dunning as Belmont Heights. Yet, on the cover of the very same brochure there's a list of neighborhoods where Dunning is listed and Belmont Heights is not. This is a very colorful and appealing brochure. The inconsistency isn't a major drawback but it contributes to confusion about Dunning. It's no surprise that many Chicagoans know nothing about Dunning when even the city isn't consistent in references to it in promotional literature.

36th (Our) Ward Now Without Representation

Now that Ald. Banks has retired (the only fanfare being the canceled, chauffeur-sponsored benefit dinner in Rosemont brouhaha) our ward now has no representation in the City Council. The recent vote for Chicago's Olympic bid would have been yet another total rubber-stamp victory for Mayor Daley except that there was no alderman from the 36th to make it a unanimous 50-0 vote!

Graffiti at Addison and Osceola

What appears to be gang graffiti on the garage on the northwest corner of Addison St. and Osceola Ave.

Same garage wall.

Another angle.

The 36th After Banks

First off, this blog wishes Alderman Banks well on his retirement and in his next endeavors. He has been alderman of the 36th Ward for 26 years. We thank him for facilitating the building of the new library branch on the Dever school grounds. If the new building is anything like the Oriole branch or even the Austin-Irving branch it will be a boon to the neighborhood.

Here's a suggestion for our next Alderperson. Dunning/Belmont Heights needs a strollable business district, like Lake Street in Oak Park or Northwest Highway in Edison Park. This would dramatically improve the appeal of the community, not to mention the local economy. How can this be achieved? By adding some public art works like a sculpture or a fountain. An off-street public parking lot that's not associated with a particular strip mall or store. What might be some candidate areas? Harlem or Belmont Avenues are two that come to mind.

The 36th Ward's budget expediture has been one of the lowest in the city. Our next alderperson should spend a little more on public works to enhance the community.

Forest Preserve Drive Getting Repaved

Forest Preserve Drive is getting resurfaced. Something to consider: adding a raised parkway with trees would greatly enhance the beauty of the north edge of Belmont Heights. It would also help cut down on the speeders that make that street unsafe to cross.

Wry Dunning History on Gapers Block

Read this funny and well researched article about Dunning and its history on Gapers Block.

Alderman Banks' Budget Available

The Chicago Tribune has posted aldermanic expenses for every ward. Check out the budget for the 36th at http://councilexpenses.apps.chicagotribune.com/ward/36/. Relatively speaking, Alderman Banks has been very fiscally restrained. (See, I can say something positive about our Alderman.) However, one wonders if spending a little more would result in some neighborhood improvements. Like attractive architectural pylons or "Welcome" signs at entrances to the neighborhood on main arteries.

Banks' Driver Our New Alderman?

Did you know our esteemed alderman, William J.P. Banks, has his own driver? Or rather had, now that Banks is retiring. (BTW, Did we pay for that?) Well, it appears this personal driver, one John Rice, has garnered enough exposure to aldermanic insight to become our new alderman! Banks has nominated him to be his replacement after his retirement. Until the next aldermanic election, I hope. I suppose you can learn a lot about the 36th ward while driving to and from City Hall. Well, golly gee, that makes me feel optimistic for the future of the ward.

The Tribune and CBS2 report that Rice is feting banks at a Rosemont restaurant on August 28th. (What, Pollo Ranchero, Caponies or Luke's on Harlem not good enough?) If you do go to Banks' retirement bash (do try to sneak in without coughing up the $200 donation) please be sure to post what you see here. It should be very enlightening.

Chicago Nursing Homes Failing for African Americans

An excellent story in the Chicago Reporter on the sorry state of nursing home care for African Americans in our city. You can read it at http://www.chicagoreporter.com/index.php/c/Cover_Stories/d/Lower_Standards. Here's a suggestion for President Obama: make quality care, aggressively enforced, for the elderly, the infirm, and the mentally ill a significant goal for health care reform.

Banks to Step Down this Summer

According to CBS2 News, Alderman Banks has announced he will step down from his 26-year position as alderman of the 36th ward this summer. Twenty-six years!?! Yeesh. Who's next?

Circuit Judge John Fleming

Surprise of surprises: a rogue Chicago cop gets a slap on the wrist by an ever so compliant judge. This time, the cop is the world-infamous Schorsch Village resident Anthony Abbate and the judge is John Flemming. Remember the name of that judge come election time.

We Ain't Ready For Reform

Our latest laughable attempt at reform in the New York Times. Read it and weep...or laugh...or whatever!!