Dear Neighbor,
The streets and infrastructure we live, work, travel and play in was paid for with public dollars and  constructed for public use. Just as early American's were able to tie their horses to a rail in front of the general store, the transition to cars brought with it a mentality that free, unlimited parking was a constitutional right. The world's first parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City on July 16, 1935. Unsurprisingly, that first Meter Deal was met with public outrage. People generally believed that government had illegally added a new tax on automobiles, infringed on the free use of the public way and deprived owners of their property without due process. Since that time, there have been numerous legal challenges to the millions of parking meters which are now all over the world. Most drivers have accepted parking meters as a necessary device to collect money in exchange for the right to park in a certain place for a limited amount of time.
 Chicago Alderman once had the legislative ability to add, remove and regulate the hours of parking meters based on changing needs of our commercial districts; but on December 4, 2008 that all changed. Mayor Richard Daley called for a special City Council meeting to introduce a Parking Meter Deal to the Chicago City Council to allow a fund managed by Morgan Stanley AKA Chicago Parking Meters (CPM); to lease public parking spots for 75-years in return for a one-time payment of $1.2 billion. With only two days to review the highly complicated, 521-page meter-privatization deal; the Chicago City Council overwhelmingly approved the underwhelming deal with a 40-5 vote with less than 2-hours of public debate. The only 5 "NO" votes came from Aldermen: Toni Preckwinkle (4th), Leslie Hairston (5th), Billy Ocasio (26th), Scott Waguespack (32nd) and myself (35th).
The purpose of the parking meter on our public streets is supposed to be for parking regulation, not revenue generation. Before the Meter Deal, the City only charged a quarter an hour and generated about $24M in 2008. Today, while the proceeds from parking tickets still go into City of Chicago coffers, recent financial reports show gross parking meter revenue for the private parking meter firm rose from $108 million in 2011; to over $139 million in 2012. A 29 percent increase in only one year.
On Monday April 29th, I was surprised to learn that Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced he was making lemonade from the lemon of a Meter Deal he inherited from Daley. During yesterday's City Council meeting Mayor Emanuel introduced yet another Chicago Parking Meter Deal. Under this plan, the City would settle outstanding financial obligations, add a pay-by-cellphone option and offer Free Sunday Parking subsidized by extending three hours of metered parking downtown and one hour of metered parking in the neighborhoods. While Monday's announcement came across as a "Done Deal" we do have a month to review it.
I appreciate that Mayor Emanuel refused to pay the millions of dollars CPM tried to over-charge us for lost  revenue due to construction, special events or traffic management. We need to settle up with them, but I disagree with comingling Free Sundays or Pay-by-Phone in the same package. We should be able to examine each item separately to ensure the lemonade isn't spiked.
Chicago is years behind other municipalities like DC, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, and Salt Lake City in providing the smartphone payment option. According to a news report today, CPM will rack in another $2M a year with the 35-cent "convenience charge" but you have a choice in avoiding the walk to a far-away meter box. This modernization should happen regardless of any meter deals.
For me, the jury is still out on Free Sundays. I'm not interested in giving CPM an extra nickel or an extra hour because I don't know the value of what I'm trading. Will extended hours of parking cost drivers even more money? I don't think anyone knows yet (except maybe CPM?). While we do have a month to decide, 24 Aldermen have already pledged their support for Free Sundays and the Parking Meter Deal 2.0. I would appreciate your feedback on this historically significant matter since once again you have been left out of the conversation.
Respectfully,
Alderman Rey Colón
City of Chicago, 35th Ward
|
|
City Services and Community Events |
Due to citywide system improvements Aldermanic offices are not able to issue Residential Parking Permit Guest Passes from May 13th to May 17th. You will be able to purchases guest passes at the following two locations:
City Clerk Office
121 N. LaSalle (City Hall)
or
5430 W. Gale St. (Satellite Office)
We apologize for this temporary inconvenience. Please note City Clerk
35th Ward City Sticker Sale will occur on :
May 30, 2013
12:00pm to 6:00pm
35th Ward Office
2710 N. Sawyer
|
 DFSS Spring 2013 SENIOR LIFE ENRICHMENT GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE
The spring issue of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Service's Senior Life Enrichment Guide is now available at our office, at the department's regional and satellite senior centers, libraries and many other locations.
Inside the guide, seniors will find information about health and wellness, educational, recreational and many other types of events, trips, classes and lectures, along with schedules and registration details. Most of these are free or at a nominal cost.
This issue also urges older Chicagoans to "Unleash the Power of Age" --the theme of this year's Older Americans Month. By focusing their efforts and influence, Chicago's nearly 400,000 seniors can greatly enrich their own communities and our entire City.
The contents of the guide are also posted online at www.cityofchicago.org/fss. Further information about DFSS services and programs is available by calling the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at (312) 744-4016. |
|
Free Concert
Saturday May 11th at 11:00am
Honoring Polish Consitution Day!
Liberty Bank
6210 N. Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL
|
|
Volunteering at Chicago Animal Care and Control
If you love animals, we need you!
If you want to spend time working directly with animals, you would be a great Adoption Volunteer.
Lost Pet Volunteers are needed to experience the incredible joy in reuniting a lost pet with its owner.
As an Adoption Screening Volunteer you would educate the public about being a responsible pet owner.
A Customer Service Volunteer would escort the public through the facility, answer phones, update our database, various mailings and assist at special events. (You must be at least 18 years old to volunteer.)
Finally, a Volunteer Veterinarian, must be currently licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Illinois. Interested candidate should be available to work between the hours of 11:00 am to 7:00 p.m.
To become a Volunteer at Animal Care and Control you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Attend Animal Care & Control's New Volunteer Orientation Session.
- Complete the City of Chicago Fingerprint/Background check (instructions will be assigned after attending an orientation session)
- Complete Animal Care & Control's volunteer orientation program (date will be assigned after fingerprint/background check is cleared
- Certify that you have had a tetnus shot in the last five years before volunteering at Animal Care & Control
Interested candidates should fill out Volunteer Application and scan your application to caccvolunteer@cityofchicago.org or fax to (312) 747-1409, to sign up for an orientation session.
You may also pick up an application at Chicago Animal Care & Control's Facility - 2741 S. Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60608 between the hours of 12 p.m (noon) to 7 p.m. |
.
