- 24th Ward Residents and Ald. Michael Chandler Protest Bike Lane Markings on Independence Blvd24th Ward residents became enraged when they woke up Monday, December 10th and realized they had received $150.00 parking tickets. 24thWard Alderman Michael Chandler stated he received a call on Sunday morning the day before from Rev. Steve Spiller of Greater Galilee Baptist Church at 1308 S. Independence and he informed him that there were five crews out putting down the bike lanes. Ald. Chandler contacted the Mayor and the City of Chicago’s Department of Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein about the matter.On Tuesday the 11th, Chandler was told the work would stop until a scheduled meeting the next week on Monday, December 17th. On Wednesday, Chandler got a call that city construction crews were back out working again. He then instructed a member of his staff, Michael Halbert to come out and stop the work, while he was in a city council meeting. The city’s response, said Chandler, “was to try and finish the work before the meeting so the residents could see how it looks.”
CDOT began striping on Independence during the first week of December 10th, the (CDOT) painting designated city streets with newly designed bike lanes. City residents in the 24th Ward, especially along Independence Blvd. between Roosevelt Rd. and Douglas Blvd. were not notified how to use the newly designed lanes and park their cars properly.
At a press conference held on Friday, December 14th, Chandler stated “We support protected bike lanes on our boulevards. But the configuration of the bike lanes here on Independence Blvd. poses an eminent danger to our residents. Children crossing the street have to walk out into oncoming traffic, past parked cars, just to look and see if cars are coming and to judge whether or not it is safe to cross the street.” Mary Gibson, a wheel chair bound resident said, “This is a recipe for disaster.” She has to roll her wheel chair out into oncoming traffic to get into her vehicle and to exit her vehicle. Chandler said, “My constituents clearly feel that this is a safety issue and I agree with them. We do not want to wait until a child or a citizen is ran over and killed before we take action. Therefore, we demand that the current bike lane configuration on Independence be removed and replace it with the same protected bike lane that are on Douglas Blvd.”
Many residents were confused because “north of the Eisenhower Expressway cars can park on the curve and the bike lane is right outside of that,” said Chandler. Starting at Harrison along Independence to Ridgeway the bike lane is switched to next to the curve and cars have to park outside of the bike lane creating the confusion. 24th Ward resident J.C. Grant received a $150. 00 ticket for parking next to the curve. He received his ticket Friday morning around 5:00 am. “I usually park in front of my building so I can look out the window and see my car,” said Mr. Grant. There were no signs stating no parking is allowed along the curve. Mr. Grant was also asked if there had been any notice or community training about the new bike lane configuration. He said no. All tickets that were issued and taken to Alderman Chandler’s office will be given a non-suit by the Department of Revenue, according to Chandler, meaning the city will dismiss the tickets.
During the press conference many residents were given a chance to express their disagreement to the confusing bike lane configuration. Photos of the new bike lane configurations were shown at the press conference that showed them painted next to potholes along the street. A community meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 17th at Greater Galilee Baptist Church at 1308 S. Independence. An audio taping of the press conference can also be heard at the North Lawndale Community News website at www.nlcn.org.
24th ward residents and Alderman Michael D. Chandler standing on the corner of 13th and Independence Blvd. protesting against design of protected bike lanes.
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Continue reading A Distraught Father Is Searching for Answers in the Unexpected Death of His Son.
Mary Ella Moore, known by most as “Gypsy,” was remembered by many whom her life had touched in the 56 years she was blessed to live. In what was labeled as a Spiritual Renaissance of Gypsy, family, friends, community VIPs, and others came to remember a vibrant women who lived by philosophy, quotes, action, and a spirit of love that covered everyone. Gypsy, whose life was impacted by cancer, was most recently known for her creativity with making leather goods and social entrepreneurship teaching youth her leather craft making leather belts and other leather products. Mary Moore also established her retail shop at 3333 W. Arthington Ave for many years making and selling belts, jewelry, and clothing. Continue reading Celebration of Life held for Mary Ella Moore, aka “Gypsy”
Alderman Michael D. Chandler is encouraging 24th Ward residents to take advantage of the Illinois Manufacturing Foundation (IMF) Machinist Training Program. The program is being sponsored by the Illinois Manufacturing Foundation as an initiative to expand training opportunities in the Machinist trade.  Rev. Dale kelley Claire Christian holding award Six people were recognized for making a difference in our community at Claire Christian United Methodist Church 58th Annual Fundraising Banquet. Also Congressman Danny K. Davis, even though he was out of state campaigning for President Barak Obama, was given a special award that night which was received by his representative Dr. Cora Johnson, who spoke wonderfully on his behalf, encouraging people on the importance to vote in the upcoming election. Continue reading United Methodist Church 58th Annual Fundraising Banquet Commentary By: MS. CHEVETTE M. CONLEY
On Tuesday November 6th 2012 we are going to the POLLS again to elect a President, Alderman, Judge, Congressman or Woman etc. Please make sure that you know you Candidate and what they stand for. Know what their plans are for you and this Country. If they are Alderman, Congressman or Congress Woman make sure they are doing whatever they promise they will do, for you, and your neighborhoods. There are many statements on the B. E.T. or (Black Entertainment Television Channel), reminding us why it is imperative for us to get out and vote. They are telling us that our kid’s lives depend on it! (Meaning their Future). Dr. Joseph F. West North Lawndale is heavily burdened by type 2 diabetes. North Lawndale has more than three times the national rate and twice the City rate for type 2 diabetes. When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches and turns it into fuel the body can use. Type 2 diabetes is when the fuel (sugar) cannot be properly used by the body and instead it builds up in the blood. The major risk for developing type 2 diabetes include: having family members with the disease, being obese/ overweight, not being physically active, having unhealthy eating habits, and being over age 45. If poorly treated or managed, a person with type 2 diabetes can lose their sight, have kidney failure, increase risk for heart attack or even lose a limb like a foot. Community factors can also play a role. For example, North Lawndale is considered a “food desert” community. David Schultz, film critic THE SESSIONS (***1/2) This inspirational poignant true story begins from the actual news report footage about a paralyzed college student who survived being contracted with polio as a child; determined to live a normal life on his self propelled, motorized hospital bed. Residing in Berkeley circa 1988, a talented poet and journalist, Mark O’Brien is a physically immobile grown man, living in an iron lung tank who puts his thoughts, humor and experiences into the 1990 article, “On Seeing a Sex Surrogate” that is the basis of this film. In which O’Brien’s one and only functional body part ignites the one natural impulse – to find and be loved and have sex with a woman that he wanted to fulfill at age 38. “The Sessions” chronicles O’Brien‘s brief life and goal that was fulfilled through three women.  Larry Nelson Jr. By Latricia Polk Compiled and reviewed by David Schultz PETE’S DRAGON (*1/2) A rather heavy handled Disney attempt to recapture some “Mary Poppins” magic that only manages to endear itself only through its animated dragon (voiced by the late comic Charlie Callas) in this mixture of live action/animated fantasy musical about an orphanage boy who lives near a lighthouse (with Helen Reddy and Mickey Rooney as surrogate mom and her father) whose only friend – a protective dragon in this 35th anniversary edition that has been trimmed to 88min. from its original 134min. to quicken the muddled moments. G; 88min. Walt Disney Home Video |
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