Category: Business

El Alcalde Rahm Emanuel y el Superintendente Michael P. Kelly, del Distrito de Parques de Chicago celebraron la sección terminada del proyecto de separación del sendero del frente del lago, de la Ave. Fullerton a la Ave. North. Todo el Sendero Frente al Lago de Chicago, de 18 millas, que va desde la Ave. Ardmore en el norte,m a la Calle 71 en el sur, quedará separada para ciclistas y peatones y se espera quede terminada en el 2018. Los fondos iniciales fueron provistos por el Distrito de Parques de Chicago. La terminación del proyecto fue posible gracias a una generosa donación de Ken Griffin, Fundador y Funcionario Ejecutivo en Jefe de Citadel. “Estoy entusiasmado de que otra sección de separación del Sendero Frente al Lago esté terminada”, dijo Ken Griffin. “Este progreso refleja el gran compromiso del Alcalde Emanuel y el Superintendente Kelly de garantizar que todos puedan disfrutar sin peligro su interés por el majestuoso frente del lago”. El proyecto está diseñado para aliviar áreas de congestión, separando el sendero del Frente del Lago en dos distintos caminos. El camino para bicicletas, hecho de asfalto, medirá 12 pies de ancho y estará colocaldo en la parte más cercana a Lake Shore Drive. El camino de los peatones mide 20 pies de ancho, con 14 pies de asfalto y 6 pies de una mezcla de superficie suave a cada lado.

“Estamos en camino de disfrutar 18 millas de caminos separados para ciclistas y corredores”, dijo el CEO y Superintendente del Distrito de Parques de Chicago, Michael P. Kelly. “La terminación del tramo de la Ave. Fullerton a la Ave. North es una maravillosa adición al sistema de parques de Chicago y del frente del Lago y brindará mejores oportunidades de recreo y descanso sin peligro para todos”. Los caminos separados son parte de continuas inversiones para mejorar el acceso al frente del lago en el Sector Norte de la Ciudad. Recientemente, el Alcalde Emanuel y el Superintendente Kelly reabrieron el Teatro del Lago (TOTL) que fue transformado, de un sitio de programación de verano, a un lugar para eventos especiales y actuaciones todo el año. Se mantuvo la historia estética de la estructura de 1920 y los 19,000 pies cuadrados del frente de lago, que ahora incluye un área de actuaciones para teatro y música, un restaurante, dos espacios para eventos privados y un patio exterior. El Sendero del Frente del Lago de Chicago es uno de los lugares más ocupados de Estados Unidos. Utilizado por ciclistas, trotadores y gente que disfruta el paisaje, se calcula que más de 100,000 personas por día usan el sendero los fines de semana de verano, de acuerdo a un reciente estudio de Active Transportation Alliance (ATA).

By: Ashmar Mandou

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today joined the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Chicago Parks District to break ground on construction that continues on the Navy Pier Flyover Project, a 2,200 foot structure that will connect the two halves of Chicago’s Lakefront Trail and help separate pedestrians and bicyclists from cars crossing at Illinois and Grand Street. The project will improve safety and eliminate two major bottlenecks on Chicago’s signature lakefront recreational trail, which is used by thousands of people each day during busy summer weekends.

“We’ve reached a significant milestone in the construction of the Navy Pier Flyover,” Mayor Emanuel said. “The Lakefront Trail is one of Chicago’s jewels, and this investment will create a seamless connection between the north and south sides of the Trail. It will make it safer and easier for everyone to get through the popular area near Navy Pier, whether they are walking, running or biking.”

The most recent project consists of a new 16-foot wide multipurpose bridge from just north of Ogden Slip to the north end of the Chicago River Bridge. The 807 foot segment will run alongside lower Lake Shore Drive and over DuSable Park. This will deliver a usable segment of the Flyover, carrying pedestrians and bicycle riders over Illinois and Grand Streets, when it reaches substantial completion by the end of 2018.

“CDOT is very pleased to be launching work on the second phase of the Navy Pier Flyover project,” CDOT Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld said. “This means that by the end 2018, we expect to achieve the most important safety improvement of the project, which is separating pedestrians and bicyclists from the vehicular traffic that crosses at Illinois and Grand Streets. This will represent a major improvement for everyone who uses the Lakefront Trail through the downtown area.”

The Park District is also in the midst the Lakefront Trail Separation, a major project to designed to alleviate areas of congestion by creating two distinct paths: a bike trail and a separate pedestrian trail for those on foot.

“Chicago lakefront parks and trail are among our city’s most popular destinations,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent & CEO Michael Kelly. “The completion of the Navy Pier Flyover and Lakefront Trail Separation will dramatically minimize congestion, making the experience more enjoyable and safer for everyone.”

Initial funding was provided by the Chicago Park District. Completion of the project was made possible through a donation from Ken Griffin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Citadel. Chicago’s entire 18-mile Lakefront Trail, which runs from Ardmore Avenue on the north to 71st Street on the south, will be separated for cyclists and pedestrian. Completion is expected in 2018.

Additional construction work on the Navy Pier Flyover is expected to begin in spring of 2018, with the Lakefront Trail portion expected to be completed within the first 12 months.

Funding for the project is coming from federal and state sources. In order to get the project completed within existing resources, the construction schedule has been spread over several years.

Congressmen Luis Gutierrez on Saturday endorsed progressive Democrat and community advocate Delia Ramirez to be the next representative of the 4th House District. “Let me put it simply: Delia is rooted and ready,” Rep. Gutierrez said Saturday at Nellie’s Restaurant, a Division Street diner. “As a fellow Humboldt Park resident, I can say she is not merely committed to the district but also is formed by her servant leadership, grounded by her compassion and well-equipped to tackle the challenges that await her in Springfield.” Delia was drafted this spring by residents of the 4th House District to run for the open seat being vacated by path-breaking state Rep. Cynthia Soto, who is retiring. “As a longtime leader in the Latino community, Congressman Gutierrez has been a courageous example by standing up to the nightmare immigration policies of Republicans and Donald Trump and leading in the fight for relief for Puerto Rico. I am humbled by his endorsement and will work hard to earn it,” Delia said, surrounded by supporters. For months her growing organization now with more than 200 volunteers, has actively engaged residents of the diverse Northwest Side district, which combines parts of Hermosa, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, East Village, Ukrainian Village, West Town and Wicker Park.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined Chicago Corporation Counsel Ed Siskel, Illinois Sierra Club Executive Director Jack Darrin, Natural Resources Defense Capital Midwest Deputy Director Karen Hobbs and Environmental Law & Policy Center Executive Director Howard Learner to announce that the City of Chicago will tomorrow send a Notice of Intent (NOI) to sue U.S. Steel for violations of the federal Clean Water Act following the recent discharge of pollutants into Lake Michigan from the corporation’s facility in Portage, Indiana. Under the federal Clean Water Act, sending an NOI is a required first step before a lawsuit can be filed 60 days later.

In addition to providing notice of the City’s intent to file a complaint in federal court under the authority of the Clean Water Act, the NOI explains that, based on monitoring reports and publicly available information, the City has reason to believe that U.S. Steel has repeatedly violated, and will continue to violate sections of the Clean Water Act and its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, in terms of both discharge limits and facility maintenance. Specifically, the letter cites evidence of chromium discharge violations in both April and October of 2017, in which nearly 300 pounds of hexavalent chromium and 56.7 pounds per day of total recoverable chromium, respectively, were discharged into a waterway that flows directly into Lake Michigan.

A diverse group of Chicago’s communications and public affairs firms and professionals announced today they are “All In for Amazon” and launching the “People’s Pitch,” a pro bono working group focused on giving Chicagoans opportunities to show their support for bringing Amazon’s HQ2 to a city that’s second to none. “Chicago is a world-class city where Amazon can hit the ground running on Day One. Our focus is to engage residents from every corner of our city to show their support for bringing Amazon’s HQ2 here because when Chicagoans are all in, anything is possible,” said Desiree Tate, founder and CEO of Tate and Associates, one of the 16 firms leading the People’s Pitch.

Amazon HQ2 is expected to create up to 50,000 jobs in Chicago and tens of thousands more jobs in the region. Additionally, HQ2 is estimated to generate $2.3 billion in construction expenditures, and have an annual average impact of close to $20 billion. “Amazon’s HQ2 is a transformational opportunity that could shape the future of Chicago for decades to come,” said Jahmal Cole, Founder of My Block. My Hood. My City. “Bringing HQ2 to Chicago is an investment in the city’s future – an investment in job creation, neighborhood revitalization and opportunity for future generations. That’s why I’m All In for Amazon.” Chicagoans can declare they are “All in for Amazon” by visiting www.ChicagoIsAllIn.com to add their name to those supporting Chicago’s HQ2 bid. They will join a roster of more than 600 leaders from many of Chicago’s civic, business, technology, faith, arts and culture, and education communities who have already declared they are “All In for Amazon.” For more information on Chicago’s plan for Amazon HQ2 and to declare you are “All in for Amazon,” visit www.ChicagoIsAllIn.com or follow Chicago Is All In on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at: @chicagoisallin.

By: Nancy Marquez

As primary elections are underway this March, Congressman Luis Gutierrez held a press conference on November 20th at the National Museum of Mexican Art to announce his endorsement for Illinois Attorney General Candidate Jesse Ruiz. Ruiz, who is heavily revered for his integrity and commitment to public service, promises to defend against the attacks of Trump towards women, Muslims, immigrants and other groups in this critical time. Self-proclaimed as the people’s lawyer, Ruiz mentions he will address concerning issues like healthcare, the high rise of tax bill, and better protective measures for the environment. Ruiz wants to enforce Latino voters to go to the polls, vote for progressive values and an attorney general who will stand up against Trump’s administration. Also, protect the most cherished values, fairness, freedom and democracy and defends people’s rights as the next Latino Attorney General in the State of Illinois.

“There has never been a time in my years in public office when we needed a chief’s lawyer, people’s lawyer like we need Jesse Ruiz today. He understands, he is proud of his roots, but understands how to build coalition, he has the talent. He has shown it at the Chicago Park District and the Board of Education. How many people leave a lucrative law practice to work for the public, and for third of his salary not many, that is demonstrative for his commitment to the community,” said Congressman Luis Gutierrez who believes Jesse Ruiz, a son of Mexican immigrants, will understands people’s fundamental rights in order to protect and fight for them. “The next time our community is under attack, or anybody that is vulnerable, regardless of their national origin, or their color of their skin, their ethnicity. I know Jesse Ruiz is going to stand up for them. He knows what it is like to be on the other end of that barrel being attacked. I trust him, he is going to be the people’s lawyer,” said Gutierrez.

Jesse Ruiz wants to be on the frontlines of immigrant’s rights to defend against the injustice and vicious attacks from President Trump. “I want to be able to protect their rights about the attacks of the president who doesn’t seem to worry about attacking different groups and started attacking Mexicans since the day he announced his presidency and attacked other groups all the time,” said Ruiz. Ruiz wants to take charge and use that power as the next Latino Attorney General to defend people’s rights. “We have seen that attorney general become the frontline defense against those who have been affected, and so I want to be there in the frontline fighting for the rights of Illinois but also protecting their rights as consumers, protecting their health care, protecting their environment, making sure we have criminal justice reform and open and honest transparent government; so I want to continue that work,” said Ruiz.

With the holiday shopping season around the corner, State Representative Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, is encouraging local residents to celebrate and support locally owned, small businesses on Small Business Saturday this Nov. 25th. “Small, locally owned businesses are the bedrock of our community,” Hernandez said. “So as we approach the holidays, it’s important to keep them in mind when buying holiday gifts for our friends and family. I encourage everyone to support businesses in our neighborhoods so that local dollars remain in our community rather than go to a multinational corporation.” Small Business Saturday was established in 2010 as an annual event to encourage holiday shoppers to patronize small, local businesses. Small Business Saturday follows Black Friday, and calls on residents to support these businesses through the course of their holiday shopping. “Small businesses are what make the economy of our communities grow,” Executive Director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, Jaime di Paulo said. “It is essential to support our community’s small businesses, they employ our neighbors and create wealth in our community.”

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Chicago is on track to reach the goal of 55 million visitors annually at the end of this year – three years early. Chicago has been setting tourism records every year since 2012. Last year, more than 54 million people from all over the world visited the city. To build on that progress, one of the world’s leading food science organizations is making an unprecedented ten-year commitment to hold its annual global meetings in Chicago. Two years ago, Mayor Emanuel set a goal of 55 million visitors annually by 2020. To reach that goal Chicago will need to see approximately 2.3 percent growth. Through the end of the second quarter 2017, visitation is up 3.2 percent. If current trends continue, the 55 million-visitor goal will be eclipsed by the end of next month. Chicago’s visitation success is driven, in part, by the organizations from all over the world that choose to meet here. The Institute of Food Technologists, with members representing more than 95 countries from virtually every discipline related to food science, will begin its ten consecutive years of Chicago meetings in 2020.

Please allow the Cook County Assessor’s Office to address recent inaccurate reports and misconceptions about property assessment in Cook County.

The Civic Consulting Alliance (CCA) is studying the assessment and appeal processes, including Assessor’s Office procedures, assessment models, the Cook County Board Review and other aspects. Assessor Joseph Berrios welcomed the CCA study. The study’s timing has been questioned, and Assessor Berrios criticized for it. However, critics and media have ignored the fact that CCA does not report to the Assessor. He has absolutely no authority over their timetable.

To be clear, the Assessor’s only responsibility is to fully cooperate with the study. He continues to do that and provides study personnel with office space. Assessor Berrios respects the CCA study which, unlike others, includes assessment professionals.

Accomplishments of the Berrios administration are disregarded. For example, it has six straight years of on-time assessments leading to timely tax bills. Previously, bills were late for 34 years.

On-time revenue for schools, etc. eliminates $5 to $6 million countywide in monthly interest on borrowing while awaiting revenue. In the last 13 years before Berrios was elected, 39 late months accumulated. Berrios’ zero late months saved taxpayers many tens of millions of dollars, and counting.

Past assessors left erroneous exemptions unchecked. Assessor Berrios designed the law with which he recovers this would-be lost money and returns it to school districts, communities and municipalities. To date, $47.2 million has been billed.

More than a year ago, Berrios conceived and began to help pass legislation giving lower-income homeowners greater flat-rate, money-saving exemptions. The Berrios-engineered exemption expansion became law in August.

For appeals awareness, CCAO has raised annual community appearances to 238 – and 81 percent are in areas with lower-market homes.

None of these things were acknowledged in recent reports.

When discussing taxes, please keep in mind the important fact that assessors don’t set tax rates. Also, the State Equalizer has gone down dramatically since Joseph Berrios became Assessor, an indication of fair assessments.

The Cook County Assessor’s Office again states, unequivocally, that its estimated property values are fair and accurate. There is no rampant overassessment of lower-market homes or under-valuation of higher ones.

Previous administrations employed the same assessment model we use, and they were not criticized. Berrios is criticized, without regard for his tremendous Assessor’s Office improvements – despite staff cuts of 31 percent. The timing is odd.

Some observers without assessment experience say Cook County should use a recently developed assessment model. In fact, after initial enthusiasm for that new model, we found it did not work when full implementation was attempted.

With 47 years of public service, Joseph Berrios knows assessing Cook County’s 1.85 million properties is difficult. But he gets the job done, works to ensure fairness and to improve the system. Thank you.

Tom Shaer, Deputy Assessor for Communications, Cook County Assessor’s Office

In an effort to stand against Illinois’ “underground economy,” which forces employees to work in unsafe conditions and gives businesses unfair tax and labor advantages, state Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, is supporting a recently introduced measure that would create the Workers’ Protection Unit within the office of the Attorney General and Workers’ Protection Task Force. “The proposed unit within the Illinois Attorney General’s Office will bring historic changes to the way that we view workers’ rights in our state,” said Mah. “The Workers’ Protection Unit will act as a safety net for workers who cannot protect themselves. The Unit will intervene and enforce matters on various worker protection acts enabled in our state.”

Mah is a supporter of Senate Bill 193, which would work to enforce workers’ rights matters through the newest proposed unit within the Attorney General’s office, the Workers’ Protection Unit. This Unit will take on all investigations and uphold current laws found within the Prevailing Wage Act, the Employee Classification Act, the Minimum Wage Law, the Day and Temporary Labor Services Act and the Wage Payment and Collection Act. Senate Bill 193 is currently assigned to the House Rules Committee and awaits action within the legislature. For more information please contact Rep. Mah’s district office at 872-281-5775 or rep.theresamah@gmail.com.