Democratic Party - 49th Ward

Early Voting For Chicago Voters

EARLY VOTING IS OPEN!    VOTE DEMOCRATIC!

The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners has announced 21 early voting sites for the November 7, 2006Primary Election.   

Illinois has an “early voting” program that allows voters to cast ballots during an 18-day period prior to the election. The early voting program will run from October 16 through November 2.  In Chicago, early voting hours are 9 am to 5pm daily, and from 9 am to Noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Unlike absentee voting, no excuse or reason is needed to vote early.

The Chicago Election Board will be utilizing touchscreen voting units for the early voting program. As a result, city voters can cast their ballots at any of the 21 sites. The touchscreen voting units will contain all ballot styles for the entire city, and will provide the voter with the proper ballot style and candidates for his or her address.   

Every voting site will be equipped with ten touchscreen units.

The Chicago Election Board is utilizing only government buildings for the early voting program. Only sites accessible to people with disabilities are being utilized.

The Board has attempted to scatter the “early voting” sites geographically throughout the city. The 21 sites are being staffed by temporary employees of the Board of Election Commissioners.

At the end of each voting day, the results cartridges from every touchscreen voting unit will be placed under lock and key. The touchscreen units cannot be operated without the results cartridge.

At the beginning of each voting day, the public counter that reflects the votes cast will be checked to ensure that no votes have been tampered with or added to the results cartridge. Neal said that votes cast during the early voting program will not be counted until after the close of the polls on election night.

By law, early voters must produce government issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license, state I.D. card, passport, etc.

The only stipulation for early voters is that they cannot cancel their ballots and vote in the polling place on Election Day.

Chicagoans can now vote early, but no, you can’t vote often.

The 21 Chicago early voting sites are:

Main Office of the Chicago Board of Elections
69 W. Washington, Lower Level

    * Engine 26 10 N. Leavitt Av
    * King Community Ctr 4314 S. Cottage Grove Av
    * 3rd District Police 7040 S. Cottage Grove Av
    *  Olive Harvey College 10001 S. Woodlawn Av
    * South Chgo Learning Ctr 3055 E. 92 St
    * McKinley Park 2210 W. Pershing Rd
    *  West LawnPark 4233 W. 65 St
    *  ArcherHeights Library 5055 S. Archer Av
    * 6th District Police 7808 S. Halsted St.
    * 22nd District Police 1900 W. Monterey Av
    *  Piotrowski Park 4247 W. 31 St
    * West Side Learning Ctr  4624 W. Madison St
    *  Amundsen Park 6200 W. Bloomingdale Av
    *  Mozart Park 2036 N. Avers St
    *  Pulaski Park 1419 W. Blackhawk St
    *  Wright College 4300 N Narragansett Av
    *  North Park Village Admn Bldg. 5801 N. Pulaski Rd
    *  Norwood Park 5801 N. Natoma Av
    *  Wells Park 2333 W. Sunnyside Av
    * Warren Park 6601 N. Western Av (Closest to 49th Ward)

Democratic Party Sample Ballots Are Availabe if You Would Like One.

Have more questions?  Please Call: 49th Ward   (773) 973-4949 or
Chicago Board of Elections (312) 269-7900.

Two Big Events: Jr. Comes to the 49th Ward - 49th Ward Dems Host Fundraiser

Special Guest Jesse Jackson Jr. at This Month's Political Meeting

Are you "Another Tax Payer for Jr." as the signs beginning to pop up across the city say?  Are you thinking that it might be time for a new mayor?  Just want to hear one man's opinion about politics today?

This Monday, October 16, 2006 Jesse Jackson Jr. will speak at our Democratic Party Monthly meeting.  Jackson has been laying strong hints that he is going to run for mayor next year.  This is an opportunity to hear his thoughts about the city, state, national and international issues.  The event is being held at the No Exit Cafe on 6970 N. Glenwood with refreshments being served at 6:15 PM and the meeting being held at 7:15.  We are expecting a large crowd.  There is no cost, but active members and those who call with RSVP's will get priority to the event those wishing to attend exceed the space the room permits.  RSVP to (773) 973-4949.

Democratic Party of the 49th Ward Fundraiser

On Tuesday, October 17, 2006 the Democratic Party of the 49th Ward will be hosting its pre-election fundraiser at the Heartland Cafe, 7000 N. Glenwood, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.  Tickets are available at the door for $125.00.  If you need a discount ticket please call us or email us at (773) 973-4949 and we will be happy to help make it affordable for you.

We're looking forward to seeing you a lot next week.  Make plans to see us!

Blagojevich Getting It Done!

Rod Blagojevich has been making the kind of changes we had been anticipating for 30 years of Republican governors.  With his 2002 victory we realized what life could be like with a Democrat leading the state government.  We as Democrats had very high hopes for the Blagojevich administration and he has delivered.  He has taken up the cause of many of the concerns we all had including health care, minimum wage, stem cell research, passing GLBT legislation to protect against discrimination, expanding pre-school programs, and funding for the vast array of social services and human rights programs that make the quality of life in Illinois better.

Topinka, our current state treasurer, on the other hand has not demonstrated anything in her tenure that would make for a reason to vote for her.  She has worked hard to try to take advantage of Blagojevich missteps and potential problems but that is a campaign to not vote for Blagojevich.  She has failed to give anyone a reason to vote for her.

When the polls close on Tuesday, Nov. 7 I believe we will se a huge Blagojevich victory and the government of Illinois will continue to be lead by Democrats.  The question then becomes what to do with that power.

I have at least three issues that I would like to see addressed.  We all need to be very concerned about the general finances of the state. When Blagojevich came in he faced a five billion dollar deficit.  He has managed to move things forward, but at what cost?  It seems to me that rather than address the issues today, we have decided to delay those decisions into the future.  The governor needs to develop a plan to address the long-term financial situation.  No new taxes makes that even more difficult, but whatever the options are we need a plan that will protect the programs we have long waited for and keeps the state in sound financial shape.

While he is addressing the financial future a second problem that must be addressed is the funding of education.  Without the 7% tax cap and with property values significantly up the burden of property taxes is growing heavy on most citizens of Illinois.  A plan to change the way schools are funded that decreases the reliance on property tax is necessary.

Finally, a third item that needs to be on the Governors agenda is tax increment financing reforms.  TIF's can and have played a valuable role in development of some areas that may not have seen development otherwise.  That does not mean that TIF's are appropriate for every area that wants development.  Some should have the assistance, but most should be able to develop without it.  The revenues also need to be better understood and utilized so that their is appropriate and transparent use of the funds.

I believe that there are other things that need to be addressed and new issues will arise.  I know that there will be some issue we just will not all agree upon, but I also have no doubt that we will all be better off with Blagojevich as our governor.

Go Democrats!

Todd Stroger Turns It On!

 As the election draws near, the campaign of Todd Stroger has grown into something we can all support.  The social issues are only the tip of the iceberg, but they do bear repeating.  Only Todd Stroger is pro-choice, pro-GLBT and in favor of gun control.  His position on reforming the Office of the Inspector General is a very strong stance on changing the culture at the county.  While there may be a need for the FBI and the US Attorney in some cases, the long-term solution is to cure the problem from within.  This initiative will provide a long-term solution.  Stroger has also stepped up and delivered a plan to restore the publics confidence, and more importantly the children’s welfare, at the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center.  A solid plan that goes even farther than President Steele has gone in her bold moves to improve the quality of the facility.

Stroger has also been busy picking up endorsements.  Personal PAC the strongest pro-choice committee in Chicago supports Stroger.  The Chicago Federation of Labor supports Stroger for President because of his record of supporting working people.  The Independent Voters of Illinois - Independent Precinct Organization, the longest and best-known progressive and independent organization in the city, has endorsed and support Todd Stroger.  Stroger also pledged to be a full-time County Board President, and given the tremendous challenges ahead of the County I cannot see how anyone could hope to get the job done any other way.

Locally, many of our most thoughtful and respected office holders have endorsed Stroger.  Those people include:  Cong. Jan Schakowsky, Comm. Larry Suffredin, and Comm. Mike Quigley not only three former Claypool supporters, but also his campaign manager.

The tide seemed to turn at a September 25, 2006 debate where Stroger stepped up his game and took his issues hard to his opponent.  The election is drawing near.  Our Democratic candidate is hitting his stride and reminding us who we are, what we stand for and what we believe in. 

Go Democrats!

Brown In The Race for Mayor

The mayoral race is on the way and this city election season has the promise to be something much more significant than any mayoral race has been since 1989.  With Dorothy Brown in the race already Mayor Daley is guaranteed a stronger race than he has seen in many years.  If Jesse Jackson, Jr., Luis Gutierrez and some have said Mike Quigley get into the race it could be a fascinating election season.

Dorothy Brown represents a different kind of politician.  She is not someone who spent years working her way to the top of someone else’s organization.  She is a self-made woman who has proven she is a person of integrity, strong character and has proven skills in leadership and management of a large public office.  In some ways that makes her more qualified than the other challengers.  Running an organization that has well over 30,000 employees is a huge undertaking.  Experience in managing a large organization will be one of her strengths as she campaigns for mayor.

As a Ward Committeeman I am very encouraged to see that there is the very good possibility that we will have some choices for mayor that will present various styles and viewpoints about where our city should be going.  Now lets see who else enters into this race.  There is only 10 weekends to go to collect the petitions.

Tribune Decides What Council Shouldn't Address

A very slanted editorial appeared today in the Chicago Tribune blasting Joe Moore for his work on the “Big Box” minimum wage ordinance and the “Foie Gras” ban.  In the article it ignores the fact that both of these ordinances passed the city council, not only with a majority, but also with a significant majority of the members voting in favor.  These are not ordinances that are unpopular with the body. Even after heavy lobbying, bashing the ordinance for weeks, and vetoing the “Big Box”, it still enjoys the support of a significant majority of the Alderman.  Of note is the fact that of the three Daley was able to switch over to uphold his veto, two are H.D.O. owned and operated Aldermen and the third is increasingly looking like she has some serious moral and ethics issues.

But even if you feel that the two Moore ordinances are insignificant, misguided, and/or inappropriate for a local city council to consider, ask yourself this:  Who is it that is really driving the foie gras to be a day to day story?  Here are the facts.  A quick search of the Sun-Times website shows that since September 7 the Sun-Times has printed 9 stories about foie gras.  I can tell you that Joe Moore has initiated two press conferences on the issue during the entire life of this issue, once for the initial vote and once when it became clear that it was going to be considered for repeal by Ald. Natarus and Ald. Stone.  What is fascinating is the number of times the paper who finds this issue so incredibly inappropriate has done a story related to this issue.  The number of time the Chicago Tribune has written something about Foie Gras during this same period of less than a month is 33.  It was reported on WBEZ’s 848 program that on the day the ban went into effect that the Chicago Tribune covered the story that day with 6 reporters.  That sounds like a major news story, not something insignificant.  I think it is clear that the Tribune is using this issue and “big box” to drive its own agenda forward.

Ask yourself this, “What right does the Tribune have to decide what is an appropriate for the City Council?”  Where is their objectivity?  There is none, and that is my point.  Because it is an editorial it doesn’t require objectivity.  But as a reader you should know that it is opinion, an opinion that is not any more important or significant than your own. You should understand that they do have an agenda and it has been much the same agenda for a very long time.  It is a pro-establishment, pro-big business, pro-Republican/Bush, pro-big guy, and a pro-conservative agenda.  The 49th Ward is none of those things and neither is most of the city.  If you are not Republican, if you’re not conservative, if you live in the city rather than the suburbs, if you are a progressive, a Democrat, a liberal, pro-worker and pro-union person you should be looking elsewhere for leadership and opinion on these issues.

There are some problems that need to be addressed in the ward. Many issues have already been addressed and resolved, but even when those few items mentioned in the editorial are resolved, there will be others to replace them. The ward will never be perfect so there will always be another issue in front of any Alderman. Ward issues are being addressed. That doesn’t mean that nothing beyond the boundaries of the Ward should ever be addressed. That is simply what the Chicago Tribune would like. That doesn’t make it true nor does it make the way things should be done.

Do you care about these issues?  Do you think they should never be discussed at the city council?  I have to agree with you who have said that the Tribune is being a bully using its big stick to try and force public opinion in its direction.  There are several issues they are championing. Let's see how it works out when we, not the editorial board members have the final say.