Rogers Park beach tree

Rogers Park

www.rogersparkchicago.wordpress.com

rogersparkchicago.wordpress.com

www.rogersparkchicago.wordpress.com

IT DIDN’T HAPPEN, BUT IT COULD HAVE, JOE…

…INSTEAD, WE HAVE JOE’S HOLE!

Yes, Joe Moore, if you had backed Bill Morton and the Citizens for the Adelphi Theater (nfp), the corner of Clark and Estes could have looked BETTER, and not like this.

New York has less aldermen than Chicago, yet seems to accomplish MORE. This theater, the Beacon, was refurbished in a mere 7 months!

THIS is how a community, a neighborhood, a ward, WORKS, Joe, you dunce!

Seven months! That’s all it took to renovate the Beacon Theater in Manhattan! And, some bucks, which you want ONLY in your pocket!

You wouldn’t BACK Bill Morton, and the Citizens for the Adelphi Theater, back in the day!

You would not stand with him to secure some of the HISTORY OF THE 49th WARD!

JUST GO EAT RAISINS (MOUSE DROPPINGS) WITH YOUR FRIENDS KATY AND MICHAEL, AT THE HEARTLAND!

THAT’S WHERE YOU BELONG! WITH THE RODENT DROPPINGS!

IN 2004…ON SEPTEMBER 28…

…a man named Brian took these photos of the ADELPHI THEATER.

Peeling paint? Did THAT make the building ‘Architecturally Insignificant’, JOE?

This was the time when my friend, BILL MORTON, was making a brave attempt to SAVE the Adelphi Theater, via his not-for-profit CITIZENS FOR THE ADELPHI THEATER.

Ald. Joe Moore CRUSHED Bill Morton’s efforts to save a part of the 49th Ward’s HISTORY.

Bill Morton, then the President of the NFP CITIZENS FOR THE ADELPHI THEATER, was NEVER INFORMED that the building would be ‘destroyed’ on 20JAN2006!

Seems like just ANOTHER of Joe Moore’s MIS-TAKES!!

Joe Moore: Your judgment is pretty sucky, and your ‘transparency’ is pretty OPAQUE!

UH-OH!

I don’t know who “Carmen” is, but I wish she would contact me.

She left a seemingly ‘incriminating’ post on The Broken Heart of Rogers Park back on the 3rd of March.

It is now the 21st. Amen. PLEASE tell us more.

Carmen said… Recently new to the neighborhood, i was in the Alderman’s office and i overheard a lady ask for a check for NYE for “the heartland cafe”… it seems to fit the scenario, not sure if the Heartland is mentioned in the line items, didn’t have time to check. 12:44 PM

Katy (Kathleen) Hogan and Michael James (his real name?) will have to offer some proof of this ’support’, wouldn’t you think, folks?

CLOWNS TO THE LEFT OF ME…

JOKERS TO THE RIGHT …

DO I HAVE TO BE…

…stuck in the middle with YOU? Pleeee-ase? Pleeee-ase?

INSTANT KARMA’S GONNA GET YOU…JOE!

For those of you who may have been disappointed by Carol Marin’s 6-month investigative report, ONE HOLE OF A MESS, please take a look at what ABC Channel 7’s Chuck Goudie has turned up!

I-Team Report: Unaccounted
Where does some of that tax money go and why is it unaccounted?

Wednesday, March 18, 2009
10:37 PM

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/iteam&id=6717515

What happens when Chicago aldermen get their hands on generous expense accounts? And why isn’t anyone watching?

The economy may be in the tank but Chicago aldermen are now flush with spending money.

Their expense allotment more than doubled last year.

Each of the fifty members of Chicago’s City Council now receives $73,280 a year for expenses.

The I-Team took a look at where.

Chicago overlooks part of the largest fresh water body in the world which provides drinking water for millions of us.

But according to city expense records obtained by the I-Team, Lake Michigan water isn’t good enough for most Chicago alderman. They pay thousands of dollars a year from their city expense accounts to have bottled water delivered to their ward offices.

Among them is South Side alderman, Anthony Beale ,who also paid more than $16,000 in tax money last year to a public relations firm that helps prepare ward newsletters sent out a few times a year, screens press calls, and sets up media interviews such as ours.

Goudie: “Nobody else in the city council has a public relations agency handling their calls from the media.

Ald. Anthony Beale, 9th Ward: “I do know that the mayor has a very large media staff, um, and ya know, we’re basically the mayor of a small ward.”

City council rules allow the $73,000 (+) in expense money to be spent on anything that aldermen consider “ordinary and necessary.”

In some cases, purchases and payments are first made by the aldermen themselves or their election campaigns, meaning that the city many times reimburses alderman personally or their political organizations.

“There always should be a separation between the candidate’s election campaign and whatever governing body that they’re representing. That just seems like good common sense and good government practice,” said Patrick Rehkamp, Better Government Association.

According to state campaign records obtained by the Better Government Association, North Side alderman Mary Ann Smith’s political fund was reimbursed by the city for tens of thousands of dollars in expenses last year alone.

“You look at it and you think, well why did we do it this way? Well, we did it this way just because we always have,” said Ald. Mary Ann Smith, 48th Ward.

“Seems like bad record keeping to be paying for things out of your re-election campaign and then have the city reimburse you for it,” said Rehkamp.

“Well, believe me, I’ll never do it again. I would say I’m making good use of this money. And I wouldn’t want it taken away from me,” said Smith.

The city council has always policed itself when it comes to expense spending. That would change under several proposed ordinances introduced at Wednesday’s city council meeting, aimed at allowing the city inspector general to directly investigate aldermanic activities. (RIIIGHT!–GG)

This is the point at which I want you to PAY ATTENTION!

“The public outrage and anger is so palpable now,” said Ald. Joe Moore, 49th Ward (who oversees approximately 2 square miles in return for a salary of $110,556+ per year!).

One from North Side alderman Joe Moore; the other from North Side alderman Patrick O’Connor.

“The inspector general would be appointed through a process that’s collaborative between the mayor’s office and the city council…It would address concerns over who would actually be the steering or the guiding force behind the inspector general’s office,” said Ald. Patrick O’Connor, 40th Ward.

“All of us who try to do our job honestly should invite the scrutiny of the inspector general,” said Moore. (Another untruth!–He’s pretty much running scared for the last six months and has not taken new contributions from real estate developers–a CYA in my estimate!)

Moore 49th Ward

December 2008
Ward 49
2008 12 December
12/02/08
COVAD COMMUNICATIONS
523.06

Ward 49
2008 12 December
12/02/08
OFFICE DEPOT CREDIT PLAN
778.21

Ward 49
2008 12 December
12/02/08
STATE FARM INSURANCE CO
84.24

Ward 49
2008 12 December
12/30/08
NO VENDOR CLAIMED
$34,500.82

Ward 49
2008 12 December
12/31/08
NO VENDOR CLAIMED
$525.64

Ward 49
2008 12 December
12/31/08
INTERFUND-GRAPHICS
50.00

Ward 49
2008 12
Monthly Total

$36,461.97

Such oversight and accountability might have prevented this from getting through last year: several hundred thousand dollars of expenses attributed to two dozen alderman without any description, the vendor name completely blank. All of them were filed in late December in what appeared to be a mysterious year-end rush for reimbursement, some for as much as $35,000.

When the I-Team contacted the aldermen responsible for these baffling one-time expenses, several were dumbfounded.

Late on Wednesday, the city finance department told the I-Team the blank entries were the result of “housekeeping” and “administrative adjustments” to cover new aldermanic staffers who were mistakenly being paid from the wrong budget – nothing sinister. (RIIIGHT!–GG)

“Nobody gets a check made out to nobody from the comptroller. We’re a little bit beyond that at this point in this time,” said O’Connor.

Alderman O’Connor was harking back to that famous Chicago political tale of a ward committeeman who spotted a new face in the office. The committeeman asked him, “Who sent you kid?” The young man replied, “Nobody sent me.” To which the politician said, “We don’t want nobody that nobody sent.”

For a bit more of Chuck Goudie’s opinions, click:

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=279190

*********

Grammar Gal asks:

Joe Moore: Who were the vendors on those two payments made on 30DEC and 31 DEC2008?

Joe Moore: TRANSPARENCY? I call BS on that!

Joe Moore: Your D-2s are public record. Do you think WE are stupid? I see the patterns.

Hat Tip: Hugh and Toni at www.howardwatchers.blogspot.com

BEFORE the community meetings …

BEFORE the community meetings,

BEFORE the bribery,

BEFORE the rezoning,

BEFORE the demolition of the Adelphi Theater,

BEFORE the property went into foreclosure,

BEFORE the Adelphi Theater became a dangerous unsecure hole with a 20 foot drop.

Read more here

Never Get Over It – Rogers Park in 1,000 Words

The ‘Broken Heart’ of Rogers Park: Rev. Marilyn Pagan-Banks Defends "Pay-to-Play" in the 49th Ward

The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park: Rev. Marilyn Pagan-Banks Defends "Pay-to-Play" in the 49th Ward

One Hole Of A Mess

North Howard Neighbors Association: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!

ONE HOLE OF A MESS! TONIGHT AT 10!

Where once stood the Adelphi Theater, at the corner of Clark Street and Estes Avenue in Rogers Park, is now a DANGEROUS HOLE, thanks to a number of very GREEDY people.

Watch the inimitable Carol Marin’s Investigative Report “ONE HOLE OF A MESS” TONIGHT AT 10 pm ON NBC5, Chicago.

Newspaper Ad Courtesy: Craig Gernhardt, “The Broken Heart of Rogers Park” Blog

One Hole of A Mess

Don’t miss: “One Hole of A Mess” in the 49th Ward!

An investigative report by Carol Marin,
NBC, Channel 5,

Wednesday, March 18th at 10 P.M..

North Howard Neighbors Association: MUST VIEW

Public Health Issue

Dear Bill Morton,

I’m a college student, and I’m writing a paper (not to be published) about the Rogers Park community and the recent health violations at the Heartland Cafe. I’ve read your blog, but I was wondering if you could tell me a little about your organization and who it represents in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Why have you written blog entries criticizing the the owners of Heartland Cafe? Do political disagreements between liberals and conservatives play out in the neighborhood in ways other than the controversy over the cafe? Is there a presence of conservatives in Roger Park? What are your group’s feelings toward Alderman Moore and the city government?

I would appreciate any information you can give me on these topics. If you would prefer to communicate by telephone, let me know and I will send you my number.

Thank you,
Ruthie

Ruthie,

I am a part of the Rogers Park community and I feel that recognizing and solving our problems is more productive than ignoring them.

I didn’t write the posts about Health Violations at the Heartland Cafe. Those posts in particular were written by Grammar Gal.

Had I written about the unsanitary condition of the Heartland Cafe, I would have addressed the owners by stating:

“The owners of the Heartland Cafe should have ALWAYS had the Heartland Cafe in sanitary condition. This is a public health issue that is inexcusable. I am sure that many, if not most of their customers will have the common sense to not eat at the Heartland Cafe after this addition to their long record of Violations.”

Getting sick after dining in or having food delivered is not on my To-Do List.

- Bill Morton
Rogers Park in 1,000 Words
http://www.rp1000.blogspot.com/

24TH DISTRICT OUTDOOR ROLL CALL

The new commander of the 24th Chicago Police District, David Sobczyk, issued an ‘Outdoor Roll Call’ for his officers early last evening at the intersection of Greenview and Fargo Avenues in Rogers Park.

Squads began arriving before 7:00 PM, and shortly thereafter, the officers assembled on Greenview.

This was the block where a shooting occurred not long ago, and it is just around the corner from the spot where Isiah Stroud, aka Freaky Nu Nu was murdered last December 20th under the Jarvis Avenue stop of the Red Line just across from the office of Ald. Joe Moore, 49th Ward.

It is also just a short block west of Ald. Joe Moore’s official 49th Ward residence. Neighbors who were not aware of the Outdoor Roll Call stuck around. Those of us like Bill Morton, Toni Duncan, and myself, were intrigued.

Commander Sobczyk took the time to speak to many of the Rogers Park residents before leading us on a walk through the neighborhood.

While walking east on Fargo Avenue, we of course passed the Ald.’s newly-painted official Rogers Park residence (a somewhat sickly shade of pea soup green, perfect for the Alder-Joker!). As usual, the lights were on, but NO ONE SEEMED TO BE HOME. A comment was made that perhaps Joe had ‘city’ painters do the work.

There was a Building Permit posted in a front window. Is it possible Joe might be thinking of selling? And who would he list with–his buddy Rich Aronson of Camelot Realty?

Quite frankly, the Ald. SHOULD HAVE BEEN WALKING WITH US, but I guess he didn’t consider this particular occasion ‘important enough’ (meaning there was NO MONEY IN IT FOR HIM!).

We followed Commander Sobczyk down to Sheridan Road, where we crossed Fargo and headed north to Birchwood Avenue. As you see, Bill Morton ‘just had to’ get into the picture! Nice profile, Bill!

We only encountered NO CRIME on our walk because we were ‘escorted’ by an unmarked squad.

We proceeded to follow the commander north on Sheridan, west on Birchwood to Paulina, back over to Fargo and east to our original starting intersection of Greenview and Fargo. During the walk, I had the pleasure of speaking at length with Mayra Gomez, who has put in twenty-one years on the CPD.

Mayra told me of a new CPD Program, PARENT ASSISTANCE, set up to help parents of troubled teens. She and I will discuss this more next week, and I shall keep you informed of its progress. It is a program most definitely needed in Rogers Park and many other areas of the City of Chicago.

After we arrived back at our starting position, Commander Sobczyk spent a while speaking, again with some of the residents. He thanked us for taking the time to come out and show our support for the Chicago Police Department and CAPS.

He seems truly interested in the public’s safety, as is evident in the new Howard Street Initiative. I strongly urge you all to support him and his officers.

And, thank YOU, Commander Sobczyk, for showing you care about Rogers Park and the 49th Ward. Continued police presence and residents who care WILL make a difference in Rogers Park!

Too bad the Ald. JUST COULDN’T FIND THE TIME!

I THINK I HAVE THE ANSWER, HEARTLAND CAFE!

But first, this piece of mouse droppings from The Urban Coaster:

Hope for the Heartland

http://theurbancoaster.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=218%3Ahope-for-the-heartland&catid=66%3Acommunity&Itemid=50&lang=en

On March 12, the Heartland Cafe’s license was suspended by a City of Chicago health inspector and its doors were temporarily closed. Owners Katy Hogan and Michael James have decided to use the city’s action as an opportunity to make repairs ordinarily not possible during normal operations, such as resurfacing floors and cleaning large refrigeration equipment.

Why are they doing that? Fumigate the place, pick up and discard the dead mice–and START! CLEANING! YOUR! BUTTS! OFF! The chances of you losing at least 75% of your clientele are huge right now. No matter what you do, the WORD IS OUT–you run a scurvy joint!

Assisted by the Heartland staff and many volunteers, work is proceeding rapidly. James and Hogan, who have run the Heartland Cafe for 32 years, hope to reopen as soon as possible.

And don’t forget to scrub the ceilings, too! Cockroaches like it where it’s WARM!

Michael James expressed a little frustration with City of Chicago inspectors taking the drastic action of shutting down his restaurant. He said that had they simply given him a week to make repairs, as has generally been their policy with restaurants in the past, he would have seen to it that the violations were corrected.

So, Michael James, are you a foodie-terrorist? Do you want people HOSPITALIZED for eating at Heartland Cafe? Do you welcome lawsuits, as your “Pal Joey” welcomes investigation?

In spite of that, James expressed concern that his establishment had clearly fallen short of what he called “our own standards” to find themselves in the predicament to begin with. Heartland’s location in an older Rogers Park building alongside the El tracks (???) presents special challenges, and James said he has always taken pride in flourishing in the Rogers Park community.

I think it’s obvious your only standard, Michael James, is MAKING MONEY BY PEDDLING INFERIOR GOODS! Alongside the EL tracks? What does that have to do with slimy, black mold; rodent (rats and mice) droppings; warm shredded chicken)?????

The Heartland employs 50 people who serve the community organic food with a side of social activism at the corner of Glenwood and Lunt. In already difficult economic times the closure means the loss of a paycheck and the hardships that go along with that missing income for many of those workers.

I bet you provide health/life insurance and other amenities for your workers, don’t you? What is your TIP STRUCTURE? And are your workers SO USED TO FILTH that they couldn’t possibly work in another restaurant without they, themselves, ‘cleaning up’?

For the tightly knit community of Rogers Park, the affect of the loss of business from the locked doors is certain to ripple through many lives. To neighbors it also means the temporary loss of an iconic establishment.

Tightly-knit? As in the incident of alleged mob-action and multiple shots being fired at Howard and Paulina this afternoon, as reported by the Broken Heart of Rogers Park?

The Heartland has contributed much to the community over the years. It is a place that uniquely reflects the diverse and idiosyncratic neighborhood in which it has been anchored for over three decades. It’s also where Rogers Park goes not just for food and entertainment, but to reconnect with each other and have a lively conversation.

‘Rogers Park’ does not GO to Heartland Cafe. Rogers Park is a neighborhood in Chicago, and many cannot afford the high prices for tainted food and food-crusted dishware.

The community can give a little back to Michael, Katy and the whole Heartland family. First, by remaining patient as the necessary repairs are made. Second, by coming out this weekend to enjoy the music and fun at The Red Line Tap and No Exit Cafe, which remain open.

How can that be? I understand the Heartland and Red Line Tap are connected by a ‘food pass-through’?

And lastly, by continuing to support the Heartland Cafe once it reopens. Several passersby on Saturday said they feel strongly that Rogers Park needs the Heartland.

What Rogers Park needs is a WORKING ALDERMAN who EARNS his $110,556 per year PLUS!

And, STOP calling it REPAIRS, when it is widely known the Heartland owners are REQUIRED BY LAW to do a massive clean-up and sanitizing of their restaurant if they EVER WANT TO OPEN again!

Whomever this inane writer is, remember, SALMONELLA or E COLI can be in YOUR next meal!

Especially now, it needs Rogers Park.

Oh, before I forget, just WHERE were the bright green signs today? I didn’t see them when I was at the corner of Lunt and Glenwood?

*********

Grammar Gal adds:

I think I found a pretty good reason for the inspection and closing of the Heartland Cafe.

Katy and Michael: It seems very likely that your pal, Joe, may have looked you up in his D-2 Contributions List.

Might this be the Heartland Cafe Heart of the Problem?

Illinois State Board of Elections

Hogan, Kathleen 1125 W. Farwell
Chicago, IL 60626
$60.00 1/12/2006
Individual Contribution Citizens for Joe Moore

Hogan, Kathleen 1125 W. Farwell
Chicago, IL 60626
$100.00 4/6/2006
Individual Contribution Citizens for Joe Moore

Heartland Cafe 7000 N Glenwood
Chicago, IL 60626
$200.00 8/13/2002
Individual Contribution Citizens for Shiller (?)

Heartland Cafe 7000 N. Glenwood
Chicago, IL 60626
$200.00 7/12/2005
Individual Contribution Democratic Party of the 49th Ward

Naughty, naughty, children! You haven’t contributed to Citizens for Joe Moore for ALMOST THREE YEARS!

Sure, you’ve hosted meetings and such for him, but, UNLESS YOU SLID HIM $$$ UNDER THE RADAR, he could be your biggest RAT yet!

Just sayin’!

BOO-HOO! POOR KATY & MICHAEL! CAFE DOWN!

After reading the following Sun-Times article, and being a constant reader of ‘the Broken Heart of Rogers Park’ blog, I thought perhaps I would make no comment on the closing of the Heartland Cafe.

But, hey folks, it just got to me, so I feel compelled to add my two cents worth!

I have never eaten there, because I was informed (when I moved here two years ago) by another Rogers Parker that the Heartland’s kitchen was not kept very clean. I suffer from a compromised immune system, and really don’t need any more health-related grief!

What makes me write is the attitude of owners Michael James and Katy Hogan. Read for yourself.

City shuts down Heartland Cafe

Owners of Rogers Park landmark hope to reopen soon

March 14, 2009
BY LEEANN MATON
Chicago Sun-Times/lmaton@suntimes.com

http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/food/1476453,CST-NWS-heartland14.article

The Heartland Cafe prides itself on providing “good, wholesome food for the mind and body” , but public health officials shut the eatery down over concerns it could make people sick.

(Room temperature shredded chicken? Sorry, Katy, NOT good for mind or body!)

The popular Rogers Park spot for food and entertainment was closed Thursday after a Public Health Department inspection found three “critical” violations.

(Not just one small infraction, but THREE critical violations! After 32 years, don’t you two know how to run a safe, clean kitchen?)

Inspectors found signs of rodent infestation, said department spokesman Tim Hadac.

(How many of those mouse droppings got mixed into the muffins, posing as raisins, or currants?)

He said inspectors also found contamination in an ice machine, “black, slimy mold that was dripping into the water that makes the ice.”

(Did you two never think that an ice machine has to be cleaned, regularly? And WHEN WAS the last time you cleaned it?)

He called the restaurant’s storage of food the “most serious” of the violations. Twenty-four pounds of shredded chicken, chopped vegetables and tofu in a refrigerator measured between 5 and 24 degrees warmer than the acceptable temperature of 40 degrees.

(EYEEEWWWW! And I’m sure your kitchen workers are ‘quite fastidious’ about washing their hands frequently, aren’t they?)

“That’s the formula for food-borne illness,” Hadac said.

A 311 call from a diner who felt ill after eating a meal of tofu, sauteed vegetables and spicy sauce prompted the inspection.

Owners Katy Hogan and Michael James said they are eager to correct the problems, but they saw the city shutting them down as “a dramatic step”.

(This is where they start the “Katy & Michael Whining Sideshow”, folks–kind of like their pal, Ald. Joe Moore, when he doesn’t get his way!)

“After making it through the hardest January and the hardest February of our business lives and they’re going to cut us off. … It feels like a slap in the face,” said Hogan, who said the restaurant has never before been shut down in its 32 years.

(A slap in the face? No, Katy, it’s a $500 FINE for each violation. You’ve BROKEN THE LAW! Joe’s Pay-to-Play can’t get you out of this fix!)

She said the restaurant’s own pest control expert (?) had given them passing marks the week before, and that the food in question could have warmed from the refrigerator door being left open.

(And WHY would any refrigerator door be left OPEN? It’s a cooling machine, and only operates as such when the door is closed!)

Hogan and James, along with 30 employees, stayed late into the night Thursday to clean, but they didn’t pass a Friday reinspection.

(I’d say it’s been such a filthy place for so long, it was impossible to clean it in just ONE night! What don’t you two understand about REGULAR CLEANING, SANITATION, AND MAINTENANCE?)

“You could go to 95 percent of the restaurants in the city and they could find all kinds of stuff,” said James.

(Michael: that is why restaurants are routinely inspected and are closed down when FOOD IS IMPROPERLY STORED, THERE IS EVIDENCE OF RODENT DROPPINGS, AND THE ICE MACHINES ARE FILLED WITH SLIME AND BLACK MOLD!)

“But why they would choose to close you down in these times when you’ve clearly made a sincere effort is beyond me.”

(Obviously, because MORE EFFORT ON YOUR PART IS REQUIRED! Are you both DAFT?)

James and Hogan hope to re-open the Heartland Cafe on Monday or Tuesday, but they canceled performers for this weekend’s music gigs and relocated their Saturday radio show that normally broadcasts from the restaurant.

“We, I’m sure, will endure through friendship and community support,” James said.

“And sheer stubbornness,” Hogan added.

*********

Grammar Gal asks:

Will Katy Hogan and Michael James ever learn to keep their Heartland Cafe CLEAN from now on? Time will tell, won’t it? Because these two don’t get it!

They are whiners, playing the victims.

Instead, they should FUMIGATE the whole place, THEN clean, after throwing out ALL the food!

But, seeing as they’ve been operating SOLELY (apparently) on the basis of MAKING MONEY, rather than care about their diners, they deserve EVERY fine they get!

I especially appreciated a comment to the Sun-times article:

ziobob wrote:

Maybe they should have spent the hard months of January and February doing heavy cleaning of the kitchen and storage areas.

The public should have zero tolerence for sanitation violations in eateries.

Those who eat out daily get food borne illnesses at least a couple times a year.

Being in good health it only manifests itself as a bout of the runs, but for those who have comprimised immune systems it can be fatal.

Resturant owners clean up your acts.

BOZO IS BACK! "WE ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW!"

Ald. Joe “Foie Gras” Moore (Depraved Dummocrat, 49th Ward) is back–welcoming investigation by Chicago’s Inspector General, David Hoffman, whom we all hope will bring the City Council down on its knees, pleading for mercy!

*********

Scandals prompt several aldermen to push for investigations

Some seek to end ban on inspector general probes of council members

By Dan Mihalopoulos Tribune reporter
March 10, 2009

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-council-ig10mar10,0,1702842.story

Courtesy: Ald. Joe Moore AND my own Photoshop whimsical expertise

Several aldermen will announce an effort Tuesday to expand the power of City Hall’s inspector general, calling for the removal of a long-standing ban on internal investigations of aldermen.

The measure also seeks to guarantee a much bigger budget for the inspector general and set up an independent panel to pick three finalists the mayor would be required to choose from for the job.

Ald. Joe Moore (49th) and several colleagues will hold a news conference Tuesday to push for the changes because of recent scandals.

“If there was a time for an ordinance like this, now is the time,” Moore said. “People are upset. We need to assure them that we are not above the law.”

The inspector general’s office was created in 1990, shortly after Richard Daley became mayor. But Daley allies on the City Council weakened the office’s power by demanding it not be allowed to probe alleged corruption by aldermen.

Moore said he is aware that many fellow council members remain opposed to lifting that restriction.

David Hoffman, whose four-year term as inspector general ends in September, declined to comment. Daley said last month he thinks Hoffman has done a good job and would be allowed to continue in the post if he wishes to remain.

Ald. Patrick O’Connor (40th) also recently introduced legislation to allow the inspector general to investigate aldermen.

O’Connor suggested the inspector general answer to an oversight panel formed by aldermen and mayoral appointees.

dmihalopoulos@tribune.com

*********

Grammar Gal says:

Since there was nothing printed online about this in neither the Chicago Tribune nor the Chicago Sun-Times, the press conference must have been determined ‘un-newsworthy’ by the editors.

Obviously, Joe, you’ve been upstaged by “Michelle’s arms” and a change in “American Idol”!

You are merely, ONCE AGAIN, jumping on a bandwagon to COVER YOUR ASTERISK!

But, Joe, you cannot do that, as your D-2s are PUBLIC RECORD, and we can match up the campaign contributions of the past with your LOST ZONING CHANGES!

PAY-TO-PLAY? Admit to it and take your lumps!

You and your ‘colleagues‘ are NOTHING but CLOWNS, in the ‘great circus’ we call CHICAGO!

Rogers Park Biz Arts Meeting Wednesday 7:30am

Quest Network Services will be hosting the Rogers Park BizArts breakfast on March 11th, 2009. This event will highlight the renovation of Quest’s 1920’s style Parlor and the unique services of this local Rogers Park business. “We look forward to meeting members of our community and networking with other professionals in Rogers Park” states Kristofer Luck, owner of Quest Network Services. The breakfast networking event is $6 and will begin at 7:30am.

Quest Network Services
7301 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL. 60626
Phone: 773 761-3555
Website: www.QuestPCs.com

Quest Network Services Biography
Quest Network Services was established as an electronic Bulletin Board System on May 19th, 1994, by Kristofer Luck. Quest Network Services offered computer sales in a storefront located at 5543 N. Broadway Avenue in 1999, then computer sales, computer repair and computer networking in a storefront located at 4811 N. Ashland in 2000. In July of 2001, Quest Network Services established business in Rogers Park at 7301 N. Sheridan Road, where the business currently is located. Ever since the move to Rogers Park, Quest has been a part of the community, offering computer support, computer repair, computer networking, and computer sales. Rogers Park residents and businesses alike have also utilized Quest’s “Virtual Office”, (copy, fax, internet, and computer rental service), for everything from homework, art projects, legal issues, and business start-up.

Over the past few years, Quest has been expanding to include audio recording, video editing, web design, and gaming tournaments. The recent physical expansion of the storefront to include the Parlor Room added the ability to host free movie nights, a private meeting space, and community events.

Quest Network Services is Rogers Park’s local computer shop and internet café.

Community Meeting Reminder

COMMUNITY MEETING WITH 24th DISTRICT

POLICE COMMANDER David Sobczyk

Monday, March 9th @ 7:00 p.m.
Loyola Park Fieldhouse,
2nd Floor, 1230 W. Greenleaf.

Commander Sobczyk will discuss his strategy for enhancing the safety of our neighborhood, answer questions and hear community concerns.

Source: North Howard Neighbors Association: COMMUNITY MEETING NOTICE–REMINDER!

HOW THE ALDER-JOKER SPENT YOUR TAX $$$

Charge it to my account once more

by Mick Dumke at 8:01 p.m.
Clout City
February 26, 2009

These are tough times, but last summer aldermen successfully fought off the idea of cuts to their expense allowances—accounts worth $73,280 that they can spend on “ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of an alderman’s official duties,” as the budget ordinance puts it. Before 2008, aldermen were receiving $33,280, a figure that most said was just too low to cover even basic needs like rent, utilities, and office supplies.

Read the rest at:

http://blogs.chicagoreader.com/politics/

And how did this creature spend your money?

Joe Moore’s 2008 Expense Report

Ward 49 2008 2
February 02/07/08
OFFICE DEPOT CREDIT PLAN
6,052.39

Ward 49 2008 2
February 02/28/08
JARVIS PLAZA
4,728.00

Ward 49 2008 2
Monthly Total $10,780.39

Ward 49 2008 3
March 03/06/08
COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO
212.49

Ward 49 2008 3
March 03/06/08
COVAD COMMUNICATIONS
1,029.77

Ward 49 2008 3
March 03/06/08
PEOPLES GAS LIGHT & COKE CO
911.50

Ward 49 2008 3
March 03/06/08
STATE FARM INSURANCE CO
72.99

Ward 49 2008 3
March 03/13/08
-6,052.39

Ward 49 2008 3
Monthly Total -$3,825.64

Ward 49 2008 4
April 04/22/08
COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO
410.24

Ward 49 2008 4
April 04/22/08
COVAD COMMUNICATIONS
1,031.07

Ward 49 2008 4
April 04/22/08
ELIZABETH VANDERCOOK
10.30

Ward 49 2008 4
April 04/22/08
JARVIS PLAZA
4,728.00

Ward 49 2008 4
April 04/22/08
OFFICE DEPOT CREDIT PLAN
638.66

Ward 49 2008 4
April 04/22/08
PEOPLES GAS LIGHT & COKE CO
532.10

Ward 49 2008 4
Monthly Total $7,350.37

Ward 49 2008 5
May 05/06/08
NEWSWEB CORP
2,098.00

Ward 49 2008 5
May 05/13/08
AT & T 09
65.38

Ward 49 2008 5
May 05/13/08
COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO
194.81

Ward 49 2008 5
May 05/13/08
OFFICE DEPOT CREDIT PLAN
373.73

Ward 49 2008 5
May 05/14/08
STATE FARM INSURANCE CO
80.70

Ward 49 2008 5
Monthly Total $2,812.62

Ward 49 2008 6
June 06/24/08
AT & T 09
61.58

Ward 49 2008 6
June 06/24/08
COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO
190.16

Ward 49 2008 6
June 06/24/08
COVAD COMMUNICATIONS
1,029.86

Ward 49 2008 6
June 06/24/08
JARVIS PLAZA
4,728.00

Ward 49 2008 6
June 06/24/08
PEOPLES GAS LIGHT & COKE CO
492.15

Ward 49 2008 6
Monthly Total $6,501.75

Ward 49 2008 7
July 07/09/08
OFFICE DEPOT CREDIT PLAN
109.91

Ward 49 2008 7
July 07/14/08
-2,098.00

Ward 49 2008 7
July 07/17/08
INTERFUND-GRAPHICS
50.00

Ward 49 2008 7
Monthly Total -$1,938.09

Ward 49 2008 8
August 08/12/08
INTERFUND-GRAPHICS
75.00

Ward 49 2008 8
August 08/19/08
AT & T 09
124.02

Ward 49 2008 8
August 08/19/08
CHICAGO TRIBUNE 02
119.60

Ward 49 2008 8
August 08/19/08
COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO
595.65

Ward 49 2008 8
August 08/19/08
COVAD COMMUNICATIONS
1,034.48

Ward 49 2008 8
August 08/19/08
ELIZABETH VANDERCOOK
285.12

Ward 49 2008 8
August 08/19/08
GARVEY’S OFFICE PRODUCTS
318.87

Ward 49 2008 8
August 08/19/08
STATE FARM INSURANCE CO
84.24

Ward 49 2008 8
August 08/19/08
TAYLOR BUSINESS EQUIPMENT CO.
255.00

Ward 49 2008 8
Monthly Total $2,891.98

Ward 49 2008 9
September 09/03/08
INTERFUND-GRAPHICS
25.00

Ward 49 2008 9
Monthly Total $25.00

Ward 49 2008 10
October 10/02/08
COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO
289.92

Ward 49 2008 10
October 10/02/08
COVAD COMMUNICATIONS
519.46

Ward 49 2008 10
October 10/02/08
OFFICE DEPOT CREDIT PLAN
707.02

Ward 49 2008 10
October 10/02/08
PEOPLES GAS LIGHT & COKE CO
91.63

Ward 49 2008 10
October 10/24/08
AT & T 09
121.68

Ward 49 2008 10
October 10/24/08
JARVIS PLAZA
4,728.00

Ward 49 2008 10
October 10/24/08
PEOPLES GAS LIGHT & COKE CO
36.20

Ward 49 2008 10
Monthly Total $6,493.91

Ward 49 2008 12
December 12/02/08
COVAD COMMUNICATIONS
523.06

Ward 49 2008 12
December 12/02/08
OFFICE DEPOT CREDIT PLAN
778.21

Ward 49 2008 12
December 12/02/08
STATE FARM INSURANCE CO
84.24

Ward 49 2008 12
December 12/30/08
34,500.82

Ward 49 2008 12
December 12/31/08
525.64

Ward 49 2008 12
December 12/31/08
INTERFUND-GRAPHICS
50.00

Ward 49 2008 12
Monthly Total $36,461.97

Ward 49
Total For All Months $67,554.26

Where is the transparency?

Where is the accountability? (Note the December 30th payment of $34,500.82–to whom? For what?)

Where is this Alder-Joker’s sense of responsibility?

And what happened to the remaining $5,725.74?

A fine example of alder-MANIC spending, isn’t it!

Special thanks to Mick Dumke (Clout City) of the Chicago Reader for providing a link to the Excel file: 2008 expense report. You can see the entire report by clicking on the Reader link above.