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Neighbors review Happy Village plans, ask to keep patio wall

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East Village Association membership meeting March 6, 2023, Roots Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave. By Neal McKnight EVA members reviewed plans March 6 for the Happy Village property, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave., and held the association's annual leadership election. Officers elected Members approved the officer slate for the year starting April 1: Christina Slaton, President Bob Zwolinski, VP Alison Coughlin, Treasurer Neal McKnight, Secretary Blue Line Run Club Jacque Pyne Rodriguez presented for the Blue Line Run Club. She discussed rules, times and routes. Prospective members can connect via Facebook or Instagram. Happy Village presentation Owner Jim Masterson, architect Martin Snow of SGW Architecture and Design, and zoning counsel Talar Berberian of Thompson Coburn presented plans and renderings. The group was compiimentary of the proposal and design. Concerns were raised regarding removing the patio wall. The consensus was the wall should remain to protect against noise. Th

Police District 12 council candidates share public safety priorities

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Leo Quintero (from left), William Guerrero and 36th Ward aldermanic candidate David Herrera talk to EVA members after the Roots Pizza West Town meeting. Feb. 28 vote to launch Chicago accountability boards East Village Association membership meeting Feb. 6, 2023 at Roots Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave. Presiding: Stephen Rynkiewicz, director Chicago voters on Feb. 28 will choose citizens to follow through on neighborhood public safety concerns. East Village Association members heard Feb. 6 from three Police District Council candidates who hope to act as a check on West Side police. Down-ballot from mayor and alderman races, six candidates are competing to fill three seats on a board that will meet monthly to "build connections between the police and the community." Atttending the Feb. 6 meeting, John Donatelli, William Guerrero and Leonardo Quintero pledged to report to EVA members and take their concerns to 12th District Commander Beth Giltmier. Donatelli , a Roscoe Villa

Vote early! 1st Ward participatory budgeting

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A snowplow clears the Polish Triangle at Division and Ashland. A participatory budgeting proposal would explore plaza beautification. Here's your chance to spend $1 million on street work. By Marjorie Isaacson It’s time to vote! No, not in that election, the one for mayor and alderman on Feb. 28. For 1st Ward residents, this is an opportunity to spend $1 million in ward infrastructure money. Participatory budgeting is a resident-led vote to identify and fund projects that are important to the community. Ideas are solicited, then a team of volunteer residents reviews them and develops them into proposals, then residents can choose their preferences. Voting is underway now and closes Feb. 5. The highest voted-on projects listed are what the alder will spend the money on, maybe with some adjusting to stay within the $1 million limit. Whether the projects get done will be subject to many things, but straightforward ones will be done&mdassh;if more votes come in for street r

Participatory budgeting returns in 1st Ward

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By Marjorie Isaacson Do you have an idea for an infrastructure improvement in the 1st Ward? Some of your neighbors do, and they are trying to get them funded in next year’s city budget. Here are some of the proposals from the 1st Ward Participatory Budgeting process: Alley repairs along Western and Artesian, north of Wabansia Curbs and sidewalks on the 1300 block of North Moorman Playlot or dog park at 1607-11 W. Chicago There are 76 proposals registered on the Participatory Budgeting website. The time for submitting ideas has been extended, and additional ideas can be added until Oct. 5.

Ald. Villegas gets to know East Village

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36th Ward Ald. Gilbert Villegas meets East Vlllage Association members Sept. 12, 2022 at Roots Pizza. East Village Association membership meeting Sept. 12, 2022, at Roots Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave. Presiding: Dan Johnson, director East Village again is split in Chicago's City Council redistricting. Ald. Gilbert Villegas introduced himself to East Village Association members Sept. 12. In turn, members sounded him out on how he works with community groups on neighborhood issues. The remap pushes Villegas' 36th Ward boundaries east along Grand Avenue from Belmont Cragin into East Village. A West Town satellite office at 2246 W. Chicago Ave. is staffed Tuesday through Thursday. "I ran in 2019 under an acronym that I still use today, which is PEACE—Public Safety, Education Accountability, City Services and Economic Development," Villegas told EVA members before taking questions. "I'm not an alderman that's about defunding the police. I'm an alderma

Chicago Police commanders field questions

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Chicago Police commanders Beth Giltmier and Elizabeth Collazo meet for EVA's July 18 Q&A session at city offices in the Goldblatt's Building, 1615 W. Chicago Ave. Community Chicago Police commanders Beth Giltmier (12th District) and Elizabeth Collazo (14th District) fielded questions from West Town residents July 18. The 14th District is working to secure an additional remote camera to monitor violence and vehicle crime, Collazo said. Blue-light cameras are constantly monitored from a strategic decision center. Last year, Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st Ward) helped secure funding for cameras and license plate readers on Milwaukee Avenue at the Wood and North-Damen intersections. Police are also making more traffic stops, Giltmier said, and squad cars may turn on their blue lights for added visibility. "In government we're always going to be fighting for resources," Giltmier said. "What's your priority for this area? If you're thinking you're
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