It Ain't All Big Hair and Cadillacs

Property Tax Update

On Friday, February 23, 2007 the Illinois Senate passed Senate Bill 13, for the reenactment of the 7% Property Assessment Cap. The bill has been sent to the House Rules Committee for further consideration. SB 13 - Creates the Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption - Seniors need not reapply for the Senior Homestead Exemption - Increases the Alternative General Homestead Exemption from $20,000 to $60,000.

ECC Spring Fundraiser

Join ECC at the Raven Theater Friday March 23. Discounted tickets to March 15.Support ECC while you experience the latest Raven Theater production, Chekhov’s “The Seagull”. The date is Friday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets include a light dinner of hors d’oeuvres and dessert plus wine and beer. The Seagull, Chekhov’s dark comedic masterpiece depicting the original dysfunctional family, takes jabs at situations which today's audiences can relate to: hating your job, loving someone who doesn't love you back, keeping a family together and wishing you were famous! This will be a terrific evening that includes meeting neighbors and supporting two Edgewater institutions. Tickets are $35 per person if purchased by March 15, $45 afterward.

Please call 773-334-5609 to order tickets. Cash, check and credit card accepted. The Raven is located at 6157 North Clark Street, Chicago.


Transportation

ECC Forms Transportation Committee to Address Red Line Delays Upcoming delays on the CTA redline are likely to have a serious impact on Edgewater’s quality of life due to significantly longer commutes and lots more traffic moving through our neighborhood. The delays are tentatively scheduled to begin on Monday, April 2 and will continue until the Brown Line capacity expansion project is completed in 2009.

During this time, trains serving the Belmont and Fullerton stations will be sharing three tracks instead of four to allow for installation of elevators and expansion of platforms. Initially, the greatest impact will be on the northbound trip. ECC recognizes that current CTA plans to address the situation are inadequate and that we can play an important role in educating, organizing and advocating for Edgewater.

ECC recently formed a Transportation Committee to spearhead our efforts. While we cannot avoid red line delays, the impact could be mitigated by such things as adding bus service, organizing car pooling, HOV lanes on Lake Shore Drive and/or shopping shuttles. The committee will be seeking community input and ideas. Watch for announcements on its activities.

The CTA also has planned some community meetings to provide proposed service details. The closest one to Edgewater is scheduled for Monday, March 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Truman College Cafeteria, located at 1145 West Wilson Avenue.

If you would like to sign up to receive email announcements please contact Aida at aidakulasic@edgewatercommunitycouncil.org .

Save the Dates-

“Help Push for Revitalized Red Line Stations and Shopping Districts” Are you interested in the future of your Red Line Station? The local non-profit community development organization, Edgewater Development Corporation, is partnering with the University of Illinois at Chicago to cultivate a community vision for improving the areas near Edgewater’s four red line stations.

We invite you to help form the vision at the following community design Charrettes: March 5th (St. Andrews Church), March 12th (Loyola Univ.), April 30th (St. Andrews Church), May 7th (Loyola Univ.). The vision developed at these meetings will then be advanced by our elected officials in order to secure the funding and approvals to move forward with rebuilding the CTA stations. In addition, EDC will work to also advance the vision expressed for the surrounding retail districts.

Space is limited, so please RSVP to the number or e-mail listed below: Adam Burck 773-506- 4016 or adamdurck@edgewaterdev.org.

Safety

Please join the Edgewater Community Council for a forum on community services and safety initiatives.

Where: The Broadway Armory5917 North BroadwayWhen: Saturday, March 31, 200710:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

An ECC representative will discuss the work of the organization, particularly safety. Representatives from the Alderman’s Office(s) will explain their role in and service for the community. Safety is one of ECC’s main priorities and while not all incidents can be prevented, everyone can take certain measures to safeguard themselves. In that vein, you should be aware of the following Northside incidents.

In the past month we received reports about people trying to gain access into people’s homes by misrepresenting themselves as utility workers. While most of the time there is nothing to be concerned about, make sure that they have proper identification. Call your utility company to check if they are scheduled to visit or 911 Emergency if the person is making you uncomfortable and refusing to show identification.

Your safety concerns will not inconvenience the utility company or the police.
If somebody calls to tell you that they will be coming to your home to check you meter or check your pipes, ask a neighbor or family member to be present. Do not tell a random caller that you will not be home during certain hours.

On a sad note we report that due to the Cook County budget cuts, all 5 of the Community Prosecutions offices are closing. We were fortunate enough to have one in our community and would like to recognize all the great work Joy Repella and her staff have done.

Please join our next Safety Committee meeting March 29, 7:00PM at 6044 N. Broadway.