Jefferson Park

Here is information pertaining to the Nato Summit:

1)Road closures and pedestrian restictions will generally be Saturday, May 19 thru Monday, May 21st. The affected roadways will open by Monday's evening rush hour. The road closures and traffic delays should be generally expected on I-90 to/from O'Hare and downtown, and downtown to/from McCormick Place throughout the weekend.

2) CTA information about bus re-routes
Generally, bus re-routes will occur downtown - Navy Pier, Streeterville, and in the near south side near McCormick Place (Cermak, King Dr, Cottage Grove, etc).
You can also access this information from their website:

http://www.transitchicago.com/nato/#tips

*A key point that is addressed in the information that is attached via the CTA link, CTA’s Bus Tracker as well as Google Trip Planner will not reflect the bus route interruptions. All bus routes that will be affected as a result of the summit are addressed on this link that is attached as well as below.

3) METRA information regarding station closures, schedules and maps of service.

http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/service_updates/g8_nato_summit.html

http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/service_updates/g8_nato_summit.html

Residents can also register with the City app “Notify Chicago” for any city-wide updates or notifications. Registration at:

https://webapps.cityofchicago.org/NotifyChicago/

Businesses affected by NATO Summit should register to receive alerts at:

http://hillardheintze.com/alerts_register.php

Recently, I filed an ordinance authorizing the City to exercise its powers of eminent domain to buy the building. This is not a step that I take lightly. I have consulted with the Mayor’s administration, and we remain hopeful that we can preserve this critical economic engine without implementing this solution.

It is not my intent that the City enter into the theater business, nor is it my desire that the theater be turned over to a non-profit. Both options would remove this substantial property from the tax rolls, severely impacting the Portage Park Tax Increment Financing District and the Six Corners Special Service Area. Instead, if necessary, the City would buy the building and sell it to a private business ready to preserve and enhance the current use of the theater. State law allows for this type of purchase and resale within TIF districts.

I wouldn’t contemplate taking this extraordinary step if the historic Portage Theater weren’t critical to the redevelopment of Six Corners. Several restaurants and potential cultural attractions are waiting for the resolution of this issue before they come to our community. The church’s proposed use for the Portage would make it impossible for anyone to get a liquor license within 100 feet of the building. It would make it impossible for anyone to get a public place of amusement license within 250 feet without the church’s permission. Because the Portage Theater building is so large, these zones would extend to the south side of Irving Park Road, in addition to Milwaukee Avenue near the theater.
The proposed use would gouge a huge hole in Six Corners where there would be no new restaurants, and where any proposed theater or entertainment venue would require the church’s permission. It would stifle development at a time when Six Corners is ready to take off.

I continue to remain ready to help Chicago Tabernacle with alternative sites.

The following is a summary of the latest changes to the Childrens' Safety Zone Ordinance:

Speed Limits & Hours:
School Zones: Mon – Fri on school days; 7 am – 4 pm; 20 mph when children are
present; 30 mph when not present.
Park Zones: 7 Days a week, 6 am – 11 pm; 30 mph speed limit

Warnings/Fines:
30-day warning period when automated enforcement is first established inn a new
safety zone location.
One additional warning for each vehicle for the first time the driver is owner to receive
a ticket.
Fines for 6-10 mph over the posted speed limit set to $35; fines for 11 mph over posted speed limit set to $100.

Public Awareness:
90 day public service announcement campaign.
Text messaging alerts for those interested in camera locations.
Website with weekly update on camera locations and posted speed limits.
Quarterly report on speeding and accident data, number of tickets issued and fine
amounts.

Advisory Committee:
Members to include Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Pedestrian and Traffic Safety
Committee and religious, academic, public safety and medical community leaders.
Provides counsel to CDOT on implementation and operation of speed enforcement
program and Children Safety Zones.
Will advise on location of Children Safety Zones and automated speed enforcement.

Limit On Camera Enforcement:
Establishes no more than 20% of approximately 1,500 eligible safety zones can be equipped with automated speed enforcement.

Regional Distribution of Cameras:
CDOT will establish six geographical regions.
No fewer than 10% of speed cameras will be located in each region.

Aldermanic Notification:
Alderman will be notified by CDOT prior to any installation of speed enforcement
cameras in their wards.

I just received the following alert from the 17th District CAPS Office:

On May 12th at noon, in the area of 5500 N Lowell, a 12 year old child reported that he was walking his dog when a maroon or burgundy 4-door car pulled up beside him. There were 2 male occupants in the auto, both being described as Hispanic, in their 50's, with one of them being further described as 5'10", approximately 160, with long, black hair and a medium brown complexion. That man got out of the car and asked the child if the street they were on was Kildare. The child was uncomfortable enough to run away, but the man followed on foot for a short distance. When the child looked back, the driver motioned to the child with his finger to come back to the car. The child ran home and the car was last seen driving towards Bryn Mawr. The child's younger sister had reported seeing the car circling the block earlier that same day.

If you should see this vehicle or any auto or persons acting suspiciously, or attempting to speak with children please call 911 immediately. Try to get a detailed description of the auto (license plates if possible), the direction the auto is going, and a description of persons inside the auto.

It is important to remind your children that adults do not ask children for assistance, they need to ask other adults. Remind them of stranger danger even if the person doesn't seem dangerous, or even seems friendly, or injured, or in need of help. Make sure your child always knows to leave the situation immediately and get a trusted adult to help them or the person in question.

Speak to your neighbors about this incident so that they know what's going on in the area.

If you have any information about this incident or any others in the area, please call 911 to speak with an officer.