The Bench: The Rape of Lawndale

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Another major Roger's Park blog, The Bench takes aim at eminent domain but this time he takes a look at Lawndale on Chicago's west side. I should warn you not to watch if you don't like the message in this video.

Other posts about eminent domain in Lawndale
Eminent domain protest at Daley's office
South North Lawndale! eminent domain struggle continues

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Good news on eminent domain abuse

Behind an eminence front
Eminence front - it's a put on
The Who, "Eminence Front." 1981

It appears the Alderman Eugene Schulter's front collapsed, or maybe just cracked last week after meeting with some Western Avenue business owners from Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood.

From Chicago's News Star:

Alderman Eugene Schulter, 47th, backed down from a plan to condemn privately owned businesses on the 4800 block of North Western Avenue and hand them over to private developers--sort of.

After more than 100 angry Lincoln Square residents marched on Schulter's 47th Ward service office following a heated community meeting on Dec. 5, Schulter reassessed the situation.

After meeting with affected Lincoln Square business owners Dec. 10, Schulter announced later that day that he would revise a proposed acquisition ordinance making any city acquisition of properties north of 4807 N. Western Avenue "voluntary."

Schulter said that in consideration of the changes in the acquisition ordinance, the matter would not go before the full City Council on Dec. 12, but will return to the Committee on Housing and Real Estate for review.

Tom Mannis of The Bench reports that the City Council probably won't vote on this issue tomorrow, but a property rights rally will still take place at City Hall.

From The Bench:

RALLY
at City Council
Wednesday, December 12th, @ 9am
Outside of City Council Chambers
2nd Floor Elevator Lobby
City Hall
121 N. La Salle Street
Chicago, IL 60602

For more information, visit the Save Lincoln Square web site.

Remember: Our government official may appear to put on a tough front on eminent domain. But if ordinary citizens fight back, odds are, we'll find that it's just a put on.

To comment on this post, please visit Marathon Pundit.

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Chicago's Lincoln Square faces eminent domain threat

HOW TO SAVE LINCOLN SQUARE

This post comes from Tom Mannis' The Bench blog.

The City of Chicago is in the process of authorizing the acquisition of a block of thriving businesses in Lincoln Square in order to give the land to a private developer. The targeted block is located in the Western Avenue North Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, and if the city approves the acquisition of our businesses, they can use eminent domain to seize our property if we don't sell.

Eminent domain is supposed to be for public uses, things like roads and schools – not to give our successful small businesses to wealthy, politically-connected developers.

We are not blighted, and we are not for sale.
Come to a community meeting at Chicago Soccer this Wednesday to hear why we’re TIFed off, how it affects you, and what you can do to help.

Wednesday, December 5th, @ 7pm
Chicago Soccer ● 4839 N. Western Avenue ● Chicago, IL 60625
Free food and drinks will be served.

Speakers will include:
Imre Hidvegi, Chicago Soccer
David Smarinsky, The Dental Corner
Tim Le, Decorium Furniture
Christina Walsh, Castle Coalition Coordinator, Institute for Justice
If you have any questions, please contact Imre at 773-271-2255.
www.SaveLincolnSquare.com

Contact Alderman Schulter at 773-348-8400 or ward47@cityofchicago.org and tell him you oppose the use or threat of eminent domain for private development in the Western Avenue North TIF area.

Send us your comments at speakup@savelincolnsquare.com and we'll post them on the site.

Speaking for myself--John Ruberry here--these folks are right on the money. Lincoln Square is a pleasant community that does not need "urban renewal."

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