The Chicago City Council approved a new ward map by a vote of 41-8. It is significant because 41 votes keeps the map from going to a citywide referendum. There is an outside chance of a legal challenge, although legal experts assert that a challenge is a nonstarter.
One of the highlights of the map for residents of the 19th Ward, was that the ward remains virtually intact that to the work of Alderman Matt O'Shea (19th Ward). Alderman Ricardo Muñoz (22nd) praised the work of Alderman Matt O'Shea on the fight to keep the 19th Ward intact at a recent meeting of the Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots Political Discussion Group.
"One of the alderman wanted to take the high school and police station into her ward, but you can be proud of the fact that Matt O'Shea stood his ground in fighting for you and would not allow it," Alderman Muñoz said, who is also a candidate for the Democratic nomination of Cook County Circuit Court Clerk against the sitting clerk, Dorothy Brown.
Alderman O'Shea's fight to preserve the 19th Ward solidifies his political strength in the ward. A recent column by Phil Kadner of the Southtown Star intimated that O'Shea has somehow lost his clout, but that column is not in touch with the facts and ignores certain facts that I will discuss in a future column.
Even so, small parts of the ward were lost. A couple of small sections were lost to the 34th Ward and the 21st Ward. The 19th Ward lost 1,100 residents. Those blocks are 9900 block of Malta and the east side of Charles Street from 99th to 103rd Street.
Also, a chunk was lost to the 34th Ward on the far south end of the ward from Edmaire on the north to Vincennes to 114th to Chucrch to Hale to 118th to the alley east of Longwood rive to Hale to Edmaire. This according to the Don't Remap the 19th Ward facebook fan page. Thanks to them for the info.
The Beverly Area Planning Association (BAPA) applauded the passage of the map through an email sent to its subscribers.
Today the Chicago City Council passed a ward remap plan that calls for some parts of the 19th Ward to become part of the 34th Ward when the process is finalized in 2015. These areas are Charles St. from 99th to 103rd and the area bounded by Edmaire and 119th from Vincennes to the Hale. For details please click here. Although these parts of the ward have been remapped BAPA's service area remains the same. We thank everyone who worked so hard on this issue and who lent their voices to our efforts. Remember that BAPA is here to serve you.
BAPA, Alderman Matt O'Shea, and the currents residents of the 19th Ward didn't get everything they wanted. That is the nature of these type of things.
The red signs started sprouting weeks ago on front lawns all over the 19th Ward, which covers the Beverly, Morgan Park and Mount Greenwood neighborhoods on the Southwest Side:
“I am 19th Ward. DON’T remap me.”
Across the city, residents feared communities would be broken up or they would receive fewer city services if they were remapped into a new ward.
But not all residents were happy with losing their spot in the 19th Ward, as the Chicago Sun Times reported.
“I prayed enough!” Lavona Davis said with a smile upon hearing her block of Wood Street stayed in the 19th Ward.
“Our prayers were not answered,” Shelia Thompkins said, shaking her head at the news that her block of Church Street will be moved into the 34th Ward.
Why did both women want to stay in the 19th Ward badly enough to post the signs on their front lawn? Better services and a more responsive alderman, they said.
“If you need a new garbage can or a new light if it’s dark in the alley … if I call [19th Ward Ald.] Matt O’Shea, he will come out here and examine the problem,” Thompkins said.
It just goes to show fighting for what you believe is worthwhile.
John is the author of an award-winning book, the 2010 Winner of the USA National Best Book award for African-American studies, published by The Elevator Group Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots: How Barack Obama, Two Bookstore Owners, and 300 Volunteers did it. Also available an eBook on Amazon.
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