StreetsBlog Chicago: Ald. Cappleman discusses 46th Ward walk/bike projects, and the LSD viaduct issue

A person walking a dog in the Wilson sidewalk bike lane last March. Photo: John Greenfield

By John Greenfield

At yesterday’s press event for the reopening of the Leland Avenue Slow Street (the city calls them “Shared Streets”), I talked with 46th Ward alderman James Cappleman, whose district includes of parts of Uptown and adjacent neighborhoods, about other bike and pedestrian initiatives. At the end of the conversation, we discussed the extremely controversial installation of sidewalk bike lanes in the Lake Shore Drive viaducts of Lawrence and Wilson avenues, which many have argued was an (ultimately unsuccessful) strategy to displace homeless encampments. Following the transcript of our conversation, I’ll provide the response to Cappleman’s comments on the underpass issue from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, which sued the city over the project.

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Crain’s Chicago Letter to the Editor: There’s a solution to people seeking shelter on the CTA

Published March 26, 2021

We feel it is important to address both the content and framing of the issues identified by Greg Hinz in his column bemoaning the state of the CTA during the pandemic. (“Is the CTA ready for commuters to come back?” March 11).

Most troubling is the way he raises the issue of people experiencing homelessness who are seeking shelter on the trains. He lumps people experiencing homelessness with smoking and garbage as annoyances that need to be removed in order for the city to thrive. Describing people in this light, as well as taking pictures of them while they are sleeping without their permission, is dehumanizing, inappropriate and does not help move us toward solutions that end homelessness.

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The Cloudcast Podcast: Corporate loopholes or tax incentives

On Feb. 17, Gov. JB Pritzker released his proposed $41.6 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2022. To help balance the budget, the governor called for closing an estimated $932 million in what he’s calling “corporate loopholes.” On this episode of The CloutCast, we examine the loopholes, the governor’s pitch for closing them and reactions to the proposal. Guests include the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association president Mark Denzler and Niya Kelly from the Responsible Budget Coalition, who offer their perspectives on the governor’s proposed budget and call to change some of the state’s tax laws. 
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Vera Institute of Justice: Illinois Bill Makes History, Highlights Criminalization-to-Homelessness Pipeline

By Jacqueline Altamirano Marin, Program Associate, Vera Institute of Justice
Destiny Carter, Policy Specialist, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
Nelson Gonzalez, Grassroots Leader, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless

On January 13, the Illinois General Assembly unanimously passed the Public Housing Access Bill as part of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus agenda. By passing this legislation, Illinois became the first state in the nation to remove long-standing barriers that have prevented many people with criminal convictions from living in public housing.

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Chicago Daily Law Bulletin: ADA suit over city shelters gets OK

By Patricia Manson

The city of Chicago can’t evade a disability-discrimination suit brought by a woman who alleges emergency shelters are not accessible, a federal judge held Wednesday.

In a written opinion, U.S. District Judge Franklin U. Valderrama declined to throw out Gloria Carter’s lawsuit accusing the city of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act.

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Block Club Chicago: With Dangerous Cold Coming, Chicagoans Who Are Homeless Scramble To Find Shelter, Supplies. Here’s How You Can Help

The coronavirus pandemic has made the situation more dire for people experiencing homelessness. Shelters had to reduce capacity, many people have lost jobs and housing and fewer people are out and about to offer help.

By Colin Boyle

CHICAGO — An Arctic blast will hit Chicago this weekend, bringing with it dangerous cold — and people who are homeless are particularly at risk.

The cold is expected to set in Friday and last through Sunday. Overnight Saturday is when the coldest weather will come: It could get as chilly as 10 below zero, but it’ll feel like 25 below zero, according to the National Weather Service. Snow is also possible during the weekend.

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Chicago Tribune: Chicago’s yearly homeless count could help stem spread of COVID-19, officials say

By Laura Rodríguez Presa

When Tony Winters saw city human services workers approach a small homeless encampment in Chicago’s lower street levels east of Michigan Avenue, he crossed the street from his makeshift home to meet them.

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Block Club Chicago: Alderman Praises His ‘Gardiner’s Angels’ Volunteers For Tossing Blankets, Food Belonging To Man Who Is Homeless

Ald. Jim Gardiner (45th) said his volunteers cleared “unnecessary debris” from the Irving Park Blue Line station underpass — even though it was clearly someone’s belongings.

By Bob Chiarito

IRVING PARK — Northwest Side Ald. Jim Gardiner (45th) is coming under fire from several constituents after praising his supporters for clearing “unnecessary debris” from near the Irving Park Blue Line stop.

They weren’t throwing away garbage. They were throwing away blankets and food that belonged to a man experiencing homelessness.

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WTTW: Federal Court Rules Illinois’ Panhandling Law Unconstitutional

By Amanda Vinicky

A federal judge has permanently banned Illinois’ panhandling law from being enforced on the basis the statute violates the First Amendment. The case was part of a yearlong effort by advocates including the American Civil Liberties Union and Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) to eliminate such laws.

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Chicago Reader: Escalating violence and lack of police response put the city’s homeless even more at risk

A string of fires and stabbings have many advocates worried, and challenges in reporting and investigating these crimes leave little hope for justice.

By Adam M. Rhodes

After what some say was an unprecedented pattern of violence against people experiencing homelessness in Chicago last year, activists are calling on the city to better investigate these crimes and to do more for the victims.

Continue reading Chicago Reader: Escalating violence and lack of police response put the city’s homeless even more at risk