Once again we have a City Council that can't take the heat for making decisions that may be unpopular with some portion of the electorate. Or which may "look bad." Instead of making hard choices about the budget and recognizing that some services simply must be cut, they had a budget process which seemed to be entirely about taking items off the cut list. And only items which might be "politically incorrect" to cut. Keep the shuttle bus to the Levy Center (but never even ask how many people are making use of the service.) Keep the Fleetwood Theater position. Keep the branch libraries. Keep the Ecology Center. What do they want to cut? Only the positions at the City that the public doesn't see and therefore won't complain about.
I didn't hear one alderman ask any questions about what it will cost to maintain the branches for another year or beyond (e.g making South Branch ADA accessible). I don't believe any of them actually think there will be a viable solution to funding the branches, they just don't want to have to make the decision to shut them right now. They don't want to take flak from the thousand people who signed the petition (most of whom don't actually use the branches, they just like the idea of them in principle.)
It's obvious that the City Manager proposed the additional $1.5 million in cuts because he knew that the original $9.5 million he proposed weren't all going to be accepted. So he found some more stuff to propose so that, after they eliminate things like the branches and about 2/3 of the second set of cuts, they'll end up with a total figure of around 9.5 mil. And we'll have to go thru the same circus next year when the branches are on the chopping block AGAIN.
Consider Eb Moran's actions on the Evanston City Council. He loved every subsidized housing program ever brought to the Council. But miraculously, despite his many years on the Council, there is not one unit of subsidized housing in his ward.
He received awards for his support of these programs. But he very carefully did nothing to encourage any units to be built in his ward.
I view him as the run-of-the-mill politician -- do as I say and I'll do as I please to take care of my own interests.
I will not vote for someone who has taken action repeatedly to overload other areas of Evanston with an excess of subsidized housing. While he was taking those detrimental actions, he kept his own ward from needing to address the issues that must be addressed by an area when subsidized housing moves in.
He did not care about my area of town when he was on the Council. He does not deserve the vote of anyone outside his old ward.
For those who maintain the branches are necessary for education, will they support the branches if they purchase no novels or other 'recreational' reading materials ? The funds saved could allow the branches [or Main] to provide more real educational materials.
No other city this size has a main library and two branches. Why isn't someone talking about what it will cost to maintain the branches? Look at ADA costs. and we don't own South branch, so are we going to fix it up and then move out in a year?
Why cut a program manager at Levy Center (someone is in the job) and talk about closing the Ecology Center but not eliminate vacant positions at Fleetwood Theatre? When was the last time any council member went to a Fleetwood play?
I love libraries. However, the idea of creating a separate taxing district for the Evanston Public Library has been examined carefully at least twice over the last 15 years by the Library Board and it was determined that costs would be significantly higher. We need to figure out how to offer the most services to the most people in Evanston in the most efficient way - and that does not include branch libraries.
The library has disbanded the Evanston Library Friends, so they are not currently an option.
The absence of a friend organization does not stop the library from raising money though. There is a library endowment and a fund raising campaign to help improve the collection "The Fund for Excellence" and the book sale which was once a function of the Friends is now a library operation (still staffed by volunteers).
Taxing bodies have significant reporting and accounting responsibilities which have over time become more and more expensive (it will be interesting to see what the costs associated with the new FOIA regulations will be, for example)--Quickbooks is inadequate to the task of doing the accounting for a public taxing body (not even sure it would be legal), and saying that an accounting system would be few hundred dollars is the kind of uninformed discussion that has beleaguered the budget process for years. Governmental finance has become so complicated that it requires skilled, trained and certified practitioners. Evanston is facing truly difficult times, and none of the answers will be easy. Passion has its place, but it will not replace facts.
Given that Evanstonians already pay amongst some of the highest per capita/per dollar assessed value taxes in the state,(especially if you live in Ridgeville or Lighthouse overlay areas) I doubt the will exists to tax even higher, especially to add another layer of administration to manage it.
A vehicle for raising additional funds for the library currently exists I believe-the 501 c 3 Friends of the Library. Those who are passionate should flood the coffers of this charity earmarking contributions for branch operations if that is their desire. If you are of the means to pay more, then do.
A disconnect develops between politicians and voters when we learn they are inauthentic. It appears PKD is about to join that long list of inauthentic politicians. His themes and positions are so very different from the picture that is now emerging. This is particularly disappointing because he showed so much promise.
This State Rep race has been uplifting. Until now it appeared any one of the five could win and we could be proud to have him or her as our representative.
It is not too late for PKD, but his opportunity to rediscover his cause is slipping away. He should accept the challenge from his opponets and voluntarily adhere to the new contribution limits that during the debates he characterized as too high.
"Everything can be done for less - however it is imperative that a consistent set of standards are not only something to aspire to - but that they are taught."
That's a noble statement. Unfortunately, in the case of ECMC, there's no real governance in place to ensure that any of the rapidly changing standards are taught.
"In a media crazed world, there are thousands of ways to create media, new and old - but very few ways of learning how to do it right."
Another very noble statement, but irrelevant in the case of ECMC. ECMC teaches people how to go through the motions of making programming via that ol' black magic called television. From direct experience, I can tell you that the staff at ECMC could care less about your programming. Then don't provide a solid mentor-driven environment or any real form of oversight on how to make a community produced television show the right way.
As a matter of fact.. the ECMC staff can't really mentor your show, or provide much guidance at all. That would go against their mission of "free speech, blah, blah..." You see, they can't really editorialize or appear to be playing favorites.
Maybe the staff a ECMC have grown cynical. I mean, how many church shows can you really put up with? How many cowboys that want to cut their "movie" on your Final Cut systems can you put up with? How many board members that took money for producing content through your "public" facilities can you handle?
And, yes, ECMC is a bargain for its 10 active members that produce content. $25 for a yearly membership. That's less than my weekly coffee budget...
Is no one but me bothered by this? Patrick Keenan-Devlin is a candidate whose campaign slogan is “A New Way” and yet his actions reflect politics as usual. Isn’t this recent development just another reflection of the American way – run on a platform that promises the electorate one thing, but then behave in ways that benefit the politicians?
There is nothing wrong with organizational endorsements. As a union member, I support the rights of unions to make those endorsements and I look for those endorsements, as well as those from other organizations that represent my “special interests,” when I am deciding on whom to vote. I do not even have a problem with those “special interest” organizations donating to political campaigns. But when one “special interest” organization’s donations are so out-of-line with those of other donations to the candidates in a primary I am troubled. And I am especially troubled when the candidate who takes those large contributions then justifies his acceptance by saying that the support from ASCME "is in line with my values. I've stood up for working families my whole professional career. I'll continue to do that." How is this any different than a candidate from the opposing political party taking money from big corporations and then saying that this financial support is okay because it is in keeping with his/her pro-business values?
Patrick Keenan-Devlin needs to be authentic with the voters. It is no longer enough to say “trust me to be a reformer once I’m elected.” If his campaign is really about “a new way,” and if he is committed to campaign finance reform, then he should return the bulk of that donation.
Skokie has more land than Evanston but Skokie has two less fire stations than Evanston?
If you look at the map, the fire density is lowest in Northwest Evanston. So, why not close down fire station 5, layoff firefighters there and rely on Fire Station 3, just down the SAME street!!! (Central) Evanston then could sell Fire Station 5.
I'm pretty sure if there was a fire say at the hot dog island on Crawford and Central not only could engines from Fire station 3 get there under five minutes but so could neighboring Wilmette and Skokie, which usually help on the big fires anyway.
I'm surprised Berkowsky and Wally B. haven't even considered this obvious move. I couldn't believe that Evanston built a NEW fire station on Central in 2008 - the second year into a Recession - knocking down a building built in the late 1950s.
Desparate times call for desparate measures. Closing down the branch libraries only puts a dent into fixing our budget problems.
The city's largest expenditure is by far labor cost.
So, close down a fire station, layoff the firefighters there and freeze merit pay increases for city union employees since Wally B. wants to do the same for non-union city employees.
Residents of any college or probably town with a high school are use to students having a 'campaign de jour' and often having little in solid facts behind them.
NU students have recently adopted [revived] a campaign that probably most would agree with but as with the city, are short on proposals of how to get there and what to 'give up.'
The campaign is for a 'living wage' for several groups of NU workers. The proposed 'living wage' amount would seem reasonable to most--if not low for people with a family. However, I've not seen a proposal for where the money will come from---and if they do there will probably be as many groups, student, faculty, researchers, etc. opposing it as the residents of Evanston do each budget cut.
Probably an early proposal will be for Administration cuts---since students wonder what they do to earn their pay anyway. Then will it be faculty are paid too much [grad/post-doc paid too little?], too much given to research [engineering, and even medical?], too much construction of new buildings and re-structue of old building [handicap access ?]. For Norris and other dining workers 'increase', food prices could be increased but would that bring less business and layoffs. What about reducing recreational facilities [including Great Room, re-do of Norris?], increase fees/tuition to pay for the 'increase', channel the financial aid to these workers ?. What about the wages of those at the 'living wage level' now---will they want their wages increased to maintain what 'gap' they think their responsibilities and term have [justly] brought ?
As with all good causes there are trade-offs. You would think NU students would have faced some of these issues in their economics classes and know they have to 'propose not just oppose.' But like the other residents of Evanston, this has apparently not been done and if when done, expect the same howls as Evanston's budget has brought.
As much taxes as we residents pay and the city officals waste you cant keep our libraries open! What's up Mayor, your kids grew up using these libraries, give up the $$$$
The biggest single disconnect between voters and elected leaders is the epidemic lack of authenticity. PKD's core theme has been his advocacy of a change in the way Springfield does business.
Instead of acknowledging a mistake and correcting it, he defends the indefensible. He can now join that long list. This is particularly discouraging because he showed so much promise.
Until now, the uniform strength and integrity of the five candidate lineup represented the best of us and reflected so well on Evanston.
I hope PKD reconsiders and accepts the challenge from the other candidates. It is not too late!
I understand the relevance of showing the percentage of users at each branch who live within a certain radius, but what about showing the percentage of residents within a certain radius who actually use each branch?
I just feel that we taxpayers in Evanston are being taken for a ride in general. We pay ridiculously high taxes, and I'm not really sure what we get in return. There are certain services which we do have to pay for, such as the school districts, emergency services and waste collection, but the Media Center and the branch libraries? Pl-ease.
It's all very well to have these nice little extras in a community, but I don't get why we should all have to pay for them. There are technological alternatives which have essentially cut the cost of some of these extras to near-zero (such as Bill's demonstration of the wanders of phone-cameras), and we do actually have a great public transport service, which can take you practically door-to-door from the library's south branch to the north branch.
All these "extras" which really only serve a very small number of people, and, to my mind, have no part to play in local government, or government of any kind, give me the same feeling when I sit next to a fur-clad, free-RTA-pass-wealding older commuter - like I'm a dummy for being in a 2-working parent family and actually paying taxes and not getting free anything.
The growing public outrage is not something that Mister Devlin will be able to blame on the other candidates, at the very least he should have voluntarily come forward about this earlier.
The SSA idea is great for sewers, paving, adding special sidewalks. It was never intended
for use to fund a library. It is arbitrary and a slippery slope that in essence is divisive
and erosive, not the image Evanston needs right now. We celebrate the $18 million to
help with affordabkle housing. There are answers for the Library situation. Closing them
creates more problems and create a negative image of Evanston. Read the coverage
that's out there. Help to solve the problem.
To me, the point is not that the AFSCME believes PKD is the best candidate; they did that with their endorsement. The point is that the candidate who had been telling us Illinois needs a "NEW WAY" for six months certainly looks like he runs his campaign in the "OLD WAY" when he lobbys on behalf of a special interest then takes a boatload of money from them. Perhaps this is just an honest oversight in a hectic campaign. Now that he knows, I'm sure PKD the reformer will do the right thing and give contributions over the voluntary limits back.
Riiiiighhtt.... Patrick is exactly like Obama. Sure...
The problem isn't that he got their money, the problem is that he blew all his promises about reforming campaigns and contribution limits to cozy up to a single special interest.
Just to add my own opinion to counter the Patrick campaign hacks posting here.
Its one thing to get money from AFSCME or other sources in small chunks like everyone else did. Its another thing to shed all integrity and honesty you have and accept a $66,000 check from one special interest (more than 50% of all the money he raised!) after claiming you are for campaign reform.
This kid has been in the political game for 6 months, and he has already sold his soul on the most important issue in Illinois right now, because his eyes opened big at the prospect of a lot of money.
Give it back, Patrick. Prove you have some integrity.
This would be a great addition but I'd like to suggest an improvement to the plan. If Garrett Place is closed off, and a lane from the small Garrett parking lot to the larger lot where the light will be placed, that would eliminate even more traffic trying to get in/off of Sheridan.
Once again we have a City Council that can't take the heat for making decisions that may be unpopular with some portion of the electorate. Or which may "look bad." Instead of making hard choices about the budget and recognizing that some services simply must be cut, they had a budget process which seemed to be entirely about taking items off the cut list. And only items which might be "politically incorrect" to cut. Keep the shuttle bus to the Levy Center (but never even ask how many people are making use of the service.) Keep the Fleetwood Theater position. Keep the branch libraries. Keep the Ecology Center. What do they want to cut? Only the positions at the City that the public doesn't see and therefore won't complain about.
I didn't hear one alderman ask any questions about what it will cost to maintain the branches for another year or beyond (e.g making South Branch ADA accessible). I don't believe any of them actually think there will be a viable solution to funding the branches, they just don't want to have to make the decision to shut them right now. They don't want to take flak from the thousand people who signed the petition (most of whom don't actually use the branches, they just like the idea of them in principle.)
It's obvious that the City Manager proposed the additional $1.5 million in cuts because he knew that the original $9.5 million he proposed weren't all going to be accepted. So he found some more stuff to propose so that, after they eliminate things like the branches and about 2/3 of the second set of cuts, they'll end up with a total figure of around 9.5 mil. And we'll have to go thru the same circus next year when the branches are on the chopping block AGAIN.
Consider Eb Moran's actions on the Evanston City Council. He loved every subsidized housing program ever brought to the Council. But miraculously, despite his many years on the Council, there is not one unit of subsidized housing in his ward.
He received awards for his support of these programs. But he very carefully did nothing to encourage any units to be built in his ward.
I view him as the run-of-the-mill politician -- do as I say and I'll do as I please to take care of my own interests.
I will not vote for someone who has taken action repeatedly to overload other areas of Evanston with an excess of subsidized housing. While he was taking those detrimental actions, he kept his own ward from needing to address the issues that must be addressed by an area when subsidized housing moves in.
He did not care about my area of town when he was on the Council. He does not deserve the vote of anyone outside his old ward.
For those who maintain the branches are necessary for education, will they support the branches if they purchase no novels or other 'recreational' reading materials ? The funds saved could allow the branches [or Main] to provide more real educational materials.
Has it occured to the candidates that a recommendation frm Jan Schakowsky is the kiss-of-death to a lot of people ?
No other city this size has a main library and two branches. Why isn't someone talking about what it will cost to maintain the branches? Look at ADA costs. and we don't own South branch, so are we going to fix it up and then move out in a year?
Why cut a program manager at Levy Center (someone is in the job) and talk about closing the Ecology Center but not eliminate vacant positions at Fleetwood Theatre? When was the last time any council member went to a Fleetwood play?
What about Eb Moran? www.ebmoran.org
And the criminals will applaud with gunfire.
I love libraries. However, the idea of creating a separate taxing district for the Evanston Public Library has been examined carefully at least twice over the last 15 years by the Library Board and it was determined that costs would be significantly higher. We need to figure out how to offer the most services to the most people in Evanston in the most efficient way - and that does not include branch libraries.
The library has disbanded the Evanston Library Friends, so they are not currently an option.
The absence of a friend organization does not stop the library from raising money though. There is a library endowment and a fund raising campaign to help improve the collection "The Fund for Excellence" and the book sale which was once a function of the Friends is now a library operation (still staffed by volunteers).
Taxing bodies have significant reporting and accounting responsibilities which have over time become more and more expensive (it will be interesting to see what the costs associated with the new FOIA regulations will be, for example)--Quickbooks is inadequate to the task of doing the accounting for a public taxing body (not even sure it would be legal), and saying that an accounting system would be few hundred dollars is the kind of uninformed discussion that has beleaguered the budget process for years. Governmental finance has become so complicated that it requires skilled, trained and certified practitioners. Evanston is facing truly difficult times, and none of the answers will be easy. Passion has its place, but it will not replace facts.
Given that Evanstonians already pay amongst some of the highest per capita/per dollar assessed value taxes in the state,(especially if you live in Ridgeville or Lighthouse overlay areas) I doubt the will exists to tax even higher, especially to add another layer of administration to manage it.
A vehicle for raising additional funds for the library currently exists I believe-the 501 c 3 Friends of the Library. Those who are passionate should flood the coffers of this charity earmarking contributions for branch operations if that is their desire. If you are of the means to pay more, then do.
A disconnect develops between politicians and voters when we learn they are inauthentic. It appears PKD is about to join that long list of inauthentic politicians. His themes and positions are so very different from the picture that is now emerging. This is particularly disappointing because he showed so much promise.
This State Rep race has been uplifting. Until now it appeared any one of the five could win and we could be proud to have him or her as our representative.
It is not too late for PKD, but his opportunity to rediscover his cause is slipping away. He should accept the challenge from his opponets and voluntarily adhere to the new contribution limits that during the debates he characterized as too high.
"Everything can be done for less - however it is imperative that a consistent set of standards are not only something to aspire to - but that they are taught."
That's a noble statement. Unfortunately, in the case of ECMC, there's no real governance in place to ensure that any of the rapidly changing standards are taught.
"In a media crazed world, there are thousands of ways to create media, new and old - but very few ways of learning how to do it right."
Another very noble statement, but irrelevant in the case of ECMC. ECMC teaches people how to go through the motions of making programming via that ol' black magic called television. From direct experience, I can tell you that the staff at ECMC could care less about your programming. Then don't provide a solid mentor-driven environment or any real form of oversight on how to make a community produced television show the right way.
As a matter of fact.. the ECMC staff can't really mentor your show, or provide much guidance at all. That would go against their mission of "free speech, blah, blah..." You see, they can't really editorialize or appear to be playing favorites.
Maybe the staff a ECMC have grown cynical. I mean, how many church shows can you really put up with? How many cowboys that want to cut their "movie" on your Final Cut systems can you put up with? How many board members that took money for producing content through your "public" facilities can you handle?
And, yes, ECMC is a bargain for its 10 active members that produce content. $25 for a yearly membership. That's less than my weekly coffee budget...
Is no one but me bothered by this? Patrick Keenan-Devlin is a candidate whose campaign slogan is “A New Way” and yet his actions reflect politics as usual. Isn’t this recent development just another reflection of the American way – run on a platform that promises the electorate one thing, but then behave in ways that benefit the politicians?
There is nothing wrong with organizational endorsements. As a union member, I support the rights of unions to make those endorsements and I look for those endorsements, as well as those from other organizations that represent my “special interests,” when I am deciding on whom to vote. I do not even have a problem with those “special interest” organizations donating to political campaigns. But when one “special interest” organization’s donations are so out-of-line with those of other donations to the candidates in a primary I am troubled. And I am especially troubled when the candidate who takes those large contributions then justifies his acceptance by saying that the support from ASCME "is in line with my values. I've stood up for working families my whole professional career. I'll continue to do that." How is this any different than a candidate from the opposing political party taking money from big corporations and then saying that this financial support is okay because it is in keeping with his/her pro-business values?
Patrick Keenan-Devlin needs to be authentic with the voters. It is no longer enough to say “trust me to be a reformer once I’m elected.” If his campaign is really about “a new way,” and if he is committed to campaign finance reform, then he should return the bulk of that donation.
Wait a second.
Skokie has more land than Evanston but Skokie has two less fire stations than Evanston?
If you look at the map, the fire density is lowest in Northwest Evanston. So, why not close down fire station 5, layoff firefighters there and rely on Fire Station 3, just down the SAME street!!! (Central) Evanston then could sell Fire Station 5.
I'm pretty sure if there was a fire say at the hot dog island on Crawford and Central not only could engines from Fire station 3 get there under five minutes but so could neighboring Wilmette and Skokie, which usually help on the big fires anyway.
I'm surprised Berkowsky and Wally B. haven't even considered this obvious move. I couldn't believe that Evanston built a NEW fire station on Central in 2008 - the second year into a Recession - knocking down a building built in the late 1950s.
Desparate times call for desparate measures. Closing down the branch libraries only puts a dent into fixing our budget problems.
The city's largest expenditure is by far labor cost.
So, close down a fire station, layoff the firefighters there and freeze merit pay increases for city union employees since Wally B. wants to do the same for non-union city employees.
Residents of any college or probably town with a high school are use to students having a 'campaign de jour' and often having little in solid facts behind them.
NU students have recently adopted [revived] a campaign that probably most would agree with but as with the city, are short on proposals of how to get there and what to 'give up.'
The campaign is for a 'living wage' for several groups of NU workers. The proposed 'living wage' amount would seem reasonable to most--if not low for people with a family. However, I've not seen a proposal for where the money will come from---and if they do there will probably be as many groups, student, faculty, researchers, etc. opposing it as the residents of Evanston do each budget cut.
Probably an early proposal will be for Administration cuts---since students wonder what they do to earn their pay anyway. Then will it be faculty are paid too much [grad/post-doc paid too little?], too much given to research [engineering, and even medical?], too much construction of new buildings and re-structue of old building [handicap access ?]. For Norris and other dining workers 'increase', food prices could be increased but would that bring less business and layoffs. What about reducing recreational facilities [including Great Room, re-do of Norris?], increase fees/tuition to pay for the 'increase', channel the financial aid to these workers ?. What about the wages of those at the 'living wage level' now---will they want their wages increased to maintain what 'gap' they think their responsibilities and term have [justly] brought ?
As with all good causes there are trade-offs. You would think NU students would have faced some of these issues in their economics classes and know they have to 'propose not just oppose.' But like the other residents of Evanston, this has apparently not been done and if when done, expect the same howls as Evanston's budget has brought.
As much taxes as we residents pay and the city officals waste you cant keep our libraries open! What's up Mayor, your kids grew up using these libraries, give up the $$$$
The biggest single disconnect between voters and elected leaders is the epidemic lack of authenticity. PKD's core theme has been his advocacy of a change in the way Springfield does business.
Instead of acknowledging a mistake and correcting it, he defends the indefensible. He can now join that long list. This is particularly discouraging because he showed so much promise.
Until now, the uniform strength and integrity of the five candidate lineup represented the best of us and reflected so well on Evanston.
I hope PKD reconsiders and accepts the challenge from the other candidates. It is not too late!
I understand the relevance of showing the percentage of users at each branch who live within a certain radius, but what about showing the percentage of residents within a certain radius who actually use each branch?
I just feel that we taxpayers in Evanston are being taken for a ride in general. We pay ridiculously high taxes, and I'm not really sure what we get in return. There are certain services which we do have to pay for, such as the school districts, emergency services and waste collection, but the Media Center and the branch libraries? Pl-ease.
It's all very well to have these nice little extras in a community, but I don't get why we should all have to pay for them. There are technological alternatives which have essentially cut the cost of some of these extras to near-zero (such as Bill's demonstration of the wanders of phone-cameras), and we do actually have a great public transport service, which can take you practically door-to-door from the library's south branch to the north branch.
All these "extras" which really only serve a very small number of people, and, to my mind, have no part to play in local government, or government of any kind, give me the same feeling when I sit next to a fur-clad, free-RTA-pass-wealding older commuter - like I'm a dummy for being in a 2-working parent family and actually paying taxes and not getting free anything.
The growing public outrage is not something that Mister Devlin will be able to blame on the other candidates, at the very least he should have voluntarily come forward about this earlier.
The SSA idea is great for sewers, paving, adding special sidewalks. It was never intended
for use to fund a library. It is arbitrary and a slippery slope that in essence is divisive
and erosive, not the image Evanston needs right now. We celebrate the $18 million to
help with affordabkle housing. There are answers for the Library situation. Closing them
creates more problems and create a negative image of Evanston. Read the coverage
that's out there. Help to solve the problem.
To me, the point is not that the AFSCME believes PKD is the best candidate; they did that with their endorsement. The point is that the candidate who had been telling us Illinois needs a "NEW WAY" for six months certainly looks like he runs his campaign in the "OLD WAY" when he lobbys on behalf of a special interest then takes a boatload of money from them. Perhaps this is just an honest oversight in a hectic campaign. Now that he knows, I'm sure PKD the reformer will do the right thing and give contributions over the voluntary limits back.
Riiiiighhtt.... Patrick is exactly like Obama. Sure...
The problem isn't that he got their money, the problem is that he blew all his promises about reforming campaigns and contribution limits to cozy up to a single special interest.
Just to add my own opinion to counter the Patrick campaign hacks posting here.
Its one thing to get money from AFSCME or other sources in small chunks like everyone else did. Its another thing to shed all integrity and honesty you have and accept a $66,000 check from one special interest (more than 50% of all the money he raised!) after claiming you are for campaign reform.
This kid has been in the political game for 6 months, and he has already sold his soul on the most important issue in Illinois right now, because his eyes opened big at the prospect of a lot of money.
Give it back, Patrick. Prove you have some integrity.
This would be a great addition but I'd like to suggest an improvement to the plan. If Garrett Place is closed off, and a lane from the small Garrett parking lot to the larger lot where the light will be placed, that would eliminate even more traffic trying to get in/off of Sheridan.
I hope you enjoy your library book while your house is burning down.
While we're at it, you might close the police outposts too. That way you will have a safe place be while your house is being robbed.