The Community Speaks Out!!!

Alderman Schulter, I'm concerned about the creation of the Western Avenue North TIF and opposed to the use of emminent domaine for the 4800 block of Western Avenue. I'd like to hear from you about this when you get the chance. • CM
I just wanted to send a note of support for you during your fight against the abuse of eminent domain.
It's sad to see that the government is not working for all of the people, but for only a few.
Even thought I live in Texas, not Illinois, please know that there are many Americans across this great nation who support you. • PJ from Dallas, Texas
This abuse of eminent domain is so typical of Chicago Politics going back to Al Capone and then Mayor Dayly who helped get Kennedy elected President by having a lot of dead people vote. The people of Chicago should be ashamed of themselves for constantly electing crooked politicians. • LG

Alderman Schulter, I'm contacting you in hopes that you can STOP the eminent domain process at the 4800 block of North Western Avenue. I can understand the use of eminent domain to rid the area of "slums," but this is by no means a slum. Most of the businesses are doing very well and contributing to the city's revenue stream. What I don't understand is why would the city consider taking these businesses away? Is it to build more condos? If it's to build more condos, that would be absurd! How many condos are currently vacant throughout the city? So, the city is going to build more condos to sit vacant? Sounds a bit foolish if you ask me.

Alderman Schulter, you have always been good and kind to my family over the years. My family has had ties to Lincoln Square since 1924 when my grandfather opened Allin's Paint. My family poured its heart and soul into the paint store. Granted, my family's business not there now, but there are many many memories there. When I went to visit Grandma and Grandpa, it wasn't at their house. . .It was at the store. They practically lived there. My grandma didn't take me to her pantry to get me a treat. She and I walked a few doors down to Baskin Robbins for an ice cream cone. I realize that time marches on and things change. That's a part of life. By using eminent domain, the city is changing the lives of many people that pour their heart and soul into their businesses. If there are "plans" for these business owners, then tell them what these "plans" are. Why is everything a "secret?"

For me, on the outside looking in; this looks like the BIG CITY forcibly taking the small business owners business away and giving it to a LARGE INVESTMENT GROUP. I hope I'm wrong.

Please take care of Lincoln Square. Thank you for your time. • MA
Once again the property rights of citizens are under fire from abusive members of government out to profit their cronies and themselves. It is time for the people of Chicago and the nation to take back the property rights that were held sacred by the Founding Fathers. (Did you know that Thomas Jefferson first wrote "Life, Liberty, and Property." into the Declaration of Independence?)Do yourselves and our nation a favor an turn out these cretins. Our very liberty is in jeopardy so long as we let the chip away at our rights piece by piece. • KF from Townsend, Tennessee
To Aldermen Schulter and Moore, I'm writing about the proposed plans to develop property on the 4800 block of Western Avenue. It is of great concern that private citizens stand to lose their buildings and businesses just because others think the site could be utilized differently. There are no objective standards or even clear guidelines for doing this sort of thing. It's simply wrong to proceed as it seems things are going.

I ask that when this comes before the full City Council on December 12, the rights and welfare of the current owners, and those who are against taking the properties through eminent domain, be fully considered. It is of particular concern that the proposed uses are not the kinds of public projects that eminent domain is supposed to be used for. This could be an incredibly slippery slope, and therefore is important to all Chicagoans. Please be aware that many, many people are against this sort of step. It is bullying, plain and simple, and it's wrong. Newer and bigger is not always better. The Lincoln Square neighborhood is a charming and wonderful mix of many kinds of buildings and businesses, and is a valuable asset to the City. It has a personality and a strong, interesting history. It does not deserve to be hijacked in the name of the desires of a few. Thank you. • BR
Congratulations on your continued efforts to save your block and stand up for your rights. I have sent an email to the alderman asking him to represent you, his community and not the big developers. This situation is ludicrous and using emminent domain in this manner is corrupt beyond words. We have been long time shoppers at Chicago Soccer and live in the neighborhood. Only the best of luck to you in your endeavors. We hope to make your meeting on the 4th and will support you in any way we can. • C - S
I'm embarrassed!!! The articles in the newspapers on your eminent domain usage in Lincoln Square sounds like something out of an old Mike Royko book. I am appalled that in this day and age that someone like you would stoop to the levels of taking private property from owners against their will.
I recommend that you retract your recommendation to the City Council immediately. • CH
Dear Alderman Schulter, It is with great disappointment that I read about the potential use of Eminent Domain in redistributing the property of a group of small businesses in the Western Avenue North TIF District, referred to at http://www.savelincolnsquare.com . As a great supporter of individuals' property rights, and the Castle Coalition (http://www.castlecoalition.org/), I find abuses such as this and Kelo vs. New London to be not only against the spirit of the constitution, but outright offensive to the American Spirit. Eminent Domain helped pave the way for this country's impressive Road and Rail infrastructure, and allowed the creation of many vital public institutions.

The Department of Planning Development's assertion that the business in question "do not represent the highest and best use of the land, they do not realize their potential tax-generating ability, and they include obsolete structures." is simply unacceptable. The vast majority of properties across the USA do not "realize potential tax-generating ability," and just because a big-box retail store would generate more tax revenue does not mean it is a greater asset to the community. When the Executive Director of the area's own Chamber of Commerce states that "board members are "very concerned" about the precedent it might be setting. "We understand what (Schulter) is trying to do to make a gateway to the community, but we're very concerned about the method of taking away private property and selling it to private developers,"" I think there is cause for careful consideration of the plans.

I hope you will take this into consideration and defend the small businesses which are so vital to the community you are tasked with representing. I would also appreciate a response indicating your receipt of this message. Thank you, • RB
Ald. Shulter, I am emphatically opposed to the use of Eminent Domain in this case in Lincoln Square!!! The idea that private property can be usurped by a political organization for the reason that they "do not represent the highest and best use of the land, they do not realize their potential tax-generating ability, and they include obsolete structures." is pure communism and I will assist any organization in fighting this clear abuse of governmental power.

Why has this action been so hushed? What makes you, and the politicians and developers that you represent ,think that you are above the rights of the private citizens and Free markets. This act is a direct attack on the rights of private ownership and the middle class of this nation and I will not stand idly by while you trample over these sacred rights that our Fore fathers so bravely fought for against the English Elite. I have lived in 47th Ward for the last 40 years, this ward has always been a great city neighborhood because of the diverse population and the hard work of Ed Kelly and his programs.

I have supported the Democratic party all my life and I am shocked that you would come down the wrong side of this issue. Do you believe in the principles of Free Men an Free Markets and the rights of Private Ownership ? If you do you will not support this communistic action against the private owners of the property in this case or any case similar to it. Your resulting vote will signify your intention to support the Principles of free Men and Free Markets or support Big Government for the privileged few. Whats it going to be Eugene? • PS
Dear Alderman Schulter: I have long supported your efforts in the 47th Ward, but I now believe that you have gone too far. I am referring to the plans to steal/condemn property from legitimate business owners on Western Avenue north of Lawrence. I do not know why you think this block needs redeveloping – other than you want all blocks to look alike and to be totally gentrified. I assure you that if I want to live like that, I can go back to Lincoln Park. Important issues are at play here:

1- This block is not totally vacant. These are legitimate businesses. Dentists and soccer stores are not a sign of blight. By the way, the Penn Dutchman antiques store across the street is not a sign of blight either.

2- There is no blight in Lincoln Square. TIFs should be used for Englewood and other places that truly need help. TIFs make my property taxes higher and steal money from the schools. They should be used cautiously instead of as a panacea for whatever whim or developer comes along.

3- The threat of eminent domain smacks of communist countries and dictator states. You have no business threatening legitimate business owners. Private property rights must be protected.

4- Surely you do not believe that if you force the small restaurant owner to give up his property that he could possibly afford to buy back a commercial condominium in a new building. No way.

I hope you do not proceed with plans to redevelop this block. The free and private market must be allowed to function in a free country. Thank you. • SS
Dear Alderman Schulter, I am a Lincoln Square resident and want you to know that I oppose the use or threat of eminent domain for private development in the Western Avenue North TIF area. If we sit back and allow politicians take property away from businesses, residences are not far behind. You need to stand against this threat. If you don't, you will not get my vote or support in the future. After hearing this story on NPR this morning, I have engaged friends and coworkers in discussions about what you have proposed. A large group of people are strongly against this injustice. I implore you to reconsider. • BW
I totally oppose destroying Lincoln Square, its past tradition, present development, and future preservation. Applying the right of eminent domain sounds like a joke to me. It is nothing "eminent" or representing public interest in this possible decision. I hope our alderman will help our community as he did in the past. • IH
Dear Alderman Laurino, Alderman O'Connor, and Alderman Schulter: I am a homeowner in the 40th ward in Lincoln Square, and I rent an apartment in the 39th ward in Albany Park. I do much of my shopping in the 47th ward in Lincoln Square, and have done so for the past 5 years. In the last few years, I have seen the neighborhood continue to grow and thrive because of the independent small businesses in the square on Lincoln, and on Rockwell Street just south of Lawrence.

I am writing to let all three of you know that I DO NOT SUPPORT and COMPLETELY OPPOSE the so-called "community mandated" eminent domain resolution submitted by the Department of Planning and Development authorizing the acquisition of 16 businesses on the 4800 block of North Western Avenue, citing that that they "do not represent the highest and best use of the land, they do not realize their potential tax-generating ability, and they include obsolete structures."

This could be said about anyone's home or business, because anyone's property could make more money as something bigger and newer. This sets a dangerous precedent and puts every Chicago homeowner and property owner at risk of having their property seized and transferred to wealthy developers to "increase tax revenue and jobs." The resolution to seize the 4800 block is only the tip of the iceberg. There are plans in the works to seize property up and down Western Avenue and Lawrence Avenue, as well as several historic single family homes on Eastwood, just west of Western. PLEASE do what you can to stop this from happening. The residents and homeowners of these wards DO NOT support this action.

Last night, December 5th, I attended a community meeting at Chicago Soccer, a beautiful, thriving business, and one of the stores on the 4800 block that is at risk of being seized. Hundreds of residents from the community were in attendance to voice their opposition to the resolution. As your constituent, I ask you to represent my interests and the interests of hundred of otherse by voting against this resolution at the next full City Council meeting on Wednesday, December 12th. Sincerely, • JK
I support the efforts of the Save Lincoln Square group to prevent the alderman from using eminent domain and TIF money to support private developers who want the land on Western Ave. I have been waiting for the Alderman to explain himself on this issue, but there has been no transparency on his plans. I call on Alderman Schulter to speak out before the City Council meeting on Dec. 12th. • JS
I don't understand how anybody could even think up an idea like this. We made monopolizing illegal for a good reason. Those reasons should be the same as why we won't let anybody, even the government, take away someone's property just for their own financial benefit. As stated about the acquisition of 16 businesses; These businesses "do not represent the highest and best use of the land, they do not realize their potential tax-generating ability, and they include obsolete structures." Come on, are you kidding? The message this shows to people that are trying their hardest to start a good life by acquiring their own business is that if you're going to start from the bottom, it better be a perfect bottom. You shouldn't buy a place that isn't perfect, or in the Department of Planning and Developments view, don't waste your money on something imperfect when we could take it away from you no matter how much you put into it. That's extremely sad since we live in a World that is known for it's imperfections, especially since no one even knows what perfect is.

They need to accept things that are good enough, do to the fact that they are good enough, see how simple that sounds. At the least, let these businesses try to develop and fix some of the things that are making the area a "conservation area". That way they can keep what is "rightfully" theirs and have a business that is "good enough". If they are unable to make the business safe and clean then can't the government help instead of always being around to take control. Sometimes people just need a little help and for the government to help these little business it would take a big LITTLE to do so. Thanks, Tre's Wright. • TW

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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.

Any questions please call 773-271-2255 and ask for Imre Hidvegi.