Lose An Election? Don't Worry, In Chicago, You Get the Job Anyways

Oh, Chicago! One of the few places where a candidate can lose an election, yet end up in the position anyway.

New School Board Appointee
Karen Zaccor

In last November's election, the only races in which the winners weren't pretty much foregone conclusions were those involving the first elected school board. (The judgeships always have a couple surprises, but the vast majority are retained.)

In School District 4 (in which Uptown's Goudy, McCutcheon, Courtenay, Brennemann, and Disney are located, along with Uplift HS, Truman Middle College HS and 27 other schools to the west and south), Ellen Rosenfeld won the election for school board member. 

Running without the endorsement of the Chicago Teachers Union, Rosenfeld received 41.6% of the vote (49,351), while CTU- and Brandon Johnson-acolyte and Helen Shiller loyalist Karen Zaccor came in second, with 30.2% (35,825). 

School Board member-elect
Ellen Rosenfeld

With the voters making their preference felt, clearly District 4 will be represented by Ellen Rosenfeld on the school board, right?

Not so fast. 

Here's the trick: ten school board members were elected, but the remaining ten members of the board are appointed by Mayor Johnson. So losers can win! The system allows Mayor Johnson to appoint one person from each school district (as well as the board president, who can live anywhere in the city). 

And who did the mayor appoint to the school board? None other than Karen Zaccor, the loser of the School District 4 election.

So, until 2026, in a true Chicago duality of politics, District 4 will be represented by the candidate who won -- and by a candidate who lost.

Chicago politics, folks.

(By the way, Karen Zaccor won't be alone in being a loser-winner. Mayor Johnson appointed another November losing candidate to the board: Anusha Thotakura in District 6.)

And if the whiff of 2000-era Uptown politics isn't strong enough, a previous Johnson board appointee who'll be staying on the Board is Michilla Blaise, a long-time aide to then-alderman Helen Shiller. 

Ms. Blaise has been featured on our pages before, including a little backroom politics awfully similar to the current controversy concerning Helen Shiller and the Zoning Board of Appeals we covered last week.

And in a final note, longtime readers will also remember that Ms. Zaccor is the wife of longtime Helen Shiller supporter Alan Mills. Plenty of circles to draw here.

Our loser-winners will be in power on the board until 2026, when each district will be split into halves and all 20 members will be elected, not appointed. But until then, more than half the board will serve at the discretion of Brandon Johnson, who is, of course, closely aligned with the CTU.

It's gonna be interesting.

Want Some Drugs with Your Pizza?

From our reader emails, last week:

I am sick of Gigios and want to do something about what happens there every night. Until Lawrence is done and I can get off there, I end up off at Wilson and walking on Broadway to get home.

First I had to avoid the west side of Broadway because there were gang members selling drugs in the parking lot. Now I have to avoid the east side because the area in front of Gigios has the same people now dealing drugs in front of Gigios and hiding behind that building they have in front. Can you guys help?

Reader RS is not the only one with an issue, as our inbox has featured complaints about Gigio's and the behavior of people in front of the restaurant for years. But since the "outdoor cafe" opened up late last spring, things are 10,000 times worse.

Another reader sent us an email with this photo and told us a full on party was happening this week in the "outdoor dining area." 

According to our reader's email, there was a fire table inside the hut, with music playing and open air drinking. To add to the 'ambiance,' there were reportedly drug sales going on right in front of the restaurant and drug use in the doorways on either side. 

We got our hands on a couple of photos of the "sidewalk cafe," which features wood paneled walls, a roof, plastic wrap "windows" covered in "Uptown United" banners and a blue tarp. The banners and tarp of course helpfully obscure whoever is in or behind the structure from the prying eyes of the Chicago Police Department. 

We can't say Gigio's knows that drug sales are ongoing right in front of the restaurant, but the windows of Gigio's are clear and the drug market is right outside every night. Also, the add-ons to the "sidewalk cafe," including the roof, tarps, and plastic, seem to have the effect of blocking the view of the police. 

What Gigio's and its staff / owners do know is it's illegal to have a sidewalk cafe with a roof, ceiling and walls. How do we know? A helpful reader sent us the operating rules an owner would get when they apply for approval. 

First, it's illegal to ignore illegal activity: "it is the affirmative duty of the Permittee to report promptly to the police department reported to or observed...on or adjacent to the permitted Cafe Premises."

Second, "Cafe space is not intended for any use except for the operation of a Cafe. If the Cafe is set up...the Cafe must remain operational (tables and chairs set up to serve patrons during Cafe operating ours..." 

Third, a complete enclosure is illegal, as this "would technically add to the square footage of the licensed premises." 

Fourth, a fire table is illegal, as the permittee must "identify the location of any heating equipment on the enclosed plan," (and as far as we know there is no liquor license for the outdoor cafe). [We've seen the plan, nothing there about heating or a roof or walls, see below]

Our reader also sent along the City ordinances that apply:

10-28-825 requires permit holders to "comply in all respects with the specifications set out in the plan submitted to the commissioner."

10-28-855 makes permit holders "subject to and comply with all applicable requirements and standards for retail food establishments... and rules and regulations pertaining to the sale of alcoholic beverages."

And most importantly, Section 10-18-015 states that a public way use permit shall be denied or revoked if: 

(i) the granting of the public way use is not in the best interest of the public, would have a deleterious impact on the neighborhood, or would create a nuisance either on the public way or in the surrounding area; 

(ii) the design of, or materials used in, the public way use does not comport with the quality or character of the existing streetscape; 

(iii) the use interferes with or impedes the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or ingress or egress from any surrounding building... 

If you have an opinion on this and want to share with the City, you can do that here. "Sidewalk Cafes" are under "Consumer and Employee Protection" > "License Violations" > "Sidewalk Cafe."

 

'My Art House Studio' Opening Soon On Wilson

 

Future home of "My Art House Studio" at 1255 W. Wilson

A storefront that has been vacant since Sheridan Park Food & Liquor closed up nearly 8 years ago will finally welcome a new tenant!

"My Art House Studio" plans to open its doors in February at 1255 W. Wilson and will host classes for kids in dance, art and creative movement. 

The idea behind MAHS began during the COVID-19 pandemic when founder Morgan Maxon realized kids needed a creative outlet to enhance their understanding of the world around them. MAHS has been operating out of a temporary location in Edgewater and this (very large) space will be a  permanent home.

A complete list of all of the classes and camps that are offered can be found on their website. 

We are thrilled to see a storefront on Wilson Avenue brought back to life after years of being empty. We wish "My Art House Studio" much success in enriching the lives of neighborhood kids!

Follow them on Facebook or Instagram!

New Women's Reproductive Healthcare Coming To Broadway, But Ald. Clay Isn't Telling the Community

4647 Broadway, courtesy of Google Streetview

For many months now, we have been following the slow-moving developments as the former co-working space (the old 'Z Wallis' building) at 4647 N Broadway transitions into a new use. 

After the building hit the market in the fall of 2023, it sold quickly. The sale (for $1.3 million) was finalized in late December of 2023. Research suggested a women's reproductive healthcare facility was likely, and tipsters confirmed our hunch. 

However, we have not seen nor heard anything from Alderwoman Clay's office about the planned transition to a women's reproductive health facility, so it is left to us to break the news.

Involved readers have kept us up to date on details, and we recently received an email update suggesting Alderwoman Clay's silence and inaction are preventing the new facility from opening to the public and serving women in need:

"[O]ur Alderwoman holding information from the community, as opposed to helping people to understand/ learn/ care/ prepare/ etc. is just not ok. Not surprising, as it seems to be her M.O. to avoid actually having to deal with the community (especially businesses), but it's not ok.

4649 North Broadway was bought by DBS LOTUS MGMT HOLDING (who run other abortion/care clinics throughout the state). We are told they have been working with Alder Clay for months now, pulled permits in July and started work in September, with an intent to open the clinic in Q1 of 2025.

From what we understand, the company itself has done everything by the books, is totally above board, and has offered to do community meetings and get information out so the community is not taken by surprise by news of this type. 

But it seems the Alder, in what appears to be an ongoing quest to avoid every having to deal with any of the community she is supposed to serve, is avoiding/ delaying/ dragging her feet. 

• We are told they will be opening in Q1 of 2025 and, in our humble opinion, the neighborhood businesses and community members should be told about this news. 
• We should be celebrating, if not at least coming together to support, an organization and doctors who are willing to provide the care that women need. 
• Businesses should be preparing for the good (and, unfortunately, bad) things that may come with an organization like this such as protestors, etc. 

The longer the information is held by Alder Clay[-Shiller], the less time people have to prepare themselves, to learn, to discuss, and to be ready to support the women who may need the most support of all when entering/exiting.

In 'total hearsay' (but what initially sparked our interest in this) A business a couple of doors down informed us that Alder Clay's team removed certain permit items which had displayed the name so as 'not to cause concern'.  We cannot directly verify this claim, so take it with a grain of salt. As far as we are aware, the Alder has not told any businesses of this yet, even those directly next to the location."

Here at UU, we agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments expressed in the email. We  unwaveringly support women's healthcare, and in this era of national turmoil, we are grateful Illinois is a haven for choice.

Since Alderwoman Clay has not done her part, it falls to us (and our tipster / readers) to share the news and the discussion that comes with this type of transition. 

For Ms. Clay to think this will seamlessly happen without pushback, and go forward without public comment or input, is living in denial. 

At the very least, neighbors and nearby businesses must be informed to prepare themselves for the protests that inevitably follow a women's clinic that provides reproductive healthcare. 

It seems -- to its credit -- that the company is willing and prepared to meet with the neighbors and businesses. So why is Alderwoman Clay keeping the community in the dark? What will it take to get her to inform the residents she supposedly represents about key developments right next door?

To illustrate the point, in her newsletter dated 12/13/2024, the alderwoman talks about meeting with constituents to discuss the new city budget. She also touts meeting on the "Connecting Communities on Broadway" initiative that would bring new businesses to Broadway. 

But on this project -- she remains silent. 

• No mention of "actively engag[ing] with neighbors, small businesses, and community groups across the ward" about this facility, like she says she did about budget concerns.
• No community notice about this one particular business on Broadway during an open house meant to "encourage additional housing and new businesses, starting with our Broadway Corridor."

As residents, business owners, voters and constituents, we have to wonder why we're not being informed -- especially when the parent company is reputable, experienced, and willing to engage the community and its concerns.

What else is being kept from us?

Bring Light to Puptown Park

 

Aerial view of lighting plan for Puptown Park

via Puptown:

"We continue to advocate for the installation of lighting at Puptown to make it accessible and welcoming well into the evening hours.

Puptown Dog Park is one of Chicago's most popular dog parks. With Uptown's high-density housing and accessible street parking, Puptown attracts ample visitation during daylight hours.

However, Puptown remains underused because it lacks adequate nighttime lighting. Dog owners rarely visit after daylight hours due to poor lighting.

Please sign our online petition to demonstrate our strong community support for this very worthwhile investment. Our community is over 100 members strong, and our goal is to bring over 100 signatures to Alder Hoppenworth and the Park District leadership.

Mike Brown, the Supervisor of Margate Park Fieldhouse, supports our efforts and will advocate for us. The first step is to show our strong community support."

Sign the petition HERE.

Helen Shiller Agonistes: A Cannabis Story

Former 46th Ward Ald. Helen Shiller
(photo: Neighbors for Angela Clay FB)

So old friend Helen Shiller is apparently up to her old tricks, just this time as an appointed member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. 

Our readers will recall Brandon Johnson appointed Shiller to the powerful position on ZBA back in early summer. With years of following Ms. Shiller under our belt, we wondered when she would be involved in controversy again. 

The answer was "not long." 

In this recent Chicago Tribune article (paywalled), Ms. Shiller is accused by Streeterville residents of committing an ethics violation when she cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of a controversial cannabis dispensary in Streeterville.

The back story is a well-connected owner-operator (Green House LLC) sought a zoning variance to allow them to open a cannabis dispensary at 600 N. Fairbanks. 

The problem? The proposed dispensary is within 500 feet of a school (Guidepost Montessori at 226 E. Illinois). 

After neighbors and school parents mobilized in opposition and the area block club, Streeterville Organization for Active Residents (SOAR) pointed out that the location would not be able to host a liquor license due to the proximity to the school, the city zoning administrator recommended the Zoning Board deny the claim. 

When the application made it to the Zoning Board of Appeals, however, the ZBA voted in favor despite opposition. Former 46th Ward  Alderwoman Shiller was the deciding vote to allow the new use.

Per the Tribune article, former Alderwoman Shiller's son works with the business and helped them get their license. Deborah Gershbein, the president of SOAR, called Shiller's vote in favor "a major conflict of interest" given her son's work with the business. Shiller, for her part, claimed she would be "impartial" despite the close contact (although she has recused herself on other cases).

A few tipsters have written in to forward the article and one suggested we check out the City's "Ethics Restrictions: A Plain English Guide for Appointed City of Chicago Officials." This would apply to Ms. Shiller given her appointment by Mayor Johnson.

In the section entitled "Employment of Relatives or Domestic Partners," the ethics guide states:

Appointed officials may not participate in the making of any City decision involving any person who employs or has contacts with their relatives or domestic partner..."

Certainly sounds like Ms. Shiller has 'participated in the making' of a City decision involving a relative, but who are we to say?

Maybe Ms. Shiller got an "advisory opinion" from the City Board of Ethics approving her participation and vote, and maybe she is poised to share that opinion. Or maybe she just ignored the conflict of interest, promising that her relationship with her son Brendan would be of no consequence. But she's been here before with Brendan and cannabis shops. 

Some people, including our tipsters and the local block club SOAR, seem to think she crossed the line. What say you, dear readers?

Spelling is Fundamental

Ok, we'll admit we're a real mean crew here at UU, but we had a chuckle as we saw the announcement of a new honorary street name in Uptown come out of Alderwoman Clay's office.

Walter "Slim" (or "Silm") Coleman was a longtime community organizer and activist who spent his years organizing for social justice around Chicago, with a particular focus on Uptown. Coleman passed away earlier this year. 

For those who lived through the Shiller years, he was the man behind the machine, working with the former alderwoman to replace many of Uptown's older and derelict buildings with low income and supportive housing. Coleman is one of the reasons Uptown has the most affordable and low income housing in the City.

To honor him, Alderwoman Clay asked the City Council to approve installation of honorary signage on the 4500 to 4700 blocks of Magnolia, which will henceforth bear the honorary street name "Walter Slim Coleman Way." 

We hope the signs don't misspell his name!

And P.S. one of the eds pointed out the unfortunate crop of the first line post. Get your minds out of the gutter!

Dreaming of Spring and Martinis

 

In a sign (get it?) of things to come, future Marty's now has a sign. We reported last summer on Marty's sale and the move to from Andersonville to Uptown. 

We hear from Marty's new owner that things are a bit delayed due to (what else) city red tape, but we are hopeful based on his progress report for a spring to early summer opening in 2025. 

We'll be at Winnemac and Clark next year for sure!

Sheridan Park Gets Some Love

In recent weeks we welcomed two new "Sheridan Park" murals to the amazing group of murals in Uptown. For a tour of those murals, click here.

Sheridan Park, of course, is the portion of Uptown bounded by Clark on the west, Broadway on the east, Montrose on the south and Lawrence to the north and contains the Sheridan Park Historic District. 

You can find this "Sheridan Park" mural next to the fire station on Wilson, in the alley between Racine and Magnolia.

The second "Sheridan Park" mural is also on Wilson but a bit more hidden. Find this one in the alley between Beacon and Dover. 

EDIT: The Dover mural is by by local resident, artist and muralist Mark Schmieding. The Racine mural is by Judith Mayer. Thanks for making Uptown more beautiful, Mark and Judith!

Longtime Uptowners will note that the Dover mural replaces the old "Wilson Yards Skate Shop" mural in the same location. Wilson Yards Skate Shop appears to have closed earlier this year. 

It's The End Of An Era: Arrivederci to Anna Maria Pasteria

Despite a brief reopening after a car drove into its dining room and forced a closure this past summer, Anna Maria Pasteria has closed its doors permanently.

On its website, its owner writes:

"Thank You For 35 Wonderful Years!

Dear Valued Customers and Friends,

With a heart full of gratitude and a few bittersweet tears, I write to you today to announce that after 35 wonderful years, Anna Maria Pasteria will be closing its doors. 

I have decided to retire and embark on the next chapter of my life, and while this decision was not made lightly, it feels like the right time for me to step back and cherish the memories we've created together.

​For more than three decades, Anna Maria Pasteria has been more than just a restaurant to me—it has been a gathering place where families, friends, and loved ones have shared countless meals, celebrations, and moments of joy. The familiar faces, the laughter, the conversations shared over plates of homemade pasta—these are memories that I will treasure forever.

​I cannot express how deeply thankful I am for my employees and each of you. Your unwavering support, your loyalty, and your love for our food have meant the world to me. It has been an honor to serve you and be a part of your lives. I have watched many of you grow, celebrated milestones with you, and felt like a part of your families. I am truly humbled by the trust and friendship you’ve shown me.

​To my dedicated staff, past and present, I am endlessly grateful for your hard work and passion. You have been the backbone of Anna Maria Pasteria, and I couldn’t have done this without you. You are family.

​As I move into retirement, I will carry with me the warmth of your kindness and the joy of the memories we’ve made together. I hope you continue to savor the flavors and moments we’ve shared, as they will always remain in my heart.

​From the bottom of my heart, thank you for 35 extraordinary years. I look forward to the future, knowing that these experiences have been some of the most fulfilling of my life.

​Wishing you all good health, happiness, and many more delicious meals ahead.

​With love and gratitude,

Anna Maria Picciolini

Owner, Anna Maria Pasteria"

From Fast Food to Fast Construction

It was just over a year ago that we noticed that the Burger King on Irving Park near Clark had closed, and today there's a nearly completed residential building under construction on the site! 

Demo started early this year, and construction commended shortly after that. Seems like things rarely, occasionally, can move quickly in Chicago.

The new building will be comprised of 31 three- and four-bedroom units, all rentals. There will be no affordable units on site, since it was built "as of right" and no zoning change was requested. According to Yimby, several variances were granted by the 46th Ward alderwoman's office.

There will be no ground-floor retail. Each unit will have a balcony, and there will be a rooftop deck. 

There will be a single-story parking garage on the site as well, for 31 cars (since this is in a TOD district, the requirement for parking spaces was zero. It was the developer's decision to add parking.) The parking garage will have a pergola and two rooftop decks.

We'll keep an eye on the development and post again when we have more information.

The Jewel Gets Polished

If you were wondering about the sudden arrival of shipping containers in the parking lot of Uptown's Jewel (4355 N. Sheridan at Montrose) a few months back (we were), we now know what Jewel has been up to.

As the following photos show, Jewel has been improving the customer experience at one of its crustiest stores. While work isn't yet done, the store is definitely looking a lot better. 

Produce and Meat Sections Are Brighter

Fancy New Coolers in "The Bistro"

  New flooring and taller shelving

New Signage

Kudos to Jewel and thanks to all working on this project overnight for making shopping a much better experience. 

Blessings Of The Animals To Take Place At Area Churches This Week

In honor of St. Francis of Assisi and his compassion for animals, some Christian congregations hold a tradition of Pet Blessings on or around his feast day (October 4th). If you'd like to include your pet in the tradition, here are the times and places in Uptown and the surrounding areas. 

• Queen of Apostles:
• Friday, October 4th, 8:15am, in the courtyard at Queen of Angels School, 4520 N Western
• Friday, October 4th, 6pm, on the front lawn of the Queen of Angels rectory, 2330 W Sunnyside
• St. Mary of the Lake/Our Lady of Lourdes, Buena and Sheridan, Friday, October 4th, 5:30pm, on the SMoL church steps. "All parishioners and neighbors are welcome to bring their pets (leashed) to a special blessing!"
• Mary, Mother of God Parish (three locations): All take place on Saturday, October 5th, at noon. "Bring your dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, snakes, elephants, or any other pet for a blessing by the Conventual Friars of Mary, Mother of God Parish."
• St. Ita School Playground, 5525 N Magnolia
• St. Gregory the Great Courtyard Parking Lot, 5545 N Paulina
• St. Thomas of Canterbury Church Steps, 4827 N Kenmore
• All Saints Episcopal Church, Wilson and Hermitage, will have pet blessings at the 9am and 11am Sunday worship services on Sunday, October 6th. "Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis with your Furry, Feathered, or Scaly Bestie! We’ll celebrate our beloved companions with special treats for humans and animals at Coffee Hour."

Pet blessings are non-denominational and neither you nor your pet need be affiliated with the church at which the blessings are given.

A complete listing of the Archdiocese of Chicago pet blessings can be found here.