Chicago Reader

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Alderman Allen speaks

Posted by Ben Joravsky on Wed, May 21, 2008 at 5:20 PM

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Over the years I've heard countless explanations from various aldermen of what TIFs are and how they work.

I've heard aldermen Berny Stone and Ed Burke claim that TIFs don't raise property taxes, even though they obviously do. I've heard former alderman Patrick O'Connor say that the operating details of TIFs are just too complicated for ordinary people to understand, so why bother explaining. And I've heard everyone from former alderman Ted Matlack to alderman Pat Levar get lost in the netherworld of tax increment financing until all eyes glazed over.

But yesterday up on the northwest side I heard something unique. Speaking before a group of residents who wanted his opinion about a TIF-funded school proposed for their community, 38th Ward aldermen Tom Allen told something close to the truth. TIFs, he said, are "slush funds" created by raising the property tax.

Why is the city using them to build new schools? someone in the audience asked.

Because it's embarrassing to keep doling them out to developers, he explained. "We've got this little slush fund called the TIFs just sitting there. We [the aldermen] started convincing the [Daley] administration to have to cut loose this money."

Maybe Allen's gearing up to take the bold step of voting against future TIF districts, which require City Council approval.

At the same meeting Allen took a survey, asking his listeners whether they supported putting the Children's Museum in Grant Park.

The audience erupted with a chorus of nos, firing off a barrage of questions and comments: Why put it there? How much stuff are they going to cram in that park? They should put it somewhere that really needs it.

This meeting was being held in the basement of a church near Cicero and Addison, mind you. So Mayor Daley can't accuse these people of being high-rise dwellers who want to keep black children out of their neighborhood.

"When Mayor Daley gets mad at me, will you stick up for me?" asked Allen, strongly suggesting that he planned to vote against the museum.

"Will you stick up for us?" one resident responded.

Ah, Chicago, city of deals. 

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"When Mayor Daley gets mad at me, will you stick up for me?" Wow. Someone help him find his....

Posted by Hahaha on May 21, 2008 at 6:17 PM | Report this comment
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Maybe Tom Allen is getting revenge on Daley and Sheehan and Joyce for backstabbing him.

Posted by Anita Alvarex and Skinny Sheehan on May 21, 2008 at 6:48 PM | Report this comment
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Hopefully Alderman Tom Allen will see that the 19th ward still hasn't forgotton how he beat Joyce and the boys in 1989 when they put up a guy named Maki for 38th ward alderman. Allens a labor guy, he knows what a working man needs to survive. I had to help Anita Alvarez because he was with Mary O'Connor in the 41st ward Committeeman race.

Posted by Frank Coconate on May 21, 2008 at 7:47 PM | Report this comment
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I beat ya ass foo!

Posted by Mary O'Connor on May 21, 2008 at 9:13 PM | Report this comment
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41st ward Democrat Committeeman Mary O'Connor, You beat that Chocolate Chip Coconate fair and square. He is too reform minded for us. By you winning it keeps the power base in place. It keeps us a white mayor and that is more important than higher service fees and taxs. Great Job. Now you must support the whole democratic ticket. You should call it the Oreo ticket. Me , Dorothy Brown, Eugene Moore and Anita" Jon Burge" Alvarez. keep up the good work and I'll be in the hood come August. Should I use the back door at the Blackthorn restuarant you own?

Posted by Barack O'Bama on May 21, 2008 at 10:03 PM | Report this comment
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Word on the streets is Building Department payroller /file clerk,Director of Accountability/Deputy Commissioner Brian McGinnis,wants to put his foot up Coconate's ass. Brian McGinnis is Mayor Daley's nephew. Coconate has been Bad mouthing his wife the Drunken Judge Sheila McGinnis. Brian McGinnis has a DUI conviction on his record from 1998-99, he was still driving the Building Department's van. HOW NICE IT IS TO BE A Daley.

Posted by open book on May 22, 2008 at 12:30 AM | Report this comment
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Ald. Allen is much more independent than most people realize. He's not only supported, but co-sponsored, legislation for accountability in privatization and to cut-off funding to fight the Shakman decree (before the settlement last year). And when Daley made his ridiculous charges of racism in the debate over the Living Wage Ordinance, Ald. Allen publicly took him to task for it. I think people should let him know that if he stands up to Daley, we'll back him up in whatever way we can.

Posted by Aviva Patt on May 22, 2008 at 1:08 AM | Report this comment
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Judge charged with DUI is a cousin of Mayor Daley May 22, 2008 (WATCHDOGS-Sun-Times) It was like the Red Sea parting when Sheila McGinnis ran for judge six years ago: Everyone else bowed out. She won by default. RELATED STORIES Free loans for Jones What scared off rivals of the young and inexperienced prosecutor? Maybe this: She's Mayor Daley's cousin. McGinnis was charged with drunken driving in Tinley Park two weeks ago, when her car crashed into a minivan and she refused sobriety tests. She's now on desk duty. McGinnis' late father, Thomas Kilroe, was a first cousin of the mayor. Her husband -- Brian McGinnis -- is an assistant city building commissioner. Abdon M. Pallasch

Posted by Frank Coconate(Take that Brian McGinnis)) on May 22, 2008 at 6:41 AM | Report this comment
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Tsir Tspa, TSAY!!!!!!!!. What was originally advertised below, Should the ads change.

Posted by Frank's Favorite Place Below..... on May 22, 2008 at 1:46 PM | Report this comment
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FEDERAL AGENTS RAID DALEY'S DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS: At least fifteen people will be arrested by Federal agents,for bribery and corrupt business practices. For years Whistle blowers: PATRICK MCDONOUGH,CHARLES WALKER,VICTOR CROWN,MICHAEL MCGANN have exposed and alerted Federal Agents,and the public,to this vicious criminal Enterprise,called the "Building Department".Finally their efforts are bearing fruit. Illegal hirings and promotions,along with crooked inspections,and permit approvals are the norm. Its no wonder why people in Chicago are at risk and have died,due to this criminal Organization. The Clout list with its 5000 names,contain many Building Departmet employees,and their clout. Daley's relatives are well represented,With names like Brian McGinnis ,Tim jones and others along with 11th and 19th ward residents. One of the most incompetent people helping to coverup corruption in the Building Department is Scott Loeff (Assistant Commissioner :clout Ald Bernard Stone) Scott was over heard threating to fire an Inspector if he talked to Federal Agents. Eventually he did have the Inspector fired,unfortunately the Inspector remained silent. Its no wonder why Chicagoans have witnessed deaths in Lincoln Park (13), E2 Night Club(21), 69 West Washington(6) and the death of nine year old Tiara Woods. There should be an audit of the building Department,of its Annual,and Permit Inspections. Daley, Bernard Stone, Ray Suarez,Developers,Contractors,have long resisted all attempts to align Chicago's inspectional practices,with National standards. The Feds need to due R.I.C.O indictment on Daley and officials in the Building Department. The Department of Buildings should be placed on federal receivership or appoint a Federal Monitor to protect the citizens.

Posted by Code Warrior on May 22, 2008 at 1:50 PM | Report this comment
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WOW! Inspectors taking money in Chicago. Thats unbelievable. Whats next? City workers sleeping in there cars.Get the Big Guys, throw the little fish back in....Its just a deflection for the Mayor.

Posted by Frank Coconate on May 22, 2008 at 4:23 PM | Report this comment
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Will the Republicans use Chicago's corruption against Barack,this fall?

Posted by Reality on May 22, 2008 at 5:38 PM | Report this comment
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They'll use ANYTHING for a fetish.

Posted by The Log Cabin Republicans????????? on May 22, 2008 at 7:37 PM | Report this comment
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Cut to the chase: REGISTER TO VOTE VOTE IN EVERY ELECTION HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT Before every election, compile a list of the Incumbents seeking reelection, from every branch of government, Executive, Legislative and Judicial, and for every contested office, be it city, county, state or federal. Bring this list with you when you go to vote. In Primary Elections: Vote in the Primary of the political party of your choice, preferably that party which has the most Incumbents seeking their party's nomination to be that party's candidate in the General Election. The goal is to deny Incumbents reelection in the General election, so, if the Incumbent fails to win their party's Primary Election, that Incumbent will not be that party's candidate in the General Election. If the Incumbent has only 1 challenger, vote for that challenger. If the Incumbent has 2 or more challengers, then, to maximize the votes for a single challenger, vote according to ballot name position, following these two, simple rules of thumb: 1. If the Incumbent's name is listed FIRST, vote for the Challenger whose name is listed LAST or If the Incumbent's name is NOT listed first, vote for the Challenger whose name IS LISTED FIRST. Denying the Incumbents their party's nomination to run in the General election will ensure that those Incumbents will now be Ex-Incumbents. In the General Election, if given the opportunity, vote for any candidate who is NOT a member of the Democratic or Republican party. Breaking the stranglehold these two party's have on our governments is the only means of returning democracy to Our Democracy, Of the People, By the People and For the People. Anything less is, and has been, proven to be futile. HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT

Posted by Orion on May 22, 2008 at 10:02 PM | Report this comment
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Allen is a good guy. He needs to fight Daley more. NO MORE PROPERTY TAXES!!!!

Posted by Nax on May 23, 2008 at 12:57 AM | Report this comment
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COCONATE. HEY BLOCKHEAD! if you don't have any current info to share with us go back to your own sorry as blog.

Posted by 11th Man on May 23, 2008 at 7:31 AM | Report this comment
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"One of the most incompetent people helping to coverup corruption in the Building Department is Scott Loeff (Assistant Commissioner :clout Ald Bernard Stone) Scott was over heard threating to fire an Inspector if he talked to Federal Agents. Eventually he did have the Inspector fired,unfortunately the Inspector remained silent." interesting I'd like to learn more about Loeff here's everything I know about him so far thanks in advance Loeff, Scott 6933 N. Kedzie Ave. #816 (Stone's next door neighbor) Occupation: Attorney Employer: City of Chicago Loeff,Scott Asst Commissioner Dept Of Buildings $102,744/yr hired 05/04/89 to the Democratic Club of the 50th Ward Bernard L. Stone, Chairman $25.00 11/30/2007 $25.00 11/9/2007 $50.00 10/17/2007 $50.00 10/1/2007 $50.00 9/19/2007 $100.00 9/7/2007 $200.00 8/23/2007 $175.00 9/8/2006 $300.00 8/9/2006 $50.00 8/9/2006 $350.00 5/25/2005 $200.00 5/2/2005 $200.00 4/12/2005 $125.00 3/8/2005 $60.00 6/8/2004 $175.00 5/18/2004 $175.00 5/4/2004 $300.00 4/27/2004 $500.00 5/6/2003 $175.00 4/22/2003 $200.00 5/30/2002 $175.00 5/10/2002 $175.00 4/23/2002 $100.00 4/17/2002 $75.00 5/17/2001 $300.00 5/1/2001 $175.00 4/18/2001 $100.00 4/9/2001 $125.00 5/16/2000 $300.00 5/9/2000 $175.00 5/4/2000

Posted by Hugh on May 23, 2008 at 3:39 PM | Report this comment
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Loeff is not licensed in IL as an atty Loeff appears on the City clout list

Posted by Hugh on May 23, 2008 at 4:56 PM | Report this comment
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Scott Loeff was previously Director of Administration for the Department of Aviation and presided over the kangaroo court of disciplinary hearings at DOA. Scott was promoted from Personnel Specialist after Dennis J. Morrissey was elected judge of the Circuit Court. Scott Loeff worked closely with Timothy McCarthy (11th Ward, convicted with Sorich) while he was employed at DOA. Scott received the Osterman Award for outstanding public service. He was active in a group that sponsored camping trips for children afflicted by Tourette's Syndrome as well. Don't underestimate him if you're involved in an employment situation.

Posted by Brava on May 24, 2008 at 2:21 PM | Report this comment
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Charlie Brown a genius, Whilst himself......A BLOCKHEAD!!!!!!. HA HA HA HA HA.

Posted by Coconate Makes...... on May 24, 2008 at 6:22 PM | Report this comment
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Loeff a graduate of U. Indiana 1987 Graduate in Labor Relations.

Posted by RE:hugh on May 25, 2008 at 10:34 PM | Report this comment
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REGISTER TO VOTE VOTE IN EVERY ELECTION HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT Before every election, compile a list of the Incumbents seeking reelection, from every branch of government, Executive, Legislative and Judicial, and for every contested office, be it city, county, state or federal. Bring this list with you when you go to vote. In Primary Elections: Vote in the Primary of the political party of your choice, preferably that party which has the most Incumbents seeking their party's nomination to be that party's candidate in the General Election. The goal is to deny Incumbents reelection in the General election, so, if the Incumbent fails to win their party's Primary Election, that Incumbent will not be that party's candidate in the General Election. If the Incumbent has only 1 challenger, vote for that challenger. If the Incumbent has 2 or more challengers, then, to maximize the votes for a single challenger, vote according to ballot name position, following these two, simple rules of thumb: 1. If the Incumbent's name is listed FIRST, vote for the Challenger whose name is listed LAST or If the Incumbent's name is NOT listed first, vote for the Challenger whose name IS LISTED FIRST. Denying the Incumbents their party's nomination to run in the General election will ensure that those Incumbents will now be Ex-Incumbents. In the General Election, if given the opportunity, vote for any candidate who is NOT a member of the Democratic or Republican party. Breaking the stranglehold these two party's have on our governments is the only means of returning democracy to Our Democracy, Of the People, By the People and For the People. Anything less is, and has been, proven to be futile. HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT

Posted by Just Do It on May 28, 2008 at 6:26 PM | Report this comment

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