Blog

Registration for CBA Conference: April 2, 9am-4:30pm‏

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

We thank our friend, John Paul Jones, President, Sustainable Englewood Initiatives, for sharing the following information. We realize that the registration deadline has passed. We are assuming that, since it was forwarded to him after the deadline, there is still an opportunity to register.

Good afternoon.

I wanted to follow up with you about the CBA Conference. Attached is the agenda and flier to share with your leaders for the conference.

To register yourself and your leaders, please visit: http://bit.ly/ChicagoAreaCBA

Please let me know if you have any questions. If there are any other groups we should speak with (to invite to the conference, or as panelists), please let me know.
-Amalia

Amalia NietoGomez
Executive Director
Alliance of the SouthEast (ASE)
9204 S Commercial Ave., Ste 301
Chicago, IL 60617
773-221-8908 (Office)
773-800-0322 (Cell)
http://www.asechicago.org
facebook.com/AllianceOfTheSoutheast | twitter.com/asechicago



Photo credit: Eric Allix Rogers

IMDC Releases Draft Master Plan for Public Feedback Period

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 8TH, 2016

IMDC Releases Draft Master Plan for Public Feedback Period
Revisions include recommendations and guidelines for enhancement and
sustainability in one of the nation’s largest urban medical districts

CHICAGO- the Illinois Medical District Commission (IMDC) today opened the public comment period for its 2016 Illinois Medical District (IMD) Master Plan . The numerous initiatives currently underway throughout the District necessitate an updated plan, which provides a framework for coordinated development and will help drive economic growth.

The 2016 Master Plan is the result of a 16 month collaboration between the IMDC and lead planning agency Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB). Additionally, Sam Schwartz Engineering and Site Design Group served as consultants. Development of the plan occurred in three phases. Priority areas include promoting urban style development, supporting transit use and walkability and providing quality amenities for District employees, patients, residents and visitors.

“We’ve socialized the plan among elected officials, City departments and our stakeholders,” said IMDC Executive Director Dr. McKinney. “Now we want to turn it over to the public, whose invaluable feedback will help determine the best path forward.”

Through research, data collection, interviews, meetings and focus groups, a report was created to highlight the existing conditions of the District and identify the needs of its diverse group of stakeholders. The existing conditions report also serves as a guide for future analysis and additional planning recommendations.

The data collected for the existing conditions report showed that the previous Master Plan, created in 1997, no longer aligns with many of the institutions’ plans for future expansion. The updated plan includes new recommendations to help institutions implement goals and policies to achieve a unified vision for the future of the District. It addresses the recognized need for modernization, sharing resources, improving amenities, safety and security.

In the third phase of the planning process, a document of design guidelines was created. These guidelines establish a set of requirements and recommendations for keeping in line with the goals of the M aster Plan. Among the design guidelines are requirements for building size and density, landscape areas, open spaces and streetscape.

“This extensive project is rooted in our desire to foster a collaborative, well-connected environment for our stakeholders and the community,” continued Dr. McKinney. “By working together, we can achieve common goals and build upon what is already a world class urban medical district.”

The IMDC is planning to host a series of community meetings, during which time residents will have the opportunity to hear more about the plan and offer their feedback. The dates and times of those meetings will be announced at a later date. The public comment period will remain open until Monday, April 4th. Individuals can also submit feedback via email at IMDMasterPlan@medicaldistrict.org . Individuals who do not have access to email can call 312-738-5800 and ask to speak with IMDC Manager of Operations and Planning, Chris Fahey.

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The Illinois Medical District Commission (IMDC) fosters economic growth of the Illinois Medical District (IMD) by supporting healthcare, research, program, technology commercialization and real estate development initiatives. The IMDC facilitates collaboration among clinicians, academic researchers, private industry and patients, acting as an independent third party convener that brings institutions and individuals together around common needs, goals and themes. Our mission is to be a leader in patient care and medical research utilizing our diversity and unique assets while driving economic growth. http://www.medicaldistrict.org

Media Contact
Ryan Gage
Director of Marketing and Communication
312-738-5800
RGage@medicaldistrict.org

Volunteer Facilitators Needed for Community Planning Conference

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

As you may be aware, the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council will host our first annual community development conference on Saturday, April 16, 2016, from 11 am – 3 pm at DRW College Prep High School 931 South Homan Avenue.  (be sure to register at https://nlcccplanning.org/register.)  We need 40 people to facilitate discussions at tables and/or take notes during our first session. We also need 10 people to provide support to our committee chairs and vice chairs during the community assessment breakouts that follow.  We will host a training for people who are willing to assist at the Homan Square Community Center, 3715 West Arthington, on Thursday, March 31, 2016, from 9:30 am -11:30 am. Please let me know if you are coming out on Thursday so we know how many copies to prepare. Your assistance, as always, is most appreciated.

Help Bonni McKeown Raise Money to Finish Her Movie About North Lawndale’s Own Larry Taylor

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

Congressman Danny K. Davis, Illinois 7th District, and other public officials and friends invite everyone to celebrate Chicago’s historic legacy of blues and soul music by supporting the Chicago independent movie The Rhythm and the Blues. The fundraiser April 3rd will help producers finish the film, which is two thirds complete and stars the actor Leon as the frustrated blues guitarist Eddie Taylor and Guy Davis as his road partner, the famed Jimmy Reed. If you can’t make it that day, you can still help. Buy a ticket in person from one of the hosts or click on the on-line Indiegogo fund drive for the movie on this page. Larry Taylor, on whose life the film is based, will lead the band at the event for a rockin’ good time with real blues n soul.

Complete the Survey!

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

Help Plan North Lawndale’s Future

We have partnered with CMAP to create a Neighborhood Plan that will provide stakeholders and residents with a single guide for improving the neighborhood’s built environment and quality of life. We need your help to define North Lawndale’s future. Please complete the survey here.

Help Us Spread the Word About Our Conference

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

The North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council (NLCCC) and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) are sponsoring the North Lawndale Community Planning Conference on April 16, 2016, from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm at DRW College Preparatory High School, 931 South Homan Avenue.  We need your help in spreading the word.  Please download the attached poster and post card files and distribute them in your networks.  The poster file is for an 11″ x 17″ document, but it will automatically reduce to 8.5″ x 11″ if your printer does not support ledger size paper. To find out more about the conference and register , visit https://nlcccplanning.org/register. Your assistance is most appreciated.

 

Chicago Neighborhoods Now-West Side Planning Area Kicks Off Action Planning Process

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

The Chicago Department of Planning and Development hosted a kick off of the Chicago Neighborhoods Now-West Side Planning Area on March 22, 2016. The West Side Planning Area consists of the Humboldt Park, East Garfield, West Garfield, Austin and North Lawndale communities. Valerie F. Leonard, a member of the NLCCC Executive Sub-Committee, served as one of the meeting facilitators, representing the North Lawndale Community and the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council.

Leonard provided the welcoming remarks, and Brad McConnell, Deputy Commissioner for Planning Operations provided an overview of the Chicago Neighborhoods Now program, with an emphasis on the West Side Planning Area.  The audience of about 50 people were then asked to map issues with respect to several quality of life areas, including arts and culture, housing, places of worship, transportation and workforce development.

The audience returned to their seats and had an open discussion of the issues, and did a real-time survey to prioritize them. After that, the audience was instructed to think about what types of investments the city should be making in communities between now and 2017. Discussion ensued, and responses will be compiled to inform the next phase, which will include more in-depth discussions with a broader base of community stakeholders, and action planning. The plans should be completed by 2017, and will include steps communities can take now to make a difference.

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Richard Townsell (right), the Executive Director of the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation and NLCCC Housing Sub-Committee Chair, engages in sidebar conversation with Brad McConnell, Deputy Commissioner for Planning Operations.

 

 

Register for the North Lawndale Community Planning Conference

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

Please take a few minutes to complete the registration form below.  You will need to scroll down in order to get to the questions.  Be sure to hit the “Submit” button so that we receive the data.

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Volunteers Needed to Administer Surveys

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

The North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council will be surveying North Lawndale stakeholders to get a sense for what their planning priorities are, through an online survey developed by CMAP, as well as through hard copies to make sure that we can reach people who may not have access to computers. Please let us know if you and your church, block club, organization, business establishment, school, or institution would be willing to help administer and collect surveys. These are the following options:

1. Administer and collect surveys door to door.
2. Administer and collect surveys at a public location.
3. Administer and collect surveys at an apartment building.
4. Administer and collect surveys at a church
5. Administer and collect surveys at your organization’s meeting(s)
6. Administer and collect surveys at public meetings (with permission from the host)
7. Administer and collect surveys to school students in school.
8. Administer and collect surveys to school students during an after-school or summer programs.
9. Administer and collect surveys during your block club meeting.
10. Administer and collect surveys at a place of business.
Surveys should be ready by March 21st. We will be collecting data for at least 1 month, no longer than 2 months. We will probably need to develop a separate tool for business owners.

If you are interested, please email us at nlcccplanning@gmail.com

Conference Sponsorship Opportunities

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council


As you may be aware, the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council will be hosting our first annual North Lawndale Community Planning Conference on April 16, 2016, from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm at DRW College Preparatory High School, 931 South Homan Avenue. We expect 200 community stakeholders to attend and provide input into the planning process.  We are blessed that Kevin Sutton, Vice President of the Foundation for Homan Square, has agreed to be the chairman of the conference planning committee and we thank him.

We want to make sure the event is accessible to anyone who’d like to attend.  Although the event will be offered free of charge, there are still costs associated with notifying the entire community and producing a top-notch event with food and materials to facilitate discussion.  We are asking each of our Steering Committee members to make a contribution of $100.00.  We are asking rank and file NLCCC members to contribute whatever you can.  We are asking everyone to reach out to your organizations, neighbors, local businesses and other stakeholders to ask them to consider sponsoring the event or making a tax-exempt contribution to a cause that will benefit the community greatly. If we do this work as intended, we will have improved the physical environment in North Lawndale while improving the capacity of our residents, organizations and businesses to take advantage of the benefits the changes to the physical environment will bring.