South Street i News for and serving: Grand Boulevard, Douglas, Oakland, Kenwood, Woodlawn, Washington Park, Hyde Park, Near South, Gap, Fuller Park, Armour Square Vol. n r\o. 4 Copyright 1999 Cherrel Communications IVhunrv II -24, I9»9 MS.PAC 99 47UISBA. cc a makes .JIWOIAMII UUUIU III Ulv I If I removed from 444 East 48th Street Endorsements Rush rally call to the Mayor's seat Tillman's Candidates sign ward meeting agreements in representing Mid-South wards Addressing issues head on, the Bronzeville's Mid-South Political Action Coalition, (MS.PAC) a group of candidates and politi­ cal activists of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 20th wards, reached agree­ ments with candidates of the Mid-South wards, slant of candi­ dates for the February 23rd election. What formed from town hall meetings Armadell Hicks of the 47th Street emerged from South Mayoral candidate Congressman (1st) Bobby Rush, center, after leaving South Street Journal's office where he was Business Association (L) with a com­ Stinson 2 ward street Journal. interviewed by the newspaper's publisher and Editor, Ron Carter (far Left. The congressman was continuly greeted by munity youth, returns to Alderman The political organi­ pass-byers after leaving the Journal's office on 47th Street Dorothy Tillman's (3) office the next zation co-founder day after being escorted out by the Malachi Thompson, a Dispelling Daley's Myth Chicago Police attempting to address candidate of the 4th 47th Street plans with the alderman.. ward, later removed Why Bobby Rush Can Win Grand Blvd.-The 47 Street Business off the ballot help Mayoral Candidate Bobby L. Rush gearing up for a "Get Association following up on the city's bring the focus for out the Vote", added rhythm to a rally in his honor, call­ encouragement for it to meet with the Mid-South. ing for "Every Soul to the Polls". The rally was held 3rd ward alderman. Dorothy Tillman : "Our mission is to Monday, February 15 at I he Greater S">lem Missionary '" it ioricc rts for the A 'tr Streel «. provide people with in­ Baptist Church at 215 W. 71st Street, host by Rev. Leon velopment Plan (47thSBAj, Vice f,re; formation about the Jenkins. ident Ron Carter was told to leave, fol­ Mid-South wards that Rush, while serving as a noble congressman was gearing lowed by a police escort of Armadell they can use to take an up for the mayor seat four years ago. Since that time has Hicks, area coordinator (3) for the active role in democ­ been as positioning hisself to revive the "Washington 47thSBA. racy." said Thompson, Coalition" that Chicago saw in 1983 and again in 1987. As Malachi Thompson, area coordi­ who was 1 Iarold Washington became the first African-American nator (4) arrived at the meeting was "MS.PAC is proud to mayor of Chicago because he was able to galvanized the also confronted by Tillman. "I was support of the overwhelming numbers of African Ameri­ Williams, announce it's list oI en­ there to get an update on the Lou dorsements for the up­ can voters to create a coalition with Latino and progres­ Rawls Cultural Center. Alderman fill- coming February 23 sive white voters. man has been mentioning my name in general election for the Rush focus was not only to recreate this coalition, his the media like there's some kind col­ campaign reports that the demographics of the city are office-' of Mayor and South Street Journal endorsed Mayoral Candidate laboration going on, but she never now more favorable for the continuation of this coalition Aldermen of the 2nd, Bobby Rush as early as August 1998. The newspaper once called me. I was there to share 3rd, 4th and 20th than now more ever before. According to an analysis of all so witness his block out from most media. The in­ information with her about the Suther­ wards." voter registration statistics. terview reflects a sample of issues he has submitted to land project and she asked me to leave There are approximately 1.36 million voters in Chicago. all media. The interview is a recap of his platform is on for no apparent reason.. She's really (Continued on page 6) Butler, 20 ward (Continued on page 6) page 8. paranoid about something". Tillman and staff accused Carter and Hicks as being part of candidate Wal­ The "Bottom Ups" theory for low income Empowerment Zone get turned around lace "Gator" Bradley camp. The 47thSBA has for two years at­ tempting to address concerns along the 47th Street District for business expan­ sion, and the development of new business interest within the targeted Projects Political Overtones redevelopment area. As the Empowerment Zone (EZ) program. Chicago lost out on the second Hicks has reported that Aid. Tillman program works through the second round of funding, which was $50 to $100 has repeatedly refused to address the funding phase, charges are that the million dollars because it misappropriated redevelopment, plans of 47th street funding is on hold by the influence of funds in the first round." with them. When Hicks referred to the the mayor's office and aldermen that B/%J In a audit report from the Federal Office redevelopment plans of 47th in the serves EZ communities. Inspector General it found that the City of ward meeting Tillman stated that Doug Gill, a community activist who Chicago reported to HUD "did not main­ Hicks is here to disrupt the ward meet­ help prepare the EZ proposal to fund tain adequate control over its EZ program ing. Chicago three years ago said, "It was to assure efficient and effective use of the The City council passed the Aid. the best democratic program this con­ funds or accurate reporting of the Pro- Tillman's plans for "Eminent Domain" servative government could produce ™~™ gram's accomplishments. The City inap­ (to take possession of land) bounded that reflects the needs of poor people." propriately used funds, inaccurately reported the ac- by 45 th St. to 51st st. and St. Lawrence Gill who represented the Chicago's EZ community complishments of its EZ activities; and reported pro- to the 47th Street "L". The plan in­ groups at the national level as well added "President jects as EZ activities when they were not. As a result, cludes the Lou Rawls Theater that has Clinton and Vice President Gore did the best they EZ funds were not used efficiently and, and the im- been in the works for over seven years. could. But they failed by leaving it up to the local pression that the benefits of the program were The redevelopment of 47th Street has government to implement the process fairly. There greater than actually achieved. " the potential to generate investments is no accountability to the people that it's suppose to Randy Evans a community researcher and activist of $100 to 250 million with public serve. Nor the groups that worked for two years to said, "Rich M. Daley and this administration has funds such as the Empowerment Zone bring the funds to Chicago. Not like New York city shown their lack of respect and their inability to be funds. where the process is still in the community's control fair to African people in Chicago as it relates to the Hicks said. "As of this date we have Ron Carter, formerly of CHA, now director of the to ensure accountability." EZ/Enterprise communities and TIF's. The audit have targeted businesses presently on city's Empowerment Zone (EZ)projects met in a semi- In a recent candidate Bobby Rush said. "The Clin- proves that the monies for the EZ were 47th Street expressing a desire to work close session with Mid-South representatives on the ton administration is reluctant and afraid of this 'Misappropriated' or ripped off by people connected with the City of Chicago and develop- status of the projects and the realities of Chicago pol- Mayor [Daley]. If HUD...would aggressively en- directly and indirectly to the Daley administration and (Continued on page 12) itics in funding. Below is Karen Grossman, EZ force a review process we would have a much better (Continued on page 5) South Street Journal Revival of Woodlawn s 63rd Street Woodlawn - After many debates unveiled the major revitalization and duplexes? known as Wood­ on the 63rd street El demoliton, a plan for the area, which includes lawn Park Homes, on 63rd Street vision that emerged from over the a new tax increment financing between Ingleside and Kenwood last 30 years by The Woodlawn (TIF) district, market-rate hous­ Avenues. Organization (TWO), Dr. Leon ing developments and improve­ A major streetscaping project Finney with Bishop Arthur Bra­ ments for park and schools. along 63 Street, which will in­ zier of Woodlawn Presevation In­ The revitalization plan centers clude new light poles and land­ vestment Corporation held its on the community's main thor­ scaping, is slated to begin this | grondbreaking ceremony on oughfare, East 63 rd Street, where year. 1 February 9th at 63rd and Black- groundbreaking on Homes at "Thanks to cooperation between stone with a host of community Blackstone, which includes 38 the City and private community- representatives, city officals and new market-rate townhomes at based investors, the momentum developers. 1428-38 and 1465-81 E. 63rd ST. we've built in Woodlawn will Breaking ground for The Homes at Blackstone and celebrating the rebuilding of Woodlawn. (I to R) Carole JVIillison, President of the Woodlawn Community Develop­ The revival of 63rd street devel­ These townhomes will soon be keep this neighborhood moving ment Corporation; Allison Davis of Davis Ditton; Dr.