Politics & Government News
The 12th Ward office will again this year conduct a raffle to give away nearly 1,000 turkeys and bags of food to help 12th Ward residents celebrate Thanksgiving. Open to occupants of the 12th Ward who present proof of residency, the raffle has an entry deadline of Friday, November 9, with winners notified and food pickup available on Wednesday, November 14.
"When we donate for our residents, we provide more than a meal," said 12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas. "We provide stability, encouragement and relief."
Read more: 12th Ward Preps Thanksgiving Turkey, Food Giveaway for Community
Early voting has started in the McKinley Park neighborhood for the Tuesday, November 6, election for national, state and local offices. For most of the neighborhood, which is predominantly covered by the 12th Ward, the early voting location is at the McKinley Park field house, 2210 W. Pershing Road, Chicago. For the northwest corner of the neighborhood covered by the 25th Ward, the early voting location is at the Chinatown branch of the Chicago Public Library at 2100 S. Wentworth Ave.
Early voting at both sites this week runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday, October 27. On Sunday, October 28, the sites are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The following work week, from Monday, October 29, through Friday, November 2, the early voting sites are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The weekend before the election, the sites are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 4. On Monday, November 5, early voting is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Pershing Road site for C40's Reinventing Cities contest has taken another step forward with the announcement of project finalists: two design groups that now face the task of conceiving and submitting specific redevelopment plans for the massive lots and buildings sprawling from 1717 to 1819 West Pershing Road.
"C40 has outlined 10 challenges we are trying to address," said Wes Andrews of Urban Intersection Partners, one of the firms comprising finalist Team Pershing. "Most are related to zero carbon and resiliency — these are the areas we are going to be working on."
Read more: C40 Contest Finalists Get Set to Dig Into Pershing Road Project
Illinois 2nd District State Representative Theresa Mah received a Friend of Agriculture award and an endorsement from an Illinois farmers advocacy group in a ceremony on Friday, October 5, at her public service office in the McKinley Park neighborhood. The award and endorsement come from her strong support for Illinois farmers, thanks to lessons she's learned about agriculture through the Illinois Farm Bureau's Adopt-a-Legislator initiative.
"I am proud to support legislation that benefits farmers and small businesses," Mah said, adding that she was honored to be named a Friend of Agriculture. "I enjoyed being part of the Adopt-a-Legislator program."
McKinley Park neighborhood resident Pete DeMay announced his candidacy for 12th Ward alderman in a speech and rally next to the McKinley Park Community Garden on Sunday afternoon, September 23. Flanked by supporters and community members, DeMay outlined his priorities, focusing on a swath of issues and highlighting his independence from a Chicago City Hall status quo that has resulted in poor results for the ward, he said.
"We did not get here by accident," DeMay said. "We were driven here by a mayor and a rubber-stamp alderman."
