Greetings, all!
Happy holiday weekend! We hope everyone is enjoying the spring weather that has finally come our way (or at least from time to time).
Although there is nothing concrete to report, much is underway. Here is a very brief rundown. We will keep you posted.
Input to the Lightfoot administration
We thank everyone for all of the many communications that have been sent to the Lightfoot administration raising concerns about a host of issues related to the Obama Presidential Center. Many are calling for the Lightfoot administration to take a new look at all of the plans related to the OPC — its buildings and grounds, the roads, the golf course, and more.
JPW has also been in touch with the new administration along with others who have been involved in the federal review process to raise concerns on a variety of related issues.
Changes in top administrative positions send a mixed message. Designation of Eleanor Gorski as acting commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development is a favorable sign, as she is knowledgeable about preservation issues and has a history of positive dealing with key preservation organizations. Retaining Mike Kelly at the Park District gives less grounds for hope that the new administration may revisit problematic decisions made under the prior mayor.
As noted, we will keep you posted.
Protect Our Parks lawsuit enters final round
Final briefs were filed by both Protect Our Parks and the City on Friday, May 24, on their respective motions for summary judgment filed May 3. Once again, JPW provided technical support to POP as it prepared its final brief. Federal Judge John R. Blakey has changed the date for the final hearing from May 30 to Tuesday, June 11, at 11 a.m. He will likely issue his ruling on those motions for summary judgment at that time. It is also likely that the losing side will file an appeal.
Donate
We continue to
- You can contribute via PayPal here; you can choose to make your donation a monthly one.
- You can contribute via checks made out to Jackson Park Watch sent to directly to Jackson Park Watch, P.O. Box 15302, Chicago 60615.
- You can contribute via checks from donor-directed funds sent to our fiscal sponsor Friends of the Parks at FOTP, 17 N. State St., Suite 1450, Chicago 60602, ATTN Nicole Machuca. Such checks should be made out to FOTP with a note stating they are intended for Jackson Park Watch.
As always, we thank you.
Brenda Nelms and Margaret Schmid
Co-presidents, Jackson Park Watch
www.jacksonparkwatch.org
jacksonparkwatch@gmail.com