Chicago Residents Demand Clean Up Before 2016 Olympics In Chicago

About five hundred south side residents gathered in Kennedy-King College’s Great Hall for a town hall meeting in April sponsored by Action Now, a grassroots organization, to demand that the city clean up neighborhoods that may showcase the 2016 Olympics if Chicago wins the bid for the event.

“The meeting is to bring more attention to the communities and to put more pressure on the mayor,” said Vanessa Ferniza, Director of Communications for Action Now.

Several south side Aldermen, the Chicago Police Department, the Department of Streets and Sanitation and other representatives from the city and state who were in attendance were asked by Action Now to promise that they would fix cracked uneven sidewalks, repair potholes, and provide more assistance for homeowners among other things that need improving. Although city officials agreed to make changes they also asked community residents to take more responsibility.

“I’m as committed to you as I’ve always been but I need your help and always will. The vacant lots, once we clean them what will we do to keep them clean. I will fight to the end for us. We need to come together and start taking care of our own community,” said 16th Ward Alderman JoAnn Thompson.

Toni Foulkes, 15th Ward Alderman and a 36 year resident of her ward says that more block clubs and block captains are needed to make it easier to address community issues. “We get multiple requests for the same issues,” she said.

“I want you to call 311 and keep calling 311 because these numbers get logged. That report goes to Picardi [Commissioner of the Department of Streets and Sanitation], the mayor and comes to each of the aldermen,” said 20th Ward Alderman Willie Cochran.

“They will react to us because they want to make things better. I want to kick them in the butt for you. I’m doing it because I want Englewood to be better. I made a commitment to deliver the service but we have to take care of our community. How often have we told our children not to throw those chip bags down?” he asked.

Residents sighed and groans were audible as Robert L. Myers, Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Neighborhood Services for the Department of Streets and Sanitation requested more resident participation in the collection of trash in their neighborhoods.

“You’ve got to be proactive. Call us. You’ve got to come back there and help clean up. We’ve got to fight and say no. A clean neighborhood makes a safe neighborhood. We need you like you need us. You’ve got to help me help you,” Meyers said.

Frustrated residents shouted questions about the lack of trash cans and overgrown, junk filled vacant lots despite requests for questions to be submitted on index cards to be asked near the end of the meeting.

“Garbage cans are put out [by the city] and stolen because they are aluminum. Vacant lots are often privately owned by people who don’t live in the neighborhood. Violations can be given to the owners up to $1500,” Meyers answered.

Edward Kulbida acting 7th District Police Commander said that in response to increasing violence in Englewood the Department will begin to identify officers who want to work on the bicycle patrols and are present at high schools and parks.

“We need your input at beat meetings. That information is given to the commander then taken and suggestions are given to the superintendent. Superintendent Weiss is intent on getting officers off of desks at 35th. I’m tired of seeing vigils of slain children with teddy bears,” Kulbida said.

Maruwa Ferrell, a New City resident since 1976, listened earnestly to the speakers and said that he came to the meeting to see what politicians had to say about the Olympics and its possible impact on south side communities. He does not believe the Olympics coming to Chicago will change his neighborhood for the better.

“Oh yeah, things will change. I don’t know if it will be positive because [it will bring] gentrification and that will increase hardships on the working class. I think it is a way to move the people. Everything will go up. They will promise jobs but they will not happen,” he said.

Originally published in 2007.

Author: Chanel Polk