Correspondence
e mail from
RPCAN
received Saturday March 25th, 2pm
Due to utter chaos at the polling places, we still have only partial and unofficial results, but ...88% of voters say YES to Jobs & Economic Justice.
The referendum campaign was organized by RPCAN as part of its Jobs & Economic Justice campaign, which has participation of faith leaders, student groups, union activists and neighbors that believe Rogers Park Needs A Raise.
We all thank the referendum team that made it happen, including Connie Hall, LaDonna Dudley, Elaine Detweiler, Robin McPherson, Malachi Ajaya, Jenni Purdue, Jose Monroy, Denise Chiles, Lori Parker, Charity Ryerson, Gus Roddy, Gloria Samuels.
The referendum vote sends a message to officials that the people want a policy tying community economic benefits to public financing. Under such a policy, if an institution, company or project wants to get public money (including TIF), it is expected to have policies ensuring * some form of local preference in hiring and/or union apprenticeship program, * employees and contractors' employees get a living wage * respect for worker rights, including the right to organize without interference.
The idea is to promote such a community economic benefits policy as the standard for employers that want to operate in our neighborhood. RPCAN sees this applying to the workforce as a whole, not only the temporary construction work directly funded, but exempting "Mom & Pop Shops" with fewer than 10 employees. Voters in five precincts sent a clear message that we want to see such a policy implemented.
If you want to join in the support, you can send an email to city officials and Loyola (which is asking for a $46 million TIF subsidy, but refused requests to negotiate community benefits agreements) calling for this approach to be attached to public funding, such as: $69 million Devon-Sheridan TIF, $53 million Howard CTA station reconstruction, $48 million S&C electric TIF Gale Park fieldhouse.
click here: www.citizenspeak.org/node/145
** Note regarding the Loyola TIF **Besides pushing for the jobs & economic justice policy to apply in general, RPCAN's Board of Directors voted to oppose the specific request from Loyola University for a $46 million TIF subsidy (part of the Devon-Sheridan TIF), to reimburse part of the cost of rehabbing tax-exempt campus buildings. RPCAN values Loyola as an important part of our community, but this subsidy request does not satisfy our community's interests. Contact RPCAN for more info about reasons.
Loyola reps claim they have more community support than opposition. RPCAN is asking members and allies to register opposition to that specific subsidy proposal, before it is submitted to the City Council, by clicking on: www.citizenspeak.org/node/150
Thanks for your help. When each of us does her/his part, the change it's gonna' come.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Roth, Patricia Phillips, Co-Chairs
P.S. Of course, we also need financial support to continue this work. You can make a credit card donation on-line at www.rpcan.org (click the "make a donation" button) or send a check to RPCAN at 1545 W. Morse, Chiacgo, IL 60626
RPCAN Office rpcanoffice@earthlink.net
RPCAN
received Saturday March 25th, 2pm
Due to utter chaos at the polling places, we still have only partial and unofficial results, but ...88% of voters say YES to Jobs & Economic Justice.
The referendum campaign was organized by RPCAN as part of its Jobs & Economic Justice campaign, which has participation of faith leaders, student groups, union activists and neighbors that believe Rogers Park Needs A Raise.
We all thank the referendum team that made it happen, including Connie Hall, LaDonna Dudley, Elaine Detweiler, Robin McPherson, Malachi Ajaya, Jenni Purdue, Jose Monroy, Denise Chiles, Lori Parker, Charity Ryerson, Gus Roddy, Gloria Samuels.
The referendum vote sends a message to officials that the people want a policy tying community economic benefits to public financing. Under such a policy, if an institution, company or project wants to get public money (including TIF), it is expected to have policies ensuring * some form of local preference in hiring and/or union apprenticeship program, * employees and contractors' employees get a living wage * respect for worker rights, including the right to organize without interference.
The idea is to promote such a community economic benefits policy as the standard for employers that want to operate in our neighborhood. RPCAN sees this applying to the workforce as a whole, not only the temporary construction work directly funded, but exempting "Mom & Pop Shops" with fewer than 10 employees. Voters in five precincts sent a clear message that we want to see such a policy implemented.
If you want to join in the support, you can send an email to city officials and Loyola (which is asking for a $46 million TIF subsidy, but refused requests to negotiate community benefits agreements) calling for this approach to be attached to public funding, such as: $69 million Devon-Sheridan TIF, $53 million Howard CTA station reconstruction, $48 million S&C electric TIF Gale Park fieldhouse.
click here: www.citizenspeak.org/node/145
** Note regarding the Loyola TIF **Besides pushing for the jobs & economic justice policy to apply in general, RPCAN's Board of Directors voted to oppose the specific request from Loyola University for a $46 million TIF subsidy (part of the Devon-Sheridan TIF), to reimburse part of the cost of rehabbing tax-exempt campus buildings. RPCAN values Loyola as an important part of our community, but this subsidy request does not satisfy our community's interests. Contact RPCAN for more info about reasons.
Loyola reps claim they have more community support than opposition. RPCAN is asking members and allies to register opposition to that specific subsidy proposal, before it is submitted to the City Council, by clicking on: www.citizenspeak.org/node/150
Thanks for your help. When each of us does her/his part, the change it's gonna' come.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Roth, Patricia Phillips, Co-Chairs
P.S. Of course, we also need financial support to continue this work. You can make a credit card donation on-line at www.rpcan.org (click the "make a donation" button) or send a check to RPCAN at 1545 W. Morse, Chiacgo, IL 60626
RPCAN Office rpcanoffice@earthlink.net
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home