Talk of the Town

There is an organization called SAGA which sponsors Homesharing an innovative housing program designed to match non-related people (adults, couples, older adults, single parents) together in roommate situations that are beneficial to both. Miniinformational workshops are scheduled throughout the Chicago land area. Call (708) 832-1070 for information. Their motto is Bridging Families to Prevent Homelessness built on Faith, Honor and Dignity.

Applications are now being taken for the 2010 CEDA Scholarship Awards to eligible residents of suburban Cook County, up to $1000 for low-income students who demonstrate academic achievement. DEADLINE is Friday, April 19, 2010 – the site closest to us, is 3518 West 139th Street, office phone 371-1220, contact: Gail Sanders. You do need a CEDA scholarship application, references and proof of income eligibility.

Well…here we go again, The Water Department: Has our city heard of those magic words Please and Thank You? Can they explain why a 10% late charge is necessary for bills not even 30 days old? Is it even legal? Can they shut off water if you don’t want a meter change? Why do they try to muscle in, rather than treat people with courtesy? Here’s an exact quote from a letter dated March 8th. “On February 12, 2010 we sent you a letter…having your water meter replaced, etc. If an appointment is not made within the next 2 weeks, your water service may be shut off .” End of letter. A reader came to me with a letter I am quoting from—their mom is over 90 years old, and her daughter collects her mail once a month. How pleasant!

What about the whole meterchanging business?

We (the FORUM) tap into several environmental groups. One of their predictions states that Chicago stands to become the only large city in the U.S. that will fail to meet new limits for air pollution which are in the process of being regulated by the Obama administration. Between 2006 and 2008, Chicago was well above the limit for smog-causing nitrogen oxides, but an EPA air bureau chief attributed at least part of that bonus to the location of the city’s air monitor atop a building in the Loop which is near two major expressways, picks up downtown traffic and two coal-fired power plants. Makes you really want to consider a radon-powered plant, doesn’t it?

Two senior facilities will give seniors a choice to remain in their own community even though they are not quite able to live independently. State approved facilities are in the planning stage for Blue Island and Chicago Heights. Lower income seniors may have 1 and 2 bedroom supportive living apartments available for modest rental. Illinois now had 119 approved facilities. Site plans have not yet been submitted by the developer, although some contact has been made with both suburbs.

On February 9th, a federal judge ordered that a hate crime count could be added to a lawsuit filed by an HIV-positive man who alleged he was the victim of brutality by Blue Island police. Judge Charles Kocoras ruled that attorneys representing the complainant could file an amendment to the suit making this the first time in history that the Illinois hate crimes law has been used in a federal court.