Kristin spoke with Drew Awsumb regarding the process and timing of the Comp Plan and the main points were as follows:
Much has changed since 2019 when the Plan was started: the pandemic, new commissioners, new aldermen
There will be public meetings ahead of the PZC discussions
There will not be an overall consultant on the Plan, but some sections and some data might be given to a consultant for updating
The city is surveying commissioners and aldermen to see where they should start as some chapters were close to being done. Drew agrees that much was not resolved in the Housing Chapter and new things have come up, such as the possibility of adding more 3-flats that could affect Land Use.
Drew agrees that officials need educating, as does the public. He will encourage educational sessions and is in favor of bringing in officials from other suburbs who have gone through updating their housing language in Comp Plans and Housing Plans.
He advised that we wait to make public comments until the topic is discussed in meetings
Kristin talked about how the year old Libertyville Comp Plan update has some very specific language on AH and in some cases call it “Attainable Housing”. That Plan and page references to the language was sent to the group following the meeting:
Here are the pages that mention AH or Attainable Housing:
Pages 112-115
Page 168, 177 and 188-89
The LWV of Illinois held their annual Issues Briefing sessions in March and one of them was on “How to Make Your Voices Heard”. A former state legislator talked about how logic and reasoning did not persuade him. What won him over were the personal stories. The group discussed friends, family, and associates personally known to them that are struggling to pay their rent, unable to live in or near Park Ridge, and have to commute long distances to work in Park Ridge, visit family, etc. We will attempt to gather these stories and either ask people to tell them at a future PZC and/or City Council meeting or agree to have them recorded and submit them in writing or on video. Local churches, businesses, social service agencies, and restaurants all may have stories to share.
The LWVE updated their Housing Statement and distributed it to local officials. One of their references was the LWVCC “Findings and Recommendations on Affordable Housing and Residential Desegregation”. They asked the question “What can Cook County Government do to promote affordable rental housing for families with children while reducing segregation?”. Kristin mentioned this to the LWVPR at their Annual Meeting on 4/9/22. It turns out that the LWVPR AH Statement is also based on this report. They will add the reference and post the report on their website. This is a document that could be distributed to Park Ridge officials at the appropriate time in the Comp Plan discussions.
Kate worked on an infographic, and it was shared with the group. Group feedback included:
Add the AR email address for people who want more information.
Add “single family homes” under the heading “Types of Affordable Housing”
Correct a typo in the property value blurb – it should be nearby, not nearlby
A second infographic to address the emotions connected with lack of AH, questions such as “How would you pay for your child’s school if you had to spend 50% of your income on rent?”, include faces of people, statistics on income vs rent/mortgage costs in PR
Upcoming events/updates:
AR Meeting April 13 at 7:00pm at the Community Church and virtual on zoom. Tonika Johnson and Maria Krysan of the Folded Map Project will be meeting with us. Nan is thinking of ways to include people of color who live in PR in Action Ridge events, committees, etc.
AR Diversity Discussion Group. Next meeting is April 27 at 7:00pm on zoom. The book is 3 Girls from Bronzeville.
Earth Day cleanup event in Blue Island on April 23rd. Contact Action Ridge for more information.
Vacancy for 7th Ward Alderman
Support the Jefferson Park Affordable Housing Project at 5150 N Northwest Highway, Chicago, with donations. For more info go to Contact Us – Friendship Community Place
HODC Open House May 20th, 3-6pm at HODC office building, 5340 Lincoln Avenue, Skokie. A “save the Date” flyer was emailed out and the detailed invitation will follow.
Time Meeting Adjourned: 8:40pm
Next Meeting Date: Thursday, May 12th at 7:00pm via Zoom
The meeting began at 7:15pm. Participants were in person at the Park Ridge Community Church and virtual via Zoom.
Nan welcomed everyone and read the Land Acknowledgment. She then introduced Tonika Lewis Johnson, creator of the Folded Map Project, and Maria Krysan, Professor of Sociology at the University of Illinois Chicago.
Feature Presentation: The Folded Map Project (Live!)
Maria Krysan provided background for the project, including the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which made it illegal to discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, sex, (and as amended) handicap and family status.
However, segregation is basically unchanged from then, though it looks somewhat different. Segregation is now baked into policies due to social engineering of segregation.
Three explanations for segregation:
Economics (assimilation perspective)
Preferences
Discrimination (stratification perspective)
Preferences (social factors) would still lead to segregation even if economics and discrimination didn’t exist.
Our media, social networks, and lived experiences are all informed by race. They are the reason we know what we do about whether a place is “good” or “bad”.
Media is more than news – movies, TV, advertisements for stores or jobs, list serves.
Social networks – living near family/friends, but also knowing where people you know live.
Lived experiences – where you live or lived, worked, places you go.
People have a tendency to use one known fact about a place to fill in for lots of things they don’t know about a place.
The Folded Map disrupts these thought systems.
Tonika also spearheaded the Don’t Go… Project. She and Maria interviewed 30 people about going to neighborhoods on the south and west sides of Chicago. Many articulated reasons for not going that were not known or true.
Tonika played a video of a segment related to the Firsthand: Segregation series. Chicagoans who have gone where they weren’t “supposed” to go discussed their experiences.
Tonika presented another project she worked on called Belonging: Power, Place, and (im)possibilities. Inspired by news reports of downtown Chicago business that were banning teens, she interviewed and photographed nine Black and brown youth and asked them about places where they have been profiled.
Reflections of AR members who went to Blue Island
Several Action Ridge members went to visit Blue Island in small groups over the past month. Action Ridge had identified Blue Island as Park Ridge’s map twin at the previous meeting.
Sharon Kemerer
There was a lot of community energy. The people at City Hall were welcoming. She had grown up in the community. Her mother had grown up in Blue Island. She visited the funeral home that had done her family’s funerals.
Chris Parson
Chris spent most of his time in downtown Blue Island. Almost all of the people working in the library were white. Many library patrons looked like they might be homeless. He saw many historic homes in the residential areas. It struck him that a very diverse community had figured out how to be stable.
Kristen Olson
Blue Island reminded her of Des Plaines in the way that it exhibited racial diversity and revitalization of the downtown area. She came in by way of more affluent suburbs, Homewood and Flossmoor. There she saw golf courses and overpasses. By contrast, Blue Island had a junkyard at its edge and she had to wait 10 minutes for a freight train to pass. The library had a big collection of books for job seeking and study guides for the military entrance test.
Nan will collect reflections from all of the AR members who went to Blue Island and will send out the compendium to the group.
Upcoming Events
Blue Island will be hosting a community clean up. There was a discussion about whether it is appropriate for people from Park Ridge to participate. Would it be a useful way to get to know people in Blue Island or could it be perceived as a do-gooder activity that might offend? Tonika thought it would be a good idea to go. Nan will send out more information as it becomes available.
At the May 11 Action Ridge meeting we will work through some of the action-oriented materials from the Firsthand series study guide.
Cynthia Kater discussed two events that respond to recent drops of anti-Semitic flyers in the north and northwest suburbs. The Niles Coalition asked if Action Ridge wanted to be involved. There will be a rally on April 24 at 5:30pm at Gallery Park in Glenview. Several elected officials are expected to attend. Then, on the afternoon of May 15, there will be a rally in Jonquil Park in Niles.
Tonika Johnson will be recording a live episode of her podcast, Inequity for Sale, on April 28 at Kennedy King College. Her guests will include Marisa Novara, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Housing; Robin Simmons, who led the charge for the Evanston reparations program; and Amber Hendley, a researcher on the paper, “The Plunder of Black Wealth in Chicago”.
The Smithsonian exhibit, “The Bias Inside Us”, will be at the Evanston Public Library. Nan is organizing a group from Action Ridge to attend.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10pm
Minutes respectfully submitted by Alissa Goldwasser and Nan Parson.
On April 13th, at 7:00, Action Ridge will host an informative meeting to look at the causes and effects of segregation. We will meet with Tonika Lewis Johnson, who created The Folded Map Project, through which a northside community is matched with a “twin” southside neighborhood.
As the Folded Map Project Website says, this twinship simply, but effectively, helps everyone “understand how our urban environment is structured and (explains the impact of segregation) on our social networks”. Tonika “wants to challenge everyone to think about how change may be possible and to contribute to a solution”.
Through their work with the Project, Action Ridge members have chosen Blue Island as our “twin city”. Six groups of two or three have visited Blue Island to get a feel for the community and to compare similarities and differences between Blue Island and Park Ridge. On the 13th, Tonika and her colleague, Maria Krysan, will guide participants in a discussion about their experience in Blue Island and will help all of the attendees find ways to create a more beloved, inclusive, less segregated city.
Dear Intellectually Curious Folks, This is your chance to learn what the term “Affordable Housing” really means and how more housing at various price points can benefit Park Ridge. Our guest speaker, Sue Loellbach, of the “Joining Forces for Affordable Housing Program” will teach us so much about housing in Park Ridge and nearby suburbs.
For Zoom link, please email: actionridge2017@gmail.com
7:00pm – 7:05 There were 33 people on the call at 7:10. Nan welcomed all of the participants, especially those who haven’t attended regularly. Then she went over a brief calendar.
The Diversity Discussion Group will be talking about Evicted on May 26th.
On June 2nd, the Housing Advocacy Group, will plan initiatives regarding Affordable Housing in Park Ridge.
(Addition to the minutes) On June 3rd, the WIP (Work in Progress) Group will continue to explore ways to structure Action Ridge to ensure its longevity.
Our next General Meeting will be on June 10th. More later about that meeting.
7:03pm – 7:05pm Current and Upcoming Actions
The BIO Bill is still pending. Noreen has asked us to submit a request to our legislators to pass the bill. Nan has included it in this email.
“The Long Shadow” will be shown in collaboration with the Park Ridge Library, including a discussion group with the producer.
The Public Comment urging the new Council to keep in mind issues of inclusion, respect and equity when forming policies was read into the record at the Council Meeting on May 10th. 139 people signed the comment.
7:05pm – 7:10pm–Introductions of the panelists and an overview of SAFE-T (Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity — Today) Act—Alissa
7:10pm – 7:55pm Panel discussion about the SAFE-T Act with
Chief Frank Kaminski, Park Ridge Police Department
Peter Hanna, American Civil Liberties Union, Illinois
Sara Knizhnik, Newtown Action Alliance
1. Introduction of Chief Kaminski, who spoke about the positive aspects of the Act.
Decertification to get rid of bad cops is good.
Body cameras are helpful. The officers like them.
Training is good but it’s hard to do it consistently because of cost and the need to take officers off the street.
Duty to aide is necessary and it’s good that it’s mandated by the law.
2. Peter Hanna of the ACLU
He feels this is a good step forward. The elimination of cash bail is especially important.
He agrees with the Chief’s assessment of the positive aspects of the bill.
He added that implementation is the key. Just having a law isn’t enough.
3. Sara Knizhnik
Criminal Justice reform can’t be separated from policing reform and gun violence prevention.
This bill is a wonderful example of what a bill can do to effect systemic change.
It restores balance to the criminal justice system. It begins to right a long list of wrongs committed against the people and takes into account their needs, which is good for law enforcement and for those in the system; and it will reduce gun violence. When the people are helped, gun violence goes down.
Alissa asked about the use of body cameras in the school system. Chief Kaminski stated that the SROS don’t have to use body cameras, despite the requirement in the bill. He said that an exception can be made. To protect student privacy, the schools don’t want them.
Chief Kaminski was asked whether training will increase because of the bill. So far, the department is waiting for direction from the Training Board. He feels that role-playing training is most effective and hopes that will be implemented. Virtual/interactive training might be used, as well.
Peter Hanna said that training is very important but isn’t helpful unless there’s enforcement and discipline of officers who don’t comply. We need accountability and transparency. The solution is interlocking the law and follow-up.
Sara agreed with the previous comments. She said that training is good but once the officers get on the street, they may do things as they’ve always done them. The culture needs to change.
Alissa asked Peter to talk about how to change police culture. He said that there’s a need to have a preventative mindset so that certain situations can be avoided. The police officers who aren’t willing to change need to be called out. For a very long time, a 1,000 people have been killed by police each year, which is much more than in any other country. That needs to change.
Chief Kaminski said that, in his long career, he’s seen very good cops and rogue cops. He feels that leadership has to be willing to call out bad apples. One bad cop can affect the whole force. The arbitration process was difficult to deal with; but this new law will help Chiefs be able to get rid of bad cops. There needs to be a mission statement, which everyone knows, understands and abides by. The Chief needs to lead the way.
The new law makes room for co-responder cooperation. Alissa asked if the Chief can imagine a day when the police will not always be called—that a Social Worker or community support might be called, instead. The Chief didn’t really answer this question but said that all of the officers get CIT (Crisis Intervention Training). Now an officer always goes out with the Social Worker. He is wondering if the day will come when there are more Social Workers. He feels satisfied with the CIT and that it has changed the culture. Now the officers know how to deescalate a situation.
Jac Charlier
Jac worked on the aspect of the bill that deals with mental health and substance abuse issues. He’s an expert on the intersection where policing deals with mental health issues.
Deflection by organizations and mental health professionals in the community must be used more often. The bill expands deflection so that states can get funding for their EMS initiatives. There are 3 ways that deflection is done.
1. Officers have ready access to someone in the department to help those with mental health issues.
2. Co-responder approaches, such as a police officer and another medical or behavioral health professional respond together.
3. Community responders—police don’t respond and community leaders, such as churches, mosques, agencies like the Institute for Non-Violence (note-takers’ suggestion) and EMTs or a behavioral health professional respond.
Jac said that we must get “upstream” of police response and deal with the causes of the problems.
Alissa brought up the issue of “qualified immunity” which tends to allow bad apples to continue on the job. It makes it hard to prosecute a rogue cop because he/she is protected by immunity.
Peter Hanna said that we need to be deferential about the difficulty of policing. A police officer who makes a good faith error should be protected. But “qualified immunity” should not be used when a police officer has violated a citizen’s constitutional rights. Now there’s a “Bad Apple Bill” before the state legislature which can also make it easier to get rid of bad cops.
Chief Kaminski worries that good cops might not be protected when they are trying to do their jobs. He worries about the profession and hears that good cops are afraid that, when they make a good-faith mistake, they could be prosecuted, jailed or fired. Senior police are leaving and it’s hard to find new police, he said. He hopes that a task force can address this concern.
A team of Chiefs of Police are working on trailer bills to correct some of the weaknesses of the bill. Police are in favor of police reform; but he feels that there are inconsistencies that need to be clarified.
7:55pm – 8:15pm Discussion about Law Enforcement and Youth in Park Ridge
Alissa asked the Chief about the use of Restorative Justice principles in dealing with youth and the SROs at Maine South and Maine East. The Chief feels that the SRO program is successful. But he agrees that the program should be evaluated on-going. He supports the idea of focus groups to make improvement.
Alissa suggested that evaluation of the program is important, including outcomes. Ginger Pennington, a City Council Watch Dog, suggested, at the last Council meeting, ways to evaluate outcomes. The Chief says that the schools need to be onboard with any evaluation plan; but thinks they should be considered.
Alissa asked about the way that young people are dealt with in large groups and wondered if they were being “criminalized”. The Chief said some of the kids aren’t from Park Ridge. He feels that police need to be involved. Most of the kids are fine. They do their best not to “criminalize the teens”.
Alissa asked if the citizen patrol groups receive implicant bias or culturally competence training. The chief said that they are just “ordinary citizens” and don’t receive training. He’s considering providing that training.
8:15pm – 8:30pm Q&A (questions via chat function)
Is the police academy training adequate? The Chief feels that it’s good enough.
The Chief is in favor of creating a teen center again.
As the law enforcement profession feels more pressure for reform, is there a way to allay the fears of good officers while dealing with the “bad apples”. The Chief said he tries to allay their fears; but police personnel are still worried about whether they’ll be treated fairly.
The meeting ended on a positive note with Alissa speaking about the importance of the SAFE-T-ACT in bringing about positive change in policing.
Our decision to initiate a Discussion Group came from our workshops with the Anti-racist Educators–Corrie Wallace, Sarah Dennis, Yvonnie Dubose and Jena Doolas.
We had been helping The Institute for Non-Violence by giving them Christmas presents and working in their Christmas shop. We wanted to have more interactions with them; but realized, as we learned more, that, before we engaged further with them and other helping agencies, we needed to be aware of our own racist biases and to study the history of racism.
Here’s a list of all of the things we’ve done to reach our current place of evaluating and planning for the future of the Discussion Group:
April 2019—Corrie Wallace, an anti-racist consultant with numerous area school systems, including in Evanston and here at D207, led us in an interactive workshop to explore racism.
Summer 2019—Jena Doolas led a book discussion of What It Means to be White.
November 14, 2019—We held a panel Discussion with Sarah Dennis, Yvonnie Dubose, Letesha Dickerson and Jena Doolas to teach us how unconscious bias affects us all.
Sarah Dennis led a book discussion of Showing Up for Racial Justice.
During the winter we conducted discussions led by Nan. We read:
So You Want to Talk About Race—Ijeoma Oluo
Just Mercy—Bryan Stevenson (Some of us also saw the movie.)
Home Going—Yaa Gyasi
Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race—Debby Irving
How To Be Anti-racist—Ibram Kendi
We saw:
“When They See Us”—film
“The Hate You Give”—film
“The Long Shadow”—film.
Shame of Chicago” and “The Color Tax” and “No Place to Live” by Bruce Orenstein
On June 6th we participated in the Prayer/Peace Vigil organized by the Ministerial Association and in a Black Lives Matter rally on June 27th.
In November we participated in the library presentation with Ibram Kendi.
In December Sarah Dennis and Yvonnie Dubose conducted a Healing Circle with several Discussion members.
In January and February, we combined the Discussion Group and the General Meeting by hosting Bill Ayers, Bernardine Dohrn and Jerry Kellman to discuss “Building the Beloved Community”.
In March, we are planning to once more combine the Discussion Group and the General Meeting with a training with the Institute for Non-violence.
February 24th, 7:00—The Discussion Group will meet to decide next steps.
We are forming a group to plan ways to advocate for increased Affordable Housing. Email actionridge2017@gmail.com to join in.
Pat Lofthouse, Julianna Lopez de Philbrook, Kate Kerin, Linda Ritts, Liz Swanson and Nan Parson are meeting next week to talk about possibly incorporating.
Alissa Goldwasser is researching the Criminal Justice Reform Bill (HB3653) and will report to us soon.
Liz and Nan have talked to Ashley Perkins, of The Institute for Nonviolence, about conducting a Nonviolence Workshop. A tentative date of March 24th has been set.
Lisa Page is negotiating with the library about showing The Long Shadow, followed by a discussion with the writer/producer.
On March 18th, the Park Ridge League of Woman Voters will sponsor a candidate forum. Action Ridge’s Julianna Lopez de Philbrook will take part. They are asking for volunteers. If you’d like to help, email the Park Ridge League.
There was an article in Journal Topics that reviewed the recent Maine South High School video meeting about diversity and inclusion.
Karen Hein mentioned that The League of Woman Voters is holding its annual Issues Briefing on February 22 and February 27. Information and registration are at lwvil.org.
Special Guest Gerald Kellman
Sue and Mike McGovern introduced Gerald (Jerry) Kellman. Jerry is an organizer who has been working for social justice in areas including affordable housing, restorative justice, and violence prevention for decades. He co-founded the Gamaliel Foundation and brought Barack Obama to Chicago in 1985. He currently works for the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, an organization that advocates for financial institutions to make investments in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Jerry described his journey in social justice work:
Grew up in New Rochelle, NY, which was geographically segregated and, as a result, had segregated neighborhood schools. The fight to integrate the schools was his introduction to organizing.
Much of his work has been rooted in faith-based initiatives. He worked with churches. More recently he believes that Evangelical churches have turned from social justice to tyranny and that the Catholic church has not engaged where it should.
Fast forward a decade or more…
Recruited by NCRC to address economic racism, namely the difficulty of people of color to get loans. NCRC is the principal organization that holds banks accountable for reinvesting in communities. About to complete the largest agreement to date with PNC Bank– more philanthropy, more lending to communities of color, alternatives to payday lending.
Also working on workforce initiatives for NCRC. SNAP employment and training is a program with bipartisan support that is being underutilized in several states including Pennsylvania and Michigan.
Observations/Beliefs
Community groups (churches, unions, etc.) are not as strong as they used to be. The internet has, to a degree, supplanted the information flow that came through these institutions. Organizing has to change as a result.
On transitions: Moments of questioning are uncomfortable, when what you thought you knew shifts. If you sit with it, you can move through to something possibly more worthwhile. Barack Obama’s election began a transition that we are currently moving through.
An organizer’s skill is listening – what people want, need, care about.
Relationships are the key to inspiring and sustaining movements. There is a need to be in a relationship with those we want to help and people who want to help us. It is important to be around people who are different than we are and to hear their point of view.
Define yourself, don’t let others define you.
Addressing Local Issues
Easier to do affordable housing if you have the partnership of your municipality. In most towns, this isn’t possible. The good news is that you can still pursue affordable housing in Park Ridge without the city’s help – the laws are very strong. If there’s the money and zoning to put up a building, the city couldn’t stop it. Could get support from Cook County.
Waukegan had a law that you could only live in a dwelling with immediate family. Jerry’s group sued and eventually the city had to give in.
The economics of affordable housing initiatives don’t work unless you get a subsidy – of land, most likely. If not, then you have to get grants. Park Ridge may not get block grant funds, but Cook County may and could allocate to this initiative. It is also possible to pursue bequests as a source of funding. A four-unit building would require a subsidy of approximately $40K-$50K per unit. Fundraising is key.
Jerry believes that change can happen locally as well as nationally.
What is the real goal behind promoting affordable housing – is it to bring diversity to Park Ridge or give better housing to a lower income community? The approach might be different depending on this answer. It is important to build coalitions outside of Park Ridge.
Banks could also be partners. Corporations have re-assessed racial inequality as something they want to take up. This change came from the Black Lives Matter protests and a response to the danger posed by Donald Trump.
A way to motivate an institution (police, elected body) is to identify who is doing it better and challenge Park Ridge to be a leading community.
How do you assess a community’s needs?
Train how to interview, listen, and assess what has been heard
What is the immediate impact on people’s lives?
How can the goal be defined in a specific way?
Is the goal realizable?
If the goal is to increase diversity in Park Ridge, some of the approaches might be:
define diversity broadly and address each front
invite people in
educate
work through existing relationships with sister churches
advocate for housing diversity
The next Diversity Discussion Group–February 24th at 7:00.
Next General Action Ridge meeting – March 24th at 7:00.
The topic will likely be a workshop with the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago
Meeting concluded at 8:39pm
Respectfully submitted by Alissa Goldwasser and Nan Parson
Our next speaker in our series on Building the Beloved Community is unable to make it as planned for this General Meeting. Instead, we are encouraging members to tune into a zoom call being held by Dr. Ben Collins, Principal of Maine South, and his staff. They have been working hard to build a more Beloved Community at Maine South and want to report on their progress and are seeking our support. The changes made at Maine South raise our spirits and give us hope for a more Beloved Community right here in Park Ridge; so please read the note from Dr. Collins below and join him and his team on the 11th, at 6:30.
For a link to the call, please contact actionridge2017@gmail.com.
From Dr. Collins:
I hope this message finds your family healthy and managing this challenging time well. We are working hard to navigate this year for our students at Maine South and to grow into a better and more caring environment for all students and staff… This special meeting happening … will address where our school is at with our efforts towards equity, inclusion, diversity and anti-racism. We have a banner that will go up soon which has been designed by our students. We are also deep into staff training and have instituted some direct actions this year because of student listening sessions. All of these efforts will be discussed, including plans for the future.
For this work to be successful, we need engaged and committed community members to help us in our journey. We need you!
NOTE: To request an audio file of this guest interview, please email actionridge2017@gmail.com.
Guest Interview
Bernardine Dohrn (BD)
Impressed with Action Ridge’s organization and commitment to social justice.
Went to Washington four years ago to protest Hillary Clinton’s policies as presumed winner of the 2016 presidential election. Ended up as counter demonstrators to a Trump rally.
Women’s March the following day – serious, silly, inventive, jubilant. Came back invigorated and inspired to talk with neighbors. Left leaflets on block to invite people to brunch to talk about what to do next. Learned that neighbors they had known for years were active in many different efforts to improve the world.
Bill Ayers (BA)
Admires Action Ridge’s efforts to build a beloved community. Part of democracy is talking to others and inviting people in to dialogue.
There is the saying “If you’re not pissed off, you’re not paying attention.” But if all you are is angry, you can’t build the kind of networks and community to move forward.
Cycle of effective activism:
Open your eyes…to what exists in the world beyond your own experience.
Be astonished… by beauty and suffering.
Do something.
Rethink…the actions you took and the circumstances that now exist.
“Open your eyes” is something that has to be done continually, not just once. Don’t be smug and assume you know the path. Knowing comes with a burden.
“Be astonished” means don’t normalize injustice. Don’t take for granted that we see homeless kids; respond to the horror of it.
“Rethink” – begin process again. Believes that they failed in their youth to rethink.
Progressive people get caught up in thinking that politics is about elections. Believes in voting, but we spend too much time looking at sites of power we don’t have access to (government) and ignoring the sites of power we do have access to (religious institutions, universities, community centers.)
Change comes not from hearts on top, but from fire below. Obama, Roosevelt and Lincoln all changed positions because of pressure bubbling up from grassroots sources.
AR: How have conditions for social justice change changed in the past several decades?
BD
Movements have coalesced in Chicago for the past thirty years. Immigration rights, Women’s march, BLM, coalitions that Barbara Ransby put together. Chicago has been a hotbed of activism and thoughtfully intersectional.
BA
Bill and Bernardine are not nostalgic, but he still holds his membership card from Students for a Democratic Society. They are of the present. Learn from young people.
R3 is 36 organizations that meet and hammer out common interests. Struggle for black freedom – upsurge is bigger than they have ever seen.
Now is what matters. Looking forward is what matters. Link arms in solidarity – not in service or charity. James Baldwin taught that white people will be freed when Black liberation is realized — freed from privilege.
When Occupy movement happened, it accomplished a lot. Raised the question of the 1%. No one had presented it like that. Movements are places of public education. Creating a public square is necessary. Learning together and making mistakes together.
BD:
Wouldn’t have imagined the emboldened and out front white supremacist activity three years ago; seeing a new power of neo-facism and white supremacy.
AR: How do you stay motivated and energized to continue the work of social justice?
BA
Movements have created changes, like the end of death penalty.
They weren’t active in the movement but were disgusted by celebratory environment around John Wayne Gacy’s impending execution. Went to Statesville prison and found very few people there of like minds. Bill had never felt more marginalized. A few years later, George Ryan cleared death row. BA’s mindset wasn’t winning the issue, it was about preserving our humanity.
BD:
Larry Marshall wanted to have conference of people who were exonerated from death row. Another Kind of Innocence effort was around juvenile justice. Launched effort to end juvenile death penalty (having committed crime under 18) but didn’t want to redirect efforts to abolish death penalty. Stayed away from states that were on the way to do that.
BA
Reframed the idea of juvenile life without parole – “Sentenced to die in prison.”
AR: What is the legacy you hope to leave and value most highly?
BA
Family – sons, grandchildren, and each other.
After controversy during the Obama campaign, wrote for therapy and published “Public Enemy”, which is really a book about parenting.
BD
After kids left, they cared for their parents.
AR: Are there practical tools you use to keep yourself motivated and inspiring youth?
BA
Youth inspire THEM.
They are personally happy and the world is broken. Necessary to put yourself proximate to the suffering you see.
Their work is challenging the dominant narrative – white superiority and Black inferiority.
Have to stay hopeful, not optimistic, because that implies you know what outcome will be. The day before the revolution, it is unthinkable. Looking back, it is inevitable.
When Jon Burge was convicted of torturing Black men into convictions is sparked a movement for reparations. BLM took it over the top. City apologized and paid reparations. Amazing accomplishment happened because many movements came together.
AR: White people are trapped in history we don’t understand. What is the danger of being too passive or too active?
BD
Reminder that we as white people need to check in with others on a regular basis.
Benefits of white supremacy requires us to use the steps Bill articulated.
There is peril in not getting buy-in from everyone who is a stakeholder to an issue, but is not a reason for inaction.
Going back and evaluating consequences of actions is important.
BA
The 1619 Project is essential. Trump responded by forming the 1776 commission, report released on MLK day. Has his students read them side by side.
You don’t have to do everything – can you do something? Connect to other somethings. Join with other like-minded people.
BD
If you are a single issue person, you are vulnerable and weaker.
When two big issues come together you are stronger. Intersectionality – consider how issues are connected.
BA
Value in reframing the issue
BD
Corporate interests and military are counter to just society — need to take back everything that makes US a world power to make the country better. Take pentagon budget and put into climate and education. Need to build grass roots power and be wary of corporate power.
BA
Need to be willing to engage in dialogue
Thinks he is in the majority of the country on the top 10 issues.
Example of speech at the University of Georgia. Hell’s angels took places in the front row to intimidate him. Reframing of issue led to an interesting and substantive conversation. They went to lunch together to continue the discussion.
BD
Expect the unexpected. Elimination of cash bail in Illinois – setting agenda for the country. Be ready for opportunities.
AR: What are the best ways to leverage social media?
BA
Ask a 10 year old. They are not proficient at using social media
AR: What advice do you have about how to forward an Affordable Housing agenda after all the actions AR has taken?
BA
Movement building – research, thinking, engaging others. Rahm Emanual closed schools but proposed cop academy. Young people in Garfield Park asked a different question – what would you do with $95M? Reframe the issue.
BD
Sports, music, theater – conscious efforts to reach out beyond the obvious and comfort zone can make a difference what you are building and where support comes from.
Witness what youth poets are doing in Chicago at Louder Than A Bomb Youth Poetry Festival – amazing community building fueling movements.
BA
If Biden is going to champion progressive initiatives it will be due to popular fire from below. Environmental justice advocates got the administration appointments they wanted. Obama was against gay marriage at first; advocates kept on working and changed the narrative.
AR: What are resources to teach children about social justice?
BA
Alison Bechdel published Fun Homeand Dykes to Watch Out For. Bechdel test for whether media is anti-sexist – two woman characters that have names and talk to each other about something other than men.
Black Lives Matter in Schools and An Indigenous Peoples History of the United States for children
(On engaging with people with different world views) Don’t see having a civil conversation with people who want to overthrow the government. Hells Angels experience – usually a way to reframe the issue.
BD
Humor is also an excellent way to break the ice.
BA
Lecture is didactic; humor is inclusive.
BD
Mothers of people on death row were instrumental to overturning death penalty. Humanized the people on death row.
The Feminist on Cellblock Y is a film that humanizes the incarcerated.
BA
Often accused of being an idealist. He wants to have an ideal that he is looking toward. He is not naïve, wants to learn and see more.
Utopia always moves away as you step towards it. What good is walking toward it? Keeps you walking. Need to love the world enough to keep working to change it.
Nan thanked Bill and Bernardine and the participants in the discussion.
She acknowledged Melvin Lars who wrote Just an Ordinary Joe’George and is a host for Civic Dinners. Sign up on-line for Bridging the Racial Divide.
Meeting ended at 8:55pm
Meeting minutes submitted by Alissa Goldwasser and Nan Parson
Welcome from Liz Swanson and explanation of the plans for the evening
Ongoing Actions – Nan Parson
Thank you’s to Jackie McNeily, Cynthia Kater, Alissa Goldwasser
Alissa Goldwasser will research and report on law enforcement reaction to the passage of criminal justice reform legislation in Illinois.
Liz Swanson and Nan continue to strategize around having a social justice banner at Maine South, like the other district high schools.
Action Ridge continues to work with NWS4REJ on holding City of Chicago accountable for stipulations of the consent decree.
Noreen Gayford is keeping tabs on gun violence legislation. The BIO bill did not get taken up by the State Senate, but work will continue.
Kristin Berg and Nan continue to forward efforts to create affordable housing with the Planning and Zoning Committee and City Council; partnering with Reclaim the Suburbs
Upcoming Events – Nan Parson
Next Core Leaders Meeting: February 4
Next General Meeting: February 11
Next Discussion Group: February 24
Mike McGovern is working with Better Arguments Project (building better civic conversations); Action Ridge could possibly have a training on February 11.
General meeting in March may focus on the election.
Introductions of Guest Speakers – Valerie Halston and Fran Stott
Bill Ayers is an educator and activist who has written many books on education, race, and social justice. He blogs on his website (bilayers.org) and produces a podcast called Under the Tree.
Bernardine Dohrn is an activist, educator, legal scholar, and children’s and women’s rights advocate. She was formerly a law professor at Northwestern University where she started the Children and Family Justice Center.
Guest Interview
Bernardine Dohrn (BD)
Impressed with Action Ridge’s organization and commitment to social justice.
Went to Washington four years ago to protest Hillary Clinton’s policies as presumed winner of the 2016 presidential election. Ended up as counter demonstrators to a Trump rally.
Women’s March the following day – serious, silly, inventive, jubilant. Came back invigorated and inspired to talk with neighbors. Left leaflets on block to invite people to brunch to talk about what to do next. Learned that neighbors they had known for years were active in many different efforts to improve the world.
Bill Ayers (BA)
Admires Action Ridge’s efforts to build a beloved community. Part of democracy is talking to others and inviting people in to dialogue.
There is the saying “If you’re not pissed off, you’re not paying attention.” But if all you are is angry, you can’t build the kind of networks and community to move forward.
Cycle of effective activism:
Open your eyes…to what exists in the world beyond your own experience.
Be astonished… by beauty and suffering.
Do something.
Rethink…the actions you took and the circumstances that now exist.
“Open your eyes” is something that has to be done continually, not just once. Don’t be smug and assume you know the path. Knowing comes with a burden.
“Be astonished” means don’t normalize injustice. Don’t take for granted that we see homeless kids; respond to the horror of it.
“Rethink” – begin process again. Believes that they failed in their youth to rethink.
Progressive people get caught up in thinking that politics is about elections. Believes in voting, but we spend too much time looking at sites of power we don’t have access to (government) and ignoring the sites of power we do have access to (religious institutions, universities, community centers.)
Change comes not from hearts on top, but from fire below. Obama, Roosevelt and Lincoln all changed positions because of pressure bubbling up from grassroots sources.
AR: How have conditions for social justice change changed in the past several decades?
BD
Movements have coalesced in Chicago for the past thirty years. Immigration rights, Women’s march, BLM, coalitions that Barbara Ransby put together. Chicago has been a hotbed of activism and thoughtfully intersectional.
BA
Bill and Bernardine are not nostalgic, but he still holds his membership card from Students for a Democratic Society. They are of the present. Learn from young people.
R3 is 36 organizations that meet and hammer out common interests. Struggle for black freedom – upsurge is bigger than they have ever seen.
Now is what matters. Looking forward is what matters. Link arms in solidarity – not in service or charity. James Baldwin taught that white people will be freed when Black liberation is realized — freed from privilege.
When Occupy movement happened, it accomplished a lot. Raised the question of the 1%. No one had presented it like that. Movements are places of public education. Creating a public square is necessary. Learning together and making mistakes together.
BD:
Wouldn’t have imagined the emboldened and out front white supremacist activity three years ago; seeing a new power of neo-facism and white supremacy.
AR: How do you stay motivated and energized to continue the work of social justice?
BA
Movements have created changes, like the end of death penalty.
They weren’t active in the movement but were disgusted by celebratory environment around John Wayne Gacy’s impending execution. Went to Statesville prison and found very few people there of like minds. Bill had never felt more marginalized. A few years later, George Ryan cleared death row. BA’s mindset wasn’t winning the issue, it was about preserving our humanity.
BD:
Larry Marshall wanted to have conference of people who were exonerated from death row. Another Kind of Innocence effort was around juvenile justice. Launched effort to end juvenile death penalty (having committed crime under 18) but didn’t want to redirect efforts to abolish death penalty. Stayed away from states that were on the way to do that.
BA
Reframed the idea of juvenile life without parole – “Sentenced to die in prison.”
AR: What is the legacy you hope to leave and value most highly?
BA
Family – sons, grandchildren, and each other.
After controversy during the Obama campaign, wrote for therapy and published “Public Enemy”, which is really a book about parenting.
BD
After kids left, they cared for their parents.
AR: Are there practical tools you use to keep yourself motivated and inspiring youth?
BA
Youth inspire THEM.
They are personally happy and the world is broken. Necessary to put yourself proximate to the suffering you see.
Their work is challenging the dominant narrative – white superiority and Black inferiority.
Have to stay hopeful, not optimistic, because that implies you know what outcome will be. The day before the revolution, it is unthinkable. Looking back, it is inevitable.
When Jon Burge was convicted of torturing Black men into convictions is sparked a movement for reparations. BLM took it over the top. City apologized and paid reparations. Amazing accomplishment happened because many movements came together.
AR: White people are trapped in history we don’t understand. What is the danger of being too passive or too active?
BD
Reminder that we as white people need to check in with others on a regular basis.
Benefits of white supremacy requires us to use the steps Bill articulated.
There is peril in not getting buy-in from everyone who is a stakeholder to an issue, but is not a reason for inaction.
Going back and evaluating consequences of actions is important.
BA
The 1619 Project is essential. Trump responded by forming the 1776 commission, report released on MLK day. Has his students read them side by side.
You don’t have to do everything – can you do something? Connect to other somethings. Join with other like-minded people.
BD
If you are a single issue person, you are vulnerable and weaker.
When two big issues come together you are stronger. Intersectionality – consider how issues are connected.
BA
Value in reframing the issue
BD
Corporate interests and military are counter to just society — need to take back everything that makes US a world power to make the country better. Take pentagon budget and put into climate and education. Need to build grass roots power and be wary of corporate power.
BA
Need to be willing to engage in dialogue
Thinks he is in the majority of the country on the top 10 issues.
Example of speech at the University of Georgia. Hell’s angels took places in the front row to intimidate him. Reframing of issue led to an interesting and substantive conversation. They went to lunch together to continue the discussion.
BD
Expect the unexpected. Elimination of cash bail in Illinois – setting agenda for the country. Be ready for opportunities.
AR: What are the best ways to leverage social media?
BA
Ask a 10 year old. They are not proficient at using social media
AR: What advice do you have about how to forward an Affordable Housing agenda after all the actions AR has taken?
BA
Movement building – research, thinking, engaging others. Rahm Emanual closed schools but proposed cop academy. Young people in Garfield Park asked a different question – what would you do with $95M? Reframe the issue.
BD
Sports, music, theater – conscious efforts to reach out beyond the obvious and comfort zone can make a difference what you are building and where support comes from.
Witness what youth poets are doing in Chicago at Louder Than A Bomb Youth Poetry Festival – amazing community building fueling movements.
BA
If Biden is going to champion progressive initiatives it will be due to popular fire from below. Environmental justice advocates got the administration appointments they wanted. Obama was against gay marriage at first; advocates kept on working and changed the narrative.
AR: What are resources to teach children about social justice?
BA
Alison Bechdel published Fun Homeand Dykes to Watch Out For. Bechdel test for whether media is anti-sexist – two woman characters that have names and talk to each other about something other than men.
Black Lives Matter in Schools and An Indigenous Peoples History of the United States for children
(On engaging with people with different world views) Don’t see having a civil conversation with people who want to overthrow the government. Hells Angels experience – usually a way to reframe the issue.
BD
Humor is also an excellent way to break the ice.
BA
Lecture is didactic; humor is inclusive.
BD
Mothers of people on death row were instrumental to overturning death penalty. Humanized the people on death row.
The Feminist on Cellblock Y is a film that humanizes the incarcerated.
BA
Often accused of being an idealist. He wants to have an ideal that he is looking toward. He is not naïve, wants to learn and see more.
Utopia always moves away as you step towards it. What good is walking toward it? Keeps you walking. Need to love the world enough to keep working to change it.
Nan thanked Bill and Bernardine and the participants in the discussion.
She acknowledged Melvin Lars who wrote Just an Ordinary Joe’George and is a host for Civic Dinners. Sign up on-line for Bridging the Racial Divide.
Meeting ended at 8:55pm
Meeting minutes submitted by Alissa Goldwasser and Nan Parson
On January 28, 2021, Cook County Commissioners voted unanimously to extend protections to 245,000+ suburban renter households in Cook County! The Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO) will:Create safeguards against illegal lockouts and guidance on when a landlord can enter a unit Create procedures for withholding rent until building problems are addressed. Protect against lease terms that waive the basic tenant right to notices. Prevent landlords from charging outrageous late fees for late rent payments. Prohibit excessive security deposits and certain non-refundable “move-in” fees…and more. The RTLO goes into effect June 1; however, the anti-lockout provision takes effect immediately.For thirty years, renters living in Chicago, Evanston, and Mount Prospect have benefited from municipal ordinances defining basic tenant-landlord rights and responsibilities. Now, the Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO) will protect suburban Cook County renters, as well.Overall, the proposed ordinance clarifies the roles and responsibilities for both renters and landlords—making the rental landscape easier and fairer to navigate for everyone.
‘No one is free when others are oppressed.’ Martin Luther King Jr.
We are Action Ridge and our purpose is to promote principles of democracy: inclusion, respect, equity and the health of our planet. We believe that truth matters. The truth is that racism is wrong, painful and hurts everyone. The truth is racism exists and denying it and blaming others does nothing to change the truth or the systems that perpetuate policies of injustice.
In 2016, the divisive, fear mongering, and oppressive tactics seen in the presidential campaign shifted many of our perspectives. A few of us pledged to work together to affect change. And so we formed the social activist group, open to all, now known as Action Ridge. As a group and individually we work to build a Beloved Community in Park Ridge and beyond.
As mostly white, middle class and middle or upper aged individuals, we acknowledge our lack of understanding of what our sisters and brothers of color face every day. We do know that for each person brutally treated and killed because of racial bias, the pain grows and radiates outward. The names George, Ahmaud, Breonna, and many others, are now tragically familiar and each represents a family, a story, a beloved life lost. We grieve and hurt with our sisters and brothers of color.
Our goal is to continue to respect, include, see & listen to each other. But, importantly, we act. Some of our actions include a diversity group learning about racial injustices, working on fair and affordable housing practices in our community, advocating to reduce gun violence and more. Please join us at actionridge2017@gmail.com to stand with us in action against racial injustice.
Nan Parson welcomed and introduced Aleksandra Kajderowicz (AK)
AK is a student at Maine South and has been serving as Action Ridge’s intern this semester. She completed a research project entitled “Restrictive Covenants of Park Ridge”
Park Ridge restricted sale of homes to non-white people through written covenants in real estate transactions. These covenants were enforced by real estate professionals. AK found text that specifically forbade sales to people of “African blood”.
Racist covenants were a common practice throughout the country in the 1950s through the 1970s.
They are illegal today, but the resulting segregation is still evident.
In Park Ridge, there was much debate around open housing regulations.
Ultimately, open housing had more proponents (1968)
AK’s experience brought her to this project with a unique perspective. She attended Penoyer in Norridge and her parents came to the US as immigrants. She was surprised to find how much stability there is in Park Ridge – residents and businesses tend to stay. Generations of the same family come back to settle in the community. While Park Ridge is a very stable community, AK noted that there is a lack of racial diversity here. She said that work needs to be done to “address the legacy of racist housing policies and ensure that all individuals have equal access to housing and the opportunities that come with it”.
Kristin Berg reminded the attendees that Park Ridge is working on an affordable housing plan to file with the state this year. She introduced the evening’s first guest speaker. Richard Koenig
is the executive director of Housing Opportunity Development Corporation (HODC), a nonprofit affordable housing developer.
HODC develops, preserves and manages housing that is available at below-market prices. Some of their properties specifically serve people requiring special services like seniors and people in recovery from substance use disorders. Currently, HODC has completed 31 affordable housing developments comprising 560 units.
Two organizations which ultimately became HODC were outgrowths of Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1967 Fair Housing movement. The movement met a lot of resistance to its ideas of affordable housing and it was difficult to get developers to take action. In 1983, HODC decided to build on its own.
HODC specializes in complex financing structures to keep rents low. The organization focuses on communities in the North and Northwest suburbs. HODC develops senior, family, and supportive housing with an emphasis on allowing people who work in a community to also live in the community.
Affordable housing development is a long process. A fast project may take is 3-4 years; some projects have taken more than 20 years to see to fruition.
There is always more demand for units than supply, so HODC uses a lottery system to select tenants.
Communities can take steps to advance affordable housing initiatives.
Create committee for affordable housing within the city structure; build it into operating procedures.
Advocate for an inclusionary zoning ordinance, which would require a percentage of new development to be affordable.
Advocate for the city to establish a trust fund funded by taxes for affordable housing projects. The State of Illinois has one.
Look at City-owned land/property that could be repurposed for affordable housing.
Create a fund for first-time homebuyer assistance. It is much harder to do projects where the tenant becomes the homeowner; 90% of HODC’s developments are for rental housing.
It costs as much, if not more, to build affordable housing units. HODC must manage them in order to keep living costs low.
Kristin introduced the second guest speaker, Heather Ross. Heather is an attorney specializing in legal issues surrounding reproductive technology. She has been a Village Trustee in the Village of Northbrook since 2019.
Heather shared her story of becoming a Village Trustee who is an advocate for affordable housing. She had not initially intended to run for elected office. She belonged to a community group advocating for social justice but their efforts were not yielding results. Ultimately, the group decided that they needed representation on the Board.
After Heather won the seat, she found that the mayor was supportive of affordable housing, but didn’t think she had support. The mayor asked the trustees to rank the issues that were most important and, as a group, affordable housing turned out to be the top priority.
They started with public forums to help educate residents about affordable housing and receive feedback. It was helpful to have Highland Park’s plan as an illustration, which showed that a community can retain its character.
Aspects of Northbrook’s plan:
In larger developments, 15% of units must be affordable.
Units must be dispersed throughout building, not all in one area.
Plan has no preferences for tenants (doesn’t advantage people from Northbrook).
There are Incentives for developers (opportunity to increase density, for example).
Board must review all marketing materials for rental solicitations.
There was community pushback, but the education forums were important and dispelled rumors. Developers have remained very interested in doing projects in Northbrook.
After the presentations, the audience engaged in a lively discussion, asking questions about how both presenters were able to convince communities to work toward increasing affordable housing. The conclusion was that advocates must persevere, finding creative ways to tirelessly push for policy change. Northbrook’s success is an example that persistence pays off. Richard Koenig and Heather Ross offered to help Action Ridge in the continuing efforts to create change so that the racist legacy of the past no longer so strongly affects the present and future.
Meeting notes submitted by Alissa Goldwasser and Nan Parson
Notes from Action Ridge General Meeting on April 12, 2023
Submitted by Sue Fox McGovern
Liz Swanson greeted the 22 members who were present at the general meeting and then introduced the speaker member Ginger Pennington.
Ginger, a resident of Park Ridge since 2011 and a professor at Northwestern University, addressed the topic of how Park Ridge School District 64 is handling the issue of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in its schools. She said this topic “has been contentious.” While she noted that the student body in D64 is more diverse than in the past, it is currently 80% white.
Ginger said there was some “nastiness around the current election” because of pushback to DEI efforts from some parents. These parents, she said, believe that schools should focus wholly on academics and not “encroach in my family’s business.” Some Action Ridge members said they are hearing comments in the Park Ridge community advising others to stay away from D64, and that “it’s not the place you want to work.”
Ginger shared the “Equity in District 64” statement with us. It reads:
“District 64 is committed to educational equity, which means all students have equitable access to the educational resources and support they need to achieve their full potential in District 64, students’ needs will not go unmet due to race, ethnicity, dominant language, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, family background, and/or socioeconomic status.”
Ginger mentioned that the D64 Diversity & Equity Leadership Team (DELT), which is composed of D64 parents and staff, is moving ahead to advance inclusion. However, she added that pushback on DELT’s work and other issues contributed to tension that resulted in the resignation of Superintendent Olson. She also explained that initiatives by some anti-DEI groups, such as Awake IL, which is based in Naperville, have support in Park Ridge.
Ginger said that the newly elected candidates for D64 worked hard to get elected and now need our support at future board meetings. She pointed out that Action Ridge members and their friends can help through the following actions:
Show Up: Write supportive letters, emails, and social media messages and attend board meetings.
Speak Up: Do not remain silent in the face of misinformation and disinformation around these issues. Respectfully speaking up with accurate information and/or reputable resources helps.
Inform: Help friends, neighbors, and acquaintances learn accurate information about the nature of DEI initiatives to help counter misinformation.
Liz will publish the dates of upcoming D64 meetings in her weekly eblasts. She will also provide us with the emails of the four new board members so we can reach out and support them.
Other items:
Ranked-choice voting: Keep an eye out for SB1456 to become active and file a witness slip to push through ranked-choice voting. If you haven’t already registered to sign a witness slip, follow the instructions that will be included in the email.
Taste of the Hawks: Nan will be present for Taste of the Hawks at Maine South High School, Wednesday, April 19, from 5-7 pm to share the mission of Action Ridge with high school students.
Earth Day: All are invited to Action Ridge’s table at Maine Park Saturday, April 22, 11 am-3 pm for Earth Day.
Criminal Justice/Policing: All are welcome to attend Coffee with the Chief. We announced an incorrect date for this. The CWC will be Monday May 8 at 7p, at the Park Ridge Public Library on the 3rd floor.
Gun Violence Prevention: All are invited to Beer on the Wall Monday, April 24, 5:30-8:30 pm to write thank you notes to representatives who supported a ban on assault weapons.
Upcoming meetings:
May 10: The May meeting will focus on affordable housing.
June 14: The June meeting will provide updates on the efforts to advance the ERA.
Action Ridge hosted two-year termcandidates for the D64 school district on March 13th. Recording of the full event is available on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/actionridge
Action Ridge hosted candidates from the contested 5th and 7th wards on March 8th. Recording of the full event is available on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/actionridge
Attendees: Kristin Berg, Nan Parson, Kathy Rosling, Kate Kerin, Jeanne Wells, Melani Kaplan, Juliana Lopez De Philbrook, Kristen Olson
City moving very slowly on Comp Plan and Housing Plan.
The PZC is discussing Land Use in the Uptown B4 district. Kristin spoke with Drew Awsumb about adding AH to the Land Use Table and he encouraged her to make the comment at the next PZC meeting on 2/14.
Alderperson/Commissioner Meetings
Alderperson Fred Sanchez did not respond to two email attempts to schedule a meeting.
Alderperson Rick Biagi sent the following response to our request for a meeting:
“Thank you for your email message however I respectfully decline your invitation for a private meeting. If there is anything you wish for me to review, please send it to me in writing and I will do so and will share with the entire City Council.”
The group discussed next steps with Alderperson communications. The consensus was that residents should be able to talk to/meet with elected officials and be heard.
Action Ridge joining the Chamber of Commerce
Nan and Kristin attended 2 different PREN group meetings where we introduced Action Ridge to the members. Members were welcoming and a few spoke to us after the meetings about adding their names to the Action Ridge email list. The third PREN group meeting is on 2/10. There may be an opportunity in the future for AR to make a short presentation to the group. Member presentations are part of the meeting format.
Regional LWV Forum Report
The group met via Zoom on 1/9/23 and updated each other on their local issues. Of note:
Naperville approved a Housing Ordinance that includes incentives for affordable housing development – 25% reduction in park district contributions, parking variances, increased lot coverage, and building height. All have been mentioned by developers as obstacles to AH projects. This is a positive result.
Naperville was advised by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, the same consultant to Park Ridge for its Housing Plan.
Action Ridge Intern
A Maine South Senior will be an intern for Action Ridge and may assist our group at some point. She may attend our meetings.
Tools to Create AH
We will continue to study and discuss.
Collection of written stories of those in PR that need AH
Kristen and Melani talked about seniors who can’t afford to pay utilities, taxes, and home repair costs and are living in poverty. There is nowhere in Park Ridge for them to go that they can afford.
Upcoming Events
AR General Meeting February 8th at the Community Church at 7:00pm. **Since the meeting we have learned that District 64 will not be participating. There will not be a meeting and we will concentrate on the Candidate Forum coming up in March.
Coffee With the Chief on February 13th at 7:00pm in the Third Floor Conference Room of the Park Ridge Public Library. This meeting’s theme is racial bias training for employees of the department. On January 24, Alissa Goldwasser attended a pilot training program for the Park Ridge and Des Plaines police departments. Alissa and Chief Kaminski will review the day-long training and talk about its implications for upholding principles of equity in the daily actions of police officers. Attendees are welcome to discuss other topics as well.
AR Diversity Discussion Group. The discussion is going to be the viewing of a short series called “Colin in Black and White.” The series is available on Netflix. We may have watch parties and the discussion will be on 2/23. If you have any questions, contact Karen Banks-Lubicz at lubicz@netzero.net or 847 924-0457.
Alderperson Candidates Forum tentatively set for March 8th. All 4 candidates in the 2 contested races have agreed to participate. We discussed questions about AH that could be asked during the forum. Candidates could be asked about their vision of AH in the community; if they would be willing to change zoning regulations or offer incentives to achieve/preserve more AH.
Melani reminded us that May is AH Month. We may ask the library to post our infographics and informational documents. We are considering a speaker or panel discussion of AH at the May Action Ridge meeting on May 10th.
Time meeting adjourned: 8:17pm
Next Meeting Date: Thursday, March 16th at 7:00pm via ZOOM
Nan Parson welcomed those in attendance and remarked that this is the 6th anniversary of the forming of Action Ridge.
Review of 2022 actions taken in our areas of interest
Affordable Housing – Kristin Berg
The goal of the group is to address the need for Affordable Housing in the City, primarily adopting a serious AH plan and implementing the state Affordable Housing Planning and Appeals Act that mandates all municipalities to have 10% or more of its housing stock be affordable. Wording regarding ways to encourage the development of more Affordable Housing needs to be added to the new Comprehensive Plan.
Though this issue has not garnered much support from City leadership in the past, there have been changes in the Council membership and P& Z leadership as well as several staff changes which may bode well for the development of more Affordable Housing. Some leaders are now using language that indicates possible support for other housing options.
The group members have developed a petition for social service agencies to consider in support of AH and supportive housing. In addition, other persuasive materials including Housing Facts, PR Salaries table, Housing Authority information, and an infographics piece are ready for distribution and social media sharing. The group is collecting personal stories regarding the need for more affordable housing from current residents and those who work here and wish to live here as well.
Kristin and Nan have met with City and P&Z leadership as well as new aldermen to offer us as a resource for their considerations on these issues.
Education – Ginger Pennington
At the November D 64 board meeting a small group protested the actions of the Superintendent and his hiring of a diversity and inclusion consultant. The group requested his termination, indicating that their perceived concentration on equity and racism was not appropriate. Some of these members also objected to some reading materials in the schools and public library. The group also criticized cancellation of the traditional school Holiday Sing. Actually, the Holiday Sing did take place.
At the December board meeting a large group supported the Superintendent and encouraged reasonable dialogue and education about the issues which concerned parents.
Several board positions will be on the spring ballot. Members are encouraged to become informed about candidates in the future as the LWVPR and Action Ridge plan candidate forums.
Environment – Jeanne Wells
Tim Milburn, Action Ridge Environmental Area of Interest lead and member of the Sierra Club is a wonderful resource for all environmental considerations-solar power, electric vehicles, especially.
SWANCC is also a wonderful resource for recycling information.
There is also some interest in banning leaf blowers.
There are door to door sales-persons selling insect elimination services. It must be noted that they also kill pollinators and should be discouraged.
The topic for Green Drinks this month will be the Tree Programs in PR, Blue Island and Homewood. It will take place on Tuesday, January 17, 7:00 at Beer on the Wall. Jarid Perrin, PR Urban Forester, and guests from Blue Island and Homewood will present. The group will discuss increasing the tree canopy and selling trees to private property owners.
Gun Violence Prevention – Maureen McInerney and Noreen Gayford
Illinois has become the 9th state to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
The age limit stays at 18 for weapon purchases instead of a proposed change to raise it to age 21.
All Democrats voted “yes” in support of the Assault Weapon Ban. One Republican, Jim Durkin, also voted “yes”. All other Republicans voted “no”.
Some counties and congress members announced that they would refuse to obey the law. However, the Governor said that the law will be enforced statewide.
GPAC hopes to encourage other Midwest states to consider similar action.
Policing and Criminal Justice Alissa Goldwasser
Alissa gave an overview of the committee’s work over 2022
January and February – Alissa and others investigated and weighed in on the PRPD decision to contract with Lexipol. The City did sign a contract with Lexipol.
April – The Student Resource Officer report needed to be more in depth.
July – Coffee with the Chief took place with mental health being the topic. The City social worker, Geri Silic, participated. We learned about her role with the PRPD and particularly discussed the incident in which a Chicago Policeman physically restrained a 14-year-old boy of Puerto Rican descent.
August – Coffee with the Chief. Youth disturbances in the Uptown area were discussed and AR contributed to work on a forum for addressing youth issues.
September – The SRO report was now more comprehensive, and the City acknowledged it’s improvement. Work still needs to be done.
October – Ride-along with the traffic officer, CWC equity in traffic stops (continued data tracking.)
December – Coffee with the Chief. Implementation of the Safe-T-Act was the topic of discussion. The abolishment of bail bond is now on hold due to a lawsuit, which is pending. Otherwise, the full law went into effect on January 1st.
Alissa has been maintaining a database of all PR traffic arrests for a few years, considering age, gender, location patterns. The sample size is too small to draw firm conclusions. However, she has noted a possible bias toward stopping a greater number of people of color than white drivers. She is willing to share this data.
Alissa was invited to attend a pilot program called Managing Bias Training which is being conducted by the PRPD. She will attend with several police officers.
Voting and Elections – Chris Parson
Ranked Choice Voting -The Progressive Reform Network is requesting that we sign their petition to demand ranked-choice voting be adopted locally and statewide. This method eliminates expensive run-offs and creates kinder, more cooperative campaigns because a candidate might have to rely on voter’s 2nd or 3rd choices in order to win. It eliminates the need for spoiler candidates. Link for petition:
Pat Lofthouse will make an appearance before the City Council soon to propose consideration.
More than 200 high school students were registered to vote before the election. Efforts will continue before the local election in the spring.
LWVPR and Action Ridge will present forums prior to the election.
Concluding Remarks
Liz Swanson commented on the 6th anniversary of Action Ridge and shared that she had felt isolated before Action Ridge was established and wasn’t certain of community support for her beliefs. She commended Action Ridge for bringing together like-minded residents so that there was support for more progressive causes. She commented that we are building a more “beloved community” among our members and city-wide and that this feels very positive.
When Action Ridge started, there were questions about “who are we?” and “how do we support each other?”. She continued that there were sometimes disappointments but also eventual successes. One concern was how to continue during COVID19 and deal with the technology challenges of Zooming. The result of the determination to continue is a caring, effective organization with more to come in the future.
Mailchimp – Liz Swanson
Liz thanked the group for reading the weekly emails and asked for suggestions for additions and changes to those emails. She said that we could consider a different host platform, though Mailchimp is easy to use. Links help shorten the entries. She also asked members to submit information prior to Tuesday when the draft is prepared. She could use a support person to assist whenever she’s absent. She thanked Kate Kerin for substituting while she was on vacation overseas this spring. With more time, now that she is retired, she will explore other features of Mailchimp, stats, etc
Membership – Kate Kerin
The goal is to increase membership and update members areas of interest. Marilyn Novak and Jane Curry have volunteered to help with Membership efforts.
Book Discussion – Karen Bank-Lubicz
The next discussion will take place on January 25 at 7:00. The current book is “My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Mending of our Bodies and Hearts” by Resmaa Menakem. We have had very educational readings and discussions.
We may consider shorter or less intense selections; perhaps a series of selections to encourage new participants.
Communication – Nan Parson
A Maine East intern will soon be available to assist with the website. Kristin made a suggestion for the website- tabs for resources so they are easier to locate.
Martin Luther King Jr Day Event – 1/16 Nan Parson
Join the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago for a two hour introduction to Building the Beloved Community using Dr. King’s Principles and Steps of Nonviolence and assemble toiletry packs for participants and neighbors in need.
A few of us are leaving from Park Ridge and will carpool. If you are interested, email Liz or Nan at actionridge2017@gmail.com.
Presentation of Slate and Vote
Chris Parson made the motion to close nominations at this time and to accept the presented slate, seconded by Kate Kerin, approved by unanimous voice vote. The slate was adopted and is shown in full below:
Source: Ziprecruiter.com *Those in the 90th – 100th Percentile earn more ** Home Values based on monthly payments (PITI) at 30% of annual income, calculated using the following terms: – 20% down payment – 7% fixed rate interest payment – 30 year mortgage term – $2,400 in property taxes – $1,000 in annual insurance premiums Terms, especially taxes and insurance estimates, will vary based on sales price, loan size, current market conditions, exact location, credit score, ability to make a 20% down payment, etc.
44% of extremely low-income renter householders are seniors or have a disability, and another 44% are in the labor force, in school, or are single-adult caregivers.
Extremely low-income renters face a shortage of approximately 7 million affordable and available rental homes. Only 36 affordable and available homes exist for every 100 extremely low-income renter households.
In Illinois:
442,175 low-income households in Illinois have incomes at or below the poverty level and 68% of poorest renter households spend over half of their income on housing.
Illinois Public Act 102-175: Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act (AHPAA)
The original AHPAA from 2004 expressed the State’s public policy promoting the creation of affordable housing and created an appeal process for developers who believed they were unfairly treated because their proposed development contained affordable housing. The AHPAA was strengthened in 2021, enacting new affordable housing tax incentives and grant programs and adding a home rule preemption. Park Ridge can no longer ignore the Act due to its home rule status.
The AHPAA identified a Statewide goal for every community to achieve at least 10% affordable housing within its jurisdiction. If a community already met this goal (per State calculations), it was characterized as “exempt” and not subject to the mandates described in the law. If a community was “non-exempt”, it is required to adopt an affordable housing plan which describes measures the community will implement towards achieving the 10% goal.
Park Ridge’s Affordable Housing Share is 8.0% so a Housing Plan is Required
In Cook County:
The number of hours that must be worked weekly at minimum wage (2021 $13.00/hour or $24,960 annual) to rent:
Studio Apartment One Bedroom Apartment Two Bedroom Apartment
actionridgepr.com 