District 6 Blog

It's the day after the Common Council meeting and I'm still ruminating on the outcome. My resolution to get a modest $100,000 in assistance to Willy Street businesses was defeated 13-7 (15 votes are needed to pass a budget amendment).

At the last full Common Council meeting I introduced a resolution to establish a grant program for businesses within a block of the Willy / Baldwin intersection that were impacted by the extended protest following the police shooting of Corey Ruiz.

Last Wednesday, August 12, we held a Zoom meeting to discuss Lotus Company's development proposal for the Essen Haus / Come Back In site.

Lotus Company proposes to redevelop the Essen Haus / Come Back In site to build 202 units of affordable housing. The form factor will largely follow what was previously approved for this site, but replaces a hotel with apartments.

Early this morning, the intersection of Willy and Baldwin Streets was cleared. Please see below for a summary sent to alders. Alders (including me) were not notified in advance of this action.

Since the police killing of Corey Ruiz on July 22nd, we have been at Williamson and Baldwin every day. First, to express our intense anger at yet another officer-involved killing in our neighborhood. Next to mourn with the community in our…

At 8am this morning, County Supervisor Yogesh Chawla and I were onsite as St. Vinnie's regained access to their parking lot / loading dock and unloaded their first truck in a week. At 10am, they reopened to the public.

The intersection of Williamson and Baldwin Streets remains occupied by an ongoing vigil after the police killing of Corey Ruiz one week ago. Again, my priority remains a peaceful path forward emphasizing public safety without any further harm.

99% of trash and recycling containers are no longer part of the barricades. I have spoken with protest organizers and you can go retrieve your carts.

Common Council President Sabrina Madison announces current OIM amendments will not go forward.