The City of Chicago and the University of Chicago own 60% of the vacant land in Washington Park. For decades this community has been overlooked and undervalued. Though our population has decreased, the resilience of our residents has not.
The Obama Presidential Center will allow the world to see the beauty of Washington Park and its residents. That said, there is no reason that our community should be inundated with a community center proposed by the Woodlawn-based nonprofit Sunshine Gospel Ministries and its economic entities: Sunshine Enterprises and the Sunshine Community Development Corp.
At a community meeting in the Washington Park field house, Sunshine executives detailed the desired programming that would be offered at their proposed community center at 60th and King Drive, diagonally from Washington Park.
Basketball courts, fitness areas, exercises classes, indoor and outdoor recreation, programs for youth and seniors as well as indoor and outdoor activity spaces were among their desired programming.
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The $38.1 million proposed center will be constructed with earmarked funds: $13.5 million from the state, $5 million from the Chicago Recovery Grant and $2 million in TIF funds, plus other sources. Why use taxpayer dollars when we have the 345-acre Washington Park for outdoor activities, a field house with trained staff and basketball courts, two fitness centers (one for adults and one for youth), spaces for indoor and outdoor recreation and activities for families?
Why do we need a community center when one is being renovated at the former Walgreens on 63rd and King Drive; another one is being constructed from the ground up on 66th and King Drive; and let’s not forget the largest community center being constructed in Jackson Park: the Obama Presidential Center.
We need curbs in the park. We need a Chicago Public Library branch (the Woodlawn community is about to get its library branch). We need the city and others to recognize our beauty and work with us to maintain our existing homes, build new housing and develop businesses so that we can establish a profitable tax base and cease the land grabs.
Now is our time to reimagine, renew and rebuild Washington Park into a thriving and sustainable community and get the respect we deserve.
Cecilia A. Butler, president, Washington Park Residents’ Advocacy Council and Washington Park Advisory Council
Ramp up efforts to help homeless people on CTA
The recent surge in violence on the Chicago Transit Authority system has sparked discussions about safety, poverty and the growing unhoused crisis in our city. Commuters often meet individuals experiencing homelessness on the CTA, reflecting systemic failures. Many are forced to seek shelter on public transportation due to a lack of affordable housing and overburdened shelters, which can lead to unsafe environments, particularly when mental health crises are involved.
Unhoused individuals are disproportionately affected by violence, and their mental health deteriorates under the strain of instability and lack of access to support services. On the CTA, those in crisis may react unpredictably, especially when confronted, which can lead to dangerous situations. It is essential to recognize that while the CTA is not the root cause of these issues, the violence seen on public transportation highlights deeper social and economic inequalities.
Addressing both the violence and the plight of the unhoused on the CTA requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. Solutions could include increased access to emergency housing, the deployment of mental health crisis intervention teams (an initiative was started two years ago), and reinvestment in community-based services. Additionally, forming corporate partnerships, redirecting law enforcement funds, using federal grants, and vacant properties are practical ways to fund these initiatives. It is crucial to address the underlying causes of homelessness while ensuring the safety and dignity of all residents using public spaces.
Ken Hester, Rogers Park
‘Tyranny is not easily conquered’
Time for some Thomas Paine everyone: “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country: but he that stands it now, deserves the love of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered.”
Henry Krocker, Oak Lawn
The enemy is us
We are a nation that elected a misogynist, narcissist, liar, insurrectionist, adjudicated rapist and vengeful man who is a friend to autocrats and special moneyed interests. We elected a man who threatens the lives and autonomy of the people of Ukraine and may allow Vladimir Putin a victory in his quest to regain hegemony over former Soviet states and its neighbors.
We have a nation that fails to enact sensible gun control regulations despite daily massive gun violence that just gets worse. We are a nation that has the best economy in the world, produces the most oil, has record stock market gains, has the lowest unemployment in years and currently a very low inflation rate.
In a “60 Minutes” interview, a woman said that she voted for Donald Trump because the price of eggs is too high.
Face it, this is who we are. Forget decency, forget our Constitution and our democracy, forget compassion, forget the truth, forget our commitments to our allies, and especially forget what the experts say about the climate, the economy, education, science, etc. Just don’t let the price of eggs get too high.
Cartoonist Walt Kelly said, “We have met the enemy, and he is us.”
Dennis Gorecki, Orland Park