Children's Museum critics blast 'propaganda in the park' :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State

Did you know the Chicago Children's Museum gets a rebate every time one of their patrons pays to park at Navy Pier? The rebate is meant to offset the high cost of parking for the patron, but instead of giving it to the parker, the museum keeps the money.

Parked at the kid's museum? They owe you :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: The Watchdogs

__________________
Parkshore Gal
SAVEGRANTPARK.ORG

"Axelrod’s work for the Children’s Museum was particularly galling; in one of most bitter political fights in the city’s recent history, Axelrod was on what the public overwhelmingly deemed to be the wrong side.

“ASK’s predilection for operating in the shadows shows up in its work,” BusinessWeek Chicago reported. “On behalf of ComEd and Comcast, the firm helped set up front organizations that were listed as sponsors of public-issue ads. Industry insiders call such practices “’Astroturfing,’ a reference to manufacturing grassroots support. Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward, who has been battling the Children’s Museum’s relocation plans, describes ASK as ‘the gold standard in Astroturf organizing. This is an emerging industry, and ASK has made a name for itself in shaping public opinion and manufacturing public support’.”

Axelrod’s Other Job Division Street

"Mayor Richard M. Daley, one of Axelrod's friends and earliest clients, is pushing construction of a new Children's Museum in Grant Park to replace a facility on Navy Pier that the museum says it has outgrown. So far, though, "open-space" foes have stymied the move. The museum retained ASK early in 2007. Total federal earmarks Obama requested for Chicago Children's Museum, for the construction of a new Chicago Children's Museum facility: $1,300,000."

The US Report - The US Report - The GOP had Karl Rove; Obama has DavidAxelrod

The Chicago Children's Museum won't like this: Thumbs down for the new underground Capitol Visitor Center in Washington

The Chicago Children's Museum won't like this: Thumbs down for the new underground Capitol Visitor Center in Washington | The Skyline

"Maybe, if the courts don't kill it, the recession will."

The courts will kill it.

Eric

From Save Grant Park --

Dear Supporters,

As many of you know, there are currently two lawsuits in progress that were filed in response to the Chicago Children's Museum's plans to build their new museum in protected Grant Park.

The first lawsuit, and Administrative Review calls for a review of the Chicago Plan Commission's decision and the entire process of the Museum's application to the Plan Commission.

A hearing for this first lawsuit will be Tuesday, March 31st with Judge Martin Agran.

If Judge Agran rules in our favor, the Chicago Children's Museum (CCM) must go back to the drawing board and resubmit new plans to the Chicago Plan Commission. We anticipate they would appeal this decision. If the judge does not rule in our favor we will have 30 days to appeal.

The second lawsuit, a Denovo Review, asks the court to take a fresh look at the entire process of the Musuem's application including the Plan Commission, Zoning Committee and the City Council.

A hearing on this second lawsuit will be Thursday, April 9th with Judge Sophia Hall.

If Judge Hall rules in our favor, the CCM will have to repeat the entire process over again: Plan Commission, Zoning Committee and City Council. Any appeal must be made within 30 days.

We will send out updates after each hearing detailing the decisions.

The Chicago Park District and the Chicago Children's Museum thought the citizens of Chicago wouldn't notice their plot to takeover public green space for private interests. They were wrong. Indeed, they thought they would have construction well underway by now. They did not understand how hard Chicagoans would fight to preserve it's most important public green space. We will continue to file appropriate lawsuits based on the Montgomery Ward decisions that have protected Grant Park for more than 172 years. Save Grant Park has led this community effort for more than three years now, and we are in it for as long as it takes. Thank you for all your support. We know you will stay with us to Save Grant Park.

Please support Save Grant Park by donating online at Save Grant Park! or by mailing your check made out to "Save Grant Park" directly to our bank:

5th/3rd Bank
400 E. South Water Street
Chicago, IL 60601
Attn: Save Grant Park

Regards,

Peggy Figiel
Save Grant Park

P.S. Every dollar makes a difference!

From Peggy Figiel,

Dear Supporters,

Save Grant Park has just received word that the hearing for the first lawsuit (Administrative Review) opposing the plan to relocate the Chicago Children's Museum to Grant Park scheduled for tomorrow (March 31), has been canceled by Judge Agran.

Questions: How can a hearing be canceled? Isn't the court obliged to hear the case?

Answers: While the hearing will not take place tomorrow, it cannot really be canceled, only delayed to a later date. The case against this illegal takeover of Chicago's most precious park by private interests can and will be heard.

No confirmed date has been set for the rescheduled hearing. Save Grant Park remains vigilant and will provide updates as we obtain new information.

Chicago will have Grant Park to enjoy only as long as Chicagoans are willing to fight for it. Save Grant Park volunteers have held off plans to build in the park for more than three years already and have no intention of backing down.

Is Grant Park important to you? Then support the opposition with your contribution. You can donate online by visiting Save Grant Park! or mail a check directly to the bank:

5th/3rd Bank
400 E. South Water St.
Chicago, IL 60601
Attn: Save Grant Park

Every dollar will help.

Regards,

Peggy Figiel
Save Grant Park

Greg Hinz Blog | Crain's Chicago Business

"A moribund economy has crippled fund-raising, while projected costs have climbed by tens of millions to $150 million or more, insiders say. Sources close to the project say odds now are 50-50 at best that the Grant Park plan will proceed.

"As a result, the museum is considering its options, including downsizing the proposed facility, getting a cash infusion from the Chicago Park District or extending the lease on its current space at Navy Pier as far as 2025."