Chicago Department of Planning and Development

Initially appointed in 1909 as one of the recommendations of the Burnham Plan for Chicago, the Chicago Plan Commission is one of the city's most well known and respected agencies. The commission is staffed by the Planning Department's zoning division, which provides technical review and recommendations. The current 18 commission members are appointed by the mayor and must approve, disapprove or defer any proposal by a public body or agency "to acquire, dispose, or change any real property within the territorial limits of the city" on the basis of whether or not the referral complies with the city's long range planning goals and objectives. The commission also reviews land use proposals in Tax Increment Finance Redevelopment Plans, Planned Developments, and Lakefront Preservation matters. The commission does not have the statutory power to enforce its decisions, but its recommendations have always had an unofficial and usually effective sanction. Meetings are held in City Council chambers, City Hall, except where noted by * below. See individual agendas for more information.

Members/Terms
Linda Searl, Chairman
Ald. William J.P. Banks
Ald. Edward M. Burke
Mayor Richard M. Daley
David Weinstein
Leon D. Finney, Jr.
Doris B. Holleb
Lyneir Richardson
Carole Brown
Smita Shah
Tom Byrne
Arnold L. Randall
George W. Migala
Ald. Patrick O'Connor
John H. Nelson
Nancy A. Pacher
Ald. Mary Ann Smith
Ald. Bernard L. Stone
Gracia M. Shifrin
Ald. Regner "Ray" Suarez
Patricia Scudiero

2008 Meeting Schedule
Jan. 17
Feb. 21
March 20
April 17
May 15
June 19
July 17
Aug. 21*
Sept. 18
Oct. 16*
Nov. 20
Dec. 11

As many of you are already aware, The Chicago Children's Museum's application will be considered at the Chicago Plan Commission Meeting on THURSDAY, MAY 15TH AT 1:00 IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN CITY HALL. 121 N. LASALLE.

PLEASE TRY TO ATTEND THIS IMPORTANT PUBLIC MEETING. YOU MUST BE THERE BY 1:00 TO SIGN IN TO MAKE A STATEMENT VOICING YOUR OPPOSITION.
DESPITE THEIR 5TH DESIGN CHANGE, THEIR PLANS ARE STILL ILLEGAL AND WILL SET A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN GRANT PARK.


THE MUSEUM'S APPLICATION CALLS FOR A ZONING CHANGE THAT OPENS UP A CHUNK OF GRANT PARK THE SIZE OF 2 FOOTBALL FIELDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE MUSEUM AND MULTIPLE RESTAURANTS WITH FULL LIQUOR LICENSES "WITHOUT LIMITATION".

If this passes the Plan Commission, Chicago's 50 aldermen, the members of the City Council, are expected to vote on the application in June.

Now is the time when aldermen throughout Chicago are deciding how they will vote, and the most important factor in that decision is what the aldermen hear from their constituents! Some aldermen have said they are not yet hearing from their own voters on this. It is important that people in every Chicago neighborhood call their alderman and tell them "No childrens's museum in Grant Park".
You can find all aldermanic contact info on our website at www.savegrantpark.org or you can call 311 tell them your address and they will give you your ward and alderman contact info.

If legally protected Grant Park can't be saved, no park in Chicago is safe from private hands. (Look at what is happening in Lincoln Park)

Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 15th at 1:00 pm for the Chicago Plan Commission Meeting.
Please forward this on....

Regards,
Peggy Figiel