From Thomas Tresser:

Dear Lincoln Park champion -

Our legal battle to keep Lincoln Park free and open to all continues. We are in settlement talks. We can't discuss any details. The negotiations have been going on for a week and we will be in court on Thursday, May 15 at 9:00am (50 W. Washington, Room 2403). We hope to reach a just and fair settlement at that time. The arbitration judge has placed all parties under a gag order and we are not permitted to speak about the settlement to the press.

Meanwhile - we need all Lincoln Park champions to join us at the Chicago Park District board meeting on Wednesday, May 14 at 10:30am at their HQ at 541 N. Fairbanks (at Ohio) on the 8th floor. That's when the Committee on Administration will take up the "Authority (i) to enter into a termination agreement with the Latin School of Chicago regarding the soccer field being constructed in South Lincoln Park, (ii) to enter into and/or assume agreements as necessary to complete and construct the same, and (iii) file an application with the Chicago Plan Commission." That language is from their public agenda. Hey, we can't discuss the settlement, but who's stopping the Commissioners of the Park District? No public comments are allowed for committee meetings but we'll have signs for you to hold.

The full board meets at 4:00pm where the public can speak. We encourage you to come to the Committee meeting and return at 4:00pm where you can sign in as a citizen to express your opinion of how the Park District is spending your tax dollars and responding to your wishes for the use of public park lands.

Meanwhile - we STILL NEED DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS. Please give online at www.savelincolnpark.org/donate and email us at info@cklpp.org if you want to: collect petition signatures, hold a house meeting, get us in front of a civic organization you are connected with, help with pr, or help in some other way (printing, banner signage, office space)...

Also, please call the following leaders and tell them your opinion of this mess. We suggest that you urge their support of returning the site to a grass meadow for the general use of the public - no artificial turf, no dedicated use for any one sport or activity - no more secret deals.

- Gery Chico, President of the Board of the Chicago Park District - 312-742-4786
- Mayor Richard Daley - 312-744-3300
- 43rd Ward Alderman Vi Daley - 773-327-9111
- 43rd Ward Democratic Committeeman Michel Smith - michele43rd@gmail.com
- 43rd Ward Republican Committeeman Doug Glick - 773-549-2727

P.S. Our friends and allies at www.savegrantpark.org would like us to show up at the meeting of the Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday, May 15 at 1pm in City Hall Council Chambers. That's when they are likely to approve the moving of the Children's Museum to Grant Park. We all need to work together to stop the land grabs inside our public parks!

Thanks!

Your neighbors at
www.savelincolnpark.org
a project of Protect Our Parks
info@cklpp.org
312-276-5165