Election Rules and Special Meeting

Election Meeting/Pizza Party!  Facebook event here 

This is an open meeting, all are welcome.  Only those eligible to vote may vote.  See below.

First, a Correction - This is why I am not secretary - In reviewing the minutes this morning I realized that the agreed upon date for the election was July 17, and the 11th was the closing day for nominations. I apologize for any problems this may have caused. - Rene

July 11 - Nominations due
July 14 - Deadline for requesting Absentee Ballot.
July 15 - Absentee Ballots will be sent to those who request them.
July 17 - Absentee Ballots due by 5 pm, Special Meeting/Election at 7.


Current nominations:

Please review the list below. If you have been nominated, please let me know if you accept or decline the nomination. Some of you have been nominated for more than one role, but per the rules can only run for one. If this is your situation please let me know which you accept.

We can still take nominations through July 11
Thank you,
Rene (info@bridgeportalliance.org)

Chair:
Ruby Pinto
Kristina Tendillia

Vice Chair:
Kristina Tendillia
Mary Cantore
Tom Gaulke

Treasurer:
Ben Huey
Peggy Watson

Secretary:
Charlie Rumppe

************Election Rules**************

In order to nominate, vote, or run, you must be a member in good standing. Membership requires that you have, in the last year (July-June):

Attended at least 3 BA meetings, actions or events.
Made a financial contribution.
If you are not sure of your membership status please contact the Election Judges: Rene Paquin and Jennie Biggs

These volunteers will be responsible for:
Collecting nominations
Creating ballots
Counting ballots
Announcing winners

Election judges may not run for any office.

Nominations will be taken at the May meeting or via email/phone. info@bridgeportalliance.org

Members may nominate themselves and others.

Nominations do not require a second to be included.

Nominees will be informed of their nomination as soon as possible and asked if they accept.

Phone and email nominations may take place through July 11.

To nominate a member via phone/email contact the election judges at info@bridgeportalliance.org.

************Voting************

Each member is entitled to one vote for each held office.

Votes will be collected and tabulated by the election judges by the end of the meeting.

In the case of a tie the results will be presented to the assembled group for a solution.

The election results will be announced by the end of the meeting.

Absentee ballots will be provided (to those who request them) and must be submitted no later than 5 pm on the day of election. (see deadlines above)

***********Candidates**************

May only run for one office.

May vote.

Are entitled to a 2 minute speech prior to voting.

May not serve as election judges.

Will take office beginning in the July general meeting.

Take the 35th Street bus to the 31st Street Beach!

Service to 31st Street Beach

How does this affect my trip?
Bus service will be extended to 31st Street Beach weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Buses in both directions will operate east of 35th/Rhodes, and begin/end at 31st Street Beach. Buses will run nonstop between Rhodes/33rd Pl and the beach. Buses will serve the beach from 9:10am until 9:40pm on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Buses will continue to begin/end at 35th/Cottage Grove early morning and late evenings on weekends, and at all times on weekdays.

Why is service being changed?
Service is being extended for the convenience
of customers traveling to/from 31st Street beach.

April News

This month's general meeting will be postponed due to scheduling conflicts.

Please note - May's meeting will include nominations for new officers. Please think about people you might like to nominate for Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. You can also nominate yourself if you are interested in serving. 

In order to nominate, vote, or run, you must be a member in good standing. Membership requires that you have, in the last year (July-June):

• Attended at least one BA meeting. 
• Participated in at least one BA action or event. 
• Made a financial contribution. 

If you are not sure of your membership status please contact Jennie

Upcoming events:
Clean and Green - April 26, 9:30am - 1 pm, McGuane Park signup at 9:30 am - This is a super fun event! There will be refreshments and cleaning supplies available. Come ready to get dirty!

A Quality Education for Every Child: How Do We Get There?- April 26, 10am - 12 pm, Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division Seating is limited, please register. Sponsored by Raise Your Hand and Chicago Community Trust.

Landlord Workshop - April 28 6-8 pm, 9th District Police Station

National People’s Action D.C. Conference, April 26 - April 28

Community Heliport Meeting with PERRO @ First Trinity - April 29, 6:30 - Let's have the community run forum that we deserve!

 McGuane & Palmisano park advisory councils meeting May 5, 6:00 pm, McGuane Park field house

CAPS May 13, 6:30 pm 9th District Police Station. 

Gasland Showing, May 17th, 6-9pm at Benton House.

Bridgeport Alliance General Meeting and Nominations - May 29, 7:00 pm

CPS Local School Council (LSC) Elections

The Bridgeport Alliance Encourages Local Residents to Vote in CPS Local School Council (LSC) 

Elections On Monday, April 7, parents and community members can vote at their local elementary school.

On Tuesday, April 8, parents and community members can vote at their local high school.

Local School Councils or LSCs are very important to our local Chicago Public Schools. They approve a school’s budget, help write a school’s improvement plan, and they hire and evaluate principals.

A LSC consists of 6 parents, 2 community members, 2 teachers, 1 nonteaching staff member, and the principal. A student is a member at high schools.

Strong communities have strong schools. It takes all of us, together, to strengthen our schools.

Will you commit to vote in the LSC Elections? 

Who is running at our local schools?

This link to a DNAinfo article has a complete list of Parent and Community candidates. We welcome candidates to respond to this blog with their qualifications or to post on the BA Facebook page

To find your elementary school and high school: Please use this website & plug in your address. You do need to select the “Search by Address” button. http://www.cps.edu/schools/find_a_school/pages/schoollocator.aspx

If this does not work, please call the Department of School Demographics and Planning at (773)553-3270. Local school phone numbers are included below.

There are 2 exceptions to the above that we are aware of:

• For Sheridan (a magnet school), anyone who lives in these boundaries can vote there: the lake to the east, Ashland to the west; 12th Street to the north, 39th Street to the south.) 
•  For Air Force Academy High School, only parents can vote. We understand that the 2 community representatives on their LSC are appointed by the AFA Board. 

 Voting Requirements:

• Community members voting must be at least 18 years old. 
• You can vote anytime during the hours of 6:00 am to 7:00 pm. 
• Voting takes place at each school. 
• You can vote for UP TO 5 candidates. 
• You will receive a ballot that includes both Parent Rep and Community Rep candidates. 
• You do need to present current identification. 
•  If you are a CPS parent voting at your child’s school, you will need the report card you just picked up, plus one more form of ID. 
•  If you are a community member, you need 2 forms of ID to prove you live within the school’s boundaries 
• Accepted forms of ID include: 
•  Driver’s License 
•  IL State ID 
•  Credit Card with picture 
•  Voter Registration Card 
•  Matricula Consular 
•  MediPlan/Medicaid Card 
•  Permanent Resident Card 
•  Current Lease or Utility Bill 

 Thank you so much for your time and commitment to our community and our schools!

Local school contact & location information:
 Philip D. Armour, 950 W. 33rd Place, 60608, 773-535-4530
 Alexander Graham, 4436 S. Union Ave., 60609 (773)535-1308
 John C. Haines, 247 West 23rd Place, 60616 773-534-9200
 Holden Elementary School 1104 West 31st Street, 60608 (773) 535-7200
 Robert Healy, 3010 S Parnell Ave., 60616 (773) 534-9190
 George B McClellan, 3527 S Wallace St., 60609 (773) 535-1732
 Mark Sheridan, 533 W 27th St., 60616 (773) 534-9120
 James Ward, 2701 S. Shields Avenue, 60616, 773-534-9050
 Tilden Career Community Academy HS, 4747 South Union Avenue, 60609 (773) 535-1625
 Air Force Academy HS, 3630 S Wells St., 60609 (773) 534-7706

 Voting issues? Please contact: Election Central Office of Local School Council Relations 773.553.1400

Insurance or Medicaid Help

Hello Friends, I am sharing some information provided by our friends at Ada S. McKinley Services.  

FREE Community Breakfast – open to all

Free hot breakfast

3^rd Saturday of each month

March 15, April 19, May17

From 9am-11am

Come when you can, leave when you must.

Enjoy good food and conversation.

At Salem Lutheran Church

318 E. 74th St. (74th & Calumet)

Chicago, IL 60619

773-783-7776

www.salemchicago.org

Enter on 74th St. by alley

Saturday, March 15th, 10am to noon

GET COVERED! 

SIGN UP FOR INSURANCE OR MEDICAID!

Affordable Care Act health insurance counselors will be at Salem’s parish hall from 10am-noon on Saturday, March 15th. These in-person counselors from Ada S. McKinley Services will be available to help people sign up for insurance or Medicaid. They will assist anyone to apply through the health insurance “marketplace” or to apply for Medicaid, in order to comply with the legal requirements of the Affordable Care Act. 

YOU MUST BRING: government issued photo ID, income verification, and SSN’s for all who will be covered on your plan. 

WHY? Most Americans must have health coverage in 2014 or pay a penalty on their 2015 taxes. If you don’t have coverage, you’ll pay a penalty of either 1% of your income, or $95 per adult ($47.50 per child). If you don’t enroll by March 31, 2014, you can’t get private health insurance inside or outside the Marketplace until the next open enrollment period starts (probably November 2014). You’ll be uninsured and be charged the 2014 penalty. 

Elected School Board!

Please - CONTACT YOUR ALDERMAN BEFORE THE FEBRUARY 12 COUNCIL MEETING, urging them to vote both the ordinance for an elected school board referendum out of committee and to place it on the November 2014 ballot. 

Also, check out the LSC (Local School Council) fact sheet below to learn how to help schools in your neighborhood.

Affordable Care Act enrollment Event at Benton House