Early Voting Ends Today!

February 21 is the last day for early voting in the 2015 mayoral/city council election.  You can find more information on how to vote here. 

Make your voice heard!

Chicago Election in One Week

Don't forget that elections for the city of Chicago take place on February 24, 2015.  To find your polling place and read a sample ballot, visit the Chicago Board of Elections website at http://www.chicagoelections.com.  The positions of mayor and 11th War (Bridgeport) alderman are at stake.  Make your voice heard!

11th Ward Aldermanic Forum a Success!

Bridgeport Alliance is proud to report that our 11^th Ward Aldermanic Forum exceeded our expectations!  Working with six organizations for over four months, we brought all three candidates together to talk about the most important issues facing our community.  Here are some highlights:

• Turnout doubled our estimates—First Lutheran Church of the Trinity was standing room only!
• Thanks to the planning and hard word of our crew (not to mention the efforts of moderator Rebecca Berg and timekeeper Chris Kremer), the event went very smoothly and finished on time. 
• We got a chuckle out of the audience with our final question: “How do you feel about dibs?
• The event was covered by DNAinfo.com and taped for later broadcast by CAN TV.

 We’re very proud of our members, volunteers, and allies, who came together to embody the kind of grassroots democracy that Bridgeport Alliance stands for. 

Want to vote?  Learn more here:

http://www.chicagoelections.com/en/home.html

Learn more about your 11th Ward candidates here:

John Kozlar
Maureen Sullivan
Patrick Daley Thompson

Learn more about our co-hosts here:

Asian Americans Advancing Justice—Chicago
Bridgeport Pride
Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community
Pilsen Alliance
Raise Your Hand
Roots of Justice at UIC   

Format For 11th Ward Aldermanic Forum: Three candidates confirmed

CHICAGO – The Bridgeport Alliance today announced the format for a forum with candidates running for Alderman of the 11th ward. The 2015 election marks the first time in over three decades that an incumbent is not running for the seat. The debate is scheduled to be held January 25 at 3:00pm at First Trinity Lutheran Church at 643 W 31st Street.

“Eleventh ward residents have a clean slate this year,” said Bridgeport Alliance chairperson Ruby Pinto. “During the debate we’re hoping to learn about the candidates and equip voters with the knowledge to confidently cast their ballots on February 24.” 

Each candidate will be given three minutes for an opening statement. Opening statements will be followed by questions that have been submitted by 11th Ward residents. Prior to the forum, candidates were given a list of the topics to be addressed, but not specific questions.

Candidates will have two minutes to answer each question. The event is a forum as opposed to a debate and candidates are encouraged to answer the questions directly.

Questions will be posed in a revolving order so that no candidate is “always first” or “always has the final word.”

To conclude the forum, each candidate will offer a closing statement. After the forum, all are welcome to stay and chat with candidates, enjoy cookies and coffee, and meet neighbors.

Bridgeport Alliance has secured confirmation of attendance from all three candidates vying for the seat including John Kozlar, Maureen Sullivan and Patrick Thompson. The three confirmed candidates have all successfully gained enough signatures to be on the February ballot. 

During the planning phase, Bridgeport Alliance has invited community groups throughout the 11th ward to be co-hosts and submit questions or subjects for discussion during the debate. 

“We’re hoping to turn out a large, diverse crowd,” said Pinto. “The 11th ward is home to large numbers of Asian, Latino and European groups and we want all of them to be able to make informed decisions at the ballot box.”

A voter registration table will also be set up. Volunteers will be on hand to help individuals register to vote. 

Pinto says that the Bridgeport Alliance has secured Chinese and Spanish translators for the debate. “No one should be excluded because of a language barrier,” she said. The debate will also be recorded and made available online after the event for those who are unable to attend. 

In seeking a moderator for the debate, several candidates were vetted. Librarian Rebecca Berg was selected as the moderator for the debate. Berg has helped cull submitted questions and will promote robust discussion on topics important to residents. 

“Our next Alderman has the ability to shape the direction of the 11th ward for years to come,” said Pinto. “Residents have a duty to themselves and their neighbors in February. We’re excited for this opportunity to help set the tone and ensure that the people are heard.”

The forum will be held this Sunday

Aldermanic Forum Coming Up!

https://www.facebook.com/events/574680952658792/

Official Bridgeport Alliance Statement: Rahm's "Clean Air" Pollutes Our Reputation

November 21, 2014

For immediate release:

Earlier this week Chicago Together, Rahm Emanuel’s campaign for reelection, released a video titled Clean Air. It highlights the closing of Fisk and Crawford, a pair of South Side coal-fired power plants that had been exposing residents to harmful pollution for decades. Local residents and community groups worked for years to close these plants, but the 30 second ad spins the story differently, implying that Rahm was the true hero. In his attempt to take credit for the closures, it is the opinion of Bridgeport Alliance that Emanuel is claiming a victory that belongs to the communities, exploiting their success to bolster his campaign.

The video also implies that Emanuel has the support of local community activists. In fact, he does not. Community member and lawyer Jerry Boyle commented, “The people who struggled to close those toxic coal plants were arrested by Rahm Emanuel, who only showed up to take credit for their victory.” In a similar vein, Bridgeport Alliance Chair Ruby Pinto expressed anger, stating, “Our neighbors fought tirelessly to restore our air quality, and that meant going against Emanuel and his corporate favoritism. To see our efforts distorted into support for Rahm feels like a bully taking our lunch money and buying votes with it.”

Though we are happy that the clean-power victory was won under his mayorship, his one  positive decision (in response to community pressure) is outweighed by other decisions that have devastated our communities. School closings, cuts to mental health services, and the enactment of policies that consistently favor large corporations over the people he claims to serve have earned our outrage, not our support.

Public Townhall Forum for 11th Ward Aldermanic Election

To the 11th WARD! News!

Bridgeport Alliance will be hosting two public town hall forums as the vote for a new 11th Ward Alderman approaches. Details to be announced. At present, BA leaders are reaching out to other community organizations and institutions interested in involvement and participation in the framing and building of the event. Organizations interested should contact info@bridgeportalliance.org. The next planning meeting will be in mid-September. More info available upon request. Thank you!