YSEALI PFP Day 7: City, County, Commissioners and Alderman

26 April 2019

First morning run in Chicago, because #RunningBringsYouPlaces. Jogged along the Chicago RiverWalk, which would be fully open in mid-May.

Chicago houses the most number of moveable river bridges in the world.

These bridges could be raised to allow boats to sail along the Chicago River

(Read the next blog post to see photo of a raised bridge)

Chicago RiverWalk map

Lovely Ducks

Brittanica Building

Marina City buildings, resembling ‘Corn Cobs’, were built by Bertrand Goldberg in the 60s to provide a holiday destination to stem the exodus of people to the suburbs.

Vietnam War Memorial along Chicago RiverWalk

On the way back, checked out the hospitality facilities of our corporate housing.

BBQ Pit

Something that we would not have time to indulge in

We met Brian Clauss, Arbitrator and Mediator, Clauss Alternative Dispute Resolution, who would be hosting us for our time in Chicago.

Learning Chicago Geography from Brian in the Hospitality Room

Brian gave us a great introduction to Chicago's geography a.k.a "How not to get lost in Chicago 101":

1. Lake Michigan is always in the East. 
2. The epicenter of Chicago is at the intersection of Madison Street and State Street, i.e. 0 North/South; 0 East/West.
3. Chicago is planned on a grid system (similar to Washington DC, but with lesser diagonals). The cluster of buildings between each street is a block. 8 blocks ~ 1 mile.
4. Several streets were named after Presidents. One street was renamed because the President had supported slavery.

The iconic School Bus

James R. Thompson Center

Germany Week @ Daley Plaza

Madison Street

First meeting of the day was at City Year.

City Year got a great boost after President Clinton was seen donning a City Year at a run

We learnt more about the work of City Year and youth issues from youth volunteers - Bob Dwyer, Stephanie Oakland, Stephanie Jara, Megan Phillips and TJ Sandstrom. They were on a gap year and were plugged in to high needs schools to tutor and mentor students who needed to catch up with their skills. Some doubled up as teacher assistants in schools.

Meeting with City Year youth volunteers

We proceeded to Cook County Government Office for a meeting on the role of the forest preserves as well as how the County functions.

Directory at the Cook County Government Office

Office of the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. The President is elected directly by the electorate of the county.

Matthew DeLeon, Conversation Secretary of the Boards of Cook County and the Forest Reserve District of Cook County gave a brief introduction on the role of Counties, in particular, that of Cook County. He had served the County for 26 years.

Cook County was established in 1831, soon after the creation of Illinois as a state. There are approximately 5.2 million residents in Cook County. Cook County is the second largest county in the United States and includes the City of Chicago. Each district within the County, comprising a range of 300,000 to 800,000 residents, would elect a Commissioner to represent its interests in the Board of Cook County.

Cook County is a home-ruled county, which gives it a flexibility to enact laws and collect taxation without having to seek permission from the State Government. Cook County prides itself with the most robust health system in the United States. Some of the domains that are under the County Board's purview include healthcare, public safety (judicial system), property and taxation. The Cook County's judge and prosecutors are both elected positions. The County also manages the world's largest prison.

Taxation can come in the form of property taxes, sale taxes, and transaction-based taxes. The interesting part is that besides the County, the City and the State could also impose sale taxes!

We were also joined by Arnold L. Randall, General Superintendent, Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC); and Delio Calzolari, Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, Forest Preserves of Cook County. Interestingly, Delio had been to Singapore while serving the US Navy. 

Sharing by General Superintendent Arnold Randall on the role of the Forest Preserves

Arnold was involved in the bid for Chicago to host Olympics 2016. FPDCC was established under state legislation. Arnold's team manages one of the oldest and largest forest reserve system in the United States. The Forest Reserves also works on research. Arnold pointed out that diseases tended to happen in animals first, before transmitting to humans. 

Photo with Arnold and Matthew

Behind us were seats of elected Commissioners of Cook County 

We had the honour of joining The Honourable Kevin B. Morrison and The Honourable Alma Anaya, both elected members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. At 28 years old, they were the youngest Commissioners. Kevin, the first openly gay member of the Cook County Board, won the election over the Illinois Republican Party Chairman. Alma was the only Latina in the Board. Their stories were inspiring and I can't help but wondered, what was I doing at 28? 

Lunch was at 312 Chicago, right opposite the Cook County Office

Commissioners Morrison and Anaya

After lunch, we met Lamar C. Brown, Director of Intergovernmental and Community Affairs, City of Chicago. He led us to a tour of the City Hall.

Office of the City Clerk, an elected position

The seal of the City of Chicago and what it symbolises:

• The shield in the middle represents the national spirit of Chicago
• The American Indians were natives of Chicago
• The ship represents trade
• The sheaf of wheat is typical of activity and plenty
• The infant symbolises purity
• The motto "Urbs in Horto" means "City in a Garden"

Seal of the City of Chicago

Past Mayors of Chicago

Guard post outside Mayor's office

Lamar sharing on the role of the City in the political landscape

Podiums are naturally for photos

Lamar (left) was really hospitable and patient in showing us around and answering our piles of questions

Women of the Chicago City Council

The various committees of the City Council

Chicago City's boundaries. Interesting thing is the "island on the left" is linked to the larger mass of Chicago via a bridge, and the land on the bridge is Chicago land. Also, there's a hole in the upper left of Chicago land, due to one district refusing to join the City.

Chicago City Council Chambers 

There are 50 wards in the Chicago City Council. The electorate votes for their Aldermen who would represent them in the City Council. The City Council is presided by the Mayor. The City Clerk, also an elected position, is the Secretary to the Council.

The Mayor appoints the Chiefs of the Fire Department and Police Department. There are about 40,000 employees of the City Council.

There was an Alderman who sweeps a street in his ward each week, and this allowed his constituents to speak to him.

Fort Dearborn Massacre

The four stars on the City of Chicago's flag represent the four historic events: Fort Dearborn; Great Chicago Fire; Columbian Exposition; and the Century of Progress Exposition

The 3 white background areas of the flag represent the North, West, and South sides of the city. The top blue stripe represents Lake Michigan and the North Branch of the Chicago River. The bottom blue stripe represents the South Branch of the river and the "Great Canal".

Press Room for journalists

Chanced upon Alderman-elect Maria Hadden, who suggested some institutions that we should visit, and even sent us an email thereafter!

We had a discussion on City Governance with Ariana Garcia, Chief of Public Engagement, Office of the City Clerk; Tiffany Sostrin, Legislative and Government Affairs, Department of Finance; and Pablo David, Legislative and Government Affairs, Office of the Mayor. I asked about the key challenges faced by the city.

Group photo in the Chambers of the Chicago City Council

We had some time before our dinner meeting, so Brian took us for an architectural stroll.

Germany Week

MorningStar's office

Interestingly, options trading was born out of Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

The Cloud Gate, otherwise known as the Bean.

Photo of Bean from the bottom

One just had to photo the Bean from all angles

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

Crown Fountain

At dinner, we were acquainted with Anna Mangahas, Community Organiser - Anti-Violence/Youth, ONE Northside; Ken Porter, Teacher Based Programming Manager, Mikva Challenge; Brendan Seyring, Young Professional Ambassador, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs; Brian and Jason. 

Dinner with fellowship hosts and ACYPL alumni

The Impossible Burger

Menu indicated "Cookie". I was overwhelmed.

A great full meaningful 12 hours of learning and networking, and getting to know Chicago.