Maldonado Urges Residents to Spread the Word on Safe Haven Law
(May 16, 2019)--After an abandoned newborn almost lost his life, his juvenile parents face attempted murder charges, and his grandmother face felony charges, Alderman Roberto Maldonado urged 26th Ward residents to learn how the Illinois Safe Haven Law would have prevented these tradegy.
Maldonado said, "If this family had known about the Safe Haven Law, the newborn would have been handed over in a healthy state and the families would be putting their lives back." "However, our society must take steps to prevent child abandonment by reducing poverty, isolation, and protecting reproductive rights." According to J. R. Thorpe in Bustle, "The European Commission recommends that countries who want to prevent child abandonment give women support at all points, from day care to better mother-baby units in hospitals and parental hotlines, but also invest in family planning and helping 'high-risk' mothers. The bigger picture around infant abandonment is one about reproductive rights, sex education, and economic empowerment." Maldonado further explained, "That's why I have stood for higher wages, better schools, affordable healthcare--and the full compliment of reproductive rights. I always have and I always will." 
|
Maldonado Calls for Racial Equality Study on Lincoln Yards
 Ald. Maldonado was the only Alderman to join community groups in calling for a Racial Equity Impact Assessment Report on the proposed Lincoln Yards.
(March 26, 2019)--Alderman Maldonado joined community groups to urge the City of Chicago to study the impact of public spending on the proposed Lincoln Yards, a luxury home, office, and entertainment development. This study, called the Racial Equity Impact Assessment (REIA), would allow Chicagoans to know better how public spending creates racial progress or stymies it. Maldonado said, "Using this report will prevent city officials from repeating the mistakes our predecessors did. When we know better, we do better." "We've had an old process that has created the "have" and the "have not" neighborhoods. It's what brought Martin Luther King to Chicago so many years ago. Let's bring in the new by examining racial progress or setback before spending the public's tax dollars." REIA reports examine proposed public spending before the project is approved. Before public spending turns out to exacerbate segregation and deprive minority residents of amenities such as good transportation and schools, bustling retail, and neighborhood jobs. Maldonado explained, "It's just like the Environmental Impact Assessment Report. If in the 1950s, city officials had an Environmental Impact Assessment in their hands, they wouldn't have built homes and schools in Love Canal over a toxic waste dump." "Now is the time to ensure that the policies shaping this development are informed, thoughtful and comprehensive - and that includes examining them through a racial equality lens." |
Rebuilding the Ward, Preventing Crime, Developing Bustling Retail
Since 2009, Ald. Maldonado has accelerated the rebuilding of the 26th Ward, which started when residents united to counteract the lack of city services in the Ward. He has sunk over $10 Million into the Ward, building safe streets, bringing schools near-by and good businesses that serve residents' needs.
Tackling Crime Head On
Ald. Maldonado has pressed to fill police shortages, pushed for "hot spot" monitoring to be standard, and pressed to ban all guns. He has shut down shady businesses that cheat customers, keep their stores unsanitary, and allow gang members to loiter.
For 9 years, Maldonado has held a monthly joint meeting with the District Commanders to prevent crime and catch criminals. For the last 2 years, he has pressed CPD to fill police shortages in 12th & 14th Districts.
|
In 2016, "Hot Spot" policing drove out gang members,
forced a landlord to make repairs, and stopped loitering nearby.
|
Maldonado installed cameras throughout the Ward because they prevent crime. A 2011 study in the Humboldt Park area reported that cameras were responsible for a 12% drop in crime.
|
Building Affordability into the 26th Ward
Ald. Maldonado has been keeping the 26th Ward affordable for our neighbors and the next generation. In the last 2 years, his support has resulted in nearly 200 new or rehabbed apartments added to the housing stock in the 26th Ward. He even added 6 single family homes for $247,000 each. Long-time residents, who rebuilt the Ward, have earned their right to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
On Division St. soon - 15 live/work apartments for artists and their families above a theater, concert hall and piano bar.
|
45 family-size apartments are slated for Oct. 2018 in 12 locations across the ward. Each has low utilities.
|
49 single and family units opened in 2018 for incomes between $17,800-$50,500.
|
Are you looking for city services...or want to meet the Alderman on Ward Nite?
When you need a new garbage can, disabled parking, graffiti removed or a block party permit, call our office at 773-395-0143. More here...
Follow Roberto on Social Media |
|