North Center Neighbors and Bell School Families Holding Protest

 
Neighbors and families of Bell School are organizing a protest Thursday, October 25th of the community approval process for zoning and development in the 47th ward. The alderman uses the process to determine his own vote in city council.

“We care about our community, and the Bell School community,” states Julie Hobert, a Bell parent. “The way community meetings are held in this ward leaves little voice for residents and the school. There is typically a week’s notification for the meeting, the rules are unclear, and the voting process is unmonitored by community representatives. If the alderman really cared about the community voice, he would change his current process.”

Hobert continued, “The community meeting also does not include any representation of Bell School. Changing zoning to residential within the school district effects our school and our plans for the future as a diverse school. Our elected school officials need to vote and be part of this planning process for the school. There will be many more residential developments to come within the district, potentially 45 acres, and we need a system in place where the school is part of the plan.”

The event will be held during a community meeting called by the alderman concerning property on Addison owned by Centrum Properties. They are requesting a zoning change from business to residential. The meeting is at Paul Revere Park Fieldhouse on Thursday, October 25th, 2509 West Irving Park at 7pm.

For more information, contact:
Julie Hobert
juliehobert@mac.com
773-497-2872

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