Let's Talk TIFs in the 49th Ward

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Rogers Park Chamber Landmark Case

The story of 7331 N. Sheridan Road continues as the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce is working closely with the community on preserving this beautiful building.

On June 5th, 2013, the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce will attend the Commission on Chicago Historic and Architectural Landmarks meeting to determine designation for the bungalow.

The Chamber of Commerce asks that if anyone is interested in preserving this building that they print and gain 8 signatures on the below PDF.

You can download and print petition .pdf here.



The petition wordage is as follows:   It is the goal of the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce to have 7331 N. Sheridan Road (Shambhala Mediation Center) become a historical landmark so that the future residents of Rogers Park can admire the beautiful bungalow for many years to come. This location is where the current Mision Cristiana Elim was founded. (originally named Temple Mizpah). The owner of the home also worked hard on Marks Nathan Home for Jewish Orphans with Nicolas Pritzker, the patriarch of the Pritzker family. 
We could use your help in preserving this beautiful bungalow mansion, one of the last remaining mansions of the Sheridan Road mansions! Sign below if you want to see 7331 N. Sheridan Road saved!
Please return to:
Quest Network Services  7301 N. Sheridan Road 
by 7pm on Tuesday June 4th

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Artists of the Wall 2013

Press Release For Artists of the Wall 2013 

Twenty years ago there was a wall along the lake, trash strewn about, graffiti littering the 
area, and people that were questionable harassing the passersby. 

A small group of Rogers Park residents (Keith Lord, Katie Hogan, Regina Robinson, and 
Richard Kaufman) sat on Keith Lord's back porch and came up with a brilliant idea to 
change the face of this wall; An Artists of the Wall festival. 

By cleaning up the area, painting the walls, and involving the police force in the painting, 
the negative personas that were in the area disappeared while the beautification of the 
area became apparent. 

The event has, since then, turned into a celebration of Rogers Park and it’s culturally 
diverse residents. People from all over have come to paint at Rogers Park’s Artists of the 
Wall. 

Businesses, churches, police, firefighters, lifeguards and people from age eighteen 
months to eighty years old have painted one of the 154 spaces on this 5,000 square foot 
(600 feet) wall over the past twenty years. 

The Artists of the Wall festival is a one-of-a-kind, ever-changing art project, the largest 
of its kind along the lakefront and running for twenty years, something unprecedented in 
Chicago. 

Artists of the Wall doesn't just promote both amateur and professional artists, it also 
promotes musicians by having an eclectic representation of Chicago-based bands. The 
bands and musicians that have played at Artists of the Wall have shared the stage with 
Windform, the first-of-its-kind art sculpture that was placed on city property. 

“Twenty Years on the Wall” is our theme this Father's Day weekend. For years, this 
event has defined what Father's Day is to our Rogers Park dads. In the past, fathers have 
called, happiness evident in their voices, because they finally had the day with their 
children and wanted to paint one of the spaces. 

This year is special for another reason, too. Last year, one of the artists, Terrence, died as 
a victim of gun violence in Chicago. His family contacted the Loyola Park Advisory 
Council and asked that his space be left intact this year so that they can add their story to 
his art. Terrence's death has saved the lives of six others because he was an organ donor. 

Don't forget to be at Artists of the Wall, “20 on the Wall,” this Father's Day weekend 
Saturday, June 15 to promote the beautification of our neighborhood, and taking a stand 
against violence. 

Music Stage Program

Saturday, June 15 

Noon - 12:45 pm Handyman Steel Pan 

1:15 - 2:00 pm Jeannie Tanner Quartet 

2:30 - 3:30 pm Odd Folk 

4:00 – 5:15 pm Conjúnto 

Sunday, June 16 

Noon - 12:45 pm Joe Dickinson 

1:15 – 2:00 pm Eastern Blok 

2:30 – 3:30 pm Meisha Herron 

4:00 – 5:15 pm The Pratt Cattz featuring Robert Irving 

For more information please contact: 

Katie Hogan (773) 764-9302 

Founder of Artists of the Wall Festival 

Keith Lord (312) 944-6270 

Founder of Artists of the Wall Festival 

Bill Morton (773) 850-0029 

Bill Morton Promotions- Publicist

Unifying Rogers Park - 4th Annual event

The Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the celebration their 4th Annual Unifying Rogers Park event!

There will be two speakers, three free raffle items, and food aplenty!

Save May 25th in your books and meet us at Quest Network Services!

Unifying Rogers Park

Saturday, May 25, 2013

1:00pm until 5:00pm

Quest Network Services

7301 N. Sheridan Road

Chicago, IL. 60626

You can RSVP on facebook HERE.

Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce official website




Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Stop The Lakefront Car Tower

Stop The Lakefront Car Tower

By Bill Morton, Rogers Park in 1,000 Words Author

updated 7:36 PM CST, Mon March 25, 2013

There is an article with complete link list on the issue at Rogers Park in 1,000 Words.

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Public Meeting: Common Sense, Common Good

Public Meeting: Common Sense, Common Good

Photography by Bill Morton

updated 8:36 PM CST, Sun March 10, 2013

This evening Rogers Park residents and others from the 49th Ward met, showing a unity rarely seen. They were at Willye B. White Park to fight charter schools coming into the neighborhood.  It has been reported that Alderman Joe Moore had planned to be at this event, but those there are more than aware he was not.
Those in the crowd marched toward the 49th Ward Alderman's home, chanting "Save our schools", and when his door was knocked upon and his house surrounded by the community and media, his house remained eerily quiet.
A 14 year old boy who attends Gale School spoke of the hope that is brought on by seeing his seniors graduate and being elected into the presidency of  student run boards.
It is reported that Alderman Joe Moore's Chief of Staff, Michael Land, drove by to see the on-goings, and when community members tried to speak with him, he drove away.
Below are some images of the march to Mr. Moore's home.

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