Alderman's Voting Record? (Chicago, Dowell: crime, house, neighborhoods)

[nikitakolata]

Where can I find out how my alderman voted? I've been looking to see how he voted on the speed camera ordinance and I cannot find anything that shows who voted which way.

I'm tired of sitting by and saying nothing... it's time to start writing some letters and making some calls. But, before I write something nasty I want to confirm that my alderman is, in fact, a political rubber stamp first.

[soulful]

I believe these links may give you the data. But it is a headache to read through. Must be a better source.

Chicago Politics* at the University of Illinois at Chicago Political Science Department

Also, you may want to consider just emailing or calling his office with your specific question.

[nikitakolata]

Well, just in case anyone else wants to know, I was able to figure out who voted against the speed camera legislation by looking at the city clerk's tweets. These aldermen voted against the legislation, everyone else voted for it:

Waguespack
Reilly
Arena
Cappleman
Pawar
Osterman
Fioretti
Dowell
Burns
Hairston
Sawyer
Jackson
Chandler
Sposato

I'm happy that we have at least 14 aldermen that are more than a rubber stamp for the mayor. Sadly, my alderman is not among them...

As it turns out, my alderman couldn't even bother to show up for the meeting at all today. Awesome.

[jwaiter]

After the new ward map was approved, my house went from Walter Burnett Jr's ward and became Bob Fioretti's 2nd ward. I was just reading about how upset Fioretti was at the new map, but I'm not sure why he's upset. He had the south loop and near west - now he has Uk Vilage and parts of western lincoln park. I guess it's a big change, but I don't understand why he's mad.

[soulful]

I have no problem with speed cameras as long as they function properly. Great source of revenue for the city and our cops need to focus on real crime (so automating this function seems very logical).

[nikitakolata]

Originally Posted by soulful

I have no problem with speed cameras as long as they function properly. Great source of revenue for the city and our cops need to focus on real crime (so automating this function seems very logical).

My biggest problem with the speed camera legislation isn't that I may get a ticket; it's the whole charade they did about how these cameras are "for the children." Seriously, give me a break. I know a revenue grab when I see one.

I also don't like that the organization that supplied the info to the city about how helpful these cameras will be is run by the company that makes the cameras. Mod Edit IMO, the city could probably do better. At the very least, let's call a spade a spade and admit that this is about revenue and nothing more.

There's also the fact that this legislation is extremely unpopular with most citizens of Chicago. So, if the aldermen represent us, why did they vote for it? If they're representing the people that voted them into office they should not have approved this until they were able to convince us it makes sense. I'm not completely closed off to the city finding new ways to generate revenue. We need it. But, I don't like the people that are supposedly representing me doing things without first showing why they are necessary/make sense.

[rparz]

Originally Posted by jwaiter

After the new ward map was approved, my house went from Walter Burnett Jr's ward and became Bob Fioretti's 2nd ward. I was just reading about how upset Fioretti was at the new map, but I'm not sure why he's upset. He had the south loop and near west - now he has Uk Vilage and parts of western lincoln park. I guess it's a big change, but I don't understand why he's mad.

Was trying to find the article, but the gist was that the 2nd ward stretches across 5 neighborhoods who all but have nothing in common with each other, and secondly, Bob Fioretti would have to move because he doesn't live in the ward anymore.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by soulful

I have no problem with speed cameras as long as they function properly. Great source of revenue for the city and our cops need to focus on real crime (so automating this function seems very logical).

Im with ya

[thomas chapton jr.]

ANY ALDERMAN THAT WASTEFULLLY VOTED FOR SPEED CAMERAS SHOULD BE FIRED .CROSSING GUARDS ,POLICE AND SPEED BUMPS ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH. Mod Edit Enforce the jay walking law .adults and children get into traffic while high or playing or to lazy to cross at the light.