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  Our Communities »

  Traffic Controlled Lights

  I'm originally from Michigan and many areas in our state have taken advantage of advances in traffic controlled stop lights. These are amazing lights which respond to changing traffic patterns automatically. There are so many intersections throughout Chicago that could benefit from this. I'm stopped at lights all the time where there is absolutely NO cross traffic or where the green arrow for left turns is never long ...more »

  I'm originally from Michigan and many areas in our state have taken advantage of advances in traffic controlled stop lights. These are amazing lights which respond to changing traffic patterns automatically. There are so many intersections throughout Chicago that could benefit from this. I'm stopped at lights all the time where there is absolutely NO cross traffic or where the green arrow for left turns is never long enough. This is dangerous, frustrating, inefficient and totally unnecessary. We have some of the worst traffic in the country. Since we continue to ask for more and more money from drivers (city stickers, parking meters, red light cameras now with radar), maybe the city should consider helping motorists as well.

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  Submitted by Community Member 22 days ago

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  Our Government »

  alderman

  Chicago,needs to pare down the number of alderman.When we had 50 police districts that was pared down to 25,lets do the same with alderman to 25, the savings would be large.Also get rid of upper mangement in the city would save on salaries.Its time chicago reduced the size of city government.and quit expect taxpayers to foot the bill.Its time for machine politics to go away like the Daleys.

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  Submitted by thepennsy 21 days ago

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  Our Children »

  Why can't the mayor send his kids to CPS?

  The guy's got no skin in the game... that's all I'm saying.

  4 comments

  Submitted by christinashaver 19 days ago

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  Our Children »

  How about creating a Board of Ed that reflects Chicago?

  Our Board of Education members are appointed by the Mayor. A few of these members do not reside in Chicago and don't have first-hand experience sending their children to a Chicago Public School.

  The message here that in one of the largest cities in the nation, we can't find a handful of powerful, prominent, qualified citizens of this city to sit on our board.

  To be frank, it's an insult.

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  Submitted by christinashaver 19 days ago

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  Our Communities »

  Better Road Materials?

  It's 2012 and we're still using asphalt and concrete roads that get destroyed in less than 5 years. Why aren't we using better materials to build our roads?

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  Submitted by Just Thinking... 22 days ago

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  Our Children »

  I'm still waiting for last year's question to be answered

  Last year I submitted a question "Why not have less testing & more arts and physical activity?" for Chicago Public Schools. A comment from the Mayor's office was posted. Note: this comment is wholly inaccurate and attempts to close the loop with the Mayor's office went unanswered: Comment: This year, we have actually reduced assessments and test prep. We're also moving toward a single assessment system that is aligned ...more »

  Last year I submitted a question "Why not have less testing & more arts and physical activity?" for Chicago Public Schools.

  A comment from the Mayor's office was posted. Note: this comment is wholly inaccurate and attempts to close the loop with the Mayor's office went unanswered:

  Comment:

  This year, we have actually reduced assessments and test prep. We're also moving toward a single assessment system that is aligned to the common core state standards. These standards are designed to be relevant to real world knowledge and skills, which Chicago students need for success when it comes to college and the job market. Aligning with the standards also provides consistency throughout the district and ensures that all students get both the quantity and quality of instruction they need to succeed.

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  Submitted by jillwohl 22 days ago

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  Our Growth »

  Giving Companies Incentives to locate and build in rustbelt area

  Hi,

  I pass the west side on the Lake street L and am struck constantly by all the empty factory buildings that go on for miles.

  It seems that most businesses locate in industrial complexes in the suburbs or downtown. Cant the city provide some sort of incentives for companies to locate in thse areas.?

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  Submitted by Jean Rak 22 days ago

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  Our Government »

  Why Dosen't The C.P.D. Enforce Current Ordinances?

  I currently live in the South Edgebrook neighborhood of the City and many of the people on my block don't purchase City vehicle stickers, State of Illinois license plate stickers and some don't even have regular license plates. But instead have temporary plates which they use for over a year and have their cars registered in other communities or other states instead of paying to have their vehicles registered in the City ...more »

  I currently live in the South Edgebrook neighborhood of the City and many of the people on my block don't purchase City vehicle stickers, State of Illinois license plate stickers and some don't even have regular license plates. But instead have temporary plates which they use for over a year and have their cars registered in other communities or other states instead of paying to have their vehicles registered in the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. Considering the City of Chicago is broke...why don't they enforce the current ordinances? They could bring in alot of revenue if they did. They should start with the 6100 block of N. Meade Ave. Thank you.

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  Submitted by Community Member 22 days ago

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  Our Growth »

  Wifi?

  Can the city have wifi access everywhere? This would be good for business and would help many small businesses.

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  Submitted by rickforwr 22 days ago

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  Our Government »

  4 SUPERINTENDENTS at OEMC Traffic Ops, INCREDIBLE

  Dear Mayor , How come we still have a incredible 4 High Paying Superintendents at Traffic Operations OEMC., All 4 in one Dept , ( UNBELIEVEABLE ) Most all others Depts have only one if any . Us Tax payers are paying the bill for 4 now , come on. We now heard there is even a new Asst Deputy Director that is not even needed also.in the same Dept . When is all this clout corruption going to stop. You promised the people ...more »

  Dear Mayor , How come we still have a incredible 4 High Paying Superintendents at Traffic Operations OEMC., All 4 in one Dept , ( UNBELIEVEABLE ) Most all others Depts have only one if any . Us Tax payers are paying the bill for 4 now , come on. We now heard there is even a new Asst Deputy Director that is not even needed also.in the same Dept . When is all this clout corruption going to stop. You promised the people of Chicago you would clean up . Guess it will be time for another NEW Mayor

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  Submitted by Better Gov .com 19 days ago

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  Our Government »

  Recycling rubber tires

  I have heard that Chicago may have started recycling rubber tires for roads (but am unsure). Minnesota was one of first states to implement this - turns out that it holds up much better than other materials (asphalt, concrete). Since we have plenty of streets that need repairs and the amount of tires that are available that are being dumped is huge, this should really be looked into. Old tires sit in landfills and is ...more »

  I have heard that Chicago may have started recycling rubber tires for roads (but am unsure). Minnesota was one of first states to implement this - turns out that it holds up much better than other materials (asphalt, concrete). Since we have plenty of streets that need repairs and the amount of tires that are available that are being dumped is huge, this should really be looked into. Old tires sit in landfills and is not biodegradeable. Think of the millions of tires that get dumped every day in landfills - the numbers can be staggering! In addition to using the tires for roads, there are a few places (in Illinois) that are starting to use chopped tires for mulch. It lasts forever and can even be changed in color, if you don't want black.

  California has become one of the country's leaders in recycling rubber tires. They recycle 75 percent of used tires. They have a Green Roads program which promotes waste tires as a "valuable resource and environmentally sound solution to solve engineering problems."

  "Scrap tires can be ground and mixed with asphalt to pave roads, or shredded for use in landslide repair and embankments. These uses keep thousands of tires out of landfills with every project. Additionally, using tire-derived products frequently results in significant economic and energy savings and is the first step in helping the state reach its goal to recycle 90 percent of its unneeded tires."

  (From: www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Tires/GreenRoads/)

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  Submitted by Community Member 22 days ago

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  Our Growth »

  Can We Start a Chicago Crowdfunded Microfinance Program?

  Banks don't seem to be of too much help to small business. Can we start a non-profit peer-lending program run by the city for chicago startups? If enough people contribute, the individual risk drops. We could startup all those companies that business thinks are too risky to lend to. What's more, we can evaluate the investments ourselves, on let's say, IdeaScale. If the city doesn't want to run it, can we help a new ...more »

  Banks don't seem to be of too much help to small business. Can we start a non-profit peer-lending program run by the city for chicago startups? If enough people contribute, the individual risk drops. We could startup all those companies that business thinks are too risky to lend to. What's more, we can evaluate the investments ourselves, on let's say, IdeaScale. If the city doesn't want to run it, can we help a new startup that will?

  We could use it not just for business either, but for the arts, education, community programs, the possibilities are almost endless.

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  Submitted by Just Thinking... 22 days ago

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  Our Government »

  SAVING REAL MONEY AND MAKING CHICAGO REALLY WORK!

  THERE ARE TOO MANY ZONE MANAGERS IN EACH DEPARTMENT, OR PROJECT COORDINATORS( FOR example DEPT. FLEET AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT) AND PEOPLE LIKE THOSE B.S. POSITIONS WHO MAKE OVER 70 GRAND A YEAR, HAVE A TITLE, HAVE POWER, AND DON'T DO SQUAT, THEY DON'T ACCOUNT FOR ANY WORK OTHER THAN COME TO WORK, GET LAW SUITS AND GET A FAT CHECK! IF THE CITY WANTS TO SAVE MONEY, THEY HAVE TO LOOK AT POSITIONS IN EVERY DEPARTMENT!!! ...more »

  THERE ARE TOO MANY ZONE MANAGERS IN EACH DEPARTMENT, OR PROJECT COORDINATORS( FOR example DEPT. FLEET AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT) AND PEOPLE LIKE THOSE B.S. POSITIONS WHO MAKE OVER 70 GRAND A YEAR, HAVE A TITLE, HAVE POWER, AND DON'T DO SQUAT, THEY DON'T ACCOUNT FOR ANY WORK OTHER THAN COME TO WORK, GET LAW SUITS AND GET A FAT CHECK! IF THE CITY WANTS TO SAVE MONEY, THEY HAVE TO LOOK AT POSITIONS IN EVERY DEPARTMENT!!! CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO EACH AND EVERY HIGH PAYING POSITION IN THE CITY DEPARTMENT AND GET RID OF ALL THE PEOPLE THE CITY DOES ABSOLUTELY NOT NEED?!!!

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  Submitted by Suave 22 days ago

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  Our Communities »

  Recycling

  Recycling

  When the city is going to enforce garbage recycling for all city resident

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  Submitted by Community Member 22 days ago

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  Our Government »

  End Mayor's cash for meetings policy

  Can we create a law that makes it illegal for a mayor to take meetings based on campaign contributions? I mean, this askchicago website is nice, but seems like astroturf. Also, can we make it illegal for major corporations to bribe elected officials and community leaders like ministers in order to get their way? In Mexico, it is illegal and Wal-Mart is facing heat. Here in Chicago, it's legal and the reason why our community ...more »

  Can we create a law that makes it illegal for a mayor to take meetings based on campaign contributions? I mean, this askchicago website is nice, but seems like astroturf.

  Also, can we make it illegal for major corporations to bribe elected officials and community leaders like ministers in order to get their way? In Mexico, it is illegal and Wal-Mart is facing heat. Here in Chicago, it's legal and the reason why our community wealth is going to the world's richest family in NW Arkansas.

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  Submitted by jz 22 days ago

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  Our Government »

  Multiple mailings for liquor license

  Recently a nearby restaurant applied for a liquor license. I received no fewer than eight postcards to my address, each addressed to prior tenants stretching back perhaps as far as a decade. Assuming that each address receives 5 postcards at a total processing, printing and shipping cost of $2 per apartment, the excess cost for each license application could be several thousand dollars, which adds up over the multiple ...more »

  Recently a nearby restaurant applied for a liquor license. I received no fewer than eight postcards to my address, each addressed to prior tenants stretching back perhaps as far as a decade. Assuming that each address receives 5 postcards at a total processing, printing and shipping cost of $2 per apartment, the excess cost for each license application could be several thousand dollars, which adds up over the multiple applications approved each year. I would suggest inquiry into the efficacy of this notification system.

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  Submitted by Community Member 22 days ago

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  Our Communities »

  Animal Welfare

  Hello, I would like to know what steps this administration will take to improve animal welfare within Chicago. I have heard the city will be cracking down on unlicensed pets this year, but frankly that seems like putting a band-aid on a gunshot wound. Would the mayor please address the likelihood of each of the following reforms: 1) Harsher penalties for the owners of dogs involved in attacks (including fines, jail, ...more »

  Hello,

  I would like to know what steps this administration will take to improve animal welfare within Chicago. I have heard the city will be cracking down on unlicensed pets this year, but frankly that seems like putting a band-aid on a gunshot wound. Would the mayor please address the likelihood of each of the following reforms:

  1) Harsher penalties for the owners of dogs involved in attacks (including fines, jail, and no longer being able to own animals if neglect/irresponsible ownership can be proven).

  2) More resources placed towards investigating and shutting down dog fighting in the city (Are you aware that 1 out of every 6 Chicago schoolchildren not only knows about but has witnessed a dog fight?). Chicago was recently named the worst city in the USA for dog fighting crime and hundreds of family pets are stolen out of yards in the city each year to be used as training fodder in fights.

  3) Will you consider a ban on selling dogs within the city limits? Toronto passed such a ban this year and has had great success with it so far. Dogs would still be available for adoption but pet stores and puppy mills would no longer be able to breed or sell dogs within Chicago. Adoption and Rescue agencies take more care in approving dog owners for adoption then pet stores do and this would help cut down on the number of pet's euthanized, and the number of pets surrendered due to impulse buying (oh what a cute puppy syndrome).

  4) Banning prong collars, shock collars and choke chains. If a dog is properly trained none of these collars are necessary and all have been shown to cause more harm than good to the animal because of the physical pain caused by the collars. A ban on these collars would force dog owners to rehabilitate their unruly or untrained dogs through proper training rather than simply using them as tool for punishment.

  Please consider each of these suggestions for future animal welfare initiatives. I truly believe Chicago can become a safer community for humans and animals by instituting these changes.

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  Submitted by KaiLunKat 22 days ago

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  Our Communities »

  Hiring animal cruelty officers

  Dog fighting and abuse is becoming ever increasing. There are studies that young people who abuse animals grow up to abuse people. More attention needs to be shed on animal cruelty and abuse and care.

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  Submitted by Jean Rak 22 days ago

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  Our Government »

  Workforce

  Merit and performance versus seniority

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  Submitted by osomeloso69 20 days ago

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  Our Communities »

  Why don't all public schools use clean energy?

  The city school system can allow an outside firm do energy efficiency projects and install clean energy. The city would then simply enter into a power purchase agreement with this firm. The cost would be the same or less on a monthly basis but the school could use this for educational purposes and really make a positive impact on the future of our children.

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  Submitted by bryan.tillman 19 days ago

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  Our Government »

  City Sticker Postcards to City Employees

  Why spend 32 cents per card to city employees to renew their city sticker ? Why not attach to the paycheck stubs ?

  You know how to find the people when they owe you money. Just cross reference the personnel address database with the city sticker database.

  Simple.

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  Submitted by Will Kelly 20 days ago

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  Our Communities »

  TICKET ALL PHONE AND TEXT DRIVERS

  Want Chicago out of debt? Create a department where people go out with cameras and take pics of people driving and texting and/or talking on a hand phone - would get Chicago out of debt! Police have crime to take care of and everywhere I turn, somebody is on their phone texting or talking and nobody does anything to these people and it's supposed to be against the law - or so I thought!

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  Submitted by chgoesuzan 19 days ago

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  Our Communities »

  Can We Think About A Chicago Skill-sharing Network?

  Think about all those unemployed, underpaid, unsatisfied potential workers that can't find a job but want to contribute something meaningful. Could we institutionalize a market for peer to peer skill sharing and service provision, even if it's just on a favor or mutual benefit basis? All you need is an organization platform, online or offline and perhaps a little old fashioned door to door information sharing. Idle ...more »

  Think about all those unemployed, underpaid, unsatisfied potential workers that can't find a job but want to contribute something meaningful. Could we institutionalize a market for peer to peer skill sharing and service provision, even if it's just on a favor or mutual benefit basis?

  All you need is an organization platform, online or offline and perhaps a little old fashioned door to door information sharing. Idle hands are the devil's workshop.

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  Submitted by Just Thinking... 22 days ago

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  Our Government »

  Why do we pay twice as much for asphalt streets w Sole Source

  Buying a short life asphalt street that lasts 7 yrs instead of 30 for concrete and costs half the price means we pay twice as much for the lower quality item. That the supplier is now facing criminal charges and has a sole source contract is disturbing. Fixing the same holes each year creates jobs but, is poor management of infrastructure and budget.

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  Submitted by Thom J Alcazar 22 days ago

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  Our Government »

  Can We Have a 5 Year Plan?

  That's right, China does it, and they're good at it too. Can Chicago set some long term development goals please? Can we set a plan that will still be valid after a mayor leaves office? Can we start thinking beyond what's right in front of our faces?

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  Submitted by Just Thinking... 22 days ago

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