I think Aldermann Fioretti has done a decent job representing the Sloop as well as the Little Italy neighborhood(where I reside).
However, I have to question some of his ideas.
Banning the little plastic baggies drug dealers use to package their wares was idiotic. How about providing real leadership and attacking the problems that create drug abuse?
Worse, however, was his idea to roll back the gas tax in Chicago. With gas prices low, and the city(and CTA) facing huge budget deficits, now is the time to do the opposite. Raise the gas tax. Get people out of their automobiles. The sloop(along with the rest of the Chicago region) suffers from massive congestion. Our politicans should be looking at ways to get people OUT of their cars, not encouraging them to drive more(under the guise of saving the taxpayers money.)
Use any increase in gas tax money to build an L stop along the pink line at the United Center(which I believe lies in the Second Ward), start work on the circle line, or launch many other worthy public transportation projects. Increased public transportation in and around the sloop would dramatically increase the quality of life in our neighborhood. As well as make it more desirable place to live.
I've completely turned against him (and will never vote for him) since he voted lock step with Daley to let the Children's Museum illegally build in Grant Park.
Don't forget allowing the idiotic parking meters that were installed all over the sloop, and not fighting for residential rights to park in front or near their homes.
The United Center is not in his ward. It is carved out. As for the baggies and the bats, its not like that is all he has done. If you drive the boundaries of the ward especially west side and south side you can see a marked difference where the 2nd ward ends and others start because the 2nd is cleaner, brighter and better cared for. He has also spent a great deal time on the 34 schools in the ward and the parks. It is easy to take potshots but he is out and visible on a daily basis.
Fioretti voted for privatizing the parking meters. (by vote) He voted for privatizing part of Grant Park with the CCM. (bad vote) I wish he cared enough about Printer's Row to remove the stop light at Polk/Dearborn - a 3 way stop is much more pedestrian friendly. I also firmly believe that cars speed up Dearborn (Polk to Harrison) waaaay too fast and should be slowed. This stretch should be more neighborhood than commuter arterial. I recommend wider sidewalks, fewer drive lanes and moving commuters up Clark to Harrison and over to Dearborn. Also I wish he'd fix the pedestrian crossing at Polk/ State (there is no ramp on southeast 'corner', nor is there a crossing indicator on the north/east 'corner' - silly. In addition more parks with play areas/equipment would be nice. Everyone uses the ones in the Dearborn Park neighborhood, which is fine, but can get overwhelming/crowded to the neighborhood since they are technically 'private'. laws requiring caissons instead of pile driven footings would be great for those of us who need sleep and sanity. Yes the slow down in the economy stopped it temporarily, but greedy developers will return...... and yes - public transportation improvements please!! and legalize drugs.. This is Chicago, did we not learn our lessons from prohibition?? take out the violence and crime and tax the hell out of it. Demand will never stop.... Or are we stuck in the Puritan 1800's???
Technically the intersection at Polk/ Dearborn would not be a 3 way stop since Dearborn is one way north. Please excuse my type-o. Not sure the technical term that would apply for an intersection such as that one, but you hopefully get my point, that way too many people run the light, turn on red when the sign says not to, and have little regard for pedestrians all along Polk street.
The signals currently at the Polk/Dearborn intersection were supposed to be a temporary measure during the Clark/Roosevelt overpass construction. Prior to that, the Polk/Dearborn intersection had stop signs and seemed to work better.
Also, something permanent needs to be done with the "Christmas Tree" lot. It's current state is unsightly at best.
I'd also like to see a "No Parking 9am-11am" sign on S. Plymouth/9th St. People park their vehicles for weeks/months at a time in this area and it's totally uncool.
I've ben trying to contact the aldermans ward office for two weeks now about the curb in front of my place flooding after every rainstorm. No one answers after 4 pm and the voicemail is full.
MAF, call 311 and report it, or go to the www.cityofchicago.org and look for the 311 department and file an on-line 311 ticket; they specifically have a catagory for street drains/sewer and CDOT get's those direct.
I don't know. I never have a problem getting a hold of Fioretti's office and I have left voicemails. Maybe you're calling the wrong number? I know no one is ever at city hall but I never have a problem with the office on Dearborn. I live in the South loop and asked his staffer how we go about getting residential parking on our block and he was helpful in explaining the process.
Overall I think the Alderman's doing a good job. Props on the new park at 18th and Calumet!
I walked by the Christmas tree lot last week. The weeds and grass got cut. I know the city doesn't own the lot so not much Bob can do other than keep the grass cut.
Some interesting news regarding Ald. Fioretti / 2nd Ward:
Apparently enough people have voiced their concerns about the Polk/Dearborn traffic signals. He's working with the city get the stop signs put back.
Also, he claims to have found some sort of loophole in the parking meter contract that could allow Aldermen to roll the meters back to the previous time restrictions. This could mean, among other things, the return of free Sunday parking.
I saw some signs tonight over in Dearborn Park regarding the stop sign issue at Dearborn/Polk. I wish more of an effort had been made to publicize this effort, as I would have been happy to contact the Alderman's office prior to this meeting...which is tomorrow.
I always heard they removed the stop signs that used to be there when they were constructing the Clark/Roosevelt viaduct to help with the traffic flow. I think returning the stop signs there would be great. It would make for a more pedestrian friendly area and hopefully slow drivers down...especially those drivers that fly around the corner when turning right from Polk to Dearborn. Of course, this being Chicago, I'm sure the stop signs will just be ignored like all the other ones in the city.
People be driving way too fast...and not just in the sloop.
I just found this thread when googling "bob fioretti polk dearborn stoplight" because a couple of days ago I saw the flyer at the polk/dearborn corner. I initially thought that bringing back the stop sign in place of the traffic light wasn't a good idea. Yeah, cars do fly around the corner onto dearborn from both the east and west sides of polk now, but it's not like they weren't doing that when it was just a stop sign. Maybe they did actually slow down and stop during the daytime hours when there are more pedestrians crossing that intersection, but I walk to work very early in the mornings (between 6 and 6:30 am) and this is what I saw... am I the only one?
The real issue with traffic at this Polk/Dearborn intersection (as I see it) is how it's used by many motorists as a cut-through between Clark/State.
Almost daily, I see people speed through this area narrowly missing an elderly person or someone with a stroller or dog.
No system is perfect but STOP signs that used to be there worked better . . . the traffic actually flowed more smoothly.
I'd also like to see some type of pedestrian walkway or flashing yellow light on Dearborn between Polk and Harrison as many vehicles really speed through this block. With the new park there, expect foot traffic to increase. Maybe a speed bump or slightly elevated hump would slow things down a bit.
I used to live near the Polk and Dearborn intersection, and I think it would be a great idea to return the Stop Signs!
The worst rolling stop offenders are taxi's flying around that corner, perhaps if the had to stop at a sign they'd be more careful!
Like everywhere else in Chicago, turning (left or right, especially right) at a green light seems to mean "screw you pedestrian, you're in my way and I'm not slowing down!"
Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd) proposed a new system for parking on residential streets near Soldier Field during Chicago Bears' game days and other events at the Jan. 13 city council meeting. City council first passed a neighborhood parking plan related to Soldier Field in 2003...
The proposed ordinance would go into effect during Bears' home games as well as during concerts and other events held at Soldier Field. This is a departure from the current system, which only references football games.
Brendan Reilly - 42nd - would be much better than this clown. After he flip flopped and voted for the Children's Museum relocation to Grant Park, after he pledged for months not to, I never trusted him after that. And since then he has done nothing to move me from that viewpoint.
FGFM maybe you don't live in the neighborhood. The signs on the street say that the parking ban is in effect for any Soldier Field event. Micah got it wrong in that article. All Fioretti's ordinance does is make it easier for people who live in the neighborhood because if you already have the residential parking permit now you won't need the extra sticker for Soldier Field parking. This is a good idea. Theres no reason anyone should need three stickers just to park on the street in front of their house.
I think Aldermann Fioretti has done a decent job representing the Sloop as well as the Little Italy neighborhood(where I reside).
ReplyDeleteHowever, I have to question some of his ideas.
Banning the little plastic baggies drug dealers use to package their wares was idiotic. How about providing real leadership and attacking the problems that create drug abuse?
Worse, however, was his idea to roll back the gas tax in Chicago. With gas prices low, and the city(and CTA) facing huge budget deficits, now is the time to do the opposite. Raise the gas tax. Get people out of their automobiles. The sloop(along with the rest of the Chicago region) suffers from massive congestion. Our politicans should be looking at ways to get people OUT of their cars, not encouraging them to drive more(under the guise of saving the taxpayers money.)
Use any increase in gas tax money to build an L stop along the pink line at the United Center(which I believe lies in the Second Ward), start work on the circle line, or launch many other worthy public transportation projects. Increased public transportation in and around the sloop would dramatically increase the quality of life in our neighborhood. As well as make it more desirable place to live.
Don't forget about Fioretti's proposed ban on metal baseball bats! I'm glad Bob's keeping his eye on the important issues...
ReplyDeleteI agree the baggie thing was idiotic.
ReplyDeleteI've completely turned against him (and will never vote for him) since he voted lock step with Daley to let the Children's Museum illegally build in Grant Park.
Don't forget allowing the idiotic parking meters that were installed all over the sloop, and not fighting for residential rights to park in front or near their homes.
ReplyDeleteThe United Center is not in his ward. It is carved out. As for the baggies and the bats, its not like that is all he has done. If you drive the boundaries of the ward especially west side and south side you can see a marked difference where the 2nd ward ends and others start because the 2nd is cleaner, brighter and better cared for. He has also spent a great deal time on the 34 schools in the ward and the parks. It is easy to take potshots but he is out and visible on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteFioretti voted for privatizing the parking meters. (by vote) He voted for privatizing part of Grant Park with the CCM. (bad vote) I wish he cared enough about Printer's Row to remove the stop light at Polk/Dearborn - a 3 way stop is much more pedestrian friendly. I also firmly believe that cars speed up Dearborn (Polk to Harrison) waaaay too fast and should be slowed. This stretch should be more neighborhood than commuter arterial. I recommend wider sidewalks, fewer drive lanes and moving commuters up Clark to Harrison and over to Dearborn. Also I wish he'd fix the pedestrian crossing at Polk/ State (there is no ramp on southeast 'corner', nor is there a crossing indicator on the north/east 'corner' - silly. In addition more parks with play areas/equipment would be nice. Everyone uses the ones in the Dearborn Park neighborhood, which is fine, but can get overwhelming/crowded to the neighborhood since they are technically 'private'. laws requiring caissons instead of pile driven footings would be great for those of us who need sleep and sanity. Yes the slow down in the economy stopped it temporarily, but greedy developers will return......
ReplyDeleteand yes - public transportation improvements please!! and legalize drugs.. This is Chicago, did we not learn our lessons from prohibition?? take out the violence and crime and tax the hell out of it. Demand will never stop.... Or are we stuck in the Puritan 1800's???
Technically the intersection at Polk/ Dearborn would not be a 3 way stop since Dearborn is one way north. Please excuse my type-o. Not sure the technical term that would apply for an intersection such as that one, but you hopefully get my point, that way too many people run the light, turn on red when the sign says not to, and have little regard for pedestrians all along Polk street.
ReplyDeleteThe signals currently at the Polk/Dearborn intersection were supposed to be a temporary measure during the Clark/Roosevelt overpass construction. Prior to that, the Polk/Dearborn intersection had stop signs and seemed to work better.
ReplyDeleteAlso, something permanent needs to be done with the "Christmas Tree" lot. It's current state is unsightly at best.
I'd also like to see a "No Parking 9am-11am" sign on S. Plymouth/9th St. People park their vehicles for weeks/months at a time in this area and it's totally uncool.
I've ben trying to contact the aldermans ward office for two weeks now about the curb in front of my place flooding after every rainstorm. No one answers after 4 pm and the voicemail is full.
ReplyDeleteI have lost almost all my patience with Fioretti.
MAF, call 311 and report it, or go to the www.cityofchicago.org and look for the 311 department and file an on-line 311 ticket; they specifically have a catagory for street drains/sewer and CDOT get's those direct.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. I never have a problem getting a hold of Fioretti's office and I have left voicemails. Maybe you're calling the wrong number? I know no one is ever at city hall but I never have a problem with the office on Dearborn. I live in the South loop and asked his staffer how we go about getting residential parking on our block and he was helpful in explaining the process.
ReplyDeleteOverall I think the Alderman's doing a good job. Props on the new park at 18th and Calumet!
I walked by the Christmas tree lot last week. The weeds and grass got cut. I know the city doesn't own the lot so not much Bob can do other than keep the grass cut.
ReplyDeleteSome interesting news regarding Ald. Fioretti / 2nd Ward:
ReplyDeleteApparently enough people have voiced their concerns about the Polk/Dearborn traffic signals. He's working with the city get the stop signs put back.
Also, he claims to have found some sort of loophole in the parking meter contract that could allow Aldermen to roll the meters back to the previous time restrictions. This could mean, among other things, the return of free Sunday parking.
I saw some signs tonight over in Dearborn Park regarding the stop sign issue at Dearborn/Polk. I wish more of an effort had been made to publicize this effort, as I would have been happy to contact the Alderman's office prior to this meeting...which is tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI always heard they removed the stop signs that used to be there when they were constructing the Clark/Roosevelt viaduct to help with the traffic flow. I think returning the stop signs there would be great. It would make for a more pedestrian friendly area and hopefully slow drivers down...especially those drivers that fly around the corner when turning right from Polk to Dearborn. Of course, this being Chicago, I'm sure the stop signs will just be ignored like all the other ones in the city.
People be driving way too fast...and not just in the sloop.
I just found this thread when googling "bob fioretti polk dearborn stoplight" because a couple of days ago I saw the flyer at the polk/dearborn corner. I initially thought that bringing back the stop sign in place of the traffic light wasn't a good idea. Yeah, cars do fly around the corner onto dearborn from both the east and west sides of polk now, but it's not like they weren't doing that when it was just a stop sign. Maybe they did actually slow down and stop during the daytime hours when there are more pedestrians crossing that intersection, but I walk to work very early in the mornings (between 6 and 6:30 am) and this is what I saw... am I the only one?
ReplyDeleteThe real issue with traffic at this Polk/Dearborn intersection (as I see it) is how it's used by many motorists as a cut-through between Clark/State.
ReplyDeleteAlmost daily, I see people speed through this area narrowly missing an elderly person or someone with a stroller or dog.
No system is perfect but STOP signs that used to be there worked better . . . the traffic actually flowed more smoothly.
I'd also like to see some type of pedestrian walkway or flashing yellow light on Dearborn between Polk and Harrison as many vehicles really speed through this block. With the new park there, expect foot traffic to increase. Maybe a speed bump or slightly elevated hump would slow things down a bit.
I used to live near the Polk and Dearborn intersection, and I think it would be a great idea to return the Stop Signs!
ReplyDeleteThe worst rolling stop offenders are taxi's flying around that corner, perhaps if the had to stop at a sign they'd be more careful!
Like everywhere else in Chicago, turning (left or right, especially right) at a green light seems to mean "screw you pedestrian, you're in my way and I'm not slowing down!"
What the Fioretti!
ReplyDeleteNew parking plan pitched for Soldier Field area
Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd) proposed a new system for parking on residential streets near Soldier Field during Chicago Bears' game days and other events at the Jan. 13 city council meeting. City council first passed a neighborhood parking plan related to Soldier Field in 2003...
The proposed ordinance would go into effect during Bears' home games as well as during concerts and other events held at Soldier Field. This is a departure from the current system, which only references football games.
However you feel about Bob Fioretti
ReplyDeletehe is doing more for the ward and the city than Haithcock ever did.
Brendan Reilly - 42nd - would be much better than this clown. After he flip flopped and voted for the Children's Museum relocation to Grant Park, after he pledged for months not to, I never trusted him after that. And since then he has done nothing to move me from that viewpoint.
ReplyDeleteFGFM maybe you don't live in the neighborhood. The signs on the street say that the parking ban is in effect for any Soldier Field event. Micah got it wrong in that article. All Fioretti's ordinance does is make it easier for people who live in the neighborhood because if you already have the residential parking permit now you won't need the extra sticker for Soldier Field parking. This is a good idea. Theres no reason anyone should need three stickers just to park on the street in front of their house.
ReplyDeleteQUESTION: Does anyone out there know who if anyone is running against Bob?
ReplyDeleteFriend of Bob
Hey Bob best of luck in your recovery!
ReplyDelete