The Wentworth Commons

Opening Summer 2005

This summer the Wentworth Commons will become a home to as many as 182 men, women, and children who were formerly homeless or at risk of homelessness. The attractive building will be more than a roof to its tenants. Supportive services—case management, employment training, and leadership development—equips tenants with the tools, skills, and inspiration necessary to restake their claim in society.

Building Features

There are 51 units total:

• 3 four-bedroom apartments
• 15 three-bedroom apartments for families
• 9 two-bedroom apartments for families
• 24 efficiency apartments for individual adults

Office spaces on the first floor allow case managers and property managers to meet privately with tenants.

A family resource center, community kitchen and large multi-purpose room encourage fellowship among tenants.

There is a laundry room and lounge on each of the building's three residential floors.

Green, energy efficient design elements were incorporated throughout the building:

• Photovoltaic panels and an integrated heat recovery system help to conserve energy.
• Non-toxic, recycled building materials provide for a healthier living environment.

A number of units are available only to homeless persons with disabilities.

Most of the units rented will be furnished.

All utilities are included in the rent.

24-hour desk clerks monitor the entrance to the building.

Other lake front supportive housing projects/

The Holland Apartments

248 West 107th Place
Built: 1920-50's
Renovated: 2001
Size: 55,960 square feet
Number of Units: 73 SRO units, 4 two-bedrooms and 4 three bedrooms
Typical SRO: 250 square feet
Typical two bedroom: 800 square feet
Typical three bedroom: 900 square feet
Architect: Environ, Inc.

Originally a retirement home, the Holland Apartments feature 110 sleeping rooms, a large commercial kitchen, adining hall, and a social hall. Built in three sections over the course of 30 years, the building has an atypical shape for an SRO. The "E-like" shape of the building required a great deal of creativity in laying out the units. The Holland Apartments is Lakefront's first building to contain units for single adults as well as families, the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.

All of these building are rehabs of existing property except The south loop apartments on 15th South Wabash and 111th South Wentworth common building.

The Wentworth commons ignores the Architecture of the surrounding homes, The Wentworth commons building seems suggest the planning of a major change in the appearence of the community. An attempt to replace the solid historic look with one of modern frills. Out of place in this location.

 Lakefront Supportive Housing

currently operates the following nine supportive-housing buildings in Chicago's Lakeview, Uptown, South Loop, and Roseland communities.

The Belray Apartments
The Carlton Terrace Apartments
The Delmar Apartments
The Harold Washington Apartments
The Holland Apartments
The Major Jenkins Apartments
The Malden Arms Apartments
The Miriam Apartments
The South Loop Apartments
The Wentworth Commons

For more information on our housing options, call 312-447-4621

Date:	Wed, 1 Jun 2005 19:33:11 -0700 (PDT)
From:	"IJean"   View Contact Details
Subject:	Re: 34th Ward Resident Concern
To:	"By whO" kemetianmotif@sbcglobal.net

Hello

Thank you so much for this email.

My concerns are the same for the entire block

of senior citizens who have lived here for years.

We have gotten old and retired and planned on

living in our homes until we died.

Over the years we have had nothing but:

Gang banging, Drugs, Prositution, Rapist, Pit Bulls, etc

on our block, in our community.

I have lived here over 30 years.  I got a ticket for parking

East on the North side of the street in front

of my home.

Every single solitary night, our new neighbors have car loads

of company.  They park facing East on the North side of the street

and West on the South side of the street.  They never ever get a

ticket. 

We are afraid to leave our homes for church because when we come back, between the new neighbors company and the church on

the corner, we have to park blocks away.

I have stood on the corner of 109th Place waiting for my ride

and watched cars park on my block (300 West 109 Place)

and walk as far as 107th Princeton.  What on earth could that be

about?

We don't want to move.  What do we have to do?  Help 

 

Hello Ijean

The law has a term for what you described as " wrong wheel to curb". Depending on where you live this law may or maynot be enforced.

A concerted effort of all concerned neighbors on that street to demand parking enforcement would be the first step to take. Call the aldermans office and demand they enforce the law next call the police department next and make a complaint. Do this each time you percieve there is a problem with parking enforcement Do not give up, every one who lives on the street should call. Not just every house hold but everybody on that street.

Your next option is Residential permit parking. Below are the instructions on how to go about that.

Jerry Pittman

jpittman@ibc34.com

 

Residential Zone Permit Parking

Chapter 9-68 --- Restricted Parking - Permits and Regulations
(including Chap. 9-68-020 Sec. (b) regarding "one-day" residential permit parking pass amendment passed by the City Council)

---

Application Form (PDF) (Please print application and complete both left and right sides)

NOTE: Applicants renewing their city vehicle sticker by mail who need to purchase a 2005-2006 residential zone parking permit may use their 2004-2005 city vehicle sticker number.

Chicago's Residential Parking Permit program is designed to restrict parking on designated residential streets during specified hours, except for the residents of that street, guests of the residents or those who provide a service to the residents. This program helps to ensure that residents of densely populated areas have reasonable access to parking near their residences. Cars parked in violation of this ordinance will be ticketed.

What is provided:

Parking prohibitions under the Residential Permit Parking Program are achieved by installing regulatory signs which display the applicable restrictions. The signs are installed upon the passage of an ordinance which specifies the street(s) where the parking restrictions apply. Yearly Residential Parking Permits are available to qualified residents and daily guests passes may be purchased and distributed by qualified residents.

Requirements and Conditions

The following requirements and conditions must be met in order for a street to be designated for Residential Permit Parking:

1. The proposed street must be a residential street that is zoned R1 through R5.
2. A traffic survey must be made in the community that has been proposed for the program to document that 45% or more of the parked vehicles on a given block are not owned by the residents.
3. Once the ordinance is passed by the Chicago City Council and becomes law, signs are posted by the Department of Transportation. These signs specify the times and days that the parking restrictions apply and indicate a zone number to identify the specific neighborhood.
4. Residents must secure a permit from the Office of the City Clerk and display it on the passenger side windshield of their automobiles. The current fee for a Residential Parking Permit is $25.00. All Residential Parking Permits now expire each year on June 30. 1-Day Residential Parking Permit Guest passes (which are valid for 24 hours from the time of posting), are available to area residents in packs of 15 for $5.00 per pack (limit 2). Permits can be obtained by contacting the Office of the City Clerk's Permit Sales Unit at 312-744-5346.
5. Residents are responsible for ensuring that their guests are provided with Visitor Parking Permits. Guests are subject to receiving a Parking Ticket if a current guest permit is not properly displayed on the passenger side windshield.
6. Licensed, not-for-profit organizations qualify to acquire visitor parking permits to park in the adjacent Residential Permit Parking Zone if the organization is located within the Residential Permit Parking Zone or on either side of a business or commercial block immediately adjacent to the zone. This provision applies only in those wards where the Alderman has introduced and passed a not-for-profit Permit Parking Ordinance.
7. Applicants for an annual Residential Permit Parking Sticker must have a current and valid Chicago City Sticker and include that number on the application. If you are renewing your city vehicle sticker by mail and need to purchase a new residential permit immediately you may use your 2004-2005 city vehicle sticker number.
8. Applicants must also provide legible proof of current residency (valid Illinois driver's license or Illinois state identification card, copy of current lease or mortgage, current utility bill, voter's registration card, etc.) when submitting an application. Applications received without proof of residency will not be processed. If you submit your application by mail between June 1st and July 16th you must allow up to thirty (30) business days for processing.

How to Apply:

Qualified applicants may either complete the on-line application form or obtain an application by calling 312-744-7848.

Completed applications can either be mailed or delivered in person as follows:

Mail Applications to:

Office of the City Clerk
Attn: Residential Permit Parking Unit
121 N. LaSalle Street - Room 107
City Hall
Chicago, IL 60602-1295

In Person

Office of the City Clerk
City Hall
121 North LaSalle St., Room 107
Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Or, you can visit additional locations listed on this page to purchase your residential permit parking zone sticker.

Secretary of State Facilities

9901 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
(Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. - 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wed., 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Closed on Saturday & Sunday)

Fast Track Abatement Program In March of 1993, the Fast Track FTD) ordinance was passed by the City Council. In July of 1998, the ordinance was amended to reflect changes in state law. The FTD ordinance authorizes the City to board, repair, or demolish residential and commercial buildings of up to three stories or less in height that are vacant, open, and constitute a hazard to the community. All owners/interested parties of record are notified and given an opportunity to board, repair, or demolish the structure. If they fail to properly respond, the FTD ordinance allows the City to take remedial action. Through the Fast Track Abatement Program, the City is able to avoid the time-consuming and costly process of seeking a court ordered demolition. | Raiding Homes/Stealing/Demolishing Homes | From: Liz34

Hello Members -   I am new to this group and I am a concerned resident of the 34th Ward.  I am curious about what is being built on 111th & Wentworth. It was my understanding that it was going to be some type of Senior Building.  Is that true?                                     I am also curious to know where does the Alderman stand on this Fast Track issue - has she made some type of statement?    Please provide what ever type of information that you can.   Hello LIZ34 I was told by the office manager of the 34th ward that they were suppose to be "energy efficient apartments". The sign that was posted on the site said "Wentworth Commons" The sign also listed the Alderman as one of the supporters of the project. The sign has recently been removed. I have tried on several occasions to speak with the Alderman. I have visited the office and made appointments however the Alderman has been unavailable for months. New construction on 114th and Harvard has the Aldermans name on it also. J.Pittman     I am so glad for this information/flyer I received on 05/14/05. I live on the 114th block of normal avenue in  single family home. My family have lived here for approximately 13-14yrs and there is a growing concern. I need information on seeking help with unwanted neighbors/squatters. There is a home next door to whom the homeowner who was an elderly recent became ill and had to be removed from his home. Prior to be removing from his home, his son moved in to care for him and still resides there. He is a known alcoholic, drug abuser, and who knows what else. All of the others of his likes congregate at this location. They are there first thing in the morning late into the evenings. They are openly drinking, fighting,using drugs, and profane language while sitting on the front porch. Since these activities have taken place our children are not allowed to go out front to get a breath of fresh air and sunlight and the whole block has been disturbingly plagued by these unwanted people. Where and what can we do collectively to get some help on this matter. Also, I think it is important to note I have called the Chicago Police Department for assistance on this matter as they have been disturbing the peace for over an year now. The police has been of little help as well and have reluctantly responded to the matter. Please respond soon, thank you.   Sincerely, LVW.   What is the address of the house in question? Let other ward residents see what you are dealing with. I will post the address on the web site with the complaint and ask that members either phone or stop by the aldermans office and ask to enforce the "no drinking in public law".  I would suggest that members and their neighbors repeat this action until the persons in question corrects his behavior or takes his activity inside. J.Pittman.   From: forge202 (Original Message) Sent: 5/17/2005 1:47 AM Sundays Tribune real estate section 16 has an article on more houses to be built on 119th and union at a price of 213,000 to 282,000 to be built in oct this year. who are the community developement commission / and why aren't they talking to the communities? Hello forge202 The reason they are not talking to the communities is because they don't feel as though they have to ask or explain anything to us. Does a rapist announce his next victim? Do you have to expain your actions to your child? Thats how we are treated, like ignorant children waiting to be victimized. That will end in time as we begin to become more informed and organized. Thanks to technology they can no longer keep us in the dark. I missed the artical but I thank you for alerting other members to it. J.Pittman. From Maze Hi I'm  Maze and I just join the group. I live close  to the new contruction on 111th and Wentworth and one of those sex offender houses witch is located (11001 s. wenthworth ) and is only two blocks from a elementay school. How is this possible for them to be so close to a school. Some one from their staff sent letters to residents close by stating they were not a danger to the community and they were not hurting the residents. How can this be when these men walk the street day and night. they stand out in front of this house in groups. Who would want to to purchase a home in this area with this going on. The party who runs the home is trying to get her program for sex offenders and drug abusers reinstated. I think when the news ran the story on all the sex offenedrs in the Roseland area her program was temporaliy suspended.There is a hearing on May 20 downtown for this. I don't just want to stop this person I want them out of the community. My family has lived in this community over 30 years. So I am deeply disturbed and in need of help. I have talked to a few of the neighbors and they feel the same way. What can we do to combat these problems. We want to get our community back. What can we do, we are willing to roll up our sleeves and fight!!!!!!!!!!!! maze   HI Maze Will this hearing be open the residents of the 34th ward? If so where downtown and what time is the meeting? J.Pittman.   From: maze  in response to Message 2 Sent: 5/18/2005 11:01 PM The applicant is Miles Coles. The hearing will be May 20, 2005 at 9:00 am City Council Chamber Room 200 at 121 N. La Salle Street. The case# 154-05-S, the address of the premises is 11001 S. Wenthworth Ave. The notice says Mr. Cole's application is for a special use under article 11 of the zoning ordinanace for the approval of the location and the establishment of a transitional resident for men between ages of 18-65 in a 1 1/2 story single family residence and coach house in a RS-3 Residental Single-Unit (Detached House) District. Thank you Maze IBC members are needed to respond to this issue. This is by no means the only one of these houses in this ward. The 34th ward is loaded with them. Our families are not safe. Sex offenders are continually dumped in our ward. Call, visit, Email and demand that the alderman stop this program.  34TH WARD OFFICE 507 W. 111th St Chicago, IL 60628 caustin34@cityofchicago.org Phone: 773-928-6961  If you are available, go to the hearing and let your voice be heard. Miles Coles. The hearing will be May 20, 2005 at 9:00 am City Council Chamber Room 200 at 121 N. La Salle Street. The case# 154-05-S, the address of the premises is 11001 S. Wenthworth Ave.  If the program is allowed to continue you may find someone else opening up one of these houses next door to you. NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT. WE HAVE TO MOVE OUR COMMUNITY FORWARD. I received a flyer "34th Ward IBC Alert". I have not been able to understand http://groups.msn.com/34thwardIBC or http://groups.msn.com/bywho I have been able to log in, but I'm lost after that. I have plenty of concerns for myself and the senior resident homeowners on my block. You have allowed these younger ghetto influences into our community and they have been nothing but loud, obnocious, profane, filthy, distructive, disrespective and the list goes on. Now you want to take our homes. Why can't you sell the abandoned homes to responsible mature adults and leave us alone! Have a gloriously blessed and prosperous day! Sincerely,Jean      UPDATE ON EX-SEX OFFENDER HOME Messages   >>   Issues continue  on the IBC34 message board

Hello...I would like to send you or deliver to you the letters confiming that there are no sex offenders living at 11001 S Wentworth. I would also like to send you the letters confirming the cleansing of the roles at our other program. In addition we are planning on having a town hall meeting to answer any questions concerning the residents who may be worried that we will restart that program.

I also will attempt to recieve a letter from CPD and another from IDOC informing the public on how there web sites operate. Unfortunately many offenders remain on their website long after the men have moved or been sent to other districts. That was the main reason I had the Department issue that letter. Four months later there are those who still believe there are offenders in that facility, causing unnecessary fears . In addition we had also  permenantly abated that program in Febuary and returned to our mission of providing services for alcoholics, who had no sex offense background. This information had  also been sent to all who lived within 250 feet of our home.Perhaps that information needs to be passed to a wider area.I will try and do what we can to inform our community of our goals in this matter.

 

 

From:	"By whO"   View Contact Details
Subject:	Re: Transitional
To:	"Claudelle Shaheed" cornerstone103@sbcglobal.net

 

Hello Claudelle

I have spoken to many residents near and further away from your halfway homes. You should understand that the past sequence of events will make it extremely difficult for you to continue to operate or to open any other halfway homes in the 34th ward.

Fear is a great galvanizer

It is the senior citizens and long time residents of the 34th ward that are fighting this. The placing of sex offenders in their home ( understand that the 34th ward is our home ) said in volumes what you thought or cared about the community.

Fear for our children, our wives, mothers, sisters and daughters was the first reaction.

The next question was why? Why did you put the home in our community?

Finally.  Anger, for choosing our community to place this home.

Diminishing our quality of life

Discouraging other families from wanting to move into the area around these homes.

Changing our neighborhood into something it was never meant to be.

Causing our property values suffer.

Now we come to mistrust.

Anyone other than a family living there will always be suspect.

You have the option of locating your homes in another ward.

Thats not an option for most of us.

For most of us, this is it, this is home.

I hope you will decide to reconsider your placement of halfway homes in our ward.

We do not want anymore halfway homes in the 34th ward, there are already too many of them here.

Jerry Pittman

 

"Claudelle Shaheed" cornerstone103@sbcglobal.net 

 

I have made attempts to present to you the letter stating that there are no sex offenders living at 11001 S Wentworth as of January 31st 2005.If you fail to remove those pictures of my home and the in-accurate text immediately I will have no choice but to sue you for slander and libel as soon as I am able to convene with my attorneys.I respect your right to have any views you may , BUT NOT through lies and deception at my expense. You are not going to ride your personal political agenda on the shoulders of my back. The sex offender program was abated, which means forever dis-continued. It's not my problem you were not contacted. All my neighbors were ! Any sex offenders that have moved into this community since last winter have not come through my facility. Miles C.

Here is Rick Guzman's number.....Director of Reentry Management Illinois Department Of Corrections....312-814-3017. He will provide you with the information. In addition, our program on 103 W.112th street will be  a small 7 bed clinical program for women within the next 4 weeks. If you are going to take it upon yourself to report what goes on in Roseland then if you expect to have any credibility with the educated residents in our community ( and there are many ) you must be willing to at least be accurate. Disagree,however you want,  but do it without lies.

 

You claim our community is being lied to , BUT I find you engaging in the same tactics.

 

Claudelle

Directing your anger at me is misdirected. My web site is a forum for anyone to share their views on activities in the 34th ward.

Your rebuttal as well as members of your halfway homes have been posted.

The IBC does not censor anyones views.

I have always referred to your business as a "Halfway house". However others refer to it as a sex offenders house.

You call it "Transitional"

I believe you and your allies have made your case in that it is a half way house for alcoholics.

However It is not me you have to convince.

Since sex offenders lived in that home by your own admission, It has cast a shadow of doubt about the inhabitants of that home.

You and Miles both mentioned a home for single women with no children.

I do not see the opposition to that being as strong because people would be able to see that the tenants were not the same sex offenders you housed there earlier this year.

However I am not the one you need to convince.

I will continue to posting views both pro and con on what ever subjects are sent in.

As you may or not know IBC members messages are posted automatically without my intervention.

I  believe your suggested public forum with the residents in the area would be the best way to go.

Tell them what you are planning to do, and ask them to support you, You will get your answer as to how the residents really feel.

Jerry

 

Jerry I am it. There is no she in this . All i am saying is that when someone erroneously states that I STILL run a sex offender program and you post that FOUR MONTHS later you add to the mis-information and histeria. Disagree....man you have that right HOWEVER state the facts. This lady who posted that message was wrong. Say that in your caption to that picture.That is correct IF your forum is being fair. ALL we ask is accuracy.The sad part about all this , is that we have helped literally hundreds of men , without EVER an instance when the Chicago Police has needed to arrest  any of the resident's in NINE YEARS, for havinh committing ANY NEW CRIMES while living in our program . Are you going to post that ?????

 

Hello Miles

 

of course I will post this.

 http://groups.msn.com/34thwardIBC/34thwardzonehearing.msnw

 

Go ahead and make your case. You have as much right as anyone to agree or disagree.

I have followed up on the story including all of your emails save one. ( which mentions where you lived. )

I will make as many people aware of the halfway homes as possible prior to your next hearing.

I will ask them if they object to voice their opinions and if they do not then don't object.

With me it is all about awareness. You were never an objective of mine until I was alerted to your operation by numerous people all of whom told me the house on 11001 was a sex offenders home.  Your business was just one of the many things that need to be addressed in the 34th ward.

 

The people on 112th street already have one halfway home on that street. I do not know who runs it, however It will be up to them to decide if they want to allow it to remain.

Pro or con it is time for our community to take an active role in the decisions being made that affect us. I am glad to see that people are beginning to speak out, we have been quiet about too many things for to long and as a result this community is being destroyed.

True we do have other problems in this community.

They did not all happen at one time and they won't be fixed at once either.

One thing at a time.

If you want your messages automatically posted, post them on the web site.

This will be the last email will post for you. If you have a problem posting your message let me know and I will assist.

Jerry

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Below are list of companies that are hiring....
Advocate Bethany Hospital www.advocatehealth.com 630-990-5000
Adler Planetarium www.adlerplanetarium.org&nb sp;312-322-0591
ATA Airlines www.ata.com
Art Institute of Chicago www.artic.edu Fax applications 312-857-0141
Bank of America www.bankofamerica.com
Bank One www.bankone.com
Center for Research Libraries www.uchicago.edu 773-955-4545
Chicago Lakeshore Hospital www.chicagolakeshorehospital.com 773-878-9700
**Send resume to Karney@chicagolakeshorehosptial.com or fax to 773-506-4369
Chicago Transit Authority www.transitchicago.com 312-664-7200
Children's Memorial Hospital www.childrensmemorial.org 773-880-4000
City Colleges of Chicago www.ccc.edu
City of Chicago egov.cityofchicago.org 312-744-1369
Clarion Hotel www.clarionhotel.com 773-693-5800
Comp USA < A href="http://www.compusa.com/" target=_blank>www.compusa.com 1-800-Train-80
Cook County www.cookcountygov.com
Day's Inn 1816 N. Clark, 644 W. Diversey Pkwy, 6450 Touch Ave
DePaul University www.depaul.edu
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital www.emhc.org 630-833-1400
Enterprise Rent-A-Car www.enterprise.com
Field Museum www.fmnh.org 312-665-7281
Gottlieb Memorial Hospital www.gottliebhospital.org 708-681-7375
Hilton Hotel www.hiltonworldwide.com
Holiday Inn www.holidayinn.com 312-787-6100
Hyatt Hotels www.hyatt.com
Illinois Department of Corrections www.idoc.state.il.us
Jackson Park Hospital www.jacksonparkhospital.com 773-947-7512
John Stroger Jr. Hospital www.cchil.org 312-864-6000
Kindred Chicago Central Hospital www.kindredhealthcare.com 773-736-700 0
LaRabida Children's Hospital 773-363-6700 www.larabida.org
Little Company of Mary Hospital www.lcmh.org 708-229-5050
Loyola Family Care Center www.luc.edu 312-915-6175
Loyola University www.luc.edu
Loyola University Health System www.luhs.org.hr
Mercy Hospital and Medical Center www.mercy-chicago.org 312-567-2000
Methodist Hospital of Chicago www.methodistchicago.org 773-989-1333
Metra Rail Service 312-322-4070 faxed 312-322-8937
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater of Chicago
www.mwrdgc.dist.il.us/ 312-751-5600
Mount Sinai Hospital www.sinai.org 773-542-2000
National City Bank www.nationalcity.com
Norwegian American Hospital www.n-ahs.org 773-292-8327
Saint Anthony Hospital www.cath-health.org 773-484-4855
Saint Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center www.stbernardhospital.com
Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital www.reshealth.org
SBC www.sbc.com/careers
Shedd Aquarium www.sheddaquarium.org
Sears Roebuck and Company www.sears.com
South Shore Hospital www.southshorehospital.com
Southwest Airlines www.southwest.com
Swedish Covenant Hospital www.uchicagokidshospital.org 773-702-0198
Thorek Hospital and Medical Center www.thorek.org 773-975-3269
Union Pacific Railroad www.up.com 1-800-877-5643
United Airline www.united.com
U.P.S. www.ups.com 1-888-967-5877
University of Chicago Hospitals www.uchospitals.edu 773-702-0198
University of Illinois Medical Center of Chicago Hospital www.uillinoismedicalcenter.org 312-355-4000
West Suburban www.westsub.com 1-877-RES-INFO press 9
Weiss Memorial Hospital www.weisshospital.com 773-564-7207

POLICE PLAYING
RAP MUSIC OVER
SQUAD CAR PA
SYSTEM.
34th ward Chicago
Illinois 60628

Several people have
reported seeing a Chicago
police squad car in cruising
south on State street
avenue playing
Negative Rap music over
the PA system.
This event took place
around 10:15 pm on
Thursday September
13th 2007
The squad car was
reported to have been
driven by a

Thinly builtblond hair
white female late 30s
with a square face,  
deep jaw lines with
what was described as
a shag hair cut,
possibly a wig. The car
proceeded along State st.
Ave and turned east on
111th street.
The music was described as
loud vulgar and degrading.