From time to time, the Government Affairs Committee of the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) contacts local media outlets and neighborhood partners - from elected officials and community organizations to businesses and residents - to share our position on key issues affecting business and Lincoln Park.

Recent Issues

2011-2012 City of Chicago Ward Remap Process

Every 10 years the City of Chicago redistricts 50 Ward boundaries to better reflect the current population trends in the area. This process has been repeatedly dicey and often the cause of political posturing, Council in-fighting, lawsuits and more. The LPCC believes that any effort to maintain the existing two-Ward structure of the Lincoln Park neighborhood is the correct position.

Read our letter to Alderman Mell (Remap Chair) - January 3, 2012

Health Care Bill - HB3236

The LPCC was approached by several small business owners - and a handful of suburban chambers of commerce, including Aurora, Naperville and Highland Park - to support HB3236 that would create co-operative options for small businesses to obtain group health care plans. After reaching out to members in the insurance field, the LPCC determined that no conflict of interest could be found and a letter was sent to State Senate President John Cullerton, who's 6th District represents Lincoln Park.

Read our letter to Sen. Pres. Cullerton - November 7, 2011

Children's Memorial Hospital

The LPCC is actively engaged in the discussion surrounding the future of the site now home to Children's Memorial Hospital. The economic impact of more than 1.5 million visitors to the hospital will be felt immediately and powerfully by local businesses when Children's closes in June 2012. The LPCC is working with Alderman Smith, the development team, representatives from the hospital and the community to reach an agreement on what should fill the site. Please stay tuned to this vital process.

Read our statement following the selection of McCaffrey Interests as developer - July 14, 2011
Read our press release on the economic impact of the site - July 11, 2011

Urban Farming and Community Gardens

*UPDATE* - September 9, 2011
At the September 8th meeting of the Chicago City Council an ordinance was passed that would allow for more widespread Urban Farm growth. This ordinance, strongly supported by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, was a change in policy from the previous administration. Read more about the approval and what it means for Chicago's food community here.

The LPCC was contacted by one of our bar/restaurant members to share their concern over a rumored ordinance that would place strict - and cost prohibitive - guidelines on urban farms and community gardens.  As our letter to Ald. Waguespack shows, the LPCC is a strong supporter of this innovative culinary program that can create jobs and revive neighborhoods. While Ald. Waguespack has not shared his position on the issue, and it has not come to vote, the LPCC contacted him in support of our member and his constituent business.

Read the LPCC's letter to Ald. Waguespack.

Corporate Funding for Chicago Neighborhood Chambers of Commerce - 2010

In the City of Chicago's proposed 2011 operating budget, a $3.4 million line item is currently eliminated.  That line item? Funding to chambers of commerce across Chicago.  Neighborhood chambers of commerce need this funding to operate marketing programs, job retention, neighborhood beautification, business attraction, informational campaigns, promotion of City of Chicago programs, business advocacy and more.

Read the LPCC's letter to Mayor Daley.

Read the LPCC's letter to the editor.

Read the joint chamber of commerce press release.

Lincoln Park Hospital - Updated Proposal

The redevelopment of Lincoln Park Hospital has been a major issue in the neighborhood for two years.  Responsible reuse of the property, as well as the inclusion of new business opportunities and customers for exisiting shops and restaurants will be key to its success - as well as the vitality of the neighborhood.

Read the updated development proposal here.

Read the LPCC's letter to Alderman Vi Daley here.

Artistic Bike Racks

The LPCC supports Alderman Vi Daley's ordinance to bring artistic bike racks to Chicago as it would provide for an enhanced shopping experience, added public art and work for local artisans. The ordinance will be of benefit to the shopping, artist and bicycle communities in Chicago.  This public-private partnership will benefit businesses and customers alike.

Read the LPCC's letter to Transportation Chairman Alderman Thomas Allen (38th) here.

Mobile Food Trucks

The concept of Mobile Food Trucks is a culinary concept in place in dozens of major U.S. cities.  A proposed ordinance, supported by Lincoln Park Aldermen Vi Daley and Scott Waguespack, would bring warm, cooked meals to the streets of Chicago in a responsible, safe and healthy fashion.  Not only would the food scene in Chicago be further enhanced, the ordinance would help spur new businesses and job creation.

Read the LPCC's letter to Alderman Daley here.

Ordinance Banning Massage Parlors in Residential Areas

Although the proposed ordinance has been watered down  by the City Council, any ban restricting a sector of the business community from opening a new business at an available storefront is a detriment to the Chicago business community.  A proposed ordinance eliminating potential entrepreneurs by barring them from certain commercial zones would cost the city jobs and revenue.

Read the LPCC's complete statement here.

In summary, the ordinance was drafted to eliminate prostitution rings under the cover of massage parlor, but does not currently attack this issue.

Vacation Rental Ordinance

The LPCC is strongly against the proposed "Vacation Rental Ordinance" introduced once in the Fall and again in early April 2010 by Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd). Vacation rental properties are a unique part of the City's accomodations for out of town guests and an additional $500 per unit tax would lead to both direct and indirect closures of businesses in Chicago.

Read the LPCC's complete statement here.

Read the LPCC's initial letter to Alderman Brendan Reilly here.

Read the LPCC's follow-up letter to Alderman Vi Daley here.

Lincoln Park Post Office Branch

A cause for some debate, the LPCC has learned that the United States Post Office location at the corner of Fullerton and Sheffield - a busy local intersection for businesses and residents alike - may be slated for closing in the near future.  To combat this, the LPCC contacted our local U.S. Representatives for more information and share our support for maintaining

Read the LPCC's letter to U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (5th) here.

Update: After reaching out to Congressman Quigley's office, the LPCC has learned that a lease is in place with the owner of the buidling - DePaul University - through the summer of 2010.  Beyond that, the status of the Post Office at that location is dependent on the lease terms and the U.S. Postal Service budget.  Stay tuned for more information.

LPCC Supports DePaul's 10-Year Plan

The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce announced their support early this summer of DePaul University's upcoming Strategic Plan and community agreement release, anticipating a comprehensive document more than a year in the making.

Read our letter to Alderman Daley here and read our press release, covered in both The Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune.

Contact Us

Interested in sharing your support for a key legislative issue?  Have an issue you'd like the LPCC to consider?? Contact us today at (773) 880-5200.