Our Statement Regarding 6 Corners SSA
We urge the City Council to vote NO on O2020-6171 and to reject the unethical and corrupt process that led to the creation of this ordinance, which would enter the City into a contract with the Six Corners Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) as the sole service provider for the Six Corners Special Service Area #28 (SSA). Our organization demands accountability, honesty, and transparency from our elected officials, yet we have witnessed the exact opposite as the entirety of the SSA’s governing body was replaced by Alderman Gardiner’s nominees, followed by the new SSA unanimously voting to award this contract to the Chamber before a Request for Proposal was published.
In addition to the corrupt process, we are concerned by the fact that the Chamber was founded and is directed by a long-time supporter and donor to Alderman Gardiner, and who was previously an SSA Commissioner with a well-documented history of abusive behavior and unauthorized spending, according to the Department of Planning & Development’s (DPD) own records. In violation of any basic ethical standards, it was later discovered that the new SSA Chair is in a spousal relationship with an SCCC Board member, voting to award this contract without recusing herself.
Last week, a petition signed by over three-hundred Six Corners residents was delivered to the Mayor, DPD, Alderman Villegas, and the Committee on Economic, Capital, and Technology Development (ECTD) demanding that the City reject old school Chicago cronyism and to stand up for good government. The ECTD Committee also received sixty-eight written public comments, all sixty-eight demanded the City reject this contract. All public input through the entirety of this process has been ignored by the Alderman, Mayor, DPD, and ECTD Committee. This body is the only remaining entity with the power to stand up and do the right thing.
If this body approves this ordinance, the Mayor and City Council will:
Replace the Six Corners Association as sole service provider, which has long delivered services,marketed businesses, and organized community events to promote this critical economic center and has continually received praise from DPD as “one of our better performing service providers.”
Accept any potential liability by knowingly entering into a contract with an organization founded and overseen by an individual with a documented history of abuse and harassment, again according to DPD’s own records and DPD’s first-hand knowledge.
Knowingly reject all principles of good, honest, and transparent government, further diminishing any credibility, integrity, and public respect the Mayor’s office and this governing body might currently enjoy. No reasonable person could witness what has taken place at Six Corners and believe this is how our government and elected officials should operate.
We thank you for your consideration on this issue. Your vote against corrupt, crony politics would be one small step forward in restoring the public’s faith in your support of the most basic principles of good government.
Respectfully,
United Northwest Side Executive Committee