1: Here’s today’s agenda: - appointment of Sharon Bush as commissioner of the Park District - funding for various outdoor projects across the city

2: Chair Sposato calls the meeting to order at 12:01 p.m. Public comment begins with Nicole Foster of the Restore Gompers Park Commission, who speaks in support of Sharon Bush’s appointment. She speaks on safety issues at Gompers for unhoused people living in thin tents there

3: Foster shares concerns about alcohol and drug use in the park and speaks in support of an accelerated moving event to provide services and housing to those living in the tents. blockclubchicago.org/2024/10/01/nor…

4: Burke Smith, a retired fireman, speaks out against the appointment of the new commissioner. He speaks out against over-policing of Black people on 63rd St beach and lack of benches and other amenities there.

5: Jessica Jackson speaks out against the Democratic Party and in favor of voting for Trump. She is wearing a Sox hat and shirt that says “ExCons, Trump, 2024.” “Make America great again,” she said. “You know what’s great? Being able to pay our bills!”

6: Sposato calls the roll with 11 members present in chambers and one joining remotely.

7: Sharon Bush introduces herself and her connection to Garfield Park and its conservatory growing up.

8: Alder Nugent of the 39th ward advocates for Bush to enforce park rules, especially at Gompers. She asks Bush to come to the ward when she’s in her role. Bush says she’s a strong advocate for workforce development.

9: Alder Curtis advocates for more indoor space to host summer camps in the 18th ward to keep kids in their neighborhood for camp. Alder Waguespack asks her position on dissolving TIFs. She said she is open to learning from both sides, but has no opinion now.

10: Bush says she will properly enforce code regarding off-leash dogs in the parks. Waguespack counters that it would mean more police officers to patrol the park which takes more resources and time blockclubchicago.org/2024/10/23/no-…

11: Vice Chair Scott encourages looking into new revenue sources for the parks. Alder Conway wants to bring more public-private partnerships to fund the district. He says he’s tried to coordinate private investments with the park district unsuccessfully in the past.

12: Alder Cruz says she “isn’t getting much” from Bush’s answers so far. She asks about what Bush will prioritize at the Park District. Bush says she will prioritize equitable youth employment at the parks, and calls upon her experience in non-profits to fund them.

13: Alder Moore asks if she sees herself as an honest person. He asks what she thinks of Englewood and Ogden Park — she says her sister lives there and sees an active park. “I’m not oblivious to the issues in that community,” she said.

14: “The field house looks like a prison,” Moore said. “No windows.” He advocates for intentional improvement to Ogden Park — including a new field house with more space for youth summer camps.

15: Bush’s appointment is confirmed.

Meg Gustavson of the Department of Planning and Development presents a proposal for a new turf field at LaSalle II School in the First Ward. The committee moves to approve the plan.

17: the committee hears plans to expand a community garden from Lawrence to Ainslie on Ravenswood Ave called Winnslie Parkway. Since this is along both Lincoln Square and Uptown it will be pulling funding from both neighborhoods’ OSIF funds. winnslie.org

18: This item passes committee. Another project in the 1st ward: a new turf field at Goethe Elementary. A state grant and CPS are chipping in for the $1.48 million project and OSIF funds will make up about $504,000

19: The 6th and final agenda item will bring a community garden to Pilsen in the 25th ward. The space used to be the Lowenthal metals factory but has been remediated by the EPA over the past 10 years. The item passes committee.

20: With all agenda items passing committee, the meeting is adjourned at 1:20 p.m. Follow @CHIdocumenters for more local coverage 😊🍂!!