We Sue the City, the Park District and the Latin School
NEWS FLASH! FRIDAY, MAY 9 – THE CASE CONTINUES. WE’RE BACK IN COURT THURSDAY, MAY 15 at 9am.
The judge ruled Friday, April 25 on our request for a temporary halt to construction while the full case is being heard. The judge ruled at that time that the Latin School may continue to lay down artificial turf but may not put up lighting or bleachers for the time being. On Thursday, May 1 The Illinois Appellate Court halted all construction. Read the order Crain’s – Talks to begin after Latin School field blocked
If the case is not settled, all parties will return to court on Tuesday, May 20 for hearings on our request for a permanent injunction. The case is being heard by Chancery Court Judge Kinnaird, Room 2403 in the Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington. Donate to our legal fund now.
Read the Latin School’s position.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS:
Our original complaint The judge’s 4/25/08 order 4/25/08 transcript
Coverage of the case:
- Crain’s – Judge raps Park District over Latin field
- Chicago Tribune – Judge won’t halt Lincoln Park soccer field
- Reader – Latin School soccer field isn’t the only one Stop that bulldozer -
Worse Than We Thought
- Skyline – Latin School soccer field enters litigation
Worse Than We Thought
The Committee to Keep Lincoln Park Public, a project of Protect Our Parks, has filed a lawsuit to shut down the construction of the Latin School soccer facility on the South Meadow of Lincoln Park and to void the secret deal that created it. Our first hearing was Friday, April 18, 10am in the Chancery Court, 50 W. Washington, Room 2403, before Judge Dorothy Kirie Kinnaird.
Download the press release.
Download a summary of the issue and our work to date.
This is going to be a costly fight AND WE NEED YOUR CONTRIBUTION NOW to sustain this battle to keep our parks free for all.
Please mail a contribution, check made out to “Protect Our Parks”, to:
Protect Our Parks
333 W. North Avenue, #209
Chicago, IL 60610-1293
312-276-5165
We have filed for our tax exempt status with the I.R.S. and contributions are deductible to the extent allowed by law.
MEDIA COVERAGE
- Chicago Reader – No Permit Necessary
- Chicago Tribune – Foes of Lincoln Park soccer field sue city, Latin School
- WBBM TV News – Lawsuit filed in Latin School Soccer Fight
- Chicago Sun-Times – Group sues over Lincoln Park soccer field
- A RELATED STORY FROM WTTW-TV – Children’s Museum Zoning Application Seeks Liquor License
Chicago League of Women Voters & Sierra Club Chicago Say “No” to the Land Grab
From the Chicago League of Women Voters:
“As a resident of the 43rd ward and President of the League of Women Voters of Chicago, I oppose the construction of the planned soccer field in Lincoln Park. It is a situation where a private institution, the Latin School of Chicago, wants control over a portion of public space: some acreage of south Lincoln Park. The “control†is that The land will be designated for what the school wants, the construction and design of the playing and seating area, advertising and hours of use. Nighttime activities will necessitate lights.
This land borders a residential neighborhood. Was there an impact study on the effect of the increased amount of pedestrian and vehicular traffic? Residents in near-by buildings will look out on advertising, bright lights and the stands. They will hear crowd and car noises. Other groups will have less desirable hours available for their use, particularly teams with school-age children like the scouts. The terrain will be covered with Astroturf which is supposed to be toxic. Should children or adults be exposed to this? An additional environmental issue is that birds and other small animals will come in contact with it. Neighbors and visitors from outside the neighborhood will find the area more congested. Perhaps those who wish to sell their homes a short distance away will find out that their property is lower in value and more difficult to sell. This could produce less tax revenue.
In accordance with the League of Women Voters position on land use and parks, it must be said that this proposed plan goes counter our philosophy that park land be clear of obstacles, that parks be well-maintained and available to all residents of the city.”
Yours truly,
Esta Kallen
President
League of Women Voters of Chicago
From the Spring newsletter of the Illinois Sierra Club:
“Lincoln Park Land Grab: Protest Letters Needed ASAP to Mayor Daley
As part of a deal cloaked in secrecy, the Chicago Park District sold the exclusive rights to a four-acre chunk of the south end of Lincoln Park to the Latin School of Chicago.
There’s no other word to use regarding this deal except “sold.†The Chicago Park District Board approved a contract with minimal public notice that gives the school the right to build a $900,000 artificial turf soccer stadium at the very south end of Lincoln Park. Email Mayor Daley to express your opposition.” Read the full call for action.