Will the pay be better? I could vote for that.

Speaking of voting let us hope that the south Evanston precincts vote this election.

Please please if you have not voted please do so, please.

Read Bill Smith's tidings of tax increases to come. Does anyone in the city know what the hell is going on financially. The pension shortfall was supposedly taken care of, but the numbers don't show that.

Huh?

Has anyone thought of outsourcing our city government?

I was voter number 48 at 8:00 a.m., and was surprised to see the new voter technology. Didn't want to wait for the touch screens, so claimed a paper ballot only to find that we don't use punch cards anymore. Was given a special pen to "complete" an arrow for the candidate of my choice.

On the booth was a poster with an example where you could choose to vote between Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles. My vote goes to Ray Charles. When I tried to make this joke with the poll watcher, he had no idea what I was talking about until I showed him the poster. Am I the only person on the planet who reads instructional posters?

And now for something completely different: I'm back at Borders Books and Music for the holidays, and they are wanting to hire a large number of people to work there over Christmas. You must be 18, comfortable with computers, and in town until December 25th. The salary is not huge, but the discount is terrific.

Candace

Ann,
You're right. Virtually all of the people who receive money from this fund will be just like the folks who are already our neighbors...wanting to contribute to our community.

But whenever free money is available, there is a chance that those who are not so well intentioned will seek that money as well. Restrictions (as Kristin detailed) would provide some assurance that those who obtain these public funds will not be detriments to our neighborhood through continuing criminal activity.

If someone has some knowledge about fair housing requirements dealing with convicted felons and/or known gang members, that knowledge would be much appreciated. Someone who has been in prison for 10 years likely has no bad marks on his or her credit report. But please tell me if I'm wrong.

love to have debo but my condo board would not approve had problem keeping my mother in laws dog here along with mine. wish it were possible he is cute. when i get a house 3 dogs will be permitted cats etc.

I just don't understand why you all think that people who want to buy a home but who are at 80% of median income, who have good credit, who have real jobs are any different than the people who are seeking homes that do not receive assistance. I am thinking that many of the people with kids who are going to qualify - see that is different than being eligible - are going to want to live in neighborhoods west of dodge or along Dodge between Howard and Main. There you can find fabulous, less costly single family and town homes.

I would feel better about the housing initiative if I knew that our hard-earned tax dollars are going to people who won't be actively involved in criminal activity. (That's the last thing our area needs ...) If there were some way of screening potential applicants for past incursions as well as a stipulation that they would lose eligibility if they participate in *future* illegal activity (especially gang affiliation), I would look more favorably on the initiative ...

people with 4 kids
I meant a family of 4

I am not an expert on fair housing as I know many of you lawyers and realtors are. Anyone who is eligible by virtue of their income will have to be approved for a conventional loan. I know the protected classes in our fair housing ordinance and convicted felons are not protected so I don't see a problem - any expert opinions on this?

Please please remember, people with 4 kids earning $60,000 a year are real citizens. If they can pass the credit check muster and with help from the Affordable housing fund you wont even know who they are.

Ann,
Given the price of houses and condos in Evanston, it is likely that many recipients of these funds will join us in the southern portion of Evanston. I will happily welcome hard-working families and individuals who want to contribute to our community. I hope that they send their children to Oakton School.

But I am concerned about individuals who may not fit into the category of contributing to our community. To what extent will the city know whether the person has a criminal background (such as a sex offender or murderer)? And to what extent can that information be used in making a decision on a request for the funds?

I have not seen a credit report in a long time so I am not aware if it
includes anything about criminal convictions. Or could staff check other readily available sources on the internet for such information?
 
I strongly believe that someone convicted of a crime can "pay their debt to society" and be a productive citizen. But I am concerned that our portion of town is already home to more than our share of citizens who have been convicted of violent crimes.

I am certain that providing our scarce funds to sex offenders or murders to purchase a house or condo is not what is intended. But can it be prevented?

Just received from an 8th ward friend. There are Chicago Council of Lawyers (first link) and all the other associations (2nd link) judicial recommendations

http://www.chicagocouncil.org/
http://www.voteforjudges.org/
 
Check these out. There are many judges on the ballot for election day. If you haven't already voted, these guides will help you.
 
Some judges are great, some are terrible. Help keep the good ones and dump the bad ones!

The Heifer Project is a great way to give a gift that helps. We all have plenty here, so why not give a gift that will help the world this holiday season. The Heifer project has been one of my favorite gifts to give for many years! Check the Heifer Project out at www.heifer.org.

The ordinance that was passed provides for 15% administrative costs. We already have people on board that are resposible for the affordable programs we currently operate so while another expert might be required, the costs will be spread across all the housing programs.

On giving back all the money per Ryan - then we would forever have a family needing our help. The purpose here is to give a boost and place people on the home ownership path.

What I've heard so far seems reasonable, but as Ryan points out, what is the fixed cost of running this program? Of this $800,000 to $1 million per year how much goes toward incremental staffing that will be charged off against the fund? This is not just salary, but the added benefit and pension costs that add to the basic salary, which wind up being an additional 30% or so. There will be other costs as well, such as credit checks, etc.

What has been discussed here is up-front money for a down payment. What about the yearly costs such as property taxes (no problem here in Evanston, correct?) insurance, heating, utilities, assessments for condos, etc.?

Any numbers?