PRCC Call to Action: A Call for Peaceful Prayer and Action for Racial Justice
CLICK HERE to visit our Social Justice Team Page!
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." John 13:34
Racial Justice Rally - June 2020
Park Ridge Alderman Contact Information
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING
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1. Contact your Alderman
2. Contact the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) and Individual Commissioners
3. Contact the entire City Council
4. Attend City Council and P&Z (next meeting 6/30)
5. Write a Letter to the Editor of a local paper and post on social media
WHAT SHOULD I SAY?
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Tell them why you care, what the benefits are as you see them
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Promotes cultural and economic diversity​
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Assists local businesses to attract and retain employees; creates workforce housing
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Helps alleviate traffic congestion and environmental impacts tied to long commutes
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Attractive to seniors, young singles, and families, disabled, people of all backgrounds
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Tell them you support the Affordable Housing policies in the Housing Chapter
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Allow Accessory Dwelling Units where it makes sense​
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Create a Housing Fund for: senior retrofitting, historic preservation, assistance to potential homebuyers. Funded from fees on teardowns for large single-family homes.
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State that you want your community to be INCLUSIVE and EQUITABLE
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Keep your letter to one or two paragraphs
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State that you want your letter to be read into the record at the next Council and P&Z meetings
WHERE DO I SEND MY LETTER?
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City Council: public.comments@parkridge.us
Planning & Zoning Commission: jcarlisle@parkridge.us
Individual Alderman email addresses are listed on the city website under City Council
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
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Park Ridge Wonderful Website: parkridgewonderful.com
Call to Action
Rev. Carol Hill
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"It is not enough to say that I am not a racist...we have to work at being Anti-Racist, working against the racist systems at work. I believe we have some highly gifted, compassionate, intelligent people here tonight...and together - we can make a difference, but it's going to take more than one night, more than one task...and we have to start somewhere - so let's start now."
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CLICK HERE to read Rev. Hill's full Call to Action
Racial Justice Rally - June 2020
Adrian Hill
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"Why are we here? We are here because of countless incidents too numerous to name...We must talk about the devastating effects of redlining and unfair bank policies and building interstates through Black communities. And we must talk about how that led to diminished educational and economic opportunities for far too many Black Americans."
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CLICK HERE to read Mr. Hill's full message
Park Ridge Alderman Contact Information
Ready to get to work? Contact your local Alderman to ask them what they are doing to work toward change.
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Marty Maloney, Mayor
224-585-3148
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John J. Moran, First Ward Alderman
847-720-4494
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Maureen Hartwig, Second Ward Alderman
773-412-1075
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Roger Shubert, Fourth Ward Alderman
224-938-8521
Charlie Melidosian, Fifth Ward Alderman
847-497-0427
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Marc Mazzuca, Sixth Ward Alderman
312-206-7424
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Marty Joyce, Seventh Ward Alderman
773-677-7292
Action Ridge
We promote principles of democracy: inclusion, respect, equity, and the health of our planet. Truth Matters!
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All are welcome to join this Park Ridge social activist group. We promote principles of democracy, inclusion, respect, equity and the health of our planet. Learn more about Action Ridge here.
June 2020 Letter to the Editor
The following is a letter written by members of Action Ridge
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"No one is free when others are oppressed."
-- Martin Luther King Jr.
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We are Action Ridge and our purpose is to promote principles of democracy: inclusion, respect, equity, and the health of our planet. We believe that truth matters. The truth is that racism is wrong, painful, and hurts everyone. The truth is racism exists and denying it and blaming others does nothing to change the truth or the systems that perpetuate policies of injustice.
In 2016, the divisive, fear mongering, and oppressive tactics seen in the presidential campaign shifted many of our perspectives. A few of us pledged to work together to affect change. And so we formed the social activist group, open to all, now known as Action Ridge. As a group and individually we work to build a Beloved Community in Park Ridge and beyond.
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As mostly white, middle class and middle or upper aged individuals, we acknowledge our lack of understanding of what our sisters and brothers of color face every day. WE do know that for each person brutally treated and killed because of racial bias, the pain grows and radiates outward. The names George, Ahmaud, Breonna, and many others, are now tragically familiar and each represents a family, a story, a beloved life lost. We grieve and hurt with our sisters and brothers of color.
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Our goal is to continue to respect, include, see & listen to each other. But, importantly, we act. Some of our actions include a diversity group learning about racial injustices, working on fair and affordable housing practices in our community, advocation to reduce gun violence and more. Please join us at actionridge2017@gmail.com to stand with us in action against racial injustice.
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Nan Parson and Liz Swanson
For Our White Friends Desiring to Be Allies
By Courtney Ariel
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I have been asked by two dear friends, "how can I be a stronger ally?" Being the slow emotional processor that I am, I wanted to spend some time with this before I answered them. I surely appreciate and love these two individuals, and I appreciate their vulnerability in asking me this question. Read more here...
