March 21
Board of Elections orders public hearing for Stone attack
group
For
Immediate Release - March 21, 2011
For
More Information: Debra Silverstein 773-465-1216
Chicago,
IL - March 21, 2011 --
The
Illinois State Board of Elections voted unanimously on Monday that it
will hold a public hearing to determine whether or not a campaign group
funded by 50th Ward Alderman Bernard Stone violated election laws.
On or about February 18th, attorneys representing candidate
for Alderman Debra Silverstein filed a complaint with the Illinois
State Board of Elections regarding a front group called the Concerned
Citizens of the 50th Ward. The organization sent attack mail pieces and
paid for negative robocalls on behalf of Stone.
The group
failed to report contributions and contributors as well as expenditures
for the ward-wide mailings and robocalls. More recent campaign filings
indicate the group was funded by Stone and several in-kind
contributions, but Stone now claims the $12,000 in campaign
contributions were unauthorized.
Election attorney Jim Nally said the organization demonstrated
it could not accomplish the basic responsibilities mandated by election
law.
“The organization failed to file their reports and they did
not tell the Board of Elections where their money came from and where
it went. These new allegations make the situation more confusing. I
anticipate this public hearing will clarify some of the questions we
have,” Nally said.
Concerned Citizens of the 50th Ward is
headed by a 22-year-old resident of the 50th Ward, according to
documents filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections. The
resident has never voted in an election. The resident attended a
closed-door meeting with the Board earlier this month.
Two of
Stone’s campaign staffers – including his ward superintendent – went to
jail for rigging ballots in the run-up to the 2007 election. A judge
said the two had “attempted to steal democracy.”
Silverstein said there is a troubling history of dirty politics in the
50th Ward and it needs to come to an end.
“People are sick of these political games. In this case, the
facts just don’t add up: A young man who has never voted starts a
shadow political organization and puts out 36,000 pieces of negative
mail?” I’ll leave it up to the press and the hearing officers to make
sense of it.”
“The real citizens of the 50th Ward made it very
clear on election night that they want change in the City Council. I’m
confident they will vote for change again on April 5.”
Attachment: Report of Hearing Officer
###
February 2
The
Chicago Sun-Times backs Silverstein
for Alderman
For
Immediate Release - February 2, 2011
For
More Information: Debra Silverstein 773-465-1216
Chicago,
IL - February 2, 2011 --
We
hear it everywhere we go. We hear it from residents, business owners,
and the people who work in the 50th Ward. It’s time for change … And The
Chicago Sun-Times agrees.
Earlier this week, The
Chicago Sun-Times editorial board endorsed Debra
Silverstein for alderman of the 50th Ward.
The
Chicago Sun-Times said Debra Silverstein has:
“…
a keen understanding of issues such as public safety and the need to
revitalize
the commercial streets.”
“We
prefer Debra L. Silverstein, an accountant with a record of community
involvement and a thoughtful platform.”
Silverstein said the endorsement represents another important step in
our campaign.
“We all know the Sun-Times for its commitment to justice and
its corruption-busting reporters. It’s an honor to receive its
endorsement. We have been backed by the organizations that represent
working families like the Chicago Federation of Labor, AFSCME, and
SEIU, the people who keep our streets safe and the rank and file
members of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Chicago Fire Fighters
Union” she said.
“Our challenge is sustaining this momentum and continuing to
earn the votes of the great people of our 50th Ward community. If you
want new, innovative, responsive leadership in the 50th Ward, I hope I
can count on your vote.”
###
January 26
Firefighters back Silverstein’s campaign for City Council
For
Immediate Release - January 26, 2011
For
More Information: Debra Silverstein 773-218-5569
Chicago,
IL - January 26, 2011 -- The
labor organization that represents Chicago’s firefighters picked Debra
Silverstein as their candidate for the City Council in the 50th Ward.
Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 has more than 7,000 members.
“These are the people that you see heading in to a fire or
disaster area when everyone else is heading to safety. It’s truly an
honor to know that they believe I am the best choice to represent them
and the people of the 50th Ward in the City Council. I want to thank
them for their support,” Silverstein said.
Last week, Silverstein earned the endorsement of the Fraternal
Order of Police, which represents the front line Chicago police
officers who keep our streets safe.
“The people who work in the public safety sector are among the
very best our city has to offer. I will be a tireless advocate for them
and for other hardworking Chicago families,” she said.
###
January 25
Silverstein updates endorsement list with FOP and Citizen
Action/Illinois
For
Immediate Release - January 25, 2011
For
More Information: Debra Silverstein 773-218-5569
Chicago,
IL - January 25, 2011 -- Debra
Silverstein, candidate for alderman in the 50th Ward, formally
announced today endorsements by the Fraternal Order of Police and
Citizen Action/Illinois.
The Fraternal Order of Police represents the rank and file
Chicago police officers who patrol our streets and serve and protect
our city.
Citizen Action/Illinois is the state’s largest public interest
organization and a progressive political coalition committed to
creating social change both in Illinois and across the nation.
Both endorsements were made following an extensive survey and interview
process.
Silverstein said these endorsements represent another major
step forward in our campaign to change the direction of the 50th Ward.
“The 50th Ward is among the cities most diverse. It’s going to
take a diverse coalition of volunteers, community leaders, and
organizations to bring about new leadership and that’s exactly what
we’re doing. It is a tremendous honor to receive the endorsement of the
organization that represents our Chicago police, the people who keep
our streets safe, as well as Citizen Action/Illinois, who work
tirelessly in pursuit of a innovative and progressive Democratic
agenda,” she said.
The greater 50th Ward community’s leaders have rallied behind
Silverstein’s campaign, including U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky,
Illinois State Sen. Ira Silverstein, Illinois State Rep. Lou Lang, Cook
County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, and Metropolitan Water Reclamation
District Commissioner and State Central Committeewoman Cynthia Santos.
Silverstein has been endorsed by Illinois’ leading Democratic
organizations, including AFSCME Council 31, Chicago Federation of
Labor, Citizen Action/Illinois, the Fraternal Order of Police, the
Indo-American Democratic Organization, SEIU Illinois Council.
###
January 18
Silverstein receives AFSCME endorsement
For
Immediate Release - January 18, 2011
For
More Information: Debra Silverstein 773-218-5569
Chicago,
IL - January 18, 2011 --
Debra Silverstein, candidate for alderman in the 50th Ward, formally
announced today her endorsement by the American Federation of State,
County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31.
AFSCME Council 31 represents more than 75,000 public service employees
across Illinois.
Silverstein said she is honored to know that working families support
her candidacy.
“It is humbling to know that so many people support my vision
for the 50th Ward. I will fight for working families in the City
Council and will strive to make the 50th Ward a better place to live,”
Silverstein said.
“This endorsement is a major step as we build a coalition
toward new leadership in our community.”
AFSCME has more than 1.6 million members in the United States. The
organization includes nurses, corrections officers, child care
providers, emergency medical technicians and sanitation workers.
###
January 2
It’s 2011: All Chicago parking meter rates skyrocket.
For
Immediate Release - January 2, 2011
For
More Information: Debra Silverstein 773-218-5569
Chicago,
IL - January 2, 2011 -- 2010 was a
tough year for the Chicago parking meter deal’s biggest supporter, Ald.
Bernard Stone.
First,
Bloomberg news reported that the meter sale may deliver $10 billion in
profits to the investment group that paid just $1 billion for the
city’s parking meter system, making an already bad deal much worse.
Then, Ald. Stone shuffled meters around the ward; stuck local
businesses with new meters without giving them the courtesy of advance
notice; and after being asked about it, tried to blame it on the
private company that owns the meters.
Then, just last month,
Candidate Debra Silverstein investigated and discovered an ordinance
signed by Alderman Stone authorizing the meter move.
Now Ald. Stone stands by and does nothing while our wallets
take another hit as rates jump locally from $1.25 to $1.50 an hour and
to $5 an hour in the Loop. Rates will hit $6.50 an hour in 2013. That
is up from $.25 an hour just a couple years ago.
About the only people cheering are the overseas investors who collect a
few bucks every time we park on our city streets.
Silverstein
said her wish for the new year is that the City Council ends its
opposition to a lawsuit that would invalidate the meter deal and that
all parties would return to the table and renegotiate the meter deal.
“Let’s
make this right. As alderman, I will always put the people of the 50th
Ward first. We cannot afford another four years of leadership that puts
the interests of a corporate entity driven by profits ahead of
constituents,” Silverstein said.
For additional comments, please call: Debra Silverstein, Candidate for
Alderman, 50th Ward, (773) 218-5569.
###
December 13
50th Ward business owners finally get answers:
Bernie behind relocation of Touhy Avenue parking meters
For
Immediate Release - December 13, 2010
For
More Information: Debra Silverstein 773-218-5569
Chicago,
IL - December 13, 2010 --
Contrary
to his public claims, Ald. Bernard Stone was responsible for the
relocation of parking meters from the 6400 block of North Rockwell to
the 2900 block of West Touhy Avenue.
The new meters popped up on Nov. 1 without notification from the city.
In response to complaints from business owners, Stone called the
storeowners “crybabies.” On Nov. 9, Stone told NBC Channel 5 political
reporter Mary Ann Ahern that the private parking meter management
company — LAZ Parking — was responsible.
Not so, according to public documents requested by candidate for
alderman, Debra Silverstein (included).
“The alderman wasn’t truthful with our businesses. He was playing
games. This is just one of the many reasons why we need new leadership
in the 50th Ward,” Silverstein said.
Last week, Silverstein received a response to her Freedom of
Information Act request regarding the issue. The documents indicate the
meters were relocated at the behest of Ald. Stone. His ordinance to
relocate the meters was approved by the City Council on Sept. 8, 2010.
It specifies the removal of meters in the 6400 block of North Rockwell
and the relocation of those meters to the 2900 block of West Touhy
Avenue. The meters along Rockwell were adjacent to a property with a
controversial parking garage.
“The parking meter issue has been confusing enough. It has hurt
business owners and consumers alike, and it cost the city approximately
$9 billion in future revenues. I didn’t think it could get worse, but
here we have our current alderman spreading misinformation to hide from
his voting record.”
“The parking meter deal — and this fiasco involving our local
businesses — goes against everything we should expect from government:
Transparency, responsible spending, and accountability.”
For additional comments, please call: Debra Silverstein, Candidate for
Alderman, 50th Ward, (773) 218-5569.
###
November 24
Silverstein backs County Clerk’s calls for TIF reform
Aldermanic
candidate in 50th Ward backs legislations to set moratorium, review TIFs
For
Immediate Release - November 24, 2010
For
More Information: Debra Silverstein 773-465-1216
Chicago,
IL - November 24, 2010 -- Debra
Silverstein is supporting Cook County Clerk David Orr’s suggestion to
put a temporary
moratorium on new TIFs pending a review of all City of Chicago TIFs.
Orr said on Tuesday that more
than $520 million in tax dollars flowed into the city’s 158 TIF funds
in 2009, an increase of more than
five percent compared to 2008.
“In light of the ongoing economic downturn and the city’s chronic
budget problems, this massive
revenue stream must be audited and steps should be taken to make the
process more transparent,”
Silverstein said.
“The city is in the midst of a financial crisis. Too often, these TIF
tax dollars — a total of $4 billion
over the last 23 years — disappear into what has amounted to a slush
fund. Meanwhile economic
development projects in our ward cannot get off the ground and our
schools and police force are
understaffed. In theory, TIFs are a great idea, but the way that it has
been implemented in Chicago
leaves much room for improvement. A TIF is created to fix a blighted
area; all money coming into that
TIF should only be used for that purpose. In the past, TIF money has
been expended on other things.
That must change.”
Silverstein said until the tough questions are answered, the city
should be blocked from adding TIFs.
“I would like to see a report that gives the taxpayers a great deal
more clarity on TIFs and how they
affect our ward, particularly our schools. I would certainly introduce
legislation to follow up on Mr.
Orr’s findings and, as alderman, I pledge to make sure that our TIF
funds stay here so they can be spent
on needed economic development projects to fill the vacant store fronts
on Devon, Western and Touhy
Avenues and help our schools and police.”
TIF districts draw tax dollars away from our schools, parks, and other
taxing districts — often for a
period of decades — into a fund that is supposed to be dedicated for
economic development in blighted
areas. The 50th Ward is home to several TIF districts.
###
November 10
Parking meter shuffle: It’s time for some answers
For
Immediate Release - November 10, 2010
For
More Information: Debra Silverstein 773-465-1216
Chicago,
IL - November 10, 2010 -- Almost
two weeks after new pay parking meters were placed in the middle of a
2900 block of Touhy Avenue commercial district, business owners have
not received answers about why their neighborhood was targeted.
Ald. Bernard Stone told media outlets yesterday that the
business owners were lucky they didn’t have metered parking previously
and their luck had “run out.” After business owners complained to NBC
News, he said they were “crying like babies.” He claimed that Chicago
Parking Meters LLC and LAZ Parking relocated the meters.
Debra Silverstein, candidate for alderman in the 50th Ward,
said it’s time to stop the name-calling and have a serious discussion
about the situation facing the community and its business owners.
“There are a lot of unresolved questions. How can the meter
company pull meters from one location and put them in another without
input from the alderman? Did the company determine Touhy Avenue would
be a more profitable location? This sets a dangerous precedent and if
the changes happened with his blessing, Ald. Stone needs to ask himself
whether he wants to work for Chicago Parking Meters LLC or the people
of the 50th Ward,” Silverstein said.
According to NBC News, the meters were relocated to Touhy
Avenue from Devon Avenue. The change took business owners and customers
by surprise. The south side of the 2900 block of Touhy Avenue was
“meter-free” until Oct. 31. Now this part of the commercial district is
lined with pay parking spots. One business owner said he has lost as
much as 30 percent of his business since the meters were installed.
Silverstein planned to meet with business owners today to discuss how
they would like to see the situation resolved.
“Our
ward is fortunate to have many family-owned businesses, and the
alderman should support them with all the resources we can deliver.
Right now they feel like they’re being punished and that’s
unacceptable. I want to bring active and responsive leadership to our
community,” she said.
Ald. Stone is an unapologetic supporter of the parking meter
deal that sold the city’s parking meters to private interests for a
one-time payment of $1 billion. The meters have since been valued at
$10 billion. The sale resulted in expanded pay parking hours and
skyrocketing costs for hourly parking.
###
November 9
Alderman Stone plays games with parking meters, Touhy Avenue
business district
For
Immediate Release - November 9, 2010
For
More Information: Debra Silverstein 773-465-1216
Chicago,
IL - November 9, 2010 --
With the types of games being played this
election season,
you never know where a new set of parking meters is going to pop up in
the 50th Ward.
The south side of the 2900 block of Touhy
Avenue was “meter-free” until Oct. 31. Now one side of the street along
this commercial district is lined with new pay parking spots.
What’s going on? Ald. Bernard Stone is playing games with the
fuzzy rules governing the unpopular parking meter lease deal, according
to Debra Silverstein, candidate for alderman.
She said the parking meters affect the livelihoods of people in the
50th Ward and should not be shuffled around arbitrarily.
“These parking spaces aren’t game pieces that you move around
the ward. They affect the people and the many family-owned businesses
that call the 50th Ward home. It’s hard to believe it’s possible, but
the alderman took a bad situation and made it worse.”
Ald. Stone is steadfast and unapologetic in his support for
the parking meter deal, which sold the city’s parking meters to private
interests in exchange for a one-time payment of $1 billion. The meters
have since been valued at $10 billion. A lawsuit has been filed on
behalf of the residents to cancel the deal. The changes have meant
expanded pay parking hours and skyrocketing costs for hourly parking in
the 50th Ward. Silverstein has said the deal was a bad one on many
levels. Stone — who told reporters it was none of their business
whether or not he had read the parking meter lease deal before he voted
in favor of it — hasn’t explained how or why the meters appeared along
the Touhy commercial district.
“Why are the meters here? What
did I do wrong? Is this politically motivated? These are the questions
that I’m getting. It’s a murky area, but this much is clear: It was
done without input from business owners and residents. To me, that’s
unconscionable,” Silverstein said.
To the business owners on
Touhy, Stone said, “They’ve been lucky until now to have no meters. Now
their luck has run out,” according to CBS
news.
For additional comments, please call:
Debra Silverstein, Candidate for Alderman, 50th Ward, (773) 465-1216
Michael Ben Ezra
North Shore Bakery
2919 W. Touhy Ave.,
Chicago, IL
(773) 262-0600
###
November 5
Silverstein Applauds Court Ruling Regarding City Parking
Meters
For
Immediate Release - November 5, 2010
For
More Information: Debra Silverstein 773-465-1216
Chicago,
IL - November 5, 2010 --
A lawsuit challenging the legality of Chicago’s parking meter
privatization deal will move forward thanks to a ruling Thursday in the
Cook County Circuit Court.
Earlier this week the Chicago City Council tabled a plan to
allow the voters to give their opinion about the meter deal in the
Municipal Election in February. The proposal to put on the February
ballot a question to the effect, “Shall the City of Chicago
re-negotiate the Park Meter Privatization Agreement?” will be revisited
in the coming weeks.
In response to the court case and the possible public
referendum question, Debra Silverstein, candidate for 50th Ward
Alderman, issued the following statement:
“The privatization of the parking meters was a bad deal for
the City of Chicago and a bad deal for the 50th Ward. Our homeowners
and businesses are unanimous in their opposition of the parking meter
deal,” Silverstein said.
“It gives me hope to see that the IVI-IPO will not stand by
idly while this injustice continues to cost our city and our residents.
I applaud the organization and its attorney Clint Krislov for taking up
the peoples’ cause in the county courts. It’s promising to see the City
Council take action on this issue and it is my hope that additional
alderman — including the alderman from the 50th Ward — will join with
Alds. Toni Preckwinkle, Ricardo Munoz, Joe Moore and Richard Mell to
call for a referendum on the meter deal.”
“The meter deal is a symptom of the disconnect between our
current representation and the people who live and work in our
community. When I am elected to office, my commitment will be to the
fair and equitable representation of the people and businesses of the
50th Ward and I will stand with the residents, not with the private
companies who schemed to take away one of our most reliable revenue
sources.”
Meter rates in the Loop will increase to $5/hour on Dec. 31.
The rates will increase to $3/hour and $1.50/ an hour on Dec. 31 in the
city’s central business district and neighborhoods, respectively.
The incumbent alderman voted in favor of the Parking Meter
Privatization Agreement. While new revelations indicate that the $1
billion lease of the city’s meters will deliver to private investors as
much as $10 billion in profits over the next 75 years, he
remains a staunch proponent of the deal.
###
September
19
50th Ward Finally has a Choice
for Alderman
Dear Friends,
My name is Debra Silverstein, and I am pleased to
announce my candidacy for Alderman of the 50th ward. For those of you
whom I know through my work in the ward, I am excited to continue to
build our relationships. For those of you whom I have not yet met, I
look forward to getting to know you and working with you in the future.
I have been living in the 50th ward, together
with my husband, State Senator Ira Silverstein, for almost 25 years.
During this time I have established myself as a Certified Public
Accountant and small business woman, but more importantly, I have been
able to raise my children here in the loving and nurturing community
that is the 50th ward of Chicago. However, over the past several years,
the ward has started to change. The streets are deteriorating; crime,
drug dealing and prostitution are on the rise; and economic development
of our main streets is at a standstill. It is a shame to have these
negative influences appearing in our ward. New leadership that will
bring innovative ideas and commitment to its constituents is necessary
in order to tackle these problems. This new leadership needs to harness
the strength of the different communities that make the 50th ward one
of the most diverse in the City of Chicago.
I want to thank those of you from across those
communities that expressed their belief that I am the person who will
be able to take charge and start turning things around for the
betterment of our community. The problems are great, and it will take
time, but I am confident that together with your help and support, we
will once again be proud and excited to be living in such a vibrant
community.
If you need more information or would like to volunteer, please contact
me at
773-465-1216 or email me at debraforthe50th@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Debra Silverstein
September
19
Debra Silverstein announces
candidacy for 50th Ward
Alderman
Chicago,
IL - September 19, 2010 --
Urged by
numerous
community activists and groups, Debra Silverstein announced her
candidacy today for 50th ward Alderman. The reason most cited by those
urging Debra to run is the need to bring new leadership and direction
into the 50th ward. With the city facing its greatest financial crisis
in recent history and people in desperate need of jobs, they believe
that Debra Silverstein’s background as a Certified Public Accountant
and small business woman is exactly what is needed in a public
official.
“I was overwhelmed by the number of people who asked me to run for
Alderman and their belief that I possess the skills necessary to
improve our city and the 50th ward,” Debra said during her
announcement.
Debra Silverstein graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago
with a degree in accounting. Debra passed the Certified Public
Accountant exam and has worked as an accountant preparing and reviewing
business and individual tax returns for the past 20 years. With this
experience, she clearly understands how businesses and individuals in
the 50th ward are crippled by tax and fee increases.
Outside of her professional life, Debra has been directly involved with
50th ward needs by coordinating constituent services for the past
several years and has organized the highly successful “Movies in the
Park” and “Winterfest”. Debra Silverstein is also a co-founder of the
Libenu Foundation. Libenu is an organization creating supervised
housing for adults with developmental disabilities in the 50th ward.
Debra Silverstein commented on a pressing need in a key area of the
50th ward.
“One only needs to walk down Touhy, Devon, and Western Avenues to see
that there is no economic plan. Instead of attracting businesses and
creating jobs, businesses are closing and jobs are being lost. There is
so much potential that has not been acted upon. Revitalization of these
areas will be a priority.
I have lived in the 50th ward for 25 years. It is one of the most
diverse wards in the city and I have enjoyed raising my children here.
As Alderman, I will work each day to make our neighborhood a better
place to live, work, go to school, and own a business.”
Debra Silverstein has received the overwhelming endorsement of the 50th
Ward Democratic Organization, State Senator Ira Silverstein, State
Representative Louis Lang, Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin,
Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst, and Salman Aftab.
Debra lives in the 50th ward with her husband Ira and has four
children.
Contact:
Debra Silverstein
Phone: 773-465-1216
Email: Debraforthe50th@gmail.com
###
