The Truth About Moore

The scathing commentary I have observed on several blogs is a gross exaggeration and unfair representation of Alderman Moore’s proven record as an independent progressive in the City Council. Joe Moore has overseen a steady and major improvement in all areas affecting the quality of life for 49th Ward residents. He has shown himself to be hard working, progressive and effective—a strong advocate in the Chicago City Council for those who live and work in the 49th Ward.

Tax on Natural Gas
Mayor Daley proposed a series of tax increases for the budget with a view to off-setting the City’s personnel costs. Grudgingly the City Council passed the measure in a 47-3 vote (Only Dorothy Tillman, Toni Preckwinkle and Arenda Troutman voted No). One of the provisions was an increase in the tax on natural gas. Though an increase in the cost of heating oil may impact some of the more vulnerable in the 49th Ward, it is not a widespread phenomena to observe heating bills in the range of $500 to heat a home. Those who do find themselves in such a situation have various means of recourse through programs that Alderman Moore has staunchly supported.

Stamping out Slumlords in the 49th Ward
Alderman Moore has a staff member permanently assigned to work on residential landlord-tenant issues. This staff member works very closely with landlords and tenants to resolve outstanding lease issues and to correct outstanding City Building Code violations. Inspections by representatives of the City's Building Department are arranged if necessary, and a 49th Ward Staff member attends all hearings if the violations are serious enough to warrant a Housing Court case. In dozens of instances where there has been criminal activity associated with a particular building, the Alderman has requested that the building owner attend a meeting at the 49th Ward Service Office with officers from the 24th Police District, 49th Ward Staff and neighbors of the building in order to arrive at solutions for the problems tied to the property. Many of these properties are currently among the more well-maintained in the 49th Ward. During Alderman Moore's tenure literally hundreds of buildings have been subject to City Building Inspections and their owners have been forced to bring their building into compliance with city regulations. In the worst cases Alderman Moore has successfully lobbied judges to order buildings vacated, and in three cases landlords have actually been required to do jail time for their neglect.
The 49th Ward experienced serious problems with a developer who engaged in bank fraud involving the conversion of twelve buildings to condominiums from 2000 to 2001. This developer used fraudulent appraisals and brokered mortgages through his own mortgage brokerage company to sell 153 condominium units to 16 conspirators at drastically inflated prices. The buildings sat vacant and began to suffer from neglect and drew criminal activity. Alderman Moore coordinated efforts of numerous City Departments, Community Organizations, neighbors, friendly attorneys, responsible developers and banks in order to turn these buildings around. A process that many thought would take over three and one-half years was accomplished in one year and today all of those buildings are in responsible hands and have either started selling or renting units or will be doing so soon.
Voting Record
Along with his accomplishments in the Ward, Moore’s voting record proves that he is a true progressive and independent voice in the city council, only agreeing with the Mayor on average 77% of the time compared to some of his colleagues who vote with the Mayor up to 95% of the time. He voted Yes, in the face of Mayoral opposition to the Big Box Ordinance. (Amendment of Title 4 of Municipal of Chicago by creation of new Chapter 404 entitled “Large Retailers”; 7/26/2006). Moore’s courage in the council will allow many workers in Chicago to be appropriately remunerated for their hard work and allow them to provide a decent standard of living to their families.

An Alderman for everyone in this Diverse Community
Alderman Moore has always maintained an effective balance between the need to generate business in the 49th Ward with the need for capital improvements and increased city services. Claiming that Alderman Moore is propping up business at the expense of poor people in the 49th is a cheap play on an emotive issue and it is simply not true.