Just as Jens & Anne Marie Jensen worked together in bygone days to pedal past their home in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, we need to work together to protect and preserve the park and our neighborhood as a great place to live, work and play.

Currently, the NMPRAC's illegally constructed building, as forlorn as it appears, remains standing. The Park District, the Department of Buildings, the Department of Planning and Development, the Chicago Landmarks Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and our Mayor and City Hall are all aware of the situation. Preservation Chicago, FOTP, others, and We The People continue to fight for justice.

But we, the taxpayers and owners of the public lands remain under dire threat. Unless the Park District takes swift action, we must wait for each organization and bureaucracy to work through their contracts, laws, and obligations. Unless we continue to push for propriety and public input and manage to succeed in the coming months, we could be faced with years of legal battles fighting against public corruption and against the theft of our parkland. We need to hold those accountable who have a role and responsibility to protect our park and preserve its historical and cultural assets.

Local advocates are still needed (that's you!). Keep circulating the petition.

And if we are to succeed, we need the support of our local politicians.

I reached out to Alderman Maldonado's office on this issue, voicing our concerns to him in an email sent October 24th, 2022. As of today's date, I have not received any response from him or his office. Unfortunately, based on the numerous questions I've contacted him about over the past decade which remain unanswered, I consider silence the modus operandi of the current Alderman. For that reason, I am happy he has withdrawn (under mysterious circumstances) from his re-election campaign.

On November 21st, 2022, I reached out to candidate Jessie Fuentes by email and wrote:

 "My wife and I are the authors of a petition on change.org regarding the construction of a building in Humboldt Park. As we consider the various candidates, this issue is of a strong interest to us. Can you share your thoughts about the matter? I intend to reach out to all of the candidates."

As of today's date, I have not received any reply from candidate Jessie Fuentes, or anyone associated with her campaign. I don't think it is a strange coincidence that Maldonado endorsed her. Just like the proposed 37.5-foot-high Archives building (partially-built it currently stands at about half of the height it could become) would overshadow the magnificent Receptory and Stables building, Maldonado and Fuentes stand in the shadows of silence on this matter.

Also on November 21st, 2022, I reached out to candidate Angee Gonzalez Rodriguez by text and asked:

"Angee, I'd like to get your official opinion on the Archives building in HP"

I received the immediate reply:

"I think it should be removed because there was never a permit pulled for it and it takes away from the historical architecture of the current building. It is an eye sore!" and "There is a process to follow to get things done and it doesn't matter who you are, you still have to follow the process."

I also reached out to candidate Julian "Jumpin" Perez and promptly received the following response:

"The illegal construction that has taken place next to the historic Receptory Building and Stable in Humboldt Park is an insult to the local community. Our park spaces need to be respected and managed in a transparent and law-abiding manner. 

Sadly, the glaring lack of leadership and oversight has enabled the current situation, as the current Alderman has turned a blind eye and has been silent regarding many issues pertaining to the park, including the illegal construction that has taken place next to a historic building.

If elected as Alderman, I will proactively work to resolve the situation by swiftly requesting a meeting with the Museum Director, Museum Board Members and Chicago Park District officials. Afterwards, I will host a community meeting at the museum, so all interested parties can be fully informed about the building that museum administrators intended to build. More importantly, local residents will be given a voice as to whether the proposed building is an appropriate architectural fit, since it will be situated next to a landmarked structure. 

I will ensure that, moving forward, the process of approving the architectural plans and the permitting for any building that will be constructed in the park will be fully transparent and will allow for community input. The days of secret, behind-closed-door deals regarding Humboldt Park or other 26th Ward developments will be over!"

Petition signers who are 26th Ward voters, I encourage each of you to incorporate the issue of illegal construction in the park into your decision-making process. Please reach out to your neighbors, friends, and others in-person and through social media to inform them of each candidates' position on this matter. And I encourage each of you to reach out to any of the candidates to obtain responses on this issue. I've presented verbatim the responses I've received. I hope each of you take this matter to heart.

Voting is another way to help protect the park. The park needs our support right now! We must act to safeguard it and release it from the stranglehold of development!

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want to become a part of the team that has assembled to address the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners every month. Your voices are needed. Your letters and emails to public officials are badly needed as well. Remember, public opinion and input, part of a required multi-agency multi-phase planning process for a construction project built on public lands using public funds, were all avoided by lawless maneuverings, reckless actions, and in wanton and total disregard of community inclusion.

P.S. The image of the Jensen's riding past their home at 574 (now 1113) N. Sacramento Ave is housed in the archives of the Special Collections of the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL.