This week marked over 90 days since we reached out to all four 26th Ward Alderperson candidates. Angee and Julian responded immediately, affirming that they will defend the sanctity of parkland. However, both Maldonado (who has since withdrawn from the race), and Jessie have remained silent.

I've been active on hyperlocal social media, and while I've received a constant flurry of unjustified attacks from Jessie's supporters and campaign workers, there hasn't been any answer from Jessie. Her silence on this matter is deafening.

Not having received an answer to a fair and relevant question, I decided to investigate the money trail. After a quick comparison between the list of campaign donors and the museum website's list of individuals on the Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, or identified as employees or staff of the museum, there are (at least) six matches: Jose Lopez, Juan Calderon, Michal Nieves, Veronica Ocasio, Aida Giachello, and Pablo Medina.

Here is a link to Jessie Fuentes campaign donors:

http://www.illinoissunshine.org/committees/38831/

This looks really, really bad to me, and it isn't just an optical illusion. It could easily increase the threat and chance of disaster occurring to public land in Humboldt Park, including the permanent removal of parkland from public use and enjoyment. The development using our tax dollars could restart and continue without our input or inclusion.

Please do what you can to help elect someone that is committed to our goal of protecting and preserving parkland.

I've included part of the first page from the Friends of the Parks newsletter. Please join that organization and contribute to them if you are able. They have been incredibly helpful in this struggle for democracy and fight against public corruption.

Here is a link to the only 26th Ward candidate response to the FOTP candidate questionnaire, which was sent to all candidates:

 https://www.fotp.org/uploads/1/3/3/6/133647985/friends_of_the_park_responses_julian_perez_26th.pdf

Furthermore, Mina Bloom, the first reporter to give attention to this matter, this week covered the story for the 3rd time. A link to the story published in BlockClubChicago is here: 

https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/02/23/puerto-rican-museum-project-led-by-former-alderman-blasted-in-new-report-every-process-was-ignored-violated-or-skirted/?utm_source=Pico&utm_campaign=535fb15cac-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_2_23_morninglist1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b6b84a5cee-535fb15cac-127097806&mc_cid=535fb15cac&mc_eid=36ad3b16c4

Mina's coverage was preceded earlier in the week by WTTW's 2nd article about it, and is where a damning Statement of Facts researched and compiled by Preservation Chicago was first made available to the public:

https://news.wttw.com/2023/02/17/paper-trail-shows-illegal-museum-construction-humboldt-park-violated-rules-every-turn

And for those of you wanting to trust, but verify, Preservation Chicago has also this week made a long list of many of the 400+ pages of documents available for free and convenient download, which they obtained through FOIA requests. Here is the link:

https://www.preservationchicago.org/humboldt-park-stables-statement-of-facts/

Preservation Chicago has been extraordinary in taking up the cause of the protection of a landmarked building and the landmarked historic landscape which the museum's construction has adversely affected. If you can support them in any way, please do so. We are so fortunate to have such advocates and professionals willing to work to help us wherever threats exist.

Defend our parks! Protect our parks! The fight is very real, and is right here, right now, in front of our very eyes.