March 1st, 2024 Update

This week, Cornerstone informed our office that they are no longer pursuing a non-congregate shelter at 1140 W. Wilson. As of now, there are no proposed plans for a new location for Cornerstone’s men’s shelter currently located at Epworth Church. I am deeply saddened that forty much needed beds for houseless neighbors will not be housed at this location, and I am committed to working alongside Cornerstone and neighbors to meet this vital need in our Ward.

February 23rd, 2024 Update

On Friday, February 16th, the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) issued a ruling on the special use permit for Cornerstone’s proposed non-congregate shelter at 1140 W. Wilson. The ZBA voted 2-2, which means that approval was not granted. The video of the ZBA meeting can be viewed here. 

This proposal has brought numerous challenges and exposed many of the tensions our city and community face in addressing the homelessness crisis. It also brought opportunities to engage in critical dialogue and think outside the box on what is needed to meet this difficult moment. The tight timeline of this project posed significant challenges and we are thankful to the neighbors and local businesses that engaged in this process with us. We are proud of the efforts our office made in partnership with City departments and other stakeholders to strengthen the proposal and address community concerns. We will continue to update the community as we know more about Cornerstone’s proposed next steps.

February 15th, 2024 Update

Dear Neighbors,

I have decided to issue a letter of contingent support for the proposal at 1140 W. Wilson. I am supportive of this project moving to the next phase of City clearances, and I will continue to be involved in the process to ensure additional benchmarks are met that reflect the wants and needs of our community.

The 46th Ward has always been home to a diverse community of neighbors and businesses. For decades, we have been a refuge for neighbors who are experiencing hardship, from Appalachian coal miners, to refugees fleeing war, to newly arrived asylum seekers, and individuals experiencing homelessness. It is because of the care, accessibility, and resources of this community that we have been able to provide stability and opportunities for those most in need. I am proud to come out of this rich history, where neighbors genuinely care for the success of one another, and I am proud to continue to live up to these values as I serve as your Alderperson.

I want to say thank you to the residents and organizations who filled out the community survey, called our office, sent us emails, submitted written letters, or otherwise engaged our office to express your thoughts. Thank you to the other local elected officials who sent letters of support including Senator Mike Simmons, State Representative Hoan Huynh and former State Representative Greg Harris. Thank you to all of the commercial tenants who brought genuine concerns, questions, and ideas to the numerous conversations about this proposal. I'm committed to supporting all of our businesses as they continue to invest in their dreams and hard work in our Ward. This is not a proposal I have approached lightly, and this feedback was critical for our office to identify key concerns and work to address them. It is only through these honest conversations and ongoing dialogue that we can continue to chart a path forward for our Ward and City. 

The primary concerns expressed by residents and other stakeholders were safety and security, and the impact on existing businesses. In the last two months, I have been working closely with the Department of Housing (DOH), Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS), Cornerstone, and other relevant City departments to address these concerns. I am proud to say that we have made strides to strengthen the proposal and address many of these important questions.

In regards to safety, I have required a written security plan that includes 24/7 security staff onsite, alarm systems, camera systems, and fire safety measures, among other items. Based on feedback from neighbors, we have also recommended that a curfew and no guest policy be implemented, and these suggestions have been approved by DFSS and Cornerstone. I intend to continue to monitor the development of the safety plan and ensure that benchmarks are fulfilled in order to maintain my support.

I have also worked hard to address the concerns raised by and about our small business community. Through conversations with City departments and Cornerstone, we have made progress to address many of their concerns, including negotiating a new elevator location, pending a final survey from the Department of Buildings, so that construction does not impact Uptown Church’s operations. We are also requiring that commercial tenants’ concerns about structural issues in their space be addressed in the building survey and by future construction work. I have asked that these concerns be included in DOH’s requirement to bring the building into a state of good repair. Ongoing conversations with the commercial tenants have touched on many aspects of the proposal, as they brought constructive feedback to the table, and I will continue to be involved in those dialogues to ensure that additional commitments I have required are being followed through on. 

Our Ward is indeed home to a number of incredible, hardworking social service organizations that provide care for housed and unhoused neighbors. When I ran for office, I identified the homelessness crisis that the 46th Ward has struggled with for decades as one of my top priorities. I am sure that everyone reading this statement has walked past a homeless neighbor in our Ward as Chicago currently is home to more than 68,000 homeless residents. I believe that addressing this crisis includes support for homeless neighbors to live and grow in our Ward, and to gain opportunities that will support them in achieving the stability they deserve. I wholeheartedly recognize that the 46th Ward alone cannot solve our City’s homeless crisis, and it is my commitment to continue working with colleagues to advocate for and implement citywide solutions. This in many ways is a call to action for neighbors and Wards all across this City to stand together and find a viable solution to our City’s homeless issue because it cannot solely be the responsibility of the 46th Ward.

I will submit a contingent letter of support to the Department of Housing and Department of Planning and Development for this project, as well as the Zoning Board of Appeals. There are still further milestones for this project to clear, including receiving a special use permit, passage through the TIF application process and City Council, and finalization of the grant agreement with the Department of Housing. I will remain involved in the conversation through each step of the process, and I have articulated further benchmarks I need to see met in order to continue my support, primarily in regards to building renovation, construction, safety, and the ongoing conversations between Cornerstone and the current commercial tenants. Further updates on the project will be shared on our newsletter and website. 

Our City is in a difficult moment and I want to acknowledge that. We are standing at the crossroads of many challenging issues that are personally felt here in the 46th Ward. I’m proud to call the 46th Ward my home, a community that has proven again and again that with dedicated resources, thoughtful care, and genuine love, can be a place where everyone can thrive. 

Yours in service,

Angela Clay

46th Ward Alderwoman

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January 12th, 2024 Update

On January 8th, 2024, our office hosted a community meeting to discuss Cornerstone Shelter’s proposal for a special use permit and TIF funding to open a non-congregate men’s shelter at 1140 W. Wilson. A recording of the meeting can be viewed here.

Since the meeting, we have updated the FAQ to reflect additional questions that were raised by attendees. The FAQ can be viewed here or by clicking the button below.

Our office is still in the decision-making process for this proposal. February 13th is the deadline for Cornerstone’s potential acquisition of the property, currently owned by Cedar St./Flats. Alderwoman Clay will release a decision in the coming month before that deadline.

If you have additional questions, please reach out to our office at 773-848-4646 or info@46thward.com. If you were not able to fill out the survey or join the community meeting, and you would like to share your comments or position on the proposal, please reach out to our office.

Alderwoman Clay will make a decision based on community feedback, via the survey, community meeting, and other outreach to our office, and meetings with stakeholders groups.

Before the community meeting, our office issued a survey that was open for two weeks. 662 ward residents filled out the survey. Survey results of Ward residents can be viewed below.