Title: Opening Exhibit – 49th Ward Participatory Budgeting Proposals
Location: Mess Hall, 6932 N Glenwood
Link out: Click here
Description: Each alderman in Chicago gets over $1 million a year to allocate for various infrastructure improvements in his or her ward. This so-called “menu money” goes to resurface streets and alleys, repair sidewalks and curbs and gutters, put in new streetlights, and the like. I’ve also used the money to subsidize special infrastructure projects, such as the Harold Washington Playlot and the Willye White Community Center. This menu money is spent at the total discretion of each alderman.

Next year, I am ceding my decision-making authority to the residents of my ward through a process known as “PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING” in which all 49th Ward residents will be eligible to vote directly on the infrastructure projects that will be funded in our community.

The 49th Ward will be the first political jurisdiction in the nation to try such an approach. If this process works, I will make it a permanent fixture in the ward and hopefully inspire other elected officials to do the same in their communities.
Start Time: 16:40
Date: 2010-03-19
End Time: 21:00