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Elaine Coorens

With a professional background that includes advertising copy writer, corporate manager in advertising/marketing/manufacturing for multiple industries, international newspaper editor/publisher, needlework designer and retail shop owner as well as IT consultant and programmer, Elaine can "speak" in many "languages." A native Chicagoan, her passion for all things community is what led her to become a local author, historian, tour guide and now Editor/Publisher of Our Urban Times. She authored Wicker Park From 1673 Thru 1929 and Walking Tour Guide.

Stories from Elaine Coorens

For you: Participate in planning the 12th and 14th Police District goals

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
03/29/2019
CommunityOfficers

While many community members participated with Chicago Police Department's 12th and 14th Districts community cafes a couple of weeks ago, now more can participate. Next week both districts are having the second round in the creation of the District Policing Strategic Plans. 

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Who "are" the mayoral candidates: Tonight hear them

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
03/27/2019
LoriToni

Yes, either Lori Lightfoot or Toni Preckwinkle will be the first African American female mayor since Chicago became a city in 1837. But, who are they? 

You can hear them on CBS Chicago tonight at 6 p.m., as they have their last TV face-off before election day, April 2nd. 

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The American people deserve to see the Mueller Report says U.S. Representative Mike Quigley

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
03/22/2019
MQuigley

“The House unanimously agreed that the American people deserve to see Special Counsel Mueller’s report in its entirety," says U.S. Representative Mike Quigley

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Night Ministry's The Crib approved to move into the Mural Building

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
03/16/2019
MuralBLdgLkngSo

In a late night decision Friday, Mar. 15, the Night Ministry was granted a special use by Chicago's Zoning Board to "establish a temporary overnight shelter on the first floor of the existing four-story commercial building" at 1735 N. Ashland Ave., the Mural Building.

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WickerICE brings more than joy and accomplishment to Wicker Park's 4.3 acres

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
03/15/2019
LastDay

As the ice was beginning to soften last Saturday morning, the shire joy and appreciation of skaters, parents and organizers and the sense of "well done" was hovering over the volunteer funded and maintained ice

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Going beyond food…Wicker Park and Logan Square indoor Farmers Markets have changes

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
03/13/2019
LSCheesePinBall

With local food sourcing more limited in winter, long established Logan Square and newcomer Wicker Park indoor farmers markets serve up different experiences and fun as well as food. 

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Woman who shot police: six counts, no bond

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
03/11/2019
EPetronella

With six counts issued against her and a criminal history that includes a traffic stop during which a pump-action shot gun was found in her possession, Emily Petronella, 19, was sent back to Cook County jail on Sunday.

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Lincoln Yards project keeps changing on way to Thursday's zoning committee meeting

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
03/06/2019
LY

While Sterling Bay's $6 billion Lincoln Yards 54.5 acre mega development is the focus for Chicago's City Council Zoning Committee meeting Thursday, the real issue is the entire 165 acre North Branch Industrial Corridor between North, Webster and Clybourn Avenues and the Kennedy Expressway. In a full court press, Sterling Bay and Alderman Brian Hopkins continue to make changes to the plan in an attempt to push the project through tomorrow's meeting.

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Pierogi and Paczki: Part of Chicago's mouth-watering blended cultural experiences

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
03/05/2019
Pierogi

Pierogi and paczki (pronounced "pownch-key") are two mouth-watering examples of Chicago's blended cultures that tantalize the taste buds of many foodies. Pierogi have no season while paczki do. 

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Rare voting opportunity for today's election day…get out and vote!

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
02/26/2019
Vote

Today's Chicago election for mayor is the fourth in 100 years where there is no incumbent on the ballot, says Chicago Board of Election Chair Marisel A. Hernandez. With fourteen candidates, a Chicago first,

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Light fracturing Fresnels on Damen

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
02/24/2019
Fresnels

Using a sheet of polycarbonate, acrylic nuts and bolts and Fresnels, Samuel Schwindt created the sculpture in the window at 2139 N. Damen Ave., to play with light. 

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Risky business: Your City Treasurer vote can affect your wallet

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
02/18/2019
MoneyWallet

As a City of Chicago resident, casting your ballot for City Treasurer is of vital importance to your wallet and the fiscal health of the City. 

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Artists agree: "All Politics Are Local"...Do you?

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
02/16/2019
AllPolitics

A visit to All Politics Are Local at Jackson Junge Gallery, 1389 N. Milwaukee Ave., can make you feel some pain or anger, have you ponder, smile and even laugh…after all, it's Chicago, it's winter and the political chaos is over the top in Chi Town right now. 

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Moreno's campaign sign defies permit review action in Milwaukee Avenue Historic District

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
02/15/2019
MorenoSignDay

UPDATE:
"The sign company told my campaign that there is no permit requirement for a protected political speech display that does not have any commercial message," says Moreno.

Note: The main issue is that there should not be a vinyl sign on that historic building.

Alderman Proco "Joe" Moreno, has a large illegal political advertisement hanging in the Milwaukee Ave. Historic Landmark District where the Chicago Permit Review Committee denied such signage at their Jan. 10 meeting.

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Ten candidates face four community groups in West Town

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
02/11/2019
MikeQuigley

Informative chunks of knowledge were presented by ten candidates at an event sponsored by Chicago Grand Neighbors Association (CGNA), East Village Association (EVA), Smith Park Neighborhood Alliance (SPNA), Ukrainian Village Neighborhood Association (UVNA) and West Town Neighbors Association (WTNA) at Roots Pizza,

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Before another election: Moreno faces increasing controversy over actions and texts

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
02/06/2019
PJMoreno

Updated 2/8/2019

The actions and texts of Alderman Proco "Joe" Moreno, 1st Ward, have once again put him negatively in the headlines across the City as a re-election race is underway.

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Wicker ICE expected to be in full operation starting Friday

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
01/31/2019
2019LtlSktrGames

From the littlest to biggest of skaters, there is no end of glee on Wicker ICE, the 60 by 120 foot ice rink in the middle of Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen. 

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Two workers hurt in Sipi Metals furnace explosion

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
01/30/2019
SipiLongVw

Two workers suffered burns from a foundry furnace explosion Wednesday in Sipi Metals, 1720 N. Elston Ave., at 12:15 p.m.

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Cold Chicago facts for now and then

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
01/30/2019
The606Underpass

With expectations that wind chill temperatures will get down to at least -55 or lower, there is an ever increasing list of closures and cancellations. 

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Lincoln Yards Deal Breakers for residents: Over paying for interest, the TIF, process and project transparency

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
01/24/2019
RandyJacobson

"A $400 million footnote in the Lincoln Yards plan is for interest," Randy Jacobson, an architect, pointed out at a #DelayTheVote* Tuesday press conference, as he outlined the top issues that individuals and groups feel are deal breakers for having the $6 billion, 52-acre Sterling Bay Lincoln Yards Project on the Chicago Plan Commission's Thursday agenda. 

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