ROGERS PARK — Meetings to discuss how to spend more than $1 million toward service and improvement projects in the 49th Ward begin next week.
Ald. Joe Moore began the process of participatory budgeting six years ago to allocate aldermanic discretionary funds earmarked for infrastructure project.
"The 49th Ward is the first political jurisdiction in the nation to adopt a participatory budgeting approach to public spending, and it's been so well received that I have pledged to make it a permanent fixture in the ward," Moore said.
Beginning Tuesday, residents can attend neighborhood meetings where they'll be guided through the process of developing projects and proposals, which are then voted on in the spring.
Past projects have included improvements to sidewalks, streets, lighting, street and alley resurfacing, as well as new trees, public art and upgrades to parks.
The meetings will have pizza catered by J.B. Alberto's.
The meetings will be held:
• 7 p.m. Tuesday at Sullivan High School, 6631 N. Bosworth Ave.
• 7 p.m. Wednesday at Paschen Park Fieldhouse, 1932 W. Lunt Ave.
• 7 p.m. Thursday at Pottawattomie Park Fieldhouse, 7340 N. Rogers Ave.
• 7 pm. Nov. 17 at St. Jerome Church Parish Center, 1709 W. Lunt Ave. (In Spanish)
• 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at United Church of Rogers Park, 1545 W. Morse Ave., 3rd floor
• 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at Loyola Park Fieldhouse, 1230 W. Greenleaf Ave.
• 10 a.m. Nov. 21 at Willye White Park Fieldhouse, 1610 W. Howard St.
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