What Can We Do?
Despite years of trying to work with the city "to create a vibrant and cohesive mixed-use, mixed-income plan" as originally promised, our last resort is a lawsuit. We have retained two leading law firms with a proven track record of defeating municipalities in taxpayer lawsuites, specifically in challenging the legality of TIFs. Our lawyers are hard at work and have already identified a number of potential procedural and substantive grounds on which to sue. In order for this effort to be successful, we need to raise money, lots of it. You can be become part of this critically important community process now. Here's how:
5 Things You Can Do to Fix Wilson Yard
1 - Donate (all donations are tax deductible)
To make an online donation via paypal, click here.
Or for google checkout, click below. If you use google checkout and wish to receive updates from us at a non-google email account, please let us know!
To mail a donation, make your check payable to GWNA (Graceland-Wilson Neighbors Association, a 501(c)(3) organization). Enter "Fix Wilson Yard" in the memo section of the check.
Our mailing address is: FixWilsonYard, P.O. Box 13365, Chicago, IL 60613
Don't forget - your company may be able to match your donation! Check it out! If you have any questions in regards to information regarding your donation, please email us at info@fixwilsonyard.org
2 - Sign Up & Spread the word
Sign up for our newsletter by sending an email to info@fixwilsonyard.org with NEWSLETTER in the subject line. Please pass this website along to
your friends and neighbors who would support Fix Wilson Yard.
3 - Organize
You can help spread the word about Fix Wilson Yard. Our group is available to speak to groups of 15 or more to present more detailed information on the urgency and impact of Wilson Yard to the Uptown community. Organize your Condo Association, Block Club or just your neighborhood friends who have concerns regarding Wilson Yard.
4 - Sign the new Wilson Yard Petition!
The original Wilson Yard petition was a huge success, garnering over 3,000 signatures. However, its language is over four years old and not reflective of the situation at Wilson Yard today. So Fix Wilson Yard has drafted a new petition and we need your signatures and those of all of your friends, family and neighbors throughout Chicago! Please click here, and don't forget to pass the link on.
5 - Volunteer
Fix Wilson Yard is looking for lots of people to help a little in order to resolve this giant problem. Send us an email at info@fixwilsonyard.org to volunteer your services and experience. We need everyone, from "numbers people" to artists! You have a talent we need!
About FixWilsonYard.org
The founding members of Fix Wilson Yard are involved in several organizations throughout Uptown, and have come together to take on this important challenge. Its members include:
Judy and Turk Glazebrook are thirty year residents and founding members of the first Buena Park block club (East Graceland Organization) which later merged into Buena Park Neighbors.
"Molly" Mary Anne Phelan is an Uptown resident and real estate/property tax attorney. She is the CAPS Beat facilitator for Beat 2322, a member of Buena Park Neighbors Board and the UCC. Additionally, Molly is the main legal contact for the Stop Labor Ready organization.
Since the organization itself was formed quickly, we have not yet finalized its not-for-profit status. Graceland-Wilson Neighbors Association (GWNA), which has not-for-profit status, has offered itself to collect donations for the legal fund until Fix Wilson Yard's paper work is finally approved. For more information see www.gwna.org.