u/FlanFar5123

As an outsider looking in, I find it unfathomable that the UK would let its prison population reach maximum capacity. Absolutely terrifying. Yet, every article I read touches upon early release and prison safety rather than the solution which appears to be a simple infrastructure issue in most other advanced economies. Prisons will always be needed. For a country that desperately needs growth, why can't the British government end the debate and jumpstart some construction by contracting with the private sector to build new prisons? What am I missing in this crisis?

First, let me say that I come at this from a perspective of compassion.

I want these people to get help. I want the woman who has made the monument bench her bedroom in the past month, and you all know who she is, to get help. I want her to live a better life. I want her to experience what security, stability and comfort feel like. I believe in her, maybe more than anyone else does. If she wants help, I would give my last penny and all my spare time to make her life better. It's worth it to me.

But it can't go on like this. The noise. The litter. The squalor. The drunks. The needles and liquor bottles. The urinating and defecating. The substance abuse and open drug dealing. The unsafe nights. The loss of all dignity and meaning. The relentless of it, 24 hours 7 days a week. Over the weekend, I watched a tour guide try to bring a small group to the monument, right into the bedroom of the woman. The guide spoke of the great history behind the plaza, but the contrast really showed me how frustrating this situation is today.

The plaza was built to honor our vibrant Mexican American population. It was never intended to be an outdoor homeless shelter and magnet for loiters. Some of these people do not have our community's best interest at heart. And the community does not want a plaza that is linked with heritage to be linked this way. The plaza should mean something else to us.

None of it makes sense any more because it's not who we are. So I think what I'm asking is, do you think we can do any better?

Really...?

You have a right to publicly question his stupid positions.

You have a right to be really unhappy with his keeping the streets filthy, blocking all construction, which leads to soaring rent, blocking compassionate outreach to the plaza homeless, creating drama at every chance he gets, and doing absolutely nothing for the community.

Remember, he is the one who joined a flag burning and got within inches of Gov. Pritzker's face to scream at him, on Veteran's Day no less, all for publicity.

You and I are the normal, hard working, quiet, law-abiding renter. We have rights, too!

And, we vote.

This one's for the architecture and history buffs. Very interesting info! Along with a dash of UIC mismanagement.