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Monocchio Named Building Commissioner
December 19, 2008 by lseggelke · Leave a Comment
Filling the void left by Richard Rodriguez’s flight to the Department of Aviation, the Chicago Department of Buildings has a new commissioner. Richard Monocchio, who had been serving as the acting commissioner since Rodriguez’s departure last April, testified before the Committee on Buildings on December 16 and was confirmed at the full City Council meeting the following day. Read More…
Budget Troubles Lead to Changes at Zoning, Planning
October 29, 2008 by lseggelke · Leave a Comment
Facing a roughly $470 million budget shortfall, the City of Chicago has decided to merge several departments, shedding around 240 positions and saving about $5 million. Among those departments affected by the reshuffle are the Zoning, Planning, Environment and Housing.
The new Zoning and Land Use Planning Division will bring the land use portion of the Planning Department and the Environment Department’s property screening function into the Zoning Department. The new department will develop and review zoning regulations and amendments, plan open space, oversee green building and sustainable development and evaluate planned developments, among other duties.
The remaining portion of the Planning Department, most of the Housing Department and the business side of the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development will merge into a new Department of Community Development. This consolidation is intended to streamline the city’s economic, housing and community development functions, whether affordable housing, retail or a combination. Read More…
New E-Zine: Sustainable Chicago
June 24, 2008 by lseggelke · Leave a Comment
Index Publishing is pleased to announce the inaugural issue of Sustainable Chicago, an e-zine published in cooperation with the City of Chicago’s Department of Environment, Department of Buildings, the Chicago chapters of the USGBC and AIA and other leaders of Chicago’s efforts to lead by example in sustainable design and development. Read More…
Alderman Blocks New School
June 4, 2008 by lseggelke · Leave a Comment
In Chicago’s rapidly growing Northwest side, one alderman’s reluctance to move forward plans to build a new school is puzzling. Alderman Ray Suarez, of the 31st ward, is using his position as chairman of the Belmont Cragin committee to block efforts to build a new school in the 30th ward where schools are suffering from widespread overcrowding. Read More…
Job Opening: Building Commish
April 18, 2008 by lseggelke · Leave a Comment
One of Richard Rodriguez’s first positions with the City of Chicago was in the Department of Aviation. Now Mayor Daley is sending him back to head that department, after serving the last year as Building Commissioner.
Rodriguez, 37, first rose to the commissioner level as chief of the now defunct Department of Construction and Permits. Rodriguez held that position for over a year before Daley appointed him to head the Department of Buildings. Within months of that move, DCAP was dissolved into the Building Department, where Rodriguez supervised the duties of both departments.
If your head’s not spinning with all the changes of the last two years, you haven’t been paying attention. But Daley credits Rodriguez with streamlining the building permit process and hopes he can bring the same expertise to overseeing the impending O’Hare expansion, record delays at one of the nation’s largest airports and privatization of Midway.
According to Rodriguez, the city hasn’t decided on his successor. Richard J. Monocchio will serve as acting commissioner while the Department and City Council decide on a replacement.
Earth Hour
February 27, 2008 by lseggelke · Leave a Comment
This March, businesses and residents around Chicago will be voluntarily turning off their lights, as a part of the World Wildlife Foundation’s Earth Hour. Read More…
A Greener Chicago
January 24, 2008 by lseggelke · Leave a Comment
This November, the U.S. Building Council awarded Chicago’s Merchandise Mart a LEED Existing Building Silver certification. The certification is a milestone in the company’s long-term strives to lead the current green trend in commercial real estate. Read More…
Rodriguez Brings Process Improvement to the DOB
January 24, 2008 by lseggelke · Leave a Comment
Mayor Richard M. Daley announced in June that he was appointing Richard Rodriguez to the post of Commissioner of the Department of Buildings [DOB]. Rodriguez had been Commissioner of the Department of Construction and Permits [DCAP] and was asked to oversee both departments. Read More…
Case Law: Condemnation
A DuPage County jury doubled the Indian Prairie Community School District’s condemnation offer to a total of $31,000,750 for one of the last remaining large tracts of land in DuPage County. Read More…
City Increases Environmental Focus
September 4, 2007 by lseggelke · Leave a Comment
Mayor Daley announced significant changes to his own staff and the Department of Environment to give greater focus to his green initiatives for the City. Read More…
