Year: 2015

After a competitive six month architectural design competition, made possible by a generous grant from The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the Chicago-based firm, VOA Associates, Inc., have won the competition and been named architects on the Pullman Artspace project. Pullman Artspace will be an affordable mixed-use art space with live/work artist housing and ample community space suitable for classes, exhibitions and workshops located in the newly designated National Monument historic Pullman neighborhood. This is the first new residential housing to be created in the Pullman Historic District in decades. The project is being developed in collaboration with Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives (CNI); Minneapolis based Artspace Projects, and PullmanArts. Each of the competing architectural firms were required to design an infill building that joined two existing historic block houses at 111th and Langley into a unified development that can accommodate up to 45 artist live/work apartments.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. unveiled plans to improve the speed and performance of buses on two of the CTA’s busiest routes: Ashland and Western Avenues. Later this fall, the CTA will begin a three-phase effort designed to provide faster, more reliable commutes for bus riders on the #9 Ashland and #49 Western bus routes, including:

• Reintroducing rush hour express service on both routes
• Optimizing the spacing of bus stops for the local routes based on ridership.
• Expanding the installation of special transit signals to Ashland and Western that make it easier for buses to proceed through major intersections

Carter said that the express bus service, with limited stops roughly every half-mile, will save up to 22 minutes on trips along each route. Optimizing the spacing between bus stops on the local routes could save up to 12 minutes for customers on local buses while still providing customers with convenient access.

The express buses, which will run during the morning and afternoon rush periods, will make stops every half-mile and at rail transfer points and complement local bus service. Optimizing stop spacing on local routes by removing some of the least-used stops would allow buses to travel faster by reducing the time it takes buses to frequently merge in and out of traffic. CTA will undertake a community process to solicit feedback on proposed changes, which will begin later this year.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has named Anel Ruiz, currently Community Outreach Liaison Coordinator in the Office of the President, as her new Deputy Chief of Staff. Ruiz replaces Tasha Cruzat, now Chief of Staff, in the deputy role. Her appointment is effective immediately. “Anel will work closely with Tasha in identifying and carrying out our various agenda initiatives,” Preckwinkle said. “Her background in policy along with her ability to work with numerous internal and external stakeholders will serve her well in this new role.”

Ruiz, 33, was born in Mexico and moved to Chicago at the age of 18. A resident of Ashburn, she joined the Preckwinkle administration in December 2013 as Community Outreach Liaison. In that position, she built on President Preckwinkle’s efforts at engaging numerous communities throughout Cook County, including developing and staffing a number of ethnic advisory councils. “I am honored to serve President Preckwinkle as Deputy Chief of Staff. I look forward to building on President Preckwinkle’s priorities with a focus on the inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz has a Bachelor’s degree in political science from Augustana College and has completed coursework in management and accounting at University of Illinois at Chicago. She was a Leadership Greater Chicago 2014 Fellow and is a Board Member of Planned Parenthood of Illinois.

To Hispanic owned-businesses, family and community are key, according to a new study by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). Research from the 2015 Hispanic Business Owner Perspectives Study revealed that 80 percent of respondents will pass the business on to a family member – most often a child. However, only 37 percent of those individuals said their chosen successor may not even know about this succession plan.

For Hispanic business owners, the aspiration to live the American Dream is no different, but Hispanic business owners’ definition of success may be broader, encompassing their ability to care for and support extended families, friends, and their communities. The study reported they feel a strong sense of responsibility to their families and communities but tend to lack financial confidence and knowledge. Hispanic-owned businesses are growing at double the national rate, according to the U.S. Census. And more so than the general average, Hispanic entrepreneurs are generally younger and more likely to take community into account when making business decisions. Additionally, the majority of those surveyed started their businesses to pursue the American Dream, take control of their lives, and support their families. Yet many do not have the necessary resources in place to gain that control and secure a healthy financial future for their families. When it comes to taking action to address core business planning issues, Hispanic business owners face many challenges in achieving their version of the American Dream.

Disability Income Insurance
• Only half of the Hispanic business owners have a buy-sell agreement in place for death and even fewer have a buy-sell agreement in place for disability.
• Protecting the business (35 percent) and family (37 percent) are the primary motivators for having these plans in place.

Succession Planning
• Only about half of the Hispanic business owners surveyed have any type of succession plan in place.
• Eighty percent said they will pass the business on to a family member – most often a child. However, only 37 percent of those individuals said their chosen successor may not even know he/she is the successor (significantly higher than 23 percent of the general population).

To learn more about planning for your business or to locate a financial professional near you, visit massmutual.com/latino.