Hello Sloopin,
Thought I would reach out to you to get your thoughts about the increasing number of charitable organizations hanging out at the intersection at Wabash & Roosevelt. In the last few weeks I've encountered Planned Parenthood, Human Rights Campaign and today, the Red Cross. It has become annoying for me to walk through the intersection on a daily basis and be aggressively pursued for donations.
Today, I was double teamed by the Red Cross as I made my way to Jewel. At the northeast corner I was able to get by but then as I made my way through the southwest corner I was pursued again. On my way back, the same again. This time I caught one spitting on our sidewalk. Do you know if there are any regulations or licensing requirements for these fundraisers? I deal with it often while in the loop for work but having to contend in my own neighborhood has pushed me to my limit. Maybe I'm a
curmudgeon?
We don't know what the regulations are, but imagine there are some. Does anyone know the policy? Or have a link?
UPDATE: the reader heard the following from the alderman's office:
I did hear back from the Alderman with a suggestion I call 911 if they block the intersections or spit. I thought that was excessive. They don't need any licensing since it falls under free speech.(Hat tip: LH!)
Perhaps contact Alderman Fioretti's office? They're usually very communicative and will probably respond quickly. Heck, even send him a message via Twitter - he's pretty active on there.
ReplyDeleteI don't see what the big deal is. No different in the Loop than at Roosevelt/Wabash if you ask me. As long as they're legit, they should be able to push their cause any public place they want.
ReplyDeletePeople spit on the sidewalk all the time...
Try walking on State Street in the loop, not much difference. I just walk by and say, "Sorry". It's as simple as that...
ReplyDeleteIf they give me any lip, I return with a "stink eye" and keep going.
I just show them my 1040 and say "already did".
ReplyDeleteWhen I said, "sorry, don't have time," the one hipster (from Red Cross) responded, "don't be sorry, be active!" He was trying to be funny but I agree, it does get annoying.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I find them significantly less annoying than the 10 panhandlers I encounter on my walk to the el every morning...
Just use an iPod and don't make eye contact. Works great for me!
ReplyDelete"Maybe I'm a curmudgeon?"
ReplyDeleteYes, just say no thanks and move on.
Can you fix the headline? A general copyedit of the whole piece wouldn't hurt either.
ReplyDeleteHipsters hahaha!
ReplyDeleteWhen i get frustrated with them i yell and scream at them. Feels goooood!!! And then they think im nuts so they go away to the next bleeding heart. Now thats only if they stick some paper n my face or infringe on my personal space ,otherwise, i walk by and look right through them like they dont exist
ReplyDeleteCharities, panhandlers...all could benefit from a little "street justice". that's how we take care of things in the old neighborhood. No reason it shouldn't work here a treat.
ReplyDelete