The Lawndale Alliance

1414 South Hamlin

Chicago, IL 60623

October 15, 2007

Dear Friend of North Lawndale:

As you know, North Lawndale has a long history of development without a comprehensive plan or significant
community input. As a result, the development we see tends to happen on a piecemeal basis, with no real sense of
connectedness. All too often development decisions tend to reflect the desires of outside forces, which may or may
not coincide with the best interests of community residents.

In an effort to raise awareness of the need for more community involvement in the development process, the
Lawndale Alliance has begun to circulate petitions for three advisory referenda to appear on the ballot for the
(Presidential) Primary Election, to be held on February 5, 2008. If the petition drive is successful, the following
questions will be placed before the voters of the 24th Ward:

1. “Should large real estate developers doing business in the 24th Ward be required to enter into legally
enforceable contracts between community groups and developers, setting forth a range of community
benefits that the developer agrees to provide as part of a development project?

2. “Should the Alderman work with City Council to pass an ordinance to create Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
District Advisory Councils to provide local community oversight for every TIF District that draws some, or all,
of its incremental property tax revenue from within the 24th Ward?”

The third question, concerning the reactivation of the Lawndale Community Conservation Council, would be placed
before voters living within the Lawndale Conservation Area. The boundaries extend from the Eisenhower
Expressway to the north; Western Avenue on the east; Cermak Road on the south and City Limits on the west. The
petition will be circulated in the 24th Ward, and certain precincts within the 2nd, 12th, 28th and 29th Wards.

3. “Should the Alderman work with the City Council to pass an ordinance to re-activate the Lawndale
Community Conservation Council that will include local residents, businesses, institutions, churches and
organizations within the Ward that will be empowered to 1) act through an open, resident-participatory
democratic process to evaluate and make recommendations on all proposed development activities; 2)
create a community led comprehensive planning strategy for the Ward area; 3) to participate in negotiating
community benefits agreements on behalf of Lawndale residents; 4) to disseminate meeting minutes and
progress reports to the general public on a regular basis?”

The referenda questions are advisory in nature. If they receive a majority of the votes cast, they will not become law.
However, the results will provide a good measure of how strongly voters feel about the issues presented, and help to
shape public policy.

We are asking you to circulate all three petitions on your block. We have included 1 petition for each of the questions,
and detailed instructions. If you have any questions, please contact Valerie F. Leonard at 773-521-3137, or
valeriefleonard@msn.com. You must be a U.S. Citizen (may reside anywhere, including out of state; you do not have
to be registered voter) and 18 years or older.

Sincerely,

Valerie F. Leonard