City suspends Rogers Park nightclub known for shooting customers who don't pay bar tab

Gallagher's Bar, 1770 West Greenleaf.
photo by Craig Gernhardt

(Rogers Park) - Gallagher's Bar, 1770 West Greenleaf Avenue, won't be needing to use excessive force to collect any old bar tabs for a while.

The city of Chicago has slapped a big orange "Suspended" sticker on the door this week.

Gallagher's is located in CAPS beat 2424.

In March of 2011, I reported on the Broken Heart of Rogers Park, a Gallagher's bouncer, Danielito Valentin, who claimed to be an off-duty cop, flashed a badge and shot a patron for not paying his drinking bill in a timely fashion.

Valentin was arrested on March 20, 2011 and given an inmate #2011-0320103, with his bail was set at $75,000, according to Mugshots.com.

There is no records of Valentin in the Department of Corrections system as of March 22, 2012.

Gallagher's property location is owned by 1770 West Greenleaf Corporation, listed with the Secretary of State of Illinois as an "active" corporation - and the President's name listed on the state website for 1770 West Greenleaf Corporation as Ignacio Estrada; with an address of 6601 North California.

Leticia Estrada is listed as the corporations secretary, with the same address as the President.

Gallagher's has also been to Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Hearing Board numerous times in the last year, the latest date was February 21, 2012.

The hearing officer for the case (# 11-LR-0048) is Robert Nolan.

To his credit, Ald. Moore, who hold's popular local neighborhood get-together's called, "Follow me Friday" at various venues across the ward, has avoided taking his chances hosting an event at Gallagher's, even thou the 49th ward campaign offices are right next door .

We're guessing this was wise move on the Alderman's part. Everyone knows what could happen if you don't pay the tab on-time.

We'll keep you posted on any grand re-opening - ribbon cutting ceremonies.

Kelly Cassidy victorious in her first real campaign

(Rogers Park) - We all know by now Kelly Cassidy was anointed by the powers-that-be. We all know by now if you read the gay press, she is also gay.

If you read the gay press, you'll know her opponent, Paula Basta,  is gay, too. For some reason, that's all that mattered to the gay press.

Resident's in the 14th district saw all through that on March 20. They voted who was the best person to represent them.

After all, politics is local. Not gay or straight. We in Rogers Park just want someone to represent us fairly - with our values in mind.

Which one of the biggest issues is crime and gun control.

So, tonight, with 79% of the precincts counted, Now in Rogers Park is declaring State Rep. Kelly Cassidy as the winner of the 2012 Democratic primary with over 62% of the vote.

BLOGNOTE: We've chosen a very good representative as our voice in Springfield. Not because she is gay, it's because she knows how to do her job. Wonder how the gay press will spin this? I'm guessing they'll lead the story - letting the public know she is gay.

Back that up a second. Being politically correct as the gay media is these days, they'll call her the "L" letter of the alphabet, instead.

Ginderske: "We're going to win"

(Rogers Park) - First thing Jim Ginderske noticed when he arrived at precinct 25 at 1230 West Loyola Avenue this morning at 5:57 a.m., was I was waiting for him.

Although he arrogantly asked, "Who are you?", when I asked for some time.

Jim Ginderske "chalk bombs" his message
to voters in front of Loyola Fieldhouse.

Photo by Craig Gernhardt

The second thing Jim noticed was no blue cones marking off the campaigning by candidates to the precinct.

This is one of the reason's Jim is in the race. He says he's for a fair and accountable ward operations when it comes to electing our public officals. He doesn't believe the current operation under David Fagus does that.

Ginderske has an uphill battle today, being very undefunded, yet when asked, he was confident he was going to be the victor at the end of the day.

"We're going to win," said Ginderske, as he was directing a couple of volunteers to their various locations in the ward.

Claiming to have no Occupy Chicago members as helpers today, Jim still said he had "enough volunteers to cover every precinct - except #2," the high-rise on Sheridan Road, near Rosemont and the lake.

Ginderske doesn't have the resourses to have signage at the pricincts. He feels "chalk bombing" his vote number with name on the sidewalk is more effective - citing the political signage gets lost in the mass of the 49th ward party signs put up earlier in the morning for judges and candidates Dave Faguses organization picked to support this election cycle.

Ginderske and his team were able to secure 1300 signatures to get on the ballot in 3 days. Let's see if they can earn enough votes to back up his bold claim of victory today.

Poll-watcher up before the sun

Cota positions herself between Aunt Jan and David Fagus.
This marks Cota's 10th year of poll-watching in Rogers Park.

(Rogers Park) - You gotta get up pretty early to grab the prime sign location. David Fagus and his ward organization were "on it" this morning.

Just ask Cota. Her spot was already taken.

And - there was no snow or frozen ground to deal with. The signs didn't even need a drill to be placed in the ground.

I don't believe Cota and I have ever experienced this type of weather on a Chicago Primary election day.

That's right, folks, it's a beautiful day outside. No reason to avoid the polls. Please, get out and vote.

And, if you see Cota and I out-and-about, say "hi."

There's no such thing as an "Invisible Ink Pen"

FLASHBACK 2008:
(Rogers Park) - Four years ago Amy Carlton made national news - not to mention making Rogers Park look like a laughing stock of politics with late night comics - for believing the voting wand she cast her vote with was an invisible ink pen.

Please, voters, let's try not making that mistake, again.

If you have any questions regarding your vote tomorrow, click here.

49th Ward Committeeman Candidate Chalk Bombs Neighborhood

Punch Jim on Tuesday

(Rogers Park) - Seemingly, due to the lack of campaign funds, one of the candidates over-zealous volunteers has resorted to 'chalk bombing' the sidewalks around the Morse Avenue el stop.

This 'chalk bombing' is promoting Jim Ginderskes' candidacy for 49th ward committeeman.

The fist (power to the people sign) and "Punch 203" is very clever. The unknown chalk bomber even spelled his name right. This may work for a few votes, provided it doesn't rain or get washed off by David Fagus and Company. 

We can only wait and see if Fagus sends out a mailer denouncing this sidewalk 'chalk bombing."