State Rep. Harry Osterman
talks politics with Anixter Center constituents

Osterman promises to fight for affordable housing appropriations in Illinois Budget

(Chicago, September 1, 2006) - State Representative Harry Osterman (D-14) of Chicago visited Anixter Center on August 17 to discuss constituent concerns about state human services policies. One of Chicago’s largest nonprofits, Anixter Center provides high-quality vocational, residential and educational options, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and health care. More than 5,000 individuals a year are served through 70 programs at 35 locations throughout the Chicago area. The town hall meeting took place at 6610 North Clark Street in Chicago.

Osterman, whose district covers the Edgewater and Rogers Park neighborhoods on Chicago’s North side, listened as Anixter Center program participants who live in his district voiced their displeasure with neighborhood safety, the lack of affordable, accessible housing and human services funding. Osterman advised residents to organize a community meeting with local police officers and noted the importance of reporting suspicious activity to authorities. As
vice chair of the Human Services Appropriations Committee, Osterman also pledged to work towards securing funding for affordable, accessible housing. Chicago.



“We have been able to generate money for affordable housing,” says Osterman, “but we need to do more. This neighborhood should not only be for rich people. Property taxes have forced housing prices to go up. I am working on a cap to keep the taxes down so landlords don’t have the raise the price of rent.”

Obtaining jobs in the community was another area of contention for Anixter Center program participants at the meeting. According to a National Organization on Disability/Harris Poll survey in 2000, three out of ten (32%) adults with disabilities of working age, 18 to 64, work full or part-time. This percentage is compared to eight out of ten (81%) adults in that population without disabilities. Osterman says the percentage can be lowered with proper funding and programming.

“We are looking into state grants that can help employ people,” explains Osterman. “Tax incentives and credits for small and mid-sized businesses that are willing to offer people with disabilities real jobs for real pay is another possible solution to increasing job opportunities.”

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Rep. Osterman talks to an Anixter Center program participant

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