Photos & Videos

2018 Joe’s Campaign Kickoff – 9/26/2018

My eldest brother produced this video. He drove into Springfield from above I80 on Sept 26, 2018 to attend our W7 Fundraiser at VFW Post 755.

Thanks to all who were able to attend. It was a relaxing evening, with good conversation, plenty of goodwill, and a piece of pie for everyone.

Thanks brother Bob for the video, and for giving a ride to our sister Mary Pat who cut and served 20 pies from County Market.

Brother Bob is known in our family of 12 siblings for his birth exactly 9 months after Dad returned to USA from Europe with the 12th Armored Division in late 1945. My eldest sister Madeline was born earlier in 1944 when Dad was on Normandy Beach.

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Enough – Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018

The Illinois Times

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Certificates of Appreciation from Renaissance Bets Center – May 22, 2017

Alderman Joe McMenamin and Melvin Wing

This fall, a group of local attorneys and judges held a biennial fundraiser with a military service theme and selected Spring Street Veteran’s Renaissance as the charity recipient.

We are honoring two gentlemen that were instrumental in making that event a success for us.

Melvin Wing is a generous donor who was motivated by his military service to make a large contribution even though he is not an attorney. But his gift was a source to inspire others to give and match his generosity.

Alderman Joe McMenamin has been a supporter of SSVR as well in the past and when the Profession of Leadership foundation was choosing a charity he was able to suggest that the funds should go to SSVR rather than to a Chicago charity.

We are grateful for their generosity and walking the walk in supporting our homeless veterans.

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Spring St. Veterans Shelter Fundraising Event – Jan. 2017

Illinois Government Bar Association President and other Bar Association leaders present a check for $4,000.00 to the Spring Street Veterans Shelter in January 2017 after a successful fundraising event.

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Slow Down Y Demo – Feb. 11, 2016

The Illinois Times
Letter to the Editor

Mayor Langfelder should reconsider his quickly decided plans to demolish the old YWCA building downtown, and he should allow access to the building to all contractors interested in assessing its rehabilitation potential.

The YWCA building, located in the north mansion block which the city now owns, belongs to the citizens of Springfield. The redevelopment process for that block should include a paid and neutral assessment of the building’s potential before the city begins demolition.

The city should encourage developers to consider Y building preservation in their redevelopment plans for the mansion block, and inform them that federal tax credits are available for rehab of historically designated buildings in landmarked areas.

Only after completion and review of all the redevelopment ideas/proposals should the city consider demolishing the Y building if economic and other factors make rehabilitation unfeasible.

Joe McMenamin
Alderman, Ward 7

The Illinois Times

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Joe in St. Patrick’s Day Parade – 3/17/2015

Joe Greets Citizens in downtown Springfield in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

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NAPA Auto Parts – June 26, 2014

The Illinois Times
Chris Britt cartoon on NAPA Auto Parts contract.

The Illinois Times

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Pensionzilla – March 13, 2014

The Illinois Times
Chris Britt cartoon on Springfield Pension Crisis.

The IL-Times

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IL Times – Feb. 2012

Chris Britt cartoon on Springfield Pension Crisis

The Illinois Times

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Hy-Vee proceeds with purchase of old Kmart property Jan 20, 2012

TIM LANDIS
The State Journal-Register

Hy-Vee Corp. has exercised its option to buy the former Kmart building, an abandoned bowling alley and a payday loan store on MacArthur Boulevard in order to build a supermarket and convenience store.

Company spokeswoman Ruth Comer said Friday the Iowa-based retailer would like to begin construction as soon as possible, pending city action on creation of a tax-increment financing district along the boulevard. “We did close on the three properties we were looking at,” said Comer. “We’ll be watching closely what the city does with the TIF, as it will figure into our plans.”

Read the full article at sj-r.com…

Summer 2012 K-mart clean up continues

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MacArthur Park Apartments Update – Aug. 11, 2011

MacArthur Boulevard Business Association – Government Update August 11, 2011

Joe McMenamin, Alderman, Ward 7

After the City was denied access to inspect the apartment complex on July 18, the City obtained a search warrant, performed a coordinated inspection that found a host of violations, including serious health hazards, in uninhabited buildings of the complex. Those buildings were declared uninhabitable, and City of Springfield Corporation Council will provide notice of violation to the owners of the property. Read the August 5 SJ-R article…If the problems are not corrected, then daily fines will be levied. Photos of the property are below.

Doors without knobs and damaged walls

Units cannot be secured due to faulty doors

Open electrical box with bare wires, unsecured crawl space

Open walls in an unsecured unit

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Springfield alderman taking aim at dilapidated signs – Jun 18, 2011

JOHN REYNOLDS
THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER

Getting rid of dilapidated signs is the aim of an ordinance being sought by Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin.

Old KMart sign on MacArthur Boulevard in Springfield, IL after

Old KMart sign on MacArthur Boulevard in Springfield, IL before

Currently, city code requires that a landowner remove advertising panels from a free-standing sign within 90 of the business’s closing. The frame that holds the panels can remain. “That leaves behind the skeletal frame and the pole the frame is on,” McMenamin said. “The frame is left up. What then happens is that years can pass. The frame is ugly, and it’s really an eyesore.”

Several options

McMenamin is looking at more than one option to solve the problem.

One proposal would require the framing be removed within three years of the business closing. The pole could remain. Another possibility would be to leave the panels on the frame, but cover the advertising within 90 days of the closing. That way, the skeletal framing would not be exposed.

MBBA Candidate Forum – Mar. 21, 2011

Joe participated as one of 7 candidates at the MacArthur Boulevard Business Association Forum on March 21. Over 50 audience members had an opportunity to listen to candidate’s answers for over 2 hours and to submit questions to candidates.