Nominating Committee Now Accepting Applications for SOAR Board of Directors

Streeterville residents who are interested in being considered as a candidate to serve as a director of SOAR's Board of Directors are invited to submit an application to the nominating committee. Applicants must be SOAR members in good standing.

SOAR Board members gain interesting and important insights into how all stakeholders work together to "keep Streeterville a neighborhood." To turn these insights into policy requires participation by residents from every corner of the community (Chicago River to East Lake Shore Drive/Oak Street, and from Rush Street to Lake Michigan) who offer complementary skills and experience.

Interested Streeterville residents are asked to complete an online application and submit copy of a current resume or curriculum vitae.  

SOAR Board members are elected for one (1) or two (2) year terms at SOAR's annual meeting.

Streeterville Neighborhood Plan Draft Presented to Community At Large

On June 4, 2014, a Community Meeting was held to present an updated Streeterville Neighborhood Plan (SNP) hosted by the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers.  The Plan was presented by the SOAR Streeterville Neighborhood Plan Task Force with representatives from Chicago’s Department of Transportation and Planning Department (CDOT) who provided additional perspective and insight.

The Streeterville Plan is an update to the breakthrough strategic plan launched in 2005.   Gail Spreen, President of SOAR emphasized that the SNP was in a draft stage and encouraged the 100 plus attendees to share their comments and ideas about the Plan during the meeting and also provide additional commentary and insights by going online to the Streeterville Neighborhood Plan feedback page.   

Download a preview of the SNP draft plan.

SOAR Welcomes Karen Maisa as Executive Director

The Board of Directors of SOAR, the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, announced the appointment of Karen Maisa to the position of Executive Director of SOAR, effective immediately.

"Karen is the perfect choice for this leadership position at SOAR as we build upon our past successes and move to the next level of growth through a number of exciting initiatives for the community," said Gail Spreen, president of SOAR. "Her experience in strategic partnerships, event planning, brand and loyalty marketing will allow us to develop a more comprehensive fundraising and sponsorship program, improve membership development and identify areas of opportunity to broaden awareness of the SOAR brand and its mission of improving and enhancing the quality of life and community in Streeterville."

A 13-year resident of Streeterville, Maisa has held several senior level marketing positions including 10 years as Marketing Director for Chicago magazine and prior to coming to Chicago, served as Vice President of Marketing for Time Warner Cable in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Additionally she has been active in the community through her volunteer work with Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Children's Memorial Hospital, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She has been on the board of several organizations including PAWS Chicago, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin, and the Girl Scouts of America. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Cardinal Stritch University.  

Karen will be working out of our office on Pearson Street and can be reached at 312.280.2596 x1 or by email. 

SOAR Board of Directors Unanimously Opposed to Sprinkler Mandates

The Board of Directors of SOAR, the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, voted unanimously to support a Resolution to oppose any legislation that would mandate the installation of sprinklers in buildings completed before 1975. You may read the Resolution by clicking here. The action is a result of hearing residents and management company representatives we've met with, as well as our own prudent and deliberative process for taking positions.

Over the years, special interests in Illinois have lobbied to the Illinois House of Representatives in efforts to mandate the installation of sprinklers in all buildings built before 1975, the year sprinklers were made mandatory for all new and rehabbed construction. In Streeterville alone, thousands of homeowners would face mounting bills for mandated sprinkler installation. Time and again, the Illinois House has responsibly voted against the mandate, citing exorbitant costs and local regulations that already provide for rigorous emergency safety measures.

Alderman Brendan Reilly (Ward 42) informed his constituents that State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (12th District) introduced legislation that would prohibit a mandating bill coming before the House without prior review by the General Assembly and by a special task force. Along with Alderman Reilly, we encourage passage of this bill in order to create barriers to prevent special interests from continually bringing mandates before the Legislature without review.