Dear Neighbors,
This past Sunday, I joined Chicagoans from across the city at Ella Jenkins Park in Old Town Triangle to celebrate the music legend and park’s namesake on her 100th Birthday. Throughout her career, Ella produced over 40 albums, including hits such as "Miss Mary Mack,” “Wade in the Water,” “Pretty Trees Around the World,” and more. Ellas’s discography includes the 1995 album “Multicultural Children's Songs,” which is the most popular Smithsonian Folkways release to date. As a performer and educator who lived in the 43rd Ward for decades, Ella performed her songs on all seven continents, including Antarctica. “Grateful” understates how I feel about Ella’s contributions to society and children around the world. It was an honor to celebrate her 100th Birthday.
|
Former Alderpeople Michele Smith and Vi Daley on the left of Ella Jenkins, with State Senator Sara Feigenholtz and Alderperson Knudsen on her right.
|
Special thanks to the Old Town Triangle Association, including local leaders Judge Debra Walker, Rich Christian, Laura Becker, and many more, for the time put into Ella’s 100th Birthday Celebration.
|
This week, we hosted a Safety Walk in central Lincoln Park with our 18th District Police partners. These walks are an effective way to engage residents directly with the law enforcement officers who keep us safe. This week’s topics ranged from police resources in our community to the upcoming Democratic National Convention Safety Plan. As a part of the DNC Safety Plan, 500 additional police officers from across Illinois will assist CPD. The addition of these officers will ensure that police coverage continues in every neighborhood during the convention.
Our newsletter will continue to include information for the CAPS beat meetings weekly. CAPS meetings are a great way for any community member to engage directly with public safety leaders as a part of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy. Meetings for each “beat” are held in the evenings every two months. You can find your beat number here.
|
Thank you to CPD leadership, 18th District Councilors Karen Kane & Brad Kessler, Oz Park Advisory Council Vice President Stephanie Munger, and Lincoln Central Association leadership for joining this Safety Walk
|
We also hosted a Ward Infrastructure Walk with the Ranch Triangle Association and the Sheffield Neighborhood Association this week to cap off a summer of nighttime ward events. Nearly 30 neighbors joined us to discuss our aldermanic menu projects, such as street repaving, lighting, and alley investments. We are proud to have partnered on a walk with all our neighborhood groups this year.
|
Thank you to Ranch Triangle President Erma Tranter, Sheffield Neighborhood Association President Brian Comer, and so many neighbors for joining this Ward Infrastructure Walk
|
And although I’m sure you’ve all heard the planes overhead already- The Chicago Air and Water Show returns this weekend. On Saturday & Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the show can be viewed along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as the focal point. More information can be found here.
|
Sincerely,
Ald. Timmy Knudsen
|
P.S. in Gratitude: This summer our office has had the additional help of three amazing interns - Marie, Saroya, and Alexander. This group went above and beyond on fulfilling constituent requests. They were always willing to help me on nights and weekends and boosted the positive energy we feel in the 43rd Ward Office. As smart as they are kind, we wish Saroya the best as she begins at The University of Chicago, and Alexander as he begins at The George Washington University. As for Marie, we convinced her to stay with us in the 43rd Ward Office! The future is bright and I am very grateful to Marie, Saroya & Alexander.
|
Lakeview Township Reassessment Information
|
A Message Related to Cook County’s Recent Property Re-Assessments: Recently, the Cook County Assessor’s Office re-assessed properties in the City of Chicago. When a property is reassessed, the property owner is mailed a Reassessment Notice. The Reassessment Notice reflects the estimated Fair Market Value based on sales of similar properties. The notice also contains important information such as the property’s characteristics, neighborhood code, and past assessments. An increase in a property’s assessment does not cause the same increase in the property owner’s taxes. Learn more about a reassessment notice vs property tax bill.
|
Property owners are given an opportunity to appeal their assessment if the property characteristics listed on an assessment notice are incorrect, or if the estimated market value of a property is significantly more than what it could sell for in the current real estate market. Learn about assessment appeals here.
As this is a county process (and not one that our Aldermanic office has any say on), if you have any further questions, please reach out to your Cook County Commissioner's office. Most of the 43rd Ward is represented by Bridget Degnen in the 12th District, but a few blocks are in the 10th (Bridget Gainer) or 3rd (Bill Lowry). If you are unsure, enter your address here.
|
As our city government and safety leadership transition into the next Administration, crime, and safety remain top of mind for our community. Each week, the 18th and 19th District post Compstat numbers that reflect changes in indexes for key crimes. In an effort to keep residents informed on these trends, we will publish those weekly updates in the newsletter’s public safety section. As a reminder, these statistics represent 100% of the 18th and 19th Police Districts; accordingly, they represent an area much larger than our ward.
For 18th District (south of Fullerton) Compstat, Click Here
For 19th District (north of Fullerton) Compstat, Click Here
|
We work closely with the 43rd Ward’s local CAPS districts, which include the 18th (Near North) and 19th (Town Hall) Police Districts.
Our office is in frequent contact with officers from both of these districts and their local CAPS officers, who host a variety of community forums and events including beat meetings, informational settings, and expert panel discussions, as well as sending out community alerts when a pattern of crime is detected.
Beat Meetings are part of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy and an excellent way to hear directly from CPD about your neighborhood. Meetings are held in the evenings every two months. Click here and find out your Police District and Beat number.
2024 43rd Ward CAPS Meetings
Beat 1811 (5 PM) & 1813 (6 PM): September 3, November 5.
Beats 1811 and 1813 meet at St. James Lutheran Church located at 2050 N Fremont St. They are in the basement of the Church and you should enter through the northernmost door on Fremont St. There is residential parking on the street with applicable zone parking restrictions.
Beat 1812 (5 PM) & 1814 (6 PM): September 5, November 7.
Beat 1812 and 1814 are hosted at Wintrust Bank located at 100 W. North Ave. There is very little parking on site but it is near the North and Clybourn Red Line stop and the Sedgwick Brown Line. It is also en route to the Clark St Bus. The meetings are hosted on the 2nd Floor of the bank. Elevators are on site.
Beat 1824 (6 PM): September 12, November 14.
Beat 1824 meets at 1201 N Clark St in the Clark St Apartments. It is very close to the Clark and Division Red Line Stop.
Beat 1932 (6:30 PM): October 1, December 3.
Beat 1932 is hosted in the sanctuary at New Life Church located at 1110 W Lill Ave. There is street parking with applicable zone parking restrictions. New Life Church is within walking distance of the Fullerton Red and Brown Line and the Diversey Brown Line.
Beat 1935 (6:30 PM): August 28, October 16, December 18.
Beat 1935 is hosted at Chabad East Lakeview located at 615 W Wellington Ave.
|
DNC 2024 Public Safety Updates
|
As you know, the Democratic National Convention is taking place next month from August 19th-22nd. We want to ensure that you and your constituents have the most up-to-date information regarding this event. Kindly see the DNC toolkit at this link, or attached QR code.
500 additional police officers from across Illinois, will assist CPD during the convention. The addition of these officers will help continue to have CPD officers in our neighborhoods during these days.
This toolkit contains perimeter maps, ways to stay informed, and a link to the OEMC website, which contains additional information including a FAQ regarding the DNC. We also encourage you to download the OEMC app as another source of information. The OEMC app can be downloaded from both the Apple and Google Play stores.
|
A pedestrian-only restricted zone around the United Center from Washington Boulevard to Seeley Avenue to Adams Street, ending between Wood and Paulina streets. This zone will only be accessible to people with the appropriate credentials.
|
We will continue to keep 43rd residents up to date with information as we receive them from CPD, OEMC, and the DNC. To learn more about security around the immediate areas where the DNC is occurring, please check out this Block Club article.
|
19th District Catalytic Converter Marking Day
|
Below is a list of Mental Health resources that are available locally here in the City of Chicago.
|
Join Old Town Triangle Association for a diaper drive. They are accepting new diapers and baby-safe hygiene products. They will be collecting donations until September 29th at 1763 N North Park Ave.
|
Grant Park Music Festival
|
The Grant Park Music Festival truly is Chicago's Summer Music Sensation (Lallapalooza notwithstanding). The Festival is a tradition that goes back to the administration of Mayor Cermak and we are celebrating our 90th season this year. Go see free music!
|
DeBlock Party at Wish Field
|
Returning for the second year, DePaul Athletics has announced the date for the 2024 DeBlock Party. The event will be held Saturday, Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. underneath the L tracks next to DePaul's Wish Field.
DeBlock Party is an event for all fans, alumni and community to attend that includes a wide variety of free family-friendly activities including music, face painters, inflatables, yard games, enter-to-wins and an opportunity to interact with DePaul staff, coaches and student-athletes.
The event will be held in conjunction with a pair of DePaul soccer exhibition games with the women's exhibition against Michigan State at 1 p.m. followed by the men's against Bradley at 4 p.m. Admission to both exhibition games is free.
|
Art on Clark returns with live chalk drawings by Chicago artists and led by the talented artist Cheri Lee Charlton. There will be interactive opportunities available for all ages. Listed below is this summer’s schedule:
- Saturday, August 17, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in front of Target (2650 N. Clark)
- Sunday, August 18, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in front of Dad’s Park (2224 N. Clark)
|
Oscar Mayer Magnet’s Local School Council (LSC) is in search of (1) parent representative and (1) non-Mayer parent community representative.
If you are interested in serving on Oscar Mayer’s LSC, please submit a candidate statement to oscarmayerlsc@gmail.com by 9:00pm on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
We encourage all interested parents to consider applying for the LSC. To learn more about Oscar Mayer’s LSC specifically, please visit our website
|
Support Small Businesses by Reducing Red Tape
|
The small business community and advocates for neighborhood revitalization are calling on policymakers to cut red tape, streamline processes, and reduce the costs of launching and expanding Chicago businesses. The following reforms will support small businesses, foster economic growth in neighborhoods, and improve the Chicago economy.
|
It's time to PAWty on the plaza!
Dog Days of Summer!
Thursday, August 15th
5:30-7:30pm
Lincoln Common Plaza
Summer isn't over yet, beat the heat at Dog Days of Summer on Thursday, August 15th.
|
Opt Your Kid Into Plant Based School Meals
|
Illinois now offers students more lunchtime choices, including new plant-based meals. Besides being packed with all the daily fiber, protein and nutrients students need to learn, grow and lead healthy lives, and fully aligning with USDA nutrition requirements, plant-based lunches have additional health benefits for your student!
Asking your public school to serve your child a plant-based meal comes at no extra cost. Teens can make this request on their own!
|
Broadway & Me Summer Saturday Series is Back!
|
SING, DANCE, & PLAY! Enjoy a live performance with our friends from Stages Chicago every Saturday morning.
AUGUST:
August 3 - Cinderella, August 10 - Wizard of Oz, August 17 - Moana, August 24 - Grease
REGISTER HERE.
|
The big screen in your backyard, Movies in the Parks returns this summer, bringing Hollywood movies and local films to local parks for the twenty-first season. Join us in the parks for classics from the Golden Age of Hollywood, retro childhood favorites, and the best family-friendly box office hits.
Check out the schedule below or download our summer schedule as an Excel spreadsheet or a PDF or add events to your own calendar from our Google Calendar.
|
DPD is Accepting Applications for Community Development Grants
|
The Chicago Department of Planning and Development is accepting applications for Community Development Grants for more than $250,000 until August 9th, 2024. Community Development Grants support small businesses, nonprofits and property owners for local commercial, mixed-use and light manufacturing development.
These grant programs are open to businesses, nonprofits, community developers and property owners.
If you or your organization is interested in applying, you can find more information at bit.ly/chicagocdg. Please reach out to fid_intake@cityofchicago.org with any questions.
|
Lincoln Park High School Youth Basketball Camp
|
If your child wants to play high school basketball, is preparing for tryouts for a team in the fall, or just wants to play the game, this is a great opportunity to learn from one of the best coaching staffs in the Chicago! Each session will be limited to 60 players. All proceeds go to fund the basketball program! Learn more & register here.
|
|
Special Concession Opportunity with the Chicago Park District
|
The Chicago Park District has opened its Notice of Application for a Special Concession Opportunity for 2025, which presents substantial opportunity for small businesses.
Pre-submittal meeting (VIRTUAL)
Times: 11am– 12pm CST – August 20, 2024 or 6pm – 7pm CST August 22, 2024. This meeting is not mandatory, but encouraged, especially if you have questions or require additional information regarding the Notice of Availability or the Park District’s concession program. Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 886 1893 1284
Passcode: 256114
|
Black-crowned Night Heron Rookery Roost
|
Rookery Roost is every Tuesday as the black-crowned night heron breeding season continues at Lincoln Park Zoo.
Volunteers with Chicago Black-crowned Night Heron Project stand outside the Lincoln Park Zoo, along Stockton between Webster and Dickens, to provide information about the wild night herons that nest at the Zoo from 5 pm to 6 pm.
|
Frequently Asked Questions
|
Have questions about street work happening in your area? The Department of Transportation has a wonderful tool to look up street work in your area called the Chi Street Work Portal. Here you can input an address and see all surrounding permits for projects on that street.
|
I want to keep spreading the good word of how powerful a tool CHI 311 is to address non-emergency services in our Ward. Via the CHI 311 website and mobile app, you can:
- Create new service requests and check the status of existing requests (such as on timing and completion).
- Snap a photo of an issue to submit it with a request to improve location accuracy.
- Get local and relevant information/tips regarding the 43rd Ward including visibility into what other requests are being made in your neighborhood. The free CHI 311 mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices and may be downloaded in the Apple App Store or Google Play.
|
|
