Dear Neighbors,
Last week eyes around the world were on Chicago during the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Chicago is no stranger to hosting large events; however, due to many high profile attendees and a unique convention history, over a year of preparation went into the DNC. I want to thank the Chicago Police Department (CPD) for ensuring sustained patrol in our neighborhoods, the Department of Streets and Sanitation for executing fast clean-up, and many business leaders, civic leaders and volunteers for their investment. Throughout the Summer, we have updated neighbors on the CPD & City Council DNC Safety Plan through this newsletter and in-person safety walks. Now, we can look at what pieces of this strategy were a success, and advocate for them to be implemented on an ongoing basis in our neighborhoods.
As reported by the media, “Tourism officials couldn’t have drawn up a better four-day ad for Chicago,” and it is important that we continue this momentum towards municipal growth (tourism, tax revenue, jobs, population and more) aggressively in the post-pandemic landscape.
This Monday, Chicago Public Schools welcomed students back into the classroom. Here in the 43rd Ward we have a rich educational system, including 16 public and private schools (between Pre-K to College) that have students from every single ward in the city. This strong school community is maintained through committed students, involved parents, dedicated educators, and supportive neighbors. Whether you have lived in the 43rd Ward for years, or are new to our community based on a child beginning at one of our schools, my office and the neighborhood are here to support you!
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Also, on behalf of the 43rd Ward Office (an office chock-full of alumni), welcome to all students beginning at DePaul University. Whether you’re a life-long Chicagoan or moving to the City for the first time, we welcome you to our community with open arms. Our office is here to answer any questions you may have ranging from public safety awareness to where to find the best afternoon coffee.
After a summer of construction, we are pleased to announce that this week the Armitage Resurfacing Project is in its final stage of pavement markings. Take a walk this weekend and check-out the new streetscape along Armitage Ave from Clark Street to Racine Ave. In addition to the street repaving, the Project included ADA sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removal and replacement, milling and paving the existing asphalt pavement, and striping.
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On Monday, Chicago will celebrate Labor Day; accordingly, there will be no regular Saturday hours in the 43rd Ward office this weekend. However, please come visit us at the Lincoln Park Farmers Market between 10:30am - 12:30pm in the Lincoln Park High School parking lot. Between shopping, I will have a booth setup to say hello to neighbors and hand out resources such as our essential ‘please clean-up after your pet’ yard signs!
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We hope to see many neighbors on Sunday for the annual ‘Bike the Drive’ in support of the Active Transportation Alliance, a non-profit organization working to improve conditions for walking, biking, and public transit throughout Chicago. Come say ‘hi’, I will be the guy sweating through a ‘43’ t-shirt.
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In observance of Labor Day, the 43rd Ward office will be closing at 2pm today, August 30th and reopen on Tuesday, September 3rd at 9am. We will not host Saturday Office Hours on August 31st.
Please note these important changes to the refuse and recycling schedule this Labor Day. There will be no refuse collection on Monday September 2nd, 2024. All city- collected refuse will be serviced Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Residents should ensure all black refuse carts are accessible throughout the week of collection, not solely on their regular day of collection. Similarly, residents should ensure all Blue Recycling Carts are accessible throughout the week of collection.
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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
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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): October 16, December 18.
Beat 1935 is hosted at Chabad East Lakeview located at 615 W Wellington Ave.
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Below is a list of Mental Health resources that are available locally here in the City of Chicago.
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The Chicago Department of Transportation has released pamphlets featuring a comprehensive map of bike infrastructure throughout the city, detailing locations of protected bike lanes, neighborhood greenways, off-street trails, bike shops, Divvy stations, and more. You can pick up a pamphlet from our office or view the full digital map here.
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Fifth Star Band at Ella Jenkins Park
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Join the Lincoln Central Association and the Old Town Triangle Association as we welcome the Fifth Star Band to Ella Jenkins Park on Sunday, September 8th. The Band will perform from 3:30 to 5:00. A local favorite that recently highlighted the Old Town Art Fair music program, The Fifth Star Band is a modern take on American traditional rock, grooving to a funky, old-school beat that’s guaranteed to get the whole family dancing. Several band members grew up in the neighborhood and return to give back to our community in their own special way. Rock out to the band’s great sound and end your weekend on a “high note”!
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DuSable Park Community Meeting
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The Chicago Park District is hosting a virtual community meeting to present the status of the DuSable Park design on Wednesday, September 4 from 6-8pm. Please see the attached notice for more information and register here.
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IDHS-Serve Illinois invites you to do a good deed at the annual 9/11 Meal Packing event at Union Station. In Chicago, 1,500 volunteers will come together at the Great Hall in Union Station to pack 500,000 meals for people experiencing food insecurity in the local community. Sign up here.
They are actively recruiting volunteers as support staff to fill the third shift 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Volunteers must be 18 and over and community service hours are available.
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Fire Safety Trainings & Fire Risk Assessments
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The Chicago Fire Department is offering free fire safety trainings for children at their public education center at 1010 S Clinton Ave. They are able to reimburse school transportation costs up to $250, and host sessions of up to 50 students. In these sessions, they simulate fire conditions in a model home and teach effective response techniques. See more details here.
CFD is also providing free fire risk assessments for seniors living in single-family homes. To request a senior fire safety assessment or for more information on either of these programs, please call CFD's public education department at (312) 747-6691.
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Green City Market's Chef BBQ on September 5
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Chicago’s premier local food festival, is back on Thursday, September 5 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. CT. In a food festival unlike any other, 100+ of Chicago’s top restaurateurs, chefs, brewers, winemakers, and mixologists will provide tasting portions of seasonal dishes and craft beverages highlighting sustainably-grown ingredients from Green City Market’s local farmers.
Learn more and purchase tickets at https://www.greencitymarket.org/.
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It's time to PAWty on the plaza!
Dog Days of Summer!
Thursday, September 5th
5:30-7:30pm
Lincoln Common Plaza
Summer isn't over yet, beat the heat at Dog Days of Summer on Thursday, September 5th.
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Greater West Town Project (GWTP) Vocational Skills Training
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Greater West Town Project (GWTP) are recruiting folks for our Vocational Skills Training in woodworking and shipping & receiving. We are especially working to get folks who are unemployed into our programs so we can get folks trained and back to work.
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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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Parking Enforcement via 311
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The Department of Finance (DOF) announced that City residents now have the option of reporting the following parking enforcement violations on the 311 app or online:
- Bus Lane Parking
- Commercial Loading Zone
- Commercial Vehicle Parked on a Residential Street
- Disabled Parking
- Fire Hydrant Parking
- Residential Parking
- Rush Hour Zones
- School Safety Zones
- Vehicle Parked in Bike Lane
- Other (Semi-trucks parked on streets, etc.)
Where previously only bike lane violations could be reported on 311, the DOF has now expanded the ability to report parking violations, to drive more community-based enforcement.
Neighbors can report parking violations by calling 311, using the CHI311 app, or through the 311 website. The request type is “Finance Parking Code Enforcement Review.”
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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.
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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.
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