27th Ward Newsletter

'Together, we all can make a difference!'

Construction Begins on New Cook County Central Campus Health Center

President Toni Preckwinkle, Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr., and the Cook County Board of Commissioners broke ground on a new state-of-the art health center in Chicago.

"The Central Campus Health Center project is an exciting development opportunity for both the 27th Ward and all of Cook County; a welcomed addition to the Illinois Medical District and upgrade to the way specialized and ambulatory health care services are delivered to all its patients," said Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. (27th Ward).

1llume Ground Breaking Ceremony

111 S. Peoria

More details coming soon!

Large Lot Program

Through the Large Lot Program the City of Chicago intends to sell City-owned lots in various community areas to property owners, including nonprofits, who own property on the block for $1. Applicants are allowed to apply for up to two lots per property owned. The Large Lot Program allows local residents to have greater control over land in their neighborhood and provides opportunities to create wealth in the neighborhoods by allowing applicants to sell the property after owning and maintaining it for a five year period. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements listed below to be considered and certain restrictions may apply.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

 Applicant must own property on the same block as the lot they would like to purchase. Must provide a deed with application

 If applicant is a nonprofit organization, articles of incorporation and certificate of good standing from the State of Illinois must be provided upon request

 Applicant must be current on all property taxes and free of obligations to the City including water bills and parking tickets

 Lot must be City owned, vacant with no structures, and zoned residential

 The Applicant must be able to maintain the lot in accordance with all local building, housing, and zoning codes and ordinances

 Churches are not eligible to apply

HOW TO APPLY Announcements of selected neighborhoods and application period dates will be posted periodically on the Large Lot Program website www.largelots.org.

The application is electronic and available through the program website. Items you will need in order to apply:  Access to a Computer

 Electronic copy (jpeg or pdf) of the DEED to your property

CTA to Provide Extra Service to Upcoming Events

The Chicago Transit Authority will provide extra rail and bus service for customers attending upcoming events at the United Center and Soldier Field.

United Center events - through Friday, Dec. 9

The CTA will provide some additional transit service for upcoming events at the United Center:

Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. - Chicago Blackhawks vs. New Jersey Devils
Friday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. - Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. - Stevie Nicks concert
Sunday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. - Chicago Blackhawks vs. Winnipeg Jets
Monday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. - Chicago Bulls vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. - Chicago Blackhawks vs. Arizona Coyotes
Thursday, Dec. 8 at 8:30 p.m. - Chicago Bulls vs. San Antonio Spurs
Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. - Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Rangers

Rail : Pink/Green (Ashland/Lake), Blue Line (Illinois Medical District) stations closest to arena.
Customers exiting at the station can transfer to #9 Ashland buses or simply walk a few blocks to the stadium.

Bus :

#19 United Center Express: Service provided on #19 will begin approximately 1.5 hours before events until one hour after events end. Buses will await customers on the north side of the United Center eastbound on the Madison near Gate 3.
#50 Damen: #50 provides a good option for customers accessing the United Center from the north and south and provides connections with Orange, Pink, Blue and Brown lines. Northbound #50 buses will await customers on Damen at Madison after each event.

Bears Game at Soldier Field

The Chicago Bears will host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, December 4 at noon.

The CTA will operate the #128 Soldier Field Express between Union Station, Ogilvie and Soldier Field and will provide additional #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express service for customers heading to the game. Additional service will begin approximately two hours before the game begins and will continue until one hour after the game ends.

For more information on getting to Soldier Field on the CTA, please visit: http://www.transitchicago.com/riding_cta/popdest/sports.aspx .

PLAN AHEAD: PURCHASE FARES EARLY!

The CTA recommends that customers purchase fares in advance to decrease travel times and avoid long lines at rail station vending machines.

Customers can load ahead of time transit value or unlimited ride passes (1-day, 3-day, 7-day and 30-day) to their Ventra fare cards via the free Ventra app, at rail stations, online or at nearly 1,300 local retailers (for locations available or to download the app, visit: ventrachicago.com ). Other ways to pay fares include purchasing from CTA vending machines 1-day unlimited ride tickets ($10) or single-ride tickets ($3) that offer up to two transfers in two hours. Customers can also pay their fares with contact less bankcards and mobile wallets.

STAY IN THE LOOP ON CTA SERVICE

Plan your trip using the Google Transit Trip Planner . Be sure to also check out CTA on Facebook or Twitter ( @CTA) for system travel updates and alerts. For details about all CTA service, call 312-836-7000 or visit the CTA website at: www.transitchicago.com .

City of Chicago Department of Water Management

Sewer Main Replacement Project #7284

Dear Neighbor,

In early December, the Department of Water Management's private contractor will begin the work to install a new sewer pipes:

 Franklin Blvd. (North), from Homan to 220 feet east

 Franklin Blvd. (North). from 110 feet west of Kedzie to Whipple

 Franklin Blvd. (South), from Albany to Kedzie

The old sewer dates back to 1889 and needs to be replaced. During construction, traffic will be detoured in two stages:

Stage I detour: Northbound Kedzie will be detoured to westbound Lake Street to northbound Pulaski Road to eastbound Chicago Avenue; southbound detour will be reverse of northbound.

Stage II detour: Northbound Homan will be detoured to westbound Lake Street to northbound Hamlin Avenue to eastbound Chicago Avenue; southbound will reverse of northbound. During construction the contractor will maintain access to local traffic and emergency vehicles at all times. You will always be able to reach your home or business. We will post our work area for "No Parking" as needed during work hours (generally 7 am- 4 pm).

We are agreeable to parking outside of those hours, but cars will need to be moved by the start of the next workday. We will try to preserve as much parking as possible. We know that construction always involves inconveniences and noise. We will do everything possible to maintain your quality of life throughout these projects, and conducting ourselves as good and thoughtful neighbors in the course of our presence on your street.

Just in time for the holiday season! The City of Chicago is extending the deadline to apply for a Property Tax Rebate!

There is still time to apply for your property tax rebate from the City of Chicago. The City has extended the deadline to apply in person at any of the over 20 neighborhood locations to Friday, December 30, 2016.

The City of Chicago Property Tax Rebate Program provides working- and middle-class families and seniors some property tax relief through a City-funded rebate.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago City Council launched this rebate program to help offset the property tax increase needed to fund the pensions of Chicago's police officers and firefighters. The program is available to homeowners citywide, and it is easy to apply at any of the over 20 neighborhood locations.

The program includes a standard rebate for qualifying homeowners, a senior supplement for eligible senior homeowners, and an enhanced grant for homeowners experiencing significant hardship.

The most common rebate is the standard rebate which provides qualifying Chicago homeowners with a rebate between $25 and $200, based on the increase in the City's portion of their most recent property tax bill and their household income. Eligibility requirements, include:

· Own your home;

· Household adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less;

· City portion of property tax bill increased on the most recent bill over the previous year's bill;

· All Chicago property tax bills paid; and

· Do not have City debt (i.e. parking tickets). In cases where City debt is owed, rebate can be applied to the debt.

Along with the standard rebate, a senior supplement of $150 is available to qualifying long-time senior homeowners. Additionally, eligible homeowners - including non-seniors-with significant hardship can apply for additional property tax relief through the enhanced grant.

In order to apply, homeowners must complete an application in person at any of the neighborhood locations. When applying, homeowners must bring:

· A current photo ID (Driver's License, State ID, or Passport),

· 2015 Income Tax Returns or Social Security Award Letter, and

· 2nd Installment of most recent property tax bill.

Please note that additional documentation is required for the senior supplement and enhanced grant.

Information on the senior supplement and enhanced grant is available online at: www.cityofchicago.org/chicagopropertytaxrebate.