Airbnb Regulation Update
Community Meeting Tonight
Chicago Air & Water Show
Dear Neighbor,

Despite an effective date of  January 1, 2017, the city has just  last week ann ounced the first exchange of data with Airbnb in compliance with
comprehensive regulation  of short-term rentals passed over one year ago.  

Our Ward was very active in the legislative process and helped secure new protections. Though weaker than we desired, the law sets limits on the number of units that can be listed as short term rentals in high rises and all multi-unit buildings, and allows short term rentals in only owner occupied single family homes and low rise buildings.
 
Units listed with VRBO and other vacation rental sites have yet to comply with registration process.  The City blames these delays on two lawsuits, technical delays, and data difficulties with Airbnb, according to Crain's.
 
Thousands of homeowners in condo and rental complexes have banned short term rentals by adding them to the " prohibited building list,"  which now numbers over 1500 buildings and associations  and includes 170,000 units.  Over 10,000 units on the prohibited buildings list are in the 43rd Ward -  the second highest in the city.
 
Only a single family home that is used as a primary residence can be registered as a short term rental. In  2-4 unit buildings, only one unit per building can be registered and it must be a primary residence.
 
What Happens Next
 
Now that listings from Airbnb are finally being submitted, the City will notify Airbnb which of those listings are not legal.  After notice, the unit owner has ten (10) days to file an appeal.  If no appeal is filed, the city notifies Airbnb, and Airbnb has seven days to remove the listing. 
 
An appeal triggers a lengthy process until a final determination is made. During this time, the unit can be listed on the site as "registration pending." The City is supposed to complete its review and appeal process within 90 days.  If Airbnb does not update the listing with the registration number, the unit will be ineligible to be listed. 
 
Initial Problems

Airbnb has already failed to submit to the city and each alderman a report every two months containing the total number of short term rentals per ward, total number of nights rented, total rents and tax collected, cumulative totals, and the identity of ineligible units. As a result of this noncompliance, I have asked the City to enforce the ordinance and will keep you posted on the status.
 
What You Can Do
 
Check the prohibited building list and see if your building is included.  If not, c heck with your landlord or homeowner's association to determine how to get your building on the list.   If you have a short term rental complaint, file this   form .  

Reminder
Community Meeting Re: New Liquor Store

Our office and the  Sheffield Neighborhood Association   will be hosting a community meeting to discuss a Special Use application for 2154 North Halsted Street

Join us at DePaul University's College of Education, located at 2247 North Halsted Avenue , TONIGHT  Wednes day, August 16, 2017 at 6:00 PM  to discuss the proposal to change a retail store to a high-end liquor store.

Click  here  for more information.

59th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show


The Chicago Air and Water Show, the largest free show of its kind in the country,  returns to the Lakefront this weekend! Shows will run on Saturday, August 19, 2017 and Sunday, August 20, 2017 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, weather conditions permitting.

Please note the following street closures for August 19 - 20:
  • Per traffic conditions, ramps on Lake Shore Drive at North Avenue and Fullerton will be closed during the show.
  • North Avenue will be closed from Clark to Inner Lake Shore Drive toward the end of the show.
  • LaSalle Extension at Clark and Stockton to east to Lake Shore will be closed toward the end of the show. 
  • Fullerton Avenue will be closed from Clark to Lake Shore Drive toward the end of the show. 
  • Inner Lake Shore Drive will be closed both days during the entire show for shuttle bus service only, from Burton to the LaSalle Extension.
Full street closures will begin at approximately 2:45 PM on August 19 and August 20

Click here  to plan your route to and from the show. The City may also enact "rolling closures" on additional streets as needed.

Upcoming Movies in the Park

We've got great movies in the neighborhood this month! 

On Sunday, August 20, "Moana" will be shown at Jonquil Park at 8:00 PM.

On Tuesday, August 22 catch "City Slickers" on the plaza of the  Chicago History Museum  at 8:00 PM.

Enjoy the screening of "WALL-E" at Jonquil Park on Friday, August 25 at 8:00 PM, thanks to the Wrightwood Neighbors Association.  

And get ready for "The Wizard of Oz" at Oz Park on Saturday,  August 26 at 8:00 PM courtesy of the Oz Park Advisory Council.

No glass containers or alcoholic beverages, please.

Park Push Continues

If you agree that parkland is vital to our community, join the coalition of park advocates working to secure contiguous park space in the North Branch Industrial Corridor. Sign  the online petition here


A Total Eclipse of the Sun . . .

is coming to Chicago on Monday, August 21, 2017.  T he eclipse starts at 11:53 AM and ends at 2:43 PM. When maximum coverage occurs here at 1:19 PM almost 90 percent of the sun will be blocked by the moon.

Viewing parties will be held all over town, including at the Adler Planetarium. But wherever you watch the eclipse, don't look directly at the sun.  Follow simple precautions for projecting the eclipse or wearing proper filters. 


Serene Nature Exhibit at the Old Town Art Center 

The Leslie Wolfe Gallery  presents the Serene Nature exhibit by artist Dorothy Mason. The exhibit will run from August 5, 2017 - August 31, 2017.

Click here for more information. 


Paid Sick Time  is Now Law in Chicago and Cook County 

If you work in the City of Chicago or the suburbs of Cook County*, you are now guaranteed the right  to earn paid sick time. As of July 1, 2017 , you can earn up to 40 hours or 5 days of paid sick time annually.

To learn more about the new Paid Sick Time laws, who they cover, and how they can be used, visit www.SickTime.org .  

* Some Cook County suburbs have voted to opt-out of Paid Sick Time laws.

 
Free Museum Admission for CPS Students 
Last Week of Summer


Museums in the Park (MIP) offers free admission to all MIP institutions to Chicago Public School students for one week, beginning Sunday, August 27, 2017

Please click  here to see dates and the full list of museums that will be open to CPS students free of charge. 
 

See you in the neighborhood,

Michele Signature




Michele Smith
Alderman, 43rd Ward 


43rd Ward Office Hours: M 9 AM - 7 PM, T-F 9 AM - 6 PM 
 2523 N Halsted | 773-348-9500| yourvoice@ward43.org| www.ward43.org
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