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This has been a very scary time for many Americans. As we enter Black History Month, we need to remember the struggles and victories of the past and how that can shape our future.
During the Civil Rights Movement poignant protests and civil action won the day, granting equal rights for all, regardless of race, gender or religion. And through the years, additional protections for minority groups have been implemented, furthering our country's commitment to freedom and equality. While we admittedly still have a long way to go, I am proud of our country and how far we have come.
Just this past month, we have seen those old fights reignite. I was proud to speak at the Women's March on Chicago and I'm committed to upholding the rights of ALL of Chicago's citizens. I support continuing the proud tradition of welcoming people from all over the globe to our great city, as well as protecting the freedoms of minorities, women and other targeted groups who are under attack.
We are not alone in this effort. Wonderful and experienced organizations like the ACLU, NAACP, Southern Poverty Law Center, Urban League, Natural Resources Defense Council, Equality Illinois and many many more are working to uphold dignity and equality here in Chicago and across the nation. Please, if you can, support the organizations you believe in. Now is when we need to step up for the things we believe in.
With your help, and continued action, I know we can make a difference. We won this fight before. Together we can do it again.
Sincerely,
Pat Dowell
Alderman, 3rd Ward
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Third Ward Update
Alderman Dowell Hosts 2 Town Hall Meetings in February
Join Alderman Dowell on Thursday, February 9th at 6:00 pm at 2nd Presbyterian Church (1936 S. Michigan Ave.) and on Thursday, February 16th at the KLEO Center (119 E. Garfield Blvd.) for her upcoming Town Hall meetings. Topics will include: public safety, education, COPA and the use of force, and more. Hope to see you there!
Alderman Dowell Participates in Chicago Women's March
Alderman Pat Dowell was proud to stand with the tens of thousands of courageous women and men at the Women's March on Chicago. This was truly an uplifting event. Thank you to everyone who organized the historic protest, as well as the countless people who took their time to stand up and have their voices heard. As one of the speakers at the rally, Alderman Dowell echoed the sentiments of the crowd, calling on residents, community leaders and other elected officials to come together to protect the rights of all people and fight against unjust policies and practices that endanger at-risk communities.
Wells Receives IB Certification
Ida B. Wells Preparatory Academy (249 e. 37th St.) has been authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for a three-year Middle Years Programme! This is a wonderful accomplishment for the students, parents, teachers and faculty of Wells Prep, and an excellent school option for the Bronzeville Community. Congratulations! Thank you especially to Principal Jeffery White for his leadership through the accreditation process.
IB schools are known for their distinct and rigorous educational methods, focusing on the development of internationally minded people who recognize their common humanity and shared guardianship of the plant, to help create a better and more peaceful world. This is done through a principled, open-minded curriculum that includes a second language.
Alderman Dowell Breaks Ground on Hilton Hotel McCormick Place
On January 27th, Alderman Dowell joined First Hospitality Group Chairman Stephen Schwartz, MPEA CEO Lori Healey, Patti McHugh and Michael Meagher of McHugh Construction, and others for the groundbreaking of Hilton's first triple-branded hotel at 123 E. Cermak Road. The hotel will hold 466 guest rooms over 23 floors and feature a skybridge to the convention center. It will operate under three Hilton brands, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton. The project is being constructed by a joint venture of McHugh Construction and Ujamma Construction Incorporated.
The property will contain a variety of dining options for travelers and neighborhood residents including a Starbucks and two street level restaurants accessible off Cermak Road as well as a 22nd floor restaurant.
The hotel is slated to open in late 2018.
Alderman Dowell Wins Award from the Dearborn Realtist Board
On January 26th, Alderman Dowell won the Vernon Jarrett Legislative Award from presented by the Dearborn Realtist Board at their 75th Anniversary Gala. This award is given to an individual in recognition of their work promoting the principals of "Democracy in Housing" though government and action and community organization. Alderman Dowell would like to thank the Dearborn Realtist Board for this honor and their commitment to equity in housing.
3rd Ward Police Districts Receives Additional Police Officers
Because of the advocacy of Alderman Dowell, the 1st, 2nd, 7th, and 9th Police Districts - all of the districts that cover the 3rd Ward - received additional police manpower. This increase in staffing is a positive step towards helping to protect the safety of the public. Even with this increase, Alderman Dowell will continue to advocate for an additional allocation of police officers for the districts within the 3rd Ward.
Mayor Emanuel Names Outreach Agencies for Police Community Oversight Board
As part of the police reform process, Mayor Emanuel and the Chicago City Council authorized the creation of a Community Oversight Board to help ensure accountability for the Chicago Police Department and increase police transparency.
In order to create the Community Oversight Board, 11 outreach organizations were selected to solicit community input. Organizations tasked with engaging residents in and around the 3rd Ward include: Action Now (820 W. Jackson Blvd.), Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation (6400 S. Kimbark Ave.), Target Area Development (1542 W. 79th St.), and Workers Center for Racial Justice (500 E. 61st St.). If you would like to participate in the community engagement process, please reach out or visit the outreach organizations listed above.
Dowell Report Airing February 3rd and 15th at 8:00 pm
The next episode of Alderman Dowell's television show "The
Dowell
Report" will air on CAN TV21 on Friday, February 3rd at 8:00 pm and Wednesday, February 15th at 8:00 pm. This two-part show will feature guests from the Chicago Police Department to discuss their new hiring initiative and small business owners from across the 3rd Ward to talk about their experiences owning and operating a business in the City of Chicago.
"The Dowell Report" airs periodically throughout the year on Can TV21. For air times please check their website at www.cantv.org.
DOJ Issues Report on Chicago Policing
In late-January the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a report announcing the findings of an investigation into the Chicago Police Department (CPD). The report found a pattern of civil rights violations by the Chicago Police Department, predominately affecting the city's black and Latino residents.
Specifically, the DOJ stated that the CPD routinely violated the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution through the "unconstitutional use of force largely attributable to deficiencies in [CPD's] accountability systems and how it investigates uses of force, responds to allegations of misconduct, trains and supervises officers and collects and reports data on officers use of force." Additionally, the DOJ found CPD's community oriented policing strategy deficient and that the prevalence of "racially discriminatory conduct" both tolerated and caused by CPD's lack of accountability.
In response the City of Chicago has signed an "Agreement in Principle" to negotiate a consent decree with the DOJ to address these and broader issues with how the city polices its citizens. The results of the consent decree are still outstanding at this time. A copy of the report can be downloaded here.
December 2016 Top 10 Service Requests
| Request Type |
Number |
| Family and Support Services - Human Services |
127 |
| Department of Buildings - Vacant Buildings |
55 |
| CDOT - Electrical Operations |
54 |
| Animal Care and Control |
37 |
| Water Management - Water Issues |
33 |
| Streets and Sanitation - Sanitation Code Violations |
30 |
| CDOT - Public Way Management |
28 |
| Department of Buildings - Boiler Violation |
26 |
| Streets and Sanitation - Street Operations |
25 |
| Streets and Sanitation - Recycling |
20 |
December 2016 Streets and Sanitation Requests
Where to Find Free Reusable Bags
On February 1st, all disposable plastic and paper checkout bags will be subject to a 7-cent tax in the City of Chicago. This replaces the ban on plastic bags which went into effect in August 2015.
In response, many stores and the City of Chicago will be handing out free reusable bags on
Wednesday, February 1st. Alderman Dowell will be passing out free reusable bags at the
47th St. Green Line station. Other locations handing out free reusable bags include:
- Target (first 200 customers at each of its 16 Chicago locations)
- Whole Foods (first 1,000 customers at each of its 12 Chicago stores)
- City of Chicago CTA Stations (evening commute only)
- 95th St. Red Line
- Roosevelt Green/Orange/Red
- Belmont Red/Brown/Purple
- Logan Square Blue Line
- Ashland/63rd Green Line
- Kimball Brown Line
- Pulaski Orange Line
Certain bags given out by stores, like those provided for prescription drugs, bulk lose items, bags for wrapping prepared food, etc. will be exempt from the tax.
 Rehab Work Begins on Affordable Senior Living Project in Bronzeville
Rehabilitation work started in January on the Phase III Tower at Paul G. Stewart Apartments, a 20-story building that provides affordable homes to 180 seniors. Financed with TIF, tax credits and housing bonds, the $33.7 million project involves new mechanical and HVAC systems, windows, kitchen and bathroom upgrades, among other improvements. Originally constructed in 1976, the building at 401 E. Bowen Ave. is part of the 883-unit Stewart apartment complex built in five phases between 1975 and 1996.
Illinois Tech Main Building to be Redeveloped into Apartments
The historic 125-year-old landmark Main Building will be redeveloped into a 100-unit apartment complex by Armour Institute, LLC. Illinois Tech's Main Building is located at 3300 S. Federal St. and was declared a landmark in 2004.
The redeveloped property will house 102 micro- and one- bedroom apartments and feature a fitness center, community space, bike storage and a green rooftop deck.
Beethoven Elementary School Principal Resigns
Alderman Dowell regrets to announce that Ludwig Van Beethoven Elementary School Principal Dr. Marcus Alexander has resigned, effective February 2nd. Dr. Alexander has dutifully served CPS for the previous seven years, including his time as leading Beethoven. While we are sad to see him go, Alderman Dowell would like to wish Dr. Alexander all the best on his future career endeavors. Moving forward, the Beethoven LSC will be tasked with identifying and hiring a new principal for the school. For more information on the principal selection process, please visit the CPS website at
www.cps.edu.
State of the Arts in Chicago Public Schools
Ingenuity - Chicago's arts education nonprofit - is pleased to announce that in the 2016-17 school year, the Creative Schools Fund (CSF) is investing almost $2.5 million in CPS schools to support various arts-based programming including:
- $120,000 in professional development for arts teachers
- $851,000 to 581 schools for arts supplies and materials
- $1.5 million in grants to 141 schools to supports arts partnerships and capacity building.
CSF grants are designed to fill gaps in arts instruction during the school day, help build the capacity of teachers to teach multi-disciplinary arts subjects and to seed promising models that can be replicated across the district. Five 3rd Ward schools received funding through this program. They are: Daniel Hale Williams Prep School of Medicine, Edmond Burke Elementary School, Ida B. Wells Preparatory Elementary Academy, Ray Graham Training Center High School, and South Loop Elementary School.
Lincoln Park Zoo's Annual Student and Teacher Program Report
Lincoln Park Zoo - the only accredited, privately managed zoo in the U.S. that is free and open to all 365 days a
year - offers programming for thousands of students and teachers every year. During the 2014-15 school year, the zoo served 150,000 students as well as 35,000 teachers and class chaperones. The largest group of visiting students fell into the 6th to 8th grade range. The zoo provided over 10,000 copies of free curriculum materials through programs and information interactions with teachers and chaperones and lead a partnership with the Summer Learning
Challenge, a partnership between the Chicago Public Library which reached 71,000 students in the Chicagoland area.
The 3rd Ward was a beneficiary of these programs with 19 schools served, educating 2,835 students and 150 teachers/chaperones. Lincoln Park Zoo provides a number of additional educational programs for groups and visitors. For more information please visit
www.lpzoo.org.
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Events in and Around the Ward
Grow Your Own Food Workshops
Create your family garden for fresh organic produce by learning all about home farming! Topics include: what how and when to plant, how to grow in raised beds, how much and how often to add compost and water, how to manage pests, and how to save money! To register please call 773-624-8222.
Where: Eden Place Farms (4911 S. Shields)
When: Saturdays, February 4, 11, 18, 25 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Re
verse Mortgages and Predatory Lending: Part II
The Circuit Court of Cook County's Elder Justice Center, as part of their free senior enrichment seminar series, is presenting an event entitled "Reverse Mortgages and Predatory Lending: Part II." Topics at this event include: the mechanics of a reverse mortgage, program requirements of the federally-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage reverse mortgage loan, and the "pros" and "cons" of a reverse mortgage. To register please call 312-603-9233.
Where: Richard J. Daley Center (50 W. Washington St., room 2005)
When: Thursday, February 9th from noon to 1:30 pm
3rd Ward Town Hall Meeting
Join Alderman Dowell to hear about what is happening in your community! Topics will include: public safety, COPA and the use of force, education and development. For more information call 773-373-9273.
Where: 2nd Presbyterian Church (1936 S. State St.)
When: Thursday, February 9th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Chicago Symphony Orchestra College Night
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra hosts College Night featuring a FREE preconcert dinner and Q&A with CSO musicians with the purchase of your $15 student concert ticket. In order to reserve your space, purchase your concert ticket to Vivaldi, Corelli & Vivica Genaux on
cso.org/students and RSVP for the preconcert event
here.
Where: Chicago Symphony Orchestra (220 S. Michigan Ave.)
When: Saturday, February 11th at 6:30 pm
Pet Vaccine and Microchip Clinic
Chicago Animal Care and Control is hosting a pet vaccine and microchip clinic for Chicago residents. Participants must have valid Photo ID and be 18 years of age. Only 2 pets per household. All dogs must be leashed and all cats must be in a carrier. Credit, debit and personal check is preferred, cash will be taken but must have exact change. For more information call 311 or visit
www.adoptchicago.org.
Where: 2741 S. Western Ave.
When: Wednesday, February 15th, doors open at 9:00 am, numbers are distributed at 8:30 am
Alderman Dowell Hosts Town Hall Meeting
Alderman Dowell is hosting a Town Hall meeting on February 16th. The meeting will cover the following topics: public safety, 911/311 best practices, education, COPA and the use of force, and the Obama Library Initiative. For more information call 773-373-9273.
Where: KLEO Center (119 E. Garfield Blvd.)
When: Thursday, February 19th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Classic Movie Night at 2nd Presbyterian Church
Did you know that on June 1, 1842 Second Presbyterian Church was founded? This year marks the church's 175th Anniversary. To help celebrate, the church is hosting a series of programs and events/ One of these events is a free "Class Movie Night" featuring Chicago's own Etta Moten Barnett in
Flying Down to Rio. For more information please contact the church office at 312-225-4951 or email [email protected]/
Where: Second Presbyterian Church (1936 S. Michigan Ave.)
When: Friday, February 17th at 7:00 pm
A Senior's Guide to Property Tax Savings
The Circuit Court of Cook County's Elder Justice Center, as part of their free senior enrichment seminar series, is presenting an event entitled "A Senior's Guide to Property Tax Savings." Topics at this event include: eligibility for various property tax exemptions and assessment freezes, and the senior tax deferral program, certificates of error, tax sale procedures and more. To register please call 312-603-9233.
Where: Richard J. Daley Center (50 W. Washington St., room 2005)
When: Thursday, February 23rd from noon to 1:30 pm
Find Your Drive Workshop
Girls Driving for a Difference has designed the "Find your Drive" workshop, a design, thinking and leadership seminar geared towards empowering high school girls to become leaders of social change. To learn more about this program, please see the organization's website at
www.girlsdrivingforadifference.com.
Where: WSP-Parsons Brinckerhoff (30 N. LaSalle St. #4200)
When: Saturday, February 25th from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm
Chicago Volunteer Expo
There are so many ways to give back to your community in 2017. Find the one that's right for you! Meet 85+ nonprofits, sign up on the spot! For more info, visit
www.chicagovolunteerexpo.com.
Where: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N. Cannon Dr.)
When: Sunday, February 26th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
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Important Announcements
Soldier Field Events
Parking restrictions are in place for the South Loop during all Chicago Bears football games as well as other events hosted at Soldier Field. Vehicles parked in the South Loop without a valid Soldier Field Parking Pass or Soldier Field Guest Pass are subject to ticketing or towing.
For a complete list of Soldier Field events, please visit
www.SoldierField.net/events. The 3rd Ward is providing the list below as a courtesy to residents and visitors and does not assume liability for the accuracy of the monthly list of Soldier Field events. All Soldier Field events are subject to change, including cancellation or the scheduling of additional events. It is your responsibility to adhere to the parking restrictions in place.
No Soldier Field Events in February
Senior Sewer Rebate Information
Applications for the 2017 Senior Sewer Rebate program are mailed out the week of January 31st through February 3rd to citizens in the ward. If you have applied before, you must complete the application and return it to Alderman Dowell's office at 5046 S. State St. New applicants must complete the application and include the three pieces of documentation required before returning the packet to Alderman Dowell's office.
Only seniors who are 65 and older and reside in condos, townhouses, and co-ops are eligible for this program. Seniors who live in single family homes and two-flats are not eligible and should apply for the Senior Sewer Exemption.
Information on the Senior Sewer Exemption can be found
here
.
Do You Have an ITIN?
Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN) with the middle digits 78 or 79 (i.e. 9XX-78-XXXX) expired on January 1, 2017. ITINs that have not been used on a tax return in the last three years (2013, 2014, or 2015) expired on January 1, 2017.
If you or someone on your tax return has an expired ITIN, that ITIN should be renewed before you file your tax return. Free ITIN renewal services are available from the Center for Economic Progress (
www.economicprogress.org, 312-252-0280) or Ladder (
www.goladderup.org, 312-995-1140). Failure to renew your ITIN before filing your tax return could result in delayed refunds and the disallowance of federal tax credits, which may reduce your tax liability.
PlayStreets Request For Proposals
CDPH is releasing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for implementing PlayStreets Chicago. PlayStreets Chicago is a citywide initiative providing 150 pop-up play spaces for children and their families to come together, be safe and get active during the summer. These free events empower communities to come together, address barriers and provide children and adults with safe, supervised spaces to enjoy outdoor activities, such as sports, games, exercise and dancing on a consistent and regular basis.
A total of $245,000 is available for funding of PlayStreets in the City of Chicago. Two $122,500 awards are available to fund a minimum of one, but no more than two, Delegate Agencies to oversee and coordinate the implementation of PlayStreets during June 1, 2017 through October 31, 2017 for active, fun and healthy play for children, teens and families.
For the application go here:
Key Dates
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RFP Release Date
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January 26, 2017
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Pre-Submitted Conference
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February 2, 2017
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Proposal Due
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February 9, 2017
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Contract Start Date
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April 15, 2017
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John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Legal Support Center
The John Marshall Law School operates a Fair Housing Legal Clinic that can assist victims of housing discrimination at no cost. Representation includes advice, council and litigation in such areas as: general information on fair housing, source of income/Section 8 discrimination, senior housing, rights of people with criminal records, and employment opportunities. For more information please contact Amrita Narasimhan at 312-427-2737 x 845 or [email protected]. The John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Legal Clinic is located at 315 S. Plymouth Ct., Chicago, IL 60604.
Homeowners Edge Loan Plus (HELP) Program
With the HELP Program from Associated Bank, owning a home may be well within your reach. This program provides assistance grants that may be used for down payment assistance, closing cost assistance and rate assistance. Grants may be up to 5% of your loan amount (maximums apply). Grants are only available in certain areas for owner-occupied principal residences. No maximum income requirements! Additional qualifications may apply. For more information contact Gayle King at 312-401-7414 or at [email protected]. Apply online at associatedbank.com/gking.
2017
Constituent
Education
Resource
Card Now Available
The 2017
Constituent
Education
Resource
Card allows residents complementary access to Chicago's world-class museums, zoos and aquarium. The pass is available for residents on a first-come, first-serve basis
for groups of up to 4 people. The 3rd Ward Office can not guarantee availability of the 2017
Constituent
Education
Resource
Card for all groups. Please call ahead to check on availability and to schedule your museum visit. Museums must be notified by the 3rd Ward Office in advance of groups using the 2017
Constituent
Education
Resource
Card.
New Winter Senior Life Enrichment Gide Now Available
The new Winter 2017 Senior Life Enrichment Guide highlights programs and activities offered by the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services for Chicagoans ages "60 Years and Better" during the winter. Inside, seniors will find information about health and wellness, educational recreational and many other types of events, trips, classes and lectures, along with schedules and registration details. There is also a listing of how seniors can receive free tax help. The Senior Life Enrichment Guide is also available online at
www.cityofchicago.org/fss.
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Employment and Training
JNS Companies Truck Driver
Company drivers - home full weekends and sometimes during week. Up to $1,000 per week based on experience. Lease purchase and rental tractors available. To apply call Ken Jones at 815-483-4785. Office is located at 1256 W. Jefferson St., Ste. 204, Joliet, IL 60435.
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February CAPS
Attending and participating in the Chicago Police's Community Policing Program (CAPS) is one of the best ways to address crime and quality of life issues in your neighborhood. By attending CAPS meetings, you can share important information with the police that will assist them in making arrests and preventing crime as well as receive valuable information about resources that promote homeowner and community safety. Visit www.chicagopolice.org to find out what district you live in and click on each district title to learn more about what is happening in your neighborhood.
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1st District
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131/132
Tuesday, February 21st@ 6:300 pm
1st District Station
(1718 S. State)
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133
Wednesday, February 22nd at @ 6:30 pm
Trinity Episcopal
(125 E. 26th St.) |
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2nd District
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211
No Meeting (Lincoln's Birthday) |
212/214
Tuesday, February 7th @ 6:30 pm
Mandrake Park
(3858 S. Cottage Grove) |
213/215/224
Wednesday, February 8th @ 6:30 pm
St. Elizabeth's
(4058 S. Michigan) |
221/223
Tuesday, February 21st @ 6:30 pm
King Center
(4313 S. Cottage Grove) |
225/231
Thursday, February 9th @ 6:30 pm
Coppin AME Church
(5627 S. Michigan) |
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7th District
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9th District
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711/712
Thursday, February 23rd at 6:30 pm
Sherwood Park
(5701 S. Shields) |
915
Tuesday, February 14th @ 6:30 pm
9th District Station
(3120 S. Halsted) |
924/931/933
Tuesday, February 28st @ 6:00 pm
New City Living
(4707 S. Marshfield) |
925
Wednesday, February 15th @ 6:00 pm
St. Gabriel's Church
(4500 S. Wallace) |
934/935
Tuesday, February 21stth @ 6:00 pm
Westhaven Apts.
(850 W. Garfield) |
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