Dear Neighbors,

Infrastructure is key to constituent safety and keeping communities desirable and livable. Your Aldermanic "menu" dollars are being used to fund vital pedestrian safety and infrastructure improvements in our neighborhood.

Maud Sewer Restoration

In response to repeated sewer issues over the past 3 years, the entire sewer of Maud from Racine to Kenmore has been replaced. As the sewer ran under the pedestrian island, it was rebuilt as part of this project and landscape restoration is in process.

Safety Bollards on Lake Shore Drive

A pullout just past the North Avenue southbound entrance to Lake Shore Drive has been the subject of several accidents because drivers mistake it for an exit. At our request, CDOT has instituted new safety measures, including large lane-reduction transition arrows on the pavement, a "Lane Ends" sign, and white retro-reflective flexible bollards along the curbing to alert drivers.

Picnic Tables at Bauler Park

The Lincoln Central Association , 43rd Ward, and the Chicago Park District joined forces to bring new picnic tables to Bauler Park.

Clark Street Construction Update

Utility work, including extensive replacement of 100 year old water main, is coming to a close and will be 90% finished by this Friday. Pedestrian safety and resurfacing work has begun at Diversey and will continue south to Dickens. Thank you for your patience as these final elements are completed by the end of September.

Fullerton Avenue Closed between Burling and Orchard Streets

Tuesday, September 4th - Friday, September 7th

Removal and dismantling of the Belmont Village Lincoln Park construction tower crane will begins Tuesday, September 4th through Friday, September 7th.

Fullerton Avenue between Burling and Orchard Streets will close. Weather delays may alter the construction schedule. During this time, Chicago Department of Transporation (CDOT) recommends to take alternate routes. Arrangements with Lincoln Elementary, St. Clement School and Alcott School have been made to ensure Orchard Street remains open.

Lake Shore Drive Repaving and LaSalle Bridge Repair

Please Take Alternate Routes

August 21 - October 6

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has restricted LaSalle Drive to one lane traveling in each direction at North Avenue east to Lake Shore Drive for work on the LaSalle Bridge (the bridge that carries Lake Shore Drive over LaSalle Drive). Starting on Monday, August 27, work will be expanded to to repave Lake Shore Drive between Monroe and Grand. This will require reducing Lake Shore Drive to two lanes in each direction from LaSalle to Monroe for the duration of the project.

In an effort to complete work before the annual Chicago Marathon, the Chicago Department of Transportation has instituted round-the-clock lane closures and crews working double shifts.

Please take alternate routes. For updates, follow The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) on social media:

Twitter: @ChicagoDOT

Facebook: CDOTNews

Sheffield Neighbors Association Lincoln Yards Survey

The board of the Sheffield Neighborhood Association has created a thoughtful survey to gather more community insight about the proposed Lincoln Yards development in the North Branch Corridor.

Your voice is being sought. Take the survey here . Deadline to respond is Tuesday, September 4th. This is a highly commendable effort to engage neighbors on a once-in-a-generation development on our doorstep.

See the recent Patch article here.

If you live in the Sheffield neighborhood, please consider joining the Sheffield Neighbors Association. Visit www.sheffieldneighborhood.org/join to learn more.

Siren Noise Limitation Bill Passes Illinois State Law

HB-5632, a bill to reduce the use of loud sirens on ambulance and rescue vehicles, has now passed as law. 

 

Chicago’s emergency vehicles are the loudest in the United States. According to the State of Illinois Vehicle Code amendment (HB-5632), the municipal emergency vehicles shall operate a siren only when it is necessary to warn drivers and pedestrians of their approach, while responding to an emergency call or transporting a patient with a need for immediate medical intervention that is beyond the capabilities of the emergency responders using the available supplies and equipment.

More Police Officers Added

I joined Mayor Emanuel and Chicago Police Chief of Patrol Waller in welcoming nine new officers to the 19th District as part of the latest deployment of Chicago Police Academy graduates. This brings us to a total of 101 new officers in the 18th and 19th Districts, which service the 43rd Ward. I want to thank the Chicago Police Department to their commitment and service to our community.

Keepin' It Real Burglary Workshop

Hosted by the 18th District Chicago Police

and 43rd Ward Alderman Michele Smith

Thursday, September 13th

St. James Lutheran Church, 2101 N. Fremont Street

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

As part of our efforts to inform you of the best ways to keep safe, you are invited to the "Keepin' It Real" Burglary Workshop by the 18th Police District Community Policing Office. At this workshop, you will hear an in-depth discussion on burglary awareness and prevention from a panel of convicted burglars on parole. Past attendees have said that this is a highly informative evening, and I hope you will consider attending.

For more information, please contact the 18th District Community Policing Office at 312-744-0064 or [email protected].

We are proud to announce that A Red Orchid Theatre and Steppenwolf Theatre Company were selected from the CityArts Program to be honored by the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

This program provides general operating and project support to Chicago based, non-profit organizations that are solely arts and culture-focused.

DePaul University's Neighborhood Parking Program

DePaul University is offering free parking permits to campus neighbors living in the area bounded by Altgeld, Armitage, Halsted and Wayne Streets. These parking permits start September 1st, 2018 to August 31st, 2019. The permits allow parking between 4 PM and 8 AM weekdays and all day on weekends in the Clifton Garage and in Student Campus Surface lots.

To apply, complete the 2018-2019 Area Resident Parking Permit Application form. You must present two forms of identification with your current address (driver's license, state of Illinois ID, City Key) and another proof of residence such as a utility bill with your name and current address.

Bring or mail the Application and proof of residency to the DePaul University Parking Services Office located at 2320 N. Kenmore, Room 177, Chicago, IL. 60614. Office hours are Monday to Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, with extended hours of 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM on Monday, August 27th to Friday, August 31st.

You will receive a "Area Resident" hang tag, which must be displayed when parking at DePaul. For more details. please call 773-325-7275 or this website.

In addition to the FREE program, area residents within the same boundaries may purchase a 24 hour pass to park in the Clifton Garage for $370/year. More details here.

Concert in Trebes Park

Sponsored by Sheffield Neighborhood Association

Friday, September 7th

7:00 PM

Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy music under the stars by special musical guest, The Smoking Fish.

Sheffield Neighbors Association is committed to enhancing Trebes Park and the entire Sheffield community. If you would like to know more about the Sheffield Neighbors Association, please visit their website here.

Upcoming Holiday

Office Closure

In observation of the upcoming Labor Day Holiday. Our office will be closing at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 31st. We will return to our desks on Tuesday, September 4th at 9:00 AM.

Please feel free to reach out to our email: [email protected]. If you are calling about a non-emergency please contact 3-1-1.

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend,

Michele Smith

43rd Ward Alderman