Annual Ward City Sticker Sale
Old Town Art Fair this Weekend
 Crime Watch
Dear Neighbor,

Our annual   City Sticker Sale is  Friday, June 9th from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the DePaul University Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave in Room 324. Purchase Vehicle stickers, senior stickers, residential zone stickers, transfers, residential daily permits and motorcycle and antique vehicle tags at this City Clerk's Office event. New residents need proof of residency (a lease, mortgage statement or utility bill) and their vehicle registration. Cash payments will not be accepted.  Please bring a debit or credit card, or personal check.


Old Town Art Fair Going Strong!

It's the 69th summer for the   Old Town Art Fair. This  Saturday,  June 10th and Sunday, June 11th from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM enjoy  more than 250 nationally acclaimed artists, music, a food court, children's craft area and a garden walk.    

Thanks to hundreds of volunteers who make this  the #1 Art Fair in the country . Your suggested $10 donation supports the Old Town Art Center, the Menonomee Boys and Girls Club, beautification of Old Town and grants to local schools and charities.  See you there!

Crime Watch

I want to give you a brief update on fighting crime in our Ward. 

As we discussed at the Spring  Community Safety Meetings, working with the police and resident awareness are key to neighborhood safety.  Last week confirmed the success of that approach  when the Chicago Police made over 50 arrests in the area just south of our Ward, and in early May when police on routine patrol caught an offender moments after a robbery .

Also last week, the court handed down a two year sentence to an offender who fired a gun in Fall 2015 on Halsted Street near Wrightwood.  We succeeded in getting  the original misdemeanor charge upgraded to a felony, as the crime deserved.  Thanks to citizens who filmed the incident. Their actions and our insistence on stronger charges meant the case was successfully prosecuted.

As a consequence of a shooting that occurred at a parking garage in the Gold Coast earlier this year, I successfully urged the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection to require the garage operator to close earlier. On Division Street, Invoking the public nuisance laws, we are disciplining a late night tavern on Division Street (called Room 7) to alter its operations and more closely monitor patrons to eliminate fights and bar guns from the premises.  Thanks to all of you for great community support.  We continue to follow the shooting case through our court advocacy program.

Though violent crimes are rare in our community, when they occur, we must vigorously pursue them.  Our Court Advocates appear in court for these cases to support the prosecution and to send the clear message that crime is not tolerated in our community. 

C ases are currently being watched include:

Willie Doles, in custody charged with 7 counts of Armed Robbery with a knife after robbing several businesses on Halsted Street  and other areas of the city  in May - June 2015.    The next court date is Wednesday, June 21. 

Isidro Valverde, arrested in August 2015 for  several criminal sexual assaults, remains in custody.  The next court date is July 10.

Clifton Banks remains in custody after being arrested Jan. 30 and being charged with attempted murder for the shooting in the Gold Coast described above. The next court date is June 12.

If you are available during the day and wish to participate as a Court Advocate, please contact Alyssa at my office at 773-348-9500 or alyssa@ward43.org. And if you see anything suspicious, call 911 immediately and tell the operator if you have pictures.

The passage in Springfield of SB1722 was a victory for community safety and raised the recommended sentence for repeat gun offenses from seven to 14 years.  The bill awaits Governor Raunter's signature.  You can voice your support here.

Wintrust Condominium Association Seminar 

Join Wintrust Bank - Old Town and Community Advantage on  Tuesday, June 13th at 6:00 PM at the Wintrust Bank, 100 W North Avenue for a condominium association seminar geared toward condo owners, board members and property managers.  Learn more about the event  here.


Cravings on Clark 2017 

Get your forks, knives, and spoons ready for savory and sweet dishes at the fourth annual Cravings on Clark restaurant crawl on  Wednesday, June 14th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Join the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce for great restaurants, eateries, and shops on Clark Street in Lincoln Park. Guest check-in is located at HopCat Chicago, 2577 N Clark Street. For more information and to get tickets click  here.

Operation Help A Hero

The 43rd Ward and Operation  Help-A-Hero are collecting basic household items and toiletries  through July 4th to help homeless Chicagoland veterans. Only new, store bought items will be accepted. Click  here to view needed donations. Please drop off donations at the Ward office, 2523 N. Halsted Street.

Enjoy the weekend and 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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