3659 S. Halsted | Chicago, IL 60609 | 773.254.6677

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March 31, 2024

Hi Neighbors, 

Hope you are having a good Easter weekend. 

Spring is in the air and that means—the beginning of street sweeping season! (And other more fun things—like last week’s Sox opener!)  

Beginning Monday, April 1st, be sure to look out for parking restrictions so our sweepers can remove debris and litter from the street. You can find the street sweeping map and schedule here: https://www.chicago.gov/.../svcs/street_sweeping2024.html. You can also subscribe to receive notifications of street sweeping in your area here: https://www.wethesweeple.com/ 

I hope all students and teachers on Spring Break last week had wonderful weeks and that the students and families starting their breaks enjoy the time together!

Public Safety

My office was in attendance at the Beat 915 CAPS meeting held in Chinatown Town library last Wednesday. We learnt that there has been an approximately 40% reduction in crimes on the beat this year as compared to this time last year. CPD will also be holding two Vehicle Safety Events in partnership with the Cook County’s Sheriff Office on April 6 where automotive professionals will paint and etch catalytic converters to deter theft, as well as offer free steering wheel locks on a first-come first-served basis. All interested in attending are register your interest here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqxkwYIT_Wee-K9I6ZM2fUCLjyZZ2gMLmTyPv_0_75AVDNjw/viewform

City Council

Committee on Immigration and Refugee Rights 

Last week, the Committee on Immigrants and Refugee Rights advanced an ordinance calling for more reporting transparency regarding the 60-day eviction policy that has begun going into effect for some of those staying at shelters. I am in support of improving efforts to track and improve communication in the City’s handling of the migrant crisis, not only for public safety and the protection of human life, but to make sure our city dollars are being used appropriately on these projects. 

Events

I sadly had wasn’t able to attend a few key events in the ward this week as two people in my household tested positive for COVID. It’s a good reminder to exercise caution as we gather to celebrate the Easter holiday.  

Firstly, I missed our season opener and had to miss the Sox Machine podcast live recording at the Ramova:-(  The first day of Sox season is always special in our neighborhood–marking the beginning of Spring for many of us–and I hope all who were able to attend enjoyed their days and the return of the baseball season. 

I also unfortunately was unable to greet acting U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Adrianne Todman during her visit to the ward on Friday, which happened also to be her public appearance as well as her first visit to Chicago in her current role. During this visit, acting HUD Secretary Todman announced that Archer Courts would gain $11 million in federal funding for key renovations to make apartments healthier and more energy efficient.

Housekeeping 

Participatory Budgeting Group

We are still looking to add members to our participatory budgeting group, especially from regions of the ward other than Bridgeport, which is the most represented in the makeup of our current group. If you’d like to put your voice into action in helping decide the distribution of our annual ward menu items, please sign up by emailing us here.

Sox Parking 

To accommodate for any USPS delays, the Department of Finance has approved our request to allow the 2023 Sox stickers to remain valid until April 5th. Anyone who did not receive stickers in the mail or require courtesy stickers are welcome to drop by the office. 

If you are dropping by our office for parking passes or decals, please don’t forget to bring a photo ID with your address on it. If you’re new to the neighborhood and you haven’t updated your ID, please bring a copy of your lease or a utility bill to verify your address. Only vehicles registered with the City of Chicago may receive a Sox parking decal.  

We want to again thank all the volunteers who helped ensure that Sox parking pass and sticker distribution last week went as smoothly as possible. 

Spring Park District Registration

Online registration for Spring Chicago Park District programs has already begun, and in-person registration is ongoing. Registration information is available here.

For your calendars

April 4 - Public Meeting on 18th Street Bridge Constructions 

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will be holding a public meeting  regarding proposed improvements to the 18th Street Bridge over the railroad tracks east of the Chicago River. During the meeting, CDOT will share information about how their plans to improve the structural condition of the bridge while ensuring that any community concerns are addressed before the beginning of renovations which is projected to take 2 years to complete. All interested in attending are encouraged to find details about the meeting below:

Time: 4pm-6pm on April 4

Location: Tom (Ping) Memorial Park Field house, Community Room

Have a great week ahead,

Nicole

Congratulations to the McGuane Park Special Recreation participants on their performance of "The Greatest Showman"! I wasn't able to make it but by all accounts, it was a roaring success! Great job by all of the performers and the production team.

The 11th Ward office is happy to announce has a free ‘Constituent Education Resource Card’ available to residents wishing to visit select museums and zoos in the Chicagoland area. Constituents can reserve our Constituent Education Resource Card on a first come first serve basis (more instructions below), to visit any of the following museums in 2023:

• Adler Planetarium
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• Brookfield Zoo
• Chicago Botanic Garden
• Chicago Children’s Museum
• Chicago History Museum
• Dusable Museum of African American History
• The Field Museum
• Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
• Lincoln Park Zoo
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Museum of Science and Industry
• National Museum of Mexican Art
• National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
• John G. Shedd Aquarium

Only one group of up to four (4) can reserve the pass at a time. The pass must be picked up and brought back to the 11th Ward Office. Constituents need to call for an appointment to come to the office to pick up the pass before visiting the museums. We recommend calling two business days before your scheduled visit. 

It is strongly recommended that families utilizing the card contact the museum they plan to visit to learn if pre-registration is required to visit. 

Children's Programs

Game On: Board Game Play

Saturday, March 6 at 10 am

Got a board game as a gift or purchase, but don't know how to play it? Join the Chinatown Branch in collaboration with the Chicago Tabletop and Board Game Meetup Group to learn to play that gifted or purchased game or the ones that the group has on hand. Adults of all levels are welcome!

For ages 13 and up. 

Baby Time

Tuesdays, March 5 and 19 @ 10:15 am

Enjoy songs, stories, and activities with your baby to develop language skills and a love of reading.

For infants and toddlers 0-18 months with a caregiver.

Story Time Art  

Thursdays, March 7-28 at 10:30 am 

Have fun and build literacy skills with stories, songs, and an art project. 

Best for children 3 to 5. 

Crafternoon: Finger Knitting

Thursday, March 7 @ 4 pm

Be a knit-wit! Learn the fun art of finger knitting.

For ages 6-13.

Improv Comedy Class 

Thursday, March 14 at 4 pm 

Have you ever wanted to be as quick and witty as your favorite streamer? Trying to keep up with your fast-talking friends? Just wanting to get funnier? Learning improv can help!  Build confidence, practice social skills, and build teamwork ability all while having a great time learning the basics of comedy through fun games with other kids. 

For ages 9 to 13. 

Film Screening

Saturday, March 16 at 11 am 

Check Chinatown Library's events page at Events | Chicago Public Library | BiblioCommons for the movie title.  For Families.

Full Steam Ahead:

Women in Science  

Thursday, March 21 at 4 pm 

We will run full STEAM ahead to learn about women heroes of science and their valuable contributions.

For ages 6 to 13.

Register for this event at chipublib.org.

Women's History Month:

Girls Rock! Chicago

Saturday, March 23 at 1 pm

Join teen leaders from Girls Rock! Chicago's Youth Action Committee in a zine-making workshop and open mic! This program will provide girls and transgender youth with leadership skills, improved self-esteem, and creative expression through music.

For ages 8-18. 

Museum of Science and Industry's "Spy Academy" STEAM Club

Tuesday, March 26 at 4 pm

Join our “Spy Academy” STEAM Club series for grades 3-8! Test your speed and logic skills, make a spy ID buzzer, build a magic box with reflective eye-glass lenses, and construct an escape zipline!  Out-of-School-Time Science Club programming is made possible through a partnership with the Museum of Science and Industry. 

For Grades 3-8. 

Tween Graphic Novel Book Club 

Thursday, March 28 at 4 pm 

Join the Chinatown branch for a discussion of Drama by Raina Telgemeier! Please read and be ready to discuss! Ask a librarian for help finding a copy. 

For kids 9 to 13. 

Adult Programs

Drop-In Knit and Crochet Series

Wednesdays, March 6-27 at 3 pm in the Large Study Room

Do you knit and crochet, or have always wanted to learn? Join our knit and crochet series at the Chinatown Branch. Meet new friends, learn new techniques or just have fun. For ages 18 and up. You must bring your own supplies and project.

Film Screening 

Sunday, March 10 at 1:30 pm

Check Chinatown Library's events page at Events | Chicago Public Library | BiblioCommons for the movie title. 

Film Screening 

Monday, March 18 at 4 pm 

Join the Chinatown Branch as we celebrate Women's History Month with a film screening. Check Chinatown Library's events page at Events | Chicago Public Library | BiblioCommons for the movie title.

The 2024 Schedule will be available at a later date.

Recordings of Beat meetings can be found on our YouTube channel here.

Are you a business in the ward that's hiring? 

Send us your job opportunities and we'll share them.

The office has extended hours on Monday nights until 7:30 p.m. is open on the first Saturday of each month from 9:00am - 12:00 pm, if it's a holiday weekend, the office will

be open the following Saturday and/or Monday.

Alderwoman Lee will be happy to see residents on Monday nights from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. If you'd like to make an appointment, please call the ward office at 773.254.6677.

11th Ward Office| 3659 South Halsted Chicago, IL 60609 |

773-254-6677