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October 15, 2023
Hello Neighbors,
Do you follow us on Facebook? If so, you’ve probably seen that in honor of Italian American Heritage Month, we’ve been featuring Italian American restaurants and businesses in the ward. Check us out here and follow for the latest news about the ward. Our ward has been home to many generations of Italian Americans and we see the bonds that keep this community strong reflected in the parishes, organizations and clubs. These groups and our community have shared their cultural pride from celebrating the feast of Saint Rocco (at St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, my parish) to sharing in the giving spirit of Saint Joseph’s Table in multiple places throughout the ward.
This week in City Council, I wrote a resolution commemorating the life and legacy of the late Wally Gusich and his unmatched legacy of service to the 11th Ward. I thank my colleagues for adopting this resolution with an overwhelming majority. The resolution only captures a modicum of WZG’s contribution to our ward, our city, and our country. Since his passing, we have had streams of constituents visit our office to express their condolences: all of whom expressed that Wally helped them, their parents and even grandparents.
While there are hundreds of others who knew Wally longer, I will be forever grateful to have known and worked with such an amazing human being. One of the last things he said to me when I visited with him the day before his passing was to “take care of everyone.” That’s what we, his family at the 11th Ward, are committed to doing. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Gusich family. Wally, if you are still reading our newsletters, please rest and be with Cindy and Grace, who I know you have missed dearly since their passing.
This week, the City Council met three times. The first was on Wednesday morning for the Mayor’s Budget address (more on this later), we had a Rules Committee meeting right after that meeting and then about 90 minutes later, convened the City Council Again. At the second meeting, we attempted to consider several ordinances introduced by the mayor that were delayed. so we will be considering them again on Monday at 9:45 AM. On Friday, we met to discuss a resolution condemning the actions of Hamas and solidarity with Israel. 50th Ward Alderman Debra Silverstein, the Council’s only Jewish member, introduced the resolution, which I signed onto as a co-sponsor, and which passed. For those interested, the conversation that transpired in City Council and the remarks I delivered about this resolution can visit this link (my remarks are delivered at around 2 hours and 40 minutes into my meeting). Before becoming Alderman, my career was centered on providing humanitarian aid to people in the aftermath of natural and manmade disasters, so my mind is with those in dire need of material support at this time, as well as with all those whose lives were lost, and all those who are grieving in our communities.
And finally, tomorrow is the start of 2024 City budget hearings, where each city department will come before the committee to present their proposed budget for the year ahead, and answer questions from Council members. Given that the first round of budget hearings follows a City Council meeting, it is likely that I will still be at City Hall during our regular Ward Night hours. Out of respect for constituents’ time, I will need to unfortunately cancel Ward Night this week. Our office, however, will remain open for service at regular hours.
Mayor Johnson presented his first proposed budget address last week, which would allocate $16.6 billion to fund our city’s operations for FY2024, and it is now the City Council's job to evaluate the proposal. I take my fiscal responsibility to the 11th Ward seriously, and will continue to prioritize the best interests of our community when reviewing the proposed spending plan. If there are questions you would like for me to consider asking during the hearings, please email them to us!
Finally, Autumn is in full swing and we are spending more time indoors, which means now is a great time to get your flu and COVID-19 shots! Prepare for the cold months ahead by joining us at our Vaccination Event on Thursday, October 19 at McGuane Park. From 10AM to 2PM, the Department of Public Health will be offering the seasonal flu shot and the updated COVID-19 vaccine to all members of the community. Register for the free event using this link.
Enjoy your week ahead!
Nicole
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Cook County Sheriff Office Prescription Drug Talk Back, Recycling, and Shredding Program | |
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Green Alley - 33rd/35th & Wallace & Lowe
The work to construct the green alley is 99% done and access to the alley has been restored!
Please move your trash and recycling bins back to the alley.
Parking in the lots previously designated for surplus spots for residents is no longer valid.
If your garage was damaged and the city contractor has not yet contacted you to coordinate repairs, please contact our office at 773.254.6677.
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Halsted Street Restoration
The last portion of the contract work on Halsted Street will be the restoration of the interior of the MWRD Sewer Manhole on Halsted Street just North of Pershing.
The work will take approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
The Northbound lane of Halsted and the Southbound left turn lane on Halsted will be closed. Throughout the duration of the work, the intersection of Halsted and Pershing will be affected. Southbound Halsted will not be affected except, there will not be a dedicated left turn lane to Eastbound Pershing. Northbound Halsted at 38th Place and going North will be unaffected.
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11th Ward Veterans Day
Wreath Laying Ceremony
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11th Ward Community Blood Drive | |
Armour Elementary School Community Letter | |
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Principal Katherine Cheng of Philip D. Armour School will host a community meeting moderated by Ald. Nicole Lee. The purpose of the meeting is to build productive communication – the school community will share their experience with the broader neighborhood and provide a space to hear from residents. Our hope is that we can work together to toward potential solutions.
A link to the meeting on October 25 at 5:00 PM is here.
Link to PDF: Letter to Neighbors from Armour Elementary School
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Parish & School Announcements | |
Go CPS Academic Programs
There’s less than one month left to apply to CPS academic programs throughout the city for the 2024/25 school year! Head to go.cps.edu to explore all the options and apply for a wide variety of programs throughout the city. The application deadline is November 9 at 5 p.m. so get started today!
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Chicago Public Schools
State of the District Briefings
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CPS Reimaging STEM with
the Museum of Science and Industry
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11th Ward Community Meetings for
Zoning Change Requests
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Please see attached letters below for 11th Ward Community Meetings for Zoning Requests. Community Meetings are hosted on Zoom, Zoom information and instructions are provided in the letters below. Meetings last approximately thirty (30) minutes. Please test your computer connections in advance. If you are attending in person please call ahead and arrive five minutes early.
Recordings of past meetings are available on our YouTube Channel
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Eleanor Street Boat House | |
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Enjoy Halloween in the Parks!
From family-friendly Fall Harvest Fests, and pumpkin patches, to haunted houses, parties, and more, there is something for everyone this season in the parks.
Come celebrate this spooktacular time of year in the parks.
https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/halloween/ events
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Canaryville Branch Library | |
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The migrant crisis in Chicago continues to grow and the crisis is putting an incredible amount of pressure on not only Police Districts across the city while city officials work to get more respite centers and shelters open. The city has now opened 15 shelters, currently housing approximately 8,300 people. The city continues to evaluate additional locations for shelters.
I continue to field questions and requests from residents about how we can help to find proper shelter for the migrants here in the 11th Ward while others have expressed their concerns and objections to any of our programs being displaced. Please know that if or when the time comes for a shelter or respite center in the 11th Ward, there will be an opportunity for the community to weigh in. In the meantime, let me know your thoughts and or concerns at our email address: ward11@cityofchicago.org.
What's happening in the ward
1st District (State &18th)
Together with the help of the Ping Tom Park Advisory Council and the Chicago Park District, we are operating a program to allow migrants at the 1st District Police Station to use the showers at the Fieldhouse.
9th District (31st & Halsted)
This week, the 9th District has had on average 100 people, including many children, sleeping in the station.
We continue to operate the shower program at Wilson Community Center for migrants. We are continuing to evaluate and make adjustments as needed as the numbers of migrants at the 9th district changes.
The 11th Ward Office continues to collaborate with other area elected officials and a mutual aid group started by neighbors to support migrant families with meals and basic needs items for those at the 9th District. We have established a distribution center for donated items on Halsted near the 9th District that serves migrants at Police Districts in the surrounding area. The response to our drive has been overwhelming -- many thanks to those who have dropped off clothes and supplies. With the colder weather upon us, the shop is now ready to accept winter clothing and shoes for men, women and children in all sizes except for XL or larger. Arriving migrants are smaller in build than the average American. We continue to have needs for baggage (suitcases with wheels, backpacks, duffle bags), blankets, sleeping bags, underwear and strollers.
How you can help
We are in need of volunteers to help us organize and sort our free shop as we get ready for colder weather. Thanks to those who volunteered yesterday to help with the changeover to winter clothing. If you'd like to volunteer, please email us at: ward11@cityofchicago.org.
If you’re interested in helping, click here for the 11th Ward Migrant Support Group and learn how you can get involved. You can also help by donating basic needs items to migrant families from the list below.
Many thanks to all of our neighbors who have organized themselves and coordinated volunteers, and donated supplies and meals.
The City of Chicago is accepting donations through an Amazon Wishlist set up in partnership with Instituto del Progreso Latino. To donate, please click here.
If you are a landlord looking to aid the migrant mission with apartments for rent, Catholic Charities will conduct a vetting process to confirm eligibility, send us an email so we can connect you to the right team.
Chicago Furniture Bank In partnership with New Life Centers, the Chicago Furniture Bank is providing furniture to new arrivals resettling into permanent housing. Chicago Furniture Bank is also the largest provider of free furniture to Chicago’s unhoused population. To donate extra furniture to our unhoused neighbors, including new arrivals, go to: https://www.chicagofurniturebank.org/
a. Schedule Furniture Pick-Up here: https://www.chicagofurniturebank.org/pickups
b. Donation Drop-offs: 4801 S Whipple St, Chicago, IL, 60632 [Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm]
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Looking to have a Garage Sale?
Garage Sale Permits are available by walk-in
at the 11th Ward Office.
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Announcements & Information | |
Peoples Gas
People's Gas Paper-free me!
Stay in control of your bills, payments, and time!
Join over 345,000 Peoples Gas customers who are already signed up for paper-free billing and are enjoying the ease and convenience of managing their bills
online and in the app.
Link to site: https://www.peoplesgasdelivery.com/paper-free-me/default
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Now that summer is hear, many people are out and about in our beautiful parks. While we are working on getting a dog park for the ward, please remember that all dogs should be leashed on the public way. Dogs are not allowed in Chicago Park District Parks that are not designated dog friendly areas. For the safety of park goers, especially children and seniors, please remember to leash and control your pet.
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Leash and control your pet. It's against the law for you to allow your pet to be off leash on the public way in Chicago, except for in official dog friendly areas. A list of dog friendly areas can be found at http:// www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/dog-friendly-areas/. Make sure that your animal is under control when on a leash. If your animal has issues with biting or aggression, ensure the animal wears a muzzle or head harness when encountering new animals, people and situations.
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Treat your animal appropriately and with care. Ensure your pet has a proper diet, fresh water, shelter from the elements, and socialization. Do not leave your animal alone for long periods of time, especially in cars, or in your hard, and especially in extreme elements. Hot and cold weather pet care tips can be found on CAGG's website at www.adoptchicago.org
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Spay and Neuter your pet. Do not contribute to pet overpopulation. GAGG impounds 20,000 4 stray, lost, unwanted and injured animals each year. Spaying and neutering your pet is a critical ibp component to limiting the number of homeless and unwanted animals in Chicago. Various community organizations offer free, and low-cost spay/neuter services. These services can also be rendered by your pet's veterinarian.
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Leash and control your pet. It's against the law for you to allow your pet to be off leash on the public way in Chicago, except for in official dog friendly areas. A list of dog friendly areas can be found at http:// www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/dog-friendly-areas/. Make sure that your animal is under control when on a leash. If your animal has issues with biting or aggression, ensure the animal wears a muzzle or head harness when encountering new animals, people and situations.
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Be a considerate pet owner. It is against the law for your animal to make continuous excessive noise in your home. If your pet is very vocal, and it is bothering your neighbors consider working with a trainer to minimize the issue.
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Provide appropriate veterinary care for your animal. This includes preventive treatments such as vaccinations, routine checkups, and resources and a plan in the event emergency treatment is needed for your pet. It is the law that all cats, dogs and ferrets over four months old have a current rabies vaccine. But several other vaccines are critical, especially if your animal encounters other animals frequently, including dog friendly areas and boarding facilities. Consult your veterinarian for more details.
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Identify your Pet. Ensure you have proper licensure for your pet. In Chicago, all dogs over four months must have a City dog license which can be obtained at http://chicityclerk.com/dog-registration/. To use dog friendly areas, you must also have a separate license. Micro chipping your pet is also a great option, so that your pet can still be identified even if his/her leash falls off or is removed.
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Have a plan for your pet. A plan in the event of a natural disaster is key. But a life plan is equally important. Research your pet to get an estimate of life expectancy and ensure you have a plan for the full life of your pet. Consider your pet when making important decisions, including relocating your home, and travel plans.
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11th Ward
2023 Constituent Education Resource Card
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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.
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9th District Police
District Council & Beat Meeting Schedules
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Recordings of Beat meetings can be found on our Youtube channel here. | |
Location change for Beat 925
Meetings will be held at St. Gabriel School Hall, 4500 S Wallace Street.
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Ramova Chicago
The Ramova Theatre, Brewery, and Grill is opening this fall in Bridgeport and we are hiring! Visit www.ramovachicago.com for a complete listing of current open positions. We will be updating the site with new postings regularly.
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Illinois Department of Transportation
IDOT is hiring full-time Temporary Highway Maintainers! Come work for IDOT and help keep our roads safe during the upcoming winter snow and ice season.
WHEN: October 14, from 9am – 1pm
WHERE: At the Northbrook, Gurnee, Oakbrook, and New
Lenox Maintenance Facilities
Or apply online ➡️ https://idot.click/tcn
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Chicago Board of Elections Needs
Poll Workers!
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City of Chicago Law Department | |
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Are you a business in the ward that's hiring?
Send us your job opportunities and we'll share them.
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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.
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11th Ward Office| 3659 South Halsted Chicago, IL 60609 |
773-254-6677
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