16th Ward E-Newsletter

November, 2023

16th Ward

Service Office


1137 W. 63rd St., Ste. C

Chicago, Illinois 60621

Tel: (773) 306-1981

[email protected]

16thward.org

Visit our Website

OFFICE HOURS:



Monday 9 AM - 7PM

Tuesday 9 AM - 5 PM

Wednesday 9 AM - 5 PM

Thursday 9 AM - 5 PM

Friday 9 AM - 1 PM

    Sat. & Sun - CLOSED

Submit a Service Request
Register to Vote


Greetings Neighbor!


Have you noticed potholes, street lights out, areas of chronic fly dumping, or any other City services needed in the ward? Please help me and my office address local issues by submitting service requests.


With your help, we can have these issues addressed as quickly as possible. Please contact my office to report any City services needed or submit a service request via 311.chicago.gov, the CHI311 Mobile App, or by calling 311 directly. The free CHI 311 mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices and may be downloaded in the Apple App Store or Google Play. As always, my office is ready to assist and address your concerns.


Please note that effective November 1, 2023, the 16th Ward Office will switch to winter service hours.


Dedicated and Committed to the 16th Ward.


STEPHANIE D. COLEMAN,

Alderman, 16th Ward


UPCOMING EVENTS


16th Ward Before & After


Beautification efforts are ongoing and require sustained commitment from the community. If you see an area that may need to be addressed, please help us by submitting a service request with as much descriptive information as possible, including pictures if available.


By working together, residents can make a significant difference in transforming and maintaining the 16th Ward so it can be an attractive and vibrant place to live in for all of us.


16th Ward

Resident of the Week

7th, 8th, & 9th Chicago

Police Districts

APPLY ON LINE

Community Events

ENGLEWOOD NATURE TRAIL - PUBLIC HEARING


Wednesday, November 15  

6:00 PM –  9:00 PM


Kennedy-King College

Great Hall

6301 S. Halsted Street

Chicago, IL 60621


Dinner will be served!


This session will serve as a public hearing for the Department of Planning and Development and it's Land Use concepts for the Englewood Nature Trail.


Elected Officials and Civic leadership will also be in attendance!


The session will move us into Fiscal Year 2024 and the very important Chicago Plan Commission (CPC) approval process. 


Register today for a surprise holiday gift and for an accurate headcount for dinner!  


RSVP HERE

Educational Opportunities

CDOT will host the first of several community meetings on Tuesday, November 7 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Olive-Harvey College, with more dates to follow. Residents are encouraged to take the online survey and view additional meeting times at the newly launched project.

To support the City of Chicago’s Climate Action Plan goals to reduce transportation carbon emissions and advance environmental justice, CDOT is developing a framework plan to equitably expand EV access, services, and charging infrastructure.

The Chicago Department of Transportation has initiated public engagement for the EV Infrastructure Framework. We'd like to ensure your communities are informed and encourage participation.

REGISTER TODAY

While our students and teachers deserve most of the credit, another key to our District’s academic recovery has been involvement within our school communities. And one of the best ways to get involved is by running for a seat on your Local School Council (LSC).


Potential candidates have between October 16, 2023, and February 8, 2024, to complete the steps needed to run for a position on their school’s LSC. Complete details are available at cps.edu/lsc.

Olive-Harvey College and the Chicago Police Department Partner to Offer No-Cost Associate Degree in Criminal Justice In One Year with CPD Academy Entrance Exam Waived


The “One Year and Out” City Colleges of Chicago Criminal Justice program offers Chicago residents the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree with a focus in Criminal Justice, at no cost, in as little as 12 months, and then apply to the Chicago Police Academy (CPD) with the ability to waive the Department's entrance exam (*see acceptance criteria below).


The Criminal Justice degree program is offered through Olive-Harvey College this fall, beginning on August 24th. The course is a 60-credit hour program that places a high emphasis on ethics, diversity, inclusion, and critical thinking. This program will include a mix of in-person and online classes. All classes will be three (3) credit hours and each term will be eight weeks. Students can earn 48 credit hours over four (4), eight-week periods and 12 credit hours in the summer. Students must test English 101 for admission into the pathway program.


Olive-Harvey College will offer additional support with laptops and book vouchers, as well as help preparing for police exams and power tests. Students who earn a degree in criminal justice are also prepared for careers including air marshal, forensic science technician, fraud investigator, state trooper, crime scene investigator, computer forensics specialist, U.S. postal inspector, victims advocate, police dispatcher, and more.


Students can apply here. For more information and assistance with filling out the application, call 773-College, or email: [email protected] with questions. You can also stop by Olive-Harvey campus anytime to ask questions or start your application.


*Acceptance into the no-cost Criminal Justice Degree program may depend on current students earning less than 12 credits at City Colleges or transferring into City Colleges with 12 credits or less, and other terms may apply. In additionother exams apply for entrance into the Chicago Police Academy and applicants must be 20 years of age. Candidates must be 21 years old to enter the Chicago Police Academy. For more information on the qualifications, click here.



Resources & Scholarships

ReStore 2 Neighborhood Engagement Survey 

COMPLETE THE SURVEY HERE
REGISTER NOW

The Path to Empowerment and Funding


The Nonprofit Capacity Building Program is designed to empower your organization:


  • Technical Assistance: Whether you're a newcomer or an experienced hand with the City's RFP system, our guidance ensures your success when applying for Recovery funding.
  • Capacity Building: Scale your operations with insights and coaching from experts who understand your unique challenges.
  • Networking: Forge meaningful collaborations with fellow nonprofits, experts, and potential partners, establishing a robust support network.
  • Equitable Recovery: Join us in contributing to Chicago's recovery plan by fostering equitable and thriving communities through your nonprofit's impactful work.


How to Enroll


To partake in these transformative sessions, simply complete the BACP NPCB Intake Form. It's as easy as entering your information, selecting the appropriate "Event Type," choosing the Date of Event, and clicking "Workshop” or “Webinar." 


If this is your first time completing the intake form, please select Touch Gift Foundation 

Secretary Giannoulias Announces Skip-the-Line Program at High-Volume DMVs


Appointments and new extended hours are part of the new initiative to save customers’ time. To improve customer service and eliminate the unpredictability of wait times at Illinois DMVs, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has implemented the Skip-the-Line program.


  • Required appointments will reduce wait times. 
  • Extended hours offer more availability. 
  • ILSOS.gov offers a variety of services that do not require an in-person visit to a facility or office. 

 

The Skip-the-Line Program includes:


Appointment scheduling — Customers will be required to make appointments for in-person visits at 44 of the busiest DMVs. All Chicago and suburban locations and select central and downstate DMVs will require an appointment for REAL IDs, driver’s licenses and ID card services, and in-car driving tests.


Vehicle-related services – such as titles, registrations or license plate renewals – do not require an appointment.


Please visit ilsos.gov or call (844) 817-4649 to schedule an appointment.


New extended hours of operation — Every DMV will extend hours of operation beginning September 1. Select facilities will be open six days a week – Monday through Saturday. 



All DMVs will have hours of operation from Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 

16 DMVs will be open on Saturday, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

(Please visit ilsos.gov for location information.)


Simplified online services — Customers are encouraged to visit ilsos.gov to take advantage of many online services, including renewals of driver’s licenses, ID cards, and plate stickers.

SIGN UP HERE
GET COVID TEST KIT

Resources for Your Home

ComEd_logo image

Take advantage of the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program to save on your energy bills!


ComEd wants to help you save energy and save money, and they’re making it easy. Schedule a FREE Home Energy Assessment, and you’ll receive recommendations for energy-saving opportunities all around your home. PLUS, you’ll receive free and discounted energy-saving products, all to help you save energy, save money, and increase the comfort of your home. In-home and virtual assessments are available for your convenience.


Eligible customers may also qualify for additional improvements like an Energy Efficiency Retrofit that can enhance the comfort of your home with weatherization improvements that may reduce energy waste by up to 20%. Keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter! Qualifying customers must meet additional criteria, including but not limited to household income eligibility requirements.


Schedule your FREE Home Energy Savings assessment today and learn if you are also eligible for an Energy Efficiency Retrofit. ComEd offers support when you need it most.

It’s easy! Get started now at ComEd.com/Assessment or call 855-433-2700.


As we head into the cooler months, and natural gas prices remain high nationwide, Peoples Gas is here to help by offering programs and resources to manage your energy costs.


Financial assistance available beginning Sept. 1

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Peoples Gas Share the Warmth program are available to help income-eligible customers with heating bills this winter. To see if you are eligible and apply for bill pay assistance, go to cedarorg.net or call the Community Economic Development Association at 800-571-2332.

Payment arrangements available

For customers who have fallen behind on their bills, but don’t qualify for financial assistance, arrangements are available to help pay and manage heating bills this winter. Use the Peoples Gas app or go to peoplesgasdelivery.com to learn more about your options and enroll.

Budget Billing

Budget Billing spreads seasonal variations in your natural gas bill over 12 months. While you still pay for all of the natural gas you actually use, Budget Billing gives you more consistent monthly bills. Learn more and sign up in the Peoples Gas app or at peoplesgasdelivery.com.

Reduce energy use this winter

Manage energy use by using a programmable thermostat, sealing gaps around windows and doors, and scheduling an annual furnace tuneup. Peoples Gas also offers free energy efficiency consultations. For more information, go to peoplesgasdelivery.com.



Employment Opportunities

MORE INFO HERE
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Chicago Youth Service Corps (CYSC) is a year-round program that provides paid ($15.40/hr) opportunities for youth ages 18-24 to engage in community service, project-based learning, and leadership development. Chicago Youth Service Corps (CYSC) celebrates and welcomes diverse backgrounds and encourages you to bring your experience, background, and traditions to your service. Youth participants will earn money in a diverse service corps while also building transferable leadership skills for workforce development and 21st century skill building.

 

Civic engagement is commonly defined as individual and collective actions, both political and non-political, formal, and informal, that are done to identify, address, and protect a public value or concern. These programmatic activities often revolve around areas such as civic participation, community service, community problem solving, and personal/professional development. The CYSC model integrates the benefits of civic engagement and service-learning programming to benefit both the individual youth and their broader community. As such, the education and training material taught during the program must be grounded in the life experiences found in local communities.

 

STEPS

  1. Please visit cysc.mychimyfuture.org to submit an application – must select “CATHOLIC CHARITIES” as the agency you would like to work with
  2. Email the information below to [email protected] with the subject “CYSC Candidate” in the subject of the email:
  • Full Name
  • Address
  • City, ST Zip
  • Phone
  • Email Address
  • Date of Birth
  • School Name (If student in high school or college)
  • Application ID# (Will Display After Submission)



REGISTER TODAY
CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Resources for Seniors

Senior Only DMV Centers (No Appointment Needed)


Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has launched two “Senior Only” walk-in centers in the Chicago area. The two locations include the Evanston Civic Center, 2100 N. Ridge Road in Evanston and Seat Geek Stadium, 7000 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview.


Seniors at these locations will not need appointments, as these walk-in centers are specifically designed to meet their needs. 

Resources for Veterans

Cook County Assessor’s Office


The Assessor’s Office administers both the Veterans with Disabilities and the Returning Veterans Exemptions, which can reduce the property tax bills of veterans. 


The Veterans with Disabilities Exemption is for veterans with a service-connected disability.


The Returning Veterans Exemption is for veterans returning from active duty in armed conflict are eligible to receive a reduction.



16th Ward Service Office

1137 W. 63rd St. Suite C

Chicago, Illinois 60621

Tel: (773) 306-1981

[email protected]

16thward.org

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Monday 9AM - 7PM

Tuesday 9AM - 5PM

Wednesday 9AM - 5PM

Thursday 9AM - 5PM

Friday 9AM - 1PM

Saturday & Sunday CLOSED