Dear Neighbor,

The friends of Clark Park are inviting the public to the Clark Park Nature Area open house ----------> The open house is tomorrow from 10-1!

City Vaccine Options: All Pfizer vaccine are open to those 12 to 15 years old. City-operated vaccine site appointments can be booked now through the City’s call center at 312-746-4835 or via zocdoc.com. All vaccine sites will accept walk-ins. A parent or guardian must accompany any minor under age 18, and unvaccinated parents and guardians will be encouraged to receive a vaccine as well. About 5 million Illinois residents have been vaccinated so far.

MOBILE VACCINATION PROGRAM FOR HOMEBOUND CHICAGOANS- Any Chicago resident who is 65 and older or has a disability or medical condition is eligible to get vaccinated at home, no questions asked. Everyone who is at the home can get vaccinated, too. You can schedule an appointment at 312-746-4835 or learn more here.

Another nearby location to get your vaccine is at the Logan Square Farmer's Market next Sunday May 30th. 3107 W. Logan from 9 a.m .to 3 p.m. No registration is required (but you may have to wait in line a little) for either a Pfizer or J&J vaccine.

Just a Reminder- schools are in session, so please make sure not to park in school tow zones and drive slowly through our school zones.

We're teaming up with the 14th District CAPS Office to provide supplies for domestic violence survivors with needs at one of our local homes. You can drop off supplies (listed on the purple flyer below) at 2150 N. California, or reach out via the contact info provided below to provide assistance.

Have a nice weekend-and don't forget to support our local businesses as they make the push to re-open out of the Covid pandemic,

Scott Waguespack

32nd Ward Alderman

The City of Chicago has begun offering the Pfizer vaccine to youth ages 12 to 15 at City-operated vaccination sites. Appointments can be booked now through the City’s call center at 312.746.4835 or through www.zocdoc.com/vaccine. All vaccine sites will accept walk-ins for 12 to 15 year olds. No appointment will be necessary, although pre-registration is encouraged! A parent or guardian must accompany any minor under age 18, and unvaccinated parents and guardians will be encouraged to receive a vaccine as well.

I'll be joining the Wicker Park and Bucktown Chamber of Commerce for a business community annual update on June 2. Wicker Park Bucktown businesses are invited to attend to get an update on license, COVID re-opening issues and more at the WPB. The meeting includes three WPB aldermen representing the area. For more info on upcoming WPB events- see this link.

A big thank you to neighbors and kids on Nelson. These folks spent last weekend joining friends on Wellington & Barry for the annual Donut Day and Clean Up. There's nothing better than a donut to get people motivated! They spent a rainy Saturday cleaning up Ravenswood & Wieboldt Park.

If you have a group who wants to do a block cleanup, please reach out to our office and we'll help get you bags, gloves, and other materials you may need to pick up trash and litter. Plus, we're happy to promote your efforts and put a call out for more volunteers.

Thanks again Nelson Neighbors!

Additional Federal & State Assistance is now available to help eligible customers pay past-due energy bills through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Deadline to apply is May 31, 2021. Visit HelpIllinoisFamilies.com.

Armitage Water Main Update DWM Project #2001026 

The Chicago Department of Water Management is now taking applications for these two programs. More information on the programs and applications is available at LeadSafeChicago.org. 

We are waiting for more guidance on what is required to approve a block party, but here is what we know currently:

Please be aware that the City reserves the right to revoke Block Party Permits based on guidance from the Chicago Department of Public Health and CDC. Should numbers begin to rise again, cancelations could occur. So please encourage your neighbors to get vaccinated and continue to keep those hands clean!

More at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/go-run-chicago.

Participants will be required to register on ActiveWorks in advance. A limited

number of spots will be available for each location and times on designated days. The maximum number of kids per session is 60. The maximum number of kids in each group will be 12. LakeShore Athletics will provide FAT timing, hip and race numbers – along with heat information for June and July competition. Support staff will be needed to assist with registration, t-shirt distribution, and activities.

Participant Information: Each participant will receive a t-shirt, certificate, and additional awards as they advance. Everyone should leave with information for programming and resources to further their development in track and field.

Learn more here.

To get started, please click here to register to host Pitch In events at a park in your community.

If hosting isn’t in the cards at this time, we would appreciate your assistance in promoting events that are already on our calendar to your community. Please visit our website to see all participating parks at chicagoparksfoundation.org/volunteer.

RSVP here to get invite to Zoom Meeting

2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins, Wrightwood Neighbors Association, and Sheffield Neighborhood Association are hosting a meeting for a new development at 1320 W Fullerton (Lakeshore Fitness Club) There is a plan to do a zoning change from M1-2 to B3-3 as part of a Planned Development to develop a 14 story building on 1320 W. Fullerton. The groups have invited the public to this meeting to discuss the plan.

Please join the Workers Center for Racial Justice (WCRJ) on Monday, May 24th at 6 pm, as they convene members of City Council for a virtual policy briefing on 2021 policy priorities. During this online informational session, WCRJ leadership will present WCRJ’s Proposal for Equitable Public Safety Reinvestment.

Please notify WCRJ of your attendance by registering in advance. 

The City of Chicago has entered the Bridge Phase last Friday. Under this phase, capacity limits increased in all industries. To read the latest capacity rules for your business, please click here.

Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State of Illinois, and recognizing how safe and effective the COVID-19 vaccines are, the City of Chicago will no longer require masks for fully vaccinated people in most settings. As a reminder, fully vaccinated means two weeks after your second vaccine dose if you got Pfizer or Moderna, or two weeks after your single dose if you got Johnson and Johnson. 

If you are not fully vaccinated, you need to continue to wear your mask in all indoor settings. At this point, 48 percent of all Chicagoans (and 60 percent of Chicago adults) have gotten a first dose of vaccine, but only 38 percent of all Chicagoans (and 47 percent of Chicago adults) are fully vaccinated. Many of our communities that have been the hardest-hit by COVID-19 have even lower vaccination rates. Children age 12-15 just became eligible for vaccination last week and none of them are fully vaccinated.

  

Businesses are strongly encouraged to verify vaccination status before allowing customers and/or employees to not wear face coverings.

Please see here for an FAQ on the new Mask Guidance and how it relates to businesses. Additionally, please visit chicago.gov/vaccinefinder or call 312-746-4835 to get the life-saving COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. While we have made tremendous progress, at this point, 48% of all Chicagoans (and 60% of Chicago adults) have gotten a first dose of vaccine, but only 38% of all Chicagoans (and 47% of Chicago adults) are fully vaccinated. Many of our communities that have been the hardest-hit by COVID have even lower vaccination rates. Children aged 12-15 just became eligible for vaccination last week and none of them are fully vaccinated.  

Please be advised that businesses are still required to verify that customers are fully vaccinated if they would like to increase their COVID-19 capacity through the Vaccine Exemption. Read this FAQ for more information, and also note two changes to the COVID-19 regulations that are effective immediately:

The latest overview of COVID-19 regulations in Chicago will be posted at chicago.gov/reopening.

Eligible eating establishments have until Monday, May 24, 7 p.m. CT, to submit applications to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). The American Rescue Plan Act established the program to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. Applicants can apply at restaurants.sba.gov. 

Applicants can refer to the RRF Program Guide for assistance working through the application. The Call Center Support team is also available at 844-279-8898. Have questions? Review the RRF Knowledge Base for answers to frequently asked questions about the program. 

Apply here.

SBA is currently offering PPP loans through participating community financial institutions until May 31, 2021 or until remaining funds are exhausted. Please note that not all community financial institutions are participating in PPP. Find a lender

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program is open and eligible entities can apply now. Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. Apply 

In response to COVID-19, small business owners, including agricultural businesses, and nonprofit organizations can apply for the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Applications are open until December 31, 2021. Apply 

Please email [email protected] with any webinar questions.

Funding Opportunity for Community Organizations: Expanding Capacity for Street Outreach and Violence Interruption Services

Street outreach and violence interruption is a key piece of the city’s violence reduction strategy and the City has prioritized the communities facing high levels of violence for this intervention. Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot is committed to addressing violence in the city of Chicago and has supported additional funding to meet the needs of this RFP. This opportunity is designed to identify up to ten Chicago-based organizations to contribute toward street outreach efforts in twelve high priority community areas. Street Outreach efforts are typically conducted in the afternoons/evenings and late at night when violence is most prevalent. Who should apply?

This funding opportunity is open to community-based organizations who provide violence prevention services in communities in Chicago facing high levels of violence.

An additional $5,000,000 is being made available through this RFP. It is anticipated that ten contracts will be awarded through this RFP at approximately $500,000 each.

Scope of Services

• Engage and support individuals and groups at high risk of violence •Reclaim public spaces for safe activities for the entire community

•Respond to critical incidents such as shootings and homicides to de-escalate tension and rumor control

•Support victims and their families through connections with the City’s existing victim services network

•Conduct proactive peace building activities

•Mediate and resolve conflicts between street groups

•Initiative and navigate referrals for services and support

•Participate in convenings and cohort-building opportunities convened by other providers in Chicago’s street outreach network,

•Partner with community organizations and justice institutions to identify, recruit, and engage the intended population. Relevant agencies will partner with law enforcement and criminal justice institutions to support participants and effectively reduce violence dynamics

Bids due:5/18/2021 - https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/public-safety-and-violence-reduction/home.html

Until further notice, all CAPS meetings will be held virtually. If you are in the 14th or 18th District, please email your district in order to get the Zoom link to your specific meeting.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: 

All Smart911 profiles are private and are not shared, opting into this feature does not authorize anyone to access your home camera(s) without your awareness. Additionally, current Smart911 users may opt out of this feature at any time. Residents can add this to their existing safety profile by logging into your Smart911 profile. To join the Smart911 community, residents can create a free safety profile by visiting www.SMART911.com or download the mobile app. 

Why is joining Smart911 the right thing to do? 

For additional information, visit Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook, Twitter, (@ChicagoOEMC) and Instagram (chicago_oemc_911) using the hashtags #ChicagoOEMC #Smart911 #Chicago911 #ThankYou911.    

Street sweeping for 2021 has begun. The sections of the 32nd Ward to be swept next week will be sections 2, 3, and 4 (parts of Logan Square, Hamlin Park, and Roscoe Village).