32nd Ward Newsletter: May 27, 2022
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Greetings!
All of our government offices will be closed this Monday for Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a time to honor those who have passed from our lives but not from our memories. All of us have someone we know that fought for our country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. We all honor their service this Memorial Day and pray for those who serve today around the world. We also should take the time to think of those family and friends who served and need our support each day.
We will be back on Tuesday and wish all of you a safe and healthy weekend.
In the market for a job? Mark your calendars for the North Branch Works community jobs fair on June 23rd from 1-4 p.m. at the Linda and Bill Gantz Boys and Girls Club (2915 N. Leavitt Street). To RSVP, please go here. The Chicago Park District is also hiring, and especially looking for lifeguards. Help bring change to the organization while helping others stay safe in our polls and beaches throughout the summer. Also visit One Summer Chicago a collaboration that brings together government institutions, community-based organizations and companies to offer employment and internship opportunities to youth and young adults ages 14 to 24.
In the email newsletter, I've included information on recent votes on the casino and curfew, early voting being pushed back, infrastructure project updates from Southport to California, and many events coming up in the community area.
Have a nice weekend and Memorial Day,
Scott Waguespack
32nd Ward Alderman
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All City Offices Closed for Memorial Day
Monday, May 30th
In observation of Memorial Day on Monday, May 30th, the 32nd Ward and City offices will be closed. Trash services will also be suspended for the day. They will work to catch up during the rest of the week.
If you want to enter a service request, you can go to 311.chicago.gov. For all other issues, please use the information below:
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Zoning & variances, urban planning, traffic calming, please email Paul Sajovec at [email protected]
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Water/sewer issues, street and sanitation issues, and police concerns, contact Kerri Stojack at [email protected].
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Business licensing, block parties and special events, senior concerns, scheduling, contact [email protected]
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Moving sign requests & general questions can be emailed to info@ward32.org
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If you have questions related to the Council Committee on Finance, please email Anne Emerson at [email protected]
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If you want to put in a request for a regular City service like tree trim or missed garbage pick up, you can do so by clicking here.
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If you need to buy parking passes, you can do so online at ezbuy.chicityclerk.com (please note it could take up to 2 weeks to receive)
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City Council Adopts Earlier Curfew for Juveniles
This week the City Council voted to support the amended curfew times and age in Chicago. I support the amended curfew. The curfew for Chicago has been in place since 1992. While numbers of citations have dropped during the pandemic, the police department has been working with juveniles to find alternatives to a citation, and working with many of their parents to bring juveniles back home to be under the guardianship of their parents.
In addition to the new policy, the Park District implemented an amended curfew for Millennium Park. Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult (21 years and older) after 6:00 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and 10:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. The adult must be present for the duration of the visit, have a valid ID, and may escort up to four young people. Those not
escorted by an adult would be asked to leave the Park.
Before the pandemic, the City was increasing coordination and funding of youth oriented activities through MyChiMyFuture, which was created and launched in collaboration with Northwestern University in 2020. The effort was under taken to help link youth with over 200 organizations. That effort has expanded over the past two years with additional funding and more and more organizations joining the effort to provide events, venues, and opportunities for kids to be engaged.
Today I met a young man named Darian German from the Austin community who works with his friends to run the Austin Safety Action Plan (ASAP). Among other activities, ASAP started up their own basketball tournament to help keep teens busy and will be hosting the eight team tournament five week next month. At this morning's event, Darian talked about the work they are doing and the positive efforts they hope will be recognized, while assuring people that teens just need opportunities. While at the event, we connected Darian with the Bucktown Community Organization to see what collaboration might take place between our communities.
Additional Youth Programming
Other High School Age Opportunities
For the swimmers looking for a job, the Chicago Park District is looking for lifeguards to man the City's pools and beaches. Beaches open this weekend and will be protected by lifeguards, but will also include new signage and flags for swimmer safety. The Park District will pay $500 bonus to seasonal lifeguards and a $200 bonus to other seasonal staff as part of their recruitment efforts. Pools will open on time but operating hours as of now may be limited due to the shortage of workers. CPD will be adjusting their approach to hiring due to the overlap of school. They have also taken significant steps to address the lifeguard cultural issues, but we still have much work to do as a society and within that institution to better guarantee the safety and security of all workers, especially women.
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June CAPS Meetings - Some CAPS meetings are still being held virtually. Please email or call your district in order to get the Zoom link to your specific meeting or to find out if it is back to being in person yet.
June CAPS Meetings
14th Police District-
1433- June 23, 6:30pm
Pulaski Park, 1419 W. Blackhawk
1434- June 22, 6:30pm
Bucktown Wicker Park Library, 1701 N. Milwaukee
14th District CAPS- 312-744-1261
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Early Voting in Chicago Pushed Back to Tuesday,
May 31st
Due to ballot changes, Early Voting for the June 28th Primary Election in Chicago will now begin starting Tuesday, May 31st at 9:00am at the Chicago Board of Election Supersite at 191 N. Clark (Lake & Clark). Vote By Mail ballots will begin to ship to voters early next week.
The Supersite at 191 N. Clark will be open May 26th to June 28th (Election Day) for the following hours:
Weekdays: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Election Day: 6:00 am - 7:00 pm (June 28th)
There will be extended weekday hours for the Supersite (9:00am – 7:00pm) from June 20th to June 24th.
Early Voting in each of the 50 Wards in Chicago begins on June 13th through June 28th. You can see all Early Voting locations and addresses by clicking here.
All voters in Chicago may vote at any of these sites, no matter where they live in the City. Voter registration services (new voters, name changes, and address updates) will be provided at all Early Voting sites. Two forms of ID, one of which shows the voter's current address, are needed to register for the first time or to file a name change or an address update.
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City Council Approves Bally's on Casino Vote
The City of Chicago has been pursuing a casino over the past three decades. Several iterations of a casino operation have been proposed in that time, some bringing little to no revenue to the City up through the edition passed this week that allows for an operation that puts significant revenue into the City of Chicago.
I supported the casino proposal, with some reservations and will work with fellow aldermen on some of the outstanding issues.
The State General Assembly amended the law in 2019 to include facilities that included a casino for Chicago. The City did argue at this point that the proposed tax structure was too high for any investors to undertake a casino operation and asked for an amendment. An amendment passed in the General Assembly in 2020 changing the tax formulas for the state and City making it more feasible.
The casino revenues did speak to alleviating some of the pressures on the property taxes and the police and fire pension funding crisis, but it did not present a total solution to funding. At no point was this presented as a solution to the pension crisis and it should not be viewed as such.
Bally's $1.7 billion proposal was chosen to lead the casino effort in Chicago and was approved via ordinance with a community agreement and Labor Peace Agreement with the Chicago Federation of Labor in hand. The casino proposal must still go through additional steps.
Next steps include going to the Chicago Plan Commission for review and approval, as well as back to the Illinois Gaming Board to review all of the financials and actors that are part of the deal before issuing the Chicago license.
A team of city officials, lawyers and consultants reviewed all of the proposals. Bally’s offered the strongest overall financial offer to the City. Bally's provided a $40 million upfront payment at the time of the signing of the Host Community Agreement along with $2 million annually per year thereafter. Bally's has also provided the highest minimum capital commitment to the project and is the only submitting operator that did not have a competing casino in the Chicagoland region.
Bally’s was the only group that offered and completed an agreement with the Chicago Federation of Labor. Bally’s also commits to 60% minority hiring and will create a jobs program specifically targeting neighborhoods with the highest levels of unemployment and lowest income. In supporting the proposal, CFL President Bob Reiter stated that all workers at the casino including hotel, restaurant and entertainment workers will earn a family-sustaining wage and benefits.
The Chicago casino also presents the best model for minority targets on ownership, construction, hiring, and spend and is among the highest of percentages in the country. are amongst the highest of any large urban casino in the country. Bally’s has proposed a unique crowdsourcing option which will allow for equitable opportunity and access to an investment in the project.
While there are questions that need to be addressed on the design and transportation issues on the temporary and permanent sites, the casino will still go through a process of review at Plan Commission. The outdoor venue concept proposed in another ordinance is not functional for neighbors and would present problems for the redevelopment areas along the Chicago River. Bally’s, like all of the other developers in the area, will be purchasing the casino development site, while leasing at the Medinah Temple temporary site. They will have to work with the City to make significant infrastructure improvements to the decrepit site.
The City expects other revenue to increase from the addition of the casino, including creation of significantly more property taxes on the Chicago Tribune properties, restaurant and other taxes.
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Next week, street sweeping will occur in sections 11, 12, and 13 (Bucktown). Click on the map to see your section's schedule.
Please be on the lookout for signs and make sure to move your vehicle on your scheduled day (south and east sides of the street are normally done on the first day, north and west on the second; please watch for signs). Please take the time to help clear the curb in front of your property. It is helpful to clear debris and clogs to keep the sewers flowing well. Please do not sweep landscaping debris into the street. Any landscaping debris should be bagged and put in the alley.
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Armitage Water Main Project
Armitage, Western to Kedzie-All water services have been transferred from the old water main to the new water main between Kedzie and California. Restoration work has begun between Kedzie and Humboldt. The full closure of Armitage EASTBOUND will continue this week.
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California Water Main Project Update
All dry pipe completed between Diversey to just south of Fullerton. Chlorination from Diversey to Logan has been completed and has been approved. Work on the catch basins from Logan to Fullerton is expected to be completed today. Next week, they will continue water service transfers from Diversey to Logan and complete the connection at Altgeld.
Southbound traffic lanes are closed during construction from 9am-4pm. An open lane in each direction is available on the existing northbound lanes during construction (Diversey to Logan).
The contractor is sweeping and cleaning up site at the end of each day and placing temporary pavement within driving lanes.
Should you have any questions or concerns, you can either ask the construction foreman during the project, or call any of the following numbers:
- 24-Hour Service and Information Line: 311
- DWM Office of Public Affairs: 312-744-6635
- 32nd Ward Office: 773-248-1330
If you would like to receive regular email updates about the progress of these projects, please go to BuildingANewChicago.org to register for project notifications. Simply enter your name, email address, and the project identification number (1901060). By signing up for the project notifications, you will be informed as the project enters each new construction phase - from mobilization of equipment onto the site, to the installation of new pipes, to the final restoration of the street.
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Construction on Diversey from Central Park to California is tentatively scheduled to begin on May 23, 2022, pending clearance from and coordination with existing utilities, and is weather permitting. The work will include ADA sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removal and replacement as needed for ADA and drainage compliance, pavement patching, milling and paving the existing asphalt pavement, concrete bus pads, and striping.
During construction, temporary “No Parking” signs will be periodically installed as required for each activity listed above. These temporary signs will restrict parking during working hours, while adhering to rush hour restrictions, for the completion of the work. All work on this corridor is scheduled to be completed August 15, 2022.
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Lincoln Belmont Streetscape Improvements
Final Stages of Implementation
The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), in coordination with Aldermen in the 32nd, 44th and 47th Wards, is starting the final stages of the reconstruction of Lincoln, Ashland and Belmont. Thanks to the South Lakeview Neighbors, residents and businesses for years of input and patience as we planned, and secured funding to take this final step to finish the project. Flyers will be going out door to door with the information below. There is contact info included at the bottom of the flyers but feel free to reach out if there are any issues. We will be working with contractors to try to minimize any impact on Lincoln and adjacent streets but construction does require parking and access changes that may make it more difficult to get around Lincoln. When crews are not working in construction zones, residents or customers will park on the street, but make sure your vehicle is moved in time for crews to do work during scheduled hours.
Improvements include new sidewalks, new traffic signals, no new polka dots, new benches, trees, and lighting among other enhancements for Lakeview.
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Better Streets for Better Buses: Public Comment Period Extended to Friday, June 10th
This plan will lay the groundwork for ongoing bus infrastructure improvements by establishing a network of corridors to prioritize and a toolbox of street treatments to consider as solutions to facilitate faster, more reliable bus service and improve the bus riding experience.
At this time, CTA and CDOT are presenting a proposed network of corridors for prioritizing future street treatments and a proposed toolbox of street treatments that includes ideas like enhanced traffic signals, better bus stops, dedicated bus lanes, and more. The Better Streets for Buses Plan will not assign specific infrastructure changes to specific streets, and it does not guarantee that improvements will take place on every corridor in the network; specific decisions as to where to focus improvements and what infrastructure changes to make will be made as part of subsequent phases of planning.
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Community Jobs Fair on June 23rd
Please join us for a community jobs fair on June 23rd from 1-4 p.m. at the Linda and Bill Gantz Boys and Girls Club (2915 N. Leavitt Street). To RSVP, please go here.
32nd Ward residents exploring the jobs market and local companies with openings are invited. This open-house style event is free.
If you are a business and would like to participate at no cost, please contact Steve Simmons at 773-929-5552 x2226 or [email protected].
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2022-23 Pulaski Registration Each Wednesday
Through June 1
2022-2023 Pulaski Registration for NEW Neighborhood Residents, Sibling Lottery, Regional Gifted, and preschool (when released) enrollments. Please register now if you are coming to Pulaski.
Every Wednesday, April 27th – June 1st
4:00 – 5:00pm – Walk-in Registrations Welcome – Please visit the Modular (small) Building Office
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United with Brentano Kids' Day!
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Shop and Dine in Roscoe Village!
Shop and Dine in Roscoe Village! Shop at local businesses during Roscoe
Street-ery weekends (starting 5/27-5/29), then present your receipt when enjoying on-street dining from Damen to Seeley to receive special discounts at participating restaurants. Find discounts, participating businesses, and learn more at https://www.lakeviewroscoevillage.org/roscoestreetery
Follow @roscoestreetery on Instagram!
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Wicker Park Advisory Council Sponsors The Garden as Inspiration, a Drawing and Watercolor Class
Sign up for The Garden as Inspiration drawing and watercolor class. Maria Mariottini will teach a 6 week long series that explores forms and textures in the 10,000 square feet of the Wicker Park Garden located in Wicker Park at 1425 N. Damen Avenue. The class will combine drawing & watercolor painting. All students will complete drawing exercises at the beginning of each class and then either draw or watercolor after these exercises that apply to both art mediums. The first session will be an intro and tour of the garden by Doug Wood, the garden coordinator and main designer and then students will begin to draw. Each following session will have a focus to encourage expanded skill in seeing and drawing & watercolor. Classes start Monday, June 6th. Register here.
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ROSCOE VILLAGE FARMERS MARKET RETURNS ON SUNDAYS, JUNE 12 - OCTOBER 9
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Now in its second season, the Roscoe Village Farmers Market provides local, sustainably produced foods to the Roscoe Village community on Sundays from 8am - 12pm starting June 12th through October 9th, 2022. Get ready to enjoy local produce along with vendors offering fresh breads, pastries, cheeses, coffee, and even ice cream! By prioritizing dedicated, local farmers and makers within walking distance for the community, the market will be a hub of sustainability for shoppers and vendors alike. Vendors will be announced soon - sign up to the Roscoe Village Farmers Market eNewsletter to be the first to know and get weekly updates on market happenings throughout the season.
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Avondale Gardening Alliance Fair
On Sunday, May 29th from 3pm to 6pm, Chief O'Neills lovely beer garden will host the Avondale Gardening Alliance's (AGA) Spring in the Garden event. Come learn more about the AGA, the resources and support available for new and experienced gardeners, and meet urban agriculture adjacent small local businesses. If you liked the seedling swap, you will LOVE this event. Seeds! Chickens! Seedlings! Dance demonstrations! Insect displays! Natural dye demos! And a ton more.
Come have FUN and celebrate our community's urban agriculture! If you'd like your small business to participate or if you are an individual maker of urban agriculture adjacent items, contact AGA at [email protected] and check out their website here.
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Lincoln Park Zoo Hours Update
Lincoln Park Zoo is opening early again! From June 6 to September 5, Lincoln Park Zoo will open its gates at 8 a.m. with buildings opening at 10 a.m. Please note that during these hours, some habitats are also being cleaned—and animals always have the choice to be in a public or private area—so not all animals will be visible.
Lincoln Park Zoo summer hours (June 6-September 5), unless otherwise specified:
Weekdays
8 a.m. – Zoo gates and Farm-in-the-Zoo open
10 a.m. – Buildings open
4:30 p.m. – Farm-in-the-Zoo closes
5 p.m. – Buildings and gates close
Saturdays, Sundays, 4th of July, Labor Day
8 a.m. – Zoo gates and Farm-in-the-Zoo open
10 a.m. – Buildings open
4:30 p.m. – Farm-in-the-Zoo closes
6:30 p.m. – Buildings close
7 p.m. – Gates close (beginning May 27)
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The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) offers free business education workshops or webinars every Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning. Topics include business licensing, operations, financial resources, marketing, and more. Programs are free and open to the public and taught by industry professionals, not-for-profit agencies, and government agencies.
BACP is committed to providing accessibility for all individuals, including people with disabilities. To request accessibility, please contact BACP at [email protected], 312-744-6060.
Wednesday, 6/1 Webinar at 3:00 PM
City Inspections - Ask Questions, Get Answers
Presented by the City of Chicago
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, Department of Public Health, and the Department of Buildings will provide insight on how operate a compliant business in the City of Chicago. Topics covered will include how to prepare for inspections, building permits and sign display requirements, food inspection overview and necessary certificates, and zoning review procedures. Learn how to operate safely and avoid common setbacks.
Friday, 6/3 Webinar at 9:30 AM
Grants, Loans, Incentives and FREE assistance for Manufacturers
Presented by Andrew Fogaty, Executive Director, 36squared Business Incubator
Every year, hundreds of Chicago manufacturers benefit from MILLIONS of dollars in grants, incentives, specialized loan programs and free assistance. Was your company one of them? If not, please join us. Andrew Fogaty from the 36Squared Business Incubator will be joined by a panel of experts as they discuss a wide range of programs.
Topics will include:
• Landing Government Contracts
• Export Assistance
• SBA and other funding programs
• Hiring/Training Reimbursements
• Property Tax Reductions
• Building Improvement Grants
Tuesday, 6/7 Webinar at 2:00 PM
Employer Responsibilities Under Chicago’s Minimum Wage Ordinance
Presented by Andy Fox, Director, Office of Labor Standards
On July 1, 2022, the minimum wage in Chicago increases for many workers. Join this webinar for an overview of the Chicago Minimum Wage Ordinance, including eligibility, annual increase to minimum wage, overtime wages, and tipped wages.
Thursday, 6/9 Webinar at 2:00 PM
Employer Responsibilities Under Chicago’s Fair Workweek Ordinance
Presented by Andy Fox, Director, Office of Labor Standards
On July 1, 2022, the Fair Workweek wage coverage rates go into effect. Join this webinar for an overview of the Chicago Fair Workweek Ordinance, including who is eligible for coverage under the law and highlights on enforcement trends through illustrative examples.
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Alderman Scott Waguespack
2657 North Clybourn
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 248-1330
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