The Department of Water Management (DWM) has two construction crews working on Lincoln. This coming week, both crews will continue with the installation of the new water main on the west side of Lincoln in between Wellington and Belmont. There are no scheduled water shutoffs this week.

·       24-Hour Service and Information Line: 311 

·       Anthony Falada, General Superintendent of Water: 312-617-2218 

·       32^nd Ward Office - 773-248-1330 

The Department of Water Management (DWM) has multiple construction crews working on Armitage. Installation of the new water main on the north side of Armitage between Leavitt and Damen has been completed. Both crews will move to the south side of the street between Damen and Paulina following restoration completion. Restoration work will continue on Armitage between Damen and Paulina. Restoration work may start between Western and Damen. There are no scheduled water service shutdowns for this week.

During the month of August, work will be done between the Kennedy expressway and Kedzie, Fullerton and Diversey to install a cement lining in catch basins, manholes, and other drainage structures. This lining extends the life of the structure by 30-50 years and is cheaper and less invasive than replacing the structure. If you are in this area in August, make sure to look out for no parking signs around catch basins.

The City Council met on Wednesday to pass ordinances from committees from over the past month. Some highlights include:

Building Inspection Fees Reductions: City Council voted to approve an ordinance that will cap the total late payment penalty on unpaid building inspection and reinspection fees at 100% of the original fee, similar to other city fines for parking and camera enforcement tickets. Capping these penalties is expected to reduce staff time spent on investigating violations, increase compliance and safety, increase violation collections by reducing the late fees, and it will help decrease the cost of investments. Many buildings in the City have decades of built up penalties that prevent some people from rebuilding or reinvesting in their buildings. The cap will apply to late payment penalties on a building inspection fee that is unpaid as of September 1, 2021. Late payment penalties will continue to accrue at the rate of $5 per 30 days until the cap is reached.

The Mayor and Department of Buildings (DOB) also introduced an ordinance to begin the process of upgrading Chicago's Mechanical Codes to help reduce construction costs. There will be a stakeholder advisory group created to develop comprehensive Building Code updates, and work to strengthen and modernize environmental and other building practices.

Sign/Public Way Use (PWU) Reforms: Businesses and the business community have been asking for years to get sign reform passed in the Council. Over six years ago, I started working with groups like our chambers of commerce and SBAC-IL to get the reforms needed to speed up the sign and public way use permitting process. This week, the Council passed a compromise reform after that portion of the reforms language was cut out from the Mayor's ChiBizStrong Ordinance last month.

If the local alderperson and BACP agree that the PWU application meets the Code requirements for a permit, the permit is issued without the need for an ordinance to be passed by City Council (the majority of signs go through this weeks long process). If the local alderperson and BACP agree that the PWU application does not meet the Code requirements for a permit (for instance, a business and sign company submit for a new flashing LED sign), the permit application would be denied and the applicant has the right to appeal that denial. But if the local alderperson thinks the PWU permit application does not meet the Code requirements for a permit, but BACP thinks that the application does meet the requirements, the permit applicant, with the assistance of BACP, may submit to City Council an applicant-sponsored ordinance granting approval of a public way use permit for City Council to consider. We will continue to expediently process all business signs in our ward, and where there are conflicts, work to resolve them with the Dept. of Business Affairs and the business.

Sexual Harassment and Assault Cases at the Chicago Park District: This week, I submitted an order (ordinance) along with my colleague Ald. Michele Smith, to ask the Chicago Inspector General (OIG) to draft and implement an intergovernmental agreement with the Chicago Park District to intervene and offer investigations assistance in the sexual assault and harassment investigations. These investigations have come to light thanks to several lifeguards who filed complaints about sexual harassment and assaults. The investigations have been covered by WBEZ and have led to several reports about abuse of teens and young adults in Chicago. The stories we saw about the horrific sexual assault and harassment of park district employees, especially the lifeguards, are appalling and we are taking steps to ensure that the investigations continue and all avenues to address the crimes are being taken. While criminal charges may soon be filed, we have met with the OIG to discuss the legal and law enforcement issues involved and what options there are to proceed. We also want to see a comprehensive review and revision of the Park District sexual harassment policy, and will review all City of Chicago and Chicago sister agency policies. The sister agency is run by the CEO and a board, and is not a department of the City of Chicago, so they operate under different guidelines and laws but they are an integral part of the city.

Order-Call for Chicago Office of Inspector General to negotiate and present intergovernmental agreement to provide aid and investigative capacity to Chicago Park District's Inspector General in investigating sexual assault, abuse and harassment among Chicago Park District's lifeguards

Per WBEZ-Confidential reports obtained recently by WBEZ show investigators have gathered evidence corroborating accusations against at least three male lifeguards for sexual assault, harassment, or retaliatory threats against their subordinates – including one incident involving the sexual assault and attempted rape of a 16-year-old girl.

Police Oversight: I voted for the police oversight ordinance this week after it went through hundreds of amendments and revisions over the past 6 years. The ordinance sets of community panels to help build trust between communities and the Chicago Police Department (CPD). These district councils will help draft CPD policies and have more opportunity to voice concerns about police policies.

Police and community cooperation is not working in many Chicago communities, so it is hoped that this plan will reverse some of that and get residents and police working together to improve public safety in communities throughout Chicago. It is not a panacea for police oversight and will not solve all the city's problems with crime and violence, but it is a step in a direction to improve these community relations.

Statement from Mayor and Advocates: "After a weekend of productive negotiations, we are pleased to announce that the parties have reached an agreement on a proposed substitute ordinance for civilian oversight of the Chicago Police Department, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, and the Police Board. If passed, this ordinance would bring an historic, transformative, and balanced approach to civilian oversight. The Committee on Public Safety is expected to take up the substitute ordinance on Tuesday and we strongly urge the members of City Council to vote to approve this landmark legislation."

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has confirmed the first West Nile Virus (WNV)-positive mosquito batches in the City for 2021. CDPH will continue to monitor the areas where the mosquitos tested positive and will determine the appropriate next steps to be taken following additional tests. No human cases of WNV have been reported to date in 2021.

CDPH began its annual mosquito control activities on May 26th. This includes treating 40,000 catch basins in Chicago with larvicide, which kills immature mosquitoes and is the most effective control strategy. In addition, CDPH places up to 83 traps throughout the city and tests mosquito samples every week. This information allows CDPH to respond quickly to reduce risks of mosquitoes through neighborhood outreach and spraying in specific geographic areas. The best way to prevent infection from WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and avoid mosquito bites. Residents are encouraged to take personal precautions against mosquitoes:

For more information about mosquito-borne diseases, including symptoms and prevention, visit www.chicago.gov/health.

It's that time of year again! Wrightwood Neighbors is planning for the 37th Annual Taste of Lincoln Avenue. This year's event will be Saturday & Sunday, July 24th and 25th. Mark your calendars!

The festival is and always has been a community fundraiser for the Wrightwood Neighbors Association (WNA), and the hard work of volunteers has allowed them to generously support schools, parks, and many other valuable community institutions-thank you so much!

They are seeking volunteers for the event, but if you are unable to volunteer or to enjoy the festival, please consider make a direct donation to WNA here; remember, the WNA board is an all volunteer board and funds raised go back to programs in our community.

If you are interested in volunteering at this year’s Taste, please complete this online sign up form. 

In extreme heat: 

About 90% of children in the U.S. are eligible for the new child tax credit as of July 15. Non-tax filers must sign-up to get monthly payments. Visit childtaxcredit.gov 

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is excited to bring the enhanced Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) program to more Chicago communities. The Fullerton/Milwaukee TIF with $1,900,000 in available funds will rollout for new SBIF applications. Applications will be accepted starting on Monday, August 2nd and must be received by SomerCor by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 31st. 

DPD and SomerCor will host a webinar on Wednesday, August 4th at 1 pm, with simultaneous Spanish interpretation, to provide an overview of the SBIF program and application process. For more information, visit the new SBIF website, chicago.gov/sbif, to register for the webinar and find the application.

Register for the 7/30 Webinar  

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown announced the creation of a new Gun Investigations Team, which will focus on getting guns out of the hands of violent offenders by identifying illegal gun dealers and straw purchasers and holding them accountable. During an investigation by the FBI and Chicago Police after a gun was used in a mass shooting earlier this year, the FBI traced a gun sale to three Kentucky based US Army soldiers, who have since been charged with "conspiracy and offenses relating to the illegal purchase and transfer of dozens of firearms" in Chicago. The federal conviction could bring each up to 20 years in prison. More on the gun investigation team being created by the Chicago Police Department is also at WTTW News. 

19^th District Twitter

Please 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).  The sections of the 32nd Ward to be swept next week will be sections 10, 11, and 12 (parts of Bucktown).  Please take the time to help clear debris from the curb in front of your property 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.