Greetings, Neighbor!
In this week's newsletter, we're sharing information about City Council updates, filming this week in the ward, efforts to decrease mosquitoes, yard sale permit information, great opportunity for small businesses in the ward, and more.
MEMORIAL DAY HOURS: Our office will be closed between 5pm on Friday, May 27, until 9am on Tuesday, May 31, for the Memorial Day weekend.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
This newsletter comes out every two weeks; for more timely information about events, infrastructure projects, and more follow us
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Thanks for taking the time to read this newsletter!
Margaret Laurino
39th Ward Alderman
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Groundbreaking for Albany Park Storm Water Diversion Tunnel
Alderman Margaret Laurino (39th ) and Mayor Rahm Emanuel broke ground Sunday for the Albany Park Storm Water Diversion Tunnel. They were joined at the groundbreaking by Senator Dick Durbin, Congressman Mike Quigley, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Board of Commissioners President Mariyana Spyropoulous, and officials of the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT).
"This drainage tunnel will eliminate the danger of floods that have plagued our northwest side neighborhood for more than a century," Alderman Laurino said. "In the meantime, we've coordinated protective safety measures with CDOT and the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) against potential flooding. We've also pledged to
keep residents updated on the tunnel project completion."
Full press release on our site.
In photo, from left with the Alderman: longtime Albany Park resident Bob Fine; Eugene Field Park Supervisor Tracy Brumley; CDOT Deputy Commissioner/ Chief Engineer Dan Burke; and CDOT Civil Engineer Vasile Jurka.
In photo, from left: Congressman Mike Quigley; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Board of Commissioners President Mariyana Spyropoulous; Alderman Margaret Laurino; Mayor Rahm Emanuel; Senator Dick Durbin; Commissioner, Department of Water Management Barrett Murphy, and Chicago Department of Transportation First Deputy Commissioner Randy Conner.
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City Council Update
Earlier this month, more than 450 American Airlines customers missed flights at O'Hare due to waiting in security screening lines for over two hours. Alderman Laurino and three other City Council members introduced a resolution to solve the problem at O'Hare and Midway Airports, requesting that security screening at both airports be performed by a more efficient, flexible, and licensed security firm instead of TSA. 21 airports throughout the country (including San Francisco) have chosen not to use TSA, instead opting for used firms qualified and licensed through the federal screening partnership program.
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Special Efforts in the 39th
Help-a-Hero Drive in June
During the month of June, we're taking part in the Help-a-Hero drive to collect household items for our country's veterans. All materials will be collected by Military Outreach USA and delivered to the United States' Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Find details about items needed here. (PDF)
You're welcome to share your collected items for the Help-a-Hero drive at our office starting June 1.
Chicago City Clerk Blanket/Towel Drive for Animal Care
Through August of this year, our office will be a collection site for gently used and clean blanket/towels for our animal friends at the City of Chicago's Commission on Animal Care. This is part of a drive initiated by the Chicago City Clerk's office.
Blanket/towel donations will be accepted now through the end of August 2016.
NOTE: All donations can be brought to our office during business hours (Monday 9am - 8pm; Tuesday - Friday 9am - 5pm; most Saturdays 9am - 12pm.) You're welcome to call ahead to confirm that we are open (773-736-5594.) Our office will be closed this coming Saturday and Monday for the Holiday weekend. Our office is located at 4404 W. Lawrence. Please do not leave bags of donations outside of our office when we are not open, as they may be mistaken for refuse.
Thanks in advance for your kindness!
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New Business: Easy Breezy
Last week we had the pleasure of meeting Richard, Teresa, Joe, and Mike from EASY Breezy Laundry in a Jiffy at 4680 N. Elston Ave. Easy Breezy recently p
urchased this location, and they are making significant investments in both the interior and exterio
r
of
the property.
Easy Breezy offers dry clean, drop off wash & fold services or se
lf serve laundromat with high capacity washers as well as free WiFi and ample free parking.
NOTE: The Easy Breezy owners are looking for a tenant to occupy a
pproximately 3,200 sq ft of retail space next door at 4684 N. Elston. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please have them contact Joe at: JOE@ITSEASYBREEZY.COM
Welcome to the neighborhood!
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Filming in the Ward, 5/26
Sony Pictures Television will be filming scenes for a program in our ward on THURSDAY MAY 26, 2016.
Please be advised that the following areas will be posted "No Parking" from 2pm until no later than 9pm:
- East side of Milwaukee from Devon south to N Mobile Ave.
- Both sides of Highland Ave. from Milwaukee Ave east to N Mobile Ave.
The production company is working closely with the Chicago Film Office, the Chicago Transit Authority, and the Chicago Police Department to facilitate the production and ensure safety.
Thanks in advance for making space for and welcoming this production in our neighborhood for one afternoon/evening!
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Until 6/7: Montrose Blue Line Forest Stop Closure / Bus Stop Relocation
Due to improvements as part of the Your New Blue program, Forest Park-bound trains will be bypassing the Montrose Blue Line station until June 7.
Also until
June 7, the bus stop at the eastbound Montrose Blue Line station, mid-block, will be temporary relocated. CTA customers will have to use the nearest bus stop at Montrose and Kilbourn, where there is a crosswalk and pedestrian signal. This option, though not as convenient to access the station, will mitigate jaywalking across Montrose to access the station house on the north side.
Information in English (PDF)
Information in Spanish (PDF)
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Free Health & Safety Fair, 6/15
Our office is proud to be sponsoring a FREE Health & Safety Fair on June 15. Spread the word!
WHEN: Wednesday, June 15, 9am - 12pm
WHERE: Albany Park Community Center Auditorium, 5101 N. Kimball
WHAT: Nutritional Tips, Health Screenings, Yoga Info, Bicycle Safety, Community Resources, Mental Health, Experts on Site
Watch for more events on our website.
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Peterson Pulaski SBIF Program - Application Deadline
May 31
The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) Program uses Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars to assist owners and tenants of commercial and industrial properties to repair and remodel their facilities. Participants can receive reimbursements (a grant that does not need to be repaid) of up to 75% of the cost of permanent improvements, with a maximum grant amount of $150,000.
If you own a small business or building in the Peterson Pulaski TIF District and are interested in applying for a SBIF grant, the deadline for submitting the initial 7-page application for this round of funding is Tuesday, 5/31/16, by 5:00pm.
The application, as well as additional information about the SBIF Program, is available at SomerCor.
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Larvicide Use in Catch Basins
Starting last week and continue through mid-June, staff under contract with the Chicago Department of Public Health will drop larvicide in catch basins throughout the City. This annual activity is done to decrease the number of mosquitoes that are hatched and can transmit the West Nile virus. Crews are easily identifiable as they will be wearing orange vests.
FAQ:
- What is a larvicide? A larvicide is a type of insecticide used to kill or interrupt the development of immature forms of mosquitoes, preventing them from becoming adults. The brand name of the larvicide that we use is Altosid® XR-Briquets.
- Is the larvicide safe? This larvicide is registered for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is safe for humans as well as for animals that may come in contact with it, including fish and birds.
- How will I know when the larvicide is being placed in my neighborhood? Crews will be easily recognized: They will be wearing orange vests and will be walking up and down the street placing the larvicide in catch basins. They will be escorted by a City van.
- How is the larvicide used? The larvicide is uniquely shaped to fit between the small openings in the catch basins. Once in the catch basin, small amounts of the active ingredient is released over time.
- Which areas of the City will larvicide be placed? Larvicide is placed in areas of the City where data have shown an increased likelihood of identifying mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus. North of 83rd Street, this includes areas west of Ashland Avenue. South of 83rd, this includes areas west of Stony Island Avenue.
- Does this effort help address Zika virus? This effort is primarily focused on combating West Nile virus by decreasing the number of mosquitoes that can transmit this virus. Though Zika virus is also transmitted by mosquitoes, the risk for Chicagoans for contracting Zika virus is low, as the main species of mosquito that transmits this virus is not native to Chicago. However, we will be placing traps throughout the City to monitor for the types of mosquitoes that can transmit Zika virus. For more information regarding Zika, CDPH has created fact sheets in English and Spanish.
Questions about this process can be directed to the Chicago Department of Public Health.
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Yard Sales / Block Parties
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39th Ward Office Hours
In addition to being open 9am until 5pm Monday through Friday, did you know our office is open most Mondays until 8pm and most Saturdays 9am until 12pm (excluding Holidays and Holiday weekends)?
We encourage you to call ahead to confirm open office hours and make your visit as efficient and productive as possible: 773-736-5594
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Stay Informed:
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