In recognition of
Labor Day
our ward office will be closed on Monday, September 3rd. We will re-open with normal hours on Tuesday, September 4th.
We have several infrastructure projects underway throughout the ward, including gas, water, and annual roadwork. Please take extra care and time while going through these construction projects. As CPS students head back to school next week, please be extra careful in school zones and crossings.
Have a great weekend,
Alderman
|
| 19th and 20th District Community Alert: Vehicular Hijacking |
The 19th District has issues another alert on carjackings for the Lakeview, Lincoln Park neighborhoods.
While some probationary officers were transferred into the 19th District this summer, there is a need to get the numbers of officers back to a minimum of what was promised in 2012 by the Mayor Emanul and then Superintendent McCarthy during the merger of districts. The City budget hearings start in October and citizens are welcome to attend to see the committee meetings as department heads present their department budgets. The new OIG portal will be helpful in determining the Police department budget. You can see the latest data here.
Baloney, Rahm! Mayor Hypes "10 New Officers" In Town Hall District, But Manpower DECREASES AGAIN In July
Carjacking Prevention Tips
- Lock all doors and keep windows rolled up at all times-even if you are parked or only driving for only a short distance.
- When approaching your vehicle, have your keys in hand, ready to open the door. The few seconds you save fumbling for your keys may keep you from becoming a victim.
- Keep your eyes moving and your head on a swivel. Often, if a criminal senses that a victim has observed him, they'll look for an easier victim.
- Trust your instincts. If you feel something is wrong, turn around and leave the area.
- Take special care when stopped in traffic for anyone approaching your vehicle. Sound your horn to attract attention if approached by a suspicious person.
- Sometimes carjackers or thieves driving behind you will bump your rear fender, expecting you to pull over right away. If your vehicle is tapped in the rear, do not pull over, especially at night or in unfamiliar places. Instead, drive to a well-lit, secure area with other people such as a gas station or, better still, a police facility to report the accident.
- When stopping in traffic at a stop sign or light, make sure you leave enough room in front of you to be able to maneuver and escape if necessary. Rule of thumb- if you can't see the rear tires of the car in front of you touch the pavement, you're too close.
- Always try to park in well-lit, heavily traveled areas, as close to your destination as possible. An attended parking lot is ideal, as criminals hate having witnesses.
- Never leave your car with the motor running, even if only for a minute to run into a store or your home.
- Gas stations, carwashes, and drive up ATMs are often the venue for a carjacking. Drivers are distracted and easily surprised by criminals.
- Shoppers loading packages into their vehicles are often targeted because they are distracted.
- Be wary of people near your vehicle who ask for directions or money or other possible distractions. They may be working with a partner who will attempt to take your keys and your vehicle.
- Drive in the center lane away from curbs and sidewalks.
- Keep your cell phone in your pocket. If your vehicle is stolen, you'll have a way to call 911, rather than being stranded without a way to call for help. Carry a card listing your license plate number, VIN, engine type, and body style. Relay this information to the police quickly if your car is stolen.
- If you are a victim, cooperate with the suspect. Make a mental note of the suspect's description, their vehicle's description, and report it to the police as soon as possible.
|
|
Ald. Waguespack Cautions City Council to Slow Process on Pension Bonds, Ensure Thorough Examination
|
Ald. Scott Waguespack (32), chair of the Chicago City Council Progressive Reform Caucus, issued the following statement on Monday in light of the news that the Emanuel administration is proposing $10 billion in bonds to support the City's pension obligation:
"It is our responsibility as aldermen to fully vet the Mayor's massive pension obligation bond (POB) proposal and all of its potential repercussions for taxpayers before we rush to a vote. One set of briefings, called with little notice in late August, won't cut it. Taxpayers deserve an open and honest discussion about this new deal and the direction of the City's finances.
"Before we allow this plan to be rushed through, I urge my colleagues to slow down and demand answers from the fifth floor to some basic questions, the answers to which will determine if it is fiscally responsible to move forward, such as:
● Will this potential structure consolidate debt into a single, tax exempt package? What are the expected payment structure and amortization schedules?
● For years, we have argued that new, progressive revenue sources are needed, and this proposal will not negate that need, as pointed out by the CITI research report. What is the Mayor's plan to raise revenue to cover the new debt service this alone will generate?
● How will the Emanuel administration sell this deal--how much of it will be competitive and/or negotiated?
● How many series will there be, and how far apart?
● What is target annual interest rate?
● What refinancing provisions will the Emanuel administration seek? Like the structure of the parking meter deal, will the City be stuck with a potentially bad deal for taxpayers for decades? Are they callable at any time during their term or will the City be stuck with them until maturity?
● If the market goes into a recession within the first years of the deal, what is the Mayor's plan to fund the City's debt?
● Will the administration allocate the full amount of the pension obligation bonds to the pension funds, or will a portion be used to supplement the ramps?
"Without answers to these questions and many more, the City Council must do the responsible thing and turn down the Mayor's request for a blind yes vote."
# # #
RECAP from last week's newsletter:
City Hall presented their plan for a $10 Billion pension obligation bond (POB), the highest ever offering for a municipality or state in the history of POB's. Some Chicago aldermen leery of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's possible $10 billion pension borrowing plan
While a public committee meeting will be held soon, there needs to be more time for taxpayers to vet the issue and see if it is worthy of moving forward, or considering other options.
The aim of the POB offering by the Mayor and his advisers is to fix short term problems in the city budget and pension obligations. The obligations would still exist, but the major impact would be pushed off to future taxpayers and successors at City Hall. Many aldermen are willing to hear out the defense for pension obligation bonds, but there must be information provided, and the city council must be given time to thoroughly discuss the proposal.
Mayor defends pension obligation bonds as only plan
|
| Workshop: How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment |
|
| First Day of School for CPS Students |
Tuesday, September 4th is the first day of school for the majority of Chicago Public School students. This time of year is very hectic with so many kids returning to class. Here are some great resources to prepare your students and yourself for this coming school year:
1. Make sure your child is prepared for classes. You can find a CPS
supply list here
, but don't forget lunches and water bottles as well!
2. Pad your time to allow for extra traffic and other transportation issues the next couple of weeks as many families are trying to adjust.
Please be patient during the school pick up and drop off at your kids' school. School faculty and parent volunteers do their best to address the traffic, but you may have to wait as other parents drop off their kids, so be patient. Do not rush off in your car, as children are also crossing in the area.
3. For children who use public transportation, Ventra provides student discount prices. Usually, a letter will be sent home to parents to buy cards for their students. If not, you can call your child's school to find out how to proceed.
4. Make sure to remind your kids to be aware of the surroundings, no matter what their grade may be. Especially, talk to them about headphones and encourage them to not use them; but if they must, to at least keep one ear without it. CPS has worked with many local business to provide Safe Passage. You can find out where the closest ones are to your child's school by clicking here.
5. For other transportation options, such as eligibility for school bus pick up, you'll want to go to this page.
6. Don't forget your kids will need to update their health requirements, if you haven't done so, check out the list here!
|
People's Gas Project in Logan Square
|
 People's Gas will be installing 1,800' of new 2" main and updating 36 services including one to Planet Fitness. Brentano School at Fairfield and Schubert should not be directly impacted, but parents and students should be aware that work is taking place in the area. The project will begin September 4th and end November 12th.
|
| Diversey Water Main Project Update#1801131 |
| Our office received an update from the Department of Water Management (DWM) concerning the Diversey Water Project, that extends from Damen to Racine. The project is currently being postponed because of complications with utilities. DWM will be in the area to clean up what was started and remove the traffic controls until they are able to resume the project. |
Logan Square Preservation Housewalk
|
|
Tickets are on sale now for the Logan Square Preservation Housewalk. Explore historic homes along and around the boulevards of Logan Square.
The housewalk is self guided so you can go at your own pace, but it typically takes a few hours to complete. Once inside the homes, there will be docents to help guide you.
Tickets $25.00 in advance,
$35.00 after September 4th. For more information and to order tickets,
click here
or to purchase tickets in person, visit
*Play
at 3109 W Logan Bl. or
Dill Pickle Co-Op
, 2746 N. Milwaukee.
|
When, Where, & How to Register to Vote for the Nov. 6 Election
|
At Your Precinct Polling Place on Election Day on Nov. 6
To register to vote, you must:
- be a U.S. citizen, and
- be born on or before November 6, 2000, and
- live in your precinct at least 30 days before the election, and
- not claim the right to vote elsewhere; and
- not be in prison/jail serving time for a conviction. (Note: Ex-convicts who have completed their sentences and who meet all other requirements listed above are eligible to register and vote in Illinois.)
|
| Cook County Elder Justice Center Senior Enrichment Seminar Series |
Please join the Cook County Elder Justice Center for the following two seminars to be held from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Richard J. Daley Center, located at 50 West Washington Street, Courtroom 2005 on the dates indicated below:
This Place Seems Nice: Adult Day Care Services
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Topics to Include:
- Types of adult day care services
- How to choose the right service for your needs
- Payment options
Speakers:
- Winnie Lam, Education Chair, Illinois Adult Day Service Association, Chinese American Service League
- Carolyn Hicks, Executive Director, Renaissance Adult Day Services, Inc.
- Elizabeth Cagan, Executive Director, White Crane Wellness Center
Empowering Nursing Home Residents
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Topics to Include:
- Nursing home residents' rights
- Common problems residents encounter and resolutions
- The Illinois Department of Public Health's role as a regulator
- Investigation and reporting procedures
Speakers:
- Bernard Cobbins, Jr., Regional Ombudsman, Chicago, Illinois Association of Long Term Care Ombudsmen - President, Chicago Department of Family and Support Services
- Michelle Millard, Special Investigation Unit, Illinois Department of Public Health
Call
(312) 603-9233 to reserve your seats.
|
| Community Career Fair: Chicago Department of Aviation |
|
| EARLY NOTICE: Flu Clinic at the 32nd Ward Office |
We're happy to announce that we are once again partnering with the
Chicago Department of Public Health to host a FREE Flu Shot Clinic at our office. Everyone is welcome from children to seniors.
Influenza is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. You have the power to protect yourself and your family this season with these three actions to fight the flu.
- Get a flu vaccine.
- Take everyday actions to stop the spread of germs, such as avoiding close contact with sick people, avoiding contact with others when you're sick, covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and washing your hands often with soap and water.
- Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.
We hope you'll join us in working to keep Chicago Healthy!
When: Thursday, 10/11/2018
Time: 11am-3pm
Where: 32nd Ward Office, 2657 N. Clybourn
|
| Vounteer as a Docent at Lincoln Park Conservatory |
Volunteers are needed as docents and greeters/concierges! Training begins October
6, 2018.
Do you enjoy talking with people from around the world? Would you like to share your passion for Lincoln Park and the natural world?
The Lincoln Park Conservancy along with the Chicago Park District is seeking volunteers to become docents and
greeters/concierges at the Lincoln Park Conservatory and Gardens, 2391 N. Stockton Drive, Chicago.
The Lincoln Park Conservatory, owned and operated by the Chicago Park District, was built in the 1890s and designed by nationally renowned architect Joseph Lyman Silsbee in collaboration with architect M.E. Bell.
As a docent, you will welcome visitors and share your knowledge of the soaring tropical palms, ancient ferns, brilliant orchids, and deep history of the building through casual conversations, and both informal and formal tours (free and fee based) for public and private groups. These interactions enrich the public's experience by interpreting and building personal connections to the historical, architectural and horticultural aspects of the Lincoln Park Conservatory.
Docent training begins on Saturday, October 6, 2018 and continues for six Saturday mornings ending on November 17. Trainees will learn from area experts about visitor interpretation, the history of Lincoln Park, plant life, and landscape architecture. Deadline to register is Friday, September 28.
As a greeter/concierge, you will warmly welcome visitors to the Conservatory, providing the first impression as local visitors and tourists from around the world enter the Conservatory. The Conservatory Greeter assists with questions, directions, and helps to connect the guest with services as needed. He or she will collect information about where visitors come from and encourage them to make a suggested contribution to support the Conservatory. This donation is important to support the Conservancy's work, including the docent and greeter programs.
Greeters must attend a one-day training on Saturday, October 6, 2018. Trainees will learn about customer service, Lincoln Park Conservancy projects, as well as the history of Lincoln Park and plants in the Conservatory. Deadline to register is Friday, September 28. After completing the training, greeters sign up for two weekend shifts per month.
After completing the training, greeters sign up for two weekend shifts per month.
For more information, please contact Rebecca Conant, Assistant Director of Educational Programs, Lincoln Park Conservancy at (773)883-7275, [email protected]
|
|
|
www.ward32.org
Alderman Scott Waguespack
|
|
|
|
