Ald. Scott Waguespack June 26, 2020 Update
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Greetings!
Street sweeping has resumed. The sections of the 32nd Ward to be swept next week will be sections 3 and 4 (portions of Logan Square, Hamlin Park, and Roscoe Village). See the map below or check here for the
citywide schedule
.
Ticketing for failing to move during street sweeping will start up again on July 1
.
Please make sure to move your vehicle on your scheduled day.
This weekend is traditionally the Chicago Pride Parade, one of the largest and most well attended events in the City. Because of COVID-19, the official parade has been canceled. In June 1969, New York Police raided the Stonewall Inn, using excessive force and forcing 200 patrons out on the streets causing weeks of protest and marches following. Marsha P. Johnson, a black trans activist, was one of the people who stood up against the police and is an important figure in the Stonewall uprising. You can read more about her and donate to the Marsha P. Johnson Institute by
clicking here.
There are so many stories about the LGBTQIA+ community. Stories that are difficult to hear and also so many stories about triumph and victories. Much has changed since
1969
, but there is still so much more to be done for equality and justice. This year, there will be a
Black Trans Lives Matter protest
you can attend. Activate Chi, a grassroots activist organization, will be collaborating with Chicago Pride organizations, Northalsted Business Alliance, and the businesses of Boystown to reinstate the Pride march as “Black Trans Lives Matter: A BLM Pride Protest.” The protest will start at 11:00AM on June 28th and consist of a march from Uptown to a rally in Grant Park. If you go, make sure to wear a mask. If you'd rather donate, please consider places like the
Center on Halsted
and
Brave Space Alliance
.
Many people in the ward have been looking for ways to support other Chicago residents throughout this time. The Women’s Caucus of City Council is finishing up their supply drive to help women and families across Chicago. The drive will support families who have limited access to formula, diapers, wipes, and more. See below for details and how you can help.
It's nice to see the 606 and lakefront opened up, but wearing a mask is important. Please protect yourself and others by wearing a mask. The latest update on Chicago's COVID-19 statistics and information are
available here
.
The Inspector General is also asking
Chicago residents to participate in a survey
regarding city programs and how you think they can be improved. This survey seeks input from Chicago community members regarding your concerns about the quality of City programs and what you would like to see done better.
15,372 households in the 32nd Ward have responded to the 2020
Census
. This means there are about 10,248 households which have not responded! Overall, 55.0% of all Chicagoans have responded to the Census, about 60% in the 32nd Ward. The census helps determine federal funding and the redistricting process. It only takes about 5 minutes to do the census at
https://2020census.gov
.
Have a good weekend,
Scott Waguespack, Alderman
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Phase 4 Reopening of Chicago
Today starts Phase 4 of our cautious reopen, alongside the rest of Illinois, allowing additional businesses and public amenities to open with limited capacities and appropriate safeguards. Although progress has been made in order to move to phase four, all residents should continue to abide by important guidance including: physically distancing and wearing a face covering; limiting non-business, social gatherings to 50 persons for indoor events and 100 for outdoors; staying at home if you are considered vulnerable, feel ill, or have come into contact with someone with COVID-19; and getting tested if you have symptoms.
The following industries will open at the beginning of phase four in Chicago:
- Indoor seating in bars and restaurants
- Museums and zoos
- Performance venues
- Summer camps / youth activities
Phase four will also include adjustments to other industries that have previously reopened; detailed information can be found at
chicago.gov/reopening
. To allow businesses and organizations to prepare for the next phase, Mayor Lightfoot, in partnership with the Chicago Dept of Public Health (CDPH), industry leaders, labor leaders, and public officials from around Chicago, released an additional set of industry-specific guidelines for businesses, employees, and customers to follow as the city moves into phase four. Industry-specific guidelines include details such as how businesses can encourage healthy interactions between workers and customers, how to maintain safe working spaces and conditions, and how to design and monitor workplace operations to create flexibility and maintain safety for employees and customers.
To move into phase four, Chicago had set a requirement of stable or declining cases along with a goal of reaching fewer than 200 new COVID-19 cases per day, which it has now achieved, with a current 7-day average of 167 new cases per day. Based on the city’s population and national metrics from the CDC, this will move Chicago from a high-incidence level to a moderate-high incidence level. Once Chicago has fewer than 100 new cases per day, the city will move to a moderate-incidence level by national standards, and gathering sizes and capacity limits can more safely increase.
CDPH will continue to follow the same health metrics to help guide the City’s decision-making process. The City recently launched a data dashboard where individuals can explore these metrics. For the latest COVID data, go to
chi.gov/coviddash
.
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Juvenile Justice Hearing with Chicago OIG
The subject was Chicago's Juvenile Intervention and Support Center (JISC) which was created with the intent of providing services to at risk youth to keep them out of the criminal justice system. The OIG report concluded that the program was a failure. The hearing allowed the Dept of Family and Support Services (DFSS) to elaborate on their new system to address a higher risk group of youth, but left open many questions on the police department funding uses for the entire program over the past decade.
Read the IG's report here
.
The Inspector General is also asking Chicago residents to participate in a survey regarding city programs and how you think they can be improved.
Take the survey here.
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City Council Progressive Caucus Champions Policy and Programs that Address Systemic Issues Exposed by Pandemic and Killing of Black People
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Rebecca Williams
224-623-1491
Chicago (June 23) On Wednesday, the City Council’s Progressive Caucus called for an amplified focus on policy measures and city investments that advance social and economic justice for our most vulnerable residents.
“The pandemic and the killing of Black people at the hands of police has magnified the racial, health, and economic disparities that plague this city,” said Progressive Caucus Chair Ald. Sophia King (4). “Now is the time to advance bold and robust legislation that prioritizes the needs of our most marginalized citizens and vulnerable communities“.
The Progressive Caucus will focus on reforms that include economic and social justice for Black and Brown people including public safety reform, housing equity, and job and contract parity. Last week, Progressive Caucus members advanced measures that would remove CPD officers from Chicago Public Schools, establish stronger tenant eviction protections, create a reparations commission, and make Juneteenth a city holiday. The Caucus is also pushing to escalate civilian oversight of the police.
On Wednesday, Progressive Caucus members Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6), Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20), and Ald. Carlos Rarmirez-Rosa (35) introduced an ordinance to terminate the $33 million contract between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and remove CPD officers from district schools.
“We need CPD out of our schools. Far too often, police officers are handcuffing our children, sending them to jail, and mishandling conflict—they are simply not prepared to be school monitors,“ said Ald. Sawyer. “We need a restorative approach to safety in our schools that ensures our students are respected and given the chance to grow through mistakes, not be criminalized for them.”
Progressive Caucus members also introduced the Just Cause for Eviction ordinance. This ordinance requires a landlord to demonstrate fault on the part of the tenant as a condition to evict or have a well-recognized reason independent of the tenant (e.g., taking the unit off the market or renting to relatives). “Just cause” helps reduce housing insecurity for renters and their families and slows the pace of economic and cultural displacement for neighborhoods.
“More than 55% of households in Chicago are occupied by renters. Right now, landlords have a unique ability to casually inflict a life-altering event, an eviction, on a renter without justification or cause,” said Ald. Bryon Sigcho-Lopez (25). “ In the years following this pandemic, the right of renters who follow the rules and pay rent must be protected and that is exactly what the Just Cause ordinance will do.”
In addition, legislation to create a reparations commission — which would determine ways to make amends for inequalities that have come as a result of systematic racism for Chicagoans descended from slaves — and to designate Juneteenth as a day of remembrance, passed in City Council with help from Ald. Maria Hadden (49), Alderman David Moore (17) and Ald. Sawyer.
“Creating a holiday to acknowledge the liberation of individuals who were enslaved is just one step towards justice,” said Ald. Hadden. “We cannot, however, continue to overlook the injustice and inequality maintained for generations in this country. The process of reparations, which includes a critical discussion about the many ways African Americans have been systematically deprived of income, investment, and equal protection under the law, is key to healing our country and our city.”
Last week, the Progressive Caucus held a series of meetings to build alignment on Civilian Police Oversight. The recent murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin on May 25 that set off international protests has brought new energy and urgency to the initiative.
“Creating a Civilian Oversight board is a critical step in ensuring we have a fair, transparent, and powerful mechanism for police accountability,” said Ald. Taylor. “We have formed a working group and are committed to making this our top priority and meeting as often as needed to get an ordinance passed. We can’t afford to wait for justice any longer.”
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Vote By Mail
• Due to Covid-19, voters are encouraged to use Vote By Mail or Early Voting before Election Day on Nov. 3, 2020;
• Voters may apply to Vote By Mail using this online system, or in person at the Chicago Election Board, or by mail, or by email;
• Voters whose completed Vote By Mail applications are received on or before Sept. 24 should receive their ballots between Sept. 24- Oct. 5;
• After Oct. 4, the Board will mail ballots within two business days of receiving complete applications;
• Voters may ask to have the ballots sent to their registration addresses or to another valid mailing address for that voter;
• Vote By Mail Ballot Return Envelopes will have postage paid;
• Vote By Mail Ballot Return Envelopes may be completed and submitted at a Secured Drop Box at any Early Voting site or at the Election Board no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2020. If mailed, the Ballot Return Envelope must be postmarked before or on Election Day, Nov.3, 2020;
• The Ballot Return Envelope must be signed and dated by the voter, and that signature will be compared to the voter’s registration record
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National Peace Corps Association (NPCA)
is joining the Building Bridges Coalition and the International Volunteer Programs Association to host a dialogue about racial equity in international service. Speakers will share their experiences as Black volunteers and staff on service programs, and as organizational leaders with longstanding commitments to institutional and systemic change. Join us for this important dialogue.
In the weeks ahead, NPCA is hosting a series of conversations around racial equity. Those will help shape the conversation at
Peace Corps Connect to the Future
— a summit for the Peace Corps community on July 18, 3–6 p.m. EDT.
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Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin on July 6, 2020, pending clearance from and coordination with existing utilities, and weather permitting. The work will include ADA sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removal and replacement as needed for ADA and drainage compliance, bus pad construction, pavement patching, milling and paving the existing asphalt pavement, 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 31, 2020.
If you have concerns or questions, please reach out to Paul Sajovec in our office at paul
@ward32.org.
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The 606 (aka Bloomingdale Trail) and Lakefront Trails are Open but WEAR A MASK!
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The 606 & Lakefront trails re-opened this week- if you use the paths to run, walk, or bike,
WEAR A MASK!
Both the 606 and Lakefront trails will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Anyone on the trails is required to wear masks and maintain 6' of social distance. Read more on the
Chicago Park District website. Remember that there has been a
resurgence of COVID-19 cases in many states and cities where masks were not worn and social distancing was not adhered to.
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CTA and Pace Bus Changes
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has returned to front-door boarding as of this past weekend on buses.
Pace also resumed front-door boarding, and ended its temporary suspension of fare collection. Problems with rear boarding fare collections resulted in this decision.
- Rides will require passengers and drivers to wear masks on all buses.
- Plastic shields have been installed near the driver.
- Drivers will be supplied face coverings, such as goggles and face shields when possible.
- The CTA also has set a limit of no more than 15 passengers on its standard 40-foot buses, and 22 passengers on its 60-foot articulated buses.
- Pace limited the number of passengers on board its buses when possible, and added extra buses to some routes to further allow for proper social distancing.
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SAVE A LIFE. DONATE BLOOD!
Did you know?
- Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood; more than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day.
- More than 1.6 million people were diagnosed with cancer last year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
- Although an estimated 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate, less than 10% actually do each year. This is why shortages occur.
The 32nd Ward office will be hosting a blood drive this summer on July 17th, from 11:00 am- 3:00 pm. The blood that is collected during our blood drive will be used for patients in Chicago area hospitals.
Click here
to learn what Versiti is doing to keep donors and donor-facing staff healthy during this time.
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City of Chicago Announces Eligibility Expansion for COVID-19 Testing at Six City Run Sites
The City of Chicago is encouraging anyone who has had a recent high-risk exposure to be tested for COVID-19 at six City-run testing sites. The City is also encouraging all residents to continue self-monitoring as the City continues to cautiously reopen and residents continue prudently expanding their social circles. These new measures aim to ensure that any Chicago resident in need of testing can be accommodated and further increase the amount of testing per day citywide.
Diagnostic testing for COVID-19 is free for all residents and available based on the eligibility requirements below. Workers onsite can accommodate several language needs in order to provide the best experience and educate residents coming to the testing sites. No questions will be asked about citizenship status, and no documentation related to citizenship will be requested. The data collected for testing appointments whether online or onsite and returned from the tests will only be shared with the City of Chicago’s Department of Public Health.
The testing sites open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are located at:
• Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy
• Horizon Science Academy – Southwest
• Dr. Jorge Prieto Math & Science Academy
• Kennedy King College
• Gately Park
• Columbus Park
Any Chicago resident should be tested at the early onset of these symptoms:
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Mild or moderate difficulty breathing
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches or body aches
• New loss of taste or smell
• Nausea or vomiting
If you don’t have any new symptoms, you should get tested if you had a recent high-risk exposure, which includes any of the below:
• Recent contact to someone who has, or is suspected to have, COVID-19
• Recent high-risk exposures, including close contact with many other people in a
large group gathering or crowd
• First responders or other essential workers with potential recent exposures
To learn more about the City’s six testing sites or to register to get tested, please visit
chi.gov/covidtesting.
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Peoples Gas & North Shore Gas Announce Additional Benefits to Assist Customers with Hardships
from COVID-19
Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, in coordination with multiple consumer groups, is providing additional benefits to assist customers with hardships they may be facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of the joint agreement, which included coordination with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, Citizen’s Utility Board, and the City of Chicago, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas will extend the current suspension of disconnections and late fees put in place in response to the onset of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The suspension will last until 30 days after Illinois enters Phase 4 of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan, or Aug. 1, 2020, whichever comes first. As the suspension is lifted, Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas, and other utilities will establish important customer support programs to continue to help Illinoisans struggling with the financial impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.
Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas announced the following additional customer
benefits as part of the agreement, to support their customers in the coming months:
- Extended suspension of disconnections. Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas will not disconnect customers for nonpayment until 30 days after the state moves to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan or Aug. 1, 2020, whichever comes first.
- Reconnection of customers disconnected for nonpayment in 2019 or 2020 before the COVID-19 public health emergency. Customers should contact Peoples Gas or North Shore Gas for reconnection before Aug. 1, or before Illinois enters Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, whichever comes first. An additional 60-day grace period applies. No reconnection fee will be charged for the above time period. For income-qualified customers or those indicating hardship, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas will not assess a reconnection charge for an additional four months.
- A new payment assistance program. Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas will make over $13 million available to increase support for residential customers.
- Extended deferred payment arrangements. Residential customers are eligible to receive an 18-month payment plan. For those customers receiving Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) support or expressing hardship are eligible for an 18- to 24-month payment plan.
Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas will also continue to provide assistance to customers through existing programs:
- Financial assistance: Financial assistance programs such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and the Peoples Gas Share the Warmth Program and a Payment Assistance Program are available to qualified customers. To enroll, Peoples Gas customers should contact CEDA directly at cedaorg.net or 800-571-2332. North Shore Gas customers should contact Community Action Partnership of Lake County (CAPOLC) at 847-249-4330.
- Flexible Payment Plans: Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas have payment plans available, including deferred payment arrangements available in 18- and 24-month durations depending on the situation. Peoples Gas customers should call 866-556-6001 and North Shore Gas customers should call 866-556-6004 to learn more and to enroll in these payment plans.
Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas customers will soon receive additional information on the end of the disconnection moratorium and the additional assistance programs and arrangements. For more information on the agreement or to find out if you are eligible for assistance, customers should visit
https://accel.peoplesgasdelivery.com,
https://accel.northshoregasdelivery.com/ or call 866- 556-6001 for Peoples Gas or 866-556-6004 for North Shore Gas.
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Late Fees Waived on Property Taxes
With the second installment of Cook County property taxes being mailed this week, residents and property owners are reminded that the county board has waived late penalties on payments scheduled to be due on Aug. 3.
Under a measure approved by the board in May, the county will not impose the 1.5% per month late fee on bills paid until after Oct. 1, effectively giving property owners an additional two months to make payments.
"Homeowners and business owners are financially stressed because of the pandemic, and the county board's action will give them two extra months to get their finances together and pay by Oct. 1 without incurring late-payment charges," county Treasurer Maria Pappas said after the vote.
In addition to receiving bills in the mail, residents and other property owners can find their bills posted at
cookcountytreasurer.com
.
The County Treasurer collects more than $12 billion annually on behalf of more than 2,200 jurisdictions, including municipalities, school districts, park districts, libraries, and other taxing districts.
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The Chicago Women's Caucus Supply Drive
Many people in the ward have been looking for ways to support other Chicago residents throughout this time. The Women’s Caucus of City Council is hosting a supply drive to help women and families across Chicago, women to women, ward to ward. The last days of the dropoff have passed but if you would like to make a financial contribution, cash donations can be made to Restored Hope via Paypal:
bit.ly/W2WDonate
. A $65 donation would purchase one Care Package of supplies with formula for a family. A $45 donation would purchase one Care Package without formula.
Pick up will be announced separately. Request a Care Package at
bit.ly/w2wdrive
or by text 312-869-9793.
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Cook County Assessor Offers More Services Online
The Cook County Assessor has added applications to Certificate of Error to their online services. Certificates of Error are needed to revise your second installment property tax bill when you are missing exemptions that you should have received.
If an exemption you were entitled to in a prior tax year (2016, 2017, 2018, or 2019) was not applied to a second installment property tax bill in the past, you may be able to apply for a refund (with a Certificate of Error). Tax Year 2019 online applications are available now; if you apply right away, you may get a corrected bill that will allow you to pay the adjusted amount before the payment deadline; otherwise, if the bill is revised, you will receive a refund in a few weeks.
The Assessor's office will be holding a Facebook Live session on Tuesday, June 30 at 6:00 p.m. for more information about the online services.
Visit their Facebook page here.
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Street Sweeping Schedule & MAP
Please Move Your Vehicles for Sweeping
Posted street sweeping has resumed. The sections of the 32nd Ward to be swept next week will be sections 3 and 4 (portions of Logan Square, Hamlin Park, and Roscoe Village).
Print the map below and keep it in your vehicle.
Check here for the
citywide schedule
.
Ticketing for street sweeping will resume July 1
.
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 take the time to help clear the curb in front of your property. While sweepers will eventually get most sweeping done this summer, it would be 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.
As we mentioned last week, we are in the process of creating a new website as our host closed down. Please feel free to email at info@ward32.org for any sweeping questions. If you need a city sticker, or parking permits from the City Clerk, they can be obtained at
https://ezbuy.chicityclerk.com/
.
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RSVP Today for Virtual Community Workshops on Strengthening Neighborhood Schools
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) wants every learning environment to be as strong as it can be. Your voice is critical to making this happen, so please consider participating in one of the virtual community workshops that are coming up this summer.
This is your chance to provide feedback that will help CPS continue strengthening neighborhood schools. These conversations will be guided by the information presented in the most recent Annual Regional Analysis (ARA), which explores enrollment patterns and program offerings for schools in every region of our city. You can access the most up-to-date ARA information in eight different languages at
ara.cps.edu
.
You can RSVP
here
to attend a workshop.
- South ARA Community Meeting: Tuesday, June 30 from 5–6:30 p.m.
- Southwest ARA Community Meeting: Wednesday, July 1 from 5–6:30 p.m.
- Central ARA Community Meeting: Wednesday, July 8 from 5–6:30 p.m.
- North ARA Community Meeting: Thursday, July 9 from 5–6:30 p.m.
Children First Fund (CFF) established a $150K fund to assist the Class of 2020’s transition to college.
Chicago seniors have graduated, and for those heading to college, we want to ensure that financial barriers aren’t getting in their way. Something like textbook fees or a bus ticket to campus shouldn’t prevent students from realizing their dream of attending college, which is why CFF donors, including anchor funders PepsiCo and Fifth-Third Bank, are stepping up to help.
Thanks to the generosity of the private and philanthropic community, CFF established the
Graduating Senior Summer Melt Prevention Fund
. Through their counselors, students can apply for microgrants of up to $1,000 to help pay for expenses such as books, college registration fees, and travel.
If you’re able, please consider helping to assist families through these difficult times by contributing to the
Compassion Fund
, their crisis-relief fund.
CPS Playgrounds Remain Closed
CPS playgrounds remain closed in alignment with Park District guidance as Chicago cautiously begins to reopen parts of our city. These gathering spaces pose a risk for COVID-19 transmission and it is critically important that CPS does their part to keep communities healthy.
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Recover Lakeview
As local businesses are reopening, they are prioritizing sanitation, cleanliness, and social distancing guidelines to ensure the wellness of their customers and staff. From limiting the number of people in their stores to frequently sanitizing high touch surface areas, businesses are taking all the steps they can to limit the spread of COVID-19 and create a safe and enjoyable experience for their customers. As members of the Lakeview community, it's our duty to support these local businesses and follow their guidelines to create a clean, united, and thriving neighborhood.
Show everyone how you are supporting Lakeview businesses while following health guidelines by using #RecoverLakeview
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Reminders to Businesses for the Phase 4 Reopen
We are entering Phase 4 of our cautious reopen. Please visit
chicago.gov/reopening
for detailed industry guidelines regarding phase four. CDPH has drafted a plan for easing of gathering and capacity restrictions according to Chicago's risk level. We are currently in the “Moderate-high” risk bucket. While we don’t know exactly when we will be able to move down to “Moderate” risk, you are welcome to track the progress the City is making on the
CDPH tracker
.
Within the guidelines you can find step-by-step instructions on what to do when an individual with COVID-19 has been in your facility, including notification of close contacts, cleaning steps, and reporting clusters of cases to CDPH. The guidance document also includes templates for notifying staff and other health resources to support businesses as they reopen.
If two or more COVID-19 cases are identified at your facility within 14 calendar days of each other, we encourage you to report to CDPH through this
confidential online reporting form
. This will allow CDPH to conduct an investigation and provide additional support and recommendations if needed.
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Together Now Applications Now Open
Applications are now open for the “Together Now” fund launched this month by Mayor Lightfoot to provide financial relief for Chicago small businesses and non-profits that have experienced economic distress due to COVID-19 or recent property damage. The application deadline is Monday, June 29.
Chicago businesses with property damage will be eligible for infrastructure grants up to $10,000 to help with repair costs. Businesses that have at least a 25 percent revenue loss due to COVID-19 will be eligible for operational grants up to $4,000 to help cover economic losses.
Each business owner is eligible to apply for one infrastructure grant and one operational grant. Select regional or national chain businesses, including franchises, branch banks, and payday loan stores, are not eligible. Other restrictions apply.
The $15 million fund is supported by an initial commitment of $10 million from the City of Chicago, a $1 million contribution from Jewel-Osco, and several million dollars in additional private donations.
The initial round of grants is expected help more than 2,500 small businesses. Recipients will be selected through a lottery following the close of the application period.
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MY BLOCK, MY HOOD, MY CITY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM BUSINESS OWNERS AFTER RAISING $1M FOR SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF FUND
Funds Will Help Small Businesses Repair and Reopen from Looting
Accepting Applications through July 1
My Block, My Hood, My City is now accepting applications through July 1, 2020, for grants to help small business owners to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic and make repairs to their stores damaged from looting and vandalism. The nonprofit organization raised more than $1 million from individuals and businesses in Chicago and across the country just one week after creating the Small Business Relief Fund. The average donation was $69.
“We take care of people no matter what. We adapt to the needs of the community,”
said Jahmal Cole, founder of My Block, My Hood, My City.
“When we saw small businesses in our community struggling to reopen during the pandemic, and then damaged by looters during protests, we knew we had to step up. We are grateful for the overwhelming response to help these small businesses recover and reopen as soon as possible.”
Businesses can apply for a Small Business Relief Grant
here
.
To be eligible, businesses must meet the following criteria:
- Be a for-profit business
- Located within Chicago city limits
- Employ 20 or fewer full-time-equivalent staff at full operation
- Document annual revenues of more than $0 but less than $2 million, in 2019
The maximum grant to any business is $7,500. Grants may be used to: restock perishable inventory (excluding alcohol); provide personal protective equipment such as face masks, face shields, gloves to staff; make modifications to the space occupied by the business to ensure compliance with social distancing guidelines such as point-of-sale systems to restrict cash transactions, barriers, floor markings, etc.; repair interior or exterior storefront damage; and repair or replace damaged or stolen equipment.
My Block, My Hood, My City selected the Southeast Chicago Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) as the fiduciary for the Small Business Relief Fund to help with the application process and distribution of the funds.
SCCC and the selection committee of Ronald Milsap (chair), Malcolm Weems, Roberto Paniagua, and Tristan Slemmons will review applications. Applications will broadly be evaluated based on the impact the grant can have. Additional consideration will be given to black and brown business owners and businesses serving low-to-moderate income communities.
“The businesses that need help are diverse and located all over the city,”
Jahmal said.
“From diamond stores Downtown to food trucks in Garfield Park, we will focus on essential businesses that serve our communities. At the heart of the work we do, we’re just trying to do some good and provide relief for those that need it, doing whatever it takes to make a difference.”
For their work, SCCC will receive a flat fee of 6% of grant disbursements, which will only be used for their services related to the Small Business Relief Fund.
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Labor Laws in Effect July 1, 2020
Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave
This July 1, the
minimum wage
will increase from $13.00 to either $13.50 or $14.00 per hour (depending on the number of workers at a business). For qualifying employers with 21 or more workers, the new minimum wage will be $14.00, and for employers with four to 20 workers, the new minimum wage will be $13.50. There are also increased minimum wages for youth workers and tipped workers,
listed here
. All Domestic Workers are guaranteed Chicago’s minimum wage – even those working for employers with fewer than four workers. As a reminder, when tipped workers’ wages plus tips do not equal at least the minimum wage, their employer must make up the difference.
Chicago Fair Workweek
The
Chicago Fair Workweek Ordinance
also goes into effect on July 1, and requires that employers in certain industries with over 100 workers (250 for a restaurant or non-profit) between all locations provide predictable work schedules and pay workers for last minute changes. Employers will be required to provide work schedules to Covered Employees with 10 days’ notice. Employers must pay a single hour’s additional wage for any hours added, changed, or cancelled with less than 10 days’ notice, and must pay half of a worker’s wages for any hours cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice. Workers also have a right to decline unscheduled hours, and to decline hours that begin within 10 hours of the end of the previous day’s shift.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we passed legislation to delay the Private Cause of Action section of the Fair Workweek Ordinance until January, 2021. While the legislation will be in effect and the City will be enforcing its provisions starting July 1, this will allow businesses to implement the regulations without facing private lawsuits during the first six months. Additionally, the
COVID-19 Pandemic Rule
exempts work schedule changes that are specifically due to the pandemic from certain provisions of the Chicago Fair Workweek Ordinance.
Anti-Retaliation
The
Anti-Retaliation Ordinance
prohibits employers from retaliating against workers for obeying certain COVID-19 related health orders. Specifically, employers cannot retaliate against workers for obeying the order of their healthcare provider to stay home while symptomatic, sick with COVID-19, or in order to quarantine due to possible exposure to the virus. Employers are also prohibited from retaliating against workers for obeying an order issued by the Mayor, Governor, or Department of Public Health to stay home to minimize the transmission of COVID-19. Employees can also stay home without fear of retaliation in order to care for another individual obeying these orders.
The City recognizes the last few weeks and months have been incredibly challenging for businesses. The City also knows that now is not the time to retreat from our commitment to workers. Chicago is a city for workers and we will continue to support, assist, and work in collaboration with our business community, labor leaders, and workers to craft fair policies and educate Chicago’s businesses and workers.
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Latest Public Health Guidance Links
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Additional Links with COVID Related Information
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Alderman Scott Waguespack
2657 North Clybourn
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 248-1330
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