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April - May 2020  Newsletter 
Upcoming
SLN Events
SLN Bingo 
Through May 31

Postural Restoration Exercises Class 
Wed., May 20

Bartending with the Board
Fri., May 22

Photo Contest 
Sat., Aug. 8 

Annual Members Dinner 
Date: TBD
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UPCOMING EVENTS

South Loop Neighbors Bingo
Date: May 10 to May 31, 2020



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Work From Home/Postural Restoration Exercises Zoom class 
  
Date: Wed. May 20 
Time: 12:00 pm  
Location: Your home 

Working from home giving you neck and back pain?!  With everyone working from home our work stations have changed dramatically.  And the reality is that working from home has caused us to not be as active as before.  We are sitting more and maybe even working more hours.  Come join Caitlin Carroll, physical therapist with Athletico Physical Therapy in the South Loop to learn postural restoration exercises and stretches to complete throughout the day.

Caitlin Carroll, PT has worked for Athletico Physical Therapy for 11 years, with 6 of those managing the South Loop facility located at Archer and State.  Caitlin graduated from Marquette University in 2009.  Caitlin was an Irish dancer growing up which in turn led her to becoming a PT.  She has a passion for helping people and loves her job!  She loves to encourage people and coach her patients to a healthier lifestyle through physical activity.  Caitlin has certifications in Dry Needling, Graston, Manual therapy.  She has experience treating patients with vertigo, dizziness.  She also has experience with performing artists, gymnastics/cheerleading and ergonomics.

Join class with this link:
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Bartending with the Board 

Date: Fri. May 22
Time: 6:30 pm  
Location: Your home 

Join us by Zoom to learn how to make some classic cocktails with your South Loop Neighbors board members. Learn a bit about the origins of the cocktails, ingredient selection, and get a glimpse into the homes of your board while you watch them teach you how to mix your favorite classic cocktails.  

Jim Wales: Pisco Sour 
Christine Hunt: Old Fashioned
Benjamin Cottrell: Martini

Join class with this link:

https://uic.zoom.us/j/92046498090?pwd=RVcyK3JIVmF1SUt1WXlNRDdyOFZWQT09

Meeting ID: 920 4649 8090
Password: 4N@R1w^3

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Photo Contest: "These Extraordinary Times"
Date: August 8
Location: TBD (Art Fest or virtual)

This year's photo contest theme is "These Extraordinary Times." Start taking your photos now. All photo entries must be of the South Loop. More information on the contest will be released early summer. If we are unable to proceed with the contest in conjunction with Printer's Row Art Fest, the photo contest will be virtual. 
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South Loop Sing Along 
Date: Every night
Time: 8:30 pm 
Location: Your home

Check out Hello South Loop on Facebook to find out the nightly song selection. 

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Members Annual Dinner 
Date: TBD
Location: Curry House

In light of current events, the Annual Members Dinner, which was slated for April, is being postponed and will be re-scheduled  at later date.  


DEVELOPMENT

Site Prep for Southbridge Phase 1

Work has begun on Southbridge, the mixed-use development on the site of the former Ickes Homes at State and Cermak. It is planned to provide approximately 877 residential units across income levels (including CHA, affordable, and market rate rental and for-sale units), approximately 65,000 square feet of retail, and multiple recreational areas at 23rd St. and State St. The development will be constructed in multiple phases and designed to meet best-in-class urban and sustainable standards while bridging the South Loop, Chinatown and the Bronzeville neighborhoods. 

Motor Row Streetscape Started in April 



Construction on Michigan Ave. for the Motor Row Streetscape began Monday, April 6th. Work on the east side of Michigan Ave. is scheduled between until late June, with work on the west side of the street continuing through October. The rebuilding of the median at 24th Pl. and the installation of community identifiers will occur in late fall.

Michigan Ave. will remain open throughout construction and access to businesses and residences will always be maintained. Parking will be prohibited in active construction zones and periodically on side streets, with signs to be posted. CTA bus routes will also be maintained, however bus stops may be temporarily relocated as needed.

In Brief

Robert Morris College is now part of Roosevelt University, and the building on State Street across from the library is up for sale.  Broker marketing materials emphasize that the landmark building can be thoroughly refitted for modern office or tech needs.   Built in 1891 as the Second Leiter Building, designed by famed architect William LeBaron Jenney, the building is a Chicago Landmark that cannot easily be demolished. A new buyer making a certain amount of investment in the property would qualify for a county "Class L" tax break that would provide substantial property tax savings for 12 years.

The Clark & Harrison parking garage
is up for sale. Marketing materials emphasize the site's suitability for a residential highrise, one that would need no parking because of its proximity to the CTA LaSalle station. Also part of the listing is the adjacent 601 S. LaSalle building, a 1912 loft building designed by D.H. Burnham & Co.  The building is not a Chicago landmark, meaning it could be demolished by a new owner.  However, a new owner could qualify it as a landmark, making them eligible for Class L landmark tax breaks.

The latest on all South Loop projects can be found at southloopupdate.com

IN BRIEF

South Loop Pride Face Masks

The South Loop is vibrant community that comes together in good times and in difficult times. To show our strength as a community AND to help with current health mandates, The South Loop Neighbors has ordered black cotton masks  with a designed nose bridge which allows you to adjust the mask to fit more comfortably around your face.  The masks will be a suitable wear to go outside like cycling, shopping, bus, metro, hospital, other public places. etc.  The mouth mask measures 9inch/23cm by 6inch/15cm, suitable for all adults. The mask(s) will be provided to SLN paid members at no cost (number of free masks determined by type of membership). Additional masks will be available for purchase - $5 per mask for SLN members, $10 per mask for non-members.  Distribution sites along with specific dates and times for pickup, practicing proper social  distancing guidelines, will be distributed once the masks are received.  

            

Statewide Order

The statewide order has been extended for Illinois residents to stay at home or in their place of residence through the end of May. Click here  to read further on the extension. 

During times like this, especially with information coming from multiple sources, it is important to obtain accurate and correct information. It is recommended to check the following sources for information regarding the coronavirus and associated issues.












Senior Shopping Hours 








Modified Street Sweeping Started April 1

Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the City of Chicago is modifying its street sweeping operations until further notice. The City will NOT be sweeping according to a defined street sweeping schedule. Street sweepers will be deployed on an as needed basis. The City will attempt to sweep as many residential streets as possible, but can not guarantee every residential street will be swept during the COVID-19 pandemic. Arterial/main streets will continue to be swept regularly.

As street sweeping will not be done according to a set schedule, the City will NOT post and NOT ticket cars that are on streets during sweeping. The City will do its best to sweep streets around any vehicles that are on the street at the time it is swept. 

The Department of Streets and Sanitation will attempt to check the cleanliness of streets in the ward to determine which need to be swept urgently. However, if you would like to request your street be swept, please call 311 to request street sweeping for your block.

Governor Pritzker Announces Illinois Schools to Remain Closed for Rest of School Year

At his daily COVID-19 press conference on April 17th, Governor Pritzker announced that all schools in Illinois must remain closed for the remainder of the current 2019-2020 School Year. Schools can continue remote learning, but in-person classrooms will remain closed.

The State and City are providing additional resources to schools to ramp up remote learning efforts. The federal CARES Act includes $569 million to support K-12 schools. CPS is distributing more than 100,000 digital devices to support remote learning. All students in temporary living situations will have access to the internet as well as computing devices. And CPS has created a dedicated remote learning guide and website to assist families in the transition to learning from home.




Live Local - Shop Local 
The South Loop is a vibrant neighborhood and as it continues to grow, it becomes increasingly more important  for residents to support local small businesses. The benefits of shopping local are documented through a number of  studies. 

South Loop Neighbors especially urges residents to shop at local businesses that have partnered with the South Loop  Neighbors as Community Builders. Community Builders are businesses that are members of the SLN and who  recognize that a partnerships between SLN and local businesses creates an optimal environment for our neighborhood  to maintain and increase the vibrancy of the South Loop!  Please visit our website to learn more about our Community Builders.  

New Openings: 
  • Momentum Coffee and Coworking (2119 S. State St.)
  • Caribbean Jerk Palace (731 S. Dearborn)  
Closings:
  • Sod Room (1454 S. Michigan)

Restaurants
 Open for Pickup/Takeout and/or Delivery

During this difficult time, there are a number of restaurants that have stayed open to provide meals via takeout and/or delivery. 


 




Shop in Place Chicago

Shop in Place Chicago is a website that shows businesses that are open during the current crisis in the neighborhood. Please visit 
 
If you are a business owner and are open for business, please register on the website if you have not already done so!
Community Builder Spotlight 
Byline Bank

Byline Bank at Dearborn Station  is here to serve the community. Byline Bank has accounts tailored to meet your business needs, which are designed to grow with your business. A one-stop-shop for all your banking and finance needs. From your Business Accounts, Small Business Capital, Business Credit Card, Treasury & Cash Management Solutions and Byline Financial Group. Each of their products have been built with you in mind. They help solve problems before they arise and create solutions for those that just won't go away. Furthermore, they can help you with all your personal financial needs.  Byline Bank is not like the other guys. They don't pretend to know you.  They are a long-time neighbor who's been part of the local scene for over 100 years. They are in the neighborhoods where you live, work and hangout. And they are always available-in-person, online, or on your mobile app. Experience banking the way it should be.  For more information, contact Greg Rigney  Branch Manager at Dearborn station of Byline Bank.

For more information on Byline Bank,   visit their website .




Other Neighborhood Events

CAPS Meetings

Stay at Home Order
In response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Chicago has joined the State of Illinois in issuing a Stay at Home order effective Saturday, March 21st at 5pm CT. As such, until notice is received otherwise, the normally scheduled CAPS meetings are presumed suspended until at least until the lockdown has been lifted. 

Beats 111, 112, 113 & 114
Meetings will usually be held the 1st Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm. 

Beats 121,122,123 & 124 
Meetings will be held the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 6:30 pm. The meetings are held at 525 S. State Street. 

Beat 131 & 132 
Meetings will held the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm. The meetings are held at alternating locations, the 1st District Station, 1718 S. State Street and 2722 S. Dr. ML King Drive. 

Grant  Park Advisory Council
Meetings in 2020 will be normally be held on  the third Wednesday of each month , except December, at 6:30pm at the Maggie Daley  Field House. For now, meetings have been cancelled until the lockdown has been lifted. 
 

Cancellations: 


Cancellations due to the COVID-19 crisis:
  • Chicago Memorial Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony (May 23)
  • 5th Annual Chicago House Music Conference & Festival (May 21-24)
  • 35th Chicago Gospel Music Festival (May 27-30)
  • 37th Annual Chicago Blues Festival (June 5-7).  
  • Chicago In Tune (May 21-June 7), an 18-day citywide celebration of music that was to be a signature program of the "Year of Chicago Music."
Due to the cancellation of these major music festivals, Mayor Lightfoot and DCASE will extend the 2020 Year of Chicago Music into 2021. The "Year of Chicago Music" will continue throughout next year.
                    South Loop                       Restaurant Contest Results!


SLN hosted the contest from April 15 to April 30 and now it is time to identify the winners! 

1st Place - $100 Cash and $50 Gift Card to Harbor
Steve Phillips

2nd Place - $50 Cash and $50 Gift Card to Half Sour 
  Angie Ostrowski

3rd Place - $25 Cash and $50 Gift Card to Acadia
   Mike Henley

Congratulations to the winners, thank you to all who participated and an extra special thanks to our Community Builder Member,  Everywhere Wireless  for sponsoring the contest!

Thanks for Participating and Stay Safe and Healthy!