New COVID Restrictions
Mayor's Budget Plan
VOTE
Dear Neighbors:

Wednesday, Mayor Lightfoot announced her plan to close the $1.2 billon budget deficit our City faces because of the pandemic. The mayor proposed a variety of budget cuts, a recurring cost of living property tax increase, refinancing of $1.7 Billion in debt, layoffs of up to 350 city workers, and a 3-cent gas tax hike.

The Chicago Tribune reviewed the Mayor's proposal, as did Block Club, particularly focusing on the proposed property tax increase, which the Mayor's Office states will amount to an increase in bills of 1.3%.

As I told the Chicago Sun-Times:

"The last time the city was in this kind of a jam, we sold the parking meters. I don’t see that kind of recklessness happening here. But, I’m very, very skeptical.”

“Everyone knows these are unprecedented times. I made a pledge to my constituents not to vote for property tax increases. I made good on that last year. We really have to keep our city’s tax base within the city’s limits.

“I have a lot of skepticism about how this budget manages to close a $1.2 billion hole. Layoffs were to be expected. Vacancies [being eliminated] were to be expected. All this refinancing, I’m not sure about."

Speaking on WTTW, Chief Financial Officer Jenny Bennett said, "There is'no way you can balance a $1.2 Billion gap with all structural solutions" and that the city's approach was balanced. She also claimed that the debt restructuring is "net present value neutral."

We will be sending out more details and updates as the budget hearings progress over the next two weeks.

We welcome your feedback @ yourvoice@ward43.org. You can find the budget documents here.
Surge in Cases Leads to City Reinstating
Targeted COVID-19 Restrictions Starting Today

Today, Dr. Arwady, the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), announced a re-tightening of COVID-19 restrictions in response to a recent, rapid rise in cases and hospitalizations over the past two weeks.  (photo credit Block Club).

Beginning Friday, October 23rd at 6:00 a.m., a business curfew will be in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. for all non-essential businesses, and bars without a retail food license will no longer be able to serve customers indoors. Grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations may remain open after 10:00 p.m. Restaurants may continue operating for take-out or delivery, but indoor or outdoor consumption of food or alcohol must cease at 10:00 p.m. 

All Chicagoans are being asked to avoid social gatherings of more than six people and
end all social gatherings by 10:00 p.m.  

These restrictions and guidelines will be in effect for at least two weeks and are intended to help Chicago manage an alarming recent rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. 

Over the past week alone, cases have risen by 54%, to more than 640 per day, 200 cases a day more than just a week ago. Hospitalizations are up 45% since September 22.  We MUST stop this surge of cases.

BACP will enforce these new restrictions on businesses, with citations leading to fines of up to $10,000 and possible closure in the case of egregious violations.

BACP will hold an informational webinar on Friday, October 23rd at 2:00 p.m. Register at chicago.gov/businesseducation 

Help slow the spread of COVID, wear a mask - even when you are visiting with friends.
EARLY VOTE NOW

I'm proud to announce that as of yesterday, 3500 43rd Ward residents had already voted early, and more than 11,000 had already returned their mail-in ballots. That's almost half of all registered voters!

Since more than 20,400 residents have asked for mail-in ballots, more than 9,000 mail-in ballots still need to be returned. Please vote and put your ballot in the mail as soon as possible, or bring it to the drop-off box at Lincoln Park High School, located at Armitage and Orchard.

You don't need to wait in line to drop off your ballot - just enter through the center door at the early vote site. An election judge on site will tell you if need to wait a moment for another voter to drop off their ballot.

I voted on Wednesday, and the process was quick and sanitary. I had a mail-in ballot, but decided to vote in person. At the polling place, I wrote "VOID" over all the pages of my ballot and turned it into an election judge, who placed the voided ballot in a separate file and handed me my early voting card. Thanks to our early-vote election judges for running such a smooth operation.

Early Voting Hours (all sites)

Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.

VOTE!
Vigil Against Violence
Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church
Sunday, October 25
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Join the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church for their 5th Annual Vigil Against Violence. This year’s vigil will be a virtual event.

To join the livestream, visit here.
Wrightwood Neighbors Fire Safety Meeting

Wednesday October 28th
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
This Meeting will be conducted Virtually
 
Join the Chicago Fire Department, Lincoln Park Chamber, and Wrightwood Neighbors Association on October 28th for a neighborhood update. October is Fire Prevention Month.
 
Sponsored by The Wrightwood Neighbors Association and Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce. This meeting will take the place of the regular monthly meeting for October.
Attorneys Sought for Free Legal Clinic

University of Chicago law students are offering free legal assistance to low-income members of the community and is asking for attorneys to join their effort.

On Monday, November 9 from 12:15 to 1:20 p.m. interested attorneys are invited to attend a training where they will be paired with a student team. After the training the volunteers will work together via email to research questions and draft answers for two or three individuals seeking legal advice.

Attorneys, please register here for this important volunteer opportunity by November 7.
Business Updates
Tips to Protect Businesses

In the lead up to the election on November 3rd, the City of Chicago is working to ensure that our community businesses are prepared for the potential for events, large demonstrations, protest activity and civil unrest.

The Chicago Police Department, the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and the Office of Emergency Management and Communication has prepared the flyer that can be found here . It provides an overview of proactive steps businesses can take to stay protected, along with some specific additional items to consider in the days leading up to the election on November 3rd.  
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Last Day to Apply: Relief for Arts Venues

Theaters and music and arts venues can be eligible for $10,000 in relief through the Performing Arts Venue Relief Program announced by the city.

The city said 120 for-profit and nonprofit applicants will be awarded $10,000 each.

Applications will be accepted through, today, October 23. To be eligible, each applicant must be in Chicago, have a Public Place of Amusement or Music and Dance license and primarily produce or present performing arts programming, including theater, dance, performance art and/or live music or live mixing by DJs.

To learn more and to apply, visit here.
Community and Halloween Activities
North Pond Virtual Meetings 
 
Do you care about the future of North Pond?

The Lincoln Park Conservancy will be conducting three public meetings to discuss the restoration of North Pond.

Meetings will be hosted over Zoom. Register to attend one of more of the sessions and submit your questions in advance:
 
 
We look forward to hearing from you about this exciting Lincoln Park project! To learn more about it, visit the Conservancy’s website.
Celebrate Halloween on Clark Street between Armitage and Diversey; and Diversey Parkway, between Orchard and Lakeview from Friday, October 16 – Saturday, October 31 with spooky specials, virtual activities, and voting on your favorite festive window displays.

This year the Costume Contest will be virtual! Take a picture of you, your kids, your family, or your pet and submit it according to these rules for the chance to win prizes!

You can vote on your favorite Halloween window displays here.

Check out this page for shopping specials along Clark Street.

And watch this page for activities along Clark Street.
Halloweek Activities for Your Family

Are you hoping to trick-or-treat with your family this year? The City is sponsoring Halloweek beginning October 18, you can download a toolkit of ways to celebrate Halloween this year.

The City has listed a variety of Halloweek activities here.
Halloween Window Painting 
Saturday-Sunday October 24th and 25th
Play2Day, 2369 N. Lincoln Ave.
Sunday:10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., 2 hour time slots

Lincoln Common will transform its storefront windows into spooky blank canvases for you to paint your own Halloween mini mural. 

Costumes and creativity are encouraged; face masks are required. 
 
All ages can register up to four people per window for $10 per group; registration includes a take-home paint set. 

Several Lincoln Common retailers will be offering exclusive discounts throughout the weekend.

Visit here for more information and to register. Cost is $10 per slot, max/slot: families up to 4 or 2 adults.
Stay safe and vote,






43rd Ward Virtual Office Hours: M - F 9 AM - 5 PM 
 2523 N Halsted | 773-348-9500 yourvoice@ward43.org www.ward43.org