Public Safety Workshop
Good News for LaSalle Language Academy
Dear Neighbors,

A full house of 43rd Warders participated in the 18th District's "Keeping It Real" workshop held last week. A panel of seven convicted burglars, now on parole, answered questions for residents about how to keep their homes safe. These insights included:

  • No one safety measure is most important. You should look at your own home and assess which items need attention.
  • Family pets are usually easily distracted
  • Burglars usually try to get easy access to a house and get in and out quickly
  • Criminals "case" the block in many ways, including:
  • hanging around the block or alley
  • ringing doorbells and impersonating a utility man or salesperson
  • parking on the street and watching houses
  • Most burglars enter through an open or unlocked door or window, but also simply pry open a door. A typical deadbolt is only an inch long, making it easy to pry open.
  • Most burglars can get in or out of your home in less than five minutes. Most typical places to get jewelry and cash are master bedroom closets, lingerie drawers, and jewelry boxes. Another favorite place is the kitchen table, where they quickly remove cell phones and computers.

What deters a burglary? Unanimously, the burglars said - a neighbor who looking around at the street and calls 911.

What can we do?

The panelists and police recommend:

  • Install a deadbolt that is 2 inches long. If you buy a new door, make sure to install a new frame as well, along with a deadbolt. That is extremely good protection.

  • Install a camera with high definition so that the face of an offender can be seen.

  • Make sure your garage door closes behind you when you leave. There are apps available to let you know whether the garage door is open.

  • Lock your door even when you are leaving for a few minutes, like to walk the dog or do a short errand.

  • Call 911 when you see something or someone out of place on your block.
LaSalle Language Academy
New Field and Playground

CPS and my office are excited to announce that the LaSalle Language Academy community has received up to $1.5 million to construct a new turf field and two new playgrounds.

The current asphalt playing surface and playground have been the subject of too many broken arms and not enough opportunities for school and neighborhood children to play. In addition, the crumbling infrastructure underneath the asphalt does not allow drainage.

  • The field is designed for soccer, as well as track activities at the school. It will also be striped for elementary school activities such as baseball.
  • The proposed plan includes two playgrounds: one geared for older kids and one for younger kids.
  • At least 1/3 of the property will be resurfaced as asphalt for assembly space for the children, and other pop-up activites on a painted tennis and volleyball court.  The asphalt area will also be flexible enough to allow for off-hours parking.

A few more FAQs:

  • No trees will be cut down in the construction of the field.
  • The LaSalle community is committed to supporting neighborhood parking and special event parking
  • No adult leagues would be able to use the field and no night games will be held.

The LaSalle Language community has pledged to raise $500,000 to make this playground project a reality. If you'd like to learn more, read the FAQs.

Please attend a community meeting to discuss the plans:

Community Meeting Regarding LaSalle Language Academy
Turf Field and Playground Project
Thursday, October 4, 2018
LaSalle Language Academy Gymnasium
Entrance on Sedgwick
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Representatives of the school community and CPS will be there to make a presentation and answer questions. My office will be present to monitor the discussion, and record your feedback.
Park West Community Association
Annual Meeting
Second Church of Christ, Scientist
2700 N. Pine Grove
Thursday, Sept. 20
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Meet your Park West Neighbors and get details of this past year's success and future plans.

Hear a special "State of the Ward" address from me, and a keynote address by Doug Widener, the new Executive Director of the Lincoln Park Conservancy, who will provide an update on their 35th Anniversary Campaign and the plan to rehabilitate North Pond.

Light refreshments will be served. For more information, email info@parkwestcommunity.com.
43rd Ward Internship Program
 We are seeking academic interns interested in gaining valuable municipal government experience, assisting 43rd Ward Office staff.

The ideal intern should motivated with strong writing skills, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal communication skills.

Hours are 15-20 a week. Internship is unpaid but students can obtain course credit. Please contact Pasquale Gianni, pasquale@ward43.org include a writing sample and resume.
Register to Vote Online

The deadline to register to vote in the November 6th election and early voting begins September 27th. Residents may register to vote online by using a current Illinois driver's license or state ID. For more information on voting and elections, click here .  Ballots will be mailed in early October.

The deadline to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot is  November 1st .

By law, any mail ballot postmarked November 7th or later cannot be counted, which might include ballots slipped in the mail on the afternoon or evening of Election Day, November 6th.
Upcoming Events
Chicagoland Hiring Event
Wednesday, September 19th

The Hospitality Hires Chicago is an event for employers and job seekers to meet and interview. Working with Chicago’s premier workforce agencies, this provides employers with an opportunity to take a strategic approach to finding your next best hire and for job seekers to find their next best employment opportunity.

All participants must complete the first interview in preparation for the main hiring event. Details about location, time, and more will be provided upon registration. Call 1-312-281-7925. Visit online to schedule your first interview or Text "HIRE2" to 77453.

For more information please visit Hospitality Hires Chicago website.
Volunteers Needed
Lincoln Park Conservancy
2391 N. Stockton Drive
Training begins October 6, 2018

The Lincoln Park Conservancy along with the Chicago Park District is seeking volunteers to interact with visitors to the Lincoln Park Conservatory and Gardens. Volunteer Greeters and Docents welcome visitors assist with questions and directions, and share their knowledge of the soaring tropical palms, ancient ferns, brilliant orchids, and deep history of the building.

Deadline to register is Friday, September 28. For more information, contact Rebecca Conant, the Assistant Director of Educational Programs, 773-883-7275, rconant@lincolnparkconservancy.org.
Illinois Solar Tour
Saturday, September 22nd
Home of Lisa and Ron Elkins

Local architects, Lisa and Ron Elkins, of 2 Point Perspective Architecture & Interiors are opening their home again this year for the Illinois Solar Tour. Come by for bagels and coffee and learn about the environmental, money saving, benefits of solar power! 

For more information please visit the Illinois Solar Tour Website.
Sheffield Neighbors Association
Community Meeting on Lincoln Yards
Depaul University Student Center
2250 N Sheffield, Room 314 AB
Wednesday, September 26th
6:00 PM, Doors Open at 5:30 PM

The Sheffield Neighborhood Association (SNA) has finished their community survey on the Lincoln Yards development proposal in the North Branch Corridor, and invites you to join in reviewing the latest details on this development and the recently completed SNA survey.

69.9% of the respondents live in the 60614, 11.4% in the 60647 and 8.4% in the 60622 zip codes.   91.5% were within walking distance of the site.






Michele Smith
43rd Ward Alderman
43rd Ward Office Hours: M 9 AM - 7 PM, T - F 9 AM - 6 PM 
  2523 N Halsted  |  773-348-9500 yourvoice@ward43.org www.ward43.org
Text Us for Constituent Services: 773-906-4333