Our Ward Now at Risk of Increased Cases
Phased Ticket Enforcement Begins
Dear Neighbors,

Dr. Alison Arwady, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, announced Friday that young adults now make up the largest number of cases new Covid cases. In particular, the largest concentration of new cases among those between ages 18-29 are here in Lincoln Park. (Image courtesy of Block Club).

COVID is far from whipped in our area. According to City data, on May 31, Lincoln Park had its lowest number of cases in a week - only 4 cases with a positive testing rate of 1%. Since then, the number of cases have creeped up every week so that six weeks later we have had 37 new cases in one week with a positivity rate in testing of 4.6%, slightly higher than the city as a whole. Since June 1, 125 more people have tested positive for COVID-19. You can examine the detailed data here.

The total number of cases means that one in 122 people in the 60614 zip code have had COVID. In 60610, one in 116 people have had COVID!

And while yesterday was the first day we have had fewer than 1000 new cases in Illinois, the previous four days all saw more than 1000 new cases. Continued vigilance is critical.

Even though young adults comprised the highest percentage of cases, our ward is not complying in great percentages with the mask mandate, across all ages. The most effective way to prevent the transmission of the disease outside of quarantine is wear a mask. Please tell your friends and neighbors to pitch in and help others by wearing a mask.

Emergency Quarantine Order for People
Returning from Out of State

If you have returned from any of the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah must self quarantine for 14 days.

On Thursday, July 2, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D., issued an  Emergency Travel Order  directing travelers entering or returning to Chicago from states experiencing a surge in new COVID-19 cases to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state. This includes both Chicago residents returning from travel to a designated state, and travelers arriving in Chicago from a designated state. The Order went into effect on Monday July 6, 2020, at 12:01am. For more information, please click here .

Read latest COVID updates here.
Census Challenge
July 7 - 17

Mayor Lightfoot is calling on all Chicagoans to participate in a Census Challenge. The ward that delivers the highest census response rate in the next 10 days will receive a ward-wide Ice Cream event! Take the census today at My2020census.gov.

Currently, our ward has a self-response rate of 60.9%. Remember each person counted is worth $1400 in federal aid to our city - billions of dollars are at stake.

Today is week 17 of the Census Response Period. As of today, 18,170 households in our ward have responded to the 2020 Census. This means there are about 11,666 households which have not responded! Let's all participate in this opportunity to be counted -- and have a ward-wide Ice Cream event!

Socially distanced, of course. #ChiCounts2020
Ticket Enforcement Updates

The City is beginning to phase in ticket enforcement that was temporarily put on hold due to COVID-19. The Department of Finance sent out notices regarding outstanding fines by mail.

Dates to remember:
  • July 1 - Street Sweeping
  • July 6 - Booting
  • July 16 - Expired City Sticker & Residential Parking Permits
  • October 2 - Expired Vehicle Registration

If you need assistance paying these fines visit New Start,   residents can sign up for flexible payment plans for tickets and utility bills with a lower down payment and up to 60 months to repay amounts due.

Residents can learn more or make payments online at  www.Chicago.gov/finance

Remember - buy your parking permits online now! For details, click here .
Secretary of State Extension
Deadlines Extended to November 1

The Secretary of State has announced new deadlines for the following items that may have expired.

  • Drivers Licenses
  • License Plate Stickers
  • Restricted Driving Permits
  • Disability PlacardsID Cards
  • Monitoring Device Permits

Th is new November 1 extension also includes those who have July, August and September expiration dates. As a result, expired documents will remain valid until Nov. 1 so customers do not need to rush into Driver Services facilities.

Customers are encouraged to visit CyberdriveIllinois.com for online services and information.
Vote By Mail

Please consider voting by mail for the General Election November 3 , 2020. You can apply online or with a mail-in-application.

If you are unable to apply online, the Election Board also will be sending Vote By Mail applications and postage-paid return envelopes in late July to all voters who have voted in any election since November 2018, and to any voters who have registered for the first time or updated their registrations since March 18, 2020.

For more information about Vote by Mail, please visit the Chicago Board of Elections website  
Affordable Care Act: You Can Enroll Due To Job Loss

The Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace provides a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for anyone who lost their employer-based health insurance coverage due to loss of employment. Job loss is considered a "Qualifying Life Event" which allows for special enrollment. Some may even qualify for subsidies and tax credits that can help reduce premiums and other expenses.

Visit getcovered illinois.com for more information, including FAQ's and how to apply.
Join us for Feast on Lincoln
Saturday, July 18
4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 19
11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
.
Opening Weekend for the Feast on Lincoln Avenue was a great, and safe event.

 Outside dining hours are 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. on Saturday and 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. on Sunday as weather permits.

Participating Restaurants as of today:
  • The Bagelers
  • Broken English Taco Pub
  • DogHaus Biergarten
  • Galit
  • Hops and Curds
  • Lincoln Station
  • Millie's Supper Club
  • Pita Pit
  • Printer's Row Coffee Co
  • Prost!
  • Takito Street

Feast on Lincoln is a partnership of the 43rd Ward, the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC), Lincoln Avenue Special Service Area (SSA) #35, and the Wrightwood Neighbors Association. Of course, we still want everyone to stay safe and healthy and all are asked to follow these guidelines:

All social distancing, face covering and other COVID-19 guidelines will be followed. Each participating restaurant will have its own seating area.

Street Closures

Lincoln Avenue from Wrightwood to Fullerton will be closed to all but pedestrian traffic and parking will be removed along the stretch beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays through 2:00 a.m. on Mondays to accommodate set up, dining and clean up. The closure will limit east and west traffic between Halsted, Sheffield and Lincoln Avenue. Altgeld Street will remain open to traffic with loading zone areas on the street dedicated to restaurant carry out and delivery drivers.

More details are at the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce . See you there - wear a mask on your way.
Clean Energy Virtual Town Hall
Thursday, July 16
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Webinar

Clean Energy in a Time of Pandemic: Join State Representatives, Yoni Pizer and Ann Williams, and State Senator Sarah Feigenholtz, along with representatives from the Illinois Environmental Council and the Citizen's Utility Board for an interactive discussion on the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA).

Please RSVP in advance using this link.


What's Open for Business?

With a slow and steady return to business, we wanted to highlight businesses that are up and running. Please send us an email at  yourvoice@ward43.org  and let us know you're open for business!
Support our Neighborhood Restaurants

Please patronize our neighborhood businesses as much as possible and try to order directly from the restaurant. Thanks to all you who are writing to us to include your favorite restaurants. Keep it coming!

Lincoln Park Conservancy Receives Anonymous Donation

I'm happy to announce the Lincoln Park Conservancy received a $3 million dollar donation from an anonymous donor. The donation is in support of the North Pond Nature Sanctuary restoration. This generous gift is the largest single contribution the Conservancy has ever received, and combined with a $1-million pledge and additional funding sources puts the total amount raised for the restoration project at $4.25 million, or 60% of the project budget.  

Please donate to this wonderful urban sanctuary. You can read more here.
Chicago History Museum Re-Opens
Free Admission Month of July

The Chicago History Museum is open and is offering free admission the entire month of July.

Facial coverings are required for entry.

Please visit the Chicago History Museum website for details on new safety procedures.
While you're there also visit the North & Clark Cafe for a bite to eat.
Sweet Home Chicago

“Sweet Home Chicago” is a star-studded virtual music video produced to raise money for the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund, which helps artists throughout Chicago and Illinois who are struggling in the wake of COVID-19 closures. Please make your tax deductible contribution here.
Enjoy our sweet home, Chicago, safely,






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