Community Alert: Hijackings
CPS Information for Parents and Community
Business and Community Events
Dear Neighbors:

Thank you to everyone who participated in the political process on Election Day and in recent weeks. From election judges, to volunteers, to everyone who voted early and on Election Day. As final vote counts for the Presidential race come in across the country, it is important we all remain patient and continue to look out for our neighbors.

Locally, I'd like to congratulate Senator Dick Durbin, Congressmen Mike Quigley and Danny K. Davis, State Senators Sara Feigenholtz and Robert Peters,        
State Representatives Lakesia Collins, Omar Williams, Ann Williams, Margaret Croke and Kam Buckner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioners Kim Dubuclet, Cam Davis, and Eira Sepúlveda, County Clerk Iris Martinez and Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx on their victories yesterday. I look forward to continuing to work with them.

In other local races, all the judges seeking retention were retained. The proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution to allow for a graduated income tax failed across Illinois, although it passed by a wide margin in Chicago. This means that the flat-tax will remain in Illinois.
Community Alert 
Robbery/Vehicular Hijacking
018th and 019th Districts

Chicago Police warn residents of a pattern of robberies and car hijackings in the 18th and 19th District. In each incident, the offenders approached the victims and announced a robbery, then took personal property from the victims and fled. During three of these reported incidents, the offenders attempted to/or robbed the victims and took possession of their vehicles by force. The offenders are reported to be armed with handguns and were last seen driving a black SUV with tinted windows. A white car was observed in one incident as well. The incidents have occurred in Beats 1812 and 1935.

18th District Commander Stevens has assured us that there will be extra tactical teams on duty near the locations and times of these incidents.

Incident times and locations:
  • 600 block of W. Dickens Ave., Sunday, October 11, 2020, in the evening.
  • 2000 block of N Burling St., Sunday, October 11, 2020 in the evening.
  • 400 block of W. Wrightwood Ave., Sunday, November 1, 2020 in the evening.
  • 600 block of W. Kemper Place, Sunday, November 1, 2020 in the evening hours.
  • 400 block of W. Wisconsin St., Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at night.

About the Offenders:
(2) Male, African Americans, 5'07"- 5’11”, 16-24 years of age

What you can do:
  • Always be aware of your surroundings.
  • If confronted by an assailant, remain calm.Remember any unique physical characteristics (scars, tattoos, acne, limps, etc).
  • Call 911 immediately and provide a detailed description of any suspicious people including any vehicle description and license plate information.

If you have any information, contact Bureau of Detectives – Area 3. (312) 744-8263
JD396297, JD396323, JD418113, JD418128.
City Fines General Iron

The City's Law Department and General Iron have settled a long variety of citations arising from the May 2020 explosion and numerous complaints by citizens. General Iron has agreed to pay a penalty of $18,000, a portion of which will be used to purchase two field olfactometers (devices that measure odors) for the site. In addition to the fine, General Iron has spent more than $300,000 on mitigation measures, including $179,000 for dust mitigation and $128,000 on explosion prevention measures.

To better control dust, a fifteen foot high netting and four water-misting cannons have been added along the east and north perimeters of the property; the four new cannons raise the total to ten on the General Iron site.

Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said the city was "pleased that this settlement directly addresses the issues of fugitive dust and odors found through our enforcement efforts and also addresses the conditions that caused the explosion." As a result of the agreement, "olfactometers will measure odors based on objective state standards."

General Iron is planning to shut down its operation on the North Side at the end of 2020 and relocate to a new facility on the Southeast Side. The City's settlement with General Iron is a City matter that did not involve Aldermanic input.
Chicago Public Schools Updates
CPS Prepares Schools with Air Quality Measures

As the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) plan to bring some students back for in-school instruction at the appropriate time, they have announced steps taken to ensure that the air quality and ventilation in classrooms is safe.

CPS CEO Janet Jackson and Chief Education Officer  LaTanya D. McDade, said CPS has "cleaned tens of thousands of classrooms from top to bottom, installed signs throughout the buildings to help students socially distance themselves, [and] purchased hand sanitizer stations and millions of reusable cloth face coverings for every student and staff member."

Additionally:

"As our public health officials have learned more about COVID-19, and how proper air ventilation and filtration of classrooms can help reduce transmission and provide an additional layer of protection for our community, the district made the decision to spend $8.5 million to purchase 20,000 Intellipure HEPA air purifiers — enough to provide one for every classroom in the district as well as any staff spaces that does not have mechanical ventilation. These air purifiers will filter over 99.99% of airborne viruses, bacteria, and mold and follow the Harvard School of Medicine’s Healthy Buildings recommendation to install HEPA filters in classrooms."

Recently, CPS conducted an assessment of every classroom in Chicago to ensure that each has a, "working source of clean air to dilute air particles that may have viruses or bacteria, and a vent to allow old air to move out of the classroom. Any classroom that isn’t properly ventilated will be repaired before students and staff can return."

Independent state-certified environmental specialists tested the schools’ indoor air quality.

A detailed ventilation and indoor air quality report for your child’s school is available at cps.edu/airquality.

CPS has a goal of bringing back children for the second semester.
Go CPS
Learn About CPS Schools for your Child
Through Dec. 11, 2020

COVID will be over, and it will be time to enroll in CPS schools for next year. GoCPS allows families to learn, research, explore, and apply to nearly every CPS school and program through one online platform. CPS offers a wide variety of program and school options for students attending High School, Elementary School and Pre-K. Parents can select the grade level for their student to get an overview of the application process and timeline by visiting www.go.cps.edu. The Round 1 application period is open and closes on December 11, 2020.  
Local School Council Elections
November 18 & 19

Local governance of our schools helps ensure that our kids get a great education. LSC Elections were deferred to the pandemic, so now is the time to get educated about the process and candidates.

As a community member, you can vote for the Lincoln Park High School LSC and at the elementary school in whose enrollment boundary you reside.

To learn more, click here.
Schools Forum:
Meet The Local Principals
Wrightwood Neighbors Association 
Monday November 9th, 2020
6 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Register here

For families considering new enrollments in our highly rated local CPS schools: get the scoop for the admissions process,  learn about their excellent curricula, and hear why these schools really might be the best option for your child’s education!

Meet the Principals:
  • Alcott College Prep Elementary - Principal Elias Estrada 
  • Oscar Mayer Magnet - Principal Danielle Drayton 
  • Lincoln Park High School - Principal Eric Steinmiller
  • Agassiz Elementary - Principal Mira Weber
  • Audience Q&A following presentations

The Meet the Principals meeting will be followed at 7 p.m. by the 19th District Police C.A.P.S. meeting.
Community Updates
Cash Assistance Grants For Restaurant Workers

The Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's Restaurant Employee Relief Fund is providing one-time $500 cash assistance grants to eligible restaurant workers who have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Applications, full eligibility requirements, and a list of required documents are available in English and in Spanish. If you would like to help restaurant workers in need, you may make a tax-deductible donation to the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund online.
Small Business Assistance Webinar for Restaurants and Bars
TOMORROW, Friday, Nov. 6
1:00 p.m.

Restaurant and bar owners are invited to join the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and Accion, a not for profit which provides small business loans, for an overview and question and answer session on the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Program.

The event will take place Friday, November 6 at 1 PM. Visit here to participate.

BIG is a $636 million program to provide economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. BIG leverages federal funding provided by the CARES Act to help offset COVID-19 related losses for Illinois small businesses, including over $270 million for small businesses, and another $270 million exclusively for childcare providers. BIG is the largest program of its kind in the nation.

Full details on the program are available here.
Drive-Up Flu Shot Clinic
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Parking Lot
2340 N Cannon Dr.
Saturday, Nov. 8
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Hosted by State Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, State Reps. Yoni Pizer and Ann Williams, MWRD Commissioner Kim DuBuclet, and Cook County Comr. Bridget Degnen.

A drive-up flu shot clinic this Sunday, November 8th from 11am-2pm will be held at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N. Cannon Dr.)
  • Flu shots provided by Walgreens
  • Free for seniors with Medicare B card (must have card with you)
  • Covered for adults with a valid insurance card.
  • Face coverings required, stay in your car until turn 

 For more information visit SenatorSara.com or call 773-296-4141
City of Chicago Rental Assistance Program
Apply Now through November 15

The Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS) has re-opened the online application for its Rental Assistance Program (RAP) from November 2-15 at Chicago.gov/fss/RAP. RAP is a DFSS homeless prevention initiative that offers up to six months of support – including payment of rent and rent arrears – for eligible households that are at immediate risk of eviction in cases of fire, flood, foreclosure, domestic violence or eviction. The property owner or manager must agree to participate in the household’s eligibility verification. The RAP online application will close at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 15, at Chicago.gov/fss/RAP.

Year-round, the paper-copy of the RAP application is available at one of the City’s six community service centers
Community Activities
Make it a Green Halloween
Pumpkin Turn-in
Saturday, Nov. 7
Maud Street
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
With Halloween behind us, it is time to dispose of our pumpkins in the most environmentally friendly way. Join Ward resident Ivy Tzur in contributing to the Second Pumpkin Turn-In event to compost pumpkins and turn them into natural fertilizer. 

Drop your pumpkin off to:
Place: The west end of Maud Ave (the dead end on the 1900 block)
Date: Saturday, November 7th
Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Note: Please make sure your pumpkins are free of candles and decorations.

Prefer that Ivy pick it up? Details below:
Place: Your stoop or curb! Please place your pumpkin where it’s accessible to be picked up.
Date: Saturday, November 7th
Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Note: Please make sure your pumpkins are free of candles and decorations.

Please send Ivy an email with address for pumpkin pickup. If you have any specific instructions to collect your pumpkin, or if you prefer that she leave your pumpkins alone (please include your address), email [email protected]
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.
18th District Police Community Conversation
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Everyone is invited to participate to help the 18th District Chicago Police draft the District's strategic plans surrounding crime enforcement & community engagement. Your participation is needed!

Register through Event Brite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/122894860837
Chicago's Gold Coast: The Folks, The Facades, and the Fables
Presented by Gold Coast Neighbors
YouTube

View our Gold Coast community through the eyes of historian Scottie Perry, presented by the History & Education Committee of Gold Coast Neighbors Association. An experienced docent at the Chicago History Museum, Perry shares little-known stories behind many well-known buildings, including the Playboy Mansion, the Racquet Club, and the Patterson-McCormick Mansion.

Thanks to Gold Coast Neighbors for sharing this event with everyone. To view the video, click on this link:

Our neighborhood organizations are a great source of fun, education and advocacy. Join Gold Coast Neighbors here.
The Folded Map Project

Tonika Lewis Johnson’s Folded Map Project connects residents at corresponding addresses on opposite sides of Chicago. The Project invites people to fold a map of Chicago and compare the differences in communities of addresses that mirror each other, like 6700 N. Ashland Ave. and 6700 S. Ashland Ave.

You can download the kit on the Folded Map website. Read more at Block Club Chicago.
Stay safe,






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