Covid Rates Up Again in our Ward
Landmark Meeting Video
Relief for Entertainment Venues
Dear Neighbors:

Once again, we have bad news about new Covid-19 cases across the city and in our community. We are losing ground in our fight against COVID.

In both the 60610 and 60614 zip codes, we have experienced a spike. In September, 428 people were diagnosed with COVID, more than we had in May. The number of people testing positive rose to 6.1%. The number of cases per 100,000 of population is now higher here than the city average. We are going backwards.

To get our businesses open, to open our schools, to resume our lives, we must lower these rates of infection. The only known way is to increase the frequency with which we wear face coverings in our daily lives. I've introduced an ordinance directing the city to develop and implement a plan for uniform enforcement of the mask-wearing requirement. You can see the ordinance here.

COVID data in the city--including searches for cases by zip code, can be found here. Details are in this chart from the city's data portal.
Our Landmark Districts
 
In my last newsletter, I reported that the City failed to defend our Landmark Districts last week.
 
The Permit Review Committee of the Chicago Commission on Landmarks approved, for the first time in the 43 years of the Old Town Landmark District, the partial demolition of a building listed as contributing to the historic character of the district, and the construction of a front facing, 3 story visible addition on an historic building on Wells Street.

If you would like to join the effort to defend our many landmark districts, email [email protected].

The video from the meeting is posted here. Click "Play" on the photo above to see my presentation.  Here is the presentation. The developer's presentation is here.
Community Alerts

Wanted for Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Traffic Crash 
018th (Near North) District 

On Tuesday, October 6th, 2020, at approximately 8:30 p.m., a red-colored, four-door, Toyota sedan traveled southbound on Stockton Drive from Fullerton Parkway. While doing so, a 25-year-old handicapped male pedestrian was crossing Stockton Drive in the crosswalk while in a motorized wheelchair with his dog alongside. As the pedestrian and dog crossed Stockton Drive, the pedestrian was struck by the Toyota. After impact, the striking vehicle did not stop but continued to procede southbound Stockton Drive at a high rate of speed. As a result of the crash, the pedestrian was seriously injured and hospitalized.

The Major Accident Investigation Unit encourages anyone who may have any information about this crash to contact this investigative unit at 312-745-4521. 
Reference: RD# JD391077

Burglaries
018th (Near North) District

The 018th District has identified a pattern of recently reported residential burglaries.The offender enters residences by breaking glass on front doors or by removing screens and entering through open windows.

Incident times and locations:
  • 700 block of West Belden Ave., Wednesday, September 16, 2020 in the evening.
  • 600 block of West Fullerton Pkwy., Thursday, September 24, 2020 in the morning.
  • 2100 block of North Cleveland Ave., Friday, October 2, 2020 in the afternoon.
The offender is unknown.

What you can do:
Keep doors locked and windows secure.
  • Immediately repair broken windows, doors, or locks.
  • If video surveillance is available, save and make a copy of the incident for
  • investigating Detectives.
  • 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. JD369672, JD377379, JD386484.
Lakefront Weather Events Text Alerts

You can now sign up to receive emergency text messages from Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management & Communications regarding weather events on the lakefront. from the National Weather Service.

Text “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5 to opt in.and receive alerts.
Census Extended
Make Sure You Are Counted

The census will conclude on October 31. Make sure you are counted.

Our ward response rate sits at 66%. In the Gold Coast, we are at 62%. In the 2010 census we were at 85%. We must get this done or risk losing billions in federal financial aid and reducing our representation in Congress.

Please ask your friends whether they have completed the census and get it done here

Please also answer the door for US census workers and allow them access to your building to knock on doors. A census worker will always have proper identification.
Last Week to Take CPD Policing Policy Surveys

The Chicago Police Department is asking for your input for a series of surveys on several important policing policies, and will begin conducting discussions with community members and individuals with first-hand experience in order to improve and create new policies.
Members of the community have until October 15, 2020 to complete the surveys. Click the links below to take each survey:

CTA Repair Work at 2560 North Lincoln Ave.

From now through Friday, October 23, the roof will be replaced at the CTA property at 2560 N. Lincoln Avenue.

There will be intermittent closures of the alley behind 2525 - 2543 N. Sheffield Avenue and the alley behind 2566 N. Lincoln Avenue to accommodate this project. Noise from the project may include truck backup alarms, construction vehicle traffic, and CTA traffic flagger horns.
Relief for Entertainment Venues

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

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

Applications will be accepted through 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.
Business Interruption Grants

Applications for the second round of Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program funding are now open. This program is aimed to help Illinois small businesses suffering losses due to COVID-19 and recent civil unrest. This second wave aims to provide relief for all types of small businesses, particularly in the arts, restaurants and hospitality. Find out more here..
You can find Eligibility Criteria and fill out this application. You may submit questions or requests for application assistance here.
Halloween Window Painting 
Saturday-Sunday October 24th and 25th
Play2Day 2369 N. Lincoln Ave.
Saturday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., 2 hour time slots
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.
Sugar Junkie Opens
1925 N. Lincoln

Sugar Junkie’s Chef Amy has, “crafted a line of desserts so bold and flavorful, you may require professional help.This great new addition to our community is located at 1925 N. Lincoln. Please stop by, welcome them to the neighborhood and try some of their amazing and delicious creations.
Evette’s Lebanese-Mexican Fare Opening in LP
350 W. Armitage

Evette’s, which Eater Chicago says will cause, “Chicagoans to question what they know about the origins of Mexican food,” will be opening on October 15.

With a menu including shawarma’s, tacos, and tabbouleh, Evette’s, located at 350 W. Armitage, takes its name from co-chef and co-owner Mitchell AbouJamra's grandmother.

Please welcome this new restaurant to our community.
Lincoln Park South Target
555 W Webster

The new Target store located at 555 W. Webster will have a soft opening on October 20, and the store's grand opening will take place on October 25. We welcome this new store to the neighborhood, and thank Target for working with us to provide appropriate signage for the neighborhood.
Please be safe, please be vigilant, please help keep our community healthy,






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