Covid Spike in 60610 and 60614
Vaccine Phase 1c Begins
Victory for House Museums
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Dear Neighbors,
After spending so many months practicing social distancing, wearing masks, and staying safe, we've slipped. Our zip codes, 60610 and 60614, led the city in new Covid cases last week, 124. We had a 3.6 percent positivity rate; up more than a full point from the previous week. Positivity rates and total cases have increased significantly and, most alarmingly, emergency visits for COVID-like illness have increased by 38% in the last week.
A large percentage of the new cases are people 30 and younger, followed closely by those 30-39. As I said to Block Club, I am urging the city to open a vaccine site at a location that will draw younger people - Wrigley Field, college campuses, or even local bars.
Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady agrees that it is critical we reach younger Chicagoans to ensure they are vaccinated and not passing the virus to more vulnerable populations.
Please continue to get vaccinated, and spread the word to those who have yet to make arraignments to be inoculated. And it's critically important to continue to wear masks in public.
If you are over 65 and are having trouble getting an appointment, please call our office at 773-348-9500 and we will try to assist you.
I will continue to work with the city and health care providers to make it easier for everyone in our community to receive the vaccine.
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Vaccine Phase 1c has Begun
The City of Chicago officially enters phase 1c of the vaccine rollout on this week. All essential workers and adults with underlying medical conditions will become eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. People in phases 1a and 1b also still remain eligible for the vaccine.
Eligible individuals in phase 1c covers people over age 16 who are in the following types of jobs:
- Legal
- Finance and Banking
- Information Technology (service and sale)
- Media
- Higher Education (employees of day care, pre-school, and K-12 remain eligible)
- Pharmaceutical and other health related companies
- Restaurants and bars
- Retail employees
- Personal care (salons of all kinds, dry cleaners)
- Clergy and religious organizations
- Engineers and construction workers
- Hotel employees
- Real estate employees
- Transportation and logistics employees
- Water and wastewater workers
- Other governmental employees
- Energy Workers
- Religious organizations
An expanded list of those with pre-existing medical conditions are also covered in 1c.
To see a detailed list of eligible persons, click here.
While the list of those eligible expands, vaccine supply and appointments are still very limited, and patience will be key. Phase 1c will roll out over several weeks, and the vaccine will be offered to all Chicagoans over age 16 as soon as larger quantities become available.
Currently, vaccination is available by appointment only. The best way to schedule an appointment is by contacting your healthcare provider. If you do not have a healthcare provider, go to Zocdoc.com/vaccine (the City’s vaccine appointment tool) or Chicago.gov/VaccineFinder to find a vaccine provider nearby. Read the Block Club Chicago article about Phase 1c.
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Updated Covid Regulations
updates to the COVID-19 regulations that keep most indoor limits in place while allowing for cautious increases in outdoor spaces that are less conducive to virus spread:
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Bars and Restaurants: Maximum outdoor table size can increase to ten people, with tables set up so that patrons are six feet from patrons at other tables. Indoor table size remains limited to no more than six people.
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Social Events (e.g. weddings, potlucks and other community events): Total outdoor capacity can increase to the lesser of 50% or 100 people
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Performance Venues, Theaters and Seated Spectator Events: Outdoor venues with capacity greater than or equal to 200 can operate at 25% capacity. Smaller venues can operate at no more than 50% capacity or 50 people.
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Outdoor Recreation: Maximum groups of 50; multiple groups permitted
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Places of Worship: No outdoor capacity limit provided that six feet of social distancing is maintained between parties
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Health and Fitness Centers: Outdoor classes can increase to 100 people.
Visit here for additional details. In almost all cases, masks are still required to be worn during activities, even outdoor.
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City Council Report
Victory for Arts and Culture
After a city-wide coalition of small and large cultural institutions, from the Chicago History Museum to small art galleries, protested, a Chicago Alderman withdrew her proposed ordinance that would have prohibited such small "house museums" in many areas of the City. With six here in our ward alone and almost 100 citywide, this is a victory for all museums and all Chicagoans who care about the rich cultural fabric of our city.
The Chicago Sun-Times described it as:
"(A) win for the small but passionate community of operators of existing and planned house museums in Chicago, many of whom banded together under 'The Chicago Coalition of Black House Museums' to fight an ordinance with potential to shut them down."
I was proud to join their efforts, and know many members of our community did as well. In our area, house museums include: The Museum of Surgical Science (Lake Shore Drive), the Graham Foundation (Burton Street), the Old Town Art Center, Wrightwood 659 art gallery, Charnley-Persky House (Astor Street), Roger Brown Study Collection (Halsted Street).
Universal Basic Income Pilot
City Council last Wednesday considered a resolution to have the city spend some of its federal assistance to pilot a program for a city-paid Universal Basic Income. I opposed the effort, stating that such a program would have to be a federal program, if at all.
As I told the Council:
"Our city is climbing back from the financial abyss. And I don’t think that we should repeat the errors that we made in the 2008 crisis, which was to spend every dime that we could think of. Then, when the recession hit, we had to sell the parking meters and use up all those assets."
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Community Crime Alert
Catalytic Converter and Spare Tire Thefts
There have been four incidents involving thefts of catalytic converters or spare tires from vehicles in the 18th District:
- 1700 block of North Clark St., Wednesday, March 10, in the early morning.
- 1800 block of North Lincoln Park West, Sunday, March 14, during the evening.
- 0-100 block of East Banks St., Friday, March 20, in the early morning.
- 2300 block of North Southport Ave., Sunday, March 21, in the afternoon.
One offender wearing grey/ white hooded sweatshirt and jeans
What you can do:
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- Keep vehicle doors locked and windows secure.
- Keep valuables in the trunk or out of sight inside your vehicle.
- If you are a victim, do not touch anything and contact the police immediately.
- Call 911 immediately and provide a detailed description of any suspicious people including any vehicle description and license plate information.
- Have identifying info on your catalytic converter
If you have any information, contact Bureau of Detectives – Area 3
(312) 744-8263.
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Edith Spurlock Apartments Renovation and Construction Update
2640 and 2720 N. Sheffield
Wednesday March 31st
6 p.m.
The project to renovate the existing buildings and erect a new structure that will be linked to the two senior apartment towers received approvals from the City in 2019. The purpose of this meeting is to inform the immediate community about the expected timeline, possible construction phase impacts on immediate neighbors, and the operations of the building once the work is complete.
If you are not familiar with the project plans, please visit the project’s page on our website here, where you will find more information and a link to the 2019 community meeting presentation.
Registration notes:
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After having registered for the webinar using the link above, you will remain with a "pending approval" status until about 5pm on the day of the meeting, when you will receive an email with the link to access the zoom webinar. The link you will receive is unique to you, please do not share, but encourage your friends and neighbors to register as well. If you haven't received the link by 5:10pm on the day of, please email [email protected]
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Please log into zoom and access the meeting between 10-15 minutes prior to the official start time, so that there is enough time to troubleshoot any technical problems and become familiar with its features.
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Street Sweeping Begins April 1
A reminder that street sweeping begins this week, Thursday, April 1.
Click here for the April schedule.
Mud, leaves, and other debris are the major causes of spring sewer backups and street flooding.
If you landscape in your parkway, make sure wood chips and dirt do not enter the sewer system. If you are able, please clear that debris from your gutters.
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2020 Property Tax Exemptions Deadline Extended Until April 9
Exemption applications for the 2020 Tax Year are now open.
If you received any of the below exemptions for the 2019 tax year, you do NOT need to reapply. The following exemptions will auto-renew and will be seen on the second installment of property tax bills:
Households will receive confirmation of the auto-renewal of these exemptions for their homes.
Exemption applications are now available on the assessor’s website here. The deadline for exemptions is April 9. The Assessor’s Office will host a Virtual Assistance Day on Thursday, April 1 to provide property owners with personalized exemption guidance. Click here to book an appointment.
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43rd Ward Shredding & Recycling Event
Sunday, April 25th
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 N Cannon Drive
(in the brick paver lot)
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Start collecting your electronic recyclables and papers to shred.
We will be hosting a 43rd Ward Shredding and Recycling Event at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum during Earth Month.
There is a limit of two bankers boxes of paper per person.
Masks are required and social distancing will be strictly enforced.
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CPS Providing Meals During Spring Break
This week is Spring Break for Chicago Public School students. Families can get meal kits from Monday, March 29 – Thursday, April 1, from 9am – 1pm. Each family is eligible for three meals per day for each child in the household.
If you, or a family you know, would like to receive meals, information is available here.
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Neighborhood Tourism Survey
What do you love about our neighborhood? Choose Chicago, our city’s tourism website, is conducting a Neighborhood Tourism Survey. The information collected will inform their strategy to highlight our unique neighborhoods and better serve residents and visitors.
Click here to take the survey.
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ComEd Bill Payment Assistance
ComEd is increasing financial assistance funding by nine million dollars for customers struggling to pay their electric bills, or for enhanced payment arrangement options, and special reconnection programs for eligible customers, including one-time bill credits, flexible payment arrangements, and service reconnection assistance.
Customers experiencing a hardship or difficulty with their electric bill should call ComEd immediately at 1-800-334-7661 (1-800-EDISON1), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to learn more on how to apply. Information and eligibility requirements are here.
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Spring Art Class Registration
Registration has begun for spring classes at Old Town Arts Center. Find the artist in you with classes in watercolor, oil, acrylic and more.
Learn about all the class offerings and how to register, here.
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Doctors and Health Care Practices
Bids Open for Mobile and Strike Team Vaccination Providers
The City of Chicago has opened a Request for Proposal (RFP) for COVID-19 vaccination mobile and strike team operations. The solicitation will be open through April 9th. The RFP (Solicitation Number 7930,1) can be accessed here.
The RFP is aimed at providing vaccination capacity in designated underserved communities in the city. For more details click here.
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Restaurant Revitalization Fund
As part of the passage of the American Rescue Plan, $28.6 billion is earmarked for a new “Restaurant Revitalization Fund.”
Visit here for information from the National Restaurant Association about how the fund, administered by the Small Business Administration, works and eligibility requirements.
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2446 N. Clark
Blush Boutique has floral arrangements of every color, texture, and variety.
Browse their creative bouquets, plants, and other unique gifts to send to a loved one or brighten up your home.
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2344 N. Lincoln
Pure Green is here to help you fill up on nutritious ingredients, whether it's through a quick juice or a healthy bowl.
Drop in to try their smoothies and to learn more about the benefits of superfoods.
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Now through April 4
During Chicago Restaurant Weeks, March 19 - April 4, you can enjoy special prix fixe menus across the city. Participating Lincoln Park restaurants include:
Cafe Ba Ba-Reeba
Casati's Modern Italian
Earls Kitchen + Bar
Galit
Gemini
King Crab
Mon Ami Gabi
Oyster Bah
RJ GRunts
Rosati's
Sappori's
Stella Barra Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Summer House Santa Monica
Takito Street Lincoln Park
Tandoor Char House
The Lakefront Restaurant
Willow Room
If your restaurant is taking part, please let us know here and we will include you in upcoming newsletters.
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Order From Our Local Restaurants |
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