In this Issue
Third Ward Update
Important Announcements
December CAPS
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Greetings!
Happy holidays! I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but when celebrating the season with your loved ones, please, please, please be sure to be safe and follow the current public health guidelines. Family transmission of COVID-19 is a reality, and we all must be vigilant to protect our community.
One other quick reminder. While I talk about it more in depth later in the "Important Announcements" section of the newsletter, December 1st brings winter overnight parking bans. Follow all posted signage when parking on the street, and be very careful when parking on the street overnight.
Finally, when shopping this holiday season, I encourage you to shop local. The pandemic has had a devastating effect on local businesses, and if you are going to buy something, please support the wonderful local businesses that make up the fabric of our neighborhoods. Even if their doors are not open, many businesses have websites that can take orders and arrange pickup or delivery. That includes ordering food from local restaurants!
The 3rd Ward Public Service Office staff and I are available to assist you by phone 773-373-9273 or via email at [email protected]. Thank you for reading this newsletter. Please share it with a neighbor or friend.
Sincerely,
Pat Dowell
Alderman, 3rd Ward
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Budget Committee Chairman Stewards Passage of the 2021 City Budget
On Tuesday, November 24th, Alderman Dowell released a statement on the passage of the 2021 City of Chicago Budget. The full text of that statement can be found here.
In short, Alderman Dowell and the Chicago City Council voted to approve the 2021 budget for the City of Chicago by a vote of 29 to 21. After a lengthy and rigorous review process, which Alderman Dowell led as Chair of the City Council Committee on the Budget and Government Operations, she voted in support of this budget which reflects the financial reality that the pandemic has inflicted on Chicago, while still protecting needed services that residents depend on every day.
Chicago is in a global economic crisis as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic--and as a result, our city faces fiscal peril like never before. This situation left aldermen with no easy options. But together, the City Council passed a fiscally responsible spending plan that can put our city on track to recover from this pandemic. And in addition, within this budget, the City continues to make investments in affordable housing, mental health, homelessness, and violence prevention that reflect our values rooted in equity and inclusion. Furthermore, thanks to meaningful collaboration with our partners in the labor movement, the City was able to avoid hundreds of layoffs to our essential city workers that just a few months ago seemed inevitable. Those workers are our neighbors, and provide irreplaceable public services. They helped keep our city moving forward in the darkest days of this pandemic. To send them to the unemployment rolls during this crisis would be unconscionable.
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3rd Ward Gives Back for Thanksgiving
Kudos to Pastor Earl Grandberry Sr. of True Rock Ministries for his generosity and acts of kindness. He gave away 1,000 grocery bags with turkeys to needy families, seniors, and veterans out of his church parking lot at 16th St. and Wabash Ave. in the 3rd Ward. He and the True Rock congregation have been doing this for 18 years without fanfare! But for the first time Channel 7 documented the morning giveaway. Thanks Evelyn Holmes. What a blessing!
This is in addition to the numerous turkeys the 3rd Ward Public Service Office gave away to local families to help bring a happy Thanksgiving to residents that needed a little assistance to begin the holiday season. Alderman Dowell hosted Turkey giveaways both at her office and for residents of Wentworth Gardens. Thank you to Allyson and Lucy of the 3rd Ward staff who made sure the turkeys got to residents before Thanksgiving.
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Dangerous Motorcycles, E-Sports Venue, Arts Lawn Discussed at November 3rd Ward Town Hall Meeting
On Monday, November 23rd, Alderman Pat Dowell held a virtual town hall meeting featuring representatives from the University of Chicago who shared the latest on the Arts Lawn project, a proposed E-Sports venue at 2500 S. Wabash Ave., and the Chicago Police Department regarding the issue of large groups of individuals dangerously riding motorcycles and other unauthorized vehicles on highways and residential streets.
During the town hall, constituents asked questions to the presenters of the E-Sports facility on the square footage of the proposed location, renderings, its proximity and collaboration with nearby schools, available parking and security plans.
As for the newest addition to the Arts Block, to be located on East Garfield Boulevard in Washington Park, residents offered suggestions on how to best make the project accessible for community members. The project will create green space which will be used for arts and culture-based programming.
Finally, constituents raised concerns about the Chicago Police Department's response to unruly motorcycle groups. In late-2019, R2019-740 was originally introduced by Alderman Pat Dowell. The resolution was heard during the Committee on Public Safety on January 7, 2020, where representatives of both the Chicago Police Department and the Office of Emergency Management Communications addressed their recent prevalence. As a result of this increased attention, the City has already performed 55 combined motorcycle missions, issued 1,368 moving violations, handed out 85 traffic stop survey cards, issued 122 hanging violations, submitted 16 investigative stop reports, impounded and towed 32 vehicles, issued 23 ANOVs, encountered 65 fleeing incidents, initiated 6 public safety dispersals, and recovered 2 guns.
If you were unable to attend this virtual town hall meeting, a recording of the meeting is available on Facebook at this address (https://www.facebook.com/aldermanpat.dowell). You will need to either scroll down to November 23rd, or click on the "video" tab on the page and view from there.
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Details on the UChicago Arts Lawn Project
The University of Chicago shared a project overview and construction update on the planned Arts Lawn located at 335 – 347 E. Garfield Blvd. in Washington Park at Alderman Dowell's Town Hall meeting. The project transforms underutilized, vacant land into active, green space which will be used for arts and culture-based programming, including film screenings, live theatre, outdoor music, public performances, exhibitions, and public art projects.
Remediation on the site is expected to last four to six weeks. Work will include removal of existing underground storage tanks, and installation of a new stormwater management system. Work hours will generally be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and parking along the north side of 55th Place will be restricted between the CTA tracks and the north/south alley west of Martin Luther King Drive between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Additional spaces will be restricted on the south side of 55th Place to accommodate trucking turning in and out of the site.
The Arts Lawn is the latest phase of the University of Chicago Arts Block redevelopment along Garfield Blvd. in Washington Park. Questions or concerns about construction can be directed to the City of Chicago Department of Assets, Information and Services at 312-744-3900 or to Office of Civic Engagement Executive Director of Community Partnerships Wendy Walker Williams at [email protected].
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Equality Should be Normal Opens in Washington Park
Join Alderman Dowell in welcoming to the 3rd Ward Romel Murphy, who cut the grand opening ribbon on Equality Should Be Normal, a community resource center named after his mother, Barbara Murphy, who passed when Mr. Murphy was in college. Located at 239 East 51st Street, the Center will provide a wide array of services for our youth and adults based on Romel’s vision “to promote justice and equality for all Black people in Chicago.” This is a man with a purpose who doesn’t let grass grow under his feet and the 3rd Ward is thankful that he opened this Center in Washington Park. For more information go to www.equityshouldbenormal.com.
3rd Ward Turns Out for 2020 Election
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2020 General Election! From voters, to deputy registrars, to poll workers, everyone did a wonderful job representing the true spirit of democracy. Across Chicago 1,160,993 votes were cast, an amazing 73% turnout rate. The 3rd Ward cast 28, 573 of those votes, coming in at an excellent 75.14% turnout rate. This puts the ward in 16th place for most number of votes cast among all wards in the City and 19th in turnout. Great job everyone!
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CN St. Charles Air Line Greaser Information
As part of the St. Charles Air Line renovation project, Canadian National (CN) invested in new equipment to mitigate some of the rail operational noise of passing trains through the addition of a fourth greaser. CN also found that another greaser was not working properly, and repaired it. Furthermore, CN has increased the greaser engagement frequency to account for the additional train traffic. CN consistently maintains its track and inspects greasers on a weekly basis. As of the most recent inspection, the greasers are working properly as called for by the nature of CN's operations in the area.
As for the project overall, Alderman Dowell's office has previously sent out a year-end update on CN's bridge reconstruction work on the St. Charles Air Line. A copy of that update can be found here.
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3rd Ward BIG Grant Recipients
Congratulations to all the businesses in the ward who were recipients of the 2nd Round State of Illinois Business Interruption Grant (BIG). This program provides economic relief for small businesses hit hard by COVID-19 pandemic. The 3rd Ward businesses who received a grant between $5,000 to $150,000 include: A Lotta Good Stuff, Glessner House, 2617 Auto Repair, Subway, Issues Barber and Beauty Salon, Happy Cleaners, Fete Event Studio, Juke Joynt, Momentum Coffee, Moody Tongue, Erika Summers Production, Inc., 360 Mind Body Soul, Kids Wonderland, Chicago Oyster House, Fatpour Tap Works, Row 24, Wheeler Mansion, and La Cantina Grill.
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Reggie's Music Club Receives Arts Venue Grant
With support from the Walder Foundation and the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund and in partnership with Accion, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events launched the Performing Arts Venue Relief Grants Program. Designed to help performing arts venues which have lost significant revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this program provides $10,000 grants to for-profit and non-profit Chicago-based performing arts venues which have been closed to performances.
The City of Chicago is pleased to announce that Reggie’s Music Club (2105 S. State St.) has been awarded a grant through this program! The next round of funding is now available. Please click here for the application and full grant program award information.
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Addressing Homelessness at 51st St. and Federal St.
The City of Chicago and its partners are engaged in a two-phase plan to help the dozens of homeless individuals in the encampment at 51st St. and Federal St. Phase I, which offers wraparound services, including rapid re-housing will kick off the week after thanksgiving, with Phase II outreach scheduled for December 2nd and 3rd. The goal of the program is to assess the needs of these individuals and to help put them on the path to stable housing.
This effort comes as part of a larger citywide initiative called All Chicago: Making Homelessness History. This program stems from the City's experience during the COVID-19 crisis, which highlighted the importance for both individual and community wellbeing as housing insecure populations are more vulnerable than ever. Many people experiencing homelessness are considered high risk for COVID-19 exposure and need access to immediate housing.
To respond to this crisis, the Chicago Continuum of Care (CoC) developed the Expedited Housing Initiative (EHI) to support those who have been impacted by COVID-19. Through the Expedited Housing Initiative, the Chicago CoC will:
- Minimize the health risks of COVID-19 for people experiencing homelessness;
- House 1,250 in a 12-month period;
- Reduce the average length of time it takes to complete the housing process from 80 to 30 days;
- Streamline and centralize the identification of apartments for people experiencing homelessness;
- Reduce barriers to allow housing insecure populations speedy access to housing;
- And leverage COVID-19 funding to create lasting, sustainable change in Chicago’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness.
If you are interested in participating in this housing program, please call Chandra Libby at 312-746-5443 with your name, date of birth, contact information and homeless location. Ms. Libby will then contact you with information on the next housing event in your area.
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City Council Passes 5-Year Capital Plan
As part of the 2021 City of Chicago Budget, the City Council approved a 5-year capital construction plan to help address the City's backlog of aging infrastructure. Included in the plan will be renovations to roadways and sidewalks, bridge and viaduct repair, streetlight and pole replacement, streetscape funding, traffic signal modernization, and public facility upgrades. Exact project details have yet to be established, but every ward across the City will see increased infrastructure spending as a result of the capital plan. As more information on the capital plan becomes available, Alderman Dowell will be sure to share it with residents immediately.
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Pershing Rd. and King Dr. Construction Notification
Verizon will be performing a planned fiber optic conduit installation at Pershing Rd. and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. This project comes as an effort by Verizon to build up their infrastructure in order to bring advanced cellular technology to the area. This build is scheduled for Q4-2020. A full construction schedule will be provided once the Chicago Department of Transportation approves the permit application.
53rd St. and King Dr. Construction Notification
Crown Castle has a planned fiber optic installation along East 53rd Street from South Martin Luther King Drive to the alley west of South Martin Luther King Drive. Then along the alley south approximately 75 feet from East 53rd Street. This project comes as an effort by Crown Castle to build up their infrastructure to bring advanced cellular technology to the area. This build is scheduled for Q4 2020/Q1 2021.
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City of Chicago Designates Portion of 33rd St. Honorary Leon Lederman Way
The City of Chicago and Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) announced that it will designate a portion of 33rd Street that crosses through Mies Campus as “Honorary Leon Lederman Way.” The proposal was put forth by faculty members in the Department of Physics in honor of Nobel Prize-winning physicist and longtime Illinois Tech faculty member Leon Lederman, who passed away in 2018. With the support of Alderman Pat Dowell, the Chicago City Council passed the ordinance on October 7.
Lederman is best known for his work on neutrino research, for which he won the 1988 Nobel Prize in Physics alongside Melvin Schwartz and Jack Steinberger. His best-selling book The God Particle was published in 1993 and popularized that alternate name for the Higgs boson within the realm of particle physics.
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ComEd Installs Smart Kiosks in Bronzeville
To continue to support families and businesses through innovation and smart energy solutions, ComEd has installed two new touchless Smart Kiosks in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, providing residents easy access to a WiFi hotspot and important information.
Located at the corners of 47th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive as well as 35th and State Streets, the ComEd Smart Kiosks are interactive displays that provide residents with free access to vital, real-time information, including weather, emergency alerts, public transportation route tracking, pedestrian wayfinding, local business promotion and neighborhood events. These installations expand on the Smart Kiosk program in Bronzeville, which began with a Smart Kiosk at 35th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
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Business Violation - Chicago Maker Space
The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection performed an investigation of Chicago Maker Space, LLC (2635 S. Wabash Ave.). As a result of the investigation, a citation for Operating Without A Business License was issued. On November 6, 2020, the Department of Administrative Hearings entered a judgement against the business in the amount of $1,540.
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South Loop Event Parking Restrictions
Parking restrictions are in place for the South Loop from Roosevelt Road to Cermak Rd. from Lake Shore Drive to Clark St. during all Chicago Bears football games and many other Soldier Field events. Wintrust Arena events have been removed from the parking restrictions. Vehicles parked in the South Loop without a valid South Loop Event Parking Pass, South Loop Event Guest Pass or Residential Permit Parking pass (for Residential Permit Parking Streets ONLY) are subject to ticketing or towing.
For a complete list of Soldier Field events, please visit www.SoldierField.net/event. The 3rd Ward is providing the list below as a courtesy to residents and visitors and does not assume liability for the accuracy of the monthly list of South Loop events. All Soldier Field events are subject to change, including cancellation or the scheduling of additional events. It is your responsibility to adhere to the parking restrictions in place.
Events Postponed Until Further Notice
(As of April 1, 2020)
Winter Overnight Parking Ban on Snow Routes
Beginning December 1st, if you see a posted sign that says No Parking Between 3AM and 7AM, that means that the winter overnight parking ban is in effect on this street, whether it snows or not. Do not park at this location between 3AM and 7AM from now until April 1st or you will be ticketed and towed. You should also avoid parking on snow route streets during heavy snowstorms when more than 2 inches of snow has fallen.
If you believe that your vehicle has been towed, you can dial 311 for more information or contact the City of Chicago homepage at www.chicago.gov. Click here for a citywide map of snow routes and for complete information about winter parking restrictions in Chicago.
Property Tax Late Fees Waived for Two Months
The Cook County Board of Commissioners today voted to waive late fees for two months on both property tax installments due in 2021, giving cash-strapped property owners more time to juggle their finances.
The Board unanimously waived for two months the 1.5 percent per month late fee on all Tax Year 2020 property taxes, according to a news release. Specifically:
- The First Installment of 2020 taxes is due March 2, 2021, with application of late charges moved back to May 3, 2021.
- The Second Installment of 2020 taxes is due August 2, 2021, with application of late charges moved back to October 1, 2021.
CPS In-Person Learning Guidance
CPS plans to welcome students in pre-k and moderate and intensive cluster programs back to in-person learning on Monday, January 11, with students in grades K-8 following three weeks later on Monday, February 1. High school students enrolled in a general education setting, and students enrolled in the district’s academic centers, will continue learning at home, and CPS will evaluate in-person learning options for those students in 2021. And of course, families who prefer to have their children continue learning at home will still have that option.
CPS has released a Reopening Guide to help families during the transition. The guide is a living document that will expand over time. Moving to the next phase of our school year will require close partnership between CPS families, schools, and the district. Families with children who are eligible to return to school have been contacted so that we can better understand preferred learning settings when in-person instruction begins. Opt-in forms can be found at www.cps.edu/reopening2020 and should be completed by Monday, December 7.
Expungement Assistance
In need of a second chance or know someone who is? Expungement can get you back on track. Call or text 312-342-8161, or email [email protected]. Brought to you by the Bronzeville Abundance Campaign, our greatest asset is each other!
State of Illinois Business Interruption Grants
Grants ranging from $5,000-$150,000 (based on business losses) are available for small businesses throughout Illinois. To be eligible, applicants must be a for-profit businesses located in Illinois, with less than $20 million gross operating revenue in 2019, and experienced net operating loss and reduced revenues due to COVID-19 Applications are accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis. Click to Apply for the Grant.
Invest S/W Bronzeville RFP
Through the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), the City of Chicago offers to qualified development teams and nonprofit organizations the opportunity to submit proposals for opportunity sites in INVEST South/West neighborhoods. The Bronzeville RFP offers teams an opportunity to invest in an approximately 26,300-square foot development site that consists of two vacant lots owned by the City of Chicago on the southwest corner of 47th Street and Vincennes Avenue. Proposals are due at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2021. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 19, 2021. For complete RFP details and to submit an application, click here.
7th Annual Vends + Vibes: An Arts Marketplace
Arts + Public Life (APL) presents Vends + Vibes 2020, a virtual arts marketplace and month-long celebration showcasing South Side, Black and Brown owned creative businesses. 2020 presents an opportunity for Vends + Vibes, now in its seventh year, to pivot and grow beyond the two-day holiday marketplace that historically stretches across all of APL’s amenities on the Arts Block along historic Garfield Boulevard in Washington Park. Vends + Vibes will run from November 28th to December 31st. Click here to shop the marketplace.
This year, we shifted to a month-long, virtual platform in order to safely bring you the same Vends + Vibes #HolidaySoul experience our community has grown to love. You're invited to join our constellation of over 30 vendors, Chicago’s hottest DJs, South Side Home Movie Project holiday collections, weekly virtual special events and programs, original artworks, plus celestial family-friendly activities.
Lower Metra Fairs Part of Fair Transit South Cook Pilot
The Metra Board of Directors backed a Cook County initiative to improve transit service on the South Side of Chicago and in the south suburbs, starting with a 50 percent reduction in fares on the Metra Electric and Rock Island lines in January.
Fair Transit South Cook is a three-year pilot project to boost public transportation in a region that is
more transit-dependent and economically disadvantaged than other parts of the county. The pilot will provide residents in the Metra Electric and Rock Island service area with greater opportunities to make transit their choice for getting to work, school, shopping, and regional destinations.
For the pilot program, Metra will charge its reduced fare rates – normally charged to seniors, persons with disabilities and K-12 students – for all tickets to all riders on the lines starting in January. Those rates, which require no changes to Metra’s fare structure and can be implemented immediately, will be assessed as the pilot progresses. Cook County will cover the difference between the reduced fares and full fares for three years
Art Institute of Chicago Closed
From the Art Institute of Chicago's closure in March through the reopening in July, the museum has been able to safely welcome visitors back to the galleries to experience firsthand the transformative power of art. However, due to the governor's new directives for the state of Illinois, the museum will be closed starting Thursday, November 19th.
The length of this closure is not yet known. The Art Institute will continue to work with local and state public health departments and will share updates about reopening as it becomes available.
Shedd Aquarium Closed Through the New Year
Due to city and statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts, Shedd Aquarium will voluntarily re-close to the public beginning today at 5 p.m. in continued responsibility and commitment to the safety and health of people, animals, and the community. The aquarium will temporarily close for six weeks with a target reopening date of Saturday, Jan. 2.
All essential aquarium staff will continue to work onsite to maintain the highest standards of professional animal welfare and facility operations required to care for its 32,000 animals. Additionally, employees who can work from home will continue to do so. Shedd is committed to continuing to pay all staff. Those employees, such as guest relations staff, who do not have the option to work from home will be still be compensated for a similar duration of the initial closure should this second closure last as long.
The public is encouraged to follow Shedd’s social media channels and website for continued updates and offerings, including the world-famous penguin field trips that sparked joy across seven continents as COVID-19 first emerged earlier this year.
Chicago Rodent Survey Responses
The Lincoln Park Zoo sent a survey to Chicago residents during the Stay at Home order about rats in Chicago. 834 residents responded with 73% saying they were concerned about rodent infestations. 68% of respondents ranked containing your trash as the best way to fix the rat problem, with 69% of residents believing that trash is a big problem.
If you see a rat, call 311, as the city uses 311 data to learn what areas are in need of rodent control assistance. Of the residents that responded they see rats at least weekly, only 39% said they called 311.
Home Buyer Education Webinar
Learn about the home buying process from NHS such as the basics of budgeting, improving credit, understanding the closing process and down payment assistance programs. This is an eight-hour course delivered in two 2-hour sessions, and one 4-hour session: December 2nd, 9th and 19th. Register for the online course here.
When: December 2nd from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, December 9th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, December 19th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Financial Fresh Start Webinar
Whether you are planning to purchase a home or simply need to improve your finances, this webinar from NHS will prepare you for financial security. Learn how to: develop a spending plan, reduce your debt, and increase your credit score. Register for the online course here.
When: Thursday, December 10th at 6:00 pm
Foreclosure Prevention Webinar
NHS will take you through the basics of the foreclosure process, loan modification and mediation. You will also receive information on available mortgage assistance grant opportunities. Register for the online course here.
This webinar covers the following topics:
- How to prevent foreclosure
- Exploring available options once the foreclosure process has begun
- How a qualified housing counselor can assist you through the foreclosure process
- CARES Act forbearance and reinstatement options
When: Tuesday, December 15th at 6:00 pm
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Attending and participating in the Chicago Police's Community Policing Program (CAPS) is one of the best ways to address crime and quality of life issues in your neighborhood. By attending CAPS meetings, you can share important information with the police that will assist them in making arrests and preventing crime as well as receive valuable information about resources that promote homeowner and community safety. Visit www.chicagopolice.org to find out what district you live in and click on each district title to learn more about what is happening in your neighborhood.
No CAPS Meetings for 1st, 2nd Police Districts in December
9th District CAPS Meetings (Only 3rd Ward Beat Meeting in 9th this month)
When: Thursday, December 10th @ 6:00 pm
Beat 931/933
Location: Cornell Square Park (1809 W. 50th St.)
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