Springfield News: RHA Bill Needs Your Support
Community Alerts & Public Safety Seminar
New Ward Night Debuts
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Dear Neighbors,
The
Illinois Reproductive Health Act
(RHA), guaranteeing safe and accessible reproductive health care in our state, recently passed the Illinois House on a 64-50 vote. The bill now heads to the Illinois Senate for final approval. This week I joined Mayor Lightfoot, City Clerk Valencia, City Treasurer Conyears-Ervin and fellow Aldermen in urging final passage of the bill.
The RHA
repeals decades-old laws that restrict abortion and is extremely timely given the current national debate over a woman's right to choose.
I encourage you to contact your State Senators and urge passage of this bill.
John Cullerton (6th)
[email protected], represents most of the 43rd Ward.
To find out who your State Senator is, click
here.
New City Council Meets
At the first City Council meeting of our new term, I was confirmed as Chair of the new Ethics and Good Governance Committee.
This occurs against a backdrop of remarkable change within the Chamber after decades of entrenched power. The Chicago Tribune reported
my observations
about the need for change now as well as proposed
new ethics reforms
.
In addition to chairing the Ethics Committee, I will be representing you on the following Committees: Finance, Budget, E
nvironment and Energy, Human Relations and Health, Licensing and Consumer Protection, Public Safety, and Rules. We have much to accomplish and I will keep you posted on our progress.
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Suspect Sought in Alley Attack
There have been several unfortunate crimes in our area over the past few days. On two separate occasions women have been sexually assaulted.
The Chicago Police are seeking videos of these incidents.
If you live near these locations, please look for any surveillance video and send it to the 18th District at at
[email protected]
. Please include your identifying information and the address from where the video was shot.
The Chicago Police will be hosting a public safety seminar this Saturday, June 1 at 2:00 p.m. at DePaul University,
Schmitt Academic Center, 2320
N. Kenmore Ave. in Room 154.
The first incident occurred
in the alley of the 2200 N. Orchard St. on May 25, 2019 at approximately 4:30 a.m. Two female adults were standing in the alley when an unknown male approached, shoved both of them to the ground and sexually assaulted one of them. One of the females was able to fight off the male by kicking him in the face.
About The Offender
- Male White Hispanic
- Late 20's to early 30's
- 5'5"-5'6"
- 150 lbs
- Slim build
- Short dark hair
- Last seen wearing a white short sleeved t-shirt and shorts and was riding a bicycle
- May have facial lacerations
The second incident occurred on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at approximately 10:36 p.m., in the 1800 block of North Burling, an unknown male Hispanic offender approached the victim a 26 year old female from behind, grabbed and pushed the victim to the ground. The offender proceeded to sexually abuse the victim and fled the scene on foot.
About The Offender(s)
- Male Hispanic, light skinned complexion
- Medium build, 30-40 years old
- 5'06 to 5'10, black snapback hat with short black hair on the sides,
- wearing a black t-shirt and black pants
These upsetting assaults emphasizes the importance of staying aware of your surroundings and, when possible, always avoiding areas that are isolated, especially after hours. Here are other things you can do to keep yourself safe.
What You Can Do
- Always be aware of your surroundings; don't wear headphones while walking
- Walk in pairs or groups
- Dial 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity immediately
- Never pursue a fleeing assailant, provide the information to the police
For a full list of personal safety tips presented by the Chicago Police Department click
here
.
If you have any information about these incidents, please call the Area Central Bureau of Detectives at (312) 747-8380.
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18th District Public Safety Workshop
Saturday, June 1st
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Depaul University
Schmitt Academic Center
2320 N. Kenmore Ave.
Room 154
Please join the 18th District Community Policing Office for a workshop covering the important topics of street safety and crime prevention awareness. Sgt. Schenk from the 18th District will be going over safety tips and have a Q&A session about public safety.
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Old Town Neighbors Giant Joint Garage Sale
Saturday, June 1st
9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Alley between St. Michael's Court and Cleveland Ave.
Residents of Old Town's Park Court West Townhouses are hosting a huge, joint garage sale. A total of 12 households are expected to participate and garages will be accessible from both Menomonee and Cleveland.
The sale will feature bargains on books, records, household goods, collectibles, jewelry, china, silver, clothing, toys and athletic gear as well as camera, projection and video equipment. For more info, email
[email protected].
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6th Annual Spring Zing
Saturday, June 1st
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Lincoln Central Park
(Corner of Lincoln and Dickens)
Lincoln Central will be hosting its annual Spring Zing event for families and kids of all ages. Enjoy quality professional entertainment, tasty food from local restaurants, win great prizes and much more.
There is a suggested minimum donation of $5 per person and $10 for families to attend. All net proceeds benefit the community through by helping fund LCA’s initiatives to enhance and preserve the Lincoln Park neighborhood. For more details, click
here
.
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5th Annual Wing Out Chicago
June 1st and 2nd
2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
St. Michael's Church Parking Lot
456 W. Eugenie St.
The 5th Annual WingOut features the greatest chicken wings Chicago has to offer! WingOut Chicago is an outdoor, chicken wing block party, offering all you can eat wings from the top vendors in the city. Held in the St. Michael’s in Old Town parking lot, patrons can indulge in a variety of flavors while also enjoying adult beverages and live music.
Click
here for tickets and information on the event.
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Lincoln Park 42nd Annual
Greek Fest
May 31st - June 1st
Sheffield and Diversey
Lincoln Park Greek Fest returns for its 42nd year at St.George Greek Orthodox Church. This popular family-friendly celebration will include music and amazing Grecian specialty plates including
pastitsio (Greek-style lasagna), vegetarian moussaka, as well as, gyros, Greek chicken and souvlaki (Greek kebobs). Sweets such as baklava and loukoumades (honey puffs) will also be featured.
In addition, over the weekend there are tours of the church that boasts some of the best Eastern Orthodox iconography in the City of Chicago.
All proceeds benefit St. George. For more info, click
here
.
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Water 1st International
Walk for Water
Saturday, June 1st
12:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Midwest Buddhist Temple
435 W.
Menomonee St.
Join this grassroots organization to bring clean water and toilets to the world’s poorest people
.
Carry as much water as you’re able, or just join for the walk.
Walk in solidarity with people from all over the world as they try to reach a $20,000 goal to provide people in Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Honduras and Mozambique with clean water at the turn of a tap.
To learn more about the organization click
here. The cost is $15 to
register for the event.
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Representative Feigenholtz Free Condo Workshop
Thursday, June 6
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Olson Auditorium, Illinois Masonic Hospital
836 W. Wellington Ave.
Join attorney Sima Kirsch (the “Judge Judy” of condominium law) as she answers questions and makes recommendations to empower owners to have a voice in important condo association decisions.
A range of topics will include: navigating board membership, the value of condo education, and the nuances of condo law. Also presenting will be the Illinois Condominium Ombudsperson Adrienne Levatino, and a member of the Chicago Bar Association’s condominium law subcommittee.
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Old Town Art Center - Summer
Art Classes
Classes run from June 17- August 20
Register now
for summer art classes. Summer is the perfect time to begin a new course of expression! Vivian Visser is teaching two short sessions, Charcoal Drawing and Acrylic painting. Joe Taylor will be offering two Oil Painting classes.
The OTAC is thrilled to welcome back long-time instructor Roger Bole, who will be teaching a two day Oil/Acrylic Painting workshop. Sharpen your drawing skills with OTAC's newest instructor, Douglas David, in his one day Drawing workshop.
More information on classes, workshops and instructors is available on the
Triangle website
.
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Something New - Ward Night
Monday, June 3rd
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
We are instituting Ward Nights every first Monday of each month beginning June 3rd. Stop by my office between 5-7 p.m. and sign up to meet with me and discuss issues and matters concerning our ward. It is encouraged you use our appointment link
here
.
Walk-ins are welcome and will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis. I'm looking forward to meeting you and hearing your concerns in this new venue.
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[email protected]
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and
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.
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See you in the neighborhood and at the many events this weekend,
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Michele Smith
43rd Ward Alderman
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