Public Safety Alert
Ethics Reform Passes Committee
51st Annual Sheffield Garden Walk
Heat Advisory
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Dear Neighbors,
Yesterday morning at about 3:15 a.m., a young woman was walking alone down the 2300 block of Halsted after leaving the L at Fullerton when an unknown assailant attacked her. She suffered stab wounds, and is in serious condition in the hospital.
Chicago Police have issued an alert about the case
here
. According to reports, some
video from surveillance cameras shows a car traveling the wrong way down Belden Avenue, turning onto Halsted, passing the victim and then making a U-turn before the attack occurred.
Adding to this, just five days ago, a woman was attacked in her garage by a knife-wielding offender in the 1800 block of Fremont. Fortunately, she was able to escape. We have no basis as of yet to connect these two incidents.
I have spoken personally to Commander O'Shea to strongly express our concerns about violent crime.
He is increasing visible patrols in our area and adding a large amount of tactical resources to catch these offenders.
Many thanks to the neighbors who have been cooperating in this investigation. Police are seeking video, so if you live in the area, please check your video and send it to Area Central Detectives or to
[email protected].
We will keep you updated as to the status of these cases. This upsetting early morning assault emphasizes the importance of being aware of your surroundings and, whenever possible, avoiding areas that are isolated or remote, especially after hours.
Here are other things you can do to keep yourself safe, per the Chicago Police:
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Do not wear headphones when walking. If walking late at night, walk in the middle of the street.
- Call 911 to report any suspicious persons, activity, or vehicles - even if you don't think this is an emergency.
I encourage any community member who may have information to call Area Central Detectives at 312-747-8380 and reference Case # JC-353629
. Of course, should you witness anything suspicious, please contact 911 immediately to report your concerns to the police.
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City Council Reform
Wednesday, the new City Council Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight, which I chair, passed historic ethics reform in Chicago. These changes complete work we have been spearheading since I became alderman in 2011, as well as added new reforms to curb abuses and increase transparency.
- Aldermen will be prohibited from outside employment that puts them in conflict with taxpayer's interests - including in tax assessment appeals. Any alderman engaged in prohibited employment must give up that employment within 90 days of the ordinance's publication.
- Aldermen and their committees will finally be subject to the same kind of oversight as every other City employee. These reforms will eliminate the requirement for a written complaint to initiate an investigation against an alderman, and will give the Inspector General long-sought enforceable subpoena power.
- Lobbyist regulation to increase transparency and bring it into compliance with best national practices, to include non-profit organizations.
Our committee will be working hard on other matters to make our city government more transparent and effective. We look forward to the ordinance's passage at next week's City Council meeting.
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Community Concerns Gathering
Regarding General Iron
Adams Park
Sunday, July 21
10:00 a.m.
1919 N. Seminary Ave.
Area residents this Sunday are gathering to express continued frustration over activities of General Iron in our community, particularly in the wake of the unexpected grant of an operating permit until 2022 by the outgoing administration.
The community is invited Sunday, July 21 at 10 am to Adams Park to share your General Iron stories and experiences.
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Community Meeting
Redevelopment of 2616 N. Clark St.
Tuesday, July 30
6:00 p.m.
Frances' Deli
2552 N. Clark St.
Please join my office and the Park West Community Association (PWCA) at a community meeting to discuss the proposed redevelopment of 2616 North Clark Street.The new owners of the property, located just south of the Wiener’s Circle, are proposing to redevelop the existing building into a 15 room hotel. The redevelopment would be interior and the existing structure will be preserved.
The site is currently zoned B1-2, and in order to be able to apply for a hotel license, the
applicant would need a B3 designation and a special use approval. My office will be present at this meeting to monitor the discussion, take notes and record your comments.
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Theater on the Lake: The Chicago Summer Theater Festival
All Summer
7:00 p.m.
Theater on the Lake
2401 N. Lakeshore Drive
Chicago Park District's Theater on the Lake: The Chicago Summer Theater Festival, is celebrating 67 years of Chicago's rich storefront theater and emerging artist community. Tickets are FREE! This weekend:
July 16 - 19
Manual Cinema's The End of TV
Play; music
July 23 - 26
Stories from the 2nd Story
Storytelling
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51st Annual Sheffield Street Festival
Friday, July 19
4:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 20
12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 21
12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
The "Summer's Best Festival" features self-guided tours of more than 80 Gardens, guided Architectural Tours, live entertainment by some of Chicago's best bands, food and drink, and activities for children at the Kids' Corner.
This year, FREE exercise and DOG Yoga!
Proceeds from this festival provide continued support for neighborhood schools, local institutions, and community projects. In addition, proceeds are allocated to Sheffield Neighbors Association's award-winning Beautification Program.
Click
here
for a full event calendar.
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Sheffield Beer Festival
Saturday, July 20
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
1010 W. Webster Ave.
(Back Parking Lot H)
Craft beer lovers will again be in taste heaven at the Sheffield Beer Festival. Highlights include afternoon tastings where visitors who purchase a tickets can sample from more than 70 specialty beers from over 35 local and national breweries.
Tasting ticket holders are also encouraged to savor the day after the tastings to enjoy the great music acts and more as Craft Beer Fest is again being held at the same footprint location as the iconic Sheffield Street Fair.
Admission is $40. RSVP
here.
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Please Return Your
311 Water Lead Test Kits
Department of Water Management (DWM) strongly encourages you to participate in their free lead testing program offered to any resident in Chicago. The testing is done by a certified lab and your results will be sent to you. DWM will also schedule a follow-up visit if necessary. You may request a free lead test kit by calling 311 or by visiting
www.ChicagoWaterQuality.org.
There are currently 1330 lead test kit requests in the 43rd ward that have not been mailed back to DWM. If you have requested a test kit, please follow the instructions carefully and return it. The kits have no expiration date.
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U.S. Census Bureau Employment Opportunities
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Extreme Heat Advisory
The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued an Excessive Heat Warning, which is in effect from noon CDT Thursday to 7 PM CDT Saturday. High temperatures peaking well into the 90's each day, with Friday and Saturday potentially in the upper 90's to near 100 degrees. With maximum heat indices peaking 104 to 114 each afternoon.
Recommended Actions:
- Reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
- Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible.
- Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room and stay out of the sun.
- Check up on relatives and neighbors.
- Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances
To find out where your nearest cooling center is call 311. Cooling centers offer residents air-conditioned refuge from oppressive heat.
If you're interested in receiving alerts and notices such as these directly from OEMC via text, please take a few minutes to sign up at
www.AlertChicago.com
.
If you find someone suffering from heat exhaustion, please call 911 immediately.
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Office Closed for Training
Friday, July 26
Our office will be closed on Friday, July 26 for staff training. We will reopen on Monday with our regular business hours.
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See you in the neighborhood,
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Michele Smith
43rd Ward Alderman
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