The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is now authorized for use in children 12 and older. The vaccine is safe and effective for children, and is offered at no cost. City of Chicago vaccine sites with Pfizer are now open to all youth age 12 to 18, with a parent or guardian present. Go to zocdoc.com/vaccine or call 312.746.4835 to make an appointment.

Chicago is in the Bridge Phase. These restrictions are the most up to date and take precedence over the industry-specific guidelines if there are points of contradiction. In all settings, six feet of physical distance must be maintained between different parties. If necessary, facilities should operate a lower capacity to achieve six feet between all parties.

With pandemic restrictions slowly lifting, Alderman Dowell was able to connect with friends and neighbors in person once again. Alderman Dowell visited the gardeners at the Bronzeville Neighborhood Farm at 42nd St. and Calumet Ave. managed by John Owens and David. She also took in Spring Awakening Day with cooking demonstrations by Ericka and Monica Simmons, known as the Double Stitch Twins, and an Ashay celebration with calls from African drums. Fresh spinach was gifted to all attendees.

Alderman Dowell started the Memorial Day holiday weekend with Operation Clean which focused cleaning attention in Washington Park in the area of 51st St. to 53rd St., from Calumet Ave. to Michigan Ave. This Operation Clean was organized by the 2nd Police District CAPS office. Thank you to the Departments of: Streets and Sanitation, Transportation, Water Management, Buildings, Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, Fire, Police and the Park District for their wonderful support. This effort would not have been as effective without a special assist from the Safer Foundation. Thanks to Pastor Lorraine Powell of Holy Spiritual Church and Sandra Bivens for prayer and community support. Shoutout to 3rd Ward residents Thomas L. E. Stovall and Frankie Cugino who helped with the Operation Clean.

As part of the City of Chicago's Invest South/West Program, developers attended a 3rd Ward Town Hall meeting to present their vision for the vacant parcel on the southwest corner of 47th St. and Vincennes Ave. The development teams offered individual presentations and answered questions from the community. The presentations focused on mixed-use opportunities, with a portion of the development to be needed commercial space with residential development also on-site. To review the presentations, click here and scroll down to the 449-51 E. 47th St. RFP video link. To comment on the development proposals, please email [email protected].

DePaul athletics announced that the women’s basketball program will permanently move home games to Wintrust Arena beginning with the 2021-22 season. The Blue Demons played every home game this season at the facility after splitting the home schedule between Wintrust Arena and McGrath-Phillips Arena.

Since opening at the start of the 2017-18 season, the arena was honored with the prestigious American Architecture Award. Other major basketball events at the facility include multiple BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournaments, the 2019 NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional and when the 2020 NBA All-Star Game visited Chicago, Wintrust Arena hosted the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game along with practices for the Rising Stars and All-Star Game squads. In the summer, the WNBA’s Chicago Sky call Wintrust Arena home.

Through the hard work and advocacy of Alderman Dowell and the students, parents and faculty of Beasley Academic Center (5255 S. State St.), the school's new playground, athletic field and ornamental landscaping is now complete! This beautiful new, safe, engaging play space replaces the old concrete outdoor area in the rear of the school along Wabash Ave. Thank you to CPS and the Public Building Commission for the creation of this important asset for the school community. This is a wonderful new space for a great local school.

Join the 3rd Ward Public Service Office in congratulating Bronzeville resident Dr. Yvette Battle on the grand opening of her new business, Bronzeville Orthodontics. Dr. Battle's office is now open at 3506 S. State St., Unit D, just steps away from the 35th St. Green Line Station in the beautiful Park Boulevard development. For more information or to book an appointment click here.

The Joffrey Ballet is pleased to announce the establishment of new studio space and training facilities at 1920 South Wabash Avenue (formerly the Chicago Dance Academy studios), expanding the Joffrey’s reach to the South Loop and beyond, and marking a major step towards the completion of the organization’s five-year “Joffrey for All” strategic plan.

The expansion of Joffrey’s presence includes the purchase and re-energizing of the former studios of the Chicago Dance Academy, located at 1920 South Wabash Avenue. The space totals 5,314 square feet, with fully equipped studios with sprung floors, harlequin surfaces, and professional-grade sound equipment. The space—which conforms with all American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements—also includes a reception desk and waiting area, as well as two large locker rooms and break room with an expansive foyer, with nearby access to public parking and Chicago Transit Authority Green and Red Lines stops (within a two-block radius) and several CTA bus routes.

Alderman Dowell had the honor of participating in a giveaway event sponsored by Black Men United, Larry Huggins, Everett and Tim Rand, and the Chicago Housing Authority at Dearborn Homes. This fantastic event was well attended by residents of the complex. Families received everything from appliances to PPE and five lucky families were blessed with a laptop. The Chicago giving spirit was in full display!

Huge thank you to Black Men United and Pastor Harrell, Christmas in the Wards, GMA Construction, PLCCA and World Vision for blessing the 3rd Ward in Fuller Park with food, appliances, furniture, toiletries, and many other items at a giveaway in Fuller Park. Thanks also to County Treasurer Maria Pappas and the 3rd Ward Staff (Allyson, Lucy and Anthony) for your commitment to our residents.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, Alderman Dowell stood alongside members of the community to march for peace this summer. The Prayer for Peace Walk was organized by the 2nd District Police Department. Community members walked from CPD Headquarter to Anderson Park at 38th and Prairie and relaxed under the sun with prayer, music and food. Let's make this summer a violence free summer!

The former Crispus Attucks Elementary School building at 3813 S. Dearborn St. (northwest corner of Pershing Rd. and State St.) has experienced a catastrophic roof collapse and requires an emergency demolition. With the collapse, the Chicago Department of Buildings has identified the building as a health and safety concern, necessitating the demolition. The site remains the proposed location for a future Pete's Fresh Market.

Zayo is providing notification for a proposed construction project at 16th St. and Wabash Ave. Zayo has a planned fiber optic conduit installation, including the installation of one (1) 30-inch precast communication manhole, at 16th St. and Wabash Ave. This project comes as an effort by Zayo to build up their infrastructure in order to bring advanced fiber optic connectivity to the area. This build is scheduled for Q2 2021.

These projects come as an effort by Netsync to build up their infrastructure in order to bring advanced fiber optic connectivity within the Chicago Public Schools system. The builds are scheduled for the third quarter of 2021. Netsync work includes planned fiber optic conduit installation, including the installation of 4’x4’ communication manholes. Questions regarding these projects can be directed to the 3rd Ward Public Service Office at 773-373-9273 or at [email protected].

The Chicago Department of Buildings has issued an Emergency Closure Order for the entire building located at 1465-7 S. Michigan Ave., finding that the property is a public nuisance that is dangerous, hazardous and endangers the public health for the following conditions:

The building must remain closed and vacant until further order.

Please be advised that on August 26 and August 27, 2019, Insane Cuz located at 221 E. 47th St. was issued citations for failure to cooperate with the police, and for not being in good standing with the Secretary of State. On April 30, 2021 the licensee agreed to a $500 fine to be paid to the City of Chicago within in thirty (30) days from agreement and to surrender their limited business license as of April 30, 2021.

Please be advised that on April 28th, the BP Gas Station located at 300 W. Garfield Blvd. was issued citations for various electrical and fire safety violations, and was temporarily closed. Subsequently, on Tuesday, May 18th , 2021, Department of Building inspectors conducted a re-inspection of the BP Gas Station and the dangerous issues have been corrected in the area approved for re-occupancy. The Commissioner Closure that was issued on April 28th , 2021, has been lifted and the business is permitted to reopen.

LRS, formerly known as Lakeshore Recycling Systems, has been identified as the new service provider for the City's residential Blue Cart recycling program as part of the ongoing efforts to improve recycling and waste diversion in Chicago. The transition will take place Monday, June 7th in recycling areas 1, 3, and 6, currently serviced by Waste Management. In area 5, LRS is currently working as a subcontractor and will continue service in that area as well. Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) crews will continue to service areas 2 and 4. 

Residents can expect their week and day of collection services to be the same and should not see any changes in services. To help ensure a smooth transition, DSS street supervision will be monitoring the routes in each service area. While the City does not anticipate any service interruptions, if there is a missed pick-up, requests should be entered into the 311 system. Should there be any questions, please contact 312-744-2413 or email [email protected].  In addition, for more information on recycling education and outreach visit www.recyclebycity.com/chicago.

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. 

Each week you can support your local food community and access fresh seasonal produce, meats, eggs, bread, baked goods, specialty foods, plants, unique artisan products and more from 25+ local vendors. Prairie District Market opens Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm from June 17th through September 30th at 1936 S. Michigan Ave. Printers Row is open Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm starting May 29th through September 25th at 632 S. Dearborn St. For more information go to www.southloopfarmersmarket.com.

As of June 1, 2021, all individuals who wish to participate in short-term residential rental activities must now begin the registration process directly with the City of Chicago. The City of Chicago has developed an online house share registration portal that all potential hosts must utilize to initiate their application for a short-term residential rental registration. Potential hosts will no longer be able to begin this process with the licensed Short Term Residential Rental Intermediaries.

The House Share Registration Portal is where hosts begin the registration process. It is also the location for additional supporting materials, including FAQs and user guides. For complete information on the new shared housing regulations for both owners and renters, please click here.

The Chicago Police Department’s interim foot pursuit policy becomes effective on June 11, 2021. Upon conclusion of a community engagement effort seeking input regarding the policy, the Chicago Police Department anticipates publishing a revised foot pursuit policy in early September 2021. The community input process will provide residents and stakeholders across the City an opportunity to review the interim foot pursuit policy and provide feedback, which will inform the revisions to the policy when implemented.

The Department’s community input process is currently open and will end on July 15, 2021. Click this link to offer input on the new policy, including: (1) a Public Comment Link, (2) a Public Input Form, (3) Community Conversations, and (4) Deliberative Dialogues.

Be Your Own Boss is a paid virtual internship open to high school students currently enrolled in Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Charter Schools. Interns will receive a $300 stipend for full participation in the program. Applications are accepted through Monday, June 14th. Through the internship you will lean the ins and outs of entrepreneurship, engage with members of the Chicago startup community, and work with peers to develop and pitch a new business idea. Apply at www.bit.ly/BYOB-Summer21. Questions, email [email protected].

Foil balloons, also known as metallic or Mylar balloons, pose a potential risk, if released into the air. When foil balloons come into contact with power lines or electrical equipment, their Mylar properties can cause an electric surge that can lead to power outages and fires. On average each year, 250 outages affecting almost 75,000 customers have occurred due to foil balloons.

Helium-filled foil balloons also have the tendency to float for days, which could have a potential negative impact on neighborhoods, critical first response facilities like hospitals, parks, cemeteries and the environment. ComEd encourages customers to reduce foil balloon-related power outages and ensure safety.

Clean out your closets and cupboards for Holy Angels HIV/AIDS Ministry. They are collecting cloths, household textiles, and small household goods. Please use bags for cloths and textiles, and tightly packed boxes for small household goods. All items should be clean and in sellable condition. Contact Gloria Dean at 773-502-5035 or at [email protected] for more information.

Where: Holy Angels Church Parking Lot (615 E. Oakwood Blvd.)

When: Friday, June 4th from noon to 5:00 pm and Saturday, June 5th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Whether you are planning to purchase a home or simply need to improve your finances, this webinar will

prepare you for financial security. Learn How To: develop a spending plan, reduce your debt, and

increase your credit score.

When: Tuesday, June 8th at 6:00 pm (link to register), Wednesday, June 30th at 6:00 pm (link to

register)

Learn about the home buying process 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 four

2-hour sessions.

When: Wednesday, June 2nd at 6:00 pm (link to register), Saturday, June 12th at 9:00 am (link to register)

Men that Pray Prayer Walk will be held on June 12th at Mandrake Park. To sign up or for more information visit menthatpraywalk.eventbrite.com.

Where: Mandrake Park (3858 S. Cottage Grove Ave.)

When: Saturday, June 12th at 1:00 pm

The Department of Family and Support Services invites you to an important presentation from their representative with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. To RSVP or for more information, click here.

When: Monday, June 14 at 11:00 am