In this Newsletter... I have been searching for the right words to express what I have been feeling about the tragic events of the past week, which have had such a profound effect on all of our lives. If you’re like me, you are heartbroken. Heartbroken because George Floyd brings to mind all the others who died because of their skin color. Heartbroken as we watch the outpouring of anger and frustration by those who, for decades, have worked to end the racism that hampers the lives and prospects of our people. Heartbroken that the communities that have suffered from the greatest inequality, that suffered the most from COVID-19, and that suffered from having the least amount of economic opportunity are one and the same.

But regardless of how heartbroken I may feel right now, I am also hopeful and determined, and I know you are, too. We are determined to weather this storm and reclaim our communities. We are determined to reopen our stores and seek and find the justice we need. I am hopeful that we have leaders who will have open and honest dialogues about race and equality and how we all need to work together to conquer these plagues on all of our communities. We must continue to believe that we can build stronger communities. We must put our faith in hope, love, compassion and understanding. I pray for all of these things and I’m ready to put in the hard work that will make these hopes a reality.

Upcoming Events

Our office wants to lend a hand to the small businesses in our community that have been looted or vandalized in recent days at our Community Clean-Up events . Please join us on Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help our friends and neighbors in need of assistance. You can join us at either location: On the South Side, we will meet at 5411 S. Ashland and will be joined by Alderman Stephanie Coleman. On the West Side, we will meet at 4201 W. Jackson and will be joined by Alderman Jason Ervin. Register for one of these clean-up events, at: ChiCityTreasurer.eventbrite.com . We hope to see you there!

After an incredibly painful week for our city, it is important that we take time to heal and rebuild, which is why we will dedicate the next few weeks of Money Mondays with Melissa to do just that. On Monday, June 8, Money Mondays with Melissa , we’ll feature a discussion with Illinois State Representative Kam Buckner; Jaime di Paulo, CEO of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and Janet Ruiz, Director of Strategic Communication at the Insurance Information Institute. We will discuss the needs of small businesses that have been looted or vandalized and what our communities need to do going forward to address the root causes of the anger and unrest. Register at: MoneyMondaysJune8.eventbrite.com .

Our special Money Mondays with Melissa: Investment Edition has been postponed to June 29. We are still very excited for this and encourage you to register at: MoneyMondaysJune29.eventbrite.com .

Important Resources for You

If you need help securing your small business after looting, please call 3-1-1 or contact your local chamber of commerce or business service organization. You can find your local chamber at www.chicago.gov/nbdc . A list of companies that provide board-up services can also be found at ChiBizHub.com/Covid19Support . The Chicago Department of Business and Consumer Protection has guidelines for immediate steps businesses should take if they experience property damage: Notify your insurance company Collect documentation Prevent further damage Familiarize yourself with your insurance policy

For information about how your insurance coverage will help you cover the damage caused to your business because of looting and vandalism, it’s best to contact your insurance agent directly or the insurance company’s website. If you believe that your insurance company is not filing a complaint with the Illinois Department of Insurance, you can find a guide to the complaint process here and an online complaint can be filed here . If you have not been directly impacted by looting and property destruction, please consider donating to help the small businesses that have. Below is a partial list of organizations that have stepped up to help our community. My Block, My Hood, My City is providing relief for small businesses: https://www.formyblock.org. A GoFundMe page has been started to support the Black-Owned Restaurant Relief fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/2uq5b-restaurant-relief-fund. The Chicago Family Pairing Program was developed to help Chicago residents on the South and West Sides of the City get groceries delivered from North Side residents. To help or participate, visit their sign-up page. Imagine Englewood is raising money to help support clean-up efforts. More information can be found at ImagineEnglewoodIf.org. Chicago Cares is collecting donations to help with community response efforts and support their community partners. To learn more, visit: ChicagoCares.org.

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