Lake Shore Drive Noise Pollution 
Airbnb Update
Community Meeting on August 30

Dear Neighbor,

A new law to reduce noise pollution on Lake Shore Drive, sponsored by State Representative Sara Feigenholtz, allows the City of Chicago to install noise monitors to study the impact of vehicular noise along Lake Shore Drive.  The system will measure and recored noise levels 24 hours per day and is similar to the monitoring used around O'Hare Airport. 

I will be introducing a complementary ordinance in City Council to provide for installation and a mechanism for ticketing excessive noise offenders, such as unmuffled motorcycles.  I and other lakefront aldermen welcome the opportunity to address this issue which has been the subject of many constituent complaints.

Thanks to Representative Feigenholtz for spearheading this issue. For more information contact her at sara@staterepsara.com.
Division Pedestrian Underpass Repairs and Mural 


Beginning Tuesday, September 5, 2017 the pedestrian underpass at Division Street and Lake Shore Drive will close for major repairs and an art installation.

The underpass has been an eyesore for some time, and we have worked closely with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) to create a plan to refurbish stairways, improve lighting, and address water and drainage issues. This should improve the condition of the tunnel for years to come.

After the repairs are completed, my office, the Gold Coast Neighbors Association and the City's Year of Public Art will be funding the creation of artwork inside the tunnel by noted muralist, Ruben Aguirre.   

The underpass at Division and Lake Shore Drive will re-open to the public at the end of October 2017. We will keep you updated as to the progress of the construction and the artwork!

Lincoln Avenue Closure This Week

Lincoln Avenue will be closed from Halsted and Lincoln to Lincoln and Orchard until  Friday, August 25 due to the installation of a tower crane at a construction site

Please see a map of the street closure here
Construction Activity Notice - CTA Brown Line

Please note, CTA will be making track improvements in the alley  behind 1815 N. Sheffield Avenue Friday, September 1, 2017 through Tuesday, October 31, 2017, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The work will temporarily restrict access to this alley, especially on the south end.

Please read the full CTA notice here
 Update on Airbnb Regulation in the 43rd Ward

Last week I noted that Airbnb failed to comply with mandatory reporting on short-term rentals (STRs) in our Ward. Shortly after, I received an email from Airbnb purporting to be a report.  According to Airbnb, 498 STRs in our Ward were listed on their website between  May and June of this year. 

This delay exposes Airbnb's failure to share required essential information, such as the total number of short-term rentals bookings within a community and overall revenue, as required by the ordinance. Airbnb's failure to provide the public with this information is a continuation of the lack of consideration their business practices has for our community.  I will continue pressing for full enforcement of this law   and will keep you posted on the status.

To protect the character and integrity of the community, home owner  and condominium associations who desire, should exercise their right to opt out of listing short-term rentals in their building. Buildings on the prohibited list are excluded from short-term rental activity under the Shared Housing Ordinance that passed in June 2016.


Upcoming Movies in the Park

Enjoy the screening of "WALL-E" at Jonquil Park  this   Friday, August 25 at 8:00 p.m., thanks to the Wrightwood Neighbors Association .  

And get ready for "The Wizard of Oz" at Oz Park on Saturday,  August 26 at 8:00 p.m., courtesy of the Oz Park Advisory Council.

No glass containers or alcoholic beverages please.

Free Museum Admission for CPS Students For A Week

Museums in the Park (MIP) offers free admission to all MIP institutions to Chicago Public School students for one week, beginning Sunday, August 27, 2017

Please click  here to see dates and the full list of museums that will be open to CPS students free of charge. 
 
RPP System Down on August 29

Please be advised that the 43rd Ward office will be unable to sell Residential Parking Passes (RPPs) on Wednesday, August 29 from approximately 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. due to system maintenance. 

We encourage you to call our office in order to confirm the system's status prior to stopping in. We may be reached by calling (773) 348-9500.

Thank you for your understanding. 

Community Meeting Re: 917 W. Armitage

Our office  and the RANCH Triangle Association  will be hosting a community meeting  to discuss a proposed rezoning of 917 W. Armitage Avenue from a B3-2 Community Shopping District to a B2-3 Neighborhood Mixed-Use Shopping District to accommodate an additional apartment on the site.

Join us for this community meeting at St. Teresa of Avila Church, located at 1037 W. Armitage Avenue next  Wednes day, August 30, 2017  at  6:00 p.m.

Click here  for more information.

 CAPS Beat Meetings 

Please have your block represented at one of the many Community Policing meetings that are regularly offered.

18th District:
  • 1814, 1824, 1834 Beat Meeting - Tues., Sept. 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Latin Upper School, 59 W. North Ave.
  • 1811, 1812, 1813 Beat Meeting -  Thurs., Sept. 14 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., St. James Lutheran Church, 2101 N. Fremont St.
19th District:
  • 1932 Beat Meeting - Mon., Sept. 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., New Life Community Church, 1110 W. Lill Ave.
43rd Ward Hosting Annual Shredding Event
Saturday, September 9


Please join us at the Peggy Notebaert Museum, located at  2430 N. Cannon Drive , on Saturday, September 9  from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for our annual shredding event!  

We will accept paper documents and unwanted electronics. Please note, no televisions or expired medications will be collected at this event.

We will be sure to share additional information about this event in upcoming newsletters.
Office Hours and Closure for Labor Day

In observance of Labor Day our office will close at  2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 1, 2017. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, September 4, 2017.
 
If you have a need for city services, please call 3-1-1 for non-emergency requests, or dial 9-1-1 if you require immediate assistance.

Join the Park Push

City Planners now estimate the newly rezoned North Branch Industrial Corridor could host at least 22,000 new residential units. Yet, there are no plans for meaningful open land to serve this new community, in addition to the 300,000 residents currently residing in the area surrounding the corridor.

If you agree that recreational park space is vital to the community and our quality of life, join your neighbors in calling for a recreational park.

S ign the online petition here

Hope you can get out and enjoy all of  the wonderful offerings in our neighborhood this weekend,

Michele Signature




Michele Smith
Alderman, 43rd Ward 


43rd Ward Office Hours: M 9 AM - 7 PM, T-F 9 AM - 6 PM 
 2523 N Halsted | 773-348-9500| yourvoice@ward43.org| www.ward43.org
STAY CONNECTED: