Finkl Development - 2 Community Meetings
Opposing Car2Go
Lincoln Avenue Proposal Rejected
Red Line Robber Arrested
Dear Neighbors,
City Council adopted a "pilot" program allowing a "free-floating" car rental program called Car2Go. I voted against this proposal and ensured that our Ward be withdrawn from this program.

Unlike Zipcar, which obtains parking spaces for their vehicles, Car2Go operates by paying a modest fee to the City of only $75 per vehicle up to 500 vehicles - and can park those vehicles on any city street at any time - including residential permit parking streets.

This is unfair to our over-taxed residents, who must deal with congestion on our streets and a shortage of street parking. I believe this is also an unnecessary subsidy to owner Mercedes Benz, a multi-national corporation, which does not shoulder the substantial costs of real estate that its competitors, and our residents, pay. This program also undercuts the CTA, in which we have invested billions of dollars.

As it stands, this pilot program will last for a year, and it will be revisited. I welcome your comments .

Arrest Made in Red Line Robberies
On April 1st, Police arrested Denzel Boykin, 23, of the 3200 block of West of 85th Place for three armed robberies that occurred on March 30, 2018 on the Red Line after midnight. Boykin was reportedly out on parole for an earlier offense.

Police are still seeking three other offenders, pictured above. If you have any information, please contact Area Central Detectives at 312-747-8382 and reference case numbers JB204763, JB204746, JB204764
Wrightwood Neighbors and Sheffield Neighbors
Community Meeting on Finkl Site Redevelopment

Monday, April 9, 2018
New Life Community Church
1110 W. Lill Ave.
6:00 p.m.

 
Wrightwood Neighbors Association and Sheffield Neighbors Association want your input at a monthly community meeting to include a discussion on the Finkl Steel redevelopment now called Lincoln Yards.
Community Meeting
The North Branch Park Preserve

Thursday, April 19, 2018
Little Sisters of the Poor
2325 N Lakewood Ave.
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
The above groups invite you to see the presentation on the proposed North Branch Park Preserve that produced strong support in the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. Learn how a real park will i mprove quality of life and property values and also lessen the impact of increased density and traffic from the massive Sterling Bay development on our doorstep.

A city-wide coalition of designers, open space advocates, sports leagues and Northside community groups is working for contiguous public park space on the east side of the Chicago River. To learn more, see the website,  The North Branch Park Preserve .
Development Proposal for 2658- 2670 N. Lincoln Ave. Turned Down

After a second community meeting , we have rejected a development proposal for 2658-2670 N. Lincoln Avenue. We have directed the developer to revise its proposal again for several reasons, including traffic and safety concerns at the intersection of Seminary Avenue and Lincoln Avenue.

Click here for the presentations on the proposal.
Community Meeting on Proposed Packaged Goods License
Walgreens, 834 West Armitage Avenue

Monday, April 16, 2018
St. James Lutheran Church
2050 North Fremont Street
Basement Level Community Room 
6:00 pm

Join my office and Sheffield Neighbors Association to discuss a proposed packaged good license for the Walgreens located on Armitage Avenue. In late January, we held an initial public meeting to discuss lifting the liquor moratorium previously installed for this block. The legislative process lifting the liquor moratorium was initiated in late February. 

I requested Walgreens postpone filing an application until a follow up meeting could be held to solicit input for a “Plan of Operation" which would govern the store's operations.

Walgreens' representatives will make a presentation at the meeting and answer questions. My office will monitor the discussion, take notes and record your feedback. 

New Street Sweeping App and Schedules

The City has launched a new website for street sweeping. Click for the Ward schedule. Street sweeping schedules can be modified for weather-related issues, so check our website for updates.

If you'd like to check the actual location of sweepers, click the SweeperTracker .

Ward Events
Tips to Keep Your Business and Employees Safe
Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday, April 11
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Dunlays on Clark

Neighborhood businesses, managers and employees are asked to attend the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce's complimentary business safety seminar. Learn from security experts, the Chicago Police Department (CPD), and community leaders. Also hear about the Security Enhancement and Vandalism Rebate programs available to businesses in Special Service Area #23 and Special Service Area #35. Register here .

Free Business Seminars from the City Department of Business Affairs

Join one of the upcoming free workshops given by the Department of Business Affairs. To see the schedule, click here .
Congrats to the DePaul Blue Demons Women's Basketball Team

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and City Council honored the DePaul Blue Demons Women's Basketball Team for their terrific season.

Congratulations to Coach Bruno and his amazing team for winning the Big East Conference Tournament Championship - their 3rd such title in the past 5 years. This season, Coach Bruno appeared in his 1,000th game as a head coach and senior guard Amahrah Coleman was named the Big East Tournament MVP. We could not be prouder of their accomplishments.

And congratulations to that other team up the lakefront, the Loyal Ramblers, for their exciting journey this season.

Events in Lincoln Park this Weekend

For a quick look at just some of the activities going on in Lincoln Park this weekend, check out the Lincoln Park Chamber's weekend guide .
The DePaul School of Music has a number of events this spring, including classical, modern, Hindi, opera and numerous instrumental performances. Here is the calendar of events.

CDPH Issues Urgent Warning
Synthetic Cannabinoids Cause Severe Bleeding

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is warning about the dangers of synthetic cannabinoids - also called fake weed, K2 and spice - after eight people in Chicago suffered life-threatening bleeding. 32 additional cases have been reported across the state.
 
CDPH advises anyone using synthetic cannabinoids and experiencing severe, unexplained bleeding or bruising, go to the hospital immediately or call 911.
 
CDPH Commissioner Julie Morita M.D. stated, "If you have purchased this product, do not use it. Anyone who believes they may be symptomatic should see their medical provider immediately. CDPH is taking every precaution in order to limit the impact of this outbreak."
 
Synthetic cannabinoids are hundreds of different chemicals that act on the same brain cell receptors as the main active ingredient in marijuana. 

CDPH is working with Illinois Department of Public Health to investigate these cases to identify a common product. For more information on synthetic cannabinoids, visit the  CDC website .






Michele Smith
43rd Ward Alderman
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