Neighborhood Arson
More Pandemic Restrictions Coming
Lincoln Park General Iron Meeting
Covid-19 Business Compliance
Dear Neighbors,

A suspected arson occurred in the alley between the 2600 blocks of Burling and Orchard at about 5 a.m. yesterday morning. It began in a garbage can and unfortunately spread to the adjacent wooden garage and caused significant damage. Thanks to the neighbors for working together to alert 911 and to fight the blaze before the Fire Department arrived. 

Arson detectives are actively investigating. If you live on any of the affected blocks and have security cameras, please check your video for the time period from 4 a.m. until 5:15 a.m. Wednesday morning.

If you have video of suspicious activity, please send it to  CAPS019District@chicagopolice.org  and identify the precise location so the video can be forwarded to Area 3 detectives.

Our ward superintendent is continuing to remove mattresses and other flammables throughout the week. While the police investigate to catch this criminal, we as neighbors can take charge of our community by checking the alleys and wetting down the trash in our cans and mattresses or other discarded items.  Many neighbors are out of town right now. Please wet down the trash cans of your neighbors as well. 
General Iron Public Meeting
Findings Released about Cause of May Explosion
Monday, August 3, 2020
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Please join the Chicago Department of Public Health on Monday, August 3 at 5 p.m. for a Zoom meeting being held specifically to answer questions about and get your input regarding General Iron's continued operations on the North Side.   Participants must register in advance at: tinyurl.com/townhallrgm  

As you may know, the City engaged a private consultant to analyze the cause of the May 2020 explosion at the plant. We received these findings today and they will be reviewed at the meeting. Here is a summary of the report of the investigation, including the city's recommendations. You can read the full investigative report and the city's independent analysis on a new webpage the city has set up here .

At last week's meeting, the City briefly reviewed the new rules that will be governing RMG's operations at its location in the 10th Ward. You can see these rules here .
New Assessment of Air Pollution Risk in Chicago

The City issued a new comprehensive assessment of health risks due to air pollution in Chicago. The Air Quality and Health Index is a tool that uses local data on air quality, health, and social factors to help prioritize locations within the City for air pollution reductions or other actions that will reduce the impact of air pollution exposure on residents' health.

The Chicago Department of Public Health Epidemiology section analyzed census tracts in Chicago using tools developed by the State of California.

As shown in the above map, the Air Quality and Health Report found that air pollution disproportionately burdens neighborhoods on the South and West Sides, with parts of the City bisected by major highways and high concentrations of industry facing significant impacts.

For more details on the risk assessment and its methodology, click here.
COVID-19 Inspections and Updates

The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection has conducted more than 600 inspections to ensure that businesses are complying with procedures to ensure the safety and health of their customers and employees, including about 25 in our ward.

Visit here to see a list of inspected business and outcomes, or here to view as a map

This information, and ongoing inspections, underscores the importance of Phase IV compliance to the Chicago hospitality industry and provides a guide to the most common errors businesses should avoid. 

New Restrictions on Sports

Meanwhile, two patients who received lung transplants after contracting COVID are recovering. Read their story from the Chicago Sun-Times .

And Governor Pritzker has imposed new restrictions on most sports beginning August 15 to stop the spread of the virus. These guidelines apply to all sports, youth and adult. (but not collegiate or professional sports). In all cases, participants, employees and spectators are supposed to be wearing masks. While the guidelines require masks if the six foot social distancing requirements can't be met, remember that the Chicago Park Districts require mask wearing at all times in the parks.

You can read the guidelines here. The Chicago Tribune gives an overview.
Wrightwood Neighbors August Meeting

State Senator Sara Feigenholtz and State Representative Ann Williams will be speaking at the Wrightwood Neighbors monthly meeting on Monday, August 3 at 6 p.m. to discuss the State's responsive to COVID-19 and other topics.

To participate, send an email to wrightwoodneighbors@gmail.com by TODAY to receive a log-in link.

Jonquil Park Advisory Council
Organizational Meeting
August 5, 2020
6:00 p.m.
Zoom

Neighbors are joining together for a Zoom meeting to discuss the launch of the Jonquil Park Advisory Council, dedicated to protecting and improving this important treasure in our community. 

If you love Jonquil, this is a wonderful opportunity to help.
 
Please register in advance by email to JonquilPAC@gmail.com to receive a Zoom link to the meeting.
Patio on Schubert
This Weekend!
Friday 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sunday 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Schubert Street at Halsted will be closed weekends for street dining at Sapori Trattoria, Mayan Palace, and Tandoor Charhouse.

Schubert will be closed from Halsted to the first alley from Friday at 9 a.m. until Sunday at midnight.

This is another opportunity to get out, stay safe and socially distanced, and support our neighborhood restaurants!
Lincoln Park Farmers Market
Every Saturday, 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lincoln Park High School Parking Lot

Please join us for the Lincoln Park Farmers Market, Saturday, 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., rain or shine, in the parking lot of the Lincoln Park High School.

Farmers Compean and Sons, Noffke Farm and Orchard, Stovers, Stamper Cheese Company, pHlour Bakery, Provo Bakery, Tamales Express, Bahena Snacks, Lemaster Family Kitchens, and Johnny D’s Cold Brew are featured merchants.
What's Open for Business?

With a slow and steady return to business, we wanted to highlight businesses that are up and running. Please send us an email at  yourvoice@ward43.org  and let us know you're open for business!
Support our Neighborhood Restaurants

Please patronize our neighborhood businesses as much as possible and try to order directly from the restaurant. Thanks to all you who are writing to us to include your favorite restaurants. Keep it coming!

Please continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and keep everyone safe.






43rd Ward Virtual Office Hours: M - F 9 AM - 5 PM 
  2523 N Halsted  |  773-348-9500 |  yourvoice@ward43.org |  www.ward43.org