Public Safety Updates

More Federal Help to Combat Gun Violence

Please Donate Blood

Dear Neighbors,

We are pleased that President Biden will be sending Chicago more support to combat gun violence. The President has authorized the use of coronavirus relief funds for both police and community anti-violence groups. Both strategies are necessary to increase public safety and save lives. The five point strategy will:

Stem the flow of firearms used to commit violence, including by holding rogue firearms dealers accountable for violating federal laws;
Support local law enforcement with federal tools and resources to help address summer violent crime;
Invest in evidence-based community violence interventions;
Expanding summer programming, employment opportunities, and other services and supports for teenagers and young adults; and
Help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reenter their communities.

Importantly, President Biden has convened five multi-jurisdictional strike forces in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and Washington, D.C. to combat multi-state illegal gun trafficking.

The past year has brought a nationwide increase in shootings, according to the New York Times, not just in Chicago, but in many cities in America. The enormous number of guns purchased in America during the pandemic has exacerbated much of the violence in this country. These strike forces will use all the powers they possess to work to stop illegal guns. To read the plan, click here.

Of course, the gun travesty in our country is enabled by our Congressional failure to pass comprehensive gun safety legislation. If you would like to add your name to new efforts to ban assault weapons and other gun safety legislation, contact MomsDemandAction or the Illinois Coalition Against Handgun Violence.

Virtual Community Meeting

1948 N. Halsted Rezoning Proposal

Wednesday, July 7th, 2021

6 p.m.

You are invited to join my office and the RANCH Triangle Association at a virtual meeting regarding the proposed rezoning of 1948 North Halsted St., a one-story commercial building currently occupied by the Manhandler Saloon and adjacent parking lot.

Even though this has been a commercial property for decades, it is zoned RT-4 (Residential Two-Flat, Townhouse and Multi-Unit District), and the applicant seeks to rezone the parcel to B3-2 (Community Shopping District) to allow for the redevelopment of and the establishment of a new business use at the location. The proposal calls for a new three-story mixed-use building containing ground-level commercial space and three residential units above.

This will be a virtual meeting via Zoom Webinar. The development team and their representatives will provide an overview of the project, as well as to answer questions from the audience regarding this proposal. My office will conduct the discussion, take notes and record your comments.

After registering for the webinar, you will receive an email within an hour of the meeting with the link for and instructions how to access the Zoom meeting. Please plan to log into Zoom and access the meeting 10-15 minutes before the official start time, so that there is enough time to troubleshoot any technical problems and familiarize yourself with its features.

Free In-Home Vaccinations for Anyone 12+

Please call 312-746-4835 or click here

Starting immediately, anyone 12 years of age or older can register to be vaccinated in their home for free.

Health workers will come to any Chicago household and vaccinate eligible people. Further incentivizing this great service is the $50 gift card from Grubhub to be used on their food delivery service.

If you are interested, please sign up online by clicking here or by calling 312-746-4835.

Vaccinations are free and will be given regardless of insurance or citizenship status.

Join Our 43rd Ward Team

Our wonderful office manager and scheduler Mari is heading off to graduate school, and we are seeking her replacement. Ideal candidates will have a college degree and work experience, preferably with customer service. Candidates should have knowledge of the Lincoln Park and Gold Coast Community and must be customer oriented as well as empathetic listeners. Strong communication skills, including verbal and written, are required. Candidates must have basic computer skills including Word and Excel, as well as basic social media skills. This is an entry level job, with a salary of $30,000, plus full City of Chicago benefits.

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Office Management (invoices, inventory, hardware, software, etc.)

• Scheduling (primarily for the alderman)

• Management of intern program (recruitment, training, mentoring, etc.)

• Other duties as required

All candidates must be current residents of the City of Chicago at the time

of application. Please direct all resumes, cover letters, and questions to Erik Wallenius at

[email protected].

Reopening News

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum to Reopen

Thursday, July 8th, 2021

2430 N. Cannon Dr

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum building will reopen to visitors Thursday, July 8! Come visit the animals and exhibits, and experience the tropical paradise of the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven. For more information please visit here.

Whole Foods Reopening

Wednesday, July 21st, 2021

Fullerton and Sheffield

We are pleased to join Whole Foods in announcing that on Wednesday, July 21st, Whole Foods at the corner of Fullerton and Sheffield will reopen for in-person shopping.

This location has been used primarily as an order fulfillment station for the past year to keep up with demand from online orders during the COVID pandemic.

Wrightwood Neighbors, DePaul University, and my office are all pleased to welcome this location back to the neighborhood as a local grocery store option.

Community Events

Lincoln Park Health and Wellness Weekend

Sat.- Sun. June 26 - 27, 2021

Explore new workouts, treatments and personal care from Lincoln Park’s innovative health and wellness community to keep you fit and healthy this summer.

Please click here to get special health and wellness offers from many neighborhood gyms and spas using a special "passport."

Plus, partners Lincoln Common and Lakeshore Sport & Fitness are offering free classes with the support and sponsorship of the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce.

Saturday, June 26 - Lincoln Common, 2335 N. Lincoln

8:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Health & Wellness Showcase and Giveaways (while supplies last)

8:30 - 9:15 a.m. - Outdoor Athletic Conditioning Class with Equinox

9:30 - 10:00 a.m. - Mobility Flow Class with Athletico Physical Therapy

10:15 - 11:00 a.m. - Pilates Mat Class with Club Pilates

Sunday, June 27 - Lakeshore Sport & Fitness, 1320 W. Fullerton

10:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Rooftop Yoga with Lakeshore Sport & Fitness

Blood Drive

St Teresa of Avila Catholic Church

1950 N Kenmore Ave

Sunday, June 27th, 2021

8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

St. Teresa of Avila Church is hosting their bi-annual blood drive. People of all ages are encouraged to donate a pint of blood to those in need.

You can schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-7TOGIVE (786-4483) or click here. Remember to bring a photo ID.

All donors will be asked to have their temperature taken upon arrival and all safety measures, including the wearing of masks and social distancing will be required.

You should wait two days after receiving the COVID vaccine to donate blood.

Lincoln Park Library Blood Drive

1150 W. Fullerton

Tuesday, June 29th, 2021

12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

The Lincoln Park Branch will host a blood drive with Versiti Blood Center of Illinois on Tuesday, June 29, from 12 to 5 p.m.

The blood drive will take place in a mobile bus parked along the south side of Fullerton Avenue, directly across the street from the library.

Donated blood saves lives. Please do your part. To register for the drive, or to learn more, click here.

Summer Sundaes in Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce

Lincoln Common- 2335 N. Lincoln

Sunday, July 11th, 2021

1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce and Lincoln Common invite you to celebrate summer at Lincoln Park Summer Sundaes.

This Lincoln Avenue-centered family-friendly celebration will feature free ice cream for the first 100 people who mention "Summer Sundaes." There will be live music, retail promotions, summer brunch, and cocktail specials along the street.

37th Annual Taste of Lincoln Avenue

Wrightwood Neighbors Association

Lincoln Ave & Fullerton Ave

Saturday and Sunday, July 24th-25th, 2021

12 p.m. - 10 p.m.

It's almost time for the 37th Annual Taste of Lincoln Avenue. This year's event will be Saturday & Sunday, July 24th and 25th. Mark your calendars.

Wrightwood Neighbors has hosted Taste of Lincoln Avenue to raise money for neighborhood improvements and local charities for 37 years! You can help make the Taste a success by volunteering. Fill out the online sign-up form or call 708-357-2980.

Due to Covid 19 protocols, only fully vaccinated individuals will qualify for volunteer positions offered.

Pitch In For The Parks

Gold Coast Neighbors Association

44 W North Blvd (Lincoln Statue)

Gold Coast Neighbors Association (GCNA) is looking for volunteers to join their “Pitch In For The Parks” collaboration with the Chicago Parks Foundation.

The Beautification Committee of GCNA will be working now through October to focus on the southern end of Lincoln Park between Lake Shore Drive, LaSalle Street, Clark Street, and North Avenue.

Meetings will be held on the following dates:

July 21, 11 a.m.-12:00 noon
August 18, 11 a.m.-12:00 noon
September 15, 11 a.m.-12:00 noon
October 13, 11 a.m.-12:00 noon

You can sign up for one or all meetings. To join this great initiative to keep our parks beautiful email [email protected] or call 773.510.732.

For more information click here.

Our Ward Office is Participating in

University of Virginia Research Study on Municipal City Services

Summer of 2021

Caroline Caruso, a graduate student from the University of Virginia and ward resident, will be conducting research while interning in our Ward Office this summer. The study is called Citizen Voice and Government Response: How Technology and Decentralization Impact

Municipal Services. We are delighted that she is doing this research.

In the course of the study, Caroline will be aggregating information about the ward requests and how technology has aided local government. We want to be transparent with ward residents about how the study may impact you.

This study will focus on how technology and systems of governance produce outcomes in the realm of municipal services.
No identifying personal information will be collected.
Your communication with the ward office regarding municipal services will be used as aggregate data.
This means requests will be analyzed in terms of general trends like the method of communication, nature of service requested, timeline, completion rate, etc.
Your participation is not mandatory, and you can withdraw at any time by notifying the researcher. If you do not wish any information involving a service request included in the study, just email Caroline at [email protected].
No data in the study will be permanently retained by the researcher or the University.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Caroline Caruso by emailing [email protected].