32nd Ward Newsletter: January 10, 2025

Dear Scott,

As the icy and snowy weather hits Chicago, please remember to shovel your sidewalk. Clearing your sidewalk is not only the law in Chicago, but it is the responsible thing to do to help others. Please clear a wide path through snow and ice, especially for seniors and people with disabilities to walk more easily. If you can, lend a hand to a neighbor in need.

Residents have been bringing their broken holiday lights in by the barrelful! The first batch has been picked up, and we're ready for more. You can recycle your lights at our office through January 31.

Make sure to apply for the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program on Monday, January 13. See below for more information.

And for seniors, the Cook County Treasurer's Office tax-relief program allows qualified seniors to defer a maximum of $7,500 per tax year (this includes 1st and 2nd installments) on their primary home. See below for more details.

Have a good weekend,

Alderman Scott Waguespack

DON'T MISS IT! THIS MONDAY!

Shared Cost Sidewalk Program Details

It's almost that time of year again - the 2025 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program will be open for new applications on January 13th, 2025, from 6 am-10 pm.

The program typically reaches capacity within the day - constituents are encouraged to apply through 311 (phone, online, or apps) early in the application window to secure a spot. They don't need to pay until after the sidewalk has been surveyed and a bill emailed/mailed to the constituent, typically during late spring or early summer. Repair occurs during summer or fall, with CDOT providing notification to any participants whose projects have to be carried over to the following year. 

For more details on this program, please click here.

Public Safety Section

2025 Chicago Police Assessment Survey

Professionalism at every level is a top Chicago Police Department (CPD) concern. Each year, the CPD provides training to equip police officers with the skills, knowledge, and values to police fairly, safely, effectively, and in accordance with the law, policy, and best practices. To achieve and sustain excellence in police training, the CPD assesses their training program each year.

Community feedback is critical to make sure CPD addresses performance gaps, and to make sure their yearly required in-service training promotes sound law enforcement practices, community policing values, and impartial policing. Community input also helps CPD see ways they might improve recruiting and teaching materials.

The CPD is encouraging Chicago residents to fill out this assessment survey and would greatly appreciate your participation.

Lincoln Park Sewer Main Project #7158

Weekly Update

Status: (In progress, sewer side only: 54%)

• Schubert from Southport to Lakewood: mainline sewer installed, installation of catch basins completed.

• Lakewood from Schubert to Wrightwood: mainline sewer installed; installation of catch basins and PDs still in progress.

• Wayne from Schubert to 250 feet south: mainline sewer in progress; crews will continue laying pipes. There could be a possible interruption of gas and water services on the 2600 block of N Wayne only during working hours.

Lead Service Line Replacement program (water side) and PD corrective work will start after completion of sewer side.

Traffic Control: The intersection Schubert/Wayne will remain fully open. The 2600 block of N Wayne will remain closed and there will be limited parking on the street.  

North Chicago Property Tax Appeals Are Now Open with the Cook County Board of Review

Beginning January 6, 2025 you may file an appeal of your property assessment through the Cook County Board of Review. Please visit www.cookcountyboardofreview.com for information on how to file an appeal online or by mail.

Please remember that for property owners in Bloom, Hanover, Niles, North Chicago, and South Chicago Townships:

• The Deadline for filing a Property Tax Appeal is February 4, 2025 
• The Deadline to submit Additional Evidence is February 14, 2025

Click here for more information.

Senior Property Tax Deferral Program

***Last day to file for Tax Year 2024 is March 1, 2025.  Per state law, there are no time extensions.***

The Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral program is a tax-relief program that works like a low interest loan. It allows qualified seniors to defer a maximum of $7,500 per tax year (this includes 1st and 2nd installments) on their primary home.

Participants must be:

• Homeowners who are at least 65 years of age by June 1 of the year in which the applications are made.
• Those whose household income is $65,000 or less.
• Surviving spouses of previously approved applicants who are at least 55 years of age within six months of the taxpayer's death.
• Those who have owned and occupied the qualifying property for at least the last three years.
• Those who have fire or casualty insurance coverage for the qualifying property in an amount not less than the amount of the taxes being deferred.
• Those who do not owe outstanding property tax or special assessments.
• Those who have written approval from the spouse, if filing jointly, or Trustee, if the property is held in a qualifying Trust, to participate in the program.

Applications are available at the Cook County Treasurer's Office after January 1 through the March 1 application deadline. To find out more information click here or watch any of the following Cook County Treasurer's Office videos.

Inglés:

https://youtu.be/rBztUDzNkaI?si=eDjMfPeea-NIYetm

Español:

https://youtu.be/JotytXLd1K4?si=DZx7iCSKPw6GJvv4

Polaco:

https://youtu.be/rPsN6-oyXRY?si=6ddGzMXWTvAUTwyC

Lincoln Park Preschool Fair

The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce is making the process of choosing the right preschool easier with the first-ever Lincoln Park Preschool Fair. Partnering with the Lincoln Park Library Branch, this exciting event takes place on Saturday, January 25. The Lincoln Park Preschool Fair offers a unique opportunity to connect with some of the neighborhood's top preschools—all in one convenient location!

Saturday, January 25

9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Lincoln Park Library Branch

1150 W. Fullerton

First Fridays with WPB Arts!

This monthly event will highlight businesses that operate as galleries, pop-up galleries, non-art related businesses who display local artists works, & more! We want to promote and celebrate all of the ways our businesses in WPB supports artists and showcase how special each effort is to our community. Fill out is form below to include your space in First Fridays!

The next First Friday will be February 7th!

Special Service Area (SSA) 27 Security Rebate Program

West Lakeview SSA 27 has launched a newly revised Security Rebate aimed at improving the security of West Lakeview. All properties (business or residential) within SSA 27 boundaries are eligible to apply for the rebate which will reimburse 50% of eligible costs, up to $1,000, to property owners and tenants who have purchased and installed, or upgraded, security camera systems, exterior lighting, secure window improvements, and/or secure entry improvements. This is one of the many benefits of West Lakeview SSA 27. To learn more, please visit www.lakeviewssa27.com. 

To learn more about and apply for the SSA 27 Rebate Program, please visit www.lakeviewssa27.com/rebates and read the Security Rebate Guidelines document linked within. This rebate is only available for residential and commercial property located within SSA 27; to see if you are eligible, please see the map of SSA Boundaries at www.lakeviewssa27.com/aboutus.

City News

• Board of Ethics Said It Did Not Give Mayor Brandon Johnson an Opinion About CPS Leave
• Johnson Running Out of Time for Course Correction with Pritzker, City Council
• City Launches Recycle Coach App to Educate Residents About Waste Management
• A Tale of Two City Budgets: Chicago City Council and Budget Proposals from Mayors Emanuel and Johnson
• The Mayor’s on ‘Union Leave’ From CPS Despite Leaving CTU. Does That Undermine Contract Talks?
• Developer Moves Forward with Lincoln Park Apartment Complex, Setting Stage for Fight Over Aldermanic Prerogative
• The Rundown: The Battle Over Hemp Products
• Key City Panel Advances Measure to Ban Sale of Intoxicating Hemp in 2 Southwest Side Wards
• Some Chicago Cops Can Now File Felony Gun Charges Without Approval from Prosecutors