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EPA Puts General Iron On Notice
Street Sweeping Extended
Office Closed Thanksgiving Weekend
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EPA Forces Emissions Testing at General Iron
The US Environmental Protection Agency has issued a
letter requiring General Iron to conduct detailed emissions testing. This request, called a Section 114 (a) request, is a broad request for information which could, if violations are found, lead to enforcement actions. Within the next six months, EPA is requiring General Iron to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulates and metals being discharged from the plant. Testing protocols must be approved in advance by EPA, and will likely include air quality monitoring stations.
This is an important development. In an earlier newsletter we explained we secured a promos from the city's Department of Health to increase monitoring of the company.
If you experience issues you attribute to this company or any other company in the area to call our office at 773-348-9500. Please provide the exact time of the problem, and please describe the issue as precisely as possible. This process will be lengthy, but we intend to document as many incidents as possible.
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Street Sweeping Extended
The City is extending street sweeping season until December 8. This additional two weeks allows many more streets to be swept now that most of the leaves are down.
We will be continuing our regular street grid program until December 8, weather permitting. Click here to see the schedule.
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More Financial Oversight Reform Needed
In 2014, I was one of the leaders in successfully creating the City Council Office of Financial Analysis (COFA). COFA provides, for the first time, independent information for Aldermen in considering the budget.
Last week I joined Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd) in conversations with The Sun-Times and Crain's to discuss a new ordinance ensuring we fully implement COFA and receive information in a timely fashion.
The new law re
quires, among other things, an independent fiscal impact statement at least 72 hours before a vote on any measure that would:
- Directly or indirectly expend funds or Impact city revenues;
- Increase or decrease our fiscal liability;
- Sell or lease any city asset, including associated revenue streams, if the anticipated sale or lease of the asset is greater than $5,000,000.
Most states and many of the largest cities in America require such fiscal impact notes before financial votes.
Alderman need the best information possible to grapple with complex and pressing budget issues and wisely utilize tax dollars.
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Trash and Recycling Changes for Thanksgiving Week
All city-collected refuse will be serviced
Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
. Please ensure all black refuse carts are accessible throughout the week of collection, not solely on your regular day of collection.
The Department of Streets and Sanitation
will collect recycling on
Monday
,
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
.
Residents should ensure all Blue Recycling Carts are accessible throughout the week of collection.
Reminder: Office Closed for Thanksgiving
As a reminder, our office closes in observance of Thanksgiving from Wednesday, November 22nd at 1:00 p.m. until Monday, November 29th at 9:00 a.m.
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.
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As part of the
Year of Public Art, we were pleased to cut the ribbon on two mural projects in our Ward:
The Armitage-Halsted Landmark District Mural at the Armitage L Station
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| LCA's Deidre Graziano, store owner Kyle Glascott, artist Steve Carrelli, SNA's Ted Wroblewski and Ranch Triangle's Reatha Kay celebrate the mural opening |
The Lincoln Central Association newsletter has a great
article about the mural in our commercial landmark district.
Thanks to Ranch Triangle Association, Lincoln Central Association and Sheffield Neighbors Association for their input to our artist
Steve Carrelli
.
Mural at the Division Street Pedestrian Underpass:
Gold Coast Neighbors come out to celebrate the mural opening
Gold Coast Neighbors Association and artist Ruben Aguirre celebrated the opening of a beautiful mural that takes you on a journey from inner Lake Shore Drive to the beach at Division Street. Please
enjoy our refurbished underpass and this wonderful artwork. A special thanks to Gold Coast Neighbors for their $5000 contribution to support the mural.
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Upcoming Events in the 43rd Ward
Chicago's Only Free Turkey Trot
St. Teresa's Church
1950 N. Kenmore Ave.
Thursday, November 23, 2017
7:45 a.m.
St. Teresa's Second Annual Turkey Trot is the only free turkey trot in Chicago!
No racing, no timing, no entry fee, no t-shirts, just fun!
Walkers, joggers, and runners of all abilities are welcome, including children and canines. Ru
n any distance between one and six miles at
their own pace.
In lieu of an entry fee, please bring a non-perishable food item for the St. Teresa Food Pantry. Come dressed ready to run!
RSVP by
November 22nd
to:
mark.buciak@rcn.com
.
Al Capone and the Prohibition Era
Lincoln Park Community Research Initiative
DePaul Student Center Room 120
2250 N. Sheffield Ave.
Thursday, November 30, 2017
6:30 p.m. reception and program
John Russick of the Chicago History Museum will review the Prohibition Era using a new virtual reality app to explore the city's and Lincoln Park's most notorious unsolved crime.
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Have a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Michele Smith
Alderman, 43rd Ward
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43rd Ward Office Hours: M 9 AM - 7 PM, T-F 9 AM - 6 PM
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