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Dear 4th Ward Neighbor,
Exciting August ahead! It's hard to believe that back-to-school time is already upon us. As a former educator and the child of a CPS teacher, I fondly remember back-to-school shopping with my mom and her generous act of always buying extra school supplies to students in need. Her selflessness inspired me to be a public servant and give back whenever possible. That's why, as a former State Representative I always hosted back-to-school giveaways and I'm thrilled to continue the tradition now as your Alderman and host our annual Back-to-School Bash, in collaboration with Insight Hospital and Chicago's Own, Emmy Nominated Actress, Ta'Rhonda Jones.
Mark your calendars for this amazing event! We'll be giving away free backpacks filled with essential school supplies, offering back-to-school health and dental exams, complimentary haircuts, beautiful hair braiding, mini-manicures, and free food. And let's not forget the bounce house, FIRE TRUCK and much more! Additionally, there'll be a shredder available for anyone needing to dispose of sensitive documents securely.
Join us on Saturday, August 19 at 2525 S. Prairie Ave. from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm. We can't wait to see you there!
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Office Updates
We officially have lights!!! Our office buildout is about 60% of the way complete! We wanted to have a brand new office that reflected the way we want the 4th Ward to look. Beautiful, modern and clean! We can’t wait to welcome you to our office soon. In the meantime, click on the picture below to watch an office sneak peek.
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Ward Happenings
Our second town hall was a success! Thank you to the 105+ people who showed up and 70+ people online, Kenwood Academy, Principal Calloway, Karen Garland and all Broncos staff, President Kari Steele, Commissioner Pogorzelski , ProSocial Chicago, Commander Wallace, Deputy Commissioner Whiteside and all the electeds and staff who showed up to answer questions. We appreciate everyone who took the time to come and advocate for their neighborhood.
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Senator Durbin's Visit to the 4th Ward
I would like extend my gratitude to Senator Durbin for his visit to the 4th Ward and his support in envisioning the incredible possibilities that additional state funding can bring to our community. Together, we are committed to creating a brighter future for the 4th Ward. Thank you, Senator Durbin!
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City Clerk's Office Visits 4th Ward
Thank you to City Clerk Anna Valencia and her Office for bringing City Hall services directly to the 4th Ward! Residents were able to get their city key card, city stickers and so much more.
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National Night Out
It was great to be a part of sponsoring the 2nd Police District's National Night Out! This annual event, held on the first Tuesday of August, brings law enforcement and neighbors together to foster a sense of community, enjoy each other's company, and give back. Strengthening our community's bond with CPD is vital for ensuring a safer and more secure neighborhood. Thank you to all the hard work the 2nd District did in putting this together. #nationalnightout #CPD
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ProSocial - Free Landscaping
My office has recently joined forces with ProSocial, a non-profit organization committed to enhancing the aesthetics and cleanliness of our city. If you have a landscaping request or require assistance with tidying up, ProSocial's dedicated team along with our Streets and Sanitation Ward Superintendent Nicholas Napier are more than willing to lend a hand. To sign up you can click here.
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Area Tree Trimming
Tree trimming updates for the 4th Ward as of July 31, 2023: Since the area trimming began the week of April 17, 2023, the Bureau of Forestry has trimmed 1,052 trees, in comparison to 2022, when only 327 trees were trimmed during the same period.
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Constituent Service Requests
We're currently over 600 constituent issues resolved. Our office is heavily focused on infrastructure and beautification improvements. From Public Safety to installing signs to cleaning garbage to fixing potholes, here is our favorite highlight for the week:
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It's so great being able to see people enjoying the benches.
Thank you to Chicago Streets and Sanitation and our Ward Superintendent for getting these benches cleaned! Please help us keep these benches clean so we can continue to enjoy them.
PLEASE HELP KEEP OUR WARD CLEAN!
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Construction On Your Block?
Construction on your block and you're not sure why? ChiStreetWork.Chicago.Gov, is your go-to resource for tracking construction, permits, road closures, and more in your neighborhood. This user-friendly website maps out all active permits and offers an exclusive feature to receive automatic updates on upcoming projects. Simply draw a boundary and choose your preferred update frequency (daily, weekly, or monthly). Stay informed effortlessly.
| Rental Units Available Looking to move? Check out this local family owned business: www.redelrentals.com | |
PUBLIC SAFETY INFORMATION | |
#PublicSafetyWin South Loop residents expressed their pedestrian safety concerns on 11th St. in between Michigan and Wabash and asked if we can help them get mirrors for the alley… well they’re now up!! Having safer pedestrian crossings is a top priority in my administration. Thank you to the Best Western Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Garden Inn for helping make it happen! | |
#PublicSafetyWin This lot was being used as a haven to hide stolen cars. We immediately took action once we found out. Thank you to the amazing team that came out for seven hours and cleaned this lot up so residents can stay safe and stolen cars can’t be hidden there anymore. | |
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Concerned About Being Carjacked?
Watch Alderman Robinson's latest public safety video on carjacking prevention! Click the picture below to view it now. Stay safe and informed!
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Police Beat Meetings
The Chicago Police Department holds regular beat meetings for residents to learn about their local crime statistics and to share ideas with local officers. To find which beat you live in click here. If you live in the First District you can find the beat meeting calendar by clicking here. Find the Second District's beat meeting calendar by clicking here.
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Secretary of State, Alexi Giannoulias and Deputy Secretary of State, Hanah Jubeh just announced their new Skip-the-Line program at high-volume DMV's. Appointments and new extended hours are part of the new initiative to save customers’ time.
In an effort to improve customer service and eliminate the unpredictability of wait times at Illinois DMVs, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will implement the Skip-the-Line program on September 1.
- Required appointments will reduce wait times.
- Extended hours offer more availability.
- ILSOS.gov offers a variety of services that do not require an in-person visit to a facility or office.
The Skip-the-Line Program includes:
Appointment scheduling — Customers will be required to make appointments for in-person visits at 44 of the busiest DMVs. All Chicago and suburban locations and select central and downstate DMVs will require an appointment for REAL IDs, driver’s licenses and ID card services, and in-car driving tests.
Vehicle-related services – such as titles, registrations or license plate renewals – do not require an appointment.
Please visit ilsos.gov or call (844) 817-4649 to schedule an appointment.
New extended hours of operation — Every DMV will extend hours of operation beginning September 1.
Select facilities will be open six days a week – Monday through Saturday.
All DMVs will have hours of operation from Mon-Fri, 8:00 am.-5:30 pm.
16 DMVs will be open on Saturday, 8:00 am.-12:30 pm.
Simplified online services — Customers are encouraged to visit ilsos.gov to take advantage of many online services, including renewals of driver’s licenses, ID cards and plate stickers.
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Chicago Public Library Digital Museum Pass
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Chicago Public Library's museum passes are now digital and expanded across Illinois. New attractions include a wide range of museums, historical societies, zoos and more. This pass program is accessible online 24/7, with no need to visit a CPL location to check out or return a pass.
How does the program work?
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Visit chipublib.org/digitalpasses.
- Log in with your card number and PIN to see all the amazing offers from familiar and new attractions.
- Make your reservation online and bring the confirmation to your destination.
Digital pass program highlights:
- No more physical passes to check out or return – you can make reservations online and get a confirmation sent right to your email.
- No fines or late fees.
- Reservations can be made by adult Chicago residents with physical CPL library cards in good standing.
- You can reserve a pass for a specific date and must use the reservation on that date.
- No trip to the library is required, but CPL staff will be able to assist with making reservations and retrieving digital or printed confirmations.
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Most offers do not require a child to be in the group, though we recommend checking the offer description to confirm.
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Water Management Information | |
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Keep your gutters clean of leaves.
Keeping your gutters clean is an important part of stormwater management. If your gutters are clogged with leaves and debris, rainwater won't be able to flow freely, and it can cause water to overflow and potentially cause damage to your home.
Clean nearby catch basin grates of yard waste and trash.
When catch basins become clogged with debris, they can block water from entering the stormwater runoff system. This can cause localized flooding, and the debris can get washed into our waterways and degrade water quality.
Only dump water down the drain.
Avoid dumping anything other than water (fats/oils/greases) down the drain or down catch basins in the street. Storm drains are for rain only. Dumping anything other than water down the drain or catch basins can cause pollution of our waterways.
Avoid running a dishwasher or washing machine during storms.
Stormwater and wastewater use the same sewer system. Using extra water during a storm can overload the system causing localized flooding.
Make Your Landscape Water-Friendly
Plant native plants as they are adapted to local climate and soil conditions and require less water while providing habitat for wildlife. Consider green infrastructure practices like installing permeable pavers, rain barrels, French drains, bioswales, green roofs or reducing lawn areas altogether. These practices help control the flow and sinking of water into your landscape, which helps keep toxins and debris out of the storm drain system.
Disconnect your downspout from the sewer system.
Make sure to direct flow to areas with permeable surfaces that can properly absorb the stormwater or use rain barrels to collect the rain directly from the downspouts.
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CHICAGO UNION STATION CANAL STREET CONSTRUCTION | |
BUSINESS AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES | |
Chicago Department of Public Health Update | |
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CDPH participated in a subject matter hearing last week with the City Council’s Committee on Health and Human Relations to discuss best practices for the delivery of mental health care and crisis response services in the city. The City’s current crisis response program, Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement, or CARE, is piloting in 11 community areas with three different models.
The Alternate Response Team pairs a CDPH Crisis Clinician with a Chicago Fire Department (CFD) Community Paramedic and responds to low-risk 911 calls with a mental health component. The Opioid Response Team is comprised of a CFD Community Paramedic with a Peer Recovery Specialist and conducts in-person visits to individuals who have recently experienced an overdose. The Multidisciplinary Team is made up of a CFD Community Paramedic, a CDPH Crisis Clinician and a CPD Crisis Intervention Team Officer. That team responds to low to moderate risk 911 calls with a mental health component.
To learn more about the program, visit the CARE dashboard.
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LGBTQ Male Youth Retreat Funded By the Obama Foundation | |
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit that helps ensure that households can afford the home broadband internet service they need for work, school, healthcare, and more.
The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households. When used toward broadband providers’ widely available low-income offerings, this benefit covers the full cost of home internet service for eligible families.
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