DECEMBER 2020 NEWSLETTER
UPCOMING FOOD SECURITY WORKING GROUP EVENT
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 7PM
In September 2020, HPKCC created a Food Security Working Group following an important conversation in August as part of its Community Dialogue series.

Join the Working Group on Thursday, December 10th at 7pm for a fun gathering on "Holiday Cooking on a Budget". See below for more information.
SUPPORT HPKCC
BECOME A MEMBER OR MAKE A DONATION
HPKCC is grateful for the generous support of its members and donors. Your engagement with HPKCC makes our community-building work possible.

Memberships start at $15 for seniors and students and $25 for individuals.

Tax-deductible contributions are also accepted. This year, the first $300 of total contributions to all charities will be tax-deductible for those filing individually and the first $600 for those filing jointly.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
HPKCC 2020-2021 COMMITTEES
HPKCC has ten Committees covering a wide range of areas and we invite HPKCC members to join these Committees and support HPKCC's work on behalf of our community.

If you are interested in getting involved with HPKCC by joining one or more Committees, or want more information, please contact HPKCC President Ali Ammoura at president@hydepark.org.
TRANSIT TASK FORCE UPDATE
Cook County Highways is partnering with Pace and Metra to improve transit service and reduce fares in south Cook County. The Fair Transit Pilot is anticipated to start in early 2021 with a 50% fare reduction on the Metra Electric and Rock Island lines and enhanced service on Pace’s Halsted 352 route.

Under the Fair Transit Pilot, all riders on the Metra Electric can ride at the Reduced Fair Rate ($2.00 for Hyde Park to Downtown - 50% off the full fare).

If you traveled to work or school via auto or public transit pre-COVID-19, please consider taking the pre-pilot survey now to help the Fair Transit project team gauge the South Side commuter population's current post-COVID-19 commuting plans.

Save the Date: On January 28, 2021 at 7pm, the HPKCC-TTF Community Dialogue will cover the 3-year Fair Transit pilot in detail. Join us!
CONGRATULATIONS TO CPS LSC ELECTION WINNERS
Congratulations to all of the winners of the Chicago Public Schools Local School Council (LSC) elections, which were were held on Wednesday, November 18th for elementary schools and Thursday, November 19th for high schools.

To find out who won in each school, visit the following website:


To learn more about the nine elementary schools and three high schools in Hyde Park, Kenwood, and surrounding areas, please visit HPKCC's Schools Committee page.

UTILITY PAYMENT ASSISTANCE
Below is information on utility payment assistance that was included in a recent newsletter from 4th Ward Alderman Sophia King:

  • ComEd Helping Hand Program: ComEd customers who are past due on their accounts can apply for a one-time grant of up to $300. Apply at ComEd.com/PaymentAssistance or call 1-800-334-7661.

  • People's Gas Bill Payment Assistance: People's Gas customers who are having trouble paying their gas bills can apply for assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or the People's Gas Share the Warmth Program. You can see if you are eligible for one of these programs and apply by phone at 800-571-2332.
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Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference
1507 East 53rd Street, #404