This Saturday is Earth Day and I’m looking forward to celebrating our bright blue, life sustaining planet in a number of different ways. We’ll be kicking off our first Clean and Green events of the year. One will be at Bateman Elementary (4220 N Richmond) and another will be at the Concordia Place Annex (3300 N Whipple). The Concordia Place Annex event is a collaboration with the Avondale Gardening Alliance, the Friends of Von Linne and the Von Linne Green Team, and Concordia Place. Both events run from 9 am to 12 noon. 

Read on to learn more about requesting a parkway tree, ordering a rain barrel, how to convert your lawn, backyard, or parkway into a rain garden or pollinator garden, the city’s composting pilot and private composting options, farmer’s markets, information about community gardens in the ward, CSA’s, volunteer opportunities and upcoming plant sales and seed swaps.

These may all seem like microsolutions in the face of climate change, but these opportunities can bring us together to help achieve lasting improvements by building solidarity and care together.

–Rossana

In This Week’s Newsletter

Quick Links 

*Want more information on community opportunities and job postings? Check out our Community Bulletin!

*Block party applications are open! Read more under “Forms” on the Neighborhood Services page, and apply here!

Property Tax Exemptions Support, May 9th

On May 9th, our office will host one-on-one sessions with the Accessor’s Office for property tax exemptions. The different kinds of exemptions people can file are homeowner exemption, veterans with disabilities exemption, senior exemption, senior freeze exemption, and persons with disabilities exemption. For more information to see if you are eligible, please click here.

Appointments with the Cook County Accessor’s office must be made in order to receive support. Please click here to schedule a time or call our office at 773-840-7880.

Please note these exemptions will be reflected on your second property tax bill. Also, our office location will have moved by this date and appointments will be in person at 4747 N Sawyer.

Want a parkway tree? Put in a 311

The Department of Forestry is actively planting trees in order to combat how much the city’s tree canopy has decreased over the last few decades. You can put in a 311 request for a tree planting if there’s space on your parkway. Parts of Avondale, Albany Park, and Irving Park are well below the amount of tree canopy coverage they should have. Trees provide shade and actively cool the air on the hottest days of the year, they reduce flooding by absorbing rain water, and studies have shown that people who live near trees tend to be happier and healthier.

Also if you and your neighbors identify space for 10 trees or more and you have the time and capacity to steward them, consider applying for an Openlands TreePlanters grant. 

Openlands also has a program called TreeKeepers where people from all over the Chicago area learn about trees and get equipped to help care for and maintain the tree canopy. The spring cohort for this year is filled, but you can sign up on their website to learn about future opportunities. To learn about additional volunteer opportunities with Openlands, click here. 

A Rain Barrel May be an Answer to April and May Showers

With spring and summer rain headed our way, now is as good a time as any to consider a rain barrel. You can purchase a discounted rain barrel from Metropolitan Water Reclamation District while supplies last. Seniors 65+ can purchase the rain barrel for $10.75. Everyone else can purchase a rain barrel for $21.50. To learn more and place an order, click here.

Rain Gardens and Pollinator Patches Can also Reduce Flooding

If you’re considering a rain garden or pollinator patch in your front or backyard or along the parkway – these can help reduce flooding and provide much needed support for at-risk pollinators. The University of Illinois Extension provides resources for planting both rain gardens and pollinator gardens including plant selection and guides for all season interest. Even spaces as small as 4 ft by 6 ft – pollinator pockets – can make a huge difference! 

While we await the creation of the native and pollinator garden registry from the Department of Streets and Sanitation, please know that our Ward Superintendent knows the difference between weeds and native/pollinator plants. You will not be ticketed by our Ward Superintendent for growing pollinator plants. 

Please note: For a parkway pollinator or rain garden, be aware that the parkway is public land. If the city or a utility company needs to access a site, they may need to dig up your parkway. 

CTA Shuttle Bus Service- Blue Line Trains

Due to construction happening at the Belmont crossover, the CTA Blue Line will offer a free shuttle service between the Addison stop and the Western stop. Shuttle buses are expected to depart from the stations every 4-15 minutes.

The dates construction will be happening is April 21st-24th and April 28th- May 1st.

Composting

The City of Chicago is in the process of piloting a compost program through six community gardens affiliated with NeighborSpace. The gardens are NOT accepting compost yet, but you can learn more about the program here and fill out an interest form if your garden is interested in being added to the pilot. Additionally you can bring compost materials to Plant Chicago’s Firehouse in Back of the Yards when their Farmer’s Market is open. 

There are also a growing number of private composting companies and services in the city. These include The Urban Canopy, Block Bins, and WasteNot.

Street Resurfacing Near Our Ward

Lakeshore Drive, between the Lawrence Ave exit and the Irving Park Rd exit

On April 16th there will be construction to repave and make repairs to Lakeshore Drive. Construction will not affect the morning and afternoon rush periods. All work is expected to be completed by mid June. For additional information, click here.

33rd Ward Zoning Update

4343-4357 N Richmond 

(Zoning Board of Appeals Cases 44-23-S, 45-23-Z, 46-23-S, 47-23-S, and 48-23-S). 

There have been several developments in the Zoning Board of Appeals cases regarding the former site of Twisted Hippo and Ultimate Ninja. This parcel abuts a stretch of Montrose Avenue that is a designated pedestrian street and is currently zoned C1-2. Building in an area zoned C1-2 requires ground floor commercial space. As a reminder, the applicant began seeking special use permits and a variation from the Zoning Board of Appeals to build four, three-and-a-half story buildings containing solely residential units (24 condominiums in all).

Earlier today, the applicant withdrew the Special Use case for the building at 4357 N Richmond (48-23-S). This is the northernmost building which would abut Montrose Avenue most directly. The applicant will now build to the site’s current zoning (C1-2) which requires ground floor commercial space. They do not require a zoning change or a special use permit to move forward, they simply need to meet all the city’s requirements for new construction. 

The applicant and their attorney requested another continuance from the Zoning Board of Appeals for the cases involving the three remaining proposed buildings (4343 N Richmond, 4347 N Richmond, and 4353 N Richmond) (ZBA cases 44-23-S, 45-23-Z, 46-23-S, 47-23-S). These cases were continued to the June 16, 2023 meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals. 

Our office received more than 140 comments regarding the applicant’s overall proposal as of this past Monday. More than 82% of the comments expressed opposition to the proposal. Our office submitted a letter of opposition to the Zoning Board of Appeals summarizing the community’s concerns. However, the Zoning Board of Appeals will have the final say on this matter, not the 33rd Ward Alderwoman. Pending another continuance, the Zoning Board of Appeals will make the final decision about whether to approve the remaining special use and variation cases at its June 16, 2023 meeting. You can reach out to Director of Policy and Development Joe Engleman (joe@33rdward.org) with additional questions. 

Neighborhood Events

1. Irving Park Food Pantry Toiletry Drive, All Month Long

2. Christ Lutheran Blood Drive, April 22nd 

3. Bateman Earth Day Work Day, April 22nd

4. Avondale Earth Day Party & Clean Up, April 22nd

5. 312 River Run, June 12th

Youth Opportunities

1. Chicago Public Schools Honorary Student Board Member

An Honorary Student Board Member is selected every year to represent the Chicago Public School’s student body by attending the Chicago Board of Education’s monthly meetings. Interested rising Juniors and Seniors must submit an application to the Board Office by April 28, 2023.

2. Summer Job Opportunities with Chicago Parks District

The Chicago Parks District has opened applications for summer job opportunities, and they have over 2500 open positions. Click here for more information.

3. Align Your Inner Self Youth Program (16-24), Now through September 2023

Black Alphabet started as an organization founded to encourage story telling and educate communities about the cultural and social contributions Black LGBTQ+ identified people have made upon the world. Now the organization has transformed and they are focused on creating and spreading awareness on issues that have an impact on the Black LGBT+ community.

Their new program, Aligning Your Inner Self, for youth ages 16-24 is to help those who are looking to align their inner voice or conscience through the use of art. The program started in March and they will have monthly sessions through September 2023.

Click here to register for a session!

4. Chicago City Council Latino Caucus Foundation (CLCF) Scholarship Opportunity, Application due May 5th

Are you a college-bound high school student from Chicago? Or are you currently in undergrad? The Chicago City Council Latino Caucus Foundation (CLCF) is providing forty $5,000 scholarships to qualified students from across Chicago! Students can apply online via the Caucus’ website. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 5, 2023 at 11:59pm

5. CPS Families Child Tax Credit

Chicago Public Schools families may be eligible for up to $3,600 per child through the expanded federal Child Tax Credit program.

To find out if you’re eligible, and to apply for this credit, visit GetCTC.org/chicagops, a simplified tax filing tool that takes just a few minutes to complete and does not require any tax documents. Some families may also be eligible for an additional $1,400 stimulus payment. Families have until mid-November to claim this money. More information can be found on this flier.

Space Activation Seeking Volunteers

Space Activation is looking for volunteers for their pop-up skateparks this year! They are hoping to increase the success of their events, and to make that possible, Space Activation needs more volunteers throughout the year. For each event, they would need help with general event tasks, promoting different policy initiatives, and posting fliers in the area before the event date.

The dates listed on the flyer are the dates they plan to have pop-ups, and each pop-up will be from 2pm to 5pm. Volunteers can choose a time slot that works best for their schedule.

For more information, contact Megan via email at mrhyme@gmail.com

Additional Volunteer Opportunities

The North River Commission maintains a list of the contact information and stewardship opportunities with 33rd Ward area parks, park advisory councils, the Chicago Parks Foundation, and the Friends of the Chicago River. If you are a member of a gardening group or environmental organization within the ward and want to promote your upcoming events, please contact newsletter@33rdward.org.

Native Plant Sales, Seed Swaps, and MWRD’s Restore the Canopy Program

If you’re considering planting a tree on your personal, private property (not a parkway), consider the space you have available and plant a tree that’s suited to the Chicago region like the Kentucky coffee tree, catalpas (like the street), and oaks. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s “Restore the Canopy” program offers free oak tree saplings at various MWRD locations on Wednesdays from 9 am to 12 noon. Click here for more information. Additionally, nurseries like Possibility Place in Monee maintain a sizable selection of native plants and trees. Groups like the Chicago Audubon Society also have native plant and tree sales. The deadline to place an order from the Chicago Audubon Society’s native plant and tree sale is tomorrow – Saturday, April 22nd. The Avondale Gardening Alliance is going to have a seedling swap and sale at Metropolitan Brewery on Sunday, May 21st. Details are available here. Additionally, Avondale Gardening Alliance’s next Gardening 101 Zoom call is scheduled for Tuesday, May 2nd at 6 pm. You can sign-up here. 

Chicago Seniors Connected Spring 2023

The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) provides programs and supports to older adults aged 60 and better throughout the year to keep older adults healthy, active, and engaged. More information can be found in their new spring Chicago Seniors Connected program brochure, which can be downloaded here.

Some of the upcoming highlights include:

• Virtual health, fitness, and recreational, programs;
• Grandparent programming “Grandparent Counseling, Gap-Filling Financial Support & Food Boxes”;
• Volunteer opportunities for Seniors 55+;
• Food and Nutritional Opportunities “Golden Diners Program, Regional Senior Centers Nourish Chicago Pop-Up Pantries, Homebound Home Delivered Meals, local Food Pantry listings and more.”

New Leaf Free Cannabis Expungement Program

New Leaf is a statewide, state-funded initiative, made up of 19 non-profit organizations throughout Illinois, which provide free legal representation or legal information to people who want their cannabis convictions expunged from their record.

Part of their job is to try and reach more people with cannabis charges or arrests, as they believe there are still far too many people, specifically within Cook County, who have not heard about New Leaf and what it can do for them.

For more information please visit their website or give them a call at (855)-963-9532.

Apply for CTA’s Citizens Advisory Board

The Chicago Transit Authority is currently accepting applications for its Citizens Advisory Board. Click here to learn more.

The application deadline is Friday, April 28th, 2023. 

Global Garden Refugee Training Farm Fundraiser

33 Ward Residents, Sarah Hicks and Brian Miller, have converted their backyard into a cut flower garden. They are growing and selling flower bouquets to support local nonprofits. Tulips are in bloom and they have bouquets available for sale.  50% of sales go to support The Global Gardens Refugee Training Farm. Anyone interested in purchasing bouquets to support this important local organization should reach out to Sarah and Brian for an arranged pickup or delivery time. They can be reached at anthologyobjects@gmail.com.

Community Gardens  

The 33rd Ward has a rich tradition of community gardens so be sure to visit Drake Gardens, the Turtle Park Garden, the First Nations Garden, and the Mindful Living Garden to name just a few. To learn more about these spaces, visit Neighbor-Space’s website (Drake Gardens, Turtle Park Garden),  The Global Gardens  the Chi-Nations Youth Council website (First Nations Garden), and the Avondale Gardening Alliance’s website (Mindful Living Garden).  

Fair Housing Workshop, April 24th

In collaboration with ONE Northside, Northside Community Resources will be leading a Fair Housing Workshop on Monday, April 24 from 5:30 to 7 pm at United Church of Rogers Park (1545 W Morse Ave). The event is free and virtual attendance is an option. If interested in attending you can sign up here.

Credit Building Workshop, April 25th

Join North River Commission and Wintrust Bank for a FREE credit-building workshop. Join us on Tuesday, April 25 at 6 p.m. via Zoom.

In this workshop you will learn about:

• Current credit-building programs
• Best practices to improve your credit score
• Additional financial education

RSVP with Erika via email at erika@northrivercommission.org or via text at 872-257-8773. 

Business Resources

1. North River Commission Newsletter Specials

Is your business offering any specials for the upcoming month for Mother’s Day, teachers appreciation week, Cinco de Mayo, or Memorial Day Weekend? If so, reach out to the North River Commission to have them featured in their weekly newsletter. Click here for previous examples.

Email marisabel@northrivercommission.org by April 26th to have your business specials featured. 

2. Access to Capital for Small businesses Webinar, April 24th

Need financing for your small business? Join us and professionals from Huntington Bank on a FREE webinar to learn about your financing options, partnerships, and how to be “application ready” to make your loan process easier! 

Click here to RSVP

3. Business Grant Applications

• Small Business Growth Fund – closes this week!
  • Presented by Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), will award small business owners between $5,000 and $25,000 in grants to help accelerate their growth. To be eligible, your business must: be a for-profit business located and registered, have less than $1M in 2022 gross annual revenue, have a clear plan for how the funds will help achieve a significant growth milestone in 2023. Apply until Friday, April 21 HERE.
• Verizon Small Business Digital Ready:
  • Learn new skills, build your network, and apply for a $10k grant. For 2023, LISC and Verizon Small Business Digital Ready have committed $1 million in small business grants. Applications close at 11:59 pm PT on Friday, May 12, 2023. To unlock the application for the current round of grant funding, register on Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, and complete any combination of two courses, coaching events, and community events. Learn more here.
• Back to Business Grant for Creative Arts, Hotels & Restaurants
  • Eligible restaurants, hotels, and creative arts businesses are eligible to apply for $175 million in available grant funding as part of our efforts to support ongoing recovery in hard-hit industries. All applicants will receive a grant as long as they meet eligibility requirements and submit proper documentation and attestations required by the program. Applications are open until May 10, 2023. Find more information and APPLY HERE!
• The LGBTQIA+ National Grant
  • provides eligible small businesses the chance to receive one of 25 grant packages totaling $25,000. Founders First is committed to increasing the number of diverse founder-led businesses generating over $1 million dollars in revenues. Application opens May 9, 2023, but you can pre-register today! 

For more business grant information please, visit North River Commission’s website.

Employment Opportunities

1. CTA Hiring Event, April 28th 

2. CTA’s Find a Job Fridays

MPox (MonkeyPox) Resources

The MPox virus is spread through close contact with body fluids, sores, shared bedding or clothing, or respiratory droplets (kissing, coughing, sneezing, etc.).

Vaccinations for MPV are currently available in Chicago for adults 18 and up. Because of the limited availability of vaccines, you must meet the eligibility requirements outlined by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH).

COVID-19 Resources

1. At-Home Vaccinations:

Get your whole family vaccinated at home! CDPH is offering vaccination appointments at home for up to 10 family members. Click here to set up your appointment!

2. Receive Your Updated COVID-19 Vaccine At Home!

3. Vaccinations

CPS Students: 

– Permanent sites
– Mobile Events
– School-Based Health Centers
–  Sign up for weekly COVID testing at CPS

33rd Ward Vaccination Events

1. Theodore Roosevelt High School

2. Swedish Hospital: Walk-In’s Welcome

* More information on City testing sites here!

Community Safety Updates

1. 17th District CAPS Meetings

The 17th District has resumed beat meetings in-person. 

Information about Beat Meetings here.

Please contact the 17th District Community Policing Office / CAPS, if there are any questions or concerns.

Email: caps.017district@chicagopolice.org

Telephone: 312-742-4588