Our school budgets are in danger and 33rd Ward parents, teachers, and community members are fighting back, and you can too!
The City is slashing the CPS budget for teacher and staff pay by about $60 million. According to WBEZ, it is “one of the biggest budget cuts in funds for core instruction since CPS started tying school budgets tightly to enrollment about nine years ago.”
The Numbers
💸 These cuts are going to devastate about 185 Chicago Public Schools, each of which are losing about $200,000 used to pay for core instruction.
📚 No classes in CPS are below the state recommended 16-to-1 teacher ratio for primary grades or the 21-to-1 ratio for 4th-12th grades.
💰 69% of the $536 million in federal COVID relief money CPS budgeted is still unspent.
What about the 33rd Ward?
For example, Hibbard Elementary School is losing three Special Education positions, a Special Education classroom assistant, and a PreK classroom. The school has also QUADRUPLED their newcomer 4th-6th grader students (some of whom are refugees) and they need sufficient resources to learn English and get the support they need!
What can we do?
🚨 Check out Alderwoman Rossana’s Resolution Calling For A Hearing on Budget Cuts in Chicago Public Schools
🚨 Stay tuned for a hearing date so you can submit written comment and sign on to speak to support our schools! Check our Facebook page for updates and contact the office: 773.840.7880 or info@33rdward.org.
In This Week’s Newsletter
- Community Bulletin
- Public Community Meeting Notice: May 10th
- Construction Notice: Kedzie Ave. Resurfacing (April-July)
- Congratulations: First Woman Appointed to Inspector General in Chicago!
- Neighborhood Events
- Housing Support in the Ward
- Local Youth Opportunities
- Money for Chicagoans Impacted by COVID- NOW OPEN!
- Small Business Highlight: Camerino Hair Salon and Spa
- Covid-19 Resources
- Community Safety Updates
Quick Links
*Want more information on community opportunities and job postings? Check out our Community Bulletin!
Public Community Meeting Notice: May 10th
A public community meeting regarding a zoning proposal for 4922 N Albany will be held onTuesday, May 10, 2022 from 6pm to 7pm over Zoom.
Interested in attending? Click here.
Want to submit a question/comment? Click here.
Please contact our office with any further questions at 773.840.7880 or at info@33rdward.org.
Construction Notice: Kedzie Ave. Resurfacing (April-July)
The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has begun an arterial street resurfacing project on Kedzie Ave from West Foster to North Elston Ave.
Impact: Temporary “No Parking” signs will be installed as required during working hours from 9AM-5PM.
Please contact our office/staff with any questions!
•33rd Ward Office Number: 773- 840-7880
• Lilia Escobar: lilia@33rdward.org
• Veronica Tirado: veronica@33rdward.org
•Vicko Alvarez: vicko@33rdward.org
Congratulations: First Woman Appointed to Inspector General in Chicago!
In the last City Council meeting, we passed the appointment of Deborah Witzburg– the first woman to become Inspector General!
She is the former Deputy Inspector General on Public Safety and responsible for making the OIG the first and only agency in Chicago to come into compliance with the consent decree. We are so proud to have her leading such important office for our city!
Neighborhood Events
1. Carl Von Linne Elementary Day of the Child Celebration: TOMORROW, April 30th
2. Northwest Brewfest: ENDS TOMORROW, April 30th
4. The neighborhood favorite Miko’s Italian Ice is NOW OPEN! Summer is coming, we promise…
5. Mother’s Day Memorial Tree Planting: May 7th
On the eve of Mother’s Day we will be gathering at the Drake Gardens to surround survivor mothers with love as they plant flowers in the garden to remember their children.
6. Ravenswood Manor Garage Sale: May 15th
Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm, rain or shine!
150+ Households, 10000s of Bargains, Endless Alleys to Explore!
Housing Support in the Ward
1. En Español: Discutir la creación de viviendas más asequibles y seguras a través del plan “We Will Chicago”
North River Commission le invita a unirse a sus vecinos en línea para discutir la segunda fase en la creación de viviendas más asequibles y seguras a través del plan “We Will Chicago” de toda la ciudad. ¡Nuestro objetivo es crear comunidades seguras y asequibles y apoyar el bienestar de los residentes, los vecindarios y todo Chicago!
Local Youth Opportunities
–Pre-K registration open April 19th
–K-6th Grade new student registration open April 18th
NOW OPEN! Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot: Money for Chicagoans Impacted by COVID, apply by MAY 13TH
Do you need financial support to recover from the COVID pandemic? The Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot begins this April, and is offering 5,000 Chicagoans $500 per month for twelve months, with no strings attached. Chicagoans will be selected through an open application and a citywide lottery.
APPLICATIONS OPEN UNTIL MAY 13TH! APPLY TODAY!
Small Business Highlight: Camerino Hair Salon and Spa
Mario and Luis Alberto are ready to take care of your hair!
Schedule: Tuesdays-Sunday, 9am-6pm.
Address: 4746 N Whipple St
Covid-19 Updates
1. Free at-home COVID-19 Tests
Free test kits are now available from the federal government. Submit your information here to receive four rapid antigen tests to your home.
Need help applying? Call our office at 773-840-7880.
2. At-Home VaccinationsGet 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!
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. Shots fired on 4700 block of Whipple Rd, Spoke with Neighbors on the Block this Afternoon
At about 12:30p this afternoon the Chicago PoliceDepartment was called for shots fired on the 4700 block of Whipple Rd. The 17th District confirmed a male identified individual was struck in the arm and is reported in stable condition. The 17th District confirmed the involvement of a dark colored SUV and they recovered multiple shell casings.
We canvassed in the area this afternoon to speak with neighbors and nearby businesses on the incident and any further concerns. As we canvassed the area around Lawrence and Whipple we bumped into officer Boone from 17th District CAPS. Please call our office should you have any further questions 773.840.7880.
2. Public Health Alert: Avian Flu, Remove Your Bird Feeders
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is encouraging people to remove their bird feeders and bird baths until May 31st to fight an outbreak of avian flu.
3. 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