This Friday started with something unexpected for our 33rd Ward team. Some Avondale neighbors reached out to us about an Amazon delivery locker recently installed in Brands Park. When one of them sent a photo, I did a double-take: the locker was completely blocking the public sidewalk, posing a hazard for parents with strollers, people in wheelchairs, and others. 
We immediately contacted the park and, in this instance, we were told that the locker was installed in the wrong location and will be removed. However, I’m looking further into the contractual relationship between the parks district and Amazon, which has apparently placed dozens of lockers in parks around the city. Our parks and public spaces are intended for the use and enjoyment of our residents, not the profits of giant, anti-union corporations.
This all happened in the space of a few hours, but it highlights something that I love about our community–our 33rd Ward is full of both beautiful public spaces and people who are committed to making them as inclusive as possible. Thank you so much to the neighbors who reached out to raise concerns about accessibility and protecting our public resources.
P.S. While I’m shouting out the Avondale community, check out this great Chicago Tonight segment about the neighborhood! I appreciated the opportunity to voice my support for the great efforts of the Avondale Neighborhood Association (and the WTTW staff union currently negotiating a new contract!)
In This Week’s Newsletter
- Covid-19 updates
- Neighborhood safety update
- Resources for tenants & homeowners
- Small business highlights
- Construction + infrastructure
- Call for volunteers – Avondale neighborhood plan
- Aug. 21: Back to school resource fair
- Aug. 26: Flavors of Albany Park. Tickets now on sale
- Aug. 29: Global Gardens open house
- Summer markets & concerts in the 33rd Ward
- Community bulletin board – click here for more events, job listings, and resources!
Quick Links
Covid-19 Updates
This week, Chicago public health commissioner Allison Arwady briefed aldermen on the city’s response to the highly contagious Delta variant of Covid-19.
The numbers continue to be very concerning. The city has recorded an average of 234 new cases per day during the last seven days, a number that’s continuing to trend upwards. Unlike a number of other major cities, Chicago has not yet instituted an indoor mask mandate, a decision that my fellow alders and I questioned Dr. Arwady about. We were informed that the city will consider this step if cases continue rising — I will continue asking about this issue.
I do want to remind everyone that masks *are* required on public transit and in schools, and they are recommended for all indoor spaces. I frequently ride public transit downtown for Council business, and I frequently see fellow riders going unmasked. Not only is this dangerous for everyone’s health, it’s unfair to the transit workers who are then put in the position of enforcing the mask mandate in addition to their normal jobs. In addition to masking, it’s more important than ever–and easier than ever!– to get vaccinated. There’s now another great option right here in the 33rd Ward: Roosevelt High School at 3436 W Wilson Ave has a walk-up vaccine clinic on Wednesdays from 9AM – 1PM, no appointment, ID, or insurance required.
Let’s take care of ourselves and each other. As always, if you need help getting more information on where to get tested or vaccinated you can call us at 773-840-7880 or email us at info@33rdward.org
Neighborhood Safety Updates
I want to update neighbors on a frightening incident that occurred last Saturday on the 4300 block of N Albany, where a passing vehicle fired shots at another car in which two children were traveling, striking one of them in the neck and another in the leg. The children were transported to Illinois Masonic where they are being treated and are in stable condition. Chicago police detectives from Area 5 are investigating, and we will share any updates that become available.
Later that day, I was able to canvass the block where this incident occurred with the outreach workers from ALSO (Alliance of Local Service Organizations) who began working in our area last year. We were able to connect with the family of the victims, and we will be providing ongoing support as needed. The family kindly gave us an update that the children are in good condition.
This was a terrible event, and it only underscores the urgent need for our city to get serious about addressing the root causes of violence. But we are grateful for the quick response by our violence interruption workers and the community at large, and above all we are grateful that the children are doing well. Thank you to all our neighbors for your concern and solidarity.
Resources for Tenants and Homeowners
Last week, the Biden administration announced that it would extend the federal eviction moratorium for another two months in areas with substantial or high transmission of Covid-19. That currently includes all of Cook County and the city of Chicago.
If you have been served an eviction notice by your landlord or fear that you may, you can use a tool developed by the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Better Housing and Metropolitan Tenants Organization (MTO): https://rentervention.com/. This tool creates an Illinois Moratorium Declaration to protect you and your household from eviction for nonpayment of rent. You can also visit EvictionHelpIllinois.org, or call (855) 631-0811 for free legal aid, landlord-tenant mediation services, and connections to rental assistance programs.
If you know that multiple tenants in your apartment building are at risk of eviction and you are interested in creating a tenants’ union to collectively negotiate with your landlord, you can contact the Autonomous Tenants Union at 773-657-8700 or housing.atu@gmail.com.
Dealing with an old eviction on your record that makes it difficult to find new housing? A new Illinois law makes sealing old eviction records less difficult for tens of thousands of tenants statewide. You can use the website https://rentervention.com/ to help with this process.
Mortgage Assistance Program – Applications Ongoing
The Mortgage Assistance Program, provides assistance to low-to-moderate-income homeowners who have suffered an economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are having difficulty paying their mortgage.
The maximum amount of assistance available is $3,300. Grant amounts awarded will be based on the amount needed to bring your mortgage current.
Please note: Eligible homeowners will have the assistance paid directly to their mortgage servicer. If you received assistance in 2020 you are not eligible for this round of funds.
To be eligible you must:
- Be a resident of the City of Chicago
- Live in the home (single-family up to 4 units) for which you are applying for assistance. It must be your primary place of residence.
- Demonstrate your total household income was 120% or below the Area Median Income (AMI) prior to March 1, 2020. (Click to see table)
- Have a mortgage on your home that was current as of March 1, 2020, and is now delinquent. You may be on a forbearance plan.
- Have experienced a change in your financial status after March 1, 2020, due to the COVID-19 crisis
If you need assistance applying for mortgage assistance, you can also contact Neighborhood Housing Servicesat 800-831-7949 or email EmergencyAssistance@nhschicago.org.
Small Business Updates
Apply for a Back to Business Grant starting Aug. 18th
The State of Illinois’ Back to Business(B2B) Grant Program will open on Wednesday, Aug. 18th.
The program will award a total of $250 million to businesses across the state that experienced losses in 2020.
Grants ranging from $5,000 to $150,000 can be used to cover operational expenses and offset losses due to COVID-19.
Businesses with revenues of $20 million or less in 2019 and a reduction in revenue in 2020 as a result of the pandemic are eligible to apply.
The application portal will open on August 18th. For more information, please go here.
Allies for Community Business will host webinars next week to give businesses more information about the application process.
With questions and for help applying, please contact Steve Simmons, 773-929-5552 x2226, steve@northbranchworks.org
33rd Ward Business Highlights
With an amazing turn around time and friendly staff, Custom Framing is the place to go when you need a print, degree, or other piece framed! Not sure what kind of frame or color you want? The staff are experts and help you every step of the way!
Vintage Grind House has been in the 33rd Ward for just about 3 years now. They are a vintage and antique furnishings & design shop with a huge, eclectic collection of pieces ranging from 1700s Asian imports to 1800s French and Italian Rennaisance, early 1900s Art Deco and Mid century Modern Ole Hollywood Regency Glam to Today’s Designer Furnishings and Home Decor. All of their pieces have been refinished, refurbished and custom upholstered, all done in-house by the owners and incredible staff. They offer something for everyone, including layaway and payment plans!
They are open Wed.- Thursday from 12pm -6pm and Fri- Sunday from 11am – 6pm.
Construction Updates
Summer is construction season, and we know residents want to be able to plan ahead for street closures and parking disruptions. As a periodic reminder, we keep a map of the ward updated with all the information we’ve received to date from city agencies, utility companies, and other project managers. You can check out the construction map here.
You can also use the city’s ChiStreetWork portal, where you can search by address.
Street Resurfacing
West Irving Park Road from North Ravenswood Avenue to North Kolmar Avenue.
Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin on August 23. Bigane Paving Co. is the general contractor for this project and Wight & Company is providing resident engineering services for the Chicago Department of Transportation.
The work will include ADA sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removal and replacement as needed for ADA and drainage compliance, bus pad construction, pavement patching, milling and paving the existing asphalt pavement, and striping.
During construction, temporary “No Parking” signs will be periodically installed as required for each activity listed above. These temporary signs will restrict parking during working hours, while adhering to rush hour restrictions, for the completion of the work. All work on this corridor is scheduled to be completed November 30, 2021.North Sacramento Avenue from North Elston Avenue to North Milwaukee Avenue
Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin on August 16, 2021, pending clearance from and coordination with existing utilities, and weather permitting. Bigane Paving Co. is the general contractor for this project and Wight & Company is providing resident engineering services for the Chicago Department of Transportation.
The work will include ADA sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removal and replacement as needed for ADA and drainage compliance, pedestrian refuge island, pavement patching, milling and paving the existing asphalt pavement, and striping.
During construction, temporary “No Parking” signs will be periodically installed as required for each activity listed above. These temporary signs will restrict parking during working hours, while adhering to rush hour restrictions, for the completion of the work. All work on this corridor is scheduled to be completed October 29, 2021.
New Residential Lighting Construction
A residential lighting project on Campbell from Belmont to Barry will begin in the next few weeks, pending clearance from existing utilities. This work is part of the Chicago Department of Transportation’s Residential Roadway Lighting Improvement Citywide Program. City Lights LTD is the general contractor for this project.
The work will include new underground conduit, cable, new davit arm light poles with piggybacks, foundations, LED fixtures, Smart Lighting Nodes, and streetlight controllers.
During construction, temporary “No Parking” signs will be periodically installed as required for each activity listed above. These temporary signs will restrict parking during working hours, while adhering to rush hour restrictions, for the completion of the work. All work on this project is scheduled to be completed in a few months.
New Bike Lanes on Montrose Ave.
Good news, cyclists: The Montrose Ave. bike lanes that 33rd Ward residents voted for in our most recent participatory budgeting cycle are ready to go! Wishing everyone a fun, safe ride to your destination.
Help Create the Avondale Neighborhood Plan
Avondale Neighborhood Association is looking for a diverse group of community stakeholders to serve on their CMAP steering committee to create an Avondale Community Plan!
The Project will be completed over 24 months and it is crucial the same team is available over this time frame for the success of our Neighborhood Plan.
Interested in learning more? Complete this survey.
Aug. 26: Flavors of Albany Park
We are excited to bring back Flavors of Albany Park on Thursday, August 26th, and support our diverse local restaurants. Tickets are now on sale!
For more information and to purchase tickets starting on Eventbrite: flavors2021.eventbrite.com
Experience the diverse, international cultures, and cuisines by tasting the delicious “Flavors of Albany Park” at our neighborhood restaurant crawl on Thursday, August 26th, from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm. Albany Park is “Chicago’s Gateway to the World” reflected by the diverse ethnic cuisines from 40+ participating restaurants. Restaurants will offer a sample of their food, a sweet treat, or a unique drink to all attendees.
Flavors of Albany Park explores THREE routes, 40+ restaurants!
1) Lawrence / Kimball
2) Kedzie
3) Montrose
Safety considerations: Flavors of Albany Park is an outdoor event, but we encourage you to bring your masks. You may need them for waiting in a short line or when you step inside a restaurant to pick up your sample. All together, Flavors will follow CDC, Chicago Department of Public Health, and Illinois Department of Public Health COVID19 guidelines.
Aug. 21: Back to School Resource Fair
Save the date for our back-to-school resource fair at Avondale-Logandale School! We’ll have free backpacks, Covid-19 vaccines and flu shots, food, and more.
Aug. 29: Global Gardens Open House
Global Garden Refugee Training Farm will be hosting a summer open house at the farm on on Sunday, August 29th from 4-6 PM! Neighbors are invited to connect with your neighbors and learn more about this wonderful project. This event is open to the public, but donations are encouraged! RSVP Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/…/ggrtf-summer-open-house… Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/1dep64pQ5
Summer Concerts & Markets in the 33rd Ward
Have you checked out our area’s newest pop-up market yet? Join us again tomorrow at 4433 N Kedzie! Last week we had a great time doing some free zumba, and this week will be a free yoga session! Bring your own mat.
Night Out in the Parks
This great tradition has returned for 2021! We compiled a list of the events in the 33rd Ward–including at Brands, River, and Horner Park–here. Check out the full list of events at www.nightoutintheparks.com.
Lot Jams
Join us this summer for evenings of free, family-friendly entertainment in our community. Mark your calendars and check back for more details soon! ALL SHOWS take place between 7:00pm-9:00pm. Thanks as always to the North River Commission for coordinating this great series of events, and to our local businesses for hosting. Find more info on the line-up here.
Next lot jams is this Thursday, Aug. 5!
Farmer’s Markets
The Horner Park Farmers Market has now kicked off its 7th season! The market will be at the corner of California and Montrose every Saturday, open from 9:00am-1:00pm. Come by for fresh produce, baked goods, coffee, meat, live music and more! For more information, check out the Facebook page, follow them on Twitter and on Instagram, or go to the webpage. The HPFM is every Saturday morning through October 2.
While you’re there, explore the flora and fauna of Horner Park with a great audio tour for families! From Block Club Chicago:
Monday: 12:00 PM – 7 PM
Tues – Thurs: 10 AM – 5 PM
Friday: 9 AM – 4PM
️E-mail info@33rdward.org anytime for service requests or general queries
️ Call us at 773-840-7880 during business hours
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter
Check out our ward website for info on services and events: https://www.33rdward.org/
Best,
Rossana Rodriguez