In anticipation of the upcoming school year, which begins on August 22nd, I took time this week to visit each school within our ward. It was beautiful to witness the excitement and dedication the school staff holds for all of their students.

2021-22 School Improvements:

1. North River Elementary will begin the school year in their brand new building! This achievement was pursued through community advocacy.
2. Roosevelt High School is preparing for the construction of the $5.8M investment we secured through TIF funding. Roosevelt High School has been serving our community for 100 years and next year they’ll be able to have their first ever home game!
3. Bateman Elementary received a new playground for $250K from Menu Funds through Participatory Budgeting.
4. Hibbard Elementary, Edison Regional Gifted Center, and Albany Park Multicultural Academy (APMA) will start the school year with lots of improvements, such as a new plaza, soccer field, and new branding.

This upcoming school year, we aim to partner with more schools in the ward to strengthen the areas in need.

We wish our teachers, students, and staff a safe, enriching, and successful school year!

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 “Form” on the Neighborhood Services page, and apply here! 

Participatory Budgeting Launch Party, September 12th

On Monday, September 12th, we will be hosting the first-ever PB33 Launch Party! We are so excited to share details of our Participatory Budgeting process for 2023 and hear from our neighbors. This opportunity would allow for you to:

• Submit your ideas for ways to improve your community
• Find out how you can get involved in the committee
• Register to vote in the 2023 cycle of PB33
• Meet your neighbors and the Alderman

Read more about Participatory Budgeting and sign up to get involved here: https://33rdward.org/participatory-budgeting. 

Liquor Moratorium Community Meeting via Zoom, August 30th

Residents of the 33rd ward will have the opportunity to learn about a proposal to bring Circle K into the area and remove the liquor moratorium for this location on Tuesday, August 30th via Zoom. This meeting is for neighbors to learn about this proposal, raise questions, and provide feedback. 

To submit feedback and/or register for the meeting, click here.

Horner Park Renovations Meeting, August 23rd

Roosevelt High School Morning Entry Update, August 22nd

This upcoming school year, Roosevelt High School is changing where students enter each morning from 7:15-7:45 am. The new entrance is located on the northeast corner of the building (Kimball & Leland, south of the field).

This change will increase the efficiency of parents doing drop-offs compared to the previous entry location. As parents and guardians get used to this change, minor traffic delays will happen on Kimball Ave. The 17th precinct of CPD has been notified of this change, and school security will be assisting traffic flow. 

Thank You Tabor Church!

Last Saturday Tabor Church hosted their 5th Annual Back to School Fiesta. Many organizations and volunteers in the ward came together to support students and families. 

A grand total of 438 backpacks and school supplies were given to students! Thank you, Tabor Church, for your dedication and ongoing support to students and families in the ward!

Neighborhood Events

1. Albany Park Lot Jams Concerts, Present-Oct 8th


2. Miko’s Italian Ice Customer Appreciation Block Party August 20th 

3. Avondale Chamber of Commerce New Member Night, August 25th

4. Mini Music Fest, August 27th

5. Avondale Agriculture Fair, August 28th

6. Albany Park Walking Tour, August 31st

You are invited to join your neighbors and fellow Albany Park Chamber members on Wednesday, August 31st at 6PM for a historic neighborhood walking tour of Albany Park. This event is free for Albany Park Chamber members. Click here to become a member today! For non-members, this event is $15.

RSVP with Benji via email bcorpuz@northrivercommission.org or call/text at (312)-860-7884 to receive further information.

7. Albany Park Taco Crawl, September 8th

Youth Opportunities

1. CSBG Scholarship Program, Applications Due August 26th

Business Spotlight: Lebanon Bites

Lebanon Bites is a relatively new restaurant in our ward, and was featured in our Business Spotlight in July. 

A few weeks ago, they lost access to their Facebook page, and had to create a new one. Please follow them on their new Facebook page to stay up to date on their deals and specials. If you would like to visit them in-person, they are located at 4639 N Kedzie! 

Friendship Center Seeking Volunteers

The Friendship Center is a food pantry located at 2711 W Lawrence Ave. In addition to providing groceries and other vital resources every month to over 2,000 folks facing hunger on Chicago’s northwest side, they serve a hot meal once a week, homebound grocery delivery on the weekends, and provide pet food assistance for our four-legged neighbors.

Now that they are fully open and operating, they are seeking additional volunteer support. Some of our volunteers work directly with our neighbors by assisting them in shopping at the pantry. Others work behind the scenes by sorting, shelving, and stocking the donations that come in daily.

To become a volunteer, please follow this link or send an email to volunteers@friendshipcenter.org.  

NAMI Chicago is Hiring!

NAMI Chicago has positions open in Mental Health Services and they are looking for outstanding and dedicated people to join their growing team. Interested candidates can apply online by selecting any of the available positions below:

• Helpline Coordinator
• Helpline Peer Support Specialist
• Helpline Specialist
• Clinical Support Manager
• Mental Health Court Clinical Support Manager
• Controller

Call-A-Lawyer, August 20th

Attorneys with The Chicago Bar Association’s Call-A-Lawyer Program are ready and available to take calls from the public and offer brief legal advice on August 20th from 9am-12pm at (312)-554-2001.

Residents can call in and briefly explain their situation to an attorney who will then work to suggest self-help strategies or provide advice to help resolve their issues. If callers need further legal services or have questions beyond the scope of the attorney’s practice area, they will be advised by the lawyers to utilize their referral system. 

Attorney specialty areas:

• Domestic Relations: Divorce, custody, support, and other family law matters
• Personal Injury: Auto accidents, slip and falls, product liability, wrongful death, malpractice, and other types of injury cases
• Estate Planning: Will and trust drafting, probate, and will contest
• Real Estate: Buying or selling real estate, foreclosure defense and landlord/tenant issues
• Employment Law: Wrongful termination, harassment, and discrimination.

Entrepreneur Financial Webinar, August 23rd

Join the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce and Wintrust Bank for a free webinar to learn how to be “bank ready” when the time comes to apply for a loan to start a business or to make it grow! Learn about the different types of loans, tips on how to spend the money, how your credit affects your access to capital, and much more.

RSVP with Marisabel via email or phone at marisabel@northrivercommission.org or (312)-860-9294.

CTA Virtual Career Fair, August 24th

CTA Human Resources is hosting a Virtual Career Fair for career opportunities in Law, Engineering, and Training & Workforce Development departments on August 24th at 12pm via Zoom. Follow this link to register for this event.

MonkeyPox (MPV) Resources

Since early May 2022, cases of monkeypox has been reported in Europe and North America, where the virus is not usually found. 

The virus is spread through close contact with body fluids, sores, shared bedding or clothing, or respiratory droplets (kissing, coughing, sneezing, etc.). This week, there were 720 documented cases in Chicago. 

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. You are now eligible for 8 MORE free at-home COVID rapid tests!

Residential households in the U.S. are now eligible for 8 free at-home tests on USPS.com.  

2. 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!

3. At-Home Vaccinations Incentive

Through August 30, any Chicagoan age 5 and up is now eligible to receive a $50 gift card for booster COVID vaccine doses (regardless of zip code) via the City’s At-Home vaccination program. 

Per CDC rules, this bonus is only being offered to individuals that have not received more than $100 in COVID vaccine incentives from the City. Incentives will be provided while supplies last.

Click here to schedule your appointment

4. 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