I hope you and your family had a safe and restful holiday! In addition to spending time with family, I was able to go out and get my Covid-19 booster shot, which the Centers for Disease Control now recommends for all adults six months after their initial vaccine series. 

Cases in Illinois have been rising this fall faster than during the Delta variant surge this summer. We are still waiting to see what impact Thanksgiving travel and the new Omnicron variant may have, but the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community remains the same: get vaccinated and get everyone in your family age 5 and over vaccinated.

Appointments are plentiful at many pharmacies and healthcare facilities citywide, but you can also get vaccinated (and get up to $100) right in your own home: the City is expanding its in-home program and will be offering appointments daily from 8AM – 6:30PM. Call 312-746-4835 to make your appointment. 

P.S. I want to spend a special thank you to El Alebrije Mexican Restaurant & Bar for their donation of meals that we were able to distribute to houseless residents of our ward last week. As always, I’m grateful for the incredible care our community shows to each other. 

In This Week’s Newsletter

Quick Links 

PB Voting Extended

We are extending voting in this year’s 33rd Ward participatory budgeting process through Dec. 17!  Sign up to vote online.

You can also access our paper ballot here and drop it off at our ward office during business hours or at Dulce de Leche cafe (3441 W Lawrence Ave.) Or stop by our next community voting event at our office (3001 W Irving Park) on Monday, Dec. 13 from 5 – 7 PM. 

Community-proposed projects on the ballot for funding this cycle include: 

• Kedzie Public Gathering Space

This project will be an introduction to a larger streetscape project or “Gateway to Albany Park.” Ideas for this space include, public single seats, paving of a portion of the grass, expanding the curb, public art, and repair or removal of old decorative street lights. The design will be developed  in collaboration with neighbors, local groups, and businesses.Estimated Cost: $25,000

• Safety Net at Cleveland Elementary Soccer Field

A net surrounding the soccer field to prevent balls from flying into the street and objects from outside the school from landing on the fieldEstimated Cost: $16,000

• Nature Play Space for Bateman Elementary School

A nature play space at Bateman would be a dream come true for the school, parents, and students. Bateman’s community is working collaboratively to design natural play and learning areas for the children. These funds would help make this proposal feasible and allow them to give their students a new and educational play area.Estimated Cost: $75,000

• Left Turn Arrow Upgrades at California & Diversey

This intersection is next to the Kennedy Expressway and has left turn arrows on two of the four lights. This price will only fund one arrow, which will be installed either on California heading south or Diversey heading east depending on the results of a traffic study, making it safer for all drivers passing through this intersectionEstimated Cost: $74,000

• Repaving Sidewalks of Physically Disabled/Elderly Residents

The City of Chicago makes residents pay for sidewalk repairs unless they are small repairs. Every year, the ward is only able to fund a handful of sidewalks for residents who are physically disabled/elderly. This ballot item would allow us to repair three to five additional sidewalks.Estimated Cost: $50,000

• Stamped Crosswalks

Stamped crosswalks are crosswalks that are painted and stamped with a red brick-like pattern. This will improve the visibility of the crosswalk making it safer for pedestrians to cross. This proposal would allow the installation of approximately three crosswalks near a school, park, and/or commercial corridor. The decision on where these will go will be determined after a CDOT traffic study.Estimated Cost: $60,000

•  Picnic Tables at California Park

With the completion of the bike path, the use of the ADA softball field and the planned repair and reopening of the pool house next year, more outdoor seating is needed in this area. This proposal includes new pool tables with umbrellas as well as picnic tables outside of the pool area, and ADA accessible picnic tables near the softball field to create pleasant gathering spots for all. Estimated Cost: $15,000

• Benches and Repair of the Dolphin Statue at Brands Park 

Installation of new benches will provide a comfortable space for neighbors to better enjoy this highly used park. In the entire park, there are only two old wooden benches and a playground bench. Funds will also go toward repairing the much beloved dolphin statue in front of the Fieldhouse so that this esteemed creature may continue to brighten everyone’s day for years to come.Estimated Cost: $24,000 

• Tennis Court Resurfacing at Brands Park

Repair and resurfacing two tennis courts with pickleball lines. The current courts are in poor condition, making them difficult to use for their intended purpose. This project will improve the community’s use and enjoyment of these busy neighborhood courts. Estimated Cost: $60,000 

• Playground Upgrades at West River Park

This little playlot is in need of some love. Funds will be used for playground improvements to create a better play experience for families coming for soccer events with little ones and neighbors alike. $250,000

• Trees Planting Around the Ward

Recognizing the importance of trees to both beautify our neighborhoods and protect against climate change, funds will go toward planting birch trees in LaPointe Park as well as 25 new trees along Lawrence Ave, Montrose and Irving Park. $25,000 

• Drake Garden Food Pantry Structure  

During the pandemic, neighbors came together to create a food pantry out of a plastic shed at the Drake Garden. This proposal would fund the creation of a permanent structure to hold food pantry items, serve as a shed for neighbors and volunteers to store tools & supplies, and house a fold-out stand to hold small event sales.$25,000 

Community Safety Updates

The police are actively investigating two incidents in the ward last weekend. If you have any video footage or other information you can share, please contact the 17th district directly at CAPS.017District@chicagopolice.org. Below is the information our office has at present.

At about 4:30 AM Sunday morning, a 60-year-old male was shot in the back and arm while he was driving at Addison and Whipple. We spoke with his family member who informed us he is being treated for these injuries at Illinois Masonic and is in stable condition. His relative also wanted us to reiterate the importance of individuals sharing any video footage with the police they may have to help with the investigation. The victim identified a White BMW at the scene but the Police are still gathering evidence.

At about 11:15PM on Sunday, a female victim sustained a gunshot wound behind her ear after she heard shots while driving  near Sacramento and School. She is in stable condition as well. There is no further information on where the shots came from. 

As always, I am in close communication with the 17th District and Area 5 and will provide updates as we receive them. Our office continues to advocate for violence prevention resources for our Ward so that our communities can be equipped with the tools we need to keep incidents of gun violence from taking place. We are not alone in this struggle so we ask neighbors to stay engaged with one another and with our office because we can only begin to tackle these issues together. As a mother and your neighbor, I am with you in this fight.

Please feel free to contact us at info@33rdward.org or call at 773.840.7880 with further questions.

Advocating for Violence Prevention in the 33rd Ward

When faced with violence in our community, our office makes use of all available tools. But there’s a dire need for more resources to prevent violence and address its root causes. 

Thanks to the advocacy of community organizations citywide, the City of Chicago next year will invest $85 million from federal COVID-19 relief funding into violence prevention initiatives.

Here in the 33rd Ward, we have been working with neighbors and community partners to support expand critical violence prevention work—including ALSO, which expanded its street outreach program into our community just last year, and Israel’s Gifts of Hope, which supports families in our community who have been impacted by violence.

Consistent funding and resources are critical for this work. Please join us in urging the city to include our neighborhoods in violence prevention funding by signing this petition.

33rd Ward Holiday Pop-Ups

This holiday season, find unique gift ideas for your loved ones and support our local artists and businesses by visiting our special holiday pop-up shops! 

Urban Market (4730 N. Kimball Ave) Hours: Thurs-Fri 4p-9p, Sat 11a-6p, Sun 11a-5p, and Mon-Wed by appointment only Bonus: Workshops for children will be offered starting next Thursday (12/9) evening – stay tuned for more dates!

Fine Arts & Goods (4747 N Sawyer) Hours: Fridays 2pm-7pm, Saturdays 11am-6pm, and Sundays 12pm-5pm & by appointment Open through December 23rd Special Holiday Train Hours: Wednesday 12/1: 3pm-6pm; Thursday 12/2: 3:45pm-6:45pm; Friday 12/3: 3pm-6pm, and Saturday 12/4: 12:45pm-5pm

After School Special: Tuesday 12/7 1:30-7p (% of sales will be donated to local schools) Pop Art + Modern Design (4637 N Kedzie Ave) Hours: Fridays 3pm-7pm, Saturdays 11am-6pm, and Sundays 12pm-5pm

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Front Porch Christmas Toy Drive

December 11th is Front Porch Christmas on the 3800 block of N Sacramento. We are collecting donations of unwrapped toys for this event at our office at 3001 W Irving Park Rd up until the event. Our hours are: Mondays: 12pm-7pm Tues-Thurs: 10am-5pm Fridays: 9am-4pm Last year, they handed out toys to 500 children! Let’s help make this Christmas event extra special. 

Dec. 4: Bateman Craft Fair

Save the date for Bateman Elementary School’s Winter Craft Sale on December 4! 

They are looking for artisans and vendors to participate. If interested, please use the application here to sign up before November 29. 

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New Rental Assistance Program Opens Dec. 6

The llinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced that it will now be opening its rental assistance application process on December 6. If your household or your tenant has experienced hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for rental assistance through IHDA or IDHS. To see eligibility requirements and for the latest updates on the new program launching Dec 6, you can visit illinoisrentalassistance.org.

33rd Ward Crossing Guards Needed

We have six vacant spots in our Ward — that’s six intersections where our local families are at risk of being in an accident when crossing the street. CPS is quickly hiring and training new applicants but we need many more applicants still. Please spread the word to anyone you know who may be looking for part-time employment. Visit cps.edu/careers to apply.

Winter Weather Preparations

It’s getting colder outside! See below for tips about staying warm this winter and keeping heating bills lower.

Higher Gas Bills Anticipated This Winter As we head into winter, Peoples Gas is informing customers that their heating bills will likely rise as the temperatures fall due the price of natural gas, which has more than doubled this year. The increase is due mainly to tight supplies and a worldwide increase in demand for natural gas. An analysis done by Peoples Gas predicts the typical residential customer will pay $60 more a month this winter compared to last winter.  

In order to help customers in the greatest need, bill payment assistance is available through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Share the Warmth program. To see if they are eligible and apply, Peoples Gas customers can call the Community Economic Development Association (CEDA) at 800-571-2332, or go to cedarorg.net. Peoples Gas will also work with any customer to arrange a payment plan that best fits their needs, and to set up Budget Billing that keeps bills stable from month to month. Customers can call Peoples Gas or go to peoplesgasdelivery.com to discuss options.  

Customers can take steps to manage their energy use by turning down their thermostats, using programmable thermostats, sealing gaps around windows and doors, and scheduling an annual furnace tuneup. Peoples Gas also offers free energy efficiency consultations. For more low and no cost energy-saving tips, go to peoplesgasdelivery.com/savings. Residents who purchase an Energy Star smart thermostat through December 31, 2021 can receive a $100 rebate from ComEd. For more information on receiving this rebate, go to the ComEd Smart Thermostat Rebates page.   Click here to read more about your rights as a utility customer and ways to save on heating costs this winter courtesy of the Citizens Utility Board.

Chicago Residential Heat Ordinance Chicago’s Heat Ordinance requires that buildings keep residential units at or above 66 degrees overnight (8 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and 68 degrees during the day (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Violations of the heat ordinance are taken very seriously. Please call 311 to file a complaint and arrange for an inspector to investigate. 

City Warming Centers When temperatures are at 32 degrees or below – warming areas are available at the City’s six community service centers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. City-operated libraries and park facilities also may activate warming areas, if needed, including during evening hours, weekends and holidays. View locations and more information here.

Emergency Heating Repair Program  The Chicago Department of Housing (DOH) Emergency Heating Repair Program provides a grant up to $24,999 to low-moderate income, owner-occupied residential building of one to four (1-4) units. Interested homeowners can download an application package through April 1, 2022 at www.chicago.gov/ehrp. Funding is limited and available on a first-come-first-service basis. Homeowners can call the Department of Housing’s customer service line at 312.744.3653 for more information.

Resources for Residents

Eviction Support for Tenants

The eviction moratorium entered by Governor Pritzker is scheduled to end this Sunday, Oct. 3rd. The City of Chicago Department of Housing is working to support Chicagoans who will no longer be protected by the moratorium. Even though the eviction moratorium is coming to a close, there is help, both legal and financial, to keep residents in their homes.

Here are some key things to remember when facing an eviction.

1. Don’t self-evict. A notice of eviction from your landlord does not mean you need to leave your home right away. Only the Sheriff can legally remove you from your home.
2. Get legal help. Free legal assistance is available to Chicago renters. Go to www.Rentervention.com , which is provided by the Lawyers Committee for Better Housing, a Department of Housing delegate agency.
3. Get financial help. The Department of Housing maintains a current list of places residents can apply for emergency rental assistance at Chicago.gov/RentHelp.

 You can find more details on renters’ rights and other resources at Chicago.gov/Eviction.

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.

Free Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic

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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