Update on fires in Albany Park on February 21st and 23rd
Watch the Alderwoman’s Facebook live video addressing the fires in detail!
Neighbors- unfortunately, there were a few devastating fires that destroyed a residential building at 4337-39 N Richmond St, two beloved small businesses, and a vacant church on Sunnyside and Spaulding this past week.
Below, we describe what happened and how neighbors and the 33rd Ward office took action to support one another. We are so proud and moved by the kindness and solidarity our neighbors continue to show in times of difficulty.
WHAT HAPPENED?
On February 21st: A fire burned down a residential building at 4337-39 N Richmond St and left many neighbors displaced, one in critical condition, and consumed two businesses: Twisted Hippo and Ultimate Ninjas. We want to deeply thank our first responders, especially the fire fighters from the Chicago Fire Department and all the workers on the scene for their fast and hard work addressing the fire. CFD is conducting an investigation, and we are awaiting their report and determination as to the cause of the fire. We do not have an estimate for when that investigation will be completed.
For displaced neighbors: The 33rd Ward Office was able to contact almost every resident. Most residents were transported by the Red Cross and put in hotels for the week. We are in touch with DFSS, Rincon Family Services, and The Kedzie Center to ensure that we have resources available to address the trauma caused by this devastating situation. We have also spoken to a nearby building owner who offered to help relocate the displaced people so they can remain in our community.
Please donate to help our neighbors! This GoFund Me was created by the wonderful Pastor Tom at Christ Lutheran, and donations are also being collected and distributed by Albany Park Mutual Aid, who you can reach at: apmutualaid@gmail.com or (312)854-9741.
Know any displaced neighbors? Contact us at info@33rdward.org for assistance.
For Ultimate Ninjas and Twisted Hippo: Please donate to help them recuperate! Fundraiser for Ultimate Ninjas here, and Twisted Hippo here.
Read below under “Housing Support” for a longer statement on the owner of the 4337-39 N Richmond St buildings, Gary Carlson.
On February 23rd: There was fire at a vacant church located on Sunnyside and Spaulding. We spoke with a Department Chief on the scene who let us know it will be under investigation and reported no individuals harmed or injured. No pattern has been identified between this incident and the fires prior on February 21st. We are in communication with the commanding Fire Marshall from the Office of Fire Investigations and will remain informed on all subsequent updates.
In This Week’s Newsletter
- Affordable Housing Development Being Built- The Maria Elena Sifuentes: Home is Healing Apartments!
- Annual Toiletry Drive Benefitting Justice-Involved Women ends THIS MONDAY, February 28th!
- TOMORROW! Monthly Neighborhood Blood Drive at Christ Lutheran Church on February 26th
- Black History Month High School Essay Contest: Due February DUE MONDAY, February 28th!
- Housing Support
- Chicago LSC elections
- Horner Park Farmers Market: Apply by April 1
- Spotlight: Local Restaurants
- Covid-19 Updates
- Community Safety Updates
Quick Links
Affordable Housing Development Being Built- The Maria Elena Sifuentes: Home is Healing Apartments!
We are excited to finally see this affordable housing development be built! This was our first planned development through our Community Driven Zoning Process. Thank you to all of our community partners who are dedicated to affordable housing options for working class neighbors.
Proposed affordable housing development at 3557 W. Lawrence Ave.
Photo from the groundbreaking of Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez
Annual Toiletry Drive Benefitting Justice-Involved Women ends THIS MONDAY, February 28th!
Please support justice-involved women’s health with this toiletry drive- all women deserve to be healthy and safe. The Women’s jail says they are specifically in need of white socks and washcloth towels.
The 33rd Ward Office is one drop off location: 3001 W. Irving Park Rd.
TOMORROW! Monthly Neighborhood Blood Drive at Christ Lutheran Church on February 26th
When: Saturday, February 26, 9am-2pm. | Enter at the side door at 4541 N Spaulding Ave. Pre-register to reserve a time slot. Walk-ins are also welcome!
Black History Month High School Essay Contest: Due February DUE MONDAY, February 28th!
Happy Black History Month!
Every February, we take time to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Black people in this country. As we witness our Black neighbors and friends continue to make history, break barriers, and create beauty, we stand in support and awe.
In celebration, we wanted to share that the annual 2022 Black History Month High School Essay Contest from Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin is now accepting submissions!
Two Chicago Public School High School seniors will win a scholarship up to $1,500 to help finance their college expenses. The deadline to submit is February 28, 2022.
Housing Support
Statement on building owner Gary Carlson and the fire at 4337-39 N Richmond St
We want to acknowledge the rightful long standing community frustration with one building owner, Mr. Carlson, who owns 4335-39 N Richmond and dozens of other properties.
These buildings have long been a concern, and we’ve taken action to see all relevant codes and laws enforced. For more than a year, my office has been working with the city’s law department, Chicago Police Department, Department of Buildings, Chicago Department of Housing, and the Chicago Housing Authority to address the owner’s problem buildings. This includes identifying buildings that are unsafe or have had verified criminal activity in the past. There are a number of buildings of his currently in administrative hearings, and my office is working closely with the attorneys responsible for handling his cases to make sure that issues are investigated and addressed.
After a push from my office and the neighboring 35th Ward office, where we brought all relevant city departments together to hold the owner accountable for his buildings, he has been forced by court to make repairs to his properties to comply with city code. We will continue to work with the city to ensure compliance from this owner and any other landlords who are not complying with city code.
CFD’s investigation will help to inform our next steps; we will share all relevant information with you when it’s available.
*At minute 16 of the Facebook Live video posted, the Alderwoman addresses this in detail.
Extension of Department of Family and Support Services Rental Program
Eviction Support for Tenants
The state’s eviction moratorium ended October 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Chicago Local School Council Elections
Apply by March 4th to be a candidate!
CPS Local School Council (LSC) elections are coming up soon! Whether you’re a parent, teacher or community member, this is a great way to get involved in your local school community. This year, the deadline to submit an application to run as a candidate is 3 p.m. Friday, March 4th.
Learn more about LSC responsibilities and how to apply here.
Read more about LSC’s on our website.
LSC members are elected every two years by parents, community members and school staff. Members serve two-year terms, with the exception of student representatives, who serve one-year terms.
*New this year: students in sixth grade and up may now run for a seat on LSCs!
*Interested in being an LSC Election Judge? You can be paid $250 per workday! Apply here.
Horner Park Farmers Market: Apply to participate by April 1st!
Are you a farmer or food vendor? Join the Horner Park Farmers Market for their 8th season! Check out the 2022 Market Guidelines, 2022 Market Application, and 2022 Market Application for Business/Nonprofit to get started!
Details:
- Location: Horner Park, 2741 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL 60618 (Horner Park is a Chicago Park District park). Map
- Dates: Saturdays, June 4 through October 1, with a possible extension through October 22.
- Hours: 7:30am-9am setup, 9am-1pm open, 1pm-2pm takedown.
- Fees:
- $35 application fee (non-refundable). Payable via check or via PayPal.
- $30 per date for a space of approximately 11’x11’, fitting a 10’x10’ canopy; $10 for each additional adjacent space, up to 3 total spaces ($30 for 1 space, $40 for 2 adjacent spaces, $50 for 3 adjacent spaces).
- Vendors who pay for the entire 2022 regular season of 18 markets prior to the first market will receive a discount of two free markets, paying for 16 markets instead of all 18.
- Deadline: Applications are due by April 1 for first consideration — apply today!
Spotlight: Local Restaurants
Congratulations to…
Parachute
They made the list of Outstanding Restaurants for the Beard foundation! Enjoy some takeout this weekend!
Something Sweet
Something Sweet, our beloved community cafe and donut shop, made it to the list of 10 best donut places in Chicago! We are so lucky to have them in our ward. Go get some donuts!
Covid-19 Updates
KN95 Mask Delivery for Seniors by the 33rd Ward Sage Brigade
Need a mask? Please submit your information and a volunteer will contact you.
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. Unfortunately, there is a limit of one order per household.
Need help applying? Call our office at 773-840-7880.
Report Complaints for Pop-up Testing Sites
Block Club Chicago has been reporting on a chain of pop-up testing sites, The Center for Covid Control, which is now closed amidst a state investigation. The chain reportedly lied to customers about test results and other extremely serious problems.
The office of the Attorney General urges residents to exercise caution before visiting any testing site. Read the full consumer alert here. It is recommended that residents first try to utilize a state-sponsored testing site. For information on COVID-19 testing in Chicago, go to Chicago.gov/covidtesting.
Complaints related to COVID-19 testing sites may be filed with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s Office. Click here to file a complaint or call the AG’s consumer fraud hotline at 1-800-386-5438.
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!
CPS Vaccination Events
Find your student a COVID-19 vaccine appointment this week through CPS:
– Sign up for weekly COVID testing at CPS
Other Vaccination Events
Booster doses for everyone 16 years and older are now available at all CDPH clinics and even at home! Getting boosted helps keep you and your family protected from the virus. Make a plan for your family at chi.gov/covidvax.
Some easy, nearby options for all 33rd Ward residents age 5 and up to get vaccinated include:
Theodore Roosevelt High School
3436 W Wilson Ave
Mondays-Wednesdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Anyone 5+ Pfizer
Also 18+ Johnson & Johnson
Walk-ins welcome, appointments can be made online. Click this link to IDPH registration
Additional information available on the CPS COVID vaccination page.
Swedish Hospital: Walk-In’s Welcome
Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Please note: The Vaccine Clinic has moved to the Professional Plaza, 2740 W. Foster Ave. Suite 108 (building directly across from our Emergency Department).www.swedishcovenant.org/covid/covid-19-vaccine
Get tested: Anyone, including people who are fully vaccinated, should consider getting tested before joining indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household. Find testing locations here.
Community Safety Updates
Violence Prevention Grants Available
Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICIJIA) has opened grant opportunities for organizations of various sizes to fund violence prevention work. Select communities are eligible to apply for the grant. To read through eligibility visit this link.
17th District CAPS Meeting Virtual
The 17th District has resumed beat meetings virtually.
Beat meetings are a resource for neighbors to get the latest update on occurrences of crime and other related activities in the ward. Our office and neighboring ward offices attend these meetings regularly and provide additional news related to ward activities. See below for a full calendar of 17th District 2022 beat meetings.
Beat 1711 and 1712 meeting link.
Beat 1713 and 1724 meeting link
Beat 1722 and 1723 meeting link
Beat 1732 and 1733 meeting link
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. 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
Utility Scammers
We want to keep reminding neighbors not to let anyone into their homes unless they explicitly requested someone from a utility company to come out. There was an instance where a neighbor had a fake utility worker ask to access his home and the worker came in, pretended to provide a service, and stole several items of value and money. The family did not realize that they were being robbed until after the fact which goes to show how sneaky these individuals can be.
ComEd will never call or come to your home or business to:
- Sell you electricity
- Ask for your account number
- Ask you to make a direct payment with a prepaid cash card, cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, or third-party electronic banking app such as Cash App, Zelle, QuickPay or Venmo
- Ask for your personal information such as Social Security number, Tax ID, or bank information
Please be aware of potential email and web scams:
- Carefully review messages originating from outside your organization’s network
- Check the name of the sender and business in the email and make sure it matches the name and business in the email address. Look for misspellings and zeros in place of the letter O.
- Do you recognize the sender? Don’t hesitate to make a phone call to verify a message is being sent from a trusted source. Use a phone number from your own records or the company’s official website and not the number provided in the email.
- Confirm the contents of the email look legitimate especially when a request can have financial impacts, such as transferring money
- Hover over website links before clicking to confirm legitimacy of the site
If at any time you are uncomfortable, or you feel you are experiencing suspicious behavior, call ComEd immediately at 800-EDISON1.
Opportunities for Local Small Businesses
Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) Grants Available: Applications Open March 1st-31st
The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and SomerCor is rolling out the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) grant program for applications in March!
- Lawrence/Kedzie, North Park and Albany Park
Applications open: 9 a.m., Tuesday, March 1stApplications close: 5 p.m., Thursday, March 31st
The SBIF program uses revenue from TIF districts to help owners of commercial and industrial properties to repair or remodel their facilities for their own business or on behalf of tenants. Tenant businesses are also eligible to apply on their own. Program participants can receive grants for 30 to 90 percent of project costs, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grants are administered by SomerCor on the City’s behalf and do not have to be repaid.
Please note that residential projects are not eligible for the SBIF program, and residential developers should not apply.
Interested? Attend DPD’s Webinar: March 2nd at 1p.m.
DPD and SomerCor will host an informational webinar to review program requirements and the application process, including an overview of program changes adopted by City Council under Mayor Lightfoot.
SBIF Informational Webinar
1 p.m. Wednesday, March 2 | Register
For additional information, visit www.chicago.gov/sbif.
Chicago Recovery Grants Available: Due March 10th
Chicago Recovery Plan community development grants are being made available to Chicago entrepreneurs, small businesses and developers. You can learn more about the Chicago Recovery Grant here. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until March 10th.
Tax Season
Free Tax Prep Help
The City’s Tax Prep Chicago free income tax preparation and assistance program is back, offering expanded in-person, drop-off, and by-appointment services at eight locations across Chicago starting as early as January 24.
Eligible Chicagoans could receive up to $7628 from the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits alone, in addition to other credits. But many people may not claim all the credits they deserve without the help of knowledgeable preparers.
Families earning up to $58,000 and individuals earning up to $32,000 are eligible to take advantage of the free and confidential Tax Prep assistance at eight sites across Chicago. Volunteer tax preparers certified through IRS-approved training will assist them with federal and state income tax returns.
For more information about how to access the free tax assistance program, Chicagoans can visit the City’s tax assistance website at www.TaxPrepChicago.org or call (312) 588-6900 to schedule an appointment.
Free Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic
Winter Weather Preparations
Snow Shoveling
Is a business or multi-unit building not clearing the sidewalk? You can call our office, or submit an “uncleared sidewalk complaint” by calling 311 or online “Snow – Uncleared Sidewalk or Bike Lane Request”.
Do you need help shoveling? If you are a neighbor who is physically unable to shovel snow and are in need of support, or if you would like to volunteer to help your neighbors clear their sidewalks, you can sign up here.City Warming Centers When temperatures are at 32 degrees or below – warming areas are available at the City’s six community service centers. View locations and more information here.Schedule: 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.
Need help heating your home? Bill payment assistance is available through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Share the Warmth program.
Interested? Peoples Gas customers can call the Community Economic Development Association (CEDA) at 800-571-2332, or go to cedaorg.net.
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.
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. Homeowners can call the Department of Housing’s customer service line at 312.744.3653 for more information.
More Resources for Residents
Utility Billing Relief
Utility Billing Relief (UBR) provides low-income City of Chicago residents with a reduced rate on their water, sewer, and water-sewer tax as well as debt relief for those who demonstrate they can manage the reduced rate bills for one year. Benefits for UBR participants include:
- A reduced rate on water, sewer, and water-sewer tax.
- No late payment penalties or debt collection activity including water shut-off.
- Debt forgiveness after successfully completing one year with no past-due balance.
To learn more and apply, visit https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/provdrs/utility_billing/svcs/utility-bill-relief-program.html
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