Since Roe V. Wade was overturned last summer, I’ve been leading the charge to make Chicago a sanctuary city for gender-affirming care and reproductive healthcare. Working with my colleagues in the 35th Ward, 47th Ward, 49th Ward, the Legislative Reference Bureau, and the Mayor, we passed the Bodily Autonomy Ordinance last year. Currently, every city agency is revising its policies and procedures to come into compliance with the Bodily Autonomy Ordinance. At the last Council meeting, we passed an ordinance that now makes it illegal for employers and landlords to discriminate against Chicagoans and people coming to Chicago seeking gender-affirming and reproductive healthcare. City agencies such as the Bureau of Labor Standards and Commission of Human Relations have been empowered to investigate cases where retaliation and discrimination have occurred. You can read more about that here at WTTW Chicago Tonight. 

I’m also working to pass an ordinance that will create the Office of Neighborhood Safety also known as the Office o Gun Violence Prevention. While city agencies and partners – from the Department of Public Health, the Chicago Police Department, and Chicago Public Schools – all have individual efforts centered on gun violence prevention and neighborhood safety, no single city agency is collectively overseeing those efforts or explicitly centering the lives of those most impacted by gun violence in conversations around neighborhood safety. This past Thursday, I spoke with Artinese Myrick, the lead Chicago organizer for Livefree Illinois – an organization of social justice-minded faith leaders – who have been leading the charge for the Office of Neighborhood Safety. We hope that we will be having a hearing on this ordinance in the coming weeks. 

I also wanted to provide you with an update about two policy measures I introduced in December and this month related to housing. 

At the City Council meeting on Wednesday, I introduced an ordinance that would connect and merge the North and Northwest Accessory Dwelling Unit Pilot Zone into a single “North” zone. Combining these zones would also mean that the entire 33rd Ward would become eligible for ADUs. 

I’ve heard from so many of you who support granny flats and coach houses and I’ve also heard from so many of you who are just outside the original pilot areas and want to be able to do this. There is clear data that this is a successful pilot and I’m the main co-sponsor of the ordinance to expand ADUs citywide. I remain committed to seeing that effort through, but it remains to be seen if there is the political will to expand the ADU program to everywhere that needs it with this current Council. So while that process of building support throughout the city remains ongoing, I’m pushing this ordinance forward to make sure that the communities I represent that have been crying out for this – communities desperately need affordable housing – because we can’t afford to wait. 

I’ve also been working on an ordinance called Healthy Homes with the Metropolitan Tenants Organization. If you’re not familiar with MTO, they’re a wonderful organization and if you’ve come to my office regarding issues with a landlord, odds are we have referred you to them. The Healthy Homes pilot ordinance would create the first-ever city registry of apartment units and a first-ever apartment inspection program specifically inspecting rental properties for lead, heating, mold control, and sufficient ventilation. Currently, there are no requirements for rental units to be inspected for any of these things. The Healthy Homes pilot would take place in four wards – the 20,22,33, and 49th Wards – and apply to all rental housing units except owner-occupied buildings of six units or less which is the sole property owned by the owner in the City, shared housing (Airbnb), and religious and public facilities. While small landlords would not be required to participate in the program, small landlords who do volunteer to participate would be eligible to receive city funding to make repairs and improvements to their buildings. To learn more, you can read the Healthy Homes Ordinance here or see some recent coverage of the ordinance in outlets like Block Club Chicago. 

If you have any questions about the policy, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at info@33rdward.org. 

In This Week’s Newsletter

Quick Links 

*Want more information on community opportunities and job postings? Check out our Community Bulletin!

Maria Elena Sifuentes Pre-Application Event, TOMORROW

Please note that the event is subject to close earlier once 250 pre-applications have been processed.

This event will take place in the Roosevelt High School Cafeteria located at 3436 W Wilson Ave

Please enter the school from the parking lot through the interior courtyard, to door 25. 

Parking for this event is available in the Roosevelt High School parking lot, you may enter from Leland Ave, west of Kimball Ave. Do not be concerned about the no parking signs, parking has been approved for this event. 

Pre-applications will be accepted in person only, and on a first-come, first-served basis. Up to 250 applications will be accepted, once the pre-application spots have been processed, those pre-applicants will be put on a waitlist and followed up at a later date to continue the application process. 

Please bring with you a valid government issued ID, City Key Card ID is acceptable. Pre-applicants will be subject to a screening process prior to the application process that will view both credit and criminal background.

For questions or more information please contact R&M Property Management at 312-680-5840 or visit https://3559wlawrence.com/ for more information.

Participatory Budgeting 2023 Update

We have extended the voting deadline for PB33! The new deadline to cast your vote is February 3rd. 

You can still vote online if you’re registered or in person at one of our 3 voting locations (33rd Ward Alderman’s Office, Roosevelt High School, and Linne Elementary School). 

Click here to view the projects our volunteers have agreed on.

Public Notice from the Board of Education

The Board of Education of the City of Chicago (“BOE”) has filed an Application for Variation under the requirements of the Chicago Zoning Ordinance with the Zoning Board of Appeals of the City of Chicago (“ZBA”) for the property located at 3436 W. Wilson Avenue (Roosevelt High School, hereinafter the “Property”). 

The BOE is undertaking an exterior renovation and improvement project at the School which will include the repaving and landscaping of the parking area at the northwest corner of the campus and adding a new minimum regulation-size artificial turf sports field with bleachers, scoreboard, lighting, and sports netting along W. Leland Avenue at the northeast portion of the campus.  The new turf field and parking lot improvements are permitted and do not require approval by the ZBA.  

The purpose of the application relates strictly to the 70’ tall light poles and 20’ high sports netting and is required to reduce the required rear setback on West Leland Avenue from 50’ to 0.5’ to allow these improvements.  There are two light poles along W. Leland Avenue at each corner of the new field and the sports netting runs along the entire length of the new field.  The lighting, which will only be used during limited evening practice and game times, will be directed south over the field and won’t disperse into the neighborhood.  The netting is a safety feature and will prevent balls from entering W. Leland Avenue. 

As a result, the requested Variations will greatly improve the usefulness of the field and will benefit the neighborhood as well.  Questions about the project can be directed to Scott R. Borstein at 312 641-7144 (Counsel for the BOE) or to our office at 773-840-7880

Property Tax Assistance

Our community is experiencing a dramatic increase in property taxes and we know this is a catalyst for displacement of long term residents. Today, we met with Commissioner Samantha Steele from the Cook County Board of Review.

Although the filing period has not started we are coordinating pre-filing sessions for assessment value complaints so our neighbors can appeal exorbitant increases in their property tax bill.

In the upcoming weeks, we will  have an appeals event and will host staff from Commissioner Steele’s office to support you with your pre-applications.

You can access the pre-file system using this link.

Early Voting Has Started!

Early Voting for the February 28, 2023 Municipal Election starts today, Thursday, January 26 for the below locations and times.

Now through February 27

Supersite – 191 N. Clark St.

Weekdays: 9:00am- 6:00pm

Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Sunday: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Election Day: 6:00am – 7:00pm (February 28)

*From February 20 through February 27 – Open Weekdays from 9:00am – 7:00pm

From January 26 through February 27 (not open on Election Day)

Board Offices – 69 W. Washington St., 6th Floor

Weekdays: 9:00am- 6:00pm

Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Sunday: 10:00am – 4:00pm

*From February 20 through February 27 – Open Weekdays from 9:00am – 7:00pm

Early Voting in all 50 Wards of Chicago will begin Monday, February 13 and run through February 28, 2023 (Election Day). All 50 Ward Early Voting sites and the Board Supersite (191 N. Clark) will be open as vote centers on Election Day.

The 33rd ward early voting site is American Indian Center at 3401 W. Ainsle St

Area Tree Trimming Update

The update below was given to us from the Bureau of Forestry on the new area tree trimming process:

“Beginning April 2023, the Bureau of Forestry will embark on the well overdue Area Trimming program. Forestry will be trimming every Tuesday (weather permitted) with up to 3 crews in the 33rd Ward. The first area to be trimmed will be Addison to Belmont and California to Kedzie, every tree in this area will be trimmed.  Unfortunate all 2022 trim requests have been purged, but eventually all trees in the ward will be trimmed during his process.”

Neighborhood Events

1. Citywide Briefing Update on Asylum Seekers, January 28th

2. Faith Leaders Town Hall, January 31st

3. Connected Communities Webinar, February 1st

4. Northwest Brewfest, February 4th

Youth Opportunities

1. Spring/Summer Softball & Baseball sign ups for K-12 at Gompers Park

The Gompers Park Athletic Association is a youth baseball and softball league serving Chicago’s Northwest Side for almost 50 years. They have opened registration to their youth softball and baseball teams. For more information, click here.

2. North River Youth Council, Applications Due January 30th

The North River Youth Council is back and active, and accepting applications for the Spring term!

North River Commission is looking for high school students from the 33rd, 35th, 39th, 40th, 45th, and 50th wards who are passionate about community improvement and are seeking ways to become more active in their communities. The North River Youth Council aims to empower young people and magnify their voices on the issues that directly impact them and the neighborhoods they live in. Moreover, the council aims to inform, unite, and mobilize Chicago’s Northwest community to cultivate healthy, safe, and sustainable neighborhoods. 

The North River Youth Council is a paid and in-person program that encourages young people on the Northwest Side of Chicago to become more involved in community organizing and local civics. If you or someone you know is interested in this type of work, encourage them to apply!

For more information or if you have any questions, email the Youth Engagement Organizer at mlopez@northrivercommission.org.

You can find the application here.  Applications are due Monday, January 30th.

3. Girls Who Code Summer Program, Early Application Due February 15th

Girls Who Code: Summer Program Application Now Open!
Girls Who Code is offering a two-week summer immersion program or a 6-week self-paced experience that will allow students an opportunity to learn about computer science in a style that works best for them while making meaningful connections. All high school students who identify as girls or non-binary can apply, and no prior computer science experience is required! Early acceptance applications are due by Wednesday, February 15. The general application deadline is Friday, March 24.

4. CPS Families Child Tax Credit

Chicago Public Schools families may be eligible for up to $3,600 per child through the expanded federal Child Tax Credit program.

To find out if you’re eligible, and to apply for this credit, visit GetCTC.org/chicagops, a simplified tax filing tool that takes just a few minutes to complete and does not require any tax documents. Some families may also be eligible for an additional $1,400 stimulus payment. Families have until mid-November to claim this money. More information can be found on this flier.

Chicago Park District Winter Programs, Now – March 2023

Registration for all Chicago Park District Winter Programs is now open, with lots of availability for recreation, fitness, arts & culture, drop-in programs, and more. Programs range in age group from tots, youth, teens, adults, and seniors.

Most programs start next week, so sign up now to beat the winter blues, stay active, and have fun with the Chicago Park District this winter. Nearby programs with availability include such fun options as:

• Archery at Horner Park, Thu 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM,  January 12 to March 23 (ages 11-16)
• Arts and Crafts at Peterson Park, Mon 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, January 9 to March 20 (ages 6 – 12)
• Color Theory & Oil Painting at Eugene Field, Mon 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM, January 9 – March 20 (age 18 and up)
• Drop-in at Gompers, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, January 10 – March 23 (Ages 6-12)
• Many, many more! 

Visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/winter-programs for full details on Winter programs, and click the special link below to see programs with openings at parks near Albany Park, Irving Park, and North Park! 

Queen of Angels Open House, January 29th

Click here to sign up today.

Composting at your Business or Organization Webinar, January 31st & February 1st

If you’re looking to make your company more eco-friendly in 2023, look no further! Block Bins will be hosting a webinar about bringing composting to your business or organization, with two dates/times to choose from. Whether you’re a restaurant, school, hair salon, nonprofit, small grocery store, office, farmers market, or something else, everyone can reduce their environmental impact through composting! Please check out the links below to register.

DAYTIME SESSION- January 31st, 2 – 3 PM: Click here to register

EVENING SESSION- February 1st, 6:30 – 7:30 PM: Click here to register

Fair Housing Workshop for Tenants, February 8th

Join the North River Commission in partnership with Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance CAFHA and HOPE Fair Housing Center for a FREE tenants workshop to learn about tenants’ protections under state and local laws and how to identify housing discrimination.

When: WEDNESDAY, February 8th at 12 pm
Where: Christ Lutheran Church located at 3253 W Wilson Ave

Light refreshments will be provided. To RSVP email Erika at erika@northrivercommission.org.

Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) Relaunch

IHDA has opened a new round of the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) to help homeowners who continue to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the trends they have identified during the first round of applications, they have doubled the maximum ILHAF grant amount from $30,000 to $60,000! This grant can cover overdue mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and association fees.

To date, ILHAF has provided $32.5 million to help 2,346 Illinois homeowners avoid foreclosure. Doubling their assistance amount to $60,000 will allow for them to help even more homeowners remain in their homes as they navigate inflation fears, changing market conditions, and continue to support the state’s overall recovery from the pandemic.

Households who need help with past-due mortgage payments and related expenses can apply for free assistance at www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org until Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023. If you would like to learn more or share ILHAF information with your communities, you can find a downloadable ILHAF outreach toolkit in both English and Spanish at www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org/toolkit-mortgage.

If you have questions about ILHAF, please call at 1-866-ILHELP-1 (1-866-454-3571) or email them at HAFQuestions@ihda.org.

Business Resources

1. Roosevelt High School Apprenticeship Program

North River Commission is seeking Albany Park businesses to work with our youth. We want to encourage our youth to gain a sense of responsibility while offering an opportunity for hands-on entrepreneurial experience!

If you are interested in mentoring high school students on how to be successful in your respective professional arena, please reach out to Megan Lacey, Youth & Family Organizer, at meganl@northrivercommission.org or 312-718-3819. 

2. How to Write a Business Plan Webinar, February 28th

Do you have a business idea, but don’t know where to start? Are you already a business owner, but are struggling to secure funding? Is your marketing strategy not working, but you don’t know why? Join the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce and Founders First for a three-part webinar series about how to write a business plan. You’ll get all your questions answered, and end the series with a business plan! 

Tuesday, January 28th  at 12 PM – Marketing Plan and Operations Plan- click here to register

Did you miss Session 1: Industry and Market Analysis? Don’t worry, email Catherine at cgeorge@northrivercommission.org for a recording of the webinar and notes. 

3. Plant Chicago Circular Economy Leadership Network Applications Now Open

Plant Chicago, based in Back of the Yards, is recruiting for the 2023 cohort of its Circular Economy Leadership Network. The program is open to any Chicago-based small business, early-stage entrepreneurs, home-based businesses, and independent contractors interested in implementing and establishing circular economy practices. Plant Chicago is accepting applications until Wednesday, February 1st, 2023. For additional information about how to apply, you can learn more here or reach out to Plant Chicago’s Circular Economy & Small Business Manager Elise O’Malley at elise@plantchicago.org. 

4. Business Grant Applications

• Founder’s First Grant — A total of $100,000 will be awarded to 30 businesses in Chicago in the form of cash and full-tuition scholarships to a stellar accelerator.
  • Grant money can be used as growth capital to hire or rehire premium wage jobs.
  • Cash infusion can be used to purchase, fix or enhance equipment necessary to help you manage growth challenges and scale for the future.
  • Founder identifies as one of the following: Latinx, Black, Asian, Women, LGBTQIA+, Military Veteran, or located in a Low to Moderate Income area.
  • TO QUALIFY: Must be located in the state of Illinois and have a current staff of 2-20 employees. Will have the ability to add 1-2+ net new premium wage jobs in the next 12 months. Your company must be a service-based business and at least one revenue stream serving other businesses. Must be a for-profit company with annual revenues between $100K and $3 million.
  • The application deadline is February 4, 2023.  Please email chicago.jobcreators@foundersfirstcdc.org with any questions about the Job Creators Quest Grant.
• Innovations for Healthy Living – Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities funding opportunity
  • Granted by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) as part of the America’s Seed Fund. This opportunity is for eligible SBIR/STTR entities to develop technologies and products that address health disparities while engaging and empowering individuals and communities.
• Upskilling Initiative
  • Provides professional development grants to businesses that serve employees aged fifty (50) and older who are currently earning up to $16 an hour. Training funds will be disbursed in $2,000 increments, pending a guaranteed commitment from the employer of a $1.50 or more per hour wage increase respectively after the training is complete.

• HerRise Micro-Grant
  • Provides financial assistance, with the help of our corporate sponsors and donors, to women of color creating innovative solutions that impact their community and that are often unable to secure funding for their small business. Each month a $500 micro-grant will be awarded to a small business owned by women of color.
  • Small business grants are useful for financing a particular small business need. Past recipients used their growth grants for computers, equipment, marketing materials, software purchase, website creation and more.

For more business grant information please, visit North River Commission’s website.

Employment Opportunities

1. Become A Medical Interpreter Today 

2. CTA’s Second Chance Program

3. Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club is hiring

For a full list of open positions and jobs descriptions click here.

4. St. Mary of Providence is hiring for 2 positions

5. CTA’s Find a Job Fridays

MPox (MonkeyPox) Resources

The MPox virus is spread through close contact with body fluids, sores, shared bedding or clothing, or respiratory droplets (kissing, coughing, sneezing, etc.).

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. 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!

2. Receive Your Updated COVID-19 Vaccine At Home!

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. 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