Chicago is now in possession of nearly $2 billion in federal COVID relief funds. How do you think the city should spend this money to ensure that all of our communities can recover?
Along with progressive and socialist colleagues on City Council, I’m advocating for a Chicago Rescue Plan that includes major investments in housing, mental healthcare, childcare, and violence prevention.
Chicago, like almost every major U.S. city, is continuing to see a rise in gun violence in the wake of the pandemic. We need a new approach to public safety, and we need it urgently. One of my top priorities as a policy-maker has been advocating for an evidence-based, public-health approach that expands programs for violence prevention and street intervention–including here in the 33rd Ward. Together with community partners, I’m also pushing for a crisis response system that’s equipped to dispatch paramedics, social workers, and clinicians for mental health and other non-violent emergencies. This model is being implemented successfully by cities around the country, including New York, Albuquerque, Eugene, and Denver.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported this week on a $3.5 million pilot program that will be launched this fall, but we can, and must, invest much, much more in the safety and health of our communities. You can read more about the Chicago Rescue Plan here. Thanks to everyone who has shared their ideas and experiences about how we can move forward together as a city.
In This Week’s Newsletter
- Participatory budgeting
- Horner Park dog park now open
- Small business updates
- Chicago Public Schools news
- Infrastructure and development updates
- Summer markets & concerts in the 33rd Ward – Albany Park pop-up market tonight!
- Rent and mortgage assistance – Tenant application Closes July 18
- July 24 – Ronan Park picnic table painting
- July 25 – Ravenswood Manor garden walk
- July 25 – Splash and Smash at Tabor Church
- Disability & Immigration Survey
- Community bulletin board
Quick Links
Participatory Budgeting 2022
Participatory budgeting for our 2022 cycle is officially underway!
In 2019, we began using participatory budgeting in the 33rd Ward to allow neighbors to propose and decide democratically how they want to spend the $1 million in infrastructure funding allocated to our ward annually. We are one of nine wards citywide that uses this process, which allows any resident of the ward 14 or older to vote.
In the past two cycles, neighbors have come up with some truly creative ideas for projects to enhance the safety, beauty, and functionality of our ward for all of us. We can’t wait to hear your ideas this year! Read on for more details about how to submit them this month.
The Participatory Budgeting committee designs and executes a democratic process where neighbors help determine how $1 million are spent on repairs and upgrades in our Ward’s streets, alleys, parks, gardens, and more!
Our PB committee is now collecting ideas through August 8! Learn more and submit your ideas at http://33rdward.org/participatory-budgeting/.
Horner Park Dog Park Now Open
An exciting update for 33rd Ward dog-lovers this week: The Horner Park dog-friendly area has officially re-opened! After a closure to address glass shards and debris in the soil, the parks are now safe for our four-pawed friends to use again.
Thanks as always to the neighbors who have been organizing for a number of years to make the dog park a reality – we are pleased to continue supporting your efforts!
Small Business Updates
City Hall Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Offices Reopening
Starting on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, all BACP offices are open to limited members of the public. Please be advised that masks are required and social distancing must be maintained at all times. While offices are open to the public, BACP continues to strongly discourage in-person visits.
Business License Renewals
Business owners, please note that overdue business licenses that were not renewed during the pandemic months will be expiring on July 15th! Business owners will have to renew their licenses after this date.
For help with license/permit renewal or application for a new license/ permit, you can contact Marisabel Pozo, Manager of the Chicago Business Center at North River Commission – marisabel@northrivercommission.org | 312-860-9294.
North River Commission’s weekly newsletter has more great resources and reminders for small business owners, including grants, workshops, and more. Subscribe here.
Summer Concerts & Markets in the 33rd Ward
Albany Park Urban Market
Have you checked out our area’s newest pop-up market yet? Join us again tomorrow, this time with food vendors and a DJ!
Markets will be here for the rest of the summer! Here’s when you can catch them:
July
Friday the 16 and 23 – 5pm – 9pm
Saturday the 31st – 11am-3pm
August
Friday the 6th and the 20th – 5pm – 9pm
Saturday the 14th and 28th – 11am-3pm
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.
This week’s Lot Jams was POSTPONED to July 22nd, due to the forecast of rain and thunderstorms. We will see you all next Thursday at the Noon-O-Kabab parking lot for the sounds of Madera Once at 7PM.
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:
A new podcast episode allows families to explore Horner Park while hearing about the area’s wildlife.
Shawn Pfautsch and Jessica Ridenour — a married couple who are a part of Chicago’s theater scene — created the story so people could have fun and learn while touring the park. The audio tour, “The Night Heron,” follows the story’s namesake bird as it investigates the mystery of a strange bird spotted in the park.
The audio story is part of the Chicago Children’s Theatre’s Walkie Talkies podcast series, created to get families to explore the neighborhoods in creative ways.
Chicago Public Schools News
Vaccination Sites
Students ages 12 and up are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine, which is a two-dose vaccine that requires shots to be administered three weeks apart. Students 18 and older are also eligible for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. To ensure our school communities have convenient access to these vaccines, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is expanding its vaccination program.
In partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health and other approved healthcare providers, CPS is converting three school-based staff vaccination sites to specifically support students and families. Beginning the week of July 12, three school-based vaccination sites are available, including one in the 33rd Ward.
- Tuesdays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at Chicago Vocational Career Academy, located at 2100 E. 87th St. in Chicago’s Avalon Park neighborhood.
- Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at Theodore Roosevelt High School, located at 3436 W. Wilson Ave. in Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood.
- Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at Michele Clark High School, located at 5101 W. Harrison St. in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, go to cps.edu/vaccinations.
Virtual Academy – Enroll by July 23
CPS anticipates that a small percentage of children will need to continue learning remotely in the fall due to verified medical needs. To ensure these students receive the high-quality education they deserve, CPS is launching a Virtual Academy to provide a central model of instruction.
To be eligible for the Virtual Academy, students must meet specific medical criteria that is documented by a healthcare provider.
The window to enroll in the CPS Virtual Academy is June 18 – July 23. Families whose children meet the medical criteria for the Virtual Academy can provide the COVID-19 Health Eligibility Form to a licensed medical provider, who must submit the form via virtualenrollment@cps.edu, or fax it to (773) 553-6563, Attn: Virtual Enrollment.
All applications will be approved through the Office of Student Health & Wellness.
Infrastructure and Development
Community-Driven Zoning Update for 3601-3633 N. California
A developer called Lexington Homes has proposed to the city 300+ residential units on the grounds of the former DePaul College Prep site. Please note that this proposal has not reached the community review stage of our zoning and development process. The developer is still in the process of making adjustments according to feedback from the city’s Department of Planning and Development.
*All* zoning applications in the 33rd Ward must go through our community-driven zoning process. Our ward office will not be proposing changes to the Lexington Homes project until the CDZD process is initiated and we receive neighbor feedback. We are aiming to begin this process before the Fall. Neighbors are welcome to contact our office with questions and comments about the project by calling 773.840.7880 or emailing info@33rdward.org.
July 21st No Parking/ Tow Zone on California Ave.
Montrose Ave Bridge Replacement
The Montrose Ave bridge replacement project over the Kennedy Expressway is anticipated to be completed later this Summer 2021. This project is outside of the 33rd Ward but may be relevant to residents. Work this year has focused on construction the north half of the bridge. The south half of the bridge was removed and replaced in 2020. As part of a commitment to the CTA, half of the bridge was left open to pedestrians at all times so the CTA station access would not be eliminated.
- Montrose Ave Bridge Replacement: Full removal and replacement of the bridge structure over I-90/94, in progress through Summer 2021.
- The north half of the bridge deck over the Kennedy & Edens expressway, Blue Line station and the express lanes was completed July 1st.
- The overall Montrose Avenue improvements include removing and replacing the existing bridge and approach pavement, upgrading existing lighting and installing lighting under the bridge and over the CTA station.
- While the bridge is being replaced, Montrose Avenue traffic is detoured to Cicero Avenue (Illinois 50), Irving Park Road and Pulaski Road.
July 24 – Picnic Table Painting Day in Ronan Park
Join us next Saturday to help make our beloved Ronan Park even more beautiful! Our office is collaborating with the River Park Advisory Council, North River Commission, our colleagues in the 40th ward to host a picnic table painting day. Contact mattgoldmusic@gmail.com for more info or to sign up for a volunteer shift.
July 25 – Ravenswood Manor Garden Walk
The Manor Garden walk is Sunday, July 25th from 1-4 pm. It’s the 65th anniversary of this great event!
The garden walk is uniquely “by neighbors and for neighbors”, featuring a wide variety of gardens throughout historic Ravenswood Manor. It’s always a treat to see the personal green spaces and exclusive gardens created by our neighbors who generously open their yards during this annual event.
Maps may be picked up at the pergola in Manor Park.
Garden walk sponsors include the Manor Garden Club and the Ravenswood Manor Improvement Association.
July 25 – Splash and Smash at Tabor Lutheran Church
Looking for a way to stay cool this month? Join our community partners at Tabor Lutheran Church for their 4th annual Splash and Smash, July 25th at noon.
Rent, Mortgage and Utility Assistance
Illinois Rental Assistance Program
If you have unpaid rent and your landlord failed to apply for the state’s rental assistance program during the first period, you can still apply. Tenants have until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 18 to complete their portion of the application.
Apply here. You can also learn more about how to fill out the application at this free webinar offered by North River Commission.
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 Services at 800-831-7949 or email EmergencyAssistance@nhschicago.org.
Disability & Immigration Survey
Are you, or do you know someone who is part of both immigrant and disability communities? The Disability & Immigration Taskforce of Illinois (DITI) has created a survey to evaluate the needs of immigrants with disabilities in Illinois. The deadline to respond is July 26.
We are sharing this information at the request of DITI – while there is information available about immigrant groups and disability groups, it’s very hard to find data about immigrants who are also people with disabilities. The survey covers topics of concern such as housing, personal assistant needs, difficulties with immigration status, and more. The information collected will ONLY be utilized by DITI to determine the needs of immigrants with disabilities and their support persons. The survey is available in five languages, as follows:
Four survey participants will win a $50 Amazon gift card through a drawing. Those interested in the gift card should provide an email or phone number; the contact information would not be used for any purpose except to contact drawing winners. However, participating in the drawing is not required. Again, survey participants should be immigrants with disabilities living in Illinois, or those who serve as support persons to immigrants with disabilities in Illinois.
DITI will use the survey results to create a document about self-reported issues facing immigrants with disabilities in Illinois.
Community Bulletin Board
We use this section to share upcoming events, fundraisers, job openings, and other info sent to us by schools, community groups, and businesses in the ward and nearby.
If you have something you want to include, please send a flyer to newsletter@33rdward.org.
Save the Date: Aug. 7 Bike Ride w/ North Branch Works & Active Trans
Join North Branch Works and Active Trans for a leisurely bike ride on Saturday, Aug. 7th from 10 a.m. to noon. The ride includes tours of the Morton Salt project and the Hideout as well as stops at Guild Row, Rockwell on the River, Green Exchange, and Ravinia Brewing’s new taproom. This is a great way to learn more about local businesses, their plans for re-opening, and how we can support them. Please register here.
Teens in the Park Fest Auditions
Summer Programming at Chicago Public Libraries
August 3 – National Night Out with 19th District
CTA Second Chance Direct Hiring
Link here: https://ctasecondchanceinterest.questionpro.com/
Openings at Blu Commercial Cleaning
Chicago Sports Academy Space Rental
Northwest-Siders for Racial Equity and Justice
A new community group encompassing 33rd Ward residents! To learn more, contact consentdecree4CPD@gmail.com
Oak Street Health – Become a Patient
Woodworking Training Program
Chicago Little League Challengers in Horner Park
The Challenger Division is a division of Little League for boys and girls with physical and mental challenges, ages 4 – 18 (or up to age 22 if still enrolled in high school) to enjoy the game of baseball. In a Challenger game, each player bats and plays the field each inning. No score is kept during Challenger games, but rather the focus is on player interaction and skill development – both physical and interpersonal. Games are played Sunday morning at Horner Park. The goal for the Chicago Little League is to ensure that each player has the opportunity to increase their knowledge and skill of the game while having fun and being part of the team.
After a pause last year, the new season will run June through August.
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