Today’s community vaccination clinic and grocery giveaway today was a huge success! Thanks to Heartland Health Clinics, Revolution Brewing, Centro Romero, Lakeview Pantry for providing groceries, Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa for co-hosting with us, and the dozens of neighbors who volunteered to make the event run smoothly. If you or someone you know needs a vaccine, there are lots of convenient options near our ward. You can find a list of nearby locations and hours here, or call our office for help.
This evening, we’re excited to help inaugurate a new tradition here in the 33rd Ward. Join us for a new, pop-up urban market in Albany Park featuring unique clothing, art, and other pieces by local vendors. This event was coordinated by Ada Garcia, the owner of Anchor Baby Vintage (4432 N Kedzie), who wanted to put together that would make use of our public space for a fun, community-centered market for neighbors to enjoy. Huge thanks to Ada for her vision and initiative!
Finally, on Monday, our office will be fully re-opening. While we’ve been serving residents by appointment, we are now open for walk-ins during business hours. Stop by and see us!
P.S., Tomorrow is Juneteenth, and this is the first year that the holiday is being officially observed in our city and state. You can find a list of Juneteenth celebrations here. Another great way to celebrate is to support the work of Black-led organizations like Assata’s Daughters, Good Kids Mad City, Brave Space Alliance, and the #LetUsBreathe Collective.
In This Week’s Newsletter
- Covid-19 vaccinations and updates
- Legislative report-backs
- Horner Park dog park update
- Summer markets & concerts in the 33rd Ward
- Block party applications now open
- Participatory budgeting 2022 – join the committee!
- Mortgage assistance and forbearance – federal program closing soon
- Infrastructure and construction updates
- More gov announcements & resources
- Community bulletin board
Quick Links
Legislative Updates
Elected School Board Bill Passes! We won a major victory for education justice this week, when the Illinois House passed a bill creating an elected school board in Chicago. Chicago has long been the only school district in the state without a democratically elected board, and this is a basic step towards greater democracy and participation. The first school-board elections won’t take place until 2024, but importantly, the bill also set a moratorium on school closings, consolidations and phase-outs until then.
Civilian Police Oversight Vote Blocked in Committee Today, I also attended a meeting of the public safety committee where the Empowering Communities for Public Safety Act ordinance, which would create an elected civilian oversight board for the Chicago Police Department, was on the agenda. This ordinance was the result of years of grassroots organizing and policy work, and I’ve heard from hundreds of 33rd Ward residents who want to see it passed.
Unfortunately, committee chair Alderman Taliaferro and several other committee members used a procedural maneuver to block a vote on the revised ECPS ordinance that sponsors sought to introduce today. Not only that, a majority of committee members voted against reconvening Monday to continue the discussion. To put it mildly, I am extremely disappointed in this outcome. We need civilian oversight of the police department, and we need a City Council that functions as an independent legislative body. I’ll continue to fight for both and to keep you updated.
Update on the Horner Park Dog Park
A note to our dog-lovers and dog park users:
The Horner Park Dog Park is currently closed due to the presence of glass fragments and other debris that makes the area unsafe for use. As dog-lovers and owners ourselves, we understand the frustration and disappointment in not yet having a space for dogs to play and exercised unleashed. Unfortunately, glass fragments in the soil were disturbed during the initial phase of construction, and the Chicago Park District will need to remediate the area for it to be used safely.
The start of the dog-park project and decisions around its siting predate my time in office, but I know that many neighbors have been pouring their time, energy and personal funds into this effort. My office remains very supportive of completing the dog park. After taking office in 2019, we allocated $25K in 33rd Ward infrastructure funds to the project. After instituting our ward’s first-ever participatory budgeting process for fiscal year 2020, we invited the dog-park committee to propose a project for additional funding. Participatory budgeting puts neighbors in control of how we spend our $1 million in annual 33rd ward infrastructure funds, and neighbors voted to allocate an additional $25K to the dog park for 2020.
We are in communication with the Chicago Park District to support the remediation and opening of the park. We will continue to advocate that this process be completed as quickly as possible, and to keep all of you updated about developments. In the meantime, we ask that all dog owners please keep their dogs leashed when using Horner Park.
Summer Concerts & Markets in the 33rd Ward
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.
River Park Summer Concert Series
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.
You should also check out the Global Gardens Farmstand Fridays from 3 – 6 at W Lawrence and N Manor Ave, where you can load up on delicious greens and veggies while supporting refugee farmers in our community.
Save the Date: Sidewalk Sale
Covid-19 Updates and Guidelines
Phase 5 Reopening
Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State of Illinois, the City of Chicago no longer requires masks for fully vaccinated people in most places. However, if you are not fully vaccinated, you need to continue wearing your mask in all indoor settings. Additionally, certain businesses, all health care settings, schools, correctional/congregate sites, and public transportation will still require a mask. To learn more about the Phase 5 re-opening, visit chicago.gov/reopening.
Remember: the pandemic isn’t over, and other people may have risk factors different from your own. The biggest risk remains for people who are still unvaccinated. And while vaccines are safe and highly effective, risks still exist, and it’s never a bad idea to bring a mask when you go out and err on the side of caution for yourself and others around you.
Under the Vaccine Anti-Retaliation Ordinance we passed in City Council this month, all Chicago workers – including independent contractors – must receive four hours of time off to get vaccinated. Businesses who violate the ordinance may face fines. Learn more about the new protections on this flyer.
June 25 Vaccination Clinic at the Irish American Heritage Center
According to statistics from the Illinois Department of Public Health on June 9th, 2021; 63.4% of the people fully vaccinated are white, whereas only 12.1% are Latinx, 9% are black or African-American, and 6.68% are Asians. Irish Community Services is advocating to reduce the gap in vaccination among different ethnicities and to provide an opportunity to improve vaccination rates in our communities.
To offer convenient access to the vaccine, Irish Community Services has partnered with the Illinois Department of Public Health to provide on-site COVID-19 vaccination clinic for adults and children over 12 years of age, free of charge. No identifications, nor health insurance are required. The vaccination clinic will be hosted at the Irish American Heritage Center [4626, N Knox Ave. Chicago. IL. 60630] on June 25th from 3pm to 5pm by appointment only. Everyone is welcome and to obtain their appointment, they can contact us at 773-282-8445. We will be offering bilingual Spanish-English interpreters to guaranteed the higher standards in communication between vaccination recipients and providers.
In addition, we are encouraging residents who have a smartphone or access to a computer, to enroll in the vaccination clinic using the following link: https://idph-mychart.pchosted.com/IDPH/signupandschedule/embeddedschedule?vt=24629&dept=9001410010468
If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, there are lots of additional convenient options near the ward:
- Erie Health’s Foster location (5215 N California) is open for walk-ins Tue – Friday, 10 AM – 12 PM. Or make an appointment by visiting erie.health/zocdocchi or calling 312-666-3494.
- Swedish Hospital has a Walk-In Clinic. Everyone 12+ years old is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Anderson Pavilion• 2751 W Winona St. Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Pharmacy One • 4753 N Kedzie – focusing on all community members. Call (773) 267-5050 for an appointment.
- There are currently appointments available for the United Center and other sites at https://www.zocdoc.com/vaccine. You can also walk in to the United Center, Wrigley Field, or any other city-run site.
- Need assistance? We’re here to help you get vaccinated and working closely with community partners.
Vaccinations for Homebound Seniors
CDPH is collaborating with the Chicago Fire Department to provide in-home vaccinations for homebound seniors and those with disabilities that prevent them from leaving the home for medical reasons. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please complete this survey so the city can coordinate in-home vaccinations. If you need assistance completing the form, please contact our office. Learn more here.
Block Parties Applications Now Open
With distanced, outdoor gatherings fairly low risk for Covid-19 transmission, we are excited to announce that the city will resume granting permits for block parties this summer. There are a few key differences to be aware of this year:
- The block party applicant must volunteer to be a covid-19 captain.
- The covid-19 captain is responsible for recommending that attendees receive a covid-19 vaccine.
- If an attendee is not able to receive a vaccine (especially children who may not be old enough yet), they should wear a mask and socially distance.
- The covid-19 captain should ensure hand sanitizer is available for attendees.
- Finally, jumping jacks and bouncy houses will not be permitted.
The city will begin accepting applications on June 6, and July 5 is the first day that block parties can be held.
You can apply with our office for a block party permit here! If you have any questions about the new guidelines, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Kicking Off Participatory Budgeting 2022
It is time to get started on our Participatory Budgeting process for 2022! PB is the democratic process we implemented in 2019 to allow residents to decide how to allocate the $1 million in infrastructure funds our office receives annually. Residents work together to generate ideas about infrastructure improvements they’d like to see in the 33rd Ward, then vote on which project they wish to see receive funding. You can read more about PB Chicago here.
The process is resident-driven from start to finish, and the first step is finding neighbors who want to serve on the committee! Any resident of the 33rd Ward 14 years or older can join.
Interested? Fill out the form here to sign up and learn more about the different ways you can be engaged!
Read more about PB on the 33rd Ward’s website at 33rdward.org/participatory-budgeting
Read about our 2021 PB voting results: https://33rdward.org/pb-2021-results-are-in/
Read about our 2020 PB voting results: https://33rdward.org/2020-participatory-budgeting-results/
Walk Your Block with Us
A “walk-my-block” is a scheduled opportunity for our office to visit your block, get to know our neighbors, and spend some time hearing about any issues affecting your block. Our team will also use this opportunityto survey your block for any potholes, sewer issues, lights, trees, and any other City service-related issues.
Please fill out this form, and somebody from our team will contact you to schedule the Walk-My-Block date.
Rent, Mortgage and Utility Assistance
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.
CARES Act Mortgage Forbearance Program – apply by June 30
Through the CARES Act, homeowners with federally-backed mortgages can put their loans into forbearance for six months to a year. At the end of the forbearance, the missed payments are either recapitalized through a modification or are put on the end of the loan as a non-interest-bearing balloon payment. Reverse mortgage borrowers, and borrowers who are already behind on their mortgage (or are even in foreclosure) are eligible.
The deadline to request relief is the end of this month: June 30, 2021. Requesting a CARES Act forbearance is simple. Homeowners can use a self-help tool at COVID-19 Mortgage Relief – Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (cvls.org). You can also contact 312-332-8785 or COVID@cvls.org.
ComEd Residential Special Hardship Program
Customers who demonstrate a financial hardship may be eligible for ComEd’s Residential Special Hardship program, which provides a grant of up to $500 to help pay past-due energy bills. Learn more at ComEd.com/ResidentialHardship.
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program – Apply ASAP
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that provides a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income households. If your household is eligible, you can receive:
- Up to a $50/month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals
- Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household.
The program will end when the fund runs out of money, or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner.
For more information, to see if you qualify, or to apply visit: https://getemergencybroadband.org/
Gov Announcements & Resources
Preschool enrollment open
Jumpstart your child’s education with the Chicago Early Learning program! The 2021-2022 school year preschool application is now open! There are over 600 CPS schools and community-based preschools located in the city for you to choose from. To learn more visit www.chicagoearlylearning.org or call 312.229.1690.
FEMA COVID-19 financial assistance
FEMA is now offering financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20th, 2020, under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. To learn more and apply, click here.
Illinois Child Care Assistance
The Illinois Department of Human Services provides child care assistance for eligible families in need. You can find out if you qualify for assistance at bit.ly/childcareil. You can learn more about the program and how to apply online here. Assistance is available all year round, including over the summer.
Chicago Park District
The Park district is hiring for seasonal positions with great pay! For more info and to apply, visit Jobs | Chicago Park District.
Illinois Crisis Counseling Program
Funded by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Illinois Department of Human Services has partnered with local behavioral health clinics to offer free crisis counseling and other mental health services for Illinois residents amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
All crisis counseling sessions are confidential and include a free screening and referral for individuals struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. In addition, crisis counseling sessions can offer reassurance, practical assistance, emotional support and teach behavioral techniques for coping with stress.
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.
Kedzie Center Seeking Finance & Operations Director
The Kedzie Center seeks a (24 to 40 hours per week) Finance and Operations Director to support its mission of increasing access to high-quality and culturally informed mental health care to residents in Chicago’s northwest side. A non-profit organization, the Kedzie Center is the first community-funded clinic in Illinois that provides individual, family, and group therapy, psychiatric care, and case management regardless of the client’s ability to pay (www.thekedziecenter.org). The Finance and Operations Director will work closely with the Executive Team, report to the Executive Director and supervise staff on all billing-related matters. Learn more here.
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
American Needs You Mentorship Program
Join America Needs You (ANY) in bridging the gap between college access and career readiness for low-income, first-generation college students in Chicagoland. Volunteers not only make a meaningful impact in a student’s life, but benefit from robust professional development and networking with hundreds of early-to-mid career professionals. Share your expertise as a one-time Career Coach at our workshops, or become a Mentor Coach and develop a strong one-on-one mentoring relationship with a student, helping them achieve their academic and professional goals. Sign up here: https://www.americaneedsyou.org/volunteer/ Priority deadline to apply to be a Mentor Coach is June 30th! Email leah.schneck@americaneedsyou.org with questions.
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.
Opening Soon! Visceral Dance Center
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