*A search was conducted on March 14th. We are asking for any local camera footage from last week. If you have any information, please call 773-844-5721. 

*We are in the process of creating a fundraiser to support his family as he was their financial support. 

In This Week’s Newsletter

Quick Links 

We Appreciate Teachers Contest: Nominate your favorite teacher to win school supplies by April 1st! 

The Chicago non-profit Back 2 School Illinois is running the “We Appreciate Teachers” Statewide Contest to Celebrate & Support Educators During COVID-19.

APPLY HERE! Nominate your favorite Chicago teacher by April 1st. 

Community Clean Up: Tomorrow, March 19th, at 11am!

Join Albany Park Neighbors tomorrow to tidy up the 33rd Ward! Facebook event here. They will meet at the NW corner of Lawrence & Central Park. The area of the cleanup will depend on how many people participate.

Remember it might be chilly/rainy! Come dressed for the weather and bring a pair of gloves. Bags and other tools will be provided.

Job Opportunities

*Looking for more work opportunities? The office regularly posts jobs on our Community Bulletin!*

WORK IN THE 33RD WARD: Be a Crossing Guard at a Local School! 

CPS is hiring for the following local positions: 

• Bateman Elementary School (Montrose/Sacramento)
• Chicago International Charter School (CICS) Irving Park (Irving/Spaulding) 
• Hibbard Elementary School (Lawrence/Spaulding AND Eastwood/Spaulding)
• Grover Cleveland Elementary School (Byron/Kedzie) 

Questions about these positions? Please email crossingguard@cps.edu.

Interested in applying? Instructions are on the flyer- visit the hiring page on the website! 

Housing Support

Own a home and struggled to pay your mortgage/property taxes this year? Apply for the Illinois Emergency Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) in April! 

Starting in April 2022, the state will begin accepting applications from homeowners impacted by COVID-19 for grants of up to $30,000 to eliminate or reduce past-due mortgage and property tax payments. 

Need help with your ILHAF application? Here are two opportunities to bring you up-to-date.

1. Come to the  Mortgage Assistance Pre-Application Event TOMORROW March 19th!

This is an open-house style event hosted by State Representative Will Guzzardi and no appointments are needed. They will have have bilingual staff on hand from the Northwest Center to help answer homeowner’s questions about the application process and what it will look like in April. If you need of mortgage assistance, or help catching up on past-due property taxes, please plan on attending this application preparation event so you have everything in order when assistance opens in April! 

Check out the event on Facebook!

Questions? Please contact Emily Melbye, Chief of Staff for State Representative Will Guzzardi, at 773-853-2570 or at emily@repguzzardi.com so they can connect you to a HUD certified housing counselor and help you through the application process.   

 2. Informative Webinars to Learn More From the Illinois Housing Development Authority 

Extension of Department of Family and Support Services Rental Program 

Chicago Park District Town Hall: Horner Park, Monday, March 21st at 6pm

Educational Opportunity: Become a City Colleges of Chicago student, attend the Harold Washington College Open House on March 24th 

Interested in earning a college degree or attending higher education classes for an affordable price? Become a City Colleges of Chicago student and learn more at the Harold Washington College Spring Open House! 

Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot: Money for Chicagoans Impacted by COVID, Apply by April 

Do you need financial support to recover from the COVID pandemic? The Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot begins this April, and is offering 5,000 Chicagoans $500 per month for twelve months, with no strings attached. Chicagoans will be selected through an open application and a citywide lottery.

Apply starting this April, and in the meantime, sign up for updates here so you don’t miss the application opening!

Monthly Neighborhood Blood Drive with Christ Lutheran Church: TOMORROW Saturday, March 19th

All are welcome to donate blood TOMORROW Saturday, March 19, 9am-2pm.

Enter at the side door at 4541 N Spaulding Ave. Pre-register to reserve a time slot. Walk-ins are also welcome!

*This event will repeat monthly! 

Bateman Free Summer Camp Registration DUE MARCH 20th! 

Bateman Elementary School is offering 3 free weeks of summer camp for K-7th grade Bateman students! Register here!
*Free breakfast and lunch provided

Week 1: Monday June 27th – Friday July 1st | Theatre Camp OR Art Camp
Week 2: Tuesday July 5th – Friday July 8th | Chess Camp OR LEGO Robotics
Week 3: Monday July 11th – Friday July 15th | Blaze Fitness Camp OR YAY! Yoga & Play Camp

Questions can be directed to the Bateman Site Coordinator: jennifermorado@northrivercommission.org

Opportunities for Senior Citizens 

Come learn about what benefits you can access as a senior citizen! 

Date: Thursday, March 31st | 4-5pm
Where: Virtually on zoom. Link here.  

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Spanish Event: Recursos de Salud para Personas de la Tercera Edad

Debemos seguir protegiendo a nuestros adultos mayores, por eso en conjunto con El Centro Médico Alivio y AARP lanzaremos un taller virtual para compartir recursos disponibles para su salud y bienestar.

Acompáñenme en este taller virtual, porque luchar por servicios y beneficios para nuestros padres y abuelos es una de mis prioridades.

Participantes:
– Gloria Galarza, Alivio Medical Center
– Alvaro Obregon, AARP

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! 

Covid-19 Updates

**IMPORTANT UPDATE: Chicago Public Schools New Optional Masking Policy**

Statement from CPS: “Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will move to a mask-optional model for staff and all students, pre-k through grade 12, beginning Monday, March 14. While CPS will continue to encourage the use of masks, the shift will give families and employees a choice about whether or not to wear a mask at school, outside on school property, and on school buses.”

For more information about this policy, check out this article from ABC News, which features a full statement from Chicago Public Schools as well as the Chicago Teachers Union.

What does CTU think? They are advocating for mask mandates to stay in effect through the end of this school year and asserting that this new policy violates the January 12th COVID safety agreement established with the district. 

What do students think? Read more about student voices on COVID safety in schools in this interview with members of Chi-Rads (Chicago Public Schools Radical Youth Alliance). You can also follow them on Instagram and Twitter. 

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. 

CPS Vaccination Events

Find your student a COVID-19 vaccine appointment this week through CPS: 

– Permanent sites

– Mobile Events

– School-Based Health Centers

–  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 here for more information.

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

Carjacking Update: March 17th

On March 17th our office received a report from the 17th District regarding a carjacking on the 3900 block of North Francisco. We were informed two male offenders in a white vehicle approached a victim in a Jeep Cherokee with a firearm. The offenders took the Jeep and no injuries were reported. This matter remains an open investigation and as such public information is limited. If neighbors have further questions we encourage you to contact the 17th District CAPS Office at 312.742.4410. 

Safety Concerns on Drake and Ainslie
We have been in communication with neighbors residing on the corner of Drake and Ainslie regarding safety concerns. Activity on that corner has prompted neighbors to call for the placement of a camera in the area. The Alderwoman has been working with OEMC and the 17th Police District to place a camera in this area. A temporary camera was stationed on the corner and our office is in the process of getting a permanent one in place. We will continue to update neighbors on the progress of the request. 

Buildings Destroyed In Albany Park Fire

The buildings impacted by the fire on the corner of Richmond and Francisco are being cleaned of debris and are in the process of being scheduled for demolition. We are in direct contact with property owners, the Department of Buildings and the Law Department to address neighbor concerns on securing the building so that they do not attract unwanted activity. Neighbors are welcome to call our office with any further questions at 773.840.7880.

Gun Violence Prevention Grants For Organizations

Cook County Justice Advisory Council, $65 Million in Grants

The Cook County Justice Advisory Council is awarding up to $65,000,000 in multi-year grants to recognized not-for-profit organizations offering violence prevention and reduction services. 

Key Dates

• April 11, 2022 – Applications due for proposals over $1.5 million 
• May 9, 2022 – Applications due for proposals $1.5 million and under

Apply and learn more here!

Illinois Department of Human Services, $150 Million in Grants

In accordance with the Reimagine Public Safety Act, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is offering grants of over $150 million to organizations addressing the root causes of firearm violence through behavioral health services, economic opportunities, and violence interruption and prevention programs! 

For more information on the IDHS Firearm Violence Prevention efforts, click here. You can also direct questions to DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov.

General 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.

*If the ICIJIA website link isn’t working for you, try their Facebook page as they are experiencing technical issues. 

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 1731 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

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.

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.

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. 

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

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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