I’m delighted that I will get to continue being your Alderwoman and representing our 33rd Ward community. I want you to know that our office is right back to work. Today, the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety voted on 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin’s Complete Streets ordinance. I’m proud to be one of the very first co-sponsors of Alderman Martin’s ordinance along with 1st Ward Alderman Daniel La Spata, and I was proud to vote to move this ordinance forward. 

The ordinance directs the Chicago Department of Transportation to incorporate improvements benefiting pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders into any major work projects (these include Arterial Resurfacing, streetscapes, and roadway reconstruction). It also asks CDOT to draft a set of design guidelines, develop a toolbox of safe street elements, and identify how, when, and where these safe street improvements should be used. Finally, the ordinance asks that CDOT provide the City Council with information about the type and location of all safety improvements, the new guidelines CDOT drafts, and how all the pieces of this new citywide safe street toolbox will be used. If you’d like to read Alderman Martin’s ordinance, click here.

This ordinance will go a long way toward ensuring that pedestrian and bike safety improvements are being made citywide. Ensuring that our streets are safer for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers is too big an issue to be handled on a ward-by-ward basis. I’m proud to support this ordinance and I know that many of you know how important it is – just nearly 80% of this year’s participatory budgeting voters identified passing the Complete Streets ordinance as “Important or Very Important.” I’m going to do everything in my power to help Alderman Martin get this passed. 

Last week, when our office announced the winning proposals in our first ever Participatory Budgeting policy poll, passing Alderman Martin’s ordinance was identified as “Important or Very Important” by just under 80% of PB voters. 

For background on what Alderman Martin’s proposed ordinance would do, read on:

What does the ordinance do?

• The ordinance directs the Department of Transportation to incorporate improvements benefiting pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders into major projects including Arterial Resurfacings, streetscapes, and roadway reconstructions.
• It directs CDOT to draft design guidelines that standardize the implementation of safety-enhancing infrastructure. CDOT must also create and maintain a toolbox of standard safe street elements, together with criteria for their use.
• The ordinance directs CDOT to report to City Council the type and location of all its safety improvements, together with all updates they make to the guidelines and toolbox.

Why does this ordinance help?

• With traffic deaths at their highest point in years, we need to greatly increase the rate at which we make potentially life-saving traffic calming improvements on Chicago’s major streets to benefit pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders. Curb extensions and protected bike lanes will save lives, while bus bulbs and bus lanes will improve the speed and reliability of CTA buses.
• This ordinance ensures that safety improvements are included in CDOT’s design of large arterial projects that are paid for directly by CDOT, often using State or Federal funding. This will guarantee that we stretch our infrastructure dollars as far as possible since safety improvements are cheaper to make when a street is already being rebuilt or repaved.
• This will ensure that improvements are made comprehensively, without having to be paid for through individual aldermen’s funds. Larger wards, whose aldermen have to cover infrastructure in a larger area with the same budget, will benefit the most.  
  • The regular reporting requirement ensures that aldermen and advocates have visibility into the rate of CDOT’s improvements and the changes the Department makes to its design guidelines, to ensure that it stays current with industry best practices.

In This Week’s Newsletter

Quick Links 

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

Haugan Elementary School Construction

Neighbors, please be advised that Haugan Elementary School is set to have work done from March – September, this includes tuckpointing, roofing, and installing a new playground. Due to this construction work noise and disruptions will go into the afternoon and evening during weekdays. Parking may be affected in the area due to the activity happening on surrounding streets.

Free Tax Prep for Income Eligible Families

The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services is happy to announce that 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 11 locations across Chicago. This program is more important than ever with opportunity to claim Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Please note all sites are first come, first served.

Eligible Chicagoans could receive up to $8,183 from the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits, 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 $60,000 and individuals earning up to $32,000 are eligible to take advantage of the free and confidential Tax Prep assistance at eleven sites across Chicago. Volunteer tax preparers certified through IRS-approved training will assist them with federal and state income tax returns. Most sites will be open between end of January and mid-April 2023. (Please refer to the attached flyers and links below for specific information on site locations and hours.)

For more information about how to access the free tax assistance program, Chicagoans can:

• Call the City’s 311 helpline
• Visit the City’s tax assistance website at www.TaxPrepChicago.org
• Call (312) 588-6900 if you have any questions
• Visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov and type “free tax help” in the search box or call (800) 829-1040.

Neighborhood Events

1. Chicago’s Annual Polar Plunge, March 5th

2. Geography Trivia Night, March 16th

3. Go Run Free 5k, March 25th

Go Runs are FREE and open to anyone in their effort to make running enjoyable and accessible to all, both newcomers, and long-time runners alike.

Through Go Run, CARA, and the Chicago Park District have an objective to activate neighborhood parks, build communities and encourage an active lifestyle through running and volunteerism.

Enjoy a free timed 5K and 1 Mile event Horner Park on March 25th. Click here to sign up or volunteer.

Youth Opportunities

1. Teen Opportunity Fairs

The Chicago Park District is excited to present three Teen Opportunity Fairs over the next few weeks for local youth. This is a great opportunity for youth to network, apply for summer jobs, and learn more about resources available to them. The Teen Opportunity Fairs are free and geared toward youth 13-19. For more information about the Teen Opportunity Fair please visit this website.

Saturday, March 18

• Kennedy King College, 10 AM to 1 PM

Saturday, March 25

• Malcom X College, 11 AM to 2 PM

2. Girls Who Code Summer Program, General Application Due March 24th

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! The general application deadline is Friday, March 24.

3. 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 City Council Latino Caucus Foundation (CLCF) Scholarship Opportunity, Application due May 5th

Are you a college-bound high school student from Chicago? Or are you currently in undergrad? The Chicago City Council Latino Caucus Foundation (CLCF) is providing forty $5,000 scholarships to qualified students from across Chicago! Students can apply online via the Caucus’ website. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 5, 2023 at 11:59pm. 

Senior Housing Available at North Park Village Apartments

There are currently one-bedroom and studio units available at North Park Village Apartments for income qualified seniors! Amenities include safe and off street parking, up to date appliances, 24 hour emergency maintenance, shuttle bus to public transportation, and more! For questions and more information, please call David Jones at 773-478-6890.

Global Garden Community Garden at Lawrence & Sacramento

The Global Garden community garden at Lawrence and Sacramento has opened registration for this upcoming gardening season!

Plot fees are $50/plot for the year, although there are options for reduced fees if needed. These fees will cover any necessary plot improvements, soil, mulch, signage, programming, and scholarship plots for the 2023 season.

If there are more people registered than available plots, they will create a waitlist. Please fill out this form to register for a plot and they will be in touch with you soon.

2023 Horner Park Farmer’s Market

Horner Park is happy to announce that the 2023 Horner Park Farmers Market will take place on Saturdays from June 3 through October 14 – their 9th season!

Their 2023 Market Guidelines, 2023 Market Application, and 2023 Market Application for Business/Nonprofit are now online. Here’s a quick list of the particulars:

Overview:

• Location: Horner Park, 2741 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL 60618 (Horner Park is a Chicago Park District park). Map
• Dates: Saturdays, June 3 through October 14, 2023.
• Hours: 7:30am-9am setup, 9am-1pm open, 1pm-2pm takedown.
• Fees:

• $35 application fee (non-refundable). Payable via electronic invoice or via check.
• $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 2023 regular season of 20 markets prior to June 3 will receive a discount of two free markets, paying for 18 markets instead of all 20.

Grant Program Offered by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)

CityArts Program

Nonprofit arts and culture organizations of all sizes can apply for general operating grants. In direct response to community needs, general operating grant amounts are now significantly larger, and grants are renewable for one year. The deadline to submit an application is March 24, 2023 at 5:00pm CT. To learn more and apply, visit chicagoculturalgrants.org.

Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events Application Webinars

The City of Chicago – Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) will be conducting a series of webinars to help you get ready for the 2023 season for the Special Event Permitting Process.  

DCASE staff will run through the online application process in English and Spanish: 

General Permit Application Discussion (Spanish) – Wednesday, March 29 at 1 pm -2:30pm  

They will also host Department specific webinars for a more in-depth overview and conversation: 

• Chicago Police Department (CPD)/Chicago Fire Department (CFD)/Office of Emergency and Management Communications (OEMC)  – Tuesday, March 7 at 1:30 pm  – 3:00pm 
• Department of Buildings (DOB)/Streets & Sanitation/Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)/Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) – Wednesday, March 8 at 12 pm – 1:30pm 

ALL organizers are strongly encouraged to attend or view these webinars. Please check their website one week prior to each webinar for the zoom link. The webinars will also be recorded and posted on our website for future reference. 

For additional questions please e-mail SEPermits@cityofchicago.org   

Community Hygiene Supplies Collection, Deadline March 8th

The North River Youth Council is a group of young individuals from Chicago’s Northwest Side with the goal of enriching their local areas and creating vibrant, safe, and healthy communities. To further improve our community, we have decided to organize a hygiene drive.

Items being collected:

• soap
• shampoo
• deodorant
• toothbrushes/ toothpaste
• shaving cream
• dental floss
• skin lotions
• diapers size 4-6
• feminine hygiene pads
• hand scrub brushes
• nail clippers
• wet wipes
• disposable washcloths

The public can donate at any one of these three locations: Albany Park Branch Library, Mayfair Branch Library, and Christ Lutheran Church. The last day to donate will be March 8, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact mlopez@northrivercommission.org. 

Items will be distributed through the food pantry at Christ Lutheran Church and through other agencies.

Immigrant Tenant Workshop, March 9th

Join North River Commission and Latino Policy Forum for an Immigrant Tenant Protections Workshop on Thursday, March 9th from 6-7 PM. Learn about the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, finding accessible housing resources, and housing rights and protections! Connect with us via Zoom or in-person at our office 3403 W Lawrence Ave. 

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

Community Resource Fair, March 12th

We are delighted to invite you to the next event being held at The Friendship Center! On Sunday, March 12, they will be hosting 12 of their partner organizations onsite at their pantry for a Community Resource Fair. Please join them between 2:00-4:00 pm to learn more about resources on the north and northwest sides that may be useful to you and your families, to meet new contacts in the social service field, and to learn more about the work The Friendship Center does.

The Friendship Center has some fantastic partners in the work they do, and they are excited to bring some of them together in one space. They’ll be having conversations about mental health, specialty health care, domestic violence resources, new immigrant community resources and much more. They will be joined by organizations including but not limited to: Apna Ghar, Tapestry 360 Health, the Hana Center, and Swedish Hospital Food Connections and Transformations programs, all of whom will be happy to share more about their work and connect you directly to services.

You can join by taking the 81 Lawrence bus, taking the Brown Line to the Rockwell station and walking a few blocks, or utilizing the free parking on Lawrence or Washtenaw.

All are welcome to join and information will be offered in multiple languages. Please feel free to let them know about any questions or accessibility needs by emailing lena@friendshipcenterchicago.org.

Public Health & Safety Community Meeting, March 21st

Join North River Commission and your neighbors to discuss health and public safety in our communities. Learn about NRC’s Health Equity and Violence Prevention initiatives and work. Discuss action steps and upcoming opportunities to engage and volunteer so that together we can help create safer and healthier communities. Everyone is welcome to attend and no RSVP is required.

Spanish translation and child care will be provided.

Business Resources

1. Small Business Expo, March 11th

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection brings free business resources to the community for new and existing entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their business in the City of Chicago through the Small Business Expo Series.

This is a free event and will be located at Kennedy King College from 8:30am to 1:30pm. For more information and to RSVP, click here.

2. 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. 

3. Business Grant Applications

• Own your business property or expand to a new location. If your business is a woman-owned business enterprise (WBE) or a minority-owned business enterprise (MBE), Bank of America invites you to participate in their new Down Payment Program that provides a grant of up to 50% of the required down payment on SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans for owner-occupied commercial real estate in Opportunity Zones within your city. The grant itself, which is not to exceed $25,000, does not have to be repaid.
  • Talk to a Bank of America Small Business Specialist today!

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

Employment Opportunities

1. Heartland Alliance’s Free Customer Service Bridge Class

Heartland Alliance is hosting a Customer Service class to support English Language Learners that want to work in customer service roles. This class will help participants prepare a resume, practice interviewing, and learn about different job opportunities.

This course is free and completely online through Zoom. All interested participants need is a stable internet connection and a cellphone, computer, or tablet. 

Classes begin on March 6th and end on March 30th (Mondays through Thursdays from 11:30am to 2pm).

If interested please call or text Alyssa at 872-346-8184.

2. CTA Hiring Event, March 10th

3. CPS Job Fair, March 15th

4. Job Openings at O’Hare

• ORD-Cargo Ramp Agent  $18/hr. FT
• ORD GH -Ramp Services Agent $18/hr. PT
• ORD – Passenger Services Agent (Bi-lingual Spanish/English) $18+/hr. PT
• ORD – Fueling Agent  $20.75/hr. FT

All positions are full-time with full health benefits

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

6. 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