Yesterday was a critical day in City Council. After hearing from members of the public about Mayor Lightfoot’s proposed 2022 budget, we started the process of proposing and debating amendments.

This summer, my progressive colleagues and I put forward a “Chicago Rescue Plan” that proposed putting our city’s $2 billion in federal Covid-19 relief toward historic investments in housing, mental healthcare, childcare, and violence prevention. While we were pleased to see a number of these ideas reflected in the mayor’s budget proposal this fall, we can do much more with the game-changing federal dollars Chicago is set to receive. We can’t afford to miss this opportunity to build a safer, more just city.

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Yesterday, my colleagues and I introduced a package of amendments that would preserve our affordable housing stock, jump-start the replacement of lead water pipes and more. We are also continuing to push for new, progressive revenue sources to avoid continually increasing property taxes for working-class homeowners already struggling. You can read more from the Chicago Tribune. 

I want to quickly highlight two specific amendments that came directly out of the work of 33rd Ward neighbors. 

• First, alongside Alders Andre Vasquez (40th) and Matt Martin (47th), I introduced a resolution calling for the city to protect our urban tree canopy. In 2019, Chicago stopped treating ash trees against infection, even though this treatment is safe and cost-effective. Since then, the North River Commission and many groups of neighbors have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds for treatment. The tree canopy improves quality of life and climate resilience in our neighborhoods, and we want to see the city resume the simple step of treating ash trees.  
• Second, I introduced an amendment that would invest $10 million from our federal relief funding back into Chicago’s public mental healthcare system. Since last year, I have been working with the Collaborative for Community Wellness to push for a non-police, mental health crisis response system anchored in our public clinics. The Collaborative includes a group of social workers, school staff and other neighbors here in the 33rd Ward who are working proactively to build safer, healthier neighborhoods. I’m pleased to share that this amendment now has 26 co-sponsors and was referred to the Budget committee for consideration. I’ll keep you posted on this and other matters as budget discussions continue.  

In This Week’s Newsletter

Quick Links 

Participatory Budgeting Update

We’re almost ready to open up our third year of voting on neighbor-proposed infrastructure projects in the 33rd Ward! We’re always looking for ways to engage more residents in the participatory budgeting process, both in-person and online.  

The PB Committee, made up of 33rd Ward residents volunteering their time, is currently hard at work developing submitted ideas into final proposals. Voting will open Nov. 1, but in the meantime, we invite you to check out a new, virtual PB platform that allows you to engage directly with the 50+ ideas submitted by your neighbors this year. 

Creating an account on the PB platform will allow you to comment, endorse, and read more about the PB ideas being developed by the Committee. Visit 33rdward.org/participatory-budgeting to learn more.

33rd Ward Halloween Decoration Contest

We are excited to announce the return of our 33d Ward Halloween Decoration Contest!

Show off your home (inside OR outside) and you could win a spooky prize basket for you and your family!

We are accepting submissions until Friday, October 22 at Noon (12pm). Show us how you do #HalloweenIn33

Enter the contest here: https://33rdward.org/halloweenin33/

Covid-19 Boosters Shots

Covid-19 Booster Shots

Many residents have been asking about the Pfizer booster. The city is following the CDC’s guidelines on eligibility.

While the City is not yet making boosters available for ward events, there are several clinics where Pfizer boosters will be available. 

The clinic closest to the 33rd Ward where boosters are available will be held Sat., Oct. 23 from 9AM to 10PM at Truman College, 1145 W Wilson Ave. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can register here. 

To see additional dates and locations where the health department will offer Pfizer booster vaccines, please see the full list of flu/ Covid-19 clinics here. 

You can also use the city’s vaccine finder. 

Oct. 16: Water Wayfinding Tour

This Saturday we’ll be joining North River Commission and other local partners at the Water Wayfinding walking tour at 1:00pm, starting at 2900 W Lawrence Ave on the west side of the river. 

This walking tour and creative studio features local speakers presenting on how water and the river impacts their lifeways. Participants will be involved in water and community conversation and activities throughout.  Join us to learn more about our beautiful river and what’s to come for this area of our ward. Youth participation is encouraged! The tour distance will be approximately 1 mile with stops.

Register here. 

Oct. 16: Children’s Resale Shop

Queen of Angels Elementary School will hold a Children’s Resale Shop on Saturday, October 16th in the Lower Church, 2330 W. Sunnyside Ave., from 8am to 1pm.  Admission is $1.

Bring your shopping bags and stock up on tons of new or gently used children’s clothing, shoes, accessories, furniture, toys, games, puzzles, baby equipment, books, play equipment and ride-ons, sports equipment, DVD’s and CD’s, Halloween costumes, and much more! Covid safety protocols will be in place. This event benefits the amazing staff and teachers of Queen of Angels. 

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Oct. 21: Property Tax Appeal Workshop

If you filed an appeal with the Assessor and got a determination that did not reduce your assessment, or if you missed the deadline to file an appeal with the Assessor, don’t miss your chance to appeal with the Board of Review. Filing is done online, follow this link to start your appeal.

A step-by-step guide is also available through the Board of Review’s website here.

You can also join our office and other Northwest side officials for a free property tax appeal workshop on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 6PM at Avondale-Logandale Gymnasium, 3212 W George. 

We will have both indoor and outdoor options for assistance, masks required indoor. Please bring your 2nd installment property tax or PIN number. 

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Oct. 21: North Branch Works Fall Gala

Join North Branch Works at the Hideout for its Fall Gala on Oct. 21^st from 5-7 p.m to celebrate the North Branch as a great place to work and do business. The program includes remarks from elected officials, live music, networking opportunities, and catered food and drinks. Sign up here.

The event will be held outdoors on the Hideout’s front porch. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required to attend. In the event of inclement weather and/or a rise in COVID-19 cases, the Fall Gala will be streamed via Facebook Live. 

Oct. 21: Drive-through fundraiser for Von Linne

Oct. 23: Northwest Brewfest

Northwest Brewfest celebrates our amazing brewers on the Northwest Side of Chicago!

The Albany Park Chamber of Commerce and North River Commission are bringing together a dozen brewers together for your tasting enjoyment on We are excited to bring a dozen brewers together for your tasting enjoyment on Saturday, October 23rd indoors at Twisted Hippo Taproom & Eatery (2925 W Montrose Ave). o.

Get your tickets here. 

Oct. 23: Edison Fundraiser with Stan’s Donuts

Edison RGC School is doing a fundraiser with Stan’s Donuts! Facebook event.  Place your pre-orders which will be available for pickup Saturday 10/23 between 9:00 – 11:00am.Place your order here: https://foodtruck.pub/?id=5461. This is a pre-order only fundraiser, and Pre-orders cut off 48 hours before the event. A portion of the event sales will be donated to Edison RGC School Fundraiser.

Oct. 29: Bateman BOOsterfest

Come join in a fun-filled evening of costumes, games, raffles, food, a haunted house, and MORE! All students, parents, caregivers, staff, friends, and neighbors of Bateman are invited. 

$2 per person, or $5 per family.
Food, raffle, and haunted house tickets for purchase. 
Throw on your costumes, be there, be SCARED, and #BeBateman!

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Oct. 31: Candy Kingdom at Tabor Lutheran

Stop by Tabor Lutheran Church, 3542 W Sunnyside, from 3 – 6PM on Halloween for some sweet fun!

Nov. 1: Treatment Not Trauma Town Hall

Join our office & Representative Will Guzzardi for a virtual town hall Nov. 1 from 6 – 8PM. We’ll discuss local and state policies around a mental health crisis response, including both the Community Emergency Services & Support Act (CESSA) and the Treatment Not Trauma ordinance. Register here. 

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Infrastructure and Construction

Summer is construction season, and we know residents want to be able to plan ahead for street closures and parking disruptions. As a periodic reminder, we keep a map of the ward updated with all the information we’ve received to date from city agencies, utility companies, and other project managers. You can check out the construction map here. 

You can also use the city’s ChiStreetWork portal, where you can search by address. 

Street Closure at Sacramento  There will be a full street closure on Sacramento Ave for People’s Gas work as they make their last connections to their mains. Here’s what you need to know: The closures will be on Sacramento, north AND south of Irving Park until the alley. Irving Park will NOT close. There will be no Parking or thru traffic on these sections of Sacramento during work hours (8AM-3PM) The alley will be accessible, therefore, neighbors should expect to see increased traffic in surrounding alleys during work hours. The streets will reopen to traffic daily after work hours (approx. 3PM) If you are planning your visit to our office, there is meter parking along Irving Park except at the bus stop outside our door.

Sewer Cleaning on N Troy from Addison to Eddy

This rehabilitation work includes cleaning the sewers and the installation of CIPP (Cure in place pipe).  The installation of CIPP consists of lining the existing sewers and generally does not require excavation except when repairs are required prior to lining of the sewer main, catch basin lateral connections, catch basin structures or manhole structures.

The work is scheduled to be completed by February, 2022. It is performed in staggered stages, therefore crews will not be on-site every day for the extended period described. As they begin lining the main sewers, residents will be provided with a letter/flyers with notification of the work for each project location. No parking signs will be posted in the immediate area a workday prior to the start of any scheduled work. It will be necessary to close some lanes, but the streets will remain open to traffic.

Lead Service Line Replacement Program

The Department of Water Management has started Phase 1 of the lead service line replacement program and has provided the following information on two programs for qualifying homeowners who want to replace their lead service lines. If you are interested in participating, please visit www.LeadSafeChicago.org for more information:

• Homeowner-Initiated. The City will waive up to $3,100 in permit fees for any resident homeowner who  wishes to replace their lead service line. The fee waiver will not be available if the request is made in  conjunction with a structural renovation.  
• Equity Program. To offer assistance to those most in need of lead service line replacement, residents  whose water persistently tests over the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Action Level of 15 parts  per billion of lead and have a household income below 80% of the area median income, may qualify for  a free lead service line replacement. For the Equity LSLR Program, residences must be owner-occupied  and either a single-family or two-flat home.  

If you have not yet had your water tested using the free lead testing kits that are provided by the city, please contact my office at 773-887-3772 or 311 to request a free water test kit.Street Resurfacing

West Irving Park Road from North Ravenswood Avenue to North Kolmar Avenue. 

The work will include ADA sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removal and replacement as needed for ADA and drainage compliance, bus pad construction, pavement patching, milling and paving the existing asphalt pavement, and striping.

During construction, temporary “No Parking” signs will be periodically installed as required for each activity listed above.  These temporary signs will restrict parking during working hours, while adhering to rush hour restrictions, for the completion of the work.  All work on this corridor is scheduled to be completed November 30, 2021.North Sacramento Avenue from North Elston Avenue to North Milwaukee Avenue  

The work will include ADA sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removal and replacement as needed for ADA and drainage compliance, pedestrian refuge island, pavement patching, milling and paving the existing asphalt pavement, and striping.

During construction, temporary “No Parking” signs will be periodically installed as required for each activity listed above.  These temporary signs will restrict parking during working hours, while adhering to rush hour restrictions, for the completion of the work.  All work on this corridor is scheduled to be completed October 29, 2021.

Resources for Residents

Eviction Support for Tenants

The eviction moratorium entered by Governor Pritzker is scheduled to end this Sunday, Oct. 3rd. The City of Chicago Department of Housing is working to support Chicagoans who will no longer be protected by the moratorium. Even though the eviction moratorium is coming to a close, there is help, both legal and financial, to keep residents in their homes.

Here are some key things to remember when facing an eviction.

1. Don’t self-evict. A notice of eviction from your landlord does not mean you need to leave your home right away. Only the Sheriff can legally remove you from your home.
2. Get legal help. Free legal assistance is available to Chicago renters. Go to www.Rentervention.com , which is provided by the Lawyers Committee for Better Housing, a Department of Housing delegate agency.
3. Get financial help. The Department of Housing maintains a current list of places residents can apply for emergency rental assistance at Chicago.gov/RentHelp.

 You can find more details on renters’ rights and other resources at Chicago.gov/Eviction.

Apply for Rental Assistance

On Sept. 7th, All Chicago opened an online application for rental assistance under the Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) through the Illinois Department of Human Services. For more info and to apply visit http://rentrelief.com/allchicago/.

For tenants/landlords who need help with the application, All Chicago has partnered with Catholic Charities, Heartland Human Care Services, Lawyers Committee for Better Housing, Phalanx Family Services, and Spanish Coalition for Housing to provide assistance. Eligible households can apply online, by calling 311 or 312-744-5000 and asking for short-term assistance, or by contacting one of the partners listed above.

Chicago Families Forward Fund for Students in Temporary Living Situations

Students in Temporary Living Situations (STLS) may qualify for a new program called The Chicago Families Forward Fund. Temporary living situations refer to a lack of fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including students/families who are doubled-up or couch surfing due to loss of housing or economic hardship, or staying in an emergency or transitional shelter.The Chicago Families Forward Fund

WHAT: Eligible students can receive a $500 check to help with back-to-school and everyday household expenses.
WHY: These funds are intended to remove barriers to the start of school and student learning during this phase of COVID-19 recovery.
HOW: This program is funded by the City of Chicago through federal stimulus dollars from the Coronavirus Relief Fund.
To receive this funding, please fill out  this short program enrollment form  by Friday, October 1, 2021. Paper copies are also available upon request and can be picked up at your student’s school.

After the form has been submitted, the City and CPS will notify the parent(s)/guardian(s) when funds may be picked up from the main office at their child’s school.

Tax Delinquency Sale Nov. 5

The Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’ office will be conducting a delinquent property tax sale on November 5th.

Delinquent taxes that are sold put a lien against the property – the first step in a process that can end with loss of the property. It’s possible that owners may be unaware their properties are headed to the tax sale because the U.S. Postal Service has returned bills and subsequent notices on 17,702 properties.

To avoid the tax sale, property owners can do a Delinquent Property Tax Search here to see if their taxes are delinquent. You can search by Property Index Number (PIN) or Search by Property Address.

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 Servicesat 800-831-7949 or email EmergencyAssistance@nhschicago.org.

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