Dear neighbors,

First, I want to send my love and solidarity to all veterans in our community on this Veteran’s Day. We recognize your service, sacrifices, and resilience. We are committed to fighting for good lives for veterans and their families so they can have access to all their needs and what they deserve.

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This week, alongside the North River Commission (NRC) and the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce, we showed up to support some of our neighborhood businesses to ensure they thrive. To ensure businesses have what they need to expand we would like to share some events and information from NRC below:

• Each year NRC has a #ShopSmall advertising event. Since this is right around the corner (Saturday, November 26th) it’s time to sign up, get your swag, and advertise your products for the Holiday Season.
  • For support with customizable marketing materials, please follow this link.
• NRC is hosting the Best Business Awards and it’s time to nominate your favorite businesses in the area. Voting is open until Sunday, November 13th. Please cast your vote for your favorite business across 16 categories and share on your social media platforms to get the word out and bring attention and show our love to our local businesses. Follow NRC on Instagram and Facebook  for more information. 
• On November 17th at 5:30, NRC will be hosting the Best Business Bash! This is an annual celebration to award the best businesses of 2022. During this event you will learn who will receive the Best Businesses Awards for the year, as well as mix and mingle, enjoy delicious food, and help celebrate our small business community. For more information and to register for this event click here. 

Additional resources for businesses can be found in our newsletter under the Business Resources section. 

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We have been doing a lot of work with Roosevelt High School to create safe spaces for young people to express themselves and learn how to regulate their nervous systems. Last Saturday we had a beautiful event with lots of workshops from music therapy to cooking lessons and healing experiences open to our community. We are so proud of the work done by so many young people! 

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In case you missed it, last week my colleagues and I wrote an article about the 2023 budget and our priorities as a city.

I also want to provide clarification on something my colleague in the 50th Ward said in her ward newsletter: “After an unacceptable string of shootings in our neighborhood, I have been talking with the Chicago Police Superintendent and the Mayor’s Office about the vital need for extra officers in the 50th Ward. I am pleased to report that the pressure is starting to pay off. Twelve additional officers should be coming to the 24th district and 8 new officers to the 20th district. I will continue to get more officers in the 17th district.”

After receiving a question from a resident about this matter, I inquired further with Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration about allocation of police staffing in the city. They confirmed that staffing is not allocated to the loudest alders or “squeaky wheels.”

I will continue to push for evidence-based investments in community safety, in our ward and city-wide.

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We’d like to wish everyone a safe and memorable holiday weekend!

In This Week’s Newsletter

Quick Links 

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

*Block party applications are open! Read more under “Form” on the Neighborhood Services page, and apply here! 

Trash Talk with Eric 

Street sweeping is almost over and most of the leaves have fallen! Please remember to not blow or rake your leaves into the street! There is a city ordinance against this and for good reason: it clogs storm drains and damages the sweeper trucks.

Please dispose of leaves and yard waste properly so we can ensure all the streets get cleaned up and our equipment can remain functioning. Big thanks to all the residents that have done a great job with this and helping take care of our city’s streets!

Department of Water Management Construction Notice

DWM has started rehabilitating specific sewer sections within our ward. This work will improve the infrastructure by cleaning the sewers and lining the inside of the current pipes. This process does not typically require removal unless the pipes require repairs. These improvements will be taking place on N Albany Ave & N Whipple St from W Cornelia Ave to N Elston Ave. The work has already started and has an estimated completion date of April 2023.

The work is performed in staggered stages to allow for drying and curing of the new pipes, therefore cites will not have crews present on-site each day for the period described. Residents in this area will be provided with a letter with specific information of the work for each project location. No parking signs will be posted in the immediate area at least 1 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. Please call or email our office with further questions or concerns.

Winter Snow Shoveling Program

With winter quickly approaching, we would like to get a head start with our annual Snow Shoveling Program. Each year this program matches snow shoveling volunteers with those in need of the service, i.e seniors and people with disabilities. If you are interested in volunteering or need the snow shoveling service, please use this link to ensure your spot in the program. Once you enroll, we will be in contact with you to ensure you have all the information you need for this program.

Currently, there is a push for a city-wide ordinance by Better Streets Chicago that seeks to establish sidewalk snow and ice removal become service for all citizens. Click here to read more.

Rivera Family Meal Train Donations

Earlier this week the Rivera family hosted a candlelight vigil for their loved one who lost their life due to devastating acts of violence. They are seeking support from their community through a family meal train. Please consider donating if you are able. You can find the information here.

Community Wealth Building Initiative

As a part of the Chicago Recovery Plan, the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) has partnered with The Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ), to design the Community Wealth Ecosystem Building (Community WEB) Program. The Community WEB program will allow the city to invest in the organizations that start, sustain, and scale CWB models.

The Community WEB program will fund an interconnected network of advisors to provide high-quality, specialized, and culturally-relevant technical services for free to eligible non-profit and for-profit start-ups and operating businesses, such as worker cooperatives, limited-equity housing cooperatives, community land trusts, and community investment vehicles.

We are pleased to announce that the deadline for submission of applications for the CWEB RFP which was November 1st has been extended through November 15th. Click here for more information.

Neighborhood Events

1. Free Zumba for All, November 19th

2. Free Flu & Covid Vaccine Event, November 19th

3. St. John’s Episcopal Church Annual Thanksgiving Dinner, November 24th

4. Front Porch Christmas, December 10th

Youth Opportunities

1. 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.

2. Little Explorers, Now – November 21st

The Kedzie Center is hosting another cycle of their parent-child play group called Little Explorers/Pequenos Exploradores for parents and young children (0-5) in our community. The program is bilingual and offered at no cost to community residents. Call them at (773)-754-0577 to reserve your spot. Masks and proof of vaccination required for adults.   

3. Skating, Hockey and Figure Skating Workshops, Sundays from Now – December 18th

Chicago Youth Foundation is a proud women-led initiative that brings the joy of ice sports to Chicago youth to improve their social and academic well-being and empowering them to find success through sportsmanship and teamwork. Below are the 3 FREE classes children can choose from.

Learn to Skate Workshop (for children that do not know how to skate)

• Students will learn the proper skating techniques needed to participate in our hockey or figure skating programs.
• Ice skates will be provided; Students must bring their own helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and warm gloves
• Students should wear layers; including long sleeve shirt, light jacket, sweatshirt, with leggings, sweatpants, or jeans.

Hockey on your Block (for children that already know how to skate and would like to learn how to play hockey)

• Students will learn the proper techniques of advanced skating, stickhandling, passing, shooting, and playmaking.
• Hockey skates will be provided
• Students must bring their own hockey equipment and stick

Figure Skating on Your Block (for children that already know how to skate and would like to learn figure skating)

• Provides a safe and fun environment with group skating instruction that follows the framework of United States Figure Skating (USFS) to serve the needs of both recreational and competitive skaters.
• Figure skates can be provided 
• Helmets are optional.

Class size is limited to only the first 40 students who register online. If your children would like to participate in our 2022 fall workshops click this link.

Ribbon Cutting Highlights of the Week

This week we had ribbon cuttings for THREE local businesses in our ward! Cano Health, Tito’s Flower Shop, and Taqueria San Juanito. Tito’s Flower Shop and Taqueria San Juanito have been a part of our community for many years and we are so happy to see them expand their facilities and capacity to serve our community. We also welcomed Cano Health to Albany Park. They will be offering a variety of health and social services to our seniors, including dental care!  We are proud and excited to work with North River Commission and our neighborhood businesses to ensure they have the resources they need to grow and thrive.

Know Your Rights, Remedies, and Resources Virtual Seminars, November 2022

Safer Foundation is partnering with the Women’s Justice Institute (WJI) to conduct a series of webinars to help people who are incarcerated and people with arrest and conviction records know their rights, know their remedies and also help connect them to legal and reentry resources. Below is a list of their upcoming webinars. Registration is required.

• Housing and Driver’s Licenses: November 29th 4 PM – 5 PM

HANA Center ILHAF Support Drive

The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) 2.0 Program opened earlier this month. ILHAF offers financial assistance for eligible Illinois homeowners to pay past-due housing payments.

The HANA Center is a Housing Stability Servicer provider and have partnered with the Illinois Housing Development Authority to help Illinois residents apply and receive housing counseling for the Illinois Housing Assistance Fund (ILHAF).

HANA Center will be holding in-person application drives at their Chicago office (4300 N. California Ave.) to help homeowners apply to HAF 2.0.

To attend the application drive, you must register in advance. Please register here for the application drive and learn more about the HAF 2.0 program.

Application Drive Schedule:

• November 14th 9:30 am – 12 pm & 1:30 – 4 pm
• November 20th 9:30 am – 12 pm & 1:30 – 4 pm

There will be future application drives in December and January.

If you have any questions, please call the HANA Center at (773)-583-5501, email housing@hanacenter.org, or text ‘mortgage’ to (773)-217-8497 (Korean/English) or (773)-217-9335 (Spanish/English).

Irving Park Community Food Pantry Coat Drive

The Irving Park Community Food Pantry (4256 N Ridgeway) is hosting its annual coat drive and seeks new and lightly used winter coats for clients in the 60641 and 60618 ZIP codes.  The drive runs through November 16. The Pantry can also accept hats, scarves, mittens, and other cold-weather gear. Drop off donations at: 

• 16th District, Jefferson Park Police Station, 5151 N Milwaukee Avenue
• 17th District, Albany Park Police Station, 4650 N. Pulaski Road
• Big Helpers, 4184 North Elston Avenue
• Disney II Magnet School, 3815 North Kedvale Avenue
• Disney II Magnet High School, 3900 North Lawndale Avenue
• Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 North Knox Avenue
• Irving Park YMCA, 4251 West Irving Park Road
• Jet’s Pizza, 3951 North Kimball Avenue
• J.T.’s Genuine Sandwich Shop, 3970 North Elston Avenue
• Old Irving Brewing Company, 4419 West Montrose Avenue
• Perkolator Coffee, 6032 West Irving Park Road
• Front Porch at 3822 North Tripp Avenue

If you have a large donation or want to run a drive, email info@irvingparkfoodpantry.org. 
For more details, visit www.irvingparkfoodpantry.org.

Heartland Alliance Academic & Career Planning Classes

Join Heartland Alliance for their career foundations class this winter. This class will help develop skills that people may need to find their future career. This course begins on November 28th and will continue through December. 

Please register by emailing dimcdonald@heartlandalliance.org.

Home Flooding & Energy Audit Workshop, November 16th

Join North River Commission in partnership with Elevate for a FREE workshop to learn about Elevate’s home flooding assessment and energy audit program. Learn about energy efficiency and flooding mitigation services available to you on Wednesday, November 16th at 6 PM via Zoom.  

To RSVP, contact Erika at erika@northrivercommission.org or text 872-257-8773.

Swedish Hospital Health & Wellness Events, Fall & Winter 

Below you can find a list of upcoming community events hosted by Swedish Hospital. All events are free and RSVP is required to attend. If there are any questions they ask that you give them a call at 773-878-6888 or visit their website at swedishcovenant.org/events. 

• Family Fridays: a two hour “open house style” event featuring fun activities, nutrition lessons, food samples, seasonal tips, and more for families. Stop by at anytime during the event time.
  • Friday, November 18: 4:30 – 6:30 PM
  • Friday, December 16: 4:30 – 6:30 PM
• “More Color” Nutrition Workshop: This one-hour interactive workshop is designed to help families with meal planning, cooking and healthy eating by focusing on tips and tricks to incorporate more color into every meal. Includes hands-on nutrition activities for parents and kids along with recipes, cooking demos, taste testing and more
  • Tuesday, November 15: 4:30 – 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday, December 20: 4:30 – 5:30 PM
• Bystander CPR / AED Training Session: Learn about the importance of “hands-only” CPR and how to respond in an emergency situation. At this session, you will learn how to properly perform chest compressions and how to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Please note: Bystander CPR Training is different from a full-certification course.
  • Thursday, November 17: 6:30 – 7:30 PM
  • Thursday, December 15: 6:30 – 7:30 PM
• Monthly Cooking Series: This class features tips on meal planning, shopping on a budget, and incorporating healthy foods daily. It is part of their monthly cooking series, led by Annie Scott, Community Outreach Registered Dietitian.
  • Tuesday, November 15: 1:00 – 2:30 PM
  • Tuesday, December 6: 1:00 – 2:30 PM
  • Tuesday, December 13: 1:00 – 2:30 PM
  • Tuesday, December 20: 1:00 – 2:30 PM
• Teen Hangout: Designed especially for students in 8th through 12th grade, this monthly gathering creates a safe space for fun, games, snacks and more. Stop by to hang out with friends, work with a study group, participate in a community service project, play board games or join in various topical discussions. Light refreshments provided.
  • Wednesday, November 23: 4:30 – 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday, December 28: 4:30 – 6:00 PM

Community Commission for Public Safety & Accountability

The Community Commission for Public Safety & Accountability is a newly created independent civilian police oversight body in Chicago. 

They have applications open for a few Commission-appointed positions and they are hosting a public meeting on November 14th. You can view previous public meetings on their YouTube Channel. 

1. The Commission recently opened applications to serve on the Chicago Police Board, a 9-member council which makes disciplinary decisions for CPD officers accused of misconduct – applications due November 20th. There are 3 current vacancies.
2. They have applications open for their Noncitizens Advisory Council, which will be advisors to the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability to help make sure that the Commission’s work reflects and incorporates the public safety perspectives and experiences of non-citizen and new Chicagoans – applications due November 20th

Creative Industries Study on DCASE Music Programs & Services Seeking Consultants and Researchers

The City of Chicago acting through the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) seeks proposals from research and consulting firms with expertise in evaluating and creating reports on the cultural sector. Specifically, the city seeks to engage a firm to conduct research and evaluation of Chicago’s music industry and deliver a final report outlining key strategic recommendations that will guide cultural policy and its equitable support for the music sector in Chicago.

The Creative Industries Study on the DCASE Music Programs and Services will collect, analyze data, and create reports that will lay the foundation for long-term equitable program planning that elevates Chicago’s music industries.

DCASE is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy, and offers more than 2,000 high-quality free exhibitions, concerts, theatrical and dance performances, films, lectures and discussions, family events and other programs each year at venues across the city. These events include the Chicago Blues Festival, Chicago Jazz Festival, Chicago SummerDance, Taste of Chicago, and more.

Proposals are due Friday, November 18, 2022. Click here to apply today!

Business Resources

1. BACP Free Webinar

The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) offers free weekly webinars to educate entrepreneurs in all areas of running a business. To register for upcoming webinars, visit www.chicago.gov/businesseducation. To watch all past webinars, visit BACP’s YouTube channel.

• Communication Products and Platforms for Offline and Online Marketing– Tuesday, November 15 at 12 PM
  • Presented by Dr. Marius Dancea from EmpoweLinked. In partnership with Portage Park Chamber of Commerce.

2. Business Formation Series, November 17th

From the “Business Formation” legal series presented by G & G Law, LLC. You will learn about employees vs. independent contractors, consequences of worker misclassification, non-compete issues, best practices for new hires, and much more.

RSVP by email to marisabel@northrivercommission.org or text 312-860-9294.

3. Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) Lawrence/Pulaski TIF District NOW OPEN

Application period: November 1 – November 30

The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) opens for applications starting Tuesday, November 1 at 9:00 am in the Lawrence/Pulaski TIF district. 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. Please note that residential projects are not eligible for the SBIF program, and residential developers should not apply. 

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. Apply at chicago.gov/sbif by Nov. 30, and register for an informational webinar at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, November 2 bit.ly/nov22sbif.

4. Business Grant Applications

• Founder’s First Grant — A total of $100,000 will be awarded to 30 businesses in Chicago in the form of cash and full-tuition scholarships to a stellar accelerator.
  • Grant money can be used as growth capital to hire or rehire premium wage jobs.
  • Cash infusion can be used to purchase, fix or enhance equipment necessary to help you manage growth challenges and scale for the future.
  • Founder identifies as one of the following: Latinx, Black, Asian, Women, LGBTQIA+, Military Veteran, or located in a Low to Moderate Income area.
  • TO QUALIFY: Must be located in the state of Illinois and have a current staff of 2-20 employees. Will have the ability to add 1-2+ net new premium wage jobs in the next 12 months. Your company must be a service-based business and at least one revenue stream serving other businesses. Must be a for-profit company with annual revenues between $100K and $3 million.
  • The application deadline is February 4, 2023.  Please email chicago.jobcreators@foundersfirstcdc.org with any questions about the Job Creators Quest Grant.
• Innovations for Healthy Living – Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities funding opportunity
  • Granted by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) as part of the America’s Seed Fund. This opportunity is for eligible SBIR/STTR entities to develop technologies and products that address health disparities while engaging and empowering individuals and communities.
• Upskilling Initiative
  • Provides professional development grants to businesses that serve employees aged fifty (50) and older who are currently earning up to $16 an hour. Training funds will be disbursed in $2,000 increments, pending a guaranteed commitment from the employer of a $1.50 or more per hour wage increase respectively after the training is complete.

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

Employment Opportunities

1. North River Commission is hiring

Join their team in making our communities healthier and safer! Position descriptions are on their employment page. Excellent benefits include health, dental and vision coverage and 401k retirement plan. Paid time off is provided for vacation, holidays, sick time, family leave, and medical leave. 

2. CPS Job Fair, November 16th

CPS is hosting a job fair for the positions listed above in the flyer. Registration is required for this event, and you can do so here. If you are unable to attend the job fair, you can apply for roles here. 

3. IDHS Job Fair, November 17th

IDHS is hosting a job fair on November 17th from 9 AM to 3PM for a large number of open positions.  

Don’t miss this chance to meet with their team and learn about exciting career opportunities. they offer great benefits and offer opportunities to take your career to the next level.  

If you are able to join, please RSVP. If you have any questions, please contact  Dhs.Recruitment@Illinois.gov.

4. CTA Job Fair, November 18th

5. CTA’s Find a Job Fridays

MonkeyPox Resources

The monkeypox virus is spread through close contact with body fluids, sores, shared bedding or clothing, or respiratory droplets (kissing, coughing, sneezing, etc.). This week, there were 2 documented cases in Chicago. 

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. At-Home Vaccinations Incentive

Through August 30, any Chicagoan age 5 and up is now eligible to receive a $50 gift card for booster COVID vaccine doses (regardless of zip code) via the City’s At-Home vaccination program. 

Per CDC rules, this bonus is only being offered to individuals that have not received more than $100 in COVID vaccine incentives from the City. Incentives will be provided while supplies last.

Click here to schedule your appointment

4. 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