Follow the 50th Ward on Social Media Email is not the only way to get news from the 50th Ward. I also post frequently on social media to advise the public on emerging information. Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to make sure you get all of the updates as soon as they are available. | | Dear Neighbor,
Improving Our Parks! Residents from all across the 50th Ward came together this week to improve one of our local parks. We all worked together at (Phillip) Rogers Park to help it recover from last year's tornado, which destroyed dozens of old and beautiful trees.
The Park District planted more than 40 trees to replace the older ones that were torn down by the storm. Volunteers worked to mulch around the new trees and make sure they are able to thrive. | | Thank you to all the volunteers who came out. Generations of children will be able to play under and enjoy the new trees thanks to your hard work and commitment to our community! A special thank you to iProSkills Academy soccer club and Rogers Elementary PTO and LSC for sending so many volunteers!
Chicago Police Foot Pursuit Policy The Chicago Police just issued the department's first foot pursuit policy, which attempts to balance the risk of engaging in a pursuit with the need to apprehend the subject. A temporary version of the policy will go into effect in June, but the finalized policy will not be completed until September, so it is important to get as much input from the public as possible.
The City is seeking public input on the new policy. Please click here to read the details about the policy and leave your feedback by July 15. The police department will hold a live virtual webinar to review the pursuit policy and answer general questions from the public. The webinar will be on Tuesday, June 1 at 7 p.m. Click here to register.
Foot pursuits are one of the most dangerous police actions, and any new policy must prioritize the safety of officers and the public. Please take the time to read the new policy closely and leave your feedback.
Hyper-Local Vaccines As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes more widely accessible and more residents are getting the shot, the City is shifting its focus on how best to reach those who have not yet been vaccinated. The Chicago Department of Public Health is hosting dozens of vaccine pop-ups and special events, with a focus on areas where vaccine rates remain low. The idea is that if people will not come to the vaccine, we should bring the vaccine to them. Events are being held at parks, beaches, churches, food pantries, and more.
A complete calendar of pop-ups and special events is available here. New
events will be added weekly.
In addition to pop-up events, CDPH is also expanding the in-home vaccination program. Anyone age 65 or older, or anyone with a disability or medical condition, can now receive a vaccine right in their home! Residents can call (312) 746-4835 to schedule an appointment.
Memorial Day This Monday is Memorial Day. This is an important holiday that commemorates our American heroes who gave their last full measure of devotion in service of their country. I would like to pay my respects to the fighting men and women of the United States military who made the ultimate sacrifice and express my gratitude to the families of the fallen.
Learn more about Memorial Day at the US Department of Veterans Affairs website here.
Holiday Garbage Pickup There will be a change to garbage pickup this coming week due to the holiday on Monday. Addresses which are typically picked up on Mondays and Tuesdays will be collected on Tuesday or Wednesday. Please make sure your garbage is outside on both of these days to ensure it is collected.
Beaches Reopening Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, the City announced that Chicago's beaches have officially reopened to the public. This is fantastic news! Our city has wonderful beaches and their loss has been sorely missed since they closed to the public in September of 2019.
Beach season runs though Labor Day. With the exception of drinking fountains, which remain shut off due to public health guidance, all traditional beach amenities will return, including lifeguards, concessions and water recreational activities.
Several North Side beaches, including Juneway, Roger, Howard, and Fargo, will remain closed to the public due to high lake levels and erosion.
The City manages 26 miles of open and free lakefront, and our beaches are one of Chicago's most popular attractions. However, it is vital that we enjoy the beach safely! Swimming is permitted only when lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
For more information, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/beaches. For questions, call (312) 74-BEACH (312-742-3224).
Police CAPS Meetings There will be two CAPS meetings this week, covering the entire area of the 50th Ward that is north of Devon Avenue. Both meetings will be held on Zoom.
The CAPS meeting for Beat 2411, stretching from Howard to Pratt and from Kedzie to Ridge, will be held on Tuesday, June 1 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join the meeting at join.zoom.us using the following information: Meeting ID: 819 3738 6016, Passcode: 701257.
The CAPS meeting for Beat 2412, stretching from Pratt to Devon and from Kedzie to Ridge, will be held on Wednesday, June 2 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join the meeting at join.zoom.us using the following information: Meeting ID: 830 4085 9716, Passcode: 502378.
These events are great opportunities to meet the officers who patrol your community and discuss safety concerns directly with the police and your neighbors. For more information, please call the 24th District CAPS Office at (312) 744-6321.
Be a Good Neighbor – Maintain Your Lawn Summer is just around the corner. As we approach the prime gardening season, please think of your neighbors and maintain your lawn. Mowing your grass is not only the neighborly thing to do, it is also the law. Chicago Ordinance (7-28-120) requires you to keep the grass and weeds on your property below 10 inches. Failure to comply can result in hefty fines.
When mowing your lawn, please help keep our streets and sidewalks clean. Make sure to bag your yard refuse and not blow it onto the street or your neighbor's property. Please also speak with your landscapers and make sure they are careful to do the same.
Have a wonderful weekend. Stay safe and healthy!
Sincerely,  Debra L. Silverstein Alderman, 50th Ward | | Local COVID-19 Vaccine Numbers
Zip code 60645 has 52.4% of the population vaccinated with at least one dose as of 5/28/2021. This is higher than the citywide average of 51.2%. To date, 40.3% of residents have completed a vaccine series.
Zip code 60659 has 47.1% of the population vaccinated with at least one dose as of 5/28/2021. This is lower than the citywide average of 51.2%. To date, 36.4% of residents have completed a vaccine series.
The latest data can be found on the city's COVID Dashboard. | | COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Information
There are currently several ways for Chicago residents to get a COVID-19 vaccine:
1. Prism Health Lab Clinic - 6301 N. Western. Register at prism.org/vaccine (select "Chicago (West Rogers Park) - Indoor Clinic"). Walk-ins are welcome. For questions or concerns, call 800-325-1812, text 740-720-PRSM (2683), or email info@prism.org.
2. Your health care provider - Your first contact should be your health care provider, including your primary care provider, health clinic, or hospital where you have gotten medical care in the past. If you have insurance but do not have a primary care provider, please check with your insurance company for a list of providers accepting new patients. If you do not have insurance, one option is to enroll with one of Chicago's many Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Download the FQHC flyers in English and Spanish.
3. Your pharmacy - The City has provided vaccines to pharmacies across Chicago. There are currently several participating pharmacies, which have their own registration links: 4. Your employer - Specific employers in prioritized essential worker groups will be able to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to their employees. If you will receive your vaccine through your employer, you do not need to take any other action.
5. Zocdoc - Chicago has partnered with Zocdoc to streamline access to COVID-19 vaccines, including at the City's mass vaccination sites. You can now visit zocdoc.com/vaccine to confirm eligibility, see nearby vaccination locations, show their real-time appointment availability, and receive notifications when new appointments are available. Frequently Asked Questions about Zocdoc.
6. Outside Chicago - Some jurisdictions have expanded their eligibility to Chicagoans. Appointments are available across Illinois and Cook County: 7. End-of-Day Doses - Vaccination locations sometimes have unused, extra doses of COVID vaccine they must either use or throw out. Providers may alert Chicagoans to the availability of unused doses through various methods: - Phone calls and/or texts to individuals on a clinic waitlist. Check with your provider about signing up to be alerted if there are leftover vaccine doses.
- Dr. B. is a standby list for COVID vaccine doses that are about to expire. Dr. B verifies providers before allowing them to use their alerting service. Sign up to be on a stand-by list for alerts from Dr. B about providers in Chicago with unused doses.
- CDPH intermittently posts end of day appointments at mass vaccination sites on zocdoc.com/vaccine.
8. Vaccines.gov - A free, online service where users can search for pharmacies and providers that offer vaccination. Information about where COVID-19 vaccines are available is provided directly by pharmacies and providers, in collaboration with states, and is updated daily. Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you.
More information, including a map of vaccine providers, can be found at www.chicago.gov/vaccinefinder. For the most up-to-date information on the vaccine, visit www.chicago.gov/covidvax.
50th Ward Donation Drive
We are collecting donations of non-perishable food, diapers and infant formula at the 50th Ward Office. Many of our neighbors are still grappling with the economic ramifications of COVID-19, and any goods you can spare will make a tremendous difference to those in need.
Drop off donations at 2949 W. Devon during regular business hours. Call before coming to make sure a staff member is available to pick up the donation outside the office. Staff will wear masks and gloves and follow social distancing procedures.
Please consider donating. Every item helps!
Emergency Rental Assistance
Are you having difficulty paying your rent or utilities? You may be eligible for help through the Chicago Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). The application period is now open for tenants and landlords until Tuesday, June 8 at 11:59 p.m.
Apply online at chicago.gov/RentHelp. Assistance will cover up to 12 months of missed rent and utility payments and up to three months of future rent and utility payments. Rental assistance grants will be paid directly to the landlord, and utility assistance grants will be paid directly to utility providers.
To be eligible, tenants must have suffered a hardship due to COVID-19, such as job loss, reduced hours, or illness within the household; be at risk of housing instability; and have earned less than 80% of the area median income during 2020 or at the time of application.
For more information or to apply, visit chicago.gov/RentHelp.
Chicago Works Community Challenge
Learn about the Chicago Works Community Challenge—a new investment that will fund community improvement projects across the City. Awards up to $1.5 million will be issued to fund enhancements to city-owned properties, including public parks, schools, libraries, or city-owned vacant lots in residential zones.
Awards will be issued in each of Chicago's seven planning regions. Expected projects include playground improvements in parks, co-working space or meeting room upgrades in libraries, and community gardens or playgrounds on vacant lots.
Applications will be available for proposals at chicago.gov/chicagoworkschallenge from June 1 until September 1.
Free Vaccine Ambassador Course
The City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) and Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) are offering a Vaccine Ambassador Course that provides free online training to educate people to become trusted vaccine education ambassadors in their communities.
Community members can complete the two-hour online Vaccine Ambassador Course at no cost. It is offered through the Malcolm X College Continuing Education Department in English and Spanish.
Chicago community members who complete this course will receive a certificate of completion and be recognized as trusted messengers of COVID-19 vaccine education. For more information and to sign-up for the free two-hour online class visit, www.ccc.edu/vaccineambassador.
Track Your Stimulus Payment
The federal government has begun sending stimulus checks to most Americans as part of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. You can track the status of your payment at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.
If you have any specific questions about the coronavirus relief bill, please reach out to Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky's Office at (773) 506-7100 or Congressman Mike Quigley's office at (773) 267-5926.
Mortgage Assistance Grants
Motor Vehicle Safety Tips
We Will Chicago
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