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,
Legislative Update This week was the last City Council meeting of the year, and we considered several important pieces of legislation:
Chicago Fatal Crash Legacy Report
I introduced an ordinance to City Council yesterday that would make our streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The legislation would require transportation officials to develop safety plans for sites where fatal crashes occurred.
The Chicago Fatal Crash Legacy Report would include specific strategies to fix crash sites where pedestrians or cyclists are killed, including cost estimates, timelines, funding considerations, and input from other stakeholders. Reports would be released to the public within 60 days of the crash and published annually.
Eight cyclists and 32 pedestrians – including eight children – have been killed in Chicago so far in 2022. We need to act now to keep our roadways safe. The new ordinance will be discussed in the Committee on Transportation and Public Way. You can follow its progress here.
Resolution Condemning Kanye West
I also introduced a resolution condemning Kanye West for his deeply antisemitic and inflammatory actions. You can view my statement to the Council below. For a copy of the resolution, visit https://bit.ly/3FxTb2m. | |  | | Alderman Silverstein introduces a resolution to the Chicago City Council condemning Kanye West's antisemitic actions. | | Almost all of my colleagues signed on as co-sponsors and the resolution was adopted by the City Council. Hate is on the rise and we need to speak out against antisemitism and all forms of hate speech. Thank you to everyone who supported this resolution.
Zoning Ordinance Approved for Chicago Casino
The City Council also voted to approve the zoning ordinance for the forthcoming Chicago casino. The zoning will allow for a hotel, theater, event center, and riverwalk to be built at the old Chicago Tribune Publishing Center. Bally's still requires approval from the Illinois Gaming Board before the casino can operate in Chicago.
Holiday Toy Donation Drives at the 50th Ward Office Thank you to everyone who has donated so far to the 50th Ward Holiday Toy Drives! The Chanukah toys have already been dropped off to help children in need, but you can still contribute Christmas gifts until Wednesday, December 21.
All Christmas toys will be donated to Chicagoland Toys For Tots to be distributed to less fortunate children. Please drop off Christmas gifts by December 21. For more information, visit chicagolandtft.org.
All Chanukah gifts have been given to the Chicago Chesed Fund to be distributed to Jewish families in need. For more information, visit www.chicagochesedfund.org.
No child should feel neglected or left out during the holiday season. Thank you for donating to this worthy cause!
Four Suspects Arrested for Armed Robberies The 24th District Police announced the arrest of four individuals in the neighboring 40th Ward suspected of committing multiple armed robberies across the city. All four suspects were charged with multiple felonies.
The suspects were arrested on the 5100 block of N. Oakley in Ravenswood after a police chase. The arrests came after the police issued a community alert regarding 50 armed robberies across the city. Investigators believe the four suspects may be responsible for all of them.
Thank you to all of the local 24th District officers who worked this case and acted to keep our city safe! We need to send a clear message that violent crime will not be tolerated and offenders will end up in jail.
Order Free At-Home COVID Tests Every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order one set of four at-home COVID-19 tests through a federal program. The tests are completely free. Order your tests online at www.covid.gov/tests. Tests will ship free starting the week of December 19.
The tests you can now order are rapid antigen, not PCR. They can be taken anywhere and should give results within 30 minutes with no lab drop-off required.
Health officials are warning of a "tripledemic" of the coronavirus, flu, and RSV, which is taxing the medical system. Please make sure you are up to date on all your vaccinations and stay home if you feel sick.
Happy Chanukah! Sunday is the first night of Chanukah, and we can all use a little more light in the world. I want to wish everyone in the Jewish community a Chanukah Sameach — Happy Chanukah!
Have a wonderful weekend. Stay safe and healthy! Sincerely,  Debra L. Silverstein Alderman, 50th Ward | | Free Community Yard Signs Free yard signs are now available for pickup at the 50th Ward Office, 2949 W. Devon. There are currently two signs in stock: "Caution - Children Playing" and "Clean Up After Your Dog." Stop by to pick up your free signs. | | Collecting Winter Clothes for Migrants The 50th Ward Office is collecting winter clothes to benefit the migrants currently housed at the High Ridge YMCA and throughout the city. You can drop off new or gently-used winter coats and boots for men, women and children.
Donations you drop off will be delivered to Nuevos Vecinos, a welcoming group of approximately 40 members serving the migrants arriving in the 50th ward. The group is part of the Refugee Community Connection, a network of neighbors helping neighbors in Chicago.
You can also contribute through an Amazon Wish List. Donations made through the Wish List will be shipped to Ed and Luisette Kraal of Sabka Sahaara church on Devon Avenue. Contribute to the Wish List here. | | Small Business Improvement Grants - Devon/Western TIF Local small business owners can now apply for funding to improve their facilities. The City of Chicago will accept Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) applications from business owners in the Devon/Western TIF until 5 PM on Tuesday, January 3.
The SBIF program uses Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue to help owners repair or remodel their facilities and improve their businesses. Tenant businesses are also eligible to apply. Grants up to $150,000 are available for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties.
This round of funding is only available for businesses within the Devon/Western TIF. To find out if your business is within the TIF, visit https://webapps1.cityofchicago.org/ChicagoTif.
For more information about the SBIF program, visit chicago.gov/sbif. | | Shared Cost Sidewalk Program - Jan 9, 2023 The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program will open to new applicants on January 9, 2023 at 6 AM. You have several options for applying this year: Call 311 or apply through the CHI 311 website or mobile app (create a Shared Cost Sidewalk Program Request).
PLEASE NOTE: The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The program typically reaches capacity quickly, so you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is a popular service in which residents share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. Property owners will pay a price per square-foot for new sidewalk that is well below what a private contractor would charge. The scope of the program may include the main walk, the existing courtesy walk (which runs perpendicular from the main sidewalk to the curb) and existing landing steps (the small strip of concrete sometimes found adjacent to the curb).
For more information, please visit the Chicago Department of Transportation's (CDOT) website here. For any questions, contact CDOT at (312) 744-1746 or email cdotsharedcost@cityofchicago.org. | | JNDC Small Business Forum |  | | Emergency Heating Repair Program The Emergency Heating Repair Program is now open to new applicants. This program provides grants for income-eligible Chicago homeowners to repair or replace their furnace or boiler heating system. Limited funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Emergency Heating Repair Program is available to Chicagoans who own and occupy one-to-four unit residential buildings. Households earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI) are eligible to participate in the program.
Enrollment will be accepted until April 1, 2023, or until all funds have been exhausted. The application package is available online at www.chicago.gov/ehrp. Call (312) 744-3653 to speak with a customer service representative about the program. | | Skate in the Parks Enjoy a fun winter of skating in the parks! The Warren Park ice rink, and outdoor ice rinks across the city, are now open for the season. Pre-registration is required for all programs, including open skate sessions. Register online here.
Admission is free, and skates are available for rental. For questions, please contact Warren Park at (773) 761-8663. For more information and a list of all ice rink locations, visit the Park District website here. | | Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund Homeowners struggling to keep up with housing payments can now apply for up to $60,000 in assistance. The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) is now open to support qualified homeowners who need help with past-due mortgage payments and related expenses due to financial hardships associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will be accepted at www.illinoishousinghelp.org until 11:59 PM. on January 31, 2023.
Eligible households can apply for grants for past-due mortgage payments,
property taxes, property insurance and homeowner and/or condo association fees. Payments will be made directly to the mortgage servicer, taxing body or other eligible entity once a homeowner's application has been approved.
To qualify for ILHAF, Illinois homeowners must meet the following criteria: - Be at least 30 days late on one or more of mortgage loan, property tax, property insurance and/or HOA/condo association fee payments.
- Have a household income at or below 150% Area Median Income.
- Own and occupy a home in Illinois as a primary residence.
- Experienced financial hardship after Jan. 21, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic (including a hardship that began before Jan. 21, 2020 but continued after that date).
More information on the application process, including videos on how to apply, a complete list of required documents and other housing help can be found at www.illinoishousinghelp.org. | | Home and Business Protection Program Expansion The City of Chicago is expanding the Home and Business Protection Program (HBPP) to remove financial barriers and ensure that more Chicago residents have access to private security devices. Income-eligible residents can now apply for private security devices and pick them up at the 50th Ward Office once approved.
In addition, all Chicago residents—regardless of income—can still apply for a rebate to cover the costs of new outdoor security cameras, cloud storage for video footage, outdoor motion-sensor lighting, vehicle GPS trackers, and subscription costs. Residents as well as business, religious, and non-profit organizations are eligible.
Visit chicago.gov/hbpp for the applications and the full eligibility criteria. Contact HBPP@cityofchicago.org or (312) 742-3317 for any questions.
Residents also have the option to register new or existing security camera systems with the Chicago Police Department to help solve crimes faster. To register your cameras or to learn more, visit chicagopolice.org/cameraregistration. | | Never Leave Your Car Running |  | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment