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,
Temporary Housing for Migrants Roughly 500 migrants have arrived in Chicago from Texas, and the City is seeking temporary housing solutions to greet the new arrivals. The former High Ridge YMCA in our neighborhood is on a short list of locations that has the capacity and amenities needed to serve as a temporary housing site while a more permanent solution is sought.
This situation is very fluid at the moment as the City is offered little to no notice from the state of Texas before a busload of migrants arrives. Whether the YMCA needs to be utilized will depend on how many people ultimately need shelter.
I have also been working closely with the YMCA of Metro Chicago and the High Ridge Coalition to reopen the local YMCA building to the community. Saving the High Ridge YMCA is a priority of mine, and I am optimistic that we will find a way to make it happen after this current crisis has passed.
I will continue to update you with more information when it becomes available, including whether our neighborhood site is selected and ways that local residents can help the new arrivals. In the meantime, my office is serving as a dropoff location for any donations. Visit chicago.gov/support for a list of accepted new items.
Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Help protect your vehicle! Join me for a Catalytic Converter Marking Event, held together with the Cook County Sheriff's Office. Staff will spray paint a distinctive mark on your catalytic converter to scare off potential thieves. We hope this will serve as a valuable deterrent and help prevent you from becoming a victim.
The event will be on Thursday, September 29 from 5 PM - 7 PM at Warren Park, 6601 N. Western. Space will be limited, so you must register in advance to reserve your spot. Register by emailing CCSO.CommunityEngagement@ccsheriff.org and providing your name as well as your car's make, model, and year. Click on the QR code in the flyer in the News Section below for an email template.
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.
50th Ward Job Fair The annual 50th Ward Job Fair was a tremendous success this week. It was wonderful to be back in person for the first time since 2019. We were joined by hundreds of job seekers to meet dozens of employers from a broad range of fields. | | Thank you to all of the employers who participated, as well as all of the 50th Ward residents who came to the fair. I hope that this event was successful for everyone who attended, and I will continue to do whatever I can to chip away at the unemployment rate in our city and neighborhood.
The job fair was a partnership between my office, State Senator Ram Villivalam, the Illinois Department of Employment Security, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Illinois workNet and Business and Career Services Inc.
If you were unable to make it, I encourage you to visit the IDES website at ides.illinois.gov for employment resources and information about future hiring events.
Outdoor Office Hours I held my last Outdoor Office Hours of the season at Legion Park Playground this week. Over the course of the summer I hosted five of these events at locations throughout the neighborhood. Serving the community is my primary goal as Alderman, and it was wonderful to see so many of you out in the Ward!
Outdoor Office Hours will be back next year after the winter. In the meantime, we still have plenty of local events on the way. Click here to see all of our upcoming events.
Hispanic Heritage Month National Hispanic Heritage Month began this week. Hispanic Americans have made wonderful contributions to our neighborhood and the City of Chicago and have had a profound impact on our nation at large.
This 30 day period is significant to many residents of the 50th Ward and is designed to coincide with the anniversary of independence for many Latin American countries, such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico and Chile, as well as Columbus Day or Día de la Raza.
If you would like to learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month and the contributions of Hispanic Americans, please visit www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov.
Have a wonderful weekend. Stay safe and healthy! Sincerely,  Debra L. Silverstein Alderman, 50th Ward | | Catalytic Converter Marking Flyer |  | | Free Backpacks at the 50th Ward Office Free backpacks and school supplies are now available in the 50th Ward Office. Anyone who needs is welcome to stop by during normal business hours at 2949 W. Devon.
We want to make sure all of the neighborhood's children have the supplies they need to have a successful school year. Please stop by and pick up your backpack! | | 50th Ward Community Youth Council
Calling all local high school students! Join the 50th Ward Youth Council to make your voice heard in your community and gain valuable experience in civic engagement. | | As a member of the Youth Council, you will be directly involved in providing input and ideas for local improvements and promoting ease of access to City services for your neighbors. You will also connect with volunteer opportunities from community organizations, meet your elected officials, learn first hand about the diverse cultures that represent the 50th Ward, and make a difference in the neighborhood.
We invite interested high school students to fill out the form to join and connect with our office: bit.ly/50thWardYouth. | | 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. | | Rogers Park Pickleball Two new pickleball leagues are launching at (Phillip) Roger Park. Programs will be in open format, where participants are welcome to come at their convenience. However, patrons must register at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com to participate. The following programs are now available:
Senior Pickleball - Tuesdays-Fridays: 10 AM to 1 PM.
Free program.
Adult Pickleball - Tuesdays-Fridays: 4PM - 6 PM.
$5 registration fee.
For any questions, contact the Rogers Park Supervisor at (773) 381-6274. | | Warren Park Early Childhood Programming Warren Park is offering Early Childhood programming for children ages 2.5 to 5. Play school, arts, and sports programs are now open.
Warren Park is located at 6601 N. Western. Contact the park for more information about available programs. To register, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. | | Harvest Fest at Indian Boundary |  | | Mime and Music at Indian Boundary Join T. Daniel Productions for the first production of the season at Indian Boundary Cultural Center, featuring mime and classical music. Shows will be on the following dates: - Saturday, September 17 at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, September 18 at 2 p.m.
All shows are in the auditorium at Indian Boundary Cultural Center, 2500 W. Lunt. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.tdanielproductions.org. | | Small Business Improvement Grants - Lincoln Ave TIF Local small business owners will soon be able to apply for funding to improve their facilities. The City of Chicago will accept Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) applications from business owners in the Lincoln Avenue TIF from October 3 until November 2.
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 Lincoln Avenue TIF. To find out if your business is within the TIF, visit https://webapps1.cityofchicago.org/ChicagoTif.
The Department of Planning and Development will be holding an informational webinar to discuss the program on Wednesday, October 5 at 1 p.m. Register for the webinar here.
For more information about the SBIF program, visit chicago.gov/sbif. | | State of Illinois Tax Rebates Many Illinois residents could soon see checks arriving in the mail or by direct deposit. The money is part of the Illinois Family Relief Plan and will include one-time individual income and property tax rebates to taxpayers who meet income requirements. You may be eligible for one or both of the following rebates: - Individual Income Tax Rebate: $50 per person ($100 per couple for married filing jointly) and $100 per dependent (limit of three dependents).
- Property Tax Rebate: An amount equal to the property tax credit you qualified for on your 2021 return, up to a maximum of $300.
Rebate payments began on September 12 and are expected to take several months to be fully issued. Taxpayers can check on the status of their rebates at the State's Where's My Rebate page.
For more information and frequently asked questions, visit tax.illinois.gov/rebates. | | Senior Film Series Local seniors are invited to join the 24th District Police Department for the next installment of its film series on Wednesday, September 21 at 2 p.m. The film will be screened in-person at the police station, 6464 N. Clark Street.
This month's film will be The Blues Brothers. Following the movie, participants are invited to a discussion with Julie Chandler, who worked on staging for the film.
There will be a 30 person limit for the film, so registration is required. Email PO DeWinter in the 24th District Community Policing Office to RSVP at caroline.dewinter@chicagopolice.org. | | Park District Public Budget Hearing |  | | Utility Bill Payment Assistance |  | | | |
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