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,
Public Safety Update Early this week, there was a homicide on the 2600 block of W Fitch. My deepest sympathies go out to the victim's family and all those who loved him. The victim, Benjamin Lopez, was shot while sitting in a car around 11:50 PM on Sunday night. He did not live in the area, and the police are actively investigating the connection this incident had to our neighborhood.
What is clear is that we have had far too much violence recently. After the shooting, I asked you all to send me testimonials of how crime has affected your life. Hundreds of you emailed me and messaged me on social media. Your experiences are unique and powerfully stated, but a few common themes arose: - We need fully staffed local police districts. You want to see more police officers on the streets, walking a beat and interacting with the community.
- We need harsher penalties for violent crime. Many of you expressed dissatisfaction with the revolving door criminal justice system, where violent offenders are let out to re-offend and harm others.
- We want to feel safe in our neighborhood. The streets belong to us, not to criminals. You all expressed a desire to be able to enjoy our neighborhood without worrying about becoming a victim.
Please continue to send me your testimonials and I will share them directly with the Mayor and Police Superintendent. Email me at Ward50@cityofchicago.org.
I will continue to fight for more officers in our neighborhood and more resources to combat the root causes of crime. I will continue to work with the police and with community members to make sure our neighborhood remains a safe place to live and raise a family.
New and Improved Lighting Coming to the 50th Ward I am pleased to report that new and improved street lighting is coming to the 50th Ward! The new lights will be installed on Devon Avenue between Leavitt and Ridge, and on Western Avenue between Devon and Granville.
The new lights will go a long way towards improving pedestrian safety and will help our business districts. The 50th Ward has some of the most unique and wonderful small businesses. This should give them more resources to help them shine!
Recognizing Holocaust Remembrance Day At City Council on Wednesday, I sponsored a resolution commemorating the upcoming International Holocaust Remembrance Day. On January 27, the world will mark 78 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and come together to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism.
Holocaust Survivors helped build this community. Their courage and bravery in building back a life in the face of one of history's greatest evils is truly inspiring. The entire 50th Ward is eternally grateful for their heroism.
As the only Jewish member of the Chicago City Council, I felt it was my duty to acknowledge this sacrifice and take a public stand against antisemitism. Never Again will we stand quietly while hatred and ignorance spread. We will Never Forget the lessons of the Holocaust.
Rogers Park Township Property Tax Appeal Also on Wednesday, I partnered with Board of Review Commission Samantha Steele to host a property tax appeal workshop for Rogers Park Township homeowners. Tax experts were on hand to explain the appeals process and teach residents how you can potentially lower your taxes.
The assessment of your home is one of the most important factors in determining how much you will pay in property taxes. Rogers Park Township property owners have until Wednesday, January 25 to appeal their assessments. File an appeal online at appeals.cookcountyboardofreview.com or download a printable form here.
Rogers Park Township encompasses the area of the 50th Ward that is north of Devon. Find your township here. If you have any questions, contact Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele's Office at (312) 603-5542 or Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita's Office at (312) 603-6383.
Free COVID Tests Free COVID-19 home-tests are now in stock at the 50th Ward Office. Come to 2949 W. Devon to pick up your test kits. Tests will be available while supplies last during the following hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9 AM - 4 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 3 PM
The health and safety of the 50th Ward is my chief priority, and I have been proud to be able to distribute thousands of test kits, face masks, and bottles of hand sanitizer throughout the pandemic.
The tests currently available are the Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test kits. They can be taken anywhere and return results in 15 minutes with no lab drop-off required. For more information about the tests, including instructional videos, visit flowflexcovid.com.
Police CAPS Meetings There will be two CAPS meetings this week, covering the area of the 50th Ward between Devon and Peterson. Both meetings will be held in person.
The CAPS meeting for Beat 2413, stretching from Devon to Peterson and from Kedzie to Ridge, will be held on Tuesday, January 24 from 7 PM to 8 PM. The meeting will be held in person at Green Briar Park, 2650 W. Peterson.
The CAPS meeting for Beat 1711, which encompasses Peterson Park, will be held on Wednesday, January 25 at 6:30 PM. The meeting will be held in person at Mayfair Church, 5020 N. Pulaski Road.
These events are great opportunities to discuss safety concerns directly with the police and your neighbors. For more information, please call the 24th District CAPS Office at (312) 744-6321 or the 17th District CAPS Office at (312) 742-4588.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,  Debra L. Silverstein Alderman, 50th Ward | | Serve as an Election Judge |  | | 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. | | Cook County Listening Tour |  | | 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 February 1 until March 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 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, February 1 at 1 PM. Register for the webinar here.
For more information about the SBIF program, visit chicago.gov/sbif. | | Warren Park Youth Baseball Registration |  | | 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. | | 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. | | 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. | | 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. | | Free Tax Preparation Assistance |  | | Christmas Tree Recycling |  | | | |
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