Paper Shredding This Saturday

Hi Uptown,

Please join us at our annual paper shredding event this Saturday. Today more than ever, it's important that documents are destroyed in a manner that protects your identify and credit rating. Residents are limited to two boxes per family. No glossy magazines or flyers will be accepted for shredding.

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: 46th Ward office, 4544 N. Broadway

Hope to see you there.

Best,

NEWS

GoCPS HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION WORKSHOP
Tonight, Ald. Cappleman will host a free workshop for middle school students and their parents/guardians about how to navigate the Chicago Public Schools high school application process, called GoCPS.
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Uplift Community High School, 900 W. Wilson Ave.

OPEN OFFICE HOURS
Anyone can meet with Alderman Cappleman on Mondays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and no appointment is ever necessary. The alderman is also available to speak with neighborhood organizations and large residential buildings on week nights. To schedule a meeting, call 773-878-4646 or email info@james46.org. Next Monday, November 12, the 46th Ward Office will be closed on Veterans Day and open office hours will be the following week.

CHICAGO WATER QUALITY & LEAD PLANS
The Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM) announced that it is commissioning a report to determine the feasibility and framework of what would be a multi-billion dollar program to potentially replace lead service lines – the pipes that connect water mains to single family and two-flat homes – across the city. The report will develop a step-by-step phased replacement program, review industry practices, investigate available technology and assess funding options, including potential federal and state funding sources. DWM has engaged CDM Smith, a global engineering firm, to evaluate the total cost and multiple factors involved in replacing lead service lines. Once complete in the spring, the report will contain recommendations tailored to Chicago that would facilitate the replacement of lead service lines.

YARD WASTE COLLECTION
To prevent the leaves from clogging up sewer catch basins, everyone is encouraged to bag their leaves and the City is able dispose of them. Click here for more information.

MAKE A SERVICE REQUEST
Any time you see an issue that needs to be addressed, click here to make a report. NEW: You can also text us at (773) 906-4609.

SAVE MONEY ON YOUR MEDICATIONS
Chicago Rx Card, a prescription discount card for all Chicagoans, is available for pickup at the 46th Ward Office. The card, which is a program of the City Clerk's office, is accepted at all major pharmacies and most independent drug stores. and offers savings of up to 80 percent on more than 60,000 prescription drugs. Everyone is eligible--the card is free, there is no paperwork to complete, no limits on usage and no expiration date. It is available to everyone, regardless of age, income, health or immigration status. For more information about how the Chicago Rx Card words, click here.

BE A FOUNDING MEMBER OF A LOCAL, SUSTAINABLE, CONNECTED FOOD COMMUNITY
You've seen some Chicago Market posters. You've heard your friends talking about this local, sustainable food co-op coming to the Gerber Building at the Wilson 'L' station. Maybe you visited one of their Pop-Ups. Chicago Market is member-owned, but open to all shoppers. Owners receive a variety of benefits — both financial and in power over the direction of the Market. Owners will be key players in building the co-op community and changing the local food landscape. Most important right now is that your support will help make the store a reality in the Gerber Building at the Wilson Red Line Stop! The co-op will feature local, sustainable foods from producers right here in the Midwest. Learn more about becoming a member of this amazing community at the September 29 Ownership Info Session at the Uptown Branch Library located at 929 W Buena.

DEVELOPMENT UPDATES & NEWS

NEW DEVELOPMENTS WITH NO ZONING CHANGES
The following projects have not requested a zoning change, and therefore the owner can build on the property as of right. Only developers requesting a zoning change are required to meet with the community and receive approval from the local alderman.
839 W. Agatite: a 20-unit market rate apartment building. Click here for review of plans.
4858 N. Kenmore: a proposed 7-unit building is planned. Click here for review of plans.

WAVELAND & LAKE SHORE DRIVE
Many people have contacted Ald. Cappleman's office about a preliminary proposal at this location in front of the 3660 N. Lake Shore Drive building. Currently, the potential developer is working out ingress, egress and other legal issues with the New York Private Residences located at 3660 N. Lake Shore. The developer met with residents of the New York Private Residences in early October to present the project and specifically to review issues raised by the New York condo association. As soon as these issues are worked out, we will post the most up-to-date information and renderings on our website and begin meeting with other residents in the surrounding area before the project goes before East Lakeview Neighbors and the 46th Ward Zoning & Development Committee. Ald. Cappleman continues to insist on feedback from the community about this proposal. If you would like to be informed of upcoming public community meetings, please contact Tressa Feher at the 46th Ward office or call (773) 906-4609.

CLAYCO BUILDING AT 975 W WILSON TOPPING OUT
The development on a lot that had been vacant for many years is close to topping out at 12 floors. Windows will start getting installed within the next few weeks. Click here for more information about this and other developments.

HOUSING OPPORTUNITY TAX INCENTIVE ACT
Building owners can get up to a 19% property tax cut for rental buildings in strong markets with tenant-based or project-based Housing Choice Vouchers. Click here for more information.

LOW INCOME HOUSING TRUST FUND UNITS IN THE WARD
The 46th Ward ranks #1 for the most Chicago Low Income Trust Fund units in the entire City of Chicago. Per the Affordable Requirements Ordinance, these are offsite affordable units for people earning less than 30% of the Area Median Income. For anyone with a very low income, this type of unit can prevent homelessness. Click here to view a list of buildings in the 46th Ward that provide LIHTF rental subsidies.

LEGISLATIVE NEWS

CITY COUNCIL BUDGET MEETINGS
City Council met daily over the past two weeks to discuss the 2019 budget and will vote on the budget on Wednesday, Nov. 7. The total Corporate Fund budget for 2019 is $3.8 billion, which represents a $24.5 million increase over 2018, largely due to consent decree investments. The total proposed budget for 2019 is $10.7 billion.

Investments in youth programming have increased threefold since 2011, including providing universal mentoring to junior high and high school at-risk young men, doubling the size of the City’s summer jobs program and offering homework help at the Chicago public libraries, for a total of $77.6 million in investments.

PENSIONS
The City of Chicago continues to make necessary pension payments. The 2019 budget contains city pension fund contributions of $1.3 billion. Pension costs are paid by a combination of property taxes, a tax on Water & Sewer bills, and City of Chicago funds. You can see the breakdowns here in the City's Budget Overview, page 40.

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Planned Developments
So far this year, planned developments that have been approved through September are valued at over $7.7 billion, which has contributed to the City's property tax base. These projects are projected to create more than 76,000 permanent and temporary jobs. The City's largest construction projects must now report on their efforts to solicit and hire minority- and women-owned businesses for projects seeking planned development zoning approvals. Both New York City and Los Angeles are following Chicago's lead and examining a similar requirement for their major developments.
Investing in Neighborhoods
The city's Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus program allows developments in the downtown business district to pay bonuses to increase the size of construction projects in that district, and the money is then used to encourage commercial investment in under-served communities. So far, the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund has provided $8.8 million in investments. The federal Opportunity Zone program encourages private investment in low-income communities by offering tax incentives for qualified investors. A total of 135 low-income census tracts have been selected to take part in this program.
Affordable Requirements Ordinance (ARO)
The Dept. of Planning & Development is currently reviewing approximately 20 different pilot projects around the city to explore ways in which to make the Affordable Requirements Ordinance more rigorous in creating needed affordable housing. This may lead to further legislative revisions to the ARO down the road.
Tiny Homes
A proposal to build tiny homes for people who are experiencing homelessness is still being reviewed by the Dept. of Planning & Development. Click here to hear more about the Tiny Homes Project. Changes to the building code would be needed to allow these types of homes. The Dept. of Family and Support Services has also called for the provision of intensive wrap-around services to ensure that tiny home residents would have needed supports in place to make their transition successful. At the budget hearings, Ald. Cappleman asked that there be exploration of the use of modular housing units that could drastically bring down construction costs.
Tax Increment Financing Districts
Since 2011, Tax Increment Financing has been used primarily to pay for public improvements and infrastructure improvements. Approximately $96.9 million in TIF surplus funds have been given to CPS this year. In the 46th Ward, $100,000 is being used to improve a playground at Courtenay Language Arts Academy, $4.6 million was distributed to the Chicago Park District for improvements at the Clarendon Park Community Center, and $5.7 million distributed to the Chicago Low Income Housing Trust Fund, which helped provide off-site housing to many of the people who had been living under the Lake Shore Drive viaducts. The 46th Ward continues to rank #1 with Chicago Low Income Housing Trust Fund rental units, surpassing the combined total of 28 other wards.

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING (a newly created department)
Currently within the Dept. of Planning & Development's Housing Bureau, the Department of Housing will become a new, separate city department that will function independently and focus exclusively on the City's housing priorities. A new Five-Year Housing Plan (2019-2023) will be created, and the department will partner on a variety of public and private-sector initiatives. A new related City Council committee also will be created at the beginning of 2019. The last time the City had an independent Housing Department was in 2008.

CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT
City-wide Crime Statistics
In the past 22 months, robberies are down 16%, burglaries are down 15%, and motor vehicle theft is down 10%. Murders are down 18% and shootings are down 16% from last year. The Police Superintendent believes this success has been due to an increased police presence, a greater use of data-driven technology to prevent and track crime, and work done to improve police relationships with the community.
Foot Patrol Officers
Eight months ago, CPD obtained software to track how often police officers walk in the community. Ald. Cappleman asked that there be more follow-up to ensure that police officers are walking their beats rather than staying in their cars in problem areas.
Police Numbers and Radio Assignment Pending Cases
Ald. Cappleman asked that CPD provide the total officer count in each of the City's 22 police districts. One way the distribution of police is determined is by the number of Radio Assignment Pending Cases--the number of times an officer must delay responding to a 911 call because s/he is already responding to another 911 situation--that occur within a police district. High numbers of RAPS within a police district indicate that the district would benefit from more police officers. Ald. Cappleman asked that CPD provide the number of RAPS for the past 12 months within each of the 22 police districts.
CAPS
CAPS has a 5-point plan to address chronic criminal activity. Per Ald. Cappleman, there needs to be a greater emphasis at CAPS of the police working with the residents, businesses, schools, non-profits, places of worship, and elected officials to create and implement plans to reduce chronic issues.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
This department's budget proposal includes new funding to help Chicagoans understand what mental health services are available and to connect them to those services. With the help of the Affordable Care Act, more Chicagoans have access to quality mental health services than ever before; around 90% of the population is now insured. A 311 Mental Health Helpline starting Jan. 1 will connect residents directly to a mental health expert to address their immediate situation and get them information on over 250 mental health facilities throughout Chicago, even if they have no insurance.

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY & SUPPORT SERVICES
Based on the success of Ald. Cappleman assisting the Department of Family and Support Services to house 96 people who had been living under two Uptown viaducts at Lake Shore Drive, this department now has a process to quickly place people living in encampments into permanent housing. Both the recent tax increase on the Airbnb industry, which Alderman Cappleman pushed for, in addition to funds from the Low Income Housing Trust Fund help pay for the housing.

ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS
At October's City Council meeting, Ald. Cappleman joined other aldermen to co-sponsor an ordinance that would establish the Office of Labor Standards. This new Office will be organized within the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and comprised of five staff members who will be dedicated to enforcing the City's labor laws such as the current Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Ordinances.

INFRASTRUCTURE NEWS

REDEFINE LAKE SHORE DRIVE
On October 17, 2018, Ald. Cappleman hosted the first of three meetings for the community to discuss potential changes to N. Lake Shore Drive that would directly affect our ward. CDOT and IDOT will take this information and come up with designs based on community feedback provided at this meeting that will include protecting the Wilson exit and entrance ramps onto Lake Shore Drive. The federal government has provided funding for the planning portion of the process to redefine N. Lake Shore Drive. Although no funds have been allocated yet to make any changes to the roadway, the planning process is required in order to obtain later funding for the roadway changes. We are a long way from finalizing any plans, and the current focus is on reviewing different options. Click here for more information.

WILSON AVENUE RESURFACING
The major arterial resurfacing of Wilson Avenue continues, as CDOT makes necessary adjustments to surrounding utility locations. All of Wilson has received one layer of asphalt and paint markings, with the final layer of asphalt expected to begin around Monday, November 19.

LAKEFRONT TRAIL SEPARATION
Bicyclists riding north of Montrose should now be using the newer path toward the east. Those riding south of Montrose should follow the detour route. Recently, work began to separate the lakefront path from Montrose to Addison. That section will be closed to bikers and runners, with the detour taking trail users further east to the path behind the golf course and tennis courts. Click here for the detour route.

The area of particular concern is at the Montrose crossing, where most trail users continue to go into an active construction zone and out into the street to cross. The new permanent route takes both pedestrians and cyclists through the tunnel under Montrose, and it's important that trail users adjust behaviors. The 46th Ward Office has conveyed concerns about the insufficient signage during this work, and we will continue to monitor this. More information about the lakefront trail separation project can be found here.

HAVE 311 REQUESTS OR QUESTIONS?

Go to the 46th Ward website to request city services or get answers to your questions about your neighborhood or the city overall. You can also text us at (773) 906-4609.

EDUCATION AND PARKS NEWS

One year ago Cool Classics! was among the 12 winners of the 2017 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award. The award is given by the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, in cooperation with the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. They remain deeply thankful to be among the recipients of the nation’s highest honor for after-school arts and humanities programs. Your financial assistance would go a long way to help them with their mission. Click here to donate.

FREE KUUMBA LYNX AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT UPLIFT
Kuumba Lynx Hip Hop Arts is offering free classes for 6th, 7th and 8th graders at Uplift Community High School, 900 W. Wilson. The classes are held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Classes include poetry and theater, music production, critical urban dance and visual arts. Register at Clarendon Park, 4501 N. Clarendon. For more information, call Chris "Mad Dog" Thomas at christopher@kuumbalynx.com.

HELP OUT MCCUTCHEON ELEMENTARY BY FILLING UP YOUR GAS TANK
Thanks to Sasafrasnet LLC, you can fill up your gas tank at the pump marked "McCutcheon School" at the BP station on the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Marine Drive, and the school will receive three cents per gallon purchased. McCutcheon is a high-achieving school with a very deserving student body; one quarter of the students do not have a permanent home. The school plans to use the funds from the dedicated gas pump to replace outdated technology, support curricular development and potentially begin a fund for a gymnasium the school hopes to build.

LIBRARY RESOURCES
Click here to view events at the Bezazian Library and here for events at the Uptown Branch Library.

46TH WARD BUSINESS INFO

LEGAL SERVICES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
What if instead of shelling out hefty fees for a few days of legal help, you paid a monthly membership and got a law firm for life? That would be LegalShield and this is legal representation —in the form of accessible, affordable, full-service coverage. Finally, you can live life knowing you have a lawyer in your back pocket who, at the same time, isn't emptying it. For more information, click here.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Smart911
Smart911 is a free, online platform that allows users to securely enter important medical and household information in their Safety Profile to help plan ahead for an emergency situation. This information will automatically display for dispatchers when the user dials 9-1-1.

Today, 75% of 911 calls are made from cell phones, making it difficult for call takers to determine the exact location of an emergency. By creating a Smart911 Safety Profile with up-to-date information, 911 dispatch staff is better prepared to help you and your family in an emergency.

When creating your Safety Profile, you can include things about:

Allergies – Does someone in your family have an allergy to food or medication? 911 dispatchers will be able to immediately inform first responders.
Autism – Does your child have Autism? Do they have a tendency to wander or hide when scared? Uploading a photo and a physical description of your child makes them easier to locate in case of an emergency.
Alzheimer’s – Do you have a parent or older relative living with you that suffers from Alzheimer’s or dementia? First responders will be better prepared to help.
Animals – Do you have pets? This information can assist firefighters in their search to bring everyone, including your pets, to safety.
Hearing Impairments: Do you have a loved one who may be deaf, hard of hearing or nonverbal? A 9-1-1 operator can initiate a text message with a notification on Safety Profiles that text is preferred. In addition, if the caller is disconnected from the call or has poor cell phone coverage, a 9-1-1 operator can initiate a text to stay connected.

Know someone who doesn’t speak English? Don’t worry. They can add their information in any language and Smart911 will automatically translate it for them. Residents can also indicate that they or someone in the household has difficulty communicating in English. By having that information included in the profile, when 911 is called, the call taker can immediately engage the language interpreter in the primary language to better assist residents in an emergency.

FOLLOW THE POLICE ON TWITTER
Both the 19th Police District (south of Lawrence) and the 20th Police District (north of Lawrence) have Twitter accounts where they provide updates.
19th Police District: @ChicagoCAPS19
20th Police District: @ChicagoCAPS20

UPCOMING COMMUNITY POLICING MEETINGS
Beat 1913
When: Tuesday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m.
Where: Courtenay Language Arts Academy, 4420 N. Beacon
Beats 1923, 1924, 1925
When: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m.
Where: 19th Police District at 850 W. Addison

EMPLOYMENT

NORTHSIDE AMERICAN JOB CENTER AT TRUMAN COLLEGE
1145 W. Wilson, Suite 1106 (on the left just as you enter front doors)
The center is open to the general public--you do not have to be a Truman student to use it. Services include: job listings and referrals; access to job banks, hiring events and job fairs; weekly professional workshops; job coaching; information about education, training and certification programs; and access to Job Club, computers, internet, resume writing help, copiers and fax machines. Orientation is held weekly on Monday and Wednesday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Call 773-334-4747 for more information.

RE-ENTRY ASSISTANCE

PET CORNER

IS THIS CAT LIKE GEORGE BURNS?
Question:
Our cat, George, is going to be 22-years ago this Spring. He moves slower, doesn’t jump as often, but you’d never know he’s a senior citizen. How did he live to be so old?

Answer:
Odds are George has always been an indoor-only cat, and I sure as heck hope he is now. Being indoors only, life is safer – no attacking coyotes, no cat fights with strangers, and he won’t get hit by a car.

Most cats who live that long have benefited from regular veterinary care. And there’s a new simple blood test to detect kidney disease earlier, which might help even more cats make it to 22. The test IS called Symmetric dimethylarginine or SDMA. The test is offered with the IDEXX regular blood chemistry panel.

Before SDMA, by the time kidney disease was discovered, about 75 percent of kidney function was gone. Using SDMA testing, kidney disease is typically diagnosed far earlier, while the loss of function doesn't yet affect quality of life.

A good diet helps. And so does being “lean and mean,” as overweight or obese cats are far less likely to make it to 22. However, at the end of the day, much of the credit likely goes to your cat’s good genes.

Steve Dale, CABC is a certified animal behavior consultant, award winning pet book author, host of two national pet radio shows. On Sundays, 6:35am he is heard on WGN radio (720Am or wgnradio.com). Learn more: www.stevedale.tv

RESOURCES

SOCIAL WORKER AVAILABLE AT TWO 46TH WARD PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Bezazian Library, 1226 W. Ainslie, Mondays and Tuesdays from 2 to 5 p.m.
Uptown Branch Library, 929 W. Buena, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m.

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY & SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAMMING
845 W. Wilson
312-744-2580
The city's Department of Family & Support Services center in Uptown offers a host of programs every week to help with coordination of care. Here are some of the offerings available at 845 W. Wilson:

EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE ORIENTATION