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Trees, Trees, Trees
January 12, 2023
Dear Neighbor,
I want to share a few updates and opportunities about Chicago's tree canopy!
Urban Forestry Advisory Board
Last week my colleagues and I on the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection approved all six appointments to the Urban Forestry Advisory Board. This inaugural board will be tasked with crafting an urban forestry management plan, recommending legislation to City Council, and establishing a heritage tree program, along with meeting the City's goal of planting 60,000 trees in the next four years.
2023 Tree Trimming
The 2023 budget allocated additional funding to the Bureau of Forestry, which has increased its tree trimming crews and now has the capacity to move to a citywide area tree trimming program beginning Spring 2023. Crews will be able to trim all trees in one geographic area at the same time, creating a more efficient and equitable process for Chicago residents, and allowing for the proper maintenance of the City’s overall urban tree canopy.
This change stems from a 2019 report by the city's Inspector General, which highlighted the department's inefficient tree trimming operations, recommending a return to a grid-based trimming approach instead of the current 311 request-based approach.
As a result, please note the city is no longer accepting individual tree trimming requests and any such requests received in 2022 have been moved to the new area tree trimming program. 311 requests are no longer needed given that ALL trees will be trimmed and maintained more regularly within the new grid maintenance system.
Other tree services continue to be provided by the city, including tree emergency responses (leader limb hanging, tree down blocking street, tree down fallen into property, etc.) and tree debris pickups (small limbs in the parkway or on the street). Please contact our office or call 311 (do not go online or use the app for tree requests) for support with these services. Find more information about the Bureau of Forestry and its services here.
Tree Planting for 2023
This past December my office let area block club leaders know about the Openlands Treeplanter Grant. The grant is a wonderful opportunity to get trees planted on the parkway! These applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Spring planting season is fast approaching so your application may be deferred to the Fall of 2023. You can always request a tree planting on 311.
Let's make 2023 the year of trees!
Best,
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WARD OFFICE CLOSED JANUARY 16TH FOR MLK DAY
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED WITH DOCUMENTING HOMELESSNESS
DFSS IS DOING THEIR YEARLY COUNT THIS MONTH
The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) is asking for volunteers to assist in the completion of the 2023 Point-In-Time Count. This data is meant to provide insight on the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the City of Chicago. Potential volunteers can find FAQs here. If you are interested please follow the link here or reach out to homelesscount@cityofchicago.org.
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MEET WITH ALD. JAMES CAPPLEMAN
SPEAK WITH ALDERMAN CAPPLEMAN EVERY TUESDAY
Virtual office hours are every Tuesday from 3:00PM - 5:00PM via Zoom or phone. Sign up by the end of day Monday at 5:00 PM by emailing the office at Ward46@cityofchicago.org. If this time period does not work for you, contact the Ward Office to schedule another time.
SCHEDULE A ZOOM MEETING WITH YOUR COMMUNITY GROUP
Ald. Cappleman or a staff member is also available to meet with your local neighborhood or business organization to provide updates about what's happening locally or city-wide. East Lake View Neighbors, Triangle Neighbors, Buena Park Neighbors, Sheridan Park Neighbors Association, Beacon Block Club, and Uptown United all do this on a regular basis. Schedule a time by either email at Ward46@cityofchicago.org or call 773-878-4646.
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ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
SHARE THE 46TH WARD ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITIES SURVEY
Scan the QR code below or click here to take the priorities survey.
You can also visit our new website page on environmental sustainability to access more information and resources by clicking here.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING SEMINAR
Wednesday, January 18th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM . Register for the event here.
LUNAR NEW YEAR PARADE & FESTIVITIES
Saturday, January 28th from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Join Uptown United & the Uptown Chamber of Commerce on Argyle Street in 2023 as Uptown continues its annual tradition going back 40+ years of celebrating the Lunar New Year! To welcome the Year of the Rabbit, we’re planning to host the Lunar New Year Parade & Celebration on Saturday January 28th featuring 20+ local community groups, cultural institutions, dancers, and performers! The parade will step-off at 1:00pm sharp at Argyle & Winthrop. In addition, a number of local organizations are planning pop-ups with family-friendly activities that day between 12:00-4:00pm.
SBIF CLARK/MONTROSE WEBINAR
Wed, Feb. 1 at 1:00 PM. Register for the event here. Learn more about the Small-Business Improvement Fund (SPIF) here. The SBIF program uses revenue from TIF districts to help owners of commercial and industrial properties to repair or remodel their facilities for their own business or on behalf of tenants. Tenant businesses are also eligible to apply on their own.
Please note that residential projects are not eligible for the SBIF program, and residential developers should not apply. Program participants can receive grants for 30 to 90 percent of project costs, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grants are administered by SomerCor on the City's behalf and do not have to be repaid. DPD and SomerCor will host an informational webinar to review program requirements and the application process, including an overview of program changes adopted by City Council under Mayor Lightfoot.
BALL WITH THE VOTE
Sunday, January 29th from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Michele Clark High School, 5101 W Harrison.. Find more information here. Event is sponsored by We Are Able, more information on the organization can be found here.
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PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATES
NARCAN/NALOXONE AVAILABLE AT 46TH WARD OFFICE
The 46th Ward Office has free Naloxone (Narcan) and Fentanyl Test Kits available. You can also access Naloxone (Narcan) in Chicago Public Libraries, including the Bezazian and Uptown branches. Anyone in Chicago can access medications to treat opioid use disorder by calling 833-234-6343. You do not need to have insurance, income, or documentation to access this treatment.
NEW INFORMATION ON MVP
Click here to see the latest updates from the CDPH on MPV.
For further questions and concerns, contact the CDPH by calling 312-746-4835 or learn more here. Click here to see their most recent webinar about the virus.
UPDATED COVID-19 COMMUNITY LEVEL
Chicago and Cook County are currently in the Medium COVID-19 Community Level according to the latest Community Level metrics released by the CDC.
UPDATED COVID-19 VACCINE BIVALENT BOOSTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE
More information about the new vaccine and roll-out can be found here. For those who need help finding a nearby vaccination site, Vaccines.gov is a free online service that you can use to search for pharmacies and providers that offer vaccination. Residents can also call the City’s COVID-19 call center at 312-746-4835 or call 312-746-4835 to get a vaccination at home.
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SCHOOL & LIBRARY UPDATES
UPTOWN BRANCH LIBRARY WINTER PROGRAMMING
Check out the website here for more information on upcoming programming.
BEZAZIAN BRANCH LIBRARY WINTER PROGRAMMING
Check out the website here for more information on upcoming programming.
BRENNEMANN ELEMENTARY
Support a student! Contact School Counselor Jessica Broniarczyk for more information, jlbroniarczy@cps.edu.
ENHANCEMENT OF UPLIFT EXTERIOR PETITION
Sign the petition here. Learn more about Uplift here.
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JOB LISTINGS & COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Find up-to-date job listings here, and find more information about employment & volunteer resources here.
CITY OF CHICAGO IS HIRING
Find more information here.
CTA IS HIRING
Find more information here.
CPS IS HIRING
Find more information here.
MWRD INTERNSHIP
Find more information here.
GREENCORPS JOB TRAINING
Find more information here.
IHDA MORTGAGE RELIEF
Applications open from November 1st, 2022 to January 31st, 2023.
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced it is reopening a mortgage assistance program designed to assist homeowners financially impacted by the pandemic on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) provides up to $30,000 in mortgage assistance to eligible homeowners — paid directly to the servicer, taxing body or other approved entity — while homeowners work to regain their financial footing. Whether homeowners have a mortgage, a reverse mortgage, or are mortgage-free, the program can fund past due housing payments and up to three months of prospective mortgage payments. The program is free and funds do not need to be repaid. Application, program information and updates can be found at illinoishousinghelp.org. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023. View the full press release here.
SENIOR CENTERS
Senior residents of the 46th Ward who are looking to beat the heat are encouraged to visit any of the Department of Family and Support Services Senior Center locations which operate Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm.
- Northeast (Levy) Senior Center | 2019 W. Lawrence Avenue | 312-744-0784
- Edgewater Satellite Senior Center | 5917 N. Broadway | 312-742-5323
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DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
If you have questions about any of these projects or other work taking place in the 46th Ward please reach out to our office at ward46@cityofchicago.org or 773-878-4646. When asking about developments or construction work, it is helpful to have the address of where the proposal or work is taking place.
4737 N. SHERIDAN
Sarah's Circle will start construction of their 100% affordable apartment at the end of this month. There will be 28 units of housing for women at greatest risk for homelessness.
4642 N. MAGNOLIA
This 6-unit proposal was supported by Magnolia-Malden Neighbors Association and Ald. Cappleman. It will go before the City's Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards Committee on Tuesday, Jan 17 at 10:00 AM.
4701 N. CLARK
Developer Platinum Homes is requesting a zoning change from B3-2 to B2-3 in order to construct a five-story residential building. The proposal would have 37 dwelling units (parking for 19 vehicles and 27 bicycles). This development proposal is along Clark Street. Click here for more information.
3636 N. LAKE SHORE DRIVE
Some concerned residents have contacted Ald. Cappleman's office to ask if the next alderman who takes office in May 2023 will have the authority to stop this development. No elected official on the federal, state, county, or city level has that type of authority, especially after it passed City Council on July 21, 2021. City Club Apartments has full intentions of constructing this development, but they have not yet set a date to begin construction. Our office will provide updates on the construction timeline as we receive them. The same holds true for any development that has already passed through the City Council.
REDEFINE THE DRIVE
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) have now entered into their 10th year of a traffic study to improve North Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Their primary purpose will be to prevent crashes and injuries, and they rely on traffic studies and input from residents to guide them. Any decision that's made must adhere to the Federal Highway Administration standards in order to obtain the needed federal funds to make this project a reality. This means that entrance and exit ramps on the Drive should be around one-half mile apart to prevent traffic congestion that can lead to crashes. In addition, entrance and exit ramps that are too close to one another (Lawrence, Wilson, Montrose) will have to be reconfigured so that cars can enter and leave the Drive in a safer manner. Ald. Cappleman continues to request that IDOT and CDOT have another public community meeting to obtain needed feedback. The latest update received by aldermen is that the next public meeting will be scheduled sometime early this year - when a date is set it will be included on our website and in our newsletter. Click here for more information about Redefine the Drive.
CTA & RED PURPLE LINE MODERNIZATION (RPM) UPDATES
If you have questions, comments, or concerns about the RPM project please contact RPM@transitchicago.com or call 331-303-2499.
RPM CONSTRUCTION NOTICES
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Winter Weather Reminders
 Extreme Winter Weather & Supporting Neighbors
The City of Chicago is expecting extreme winter weather including blizzard conditions and bitter cold. Please take a moment to review the full guidance on snow removal, warming centers, and support for neighbors.
SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL
Sidewalks must be kept clear of snow and ice and must be cleared as soon as possible after it falls. Snow that falls between 7am and 7pm must be cleared no later than 10pm. Snow that falls between 7pm and 7am must be cleared by 10am. A path must be cleared 5 feet wide on all of the sidewalks adjacent to your property, including crosswalks. Do not shovel snow into other right-of-way areas including the street, transit stops and bus pads, parking spaces, bike lanes, bike racks, and any other space where snow impedes traffic of any kind.
- Learn more about the City Ordinance on our website and on the CDOT snow removal webpage.
- Help shovel the sidewalks of neighbors who need support with sidewalk maintenance. Many block clubs coordinate shoveling volunteers to help neighbors who need extra shoveling assistance. If you are in need of shoveling support, please contact your local block club or our office to help connect you with the right neighbors.
- Report uncleared sidewalks and bike lanes by calling 311.
- Follow snow plow routes and times by using the Chicago Plow Tracker.
WARMING CENTERS
City of Chicago warming centers go into effect when temperatures are at 32 degrees or below. Warming areas are available 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday. Click here for a full list of DFSS Citywide Warming Centers and reference the flyer below. Call 311 to connect with available warming centers and services and to request emergency shelter. Call 911 for urgent medical care.
The DFSS North Area Center at 845 W Wilson is our primary warming center Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. The Garfield Community Service Center at 10 South Kedzie is open 24/7 to connect families and residents to emergency shelter. Other city-operated facilities, including Chicago Parks, Libraries, and Police Stations also serve as warming centers in extreme cold on evenings, weekends or holidays.
- Uptown Library, 929 W Buena Ave
- Open Monday/Wednesday, 10am-6pm, Tuesday/Thursday, 12pm-8pm, Friday-Saturday, 9am-5pm, Sunday 1pm-5pm.
- Bezazian Library, 1226 W Ainslie
- Open Monday/Wednesday, 12pm-8pm, Tuesday/Thursday, 10am-6pm, Friday-Saturday, 9am-5pm, Sunday 1pm-5pm.
- Gill Park, 825 W Sheridan Rd
- Open Monday- Friday, 8am-9pm, Saturday, 9am-5pm.
- 19th District Police Station, 850 W Addison
- Weiss Hospital, 4646 N Marine
- Thorek Hospital, 850 W Irving Park
Below are signs of Hypothermia:
- Shivering
- Exhaustion or feeling very tired
- Confusion, slurred speech, and memory loss
- Fumbling Hands
Call 911 if you see someone who may be experiencing these symptoms.
Call 311:
- to locate the warming area nearest to you
- to request a well-being check for a neighbor, loved one or a friend
- to report inadequate heat in a residential building that violates the Chicago Heat Ordinance
COMED EMERGENCY LINE
Public safety is paramount, and ComEd encourages customers to take the following precautions:
ComEd urges customers to contact the company immediately if they experience a power outage. Customers can text OUT to 26633 (COMED) to report an outage and receive restoration information and can follow the company on Twitter @ComEd or on Facebook at Facebook.com/ComEd. Customers can also c all 1-800 EDISON1 (1-800-334-7661), or report outages via the website at ComEd.com/report. Spanish-speaking customers should call 1-800-95-LUCES (1-800-955-8237).
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PUBLIC SAFETY
CTA SAFETY UPDATES
As part of its continued efforts to enhance the security of riders and its employees, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today announced the completion of work to install new security camera monitors in every Customer Assistant (CA) booth across the system. This project is the latest in a series of initiatives deployed in the last month since the introduction of the “Meeting the Moment: Transforming CTA’s Post-Pandemic Future” – a multi-pronged Action Plan for improving rider experiences to ensure that public transportation is the first choice of travel throughout the region. Find more information here.
HOME & BUSINESS PROTECTION PROGRAM
If you live in or operate a business in Chicago you can now apply to receive reimbursement for your security cameras and other security devices. Since the offer is "first-come, first serve," we encourage people who want to buy cameras to do so now. Learn more here. You may qualify for free cameras based on your income, find more information here.
PUBLIC SAFETY TIPS & INFORMATION
Click here for more 46th Ward public safety tips, including how to make a 911 call.
UPDATES ON THE LATEST COMMUNITY ALERTS
If you have any questions about past crimes, please contact the 19th District CAPS Office at 312-744-0064 or the 20th District CAPS Office at 312-742-8770. Click here for more up-to-date information on the latest community alerts.
19th DISTRICT (south of Lawrence)
E: CAPS019District@chicagopolice.org
P: 312-744-0064
20th DISTRICT (north of Lawrence)
E: CAPS020District@chicagopolice.org
P: 312-744-8714
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