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The budget hearings for the city departments are wrapping up today. Public comment on the budget is held in the late afternoon. Today there will be several people testifying on police staffing issues, airline noise from O'Hare Airport runway realignment, Disability and ADA issues and several other topics regarding the priorities in the City budget.
The Chicago Police Department Superintendent offered testimony yesterday in a heated session that angered several aldermen when the Superintendent declined to offer actual up to date numbers of police officers on the force and vacancies within the department.
When asked about overtime that will again reach $100 Million this year, the Superintendent could not answer specific questions about oversight or auditing of his department. He did say he was looking into using technology to track hours for overtime.
The issue involved the department officials making deals with a bar to continue to operate without resident, ward office or police input, thereby letting them off the hook.
Enjoy your weekend and have a safe Halloween!
Alderman Scott Waguespack
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| Diversey at Bosworth Eastbound Detour for Sewer Project | The City's Department of Water Management will start a sewer main project on Diversey at Bosworth starting the week of November 3rd. This project will require the closure of Diversey to westbound traffic. A detour route will be established that directs traffic south on Ashland to Fullerton and then north on Southport back to Diversey.
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| Election Day Information | |
Now until November 1, 2014- early voting
Early Voting for the 2014 General Election will be offered October 20 - November 1, 2014 (November 2 at certain locations). ID is not required; however, it is advised that each voter bring ID in the event that there is a question about the registration. Chicago voters may use any of the city's 51 sites, regardless of where they live.
- 1st Ward - Goldblatts Building 1615 W. Chicago: Mon. thru Sat., 9 am-5 pm
- 26th Ward - Humboldt Park Library 1605 N. Troy: Mon. thru Sat., 9 am-5 pm
- 27th Ward - Eckhart Park 1330 W. Chicago: Mon. thru Sat., 9 am-5 pm
- 32nd Ward - Bucktown-Wicker Park Library 1701 N. Milwaukee: Mon. thru Sat., 9 am-5 pm
- 43rd Ward - Lincoln Park Library 1150 W. Fullerton: Mon. thru Sat., 9 am-5 pm
- 44th Ward - Merlo Library 644 W. Belmont: Mon. thru Sat., 9 am-5 pm
- 47th Ward- Welles Park 2333 W. Sunnyside Mon. thru Sunday, November 2., 9 am-5 pm
Board of Elections - 69 W. Washington, Lower Level Conference Room
Oct. 20-25: Mon. thru Sat., 9 am-5 pm
Sun., Oct. 26: 10 am-4 pm
Oct. 27-31: Mon. thru Fri., 9 am-7 pm
Sat., Nov. 1: 9 am-5 pm
Sun., Nov. 2: 10 am-4 pm
After casting ballots in Early Voting, voters may not return to amend, change or undo their ballots for any reason. Ballots cast in Early Voting are final. It is a felony to vote more than once (or to attempt to vote more than once) in the same election.
Now until November 4, 2014 - grace period voter registration
"Grace Period Voting" is a safety net offered to those who failed to register by the deadline (28 days before the date of the election). Grace Period Voting requires the voter to register and vote a form of absentee balloting all at once. People must bring two forms of ID, at least one of which must show current address. From October 20-November 1, this can be done at the early voting sites. Hours vary here as well. Five regional sites will be open for Grace Period voting on November 3 and 4; see website for hours and addresses.
In-Person Absentee Voting will be offered at 69 W. Washington St. on the Lower Level, during these hours:
- Monday, November 3: 9 am - 5pm
November 4, 2014 is election day from 6am-7pm- must vote at your assigned precinct.
Please click here for more information.
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| Neighborhood Events |
Wherever you go today and into the evening for Halloween events, please remember to drive carefully and watch for kids throughout our neighborhoods. The Chicago Police offer several bits of advice for safety this Halloween. If you are out late, find your way home with a group of friends, don't go out alone.
Trick or Treat Event TONIGHT
Come to the 15th Annual Paulina Station Merchants Halloween Walk. Local businesses will be giving out candy for the trick or treaters.
Friday, October 31st
3:00pm-6:00pm
3300-3400 N Lincoln/Paulina
12th Annual Networking Extravaganza
Come out for a great night of celebration and conversation with business professionals from the north side of Chicago at this annual multi-chamber event! To register, please click here.
Thursday, November 13th
5:30pm-7:30pm
Goose Island Clybourn
1800 N. Clybourn
Get Covered Illinois
Open enrollment resumes! State certified health insurance navigators will be available to answer your questions and help you start the enrollment process. Financial assistance may be available!
Saturday, November 15th
9:00am-4:30pm
Lincoln Belmont Library Branch
1659 W. Melrose St.
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| Reminder- Leaf Disposal Days Start November 3rd - 20th |
Autumn is here, leaves are falling, and it is time to help clean up our neighborhoods. Residents and businesses can help keep our neighborhoods clean by pitching in. From November 3-20, the City will pick up properly bagged leaves and yard waste.
Let's all make an effort to clean up leaves and other debris before winter. From November 3 through November 21, residents can call 311 to request yard waste collection.
A truck will collect leaves and other yard waste separately based on the 311 calls and take the yard waste to be composted.
- Residents should bag the yard waste separately from garbage in the black carts and recycling in the Blue Carts.
- Residents should leave the bagged yard waste in the alley or on the curb, depending on where your garbage is picked up. If you use paper type bags, please make sure they are not sitting in water or rain before pickup.
- As a reminder, yard waste should not be thrown in the Blue Cart as it contaminates the recycling stream.
If you have immediate questions about the Clean and Green day of service or yard waste collection, please call City Hall Program Coordinator, Theresa O'Connell at 312-744-2085.
While street sweepers will continue to work cleaning the streets, we need assistance to keep the city sewer drains clean and clear of the heavy leaf and garbage debris. Ask your neighbors not to park directly over sewers on weekends and work with them to keep these clear to prevent flooding of any kind. Debris that is left on top of sewers hardens over the winter and makes cleaning very difficult. Catch basins also freeze in the winter and the leftover debris will block sewer pipes to the main pipe in your street.
Finally, leaves and debris MUST NOT be swept or blown into the streets. This creates more work for City sweepers and ends up clogging drains. Landscapers are required to pick up all leaves and debris that they blow around. While most do this, if you see anyone not doing so, please gather the location and name of landscaper and call 311 or 312-744-8618 to let Streets and Sanitation know about the issue.
Every effort to help clean up our community is appreciated!
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| Chicago Public Library Branch Events | Bucktown-Wicker Park Branch
Chess Club- Open chess available for all levels. This event runs until December 10th.
Wednesday, November 5th
5:00pm-6:00pm
1701 N. Milwaukee
Lincoln Park Branch
Story Time- Children ages 2 and 3, with a parent or caregiver, are invited to listen to some stories, rhymes and shake their sillies out at Story Time. Please click here; registration is required.
Wednesday, November 5th
11:30am-12:00pm
1150 W. Fullerton
Logan Square Branch
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Club- This book club is suitable for kids, they will read and discuss the book.
Tuesday, November 4th
6:30pm-7:30pm
3030 W. Fullerton
Lincoln-Belmont Branch
Toddler Rhyme Time- Toddlers up to 3 years old are invited to a theme based story time which includes familiar songs and action rhymes. Wednesday, November 5th 10:30am-11:30am 1659 W. Melrose |
| 32nd Ward Holiday Food Drive | Did you know that in the 32nd Ward there are 8,800 individuals struggling every day to put food on the table? Right now, 11.7% of our constituents in the 32nd Ward are unsure where their next meal is coming from. The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago's food bank, is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger. My office would like to continue to help the cause of stopping hunger in Chicago by hosting our second food drive here at the office.
Starting Monday, November 3rd, you can drop off any non-perishable unexpired food items such as boxed rice, pasta, cereal, canned beans, tuna, and peanut butter at our office at 2657 N. Clybourn. Please consider contributing by donating non-perishable items and/or volunteering at the facility located at 4100 W. Ann Lurie Pl.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago's food bank, is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger. The Food Depository distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, mobile programs, children's programs, older adult programs and innovative responses that address the root causes of hunger to more than 812,100 adults and children every year.
Source: The Greater Chicago Food Depository |
| Center for Changing Lives | 
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City Inspections - Ask Questions, Get Answers!
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To operate a successful business in Chicago you must know the requirements. Talk to officials from four City departments who will provide insight to operate safely, stay compliant, help prepare for inspections and point out the do's and don'ts of operating your business. Don't miss
this workshop! The City offers a FREE workshop where you can meet representatives from all the departments in one meeting. The first Wednesday of every month at 3 pm on the 8th floor of City Hall.
If you're interested in other workshops that are available, click here.
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The Bloomingdale Trail/606 weekly update
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Happening now:
- Concrete path installation is ongoing on the Bloomingdale Trail. To be sure the concrete being used works as it's designed, crews will cut precisely placed expansion and control joints along the length of the trail. This work has to be timed to allow the right amount of curing, which varies with the temperature. As a result, some of the cutting will unavoidably take place overnight during the next few weeks. However, this work moves quickly, and should be limited to one night (rarely, two) at any location.
- Crews will be finishing up the major sections of the path by laying concrete between Kimball and Lawndale, as well as completing the bridge deck at Walsh Park (see below). We will alert residents about overnight cutting when applicable via Facebook and Twitter pages. Work will continue in some limited areas over the next few weeks.
- The bridge deck at Walsh Park will be installed next week. To ensure proper curing (without cracking) of the concrete, crews will keep the deck cooled via water application (similar to a soaker hose) for the seven days following pouring. This is standard procedure for curing bridge decks, and neighbors may see water in the park below the work.
- Planting soil is going in at areas that have finished concrete work, beginning between Marshfield and Leavitt.
- Crews are installing geofoam (a lightweight fill material) under pedestrian areas at Milwaukee and Humboldt.
- The Milwaukee Ave. bridge will be elevated to provide clearance for the upcoming bridge modifications and new end sections will be installed for arch attachment.
- Installation of steel for the access ramps at Wood St. and Spaulding Ave. has begun.
- Work has begun on the substructure for the Walsh Park pedestrian bridge.
- Water taps for drinking fountains are being installed at various points along the trail.
- Milwaukee Ave. may be closed intermittently during daytime hours. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained and a sidewalk is being maintained for pedestrians.
- Foundation work has begun at the Milwaukee and Spaulding access ramps.
- Permanent traffic signage (stop signs, etc.) are being installed from Albany to the east end of the project.
- The arches for the Milwaukee Ave. bridge are being fabricated off-site and will be installed later this fall.
- Neighbors may see spray-paint outlines on cleaned walls - these are repair indicators for the construction crews, not graffiti. Please call 311 with any graffiti reports.
Coming up:
- Neighbors will likely see increased activity near the Milwaukee Ave. bridge in preparation for the bridge improvements in the coming weeks. Following the raising of the bridge next week, crews will begin preparations for the installation of the arches in the coming weeks, followed finally by removal of the center piers.
Ongoing:
- Major excavation and grading of the Bloomingdale Trail is nearly complete. Crews have begun installation of sand, subsoil and other materials on the trail top. The majority of this work is occurring between Kimball and Ridgeway. Parts of Bloomingdale Ave. may be blocked at times by trucks delivering soil to the trail top via conveyor belt. On sections where soil has been installed, neighbors will likely see fewer vehicles on the trail in order to prevent soil compaction.
- Travel lanes along Bloomingdale Ave. will be preserved as much as possible, while providing access for construction crews. Neighbors should watch for signage indicating local street closures and restrictions as construction progresses.
- The Dog Friendly Area (DFA) at Churchill Park will occasionally be restricted during work periods; Walsh Park's DFA will be closed until completion. The Wicker Park DFA is within walking distance of both DFAs.
Resources:
Neighbors will always find the coming week's construction schedule at The 606 website under News for Neighbors. Use the link at the website to join The 606 email list for construction and other updates. Call (773) 661-9172 with construction-related questions or concerns, and someone will return your call. |
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Quick Links
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| 32nd Ward Office |
2657 N. Clybourn, 60614
The next Ward Night will be held on Monday, November 3rd from 5-8pm.
Please email or call us with any requests.
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| CHA Waiting List | |
The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) waitlist lottery registration will be open October 27th until November 24th. If this is your first time looking for affordable housing, you have three options. You can apply for Family Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher (section 8) or Property Rental Assistance. Click here to register online or call (312) 971-7700 for more information.
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| Upcoming CAPS Meetings | |
Beat 1932
Monday, November 10
7pm
New Life Church
1150 W. Lill
Beat 1933
Tuesday, November 11
6:30pm
Illinois Masonic Hospital
836 W. Wellington
Beats 1413/1414
Thursday, November 13
6:30pm
Logan Square Library
3030 W. Fullerton
Beat 1811
Thursday, November 13
7pm
Old Town Triangle Center
1763 N. North Park
Beats 1921/1922/1931
Wednesday, November 19
7pm
Police Auditorium
2452 W. Belmont
Beat 1431
Thursday, November 20
7pm
Haas Park
2402 N. Washtenaw
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| Finances- Making Your Social Security Decision | |
The financial professionals from Charles Schwab are partnering with Lincoln Park Village to offer helpful advice on financial management, social security, and estate preparedness. There is no cost for attending, and everyone will receive a free copy of the book The Charles Schwab Guide to Finances Over Fifty, written by Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz.
Thursday, November 6th
5:30pm-7:00pm
Charles Schwab
820 W. North Ave.
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| Omega Delta Phi Fraternity (ODPhi) - 6th Annual Toy Drive | It's never too early to start donating to a toy drive! ODPhi is hosting an event where performers from Northeastern University's community will help create a show in appreciation for those who donate. Each toy will earn a guest a raffle ticket that will get them a chance to win one of many give-away prizes throughout the show.
Tuesday, November 18th
7:00pm
Northeastern University (Alumni Hall)
5500 N. St. Louis |
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| EMT Training for Women (Tuition Free) | Online applications are being accepted for women only Emergency Medical Technician-Basic Training Class. Receive TUITION-FREE training (one-time administrative and textbook fee of $250) and support with job placement after training.
Classes begin March 2015.
Click here to apply and to find out more information.
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