Schools Update and City Budget Proposed
Voter Registration Deadlines
Dear Neighbor:

We are grateful that the Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Teachers' Union reached a tentative agreement on a new contract. If ratified by the full CTU membership, the contract will run through June 30th, 2019.

The tentative agreement provides additional resources for schools and teachers, including teaching assistants in overly large kindergarten through second grade classes. The city will declare a $175 Million TIF surplus this year, of which over $88 Million will go to Chicago Public Schools to fund the contract. You can see the tentative agreement here. The agreement refers as well to the Jan. 29th offer, which is here.

There is still much work to be done to correct the school funding formula and enact meaningful pension reform in Springfield so that our CPS finances can be secure.

Tuesday, Mayor Emanuel announced his proposed budget for 2017. The proposed budget funds 250 new police officer positions, with additional monies to support BAM (Becoming A Man) and WOW (Working on Womanhood) mentoring programs, and the expansion of after school programming and summer jobs for youth. There are also significant expansions to the police monitoring functions, part of the newly passed ordinances for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) and the new Deputy Inspector for Police. I'm studying the lengthy budget now and will keep you updated in future newsletters. Budget hearings start next week. I will be live-tweeting from many of the hearings.  Please follow our live tweets @aldermansmith43. 

Health Care Bubble Zone Op Ed

On Tuesday, the Chicago Sun-Times published my op-ed, coauthored by Alderman  Brian Hopkins, supporting   the Planned Parenthood Clinic at Division and LaSalle. In 2009, when the Clinic was part of the 43rd Ward, former Alderman Vi Daley sponsored the Health Care Bubble Ordinance protecting patients entering the clinic from harassment by protesters. The ordinance is now being challenged as unconstitutional. The ordinance strikes the right balance between free speech rights and privacy rights. You can read the op-ed here.

You Can Still Register to VOTE

While mail in voter registration has ended you can still register to vote online using your driver's license or state ID card until 11:59 PM on Sunday, October 23rd. You can also update your registration online using the same link. If you miss the deadline for online voter registration you can still register and vote in person at any early voting location throughout the city. Simply present two forms of ID, (at least one showing current address).  Click here for more information on registering to vote in person from October 12th through November 7th.

Lincoln Park Top 10 Awards

The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) has announced the finalists and Neighborhood Champion honorees for the inaugural Lincoln Park Top 10 Awards.

Finalist voting categories are: Best Place to Dine, Best Place to Brunch, Best Place to Grab Coffee or Sweets, Best Place to Drink, Best Place to Get Fit & Refreshed, Best Neighborhood Service Provider, Best Place for Arts and Culture, and Best Place to Shop.  Vote now  through  Monday, October 17th.  

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted on  Monday, October 24th at 5:00 PM.  Tickets include a pre-show reception beginning at  5:00 PM  featuring bites and cocktails from some of Lincoln Park's favorite restaurants and bars. After the awards ceremony, guests are invited to attend an after-party at Front Bar, 1700 N. Halsted. Save $10 through Sunday, October 23rd by reserving your ticket  here .

I would like to congratulate Kenneth Dotson, of the Lincoln Central Association, and the  Green City Market on being recognized by the LPCC with the Neighborhood Champions Award. 

Lincoln Park Zoo Penguin Cove Opening

I was pleased to be a part of the ribbon cutting ceremony for the debut of the Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove this past Thursday. The  state-of-the-art habitat is home to a colony of 12 African penguins (pictured below).

Several of the 12 African penguins at the opening of Lincoln Park Zoo's new Penguin Cove

You can learn more about the exhibit and its inhabitants here. If you're interested in supporting the Zoo's world-class animal care and conservation efforts, please consider "adopting" an African penguin. ADOPT Packages include a plush toy, a fact sheet, a certificate of ADOPTion and a photograph, plus a magnetic photo frame. 
Fall Fest at the Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo  is embracing autumn in Chicago with its second annual Fall Fest. This fun, free family-friendly fall celebration offers guests an opportunity to experience harvest right in the heart of the city, from picking the perfect pumpkin to clambering up a hay mountain. 

Fall Fest  is a free event and open to the public October 14th-16th, 21st-23rd and 28th-30th from  10:00 PM - 5:00 PM.  Tickets are required for attractions and vary in price. Tickets are available individually for $3 each or in bulk packages of 10 for $27, or 20 for $51. All animal buildings will remain open with regular hours during this time and all daily programming will continue as well.

43rd Ward Academic Internship

Our office is accepting applications for interested college students to participate in our academic internship program for the fall quarter of 2016 as well as the winter, spring and summer quarters of 2017.  Our program offers participants the opportunity to assist our office and gain helpful experience in constituent service, community outreach, public policy, legislative research as well as zoning and urban development. Interested applicants can send a resume and a writing sample to  yourvoice@ward43.org  or contact our office directly at  773-348-9500 .

Apply for the Chicago Property Tax Rebate

Eligible Chicago homeowners can apply for the  City of Chicago Property Tax Rebate   at any of these  26 neighborhood locations ,   including City Hall,  now through Wednesday, November 30th . 

Homeowners must apply for the rebate in person. Please review this previous newsletter for further information  and visit the city's webpage on the Chicago Property Tax Rebate for more details and answers to frequently asked questions .

Lincoln Elementary School Local School Council

If you are interested in serving on the Lincoln Elementary School Local School Council (LSC), there are currently two openings; one for a parent member and one community member.
 
Application materials can be found on the CPS website. Please submit the necessary forms and a candidate statement to the Lincoln Elementary school office at 615 W. Kemper Place by 4:00 PM on Friday, October 21st.
 
The Council invites candidates to make statements in person and will select new LSC members at the regular 6:00 PM meeting of the LSC which will be held in the school's library on Wednesday, November 2nd. 

Chicago Museum Week

Chicago Museum Week runs from  Thursday, October 13th to Sunday, October 23rd . All through Chicago Museum Week visit DePaul Art Museum and receive 15% off your meal at White Oak Tavern. Just mention DPAM/Museum week to your server. For information on events and exhibitions at the DePaul Art Museum click here .

The Chicago History Museum and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum also offer discounted admission and other perks. It's a great week to get in a visit to one of Chicago's great museums right in our neighborhood.

What's Doing in Lincoln Park this Weekend?

C atch some of Chicago's best culture, food and happenings in the neighborhood. Check out the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce's weekend guide for Thursday, October 13th through Sunday, October 16th. 

Children's Halloween Party and Costume Closet

Please join the 18th District CAPS Program and the IL-Women in Lodging for the 4th Annual Children's Halloween Party and Costume Closet. Drop off dates for Halloween Costumes and candy donations run Monday, October 17th to Friday, October 21st between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM at the Chicago Police Department 18th District Station, Community Center at Division and Larrabee.

Costumes are needed for children ages 12 and under in all sizes. Family friendly and clean costumes are requested. Halloween t-shirts are needed for teenagers in larger sizes.

There will be a trick or treat area for the children and donations of individually wrapped pieces of candy are requested.

Go Cubs!

Michele Signature

Michele Smith
Alderman, 43rd Ward 


43rd Ward Office Hours: M 9 AM - 7 PM, T-F 9 AM - 6 PM 
 2523 N Halsted | 773-348-9500| yourvoice@ward43.org| www.ward43.org
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