Dear Neighbors,

It's an understatement to say that this has been a challenging year. Our City still mourns the tragic loss of Officer Ella French and the near-fatal injury of her partner, Officer Carlos Yanez Jr. We gasp disbelievingly at the loss of innocent lives in our city due to senseless gun violence. The violence has touched our community as well, in carjackings and robberies.

More than any time in the recent past, residents ask if it is safe to walk their dog, have their children play in the park, or go out after dark. That perception is, in many ways, as alarming as the crime statistics.

The 018 and 019 District Commanders, the Chief of Detectives, the Mayor's Office for Public Safety, the Cook County States Attorney's office, Senator Sara Feigenholtz all participated in our forum, offering residents a chance to ask questions directly to the people in charge of keeping Chicago safe.

This newsletter summarizes the forum. You can watch the Public Safety Forum here.

The 43rd Ward is split between two police districts, the 18th (south of Fullerton) and the 19th (north of Fullerton). Our largely residential ward of 56,000 people sits north of the large entertainment and shopping areas of North Michigan Avenue and River North and south of the area around Wrigley Field, both of which have significantly greater crime than our Ward. Here are the statistics that focus specifically on our ward:

You can see citywide and District data here. For definitions of the crimes, click here.

One of the most helpful investments and tools my office can provide is the funds to buy OEMC cameras. These cameras are attached to computers in the 018 and 019 District headquarters as well as the OEMC headquarters. These allow immediate identification of some criminal activity and allow analysts to pour through various feeds after a crime has occurred and use this footage to build a case in prosecution. These camera locations are placed at the discretion of the police and we will continue to support them with Aldermanic menu funds in the upcoming year.

Our local Commanders have assured us that they are maintaining "beat integrity" in our Ward - that is, our local police cars are remaining on their beats, and if a resident calls 911 for a response, local police will respond unless that particular car is handling another 911 call in the beat. If you feel that you have not received a timely response to a 911 call, please ask for a supervisor at 911, and please let us know. We follow up with the 911 Operations Center and in some cases, call takers are disciplined.

In a previous newsletter, we reported on the recent federal task force to address the pipeline of dangerous weapons in Chicago.

One of the chronic issues in our community and the city is the response to issues arising from mental illness.

In the coming months, a new "Co-Responder" model of policing will be introduced in the 019 District. The program will use a 3-step process to screen and respond to calls:

First, CPD will embed a mental health professional in the 911 call center to assist in dispatching personnel appropriately. Many mental health-related calls to 911 do not actually require in-person resources to be dispatched and could be managed effectively by a mental health professional over the phone.

Second, for calls actually requiring in-person assistance, a team consisting of a crisis intervention-certified (CIT) officer, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and a professional crisis counselor will be dispatched to the scene. Appropriate follow-up will occur at the scene.

Third, the new pilot program will establish follow-up care for those hospitalized and later released for behavioral health-related conditions. This step is critical to reducing the number of future calls to 911 each month.

Our office and the Mayor's Office will be hosting a Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, September 1st at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the program. Register here.

Our community strongly believes that criminals should be accountable for their crimes, which can include everything from community service to jail, especially in violent cases. However, citywide, including our ward, too few people are willing to cooperate with the police when an arrest is made. This frequently results in all charges being dropped against offenders.

All of our presenters implored us to report crime and cooperate as witnesses if we are victims or witnesses to a crime. Here is our Guide on What Happens When You Witness A Crime.

When a constituent fails to report a crime, the police do not recognize it as happening. This deprives our community of resources. Moreover, you can call 911 anonymously and report a crime, especially one in progress.

To partner with our local police, please:

Because the court process is long, it is difficult to monitor the progress of arrests made in our Ward. Our office regularly updates the community on cases that have either taken place in the 43rd Ward or have impacted the 43rd Ward in some way. In several cases in the past, court advocates and I have accompanied residents who are victims of crime to support them.

We are pleased to report that almost all the defendants we reported in violent cases in our Ward remain in custody pending trial, and those convicted have received appropriate sentences.

The list is here. Each of these cases was reported to the Ward in a newsletter.

We do disagree with decisions by the State's Attorney to release gun offenders from custody. Our state, which prides itself on being the last state in the union to legalize conceal carry, has a very active anti-gun violence lobby that I support and works hard to stop the flow of illegal weapons outside our state. But we do not enforce mandated prison time for the crime of carrying an illegal weapon. Unless we take people off the streets who are illegally carrying guns, as New York City has done - we won't make significant progress on the issue in the short run.

Experience tells us that investment always leads to safety. Our own community is an example. In the '70s, when Lincoln Park was in an earlier stage of gentrification, our community banded together to stop violence and drug sales. And some gangs turned into community organizations demanding investment in communities of color. Gentrification happened, but investment in other communities was and has been too little.

I support efforts, such as Invest South/West to bring investment to long-ignored communities and encourage businesses and developers based in our ward to participate. At the same time, all gun offenses must be strictly punished, to protect residents of those communities from the violence which all-too-often claims innocent lives. Our community should also support the work of violence-interruption organizations.

Our city has, over the last 30 years, reduced violent crime. Using all the tools at our command, we can get work together to stop this frightening trend towards violence.

Stay vigilant and help keep the community safe.

Masks are now REQUIRED in all indoor public settings as the average number of new daily cases of COVID-19 in Chicago surpassed 400. Regardless of vaccination status, everyone will be required to wear a mask while indoors in public settings.

This mandate includes all indoor public spaces such as bars and restaurants, gyms, common areas of condos/residential buildings, and private clubs. Like previous mask mandates, masks can be removed during certain activities.

The new public health order does not include capacity limits at public places, and masking remains optional in outdoor settings, where the risk of COVID-19 transmission is lower. However, masks are recommended for unvaccinated individuals in crowded outdoor settings.

Please urge everyone you know to get vaccinated.

Our 43rd Ward neighbors at Instavaxx are partnering with our neighborhood farmers markets this weekend to provide shots to those who need it and those waiting for the FDA approval.

The benefit of this partnership is people's ability to shop for fresh produce and get their vaccine. There is free parking at the Lincoln Park Farmers Market event in the LPHS parking lot.

Congratulations to Mike Miller and the Lincoln Park neighborhood landmark, Delilah's on their 28th Anniversary! Come to Thursday's party to share the fun. Here is to 28 more fun years!

Evening on Division will be the first time the traditional "Evening on Astor" will be moved in an effort to support the Division merchants who have been hit so hard by the pandemic. The evening will feature a wide variety of wonderful food, a terrific selection of drinks, delightful music, and a great opportunity to see neighbors and make new friends. All food and drink must be purchased from the merchants on Division Street, so don’t bring anything except the expectation that you will have a fabulous time.

Table purchasers will have the opportunity to preorder party platters of food and drinks from the sponsoring merchants. Special menus will ensure that all refreshments can be ready when attendees are seated at their tables. You can also order after you are seated at your table the night of the event.

For more information and for tickets, please click here.

To discover movies, theatre, and other activities in the parks, check out chicagoparkdistrict.com.

Friday, September 10th, 2021 - 8:00 p.m.

Movie: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark - PG

Saturday, September 11, 2021 - 8:00pm

Movie: Forty-Two - PG-13

Tuesday, September 14, 2021 - 8:00pm

Movie: In Old Chicago - NR

Friday, September 17th, 2021 - 7:15 p.m.

Movie: ET - PG

Friday, September 3, 5:30–8:30pm

This special evening of Gospel music —will include a special award to producer Sasha Daltonn and feature LaShon Brown; and will be featuring The Carson Sisters, Nicole Harris, and Illiana Torres; and The Tommies Reunion Choir.

Saturday, September 4, 5:30–8:30pm

Presented with the Jazz Institute of Chicago and featuring Ari Brown, Marquis Hill and Lizz Wright

Saturday, September 11, 5:30–8:30pm

A House music celebration featuring DJ Lady D, “Sanitize Your Soul,” a debut Gospel House Choir collaboration between Mark Hubbard, DJ Terry Hunter, and Roy Davis Jr.

Saturday, September 18, 5:30–8:30 pm

A celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Alligator Records with Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling, Cash Box Kings with special guests, Shemekia Copeland, Billy Branch and Wayne Baker Brooks

The final Lincoln Park Summer Sundaes will take place on the plaza at NEWCITY (1457 N. Halsted) on Sunday, September 12, from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The celebration will feature live entertainment, activities, games, free ice cream for the first 100 people who stop by and mention "Summer Sundaes," and complimentary summer goody bags, while supplies last. Plus visit the shops and restaurants along the North, Halsted, and Clybourn shopping district for special deals and promotions.

Keep wearing your masks and stay safe!