Restaurant Openings/Street Closures
Drag Up the Census
Memorial Day Ward Office Closure
Dear Neighbors,

We hope you've seen Mayor Lightfoot's remarks about the possibility of closing some streets to traffic for cafes and pedestrians--and possibly for runners and cyclists. While Governor Pritzker has said restaurants outside the city will be opening on May 29, today the mayor announced that restaurants here will be opening in early June.

Architectural firm Hammersley Architecture has organized a citywide survey after it created a framework proposal for street closings. See the story here and take their survey.

We are in the process of creating a 43rd Ward-specific survey for you to share your suggestions for how to best accommodate more outside dining and other activities while keeping customers, workers and residents safe and healthy. Here are some parameters to consider:

  • For restaurants to re-open, they will have to increase table distancing dramatically. One way to do this is to expand seating outdoors to sidewalks and streets. Doing so safely would require closing some streets to at least some traffic - as is often done in Europe, with cafes separated from traffic only by a barricade of some kind.

  • Most of our commercial streets have bus traffic and bike lanes - important criteria.

  • We always have to consider the impact of our parking meter deal. If parking meters are taken out of use for a day, the city endures large penalties -- so, we will have to address that issue.

Save your thoughts - and we will collect them very soon.
The Best Video Ever About Social Distancing - And the Census

Watch and share this video from local Drag Queen CircuitMOM explaining just how easy it is to fill out the census!

Why is the census important? Bottom line - money. For example, in one year Illinois receives $35 Billion in federal aid - all of which is tied to the census. If we under-count the population we lose aid. Learn more here and here.
Chicago CARES - About Completing the Census

Chicago Cares invites you to take part in sharing the importance of taking part in the 2020 Census with friends, family, and neighbors--from your home! In partnership with the City of Chicago Mayor's Office, Chicago Cares is hosting a multi-week digital Census outreach campaign.

Once you sign up to volunteer for this event, you will need to create an account with Slack, an online communication platform. You can find our Chicago Cares workspace and create your account here.

Responsibilities include:
  • Utilizing ThruText to text Chicagoans to ask them if they've completed the Census
  • Collecting and submitting data

If you are interested in signing up, visit the ChicagoCares website. campaign.
Lincoln Avenue and Clark Street Rebate
Programs Announced

Two new rebate programs have been created to support businesses along Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Park. These programs are funded by the Lincoln Avenue Special Service Area (SSA) #35 and Clark Street Special Service Area (SSA) #23 and administered by the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC).

Health and Sanitation Rebate Program - This program offers up to $400 for businesses and/or property owners to purchase eligible cleaning supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), signage, and takeout packaging to help sanitize your business and ensure a safer workplace for your customers and employees.

Download the SSA #35 Lincoln Avenue application here .
Download the SSA #23 Clark Street application here.

Marketing Rebate Program - The rebate program offers up to $400 for businesses and/or property owners implementing eligible marketing and promotional initiatives during the coronavirus crisis.

Download the SSA #35 Lincoln Ave application here .
Download the SSA #23 Clark Street application here .
OEMC Crossing Guard Opening
Accepting Applications Through June 3

The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is hiring Crossing Guards. Anyone who is interested in applying can visit the Department of Human Resources's website and apply.

TeaGschwendner - Job Opportunity

TeaGschwendner is hiring part-time and full-time sales associates with prior sales experience. Join their team and explore the world of tea. TeaGschwendner is locally owned and operated by a Certified Tea Sommelier; they offer the highest quality teas to a growing community of tea lovers around the world.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your resume to chris@tgtea.com .
New Light
8-Week Online Adult Substance Use Support Group
Wednesday, May 27 - Wednesday, July 15
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

New Light, a counseling service provided by The Juvenile Protective Association (JPA), is starting an online support group for individuals in recovery from substance use disorders.The group is designed for those who have journeyed from early recovery to a place where they still desire structured support from peers in a group setting.

To register, call or email Doug Schacke at 773-946-1621, or dschacke@comcast.net.
CPS Capital Planning Virtual Meetings
Network 4 - Thursday, May 24

Join CPS's Department of Family and Community Engagement and CPS's Capital team, and the Office of Equity to develop your understanding of the district’s capital planning process, and to provide your input to help CPS prioritize its most critical building needs. 
Support our Neighborhood Restaurants

Many of the restaurants that add so much to our community are struggling during this crisis. Please patronize our neighborhood businesses as much as possible and try to order directly from the restaurant.

If you are open for business, let us know.
Kids Activity Videos: Presented by DePaul Blue Demons

As part of this year’s remote Vincentian Service Day, DePaul student-athletes and coaches created special activity videos for kids and families to enjoy at home.

Additional videos will be added to the playlist each week.
#43 Wears Masks 

Keep sending us photos of you wearing your mask! We appreciate all of the effort you are doing by keeping up with the social distancing order and helping stop the spread COVID19.
Memorial Day Office Closure

The office will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. We will reopen with our regular hours on Tuesday, May 26. Please remember to exercise good judgement while social distancing and wear a mask.
Be safe, enjoy Memorial Day and Wear A Mask!
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#43WearsMasks

Coronavirus Resources :

If you have any additional questions, please email:  coronavirus@chicago.gov  or call 312-746-4835

The Doctor Is In: Ask Dr. Arwady.  Live-stream by Chicago Health Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D., daily at 11:00 am on Twitter  and   Facebook Live .

Sign up to receive the latest updates on Coronavirus:  https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/VwvbSW5/coronavirus
 
State of Illinois
 
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
43rd Ward Office Hours: M - F 9 AM - 5 PM 
  2523 N Halsted  |  773-348-9500 |  yourvoice@ward43.org |  www.ward43.org