Public Safety Forum Tonight
Become a Court Advocate
Help Stop Anti-Semitism
People's Gas Winter Assistance
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Dear Neighbors,
As a Jewish woman, these last few weeks have been very difficult. I watched with horror as an 11-hour hostage standoff with a gunman played out at a Texas synagogue. I know many friends and relatives who fear attacks when they go to their synagogues, even here on the Northside of Chicago. The FBI reported 54.9% of religious-based hate crimes target Jews – even though Jewish Americans are less than 3% of the population.
I spoke on the City Council floor, along with my colleague Alderman Debra Silverstein, about the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, which helped reveal to the world the full scale of the Nazi Holocaust, in which six million Jews were murdered.
But only days later in Rogers Park, swastikas were placed on at least three Jewish synagogues, a high school, two Jewish stores had their windows smashed, and an Orthodox Jewish man was attacked. One man was arrested for hate crimes.
What can we do locally to keep people – and houses of worship – safe? I’m joining elected officials and organizations across the country in asking Congress to double funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. This program provides for additional security at houses of worship and other buildings that may be at-risk. Religious spaces should be places of peace rather than places of fear. I encourage you to call or e-mail your Senators and Members of Congress in support of this measure; even more vital in the wake of recent attacks.
Below are some important articles which discuss the recent rise in anti-Semitism and hate, and potential paths forward.
Articles:
I hope you’ll join me in being vigilant in the effort to combat all forms of hate in our city. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to get involved.
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43rd Ward Virtual Public Safety Forum
TONIGHT, Thursday, February 3rd, 2022
6 p.m.
Join our office for an important public safety forum with public safety officials from the City and County. Please join us to get your questions and concerns addressed as we come out of a difficult surge in armed robberies and vehicular hijackings we saw in the month of December. This event will feature both an opportunity to listen to presentations and ask questions regarding safety issues in our City.
Our panelists include:
- 18th District Commander Jon Hein
- 19th District Acting Commander Amin Jessani
- Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan
- Assistant States Attorney Gino Betts
- Assistant States Attorney Division Chief Matthew Howroyd
- Lincoln Central Association Board Director Larry Sachs
After registering for the webinar, you will receive an email about an hour before the start of the meeting with the link for the forum and instructions on how to access the Zoom meeting. Please plan to log into Zoom and access the meeting 10-15 minutes before the official start time, so that there is enough time to troubleshoot any technical problems and familiarize yourself with its features.
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Court Advocacy Training
TODAY, Thursday, February 3rd, 2022
4 p.m.
Email here for more information.
Court advocacy is a program run out of the 18th District in which neighbors appear in court on behalf of the community and victims. The presence of Court Advocacy volunteers sends a strong message to the defendants and the courts that we will not tolerate crime in our community.
For the cases discussed, CPD provides the group with information regarding each case, where it happened, what happened, and when/where the court case will be held for the offender in custody. The Court Advocates can pick and choose whichever case interests them and which cases they want to show their presence for.
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Write to Our Public Officials
Pick Up Some Postcards!
All of our neighborhood organizations are joining together with our office to mount a postcard writing campaign to seek accountability. You can pick up postcards now at:
- 43rd Ward Office, 2523 N Halsted
- Old Town Triangle Association Office, 1763 N. North Park
- Corcoran's Grill & Pub, 1615 N Wells Street
- Starbucks, 210 W North Avenue
- Milito's Gas Station, 1108 W Fullerton
- Lakeshore Sport and Fitness, 1320 W Fullerton
- Starbucks, 1001 W Armitage
- Armitage Direct, 925 W Armitage Avenue (entrance on Bissell)
Postcards are pre-addressed. Please write about your personal experience with crime and why the city needs the support of our State's Attorney and judicial system with appropriate prosecutions, sentences, and bail. Click here for sample postcard language, and more information about the campaign.
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43rd Ward Winter Weather Reminders
- When clearing snow, please do not shovel it into the street. Please pile snow on the parkway.
- Please continue to lend a hand and help your neighbor's clear sidewalks, walkways, alleys, and parking spots. If you would like to volunteer to help others shovel, please email maggies@ward43.org
- If there is a fire hydrant near your home, please shovel it out so that it can be accessible to fire trucks in the event of an emergency.
- Watch for falling ice and icicles on homes, buildings, and trees.
- Please clear snow away from your garbage carts/cans, otherwise, the crews can't get to them.
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Click here to view the Plow Tracker to see where plows are during snow episodes.
- Property owners are responsible for keeping the sidewalk in front of their property free and clear of snow AND ice. Please attend to your property or you will suffer the risk of fines.
- Please check in on your elderly neighbors during the wintertime. If you know of a senior in the community who might need additional resources and support during the inclement weather, please email maggies@ward43.org
Please call my office at 773-348-9500 or email with information about unshoveled sidewalks after 24 hours of a snowfall or if you are unable to shovel.
Together, we can make the neighborhood safe for everyone.
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People's Gas Winter Assistance and Resources
This winter, expect elevated heating bills due to a sharp nationwide increase in natural gas prices, driven by tight global supply and an increase in demand as economies reopen from COVID-19 shutdowns.
For anyone who needs help managing their bills, assistance is available.
Bill Pay Assistance:
To see if you are eligible and apply for bill pay assistance, go to cedarorg.net or call the Community Economic Development Association at 800-571-2332. For those who don’t qualify for energy assistance:
Winter Energy-Saving Tips:
Manage energy use by turning down your thermostat, using a programmable thermostat, sealing gaps around windows and doors, and scheduling an annual furnace tuneup. Peoples Gas also offers free energy efficiency consultations. For more information, go to peoplesgasdelivery.com/savings/.
Budget Billing:
Pay the same amount each month with Budget Billing. The billing program spreads out seasonal variations in your Peoples Gas bill over 12 months. While you still pay for all of the natural gas you actually use, Budget Billing provides consistent bills throughout the year. For more information and to enroll, go to peoplesgasdelivery.com/payment-bill/budget.
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Interim Community Commission for
Public Safety and Accountability
Applications for Commission Members Open
Until February 4, 2022
Please Apply
In July 2021, we announced a compromise to create the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, which is part of a system of civilian oversight of the police, called the Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) ordinance.
City Council is seeking applications from Chicagoans to be appointed to the Interim Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. If you are interested in being considered, please apply at this link.
Applications will be accepted through February 4, 2022.
You can find the application, list of qualifications, and procedures here.
In 2023, there will be elections for local representatives from each police district. If you would like to learn more about possibly running, you might want to sign up for updates from One Northside, a community action group that will be sending out information.
Mayor Lightfoot appointed Adam Gross as the first Executive Director of the Commission. Adam (a Francis Parker parent) worked as counsel to craft the ECPS ordinance and was lauded by all sides for his integrity and fair-mindedness.
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Chicago Recovery Plan
Grants and Other Programs Seminar
Friday, February 4th, 2022
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Join City, County, and State leaders as well as other experts to learn more about American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and other economic recovery funding opportunities, and better understand what you need to do to be eligible for these opportunities.
The virtual summit includes:
- An overview of city, county, and state funding opportunities, including a general timeline of their availability.
- Eligibility requirements, including specific administrative guidelines and rules pertaining to the City, County, and State.
- Compliance, reimbursements, and auditing – with special emphasis on some of the specific rules related to federal funding.
- A lunch panel to help organizations and businesses better understand how to formalize their structures.
- Breakout sessions tailored to non-profit organizations and small businesses and focused on specific funding areas including violence prevention, youth program, public health, community development, and infrastructure.
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Local School Council
Election Materials Now Available
One of the best ways for students, parents, and community members to get involved in our schools is to run for a seat on their Local School Council (LSC). LSC elections will be held on April 20, 2022 (elementary school) and April 21, 2022 (high school). To find out everything you need to know about becoming an LSC candidate, participating as a voter, or serving as a paid judge click here. Election paperwork can also be picked up at the CPS school where a candidate plans to run. |
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We Rise Together: Increasing Employment
Thursday, February 10th, 2021
12 p.m.
The best way to lift someone out of poverty is to give him or her a job. Can you provide one?
On February 10, 2022, from 12-1 p.m., the Executives’ Club of Chicago will host a program, moderated by Gloria Castilla, director of We Rise Together: For a Just and Equitable Recovery, to explore the roles of the public, philanthropic, and private sectors in strategies to increase employment in Black and Latinx communities. Panelists will explore asset-based approaches to building the skills infrastructure, including social enterprise for intermediate jobs, wraparound support for workers, and business practices that will help retain workers.
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Support Local Restaurants |
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