On Friday, June 10th at 6:00 pm Alderman Dowell will host her next virtual Town Hall meeting. On the agenda will be Gregory Greif presenting on the development at 1225 S. Indiana Ave., Karry Young discussing plans for 5044 S. Prairie Ave., and Digital Realty for their property at 330 E. Cermak Rd. To register for this event and to receive the Zoom link, please click here.

Chicago's COVID-19 risk level is High. In “High” risk, the Chicago Department of Public Health strongly recommends individuals:

The City of Chicago continues to mobilize every resource available and collaborate with national, state, and local partners on a comprehensive and coordinated response to the virus. Please continue to check the City's COVID-19 website for resources and guidance, as information changes quickly.

After an extensive three-year process that included multiple revisions to the State of Illinois' casino and gaming laws, Chicago has finally ended the more than 30-year pursuit of a casino with the City Council passing an ordinance to award the City's sole casino license to Bally's Corporation to open a casino at the former Tribune Publishing Plant (777 W. Chicago Ave.) in Chicago's Near West Side neighborhood. The ordinance also authorizes Bally's to open a temporary casino at Medinah Temple (600 N. Wabash Ave.) while the $1.7 billion permanent casino is under construction.

Alderman Dowell supported the gaming ordinance and host community agreement with Bally's. As a member of the City Council Special Committee on the Casino, Alderman Dowell was able to carefully consider this proposal, which eventually won her support for multiple reasons. First, the casino will contribute $200 million in revenue for the City which will go directly to helping shore up the City's police and fire pension systems. Second, the Bally's development proposal was the most ambitious investment proposal of all the casino bidders, and Bally's Corporation agreed to assess the property at no less than $135 million, a boon for City property tax coffers. Third, the casino will be built and operated with union jobs, high MBE/DBE targets and using City workers. Fourth, casino ownership will include the highest percentage of minority investors out of any of the applicants. Last, the initial license payment made by the casino operator of $40 million, and the annual operator payment of $4 million for public safety and community investment, was the highest of all the bidders.

This casino is the fulfillment of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring Chicago on-par with other competing destination cities like London and Sydney which already offer gaming. And bringing a casino to Chicago is an opportunity to create another badly-needed revenue stream for the City to help with its ongoing pension obligations.

Alderman Dowell was joined by State Senator Mattie Hunter to tour the newly constructed Phillips High School 850-seat athletic center which will open next school year. What an excellent job done by Burling Builders and their team. Alderman Dowell and Senator Hunter toured the huge, bright gymnasium with its glistening wood floors, the girl's and boy's locker rooms, bathrooms, concession area, trainer’s room, and coach’s office. The Phillips High School Hall of Fame, sports trophy cabinet, and special gift from the Harlem Globetrotters will be displayed in ceremonial locations throughout the lobby. Both Senator Hunter and Alderman Dowell worked together to get the funding necessary to make this building happen for all the deserving students who have worked hard to continue the tradition of the Wildcats!

Thanks to Midway Moving and Storage, Alderman Dowell's office hosted another successful Shred Day on Wednesday, May 4th at the 3rd Ward Public Service Office. At the event, Midway Moving and Storage professionals provided secure document destruction services for numerous happy residents.

If you missed this event, please keep in contact with Alderman Dowell's office for the latest updates on our next Shred Day event later this year!

Alderman Dowell was proud to attend the reopening of Sip and Savor at 78 East 47th Street in Bronzeville. Congratulations to the extraordinary Trez Pugh, owner of Sip and Savor.

New to the café are craft beer offerings! Partnering with Black-owned Turner Haus Brewery, Sip and Savor will now sell craft beer to go along with their wide range of fair-trade coffees and food. This addition was made possible with the help of Alderman Dowell, who supported the zoning change in City Council which allowed for the sale of alcohol at the café. Come check out the new coffee and beer selection, and stay for the live music and special events! Menu and event details at www.sipandsavorchicago.com.

On May 16, 2022, construction on the Arts Lawn resumed. Work will continue Monday-Friday between the hours of 6:00 am - 4:00 pm throughout the spring and summer. For neighbors of the Arts Block, expect truck traffic during construction hours. Construction crew members may park on 55th Place between the CTA tracks and Martin Luther King Drive during construction hours.

The Arts Lawn will be an active green space for Washington Park designed to contribute to the cultural and economic vibrancy of our neighborhood with arts activities programmed and managed by Arts + Public Life. For questions or concerns about construction, contact: Wendy Williams, [email protected], Executive Director, Community Partnerships, Office of Civic Engagement at the University of Chicago.

Alderman Dowell attended the kick-off of the National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. This is the nation’s largest all-volunteer one-day food drive. Branch 11, located in 3rd Ward, is on the case and collected non-perishable food items on May 14th. Residents were encouraged to leave donations at their mailboxes where letter carriers came to pick them up. Food was distributed to local food banks, pantries, shelters, and churches. Kudos to Branch 11 President Mack Julian and Vice President Elise Foster for their leadership. Also at there event were Jewel Morrow, Acting Chicago Postmaster, and Secretary-Treasurer Don Villar of the Chicago Federation of Labor.

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon Alderman Dowell stopped by the corner of 47th St. and State St. while muralist Myron Labon and friends were painting the side of the vacant building on the property. Wonderful to add a little color to brighten the block! Check out Myron's works at www.myronlaban.com.

Service lines are the pipes that transport water from the water main in the street into homes. As the first step in a multi-year effort to remove all Chicago's lead lines, the City is offering two voluntary lead service line replacement programs. For more info and to apply click here.

Following the leak of a potential Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Alderman Dowell has joined many of her City Council colleagues as a co-sponsor of a resolution in support of the City's commitment to the protection and expansion of abortion rights for all Chicagoans, as well as out of state visitors seeking safe and equitable access to lost abortion services. The resolution further commits the City to working in partnership with state and local officials to strengthen and expand abortion rights, and to directly oppose any initiatives or legislation that seeks to threaten or limit current standards for reproductive autonomy, health care access, or equitable and safe abortion services.

Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) will begin dropping larvicide in catch basins within your ward as part of the City’s mosquito prevention program. CDPH places larvicide in catch basins to decrease the number of mosquitoes that can transmit diseases like the West Nile virus. CDPH will continue mosquito prevention efforts, including monitoring, over the next several weeks.   

Please find additional information on mosquito prevention here.

For a complete list of Soldier Field events, please visit www.SoldierField.net/event. The 3rd Ward is providing the list below as a courtesy to residents and visitors and does not assume liability for the accuracy of the monthly list of South Loop events. All Soldier Field events are subject to change, including cancellation or the scheduling of additional events. It is your responsibility to adhere to the parking restrictions in place. 

In accordance with the USDA federal regulations, the Chicago Park District will participate in the Summer Food Service Program in conjunction with summer day camp. Lunches and/or snacks will be provided for enrolled children.

Registration for day camp began May 9, 2022. Community residents are encouraged to register for summer day camp programs. Please visit the Park District website at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call 312-742-PLAY.

CPS-run summer programs help students receive extra academic and social and emotional support, connect them with their school communities, and encourage them to explore new skills so that they are ready and confident when the 2022–23 school year begins.

Please note that not all programs are open to all students—some programs, like Bridge, are prioritized for students who have not met grade promotion criteria. If your child is required to participate in any summer programming, you will receive a letter from your child’s school by the end of the school year.

You can browse programs at cps.edu/summerprograms. For the most up-to-date information about the summer programs available to your child, we encourage you to reach out to your child’s school directly.

CPS’ Office of Sports Administration (OSA) is excited to announce our programming for the 2022 CPS Summer Sports Skills Camps for students entering grades 5–12! Summer sports skills camps are an opportunity for current elementary and high school students to develop their skills in their favorite sport and/or learn about new sports FREE OF CHARGE.

The District will be running summer sports skills camps from July 6–28, 2022 at over 15 sites across the city, including schools, athletic centers, and parks. Camps will run Monday–Thursday each week unless noted otherwise. To see all the sports being offered and to register click here.

CMK Development is looking for graduating high school seniors and college students interested in a career opportunity in construction project management. Interns will gain hands-on experience to build your career in construction management on a residential hi-rise project in Chicago. Interns will have the opportunity to observe work at the jobsite, learn about estimating & accounting, and learn about the construction and development process from an experienced team of contractors, designers, and tradespeople.

The ideal candidate is a graduating high school senior with an interest in pursuing a career path in construction management or a student currently enrolled as an undergraduate pursuing a degree in accounting, architecture, construction management, design, or engineering. Other majors are welcome to apply. This is a paid internship. If interested, please email resume to [email protected].

The idyllic location on the Southeast corner of Roosevelt Rd and Michigan Ave is a picturesque place to enjoy an evening with friends & family and pets too. Support small businesses, engage with the community, and explore Chicago’s rich architectural history. Free entrance. No parking provided but there is paid parking nearby. This is a pet friendly market. Bathrooms are on site at Dollup Coffee. Most vendors accept credit cards, some are cash only.

Where: Southeast Corner of Michigan Avenue & Roosevelt Road Corner of Grant Park in Chicago

​When: Thursdays (rain or shine) June 2 - October 13 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Learn about the home buying process such as the basics of budgeting, improving credit, understanding

the closing process and down payment assistance programs. This is an eight-hour course delivered in two 4-hour sessions.

When: Saturday, June 4th at 9:00 am (link to register) and Saturday, June 11th at 9:00 am (link to register)

Learn how financial statements like the Income Statement and Balance Sheet can enhance decision making of small business owners. This is a free workshop brought to you by QCDC, Uptown United and the 51st St. Business Association. Register here.

When: Tuesday, June 7th from 9:00 am to 10:30 am

Smart Suits and Tattered Boots: Black Ministers Mobilizing the Black Church in the Twenty-First Century author Dr. Korie Little Edwards will be doing a free book signing.

Where: Mox.E Coworking (1449 S. Michigan Ave.)

When: Tuesday, June 7th at 6:00 pm

Whether you are planning to purchase a home or simply need to improve your finances, this webinar will

prepare you for financial security. Learn How To: develop a spending plan, reduce your debt, and

increase your credit score.

When: Tuesday, June 7th at 6:00 pm (link to register), and Tuesday, June 21st at 6:00 pm (link to register)

Area business owners let's connect! Meet and Greet neighboring business owners in-person. Share your thoughts and learn how your business can fully leverage QCDC's 2022 area-wide marketing initiatives including Bronzeville Summer Nights, Shop Local, Shop Bronzeville and more. Visit qcdcbronzeville.eventbrite.com for more information.

When: Monday, June 13th at 10:00 am

BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois is hosting a Diversity Job Fair. Are you aware of the broad spectrum of careers in Finance including Actuarial, Project Management and Underwriting? Find your career path with their financial services division. RSVPs required (click here).

Where: 300 E. Randolph St

When: Wednesday, June 15th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana are proud to celebrate Juneteenth with their 2nd Annual Chicago Neighborhood Walk: Bronzeville! Girl Scouts, troops and families are invited to spend the morning exploring the Bronzeville community, enjoying mural art, supporting small businesses, and stopping along the way to treat yourself to a snack (or two!). Register for the walk at bit.ly/GirlScoutWalk. For more information contact Heather Wirth at [email protected]

When: Saturday, June 18th from 10:00 am to noon

Sign-up today for food, gardening supplies, and plants at the community garden kick-off party. Bring your neighbor and get free flowers. Contract Resident and Community Services Manager Chamala Jordan at 773-285-9500 for more information.

Where: Savoy Square (4451 S. Dearborn St.)

When: Saturday, June 18th from 10:00 am to noon

Join professor and author Aaron Cohen for classic spins and the remarkable story of Chicago Soul Music through his book, Move on Up. This is a free event.

Where: Overflow Coffee (1449 S. Michigan Ave.)

When: Saturday, June 25th at 1:00 pm