Mask Restrictions Largely End Monday

We Stand With Ukraine

Mask Mandate Ends Monday for Many Activities

What's Happening at Fullerton/Halsted/Lincoln?

Community Alerts - Burglaries

Dear Neighbors,

Chicago’s mask and vaccine card mandates will largely end Monday, Feb. 28. Masks will still be required at:

Chicago public schools.
Day cares.
Health care facilities.
Congregate care facilities (like group homes).
Public transportation, including buses, trains and airplanes.
Federal buildings in areas of high of substantial risk of transmission.
Long-term care facilities when in communal areas.
In businesses that privately require mask use.

This means that masks and vaccination cards will no longer be required at restaurants, health clubs, and bars and entertainment venues.

We know that many people are still concerned about their own health and that of their loved ones. That is why we encourage everyone to continue wearing masks.

Private businesses will be free to set their own rules. According to Block Club Chicago, "the Chicago League of Theatres said, the majority of its member theaters indicated they would continue current mandatory mask/proof of vaccination policies, citing recent surveys indicating 'this is what our audiences want and some artists and their representatives have said they would like this policy to continue as well.'"

Fortunately, being vaccinated and boosted increases the protection we have from the current and likely, future variants. According to several studies reported by New York Times, the vaccine and a booster will likely provide a "potent response" to any new variation. This is hopeful information as we move to a new phase.

As we enter this "new normal," please step up and get vaccinated if you are not - for your own protection and that of your friends and relatives.

Unfortunately, our Ward's vaccination rate remains stubbornly at 75% fully vaccinated for adults, lower than most wards in the city. While breakthrough cases of COVID do occur in the vaccinated, unvaccinated people have a 5X greater chance of being hospitalized and a 7X greater chance of dying compared to the vaccinated.

The next variant that comes along will continue that trend and hurt the unvaccinated. Click the picture below for interactive data.

19th District Vaccination Event

Saturday, February 26th, 2022

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

850 W. Addison St

This Saturday, February 26th, he 19th District Police District and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the 19th District Police Station at 850 W Addison from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The vaccine is available to anyone 5 and up and we encourage you to spread the news to your kids, neighbors, and friends.

We Stand With Ukraine

Russia has unleashed an unprovoked attack on an independent nation. Ukraine has a complicated history, but since 1990 it has sought to become a free and democratic state. Ukraine has the largest landmass in Europe after Russia, and has rich natural resources--includingh the world's second largest gas reserves, still largely untapped--which has made it an historic target as does its position geographically as a buffer between the West amd Russia.

An independent Ukraine has fostered freedom of religion, commerce and democracy. It's desiree to join NATO amd the European Union makes it an additional threat to Russia. Among it's 43 million people are more than 200,000 Jews.

Putin's brutal attack to annex Ukraine cannot be tolerated. City Council joined together to denounce the attack. We support the Ukrainian people and the sanctions that have been put innplace by pur government, the EU, and NATO allies, and hope all democracies will work together to punish Putin for this outrageous aggression.

New Building at Fullerton/Halsted/Lincoln

A four-story residential project with a ground-floor commercial space is being constructed at the corner of Fullerton/Halsted/Lincoln. The building will feature 36 rental apartments and will be a transit-oriented development with on-site parking limited to 24 spaces. The building is designed to accommodate a first-floor restaurant with outdoor seating facing Halsted Street.

This parcel, which includes the former pocket park on the corner, was originally owned by Children's Memorial Hospital but was sold to developer Sterling Bay in 2018, which also owns the former CMH Research Center just north of the site. Sterling Bay sold the site to the developer of this project, and the developer is building the building "as of right" which requires no aldermanic permissions.

We anticipate that construction will proceed with minimal disruption to vehicle traffic, and welcome the additional housing units and commercial activity at such a visible intersection in our ward. A feature of the former pocket park on the site was the location of public art selected each year by the Wrightwood Neighbors Association. We thank WNA for its consistent support of this art, which now will be located at Altgeld and Halsted Street.

Chicago Recovery Grant Application for Community Development

Apply here.

The Chicago Recovery Plan provides additional opportunities for the City to invest in catalytic local development, expanding upon DPD’s existing investments and support.

DPD is now accepting applications for grant funding to support local commercial, mixed-use, and light manufacturing development. All are welcome to apply. City staff will prioritize projects in areas of Chicago where there is a history of disinvestment or limited private investment. Projects in all Chicago neighborhoods are encouraged to apply however, priority will be given to projects in the boundaries of the INVEST South/West areas.

Please do not submit duplicative applications for the same project.

An informational webinar was held Wednesday, Jan. 6. Watch a recording of the webinar here, download the presentation or read answers to frequently asked questions.

Sidewalk Signs Now Allowable

with Proper Permit

Effective March 1, 2022, sidewalk signs (e.g. A-frame, T-frame, or other temporary self-supporting type signs, placed on the public way) will be allowed in the City of Chicago by obtaining the proper City permit. Street-front businesses will now be able to use sidewalk signs to advertise their business safely and effectively from the sidewalk. This was passed in the legislative package in June 2021 that provided countless reforms for businesses to streamline various permits and save businesses money.

The City permit application for sidewalk signs will be available on March 1, by visiting the City of Chicago’s Inspections, Permitting & Licensing web portal. A sidewalk sign permit will be valid for five years from the date of issuance and the permit fee will be $100 per year. You can find various rules and restrictions here that will provide further clarifications on the size, placement, and content of sidewalk signs.

City of Chicago 2022 Tree Plantings

Request A Tree

Our City 2022 budget commits extra funding to planting nearly 15,000 new trees this year (about 300 per ward). In the 43rd Ward, we currently have 240 open tree planting requests.

You can view the requests here, if you don't see your location on this list but you would a tree to be planted, please email Maggie Sullivan at maggies@ward43.org.

You can request a specific tree from the city's approved list. Most available are Bur Oak, Shumard Oak, North American Hybrid Elm, Ginkgo, and American Linden Tree. The City can't guarantee any particular tree, but will work to try to get your preference if available. The goal is to diversify the tree stock in the city to avoid dangers from disease.

Office Closed for Casimir Pulaski Day, Monday, March 7th, 2022

In honor of Casimir Pulaski Day, our office will be closed on Monday, March 7th. We will return to normal hours and operations at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022.

Public Safety Updates

Juvenile Offender Charged with February 2021 Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking

The above offender was arrested on February 22, 2022, in the 1500 block of S. Drake. He was identified as the offender who, on February 12, 2021, took a vehicle by force from a 77-year-old female in the 1200 block of W. Cornelia (19th District). The offender was placed into custody and charged accordingly. No additional information is available at this time.

Community Alert - Burglaries

018th District

Near North

This alert gives notice to residents of the 018th District of recently related burglary incidents. During these incidents, the offender(s) forced entry into businesses and residences through the front or rear door. Once inside, the offender(s) ransacked the premises and fled on foot.

Incident times and locations:

1200 block of West Webster Ave., Saturday, February 12, 2022, during the morning.
1300 block of West Webster Ave., Wednesday, February 16, 2022, in the evening.
2700 block of North Clifton Ave., Friday, February 18, 2022, in the afternoon.

If you have any information, contact Bureau of Detectives – Area 3 at (312) 744-8263.

Community Alert - Burglaries

19th District

Town Hall

This alert gives notice to residents of the 019th District of recently reported burglary incidents. During each incident, the offenders forced entry into residences through the rear door. Once inside, the offenders ransack the premises, flee on foot to a waiting vehicle. These incidents are occurring in beats 1931, 1932, and 1933.

Incident times and locations:

2600 block of North Magnolia Ave., Tuesday, February 08, 2022, in the afternoon.
3000 block of North Kenmore Ave., Friday, February 11, 2022, in the evening.
2800 block of North Paulina Ave., Thursday, February 17, 2022, in the afternoon.

About the Offenders:

3 Unknown offender(s)

If you have any information, contact Bureau of Detectives – Area 3 at (312) 744-8263.

Burglary Prevention Tips

As we see a slight increase in burglaries throughout our community, it is important to keep these prevention tips in mind.

Close and lock all entrance doors, use strong locks and solid doors, reinforce door frames.
Ensure all windows are closed and locked and covered by blinds or shades.
Keep all areas well lit and leave ample exterior/interior lights on.
Install security cameras and exterior lighting.
Keep security gates closed.
Be observant and call the police (911) on suspicious persons.
Do not announce your absence when on/leaving for vacation.

For more information, please read this informational flyer.

Write to Our Public Officials

Pick Up Some Postcards!

We are having an impact! 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

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.

Community Events

It's Chicago Theatre Week!

February 17-27

Come out and see a LIVE theatre production for $15 or $30! Try something new, especially from our local theatres Victory Gardens, as well as many others across the city. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Women's Toiletry Drive with Commissioner Gainer's Office

February 1st, 2022 - February 28th, 2022

Drop off at 2523 N Halsted St

Our office is happy to again be a co-sponsor of Commissioner Bridget Gainer’s Annual Cook County Jail Women’s Justice Program Toiletry Drive. These supplies go to organizations supporting justice-system-involved women.

Items must be travel-sized and include shampoo, conditioner, soap, shower gel, deodorant, and body lotion.

Thank you to all of you who have contributed to past drives and please consider making a donation this year.

Run for Local School Council

Applications Due March 4

Seats are up for election at all of our Local School Councils on April 20, 2022 (elementary schools) and April 21, 2022 (high schools). Parents can apply at their children's school, and community members can run for the schools where they live.

Help our public schools be as good as they can be. 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.

Please note: All paperwork must be returned to the school in which you intend to seek a seat on the LSC.

Savor Lincoln Park 2022

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022

6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

2401 N Lake Shore Drive

(Theater on the Lake)

Buy your "early bird" tickets here!

The one-of-a-kind indoor neighborhood food festival takes place at the iconic Theater on the Lake, where you can enjoy bites and sips from over a dozen of Lincoln Park’s favorite restaurants and bars. Celebrate our resilient hospitality businesses and meet up with your friends, colleagues, and neighbors for the return of Savor Lincoln Park on Tuesday, March 22, 2022!

Guests will also enjoy unique silent auction packages from Chicago’s best destinations and beautiful skyline views.

Stay tuned for participating restaurants, breweries, and eateries!

Tickets are currently on sale and Early Bird Admission is only $32 through February 20th, 2022. All tickets include a sample bite from each participating restaurant, beer tastings from local breweries, as well as complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks at the bar. You will also have exclusive access to the event’s silent auction, which will include packages and experiences from some of Chicago’s top destinations.