As part of "Budget Week", Committee on the Budget and Government Operations Chairman Pat Dowell was one of the featured panelists for the "State of the Budget" kick-off virtual town hall meeting on August 31st. Chairman Dowell was joined by Budget Director Susie Park, and Chief Financial Officer Jennie Bennett to introduce the 2021 City of Chicago Budget, budget process and answer questions directly from the public. This was the first in a series of five Budget Town Hall meetings, each covering their own budget topic: public safety, human services, infrastructure, and neighborhood economic development, each with their own expert panel. To review the town hall meeting videos, click here.

This is the first step in an extended process overseen in City Council by Chairman Dowell that concludes with the City Council considering passage of the full 2021 Budget in early to mid-November. The next step is the Mayor's budget address, which is typically delivered in mid-October, which is then immediately followed by multiple weeks of departmental budget hearings in the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations, before the full budget is considered. To stay informed about the 2021 City of Chicago Budget, visit www.chicago.gov/budget.

If you were unable to attend this virtual town hall meeting, a recording of the meeting is available on Alderman Dowell's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/aldermanpat.dowell. You will need to either scroll down to September 21st, or click on the "video" tab on the page and view from there. Additionally, general Midway Dispensary-related information can be found at www.facebook.com/mdwdispensary.

If you were unable to attend this virtual town hall meeting, a recording of the meeting is available on Alderman Dowell's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/aldermanpat.dowell. You will need to either scroll down to September 15th, or click on the "video" tab on the page and view from there. Additionally, any general COPA-related information can be found at www.chicagocopa.org.

Alderman Dowell partnered with Midway Moving and Storage to host a well-attended free shredding event in the parking lot of the 3rd Ward Public Service Office at 5046 S. State St. Numerous residents stopped by to throw away years of paper records.

Thank you to Midway Moving and Storage for providing the professional document destruction services, and to Lucy Macedo and Allyson Allison for coordinating the event. Alderman Dowell will be hosting another shredding event on Saturday, October 17th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at the South Loop Elementary School parking lot located at 1212 S. Plymouth Ct. Hope to see you there!

The City of Chicago has announced the long-awaited Lead Service Line Replacement Program. The voluntary program, designed to provide assistance to residents who wish to replace their lead service lines, will prioritize those who are low-income. 

The City is offering two methods of City-assisted replacement: The Equity Lead Service Line Replacement Program for low-income residents and the Homeowner-Initiated Lead Service Line Replacement Program. Click here to get information about the program and apply if you are eligible.

Over the past month, Alderman Dowell's office, in partnership with Blueprint Foods, has been giving away free food boxes to needy residents every Friday. At each event, approximately 200 families were provided boxes full of meat, vegetables and fruit. Special thanks to Lucy Macedo, Richard and Allyson Allison who organized theses important events. And a big thank you to Acclivus, Inc., Levon Stone, Bamani Obadele, James Mendez, Renee Barrera and all the volunteers who helped pass out food boxes every week.

During this difficult time, it's important that everyone do what they can to help their fellow neighbor. The food box giveaway is a small, but direct way that the 3rd Ward is stepping up to help residents get through the pandemic. If you need food assistance, or other types of assistance to get through the pandemic, please visit www.chicago.gov/covid to get a complete list of resources that may be available to you.

The ComEd Microgrid Mural in Bronzeville has been completed! Check it out in the 3800 Block of South Michigan Avenue. Thanks to Andre and Frances Guichard for their leadership and creativity. Special shoutout to artists Shawn Michael Warren and Rahmaan Statik. What a beautiful addition to our community.

Roberts Temple Added to Most Endangered Historic Places List

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has included Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ (4021 S. State St.) on the 2020 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, announced on September 24th.  The 11 Most Endangered list is an annual designation of the National Trust that raises national awareness about threatened historic sites across the country. Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights movement, hosting among other events, the funeral of Emmett Till on September 3-6, 1955.

The Chicago Department of Transportation is planning to begin construction on the King Dr. and Oakwood Blvd. traffic signal in October 2020. The project scope includes the removal of all existing traffic signal equipment and replacement with new LED traffic signal heads; pedestrian heads; accessible pedestrian signals; traffic signal mast arms; poles and foundations; pavement resurfacing; sidewalk and ADA ramp improvements; pavement markings and more. The project is scheduled to be completed in June 2021.

The Chicago Department of Transportation has scheduled the final inspection for the arterial street resurfacing project on State St. from 31st St. to 35th St. The work includes ADA sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removal and replacement as needed for ADA and drainage compliance, milling the existing asphalt pavement, asphalt paving, landscaping and striping.

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. 

State Senator Hunter Blood Drive 

Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter, in partnership with Alderman Dowell, Rev. Byron Brazier, Vitalant and others is hosting a blood drive. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, please call 877-258-4825 or visit www.vitalant.org and use the group code F932. Appointments are highly recommended.

Where: Apostolic Church of God Gymnasium Parking Lot (6320 S. Dorchester)

When: Friday, October 2nd from noon to 5:00 pm

Your voice and your vote matters. Register to vote in person at the Perspectives/IIT Math and Science Academy. Social distancing will be mandated and temperature checks will be taken upon entering the building. Masks are required.

Where: Perspectives/IIT (3663 S. Wabash Ave., enter through 36th St. entrance)

When: Friday, October 2nd from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Defeat COVID-19 with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.'s PPE Giveaway. Members of the Upsilon Sigma Chapter will hand out masks, hand sanitizer and more. Contact [email protected] or 312-254-9914 for more information.

Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Larry R. Rogers, Jr. is hosting a property tax appeal forum. This is a virtual zoom event. Text EZJOIN to 474747 for more information.

Where: Virtual (Text EZJOIN to 474747)

When: Tuesday, October 6th at 6:30 pm

The scope of the project is the renovation of two historic residential buildings, providing 74 new residential units totaling 76,240 sq. ft. Bid documents are available starting October 8th and bids are due November 6th with construction starting Q1 2021. For more information on the project and to register for the vendor fair at www.bowaconstruction.com/lathrop. Registration is required for attendance. To receive access to design, contract and bid documents email [email protected] or click here.