This new rule has been added to Chicago's existing reopening guidelines, which can be found at chicago.gov/reopening. As a reminder, all of Chicago's reopening guidelines can be enforced by the City of Chicago. Furthermore, per State law, everyone over the age of two who can medically tolerate a mask must still wear a mask whenever they are unable to maintain social distance and whenever they are in a public/shared space – whether inside or outdoors.

On Tuesday, September 15th at 6:00 pm, Alderman Dowell has tentatively scheduled a virtual town hall meeting with the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA). COPA is tasked with investigating allegations of police misconduct for the city, and is an important part of the police reform and oversight system in Chicago. Details and registration information to follow.

3rd Ward Free Shredding Event Sept. 23rd

Every Friday from 10:00 am to noon, starting on September 4th through the end of October, Alderman Dowell's office will be partnering with Blueprint Foods to host a free food box giveaway. Families can receive one box of meat/produce and one box of dairy (the dairy box will be available starting September 19th) while supplies last. Drive through pickup! For more information contact the 3rd Ward Public Service Office at 773-373-9273.

If you were unable to attend this virtual town hall meeting, a recording of the event is available on Alderman Dowell's Facebook page. Please scroll down to August 18th, or click on the "video" tab on the page and to view the video. Additionally, any general Assessor-related information can be found at www.cookcountyassessor.com/. Specific questions for the Assessor's Office can be sent to Mr. Kelwin Harris at [email protected].

In August, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced their decision that students will begin the coming school year learning at home. This decision was made due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. CPS's top priority has been, and will continue to be, keeping students and school communities safe. As part of this decision, CPS is sharing the Final Reopening Framework for the start of the 2020–21 school year. This framework gives CPS the flexibility to begin the school year learning at home and transition to hybrid learning once public health experts determine it is safe to do so. Click here to read the full press release. The first day of school for CPS students is Tuesday, September 8th.

To help families transition to remote learning, CPS is offering FREE Internet for eligible students through the Chicago Connected program. To sign up, CPS families must verify their eligibility by clicking here (English) or here (Spanish). Registrants will need to know the student's ID and birth date to complete the eligibility form. 

Finally, if your student is applying to a CPS high school, the district has changed the admission standards to better account for changes in schooling due to COVID-19. This includes changes to which NWEA scores and grades can be submitted, and that attendance will not be considered as an admissions criteria for the fall of 2021 school year. Furthermore, CPS plans to administer the selective enrollment exam in person as scheduled during the winter of SY2020–21 with proper health and safety protocols in place. The dates of the selective enrollment exam will be announced in the fall.  For more information, please visit go.cps.edu or contact the Office of Access and Enrollment at [email protected] or 773-553-2060.

The warm summer weather means sharing Chicago's ample park space with families, runners, picnics, sports of all kinds and yes dogs. As a reminder, dog friendly areas are designated sections within Chicago parks or beaches where dogs are allowed to run and play off-leash, the only areas in the city where this is allowed. Many of these sites provide features such as doggie drinking fountains, separate areas for shy dogs, dog owner bulletin boards, trash receptacles and extra doggie bags.

The owner or other responsible person bringing any dog into a dog friendly area must have a permit and tag issued by a participating Veterinarian for each dog. Please be responsible when using these areas by following the policies and procedures for Chicago Park District Dog Friendly Areas. If you and your pet are not within a dog friendly area, please keep them on leash at all times.

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will hold a Public Meeting Webinar concerning the proposed Pershing Road Improvements Preliminary Engineering Study on Tuesday, September 15th starting at 6:00 pm. The Preliminary study comprises the reconstruction of Pershing Road between Ashland Avenue and Wentworth Avenue, including replacement of the Pershing Road Bridge over Racine Avenue and Norfolk Southern Railroad spur tracks. The proposed improvements would reconfigure travel lanes on Pershing Road from two lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction to improve safety for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.

The Public Meeting Webinar will be streamed online using WebEx Events at the link provided on the project website at completestreetschicago.org/pershing. The WebEx Event password is “Pershing”. Participants can also phone into the meeting at 312-535-8110 and enter access code 146 290 5292 for audio only access. If desired, a printed copy of the presentation can be requested in advance to follow along when calling in by phone.

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. 

The Emergency Mortgage Assistance (EMA) program will provide homeowners impacted by COVID-19 up to $15,000 to reinstate their mortgage and prepay through 2020 or until funds are exhausted. IHDA will accept applications through September 4, 2020.

Individuals interested in applying for EMA can visit https://ema.ihda.org/ to apply and find additional information.

If you are having trouble paying your bill, visit the Peoples Gas website or call 866-556-6001. Customer Service representatives are here to work with you to arrange a payment plan and connect you to financial assistance options.

Some customers may qualify for energy assistance through LIHEAP, which opened early this program year on July 27th Additionally, income eligibility has been updated to make it easier for people who have been recently laid off.

Additionally, there are many ways to manage your energy costs at home and at work. See the At-home checklist for tips and resources. As always, if you have questions about your bill or think you might have trouble paying, call Peoples Gas at 866-556-6001.

The Mayor's Office is looking for young people between the ages of 14 and 19 to join the next cohort of the Mayor's Youth Commission. Interested individuals have until end of day September 7th to submit their applications. 

Eligible applicants must live in Chicago and commit to monthly virtual meetings (during COVID recovery). Interested individuals can apply at www.tinyurl.com/chiyouthcommission. A committee of current Youth Commissioners will notify finalists about group interviews in early September to select new members before October 1st.

Ryan Banks Academy is a tuition-free, independent day school aiming to become Chicago’s first urban boarding school for disinvested youth. They launched our first class of 7th grade students in September 2018, and are currently recruiting students who will be in 7th, 8th or 9th grade by Fall 2020. Interested applicants should visit ryanbanksacademy.org or call 312-585-5883.

South Loop Neighbors Clean-Up Brigade

In August, the SLN kicked off a pilot program, bringing volunteers together, practicing proper social distancing, to clean up parks and other areas within the South Loop. This will be the second event of this pilot program and will center on Roosevelt Rd., from State St. to Michigan Ave. This area maybe expanded dependent upon number of volunteers that sign-up. Gloves & bags are supplied. Garbage picker/grabber is up to individuals to bring if needed. Limited supply of masks and water will also be supplied. To register, please email SLN Clean-Up Brigade.

Grant Park Advisory Council Committee on Art, Monuments & Markers Meeting Notice

Due to the protests concerning the Christopher Columbus sculpture in Grant Park, the Committee took up the review of this sculpture as its initial concern. The Committee’s process includes discussions among Committee members and also requires public input through oral and written testimony. The Committee will review all comments and will make its written recommendation to the Council by early October. There may be a majority and a minority recommendation. The Council will vote on the recommendation of its Committee and will pass along its own recommendation to the Chicago Park District.

If one wishes to make an oral presentation, after registering to attend the meeting, one will also need to register to present, prior to September 8th with Jim Wales at [email protected]. Registration to attend as well as present will be limited and will be handled on a first come first served basis. Presentations are limited to 2 minutes. Groups are asked to appoint a spokesperson to make their oral presentations. At this time, plans are underway to livestream the meeting as well. Written comments can be submitted until September 25, 2020, by submission to [email protected].

Where: Zoom - Click here to register

The United African Organization, in collaboration with Alderman Dowell, is hosting a Census Questionnaire Assistance Event to help residents complete the 2020 Census. Free masks, tote bags and giveaways will also be available. For more information call 312-949-9980 or email [email protected].

Where: 3rd Ward Public Service Office (5046 S. State St.)

When: Friday, September 11th from 10:00 am to noon

Where: Click here to register

The 3rd Ward office is proud to honor ward resident Tiffany Sanders on her appointment as Chief of CPS Network 9 schools. As many of you may know from her tireless work in the community, Ms. Sanders served as the Deputy Chief of Network 9, which covers the vast majority of 3rd Ward schools. This give Chief Sanders an unparalleled understanding of the unique needs of our neighborhood schools and students. To read Chief Sander's transition note to the community, click here. Please join Alderman Dowell and the entire 3rd Ward staff in congratulating Ms. Sanders on her new appointment within CPS.