City Council Update
Women's March: This Saturday
Martin Luther King Jr. Office Closure
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Dear neighbors,
In light of the shocking increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes in this country, at yesterday's City Council meeting, I introduced a
resolution
calling on the FBI to create a special enforcement task force on anti-Semitic crimes. A similar task force created in the 1990s in response to hundreds of African-American church burnings succeeded in significantly reducing the burnings.
Every single Alderman signed in support.
In these difficult times, it is inspiring to see my colleagues - representing every neighborhood of our city - come together unanimously against hate and anti-Semitism. Our City is sending the White House a direct message to create this task force.
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"Plastic-Free" Chicago Ordinance
I co-sponsored the "
Plastic Free Ordinance" along with Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) and many other Aldermen. This ordinance would gives restaurants and carry-out stores until January 1, 2021 to stop using
foam containers and would allow plastic straws and food utensils only on request to curb “plastic pollution.”
Plastics in waterways break down into smaller pieces that are not biodegradable and are present in all the Great Lakes, impacting our drinking water, poisoning fish and endangering other wildlife. Recycling efforts have resulted in only a small portion of single-use plastics from being diverted from litter, landfills, oceans and our lake.
It is time to eliminate styrofoam and find alternatives to single-use plastics. As this ordinance is considered in City Council, you can
learn more
.
I organized my school's first Earth Day in 1970, and interned for the House Subcommittee on the Environment in 1974, as the country grappled with clean water issues under the then-new Clean Water Act. Plastics waste is one of the great environmental issues of this generation.
The vibrancy of the 43rd Ward is in large part due to our amazing lakefront. This ordinance would help protect and preserve one of the world's greatest natural treasures.
Environmental Impacts of Planned Manufacturing Districts
I also co-sponsored a resolution calling for a hearing on the environmental and health impacts of Planned Manufacturing Districts. Concerns have been persistent about the operations of General Iron in our community, and this hearing would be an opportunity to give voice to those concerns as well as those of neighbors in other PMDs.
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March with Us:
Chicago Women's March 2020
Saturday, January 18
10:30 a.m.
Starbucks
200 S. Michigan Ave.
Across the street from the Art Institute
Please join me at the Women's March 2020. As we prepare for the important primary elections, we march for the same issues that compelled women worldwide to insist on change beginning in 2017.
Women's Rights. Racial Justice. LGBTQ+ Rights. Equal Pay. Health Care. Immigrant Rights. Women's Reproductive Rights. Violence-Free Communities. Voting Rights. Impeachment. Mass Incarceration. Social Justice. Climate Change. Gun Violence Prevention. Disability Rights. Census 2020.
Sign up
here
to join our 43rd Ward group of marchers. Bring your friends, family members, voices and signs, as we march through the streets of downtown, and let the world know that Chicago wants change! Visit this
Facebook
page for details
.
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Cook County State's Attorney Forum
January 21, 22, 30th and February 12
7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
First St. Paul's Lutheran Church
1301 N. LaSalle Dr.
Hear candidates for State's Attorney of Cook County and their plan for bringing forward community safety solutions. Lexi Sutter, Emmy Award winning journalist and Gold Coast resident will moderate.
Candidates that will be answering questions during these Community Forums are:
Christopher Pfannkuche - January 21
Bob Fioretti - January 22
Pat O'Brien - January 30
Bill Conway - February 12
You can register for the forum
here.
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2020 Point-in-Time Count
of Homeless Persons
Thursday, January 23
9:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.
The Point-In-Time Homeless Count provides DFSS and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development with a “snapshot” of Chicago’s homeless population. Collecting the data every year allows Chicago to demonstrate the need for funding, helps with service and resource planning, and raises public awareness about homelessness.
Individuals must be 18 years of age or older to volunteer. For more details,
click here
.
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Year of Chicago Music
Chicago Band Roster
Deadline January 31
As a part of the Year of Chicago Music, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events (DCASE) will launch the
Chicago Band Roster
, a searchable database of high-quality musical performers that are based in the Chicagoland area.
Ensembles of all genres are encouraged to apply. Following a competitive application process, the Chicago Band Roster will be posted on the DCASE website as a resource for residents and organizations looking for high-quality music programs.
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Free Museum Days
Through January
Visit our incredible museums this month during free museum days. General admission is free to Illinois residents on the following dates this month:
- Adler Planetarium - January 20-22
- Art Institute of Chicago - Chicago Residents under the age of 18 are free. Children 14 and under are always free.
- Chicago Botanic Gardens - Always Free.
- Chicago History Museum - Children under 12 are free and Illinois residents under 18 are free. MLK Jr. Day is free for all residents.
- DePaul Art Museum - Always free.
- DuSable Museum - Free admission every Tuesday.
- The Field Museum - January 20, 22, 29.
- Museum of Science and Industry - January 13-16, 20-23, 27-30.
- Shedd Aquarium - January 16-20.
- Lincoln Park Zoo - Always free.
- Chicago Cultural Center - Always free.
- Peggy Notebaert - Admission is free on Thursdays.
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Big Brothers and Sisters
January is National Mentoring Month
Get started on your New Year’s resolution to do well by doing good. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a 1-to-1 mentoring program for kids 7-14. Matches meet at least twice a month for a minimum of one year. You have the opportunity to help shape a child’s future by inspiring positive change and empowering them to achieve what they never dreamed possible. For more information, visit
www.bbbschgo.org
. To enroll, contact Casey at
Nunes@bbbschgo.org
.
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CPS Budget Funding Workshops
Chicago Public Schools will host six school budget funding workshops throughout the city with the hopes of gathering feedback from community members on potential opportunities to strengthen school budgeting.
These workshops will provide community members, organizations, LSC's, CAC's and all interested stakeholders with an overview of CPS’ current funding methodologies and other aspects of the FY2020 budget. Attendees will also be able to share the needs of their school community and offer suggestions on how to make the district’s school funding process more equitable, transparent, and sustainable.
Community meetings in our area:
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Polar Peace March
Sunday, January 19
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
St. Pauls Church
2335 N. Orchard St.
Join St. Pauls Church of Christ for the 6th Annual Polar Peace March.
The Polar Peace March supports
UCAN
, which works to prevent and heal gun violence in North Lawndale.
- Over the last three years, shootings and homicides in North Lawndale have declined considerably - down 52% since 2017
- UCAN's Violence Intervention and Prevention programming has grown to serve close to 450 youth - up 30% since 2017
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Stage Right CPS
Wednesday, January 29
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Victory Gardens Theater
2433 N. LIncoln Ave.
Join Stage Right CPS Lincoln Park for a reception followed by a performance at the Victory Gardens Theater. All profits will benefit the upcoming auditorium renovations at Lincoln Park High School. At 6 pm, appetizers and wine will be provided, followed by a preview of "How to Defend Yourself" a play by Liliana Padilla.
Tickets are $50 per person. All proceeds will go directly to Lincoln Park High School.
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19th District Diaper Drive
Through January 31
The 19th District Community Policing office is collecting diapers for young mothers who have children under 5 years of age and currently live in shelters. Please drop off donated items at the 19th District CAPS office located at 850 W. Addison.
Please contact Officer Megan Woods if you have any questions at 312- 937-0539 (cell), or at the CAPS office at 312-744-0064.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Office Closure
Our office will be closed on Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will reopen with our regular business hours Tuesday, January 21.
Please join the Women's March and other activities this weekend,
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