The gun violence epidemic has impacted communities like the 3rd Ward for far too long. To continue the discussion around stopping the violence, Alderman Dowell joined Alderman Sophia King (4th), State Representative Lamont Robinson (D-5th) and The GAP Neighborhood Association to rally for gun safety in our community, and to find meaningful solutions across governments to combat this ongoing epidemic.

Part of that strategy is asking all police departments to redistribute 10% of their budget towards community policing. In addition, the rally participants highlighted the need for a renewed focus on repairing the relationship between the police and the communities they serve, and for the police to work with community partners and local experts to find new strategies to fight violent crime.

Alderman Dowell and the Department of Planning and Development welcomed Landmark Development to update the community on the status of the One Central project. As a reminder, the One Central development plan is NOT an approved project, and is just beginning the zoning review phase. A Planned Development application has not been filed with the City, nor has a zoning change been approved by Alderman Dowell. If an application is filed, the City will perform an extensive review, and the developer must once again come back to the community, and get Alderman Dowell's and the Chicago Plan Commissions support before even going to City Council for review.

At the meeting, Landmark Development shared their updated vision for the site, including a multi-modal transit hub, up to 9,050 residential units, 1.5 million square feet of retail uses, 9.45 million square feet of office space, 1.5 million square feet of hotel uses, 350,000 square feet of event space, and 3,500 parking stalls. Landmark also shared details on the $20 million financing package, which proposes the state contribute $6.5 billion for acquisition and operation of the Civic Build over 20 years supported by the Build Illinois infrastructure financing program.

The new proposal moves the taller One Central buildings to the eastern edge of the site, as well as preserves Mark Twain Park, instead of using it for part of the site's development. Landmark Development also offered further details on the proposed transit hub, the CHILINE (a local tram and bus route), and reworked pedestrian and vehicular access to the site. A full recap of Landmark's presentation can be found here.

In June, Alderman Dowell invited the Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Housing Authority to discuss safety and security issues with residents and staff of Wentworth Gardens in the 3rd Ward. For months, residents have been alerting the CHA to lax security at the property with no response from the CHA, who are in charge of property management. Unfortunately, the security company contracted for Wentworth Gardens did not participate in the meeting.

At the meeting residents discussed how security does not monitor the grounds or the parking lots, and when they are present the security staff does not patrol the area. In addition, while there are cameras throughout the property, nothing is being reported despite an uptick in safety incidents. In response, CPD has requested for two cars to be placed as patrol on public streets. CPD is also working with the CHA to improve the process when CHA property management alerts the police to issues at Wentworth Gardens. Alderman Dowell's office continues to advocate on residents' behalf for needed attention and resources from the CHA and CPD for the property.

Alderman Dowell was proud to host 1st District Police Commander Patricia Zuber and the development team for a proposed building at 1400 S. Wabash Ave. at a 3rd Ward Town Hall meeting. At the meeting Commander Zuber discussed the police's plans to improve public safety in the South Loop, as well as the citywide plan to address noisy and dangerous motorcycle riders. The development team for 1400 S. Wabash Ave. presented a plan for a new 299-unit, 30-story residential tower in the South Loop. Thank you to Commander Zuber and Colin Kihnke from CMK Companies for presenting at the meeting, and to all the residents who came to meet virtually to discuss these important neighborhood issues.

Alderman Dowell partnered with neighboring Bronzeville Alderman Sophia King (4th), and the Chicago Department of Transportation to host a community meeting regarding streetscape projects planned for many of Bronzeville's commercial corridors. The scope of the project includes streetscape improvements on 43rd St. from Prairie Ave. to Cottage Grove; Cottage Grove from Bowen Ave. to 49th St.; and 47th St. from Prairie Ave. to Cottage Grove. The project will provide safe, walkable, and attractive streets that will foster community and economic growth. This effort will also support the INVEST South/West initiative to re-activate neighborhood cores that serve as focal points for pedestrian activity, shopping, services, transportation, public spaces and quality-of life amenities for local residents. To see the presentation given at the community meeting and to take the survey on the proposed improvements, please click here.

Alderman Dowell hosted two document shredding events, one at the 3rd Ward Public Service Office on Wednesday, April 28th and the other at True Rock Ministry (57 E. 16th St.) on Saturday, October 2nd. Thank you to partners Midway Moving and Storage for providing the shredding services, and to Pastor Earl Grandberry for hosting, State Rep. Lamont Robinson, and 3rd Ward staff Allyson Allison, Lucy Macedo, Anthony Lindsey and James Mendez for assisting residents in safely and securely shredding their documents.

All residents who came to the event were offered free, on-site shredding where they were able to watch their documents get loaded and securely shredded in Midway's mobile shredding truck. Professional shredding services are not only a great way to dispose of your personal documents safely, but a wonderful way to clean!

For the first time in well over a year, Chicago Public Schools welcomed students for in-person learning! Alderman Dowell was on hand at multiple Back-to-School events she co-sponsored across the ward, including events with the Chicago Urban League and CPS. Thank you to the many sponsors including James Miller, City Sports, Walgreens, ComEd and IIT!!

At these events, families received book bags filled with school supplies, PPE, access to reduced price broadband, food, fun, music and games. Most of the children were very excited to get back to the classroom, but of course all of the kids wanted the summer fun to last forever!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's Clean and Green Day on April 24th. After a long winter hampered by the pandemic, it was fantastic to see so many people working together safely outdoors, to get our community ready for the busy spring and summer months. This year's Clean and Green was of course a bit different with masking and social distancing in place, but that did not stop dozens of groups from doing their part to keep the community clean. Thank you to 3rd Ward Superintendent Thomas Stovall for once again stepping up and coordinating the Clean and Green groups, and to 3rd Ward staff Allyson Allison, Lucy Macedo and Anthony Lindsey for their hard work in this effort.

This year's 3rd Ward participants included: Girl Scout Troup #26062, Prairie Point at Central Station, the 400th Block Club, Hilliard Homes, the Dearborn Park II Advisory Council, the Greenline Block Club, the Urban Juncture Foundation, Stacey Sirota, the 2nd District CAPS Office, Dominique Horton, Ignite, Indiana Block Club, Park Row Homeowners Association, 46th Place Neighbors, and the Greater South Loop Organization. Huge thank you to all!

Over 700 people received the vaccination against COVID-19 on April 18th at XS Tennis at an event co-sponsored by Alderman Dowell and Congressman Danny Davis. Thanks to Kamau Murray for making his XS Tennis facility available and to Near North Health Center (Kathleen Jackson) and Howard Brown Health Center (Dr. Maya) for providing the vaccine. Special thanks to the Alpha and Omega men who volunteered their time and a special shout-out to Nikki Harvey for pulling all of this together.

Continuing to provide important services to the community, Alderman Dowell's office in October hosted a Free Flu/COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic. Thank you to the Chicago Department of Public Health and the entire 3rd Ward team for serving the community at this important event.

At the Flu/COVID-19 Clinic, residents were offered both a flu shot and/or a COVID-19 vaccine. With cold weather approaching in October and the return of mostly indoor activities, it's more important than ever to get your vaccines to help prevent the spread of these harmful diseases. And with residents practicing social distancing over the past year-and-a-half, the flu may be especially prevalent this year, as there simply hasn't been much contact between people to build immunity levels to the various flu strains that we would typically see in a normal year.

Howard Brown Health has played a very important role in providing quality care to the 3rd Ward community during the COVID-19 pandemic; from COVID-19 testing, to providing vaccinations, to educating residents. On April 24th, Howard Brown Health hosted a pop-up vaccination site on the IIT campus for over 1,500 people. Alderman Dowell stopped by the event and was informed that they had already vaccinated close to 1,000 people. Thanks to Channyn Parker, Director of Strategic Partnerships and David Munar, President and CEO of Howard Brown Health for their commitment to the community and to the public health of all Chicagoans.

Thanks to the generosity of Black Men United, Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action, Chicago Football Classic and Christmas in the Wards, Alderman Dowell hosted a free food giveaway at Metcalfe Park for needy families in our area. If you or anyone you know are in need of food assistance, please visit www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food/ to find a food bank or food giveaway nearest to you.

Alderman Dowell was thankful to once again be able to participate in the historic Bud Billiken Day Parade, which runs right through the heart of Bronzeville in the 3rd Ward along majestic King Drive. Though it was a shorter route, and COVID-19 mitigations were in place, the parade still served as a welcome reminder of the strong, vibrant community that makes up the South Side of Chicago. For generations the parade has encouraged education, public service and togetherness in the community, and it was wonderful to have that focus back after another pandemic-affected year. Thank you to Myiti Sengstacke-Rice the President/CEO and Parade Chair, basketball legend Candace Parker who served as the Grand Marshall of the parade, and the countless public officials, nonprofits, companies and organizations that made this day so special.

As Chairman of the City Council Committee on the Budget and Government Operations, Alderman Dowell had the pleasure of speaking at the 2022 City of Chicago Budget Engagement Forums. There she discussed the City Council's role in the budget process, and what Chicago residents can expect from her as Chairman of the Committee. Alderman Dowell also had the opportunity to speak directly with members of the community on their budget priorities, which centered on after school programming, food insecurity, affordable housing, eradicating violence, mental health services, jobs, and increased funding for workforce training. Complete information about the City's 2022 Budget can be found here. Alderman Dowell's Committee on the Budget also keeps additional budget-related records here.

Thank you to Dr. Walt Whitman and the Soul Children of Chicago for bringing Santa’s Village to XS Tennis Village. This event made the Christmas season cheerful for so many children. In addition to Christmas cheer and gifts, the event featured a mobile vaccination van operated by Near North Health Service, which served a number of people getting their boosters and first shots.  Thank you also to Channel 7’s Hosea Sanders, Pastor Michael Neal of Glorious Light Church, Congressman Danny K. Davis and Pastor James Meeks for their contributions to this wonderful holiday event.

A huge thank you to Larry Huggins, Everett and Tim Rand (hosts of Chicago Football Classic and Christmas in the Wards) and Sherman Dodge for their support of Matthew House and the Southside Community Art Center (SSCAC), which are both located in the 3rd Ward. Each organization was blessed with a check of $5,000 to continue the work they do serving the homeless, and art and cultural expression respectively. Alderman Dowell was honored to select these organizations and present them with their checks. Phillip Gant, Co-Board President of SSCAC and Rev. Erma Spencer of Matthew House accepted the contributions. Congrats to all.

Black Men United distributed 600 food boxes and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to Dearborn Homes residents in April. Every household also received a special gift. Alderman Dowell and the CHA team were on hand to assist with the distribution. Black Men United is dedicated to supporting the growth and development of Black men, their families and the communities where they live, work and play.

Over the summer when the City's pandemic restrictions were first loosened, Alderman Dowell was able to connect with friends and neighbors in person once again. Alderman Dowell visited the gardeners at the Bronzeville Neighborhood Farm at 42nd St. and Calumet Ave. managed by John Owens and David. She also took in Spring Awakening Day with cooking demonstrations by Ericka and Monica Simmons, known as the Double Stitch Twins, and an Ashay celebration with calls from African drums. Fresh spinach was gifted to all attendees.

As a proud sponsor of the event, Alderman Dowell started a beautiful summer morning by joining numerous runners for the 2nd Annual Bronzeville 5K Run Walk at Armstrong Park. Big thank you and congratulations to race organizers Valane and LaTrina Spaulding for their energy and commitment to our neighborhood.

Huge thank you to Black Men United and Pastor Harrell, Christmas in the Wards, GMA Construction, PLCCA and World Vision for blessing the 3rd Ward in Fuller Park with food, appliances, furniture, toiletries, and many other items at a giveaway in Fuller Park. Thanks also to County Treasurer Maria Pappas and the 3rd Ward Staff (Allyson, Lucy and Anthony) for your commitment to our residents.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, Alderman Dowell stood alongside members of the community to march for peace this summer. The Prayer for Peace Walk was organized by the 2nd District Police Department. Community members walked from CPD Headquarter to Anderson Park at 38th and Prairie and relaxed under the sun with prayer, music and food. Let's make this summer a violence free summer!

Alderman Dowell stopped by National Night Out events across the ward to visit with residents, and to meet with the local police officers who keep our community safe. Thanks to all the police who serve the neighborhood and to the community members who put such a fun and festive event together.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement by offering a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Local events include prizes, food, and entertainment for all ages!

The 3rd Annual Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project (CRR19) rode through Bronzeville on Saturday, July 24th to remember the victims of the 1919 Chicago Race Riot. Thank you to the 488 people that registered for the event and contributed over $3,400 in donations toward the goal of installing historical markers in the 38 locations that individuals were killed during the riots. Check out the beautiful video of the event created by Globetown Media.

The congregation of Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church (5141 S. State St.) showed their appreciation for their Pastor, Eric Thomas, with a surprise celebratory dinner. Located in the shadow of the former Robert Taylor Homes, Greater Harvest under Pastor Thomas’ leadership continues to serve the neediest of our community. As he said during the celebration “He loves people.” Thank you to everyone who made this evening special, Alderman Dowell is truly thankful to have dedicated clergy like Pastor Thomas in the ward.

On November 20th, Alderman Dowell joined the Brave Space Alliance and Life is Work for a Transgender Day of Remembrance Town Hall and Vigil. At the town hall meeting, attendees learned about the issues, opportunities, and challenges facing Chicago's transgender community. As the former Chairman of the City Council Committee on Human Relations, Alderman Dowell has worked towards equity for the transgender community, in particular through the passage of ordinances providing equal access to restrooms in Chicago regardless of gender identity, expanding self-identification of gender identity in City forms, and condemning former President Trump for his decision to ban members of transgender community from military service.

As the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations, Alderman Dowell plays an important role in the creation and legislative process of the annual City of Chicago budget. This includes working with the administration and her City Council colleagues on setting the priorities for the budget, hosting the annual departmental budget meetings, advocating on behalf of City residents for their budgetary ideas, and participating in public outreach on the budget. This year was no different, with the added complexity of allocating an additional $1.9 billion in one-time federal funding designed to help our City recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through Alderman Dowell's leadership, the 2022 City of Chicago Budget makes monumental investments in critical City initiatives, while also putting Chicago on a much more fiscally sustainable path. As part of the budget, Chicago is investing:

In addition, the budget: funds the expansion of the co-responder model to deliver a non-police response to our City’s public safety concerns, more than doubles the size of our tree trimming operations, provides for citywide capital construction projects, helps the City catch up on the delivery of garbage carts, adds critical night and weekend hours for mental health services and more clinical staff to address these needs, supports the development of affordable and market rate housing, and allows aldermen to invest in social services in our wards.

And it will ensure proper oversight of this spending by creating a new ARP spending oversight committee, with Alderman Martin serving as the vice-chair, as a subcommittee of the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.

This is a historic budget that moves our City forward to make Chicago what we all want it to be. For more information on the budget please visit www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/obm.html.

3901-4121 S. Wallace St., 3901-4074 S. Wells St., 3901-4141 S. Princeton Ave., 1112-200W. Cullerton St., 349-710 W. 43rd Pl., 4425-4501 S. Wallace St., 2201-2238 S. Michigan Ave., 5659-5739 S. Wentworth Ave., 5658-5738 S. LaSalle St., 131-166 W. 57th St., 131-166 W. 57th Pl., 1246-1311 S. State St., 4646-4711 S. Michigan Ave., 1-23 W. 23rd St., 341 W. 42nd St., 343-347 E. 44th St., 342-346 E. 45th St., 419-423 E. 41st St., 3700-3800 S. Calumet Ave., 3100-3200 S. Calumet Ave., 500-559 E. 44th St., 300-500 E. 46th St., 112-159 E. 50th Pl., 416 E. 46th Pl., 420 E. 46th Pl., 4422 S. Vincennes Ave., 300 E. 50th Pl., 2600-2700 S. Federal St., 1200-1300 S. Prairie Ave., 3500-3600 S. Giles Ave., 34-100 E. 37th St., 4000-4134 S. Dearborn St., 4300-4500 S. Princeton Ave., 4700-4759 S. Wabash Ave., 400-459 E. 45th Pl., 528-626 E. 49th St., 1450-1531 S. Prairie Ave., 5100-5200 S. Princeton Ave., 319-321 E. 18th St., 5638 S. Princeton Ave., 250-300 W. 47th St., 4205-4209 S. Calumet Ave., 37th Pl. from Wabash Ave. to Indiana Ave., 3200-3300 S. Prairie Ave., 3700-3800 S. Princeton Ave., 232-300 W. Swann St.

48th Pl. and King Drive to 48th St. and Vincennes Ave. Calumet Ave. and 45th St. to 46th St. and King Dr., King Dr. and 43rd St. to 44th St. and Vincennes Ave., Giles Ave. and 35th St. to 37th St. and Princeton Ave., Indiana Ave. and 31st St., to 32nd St. and Prairie Ave., Wabash Ave. and 42nd St., to 43rd St. and Michigan Ave., Wabash Ave. and 47th St. to 48th St. and State St., 47th St. and Princeton Ave. to Shields Ave. and 48th Pl., 51st Pl. and Princeton Ave.

476-421 E. Oakwood Blvd., 3957 S. King Drive., 1205-1310 S. Plymouth Ct., 30-48 W. 13th St., 557-675 E. Pershing Rd., 3901-3932 S. Vincennes Ave., 527-650 E. Oakwood Blvd., 3901-3940 S. Langley Ave., 3127-3148 S. Prairie Ave., 4810-4831 S. Calumet Ave., 360-379 E. Garfield Blvd., 3825-3846 S. Calumet Ave., 61-118 E. 46th St., 300-373 E. 55th Pl., 319-321 E. 18th St., 4400-4500 S. King Dr., 5640 S. Princeton Ave., 50th St. and Prairie Ave., 18th St. from Indiana Ave. to Prairie Ave.

3900-4133 S. Wells St., 3900-4133 S. Princeton Ave., 3900-3959 S. Wentworth Ave., 3900-4259 S. LaSalle St., 4601-4659 S. LaSalle St., 170-179 W. 47th St., 34-77 E. 41st St., 4400-4701 S. Princeton Ave., 4200-4959 S. Michigan Ave., 4000-5375 S. Wabash Ave., 155-208 W. 24th St. 2351-2408 S. Wentworth Ave., 4-55 W. 25th St., 1-76 E. 48th St., 15-54 W. 25th Pl., 1-82 E. 24th Pl., 2-68 E. 53rd St., 110-120 W. Root St., 300-361 W. Garfield Blvd., 33-36 W. 24th St., 1-26 W. 23rd St, 2300-2399 S. Dearborn St., 200-217 W. 43rd St., 1800-1804 S. State St., 4559 S. Calumet Ave., 5244-5248 S. Princeton Ave., 5258-5302 S. Princeton Ave., 3423 S. Michigan Ave., 3664 S. Indiana Ave., 3804 S. Indiana Ave., 421 E. 41st St., 4319 S. State St., 517 E. 46th Pl., 5439 S. Indiana Ave., 3900-4100 S. Calumet Ave., 4500-4700 S. State St.,

State St. and 24th St.

539 E. 44th St., 3659 S. Giles Ave., 5313 S. Indiana Ave., 37th St. and Calumet Ave., 50th St. and St. Lawrence Ave., 1472 S. Prairie Ave.

15th Pl. from Indiana Ave. to Prairie Ave., 46th St., from Indiana Ave. to Champlain Ave., Princeton Ave. from 37th St. to Pershing Rd., 5500-5700 S. LaSalle St., 1472-1531 S. Prairie Ave., 4300-4500 S. Princeton Ave., 5500-5700 S. Shields Ave.

3230-3243 S. Indiana Ave., Michigan Ave. and 46th St.

200 W. Pershing Rd., State St. and 31st St., LaSalle St., and 47th St., Michigan Ave. and Cermak Rd., Princeton Ave. and 53rd St., Princeton Ave. and 51st St., State St. and Roosevelt Rd., Wentworth Ave. and Garfield Blvd., Wells St. and 47th St., Wabash Ave. and Cermak Rd.

The Cottage Grove Streetscape will add enhancements to Cottage Grove Ave. from 42nd St. to 47th Pl.; 43rd St. from Prairie Ave. to Cottage Grove Ave.; and 47th St. from Prairie to Cottage Grove Ave. The project consists of infrastructure, pedestrian safety, traffic, and placemaking improvements with the goal of creating unified, safe, walkable, and attractive street. The streetscape project is comprehensive and includes public right-of-way improvements that include: roadway geometry and intersection improvements, full width road resurfacing, drainage improvements, new sidewalk with paver parkways, curb and gutter replacement, ADA ramps with curb extensions and crosswalks, new street lighting, traffic signal upgrades, improved pavement markings and signage, side street improvements to the alleys as needed, site furniture and potential seating areas, light pole and neighborhood gateway identifiers, and tree planting and potential landscaping.

Site design began in April/May 2021 with construction completed in 3 sections starting late-2022 through 2024. Public outreach and the creation of a Community Advisory Group will be ongoing. More information on these important aspects of the project will be provided by Alderman Dowell's office at a later date.

Construction on Michigan Ave. for the Motor Row Streetscape is was substantially completed in June 2021. Fabrication of the unique identifying items (light poles, light pole identifiers, and gateway identifier) is ongoing.

The streetscape transforms Michigan Avenue (from Cermak Rd to 24th St.) and 23rd St. (from State St. to Indiana Ave.) in Motor Row into a more resident and business friendly corridor. Work includes widening the sidewalks, installing placemaking features like decorative signs, trees, and benches, and transforming the roadway from a 4- lane road to a 2-lane road with a center turn lane. Renderings for the streetscape can be found on Alderman Dowell's website at www.ward03chicago.com by typing "streetscape" into the search bar.

The City of Chicago launched the Chicago Hospitality Grant Program as part of its emergency COVID-19 relief package for the hospitality industry. This $10 million grant program is targeted towards Chicago’s restaurants and bars that continue to face significant challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis. The program made awards of $10,000 to independent bars and restaurants throughout Chicago that have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 and the State’s mitigation measures.

3rd Ward winners include: Truth Italian Restaurant, China Express, Irie Jerk Express, Renaissance Bronzeville, Mikkeys 47 Express, New Pearl's Place Restaurant, Shawn Michelle's Churned Homemade Ice Cream, Juke Joynt, Slice of Bronzeville, Union Submarine, Bronzeville Wingz, 16th Street Bar (Little Bureau), Waffles, Flavor Cajun Wings, Kurah Mediterranean, Jerk Villa Bar and Grill, La Cantina Grill, Reggie's Music Joint, Windy City Ribs & Whiskey, Tapas Valencia, Sage Room, Weather Mark Tavern, Evelyn's Food Love, Alice's Bar-B-Que LLC.

The large city-owned lots on the southwest corner of 47th and Vincennes are part of Mayor Lightfoot’s Invest South/West initiative. Three development proposals were submitted for the site in response to a Request For Proposal. From there, The Legacy District proposal was chosen as the winning development proposal.

The Legacy District is a $19.2 million joint venture of KMW Communities and LG Development in partnership with Bronzeville Community Partners. Planned for 0.6 acres of vacant, City-owned land on the southwest corner of 47th Street and Vincennes Avenue, the proposed project will create a six-story building containing 12,000 square feet of commercial space and 25 mixed-income residential units. The project will create 174 permanent jobs and 140 construction jobs.

Bronzeville Salon Suites Opens in the 3rd Ward

Alderman Dowell welcomed another African American owned business to the ward. Thanks to the leadership and cutting-edge vision of Eric Dantzler and Sheila Rugege Dantzler, Bronzeville Salon Suites opened at 80 E. Pershing Rd. Invoking the spirit of Madam C.J. Walker, Bronzeville Salon Suites brings independent salon professionals to their own suites to provide hair and aesthetician services to the public. Check it out and opening soon!

The building's developers, Eric and Sheila Dantzler, are residents of the community and are committed to its growth and development. They were awarded $720,000 from the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund for this project, which was passed by City Council with the support of Alderman Dowell.

A proposal by Smash Interactive, LLC to construct a new e-sports stadium at 2500-48 South Wabash Avenue passed both the Chicago Plan Commission and the Chicago City Council in March 2021. Smash Interactive will rezone the property on Wabash Ave. from C1-5/M1-3 into a Business Entertainment Planned Development, where they will construct a 62’-tall professional e-sports stadium with a maximum occupancy of 1,040 people that will also include indoor sports and recreation, restaurant, and office uses. Ninety accessory parking spaces will be provided off-site at 2601-25 South Wabash Avenue.

This is a truly first-of-its-kind proposal for not only Chicago but for the entirety of the midwestern United States, firmly placing Chicago on the cutting edge of this rapidly growing sports landscape. The Smash Interactive developers met with the community on multiple occasions, and were receptive to changes and comments made by residents and businesses already in the area. This included the developer's commitment to establish a Bronzeville e-sports league with a special focus on engaging students from Drake Elementary, National Teachers Academy, and Phillips High School. Their final presentation won broad community support and Alderman Dowell was happy to champion this once-in-a-lifetime development through the City approval process. For more information about the Surge E-Sports Stadium, click here.

The City of Chicago announced the 30 finalists selected who received a Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grant. Projects were selected based on development team experience, project viability, neighborhood needs, potential economic impact, and other criteria. The 3rd Ward is proud that Bronzeville Wingz at 4547 S. State St. was selected to receive grant funding. Grant amounts range from $40,000 to $250,000 but are subject to change as projects are refined. Finalists will be provided with concierge service by DPD to help with contracting, permits, licenses, financing and other needs as each project progresses through design, construction and completion.

Congratulations to Jamal Junior on the opening of his new business Williams Inn Pizza at 2210 South Michigan Avenue in the 3rd Ward. For great pizza and a great atmosphere drop on by! Information and a menu can be found at www.williamsinnpizza.com.

Another Bronzeville happening! The opening of Hatch 41 a spacious, bright co-working space at 4131 South State Street. Congrats to Stephen Mitchell, Esq. on his newest venture. To sign up for a tour or to become a member, please go to www.hatch41.com.

Alderman Dowell welcomed Entrenuity, a co-working space and coffee bar, to the 3rd Ward's South Loop neighborhood (1449 S. Michigan Ave.). Opened on Friday, February 19th, Entrenuity is home to Mox.E, a business incubator and co-working space dedicated to helping Black, Latinx and women entrepreneurs develop their businesses and access capital. The location will also be the new home of South Loop favorite Overflow Coffee, which moved from its previous location on the corner of 16th St. and State. St. For more information on Entrenuity, visit entrenuity.com and Mox.E at moxechicago.com.

Washington Park staple Ms. Biscuit has reopened. Two years after shutting its doors, the restaurant returns to its former home at 5431 S. Wabash Ave. Famous citywide for its legendary flaky, buttery biscuits and gourmet soul food, Ms. Biscuit welcomed its first customers on Sunday, February 28th. Call 773-268-8088 for more information or to place an order!

Over the 2021 holiday season, the recently opened L1 Retail Store (319 E. Garfield Blvd.) hosted weekly activations highlighting specialty products from their four brands, featured in Washington Park’s newest retail space. Shop the South Side, shop Black-owned! Learn more at shopL1.org.

The Joffrey Ballet is pleased have announced the establishment of new studio space and training facilities at 1920 South Wabash Avenue (formerly the Chicago Dance Academy studios), expanding the Joffrey’s reach to the South Loop and beyond, and marking a major step towards the completion of the organization’s five-year “Joffrey for All” strategic plan.

Join Alderman Dowell in congratulating Bronzeville resident Dr. Yvette Battle on the grand opening of her new business, Bronzeville Orthodontics. Dr. Battle's office is now open at 3506 S. State St., Unit D, just steps away from the 35th St. Green Line Station in the beautiful Park Boulevard development. For more information or to book an appointment click here.

43 Green is a joint venture between Bronzeville-based P3 Markets and the Habitat Corporation, one of the leading affordable housing developers in Chicago. Details on this development can be found here.

A new 299-unit property with ground floor retail space planned for 1400 S. Wabash Ave. was approved by the Chicago Plan Commission in August 20221. The development will be led by CMK Companies, developer of the nearby buildings located at 1333 S. Wabash Ave. and 1345 S. Wabash Ave.

The development at 1400 S. Wabash Ave. will contribute 30 on-site affordable units, 20 off-site affordable units and a $4.13 million payment to the ARO fund as required by the City's Affordable Requirements Ordinance. In addition, the construction project will bring 500 short term construction jobs, 3,000 hours of apprentice training focused on community youth, a $1.86 bonus payment, and will meet the City's 26%/6%/50% MBE/WBE/resident contracting requirements. Full project details can be found here.

Each year, a limited amount of grant funding is available to income-eligible Chicago homeowners to make repairs to their roofs or porches. Interested parties must register in a lottery for a chance to receive the service.

In 2021, winners in the 3rd Ward included: 6 properties in Bronzeville, 2 in the South Loop, 1 in Washington Park, and 3 in Fuller Park. In addition, 2 properties in Bronzeville, 1 in Washington Park, and 1 property in Fuller Park were placed on the waitlist in case there is additional grant funding that can be distributed.

In July 2020, INVEST South/West (ISW) began a pilot project to activate 16 city-owned vacant parcels on ISW priority corridors in Auburn Gresham and North Lawndale. This year the City is expanding this pilot project by adding 150 additional parcels in South and West Side communities. The City continues to work with Greencorps Chicago, the City of Chicago’s green industry job training program for individuals with barriers to employment, to activate the lots by clearing trash and fly dumping; bringing in fresh soil, trees, natural grasses, and other plantings; and installing split rail fencing around the lots. These lots will remain closed to public access and can still be developed in the future, but until then, will serve the community as sources of green space. Work to activate parcels is set to begin this summer and extend into next year.

Locations in the 3rd Ward include: 420 E. 47th St., 4652 S. Vincennes Ave., 424 E. 47th St., 454 E. 47th St., 4640 S. Vincennes Ave., 4644 S. Vincennes Ave., 4247 S. Calumet Ave., 4652 S. Vincennes Ave., and 416 E. 47th St.

On August 30th, Alderman Dowell was joined by Chicago Park District staff and DePaul University officials for a ground breaking ceremony to refurbish Lin Park (1735 S. State St.). Lin Park is a well-known neighborhood hot-spot for pick-up basketball, and the renovation project will create all-new safe courts for residents to play on.

In addition, the renovation will include: a new half court facility, new bleachers, benches, lighting and a drinking fountain. Updated landscape and ADA accessibility improvements will also be part of the overall renovation. Located adjacent to the Orange Line CTA ‘L’ Train, the park is expected to be completed in Spring 2022 and will be a destination for future generations of athletes to gather and play.

The Chicago Police Department has assigned additional police officers to two districts that cover the 3rd Ward. The 2nd District, which covers the Bronzeville, Grand Boulevard, GAP and Washington Park communities was allocated 10 additional police officers. The 9th District, which includes the Fuller Park community, received 9 additional officers. In the 2nd District, these officers will be dispersed evenly amongst the 1st and 3rd watches to provide additional support during the evening and late night hours.

Through the hard work and advocacy of Alderman Dowell and the students, parents and faculty of Beasley Academic Center (5255 S. State St.), the school's new playground, athletic field and ornamental landscaping is now complete! This beautiful new, safe, engaging play space replaces the old concrete outdoor area in the rear of the school along Wabash Ave. Thank you to CPS and the Public Building Commission for the creation of this important asset for the school community. This is a wonderful new space for a great local school.

The Public Building Commission has announced they have selected Burling Builders Inc. as the contractor to build the new Phillips High School Annex. This is a $12,439,000 project to build an athletic annex facility with supporting spaces, new parking lot and associated site development. An initial construction schedule is as follows:

Phillips High School's main entryway received a much needed upgrade in 2021. The stairway replacement project and associated interior upgrades help to make the school more welcoming for all. The contract was awarded to KRM. Minority hiring for the project is at 34% through an African American sub-contractor, Bridgeport Steels Sales.

As part of the fight against COVID-19, the City of Chicago has provided millions of dollars to renters whose incomes have been affected by the pandemic. In the 3rd Ward alone, Chicago's Emergency Rental Assistance Program has granted 326 awards worth a total of $2.3 million to residents (as of November 16, 2021). If you are in need of rental assistance please click here to see if the City or any of its partner agencies have a program accepting applications.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income households pay for home energy services (primarily heating during winter months). Illinois residents with a household income that does not exceed an amount determined annually by the Department of Commerce are eligible (annual eligibility levels are determined based on available funding and may not exceed 200% of the federal nonfarm poverty level). Additionally, residents will also qualify for assistance with water and wastewater bills if the household is disconnected, in threat of disconnection or if residents are more than $250 in arrears on your current bill. See How to Apply for more information.

For a complete list of LIHEAP application agencies based on county, see Where to Apply. For additional program information check out the Frequently Asked Questions. Or call the LIHEAP Hotline at 1-877-411-WARM (9276).

Expanded energy assistance programming builds on the Illinois' $275 million Help Illinois Families (HIF) initiative, created to help reach an unprecedented number of families who have fallen behind on bills due to the pandemic. For more, visit helpillinoisfamilies.com.

Pilgrim Baptist Church, the Chicago landmark best known as the birthplace of Gospel music, received a grant worth more than $200,000 from the Citywide Adopt-A-Landmark Fund in what is likely the first of many steps to rebuild the church. The grant will go towards stabilizing the exterior walls of the church at 3301 S. Indiana Ave. It will be the first project of many required to restore the church, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Place in 1973 and named a Chicago landmark in 1981.

The Citywide Adopt-A-Landmark Fund gives money generated by Downtown construction projects to buildings designated as Chicago Landmarks. The city acquires the funding by taking 10 percent of the Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus, a fee developers pay to be allowed to build increased density downtown developments.

Windy City RE's property at 2245 S. Michigan Ave. in the 3rd Ward has received a 2021 “Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence." The awards, established in 1999, are presented annually to individuals, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and public agencies that have worked to preserve Chicago's architectural and cultural heritage. The winners were chosen from dozens of projects reviewed by the Landmarks Commission’s Permit Review Committee over the last year.

Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, one of Chicago's early Reform Judaism synagogues and home to the first modern gospel choir following its purchase in 1921, has won a $900.000 grant from the City's Adopt-a-Landmark fund. The grant will be used to make necessary upgrades to the church's aging infrastructure. Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church was named a Chicago Landmark in 2011.

The developers of the former Overton Elementary School building at 221 E. 49th St. were awarded an Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit to assist in the redevelopment of the building. The Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program provides a state income-tax credit equal to 25% of a project's Qualified Rehabilitation Expenditures, not to exceed $3 million, to owners of certified historic structures who undertake certified rehabilitations. The substantial investments create jobs in Illinois, stimulate local economies, and revitalize historic structures and neighborhoods.

Friends of Historic Second Church announced they have received a grant from the Save America’s Treasures program. This prestigious federal award recognizes the national significance of Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago, a National Historic Landmark, located at 1936 S. Michigan Ave.

The $250,000 grant will support preservation work in the church including the conservation of a large mural painted by renowned muralist Frederic Clay Bartlett. The Save America’s Treasures grant program is a highly competitive program organized in collaboration with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

On April 21, the City Council unanimously passed Alderman Dowell's dangerous motorcycle ordinance (O2021-363). The ordinance was introduced in response to a growing trend of unruly motorcycle, street racer and bike stunt-riding groups unlawfully operating on the public way. During the warmer months, and in the 3rd, 4th and 42nd Ward specifically, these swarms of riders have ignored traffic signals, played disruptively loud music, rode on sidewalks, and threatened pedestrians.

The ordinance itself enhances the punitive measures the Chicago Police Department can take when apprehending motorcycle groups or individuals who act in an unlawful manner. Such measures include: impounding vehicles, and increasing the rates of fines associated with the infraction(s).

The passage of the ordinance was the culmination of over a year of work spearheaded by Alderman Dowell, the Chicago Police Department and numerous residents of the 3rd Ward. In early 2020, the Committee on Public Safety convened a hearing to address the growing problem. At the hearing, representatives from both the Chicago Police Department and Office of Emergency Management and Communications indicated that they understood the gravity of the problem and agreed to implement steps to further deter these unlawful actors.

The Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) ordinance allows for residents to elect representatives to serve on district councils for each of the police districts across the City. For the 3rd Ward that would include the 1st, 2nd, 7th and 9th Police Districts. These district councils will then select representatives to serve on a citywide advisory council that will work with the community, elected officials and the police department to determine police policy, resource allocation, officer accountability, community engagement, and the selection of the Police Superintendent, members of the Police Board, and the head administrator of the Civilian Office for Police Accountability. It is through the inclusion of all parties that the City will be able to move forward and address its longstanding public safety challenges.

Every ten years, immediately following the completion of the United States Census, the Chicago City Council must redraw the ward map for all of Chicago's 50 wards to ensure equal population within each ward, and to maintain compliance with the Voting Rights Act, which provides for equitable minority representation in City Council.

The redistricting process is run by the City Council Committee on Rules, which hosts public meetings to gather public input on potential ward maps, and coordinates the mapping process amongst Aldermen. To be adopted, a proposed ward map must be approved by at least 41 aldermen through an affirmative vote in City Council. If the 41 vote threshold is not reached, any 10 aldermen may introduce their own ward map and have the City's ward map decided by voter referendum.

The 3rd Ward has experienced tremendous growth over the past 10 years, and in order to balance the ward's population with some of the other wards that have lost residents, the boundaries of the current 3rd Ward must be changed. That means while the ward will sadly lose some of existing constituents, much of the ward will remain the same, and there is a tremendous opportunity to bring other parts of surrounding neighborhoods into the 3rd Ward in the next map.

As a Chicago resident, there is ample opportunity to participate in the redistricting process. The Committee on Rules has set up the following website (www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/committee-on-rules/home/chicago-redistricting-information.html) for residents to view potential ward maps, as well as to try their hand at drawing ward maps themselves.

Immediately following the ordinance's passage, all Chicago workers – including independent contractors – were granted a number of protections that make it easier to receive the life-saving COVID-19 vaccine. This new regulation ensures that workers can get the vaccine during their work shift, if necessary, without fear of retaliation from their employer.

Alderman Dowell was proud to cosponsor the Lending Equity Ordinance which was introduced during the June 2021 City Council meeting. This ordinance will require more transparency and reporting of lending data within the Municipal Depository process.

Alderman Dowell, a frequent critic of bank's unfair lending practices which actively exclude black and brown communities from obtaining loans, helped craft this ordinance through her participation in a series of working group briefings and the City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate's Equitable Lending Hearing, held in February 2021.

During the December 2020 City Council meeting, the City passed expanded regulatory relief for businesses that continue to be impacted by COVID-19. The ordinance extends a number of different measures that were implemented this year in order to support businesses. This includes: extending license expiration dates until July 15, 2021 and allowing those businesses to operate during that time without renewing their license; the extension of sidewalk café permits through May 31, 2021 and a permit fee reduction of 75% on next year's permit, the ability to extend in front of neighboring property, and an expedited permit issuance process; and the extension of the expanded outdoor dining permit through the end of 2021. For more information about these changes, visit www.chicago.gov/bacp.

Chicago Department of Buildings and Chicago Department of Public Health launched a 311/Online reporting and enforcement program for seniors to report non-compliance of the Senior Safety Ordinance. This ordinance was sponsored by Alderwoman Maria Hadden and cosponsored by Alderwoman Pat Dowell.

The Senior Safety Ordinance was approved by the Chicago City Council in July 2020 and creates additional requirements for owners of senior buildings to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of their residents during a declared disaster related to public health. Under the 30-day pilot, senior residents that believe their building owner is not in compliance with the ordinance are able to phone 311 to file a report with 311, submit request online at 311.chicago.gov or free CHI311 mobile app, or contact their alderman to file a complaint.

Alderman Dowell was proud to stand with Congressman Bobby Rush, Aldermen Harris, Brookins and Curtis, and Alsip Mayor John Ryan to call for the resignation or termination of Chicago Postmaster General Wanda Prater and her leadership team for the utter failure of USPS and several post offices - including the Henry McGee Station which serves the Bronzeville community. A USPS Inspector General report found stations like Henry McGee had unreported and/or under-reported delayed or never delivered mail and packages. Absenteeism and irregular hiring patterns were also cited in the report as problems. USPS is clearly in disarray and 3rd Ward residents deserve to get their mail, medicine and packages on time even during a pandemic. As the federal government has oversight of the USPS, thank you to Congressman Rush for his leadership in holding town hall meetings with residents, requesting the Inspector General investigation and organizing the important press conference on this issue.

Alderman Dowell, herself a former college basketball player and current Chicago Sky season ticket holder, extended her most heartfelt congratulations to the 3rd Ward's own Chicago Sky on winning the WNBA Championship! Alderman Dowell was lucky enough to attend a finals game and visit with her favorite basketball player of all time Ann Meyers Drysdale, Chicago’s legendary Dorothy Gaters of Marshall High School, and Kim McQuarter former Marshall standout and coach of the Malcolm X Women’s Team.

Following their victory, Alderman Dowell welcomed the Sky's championship parade to the 3rd Ward, which ran through the heart of the South Loop along Michigan Ave. from Millennium Park to Wintrust Arena. What an incredible event to cap off an amazing season.

Alderman Dowell was honored to join Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the Aldermanic Black Caucus, and officials from the State, County and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to raise a flag in commemoration of Juneteenth. Mayor Lightfoot announced that, starting in 2022, Juneteenth will be observed as a full City holiday. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States, which happened on June 19, 1865, two-and-a-half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Timuel Black, who passed away on October 13, 2021, was a towering intellect, passionate leader, and generous mentor. He served as a trusted advisor and dear friend to Alderman Dowell, and they worked closely on education issues as members of the DuSable High School Alumni Coalition. Timuel was the driving force behind the landmark designation of the school. One of the proudest moments for Alderman Dowell in her role in City Council was passing legislation that created a street sign in his honor on State Street at 49th Street. Alderman Dowell and the entire 3rd Ward team offered their sincerest condolences to his wife, Zenobia, and all who loved and admired him. Chicago lost a true pillar of the community. His legacy will live on.

Happy Diwali! Alderman Dowell hosted the 1st ever celebration of this Indian holiday in City Hall in November, complete with the traditional lighting of candles and festive conversation. Alderman Dowell is proud to have organized this event working with Dr. Vijay Prabhakar and the Multi Ethnic Advisory Task Force and the American Multi-Ethnic Coalition. During the celebration, Alderman Dowell had the pleasure of meeting the Honorable Amit Kumar, Consul General of India and learning about the special significance of this holiday. Moving out of darkness into the light!

Thank you to the mighty women of Bronzeville Pointe who participated in #CleanupBronzeville. They cleaned up the boulevard median and alley. Let's all pitch in and at minimum, stop the littering in our community. Thanks Lissah Ryaan for organizing this effort and 3rd Ward Streets and Sanitation Superintendent Thomas L. E. Stovall for supporting this effort. If your block club or neighborhood organization would like to plan a cleanup for your area, just call the 3rd Ward Public Service Office at 773-373-9273 and the office can help with bags, tools, and trash pickup when your event is over.

Alderman Dowell started the Memorial Day holiday weekend with Operation Clean which focused cleaning attention in Washington Park in the area of 51st St. to 53rd St., from Calumet Ave. to Michigan Ave. This Operation Clean was organized by the 2nd Police District CAPS office. Thank you to the Departments of: Streets and Sanitation, Transportation, Water Management, Buildings, Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, Fire, Police and the Park District for their wonderful support. This effort would not have been as effective without a special assist from the Safer Foundation. Thanks to Pastor Lorraine Powell of Holy Spiritual Church and Sandra Bivens for prayer and community support. Shoutout to 3rd Ward residents Thomas L. E. Stovall and Frankie Cugino who helped with the Operation Clean.

The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is an extremely popular voluntary program in which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis on January 10, 2022 between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm.

Applications will only be accepted through the City’s 311 system by calling 311, through the City’s service request website 311.chicago.gov, or through the free CHI311 mobile apps on iOS Apple and Android.

There are two City-assisted lead service line replacement programs for homeowners who would like to replace their lead service lines. If you live in a single-family or two-flat home built before 1986, it is likely that you have a lead service line. Chicago’s drinking water is in compliance with all industry, state and federal standards so replacement is completely voluntary.

More information on both these programs and links to apply can be found at: https://www.leadsafechicago.org/lead-service-line-replacement

The Chicago Housing Authority knows how to throw a party for their seniors. The annual holiday gala was a blast packed with 3rd Ward seniors having a good time.  The event also featured a wonderful tribute to Rev. Dr. Mildred Harris who had a building at 63rd and Minerva named after her because of her tremendous contributions to the CHA and their residents. Thanks to Art Norman for keeping the festivities going.

On December 5th, Alderman Dowell joined Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez to light the menorah at Roosevelt Collection. Alderman Dowell was invited by Rabbi Mordechai Gershon of the Chabad Jewish Center of the South Loop, this the second Hanukkah celebration on the mall plaza.

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and SomerCor will roll out the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) grant program for applications in the following TIF districts in January:

Applications open: 9 a.m. Monday, January 3rd. Applications close: 5 p.m. Tuesday, February 1stt. Learn more and apply at www.chicago.gov/sbif.

The SBIF program uses revenue from TIF districts to help owners of commercial and industrial properties to repair or remodel their facilities for their own business or on behalf of tenants. Tenant businesses are also eligible to apply on their own. Please note that residential projects are not eligible for the SBIF program, and residential developers should not apply.

Program participants can receive grants for 30 to 90 percent of project costs, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grants are administered by SomerCor on the City's behalf and do not have to be repaid.

The Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced a citywide system to monitor the virus that causes COVID-19 and its variants in wastewater will continue for two years, leveraging $2.14 million in federal funding. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is detectable in human waste nearly from the onset of infection, while symptoms may not appear for three to five days – or for some, not at all. To read more about this program, click 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. 

During cold weather months, the Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM) encourages residents make sure pipes in homes are properly insulated and not exposed to freezing air. Specifically, homeowners should maintain proper heat in their homes; insulate pipes including outside pipes; run a trickle of cold water; and remove all garden hoses and insulate the hose bibbs. If pipes do freeze, thaw them with a hair drier or heating pad, do not use candles or open flame.

The property tax reassessment for Hyde Park Township (which includes the 3rd Ward), is underway! Many residents either have received or are soon to receive their reassessment notices from the Cook County Assessor's Office in the mail. If you would like to appeal the assessment, residents have until January 21, 2022 to appeal with the Assessor's Office.

Most commonly, homeowners challenge the accuracy of the fair market value of their home due to uniformity or overvaluation. Homeowners can also file an appeal based on incorrect information about their property characteristics. Filing an appeal is easy and you do not need to hire a professional to file. Once you receive your assessment notice, go to www.cookcountyassessor.com to determine when an appeal for your property can be filed. If its within your filing period, you can file online and the Assessor's Office staff will determine whether to adjust your assessed value. From there a letter will be sent to your property with the determination.

Chicago's 2021 Tree Recycling Program runs from January 8th through the 22nd at dozens of parks across the City.

Only live/natural trees without flocking are accepted (no garland or wreaths). Because the trees are mulched, all tinsel, ornaments, lights, and stands must be removed. Plastic bags used for transport should also be removed before putting trees in the stalls.

The mulch that's created from the Christmas Tree Recycling program is used in local parks to protect and nourish plants and soil. Mulch will also be made available to Chicago residents, free of charge, starting January 10th, at six park locations.

For complete recycling information including drop off locations go to www.recyclebycity.com/chicago/brief/christmas-tree-recycling 

Get your free mammogram because the life you save may be your own. Free mammograms are given to women 40 and older who need one. Women under 40 may sign up if they have a family history of breast cancer or are having issues with their breasts. Sign up here.

The Illinois State Police Merit Board is processing applications for Cadet Class 137 and Cadet Class 138. Class 137 is tentatively scheduled to begin in June 2022, with Class 138 scheduled to begin in October 2022. The deadline to apply for Cadet Class 137 is January 2022. To apply visit illinoistrooper.com.

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, January 8th at 9:00 am and Saturday, January 15th at 9:00 am (link to register)

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, January 11th at 6:00 pm (link to register), Tuesday, January 25th at 6:00 pm (link to register)

Lakeside Alliance, the builder of the Obama Presidential Center, is hosting a bidder outreach virtual meeting. At the meeting, meet the Lakeside Alliance team, get a high-level project overview, and receive bidding and procurement information. For more information visit lakesidealliance.com.

Where: Virtual at https://bit.ly/3J3liYp

When: Wednesday, January 12th at 10:00 am

Join IIT and the Museum of Tolerance for a virtual program with one of the "Little Rock Nine" Dr. Terrence Roberts, a trailblazing management executive, psychologist, professor, activist and author. Register here.

Where: Virtual

When: Friday, January 14th from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm