Public Safety Forum Recap

Public Safety Meeting Recap

Women's Toiletry Drive

Office Closed this Friday for Lincoln's Birthday

Dear Neighbors,

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our public safety forum. The commanders of the 18th and 19th Districts reported on the progress they are making in addressing robberies and carjackings in the ward, which are down for the time being. Much of the credit for that is the increased police resources allocated to our community, and the vigilance of all of you who are committed to addressing this issue and demonstrating that we will do our part to reduce crime. We encourage everyone to continue our advocacy for better laws and better enforcement that will allow us to continue to feel safe in our neighborhoods, on our streets, and in our homes.

Below are the statistics we presented at the forum which break down crime in the 43rd Ward.

The 2022 data are for the month of January. Citywide, there have been 175 vehicular hijackings through Feb. 3; we have had one. We had six by this time in 2021.

Keys to our strategy on crime:

Continued vigilance - We will have a presence in our community that sends the message that we are watching out for one another and prepared to cooperate with police and prosecutors to ensure that criminals are caught and prosecuted and that crime is reduced. We will continue to host safety walks which encourage "eyes on the street" and demonstrate community involvement, and our police will continue their terrific work to

not just ensure that we have the proper resources to prevent and combat crime, but that we have officers who share our sense of community. We are particularly pleased to learn of the recent arrest of some of the key perpetrators in connection with significant retail theft on Michigan Avenue and many other places, as reported in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Continued lobbying - We are working with our State legislators to craft proposals to rein in carjacking. As we have related in our forums and at the safety walks, there is a particularly troubling aspect to carjackings--they are being committed by younger and younger offenders. Therefore, we are also working with our state lawmakers and county officials to craft legislation that will create a more robust juvenile intervention program that allows us to better identify those under 18 in the system who are most at risk. Additionally, we need to ensure that laws are in place and enforced that provide greater penalties for adults who use juvenile offenders as human shields to commit crimes on their behalf.

Continued court advocacy - Our 43rd Ward court advocates or I personally attend court hearings for offenders who commit crimes in our community. The interest of local residents and elected officials in the adjudication of cases has a real impact on how those crimes are prosecuted. At the forum, we presented this chart of the cases covered in our newsletter - showing that most offenders are appropriately in pre-trial custody and that sentencing has been just.

43rd Ward Winter Weather Reminders

When clearing snow, please do not shovel it into the street. Please pile snow on the parkway.
Please continue to lend a hand and help your neighbor's clear sidewalks, walkways, alleys, and parking spots. If you would like to volunteer to help others shovel, please email maggies@ward43.org
If there is a fire hydrant near your home, please shovel it out so that it can be accessible to fire trucks in the event of an emergency.
Watch for falling ice and icicles on homes, buildings, and trees.
Please clear snow away from your garbage carts/cans, otherwise, the crews can't get to them.
Click here to view the Plow Tracker to see where plows are during snow episodes.
Property owners are responsible for keeping the sidewalk in front of their property free and clear of snow AND ice. Please attend to your property or you will suffer the risk of fines.
Please check in on your elderly neighbors during the wintertime. If you know of a senior in the community who might need additional resources and support during the inclement weather, please email maggies@ward43.org

Please call my office at 773-348-9500 or email with information about unshoveled sidewalks after 24 hours of a snowfall or if you are unable to shovel.

Together, we can make the neighborhood safe for everyone.

Office Closure: Lincoln's Birthday, Friday, February 11th, 2022

In honor of Lincoln's Birthday, our office will be closed this Friday, February 11th. We will return to normal hours and operations on Monday, February 14th, 2022.

Public Safety Updates

Write to Our Public Officials

Pick Up Some Postcards!

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
Milito's Gas Station, 1108 W Fullerton
Lakeshore Sport and Fitness, 1320 W Fullerton

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.

Beat 1935 CAPS Meeting

Monday, February 14th, 2022

6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Zoom Meeting ID: 829-1120-5969

Zoom Passcode: 682534

Next Monday, the 019 District will be hosting Beat 1935's CAPS Meeting. CAPS Meetings are Beat Meetings that are part of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) and a great way for you to hear directly from CPD about your neighborhood. This is also a great forum to meet your neighbors and figure out ways to address chronic problems related to public safety with your community and local officers.

The boundaries for Beat 1935 (Park West Community Association, Wrightwood Neighbors Association) are as follows:

North Boundary: Diversey Parkway

East Boundary: Lake Michigan

South Boundary: Fullerton Parkway

West Boundary: Lincoln Avenue

This meeting is virtual to join you should open Zoom and go to “Join Meeting” after clicking that you will be prompted to enter a “Meeting ID” and then the "Passcode." Enter the above numbers and the host of the meeting will let you in. This is a Zoom Meeting instead of a Webinar which means you will have free access to mute and unmute.

We hope to see you there.

Community Events

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! They 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.

Local School Council

Election Materials Now Available

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.

Lincoln Park Conservancy Sponsor

Lincoln Park Conservancy is looking for 2022 event sponsors. Sponsors receive year-round visibility on its website, social media, year-round in-park and day-of event signage.

The Conservancy is also soliciting auction donations for our Benefit for Lincoln Park. Support the Conservancy’s work to keep Lincoln Park a world-class destination while sharing your business with the community.

For more information, please click here.

We Rise Together: Increasing Employment

Thursday, February 10th, 2021

12 p.m.

The best way to lift someone out of poverty is to give him or her a job. Can you provide one?

On February 10, 2022, from 12-1 p.m., the Executives’ Club of Chicago will host a program, moderated by Gloria Castilla, director of We Rise Together: For a Just and Equitable Recovery, to explore the roles of the public, philanthropic, and private sectors in strategies to increase employment in Black and Latinx communities. Panelists will explore asset-based approaches to building the skills infrastructure, including social enterprise for intermediate jobs, wraparound support for workers, and business practices that will help retain workers.

Hounds & Grounds

A Fundraiser for Canine Cancer Research

Sunday, February 20th, 2022

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Learn more here.

The sustainable landscaping initiative, Midwest Grows Green, is excited to present its first dog agility and wellness fundraiser. Please bring your furry friends to Canine Therapy Corps for an introductory agility course experience with 43rd Ward resident Stacey Hawk, famous owner of Hawk City K9. Additionally, MGG's Ryan Anderson will share expert insights and tips for how homeowners can keep dogs safe from synthetic lawn pesticides and fertilizers.

Further details include:

Dog owners can choose one of four-time slots: (1) 10 to 11:30 a.m., (2) 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., (3) 2 to 3:30 p.m., and (4) 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Each time slot can accommodate up to 10 participant pairs (owner + dog).
5 pairs will traverse the agility course for 30 minutes while the other 5 pairs will attend the natural lawn care informational session.

Attendees must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination for entry. After registering, please send an image of your COVID-19 vaccination card to Ryan Anderson at randerson@ipminstitute.org.

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.