CPS Schools Closed Tomorrow
Get Vaccinated or Tested
Straight Talk About Electronic Monitoring
Public Safety Walks Continue - Join me
Dear Neighbors,

The Chicago Teachers’ Union (CTU) has voted last night not to report to work today, therefore classes will be canceled for all CPS students on Wednesday, January 5. There will be no in-person OR remote instruction tomorrow, and parents should not plan to send children to school.
 
Take-home breakfasts and lunches will be available at schools from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for any community member under the age of 18 who is in need of a meal. 
 
Families who need childcare options can explore the following resources:
  • The Safe Haven Sites listed here are available for childcare. Sites will be open from 8am - 3pm. Registration is available on site and a parent or guardian must be present with the child at the time of registration. 
  • The Chicago Park District fieldhouses will be open during normal operating hours. These facilities will be available to CPS students ages 6 and older who are in need of accommodations on Wednesday. All Chicago Park District programs will take place as scheduled. For more information on park locations and hours of operation, visit chicagoparkdistrict.com

We will keep you posted as we learn more.
Get Vaccinated Now

It's easy to get vaccinated in our area. Every pharmacy has walk-ins, including in-store pharmacies at grocery stores and Target. It's best to call ahead to make sure of supplies, but they are plentiful. You can also make an appointment with your doctor, or drop in at Instavaxx at 2674 N Halsted for all ages vaccines.

If your business would like to host a vaccination clinic, please contact our office - we can help you.
Get Tested

There are many testing locations in the neighborhood at pharmacies and immediate care locations in addition to those provided if you have a regular doctor.

Here are some close by:

MedStar: 2444 N Clark St., Walk-ins only. Open Mon-Sat 9 am -7 pm
Ally Health: 2246 N Clark St. Walk-Ins only. Open Mon-Sat 10 am - 6 pm
Innovative Health Care: 1111 W. Diversey (make appt. online)
Midwest Express: 2868 N. Broadway (make appt. online; some walk-ins)
Physician's Immediate Care: several locations, appts open every 24 hours

The CDC has some new recommendations:

  • If you don't feel well, don't go out, and isolate yourself at home, no matter what you think you may have. According to Dr. Arwady, "Assume it is COVID."
  • Wear a better mask - now that better grades of masks are easily available, time to ditch the cloth mask. Wear a good grade KN95 mask, and if you like, wear a cloth mask over it.
  • Keep your mask on when inside in a group, especially at parties and family gatherings.
  • If you have been exposed, but have all your vaccine shots AND you were wearing a good mask when exposed, you don't have to quarantine. Instead, get a test after five days to confirm you don't have COVID. If the test is negative, you don't need to do anything else. If the test is positive, or you develop symptoms, isolate yourself. Click here for more details.
  • Get an online verification of your vaccine status with Vax Verify from the Illinois Department of Public Health. You can print and download your SMART health card to use as COVID vaccination verification to businesses, venues, restaurants as required.
Straight Talk About Electronic Monitoring with Sheriff Tom Dart
Monday, January 10th, 2022
5:30 p.m.
Register here.

Senator Sara Feigenholtz, myself, and my colleagues invite you to join us in a conversation with Sheriff Tom Dart about the electronic monitoring program. This conversation will take place on Monday, January 10th, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom.

Submit questions and hear from the Cook County Sheriff on the latest data on electronic monitoring - who's on it, why they're placed on it, and how to fix it.
Public Safety Updates
Public Safety Walks Continue

I will be walking the 2400 block of Sheffield on January 5 at 8:00 p.m. I'll have postcards and safety whistles with me to distribute.

I will be walking on the 1800 block of N. Burling on January 6 at 8:00 p.m.

I hope you will join me as you walk your dog or just take a stroll on your own block. Dress warmly.

If it is actively snowing, we will likely reschedule.
Write to Our Public Officials
Pick Up Some Postcards!

Every citizen and public official needs to work together to stop crime. While CPD does great work, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office and Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Evans need to increase their efforts to hold criminals accountable. 

We were pleased to see Mayor Lightfoot announce that she supports a moratorium on the use of electronic monitoring for violent offenders and that she supports no bail for most violent criminals, including those charged with Felony Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Murder, Armed Vehicular Carjacking, Armed Robbery and more. As you know, I favor mandatory sentences for unlawful gun possession.

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:

  • Old Town Triangle Association Office, 1763 N. North Park
  • Corcoran's Grill & Pub, 1615 N Wells Street
  • Starbucks, 210 W North Avenue
  • Milito's Gas Station, 1108 W Fullerton
  • Lakeshore Sport and Fitness, 1320 W Fullerton
  • Starbucks, 1001 W Armitage
  • Chase Bank, 935 W Armitage 
  • Armitage Direct, 925 W Armitage Avenue (entrance on Bissell)

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.
Here's How to Buy Your Guest Parking Passes Online

As a result of the surge of COVID cases in our ward, the 43rd Ward Office will be working remotely 9:00 - 5:00.

In the new year, new parking passes are required. Please get yours at ezbuy.chicityclerk.com. You can learn how to order online by using our Guest Parking Passes 101 guide or watch our video for step-by-step details on how to purchase your passes or stickers online. If you need extra assistance, please call us at 773-348-9500 or email us at yourvoice@ward43.org, and someone from the office will call you back.
Buying Passes at City Hall

You can buy passes in person at any of the Chicago City Clerk offices including City Hall and its Northside Office at 5340 W. Gale Street, which are now open from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Please plan for increased wait times due to social distancing protocols. Increased safety measures have been put in place to mitigate the exposure of COVID-19. Make sure you have the list of required documents before you go in person.
Shared Cost Sidewalk Program
Apply Monday, January 10th, 2022
6 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Apply here.

The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is an extremely popular voluntary program in which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. Thousands of Chicagoans have been a part of this popular program, taking advantage of the low cost, exceptional value, and ease of participation.

The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program charges per square foot to property owners and is well below what a private contractor would charge. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may qualify for a further discounted rate.

Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of participants is based on the availability of funds. The program typically reaches capacity quickly, so you are encouraged to apply early.

Please note that if you applied for the program in previous years, you must apply again in 2022 if you wish to be considered for the 2022 program. Applications will be accepted through the City’s 311 system by calling 311, through the City’s service request website https://311.chicago.gov, or through the free CHI311 mobile apps on iOS Apple, and Android. The application will be made available online on the day of the program's release. For any questions, please take a look at the city's FAQ page here.

The property owner’s contact information and the property address are required at the time of the request.
Support Local Restaurants
Support Local Businesses
See you in the neighborhood,
43rd Ward Office Hours: M - F 9 AM - 5 PM virtual
 2523 N Halsted | 773-348-9500 yourvoice@ward43.org www.ward43.org