Dickens Greenway
Memorial Day Closures
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Dear Neighbors,
Our public meeting concerning the Dickens Greenway was heavily attended and resulted in a great deal of input. For those of you who may have missed it, we have posted the presentation of the proposed plan on our website here. Please review it and send us your feedback at yourvoice@ward43.org. Thank you to the many many residents who have provided feedback thus far.
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Lake Shore Drive Renaming Ordinance Deferred
At City Council this week, a proposal to rename Outer Lake Shore Drive in honor of Jean-Baptiste Point Du Sable, the first non-indigenous settler in what is now Chicago, was not considered due to a procedural move to defer the item. Should the matter come before City Council, I intend to vote "no" in light of the overwhelming number of our constituents who oppose it.
Commemoration of DuSable, a critically important person in the history of our city, is important. Funding will shortly be available to build DuSable Park, near Navy Pier on land that was set aside for that purpose by Mayor Harold Washington, as well as a river esplanade which will connect the park to the site of DuSable's original home.
For more information, click here.
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Proposed Demolition of the Cenacle Retreat
and Conference Center
We have been notified that the Cenacle Sisters are seeking a demolition permit for The Cenacle, their retreat and conference center in Lincoln Park on Fullerton Parkway; they intend to sell the property.
While the Cenacle has been closed to the public since the onset of the COVID pandemic, it continues to be a place of worship and contemplation for the Sisters. They have informed us that given their aging and dwindling population, they cannot maintain the property and need the funds to sustain their Order.
The demolition permit is to be heard before the Chicago Landmark Commission on June 3rd. The Landmark Commission will determine whether the Cenacle is a "contributing" building to the Mid-North Historic District. If it is not, it can be demolished. To watch or participate in the meeting, please click here. Members of the public wishing to speak must fill out a speaking request form. Forms must be submitted at least 48 hours before the meeting to ccl@cityofchicago.org. The form is the Public Testimony Speaking Request Form. .
While this hearing concerns the potential demolition of the site, new plans will not be presented for the site at this time. Landmarks staff is currently reviewing preliminary plans for a potential proposal and we will schedule a community meeting in the coming months when and if that proposal is shaped to conform with historic preservation guidelines for new construction in the Mid-North District.
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New Lights for the Gold Coast
In the next two weeks, new LED street lights will be installed in the Gold Coast. This is part of the 4-year Smart Lighting program, which will in total be replacing over 270,000 existing outdated High Pressure Sodium (HPS) light fixtures with new energy-efficient LED lights and create a modern lighting management system to streamline maintenance and repairs. New LED fixtures will be attached to existing poles.
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Lincoln Park High School
Local School Council Vacancies
The Lincoln Park High School Local School Council (LSC) is seeking interested applicants to join its Council. Effective July 1, 2021, our LSC will have 3 vacancies to fill: two parent representatives and one community representative.
Under applicable rules, the remaining LSC members may appoint replacements to fill these vacancies. To qualify as a parent representative, you must have a child enrolled at LPHS for the 2021-2022 academic year, and to be a community representative, you must live within the LPHS attendance boundaries and not have a child enrolled at LPHS for the 2021-2022 academic year.
If you are interested in being a member of the LSC, please submit a statement that includes your eligibility, your relevant experience, any other information that you think would make you a strong contributing member of the LSC, and anything else you would want the LSC to know in support of your candidacy by 3:00 pm on June 9, 2021.
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Block Parties are Back
On June 6, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) Permit Office will resume accepting Block Party applications for events scheduled for July 5 or later. The department made the decision in close consultation with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and based on guidance from the CDC.
CDPH is continuing to closely monitor health metrics and the decision is subject to reversal or revision if the metrics show it is no longer safe to permit block parties.
As in past years, the application process should begin with contacting our office. After the application is reviewed and approved by our office, we will enter the request into the online permitting system for approval and release by CDOT. Here is the application.
The city is implementing the following protocols to ensure the health and safety of the public:
- Block party planners must notify neighbors and recommend vaccinations for all who attend. As before, applicants must provide evidence that most of the residents on the affected block(s) approve of the block party.
- While there are no capacity limits, residents applying for a block party permit must volunteer as a COVID Captain to help communicate safety protocols.
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The COVID Captain must sign a COVID-19 safety affirmation form with the permit application that attests they will recommend vaccinations for all who attend, tell unvaccinated individuals, including children not eligible for the vaccine, to wear masks and maintain social distancing, and ensure ready access to hand sanitizer throughout the block party.
- No Jumping Jacks or Bouncy Houses will be permitted.
We will update with any new details before June 6. Remember, if this is a first-time block party, you must submit a petition in support. See our website for details.
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CTA Jobs
The Chicago Transit Authority in looking to fill 150 positions through their Second Chance Program.
No social service referrals are needed and the the positions pay $15 an hour.
To learn more and fill out the questionnaire, click here. |
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DePaul Art Museum Now Open
935 W. Fullerton
The DePaul Art Museum is open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit here to make a reservation, and here to learn more about upcoming events. |
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Summer Jazz at Belmont Village
700 W Fullerton
Begins June 8
Please Belmont Village for their upcoming Summer Jazz Series here at Belmont Village Lincoln Park. This outdoor event is free to the public and will be hosted on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from June 8 through September 14, 3:30--5:30.
Complimentary beverages will be available, seating at high-top tables, all first-come, first-serve. Tours of Belmont Village LP will be offered as well – RSVP here for a tour of the community and a reserved front-row seat.
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Chicago's Fastest Kids
The Chicago Park District. and Mayor Lightfoot, Jesse Jackson, and Operation Rainbow Push, and Chicago Public Schools to find Chicago's fastest kids. Fifth through 12th graders are invited to compete in a 60-meter qualifying competition. Those with the fastest times will advance to the 60-meter semi-qualifier and the final race at the new Track and Field Center at Gately Park on July 10.
The qualifying competitions will be held at 8 locations, including the Lincoln Park/Wilson track.
Dates: “Race to Gately” 60m sprint (qualifying competition)
Saturday, June 12 Ages: 11 - 14 (fifth-eighth grade) 8 locations
Saturday, June 19 Ages: 11- 14 (fifth-eighth grade) 8 locations
Saturday, June 26 Ages: 15 – 18 (ninth-12th grade) 8 locations
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Park Clean Up Days
Continue Through October
Many of you turned out for Earth Day events here and throughout the city. The Chicago Parks Foundation continues the effort by providing volunteer groups with supplies and support to safely, independently host clean-ups at any of Chicago's 600+ parks.
Participating parks kick off the season with a special one-day community volunteer event hosted by Park Advisory Councils on Saturday, May 22nd, then from June through October anyone can host a clean-up or volunteer for one.
To learn more and register, visit here.
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Support Local Restaurants |
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Ten Years in our Community
Congratulations to Josh Moulton Fine Art Gallery. On June 1 Josh will be celebrating the tenth anniversary of the gallery at 2218 N. Clark.
Stop by and say hello and help celebrate this milestone, Josh prides himself on having something for everyone at the gallery. Check out his website here.
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Memorial Day Closings
Our virtual Ward office will be closing at 1 p.m. today in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. All City of Chicago offices and our virtual ward office will be closed on Monday May 31. To file a Service Request during this time, please call 3-1-1 or visit 311.chicago.gov.
The 43rd Ward Virtual Service Office will reopen on Tuesday, June 1 at 9 a.m.
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Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, |
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