Our neighbor Alderman Scott Waguespack (32nd) and I have been outspoken advocates for the victims of sexual assault and harassment at the Chicago Park District. Yesterday, the Park District Board released the results of an independent investigation. The report, which details many of the allegations, sadly demonstrated the lack of response by senior Park District management. As a result, Acting Superintendent Rosa Escareno asked for and received the resignation of the Park District Chief Programming Officer, who was notified by former Superintendent Mike Kelly of a sexual misconduct complaint as early August 2019 and failed to proper corrective action. Additionally, Escareno terminated two senior managers – the Assistant Director of Recreation and the Manager of the Beaches and Pools Unit – who failed to follow proper reporting requirements upon receiving complaints of alleged sexual misconduct. A summary of the Park District's actions is here.

While the report carefully examined the actions of former Superintendent Kelly and some of his direct reports, it did not examine all the communications between the Park District Inspector General and Board President Avis Lavelle, who had sole contact with the IG while the investigation was underway. There is no evidence that the Board President communicated with the Park District Board of Commissioners during the year in which she had knowledge of this investigation, a failure of board governance. As a result, I believe that Ms. Lavelle, like Superintendent Kelly, should step down to allow for proper board processes to be implemented under new leadership.

WBEZ reported on the story in detail.

Please watch for "No Parking" signs. During construction, temporary “No Parking” signs will be periodically installed as required for each activity listed above. These temporary signs will restrict parking during working hours, while adhering to rush hour restrictions, for the completion of the work. All work on this corridor is scheduled to be completed December 15, 2021.

Register here.

County Board of Review Commissioner Carbonargi and my office are co-sponsoring a Property Tax Appeal Webinar, Thursday, November 4th at 6 PM.

Commissioner Carbonargi has worked to ensure homeowners and business owners receive a full and fair review of the assessed values of their property to ensure that our communities and schools receive the revenue needed to provide services.

This webinar will take you through the property tax appeal process. There is no cost to file an appeal with the Board, and a homeowner may file their own appeal without an attorney.

Meeting info here.

Clark Street SSA #23 funds services and programs in business districts through a local property tax surcharge. The services provided by SSAs are in addition to those provided by the City of Chicago. The priorities of each SSA are set by a local commission that must spend the funds in the designated area. Currently, there are 53 SSAs throughout the City of Chicago.

As the service provider for SSA #23 since 2002, the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce has been providing expanded services and programs to Clark Street businesses, including landscaping, beautification, litter abatement, sidewalk snow removal, events, and marketing. As part of the renewal process, the LPCC is leading an extensive outreach and engagement process to learn from local businesses about the SSA services they want to continue as well as any ideas they have for new initiatives.

The SSA’s application and signatures of support were submitted in June and accepted in August 2021. The next step is a virtual Public Hearing where the Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development will hear from local businesses, property owners, and residents regarding the reconstitution of SSA #23.

The 2022 Light Blue Residential Parking Passes are available for sale at our office now. These passes are good from now until December 21st, 2022.

The existing pink passes will be valid until December 31st, 2021.

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) has recently created and announced the Chicago Creative Worker Assistance Program. This program is aimed at providing relief grants to artists and "creative workers" in Chicago.

The hope is to help supplement lost income for Chicago residents impacted by the pandemic. The deadline to submit an application is Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at 5:00pm CST. To learn more and apply, visit chicagoculturalgrants.org.

Apply here.

The Chi Biz Strong Grant Program will provide grants of $5,000 or $10,000, based on annual revenue, to small business and nonprofit organizations throughout Chicago that have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 from lost revenue or increased costs.

To help bars and restaurants, the City of Chicago also launched the Outdoor Dining Grant Program targeted towards Chicago’s restaurants and bars that continue to face significant challenges due to COVID and need assistance with the purchase of outdoor furniture, pandemic-related signage, and personal protective equipment. This program will provide grants of $5,000 to eligible businesses.

Applications are available now and will be open until Friday, November 12, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. Grants will be disbursed via a lottery and based on eligibility and prioritization criteria.

Zoom Webinar - Register Here

On Thursday, November 4, small businesses in Chicago are invited to attend a webinar about ShoCo Chicago (Shop Community Chicago), a new initiative funded by the city’s Business Affairs and Consumer Protection department. Shop Community goes one step beyond Shop Local. If your business regularly donates to charity or employs and supports vulnerable people (such as at-risk youth or people living with Autism, for example), you can become a ShoCo business and receive free publicity, free advertising, a boost in your online presence, and other benefits — all at no cost to you, thanks to City support. 

Register:  Register in advance for this meeting:

All beat meetings will be on Zoom. To register and obtain Zoom links, please email CAPS.019@chicagopolice.org or CAPS.018@chicagopolice.org.

Beat 1811 (5 PM): November 9th & Beat 1813 (6 PM): November 9th

Beat 1812 (5 PM): November 10th & Beat 1814 (6 PM): November 10th

Beat 1824 (6 PM): November 18th

Beat 1932 (6:30 PM): November 8th

Beat 1934 (6:30 PM): December 13th

Beat 1935 (6:30 PM): December 14th

Register here.

This is the second in a series of community input meetings to draft the 18th District's strategic plans for crime enforcement and community engagement.

Your participation is needed and appreciated. For more information, please click here.

The CAPS office of the 18th District is collecting donations to support Veterans throughout the City. Please drop off hygiene products, deodorant, socks, hand sanitizers, detergent, and masks. For more information, please contact 312-742-5778.

Registration Required - RSVP Here!

Please do not throw your pumpkins into the garbage - bring them to the parking lot of St. Teresa of Avila Church at Seminary and Armitage. The pumpkins will be turned into compost. Bins have been set up in the parking lot to accept Halloween pumpkins.

St. James Church is hosting a Pfizer community vaccine clinic at 2102 N. Fremont St. for those 12 years and older. Walk-ins are welcome and boosters will also be available for those that are eligible.

This event will be sponsored by the State of Illinois Department of Public Health and St. James Church. Thank you! Get vaccinated

Register here.

Lincoln Park High School invites all families to join them for a virtual Open House on Saturday, November 6 from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Learn about the IB Programs (Middle Years Program, Diploma Program, Career Program) and our various programs of study, including the Advanced College Prep/Double Honors Program and the Performing and Visual Arts programs.

The Lincoln Park Farmers Market is celebrating 40 years! The market is located in the parking lot of the Lincoln Park High School at 2001 North Orchard Street.

Every Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. you can buy fresh produce, flowers, cheese, specialty breads, and baked goods. For more information, click here.

The Green City Market has moved indoors to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N. Cannon in Lincoln Park). The indoor market is open from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. every Saturday beginning in November and running through April.

Bocadillo Cafe and Market (new!)

Daily Harvest (new!)

Ganbeii Asian Fusion (new!)

Himalayan Curry & Pizza (new!)

Jibaritos (new!)

Juno Sushi (new!)

King Chicago Indian Cuisine

Kizami Sushi (new!)

Ludlow Charlington's Coffee (new!)

Mesa Urbana (new!)

Pars Cove (new!)

Pure Green (new!)

Squeez Juice Bar (new!)

Toro Sushi (new!)

Verzaney (new!)

Yolk

Please note: Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 7, 2021, at 2:00 am. This means it's time to set your clocks back one hour and gain an extra hour of sleep as we head into the beginning of the winter season.

Peace,