My office has prepared a 12th District Guide to Health Care, downloadable here, to help local residents find affordable health care in our neighborhood. Topics covered include:

• Charity Care & Financial Assistance
• Children & Families
• Dental
• HIV/AIDS
• Low Cost & Sliding Scale Clinics
• Mental Health
• Pre-Existing Conditions
• Prescription Drug Assistance
• Senior Citizens
• Veterans
• Women's Health

With the help of the Citizens Utility Board Energy Saver, take steps to reduce your electricity usage and save money on your bill.

To take advantage of this free service, create a profile and enter some information about your home and your energy usage. From there, you can see what your likely cost savings would be if your household made certain changes, such as hand cleaning your oven or sealing your windows.

You can also link the tool to your electric bill and have it analyzed for energy cost savings. As an added bonus, you can even receive coupons as rewards for your energy saving.

What are you waiting for? Join my team now!

You have likely received the second installment of your 2011 property tax bill. For the first time, state law allows Cook County homeowners to pay their property tax with a credit card. Residents of the collar counties and several downstate counties have already had this option.

I introduced and sponsored House Bill 6062 in 2010 to allow payment via credit card. It can be a challenge for families to make their tax payment in full on time, resulting in late fines, penalties, and even having a lien placed on their property that may be sold to recover the amount owed.

Homeowners choosing to pay by credit card will be responsible for the merchant processing fee charged by the credit card companies - approximately 2% of the amount charged - but charging the bill will prevent the homeowner from becoming delinquent or late. If late, the county assesses a 1.5% fee per month. The credit card option allows homeowners to choose the payment option that best works for their personal finances.

Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming property tax appeal workshops in our neighborhood.

For more information on paying your Cook County property tax bill, visit the Cook County Treasurer's website.
For more information on filing an appeal, visit the Cook County Assessor's website.

The 12th District is home to many community farmers markets, and summer is the best time to stop by for some fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, breads, and other local goods.


City Farm Market Stand
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
1204 North Clybourn

Division Street Farmers Market
Saturdays
7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Division between State and Clark (50 West Division)

Green City Market
Wednesdays and Saturdays
7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lincoln Park between Clark and Stockton (approximately 1790 North Clark)

Lincoln Park Farmers Market
Saturdays
7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lincoln Park High School Parking Lot, Armitage and Orchard

Nettelhorst French Market
Saturdays
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Nettelhorst Elementary School, 3252 North Broadway

Southport Market
Saturdays
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Blaine School, 1420 West Grace

Uptown Farmers Market
Thursdays
7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Weiss Memorial Hospital, 4646 North Marine

Old Town Triangle Association, "Shred and Shed"
Saturday, July 14
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Old Town Triangle Center, 1763 North North Park

Stop by and participate in the Old Town Triangle's second area-wide yard sale! Once again, there will be a shredding truck parked in front of the Triangle office, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The shredding truck will be replaced by a Salvation Army truck to collect items that are not sold from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Click here for more information. To register call 312-337-1938 or e-mail dmckinsey@oldtowntriangle.com.


Buena Park Neighbors, Litter Patrol
Saturday, July 14
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Meet at the Parking lot of KFC, Buena and Broadway

Come join your neighbors as we pick up litter. We will meet at the KFC parking lot and then spread out throughout the neighborhood to pick up litter. We have broken Buena Park into four quadrants, and we will be sending teams out to each one to pick up litter. This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded neighbors and help the community. We expect to be finished by noon and then, for those who wish, go to lunch together. Gloves and garbage bags will be supplied.


North Dearborn Association, Garden Walk
Sunday, July 15
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Entry at The Latin Middle School, 45 West North

Ticket entry includes admission to over 20 distinctive rear gardens, narrated architectural walking tour of historic Dearborn Street, live jazz and classical performances in select gardens, and garden vignettes. Tickets are $35 or $20 in advance (advance sale closes Saturday, July 14 at noon). Advance ticket sale purchasers are automatically entered in a drawing for hotel packages. All ticket sales are nonrefundable. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the North Dearborn Association website.


Mid-North Association, Monthly Meeting
Monday, July 16
6:00 p.m.
St. Paul's Church, 2235 North Orchard

The Mid-North Association is bounded by Lincoln Park, Fullerton, Lincoln and the Ogden Right-of-Way. Meetings are held monthly on the third Monday of the month.


Hawthorne Neighbors, Bi-Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, July 17
7:00 p.m.
Resurrection Lutheran Church's Education Building, 1050 West School

Membership runs from November 1st to October 31st of each year and covers residents and businesses between Belmont to Addison and Clark to Racine. Individual residential in Hawthorne Neighbors are $5/year. Membership for residential couples and businesses are $10/year.


Weiss Memorial Hospital, Diabetic Day
Thursday, July 19
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Weiss Memorial Hospital, 4646 North Marine

Check your blood sugar, consult with endocrinologist Dr. Renee Schickler, taste healthy foods, and more. Call 773-564-5666 for more information.


Central Lake View Neighbors, Fundraiser
Sunday, July 22
5:30 p.m.
Matilda's, 3001 North Sheffield

The fundraiser will be a dinner theater event with Johnny Boy's Graduation, from the creators of Tony n' Tina's Wedding. Tickets are $60 each with a maximum of 75 to be sold. Bruschetta, salad, baked mostaccioli, Italian sausage + peppers, and entertainment is included in the ticket price. A cash bar is also available. Tickets are available here.


Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, Coffee Connection
Thursday, July 26
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
BoConcept, 1901 N. Clybourn

Start your day off with coffee and a "danish" at one of Chicago's premiere contemporary Danish furniture stores located in our very own Lincoln Park! Mix with fellow LPCC members and guests at this morning networking event hosted in a beautiful and contemporary urban-minded design studio. Free parking available in the Thomasville lot directly across from the LPCC. Sponsored by Lincoln Park Network. Tickets are $10/member and $15/non-member if RSVPed and paid by July 24. Tickets at the door are $20/member and $25/non-member.


Home Instead Senior Care, Operation Medicine Cabinet
Thursday, July 26
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Walgreens, 4720 North Marine

Drop off your expired and unused prescriptions and over-the-counter medications! Home Instead Senior Care and Walgreens want to help keep seniors and others safe in their homes by properly disposing of unused medication. We will help you dispose of these items in a safe and eco-friendly manner. Stop in to say hello, enjoy some refreshments and get rid of those unnecessary medications. For more information, please contact Home Instead Senior Care at (773) 784-4024.


Alderman Michele Smith, Children's Memorial Hospital Development Town Hall Meeting Thursday, July 26
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
DePaul Student Center Room 120, 2250 North Sheffield

The developer has notified Alderman Michele Smith (43rd) that he has completed the next version of the proposed plan for the Children's Memorial site. This town hall meeting gives the developer the opportunity to show these plans to you. Alderman Smith urges you to attend not only so that you can see the new plans for the site from the developer, but most importantly, so she can hear your input.


Movie in the Park, "Muppets"
Sunday, July 29
Movie begins at dusk
Hawthorne School, 3319 North Clifton

Co-sponsored by Hawthorne Neighbors, Central Lakeview Merchants Association, Central Lake View Neighbors, and Alderman Tom Tunney.


St. Joseph Hospital, Neighborhood Health Fest
Sunday, August 5
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
St. Joseph Hospital

Save the date for St. Joseph Hospital's annual Neighborhood Health Fest!


Central Lake View Neighbors, Monthly Meeting
Thursday, August 9
7:30 p.m.
Advocate Illinois Masonic (Clarke Auditorium), 836 West Wellington (7th Floor)

Central Lake View Neighbors is a community based and funded non profit volunteer organization. CLVN represents the residents within the boundaries of Belmont to the north, Halsted to the east, Racine to west and Diversey to the south. The organization was formed to provide residents a forum to discuss issues ranging from development proposals, zoning, liquor license, street fairs and other community matters. The Alderman recognizes this group and refers local issues to this organization for comment, review and approval.


Buena Park Neighbors, Litter Patrol
Saturday, August 11
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Meet at the Parking lot of KFC, Buena and Broadway

Come join your neighbors as we pick up litter. We will meet at the KFC parking lot and then spread out throughout the neighborhood to pick up litter. We have broken Buena Park into four quadrants, and we will be sending teams out to each one to pick up litter. This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded neighbors and help the community. We expect to be finished by noon and then, for those who wish, go to lunch together. Gloves and garbage bags will be supplied.


Northalsted Market Days
Saturday, August 11 and Sunday, August 12
Halsted between Belmont and Addison

The event spans six city blocks, has 17 entrance gates and features three music stages with more than 40 musical acts performing. Many of these artists are top-name, national headliners, giving Northalsted Market Days a reputation for some of the best live music in Chicago. Entrance is a suggested donation of $8. Northalsted Market Days® is also famous for its vast array of unique food and arts and crafts vendors. Vendors from across the country sell their unique wares to this huge, upscale crowd. On average, Northalsted Market Days® features 400 food, arts and crafts vendors. For information on sponsorships, transit and vendors, visit www.chicagoevents.com or call (773) 584-6631.


Lake View Citizens Council, Bike Lake View
Sunday, August 12
10:00 a.m.
Meet at Seminary & Waveland

Bike Lake View is a free hour-long neighborhood social ride on the second Sunday of every month. The rides are geared toward all of our neighbors, whether you haven't touched your bike in years or you commute daily by bike. We also invite local elected officials and neighborhood police to join us every month. For more information, contact LVCC board member Lee Crandell at crandell@gmail.com. Visit the LVCC website to get involved in your neighborhood.


South East Lake View Neighbors, Monthly Meeting
Monday, August 13
7:00 p.m.
Wellington Avenue Church, 615 West Wellington

South East Lake View Neighbors (SELVN) is the local neighborhood organization encompassing the area bounded by Diversey, Halsted, Belmont, and the lake. All residents, associations, and businesses are welcome to join. General meetings are open to everyone to attend. You must be a member in good standing two weeks prior to a meeting in order to vote.