Grace Period for City Vehicle Stickers Ends Sunday, July 15th 

There are only a few days left to purchase your 2012 - 2013 City Vehicle Sticker! Your sticker must be displayed by July 15. Please avoid fines and late fees! Fines were raised this year to a minimum of $200 for failure to display a current City Sticker and the late fee is $60 for purchases made after July 15. For information on where to buy your sticker, please click here.  

Important Property Tax Information from Commissioner John Fritchey 

In February the Long Term Exemption and/or the Senior Tax Exemption was sent out to you. For the first time in decades your tax bill was sent out on time. If you did not receive the exemptions or if you did not fill out and return the exemptions-you must do so as soon as possible. It is not too late to fill out the exemption that will give you the most money back on your property tax bill. 99% of folks will not lose their Long Term Exemption, however you must fill out and return the form yearly. To receive the needed form, please call Christina at 312-603-6380.

47th Ward Welcome Guide - BRAND NEW!  Annie Mitran, our summer aldermanic intern, has been in our office only a couple of weeks but has produced this wonderful welcome guide for new (and current) residents. Check out the guide and let Annie know what you think! Annie grew up in the neighborhood, attended Northside College Prep High School and will soon return to Cambridge for her senior year at Harvard. Her next project is a guide to 47th Ward restaurants for which she'll have to conduct some local culinary research.

White House Names Paul W. Hamann a "Champion of Change" 

On July 12th, the White House honored Paul W. Hamann, President and CEO of The Night Ministry, as one of thirteen individuals who have made a significant difference in the way their communities combat homelessness among children and youth as a "Champion of Change."  Paul was honored for his leadership of The Night Ministry and the organization's rich history of providing youth with an innovative system of care.  The Night Ministry's youth housing programs provide structured, safe and supportive living situations to youth from all backgrounds who face multiple, difficult challenges.  Through The Night Ministry's Youth Outreach Van and Youth Shelter Programs, they work on the ground in Chicago neighborhoods to reach adults, teens, pregnant girls and new moms who have nowhere else to go. 

"I am extremely honored to receive this honor on behalf of the staff, volunteers and supporters of The Night Ministry as well as those whom we serve. Our work together is making an impact on the streets of Chicago and in the way our government addresses youth homelessness in America. While today is a day to celebrate all that we have achieved, I look forward to finding new and even more effective ways to meet the needs of Chicago's youth," said Hamann.  

The Night Ministry is a Chicago-based organization, with an office at 4711 N. Ravenswood Ave. in the 47th Ward, that works to provide housing, healthcare and human connection to members of our community struggling with poverty or homelessness. They are active and on the ground in Chicago neighborhoods, working to build relationships with adults, youth and children. They offer immediate and transitional housing, healthcare, outreach and social services. For more about The Night Ministry, please visit their website.  

North Center Bike Tour this Saturday 

North Center, Chicago Community Area #5, sits five miles northwest of the Loop. Uncultivated and untamed until the end of the 19th century, North Center is now a vibrant and successful near-north side community prized for its historic homes and friendly neighborhood streets. The roots of the community's early days in Chicago were rooted in brickyards and light industry. Many of the residents were laborers that worked in the factories and clay pits on the banks of the North Branch of the Chicago River. Over the years, the area was transformed by the depression, the War, the postwar years and the forces of city dynamics. It is today home to several neighborhoods, the namesake North Center, Roscoe Village and St. Bens, each brimming with interesting architecture and character. Join tour leader Lee Diamond, a bike and architectural aficionado, on July 14 at Revere Park, 2509 W. Irving Park Road at 11AM (the tour ends around 3PM). Tickets $9-register here.  

Austrian Comedy duo Moizi and Schwab Rock the USA    

Peter Moizi and Christian Schwab, two popular Austrian comedians, known as the Comedy Hirten (Comedy Shepherds), will perform at the DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Avenue, on August 19, Saturday at 8PM, as part of their "Moizi & Schwab Rock the US Tour". The comedy duo has already toured in Europe, but this will be their first tour in the U.S. They will present a cabaret/comedy program in English about major events that made it into Austria's and the international media. Always with a twinkle in their eyes, the Comedy Hirten will imitate American, Austrian and other international stars. As you might already have guessed, they will point out positive traits of these celebrities, but add also humor and a bit of exaggeration to them - e.g. Heidi Klum's high-pitched voice or Arnold Schwarzenegger's unique accent. Doors open 7PM. Austrian food & drink available for purchase by Chef Martin's Alpine Brand. Tickets here.  

Lillstreet Art Center's Artisan Wedding Fair

Spend an intimate afternoon planning your special day at Lillstreet Art Center's Artisan Wedding Fair. On August 12, Sunday from 12noon to 4PM, we can interact with a carefully selected gathering of artistic vendors who specialize in handcrafted, custom products and services. Meet jewelry artists who can discuss creating your perfect wedding ring or one-of-a-kind gifts for your bridal party. View gorgeous handmade place settings from Lillstreet's exclusive dishware collection and learn how to sign up for a custom dish registry with Lillstreet Gallery. Talk with Mignonette Bridal about designing your dream wedding gown while instrumental live guitar fills the room. Take home a handkerchief, made by you, during one of our free demonstrations where you can experience a taste of our custom art-party activities for your bachelorette party or wedding shower. End the day with a tour of Lillstreet, while you sip on bespoke cocktails and nosh on gourmet nibbles. Ticket Info: Space is limited for this special event. Tickets are $5 in advance (advance ticket price can be applied to a minimum purchase of $25 from the Lillstreet Gallery, Limit 1 per person), or $10 at door. Check out their website for more information or  contact: claire@lillstreet.com, 773-769-4226.  

Rep. Ann Williams in the 47th Ward Office  

11th District State Representative Ann M. Williams' staff will be at the 47th Ward office on July 24th, Tuesday from 3PM to 6PM, to answer any questions you may have regarding the many issues facing the state, such as pension reform, Medicaid reform and overall fiscal health, and to hear how you would like Rep. Williams to vote on these very important issues. Also, her office can assist if you have any issues or have been unable to get a question answered involving a state agency such as available state mortgage foreclosure relief options, unemployment insurance and DHS issues. If you have any urgent state matters that need to be addressed, please contact Rep. Williams' office at 773-880-9082 or visit www.repannwilliams.com.

The Partners for Clean Air and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) have issued an Air Pollution Action Day alertfor the Chicago Metropolitan area for Friday, July 13th.  High temperatures and low wind speeds may trap air pollutants resulting in increased and unhealthy levels of ozone and particulate matter for sensitive populations in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Individuals with respiratory or pulmonary disorders as well as active children and adults should take special precautions and follow their physician-prescribed regimen. Residents should keep cool and limit physical activity.

You can help decrease air pollution on Air Pollution Action Days by taking the following "green actions:"

• Ride public transit, carpool, walk or bike.
• If you must drive, avoid idling, consolidate errands and run them after 7 p.m. when sunlight is not as strong.
• Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Raise your thermostat at least 2 degrees.
• Turn off and unplug any electronics not in use.
• Use environmentally-friendly household and cleaning products.
• Avoid using gasoline-powered equipment.
• When grilling, use a charcoal chimney or gas grill instead of lighter fluid.

The Department of Health works closely with the IEPA to monitor local air quality conditions.  It is possible that additional Air Pollution Action Days may be called.  Check your local daily air quality forecast or sign-up to receive notices via email at www.cleantheair.org.

Infrastructure Update   

Check out the new infrastructure map on our webpage!

W. Eastwood Avenue from Damen to Leavitt

The Dept. of Water Management (DWM) will begin their work replacing the old 1891 water main under Eastwood Avenue between Damen and Leavitt. The work is schedule to be completed by late August.  To see the residents' notice click here. 

N. Wayne Avenue from Irving Park to 600 Feet South

The sewer main under the 3900 block of Wayne Avenue is currently being replaced by DWM private contractors and the concrete base course has been laid at the road is open to traffic.  Other utilities are finalizing their connections under Irving Park Rd and lanes are detoured.  The final restoration will be scheduled once all the final work has been completed. To see the residents' notice click here. 

Peoples Gas Main Replacement

Construction crews from Peoples Gas and their contractor Northern Pipeline continue their multi-year gas main replacement project in the 47th Ward. Sod has now been laid (grass seed in some instances) in a number of areas throughout the ward to restore damage to city parkways. Please remember the tips on our website to care for your sod once it has been installed. 

Metra Track and Bridge Construction along Ravenswood 

• Montrose: Frame, Reinforce and Pour Abutments; unforeseen delays in concrete work have caused the closure to be extended
• Wilson: Install Structural Steel
• West Side Ravenswood- Irving Park to Berteau (Wall 9): Drill, Set and Pour Soldier Beams/Install Lagging
• West Side Ravenswood- Grace to Irving Park (Wall 10): Demo existing crib wall
• Lawrence: Install Temporary Platform (in Sears Parking Lot) and Install SOE

Metra Traffic Closures and Detours 

• Montrose full closure will continue through 7/20/12
• Lawrence Partial Closure on 7/21/12 - One lane of traffic will remain open in each direction and one sidewalk will remain open.     
• Wilson Detours will continue until August 2012.
• Irving Park to Berteau Detours will be up until November 2012.
• Grace to Irving Park Detours will be up until November 2012.
• Parking has been restricted between the CTA tracks and Ravenswood on all streets from Grace to Berteau to accommodate u-turns while the road is closed.  The south side of Bernice has parking restrictions from Lincoln to Ravenswood to accommodate two-way traffic until Ravenswood is reopened.

Feel free to send us your upcoming community events so we can include them in our newsletter.

Do you have a suggestion or comment for Ald. Pawar? Please contact our office at 773-868-4747 or email info@chicago47.org.