On this day in 1909, Benny Goodman, jazz clarinetist and bandleader, was born on this day in Chicago.
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Dear Neighbor,
In April of 2013, the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed and killed over 1,100 workers and injured another 2,500. The sub-standard and inhumane conditions at the Bangladeshi factory were horrifying. Sadly, many garment factories around the world operate under such conditions. And many of these factories produce some of the clothes we wear. For many years, organizations like Chicago Fair Trade have been working to bring attention to sweatshops and child labor abuses around the world. They have also been steadfast advocates for humane supply chains in the garment industry. In August of 2013, Chicago Fair Trade approached my office to discuss the possibility of the City of Chicago ensuring its garment and uniform procurement was free of sweat-shop labor. After our initial meeting, my office partnered with Chicago Fair Trade, the City Council Asian Caucus, Latino Caucus, and Mayor Emanuel to develop the Chicago Sweat Free Procurement Ordinance. After ten months of working with stakeholders, City departments, and advocacy groups, we introduced the ordinance at Wednesday's City Council meeting. The ordinance requires the City of Chicago to procure all its garments and uniforms from suppliers who commit to a humane supply chain free of sweatshop and child labor. And every City department has committed to ensuring they purchase garments from a sweat free contractor.
The Chicago Sweat Free Procurement Ordinance does the following:
- Requires the City of Chicago to purchase uniforms from garment vendors who sign affidavits ensuring there are no sweatshops in their supply chain;
- Contractors failing to meet this requirement and would be found in default. The City of Chicago's Chief Procurement Officer could then rebid the contract or give the contractor 30 days to rectify problem;
- Defines sweatshop labor as any work performed by a person engaged by a contractor or sub-contractor that has 'habitually violated laws of any applicable jurisdiction governing wages, employee benefits, etc.;
- Defines child labor as work performed by a person under 18 either against their will, against threat, or the use of anyone under 18 for illegal activities including prostitution or production of trafficking of illegal drugs.
May is Asian American Heritage Month and the Chicago Sweat Free Procurement Ordinance is the first legislative initiative led by the City Council's Asian Caucus. Even more exciting is that 13 aldermen who represent Asian constituencies partnered with me to develop the caucus and help draft the Chicago Sweat Free Procurement Ordinance. As the first-ever Asian American elected to City Council, I am extremely proud of this legislative effort.
The Chicago Sweat Free Procurement Ordinance follows other worker protection and social justice legislation we've passed. They include:
- Adding credit history as a protected class to the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance to prevent employment discrimination solely on the basis of credit history.
- Anti-Wage Theft Ordinance with Mayor Emanuel, Alderman Solis, and Ald. Mitts
- Debt Collectors Licensure Ordinance with Mayor Emanuel, Alderman Solis, and Ald. Mitts.
I want to thank Chicago Fair Trade for their steadfast leadership on sweatshops and child labor and for their partnership on this ordinance. I'd also like to thank the entire Latino Caucus, Asian Caucus, and Mayor Emanuel for working on this ordinance. And finally, I want to thank Abin Kuriakose for helping launch the Asian Caucus.
- Learn more about the City Council Asian Caucus by clicking here.
- To read Mayor Emanuel's press release on Chicago Sweat Free Procurement by clicking here.
- To read the Chicago Sun-Times article on the initiative, click here.
- To learn more about our previous six legislative efforts, click here.
City Council & 47th Ward Roundup
- Great news! City Council passed an ordinance authorizing the expenditure of $3.5 million in 47th Ward TIF funds for Clark Park. Construction on Kerry Wood Cubs Field, a new soccer field, and track/field facility can now resume.
- Introduced an ordinance to expend $1.3 million in 47th Ward TIF funds for renovations and improvements to Welles Park was introduced.
- Introduced an ordinance to downzone the property where problem bar Fanta Sea was located. By downzoning the property, the community will have more control over what happens next.
Upcoming Western Avenue Project
For many years, the flyover on Western over Belmont has been deteriorating. The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will be moving forward with the demolition of this flyover, along with other improvements on Western Avenue between the Kennedy Expressway and Waveland Avenue in the Spring of 2015. CDOT will be hosting a community open house on this project on Monday, June 9th in the Lane Tech Civics Room, 2501 W. Addison, from 7pm to 9pm. Please come out to learn more about the proposed project.
Sincerely,
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Thefts from cars have been occurring near schools while parents or caregivers are inside picking up children. Please be on the lookout for any suspicious persons in the area during these times. If picking up your child from school, do not leave any valuables in your vehicle.
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Upcoming
Ward Nights
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Wednesdays5:00pm to 7:00pm
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Street Sweeping
From April 1 until December 1 the Department of Streets and Sanitation has sweepers working in the 47th Ward to clear debris and dust from residential and arterial streets. The schedule for street cleaning on residential and arterial streets can be found on chicago47.org.
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LV2 Cubs Night Game Parking
If you live in the LV2 zone for Cubs Night Games, the first night game of the season is April 8, 2014. LV2 passes are not yet available.
LV2 passes will be mailed out in late March. We will announce when they are available in the 47th Ward Office through an email.
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Report Graffiti
As the weather turns warmer, we are seeing more graffiti throughout Chicago. Be sure to report any graffiti to our office (info@chicago47.org, 773-868-4747), 311, or through the Chicago Works app. You'll need to know the address, type of surface tagged, and whether or not the tag is more than six feet from the ground. Graffiti that contains profanity, hate language or is done on a church or school receives special attention. The faster we remove graffiti the less likely vandals are to target that area again. Thanks for your help! |
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An Evening with Rob Cahill
Please come join us for an inspirational evening...  Cloud Forest Conservation's Rob Cahill will share with us his stories of girls in the highlands of Guatemala discovering the richness of their natural world and their own power to change their world through the Conservation and Agroecology Leadership Training program. We can promise breathtaking photos of cloud forest birds combined with images of these smart and delightful girls exploring ways to conserve the birds and their traditional foods through sustainable eco-friendly farming. Learn more by clicking here or just come join us. 7 - 8:30 pm at Alderman Ameya Pawar's office. 4243 N Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL. Refreshments will be served. Questions? Email jpollock@audubon.org |
North Center Senior Center Needs Items for Litfest
North Center Senior Center located at 4040 N. Oakley serving over 2000 seniors monthly is looking for items their annual LITFEST, Book Sale, Raffle and Tea Sunday June 22. Items needed are all things tea - tea cups, tea pots, tea cozies, clean vintage linen, teaspoons, tiered serving plates, candles, good books and new, slightly used but not abused items and white elephant items to be used for raffle, spa items, kitchen items. Items can be dropped off anytime at the center in a bag or box to the Attn: Liza Martin with your name, address and phone #. Pick-up available also. Call 312.744.4015 for more information. |
Nonprofit Conference in Chicago June 2-3
Calling all nonprofit staff, board members and volunteers! North Park University's Axelson Center is hosting its 15th Annual Symposium June 2-3 at Chicago's Hyatt Regency. This year's programming focuses "Next Practices": what will keep our nonprofit organizations strong, responsive, relevant and competitive? 
Online registration for this year's event closes on Wednesday, May 28. Save 25% on your registration with the discount code CHICITY47. Register here: https://www.regonline.com/nonprofitsymposium2014 Take a closer look at this year's sessions at http://bit.ly/symposium2014sessions, and review the outstanding speaker lineup for 2014 at http://bit.ly/symposium2014bios. Notable names speaking at this year's event include Peter Buffett, Terry Mazany (The Chicago Community Trust), Erma Tranter (Friends of the Parks), Tony Banout (Interfaith Youth Core), Eric Weinheimer (The Cara Program), Bob Dean (CMAP), Rev. Barb Bolsen (The Night Ministry) and many more! Get more information and register today at https://www.regonline.com/nonprofitsymposium2014 Questions? Contact the Axelson Center or 773-244-5747. |
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Arts & Culture in the 47th Ward: Flamenco Arts Center & ARTango
Weekly Articles by Office Intern Luis Lopez Reichling, Senior at St. Benedict Preparatory School
 Most of us feel self-conscious when we hit the dance floor. In fact, dancing in public-along with giving speeches and performing stand-up comedy-is one of the social activities Americans consider most anxiety-producing. This is unfortunate as dancing is one of life's greatest stress relievers and a wonderful way to learn about different musical genres. Flamenco Arts Center and ARTango, two dance centers located in the 47th Ward, offer professional instruction in two of the art's highest forms. Located at 3755 N. Western Avenue, Flamenco Arts has classes for the absolute beginner through advanced levels, ranging in styles from traditional Andalusian Flamenco to contemporary jazz. When dancers Cynthia Rosario and Kathi Beste founded the center in the 1990s, local flamenco dancers were scattered across the city due to a lack of performance venues. At the time, there was also a dearth in quality training and education in history of flamenco which evolved from the gypsy and Moorish cultures in Southern Spain. In Ms. Beste's words, flamenco is one of the few art forms that "requires you to be completely selfless." Flamenco Arts Center welcomes all who want to learn this mesmerizing art form. The only requirement is the willingness to take a chance. The class schedule is available online. One upcoming flamenco event is "Tides - Studio Mangiameli Annual Show" on May 30 & 31 at 7:30 PM and June 1 at 4:30 PM, at the Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble Street (click here for tickets).  ARTango Bistro is a unique restaurant and dance studio located inside the historic Deagan building at 4217 N. Ravenswood Avenue. Promoted as "Chicago's venue of choice for tango social dancing," ARTango was founded in 2008 by Maria Alferov and Sebastian Casanova who were inspired by Buenos Aires' magical array of tango & dinner shows, virtuosic street performers and late night milongas. The bistro features a delicious South American fusion menu including Argentine lomito, Peruvian ceviche and arepas, and a side of tango lessons if you wish! For those uninitiated in the steps of the tango, a famous (and challenging) Argentine art form, ARTango's ambiance is relaxed and welcoming of neophytes. Private and group instruction is offered for beginner to advanced levels, and walk-ins are welcome. Check out the website for class schedules and menus. The beautifully designed loft space is also available for private events. |
47th Ward A&C*
*Arts & Culture, by Intern Luis Lopez Reichling
The New Colony, 4740 N. Western Avenue, 773-413-0862
Orville and Wilbur Did It!, June 13th to July 20th Witness firsthand the ups, downs and ego clashes of five actors and a stage manager traveling across the country www.thenewcolony.org American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron Street, 773-409-4125 Hair, thru June 29th A group of hippies explore the idea of love and civil rights in 1968 in this classic rock musical.
www.atcweb.org The Public House Theater, 3914 N Clark St. 773-904-8777
Bye Bye Liver, every Friday & Saturday 8PM & 10PM
A series of outrageous and hilarious comedic sketches, all centered around one thing...alcohol! Pitbull & I, every Thursday 8PM A comedic sketch with Brian McGovern "and" pop star Pitbull, where you will certainly be invited dance and laugh. www.pubhousetheatre.com The Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St., 773-769-4451 Pimprov, every Friday at 10:30 PM An improv sketch with "pimps" that may not be politically correct, but will leave you laughing on the floor! www.blackensembletheater.org Cornservatory, 4210 N. Lincoln Avenue, 773-650-1331 Deathprov, thru June 29th, Sundays at 7:30pm Finding ways to kill someone may not seem that amusing, but in this improve sketch set in post Apolcalyptic world, it is. The only warning here is to not laugh yourself to death. Bat Hamlet, June 20th to July 19th, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm A hilarious mash-up of Hamlet and Batman storylines, this maddening play is unforgettable.
www.cornservatory.com Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, 1422 W. Irving Park Road, 773-865-7731 Open Mic, every Wednesday at 9pm All art forms from music and acting sketches to comedic stand up will be presented to the public from local artists. All are welcome!
www.cicomedy.com |
News from Dept. of Family & Support Services
CSBG Scholarship Program 
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School Tours & Promotions
Audubon Elementary
McPherson Elementary
 McPherson School Tours are designed for neighborhood and Options for Knowledge parents to get a better idea of what makes McPherson unique. Come see for yourself and get all your questions answered live and in person! - Friday, May 30 @ 9:30 a.m.
RSVP: Marianne Turk, mturk@cps.edu, 773-534-2625, ext. 167874728 North Wolcott Avenue | Enter through the main office door (#1) from Wolcott and sign in at the office. 
Ravenswood Elementary Ravenswood Elementary School offers comprehensive school tours on the second Tuesday of every month that school is in session. All tours begin at 9 a.m. in the multi-purpose room, where we'll grab a cup of coffee and set off to observe classrooms, discuss the curriculum and learn what makes Ravenswood Elementary School a truly hidden gem. Mr. Manaen, Ravenswood School principal, will meet with prospective parents for an open question-and-answer session following the tour. Not sure if you're in the Ravenswood Elementary School attendance boundaries? Please click here . The last tour of the school year will be June 10, all at 9 a.m. in the multi-purpose room. All are welcome! Lane Tech High School  Amundsen High School Amundsen High School offers comprehensive school tours at 10 a.m. on the first Friday and the second Thursday of every month school is in session. Come learn more about Amundsen High School, its International Baccalaureate (IB) program and more great programs available at our neighborhood high school. To join the tour, meet in the school office at 10 a.m. (enter through the main doors on Damen Avenue). Remaining tour dates for this year are: - Friday, June 6 at 10 a.m.
- Thursday, June 12 at 10 a.m.
School tours are also available by appointment by contacting friendsofamundsen@gmail.com. North Park Elementary School North Park Elementary School is accepting applications for the 2014-2015 school year. As a private, non-sectarian, coed school located at 2017 W. Montrose for children in Pre-K-8th grade, NPES has a proven record of academic excellence. With one class per grade and an average of 20 students per class, every student is well-known, and receives individual attention from classroom teachers. To learn more, email npesadmissions@npeschool.org or visit www.npeschool.org |
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Dara Reports
Farmers Markets Begin in JUNE! Click here for more information.
Know a business you wish we had here in our neighborhood? Read what our neighbor Nate Hutcheson did!
A garden is a work in progress and we have just the right place for you! This weekend's lovely weather gives gardeners the perfect chance to assess what we have too much of and what we would like to add to our gardens. Come find new plants, tools, garden magazines etc. and bring your extras for other neighborhood gardeners next Saturday. No pots to put them in? Place them in a jewel bag for easy, clean transport.
47th Ward Repair Café
Lincoln Square Friendship Center
2733 W. Lawrence Avenue
2nd Saturday of the Month - 10am-1pm
June 14, July 12, August 6, September 13, October 11, November 8
If you would like to be a Repair Coach, please let us know. Handy folks are always needed!
Our Repair Café is part of an international movement, check it out. http://repaircafe.org/
We are neighbors sharing skills, keeping items out of the landfill and building community along the way.
Hopefully the Polar Vortex has led to depletion in the rat population in the neighborhood. However, if you want a permanent, non-poisonous solution to rodents in your part of the block - look no further than Tree House Humane Societies Cats at Work Program! Watch this video and see for yourself how this win-win-win program works. The only losers are the RATS! Email me at dara@chicago47.org for more information. On the 3rd Friday of the month The Lincoln Square Friendship Center 2733 W. Lawrence is the home to Friendship Pet Food Pantry. Pet food is provided to folks who are having a hard time feeding their beloved pets.
The Friendship Pet Food Pantry would like to thank our thoughtful neighbors and these generous businesses for donating pet food for our neighbors in need: Ruff Haus, Urban Pooch, Your Best Friend Pet Supply, Jack & Ginger's, Hello Doggy & Zulu. We have been so successful that we are currently low on cat food. If you would like to donate bags or cans of cat food or cat litter, it would be greatly appreciated. You may drop off donations at the alderman's office or Lincoln Square Friendship Center on Thursday afternoons or during the monthly Pet Food Pantry at 2733 W. Lawrence.
Thanks to all of our caring, generous neighbors in 6 months, which is 6 distribution days - we have fed 255 cats and 140 dogs! Your kindness is much needed and greatly appreciated.
Upcoming dates are: June 20, July 18 from 3-5pm
If you know anyone who needs assistance, please pass this along.
Lincoln Square Friendship Center Pantry Are you interested in our newest neighborhood pantry? Sign up for their newsletter: lincolnsquarefc@gmail.com
There are many ways for you to help - volunteer, help fundraise, hold a food drive, donate bins, pick-up donations, sponsor/manage a community garden bed. We are neighbors helping neighbors and making a difference.
Forward Chicago Bridge & Chess Club meets at Sulzer Library on the first and third Fridays of the month from 10:30am to 12pm. All are welcome.
Sulzer needs your old games. Thanks to our neighbors who have donated games for the Sulzer's Game Night! If you have games that your family no longer uses, please bring them to the 47th Ward Office or to Sulzer Library. Their ever-popular "Game Night" could use a few more board games like Sorry, Chess, Life, Uno, Jenga, Rummy Cube, etc.
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47th Ward Infrastructure Update
Check out the infrastructure map on our webpage!
Lawrence Avenue Streetscape
- New pedestrian refuge islands (including ADA compliant ramps) have been installed between Damen and Clark, and center turn lanes have been striped. Sidewalk replacement continues and ADA ramps will be installed to line up with the street crossings at the pedestrian islands.
- Sidewalk, driveway, curb and gutter, and ramp work continues along various stretches of the corridor.
- Sewer and electrical work have started. Plantings along this section of the corridor are expected to be complete by the end of May. The remaining landscaping work will be completed in the fall or next spring.
- Work on the south side of the street near McPherson will be completed over the summer once school is not in session.
- Sreet resurfacing and final striping will be completed in the fall.
Water Main Replacement for Hutchinson between Lincoln and Damen
Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management have finished replacing the water main from 1897 under Hutchinson St. between Lincoln and Damen. Concrete restoration is complete. Street resurfacing began today and will be finished in the next week. For full information, please click here.
Water Main Replacement for Hoyne between Irving Park and Grace
Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management have replaced the water main from 1895 under Hoyne between Irving Park and Grace. Concrete restoration is underway. Street resurfacing will occur soon. For full information, please click here.
Water Main Replacement for Byron between Damen and Ravenswood
Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management have replaced the water main from 1891 under Byron from Damen to Ravenswood. Restoration will begin soon. For full information, please click here.
Water Mains Coming Soon:
Berteau (Bell to Damen): Start in June
Warner (Leavitt to Damen): Delayed until June 10
Ashland (Irving to Lawrence): Delayed until July - Stay Tuned!
The Chicago Cubs have provided some additional funding for infrastructure improvements in the 44th 46th and 47th Wards. In the 47th ward we will be getting new residential street lighting on: W Byron (Clark to Ashland), N Janssen (Addison to Irving Park) and N Greenview (Addison to Irving Park).
Chicago River Work (east side) Berteau to Montrose (from Riverbank Neighbors)
Please check out this updated landscaping plan for the bank.
New to the plan:
- removal of all Ailanthus, honeysuckle and buckthorn (all invasives);
- add soil to the rip rap on the upper sections of the project area to make planting easier and recovery quicker;
- substitute for the elderberry, since we said we have a thriving e-berry community already;
- substituted a cover seed mix instead of the IDOT mix we objected to;
- four species of gray dogwood (stakes) that a vigorous colonizers for the new territories.
These will be substantial new lands, with the bank secured, and planting begun. Riverbank Neighbors will be able to enrich species diversity over time and introduce many new forbs. Habitat for birds and reptiles and amphibians and mammals will be greatly improved.
Horner Park Riverbank Project (from US Army Corps)
Tree cutting is complete. Erosion Control consisting of silt fence, silt curtain, inlet protection is installed. Excavation of topsoil, stripping, fill disposal and topsoil placement is underway. Excavation to install Limestone/Flagstone is underway. Root Wads will also be installed along the river bank in the coming weeks.
Brown Line Construction
Work on the Brown Line tracks near the Rockwell Station will continue through July. CTA is replacing ties on the bridge over the river to improve the slow zone. Some work will be done on weekends, where trains will operate on one side of the tracks.
METRA Traffic Closures and Detours Around Ravenswood Avenue
- Leland Ave Full Closure will be up until June 2014.
- Ravenswood from Lawrence to Leland Ave Full Closure will be up until June 2014 on the west side of Ravenswood.
- Ravenswood (east side) between Ainslie and Winnemac blockades may be in place on the street to make room for the work to be done however there is not a parking restriction when workers are not present.
- Ravenswood (west side) between Lawrence and Grace landscaping projects are expected to begin late April or early May along the base of the walls along the Metra tracks. Short closures will be necessary to install the new plants, so pay attention to parking restriction signs.
For more information, visit the infrastructure section of our website or contact Jim Poole at jim@chicago47.org or 773-549-4462.
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To see items accepted for recycling during this event, please click here.
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Community Events
For details on the events listed below, please see the events section of our website.
May 30 Friday 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Maifest
Lincoln & Leland,
May 31 Saturday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
47th Ward City Sticker Sale
Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N. Lincoln
May 31 Saturday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
GWCA Garage & Yard Sales
Graceland West Neighborhood, Irving to Montrose - Ashland to Clark
May 31 Saturday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Henna Tattoos @ Bezazian Library
Bezazian Library, 1226 W. Ainslie Street
May 31 Saturday 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Maifest
Lincoln & Leland,
May 31 Saturday 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
LGBT Immigration Program @ Bezazian Library
Bezazian Library, 1226 W. Ainslie Street
June 1 Sunday 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Chicago Kidical Mass Family Bike Parade
Audubon School, 3500 N. Hoyne
June 1 Sunday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Maifest
Lincoln & Leland,
June 4 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting - Beat 2033
Bezazian Library, 1226 W. Ainslie
June 5 Thursday 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Common Pantry Summer Wine Tasting
Fine Wine Brokers, 4621 N. Lincoln Avenue
June 6 - June 8 Friday - Sunday
Ribfest
Lincoln, Damen & Irving Park,
June 7 Saturday 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Hamilton Service Day & E-Recycling
Hamilton School, 1650 W. Cornelia
June 7 Saturday 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
RFUMC Teryaki Chicken Sale
Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church, 4511 N. Hermitage Avenue
June 9 Monday 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Western Avenue Improvement Project Open House
Lane Tech High School - Civics Room, 2501 W. Addison
June 12 Thursday 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
A Greener Ravenswood
Beyond Design, 4515 N. Ravenswood
June 14 Saturday 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Blaine Family Fun Run 2014
Blaine School, 1420 W. Grace
June 14 Saturday 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Women's Health & Resource Fair
Lakeview YMCA, 3333 N. Marshfield
June 17 Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting - Beats 1911 & 1912
Kindred Hospital, 2544 W. Montrose
June 18 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting - Beats 1921 & 1922
Police Auditorium, 2452 W. Belmont
June 21 Saturday 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Gateway to Learning Battle of the Bands
Gateway to Learning, 4925 N. Lincoln
June 25 - 29 Wednesday - Sunday
NBGC Family Fest
Basic Wire & Cable Lot, 3900 N. Rockwell
Want to put your community event in our newsletter? Check the guidelines on our website.
CAPS Meetings. If you would like to get to participate in community policing or express concerns about crime happening in your area, please consider attending your beat meetings. A schedule of beat meetings is available on our website. If you have any questions about CAPS or need additional information, please contact Jim Poole at 773-549-4462 or jim@chicago47.org. 19th District CAPS Office (All areas of the 47th Ward south of Lawrence) 312-744-0064 or CAPS019District@chicagopolice.org. 20th District CAPS Office (All areas of the 47th Ward north of Lawrence) 312-742-8770 or CAPS020District@chicagopolice.org.
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