On this day in 1970, the first Pride Parade marched from Washington Square Park to the Water Tower.
The 47th Ward Office will be CLOSED starting at 12pm on Thursday, July 3rd and will reopen on Monday, July 7th Happy Independence Day!
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Dear Neighbor,
The Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club (NBGC) is hosting their 66th Annual Family Fest & Carnival this weekend at 3900 N. Rockwell, just south of Revere Park. NBGC is a 47th Ward institution that provides educational, social, and athletic programming for more than 1200 children in our community. The Family Fest is the primary fundraiser for NBGC, and offers live music, carnival rides, game booths, a beer garden and more. To learn more about everything that the Family Fest & Carnival has to offer, please visit the NBGC website. I hope you will join me this weekend at this great event!
Gun Store Ordinance
At Wednesday's City Council Meeting, we passed an ordinance that will allow gun retailers to open in Chicago. In January, the City of Chicago was ordered to take this step after a federal court invalidated the city's ban on gun retailers. The ordinance, which I co-sponsored, establishes the toughest standards for gun retailers in the country. In order to operate a gun store in the City of Chicago, gun retailers will be required to take steps to prevent illegal gun purchases and theft including:
- Require employee background checks along with state-of-the-art training
- Require gun retailers to develop comprehensive anti-theft safety plans and be subject to quarterly inventory audits
- Require gun retailers to videotape each gun sale
- Require gun retailers to maintain a log of all gun sales, so that guns recovered at crime scenes can be traced back to the store
- Limit one handgun sale per month to a customer
- Require gun retailers to make records available to police for inspection
- Mandate a 72-hour waiting period to purchase handguns, and a 24-hour waiting period to purchase rifles and shotguns
SRO Conversion Moratorium
Also at Wednesday's City Council meeting, I introduced an ordinance with Mayor Emanuel, Ald. Walter Burnett, and the Chicago For All Coalition which places a 6-month moratorium on the conversion and/or demolition of single room occupancy (SRO) buildings and residential hotels in the City of Chicago. There are roughly 6,000 units of SRO housing left in the City of Chicago. These buildings are often a housing of last resort for those who cannot afford more expensive rental properties. Finding a path to stem the tide of conversions of SRO housing is a critical element of reducing homelessness and providing a sustainable mix of affordable housing in Chicago. This ordinance is a critical first step towards developing a long-term solution.
Over the next six months, ordinance sponsors and ONE Northside/Chicago for All Coalition will be meeting with building owners, developers, and other stakeholders to craft an ordinance to preserve SRO housing. It is my hope that these meetings will lead to an even-handed ordinance that balances the preservation of this housing with incentives for owners to maintain and improve their buildings.
This SRO moratorium and the eventual passage of an SRO preservation ordinance follow 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 the Chicago for All Coalition for their partnership on this effort. I also want to thank fellow co-sponsors and Mayor Emanuel for partnering on this effort.
Cubs Remote Parking
As I wrote in last week's newsletter, I testified in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to oppose the Chicago Cubs' special use permit application to operate a remote parking lot at 3900 N. Rockwell. I testified alongside many members of our community who also oppose this lot. Last Friday evening, the Zoning Board of Appeals ruled to issue the special use permit with conditions to the Chicago Cubs to bring their remote parking at 3900 N. Rockwell into compliance with the municipal code. Those conditions are:
- Buses cannot idle or park along Campbell or Revere Park
- 7' trees w/4" caliper along Campbell and Revere Park (south side)
- Clean port o potties after each parking event and they cannot be placed along Campbell or Revere Park
- Security/Cubs personnel and barricades must be placed at entrance to side streets east of park to keep non-local/non-resident traffic out
- Security/Cubs personnel must walk Campbell and pick-up litter after each parking event; litter must also be picked up in lot
- 2-hr parking limit post-parking event; any violations must result in towing
- Special Use is specifically limited to length of license agreement (and all current options) between Cubs/Property Owner
These requirements are in addition to those already agreed to by the Chicago Cubs:
- Only allowing traffic to exit westbound on Irving Park from the lot
- Additional security personnel
- Lot security cameras
- Free shuttle rides for neighborhood residents to Wrigley Field for night and weekend games.
We fought hard against the issuance of this permit, and I am disappointed that we were not successful in our effort. However, the ZBA's insistence on conditions is the direct result of the advocacy from our community. My office will continue working closely with the community and the Chicago Cubs to ensure that these points are carried through and manage any issues that may arise.
Enjoy the weekend!
Sincerely,
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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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2014-2015 Residential Pick-up/Van Permits Available
If you are the owner of a pickup truck or van, you need a special permit to park on the residential streets in the 47th Ward.
The permits for the 2014-2015 season are now available. Please bring your registration and city sticker information into our office along with your truck to receive your permit.
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City Stickers On Sale NOW!
You need to renew your Chicago City Sticker by July 15, 2014. To learn more about city stickers or to purchase them online, please click here. The 47th Ward sale date was May 31st. To find another sale at a nearby ward, you can click here.
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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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Ravenswood School Playground Construction
From: Ravenswood School Principal, Nate Manaen
Starting on June 30th, construction will begin on Ravenswood Elementary's new playground, green space, and outdoor classroom! This project will result in a currently-empty asphalt lot being replaced with new, engaging play equipment, dozens of new trees and plants, a turf play field, and an outdoor classroom and learning spaces for our students and community. What that means for now is that construction work will take place Monday through Friday from 7:00AM to 3:00PM, with truck traffic limited to about 7:30AM to 1:30PM. Work will take place on Ravenswood's campus and adjacent to the alley at Cullom between Paulina and Hermitage. Access to the alley should be disrupted only momentarily and limited to trucks dropping off materials. Major construction is expected to be finished before the start of school in the fall. There will also likely be an increase in dust as construction gets underway but our contractors have assured us that they will work to keep the site as clean as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school office at 773-534-5525 and we will address them immediately. Thank you for your patience and we invite you to enjoy our new community playground and green space once the work is completed by late summer or early fall! |
To view the 47th Ward Adoptables as a pdf, please click here. |
Pet Summer Safety Tips
- Water - Give your pets plenty of fresh, clean water. Animals can get dehydrated very quickly especially in the heat.
- Shade - Make sure your pet has a place to go to get out of the sun. Try to keep them indoors during extreme heat.
- Rest - Do not over-exercise your animal in the heat. On a sweltering day, the best time to exercise your pet is in the early morning or late evening.
- Watch - Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. In extreme heat, the temperature can rise in your vehicle very quickly. This can leave your pet vulnerable to heat stroke, which can onset very quickly.
Get more tips from the Dept. of Animal Care & Control by clicking here. |
 Click the flyer for more information. Application are AVAILABLE at the 47th Ward Office.
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47th Ward A&C*
*Arts & Culture
Square Roots Festival, Lincoln Ave. between Montrose and Wilson
Friday, July 11th, 5:00PM - 10:00 PM, Saturday, July 12th, 12:00PM - 10:00 PM, Sunday, July 13th, 12:00PM - 9:00 PM We're back this year with two outdoor stages, two indoor stages, and over 60 acts! We've got unique vendors, delicious local food, and we're pouring over 30 craft beers! The New Colony, 4740 N. Western Avenue
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 Hair, American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron Street 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
Bye Bye Liver,The Public House Theater, 3914 N Clark St. every Friday & Saturday 8:00PM & 10:00PM
A series of outrageous and hilarious comedic sketches, all centered around one thing...alcohol!
Pitbull & I, The Public House Theater, 3914 N Clark St every Thursday 8:00PM
A comedic sketch with Brian McGovern "and" pop star Pitbull, where you will certainly be invited dance and laugh.
www.pubhousetheatre.com
Pimprov, The Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St. 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
Deathprov, Cornservatory, 4210 N. Lincoln Avenue 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, Cornservatory, 4210 N. Lincoln Avenue June 20th to July 19th, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00PM
A hilarious mash-up of Hamlet and Batman storylines, this maddening play is unforgettable.
www.cornservatory.com
Night Out in the Park: Tales from Around the World at Chase, Chase Park, 4701 N. Ashland Avenue
July 15th, 10:00AM-12:00PM Chicago DanzTheatre Ensemble performs an interactive theatre and dance performance featuring global folk tales from various cultures.
Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, 1422 W. Irving Park Road
Open Mic, every Wednesday at 9:00PM
All art forms from music and acting sketches to comedic stand up will be presented to the public from local artists. All are welcome!
Ben Fest, Leavitt and Irving Park
July 18-20, 2014, Friday 4:00PM-11:00PM, Saturday 1:00PM-11:00PM, Sunday 1:00PM-7:00PM The annual BenFest is one of the North side's longest-running family festivals and unique to other community events. Cost: $5 donation |
School Tours & Promotions
Lake View High School
LVHS is collecting donations for equipment they need to defend their City Championship in soccer. Click here to make a donation.
Lane Technical High School
Congratulations to David Starr, a 2014 Lane Tech graduate, for receiving a Chicago Engineers' Foundation award sponsored by the Illinois Tool Works Foundation. David plans to study mechanical engineering at North Park University/University of Illinois at Chicago.
Congratulations also to Kelly Dugan, a 2013 Lane Tech graduate, for receiving a Chicago Engineers' Foundation award. Kelly is a sophomore at Purdue University studying mechanical engineering.
Both students were presented their awards during a dinner at the Union League Club of Chicago on June 17th. The Chicago Engineers' Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides fiscal incentives to Chicago high school students who plan to study engineering in college.
McPherson Elementary
 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 are back! Click here for a full listing.
Solar Energy Program - Save the Date - July 16 - If you are interested in a practical, residential solar energy program!
We had a visit from Louise, a concerned neighbor, reminding us to call 911 if you ever see cruelty to an animal. Also, our pets may need special attention in the upcoming weeks.
RATS!! We have been taking more rat sighting calls this week. Is it the rain, construction or both? Whatever the reason - if you want a green way to rid your alley and yard of rats, we have the answer that has brought 100% satisfaction! Did you know? - The city has an ordinance for quiet hours from 10pm-8am. More information is here.
- Once you have purchased your city sticker or daily guest passes for zoned parking, you may order them online.
It's always the right season to save money on energy! Click here for more information. Save these Dates for a few lovely reasons to stroll the neighborhood: 47th Ward Repair Café
What a successful Repair Café we had in June! Here's a list of what was repaired:
- jacket that was laying on the closet floor waiting to be sewn.
- pearl necklace
- cherished ceramic necklace
- paper shredder jammed with a credit card
- Kitchen-Aid mixer
- slow laptop that needed tweaking
- Wheel-chair with missing bolts (which we were able to purchase from Matty K's!)
47th Ward Repair Cafe Info:
Lincoln Square Friendship Center
2733 W. Lawrence Avenue
2nd Saturday of the Month - 10am-1pm
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.
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: 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.
Grand Tour at Montrose and Artesian will be televising every game of the World Cup. Check out this new neighborhood restaurant.
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.
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Sewer and electrical work has started and new street light poles will go up starting in early to mid July.
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Plantings between Western and Damen are expected to be performed in mid July. The remaining landscaping work between Damen and Clark will be finished up next spring.
- Work on the south side of the street near McPherson will be completed this Summer now that school is out.
- Street resurfacing and final striping will be completed in the fall.
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.
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 complete. Street resurfacing will occur soon. For full information, please click here.
Water Main Replacement for Warner between Leavitt and Damen
Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management are replacing the water main from 1891 under Warner from Leavitt to Damen. For more information, please click here.
Water Main Replacement on the 3500 of Leavitt and Hamilton
Contractors working with the Department of Water Management are working to replace the 1891 mains under Leavitt from Addison to Belmont, Hamilton from Addison to School. For full information on this project, please click here.
Water Mains Coming Soon:
Berteau (Bell to Damen): TBD
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.
METRA Traffic Closures and Detours Around Ravenswood Avenue
- Leland Ave Full Closure will be up until Fall 2014.
- Ravenswood from Lawrence to Leland Ave Full Closure will be up until Fall 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 underway 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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Community Events
For details on the events listed below, please see the events section of our website.
Through Sunday, June 29 66th Annual Family Fest and Carnival3900 N. Rockwell June 27 Friday 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Burger Night at American Legion Tattler Post American Legion Tattler Post #973, 4355 N. Western Avenue June 28 Saturday 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM June Fest, Bethany Retirement Community Bethany Retirement Community, 4950 N. Ashland Av June 28 Saturday 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Constructing Local Histories Session 2: Bookbinding Local History Assembling Sulzer Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue July 6 Sunday 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Chicago Kidical Mass Family Bike Parade Audubon School, 3500 N. Hoyne July 8 Tuesday 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Real Estate Fraud Prevention Workshop Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street - Courtroom 2005 July 8 Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Trio Disquiet Concert Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church, 4511 N. Hermitage Avenue July 9 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Chase Park Advisory Council meeting Chase Park, 4701 N. Ashland Avenue July 11 Friday 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Touch Me, Art Reception 47th Ward Alderman's Office, 4243 N. Lincoln Avenue July 15 Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CAPS Meeting - Beats 1911 & 1912 Kindred Hospital, 2544 W. Montrose July 16 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CAPS Meeting - Beats 1921 & 1922 Police Auditorium, 2452 W. Belmont July 17 Thursday 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM String Quartet from Grant Park Music Festival at Revere Park Revere Park, 2509 West Irving Park Road July 29 Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CAPS Meeting - Beat 2031 Anderson Pavilion, 2751 W. Winona July 30 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CAPS Meeting - Beat 2032 Ravenswood Evangelical Church, 4900 N. Damen August 3 Sunday 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Chicago Kidical Mass Family Bike Parade Audubon School, 3500 N. Hoyne August 6 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CAPS Meeting - Beat 2033 Bezazian Library, 1226 W. Ainslie August 8 Friday 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Shakespeare in Welles Park Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside August 9 Saturday 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Shakespeare in Welles Park Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside 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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