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Dear Neighbor,
Happy New Year! To kick-off 2015, I am pleased to announce that long-time neighborhood grocer, Aldi (2431 W. Montrose), is planning to tear down their existing store and rebuild a new eco-friendly store! This project is by right - this means, no zoning change was required on this project. While the project is by-right, my office has been working with the Aldi team to incorporate the following features:
- Permeable surfaces in the parking lot to reduce flooding in area
- 10 new bike racks
- The green roof will include 336 solar modules generating 100kW
I am pleased that this long-time neighborhood grocer is staying in our community instead of moving to a new site. The redevelopment of the site will keep jobs in our community and create new construction jobs. And once open, the new Aldi will include some organic produce and other organic products. Keeping Aldi in our community was a major priority, along with revitalizing Montrose Avenue west of Western Avenue. I am confident the redeveloped Aldi will jumpstart our efforts to attract additional businesses to that stretch of Montrose Avenue.
The one substantive change on the site is as follows:
- Aldi purchased one property to the east and one property to the west of the existing site. Aldi will combine the two parcels into their existing site to create additional parking.
- The new store will be slightly larger at 15k square feet, up from 12k square feet
To ensure everyone in the area is aware of the upcoming project, my office is hosting a community meeting on January 8, 2015. See the flyer by clicking here.
Book Release
 I am pleased to announce that on December 29, 2014, Taylor & Francis released a textbook written by Charna R. Epstein (my wife!), Scott C. Simon, and me! The book, Emergency Management and Social Intelligence: A Comprehensive All-Hazards Approach, is the culmination of over 8 years of work researching the connection between pre-existing conditions in a community and disasters. Simply put, for effective preparedness, emergency managers must comprehend how a disaster impacts not only the physical infrastructure of the affected community but also the population. Emergency managers, government, and response agencies must understand neighborhoods, communities, and their populace; the history of communities, the strengths and challenges in any specific area, and how well communities are served by and interact with government. In other words, they must have Social Intelligence - and Social Intelligence is a model we developed to help inform better decision-making pre-disaster to ensure a holistic disaster response and recovery. What started as a paper at the University of Chicago, is now a full-fledged model on how emergency management professionals, government, municipalities, private/non-profit organizations and communities can harness information (qualitative and quantitative) to understand the communities they serve in real-time.
We are really proud of this book because we believe this framework can help prevent common mistakes made during the critical phases of disaster response and recovery, and help us all better think about the strengths inherent to communitites, neighborhoods, towns and cities. We are experiencing catastrophic events with more regularity and lessons learned from disasters like the Chicago Heat Wave, Hurricane Katrina, Deepwater Horizon, and others can serve policy-makers with critical information to better understand the communities they serve. If you're interested in learning more about our work, please click here.
Amundsen High School As you know, I've made 47th Ward public schools my 'all-in.' In 2011, I launched GROW47, the city's first community led-effort to build a neighborhood K-12 system. In just 3.5 years, we've allocated funding and advanced major capital projects at EVERY neighborhood school in our community. Now we are putting our primary focus on Lake View High School and Amundsen High School. Over the summer, we hosted community meet and greets so more of our community members could join hundreds of our neighbors who are building community around our neighborhood high schools. To that end, we organized the #RallyRoundLakeView in August. Almost 100 of our neighbors joined Lake View Principal Scott Grens, Lake View faculty, the Lake View Partners (new Friends of Lake View HS), #GROW47, and me, to paint, clean, and spruce-up the Lake View Campus. The Friends of Ameya Pawar and #GROW47 contributed $1k for supplies and materials. Our donation was matched with dollars from neighbors, community groups, and hundreds of hours of sweat-equity by many of you. Now you have the opportunity to join Amundsen Principal Anna Pavichevich, Amundsen administration and staff, the Friends of Amundsen, your neighbors, and me at the Amundsen High School Community Spruce-Up Day. Amundsen is in the midst of preparing to showcase their school and the third ranked International Baccalaureate program in the City of Chicago on January 17, 2015. Hundreds of families from our community and from around the City will be visiting Amundsen that day. Let's roll up our sleeves and help get the school ready for the big day! Amundsen is hosting a Community Spruce-Up Day on January 10th. #GROW47 and theFriends of Ameya Pawar are contributing $1k for supplies and equipment. All we need is you! Get involved with your neighborhood high school and help us complete our vision to build a neighborhood K-12 system in our community. Sign up for the Amundsen Spruce-Up by clicking here. Can't make the 10th? Think about making a contribution to the Friends of Amundsen. You can make a contribution online by clicking here. Interested in taking a tour of Amundsen? See their school tour schedule below: January 8th - Thursday - 10:00 a.m.
February 6th - Friday - 10:00 a.m.
February 12th - Thursday - 10:00 a.m.
March 6th - Friday - 10:00 a.m.
March 12th - Thursday - 10:00 a.m.
April 3rd - Friday - 10:00 a.m.
April 9th - Thursday - 10:00 a.m.
May 1st - Friday - 10:00 a.m. May 7th - Thursday - 10:00 a.m. June 5th - Friday - 10:00 a.m. June 11th - Thursday - 10:00 a.m. *The Friends of Amundsen are willing to set up a private tour if the above dates do not work for you - please contact Erik Olson ejolson@cps.edu I urge you to get involved with our neighborhood high schools. Testing into a selective enrollment high school can, for many, mean living in a pressure cooker. It doesn't have to be this way. Let's work together to complete a K-12 system in our community. Remember, a K-12 system benefits everyone - families, students, long-time residents, new neighbors, owners, renters, businesses and beyond. Strong neighborhood schools equal strong neighborhoods. Simply put, invest in schools and everything else follows - strong property values, thriving businesses, and stability for all residents. When schools win, we all win. So join me on January 10, 2015, at 8am at Amundsen High School. Come help us spruce-up the campus and come see all the great things happening at Amundsen High School. Sincerely, |
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Upcoming
Ward Nights
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Wednesdays5:00pm to 7:00pm
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2015 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program
Does the sidewalk adjacent to your property need some tender loving care? You should consider enrolling in Chicago's Shared Cost Sidewalk Program. The program allows you to split the cost of new sidewalk squares with the City.
The application period is always very short because of limited funding. This year the application period opens on Tuesday, January 13th at 12:01am.
To apply for the program please call 311 or use the city's website. If you have any questions about this program, please contact Brad Gregorka, in the 47th Ward Office at brad@chicago47.org.
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2014 Condo Refuse Rebates
If your condo association has applied for the condo refuse rebate program since 2011, it is time to file your rebate for 2014.
You will find all the necessary documents on the Committee on Finance's website. All documents for 2014 rebates are due into the 47th Ward Office by 5pm on January 16th.
If you have any questions, please contact Jim Poole at jim@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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 Northcenter Neighborhood Association is coordinating other drop-off sites that may be more convenient. For more information, please click here. |
Welcome New Business: Q Brothers, 4716 N. Lincoln Ave
 Merz Apothecary proudly announces the opening of its new store, Q Brothers- The Men's Shop at Merz Apothecary! Adjoined to the flagship location in Lincoln Square, the store officially opened its doors on December 1st. Q Brothers is home to the country's premier selection of men's shaving and grooming products. The store's expansion has also made room to grow an impressive selection of fine and unique fragrances from around the world for both men and women.
Merz Apothecary has been a family owned and run pharmacy since 1875. A Lincoln Square staple, Merz boasts a large selection of natural health products, personal care items and hard to find items from around the world, Merz puts focus on attaining true health through mental, physical and emotional well-being. In recent years, the men's business has exploded as men of all ages have discovered the joy and pleasures of great grooming products and practices. The largest shift has been the resurgence of wet shaving and the use of a safety razor and a shave brush to get a shave that causes less irritation and razor bumps, is far more enjoyable, and uses much more eco-friendly packaging. Q Brothers is the new home for quality men's grooming and shaving products. Customers will find the same level of care in the selection of products that Merz is known for, both in the men's section and also in fragrance.  Q Brothers is now home to a premier selection of fine, unique and independent fragrance for both men and women. The new store houses the entire fragrance selection, from Merz favorites Diptyque, L'Artisan and Penhaligon's to highly sought after fragrance lines such as Tauer, Amouage and Ulrich Lang and up-and-coming lines Kerosene and D.S. & Durga. Merz's fine skin care has also found a new home in Q Brothers. Customers are able to shop favorites Dr. Hauschka, suki and Evan Healy along with the newest skin care line addition, Avene. As the business enters its 140th year, Merz Apothecary is proud and excited to add Q Brothers to the family and continue to bring customers the highest in quality products from around the world!
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News from the City of Chicago
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47th Ward A&C*
*Arts & Culture Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St. At Last: A Tribute to Etta James A critically acclaimed celebration of the highs and lows of James' brilliant musical career. www.blackensembletheater.org Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, 1422 W. Irving Park Rd.
Free 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! www.cictheater.com Corn Productions Conservatory, 4210 N. Lincoln Ave. DRINK! The Sketch Comedy Drinking Game - Best of Year One, Saturdays at 11pm Nov. 8-Jan. 10 BYOB to a series of 'mind-altering' comedy bits! www.cornservatory.org Davis Theater, 4614 N. Lincoln Ave. Now Playing: Into the Woods, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, Wild www.davistheater.com The Public House Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St. Bye Bye Liver, Fridays & Saturdays 8 PM & 10 PM A series of outrageous and hilarious comedic sketches, all centered around one thing ... alcohol! http://pubhousetheatre.com Silvie's Lounge, 1902 W. Irving Park Rd. Enjoy a wide variety of musical genres, local talent as well as touring acts in one of the most acoustically appealing venues in Chicago. See calendar |
School Tours & Promotions
Amundsen High School
Spruce-Up Day at Amundsen High School
Friends of Amundsen is teaming up with AHS administration, faculty and staff to give the building a little TLC. Can you spare a few hours on a Saturday to help spruce up our neighborhood high school? Join us on Saturday, January 10, at 8 a.m. No experience necessary! Sign up here.
Amundsen High School Tours
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). Winter tour dates are:
- Thursday, January 8 at 10 a.m.
- Friday, February 6 at 10 a.m.
- Thursday, February 12 at 10 a.m.
- Friday, March 6 at 10 a.m.
- Thursday, March 12 at 10 a.m.
- School tours are also available by appointment by contacting Erik Olson at ejolson@cps.edu.
New Brochure for Prospective Amundsen Students and Families
Amundsen High School offers a top-performing International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, 25 varsity sports, more than 40 clubs and a thriving cultural environment where every student feels challenged and valued. Learn more about what our neighborhood high school has to offer in Amundsen's new brochure.
McPherson Elementary
 St. Matthias School  You can help pave the way to outdoor learning at the school by purchasing an engraved paver brick for the new walkway
St. Matthias School's Garden Committee is pleased to announce that a new brick walkway has been installed on the Ainslie side of the building. Approximately 800 4" x 8" clay pavers comprise a safer, better-looking walkway that will serve as the centerpiece of the Sprouts Garden project.
Any resident or business owner in the ward can make a valuable and enduring contribution to the Sprouts Garden by purchasing an engraved paver during this season of giving. Your contribution is entirely tax-deductible. Pavers are available for $100 (4" x 8 ") or $225 (8" x 8"). A limited number of $500 legacy pavers (8" x 16") are available, as well. The online purchase process is simple: - Open www.stmatthiasschool.org
- Click 'Parent Center'
- Click 'Sprouts Garden Brick Pavers' and select your preferred paver size.
The available characters for an engraved message varies by paver size: up to 39 characters (4" x 8 "), up to 78 characters (8" x 8") and up to 156 characters (8" x 16"). We invite you to order before year-end to help us pave the way to a new outdoor, experiential learning space for our students beginning in spring 2015!
The Sprouts Garden is a self-funded project collaboration between parent volunteers and teachers who aspire to build and cultivate an engaging outdoor learning & exploration space for the students of St. Matthias School. If you have an idea to share, a garden resource to donate or you wish to purchase an engraved paver for the new walkway, then please let us know: SMSsproutsgarden@gmail.com. Thank you! Pilgrim Lutheran Church & School  Academic Excellence... Pilgrim uses a "whole child" approach, focusing on academic, spiritual, emotional, social, and physical development. Pilgrim prides itself on a play-based preschool and kindergarten, high test scores and our graduates, 95% of whom attend competitive high school programs.
...With a Heart
Faith development is an integral part of the growth process and enables students to achieve success and a positive place for themselves in society. Want to Learn More? Pilgrim's next Open House Date is January 20, 2015 For More Information or to schedule a one-on-one tour call us at 773.477.4824 Or visit www.pilgrimchurchandschool.org
Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School "Academic Excellence with a Heart" 4300 N. Winchester Ave. Chicago, IL 60613 St. Benedict School Explore Our Unique PK-12 Catholic, College Prep Campus! St. Benedict Preparatory School, at Irving Park Rd and Leavitt Street, is the only PK-grade 12 Catholic, co-educational parish school in the Archdiocese of Chicago. We offer a unique college prep program in a welcoming, inclusive, diverse community. Tours of SBPS are conducted weekly or scheduled at your convenience. Preschool tours take place on most Tuesday mornings at 9:00am. Kindergarten through grade 5 tours take place on most Wednesday mornings at 9:30am. Secondary School tours (grades 6-12) are conducted by appointment. Visit our website at www.stbenedict.com.
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Dara Reports
The 2015 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program (previously called 50/50 Sidewalk Program) will be open for requests on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 12:01am. Call 311 as close to 12:01am as possible or use the city's website. Last year this program closed in less than 2 days. The Early-Bird will be getting a new sidewalk in 2015... Chicago Snow Corps is a program that connects volunteers with residents in single family homes in need of snow removal - such as seniors and folks living with disabilities. While winter can be hazardous for everyone here in the City of Chicago, it can be especially difficult for elderly and physically disabled residents, who may not have the ability or resources to remove snow from their sidewalks and walkways. Chicago Snow Corps aims to help minimize potential heavy-snow emergencies by pairing volunteers with blocks where elderly and disabled citizens have requested help.
To request a volunteer, or become a volunteer, to shovel your block in case of extreme snowfall, call 311 or call or email Dara in the 47th Ward Office at 773-868-4747. This is a volunteer-matching service. The City will do its best to match those who have requested assistance. Also, if you have a neighbor who can use a hand, please let your neighborhood group know or call the office.
We have a request from a senior on the 3600 block of Artesian. If you live near there and can lend a hand, please let me know. Don't have a use for your old cell phones? Drop them off at the alderman's office. We collect year round for Cell Phones for Soldiers. There couldn't be an easier way to help our soldiers stay in touch with family & friends.
Battery Recycling has been a HIT! We've filled and returned the two buckets donated by Andres H. one of our neighborhood premier C3 volunteers. While the EPA tells us there are no longer components that are harmful to the environment in batteries, it is always preferable to recycle rather than add to the landfills.
Because each full bucket costs $75 to return (via UPS) for recycling; Andres would love to find a way to provide this service to our community on a regular basis. Are you a C3 leader who would like to be part of this project? Do you own or know a business who could underwrite a month or two? Perhaps you are an ardent recycler and would like to sponsor a month or would like a unique tribute to a friend who is a committed recycler.
All he needs to do is find donors to sponsor 12 buckets a year; one for each month. We have already identified one sponsor for the month of December 2015 and Alderman Pawar will sponsor April for Earth Day. Only 10 more sponsors are needed! Thanks to Andres for spearheading this important community effort. Email Andres at: vivaelfrente@netzero.net
Do you or someone you know need assistance with People's Gas energy bill? There is a formula for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Call CEDA at 800-571-2332 or visit www.cedaorg.net. You can help provide assistance by donating (Its tax deductible!) via Share the Warmth.
Senior Council looking for members. Are you interested in issues facing our neighborhood seniors, finding solutions and enjoy planning events? Meet others who share your interests and are "doers". Please join our 47th Ward Senior Council - being a senior is not a prerequisite. We're quite efficient; we meet 9 times a year for an hour! Call Dara 773-868-4747
Please bring your unwanted or outgrown coats, hats, scarves and gloves to our office.
We will distribute them to the clients of: Common Pantry, Heartland Human Care Service & Lincoln Square Friendship Center. These non-profits are in our neighborhood, caring for those who need our support
Forward Chicago, a grass-roots, all volunteer, non-profit brings active, involved, engaged folks together. Whether you enjoy walking in the neighborhood, are looking for a Book Club, into handcrafts, ready to learn or already play bridge, relish going to new restaurants for lunch or dinner or have another idea you'd like to bring to life, join us. www.forwardchicago.org
We are very fortunate to live in a safe neighborhood. It's safe because of many factors; there is still more we can do. Please create a phone tree for your block to use as an alert system. Participate in "positive loitering" with a neighbor and your dog. Another good reason to have a dog - a barking dog in your house or apartment is a deterrent to burglars. See more tips on chicago47.org.
CAPS Meetings! Why should you attend? Learn how to be proactive in preventing crime, have your concerns heard. http://chicago47.org/beat-meetings/
You may attend any CAPS Meeting in your district (south of Lawrence is #19; north of Lawrence is #20).
Ongoing Collections:pet food for Friendship Pet Food Pantry,blankets and towels are always needed for clean bedding at area pet shelters. Used games for Sulzer Library's Game Night, unwanted CD's can become part of an art project. Artists and teachers need them. Bring these to the alderman's office.
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47th Ward Infrastructure Update
Check out the infrastructure map on our website.
Lawrence Avenue Streetscape
- Street paving on Lawrence between Ravenswood and Clark has been completed and thermoplastic striping and stamped asphalt crosswalk markings have been installed along this stretch. Sidewalks, ramps, curbs/gutters, and bus pads have also been completed, meaning the great majority of hardscape work has been finished along the project limits (Western to Clark).
- New pedestrian refuge islands (including ADA compliant ramps) have been installed along the entire stretch between Western and Clark. ADA ramps are being installed to line up with the street crossings at the pedestrian islands. Damaged trees are under warranty and will be replaced in the spring.
- Bike racks, chairs, trash receptacles, and benches were installed and new signage has also been erected along the entire corridor.
- Sewer and electrical work continues. Most of the new street light poles have been installed and old poles have been removed. As the remaining poles are removed, these areas will be filled in with brick pavers or concrete. All traffic signals will also be re-timed to help improve traffic flow and pedestrian countdown clocks will be programmed as well.
- Landscaping work for fall plantings in Claremont Plaza and elsewhere between Western and Damen has been finished up for the season and the remaining plantings will be done in the spring. Fencing in Claremont Plaza is expected to be completed by the end of the winter. Infiltration planters have been addressed in preparation for the winter.
- Neighborhood identifiers are expected to be installed on street light poles in January and punch list items are currently being addressed.
As always, pay close attention to parking restrictions.
Water Main Replacement for Berteau from Damen to Bell
Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management have replaced the water main from 1894 under Berteau Avenue between Damen and Bell. Parking restrictions and road closures should no longer be needed. Crews have poured concrete in the trench pending full asphalt restoration in the spring as soon as weather allows. For more information on this project, please click here.
Water Main Replacement for Rockwell from Lawrence to Montrose & Eastwood from Virginia to Western
Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management have replaced the water mains from 1906 under Rockwell from Lawrence to Montrose and Eastwood from Virginia to Western. Parking restrictions and road closures will be in effect, where posted, M-F from 7am to 4pm. Crews are scheduled to make the final service connections on Rockwell on Monday along with the final connections for the project - weather depending. That will conclude the main work and the rest of the concrete will be poured in the trench to grade to make the road passable, with resurfacing and landscape restoration following in Spring 2015. For more information on this project, please click here.
Water Main Replacement for Seeley from Montrose to Wilson
Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management have replaced the water main from 1890 under Seeley from Montrose to Wilson. The trenches are backfilled with concrete. Street resurfacing to be completed in Spring 2015. For more information on this project, please click here.
Water Main Replacement for Leavitt from Grace to Irving Park
Contractors working with the Dept. of Water Management are replacing the water main from 1896 under Leavitt between Grace and Irving Park. No parking will be necessary M-F from 7am to 4pm. Final connections are underway. The project is expected to be complete by early January with street resurfacing to follow in the Spring of 2015. For more information on this project, please click here.
Water Mains Coming Soon:
Western (Roscoe to Addison) - Scheduled to begin in January. Sign boards have gone up north of the project area to alert drivers to the extensive work that is beginning at Logan Blvd (Kennedy) and Western Ave. Crews will work their way north. They are currently not slated to arrive in the 47th Ward until later in January 2015.
METRA Traffic Closures and Detours Around Ravenswood Avenue
- New Metra Station (west side): Restoration work has been completed and the station is set to open Spring 2015.
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METRA Phase II: Design and engineering for improvements on the east side of the tracks will be starting soon and will be put out to bid once complete. Construction is currently expected to start in Fall 2015 and will last 18 months.
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.
January 7 Wednesday 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
WARD NIGHT with Alderman Pawar--Jan. 7
47th Ward Alderman's Office, 4243 N. Lincoln Avenue
January 10 Saturday 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
State Rep. Ann Williams' Coffee & Conversation
Mystic Celt, 3443 N. Southport Avenue
January 10 Saturday 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Trivia Night Live, Pilgrim Lutheran School
Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School, 4300 N. Winchester Avenue
January 13 Tuesday 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Property Tax Assessment and Exemptions
Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington Street
January 16 Friday 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Pet Food Distribution
Lincoln Square Friendship Center, 2733 W. Lawrence Avenue
January 16 Friday 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Pet Food Distribution at Friendship Pet Food Pantry
Lincoln Square Friendship Center, 2733 W. Lawrence Avenue
January 20 Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting - Beats 1911 & 1912
Kindred Hospital, 6th Floor, 2544 W. Montrose
January 21 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting - Beats 1921 & 1922
Police Auditorium, 2452 W. Belmont
January 22 Thursday 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Reverse Mortgages: What You Should Know To Make An Informed Decision
Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington Street
January 27 Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting - Beat 2031
Anderson Pavilion, 2751 W. Winona
January 28 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting - Beat 2032
Ravenswood Evangelical Church, 4900 N. Damen
February 4 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting - Beat 2033
Bezazian Library, 1226 W. Ainslie Street
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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