News from the 44th Ward 
 Dear Neighbors,
    
The Chicago Police DUI Strike Force Patrol will be monitoring Lake Shore Drive on Saturday for drunk drivers, speeders and safety-belt violators.  The DUI Strike Force Patrol will begin at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, just as the Chicago Blackhawks game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Soldier Field is ending, and will continue until 4 a.m. Sunday, March 2.  The patrol will extend from 5600 North to 5700 South Lake Shore Drive.  For more information, please click here
  
On Tuesday, I co-sponsored a parent workshop at Hawthorne Scholastic Academy with Dr. Kortney Peagram, who is the owner of Bulldog Solution Inc.; a leading provider in anti-bullying and anti-violence programs in the Midwest. While bullying has been going on for decades, it has evolved over the years with technology and social media. Every day millions of kids and young adults log in to social media networks to share their activities with their friends and acquaintances. For some kids, logging on the computer means facing a virtual form of harassment.  Over half of teens and children have been bullied online, and about the same number have engaged in cyber bullying.  However, over half of young people do not tell their parents when cyberbullying occurs.  Dr. Peagram offered many great preventative and intervention strategies to use with your children at home and tips on monitoring their internet usage . It was a very informative and engaging seminar and I hope to host more like this in the future.  Click here to see a slideshow presentation of the material that was covered and click here to view Dr. Peagram's website
   
My office will be closed on Monday, March 3, in observance of Casimir Pulaski Day. Please note that all City offices will be closed.  We will reopen on Tuesday, March 4.  
 

Have a great weekend!

    

Sincerely, 

 

Alderman Tom Tunney 

New Businesses in the 44th Ward
  
I am proud to welcome these businesses to the 44th Ward.  Stop by and welcome them to the neighborhood! 
  
BIG & little's Restaurant
1034 W. Belmont
(773) 857-6677 
  

Never Mind (Reopened)

925 W. Belmont

(773) 472-4922 

 

Q-BBQ

714 W Diversey Pkwy
773-281-7800

http://www.q-bbq.com/index

 

Urban Meadows Florist

3208 N. Sheffield

(773) 537-3600
  
Potholes
 
  

This winter has been one of the snowiest and coldest on record, and there are many potholes that need to be patched. While my office is surveying the conditions of our streets and reporting potholes daily, we won't always find them all.  When you see a pothole, please report it by calling my office, 3-1-1, or by submitting it online.   The Chicago Department of Transportation uses a temporary 'cold patch' mix to fill all potholes and will make more permanent repairs once the weather warms up. 

 

You can track potholes patched by the Department of Transportation in the last seven days, based on the corresponding 311 service requests.  Please click here for the Pothole Tracker.  When crews respond to a 311 pothole request, they will fill all other potholes on that block.

   
  
ComEd's Residential Hardship Initiative
  

ComEd has dedicated $10 million in assistance funds in 2014 to help customers facing financial hardship pay their electric bill.  Through April 1, 2014 ComEd has adjusted the eligibility requirements for financial assistance programs for eligible residents including seniors, veterans and activated members of the armed services.  In addition, the company is now offering flexible budget billing and flexible deferred payment agreement options to assist customers receiving higher than normal bills in light of the severe cold weather blanketing northern Illinois.

 

To apply for ComEd's Residential Special Hardship grant, or the State sponsored assistance programs, such as LIHEAP, customers should visit a local LIHEAP Agency. For more information on any of ComEd's assistance programs or to enroll in ComEd's bill-payment assistance programs, call 1-888-806-CARE (2273) or visit ComEd.Com/CARE for more information. 

 

 

2014 Voting Information
 
The 2014 primary election is right around the corner on March 18! Polls will be open from 6:00 am-7:00 pm. Please click the link below for more information on early voting, vote by mail and grace period registration and to locate your polling place for the 2014 election:
  
School Street Playlot Status Update
  
The Cubs Charities board has voted and approved the $1 million donation to the School Street Playlot.  This is great news! The park has received three bids for construction costs and they have all come back in a range that was expected. The School Street Playlot Advisory Council (SSPAC)  is hoping to select the contractor and a ground breaking date by the end of March.  This park has been over a decade in the making, and we are very excited that it will be built this summer.  The SPPAC has done an incredible job fundraising and has brought in just under $200,000.  The effort is still going strong so that features the community has asked for such as specialized playground elements, a water feature, custom art and a shade structure are incorporated into the final design.  For more information on fundraising opportunities and how to get involved, please click here.   
  
  
   
  
Lincoln Park Docent Program

 

 

The Lincoln Park Conservancy and Chicago Park District are seeking volunteers to become a docent at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool or the Lincoln Park Conservatory and Gardens.  As a docent, you will give tours to the public on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays to help foster a greater appreciation and understanding of these beautiful Lincoln Park sites. Training begin March 29 and takes place on six Saturday mornings from area experts on horticulture, the art of interpretation, the history of Lincoln Park, animal and plant life, and landscape design. Time commitments vary by park site. This program is for adults 18 and over. For more information, click here.  

  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
February 27, 2014
   
New Businesses in the 44th Ward
Potholes
44th Ward Self Defense Basics Workshop
ComEd's Residential Hardship Initiative
2014 Voting Information
School Street Playlot Update
Giordano's Fundraiser for School Street Playlot
State's Attorney's Panhandling Seminar
Lincoln Park Docent Program



44th Ward Service Office
3223 N. Sheffield Ave.
44thward.org

Office Hours
Monday-Thursday
 8am-6pm
Friday: 8am-5pm
Saturday: 8am-12pm

Contact us:

Phone: 773-525-6034
CAPS Meetings

Beats 1923, 1924 & 1925
Wednesday, March 5
7:-00-8:00 pm
19h District Police Station
850 W. Addison
 
Beat 1933
Tuesday, March 11
6:30-7:00 pm
Illinois Masonic Hospital
836 W. Wellington
  
Beats 1934 & 1935
Thursday, March 20
7:00-8:00 pm
Inn at Lincoln Park
601 W. Diversey
 
 
Upcoming Street Cleaning
  
The 2013 street cleaning schedule has ended for the year.  Streets & Sanitation will continue with street cleaning off schedule until consistent snowfall.  Please pay attention to your vehicle on a regular basis to see the signs.
  
Alderman Tom Tunney - 44th Ward