40th Forward Newsletter
Words from Alderperson Vasquez
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Happy Friday, 40th Ward Neighbors!
Check out your 40th Ward Office Staff!
I will admit, as much as the whole team is doing, it can be a challenge to get everyone together for a team picture, so I just had to share this one. From left to right, we have Angel, Morgan, myself, Deirdre, Pooja, and Jordan - Happy to Serve and Committed to Community! Their roles and contact info are at the bottom of every newsletter, feel free to reach out if we can ever be helpful!
As usual, we have a bunch of news to cover, but I want to make sure that everyone is aware of next week's ward wide meeting!
40th Ward Quarterly Townhall - Next Wednesday, January 25th, we will be holding our Quarterly Townhall at Chicago Waldorf School, located at 5200 N Ashland, from 6-7pm.
We will be covering a variety of topics, and will be ready to answer questions. We look forward to seeing you!
Yours in Service and Community,
Andre Vasquez
Alderperson, 40th Ward
40th Ward Office Hours:
Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 3pm
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City Council Updates
This week, we had our first City Council meeting of 2023. As always, there was plenty to move forward, here are some updates from Wednesday's meeting:
Smart Streets Ordinance Introduction
At Council, Alderperson Vasquez joined Mayor Lightfoot, Alders Reilly, Hopkins, Martin, Villegas and La Spata to introduce the Smarts Streets Ordinance, which establishes a Automated Camera Pilot in the downtown district to enforce the Bike Lane Ordinance our office passed last month! As this pilot is implemented, we will keep our neighbors informed. With the data gathered from the pilot, we will learn how to best expand it city wide, to make the streets safer for our cyclists! You can see a news story regarding the ordinance here.
Resolution Calling for hearing(s) on membership of CPD members to Oath Keeper's organization
Alderperson Vasquez joined Public Safety Committee Chairman Chris Taliaferro in calling for a hearing to investigate CPD Officer's who reportedly have ties to the Oath Keepers, a far-right anti-government organization, whose actions and practices go against the overall mission and vision of the city of Chicago and the Chicago Police Department. Since the group was founded, its members have been involved in a number of violent confrontations with government actors throughout the country dating back to the group's inception; and it was also reported by NPR that as many as 13 active members of the Chicago Police Department were identified as likely matches on the Oath Keepers membership roster. Here is a story regarding the incident that led to this resolution being introduced.
Parental Leave Fairness for City Employees
Also on Wednesday, Alderperson Vasquez joined the Chicago Teachers Union at a press conference calling out Mayor Lightfoot for currently excluding CPS employees from receiving the same 12 week parental leave that is now granted to city employees. Mayor Lightfoot had promised to included CPS staff, only to later deny it.
Chicago Police Department employees have also been denied the 12 week parental leave, so I joined Alderwoman Silvana Tabares and a number of our colleagues in introducing an ordinance that would provide CPD employees with the same parental leave rights that have been granted to other city employees. It is simply unfair to provide anything less than what is provided already to city workers, and a shame that this is something we have to now fight for. Here is a news report covering this story.
Notice of Zoning Change Request
Zoning change requests may be submitted to the City at any time by property owners and/or developers. The 40th Ward is committed to a transparent zoning process that includes a public meeting and feedback period. Holding of a public meeting does not imply support or opposition from the Ward. Alderperson Vasquez does not issue letters of support or opposition until the public process is complete.
Project: 2300 W Ainslie (St. Matthias Rectory Proposed Redevelopment )
Common Address: 2300 W Ainslie
Current Zoning: RS-3 Requested Zoning: RM-4.5
Owner/Developer Requesting Change: CKG Realty Group, LLC
THE PUBLIC MEETING FOR THIS PROPOSAL WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY ON February 2, 2023 7:00pm AT THE FOLLOWING LINK: https://bit.ly/ainslie2300
Building plans and additional info available at: https://40thward.org/currentzoningrequests/
Let Us Know What Needs Repair
Each year, every Ward is allotted $1.5 million of the City’s budget to be used for a “menu” of infrastructure maintenance, projects, and improvements. Neighbors have already voted on where to allocate this money between special projects and ward repairs. Learn more: Participatory Budgeting process and 2023 projects.
Fill out our Menu Repair Form to suggest infrastructure improvements throughout the ward!
Join Weekly Virtual Ward Nights!
Ward Night is held via Zoom every Wednesday night at 5PM! Click Here to Register!
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Winter Parking Bans - Please Read!
The Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) reminds motorists the Chicago winter overnight parking ban begins on Thursday, December 1, 2022, and is in effect through April 1, 2023. The parking ban is enforced regardless of snow on 107 miles of main streets throughout the city during the hours of 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Violators of the parking ban will be towed and face a minimum $150 towing fee, a $60 ticket, and a storage fee of $25 per day. Vehicles in violation of the ban will be towed to Pounds 2 (10301 S. Doty Ave.) or 6 (701 N. Sacramento). Chicagoans can visit chicagoshovels.org or a map of streets impacted by the ban and to view the City’s snow plows in real-time during a storm. Motorists can also call 311 to find out if their vehicle was towed due to the ban.
Improve the CTA
The past year, buses and trains have been running at fractions of their scheduled service, sometimes not at all! If your train is making you miss your job or your bus is running 30 minutes late, visit our page and report it. We'll send your messages directly to the CTA board and hold them accountable for all your lost time.
If you are interested in attending the next CTA Budget hearing please do so by clicking here.
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Listening Session with Commissioner Morita
Join newly elected Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita of the 13th District along with Alderperson Vasquez and others for a listening session at the Croation Cultural Center on Monday, January 30th from 6-7:30p. Register at bit.ly/josinalistening!
Chicago Holiday Tree Recycling
The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS), in partnership with the Chicago Park District, will host the City’s annual Holiday Tree Recycling Program, starting on Saturday, January 7, 2023 and through Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 26 citywide locations. Live and natural holiday trees can be dropped off inside the tree recycling corrals at the designated locations. All ornaments, lights, tinsel, and tree stands must be removed before the tree is dropped off, and plastic bags used for transport should also be removed prior to placing the trees in the corrals. To view all the details in Spanish, click here.
Tree Walk at West Ridge Nature Preserve!
Join TreeKeepers Program Manager Al De Reu and the 40th Ward TreeKeepers for a tree walk at West Ridge Nature Preserve on Saturday, 1/21 from 11AM-12:30PM. Learn about winter ID and discuss trees and Climate Change. Register here: https://www.cervistech.com/acts/console.php?console_id=0254&console_type=event
Little Naturalists at North Park Village Center
First Aid Workshop
Artists with Disabilities Meetup
Join the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and the first Artist-in-Residence for Open Studios, Artist with Disabilities Meetups and Public Programs in the New Year! Events take place monthly through July 2023. To register for the events, click here.
Local School Events
Queen of Angels
St. Philip Lutheran School
 Families Together Cooperative Nursery School
 More information available here.
Events at Budlong Woods Library!
Sundays from 2-4pm and Monday-Wednesday from 3:30-5:30, visit the library for help with homework. Check out the full January calendar below:
 
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Get Vaccinated at Home!
 
 
Resources
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Upcoming Public Safety Events
General Updates
Our 40th Ward officers are present and active in the 17th, 19th, 20th, and 24th Police Districts which is why some of the recent cases have been leading to apprehensions, thanks to the investigatory work and follow up. The current resources are addressing the issues, but by nature, police are reactive, rather than proactive, so we are also looking at violence prevention groups to provide added presence, as well as looking to implement measures that address the activity at its root, such as juvenile intervention and diversion programs, and investments in communities that haven't had it in generations, which ends up creating the environment that leads to more criminal activity citywide.
We are also installing License Plate Reader Cameras in a number of arterial intersections to aid in evidence gathering for investigations, and have recommended that neighbors take advantage of the city's Home and Business Protection Program, which can provide reimbursement for neighbors who want to purchase cameras to also aid in evidence gathering if an incident were to occur. Here is the link for the program: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/cscc/home/home-and-business-protection.html
Because we know neighbors are also concerned about the safety and privacy of the cameras and what they record, we also recommend Eufy as a company to look at for cameras, as it has the most encryption available for the privacy of our neighbors:
https://us.eufy.com/collections/security
We will continue to report out when incidents occur and to work with all public safety stakeholders to make sure that our ward remains one of the safest in the city, and also send stats weekly in our newsletter.
Thank you for your engagement, as we know a connected community is a safer one.
Resources
Find your 40th Ward Beat and CAPS meeting schedule at bit.ly/2022CAPS40
Chicago Police Department Links for 40th Ward Residents:17th District Home Page , 19th District Home Page, 20th
District Home Page , 24th District Home Page
Find my police district - https://operations.chicagopolice.org/FindMyDistrict
Violence and Victimization Trends
Data from the last 28 Days via the City's Violence Reduction Dashboard.
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DACA Scholarship and Legal Clinic
New Climate Infrastructure Fund for Nonprofit Organizations and Small Businesses
Learn about this new grant opportunity aimed at catalyzing climate action across Chicago by nonprofit organizations and small businesses. In partnership with the Department of Planning and Development’s Chicago Recovery Plan Initiative, the newly established Climate Infrastructure Fund will provide funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements in buildings, support the purchase of electric vehicles and installation of electric vehicle charging stations, and enable green infrastructure solutions to capture stormwater and reduce onsite flooding. Applications will be scored on criteria related to climate mitigation and resilience factors, equity impact, and project readiness.
Applications are due by February 24th, 2023.
Rental Assistance Applications Open
Apply here: chicago.gov/fss/RAP
CTA Red Line Extension
Mortgage Assistance Applications
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced the
Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) is now open to support qualified
homeowners who need help with past-due mortgage payments and related expenses due
to financial hardships associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting today, eligible
households may apply for grants of up to $60,000 for past-due mortgage payments,
property taxes, property insurance and homeowner and/or condo association fees.
Applications will be accepted at www.illinoishousinghelp.org until 11:59 p.m. on
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.
Small Business Improvement Fund Rollout
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CTA Bus Operator Job Fair
IBEW Apprenticeship
Greencorps Chicago is Recruiting!
Greencorps Chicago is the City of Chicago’s green industry job training program for individuals with barriers to employment. Greencorps Chicago is currently recruiting potential candidates for this year’s Employment & Training Program. More information and how to apply can be found here.
During the ten-month program, Greencorps Chicago trainees earn a starting wage of $18.50. Greencorps Chicago trainees receive practical experience, professional development, and classroom & field training in a variety of environmentally-related jobs with skills that are easily transferable to other industries. Trainees are offered a number of professional certifications including Defensive Driving, First Aid/CPR, HAZWOPER, OSHA 10-Hour Safety, Chicago Wilderness Prescription Burn Class, and the Illinois Pesticide license. Throughout the program, trainees are supported with wrap-around social services, a stable income, and assistance finding full time employment upon completion of the program.
For more info, please see: https://greencorpschicago.org/how-to-apply/.
CPS is Hiring!
 
Support our local businesses!
Learn more about the 40th Ward's Chambers of Commerce and their upcoming events by clicking on the links below:
Andersonville Chamber of Commerce
Edgewater Chamber of Commerce
Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce
Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce
Rogers Park Business Alliance
West Ridge Chamber of Commerce
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Join Shovel Squad and Help Your Neighbors
Shovel Squad is a successful program where volunteers shovel sidewalks for neighbors who are physically unable to.
The 40th Ward will dispatch shoveling volunteers ONLY when:
• Snowfall is 2 inches or more, or
• When conditions are particularly treacherous
We are looking for volunteers who are available to shovel one house all season (every time snowfall is 2 inches+, every time conditions are treacherous)-- please sign up to volunteer if you plan on being in Chicago the majority of the winter.
If you are seeking assistance we will connect you with a volunteer via email or phone. You will be connected with this person the entire season. Please fill out this form and indicate if you’ll need assistance or are looking to volunteer https://airtable.com/shrdHyQaZNpThq1N8. We can not guarantee that there will be enough volunteers so if we are unable to pair someone who needs assistance we will try our best to send folks from the office to shovel for you. This is to say, please only sign up if you do not have any other way to remove snow
Join the Youth Board!
Volunteer with the 40th Ward Office
Seeking Front Desk Volunteers - Office volunteers provide valuable constituent service assistance for 40th Ward residents who call and visit during regular hours. Shifts are 2-3 hours. This is an ideal opportunity for someone seeking a regular volunteer commitment. Please note, volunteers must be fully vaccinated and be comfortable wearing a mask indoors. Email morgan@40thward.org to learn more.
Stay connected through Slack! If you haven't already done so, please join the Neighbor Network Slack group by clicking here. The 40th Ward office uses slack to post messages about ward happenings and volunteer opportunities. New to Slack? Get more information on how to use the platform here.
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Closing out the week with another picture of our dedicated and friendly staff! Come meet Jordan, Angel, Morgan, Deirdre, and Pooja at our upcoming Town Hall on 6PM January 25th at Chicago Waldorf School. Ask us questions and learn more about ward resources, plus you can wish Jordan a happy birthday!
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Row by Row from Left to Right: Alderperson Andre Vasquez, Deirdre O'Connor, Pooja Ravindran, Morgan Madderom, Bill Hohenadel, Jordan Dubin, and Angel Rubi Navarijo
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Pooja Ravindran, Chief of Staff
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