Weekly Update from Your AldermanView this email in your browser |
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December 11, 2020 Dear Neighbor, Happy Hanukkah to all of our neighbors who celebrate. The holiday began last night at sundown, and I wish a joyful and healthy holiday to all. If you are looking for a way to celebrate in community while staying at home, click here to register for Emanuel Congregation’s celebration this Saturday evening. Earlier this week Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CDPH Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady announced plans for the City of Chicago to begin distributing COVID-19 vaccines to frontline health workers as soon as next week. The City will continue to receive weekly supplies of vaccines, with the goal of having all adults in Chicago vaccinated by the end of 2021. For more details, visit chicago.gov/covidvax. Click here to watch Wednesday’s address from the Mayor and Commissioner regarding plans for vaccine distribution. While we are in the winter holiday season, I encourage you to follow the recommendations of public health officials at the City, State, and National level. Please consider celebrating virtually this year, and only in-person with those in your household. Chicago is just starting now to see a spike in COVID-19 positivity rates, likely due to Thanksgiving celebrations. This has been a year of sacrifice in many ways. While it may seem difficult to call off your plans to travel to family this year, it can also be viewed as the easy choice to the save the lives of others. The United States is approaching 300,000 deaths due to COVID, and we are seeing daily rates of deaths near the same level as the lives we lost during the September 11, 2001 attacks. Each person lost is someone’s family member, friend, neighbor, and loved one. Please consider this holiday season how your choices will have a ripple effect through our community, city, county, state, and country. If you do decide to travel, please review the resources below:Latest guidelines of the City of Chicago Emergency Travel OrderCDC guidelines on safe protocols for travelingInteractive map of COVID-19 testing sites in ChicagoIn addition to physical health, we must also find ways to care for our mental health and that of our loved ones. The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce hosted an event earlier this week in partnership with Swedish Hospital about how to manage stress and anxiety during this difficult time. Click here to view the recording of the session. Be sure to check in on neighbors, friends, and family members to stay connected during this time of extended isolation. For additional mental health resources available at no cost, click here. ![]() In the spirit of supporting our local businesses and staying home, the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce has shifted their traditional “Late Night Andersonville” events to Late Night Pick It Up In Your PJs Curbside Pickup Fridays! Many Andersonville businesses are offering special discounts for Friday night shoppers using the coupon code “AlwaysAndersonville”. Click here for more information on participating businesses. Committee on Housing and Real Estate UpdatesARO Pilot Extensions On Tuesday, the Committee on Housing and Real Estate held its final meeting for the year. The Committee passed an ordinance allowing for a six-month extension of three ARO (affordable requirements ordinance) pilot areas: Near West, Near North, and Milwaukee. Slated to sunset at the end of 2020, these extensions will ensure the pilot areas continue while the City enters the final stages of revising the ARO. An ordinance revising the ARO and introducing Inclusionary Housing policies will be introduced in 2021, and I will share more information on the draft ordinance, committee hearings, and more in the new year. Please contact Sara.Dinges@cityofchicago.org if you have any questions.ADU (Additional Dwelling Unit) Ordinance Update A joint meeting of the Committee on Housing and Real Estate and the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards is planned for Tuesday, December 15, 2pm, to hear the revised ADU ordinance. If passed in Committee, it will go to City Council the next day, Wednesday, December 16, 10am, which is the final city council meeting of the year. If approved, the substitute ordinance would create a geographic pilot for the creation of ADUs in five areas of the City starting May 1, 2021. The ordinance is designed to promote the establishment of new residential units within the existing neighborhood fabric. Some of these residential units will be mandated to be affordable, and all of them will increase the supply of housing while maintaining neighborhood character through “gentle” density. The 48th Ward is included in the “North area,” covering parts of West Ridge, Edgewater, Uptown, Lake View, North Center, and Lincoln Square community areas. Residents and other stakeholders are welcome to comment on the ordinance during the public comment portion of the Joint Committee Meeting of Housing and Real Estate and Zoning, scheduled for December 15, 2020 at 2pm and the December City Council Meeting, December 16 at 10am. Click here for information on participating in Public Comment.While we look for ways to support our neighbors during the holiday season and during the pandemic, consider donating to the Swift School Solidarity Fund. All proceeds donated to this fund will benefit families in need through direct cash assistance that the families can use at their discretion. For more information on how you can support this effort, see below. ![]() Have a peaceful weekend. Sincerely, Harry Osterman Alderman, 48th WardSign the COVID Safety Promise ![]() https://www.northshore.org/covid-19-information-resources/covid-19-safety-toolkit/ ![]() Together We Heal (TWH) is a multifaceted approach to advance racial healing and transformation in Chicago. This organization supports healing in communities, leads public, collective discussions and reckonings, and drives organizational change efforts toward advancing racial equity in City policies, practices, and programs. TWH is launching a campaign aimed at building racial healing across Chicago. The goal is for every Chicagoan to do their part to foster racial healing, learning, and restoration in every neighborhood across our City. Find three ways to get started by visiting the TWH website. We will share more information on 48th Ward efforts with the Together We Heal initiative and ways to connect locally.Peoples Gas Project Update (ENN and NEON Block Club areas)Magnolia All signs are coming down today & parking is available as normal. All sidewalk spot holes should have been covered with plates. In a few weeks, No Parking signs will go back up and the individual service transfers will begin. Lakewood There will be work done near the intersection of Devon & Lakewood on Monday. Most signs will be removed today with the remaining signs removed by no later than this coming Tuesday, 12/15. All sidewalk spot holes should have been covered with plates. In a few weeks, No Parking signs will go back up and the individual service transfers will begin. Wayne No Parking signs will be posted today/Monday for the west side of the street & both sides at the north end. Crews will begin with sidewalk spot holes starting next week. The inspector on site will continue to work with residents if there are any conflicts. Highland & Greenview Sewer work has begun & continues in anticipation of coming gas work. If there are any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Field Coordinator Norma Acevdo at 773/ 574-6060. ![]() ![]() Thank you for helping us collect gifts to be distributed to families on Chicago’s Northside who can use some extra support this holiday season. We need gifts for boys and girls ranging from newborn to 16 years old. Gift donations should not be wrapped…. we love to wrap! Items can be ordered online and shipped directly to arrive before December 15th. Please email Lbdfa@hotmail.com for shipping address. Drop-off Locations and Times – Wearing a Masks is Required:ONE Northside Office 4648 N Racine Saturday, December 12, 11:00am -1:00pm*CP4P Office 6415 N Ravenswood Saturday, December 12, 2:00pm – 4:00pm**Offices are closed and will only be open for drop-off during the above designated hours. Thank you for your generosity and helping to make sure kids have a joyous holiday. Public Safety Update “Ask CPD” Digital Public Awareness Campaign This campaign serves to provide residents throughout the City with the opportunity to question CPD on policies and practices, and its impact on their civil rights. Residents from many neighborhoods played active roles in identifying the topics, policies and questions that are being addressed as part of the campaign. To learn more about the public awareness campaign visit Twitter: https://twitter.com/CPDReform/status/1328367225514856448 and/or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thechicagosuntimes/posts/10157196331680834 Package Theft Alert During the holidays due to an increase in online shopping, there is an uptick in package thefts. Protect your property using an authorized second party package drop off service. Or make special arrangements to be home on the day of deliveries. If you’re not home, have your packages delivered to your place of work or to a friend or neighbor who is home. View the attached flyer for more information. Bicycle Theft Prevention With the cold weather upon us, we understand some neighbors plan on storing or locking their bicycles some place safely. In doing this, we ask that you take these precautionary steps. First, record the serial number and take a picture of your bicycle. Second, always lock your bike’s frame and wheels with a lock. Third, remove all detachable items on the bicycle and if possible lock the bike to a bike rack. Please click on this link to learn about more bicycle theft prevention tips.Chicago Police Department Use of Force Policies As part of the Department’s latest community engagement effort, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) has launched 10 draft use of force policies, and is asking all residents to review these policies. Members of the public have until December 19, 2020, to comment and review on the following policies:De-escalation, Response to Resistance, and Use of Force Response to Resistance and Force Options Incidents Requiring Completion of a Tactical Response Report Firearm Discharge Incidents – Authorized Use and Post-Discharge Administrative Procedures Taser Use Incidents Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Devices and Other Chemical Agent Use Incidents Canine Use Incidents Baton Use Incidents Department Review Use of Force Firearm Discharge and Officer-Involved Death Incident Response Small Business Support from Com Ed Com Ed has created a new program to help small businesses, offering $1.5 million in financial assistance for one-time grants to cover 30 percent of past-due balances – up to $1,000 – and, for eligible small-business customers, a new flexible-payment option. These programs are available for a limited time, so any small business customer experiencing a financial hardship should contact ComEd immediately at 1-800-334-7661 (1-800-EDISON-1), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to learn more about their assistance options and enroll in these or any of ComEd’s bill-assistance programs. Click here for eligibility Find more information here Get an Early Look at Next Year’s Property Taxes Next year’s First Installment Cook County property tax bills are available at cookcountytreasurer.com so property owners can make payments before the end of this year or plan their finances for 2021. Follow these steps to download your tax bill or make a payment:Select the blue box labeled “Pay Online for Free”Enter your address or 14-digit Property Index Number (PIN)There is no fee if you pay from your bank accountThe Treasurer’s Office accepts partial payments. However, all First Installment Tax Year 2020 taxes must be paid by May 3, 2021, to avoid a late charge of 1.5 percent per month mandated by Illinois law. You can also use http://cookcountytreasurer.com to:Search $76 million available in refundsCheck if you are missing out on $46 million in property tax exemptions, which lower your tax billRead the Pappas Study, a 20-year history of Cook County property taxes ![]() Click here for all available opportunities with the CTA. ![]() Donate here ![]() During this season of giving, Territory is asking for your support moving “forward to normal” in 2021. Make a donation to help Territory build on these remarkable achievements under Covid:Program staff and youth leaders did 180-degree pivot and designed online programming reflecting the needs of teens living through Covid24 teens from Chicago’s Austin neighborhood came to Territory because they wanted to be in a place where they could have a positive impactThe Territory community came together to address the systemic “digital divide” impacting teens in the Austin community – you donated to ensure that all teens had the tech they need to show up online.Please support young designers today with a gift to Territory.Swift School Solidarity Fund Click here to donate ![]() Drop off new and unwrapped toys (no stuffed animals) to the 20th District located at 5400 N Lincoln in the drop off box. Drop off any donations by December 20. Wildcat Roaring Races Wildcat Roaring Races is Northside Catholic Academy’s virtual fundraiser, which benefits the students at NCA. The races are held, and the prizes are posted on the Wildcat Roaring Races Facebook group for anyone to win. You will have a 1-25 chance to win every race you enter. There are lots of GREAT prizes posted every week!Here’s how it works; items are posted with a picture, description, and line price in the Wildcat Roaring Races Facebook group. If you are interested, you will click on the link provided, and the link will direct you to order and pay for your races. Races are hosted via Facebook Live in the Facebook group on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm. ALL ARE WELCOMED! Please invite your family and friends to join our private Facebook group. Don’t miss out on this fun opportunity to win a variety of prizes!Please click the link below to join our Wildcat Roaring Races Facebook group today!https://www.facebook.com/groups/wildcatsroaringraces ![]() December 16, 5pm – 6:30pm All high school juniors and seniors are invited! If you are interested in hearing about career fields in the commercial real estate industry, join CPD Office of Community Policing and Building Owners and Managers Association for this virtual career career fair. During this event, you will have the opportunity to chat directly with some of Chicago’s Premmire Commercial Real Estate pr Register in advance for this Zoom meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for how to join the meeting. Berger Park Holiday Story WritingHey kids! Write a holiday story and share with the folks at Berger Park, and they will share them with our community! Submissions are due December 18, and should be sent to kristen.rezny@chicagoparkdistrict.com. Stories will be shared on our social media pages.48th Ward Youth Council ![]() ![]() Get in the holiday spirit and enjoy a free dance show perfect for all ages right from the comfort of your own home! Plan a family movie night and see hip hop, jazz, musical theater dances and more. Email lauren@guslegacy.org for the free show link. Donations will be accepted. Happy holidays from GUS Legacy! ![]() ![]() December 13, 2pm ![]() Click here to registerAndersonville at Home for the Holidays: A Virtual Variety Show Sunday, December 13, 7pm ![]() The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present this virtual show. This variety show highlights include a virtual tree lighting; a message from Santa sponsored by Urban Pooch; performances by Cezanne Fink, Dance Loud, Defloured: A Gluten-Free Bakery, Gus Giordano Dance School, Hell in a Handbag Productions, Kimberly Lawson, Laura Doherty, Meghan “Big Red” Murphy, PlayMakers Laboratory, Rendezvous Brass Band, Senn High School and Walker; recipes for Glogg from Simon’s Tavern and an apple cider bourbon cocktail from A Full Living; plus special appearances, holiday greetings and more from Andersonville’s three aldermen, the Chamber staff and the neighborhood’s many small businesses and local residents.For the full line-up, visit Andersonville at Home for the Holidays event page.Winter Warmth in Uptown December 4th – 31st Click here for full details! WINTER WARMTH IN UPTOWN starts this Friday, December 4th! Throughout December, the Uptown Chamber of Commerce is giving Uptown the gift of warmth in 2 ways: 1) Wilson Avenue will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland featuring sparkle and shine hanging from trees and motivational messages popping up along the street—all to keep visitors and local businesses glowing throughout the holiday season. 2) Help us spread the warmth each week throughout December by shopping locally, carrying out, and giving back. Share and tag your photos on social media and/or submit receipts of ANY local Uptown business for your chance to win weekly prize packages valued at $100 per week from local businesses and our Grand Prize Package worth over $250! Full details at exploreuptown.org/winterwarmth. Together we can warm our hearts while keeping Uptown diverse, vibrant, and thriving. Swedish American Museum EventsPersonal Shopping for the Holiday Season (online or in person) ![]() You can schedule an in person shopping event through our website. Your party of maximum three people will be able to enter the Store during this time. If you prefer to shop from the comfort of your home you can fill out our online form. We will either pick out items for you or we will set up a Zoom or FaceTime call with someone in the Store. Find more information here. Fa la la la Fridays Friday, December 11 & 18 Use code “AlwaysAndersonville” to get…15% off online orders (for shipping or curbside pick-up)20% off Christmas orders from our catalog or holiday store Breakfast with Tomten Saturday, December 12 ![]() Small Portion Serves 2- $15 for members, $20 for non-members Medium Portion Serves 4- $25 for members, $30 for non-members Large Portion Serves 6- $30 for members, $35 for non-membersActivity Box ($5) includes materials and instructions for 3 crafts, an activity book, crayons and a goody bag. Purchase of activity box also comes with a private reservation for your family to meet with Tomten later that day via Zoom. Place your orders here. Christmas Crafts Wednesday, December 16, 6pm ![]() Gingerbread House Decorating Kit ![]() Why not pick up a ready baked gingerbread house for decorations. Kit includes assembled house, icing and candy. Cost is $30.Order by Monday, Dec. 14, 6 p.m. for pick-up on Thursday, Dec. 17 and Friday, Dec. 18. Swedish Christmas Cookie Class Sunday, December 21, 10am – 12pm Register here ![]() One of the participants of the Swedish Christmas Cookie Class will receive a gingerbread house decoration kit. The drawing will be held during this event. That’s Weird, Grandma: House Par-Tay December 7 – 28 Mondays at 8pm ![]() The December line-up will feature special appearances by former PlayMakers Laboratory company members along with your current favorites. Now in its 19th year, That’s Weird, Grandma features adaptations of stories written during PlayMakers Laboratory’s creative writing residencies in Chicago elementary schools. PML’s ensemble of professional actors, comedians and musicians bring the young authors’ stories to life as raucous sketches, songs and movement pieces, performing first for students in their schools and then for the public. These stories – from hilarious dialogues between unlikely characters to poignant pleas for social change – resonate with adults while celebrating the imaginations of young people. Holiday Performance Schedule: Monday, December 7 – Happy Holidays Part I Monday, December 14 – Happy Holidays Part II Monday, December 21 – Happy Holidays Part III Monday, December 28 – New Year’s Celebration That’s Weird, Grandma: House Par-Tay includes stories from PML’s “Submit Your Story Challenge,” which encourages students from across the nation to submit stories from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit playmakerslab.org/education Andersonville Chamber of Commerce Highlights COVID-Friendly Shopping and Dining Offers This December to Support Local BusinessesLate Night Andersonville: Fa la la la Fridays December 11 & 18 The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is encouraging shoppers to stay home and shop online (pajamas encouraged!) for the Late Night Andersonville Shopping Series this season. Late Night Andersonville: Fa la la la Fridays will be held for four consecutive Friday evenings starting Friday, November 27 (Black Friday). Participating retailers will all use a consistent promotional code AlwaysAndersonville to grant shoppers access to deals, discounts and offers online between a certain time window each Friday. More information will be posted on the Late Night Andersonville event page, including retailer offers, as it becomes available. Late Night Andersonville: Curbside Pick-Up in PJs December 11 As a continuation of the Late Night Andersonville series, many Andersonville retailers will keep their shops open later, until at least 6 pm or 7 pm, on four nights throughout December specifically for order-ahead curbside pick-up. Skip the shop-in-person social distancing lines, order online during Fa La La La Fridays and pick-up your gifts, all in one trip to the neighborhood! For additional details and pick-up times, visit the Late Night Andersonville event page. Find a 2020 Andersonville Holiday Gift Guide here Click here for information about meals, treats, spirits, and catering in AndersonvilleTasting India – Delicacies of Tangra The brainchild of the Hakka Chinese community who settled in Kolkata nearly 250 years ago – Indian Chinese cuisine is almost a religion on its own. Synonymous with Indian Chinese cuisine is Tangra, meaning tannery in Bengali. The Hakka immigrants worked in Tanneries in Kolkata and opened small food establishments to cater to other tannery workers. Soon, locals started to visit these food establishments and the cooks began to “spice” up the dishes to cater to the Indian palette: upping the heat, adding more Ginger and Garlic, using more Indian produce and offering a myriad of Vegetarian options. Arguably one of the best inventions by the Hakkas is Schezwan sauce. An Indian pronunciation of “Sichuan”—this is a sauce made from onions, ginger, garlic, and chilies with a peculiar Indian-ish taste and it’s so good on literally anything! Back to the Hakkas though… after the 1962 Indo-Sino war, many tanneries closed down and thus was born India’s first and only China Town! After seeing the popularity of their morphed recipes, many tanneries turned into restaurants and other dishes were created exclusively to please Indian tastes: Manchurian, Hakka Noodles and Chopsuey are other popular creations. I’m incredibly excited to cook this menu for you. I grew up on Manchurian and Schezwan sauce and miss it terribly. I’ve received so many requests for this menu that it’s sure to sell out fast! So order up and prepare for you’re tastebuds to be tickled! Form goes live Sat 12/5 at 6 pm! Link to order: https://linktr.ee/Tasting_IndiaCOVID-19 ResourcesChicago Department of Public Health COVID-19 page (Comprehensive information, one-stop shop) 48th Ward COVID19 Resource Guide Small Business Resources, for Business Owners, Employees, & Consumers – Chicago BACP Small Business Resources – Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity Guidance: What to do when COVID-19 Has Been in Your Establishment Guidance for Older Adults & Others with High Risk Cook County Health Guide to Walking & Biking Cook County Health Transit Guide48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman*We are operating remotely* Ward Office City Hall Office 5533 N. Broadway, 121 N. LaSalle Room 300, Chicago, IL 60640 Chicago, IL 60602 773-784-5277 312-744-6860 Office hours: Monday-Friday 9 am – 5 pm; Evening hours available by appointment www.48thward.org |
Copyright © 2020 Harry Osterman – 48th Ward Alderman, All rights reserved. |