June 29, 2012

City Council Update

Fines for Marijuana Ordinance
I voted in support of an ordinance that would allow Chicago Police to issue tickets for marijuana possession. I supported this measure because I believe it is a new tool that will help reduce drug and gang activity in our communities. It was shown that 9 out of 10 arrests for marijuana possession are thrown out, meaning that there is currently no disincentive. This measure will hit drug dealers and possessors in their pocket books. If someone is found on school property, park property or smoking the substance, they will be arrested. While I supported this measure, I will be closely monitoring how it is implemented within our ward. Honoring Rickover

JROTC Students
This week in City Council, I co-sponsored a resolution to recognize the 2012 JROTC awardees. The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (Junior ROTC) is a program sponsored by the United States Armed Services in high schools across the country to train high school students in leadership, character education and military sciences. One of the greatest distinctions that a Junior ROTC cadet can achieve is to serve on the elite, citywide Junior ROTC City Corps Staff. This year, twenty students from nine Chicago Public High Schools. Among those recognized at City Council, four attended our very own Rickover Naval Academy: Elizabeth Akinbusuyi (City Corps Staff), Marcus Guerra (City Corp Staff, Accepted to The University of Chicago), Sebastian Rodriguez (Accepted to NROTC Northwestern University), and Axel Sierra (Accepted to SROTC University of Illinois at Chicago).

Honoring TPAN’s Annual Ride for AIDS
I co-sponsored a resolution to celebrate the cyclists of Ride for AIDS Chicago. Ride for AIDS Chicago is a yearly two-day, 200 mile bicycling fundraising event produced by TPAN (Test Positive Aware Network) in which 100% of the money raised goes to charity. TPAN’s office is located just next to ours on Broadway and they are now celebrating 25 of service to the HIV community in Chicago. It’s not too late to get involved! Click here for their website.

Education and Summer Programs Update

Summer Book Drive
Help us keep kids reading this summer! 48th ward is sponsoring a summer book drive to support our local summer camps and schools.
Please drop off GENTLY used children’s books at our office, 5533 N. Broadway. We will run this drive through the end of the summer so stop by whenever is convenient! Click here for the flyer.

Kidsmobile Program
The Kidsmobile will be at Cedar Playlot (5311 N. Winthrop Ave) on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm though August 8. This is a free drop in program, where children and their caregivers can take part in literacy, art and movement activities.

Planet Pre-School
“Planet Pre-School” is an innovative program that utilizes the irresistible power of the creative arts to give children ages 3-5 the fundamental tools they’ll need to become successful in early academic life. They will learn critical thinking while they play in the puzzle zone, shop at the market, or cook in the kitchen! Dancing and movement introduces physical fitness, while planting a garden and tending to pets helps them learn responsibility. It’s a busy, fun-filled planet! Cost: $144 for 8 weeks. Contact Justin Ostergaard at (773) 761-0376 if you’re interested. 

Volunteers Needed at Kegs for Kids
Kegs for Kids is a fundraiser for Helen C. Peirce Elementary School at Hopleaf Bar in September. They could use an extra set of hands in almost all areas of the fundraiser, both planning and the night of. Click here if you’re interested in helping out!

Construction Update

Glenwood Watermain Project
Thursday 6/28/12
Crew continues to transfer individual water services from old main to new main, crossing Berwyn from the north. Crew washes street to help control dust.
Friday 6/29/12
Crew continues to transfer individual water services from old main to new main between Berwyn and Farragut.
Monday 7/2/12 – Friday 7/6/12
Crew continues to transfer individual water services from old main to new main. Final connections at cross streets may begin on Friday 7/6/12 or during the following week of 7/2/12. 
Progress to-date:
Main-line water main is approximately 98% complete as of Friday 6/29/12.
Service transfers are in progress
Project is approximately 70% complete.
Remaining work:
Complete remaining service transfers
Complete 4 final connections and 1 connection abandonment (at Foster)
Remove old hydrants and mobilize equipment and materials to next project
Street and parkway restoration

Broadway Watermain Project
The contractor will be between Catalpa and Balmoral installing new water main. No parking signs will be removed from Bryn Mawr to Catalpa by the end of the day on Friday.
No parking signs (both sides of the street) have been posted from Catalpa to Balmoral, they are in effect only during working hours.