I want to thank all of the Senn and Notre Dame High School students and community volunteers who came out for our Beach Clean-Up last weekend, held in partnership with ASCO and the Great Lakes Alliance.
On Tuesday, I sent out a public safety update following a shooting that took place Monday evening. This upcoming Monday, my office is hosting a public safety meeting to address safety concerns around the Bryn Mawr area. We will meet at 6:00pm at the Edgewater Presbyterian Church (1020 W. Bryn Mawr) and all are welcome. Following this meeting there will be a Pan Handling Seminar hosted by the Northside Community Justice Center.Click here for the flyer. Please see this week’s “Public Safety Update” for more information on safety initiatives.
This upcoming Wednesday, September 26, I will be at theAndersonville Farmer’s Market from 3pm – 7pm. Please stop by to share any questions, ideas or concerns you have – or just to say hello. Also, feel free to bring service requests with you as my staff will be collecting them on-site.
Finally, we will be hosting our first-ever 48th Ward School Fair on Saturday, October 6. Please see this week’s “Education Update” for more details. On Wednesday, the strike concluded and students went back to school. Click here to read the announcement. Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union are still negotiating a final contract and have communicated that an agreement could be reached in the next few weeks.
Public Safety Update
On Tuesday, I sent out a public safety update following a homicide that took place on Monday evening. Many of you responded to share your concerns about safety. If you would like to get more involved, the next 48th Ward Public Safety committee meeting will be held Monday, October 1 at the Broadway Armory (5917 N. Broadway) at 7:00pm. Email Jared@48thward.org with questions.
In response to Monday’s homicide, I reached out to Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy to request additional resources targeting gang-related illegal activity occuring in our community. Commander Moy of the 20th District has informed me that additional units have been detailed to our community to address the gang activity and that area detectives are currently investigating leads in the homicide case.
Additionally, I have taken measures to enhance the infrastructure in this area to improve public safety. The streets listed below will receive new residential lighting that will better illuminate the entire block and will be installed by the City in spring 2013.
Winthrop
-Bryn Mawr to Catalpa
-Balmoral to Catalpa
-Berwyn to BalmoralKenmore
-Foster to Berwyn
-Bryn Mawr to Hollywood
-Hollywood to Ardmore
-Thorndale to Glenlake
-Glenlake to Granville
Rosemont
Broadway to Glenwood
I have also requested police “POD” cameras at the following intersections to be installed before the end of the fall season. These cameras will be coordinated with the Office of Emergency Management Communications (Chicago’s 911 center) who will be able to use these cameras in real-time when responding to calls in the area.
- Glenlake & Kenmore
-Hollywood & Kenmore
-Argyle & Kenmore
Court Advocates
Thank you to the12 neighbors, business owners and property managers that joined my staff as court advocates yesterday. We advocated on behalf of two Bryn Mawr property and business owners that were involved in altercations on the block. Our presence was noticed by the judge during these cases and we feel that it helped when deciding the outcome of these cases. This Court Advocates initiative has been proven successful in court cases to favor the community and ensures that the courts are aware that these cases greatly impact our neighborhood. If you are interested in volunteering as a Court Advocate, please email Jared@48thward.org.
Ward Update
CTA Announces Public Art for 48th Ward Red Line Stations
The CTA Art Group announced their plan to request proposals from artists who wish to submit their work for consideration to be installed inside of the seven (7) newly upgraded El stations (Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, Thorndale, Granville, Morse, and Jarvis). Over 30 members of the community attended the meeting where an overview of the project was presented. Written questions about the RFP will be accepted until midnight on September 24,2012, and the deadline for proposal submissions is October 10, 2012. Click here for details and website links.
Open 311 System Announced
Mayor Emanuel has announced a new Open 311 system, which offers unprecedented transparency for the public to track the progress of service requests. The system will include a new service request tool, new service tracker tool, and an improved ChiTEXT tool. Currently 40% of all submitted service requests are duplicates. Using new digital tools to submit and track these requests will improve efficiency. Additionally, this new tool will empower developers to build applications that create innovative new ways to empower the public. My office will share more information on the roll-out of this system as it comes in. Chicagoans can use the new tool by visitingwww.cityofchicago.org/311.
Chicago meets Copenhagen at the Hopleaf
On October 4, park your bike at the Hopleaf’s brand new bike corral and join Active Trans, Ald. Harry Osterman and Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th Ward) for a very special evening to celebrate an exciting year for biking in Chicago.
Earlier this year, the Bikes Belong Foundation took Aldermen Osterman to Copenhagen to see how one of the world’s most bicycle-friendly cities works. The aldermen will share a presentation with some of their observations and photos from their trip.
Thursday, October 4, 7-9pm
Hopleaf (upstairs bar), 5148 N. Clark St., Chicago
Free and open to all. No RSVP or bicycle necessary.
Free Flu Shots
On Wednesday, October 3 from 9am – 3pm, the 48th Ward will host its annual Flu Shots Clinic at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway Anyone 6 months of age or older can get the vaccine; no registration is necessary. If you have a Medicare/Medicaid card, please bring it. For more information, please contact Ginger Williams at 773-784-5277 or Ginger@48thward.org or click here.
Education Update
48th Ward School Fair
Join Alderman Harry Osterman and the 48th Ward Education Committee for the first-ever local school fair Saturday, October 6 from 10:00am – 12:00pm at the Broadway Armory (5917 N. Broadway). The school fair will highlight 48th ward public and private schools, and will give parents an opportunity to learn more about local school offerings. Both elementary and high schools will be represented. Contact Karen Dreyfuss at 773-784-5277 or
Karen@48thward.org with questions.
Volunteers needed for Senn Sophomore Success Project
Join Senn HS Principal Lofton on Thursday, October 4 to discuss the new ”Sophomore Success” project. The meeting will take place at Senn (5900 N. Glenwood) in Rm. 180. This project is envisioned as a way to keep Senn sophomores engaged in learning and focusing on a future career. Principal Lofton is looking for volunteers to talk to sophomores about what they do in their jobs and what could prepare them for such a career. Volunteers will to help perform mock interviews, so that students recognize what the real world looks for, and college practice interviews, so that students know what they need to shore up their college application and personal essays.
Volunteer Opportunities at Senn High School
Community members interested in volunteering at Senn High School should visit the Community Page on Senn’s website. It details current volunteer opportunities (tutoring and mentoring) and future ways to get involved with the school. Informative emails will be distributed from this new website feature so please join the email list if you are interested. Click here for more information. To sign up for the Senn Volunteer email list, click on the green Email Lists button on the upper right and then the yellow Subscribe button and create an account.
Construction Update
CTA Construction
There will be full street closures from Broadway to Winthrop this weekend on Thorndale, Argyle and Berwyn. The street will be closed to auto traffic. Please plan ahead when using these streets. Pedestrian access will remain open. The Thorndale station will re-open next Friday, September 28 at midnight. The Argyle station is scheduled to re-open Friday, October 5 at midnight. Please contact Sara Dinges at 773-784-5277 orSara@48thward.org with any questions.
Kenmore Water Main Project
A water main improvement project is scheduled to being on/around October 1, 2012 on North Kenmore from Granville to Thorndale. Please join the 48th ward office for a community meeting on Monday, September 24 at 6:00pm at the Church of the Atonement (5749 N. Kenmore Ave.) to discuss this project. Representatives from the Dept. of Water Management will be present to answer any questions.
Sheridan Rd. Resurfacing
Sheridan Rd. from Catalpa to Hollywood is being resurfaced by CDOT this month. CDOT will be completing the resurfacing project by early next week.
Edgewater Library
The following is the Edgewater Library construction update as of Sept 20, 2012:
Completed:
· Placed roof deck topping slab concrete (9/14/12).
· Masonry CMU walls (9/14/12))
· Received CDOT permit to do the alley repaving work (9/17/12)
In Progress:
· Cast Stone / Brick veneer – North Elevation (5% complete)
· Insulation & vapor barrier for Slab on Grade (55% complete)
· Flashing & Air Barrier for CMU (30% complete)
· Mechanical Room rough-in & final layout (Bulletin 15)
· 1st floor slab on grade reinforcing and radiant tubing (40% complete)
· Insulation & vapor barrier for Slab on Grade (85% complete)
· Coordination the North half of the alley closure with the Alderman’s office and the neighborhood. Closure begins Oct 1, 2012 and is scheduled to reopen on or before Oct 31, 2012.
Rosemont and Glenwood Sewer Project
The sewer project work continues on Glenwood and Greenview at Rosemont. Flatwork and curb work is almost completed. Milling should begin next week, weather permitting , and resurfacing and restoration to follow.
Broadway Water Main Project
Phase 1 of the Broadway water main project is completed (BrynMawr to Ardmore) and Phase 2 – (BrynMawr to Balmoral) flatwork and cement work continue. Milling and resurfacing should begin in next two weeks, possibly as early as next week, weather permitting.
Lake Shore Drive Resurfacing
On Wednesday Sept 5th, crews began a resurfacing project on Lake Shore Drive from Foster north to Hollywood, and Belmont south to North Ave. Work will occur during non-rush periods, and is expected to last approximately 6 weeks.
For more information on these and other 48th Ward construction projects, please contact Dan Luna at Dan@48thward.org
Upcoming Events – This Week
