32nd Ward Newsletter: July 19, 2024

Dear Scott,

Burgerfest is this weekend on Belmont from Western to Damen. Parking and traffic restrictions are in effect for the event. If there are any issues, the Special Events Management team can be reached at 773-868-3010 and will work to help resolve any issues. The event is an annual event in the area and a $10 suggested fest donation benefits the invaluable programs and services of the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce.

Also check the lineup of wonderful gardens in the Sheffield Garden Walk this weekend! More info is included in the newsletter below on these events and more throughout the community.

Below is an update from Beat 1921's CAPS Meeting and don't forget to sign up for the security rebates offered by the SSA#27-Lakeview Chamber of Commerce for SSA members. We have several large projects coming up in the area so please be aware of construction crews as you pass through the work zones.

Please check out all the other neighborhood notices and events coming up the rest of this summer and have a nice weekend!

Alderman Scott Waguespack

Upcoming Resurfacing Project on Diversey from

Western to Leavitt

This work is part of the Chicago Department of Transportation’s Arterial Street Resurfacing Project Central Area in the 32nd Ward. 

Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin as of July 29, 2024, pending clearance from and coordination with existing utilities and weather permitting. MAT Construction is the general contractor for this project and Milhouse Engineering and Construction is providing resident engineering services for the Chicago Department of Transportation.

The work will include structural concrete repair work on the bridge, then followed by ADA sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removal and replacement, milling and paving the existing asphalt pavement, and striping.

During construction, temporary “No Parking” signs will be periodically installed as required for each activity listed above. These temporary signs will restrict parking during working hours, while adhering to rush hour restrictions, for the completion of the work. All work on this corridor is estimated to be completed by October 15, 2024.

July Beat Meetings

14th Police District-

1432- July 24, 6pm- ONLINE ONLY- meeting link will be provided at a later date 1433- July 24, 6:30pm- ONLINE ONLY- link will be provided at a later date

caps.014district@chicagopolice.org

14th District Twitter

14th District CAPS- 312-744-1261

19th Police District-

1931- July 23, 6:30pm

Gantz Boys and Girls Club

2915 N. Leavitt

caps.019district@chicagopolice.org

19th District Twitter

19th District CAPS- 312-744-0064

Update from Beat 1921's CAPS Meeting (Belmont/Damen/Irving/River)

There were 15 people in attendance at this meeting. Vehicle thefts are up one from this time last year. There is still an issue with Kias and Hyundais that haven’t received the software update being taken. There will be another catalytic converter event on August 10; we will announce more info on it closer to the date. You can also get a steering wheel lock here. There are several catalytic converter crews hitting the city and suburbs. The reason people steal catalytic converters is for the precious metals such as palladium and rhodium that can be resold for hundreds of dollars at scrap yards or even online.

Burglaries are up 4 and are mainly of commercial locations. One person was apprehended for breaking into garages in this beat; they were charged with 3-4 garage burglaries. Robberies up by 3; these are happening mainly late at night and in the area around Western and Roscoe. There was an event on the 2200 block of Roscoe- people in a gold car approached a woman in her car, possibly for a robbery, possibly for a carjacking- she pointed to her child in the back seat and they fled; this was at 10:30am on July 14th. There were 9 calls for shots fired, mainly around Western and School- none of the calls resulted in a crime scene (ie no bullets or other evidence that shots have been fired was found).

Issues with homeless on Roscoe was brought up- police need a complainant willing to sign what they’ve see to do anything about that; CARE teams are also sent out, but they work limited hours, so if you see anyone doing anything illegal, any violent behavior, etc, call 911.

Discussion continued about the issues with late night bars on Western. Residents said there have been “pregaming” issues such as people leaving garbage on the streets during the daytime. There is a DUI ticket writer in the area and ANOVs (notice of violation, such as noise violations) will continue to be written. The first watch beat car is beat restricted, meaning that it cannot be taken off of the beat. TACT teams also have a special attention on the area. This area is a “highlighted area” meaning that there are special resources to focus on this ongoing issue. Illegal parking issues have continued; both the police and Finance will ticket; there has been discussion of making blocks zoned; this is being looked at with the residents and Roscoe Village Neighbors.

Our office held a meeting with the owners of the Blue Light, Underbar, and the 19^th police district regarding these and other issues. Both bars are to send their closing and security procedures that are being implemented to address neighbors’ concerns. They are to add language to their websites advising patrons to park on Western or take public transportation/Uber/Lyft to the bars and to stay off of the side streets. If they don’t already have respect our neighbors signs up, they are to add those. They are to create a texting system so that residents can contact the bar managers with issues (still call 911 first). They are to continue to call 911 with issues, including with their patrons. Our office will continue to hold these meetings with all parties quarterly to monitor progress.

Lathrop Homes Senior Walk

Thanks to the 19th District CAPS officers for joining us in the weekly senior walk from Lathrop to Hamlin Park and around the neighborhood. Community members joined in the walk to take a look at the neighborhood, discuss everything from public safety to schools. We also got to see some of the new artwork in the ward, including the Lathrop-Give All a Fair Chance mural under Diversey Ave on the Riverwalk. We also discussed some of the improvements coming to Lathrop Homes, prior to the public meetings coming up this month. Lathrop Homes is now within the boundaries of the 32nd Ward and we have been working quickly to develop plans to move Lathrop forward. We will be presenting those plans with the CHA and Related Midwest at the upcoming meetings and have been taking input from Lathrop neighbors as we move ahead.

Special Service Area (SSA) 27 Security Rebate Program 

West Lakeview SSA 27 has launched a newly revised Security Rebate, aimed at improving the security of West Lakeview. All properties (business or residential) within SSA 27 boundaries are eligible to apply for the rebate which will reimburse 50% of eligible costs, up to $1,000, to property owners and tenants who have purchased and installed, or upgraded, security camera systems, exterior lighting, secure window improvements, and secure entry improvements. This is one of the many benefits of West Lakeview SSA 27; to learn more, please visit www.lakeviewssa27.com. 

To learn more about and apply for the SSA 27 Rebate Program, please visit www.lakeviewssa27.com/rebates and read the Security Rebate Guidelines document linked within. This rebate is only available for residential and commercial property located within SSA 27; to see if you are eligible, please see the map of SSA Boundaries at www.lakeviewssa27.com/aboutus.

Street Sweeping

We also want to remind people that wood chips in the parkway are not advised. They are one of the main things that wind up clogging sewers, and can also wind up on the sidewalks.

The City advises maintaining a traditional parkway with regularly watered and cut grass as this helps provide an area for water runoff which helps decrease the burden placed on the City's sewer system.

Join Bridget Gainer on Monday, July 22 at 6:00 p.m. at Truman College for a Property Tax Reassessment Workshop in partnership with the Cook County Assessor's Office. You will have the opportunity to hear from the Assessor's Office to help understand your reassessment notice and ask questions. Their staff will be onsite for 1:1 assistance following the presentation. 

This event is open to the public and there is no need to RSVP. 

If you can't make it to this event, the Cook County Assessor’s Office will holding other events virtually and in-person so you can have an opportunity to ask questions. To view all upcoming events, click here. Bookmark the Assessor’s Office Assessment and Appeal Calendar for information on Township opening and closing.

The 10th District staff is available to assist with property tax questions, or connect you with the Assessor's Office. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the 10th District office at (312) 603-4210 or at district10@cookcountyil.gov for any questions, concerns, or requests. 

Notice of Public Meeting to Taxing Districts, Residents, Taxpayers, and Interested Parties

NOTICE is hereby given that on July 25, 2024 at 6:30 pm, the Department of Planning and Development of the City of Chicago (the "City") will hold an in-person public meeting at the Boys & Girls Club of Chicago, 2915 North Leavitt, regarding the approval of a redevelopment plan for the Diversey/Chicago River Project Area Amendment No. 1, more fully described below (the "Area"), designation of the Area as a redevelopment project area as defined in the Illinois Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act, as amended (65 ILCS 5/11-74.4-1 et seq.) (the "Act"), and use of tax increment allocation financing pursuant to the Act to finance all or a portion of redevelopment project costs proposed to be paid or incurred for the Area pursuant to the Plan. A street boundary description of the Area is attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and a map showing such street boundaries is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.

The City aims to encourage redevelopment in the Area, enhance the tax base of the City and other affected taxing districts by encouraging private investment in the Area, and to preserve and enhance the value of properties therein. To accomplish these goals, the proposed Redevelopment Plan provides that the City may carry out certain public improvements in the Area, enter into redevelopment agreements for the construction of public and private improvements, finance a portion of the costs of such improvements and other eligible redevelopment project costs using funds from the special tax allocation fund described in the

Act, and issue one or more series of obligations secured by such funds.

At the public meeting, any interested person or representative of an affected taxing district may be heard orally and may file, with the person conducting the meeting, statements that pertain to the subject matter of the meeting.

For further information, and to submit comments and suggestions regarding the Area, please contact the Department of Planning and Development, ATTENTION: Will Stewart Telephone: (312) 744-2075

Retro On Roscoe - Changes in 2024

There have been some changes made to Retro on Roscoe this year. This includes- set up changes, stage alterations, and street closures. Please click here for all the details and if you have further questions, please contact Roscoe Village Neighbors at info@roscoevillage.org.

Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) is calling on our amazing community for a little help!  

We're currently running low on newspaper!

Do you have any old newspapers lying around? We'd be incredibly grateful if you could donate them to CACC! We use recycled newspapers to line many of our cages. They also help to keep our small furry (and feathery!) friends a little more comfortable.

You can drop off newspaper at the shelter's intake entrance, between 12pm-7pm. We are located at 2741 S Western Ave.

Ask your friends and family to donate their old newspapers as well! Every little bit helps! 

Thank you for your support!

Looking to make other donations to CACC or to other animal organizations? Check out the links below.

Chicago Animal Care and Control

PAWS Chicago

Anti-Cruelty

One Tail at a Time

Red Door Shelter

Tree House

Wearable Affirmations

Join Awakenings as Gillian Marwood teaches a workshop called "Wearable Affirmations," where participants will create jewelry to empower and celebrate their sense of self and healing journey. Awakenings will provide materials; participants are welcome to bring trinkets, beads, and charms.

All Awakenings Workshops are open to allies, advocates, and survivors of sexual violence.

The workshop is Friday, July 26th, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Awakenings, 4001 N. Ravenswood Ave, Suite 204-C. For more information and to RSVP, please click here.

They also host an Open Studio every Friday from 12-4 pm until the end of August. Open Studio is open to anyone interested in making art and supports our mission. You can start a new project or bring one in.

Lake Shore Drive Public Open House Announcement

Haga clic aquí para español

July 17 Council Brief

This week’s council meeting started late again, but that was norm for several recent council committee meetings that started 15 to 75 minutes or more late without having enough aldermen present (in person) for the committee meetings. After the rules were changed to accommodate all sorts of reasons for being remote, there has been a general decline in physical attendance at meetings over the past year. 

Attending City Council Meetings: Chicago City Council meetings are open to the public. Meetings typically begin at 10 a.m. in the Council Chambers located on the second floor at City Hall.

For more information on attending a Chicago City Council meeting, please contact the Chicago City Council Sergeant-at-Arms at 312-744-6800 or via email at CityCouncilSeating@cityofchicago.org.

In the Police and Fire committee, aldermen rebuffed immediate efforts by the mayor to appoint a 48th Ward staffer to the CCPSA. In my opinion, appointing an ward staffer to the CCPSA is unethical and doesn't pass the smell test of good government. While the Dept. of Law did say it was not illegal by the book, aldermen rightly pointed out the slippery slope of appointing such staff to commissions, and the problems it could create. Setting bad precedent with bad policy like this would exacerbate already high tensions created by police oversight district councils members and lead to more problems at the CCPSA.

Aldermen held the vote in council committee. To view the committee discussion see https://vimeo.com/showcase/9823060

At the full city council meeting, the mayor did not bring up an appointment to the Zoning Committee after failing to get the votes needed. Additionally, Alderman Moore's legislation to allow the police superintendent to renegotiate ShotSpotter was sent into limbo by Alderman Hall who quietly called for the Shotspotter ordinance to be sent to another committee and thus to "Rules" where it can sit in perpetuity.

To view the meeting, visit: https://vimeo.com/showcase/citycouncil

City News Links

• 4 Detained Following Robbery and Carjacking Spree on Sunday Evening
• Facing Stiff Resistance, Johnson Calls Off Vote to Install Sigcho-Lopez as Zoning Chair
• 5 Years Ago, Chance The Snapper Was Rescued from Humboldt Park Lagoon. Now, The Gator Is Thriving
• 16 Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend: Pitchfork, Ravenswood On Tap and Zine Camp
• Johnson looks past flag-burning flap in Council Zoning choice, but leaves Ramirez-Rosa twisting in wind over bullying – Chicago Sun-Times
• Chicago’s water bill delinquents include City Council members
• Cop run over by insane woman gives victim statement, judge receives threats