COVID-19 Alarm:
What You Need to Know Right Now
Ward Office Closure Due to Case Numbers
New COVID Restrictions
Public Safety Walks Continue - Join me
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This last week, the 60614 and 60610 zip codes had the largest number of COVID cases diagnosed in the City of Chicago in the last week.
To put these numbers in context, the rate of illness in our community is today higher than elsewhere in the city. The numbers below show that our new cases are at a rate far above those citywide.
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These numbers are particularly alarming because the percentage of people under age 65 who are vaccinated in our zip codes is much LOWER than elsewhere. For example, 83% of people over 12 in the 60645 code (Rogers Park) are fully vaccinated, while we are only 73% fully vaccinated for the same population.
For us to get up to 83% fully vaccinated, 6523 more people between 18 and 64 years old have to get vaccinated - now.
In contrast, 86% of 65+ individuals are fully vaccinated. Good job!
Where can I get vaccinated?
It's easy to get vaccinated in our area. Every pharmacy has walk-ins, including in-store pharmacies at grocery stores and Target. It's best to call ahead to make sure of supplies, but they are plentiful. You can also make an appointment with your doctor, or drop in at Instavaxx at 2674 N Halsted.
Dr. Arwady of the Chicago Department of Public Health said yesterday that if you are not vaccinated, the Moderna seems to be the best right now. If you are not boosted, get either J & J or Moderna. Both these vaccines provide critical protection against serious illness.
If your business would like to host a vaccination clinic, please contact our office - we can help you. |
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Where can I get tested now?
There are many testing locations in the neighborhood at pharmacies and immediate care locations in addition to those provided if you have a regular doctor.
Here are some close by:
Ally Health: 2246 N Clark Street, 312-500-4786 Walk-Ins only.
What else should I do now?
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If you don't feel well, don't go out, no matter what you think you may have. According to Dr. Arwady, "Assume it is COVID."
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Wear a better mask - now that better grades masks are easily available, time to ditch the cloth mask. Wear a good grade KN95 mask, and if you like, wear a cloth mask over it.
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Keep your mask on when inside in a group, especially at parties and family gatherings.
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Get a test three to five days after you have been at a gathering
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If you have been exposed, STAY IN for five days and then get a test. If the test is negative, you don't need to quarantine further.
- Get an online verification of your vaccine status with Vax Verify from the Illinois Department of Public Health. You can print and download your SMART health card to use as COVID vaccination verification to businesses, venues, restaurants as required.
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Return Healthy on January 3 to CPS and Other Schools
Get your students tested to make sure it’s safe for them to be back in class. Once they're back, you can help keep virus transmission low by signing your children up for weekly COVID-19 testing at school, and of course, getting vaccinated.
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43rd Ward Office Closure
Here's How to Buy Your Guest Parking Passes Online
As a result of the surge of COVID cases in our ward, we will be closing the ward office to the public, starting immediately, for the next two weeks. We will reopen Tuesday, January 18.
In the new year, new parking passes are required. Please get yours at ezbuy.chicityclerk.com. You can learn how to order online by using our Guest Parking Passes 101 guide or watch our video for step-by-step details on how to purchase your passes or stickers online. If you need extra assistance, please call us at 773-348-9500 or email us at yourvoice@ward43.org, and someone from the office will call you back.
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Buying Passes at City Hall
You can buy passes in person at any of the Chicago City Clerk offices including City Hall and its Northside Office at 5340 W. Gale Street, which are now open from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Please plan for increased wait times due to social distancing protocols. Increased safety measures have been put in place to mitigate the exposure of COVID-19. Make sure you have the list of required documents before you go in person. |
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New COVID Rules
Vaccinations Required at Venues and Restaurants
Beginning January 3
The Chicago Department of Public Health has announced that effective January 3, proof of vaccination will be required in many indoor public settings, including:
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Indoor Dining: Establishments where food or beverages are served, including, but not limited to, restaurants, bars, fast-food establishments, coffee shops, tasting rooms, cafeterias, food courts, dining areas of grocery stores, breweries, wineries, distilleries, banquet halls, and hotel ballrooms; and
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Indoor Fitness: Gyms and fitness venues, including, but not limited to, gyms, recreation facilities, fitness centers, yoga, Pilates, cycling, barre, and dance studios, hotel gyms, boxing and kickboxing gyms, fitness boot camps, and other facilities used for conducting indoor group fitness classes; and
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Indoor entertainment and recreation venues where food or beverages are served: Including, but not limited to, movie theaters, music and concert venues, live performance venues, adult entertainment venues, commercial event, and party venues, sports arenas, performing arts theaters, bowling alleys, arcades, card rooms, family entertainment centers, play areas, pool and billiard halls, and other recreational game centers.
Venues are required to check the vaccination status of all patrons age 5 and older. Entry to anyone 5 and older who has not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless an exception applies. Businesses that do not comply with this policy will be subject to fines. For full details of the public health order, click here.
I am very relieved that the City of Chicago is joining New York City in requiring proof of vaccination. Every person in the City who is eligible should get a vaccine, whether or not you fear getting COVID. This is part of our duty as residents - to protect ourselves, and others.
We express our thanks and our gratitude to the many entertainment venues, restaurants, and other places that support this rule.
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Chicago Police New Year's Safety Update
Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown, Mayor Lightfoot, and other city officials held a press briefing yesterday to discuss the city's strategy to keep us safe during the holiday weekend. For a report on the briefing, please click here.
This includes an increased police presence on Chicago transit and in transit stations across the city. The Superintendent also reinforced the need for people to call 9-1-1 if they see suspicious behavior.
The city will be hosting a fireworks display along the Chicago River, and will be closing SELECT bridges and pedestrian walkways during the fireworks display. This includes the Riverwalk which will be closed early to pedestrian traffic. Streets and bridges in the Central Business District will close to all traffic as early as 11 p.m. Friday, with plans to reopen at 12:30 a.m. Saturday.
Streets and bridges are expected to reopen to vehicular traffic approximately 10 minutes after the fireworks display ends. All bridges and streets are expected to reopen by 12:30 a.m. on Saturday.
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Straight Talk About Electronic Monitoring with Sheriff Tom Dart
Monday, January 10th, 2022
5:30 p.m.
Senator Sara Feigenholtz, myself, and my colleagues invite you to join us in a conversation with Sheriff Tom Dart on the electronic monitoring program. This conversation will take place on Monday, January 10th, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom.
Submit questions and hear from the Cook County Sheriff on the latest data on electronic monitoring - who's on it, why they're placed on it, and how to fix it.
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Public Safety Walks Continue
I will be walking Division Street from Division and State at 8:00 p.m. on January 4. I'll have postcards and safety whistles with me to distribute.
I will be walking the 2400 block of Sheffield on January 5.
I will be walking on the 1800 block of Burling on January 6.
I hope you will join me as you walk your dog or just take a stroll on your own block.
If it is actively snowing, we will likely reschedule.
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Write to Our Public Officials
Pick Up Some Postcards!
Every citizen and public official needs to work together to stop crime. While CPD does great work, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office and Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Evans need to increase their efforts to hold criminals accountable.
We were pleased to see Mayor Lightfoot announce that she supports a moratorium on the use of electronic monitoring for violent offenders and that she supports no bail for most violent criminals, including those charged with Felony Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Murder, Armed Vehicular Carjacking, Armed Robbery and more. As you know, I favor mandatory sentences for unlawful gun possession.
All of our neighborhood organizations are joining together with our office to mount a postcard writing campaign to seek accountability. You can pick up postcards now at:
- 43rd Ward Office, 2523 N Halsted (9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)
- Old Town Triangle Association Office, 1763 N. North Park
- Corcoran's Grill & Pub, 1615 N Wells Street
- Starbucks, 210 W North Avenue
- Milito's Gas Station, 1108 W Fullerton
- Lakeshore Sport and Fitness, 1320 W Fullerton
- Starbucks, 1001 W Armitage
- Chase Bank, 935 W Armitage
- Armitage Direct, 925 W Armitage Avenue (entrance on Bissell)
Postcards are pre-addressed. Please write about your personal experience with crime and why the city needs the support of our State's Attorney and judicial system with appropriate prosecutions, sentences, and bail. Click here for sample postcard language, and more information about the campaign.
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Shared Cost Sidewalk Program
Apply Monday, January 10th, 2022
6 a.m. - 10 p.m.
The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is an extremely popular voluntary program in which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. Thousands of Chicagoans have been a part of this popular program, taking advantage of the low cost, exceptional value, and ease of participation.
The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program charges per square foot to property owners and is well below what a private contractor would charge. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may qualify for a further discounted rate.
Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of participants is based on the availability of funds. The program typically reaches capacity quickly, so you are encouraged to apply early.
Please note that if you applied for the program in previous years, you must apply again in 2022 if you wish to be considered for the 2022 program. Applications will be accepted through the City’s 311 system by calling 311, through the City’s service request website https://311.chicago.gov, or through the free CHI311 mobile apps on iOS Apple, and Android. The application will be made available online on the day of the program's release. For any questions, please take a look at the city's FAQ page here.
The property owner’s contact information and the property address are required at the time of the request.
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2022 Holiday Tree Recycling Near You
Saturday, January 8th, 2022 - Saturday, January 22nd, 2022
Lincoln Park, Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Ave. (East side of Cannon Dr.)
See other locations here.
Chicago's Tree Recycling Program runs from January 8th through the 22nd at 26 parks across the City. Trees can be dropped off anytime during normal business hours.
Only live/natural trees without flocking are accepted (no garland or wreaths). Because the trees are mulched, all tinsel, ornaments, lights, and stands must be removed. Plastic bags used for transport should also be removed before putting trees in the stalls.
Trees collected at the Holiday Tree Recycling events are turned into mulch. Mulching trees is far more earth-friendly than sending them to landfills. By foregoing the landfill, your tree won't be rotting away releasing greenhouse gas emissions, or taking up landfill space; instead, the mulch it creates will be used to benefit plants and soil at local parks and forests.
Six locations will also provide free mulch on a first-come, first-served basis, starting January 12th including the Lincoln Park location.
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CPS Hiring Substitute Teachers
CPS is seeking committed substitute teachers to ensure students receive quality instruction in the absence of their teacher.
To qualify you need at least an Associates's degree or 60 college credit hours. Pay is based on requisite experience. For more information, or to apply, please click here.
Substitute teachers are NOT required to live in Chicago.
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Support Local Restaurants |
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Let's work together to overcome COVID, and have a happy - and especially healthy - New Year. It has been my honor to represent you in these challenging times. |
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