July 24 , 2015
For more information, click here to go to the 46th Ward Website


 This week, our local schools were provided with school budgets for the 2015-16 school year. As soon as I learned of the budget cuts, I contacted Rep. Greg Harris to see what I could do to fight this decision. Most of our schools are going to have to do more with less and, one in particular, was looking at cutting teachers and combining different grades into one classroom. McCutcheon Elementary was facing a $611,150 cut to next year's budget. Today, Principal Farrell notified me that as a result of my push and the push from State Rep. Greg Harris, $250,000 of their $611,150 cut was restored. This means that they will not have to lay off 3 teachers and combine classrooms. As you can see from the chart, the news still isn't good, so there is more work to do. 


Decatur Classical School in West Rogers Park expressed some interest with relocating to Stewart so that they could expand to include a seventh and eighth grade level. I cannot support any money from the State or CPS going to Decatur g iven the budget cuts to our neighborhood schools. My priority is making sure that our neighborhood schools receive the funding they need support the children in our ward. Yesterday, I asked CPS to release their request for proposal that includes public feedback obtained a year ago with the help of the Metropolitan Planning Council. To view MPC's report, click here . 

I am hoping that if we are unable to reuse the Stewart property for a CPS public school, it will be sold to benefit the surrounding community while assisting CPS in increasing needed revenue to reduce cuts in our local schools.

  Best,
 


NEWS
OPEN OFFICE HOURS EVERY MONDAY

Ald Cappleman is available next Monday evening from 5pm - 7pm for Open Office hours. Come in with any questions or ideas to help make the 46th Ward better for everyone. 

 

1050 W. WILSON PROPOSAL GETS GREEN LIGHT

Last Monday, FLATS Chicago provided residents within the Truman Square Neighbors Block Club with a presentation of their proposed development at 1050 W. Wilson. Residents had the opportunity to ask questions and get a better sense of the plans and the developer's timeline for accomplishing this project. Truman Square Neighbors collected in-person and online ballots for residents to vote on this proposal up until Wednesday at midnight. Over 90% of participating residents living within the boundary lines of the Truman Square Block Club area voted in favor of this 7-story project. The project will include the renovation of the former TCF Bank building and a new building that will be constructed on the current parking lot. Since this project has an estimated cost of less than $10M, the 46th Ward Zoning & Development Committee will not be reviewing for a vote. For more information about this or other developments in the 46th Ward, please click here.

 

ZONING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING CANCELED

This committee will not meet in July because no zoning proposals are waiting for approval. A mid-August meeting is anticipated to discuss proposed projects.

 

WILSON L CONSTRUCTION JOB OPPORTUNITIES

If you are interested in exploring job opportunities with the construction of the Wilson L Stop, click here.

 

COMMUNITY ALERT

There have been 4 burglaries scattered throughout Lincoln Park, Ravenswood, and Buena Park and all are believed to involve the same offender. The offender is described as a white male between the ages of 20 - 30, approximately 5'8", 150-165 lbs. Please report any suspicious people or activity, as well as ensure that doors and windows are secured and check any suspicious noises. Also, keep records of serial numbers of any electronic equipment. If you have any information, contact the Bureau of Detectives - Area North at 312-744-8263.

 

TRUMAN COLLEGE CHANGES IN TUITION

The City Colleges Board of Trustees approved a new price structure that will eliminate all fees and provide students with more predictable education costs. The new price structure is designed to encourage full-time status and timelier completion for students, while also making City Colleges' prices more transparent by eliminating fees. 

 

SHARE-A-HAIRCUT

Hair Cuttery is once again conducting its Share-A-Haircut program to provide haircuts to disadvantaged children in our community. From Aug. 1 - 15, every time someone 18 years or younger purchases a haircut at a Hair Cuttery salon, they will donate a free haircut certificate to a child in need. Over the past 16 years, they have donated more than 925,000 haircuts to youth in our communities. Contact Diane Daly with any questions at ddaly@ratnerco.com.

EVENTS
NO SAD STUFF ART OPENING
When: Friday, July 24 from 6pm - 10pm
Where: FLATS Studio at 1050 W. Wilson
This is an art opening that blends pop art with nostalgic figures. Live performances by Wild Skies & Nina Palumbo (Indisposed). 



19TH & 20TH DISTRICT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
When: Tuesday, Aug. 4 from 4pm - 8pm
Where: 4800 block of N. Sheridan
Come meet your police officers while kids get the opportunity to play games. Food and drinks will be provided. For more information, call the 19th District CAPS Office at 312-744-0064 or the 20th District CAPS Office at 312-742-8770.

DOWN-IN-UPTOWN ART EXHIBIT
When: Sundays through the month of July from 1pm - 5pm
Where: Preston Bradley Center; 4th floor at 941 W. Lawrence
Artist Lowell Thompson has an art exhibit 

PUBLIC SAFETY MEETINGS
The 46th Ward Office is teaming up with the Police to have a series of public safety meetings to address chronic crime. Your participation will help make our community safer for everyone. Click here to find the schedule of the public safety meeting in your area. If you would like to go online to report a chronic issue, click here to learn how.

VISIT
UPTOWN RECORDING STUDIO (4656 N. Clifton)

Situated within the Entertainment District, this studio has just completed  a major upgrade that has taken cutting edge and made it state of the art. Uptown Recording Studio has always maintained a philosophy of musicians working for musicians and that a modern studio with a vintage heart is the way to longevity. 

The studio has worked as sound recording for broadcast television shows as well as independent film producers and directors. They have also taken on smaller jobs, such as recording an older person reading a bedtime story to be played for future generations as a way of preserving a family's history.

Click here for more information.


    Paid for by Citizens for Cappleman. A copy of their report is on file with the IL Board of Elections.