You Can Help Our Students Succeed This Year

Greetings!

Friends of the 46th Ward Schools are again collecting school supplies for public schools within the ward. This year, the school supplies will go to Brenneman, Disney, Greeley, McCutcheon, Courtenay (formerly Stockton), and Uplift. Friends of the 46th Ward Schools is a 501 (c)3 organization so you can also contribute financially and they will buy the needed supplies. Click here to donate. Contact Friends46thWardSchools@gmail.com with any questions.

Details:

Visit the Friends of the 46th Ward Schools' website to get a listing of the needed supplies.
Drop off supplies at the 46th Ward Office (4544 N. Broadway) during office hours.
Don't forget you can always purchase a gift card!

Best,

Ald. James Cappleman, 46th Ward

46th Ward News
Update on Water Sprinklers Mandate in High-Rises

Today, I joined other City Council members Ito introduce a resolution in City Council that sends a message to the State Fire Marshall that the Chicago will not support the State's bid to require water sprinklers in all high-rises. While I support efforts to make all homes as safe as possible, the hundreds of millions of dollars that condo owners and apartment building owners will have to spend on this new initiative, while high rises are the safest places to live in the city with regard to fire fatalities, means that this is not a policy that makes sense. In the 46th Ward alone, I expect thousands of people to lose their homes because they would not be able to afford the special assessments and raised rents that would have to occur to pay for this unfunded mandate. I will be attending the public hearing regarding this proposed mandate in Springfield on August 6.

Next Steps

On Wednesday, July 31 at 7pm, Ald. James Cappleman and State Rep. Greg Harris will host a meeting at Truman College (1145 W. Wilson) to discuss the implications of this proposal and action steps that are being taken to address this. Please come to hear more about this proposal and the possible consequences for you. For more information about the other implications of this proposal and objections to it, click here.
Please write a letter, make a phone call, or send an email to the 12 members of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. We need 8 out of 12 votes against this unfunded mandate. For more information, click here.

Yesterday's Zoning Committee

I received many emails from constituents about 2 proposed ordinances that went before yesterday's Zoning Landmark & Building Standards Committee, of which I'm a member:

An amendment of Title 18 that added a new chapter for "Building Energy Benchmarking": This ordinance would track a building's energy consumption and make the data public in order to create more incentives for larger buildings to become more energy efficient. On the whole, I liked this ordinance, but voted no because I wanted high-rise residents to have a chance to learn more information about the potential costs associated with this type of reporting requirement. I also believed that building managers and condo associations are already highly motivated to save costs on energy usage, and this ordinance would tack on more regulations for residents who are already feeling overwhelmed. Ald. Reilly and I voted no, but the amendment to the ordinance passed.
$500 million plan to renovate Wrigley Field: One of the major obstacles was a bridge going over Clark Street. Once that was removed, the ordinance passed Zoning with a unanimous vote

46th Ward Events

Ward Nights for the Next Two Weeks

Stop by if you are interested in meeting with Ald. Cappleman to discuss any issue or just come to chat.

When: Wednesday, July 24 from 5pm - 7pm

Were: Aster Playlot, 4639 N. Kenmore

When: Wednesday, July 31 from 5pm - 7pm

Were: 46th Ward Office, 4544 N. Broadway

Broadway Complete Street Public Meeting

When: Wednesday, July 31 at 7pm

Where: Weiss Memorial Hospital, 4646 N. Marine Drive

Please join the 46th Ward Office and members of the Chicago Dept. of Transportation to discuss "complete streets" improvements planned for Broadway from Montrose to Foster. The project aims to increase safety and make the street more comfortable for all roadway users. Improvements will include a road diet, enhanced pedestrian amenities, and protected bike lanes. Questions: dana@james46.org.

Bike Uptown's Historic Dillinger Bike Ride

Learn more about our neighborhood's history and get great exercise at the same time. Join Ald. Cappleman and members of Bike Uptown to view the hidden hideouts and hangouts of the infamous John Dillinger. To review the bike route, click here.

When: Sunday, July 28 from 10am - Noon

Where: Starting at Uptown Bikes at 4653 N. Broadway.

CAPS Beat Meetings

The CAPS Beat meetings are the best forum to address chronic public safety issues. Community members, businesses and organizations are encouraged to attend or have a representative attend this meeting. Ald. Cappleman or a representative from the ward office will be available to answer further questions.

Not sure where or when your police beat meeting is? You can find your police beat and CAPS meeting information here.

(Check out the Ward Calendar for more events by clicking here.)