Good afternoon neighbors,

Though we took a short break for Election Day, your City Council is still hard at work with the 2021 budget. This week we heard from Streets and Sanitation, Buildings, Housing, Human Resources, and Public Health to name a few. I've been working with my colleagues in the Progressive Caucus to find a path to a non-law enforcement crisis response pilot for our city, digging deep for other revenue or savings sources so we can avoid a property tax increase, prioritizing violence prevention funding and making sure that equity is at the center of our budgetary decisions.

I look forward to sharing my reports with you in advance of our Budget Town Halls on November 10th and 14th! Our Nov. 10th Town Hall will be in Spanish with English interpretation available and our Nov. 14th Town Hall will be in English with Spanish interpretation available. Register here: bit.ly/townhall2021budget and see more info below.

We will also hold a citywide, Progressive Caucus Budget Town Hall on Thursday, Nov. 12th.

Please spend some time reading the important COVID-19 public health updates in the newsletter this week. Our rates are the highest they've been. Public Health Commissioner, Dr. Arwady, has said that in in a group of 10 people, there's a 1 in 3 chance someone has COVID. In a group of 50 people, there's a 9 in 10 chance that someone has COVID. State Health Commissioner, Dr. Ezike, has said that our community spread is so prevalent that she wants to see even more regular testing. Please remember that it's going to take most of us (if not all of us) to beat this virus. In addition to taking the lives of our loved ones, its also taking the livelihoods of our communities. We're in this together.
 

Have a safe and restful weekend,

Maria Hadden
Alderwoman, 49th Ward

• We will push again for CPS to reconsider the student-based budgeting model that is bad for our neighborhood schools;
• We will ask CPS to reconsider the SQRP rating model and address the concerns around equity as it pertains to this rating system;
• We will ask for additional support from CPS to create robust articulation between the two schools, including more opportunities for students at both schools to engage with each other and the administrations;
• We will advocate for additional resources for Eugene Field so they can more effectively market the school to neighborhood families, especially prospective parents who are just beginning to look into schools for their children; and
• We will continue to engage with the two schools with activities and actions to bring healing to the two communities.

• 3 pm - 4 pm at Morse and Ashland;
• 4 pm - 5 pm at Howard and Marshfield; and
• 5 pm - 6 pm at Howard and Damen

ComEd's Helping Hand program provides the most in-need customers a one-time grant of up to $300 towards a past due balance. The program is available until funds are exhausted.

Eligibility:

Combined household income for the 30 days prior to application (gross income for all household members, before taxes are deducted) is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, and one of the following concerns is expressed:

• An unexpected loss of income or reduction in income (including job loss or furlough)
• Sudden illness to you or family member
• Other stated COVID-19 impacts

To apply for the one-time bill assistance, call 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661) and mention the Helping Hand program. To learn more, visit ComEd's website. 

ComEd is providing bill assistance for eligible, limited-income households earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. To verify if you meet the income criteria, visit HelpIllinoisFamilies.com.

The ​Bill Payment Assistance program runs through December 31, 2020, or when program funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first.

Eligible customers can receive a one-time bill assistance of up to $500 for past due balances, up to the amount of the balance. Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Eligibility:

• LIHEAP qualified residential customers with a past due balance
• Undocumented residential customers with a past due balance may also apply for LIHEAP

If you have not yet applied for LIHEAP, please visit HelpIllinoisFamilies.com or call 1-877-411-9276 to start your LIHEAP pre-application. Once approved for LIHEAP funds, please fill out your information below.

To apply for the one-time bill assistance or learn more, visit ComEd's website.

• People 65 and older, who account for the majority of hospitalizations and deaths from flu and COVID-19. 
• People with underlying medical conditions like lung disease, heart disease, neurologic disorders, weakened immune systems and diabetes, who also are more likely to have serious flu and COVID-19 outcomes. 
• African Americans and Hispanics, who are disproportionally affected by diseases like asthma, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic conditions that can increase the risk for serious flu and COVID-19 complications. 
• Caregivers in long-term care facilities—in addition to residents—who are in daily close contact with people who are most vulnerable to serious flu and COVID-19 illness and death. 
• Essential workers who have frequent interactions with the public and are therefore more likely to be exposed to flu and COVID-19. 

• November 11 (12 pm - 6 pm)
• November 12 (12 pm - 6 pm)
• November 14 (9 am - 3 pm)

• Use the interactive map to comment and provide input on the proposed improvements  
• Complete a survey to tell us how you use the Drive and lakefront and share your priorities  
• Review the project exhibits and leave notes in the comment area  
• Sign up for a small group discussion with the project team 

For the latest information on COVID-19 in Chicago, visit the Chicago Department of Health's (CDPH) website at chicago.gov/coronavirus. For the latest information on COVID-19 in Illinois, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health's (IDPH) website. 

The Rogers Park Community Response Team is an action-oriented group created in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. RPCRT was created by 49th Ward Alderwoman Maria Hadden in coordination with local service providers and community organizations. Partners include IL State Representative Kelly Cassidy, Protect RP, Northside Community Resources, Loyola Community Nursing Center, and hundreds of deeply committed community volunteers.

We are working together to support each other. We will do so, to the best of our combined ability care for all of our RP family, with fierce love and compassion. We want every Rogers Park resident to know that you are cared for and not alone.

Contact us at rpcrt49@gmail.com or call our Support Hotline at 773-831-7668. Volunteers are available to answer your questions and direct you to resources now.

Please also take a moment to look at the Rogers Park Community Response Team's robust website, rpcrt.org. This website acts as a centralized location where a variety of resources can live to help residents in the wake of COVID-19. 

• No indoor service.
• All outside bar service closes at 11 p.m. 
• All bar patrons should be seated at tables outside.
• No ordering, seating or congregating at bar (bar stools should be removed).
• Tables should be 6 feet apart.
• No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting.
• No dancing or standing indoors.
• Reservations required for each party.
• No seating of multiple parties at one table.

• No indoor dining or bar service.
• All outdoor dining closes at 11 p.m.
• Outside dining tables should be 6 feet apart.
• No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting.
• Reservations required for each party.
• No seating of multiple parties at one table.
• Takeout and deliveries allowed.

• Limit to lesser of 25 guests or 25 percent of overall room capacity.
• No party buses.
• Gaming and Casinos close at 11 p.m., are limited to 25 percent capacity, and follow mitigations for bars and restaurants, if applicable.

The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) is soliciting proposals from nonprofit (i.e., 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6)) business service organizations to deliver free business development assistance to Chicago’s small business community, and/or professional/program development for their peers through its 2021/2022 Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC) Program. Participants of the NBDC program, also known as NBDC “grantees,” will deliver highly specialized business programs/services that help entrepreneurs start and business owners sustain and grow their small businesses, as well as assist their NBDC peers in building their respective capacities. There are seven (7) NBDC Program types. If applying for more than one program type, respondents must submit SEPARATE responses for each respective program type. 

HOW TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD / RESPOND TO THE RFPs

The RFP requests can be viewed/downloaded/responded to via the “iSupplier” Portal Online eProcurement System of the Department of Procurement Services (DPS) at chicago.gov/eprocurement.

• Click on “Current Bids and Solicitation Opportunities,” then “eProcurement Bid and Solicitation Opportunities.”
• Search for the following solicitations:
  7327 BACP - Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC) - Place-Based Generalist
  7697 BACP - Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC) - Cultural Specialist
  7698 BACP - Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC) - Capital Specialist
  7699 BACP - Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC) - Industry Specialist
  7700 BACP - Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC) - Innovation Specialist
  7701 BACP - Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC) - Bus. Stage Specialist
  7702 BACP - Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC) - Peer-to-Peer Trainer

RFP DATES

• Open: October 26, 2020; 05:00 PM CST
• Close: November 30, 2020; 12:00 PM (NOON) CST

SUBMISSION LOCATION

Proposals must be submitted via online application; emailed or faxed proposals will NOT be accepted.

• For assistance with iSupplier, please contact the iSupplier Customer Support Center.
• For questions about the RFP, please send an email to nbdc@cityofchicago.org

PRE-SUBMITTAL CONFERENCE

A virtual pre-submittal conference will be held on the following dates:

• November 4, 2020; 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM; Register Here
• November 5, 2020; 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM; Register Here

The purpose of the pre-submitting event is to clarify the RFP process and the score of the required services. Attendance is not mandatory, but it is strongly suggested the interested applicants attend.

• Temporary structures that fit multiple parties must have at least 50% of the sides open to be considered outdoors
• Enclosed structures, such as plastic domes, may be used for individual parties and must have adequate ventilation to allow for air circulation
• Temporary structures must be weighted, anchored or secured to the ground, but cannot be anchored with any method that requires screwing, cutting or drilling into the public way (i.e. on streets or sidewalks)
• Electrically powered heating devices are permitted in open or enclosed areas
• Natural gas heaters or any device fueled by propane are only permitted in open, uncovered areas 

The site maintains updated information on how we can support our small business community as well as resources for businesses in how they can adapt during this unique and challenging time. From their site:

Rogers Park Business Alliance is proud of the caring, work ethic, dedication and resiliency of our community. We firmly believe that, together, we will meet the challenge that we are all faced with today and going forward.  

Out of an abundance of love and concern for the health of our community we are closing our offices. Based on recommended precautionary measures and public health guidelines, team RPBA will be working remotely until given the all clear. We are available via phone and email. We appreciate your patience at this time. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at (773) 508-5885 or info@rpba.org.

You can view our growing list of Rogers Park businesses that are open and/or receiving donations. You can also checkout the Chicagoland Dining at a Distance list.

Chicago Public Schools announced updates to the district’s 2020 LSC elections, including offering mail-in voting for CPS parents, guardians, and staff for the first time. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents, guardians, and staff can choose between either voting in-person at their respective school, submitting their ballot by mail, or dropping off their mail ballot at their school.  For in-person voting, the district is implementing stringent health and safety measures, including social distancing, face-covering requirements, and completing a health screener and temperature check prior to entering school buildings. The district will also offer curbside voting for individuals with disabilities.

Community members will still be required to vote in person because the district does not have access to information for every prospective community voter living within a school’s boundary in order to provide a mail-in ballot. Additionally, high schoolers will participate in elections using a digital format. The chart below provides key information for each voting constituency:

In-Person Election Times and Dates: 

• Elementary Schools: November 18 between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

• High Schools: November 19 between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

For all parents, community members who will be voting in-person, the district has implemented stringent health protocols to ensure the safety of voting in a school building. These include: 

• Requiring voters to wear a cloth face covering, sanitize their hands, maintain social distancing, and complete a health screener and temperature check prior to entering the building.

• Offering curbside voting for individuals with disabilities, individuals who cannot wear a mask, or individuals who choose not to enter the polling place due to pre-existing health conditions.

• Utilizing sneeze guards and other physical barriers to protect staff when voters arrive, and using posted signage throughout school facilities to emphasize new policies and procedures.

Important Policies and Dates:

All in-person voters will need to bring two current forms of identification with them to vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver's license, Illinois ID, public library card, MediPlan or Medicare card, permanent resident card, matricula consular, voter registration card, current lease, utility bill, credit or debit card, or court documents. The district does not track or check immigration status, and eligible voters do not need to be U.S. Citizens in order to vote. Specific identification requirements for voter type is included below: 

• Parent and Guardian Voters (In-person or Mail-in): 

  • Parents and guardians will receive a mail-in ballot. Parents who choose to participate in-person must present at least one form of identification that confirms their child is enrolled at the CPS school where they are voting. No ID is required for parents and guardians who drop off a mail-in ballot. 

• Community Voters (In-person)

  • At least one form of identification must confirm residential address (examples: lease or utility bill).

• High School Student Voters (Virtual):

  • Students will receive the digital survey from their principal. Students must use their cps.edu accounts to access the poll.

• Staff Voters (In-person or Mail-in)

  • Staff will receive a mail-in ballot. Staff who choose to participate in-person must present at least one form of identification to confirm their employment at the CPS school where they are voting. No ID is required for staff who drop off a mail-in ballot.