49th Ward Newsletter - April 2, 2021

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49th Ward Update
April 2, 2021

LEE EN ESPAÑOL

Good morning neighbors,

I want to start off by wishing a blessed Good Friday and Happy Easter to all who observe. I also hope that those who celebrate Passover had a peaceful and safe holiday.

This week was jam packed but we accomplished a lot!
Some highlights from this week:

We had 67 residents turn out for our first Block by Block training! We organized people in precincts and areas and began working on our first Block by Block event, the Ward Spring and Green! Save the date for Saturday, April 17th from 10am - 2pm and look out for flyers in your area to connect with neighbors cleaning up in your area.

Our Youth Advisory Council reviewed over 70 submissions for our first ever Virtual Art Gallery. Save the date for Friday, April 9th at 6pm for the launch!

Our Anjanette Young Ordinance coalition had our weekly organizing meeting and today we're partnering with Workers Center 4 Racial Justice on a digital day of action. Please take a moment to write to the full City Council and let them know that you support our ordinance that bans no knock raids and adds more protections for our residents: http://bit.ly/AnjanetteYoungOrdinance.

We advocated for keeping a publicly run ombudsman program for our nursing homes and have brought other aldermen and our state representatives into the fight.

We met with businesses on Glenwood Ave to plan for expanded outdoor dining options for this summer.

24th District police completed a multi-month, complex operation to bring the open air drug market that has existed around the Howard Red Line stop to an end. For months my office has received hundreds of requests from residents in the area to get rid of the open drug selling along Howard St. We know that last summer we saw an increase in the drug activity and also in shootings, and that in the months since, the open air drug dealing has brought many challenges. Thank you for your patience and thanks to the 24th District for listening to community concerns and prioritizing Howard Street.

Last but not least, we spent a lot of time this week advocating for more vaccine access for neighbors in our ward. I spoke with our Dept. of Public Health and made progress on scheduling more vaccine events for our area with pharmacy partners. The way the vaccine rollout is going leaves a lot to be desired. Please know that you can use the ZocDoc.com/vaccine site or this wonderful site created by 13 year old Evanston native, Eli Coustan, which searches pharmacy appointments as well: ILVaccine.org. Remember, the best way to get an appointment is through your doctor or healthcare system. If you don't have a doctor or insurance, you can get appointments for free at local pharmacies, health clinics or the government mass vaccination sites; two new ones open on Monday. The websites above are the best way to find those appointments - you can take an appointment anywhere it's available if you're an essential worker or someone with an underlying health condition. Read here for more info.

Please take care this week and if you haven't been paying attention to the local news, know that our coronavirus infection rates are rising quickly again with no signs of slowing. The more contagious and lethal variants are starting to dominate in neighboring states like Michigan and that means that WE need to do all that we can to prevent and slow infections to make sure that we are able to vaccinate as many people as possible. This means wearing your mask, all the time in public. This means practicing physical distancing when around others outside of your household and it means limiting your nonessential trips and interactions. Please, don't drop all of the good health habits you've practiced for the last year stop now. We need to keep it up in order to keep on track with the progress we've made.

Below is a "How to Wear A Mask" reminder for everyone. Please use it!

Have a good weekend,

Maria Hadden
Alderwoman

Celebrations & Appreciations

Let's celebrate and appreciate what's wonderful about our ward, the people, the places and accomplishments. We need this more than ever, so please, send us the people, orgs and actions that you want the ward to know about next week! Email us at office@49thward.org

"Eye-Opening Diversity:"
A Civics Teacher's View of Sullivan High School

J. Cyriac Mathew (right) and a Sullivan High School student (left). Mr. Mathew was teaching outside of Kilmer with Kilmer teachers, and the student came to visit.

As a civics teacher with a passion for social justice, J. Cyriac Mathew was excited to join the faculty of a neighborhood school where instruction could be grounded in community concerns. He was raised in Kentucky and, after an initial interest in a career in science, earned a degree in sociology at Brown University. Colleagues from his early days as an organizer drew him to education, and he came to Sullivan after teaching for 12 years in Uptown.

Mr. Mathew finds his students to be “super-thoughtful, creative, talented, funny… really warm, friendly young people.” Unique to Sullivan, he said, is having students from all over the globe in his classroom. “It’s really good for them, because Chicago is so segregated. They can have personal interactions with people they might never interact with on their block or around the city. It allows them to see the commonality, that we’re all human beings and want the same things for ourselves and our families. Being in class together makes that really clear.”

Complementing the “commonality,” he noted, is the focus on students as individuals in the school’s Personalized Learning approach. “Each student is unique, and needs some things unique to them to help them really grow as learners and also as people.”

Like many CPS schools, Sullivan has faced facilities issues – the building is nearly a century old. “The lack of funds put into physical plant created a certain atmosphere - it sent a message that someone doesn’t really care about you that much,” Mr. Mathews observed when asked about challenges facing teachers. [A $25 million renovation is now nearing completion, and includes state-of-the art science labs, an updated gym, an elevator, new windows and roof repair.] Also challenging for teachers is meeting student needs beyond academic support, such as dealing with family and personal struggles. On the positive side, he pointed to mental health professionals that principal Chad Adams has added to the staff.

The major strength Mr. Mathew felt that Sullivan teachers offer their students is their commitment. “Across the board, every staff person I interact with is deeply concerned not only for the students’ academic skills but also their overall well-being. So many teachers do so much more than just teach their subject – working with students before school, talking with them during lunch period, leading after-school clubs, coaching sports.”

He himself was elected by his colleagues as a teacher representative on the Local School Council. He also chairs the Professional Personnel Leadership Committee and heads up the Democracy Schools team. The stakeholder role, he said, fits with his personal goals as a teacher; he’d like to see everyone – parents, families, the neighborhood – feel connected to the school. For student service learning requirements, he is trying to build neighborhood-based projects. He welcomes ideas from the community, and may be reached at jcmathew@cps.edu.

Chicago History Museum Explores the Work of
Vivian Maier in Newest Exhibition

Photography by Vivian Maier.

The Chicago History Museum will feature a collection of many never-before-seen works by world-renown photographer and Rogers Park resident Vivian Maier in an upcoming exhibition, Vivian Maier: In Color, opening to the public May 8, 2021.

Known for her eccentricity, Vivian Maier captured life in the city during the '50s and '60s. It wasn't until after her death that her photographs made her famous when John Maloof, a local historian, purchased more than 30,000 of Maier's negatives from an auction of an abandoned storage locker.

Chicago History Museum's exhibit, Vivian Maier: In Color, will illuminate Maier’s unique portfolio. The exhibition comes after the Chicago History Museum acquired nearly 1,800 Vivian Maier color slides, negatives, and transparencies from Chicago-based artist and art collector Jeffrey Goldstein last year. The collection primarily depicts people and scenes in Chicago from the 1950s to the 1970s.

To learn more, visit the Chicago History Museum's website.

Ward Updates

Community Meeting on Upcoming Howard Road Work Project

Join the 49th Ward and representatives from the Evanston Department of Transportation for community meeting to discuss the Howard Street road work being done by The City of Evanston. The project along Howard is to improve transit operations and pedestrian safety.

Locations in the 49th Ward where work will occur:

Howard and Winchester/Callen (Evanston side)
Howard and Western

Project Scope includes:

Streetscape, Sidewalk, Bike Lane, Street Light & Traffic Signal Improvements.

The community meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 6, at 6 pm over Zoom. To register to attend, visit bit.ly/HowardRoadWork. Spanish interpretation will be available for the meeting.

Examining the Indian Boundary Line Marker

The 49th Ward Office is partnering with the Rogers Park West Ridge Historical Society to host a discussion on the Indian Boundary Line Marker located at Rogers and Clark in the 49th Ward. This discussion is a part of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events' Monuments Project.

The Chicago Monuments Project focuses on the often unacknowledged – or forgotten – history associated with the City’s various municipal art collections to address the ways in which that history has been told. One of the 41 public monuments that are part of the assessment is the plaque marking the Indian Boundary Line in Rogers Park. Join us and three expert panelists to gain a better understanding of the historic significance of the Indian Boundary Line, the purpose of historical monuments, and perspectives on whether and how this particular marker serves its intended purpose, For details on the meeting and panel see www.rpwrhs.org.

Panelists:

Dr. James Akerman, Director of the Hermon Dunlap Smith Center for the History of Cartography and Curator of Maps at the Newberry Library.
Dr. Patricia Mooney-Melvin, Associate Professor of History at Loyola University.
Dr. Dorene P. Wiese, founder and Chief Executive Officer of the American Indian Association of Illinois.

Free and open to all. Pre-registration required. Spanish translation available.

Where: The comfort of your home via Zoom
When: Monday, April 19, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Eugene Field Parent Support Circles

Eugene Field's Parent and Family Support Circles provide a space for parents & family members to exchange ideas, share information, and give and receive support from other parents in the community. This event is open to all parents in Rogers Park! Currently, sessions are held online. They host two sessions every month to accommodate different work schedules.

On April 21, Dr. Renfro from Loyola University will join to discuss parenting during COVID-19 and answer any questions you may have.
The Spanish meeting will take place at 10:30 am on Google Meet at this link. The English meeting will take place at 5 pm on Google Meet at this link.

If you have any questions, email Evette Escobar at evetteescobar.luc@gmail.com.

Street Sweeping Season Now Underway

The Department of Streets and Sanitation began their residential street cleaning schedule on April 1. Street cleaning runs through November.

The city hangs bright orange temporary parking restrictions the day before sweeping service is scheduled to begin. Those who fail to move their vehicle between the restricted hours between 9 am and 2 pm, will be eligible to receive a $60 ticket.

The street sweeping schedule is available to view on the 49th Ward website.

Did you Lose a Tree to the Rogers Park Tornado?
Contact Us to Request a New One!

Photo credit: ABC7 Chicago

2020 threw us a lot of curveballs. Among those was a tornado in our neighborhood that, unfortunately, uprooted some of our long-standing trees in its path. Our office is working closely with the Bureau of Forestry to identify locations where trees should be replaced.

We are looking for tenants or owners in affected areas who will be able to care for a new tree once it's planted. Caring for a new tree means an individual can commit to caring for its first three years. That care includes watering the tree, not laying down fertilizer, not pruning the tree, and making sure that you don't hit the tree with a lawnmower when caring for the parkway grass.

If you would like to request a tree, please contact the 49th Ward office by emailing office@49thward.org or calling 773-338-5796. Please make sure to provide the address when requesting a new tree.

Community Alert: Robberies

The 24th District issued a community alert this week for a series of robberies in the area. If you have any information about these incidents, please contact the Area Three Bureau of Detectives at 312-744-8263.

GROW/PROGRESANDO to Host a
10-Week Entrepreneurial Program

GROW is an entrepreneurial training program of Rogers Park Business Alliance. GROW helps entrepreneurs and existing business owners develop a comprehensive and implementable plan that's right for them. GROW helps entrepreneurs hone in their business plan and expand their understanding of how to navigate the always-changing business environment. Additionally, GROW provides expert guidance on implementing best practices and models that are key to business sustainability.

GROW: The Complete Program is 10 weeks long and takes place Wednesdays from April 7 to June 9, 2021 from 6 - 8 p.m.
All sessions are virtual and they include 3 foundation sessions and 7 specialty sessions. The sessions are designed to take a new business concept from idea to reality OR an existing business from normal to extraordinary!

An interview is needed in order to register. For more information contact Sheree Moratto at smoratto@rpba.org.

COVID-19 Updates

As we continue to combat COVID-19 across the city, state, and country, we are bringing back our section with the most up-to-date information on the ongoing public health crisis and any changes that are being implemented to address it. Information on aid and relief programs will continue to be housed in the "Need to Know Info" section of this newsletter.

CDPH Announces New Mass Vaccination Sites Coming
to Wrigley Field and Chicago State University

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced this week that two new mass vaccination sites will open in Chicago on April 5, with the city now in phase 1c of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility. The sites will be located at Chicago State University and the American Airlines Conference Center at Gallagher Way next to Wrigley Field.

The City’s new mass vaccination site at Chicago State University, 9501 S. King Drive, will be overseen by the Chicago Department of Public Health, with CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) operating the site and vaccine administered by Howard Brown Health. At full capacity, it will serve 1,200 walk-up and 1,000 drive-thru vaccination appointments a day. The site is by appointment only, there is no on-site registration. The site will operate six days a week:

Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m.; and
Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m.

The mass vaccination site at the American Airlines Conference Center at Gallagher Way, 1101 W. Waveland, next to Wrigley Field will be operated by Advocate Aurora Health. It will have the capacity to administer approximately 2,000 doses a day. The site is by appointment only, there is no on-site registration.

Registration for vaccination appointments at both Chicago State University and the American Airlines Conference Center at Gallagher Way will be available on zocdoc.com/vaccine. All Chicagoans eligible in phase 1a, 1b, or 1c will be able to schedule appointments.

Appointments for both mass vaccination sites will be restricted to Chicago residents, and people will need to bring proof of residency to their appointment. Driver’s license, Illinois ID card or REAL ID, City Key Card, library card, postmarked letter, utility bill, voter registration confirmation, Consular ID (Matricula Consular), and many other forms of identification will all be accepted. A complete list of eligible documents is available at Chicago.gov/COVIDVax.

The vaccine will be offered at no cost, and insurance is not required. Documentation regarding immigration status is also not required.

The City officially entered phase 1c of the vaccine rollout on Monday, March 29^th, meaning all essential workers and adults with underlying medical conditions are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. For a list of eligible conditions and essential workers, visit www.chicago.gov/covidvax. People in phases 1a and 1b still remain eligible for the vaccine.

Illinois Vaccine Finder

Looking for an available vaccine appointment? ilvaccine.org can help you locate appointments throughout the state of Illinois. The website does allow users to filter available appointments by county and offers links to providers' sites where users can sign up for available appointments.

Updated COVID Regulations

CDPH has announced updated COVID-19 regulations for businesses. These regulations keep most indoor limits in place while allowing for increases in outdoor areas. Businesses are required to continue adhering to the mask mandate and implement social distancing measures to protect patrons.

Bars and Restaurants: Maximum outdoor table size can increase to ten people. Tables must remain six feet apart from each other. Indoor table size remains capped at six people.
Social Events (e.g., weddings, potlucks, and other community events): Total outdoor capacity can increase to the lesser of 50% or 100 people.
Performance Venues, Theaters, and Seated Spectator Events: Outdoor venues with a capacity greater than or equal to 200 can operate at 25% capacity. Smaller venues can operate at no more than 50% capacity or 50 people.
Health and Fitness Centers: Health and fitness centers are allowed to operate at 50% capacity, with indoor group classes not allowed to exceed 50 individuals. Outdoor classes are capped at 100 individuals.

CDPH announced these changes at the same time we're seeing an increase in our positivity rate, especially among individuals aged 18-39. Please continue to protect our community by getting vaccinated when you become eligible, wearing a mask, and social distancing.

More information on phase IV of the city's reopening plan is available online.

Protections for Workers Receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine

On March 24, an ordinance was introduced to City Council that would establish labor protections for Chicago workers that take time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Under the proposal, employers are prohibited from taking any adverse action – including termination, demotion, layoff or punitive schedule changes – against an employee for taking time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Furthermore, if a worker has paid sick leave or other accrued time available, employers must allow their employees to use that time off to receive the vaccine. Finally, if an employer requires a worker to be vaccinated, it must compensate the worker for the time taken to receive the vaccine if it is during a shift, up to two hours per dose.

The proposed ordinance would expand the protections guaranteed under the Anti-Retaliation Ordinance that passed City Council in May 2020. That ordinance, which remains in effect, protects all workers from any retaliatory action from their employer if they are unable to work due to public health directive or COVID-19 related illness. Employers that violate this ordinance are subject to fines of between $1,000 and $5,000 per offense.

CDPH Partners with Zocdoc to
Launch Vaccine Appointment Scheduler

The Chicago Department of Public Health has partnered with Zocdoc to create a more centralized platform where people can schedule vaccination appointments when they’re available. To view available appointments through Zocdoc at zocdoc.com/vaccine.

At this time, this platform is showing available appointments at the city's Point of Distributions sites (PODS) and Rush University Medical Center. More information on where to locate other vaccination sites is contained below in this newsletter.

United Center Vaccine Updates

The United Center, 1724 W. Madison, began to operate as a Federally-run vaccination site on Tuesday. The site is open to individuals in groups 1a, 1b, and 1b+ of the vaccine rollout. The Department of Public Health is reporting that despite lower doses than initially expected, the site will eventually be able to administer up to 6,000 doses of the vaccine per day.

The city will begin to post additional appointments on Zocdoc as they become available; however, CDPH is encouraging that seniors use the call center to book their appointments. The call center is receiving a large volume of calls and residents are encouraged to stay on the line despite the hold times.

How to Book an Appointment

Book through the Call Center at 312-746-4835

The appointment call center (312-746-4835) is open only to Chicago residents ages 65 and older or those living in zip codes 60608, 60619, 60620, 60649, and 60652.
The call center hours are as follows:
8 am - 8 pm Monday thru Saturday
8 am - 4 pm on Sunday

Book through Zocdoc at zocdoc.com/vaccine

Residents in group 1a, 1b, and 1b+ can still book their appointments on Zocdoc's website. This includes anyone 65 and older.

There is no onsite registration and you must have an appointment to receive a vaccine at the United Center.

How to get to the United Center:

Driving: Entrance to the vaccine site is in Lot E of the United Center, off of Madison. Parking is available in Lot A with a free shuttle to the vaccination site.

Uber: Offering ride credits

Uber is providing 20,000 Chicagoans with $40 ride credits to get to the United Center. After a Chicago resident books an appointment via Zocdoc, they will receive an appointment confirmation email which will also ask if they need transportation to their visit. If they answer yes, they'll receive ride credits from Uber which will work only for rides to and from the United Center that are within Chicago city limits.

CTA: The closest L station to the United Center is the Ashland Green & Pink Line station. The closest bus stop to the United Center is at Madison and Paulina on route 20. You can get directions from your destination to the United Center on CTA's Plan My Trip website or using Google Maps.

Three Ways Chicago Residents can Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine:

The City of Chicago began inoculating people in phase 1b of the vaccine rollout this week. Individuals in this group include essential frontline workers and residents aged 65 and older.

There are three ways Chicago residents can receive a COVID-19 vaccine:

1. Your health care provider

Your first contact should be your health care provider, including your primary care provider, health clinic, or hospital where you have gotten medical care in the past. Over 350 health care providers have signed up with CDPH to distribute vaccine. Providers are also reaching out directly to schedule appointments with their existing patients, prioritizing those who are older with more underlying conditions. Health care providers can still sign-up to be vaccine providers.

2. Your pharmacy

The City of Chicago has provided vaccines to pharmacies across Chicago. These pharmacies each have their own registration link which can be found below.

The City of Chicago does not endorse any of the listed organizations. This list is provided only as a convenience. See the full disclaimer here.

3. Your employer

Specific employers in prioritized essential workers groups will be able to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to their employees in 1b. CDPH is working directly with employers as vaccines become available. For example, first responders are already being vaccinated and others will begin soon. If you receive your vaccine through your employer, you will not need to take any other action.

For those that have insurance but do not have a primary care provider, please check with your insurance company for a list of providers accepting new patients. One option is to enroll with one of Chicago’s many Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) if you do not have insurance.

For especially vulnerable populations (e.g., those facing housing insecurity or undocumented immigrants), the city will partner with city colleges to set up PODs (points of distribution) to vaccinate residents. At this time, PODs are continuing to vaccinate health care workers included in phase 1a, and no appointments are available yet to those included in phase 1b.

While the city has transitioned to phase 1b of the vaccination rollout, supply remains limited. Last week, CDPH informed aldermanic offices that they're currently receiving 34,000 doses of the vaccine a week, which amounts to roughly 5% of people in group 1b. This means that appointments are filling up fast. On Tuesday, President Biden announced that his administration is working to purchase an additional 200 million doses of the vaccine. Their goal is to have enough vaccine supply for the entire adult U.S. population by the end of the summer.

You can track the vaccine data for the city of Chicago on CDPH's website by clicking here.

Vaccination Appointments for Homebound Persons

People who are homebound can sign up online to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at their residence. Caregivers will also be vaccinated under the program.

To be eligible, a person must not be able to leave their home because it “requires considerable and taxing effort," and must fit one of these categories:

Be a senior OR a person with a disability that requires in-home assistance, and
Be a person who has to use adaptive equipment (like a ventilator, wheelchair, etc.) and/or accessible transportation to leave home.

Homebound vaccinations will be administered by Chicago Firefighter emergency medical personnel. Vaccines are limited to those who are truly homebound and meet the above eligibility requirements.

Fill out the homebound vaccine form online by clicking here.

CDPH COVID-19 Vaccine Survey

The Chicago Department of Public Health invites you to participate in a short survey to help them better understand the attitudes and evolving challenges surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The survey will take approximately 10 minutes of your time, and is available in both English and Spanish. Your responses will remain completely anonymous. The survey is available in both English and Spanish.

To complete the survey, visit https://tinyurl.com/83quycm6.

Howard Brown Health Vaccine Appointments

Howard Brown Health is now offering the COVID-19 vaccine to established patients and community members who are essential frontline workers or age 65 or older. Reserve your vaccine appointment online.

Appointments may be rescheduled based on the availability of the vaccine. Due to supply, vaccination appointments are available at limited clinic locations in Chicago. The appointment for the second dose will be scheduled at the end of your first appointment.

All appointments are subject to change based on vaccine availability.

Details regarding the Howard Brown vaccination rollout plan will continue to change in the coming days. Please visit howardbrown.org/covid-19/vaccine for the latest information regarding scheduling and availability.

Rush Medical Vaccine Appointments

Rush has been working with local and city officials to begin delivering the COVID-19 vaccine to its community, following the guidelines outlined by the Chicago and Illinois Departments of Public Health. Based on those guidelines, eligible people will include those 65 years of age or older and essential workers, including health care workers.

To view available appointments at Rush Medical, visit their website.

Heartland Health Vaccine Survey

Heartland Health Center, located at 1300 W. Devon in Rogers Park, is a designated Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). As we continue with the vaccine rollout for phase 1b, they will be giving the vaccine to established patients who meet CDC and IDPH guidance.

At this time, Heartland Health has limited vaccines. They are currently contacting their highest risk patients in 1b to ensure that they're receiving their dose. As they receive more vaccines, they'll continue to reach out to the remaining eligible 1b patients. This meant that they're not currently accepting calls for vaccine appointments until they have a steadier supply of vaccines.

However, they are looking to support residents while they await more supplies. If you are interested in receiving the vaccine from Heartland Health Centers, please take a moment to complete their online survey. As soon as more doses become available, they will contact individuals who have completed this survey.

Swedish Covenant Vaccine Waitlist Registry

Swedish Hospital has created a waitlist to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at their facility. At this time, they are preparing to vaccinate seniors ages 65 and older and those that still remain in group 1A. However, you may complete their online waitlist to receive more information as vaccine appointments become available.

For more information and to sign up, visit Swedish Hospital's website.

Transportation for COVID-19 Vaccines

For seniors and people with disabilities who need assistance to access their COVID-19 vaccine appointment will be able to take advantage of transportation resources.

Special Needs Chicago

Special Needs Chicago has wheelchair accessible transportation throughout the Chicagoland area (city and suburbs) to assist people with getting to their COVID vaccine appointment. Call 630-668-9999 for more information or click here to book a reservation.

Uber to Provide Free Rides to Vaccine Appointments

Uber has partnered with Walgreens Pharmacy to make it easier for people who don't have a car or a nearby pharmacy to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Uber will offer free rides to Walgreens stores and clinics for those who book an appointment and live in an underserved community. Uber will work with community organizations, such as the Urban League, to determine underserved communities that will be eligible for free rides. Those organizations will then work to distribute codes that community members can use to get the free rides.

Sign Up for CDPH's E-Newsletter

The Chicago Department of Public Health is dedicated to ensuring that all Chicagoans get trusted information about its local COVID-19 response. Sign up online for their email list and be among the first to receive press releases, current guidance, and other important information.

How the COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Works

The approved COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not contain any live virus of COVID-19. Instead, scientists used the genetic sequence of the virus to create a blueprint of the COVID-19 virus. The vaccine will trigger the body to produce the spike protein in the COVID-19 virus, which will signal our immune systems to produce the proper antibodies and T cells to combat the RNA blueprint. This means that should an individual contract the COVID-19 virus after being inoculated, the body's immune system will already have stored the information necessary to combat the virus.

When people receive a vaccination, they might feel some side effects as their immune systems respond to the spike protein. The most common side effects include swelling and some pain at the injection site as well as fever, chills, headaches, and fatigue. These side effects are temporary and indicate that the immune system is imprinting its response to combat COVID-19.

State Eviction Moratorium Extended to April 3

Governor Pritzker announced that the State's eviction moratorium will be extended to March 6, 2021 as the COVID-19 crisis continues to impact our state and our country.

On November 14, protections for Illinois tenants were changed under the latest eviction moratorium extension. Landlords can now file evictions unless tenants give them a written declaration that they should be protected by the COVID Eviction Moratorium. The Lawyers Committee for Better Housing. Tenants can use IDHA's declaration template to provide their landlord with written notice that they've been financially impacted due to COVID-19. That declaration is available online.

The Department of Housing has put together a Know Your Rights website for tenants who are facing illegal lockouts during the eviction moratorium. The Lawyers Committee for Better Housing has also put together information for tenants facing an illegal lockout and may be able to provide legal assistance to income-eligible tenants. Learn more on their website here.

Updates to the Emergency Travel Order

The Chicago Department of Public Health announced updates to the Chicago Emergency Travel Order. Effective Friday, January 15, 2021, states will only be categorized as yellow or orange. Previously, the city had three category levels for the Emergency Travel Order.

The updates to the order are meant to simplify the message by putting states into one of two categories. Regardless of which category a state falls into, CDPH is still advising that people avoid any kind of travel as we see COVID-10 cases surging across most of the U.S. Additionally, the new COVID variant that is more transmissible has now been detected in at least 8 states, including Indiana and Wisconsin.

Anyone traveling from a state on the Orange list is directed to obtain a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Chicago or quarantine for a 10-day period (or the duration of their time in Chicago, whichever is shorter). They must practice strict social distancing, mask-wearing, and avoid any in-person gathering. Anyone traveling from a state on the Yellow list is not required to quarantine or provide a pre-arrival test. However, they should practice strict mask-wearing and social distancing.

The lists are updated every two weeks based on state and Chicago case averages. There are no travel restrictions within Illinois. However, non-essential travel to the areas of high incidence is discouraged. If essential travel is needed, follow the prevention techniques such as using a face covering, frequent hand washing/sanitization, and maintaining social distancing.

Please visit chi.gov/eto for additional information and to view the latest information on travel restrictions.

Latest Information on COVID-19 from the
Chicago Department of Public Health

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.

Community Aid

CommUnity Makery Launches Soccer Equipment GoFundMe

Northside Chicago AYSO awarded 10 scholarships (registration & uniforms) to Howard area youth for Spring Soccer!

With the help of generous donors, CommUnity Makery is helping to take care of insurance costs, soccer cleats, snacks and drinks, and transportation. But they need your help to do so! Please consider making a monetary contribution to help our Howard-area youth play soccer this spring.

What will your donation provide?

$20: insurance to play
$50: insurance to play + soccer cleats
$75: insurance to play, soccer cleats, & transportation to and from practices/games
$100: insurance to play, soccer cleats, transportation to and from practice/games, and healthy snacks and bottled water

Please consider making an online contribution today to help a 49th Ward child play soccer!

Save the Date for Family Matters' Drive-In Movie Fundraiser

Join Family Matters youth, families, and community members at the movies while raising funds for Family Matters’ Youth Development and Community Engagement programs and The Family Matters School. This fun-filled evening will include pre-movie entertainment, a silent auction and raffle, and the opportunity to support Family Matters to infinity and beyond!

Enjoy the classic family-friendly Pixar hit, Toy Story, from the comfort and COVID safety of your car. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets are $125 per car. All revenue from ticket sales and 40% of food and refreshment sales will benefit Family Matters’ activities, including one-to-one tutor/mentoring, teen leadership and job-readiness activities, hands-on experiential summer camps, community building, and their cooperative micro-school.

When: May 22, 2021 | 6:30 PM
Where: CHITOWN Movies | 2343 S Throop St | Chicago, IL 60608
What: Toy Story
Price: $125.00 per car

More information and tickets are available on Family Matters' website.

Volunteers Needed at Syrian Community Network

The Syrian Community Network is seeking 14 new after-school volunteer tutors. They are aiming to onboard and train these volunteers over the next few weeks to start working with kindergarten through 8th-grade students by the week of April 26th. There are no Arabic language skills required, and the volunteer commitment consists of two one-hour tutoring sessions per week until June 17th.

For more info on the tutoring program, as well as the next steps to sign up, please check out SCN's Volunteer Opportunities Site. There is a form there they ask all prospective volunteers to complete in order to initiate the onboarding and training process.

CPS Food Benefit Cards Expected to Arrive in Families' Mailboxes this Week - How to Pay it Forward

All Chicago Public Schools families will begin to receive a food benefits card worth $450 in their mailbox this week regardless of socioeconomic status. These cards will help some of our hardest-hit families with short-term food security and eliminate the impossible choice that some households have to make between paying utilities, paying for groceries, or paying rent.

However, not all families have been impacted by COVID-19 equally. Those looking to pay it forward and help those hardest hit can consider using the card to buy groceries and other items - such as diapers and formula - and donating them to a local food pantry.

The closest food pantries in the 49th Ward are:

A Just Harvest
Address: 7649 N. Paulina
Contact: 773-262-2297 or info@ajustharvest.org

Care for Real at the United Church of Rogers Park
Address: 1545 W. Morse
Contact: 773-769-6182 or info@carforreal.org

These funds are designed to help families in need. Any unused funds will be returned to the government after a year.

Commissioner Gainer's Women's Toiletry Drive
Extended through May 7

Commissioner Bridget Gainer is hosting her annual women's toiletry drive. The drive has been extended and now they are accepting donated items through May 7.

Please consider donating travel-sized products of shampoo and conditioner, soap, shower gel, deodorant, and body location to a drop-off location to help women that are currently incarcerated. For more information, call Commissioner Gainer's office at 312-603-4210 or email district10@cookcountyil.gov.

Community Engagement Opportunities

Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type
Premieres this Friday at Lifeline Theatre!

From April 2-22, join us for a live-action animated, virtual adaptation of Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin's beloved book, Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type!

The animals on Farmer Brown’s farm have had enough! They work all day to provide milk and eggs, but when their request for electric blankets to warm the drafty barn is ignored, action must be taken. Join Duck, Hen, the Cows – and their trusty typewriter – as they engage in peaceful protest to improve their working conditions. From the same team that brought you Duck for President and Dooby Dooby Moo!

Based on the popular bestseller by Doreen Cronin; illustrated by Betsy Lewin, and adapted by James E. Grote. The music by George Howe, and the show is directed by Shole Milos.

Upon purchase, ticket holders will receive a password to view the production for the week of purchase (Friday–Thursday).

Get your Name Your Price ticket here or by calling Lifeline Theatre's Box Office at 773-761-4477!

Chicago Northside AARP Community Meeting April 6

The Chicago Northside AARP Community Group will hold their next monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 2, at 12:30 pm.

The meeting will feature guest speaker Congresswoman Schakowsky. Congresswoman Schakowsky will discuss the American Rescue Plan that passed earlier this year and how it will impact seniors.

To register to join the Zoom meeting, email northsideaarpcommunitygroup@gmail.com. For more information on the AARP community group, click here.

Black Beauty Festival April 10-11

Victory Gardens Theater is excited to bring you the 5th edition of the Black Beauty Festival, April 10-11, 2021! In partnership with the Black Women’s Expo and Black Owned Chicago, Black Beauty Festival: Joy & Magic is a free two-day event that uplifts Black-owned businesses while creating conversations around beauty, health, and wellness.

This year’s theme is Joy & Magic, two words that perfectly encompass the BBF experience. Join them for their first virtual festival! BBF will include online shopping from Black-owned businesses, free performances from The Black Monologues, a Jam Session with up-and-coming artists, a Haircut Tutorial, Yoga Hour, Paint & Sip afternoon, Vendor Chat, raffle giveaways, and much more! Register here: https://bit.ly/BBFJoy_Magic

Have questions about the festival? Contact blackbeautyfestival@victorygardens.org.

Government Corner

With the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a lot of information and resources available to people at all levels of government. To make sure you're receiving all the information to help you through this time, please consider signing up for the following newsletters or keeping your eye on the following pages. See something that should be added to this section? Email it to the office at office@49thward.org.

City of Chicago Resources:
City of Chicago Coronavirus Resource Center Website
City of Chicago Coronavirus Updates Distribution Sign-Up
CPS COVID-19 Resources & Updates
Chicago Park District COVID-19 Response Page
BACP COVID-19 Resource Page

Cook County:
Cook County COVID-19 Response Website
Contact Commissioner Suffredin's Office
Commissioner Gainer Newsletter Sign-Up

State of Illinois:
State of Illinois COVID-19 Response Website
Sen. Steans Newsletter Sign-Up
Rep. Cassidy Newsletter

Federal Government:
Sign-up for Congresswoman Schakowsky's newsletter
Federal Government COVID-19 Response Website

Need to Know Info

Each week we've been updating this section with the rapid information coming down from all levels of government. This has resulted in a long email with the information running for several weeks. To shorten the length of the newsletter and provide the freshest content, we have archived all the COVID-19 newsletters on the 49th Ward website. You can also refer to the Rogers Park Community Response Team's website, where resources and information are abundantly available for our neighbors.

Moratorium on Utility Shut-Offs Expires April 1

Last year, state regulators and consumer advocates negotiated protections for utility customers having a hard time affording their bills. This coalition has since regrouped to negotiate post-moratorium issues. With a moratorium on disconnections ending April 1, it is vital people contact their utilities to learn what protections are available.

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) has compiled some helpful resources for Illinois consumers. Click here to access their fact sheet.

Additionally, they have shared recordings of recent presentations giving helpful information about energy assistance by CUB and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO):

Peoples Gas Offers $6 Million in COVID-19 Bill Pay Assistance

Peoples Gas is offering an additional $6 million in bill-payment assistance to its residential customers facing hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The assistance is the result of collaboration between Illinois gas and electric utilities, the State of Illinois, consumer groups, and other stakeholders. It was approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). The additional assistance is being offered in the form of a one-time credit of up to $500 on customer bills, plus other support to help pay bills.

Customers who may be eligible for the new assistance will receive a letter with additional details from Peoples Gas in April. They can also get information at peoplesgasdelivery.com or by calling Peoples Gas at 866-556-6001. The programs will be offered for a limited time.

Financial assistance, for a limited time, will include:

Bill Payment Assistance: $6 million in additional funds are available to provide one-time bill credits of up to $500 through the Peoples Gas Bill Payment Assistance Program (BPAP).
Flexible Payment Arrangements: Peoples Gas is offering flexible payment arrangements. Depending on residential customers’ eligibility status, these may include plans of 0% or 10% down, with payments spread across 18 months.
Service Reconnections: Customers whose service has been disconnected may be eligible for reconnections by providing a reduced down-payment of 25% of their outstanding balances. Customers may also be eligible for down-payment assistance through BPAP, the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or other federal, state or local assistance programs.

In addition to the newly added support, millions of dollars in financial assistance remain available through ongoing Share the Warmth and LIHEAP programs. Customers can contact the Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA) directly at cedaorg.net or 800-571-2332 for more information. Customers can also monitor the CEDA website and peoplesgasdelivery.com for any additional assistance made available in the future through federal, state and local programs.

COPA Seeking Public Input on Policies
to Improve Investigations & Civilian Oversight

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) is soliciting input and feedback on policies critical to improving the civilian oversight agency responsible for investigating allegations of police misconduct for the city of Chicago.

Members of the public that are interested will have 15 days to comment on each policy posted on COPA’s website. COPA will compile, review, and consider all comments prior to finalizing its policies.

Property Tax Exemptions Due April 9

Exemption applications for the 2020 Tax Year are now open.

This year, many exemptions will auto-renew to minimize COVID exposure. If you received any of the below exemptions for the 2019 tax year, you do NOT need to reapply. The following exemptions will auto-renew and will be seen on the second installment of property tax bills:

Households will receive confirmation of the auto-renewal of these exemptions for their homes. This will be reflected on the second installment bill that is received during the summer.

Exemption applications are now available on the assessor’s website here. The deadline for exemptions is April 9.

The Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR) presents: Know Your Rights Free Webinar Series

The Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR) will host a webinar on the many types of housing discrimination how to protect yourself from it.

English Webinar: Wednesday, April 7 at 1 pm
Spanish Webinar: Wednesday, April 14 at 1 pm

ASL interpretation and closed captioning will be available. Please request any additional accommodations in advance of the webinar by emailing CCHRwebinars@cityofchicgo.org.

The webinars will be recorded and available on CCHR's website. Register for a webinar by clicking here.

DPD Accepting Applications for its Committee on Design

In an effort to celebrate and reconfirm Chicago’s unique architectural and urban design legacy, DPD is establishing the Committee on Design (COD).

The COD will foster design innovation, promote projects that create thoughtful places, push the envelope of sustainability, and encourage collaboration and engagement with the public and other city departments and agencies through an open, peer-review process.

Members of the COD are expected to be highly experienced, well-regarded individuals in their field, with at least 15 years of professional experience in one or more of the following fields:

Architecture
Community development
Engineering
Fine art
Landscape architecture
Preservation
Public art
Urban design
Urban planning

Applicants to the Committee on Design should be able to demonstrate a history of peer reviewed design excellence. Applicants must also be residents of the City of Chicago.

The COD will meet monthly, either virtually or at City Hall. Members of the COD will initially serve a pilot term of two years.

Applications are due by Wednesday, April 14. Additional information is available at chicago.gov/cod. Questions and comments should be directed to cod-dpd@cityofchicago.org.

CPS Unveils Preliminary Plans to Have High School Students Return to In-Person Learning April 19

CPS launched a joint task force with principals and CTU to establish a plan that will allow high school students and staff to safely return to schools this year. As a result of discussions in that task force, CPS shared several concepts the group has discussed:

Start Date: April 19, the first day of the fourth quarter, is the target date for students to return to classrooms.
Eligibility: CPS believes that all families must have an option for in-person learning, and a return to high school classrooms must be available to all students. To the extent possible, CPS wants to ensure students will remain with their assigned teachers upon returning to in-person learning
Hybrid Learning Model: Similar to elementary schools, instructional models will vary between schools due to differences in enrollment and capacity for social distancing throughout the district. CPS and CTU are discussing a hybrid structure that would provide in-person instruction at least two days per week for nearly all interested students.

CPS has indicated that they will continue meeting regularly with CTU representatives to reach a consensus that provides the smoothest possible transition for families and staff. Negotiations are ongoing with CTU and CPS will continue to provide updates to families as discussions proceed.

IHDA Offering Student Loan Forgiveness
for Aspiring Homeowners

The Illinois Housing Development Authority has launched a $25 million Smart Buy program that will help 500 to 1,000 young individuals buy homes by forgiving some of their student loans. The program would allow those who meet income requirements may receive up to $40,000 to pay their loans to purchase a home. Recipients would be required to live in the home for at least three years.

For eligibility requirements, FAQs, and to apply, visit IHDA's Smart Buy website.

2021 Professional Development Providers Program

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented strain on the art and culture community; artists and organizations have suffered hardships that will require creativity and collaboration to overcome and rebuild towards equity. DCASE’s 2021 Professional Development Series is being restructured in response to this critical need. Now more than ever, artists and organizations need increased access to resources that will help them rebuild and recover.

The goal of DCASE’s Professional Development Program is to support free programs that provide resources, tools, and training that contribute to artists and arts organizations' professional growth and help them respond to the current needs. Increasing access to training, education, and opportunities for emerging artists and small businesses is a priority.

Nonprofit and for‐profit arts and culture organizations and individuals can apply for grants to present professional development programs focused on artist career development and/or organizational operations across artistic disciplines. Project grants will support local creatives and presenting organizations that provide free and public professional development programming across discipline types.

The deadline to apply is Friday, April 2, at 5 pm. For more information and the application, visit chicago.gov/dcase.

Northside Community Resources' SARFS Program

The Small Accessibility Repairs for Seniors (SARFS) program provides safety, security, and accessibility improvements and repairs to help seniors remain in their homes. These repairs may include grab bars, lever faucets, door repairs, floor repairs, bathroom repairs, kitchen repairs, and carbon monoxide detectors. To be eligible for this program, seniors must be a resident of the City of Chicago, live in Wards 38, 39, 40, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, be 60+ years old, and have an income of less than 80% of the Area Median Income.

For more information, contact Violet Espinoza from Northside Community Resources at 773-338-7722 ext 21 or violet@northsidecr.org.

File Your Taxes with Tax Prep Chicago

The City of Chicago will offer free, confidential tax help through mid-April in partnership with Ladder Up. Trained volunteer tax preparers can assist you in completing and electronically filing Federal and Illinois tax returns for Tax Year 2020 and, in some cases, for prior years. They'll also be able to help determine if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), and other tax credits!

The IRS has extended the tax filing deadline to Monday, May 17! For more information, visit www.taxprepchicago.org or call (312) 588-6900 to schedule an appointment and see if you qualify.

Need Help?

Call or email the Rogers Park Community Response Team!

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.

Business Updates

Corridor Improvements RFP

The State of Illinois and its community partners are releasing a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) that will make $10 million available for corridor improvement projects to address the ongoing needs of impacted communities.

The Corridor Improvements for Rebuild Distressed Communities will support capital investment in commercial corridors that have experienced property damage. This will fund projects that will spark long-term economic growth while helping further support the economic recovery of small businesses affected by civil unrest.

Who should apply: DCEO and partners are calling on community-based organizations in communities that experienced civil unrest to apply – including, but not limited to nonprofits, local governments, business improvement districts, special service areas, and others.

All applicants must be in one of the eligible zip codes described above and demonstrate that the proposed improvements will occur at a location where businesses experienced property damage due to civil unrest during the relevant period on or after May 25, 2020.

When to apply: DCEO and partners have made a pre-solicitation available and will begin accepting applications on April 5th through June 7th. An informational webinar will be held on March 26th for interested applicants.

To view the draft RFP, click here.

How to apply: Questions about the draft RFP may be directed to LISC at ridc_grants@lisc.org or CNI at rebuildgrant@cni.org.

For more information, visit the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity's website.

Restaurant Revitalization Fund

As part of the American Rescue Plan passage, $28.6 billion is earmarked for a new “Restaurant Revitalization Fund.”

Click here for information from the National Restaurant Association about how the fund, administered by the Small Business Administration, works and eligibility requirements.

NBRHD Restaurant Development Program

Reef has launched a NBRHD Restaurant Development Program. The program is a $1M commitment to help local restaurants expand their delivery business. Program participants will receive a dedicated marketing campaign valued at $10,000, mentorship and support services, food photography and creative production resources, and a NBHRD Kitchens partnership.

Applications are only open to restaurants in Cook County with fewer than three locations. Reef is especially looking to support BIPOC- and women-owned chefs.

For more information and to apply, visit Reef's website. Applications are open until April 4, 2021.

Chicago Vendor Impact Fund

As part of the City’s efforts to increase the capacity and competitiveness of our local, diverse vendor community, the City is pleased to announce the launch of the $25 million Vendor Impact Fund. The Vendor Impact Fund will provide priority access for City vendors certified as Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBE), Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBE), Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises (VBE), and Business Enterprises Owned or Operated by People with Disabilities (BEPD) to loans from the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and 7(a) loan program. The City and its partners will seek to provide all Vendor Impact Fund loan applicants with the best offer available and will work with applicants to determine which product is the best fit. All loan applications will be administered through Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) with the support of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses.

For more information, eligibility requirements, and to apply, click here.

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant

The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

Eligible applicants may qualify for SVO Grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.

For eligibility requirements, more information, and to apply, visit the SBA's website.

COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners, including agricultural businesses and nonprofit organizations in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories can apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to businesses currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

For eligibility requirements, more information, and to apply, visit the SBA's website.

Rogers Park Business Alliance COVID-19 Resources

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.

#SchoolsShineIn49

My CHI My Future Spring Break Programming

My CHI My Future has launched an initiative to bring enrichment to CPS students during Spring Break. Spring Forward aims to connect youth to programs during Spring Break (March 27th - April 3rd) in the areas of fun, service, and opportunity. Visit MyCHIMyFuture.org for more information.

Apply to be a Mikva Summer Fellow

Mikva Challenge is seeking 17-20-year-olds for its Summer Fellows internship program. As a part of the Mikva Summer Fellows (MSF) program, you will be placed in a paid summer internship in the office of a city, county, state, or federal lawmaker. You will work 30 hours a week for 6 weeks between late June and early August, and be paid $15 per hour.

In addition to working in an elected official’s office, Mikva Summer Fellows will be part of a professional development cohort focused on developing work readiness skills including communication, collaboration, critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork. Fellows will meet weekly with Mikva staff to create career goals, complete workforce readiness assessments, and track their progress in the program. Please submit your initial application HERE by April 10th.

Employment Opportunities

Chicago SAFE Ambassadors Now Hiring

Job Title: Chicago’s SAFE (Streets Are For Everybody) Ambassador
Employment status: Part-time, Non-exempt, Seasonal
Compensation: Hourly, $17.50
Hours: Up to 24 hours/week
Start Date: Wednesday, May 19, 2021
End Date: Friday, September 10, 2021

About:
MUSE Community + Design is seeking outgoing, well-organized, and committed advocates for transportation safety education, biking, and social equity to join the team as a SAFE (Streets Are For Everybody) Ambassador from late May to late September.

As a SAFE Ambassador, you will represent the Chicago Department of Transportation in its efforts to support and promote Vision Zero Chicago initiatives. The goal of Vision Zero is to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from traffic crashes by 2026. To learn more about Vision Zero, click here. Due to the impacts of COVID-19 on our city’s transportation systems and mobility options, Ambassadors will educate the public on current best practices, recommendations and guidelines for safe mobility in both shelter-in-place and post quarantine conditions.

Chicago’s SAFE Ambassadors work both individually and as a team to deliver traffic safety expertise through presentations and demonstrations online or in-person, as appropriate, following strict safety guidelines from the Chicago and Illinois Departments of Public Health and the CDC. It is likely that this year, our program will implement a hybrid engagement model, meaning that the Ambassadors’ time will be split between creating innovative online materials using social media, videos, livestream events, and video conferencing, and participating in in-person events/activities to educate the public.

This is a part-time, seasonal position up to 24 hours per week.

Responsibilities:

Represent the City of Chicago Department of Transportation and Vision Zero at assigned virtual events or in-person events, if conditions allow.
Participate as a member of Chicago’s SAFE Ambassadors team in making events successful by effectively disseminating information, encouraging safe street and road usage.
Create and share online and interactive resources with schools, senior living facilities, and community partners to educate students and residents of all ages about the importance of traffic safety and sharing the road.
Accurately input information in the required format at the conclusion of every event.
Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Experience:

18 years of age or older
Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, bending, stooping, standing long hours, and lifting up to 40 lbs
Communicate effectively with all people, regardless of age, ability, cultural groups, economic status, sexual orientation, and/or disabilities.
Comfortable speaking with strangers and in public.
Comfortable facilitating video conferences and webinars.
Familiarity with the City of Chicago, its neighborhoods and public transit system.
Comfortable using and navigating public transit.
Comfortable working in any neighborhood in the City of Chicago.
Outgoing and energetic.
Works well in a team and fosters team spirit.
Prompt, punctual and professional.
Access to the internet and a laptop. Willing to work remotely.
Works well individually in an unstructured and informal environment, with limited supervision.
Good at solving problems and thinking creatively.
Self-motivated.
Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to take direction and to learn basic facts about the Chicago Department of Transportation and Vision Zero.
Comfortable biking in the city.
Willingness and ability to work off hours and/or weekends.

Preferred skills and experiences:

Fluency in other languages such as Spanish, Polish and Mandarin highly preferred.
Experience working or volunteering in a community engagement role.
Experience teaching, children, youth or adults.
Knowledgeable in video recording, editing and formatting.
Experience working with or supervising teenagers.
Experience in facilitating online learning tools.
Experience working in Public Health related programs

Requirements:
Ambassadors are expected to bike or take public transit to and from events.

Successful completion of a paid five-day training course that covers bicycle handling, all forms of traffic safety, media relations, cultural sensitivity, and conflict resolution.

This is a drug-free workplace, and we are proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage applications from women and people of color.

SAFE (Streets Are For Everybody) Ambassadors are not employees of the City of Chicago.
Ambassadors are employed and managed by MUSE Community + Design.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume by Friday, April 30, 2021, to Aaron Gatudla at aaron@musecommunitydesign.com. No calls, please.

Chicago Botanic Garden Employment Opportunities

The Chicago Botanic Garden has a variety of seasonal and year-round job opportunities. For more information, visit their careers page at chicagobotanic.org/jobs. Applications are accepted online only via employment@chicagobotanic.org.

Greencorps is Now Hiring!

Greencorps offers seven to nine months of employment and on-the-job training in ecological restoration, green infrastructure, tree care, and landscaping. Training happens both in the classroom and in the field with the Chicago Park District, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, and other project partners. Graduates of the Greencorps program have gone on to work for major companies such as Cardno, Christy Webber, Safety Kleen, and AES. Typical job titles include Landscape Maintenance Foreman, Restoration Technician, Driver, Groundskeeper, Pesticide Applicator, and Hazardous Material Technician. To learn more about Greencorps and apply, click here.

LUCHA Hiring Outreach & Engagement Specialist

Organization Overview
Since 1982, LUCHA (Latin United Community Housing Association) an Illinois 501(c)(3) corporation has served thousands of moderate and low-income families with Affordable Housing Development, Emergency Housing Repair and Assistance, Home Buyer Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention and Legal Assistance. LUCHA owns and operates 198 units of affordable housing in the West Town, Humboldt Park and Logan Square Communities of Chicago.

Program Overview
The Community Alliance Initiative is a program conducted in collaboration with the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) to work in targeted communities (Armour Square, Humboldt Park, Jefferson Park, Logan Square, and Rogers Park) with the goal of increasing the participation of Latinx, and other underrepresented groups taking advantage of CHA housing, business, and employment opportunities.

Job Role

Conduct outreach to targeted households and local community organizations, agencies, institutions, and elected officials
Schedule, promote, and hold workshops on CHA housing, business, and employment related programs.
Conduct follow up services with interested workshop participants
Enter and manage data regarding program participation
Maintain ongoing relationships with local collaborating groups
Support other LUCHA housing related initiatives when called upon

Educational Requirements
Required: Undergraduate degree (BA/BS).

Other Qualifications/Requirements

Bilingual (not limited to Spanish/English) highly desired.
Familiarity with client management systems
Experience with MS Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
Must be effective public speaker
Social service, educational, or community organizing experience working in diverse lower income communities
Must be able to work in client centered manner and be able to identify and respond to specific client needs
Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Willing to work flexible hours.
Owning a car with a valid driver’s license a plus.
Ability to represent LUCHA in a positive and professional manner at all times.
Residents of the target communities are encouraged to apply.

Contact: Maria Galarza, 773-276-5338 ext.#239 or mgalarza@lucha.org

LUCHA is 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and an equal opportunity employer. To learn more about LUCHA, please visit www.lucha.org.

City of Chicago Hiring:
Asphalt & Concrete Construction Positions

The City of Chicago is looking to fill positions for asphalt and concrete jobs. The city offers competitive compensation as well as benefits, including a pension and healthcare. For more information and to apply, visit the City of Chicago's careers page.

Find a Career with S&C Electric Company

S&C Electric in Rogers Park is hiring several key positions to join their team. S&C Electric is a 100% employee-owned team seeking several team members in the Rogers Park community to keep the lights on across the globe.

To learn more and apply, visit ww.sandc.com/careers.

Doctors Test Centers (DTC) Job Opportunities

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has long been an economic engine for the City and region at large. They recently announced that they will begin offering the most comprehensive COVID-19 testing of any airport in the country at O’Hare and Midway International Airports.

The program will require a workforce to fill the more than 100 available positions. Doctors Test Centers (DTC) has been selected as the vendor to assist the CDA with the endeavor. They have a variety of employment opportunities open and are seeking applicants. For more information, visit DTC's website here.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden | 49th Ward Service Office
1447 W. Morse Ave, Chicago, IL 60626
773-338-5796 | office@49thward.org

Office Hours*
Monday: 9 am - 5 pm
Tuesday: 9 am - 5 pm
Wednesday: 9 am - 5 pm
Thursday: 9 am - 5 pm
Friday: 9 am - 5 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

*Please note the physical office remains closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Our staff is working virtually from home and is happy to answer calls and emails.

Paid for and authorized by Maria for the 49th Ward.

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Alderwoman Maria Hadden · 1447 W. Morse Ave · Chicago, IL 60626 · USA