In order to pay tribute and honor Congressman John Lewis' life, Tee Mart Apparel has created masks with his famous quote, "Get in trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble."
Make sure to swing by to get yours today and support a small, locally owned business while you're there. Tee Mart Apparel is located at 1445 W. Morse.
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Celebrations & Appreciations
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You didn't think we were going to allow a pandemic to make us stop celebrating and appreciating our community did you? Of course not! 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
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Farwell Viaduct Wall Memorializes Victims of Police Brutality
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Our neighbors and friends at the P.O. Box Collective and Cheap Art for Freedom partnered to create a memorial to victims of police brutality in our neighborhood. The viaduct on Farwell at Glenwood displays a colorful memorial displaying the names of victims across the country who have passed away as a result of police violence.
The project was a result of the protests over the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis that spread across the country and around the globe. Since displaying the names of victims on the wall, other items- such as flowers - have appeared to honor those lives lost.
The efforts of our community members caught the eye of Block Club Chicago this week as it was featured in an article.
This memorial does more than honor the lives of those we've lost, it symbolizes the strength and resiliency of our community. Thank you to our neighbors and organizations who contributed to this display.
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Community Engagement Opportunities
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Loyola Town Hall on 2020-2021 Academic Year
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As Loyola University finalizes its plans for the upcoming academic year and the students return to campus, they are hosting a community virtual town hall. They want to share with neighbors their plans for re-opening and address any questions and concerns.
In our July 17 newsletter, we unveiled the preliminary plans that Loyola announced for the upcoming academic year. You can review those plans online here. Loyola has also launched a Return to Campus website, outlining their guidelines and protocols.
The town hall will take place on Thursday, August 13 at 6 pm. Online preregistration is required and questions can be submitted in advance.
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Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest Returns to
Rogers Park with New Mobile Edition
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The popular Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest (GAAF) returns to Rogers Park for its 19th year in a new format to comply with COVID-19 safety guidelines prohibiting large public gatherings. This year on Saturday and Sunday, August 15 and 16, 2020, the festival becomes the Glenwood Avenue (Mobile) Arts Fest, taking place as four two-hour tours of the streets of Rogers Park surrounding the Glenwood Avenue Arts District at Glenwood and Morse Avenues.
Local bands will perform live on a mobile stage along with large-scale video screens showcasing GAAF artists’ works, which will be available in “booths” in a corresponding virtual festival. Brief stops along the GAAF mobile tour routes will allow residents to enjoy art and music at a safe distance along the sidewalks and from the windows of their homes.
Band Schedule:
Saturday, Aug 15
Noon – Flatbed & Scruggs, featuring former and current members of Henhouse Prowlers
4pm – Amazing Heeby Jeebies
Sunday, Aug 16
Noon – Joyce Renee Walker Band
4pm – Urban Rhythm Band
The Glenwood Avenue (Mobile) Arts Fest takes place on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Sunday, August 16 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Festival tour maps and the virtual festival layout linking to artists’ booths will be available the week of the festival at www.glenwoodave.org.
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The Fields Community Process Resumes August 19
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The 49th Ward office is resuming the community process on the future of the Fields schools. In March, the community process was forced to take an abrupt hiatus in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to thank community members who were engaged with us on this issue previously and who provided the necessary space for our office to respond to the emergency of the global pandemic. However, knowing that this community process continues to remain a priority for our parents, we are looking to pick it back up.
As a reminder, during the last meeting, our office asked participants to complete SWOT analyses of both of the schools. The results of those analyses are below:
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Since having to halt the community process, our office has contacted Chicago Public Schools to discuss resuming it. During our meeting on August 19, we will discuss the revised timeline for the community process and review the engagement to date.
For those looking for a refresher on the Fields process ahead of the meeting can visit the 49th Ward website here.
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 19 at 6 pm via Zoom. Online preregistration is required at bit.ly/THEFIELDS.
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Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks
Moves from the Greens to Your Screens
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This summer, due to COVID-19 health and safety measures mandated by the City, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks is going digital—on social, online, and on the air, now through August 28.
Carrying their community-building spirit into 2020, Chicago Shaespeare in the Parks is introducing new ways to connect with the vitality of our city’s neighborhoods—from inviting all of Chicago to share a favorite Midsummer moment to an online Virtual Tour, August 10–27, spotlighting a new park and its surrounding neighborhood every day.
There are so many grassroots organizations doing extraordinary work in service of their communities, and they'd love to hear about the ones that are important to YOU so they can help amplify their efforts, highlighting them in our Virtual Tour. Please send recommendations to parks@chicagoshakes.com.
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ADA 25 Advancing Leadership Seeking Positive Disrupters
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ADA 25 Advancing Leadership seeks positive disruptors for their 2021 Leadership Institute, a one-of-a-kind fellowship program for individuals with disabilities who want to explore their leadership skills. If you’re a person with a visible, invisible, or acquired disability in the Chicago region who wants to shape a more inclusive, just, and equitable society, apply to be a 2021 Fellow today!
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St. Francis Blood Drive August 13
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St. Francis is partnering with Versiti to host a blood drive on Thursday, August 13. Swing by the coach bus parked in front of the 49th Ward office at 1447 W. Morse to donate blood. Due to COVID-19, St. Francis is facing a blood shortage. Your donation will help COVID-19 and other patients.
Please register online to secure your preferred donation time. The blood drive will take place between 10 am and 2 pm on August 13. Please note that the 49th Ward office still remains closed to the public due to COVID-19 and staff is still working remotely.
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Born out of the sorrow of the killings of Black men by police, We Call Upon You is a project that uses art to call upon elected officials to support legislation and policies that protect the lives and futures of children who are refused opportunities, prejudged, targeted, unjustly jailed, and murdered due to the color of their skin. Utilizing the skills of five talented black artists from around the country (Brittany Harris (Chicago, IL), Kimlayn (Los Angeles, CA), Cole Creations (Washington DC), Janel Young (Pittsburg, PA, and NYC), Benjamin Pierce (St. Louis, MO)), the project aims to create an informed, accepting, and compassionate society.
To donate to and participate in the project, visit their GoFundMe page at https://bit.ly/WeCallUponYou.
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Complete the Census Online!
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Census Bureau Announces
Plans to Stop Count a Month Early
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On August 3rd, the Census Bureau announced their plan to stop conducting end field data collection by September 30, 2020, a month earlier than previously anticipated. All residents are encouraged to complete the Census online at 2020census.gov to ensure our community receives proper levels of funding and legislative representation during the next round of redistricting.
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Do You Part! Complete the 2020 Census Online!
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Amid the rapid changes we are implementing, there is still a Census count underway. A public health crisis like COVID-19 really drives home the urgency to have an accurate count. These counts help determine state and local funding as well as draw legislative districts.
Right now, only about 59% of households in the 49th Ward have completed the census. That amounts to 13,124 households in our ward having responded to the 2020 Census. This means there are about 10,438 households that still have yet respond!
For every person who completes the census, the city will receive approximately $1,400 in federal funding. That's money that goes back to our everyday infrastructure needs, our schools, our parks, and more. It only takes about 5 minutes to complete.
You should have received information in the mail on how to complete the Census. Please take a moment to look at the U.S. Census Bureau's website and complete yours online today.
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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.
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Chicago Housing Assistance Portal
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The City launched the Chicago Housing Assitance Portal last week. The Portal is available at Chi.gov/housinghelp and serves as a tool to match residents with the rental or mortgage assistance program that will best meet their needs. After completing an inquiry survey, residents will be routed to either the DFSS Rental Assistance Program (RAP); DOH COVID-19 Housing Assistance Grant Program; DOH Mortgage Assistance Program; or the Illinois Housing Development Authority Statewide Housing Assistance. Those financially impacted the hardest will be eligible for Chicago Housing Assistance grant funding that has been set aside for the lowest earners.
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Community Alert: Robberies
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The 24th District issued a community alert this week regarding two robberies that occurred in the 20th and 24th police districts.
If anyone has any information, they are asked to call the Area North Bureau of Detectives (Area Three) at 312-744-8263 and reference JD314600 or JD314483.
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Community Alert: Police Seeking to Identify Person Wanted for Personal Injury Hit and Run Traffic Crash
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Police are looking to identify a maroon SUV (described as a 2004-2006 Chevy Tahoe or GMC Yukon) that struck an 11-year-old girl in the 6800-block of North Sheridan on July 15. Anyone with any information is encouraged to call (312) 745-4521 and reference JD298903. Anonymous tips may also be submitted at cpdtip.com.
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City of Chicago Rental Assistance Program
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The Department of Family and Support Services has announced the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) in an effort to prevent homelessness due to financial hardship. This program will provide payment of rent arrears for Cook County residents to prevent eviction and assistance in rent payment for those experiencing crisis or emergencies such as temporary loss of income, eviction notices, fire or flood, and domestic violence. This program only assists those currently in housing and is not designed to relocate homeless families from shelter to housing. More information about RAP can be found here.
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Apply to Become a Contact Tracer
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The City of Chicago issued a $56 million grant to the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership to hire contact tracers throughout the city. Contact tracing is a critical step that we must take to identify individuals who have potentially been exposed to COVID-19 so we can contain the virus.
Individuals can now apply to become a contact tracer. More information and the application are online.
Additionally, the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for at least 20–23 non-profit community-based organizations (CBOs) to serve as local employers of the City of Chicago COVID-19 Contact Tracing Corps. This is the second of two RFPs released under the Chicago Contact Tracing Corps grant program. More information on the RFP is available online.
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The Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project is providing one-time $500 cash assistance for those financially affected by COVID-19. Those employed in the landscaping, snow plowing, packing, cannery, farms, nursery, greenhouse, and meat and poultry industries and experiencing financial hardship due to the effort to contain COVID-19 are eligible for this assistance. To apply for this cash assistance program those affected can send their phone number, valid ID with current address, paystub, and an explanation of what you do at work to info@flapillinois.org.
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Officials Warn COVID-19 Precautions
May Be Necessary for Years to Come
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Chicago Department of Public Health commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady, the city's top doctor, delivered a sobering prognosis for the future last week. The pandemic likely won’t be over for years in Chicago, and the virus may never truly be gone. A vaccine will probably become available in early 2021, but it will take time to do a full rollout, and it is unlikely that it will 100 percent effective.
Governor Pritzker offered a similar warning on Monday, saying that he expects people will need to wear masks at least through the end of the year, but Dr. Arwady has warned that mask requirements will likely go longer.
Please take this time to take care of yourself and foster resilience in preparation for the months to come. COVID-19 will continue to present our city and community with challenges, and it is vital that we all stay strong in the face of them. We have a long road ahead of us, and we must all walk it together.
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USPS Mail Delivery Issues
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Our office has received an influx of concerns regarding mail delivery issues in the past couple of weeks. We have contacted Congresswoman Schakowsky's office to discuss the problem and how we can partner with her to remediate this matter. We will also be reaching out to the Postmaster for Chicago to escalate the concerns our office has been fielding.
The Associated Press published an article this week addressing the issue of nationwide mail delivery, and the likelihood of continued delays in services. In May 2020, Trump appointed Louis DeJoy to serve as Postmaster for the United States Postal Services. At the time of DeJoy's appointment, House members expressed concerns about his ties to private postal contractors.
In memos obtained by the Associated Press, mail carriers will be told to leave behind parcels of mail if it causes delays to their routes. Additionally, postal carriers will no longer be provided with overtime pay to finish deliveries. These changes may continue to cause delays in mail delivery services across the nation.
Additionally, USPS has faced significant financial issues in the past decade due to private competitors ramping up their services. Last year, the agency saw an $8.8 billion loss in revenue. USPS is on track to run out of funding by the end of September if Congress doesn't take action to provide supplemental funding.
In an early Coronavirus relief package, the House of Representatives authorized $10 billion in supplemental funding for USPS. USPS has not yet accessed that funding due to a stipulation that would provide the U.S. Department of Treasury much control over the operations of the agency, which has been independent and apolitical since its inception.
While the delay might not seem like a significant issue at first glance, many people rely on USPS for critical needs, including medication refills and other important documentation. The dependence on our independent mail system has only increased since the start of the pandemic as well. Additionally, many remote places cannot rely on private carriers to deliver their mail, and USPS remains their only option.
Congresswoman Schakowsky's office has communicated to our office that they are trying to figure out how they, along with their colleagues in the House, can best push for improvement. They are also talking to the Lettercariers Union about their ideas to improve services. Finally, they are pushing back on the proposed changes to delivery services.
Our office will work with them to escalate the issue locally and identify ways solutions to delivery problems. We will also discuss with USPS and the Chicago Board of Elections how we can ensure mail is delivered efficiently ahead of the November General Election and maintain the integrity of the democratic process.
If you are experiencing issues with mail, please provide either our office or Congresswoman Schakowsky's office with the name, address, phone numbers, and the specific issue you're encountering. This information helps our offices advocate for improvements. USPS also responds to residents individually when a formal complaint is submitted. Folks may also opt to complete a complaint form on the 49th Ward website. This information is shared with USPS and Congresswoman Schakowsky's office.
Finally, knowing what we do about the impending changes coming down from D.C., we must implore that residents request a vote-by-mail ballot sooner rather than later as not to overwhelm our local postal service and the Board of Elections. Additionally, when you receive the ballot, it is essential to return it as quickly as possible with the anticipation of potential delays in mind.
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Flatten the Ballot Request Curve, Apply NOW to Vote by Mail!
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Photo Credit: Common Cause
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Make sure to apply to vote by mail now to help the Chicago Board of Elections prepare to send out ballots in a timely and efficient manner ahead of the November 3 General Election. Those who apply now will be the first in line to receive ballots when mailings start beginning in late September and early October.
Voters can apply to receive a vote-by-mail ballot on the Chicago Board of Elections website.
#Vote2020 #VoteSafe #VoteByMail
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State Moratorium on Evictions Extended to August 22nd
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Cases in the state continue to climb this week. On Thursday, Illinois clocked in over 1,600 cases, the highest number of cases in a single day since May 25.
In response to the growing number of cases, Governor Pritzker extended the moratorium on residential evictions through August 22. He also announced that applications for renter and homeowner assistance programs open August 10 and August 28.
Finally, the State continues to work to expand its processing of unemployment benefits and investigate a new nationwide fraud scheme.
For more information, visit coronavirus.illinois.gov.
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Emergency Quarantine Order for
People Returning from Out of State
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If you have returned from any of the following states, you are required to self-quarantine for 14 days:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Oklahoma
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nevada
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Wisconsin
The following states are on-watch for reaching Chicago's COVID-19 positivity rate threshold for the Emergency Travel Order:
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- New Mexico
- Virginia
Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D. issued an Emergency Travel Order directing travelers entering or returning to Chicago from states experiencing a surge in new COVID-19 cases to quarantine for 14 days from the time of the last contact within the identified state. This includes both Chicago residents returning from travel to a designated state, and travelers arriving in Chicago from a hard-hit state. For more information, please click here.
Read the latest COVID updates here.
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Ticketing and Payment Collection Updates
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Beginning this month, the City began to ramp up normal enforcement of certain vehicle violations that were temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Ticket enforcement resumed citywide for street sweeping on July 1 and booting resumed on July 6.
This week, the City Clerk's office announced that they will be extending our late fee waiver period on certain City Stickers through July 31, 2020, for residents whose stickers were up for renewal or who purchased a new vehicle from January-June of 2020. The Department of Finance has also announced that they will be extending the ticketing moratorium through July 31, 2020. Expired vehicle registration enforcement will begin in October.
Ticketing enforcement dates to remember:
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The City encourages anyone who may need assistance with outstanding debt to visit New Start Chicago at www.Chicago.gov/newstartchicago where residents can sign up for flexible payment plans for tickets and utility bills with a lower down payment and up to 60 months to repay amounts due. Residents can learn more or make payments online at www.Chicago.gov/finance.
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As part of a citywide coordination effort to beat the heat, residents can access services from across Chicago to help find relief from high temperatures this summer, including cooling centers, cooling buses, well-being checks through 3-1-1 and more.
To protect against COVID-19, all City cooling centers have been reconfigured to accommodate physical distancing that enables visitors to stay at least six feet apart. Additionally, visitors are required to wear a face covering while in the cooling areas. The Chicago Department of Family and Support Service (DFSS) oversees the City’s cooling areas and will provide free face coverings for guests who do not have one and want to utilize the cooling areas. Cooling centers are activated when the City’s emergency response plan is in place or as conditions warrant. When online, cooling centers operate from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Mondays – Fridays.
The closest cool center to the 49th ward is at 845 W. Wilson Ave. In addition to dedicated cooling centers, the City will expand citywide cooling spaces by utilizing other City buildings such as libraries, park facilities and City Colleges facilities on an as-needed basis during excessive heat.
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Latest Information on COVID-19 from the
Chicago Department of Public Health
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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.
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Call or email the Rogers Park Community Response Team!
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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.
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Glenwood Sunday Market Moves to Hybrid Model
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The Glenwood Sunday Market is moving to a hybrid model this weekend, incorporating both walk-through and pick-up options. The market will now allow people to walk-through and purchase directly from vendors, or to pre-order, pre-pay and pick up their purchases.
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Rogers Park Business Alliance COVID-19 Resources
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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.
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Redwood Remote Literacy Program
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Redwood Literacy is offering a remote learning program to provide students individualized instruction in reading, writing, and math with core knowledge content. Redwood Remote’s goal is to provide consistency in intervention for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Students will meet with instructors 9-12, Monday-Friday, and all sessions will run for 55 minutes via Zoom in group of 3-4 students.
For information on whether this program may be a good fit, please reach out to becky@redwoodliteracy.com, as limited spots are available.
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Learn in Shelter Tutoring Program
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Learn in Shelter is a volunteer-based tutoring programs that aims to reach K-12 students who would benefit from tutoring services. Learn in Shelter offers help with several academic subjects, including Math, Science, English, History, Foreign Language, and Computer Science. The sessions are conducted via Zoom, and the services are completely free for students. Interested families can sign up at learninshelter.org.
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CPS Grab-and-Go Meal Sites
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Although the school year has come to a close, CPS’s grab-and-go meal sites will continue to provide our students with healthy meals during summer break. Beginning Monday, June 22 through Friday, August 28, hundreds of summer grab-and-go meal sites will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
In order to find the most up-to-date list of meal sites near you, please visit cps.edu/mealsites.
Please note that meal sites will be closed on Friday, June 19 due to a scheduled day off for staff. However, meal deliveries will continue on Friday, June 19, and the meal sites will provide families with extra food on Thursday, June 18.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the CPS Command Center at 773-553-KIDS (5437) or familyservices@cps.edu.
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Essential Jobs/Help Wanted
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Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Hiring Senior Grantee Auditor
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The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) is looking for qualified candidates to fill a Senior Grantee Auditor position. To learn more about this opening, please visit the job description here.
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Trilogy Healthcare Hiring Chief Medical Officer
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Triology Healthcare is looking for candidates to fill their Chief Medical Officer role. Interested candidates can find the job description and a link to the application on their website here.
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Trilogy Healthcare Hiring Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
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Triology Healthcare is looking for candidates to fill their Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion role. Interested candidates can find the job description and a link to the application on their website here.
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A Just Harvest Hiring Census Field Director
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A Just Harvest is coordinating a census outreach initiative, and is hiring a Census Field Director to oversee their 2020 Census Outreach Initiative for the North Lawndale neighborhood. The Census Field Director is a three-month position at a rate of $25/hour for 30 hours per week. Position is open immediately.
Job Responsibilities Include:
- Train and manage a small team of part-time Census Outreach Coordinators
- Develop and implement a field plan to build relationships with community residents, leaders and businesses; develop and host virtual and in person events in partnership with the community leaders to raise census response rates in the North Lawndale
- Create outreach materials, and other perform other relevant education and public relation activities
- Track, document, and report data on work plan deliverables
Job Qualifications
- A strong understanding of the importance of the census and the census process
- Experience managing teams
- Experience in community organizing, electoral campaigns, or other relevant experience.
- Effective written and spoken communication
- Ability to relate to a variety of personalities and cultures
- Accurate record-keeping skills and strong attention to detail
- Ability and willingness to travel in North Lawndale and Rogers Park Chicago
- Reliable transportation or desire to take public transportation
Interested candidates should send a short cover letter and resume to accounting@ajustharvest.org to apply and put “Census Field Director” in the subject line. Please, no phone calls.
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