32nd Ward Update: May 2013

32nd Ward Update
Alderman Scott Waguespack
May 10th, 2013
Dear Wrightwood Neighbors Association,

 

For all of you who need residential zone stickers, our office will be unable to sell these next due to major changes to the City Clerk sticker sales software. Please be prepared to travel to other City Clerk locations to obtain those next week.

 

Meter deal redux… Thanks for the many emails regarding the new deal on the dreaded parking meters scam of 2008. As many of you know, the deal has already been made with the parking meter company to revise the original deal. While 24 Aldermen signed on already, some aldermen are still reviewing the documents and asking for an independent analysis of the Mayors new deal, as we did with the first. There are serious urban planning issues with offering “Free Sunday!” parking, as well as increasing the number of hours that the meters operate, none of which have been addressed or answered. The second serious issue has to do with the monetary aspect of the new deal. Many questions remain as to the compensation the meter company will see for “Free Sundays” versus the increase in hours. Questions remain about the effect the new deal will have when the City rolls out new bike lanes, new Bus Rapid Transit and other proposed changes to our infrastructure. This deal affects the taxpayers bottom line, the drivers who park, customers trying to get to small businesses, and the list goes on. I will consider all aspects of this and provide you with the best assessment possible under the circumstances. What this approach does prove is that our City needs to empower the Inspector General andfind a way to create an independent budget office to review the deals that have plagued taxpayers for decades. Many of you have been phone polled (not by me) and many have provided good feedback and opinions on the new deal via email. Thank you for your input and concerns.

 

Have a great weekend,

Alderman Scott Waguespack

In this Newsletter
$100k or $1Billion
Attention to all Zoned Parking Residents
2013-14 City of Chicago Vehicle Sticker Renewal
On Homelessness
Events
Free Healthy Summer Meals
DFSS Spring 2013 Senior Life Enrichment Guide
WolrdChicago Young International Event
News
Neighborhood Meetings
Burr Book Sale
2nd Annual Women’s Health and Resource Fair

$100k or $1 Billion

This week, the Chicago Progressive Caucus was joined by several aldermen in introducing a strong ordinance to give the City Inspector General the power he needs to help clean up Chicago government.  Whether it is a contract for $100,000 or a meter deal for $1 Billion, we need a second opinion and a strong IG.

 

As today’s Suntimes Editorial Board put it, “Wednesday’s ordinance includes three important measures. It would establish a budget floor for the IG, so a mayor irritated by an investigation couldn’t retaliate by slashing the IG’s budget. It would give the IG independent spending authority, so he or she wouldn’t have to ask for permission to spend money from the very people who might be under investigation. And most important, it would give the IG the authority to enforce subpoenas to get information.”

 

The Tribune furthered the argument for a stronger IG today as well, “A guaranteed funding level and freedom to spend and hire independently are meant to protect the office from political pressures. They prevent the mayor from punishing the inspector general for doing his job too well.

Inspector General Joe Ferguson and his predecessor, David Hoffman, frequently embarrassed Daley with their findings. Widespread loafing by sanitation crews. Squishy bookkeeping about minority contractor payments. Firefighters falsifying mileage reports. That “dubious” 75-year parking meter deal. Truck drivers who get paid to taxi other workers to and from job sites and do nothing the rest of the day. “Public benefits clauses” that require developers to donate to clouted charities to qualify for tax breaks.

The measures introduced by the aldermen Wednesday read as if they were cribbed from Emanuel’s campaign literature.(as Eric Zorn points out) But it was easy to talk about the need for a strong and independent inspector general when the reports were about things that happened on someone else’s watch. Now, suddenly, the inspector general has all the authority he needs!”

 

Chicago Progressive Caucus Facebook Like us on Facebook

 

 

More info on the Progressive Caucus

 

Attention To All Zoned Parking Residents
Due to the City Clerk upgrading their payment system, our office will not be able to sell daily residential parking passes the week of May 13th. People will still be able to order themonline, and buy the passes in person at 121 N. LaSalle and 5430 W. Gale during that week. We apologize for any inconvenience.

2013-14 City of Chicago Vehicle Sticker Renewal
The City Clerk’s Office will be selling 2013-2014 city vehicle stickers, annual residential parking permits, and daily residential parking passes in our office from 10am-4pm on June 6th. Things to know:
  • Chicago city vehicle stickers, annual residential parking permits, and daily residential parking passes expire June 30, 2013. City stickers must be purchased by July 15th in order to avoid a late fee. The City Clerk’s Office DOES NOT refund or exchange unused daily residential passes.
  • Renewal forms will be mailed to residents by the City Clerk’s Office in mid-May.
  • 2013-14 city vehicle stickers, annual residential parking permits, and residential parking guest passes will go on sale the week of May 20th. Chicago city vehicle stickers can be purchased at any City Clerk Office location, Department of Finance Office, at most currency exchanges and Dominick’s grocery stores (complete list on the City Clerk website,www.chicityclerk.com).
  • In order to purchase a Chicago city sticker vehicle sticker you MUST bring your renewal form. If you do not have a renewal form, you MUST bring your state vehicle registration, vehicle title, or insurance card that contains your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN); photo id and a current lease or utility bill (hard copy only) if your photo ID does not reflect your current address. If you do not have these documents, the City Clerk will not sell you a city sticker.
  • Chicago city vehicle sticker prices have not changed – they remain $85 for a small passenger and $135 for a large passenger. Seniors are eligible to receive one discounted sticker on a small or large passenger vehicle for $30 provided they have a valid Illinois driver’s license and will be age 65 or older by June 30, 2013.
  • In June 2014, everyone will renew their Chicago city vehicle sticker just as they have in years past. However, at that time, motorists will be put on their NEW sticker schedule.
  • The new expiration date will be 6 months apart from the expiration of the vehicle’s license plate sticker. For example, if a license plate sticker expires in April, the Chicago city vehicle sticker will expire in October.
  • With the June 2014 renewal only, drivers will be able to purchase a pro-rated sticker or a long-term sticker to get them on their new renewal schedule.

Alderman Waguespack on Homelessness and Housing- quick interview with Streetwise
Interview with Streetwise
 

Events
Avondale Restaurant Crawl
The Northwest Arts Connection, the Greater Avondale Chamber of Commerce and the Avondale Neighborhood Association invite you to the first Avondale Restaurant Crawl, celebrating some of the unique restaurants of east Avondale. For tickets click here or call (708)716-3612. Tickets get you sample plates at every participating restaurant, rides on a complimentary trolley and an Avondale history tour.
Clean up Jonquil Park
Join Wrightwood Neighbors and help clean up! They will be meeting by the tennis courts along the Wrightwood side of the park. Some supplies will be provided from the Friends of the Parks. If you can bring a couple of small grocery bags, that would be great!
Saturday, May 11th
10:00 a.m.
Jonquil Park
Corner of Wrightwood and Seminary
Shredding Event
Come out and shred unneeded documents or recycle all of your old electronics for free!
Saturday, May 11th
10:00 a.m. – Noon
Kmart/ Jewel parking lot
1360 N. Ashland Ave. 
Burr Elementary
Be part of a lasting display of public art by helping with the installation of a large-scale mosaic at Burr Elementary. Fun activities will also be provided for small children.
Saturday, May 11th
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Burr Elementary (Playground)
1621 W. Wabansia Ave.

* Be prepared to get messy-wear work clothes.

18th District Family Fun Adoption Event
Let Chicago Animal Care & Control and Chicago Police Department help you find the perfect pet at the adoption event. Come meet the dogs and cats waiting for their furever home. Every companion animal deserves a loving home. The cost to adopt is $65 (payment is in the form of personal check or cash – exact amount). Kids, Animal & Kindness Presentation starts at noon. For volunteer opportunities at CACC, please click here.
Saturday, May 18th
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
18th Police District
1160 N. Larrabee

Free Healthy Summer Meals
The Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS) is pleased to inform you that applications from organizations to participate in the 2013 Healthy Summer Nutrition Lunch Program are now being accepted.
The Healthy Summer Nutrition Lunch Program allows community based and faith based organizations to provide low income youth, age 18 years and under (up to 21 for youth with disabilities), with free nutritious meals.
Organizations can apply to be one of the three types of hosts:
  • meals on-site to any low-income young person, with no enrollment requirements
  • meals only to young people who are enrolled in activities at the site
  • meals as part of day camp program
Applications may be downloaded from  www.cityofchicago.org/fss.

DFSS Spring 2013 Senior Life Enrichment Guide
The spring issue of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Service’s Senior Life Enrichment Guide is now available. Inside the guide, seniors will find information about health and wellness, educational, recreational and many other types of events, trips, classes and lectures, along with schedules and registration details. Most of these are free or at a nominal cost.
This issue also urges older Chicagoans to “Unleash the Power of Age”, the theme of this year’s Older Americans Month. By focusing their efforts and influence, Chicago’s nearly 400,000 seniors can greatly enrich their own communities and our entire city.
The contents of the guide are also posted online atwww.cityofchicago.org/fss. More information about DFSS services and programs is available by calling the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at (312) 744-4016.

WorldChicago Young Internationals Event “No Place Like Home”
Join WorldChicago, in partnership with the Chicago Area Peace Corps Association, for a look at how cultural identity can change over time. Speaker, Teresa Albor, will share how her experiences living abroad have molded her cultural identity. She will also explore the impact this change in identity has on what it means to return “home”. Albor lived in southeast Asia for over a decade, having serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines, and is now married to a British Diplomat. She has loved and worked in Manila, India and Hong Kong as well as London and Eastern Europe. For the last two years she has been living in Chicago, where her husband is serving the British Consul General. Currently, a multidisciplinary artist working in the realms of installation, performance, social practice and sculpture, she has also supported herself as a journalist and project manager. Their will be an opportunity for Q&A. Beverages and appetizers will be served. Cost and registration is $12 per person. Click here to register.
Monday, May 13th
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
(address will be emailed to all who registered)
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32nd Ward Office
2657 N. Clybourn 
 
Phone: 773-248-1330
Fax:     773-248-1360
Hours: M – F, 9am-6pm
 
Ward Night is the first Monday of every month from 5-8 pm except on holidays.
The next Ward Night will be June 3rd.
Please feel free to email or call us with any requests.
You do not need to wait until ward night to meet. The ward office is open for you to stop in and make requests throughout the week. Please feel free to stop by at any time during regular business hours and my staff will assist you. 

News

Neighborhood Meetings
Wrightwood Neighbors Association
Hear from local Beat Officers and Community Policing Sgt. Jason Clark. Join them for dinner, the CAPS meeting and neighborhood meeting.
Monday, May 13th
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
New Life Church
1110 W. Lill

South Lakeview Neighbors 
All members are invited for some warm-up drinks and for some pizza and appetizers. Then more beer and wine that will follow the conclusion of the meeting and the election of the officers and directors.  This is the final formal Membership Meeting for the 2012-2013 season. The final meeting has traditionally been called, FUN NIGHT.
Tuesday, May 14th
St. Alphonsus Church (basement)
1429 W. Wellington
7:30 p.m.
Bucktown Community Organization
It’s Bite into Bucktown- 

Come meet your neighbors while tasting foods from select Bucktown eateries. This event is free and open to all BCO area residents. Feel free to RSVP here.

Wednesday, May 15th
6:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.
Wicker Park Bucktown Library
1701 N. Milwaukee Ave
Ukrainian Village
Annual elections will be held during this month’s meeting. Only current members of the UVNA can run for office.
Thursday, May 16th
6:30 p.m.
St. Helen’s School
2347 W. Augusta 
 

 

KINDERGARTEN ROUNDUP AT PULASKI

Wednesday, May 29, 4:00PM, Leavitt-side Playground

Little ones entering Kindergarten at Pulaski in the 2013/14 school year and their families are invited to attend the annual Kindergarten Roundup after school on May 29.  Meet the teachers, check out the classrooms, and start making friends for the year ahead.  A Roundup for incoming PreK students will take place in June as soon as enrollment is finalized. 

Burr Booksale
Burr Elementary is hosting a used book sale. Over 6,000 used books will be priced to sell at Burr. All proceeds support library and technology programs at the school. From childrens’ book to mysteries and everything in between, you’re bound to find a bargain and support a local public school at the same time. For any questions click here to contact Jeannette. Bring your teacher ID after the sale ends and you can take any leftovers for free!
Saturday, May 18th from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Sunday, May 19th
1:30 p.m.- 2 p.m.
Burr Elementary
1621 W. Wabansia

2nd Annual Women’s Health and Resources Fair 
Representative Ann Williams would like to invite you to the 2nd Annual Women’s Health and Resource Fair. This event is being hosted by, Representative Ann Williams, Senate President John Cullerton and State Representative Sara Feigenholtz.

Saturday, June 8th
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lakeview YMCA
3333 N. Marshfield