Parking There are a number of regulations on parking in the City of Chicago. The following provides information on many of the requirements imposed on drivers in the city. Expand the boxes below by clicking on the arrows to learn more about parking in the City of Chicago. As always, feel free to contact us if you have further questions. CITY STICKER RESIDENTIAL ZONE PARKING & PARKING GARAGES DISABLED PARKING RESIDENTIAL MOVES STREET SWEEPING WINTER PARKING DRIVEWAY SIGN REQUESTS RESIDENTIAL TRUCKS PARKING PERMITS CONTRACTOR PARKING PLACARD PARKING METERS

Frequently Asked Questions How do I get a residential parking permit or sticker? You can purchase both City Stickers and Residential Parking Permits in person at the City Clerk’s offices at City Hall (121 N LaSalle St, Room 107) and the North Side Satellite Office (5430 W Gale St). City Stickers (and guest passes for residential permit parking) can also be purchased online . You can look up your parking zone here . Residents on permit zoned streets are eligible to purchase the $25 yearly parking permits at part of their city sticker. However, the alderman’s office grants exception letters to residents who live on blocks perpendicular to and touching any zoned parking streets. All Chicago residents who own or use a vehicle are required to display a valid city sticker on their windshield’s passenger-side corner, regardless of where the vehicle is registered. For more information, please visit the City Vehicle Sticker page here . Can I get a No Parking / Moving sign for my residential move? Our office offers complimentary “No Parking” signs available for residential moves at the ward office for residents moving themselves only . If residents have contracted a moving company, the company must apply and receive the enforceable "No Parking" signs to park their vehicle on the street. The company then charges the $25 permit fee to the resident. If you have contracted a moving company, please work with your moving company ahead of time to secure these signs . Please note, the complimentary signs are not enforceable by ticket or towing. For residents who obtain these signs, we ask that you hang the signs 48-hours prior to your move to give your neighbors adequate time to find alternative parking. Please do not post signs on traffic signs, disabled parking signs, in crosswalks, in no parking tow zones, or in other illegal parking spots. Otherwise, if you want enforceable “No Parking” signs, you can go through the Department of Transportation’s Permits Department. The cost for the enforceable permit is $25. You can apply for the permit on CDOT's permitting platform . Please be advised that moving vehicles are not allowed to park overnight on any streets and are subject to ticketing if left out overnight. Moving PODs & containers are not allowed on any street or City property (alleys, parkways, sidewalks) per City code . Being as such, our office does not provide the unenforceable signs for PODs. It is the responsibility of the renter to secure a private parking spot for a POD. If the renter leaves the POD on a street, they are subject to hefty fines. Our office makes an exception for PODs on a truck bed connected to a functional vehicle which can be moved immediately upon request. Our office can provide unenforceable moving signs for this exception if requested. How can I get a tree trimmed or a dead tree removed? As of 2023, The City has shifted the way in which it handles the trimming of trees on City property. Before 2023, the Bureau of Forestry of the Department of Streets and Sanitation accepted individual tree trim requests. However, this process was tedious and inhibited Forestry crews from trimming all trees in the City. This bureau is responsible for maintaining the City’s urban forest – Chicago’s half-a-million or so parkway trees. The Bureau has now shifted over to a "zoned-trimming" schedule in which our Ward (and all Wards) are split into different zones, each zone is assigned a schedule for trimming, and Forestry crew systematically visit each zone for trimming while following the schedule. Residents may request a tree to be planted in their front parkways (if room allows, see Tree Trimming & Planting Guidelines), or for a tree to be inspected if dead or diseased. If deemed more than half-dead, the City will have a tree removed (and stump ground down) but otherwise healthy trees are not removed. As the backlog on tree planting is several years, homeowners may choose to plant a tree in their parkway at their own expense–see procedures. To request these services, please call 311 or submit your request online through the proper form on the Bureau of Forestry’s website . How do I get a new garbage or recycling bin? Residents who receive trash pick-up from the city (properties with 4 units or less) can request up to two garbage bins, and one recycling bin OR one garbage bin and two recycling bins per unit. Businesses are not eligible for city trash pickup, and in many cases, those living in large apartment or condo buildings do not receive city pick-up. If you do receive city pick-up, you can submit a 311 request for a garbage can maintenance or for a new blue bin. If you would like our office to assist you with entering your 311 request, you can call us at 773-338-5796 or email us at office@49thward.org . How do I get a garbage truck to stop waking me up before 7am? The City of Chicago prohibits trucks from picking up trash before 7 AM under the Noise Ordinance . In many cases, those companies violating the ordinance are private contractors. If this is a persistent issue, you can submit a complaint to our office by calling us at 773-338-5796 or by emailing us at office@49thward.org . If it is not a persistent issue, we recommend that you call 911 to seek enforcement of the noise ordinance. What type of construction or work is being done on my block? You can use this website to find out about construction on your block. If you can’t find it on this map, please feel free to reach out to our office at 773-338-5796, and we can follow up about your specific request. Construction permits are public record, and anyone can sign up for access to the city's permit database by clicking here . After signing up for an account, you can search for construction permits by date and address to find out the reason for the construction that is occurring on your block. Please contact our office if you have any questions regarding any construction permits. How do I get a pothole fixed? You can report a pothole to the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) by filing a 311 complaint through the phone or the 311 website . If you believe the entire street or alley needs re-paved, please contact our office at 773-338-5796 or at office@49thward.org . Feel free to contact us if you need help filing a 311 complaint as well. There’s water on my street -- what can I do? Streets can flood during heavy rain storms from leaves and other street debris clogging street drains. To prevent this issue, please tell your neighbors and any landscaping companies to not rake leaves into the street. If you see a clogged street drain, just take a rake to sweep up and bag this debris, disposing it in the trash or compost in a yard. If standing water remains after removing leaves and debris from the street drains, please contact our office and we will get the City to schedule an unclogging. How can we make my street more pedestrian friendly? Our office is committed to ensuring our streets are safe for everyone. If you want to request a new street sign, changing a speed limit, new street paint, bump outs, or other traffic calming measures, please contact our office. If you are looking to replace an existing street sign, you can submit a 311 request here . How can I find out when my street will be swept? You can find out when your street will be swept by looking out for orange paper no-parking signs on your street or by utilizing our street sweeping map here . Typically, the Department of Streets & Sanitation (DSS) begins posting these signs beginning April 1st and ending in mid-November. The signs are posted on residential streets approximately two days in advance of street sweeping and are required to be posted at least 24 hours in advance, then removed after the area is clean to open the parking spots for use. The Department posts permanent street signs along commercial and article streets to indicate that day(s) of the week and time(s) for street sweeping. Failure to move a vehicle from a posted no-parking zone may result in a $60 fine during street sweeping days. We highly encourage you to move your vehicle on street sweeping days in order to help clean streets and prevent flooding. There's a light out on my street or in my alley. How can it get fixed? If a light is out on your street or in your alley, you can submit a request to replace it on 311 here . If you would like our office to assist you with entering your 311 request, you can call us at 773-338-5796 or email us at office@49thward.org . The City is in the process of replacing all of our street lights with new, smart LED lights . These lights will allow the Chicago Department of Transportation to detect which lights are out automatically, which will eliminate the need to report lights out in the near future. I’ve noticed that there is a rodent problem in my area. What can I do? Residents can help prevent and address rats in the neighborhood. Rodent abatement services can be obtained by call 311 or the 49th Ward office. Chicago's Bureau of Rodent Control investigates every reported rat sighting. Alley conditions are investigated, damaged carts are replaced, and rodenticide is placed in rat burrows to eradicate the nest. Many reported rodent problems are highly preventable. The Department of Streets & Sanitation needs the cooperation of residents and businesses to keep the neighborhood rat free. You can help by making sure your trash is properly contained. Exposed garbage is the primary reason rodents proliferate. When garbage carts are securely closed, rats will eat the rodenticide and die. How you can help prevent rats: Do not overfill your trash receptacles such that the lid does not seal close. Try to put food scraps in separate smaller bags and place at the bottom of your containers. If possible, save non-food trash till next collection if it’ll overfill the receptacle. Never put a bag with food scraps or food wrappers outside a trash receptacle–rats will chew right into this for a quick meal. If you have a blue cart, put as much clean paper and plastics in there which will save room in the black carts for food scraps and non-recyclables. If your cart has any type of hole, chewed-off area or a missing/defective lid, report this to 311 immediately. If you see a regular occurrence of overfilled receptacles or bags left by them that containing food scraps/wrappers, report it to our office. It doesn’t matter if the receptacles are for houses, apartment buildings, businesses or restaurants. For home gardens and landscaped areas, you may consider laying down “hardware cloth” or chicken wire in garden beds, large planters and other areas where rats may burrow. Rats don’t burrow through metal. Working together, we can continue to eliminate these urban pests. Remember if rats can't feed, they can't breed! If you see a rat or notice conditions that may contribute to rodent activity, call our office at 773-338-5796 or send us an email to office@49thward.org. You can also call the City at 311 or click on the button to submit an online request for rodent baiting . Why hasn’t my street been plowed? When it snows, the Department of Streets and Sanitation first priority is clearing the arterial streets and Lake Shore Drive. Once those are deemed safe, plows become available to the wards for plowing and salting side streets. Depending on the time it takes to clear arterial streets, outdoor temperatures and other variables, driving conditions may not be ideal on side streets. If additional salt is needed on your street, you can submit a 311 request for snow or ice removal. If you would like our office to assist you with entering your request, you can call our office at 773-338-5796 or send us an email to office@49thward.org . How can I get my neighbor’s sidewalk shoveled? It is the responsibility of property owners and occupants to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Chicagoans of all ages and abilities need to use the sidewalks to get where they're going every day of the year. When there has been snowfall, a 5-foot-wide-path must be cleared, snow must be cleared by 10PM on the day of the snowfall if it falls between 7am and 7pm, and by 10am the next day if it falls between 7pm and 7am. If someone has not cleared snow in front of their property, you can file a 311 request for “Snow - Uncleared Sidewalk or Bike Lane” or send us an email to office@49thward.org . We will contact the property owner to remind them of their responsibilities and ask our ward superintendent to visit the property. Please keep in mind that some neighbors may struggle to shovel their sidewalk due to mobility issues. If you know that a neighbor struggles to clear their sidewalk due to these issues, please consider helping to shovel the snow.

Ward Service Office | Chicago's 49th Ward FAQ Service Request Our Ward Calendar Quick Links for Popular Resources: Parking Housing & Tenants Development Proposals Ward Newsletter Archive City Council Updates Legislation Community Calendar:

Housing & Tenant Resources Rogers Park is a transit-rich neighborhood on the far north side of Chicago. It is one of the last remaining affordable neighborhoods along the lakefront. Approximately 75% of Rogers Park residents are renters. Below, the 49th Ward Office has compiled a number of resources to help tenants find affordable housing, understand their rights, and more. Of course, if you have any questions, please contact the 49th Ward office at 773-338-5796 or office@49thward.org . Affordable Housing Resources Homelessness Resources Tenant Resources Eviction Resources Legal Aid Resources

Services Our office provides a wide range of city services. For more information, please visit one of the links below. If you have any questions, we can always be reached via email at office@49thward.org or by calling (773) 338-5796 . Block Parties CityKey ID Electronics Recycling Garage & Yard Sale Permit Heating Repair Program Lead Service Line Testing & Replacement Noise Complaints Office of the Inspector General Outdoor Special Events Parking Service Request Street Sweeping

Resources Our office is available to help navigate the wide range of resources offered by the city of Chicago. If you have any questions, you can always reach us by emailing office@49thward.org or by calling (773) 338-5796 . Community Assets Community Aid Opportunities Domestic Violence Resources Economic Relief Employment Opportunities Emotional/Mental Health Support Frequently Asked Questions Housing & Tenant Resources Information on Elected Officals LGBTQIA+ Resources Property Tax Exemptions Resources for Immigrants Resources for Seniors Resources for Veterans Volunteer Opportunities

Resources for Veterans The Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County is here for you! The VACCC offers assistance with emergency financial services, including help with rent and mortgage payments, utilities, food, and transportation. They are also available to schedule appointments with their Veteran Service Officers (VSOs), who can assist with VA claims, benefits, and appeals. In addition, our staff can guide veterans in navigating the wide range of county and community resources designed to support them and their families. Whether you need immediate financial relief, long-term benefits assistance, or help connecting with local programs, the VACCC is here to ensure veterans are never left without support.

Business & Development Our office is dedicated to promoting new business and development in the 49th Ward. Please see click on one of the projects listed below for specific information pertaining to that business or development. If you have any questions, our staff can always be reached by emailing office@49thWard.org or calling (773) 338-5796 . Current Development Proposals Past Development Decisions Building Permits Liquor Moratorium Process Loading/Standing Zones Public Way Use & Sidewalk Cafes Rogers Park Business Alliance Zoning Changes

Information on Elected Officials The Chicago Board of Election's website can assist you in identifying all the officials elected to serve you at various levels of government. Simply enter your address on the " Your Voter Information " page . Once the search results appear, click on the "Public Officials" tab to view the different offices and information on how to contact them. FEDERAL U.S. Senator Dick Durbin U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth 9th District Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky 4500 Oakton Street Skokie, IL 60076 773-506-7100 STATE Governor J.B. Pritzker Attorney General Kwame Raoul Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs 7th District State Senator Simmons 1040 W. Bryn Mawr Ave Chicago, Il 60660 773-769-1717 14th District State Rep. Kelly Cassidy 1507 W. Morse Ave Chicago, IL 60626 773-784-2002 COUNTY Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita 908 Sherman Avenue Evanston, IL 60202 847-864-1209 LOCAL Mayor Brandon Johnson City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin City Clerk Anna Valencia 24th District Council Members Chicago Board of Education District 2A: Ebony DeBerry

Economic Relief Resources Click each tab below to explore and learn more about programs that can provide some financial relief to eligible households. Not finding what you're looking for? You can also visit 211metrochicago.org or dial 2-1-1 to connect with a variety of resources. 2-1-1 is an information and referral resource, helping connect people to food, housing, utility payment assistance, health care, transportation, childcare, employment, mental health, disaster information and assistance, and more Food & Nutrition Health Care Utilities Food & Nutrition A Just Harvest Located at 7649 N. Paulina Street in the 49th Ward, A Just Harvest offers a community meal to go daily between 12-2 pm. They also host a food pantry every Wednesday between 3-5 pm. For more information, visit their website . Care For Real Care for Real distributes free, fresh, nutritious food to neighbors in Rogers Park every Thursday from 3-6 pm at the United Church of Rogers Park located at 1545 W. Morse. For more information, visit Care For Real's website . Ignatian Mission Center Located at 1735 W. Greenleaf, the Ignatian Mission Center's food pantry is open Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and midday Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone who lives in the area bounded by Granville Avenue on the south, Howard Street on the north, Lake Michigan on the east and Western Avenue on the west can receive food from the pantry once a month, as long as they meet income levels. For more information, click her e. Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) SNAP/LINK Cards help individuals and families purchase groceries. By providing money for groceries, SNAP frees up household income for other necessities, like medicine or utilities. In Illinois, the SNAP/LINK Card Program is overseen by the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS). There are eligibility requirements for income, employment, and citizenship. You can apply in person, over the phone, or online. For more information, visit wegotyouillinois.org/snap . Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children - better known as the WIC program - serves to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health care. You can learn more and access the pre-screening tool found here to determine your eligibility. The Child and Adult Care Food Program(CACFP) CACFP partially reimburses participating agencies providing healthy meals and snacks at Adult Day Service Centers under the Community Care Program. For more information about the CACFP program, visit the website here or contact: Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) One Natural Resources Way, #100 Springfield, IL 62702-1271 Phone: (217) 782-2407 or 1-800-252-8966 Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program These services include both home-delivered meals (such as Meals on Wheels) and healthy meals served in group settings, such as senior centers and faith-based locations. In addition, the programs provide a range of services including nutrition screening, assessment, education, and counseling. Nutrition services also provide an important link to other supportive in-home and community-based supports such as homemaker and home-health aide services, transportation, physical activity and chronic disease self-management programs, home repair and modification, and falls prevention programs. More information on this program can be found here . Your local nutrition site can be found using the website and you can also call 1-800-677-1116. Health Care Get Covered Illinois In 2026, Illinois moved from HealthCare.gov to a state-based marketplace. This marketplace allows Illinois residents to compare health plans, enroll in a plan, and get financial help to lower the monthly costs of coverage. To learn more, visit getcovered.illinois.gov . Medicaid Medicaid is a jointly funded state and Federal government program that pays for medical assistance services. Medicaid pays for medical assistance for eligible children, parents, and caretakers of children, pregnant women, persons who are disabled, blind, or 65 years of age or older, those who were formerly in foster care services, and adults aged 19-64 who are not receiving Medicare coverage and who are not the parent or caretaker relative of a minor child. You can discover if you are eligible here . For information on Illinois Medicaid, visit the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services website here . Medicare Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 or older, people under the age of 65 with certain disabilities, people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). More information about Medicare in Illinois can be found here . In order to apply for Medicare benefits, plan participants are instructed to contact their local SSA office or call 1-800-772-1213. Plan participants may also sign up for Medicare Part A via the SSA website at www.socialsecurity.gov . To ensure that benefits are coordinated appropriately and to prevent financial liabilities with healthcare claims, plan participants must notify the State of Illinois CMS Medicare COB Unit when they become eligible for Medicare. The Medicare COB Unit can be reached by calling 1-800-442-1300 or (217) 782-7007. CDPH Mental Health Centers The Chicago Department of Public Health Mental Health Centers offer care that provides support for emotional, traumatic, or behavioral difficulties. All Mental Health Centers provide outpatient mental health services for adults, children and adolescents including intake/screening, individual therapy, group therapy, case management, and medication management (same-day medication appointments).Support is based on needs identified by the consumer, including goals, objectives, and specific mental health services. These services are provided free of charge to all Chicagoans who are unable to pay. For more information and locations, click here . National Alliance on Mental Health The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI runs educational programs and a toll-free NAMI help line . You can find your local NAMI office in Illinois by using the website. You can also visit the NAMI Illinois website directly for more information. You can call the NAMI National Help Line at 800-950-6264, Monday through Friday, 9 am-9 pm CST. Or in a crisis, text “NAMI” to 741741 for 24/7, confidential, free crisis counseling. The Illinois NAMI office can be contacted via: 1603 Orrington Avenue, Suite 600 Evanston, IL 60201 Office: 217-522-1403 nami@namiillinois.org Utilities Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income households pay for home energy services (primarily heating during winter months). Illinois residents with a household income that does not exceed an amount determined annually by the Department of Commerce are eligible. Annual eligibility levels are determined based on available funding and may not exceed 60% of the state median income. See How to Apply for more information. For a complete list of LIHEAP application agencies based on county, see Where to Apply . For additional program information check out the Frequently Asked Questions . Or call Help Illinois Families call center at 1-833-711-0374. ComEd Payment Assistance ComEd offers a variety of programs, from their Low Income Discount (LID) program to payment programs, visit ComEd's website to learn more and see which programs you are eligible for. Peoples Gas Peoples Gas offers energy assessments and rebates for residential and business uses. Learn more about Peoples Gas's utility assistance programs by clicking here . Utility Billing Relief Program Utility Billing Relief (UBR) provides low-income City of Chicago residents with a reduced rate on their water, sewer, and water-sewer tax as well as debt relief for those who demonstrate they can manage the reduced rate bills for one year. Learn more and apply on the City of Chicago's website . CEDA CEDA’s LIHEAP programs offer heating and electricity assistance through the DVP program to income-eligible households. DVP issues a one-time benefit applied directly to your utility accounts. Assistance is available to help households with their heating (natural gas, oil, or propane) and/or electric bills. Cash payments are also available to eligible renters who do not have heating bills because their energy costs are included in the rent. The LIHEAP program begins on October 1 and runs until August 15, or until funds are exhausted. To help the most vulnerable populations within communities, there will be one priority month. To learn more, click here . Chicago Connected Chicago Connected was a groundbreaking program that provided no-cost, high-speed internet service to CPS students and their families. This first-of-its-kind program was one of the largest efforts by any city to provide internet access for students. Through partnerships with businesses, community groups, governments, and philanthropic organizations, Chicago Connected responded to an opportunity to eliminate a barrier to digital learning that disproportionately hurt the city’s low‐income families and students of color. To learn more, click here . Lifeline Lifeline is a federal program that helps people with low incomes get discounted telephone or internet service. Learn about eligibility, applying, and getting help with your service by clicking here .

Resources for Seniors We are here to help, from public safety to consumer fraud concerns, from county tax issues to federal Medicare and Medicaid programs. Our Ward Service Office will always go beyond city issues to be your local resource for all government services. We work closely with Cook County Commissioners to help guide senior citizens on receiving applicable property tax exemptions. You can find your Cook County Commissioner by accessing the Chicago Board of Elections’ website . You can also download property tax exemption forms on the Cook County Assessor’s website . Senior Well-Being Check Department of Family Support Services Chicago Department on Aging Senior Sewer Exemption & Rebate Property Tax Exemption

The Future of the Fields: Community Process The Fields Community Process: Next Steps & Recommendations On Tuesday, October 27, our office hosted the final meeting in the Fields Schools community process. During the meeting, we reviewed the process, which was launched in December 2019, to date. We also shared the results of the final visioning survey, which are available by clicking the button below. View the Results During the meeting, the 49th Ward office shared information from Chicago Public Schools that we received in August for school communities seeking to pursue a school action. In that meeting, we learned that CPS has created a robust process for recommending school actions. This process includes establishing a steering committee that is representative of the school community, including a student representative. The steering committee would be required to follow specific outreach and engagement procedures, including recording participants and attendance throughout. Based on the level of engagement throughout the community process, the requirements CPS has established for recommending school actions, and the history between the two schools, our office will be making the following recommendations to CPS: We will push again for CPS to reconsider the student-based budgeting model that is bad for our neighborhood schools; We will ask CPS to reconsider the SQRP rating model and address the concerns around equity as it pertains to this rating system; We will ask for additional support from CPS to create robust articulation between the two schools, including more opportunities for students at both schools to engage with each other and the administrations; We will advocate for additional resources for Eugene Field so they can more effectively market the school to neighborhood families, especially prospective parents who are just beginning to look into schools for their children; and We will continue to engage with the two schools with activities and actions to bring healing to the two communities. Our office launched this process in December 2019 in response to a grassroots effort from the Unite the Fields organization. Our office took on a community process to ensure transparency and accountability in our ward's decision-making process. What became clear throughout the process is that our community deeply cares for our students and wants to provide them with strong neighborhood schools. When seeking schools for their students, parents want continuity, stability, and cohesion. Our office will continue to work with our local school communities and CPS to advocate for the resources and services they need to be first-choice schools. We know that this topic is extremely personal to many, so thank you for engaging with our office around it. While we plan on making these recommendations to CPS at this juncture, it doesn’t mean that we wouldn’t support other proposals or community actions in the future. We would support the formation of a steering committee that can explore potential community actions that follow CPS’s requirements. Thank you again to everyone who participated in this process over the past year. The Fields Community Meeting October 27 Our office will host our final meeting for the Fields Schools Community Process on Tuesday, October 27, from 6-7:30 pm. People interested in attending the virtual meeting can pre-register at bit.ly/fieldszoom . During the final meeting, our office will share the results of the last survey we asked people to complete. We will also share some of the feedback we received during the last two meetings. Finally, we will share the recommendations and feedback that we will be presenting to CPS. The Fields Community Meeting September 29 Our office will host a meeting for the community process around the Fields schools on Tuesday, September 29, from 6-7:30 pm. To join the meeting, go to bit.ly/fieldszoom . During our meeting on September 23, we began the process of evaluating the proposals and ideas that have been submitted through the community process to date. September 29 will be a continuation of that work. You can view the notes from the September 23 meeting by clicking here . Participants will also have the opportunity on September 29 to submit any additional ideas that were not previously identified. We are still asking that stakeholders complete the Fields Schools Visioning Survey online (en español aquí ) to share their feedback and ideas. This will help inform any final recommendations made to CPS. The survey will close on Friday, October 9, at 5 pm. Our office will host a final meeting after the survey closes to share the results of the survey and community feedback with the Fields' communities. We will then present the information to Chicago Public Schools so we can make recommendations that will create strong and sustainable neighborhood schools in the 49th Ward. The Fields Community Meeting September 23 In December 2019, the 49th Ward office undertook a community process to help vision and brainstorm ideas for the Fields Schools (i.e., Eugene Field and New Field). During the process, we identified strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and opportunities that these schools face. With a slight pause in the spring due to the COVID-19 crisis, the process resumed in August with an adjusted timeline. During the process, stakeholders submitted ideas and proposals to help support these schools. During the next community meeting, we will review the ideas that were generated during the community process. Participants will also have the opportunity to submit any additional ideas that were not previously identified during the meeting. We will then present this information to Chicago Public Schools so we can make recommendations that will create strong and sustainable neighborhood schools in the 49th Ward. To join the virtual community meeting at 6 pm on September 23, go to bit.ly/fieldszoom . Those who are unable to attend the meeting on September 23 may still complete the Fields Schools Visioning Survey online (en español aquí ) to share their feedback. For an overview of the community process to date, please visit the 49th Ward website . The Fields Community Process Update On August 19, our office hosted a meeting to resume the community process around the Fields schools. During the meeting, Principal Dobbins shared some of the matriculation work Eugene Field is partnering with New Field on to have a seamless and cohesive transition for students entering the fifth grade. We also heard from the Fields communities and Rogers Park residents regarding some of their concerns they have around our neighborhood schools, including the student-based budgeting model and the decrease of school-aged children in the neighborhood. Our office is finalizing the date for the next community meeting, where folks will have the opportunity to bring recommendations for consideration. Please keep your eye on this space, where we will announce the next meeting date. Additionally, we will share a Google Form for folks who are unable to attend the meeting but would still like the opportunity to share an idea or recommendation. Finally, please note that the infographics we previously shared in our newsletter inadvertently had switched out the "strengths" section for the schools. A corrected version of those SWOT analyses is available below. The Fields Community Process Resumes August 19 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: 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. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 19 at 6 pm via Zoom. Online preregistration is required at bit.ly/THEFIELDS . Complete a SWOT Analysis As we continue in the community process to vision solutions to support our Fields schools, we have asked residents to take a moment to complete a SWOT analysis for each school. This includes identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for each school. These can be internal or external factors. Please make sure to complete a SWOT analysis for each school. These analyses will help continue the process of identifying and visioning solutions to create strong, first-choice neighborhood schools. Feedback Overview During the second community meeting, the 49th Ward office asked stakeholders to complete a feedback form (a digital version of this was also made available). Below you will find a breakdown of the responses we received on that feedback form and some common themes that we identified. Our office ran into some issues with getting these sent home in kids' take-home packets through CPS. We are currently working with them to find ways to increase the number of respondents to help inform this process. Attend the Community Meeting The 49th Ward will host its third community meeting to continue the discussion on New Field and Eugene Field. During the meeting, we will go over responses to the feedback form from the previous meeting. We will also begin brainstorming and visioning ideas during the third meeting based on the feedback we've received so far. The next meeting will take place on Monday, January 27, at 5:30 pm at Eugene Field Elementary, 7019 N. Ashland . As we continue in the community process, meetings will alternate between Eugene Field and New Field. Spanish translation and childcare services will be available during the meeting. Submit Your Feedback In December, the 49th Ward office hosted its second community meeting on the future of the Fields Schools. During the meeting, we outlined the process and goals we'd like to see from this community-driven dialogue. Beginning in January, we will ask stakeholders to vision and brainstorm ideas. This will help build the foundation to identify solutions to support these two schools and the challenges they face in February and March. Beginning in April, we will present the community with proposal presentations and an opportunity to complete a survey before submitting a final report to CPS. At the December meeting, we asked participants to complete a feedback form to begin to identify their relationship to the schools, the reasons they want to be a part of this community process, the challenges their school(s) face, and things they would like to change at their school(s). The feedback form has now closed, but we will be going over the responses during the January 27 meeting.