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Metra Station Renovation Project January 2025 Renovation Updates Our office received news from the Office of Senator Dick Durbin that an additional $115 million in federal funding was secured for infrastructure projects across the state, including $23.6M for the Rogers Park Metra Station renovation. During our last meeting in 2024, Metra announced that work could begin on the renovations as early as 2025 on the new station. During our latest meeting, however, they announced that the project has experienced delays due to funding snags at the federal level. In light of this award, our office has reached out to Metra representatives to ask for an updated timeline and if the $23.6M award can bridge the remaining gap in construction costs. At this point in time, the project's schedule has not changed and it is not yet known if this award will cover construction costs. However, we will continue to work closely with our Metra partners on the timeline of construction and advocate for as soon of a completion time as possible. Metra serves as an economic engine for the entire Chicagoland region, and this renovation will serve as a catalyst for economic development in Rogers Park. To view Metra's presentation, click here . To view all updates our office has shared regarding the Metra renovation, you can access our website by clicking here . December 2024 Renovation Updates November 2024 Community Meeting August 2022 Community Meeting

Electronics Recycling Residential Electronics Recycling Program The Chicago Department of Public Health is trying to make it easier to recycle your old electronics by opening drop off locations throughout the city. Electronics can include, but aren't limited to: Computers Televisions Printers, fax machines, scanners Keyboards and mice VCRs, DVD players, and DVD recorders Video game consoles Portable, digital music players Digital converter boxes Cable & satellite receivers Small-scale servers There are also drop-off locations throughout the city that operate from April 1 through December 31. Those are listed below: Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility The City of Chicago operates a Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility located at 1150 N. Branch Street. The facility is open year-round during the following hours: Tuesdays from 7 am - 12 pm Thursdays from 2 pm - 7 pm First Saturday of each month from 8 am - 3 pm To view a full list of accepted materials, visit the City of Chicago website by clicking here . Earth911 Earth911.com is a recycling database that helps connect people to recycling resources. Simply visit earth911.com and enter the item you're looking to recycle and a zip code, it will pull up recycling centers in your area.

Garage & Yard Sale Permits Garage and yard sales cannot be held for longer than three consecutive days and must be held between 9:00 a.m. and sunset. In case of rain, the permit can be reissued for a later date. If more than one household is joining in a single sale, each household needs its own permit even if the sale is at the address of only one participating household. Signs advertising the sale may only be posted on the property where the sale is taking place. Violators face fines for posting signs on city property. Filing for a Permit: You can stop by our office with proof of residence and identification and fill out the application. You can scan and email a copy of your identification and a completed form to Office@49thWard.org . We will email the approved form back to you. APPLICATION - ENGLISH PERMISO - ESPAÑOL

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. Use the buttons below to learn more about parking in the City of Chicago. As always, feel free to contact us if you have further questions. City Sticker Winter Parking Top Residential Zones Disabled Parking Residential Moves Street Sweeping Driveway Signs Residential Trucks Contractor Placard Parking Meters CITY STICKER CitySticker A valid city sticker is required for all City residents who own a vehicle. New residents and those who recently purchased a vehicle have 30 days to come into compliance. City stickers are sold through the Chicago City Clerk’s office . You can purchase your sticker at the following locations : City Clerk office – 121 N. LaSalle, Room 107 City Clerk satellite office – 5430 W. Gale At most currency exchanges (service fee may apply) Online by clicking here You must show proof of address and vehicle registration when purchasing a sticker in person. COST The cost of City Stickers depends on the type of vehicle. The City Clerk’s Office collects VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) information from motorists and vehicle registration databases. This enables them to identify the vehicle type category to which a vehicle will be assigned. From there, prices are determined based on the vehicle’s make and model, weight and body type. The total price for your annual vehicle sticker can only be determined using your vehicle documentation, which establishes your VIN, as well as your vehicle purchase and/or move-in dates, and your license plate expiration date. The descriptions above are only a general overview of the Office of the City Clerk’s pricing schedule . Vehicle sticker price cannot be determined without taking into consideration vehicle documentation, vehicle purchase and/or move-in dates, and license plate expiration date. If you are age 65 or older, you may be eligible to receive a senior citizen discount on your sticker. CHANGES TO GRACE PERIOD As of July 2016, changes to the Chicago Municipal Code regarding the grace period make motorists eligible to be ticketed immediately following their vehicle sticker’s expiration. For example, if your City Sticker expires on June 30, you are eligible to be ticketed on July 1. Tickets for expired City Stickers are $200 and can be issued daily. In addition, the grace period for late fees for expired City Sticker tickets will be extended from 15 to 30 days as of July 1, 2016. This means a motorist with a City Sticker that expires on June 30 will now have until July 30 to purchase a new sticker without paying an additional $60 late fee. Please be aware of these changes to the City Sticker grace periods to avoid tickets and additional fees. Make sure to purchase and display City Stickers in a timely manner. LATE FEES Per City ordinance, a $60.00 late fee — $30.00 for seniors — must be applied to a Chicago City Vehicle Sticker if ANY of the following apply: The renewal vehicle sticker was purchased after the grace period for the old vehicle sticker has ended. For example, a customer with an expiration month of March 2020 has until March 30, 2020, to purchase a renewal vehicle sticker without additional fees or penalties. If that customer attempted to renew the same vehicle sticker on March 31, they would be subject to a $60.00 late fee, OR; A customer failed to purchase a vehicle sticker within any of the following circumstances that a late fee does not apply listed below. The late fee does not apply for Chicago City Vehicle Stickers purchased in-person at a City Clerk office location by a customer who – at the time of purchase – can demonstrate: They are a new resident with documentation indicating purchase of property or a rental agreement executed within the last 30 days for a location within Chicago, OR; They are a new vehicle owner with proof of purchase within the last 30 days, OR; They returned from serving in the United States Armed Forces and were stationed outside the City, within the last 30 days, OR; They provide a check registry or credit card statement showing that the license was sought in the purchase period, OR; At the direction of the City Clerk for reasonable cause. Under all other circumstances, the customer will be required to pay a late fee and the annual price for their vehicle sticker. Back to top RESIDENTIAL ZONE PARKING & PARKING GARAGES Residential Zone Paking The 49th Ward has a number of areas that are designated as residential zone parking. These areas allow a person living in the zone or directly adjacent to purchase a City Sticker displaying the residential zone from the City Clerk's office . These City Stickers cost an additional $25 per year on top of the base fee. Please note that purchasing a residential zone City Sticker does not guarantee parking in the Residential Zone , especially in dense parts of the city. Residents living in and adjacent to the residential zones may also purchase daily passes for their guests. Daily passes may either be purchased at the City Clerk's office (121 N. LaSalle or 5430 W. Gale) or online using the EZ Buy option. Please note that the 49th Ward office does not sell residential daily passes. The 49th Ward has a variety of off-street parking options to address the challenges of parking in a dense and congested neighborhood. Below is a map of all the zone parking areas in the 49th Ward as well as the parking garages and their occupancy rates. Back to top DISABLED PARKING Disabled Parking Disabled Parking placards are issued by the Secretary of State’s office. The application is available to download online . If you are interested in having disabled parking signs installed in front of your home, you will need to complete an application. These forms are available to pick up in the office or, if you send our office an email , we will mail an application to you. Disabled individuals who apply for signs must meet the conditions to qualify for a restricted parking space. The conditions include the following: The applicant must reside on a residential street that is zoned R-1 through R-5. The applicant must have either a current disabled Illinois license plate or a disabled placard issued by the Secretary of State when parking in the designated space. Sign installation and maintenance costs must be paid by the applicant. The cost for disabled parking signs is $70.00 for the first year. In subsequent years, the annual maintenance fee is $25.00. This annual fee may be waived if the applicant meets the disabled veteran or Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief requirement. The applicant must observe and obey any other parking restrictions which may apply at the approved location (i.e. Street Cleaning signs, Rush Hour Parking restrictions, etc) Completed applications and the $70.00 installation fee can be mailed to the Department of Finance at: P.O. Box 803100 Chicago, IL 60680-3100 ATTN: Disabled Permit Section The applications are processed by the Department of Finance . You will receive a written reply from the Department of Revenue notifying you of receipt as well as the decision after the site has been surveyed. If your application is approved, signs will be installed. Should your application be denied, you will be offered the opportunity to appeal the decision to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities . Disabled Parking Signs Application Back to top RESIDENTIAL MOVES Residential Moves We have complimentary “No Parking” signs available for residential moves at the ward office. These are not, however, enforceable by ticket or towing. We ask that you hang the signs 48-hours prior to your move to give your neighbors adequate time to find alternative parking. 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 . Instructions on how to apply are available here . Back to top STREET SWEEPING Street Sweeping Street Cleaning starts April 1st and runs through mid-November. During street cleaning days, vehicles cannot park on a specific side of the street in order to accommodate the street sweeper. Please watch for signs on your block so that you know when your street will be swept and park your car accordingly. You can view the street sweeping schedule and sign up for text or email alerts by visiting http://sweeparound.us. Back to top WINTER PARKING Winter Parking In order to ensure that the most critical roadways in Chicago are kept clear at all times, the City of Chicago institutes a Winter Overnight Parking Ban on 107 miles of vital arterial streets from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. between December 1st and April 1st. This ban is in effect regardless of snowfall. Red = Winter overnight parking restrictions Orange = Two-inch snow route restriction Source: City of Chicago @ChiTribGraphics Copyright © 2018, Chicago Tribune Motorists who ignore the tow zones face a $150 towing fee (minimum) in addition to a $60 ticket and an initial $25 daily storage fee. If you suspect that your vehicle was towed, you can search for it on the website of the Department of Streets & Sanitation by clicking here . In our ward, the only street which has an overnight parking ban is N. Clark St. from W. Devon Ave. to W. Howard St . Clark Street south of Devon Avenue has a 2-inch snow parking ban. Streets in our ward which have the 2-inch snow parking ban are as follows: W. Devon Ave. from N. Broadway to N. Ridge (Devon ban extends beyond the boundary of the Ward) W. Pratt Blvd. from N. Ashland Blvd. to N. Sheridan Rd. W. Howard St, from N. Ridge Blvd. to N. Greenview Ave. W. Touhy Ave. from N. Ridge Blvd. to N. Oakley Ave. (Touhy ban extends further beyond boundaries of the Ward) N. Sheridan Rd. from W. Devon Ave. to W. Juneway Ter. (Sheridan ban extends further beyond the boundary of the Ward) N. Ridge Blvd. from W. Devon Ave. to W. Howard St. N. Ashland Ave. from W. Devon Ave. to N. Rogers Ave. N. Rogers Ave. from N. Ridge Blvd. to N. Sheridan Rd. N. Western Ave from W. Birchwood Ave. to W. Howard St. (Western ban extends further beyond boundary of the Ward) For an updated and interactive map of all snow routes in the City, please access the City’s snow plow tracker by clicking here . This same map will also show the locations of all snow plows once deployed. As a general reminder, plows will focus first on vital arterial routes before plowing residential streets Back to top DRIVEWAY SIGN REQUESTS Driveway Signs Residents with driveways may request signs to mark the entrances to the driveway to help prevent people from blocking it. There is for an initial installation fee is $110 per sign ($220 for two signs) and annual maintenance fee of $110. CDOT has phased out the paper application for the driveway signs and moved it to their permitting portal. Applicants will now be required to create a profile and apply for driveway signs by clicking the link below. APPLICATION Back to top RESIDENTIAL TRUCK PARKING PERMITS Residential Trucks In 2016, the Office of the City Clerk updated the Municipal Code in an effort to update an outdated section. This section adversely affected small, non-commercial pick-up trucks and their ability to park on business and residential streets in the city. As of May 18, 2016, an ordinance went into effect that allows city residents to park their non-commercial pick-up trucks under 8,000 pounds on residential and commercial streets without having to display a residential truck sticker. This ordinance also allows non-city residents to park their pick-up trucks on business streets only. Non-commercial pick-up trucks registered in the City of Chicago are still required to purchase and display a valid City Sticker. PICK-UP TRUCK MEMO Back to top CONTRACTOR PARKING PLACARD Contractor Placard Section 9-64-170(a)(3) and (b)(3) of the Municipal Code of Chicago allows a contractor who is actually engaged in delivery, service or repair work at a particular address for a particular customer to park their vehicle within a reasonable distance of the address where such work is being performed if: * The vehicle is emblazoned with the business name and business license number of its owner; and * The customer’s address is clearly displayed on the vehicle’s dashboard; and * The vehicle is lawfully parked in accordance with the general parking requirements of this Code. Parking is permitted only while such work is actually being performed and at no other time. If a service vehicle permit is required under Section 9-68-060, such a permit must be obtained. CONTRACTOR PLACARD Back to top PARKING METERS Parking Meters The ParkChicago app is available for download in your smartphone’s app store. This allows motorists to pay for any metered spot in the City of Chicago. ParkChicago allows you to pay to park using your smartphone without having to visit a meter box, display a dashboard receipt, or hurry back to feed the meter when your time is about to expire. Many of the 49th Ward’s commercial streets have metered parking. Always make sure to double check the machine you are using for specific rate and hour information. To find meter locations and pricing, visit chicagometers.com . Back to top

Resources for Victims of Domestic Violence City of Chicago’s Domestic Violence Hotline The City of Chicago Family & Support Services operates the City’s Domestic Violence Hotline. Callers to the Help Line are provided with general domestic violence information, referrals to domestic violence services and a three-way phone linkage between the caller and the domestic violence services. Trained domestic violence advocates – Victim Information and Referral Advocates (VIRAs) – staff the phones 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. VIRAs provide victims with immediate information about their options, information on safety planning, referrals to community-based providers including shelters, counseling, legal advocacy, civil legal services, supervised child visitation centers, and perpetrator services. Bi-lingual and bi-cultural Spanish-speaking VIRAs are always available and operators can access the Language Line for over 140 other languages. For assistance, call the hotline at 1.877.863.6338. Housing Opportunities for Women (HOW) HOW is the third-largest provider of permanent supportive housing in Chicago and serves over 600 households annually. HOW provides access to stable and affordable housing through the creation and maintenance of housing units for households who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including women experiencing domestic violence. HOW takes all referrals for our supportive housing programs from Chicago's Coordinated Entry System (CES). They do not maintain a separate waitlist for these programs and do not accept direct case manager referrals. If you or someone you know is seeking temporary or permanent supportive housing, the person seeking housing must call 312-361-1707 to complete a housing assessment. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Please note, this may or may not lead to a housing option and does not solve your immediate housing crisis. If you are in need of shelter please call 3-1-1 to request transportation to a shelter. Contact ChicagoCES@csh.org with questions. Between Friends Between Friends is a nonprofit agency dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence and building a community free of abuse. Through their 24-Hour helpline, counseling, and legal assistance, they provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals and families in crisis, while educating communities as part of the movement to end domestic violence. If you need immediate help, call their 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-603-435. Additional services, including counseling and legal assistance, are available. Visit betweenfriendschicago.org to learn more. Apna Ghar Apna Ghar is a human rights organization working to end gender violence with an evidence-based model that factors in macro and micro level conditions that create the unique barriers that program participants face. They offer a 24-Hour Crisis Line, Safe Emergency Housing, Case Management & Social Services Advocacy, Counseling, Legal Assistance, and Supervised Visitation & Safe Exchange Services. If you need immediate help, call their 24-Hour Crisis Line at (773) 334-4663. WINGS WINGS is a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing an escape route for victims of domestic abuse. On any given night, WINGS two emergency shelters provide housing for those fleeing violent situations one in the northwest suburbs and one on the southwest side of Chicago. Their safe houses have enough capacity to house 85 people each night, with a maximum stay length of 120 days. Additionally, WINGS operates over 50 houses and apartments throughout the city to provide transitional and permanent housing for survivors. WINGS also provides counseling and planning services. If you need immediate help, call their 24-Hours Crisis Hotline at (847) 221-5680. To learn more about the services they provide, call them at 847-519-7828 or visit their website at wingsprogram.com . Ascend Justice Ascend Justice is a legal aid group specifically for victims of domestic violence. They currently provide legal assistance to individuals and families surrounding economic issues, family defense legal services, divorce, custody arrangeme nts, visitation, child support, orders of protection, and immigration services. Please note, you must be a survivor of gender-based violence to receive these services. If you would like more information and to learn how to apply for services, please visit their website at ascendjustice.org . The Network's Survivor Crisis Fund The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence established the Survivor Crisis Fund to address critical gaps in the safety net for survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking. Once an application is received, we will review it for eligibility for any funds we currently have and will provide a response. The basic eligibility to receive funding is that you are a victim/survivor of domestic violence, sexual abuse, stalking and/or human trafficking. Beyond that, we have various eligibility guidelines imposed by our funding sources. This financial assistance is intended to be a one-time payment. Learn more and apply at the-network.org/survivor-fund/

Leadership Councils In January 2025, the Alderwoman and staff held three orientations for ave been meeting with leaders of the 49th Ward to 2025 Leadership Council Timeline 2025 Co-Chairs From Left to Right: Imeña Valdez (ELC), Karen Schauwecker (ELC), Sam Young (CLC), Jim Ginderske (CLC), Jordan Brown (CLC), Viral Mistry (ELC)

49th Ward Schools We want to lift up the 49th Ward neighborhood schools by recognizing all the great work that they do. Share a reason why you love our local CPS schools on social media by using the hashtag #SchoolsShineIn49. Want something related to schools in the newsletter ? Email us at Office@49thWard.org to tell us about it! EUGENE FIELD GALE JORDAN KILMER NEW FIELD SULLIVAN

PB49 Remix Ballot Items The 49th Ward Office is doing a bit of a remix on participatory budgeting for the 2020 menu budget. Due to the shortened time frame, residents will be voting on previous years' runner up projects this fall. Click on an image below to learn more about the different projects on this year's participatory budgeting ballot. When you've learned about what will be on this year's ballot, scroll down to learn more about early voting, mobile voting locations, and the final vote. Voting will take place November 4 through November 16. Starting spring 2020, be on the lookout for more information and volunteer opportunities for a full PB cycle. PB49 Remix Voting Information 49th Ward residents aged 14 and older once again have the opportunity to vote in the 49th Ward's participatory budgeting process. This is the 10 year anniversary of Participatory Budgeting in Chicago's 49th Ward. Participatory Budgeting is a democratic system that empowers people in determining how their tax dollars are spent. For those wishing to vote online, simply fill out an online registration form . My staff will respond with the voting site link and a special access code to allow you to vote. Please do not share your code with anyone else; your code is unique and may be used only once. Please note that this is not an automated system; rather, office employees will be verifying the information. This may result in a delay from the time you submit the registration form to when you receive the one-time code. Online Voting Registration Form Early voting will take place between November 4 and 15. The final vote will take place on November 16. Those wishing to vote in-person can do so at my the ward office, 1447 W. Morse, during office hours or at one of the following early voting events: 3 pm - 6 pm on Tuesday, November 5 at the Howard 'L' Station; 3 pm - 6 pm on Wednesday, November 6 at the Jarvis 'L' Station; 8:30 am - 10:30 am on Sunday, November 10 at St. Jerome's Catholic Church (1709 W. Lunt); 3 pm - 6 pm on Tuesday, November 12 at the Morse 'L' Station (Morse entrance); 3 pm - 6 pm on Wednesday, November 13 at the Loyola 'L' Station; and 10 am - 3 pm Friday, November 15 at the Rogers Park Branch Library (6907 N. Clark). During this event, you can also receive a free flu shot! The final voting event will take place from: 9 am - 2 pm on Saturday, November 16 at the Chicago Math and Science Academy (7212 N. Clark) PB49 Remix Neighborhood Assemblies

Public Way Use & Sidewalk Cafes PUBLIC WAY USE PERMITS Businesses that have a sign, canopy, awning, bench, or anything else that extends over, under, or is on the public way require a Public Way Use Permit . These permits are issued by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) – Public Way Use (PWU) Unit. The permit process does require City Council approval. Business identifiers including signs, awning, canopies, and banners are also required to obtain a Department of Buildings sign construction permit in addition to the public way use permit. Only a licensed sign contractor can apply for the sign construction permit. The city does provide a list of approved contractors from which business owners can choose for the sign construction permit. Learn More & Apply SIDEWALK CAFES Sidewalk cafes are another use of the public way that requires a public way use application. Dining in a sidewalk cafe is a great way to enjoy a delicious meal in warm weather. The sidewalk cafe season runs from March 1 to December 1. To take advantage of those occasional warm days in March, it would be beneficial to submit your application in January. A Sidewalk Cafe Permit has a 9-month term, and must be applied for, and issued, every year. Businesses with an approved Sidewalk Cafe Permit must conspicuously display the permit and the approved plan on the exterior window or wall of the main entrance of the licensed retail food establishment during all hours of operation., and approved plan, must be conspicuously displayed on the exterior wall or window of the main entrance of the licensed retail food establishment during all hours of operation. Learn More & Apply

1233 W. Pratt Survey Results & Update Thank you for taking the time to engage with our office by attending the community meeting last month and providing feedback on the proposal for 1233 W. Pratt. Our office received over 200 responses to the online survey, with 40 percent of respondents living within a block of the site. As reflected in the infographic, parking, height and a lack of affordability were the biggest concerns 49th Ward residents have about the proposal. While many expressed fears of blocked light or the strain on parking the development will create, there was a strong call to include more affordable units regardless of the height and parking from several others. Our office shared the feedback and input with the developer this week to see how it can be incorporated into the proposal. We will keep the community apprised of any proposed changes from the developer and continue to solicit feedback and host community meetings. The first meeting was only the first step in creating a long-term plan for the vacant lot. Stay tuned for further updates and next steps in the coming weeks! Please don't hesitate to contact us directly with questions at office@49thward.org or to Torrence@49thward.org. Share Feedback on the Proposed Development at 1233 W. Pratt On December 10, 2020, our office hosted a community meeting to discuss a proposed development for the vacant lot located at 1233 W. Pratt. We would like to hear from residents their feedback on the proposal. Click the buttons below to view the presentation provided at the December 10 meeting and then submit your feedback. More information on the development is also available below. View Proposal Presentation View Community Meeting Submit Feedback Community Meeting for 1233 W. Pratt Proposal Scheduled for December 10, 2020 Creative Designs is seeking a zoning change for the empty lot located at 1233 W. Pratt. The parcel in question served as the location of the Glenwood Sunday Market over the past summer. The owner is asking for a zoning change from an RS-2 to an RM-6, which would allow for additional density than is currently allowed under the RS-2 designation. The plans call for a 7-story residential development with a total of 78 units. The rear half of the proposed development's ground floor will include an on-site parking garage with a total of 44 parking spaces, 20 spaces for bike storage, and an E-charging station. The front half of the ground floor will serve as a lobby area for residents in the building. The zoning change triggers the city's Affordable Requirements Ordinance , which requires a developer to set aside 10% of units in the building as affordable (60% of the AMI ) or to pay an in lieu of fee to a fund to build affordable units in other parts of the city. For 1233 W. Pratt, Creative Designs has agreed to keep the affordable units on-site and to set aside one additional unit as affordable in addition to what is required by ordinance. The affordable units will be proportionate to the unit breakdown in the building. The unit breakdown is: 18 studio units 46 one-bedroom units 12 two-bedroom units 2 three-bedroom units The proposal includes the incorporation of green space, including a garden near the front entrance, an amenity terrace on the second floor for residents, and a green roof. To reduce congestion on Pratt, the garage will be accessible through the alley. The development will also include 1 off-street loading berth for trash, deliveries, and move-ins/outs to reduce congestion. The dynamics of the block are unique due to a history of spot zoning in the area. The block has some of Rogers Park's tallest buildings, with the building across the street at 1246 W. Pratt coming in at 13 stories and the Seville two parcels to the west coming in at 9 stories. The parcels located on the northwest and southwest corners of Pratt and Sheridan come in at 5 stories. The block also has a number of single-family homes located on it, with two sandwiching the proposed parcel. The buildings across the alley on the rear-end of the lot come in at 3 and 4 stories. Our office is hosting a virtual community meeting with Creative Designs on Thursday, December 10, at 6 pm. Register in advance online by clicking here .

Business Workshops The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) offers a variety of workshops and counseling that are informative and free. The topics discussed during the workshops include start-up operations, financing, marketing, and more. Classes are taught by industry professionals, members of not for profit agencies, and city employees. Visit the Business Education Workshop Calendar to view upcoming workshops and seminars. BACP also offers the small business solution station , a one-on-one counseling forum designed for one to obtain expert advice on common business problems including legal assistance and financial and loan assistance. The station is open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., located at BACP, City Hall, Room 800. You can walk-in or make an appointment by calling (312) 744-5506 . If you have questions about how to obtain a particular type of license, you can call the City’s Business Consulting line at (312) 744-6249 . A consultant from BACP will instruct and provide guidance about the license application requirements and process. If you are looking to open a business that would require a Public Place of Amusement (PPA) and/or liquor license , Alderwoman Hadden requests that you schedule an appointment to discuss your proposed business. Please email the ward office or call 773-338-5796 to schedule an appointment with the Alderwoman.

PB49: Cycle 11 PB49: The Results Are In! Vote in PB49 Through March 12 View the project proposals in the gallery below to learn more about the different projects on this year's participatory budgeting ballot. You can also view the Project Expo Town Hall meeting where residents gave presentations about their projects. Voting for cycle 11 of Participatory Budgeting in the 49th Ward will take place from February 15, 2021, through March 12, 2021. Voting Registration Form LEARN WHAT WILL BE ON THE BALLOT It's that time of year again! Once again, participatory budgeting will look different this cycle than in years past due to the COVID-19 crisis. Instead of hosting in-person voting events, we are asking that folks predominantly rely on online voting to cast their ballot. The 49th Ward office will still distribute paper ballots but will be doing targeted outreach to our community-based organizations, food pantries, senior homes, and others to disseminate those. Also different this cycle than previous cycles is that 49th Ward residents will see a separate section on the ballot to vote on policies and programs. These policies and programs are not eligible for the traditional $1 million capital infrastructure funding, but will instead help Alderwoman Hadden develop agenda to pursue in the 49th Ward and citywide. For those wishing to vote online, simply fill out an online registration form . Our staff will respond with the voting site link and an access code that will allow you to vote. Please note that this is not an automated system; rather, office employees will be verifying the information. This may result in a delay from the time you submit the registration form to when you receive the code. Menu Money Projects Program & Policy Proposals The money allocated for participatory budgeting must be used for infrastructure projects only, but of course, this is only one part of the work that the Alderwoman’s office does to benefit you, the residents of the 49th Ward, and our city as a whole community. This year, Alderwoman Hadden also wants you to prioritize policy and program needs for our ward. At the beginning of this process, the Alderwoman asked residents one question: “If you could change one thing about the Rogers Park community, what would it be?” As you might expect, those answers were far-ranging and did not all fit into the infrastructure bucket. In order to help gather, evaluate, interpret, and research those non-infrastructure ideas more thoroughly, a new “Policy & Programs” committee was formed. Working alongside the traditional participatory budgeting process, this committee took your answers and has pulled the top five policy and program priorities you identified. On the ballot, you'll be asked to choose the top three issues you think she should focus on for this year. You'll also be given the opportunity to get involved in working on those priorities with Alderwoman Hadden and her team. Check out the presentation below to learn more about what you'll see on the ballot! View the Project Expo Town Hall IDEA COLLECTION PHASE: PB49 is now underway! This year's cycle will look different than previous years due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, but we still want to hear from you! This year we are starting with an open-ended question: If you could change one thing about our community that would make life better for you, what would it be? Between now and September 19, 2020, folks will have the opportunity to answer that question and inform our 49th Ward participatory process. How can you answer that question? Fill out this online Google Form ; Text "PB49" to 33339; Flyers are posted in the main corridors of the ward with a QR code that folks can scan to open the Google Form on their smartphones; Participate in the virtual Neighborhood Assembly on Saturday, September 12, at 10 am or on Thursday, September 17 at 6 pm Join via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82727606782 Join by phone at 312-626-6799 (meeting ID: 827 2760 6782) Be on the lookout for more information on how and when to vote in early October! Do you want to become a community representative? We'd love to have you! Just make sure to check the "yes" box on the second page of the Google Form !