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Community Engagement Our office takes pride in connecting with our community, and it is our pleasure to connect community members with community organizations and work alongside these partners. For more information regarding community engagement, please see the links below. If you have any questions, our staff can be reached by emailing office@49thward.org or by calling (773) 338-5796. 24th District Police Department 49th Ward Schools Community Calendar Local School Councils Park Advisory Councils Student Internship Opportunities Ward Nights

Current Development Propsals Click on one of the images below to learn more about the current development proposal and community decision process in the 49th Ward.

Block Parties BLOCK PARTY APPLICATION Block Parties are recreational street closures for residents to hold an annual event for their neighborhood. In order to hold a block party, you must obtain a permit from the Department of Transportation to close your street. Street closures can occur from 8 am to 10 pm on the day of your event. Applications can be obtained from our office. Once the application is completed. please return it to our office for processing. We encourage you to submit your application at least 30 days in advance. If this is your first time applying for a block party, our office asks that you communicate with your neighbors for support of the event. A house meeting to discuss dates & times is also highly recommended. You may also request that a fire engine and crew from the Chicago Fire Department come by the Block Party. A form for this request is part of the application packet. As other priorities may arise for the Chicago Fire Department, we cannot guarantee their presence even if they have confirmed their attendance. Access the Application Here JUMPING JACK In spring 2016, The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced that the Jumping Jack application will now be an online process. Applications will no longer be accepted in paper form, email, or fax. You can access the Jumping Jack application on the City of Chicago’s website .

Menu Allocations View the menu allocations by year below. To view this in a separate browser, click on the brackets in the upper right-hand corner or click here .

49 Expressions 49 Expressions is a virtual community art gallery created by the young emerging leaders of the 49th Ward Youth Advisory Council. Featuring over 70 pieces by local artists, this gallery highlights the artistic talent and character of Rogers Park. Featured artists range in age from 6 years old to 68 and include both traditional and nontraditional mediums. We thank and appreciate everyone who submitted art, and are excited to share it with the community. You can view the submissions and artist statements below, as well as the gallery's premiere presentation. Youth & Adult Submissions Erika Iris To make people happy with fun pop art Julie Ann Ausbrook Many of my experiences living in the 49th Ward center around viewing the neighborhood from my daughter’s eyes. My daughter’s life in the 49th Ward includes swimming at beaches, riding trains downtown, sampling food from different cultures, being surrounded by art, music, and theater, and attending school with children from diverse and rich backgrounds. One day, as we walked home from the playground, I decided to paint the wonderment seen in my daughter's eyes as she took in the beauty of our neighborhood. This piece, titled “Bait”, shows a figure sitting on a dock using a heart as fishing bait. It was inspired from the memory of dangling feet in the lake on warm days and being carefree with love. “STOP!” is an geometric abstract of urban landscape. It is also a call to action to stop, rather to stop the violence or to stop and notice beauty in the world. Yvette Wesley lewis lain lewis lain is narrative visual artist and illustrator residing in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. His work focuses on storytelling, simple aesthetic, and recycled "resonant" material. He favors re-claimed windows and found-glass as canvas combined with cardboard and acrylic to create multi-dimensional paintings punctuated by saturated color and bold linework. www.lewislain.com Melanie Johnson As a studio artist, I work with all materials. I create based on whimsy and pull most ideas from a library of sketchbooks I have filled throughout the years. Nicholas Hayes Frolicking rabbits seem to be everywhere in our neighborhood. Friends have told me it is hard to believe something so delightful can be an infestation. I have tried to play with our complicated relation with rabbits in these ceramic pieces. Charlotte Cox This artwork is inspired by the piece “Time Transfixed” by Renè Magritte, an earlier example of surrealism. I used a random, everyday space, a bowling alley, as the base, similar to Magritte’s use of a simple fireplace mantle. From here, I used surrealism to bring color, excitement, and allure to the piece through random but interesting elements like mountains, skylines, and waves. Aviva Gladstein This piece is called A Full Moons Night. It was done with colored pencils. It is a scene of blue mountains under a dark night sky with a full moon. Mark Cleveland Living in, breathing in, and walking the streets and along the lakeshore in Roger's Park, cannot but influence the art work I make. Each piece I begin starts me on a path of discovery that through many twists and turns – requiring conscious and not-so-conscious decisions – leads me to my ultimate destination: a completed piece. The hope is that the work will transport viewers, however briefly, to that other place. Tim Newell In addition to being an actor in theatre, I’m an abstract expressionist painter; working with acrylics on canvas, and sometimes wood. My work has been influenced by the Abstract Expressionists of the 1940s, 50s, and 1960s. Two of my inspirations: Helen Frankenthaler and Richard Diebenkorn; both specialists in the Colourfield movement. Whether I express myself with my voice, or apply vivid colours and metallics to a canvas, I love expressing myself in the here and now. Terry Gant I paint to decompress just as much as I paint to express a thought or feeling. Sometimes we try and work through our issues consciously but I have found that painting helps me resolve an inner issue by coming at it from different angles. I also challenge my self by setting time goals so that whatever it is I need to work though, It's going to be done in a particular time frame. I may be decompressing but I don't have forever. Michael Pollard My work explores the intersections of my past and present. Influenced by daily life, Americana, modern art, loud music, and comic books. I use paint, found objects, canvas, discarded materials, and recurring marks to create a language and visual exploration reflecting my journey. Maureen McCarthy I have lived in Rogers Park since 1992. The beauty of the lakefront and the vibrancy of the neighborhood has made it a wonderful place to live. One of the beauties of this area is the ability to feel a vast space in such a crowded city. Any time of year, the lake is a precious part of the 49th ward. The lakefront can make you feel transported to a completely different world. Mandie Nufer Sam Bender This work, created over the last year, reflects my struggle to feel connected to a community while forced to be apart from it. Depicting many different visual styles and themes converging in space to become one whole, the divisions between them disappear the more closely they’re examined. *the piece is 44”Wx32”H* Lightning Goose - In these dark times, one goose steps forth. With lightning in her breath and love of community in her heart, Lighting Goose protects the 49th Ward. HONK! COVID-19 - At the start of the pandemic last year, I decided to paint what frightened me. While initially unsettling, it was comforting to have this terrible disease captured in some way. It has hung on my wall since April, a reminder to remain vigilant during this crisis. Crow on a Fencepost - The crows grow smarter every day, and we would do well to appease them. This crow looks out over the 49th Ward, its current home but future dominion. Rowan Hartfield The blue ball is Giant Ocean Planet, and the red ball is the nearest star. The mushroom creatures are toads protecting Giant Ocean Planet from the other creatures--a Spike Ship and Anti-missile that are trying to invade Giant Ocean Planet. This is a picture of a Goomba from Mario World. Aariyan Aga This is a pencil drawing of a typical foot bridge over a small brook in a village in the Kashmir Valley. Village women collect grass feed for their livestock. There are chinar trees in the background. A Sufi Shrine in the mountains of the Kashmir Valley. Raza Aga Rex Cassidy Rex is a non-binary artist living in Rogers Park, Chicago. They are graduating with their Master's in Art Education May 2021. Junior Submissions Abolaji O., Grade 2 Adrian D., Grade 1 Ana F., Grade 1 Daniel R., Grade 3 Jacqueline W., Grade 2 Jeremy H., Grade 4 Alfonso C., Grade 3 Antoine B., Grade 3 Daniela A., Grade 2 Jailyn J., Grade 1 Joel X., Grade 3 Jose A., Grade 4 Julian G., Grade 3 Leianne O., Grade 2 Nurbek A., Grade 4 Rebecca L., Grade 4 Serifat S., Grade 2 Simone L., Grade 4 Nusair Z., Grade 3 Rosemary S., Grade 4 Sheena C., Grade 4 Sophia N., Kindergarten Venus T., Grade 4

Office of the Inspector General The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent, nonpartisan oversight agency whose mission is to promote economy, effectiveness, efficiency, and integrity in the administration of programs and operation of City government. OIG conducts investigations, audits, evaluations, and reviews examining issues regarding City employees, elected and appointed officials, vendors and contractors, and programs and operations of the City. The public is encouraged to submit suggestions, comments, and complaints online at www.igchicago.org or by calling the OIG Tipline at 866-448-4754 (TTY: 773-478-2066). Anonymous tips are accepted.

Block by Block Block by Block is the block club, reimagined. Our block clubs will be built around the principles of inclusion, respect, and action. It’s a program designed to connect neighbors to one another, local resources, and to provide a place where we can work together on neighborhood challenges at the block level. Are you interested in being a part of a block club? Do you want to help start one in your area? Are you already participating in a block club? Then please - Register here for our BxB program! FIND YOUR BLOCK CLUB Find your block club on the map below. Click the brackets on the upper right-hand corner of the map to open in Google Maps. Area A - Precincts 1, 6, 31, 32 How to connect - email blockclub49@49thward.org and join the Facebook Group Area B - Precincts 5, 11, 16, 30 How to connect - email blockclub49@49thward.org Area C - Precincts 8, 15, 19, 21, 24 How to connect - join the Facebook Group or email blockclub49@49thward.org Area D - Precincts 3, 10, 13, 33 How to connect - email blockclub49@49thward.org Area E - Precincts 2, 4, 18, 28 How to connect - join the Facebook Group or email area.e.49th@gmail.com Area F - Precincts 7, 9, 12, 17 How to connect - email blockclub49@49thward.org Area G - Precincts 14, 22, 27, 29 How to connect - email bxb.group.g@gmail.com Area H - Precincts 20, 23, 25, 26 How to connect - join the Facebook Group or email blockclub49@49thward.org

Submit a Service Request Alderwoman Maria Hadden and her staff are devoted to providing the highest level of service to our constituents. If you need to request a service, simply fill out the form and a staff member will be in touch.

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 . CityKey ID Community Assets Domestic Violence Resources Economic Relief Electronics Recycling Emotional/Mental Health Support Frequently Asked Questions Heating Repair Program Housing & Tenant Resources Information on Elected Officals Lead Service Line Testing & Replacement Noise Restrictions Office of the Inspector General Property Tax Exemptions Resources for Immigrants Resources for Seniors

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

Property owners in Cook County may have the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of property tax exemptions, resulting in savings on their property tax bill. Savings from these exemptions appear as deductions on the second installment property tax bills mailed in the summer. Residents applying for the Homeowner Exemption, the Senior Citizen Exemption, the Senior Freeze Exemption, and the Home Improvement Exemption must apply annually to receive the deduction on their property tax bills. The Cook County Assessor's Office has streamlined the application process, moving applications online into a singular form. Additionally, many exemptions will automatically renew this year due to COVID-19. Homeowners can check the Cook County Portal website and review their Exemption History and Status to determine which expressions they received last year and if they will auto-renew thisyear. Property Tax Exemptions PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION APPLICATIONS HOMEOWNER EXEMPTION Residents are eligible to receive the Homeowner Exemption if they own or have a lease or contract which makes them responsible for the real estate taxes of the residential property. In addition, it must also be used as their principal place of residence for the property tax year in question. If the resident purchased a newly constructed home that was not ready for occupancy until sometime after January 1 of the tax year, the exemption will be prorated. Residents are eligible to receive the Homeowner Exemption if they own or have a lease or contract which makes them responsible for the real estate taxes of the residential property. In addition, it must also be used as their principal place of residence for the property tax year in question. If the resident purchased a newly constructed home that was not ready for occupancy until sometime after January 1 of the tax year, the exemption will be prorated. SENIOR CITIZEN EXEMPTION To qualify for the Senior Citizen Exemption, the property owner must: be 65 years or older during the tax year for which they are applying; own the property or have a lease contract which makes them responsible for the real estate taxes; and used the property as their principal place of residence for the tax year. If the applicant has moved or plans to move in the future, they may be entitled to a prorated Senior Citizen Exemption, based on the time of occupancy. To apply for a prorated Senior Citizen Exemption, the applicant must submit a Senior Citizen Exemption application form; closing or settlement statement; copy of a recent property tax bill; and copy of proof of age and residency. SENIOR FREEZE EXEMPTION To qualify for the Senior Freeze Exemption for Tax Year 2021, the taxpayer must: be 65 years or older during the tax year for which they are applying; have a total household income of $65,000 or less for [income] Tax Year 2020; have owned the property or had a legal, equitable, or leasehold interested in the property on January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2021; have used the property as their principal place of residence as of January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2021; and been liable for payment of 2020 and 2021property taxes Those who don’t qualify for the Senior Freeze Exemption because they exceed the income level may still be eligible for the Senior Exemption. The Senior Exemption has no income restrictions. Seniors receiving the Senior Citizen Exemption will automatically receive the Homeowner Exemption. Seniors receiving the Senior Freeze Exemption automatically receive both the Homeowner and Senior Citizen Exemptions. Eligible seniors who never applied for the Senior and/or Senior Freeze Exemption in the past may visit the Assessor’s website and download an application or contact the Assessor’s Office at (312) 443-7550 and request a form be mailed to them. Applications for the Homeowner Exemption and additional exemptions are also available online . DISABLED VETERANS HOMEOWNER EXEMPTION Veterans with a service-connected disability, as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, are eligible to receive an annual exemption. To qualify, the veteran must be: an Illinois resident who served as a member of the United States Armed Forces on active duty to State active duty, a member of the Illinois National Guard or U.S. Reserve Forces and has been honorably discharged; have at least a 30% service connected disability certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; own and occupy the property as the primary residence during the tax year in question; have a total Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) of less than $250,000 for the primary residence, excluding the EAV of property used for commercial purposes or rented for more than six (6) months; and apply for the exemption each tax year A non-remarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran may continue to receive this exemption if the same primary residence remains for the surviving spouse. Additionally, the non-remarried surviving spouse may transfer the exemption amount (or less) to a new primary residence. The Disabled Veterans Homeowner Exemption is administered through the Illinois Department of Veteran’s Affairs. They can be reached at 312-814-2460. HOME IMPROVEMENT EXEMPTION The Home Improvement Exemption allows the property owner to increase the value of their home with up to $75,000 worth of improvements without having their property taxes increase for at least four years. The exemption is available to owners of single-family homes, condominiums, cooperatives, and apartment buildings with up to six units. The exemption will automatically be received based on field checks for building permits conducted by the Cook County Assessor’s office. The Cook County Assessor will send a notice to property owners after they complete the check.

Economic Relief Resources Food & Nutrition SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) SNAP/LINK Card provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency. In Illinois, SNAP/LINK Card Program is overseen by the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS). Your local DHS office will review your SNAP/Link Card application and can help answer any questions you have during the application process. You can find your DHS office through the DHS Office Locator online here You must be over 18 and not be a full-time student to be eligible for SNAP benefits. Additionally, you can call 1800-359-2163 to speak with the Illinois Hunger Coalition for application assistance. 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 use the pre-screening tool found here to determine your eligibility. The Child and Adult Car Food Program(CACFP) This is a federal nutrition education and meal reimbursement program. 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 at the Department 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 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 You can also call 1-800-677-1116 The Greater Chicago Food Repository Cook County’s local foodbank that strives to end hunger all over the city. The Greater Chicago Food Repository works with over 700 partner agencies and programs. You can find your local food distribution site using the website. If you would like to get involved in the struggle against hunger in Chicago you can act here. You can also contact The Greater Chicago Food Repository via their office or phone number. 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place Chicago, IL 60632 Phone: 773-247-3663 The Greater Chicago Food Repository Job Training Opportunities Employment helps people overcome poverty and hunger. The Food Depository now offers FREE and PAID hospitality and supply chain career path training programs. Our free training programs are available to unemployed and underemployed adults living in Cook County. Our programs are background friendly and welcoming to those without a high school diploma or GED. These programs include Hospitality Career Path Programs focusing on Customer Service Excellence or Food Handler as well as the Supply Chain Career Path Program focusing on the Warehouse Bridge or a Certified Logistics Associate . You can request more information and/or enroll here. The Greater Chicago Food Repository Food and Medical Benefits Assistance If you need assistance navigating programs such as SNAP or Medicaid, The Greater Chicago Food Repository can assist you. For assistance applying for these programs please visit the Chicago Foodbank’s website or call 773-843-5416 Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:30AM-5PM. The Greater Chicago Food Repository, Veterans Programs More than 13,000 veterans in Cook County live below the poverty line. The Food Depository responds to veterans struggling with hunger and poverty by providing nutritious food and connections to additional resources. The Food Repository operates a food pantry at the Jesse Brown VA Food Pantry located at 820 S. Damen Ave, Chicago, IL (temporarily closed). There is a second food pantry located at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital 5000 S. 5th Ave, Hines, IL that is open Thursday from 10am to 12pm. The Chicago Food Repository also participates in Veteran Stand Down Events. At these events veterans experiencing homelessness receive food, overnight shelter, medical care, clothing, and other assistance. At these events, the Food Depository serves hot meals prepared by Chicago’s Community Kitchen. Additionally, we provide bags of nonperishable food and fresh produce to veterans at the events. The Greater Chicago Food Repository Nutrition Education The Chicago Food Repository offers educational resources in order to promote and plan healthy meals on a budget. Resources include healthy recipes from Chicago's Community Kitchen , resources collected via Hunger and Health , and for families who receive Illinois SNAP benefits, resources can be accessed via Illinois Nutrition Education Program Physical And Mental Healthcare Medicare Medicare is a federal health insurance program for the following: Participants aged 65 or older, participants under the age of 65 with certain disabilities, Participants of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Participants 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. 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 for here. Chicago Department Of Public Health Mental Services Chicago Department of Public Health Mental Health Services To help meet the mental health needs of our insured city residents, CDPH partners with community mental health providers and makes direct investments in community partners who provide mental health services to city residents. For those with insurance, the benefits of accessing mental health services through these community mental health partners may include integrated mental health and medical treatment; expanded service options, including additional service locations and hours; improved prescription drug coverage; and reduced expense related to co-pays. For those city residents without insurance, the Department provides clinical mental health services in 5 CDPH-operated clinics throughout the City of Chicago. A variety of services are available at CDPH mental health clinics, a full list of services can be found on the website. To find a mental health care provider near you please visit the link here. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NAMI provides advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. 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’s five core tenants are Hope, Inclusion, Empowerment, Compassion, and Fairness. NAMI runs educational programs, a toll free NAMI help line . NAMI is also on the front lines of raising awareness hosting activities including Mental Health Awareness Week and NAMI Walks. 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 also call the NAMI National Help Line at 800-950-6264 Monday through Friday 10am-10pm EST. 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