Participate in your Virtual CPD CAPS BEAT MEETINGS – January 2021 Schedule
We encourage all residents to participate in the CAPS Beat Meetings.
To find your District & Beat, click HERE.
What is CAPS? CAPS stands for Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy. CAPS is a partnership between police and community that is the foundation of community policing. CAPS uses Beats to develop relationships between the community and the police.
CAPS meetings offer city residents an opportunity to address crime and safety issues directly with the beat officers who patrol their neighborhood, as well as to provide ongoing feedback, which help the police to monitor crime issues. The beat meeting is a chance to meet your neighbors and come up with strategies that affect the community.
Beat 1831: January 26 (Tue) – 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Beat 1832: January 26 (Tue) – 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Beat 1833: January 28 (Thur) – 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Beat 1834: January 28 (Thur) – 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
These meetings have already occurred. Stay tuned for March meetings.
Beat 1821: January 21 (Thur) – 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Beat 1822: January 19 (Tue) – 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Beat 1823: January 19 (Tue) – 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Beat 1824: January 21 (Thur) – 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
CLICK HERE to view the full 2021 shedule of District 018 CAPS Beat Meetings.
Beat Meeting details and ZOOM links are also available at RNRAChicago.org on the Public Safety page and on the Events/Calendar page.
Other Resources
• Check https://twitter.com/ChicagoCAPS18
• Call 18th District CAPS Office at: (312) 742-5778
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District 012 2021 Schedule for Beat 1214
This meeting has aleady occurred. Stay tuned for March Meetings.
Beat 1214: January 20 (Wed) – 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
CLICK HERE to view the full 2021 shedule of District 012 CAPS Beat Meetings.
Beat Meeting details and ZOOM links are also available at RNRAChicago.org on the Public Safety page and on the Events/Calendar page.
Other Resources
• Check https://twitter.com/ChicagoCAPS12
• Call 12th District CAPS Office at: (312) 746-8306
Notice of 1/15/2021: Brown Line Elevated Track Repairs
Please note the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will be performing maintenance on the Brown Line Elevated Track over North Franklin Street, between Hubbard Street and Grand Avenue. Work will occur from 8am-3:30pm during the weekdays and from 8am-7pm on the weekends, starting tomorrow.
North Franklin, between Grand Avenue and Hubbard Street will be closed to vehicular traffic during the following dates:
· Saturday, January 16 and Sunday, January 17
· Saturday, January 23 and Sunday, January 24
· Saturday, January 30 and Sunday, January 31
Throughout the project, the following will be closed intermittently:
· Curb lanes and parking
· Alley access
· Sidewalks
All work is expected to be completed at the end of March 2021 (weather dependent).
New City of Chicago Laws Coming into Effect in 2021
ALDERMAN REILLY REPORTS 1/8/2021
The City of Chicago wants to remind residents, workers and businesses of new local laws, regulations and deadlines that they should be aware of in 2021. These new laws include: the implementation of important protections for Chicago’s workers; regulations to reform the shared housing industry to ensure safe and responsible operation; the extension of relief measures for businesses; the legalization of Accessory Dwelling Units in pilot areas; the implementation of new revenue sources and policy changes to Automatic Speed Enforcement to enhance public safety.
Minimum Wage
- On July 1, 2021, as a fulfillment of an ordinance passed in 2019, hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans will get a raise. On that day, Chicago’s minimum wage will increase to $15 an hour at large businesses and $14.50 an hour for workers at businesses with 20 or fewer employees.
- Also on July 1, the minimum wage for tipped workers will increase to $9.00 an hour, with employers required to make up the difference if base wage plus tips do not equal $15.00 an hour.
Shared Housing Reforms
- In September, 2020, the City Council passed an ordinance that reforms the regulation of the Shared Housing industry in Chicago. As part of this landmark ordinance, a series of new regulatory measures will come into effect on April 1, 2021 that will ensure public safety and accountability within the industry.
- As part of this new regulatory structure, Chicagoans that use platforms like Airbnb or HomeAway among others to rent their residential units will now need to apply directly with the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and pay a new $125 registration fee. This will improve the City’s ability to ensure regulations are being met and take enforcement when necessary against problem locations.
Accessory Dwelling Unit Legalization
- North zone covering parts of the West Ridge, Edgewater, Uptown, Lake View, North Center, and Lincoln Square community areas;
- Northwest zone covering parts of the Albany Park, Irving Park, Avondale, Hermosa, Logan Square, West Town, Near West Side, and East Garfield Park community areas;
- West zone covering parts of the East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and South Lawndale (Little Village) community areas;
- South zone covering parts of the Ashburn, Auburn Gresham, West Lawn, Chicago Lawn, Washington Heights, Roseland, Chatham, Greater Grand Crossing, Englewood, West Englewood, Washington Park, and Woodlawn community areas; and,
- Southeast zone covering parts of the South Chicago, East Side, South Deering, and Hegewisch community areas.
Extension of Business Relief
- As thousands of Chicago businesses continue to deal with the significant impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the City has moved to give further relief to businesses by extending critical relief efforts and renewal dates into 2021. As a part of these measures, all existing Sidewalk Cafes will be now be able to operate until May 1, 2021 without needing to renew or pay a renewal fee.
- Additionally, all business and public vehicle licenses with an expiration date between March 15, 2020 and June 15, 2021 will be considered active and will not need to pay a renewal fee until July 15, 2021. Licensees will have until July 15, 2021 to renew without paying a late fee.
Vehicle Fuel Tax and Cloud Tax
- There will be a series of modest increases in taxes and fees that come into effect on January 1, 2021. This includes an increase in the Vehicle Fuel Tax by $0.03 per gallon on non-aviation purchases. To fill up a 12-gallon gas tank, motorists will see an increase of approximately $0.36.
- Additionally, there will be a 1.75 percentage point increase to the cloud tax which is applied to computer leases of cloud software and cloud infrastructure. This tax aligns with the tax imposed on all other lease, rental or use of rented, personal property currently taxed at 9 percent.
Parking Meter Rates
- Consistent with legislation passed last year, and in accordance with the calculation therein, the parking meter rates for the $2-per-hour zone increased by a quarter to $2.25 per hour on January 2. Rates in the $4.50 and $7.00 zone remain unchanged.
New Threshold for Automated Speed Enforcement
- In response to an alarming increase in vehicle speeding and traffic fatalities, the City will enforce the legal limit for issuing speeding violations in Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Children’s Safety Zones, such as schools when they are in session and children are present, and in parks during hours when they are open. Starting on January 15, a 44-day warning period will begin where owners of cars caught speeding between 6-10 mph over the speed limit will receive a warning by mail.
- The issuing of tickets to vehicles driving 6-10 MPH over the speed limit in ASE zones during hours of enforcement will start March 1. Fines are $35 for vehicles traveling 6-10 MPH over the speed limit and will remain $100 for vehicles driving at 11 miles or more over the speed limit.
- A map of the City’s speed cameras and Children’s Safety Zones can be found HERE.
2021 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program Opened on Monday, January 11
The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is a popular voluntary program in which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. Thousands of Chicagoans have taken advantage of the low cost, exceptional value, and ease of participation. The 2021 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program will open to new applicants on January 11, 2021 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program cost per square foot charged to property owners is well below what a private contractor would charge. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may qualify to receive a 50 percent discount.
The scope of a Shared Cost Sidewalk Program project is limited to sidewalk within the public right-of way, and may include the main walk, the sidewalk thru a driveway, the existing courtesy walk (which runs perpendicular from the main sidewalk to the curb), and existing landing steps (the small strip of concrete sometimes found adjacent to the curb). Sidewalk on private property will only be included if needed for transition purposes; otherwise it is NOT eligible for replacement under the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program.
Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of participants is based on availability of funds. The program typically reaches capacity quickly, so you are encouraged to apply early. Please note that if you applied for the program in previous years, you must apply again in 2021 if you wish to be considered for the 2021 program.
Applications will only be accepted through the City’s 311 system by calling 311, through the City’s service request website, or through the free CHI311 mobile app.
Applicants will be notified indicating whether they have been included into the 2021 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program. Applicants included in the program will receive a bill in the spring indicating the property owner amount due. Interested applicants can find answers to frequently asked questions HERE. Should you have any further questions, please contact CDOT at (312) 744-1746 or email cdotsharedcost@cityofchicago.org.
RNRA’s Virtual Holiday Decoration Contest – and the Winners Are……

First Place Winner – River North Beach House

Second Place Winner – UPS Pug

Third Place Winner – Guinea Pig Razzle Dazzle
Thank you to everyone who submitted entries to RNRA’s Virtual Holiday Decoration Contest. Eight finalists were selected and a week-long online ballot was conducted. The community voted for their favorites – and the winners are……..
First Place: River North Beach House
Second Place: UPS Pug
Third Place: Guinea Pig Razzle Dazzle
Winners were awarded Lettuce Entertain You gift cards in the amounts of $75.00, $50.00 and $25.00 respectively.
Congratulations winners!