January 13, 2018 By

2017 Property Tax Exemption Renewal Applications Mailed

Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios’ Office recently mailed nearly 300,000 Senior and Senior Freeze Exemption renewal applications for Tax Year 2017 to seniors who received the exemptions last year. The application deadline is Wednesday, February 7, and state law requires annual renewal in order to continue to receive exemption savings.

The Senior Exemption application is part of a booklet sent to eligible seniors. The booklet also contains the separate, income-based Senior Freeze Exemption application.

To qualify for the Senior Citizen Exemption for Tax Year 2017, a taxpayer must have:
• been born prior to or in the year 1952
• owned the property during 2017 or have a lease or contract for 2017 which makes them responsible for the real estate taxes
• used the property as his or her principal place of residence in 2017

To qualify for the Senior Freeze Exemption for Tax Year 2017, a taxpayer must have:
• been born prior to or in the year 1952
• a total household income of $65,000 or less for [income] Tax Year 2016
• owned the property or had a legal, equitable or leasehold interest in the property on January 1, 2016 and January 1, 2017
• used the property as his or her principal place of residence as of January 1, 2016 and January 1, 2017
• been liable for payment of 2016 and 2017 property taxes

Seniors receiving the Senior Citizen Exemption automatically receive the Homeowner Exemption. Seniors receiving the Senior Freeze Exemption automatically receive both the Homeowner and Senior Citizen Exemptions.

Eligible seniors who have never applied for the Senior and/or Senior Freeze Exemptions in the past may visit the Assessor’s web site at www.cookcountyassessor.com 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 are also available online.

Source:  Alderman Reilly Reports 1/13/18

Filed Under: Community
January 11, 2018 By

CTA: Extra Service for Lana Del Rey, The Killers concerts; Bulls, Blackhawks games – United Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rail: Green, Pink and Blue lines

Bus: #19 United Center Express, #20 Madison and #50 Damen

Concerts
Lana Del Rey – Thurs.1/11 at 8 p.m.
The Killers – Tues. 1/16 at 7:30 p.m.

Games
Winnipeg Jets vs. Chicago Blackhawks – Fri. 1/12 at 7:30 p.m.
Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls – Sat. 1/13 at 7 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks – Sun. 1/14 at 11:30 a.m.
Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls – Mon. 1/15 at 2:30 p.m.
Golden State Warriors vs. Chicago Bulls – Wed. 1/17 at 7 p.m.

Buy your unlimited ride passes and fares in advance
Avoid long lines to buy fares! Customers can add  unlimited ride passes (1-day, 3-day, 7-day and 30-day) or add money to pay per-ride to their Ventra cards ahead of time via the free Ventra app, at rail station Ventra vending machines, online or at more than 1,000 local retailers (for locations visit ventrachicago.com or the Ventra app).
Customers can also purchase from Ventra vending machines 1-day unlimited ride tickets ($10) or single-ride tickets ($3) that include up to two transfers in two hours. Customers can also pay their fares with their personal contactless debit or credit cards.

Stay in the Loop on CTA Service
Plan your trip using the Google Transit Trip Planner. Be sure to also check out CTA on Facebook or Twitter (@CTA) for system travel updates and alerts. For details about all CTA service, call 312-836-7000 or visit the CTA website at transitchicago.com.

Source:  Alderman Walter Burnett – 27th Ward Newsletter 1/11/18

Filed Under: Community
January 2, 2018 By

The 2018 Shared Sidewalk Program Opens on January 9th

 

 

 

 

 

The 2018 Shared Sidewalk Program Opens on January 9th

The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is a voluntary program in which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. Thousands of Chicagoans have been a part of this program, taking advantage of the low cost, exceptional value, and ease of participation. 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 for a further discounted rate.

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 2018 if you wish to be considered for the 2018 program. Applications will only be accepted through the City’s 311 system by calling 311 or through the City’s service request website www.cityofchicago.org/311. The property owner’s contact information and the property address are required at the time of request. For more information, please click here.

Source:  Alderman Brian Hopkins 2nd Ward Newsletter 1/2/18

Filed Under: Community
January 2, 2018 By

City of Chicago Annual Tree Recyling Program

 

 

 

 

City of Chicago Announces Annual Holiday Tree Recycling Program
Recycle your holiday tree and receive free mulch when available.

The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS), in partnership with the Chicago Park District, announced that the City’s annual holiday tree recycling program will run from Saturday, January 6 through Saturday, January 20, 2018, at 25 locations citywide.

The holiday tree recycling program is not able to accept wreaths or garlands.  Ornaments, lights, tinsels, and tree stands must be removed before the tree is dropped off and trees should be removed from any bags when placed in the tree recycling corrals.

Trees recycled through the program are turned into mulch, wood chips for use at Chicago Park Districts and materials for use by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

Last year, the program mulched more than 21,000 trees. Free mulch will be available for residents to pick-up beginning on January 8, at six designated locations.

Participating locations include:
(*free mulch locations)

• Bessemer Park, 8930 S. Muskegon Ave.
• Clark Park, 3400 N. Rockwell St.
• Forestry Site*, 900 E. 103rd St.
• Garfield Park, 100 N. Central Park Ave.
• Grant Park, 900 S. Columbus Dr.
• Humboldt Park Boathouse, 1369 N. Sacramento Ave.
• Jackson Park, 6300 S. Cornell Ave.
• Kennedy Park, 2427 W. 113th St.
• Kelvyn Park, 4438 W. Wrightwood Ave.
• Lake Meadows Park, 3117 S. Rhodes Ave.
• Lincoln Park*, Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Ave. (Parking lot east of Cannon Dr.)
• Margate Park*, 4921 N. Marine Dr.
• Marquette Park, 6700 S. Kedzie Ave.
• McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Rd.
• Mt. Greenwood Park*, 3721 W. 111th St.
• North Park Village*, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd.
• Norwood Park, 5801 N. Natoma Ave.
• Portage Park, 4100 N. Long Ave.
• Riis Park, 6201 W. Wrightwood Ave.
• Rowan Park, 11546 S. Avenue L
• Sheridan Park, 910 S. Aberdeen St.
• Walsh Park, 1722 N. Ashland
• Warren Park*, 6601 N. Western Ave.
• Wentworth Park, 5701 S. Narragansett Ave.
• West Chatham Park, 8223 S. Princeton

For more information on recycling in Chicago visit: www.cityofchicago.org/dss.

Source:  Alderman Walter Burnett – 27th Ward Newsletter 1/2/18

Filed Under: Community
January 2, 2018 By

Property Tax Assessment Workshop – January 9

 

January 9th: Property Tax Assessment Workshop  

6:00 p.m.

Lincoln Park Branch Library

1150 W. Fullerton Avenue

Chicago, IL 60614

Please bring a copy of your 2nd installment property tax bill.

Please join Alderman Brian Hopkins along with Cook County Commissioner Michael Cabonargi, on Tuesday, January 9th, for a workshop on How to Appeal Your Property Taxes. Click on the following link for more information http://www.cookcountyboardofreview.com/ or to find your township, enter your Property Index Number (PIN)  in the search box at this link http://cookcountypropertyinfo.com/Pages/PIN-Search.aspx.

For more information please contact Commissioner Cabonargi’s office at 312-603-5562

Source: Alderman Brian Hopkins 2nd Ward Newsletter 1/2/18

Filed Under: Community
December 29, 2017 By

CTA to Provide Free Rides, Extra Service for New Year’s Eve

CTA also offers additional service for Bulls game, WGCI Big Jam this weekend

NOTE: All CTA bus and rail service will operate on a Sunday schedule on both Sunday, December 31 and Monday, January 1, when the New Year is a nationally observed holiday.

The Chicago Transit Authority is a convenient and affordable transit option for traveling to events around Chicago this weekend, including the “New Year’s Eve Fireworks” event at Navy Pier. Free rides will be provided through a sponsorship from Miller Lite on CTA buses and trains beginning 10 p.m. on Sunday, December 31 until 4 a.m. Monday, January 1.

For customers traveling to and from events around Chicago this New Year’s Eve outside the free ride period, the CTA recommends purchasing fares in advance, which will decrease travel times and avoid long lines at rail station vending machines. Customers can load ahead of time transit value or unlimited ride passes (1-day, 3-day, 7-day and 30-day) to their Ventra fare cards at rail stations, online or at nearly1,000 local retailers (locations available at ventrachicago.com).

Customers can also pay their fares with their personal contactless debit or credit cards and add value to their accounts by using the Ventra App, available for free download via www.ventrachicago.com, the App Store and Google Play.

Full travel details are available at transitchicago.com/alerts. CTA recommends allowing plenty of travel time and purchasing fares and unlimited-ride passes ahead of time. More information about purchasing fares is below.

Extra New Year’s Eve Service

• Rail: Red, Blue, Green, Brown, Orange, Yellow and Purple lines
• Bus: #4 Cottage Grove, #6 Jackson Park Express, #22 Clark, #29 State, #65 Grand, #66 Chicago, #79 79th Street, #124 Navy Pier and #151 Sheridan

United Center Events
Indiana Pacers vs. Chicago Bulls – Fri. 12/29 at 7 p.m.
WGCI Big Jam – Sat. 12/30 at 7:30 p.m.

• Rail: Green, Pink and Blue lines
• Bus: #19 United Center Express, #20 Madison and #50 Damen
Source:  Alderman Walter Burnette, Jr – 27th Ward Newsletter  12/29/17
Filed Under: Community
December 27, 2017 By

Prepayments Now Accepted for 2017 Cook County Taxes

Prepay Your 2017 Taxes – Now you can prepay your Tax Year 2017 First Installment Cook County Property taxes online, in-person, by mail or at Chase Bank.

 Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is now accepting prepayments of next year’s First Installment property tax bill. For taxpayers who prefer to pay by mail or in person, they will also enable taxpayers to download and print a prepayment bill themselves.

Under state law, Tax Year 2017 First Installment taxes, due March 1, 2018, are 55 percent of the prior year’s total tax. To prepay, taxpayers must have their 14-digit Property Index Number (PIN), which can be found at the top of the most recent tax bill, near the amount due. Taxpayers can also use their property address to look up their PIN on cookcountytreasurer.com.

Here’s how to prepay:

• Online – Go to cookcountytreasurer.com and select “Prepay Your 2017 Taxes.”
• You can use your bank account or credit card to pay.
• Download your bill – You can print a copy of your prepayment bill by choosing “Download Your Bill”       on the website and entering your PIN or property address.

By Mail
Send the prepayment bill and your payment to:
Cook County Treasurer
PO Box 805436
Chicago, IL 60680-4115

In Person
Submit the prepayment bill and payment at a Chase branch bank or the Treasurer’s Office, 118 N. Clark St., Room 112, Chicago

Alderman Brian Hopkins 2nd Ward Newsletter 12/18/17

Alderman Reilly Reports 12/15/17

Filed Under: Community
December 27, 2017 By

42nd Ward Sculpture Dedication for Year of Public Art’s 50 x 50 Neighborhood Arts Project

Earlier this week, Alderman Reilly was joined by Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) Commissioner Mark Kelly and Chicago Loop Alliance President Mike Edwards for the dedication of Loop Da Loop, a new sculpture from artist John Adduci, commissioned for the 42nd Ward as part of DCASE’s 50 x 50 Neighborhood Arts Project.  The sculpture was installed at the median on State Street, just north of Lake Street – known at the Gateway on State.

Loop Da Loop is a large-scale public sculpture, crafted from aluminum and steel, and stands at eleven feet tall.  It draws inspiration from its site and incorporates concepts of “the Loop” on multiple levels.  Designed to enhance the surroundings, the sculpture’s forms reference the “L” tracks – situated directly above and below the sculpture, and intertwines local typography with the unforgettable “C” – a classic symbol of the city.  Loop Da Loop includes enough abstraction that individuals can discover their own interpretation as well as simply enjoy the sculpture’s aesthetic.

John Adduci is an internationally recognized artist, craftsman, fabricator, and lifetime Chicago resident based on the Near North side.  He maintains a strong presence in Chicago’s sculpture and art communities, with works exhibited throughout the city, including private collections, educational institutions such as Lincoln Park Zoo and Chicago Children’s Museum, and Universities of Illinois and Urbana Champaign.

Alderman Reilly Reports 12/22/17

Filed Under: Community
December 27, 2017 By

Navy Pier Flyover Update: Overnight Work Scheduled for Wednesday, December 27

 

 

 

 

 

The temporary traffic control barriers that have been in place for Navy Pier Flyover construction on northbound Lake Shore Drive between the Chicago River and Illinois Street are slated for removal on Wednesday, December 27 between 11:00pm and 5:00am.

During this time, northbound Lake Shore Drive’s two right lanes from the Chicago River to Illinois Street, and the entire length of the off-ramp to Illinois/Streeter, will be closed to facilitate the removal of the temporary concrete barrier wall, temporary lane striping, and equipment on the outside right lane and off ramp.

Residents may hear backup alarms from trucks and some concrete on concrete sounds as the temporary barrier wall is removed.

Alderman Reilly Reports 12/22/17

Filed Under: Community
December 8, 2017 By

Kerry James Marshall Mural on the Chicago Cultural Center Unveiled

Earlier this week, internationally renowned artist and MacArthur Fellow Kerry James Marshall, unveiled his epic, large-scale mural on the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.).
The 132-foot by 100-foot mural is the largest artwork he has ever designed or created, and can be seen on the building’s Garland Court façade, between Washington and Randolph Streets.
The mural honors 20 women who have shaped the city’s vibrant arts and culture landscape:
  • Susanne Ghez, Director and Chief Curator for nearly 40 years, The Renaissance Society
  • Barbara Gaines, Founder and Artistic Director, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
  • Jacqueline Russell, Founder and Artistic Director, Chicago Children’s Theatre
  • Ruth Page, Dancer, Choreographer and Founder, Ruth Page Center for the Arts
  • Lois Weisberg, Longest-serving Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
  • Maggie C. Daley, Longest-serving First Lady of the City of Chicago
  • Jackie Taylor, Founder and CEO, Black Ensemble Theater
  • Monica Haslip, Founder and Executive Director, Little Black Pearl
  • Abena Joan Brown, Founder, eta Creative Arts Foundation
  • Margaret Burroughs, Founder, DuSable Museum of African American History
  • Harriet Monroe, Founder, Poetry Magazine
  • Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Co-founder, Goodman Theatre / Dearborn Homes Youth Drama Workshop
  • Sandra Delgado, Founding Ensemble Member, Collaboraction
  • Jane M. Saks, President and Artistic Director, Project& and Founding Executive Director, Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in the Arts and Media
  • Barbara Jones-Hogu, Founding Member, AfriCobra
  • Gwendolyn Brooks, Literary Icon
  • Sandra Cisneros, Literary Icon
  • Achy Obejas, Award-winning writer
  • Oprah Winfrey, Cultural Icon
  • Joan Gray, Dancer and Longtime President of Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago
The Kerry James Marshall’s mural at the Chicago Cultural Center is part of the Chicago’s Year of Public Art. Throughout 2017, the City of Chicago has unveiled the city’s first Public Art Plan, presented exhibitions and series of neighborhood events highlighting the city’s public art collection located throughout the city.
As the year comes to a close, the city is also celebrating the completion of several new artworks as part of the 50×50 Neighborhood Arts Project, a citywide initiative that commissioned dozens of local artists to create new sculptures, murals and other public artworks in Chicago’s 50 wards, representing a $1.5 million investment in artist-led community projects. Many of these works, including the sculpture to be erected in the 42nd Ward, are in the final stages of production or have been completed.
The mural is funded by Murals of Acceptance, whose goal is to bring art to all people in a free public setting. Murals of Acceptance was founded by Chicago native, Kevin McCarthy and is supported by Marc and Lynne Benioff and by Patricia Arquette and David Arquette.
The Chicago Cultural Center is the first and most comprehensive free large-municipal cultural venue in the country. Every year, the Chicago Cultural Center, presents hundreds of free international, national, regional and local artists, musicians and performers, providing a showcase where the public can enjoy and learn about the arts. It is currently home to the Chicago Architecture Biennial, which will run through January 7, 2018.
To read the full press release, click here.
Source: Alderman Reilly Reports 12/8/17
Filed Under: Community