February 3, 2021 By

18th District CPD Presents Anti-Vehicular Hijacking Webinar – Saturday February 6th at 2:00 p.m.

CLICK HERE for a PDF of the flyer

Zoom Webinar ID #835 0743 2553

Passcode 053223

February 6th – Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

 

Filed Under: Community
February 2, 2021 By

Beware of Scammers – Join Webinar by Community Policing Office and Attorney Generals Offfice – February 10th

Filed Under: Community
February 2, 2021 By

City of Chicago Moves to Phase Four COVID-19 Regulations

Please be advised that, as of January 31, Chicago has met the metrics set by the State of Illinois to move to Phase Four COVID-19 regulations. In order to avoid reversing the progress that the city has made in recent weeks, a number of regulations will remain in place in Chicago under Phase Four.
Some restrictions will be eased, such as the prohibition of bar seating and the non-essential business curfew, but most of the capacity regulations will remain in place. Here is an overview of Phase Four regulations in Chicago:
Restaurants and Bars 
  • Indoor capacity remains restricted to the lesser of 25% or 25 people per room or space
  • Food must be available at all times in order to offer indoor service. This means that bars, taverns or breweries without a food license can operate indoors as long as they partner with a food establishment so that food is available to patrons at all times (e.g., making menus available and allowing delivery, allowing patrons to order from third-party delivery services).
  • Maximum of six patrons at indoor or outdoor tables
  • Patrons can sit at bars, with six feet of social distancing between parties
  • Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking
  • Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking
  • Tables must be six feet apart
  • Reservations are encouraged
  • Two-hour time limit no longer required
  • The sale of alcohol must end at 11pm, including alcohol sold for on-site consumption, delivery or carry out
  • Establishments must close for on-site service at 12am
Event Venues 
  • Indoor capacity remains restricted to the lesser of 25% or 25 people per room or space
  • Indoor events can serve food or drinks, but indoor service guidelines must be followed:
  • Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking
  • Six people per table
  • Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking
  • Tables must be six feet apart
  • Alcohol service must end at 11pm, and patrons must be off-premises by 12am
Health and Fitness Centers 
  • No limits on operating hours (non-essential business curfew repealed)
  • 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space
  • Group classes of 15 or fewer can resume under the 40% capacity restriction
  • Face coverings must be worn at all times
Indoor Recreation 
  • No limits on operating hours (non-essential business curfew repealed)
  • 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space
  • Face coverings must be worn at all times
Movie Theaters and Performance Venues 
  • No limits on operating hours (non-essential business curfew repealed).
  • 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space
  • Face coverings must be worn at all times
Retail Stores 
  • No limits on operating hours (non-essential business curfew repealed)
  • Grocery stores and pharmacies can operate at 50% capacity, all other stores at 40% capacity
  • Face coverings must be worn at all times
  • Alcohol sales from establishments with a Package Goods license must end at 9pm
Museums 
  • No limits on operating hours (non-essential business curfew repealed)
  • Can operate indoors at 25% capacity
  • Face coverings must be worn at all times
Personal Services 
  • No limits on operating hours (non-essential business curfew repealed)
  • 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space
  • Face coverings can be removed only for services that require their removal
Places of Worship 
  • 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space
  • Special events capped at no more than 25% capacity or 25 people, while following indoor dining regulations
  • Face coverings must be worn at all times
Details of the full regulations are posted here. The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection will be holding a webinar this Tuesday, February 2 at 10:00 am on the new Phase Four regulations. Register and learn more at chicago.gov/businesseducation.
To track Chicago’s progress on the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, visit the COVID-19 Dashboard. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) will monitor the impact of the return of limited indoor dining, which resumed on January 23, for at least two weeks (one incubation period) before considering further loosening of regulations. More information will be shared in the coming days on the progress that will be necessary for further loosening of restrictions.
We have made significant progress in the fight against COVID-19, but we still have more work to do as a city. Please continue to remain diligent and continue to stay distanced, wash your hands, and wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Source:  Reilly Reports 2/1/2021
Filed Under: Community
January 27, 2021 By

Northwestern Medicine Vaccination Updates


Vaccination is key to ending the COVID-19 pandemic. Northwestern Medicine has developed a COVID-19 vaccination plan following public health guidelines, which continue to evolve.

Northwestern Medicine is now sending invitations to eligible patients to schedule vaccines. Invitations are being sent in phases to ensure they can accommodate all patients in a timely and efficient manner. At this time, they are focused on vaccinating established Northwestern Medicine patients who are 65 and older. A patient is considered established if they have a Northwestern Medicine primary care physician or regularly see a Northwestern Medicine specialist.

Only Northwestern Medicine hospitals will administer vaccines. Physician offices are not able to administer vaccines at this time.

You will be notified thru the MyNM account site when you are eligible for your vaccination. For additional information please CLICK HERE.

Filed Under: Community
January 26, 2021 By

The Chicago Help Initiative Clothing Drive – Ends January 31st

Filed Under: Community
January 22, 2021 By

018th District CPD Anti-Vehicular Hijacking Virtual Webinar – 1/23/2021

Filed Under: Community
January 15, 2021 By

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).

Filed Under: Community
January 12, 2021 By

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  

Starting May 1, 2021, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) will be legalized in five areas around the city, increasing access to safe, affordable housing for thousands of Chicagoans. Under this new program, attics, basements and coach houses will be lawfully permitted in these zones and the Department of Housing will launch a three-year evaluation period to report on ADU activities and make recommendations for a permanent citywide policy. These areas include:
  • 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.
Filed Under: Community
January 6, 2021 By

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!

Filed Under: Community
January 5, 2021 By

2nd Public Nuisance Case Filed Against Eurostar Hotel, 660 North State Street

In April 2021, the Law Department filed a public nuisance case against the Eurostar Hotel. The case was resolved via the Mayor’s License Discipline Commission, resulting in Eurostar paying a $10,000 fine and agreeing to a Plan of Operation. 

Earlier this month, shots were fired inside a guest room at the hotel. This incident confirms that the business has not made necessary steps to abate the nuisance and safety issues previously identified, and is not adhering to the agreed upon Plan of Operation.

As a result, the Law Department has filed a second disciplinary case. Please click here to review the list of charges.

The first status hearing will take place on January 12th at 9:30 a.m.

Filed Under: Community