Dear Friends, 

There are events for everyone this weekend. 

Children's Memorial Hospital and I will host our 10th Annual Summer Safety Fest.  This event for kids takes place on Saturday in front of Lincoln Park High School - just east of the Farmers Market.  Entertainment is provided by the Old Town School of Folk Music and A-Z Entertainment.  Kids will be rocking, rolling, twisting and shouting with these fun groups.  The first 150 kids will receive fitted helmets from Bicycle Ambassadors.  All kids will enjoy the games, goodie bags, prizes, food and refreshments. 

A decidely different option is Sunday's Pride Parade.  The parade assembly area is on Halsted from Fullerton to Belmont.  The parade route is north on Halsted from Belmont to Grace, then south on Broadway to Diversey and east on Diversey into the park at Cannon Drive.  The assembly area will be closed to traffic beginning at 10:00AM.  CTA buses on Halsted and Diversey will be rerouted.  Any questions can be directed to Officer Jose Rios at the 23rd District CAPS Office 312-744-0064. 

The Mid-North Summerfest is an event for the entire family.  Taking place on Saturday and Sunday on Lincoln Park West between Clark and Dickens, this event benefits the Mid-North Association and their efforts on behalf of the neighborhood.  Enjoy live music, great food and drink and a fantastic family area with activities for kids of all ages.  Saturday hours are Noon to 10PM and Sunday hours are Noon to 9PM.

One last event of note takes place on Saturday.  The Wrightwood Neighbors will host a special re-dedication of the Eagle Columns with world famous sculptor Richard Hunt.  Join them at Noon at Jonquil Park and stay for the free reception.

Enjoy!

Vi

Business Openings

The site of the former Golden Ox, 1578 N Clybourn,  is expected to open this month with two new restaurants.  Urban Burger Bar and Pizzeria SoNo will be side-by-side restaurants.  The North and Clybourn CTA station and much-anticipated Apple Store should be open for business in the not-too-distant future. 

Already getting rave reviews are the Cookie Bar, at Lincoln and Altgeld and Kim and Scott's Pretzel Cafe, also on Lincoln but closer to Webster.  

Clark Street has welcomed Berry Moon for frozen yogurt in the former Pockets space (2600 block) and a Puma store on the 2300 block.  

The Joseph Michael Salon at 1313 Ritchie Court recently celebrated their opening with champagne and many future clients.

Wal-Mart Zoning Vote

Today's vote was unanimous in approving the zoning change for a development on the City's south side that will include a Wal-Mart as an anchor store.  I have received a few calls and emails expressing views both pro and con and expect the numbers to increase in the coming week leading up to a vote by the full City Council. 

The potential number of jobs, in the construction phase and followed by on-site positions, are needed more than ever.  The well-documented need for grocery stores in this area was another important factor in my considerations.  

I believe that local aldermen and their constituents can best decide what is appropriate for their area.  We expect other aldermen to respect the agreements that we have reached on development proposals.  I will also respect the views of other aldermen on their own development decisions.
 

Vacation Rentals

Vacation rentals are condos, apartments or townhomes that are leased on a daily or weekly basis.  There are a number of these in the 43rd Ward.  Most offer clean, safe and comfortable options for visitors and owners have been paying state and city taxes.  These establishments were not previously licensed or regulated. 

Several years ago I authored the Bed  Breakfast ordinance.  I worked closely with the operators to craft an ordinance that  was not unduly burdensome but provided oversight.  Similarly, I have been working with a number of my colleagues in the City Council to craft the ordinance for vacation rentals. 

We will grandfather many of the existing operators but they now will be licensed and follow regulations in the ordinance.  After months of drafting and consideration, this ordinance is expected to be approved at the June 30th City Council meeting.
 

CAPS Beat Meetings

Thursday, June 24th, 7:000PM:  Beat 1814 at the Old Town Triangle Office, 1765 N North Park for the area bounded by Fullerton on the north and North Ave on the south and east of Sedgwick/Clark.

Wednesday, July 7th, 6:30PM:  Beat 1821 at Near North Library, 330 W Division St.  for 43rd Ward residents between North and Division from Larrabee to LaSalle.    

  News Around the Ward

I requested that the police conduct safety stings throughout the 43rd Ward this summer.  A number of them have already taken place and more are expected. 

Officers in plain clothes attemped to cross Clark Street at the Deming crosswalk.  Drivers who did not stop and allow the officer to cross the street were pulled over.  Drivers are required to stop when any pedestrian is in a crosswalk.  Rules of the road reminder # 1)  When crossing at any place other than a marked or unmarked crosswalk, pedestrians must give the right-of-way to drivers. This includes between closely-spaced intersections where traffic signals are in operation.    

Another sting was aimed to remind bicyclists of their duty to obey traffic signals.  Reminder # 2)  When riding your bicycle on Illinois roadways, you must obey the same traffic laws, signs and signals that apply to motorists.

Finally, while many new cars do this automatically, reminder # 3) State law requires headlights to be used in times when rain, snow, fog or other atmospheric conditions require the use of windshield wipers.

The number of pedestrians and cyclists increases during the summer months when school is not in session.  The weather encourages people out of their homes and tourists are out looking at everything of interest in the neighborhood, often unaware of their surroundings or the traffic around them.  Please be extra alert while driving during this busy time of year.
 

America's Best High Schools: Lincoln Park #2 in IL

Newsweek Magazine has issued its listing of the top 1600 high schools in the country and Lincoln Park High School is again one of the best.  Out of the 1600 nationwide, LPHS ranks in the top 100 (#94) and statewide, it is number 2.  "Each year, Newsweek picks the best high schools in the country based on how hard school staffs work to challenge students with advanced-placement college-level courses and tests.  Just over 1,600 schools - only 6 percent of all the public schools in the U.S. made the list.   

Who topped Lincoln Park in Illinois?  Northside College Prep.  Filling out the remainer of the top 5 were Stevenson, Riverside-Brookfield and Walter Payton College Prep. 

Congratulations to out-going principal, Dr. Bessie Karvelas for leading the school to this repeat achievement.  To incoming principal, Mike Boraz, we offer the warmest of welcomes and warn that we expect much.

Food Trucks

Foodies and fans of food television are aware of an option that has not been available to Chicago diners.  Food trucks are the newest tool for chefs looking to bring their creations to new audiences.  Unlike the trucks that currently serve some construction areas, the new trucks allow chefs to cook their meals on the spot.  These trucks provide limited menu options but chefs are typically freer to test new recipes and concepts.

I have been working with several of my colleagues and area chefs to craft an ordinance that ensures food safety, a permit process that is efficient and provides appropriate locations for these trucks to serve their customers.

We continue to meet on a regular basis to address the concerns of department heads and aldermen.  I am hopeful that we will come up with an ordinance to allow for this inventive new offering on our streets in the very near future.

City Vehicle Stickers

It's that time of year.  Time to renew your Chicago City Sticker and Residential Permit Parking Sticker.  The new Daily Guest Passes are also now on sale.  All city vehicle stickers expire on June 30, 2010 but there is a 15-day grace period through July 15, 2010. 

The Residential Permit Parking Sticker is now part of the City Sticker - there is no separate sticker.   If you live on a residential street that is zoned for permit parking, you can purchase your City Sticker/Permit Parking Sticker on-line, at any currency exchange and, through July 15th at Dominicks.  

All stickers can be ordered, in person, at my office.  My staff will collect your application and take it to the City Clerk's office for processing.  After 7 - 10 days you will be able to pick-up your sticker at my office.  

Daily guest passes are available from the City Clerk's office, on-line or in person, or at my office.  Daily passes are issued in packs of 15 passes for $8.00 and there is a maximum of 30 passes every 30 days.  

Summer Office Hours

Fridays, beginning on July 2nd and continuing through September 3rd, all full-time staff will be on furlough.  The office will be open to provide permit parking daily stickers and to help with some city service requests.  

Please note on July 2nd, the office will be open from 9:00AM until 4:00PM and will re-open at 9:00AM on Tuesday, July 6th. 

Paid for and authorized by Friends of Vi Daley.  No taxpayer funds are used in the production of this newsletter.