Herbert’s design is a tribute to the heroes who saved him in a fire that almost took his life when he was four years old. Now 15, Herbert is honoring all of the city’s emergency workers who came to his rescue in his time of need.

Herbert won the contest by a majority vote of more than 18,000 online voters who picked his design from 10 finalists’ designs. All finalists were honored with a special awards ceremony at City Hall where the artwork is on display, and each student will receive an honorary City Council Resolution.

For more information you can download the Press Release PDF announcement from City Clerk Susanna Mendoza’s office.

Chicago Career Tech is now accepting applications for the spring session. To be considered for the Chicago Career Tech program, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Resident of the City of Chicago
• Minimum of a high school diploma or earned GED
• Unemployed (after January 1, 2008), with previous annual salary of $25,000 to $90,000 (NEW!)
• Eligible to collect or have exhausted unemployment benefits in Illinois

The first application deadline is February 14. Interested individuals may apply online at www.chicagocareertech.com.

Students and their parents are encouraged to take part in the free assistance in completing the FAFSA, the first step in receiving any state or federal loans, grants and scholarships.

Sessions are offered Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 107. The program runs Jan. 29 – April 17. Students are encouraged to apply early to receive maximum amount of financial aid.

For more information, including a complete list of items needed when attending the sessions, please download the program flyer.

Additional Resources for Free FAFSA Assistance:

• ISAC calendar of upcoming events, including FAFSA completion
• ISAC CollegeZone Outreach Centers
• Ladder Up/LIFT FAFSA Assistance Centers

Cyberbullying is a relatively recent phenomenon that occurs when someone is harassed, humiliated, or threatened by another person using the internet or cell phone.

These technologies have made us vulnerable to bullying anywhere, any time. Bullies have been around forever, but technology has given them a whole new avenue for their actions. Both real world and online name-calling and harrassment can have serious emotional consequences.

Stay informed and join the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Community Justice Center, in conjunction with the Chicago Police Department, for a cyber-bullying seminar being held on March 1st from 6:30pm to 7:30pm at the Sulzer Regional Library, located at 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Please call 773-334-4066 or e-mail Gina.ceh@coolcounty il.gov to reserve a seat. Light refreshments will be served.

To learn more about what you can do to help stop cyberbullying, visit http://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/cyberbullying/.

Mayor Emanuel to Open Libraries on Monday Afternoons
$2 Million in Resources Dedicated to Keeping Branch Libraries Open Six Days a Week

Mayor’s Press Office 312.744.3334

Download this Press Release (PDF file)

CHICAGO – Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Library Commissioner Mary Dempsey announced today that branch locations of the Chicago Public Library (CPL) will be open on Monday afternoons starting February 6, 2012.

“We made a commitment to children and residents that libraries would be open six days a week, and we are delivering on that commitment without any cooperation from union leadership,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Branch libraries will open on Monday afternoons – and all day on Mondays when Chicago Public Schools are not in session – to provide students and others the many resources the library offers.”

City officials are re-allocating more than $2 million in resources to keep branch locations available six days a week. These resources will allow 90 positions to be placed in CPL branches including restoring 65 positions from savings inside and outside the library system. This includes shifting 25 library staff from Harold Washington Library to branches; reducing maintenance costs and services at the central location; leaving unfilled positions vacant; and reducing tuition reimbursement allotments.

“I know our librarians are committed to providing the best services to the children and residents of Chicago, but unfortunately their union leadership would not partner with us on a solution,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Keeping libraries open on Monday afternoons – when children are out of school and need a safe place to study – is the right thing to do for our students and residents.”

Chicago Public Library Branch Schedule for the Remainder of 2012

36 Weeks when CPS is in session – 44 hours a week

* Four hours on Monday afternoons
* Eight hours Tuesday through Saturday
* Does not include scheduled holidays

16 Weeks when CPS is not in session – 48 hours a week

* Eight hours Monday through Saturday
* Spring break
* June, July and August
* Winter break

Mondays in February

* February 6 – Open half-day
* February 13 – Closed (Lincoln’s Birthday)
* February 20 – Closed (Washington’s Birthday)
* February 27 – Open half-day

# # #

Resources and Frequently Asked Questions for Multi-Unit Recycling

What Can Residents Do?
As a resident in a multi-unit building, you understand that you have a responsibility to recycle in your unit and participate in your buildings recycling program. Additional information for residents, such as suggestions and ideas on how to increase recycling in your unit or building and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to waste and recycling, can be found by clicking on the links below.

If you live in or own a building with five units or greater (referred to as a ‘multi-unit building’), you are served by a private waste hauler for pick up of both trash and recycling. A source-separated, single stream recycling method, similar to Chicago’s Blue Cart program used for single-family homes and buildings with four units or less, is recommended for multi-unit buildings.

What are building owners, governing associations and/or condominium boards required to do for their residents?
The Chicago High Density Residential and Commercial Source Reduction and Recycling Ordinance (Chapter 11-5 of the Chicago Municipal Code) requires building owners, governing associations and/or condominium boards to offer residents an effective recycling program. In some buildings, these entities hire a property manager whose responsibilities may include fulfilling this requirement. An effective recycling program is defined by the following:

1. Source separation of at least three recyclable materials (such as newspaper, glass and plastic). This means that recyclable materials are separated from other solid waste before the point of collection and kept separated until they can be recycled. In special cases, a waste service can collect only two materials if the building also implements two waste reduction measures in the building or their office, such as using energy saving light bulbs and reusing supplies.If your building does not currently recycle, one of the easiest things you can do is call your hauler today and request source-separated (such as single stream) recycling services.
2. Each building must maintain a written recycling plan detailing its program and make it available to all residents. At a minimum, the plan should include:
   • The three recycled materials and any source reduction measures your landlord uses.
   • How to prepare recyclables and what happens to them once the waste hauler picks them up.
   • A summary of the education program.
   • The contract with the waste hauler.
   • Semi-annual waste hauler quality reports and any reports of contamination.
3. Each building must implement an educational program that informs new residents, and at least annually all residents how to participate in the building’s recycling program including what can be recycled, how to prepare it and where to take it. Residents must also be notified about changes in the recycling plan 10 days before they happen.

What if my building doesn’t have a recycling program?
In many cases, although you want to recycle, your building may not have an effective recycling program or one that is convenient to use. Click here to learn how you can start or improve a recycling program in your building, determine if your building’s program is effective, and challenge other residents to reduce and reuse to minimize the building’s waste.

How Do I Complete a Recycling Plan for my Building?
Document or plan the specifics of your building’s recycling program by filling out this Recycling Plan and calculating how much waste and recyclables your building generates.

Whether you have one already or are just beginning, you will learn about the specifics of your building’s current program by filling out this Recycling Plan and calculating how much waste and recyclables your building generates. It will also help you to become compliant with the Chicago High Density Residential and Commercial Source Reduction and Recycling Ordinance, which requires that each multi-unit residential building maintain a written recycling plan.
Recycling Plan and Waste Generation and Recyclable Collection Worksheet

Who provides recycling services to multi-unit buildings in Chicago?
This list provides the names and contact information of vendors that provide waste and recycling services to multi-unit residential buildings across the City.
Vendor Contact List

How does the size of a building affect its recycling program?
Learn about how each building’s unique characteristics affects recycling programs.

Implementing a recycling program will vary as each building has its own unique characteristics. Typically, buildings of the same size share similar characteristics which can either offer obstacles or opportunities to recycling. Before fully implementing a program, it’s important to plan the recycling program around these characteristics.

• Recycling in Small (<40 Units) Residential Buildings
• Recycling in Medium (40 to 100 units) Residential Buildings 
• Recycling in Large (>40 Units) Residential Buildings

The market will operate indoors at The Glenwood Bar, 6962 N. Glenwood on
the following Sundays from 9:00am to 2:00pm
January 8, February 12, March 11, April 1, May 6 and May 20th.

For more information and a list of vendors, please visit
www.glenwoodsundaymarket.org.

Presented by the Chicago Public Schools and Parents for School Choice, the New Schools EXPO will showcase more than 85 of the city’s newest elementary and high schools, including charter schools.

EXPO visitors will have the chance to meet the leaders of these new schools, to apply for new schools on-site.

Educational workshops on topics such as: School Safety, Tips for Parents, What Makes a Quality School, and more.

It’s one-stop-shopping for a new school!

Admission and parking are FREE.

If you plan to take the CTA, a free trolley will run between the Roosevelt stop and Soldier Field.

For more information, please visit: www.parentsforschoolchoice.org. All are welcome!

The Chicago Center for Green Technology’s Green Tech U Program has been developed in response to the increasing demand for educational opportunities regarding green technology and sustainability.

Whether you’re a homeowner or practicing professional, Green Tech U’s workshops and seminars provide you with the opportunity to increase your knowledge of green technology, sustainability and public policy, meet people with similar interests, and expand your personal and professional networks.

Visit chicagogreentech.org for more information and to view the full Winter/Spring 2012 calendar of events and workshops.