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!

Mayor Emanuel Asks Chicagoans to Submit Education-Related Questions for His Second #AskChicago Facebook Town Hall
Online Forum Allows the Mayor and Residents to Connect in a Conversation about Education

Mayor’s Press Office 312.744.3334

Download this Press Release

CHICAGO – Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today that he will be holding a second live Facebook Town Hall meeting with Chicagoans, centered around a conversation on education, on January 23 at 6:30 PM; leading up to the event the public is encouraged to submit education-related questions and vote for questions to ask the Mayor at www.AskChicago.org. The town hall can be viewed at www.facebook.com/chicagomayorsoffice or www.livestream.com/chicagomayorsoffice. This past June, Mayor Emanuel became the first sitting mayor of a major city to hold a live online chat in which questions were submitted and ranked by the public.

“In our first live Facebook Town Hall and during the 2012 budgeting process, we saw Chicagoans come together in a conversation about issues facing residents across the city,” said Mayor Emanuel. “This second Town Hall is part of my commitment to creating a more transparent and engaged government that not only listens to the voices of the people, but also responds.”

In addition to streaming the event live online, the Mayor’s Office is working with the Smart Communities program, the Chicago Public Schools and the City Colleges of Chicago to plan #AskChicago viewing events. These events will be posted online next week at www.AskChicago.org, and residents can also contact 3-1-1 find a local viewing locations where they can participate.

Since coming into office, Mayor Emanuel has leveraged social media to better connect with the public. This Facebook Town Hall forum compliments existing efforts including:

• ChicagoShovels.org: Earlier this month, Mayor Emanuel announced ChicagoShovels.org, a new, interactive online resource that helps Chicagoans engage and participate in critical winter-preparedness efforts. The site was launched with a real-time “Plow Tracker” that allows residents to monitor the progress of the City’s snow plows, a volunteer “Snow Corps” program, and links to winter web apps. The City is also launching an “Adopt-a-Sidewalk” shoveling initiative where Chicagoans can soon visit the site and sign up to be a part of the program.
• ChicagoBudget.org, the first interactive budget website: People across Chicago were encouraged to engage in the City’s 2011 budget process. More than 10,000 ideas and comments for addressing the City’s challenges were posted, generating over 62,000 votes from 3,100 people.
• Windy City Badge and Chicago’s Mayor on Foursquare: Chicago is the world’s first city with its own foursquare City badge, the “Windy City” City badge. The public can follow the Mayor as he travels across the City on Foursquare.com/ChicagosMayor.
• Chicago’s first #AskChicago Facebook Town Hall: On June 30, 2011, Mayor Emanuel was the first sitting mayor of a major city to hold a live online chat in which questions were submitted and ranked by the public.
• Mayor’s Office on Twitter, Facebook and Google+: Mayor Emanuel is the first Chicago Mayor to leverage Twitter and Facebook to connect with the public, answer questions and share news. Mayor Emanuel’s office was the first Mayor’s office to use Google+. You can follow the Mayor on Twitter at twitter.com/chicagosmayor, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chicagomayorsoffice and on Google+ at gplus.to/mayor.

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If your Condo Association contracts out its waste removal to a private company and you have a recycling program in place, you are eligible for a rebate of your annual costs of up to $75 per unit from the City of Chicago.

Download and print the online Refuse Reimbursement Form today. The City Council will be accepting forms until January 31.  Filed in person:

Committee on Finance
121 N. LaSalle
Room 302

BLUE LINE

Jan 20 – 21
10:30pm Fri to 6am Sat

Jan 21 – 22
10pm Sat to 6am Sun
10pm Sun to 4:30am Mon

Boarding Change, Delays Between Clark/Lake and Damen

How does this affect my trip?
Board/exit trains on the Forest Park-bound side of the platform at the Grand, Chicago, and Division stations.

Trains will operate on the same track between Clark/Lake and Damen, resulting in minor delays.

Allow extra travel time.

Why is service being changed?
We are performing maintenance at the Grand, Chicago, and Division stations.

6am, Sat, Jan 21 to Tue, Jan 31 or completion

Chicago Station Street-to-Mezzanine Stairway Out of Service

How does this affect my trip?
The street-to-mezzanine stairway on the pedestrian island bounded by Chicago, Ogden, and Milwaukee at the Chicago station will be temporarily out of service.

Access to the mezzanine from the street is available by the stairs at the southwest corner of Chicago and Milwaukee, and by the stairs at the northwest corner of Chicago and Ogden.

The stairway is estimated to return to service on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 (date subject to change).

Why is service being changed?
The street-to-mezzanine stairway will be temporarily out of service due to station maintenance.

RED LINE

Jan 22 – 23
10pm Sun to 4am Mon

Boarding Change, Delays Between North/Clybourn and Lake

How does this affect my trip?
Board/exit trains on the Howard-bound side of the platform at the Clark/Division station, and on the Howard-bound platform at the Chicago and Grand stations.

Trains in both directions will operate on the same track between North/Clybourn and Lake, resulting in minor delays.

Allow extra travel time.

Why is service being changed?
We are performing maintenance to ensure that trains continue to operate safely along the Red Line.

YELLOW LINE

Jan 21 – 22
6:15am Sat to 11:15pm Sun

Bus Substitution Between Skokie and Howard Stations

How does this affect my trip?
Nonstop shuttle buses replace rail service between Skokie and Howard.

Alternate service is also available on the #97 Skokie local bus.

Allow extra travel time.

Why is service being changed?
Yellow Line service is temporarily suspended due to construction of a new rail station at Oakton Street.

Bus Routes

The bus reroutes listed below are short-term reroutes during this weekend or long-term reroutes beginning this weekend. For a full list of bus reroutes currently in place, please visit the Bus Alerts page.

No new reroutes are scheduled.

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The customer alerts listed here are based the latest information known as of the time of publishing. This information is subject to change without notice. While we work to provide information as accurate and reliable as possible, changes, additions, and cancellations are sometimes necessary.

For the latest information, including any changes to the information above or information about unplanned events that affect service, please check the Alerts section of the CTA website or see information pertaining to your route in our System Guide.

Rail Routes

BROWN LINE

Mon, Jan 16 to Wed, Mar 28 or completion
Western Station Street-to-Loop-bound Platform Escalator Temporarily Out of Service

How does this affect my trip?
The escalator to the Loop-bound platform at the Western station will be temporarily out of service. Access to the platform is available by the stairs and elevator.

Why is station access being changed?
We are upgrading the escalator to the Loop-bound platform to ensure continued safe, convenient service.

Jan 16 – 20, Mon to Fri, 10:30am to 2:30pm, daily
Chicago Station Loop-bound Main Entrance and Elevator Temporary Closures

How does this affect my trip?
The main entrance and street-to-platform elevator to the Loop-bound platform will be temporarily closed. Use the Chicago station’s Superior Street auxiliary entrance/exit to access Loop-bound trains.

For ADA accessible service from this station, take a Kimball-bound train to Sedgwick and transfer to a Loop-bound train.

For ADA accessible service to this station, take a Loop-bound train to Merchandise Mart and transfer to a Kimball-bound train.

Allow extra travel time.

Why is service being changed?
The Chicago station’s main entrance and street-to-platform elevator to the Loop-bound platform will be temporarily closed due to platform maintenance.

GREEN LINE

9am, Wed, Jan 18 to Mon, Feb 20 or completion
Oak Park Station Street-to-Platform Escalator Out of Service

How does this affect my trip?
The street-to-platform escalator and east stairway at the Oak Park station will be temporarily out of service. Enter/exit the platform via the stairway located on the west side of the station.

The escalator is estimated to return to service on Monday, February 20, 2012 (date subject to change).

Why is service being changed?
We are upgrading the escalator at the Oak Park station to ensure continued safe, convenient service.

RED LINE

Jan 16 – 19, Mon to Thu, nightly, 10:30pm to 4am next day
Boarding Change, Delays Between North/Clybourn and Lake

How does this affect my trip?
Board/exit trains on the Howard-bound side of the platform at the Clark/Division station, and on the Howard-bound platform at the Chicago and Grand stations.

Trains in both directions will operate on the same track between North/Clybourn and Lake, resulting in minor delays.

Allow extra travel time.

Why is service being changed?
We are performing maintenance to ensure that trains continue to operate safely along the Red Line.

Bus Routes

The bus reroutes listed below are short-term reroutes during this weekend or long-term reroutes beginning this weekend. For a full list of bus reroutes currently in place, please visit the Bus Alerts page.

#8 Halsted New Bus Stops Temporarily Added
Mon, Jan 16 to 6pm, Mon, Apr 30

How does this affect my trip?
A new northbound stop will be added at the northeast corner of Larrabee and Chicago.

A new southbound stop will be added at the northwest corner of Larrabee and Chicago.

Why is service being changed?
The bus stops are being temporarily added for customer convenience.

Residents are welcome to attend one of the upcoming meetings. If you do attend the public hearings and you wish to make a statement about the map, you can do so during the meeting or by handing in a written statement.

Below is a list of upcoming meetings:

Wednesday, January 18th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
North – Grand High School
4338 W. Wabansia

Thursday, January 19th at 10:00am
City Hall Council Chambers
121 N. LaSalle, 2nd Floor

Apply for the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program today before funds run out! All property owners pay the same square-foot cost for new sidewalk: $3 per square foot–well below what a private contractor would charge. Call 311 or apply online to get your request in immediately.

Applications will only be accepted through the City’s 311 system (by phone or online). Owner information and the property address must be provided at the time of request.

Participation will proceed on a first-come, first-served basis. Note that the program typically reaches capacity quickly, so you are encouraged to apply early in the year. Please note that if you applied for the program in previous years, you must apply again in 2012.

Program overview

Frequently asked questions

Get started online

Individual artists and not-for-profit arts organizations in all disciplines are invited to apply for grants of up to $1,000 through the Community Arts Assistance Program (CAAP) for the year 2012 for professional, artistic and organizational development projects. Applications are available online for download. Hard copies are also available at the 1st floor Concierge Desk in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street, and 20 other locations throughout the city. Application assistance workshops are scheduled Monday, December 5, 2011 through Thursday, January 19, 2012. The application deadline is Monday, January 30, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.

New, emerging, and mid-career individual artists and not-for-profit arts organizations of all disciplines with annual operating budgets up to $150,000 are eligible to apply. Individuals must be residents of Chicago for at least six months prior to the application deadline. Organizations must be incorporated, located in and serving the city of Chicago, have a valid Federal Employer Identification Number, and have acquired, or be in the process of applying for, or seeking funds to apply for 501(c)(3) status.

“A thriving arts community is essential to the vitality of our city. The goals of CAAP are to discover, nurture and expand Chicago’s diverse artists and not-for-profit arts organizations, and to foster new and emerging individual artists and arts groups,” said Michelle T. Boone, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

The CAAP Grant program offers financial support for expenses related to creating new work, obtaining 501(c)(3) status, attending professional development workshops, and a variety of other artistic or organizational development needs. All new and repeat CAAP applicants are strongly encouraged to attend any one of the following two-hour workshops scheduled (registration is not necessary). For sign language or Braille translation assistance, please call 312.744.9797 at least two weeks prior to the workshop.

GENERAL APPLICATION ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS:
Thursday, December 8, 2011, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 North Central Park Avenue
Saturday, December 10, 2011, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Nightingale Theater, 1084 North Milwaukee Avenue
Wednesday, January 4, 2012, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 South Cornell Avenue
Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Links Hall, 3435 North Sheffield Avenue, #207
Thursday, January 19, 2012, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., 5th Floor Garland Room

SPECIALITY APPLICATION ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS:
For Profit or Nonprofit: Is nonprofit status right for your organization
with Bill Ratner, Lawyers for the Creative Arts
Monday, December 5, 2011, 6:00-8:00 p.m at Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street, 5th Floor Garland Room

Artist Statement Writing Workshop with Kate Schutta
Thursday, December 15, 2011, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at ThreeWalls, 119 N. Peoria, #2C

The Community Arts Assistance Program is an annual grant opportunity funded through the Access Program of the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. The goals of CAAP are to discover, nurture, and expand Chicago’s diverse artists and not-for-profit arts organizations, and to foster new and emerging individual artists and arts groups. Funding priority is intended for “new” artists and organizations and those who have had limited access to traditional funding in both public and private grants programs.

Grant applications are available online at www.cityofchicago.org/CulturalGrants and at the following 21 locations throughout the city.

CAAP APPLICATION DISTRIBUTION SITES:
DOWNTOWN

• Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Concierge Center, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., 1st Fl., 60602, (312) 744-1742
• Chicago Artists Coalition, 217 N Carpenter St. 60607, (312) 491-8888
• Illinois Arts Council, James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St., Ste 10-500, 60601, (312) 814-6750
• League of Chicago Theaters, 228 S. Wabash Ave., Ste. 300, 60604, (312) 554-9800
• ThreeWalls, 119 N. Peoria Street, #2d, 60607, (312) 432-3972

NORTH

• American Indian Center, 1630 W. Wilson Ave., 60640, (773) 275-5871
• Berger Park Cultural Center, 6205 N. Sheridan Road, (773)-761-0376
• Links Hall, 3435 N. Sheffield, 2nd Fl., 60657, (773) 281-0824
• Joel Hall Dance Center, 5965 N. Clark St., (773) 293-0900

WEST

• Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Blvd., 60624, (312) 746-5100
• 7th Congressional District, 2746 West Madison Street, 60612, (773) 533-7520

NORTHWEST

• Copernicus Foundation, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., 60630, (773) 777-8898
• Near Northwest Arts Council, 2215 W. North Avenue, (773) 278-7677
• Nightingale Theatre, 1084 North Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60642
• Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., 60625, (773) 728-6000

SOUTH

• eta Creative Arts Foundation, 7558 S. South Chicago Ave., 60619, (773)752-3955
• Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S Cornell Ave., 60615, (773) 324-5520
• South Chicago Art Center, 3217 E. 91st St., 60617. (773) 731-9287
• South Side Community Art Center, 3831 S. Michigan Ave., 60653, (773) 373-1026

SOUTHWEST

• Beverly Art Center, 2407 W. 111th St., 60655, (773) 445-3838
• National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., 60608, (312) 738-1503

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, presents thousands of high-quality free festivals, exhibitions, performances and holiday celebrations in venues throughout the city each year. DCASE is dedicated to promoting an ongoing celebration of the arts in Chicago, supporting the people who create and sustain them, and marketing the city’s abundant cultural resources to a worldwide audience.

Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture
The Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture (COTC) is dedicated to promoting Chicago as a premier cultural destination to domestic and international leisure travelers, providing innovative visitor programs and services, and presenting free world-class public programs. COTC supports local artists through grants and othe

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From Saturday, January 7, 2012 through Friday, January 20, 2012, Chicago residents will be able to drop off their used live holiday trees at one of 23 unmanned locations citywide. Trees will be mulched so that they can be reused as a fragrant mulch/ground cover on City landscaping projects or by residents in their backyard gardens. This will keep trees from being landfilled and allow an environmentally friendly reuse. A limited amount of mulch will be left at these sites for pick-up by residents beginning on Friday January 13th. We ask residents to remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and accessories before they leave us their trees. These items can damage our machinery and will prevent reuse. Here is a link flier in PDF format that will provide you with further information, including drop off locations, in English and in Spanish

Tree Recycling Flier in English and in Spanish

Decorating homes and businesses is a long-standing tradition around the holiday season. Unfortunately, these same decorations may increase your chances of fire.

Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 240 home fires involving Christmas trees and another 150 home fires involving holiday lights and other decorative lighting occur each year. Together, these fires result in 21 deaths and $25.2 million in direct property damage.

Following a few simple fire safety tips can keep electric lights, candles, and the ever popular Christmas tree from creating a tragedy. Learn how to prevent a fire and what to do in case a fire starts in your home. Make sure all exits are accessible and not blocked by decorations or trees. Help ensure that you have a fire safe holiday season.

Christmas Trees

What’s a traditional Christmas morning scene without a beautifully decorated tree? If your household includes a natural tree in its festivities, take to heart the sales person’s suggestion – “Keep the tree watered.”

Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires annually. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem. A dry and neglected tree can be.

Selecting a Tree for the Holidays

Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needles should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long and, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.

Caring for Your Tree

Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

Disposing of Your Tree

Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

Maintain Your Holiday Lights

Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.

Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets

Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires – they should not be warm to the touch.

Do not leave holiday lights on unattended!

Holiday Decorations

Use Only Nonflammable Decorations

All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents. If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Don’t Block Exits

Ensure that trees and other holiday decorations do not block an exit way. In the event of a fire, time is of the essence. A blocked entry/exit way puts you and your family at risk.

Never Put Wrapping Paper in the Fireplace

Wrapping paper in the fireplace can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers that may result in a chimney fire.

Candle Care

Avoid Using Lit Candles

If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.

Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree

Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame – candles, lighters or matches.