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.

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/.

If you are interested in applying for a program, you must do so online and follow up with an interview or audition with the program instructors. Spring programs will begin on February 6th.

Please visit afterschoolmatters.org to find out more about the many program opportunities available through After School Matters.

An allegation that a Chicago Police Officer committed misconduct is a serious event for the person alleging misconduct and the officer. Both deserve a thorough, fair and timely investigation of the allegation.

The Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) intakes all allegations of misconduct, whether generated externally by the public, or internally by Police Department personnel. When an allegation involves excessive force, domestic violence, coercion though violence, or verbal bias-based abuse, IPRA conducts the investigation into the allegation and recommends the result. All other allegations are referred to the Internal Affairs Division for appropriate resolution.

In addition to investigating allegations of misconduct, IPRA investigates or reviews all officer involved shootings, extraordinary occurrences in lock-up, and uses of Tasers. The IPRA also may make recommendations of changes to training and policy.

Finally, IPRA provides transparency to the disciplinary process by making public reports on that process.

It is IPRA’s mission to build trust in IPRA, the Police disciplinary process, and ultimately the Chicago Police department as a whole through thorough, fair and timely investigations and increased transparency.

IPRA opened at new location on December 19, 2011. Please note our new contact information: 1615 W. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622 New telephone numbers: 312-746-3609 (main); 312-746-3594 (Intake)

Visit the Dual Enrollment website for more information and to find out if you qualify.

Many of you may have questions regarding the ward remap process. There were a number of wards that saw substantial changes but the 40th Ward retained much of the geographic area which was a part of the ward in the previous map. Lawyers are working together with those of us at City Hall to make the transition to the new map as smooth as possible, while ensuring that we conform to the laws that required the remap. Below we attempt to answer some of the common questions that are being asked about the remap.

Am I still in the 40th Ward? If you are unsure as to whether your home remains in the 40th ward, or is now a part of the 40th ward, the best way to find out is to look at the new map. WBEZ has a nice web application which allows you to zoom in on your street and will show you the ward you fall under in the new map.

We are working on a map that will concentrate on the new boundaries of the 40th Ward. As soon as it is available, we will post it on the website.

Why did there have to be a change? I was fine in my ward! We feel the same way. We have been very happy serving our constituents. However, the law requires City Council to redraw the lines every 10 years based on the census numbers—the only way to keep the lines the same would be for no population changes or shifts to occur in a 10 year period.

Why did we not see this map before it was voted on by the City Council? The map that was approved by the City Council on January 19th was very similar to the map that was released to the public, and made the subject of public hearings. In fact, there were some changes made to the map based on the community responses at those meetings. However, because there are numerous legal parameters which the City Council must work within in order to fashion a map that adheres to population changes and the law, it is impossible to make decisions solely based on the wishes of aldermen, or their constituents.

Why do the people not get to vote on the map? By law, ward boundaries are only put to a public vote in the event that less than 41 of the aldermen can agree on a map. In this case, that was unnecessary. This was a lengthy and long thought out process—a good example of the reason that we have a representative democracy, so that we do not have to bring every decision to the people. Furthermore, we in the City Council wanted to avoid this matter ending up on a referendum ballot, an action that would cost the City of Chicago Taxpayers millions of dollars that would be better spent on more important civic services like our schools, streets and police force.

Does this mean there won’t be a lawsuit challenging the map? Not necessarily. There is nothing that we can do to prevent someone from filing a lawsuit to challenge the new map. However, we did work diligently to adhere to the legal requirements of remap process, while keeping in mind the best interest of the neighborhoods and people of Chicago. Thus, we have created a map that we and City lawyers believe can be defended if it were challenged in court.
I hope this answers any questions or concerns you may have regarding the remap process, and again, we will post the new map as soon as it becomes available.

Sincerely,

Alderman Pat O’Connor

As you may know, myself, and 44 other Aldermen recently voted to approve the “Parade and Public Assembly Ordinance” that was proposed by Mayor Emanuel. There have been some concerns raised about the threats that this ordinance may pose to the First Amendment rights of the citizens of Chicago. Those concerns were brought to the mayor, and together, we worked out what is an improved Ordinance that ensures the safety of our citizens while protecting their First Amendment rights. I understand that many of you may still have questions about the contents of the ordinance—we attempt to address some of those concerns below.

Does this Ordinance violate my First Amendment rights?

First Amendment rights are a foundation of the democracy that we enjoy in the United States. However, no rights are absolute, and when reasonable, there must be some regulation of protests. This was true before the passage of the new ordinance, and is true after. The ordinance takes one long, convoluted Code section which set forth these regulations and breaks it into three clearly defined sections for Parade, Special Events, and Public Assemblies.

Although the rhetoric has centered on this ordinance ‘attacking First Amendment rights’ there are many ways that it enhances First Amendment protections. For instance, included is a fee waiver provision for permit application fees and insurance requirements if the fees would unduly burden First Amendment expression. Second, the ordinance allows for immediate Judicial Review of a denied permit application if time does not allow for a traditional Administrative Appeal. Additionally, the ordinance establishes a procedure that allows for spontaneous public assembly to become an unpermitted parade and to utilize the public way.

Other improvements are included in the ordinance. Traditional Parades are allowed to apply from December 1-15 of the year prior to the planned parade, reducing the rush on applications on the first business day of the year. The Ordinance extends the time that the City will consider a permit application submitted “first” from the first two business days of the year to the first five business days of the year, easing the burden on applicants having to rush and wait at City Hall on the first business day of the year.

There are numerous items that have been rumored or reported to be a part of this Ordinance that simply do not exist. The Parade Ordinance:

• DOES NOT require a permit for public assembly
• DOES NOT prohibit, restrict or discourage spontaneous public assembly
• DOES NOT shorten the current 2 hour, 15 minute time limit on parades
• DOES NOT place a time limit on public assembly
• DOES NOT contain a parade marshal quota
• DOES NOT criminalize the act of expressing dissent
• DOES NOT limit public assemblies to sidewalks only. Public assemblies are still allowed on streets and parks and public squares subject to reasonable restriction on their time place and manner.
• DOES NOT require anyone to “obtain a permit to protest on a sidewalk.” People are free to engage in any First Amendment activity on a public sidewalk without prior approval, unless that activity impedes pedestrians, or flows out onto the street.

Myself and the other 44 Aldermen voted to clarify and reorganize a confusing, forty-year-old parade and public assembly ordinance. The organization and layout of the ordinance has changed, but the substance regarding the exercise of First Amendment rights remains largely the same. Of course, there are a few additions to the previous regulations.

What new regulations are included in the ordinance?

The new parade ordinance imposes a few modest changes and additional regulations on the exercise of First Amendment rights:

1. The application fee for a parade permit increases to $50 from $35; however, the ordinance for the first time provides a waiver of the fee and insurance requirements if the parade organizers are unable to pay.
2. The volume of amplified sound will be restricted between the hours of 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Under the proposal, the use of an amplified device is still allowed during those hours, but it would be prohibited at a sound level “clearly audible to a person with normal hearing at a distance greater than 75 feet.” Though people have a right to assemble and demonstrate, people also have a right to peace and quiet after 10:00 at night. Under the proposed ordinance, you still will have a right to demonstrate after 10:00 at night, you just won’t be able to disturb your neighbors by using a sound system that can be heard by a person who’s more than 75 feet away.
3. The minimum fine for a violation of the parade ordinance will increase from $50 to $200. The maximum fine will remain at $1,000.
4. When submitting a permit application for a parade, the parade organizer must provide some additional information: an e-mail address, evidence that the person applying on behalf of the organization is authorized to do so, and proof that the owner of the property from which the parade will assemble or disband has authorized the use of his or her property.

Finally, the parade application must contain a general description of any sound amplification equipment that is on wheels or too large for one person to carry and/or any signs or banners that are too large for one person to carry. The purpose of this provision is to help the police determine how many lanes of traffic to shut down during a march.

What about fines for resisting arrest?

Though they are not part of the Parade and Public Assembly ordinance, the fines for resisting arrest can certainly implicate First Amendment rights. The mayor agreed to leave the fines for resisting arrest at their current level of a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $500. The fines for resisting arrest have not increased in over 40 years, and will remain at their current levels in an effort by the Mayor and City Council members to continue to protect the First Amendment rights of the City’s citizens.

The previous ordinance governing parades, assemblies and athletic events has not been updated in 40 years. It is confusing and in need of clarification. And experience with parades and demonstrations over the years have convinced the city officials who regulate those events that they need a few additional tools to safeguard public safety and the flow of traffic, while also allowing for the free exercise of First Amendment expression. We can protect First Amendment rights while protecting our citizens. This ordinance is aimed at those important goals.

Sincerely,
Alderman Patrick O’Connor

Related stories:

• G8 Summit in May

First, Alderman O’Connor and all of us at the 40th ward are committed to ensuring that no costs from the summit reflect back on our residents. Any costs associated with the summit will not be paid for by Chicago taxpayer dollars.

Second, we are supportive of the first of amendment rights of the citizens of Chicago (and elsewhere) who wish to protest the summit. The city will issue protest permits allowing citizens to express their opinions. In fact, the first such permit has already been issued to the Coalition Against the NATO/G8 War & Poverty Agenda, with two more permits expected to be granted in the coming days. Additionally, there will be official protest areas where the city will provide sound amplification equipment, portable toilets and other resources for protestors who wish to use them.

For any citizens concerned about the closing of parks, there has been some misinformation provided in recent news reports. When reference is made to the 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. park cutoff or closure time, this cutoff refers to the current parameters set in place by the Chicago Park District. Officially, Millennium Park and a couple of small play lots are owned by the City of Chicago, not the Park District. The City is simply bringing these City owned spaces into conformance with the cutoff times that are in place with the Park District. The enforcement of these cutoff times is in conformance with the regulations throughout the City’s many parks and ensures the safety of our citizens.

The City of Chicago is committed to keeping Chicago a safe place for both its residents and visitors. In light of that commitment, and the added safety issues presented with the G8 Summit, there will be added security measures in place during the Summit. These measures will be provided by the federal government’s Secret Service in cooperation with the City of Chicago. There will be some street closures and disruptions to regular traffic, however all residents will be able to access their homes and places of business and the City will work to keep its citizens informed of all changes once they are finalized.

We will continue to provide updates on the 40th Ward website as the plans and security measures are finalized in the coming months.

Related stories:

• Parade and Public Assembly Ordinance Updates

Chicago voters may register for the first time – or update their records if they have moved or changed their names since they registered:

• by submitting this mail-in form. Use this form to: register for the first time; update your address; or update your name
• in person at 69 W. Washington St., Sixth Floor
• at any Secretary of State’s office where driver’s licenses and state IDs are issued
• through an active deputy registrar affiliated with a local organization, such as a political party, ward organization or other state-certified body

After the registration form is processed, we will mail a new voter card.

To register to vote, you must:

• be a U.S. citizen
• be at least 18 years of age by election day
• live in your precinct at least 30 days before the election
• not be in prison/jail serving time for a conviction; and
• not claim the right to vote elsewhere

Please visit the Board of Elections website for more information.

Please note: white areas on map indicate no recycling service currently available.