The End of Summer in the 39th District ☀️
Dear Neighbor,
With the close of the summer, we wanted to share updates on what our office has been up to throughout the 39th District.
Our team has been meeting neighbors across the district to canvass for summer community events.
We held our annual Back-to-School Fair + Mercado with the Kelvyn Park Advisory Council, where we passed out over 1000 backpacks to neighborhood families. There were over 30 community resources and over 20 Mercado vendors who joined us.
We tabled at community events in parks across the district, including at Art in the Park at Unity Park, the summer concert series at Kilbourn Park, and a movie night at Ken-Well Park.
We collaborated with Cook County Commissioner Anthony Quezada and Alderman Daniel La Spata to host bingo and lunch events at senior homes in the district.
We marched for peace and solidarity with our Portage Park neighbors, and we celebrated the groundbreaking of the soon-to-be affordable mental health center, LoSAH Center of Hope in Logan Square.
Thank you for being a part of this summer on the Northwest Side!
In observance of Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer, our office will be closed today, Monday, September 4. We hope you have a safe, relaxing holiday. We will re-open tomorrow, Tuesday, September 5 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
All my best,
Alyssa
Chief of Staff
39th District
FEMA Assistance
The federal government announced a disaster declaration for parts of Illinois due to severe storms and flooding from June 29 to July 2. If you were affected by this severe weather, you may be eligible to receive FEMA relief and resources. If you or someone you know was impacted, apply by calling 1-800-621-3362 or online at http://DisasterAssistance.gov by October 16, 2023.
Four disaster recovery centers have opened in Cook County, where residents can learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs:
Washington Square Mall, 4851 W. North Ave., Chicago
Morton College, 3801 S. Central Ave., Cicero
Columbus Square Fieldhouse, 500 S. Central Ave., Chicago
Berwyn Grove Avenue parking garage, 3310 Grove Ave., Berwyn
Illinois Secretary of State Skip-the-Line Program
Appointments and new extended hours are part of the new initiative to save customers’ time. In an effort to improve customer service and eliminate the unpredictability of wait times at Illinois DMVs, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will implement the Skip-the-Line program on September 1.
The Skip-the-Line Program includes:
Appointment scheduling: Customers will be required to make appointments for in-person visits at 44 of the busiest DMVs. All Chicago and suburban locations and select central and downstate DMVs will require an appointment for REAL IDs, driver’s licenses and ID card services, and in-car driving tests.
Vehicle-related services, such as titles, registrations or license plate renewals, do not require an appointment.
Please visit ilsos.gov or call (844) 817-4649 to schedule an appointment.
New extended hours of operation: Every DMV will extend hours of operation beginning September 1. Select facilities will be open six days a week – Monday through Saturday. All DMVs will have hours of operation from Mon-Fri, 8 am-5:30 pm. 16 DMVs will be open on Saturday, 8 am-12:30 pm. Please visit ilsos.gov for location information.
Simplified online services: Customers are encouraged to visit ilsos.gov to take advantage of many online services, including renewals of driver’s licenses, ID cards, and plate stickers.
Free Paper Shredding, Electronics Recycling and Prescription Take Back Event
Our office is joining State Rep. Andrade for a free paper shredding, electronics recycling, and prescription take back on Saturday, September 9 from 9am to 11:30am (or until trucks reach capacity!). This shredding event will be at NEIU El Centro, 3390 N. Avondale. Find more information here.