6TH WARD REPORT

Spring 2013 Edition Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer

8001 S. King Drive (773) 635-0006service@6thwardchicago.com

WWW.6THWARDCHICAGO.COM

Alderman Sawyer Welcomes the Community to the New 6th Ward Service Office

8001 South Martin Luther King Drive

Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer and staff would like to welcome all 6th ward residents to our new aldermanic office location at 8001 South King Drive. We would like to thank you all for your cooperation during our transitional period. This new location provides us with adequate space inside and out. We now have a parking lot and a more spacious office to better serve our constituents. We look forward to seeing and serving you at our new location.
Have you checked out the 6th ward website? If not you are missing out on our quick and easy way to file a service request, the latest press releases from the Alderman on important issues that affect the 6th ward, updates on events hosted by our community organizations via our public calendar and more. Please keep yourself informed by visiting :

www.6thwardchicago.com

FROM THE DESK OF ALDERMAN RODERICK T. SAWYER

It has been my honor to serve as your Alderman for almost two years now. I have been working hard to get our neighborhood where it needs to be. I have been working in City Hall for what is in the best interest of our neighborhood by introducing The Privatization Transparency and Accountability Ordinance which would ensure that the city no longer enters into bad deals like the parking meters or moves good jobs to the suburbs or out of state. The Ordinance is still locked in committee however I am working hard with colleagues and grassroots groups to move this important legislation forward. Also I am supporting a capital plan for the city of Chicago so that we can take care of our streets, curbs and lights much faster than if I can only use menu money. I am monitoring the application of the law that raises the penalties for quality of life crimes. We need to get these small crimes under control but dramatically expanding the prison population is not the best way to move forward. I am asking you all to let me know how the new grid garbage collection is going. This is a big change and not one that I prefer but my ward Superintendent Paul Bryson and I are committed to keeping this ward clean. The ability to do special pickups may be diminished initially but we will always do what we can and work to give you more. The number for the Ward yard is still the same (312) 747-8776 but now any one of 5 clerks may answer the phone. I would like to give an update on the ward map, are legal challenges that have been filed and some committees have changed to the new ward boundaries, however officially all members of the 6th Ward in the last election are still with me. I am servicing as I can the members of my new areas as well, but I was entrusted to this position for a four year term and I cannot walk away from my friends and neighbors, even as I welcome new neighbors to the 6th Ward family. In short, that is how I see the 6th Ward, as a family made up of different strong communities but that share a universal standard. I dont want to micromanage communities so I ask people who come to me to promise that you will hold to a standard worth of the 6th Ward and then engage the community organizations in those communities to win support and create a relationship. It is vitally important that our community organizations remain strong and vibrant which is why I attend my communities meetings to update them in their home and I invite you to go to your respective communities meetings. As always please feel free to give me feedback as to how things are going and what we can do better. We have plans to return our housing stock to its former glory and have a bustling business strip that is supported by the community and beyond. Together we can do this and I appreciate your support thus far. -

Rod

For More Information Please See WWW.6THWARDCHICAGO.COM

X Marks the Spot?

Explaining the Red X that have been appearing on abandoned buildings.

Residents have been concerned about the Red Xs that have been appearing on vacant homes around the city. No one was certain of what the xs meant, and there were questions as to whether the 6th Ward would become filled with vacant lots from an aggressive demolition program. In fact, the X is a sign from the Department of Buildings to let first responders know that a building is vacant. The X has nothing to do with a buildings status in demolition court. Alderman Sawyer does not support mass demolitions of buildings that can be saved, and he is working with interested parties to get homes back on the market.

6th Ward City Sticker Sales Day

8001 S. King Drive June 21, 2013 10-4 pm *This year you will need your VIN

6TH WARD SERVICE TIP

How to get the best service from the City of Chicago and the Office of Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer
1. 2. 3. 4. If you see an issue or need service Call it in to 311. Request a Service Request Number (This number is how you can track your request and the Aldermans Office can follow up) Wait 3-5 days (or however long the 311 Operator told you the service would take) If the Service has not been completed Contact Alderman Sawyers Office at 773-635-0006, service@6thwardchicago.com or on the website www.6thwardchicago.com, give us the Service request number and we will follow up.

Thank you for helping us serve you better.

6th Ward Education Update

During the seven day Teachers Strike last year, Alderman Sawyer supported the Chicago Teachers Union and he spoke out on behalf our students as well. He will continue to be just as active in education this year as he was last year, especially with the list of projected school closings released earlier this year. Two schools were recently slated for closure in the 6th Ward (Yale and Banneker). Alderman Sawyer and the Chicago Progressive Reform Coalition are

leading advocates for neighborhood schools. Both have been active in petitioning the Illinois General Assembly to postpone the school closings, and working with CPS to ensure that school buildings serve a larger community purpose. Alderman Sawyer is asking the community to continue to support their schoolseven after this processto make things better for the children.

Quick Education Notes

Alderman Sawyer wants to congratulate Ruggles Elementary School and Gillespie Technical on being removed from probation. This achievement can be shared by the principals, teachers, parents and of course the students working together to get the job done for our students. Jane A. Neil has received a new Library sponsored by Target, Inc. Yale School and Englewood Eat 2 Live are working together on urban gardening and teaching healthy eating habits at an early age.

SAFETY in the 6TH

Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer supports the Police Commissioner's decision to add foot patrol to high crime areas. Alderman Sawyer is still calling for more police and the implementation of the rest of his 4 point plan to keep crime down. The Alderman cites that the decrease in violence was tied to increased man hours, which would be less expensive with more police rather than overtime. Read the rest of Alderman Sawyers plan on www.6thwardchicago.com. In light of the tragic incident that took place during a basketball game on the Chicago State University campus, Alderman Sawyer would like his constituents to know that this matter did not stem from within our ward. The Illinois State Police have taken the lead on the investigation coordinating with the 5th District and CSU police. Alderman Sawyer is working with Commander Evans as he implements an aggressive plan to control the crime within the 3rd districts traditional hot spots. More officers are present in the district and staying on top of the gang loitering and drug activity, as well as the violence connected to that activity. Especially as the warmer months approach, a reminder that if you witness illegal or violent activity, be sure to alert the Police. See Something Say Something!

Alderman Sawyer attended the press conference when the changes to the CAPS community policing program were announced. CAPS officers will no longer work from headquarters but will be stationed in each individual district. District Commanders will be responsible for developing and executing their own programs. For more information call you local district. 3rd District (312) 747-7004 5th District (312) 747-3100 6th District (312) 745-3641 7th District (312) 747-6722