Rogers Park

Please join youth from the Chicago Waldorf School, Sullivan High School and the Chicago Math and Science Academy as they gather against gun violence this Friday, April 20th, 2:00 p.m., on Glenwood just south of Morse. The gathering is part of a National Day of Action to Prevent Gun Violence in Schools, a nationwide effort to memorialize the 19th anniversary of the Columbine massacre, and to remember people lost to gun violence locally. For more information about the rally and to volunteer for a phone bank in support of a bill to license gun dealers, visit: https://www.ward49.com/news/join-rogers-park-students-this-friday-in-speaking-out-against-gun-violence-support-licensing-gun-dealers/

SWEENEY TODD: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - (March 9th-April 29th) In the mood for bloody meat pies and sweet revenge? See website for information on dinner packages. No Exit Cafe, 6970 N. Glenwood, Chicago, IL 60626.

Join your neighbors for a screening of the documentary film, Silence the Violence. Created by youth from Family Matters, an organization that works with families and youth in the North of Howard community, the film looks at the multiple causes of gun violence through the eyes of young men in Chicago. The screening takes place next Tuesday, April 24th, 7:00 p.m., at the New 400 Theaters, 6746 N. Sheridan (just south of Pratt). A panel discussion with the young men will follow. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds will benefit Family Matters’ youth development programs. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.ward49.com/news/new-400-theaters-to-host-screening-of-rogers-park-youth-documentary-silence-the-violence/

The next round of participatory budgeting is about to begin! This is when you and your neighbors decide how to spend over $1 million in improvements for the 49th Ward. Each year, I receive over $1 million from the City’s “Aldermanic Menu” program to spend at my discretion on infrastructure improvements in the ward. Nine years ago, I implemented a “participatory budgeting” process in which the residents of my ward decide directly through popular vote how those tax dollars are spent. Since then, scores of cities across the nation have emulated our process and just recently Participatory Budgeting became the subject of a PBS documentary. The process for determining how to spend next year’s budget begins NOW. Over the next two weeks, I will host six “Neighborhood Assemblies” (five in English and one in Spanish) throughout the 49th Ward. The first assembly takes place Monday, April 23rd, 7:00 p.m. (complimentary pizza served at 6:30 p.m.) at Sullivan High School, 6631 N. Bosworth (enter through the door in the middle of the block). If you can’t make this assembly, there are five more to choose from. For more information, including a list of all the Participatory Budgeting Neighborhood Assemblies, visit: https://www.ward49.com/news/decide-how-to-spend-1-million-to-improve-the-neighborhood-participatory-budgeting-begins-next-week/