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OTHER QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

MEETING WITH THE ALDERMAN

How can I get an appointment?
For more information, please call us at 773.846.7006. Generally I see constituents on Tuesday afternoons from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on a walk-in basis.Appointments can be scheduled for other days and times as arranged.

Where else can I meet with you?
If I am in the office and available when you stop by, I will be happy to meet with you at that time.It is preferable however to have an appointment.Also, every 2^nd Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. at my monthly Ward/Townhall meeting, we can discuss any issues you feel need to be addressed. Because our Ward is so large, we move to a different community each month for the meetings.Please see the Upcoming Events Page for the location of the next Ward meeting.

How can I get Alderman Lyle to speak at my next Association Meeting?
If you would like Alderman Lyle to speak at your next Association meeting, contact Francine Smith at the Ward Office or at Ward06@cityofchicago.org

What should I do if I want to attend a City Council meeting?
I encourage everyone to visit the full City Council meeting and/or committee meetings, which are open to the public.Call us at 773.846.7006 at least two weeks in advance and tell us your plans. We will give you the date of the next meeting and can help you reserve seating behind me.Meetings are generally held once a month on Wednesdays, beginning at 10 a.m., in the City Council Chambers, 121 N. LaSalle Street.

Where can I get information concerning CAPS meetings?
CAPS meetings are held monthly. Call 311 to find the location and date of the next meeting for your beat.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Who can I contact about upcoming Special Events?
If you have questions about the date or location of a particular event in our ward or anywhere in Chicago, please call us at the ward office.

How do I get a special event permit?
If you need a permit for a special event -- such as a street fair, block party, farmer's market or sidewalk sale -- call us at 773.846.7006.

STREETS AND SIDEWALKS

There is a hole or cave-in, in front of my house in the street.I was told it was my sewer line.Can the City help me?

The city may very well be able to help you.Call our office and give us the location.The City will send an inspector out and if it is a City problem, the City will make the repairs.It is a private drain problem (your sewer line), and it is in the street, the City has a program to make these repairs without charging the citizen.

What about potholes?

You can call our office or 311 and give us the location of the pothole.If you damage your tire as a result of the pothole, you may be able to recover the costs from the City, but you MUST file your claim within a specific time period.

Who do I call about sidewalks in my neighborhood?
If you have questions about the renovation of sidewalks in your neighborhood, or if you are a property owner who needs help with improvements to regular or vaulted sidewalks, call us at 773.846.7006.

What is the 50/50 or shared costs sidewalk repair program?

This program allows a homeowner to have his/her sidewalk reapired at a further reduced cost if the homeowner is a senior. Previously referred to as the 50/50 program, the costs were didived 50/50.Seniors only paid 25% of the cost.Although the name is changed, the program remain unchanged.**We take pride in mentioning that a series in the Sun times listed many ward where the residents were overcharged for this program.The 6^th Ward was NOT among those that were overcharged and in fact its residents were charged the least amount.***

BUSINESS QUESTIONS

Why did you let that business open without letting us know?

If a property is zoned for a particular use, the owner does not have to advise the Alderman of their intention to open.If the property needs a zoning change, a different process is required and all nearby blocks are notified.

I have a complaint about a business in my area. What should I do?

Call us and we can help you file your complaint with the right department.

Why can't I sell my product on the sidewalk or at the intersection?

It is a violation of a City Ordinance to place merchandise on the public way, which is the sidewalk, without a permit.It is also a violation of an Ordinance for a person with a Peddler's license to set up or remain in any one location selling his/her wares.Peddler's are required to constantly move from one location to another, thus the name Peddler.Additionally, there are streets within the Ward that have been declared No Peddling Zones by Ordinance.

Can you help me with my building permit?
Call us at 773.846.7006 and schedule an appointment.Also call us if you need a self-certification letter or have questions about these letters.? The property owner should accompany the architect or builder to the appointment.

Who do I call about an outdoor cafe and advertising permits?

Call my office for help with permits for outdoor cafes and licenses for beer gardens. We can help you with any questions about the public right of way and other outdoor advertising permits you may need.

How do I get a loading zone?
My office can help you get a loading zone in front of your business. Call us and have the following information ready: days and hours of operation, place of operation, length of space and federal tax ID number.

How can you help me get a zoning change?
If you are seeking a zoning change, I need to talk with you first and you may find that you need an attorney to represent you in this complicated process.Please call my office at 773.846.7006 to schedule an appointment and we can discuss our community approval process for zoning changes.

What about putting up a big sign?
For permission to erect a sign or sign board more than 24 feet high and/or more than 100 square feet in the area of one face, call us at 773.846.7006.

How do I get a liquor license?
If you are seeking a liquor license, you should first call the City of Chicago's Business and Licensing Department to determine if the area is under a moratorium.Once you get this information, please make an appointment and come see me at the 6th Ward Office. I will talk to you about our Community approval process.Liquor licenses are non-transferable and a new buyer may NOT operate under the Seller's license.

Who do I call about problems with the Post Office?
If you are having trouble with your local post office, call Congressman Bobby Rush's Office at 773.224.6500.

PARKING

Who do I call about parking meters in my neighborhood?
We can help you with any questions you may have about parking limits, specified hours, rush-hour parking restrictions and the installation of parking meters outside your business. Just call us at 773.846.7006.

Residential Parking Permits

Please refer to the Department of Revenue Parking in Chicago

Who do I call about residential parking in my neighborhood?
For information about residential parking permits, call us at 312.744.6861.
Before you can be issued a permit, you must have the following information ready...

proof of address
a valid driver's license
proof of a city sticker
have settled all outstanding parking tickets

Residential parking permits are renewed each June and cost $25.

If you have a question about establishing or changing residential parking in your neighborhood, call us. To help me make my decision, please submit a written request detailing your position.

How do I get guest parking passes for my neighborhood?
To get a booklet of guest parking passes, call us at 312.744.6861. Each booklet contains 15 parking passes and costs $8.

Can you help me get handicapped parking?
To get our help working through the process of getting a handicapped placard or plate for your vehicle, call my office. To obtain a permit you first must have a placard or handicapped plates. You can get the application for your doctor to complete from the Ward Office. Once you have the parking placard or plates, you will need to fill out an application for the parking signs. You can pick this application up at my office also or we can mail one to your home. For further information please call us at the office or visit the City of Chicago, Dept. of Revenue's website.

CLAIMS

The people repairing the curbs broke my underground water sprinkler system.How do I get it repaired?
I hit a pothole in the Street.It's a City street, so who is going to pay for my tire?
The garbage truck ran into my garage.What do I do?

For answers to these questions and similar ones, please visit the

Chicago City Council - Finance Committee,

SANITATION

What day is my garbage pick up?

Normally your garbage receptacles will be picked up and emptied on the same day each week.Occasionally however, the Streets and Sanitation Crew will arrive a day early or a day late.Streets and Sanitation crews do not work on National holidays, so your garbage collection will be off schedule at those times also.If however your garbage is not collected during an entire week, or the crew serviced your alley, but missed your garbage can, please call the 6^th Ward Streets and Sanitation Office at 312/747-8776 or our office at 773/846-7006.If you are a new resident and need to know which day your garbage should be collected, call 312/747-8776.Please call the Streets and Sanitation Office before 2:30 p.m.

When is bulk pick day?

Years ago, the City had special Bulk Collection Days.That program was discontinued and now each Crew is authorized to pick up some bulky items as they perform their normal runs.The amount they can pick up is limited however and we ask that you call the 6^th Ward Streets and Sanitation Office at 312/747-8776 to determine how much bulk we will remove during one trip.As a rule of thumb, we ask that you not clean your basement out all at one time, but instead, take some debris out each week.

What are we doing to recycle?

As stewards of this Earth, it is our responsibility to recycle and conserve our natural resources.Separating your garbage into recyclables and non recyclables has other benefits also. Be sure to use the 'new' Blue recycle bins for all recyclable items. Call the 6th Ward Street & Sanitation Office for pickup information.

Will the city pick up my construction debris?
No. Please verify that your selected home improvement company has a means and permit to dump construction materials.Construction materials should not be placed in the garbage receptacles and will not be picked up by the Streets and Sanitation Crew.

My cart was stolen. What can I do?

Call the 6^th Ward Service Office or 311 and a new one will be delivered to you.

My cart is damaged. Can I get a new one?

Yes. Just call the 6^th Ward Service Office or 311

I have so much garbage every week that my cart overflows. Can I get another cart?

Sure. Just give us a call.

I got a ticket for street cleaning but my street wasn't posted.

Occasionally, there is a problem with signs being improperly hung. Once we verify the circumstances with our Ward Superintendent, we will give you a letter to take to the Administrative Hearing Officer, acknowledging this fact.

There are possums in the alley.Can someone come out and bait for them?

The city does not bait for possums, squirrels, racoons or rabbits.There are a limited number of traps available that you can set out to catch these animals.The city will pick the animal up.Please note that these animals are searching for food.Work with your neighbors to make sure that the garbage is bagged and securely in the carts to minimize this type of problem.Rodent control does still bait alleys for rats.

What is the condo rebate program?

Who is eligible?
- All condominium associations, cooperative apartment building and townhouses who are not eligible to receive City refuse collection services.
How much is this rebate?
- The association will receive a maximum of $75.00 per residential unit or the total amount of the refuse bills for the period you are filing, whichever is the lesser amount.
What steps are are necessary to receive this rebate?
- All buildings eligible for this rebate have one year to file an application. All buildings applying for this rebate must have a Recycling Certification Form on file with the Committee on Finance. Associations only need to file the Recycling Certification the first time they apply for the Refuse Rebate. All refuse bills pertaining to the period you are applying must be submitted with your completed application form.A resolution adopted by the governing board must also accompany your application.A copy of your current scavenger service agreement must also be submitted with your application.The completed application must be notarized.The application and all necessary documents must be submitted to Ald. Shiller's office.
- If you have any questions regarding condominium refuse rebates, please feel free to contact the Committee on Finance at 312.744.3332 or Ald. Shiller's office at 773.878.4646.
Let's all chip in and work together to keep our wonderful Ward clean.

How can you help?

bag your garbage, place it into the cans and securely close the lid

be on the watch for fly dumpers -people who illegally dump tires, construction materials and other debris on vacant lots or in open garages.

Get as much detail as you can such as the license plate of the truck and report them immediately to 311.? If we catch them there is a reward.

GRAFFITI REMOVAL

Graffiti IS on the building down the street. What can I do?

The City provides a service to remove graffiti on private property. Please call the 6^th Ward Service Office with the address and we will send a crew out to remove it.

Does the building owner have to sign a permission form?

No. If Streets and Sanitation notices graffiti on a building, they will leave information at the building about graffiti removal. The owner has five days to remove the graffiti or contact the city, otherwise a city crew will remove the graffiti.

What if the graffiti is on my painted garage door?

The City will come out with white paint and paint out the graffiti. Other colors are subject to availability.

FORESTRY

I don't have a tree in the parkway in front of my home. Will the City plant one?

Yes. The City plants trees in the spring and fall. Call the public service office to get on the list

Will the City trim a tree planted in the parkway in front of my home? Yes. The City will trim any trees located on the City parkway or on other City-owned property.

Will the City trim a tree in my back yard?

No. The City will not trim trees located on private property.

Will the City cut down a dead tree in my parkway?

Yes. The City will remove any dead trees located on the City parkway or on other City-owned property.

Will the City cut down a parkway tree if it's still alive?

No. The City will not cut down live trees.

OTHER QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
How can I get involved in my neighborhood?
There are many ways in which you can get involved with groups in our ward -- including joining one of the scores of community, school or business groups or helping with one of our many community events. Just call us and we can help connect you with the right activity.

Who can I call about traffic problems and street signs?

We can help you with a wide range of issues pertaining to traffic in the 6th Ward. If your questions deal with the installation of new traffic signs, missing traffic signs or other such issues, call us at 773.846.7006.

Who do I ask about streets in my neighborhood?
If you have a question about changing a street from a two-way street into a one-way, call my office. We also can help you with alley improvements, street paving and honorary street signs.

Can you help me find a job?

We have job availabilities posted on the wall at the 6^th Ward Service Office.We also have a resource book with job listings.We work closely with job placement agencies and will gladly refer you to the nearest.We will allow you to access the City's Job Listings on the Website to apply for open positions, on our computer.We can advise you of various training and skills programs and from time to time we get call from employers seeking qualified workers quickly.We therefore, maintain a file with resumes which we will send if they meet the employer's criteria.Unfortunately, we have no jobs that we can distribute.

Can you help me with a ticket or citation?
No. Unfortunately, once a ticket is issued or a citation is given, I can't help you. For direction, I suggest you call the Administrative Hearings Office at 312.742.4747.

Who do I call about excessive noise in my neighborhood?
Call us 773.846.7006 and tell us about the problem. We will work with the appropriate city agencies to try and resolve it.

What do I do if I suspect criminal activity in my neighborhood?
If you need immediate help, call 911. If it is not an emergency, call 311 the police non-emergency help line. Then call us at 773.846.7006 and we will stay in touch with local police to keep track of your concern.

VOTING

Can you help me register to vote?
If you would like our help registering to vote call my office at 773.846.7006 or come in and speak with someone.

Where do I get more information about voting?
The answers to most questions about voting can be found on the Chicago Board of Elections website (www.chicagoelections.com). They also can help you register to vote, change your voter information, apply to vote absentee and provide special help to members of the armed forces and people with disabilities.

If you have any other questions concerning voting issues please call the Board of Elections at 312.269.7900 or visit them at 69 W. Washington.

What about other questions or concerns?

If you have any other questions or concerns, please call us at 773.846.7006. We will get your question or concern to the right person right away.