GO TO 2040 Invent the Future Workshop

July 28, 2009
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Rogers Park Library
6907 N. Clark Street
 
The purpose of this workshop is to gather public input from residents about where and how we should invest in land, transportation, water, environment, and other long-range planning issues.  By attending a workshop your ideas and opinions help influence the how we plan for the future of northeastern Illinois and we can't do it without you!  This region is expected to grow by 2.8 million new residents, in order to accommodate that growth our region has some urgent decisions to make in the very near future.
 
·         Should rapid growth outward continue?
·         Or should we consolidate housing and jobs where infrastructure already exists?
·         Should we emphasize road or transit--invest in both?
·         How can we reduce energy use while also strengthening our region's economy?
 
We can't solve everything at once, so it's all about trade-offs. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) invites you to have your say at a GO TO 2040 Invent the Future workshop. With interactive software and keypad polling, attendees will express preferences about real-world choices that will shape the GO TO 2040 plan -- and the future of our region.
 
Pre-registration is appreciated by not required, contact Joey-Lin Silberhorn at 312-386-8814 or jsilberhorn@cmap.illinois.gov or add the event to your calendar. For more information, visit www.goto2040.org, where you can learn more, create more scenarios, and send them to your friends via email, Facebook, or other social networking sites.

Learn How to Appeal Your Property Assessment

If you own property in the Rogers Park community, you recently received a "Notice of Proposed Assessed Valuation" from the Cook County Assessor's Office. This assessed value of your property is one of the bases upon which your property taxes are determined. 
 
For most Rogers Park property owners, the assessment levels were reduced.  However, a few property owners may have seen an increase
 
Regardless, if you believe your property assessment is improper, you have a right to appeal that assessment.  You don't need a lawyer; you can do it yourself. Come to a seminar to learn how:
 
Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, Cook County Assessor James Houlihan and 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore are sponsoring a PROPERTY ASSESSMENT APPEAL SEMINAR for Rogers Park residents, Wednesday, July 15th, 7:00 p.m., at the Warren Park Fieldhouse, 6601 N. Western.
 
Staff from Assessor Houlihan and Commissioner Suffredin's offices will be present to answer your questions regarding assessment appeals and exemptions.
 
The seminar will include general information on the assessment process, avenues for assessment appeals, resources available for verifying that an assessed value is fair and accurate, and a summary of important property tax exemptions available to Cook County residents.
 
The deadline for Rogers Park Township property owners to submit appeals to the Cook County Assessor's office is July 31st. 
 
If you are unable to attend the seminar, Commissioner Larry Suffredin's web site provides an excellent overview of the property tax reassessment and appeal process, including step-by-step instructions on how to appeal your assessment and links to all the relevant documents and web sites.

The City of Chicago Facade Rebate Program is available in Rogers Park

The City of Chicago is once again offering the CDBG-funded Facade Rebate Program. Applications will be accepted until Friday August 14 and a lottery will determine the final awards. The Facade Rebate Program offers rebates to eligible commercial and industrial businesses and property owners who are willing to complete qualified facade rehabilitation projects. An eligible "facade" is the front face or elevation of the building, which typically faces the street and contains windows and the principal entrance to the building.  For more information, including an application, guidelines and eligible areas map (which includes the entire 49th Ward), click here.

Pedal Party in the Park!

Join 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore on Saturday, July 11th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Touhy Park, 7358 N. Paulina (across from the new Clark Street fire station) for a PEDAL PARTY IN THE PARK, a fun-filled day of activities focused on bicycles and bike safety.
 
Whether you're a hardcore bicycling enthusiast, or simply want to spend a nice summer day riding bikes with your kids, this is the place to be.  Local businesses and community organizations will offer the following:
 
Bike safety checks
Helmet fittings
Cycling merchandise
Rider safety tips
Children's activities

The Recyclery, Rogers Park's used bicycle collective, will be accepting donations of used bikes, and the Rogers Park Parent's Group will host some kid-friendly activities for all ages.  Mayor Daley's Bicycling Ambassadors will also be on hand with a table of activities for kids and adults.
 
At 12 Noon we'll mount up and enjoy an Ambassador-escorted bike ride through the neighborhood and then return to Touhy Park for a picnic lunch provided by Partners for Rogers Park!
 
Many thanks to Roberts Cycle, 7054 N. Clark, for providing the safety checks, helmet fittings and cycling merchandise.
 
The 49th Ward Green Corps is one of the sponsors of Bicycle Day.  Their goal of transforming the 49th Ward into the greenest community in the nation can only be accomplished by making our community more bicycle friendly.  You can download a copy of the Bicycle Day poster to share with your building residents, congregation, and co-workers from the Green Corps page at www.ward49.com.

Learn what the RP/WR Historical Society plans for the old firehouse

The Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society and 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore will host a community meeting to present their vision for a new permanent home in the former firehouse near Clark & Greenleaf.
 
Monday, July 13
7:00 p.m.
United Church of Rogers Park, 2nd Floor Gallery, 1545 W. Morse (at Ashland). (Note new location). 
 
For more information, call 773.764.4078 or 773.764.4079 or visit rpwrhs@aol.com