Chicago Block Party Guide : Applying + Hosting

The city of Chicago is allowing block party permits to be approved for dates held after July 5th, 2021. HNA Volunteers have put together a comprehensive guide on applying for a block party permit, hosting, and getting neighbors involved. Below is our free guide to help you navigate your way to a fun and safe celebration with your neighbors.

La ciudad de Chicago está permitiendo que se aprueben permisos para fiestas en el vecindario para fechas posteriores al 5 de julio de 2021. Los voluntarios de HNA han elaborado una guía completa sobre cómo solicitar un permiso para fiestas en el vecindario, hospedaje y participación de los vecinos. A continuación se muestra nuestra guía gratuita para ayudarlo a navegar hacia una celebración divertida y segura con sus vecinos.

Credits: Your Neighbors! / Créditos: ¡Tus vecinos!

The volunteers of the HNA created this presentation for you to better understand how block parties in Chicago work. We thank them for their time and energy they give to the Hermosa community. 

Los voluntarios de la HNA crearon esta presentación para que usted comprenda mejor cómo funcionan las fiestas de barrio en Chicago. Les agradecemos el tiempo y la energía que brindan a la comunidad de Hermosa.

Contributors / Colaboradores

• Alfonso Vinaja

• Connie Hernandez

• Janette Pacheco

• Jeff Girten

• Lee Helmer

To Volunteer: ourhermosa.org/volunteer

Can I Walk My Dog Without a Leash? No, and Here's What it Could Cost You if You Don't

The City of Chicago requires a leash (“restraint”) on all animals outside of private property according to Chicago Municipal City Ordinance Chapter 7-12 - Animal Care & Control  . This means Chicago parks too. Making a mistake can cost you a hefty fine, along with the possibility of you, your dog, or another dog getting hurt, and possible legal ramifications.

“Each owner shall keep and maintain his animal under restraint…Any owner who violates any provision of this section shall be subject to a fine of $300.00 if the violation does not result in severe injury or death to any person or damage to another person's property.”

Note that this $300 fine is if there is no injury, death or person property damage. The fine can escalate to up to $10,000 if there is severy injury or death, and up to $1000 fine if there is personal property damage. Additional legal fees, community service and other ramifications are also possible. The bottom line is that even if your elderly or small dog seems harmless, it’s not worth the risk. Here is the full ordinance as of May 2021 outlining fees and what else it might cost you for having your dog off leash:

P-EBT Cards FAQ for Chicago Public School Student

All CPS students are eligible regardless of income

 How do I activate my card?

• English instructions

• Activate your card by calling 1-800-678-5465

  • Enter the number on the front of your card

  • Select option 1

  • Enter the “999-99-9999” (in place of a social security number). Press 1 to confirm.

  • Enter the date of birth of your child (ex: “01 01 2013” for January 1, 2013). Press 1 to confirm.

  • Enter a new 4 digit PIN

 What stores take these benefits?

All major grocery stores take these benefits in-store. Both Amazon (Fresh service delivery) and Walmart take these for online payment but you must register your card on their websites.

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If your address is not correct in Aspen, please contact your child’s school with your correct address. A P-EBT change of address should be made using the Illinois Department of Human Services P-EBT Change of Address Form. Should families have questions regarding the P-EBT benefits and issuances, review the P-EBT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). They can also contact our Healthy CPS Hotline at 773-553-KIDS (5437) or complete a Healthy CPS Assistance Request Form.

Consulte la información adjunta del Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Illinois sobre los beneficios de P-EBT. Todos los estudiantes de CPS son elegibles.

Se debe realizar un cambio de dirección P-EBT utilizando el formulario de cambio de dirección P-EBT del Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Illinois. Si las familias tienen preguntas sobre los beneficios y las emisiones de P-EBT, revisen las Preguntas frecuentes (FAQ) de P-EBT. También pueden comunicarse con nuestra línea directa de Healthy CPS al 773-553-KIDS (5437) o completar un formulario de solicitud de asistencia de Healthy CPS.

It will come in a relatively unmarked envelope with your child’s name on it.

Frequently Asked Questions - P-EBT (Preguntas Frecuentes de P-EBT)

• What should a family do if they haven't received their P-EBT card in the mail?

  • There is a known delivery lag due to a delay with the P-EBT card manufacturer. 

  • The last batch of P-EBT cards were scheduled to be printed and mailed on March 14th. Due to the manufacturing delay, there is an estimated two week delay. 

  • Neither the DHS P-EBT Hotline nor the Healthy CPS Hotline have or can provide estimates on delivery timelines. 

• Where would my card have been mailed?

  • The card will be mailed to the student’s primary address in ASPEN. 

  • If the family would prefer to have the P-EBT card sent to the school, the clerk should update the student’s mailing address to the school’s address.

  • A change of address should be made using the Illinois Department of Human Services P-EBT Change of Address Form. 

• When to call your school:

• If a change of address needs to be made in ASPEN. 

• If the P-EBT card has been sent to the school, due to the mailing address being listed as the school, and the family needs to coordinate a pick-up time. The family must sign for the PEBT card.

• Here is the contact information for Hermosa area schools

• When to call the Healthy CPS Hotline:

  • If questions are outside the P-EBT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document

  • Preguntas Frecuentes de P-EBT

• By what date should I have received my card? Will this be the only card I receive?

  • There is a known delay in P-EBT card delivery. 

  • Families will receive one card per qualifying student.

  • Once a family receives their P-EBT card, this will be the only card they will need to receive their P-EBT benefits. All future deposits for the P-EBT benefit will be made to the same card.

• By what date will my card be loaded with funds? How frequently should funds be loaded on to my card?

  • Benefits will load on to the card monthly. 

  • By April, the card will be loaded with a distribution from September 2020 to December 2020. 

  • In April, the card will be loaded with a distribution for January 2021 through March 2021.

  • Beginning in May, the card will be loaded monthly with the benefit for the remainder of the school year.
    

How to Organize a Neighborhood Cleanup

Anyone can host a Neighborhood Cleanup and the HNA would love to help! Contact us by any method below and we’ll assist you in organizing one for your block or area you feel is need within Hermosa.

1. Contact the Hermosa Neighborhood Association to help with promotion and supplies:

   • Reach us on Facebook Messenger

   • Reach us by Text or Phone Call: 773-295-7790

   • Reach us by Email: info@ourhermosa.org

   • Register to Talk to a volunteer Coordinator

2. Contact Your Neighbors, Friends and Nearby Schools

   Neighbors: You may not have contact information for your nearby neighbors, but this is a great opportunity to becoming a block leader. Leave a note on someone’s door to recruit residents, post on social media and gather a phone and/or email tree to get people involved.
   
   Friends and Family: Your friends or family don’t need to live on your block to help you clean. You can invite them over (with masks) to gather outside safely and make it a social (distancing) affair.

   Your Nearby Elementary School: If you live close to a school, call the school to let them know the date and ask them if they can promote this on their social media channels or with school families. It’s a great way to get to meet school staff and families, even if you don’t have school-aged children.
   
   Your Nearby High School: All Chicago Public Schools high school students are required to log a certain amount of volunteer hours. By contacting the school or posting in a school Facebook group you can promote the cleanup with students. The student will need a non-profit or supervisor to sign their logged volunteers hours so the HNA can help with this.

Here’s an example of how the HNA can help promote your cleanup

Not sure where to start? Text us!

What is a Chicago Ward Superintendent?

Have you ever wondered what a Ward Superintendent actually does?  Or, did you even know that your ward has a superintendent?  Along with the District superintendent, a ward superintendents monitor their wards for any non-sanitation bureau services that might be needed, reporting these to the appropriate bureau or outside agency for attention.

“Under general supervision, monitors sanitation services that include refuse collection, street cleaning, and snow removal for an assigned ward in the Bureau of Sanitation, and performs related duties as required.”

According to OpenPayrolls.com, Ward Superintendents make an average of $92,000 a year, or between ~$70,000 and ~$120,000 a year.

To read the City of Chicago details of a Ward Superintendent please go here

Frequently Asked Questions About Sidewalk Snow Removal in Chicago

Why is sidewalk snow removal important?

Chicagoans of all ages and abilities need to use the sidewalks to get where they're going every day of the year. Many children, older adults, and people with disabilities face serious mobility challenges in winter time. Clear sidewalks are a shared community responsibility, and this new ordinance clarifies the requirements for snow and ice removal.

Do the new regulations for sidewalk snow removal in Chicago apply to home, business, and property owners?

Yes, the new sidewalk snow regulations affect all home, business, and property owners in Chicago. Business owners that rent space adjacent to sidewalks are responsible for shoveling snow under the ordinance. Some landlords for residential and commercial property hold tenants responsible for snow clearance as a part of their lease agreements, other don't. Renters who aren't certain of their shoveling responsibilities should check their rental agreements or ask their landlords for clarification.

When do the new regulations take effect?

The new regulations took effect November 28, 2015.

When do I have to shovel my snow?

You must shovel snow as soon as possible after it falls. Snow that falls between the hours of 7:00 am and 7:00 pm must be removed no later than 10:00 pm. Snow that falls between the hours of 7:00 pm and 7:00 am must be removed by 10:00 am.

Do I have to shovel on weekends?

Yes. You must shovel 7 days a week in the City of Chicago.

In what way should I shovel my sidewalks to be in compliance?

You must clear a path at least 5 feet wide on all of the sidewalks adjacent to your property, including any crosswalk ramps. Do not shovel the snow into the right-of-way, which includes: transit stops and bus pads, parking spaces, bike lanes, bike racks, Divvy stations, and any other space where snow impedes traffic of any kind.

Are there special rules for corner lots?

Yes. If you are responsible for a corner lot, you must remove snow and ice from sidewalks on all sides of your building and from corner sidewalk ramps. This applies to residential property and business owners.

Can I be penalized for failing to shovel?

Yes, you can receive a citation for failure to shovel.  In 2014, 226 citations were issued. The fines range from $50 to $500. The amount of the fine is on a per-case basis, and determined by an Administrative Hearings judge.

Are there special considerations for snow removal?

Chicago Snow Corps is a program that connects volunteers with residents in need of snow removal - such as seniors and residents with disabilities.

To request a volunteer to shovel your block in case of extreme snowfall, call 311. This is a volunteer-matching service. The City will do its best to match those who have requested assistance.

Visit the City of Chicago Snow Corps Website

How do I report a property owner who fails to shovel their sidewalk?

Report property owners who DO NOT clear their sidewalks by making a "Snow - Uncleared Sidewalk" request with the City of Chicago 311 Service Request line

Dial 311, go to the 311 App (iOS or Android) or submit a service request online.

Report to 311

Dial 311, go to the 311 App or submit a service request online.

Visit 311