Community Information
Business Alert - Fraudulent W-2 Income Tax Forms
This alert gives notice to members of the business community who provide income tax preparations services. There are offenders who submit fraudulent W-2 Income Tax Forms for the purpose of receiving excessive reimbursement payments by means of a Rapid Refund.
Offenders placed false information om W-2 documents which include excessive amounts of reported Income and Federal witholding tax amounts valued at 25% of the reported income. In some instnaces the employee identification number was flagged by the IRS or was invalid. These offenders tend to enter the tax service offices near closing time and request a Rapid Refund. Losses tend to range from $1,500 to $5,000.
If you have any information concerning this incident contact 312-747-8382
47th Ward Holiday Recycling and Green Tips:
Recycle your Christmas Tree or a bag of recyclables at DeVry Institute (3401 N. Rockwell) on Saturday, January 12, 2008 from 9 am to 2 pm and receive a Blue Recycling Gift. Other Environment Holiday Tips: Make colorful wrapping paper with the Sunday comics. Save boxes, bows and wrapping paper to reuse next year. Recycle used batteries from those electronic gifts all year round at the 47th Ward Public Service Office.
Smoke Free Chicago - January 1, 2008
Quick Facts:
- The Smoke Free Illinois Act takes place on January 1st, 2008.
- The Smoke Free Act applies to all public places, any place od employment or within 15 feet of any entrance. This inclused but is not limited to bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, theaters, concert halls, auditoriums, convention facilities, meeting rooms, private clubs, skating rings.
- "No Smoking" signs are required to be posted at every entrance of your business establishment.
Where is Smoking Allowed?
- Private residences unless being used as a child care, adult day care or healthcare facility or any other home based business that is open to the public.
- Retail tobacco stores that have been in operation prior to January 1st, 2008 and derive 80% of gross revenue from tobacco and smoking accessories. This exemption does not apply to any establishment with any type of liquor or retail food service.
- Hotel and Motel rooms that are designated smoking rooms, not more than 25% of the rooms may be designated as smoking rooms.
For more information about the Smoke Free Illinois Act visit the Department of Business Affairs and Liscensing online at www.cityofchicago.org/businessaffairs.
U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Declaration for Cook County
On Friday, November 16th, 2007, the Governor's Office announced that a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration for Cook County had been granted. This means that homeowners can apply for loans of up to $200,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. In addition, businesses and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $1.5 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.
Representatives from the SBA will be available to accept and process loan applications starting Tuesday, November 20, 2007 through Thursday, December 13, 2007. They will be at the Chicago Park District - Eckert Park, 1330 W. Division from 8am - 5pm, Monday through Friday (exclusive of holidays). For individuals not able to apply in person, they may obtain information and loan applications by calling toll free (800)659-2955; hearing impaired individuals may call (800)877-8339.
For additional assistance please feel free to contact Antonio Ruiz, Executive Director, Office of Emergency Management and Communications at 312-746-9111 or Eeputy Director Earl W. uelke Jr. at 312-743-1828. Or, as always, you may contact Alderman Helen Schiller's Office at 773-878-4646 or email ward46@cityofchicago.org.
http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/il/index.html
http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/il/disaster/index.html
Letter from Alderman Tunney on the 2008 City Budget
November 14, 2007
Dear Neighbor,
Over the past several weeks, many residents have contacted my office
with concerns about the city budget and the proposed tax increases it
contains. No one, including myself, wants to raise taxes and no one
wants core City services to be diminished. I have worked closely with
my colleagues on the city council to identify opportunities to make cuts
and consolidations in city departments, eliminate unnecessary positions
and increase revenue.
Through budget cuts and increases in other revenue sources, many of
which were introduced by Members of the City Council, we are able to
lower the property tax proposal from what was originally discussed. The
tax levy ordinance as passed includes $83.4 million increase in the
property tax, $25 million less than the original proposal. A homeowner
with a home valued at $250,000 would pay $60 more a year or $5 per
month.
In 2005, Chicago's residential tax rate was 40 percent less than
Evanston, 35 percent less than Schaumburg and 25 percent less than
Naperville. Today, the City's rate is the 4th lowest in the surrounding
six-county area and one of the lowest of any major cities in the
country. It is also important to remember that over the last decade, tax
bills have increased largely because property values have gone up,
especially in Lakeview. The City's self-imposed a cap on the levy of
property tax revenue has remained constant since 2003. During the time
the City's percentage of the total Cook County tax levy actually
decreased.
Without the seven percent cap we fought to enact, the situation for
homeowners would be far more challenging today. That is why we are
looking carefully at amending the seven percent cap legislation for the
next two years to garner all the assessment relief homeowners deserve.
The fundamental problem with our property tax bills is the way we fund
education in the State of Illinois. 58 percent of your tax bill funds
public education in the State, and we rank 49th in the amount of state
funding provided to our schools. I have always supported legislation to
reform the way we fund public education and I am committed to changing
these formulas in our State to benefit seniors and long term homeowners.
I will continue to work with our Springfield legislators to make this a
reality.
The separation of the Library levy will prevent it from competing with
other City departments for scarce financial resources and ensures that
our libraries have a dedicated funding source in 2008 and beyond. The
separation also assures that we will be able to maintain and invest in
our libraries over the long-term without a reduction in hours of
operation or services.
My colleagues and I were able to further off-set the proposed property
tax increase by increasing fees paid to city departments on building and
public way permits and select traffic and parking violations. Taxes are
increasing five cents on bottled water (from the proposed ten cents) and
there is an increase in the tax on all liquor measured by volume
(currently two cents on a six-pack of beer, increasing to eight cents).
We have removed 130 budgeted job positions over last year. This 2008
position count is nearly 2,900 positions less than the City had in 1990.
It is important to remember, out of about 35,800 city employees, almost
two-thirds are engaged in the public safety function. Only about 13,000
employees provide all the rest of the City services. Further, when you
remove Aviation and Streets and Sanitation from that number, only 8,000
City workers are involved in providing direct services to residents.
Payroll, health care and pension obligations are increasing annually and
comprise 80 percent of the total city budget.
There are several projects in the 44th Ward that would not be possible
without the 2008 budget passed by the city council. The 23rd District
Police Station is fully funded under this budget along
with additional officers for our streets. Infrastructure impneighborhood, including the Lincoln-Belmont-Ashland Streetscape and Merlo Library exterior renovations, have been secured with this budget.
New and renovated units of affordable housing were secured for seniors
in the 44th Ward along with an expansion of the AIDS Housing Program
city-wide. Additionally, the 44th Ward is slated to participate in the
blue cart recycling program in the second half of 2008.
I realize that this vote today is difficult to undertake, however, our
city revenues are decreasing as costs continue to increase. For our
city to function properly, I agreed with the mayor and the majority of
my colleagues in finding these modest increases acceptable to ensure the
continued delivery of city services and improvements to our
neighborhood.
Thank you for contacting my office regarding this very important issue.
Please understand that your comments are always given consideration and
I look forward to hearing from you in the future.
Sincerely,
Tom Tunney
44th Ward Alderman
CTA sets hearings on service cuts, fare hikes
The CTA has announced 43 additional routes that would be cut on January 6th, 2008, in addition to 39 routes that will be elminated on November 4, 2007 if permanent funding is not approved by the Illinois State Legislature. These cuts are in addition to two fare increases scheduled to take place on both dates.
The following public hearings have been scheduled:
- October 30, 2007; 6:00 p.m.; Lane Tech High School; 2501 W. Addison St., Chicago, IL 60618
- November 1, 2007; 6:00 p.m.; Percy L. Julian High School; 10330 S. Elizabeth Street; Chicago, IL 60643
- November 5, 2007; 6:00 p.m.; CTA Headquarters Buidling; 567 W. Lake Street; Chicago, IL 60661
What you can do:
1. Attend one of the hearings and make your voice heard.
2. Call your Illinois Legislative Leaders:
Governor Rod Blagojevich (312) 814-2121
Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, Jr. (312) 814-2075
Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Mafigan (312) 814-4890
3. Call your state legislators. Go to http://www.chicagoelections.com/ to find your legislators.
These service cuts are severe and will greatly increase the number of cars, both, on the road and filling parking spaces. Encourage friends and colleagues in the city and suburbs to call their legislators. Pace and Metra are in the process of proposing similar cuts. Your voice is necessary to convince legislators that funding for public transportation must be a priority.
For additional news and information, visit the 44th Ward online at http://www.44thward.org/
New Jewel Food Store Proposed for 3630 N. Southport Ave
Jewel Food Stores plans to construct a new store on the site of its current store at 3630 N. Southport Avenue. The existing store will be demolished and replaced with a new, larger store. Approximately 40,000 square feet of sales space will be provided in the new store- double the size of the existing store! The new store will feature an architectural design unique to any other Jewel Food Store. Pedestrian-oriented features are employed, including entrances facing N. Southport Ave., large windows on N. Southport Ave. and W. Waveland Ave.; and building and sidewalk landscape features on N. Southport Ave. and W. Waveland Ave. Parking will be located in a lower level parking garage below the new store and loading areas have been designed to discourage trucks from blocking the alley. The timeline for this project is yet to be determined.
Public Notice
Graffiti Prevention Tips
How Can a Businesses Prevent Graffiti?
- Ongoing Upkeep - Make every effort to keep the appearance of a facility clean and neat. According to police officials, an exterior appearance that suggests apathy and neglect attracts vandals.
- Rapid removal - Rapid and continual removal of graffiti is the best way for businesses and commercial property owners to protect the image of their street and preserve customers' sense of security. Studies show that the removal within 24 to 48 hours result in a nearly zero rate of reoccurrence.
- Control access - Incorporate shrubs, thorny plants, and vines to restrict vandal access. Add or improve lighting to promote natural surveillance, use fences and other barriers to discourage through traffic and limit access to roofs by moving dumpsters away from walls.
- Step up security - Install some type of security camera and organize a "Business Watch" with nearby merchants to keep tabs on the business area.
- Work with the community - Work with other merchants to organize and contribute to a "paint bank." Paints, rollers, brushes and other equipment from the bank are "borrowed" as needed. Ensure safe and enviornmentally appropriate storage of pain.
What Should a Businesses do if it's Hit With Graffiti?
- Report - Contact the police to report graffiti vandalism using a non-emergency number (311). Make sure police complete an incident report, a common requirement of insurance companies.
- Document - Take a picture of the graffiti before it is removed. Photographs will assist law enforcement in their investigation.
- Remove - Remove graffiti promptly and completely.
- Protect - Once you have removed the graffiti or replaced the damaged property protect it. Applying Anti-Graffiti film and coatings will prevent your property from being damaged in the future.
(Information provided by Anti-Graffiti Solutions, more information available at www.agsolutions.biz)
Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project
For up-to-date information regarding the progress of the Brown Line Expansion please click on the link placed below directly from the CTA website: