Articles under General

If you are 65 years of age or older and own your principal place of residence, you may qualify for one of the city’s Senior Citizen Sewer Rebates.

1. The Water Department’s Senior Citizen Exemption exempts you from paying any future sewer service charges on your water bill.  You may qualify if you live in a single family home or multi-unit residential with separate water meter or assessed account.  Only buildings that are officially zoned as single family homes (and town homes with individual meters) qualify.

To apply, submit the following to my office:

• Your application.
• Proof of age: a copy of your driver’s license, state ID or a birth certificate.
• Proof of ownership of the unit: a copy of a mortgage statement, deed, property tax bill or homestead exemption certificate.
• Proof of residence: a copy of a gas, electric or telephone service bill.

More information on this rebate can be found from the Water Department here.

2. The Senior Citizen Sewer Charge Refund is worth $50.00 per year

Seniors who share a common water bill in a condominium, town home or co-op may qualify for the Committee on Finance’s sewer charge rebate.  Reapplication letters were recently mailed out to everyone who applied last year.  Remember: you must fill out and submit your reapplication to my office every year in order to receive the $50 refund.  Applications have been extended to July 19th, by the end of the business day. 

If you are applying for the first time, have recently turned 65, have moved into a qualifying property or if your property taxes are now in somebody else’s name, you must submit the following:

• Your application.
• Your most recent water bill. The water bill can be obtained from your property management company.
• Proof of your senior property exemption: a copy of your 2nd installment property tax bill or an approved application for the exemption.
• Proof of age: a copy of a Driver’s License, State ID, or birth certificate.

More information can be found on the Committee on Finance website.

Completed applications and documents may be dropped off or mailed to my office

( 3223 N. Sheffield Suite A Chicago, IL 60657 ).

For additional information, please contact my office (Esme Borrero) at 773-525-6034.

The deadline to apply for the Cook County Homeowner’s Exemption, Senior Citizen Exemption, and Senior Freeze Exemption has been extended to February 15th!

If you qualify for any of these exemptions, make sure to mail or drop off your application (along with a copy of your ID and your second installment property tax bill) as soon as possible.  If this is your first time applying, or if for any reason you did not receive your renewal application in the mail, you can download the applications below.

Homeowner and Senior Citizen Exemptions 

Senior Citizen Freeze Exemption 

Further details about these exemptions can be found at the Cook County Assessor’s “Exemptions” page.

Due to extreme temperatures, the 44th Ward Office, Congressman Quigley’s Office, State Representative Sara Feigenholtz’s Office, Chicago Public Schools, local service institutions and a number of local businesses will be closed tomorrow, January 30th. While the 44th Ward Office will be closed, staff will be monitoring email to assist residents. Please click here for a list of staff members, their responsibilities and direct email addresses. 

The 44th Ward Office will reopen at Noon on Thursday, January 31st. 

Temperatures are forecast to be similarly low on Thursday. Any changes to Thursday’s office hours will be shared by noon tomorrow, January 30th.

If you are in need of food on Tuesday or Wednesday, please go to www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food/ to locate a food pantry near you. Please call before heading out! Many organizations will be closed on Wednesday due to the extreme temperatures. We welcome you to join us at our regularly scheduled food distributions on Thursday or Friday.

If you are in need of a warming center this week, please click here to locate one near you, or call 3-1-1.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please stay warm!

Preparation Tips

As the extreme cold takes hold, the City of Chicago is urging residents to take the necessary steps to stay warm and safe by using city services. In an effort to keep residents safe and warm, the City of Chicago advises residents of the following:

Dressing for the Elements: The Chicago Department of Public Health reminds residents to take extra precautions to stay warm and avoid hypothermia and frostbite. Residents should avoid unnecessary trips outside, and if it is necessary to go outside, wear several loose fitting layers of warm clothing. Make sure your cell phone is charged and keep a blanket in your car in case of an emergency.

Chicago Heat Ordinance: The Chicago Heat Ordinance mandates that landlords supply heat to rental units during cold weather months. From September 15 to June 1, the temperature inside a rental unit must be at least 68 degrees during the day and at least 66 degrees during the evening. The Department of Buildings encourages residents to first contact their landlords when these temperatures are not maintained and to call 3-1-1 if no action is being taken.

Warming Center Locations: The City has more than 160 locations that serve as warming centers for the public, including the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services Community Centers, Chicago Park District Field Houses, Chicago Public Libraries and Police Stations. Two of these facilities, the Garfield Community Service Center at 10 South Kedzie and the King Community Service Center at 4314 S. Cottage Grove will be open on a 24-hour basis to connect residents to shelter. Call 3-1-1 to find a location near you.

Shelter Bed System: The City of Chicago is adding hundreds of extra beds to its shelter system to ensure everyone in need has a safe, warm place to stay. No one in need of a shelter bed will be turned away. Homeless outreach workers will be canvassing the streets around the clock to encourage homeless residents to accept shelter.

Transportation to Resources: Any resident in need of transportation to a shelter bed or warming center can call 311.

Space Heater Safety: The Chicago Fire Department does not recommend using space heaters; however, if used, be sure they are UL certified and at least 3 feet from anything that can ignite. Use of a space heater in children’s rooms should be monitored closely as children sometimes move them close to or into the bed. If extension cords are used, they should be rated at 15 amps minimum and never put cords under carpet.

Thawing Frozen Pipes: The Chicago Department of Water Management encourages residents to make sure pipes are properly insulated and not exposed to freezing air. If pipes do freeze, do not use candles or any open flame to thaw them; instead, use a hair dryer or heating pad.

City Services

CHICAGO — As the extreme cold takes hold, the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), Department of Family and Support Services, Department of Public Health and other City departments are urging residents to take the necessary steps to stay warm and safe by utilizing City-offered services during cold and extreme temperatures. Those seeking access to warming centers and/or experiencing insufficient heat are encouraged to contact 3-1-1 for immediate assistance.

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Advisory for Chicago area from today at 6 p.m. through noon on Friday. A Wind Chill Advisory is issued when cold air and the wind will combine to create low wind chills. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur if precautions are not taken. Those heading outside for any length of time are advised to dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves.  The low wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

“Chicago is no stranger to cold weather, but residents should still remain cautious and remember to take care of neighbors, family members, and friends,” said OEMC Acting Executive Director Rich Guidice. “Please remember to check our elderly and disabled residents, as well as those living alone. City departments are prepared to assist with emergency response, well-being checks, warming centers and other city services. By working together we can ensure every Chicagoan will have a warm, safe, and healthy winter season.”

OEMC urges residents to prepare for cold temperatures and snowy conditions throughout the winter by taking steps, such as keeping essentials in the households and cars, as well as maintaining good working order of vehicles.  Residents should know the signs and care of frostbite and hypothermia and take action to treat conditions.

Warming Centers

The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) operates six Community Service Centers located throughout the city that double as warming centers on weekdays during the winter months when temperatures fall below 32 degrees. These Community Service Centers are open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. One of these facilities, the Garfield Community Service Center at 10 South Kedzie, is open on a 24-hour basis to connect residents to shelter.  DFSS also operates the City’s six Regional Senior Centers and 15 Satellite Senior Centers where seniors can go to keep warm in addition to taking part in numerous activities.

On evenings, weekends or holidays, City-operated facilities including libraries, park facilities and police stations might also serve as warming centers if they are needed. 3-1-1 offers a range of services to assist some of Chicago’s most vulnerable residents, including shelter for homeless residents, warming centers and well-being checks. Seniors or individuals with limited mobility may also call 3-1-1 to request a ride to any of the centers.

Information and multilingual fliers containing warming center information in English, Spanish and Polish are posted on DFSS’s website and Facebook pages at www.cityofchicago.org/fss and www.facebook.com/chicagoDFSS.

Department of Public Health

The Chicago Department of Public Health reminds residents to take extra precautions to stay warm and avoid hypothermia and frostbite. Residents should avoid unnecessary trips outside, and if it is necessary to go outside, wear several loose fitting layers of warm clothing. When shoveling snow, work slowly and take frequent breaks to avoid exhaustion. Be sure to check in on family members, friends and neighbors.

Information for Homeowners, Renters

Residents should winterize your home and vehicles and keep cell phones charged for emergencies. Additional winter preparation information is available at www.alertchicago.com, including links to other local, state and federal resources.

The Chicago Department of Water Management encourages residents to make sure pipes are properly insulated and not exposed to freezing air. This includes pipes in garages and unheated areas of the home. If pipes do freeze, do not use candles or any open flame to thaw them; instead, use a hair dryer or heating pad.

The Chicago Heat Ordinance mandates that landlords supply heat to rental units during cold weather months. From September 15 to June 1, the temperature inside a rental residence must be at least 68 degrees during the day. During the evening, the temperatures must be at least 66 degrees. The Department of Buildings encourages residents to first contact their landlords when these temperatures are not maintained and to call 3-1-1 if no action is being taken. During extreme cold weather, however, the Building Department’s first priority is responding to heat complaints and it reassigns inspectors to handle the increased number of heat complaints.

The Chicago Fire Department does not recommend using space heaters; however, if used, be sure they are UL certified and at least 3 feet from anything that can ignite. Use of a space heater in children’s rooms should be monitored closely as children sometimes move them close to or into the bed with tragic results. If extension cords are used, they should be rated at 15 amps minimum and never put cords under carpet.

It is advised that residents and businesses prepare by having regular inspection and servicing of the boiler/furnace to ensure it is running safely and efficiently, as well as keeping the area around natural gas appliances clutter free to avoid a fire hazard.  Never store flammables near a furnace, ensure natural gas appliances are correctly flued and have the correct ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) to build up in living areas.  When lit, make sure the flames are blue; a yellow flame could indicate the presence of CO. Understand the dangers and symptoms of carbon monoxide and have CO detectors installed and test regularly.

OEMC reminds residents to sign up for Smart911 at www.Smart911.com or download the mobile app at Apple Store or Google Play to give 9-1-1 information to assist in an emergency.

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1. The Department of Streets and Sanitation (Zones 2 and 4) will collect recycling Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Residents should ensure all Blue Recycling Carts are accessible throughout the week of collection.
2. Privately provided Blue Recycling Cart Service will be collected Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with all collections being moved one day. For example, Thursday collection will be moved to Friday, and Friday collections to Saturday. Residents with private service should continue to put out Blue Recycling Carts throughout the week, according to their typical schedule.