Alderman Bennett Lawson - 44th Ward Chicago

Alderman Bennett Lawson
44th Ward
Seal of Chicago

Newsletter

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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Plan to Return in Fall on Hybrid Model

Today, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS CEO Janice Jackson announced plans for reopening schools in the fall. This is a “preliminary framework” and is subject to change at anytime based on the COVID19 data. Here are some of the highlights:
  • Students from kindergarten through tenth grade will learn under a hybrid model where they are in classrooms a couple of days and remote learning other days
  • High school juniors and seniors will solely use remote learning, which helps free up space in the schools
  • Preschoolers and those with special needs will be in class full-time
  • Students will be put in groups of 15, stay in same classroom all day with desks six feet away
  • Each “pod” will have designated bathrooms and designated bathroom times to wash hands
  • Entry into school and leaving school will be staggered
  • There will be daily temperature checks, universal masking, and routine cleaning with the help of 400 new janitors
  • Families with students of all ages will be allowed to opt out of in-person schooling for any reason
  • City officials are asking parents to set the example for returning to school such as emphasizing the importance of social distancing, masks, and hand washing at home
These decisions were made with the assistance of a task force created by CPS comprised of parents, students, public health officials, and input from other cities.
 
To gather feedback specifically on the preliminary framework, CPS has launched a new survey and will hold five stakeholder meetings; Information on the survey and meetings can be found below: 

Survey: Families, students and staff should submit feedback by July 31, 2020. A link to the survey can be found here: cps.edu/reopening2020survey

Virtual Feedback Meetings: The district will hold five meetings (three in English, two in Spanish) on the following dates. Participants must register in advance to participate.

Date: Monday, July 27, 2020
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Language: English
Registration Link: https://cpsreopeningconversation1.eventbrite.com

Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Language: Spanish
Registration Link: https://cpsreopeningconversation2.eventbrite.com

Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Language: Spanish
Registration Link: https://cpsreopeningconversation3.eventbrite.com

Date: Thursday, July 30, 2020,
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Language: English
Registration Link: https://cpsreopeningconversation4.eventbrite.com

Date: Friday, July 31, 2020
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Language: English
Registration Link: https://cpsreopeningconversation5.eventbrite.com 

 
Please register for a session to have your voice heard.

As City Enters Phase Four of Reopening Framework, Ticketing Enforcement Ramps Up to Normal Operations

Beginning this month, the City will ramp up normal enforcement of certain vehicle violations that were temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Ticket enforcement will resume citywide for street sweeping  on July 1, while booting will commence in early July, City sticker and Residential Parking Permit violations will be enforced mid-month and expired vehicle registration enforcement will begin in October.

Since March 18, when the City began sheltering in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Lightfoot Administration temporarily suspended debt collection, non-safety vehicle impoundments and the issuance of compliance tickets to provide relief to residents experiencing increased financial pressure from the COVID-19 global pandemic. During the early stages of the reopening plan, the Department of Finance began notifying motorists about their outstanding debt and offering to restructure or restart their payment plans to avoid default.  Now that the City has entered phase four of the reopening framework, debt collection and payment plan defaults will also resume.

The City encourages anyone who may need assistance with outstanding debt to visit New Start Chicago at www.Chicago.gov/newstartchicago where residents can sign up for flexible payment plans for tickets and utility bills with a lower down payment and up to 60 months to repay amounts due.  Residents can learn more or make payments online at www.Chicago.gov/finance.

Ticketing enforcement dates to remember:

 Enforcement Date Violation Type

July 1

 Street Sweeping
July 6 Booting
July 16 Expired City Sticker & Residential Parking Permit
October 2 Expired Vehicle Registration*

Special Enrollment Periods for people who may have lost their employer-sponsored health care coverage

As Illinois continues to experience job losses as a result of the pandemic, the Illinois Department of Insurance and Get Covered Illinois are sharing vital information for those who have lost  their job-based health insurance about an available option to purchase health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace provides a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for anyone who loses their employer-based health insurance coverage due to job loss. Job loss is considered a “Qualifying Life Event” which allows for special enrollment.  Some people may even qualify for subsidies, such as tax credits, that can help reduce premiums and other expenses.

The following website – https://getcovered.illinois.gov/en/Pages/SpecialEnrollmentPeriods.aspx – provides consumer fact sheets, FAQs, and contact information in multiple languages describing the various health insurance options and how to enroll.  There are also public service announcement PDFs in multiple languages that can be downloaded and posted or shared.

While Special Enrollment Periods make it possible to enroll at any time for those who qualify, the traditional open enrollment period for 2021 health insurance plans on the ACA Marketplace begins November 1, 2020 and ends December 15, 2020.  For more information about any of these options, please visit the website or call Get Covered Illinois at (800)318-2596.

Please share this link on your own website and with your social networks.

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