Something You Should Know

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

CITY OF CHICAGO

PROCLAMATION 

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks have launched Go Direct/Direct Express, a national campaign organized to encourage people to use direct deposit or the Direct Express prepaid debit card for the receipt of a social Security and other federal benefits; and

WHEREAS, direct deposit payments and more secure, reliable and convenient than paper checks and save taxpayers time and money; and

WHEREAS, nine out of ten times, problems with Social Security payments result from the use of a paper check, not an electronic payment; and

WHEREAS, in 2008, 70,000 paper checks issued by the Treasury fell prey to endorsement forgies, totaling more than $64,000,000 nationwide; and

WHEREAS, in Illinois alone, almost 331,000 Social Security and SSI income checks are issued each month which, if converted to electronic payments, would have saved our taaxpayers more than $3.7 million; and

WHEREAS, the U.S.  Department of Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks have joined together with American Chartered Bank, the Center for Economic Progress, the Chicago Housing Authority, the Chicago Police Department, the Chicago Public Library, the City of Chicago Aldermen, the Department of Family and Support Services, the City of Chicago Treasurer's Office, the Illinois State  Treasurer's Office, the Internal Revenue Service, the Mayor's Office for people with Disabilities and the Social Security Administration to educate the citizens of Chicago about the benefits of using direct deposit and assist people during the enrollment process:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD M. DALEY, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO, do hereby proclaim February, 2010, to be GO DIRECT/DIRECT EXPRESS MONTH IN CHICAGO, and encourage all Chicagoans to be aware of the advantages of using electronic payments and to take part in the events scheduled for this month.

GO DIRECT

National campaign aims to make life safer, easier for people who get Social Security and SSI

Direct deposit is safer, easier and more convenient than getting a paper check in the mail. Yet despite the advantages, many people who rely on Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) still get checks.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserves Banks are sponsoring Go Direct , a  campaign to motivate people who receive federal benefit checks to use direct deposit.

WHAT: Go Direct reaches out people through organizations they know and trust to inform them about the many benefits of direct deposit and help them sign up. Through events and media, Go Direct works to encourage people to switch to direct deposit.

WHY: Direct deposit is simply the best way for people to get their Social Security and SSI payments because it eliminates the risk of lost or stolen checks, reduces fraud and gives them more control over their money. Plus, direct deposit allows immediate access to funds from virtually anywhere.

A simple action like enrolling in direct deposit can offer much-needed peace of mind to people who get Social Security benefits, most of whom are seniors and people with disabilities.

In addition, direct deposit saves taxpayers money- if everyone who currently gets a federal benefit check switched to direct deposit, it would save taxpayers millions of dollars annually. Most of the money saved as a result of Go Direct will be used to cover the costs of future Social Security payments- a benefit to all Americans for generations to come. This is especially revelant today, given that the first wave of baby boomers has started reaching retirement age.

WHO: Treasury's Financial Management Service and Federal reserve Banks are working with partners to implement the campaign. Partnerships with banks, credit unions, social service agencies, community based organizations are vital to the campaign's success in communicating to Go Direct message.

WHEN: the national campaign kicked off in fall 2005.

HOW: People who get Sopcial security and SSI checks are culturally, economically, geographically and socially diverse. To reach them all, the campaign relies on partners to communicate the Go Direct message, along with media outreach, campaign  material, and Web sites in English and Spanish (www.GoDirect.org and www.DirectoASuCuenta.org ). The campaign makes it easy for people to sign up for direct deposit- they can call the Go Direct helpline at (800) 333-1795, visit www.GoDirect.org to sign up online or stop in their local financial institute or Social Security Administration office to make the switch.

ATTENTION RESIDENTS 

Are you ready for digital TV?

June 12, 2009 television broadcasters will abandon their analog channels and go completely digital.

Do you have a TV in your home that works with the help of "rabbit ears" or rooftop antenna?

The Digital Television and Public Safety Act 2005 requires TV stations to stop broadcasting in analog and to broadcast only in digital after June 12, 2009.  The digital transition will provide a better viewing experience for consumers and help emergency responders protect your community.

The Act created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to use their analog TV's after the transition.  The Federal government is offering U.S. households up to two $40 coupons to help pay for the cost of a certified converter box.  TV's connected to cable, satellite or other pay services do not need a converter box to receive programs after june 12, 2009.

What are my options?

• Buy a converter box that will plug into your current TV.
• Buy a TV with a Digital Tuner.
• Connect the analog TV to cable, satellite OR other pay service.
  

How do I get a coupon?

Apply online OR by phone you may also mail in or fax a Coupon Application.  You may request one coupon now and one later, but no more than two coupons per household (total of $80) are allowed.  Coupon supplies are limited.  Coupons expire 90 days after the mailing date.

Request must be received by March 31, 2009.  Listed below is the contact information for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

www.dtv2009.gov

Phone:  1-888-388-2009

Mail:      P.O. Box 2000
             Portland, OR  97208

Fax:      1-877-388-4632

City of Chicago

office of the

CITY CLERK 

MIGUEL DEL VALLE 

Contact: DAveda Peeler

312-744-2507

daveda.peeler@cityofchicago.org

Registering Your Dog with the City just got Easier

Chicago City Clerk's Office Offers New Online Dog Registration

Owners of the more than 100,000 dogs in Chicago now have the convience of registring their dog online thanks to City Clerk Miguel del Valle's new modernization initiative.

"As a responsible and caring pet owner, it is important to register your dog with the City of Chicago. My goal is to provide increased access to city government and to make applying for a dog license more convenient'', said City Clerk del Valle. "Registering your dog with the city takes only a few minutes and can prove to be invaluable. A dog license helps reunite you with your pet should you become separated."

There are many benefits of registering your dog with the Office of the City Clerk, including:

• Aids in the retrieval of lost dogs in cases where a dog strays from its owner or is separated from its owner during a citywide emergency:
• Provided that the lost dogs with licensing information are held at Animal Care and Control or the Animal Welfare League while the owners are contacted to retrieve them;
• A dog license can be used to obtain the required permit and tag to access Chicago Park District dog friendly areas;
• Is required when taking your dog to an animal care facility that boards or provides dog day care services; and
• Adds to city funds that are directed to Animal Care and Control to hire inspectors and to promote spay/nueter programs.

The new dog license can be purchased online for $5 for neutered dogs and $50 for un-neutered dogs. Discounts will be available for seniors. The innovative peel and stick license stands up to most weather conditions and it is simply applied to the back of your dog's rabies tag.

To register your dog online, please visit www.ChiCityClerk.com. Dog registration can also be completed at the City Clerk's Office in City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Rm. 107, or at one of the Satellite Offices at 5674 S. Archer Avenue or 5430 W. Gale St. For additional information, call the Office of the City Clerk at 312-744-DOGS (3647).

CITY OF CHICAGO

O F F I C E   O F   T H E

CITY CLERK

The Office of the Chicago City Clerk launced a new and improved website (see link below).        Posted on this site are approximately 700,000 pages or 30 years of City Council legislative  documents.  This includes every ordinance passed by the City Council and City Budgets back to 1981, as well as Executive Orders dating back to the Bilandic Administration (1976 - 1979). 

In conjuction with this new information, a powerful search engine has been launched, which allows searches to be conducted by using simple key words and phrases.  No longer does one need to know the City Council date, Sponsor or Committee meeting a piece of legislation was referred to or passed out from.

Additionally, shortly after monthly City Council meetings, brief descriptions of all substantive proposed and passed legislation are posted on our website, with hyperlinks to the original documents.  The Referred Matters packets, for the last three months were recently posted online.

Throughout the month City Council Committee meeting Notices, Agendas and Summaries are posted to notify the public of the time, location and legislative items being discussed at every Committee meeting. 

You can also view live streaming video of monthly City Council meetings.  This live stream allows for public access to City Council meetings from any computer.

These upgrades are provided to the public with free access to information that for years was only available by coming down to City Hall.  These services have been added for your convenience.  For access please use the link below:

http://www.ChiCityClerk.com 

The Attorney General is Illinois' chief legal officer and is responsible for protecting the public interests of the state and its residents.

The Attorney General provides services that cover a broad range of issues, reaching every corner of Illinois.

Provided for your convenience, is a link where you can find more information about the Programs and Services provided by the Office of the Attorney General.

Programs_and_Services_IL_Atty_Genl.pdf (487 KB)

Place your money were your heart is !

Show you care by sharing.  

Park Concession Management, LLC

2009 NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY APPLICATION 

Prospective Applicant:

Park Concession Management, LLC, the concession manager for the Chicago Park District, is providing you with information pertaining to the available concession opportunities in the Chicago Park District during the 2009 season.  If you are interested in the opportunity to operate a food, retail, recreational, or rental location, then complete the attached "Notice of Availability" application and return it promptly to our attention.  Please be sure to read the application instructions carefully and submit the application to:

Park Concession Management, LLC
7059 South Shore Drive
Chicago,IL  606049

Notice_of_Availability_2009.pdf (219 KB)

The dealine for applications is 3:00 p.m. on November 21, 2008.  Applications for the 2009 season received by this deadline will have first priority and applications not meeting this deadline will be considered on an "as needed" basis.

Park Concession Management is committed to assuring your understanding of the Notice of Availability application process and our retail and concession program.  There will be one pre-submittal information meeting.  They will be held at 6:00 p.m. on November 10, 2008 at the South Shore Cultural Cener.  This meeting is not mandatory, but encouraged, especially if you have questions or require additional information regarding the concessions program.

After the application deadline, you will be contacted within thirty (30) days regarding the status of your application.  The criteria factors to be considered for consession award are explained within this packet.  The Chicago Park District reserves the right to award a concession permit agreement based upon a written application alone or to hold additional discussions with one or more applicants.

For additional information please contact Park Concession Management at (773) 643-2077 or at www.parkconcessions.com.

preguntas sobre completar la forma de disponibilidad pueden ser dirigidas a la Gerencia de Concesion de Parques at (773) 643-2077.

Thank you for your interest in the 2009 concession program.

Park Concession Management, LLC
7059 South Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 643-2077

CVLS

Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation

The current foreclosure crisis has hit hard in every community. Legal help is difficult to find and too expensive for most families facing foreclosure.

Chicago Volunteer Legal Services' would like to introduce, free legal services . We believe our services can help the constituents who are in danger of losing their homes and destabalizing the neighborhoods.

CVLS provides free legal representation for those indigent homeowners who are in or facing foreclosure. We are the first and pre-eminent pro bono provider in Chicago, offering totally free civil legal aid on an individual basis. Last year, our 2,500 volunteers helped in excess of 17,000 low income Chicagoans with their legal problems-for free.

CALL US ABOUT YOUR COURT CASE.

Chicago Volunteer Legal Services provides free legal services to those who qualify. Make an appointment to talk to an attorney, and find out wether CVLS can help you.

CHICAGO VOLUNTEER LEGAL SERVICES

100 NORTH LASALLE STREET SUITE 900

CHICAGO, IL. 60602

312-332-1624

 ILLINOIS  LAWYER REFERRALS & LEGAL GUIDANCE

FAST-  Established in 2001 by Chicago attorneys , Findgreatlawyers.com has given lawyer referrals to tens of thousands of people with Illinois legal matters. With one simple touch of a telephone dial or click of a mouse, you can speak immediately with an attorney.

FREE- Once connected with an attorney, the call is free. Our attorney's will listen to your situation, evaluate whether or not you have a case, provide basic legal guidance and possibly refer you to a lawyer that is right for you.

CONFIDENTIAL- All conversations with our attorneys are confidential. You can rest assured that you will receive free legal guidance that allows you to speak  openly with lawyers that wiil try to help you.

312-346-5320

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