Latest news
| choose FROM the list below |
 |
Ald. Levar Invites You to Sample the Taste of Polonia
(September 1, 2010) - Ald. Patrick Levar (45th) today invited residents and their families to "sample the Taste of Polonia." The annual Labor Day festival of culture, food and music will be held Friday through Monday at the Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave.
There will be non-stop music and entertainment on five stages. Headliners include 7th Heaven, an Abba Salute, Rick Saucedo and Sztywny Pal Azji. The Krakus Kids Stage will feature TEP Parade of Princesses, Polonia Kids Ensemble and the ABC Dance Academy. Taste treats include Polish sausage, pierogi and potato pancakes.
"Residents of the 45th Ward, their families and neighbors should come out to sample the Taste of Polonia," said Ald. Levar. "There’s something for everyone here from grandkids to grandmothers and granddads."
Taste of Polonia runs from 5 PM to 11 PM Friday and Noon to 11 PM Saturday through Monday. Adults are $6 and $7 after 6 PM Saturday and Sunday. Seniors (65 and older) are $3 and free before 3 PM Saturday and Sunday. Children under 12 are free. Discount coupons are available at Ald. Levar’s office, 5205 N. Milwaukee Ave.
The Copernicus Foundation has sponsored Taste of Polonia since 1979. The largest Polish festival in the city draws well over 30,000 fest fans during its four day celebration. Parking is limited and public transportation highly recommended.
Ald. Levar is chairman of the Chicago City Council Committee on Aviation and Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Budget and Government Operations. He was first elected to represent the 45th Ward on the city’s northwest side in 1987.
Press contact: Manuel Galvan 312-933-4733 or 773-784-9150
Jefferson Park Islamic Center to be Checked by City
CHICAGO (August 23, 2010) - Ald. Patrick Levar (45th) sent two letters today to city officials requesting inspections of the store front location at 5612 N. Milwaukee Ave., whose tenants are attempting to establish a Jefferson Park Islamic cultural center.
A letter to the commissioner of the Chicago Department of Zoning & Land Use Planning requested "an immediate inspection" because the "cultural / religious center is operating without a special use permit." Ald. Levar also wrote to the commissioner of the city’s Department of Buildings requesting "an immediate inspection" because it was the alderman’s understanding "that interior construction and remodeling has taken place without the necessary building permits."
"I was approached by someone several months ago regarding a possible center and explained to them it was up to the community, not me," Levar said. "The 45th Ward welcomes everyone, but everyone also has to abide by city codes, permit requirements and licensing."
A special use permit would require a hearing with the zoning department on the proposed cultural center to which property owners within several hundred feet of the potential site would be notified to attend and their input requested.
Ald. Levar is chairman of the Chicago City Council Committee on Aviation and Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Budget and Government Operations. He was first elected to represent the 45th Ward on the city’s northwest side in 1987.
Press contact: Manuel Galvan 312-933-4733 or 773-784-9150
Ald. Levar Offers Opportunity for Unemployed
CHICAGO (August 10, 2010) - Ald. Patrick Levar (45th) today announced applications were being taken for a program to provide jobs for the unemployed. Applications for Chicago Career Tech’s Job Retraining Program must be completed online at chicagocareertech.com. The deadline is 5 PM, Friday, August 13, 2010.
The six month program is designed to help unemployed middle-income workers develop the necessary skills to find employment in high-demand technology careers such as healthcare information technology, network management, technical sales and Web design. Participants receive a weekly stipend and continue to receive any unemployment benefits to which they may be entitled.
"Being unemployed is tough on the finances of families and individuals," said Ald. Levar. "The Career Tech program is an excellent opportunity to learn the skills that you need for the jobs out there today."
Potential candidates may qualify if they meet the following minimum eligible requirements:
- City of Chicago resident
- Minimum of a high school diploma or GED
- Unemployed (after January 1, 2008), previously earning $25,000 to $75,000
- Currently collecting or have exhausted unemployment insurance
Ald. Levar is chairman of the Chicago City Council Committee on Aviation and Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Budget and Government Operations. He was first elected to represent the 45th Ward on the city’s northwest side in 1987.
Press contact: Manuel Galvan 312-933-4733 or 773-784-9150
Ald. Levar Urges School Families to Take a Tax Holiday
CHICAGO (August 5, 2010) - Ald. Patrick Levar (45th) today reminded residents that families shopping for back-to-school clothes, footwear and classroom supplies are eligible for a 5 % Illinois sales tax fee waiver from Friday, August 6 through August 15.
The Illinois Department of Revenue is suggesting families plan ahead to take full advantage of the first statewide back-to-school sales tax holiday. Parents should get a list of the supplies their children need for school. They should also see what clothes and footwear they’ll need for returning to school.
"We know families are hurting and this sales tax holiday is the same as a 5 percent discount on selected items," said Ald. Levar. "I urge school families to check the Department of Revenues’ website revenue.state.il.us/SalesTaxHoliday.htm for a list of the qualifying items and stock up on what you’ll need for the school year."
Retailers have announced plans to open their stores early to kick off the sales tax holiday and are offering discounts on several items, giving shoppers extra savings. No special identification is needed for back-to-school shoppers. Consumers, who think they were overcharged, should bring it to the attention of the manager. If the issues are not resolved they should call 311 to file a consumer complaint.
The Department of Revenue says families in Illinois spend between $800 million and $1.2 billion in back-to-school gear for their children. The five percent sales tax holiday will save them between $40 and $60 million in tax payments.
Ald. Levar is chairman of the Chicago City Council Committee on Aviation and Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Budget and Government Operations. He was first elected to represent the 45th Ward on the city’s northwest side in 1987.
Press contact: Manuel Galvan 312-933-4733 or 773-784-9150
Vehicle Sticker Deadline Extended to July 30
CHICAGO (July 6, 2010) - Ald. Patrick Levar (45th) today reminded residents that the deadline for city vehicle stickers has been extended to Friday, July 30.
Vehicle city stickers must be displayed by July 30 before enforcement begins August 1. The extension was granted to allow for any necessary replacement of defective stickers that lacked sufficient adhesive.
"This extension should make it possible for everyone to have a vehicle sticker who needs one," said Ald. Levar. "If you’ve already mailed in a check or bought them online the City Clerk’s office says it takes about two weeks to receive them."
Vehicle stickers are $75 for a passenger vehicle and $120 for a large passenger vehicle. City stickers for 2010 - 2011 are currently available at the City Clerk’s office and online www.chicityclerk.com. They are also available at the satellite office at 5430 W. Gale St.
"I’d like to thank City Clerk Miguel del Valle again for working with us to open the Northwest Satellite Office in the ward to better serve our community," said Ald. Levar.
Ald. Levar is chairman of the Chicago City Council Committee on Aviation and Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Budget and Government Operations. He was first elected to represent the 45th Ward on the city’s northwest side in 1987.
Press contact: Manuel Galvan 312-933-4733 or 773-784-9150
Ald. Levar Welcomes Irish Fest Celebration
CHICAGO (June 18, 2010) - Ald. Patrick Levar (45th) today welcomed the 25th Annual Irish American Heritage Festival which runs from July 9 - 11.
The three-day festival with more than 40 bands, singers, music, dance and theater performing groups on 5 stages will be held on the grounds of the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave. There will be dozens of food and artisan vendors.
"I congratulate the Irish American Heritage Center on a Silver Anniversary and applaud them for all the work their done," said Ald. Levar. "It will be a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to come out and enjoy themselves with the community."
Headliners include The Elders, Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul, The Tossers, SCYTHIAN and The Makem & Spain Brothers. Fest activities and contests include The Hooley Hook-up, a matchmaking event with live music; a mashed potato eating contest, and the Sham-ROCK Stars Singing Contest.
The annual event attracts some 15,000 festgoers from all across the Midwest. To purchase advance tickets, call 773-282-7035, ext. 10 or purchase online at irishfestchicago.com.
Ald. Levar is chairman of the Chicago City Council Committee on Aviation and Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Budget and Government Operations. He was first elected to represent the 45th Ward on the city’s northwest side in 1987.
Press contact: Manuel Galvan 312-933-4733 or 773-784-9150