PORTAGE PARK — Efforts to speed traffic while sprucing up parks, schools and libraries are among the projects set for the second annual Participatory Budgeting vote in the 36th Ward.
Residents have five chances to vote this week:
• From 1-3 p.m. Tuesday at Word of Life Church, 2254 N. Narragansett Ave.
• From 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Blackhawk Park, 2318 N. Lavergne Ave.
• From 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Friday at Ald. Gilbert Villegas' 36th Ward office, 6934 W. Diversey Ave.
• From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday at the 36th Ward satellite office, 5001 W. Fullerton Ave.
• From 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the 36th Ward satellite office at Community First Medical Center, 5645 W. Addison St.
Voting is set to end Oct. 22.
Villegas said put his $1 million discretionary budget up to a vote to get residents involved in the civic life of the ward, which was significantly reshaped in 2015 by a new map approved by the City Council.
All residents of the 36th Ward older than 14 are eligible to vote. The ward includes Portage Park, Belmont Cragin, Dunning, Montclare and Galewood.
In addition to choosing three projects, voters will decide what percentage of the budget should be used to resurface streets.
The projects up for a vote are:
• $50,000 for traffic calming projects around Locke Elementary School, St. William School and Hanson Park Elementary School
• $75,000 to install a left-turn signal at Oak Park and Grand avenues
• $100,000 for benches and garbage cans at Hermosa Park, Blackhawk Park, Bell Park and the West Belmont branch of the Chicago Public Library.
• $130,000 to create additional parking near Iglesia Evangelica Emanuel Church, 5018 W. Armitage Ave. and Word of Life Church
• $140,000 to repair the playground at Chicago Academy Elementary School, to install a basketball court at Blackhawk Park
• $145,000 for a padded playground surface at Reinberg Elementary School, stop signs on Kostner Avenue and a roundabout at Kilbourn and Dickens avenues
• $175,000 to repair the athletic fields at Steinmetz High School and to create a new multi-use play area at Bell Park while upgrading the parks tennis courts.
For more information, go to 36thward.org.
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