Your monthly message from Alderman Freddrenna M.

Lyle
Ff ffREDDRENNAFreddrenna M. Lyle

Volume X, Issue 3 March 2010

Let’s Get Counted!

Aldermanic Message “Souls of Black Folk” Oratorical Contest
I sincerely thank each of you who sent us cards, food, 2010 Winners
flowers; lifted us up in prayer; gave us hugs; provided
counsel and advice or in any other way extended your
condolences to my family and I on the passing of my
Mother. We are in the process of sending individual
thank you cards, now. Thank you very, very much.
Let’s Get Counted
Every ten (10) years we count the citizens of the United
States to divide representation (Federal, State, County and
City); reallocate resources (monies are allocated to
communities based on population); and plan services (health
care, schools, libraries, etc., etc.). Each of these is done
based on population. That being said, if we want to get our
fair share of these resources and services, we need to make All of the students are winners because they participated
sure that we and everyone around us participates in the in the competition. However, some of them stood out from
upcoming Census. their competitors. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners and the
Right now communities across Illinois are fighting over schools they attend are listed below.
who should be counted in the Census. Towns with prisons
want to count the inmates, who for the most part come from Kindergarten -1st Grade
Inner City communities. Those towns and their State st
1 Place Taylor O. Wallace Ruggles
representatives are pushing hard to keep the money they get 2nd Place Daniel Vaughn Deneen
by having Black boys in their towns (in the prisons) 3rd Place Amaris Harris Deneen
although most of those boys will return to communities like 2nd – 3rd Grade
Chicago and East St. Louis at the end of their sentence. 1st Place JaJanae Copeland Yale
This might seem fair when you initially hear the argument
2nd Place Amber Anderson St. Columbanus
but when those boys return to their homes, there won’t be
3rd Place Jamella Holmes Yale
slots in job training, ex-offender programs, etc. that they can
4th – 5th Grade
use to get their lives together because their communities st
Continued on page 2 1 Place Isaiah Miller Burnside
2nd Place Miracle Hunt Neil
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3rd Place Brianna York Pirie
Pg. 1 Aldermanic Message 6th – 8th Grade
“Souls of Black Folk” Oratorical Contest Winners 1st Place Ariel Henley Neil
Pg. 2 ComEd Assistance & Energy Education Programs 2nd Place Tatyana Coleman Burnside
The Marines of Montford Point 3rd Place Naquon Shelton Burnside
Pg. 3 FYI and Save the Date
Pg. 4 Income Tax Assistance 9th – 12th Grade
st
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 1 Place Alexus Brown Harlan
Landmark Designation for the Gwendolyn Brooks House 2nd Place Kearra Jones Harlan
Free Amplified Telephones
3rd Place Kenisha Adams Kenwood Academy
Recruiting 2010 Census Workers
Pg. 5 6th Ward Community Appreciation Luncheon College
Deneen Elementary School Turnaround 1st Place Matthew Lindsey DeVry
ComEd CARE Assistance & Energy Education Programs
Pg. 6 FYI Continued, Did you know?, Every Litter Bit Hurts

Newsletter 1
 Aldermanic Message Continued
didn’t get the money they needed as a result of the
undercount.
So let’s all pitch in and make sure we answer 10
questions to assure that over the next 10 years our
communities have the resources, representation and
services they need. And don’t stop there, at your next
Block Club meeting have each family bring their Census
form and mail them off as a Block. Do the same thing at
the Beat meeting. Let everyone active in Beat 624 take their
forms to the Beat meeting and have the facilitator mail
them off. And what about Church, can you have a Census
Day at your Church? The point is we’ve got to make sure
we get counted!
Every month we talk about working together to maintain
our quality of life in this Ward. Many of you are active in
block clubs, CAPs, your Churches and Community
Associations. The way it usually works is a few people do
a whole lot and many people do nothing. Oh well. Right
now we are looking for volunteers to be our eyes on the
block, per se. We need someone to call us about the pot
hole or the street light. We need someone who can share
info with the block club about meetings, about programs.
We need an open line of communications with each block.
Ideally this would, could, can be the Block Club President.
But it can be anybody with a phone and if they have an
email account that would make it even easier. If we are
talking about working together, we have to organize block
by block, that means we start with what we have and that’s
you.
Education Updates
In my attempt to stop the turn around of two schools in
the Ward, I met with the schools, staff, and parents; visited
a turnaround school, CPS and attended each Public Meeting
at the Board of Education. Sen. Jacqueline Collins was also
actively involved. She also met with the Principal of
Deneen and attended the Public Hearing at City Hall that I
demanded by way of Resolution. We were successful in
removing Gillespie Elementary School from the list of
those schools slated to be closed, turned around or
consolidated. Deneen Elementary was not so fortunate and
is in the process of being turned around as we speak. There
is info elsewhere in the newsletter that relates to this
process.
Robeson and Harlan High Schools are two of the
schools that will see an inflow of hundreds of thousands of
dollars in the Board’s new ‘Culture of Calm’ strategy,
designed to eradicate the violence in our High Schools.
Harlan’s pool repair is scheduled for completion in
December of this year. This is a 1 million dollar capital
budget amount that we have waited for since 2008. Once
the pool re-opens we will begin plans for open swim for the
community.
Freddrenna Lyle
Newsletter 2
The Marines of Montford Point
The Marines of Montford Point, America’s first
black marines, were honored at the Horseshoe Casino
on February 21, 2010. Close to 1000 guests were in
attendance to hear Major General Gary Cooper,
USMCR, Lt. General Frank E. Petersen and Chief
Warrant Officer 4 James T. Averhart, Jr. urge the U.S.
Congress to award the Congressional Medal of Honor
to the original Montford Point Marines. At the
conclusion of the program, the Horseshoe Casino
presented the Chicago Chapter with a $25,000.00
check.
In 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt signed an
Executive Order integrating the U.S. Marine Corps.
Rather than allow the Black recruits to train with the
Whites, a separate training base was created near
Camp LeJeune, in North carolina. That camp,
Montford Point, trained every Black man who enlisted
in the Marines until 1949. More than 20,000 were
trained during the war alone. Those men went on to
serve valiantly in Europe and the Pacific, including the
Battle of Iwo Jima. Unfortunately their efforts were
overshadowed by the better known Tuskeegee Airmen.
We ask that you help them in their mission by
writing Congress today in support of the Senate Bill
1695 and House Bill 3927 to have the survivors
honored with the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Senator Richard Durbin
332 S. Dearborn St., Ste. 3892
Chicago, IL 60609
Honorable Bobby L. Rush
1st District Congressman
700 E. 79th St.
Chicago, IL 60619
Honorable Jesse Jackson , Jr.
2nd District Congressman
17926 S. Halsted
Homewood, IL 60430
For your information, the Chicago Chapter of the
Montford Point Marines is located in the 6th Ward at
7011 S. Vincennes. The Association, although started by
Marines, is not limited to Marine Corps veterans. All
veterans are welcome. As an example, this year’s
President is 6th Ward resident Donna Cooper who was in
the Armed Services but not a Marine.
 Watch the 6th Ward Scene
F. Y. I. CAN-TV Channel 19

F. Y. I. Thursday, March 4 & 18, 6:00 p.m.

Guest: Lieana Gary, Cottage Grove Planters Society

SAVE THE DATE!!!

Cultural Connections
Computer Classes for Seniors…Chesterfield African Marketplace & Bazaar
Community Council will hold Senior Citizen Computer Friday, March 12, 2010 11:00a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Literacy Classes from March 24th – May 28th at St. Mark Saturday, March 13, 2010 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Lutheran Church, 655 E. 88th St. The class will meet one Dixon Elementary School
8306 S. St. Lawrence Ave.
day per week from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for ten
weeks. The registration fee is $25.00. If you attend 8 of Troubled Buildings-Trouble Free Forum
the 10 classes the fee will be refunded to you. For more (Presented by Cook County State’s Atty. Anita Alvarez,
information about the classes call 773.651.3958. Community Justice Center)
Monday, March 22, 2010, 6:00 p.m.
Woodworkers Training Program…The Greater West 6th District Police Department
Town Training Partnership is taking applications for the 7808 S. Halsted
high-tech 14-week hands-on Woodworkers Training Call 773.783.5100 to reserve a seat.
(Learn strategies & procedures for addressing
Program. There is no cost to low income applicants and vacant/abandoned buildings)
job placement assistance will be provided. Learn skills
that include: machine set-up and operation, cabinet South Side Little League Parade
construction, blueprint reading, wood identification, Saturday, May 1, 2010
solid surface fabrication and much more. Attend the Stepping off at 10:00 a.m.
orientation meeting to learn more about the program, call Meyering Park, 7140 S. King Dr. to
Nat King Cole Park, 301 E. 85th (King Dr.)
312.563.9570 for more details.
The Arthur Stephens Walk
Young Eagles Program…The Tuskegee Airmen are Saturday, May 1, 2010
‘calling all kids’ to join them at the Gary/Chicago Registration 7:30 a.m. Walk starts at 9:00 a.m.
Airport for a FREE plane ride. All you have to do is be Chicago State University---9501 S. King Dr.
7 to 17 years old, get your parents permission and call
the Tuskegee Airmen/Experimental Aircraft Association 6th Ward Community Appreciation Luncheon
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Young Eagles Hot Line in Chicago, 312.409.5621 or 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Gary at 888.235.9824. Every child will need to be Harambee House---11901 S. Loomis Ave.
accompanied by a parent or guardian and will receive an
official Young Eagles flight certificate to commemorate Annual 6th Ward Bike Ride
their first flight. Volunteer EAA or Tuskegee Airmen Saturday, June 5, 2010, 9:00 a.m.
member pilots are welcome. Call the Young Eagles Meyering Park, 7140 S. King Dr. to
th Tuley Park, 501 E. 90th Pl.
Hotline NOW and you will automatically From the 6 Ward Alderman & Staff:
be scheduled Return to Meyering Park for refreshments
Alderman Lyle, Francine, Vinona, Rosemary, Richard, Sherrod, Michael and Keith
for the next available rally.
Annual 6th Ward Family Picnic & Marketplace
Tree Planting…The 2010 tree planting season will Saturday, July 17, 2010, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
begin soon. If you would like to have a tree planted on Tuley Park – 501 E. 90th Pl. (King Dr.)
the parkway (City property) in front of your house or FREE food, entertainment & fun!
building, please call 311 to request one. We have been
informed that the trees are from a slow growing variety. 6th Ward Monthly Meeting

City of Chicago Vendor Applications…Come to a Thursday, April 8, 2010, 6:30 p.m.

workshop about how to become a certified minority, St. Mark United Methodist Church
woman, disadvantaged or person with a disability owned 8441 S. St. Lawrence St.
(MBE, WBE, DBE/ACDBE, BEPD) vendor with the (This meeting will feature panel discussions and
City of Chicago. Certification and compliance standards presentations on crime prevention. Bring a friend!)
will be discussed Wed., March 31, 2010, 2 – 3 pm, City Thursday, May 13, 2010, 6:30 p.m.
Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., rm. 805. Space is limited, call St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church
312-744-5344 to reserve a seat. 8000 S. Michigan Ave.

Newsletter 3
 Income Tax Assistance
The City of Chicago helps eligible residents file for
the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
With the EITC, you could owe less tax and get cash back
from the Internal Revenue Service and the State of
Illinois. Even if you don't owe income tax, you can get
the credit and cash. In 2007 the City's assistance sites
returned $31 million in refunds for more than 23,000
families.
Families earning less than $50,000 and individuals
earning less than $25,000 can get free tax preparation
assistance from professionally trained volunteers. The
Tax Counseling Project and the Tax Assistance Program,
both Chicago-area non-profit programs, offer the
assistance at 29 sites in Chicago and 26 sites outside the
city. Residents should bring all current W2 and 1099
forms, Social Security cards for all members of the
household, a copy of your last recent tax return, and
photo identification.
To get free tax preparation assistance, and assistance
filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit, call 311 City
Services and ask about locations near you. Outside
Chicago, local residents can call 312-409-1555 or 312-
630-0273.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
FAFSA is a federal program available to all
prospective college students, parents and adults
continuing their education. This free, seasonal assistance
in completing the FAFSA form is provided by the
Ladder Up in partnership with City Clerk Miguel del
Valle.
In 2010, this free one-on-one assistance is offered
every Tuesday evening until March 30 at City Clerk del
Valle's Office in Room 107 of City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle
St. from 5:30-7:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
The FAFSA is the gateway to apply for virtually all
types of financial aid for higher education. It is used in
applying for student aid programs, including Pell Grants,
Stafford Loans and campus-based programs. The
FAFSA collects the information required to determine
need and eligibility for financial aid.
Many colleges and universities have early deadlines
to submit the FAFSA between March 1st and April 15th
of each year. In addition to FAFSA assistance,
informational materials for the College Illinois 529
Tuition Program are also available at the City Clerk's
office.
For more information, please contact Ladder Up at
312-409-1555 or download the program flyer at
www.chicityclerk.com/fafsa.
Newsletter 4
Chicago Landmark Designation for
The Gwendolyn Brooks House
Pulitzer Prize winning poet and long-time Chicagoan,
Gwendolyn Brooks composed poetry, wrote books and
raised her family in the 6th Ward at 7428 S. Evans from
1954 to 1994. The home possesses exceptional historic
and cultural significance and is now up for Chicago
Landmark designation. The process takes approximately
9-12 months. See the Feb. 2010 Newsletter for details
about some of Mrs. Brooks accomplishments and awards.
FREE Amplified Telephones
Having trouble hearing on the telephone? The
Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD)
offers FREE amplified phones through the Illinois
Telecommunications Access Corporation. There are
many different types and degrees of hearing loss.
There are various differences in tone and clarity which
must be matched to your needs. The only proven way
to do this is to try the phones on a real call. Come to
one of the MOPD offices to try the phones Monday-
Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., 121 N. LaSalle St., Room
104 or the MOPD Field Office at 2102 W. Ogden. Call
312.744.7050 (voice) or 312.744.4964 (TTY).
Recruiting 2010 Census Workers!
Apply and take the written test to become a Census
2010 worker at St. Columbanus, 331 E. 71st St.,
Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. & 2:00
p.m. Testing is also offered Thursday Evenings at 6:00
p.m. Available positions include Crew Leaders,
Census Takers, Office Clerks, Assistant Crew Leaders
and Recruiting Assistants. To gain employment,
applicants must pass a written test and background
check. Bring 2 forms of identification to the testing
session. Acceptable forms of identification include
Driver’s License, State I.D., U.S. Passport, School ID
card with a photo, Voter’s registration card. Other
forms of identification and the practice test can be
found on the website http://2010censusjobs.gov or call
886.861.2010.
See you next month!
Your monthly message from
Freddrenna M. Lyle, 6th Ward
Alderman and Committeeman
Service Office 406 East 75th Street, Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 846-7006 (773) 846-9104 fax
Email Address: ward06@cityofchicago.org
Website Address: www.6thwardalderman.com
 6th Ward Community Appreciation Luncheon
Alderman Freddrenna M. Lyle and SOAR
Community Development Corporation will host its
eighth 6th Ward Service Awards Luncheon at Harambee
House, 11901 South Loomis Avenue, Sat., May 22,
2010, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Join the 6th Ward as we
salute the hero’s and shero’s in our community for their
hard work and dedication to community service. Each
community organization has been asked to nominate a
candidate for an award. Business owners, religious
leaders, centurions, and volunteers will also be
considered for awards. Please support this worthwhile
event by purchasing an ad and/or ticket to the event.
Please contact Keith Harris for more details at
773.846.7006.
Deneen Elementary School Turnaround
On Monday, March 15, 2010, a public hearing will be
held to receive public testimony on the proposal for the
Board of Education to enter into an agreement with the
Academy of Urban School Leadership (AUSL) to
provide turnaround services at Deneen Elementary
School beginning in the Fall of 2010. The hearing will
be held from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the 5th Floor of
the Chicago Board of Education Chambers, 125 S. Clark
St. All persons interested in providing testimony must
sign up between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
and will be able to speak between the hours of 7:30 p.m.
and 8:30 p.m. For additional information please call the
Office of New Schools 773.553.1530.
Tentative Schedule for community outreach
and other key dates:
March 24: Board of Education officially approves AUSL
as Turnaround Manager.
March 15 & ongoing: Continued networking with the
Office of Local School Council & Community Relations
and Alderman Lyle’s office to schedule meetings with
LSC members and other community organizations with
whom relationships have already been established.
April 14: Community Meeting (Location TBA)
April-June 2010: Continue networking to engage support
within the community. Meet with the principal,
community based organizations, LSC members, small
business owners and other stakeholders.
As Needed: Organize additional school tours or
parent/community meetings.
August 28: Deneen Community Back to School Picnic.
Newsletter 5
ComEd CARE
Assistance & Energy Education Programs
Helping Hand Program
During the month of March only, customers with
financial, medical, other other hardship issues can pay
50 percent of the outstanding balance on an electric
bill and ComEd will credit (pay) the remaining 50
percent once the payment has been cleared. The
helping Hand program is available from March 1-31,
2010. This program is designed to provide immediate
relief to residential customers in need facing service
disconnection. Funds are limited and restrictions
apply. To sign up, customers may call 1.888.806.2273
or attend a ComEd assistance fair. Customers who call
to sign up by phone need to provide a ComEd account
number, a method of pasyment (check, credit card,
debit card) and proof of a financial, medical, or other
hardship issue.
Residential Special Hardship Program
If you have a financial hardship due to job loss,
illness, military deployment, disability or being a
senior citizen you may be eligible for assistance
through the Residential Special Hardship program. It
provides a one-time grant of uu to $1,000 for
residential customers with house hold incomes up to
400 percent of the Federal poverty level ($88,2000 for
a family of 4) that identify a hardship isue. The
program runs until the funds are depleted. To apply,
contact your local LIHEAP Agency.
2010 Income Eligibility Guidelines
400 Percent Poverty Level
Family Size 30 Day Income Annual Income
1 $ 3,600 $ 43,320
2 4,856 58,280
3 6,102 73,240
4 7,350 88,200
5 8,596 103,160
6 9,842 118,120
7 11,090 133,080
8 12,336 148,040
Small Business & Nonprofit Energy
Assistance Program
If you are a small business or nonprofit organization
with less than 100kW peak demand-and can
demonstrate a special circumstance or hardship, you
can qualify for a one-time grant up to $1,500. The
program runs June 1 to September 1 or until the funds
are depleted. For more information about these and
additional programs, visit www.comed.com or call
1-888-806-CARE (2273).
 Did you know?

F. Y. I. Continued The 6th Ward produced the 4th largest number of votes in
the 2010 Primary. As you know the results were dismal.
Of those that bothered to vote here are the top 5 Wards
Self-employed? Get all of your tax breaks… The rules about and their numbers:
keeping records and filing taxes can be confusing when you’re
self-employed. We don’t want you to leave money on the table 19th Ward 16,098 voters out of 32,355 registered Democrats
at tax time. The City of Chicago and the Center for Economic 8th Ward 12,507 37,656
Progress are working together to provide you with valuable 21st Ward 11,746 40,437
information about tax credits and deductions. This information 6th Ward 11,281 37,374
is ideal for taxi drivers, home healthcare workers, beauticians, 34th Ward 10,482 37,982
home-based childcare providers, gardeners and/or landscapers,
and other self-employed workers running a small business.
The class will be offered Monday, March 13 at 9:30 a.m.,
Kennedy-King College, 6301 S. Halsted. Space is limited so
call to confirm your attendance 312.603.0268.
We need your help
Women’s Networking & Resource Fair…On Saturday, getting information out
March 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the AKArama
Foundation & Community Center, 6220 S. Ingleside Ave.
SPICES Women’s Ministry will host a Women’s Networking
to the community.
and Resource Fair. Call 800.815.1849 to obtain a booth to
display your small business or organization or go to
Volunteer to become a
www.spiceswomensministry.com/vendors.html.

Employment & Resource Fair…Bring you resume and dress

6th Ward Block Liaison.
for success and you may win a door prize when you attend the
Employment and Resource Fair on Thursday, April 8 from
Noon to 4:00 p.m. at Lighthouse Church of All Nations 4501
Submit 311 Service
W. 127th St. in Alsip, Illinois. Some of the invited vendors
Requests online 24/7.
include: Harris Bank, Bank of America, U.S. Census,
Take some time out of
Harmony Health Care, Comcast, State Police, Chicago Police your busy schedule to
Department, Kaplan University, Olivet University, Dept. of look at the newly
Senior Services, State Farm Insurance, the Mayor’s Office of updated site. Go to
Workforce Development, and more. Contact Theresa Hubbard www.cityofchicago.org
for more info 708.527.0937. and look in the upper
left side to the page. I
think you’ll like it.

Every Litter Bit Hurts

Remember...place your garbage and recycling in the proper containers or take it
with you!
Littering is a serious problem in Chicago. The City spends
millions of dollars each year to clean-up litter. In addition
to the City's efforts, each spring and fall thousands of
volunteers from many different organizations contribute
hundreds of hours of time and energy to pickup litter.
Litter can cause neighborhoods to look rundown,
contributing to declining property values. It also provides
a breeding ground for disease carrying rats and insects.

Newsletter 6
Newsletter 7