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March 2010 |  |
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| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
One of the most treasured assets in the 39th Ward are our Senior Citizens. For more information on these or other senior activities, please contact the 39th Ward Service Office at 773-736-5594.The 39th Ward Service Office works closely with the following City of Chicago Departments:
Department on Aging
http://www.cityofchicago.org/Aging
Department of Housing
http://www.cityofchicago.org/Housing
Cook County Assessor's Office
http://www.cookcountyassessor.com
City Clerk's Office
http://www.chicityclerk.com
2007 Senior of the Year top
When you see Sauganash resident, Theresa Leavitt walking her dog, Brandy III, tell her congratulations! She is the newest 39th Ward resident inducted in the City of Chicago's Senior Hall of Fame.
A lifelong Chicago resident, Theresa Leavitt was a pioneering businesswoman at a time few women worked outside of their homes. In 1946, she opened her first beauty shop on the west side of Chicago; twenty five years later she moved the shop to the northwest side of Chicago. For the past 61 years, Theresa has worked as a beautician, and at the age of 82, she continues to work 3 ½ days a week.
When she turned 75, Theresa searched for a way to serve her community and its residents and found it by becoming a Eucharistic Minister from her parish, Queen of All Saints. On her days off from her job, Theresa devotes a considerable amount of time each week visiting shut-ins and nursing home residents. For residents of Peterson Nursing Home, Theresa's compassion and smiling face is the highlight of their week. Theresa takes the time to talk to them and engage them in games and activities. Many of the nursing home residents have no visitors. Often, Theresa's visit provides the only companionship they receive.
Theresa leads an exemplary life, a life that has been full of service and dedication to her community, her parish, and her city. She epitomizes the spirit of the Senior Hall of Fame awards and is an inspiration to all who know her. Her commitment to the people in her community is genuine and special.
Theresa Leavitt has dedicated her life to others, without fanfare or accolades. The Senior Hall of Fame recognition honors Theresa's selfless contributions to her neighbors and her community.
2006 Senior of the Year top
Pinhas Zaid, known by his friends as Pinky, grew up in Israel playing soccer and became a professional soccer player. At the young age of 21, Pinky fought in the War of Independence which began in May of 1948, and ended with Israel's Independence early in 1949. Soon after he traveled to the United States in 1953 to play soccer, and chose to stay in Chicago. In Chicago, he played for the Chicago All-Stars, Hakoah, Evanston, and the Norwegian-Americans. He scored the winning goal when his team, the Norwegian-Americans, clinched the Chicago National Soccer League championship in 1963.
Pinky made his living in Chicago as a skilled automobile mechanic for 20 years. In 1972 he was honored with a "Best of the Best" award from Ford Motor Company for being the top mechanic at the dealership. In 1980, Pinky opened his own car repair shop on the southside. His customers revered him as the "King of the Southside", and continued to call him after he retired for advice.
In 1970 Pinky began volunteering at the Congregation Shaare Tikvah, and has since continued to be a vital part of the Congregation. Seymour Simon (former Chicago Alderman and Illinois Supreme Court Justice) once referred to Pinky as the "mainstay of Congregation Shaare Tikvah" and a "pillar of the community."
In June of 1978, Pinky was honored as the "Man of the Month" at Shaare Tikvah for his hard work and dedication to the Congregation. Today Pinky is an active member of the Congregation Shaare Tikvah, and has been for over 35 years. Currently, he is the program chairman at Shaare Tikvah, and for the past several years brought the Israeli Scouts (a group consisting of 17 year old boys and girls) who entertain all over the United States.
Pinky Zaid is known by his community as the "Mayor of Kimball Avenue" because of his tireless effort to keep the streets clean and crime-free. Because of Pinky's dedication to Hollywood Park, this community is a safe and beautiful place to live. We are grateful for his continued commitment to the 39th Ward. We are truly honored to call him a friend.
Senior Hall of Fame top
Without fanfare or personal gain, she has improved the lives of countless families in the 39th Ward. Meet Marge Conway, the 2005 recipient of the Senior Hall of Fame.
Marge Conway has served as a volunteer advocate for the St. Vincent DePaul Society and an advocate for the poor. She has also served on the Catholic Conference of Illinois Board of Directors and a member of the Human Concerns Commission.
After discovering the community had no local food pantry, Alderman Laurino and Marge Conway created the Albany Park Food Pantry, a collaboration between the Albany Park Community Center, Queen of All Saints, and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The Food Pantry offers emergency food to supplement individuals and families.
Thirty-five families were served the first day. From those modest beginnings, the Food Pantry has grown rapidly. It now serves over 21,000 people each year, most of whom are elderly or children, with an entirely volunteer staff.
As the results of her efforts, Marge Conway was a 1999 recipient of the Rothschild Award from the United Way in recognition of her volunteer effort in "Strengthening Families." She received the Chrisifideles Award in 2003 from the Archdiocese of Chicago, given to a layperson in each parish who demonstrates faithfulness and dedication in ministry.
For more information on how you can donate, or on how you can receive service from the food pantry, call the Albany Park Community Center at 773-583-5111.
Red Tape Cutters Program top
Find Out What Benefits and Services You Are Eligible to Receive!
The Chicago Department on Aging links Chicago residents age 60 and older to more than 40 city, state and federal benefits to which they may be entitled. The Red Tape Cutters program is a tool used to better serve older persons.
The Department compiles your information, and will mail you a computer printout with a list of entitlement programs for which you may be eligible. YouÕll also receive an information sheet on each program, describing the entitlement and how and where to apply. Screening for the following benefits is available through the Red Tape Cutters program:
- Energy Assistance
- Circuit Breaker
- Sewer Service Charge Exemption
- Property Tax Relief °Food Stamps
- Medicare: Parts A & B
- Home Weatherization
To receive a Red Tape Cutters application or if you have questions about the program, please call the 39th Ward Service office at 773-736-5594.
Senior Citizen Medical I.D. Program top
The free Chicago Senior Citizen Medical I.D. Program, co-sponsored by Mayor Richard M. Daley and City Clerk James J. Laski, is a new service provided by the Office of the City Clerk. http://www.chicityclerk.com/seniors/index.html
To get an I.D., seniors fill out information on an application form and have a digital photograph taken. The senior's photograph and information will be securely stored by the city clerk's office. The information will be readily available to law enforcement agencies and medical professionals for the purpose of identifying the named person if they become incoherent or unconscious. The I.D. card will include the following information:
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The medical I.D. card will then be mailed to the individual's place of residence 2-3 weeks following the appointment.This service is free to all senior citizens ages 60 and over. For more information, please call the 39th Ward service office at 773-736-5594.
H-RAIL Program top
The City of Chicago's Department of Housing has an innovative program to assist senior citizens throughout the city to stay active within their own communities. The Home Repairs for Accessible and Independent Living (H-RAIL) Program provides enabling devices and home improvements such as painting, grab bars, glass repair, installation of smoke detectors and ramps at no cost to homeowners.
Senior citizens may automatically qualify. A single person household must meet the income limitation of $31,700 and a two-person household must have an income of less than $36,250. Homeowners and renters are encouraged to apply. To participate in this program, please call our office at 773-736-5594 to receive help filling out the appropriate paperwork to sign up for the H-Rail program. Senior citizens are a valuable commodity we hope to keep in the neighborhood for years to come.
Senior Citizen Exemption Cook County Assessor's Office top
Senior Citizens receiving the Senior Citizen Exemption automatically qualify for the Homeowner Exemption and do not have to apply for it separately. The Senior Citizen Exemption provides tax relief by reducing the equalized valuation of an eligible residence by $2,500, which can result in a tax saving of as much as $250. This saving is in the form of a deduction on the second-installment of the real estate tax bill. Together with the automatic Homeowner Exemption, eligible seniors can save as much as $700 on their tax bill.
Eligibility Requirements
1. You must be 65 years of age or older during the year for which you are applying;
2. As of January 1 of the year in question, you must either own the property or have a lease or contract which makes you responsible for the real estate taxes; and
3. As of January 1 of the year in question, the property must be your principle residence.
Application Procedures
1. If you are eligible for the exemption, please complete and sign the Senior Citizen Exemption Application Form. Information pertaining to the Permanent Index Number and Township can be found on your real estate tax bill.
2. You must also provide the following information:
Proof of Your Age
Submit ONLY ONE official document that clearly shows your birthday, such as your drivers license, birth certificate, baptismal certificate, passport, naturalization papers, Social Security form 2458, Medicare Card with driver's license, Medicare Card with Illinois Identification Card, Alien Registration Card. (Note: Women submitting documents with maiden name must also submit all marriage certificates to show connection with current name.)
Proof of Residency
1. Drivers license or state ID showing your address as the property address issued prior to the earliest year for which you are applying.
2. Voter's registration card or voting record from the tax year(s) for which you are applying.
Current Real Estate Tax Bill
This will verify the Permanent Index Number of the residence for which you are seeking the exemption. If your tax bill is not mailed to your home, you must supply ONE MORE document that would prove your home address, such as your voter's card, library card or utility bill.Note: Owners of cooperative apartments must also submit a Stock Certificate, Occupancy Agreement or Trust Agreement along with their application.
Applying for the Senior Citizen Exemption By Mail
| If you apply by mail, do not send originals of the above documents! Please send copies because the documents cannot be returned to you. |
Applying for the Senior Citizen Exemption in Person
If you apply in person at the Assessor's Office, your documents will be examined and returned to you while you wait.
Approval/Renewal ProceduresThe Assessor's Office will notify you when your application is approved. For each year following approval, you will be sent an annual renewal form. Please sign and return this form to the Assessor's Office to preserve your exemption.
Cook County Assessor's Office Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Exemption top
What Is It?
The Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Exemption allows qualified senior citizens to apply for a freeze of the equalized assessed value (EAV) of their property for the year preceding the year in which the applicant first qualifies and applies for this exemption. For example, a senior citizen who qualified and applied for this exemption in taxable year 2000 had the EAV of the property frozen at the 1999 EAV. Those who qualify and receive this exemption should be aware that this does not automatically freeze the amount of their tax bill. Only the EAV remains at the fixed amount. The amount of dollars that the taxing districts asks for (levy) may change and thus alter your tax bill.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the taxable year 2000, you must meet all of these requirements:
- Be 65 years of age or older in 2000
- Have a total household income of no more than $40,000 for 1999
- Own the property, or have a legal, equitable or leasehold interest in the property on January 1, 1999 and January 1, 2000
- Be liable for the payment of 1999 and 2000 property taxes
- Use the property as a principle place of residence on January 1, 1999 and January 1, 2000.
When Do I Apply?
Those who are currently receiving the Senior Citizen Exemption will automatically receive an application form for the Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Exemption. If you do not receive an application form in the mail by February 1, 2001, you should contact the Cook County Assessor's Office Senior Assessment Freeze Department at 312/603-6600. The deadline to apply for 2000 exemption is June 2, 2001.
You must file each year in order to continue to receive the Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Exemption, and the requirements must be met each year.