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3rd Ward E-News for 8/7/26

Pat Dowell Ward 3 📞 773-373-9273 ✉️ [email protected]
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Summary

Alderman Dowell’s Third Ward e-newsletter (8/7/26) focuses on public safety and community alerts rather than housing, zoning, transit, or budget items. It announces the Saturday, Aug. 8 Foo Fighters concert at Soldier Field (with pyrotechnics) and provides major street/traffic disruption information for the 97th Annual Bud Billiken Parade and Festival (including route and closure areas). Other items include updates for the Aug. 15–16 Chicago Air and Water Show, a CPD Superintendent Search with listening sessions, and community/seasonal announcements such as a Back-to-School Giveaway and Illinois’ EV Rebate Program cycle opening Aug. 1, plus City Colleges AI program updates and a listed blood drive and concert/jazz event.

Email from Aldermanic Office of the Third Ward

(View as Webpage)

In This Issue

  • Bud Billiken Parade Street Closure Information
  • Chicago Air and Water Show
  • Foo Fighters Concert at Soldier Field August 8th
  • CPD Superintendent Search Listening Sessions
  • Second Presbyterian Church Blood Drive
  • Jazz on Oakwood Boulevard
  • INFINITI of Chicago Back-to-School Giveaway
  • Illinois Electric Vehicle Rebate Program
  • City Colleges AI Programs

Bud Billiken Parade and Festival Route and Street Closure Information


The 97th Annual Bud Billiken Parade and Festival kicks-off from 39th St. and King Drive on Saturday, August 8th at 10:00 am, finishing at 51st St. in Washington Park at 4:00 pm. Below, please find parade route and associated street closure information.


Parade Information

7 a.m. Assembly:

Floats and vehicles will assemble on King Drive between 31st St. and 39th St. and Oakwood Blvd. from King Dr. to Langley Ave.

 

10 a.m. Step-off and Parade Route:

  • Oakwood Blvd and King Drive
  • South on King to 51st St.
  • East on 51st St. to Ellsworth Dr. in Washington Park
  • South on Ellsworth Dr. to Morgan Dr. and Payne Dr. for disbanding

 

Traffic will be affected due to closures in the area between S. Cottage Grove Ave, 55th Street, S. Indiana Ave. and 35th Street.

 

Disbanding Area:

All vehicles, upon reaching Rainey Dr. and Morgan Dr., will turn left and continue north on Rainey Dr. to Payne Dr., exiting Washington Park.

 

Parade Crossover Locations:

Crossover points will be located along the parade route, with security, at the following locations:

·      King Dr at 43rd St.

·      King Dr at 47th St.

·      King Dr at 51st St.


Complete parade and festival details can be found at www.budbillikenparade.org.

2026 Chicago Air and Water Show


The Chicago Air and Water Show returns Saturday, August 15th and Sunday, August 16th, with a rehearsal on Friday, August 14th, as part of the nationwide celebration of America250. As one of the nation's largest free admission air and water exhibitions, the event draws hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors to Chicago's lakefront each year. Whether you plan to attend or live, work or visit nearby, here's what to know before the show.


Key Dates and Times: 

• Friday, August 14 Air and Water Show rehearsal: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Saturday, August 15 Chicago Air and Water Show: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Sunday, August 16 Chicago Air and Water Show: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.


Where:

Chicago's lakefront from Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach serving as 

the show center. For the latest event information, schedules and updates, visit: ChicagoAirandWaterShow.us.
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Foo Fighters Concert - August 8th at Soldier Field


Alderman Dowell's office is alerting residents to a scheduled Foo Fighters concert this weekend at Soldier Field on Saturday, August 8th. The concert will begin at 5:30 pm and end at approximately 11:00 pm. There will be pyrotechnics throughout the event. If you have any questions regarding this alert, please contact Alderman Dowell's office at [email protected] or at 773-373-9273.

INFINITI of Chicago Back-to-School Giveaway


INFINITI of Chicago invites families in the 3rd Ward and surrounding communities to a free Back-to-School Giveaway. Back-to-school expenses can create added stress for parents and caregivers. To help ease that burden, INFINITI of Chicago will be providing free backpacks and school supplies to local students.


Event details:

Date: Friday, August 14, 2026

Time: 3:00–6:00 PM

Location: INFINITI of Chicago, 2711 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616
Pre-Register Here
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Illinois Electric Vehicle Rebate Program Opened August 1


Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the next EV Rebate Program application cycle will open Saturday, August 1, and run through December 31, 2026. Forms and instructions on submitting a rebate application are available on the Illinois EPA’s EV Rebate Program webpage beginning today. Applications postmarked or received prior to August 1, 2026 will not be accepted. 


Full eligibility requirements can be found in the EV Rebate Act and associated Illinois EPA program rules. These requirements include, but are not limited to:


• The vehicle must be a new or used all-electric vehicle and legally permitted to drive on all public

roadways, including interstate highways.

• The vehicle must be purchased (not rented or leased) from a dealership licensed by the Illinois

Secretary of State. 

• The vehicle cannot have been the subject of a previous EV rebate under this program.

• Only individuals that are Illinois residents can receive a rebate, and an individual can only receive

one EV rebate under this program.

• The purchaser must retain ownership of the vehicle for a minimum of 12 consecutive months

immediately after the vehicle purchase date. 


Applicants are encouraged to request a hand postmark from the shipping location to avoid delay due to

postmark at a regional distribution center. All applicants should utilize the new EV Rebate Application form the August 1, 2026 cycle.


Questions about the EV Rebate Program may be submitted to [email protected]. Individuals

interested in receiving updates on Illinois EPA’s EV programs may register for the EV Listserv located at the bottom of the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program webpage. 

City Colleges AI Education Programs


City Colleges is now offering the Associate Applied Science degree in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Development. It is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the dynamic field of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Students will gain hands-on experience with the latest technologies and best practices in the industry, preparing them for a variety of roles in the rapidly evolving Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning landscape.


In addition to the new associate degree, City Colleges of Chicago also offers an Advanced Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Development through Wilbur Wright College. This comprehensive program covers multiple topics including programming fundamentals, basic networking, introduction to AI, Operating Systems, Databases, Machine Learning and Ethics. Students will engage in both theoretical and hands-on learning and can earn college credit for this course.

 

For more information about the Advanced Certificate and Associate Applied Science degree in Artificial Intelligence, visit www.ccc.edu or call 312-COLLEGE. New students can register for fall 16-week classes until August 9, 2026. Classes start August 20, 2026; and the second session deadline to register is September 10 with next session starting class on September 20, 2026.

Aldermanic Office of the Third Ward | 5046 South State Street | Chicago, IL 60609 US
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