September 13 - 19, 2023

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Arts & Entertainment

Event highlights of the week!

SportsWise

The SportsWise team discusses the road to the MLB playoffs.

Cover Story: less-adoptable pets

Homelessness in pets can be fatal, with more than 8 percent of pets euthanized nationally, according to one study. September 18-24 is Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week, so we look at how various Chicago agencies are trying to spread scarce resources to keep pets housed. Read about pet food pantries to help with the high cost of food, and ways to provide for your pet when you die.

From the Streets

The Chicago City Council is scheduled to hear a compromise Bring Chicago Home proposal to raise the Real Estate Transfer Tax to fund programs against homelessness.

Inside StreetWise

See the photos from our 31st anniversary party with our vendors.

The Playground

ON THE COVER: Xena, a Blackmouth cur, one of the long-stay dogs at Chicago Canine Rescue (Chicago Canine Rescue photo). THIS PAGE: Nicole Carpio, community outreach coordinator at Chicago Canine Rescue, with Zeus (Chicago Canine Rescue photo).

DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of StreetWise.

Dave Hamilton, Creative Director/Publisher dhamilton@streetwise.org

Suzanne Hanney, Editor-In-Chief suzannestreetwise@yahoo.com

Amanda Jones, Director of programs ajones@streetwise.org

Julie Youngquist, Executive director jyoungquist@streetwise.org

Ph: 773-334-6600

Office: 2009 S. State St., Chicago, IL, 60616

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

All Tbat Jazz!

24th Annual Englewood Jazz Festival

Live the Spirit Residency presents the free 24th Englewood Jazz Festival at 6 p.m. September 14 & 15, and 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. September 16 at the Hamilton Park & Cultural Center, 513 W. 72nd St. This year the 3-day festival illuminates emerging and established homegrown artists who demonstrate Live the Spirit Residency’s deep commitment to educating and mentoring the next generation of jazz artists. Featured artists include pianist Alexis Lombre (pictured, performing the World Premiere of her new work "Synesthesia, Pt. 1"), vibraphonist Joel Ross, recent winner of Downbeat Magazine’s Critics Poll vibraphone category, and saxophonist and Festival Resident Artist Isaiah Collier. These artists have all achieved national and international recognition, thanks to Live the Spirit Residency and its leader Ernest Dawkins’ long-term dedication to music education, mentoring, and inter-generational knowledge exchange.

A Trip Back in Time!

Remy Bumppo Theatre’s ‘Blues for an Alabama Sky’

It’s 1930 in Harlem, and jazz singer Angel has just gotten fired from The Cotton Club. Supported by her closest friends, Angel hopes for her next big break, as costume designer Guy imagines sewing dresses in Paris, and Delia works to bring family planning centers to the community. But all of their dreams are put in jeopardy when Angel meets Leland, a recent Alabama transplant. Will Leland be the true love Angel has been waiting for, or will he forever alter the dynamic of their precious inner circle? “Blues for an Alabama Sky" by Pearl Cleage is a play about change, struggle and joy set against the tumultuous backdrop of Prohibition, the Jazz Age and the beginning of The Great Depression. Playing at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets are $10-$52 at RemyBumppo.org

Everybody Dance Now!

Chicago Latino Dance Festival: Inaugural Season

The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago proudly presents the first-ever Chicago Latino Dance Festival, a four-week celebration of the rich variety and versatility of Ibero American dance and of Chicago’s thriving dance scene. 37 Chicago-area groups will participate, representing such disciplines and regions as Puerto Rican bomba and plena, Brazilian samba, flamenco, Belizean punta, Haitian traditional, Chilean cueca, indigenous dances from the Quechua, Purepecha and Zapotec nations, tango and contemporary dance, among others. The opening performace is 2-8 p.m. September 17 at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. FREE. See the whole schedule of events at latinoculturalcenter.org/chicago-latinodance-festival

In Conversation!

Novelist Zadie Smith

Literary powerhouse Zadie Smith is back with a new, highly-anticipated historical novel, “The Fraud,” which centers on the unforgettable Eliza Touchet and a real-life, explosive trial that divided Victorian England and asks "Who deserves to tell their story and who gets to be believed." Join Chicago Humanities and experience Smith’s talk with novelist and poet Chris Abani, as they discuss the relationship between truth and fiction, fraudulence and authenticity, and the mystery of “other people.” 8 p.m. September 19 at Francis W. Parker School, 330 W. Webster Ave. Tickets are $39 and include a copy of “The Fraud” at chicagohumanities.org. There will be a book signing after the discussion.

Compiled by Dave Hamilton

A Place to Call Home!

‘Sanctuary City’

Newark, NJ. Post-9/11. Two teenagers, brought to America as children, now face an unlikely foe: unexpected, unreciprocated love. Their friendship is no longer enough (for one of them) and their adopted country doesn’t love them back. Pulitzer Prize-winner Martyna Majok brings light to the sacrifices made by DREAMers, lovers and lifelong friends in the heartbreaking and hopeful "Sanctuary City"—a story that fractures and transcends—crossing boundaries, borders and genres in search of a place to call home. Playing September 14 through November 18 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Tickets start at $40 at steppenwolf.org

Prost!!

West Loop Bavarian Block Party

Chicago’s first sober-friendly Oktoberfest! Don your Dirndl and your Lederhosen, fill your stein with a variety of German beer OR your favorite non-alcoholic drink and say “Prost” at Washington & Sangamon in the West Loop! Featuring an amazing lineup of Oompah music, kids activities, brats, bretzels, and beverages everyone can enjoy. A $10 suggested donation will go towards the Haymarket Center’s mission of providing recovery services to the community. For more information about the fest, please call 773.664.4682.

Inspired by Picasso!

A Conversation with Liz Flores

The Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst, presents a conversation with exhibiting artist Liz Flores on September 17 at 1 p.m. She will share processes and concepts guiding her work, as well as how she sees Picasso’s experiments challenged, furthered, and broken since his passing 50 years ago. This discussion coincides with the Elmhurst Art Museum’s current exhibit, “Picasso: Fifty Years Later,” on display until Jan. 2, 2024. FREE.

A Grand Celebration!

Center for Native Futures Grand Opening

"The Center for Native Futures (CfNF) will host its grand opening celebration and exhibition 4-7 p.m. September 16 and noon-4 p.m. Septrmber 17 at the Marquette Building, 56 W. Adams St. Suite 102. CfNF serves as Chicago’s only all-Native, artist-operated fine arts organization. The inaugural “Native Futures” exhibition will feature more than a dozen established and emerging Native artists from the Great Lakes region, including works by CfNF co-founders. Additionally, it will highlight women-owned businesses, and present a special guest performance by Lakota hip-hop artist Frank Waln. FREE. Learn more at centerfornativefutures.org

New Street Fest!

Fulton Fest

Fulton Fest is a new street festival on the west side, organized by the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago’s two incubators, the Hatchery and Make City (pictured), that showcase the small businesses that call these incubators home. Eat, drink, and shop, all while supporting local entrepreneurs and discovering the best up and coming Chicago businesses. FREE. Noon-6 p.m. at 320 N. Damen Ave. (on Fulton between Damen and Hoyne).

A Grandma' s Pride!

'The Nacirema Society’

It’s 1964 Montgomery, Alabama, and the Nacirema Society prepares for its annual introduction of six elegant African American debutantes to a world of prosperity, privilege and social responsibility. This centennial year, the Society’s grande dame, Grace Dunbar, will have nothing less than perfection for her granddaughter Gracie’s debut. And with young love brewing, old family skeletons rattling, national media attention abounding and a blackmail plot bubbling…what would dare go awry? Playing September 16 - October 15 at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Tickets starting at $25 at goodmantheatre.org

the road to the mlb playoffs

Russ: First, let me say the American League West is pretty tight right now. You have Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, and Seattle Mariners. I think Houston will take it. They have that spirit and they’ve been there. They are the world champions. In the National League Central, it’s the same way, we have three teams in the playoff: the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs. But I don't think they will be contenders. I am kind of rooting for Baltimore as well. They might be in good shape. They might not have as much experience, but I think they can hold their own.

John: There are three teams with the most difficult schedules. First, the Boston Red Sox. I don't think they're going to be in the playoffs because their schedule includes the Houston Astros, who are at the top of the league for a wild card spot; the LA Dodgers, who lead the National League West; the Baltimore Orioles, who lead the American League East.

The second most difficult is a tie between the Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants. They have six games with the Atlanta Braves, who lead the NL East with an 8745 win-loss record as of August 31, and seven with the LA

Dodgers. If they can go .500 or a little better, I think they would be in great shape to get the other wildcard spot.

The Miami Marlins have a headache of a schedule. They have three games against the Atlanta Braves, six games with the LA Dodgers, and seven brutal games with Milwaukee, which leads the NL Central with a 74-59 win-loss record. They are within a couple of games of the wild card spot, but I don’t think they are good enough to measure up.

The Chicago Cubs (71-62 right behind Milwaukee in the NL Central) have games against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies, but the toughest ones yet are against the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are behind the Dodgers and Giants in the NL West with a 69-65 record.

The second easiest schedule is that of the Baltimore Orioles. They do have games against Tampa Bay, Chicago White Sox, Oakland A's, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, and the ever so disappointing St. Louis Cardinals. The Orioles should win two or three at least against these teams.

The Seattle Mariners (leading the AL West 76-57, followed

tightly by the Houston Astros, 77-58) have an easy schedule, according to mlb.com, but here's why I have to dispute them. Their September schedule is seven road games: three against the Cincinnati Reds and four against the Tampa Bay Rays. They also have very tough home games against the LA Dodgers, the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers. It could be the difference between the No. 2 seed in the American League and not making the playoffs.

Russ: The Cubs schedule: Pittsburgh, Arizona, it sounds real easy. And also the Orioles, oh man! It will be as easy as playing kickball for them. I predict the wild card will come down to the Cubs and the Phillies, who are second behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East with a 74-59 record. I pick Atlanta or the Dodgers to win the NL Championship Series (NLCS) and Baltimore or the Astros for the American League

Championship Series (ALCS). For the World Series, Baltimore and Atlanta could go all the way.

John: I keep hearing that Texas is going to be on the outside looking in, but I think it is going to be Houston who is on the outside looking in. There is something wrong with their pitching: the chemistry is off. The teams I think are going to be in the NLCS are Atlanta and the Dodgers, and American League, I think it's going to be Baltimore against Seattle. I have a feeling that it's going to be Seattle, and of course, Atlanta. Atlanta is on the verge of having a dynasty in major league baseball.

Russ: Just because a team may have the best record in baseball, it don't mean a thing! Remember last year, the Phillies was a wild card team that made it all the way to the World Series, so anything can happen.

Rashanah Baldwin

Vendors (l-r) Russell Adams and John Hagan chat about the world of sports.

Chicago Canine Rescue:

Finding Homes for Dogs with Barriers to Adoption|

Gladys, a basset hound mix, was brought to Chicago Canine Rescue (CCR) after she was found as a stray wandering in the woods after a flash flood. An X-ray revealed multiple BB gun pellets shot into her back. She was elderly, lethargic and barely able to walk. She had pneumonia and pus oozing from her eyes and nose. Within a week of around-the-clock care, Gladys began to quickly improve and was adopted by Theresa and David Taylor, who live nearby. “For a dog that’s been through what she has, she has the sweetest, nicest personality,” David said. Theresa added: “Everyone in the neighborhood loves her.”

“She’s very energetic now,” said Nicole Carpio, CCR’s community outreach coordinator. “We see her running down the street. When staff passes by, Gladys bays at them.”

CCR, located at 5272 N. Elston Ave. in Chicago’s Forest Glen neighborhood, has facilitated 8,000 adoptions since it was founded in 2001. While some dogs, like Gladys, are quickly adopted, CCR specializes in longstay dogs that have more barriers to adoptions, including advanced age, blindness and behavior, neurological and medical issues - some due to unethical backyard breeders. “We take dogs that are more likely to be euthanized at other shelters,” Nicole said.

CCR provides all dogs with all the care they need. “We are a sanctuary,” Nicole said. “Our staff motto is ‘Leave No Dog Behind,’ and we have held to that since 2001.” This care includes treating medical issues and behavior training with a handler who works to build the dog’s confidence. “If a dog acts out, it’s because they don’t know what they are supposed to do,” Nicole said.

out and put away as needed,” said Julia, Ty’s wife. “We didn't want to hold out for the perfect dog because whatever dog we brought into our family and home would be the perfect dog for us.”

They were drawn to Sophie, a pit bull mix estimated to be 3 years and 7 months, who was brought to the shelter by a stranger who found her after she was hit by a car. Ty and Julia knew they could respond to Sophie’s need for someone she could trust, let her go at her own pace and wait for her to open up. And, “she was too pretty to pass up the chance to meet,” Julia said.

Earlier this year, Ty Monaghan and Julia Wiatr scrolled through Chicago Canine Rescue’s website profiles of long-stay dogs. “We were shopping for the greatest need we can fill,” Ty said. “One where we can check the most boxes for them. We felt privileged and fortunate in our lives.” Ty previously had a rewarding experience with an elderly dog he had adopted from another shelter.

“We wanted the dog we adopted to be a member of our family and part of our lives rather than just something we take

Sophie became long-stay after developing anxiety from the stimulation of shelter environment. “Sometimes dogs, just like humans, struggle with any aspect of being in certain environments and meeting new people,” Nicole explained. “This, in conjunction with being in the shelter, which is an incredibly stimulating, and for some, overwhelming environment, can lead to additional boundaries when meeting potential adopters.” This stimulation can include the barking of other dogs in the shelter and strangers, such as volunteers, passing by.

“She needed someone to take a chance on her.”

by Stella Kapetan

Ty and Julia visited CCR in June and met Sophie, another dog, and Nicole.

“Sophie was rambunctious and overanxious but beautiful and sweet,” Julia said, adding that Sophie had a hard time focusing on them. She would also put her mouth near her and Ty and then back away because she was excited and did not know what to do, Nicole explained.

Julia and Ty were smitten. “She was a gentle giant and would roll over for belly rubs,“ Julia said. “We said, ‘We want the belly rub dog.’ She needed someone to take a chance on her.”

The next step was taking Sophie for neighborhood walks. They then had several visits with her at their home. These steps are accompanied by CCR staff and are to assure that the dog is a good fit with the potential adopter’s lifestyle. For example, energetic dogs are placed with active people and shyer dogs with those who live a sedentary lifestyle. Also, CCR is transparent about the dog’s behavior. “It is OK if the family doesn’t want to adopt the dog,” Nicole said.

Throughout the process, Ty and Julia were impressed with the care Sophie was receiving at CCR. “You can tell she’s been loved and not neglected at Chicago Canine Rescue,” Ty said.

The couple then welcomed Sophie into their home to begin to foster to adopt. They have been working closely with a CCR trainer on Sophie’s issues. “Sophie gets over-excited when encountering new people and dogs,” Julia said. “We want her to have fun and get her exercise, but sometimes she gets too

excited and doesn’t know how to rein herself.” Julia said. Sophie also would become over-excited when she was in her bedroom and unable to see them. She calmed down after they installed a toddler gate so she could see that they were still around. “She knows she is safe here,” Julia said. “We are building up to long periods of us leaving. She understands we are coming back.”

And Sophie is becoming more self-assured. “She is much more confident while exploring our house,” Julia said. “She still looks to us for approval occasionally, but she's already taken ownership of our living room couch, for instance.”

They have also installed a slow feeder that helps Sophie avoid choking or swallowing too much air and provides healthy engagement, making mealtime an enriching activity.

CCR is also providing the costly food and medicine Sophie needs for her allergies and other issues. “They've really gone out of their way to make sure we have what we need to care for Sophie,” Julia said.

CCR provides this guidance and assistance so people can keep their dogs and not have to surrender them. “We are always a phone call away,” Nicole said. “They can ask questions. They can ask a trainer who is familiar with the dog.”

Sophie’s adoption was official on July 6. “We have won the dog lottery,” Julia said. “She fills a void in my heart that I didn’t know I have. She’s the sweetest girl, and she has so much love to give. It’s really special watching her come out of her shell.”

Ensuring the Future

CCR’s “Become a Chicago Canine Rescuer” campaign is raising funds to ensure their level of care and increase dogs’ well-being through enhanced programs, such as the experienced handler program. It helps long-stay dogs better their chances at adoption by providing behavior training that includes the way to walk on a long leash and properly greet people.

The campaign will ensure there will be more happy families like Ty, Julia and Sophie. “She just looks at me and licks me, and I say, ‘I’ll give you anything you want,’” Julia said.

For more information on adoption, volunteering and Become a Chicago Canine Rescuer, please visit chicagocaninerescue.org or call 773-697-8848.

Planning a pet trust

If you died tomorrow, would your pet become homeless?

Similar to plans you would make for a child under age 21, a “pet trust” would allow you to give your pet to a friend or to a shelter, and to set aside money so that you know they could afford to feed the pet and provide it with veterinary care for the rest of its life.

Since the Illinois General Assembly passed the Pet Trust Act in 2005, pet owners can name a trustee to manage funds for food and medical care, and someone to be a physical custodian, or caregiver, for their pet. The Illinois law used procedures in 19 other states as a guideline, but by 2009, 42 states had recognized pet trusts as an estate planning tool, according to the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA).

“We have donors who have created an arrangement to take care of their pet with a family member or neighbor: to allocate part of their assets to support the care of the kitties,” said Raissa Allaire, executive director of Tree House Humane Society, which also has a section on pet trust planning on its website. Like many shelters, Tree House will rehome pets for a legacy amount, but “we encourage people that if there is a family friend or neighbor, to start there first. Our capacity is limited.”

How much money should you set aside?

If you leave the majority of your money for the care of your animals, and shut out other heirs, they could challenge the trust – and your mental competency – in court, according to the ISBA website. It’s better to assess the pet’s current lifestyle and its expected lifespan.

As an example, cat parents might spend $900 a year per pet, Allaire said. As they get older, they might need dental surgery, which costs $2,000; or a hernia operation, which costs $5,000. “It depends on the cat, how old it is, if it has a lot of medical needs. For our lifetime care program, we ask a $15,000 bequest.”

Bloodwork on senior cats is expensive, and so are diabetes, kidney issues and special food to deal with them, said Melanee Schoendorff, executive director of Touched by an Animal. This cat shelter has similar donor arrangements to Tree House, with the understanding that they keep the animal for its lifetime or find an adopter. They would also agree to be the secondary caregiver, to take the animal if anything happened to the primary caregiver.

The ISBA website lists 10 Ill. Forms Legal & Bus., Section 34:62.50 as a sample pet trust developed by the attorney who was instrumental in drafting the state law. More information is available at:

www.isba.org/sections/animallaw/newsletter/2010/01/theillinoispettrustact

treehouseanimals.planmylegacy.org

Page 7: Theresa and David Taylor, with their son, on the day Gladys was adopted. Page: 8 Julia Wiatr and Ty Monaghan on the day Sophie was adopted; Sophie greets Ty. (All photos provided by the dog owners.)

by Suzanne Hanney

Caregiving for less- adoptable pets

by Suzanne Hanney

It is heartbreaking for someone to relinquish their cat, and even harder for the animal.

“The cats don’t understand. They’ve lived their life with this person, and they’re shell shocked. ‘What did I do?’” said Melanee Schoendorff, executive director at Touched By An Animal.

“They’ve lived with this person for 12 to 13 years and even though we try to make it as homey as can be, they lived this cushy life, being the one doted on,” Schoendorff added. “Now, it’s like they’re in jail. Some of these cats have never been with other cats, and now they are. It’s hard for them to adjust, especially if they are elderly cats.” Located at 2131 W. Berwyn, the 501(c)(3) Touched By An Animal has a house where 80 cats roam freely.

On the same day Schoendorff talked to StreetWise, she received more than 12 phone calls from people with cats that were sickly, older and not socialized. The day before she received eight calls. Two days earlier, there were five calls, including a woman with 15 cats, many over age 12.

These cats would be difficult to place, Schoendorff said, because most people want to adopt a kitten or a cat younger than 4 years old, so they can have them for a long time. “We only have so many spaces. We hate to turn people away, but it’s a lifetime commitment for the cat. I don’t kill at my shelter. We have to work really hard at socializing, do all their vet care, so it’s a financial burden as well to get them adopted. They may not ever get adopted.”

Homeless animals are dependent on humans to be rehoused, and animals who are old, disabled or sick, or simply not as good looking, have diminished chances. That’s why Petfinder. com designated the third week in September – September 18-24 this year – as “Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week.”

Inflation is one factor Schoendorff described that makes people think they can no longer afford their pets, which in turn raises the supply of hard-to-adopt animals in Chicago. Although many people have gone back to work post-COVID, they may be struggling to make ends meet themselves, to say nothing of taking care of a pet, she said.

“Even with us, the price of pet care for veterinarians is skyrocketing. I get a lot of calls asking if I can recommend any places that have low-cost vet care. It’s hard to find anyone who does low-cost vet care.

“There’s also the price of food. Our bills have doubled since COVID, for sure. It’s hard to say exactly why. During the pandemic, we were having a hard time getting canned food. We would order and have it auto-delivered every month. We wouldn’t get half the order, a supply chain issue. Now, a can of food that cost me 50 cents before is $1, and one that cost $1 is $2.”

Indeed, calls to pet food pantries listed on websites of various pet rescue agencies found them to be overwhelmed with requests. One pantry even asked not to be listed in this story, and we complied (see opposite page).

Equal to inflation in driving the supply of hard-to-adopt pets is elderly people going into assisted living facilities. Animals may not be allowed there, because of allergies among other residents, Schoendorff said. In this case, she provides cell phone videos of their cats as they roam around the Bowmanville house.

Touched by an Animal also takes in pets of people who are temporarily homeless, in hospitals or nursing homes. Volunteers provide visitation until the humans can get back on their feet.

“One of the things I have found for a lot of people is that it helps motivate them to get better,” Schoendorff said. “Otherwise, maybe they don’t heal, because you’ve taken away the one thing that provides them joy.”

The bond between humans and animals positively impacts mental health and it also builds social capital, said Raissa Allaire, executive director of Tree House Humane Society and co-chair of the Chicagoland Humane Coalition. “You see kitties in a window, and it builds conversations between people who may think they do not have anything in common, strangers even.”

Based at 7225 N. Western Ave., the 501(c)(3) Tree House provides adoption services and since 2021, a Veterinary Wellness Center, for affordable spay and neuter surgery, preventive wellness care, vaccinations, testing and exams. Prices are tiered for the general public and for low-income people, with proof of government assistance or a SNAP card.

This summer, Tree House served more than 450 dogs and more than 150 cats at four pop-ups in South Shore and

Humboldt Park with rabies and distemper vaccinations, 300 microchips and 3,000 pounds of pet food.

As part of the Chicagoland Humane Coalition, Tree House coordinates its vaccine pop-ups to make sure it covers different parts of the city. “We’re trying our hardest to make sure the safety net programming is there,” Allaire said. “If we can’t serve a client that’s coming in, we are able to refer them to one of our partners that has capacity. If one organization has excess, we’re contributing to the whole network.”

Whether it’s vaccinations or food, each organization does something to keep animals from entering shelters, so that there are more resources to spread around. Similar to human homelessness, prevention is easier than rehoming.

Big dogs are languishing longer in Chicago shelters than in the past and longer than smaller dogs and cats, Allaire said. The reason may be evictions, more strays, or the shortage of veterinarians to perform spay/neuter surgeries.

Nationally, strays accounted for 46 percent of the total shelter population, up 8 percent from last year – and up 26 percent from 2021, according to the June 2023 report by Shelter Animals Count. Cats remained roughly consistent since 2021, with 46 percent strays, 29 percent transferred in from other agencies, 17 percent relinquished by their owners.

While the combined dog/cat adoption rate of 56.7 percent is the highest it’s been in three years, so is the euthanasia rate: 8.5 percent this year compared to 7.2 percent last year and 6.7 percent in 2021.

Meanwhile, the transfer-out rate is 11.3 percent –the lowest in the same timeframe, which concerns Allaire.

Transfers can involve intake from municipal animal control agencies, for example, by shelters and rescues. They will pick animals based on what they are good at, Allaire said. It may be big dogs, or in the case of Tree House, cats with feline leukemia that would be euthanized at other shelters.

Anecdotally, she knows nonprofits have had a hard time fundraising since the recession. If it is true that the animal welfare system is not functioning as it was three years ago, she ponders, “Is the system contracting?”

Pet food Pantries

PAWS Chicago Pet Food Bank

3516 W. 26th St. (773) 475-9426

Pop-up food pantry scheduled monthly. Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/

PAWSChicagoCommunityOutreach/

Care for Real

5339 N. Sheridan Road (773) 769-6182

When available, pet food is distributed to regular Care for Real clients who live in ZIP codes 60626, 60640, 60645, 60659 and 60660 at 4-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. Rogers Park/ Edgewater clients who do not receive human food from Care for Real may pre-register with a letter from another food pantry on their letterhead, a Meals on Wheels enrollment letter or SNAP determination letter. Clients are limited to one pickup per month. careforreal.org. In-kind donations can be received at Bark Bark Club, 5943 N. Broadway. These donations can include unopened pet food and treats as well as gently-used clothing, leashes and toys. More information at 773.989.8807, x1 or barkbarkclub@gmail.com

Friendship Pet Food Pantry

2711 W. Lawrence Ave. Chicago, IL 60625 (773) 907-6388

Pet food distributed to Chicagoans with ID and proof of spay/neuter on the third Saturday of every month, 9-11 a.m. The next distributions will be September 16 and October 21. Due to holiday giveaways at The Friendship Center,

distribution will be the 2nd Saturday of November and December: November 11 and December 9. The Friendship Center also takes donations of unopened cat food and dog food (both wet and dry) and cat litter, as well as new and gently-used supplies: leashes, collars, bowls. Full guidelines and other services at friendshipcenterchicago.org/ pet-pantry/

Irving Park Community Food Pantry at Emanuel United Methodist Church, 4256 N. Ridgeway Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 (773) 283-6296

irvingparkfoodpantry.org

The Irving Park Community Food Pantry’s Pet Food Corner helps its regular clients who are unemployed and underemployed and who have trouble feeding and caring for their beloved pets. Pet food is distributed during regular Pantry hours, Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon, and second Tuesdays, 6-7 p.m.

C.A.R.E. North Shore

4927 Main St., Skokie carenorthshore.org/pantry (847) 705-2653

C.A.R.E. provides roughly one week’s worth of food per registered client per month, with proof of spay/neuter. Last year, according to its website, C.A.R.E. fed an average of 256 cats monthly, with 7,668 pounds of dry food and 21,469 3-oz. cans. An estimated 96 dogs per month were fed, with 9,200 pounds of dry food and 4,600 cans. C.A.R.E. served both Chicagoans and suburbanites; its top ZIP codes were 60077, 60076, 60202, 60641 and 60618.

Bring Chicago Home tiered tax rates StreetWise

by Suzanne Hanney

A compromise Bring Chicago Home (BCH) proposal was scheduled to be brought to the Chicago City Council September 13 as a longawaited approach to raise $100 million to end homelessness for 65,000 people here.

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th ward), Ald. Matt Martin (47th ward) and Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th ward) discussed the revision at an August 27 town hall hosted by ONE Northside at the North Shore Baptist Church, 5244 N. Lakewood Ave. ONE Northside members also spoke about their personal experiences with homelessness, lack of access to affordable housing, and inadequate mental health services.

The original proposal would raise the Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) 1.9 percentage points–to 2.65%–solely on properties sold for more than $1 million.

The RETT is now .75 percent, which means that someone who buys a $1 million-dollar property would pay $3.75 per $500 of total sale price, or $7,500, according to the Civic Federation. The original BCH proposal would have raised the rate to $13.25 per $500 of sale value, or $26,000.

Mayor Brandon Johnson supported the original BCH proposal during his campaign. During the last two months, his administration and housing advocates from the BCH coalition worked on a tiered compromise, which would lower the rate for less expensive properties and raise it for the remainder:

• The first $1 million of property value, now taxed at .75%, would be taxed at .60%

• The next $1 million to $1.5 million of property value, now taxed at .75%, would be taxed at 2%

• Value over $1.5 million, now taxed at .75%, would be taxed at 3%.

Opponents say that a RETT increase would fall heavily on commercial properties, according to the Civic Federation. They note also that downtown office rates have not recovered from COVID.

Simultaneously, the Civic Federation quotes advocates that Chicago budgeted only $26 million in FY2022 for homeless programs, compared to $637 million in Los Angeles and $1.4 billion in New York City.

Approval by the Chicago City Council would put the question to voters in a March 2024 referendum. If successful, the City Council could pass an ordinance to legally change the RETT. BCH supporters include Communities United, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, Not Me We, ONE Northside, SEIU Healthcare-IL and IN, and United Working Families.

StreetWise 31st anniversary vendor party INSIDE

On August 24, StreetWise hosted a 31st anniversary extravaganza for our vendors. It was a chance to get together, chat, share sucesses and inspire each other. There was also a great deal of food, music, and even some dancing! The point is, StreetWise is nothing without our vendors! Because of our vendors we have been part of the fabric of Chicago for 31 years, and because of our vendors, we will continue to be for decades to come! Happy 31st Birthday!

Top Row: Debbie Booker; Jeremiah Holcomb and James Flynn Jr.; Gwendolyn Freeman, A. Allen, and Addie Bell. Middle Row: Olayinka Edu and Workforce Coordinator Rashawn Sanders; V.W.; Intern Alexandrya; D'Rone. Bottom Row: Joseph Jones; Paula Holmes and Keith Hardiman; Front Desk Associate Shirley Baker; A. Allen gives a speach at the event. All photos by Suzanne Hanney and Amanda Jones.

To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the

Last week's Answers

How StreetWise Works

StreetWise exists to elevate marginalized voices and provide opportunities for individuals to earn an income and gain employment. Anyone who wants to work has the opportunity to move themselves out of crisis.

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StreetWise provides “a hand up, not a handout.”

All vendors go through an orientation focusing on their rights and responsibilities as a StreetWise Magazine Vendor. Authorized vendors have badges with their name, picture and current year.

Vendors purchase the magazine for $1.15 and sell it for $3 plus tips. The vendor keeps all of their earnings.

When you buy the magazine, take the magazine, and read the magazine, you are supporting our microentrepreneurs earning an income with dignity. New