Property Tax Exemptions; Fabric Donations

Hi neighbors,

Late last week, the Mayor announced the firing of his Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, Garien Gatewood, along with one of Gatewood’s top advisors. These sudden firings are especially concerning because Deputy Gatewood filed a complaint alleging that two of the Mayor's most senior advisors improperly intervened in the contract selection process for violence prevention efforts. 

As the search continues for a new Inspector General—City government’s independent watchdog—it’s critical that we get a leader with the experience, independence, and desire to thoroughly investigate claims like these and hold any wrongdoing accountable. And as we turn to the summer, we must also have strong leadership within the Mayor's Public Safety Office to maintain and build on the progress we've made in recent years in reducing violent crime. 

I also want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sheridan Gorman, as well as the entire Loyola Chicago community. Her murder is both senseless and horrifying, and it has shaken our shared sense of safety. 

The person responsible, Jose Medina, must be held accountable swiftly and fully under the law. At the same time, we cannot allow this tragedy to be used to vilify or punish entire groups of people.

In the coming weeks, more facts are likely to come to light, including how Medina obtained a gun, his detainment at the U.S./Mexico Border, the denial of his request to return to the country of Colombia, how he ended up on a bus from Texas to Chicago, and the efforts of the Cook County Sheriff's Office to execute a warrant for his arrest. If there are thoughtful, evidence-based proposals that can help prevent future tragedies, I stand ready to work with anyone committed to real solutions. 

Earlier this week, the Chicago Board of Education selected interim CPS CEO Macquline King to lead the District in a permanent capacity. I congratulate CEO King on her appointment and wish her and her senior leadership team the best as they strive to provide our children with the best possible education, and to stabilize the District’s finances.

I hope the coming weekend treats you all well. If you’re looking for something to do, consider swinging by Artifacts Events tomorrow or Sunday between 11am and 5pm for the International Women’s Day Market. From handcrafted goods to delicious food and beverages, the event promises to be a wonderful one.

Yours in service,

Alderman Matt Martin

Appointment: Property Tax Exemptions

Tuesday, April 14th

Do you need help applying for property tax exemptions? You can meet one-on-one with a representative from the Cook County Assessor's Office at our office at 4243 N Lincoln Ave.

Please be sure to sign up for an appointment as appointments are limited!

Sign up

Fabric Donation Drive

Have old tablecloths, sheets, or other cotton fabric scraps laying around? In April, you can drop them by our office, and they'll be given a new life as fabric produce bags for local Farmers Markets!

Scraps should be at least an arms length in size (20" x 20'").

Learn more

Hop N Stop

Saturday, April 4th

Hop into spring with the Northcenter Chamber’s Hop ‘N’ Stop celebration! This event invites families to the neighborhood for a morning of delightful activities, including goodie bags, prize hunts, spring family portraits, and of course, a bunny.

Learn more

Student Art Showcase

Monday, April 20th

Join us at the 47th Ward Office for a Student Art Showcase on Monday, April 20th at 6 PM. We will feature work from McPherson 3rd-5th graders and Coonley 7th graders. We’re excited to debut these vibrant paintings and collages, which will remain on display in the office for several months following the event.

More details announced soon. If your local student wants to display their art in our gallery this spring, please feel free to email us.

Learn more

Munch March Dessert & Appetizer Crawl

Wednesday, April 22nd

Bring your appetite, your friends, and your excellent vibes: it’s time for the fifth annual Munch March! Stroll down Montrose Ave, enjoy samples from local eateries, and explore small businesses with friends and neighbors. Plus, enjoy live music by Full Spectrum Bluegrass and live portraits by local favorite Terrible Portraits!

Learn more

Free Bounce House for Block Party

Applications Open April 15th

Are you hosting a summer block party? You can apply for a free bounce house provided by the city.

The program runs on Saturdays and Sundays from May 23rd to September 6th. Bounce houses are subject to availability, so consider applying early!

Apply

City Sticker Amnesty Month

All of April

The Office of the City Clerk is waiving City Sticker late fees and back charges for drivers from April 1-30, 2026.

Learn more

Free English Classes

Heartland Alliance offers free English classes at three convenient locations, including in Uptown. Options include 1 on 1 tutoring, conversational English, family literacy, and more.

Learn more

Resources

Business



• Ravenswood Neighborhood Banner Program Open, Learn more
• CPS Safe Passage RFP, Learn more
• Doing Business with City Public Safety Departments, March 31, Learn more
• Square Roots Vendor Applications, Learn more

Workforce

• Chicago Transit Hiring Fair, April 22nd, Learn more
• Chicago Public Health Jobs, Learn more
• Chicago Fire Department Career Exploration, Learn More
• Greater West Town Woodworking Training, Learn more
• Greater West Town Shipping & Receiving Training, Learn more

Earth Day Park Clean Ups

Saturday, April 18th

Help make a difference this Earth Day by pitching in at a cleanup event taking place at more than 160 parks across the city including Welles and Revere Parks.

Activities will vary by park, but typically include things like raking and mulching trees. Materials will be provided, and all ages are welcome.

Learn more

Sew-In: Make Produce Bags

Monday, March 30th

Organizing for Plastics Alternatives, OPA, is hosting another "sew-in" on March 30 at the Waldorf School, 5200 N. Ashland Ave, Chicago, from 6:30-9:00pm. The school's sewing room is a great space to create beautiful fabric produce bags.

Sign Up

Community Social at Eco Flamingo

Monday, April 20th

Join Chicago Grows Food for a Community Social and Volunteer Night at Eco Flamingo. Chicago Grows Food is an organization devoted to expanding the food growing community in Chicagoland by providing the materials, tools, education and resources anyone needs to garden!

Learn more

Western Brown Line Construction

Traffic pole, light pole, and festoon pole installation is nearing completion in the Western Plaza. Landscaping and irrigation work will begin in the plaza next week, followed by pavers, fencing, and the removal of old poles and other final touches as the project nears completion. Work on the elevator to access the Loop bound train continues and is expected to be completed in early May.

Sign up for Updates

Ashland Resurfacing

On Ashland, we are working closely with the Chicago Department of Transportation and contractors to ensure work starts as soon as possible. In the near term, parking restrictions will only include one to two spaces near various sewer, crosswalk, or bump out work. Parking restrictions will expand throughout Ashland for milling, which will happen in May or June. These parking restrictions will be from 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM, on weekdays.

Sign up for Updates

Greenview Sewer Work

Work is beginning this week to bring the private drains from 3400-3600 N Greenview into compliance prior to planned sewer main work later this year. As DWM starts to open the road, they will have a clearer picture of the quality of the drains, and therefore the timeline for completion. We will continue to keep neighbors updated on the expected timeline for the completion of this project.

Sign up for Updates

This Year: Upcoming Projects

• Water Main Replacement near Leavitt and Lawrence
• ComEd Projects on Greenview from Roscoe to Grace

This Week

• No Kings Sign Making, March 27th, Learn more
• Lincoln Square No Kings March Send Off, March 28th, Learn more
• Hop Butcher Brewery Tour, March 28th, Learn more

Next Week



• Say No to People's Gas, April 1st, Learn more
• Hop N Stop, April 4th, Learn more
• Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club Easter Egg Hunt, April 4th, Learn more
• Menopause Workshop, April 4th, Learn more
• Extraordinary Youth Art Gallery, April 4th, Learn more
• Asexual Visibility Day, April 6th, Learn more

Future Weeks

• North Branch Works Brewery and Distillery Tour, April 9th, Learn more
• Ravenswood Puzzle Swap, April 19th, Learn more
• Welles Park Bird Walk, April 19th, Learn more
• Student Art Gallery, April 20th, Learn more
• Toast of Uptown Wine Walk, April 26th, Learn more
• Ravenswood 5K, April 26th, Learn more
• Chicago River Day, May 9th, Learn more

Community Job Boards

Looking to work locally? Many of our local chambers of commerce offer job boards to help highlight openings at local businesses. Find more information at the following links:

• Andersonville
• Lakeview/Roscoe Village
• Lincoln Square/Ravenswood
• Northcenter
• Greater Ravenswood