Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Sunday, September 20th, and I'm wishing neighbors a meaningful and easy fast.
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City Council Updates
This week, I spent a fair bit of time looking at the proposed sale of Chicago's Parking Meters to Stonepeak. The initial 2008 deal was one of the worst deals in the history of municipal asset sales, and we must not compound that error in a revised deal. I plan to spend the weekend continuing to review the legal documents, however my early look at the numbers suggests that this will be a significant net positive for taxpayers. Click here for an early breakdown of the financial aspects.
Also this week, dueling tenants' rights ordinances moved through committees. It’s important that we provide proper protections for tenants while also incentivizing the development of new affordable housing. Both PRO, the Mayor's proposal, and FAIR, a competing proposal, have shortcomings about which I have misgivings. As both passed their committees, they will be considered by City Council next week. I hope a compromise can be reached that supports tenants and helps grow our city.
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Improving Pedestrian & Traffic Safety
Across the 34th Ward, we've worked with CDOT engineers to identify and implement safety improvements like bump outs and protected bike lanes (to request a traffic study, email me!). The majority of the Ward is also included in the Smart Streets Pilot Program, which uses cameras on buses and City vehicles to automatically issue tickets for traffic violations. This program has been extremely successful: 87% of drivers who received a warning notice did not receive a ticket for an additional violation, which has improved traffic safety throughout the pilot area. Making this pilot permanent and expanding this automatic enforcement citywide is common sense.
This week, I signed on to a letter calling for adequate staffing for CDOT, improved driver education, and the expansion of the Smart Streets Pilot Program citywide.
In June, CDOT employee Riley O'Neil was tragically killed while riding his bike on Halsted in Bridgeport. As a member of CDOT's Complete Streets team, Riley spent his career advancing infrastructure improvements to make our streets safer and more accessible for everyone. The goals identified in this letter -- preserving resources for CDOT, educating drivers on bike safety, and expanding the Smart Streets pilot citywide -- will build on his work and move towards a Chicago where these traffic fatalities don't happen.
To read the full letter, click here.
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LaSalle Central Small Business Improvement Fund
Applications opened Sept. 1!
The Department of Planning and Development's Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) is open for applications in the LaSalle Central TIF district through September 30. SBIF provides reimbursement grant funding for permanent building improvements and repairs.
Please contact my office with any questions about this process.
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Grant Park Participatory Budgeting
Voting open through Sept. 30!
The Chicago Park District is giving community members a direct voice in deciding future Grant Park improvements through the Grant Park Participatory Budgeting (PB). To learn about the proposed projects, please click here.
Voting runs September 1st–30th. Vote online now or in-person at Maggie Daley fieldhouse or Women’s Park fieldhouse. Every vote helps shape future investments in Chicago parks. Participants must be at least 13 years of age and Chicago residents to vote.
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Serve as a Poll Worker for the November 3rd General Election!
The Chicago Board of Elections is seeking poll workers for the November 3, 2026 General Election, including bilingual election judges who speak Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Korean, and Tagalog. To learn more and apply, please visit the Chicago Board of Elections website.
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Help Keep Chicago Clean!
By picking up your trash and disposing of your recycling in the blue carts, you can take a big step toward making sure our streets, parks, schools, libraries, beaches, and businesses look their best. Find resources to help you become a cleanup champion here.
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VFW Scholarships
Apply by October 31, 2026
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is offering two scholarships for students. The Patriot's Pen scholarship is designated for students in grades 6 -8 and is an essay writing contest. The Voice of Democracy scholarship is designated for grades 9-12 and is an audio recorded essay.
Click the images below to learn more and apply.
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Green City Market - West Loop
Saturdays from 8am-1pm
900 W. Monroe
The West Loop Green City Market is open on Saturdays on Monroe from Peoria to Sangamon! My team and I are looking forward to another season of bringing City Hall to you! Due to weather, we will not be at the market on 9/19.
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Green City Market brings dozens of local farmers and food producers to our neighborhood every Saturday from May to November. To see what vendors participate across Green City Market's locations, click here.
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South Loop Farmers Market
Printers Row Park, 632 S. Dearborn St
Saturdays from 9am-1pm
The South Loop Farmers Market is back at Printers Row Park for another season! Stop by on Saturdays through October 31 to support local businesses and connect with neighbors.
Daley Plaza Farmers Market
50 W. Washington
Thursdays from 7am-2pm
Visit Daley Plaza on Thursdays from 7am-2pm for the Daley Plaza Farmers Market! This market hosts a variety of vendors, with offerings from fresh produce to prepared foods and more.
The Farmer at the Green
The Green at 320, 320 S. Canal
Tuesdays from 11am-3pm
The Farmer at the Green opens for another season at 320 S. Canal on June 2nd! This season runs until September 29 and brings over 25 local vendors selling seasonal produce, fresh floral arrangements, handmade goods, and artisanal products.
Chicago Vegan Farmers Market
Skinner Park, 1331 W. Monroe
Fridays, 4-8pm
Visit Skinner Park for the City's only all-vegan farmers market, beginning this Friday and running through September 25th! For updates on the market, visit their Instagram.
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Know Your Rights Resources
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Turn Lights Off to Protect Migratory Birds
Every spring and fall, millions of birds travel through the Chicago area. For more than two decades, Chicago has been a leader in light reduction efforts to protect these migratory birds. Please join participating buildings and turn lights off after 11 p.m. until daylight during migration and help save birds.
To learn more, visit the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors' website.
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West Loop Historic Plaques Project
The West Loop is steeped in history. In fact, we have 19 historical designations, four historic plaques, and one Chicago Landmarks plaque.
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Four more historic plaques are coming to the West Loop in summer 2026, including a UIC classroom, a condo building, and two parks!
To see the rest of the designations, please visit Connie Fairbanks' website.
If you live in a historic building in The West Loop and have historical information about your building you would like to share, please reach out to Connie to learn the process of installing your very own historic plaque!
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CAPS Meetings
Please join my team at upcoming CAPS meetings with the 1st and 12th Police Districts. CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy) meetings are a great opportunity to meet with police, neighbors, and my team about local safety initiatives. To find your beat, click here. I hope you can join us at these meetings!
There are no CAPS meetings in the 34th Ward next week.
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Camera Registration Program
When a crime occurs, Police Officers and Detectives canvass the area looking for evidence to determine what occurred. Video footage can greatly assist in their efforts.
If you have a private security camera that captures the public way and you are interested in assisting in an investigation in the event of a crime in your neighborhood, you can register your camera with the Chicago Police Department.
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By registering your camera, you are simply allowing the Chicago Police Department to contact you in the event of a crime in your area. CPD will not have direct access to your camera system and cannot access camera footage without your consent. This is a free and voluntary program. Learn more on the program website.
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34th Ward Infrastructure Improvements
All dates subject to change based on weather.
With any questions about planned infrastructure improvements, please email [email protected] or call 312-744-6820.
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Street Resurfacing Projects
- 900 block of S. Carpenter - completed
- W. Polk St., from S. Wells to S. Financial - completed
- W. Quincy, from S. Desplaines to end of street - under construction
- W. Rundell, from S. Morgan to S. Aberdeen - completed
- W. Marble, from S. Dearborn to S. Clark - TBA
- W. Warren, from N. Desplaines to end of street - under construction
- N. May, from W. Madison to W. Washington - completed
- W. Gladys, from S. Racine to S. Throop - under construction
- S. Throop, from W. Congress to W. Harrison - TBA
Stamped Crosswalks
- W. Taylor & S. Carpenter - completed
- W. Taylor & S. Aberdeen - Fall 2026
- W. Taylor & S. Miller - Fall 2026
- W. Taylor & S. May - Fall 2026
Alley Improvement Projects
- N/S alley bounded by Adams, Jackson, Wabash to State - completed
- N/S alley bounded by Arthington, Taylor, Carpenter to Aberdeen - completed
- N/S alley bounded by Lake, Jefferson, Fulton to Desplaines - under construction
New Alley Reconstruction Project
- E/W alley bounded by Lytle, Ada, Lexington to Flournoy - completed with punch list items to follow
Curb & Gutter Improvement Projects
- 901 - 927 S. Aberdeen - completed
- 103 - 109 S. Aberdeen - completed (restoration from fiber optic)
- 231-241 S. Jefferson - under construction
- 1004 W. Tilden - under construction
- 110 -120 S. Sangamon - completed
Alley Apron Replacement Projects
- 929 S. Aberdeen - completed
- 14 N. Peoria - under construction
Sidewalk Projects
- 1167 W. Madison - completed
- 1221 S. Wabash - completed
- 125 S. Sangamon - completed with punch list items to follow
Bump Out Installation
- W. Polk & S. LaSalle - completed
- W. Polk & S. Financial - completed
- S. Jefferson & W. Tilden - under construction
- W. Adams & S. Peoria - TBA
Residential Lighting Projects
- 1200 & 1300 blocks of W. Flournoy - new poles installed - punch list items to follow
- 1000 & 1100 blocks of W. Polk St. - project is delayed
- This project is currently facing material delays, which has halted overall progress. Similar delays occurring throughout the City are stalling projects and creating a backlog for contractors. However, we are hopeful that crews will be on-site within the next 2-3 weeks, with light pole delivery and installation occurring at the end of September. Following the installation, a final restoration will take place.
CDOT Electrical Improvement Projects
- W. Tilden, from S. Desplaines to S. Canal - currently in progress
- S. Jefferson, from W. Jackson to W. Tilden - currently in progress
- W. Van Buren, from S. Desplaines to S. Canal - currently in progress
Speed Indicator Signs
- S. Loomis, from W. Congress Pkwy. to W. Harrison (CWLA request) - coming Fall 2026
- S. Wells, from W. Harrison to W. Polk - coming Fall 2026
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State/Lake Station Closure
On Monday, January 5th, the State/Lake elevated station closed for demolition and the construction of a new, fully accessible station. The new station is expected to be finished in 2029.
As part of the ongoing State / Lake CTA Station Reconstruction project, a full closure has been implemented on State Street, from Wacker Drive to Randolph Street. Lake Street, between State Street and Wabash Avenue, will remain closed indefinitely. During this closure, emergency sewer repair work will also be completed on State Street.
Local business and driveway access on State Street will be maintained during the closures, and at least one sidewalk will be open at all times for pedestrians. CTA bus detour information can be found here. The underground CTA Red Line train station at Lake will remain open.
Upcoming Key Work Activities in 2026:
- Water main replacement on Lake Street.
- Retention system installation on State Street.
- Caisson installation on Lake Street.
- Micro-pile installation on Lake Street.
- Structural steel bent reconstruction on Lake Street.
These activities may result in louder noise and some vibrations in the area. Visit the project website to learn how the team is working to reduce these impacts.
Please note, all work is weather dependent.
To learn more about construction at the State/Lake station and local impacts, visit the CTA's website.
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Work is underway for the Canal Street Viaduct reconstruction.
Canal – Jackson to Van Buren
- On Friday, May 15, the contractor began work on the western portion of the Jackson intersection. The first phase of work will occur in the southwest portion. The second phase will then shift operations to the northwest portion of the intersection.
- The bus depot located at the southwest corner of Jackson and Canal will remain open throughout construction. Each phase is anticipated to last approximately four to six weeks.
Canal – Van Buren Intersection
- Framing for Stage 1 of the Van Buren intersection is underway. Deck placement is anticipated in early summer, followed by a stage switch to the northeast portion of the intersection.
If you have any questions, please email the project email address at [email protected].
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Lake Street Bascule Bridge Rehabilitation
Closure started on 10/6
The full street and sidewalk closure on the Lake Street Bascule Bridge is in effect and will last until January 2028. During the closures, access to nearby buildings and residences will be maintained for both pedestrians and vehicles.
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Eastbound traffic will be rerouted south on Des Plaines, east on Washington, north on Franklin, and east onto Lake St. Westbound traffic will be rerouted south on Wacker, west on Madison, north on Jefferson, and west onto Lake St. Click here for the full detour map. During this work, CTA Green and Pink lines will operate normally until September 2026. The work on the Lake Street Bascule Bridge is expected to be completed in January 2028.
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West Bridge House: Daytime construction activities are ongoing. Concrete work has progressed, and the new walls now extend above sidewalk level. Construction of the stairs leading to the Riverwalk level is anticipated in the coming weeks, followed by installation of a new, historically accurate copper roof.
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West Bridge Leaf: Structural steel repairs remain underway. Fabrication and assembly of the float-in leaf are complete. Electrical and track installation continue at the off-site assembly yard while crews prepare for the west leaf float-in operation.
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East Bridge Leaf: Fabrication activities have begun.
150 N. Riverside Upper Riverwalk Access: Pedestrian access from Lake Street to the 150 N. Riverside Plaza Upper Riverwalk is now open.
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Ashland/I-290 Expressway Viaduct Work
Traffic management is currently being implemented on Ashland Av from Flournoy St to Jackson St to facilitate the reconstruction of the west side of the Ashland Ave bridge.
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The project is anticipated to be significantly completed by October 2026.
This week, the contractor will continue to perform the median reconstruction work. The contractor is using daily lane closures to perform the remaining work on Ashland Ave within the project limits.
For road construction updates and general travel information please visit IDOT’s Getting Around Illinois website.
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The City of Chicago and Cook County are hiring! View their respective job posting sites below:
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West Loop Wellness Fest
Saturday, September 19,11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Union Padel Club, 207 N. Paulina St.
Visit the inaugural West Loop Wellness Fest, a community celebration of fitness, wellness, and movement! The afternoon will feature 30-minute fitness and wellness classes, introductory padel clinics and open play, interactive wellness experiences, giveaways, and opportunities to connect with local health and wellness professionals. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit Mercy Home for Boys & Girls.
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Wine Tasting & Jazz Night
Sunday, September 20, After 5 p.m. Mass
700 W. Adams, Hurley Courtyard
Young adults, join Old St. Pat's for a special evening of wine, jazz, and community! Enjoy a wine tasting led by McKenna Cassidy, parishioner and Certified Sommelier with Lux Wines, along with live jazz from The Jo Ann Daugherty Trio, featuring parishioner, jazz vocalist, and musician Jo Ann Daugherty.
Questions? Please contact Matthew Battaglia at [email protected].
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18th Annual Lawndale 5K Run & Walk
Saturday, September 26, 8–11 a.m.
Lawndale Christian Health Center, 3750 W. Ogden Ave.
Lace up and join Old St. Pat’s members and more than 2,000 neighbors from across Chicagoland for a day of movement, friendship, and community! Run, walk, roll—or simply come cheer everyone on and enjoy the free family fun fest, kids’ activities, awards, and raffles while supporting a great cause.
Old St. Pat’s members: Wear your official Old St. Pat’s cap if you have one. Don’t have a cap? No problem! One will be provided at the OSP check-in table before the event.
Want to run or walk the 5K? Registration is required, and you can sign up here.
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Gala Kickoff Party on the National Hellenic Museum Rooftop
September 24, 6-9 PM
333 S. Halsted
Kick off the weekend with The NHM Associates! Enjoy drinks, small bites, music, and views from 6pm- 9pm on NHM’s rooftop.
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Volunteer with Hope's Table!
The Hope’s Table ministry is designed to serve the needs of Chicagoans who are homeless or hungry and is sponsored by First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple.
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Saturday morning services typically include serving hot meals and food to go, distributing clothing, and connecting guests with legal support through DePaul University’s Neighborhood Legal Assistance Program. Grace Episcopal Church partners in many ways, most visibly by providing space at 637 S. Dearborn. To volunteer or donate, please contact their volunteer coordinator.
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Helping Cats Near You
4th Sunday of every month, 4pm - 6pm
Details here.
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Discuss how to help community cats through TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), what to do with kittens, ongoing colony management, preventing nuisance issues and much more!
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