40th Forward Newsletter
Words from Alderperson Vasquez
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Dear Neighbors,
I hope you and your loved ones had a very happy new year!
First off: thank you to all of the neighbors who voted in this year's People's Budget! 2,219 people voted in this year's budget, online and in-person at our ballot box locations across the Ward. Our team is busy tabulating votes now, so we look forward to reporting back next week with the winning projects!
This week, I attended a CCPSA listening session about CPD involvement with ICE.
It has been over 200 days since June 4th, the first documented incident of CPD appearing to assist ICE agents in unlawful immigration enforcement.
On June 4th, members of our Committee team witnessed a mass detention at a downtown immigration office. Immigrants showed up for what they were told were routine check-ins, and when they arrived, they were separated from their loved ones and detained without access to their attorneys (which is against the law). While there, our team witnessed CPD officers appearing to actively assist ICE, setting up a traffic perimeter around the area, and coordinating with agents.
The next day, we introduced an related to CPD or any city agency’s interactions with federal agents during this incident. On July 1st, we held a hearing where we were assured, over and over again, by CPD that their officers did not assist in immigration enforcement.
Since then, our team has , including 12 hours of bodyworn camera footage in which officers appear to be advising federal immigration enforcement agents on how to more easily transport detainees, offering to block traffic with CPD vehicles to allow ICE vehicles to more easily access the parking lot, and more. If this is not assisting ICE, it’s hard to imagine what would count as assistance.
This is not a one-time thing. Since June, there have been many other reports that show a clear gap between CPD’s actions and both the letter and the spirit of the Welcoming City Ordinance. Last month, CPD vehicles were recorded providing an escort to CBP vehicles as they wreaked havoc on our city. ICE agents have routinely used CPD lots to refuel their vehicles. At the meeting last night, we heard accounts of CPD officers piling onto peaceful protestors, blocking them from exercising their legal right to record federal agents, and more.
We cannot call ourselves a Welcoming City if we are not willing to uphold the laws that make us a Welcoming City. During our hearing on July 1st, it became clear that the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) does not believe that investigations of the Welcoming City Ordinance fall within its scope of investigation. Without that hearing, it is unclear whether the incident would have been investigated at all. As a result, we have introduced an ordinance () to clarify the scope of COPA's authority, so we can make sure that violations of our laws are being properly investigated by the body that is required to investigate CPD wrongdoing.
Calling ourselves a welcoming city is a sham if we have no mechanism for accountability for officers who violate our laws by assisting ICE agents in their campaign of destruction. We have seen the violent and reckless disregard federal agents have for our communities. We’ve seen them shoot a rapid responder, fire pepper balls at journalists, tear gas entire neighborhoods in the presence of children. This week, in Minneapolis, they shot and killed Renee Good in front of her family for doing nothing but trying to express concern about her neighbor being abducted.
We know who is making our community unsafe: it’s not immigrants. It’s the federal government. We should be able to trust that local law enforcement is working to protect Chicagoans, instead of the agents who are terrorizing our community.
It is also absolutely fair to point out that the City Council and Mayor Johnson could be doing more than giving lip service, especially when the boss of CPD and the Superintendent is the Mayor of Chicago. More can be done and needs to be done.
In the coming weeks, I look forward to hearing next steps from CCPSA on clear and concrete steps for providing accountability for CPD officers. In the meantime, I encourage any Chicagoans who witness CPD appearing to assist in immigration enforcement—or any other government officer breaking the law while participating in immigration enforcement—to report it to the Committee's form at , so we can do our best to make sure they are held accountable.
In the meantime, I look forward to seeing some of you at our first ward night of the year, next Monday from 5:00-6:30pm at the ward office!
In Solidarity and community,
Andre Vasquez
Alderperson, 40th Ward
40th Ward Office Hours:
Monday: 10am-5pm
Tuesday: 10am-5pm
Wednesday: 10am-5pm
Thursday: 10am-5pm
Friday: phones and appointments only!
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Top Stories
2026 Shared Sidewalk Cost Program
Applications for the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program opens on Monday, January 12th at 6am! The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program offers property owners a low-cost option to replace the sidewalk in front of their home, by sharing costs with the city. Costs typically range from $1,000-2,400. Applications are taken on a first-come, first-served basis and spots run out very quickly, so we recommend applying right at 6am! You can apply through , by calling 311, or through the CHI311 app. Find out more at
Meet Delaney!
Welcome Delaney Kaufman, the 40th Ward's newest team member! Delaney (she/her) is a recent graduate from DePaul University with a Bachelor’s in Political Science with a concentration in International Politics and a minor in Applied Diplomacy. She was originally born in Chicago and spent her early childhood in the city’s south suburbs. At 10, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she finished her coming of age, before returning to Chicago for college. She has held internships in several government offices previously, including the Office of Congressman Mike Quigley, an Oireachtas Parliamentary Member in Ireland, and State Representative Kelly Cassidy’s office! When she is not working at the Ward office, she’s doubling up on her public servant duties as Constituent Advocate at State Representative Kelly Cassidy’s office. In her free time, Delaney loves singing, making music, cooking and baking, reading a good book (and spending money on books, which are two different hobbies), and trying new coffee shops and restaurants with her partner.
In the News
- , Chicago Sun Times
- , Block Club Chicago
- , Block Club Chicago
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Construction & Development Updates
Zoning Proposals
2415 W Peterson
Feedback is now open until January 19th for a rezoning request from B3-2 to C1-2 for 2415 W Peterson Ave. to allow for usage as a cannabis dispensary by Eagle Dispensaries of Illinois, LLC. Learn more about this project by watching the and !
Construction Update
Asphalt is complete between Foster and Ridge! Repaving for Ashland Avenue from Montrose to Foster will pick up again in Spring when the asphalt plants reopen. The signage crew has also started work in Phase 1 (from School to Montrose) and will move to Phase 3 (Foster to Ridge) later in the season. For more on details and timeline, .
The concrete bike medians are complete along Pratt Boulevard! Remaining activities include installing signage for the new concrete bike medians and modifying striping in a few sections.
The 40th Ward section of Ravenswood Avenue is complete! Only minor punch list items remain, which will be addressed at the beginning of the construction season.
We’re now in the final stretch of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape! Furniture and signage has been installed, and crews are currently installing light shields on the new light poles along Lincoln. CDOT has also temporarily closed the northern turning lane from Ainslie to Western heading south. This change is necessary while CDOT completes the installation of new traffic lights and adjusts signal timing to align with recent improvements to the turn lane and bike lanes.
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Community Events & Opportunities
See below for upcoming events in our ward! To view all upcoming and past events, visit our .
CCPSA 020 Monthly Meeting
On January 12th from 6-7:30pm, CCPSA - 020 District Council is hosting a monthly meeting at Margate Fieldhouse (4921 N. Marine Dr.). Join us to discuss your ideas and concerns regarding public safety and policing in the 20th Police District. Learn about the 20th District's 2026 District Strategic Plan (DSP) from members of the 20th Police District Leadership. Receive updates on COPA's investigation into the recent officer involved shooting in the 20th District.
Apply to be an Election Judge!
The next election in Chicago will be the March 17, 2026 Midterm Primary Election, and the Chicago Board of Elections is looking for election judges! Election Judges are paid to manage the precinct polling place and assist voters, including:
- Arriving at 5am on Election Day to set up equipment;
- Opening the polls on time at 6am on Election Day;
- Issuing the correct ballots to each voter and help voters with registration and other questions, from 6am–7pm
- Completing all reports after the polls close.
Apply online at !
Winter Classes at CMAA for 2026
CMAA is excited to share that they are offering FREE Winter English and Healthcare classes that will run from January 20 to March 27, 2026. This session includes several English class levels offered both in person at their Broadway location (4873 N. Broadway) and online. Learn more by contacting [email protected] or calling 773-784-2900.
Holiday Tree Recycling
Through January 17th, the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation will be accepting Holiday Tree recycling at 27 locations citywide. Learn more !
Reduce Waste Chicago's Holiday Lights Collection
Reduce Waste Chicago’s annual Holiday Lights Collection campaign is back — and bigger than ever! Last year, they collected 4,618 pounds of lights from 40 locations across 18 wards. That brought their four-year total to 10,574 pounds of lights diverted from the landfill. This year, helped by a $5,000 grant from Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program, they're expanding to more wards across the city, making it easier for more Chicagoans to recycle broken string lights responsibly. Learn more !
Park Voyagers at River Park
Join the Chicago Park District this winter to discover the fun of Chicago's World-Class Museums through engaging hands-on activities and projects run by museum educators! This program is free but registration is required! February 2nd - March 6th, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:30-5:30pm in River Park at 5100 N Francisco Ave. Register at
 Stitch Circle at Budlong Woods Library
The Budlong Woods library, located at 5630 N. Lincoln Ave., hosts a monthly Stitch Circle on the 2nd Sunday of each month from 2-3:30PM. Bring materials for your current project to stitch and socialize at their monthly learning circles. Share your skills, explore new project ideas and get tips from others. All experience levels are welcome. Ready to try something new? They can help you get started with limited on-hand supplies. This program is for adults and teens.
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Community Safety
Public Safety Updates
- On January 5th, 24th District Police have arrested a person whom they have identified as one of the potential offenders in the armed robbery on the 6600 block of N. Maplewood Avenue. He has since been charged. We have no additional information available at this time.
Public Safety Trends
Overall, violent crime was down 24.7% in the 40th Ward in 2025 compared to 2024, and the 40th Ward remains in the top 10 safest wards! Citywide, violent crime is down 22.7%. See below for a breakdown of citywide and 40th Ward statistics across all categories.
To learn more about crime trends, visit the city's
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Ward Snapshot
CCPSA Listening Session on CPD Involvement with ICE at Thalia Hall
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