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Good afternoon neighbors and Happy Independence Day weekend!
I hope that each of you and your families are doing well. This year has been flying by, and this week the weather itself has proven to be a challenge, but we have all made it this far, and you all deserve a weekend to unplug a bit and rest.
Tomorrow, 40th Warders from across our community will celebrate Independence Day at Winnemac Fourth For All, a remarkable community celebration organized by the Winnemac Park Advisory Council. After years of organizing this, it just keeps getting and better with fun activities for the whole family. I am incredibly proud of how our neighbors come together to create events like this. It is a fireworks-free event, which is appreciated by our seniors, veterans living with PTSD, families with very young children, pet owners, and many more.
I know that it is very traditional to celebrate by setting off fireworks, but it is illegal to do so without a permit. There are ways to organize formal fireworks events and we are happy to support those efforts as a ward office. The illegal activity however can lead to fire and other damages. Just in our ward alone fireworks at Winnemac Park led to turf damages that cost you as a tax payer tens of thousands of dollars at the Stadium years ago. With the new baseball field, we are glad that the celebration at Winnemac Park will be a balanced one that takes that into consideration.
Citywide, the alley fireworks and the time that the city is covered in fireworks does complicate things for our Officers as they address actual violent crime, and spread the resources thin for both our CPDs - Chicago Police Department and Chicago Park District. I ask that our neighbors are mindful to the impacts of the fireworks as they celebrate.
I can’t mention our Police Department without acknowledging that we are going through a substantial change, as Police Superintendent Larry Snelling has announced that we will no longer be serving as such. Superintendent Snelling has served with distinction in his role - displaying a thoughtfulness and spirit of accessibility and collaboration that was much needed after Superintendent David Brown left. Superintendent Snelling, although we had our disagreements, is someone who cares about our city nd the people in it. He is a fierce advocate for the team he leads, and understand that public safety is more than just police. He understand the partnerships with all stakeholders is crucial. I am grateful for his leadership, his partnership, and what he’s done to move us forward after the past administration.
His shoes will be impossible to fill, and his nomination to the role is a testament to the Community Commission on Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) under the leadership of former President Anthony Driver. It shows the value of creating this body, as their deliberation and community engagement process - just a year after the body’s inception - led to one of the best nominations/appointments I’ve seen since taking office.
As we look to see who our next Superintendent will be, our office will partner with members of the CCPSA to keep you informed on the nomination and community engagement process. We’ll be partnering with our very own 20th District Councilor Deirdre O’Connor, 24th District Councilor Keo Jean-Joseph and CCPSA Youth Commissioner Angelique Guzman to organize a community informational in the next month to keep you up to date on everything!
Additionally, our office was made aware of the detention of an immigrant neighbor in Edgewater that has led to financial hardship for the neighbor’s family. If you’d like to support the family, you can do so through a GoFundMe that was set up through a family friend.
Yours in Service and Community, 
Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward Alder |
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| Illinois Secretary of State: Plate Watch Hotline
As federal immigration activity intensifies once again in Illinois, it’s important for everyone to remember that it’s illegal for anyone, even federal ICE agents, to drive on public streets without proper license plates, or to tamper with, cover, or swap out plates in any way.
If you spot anything that doesn’t look right, we’d really appreciate your help by reporting any potential violations to the State of Illinois’ Plate Watch Hotline at (312) 814-1730 or [email protected]. |
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| Arcadia Terrace Community Meeting: July 14th Arcadia Terrace Neighbors, please join Alder Vasquez for a community meeting on Tuesday, July 14th ! At this gathering, neighbors will have an opportunity to meet Alder Vasquez and receive updates related to services, safety, development, and community building! Neighbors can RSVP by scanning the QR code above or by visiting this link! |
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| FREE Catalytic Converter Etching Event Join the 40th Ward, the Chicago Police Department District 20, and Jiffy Lube for a free catalytic converter etching kit installation on Saturday, July 18th! Appointments are mandatory and you can register at bit.ly/etch40th! |
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| 40th Ward Office Closed on Friday, July 3rdThe 40th Ward Office will be closed on Friday, July 3rd as part of a City of Chicago Holiday to commemorate the 4th of July. The office will re-open on Monday, July 6th. If you have any requests, please leave us a voicemail at 773-654-1867 or use 40thward.org/contact to submit a constituent service request. |
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| 40th Ward Back to School Supply DriveFrom now through July 30th, the 40th Ward will be accepting school supply donations as part of our back-to-school supply drive! Neighbors can drop off supplies at 5620 N. Western or visit bit.ly/40thbacktoschool to place direct orders through the 40th Ward’s school supply wish list! Neighbors can also visit the CPS website to view a list of accepted supplies. Please note that the 40th Ward will not accept used materials. |
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| Winnemac Park Advisory Council’s Fourth for All
Join us for Winnemac 4th for All on Saturday, July 4th! Starting at 10am, the Winnemac Park Advisory Council will host a free community celebration with activities including: an art fair, family picnics, yoga class, an all-star baseball game, raffles, disc golf, magic shows, tarot readings, face painting, balloon animals, food trucks, soccer, lawn games, music, and more!
At 7pm, the main event, the Full Moon Jam firedancers, will begin. As a reminder, there are no fireworks allowed at Winnemac Park! This is true every year, but particularly this year, because we want to make sure we keep our new turf field and other improvements from being damaged.
We hope to see you on the 4th! |
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| | In the News
On the BlogHomegrown Purchase Assistance Program: The Chicago Department of Housing announced the HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program, which helps low- to moderate-income Chicago households achieve homeownership through financial assistance! The program is designed to expand access to affordable homeownership to Chicagoans that might otherwise be priced out of homeownership due to rising housing costs, by providing grants to cover down payments and closing costs.
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Community Zoning Meeting: 2648-58 W. Lawrence
Join the 40th Ward for a virtual community meeting on Monday, July 20th from 5:30pm-6:30pm to learn more about a proposal to rezone 2648-58 West Lawrence Ave from B3-2 to B2-3 to allow for the construction of a new 5-story residential building with retail space on the bottom floor. Register at this link!
To learn more about the project, visit 40thward.org/2648lawrence! |
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| Elise Malary PlazaCrews began work on Elise Malary Plaza last week! As a reminder, Catalpa between Clark and Ashland is now permanently closed as a result of the new plaza being constructed. If you missed the pre-construction meeting we held last month, you can check out a recording here.
This week: crews have completed the sewer crossing at Catalpa Avenue and Clark Street, the pavement patching on Catalpa Avenue and Clark Street, and have begun the removal operation on Catalpa Avenue. There are no anticipated traffic interruptions as a result of this work.
Next week: crews will continue with the removal operation on Catalpa Avenue, begin the installation of the irrigation system on Catalpa Avenue, remove the steel plates over the patch at Catalpa Avenue and Clark Street, and reinstall the temporary pavement markings on Clark Street. Crews anticipate intermittent traffic delays as a result of this work. |
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| | Lincoln Avenue StreetscapeThe second and final phase of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape Project is almost at the finish line! The new lights are functional and the no left turn signs have been added. The two right lanes from Lincoln to Western are now open. |
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| Manor Avenue ResurfacingThe long-awaited resurfacing of Manor Avenue has begun! Crews are currently excavating and pouring concrete for curb and gutter and alley aprons along Manor from Lawrence to Montrose. Following concrete work, they will mill the existing asphalt, adjust any sewer structures, and then repave the street, followed by pavement markings. The entire process takes around 3-4 weeks.
While the street will remain open for the duration of this work, there will be lane closures as needed to facilitate this work, so please plan for additional time on your commutes! We apologize for the disruption, but looking forward to a smoother, safer Manor Avenue. |
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| | Ashland Avenue ResurfacingRecently, crews have been working on roadway patching, structural adjustments, and concrete medians. The city anticipates this work to continue for the next three-to-four weeks. Additionally, crews have also been adjusting manholes and utility structures within the roadway and patching concrete in unsuitable portions of the road surface from Montrose Avenue to Foster Avenue. After the July 4th holiday, crews will complete the final layer of asphalt. Traffic lane closures will continue as needed to facilitate this work, so please allow additional time for your commute! |
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| Community Vinyasa Yoga Class at Ainslie Arts Plaza
Local yoga teacher Alexa Vacala will be hosting a Community Vinyasa Yoga class every Thursday evening from 7:30pm-8:30pm at Ainslie Arts Plaza, starting July 2nd, 2026. This all levels, FREE yoga class is a wonderful opportunity to get outside and move your body. For more information and day of weather updates, DM Alexa on Instagram @alexavacala. |
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| Filming Notice | Indie Film @ 2100 W Summerdale | 7/6-7/17
Hiffclanger Productions will be filming scenes for an independent feature, titled BLOCK PARTY along the 2100 block of Summerdale on weekdays only between July 6–17 on the 2100 Block of W Summerdale, between Leavitt St. and Hoyne Ave.
Emergency vehicles will always be allowed through. For accessibility needs or time-sensitive access text the producers. Thank you for your patience and support!
On-Site Contacts: Hallie Palladino (408-386-4796) & George Segress (425-633-4847).
If you have additional questions regarding this or other filming in Chicago, you can contact the City of Chicago Film Office at 312-744-6415 |
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| Alzheimer's Association Brain Health Presentation and Fitness Demo
Please join the Alzheimer’s Association, in collaboration with the Japanese American Service Committee for a brain health presentation and fitness demonstration! The event will take place on July 9th from 6pm - 7pm at the Japanese American Service Committee office (5700 N Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60659). This is an open invitation to anyone in the community interested in exploring how fitness positively impacts brain health. Join us for an engaging discussion on this important topic. |
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| Movements of Many: 10 years of Ishti
On July 9th from 6-8pm, the Chicago Park District is hosting Movements of Many: 10 years of Ishti at Green Briar Park (2650 W. Peterson). The event will include free performances, rangoli crafts, food vendors, and LOTS of dancing. It's an all ages, family friendly event. Attendees are asked to bring their own blanket/chairs. |
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| Budlong Woods Library Butterfly Reading Garden Celebration The Budlong Woods Library invites the community to join in a celebration marking the official opening of their new Butterfly Reading Garden! This event features brief commentary from several guests, a poetry reading from Chicago Poet Laurette Mayda del Valle, an indigenous people's land recognition by American Indian Association of Illinois President Dorene Wiese, drummers and dancers from the Black Hawk Performance Company, refreshments, and garden crafts! |
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| | Public Safety TrendsOverall, violent crime is down 7.0% in the 40th Ward for the year so far compared to last year! Citywide, violent crime is down 9.5%. See below for a breakdown of citywide and 40th Ward statistics across all categories. You can visit the City of Chicago’s Violence Reduction Dashboard to learn more! |
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| | Had a blast at Pride with the 40th Ward team! |
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Bike-a-Palooza was a cruise! |
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| The Ribbon at has officially been cut at Paper Bunny Press, hop on over! |
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| Thank you to all the neighbors who volunteered at the Indian Boundary Park cleanup! |
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| Thank you to all who attended the Green Infrastructure Strategy Listening Session hosted by the 40th, 46th, 47th, 48th, and 49th Wards! |
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