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Happy Friday Neighbors!
As I am gearing up for a whopping ELEVEN block parties this weekend, I want to let you know about some of the other things we have going on in the ward this week: Our Policy Townhall is coming up on Monday! We will be discussing a number of topics and legislation related to government transparency, improving government services, comprehensive public safety, creating a livable city for all, and making sure that we have a city government that works for the people and not the special interests. We also want to hear from you so that we can make sure we are centering community priorities in the work we do. Infrastructure Improvements: Pardon Our Dust! We have so much work happening around the ward, and we want to make sure you know what is happening and how it will impact your day to day, so please make sure you are catching all of the updates week over week. Check out the construction and development section below for a run-down on what work is happening near you!
As a sidenote, we are currently seeing concerning traffic impacts at the Argyle/Western area. I have been in communication with multiple city departments (CDOT, DWM, OEMC, CPD, Mayor's Office) to identify short term and long term solutions to the congestion being cause by Department of Water Management work in the area. The work is crucial to maintaining sewer infrastructure and replacing lead service lines in the area, and we want to make sure that work is happening with minimal impact. In the immediate, the departments don't seem to have solutions for the Argyle/Western intersection, so if you see me out there with a large stop sign directing traffic, it's because I want to make sure our neighbors are safe, and I'm not going to wait around until something bad happens.
See you this weekend in the ward as I hop from block to block!
Yours in Service and Community, 
Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward Alder |
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| Save the Date: Policy Town Hall
Join us for our Policy Town Hall on Monday, August 31st from 6-8pm at DANK Haus (4740 N Western Ave)! We'll discuss the policy issues facing our city—everything from public safety, to affordable housing, transit, environmental justice, the city budget, immigrant and LGBTQ+ rights, and more—what we've tackled and what we're still working on. Then, we'll host breakout discussions so we can hear your ideas about what you want to see for our city's future.
Bring your ideas and concerns, but you can also come if you just want to learn more about City policy. Hope to see you there!
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| Bike The Drive with Alder Vasquez
Are you planning to go to Bike the Drive and would like a crew to roll with? We've got you covered! Alderman Vaquez, along with other community leaders and organizations are putting together a bus that will travel as one group to Bike the Drive. If you are interested, meet at Ainslie Arts Plaza at 6am on September 6th. The group will begin riding to "Bike the Drive" at 6:30am. We hope to see you there! |
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| Storm Related Power Outage? DFSS has $150 Food Assistance for Eligible Households
Was your family impacted by severe storms this summer? Households who experienced an extended power outage of 2 consecutive days or more as a result of the storms may be eligible eligible households may receive a one-time $150 Visa grocery gift card to help cover the cost of lost perishable foods.
To qualify, you must be a resident of the City of Chicago, with a household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Guidelines. You must also have documentation from ComEd verifying a power outage of 2 days or more.
Contact your nearest DFSS Community Service Centers to confirm availability and to schedule an appointment. The Northside DFSS center is at 845 West Wilson Avenue, and you can reach them at 312-744-2580. For more information, visit Chi.gov/CSC.
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| 40th Ward Environmental Board: Building Resilient Neighborhoods
On September 2, from 6 to 7:30 pm, Indivisible Lincoln Square is hosting a meeting at Sulzer Regional Library (4455 N. Lincoln Ave). Paul Naylor of the 40th Ward Environmental Board will be talking about the Sustainable Parkways Resolution, and will be joined by a panel of experts and local advocates discussing natural infrastructure—rain gardens, native plantings, trees, permeable paving––and its impact on combatting climate change, and how individual and local action can spur city and state action. RSVP at this link! |
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In the News
On the BlogEmergency Family Planning in Case of Detention: In the past month, we have seen a surge in ICE enforcement in Chicago. To help you and your family prepare in case you are targeted by ICE, we’ve included some resources on our website! August Immigration Debrief: check out our latest blog for an update on the latest news and policy updates affecting our immigrant and refugee community.
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| | Residential Street Resurfacing!The following streets will be resurfaced, starting in the next month! N. Campbell Ave from Granville to Glenlake N. Hermitage Ave. from Edgewater to Olive W. Balmoral Ave from Ravenswood to Ashland N. Winchester Ave from Balmoral to Berwyn W. Balmoral Ave from Hoyne Ave to Damen W. Carmen Ave from Oakley to Leavitt
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| Alley Resurfacing!The following alleys will be resurfaced, starting in the next month! Winona St/Carmen Ave/Ashland Ave/ Clark St Ainslie St/Gunnison St/Rockwell St/Lincoln Ave Thorndale Ave/Ardmore Ave/Rockwell St/Maplewood Ave
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| Elise Malary PlazaCatalpa 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 earlier this year, you can check out a recording of our pre-construction meeting to learn more about this project and its impact to the community.
This week and next week, crews are working on curbs surrounding the plaza. Next week, they will begin installing soil and irrigation inside the planters, before moving on to installing pavers. This work will have little to no impact on traffic. |
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| | Ashland Avenue ResurfacingStarting next week, crews will begin installing raised crosswalks in the 47th Ward from Montrose to Foster! Next week, they will set up detours, remove the existing pavement, and pour concrete for the raised crosswalk on the east side of the street. There will be street closures on the east side of Sunnyside, Ainslie, Carmen, and Winona. |
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| Road Closures on Ainslie StCrews are continuing sewer work at Ainslie and Oakley. As a result, the southbound lane of the intersection of Ainslie St and N Oakley Ave will be closed. The construction crew has thankfully been able to keep the one-way westbound part of the intersection open. The contractor is expected to have flaggers present for the remainder of the week to assist with traffic control. |
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| Manor Avenue ResurfacingRepaving of Manor and Leland has begun! 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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| Pure Barre Lincoln Square Pop-Up at Ainslie Arts Plaza!!
Pure Barre Lincoln Square will be hosting a pop-up class at the Ainslie Arts Plaza on Saturday, August 29th! The class will take place at 2:30 PM and will be 45 minutes long. RSVP here! |
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| Community Skating Event with Boards Across Borders
Join Boards Across Borders for a Community Skating Event at the Ainslie Arts Plaza on Friday, September 4th from 6:00 to 9:00pm! The event will feature skating activities for skaters of all levels, vendors, music, and more! |
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| Movies in The Parks at Park 599: Lilo & Stitch
Pack a blanket or lawn chairs and head to Park #599 for a free screening of Lilo & Stitch (2025) part of the Chicago Park District's Movies in the Parks series. The movie begins at dusk, so arrive early to find a spot and enjoy free popcorn before the show. Rated PG, Lilo & Stitch has a runtime of approximately 148 minutes and is fun for the whole family. Where: Park #599, 1623 W. Edgewater Ave When: September 3, Movie begins at dusk
This community event is underwritten by West Edgewater Area Residents (WEAR), with generous support from Anderson Point, the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce and Rogers Park Montessori School. |
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| JASC’s 80th Anniversary Block Party!
You’re invited to JASC’s 80th Anniversary Block Party on Sunday, August 30, 2026, from 12:00 to 4:00 PM at the JASC parking lot (5700 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60659). Come celebrate 80 years of JASC with Teriyaki hot dogs, ice cream from Rita’s Dessert Truck, family-friendly activities, and treasures from Grandma’s Attic, all at a fun, community-wide gathering that is FREE to attend! |
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| Warren Park Community Wellness Fair
On Sunday, August 30, 2026 from 10:00am to 1:30pm, the Warren Park Advisory Council is hosting a Free Community Wellness Fair at 6601 N. Western Avenue, Chicago and invites the community to attend. The event will include wellness demonstrations (Tai Chi, Yoga, and Somatic Dance), Tree Walk and Scavenger Hunt, Create a Memory Piece, and short films celebrating the people and places of West Ridge! |
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| Gardening and Wildlife Discussion at Warren Park
On Thursday, September 3 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Warren Park, 6601 N. Western Ave., Northtown Garden Society is hosting speaker Matthew Renfree from the North Park Village Nature Center. He will be giving a behind the scenes look at wildlife, plants, natural resources and activities at the 46-acre nature center. For more information click through to our website at this link! |
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| Hearing in Color at West Ridge Nature Park
West Ridge Nature Park will host a Hearing in Color Performance on September 2 at 6:00PM. This is a moving (literally) performance of an acapella choir that will stop in several places around the park and end in the Nature Play Space for about another half hour performance. |
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| River Crossing with Good City Group
On August 30th 2026 from 11am to 1pm the Good City Group is hosting a sound artist walk called River Crossing! Listen in layers to the sounds of River Park, and explore the history of parkland allocation and its superposition to the Chicago street grid, and assess what it means to create environments for everyone. Bring adequate sun and bug protection. Be aware that the starting point is different from the ending point.
You can RSVP at this link! |
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| HOPE’s Kitchen Free Meal: Tuesday 09/01
On Tuesday, September 1st, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church invites you to our HOPE'S Kitchen Welcome Meal. Enjoy a free, home cooked meal! 2727 W. Winona, between Budlong School and Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital. Join the first Tuesday of every month. |
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| Give Feedback on the CPD Superintendent SearchWhat do you want to see in the next Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department? The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) is conducting a nationwide search for Chicago’s next Superintendent of Police and they want to hear from you! Join an upcoming listening session: Wendesday, September 2nd at DePaul College Prep (3300 N Campbell) Thursday, September 10th on Zoom: Register here!
Can’t attend? No worries. You can learn more on the CCPSA website, and share your feedback at bit.ly/SupSearch26. |
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| | Public Safety TrendsOverall, violent crime is up 0.8% in the 40th Ward for the year so far compared to last year. Citywide, violent crime is down 8.6%. 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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Thank you to neighbors who joined us at Lincoln Square State of the Neighborhood this past week! |
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Our team got to attend a Senior Resource Fair at Levy Senior Center this week! |
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