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Dear Neighbors,
I hope everyone had a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving, reconnecting with family, friends, and neighbors. As a reminder, under City ordinances, sidewalk snow must be cleared promptly after snowfall by property owners and businesses with a five-foot path required on adjacent sidewalks and corner ramps. Keeping sidewalks accessible protects older adults, people with disabilities, and all of us. You can learn more about these rules and how to report uncleared sidewalks here.
Despite the cold, I was glad to join neighbors for the World AIDS Day gathering at AIDS Garden Chicago, standing alongside advocates and longtime leaders to honor those we’ve lost and recommit to the work ahead. Read more about the ceremony here. I was also proud to join the Kenney family and so many supporters for the unveiling of the honorary Herbert “Nuts on Clark” Kenney Way—a fitting tribute to an iconic Chicago business and the joy it has brought to generations of residents and visitors.
 
In public safety news, the Chicago Police Department has released its November 2025 in Review report, outlining year-over-year crime trends and departmental updates. Citywide homicides fell 26% compared to last November, and shootings declined 24%, with year-to-date homicide totals remaining at their lowest levels since 2014. The report also outlines opportunities for community input through CPD’s 2026 Training Needs Assessment here.
Our office is also seeking information that may assist two Lakeview residents involved in a reckless driving hit-and-run at Belmont and Sheffield at about 7:00am on Monday, December 1st. The driver struck their vehicle while traveling south on Sheffield, causing injuries to both residents and the heartbreaking loss of their dog, before continuing southbound. A photo of the sedan involved is attached here, and we are especially hoping to locate video footage that clearly captures the license plate. If you live, work, or commute near this intersection and may have footage showing a license plate, please contact our office. Your assistance could make a meaningful difference in helping the victims and supporting the investigation. Hear more about the case on NBC5 here.
Tonight, the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce will host the Southport Holiday Cocktail Crawl, a festive way to kick off the season along the Southport corridor. From 5:00-9:00pm, attendees can choose between two curated routes, each offering holiday-themed cocktail tastings at local businesses, plus carolers, photos with Santa, and plenty of seasonal cheer. A few tickets remain for anyone looking to enjoy a lively evening while supporting local businesses. See details and tickets here.
Also tonight at 6:00pm, Gallagher Way will host its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, a free community celebration featuring performances by the Blaine Elementary Choir, the Lola Bard Carolers, plus complimentary hot cider while supplies last. After the lighting, neighbors can explore Winterland festivities, visit the Christkindlmarket, ice skate, shop, and see Santa. Gallagher Way is also partnering with Nourishing Hope for a Toy Drive, with donations accepted through December 22nd at collection boxes inside the gate. For nearby residents, Monday and Tuesday ice skating is 50% off with proof of a local address through February 15th. See Winterland at Gallagher Way's website here for all details.
 
In City Council this week, I co-sponsored a pilot program that would allow residents to report recorded instances of vehicles blocking crosswalks, bus lanes, and bike lanes. This proposal reflects growing recognition that these obstructions create real safety risks for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. Similar programs in New York City and other cities have empowered residents to help keep streets safer and more accessible, and I look forward to continued discussion on how we can implement this here in Chicago. See the ordinance here.
I also signed onto a letter to Mayor Johnson with a majority of my City Council colleagues, outlining an alternative 2026 budget rooted in fiscal responsibility and long-term stability. The letter urges the City not to borrow for operating expenses, which credit rating agencies have explicitly warned is contributing to Chicago’s deteriorating credit outlook and therefore our higher cost of borrowing. It also includes making our full advance pension payment, maintaining youth employment programs at 2025 levels, and restoring enforcement of the City’s environmental benchmarking ordinance, which requires owners of large buildings to track, verify, and report their energy consumption. The proposal also identifies new revenue options such as augmented-reality advertising, calls for implementing efficiencies identified in Ernst & Young’s operational audit of Chicago city government, and more. You can read the full letter here.
As 2026 budget discussions continue, we’re still gathering feedback from neighbors. If you haven’t yet shared your thoughts, please take a moment to fill out our budget survey here. We appreciate your input on revenue ideas and potential efficiencies to inform our work at City Hall. We’re also still collecting survey feedback on the presence of delivery robots from companies like Serve and Coco in Lakeview. Whether you’ve encountered one on the sidewalk, used them for deliveries, or have concerns or suggestions, let us know your experiences here to help shape our conversations with operators and City departments.
Please be aware of closures along Western for the annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade, which occurs the first Sunday of each December. The event begins at 9:30am at the south end on 83rd and Western, and will proceed north until 4:00pm.
As temperatures continue to drop, a quick reminder on preventing frozen pipes: the Department of Water Management recommends keeping heat consistent, especially in basements and crawl spaces, insulating any exposed pipes, and running a small trickle of cold water from the tap farthest from your main service line during extreme cold. If a pipe does freeze, never use an open flame to thaw it; instead, use a hair dryer or heating pad to warm the area safely. You can read the City’s full guidance here.
Chicago’s Winter Overnight Parking Ban is now in effect from 3:00–7:00am on arterial streets in the city shown here through April 1st. This ban does not include any streets within the 44th Ward unless we have over two inches of snowfall. See details on both the overnight parking ban and also the two inch rule here. Please always check posted signs before parking.
Our office will shift to 9:00am-2:00pm holiday hours beginning Monday, December 22nd. We will be closed December 24th–26th and December 31st–January 2nd. Our normal Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm hours will resume on Monday, January 5th.
A reminder that we have 2026 daily parking passes available, which are valid now through the end of next year. Consider purchasing ahead of time for any holiday visitors!
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Have a great weekend,
Alderman Bennett Lawson
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44th WARD COMMUNITY FOOD BOX
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BURLING PARK HOLIDAY CAROLING - TONIGHT
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SOUTHPORT HOLIDAY COCKTAIL CRAWL - TONIGHT
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OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL CHRISMAS MARKET - TOMORROW
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TUBMAN ELEMENTARY FUNDRAISER - TOMORROW
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HAWTHORNE SCHOOL HOLIDAY FAIR & FUNDRAISER - DEC 11th
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INTER-AMERICAN HOLIDAY MARKET - DEC 11th
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FRIENDS OF TUBMAN FUNDRAISER - DEC 18th
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HAWTHORNE SCHOOL FUNDRAISER - 20% OFF STATIONERY
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BURLING PARK FUNDRAISER - 20% OFF STATIONERY
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COMMISSIONER GAINER DONATION DRIVE - THRU DEC 8th
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LVHS TOY DRIVE - THRU DEC 11th
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FREE VIRTUAL LEGAL SEMINARS (NEXT ON JAN 21st)
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APPLY TO BE AN ELECTION JUDGE - ROLLING BASIS
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LAKEVIEW DOG PARK - DONATION PAGE
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WEISMAN PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
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COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SURVEY ON CPD TRAINING
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REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK - CHICAGO INSPECTOR GENERAL
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REAL ID NOW AVAILABLE IN APPLE WALLET
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To submit a small business for our weekly shoutout, please complete the form here.
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PUBLIC SAFETY & 19th DISTRICT WEEKLY REPORT:
November 24th - November 30th
Local Public Safety Statistics:
My office is in regular contact with the 19th Police District about crimes that have occurred recently in our area and that are reflected in the statistics below. The majority of 19th District crimes have occurred outside of our ward. The 19th District also includes the surrounding neighborhoods of Uptown, Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Bricktown, Ravenswood, and Lincoln Square.
Please view our website's public safety page here for both proactive measures to stay safe before crimes occur, and also how to respond in the event of a crime.
In order to stay safe, please find the most relevant key safety tips below, and the full list of CPD's safety tips here:
-General
-Personal
-Robbery-specific
-Vehicle-specific
Below you'll find Week 48's CompStat breakdown of crime in the 19th District.
Please note, these statistics are a reflection of the entire 19th District. The boundaries are from Lawrence Ave to Fullerton Ave, from the Chicago River to the Lake.
Here are the key points:
- Year to Date, Robberies are down 26%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 are up 50%
- Year to Date, Aggravated Battery is down 9%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 is down 41%
- Year to Date, Burglaries are down 28%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 they're down 73%
- Year to Date, Felony Thefts are down 11%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 they're down 13%
- Year to Date, Misdemeanor Thefts are down 11%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 they're down 21%
- Year to Date, Motor Vehicle Thefts are down 35%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 they're down 8%
For a list of crime definitions, please see CPD's website here.
See full report below:
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MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE RESOURCES
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SCOOTER REPORTING
Please click here to submit a scooter removal request and here for Divvy bike removal. We appreciate your assistance in helping keep our neighborhood clean. By contract, shared bike and scooter companies must remove their property within two hours of a 311 removal request.
Please contact our office directly if you see illegal/dangerous activities on green Lime scooters (riding on the sidewalk, two people sharing one scooter, etc). We are able to work with Lime to potentially administer fines, suspensions, or bans if you can include a photo/video of the behavior, and a time and location.
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See below for ongoing construction and infrastructure projects in our neighborhood and on our website here!
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REPORTING POTHOLES
Please report any potholes you see by entering in all requests through the 311.Chicago.Gov website for those in the street or alley. If possible, be sure to upload images as well so crews are able to identify the exact location.
For more severe potholes that may need immediate attention, please reach out to my ward office either by email ([email protected]) and include the location and images of the pothole or by calling the office at (773-525-6034).
If your vehicle was damaged due to a pothole, you may be entitled to a financial claim here.
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UPCOMING STREET RESURFACINGS
Please see below the list of streets that have begun resurfacing:
Briar from Broadway to Sheridan has an estimated completion date of 12/19, weather permitting. A sweeper will go through the area to remove snow, after which the crew will spray a prime coat and then pave.
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HALSTED ARTERIAL RESURFACING
Halsted Arterial Resurfacing - Halsted from Clark to Waveland Ave.
The resurfacing and restriping project has been completed. The rainbow crosswalks are currently being repainted. Several are complete, and the rest should be finished within the next few weeks.
This work is part of the Chicago Department of Transportation’s Arterial Street Resurfacing - North Area Project, in the 44th Ward. Bigane Paving Co. is the general contractor for this project and Wight & Company is providing resident engineering services for the Chicago Department of Transportation.
The project includes ADA sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removal and replacement as needed for ADA and drainage compliance, pavement patching, milling and paving the existing asphalt pavement, and striping.
Please be mindful of temporary “No Parking” signs as required for the activity listed above. These temporary signs restrict parking during working hours, while adhering to rush hour restrictions, for the completion of the work.
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TIPS FROM TOMMY K - DECEMBER
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GARBAGE & RECYCLING
Recycling pick-ups for the 44th Ward are occurring the week of December 8th. You can find your full garbage and recycling pickup schedule .
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See below for a list of job fairs, networking events, and more!
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THE CITY IS HIRING
Looking for a job? Try working for the City! Click here to see the full list of job openings currently seeking applicants.
Local government employment opportunities:
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44th WARD 2025 COMMUNITY MEETINGS
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