Midnight Circus; Recyling Pop-Up

Hi neighbors,

I’m thrilled to share that the City Council unanimously passed a suite of amendments to the Chicago Ethics Code to prevent unethical conduct in the upcoming municipal elections. These reforms range from restricting gifts to City contractors and prohibiting officials from pressuring City employees for campaign cash to strengthening the ban on using uniformed City employees in firefighters and police officers in political ads. 

As Chairman of the Ethics Committee, I’m committed to improving Chicagoans’ trust in City Hall. Reforms like these are a step in the right direction. My thanks to the City’s Board of Ethics, the Better Government Association, and Reform for Illinois for helping push this across the finish line.

I also introduced two important pieces of the legislation. The first directs the City to audit its automated license plate reader vendors to ensure they’re not improperly using or sharing our personal data. The second requires clearer campaign disclosures for paid social media influencers. Chicago voters deserve to know whether they’re watching organic opinions of everyday neighbors, or paid ads coordinated by political campaigns.

Earlier this week, our office’s Youth Council met to kick off planning around our annual Participatory Budgeting process, through which the Council identifies a shortlist of neighborhood infrastructure projects for the entire ward to vote on. They also brainstormed opportunities to improve safety for e-scooter users, following the death of 16-year-old Lake View High School student Alex Blacio.

I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend. If you’re looking for something to do, consider swinging by Midnight Circus in the Parks in Welles Park, as well as the Andersonville Arts Weekend along Clark St. Both will be taking place tomorrow (Friday) through Sunday.

Also taking place on Sunday is the 5th annual Sustainability Fair at the North Center Town Square, where you can discover zero-waste products, learn more about composting, and find practical solutions for living more sustainably. 

And on Sunday afternoon, a family-friendly bike ride will be kicking off in North Center and traveling near the River and Horner Park, before ending at Mrs. Murphy’s & Sons for free live music.

Yours in service,

Ald Matt Martin

Chicago Must Audit Flock

Chicago has hundreds of license plate readers — basically our own version of Flock – and we need to know exactly where the data is going. 

After the State of Illinois conducted its own audit, they found our sensitive data was being shared with Border Patrol in violation of Illinois law. 

After that report, cities like Evanston immediately cancelled their contracts with Flock. But Chicago hasn't done enough.

Alderman Martin proposed Chicago do an audit of its own. If we’re going to put hundreds of surveillance cameras around Chicago, the least we can do is know who's watching – and who has access to our data. 

Learn more

Bike Buses Featured in Sun Times

Once a week, at many local schools, a group of kids and parents bike to school together in a bike bus to help kids ride to school safely.

Both the Waters Elementary and Hamilton Elementary's Bike Buses were featured in the Sun Times this week. Thank you to all of the parent organizers who make this tradition possible!

Learn more

Midnight Circus in the Parks

September 25th-September 27th

Midnight Circus is celebrating 20 years under the Big Top! Join them for gravity-defying thrills, boundless joy, & world-class circus! The annual Circus in the Parks Tour partners with parks and local community groups to bring world-class circus to every corner of Chicago.

Learn more

North Center Sustainability Market

Sunday, September 27th

Put on your reusable party hat and join the annual Sustainability Market! Bring your unwanted items for reuse, repurposing or specialty recycling. Looking for a costume for the trick-or-treater in your life? Check out the Conscious Costume Costume Swap!

Learn more

Andersonville Arts Week

September 25th-September 27th

The free, three-day event includes over 30 businesses and more than 50 artists representing multiple genres including visual art, theatre, dance, music, makers, student art and public art. Returning Arts Weekend mainstays include a Self-Guided Art Walk on all three days. The weekend culminates with Andersonville’s annual Fall Wine Walk on Sunday.

Learn more

Office Hours for Medicare, Immigration, Social Security

Friday, October 9th

Do you need assistance with a passport? An immigration issue? How about Social Security or Medicare?

You can get help right here in the neighborhood. The Office of U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth will host Mobile Office Hours on Friday, October 9th from 1 PM to 4 PM at Sulzer Library.

Constituent service representatives will be onsite to assist you with federal matters, including Veterans Affairs, Social Security, Medicare, Immigration, and more.

Learn more

Candidate Forum: School Board District 4A

Thursday, October 1st

Start Early is hosting a Virtual Candidate Conversation with the candidates running for Chicago's Board of Education. This conversation will include a brief overview of Chicago's early childhood landscape, followed by an opportunity for candidates to ask questions and respond to questions about their priorities for early childhood education.

Karen Zaccor and Ellen Sherratt, who represent District 4A, will be participating, along with others. 

Learn more

Lane Tech Cross Country 4K Fun Run

Wednesday, September 30th

Get ready to jog, laugh, and have a blast at the Lane Tech 4K Fun Run—let’s hit the pavement together! Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking for a good time, this

4K run is the perfect way to get moving and enjoy the community spirit. Meet at Horner Park at 6 PM.

Learn more

Welcome Corpore Sano Massage

1746 W Wilson

Welcome Corpore Sano Massage to Ravenswood. This goal-oriented massage practice offers a variety of services for all walks of life. Guests can stop by, say hello, check out the space. Come help give Corpore Sano Massage a warm neighborhood welcome!

Learn more

Taste of Uptown

Wednesday, September 30th

This restaurant crawl will feature small bites and samplings from Uptown eateries. Participants will receive a passport at check-in at Chicago Market, located in the historic and recently renovated Gerber Building (4620 N. Broadway), and stroll from restaurant to restaurant along the Broadway, Wilson, and Lawrence corridors, enjoying samples at various locations.

Learn more

I Am Your Neighbor Party

Friday, October 2nd

Common Pantry's I Am Your Neighbor Party turns 15 - and they're going bigger than ever! They'll be taking over the North and South buildings of Artifact Events with three incredible live bands, games, and more than 60 of the neighborhood's best restaurants, distilleries, and breweries. Dance, laugh, eat, and drink while benefitting Common Pantry!

Learn more

Apply: North Side Youth CCPSA Commissioner

Are you a young leader (18–24) from Chicago’s North Side who is passionate about public safety and police accountability? A seat is opening on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA), and the District Council Nominating Committee is seeking applicants now through October 18. 

Learn more

Shape 19th District's Strategic Plan

Thursday, October 8th

Chicago’s District Strategic Plans help each police district identify and address the public safety issues most important to its community. The 19th District will hold two community conversation meetings to gather input for next year’s plan. The first meeting will be October 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sulzer Regional Library.

Learn more

Ashland Resurfacing

Final pavement markings for the and sewer structure cleaning are projected to be done by mid-October. A separate residential lighting project on Ashland between Lawrence and Winnemac is also currently finishing up. 

People's Gas will be digging on Ashland between Addison and Waveland next week for a necessary, but routine, service cutoff, restricting northbound traffic from 2 lanes to 1 for only one day after the morning rush hour. People's Gas has agreed to expedite the restoration, which will happen at most three weeks from the initial dig date.

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This Year: Upcoming Projects

• Water Main Replacement near Leavitt and Lawrence
• People's Gas Projects on Greenview from Roscoe to Grace

This Weekend

• Midnight Circus in the Parks, September 25-27th, Learn more
• Andersonville Arts Weekend, September 25th, Learn more
• Children's Resale Event, September 26th, Learn more
• Sustainability Market, September 27th, Learn more
• Yoga at Ravenswood Fellowship, September 27th, Learn more
• Burning Bush Fall Fest, September 27th, Learn more
• Ride Illinois Community Bike Ride, September 27th, Learn more

Next Two Weeks

• Taste of Uptown, September 30th, Learn more
• Dance on the Sunnyside Mall, September 30th, Learn more
• What the Constitution Means to Me Theatre, October 1st, Learn more
• I Am Your Neighbor Party, October 2nd, Learn more
• Apple Fest, October 2nd-4th, Learn more
• Community Art Class, October 3rd, Learn more
• Amundsen Athletics Golf Outing, October 4th, Learn more
• Albany Park Neighborhood Choir Discovery Day, October 6th, Learn more
• Spooky Bike Ride, October 7th, RSVP
• Office Hours with Senator Duckworth's Office, October 9th, Learn more
• Oktoberfestiversary, October 10th-11th, Learn more

Late October

• Senn-toberfest, October 16th, Learn more
• Mobile City Hall and Vaccine Clinic, October 17th, Learn more
• Cornelia Arts Studio Open House, October 16th-17th, Learn more
• Lincoln Roscoe Beer Stroll, October 17th, Learn more
• Lincoln Square Music Crawl, October 17th, Learn more
• OpenHouse Chicago, October 17th-18th, Learn more
• Revere Park Chilli Cook Off, October 19th, Learn more

Community Job Boards

Looking to work locally? Many of our local chambers of commerce offer job boards to help highlight openings at local businesses. Find more information at the following links:

• Andersonville
• Lakeview/Roscoe Village
• Lincoln Square/Ravenswood
• Northcenter
• Greater Ravenswood