|
The 2nd Ward Newsletter for September 28, 2026
In This Edition:
|
|
Chicago's 2027 Budget
Dear Neighbors,
Chicago faces a projected $882.4 million deficit for 2027. Today, I joined 28 of my colleagues in urging Mayor Johnson to begin with three commitments for the 2027 budget: no property tax increase, no head tax or other tax on job growth, and no counting on state funding that has not been approved.
You can read the entirety of that letter here.
For context: Last year, the City Council rejected the mayor’s proposed head tax and passed an alternative 2026 budget. I signed on to that budget because it created new and productive forms of revenue opportunities rather than saddling residents with an even larger bill through regressive taxes. Unfortunately, several revenue measures in that budget have yet to produce the money projected because the administration did not implement them.
Mayor Johnson owes the legislative branch and the public a clear account of what his administration has done to follow the budget ordinance from last year. The administration also needs to look deeper at what revenue can realistically be collected. In the absence of that, my colleagues and I will hold the line on taxes that hurt working Chicagoans.
We will also protect essential services from being cut and used to balance a budget. Mayor Johnson's 2026 budget proposal sought to cut funding for library books and materials in half, along with eliminating librarian positions — another egregious proposal that the council rejected. Thankfully, the final budget restored that funding and those positions.
Before asking Chicagoans to pay more, my colleagues and I will do what we did last year: pursue savings by reducing vacant positions and management overhead, improving procurement practices, controlling overtime, reviewing programs that duplicate one another, and other solutions.
|
|
2nd Ward Vaccine Clinic: TODAY
 Have you received your flu shot for this year? Jewel-Osco and I are providing free vaccines at the 2nd Ward Vaccine Clinic TODAY, September 28, at Lake Shore Park. This event will last until 6:00 pm, and participants can get vaccines for the flu, COVID-19, shingles, RSV, pneumonia, TDAP, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, MMR, and HPV. There will be an offering of the Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine, which generally has fewer side effects and longer effectiveness. Click here to learn more.
Click here to book a free appointment to receive a vaccine.
Thank you to Jewel-Osco, the Lake Shore Park Advisory Council, and the Chicago Park District for co-sponsoring this event to bring vaccines to the residents of the 2nd Ward.
|
|
Mobile DMV Clinic at Lake Shore Park
 Last Wednesday, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and I hosted a Mobile DMV Clinic at Lake Shore Park, giving 2nd Ward residents a quick, convenient way to get their REAL ID, driver's license, state identification card, vehicle registration stickers, and organ donor/voter registration. I was pleased to help residents connect with the Secretary of State's office and easily access these services.
Thank you to Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias for co-sponsoring this event and the Chicago Park District for coordinating use of the facility.
|
|
SOAR Good Neighbor Week Streeterville Cleanup
My staff and I were pleased to join the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR) to commemorate the start of Chicago's inaugural Good Neighbor Week by cleaning up Streeterville. I was delighted to see so many neighbors come out early on Saturday and help pick up trash around the ward.
It is important that we all do our part to keep our city clean, and I appreciate SOAR for organizing this event to promote environmental responsibility and neighborliness.
|
|
Lord Mayor of Dublin Visits Chicago
Last week, 2nd Ward Committeeman Tim Egan and I had the honor of meeting with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daryl Barron. During our conversation, we discussed economic partnerships between Dublin and Chicago, tourism initiatives, and strategies for governing in our respective cities.
According to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, "between 2009 and 2022, trade ties exploded: exports from Illinois to Ireland grew over 600% to more than $1 billion, and imports from Ireland to Illinois grew over 400% to more than $3 billion." Chicago and the surrounding region benefit immensely from increased collaboration and partnership with Dublin and Ireland more broadly. I look forward to further cooperation between our two cities.
|
|
ELA Taverna Ribbon Cutting in Old Town
 Last week, I had the opportunity, along with the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association, to welcome ELA Taverna to Wells Street. Serving Greek cuisine from coffee and sweets to skewers and salads, their much-anticipated space will officially open this Wednesday, September 30.
Find more information about ELA Taverna here: https://www.elataverna.com/.
|
|
2nd Ward Mobile Office At the Division St Farmers Market
As a reminder, my 2nd Ward Mobile Office is at Clark & Division every Saturday from 8:00 am to 11:00 am (weather permitting). It is always a pleasure to speak with constituents and visitors enjoying the market.
As the farmers market season winds down, make sure to stop by the 2nd Ward Mobile Office and say hello before it wraps up at the end of October! Stay tuned to this newsletter for future Mobile Ward Office locations at winter markets in the ward.
|
|
2026 General Election: November 3, 2026
The 2026 General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2026, and I encourage you to make a plan to vote. The Chicago Board of Elections offers several easy ways for Chicago voters to cast their ballots:
- Downtown Early Voting – Beginning October 1, 2026, voters may cast their ballots at the Chicago Voting Supersite (137 S. State Street) or the Chicago Board of Elections Offices (69 W. Washington Street).
- 50 Ward Early Voting – Beginning October 19, 2026, voters may cast their ballots at the designated Early Voting Center in their neighborhoods, or at any one of the Board’s 52 universal Early Voting sites.
- Election Day Voting – On November 3, 2026, all 1,292 precinct polling places are open from 6:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m., in addition to 51 of the Board’s universal Vote Centers. Check for acceptable ID forms to bring to the polls.
- Register to Vote – Voters should check chicagoelections.gov to register or update their information.
- If a voter chooses to register to vote through a deputy registrar, Illinois Secretary of State branches and other qualifying state agencies, library branch offices, by mail, or the Chicago Board of Elections Office at 69 W. Washington Street, that deadline is Tuesday, October 6.
- From Wednesday, October 7 through Monday, November 2, “grace period” registration is available at the Chicago Board of Elections Office at 69 W. Washington Street or in person at any active polling place at the time of casting a vote.
- Online voter registration remains available through Sunday, October 18, 2026.
- Voters who need to register after that online deadline must do so in person at an Early Voting location or at the polls on Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, with certain identification requirements.
|
|
Street Sweeping
The Department of Streets and Sanitation continues to operate its regular street sweeping schedule. Residents can view street sweepers in real time using the Sweeper Tracker online tool.
"Sweep Around Us" — a third-party email reminder service used for street sweeping alerts — has rebranded as "We The Sweeple." Click here for more information.
Click here to find the Street Sweeping section of my website. An interactive map of all seven street-sweeping sections is included, along with the full schedule of 2026 sweeping dates. Residents are encouraged to mark their calendars for respective sweeping dates in the event that they have visitors or are out of town.
Scheduled for cleaning on Tuesday, September 29: Section 3 (Purple), Section 4 (Red), Section 5 (Yellow)
Scheduled for cleaning on Wednesday, September 30: Section 4 (Red), Section 5 (Yellow), Section 6 (Green)
Scheduled for cleaning on Thursday, October 1: Section 6 (Green)
Scheduled for cleaning on Friday, October 2: Section 7 (Brown)
Scheduled for cleaning on Monday, October 5: Section 7 (Brown)
|
|
Smart Streets Ticket Enforcement
Please be aware that the Department of Finance is implementing Smart Street Enforcement for Street Cleaning tickets in the 2nd Ward. While members of the Department of Finance will continue to enforce parking restrictions for street sweeping, tickets will now be sent via mail rather than paper being placed on the vehicle itself.
|
|
18th District Community Conversation 1st Session: Wednesday, September 30
Each year, the Chicago Police Department hosts Community Conversations throughout the city to engage with Chicagoans in the creation of their district’s strategic plan for the following calendar year.
The 18th District is having its Community Conversation First Session on Wednesday, September 30, at Park Community Church (1001 N Crosby) at 5:30 pm. The Community Conversation Second Session will take place on Wednesday, October 21, at 5:30 pm.
Click here to learn more.
|
|
Apply to Become a CAPS Community Leader
The Chicago Police Department is accepting applications from the community to become a Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) community leader. A CAPS Community Leader is a community resident who partners with the Chicago Police Department to strengthen community relationships, promote engagement, support problem-solving efforts, and help build safer, stronger neighborhoods.
Click here to learn more.
|
|
CCPSA Accepting Applications for Youth North Side Commissioner: Now through October 18
 The District Council Nominating Committee is now accepting applications from young adults residing on Chicago’s North Side to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA). The application period is open through October 18, 2026.
Under the CCPSA Ordinance, at least two Commissioners must reside on the North Side, two on the South Side, and two on the West Side. The ordinance also requires two Commissioners to be between the ages of 18 and 24 at the time of appointment.
Click here to learn more.
|
|
18th District CompStat Report
The Computer Statistics report (CompStat) is a weekly report of incidents that occurred in the respective police district. Each district compiles a statistical summary of the week's crime complaints, arrests, and data analysis.
|
|
|
Recent Carjacking Arrests:
Community Alerts:
Additional High-Profile Arrests:
|
|
Updated 2026 Chicago Police CAPS Meeting Schedule
The Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) Beat community meetings are a key part of the Chicago Police Department's strategy of partnerships and problem-solving. These meetings are held in person, with the option to participate remotely, and are an excellent way to communicate with the officers who patrol your beat and to engage with and meet your neighbors.
The entirety of the 2nd Ward falls inside the 18th District. Click here to find which beat you reside in. You may also call 312-742-5778 or email [email protected] for more information about the 18th District CAPS office.
Please note that no further Zoom meetings have been scheduled for 2026.
|
|
Construction and Development Updates
|
|
|
State & Elm Building Construction
This month, the construction project at the former Barnes and Noble at State and Elm has begun caisson foundation drilling, which is expected to continue for the next two to three weeks. Upon completion of the caisson work, the construction team will proceed with the installation of the project's earth retention system. Trucking activity will remain ongoing as materials are delivered to the site and excavated soil is removed. The construction team has been coordinating these operations to minimize impacts on the surrounding neighborhood whenever possible. Over the coming months, site activity will continue to increase as foundation and excavation work progress. If you have any questions or concerns about this project, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
|
|
Northwestern Medicine Construction Website
For those who live in Streeterville near the Northwestern Medicine site bounded by N Fairbanks Ct, E Huron St, N McClurg Ct, and E Erie St, or those who are just interested in the latest construction updates, the project team is maintaining a regularly updated construction information website. The project is currently in a subterranean demolition phase. Multiple levels of blast-proof basement were left behind by the former Lakeside Veterans Affairs structure. Because they were built to withstand bomb blasts, the current demolition phase is quite disruptive. Vibration and dust monitors are located in and around the site, and, if certain thresholds were to be crossed in either category, work is brought to a halt until the issue is resolved. Please click here to visit the website.
|
|
|
General 2nd Ward Infrastructure Updates
Construction season is winding down. Crews are putting the finishing touches on streets and alleys, building pedestrian safety improvements, and replacing street lighting. Here are some highlights of ongoing or upcoming infrastructure improvements in our ward. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. My office always stands ready to answer questions about these or any other infrastructure projects in our ward and to receive your suggestions for future consideration.
- Chestnut St complete lighting replacement from Mies van der Rohe to Lake Shore Dr
- Status: Concrete restoration crews are on site and actively working this week
- State Pkwy resurfacing from Scott to Schiller
Status: Project start is pending on spot curb and gutter replacement on the 1300 block of State Pkwy
- Dickens Avenue resurfacing from Clifton to Racine
Status: Requested early in 2026 but on hold while fiber optics (Lumen) project is completed
- If still necessary after fiber optics restoration, will be done in 2027
- Huron St resurfacing from St. Clair to Fairbanks (completed)
- Inner Lake Shore Drive resurfacing from E Lake Shore Dr to Ohio (completed)
- Southport/Belden intersection reconstruction (completed)
- Pearson St parkway improvements (completed)
- Southport Ave resurfacing from Webster to Fullerton (completed)
- E Chicago sidewalk replacement (completed)
- Wells St replacement of lighting fixtures on existing poles from Division to North Ave (completed)
- Magnolia Ave resurfacing from Webster to Belden (completed)
- Wabash Ave resurfacing from Huron to Superior (completed)
- State Pkwy resurfacing from Schiller to Burton (completed)
- McClurg Ct resurfacing from Ohio to Ontario (completed)
- Delaware Pl resurfacing from Clark to LaSalle (completed)
- Blackhawk St resurfacing from Sedgwick to Larrabee (completed)
- Magnolia/Belden detached pedestrian bump-outs (completed)
- Schiller between LaSalle and Clark: center line striping (completed)
- Alley apron and sidewalk replacement on North Ave from LaSalle to the western alley (completed)
- Clover Playlot Improvements*
(*For the safety of parkgoers, the park is closed while major renovations take place)
- Status: Crews are putting finishing touches on park; reopening will occur later this week
- Removal of dead trees
- Installation of artificial turf in areas prone to flooding
- Refreshed decorative hardscaping along the existing walking path (new pavers and decomposed granite finishes).
- Construction of a brand-new Gaga Ball court
|
|
Update on the Division Street Streetscape
Phase 1 work is underway (center lane work). Sewer work has begun.
These streetscape improvements have been designed by the Chicago Department of Transportation in close cooperation with community representatives and my team. Highlights include:
• Roadway geometry improvements
• Full-width roadway resurfacing
• New wider paver sidewalks
• New curb and gutter
• New street lighting
• ADA ramps and crosswalks
• New pavement markings and signs
• Tree plantings and landscaping
• Site furnishings
Throughout construction, Division Street will remain open to motorists and pedestrians, and access to businesses and residences will be maintained. During the final stage of construction, westbound traffic will be temporarily detoured. Please watch out for parking restrictions for equipment staging on nearby streets.
Construction review meetings are being held weekly by CDOT when construction is underway. These meetings are open to the public and provide residents and businesses with the opportunity to ask questions and coordinate concerns regarding construction.
For additional information, please call the Department of Transportation at (312) 744-5900 or visit the project website here.
|
|
Chicago Furniture Bank
 The Chicago Furniture Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in July of 2018, that serves as an intermediary between Chicagoans who have extra furniture and those who need it. They provide furnishing packages that include beds, couches, armchairs, dressers, desks, and more.
Additionally, the Chicago Furniture Bank provides jobs to at-risk youth by hiring directly from non-profit organizations, reduces environmental waste by saving furniture from landfills, and provides a convenient removal service for donors.
To learn more about the Chicago Furniture Bank and get involved, click here.
|
|
Chicago Lights Tutors Needed
 You can make a difference in a child's life by volunteering as a tutor for just 90 minutes one night a week! Students are paired 1:1 with caring adult mentors and supported through innovative resources, mindfulness practices, and career development that help prepare them for higher education and future careers.
The tutoring year runs September 28, 2026, to May 12, 2027. Tutoring occurs on Mondays from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm via Zoom, or in person on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6:00–7:30 pm at the Gratz Center inside Fourth Presbyterian Church (126 E. Chestnut)
To volunteer, please apply here. For more information, visit the Chicago Lights website or email the Tutoring Program.
|
|
C3 Fall Conservation Corps Training
 The Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) collaborates with partners across the city to inspire and fund lasting change through grassroots community organization and climate action. C3 is planning and beginning info sessions for its Fall 2026 Sustainability Leadership Training, which is virtual and focused on the food systems in Chicagoland.
Classes are pay-what-you-can (including $0) and are weekly for 8 weeks. You can learn more and register here.
|
|
Pet Blessings and Adoption Event at First St. Paul's: Saturday, October 3
 First St. Paul's Chicago (1301 N LaSalle Dr.) is having an adoption and pet blessing event on Saturday, October 3, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
Stop by for complimentary dog and cat treats and a blessing for your furry friend.
PAWS Chicago will have adoptable puppies at the event.
|
|
Chicago Marathon Street Closures: October 11
 Please be aware that the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2026. To accommodate the marathon, there will be temporary street closures and traffic restrictions.
Streets in the 2nd Ward will be closed to traffic starting at 6:00 am on October 11 and will reopen by 2:00 pm at the latest as more than 55,000 participants pass through the area. Below is a list of streets within the 2nd Ward that will be affected by these closures.
- Columbus Dr between Monroe St and Grand Ave
- Grand Ave between Columbus St and Dearborn St
- Dearborn St between Grand Ave and Jackson Blvd
- LaSalle St between Jackson Blvd and Stockton Dr
- Stockton Dr between LaSalle Dr and Fullerton Dr
- Sedgwick St between Webster Ave and North Ave
- North Ave between Sedgwick St and Wells St
- Wells St between North Ave and Wacker Dr
Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of streets that will be closed; it is a list of streets in our immediate area. For a full list of street closures and their approximate reopening times, click here. Access to other streets in the area not directly on the course may be affected during this timeframe.
The towing of vehicles along the course and other posted No Parking zones will be enforced beginning at 1:00 am on Sunday, October 11. Vehicles remaining on the street will be ticketed and towed to the nearest auto pound. For inquiries about towed vehicles, call 312.744.4444.
If you have any questions, please contact the Chicago Marathon by emailing [email protected] or visit chicagomarathon.com for more information about the event.
|
|
RNRA "I Love River North" Happy Hour: September 29
 The River North Residents Association will be hosting an "I Love River North" Happy Hour on Tuesday, September 29, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at F1 Arcade, located at 1 W Grand Ave. Tickets start at $40, which includes appetizers, two beverages, and a $5 donation to the Healthy Schools Campaign.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
|
|
SOAR Farm to Table To Pier Celebration: October 1
 Join the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR) on Thursday, October 1, to celebrate SOAR and the Farmers Market at Harry Caray’s Navy Pier, located at 700 E Grand Ave. This annual celebration will take place from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm, and will include cocktails, appetizers, a seated dinner, and lots of surprises.
Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.
|
|
RNRA Dog Pop-Up: October 3
 Join the River North Residents Association for a Dog Pop-Up event on Saturday, October 3, at Montgomery Ward Park, located at 630 N Kingsbury, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.
Attendees will get free dog goodies and a chance to meet the RNRA sponsors who keep this dog-friendly area clean and usable for all pets. And since Halloween is around the corner, dog costumes are highly encouraged.
|
|
Pitch In For The Parks: October 4
 The River North Residents Association and the Chicago Park District are hosting a "Pitch In For The Parks" event on Sunday, October 4, at Montgomery Ward Park, located at 630 N Kingsbury. Volunteers will work from 9:00 am to 11:00 am to help keep Ward Park clean for the community by picking up trash. This event is free, fun, and family-friendly.
To register to attend, please click here.
|
|
Gold Coast Neighbors Association Dog Happy Hour: October 4
 On Sunday, October 4, the Gold Coast Neighbors Association will be hosting Pups & Pints: a dog happy hour from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at She-nannigans, located at 16 W Division. Attendees can bring their dogs to watch football, enjoy discounted drinks and complementary appetizers, and socialize with their neighbors and their furry friends.
Admission is $15, and registration is requested. Click here to register.
Walk-ins are accepted. Only well-behaved and socialized dogs are permitted, and all dogs must be leashed.
|
|
|
|
