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Dear Neighbors,
As Chicago continues to experience extreme cold—especially over the next 48 hours—I hope you’re staying warm and taking care to be safe. If you missed it, please refer to our we shared yesterday with important cold-weather tips, warming center information, instructions to request wellness checks, and other resources to help you and your neighbors stay safe. While our office is closed today due to the severe weather, please email [email protected] and we can assist you remotely.
This past week, I was glad to speak with the Blaine Elementary civics class about what it means to serve as an Alderman and how young people can get involved and make their voices heard in civic life. I also visited the downtown with other elected officials from across the city. This exhibit serves as a powerful reminder that we must never let history repeat itself, and that we all share a responsibility to stand up to antisemitism and hate in all its forms.
 
In public safety news, we want to share an update on several recent cases of armed robberies and burglaries. Over the past several weeks, the Chicago Police Department has made arrests and filed charges connected to incidents that occurred on the and the . The arrest related to the 3100 block of Broadway was supported by the work of CPD’s Robbery Task Force, while the suspect connected to the 3400 block of Halsted incident was apprehended approximately 20 minutes after the offense occurred. We appreciate the swift response and continued investigative work by CPD, and we will continue to share updates on major cases.
The Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce is hosting live ice sculpting in the neighborhood on Saturday, January 31st and Sunday, February 1st. Watch master ice carvers transform massive blocks of ice into crowd-inspired creations, enjoy complimentary bites from local food trucks and warm beverages, and take in a free, family-friendly event that’s also perfect for a winter date night. Sculpting will take place near the Paulina Brown Line on Saturday and at St. Alphonsus Church (1429 W Wellington) on Sunday, no registration required.
We’d also like to spotlight programming from one of our incredible community institutions, Center on Halsted. Tomorrow alone features a wide range of ways to connect and give back, including a Volunteer Orientation for those interested in supporting the center’s work, the Golden Diners Hot Meals program for seniors, an Intergenerational Trans Storytelling Group, and both senior and all-ages yoga sessions focused on wellness and stress relief. These are just a snapshot of the many welcoming, affirming, and weekly recurring programs Center on Halsted provides year-round for our community. See their full events calendar .
 
As our office and the City more broadly continues to evaluate the presence of delivery robots in our neighborhoods, following our recent ward survey, 311 has launched a new way to report issues related to these devices. Residents can now flag concerns directly to relevant agencies if delivery robots are blocking sidewalks or streets, interfering with accessibility, or otherwise creating problems in the public way. You can see for details on how to submit a report so your experiences can help inform the City’s ongoing review of this pilot program, which if not renewed ends in May 2027.
We are still welcoming feedback on the proposed development at 1040 W Belmont, which would replace a current one-story building with a five-story mixed-use building featuring two ground-floor commercial spaces and 28 new apartments. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office—we value hearing from neighbors as we review this proposal. You can also find more details about the project on our website .
Chicago Restaurant Week officially kicks off today and runs through February 8th! It’s a great excuse to get out and support our local restaurants while enjoying some excellent deals. The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce has put together a helpful guide highlighting neighborhood spots participating in Restaurant Week, with special prix fixe menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner at set price points. If you’re looking for ideas on where to dine locally, be sure to check out their guide and enjoy all that Lakeview East’s food scene has to offer.
In legislative news, I voted in favor of City Council’s recent ban on certain intoxicating hemp products, while supporting key exceptions for hemp-derived beverages such as THC drinks. I previously voted in committee against a blanket ban that made no distinctions, but I believe this updated ordinance is more tailored to address products operating in a legal gray area that are sometimes marketed in ways that appeal to children. This approach better balances public health and safety concerns with support for responsible local breweries and other small businesses.
At this month’s City Council meeting, I was also honored to pass resolutions recognizing several remarkable individuals whose lives and legacies have left a lasting mark on our community and city. We celebrated the 99th birthday of lifelong Lake View resident , while also honoring the lives of those we lost, including legendary LGBTQ+ advocate , whose fearless advocacy helped shape a more inclusive Chicago; beloved neighborhood leader (you can read a moving tribute to Chester on the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce’s website ); and , a remarkable educator. It was a privilege to lift up these stories in City Council and ensure their contributions are formally recognized and remembered. You can click each name above to read the full resolution.
Please note that our office will be closed on Thursday, February 12th due to Lincoln's Birthday, a State holiday.
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Have a great weekend,
Alderman Bennett Lawson
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LAKEVIEW DOG PARK - DONATION PAGE
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OLMCA OPEN HOUSES JAN 25th & FEB 13th, PLAYGROUP
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ST ANDREW'S SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE - JAN 25th
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APPLY TO BE A CHICAGO FARMER'S MARKET VENDOR - JAN 30th
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LAKESHORE FITNESS STUDENT ART CONTEST - DUE JAN 31st
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LAKEVIEW EAST DIVE BAR CLASSIC - FEB 9th-MAR 1st
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ART INSTITUTE FREE ADMISSION - WEEKDAYS THRU FEB 27th
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ST ANDREW EARLY LEARNERS PROGRAM - JAN 20-MAR 13th
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FREE VIRTUAL LEGAL SEMINARS (NEXT ON Feb 18th)
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ANNOYANCE THEATER LIVE PODCAST - EVERY SUNDAY
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NETTELHORST 2D RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER - EVERY THURS
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MERLO LIBRARY - JANUARY & FEBRUARY PROGRAMS, ALL AGES
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- Tummy Time - Tuesdays 1/6-2/17 Except 1/27, 10:30am (0-5 months)
- Baby Time - Thursdays 1/8-2/26 Except 2/12, 10:30am & 11:30am (6-23 months)
- Family Story Time - 2/14, 10:00am (0-5 years)
- Lego Club - Tuesdays 1/6-2/24, 3:30-4:30pm (4-13 years)
- Uno Tournament - 2/7, 2-4:30pm (11+)
- Photography Scavenger Hunt - 1/27, 4:00pm
- Crafts - 1/26, 2/1, 2/9 various times
- Monthly Book Club - 2/21, 3:00pm
- Painting - 1/27, 2/24, 11:00am
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EXPANDED REAL ID SATURDAY SERVICES
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FRIENDS OF TUBMAN ELEMENTARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
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APPLY TO BE AN ELECTION JUDGE - ROLLING BASIS
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To submit a small business for our weekly shoutout, please complete the .
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PUBLIC SAFETY & 19th DISTRICT WEEKLY REPORT:
January 12th - January 18th
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 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 :
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Below you'll find Week 3'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 35%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2025 are down 53%
- Year to Date, Aggravated Battery is down 11%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2025 is down 31%
- Year to Date, Burglaries are down 55%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2025 they're down 46%
- Year to Date, Thefts are down 38%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2025 they're down 30%
- Year to Date, Motor Vehicle Thefts are up 50%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2025 they're up 60%
For a list of crime definitions, please see CPD's website .
See full report below:
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19th DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETING - JAN 28th
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MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE RESOURCES
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SCOOTER REPORTING
Please click to submit a scooter removal request and 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 !
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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 or . 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 .
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TIPS FROM TOMMY K - JANUARY
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GARBAGE & RECYCLING
Recycling pick-ups for the 44th Ward are occurring the week of February 2nd. 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 to see the full list of job openings currently seeking applicants.
Local government employment opportunities:
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44th WARD 2026 COMMUNITY MEETINGS
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