Chag Sukkot sameach to neighbors observing Sukkot starting this evening!
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September Updates From City Hall
At Wednesday's City Council meeting, I introduced an ordinance cracking down on data centers, a source of growing resident concern as data centers are spiking utility bills, polluting our air, and draining our clean water. The Mayor proposed a year-long moratorium, which could be delayed for months or years if it faces litigation, all while developers could continue to break ground on new data centers. My ordinance would immediately require data centers to be treated as Planned Developments in zoning districts where allowed, mandate community review and additional environmental enforcement, and prohibit data centers entirely in certain districts where currently allowed. It’s disappointing that my colleagues are trying to bury this in committee, but I’m going to keep standing up for this commonsense path to tackle this problem immediately.
At yesterday's Committee on Finance, we voted to advance a change in control for the Parking Meters, and I support the revised deal and believe it is a win for Chicago taxpayers. Under the agreement, the City receives $75 million upfront plus 5% of Calculated Net Income for the remainder of the concession. I had significant concerns about how that income is calculated, so I dug into the numbers and built my own model using conservative assumptions. My analysis puts the present value to taxpayers at approximately $139.2 million. I would have preferred the cleaner Net Operating Income structure, but after doing the math, the deal checks out. A link to my financial model can be found here.
Wednesday also saw the passage of the amended plan for the development at 23 S. Sangamon. As previously shared in this newsletter, developers are moving forward with a 70-unit building at 23 S. Sangamon. I worked to ensure the update also included community benefits for Mary Bartelme Park, including public restrooms, a top priority for neighbors who frequent the park. The 3- and 4- unit bedroom units will make it easier for families to find a home in the West Loop.
I joined colleagues in calling for hearings about Amtrak's proposed Midwest Maintenance Facility at at the Canal Street Rail Yard. Neighbors have expressed significant concerns about how this new facility would impact the area's environment, traffic, and noise, and hearings will be an important opportunity to learn more about this project.
Also on Wednesday, we celebrated Latine Heritage Month and the vibrant Latine community across our City. Also yesterday, I recognized the service of Donna Weems, who retired this summer after serving as the Regional Director of the Renaissance Court Senior Center at the Cultural Center. Under Donna’s leadership, Renaissance Court grew to be a community where seniors from across Chicago can gather, create, learn, and celebrate each other. I am grateful for her service and the opportunity to work alongside her to support seniors.
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LaSalle Central Small Business Improvement Fund
Applications opened Sept. 1!
The Department of Planning and Development's Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) is open for applications in the LaSalle Central TIF district through September 30. SBIF provides reimbursement grant funding for permanent building improvements and repairs.
Please contact my office with any questions about this process.
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Grant Park Participatory Budgeting
Voting open through Sept. 30!
The Chicago Park District is giving community members a direct voice in deciding future Grant Park improvements through the Grant Park Participatory Budgeting (PB). To learn about the proposed projects, please click here.
Voting runs September 1st–30th. Vote online now or in-person at Maggie Daley fieldhouse or Women’s Park fieldhouse. Every vote helps shape future investments in Chicago parks. Participants must be at least 13 years of age and Chicago residents to vote.
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Serve as a Poll Worker for the November 3rd General Election!
The Chicago Board of Elections is seeking poll workers for the November 3, 2026 General Election, including bilingual election judges who speak Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Korean, and Tagalog. To learn more and apply, please visit the Chicago Board of Elections website.
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Help Keep Chicago Clean!
By picking up your trash and disposing of your recycling in the blue carts, you can take a big step toward making sure our streets, parks, schools, libraries, beaches, and businesses look their best. Find resources to help you become a cleanup champion here.
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VFW Scholarships
Apply by October 31, 2026
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is offering two scholarships for students. The Patriot's Pen scholarship is designated for students in grades 6 -8 and is an essay writing contest. The Voice of Democracy scholarship is designated for grades 9-12 and is an audio recorded essay.
Click the images below to learn more and apply.
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Pet Blessing
Friday, October 2, 5:30pm
Mary Bartelme Park, 115 S. Sangamon St.
Bring your best friend for a special Pet Blessing as Old St. Pat's celebrates the Feast Day of St. Francis!
All are welcome to join for this special blessing of our beloved pets. Dogs, cats, rabbits, pocket pets, reptiles, fish, and all pets are welcome.
There will be free treats and a special gift for both you and your pet!
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Green City Market - West Loop
Saturdays from 8am-1pm
900 W. Monroe
The West Loop Green City Market is open on Saturdays on Monroe from Peoria to Sangamon! Due to upcoming fall events in our community on Saturdays, we will not be tabling at the market for the rest of this season.
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Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Saturday office hours this summer, and keep an eye out in this newsletter for other upcoming events!
Green City Market brings dozens of local farmers and food producers to our neighborhood every Saturday from May to November. To see what vendors participate across Green City Market's locations, click here.
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South Loop Farmers Market
Printers Row Park, 632 S. Dearborn St
Saturdays from 9am-1pm
The South Loop Farmers Market is back at Printers Row Park for another season! Stop by on Saturdays through October 31 to support local businesses and connect with neighbors.
Daley Plaza Farmers Market
50 W. Washington
Thursdays from 7am-2pm
Visit Daley Plaza on Thursdays from 7am-2pm for the Daley Plaza Farmers Market! This market hosts a variety of vendors, with offerings from fresh produce to prepared foods and more.
The Farmer at the Green
The Green at 320, 320 S. Canal
Tuesdays from 11am-3pm
The Farmer at the Green opens for another season at 320 S. Canal on June 2nd! This season runs until September 29 and brings over 25 local vendors selling seasonal produce, fresh floral arrangements, handmade goods, and artisanal products.
Chicago Vegan Farmers Market
Skinner Park, 1331 W. Monroe
Fridays, 4-8pm
Visit Skinner Park for the City's only all-vegan farmers market, beginning this Friday and running through September 25th! For updates on the market, visit their Instagram.
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Know Your Rights Resources
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Turn Lights Off to Protect Migratory Birds
Every spring and fall, millions of birds travel through the Chicago area. For more than two decades, Chicago has been a leader in light reduction efforts to protect these migratory birds. Please join participating buildings and turn lights off after 11 p.m. until daylight during migration and help save birds.
To learn more, visit the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors' website.
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West Loop Historic Plaques Project
The West Loop is steeped in history. In fact, we have 19 historical designations, four historic plaques, and one Chicago Landmarks plaque.
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Four more historic plaques are coming to the West Loop in summer 2026, including a UIC classroom, a condo building, and two parks!
To see the rest of the designations, please visit Connie Fairbanks' website.
If you live in a historic building in The West Loop and have historical information about your building you would like to share, please reach out to Connie to learn the process of installing your very own historic plaque!
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CAPS Meetings
Please join my team at upcoming CAPS meetings with the 1st and 12th Police Districts. CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy) meetings are a great opportunity to meet with police, neighbors, and my team about local safety initiatives. To find your beat, click here. I hope you can join us at these meetings!
Next week, there are three beat meetings in the 12th District:
- Beat 1224: Tuesday, September 29, 5:45pm
- Beat 1232: Wednesday, September 30, 5:45pm
- Academy Square Apartments, 318 S. Throop
- Beat 1232: Wednesday, September 30, 7pm
- Saint Francis of Assisi Church, 813 W. Roosevelt
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Camera Registration Program
When a crime occurs, Police Officers and Detectives canvass the area looking for evidence to determine what occurred. Video footage can greatly assist in their efforts.
If you have a private security camera that captures the public way and you are interested in assisting in an investigation in the event of a crime in your neighborhood, you can register your camera with the Chicago Police Department.
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By registering your camera, you are simply allowing the Chicago Police Department to contact you in the event of a crime in your area. CPD will not have direct access to your camera system and cannot access camera footage without your consent. This is a free and voluntary program. Learn more on the program website.
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34th Ward Infrastructure Improvements
All dates subject to change based on weather.
With any questions about planned infrastructure improvements, please email [email protected] or call 312-744-6820.
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Street Resurfacing Projects
- 900 block of S. Carpenter - completed
- W. Polk St., from S. Wells to S. Financial - completed
- W. Quincy, from S. Desplaines to end of street - under construction
- W. Rundell, from S. Morgan to S. Aberdeen - completed
- W. Marble, from S. Dearborn to S. Clark - TBA
- W. Warren, from N. Desplaines to end of street - under construction
- N. May, from W. Madison to W. Washington - completed
- W. Gladys, from S. Racine to S. Throop - under construction
- S. Throop, from W. Congress to W. Harrison - TBA
Stamped Crosswalks
- W. Taylor & S. Carpenter - completed
- W. Taylor & S. Aberdeen - Fall 2026
- W. Taylor & S. Miller - Fall 2026
- W. Taylor & S. May - Fall 2026
Alley Improvement Projects
- N/S alley bounded by Adams, Jackson, Wabash to State - completed
- N/S alley bounded by Arthington, Taylor, Carpenter to Aberdeen - completed
- N/S alley bounded by Lake, Jefferson, Fulton to Desplaines - under construction
New Alley Reconstruction Project
- E/W alley bounded by Lytle, Ada, Lexington to Flournoy - completed with punch list items to follow
Curb & Gutter Improvement Projects
- 901 - 927 S. Aberdeen - completed
- 103 - 109 S. Aberdeen - completed (restoration from fiber optic)
- 231-241 S. Jefferson - under construction
- 1004 W. Tilden - under construction
- 110 -120 S. Sangamon - completed
Alley Apron Replacement Projects
- 929 S. Aberdeen - completed
- 14 N. Peoria - under construction
Sidewalk Projects
- 1167 W. Madison - completed
- 1221 S. Wabash - completed
- 125 S. Sangamon - completed with punch list items to follow
Bump Out Installation
- W. Polk & S. LaSalle - completed
- W. Polk & S. Financial - completed
- S. Jefferson & W. Tilden - under construction
- W. Adams & S. Peoria - TBA
Residential Lighting Projects
- 1200 & 1300 blocks of W. Flournoy - new poles installed - punch list items to follow
- 1000 & 1100 blocks of W. Polk St. - project is delayed
- This project is currently facing material delays, which has halted overall progress. Similar delays occurring throughout the City are stalling projects and creating a backlog for contractors. However, we are hopeful that crews will be on-site within the next 2-3 weeks, with light pole delivery and installation occurring at the end of September. Following the installation, a final restoration will take place.
CDOT Electrical Improvement Projects
- W. Tilden, from S. Desplaines to S. Canal - currently in progress
- S. Jefferson, from W. Jackson to W. Tilden - currently in progress
- W. Van Buren, from S. Desplaines to S. Canal - currently in progress
Speed Indicator Signs
- S. Loomis, from W. Congress Pkwy. to W. Harrison (CWLA request) - coming Fall 2026
- S. Wells, from W. Harrison to W. Polk - coming Fall 2026
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State/Lake Station Closure
On Monday, January 5th, the State/Lake elevated station closed for demolition and the construction of a new, fully accessible station. The new station is expected to be finished in 2029.
As part of the ongoing State / Lake CTA Station Reconstruction project, a full closure has been implemented on State Street, from Wacker Drive to Randolph Street. Lake Street, between State Street and Wabash Avenue, will remain closed indefinitely. During this closure, emergency sewer repair work will also be completed on State Street.
Local business and driveway access on State Street will be maintained during the closures, and at least one sidewalk will be open at all times for pedestrians. CTA bus detour information can be found here. The underground CTA Red Line train station at Lake will remain open.
Upcoming Key Work Activities in 2026:
- Water main replacement on Lake Street.
- Retention system installation on State Street.
- Caisson installation on Lake Street.
- Micro-pile installation on Lake Street.
- Structural steel bent reconstruction on Lake Street.
These activities may result in louder noise and some vibrations in the area. Visit the project website to learn how the team is working to reduce these impacts.
Please note, all work is weather dependent.
To learn more about construction at the State/Lake station and local impacts, visit the CTA's website.
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Work is underway for the Canal Street Viaduct reconstruction.
Canal – Jackson to Van Buren
- On Friday, May 15, the contractor began work on the western portion of the Jackson intersection. The first phase of work will occur in the southwest portion. The second phase will then shift operations to the northwest portion of the intersection.
- The bus depot located at the southwest corner of Jackson and Canal will remain open throughout construction. Each phase is anticipated to last approximately four to six weeks.
Canal – Van Buren Intersection
- Framing for Stage 1 of the Van Buren intersection is underway. Deck placement is anticipated in early summer, followed by a stage switch to the northeast portion of the intersection.
If you have any questions, please email the project email address at [email protected].
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Lake Street Bascule Bridge Rehabilitation
Closure started on 10/6
The full street and sidewalk closure on the Lake Street Bascule Bridge is in effect and will last until January 2028. During the closures, access to nearby buildings and residences will be maintained for both pedestrians and vehicles.
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Eastbound traffic will be rerouted south on Des Plaines, east on Washington, north on Franklin, and east onto Lake St. Westbound traffic will be rerouted south on Wacker, west on Madison, north on Jefferson, and west onto Lake St. Click here for the full detour map. During this work, CTA Green and Pink lines will operate normally until September 2026. The work on the Lake Street Bascule Bridge is expected to be completed in January 2028.
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West Bridge House: Daytime construction activities are ongoing. Concrete work has progressed, and the new walls now extend above sidewalk level. Construction of the stairs leading to the Riverwalk level is anticipated in the coming weeks, followed by installation of a new, historically accurate copper roof.
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West Bridge Leaf: Structural steel repairs remain underway. Fabrication and assembly of the float-in leaf are complete. Electrical and track installation continue at the off-site assembly yard while crews prepare for the west leaf float-in operation.
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East Bridge Leaf: Fabrication activities have begun.
150 N. Riverside Upper Riverwalk Access: Pedestrian access from Lake Street to the 150 N. Riverside Plaza Upper Riverwalk is now open.
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Ashland/I-290 Expressway Viaduct Work
Traffic management is currently being implemented on Ashland Av from Flournoy St to Jackson St to facilitate the reconstruction of the west side of the Ashland Ave bridge.
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The project is anticipated to be significantly completed by October 2026.
This week, the contractor will continue to perform the median reconstruction work. The contractor is using daily lane closures to perform the remaining work on Ashland Ave within the project limits.
For road construction updates and general travel information please visit IDOT’s Getting Around Illinois website.
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The City of Chicago and Cook County are hiring! View their respective job posting sites below:
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Events at the National Hellenic Museum
333 S. Halsted
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The Odyssey Reimagined
Opens to the public on 10/1!
The exhibition brings together contemporary artists to interpret the enduring themes of Homer’s nearly 3,000-year-old Odyssey through painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, and sound. Each generation has returned to the story from a different place and perspective, and these artists are continuing that tradition, inviting us to do the same.
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Homerathon
October 29, 12:30-8:00pm
October 30, 10:00 AM-4:00pm
Take your part in the epic journey of The Odyssey and join NHM for Homerathon, as we partner with UIC Chicago’s Department of Classic and Mediterranean Studies to bring Homer’s timeless tale to life, read aloud from beginning to end.
Sign up to read a passage or simply stop by to listen as the story unfolds.
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Volunteer with Hope's Table!
The Hope’s Table ministry is designed to serve the needs of Chicagoans who are homeless or hungry and is sponsored by First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple.
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Saturday morning services typically include serving hot meals and food to go, distributing clothing, and connecting guests with legal support through DePaul University’s Neighborhood Legal Assistance Program. Grace Episcopal Church partners in many ways, most visibly by providing space at 637 S. Dearborn. To volunteer or donate, please contact their volunteer coordinator.
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Helping Cats Near You
4th Sunday of every month, 4pm - 6pm
Details here.
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Discuss how to help community cats through TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), what to do with kittens, ongoing colony management, preventing nuisance issues and much more!
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