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The 2nd Ward Newsletter for October 5, 2026
In This Edition:
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City Offices Closed Monday In Observance of Columbus Day
All City of Chicago offices will be closed on Monday, October 12, in observance of Columbus Day. Please note that garbage and recycling pickup is likely to be delayed by up to 24 hours for the remainder of the week. My office will reopen with our normal business hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday, October 13.
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Foundry Park Ordinance
On September 24, a redevelopment agreement ordinance for Foundry Park infrastructure passed the City Council Committee on Finance. The agreement sets aside $201 million in TIF funding for the construction of new streets, park space and a riverwalk, and other public infrastructure like sewers and a river bridge for the 606 trail extension, all on the land that was formerly slated to be Lincoln Yards North. The new owner and developer, JDL, will contribute $33 million toward these items as well.
I remain very concerned about the lack of other infrastructure improvements in the deal, such as new vehicle bridges, reconfiguration of the problematic Elston/Armitage/Ashland intersection, improvements to or the replacement of the Clybourn Metra station, and an extension of Kingsbury Street south of Cortland. However, I have now received formal written assurances from both the Chicago Department of Transportation and the Department of Planning and Development that these items will be closely studied in regard to redevelopment of the land formerly known as Lincoln Yards South, which is now owned by Novak Construction.
Additionally, I want to note that Foundry Park has a multi-year timeline, and whatever is to become of Novak's property will be even longer. I plan to still strongly advocate for these much-needed major infrastructure items in the coming years. Our neighborhoods need them.
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Recent City Council Legislation
Last week at City Council, I voted to approve transfer of ownership of Chicago's parking meters to Stonepeak Partners, along with 45 of my fellow aldermen. Under this new agreement, negotiated by Ald. Pat Dowell, Ald. Nicole Lee, and Ald. Scott Waguespack, the City of Chicago will receive $75 million upfront, plus 5% of Calculated Net Income for the remainder of the deal. This will result in approximately $139.2 million for the city. While the original parking meter deal should not have been made in the first place, I am supportive of this revised deal that will finally allow us to receive some revenue from these meters that can be put to keeping our city operating financially.
Additionally, I voted in favor of an ordinance that would require 60% of Council approval before the city takes on additional debt. This ordinance was necessary to prevent our debt load, which was roughly $2 billion this past year, from overwhelming our budget and taking valuable funds from parks, schools, and the police. I believe securing a large consensus of aldermen for additional borrowing will help establish budgets that reflect the taxpayers' needs, first and foremost.
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Chilli Pepper Way Sign Unveiling
In celebration of her life, legacy, and birthday, I had the pleasure of designating a block of N. State Pkwy as “Honorary Chilli Pepper Way.” This designation commemorates Chilli Pepper, a trailblazing icon who transformed Chicago’s drag culture and championed HIV/AIDS activism before her passing in September 2024.
On Saturday, I joined dozens of Chilli’s friends and family in honoring the Chicago neighborhood she called home. While her legacy of bringing queer artistry into mainstream media will live on, she is perhaps best remembered through the stories and memories shared by those who knew and loved her.
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Gallery 175 Event Last Week
Last Wednesday, I was delighted to join the residents of 175 E Delaware for a photography event called Gallery 175. Two exhibitions presented photography celebrating the extraordinary architecture, history, and beauty of the iconic building that the residents call home.
Thank you to the building's homeowner's association and Board of Trustees for inviting me to attend and speak at this special event.
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2nd Ward Vaccine Clinic Last Week
 Last week, Jewel-Osco and I provided free vaccines at the 2nd Ward Vaccine Clinic at Lake Shore Park. The team administered 163 shots over the course of the event, including 77 COVID-19 shots and 78 flu shots. If you have not already, I encourage you to get your flu shot and COVID-19 shot to protect yourself and others this flu season.
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.
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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.
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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, October 6: Section 1 (Olive), Section 4 (Red), Section 5 (Yellow)
Scheduled for cleaning on Wednesday, October 7: Section 1 (Olive), Section 4 (Red), Section 5 (Yellow)
Scheduled for cleaning on Thursday, October 8: Section 2 (Blue)
Scheduled for cleaning on Friday, October 9: Section 2 (Blue)
Please note that due to the Columbus Day city holiday on Monday, October 12, there will be no street sweeping or garbage pickup. City services will resume on Tuesday, October 13.
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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.
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Shooting Incident in Streeterville
Two suspects are in custody after an attempted murder and robbery of a 64-year-old man who was shot in a parking garage in Streeterville on Friday, October 2, at 6:30 pm. The victim was transported to Northwestern Hospital by the Chicago Fire Department in serious condition.
Click here for the community alert. The Chicago Sun-Times has more details here.
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Chicago CARE Unit Extended Hours
 Effective this week, the Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) team has expanded its hours of operation to 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, Monday through Friday, to better assist Chicago residents. The CARE team has professionally trained mental health crisis counselors and EMTs who respond to 911 calls for service for people experiencing non-violent mental health crises and social-emotional distress, instead of Chicago Police officers.
The CARE team offers on-site mental health assessments, crisis de-escalation, brief counseling, and connects residents to ongoing mental health care, social services, and follow-up. They may also transport individuals to nonhospital behavioral health destinations, including crisis stabilization centers, behavioral health emergency rooms, and other mental health service providers.
To contact CARE, call 911 and ask for “CARE” when you see someone experiencing an immediate mental or social-emotional health emergency, or send an email to [email protected] to request a non-crisis CARE response within 72 hours. Click here to learn more.
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18th District Community Conversation 2nd Session: Wednesday, October 21
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 Second Session on Wednesday, October 21, at Park Community Church (1001 N Crosby) at 5:30 pm.
Click here to learn more.
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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.
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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.
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Recent Carjacking Arrests:
Community Alerts:
Additional High-Profile Arrests:
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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.
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Construction and Development Updates
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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 one to two 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.
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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.
Steel retention sheets are in the process of being driven into the ground to secure the new hole. This is expected to be one of the more disruptive construction activities for some time.
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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 complete; asphalt restoration expected by end of month
- 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
- Southport/Belden intersection reconstruction
- Status: Cleanup of the asphalt debris on the new stamped concrete of the intersection is being coordinated with CDOT. Bollard installation is also expected in coming weeks.
- Huron St resurfacing from St. Clair to Fairbanks (completed)
- Inner Lake Shore Drive resurfacing from E Lake Shore Dr to Ohio (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 (completed)
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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.
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2026 General Election: November 3, 2026
The 2026 General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 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 – Voters may now 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.
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Clybourn Metra Stop Redesign Survey
 As part of the Metra Clybourn Station Feasibility Study, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is looking for feedback on the redesign of the Clybourn Metra Station, located at Clybourn and Armitage. This station is a major hub for commuters, and IDOT wants to hear how you think it can be improved for future riders.
Click here to take the survey and share your ideas with IDOT.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo: Now through November 1
 Lincoln Park Zoo's 12th Annual Fall Fest is in full swing now through November 1. This free, family-friendly event has a great lineup of activities that include roasting s’mores, watching professional pumpkin carvers, picking your own pumpkin, and catching live music and entertainment as you explore decorated gardens in autumn color.
Click here for more details.
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Park District Micromobility Law Town Hall: October 6
 The Chicago Park District has scheduled a virtual town hall regarding the new state law impacting micromobility and the Park District’s efforts to solicit feedback on rules for micromobility devices on Chicago Park District bicycle paths and trails (ex. Lakefront, the 606, trails within parks, etc). This event will be on Tuesday, October 6, from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm on Zoom. You can register to attend this town hall here.
Additional information about micromobility devices in Chicago parks can be found here: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/micromobility-parks
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State Rep. Croke Pumpkin Giveaway: October 24
 State Representative Margaret Croke’s office is hosting its sixth annual Pumpkin Giveaway and Canned Food Drive. The drive will take place at the Lincoln Central Association’s annual neighborhood Halloween party, Howler at Bauler, on Saturday, October 24th, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Bauler Park (501 W Wisconsin). If you bring a canned good to donate, you will receive a free pumpkin in return. All proceeds will go to the Nourishing Hope food pantry.
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