Will a Costly Ticket Mar the Waning Days of Summer?

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Will a Costly Ticket Mar the

Waning Days of Summer?

My office has received numerous complaints about e-bike and scooter misuse, so it's clear that many Fifth Ward residents are unaware of the laws governing these vehicles for your safety—and the financial penalties (up to $500) for violating them. I would like to remedy that so you can ride safely and avoid unbudgeted (and unnecessary) fines.

Restrictions Specific to the Fifth Ward

In the Fifth Ward—Hyde Park, South Shore, Woodlawn, and Grand Crossing—the rules and fine amounts for e-bikes and e-scooters are dictated by citywide municipal ordinances and newly passed Illinois state laws. Because our ward borders a long stretch of the lakefront, riders face strict location-based enforcement in addition to standard traffic citations.



To avoid automatic fines or impoundment when riding through our ward, be aware of these rules:

• The Lakefront Trail Ban: E-scooters are strictly prohibited on the Lakefront Trail. While electric Divvy bikes and private e-bikes are allowed on the trail, e-scooters are restricted to the street-side bike lanes, such as those on 55th Street or Stony Island Avenue.

• University of Chicago Campus Quad: Sidewalk-riding laws are heavily enforced on the UChicago campus. Choose University or Woodlawn Avenues and avoid pedestrian walkways.

• Geofenced Deactivation: Shared scooter fleets (such as Lime, Spin, and Divvy) use GPS tracking to keep riders on legal routes. For instance, if you ride one of their e-scooters onto a restricted lakefront path or sidewalk, the vehicle will automatically beep, slow to a halt, and continue charging your account until you move it back to a legal street zone.

How Much Are the Fines?

• Traffic Violations ($50 to $200): Violating traffic laws on an e-bike or e-scooter (running a red light, blowing a stop sign, or riding against traffic) carries a standard fine of $50 to $200 per offense.

• General Sidewalk Riding ($200): Riding a standard or electric bike/scooter on a Chicago sidewalk carries a $200 fine if the rider is over the age of 12.

• General Scooter Violations (Up to $500): Broad scooter infractions, including reckless operation or blocking pedestrian right-of-ways, can result in fines up to $500.



• Blocking Bike Lanes ($250): If you park an e-bike or e-scooter in a way that blocks a designated bike path or lane, you can be fined $250.

For more information, click here or call my office at (773) 324-5555.

This is a fluid issue. A weekend news report noted that the uptick in juvenile e-vehicle riders' traumatic injuries and deaths has prompted one California prosecutor to consider filing criminal charges against their parents. That compelled me to ask:

Here to serve,

Alderman, 5th Ward

"Atten-hut!" The South Shore

Drill Team Needs Our Help

We've learned to take some things for granted. Eye-popping performances by the South Shore Drill Team are among them. We know we're going to see and enjoy the in-demand drill team at every place that matters, from the Bud Billiken Parade to President Barack Obama's inauguration and the opening of the Obama Presidential Center.

During the past 46 years, it has evolved into an institution and an asset. And they have made us tremendously proud. But for how much longer?

Today, the drill team's future is uncertain due to the financial strain of lost funding and the prolonged illness of its leader. As a community, we can change that by joining hands and opening our wallets to support these talented, diligent young people who need to raise $100,000 for the organization to survive.

I could say more, but Block Club reporter Maxwell Evans did such a tremendous job of taking us behind the scenes and sounding the alarm; I'll defer to his compelling story.

The 5th Ward Is Now a

SplitSec Pilot Community

As a Fifth Ward resident, you can now enroll in a voluntary pilot program that alerts you to nearby gun violence so you can detour and quickly get to safety. It involves downloading a smartphone app called SplitSec, which immediately alerts you if shots are fired near you.

Currently, three other wards are participating in the two-month pilot program. Two are on the far South Side, and one is downtown.

SplitSec founder Sri Deivasigamani developed the app after the city's ShotSpotter contract ended, leaving residents with no information about nearby gunfire. He said he became concerned about delays in emergency services and potential tragedies if someone should inadvertently enter a crime scene.

His desire was to create a simple tool that could warn people more quickly and help them reach safety. The pilot will provide data on whether his goal was achieved.

Participation is voluntary. You can join the pilot by simply scanning one of the QR codes below.

By Popular Demand, the Mobile DMV is Returning to the Fifth!

Leverage the City of Chicago's

Job Search Resources

The City of Chicago has created an online resource for those searching for positions in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. You can find these opportunities listed year-round on the Careers page on the City's website. I encourage job seekers to take advantage of this terrific resource.

Your Voice Matters in the

Police Superintendent Search

Get Free Health Screenings

During Your Birth Month

Hyde Park Farmers' Market

Has Expanded Its Hours!

Final Friday for the

South Shore Tech Space Program

Every Thursday: Walk at the OPC

Walk at Your Pace at the Obama Presidential Center

The Obama Center has launched a weekly exercise program called "At Your Pace," in partnership with Peace Runners 773, a non-profit organization that advocates for health equity.

Each session begins at Jackson Park Field next to Home Court with a guided warm-up, followed by a group walk or run. The route travels through the OPC campus and surrounding park. There's no performance pressure. You can take breaks whenever you need to, and move in a way that feels right for you.

August 20 and every Thursday until October 8, 2026

9:15 a.m. Check in/Registration

9:45 a.m. Dynamic Warm-Up

10 a.m. "At Your Pace" Program

11 a.m. Cool Down

The "At Your Pace" program is free, and registration is optional.

What Else Is Going On in the Fifth?

Run from Prostate Cancer on August 30

Still Time to Enjoy
FREE Museum Days

Summer Schedules

• Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Free for Illinois residents on Aug. 24-27 and 31 and Sept.1-2, 8-10, 15-16, 20-23, and 27-30; griffinmsi.org.

• Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Free for Illinois residents on Aug. 26 and Sept. 8-10 and 14-15; adlerplanetarium.org.

• Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. Free for Illinois residents on Thursdays (July 30 and Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27) from 5 to 8 p.m.; artic.edu.

• Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St. Free for Illinois residents on Aug. 13 and 27 and Sept. 7 and 24; chicagohistory.org.

• Field Museum, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Free for Illinois residents every Wednesday (July 29 and Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26); fieldmuseum.org.

• Heritage Museum of Asian Art, 3500 S. Morgan St. Free admission on the third Friday of each month (July 31 and Aug. 7, 14, 21, 28); heritageasianart.org.

• Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Free for Illinois residents on Tuesdays (July 28 and Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25) from 5 to 9 p.m.; Every Tuesday through Aug. 25, the MCA hosts a free contemporary jazz concert. mcachicago.org.

• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive. Free for Illinois residents on Aug. 24-26, and Sept. 8-11, 14-18, 21-25 and 28-30; naturemuseum.org.

• Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Free for Illinois residents from 5 to 9 p.m. on July 28 and Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 26; sheddaquarium.org

Always Free, Always Cool:

Our Local Libraries

There's Value in Knowing Your Beat Police Officers

Find out firsthand what's happening in your police district—and let them know what's happening in your area of the district. Attend 2nd or 3rd District Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Learn more.

A Full Weekend

Focused on the Fifth

Words cannot express how grateful I am to our Back to School Celebration partner, South Side YMCA; sponsors, Chicago Skyway and Illinois Senator Robert Peters; and backpack donors, Chi Gives Back and Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus. Without their support, we would not have delivered such a successful event for Fifth Ward families on Saturday, August 15.

A shout-out to a few of our fantastic supporters. Pictured, top left to right: Friend Health, COFI Center for Action and Learning, and SplitSec.ai. Bottom, left to right: Chicago Public Library-Grand Crossing Branch, Family-ism Face Paint Factory, and Snapology.

If you couldn't join us on Saturday and would like a free backpack, simply drop by the Fifth Ward office at 2230 East 71st Street. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have plenty on hand.

South Shore Summerfest

Delivered the Heat

On the heels of another highly successful Back-to-School Celebration, the South Shore Summer Festival drew thousands of residents, families, businesses, and visitors to the historic South Shore Cultural Center, where the live entertainment, culture, local food vendors, family-friendly activities, marketplace, and vibe proved why it's been a hot ticket for the past 12 years.

I was proud to co-sponsor the event. Congratulations to the organizers for producing another stellar fest!

ALWAYS KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE FIFTH!

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