40th Forward #327, February 6th, 2026

Issue #326// Jan 30, 2026

Office: 5620 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Email: [email protected] Phone: (773) 654-1867

40th Forward Newsletter

Words from Alderperson Vasquez

Dear Neighbors,

I want to start by thanking the neighbors who reached out to me about an important oversight we made in last week's newsletter. In my message about Holocaust Remembrance Day, I neglected to call out specifically the millions of Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust. I apologize deeply for the oversight. Especially during a time when antisemitism is on the rise, it is important to be specific in our language and call out the atrocity that was committed against Jewish lives specifically. I always deeply appreciate when neighbors reach out to tell me when something I've said or done has hurt them, regardless of whether it was intentional on my part. Accountability is a form of love, and I'm grateful to live in a community where people are willing to hold me accountable when I fail.

This week, the ward office team met to discuss our plans for the coming year, which I'm excited to share more with you about soon! We also embarked on our first round of Pothole Patrol, where we drive every street in the ward and report every pothole we see, as well as making note of the streets we want to prioritize for resurfacing.

Later this month, we'll be meeting with our representatives from the Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Department of Water Management (DWM), and utility companies to see what major repair projects we have coming up in the ward this year. After that meeting, we'll decide what residential streets (and sidewalks, and alleys) to submit for repair using this year's Menu funds. If you want to flag a potential repair on your block, submit a repair request to our office!

I also had the privilege of joining students at Mather, Amundsen, Northside College Prep, and Roosevelt High Schools this past Monday for a walk-out in protest of ICE. It was inspiring to see so many students speak out against the violence ICE has brought to our communities. It gave me so much hope to see our future generations standing up for our values––this is how we will win.

February marks the beginning of Black History Month! We have so much to celebrate and so much to learn from our Black siblings throughout history, and while it's important to acknowledge that all year (not just in February), I'm feeling especially grateful for an opportunity to reflect on it right now. During a time when we are being called once again to stand with each other in solidarity against oppression, it's the example of the many Black leaders of the Civil Rights movement––the ones whose names we remember and the ones whose names we don't––that makes the work we're doing now feel more possible.

In Solidarity and Community,

Andre Vasquez
Alderperson, 40th Ward

40th Ward Office Hours:
Monday: 10am-5pm
Tuesday: 10am-5pm
Wednesday: 10am-5pm
Thursday: 10am-5pm
Friday: phones and appointments only!

Construction & Development Updates

Construction Update

Lincoln Avenue Streetscape

We’re now in the final stretch of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape! Over the next two weeks the contractor will be onsite, weather dependent, working on site furnishing installation within the Ainslie Plaza.

CDOT has also temporarily closed the northern turning lane from Ainslie to Western heading south. This change is necessary while CDOT completes the installation of new traffic lights and adjusts signal timing to align with recent improvements to the turn lane and bike lanes.

Ashland Avenue Resurfacing

Asphalt is complete between Foster and Ridge! Repaving for Ashland Avenue from Montrose to Foster will pick up again in Spring when the asphalt plants reopen. The signage crew has also started work in Phase 1 (from School to Montrose) and will move to Phase 3 (Foster to Ridge) later in the season. For more on details and timeline, visit our website.

Small Business Updates

Apply for a DPD Grant by February 13th!

Apply for a Department of Planning and Development grant by February 13th! Both Community Development Grants (CDG) and Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) grants are available. CDGs are available at three funding levels to support local commercial and light manufacturing projects via Small (up to $250,000), Medium ($300,000 - $5 million) and large grants ($5 million and up). NOF provides grants up to $250,000 for business and property owners to pay for the construction or rehabilitation of properties that support new or expanding businesses or cultural assets. Learn more about both grants at Chicago.gov/NOF

Community Events & Opportunities

See below for upcoming events in our ward! To view all upcoming and past events, visit our 40th Ward Event Calendar.

Native Pollinator & Garden Registry

The City of Chicago Native and Pollinator Garden Registry board is seeking residents to participate in a pilot of the new registry process. This registry allows residents to register their native and pollinator parkway gardens with the city to avoid fines related to plant height. Currently, plants taller than 10 inches may result in fines from the Department of Streets and Sanitation. Registered gardens will not be fined and will join a citywide network supporting biodiversity.

The goal of the pilot is to ensure that the registration process is easy to use and functions properly. This includes confirming that the form works; the steps are clear, and documents can be uploaded without issues. If you are interested in joining the pilot, please contact Jessica Fong at [email protected].

Andersonville Coffee & Cocoa Crawl

The Andersonville Coffee & Hot Cocoa Crawl returns as a part of Fika Fest! Each route invites you to explore specialty offerings that may include coffee, hot cocoa, bakery items, and more! Check in begins at 9AM on Saturday, February 7 at the Swedish American Museum, located at 5211 N Clark. At check in you will receive your route card & your commemorative special event mug for sampling.

RCC Cultural Center Adult Education Program

RCC's Adult Education program is continuing with their regular schedule this winter. Registration is ongoing for their ESL & Citizenship classes as well their adult tutoring program. Learn more at [email protected].

Community Care Program through JACP and IDoA

The Community Care Program (CCP) through the Illinois Department of Aging (IDoA) provides free or low-cost services to eligible older adults to help them live safely and independently at home. Services include:

Homemaker Services: Help with meals, laundry, errands, and housekeeping
Adult Day Services: Supervised daytime care and social activities outside the home
Emergency Home Response Systems (EHRS)

JASC works directly with seniors and families to start the application process and provide guidance. Learn more at this link.

image of an art space

6311arts: New Arts Space in the 40th Ward

On Saturday, February 7th from 6-9pm, 6311arts is hosting a NEW Art Exhibit Opening with 20 local northside artists at 6311 N. Clark St. 6311arts is a new Chicago-based art center housing over 3000-square-feet of gallery, retail, and workshop space. Located at 6311 N. Clark St., they are an inclusive center focused on supporting and empowering local artists.

The gallery spaces feature rotating exhibitions of work by Chicago’s northside residents, giving them a platform to share their work and reach a wider audience. The artwork showcased has been created by established, as well as, outsider artists. Artworks include painting, ceramics, sculpture, collage, and woodworking. To learn more, contact Michael Winchester at 773-865-6107, [email protected], www.6311arts.com, @6311arts.

Andersonville Puzzle Exchange

The Great Andersonville Puzzle Exchange returns Sunday, February 8 from 10AM to 2PM at the Swedish American Museum located at 5211 N Clark. Bring puzzles and take as many as you like, up to the number you brought, with a limit of 15. Please make sure your puzzles are not missing any pieces. Missing pieces are a huge bummer.

Small Business Taxes 101

On Monday, February 9th from 12:30-2:00PM, join the Uptown Business Center for a Small Business Taxes 101 workshop at 4619 N Broadway! Set your business up for success this upcoming tax season by learning tips and tricks from local experts! Presented by Wintrust Bank and Noren, Nordling, and Associates PLLC. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided for attendees. Register here!

Taoist Tai Chi

On Sunday, February 8th from 11am-12pm, there will be a Taoist Tai Chi Open House at the Hive (4712 N Ravenswood)! Intro to Taoist Tai Chi classes:

Thursdays, February 12th-March 5th, 9:30-10:30am at Ebenezer Lutheran Church (1650 W Foster)
Sundays, February 15th-March 8th from 11am-12pm at the Hive (4712 N Ravenswood)

Learn more or email any questions to [email protected]!

Community Safety

Public Safety Trends

Overall, violent crime is down 25% in the 40th Ward for 2026 so far compared to 2025! Citywide, violent crime is down 14.4%. See below for a breakdown of citywide and 40th Ward statistics across all categories.

chart with a year-over-year comparison of violent crime in the 40th Ward; stats below