|
October 4, 2026
Dear neighbors,
The fight to stop the proposed Amtrak Maintenance Facility continues. Next Wednesday, October 7 beginning at 10AM, at City Council Chambers in City Hall (121 N. LaSalle), there will be a subject matter hearing in the Committee on Transportation to discuss the issue. Please attend and participate in the public comment period to make your voice heard, if you are able!
Urban planning experts wrote an excellent op-ed laying out the environmental problems with the Amtrak proposal in the Chicago Tribune here. It is worth a read!
Election Day is Nov. 3, and we have started early voting! You can still register to vote through Election Day.
Important dates (from WBEZ)
-
Oct. 1: Early voting starts at the downtown Chicago supersite (137 S. State St.) and at the Chicago Board of Elections office (69 W. Washington St., 6th floor).
-
Oct. 7: First day of grace period for in-person voter registration and voting at election authority and early voting sites. This continues through Election Day.
-
Oct. 18: Last day for online voter registration.
-
Oct. 19: 50 ward early voting sites open in Chicago.
-
Oct. 29: Last day to apply to vote by mail.
-
Nov. 3: General Election Day. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
To check your voter registration status, go to the Illinois State Board of Elections website or check at the Chicago Board of Elections. Illinois officers Same-Day registration on Election Day as well as the ability to register at all early voting sites. Read more on what is required to register here.
In Bridgeport, Armour Square, Chinatown, everyday we are growing our shared references and community. To me, those things we share as values are: building a safe place for our children to live and to continue to stay in the ward; having a safe community and increasing public safety; removing obstacles out of the way to grow our economy, let our businesses grow, and increase the economic development in the ward; increasing our housing supply so we have places for young people to stay and grow; having strong schools that don’t require commuting; and as a baseline, making sure every person in the ward has enough to eat, is healthy, and has a place to sleep. What gets lost in the shuffle sometimes are these shared values. I’m looking forward to going into this Fall Budget Season with not only an eye towards our more lofty goals of change, but continuing to strengthen our community so we can keep being the best ward in Chicago.
Commissioner John P. Daley and I were happy to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Ricobene’s on Tuesday. What is it that makes the 11th Ward great? It’s the history and the memory, and the hard work and effort required to keep a business like this running and serving up breaded steak for over three quarters of a century.
Congratulations to Sam and Rosario Ricobene, and the whole Ricobene’s family, crew, and team, past and present. Another part of our shared values is the importance of family-owned restaurants, and longstanding businesses. I thank Ricobene’s for their efforts in remaining such a welcoming late-night space which also maintains affordability. Every Monday in October, Ricobene’s will be running specials in celebration of their anniversary. Don't forget to check them out!
We also joined the ribbon-cutting for the remodeled, new minority-owned bank, Millennium Bank, in Bridgeport! Millennium Bank is one of six minority-owned banks in Illinois. I’m excited to welcome a new bank that is investing in our neighborhood and committed to helping local businesses and families build long-term success. Millennium Bank has already demonstrated that commitment through its beautiful community mural. We know Millennium Bank and its location formerly as Pulaski Saving and Loan, 3156 S. Morgan Street.
On Saturday, Commissioner Daley and I stopped by Armour Square Park for their Annual Fall Fest. It was the perfect day to be out at the park. We loved seeing all of the families and neighbors enjoying the festivities.
On Sunday, Commissioner Daley and I attended the 100th birthday celebration of lifelong Armour Square resident Paul Carrano! Mr. Carrano is a member of the Old Neighborhood Italian American Club, a member of the St. Jerome parish, and many other clubs and societies including the Knights of Columbus. He is a jazz fan and an accordion player. It was such an honor to help celebrate Mr. Carrano on his 100th Birthday!
I stopped by Bridgeport Catholic Academy Rock the Block event over the weekend, and got to walk with and cheer on the walkers at the 2nd Canayville Breast Cancer Awareness Walk sponsored by the The Ladies Auxiliary Madonna Knights of Columbus #1135. Thank you to everyone who came out to support and donate to the walk in Canaryville. Breast cancer is a dear issue to me, as well as many in our community. I was diagnosed with breast cancer nearly 5 years ago, just before I was appointed to be Alderman of the ward in early 2022.
Filbert’s Root Beer was honored this Friday by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and World Business Chicago as part of the 2026 Manufacturing Excellence Awards for “their exemplary role within Chicago’s industrial ecosystem!” We are the beneficiaries of their manufacturing techniques all the time here in the ward. The winners demonstrated excellence in various performance measures, including longevity, resilience, innovation, community investment and workforce development. This was the fourth annual Manufacturing Excellence Awards for DPD.
With an eye toward making living in the city more affordable, this past week, City Council approved the revised parking meter deal that Finance Committee Chair Pat Dowell, Ald. Scott Waguespack, Ald. Gilbert Villegas, Ald. Walter “Red” Burnett and I helped to negotiate. I amgrateful to our colleagues for voting to pass this agreement that improves the financial position of our city for years to come. Weeks of extensive, deliberative and thoughtful negotiations led to this unprecedented deal, which represents significant progress as compared to the previous proposal. I am proud to have helped forge this achievement, and look forward to seeing this plan implemented to the clear benefit of all Chicagoans in the months and years ahead.
Go White Sox!
Ald. Lee Jill
| 
