| Dear Neighbors,
This week has been a heavy one: three more lives have been claimed by ICE, including Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastian Guerrero, who were shot and killed by ICE agents, and a third man who was killed this week by a semi truck while fleeing ICE.
It is heart not to feel hopeless that these killings keep happening without meaningful consequence, and that’s something we’re continuing to reckon with on daily basis on the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights team.
Today, we held a hearing on a number of things: first and foremost, how the Chicago Public Department is enforcing the Executive Order introduced back in January, that directs CPD to investigate and pursue prosecution on any wrongdoing from federal agents.
For months, our Committee has been trying to get answers on what CPD is doing to investigate blatant lawlessness on the part of the Department of Homeland Security. And for months, we have been getting the runaround: first, we were told by CPD that they needed to update their policy to be able to investigate appropriately. Then, the Mayor’s Office claimed that their ability to investigate did not require an updated policy. In the meantime, the lawlessness continues, CPD has not opened any investigations, and we haven’t been able to get clear answers on why.
That’s why we decided to call a Hearing to address the issue. And wouldn’t you know it, the morning of the hearing, CPD announced they have a new policy in place to document federal immigration activity. The City is now encouraging residents who have evidence of federal immigration agents breaking the law––including federal agents committing unwarranted abductions, conducting immigration enforcement within 1,000 feet of a courthouse, committing reckless traffic violations, or attacking civilians, all of which we have witnessed in Chicago––to report it via 311, 911, or by visiting their local District station.
I’m extremely proud of our team for staying on this. We are under no illusion that this will provide immediate accountability for the trauma our neighborhoods have endured. But the more we can document the violence and lawlessness of ICE, the better prepared we will be to truly hold them accountable in the future.
While CPD has not yet opened investigations into DHS violence, they have arrested and ticketed a number of street vendors, who have done nothing wrong except to try to earn a living. In one case, a vendor who did nothing but sell mango and watermelon was sent to criminal court for selling without a license, detained outside the courthouse, and deported. His wife is still in detention today.
The Committee has been working for years with street vendors and BACP to simplify the street vendor licensing application so that the people who earn a living providing fresh food for their neighbors can do so without fear of being fined or arrested. Instead, enforcement has increased, and children have lost their parents. If we are going to call ourselves a Welcoming City, we must support our small business owners instead of criminlalizing them for trying to earn a living for their families.
Earlier this week, the Committee on Finance voted to hold off on approving the sale of Chicago’s parking meters to Stonepeak Partners, a private equity firm that also owns Omni Air International, which is one of ICE’s largest contractors of deportation flights. Omni has a history of human rights abuses on these flights––shackling one migrant for over 80 hours, and stranding roughly 100 detainees in a blizzard at a New Hampshire airport for about 13 hours while shackled.
This is one of many concerns City Council members have raised about the sale, which has been cloaked in secrecy. Given the history of how the sale of Chicago’s parking meters has impacted our financial future, it is crucial to make sure we learn from those mistakes instead of repeating them. For the first time since the meters were sold, City Council has leverage to prevent this sale, and I’m grateful to my fellow City Council members who have joined me in opposing this sale.
There’s a lot more that happened in City Council this week, which you can read about in our City Council roundup! But I do want to shout out the 40th Ward Environmental Board, who developed and drafted the Sustainable Parkways Resolution, which passed out of City Council this month! This resolution is a first step in making our city’s 7,000 acres of parkways more sustainable, by using pollinator gardens and bioswales to help mitigate flooding, provide relief from air pollution, and attract pollinators to our neighborhoods––instead of planting grass that requires a ton of maintenance from property owners. Many of our 40th Ward neighbors are doing this already, but we hope this resolution of a larger effort to extend this practice citywide. Thank you so much to the many neighbors who have encouraged us to invest in more sustainable planting practices, and especially to Paul Naylor, Tricia Van Eck, and Roxana Assaf Lynn of the Environmental Board, who did an incredible job drafting and advocating for this legislation.
Stay safe this weekend! Make sure to stay indoors if you can while air quality levels are hazardous. Hopefully we’ll be back to Chicago summer weather next week!
Yours in Service and Community, 
Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward Alder |
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| CANCELLED: Catalytic Converter Etching Event Due to ongoing air quality issues, we have decided to cancel our catalytic converter etching event with Jiffy Lube and the 20th District! We will be in touch with further details soon. |
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| 40th Ward Back to School Supply DriveFrom now through July 30th, the 40th Ward will be accepting school supply donations as part of our back-to-school supply drive! Neighbors can drop off supplies at 5620 N. Western or visit bit.ly/40thbacktoschool to place direct orders through the 40th Ward’s school supply wish list! Neighbors can also visit the CPS website to view a list of accepted supplies. Please note that the 40th Ward will not accept used materials. |
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| 40th Ward Electric Vehicle Demo Day! - Newsletter Content
Have you been considering switching from a gas car to electric? Get your questions answered by a real electric vehicle owner at 40th Ward EV demo day! On Sunday, July 19th from 2pm - 4pm, the 40th Ward Environmental Board is hosting an Electric Vehicle Demo Day at Ainslie Arts Plaza! (4836 North Lincoln Avenue). Neighbors can RSVP at this link!
At this event, you'll get to: Learn about savings going electric How charging works Ask an EV owner your questions Explore a Hyundai IONIQ 5 EV And get a demo of making food and drinks right off an EV's big battery!
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| U.S. Small Business Association Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will establish Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) for residents and businesses impacted by the severe storm that occurred on June 10, June 11, and June 17, 2026, to apply for low-interest loans. In Chicago, centers will be established at two Chicago Public Library locations, the Pullman Branch at 11001 S. Indiana and the Thurgood Marshall Branch, 7506 S. Racine Ave.
All centers will open on Wednesday, July 15, operating daily (Mon-Sat) through Thursday, July 30.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. |
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Community Zoning Meeting: 2648-58 W. Lawrence
Join the 40th Ward for a virtual community meeting on Monday, July 20th from 5:30pm-6:30pm to learn more about a proposal to rezone 2648-58 West Lawrence Ave from B3-2 to B2-3 to allow for the construction of a new 5-story residential building with retail space on the bottom floor. Register at this link!
To learn more about the project, visit 40thward.org/2648lawrence! |
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| Community Zoning Meeting: 1634 W. ThorndaleJoin us for a virtual meeting to discuss a rezone at 1634 W. Thorndale Ave from an RS3 to a B2-3 to allow for rehab, addition, or expansion of the existing building. The meeting will take place via Zoom and neighbors can register at this link to attend! |
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| Elise Malary PlazaCrews began work on Elise Malary Plaza last week! As a reminder, Catalpa between Clark and Ashland is now permanently closed as a result of the new plaza being constructed. If you missed the pre-construction meeting we held last month, you can check out a recording here.
This week: crews are set to begin irrigation work within the next week. They will also be refreshing the pavement markings and realigning the barrier wall on Clark. This work should take only an hour or so, with minimal traffic delay.
Next week: crews will begin the installation of the irrigation system on Catalpa Avenue, this work will be done within the street closure and crews do not anticipate any significant interruptions to traffic. However, there will be construction vehicles parked along Ashland Avenue. |
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| | Ashland Avenue ResurfacingRecently, crews have begun paving the final layer of asphalt between Montrose and Foster! Please note that there will be parking restrictions on Ashland Avenue between 6:00 AM and 4:30 PM. Crews have also shifted lanes as a result of the asphalt paving. |
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| | Residential Street ResurfacingCrews will begin grinding Campbell Avenue from Morse to Pratt the week of July 30th in anticipation of resurfacing! |
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| | Lincoln Avenue StreetscapeThe second and final phase of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape Project is almost at the finish line! The new lights are functional and the no left turn signs have been added. The two right lanes from Lincoln to Western are now open. |
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| Manor Avenue ResurfacingThe long-awaited resurfacing of Manor Avenue has begun! Crews are currently excavating and pouring concrete for curb and gutter and alley aprons along Manor from Lawrence to Montrose. Following concrete work, they will mill the existing asphalt, adjust any sewer structures, and then repave the street, followed by pavement markings. The entire process takes around 3-4 weeks.
While the street will remain open for the duration of this work, there will be lane closures as needed to facilitate this work, so please plan for additional time on your commutes! We apologize for the disruption, but looking forward to a smoother, safer Manor Avenue. |
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| Free Healthcare Class at Howard & Evanston Community Center
Are you interested in a job in the healthcare field? Are you worried about your health or the health of others? Sign up to take a FREE Healthcare Class at Howard & Evanston Community Center. Class meets every Monday and Wednesday, Jul 20 - Sep 23, 6:00pm - 9:00pm virtually. Register here. |
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| The Mr. Don Sadofsky Foundation's Community Celebration of the Arts & Tuition-Free Summer Music Camp
On July 20–31, 2026, the Mr. Don Sadofsky Foundation for Music Education is hosting a Tuition-Free Summer Music Camp for students entering grades 6–12 at Indian Boundary Park Cultural Center (2500 W. Lunt Ave., Chicago, IL 60645). The program concludes with the Community Celebration of the Arts on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 2:00–7:30 PM, featuring student performances, live music, community awards, family activities, arts experiences, and a citywide celebration of music and creativity. Neighbors can learn more at this link! |
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| | | Mayor’s Youth Commission Summit
Do you know any young people with big ideas and a passion for making a difference? We are excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2026 Youth Voice, Real Change Summit, hosted by the Mayor's Youth Commission!
This dynamic event invites young Chicagoans ages 14-19 to come together for an inspiring afternoon of youth-led discussion, networking and opportunities to make their voices heard.
Lunch, snacks, and drinks will be provided! Registration is open until July 17th! Interested neighbors can register at this link! |
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| 2nd Annual GRO Garden Walk
The Greater Rockwell Garden Walk is returning for its 2nd year! Whether you have a garden to show off or want to get some inspiration from your neighbors, we hope you'll join us on Saturday, July 18th from 11am-3pm!
Stop by Waters Elementary School & Community Garden anytime between 11am-2:30pm to pick up a map of the gardens and fuel up with refreshments. Curate your walk to your interests by looking at each garden's special features on the map. This is a rain or shine event so dress for the weather! Neighbors can learn more and register at this link!
Please note that GRO is monitoring the Air Quality Index ahead of the upcoming weekend and may potentially cancel the event. Please refer to the GRO social media platforms or the GRO website for further information tomorrow. |
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| Andersonville Sidewalk Sale
Save the date for one of Andersonville's favorite summer shopping traditions as more than 40 local businesses bring the best of their stores outdoors for the annual Andersonville Sidewalk Sale. Stroll the one-mile district along Clark Street and discover unbeatable deals on fashion, home goods, antiques, gifts, art, vintage finds, and one of a kind treasures while enjoying live music and performances throughout the neighborhood. The event takes place July 24-26 and hours vary by business. Participating businesses can be found at andersonville.org. |
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| Andersonville Vintage Market
The Andersonville Vintage Market is back for its 6th season on July 26, August 9, August 23, September 13 and September 27 from 11AM-5PM at 1600 W. Catalpa and the St. Gregory parking lot. Spend your Sunday treasure hunting with more than 40 vintage vendors offering antiques, home décor, jewelry, clothing, accessories, vinyl, collectibles, and one of a kind finds. Whether you are searching for a statement piece, the perfect gift, or a nostalgic treasure, you'll find something worth taking home. Enjoy live music throughout the day, bring your furry friends along (pets are welcome), and make a day of it by exploring Andersonville's incredible collection of vintage shops along Clark Street, including Andersonville Antiques, The Brown Elephant, Buffalo Exchange, District, Folk, Mercantile M, Rare Form, Rattleback Records, Strange Cargo, Vintiques and Company, Woolly Mammoth Chicago Antiques & Oddities, and many more.
Admission is free with a suggested $5 donation. Vendor lineups vary by date, so every market offers something new to discover.
Learn more at the Andersonville Vintage Market website. |
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| | Public Safety TrendsOverall, violent crime is down 5.5% in the 40th Ward for the year so far compared to last year! Citywide, violent crime is down 9.3%. See below for a breakdown of citywide and 40th Ward statistics across all categories. You can visit the City of Chicago’s Violence Reduction Dashboard to learn more! |
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| Illinois Secretary of State: Plate Watch Hotline
As federal immigration activity intensifies once again in Illinois, it’s important for everyone to remember that it’s illegal for anyone, even federal ICE agents, to drive on public streets without proper license plates, or to tamper with, cover, or swap out plates in any way.
If you spot anything that doesn’t look right, we’d really appreciate your help by reporting any potential violations to the State of Illinois’ Plate Watch Hotline at (312) 814-1730 or [email protected]. |
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| | We had a great time celebrating the new Budlong Woods Butterfly Reading Garden, funded by the People’s Budget! |
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We also stopped by Centro Romero’s Mujeres on the Run 5K! |
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