Dear Neighbor,

I want to begin by expressing my deepest condolences following the recent shooting of officers in the 17th District. We are mourning the loss of Officer John Bartholomew, who was killed in the line of duty, and our hearts are with his family, loved ones, and fellow officers during this incredibly difficult time. We are also keeping the injured officer in our thoughts and wishing them a full and swift recovery. We are grateful for the bravery and service of the officers who put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe.

I also want to recognize the dedicated staff at Swedish Hospital, many of whom live right here in the 39th Ward. In moments like these, their skill, compassion, and commitment to care are essential, and our community is stronger because of their work both inside and outside the hospital.

Moments like this are a reminder of both the challenges our city faces and the strength of the communities that come together in response. That same spirit of care and connection was on full display during this year’s Clean and Green efforts across the 39th Ward.

I’m proud that our office helped organize 30 student volunteers to support cleanup efforts in parks and public spaces throughout the ward. In total, Team 39 participated in 12 locations, working alongside neighborhood groups and residents to refresh and beautify shared spaces.

I enjoyed joining volunteers at several locations, including Sauganash Park, Gompers Park, Mayfair Park, Hollywood Park, and sites in Edgebrook, where we saw firsthand the impact of these efforts.

Clean and Green Day would not be possible without the leadership of our local community associations and park groups. Thank you to everyone who participated, including North Park Village, Forest Glen Community Club, Gladstone Park, Sauganash Park Community Association, Sauganash Community Association, Gompers Park Advisory Council, West Walker Civic Association, Mayfair Civic Association, Mayfair Park Advisory Council, Eugene Field Park, Hollywood Park Advisory Council, and the Edgebrook Community Association.

Your time and effort make a real difference in keeping the 39th Ward clean, welcoming, and vibrant.

As we move further into the spring season, our office continues to stay responsive to the needs of residents across the ward. This time of year often brings an increase in service requests, and we are working closely with City departments to address concerns as quickly and efficiently as possible. If you need assistance or have an issue to report, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We're here to help.

We are located at 4200 W. Lawrence Ave. and are open Mondays from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Fridays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please contact us at 773.736.5594 or [email protected] if you need any city services or have any questions.

This is also a busy time at City Hall, and I look forward to sharing more updates in the weeks ahead.

Sincerely,

Alderman Samantha Nugent

The 17th District Council of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability is holding its monthly meeting on May 9, 1:00 PM at Independence Library Branch, 4024 N Elston Ave. At the meeting, District Councilors will share updates and discuss their positions on safety and accountability policies.

You may deliver comments in person at the meeting or by emailing [email protected].