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11th Ward Newsletter - September 20, 2026

Nicole Lee Ward 11 📞 773-254-6677 ✉️ [email protected]
Relevance: 4/10
zoning_or_development_meeting_or_approval city_budget tax_policy

Summary

In Alderman Nicole T. Lee’s 11th Ward newsletter, she reports moving forward a Finance Committee ordinance to require a three-fifths vote for future city bond/debt authorizations, and discusses a potential parking-meter deal with Stonepeak that includes a 5% profit share and a $75 million transfer fee; she also notes multiple renter protection ordinances progressing in Council. She highlights a community zoning meeting on Sept. 28 for 350 W. 30th St., plus ongoing ward infrastructure work and street closures (including multiple repaving/grinding operations). Other major updates include the City Council committee schedule, an Amtrak maintenance facility fight after a second community meeting (now recorded), and announcements such as Made in Bridgeport Fest (Sept. 27), veterans office hours (Oct. 9), and a shredding/electronics recycling event (Oct. 17).

Email from Alderman Nicole T. Lee

3659 S. Halsted | Chicago, IL 60609 | 773.254.6677


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September 20, 2026




Dear neighbors, 




I’ve been giving updates on the Amtrak Maintenance Facility proposal for the ward in the main section of this newsletter, but I want us to have a little space to come together as a ward and still enjoy our neighborhood comings and goings, so I’m moving our updates from this week to a section below. Please keep reading on; it is that important and I appreciate everyone’s efforts and concern. 


We have a number of filming notices for Chinatown and throughout the ward next week, so please be aware of the section below in the newsletter that will help tell you where not to go! I haven’t been a background actor yet in any of these scenes, but it could still happen. 


We had a scary event this week happen at one of our elementary schools in the ward, which thankfully did not involve anyone getting hurt. On Monday, one of our special needs students at Minnie Miñoso found a loaded gun left on the seat of their school bus, and discharged the weapon, hitting the window of the school bus from the inside. The gun had been left in the bus by a bus aide. Although no one was hurt, there was a schoolwide lockdown at that school as well as Bridgeport Catholic Academy, which I know was extremely scary. My heart goes out to our school family this week as we come together to recover from such a frightening thing happening. I am so proud of everyone from our administrators to our teachers for coming together to make sure we got out of the lockdown safely. The 22-year-old aide who left his gun unattended on the bus is headed to court on Monday, facing charges for having a gun without a concealed carry license, reckless conduct, and endangerment of minors. 


The Chicago Department of Public Health is reporting someone with a confirmed case of measles was in the ward at SpringHill Suites, 2357 S. Wentworth Ave between Saturday, 9/12 at 10:45PM-Sunday, 9/13 at 3:40PM. Symptoms from exposure to measles can take as long as 7-21 days to incubate, so if you were in those areas, please keep an eye out for symptoms until at least 10/4. Measles vaccines are available to all Chicago residents at no cost through Chicago Department of Public Health Immunization Clinics. The closest location is in Pilsen at 1717 S. Ashland. 


Our next 11th Ward Shredding & Electronics Recycling Event put on by me and Commissioner John P. Daley is officially going to be October 17 at R4 Services, 1301 W. 35th St., from 12-4 PM. Please see the flyer below for more information. I am looking forward to seeing you there! 


I hope you have a great upcoming week. A very restorative High Holidays and Yom Kippur to all those celebrating this week and last! 



Alderwoman Nicole Lee

Amtrak Update

Thank you to everyone who came out Thursday night to the second community meeting about the proposed Amtrak maintenance facility in the 11th Ward. I cannot express enough my gratitude that over 600 of our neighbors sacrificed their evening to show that we deserve answers, we deserve respect, and we will not be taken advantage of without a fight. If you were not there, please watch your neighbors stand up for themselves and against Amtrak on the 11th Ward You Tube channel, click here to access the recording.


While we left Thursday night’s meeting still angry and frustrated, we did learn some important new information about these plans, including where they intend to locate a fuel tank in the middle of a residential neighborhood. So while we had some questions answered, what we learned that night creates even more questions and concerns. 


We’d like to thank Ald. Pat Dowell, Rep. Theresa Mah and School Board Member, Yesenia Lopez for speaking out against this plan and demanding Amtrak and Canal Edge, LLC treat their constituents with respect as well. And thank you to our friends and allies who volunteered, brought food, drove buses and helped make sure everyone who wanted to was able to safely attend this meeting.


Let us be very clear–this fight is NOT over. We are just getting started. And the more than 600 residents who showed up to make our voices heard last night are clear evidence of that. We are exploring every option and lobbying every person in power who has influence over this project. We will continue to keep you updated, and we are grateful for each of you. 

This Week in City Council

This week in the Finance Committee, we moved forward an ordinance that would require a three-fifths majority vote for all future bond (aka debt)  authorizations. The original ordinance proposed was a two-thirds majority. Currently, approval of such debt just requires a simple majority. I am committed to fiscal security for the City, and I think this change is a prudent one to make. While we don’t want to get hamstrung while trying to pass every financial measure, I hope this will create a better protective measure for taxpayer dollars. 


Next week in the full City Council, we’ll have a packed agenda of important measures. Last week, Finance Committee Chair Pat Dowell, Ald. Scott Waguespack and I announced that we had been working with Stonepeak—the new potential owners of the City’s parking meters, to negotiate a more favorable deal for the City. The deal I’ve helped negotiate includes a 5% profit share agreement and a $75 million transfer fee, among other benefits to the city, conservatively, this deal provides more than $450 million over the remaining life of the lease. I am proud to have worked on this deal, and I hope it will be approved next week. 


There are also multiple renter protection ordinances going through Council. I am hoping we can find a good compromise that sticks; one that overhauls parts of the current ordinance that aren’t protecting renters, helps meet basic standard of living, and charts a path of progress that encourages growth.

Upcoming in City Council

My committee meetings: 

Committee on Police and Fire, 9/22

Committee on Finance, 9/22

Committee on Finance, 9/27 

Committee on Police and Fire, 10/1

Joint Committee: Public Safety; Police and Fire, 10/7 


Full City Council meetings: 

Wednesday, September 23, Full City Council Meeting

Events in the Ward

RSVP for Made in Bridgeport Fest, which is happening next Sunday, September 27 at the Ramova! Celebrate the food, makers, artists, businesses, and local creativity that makes Bridgeport one-of-a-kind. Presented by the Greater South Loop & Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce and growing list of sponsors. 


There is still time to support, join, or come watch the Canaryville Breast Cancer Awareness walk, which is happening on Sunday, October 4. Although sign and t-shirt orders have closed, you can still join the walk or cheer on the parade route! See the flyer below for more information. 


Our next Veterans Office Hours will be on Friday, October 9, at the 11th Ward Office from 12-4PM. There will be advocates on hand to help file applications for things like health care, support services, and connect people with hygiene resources. No appointments are necessary. 


On Wednesday, October 7, there will be a property tax appeals session with the Assessor’s Office for Lake Township. More details and flyer to follow, but the location is currently set as 704 W. 42nd St. 


Upcoming Zoning Meeting 

We have a community Zoning Meeting coming up for a proposal for 350 W. 30th St., on Monday, September 28 at 5:40PM. In-person meeting option is available at the ward office 3659 S. Halsted St., or join the zoom meeting online at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87962218888?

pwd=GzpFaf3N38tOcxKaLeCG300mHXvjmc.1&jst=2.

Meeting ID: 879 6221 8888

Password: 522324

Dial in: +1 301-715-8592

Phone Passcode: 522324


We will have the recording of the Monday, September 14 Zoom Zoning Meeting regarding 2125 - 27 S. Archer on the 11th Ward YouTube channel this week. Thank you all for turning out.

Ongoing Construction &

Street Closures

Project Type

Location

From

To

Project Date

Grind

S. Normal Ave. (500W)

W. Root St. (4134S)

W. 43rd St. (4300S)

9/28/2026

Pave

W. 32nd St. (3200S)

S. Wells St. (200W)

S. Wentworth Ave. (200W)

9/22/2026

Pave

Alley - S. Wells St. / S. Wentworth Ave.

W. 32nd St. (3200S)

W. 33rd St. (3300S)

9/22/2026

Pave

S. Emerald Ave. (732W)

W. 37th St. (3700S)

W. 38th St. (3800S)

9/22/2026

Street Repaving S. Emerald Ave.


  • Emerald Ave. from 37th St. to 38th St. is expected to grind and mill from August 3rd to September 22nd, 2026.

Ongoing Project - 3500 - 3900 S Parnell Ave.:


Most recent updates - 8/28/2026


We are currently finishing final restoration on the Parnell Ave. from 3500-3900 S. There will be some small projects that will need to be completed but this will not impact road closures. CDOT will install a temporary barricade located near 3900 S. Parnell. This is in replace of the Cul-de-Sac that will be installed by IDOT (estimated installation in 2027).








Most Recent Updates - 9/18/2026


We have completed storm restoration efforts, including storm assistance provided in response to the storms that impacted our service territory and neighboring areas throughout July and August. We started Overhead construction on Monday, September 14th, we will continue to work through the construction activities listed below:


  • Weeks 1 -2 WEEK (9/14/26 – 9/25/26)

We will be working between 33rd Pl & 33rd St and Lituanica Ave & Halsted St. We are reframing two existing poles and replacing four existing poles. We are installing 270’ of new Overhead wire.

  • Week 3 (9/28/26 to 10/2/26)

We will be working on 34th St between Lituanica Ave & Halsted St. We are replacing four existing poles and reframing two poles. We are replacing two existing overhead transformers.

  • Week 4 (10/5/26 to 10/9/26)

We will be working between 33rd Pl & 33rd St and Lituanica Ave & Halsted St. We are replacing two existing overhead transformers and adding wildlife protection.

Peoples Gas South Station Remediation

Most Recent Updates - 9/11/2026


  • Peoples Gas contractors continue environmental cleanup activities at 2730 S. Eleanor Street.
  • Activities at the site for the next two weeks will include excavating and hauling away soil as well as In Situ Stabilization (ISS) work and backfilling with clean fill. Trucks will visit the site most days to pick up soil or deliver materials. 
  • 24-hour air monitoring is taking place and will continue during all intrusive activity.
  • As a reminder, if you have questions about this project, please contact the Peoples Gas project number at 877-380-0522.

Announcements & Information 

The Stop Amtrak signs are available in our office.
For Spanish
Flyer from Alderman Nicole Lee (11th Ward, City of Chicago) titled “11th Ward 2026 White Sox Residential Zone Parking Updates,” featuring a background image of a night baseball game at Guaranteed Rate Field. The flyer is divided into two sections: Traffic Updates: “This season, 35th Street will be closed between Wentworth and Normal in both directions 90 minutes prior to the start of a game or event at the ball park and will reopen one hour after the close or when OEMC advises. The street will remain open for emergency vehicles, CTA Buses, IDOT and cyclists. Small map showing 35th Street closure area near the ballpark. “Parking Lots”: Event guests will be directed to access Lots A, B, C and G from Wentworth & 33rd Street. Lots F and L will be accessible from Pershing Road. Accessing residential streets: We recommend using 31st Street to access all North South Streets between Wentworth and Wallace. From the South, we recommend Pershing from Wallace to Halsted Reminders: If you live within the White Sox Park Residential Parking Zone and have a vehicle registered with the city of Chicago at that address, a packet with a decal and supply of season and single game guest passes was mailed to you in the last week. If you do not receive your packet in the mail, you may come to the 11th Ward Office beginning Monday, March 23rd to pick up decals and passes. Vehicles parked in White Sox Residential Zone Parking during events at the ball park must display a decal or valid guest pass. Decals are only valid on vehicles that also display a valid City of Chicago vehicle registration sticker. White Sox Park Residential Zone Parking is enforced two hours prior to the start of a game or event and one hour after. For areas where there is a city designated Residential Permit Parking and White Sox Residential Parking Zone - vehicles must display both permits or guest passes or be subject to citation. Pay close attention to signs on the street within one block of the perimeter of the ball park for additional restrictions. All signs will be updated to No Parking 4 hours prior and 2 hours after events.
Flyer titled “Residential access to local streets” explaining traffic and access changes for residents near a ballpark. Top section: Asks if the reader lives north of 33rd Street and south of 31st Street between Wentworth Avenue and Normal Avenue. A map highlights streets in this area with colored markings indicating closures and access routes. Text explains: o access Wells St., Princeton Ave., Shields Ave., Stewart Ave., Canal St. and Normal Ave., area residents are advised to come from the north and utilize 31st Street. Two hours prior to the start of an event, 33rd Street from Wentworth Ave. to Canal St. will be converted to a one-way, west bound street for parking access only – this means no residential access to Wells St., Princeton Ave., Shields Ave., Stewart Ave., or Canal St. Northbound from 33rd St. Access to Wells, Princeton, Shields and Stewart will be for residents only at 32nd Street. Once the game is over, 33rd Street from Canal St. to Wentworth Ave. will be converted to a one-way, East bound street to expedite traffic from parking lots. Bottom section: Asks if the reader lives south of the ballpark between 35th Street and Pershing Road, and between Normal Avenue and Wallace Street. A second map shows this area with marked routes and restrictions. Text explains: To access Wallace, Parnell, and normal to/ between 37th and 38th streets, area residents are advised to come from the north and utilize 35th Street at Wallace or from south and utilize Pershing rd. Access to 37th St. and 38th St. will be for residents only at Normal Ave.

Community Programs and Events

Jobs & Opportunities

Park District Programs

Services
Home Energy Savings Program - For Spanish
For Spanish
For Spanish
For Chinese 中文
For Polish

11th Ward

School and Parish Information

one hope united Affordable Child Care - Spanish and Chinese

Waste Management

11th Ward

2026 Constituent Education Resource Card

The 11th Ward office is happy to announce has a free ‘Constituent Education Resource Card’ available to residents wishing to visit select museums and zoos in the Chicagoland area. Constituents can reserve our Constituent Education Resource Card on a first come first serve basis (more instructions below), to visit any of the following museums in 2026:


  • Adler Planetarium
  • The Art Institute of Chicago
  • Brookfield Zoo
  • Chicago Botanic Garden
  • Chicago Children’s Museum
  • Chicago History Museum
  • Dusable Museum of African American History
  • The Field Museum
  • Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
  • Lincoln Park Zoo
  • Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Museum of Science and Industry
  • National Museum of Mexican Art
  • National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
  • Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
  • John G. Shedd Aquarium


Only one group of up to four (4) can reserve the pass at a time. The pass must be picked up and brought back to the 11th Ward Office. Constituents need to call for an appointment to come to the office to pick up the pass before visiting the museums. We recommend calling two business days before your scheduled visit.


It is strongly recommended that families utilizing the card contact the museum they plan to visit to learn if pre-registration is required to visit. 

Chicago Public Libraries

9th District Police District Council & Beat Meeting Schedules

The office has extended hours on Monday nights until 7:00 p.m., is open on the first Saturday of each month from 9:00am - 12:00 pm, if it's a holiday weekend, the office will

be open the following Saturday and/or Monday.


Alderwoman Lee will be happy to see residents on Monday nights from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. If you'd like to make an appointment, please call the ward office at 773.254.6677.
 

11th Ward Office| 3659 South Halsted Chicago, IL 60609 | 773-254-6677

 
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Alderman Nicole T. Lee | 3659 S Halsted Street | Chicago, IL 60609 US
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