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Happy Juneteenth, 40th Ward Neighbors!
I hope that newsletter finds you and your families in good health and spirits.
On June 19th, we celebrate Juneteenth, an acknowledgement and recognition of the end of slavery. It is an understanding of our nation’s history of injustice, and the necessary work we all need to do to get closer to the ideals we believe our nation is founded on. It is also an acknowledgment and celebration of the strength, beautify and culture of a people, oppressed and fighting for a freedom, life, and the pursuit of happiness that is promised on this land.
Here in Chicago, we have such a rich and beautiful Black History that was should rightfully be proud of. A perfect and powerful example of it begins today, as the Obama Presidential Library open to the public. Book your tickets now as it is already sold out for a while!
To learn more about Juneteenth and ways that we celebrate in Chicago, Choose Chicago has a list of opportunities to celebrate in community across town (Click Here)!
Here in the 40th Ward, we celebrated our own groundbreaking, as work begins to create the Elise Malary Plaza, located on Catalpa between Ashland and Clark, a community space that I view as a bridge in our community. It connects the southern end of Andersonville to the northern stretch as it meets Edgewater, it connects our local independent businesses to the community through events, markets and more, while also connecting us as a community in paying Tribute to the late Elise Malary, our beloved sister. I am excited and eager to celebrate the ribbon cutting with you all once it’s completed!
Yours in Service and Community, 
Andre Vasquez |
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| Ainslie Arts Plaza Kick-OffJoin us to celebrate the 40th Ward’s newest public space: Ainslie Arts Plaza! On Saturday, June 27th, we will cut the ribbon on the plaza, and then celebrate in style with live musical performances, food trucks, face painting, chalk art, and 20 vendors selling handmade arts and crafts. When: Saturday, June 27th, Ribbon Cutting starts at 11am, and the rest of the event is from 12-6pm Where: Ainslie Arts Plaza
Don’t miss this celebration of the 40th Ward arts scene! Hope to see you there. |
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| 40th Ward Environmental Board Bike-A-PaloozaOn Sunday, June 28th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, the 40th Ward Home Electrification Group is hosting this year's Bike-a-Palooza at Welles Park! We will have several local bike shops and bike safety advocates to help answer any questions you have about how you can utilize bikes to get around our beautiful city. |
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| Homegrown Building Assistance Grant ProgramNeed help buying a home? The Chicago Department of Housing just launched the HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program, which aims to help low- and moderate-income Chicagoans achieve homeownership! The program provides up to $70,000 in financial assistance to eligible homebuyers purchasing a 1-2 unit home in Chicago. Applications for the HomeGrown program opened on Monday, June 8th! To learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply, please visit this link. |
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| Small Business Improvement Funds: Lincoln Avenue North Need money for repairing a commercial or industrial property? Apply for a Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) grant! Applications for properties in the Lincoln Avenue North area are open on Wednesday, July 1st! Learn more by visiting Chicago.gov/SBIF! |
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| 311 Storm Damage Residential Self-Assessment SurveyThe City of Chicago's Office of Emergency Management & Communications is reviewing calls for service into 3-1-1 from recent storms that occurred on June 10 and June 11. Residents contacting 3-1-1 to report damage will receive or have received a text message to complete a Residential Self-Assessment regarding storm damage voluntarily. This is not a scam or a phishing attempt. To fill out a survey, please visit this link or download the link with the QR Code. |
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4949 N Western Ave Community Zoning: Feedback Open!Feedback is now open for the rezoning request at 4949 N Western Ave from B3-3 to B2-3 to allow for a new 5-story residential building with ground floor residential units. Watch the recording here and submit your feedback before June 30th. |
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| Elise Malary PlazaCrews began work on Elise Malary Plaza this 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.
Crews began sawcutting this week, followed by catch basin work next week. Due to the nature of this work and the required lane restrictions, we expect increased traffic congestion within the project limits, particularly during the morning and afternoon peak travel periods. You can expect the following impacts: Flaggers will be directing traffic on Clark St. next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays while construction teams work on sewer basins. Clark Street will remain open to traffic, but we encourage drivers to use alternative routes, like Ashland Ave, if passing Catalpa Ave during morning and afternoon peak travel periods. The sidewalk will be closed at Catalpa and Clark on the west side and detour signs will be posted. Car and bike traffic at that intersection will be shifted slightly east.
The contractor anticipates completing the storm sewer installation in approximately 2 to 3 days. If any issues arise as a result of construction, please contact our office! |
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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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| | Ashland Avenue ResurfacingCrews completed the first layer of asphalt from Montrose to Foster. They are currently working on roadway patching, structural adjustments, and concrete medians for the next four weeks. After the July 4th holiday, they will complete the final layer of asphalt. Traffic lane closures will continue as needed to facilitate this work, so please allow additional time for your commute! |
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| Free YMCA Summer Membership for Teens Chicago Early Learning preschool applications are open, offering high quality programs for 3 and 4 year olds. The Chicago Public Library is partnering with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to host CPS Community PreK Family Resource Tables across several CPL locations, including the Budlong Woods Branch, located at 5630 N. Lincoln Avenue. These resource tables offer valuable, face-to-face assistance to families wanting more information about the process or needing help completing applications. To make an appointment or find a nearby Family Resource Table, visit ChicagoEarlyLearning.org or call the Early Learning Hotline at 312-229-1690. The PreK Family Resource Table at the Budlong Woods Library is available Monday & Wednesday 1 - 7 p.m., Friday 10 am. - 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., now through October 3, 2026. |
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| Show Your Trees Some Love: Mulch Like A Donut, Not Like a VolcanoProper mulching is one of the simplest ways to care for a tree. Follow the 3-3-3 Rule: apply mulch 3 inches deep, in a 3-foot-wide circle, while keeping it 3 inches away from the trunk. This creates a donut-shaped mulch ring that helps trees thrive. A properly mulched tree benefits from improved moisture retention, moderated soil temperatures, reduced weed competition, and protection from damage caused by lawnmowers and string trimmers. Avoid creating "mulch volcanoes" by piling mulch against the trunk. Excess mulch around the base of a tree can trap moisture against the bark, encourage decay, promote circling roots, and create conditions favorable to pests and diseases. Spending a few minutes flattening a mulch volcano into a donut-shaped ring can help prevent common tree health issues and support long-term growth
This information is provided by the Urban Forestry Advisory Board Education Working Group, which works to advance and protect Chicago’s urban forest through public education, outreach, and community engagement. To learn more about the Board or attend a future meeting, please visit the Chicago Urban Forestry Advisory Board webpage.
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| NE Levy Center Village: City Clerk Anna Valencia EventThe NE Levy Center Village, a collaborative volunteer network that aims to increase the accessibility of resources for older adults in Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Uptown, and the greater NE area, will be holding their next meeting (via Zoom) on Wednesday, June 24th from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Anna Valencia, City Clerk of Chicago, will be our guest speaker, presenting on the Office of the City Clerk and its functions, innovative ways it is bringing services directly to residents, and its governmental modernization efforts. Additional updates from community members and organizations will be shared. To register for the meeting (and obtain a Zoom link), please email Sean Dolan at [email protected]. |
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| ‘Under the Lights’ Screening at The Davis TheaterOn June 23rd, 2026 from 6pm-9pm, the Davis Theater (6414 N. Lincoln) will be hosting a special Chicago Film screening of the new film, "Under the Lights." The event will include a gift bag at check in, a Q&A with the filmmaker after the screening, and a free poster signing at the end. Tickets can be purchased on the Davis Theater's website for $15. |
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| Summer Meals for Youth at Budlong Woods LibraryHealthy, nutritious summer meals are available to all children 18 and younger, while supplies last, Monday through Friday, 12:15 - 1:15 p.m., at the Budlong Woods Library. The Summer Meals program is sponsored by the Greater Chicago Food Depository. |
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| Teen Pride Space at Pride FestOn Saturday, June 20th and Sunday, June 21st from 11am - 5pm both days, Center On Halsted is hosting a Teen Pride Space at Pride Fest at the corner of Waveland and Broadway! This space features activities, drag performances (Saturday June 20th at 2pm), and resources by and for LGBTQ+ teens ages 12-18. Pride Fest is a large street event celebrating all things queer and the Teen Pride Space aims to include young people in the festival while having a space specifically for teens. Questions? E-mail Hannah Rapp ([email protected]). |
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| | On Monday, June 15th, the Chicago Police Department confirmed that a shooting occurred on the 1400 Block of W Argyle in Uptown. Two people were reportedly shot and seriously injured, with one reportedly shot by a Chicago police officer. We have no other information to share at this time. If you have any additional information, please contact the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) at 312-746-3609 or visit www.chicagocopa.org. We will continue to follow up and we will share additional updates as we receive them. |
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| | Public Safety TrendsOverall, violent crime is down 12.2% in the 40th Ward for the year so far compared to last year! Citywide, violent crime is down 8.2%. See below for a breakdown of citywide and 40th Ward statistics across all categories. |
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| | Had a blast with the team at Midsommarfest! |
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| We met with some of the folks at North Side Housing’s Shelter in Rogers Park, including some of the medical staff who will also be working with the folks at the Haven on Lincoln! |
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