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Dear Neighbors,
Congratulations to both the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox for clinching their spots in the playoffs today! We will provide additional game dates and logistical details for the neighborhood as the schedule for the wildcard round is finalized. In the meantime, you can follow the MLB postseason schedule here.
Last night, I joined the Diversey Community Coalition’s (DCC) community meeting providing updates on their efforts to oppose the proposed ComEd substation at 1111 W Diversey where I shared why we must find an alternative location for this substation. It’s simple: the current site is land that can be better used to serve the community, but once dedicated to utility infrastructure, we lose the opportunity for housing, retail or another development.
43rd Ward Alderman Timmy Knudsen has provided ComEd with fourteen alternative sites for this substation. We plan to continue to push ComEd to seriously consider these alternatives, and work to find a way to provide the infrastructure needed for reliable electricity while also making sure the community is served. We should not have to choose between building the infrastructure our city needs and building the housing our city needs.
The DCC will also host a rally this Saturday, September 26, at 11:00 a.m. outside the proposed substation at 1111 W. Diversey Pkwy. The DCC website also includes additional ways residents can make their voices heard, including filing a complaint with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).
 
On Monday, I had the chance to meet with a Girl Scout Troop #25740 from Nettelhorst to talk about what it means to be an active citizen. I enjoyed answering their questions about serving on City Council and how local government works and hearing directly from them about the issues that matter in their everyday lives.
They raised concerns about everything from neighbors not picking up after their dogs to the need for more crossing guards so they can feel safer walking to and from school. It was a great reminder that being an active citizen starts with paying attention to your community and speaking up about how to make it better. I look forward to working with them to address their concerns.
 
The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) will be having their public meeting tonight at 6:30pm at DePaul College Prep (3300 N Campbell Ave.) at 6:30 p.m. focusing on officer wellness and its impact on policing and public safety, featuring Dr. Robert Sobo of CPD's Employee Assistance Program, Allyson Clark Henson, Executive Director of CPD's Office of Constitutional Policing and Reform, and Laney Chace of NAMI Chicago. To RSVP or leave a comment, click here.
The 19th District Council will have their monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church (600 W Fullerton Pkwy.) This month, the Council will be joined by Jens Ludwig, Director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab, to discuss his research on why everyday conflicts can sometimes escalate into serious violence. Becoming a Man (BAM) will also share more about its work with young men and its approach to helping young people navigate conflict, emotions and difficult situations.
For more information about the meeting, click here.
  
There’s plenty happening in the neighborhood this weekend!
A brand-new neighborhood festival, Clark Street Live, will debut this weekend on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27. Clark Street will be closed between Addison and Newport for two days of live music, so please be mindful of parking restrictions and street closures throughout the weekend. The #22 bus will be rerouted on Halsted between Addison and Belmont. For more information about this new festival, click here.
Also on Saturday, East Lake View Neighbors will host its annual Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, September 26, at Murphy's Bleachers, featuring live music, German food, and a silent auction. Click here to learn more or purchase tickets.
Yesterday at City Council, I was pleased to join my colleagues thanking rapid response teams that have worked tirelessly to support our communities. The emotional toll of this work cannot be overstated, and its impact is life changing for many. We also honored National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15-October 15. Finally, I joined many of my colleagues in singing the praises of our corporation counsel, Mary Richardson-Lowry, who is retiring. Here in the 44th Ward, she was instrumental in putting a deal together between the City and the Chicago Cubs that was crucial in order to bring the All Star Game to Wrigley Field next summer.
Additionally, I was glad to introduce several pieces of legislation yesterday including an ordinance that would allow any cannabis dispensary that is currently able to sell for adult use to be able to sell medical cannabis without having to return to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). This closely mirrored legislation that passed in Springfield this past June.
I also introduced an ordinance that would encourage residential developers to incorporate bay windows without penalty. Many of Chicago’s traditional two- and three-flat buildings feature distinctive bay window patterns that contribute significantly to neighborhood character. However, the current Zoning Code’s front setback and bay window regulations often result in new construction that appears flat or out of context with the surrounding neighborhood where a repeating bay pattern exists. This ordinance would address the limiting factors that currently exist in the Zoning Code to hopefully reinforce these neighborhood architectural patterns.
Lastly, I am proud to cosponsor a resolution introduced by my colleague Ald. Burnett that would remove the Minimum Lot Area (MLA) per unit requirement from Chicago's Zoning Code. The MLA regulates the exact number of housing units that can be built on a piece of land. Currently, we are seeing the MLA negatively impact the number of units that are built, and as I stated in my first paragraph: Chicago needs more housing.
I would like to share a brief update on both Kelly Park and the Dog Park. The Dog Park remains in the bidding phase, with final bids due in mid‑October. Stay tuned for a groundbreaking date coming soon. At Kelly Park, landscaping work and installation of site furnishings are underway, and the team is currently awaiting delivery of the playground equipment. The park is expected to be fully open no later than mid‑November.
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Have a great weekend,
Alderman Bennett Lawson
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Upcoming Resurfacing
Streets:
The summer street resurfacing schedule is now complete. We are waiting for updates on the fall schedule from CDOT. We hope to have more information soon.
Alleys:
- EW alley between W. Newport, N. Lakewood, W. Roscoe, N. Racine - Tentative grand date is 9/29
- NS alley between W. Waveland, N. Lakewood, W. Addison, N. Magnolia - Tentative grind date is 9/29
Wellington, Broadway, and Oakdale:
This project is now complete and cars can drive on the alley. Final inspection and clean-up will be occurring this week and next.
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Divvy Bikes & E-Scooters
We are excited to share that we now have a total of 26 E-Scooter & Divvy Bike docking stations in the 44th Ward!
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Divvy for Everyone Program
The Divvy for Everyone Program provides a full year of bikeshare access for just $5 for income-qualified residents.
To learn more about this program, click here.
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Reporting Scooter & Divvy Bike Removals
If you see Divvy Bikes or E-Scooters that are not properly returned to a docking station, please report this to 311 here. By contract, shared bike and scooter companies must remove their property within two hours of a 311 removal request. We appreciate your assistance in helping keep our neighborhood clean.
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Chi Street Work Portal
Have questions about street work happening in your area?
The Department of Transportation has a tool called the Chi Street Work Portal where you can input an address and see all surrounding permits for projects on that street.
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Garbage & Recycling
The next recycling pick-up for the 44th Ward is the week of September 28. You can find your full garbage and recycling pick up schedule here.
Recycling information is now also available through Chicago's Recycle Coach App. To learn more about the app, click here.
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To submit a small business for our weekly shoutout, please complete the form here.
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19th District Weekly Report:
September 14 - September 20
My office is in regular contact with the 19th Police District about crimes that have occurred recently in our area and that are reflected in the statistics below. The majority of 19th District crimes have occurred outside of our ward. The 19th District also includes the surrounding neighborhoods of Uptown, Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Bricktown, Ravenswood, and Lincoln Square.
Please view our website's public safety page here for both proactive measures to stay safe before crimes occur, and also how to respond in the event of a crime. In order to stay safe, please find the the full list of CPD's safety tips here, as well as tips for personal safety, robberies, and vehicles.
Below you'll find Week 38's CompStat breakdown of crime in the 19th District.
Please note, these statistics are a reflection of the entire 19th District. The boundaries are from Lawrence Ave to Fullerton Ave, from the Chicago River to the Lake.
Here are the key points:
- Year to Date, Robberies are down 39%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2025 are down 27%
- Year to Date, Aggravated Battery is down 4%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2025 is down 65%
- Year to Date, Burglaries are down 44%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2025 they're down 54%
- Year to Date, Thefts are up 6%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2025 they're up 1%
- Year to Date, Motor Vehicle Thefts are up 25%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2025 they're up 29%
For a list of crime definitions, please see CPD's website here.
See full report below:
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Upcoming Meetings
Community Meetings With CPD (‘Beat Meetings’):
Beat meetings are part of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) and are an opportunity to speak directly with CPD officers about your neighborhood. The officers review incidents that have occurred as well as an overview of crime statistics. Find your beat here and view the beat meeting schedule below or in our ward calendar.
19th Police District Council
The 19th Police District Council holds monthly meetings. To view all upcoming meetings, you can visit the 19th Police District Council website here.
The next meeting is:
Wednesday, September 30 at 6:30 p.m.
Topic: Conversation with Jens Ludwig, Director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab
Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church
600 W Fullerton Pkwy.
Community Commission for Public Safety & Accountability (CCPSA)
CCPSA holds monthly Commission meetings. To view all upcoming meetings, you can visit the their website here.
The next meeting is:
Thursday, September 24 at 6:30 p.m.
DePaul College Prep
3300 N Campbell Ave.
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Are you a young leader (18–24) from Chicago’s North Side who is passionate about public safety and police accountability?
A seat is opening on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA), and the District Council Nominating Committee is seeking applicants now through October 18.
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Applicants must submit an application, resume, and three letters of support; meet age and residency requirements; and demonstrate strong leadership and the ability to work well with diverse communities and public safety stakeholders.
Visit our CCPSA's website to learn more, register for upcoming virtual information session, and to apply before October 18.
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CPD Superintendent Search
Following the retirement of Superintendent Larry Snelling, the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) has begun the process of identifying candidates to serve as the next Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. The Commission is conducting a 120‑day nationwide search and will recommend three finalists to the Mayor.
Community Input Opportunities:
- Complete the CCPSA Community Input Form to share what qualities and priorities you want to see in the next Superintendent.
- Attend an upcoming listening session. The Municipal Code requires the Commission to hold at least four public hearings across the city—on the North Side, South Side, and West Side
—to gather recommendations from Chicagoans before selecting candidates.
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Other Public Safety Alerts
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Delivery Drivers:
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Charity Scam Alert:
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Mental Health Response Resources
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If someone is in a mental health crisis, NAMI, Thresholds, and Trilogy provide resources and mobile crisis response in which a mental health professional can be dispatched.
This can be done instead of, or in conjunction with calling 911. If calling 911, you can ask for a CIT officer to be dispatched as they have additional mental health response training.
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GENDER COOL GALA
- SEPT. 24
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VITAL RECORDS EVENT
- SEPT. 26
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ELVN OKTOBERFEST - SEPT. 26
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CLARK STREET LIVE
- SEPT. 26 & 27
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TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE - OCT. 3
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TRICK OR TREAT ON SOUTHPORT
- OCT. 26
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LAKEVIEW EAST CHAMBER LITTLE MONSTERS CRAWL - OCT. 31
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On Sunday, October 11, Chicago will welcome runners and spectators from around the world for the 48th Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
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Towing and Street Closures:
- No parking is allowed on the Chicago Marathon course. Towing of vehicles on the course will begin at 1:00am on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
- The Chicago Marathon will involve extensive street closures on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Streets in your neighborhood may be closed to traffic starting at 6:00 a.m. and continuing to 4:00 p.m.
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Merlo Library - Upcoming Programs
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Merlo Library (644 W Belmont) has a wide range of events each week for babies, kids, teens, and adults.
Click here to view all of Merlo's upcoming events, and see below for events this coming week.
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- Craft Supply Swap - Monday, September 28, 5:00pm–7:00pm
- Preschool Story Time - Tuesday, September 29, 10:30am–11:00am
- Anime and Manga Club - Tuesday, September 29, 3:30pm–5:30pm
- LEGO Club - Wednesday, September 30, 3:30pm–4:30pm
- Baby Time - Thursday, October 01, 10:30am–11:00am
- Baby Time - Thursday, October 01, 11:30am–12:00pm
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Click here for a full list of Chicago farmers markets.
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Nourishing Hope (3945 N Sheridan), formerly known as Lakeview Pantry, is a robust Chicago nonprofit providing food, mental wellness counseling and other social services, such as job and housing assistance, to our neighbors in need.
To learn more about their programs, click here.
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Deliver fresh groceries to your neighbors!
- Sign up for a Home Delivery Driving shift with Nourishing Hope to deliver 8-10 orders. Driving shifts begin at their Hub warehouse at 5151 N. Ravenswood at 10:30am.
- You can learn more and register for shifts here.
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Donation Pages & Volunteer Opportunities
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TUBMAN PLAYGROUND
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CHICAGO ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL
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VACCINATIONS
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MAKE YOUR BUILDING
BIRD-FRIENDLY
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BEAT FACILITATOR APPLICATION
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The City is Hiring
Looking for a job? Try working for the City! Click here to see the full list of job openings currently seeking applicants.
Local government employment opportunities:
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