|
Good afternoon neighbors,
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! Hispanic Heritage Month begins every year on September 15th in recognition of the Independence Day for Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, followed by Mexico's Independence Day on the 16th, and Chile's on the 18th. The holiday month extends to October 15th. Last weekend, I had the good fortune to join my colleagues at the Mexican Independence Day Parade in Little Village, which was a blast!
I am also proud of my Guatemalan heritage. Chicagoans of Guatemalan descent are the third largest Latino population in the city so if you would like to celebrate, stop by Bryanna's Restaurant and Bar on 5695 N Lincoln, where they have authentic Guatemalan and Salvadoran Cuisine! We also have a Guatemalan bakery in the 40th: Isabella Bakery at 1695 W Foster in Andersonville, which is a cute little spot to grab some breakfast cafe con pan.
This weekend we will be celebrating our 40th Ward Office volunteers at Gross Park from 11am-1pm, so if you see us say hi and thank these amazing neighbors who help us day in and day out!
We also wanted to let you know that a 40th Ward neighbor lost their home earlier this month, in the second fire they’ve experienced in a year. If you’d like to help them rebuild, you can donate via GoFundMe.
Next week we have our monthly City Council meetings and will have a number of legislative updates, so between now and then, I'll see you in the ward!
Yours in Service and Community, 
Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward Alder |
|
| |
| |
| Lakeview Township Property Tax Seminar
On September 24, 2026, at 5:30pm, join Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele in partnership with local elected officials of Lakeview Township for an informational seminar on how to appeal your property taxes at Lincoln Park Branch - Chicago Public Library (1150 W. Fullerton Ave).
You will hear directly from a member of the District 2 team on how and when to file an appeal to the Board of Review. Attendees may arrive at 5:30pm to meet with an analyst to answer questions and file an appeal. A presentation will begin at 6:00pm, with analysts available throughout the event to assist with appeals and questions. This event will end at 7:00pm. Register here! |
|
| |
| Windy City Sportsfest
Join the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights at the Windy City Sports Fest 2026, hosted by the National Student Refugee Coalition (NSRC)! There will be sports games, food, and informational booths from local organizations providing social services, legal aid, and resources When: September 19, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Where: Pottawatomie Park (7340 N Rogers Ave). Who: Refugee and newcomer families.
|
|
| |
| Chi Street Sweeper Schedule
40th Ward neighbor George Neill has put together a free tool to receive automated emails when street sweeping is coming up on your block: check it out here! Please note that the site and its reminder service are not a service of the City of Chicago. |
|
| | | | | |
| |
| Ravenswood Water Main ReplacementStarting in October 2026, the Department of Water Management (DWM) will install 2,596 feet of new sewer main to create a more reliable and efficient system. The following blocks will be affected: N. Oakley Ave: From W Ainslie to W Argyle W. Argyle St: From N Oakley Ave to N Bell Ave N. Claremont Ave: From W Ainslie to 140 feet south of the intersection W. Lawrence Ave: From N Oakley Ave to N Leavitt N. Leavitt St: From W Lawrence to 135 feet north of the intersection N. Hamilton Ave: From W Lawrence Ave to 170 feet north of the intersection W. Argyle St: From N Hoyne to N Hamilton N. Damen Ave: From W Ainslie to 260 feet north of the intersection
During completion of the sewer water main installation, DWM will begin outreach as part of the Lead Service Line Replacement Program to replace lead water service lines for all residents within the limits of the newly installed sewer main. Restoration will follow, including full-width street resurfacing along with replacement of damaged parkways and sidewalks. Some of the construction impacts will include: Traffic: If construction crews need to close or limit traffic during construction for safety reasons, you will always be able to reach your home or business. Outside of working hours, a travel lane will be left open for local traffic only. Parking: No Parking signs will be posted as needed during work hours (generally 7am-4pm). Parking outside those hours is allowed, but cars must be moved by the start of the next workday. Crews will try to preserve as much parking as possible. Service transfers: You will be given 24-hours notice when it is necessary to temporarily interrupt water service to transfer water to the new main. In the event of an emergency shutdown, you may not be able to be given prior warning.
We are having a community meeting with neighbors and the 47th Ward to discuss the project on Tuesday, October 6th, 6–8pm at Chappell Elementary (2135 W Foster). Learn more on our website! |
|
| | Filming Notice: Paulina and BalmoralOn Sunday, September 20th from 11am-9pm, Good Candy Films will be filming on the east side of 5407 N Paulina St to W. Balmoral Ave. The street will remain open, and traffic will not be blocked. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the on-site coordinator, Casey Hilb, at 847-502-4121. |
|
| | Artesian Water Main ReplacementThe Department of Water Management (DWM) has begun installation of a new water main at N. Artesian Ave from Peterson to Granville, including full lead water service line replacement.
This week, crews began installing water main, which they will continue next week. There is no scheduled water interruptions in the next week. N. Artesian Ave from W Granville Ave to W Peterson Ave will be closed to the through traffic during working hours, but residents will have access to their homes. |
|
| |
| Residential Street Resurfacing!The following streets are being resurfaced this month! N. Campbell Ave from Granville to Glenlake N. Campbell Ave from Morse to Pratt N. Hermitage Ave. from Edgewater to Olive W. Balmoral Ave from Ravenswood to Ashland N. Winchester Ave from Balmoral to Berwyn W. Balmoral Ave from Hoyne Ave to Damen W. Carmen Ave from Oakley to Leavitt W. Leland Ave from Manor to the River N. Manor Ave from Lawrence to Montrose
|
|
| |
| Elise Malary PlazaCatalpa 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 earlier this year, you can check out a recording of our pre-construction meeting to learn more about this project and its impact to the community.
Next week, crews will be working on placing irrigation and soil for the planters. The week after, they will pour sidewalk and begin other concrete work. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
| Games for Good
Tickets are live for the Friendship Center’s annual Games for Good (formerly known as End Hunger Games)! On Saturday, September 19th from 2pm-5pm, join for an afternoon of fun for the whole family at Begyle Brewing. $40 | General admission includes most event games, food & two beers $20 | Children ages 3 to 12—kids under 3 are free! $110 | Family ticket includes two adults and two kids ($10 savings)
Grab your tickets now! All event proceeds will help provide access to fresh food and vital resources to the estimated 70,000 neighbors facing hunger in Chicago's NW neighborhoods. |
|
|
| WANT Community Yard Sale
On September 19th from 9am–4pm, West Andersonville Neighbors Together (WANT) is hosting WANT Block Club's Annual Neighborhood Yard from Bryn Mawr to Foster between Clark and Ravenswood. RSVP to be a vendor at this link! |
|
| |
| Hearing in Color at West Ridge Nature Park
West Ridge Nature Park will host a Hearing in Color Performance on September 19 at 6:00PM. This is a moving (literally) performance of an acapella choir that will stop in several places around the park and end in the Nature Play Space for about another half hour performance. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Citizenship and DACA Renewal Workshop
On Sunday, August 20, 2026, from 10 AM to 2 PM, the HANA Center is hosting a Citizenship & DACA Renewal Workshop in the Albany Park area. Register here! You can also text “Workshop” to 773-583-5501, or email [email protected]. After registration, participants will be provided the address. |
|
| |
| Let’s Talk Data Centers
Concerned about data centers? Join a Town Hall in Chicago with State Reps. Cassidy and Williams Sept. 22 to learn how you can take action! When: Tuesday, September 22nd from 6-8 p.m. Where: Center on Halsted, Reception Hall, 3656 N Halsted St What: Town Hall with a panel presentation with expert speakers from the ICJC, a Q&A portion with State Reps. Kelly Cassidy and Ann Williams, sponsors of the POWER Act, and a light meal provided. Participants of the event will discuss data center development in IL, the impacts on community members, and the policy solutions in the Protecting our Water, Energy, and Ratepayers (POWER) Act.
The evening will wrap up with recommendations on how you can take action to help pass the bill this Fall. The data center build out is being pushed by some of the biggest and most powerful corporations in the world, but it isn’t inevitable, and it doesn’t have to come at the expense of Illinois families. |
|
| |
| Edgewater Theater September Salon
On Thursday, September 24th, 2026 from 6-8pm., Edgewater Historical Society is hosting their first Autumn Salon as part of their ongoing exhibit, Celebrating Edgewater's Theatres. This event will take place at the historical society located at 5358 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60640. This event will be a Q&A with Lara Johnson, the Archivist of the well-known Edgewater theater, The Neo-Futurists. Light refreshments will be served, and admission is free. |
|
| |
| Metra Tree Walk at Peterson/Ridge Metra Station
On Saturday, September 26th at 10am join TreeKeeper Brett Jelinek on a Tree Tour around the Peterson/Ridge Metra Station. Learn how the trees planted at the new Metra station are helping local wildlife and humans alike, and the role community advocacy played in bringing 100% native plants to the station. This is also a great way to get out into nature and enjoy the first days of fall! |
|
| |
| Butterfly Garden Plant ID and Native Plant Giveaway at the Budlong Woods Library
On Sunday, September 27 at 2PM, the Budlong Woods Library is hosting Butterfly Garden Plant ID and Native Plant Giveaway at 5630 N. Lincoln Avenue. The cohort will identify and label native plants growing in the library's new butterfly garden. Learn about the benefits of adding native plants to your landscape. Each participant will take home a free native seedling for fall planting. A variety of native species seed packs and resource materials will be available. Space is limited. Stop by the library or call 312-742-9590 to register. |
|
| |
| Andersonville Arts Weekend
Join Andersonville Chamber of Commerce for the 22nd annual Arts Weekend! The event kicks off Friday, September 25, with opening parties & artist receptions and continues through the weekend with 30+ local businesses hosting artists from across Chicago. |
|
| |
| Additional SNAP Match at Andersonville Farmer’s Market
Starting September 16th, shoppers at the Andersonville Farmers Market (AFM) using Link/SNAP will receive an additional match of up to $15 in vouchers, good for any SNAP-eligible item at the market.
Here's how it works: Swipe your Link/SNAP card at the market booth Receive tokens to purchase SNAP approved items Receive new additional match (up to $15/week) in AFM vouchers to purchase any SNAP approved items Receive a one-to-one match with LinkUp IL vouchers, good for any fresh produce purchases
|
|
| | | |
| Public Safety TrendsOverall, violent crime is slightly up (3.5%) in the 40th Ward for the year so far compared to last year. Citywide, violent crime is down 7.3%. 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! |
|
|
|
| |
| Bike/Catalytic Converter Registration Event
On September 24th, from 10am-12pm, the 24th District Police Department is hosting a Bicycle/Catalytic Converter Registration Event at Roberts Cycle Bike Repair Shop at 7054 N Clark St. Registering catalytic converters and bicycles with the 24th District can prevent thefts and aids in the retrieval of your property. The first ten registrants will receive a steering wheel lock! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | |
|
|
We rallied this past weekend for the Delivery Protection Act, to protect delivery drivers. |
|
|
|
I joined several of my colleagues in the 17th District to raise our voices against ICE using City Property to stage civil immigration enforcement. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| More photos from Bike the Drive last week! |
|
| | | | |
|
|
|
| |
|
