Happy Friday Neighbors,

Eid Mubarak from all of us here at the 40th Ward Office! During this difficult time for so many in our community, we are wishing a joy and peace-filled holiday for all who celebrate.

It’s been a busy week! In City Council this past Wednesday, we were proud to pass the Welcoming City Investigation Ordinance, an initiative the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights have been working on since last summer.

The heart of this ordinance is pretty simple: we can’t call ourselves a Welcoming City if we have no process for investigating and holding accountable the people who violate our Welcoming City laws. Chicagoans should be able to trust that our local law enforcement aren’t helping the federal agents that have terrorized our neighborhoods for the past year, and they can’t trust that if we don’t have a clear process for accountability. This ordinance empowers COPA to live up to its mandate to strengthen civilian oversight of CPD, by codifying their ability to investigate reports of CPD officers collaborating with ICE in violation of our Welcoming City Ordinance.

This is one small but meaningful step toward making sure our Welcoming City laws are upheld. I'm grateful to Ald. Fuentes for her advocacy and look forward to working with COPA to make sure that investigations happen thoroughly and in a timely manner, and that the findings from those investigations are easily accessible to the public. I am also deeply grateful to the hundreds of neighbors who showed up to CCPSA meetings and gave public comment at our Committee meeting to call for transparent accountability mechanisms for Welcoming City Ordinance violations. Your voices matter, and we will continue to work together to build a stronger accountability process that lives up to our values as a Welcoming City.

I also appreciated hearing feedback this week from both small businesses and food service workers on the proposed effort to overturn the One Fair Wage Ordinance! Ultimately, I did not vote to pause the ordinance, because I don’t believe City Council has done its due diligence by holding a full hearing to assess how this ordinance is affecting restaurants––especially in light of all of the many economic pressures that have impacted them this year, with tariffs and other increasing costs. At the same time, restaurant workers are also struggling under the same financial pressures, and we have to balance the concerns of restaurant owners with the workers. While the pause did ultimately pass, I anticipate that Mayor Johnson will veto. My hope is that this will lead to a more in-depth assessment about the measure itself, and allow for more conversation with all of those who are affected, so we can land on the right solution.

Lastly, I want to acknowledge the loss of Michael Altman, a Chicago firefighter who was killed in the line of duty this past week in Rogers Park. In serving as a firefighter, Michael carried on the proud tradition of his family: his father served as a battalion chief, and his grandfather ran the Chicago Fire Department under Mayor Richard M. Daley. We honor his legacy, and our hearts are with his family as they grieve this enormous loss.

Yours in Service and Community,

Andre Vasquez

Lincoln Avenue Streetscape

The second and final phase of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape Project is nearing the finish line! Contractors are currently working on finishing up the Ainslie Arts Plaza and modernizing the Western Avenue traffic signal.

After some weather-related delays, installation of new traffic signal equipment on Western and Ainslie has now begun!  The installation will take approximately 4-5 days to complete, and temporary lane closures will be necessary at the intersection. The left turn restriction from westbound Ainslie onto southbound Western will not be in effect immediately. We will provide additional updates regarding the timeline for the left turn restrictions, as once the traffic signal is installed the Division of Electrical Operations will conduct an inspection and then program the new signal phases. The current lane configuration and signal timing will remain in place until then.

Completion is expected by the end of March. Visit 40thward.org/lincolntrafficchanges for more information!

Ashland Resurfacing & Traffic Signal

Construction on Ashland Avenue from Montrose to Foster is paused due to plan revisions! Construction for the Ashland and Berwyn traffic signal is also on hold, as contractors ran into some unexpected material issues. Once they have an estimated delivery date for those materials, we will update the timeline for completion. In the meantime, we are checking in regularly to make sure the light is operational as soon as possible.

Western Brown Line Project

The CTA Western bus turnaround opening has been delayed to June, extending the detour of the #11 and #49B routes. The CTA found further station structural issues that requires expanded construction operation space. The 47th Ward office has requested that they minimize the fenced area so that pedestrians may access the sidewalk. Work on the southern elevator has begun and is expected to reopen on March 25th. Crews expect to begin installing traffic lights, light poles, and festoon poles next week, as well as beginning to install curbs. These curbs will require a total 10 days of good weather to install. Paver installation will follow, then landscaping, and finally railings, all of which are projected to be completed by May 14th.

LSRCC International Women’s Day Market

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the historical, cultural, and political achievements of women.  To honor the hardworking women-owned businesses in the Lincoln Square Ravenswood area, the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their 5th Annual International Women's Day Market at Artifact Events (4325 N. Ravenswood Ave) on March 28th and 29th from 11am to 5pm.  The market will feature pop-up shops curated by local, women-owned businesses selling unique products from jewelry, beauty products, home goods, food, drinks, and more.

Edgewater Historical Society Spring Salon Series

Join the Edgewater Historical Society on Thursday, March 26th at 5358 N. Ashland for mingling, light refreshments, and Q&A with Brian Pastor as he discusses the history of The City Lit Theater in Edgewater. The reception will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

JASC Repair Day

JASC will be hosting a free repair day! Bring your wheelchair, walker, cane and let their team help keep you safe, sturdy and ready to move. Free and open to everyone in the community. A simple repair can make a big difference in your independence and peace of mind! The event will take place on Thursday March 26 11am to 1pm at 5700 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL.

“The Observed and The Imagined” at 6311 Arts

Edgewater’s newest art center, 6311arts, will present The Observed & The Imagined, opening Saturday, March 28 with a reception from 6–9 p.m. Visitors to the opening night reception will have the opportunity to meet the artists, connect with fellow art enthusiasts, and experience a range of contemporary work in an approachable neighborhood setting. The show runs from March 28th 2026 – April 26th, 2026 at 6311 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL. The event is free and open to the public.

West Andersonville Community Garden Spring Cleanup

Join West Andersonville Neighbors Together (WANT) for a Spring Clean Up at the West Andersonville Community Garden! Volunteers will be gathering on Sunday, March 29th from 9:00am-12:00pm on the east side of Ravenswood and Summerdale.

Free Induction Cooking Class!

On March 30th, from 6:00pm-7:00pm, the Chopping Block and 40th Ward Environmental Board are hosting a free induction cooking demo! With induction cooking on the rise, now is the perfect time to get familiar and comfortable with this powerful and efficient method of cooking. Spend an hour with a chef as they demo two recipes that utilize different heat and cooking times, so you can see first hand how precisely and evenly an induction burner operates. This event will also discuss all of the energy and safety benefits and cover compatible cookware. You’ll learn just how easy it is to prepare your favorite recipes using an induction burner. There will also be a raffle, with prizes including induction cooktops and compatible pans. RSVP here!

Public Safety Updates

Hi Neighbors,

This week, I had the chance to attend a presentation by Dr. Anthony Douglas Jr. and Sara Knizhnik about a new bill introduced by State Representative Kevin Olickal called the Responsibility in Firearm Legislation (RIFL) Act.

One of the key takeaways was a difficult but important reality: gun violence is now the leading cause of death among young adults. The impact goes far beyond those directly affected. Survivors, grieving families, businesses, and taxpayers also share the financial burden of gun-related injuries. In Illinois, these costs add up to an estimated $18 to $20 billion each year when you consider both direct and indirect expenses.

At the same time, firearm manufacturers are not responsible for any of these costs and are largely protected from lawsuits. In other words, the public pays, while manufacturers keep the profits. The RIFL Act (HB3320) aims to change that by requiring manufacturers to help cover some of the public costs tied to gun violence. If passed, the bill could encourage companies to make safer products and take a more active role in preventing violence and suicide.

This conversation feels especially important right now as we mourn the loss of Sheridan Gorman, who was tragically killed at just 18 years old near Loyola’s Lake Shore Campus. Moments like this remind us why it is so important to keep working toward solutions and addressing the root causes of gun violence in Chicago.

We are also encouraged to see the Chicago Police Department bringing back its Court Advocacy Program. This program gives community members a way to support justice by monitoring court cases, including those involving violent crime or quality-of-life concerns. If you are interested, you can reach out to your local police district to learn more and sign up.

Please also continue to attend your local District Council meetings and share your concerns! Community participation plays an important role in shaping public safety priorities and making sure residents have a voice in the conversation.

Yours in Service,

Deirdre O’Connor

Illinois Secretary of State Text Scam Alert

Phishing text scams continue to be a persistent threat. A text claiming to be from “Illinois Secretary of State Final Notice” is a scam. The Secretary of State’s office DOES NOT send texts related to vehicle registration, driving privileges, or enforcement actions. Don’t click on any links.

Public Safety Trends

Overall, violent crime is down 10.3% in the 40th Ward for the year so far compared to last year! Citywide, violent crime is down 9.1%. See below for a breakdown of citywide and 40th Ward statistics across all categories.

It was a pleasure joining the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin to talk about the state of the neighborhood this week!