| Happy Friday Neighbors,
There’s a lot to celebrate this May! It is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, and Haitian Heritage Month. Especially during a time when antisemitism is on the rise, and the administration is targeting protections for Haitians and terrorizing Asian communities, it’s even more important for us to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander, Haitian, and Jewish communities on our city and our country. We are so grateful for the partnership of organizations like Haitian American Museum of Chicago, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, Indo-American Center, Japanese American Service Center, and the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, so many more in supporting our immigrant and refugee communities in Chicago.
Earlier this week we held our Q2 2026 Town Hall, focused on development! We have so many improvements coming to the 40th that I don’t know where to begin, so please check out the video here:https://youtu.be/L4DLz64jcRk?feature=shared
Or check out the blog when it’s posted on our website!
I’ll see you all at the Ravenswood Manor Garage Sale on Sunday, don’t miss out!
Yours in Service and Community, 
Andre Vasquez |
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| Elise Malary Plaza Pre Construction Meeting
This quarter, contractors will begin work constructing Elise Malary Plaza, by closing Catalpa between Clark and Ashland to traffic, and turning it into a beautified pedestrian plaza where the community can gather together, host events, and browse the local farmer’s market during the summer season.
Ahead of the start of work, 40th Ward Alderperson Andre Vasquez's Office, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the construction team will host this virtual pre-construction meeting. This will be an important opportunity for neighbors and businesses to learn details about the project and ask any questions they have of CDOT staff and contractors.
Learn more and see renderings of the plaza at this link! |
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| Submit Project Proposals for The People’s Budget by June 1st!Got an idea for an infrastructure project you want to see in the neighborhood? Submit a project proposal! From January to June 1st, neighbors have the opportunity to submit ideas for projects we should consider for the 2026-2027 People’s Budget! Neighbors can submit their project proposals at bit.ly/2026-PB. |
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| Front Desk Volunteer Training: May 29th! Want to help your 40th Ward neighbors? Join our Front Desk team! At our training, you’ll learn how to intake constituent service requests, how to handle different phone call scenarios, and more! To RSVP, fill out this form!
For more information, email Santos Moreno, our Director of Community Outreach at [email protected]!
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| | 5155 N. Oakley Ave
The proposal for a special use permit for Step 3 Sober living at 5155 N Oakley is now open for feedback! Submit your feedback by May 19th, 2026.
If you weren’t able to make the meeting, you can view a recording! Please note that this not a zoning change request, but a request for support from the 40th Ward office prior to applying for a special use permit. |
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| | Construction Updates
Check out some of the major construction projects going on in the ward this week! |
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| Lincoln Avenue StreetscapeThe second and final phase of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape Project is nearing the finish line! We are looking to have the new traffic signal turned on next week! With this turn on, the traffic changes on Lincoln and Ainslie will be implemented. Beginning this month, there will be no left-turned from westbound Ainslie Street onto southbound Western Avenue. |
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| Elise Malary PlazaWe are thrilled to announce that a contractor has been chosen for the Elise Malary Plaza, and we expect work to begin soon! We will share more information on the upcoming groundbreaking in the coming weeks. |
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| | Ashland Resurfacing & Traffic SignalCrews are working on concrete flatwork from Montrose to Foster, including the removal and installation of sidewalks, bumpouts, and curb and gutters. They will also continue working on installing pavement markings and restoring landscaping between Foster and Ridge. Traffic lane closures will continue as needed to facilitate this work, so please allow additional time for your commute! |
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| | Ridge from Devon to PrattThis week, CDOT installed new parking lane lines on the west side of Ridge, removing existing Peak Hour Parking Restrictions (PHPR). CDOT conducted field observations, and concluded that the volumes on Ridge do not justify two travel lanes in the southbound direction during the morning peak hour. Therefore, the existing PHPR along the west side of Ridge are unnecessary and can lead to increased travel speeds, less availability of on-street parking for residents, increased likelihood of sideswipe crashes, and the potential for pedestrian crashes, where a vehicle stopped in the main travel lane blocks visibility of a pedestrian to a motorist in the outer lane. |
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| Ethnic Fest at Mather HS
The staff and students Stephen T. Mather high school cordially invite you to their 33rd Annual Ethnic Fest, a cherished and long-standing tradition that celebrates the rich ethnic and cultural diversity at Chicago's most diverse high school. This time-honored, time-tested, most favorite and memorable all-school Mather event will take place on Thursday, May 21 and Friday, May 22, 2026.
Join on Thursday, May 21st for the International Food Bazaar at 5pm and performances at 7pm on Thursday the 21st and Friday the 22nd. Food prices vary per item. Tickets for the performances are $5 for students and children under 13 and $10 for adults.
Ethnic Fest provides a truly authentic educational experience for all participants, including performers, presenters, spectators, and the entire Mather community. |
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| Volunteer with The American Legion Tattler Post 973 for Memorial Day! The American Legion Tattler Post 973 is searching for volunteers to help set up flags at Rosehill Cemetery ahead of their annual Memorial Day Parade! Volunteers will be gathering at Rosehill Cemetery at 9:00am on Friday, May 22nd! For more information or to RSVP to volunteer, interested parties should contact Scott Friedland at [email protected] or call 773-539-7954!
If you are a veteran or the loved one of a veteran, we highly encourage you to march in the Memorial Day Parade at Rosehill Cemetery on Monday, May 25th! |
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| State Representative Kelly Cassidy Virtual Town Hall
Join the office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy on Wednesday May 20th from 6:00pm-7:30pm for a virtual town hall. They will be giving updates on the Representative’s bills, the budget, and the end of session, with guest speakers State Representative Lindsey LaPointe and State Representative Will Guzzardi. You can scan the QR code on the flyer or follow this link to register for their town hall. While completing registration you will also have a chance to submit questions you would like answered during the meeting. Zoom links will be sent out the day of the event. |
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| | Calling all Community Scientists! Chicago River Study
Friends of the Chicago River is supporting researchers from Emory University’s School of Medicine, in partnership with the University of Chicago’s Survey Lab, on a study exploring sources of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Chicago-area waterways. By participating, you can help your community better understand where these bacteria might come from and how to address them. Scan the QR code for details and to take the survey. Learn more at this link! |
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| | | Andersonville Farmers Market
The Andersonville Farmers Market opened Wednesday, May 13, and runs every Wednesday from 3-7PM through October 21. We have over 60 vendors featuring locally grown, raised and produced food. We accept Link/SNAP and are part of the Link Match program. The market offers weekly entertainment, kids activities, chef demos and more, plus our NEW Community Booth with a rotating roster of local artisans, nonprofits and block clubs rooted in the Andersonville, Edgewater, and Uptown neighborhoods.
Go to this link for more information. Come shop the market! |
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| 20th District Business Public Safety Meeting
On Sunday, May 17 @ 2:30 PM American Blues Theater presents AmBlue Jubilee. Inspired by the Ozark Jubilee that featured Patsy Cline and other recording artists, don’t miss this one-day-only concert! The Jubilee will include original music and covers of beloved songs by Bob Dylan, George Jones, Joni Mitchell, Kacy Musgraves, Neil Young, and many more. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased at this link! |
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| Public Safety Trends
Dear Neighbors,
This week, city officials and the Mayor announced the citywide expansion of Chicago’s CARE program, allowing mental health professionals to respond to non-violent mental health-related 911 calls across all 22 police districts. Launched in 2021, the program now operates fully under the Chicago Department of Public Health without police involvement. CARE teams provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and connections to long-term resources for residents experiencing mental health or socio-emotional distress.
District Councilors have advocated for expanding this program and are encouraged to see this important step forward. At present, CARE operates Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., but we know mental health crises do not happen on a schedule. We hope this expansion marks the beginning of broader, around-the-clock access to these critical services.
We will continue advocating for alternative response models and policies that place mental health and trauma-informed care in the hands of trained professionals while allowing Chicago Police Officers to focus on responsibilities better suited to law enforcement.
Yours in Service, Deirdre O’Connor, 20th District Councilor |
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| | Public Safety Trends
Overall, violent crime is down 17.1% 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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| | Thank you to everyone who made it out to the Development Town Hall! |
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