Oktoberfestiversary; Coonley Playground

Hi neighbors,

Yesterday, the City Council’s Environmental Protection Committee passed my proposal to prohibit City departments from purchasing foodware containing styrofoam and other nonrecyclable plastics. These types of plastics have impacts far beyond their short time in use—they break down into toxic micro- and nano-plastics that pollute our land, our waterways, and even our bodies. 

This proposal was spearheaded by the Coalition for Plastic Reduction, which includes Organizing for Plastics Alternatives (OPA), the Chicago Recycling Coalition, and Friends of the Chicago River. I’m particularly grateful for OPA leaders/47th Ward residents Jon Schmidt, Barbara Cooper, and Ann Ridge for their tireless advocacy in pushing this across the finish line.

Staying on the topic of environmental protection, I was incredibly proud to receive the Environmental Champion Award from the Illinois Environmental Council last week! My sincere thanks to our office’s Director Community Engagement Maggie Kosterman and the 47th Ward Green Council for their partnership in working to make our Ward and City cleaner and healthier. 

Earlier this week, the City Council’s Finance Committee authorized a $261 million police misconduct settlement for 16 lawsuits involving disgraced former CPD Detective Reynaldo Guevara. The 17 plaintiffs were between the ages of 14 and 28 years old when they were arrested for murders they didn’t commit, and they collectively served 383 years in prison. Our Law Department estimated that, had the City taken each of these cases to trial, our legal exposure could have exceeded $500 million.

I had a blast at our annual 47th Ward Community Bike Ride, which had a spooky twist this year—visits to the St. Boniface Cemetery, Graceland Cemetery, and Chase Park’s Haunted House. I also had the pleasure of visiting Cafecito, a new Cuban coffeehouse and cafe on Western Ave just north of Irving Park.

I hope you all have a relaxing weekend. If you’re looking for something to do, consider swinging by the annual Oktoberfestiversary tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday at Dovetail and Begyle Breweries. As with prior years, all donations at the door will go to The Friendship Center.

Finally, I was heartened to see WGN spotlight the critical work of Northside Housing & Supportive Services to provide housing to neighbors in need. The organization has offices in the 47th Ward and recently opened a shelter in Rogers Park that provides housing and wraparound supports to dozens of Chicago men.

Yours in service,

Ald Matt Martin

Office Closure. City of Chicago offices will be closed on Monday, October 12th in observance of Indigenous People's Day. Please email [email protected] or call 3-1-1 to submit requests.

Mobile City Hall

Saturday, October 17th

Need new guest parking passes or a new city sticker, but don't want to drive downtown? Still need to schedule your annual flu shot?

Good news! Mobile City Hall is coming to you on Saturday, October 17th at St Ben's Gym (3941 N Bell). At Mobile City Hall, you'll be able to:

• Purchase a city sticker
• Purchase residential permit parking guest passes
• Purchase a dog license
• Get a free CityKey card
• Plus, get your annual flu shot!

Learn more

Coming Soon: Coonley Playground Improvements

Exciting news for Coonley Elementary! Students can look forward to a brand-new playground next year.

The current playground is more than 17 years old and is overdue for an upgrade. The new playground will also be designed with accessibility in mind, making it easier for students in the cluster program to enjoy outdoor time and play alongside their peers.

I’m proud to have contributed $100,000 in local infrastructure funds to help make this project possible. Our students deserve a playground that works for everyone!

Oktoberfestiversary

October 10th-11th

Oktoberfestiversary returns! Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery are hosting their annual Fall party! Join us in celebrating Chicago’s coolest season and the 14th anniversary of Begyle Brewing, with food trucks, live music, and of course, lots of beer!

A suggested $5 donation at the gate will help us reach 4.5 MILLION MEALS donated from our events to The Friendship Center!

Learn more

Lincoln Roscoe Beer Stroll

Saturday, October 17th

Taste Chicago's craft beer scene as businesses along Lincoln Avenue and Roscoe Street transform into tasting destinations! Taste beer samples from local breweries at popular shops along Lincoln Ave. and Roscoe St.!

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Open House Chicago

October 17th-October 18th

Explore one of the largest architecture and urban festivals in the world as Open House Chicago (OHC) returns to celebrate 16 years of architecture, culture and community. This free public festival offers behind-the-scenes access to more than 200 sites, including many that are not normally open to the public.

Learn more

Welles Park Work Day

Saturday, October 24th

Join the Welles Park Advisory Council for a work day! Volunteers will primarily be mulching the Nature Play Space and cleaning the Park!

Come join them for all or part of the morning from 9 AM to 12 PM. Please bring a wheel barrel if you have one.

Neighborhood Tree Walk

Saturday, October 17th

Get to know the trees in our neighborhood! Join the Greater Rockwell Neighborhood Association on a tour of some of our community's notable trees, identify some trees that do well in urban areas, and learn the basics of how you can be a better tree steward. Tour led by Openlands Tree Keeper, landscape architect, and GRO corner gardener Sarah White.

Learn more

Sanctuary Stories: A Journalism Theater Project

October 9th-18th

Through music, documentary video, photos and live actors, SANCTUARY STORIES captures in words and images the lives and communities who are deeply connected with — and affected by — immigration in Chicago. This “living documentary” is a unique adventure in multimedia storytelling that brings journalism to life.

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Welcome Back Goosefoot

4520 N Lincoln Ave

In 2024, the award-winning fine-dining restaurant closed its location at 2656 W. Lawrence Ave. after 12 years in business. Now, Goosefoot is gearing up to host a grand opening Oct. 10 at its new home in the heart of Lincoln Square, 4520 N. Lincoln Ave. The restaurant, which specializes in contemporary French-American cooking, actually opened its new location in March.

Learn more

Community Thriller Workshop and Flash Mob

Saturday, October 25th

Joel Hall Dancers annual Thriller Workshop & Flask Mob is BACK for another year! Join Joel Hall Dancers First Company Member Melissa Metro in a one-hour lesson in the iconic choreography — and then go out into the neighborhood for some fabulous pop-up performances.

Learn more

Spooky Cocktail Class at KOVAL

Thursday, October 29th

Join KOVAL for a spooktacular cocktail class on their distillery platform! Up your mixology game this Halloween with our intimate, hands-on instruction, and learn to craft bewitching, festive drinks that are sure to impress your friends and family.

Learn more

Ashland Resurfacing

The Ashland AR is wrapping up! Final pavement markings and sewer structure cleaning are projected to be done by mid-October. CDOT will then move on to their "punch list" which includes the restoration of miscellaneous items that we have flagged for them. Please reach out with pictures of any issues!

Sign up for Updates

Ravenswood Sewer Work

The Department of Water Management (DWM) will be working on various blocks in Ravenswood in the area bounded by Western, Damen, Lawrence, and Argyle. They will be performing sewer main upgrades and lead service line replacements.

The work will be done in four phases to minimize traffic and parking impacts. The work will begin later this month, and the final phase is projected to end in April. For more information and project updates, please sign up for the project specific mailing list at the below link.

Sign up for Updates

This Year: Upcoming Projects

• Water Main Replacement near Leavitt and Lawrence
• People's Gas Projects on Greenview from Roscoe to Grace

This Week

• Oktoberfestiversary, October 10th-11th, Learn more
• Repair Cafe at Sulzer Library, October 10th, Learn more
• Casino Uptown, October 15th, Learn more
• Senn-toberfest, October 16th, Learn more
• Chicago Cleanup Challenge, October 1st-31st, Learn more
• Lake View High School robotics, Learn more

Next Weekend

• Mobile City Hall and Vaccine Clinic, October 17th, Learn more
• Cornelia Arts Studio Open House, October 16th-17th, Learn more
• Lincoln Roscoe Beer Stroll, October 17th, Learn more
• Lincoln Square Music Crawl, October 17th, Learn more
• OpenHouse Chicago, October 17th-18th, Learn more
• Roscoe Village Halloween Party, October 18th, Learn more

Late October

• Revere Park Chilli Cook Off, October 19th, Learn more
• OneTRU Fall Career Fair at Truman College, October 19th, Learn more
• Pumpkin Painting, October 22nd, Learn more
• Chase Park Trick or Treat Fest, October 25th, Learn more
• Lincoln Scared Ravenswooood Trick or Treat, October 25th, Learn more
• Southport Trick or Treat, October 26th, Learn more
• Ravenswood Costume Crawl, October 28th, Learn more
• Montrose Monster Mash, October 30th, Learn more

Community Job Boards

Looking to work locally? Many of our local chambers of commerce offer job boards to help highlight openings at local businesses. Find more information at the following links:

• Andersonville
• Lakeview/Roscoe Village
• Lincoln Square/Ravenswood
• Northcenter
• Greater Ravenswood