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March 29, 2026
Dear neighbors,
Our home opener is this Thursday, April 2nd, so I’m getting ready! What’s your favorite home opener memory? With some people who will be attending for their 50th year in a row, I know some people’s favorite memory is the 50 cent beer!
White Sox passes and decals are available in the office for those who have not received them at home. If your vehicle is registered with the City within the Sox Residential Zone, you should have received them in the mail by now, if you haven’t, please stop by with an ID or proof of address if your address is not up to date on your ID.
We have a new business to welcome opening on Morgan Street. Stop in to check out Meze Table Market! Just in time for the end of Women’s History Month, this woman-owned business will be bringing an exciting grab-and-go grocery store offering to add to the vibrancy of the street. Honing their authentic traditional Greek-style cooking through catering and pop-up events, their new brick-and-mortar store will have seating as well as ready to go meals and frozen meals, spreads, and other goodies. They will also have specialty grocery store staples such as fresh-baked bread, bagels, homemade cream cheese, hummus, seasonal produce, and curated home goods with a Greek flare. They are in the soft-launching phase now (but open!) but will officially be opening next Saturday, 4/4.
Don’t forget that, due to a change in traffic patterns, 35th Street will be closed from Wentworth to Normal in both directions 90 minutes prior and 60 minutes after the game. It will remain open to emergency vehicles, CTA buses, IDOT vehicles, and bicycles. Please pay close attention to parking signs, as some of them have been replaced with new ones around the ballpark. Cars parked in areas that say “NO PARKING 4 HOURS BEFORE and 2 HOURS AFTER” are subject to towing at the owner’s expense. If you have any questions or concerns about the new traffic patterns, please contact our office so we pass them along to relevant City agencies. For more information and details about traffic patterns, street closures below.
This week, I joined City Clerk Anna Valencia and others from local organizations and City departments for “Shop in Solidarity” in Chinatown. Clerk Valencia has hosted other events like these in neighborhoods throughout the city to promote shopping local to support small businesses. A group of nearly 30 people joined us for a tour of Chinatown with stops at a few of our unique businesses–Ichiban Candy Store, St. Anna’s Bakery, EK Housewares and Gifts and Triple Crown Restaurant. These have collectively been in business for more than 100 years! Many thanks to Clerk Valencia and her team.
Please note that our office will be closed on April 3rd in observance of Good Friday. The office will be open on Saturday, April 4th from 9am-Noon. Our office is open on the first Saturday of every month. We are wishing all those who celebrate a very Happy Easter.
Public Safety
We have all been closely following the story of the shocking and heartbreaking murder of Loyola student Sheridan Gorman. While this didn’t take place in the 11th Ward, I know all of our hearts go out to her family and the entire Loyola University community.
I am grateful to the CPD detectives who apprehended the suspect following thorough police work, I’m sure we will find out more details about the situation as the case develops. I hope this breakthrough leads to justice for the Gorman family. As you may have read, the suspect in custody is a migrant from Venezuela who was bused to our city from Texas. With the news and political climate as it is, we must not allow this terrible crime by a seemingly disturbed individual to be used to scapegoat immigrants across our city.
Over the weekend, 9th District police shut down two large parties in spaces that were not licensed or permitted to hold such events. Additionally, we saw a number of car break-ins of parked vehicles. We would like to thank those neighbors who contacted police when they saw suspicious activity and remind all that if you experience a break-in of any kind to call 911 to file a report. Reporting crimes helps the police collect data on crimes and to detect patterns that will direct resources to the appropriate locations.
This Week in City Council
I was disappointed to see more personnel turnover and controversy in the Mayor’s Office this past week with the firing of public safety staffers Garien Gatewood and Manny Whitfield, and the sudden resignation of Chicago Commission on Human Relations Commissioner Nancy Andrade. In particular, I know that Commissioner Andrade has served our city with integrity, and I was disappointed to hear that she felt she had to resign in order to uphold her oath to comport with the highest standard of ethics.
It’s natural for some staff to turn over, but the circumstances around these particular events are concerning. Our city needs stability and a steady hand to guide us forward in this moment, and I hope this is the end of the drama.
Upcoming in City Council
Our next full City Council meeting is April 15 at 10AM.
Around the Ward
Our next Veterans Office Hours are April 10 from 12-4PM. No appointment necessary.
Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22nd. We’ll be joining the City’s Clean and Green effort on Saturday, April 18th! Sign up to volunteer with the 11th Ward. All volunteers will be invited to join in a picnic at McGuane Park after the clean up is completed.
The Greater Bridgeport & South Loop Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual REVITALIZE Gala on Wednesday, April 22nd at the Bridgeport Arts Center. The chamber will honor Filbert’s Root Beer on their 100th Anniversary! Learn more or buy tickets here..
Have a great week,
Ald. Lee
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