Apple Fest; Spooky Bike Ride

Hi neighbors,

This week, I joined most of my City Council colleagues in approving the sale of Chicago’s parking meters to Stonepeak. As many of you know, the original 2008 parking meter deal was a disaster for Chicago—City leaders used the sale proceeds to plug a one-time budget gap, and the purchaser recouped their investment a mere 11 years into the 75-year contract.

As I’ve mentioned in prior newsletters, the City Council was sharply limited in its ability to negotiate a better deal for Chicago. But that’s what happened here, thanks in large part to Finance Committee Chair Pat Dowell and the City’s head attorney Mary Richardson-Lowry. Stonepeak has agreed to:

• Make a one-time $75 million payment to the City, all of which will be earmarked for pension obligations;
• Share 5% of its annual parking meter-related profits with the City, which is projected to bring an additional $376 million to City coffers; and
• Sell an airline that the federal government used to transfer immigrants in abysmal conditions. 

This week, the City Council delayed a vote on two competing renter-protection policy proposals. Currently, both laws would (1) create a rental registry with information about rental building owners, (2) rein in the use of non-refundable move-in fees that exceed actual move-in costs, and (3) extend an existing City pilot that provides legal representation to certain renters in eviction court. I hope that the City Council will reach a compromise agreement before the end of October. 

On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of joining dozens of 8th-grade students at Coonley Elementary for a lively discussion about civics. The topics were exceptionally wide-ranging—from street improvements and native plants in parkways to my office’s legislative priorities and my years as an aspiring jazz musician at Northwestern University!

I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend. If you’re looking for something to do, consider swinging by the annual Apple Fest street festival today (Friday) through Sunday. There will also be a free community art class tomorrow (Saturday) from 12pm to 1pm at the Northcenter Town Square.

And next week, mark your calendars for a Spooky Community Bike Ride on Wednesday, October 7th at 6pm, as well as office hours with Senator Duckworth’s Office on Friday, October 9th.

Yours in service,

Ald Matt Martin

Free Pumpkin Painting

Thursday, October 22nd

Join Alders Vasquez and Martin for free pumpkin painting on the Ainslie Arts Plaza on October 22nd. A limited number of free pumpkins are available to register for in advance.

Guests are also welcome to bring their own pumpkin! Stick around for the costume contest and other spooky activities.

Learn more

Join Our Spooky Bike Ride

Wednesday, October 7th

Join us Wednesday, October 7 from 6–7:30 PM for a spooky evening ride through the neighborhood.

All ages welcome & costumes encouraged

we'll meet at Welles Park and spend most of our ride on the new protected bike lane on Clark along the way we'll explore some of the history, legends and local lore surrounding two cemeteries in the ward, hear stories from real-life haunted house actors, and keep our eyes peeled—never know who or what we might encounter along the way!

We'll end at Demo Brewing, where you can grab a drink and food from Happy Lobster food truck.

Learn more

Apple Fest

October 2nd-4th

Stroll along Lincoln Avenue and shop fresh-picked apples, cider and seasonal favorites from Midwest farms; dig into creative apple-inspired dishes and festival eats from local restaurants and food vendors; sip hard and non-alcoholic ciders, seasonal beers and more; and browse a bustling marketplace filled with artists, makers and local businesses.

Learn more

Free Community Art Class

Saturday, October 3rd

You're invited to a free community Art Class on Saturday, October 3rd at 12 PM at the North Center Town Square. Artists of all ages and experiences are welcome to participate in this art class guided by Ms. Pearlmutter, the art teacher at Bell Elementary. Participants will explore the art of drawing trees. After the class, you're welcome to submit your work to display at the 47th Ward Office Fall Showcase.

Learn more

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!

Learn more

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Every day, survivors in our community turn to the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline for safety, resources, and support.

Here's a few initiatives you can support this month:

• The Network's Events
• 20th District Police Webinar
• Queen of Apostles Events

School Bike Bus Marshall Training

Sunday, October 4th

Interested in helping run a school bike bus? Join Bike Grid Now for a special edition of their marshal training designed specifically for school bike buses. Come out on Sunday, October 4th to learn how to lead a group ride, cork intersections, de-escalate safely with drivers, and keep kids safe on the way to school. Visit this link to sign up!

Learn more

October Clean Up Competition

This October, Chicago is going up against Philly AND Los Angeles in a cross-country Clean-Off competition, to see which city can pick up the most litter! Led by Cleanup Club Chicago, the winning city will have bragging rights, and the top litter pickers will be eligible for cool prizes.

Anyone can participate by cleaning up litter within Chicago city limits, whether it’s with an organized group cleanup or on your own. Chicago beat Philly last year, and we need your help to do that again in 2026!

Learn more

Applications Open: Utility Assistance

Wednesday, September 30th

Need help with your utility bills? Applications for assistance are open on October 1 for older adults (60 years +), individuals with a disability, families with children five years old or younger and households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% in their propane tank. All other income eligible households can start applying November 1, 2026.

Learn more

Ravenswood Costume Crawl

Wednesday, October 28th

This October, your favorite local haunts are teaming up for an evening of treats, drinks, and Halloween fun. Show up in costume, hang out with friends and neighbors, and enjoy a fantastic selection of local bites and sips as you hop between shops and restaurants along Montrose Ave.

Learn more

Edgar Allen Poe Party at Book Cellar

Friday, October 16th

This year marks Emmy C-G's sixth annual Edgar Allan Poe celebration! You can expect a gothic ambiance with a dramatic reading of The Raven along with a few audience-selected Poe works. Musical interludes will heighten the eerie, moody atmosphere.

Learn more

Andersonville Ghost Tour

Beginning October 2nd

On this 1.5-mile walking tour through Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, you’ll be led to the very doorsteps of hidden haunts, whispered legends, and tales that linger long after the night has ended.

Learn more

Ashland Resurfacing

Final pavement markings for the and sewer structure cleaning are projected to be done by mid-October.

People's Gas is projected to dig on Ashland between Addison and Waveland this week for a necessary, but routine, service cutoff. Construction delays may have occurred due to rain this week. People's Gas has agreed to expedite the restoration, which will happen at most three weeks from the initial dig date.

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 Weekend

• Apple Fest, October 2nd-4th, Learn more
• Community Art Class, October 3rd, Learn more
• A Day in Haiti, October 3rd, Learn more
• Amundsen Athletics Golf Outing, October 4th, Learn more
• Ravenswood Fellowship Family Movie Night, October 4th, Learn more
• Verses and Voices with Project Poetic Justice, October 4th, Learn more

Next Week

• Albany Park Neighborhood Choir Discovery Day, October 6th, Learn more
• Spooky Bike Ride, October 7th, RSVP
• Office Hours with Senator Duckworth's Office, October 9th, Learn more
• Oktoberfestiversary, October 10th-11th, Learn more

Late October

• Casino Uptown, October 15th, Learn more
• Senn-toberfest, October 16th, Learn more
• 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
• Revere Park Chilli Cook Off, October 19th, 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