Dear Neighbors,
Thank you to everyone who made their voice heard by voting this Tuesday. We are especially grateful to the election judges and officials across the city who ensured the process ran smoothly. As a non-partisan office, we remain committed to working with our county, state and federal partners to continue delivering meaningful investments and projects here in the 43rd Ward.
As it goes in our active ward - there is a lot to cover; accordingly, this week’s newsletter will be segmented to present each update clearly. From City Council developments to neighborhood initiatives, our office has been hard at work engaging with residents and partners across the community.
April Street Sweeping
Street sweeping season officially begins on April 1st, when sweepers will return on a regular basis throughout the ward. The Department of Streets and Sanitation will post warning signs 48 hours in advance, so please remember to move your car to avoid a ticket and help ensure our streets are properly cleaned. Click here to see the block-by-block April and May schedule.
Youth Summer Jobs
The City has rebranded ‘One Summer Chicago’ as Chicago Youth Works. Last year, the program connected over 31,000 young people across the city with jobs, investing more than $30 million into Chicago’s young people. In partnership with the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), the program will provide summer jobs to Chicagoans aged 14 to 24 while expanding year-round roles and early career counseling. Youth Summer Jobs has become a city program that we can all be proud of, and I encourage anyone eligible to apply here.
Volunteer Corps ‘What is a Ward?’ Series
Our 43rd Ward Volunteer Corps has hit the ground running to the benefit of our community. Next week, our Volunteer Corps will launch a new civic workshop series called “How It Works,” beginning with its first episode “Block Talk on Tap: What is a Ward?” Whether you are new to the ward, or have been here for decades, this event will break down how local government operates and provide residents with practical tools to engage more effectively. The event is hosted by our hardworking 43rd Ward Volunteer Corps, and as a fun bonus, this event will feature remarks from former 43rd Ward Alder Michele Smith in my stead. Register for the Block Talk event here, and sign up for 43rd Ward Volunteer Corps updates and opportunities here.
City Council - COPA Ordinance
This week, City Council approved an ordinance to expand the responsibilities of the Civilian Office for Police Accountability (COPA), calling it to investigate specific allegations where Chicago police officers may have assisted federal immigration enforcement in violation of the Welcoming City Ordinance. Supported by CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling, this update provides long-needed clarity on who is responsible for reviewing these types of complaints and ensures a clear process is in place. As national conversations around immigration enforcement continue, this is an important accountability measure to maintain trust between law enforcement and all communities.
City Council - Tipped Wage Increase Pause
This week, a majority of City Council voted to pause future increases to the tipped minimum wage. I supported the original ordinance because I believe in raising standards for workers and creating more stable incomes; however, over the past year, I’ve also heard real concerns from our local small business owners and workers alike about the strain of rising costs combined with the pace of these changes.
My vote to support a pause reflects the need to take a closer look at how this policy is working in practice. This vote is about getting the policy balance right so both workers and the small businesses they rely on can succeed. Regardless of what comes next, I’ll continue working with all local stakeholders to support their businesses - and the increasing vitality of our ward’s commercial corridors.
‘Thank you’ to Hope Pavich, former Executive Director of Care for Friends
Finally, I want to send a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Hope Pavich for her outstanding leadership as Executive Director of Care for Friends, and congratulate her on her next role. Over the past several years, including throughout the construction of their transformational new community center on the Fourth Presbyterian Church campus, Hope helped guide the project many of you have followed in this newsletter. Today, that space is open in Lincoln Park, expanding Care for Friends’ ability to provide meals, a food pantry, case management, and a welcoming place for neighbors experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.
