Square Roots; Garden Walk

Hi neighbors,

During the seminal Chicago election that elevated Harold Washington to Mayor in 1983, over 80% of registered voters cast ballots to have their voices heard. But 40 years later, in 2023, a mere 35% of eligible Chicagoans voted. Nothing short of depressing.

Earlier this week, I convened a hearing of the City Council’s Ethics Committee to solicit ideas for improving voter participation from several of Chicago’s premier good government organizations — Reform for Illinois, the League of Women Voters, Chicago Votes, and the Chicago Votes. And the hearing was nothing short of energizing! 

We discussed opportunities to minimize the influence of dark money in politics by mandating disclosure of shadow organizations’ largest donors. We also reviewed opportunities to strengthen vote-by-mail options and using mobile voting vans to reach low-propensity voters. And we debated the best ways to implement ranked choice voting — an “instant runoff” system that allows voters to rank multiple candidates so they can vote their true preferences. Notably, ranked choice voting encourages more positive campaigning, eliminates the need for costly runoff elections, and could save Chicago nearly $20 million.

Earlier this week, the City Council’s Housing Committee passed a law I introduced to help make City-funded affordable housing developments quickly and cheaper to build. The proposal will require new public reporting on key development timelines and city processes, and allow routine construction decisions to move forward without burdensome City reviews.

The proposal also eliminates duplicative occupancy approvals that can leave completed affordable homes sitting vacant even after they have been approved by the Department of Buildings. My thanks to the Illinois Housing Council, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and Strong Towns Chicago for their support!

Chicago is fortunate to have showcases like Taste of Chicago that celebrate our city’s rich culinary heritage. But remember: you don’t have to leave the 47th Ward to enjoy exquisite food! Recently, my office has been spotlighting restaurants like Crust Fund Pizza, Spoken Cafe, Stardust Ice Cream, which help make our culinary scene one of the best in the world.

I hope you all have a relaxing weekend. If you’re looking for something to do, consider swinging by the annual Square Roots Festival today (Friday) through Sunday, as well as the annual Graceland West Garden Walk on Sunday between 12pm and 4pm.

And my hearty congratulations to Robin Baumbarten on 30 years of impactful and enjoyable reporting at 47th Ward-based WGN!

Yours in service,

Ald Matt Martin

Development Proposal

4730-52 N Clark

Our office received a request for a zoning change to build a 6-story 95 unit mixed-use building containing 7,600 sq ft of ground floor commercial space.

Next, our office's Zoning Advisory Council will meet to hear about the proposal and to advise the Alderman on how to move forward.

You can review the full application and submit feedback on our website.

Learn more

Approved: 2128 W Eastwood

Ald. Martin supports a zoning change to allow a 2-flat on what is currently a vacant single-family home. Each apartment will have 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. 

The applicant has agreed to incorporate multiple sustainable features — including bike parking and planting a new tree in front of the home — and will recycle 80% of the project’s demolition debris. The applicant will also remove the existing driveway curb cut to expand the parkway. 

This proposal is supported by the Heart of Lincoln Square Neighbors Association.

Learn more

Square Roots

July 10th - 12th

Square Roots brings together the best of Lincoln Square, Chicago, and beyond, with a great lineup of live music, family fun, local restaurants and vendors, local craft beer, cocktails and much more! Your gate donations support music scholarships, farmers markets, holiday decorations, street planters, artist residencies in public schools… and festivals like Square Roots!

Please keep in mind that there will be street closures on Lincoln between Wilson and Montrose. And Sunnyside between Oakley and Leavitt.

Learn more

Graceland West Garden Walk

Sunday, July 12th

Stop by the Graceland West Annual Garden Walk this Sunday. Start at Warner Park for your map and chat with a Master Gardener. The tour is self directed; exhibiting gardens will display a Garden Walk marker in the front, side, and/or backyard.

Learn more

Ravenswood on Tap

July 18th-19th

Malt Row is one of the most prolific craft brewing communities in the country – and it’s right here in Ravenswood! Each year, we celebrate this cultural ferment with Ravenswood On Tap, a two-day outdoor festival that is all about local.

Enjoy beers from Malt Row breweries, KOVAL Distillery cocktails, special tappings, and live music from an incredible roster of original, independent Chicago musicians. There’ll be delicious street food, local artists and artisans, mini golf, swordplay demos, and more! 

Learn more

Survey: 47th Ward Senior Council

We’re reshaping the 47th Ward’s Senior Council, and we want to hear from you! Older adults and seniors are invited to fill out this interest form to share your hobbies, priorities, and ideas for the council. We look forward to sharing more details about upcoming meetings soon!

Paper versions of the form are available upon request—please call or email our office.

Learn more

Volunteer: Welles Park Mulch Day

Saturday, August 1st

Help clean up the park and add much needed mulch to the Nature Play Area trails and trees. We will supply gloves and tools, but extra tools are always welcome (wheelbarrows, iron rakes, large scoop shovels). Join for all or part of the morning. All ages welcome. Student service hours offered.

Learn more

Volunteer: Camp for Children with Adapted Mobility Play

August 3rd-7th

Each August, KT's Kids hosts CAMP (Children with Adapted Mobility Play), a free week-long day camp serving about 50 children with disabilities and complex medical needs from across the Chicagoland area.

They're seeking volunteers to make this year's event possible. Each volunteer is paired one-on-one with a camper, and their biggest job is simply to help that child have an amazing week. Every day is filled with adaptive adventures like horseback riding, sailing, fishing, adaptive biking, rock climbing, beach days, games, crafts, and so much more.

Learn more

New Ice Cream Window

4655 N Lincoln Ave

Welcome Stardust Ice Cream, the newest walk-up window in the 47th Ward. A project by Bagel Miller, the window is open in the evenings at Lincoln and Leland Ave.

In addition to serving up terrific ice cream, Stardust Ice Cream partners with a youth employment initiative to provide young people with their first jobs.

Stop by this summer!

Learn more

Community Suppers at Spoken Cafe

Spoken Cafe (1812 W Montrose) continues to host Community Suppers on Thursday nights. This is a mutual aid event where no one is turned away for lack of funds, and all proceeds benefit local food pantries. You can also pick up postcards by artist Elizabeth Ahlem Clark at the cafe to further support the cause.

Learn more

Resources

Workforce

• Social Services Career Trainee, Learn more
• Cook County Assessor Hiring, Learn more
• Greater West Town Job Training, Learn more

Movie Night: The Plastic Detox

Monday, July 27th

Join us on Monday, July 27, at Sulzer Library for an evening exploring the growing science behind microplastics and their impacts on human health and fertility. We'll watch selected clips from Netflix's The Plastic Detox, followed by a panel discussion with scientific experts who will explain the latest research and answer your questions.

This event is part of Plastic-Free July and is presented in partnership with Organizing Plastic Alternatives (OPA).

RSVP

Save Our Ash

The Heart of Lincoln Square is continuing their multi-year effort to save the over 300 big, beautiful street ash trees. Help Save Your Ash by sponsoring ash trees near you, on the border of Winnemac Park, or to the fund for ash trees in most need.

Ash trees are uniquely suited to city life, with their ability to withstand cold, heat, drought, numerous insect pests, water saturated soil, and soil piled too high up their trunk that smothers most trees. That is, until an invasive insect, the Emerald Ash Borer showed up. 

Learn more

Greater Rockwell Garden Walk

Saturday, July 18th

The Greater Rockwell Garden Walk is returning for its 2nd year! Stop by Waters Elementary School & Community Garden anytime between 11am-2:30 PM to pick up a map of the gardens and fuel up with refreshments. Curate your walk to your interests by looking at each garden's special features on the map.

Learn more

National Night Out

Tuesday, August 4th

National Night Out brings police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. You can join the 19th District Police for a night out at Clarendon Park including free food, resources, raffles, and more.

Learn more

Western Brown Line Construction

CDOT continues addressing their final touches required for project completion in the plaza and surrounding area.

CTA's work on the Western Brown Line Station and bus turnaround are progressing as scheduled. CTA's construction in the bus turnaround is projected to finish by July 13, with final touch ups completed thereafter. The return of bus service is pending the final touch ups.

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Ashland Resurfacing

CDOT was hard at work this week finalizing utility structure repairs and preparing Ashland for the second and final layer of asphalt. The asphalt will begin to be laid by Monday, with paving to be finished by Friday, July 17, weather permitting. As soon as CDOT finishes laying the new asphalt, they will restripe parking, lane lines, and crosswalks. CDOT will remove parking restrictions block by block as soon as they finish striping. CDOT estimates striping will take 2 to 4 weeks, depending on weather conditions.

Once CDOT has installed the second layer of asphalt and pavement markings, they will work on installing signage, raised crosswalks, concrete bus pads, and will restore impacted parkways. We anticipate that these finishing touches will be complete by the end of August.

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This Year: Upcoming Projects

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

This Week

• Southport Arts Festival, July 10th-12th, Learn more
• Square Roots, July 10th-12th, Learn more
• Movie at Welles Park, July 10th, Learn more
• TGNC Family Beach Day, July 12th, Learn more
• Andersonville Vintage Market, July 12th, Learn more
• Graceland West Garden Walk, July 12th, Learn more

Next Week

• Peoples Gas Rate Hike Public Forum, July 15th, Learn more
• Paint Bouquets & Sips, July 17th, Learn more
• Horner Park Brew Fest, July 17th, Learn more
• Paper and Electronics Recycling, July 18th, Learn more
• Greater Rockwell Garden Walk, July 18th, Learn more
• Ravenswood on Tap, July 18th-19th, Learn more
• Queen of Angels: Let's Play, July 18th, Learn more

Future Weeks

• Fulton Market Grand Prix (Volunteers Needed), July 26th, Learn more
• Dim Sum 5K, August 1st, Learn more
• Feel Good Fest, August 8th, Learn more
• Lincoln Square Cat Tour, August 8th, Learn more
• Thirsty Ears Music Festival, August 22nd-23rd, Learn more
• Saigon Jazz Revival, August 29th, 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