3659 S. Halsted | Chicago, IL 60609 | 773.254.6677

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March 15, 2026

Dear neighbors,

We had power outages over the weekend on some blocks in the Chinatown-area and some people reported having problems making contact with 311. With this intense weather and high winds ongoing, please reach out to us directly to report any outages or downed tree issues if you are having problems with 311. This ongoing problem with 311 not having the capacity to deal with calls in a timely manner is on my radar, and City Council members are always looking to see how we can make the system more responsive. 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day weekend! We have the oldest Irish bar in the city at Shinnick’s Pub, which has been run by the same family since Prohibition. We had the pleasure of a visit from the Shannon Rovers playing at Nativity at their Annual St. Patrick’s Party Fundraiser last Saturday. For those who weren’t able to attend, make sure to make it out next year. Fr. John Clair of Misericordia received the Richard J. Daley Award at the Irish Fellowship Annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner. I didn’t get to attend the parade this year—did you get to see the river turn green? 

Our 11th Ward Blood Drive was this past Monday. A huge thank you to everyone who signed up! We had 16 donors total, including four first-time donors, potentially helping out 38 local patients. 

We had a productive Veterans Assistance Commission Office Hours on Friday, thank you to everyone who came out to receive services. 

This week, a 13,600 square foot “South Side Pride” mural celebrating the history of the White Sox opened at Midway Airport. A must see if you have the time! 

With the antisemitic attack on a synagogue in Michigan last week, as well as hate crimes all across our city increasing in recent years, we must double down on efforts to protect all communities from hate-based violence in our city. 

Election Day is Tuesday, March 17th!

Have you voted yet? You can early vote here in the 11th Ward at McGuane Park, or in any other early vote polling location through Monday. 

Click here to make sure you’re registered to vote, find your polling location, look up your sample ballot and more. This election, there has been one change in polling location for the ward and that is for the 15th Precinct, which will now be at the Armour Elementary School Annex, located at 911 W. 32nd Place. 

If you are voting by mail but haven’t sent your ballot back yet, I recommend dropping it off at the drop box at McGuane Park or any other drop box location to make sure it is processed in time to be counted.

If you have any issues at the polling place, please call the non-partisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE, or for Asian languages, call 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683).

This Week in City Council 

In the Committee on Finance on Wednesday, we moved forward a $27 million settlement for a woman who was killed on the South Side as an indirect result of a high-speed police chase. The City lost the lawsuit on this issue. The settlement comes out of the $82.5 million budgeted for a police lawsuit settlements in the budget. 

The Committee on Housing and Real Estate voted to permit the sale of a formerly empty City Lot to the nonprofit NeighborSpace as part of the ChiBlockBuilder program. This property at 1644 W 35th St already has a skate park, garden and art gallery on the lot, maintained by the Marshfield Courts Collective in McKinley Park, so this solidifies their position as stewards of the lot. 

In the Committee on Economic, Capital, and Technology Development we appointed new and returning commissioners of several Special Service Areas as well as two tax incentives. 

I was part of a group of alders and advocates who called this week for a hold on the appointment of the current acting director of Chicago Animal Care and Control to a permanent position. There have been many concerns raised in public meetings and from residents of the 11th Ward who have reached out to me directly. I have also heard from many who are supportive of the acting director. Acting Director Cappello's appointment was approved by the committee on Health and Human Relations and will be before the full City Council this week. I will vote “no” on the appointment, given the concerns that have been raised.

Upcoming in City Council 

The next full City Council meeting is this Wednesday at 10AM. 

Around the Ward 

You might notice some disabled parking signs on residential streets being removed. When people move or no longer need these spaces, we work with the City to remove them and return spaces to the neighborhood. Recently, we repealed a total of 12 disabled parking spaces in the ward (see list below). If there is a disabled parking space on your block that you believe is no longer being used, please call us at the Ward Office. 

Repeal Disabled Permit 116044, 2921 South Elias Court [O2026-0023683]

Repeal Disabled Permit 116036, 3103 South Racine Avenue [O2026-0023684]

Repeal Disabled Permit 116033, 2920 South Canal Street [O2026-0023685]

Repeal Disabled Permit 114400, 3342 South Paulina Street [O2026-0023686]

Repeal Disabled Permit 112001, 3013 South Wells Street [O2026-0023687]

Repeal Disabled Permit 111960, 3229 South Green Street [O2026-0023688]

Repeal Disabled Permit 110668, 2853 South Quinn Street [O2026-0023689]

Repeal Disabled Permit 101756, 1231 West 32nd Street [O2026-0023690]

Repeal Disabled Permit 101751, 1921 West 34th Place [O2026-0023692]

Repeal Disabled Permit 101722, 3123 South Lowe Avenue [O2026-002369

Repeal Disabled Permit 101721, 2830 South Princeton Avenue [O2026- 0023694] 

Repeal Disabled Permit 100113, 1629 West 33rd Street [O2026-0023695]

White Sox Season Updates for Decals and Traffic 

With the home opener of the Sox around the corner we wanted to provide some important updates on decals, passes and traffic patterns.

Decals and passes were mailed to the owners of vehicles registered to the City of Chicago last week. If you don’t receive it before Monday, March 23rd, you may come to the Ward Office to pick them up.

If you normally use a Residential Parking Zone and are within a White Sox Residential Park Zone, please display both permits or guest passes or you are subject to citation. 

White Sox Park Residential Zone parking is enforced two hours prior to the start of a game or event and one hour after. 

Please pay extra attention to signs on the street within one block of the perimeter of the ball park for additional restrictions. All signs will be updated to No Parking 4 hours prior and 2 hours after the events. 

Traffic

• This season, 35th Street will be closed between Wentworth and Normal 90 minutes before the game (or event) starts, and for an hour after the close or longer if the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) advises. 35th Street will remain open for emergency vehicles, CTA buses, and cyclists. 

• Event guests will be directed to access Lots A, B, C and G from Wentworth & 33rd St. Lots F and L will be accessible from Pershing Road. 

• It’s recommended to use 31st Street to access all North/South Streets between Wentworth and Wallace. From the South, it’s recommended to use Pershing from Wallace to Halsted. 

With summer approaching, the City is always looking for lifeguards so our beaches can remain staffed and open. 

The Chicago Public Library is holding a Reading Challenge for Adults through March 2026. Please consider joining!

Have a good week,

Ald. Lee

Wentworth AR Construction Project:

A Street Resurfacing & ADA compliant corners project between Cermak and 24th Pl on Wentworth began in October and will be completed in the spring.

• Street resurfacing operations will commence once ambient temperatures reach 45 degrees, and it's weather permitting.

Ongoing Project - Lead Services Line Replacement (LSLR):

A Lead Services Line Replacement on the North, South and East side of the Donovan Park, the LSLR work along W 37^th of Donovan Park has completed. The work along W 36^th St has been postponed until further notice. 

The East side portion of Donovan Park along S Lituanica Ave has been postponed after 3/17/2026.

• 926 W 36^th St - Postponed until further notice
• 919 W 37^th St  - Completed
• 3620 S Lituanica Ave - Postponed after 3/17/2026

Parking may be restricted during the daytime between 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM for the below addresses:

• 3600 - 3631 S Lituanica Ave.
• 900 - 937 W 36th Street
• 900 - 939 W 37th Street

Restoration will start upon all the LSLR projects completion.

Ongoing Project - Water Main, Sewer Main & Lead Service Line Replacement Project:

Schedule: 3/9/2026 - 3/13/2026 (Weather Permitting)

Work this week is ongoing to complete hydrant installation and sewer form between Parnell and Canal, Complete LSLR at 538 W Parnell and 3855 S Lowe. Complete large water service reconnection to 615 W Pershing and 3937 S Lowe.

One lane open in each direction (east and west) during construction hours from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Northernmost westbound lane between Lowe and Wallace is permanently closed due to pipe and hydrant installation. Impact on traffic is low from 7am to 9am but we will keep monitoring.



• North side of Pershing from Lowe to Canal - pipe installation completed between Lowe & Wallace. Pipe installation has competed between Wallace & Parnell. Pipe installation has completed between Parnell & Canal  (pipe only). LSLR is ongoing.

• North side of Pershing from Stewart to Wentworth - Conflict with ComEd resolved by changing WM alignment. Expected to start late March 2026.

• South side of Pershing from Emerald to Union - Fully completed.

• South side of Pershing from Union to Lowe - WM installation complete. Testing and disinfection completed. Final connection delayed due to utility conflict. Concrete road base partially complete. Expected completion now week of 3/16/26, waiting on phase 1 LSLR completion.

• West side of Lowe from Pershing South - WM installation and testing and disinfection completed. Awaiting water service transfer to large food depot. Scheduling ongoing. Expected completion now 3/14/26.

• North side of Pershing (Halsted to Emerald) - Abandonment at Emerald completed. Abandonment at Halsted completed. Abandonment at NEX of Union expected will be delayed due to shutdown for other projects in the area (expected to be available for shutdown by 3/20/26). Concrete road base partially complete.

• Water Shutdowns - Shut downs related to water service and LSLR scheduled this week for 538/615 W Pershing, 3855/3937 S Lowe.

• Pipe Installation - Completed between Parnell and Canal on Pershing

• Final Connections and Concrete Cap - Completed on the south side of Pershing between Halsted and Lowe.

Ongoing Project - Lead Services Line Replacement (LSLR):

• 3000 - 3100 S Union Ave.
• Restoration will start upon all the LSLR projects completion.

Sewer Project

A Sewer Project is estimated to begin in September 2025 between 3500-3900 S Parnell, with work expected to take approximately one year to complete.

• Jan 20 to end of April – Water service replacements along Parnell Ave.
• Feb to June: Replace sewer main along Parnell Ave.
• October to December: Construction @ 35^th intersection.
• Spring 2027: Street restoration/landscaping.

Access for residents will be maintained throughout the project. Parking may be restricted during the daytime between 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM.



• 35th St & Parnell - a full closure of the intersection and detour of eastbound and westbound 35th St. traffic.
• Once the work at 35^th and Parnell is completed, the contractor will mobilize to 39^th and Parnell and begin installing sewer south to north until they connect to this structure they're installing at 35^th Street.

Sewer Main & Lead Service Line Replacement

 The scope of work for this project in its entirety is as follows:

• S Canal St from W 31^st St to W 33^rd St
• W 33^rd St from S Canal St to S Normal Ave
• S Normal Ave from W 33^rd St to 50’ South of W 33^rd St
• W 33^rd St from S Emerald Ave to S Wallace St



Completed 3/2/26 – 3/6/26

• DWM began installation of Catch Basins on W 33^rd St between S Union Ave and S Lowe Ave. 
• Pan-Oceanic begin watermain relocation in the intersection of W 33^rd St and S Lowe Ave.

Schedule: 3/9/26 – 3/13/26

• Pan-Oceanic to continue WM relocation in the intersection of W 33^rd St and S Lowe Ave – (projected completion mid-week).
• DWM to continue installing Catch Basins on W 33^rd St between S Emerald Ave and S Lowe Ave.
• Following the completion of Pan-Oceanics WM relocation, DWM is to continue installing mainline sewer between S Lowe Ave and S Wallace St.

Road Closures / Traffic Control:

• During working hours, no residential parking will be allowed on W 33^rd St between S Emerald and S Lowe Ave (No Parking Signs have been posted).

Schedule: 10/1/2025 - 3/30/2026

Full Closure of 33rd Street at Emerald Ave. for sewer repair.

No parking or traveling during working hours (7 am - 4 pm). Upon completion of the sewer main installation, LSLR replacement will follow.

Most Recent Updates - 3/10/2026



• Peoples Gas contractors continue environmental cleanup activities at 2730 S. Eleanor Street.
• During the next several weeks, the primary activity at the site will be soil treatment (In Situ Solidification, or ISS) within existing excavations. While some trucks will visit the site each day to deliver materials, the number of trucks during ISS will be less than the number needed during excavation work.
• A water hose with a protective cover will be in place across Eleanor Street during the work day when ISS is taking place to provide water to the site from a City of Chicago approved fire hydrant.
• 24-hour air monitoring is taking place and will continue during all intrusive activity.
• As a reminder, if you have questions about this project, please contact the Peoples Gas project number at 877-380-0522.

11th Ward Blood Drive

Took place on March 9, 2026 at the 9th District Police Station Community Room, located at 3120 S Halsted St.

11th Ward

School and Parish Information

The 11th Ward office is happy to announce has a free ‘Constituent Education Resource Card’ available to residents wishing to visit select museums and zoos in the Chicagoland area. Constituents can reserve our Constituent Education Resource Card on a first come first serve basis (more instructions below), to visit any of the following museums in 2026:

• Adler Planetarium
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• Brookfield Zoo
• Chicago Botanic Garden
• Chicago Children’s Museum
• Chicago History Museum
• Dusable Museum of African American History
• The Field Museum
• Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
• Lincoln Park Zoo
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Museum of Science and Industry
• National Museum of Mexican Art
• National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
• John G. Shedd Aquarium

Only one group of up to four (4) can reserve the pass at a time. The pass must be picked up and brought back to the 11th Ward Office. Constituents need to call for an appointment to come to the office to pick up the pass before visiting the museums. We recommend calling two business days before your scheduled visit.

It is strongly recommended that families utilizing the card contact the museum they plan to visit to learn if pre-registration is required to visit. 

9th District Police District Council & Beat Meeting Schedules

The Beat 914 Zoom Meeting on April 29th 2026

in Chinatown Library

第九警區警務轄區2026年4月29日在唐人街圖書館的網上會議

[email protected] is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. 芝加哥警察局第九警區邀請您參加預定的 Zoom 會議。

Topic: 9th District Beat 914 Meeting Chicago Police Department

主題：芝加哥警察局第九警區914巡邏隊會議

Time: Apr 29, 2026 06:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

時間：2026年4月29日 下午6:30（美國中部時間）

Join Zoom Meeting 參加Zoom會議

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83237151848?pwd=E5G186fdRD9tR3wd8689NBxwblEZCt.1

Meeting ID: 832 3715 1848

會議 ID：832 3715 1848

Passcode: beat914

密碼：beat914

The office has extended hours on Monday nights until 7:00 p.m., is open on the first Saturday of each month from 9:00am - 12:00 pm, if it's a holiday weekend, the office will

be open the following Saturday and/or Monday.

Alderwoman Lee will be happy to see residents on Monday nights from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. If you'd like to make an appointment, please call the ward office at 773.254.6677.

11th Ward Office| 3659 South Halsted Chicago, IL 60609 | 773-254-6677