| Dear Neighbors,
As many of you know, this past Saturday, a tragic set of events led to a shooting at Endeavor Swedish Hospital that took the life of Officer John Bartholomew and wounded another officer who is now fighting for his life.
Like many of you, I am heartbroken by what happened, and struggling to understand the events that led up to it. In the moment, I and my office worked to ensure neighbors throughout the ward steered clear of the area before the suspect––now identified as Alphanso Talley––was thankfully apprehended by the Chicago Police Department after escaping Swedish Hospital. After the shooting, I went to Illinois Masonic Hospital, where the officers were taken. My heart is with the families of the officers, and I ask that our neighbors of faith pray for them during this incredibly difficult time.
I can’t quite put into words how I feel, but I know that I have questions about what needs to be done to prevent anything like this from happening again. As we learn more through investigation, my hope is that we will identify protocols that can be improved, and that ultimately, justice will be served.
What we have learned is that the suspect has an extensive and violent criminal record. While others blame the SAFE-T Act, I believe their blame is misplaced. The SAFE-T Act shifts the burden of pre-trial release decisions onto our judges, and prevents suspects of violent crime the ability to buy their release. The burden, more than ever, is on our judges to exercise discernment in who can be safely released. I have questions and concerns regarding the judge who allowed Alphonso Talley to be released pre-trial on electronic monitoring, especially as the State voiced its concerns. Our office is working to get a better understanding of how and why this happened.
As we await more information, if you would like to support the family of Officer Bartholomew, you can do so through their GoFundMe. A family is without its father, whose life was taken while in service of our community’s safety, and we will do our best as a city to show them our support in the weeks and months to come.
Yours in Service and Community, 
Andre Vasquez |
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| SAVE THE DATE: Development Town Hall!Join us for the annual 40th Ward Development Town Hall on Tuesday, May 12th from 6pm–8pm, at First Free Church (5255 N Ashland)! We’ll be talking about all the projects and improvement finishing up, and some new ones coming to the ward, so bring all your construction questions. We look forward to seeing you there! |
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| Submit Project Proposals for The People’s Budget by June 1st!Got an idea for an infrastructure project you want to see in the neighborhood? Submit a project proposal! From January to June 1st, neighbors have the opportunity to submit ideas for projects we should consider for the 2026-2027 People’s Budget! Neighbors can submit their project proposals at bit.ly/2026-PB. |
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| Chicago Bike Parking Public Request Form The Chicago Department of Transportation is surveying to install new bike racks across the City! Want a new bike rack installed by your business or home? Fill out the form to request new racks, report damaged racks, or report abandoned bikes. The Bike Parking Manager will then perform a field visit to ensure that rack placement meets CDOT standards. If approved, the rack will be added to the CDOT installation list! |
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| Chicago River DayJoin Friends of the Chicago River on May 9th for the 34th Annual Chicago River Day!
Every year since 1992, Friends of the Chicago River partners with community leaders, municipalities, and landowners to host Chicago River Day. Volunteers build community and improve our rivers and public spaces by cleaning up harmful litter, mulching trails, and removing invasive plants. At this watershed-wide cleanup, thousands of community members, families, and companies work in and along the 156-mile Chicago-Calumet River system at over 80 locations throughout the city and suburbs.
From 9am-12pm, volunteers will help clean up our parks and waterways across the City. From 12-3pm, volunteers will come together to swap stories and celebrate their hard work at after parties at Burning Bush Brewery and the Ford Calumet Environmental Center at Big Marsh Park. |
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| | On the BlogApril City Council Roundup: Find out the latest legislative updates from this month’s City Council, as well as what’s coming up in May! 2026 Street Sweeping Map Now Available: Street sweeping began this month! Check out our website for a schedule of when your street will be swept.
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| 1940 W Foster
We want your feedback as we consider a new request for proposal (RFP) for the redevelopment of the former police station at 1940 W Foster Avenue! The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is planning to issue a new request for proposal (RFP) for the redevelopment of this vacant, city-owned space. To facilitate the RFP process, DPD is requesting a zoning change from B1-2 to B2-3.
On Monday, May 11th at 6pm, our office and DPD will host a virtual meeting to discuss the zoning change, and hear your feedback and ideas for how this space can best serve the community. Register at bit.ly/1940foster! |
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| 5155 N. Oakley AveOn May 5th at 5:30pm, the 40th Ward office will host a virtual community meeting to discuss a request for a special use permit at 5155 N Oakley Ave to accommodate a sober living residence. Register at bit.ly/5155oakley! |
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| 5115 N. Ravenswood AveOn Wednesday, May 6th at 6pm, the 40th Ward office will host a virtual community meeting to discuss a request to rezone 5115 N Ravenswood Ave from M1-2 to B2-3 to allow for renovation and use as a childcare center. Register at bit.ly/5115ravenswood! |
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| | Construction Updates
Check out some of the major construction projects going on in the ward this week! |
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| Elise Malary PlazaWe are thrilled to announce that a contractor has been chosen for the Elise Malary Plaza, and we expect work to begin soon! We will share more information on the upcoming groundbreaking in the coming weeks. |
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| | Lincoln Avenue StreetscapeThe second and final phase of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape Project is nearing the finish line! We are currently waiting on an additional part for the new traffic light and we anticipate that it will be operational in the coming weeks. One of the right turning lanes remains closed until the traffic light is programmed and functional. |
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| | Conduit Work in Lincoln SquareCrews are currently completing underground conduit work on Ainslie to Leland on Rockwell! They are working to schedule restoration of concrete as soon as possible. |
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| | Ashland Resurfacing & Traffic SignalPavement striping work is currently in progress on Ashland between Peterson & Foster, while sewer work and saw cutting continues on Ashland between Foster and Montrose. Traffic lane closures and curb and gutter work will happen at Winnemac and Carmen, so please allow additional time for your commute! |
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| West Andersonville Community Garden Volunteer Day
West Andersonville Neighbors Together (WANT) is in search for volunteers to assist at the West Andersonville Community Garden! Volunteers will gather on Saturday May 2nd, 2026, from 9:00AM to Noon on the east side of Ravenswood and Summerdale at Center Garden! |
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| Medicare 101 at JASC Grace Kwon will partner with the Japanese American Service Committee (JASC) to host a free Medicare information session for community members, with a focus on older adults and adult children. To learn more, email [email protected]! |
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| Friedman Place Annual Open House
Join the Friedman Place for their Annual Open House, Art Show, and Weaving Sale to celebrate art created in the many layers of the Friedman Place community! The event will include light food and drink, tours of our weaving room, and displays of art created by residents and the community.
WHEN: Thursday, May 7 from 3-6pm. Welcome presentation at 4pm
WHERE: Friedman Place, 5527 North Maplewood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625
ART SHOW EXHIBIT: The Art Show will run May 6-20, Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm. |
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| LRSCC Wine Stroll
Wine Stroll is BACK! This is the Chamber's most popular biannual event, and a great way to support the neighborhood while tasting and discovering new wine regions and varietals. The event transforms retail establishments and restaurants of Lincoln Square and Ravenswood into wine tasting destinations. The stroll will be taking place on Thursday, May 7th from 6-9PM!
Taste through a carefully curated variety of wines, along with a light assortment of delicious hors d'oeuvres from area restaurants. Wine Stroll is the perfect way to explore new businesses and see just what makes the community so special. All wines are sourced by local wine partners - Augusta Food and Wine, Rockwell Bottle Shop & Coffee, and Piccadilly Market. |
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| | | Northtown Garden Society Presents Bob Zeni, the Chicago Tomato Man
On Thursday, May 7 from 7-8:30 PM, Northtown Garden Society is hosting speaker Bob Zeni, the Chicago Tomato Man at Warren Park, 6601 N Western Ave. There will be heirloom tomato plants for sale! |
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| Tai-Chi-Gong for Seniors at Budlong Woods Library
On Friday, May 8 from 10 - 11 AM, the Budlong Woods Library is hosting Nature’s Tai‑Chi‑Gong with BNEW4LIFE for Seniors at 5630 N. Lincoln Avenue. Join for this gentle, accessible program designed to promote relaxation, mobility, and overall well‑being, as part of Asian-American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island Heritage Month. Experience a relaxing and restorative Tai Chi–Gong session led by Brian A. Thompson, founder of BNEW4LIFE, LLC. Brian has been featured on WLS Channel 7’s “Someone You Should Know” and WGN’s Spotlight Chicago for his innovative work in stress, trauma, and natural pain wellness. This program is for seniors ages 55+. Register online at this link or call 312-742-9590. |
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| Hi Neighbors,
This week has been especially difficult for the Chicago Police Department and our first responders. As many of you heard or witnessed, our community experienced a tragic shooting this past Saturday at Swedish Hospital, followed by a manhunt in the surrounding neighborhood. Alphonso Talley shot and killed Officer John Bartholomew and critically injured his partner while in the care of staff at the hospital. He then fled into the neighborhood and was apprehended an hour later under a neighbor’s porch.
Saturday was a day filled with confusion, shock, and deep sorrow as news spread that Officer Bartholomew had succumbed to his injuries. As we await the results of the ongoing investigation, it is important that we learn all the facts and carefully examine where changes can be made to help prevent a tragedy like this from happening again.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to the law enforcement officers and first responders who acted quickly and decisively to secure the neighborhood and bring Talley into custody. We will continue to follow this case closely and share updates as more information becomes available.
We have also received encouraging news that Officer Bartholomew’s partner is showing signs of improvement, and we remain hopeful for a full and speedy recovery. A GoFundMe has been established to support Officer Bartholomew’s family during this difficult time.
Our next District Council meeting will be held on May 11th. This meeting will be dedicated to a community conversation about these tragic events, with a focus on supporting one another and moving forward together. Additional details, including the meeting location, will be shared soon in the coming weeks.
Yours in Service,
Deirdre O’Connor |
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| | Public Safety Trends
Overall, violent crime is down 15.3% in the 40th Ward for the year so far compared to last year! Citywide, violent crime is down 8.8%. See below for a breakdown of citywide and 40th Ward statistics across all categories. |
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| Thank you to those of you who made it out to the May Day rally today! And special thanks to the students who organized! |
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| Sneak peek of the nearly complete Haven on Lincoln mural! |
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