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Dear Neighbors,
We have another busy week around Wrigley Field! Chicago-native John Mulaney will kick things off this Saturday, July 11th, with the first ever comedy performance at the Friendly Confines. Tyler Childers will hit the stage on Sunday, July 12th and on Tuesday, July 14th, and Wednesday, July 15th, Noah Kahan will perform.
To accommodate these events, Sheffield and Waveland will be closed through 5pm on July 16th. As a reminder, these events are subject to the same parking and traffic restrictions as Cubs night games. Residents who experience any issues are encouraged to contact the Cubs Game Day Hotline at 866-4-CPD-TOW.
 
I'm excited to welcome two new businesses in the 44th Ward. Hooley Market, a specialty food & gift store, opened at 2947 Broadway. "Hooley", an old Celtic term meaning "a lively party", is the namesake and inspiration for this shop that aims to help you celebrate life's big and small moments. The long-awaited Colectivo at 3258 Southport also welcomed their first customers. Through partnerships with coffee farmers, locally sourced ingredients, and welcoming gathering spaces, Colectivo has created an experience centered around quality and community. These are exciting new additions to our neighborhood, and I encourage you to stop by and support these new businesses!
My office will be hosting a Public Safety Town Hall in coordination with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office on Wednesday, July 22 at the Olson Auditorium at Illinois Masonic (836 Wellington). In light of recent public safety concerns in our community, this discussion is intended to provide residents with a better understanding of how our public safety system works and the roles each agency plays. The presentation will walk attendees through the entire process—from what happens when you call 911, to how calls are dispatched and officers respond, to what occurs after an arrest and the role of the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. There will also be an opportunity for residents to ask questions and hear directly from representatives of each agency.
As part of our Court Advocacy Program, we are continuing to closely monitor Leon Jackson's case, which is of significant importance to the community. Jackson's next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15th at 9am. If you would like to attend court virtually with our office, please email [email protected] to request the Zoom information.
I also want to extend my sincere congratulations to Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling on his retirement and thank him for his dedicated service to our city. Throughout his tenure, Superintendent Snelling has been a steady, thoughtful leader. He leaves big shoes to fill, and he will be greatly missed.
 
With summer in full swing, there are plenty of events to enjoy throughout the ward. This weekend, Dine Out on Broadway and the Southport Art Fest provide two great ways to enjoy the season. Dine Out on Broadway will take place on Friday, July 10th through Sunday, July 12th. For a list of participating restaurants, click here. To create space for this outdoor, pedestrian-friendly dining experience, Broadway will be closed between Belmont and Wellington. The Southport Art Fest will take place on July 11th and July 12th featuring over 100 artists and kid-friendly activities all day long. To view a list of participating artists, click here. Southport will be closed from Byron to Waveland
Finally - National Hot Dog Day is coming up next Wednesday, July 15th! Be sure to check out our Business Corner section below, where we’re highlighting some of the Ward's best spots to grab a classic Chicago favorite.
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Have a great weekend,
Alderman Bennett Lawson
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Upcoming Alley Resurfacing
Street and alley grinding and resurfacing work is ongoing throughout the ward. Please note that schedules are subject to change, and delays may occur due to weather conditions or equipment availability. We appreciate your patience and understanding as this work is completed. We will continue to communicate any changes as we receive information from CDOT.
Streets:
- Pine Grove from Surf to Diversey - Resurfacing date is 7/16
- Hawthorne from Broadway to Lake Shore - Resurfacing date is 7/13
- Cornelia from Lakewood to Racine - Resurfacing date is 7/20
- Fremont from Waveland to Addison - Resurfacing date is 7/14
- Clifton from Grace to Waveland - Resurfacing date is 7/14
- Buckingham from Broadway to Halsted - Resurfacing date is 7/22
Alleys:
- E/W alley between Belmont, Cambridge, Briar, and Pine Grove - Resurfacing date is 7/17
- E/W alley between Buckingham, Halsted, Aldine, Clark - Grind date is 7/13
- N/S alley between School, Racine, Melrose, and Lakewood - Grind date is 7/13
- E/W alley between Wellington, Mildred, Halsted, and Oakdale - Resurfacing date is 7/20
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Wellington/Oakdale Greenway
You can find the updated proposal for the Wellington/Oakdale Greenway below and on our website here.
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Divvy Bikes & E-Scooters
We are excited to share that we now have a total of 26 E-Scooter & Divvy Bike docking stations in the 44th Ward!
Reporting Scooter & Divvy Bike Removals
If you see Divvy Bikes or E-Scooters that are not properly returned to a docking station, please report this to 311 here. By contract, shared bike and scooter companies must remove their property within two hours of a 311 removal request. We appreciate your assistance in helping keep our neighborhood clean.
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Chi Street Work Portal
Have questions about street work happening in your area?
The Department of Transportation has a tool called the Chi Street Work Portal where you can input an address and see all surrounding permits for projects on that street.
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Garbage & Recycling
The next recycling pick-up for the 44th Ward is the week of July 20th. You can find your full garbage and recycling pick up schedule here.
Recycling information is now also available through Chicago's Recycle Coach App. To learn more about the app, click here.
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To submit a small business for our weekly shoutout, please complete the form here.
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19th District Weekly Report:
June 29th- July 5th
My office is in regular contact with the 19th Police District about crimes that have occurred recently in our area and that are reflected in the statistics below. The majority of 19th District crimes have occurred outside of our ward. The 19th District also includes the surrounding neighborhoods of Uptown, Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Bricktown, Ravenswood, and Lincoln Square.
Please view our website's public safety page here for both proactive measures to stay safe before crimes occur, and also how to respond in the event of a crime. In order to stay safe, please find the the full list of CPD's safety tips here, as well as tips for personal safety, robberies, and vehicles.
Below you'll find Week 27's CompStat breakdown of crime in the 19th District.
Please note, these statistics are a reflection of the entire 19th District. The boundaries are from Lawrence Ave to Fullerton Ave, from the Chicago River to the Lake.
Here are the key points:
- Year to Date, Robberies are down 41%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2025 are down 47%
- Year to Date, Aggravated Battery is up 2%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2025 is down 39%
- Year to Date, Burglaries are down 39%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2025 they're down 48%
- Year to Date, Thefts are up 8%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2025 they're down 27%
- Year to Date, Motor Vehicle Thefts are up 15%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2025 they're up 48%
For a list of crime definitions, please see CPD's website here.
See full report below:
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Upcoming Meetings
Community Meetings With CPD (‘Beat Meetings’):
Beat meetings are part of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) and are an opportunity to speak directly with CPD officers about your neighborhood. The officers review incidents that have occurred as well as an overview of crime statistics. Find your beat here and view the beat meeting schedule below or in our ward calendar.
19th Police District Council
The 19th Police District Council holds monthly meetings. To view all upcoming meetings, you can visit the 19th Police District Council website here.
The next meeting is:
Wednesday, July 29th 6:30 PM
Topic: Parking Alternative Response Team
Clarendon Park Community Center
4501 N. Clarendon Ave.
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Other Public Safety Alerts
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Charity Scam Alert:
The Chicago Police Department has seen an increase of "charity scams" in the area. In these cases, scammers utilize emotional pressure and fake urgency to persuade you to donate for a cause such as youth sports or gun violence victims. These individuals will offer to set up a small donation on your phone, but then take thousands of dollars.
It is important to never hand your phone to someone you don't know. If you believe that you are witnessing concerning behavior, call 911.
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Honda Air Bag Thefts:
The Chicago Police Department continues to see reports of air bag thefts from Hondas in the area.
CPD officers have noted, however, that visible anti-theft devices such as steering wheel clubs have proven to be an effective deterrent, with many of the protected vehicles often being passed over even when neighboring cars were targeted.
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Illinois Secretary of State & DMV Scam Text Scams:
There continues to be a rise in fraudulent text messages that claim to be from the Illinois Secretary of State or DMV. These texts often use urgent language, threaten license suspension, registration holds, or legal action in an attempt to trick you into clicking a link or paying an alleged fine. Learn more on the Illinois Secretary of State website here.
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Mental Health Response Resources
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DINE OUT ON BROADWAY -
JULY 10-12, AUGUST 21-23
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CYBER SAVVY SENIORS - JULY 13
(Covering Telehealth)
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PREPARING FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP - JULY 14
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CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP - JULY 15
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CFD: FIREFIGHTER FOR A DAY - JULY 10
(Ages 13-17)
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CFD: FIREFIGHTER FOR A DAY - JULY 16 & 30
(Ages 18-30)
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CACC PUPAPALOOZA - JULY 18
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MAYOR'S YOUTH COMMISSION: YOUTH SUMMIT - JULY 25
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TREATMENT NOT TRAUMA -
JULY 28
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BLOOD DRIVE - AUGUST 4
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NATIONAL NIGHT OUT - AUGUST 4
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Merlo Library - Upcoming Programs
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Merlo Library (644 W Belmont) has a wide range of events each week for babies, kids, teens, and adults.
Click here to view all of Merlo's upcoming events, and see below for events this coming week.
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Celebrate summer reading with the Chicago Public Library
Click here to view summer reading lists, events, and activities for kids, teens, and adults.
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Click here for a full list of Chicago farmers markets.
Wrigleyville Night Market at Gallagher Way
The Night Market at Gallagher Way is back on select Thursdays from 4-8pm in July and August. To view the full schedule, click here.
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Donation Pages & Volunteer Opportunities
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TUBMAN PLAYGROUND
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CHICAGO ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL
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BACP LABOR LAW UPDATES - EFFECTIVE 7/1
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WEISMAN PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL
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SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHICAGO YOUTH
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TIPS FOR TREE CARE
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CACC FEE-WAIVED ADOPTION EVENT -
JULY 5-26
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The City is Hiring
Looking for a job? Try working for the City! Click here to see the full list of job openings currently seeking applicants.
Local government employment opportunities:
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OEMC - Accepting Applications Through July 31st!
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