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The 2nd Ward Newsletter for April 6, 2026
In This Edition:
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2nd Ward Website
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2nd Ward Twitter
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2nd Ward YouTube
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Fox 32 Interview About Teen Takeover in Hyde Park
Last week, I joined Tia Ewing of FOX 32 to discuss the ongoing need for a new curfew policy as "teen takeovers" continue to plague Chicago. These events pose real threats to our city, and it is incumbent upon my partners in our government to protect residents, young and old, from the harm and damage that has become too common across so many of our neighborhoods.
Click here to view my comments on FOX 32 (beginning at the 8:00 mark).
Since 2024, these events have resulted in the shooting death of a 14-year-old (click here), the assault of a Streeterville man and woman, which resulted in the loss of her pregnancy (click here), the shooting of a tourist in Streeterville (click here), dozens of assaults on police officers, and other serious incidents.
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Artifacts Tied to Captain George Streeter Uncovered in Streeterville
 Last week, construction workers at E North Water St uncovered a number of exciting artifacts that may have been tied to Streeterville's namesake, Captain George Streeter. This is a historic finding, one that helps us connect with a formative time in our local history. I spoke with FOX 32 about Streeter's legacy and how we can reflect on his place in Chicago history.
George Streeter, legendary "founder" of Streeterville, is an iconic and controversial figure in Chicago's history, and one of the most reputable squatters in American history. As I shared with FOX 32 about the legacy of "Captain" Streeter in the neighborhood, "That's something we can tell with a wink and a nod and maybe a mischievous smile as we talk about his exploits. It really gives this neighborhood a certain flavor, and a direct tie to our history as a frontier town."
Click here to read FOX 32's coverage of the discovery.
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L Station Chophouse Grand Opening
On Monday of last week, I joined Mayor Johnson and a number of Chicago community leaders in welcoming the L Station Chophouse to the 2nd Ward at 455 W North Ave. The L Station Chophouse is now open for business in Old Town, serving as another example of our community's wide array of strong culinary offerings.
Click here to learn more.
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Embedded above are my remarks at the L Station Chophouse's Grand Opening, along with Mayor Johnson's, Commissioner Bill Lowry's, and more.
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Noema Greek Gastrobar Grand Opening
Last week, I was pleased to attend a grand opening ceremony for Noema, a new Greek restaurant in Lincoln Park (1443 W Fullerton Ave). I am excited to welcome another new dining establishment to the 2nd Ward's robust hospitality catalog, and I was grateful for the opportunity to celebrate with the Noema team.
Click here to learn more about Noema.
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2026 Street Sweeping Now Underway
The Department of Streets and Sanitation is now operating on its regular street sweeping schedule. Residents can view street sweepers in real time using the Sweeper Tracker online tool.
"Sweep Around Us" — a third-party email reminder service used for street sweeping alerts — has now rebranded as "We The Sweeple." They have not yet activated their site for the 2026 season, but we will include the subscription link in this newsletter when it becomes available.
Click here to find the Street Sweeping section of my website. There is an interactive map of all seven street sweeping sections included, as well as the full schedule of 2026 sweeping dates. Residents are encouraged to mark their calendars for respective sweeping dates in the event that they have visitors or are out of town.
Sections 3 (purple), 4 (red), and 5 (yellow) are scheduled for sweeping on Tuesday, April 7, and Wednesday, April 8.
Section 6 (green) is scheduled for sweeping on Thursday, April 8, and Wednesday, April 9.
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Building Insurance Costs Meeting with GCNA: Thursday, April 16
 The Gold Coast Neighbors Association (GCNA) is hosting a meeting for Gold Coast building managers and board members on Thursday, April 16, at 4:45 pm. The meeting will take place at Shenannigans (16 W Division St) and cover several topics pertaining to insurance costs. community insurance and risk management specialist Cindy Fitts will speak on a number of relevant topics.
Click here for more information.
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18th District Older Adult Resource Fair: Tuesday, April 28
 Join the 18th District CAPS team for an Older Adult Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 28, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Near North Library, located at 310 W Division St.
My office will have a table there, so please stop by and say hello.
If you have any questions, contact the 18th District at 312-742-5778.
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Updated 2026 Chicago Police CAPS Meeting Schedule
The Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) Beat community meetings are a key part of the Chicago Police Department's strategy of partnerships and problem-solving. These meetings are held in person, with the option to participate remotely, and are an excellent way to communicate with the officers who patrol your beat and to engage with and meet your neighbors.
The entirety of the 2nd Ward falls inside the 18th District. Click here to find which beat you reside in. You may also call 312-742-5778 or email [email protected] for more information about the 18th District CAPS office.
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18th District CompStat Report
Computer Statistics report (CompStat) is a weekly report of incidents that have occurred in the respective police district. Each district compiles a statistical summary of the week's crime complaints, arrests, and data analysis. Click here to learn more about CompStat.
Please see the 18th District CompStat report below:
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Recent Carjacking Arrests:
- 27 March 26 - Juvenile Offenders Charged with Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking of 52-Year-Old Male
Community Alerts:
- 02 April 26 - 18th District - Battery
- 17 March 26 - 18th District - Armed Robbery
- 22 March 26 - 19th District - Attempt Kidnapping
Additional High-Profile Arrests:
- 20 March 26 - Juvenile Offenders Charged with Multiple Felonies
- 20 March 26 - Offender Charged with Murder of Chicago Fire Department Member
- 22 March 26 - Offender Charged with Murder of 18-Year-Old Female
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PSA: Parking Under Viaducts is Against Municipal Code
It has come to my attention that citations near "L" tracks around the 2nd Ward have been issued to residents in recent months. Neighbors have indicated to me that this level of enforcement is a recent development, and many have been parking under viaducts for some time.
To clarify, it is a violation of Chicago's Municipal Code to park in a viaduct or underpass, and violators are subject to citation. Viaducts may drip fluid used to lubricate tracks, and that fluid can cause damage to vehicles.
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Amnesty Month at the Office of the City Clerk: Ends April 30
 The Office of the City Clerk is bringing back Amnesty Month during the month of April. City Sticker late fees and back charges to drivers will be waived all month, ending on Thursday, April 30, 2026. This year, access is being expanded, with amnesty being offered at three Saturday Mobile City Hall events and on the City Clerk’s 24/7 online store.
Click here for more information about Amnesty Month.
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Annual Citywide Clean and Green: Saturday, April 18
 The city's annual Clean & Green Day of Service will take place on Saturday, April 18. On this day, residents, school groups, and community organizations throughout the city team up to clean and beautify areas in their neighborhoods. All volunteer groups, large and small, are welcome to participate. They can call 311 to register their groups, and the Department of Streets and Sanitation will lend the brooms, rakes, shovels, and bags for the clean-up projects. Registration is open until Monday, April 13.
Click here for more information.
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Law at the Library with the Chicago Bar Association: Wednesday, April 15
 The Chicago Bar Association, in conjunction with the Chicago Public Library and Evanston Public Library, is putting on another "Law at the Library" virtual session on Wednesday, April 15, at 6:00 pm. In honor of Earth Day, this month's session will cover environmental issues. Attendees can expect to hear from a number of experts in environmental law and policy, including former Environmental Protection Agency employees and environmental lawyers.
Registration is required. Click here to register.
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Indoor SOAR Farmers Market
Don't forget to visit the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR) farmers market every Thursday from 7:00 am - 1:30 pm at 680 N Lake Shore Drive now through April 30.
Enjoy local and small businesses offering baked goods, fresh flowers, grilled cheese, tea, kombucha, and more.
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Lookingglass Prism Talk Show: Monday, April 13
 I am excited to share that I will be joining the Lookingglass Prism Series on Monday, April 13, at 6:30 pm. Prism is a monthly show that centers on humor, performance, and all things Chicago, and I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in its production.
Lookingglass Artistic Director Kasey Foster is hosting April's event, and I will be joined on the program by Composer Tomás Gueglio, Collaboraction CEO and "Queen of House Music" Darlene Jackson, and special performances by Dalia Chin, Constance Volk, and members of the Lookingglass Ensemble.
Click here for more information.
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Jumping Jack Program Opens: Wednesday, April 15
 The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) has announced the Jumping Jack Portal will open on Wednesday, April 15, at 9:00 am.
The Jumping Jack (inflatable bounce house) is available, free of charge, to Residential Block Parties within the city limits from Saturday, May 23, through Sunday, September 6.
Click here to learn more.
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Write a Letter to America with the Chicago Public Library: Ends August 31
 Chicago Public Library invites residents to write personal letters to America - sharing reflections, critiques, hopes, and stories rooted in Chicago experiences. This citywide initiative commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States and creates space for civic reflection and storytelling.
Letters to America is a citywide letter-writing project to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. Chicagoans are invited to reflect on their lives, communities, experiences in Chicago, and how those stories connect to a broader American story. These letters will become part of a permanent archival collection at the Chicago Public Library, preserving contemporary voices for future generations.
After August 31, all letters will be transferred to the Northside Neighborhood History Collection at Sulzer Regional Library to become part of the Letters to America Collection. Participants must be 18 years or older. All submissions require a signed Deed of Gift form.
Click here for more information.
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"Fifty Years Later" at Near North Library: Saturday, April 12
The Near North Library, located at 310 W Division St, is hosting a discussion on voting rights and 2015's 50th Anniversary March from Selma to Montgomery. The event will take place on Saturday, April 12, at 2:00 pm, and will feature photographs from the march. Edward Allen Chaney's Fifty Years Later, a book about the event, will also be available at the event. Registration is required.
Click here for more information.
April is a busy month at Near North. Click here to view their full calendar of events.
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EXPO Chicago Contemporary Art Fair: April 9-12
EXPO CHICAGO Contemporary Art Fair showcases leading contemporary and modern art galleries each April at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, alongside a diverse and inventive program of talks, on-site installations, and public art initiatives.
The 13th edition of EXPO CHICAGO takes place on April 9–12, 2026, at Navy Pier's Festival Hall. Click here for more details.
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"Free and Independent" at Newberry Library: Opens Thursday, April 9
 The Newberry Library will open a new exhibition this Thursday, entitled "Free and Independent: The Declaration of Independence and the Words That Made the United States." The exhibit will include a rare, early copy of the Declaration of Independence.
"This exhibition invites visitors to survey the words of the founding document of the United States, to consider some of the surprising ideas behind those words, and to trace their circulation and impact in the age of the American Revolution."
Click here for more details.
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Sheffield Neighborhood Association's Annual Meeting: Tuesday, April 14
 The Sheffield Neighborhood Association (SNA) is hosting its annual meeting next Tuesday, April 17, at 7:00 pm. The event will take place at SPF Chicago, located at 2121 Clybourn Ave. The event will feature awards for top contributors in the neighborhood, updates from local elected officials (including myself), and celebration of a year of hard work around the neighborhood.
All are welcome. Click here for more information.
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Lake Shore and Seneca Park Earth Day Cleanup: Saturday, April 18
I am proud to share that I will once again be sponsoring the annual Earth Day event at Lake Shore and Seneca Parks, beginning at 9:00 am at the Engine 98 Firehouse (202 E Chicago Ave) and ending at 11:30 with a pizza lunch. Gloves, brooms, rakes, shovels, and bags will be provided. All ages are welcome. I hope to see you there.
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Earth Day Lincoln Park Cleanup with GCNA: Saturday, April 18
 Join the Gold Coast Neighbors Association (GCNA) this Earth Day for the South Lincoln Park cleanup from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, kicking off at the corner of W North Ave and N Dearborn St. Spend your Earth Day making a visible and immediate impact by clearing trash and restoring green space in one of Chicago's finest parks. Trash grabbers, gloves, and garbage bags will be available.
GCNA is collaborating with Friends of the Park and the Chicago Park District. You must sign the Park District waiver to participate—indicate you are volunteering at “South Lincoln Park”.
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