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Happy Pride, 40th Ward Neighbors!
I hope that newsletter finds you and your families in good health and spirits.
Join us today, Saturday at 11am at Lincoln and Ainslie to celebrate the ribbon-cutting and kickoff for the Ainslie Arts Plaza! We’re looking forward to celebrating the 40th Ward’s newest public space with arts and crafts, live music, and a lot more. Hope to see you there!
Recently, our office was made aware of a terrible accident that has affected a 40th Ward neighbor, Ana Rey. Rey is a 20-year old college student who’s been a huge advocate for social justice causes and human rights. If you would like to support her family, you can do so through their GoFundMe.
Additionally, the Illinois Venezuelan Alliance has created a donation interface to support families affected by this week’s earthquake in Venezuela. If you would like to support, you can do so through this link.
Yours in Service and Community, 
Andre Vasquez |
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| Ainslie Arts Plaza Kick-OffJoin us to celebrate the 40th Ward’s newest public space: Ainslie Arts Plaza! On Saturday, June 27th, we will cut the ribbon on the plaza, and then celebrate in style with live musical performances, food trucks, face painting, chalk art, and 20 vendors selling handmade arts and crafts. When: Saturday, June 27th, Ribbon Cutting starts at 11am, and the rest of the event is from 12-6pm Where: Ainslie Arts Plaza
Don’t miss this celebration of the 40th Ward arts scene! Hope to see you there. |
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| 40th Ward Environmental Board Bike-A-PaloozaThis Sunday, June 28th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, the 40th Ward Home Electrification Group is hosting this year's Bike-a-Palooza at Welles Park! We will have several local bike shops and bike safety advocates to help answer any questions you have about how you can utilize bikes to get around our beautiful city. |
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| FREE Catalytic Converter Etching Event Join the 40th Ward, the Chicago Police Department District 20, and Jiffy Lube for a free catalytic converter etching kit installation on Saturday, July 18th! Appointments are mandatory and you can register at bit.ly/etch40th! |
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| 40th Ward Office Closed on Friday, July 3rdThe 40th Ward Office will be closed on Friday, July 3rd as part of a City of Chicago Holiday to commemorate the 4th of July. The office will re-open on Monday, July 6th. If you have any requests, please leave us a voicemail at 773-654-1867 or use 40thward.org/contact to submit a constituent service request. |
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| Winnemac Park Advisory Council’s Fourth for All
Join us for Winnemac 4th for All on Saturday, July 4th! Starting at 10am, the Winnemac Park Advisory Council will host a free community celebration with activities including: an art fair, family picnics, yoga class, an all-star baseball game, raffles, disc golf, magic shows, tarot readings, face painting, balloon animals, food trucks, soccer, lawn games, music, and more!
At 7pm, the main event, the Full Moon Jam firedancers, will begin. As a reminder, there are no fireworks allowed at Winnemac Park! This is true every year, but particularly this year, because we want to make sure we keep our new turf field and other improvements from being damaged.
We hope to see you on the 4th! |
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| | In the News
On the BlogTips and Resources for Extreme Heat Events: The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Watch this week for the Chicago area due to extreme heat and humidity, which may include dangerously hot conditions with heat index values of 105˚ to 110˚. Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events. Please follow the tips on this blog to ensure that you and your loved ones stay safe during extreme heat! Homegrown Purchase Assistance Program: The Chicago Department of Housing announced the HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program, which helps low- to moderate-income Chicago households achieve homeownership through financial assistance! The program is designed to expand access to affordable homeownership to Chicagoans that might otherwise be priced out of homeownership due to rising housing costs, by providing grants to cover down payments and closing costs.
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4949 N Western Ave Community Zoning: Feedback Open!Feedback is now open for the rezoning request at 4949 N Western Ave from B3-3 to B2-3 to allow for a new 5-story residential building with ground floor residential units. Watch the recording here and submit your feedback before June 30th. |
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| Elise Malary PlazaCrews began work on Elise Malary Plaza last week! As a reminder, Catalpa between Clark and Ashland is now permanently closed as a result of the new plaza being constructed. If you missed the pre-construction meeting we held last month, you can check out a recording here.
Project Safety Crews are continuing to closely monitor pedestrian safety at the Clark Street crosswalk. Although all required sidewalk closure signs and pedestrian barricades have been installed, pedestrians have continued to move the barricades to access the closed sidewalk.
Crews will continue to monitor the area and work with the contractor to maintain a safe pedestrian route. Additionally, CDOT has instructed the contractor not to park vehicles on Clark Street to help minimize impacts to traffic and maintain visibility. |
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| | Lincoln Avenue StreetscapeThe second and final phase of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape Project is almost at the finish line! The new lights are functional and the no left turn signs have been added. The two right lanes from Lincoln to Western are now open. |
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| Manor Avenue ResurfacingThe long-awaited resurfacing of Manor Avenue has begun! Crews are currently excavating and pouring concrete for curb and gutter and alley aprons along Manor from Lawrence to Montrose. Following concrete work, they will mill the existing asphalt, adjust any sewer structures, and then repave the street, followed by pavement markings. The entire process takes around 3-4 weeks.
While the street will remain open for the duration of this work, there will be lane closures as needed to facilitate this work, so please plan for additional time on your commutes! We apologize for the disruption, but looking forward to a smoother, safer Manor Avenue. |
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| | Ashland Avenue ResurfacingCrews are currently working on roadway patching, structural adjustments, and concrete medians for the next four weeks. Additionally, crews are adjusting manholes and utility structures within the roadway and patching concrete in unsuitable portions of the road surface from Montrose Avenue to Foster Avenue. After the July 4th holiday, they will complete the final layer of asphalt. Traffic lane closures will continue as needed to facilitate this work, so please allow additional time for your commute! |
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| DFSS Funding Opportunity: Girls Thrive Program
DFSS is seeking providers with demonstrated experience designing and delivering cultural identity and holistic wellness programming for self-identified girls ages 13–19 across the City of Chicago. Programs should be gender-responsive, culturally responsive, and rooted in positive youth development, with an emphasis on strengthening identity, well-being, and connection.
The contract term for awards made through this RFP will run from September 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. Contracts are expected to range from $2,300 to $230,000, with a total of $2.4 million in funding available. DFSS anticipates awarding approximately 10–20 contracts. Please note that this opportunity operates on a reimbursement basis only, and no advances will be provided.
Additional information, including the full RFP and application materials, is available on the City of Chicago's eProcurement page at this link. |
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| Midsommer Flight As You Like It: Night Out in The Parks
Shakespeare's AS YOU LIKE IT will tour for free to six Chicago parks this summer, including:
Gross Park on July 2, 3, and 5. (Note that we are doing a Thursday performance to offset having no performance on Saturday July 4.) Winnemac Park on July 24, 25, and 26 All performances are at 6 PM. Bring blankets, chairs and picnics. The show runs 100 minutes with no intermission. More info about the production, including a link to make a free reservation, is on Midsommer Flight's website at this link.
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| 25th Annual Homebuyer Expo: Camino A Su Casa
On June 27th, 2026 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Spanish Coalition for Housing (SCH) is hosting its annual Homebuyer Expo: Camino A Su Casa at Malcolm X College 1900 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612.
The event will include Free Credit Checks, Homebuyer Workshops, Up to $45,000+ in grants for down payment assistance and closing costs, SCH’s HUD certified housing counselors, opportunities to learn about affordable home loan options, opportunities to learn about ITIN programs, and opportunities to learn about building your homebuying team! There will also be exciting raffle items available!
Neighbors can RSVP at this link. |
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| Volunteer at The West Andersonville Community Garden
This Sunday, June 28th from 9am-12pm, join West Andersonville Neighbors Together (WANT) for a volunteer day at the West Andersonville Community Garden! Help with moving decorative stones, trimming shrubs, weeding, and general cleanup. Bring gloves and a water bottle––tools and water will be provided! No experience in gardening necessary. Meet at the Center Garden, east side of the railway at Ravenswood and Summerdale. |
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| Summer Meals for Youth at Budlong Woods LibraryHealthy, nutritious summer meals are available to all children 18 and younger, while supplies last, Monday through Friday, 12:15 - 1:15 p.m., at the Budlong Woods Library. The Summer Meals program is sponsored by the Greater Chicago Food Depository. |
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| Commercial Filming: 1754 W. Balmoral
On Tuesday, June 30th, from 11:00am-8:00pm, there will be a commercial filming at 1754 W Balmoral Ave. Please find attached the notification leaflet which will go out to the area residents & businesses, for your reference.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. If your constituents have additional questions regarding this or other filming in Chicago, they may contact the City of Chicago Film Office at 312-744-6415. |
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| | The 24th District informed the 40th Ward Office that a shooting was reported on the 2600 Block of W Glenlake at approximately 5:30am on Tuesday, June 23rd. An adult woman was injured in the leg and is in good condition. Detectives are seeking any videos or witnesses in the area who may have more information. If you have any additional information, please contact Area 3 Detectives at 312-744-8261 with report reference#JK305347.
No other information is available at this time. We will continue to follow up and we will share additional updates as we receive them. |
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| | Public Safety TrendsOverall, violent crime is down 10.3% in the 40th Ward for the year so far compared to last year! Citywide, violent crime is down 8.9%. See below for a breakdown of citywide and 40th Ward statistics across all categories. |
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| | Great to connect with 40th Ward resident Phoenix Bean at the DPD Grant Award Ceremony! |
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| Thank you to all who celebrated the ground-breaking of the Elise Malary Plaza with us! |
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