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Happy Friday Neighbors,
October is HERE, 40th Warders!
Yes, it feels like summer was way too short (largely because of the unpredictable weather), but Fall is upon us and this month will be one of celebration and community. We have a number of events happening in the ward, and we definitely look forward to seeing you out and about! Between Pumpkin Painting Events, Halloween Block Parties, a Mobile DMV in partnership with the Secretary of State, and some more fun stuff coming to Ainslie Arts Plaza, there are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of!
This past week, the City Council voted to approve the proposed sale of city parking meters. Thanks to members of the City Council, we were able to secure $75 million upfront to go towards our pensions, 5% profit sharing going forward, 2% fee on any future parking meter deal acquisitions, the establishment of revenue opportunity working groups, data protections, and worker protections! Considering we had such a horrible parking meter deal to begin with (the worst in municipal government history), I’d say we were able to negotiate and win some benefits.
I also want to highlight the work of our Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights. When we found out that Stonepeak, the proposed buyer, also owned Omni Air, a company that charters deportation flights for ICE, I was able to make the case that their ownership tainted the whole deal. The Committee held a hearing detailing the harrowing human rights abuses that have taken place on Omni’s flights, and I’m grateful that the majority of my colleagues agreed with me that we should not allow companies that benefit financially from mass deportation to benefit from Chicago’s infrastructure. The public attention forced everyone to come back to the table and negotiate. As a result of those pressure from City Council and the community, Stonepeak sold Omni, and together, we were able to make Chicago history by carving out a better deal for the city. You can read more about those efforts here.
Currently, we are also discussing the PRO and FAIR Landlord/Tenant ordinances to see what can be supported by a majority of City Council. I am part of the negotiating team, and am committed to improving protections for our renters who need them while also thinking about any unintended consequences that could affect the ability to create more housing and more affordable units. I think both ordinances have moved quite a bit towards what could be a feasible resolution and now we just have to find agreement.
This past week, we also held a vote at City Council related to increasing the voting threshold from a simple majority of 26 votes to a supermajority of 30 votes for bonds/borrowing proposals. I have been in support of increasing engagement and accountability in a City Council that has been growing more and more divided. In conversations with the Johnson administration, I am exploring options to increase participation and transparency to bond votes without the need to raise the threshold. As I am still in the midst of those negotiations, I withheld my vote when it came to council. The increased 30 votes threshold proposal did pass in council and the Mayor has an opportunity to veto, as it passed 32 to 15. I have committed that if we don’t land on an agreement with the Johnson Administrations on reforms, I will not vote to sustain a veto. As things develop, we will keep our neighbors informed.
Next week, we will move forward with expanding the Smart Streets Pilot to a citywide program, if the votes are there to pass it out of committee and council! The Smart Streets Pilot is our camera enforcement system that would capture evidence of anyone blocking a bike lane/bus lane, or anyone parking in a no parking stretch of a street. We look forward to making the street safer for all when this passes.
You can find out more about all the above in this month’s City Council Round-up! In the meantime, we will be at Apple Fest and block parties in the ward this weekend, I look forward to seeing you!
Yours in Service and Community, 
Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward Alder |
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| City Council 101: Budget Season
Join us for the Better Government Association's City Council 101, where Ald. Vasquez, Ald. Jason Ervin (28th Ward), Ald. Gilbert Villegas (26th), and Ald. Bill Conway (34th Ward) will be discussing the budget process and timeline, what to expect for this year’s budget, how we manage debt, ideas for potential revenue and discuss different funding priorities. Moderated by Sr. Policy Analyst (and former 40th Ward staffer!) Geoffrey Cubbage. When: Tuesday, October 6th, 9am-11am Where: Impact House (200 W Madison) Register here!
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| Mobile DMV at The 40th Ward Office!
On Friday, October 23rd, the 40th Ward office is partnering with the Secretary of State's Office for a Mobile DMV event from 10:00am-2:00pm! Services include: license plate sticker renewal, vehicle registration, first-time or renewal for State IDs and Drivers Licenses! RSVP for this event is required, and neighbors can book their appointments at this link! |
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| BorderLessLive!
Ald. Vasquez will be speaking at BorderlessLive! on October 8th at the Chicago History Museum (1601 N Clark St). BorderlessLive! is an evening of thought-provoking conversations. The event will take place from 6:30-9:30, consisting of a program spanning roughly from 7:30 to 8:45 pm, followed by a cocktail reception. Neighbors can purchase tickers at this link!
Public parking is located one block north of the Museum near Clark and LaSalle streets at 1730 N. Stockton Drive. Parking will be $10 with Museum validation. The Museum is easy to reach via public transportation. CTA buses 22, 36, 72, 73, 151, and 156 stop nearby. The Brown Line Sedgwick station and the Red Line Clark/Division station are approximately one-half mile from the Museum. |
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| 40th Ward Front Desk Training
The 40th Ward will be hosting a quarterly Front Desk/Phones training for neighbors interested in volunteering with the 40th Ward! At this training, neighbors will learn how to intake constituent service requests, handle phone call scenarios, and more! RSVP for this event is strongly encouraged! Interested volunteers can utilize this link to RSVP. |
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| Ainslie Arts Plaza Halloween Party!
Celebrate Halloween with the 40th and 47th Ward at newly renovated Ainslie Arts Plaza! Come paint pumpkins and enter our costume contest, judged by Alderman Martin and Alderman Vasquez. We'll supply the pumpkins (RSVP below to reserve your free pumpkin!), washable paint, and snacks. Hope to see you there! |
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| | In the News
The City That Brought Down an ICE Airline: “Because Omni was the only large-jet charter airline willing to do ICE removal flights to Africa and Asia, it is no exaggeration to say the council members—known as alderpeople in Chicago—have already saved thousands of immigrants from being deported, and could ultimately save many more. 'We hope that other cities will take it as a lesson: We don’t have to bow down [to] the fascist deportation machine. We certainly don’t have to let its perpetrators benefit from our local economies and infrastructure,' Alderman Andre Vasquez, one of the progressives who forced the sale, told the Prospect. 'We have to continue to get creative about finding ways to fight back that are within our control.'"
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| Community Driven Zoning Meeting: 5036-5040 N. Ashland
Join us for a virtual community meeting on Wednesday October 14th at 6:30pm to discuss a request to rezone 5036-44 N. Ashland from RS-3 to B2-3 to allow for a new 5-story residential building containing 35 dwelling units including 7 affordable units. |
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| Ravenswood Sewer Main ReplacementStarting in October 2026, the Department of Water Management (DWM) will install 2,596 feet of new sewer main to create a more reliable and efficient system. The following blocks will be affected: N. Oakley Ave: From W Ainslie to W Argyle W. Argyle St: From N Oakley Ave to N Bell Ave N. Claremont Ave: From W Ainslie to 140 feet south of the intersection W. Lawrence Ave: From N Oakley Ave to N Leavitt N. Leavitt St: From W Lawrence to 135 feet north of the intersection N. Hamilton Ave: From W Lawrence Ave to 170 feet north of the intersection W. Argyle St: From N Hoyne to N Hamilton N. Damen Ave: From W Ainslie to 260 feet north of the intersection
During completion of the sewer water main installation, DWM will begin outreach as part of the Lead Service Line Replacement Program to replace lead water service lines for all residents within the limits of the newly installed sewer main. Restoration will follow, including full-width street resurfacing along with replacement of damaged parkways and sidewalks. Some of the construction impacts will include: Traffic: If construction crews need to close or limit traffic during construction for safety reasons, you will always be able to reach your home or business. Outside of working hours, a travel lane will be left open for local traffic only. Parking: No Parking signs will be posted as needed during work hours (generally 7am-4pm). Parking outside those hours is allowed, but cars must be moved by the start of the next workday. Crews will try to preserve as much parking as possible. Service transfers: You will be given 24-hours notice when it is necessary to temporarily interrupt water service to transfer water to the new main. In the event of an emergency shutdown, you may not be able to be given prior warning.
We are having a community meeting with neighbors and the 47th Ward to discuss the project on Tuesday, October 6th, 6–8pm at Chappell Elementary (2135 W Foster)––enter through Door 15. Learn more on our website! |
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| | Artesian Water Main ReplacementThe Department of Water Management (DWM) has begun installation of a new water main at N. Artesian Ave from Peterson to Granville, including full lead water service line replacement.
This week, crews began installing water main, which they will continue next week. There is no scheduled water interruptions in the next week. N. Artesian Ave from W Granville Ave to W Peterson Ave will be closed to the through traffic during working hours, but residents will have access to their homes. |
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| Residential Street Resurfacing!The following streets are being resurfaced this month! N. Campbell Ave from Granville to Glenlake N. Campbell Ave from Morse to Pratt N. Hermitage Ave. from Edgewater to Olive W. Balmoral Ave from Ravenswood to Ashland N. Winchester Ave from Balmoral to Berwyn W. Balmoral Ave from Hoyne Ave to Damen W. Carmen Ave from Oakley to Leavitt W. Leland Ave from Manor to the River N. Manor Ave from Lawrence to Montrose
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| | New Lighting on Catalpa Street!
W. Catalpa St between California to Rockwell was selected for the Chicago Residential Lighting Improvements program! Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin the week of October 12th, pending factors like clearance from utilities and weather. The work will include installing foundations and boring underground conduits, and then installing new residential lighting poles with piggy back lights (the lights that go over the sidewalk!). Once the new lights are installed, crews will restore any sidewalks and parkways disturbed by the construction. The existing light poles will be removed once the new lighting system is functioning properly.
During construction, temporary “No Parking” signs will be periodically installed as required for each activity listed above so that work may be performed safely, which will restrict parking during working hours (typically 7am-4pm). Neighbors can park normally after the posted hours and overnight, and usually all day on weekends.
The existing lights will remain working until the new lighting system is functional. If no lighting is observed at night at any time, please file a street light complaint via 311 and/or contact our office at 40thward.org/contact so we can follow up!
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| Elise Malary PlazaCatalpa 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 earlier this year, you can check out a recording of our pre-construction meeting to learn more about this project and its impact to the community.
Over the next few weeks, the work will shift from underground and prep work to more visible activities. This week, the contractor is working on the irrigation system and will start stone grading, framing the sidewalk and underlayment, and finish installing the topsoil. Over the next two weeks, the contractor will continue framing, start pouring concrete, and begin planning. Overall, the project is progressing well, and the contractor continues to move forward toward substantial completion by the end of November! |
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| Chicago vs Philly: The Clean-off!
This October, Chicago is going up against Philly AND Los Angeles in a cross-country Clean-Off competition, to see which city can pick up the most litter! Led by Cleanup Club Chicago and supported by many other local cleanup orgs, the winning city will have bragging rights, and the top litter pickers will be eligible for cool prizes. Anyone can participate by cleaning up litter within Chicago city limits, whether it’s with an organized group cleanup or on your own.
Interested volunteers can visit this link for more information! |
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| Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest
Celebrate the sights, sounds and flavors of autumn at the 39th Annual Apple Fest in the heart of Lincoln Square! Join the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce for three days of fall fun on Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4, 2026. To learn more, neighbors can visit the Apple Fest website! |
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| Block Club Chicago Block Party
Join Block Club Chicago's end-of-summer bash on Saturday, October 3 featuring live music, food, beer, local vendors, kids activities, games and more. RSVP at this link for free tickets. |
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| Medicare Informational Session
On Thursday, October 8 at 2 PM, the Budlong Woods Library is hosting Learn About Medicare Options at 5630 N. Lincoln Ave. This presentation will include discussions regarding all parts (A, B, C, & D), the different enrollment periods, eligibility requirements, things to consider, and the prices of plans. Registration for this event is not required. For more information, neighbors can visit this link! |
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| Murphys Law Comedy: Friday Night Wind Down
On Friday October 9, from 6-8pm, Murphys Law Comedy is hosting "Friday Night Wind Down" - A free Comedy-Variety Showcase, at Ainslie Arts Plaza! The event will feature stand up comedy favorites, musicians, a special dance performance, and more! The event is free to attend and there will also be an optional opportunity to make a donation supporting the work of Refugee One. |
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| Halloween Creepy Crawlies
Halloween Creepy Crawlies is a family friendly dance production produced by Darvin Dances that explores the mysteries of Halloween through a lost ghost’s search for her haunted home. On her way, she is helped by Ballerina Witches, Jazzy Vampires, Modern-Dancing Mummies, a Tap Dancing Skeleton and even a Jack O’ Lantern named Jake! Join Darvin Dances on October 11th at 2pm + 7pm at Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble (1640 W Foster Ave) for this Halloween adventure! At the event, kids will have a chance to participate in a 15 minute Halloween Dance Experience before the show begins! Interested neighbors can buy tickets at this link! |
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| Salsa Moves and Latin Grooves: A Senior-Friendly Latiné Heritage Celebration at Budlong Woods Library
On Tuesday, October 13 at 11 AM, the Budlong Woods Library is hosting Salsa Moves and Latin Grooves for Seniors at 5630 N. Lincoln Ave. Instructors from Latin Street Music & Dance will guide a fun, beginner‑friendly lesson using light, easy‑to-follow steps that can be adapted for all mobility levels. Interested neighbors can register online at this link! |
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| Senn-Tober-Fest: Movie on The Lawn!
On Friday, October 16, from 6:00 p.m. to approximately 9:00 p.m., Friends of Senn is hosting Senn-tober-fest Movie on the Lawn: Hocus Pocus at Senn High School Front Lawn, 5900 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago, IL 60660. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs, dress in their favorite witchy attire, and celebrate the start of the school year with an outdoor movie screening. The event is free and open to the public. |
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| Ainslie Autumn Arts Fest
Join the Ainslie Arts Plaza Committee for the first Ainslie Autumn Arts Plaza in Ainslie Arts Plaza (4836 N Lincoln Ave) on Saturday, October 17th from 11am to 3pm. Featuring the Lincoln Square Music Crawl, performances and a dance class by Synapse Arts, a digital drum circle, and chalk art. Want to support great events in the plaza? You can donate here. |
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| A Purrfectly Spooky Caturday in Bowmanville
The Lincoln Square Cat Tour will be hosting another cat tour this October in Bowmanville on October 10th from 3-5pm! Interested neighbors can use this form to add their cat to the map before the Sep. 30, 2026 deadline. |
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| Volunteer to Judge Budlong Elementary School’s Science Fair!
Budlong Elementary School is seeking volunteer judges for their December 4th Science Fair with two sessions at 9am-11:15am & 12pm-3pm. Contact Linda Scheiber at [email protected] to register for one or both sessions. No experience needed! Lunch will be provided. |
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Public Safety Updates
The 19th District has shared that delivery drivers are currently being targeted in motor vehicle thefts across the City. Make sure to roll up the windows, turn off the ignition, lock the door and take your keys. All it takes is a minute or less for someone to steal your vehicles, so stay alert!
Overall, violent crime in the 40th Ward for the year so far is flat compared to last year. Citywide, violent crime is down 7.1%. See below for a breakdown of citywide and 40th Ward statistics across all categories. You can visit the City of Chicago’s Violence Reduction Dashboard to learn more! |
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| CPD District Strategic Plan Community Conversations
The 20th District needs your help! Each year in the fall, the Chicago Police Department hosts Community Conversations throughout the city. These conversations are an opportunity for Chicagoans to participate in the creation of their district’s strategic plan for the following calendar year. The valuable feedback provided by participants at these conversations is used to develop community-driven crime reduction strategies, as well as community engagement priorities, and is an integral part of the Chicago Police Department’s implementation of the various reforms outlined in the consent decree.
The 20th District Conversations seek to obtain valuable input from the local community. CPD will be hosting both conversations in the Philadelphia Church 5437 N Clark St. First will be on October 6th 2026 6:00PM-8:00PM and the second will be two weeks later on October 20th 2026 6:00PM-8:00PM. These conversations are critical in order to ensure that the strategic plan addresses the appropriate community concerns. Pizza and refreshments will be provided at each conversation! |
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| It was an honor attending the Firefighters Memorial this past week. |
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Policy Chief Pooja Ravindran spoke at the MJF Convergence for Just Futures this past week! |
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