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11th Ward Newsletter - June 28, 2026

Nicole Lee Ward 11 📞 773-254-6677 ✉️ [email protected]
Relevance: 6/10
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Summary

In the 11th Ward, Alderman Nicole T. Lee reported City Council Finance Committee subject matter hearing coverage on Mayor Johnson’s proposal to change parking meter ownership/lease—potentially selling the meters’ lease from Chicago Parking Meters LLC to Stonepeak—while also citing concerns about transparency and the bidding/back-buy offer history. She also highlighted a zoning meeting notice for 3439 S. Morgan and noted progress on ward street work including water/sewer/lead service line replacement on Pershing Road and active sewer installation and restoration phases around 3500–3900 S. Parnell Ave. Other major announcements/events included Kidical Mass, an Officer Appreciation Lunch at the Chicago Police Department 9th District, the first-ever Chinatown Community Picnic at Ping Tom Park, a Taylor-Lauridsen Park tour of new security cameras funded via her “menu” budget, Camp Courage at Horizon Science Academy, and extreme-heat safety reminders; upcoming events included a July 8 Moving Archer Forward open house, July 11 Bridgeport Mega Yard Sale, and a June 29 community zoning meeting.

Email from Alderman Nicole T. Lee

3659 S. Halsted | Chicago, IL 60609 | 773.254.6677


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June 28, 2026 



Dear neighbors,


Happy Pride! I can’t believe Fourth of July is already coming up next week. The fireworks on Saturday will be an extra 15-minute extended show in honor of America’s 250th birthday! 


It was a busy weekend in the 11th Ward. On Saturday, I joined the monthly family bike ride “Kidical Mass” for a safe and lovely ride with more than a dozen families. The group meets monthly. You can find more information here. As we rode along the two-mile route to Cadhino Bakery in McKinley Park, I enjoyed chatting with fellow riders and loved the sound of bike bells ringing. 


After the bike ride, Commissioner John P. Daley and I headed to the Chicago Police Department’s 9th District as volunteers held the annual Officer Appreciation Lunch. It was great to see so many volunteers and businesses supporting our police officers.


Together with the Midwest Asian Health Association, the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, Project Vision, State Representative Theresa Mah and 20+ local associations, we held the first-ever Chinatown Community Picnic at Ping Tom Park today to help celebrate the 250th Birthday of America in one of the most American of ways – we had a massive potluck picnic. More than 2,000 people attended to enjoy cultural performances, food, and plenty of fun for the kiddos, too! Thank you to all who came out to participate today, and especially to our sponsors including R4 Services, Lakeshore Recycling Services, Lawrence’s Fisheries, Pepsi, Vienna Beef and Great Western Beef, and the organizing committee who planned the day. Many thanks to my staff, interns and the Chicago Dragons Athletic Association and their volunteers for grilling and serving more than 800 hotdogs and hamburgers. 


Earlier in the week, my staff and I met up with CPD Commander Joe Mark of the 9th District and Park District staff at Taylor-Lauridsen Park for a tour of the facility’s new security cameras. The area now has 8 cameras with 14 unique views. I’m glad to have been able to direct part of our local 11th Ward “menu” budget to make this important addition to our public safety resources. 


I was part of a panel with some of my fellow City Council members hosted by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) focusing on the importance of aldermanic engagement with small businesses last week. For my part, I’ve worked hard to support our small businesses here in the community–my office has assisted in securing more than $4 million in grants to spark local business development!


I joined the Chicago Fire Department Camp Courage launch on Wednesday at Horizon Science Academy. Congratulations to three local students, Renee Holt, Lily Holt, and Amy Smith, who are embarking on an immersive and unique summer program to learn about being a firefighter or a paramedic. 


We are forecasted for extreme heat this week. Please stay hydrated, and contact our office if you or a neighbor are in need of any assistance. 


Have a safe week,



Nicole 

This Week in City Council

Notably this week in City Council’s Finance Committee, we held a subject matter hearing regarding a proposal to change the ownership of our parking meters. 


Mayor Johnson has proposed to permit the sale of the parking meters lease from Chicago Parking Meters LLC to Stonepeak, a New York investment firm. We are still working through this deal. A non-disclosure agreement signed by the Mayor’s Office has been making it difficult for us to get enough information to make a sound decision on behalf of taxpayers. We learned a bit more in Thursday’s hearing, but there is clearly still more that we need to find out. During the hearing, we discovered that the Mayor had made an offer on buying the meters back for $3.3 billion dollars, and then ultimately rescinded that offer– all of this without the knowledge of the City Council, and while we were in the midst of a contentious budget battle. Stonepeak’s bid is for $2.54 billion – roughly $800 million less than what the City bid. I have found all of these revelations to be deeply disturbing, and it’s only made me more committed to seeking transparency and accountability in our City finances. 


  • As one of the largest private infrastructure investment firms, Stonepeak is connected to a number of companies, including one, Omni Air International, which has a contract with the Department of Homeland Security doing deportation flights. The representative from Stonepeak said they were in the process of selling Omni. We are still finding out more details, but many of my colleagues expressed concern about this dynamic, and I share that concern.

Upcoming in City Council
  • 6/30: Committee on Police and Fire 
  • 7/15: Next full City Council meeting 

Events in the Ward

The recording from our June 22 Zoning Meeting for 345 W 25th Pl. is here.


July 8: The last Moving Archer Forward Community Meeting public open house will be held at 5:30PM in St. Mother Teresa Hall, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish, 2832 S. Quinn St. Attendees will learn about the plan's recommendations for the Southwest Side corridor and can share feedback ahead of potential Plan Commission adoption later this summer. Come hear more about the future of that plan.  


July 11: Bridgeport Mega Yard Sale. Sell or join the sale, which now includes 40+ yards! Sign up here.


Zoning

June 29: Community zoning meeting for 3439 S. Morgan. See flyer below for more information. 

Ongoing Construction &

Street Closures

Ongoing Project - Water Main, Sewer Main & Lead Service Line Replacement Project - Pershing Road:


Projected schedule: 6/22/2026 - 6/26/2026 (Weather Permitting)

Going forward our updates will focus on the completion of restoration activities which are currently under way. Concrete road base is expected to be fully completed by the end of the month, and the project will be handed over to MWRD/IDOT shortly after.

One lane open in each direction (east and west) during construction hours from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. One lane of the westbound roadway between S Stewart Ave and S Wentworth Ave will be closed for restoration work.



  • Final Connections and Concrete Cap - Completed between Lowe and Canal , S Stewart to S Wentworth - ongoing

Ongoing Project - 3500-3900 S Parnell Ave.:


We are coming down to the home stretch for the installation of mainline sewer. In one week the mainline sewer installation should be completed within 150 feet of the 35th St intersection.


Roadway restoration is occurring in the following phases over the next 4 weeks:

  1. 38th St intersection
  2. The north half of the 3600 block
  3. The south half of the 3600 block and 37th St intersection.
  4. The 3500 block and 36th St intersection

 

See below for updates on traffic control:

  • 38th and Parnell intersection: Closed in all directions for the next 1-2 weeks
  • 36 and Parnell intersection: Closed for EB and SB traffic. WB accessible from the 3500 block of Parnell
  • 3800 and 3700 block: Open for local traffic

The ComEd Project






Most Recent Updates - 6/15/2026


A ComEd notification was issued for work beginning May 25, identifying the full design area (31st street to 39th street between Lituanica to Normal Street) as potentially impacted. The project has been segmented into smaller work areas to enable more precise notifications. Scheduled work updates will be provided weekly. Below is the Pershing project work planned for the upcoming four-week period.

Due to storm restoration efforts requiring our crew’s attention through the week, we were unable to complete Week 1 activities as scheduled. We will continue with the remaining Week 1 work during the upcoming week.



  • Weeks 1 -3 WEEK (6/8/26 – 6/26/26)

We will be working between 33rd Pl & 33rd St and Lituanica Ave & Halsted St. We are reframing two existing poles and replacing four existing poles. We are installing 270’ of new Overhead wire.

  • Week 4 (6-29-26 to 7-3-26)

We will be working on 34th St between Lituanica Ave & Halsted St. We are replacing four existing poles and reframing two poles. We are replacing two existing overhead transformers.

  • Week 5 (7-6-26 to 7-10-26)

We will be working between 33rd Pl & 33rd St and Lituanica Ave & Halsted St. We are replacing two existing overhead transformers and adding wildlife protection.  

Peoples Gas South Station Remediation

Most Recent Updates - 6/5/2026


  • Peoples Gas contractors continue environmental cleanup activities at 2730 S. Eleanor Street.
  • The primary activities at the site in June will be excavating and hauling away soil, followed by backfilling excavations with clean stone. Trucks will continue to visit the site throughout the day to pick up soil and deliver stone. 
  • 24-hour air monitoring is taking place and will continue during all intrusive activity.
  • As a reminder, if you have questions about this project, please contact the Peoples Gas project number at 877-380-0522.

Photos of the Week 

Officer Appreciation lunch + Kidical Mass

CFD Camp Courage Launch on Wednesday, June 24th 2026 at Horizon Science Academy

Announcements & Information 
Flyer from Alderman Nicole Lee (11th Ward, City of Chicago) titled “11th Ward 2026 White Sox Residential Zone Parking Updates,” featuring a background image of a night baseball game at Guaranteed Rate Field. The flyer is divided into two sections: Traffic Updates: “This season, 35th Street will be closed between Wentworth and Normal in both directions 90 minutes prior to the start of a game or event at the ball park and will reopen one hour after the close or when OEMC advises. The street will remain open for emergency vehicles, CTA Buses, IDOT and cyclists. Small map showing 35th Street closure area near the ballpark. “Parking Lots”: Event guests will be directed to access Lots A, B, C and G from Wentworth & 33rd Street. Lots F and L will be accessible from Pershing Road. Accessing residential streets: We recommend using 31st Street to access all North South Streets between Wentworth and Wallace. From the South, we recommend Pershing from Wallace to Halsted Reminders: If you live within the White Sox Park Residential Parking Zone and have a vehicle registered with the city of Chicago at that address, a packet with a decal and supply of season and single game guest passes was mailed to you in the last week. If you do not receive your packet in the mail, you may come to the 11th Ward Office beginning Monday, March 23rd to pick up decals and passes. Vehicles parked in White Sox Residential Zone Parking during events at the ball park must display a decal or valid guest pass. Decals are only valid on vehicles that also display a valid City of Chicago vehicle registration sticker. White Sox Park Residential Zone Parking is enforced two hours prior to the start of a game or event and one hour after. For areas where there is a city designated Residential Permit Parking and White Sox Residential Parking Zone - vehicles must display both permits or guest passes or be subject to citation. Pay close attention to signs on the street within one block of the perimeter of the ball park for additional restrictions. All signs will be updated to No Parking 4 hours prior and 2 hours after events.
Flyer titled “Residential access to local streets” explaining traffic and access changes for residents near a ballpark. Top section: Asks if the reader lives north of 33rd Street and south of 31st Street between Wentworth Avenue and Normal Avenue. A map highlights streets in this area with colored markings indicating closures and access routes. Text explains: o access Wells St., Princeton Ave., Shields Ave., Stewart Ave., Canal St. and Normal Ave., area residents are advised to come from the north and utilize 31st Street. Two hours prior to the start of an event, 33rd Street from Wentworth Ave. to Canal St. will be converted to a one-way, west bound street for parking access only – this means no residential access to Wells St., Princeton Ave., Shields Ave., Stewart Ave., or Canal St. Northbound from 33rd St. Access to Wells, Princeton, Shields and Stewart will be for residents only at 32nd Street. Once the game is over, 33rd Street from Canal St. to Wentworth Ave. will be converted to a one-way, East bound street to expedite traffic from parking lots. Bottom section: Asks if the reader lives south of the ballpark between 35th Street and Pershing Road, and between Normal Avenue and Wallace Street. A second map shows this area with marked routes and restrictions. Text explains: To access Wallace, Parnell, and normal to/ between 37th and 38th streets, area residents are advised to come from the north and utilize 35th Street at Wallace or from south and utilize Pershing rd. Access to 37th St. and 38th St. will be for residents only at Normal Ave.

A direct and compelling headline

Community Programs and Events

Jobs & Opportunities

Park District Programs

Services
Home Energy Savings Program - For Spanish
For Spanish
For Spanish
For Chinese 中文
For Polish

Link

Link

Link

Link

Link

Link

Link

Link
For Chinese

11th Ward

School and Parish Information

one hope united Affordable Child Care - Spanish and Chinese

Waste Management

11th Ward

2026 Constituent Education Resource Card

The 11th Ward office is happy to announce has a free ‘Constituent Education Resource Card’ available to residents wishing to visit select museums and zoos in the Chicagoland area. Constituents can reserve our Constituent Education Resource Card on a first come first serve basis (more instructions below), to visit any of the following museums in 2026:


  • Adler Planetarium
  • The Art Institute of Chicago
  • Brookfield Zoo
  • Chicago Botanic Garden
  • Chicago Children’s Museum
  • Chicago History Museum
  • Dusable Museum of African American History
  • The Field Museum
  • Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
  • Lincoln Park Zoo
  • Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Museum of Science and Industry
  • National Museum of Mexican Art
  • National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
  • Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
  • John G. Shedd Aquarium


Only one group of up to four (4) can reserve the pass at a time. The pass must be picked up and brought back to the 11th Ward Office. Constituents need to call for an appointment to come to the office to pick up the pass before visiting the museums. We recommend calling two business days before your scheduled visit.


It is strongly recommended that families utilizing the card contact the museum they plan to visit to learn if pre-registration is required to visit. 

Chicago Public Libraries

9th District Police District Council & Beat Meeting Schedules

The office has extended hours on Monday nights until 7:00 p.m., is open on the first Saturday of each month from 9:00am - 12:00 pm, if it's a holiday weekend, the office will

be open the following Saturday and/or Monday.


Alderwoman Lee will be happy to see residents on Monday nights from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. If you'd like to make an appointment, please call the ward office at 773.254.6677.
 

11th Ward Office| 3659 South Halsted Chicago, IL 60609 | 773-254-6677

 
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Alderman Nicole T. Lee | 3659 S Halsted Street | Chicago, IL 60609 US
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