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March 22, 2026
Dear neighbors,
We saw the tragic loss of Truck #47 CFD firefighter and EMT Michael Altman while on active duty on Monday morning. My sincere condolences and prayers go out to his family and the entire Chicago Fire Department family. Firefighter Altman leaves behind a wife and child with another one on the way. If you’d like to help his family, consider making a contribution here. Thanks to Midwest Lighting in the ward, residents can honor Firefighter Altman this week by picking up a red lightbulb from our office and replacing your porch light with it.
This week was busier than usual with election day on Tuesday and a full week of events, including the 11th Ward Boys Basketball Tournament and a bunch of celebrations around the ward.
Congratulations to the winning Varsity 8th Grade team from BCA and the JV 6th Grade team from St. Jerome. Big thanks to all of the kids who participated and their coaches! Special thanks to Diane Geers for her help in coordinating the tournament again this year.
I am wishing everyone a blessed St. Joseph’s Day Table. I joined a few celebrations this week starting with the Women’s Alliance of the Old Neighborhood Italian American Club and this weekend with the St. Joseph Club, who’s been around for 103 years, and finally earlier today at St. Jerome Parish for their event. Helping to serve food to parishioners is always a yearly highlight.
Congratulations to Karina, who represented the McCartin (aka Valentine) Boys & Girls Club this week at the 2026 Youth of the Year Awards, for her hard work, confidence, and dedication! Competing in this city-wide competition is nearly a year long process, we’re so proud of Karina!
It was so much fun to see everyone at the Let’s Boogie 50th Anniversary on Saturday. Happy anniversary to Let’s Boogie and congratulations to the Keller family on this wonderful milestone in our community.
I was also really glad to have attended the Chinese American Service League’s Annual Lunar New Year Gala this week. The organization gave a lifetime achievement award to retired ABC 7 News Anchor Linda Yu. Throughout her time at ABC 7 and still today, Linda has been a great supporter and partner to CASL. I’m grateful to have grown up watching her on the news. Seeing someone who looked like me on TV was a big deal, not just in Chinatown but for Asian Americans across the city. She did more than report the news though, she helped to tell important stories about our community.
Have you heard the story of how the river started getting filled with green dye? It was started by a local plumber, Stephen M. Bailey, who lived in Bridgeport, and was a member of Local 130. I think everything good comes back here!
Have you seen the new White Sox food menu for 2026? That’s a real winner. The depth of symbolism and thought put into all of the menu items is really amazing. I’m sorry (not sorry) to say, but it’s an embarrassment to every other MLB team by comparison. We know we’ll be having a good time in the stands this season!
Speaking of the Sox, beginning Monday, March 23rd at 10am, decals and passes will be available for pickup for all those who did not receive them in the mail at home. Remember, anyone with vehicles registered in the City of Chicago within the Sox Residential Parking zone should have been mailed a packet with a decal for each vehicle and supply of season and single game guest passes. If you’re coming in to pick up a decal for more than one vehicle, we ask that you provide vehicle registrations for each car. Abuse of Sox Residential Zone parking decals and passes hurt the neighborhood and means fewer parking spaces for residents during events at the ball park.
If you missed it last week, we shared new updates on street closures and traffic patterns for residential blocks closest to the ball park. See the section below for more detailed information. Please know that my office and I worked closely with the White Sox and city agencies on the plan which we hope will help keep guests visiting the ball park off of residential streets.
This Week in City Council
The late Rev. Jesse Jackson’s family visited City Council, and alders were able to share ways in which he had impacted their careers, personal lives, and motivations for giving back to Chicago.
The City’s tipped minimum wage was under reconsideration, with some alders thinking we should partially pause part of a minimum wage hike for those workers who receive additional wages through tips. According to statistics we were provided, the majority of workers are making good wages when you include tipping. This raised minimum wage can also be hurtful for mom and pop businesses, restaurants and bars and their workers who we’ve been struggling across the city including right here in the 11th Ward. We need to find other ways to support our small businesses to stop them from closing and being lost forever. For me, this pause of the tip credit was a measure to help stabilize our restaurants while we work on further ways to help them as the landscape post-COVID has changed for them. While the measure passed, it does not have a veto-proof majority.
We Ald voted to include a 1.5% tax to hotel rooms downtown in order to finance a Tourism Improvement District (TID), which will support marketing for the city.
Upcoming in City Council
Our next full City Council meeting is April 15 at 10AM.
Public Safety
The 9th District is lucky to have Older Adult Officer McAndrew, who is dedicated to building strong, trusting relationships with our older adult community. Through conversation, connection, and care, he works to make sure they feel heard, supported, and safe. Older Adult Meetings, such as a recent St. Patrick’s themed luncheon hosted by Officer McAndrew, are a great space to:
- Share concerns and ask questions
- Learn about safety tips and resources
- Stay connected with neighbors and officers
- Build community in a welcoming, relaxed setting
Please call the 9th District CAPS Office for information about how to join: 312-747-3501.
Last week, a string of commercial burglaries affected Chinatown during the night. With incidents like this, security and prevention are the best defense. Follow standard protective measures and contact Area 1 detectives if you have information: 312-747-8380.
Around the Ward
With Spring Break beginning this week, please be aware that there may be more children around and be extra careful when commuting.
Armour Square Park is providing a drop-in Spring Break Special Recreation program for 8-15 year olds with a primary intellectual and/or developmental disability. All days are from 9AM-3PM. Due to a partnership with CPS, all daily fees will be waived for the program this week. For registration information please contact Mandy Chauney, (312) 881-0779, [email protected]
Have a good Spring Break!
Ald. Lee
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