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11th Ward Newsletter - August 17, 2026

Nicole Lee Ward 11 📞 773-254-6677 ✉️ [email protected]
Relevance: 3/10

Summary

In Alderman Nicole T. Lee’s 11th Ward newsletter, she highlights multiple upcoming/just-held community zoning meetings (Aug. 10) and warns residents about an Amtrak plan for nearly $700M to create a maintenance facility near 33rd & Canal—urging strong participation in two community meetings (Aug. 20 and Aug. 26) and opposing potential federal tax/zoning exemptions. She also previews upcoming City Council committee sessions (Finance Sept. 14; Economic/Capital/Tech Development Sept. 15; Council Sept. 16) and shares Ward updates including street repaving/closures and ongoing sewer/streetlight/utility restoration work. Other announcements include Beat 914/913 police meetings (Aug. 26 and Sept. 8), CPS returning Aug. 24, Office veterans hours Sept. 11 (12–4PM), and several ward/community events such as Back-to-School activities at Bosley Park & Holden Elementary and local cultural celebrations (Velika Gospa, Feast of St. Rocco).

Email from Alderman Nicole T. Lee

3659 S. Halsted | Chicago, IL 60609 | 773.254.6677


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August 17, 2026



Dear neighbors,




Apologies for the late delivery of this week’s newsletter! We’ll be back on track for the next one.


Did you get your White Sox Pope Hat? Are you ready for the Cubs-White Sox series next week? Between this outstanding team, and the White Sox Pope, this is a season for the history books! 


Great to see everyone at our Back-to-School event on Wednesday at Bosley Park and Holden Elementary School. I got to distribute lots of backpacks, school supplies, and treats, and we even did some facepainting! Thank you to everyone who supported the event, from the Greater Bridgeport & South Loop Chamber of Commerce, to our Cook County Commissioner John P. Daley, State Representative Theresa Mah, Capital One, Door Dash and all the other great people and organizations that made the event a success. 


St. Jerome’s held their annual Velika Gospa Celebration on Saturday, did you make it out to get your lamb and pork? The food served at this event is one of the standouts, from the Croatian cabbage rolls, to the roasted lamb and cevapcici, always a treat! This was their 120th anniversary of Velka Gospa—such an incredible milestone. The ward would not be what it is today without the longevity of the St. Jerome’s parish. 


I had a great time meeting neighbors in McKinley Park at 36th and Marshfield. The whole block was out and celebrating not just the summer but several birthdays and remembering a lost neighbor. It was great to see neighbors of all ages out on the block


The San Rocco di Simbario Society had their annual Feast of St. Rocco on Sunday. Many of us in the neighborhood have enjoyed watching the procession, joining mass, or joining the feast! Another special tradition only in the ward. Buona festa to all who celebrate!



It’s hard to believe that summer is coming to an end – we’d like to remind all of our neighbors that there are only two more street cleanings scheduled for the year. Please pay attention to posted no parking signs and move your vehicles. It’s really important for street cleaners to be able to clean the streets, especially from leaves and debris covering catch basins.


I can’t believe it’s almost back to school time. Many of the private schools start back this week and CPS goes back on August 24.  


Ald. Lee 

Upcoming in City Council
  • Monday, September 14, Committee on Finance 
  • Tuesday, September 15, Economic, Capital, and Technology Development 
  • The next full City Council meeting is currently scheduled for September 16. 

Events in the Ward

Last week on Monday evening, August 10, we had two hybrid public Community Zoning meetings (online and in-person) for proposed zoning changes in the 11th Ward. You can watch Zoom recordings of the these meetings online as well as on our YouTube channel: 



  • 3539, 3541, 3545 S. Union
  • 2952-56 S. Bonaparte




August 19: The Beat 914 CAPS Meeting is August 26 at the Chinatown Branch Library, 6PM 


August 20: Amtrak Community Meeting at Armour Square Park, 6PM (see flyer below)


August 26: Amtrak Community Meeting at Pui Tak Center, 5:30PM (see flyer below)


September 8: Beat 913/915 Meeting, 9th District Police, 3120 S Halsted St, 6PM 


September 11: Our next Veterans Office hours are Friday, September 11 from 12-4PM, see flyer below for more information. No appointment necessary.


Proposed Amtrak Midwest Maintenance Facility

On Friday, Amtrak and the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that almost $700 million would be earmarked for the creation of an Amtrak maintenance facility at what are currently Union Pacific rail yards near 33rd and Canal in the 11th Ward. While there is more to learn about this plan, I have already heard from many residents and I share their concerns. Members of our community are worried that this project could create significant health, noise, environmental, traffic and safety issues for the surrounding residential neighborhood.


I will strongly oppose any move from 35th & Shields for the White Sox. To be clear, I have not been presented with any information on actual plans to leave. I have been assured that this Amtrak maintenance facility plan is not a step in a larger plan to attempt to relocate the Sox, and I am hopeful that that proves true. 


To date, no application for permits, zoning changes or plans for the redevelopment of the rail yard have been submitted. Amtrak will host two community meetings. I urge all members of our community to attend, to hear about the proposal and learn more information, and make your voice heard to make sure our concerns are fully addressed:


  • August 20: Online and in person, Armour Square Fieldhouse, 3309 S. Shields, 6:00PM 
  • August 26: Online and in person, Pui Tak Center, 2218 S. Wentworth 5:30PM  


Finally, I am opposed to a change being considered by Congress that pertains to redevelopment projects at Amtrak that could exempt them from property taxes, local zoning rules and proper environmental reviews and traffic studies. A development of this size and nature so close in proximity to residential streets should be thoroughly reviewed by the appropriate City agencies with ample time for community engagement, and input from local representatives. Our community must take every opportunity to learn more about this plan, and then to weigh in. 

Public Safety

We had multiple small business burglary incidents in the ward last week.


Burglary–Bridgeport Hobby 

The Bridgeport Hobby trading card shop was robbed. The perpetrators used the AC as a way to get into the building. There is a GoFundMe to help pay for repairs if you would like to contribute. Although they already have footage of the incident, any information you can report to CPD is appreciated as well. 


Attempted ATM Thefts Citgo and Maxwell Street Depot St

The Citgo and the Maxwell Street Depot, both on 31st St. was part of an attempted burglary reportedly for their ATM. If you have any information, please contact CPD.


Ongoing Construction &

Street Closures

Street Repaving in Chinatown

  • On August 13, 2026, roadway milling was completed in preparation for new asphalt on Princeton Ave. from 24th Pl. to Cermak Rd.
  • Work has finally begun on 24th Place from Wentworth to Stewart to resurface the street. The south side of the street haws been milled and work will continue for two weeks.


Street Repaving 3700-3800 S Emerald Ave.


  • Emerald from 37th St. to 38th St. is expected to grind and mill from August 3th to September 1st 2026.

Ongoing Project - 33rd Street & Canal Sewer Project Update:


  • Landscaping work is scheduled to begin Thursday, July 16, 2026, and expecting to be completed in the next 1-2 week.
  • Streetlight Restoration Update: the streetlight mast arms has been repaired.

Ongoing Project - Sewer Main on Pershing Rd. from Halsted to Racine

Projected schedule: (Weather Permitting)

  • Going forward our updates will focus on the completion of restoration activities which are currently under way. 

Ongoing Project - 3500 - 3900 S Parnell Ave.:


Most recent updates - 8/10/2026


We are currently finishing restoration of roadway on the 3500 block, 37th St. intersection, the 3600 block from 37th to the alley, and 36th intersection along Parnell Ave. Concrete pours are taking place in the order listed above and should take about 2 weeks to complete. The remaining work at 35th and Parnell Ave.is expected to resume after the end of White Sox season around October 2026.


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


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

 

See below for updates on traffic control:

  1. 3500 Block of Parnell: Closed until early next week for concrete curing.
  2. 36th and Parnell: Closed until end of week of 8/10/26 for concrete placement and curing.
  3. Asphalt Paving: Estimated week of 8/10. (The subcontractor has not provided a schedule as of 8/7/2026 so this maybe delayed.) Street will be closed during asphalt placement.

The ComEd Project






Most Recent Updates - 7/17/2026


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.


  • Week 4 (8/10/26 to 8/14/26)

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 - 8/14/2026


  • Peoples Gas contractors continue environmental cleanup activities at 2730 S. Eleanor Street.
  • The primary activities at the site for the next two weeks will continue to be excavating and hauling away soil, followed by backfilling excavations with clean stone. Some In Situ Stabilization (ISS) work will also be performed. Trucks will visit the site most days to pick up soil or 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 

Back-to-School Event at Bridgeport Holden Elementary in 11th Ward

Chinatown Community Leaders Meeting at CASL

On August 13, 2026, Mayor Brandon Johnson, Alderwoman Nicole Lee, and Chicago DFSS Commissioner Angela Green joined a community leaders meeting at CASL, 2141 S. Tan Court, Chicago, in Harmony Hall on the second floor.


Mayor Johnson, Alderwoman Lee, and Commissioner Green also visited CASL Senior Housing, where they met with local seniors, listened to their concerns, and discussed issues important to the senior community.

Alderwoman Lee and constituents at the Southwest Side Townhall

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.

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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