40th Forward Newsletter
Words from Alderperson Vasquez
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Dear Neighbors,
I hope you and your loved ones are doing well and staying warm!
It's been another busy week of budget negotiations. During this week's City Council meeting, I introduced amendments to this year’s budget management ordinance calling for an independent audit of CPD, regular hearings on police misconduct settlement trends, and a host of budget transparency reforms.
I want to be clear: I believe that all of our city departments should be audited, independently and often. But when we are dealing with this level of financial crisis, we have to look at our largest line items first. The Chicago Police Department represents over half of our corporate fund dollars. An independent forensic audit of CPD will ensure we're doing our job of oversight by making sure those funds are being spent effectively and efficiently.
As part of that effort, I also included in the amendment is a requirement for bi-monthly hearings on police misconduct trends and settlements. Spending on police misconduct settlements has ballooned in the past five years. And while much of that spending is related to older cases, according to the most recent report from the Office of the Inspector General, we still have plenty of work to do to address misconduct––especially given that our police department hasn't yet complied with even a quarter of the Consent Decree they were court-ordered to follow, due to a pattern of violations of Black and Latino residents' rights. That's why we need to be proactively examining trends in police misconduct, and asking questions of CPD about how they are addressing these issues in real time.
Building off of last year's Budget Transparency Reforms, I also introduced a second budget reform package that would include increased transparency requirements for the data and information City Council members receive in quarterly, mid-year, and annual budget reports, so City Council members are better equipped to perform necessary budget oversight and propose alternative solutions when we need to.
There is much more work to do in this year's budget, but I'm hopeful that including these reforms will lay a better foundation for more responsible budgets in the future.
Next week, the 40th Ward Office will be closed as we work on closing out neighbor service requests for the year! We will still be answering phones, so feel free to give us a call at 773-654-1867 or submit a request at 40thward.org/contact. We will be fully closed for the holidays from December 22nd-January 2nd, but will be monitoring for any issues, so if anything comes up, please call or submit a request and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!
NOW GO VOTE ON THE PEOPLE’S BUDGET at 40thWard.org/PB if you haven’t already!
In Solidarity and community,
Andre Vasquez
Alderperson, 40th Ward
40th Ward Office Hours:
Monday: 10am-5pm
Tuesday: 10am-5pm
Wednesday: 10am-5pm
Thursday: 10am-5pm
Friday: phones and appointments only!
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Top Stories
40th Ward Office Closed for the Holidays!
Starting next week, the 40th Ward Office will be closed until the new year! Next week, our team will be working on closing out as many service requests as possible. We will still be answering phones, so feel free to give us a call at 773-654-1867 or submit a request at 40thward.org/contact!
From December 22nd to January 2nd, we will be fully closed for the holidays, though our staff will still be monitoring our inbox for any urgent requests, so you can still leave us a voicemail or submit a request if anything urgent comes up.
See you in the new year!
Few Weeks Left to Vote in the 2026 People's Budget!
Have you voted for your favorite People's Budget project yet? We have exceeded 1800 votes and would love your help to help us reach 2,000 by December 15th!
From now until December 31st, 40th Ward residents ages 14 and up can vote on how we should spend $1 million dollars in public funds to make infrastructure improvements in our neighborhoods. Learn more about each project and cast your vote at 40thward.org/PB2026!
Chicago Loves Local!
This month, we launched Chicago Loves Local: a campaign to promote local businesses, many of which have been impacted by immigration enforcement, a partnership between the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, Chicago Is With You Task Force, Rogers Park Business Alliance, and the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
We encourage you to support local businesses this holiday season! Follow , and learn more at the .
Cold Weather Resources and Reminders
Cold season is beginning! Check out tips and resources on the 40th Ward website as well as a list of warming centers.
A reminder to neighbors living near bike lanes: shoveling snow from sidewalks into bike lanes is prohibited, as it creates additional hazards and delays! You can report an unplowed bike lane or report an unplowed sidewalk via 311.
If you need help with your heating system, the Chicago Department of Housing’s (DOH) 2025-2026 Emergency Heating Repair Program (EHRP) offers income-eligible Chicagoland owner-occupied properties with direct assistance to repair their furnace or boiler heating system on a first-come, first served basis! Interested homeowners can learn more at the City of Chicago’s website.
On the Blog
In the News
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Construction & Development Updates
Construction Update
 
Starting next week, new pedestrian safety improvements are coming to Ashland! Crews will be installing two raised sidewalks at the intersections of Ashland & Farragut and Ashland and Rascher. This requires a full shut down of traffic lanes going northbound and southbound on both Farragut and Rascher. Local traffic will be allowed on both streets, but through traffic will be diverted to Gregory, Summerdale, and Foster.
The work is scheduled to begin on Monday, December 15th, weather permitting, and is expected to be completed before the holiday. Thank you for your patience as we work to make Ashland Avenue safer for pedestrians!
The second layer of asphalt on Ashland between Foster and Ridge is scheduled be completed by next week, weather permitting. Ashland from Montrose to Foster will pick up again in Spring when the asphalt plants reopen.
For more on details and timeline, visit our website.
The Ravenswood resurfacing is nearing the finish line! Crews are currently working on decorative crosswalks.
We’re now in the final stretch of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape! Furniture and signage has been installed, and crews are now working on minor landscaping items and light pole accessories. Additionally, CDOT has temporarily closed the northern turning lane from Ainslie to Western heading south. This change is necessary while CDOT completes the installation of new traffic lights and adjusts signal timing to align with recent improvements to the turn lane and bike lanes.
Work is also nearing completion on Pratt Boulevard! Concrete work is tentatively scheduled to be completed this month.
Residential Street Resurfacing
The following residential blocks are in the process of resurfacing, please see more information below:
- Arthur from Western to Oakley: Milling is complete! Paving is expected to begin December 10th.
- Fairfield from Gunnison to Lawrence: Paving is expected to begin December 10th.
Tree Trim Update
Tree trim crews will be trimming on the following blocks next Tuesday:
- 4800 & 4900 N. Washtenaw
- 2600 W. Winnemac
- 4900, 5000 & 5100 N. Western
- 2500 & 2600 W. Gunnison
- 4800, 4900 & 5000 N. Rockwell
- 2400, 2500, 2600 & 2700 W. Winona
- 4900, 5000 & 5100 N. California
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Community Events & Opportunities
See below for upcoming events in our ward! To view all upcoming and past events, visit our 40th Ward Event Calendar.
Winnemac Park: Feedback Needed!
The Winnemac Park Advisory Council (WPAC) has been notified that the Chicago Public Schools has entered into an agreement with the Edgewater Castle Football Club to use Jorndt stadium to host 12-15 games on weekends between May and July 2026. WPAC needs community feedback regarding the sale of beer during these games by December 20th.
Edgewater Castle FC is a semi-professional soccer club which fields both men’s and women’s pre-professional soccer teams, and also provides free youth soccer programing as a partner of the Chicago Park District, and are interested in making Jorndt the permanent home of its soccer teams. WPAC is committed to hearing community input on this significant proposal later in 2026, but in the meantime, they are looking for feedback on whether Edgewater FC will be able to offer beer sales during soccer games for the 2026 season. Please fill out a brief survey by December 20th, and see details below!
Proposed beer sales information:
- Location: Fenced-in east stands bleacher area, clearly delineated as 21+ access only.
- Permitting: A valid Special Events liquor permit will be secured from the City of Chicago for all match dates.
- ID Check: All patrons must have a valid, government-issued ID checked upon entry into the east stand area and receive a distinctive wristband.
- Service Policies:
- Maximum servings will be two (2) beers per fan, per half (4 total per game).
- Beer sales will cease promptly at the 75th minute of play (approx. 30 minutes into the second half).
- Alcoholic beverages must remain within the fenced east stand area.
- No beverages are permitted to exit this enclosure.
Toy Drive for Chicago Youth Impacted by Gun Violence
One Northside and Communities Partnering 4 Peace are hosting a Toy Drive for Chicago's children impacted by gun violence. How you can help: Order online and ship direct to arrive before Dec 11th or drop off at ONE Northside, 4750 N Sheridan Rd. Ste 200 on Saturday 13th 11am-1pm. or donate directly at bit.ly/cp4pgive.
Holiday Cookie Decorating with Santa Claus
On Sunday, December 14th from 9:30am to 2:30pm, The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is hosting Holiday Cookie Decorating with Santa Claus at The Guesthouse Hotel, 4872 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60640. Join us for a delightful holiday cookie decorating event with Santa Claus. This intimate experience at The Guesthouse Hotel invites the whole family to interact with Santa while decorating scrumptious cookies. RSVP here!
'Do it Yourself Nutcracker' at River Park
Join our student dancers on stage in a re-telling of this holiday classic where you become the star. In this audience interactive presentation, all the principal character parts are danced by audience members. What could possibly go wrong? So, wear your tights, slippers, and holiday finest, and join us for this annual romp through the Nutcracker. The show takes place at the River Park Field House (5100 N. Francisco) on Sunday, December 14th, at 3pm. Free to the public, just show up!
Reduce Waste Chicago's Holiday Lights Collection
Reduce Waste Chicago’s annual Holiday Lights Collection campaign is back — and bigger than ever! Last year, they collected 4,618 pounds of lights from 40 locations across 18 wards. That brought their four-year total to 10,574 pounds of lights diverted from the landfill. This year, helped by a $5,000 grant from Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program, they're expanding to more wards across the city, making it easier for more Chicagoans to recycle broken string lights responsibly. Learn more here!
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Community Safety
Public Safety Updates
Update on the Fatal Police-Involved Shooting on the 5700 Block of N Washtenaw
The 40th Ward Office shared a preliminary statement earlier this week regarding a police-involved shooting on the 5700 block of N Washtenaw Ave. This morning CPD shared a preliminary statement regarding the shooting. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is currently investigating this incident. If you or anyone you know has any information related to this incident, please call the COPA office at 312-746-3609. Below are additional details as shared in that statement. The 40th Ward Office is unable to verify the following as facts at this time.
According to CPD, 20th District tactical officers were conducting an investigation on an unoccupied stolen vehicle. A sedan, occupied by three people, two men and one woman, pulled alongside the stolen vehicle. The two men reportedly approached the stolen vehicle, and attempted to enter it, at which time the tactical officers approached to investigate. As officers approached, one man fled on foot while the other returned to the driver’s side of the sedan. According to CPD, officers asked the driver to exit the vehicle before officers attempted to remove the driver, at which time the driver accelerated, dragging an officer. The officer discharged their gun, shooting the driver in the head. The vehicle then collided with an unoccupied parked vehicle. Officers removed the driver and rendered aid before the Chicago Fire Department arrived on scene and continued treatment. The driver was transported to Illinois Masonic Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead. The woman in the car was taken into custody, with no injuries reported. Two firearms were reportedly recovered on scene.
An officer sustained minor injuries and was treated by CFD and transported to a local hospital for treatment. The officer(s) involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for a minimum period of 30 days.
The 40th Ward Office can confirm this incident is being investigated by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability and CPD's Investigative Response Team. The 40th Ward Office does not have any additional confirmed information at this time but will be providing updates as available. Again, if you or anyone you know has any information related to this incident, please call the COPA office at 312-746-3609.
Public Safety Trends
Overall, violent crime is down 24.2% in the 40th Ward so far this year compared to last year, and the 40th Ward remains in the top 10 safest wards! Citywide, violent crime is down 22.6%. See below for a breakdown of citywide and 40th Ward statistics across all categories.
To learn more about crime trends, visit the city's Violence Reduction Dashboard
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Ward Snapshot
It was great to see so many neighbors out at the West Andersonville Neighbors Together (WANT) holiday party!
The Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights staff took a field trip to the 29th Ward to give a Know Your Rights workshop!
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