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Dear Neighbors,
It’s been an exciting week in the 44th Ward—congratulations to our Chicago Cubs for officially clinching their first postseason berth since 2020! Wrigleyville is buzzing with pride and anticipation as fans look forward to seeing playoff baseball back in our neighborhood. Stay tuned for updates on game dates and logistical details as we approach the wild card. As it stands today, the Cubs would be hosting games on the 30th, 1st, and 2nd. You can follow MLB here for schedule updates.
I was also proud to join Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for the ribbon cutting of their new $645 million, 330,000-square-foot expansion. This project includes 232 private patient rooms, advanced surgical and intensive care units, expanded cardiology and cancer services, new mother/baby suites, rest spaces for healthcare workers, and more. Advocate Illinois Masonic has served as a cornerstone of care in Lakeview for more than a century, and this investment represents a historic commitment to the health of our community for generations to come. Read more here.
 
In public safety news, the 19th District Council will hold its next monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 24th at 6:30pm at Uptown Church (1134 W Wilson) to discuss updates on their alternative response pilot program for parking enforcement. This program would shift the responsibility for handling parking-related 911 calls from CPD officers to trained civilian staff, freeing police to focus on violent crime and other emergencies. We encourage neighbors to attend, learn more about this initiative, and share their perspectives on how we can improve public safety together. Read more about the proposal here.
The 47th annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon takes place on Sunday, October 12th, bringing more than 53,000 runners from all 50 wards and across the globe through our city and neighborhood. Last year’s marathon broke the fundraising record, raising $36M for charities and this year’s race is expected to continue this tradition of impact. Volunteer opportunities are still available for those who’d like to be part of the event’s success.
Neighbors should note that marathon parking restrictions will begin at 1:00am on race day, with towing in effect along the course, and streets will be closed from 6:00am-4:30pm. Full information including detailed parking restrictions, the race day schedule, open routes, and more is available on the marathon's website here. See an additional street closures brochure here and map here.
There’s plenty happening in the neighborhood this weekend. Tomorrow, from 9am–3pm, the Southport Neighbors Association Yard Sale returns, where neighbors across the community will be setting up shop in their garages and yards. That same day, East Lake View Neighbors’ Oktoberfest takes over Murphy’s Bleachers with German food, a pig roast, music, and a silent auction supporting local charities. See more information here or purchase tickets at the door.
Also on Saturday, Curbside Bicycles will be at Nettelhorst School starting at 9:00am for a neighborhood pop-up offering same-day bike tune-ups and repairs. This woman-owned Lakeview business is providing affordable services for everything from kids’ bikes to cargo bikes, with 10% of proceeds supporting the Nettelhorst Bike Bus. Reserve your spot here.
Then on Sunday, runners will participate in the 20th Annual Race to Wrigley 5K, with proceeds benefiting Cubs Charities and youth programs across Chicago. And throughout the weekend, if you have noticed tents and festivities in the Toyota Camry Lot on Grace, it’s the Cubs’ first-ever Oktoberfest, beginning tonight through Sunday with Bavarian food and beer, live music, rides, competitions, and family-friendly activities. See here for event details.
 
As a reminder, our office provides free adhesive address numbers that residents can place on their garages or the rear sides of their homes to improve visibility and safety in our alleys. These numbers help first responders, delivery drivers, and neighbors quickly identify addresses from the alley. Stop by our office anytime to pick up a set.
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Have a great weekend,
Alderman Bennett Lawson
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INTER AMERICAN SCHOOL FIESTA CULTURAL - TONIGHT
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EAST LAKE VIEW NEIGHBORS OKTOBERFEST - TOMORROW
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FREE LEGAL ADVICE FROM BAR ASSOCIATION - TOMORROW
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NEIGHBORHOOD YARD SALE - TOMORROW
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SUN DAY SOLAR FEST - SEPT 21st
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CIRCESTEEM CHARITY EVENT - SEPT 26th
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Join CircEsteem for their 24th Annual Gala on Friday, September 26th at Venue West.
Get ready for a joyful revolution featuring world-class performers and a night dedicated to empowering youth through the magic of circus arts.
Learn more here.
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GRANTS FOR RE-ENTRY ORGANIZATIONS - DUE SEPT 26th
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MONTROSE HARBOR SUICIDE PREVENTION WALK - SEPT 27th
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PARENTING WORKSHOP - SEPT 27th
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ENVIRONMENT & SPIRITUALITY SUMMIT - SEPT 30th
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FREE VIRTUAL LEGAL SEMINARS (NEXT ON OCT 15th)
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LAKEVIEW DOG PARK - DONATION PAGE
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FREE EXERCISE CLASSES FOR SENIORS
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NETTELHORST FRENCH MARKET - THRU NOVEMBER
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REQUEST FREE GROUP TRIP TO COOK CO FOREST PRESERVES
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CHICAGO FURNITURE BANK NONPROFIT - 44th WARD DISCOUNT
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To submit a small business for our weekly shoutout, please complete the form here.
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PUBLIC SAFETY & 19th DISTRICT WEEKLY REPORT:
September 8th - September 14th
Ride Smart Chicago Passenger Safety Campaign:
As part of the Ride Smart Chicago campaign in partnership with the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, we’re spotlighting important safety tips to help neighbors stay safe when using taxis and ride-hail services. This includes knowing how to identify and avoid illegal taxis, confirming the correct ride-hail vehicle, and following key passenger safety reminders. You can view each of the flyers here:
Request for Comment Through Sept 26th:
CPD is currently seeking public comment on its proposed De-escalation, Response to Resistance, and Use of Force policy, which sets standards for how officers use de-escalation techniques and respond to resistance. Community members can review the draft policy and submit feedback through September 26th here. We encourage residents to share their input to help shape this important directive.
Public Safety Statistics:
My office is in regular contact with the 19th Police District about crimes that have occurred recently in our area and that are reflected in the statistics below. The majority of 19th District crimes have occurred outside of our ward. The 19th District also includes the surrounding neighborhoods of Uptown, Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Bricktown, Ravenswood, and Lincoln Square.
Please view our website's public safety page here for both proactive measures to stay safe before crimes occur, and also how to respond in the event of a crime.
In order to stay safe, please find the most relevant key safety tips below, and the full list of CPD's safety tips here:
-General
-Personal
-Robbery-specific
-Vehicle-specific
Below you'll find Week 37's CompStat breakdown of crime in the 19th District.
Please note, these statistics are a reflection of the entire 19th District. The boundaries are from Lawrence Ave to Fullerton Ave, from the Chicago River to the Lake.
Here are the key points:
- Year to Date, Robberies are down 26%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 are down 8%
- Year to Date, Aggravated Battery is down 7%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 is up 19%
- Year to Date, Burglaries are down 24%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 they're down 29%
- Year to Date, Felony Thefts are down 12%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 they're down 32%
- Year to Date, Misdemeanor Thefts are down 11%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 they're down 35%
- Year to Date, Motor Vehicle Thefts are down 43%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 they're down 45%
For a list of crime definitions, please see CPD's website here.
See full report below:
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19th DISTRICT COUNCIL MONTHLY MEETING - SEPT 24th
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MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE RESOURCES
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SCOOTER REPORTING
Please click here to submit a scooter removal request and here for Divvy bike removal. We appreciate your assistance in helping keep our neighborhood clean. By contract, shared bike and scooter companies must remove their property within two hours of a 311 removal request.
Please contact our office directly if you see illegal/dangerous activities on green Lime scooters (riding on the sidewalk, two people sharing one scooter, etc). We are able to work with Lime to potentially administer fines, suspensions, or bans if you can include a photo/video of the behavior, and a time and location.
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See below for ongoing construction and infrastructure projects in our neighborhood and on our website here!
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CRANE NOTICE & CLOSURE AT 336 W WELLINGTON
Date: Tuesday – 9/30/25 – Crane will arrive onsite around 8am & will be offsite by 3pm the latest
Address: 336 W Wellington Avenue – Crane setting up on Wellington – (Full Closure)
Description of Work: Setting rooftop units on building. Traffic control will be onsite at all times. See a map of the closure, crane placement, and reroute here.
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CTA WORK - ADDISON TO GRACE THRU SEPT-OCT
Please see a flyer linked here for upcoming work on the Red Line tracks north of the Addison station, on the CTA structure west of the area between 3636-3740 N Wilton.
During work periods, access to under ‘L’ areas will be restricted, particularly for residents who park east of the tracks between 3636 – 3740 N. Wilton. Alternative parking will be provided for those residents who currently have private, dedicated parking on their property. Residents on the west side of the tracks with N. Sheffield addresses between 3709 – 3763 will be able to access their garages/parking spaces via the alley.
To perform this work, there will be temporary street closures on Waveland between Sheffield and Wilton, and Grace St. between Sheffield and Wilton. There will be overnight work during work periods.
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ALLEY RECONSTRUCTION ALERT
9/19 update:
CDOT has informed us of delays in this alley reconstruction project. See a new letter from CDOT to our office received yesterday here for more details. We apologize for these delays - CDOT is pausing work and will resume on Monday, 9/22, with access being restored from now until that date. Please move vehicles out of the alley before work resumes the 22nd.
CDOT's progress has been slowed due to utility lines not previously documented, required bracing around utility poles, and scheduling gaps with subcontractors. ComEd must complete pole bracing before work can resume, after which CDOT estimates about three weeks for sewer installation and two additional weeks for concrete and paver work, weather permitting. CDOT emphasized that restoring access for residents remains a top priority, and they are exploring temporary reopening to restore resident access if delays continue.
Please be aware of noise in the neighborhood due to construction. In accordance with the Chicago Municipal Code, the Public Building Commission (PBC) is granting permission to the Contractor to begin the workday at 6:00AM and to end the workday at 7:00PM, Monday through Friday; 8:00AM to 5:00PM on Saturdays (if needed); and 9:00AM to 5:00PM on Sundays (if needed) for the duration of the project.
If you have any questions on this alley resurfacing, please reach out to our office for more details.
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HALSTED ARTERIAL RESURFACING
Halsted Arterial Resurfacing - North Halsted St. from N. Clark St. to W. Waveland Ave.
The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has begun saw cutting and electrical operations for the upcoming resurfacing of Halsted Street. Milling has been completed, and the first layer of resurfacing work has been completed. Resurfacing will continue throughout next week. Neighbors should be able to park on nights and weekends within the work area. As stated in the opening of our newsletter, the rainbow crosswalks will be repainted in the fall once the project is complete.
This work is part of the Chicago Department of Transportation’s Arterial Street Resurfacing - North Area Project, in the 44th Ward. Bigane Paving Co. is the general contractor for this project and Wight & Company is providing resident engineering services for the Chicago Department of Transportation.
The project will include ADA sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removal and replacement as needed for ADA and drainage compliance, pavement patching, milling and paving the existing asphalt pavement, and striping.
During construction, temporary “No Parking” signs will be periodically installed as required for each activity listed above. These temporary signs will restrict parking during working hours, while adhering to rush hour restrictions, for the completion of the work.
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REPORTING POTHOLES
Please report any potholes you see by entering in all requests through the 311.Chicago.Gov website for those in the street or alley. If possible, be sure to upload images as well so crews are able to identify the exact location.
For more severe potholes that may need immediate attention, please reach out to my ward office either by email ([email protected]) and include the location and images of the pothole or by calling the office at (773-525-6034).
If your vehicle was damaged due to a pothole, you may be entitled to a financial claim here.
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TIPS FROM TOMMY K - SEPTEMBER
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GARBAGE & RECYCLING
Recycling pick-ups for the 44th Ward are occurring the week of September 15th. You can find your full garbage and recycling pickup schedule .
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See below for a list of job fairs, networking events, and more!
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THE CITY IS HIRING
Looking for a job? Try working for the City! Click here to see the full list of job openings currently seeking applicants.
Local government employment opportunities:
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44th WARD 2025 COMMUNITY MEETINGS
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