40th Forward Newsletter
Words from Alderperson Vasquez
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Dear Neighbors,
This week marked Holocaust Remembrance Day. When we mourn the millions of lives who were lost to the Holocaust, part of what we are mourning is what those lives might have become had they not been stolen: the families they would have loved, the neighbors they would have helped, the future they might have built. We will never know what the world would have looked like, without the violence of the Holocaust. We can't change history, but we can change the course of history if we learn from the past and carry those lessons into the future.
This past weekend, Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at a Veterans hospital, was murdered by the federal government for loving his neighbors. This is the second killing this month in Minneapolis, following the murder of Renee Good. As we know, the violence of this administration extends much further than Minneapolis: in Chicago, they killed Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, a father of two, and shot Marimar Martinez five times; in Los Angeles, where they killed Keith Porter; and in detention centers across the United States, 53 people have died in ICE and CBP custody.
Immediately following Alex Pretti's murder, the Trump administration followed a very familiar playbook: blaming Pretti for his own murder, just as they did Renee Good and just as they did Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez. The administration claimed he was trying to massacre federal agents, when in reality, his last act was to extend a helping hand to a woman who had been shoved to the ground by ICE agents. His last words were "are you okay?"
The Trump administration wants us to doubt what our own eyes are showing us in real time. But we know the truth: the administration, driven by a thirst for authoritarian power, are invading our cities, kidnapping our neighbors, detaining children, separating families, and murdering innocent people. They have no regard for the law––a judge in Minneapolis confirmed today that ICE has violated 96 court orders in January alone. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, these actions are the antithesis of the values we claim this country stands for. When an agency demonstrates such a violent disregard for human life and the law, there is no other option: we must abolish ICE now.
On a City Council front, I have been working with my colleagues to strengthen our Welcoming City laws. This week, we held a joint meeting with the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights and the Committee on Police and Fire to hear legislation to clarify the investigation process for violations of the Welcoming City Ordinance. Over 300 neighbors submitted public comment in favor of stronger accountability mechamisms for our Welcoming City laws. Like I've said before: we can’t call ourselves a Welcoming City if we have no process for investigating and holding accountable the people who violate our Welcoming City laws, and I'm grateful to the neighbors who spoke up for just that. The ordinance was voted out of Committee, and will be voted on by the full City Council later this month.
There is much more to do, in Chicago and in the world. But when I look at the example of our siblings in Minneapolis, and the example of the many brave neighbors in Chicago who have stood together to protect our communities, I feel more hopeful than I did last January.
Stay warm this weekend! If you need support, or you want to talk, my door is always open.
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
February Immigration Briefing
Join the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights for a virtual Immigration Briefing on January 27th! We will go over recent changes to federal immigration law and policies, and their impact on Chicagoans.
- When: Tuesday, February 10th at 1pm.
- Where: On Zoom! Once you register, you will receive a Zoom link on the day before the event.
- Register here: bit.ly/CIRRBriefing
Apply for a DPD Grant by February 13th!
Apply for a Department of Planning and Development grant by February 13th! Both Community Development Grants (CDG) and Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) grants are available. CDGs are available at three funding levels to support local commercial and light manufacturing projects via Small (up to $250,000), Medium ($300,000 - $5 million) and large grants ($5 million and up). NOF provides grants up to $250,000 for business and property owners to pay for the construction or rehabilitation of properties that support new or expanding businesses or cultural assets. Learn more about both grants at Chicago.gov/NOF
In the News
- Immigration Committee Wants COPA To Investigate Whether Police Helped ICE, Block Club Chicago
On the Blog
- CIRR Immigration Enforcement Violation Report Form: In response to community concerns, the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights has created a reporting mechanism where residents can report violations related to immigration enforcement.
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Construction & Development Updates
Construction Update
Lincoln Avenue Streetscape
We’re now in the final stretch of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape! Furniture and signage has been installed, and crews are currently working on electrical and site furnishing items in the Ainslie Plaza. CDOT has also 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.
Ashland Avenue Resurfacing
Asphalt is complete between Foster and Ridge! Repaving for Ashland Avenue from Montrose to Foster will pick up again in Spring when the asphalt plants reopen. The signage crew has also started work in Phase 1 (from School to Montrose) and will move to Phase 3 (Foster to Ridge) later in the season. For more on details and timeline, visit our website.
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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.
Native Pollinator & Garden Registry
The City of Chicago Native and Pollinator Garden Registry board is seeking residents to participate in a pilot of the new registry process. This registry allows residents to register their native and pollinator parkway gardens with the city to avoid fines related to plant height. Currently, plants taller than 10 inches may result in fines from the Department of Streets and Sanitation. Registered gardens will not be fined and will join a citywide network supporting biodiversity.
The goal of the pilot is to ensure that the registration process is easy to use and functions properly. This includes confirming that the form works; the steps are clear, and documents can be uploaded without issues. If you are interested in joining the pilot, please contact Jessica Fong at [email protected].
Apply to be an Election Judge!
The next election in Chicago will be the March 17, 2026 Midterm Primary Election, and the Chicago Board of Elections is looking for election judges! Election Judges are paid to manage the precinct polling place and assist voters, including:
- Arriving at 5am on Election Day to set up equipment;
- Opening the polls on time at 6am on Election Day;
- Issuing the correct ballots to each voter and help voters with registration and other questions, from 6am–7pm
- Completing all reports after the polls close.
Apply online at pollworker.chicagoelections.gov!
 Saturday Hours at Secretary of State (REAL ID)!
Avoid the TSA’s new $45 REAL ID penalty! Thanks to expanded Saturday hours announced by the Illinois Secretary of State and the Cook County Clerk, Illinoisans now have more weekend options to get required documents and a REAL ID before Feb. Visit realid.ilsos.gov to learn more.
Community Care Program through JACP and IDoA
The Community Care Program (CCP) through the Illinois Department of Aging (IDoA) provides free or low-cost services to eligible older adults to help them live safely and independently at home. Services include:
- Homemaker Services: Help with meals, laundry, errands, and housekeeping
- Adult Day Services: Supervised daytime care and social activities outside the home
- Emergency Home Response Systems (EHRS)
JASC works directly with seniors and families to start the application process and provide guidance. Learn more at this link.
Friends of Peirce Day at Hopleaf
Stop by Hopleaf Bar on Sunday, February 1, anytime from 12pm to 10pm, and support Peirce Elementary School while enjoying great food and drinks. Hopleaf will donate 100% of gross food and beverage profits (minus sales tax) from the day to Friends of Peirce, directly funding arts partnerships and enrichment programming at the school.
Those who visit Hopleaf that day can also participate in exciting raffle prizes available exclusively in person. In addition, the community can support Peirce by bidding in the online auction, featuring items and experiences from local businesses. Learn more at http://biddingforgood.com/friendsofpeirce
Vino Lauden: A Journey Through the Blues at Budlong Woods Library
On Sunday, February 1st from 3pm to 4pm, the Budlong Woods Library is hosting Vino Louden for a live blues music performance at 5630 N. Lincoln Avenue. Celebrate the start of Black History Month and join us on a journey through the blues with renown blues musician, Vino Louden. Influenced by blues icons like Howlin' Wolf and Jimmy Reed Jr., Vino Louden mastered the craft under the mentorship of Otis Clay and other legends, eventually becoming bandleader for the Queen of the Blues, Koko Taylor. All ages welcome!
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Community Safety
Public Safety Updates
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) released body-worn camera footage for the police-involved shooting in Arcadia Terrace on December 9th. The footage is available on COPA's website, but please be cautious in viewing, because the content is graphic. If you are in need of support, you can call NAMI Chicago’s Helpline at 833-NAMI-CHI for a free and confidential resource that provides a listening ear, guidance and connection to the right mental health and social service resources.
See below for COPA's official statement:
On December 9, 2025, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) notified COPA of a fatal officer-involved shooting. Preliminary information indicates this incident began when two on-duty CPD officers were investigating a call regarding a stolen vehicle. Officers observed a dark colored sedan pulling alongside the stolen vehicle and viewed two individuals attempting to enter the stolen vehicle. Both officers approached and ordered the individuals to stop. One of the individuals fled on foot, while the other attempted to re- enter the dark colored sedan. A struggle ensued between the officer and individual attempting to enter the sedan. The officer discharged his firearm once while the individual was driving away, striking the individual. The officer was briefly dragged by the vehicle, which then collided with an unoccupied parked vehicle. The individual struck was transported to the hospital and pronounced deceased. The officer was also taken to the hospital in good condition. Two weapons were recovered on scene.
COPA serves as the designated agency for the City of Chicago authorized to release video and other materials per the Consent Decree and the City’s Video Release Policy. Related to this officer-involved shooting, COPA has released to its website: body-worn cameras (BWC), third-party video, OEMC Transmissions, Tactical Response (TRR), ISR (Investigative Stop) and Traffic Crash reports, which can be viewed by visiting: https://www.chicagocopa.org/case/2025-0006070/
Anyone with information or video footage related to this incident is urged to contact our office at 312-746-3609 or by visiting ChicagoCOPA.org.
Public Safety Trends
Overall, violent crime was down 24.7% in the 40th Ward in 2025 compared to 2024, and the 40th Ward remains in the top 10 safest wards! Citywide, violent crime is down 22.7%. See below for a breakdown of citywide and 40th Ward statistics across all categories.
We will share numbers for 2026 later this month, once we have a full month of data!
To learn more about crime trends, visit the city's Violence Reduction Dashboard
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Ward Snapshot
Thank you to all the community members who showed up to make their voice heard in support of strengthening the Welcoming City Ordinance!
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