Free Shredding; Street Resurfacings

Hi neighbors,

In recent years, residents across our Ward contacted my office regularly to express concerns about the prospect of Chicago’s Greyhound bus terminal closing, and the terrible challenges that this potential closure would create for hundreds of thousands of people who rely on this terminal annually. Bus ridership is growing nationwide, and women seeking reproductive healthcare, individuals recovering from domestic violence, and low-income travelers are among the many people who rely on Greyhound and other similar transportation services. 

This week, the City Council took a critical step to help this vital intercity bus terminal remain open by purchasing the building. Greyhound owner Flick will continue overseeing day-to-day operations during a one-year transition period, as the City seeks a new third-party operator for the building.

Another issue neighbors routinely contact my office about is the government’s current and potential future use of artificial intelligence. I have been prioritizing this increasingly complicated tool in my ongoing meetings with City departments, including with the Police Department earlier this week. Among other things, we discussed my proposal to institute clear guard rails around officers’ use of AI when drafting reports documenting interactions with neighbors. Like an increasing number of other cities and states, our City must erect guardrails to ensure AI use doesn’t introduce errors to critical City reports that could create additional liability.

Thank you to the neighbors who joined us yesterday for monthly Ward Night, as well as at Sulzer Library for a joint event with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District regarding our water infrastructure, why our neighborhood often floods, and flood mitigation strategies we can adopt.

Finally, I want to send my condolences to the friends and family of a beloved neighbor in our Uptown community who was shot and killed after asking a former partner of one of his neighbors to leave because of an existing order of protection. Responding CPD officers shot and arrested the alleged shooter who is charged with murder. This tragedy is a reminder of rising domestic violence that directly impacts so many of us. If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at 877-863-6338. 

I hope you all have a restful weekend, and Happy Juneteenth! At a time when we’re seeing a backsliding in civil rights protections — punctuated by the Supreme Court’s recent gutting of the Voting Rights Act in Callais v. Louisiana — I’m especially grateful for the rights we still have and remain committed to helping preserve them. If you’re looking for an opportunity to celebrate locally, consider swinging by ONE Northside’s annual Juneteenth celebration later today (Friday) between 1pm and 7pm.

Yours in service,

Ald Matt Martin

Office Closed. City of Chicago offices are closed on Friday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth. For urgent requests, please call 3-1-1. Or email us at [email protected], and we will reply once we're back in the office.

Next Week: Street Resurfacing

Next week, CDOT is projected to start resurfacing on:

• Eastwood from Virginia to Rockwell
• Campbell from Leland to Eastwood
• Hermitage from Ainslie to Lawrence 

Some ward-funded street repaving projects were projected to start next week, but were accelerated by CDOT to start this week. That includes:

• Larchmont from Wolcott to Lincoln
• Berteau from Oakley to Bell
• Sunnyside from Claremont to Oakley
• Sunnyside from Claremont to Western

In advance of the repaving, CDOT will post No Parking signs that restrict street parking during weekday working hours to allow the crews to grind away the existing asphalt.

Paper Shredding & Electronics Recycling

Saturday, July 18th

Our office is hosting a Community Recycling Day with MWRD President Kari Steele's office on Saturday, July 18th from 9am-11am in the Northcenter Jewel Parking Lot (4250 N Lincoln).

We'll be accepting paper to shred, medicine, and electronics. There is no need to register, folks can simply show up.

Learn more

Lincoln Square Architecture Tour

Saturday, June 20th

This tour will take participants through the neighborhood to explore Lincoln Square’s rich architectural and historical character, and is the first tour of the summer. It also serves as an opportunity for Heart of Lincoln Square members who may be interested in becoming future tour guides to get involved.


Learn more

North Center Garden Walk

Sunday, June 28th

The North Center Neighbors Association is proud to present the 20th Annual Garden Walk!

They're especially excited to welcome back the trolley this year with an expanded route so you can explore even more stunning gardens throughout the neighborhood. As you stroll (or ride!) from stop to stop, enjoy live music and soak in the vibrant spirit of summer in full bloom.

Learn more

Argyle Night Markets

Begins Thursday, July 2nd

Argyle Night Market is an annual event that features food from local Argyle restaurants plus live cultural and musical performances on Thursday evenings each summer. This free outdoor event draws an average of 5,000 visitors each week and continues to grow in popularity. Part market, part street festival, this vibrant and award-winning event is located on Argyle, the city’s first shared street.

Learn more

Volunteer: Mulch Welles Park

Saturday, June 20th

Welles Park is seeking volunteers to spread mulch at the Welles Park Nature Play Space. All tools are provided!

Just show up in comfortable, weather appropriate clothes. The group will meet at the Nature Play Space at 10 AM.

Feedback: Chicago Public Schools Budget

June 20th - 21st

Chicago Public Schools invites you to attend a Community Budget Feedback Session addressing the district’s budget for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Virtual - Wednesday, July 1st
• Roosevelt High - Tuesday, July 7th

Learn more

Bike-a-Palooza

Sunday, June 28th

Bike-a-palooza is coming back to Welles Park. Organized by the 40th Ward, this event includes test rides for bikes, commuter ebikes, cargo ebikes for families, and a whole lot more. Plus bike safety tips from Chicago's SAFE Ambassadors, advocacy actions from Bike Grid Now and Better Streets Chicago, and bike safety checks from Curbside Bicycles.

Learn more

Square Roots Line Up Announced

Square Roots announced their line up for this year!

Join neighbors on Friday, July 10 - Sunday, July 12 for local craft brews, great food, and an abundance of diverse entertainment that only an institution like the Old Town School of Folk Music can provide!

Learn more

Local Gift Guide: Father's Day

Last minute shopping for the perfect Father's Day gift? Look no further. The Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce has prepared a local gift guide, so you find something special for dad right here in the neighborhood.

Learn more

Resources

\Workforce

• Pilgrim Lutheran School Athletic Director, Learn more
• Social Services Career Trainee, Learn more
• Cook County Assessor Hiring, Learn more
• Greater West Town Job Training, Learn more

Greater Rockwell Garden Walk

Saturday, July 18th

The Greater Rockwell Garden Walk is returning for its 2nd year! Interested in opening up your garden to the community? Back yards, front yards, side yards, parkways, corners, rooftops, container gardens...if you love it, we want to see it!

Garden walk hosts will be invited to a 'VIP hour' to access each other's gardens before other visitors arrive.

Register your garden by July 1st.

Learn more

Reminder: Water Newly Planted Trees

Have a new tree planted in your parkway? Newly planted trees need regular watering to give them the best chance of long-term survival. To support healthy growth and establishment, provide 10–15 gallons of water each week at the base of the treeWater slowly and deeply so the moisture penetrates the soil and reaches the developing roots rather than running off the surface.

Learn more

WBEZ Reports: Chicago West Siders Wait for Sewer Fixes

Chicago recently received $520M to fix homes and sewers following the 2023 floods that heavily impacted the West Side of Chicago. Because of climate change, the city continues to see more frequent and more severe floods which are compounded by sewer pipes too narrow to carry away water in certain parts of the city.

Learn more

Meeting: Social Services & Public Safety

Tuesday, June 30th

Representatives from the Department of Family and Support Services and 211 will share information about available services and how residents can access them. Attendees will discuss how access to housing, food, mental health care, financial assistance, and other supports can help prevent crises and improve community wellbeing.

Learn more

Western Brown Line Construction

CDOT continues addressing their final touches required for project completion in the plaza and surrounding area.

CTA successfully installed the new interior flooring in the Western Brown Line Station. The masonry brick on the south side of the station has also been completed and work on the bus canopy has begun. The bus turnaround is projected to reopen by mid-July, with final touch ups completed thereafter.

Sign up for Updates

Ashland Resurfacing

The Ashland Arterial Resurfacing project is progressing as scheduled. Patching and median work is expected to be completed the week of July 6th, weather permitting, and will be followed by the 2nd layer of pavement. No Parking signs will be removed as work is completed.

Sign up for Updates

This Year: Upcoming Projects

• Water Main Replacement near Leavitt and Lawrence
• People's Gas Projects on Greenview from Roscoe to Grace

This Week

• USA v Australia Watch Party, June 19th, Learn more
• Lincoln Square Architecture Tour, June 20th, Learn more
• Pride Movie Night at Neon Lightwriters, June 20th, Learn more
• WFCW Sidewalk Sale, June 20th, Learn more
• Fat Gay Jokes at Carol's Pub, June 21st, Learn more
• Under the Lights Screening at Davis Theater, June 23rd, Learn more
• Malt Row on Damen Beer Stroll, June 24th, Learn more
• Levy Center Village Meeting, June 24th, Learn more
• USA v Turkey Watch Party, June 25th, Learn more
• Common Pantry Summer Wine Social, June 25th, Learn more

End of June

• Porchfest Roscoe Village, June 28th, Learn more
• North Center Garden Walk, June 28th, Learn more
• Chicago Pride Parade, June 28th, Learn more

Future Weeks

• Argyle Night Market, July 2nd, Learn more
• Southport Arts Festival, July 10th-12th, Learn more
• Square Roots, July 10th-12th, Learn more
• Paper and Electronics Recycling, July 18th, Learn more
• Greater Rockwell Garden Walk, July 18th, Learn more
• Ravenswood on Tap, July 18th-19th, Learn more

Community Job Boards

Looking to work locally? Many of our local chambers of commerce offer job boards to help highlight openings at local businesses. Find more information at the following links:

• Andersonville
• Lakeview/Roscoe Village
• Lincoln Square/Ravenswood
• Northcenter
• Greater Ravenswood