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Dear Neighbors,
This past weekend, I was glad to stop by block parties on Janssen, Newport, and Greenview. It's been great to come together with neighbors these past few months to grill, play music, enjoy the weather, and catch up. One of Lakeview's best strengths is how we come together to build community. Find your local neighborhood association and see our block party application here to keep this spirit year-round.
I was also honored to join residents of The Barry (3100 N Sheridan) this past weekend for their Centennial Picnic, celebrating 100 years since the building’s construction in 1925. The mid-century–themed event featured neighbors dressed in 50s, 60s, and 70s style, karaoke, vintage foods, and a 3D-printed miniature model of the building that will be displayed in the lobby. I was proud to present our official City Council resolution recognizing The Barry as an architectural treasure and congratulating its residents on a century of history.
In public safety news, we are glad to share that this past weekend’s CPD gun turn-in event with our local 19th District officers was a success. Thanks to community participation, officers collected 111 firearms and 77 replica or BB guns, all of which will be destroyed. These efforts help enhance public safety on our streets and in our homes by reducing the number of guns in circulation.
This weekend, consider visiting the 20th Annual Lakeview East Festival of the Arts, returning to Broadway from Belmont to Hawthorne. I look forward to joining neighbors at this festival that will showcase more than 150 artists from across the country, featuring paintings, sculpture, glasswork, photography, furniture, textiles, jewelry, woodworking, and more on both Saturday and Sunday from 11am-7pm.
The festival will include live demonstrations, two stages of live music, and a relaxing garden oasis. There are also many family friendly options such as a magic show, comedy hour, sing-a-longs, and dancing. For the full schedule of performances and event details, click here. Please be aware of street closures along the length of the festival and partially along the 500 and 600 blocks of Aldine, Roscoe, Melrose, and Buckingham from 10:00am today through midnight on Sunday.
As part of the ongoing full street resurfacing along Halsted, please note that CDOT has temporarily removed the rainbow crosswalks to complete routine street work. Don't worry—they are coming back soon! CDOT has confirmed that new and improved crosswalks are planned to be reinstalled with a fresh coat of paint once resurfacing is finished. Our office had discussed this with CDOT in advance of the project to ensure the crosswalks will return, and their replacement is part of the overall scope of the project.
In legislative news, this past week I attended a City Council hearing focused on the troubling rise of antisemitism in Chicago. Data shows that while overall hate crimes are down, antisemitic incidents have increased, from graffiti to threats and even violence against Jewish neighbors. We must be clear: antisemitism has no place in our city, and we all share a responsibility to confront and stop hate in any form. I remain committed to working alongside Jewish community members and leaders to ensure Chicago is a city where everyone feels safe and supported. Read the Chicago Commission on Human Relations' 2025 Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents Report here.
As we approach the September 25th City Council meeting, where my ordinance to legalize Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) citywide will come to a vote, I want to spotlight a local petition in support of this effort. ADUs—basement and attic units, as well as backyard coach houses—help lower rents, give families a stream of rental income, and allow seniors to age in place, all while preserving the character of our neighborhoods. If you support expanding this program citywide beyond the current pilot areas, I encourage you to sign the petition here and join the growing coalition of residents calling for more housing opportunities across Chicago.
National Hispanic Heritage Month begins this Monday, September 15th, and runs through October 15th. Across Chicago you can find parades, cultural festivals, museum exhibits, theater performances, and more ways to celebrate this month. From the Mexican Independence Day Parade in Little Village, to exhibits at the National Museum of Mexican Art and the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, to celebrations at Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, and beyond—see here for a list of the festivities across the city.
One of our local community groups, 19th District Mutual Aid, is stepping up to support immigrants and other vulnerable neighbors through educational resources, legal clinics, trainings and more. Neighbors can see upcoming 'Know Your Rights' trainings here and ICE rapid response trainings here. Sign up as a volunteer to sort, pack, and distribute items here, view an educational flyer in Spanish here, or make a donation here to help sustain this critical work. Together, these efforts ensure that everyone in our community has the tools and support they need to stay safe.
I would like to take a moment to pause and reflect on yesterday's 24th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. We remember the lives lost, from Chicagoans to victims from around the world, honor the bravery of first responders, and commit ourselves to the spirit of service and unity that emerged in the aftermath. We will never forget.
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Have a great weekend,
Alderman Bennett Lawson
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GOFUNDME FOR MARK - HALSTED PETCO EMPLOYEE
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Mark, a beloved employee at our local Lakeview Petco (3046 N Halsted), was sadly the victim of a recent random shooting outside the neighborhood, near his home. Mark is known for his kindness, warmth, and dedication, and he is now facing a long recovery with significant medical and financial challenges. We encourage neighbors to consider donating to support him during this difficult time—every contribution helps. Click here to donate.
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COMMUNITY BOOK SWAP - TOMORROW
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CITY PET ADOPTION FEES WAIVED - THRU SEPT 13th
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LAKEVIEW EAST FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS - SEPT 13-14th
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FREE VIRTUAL LEGAL SEMINARS (NEXT ON SEPT 17th)
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NEIGHBORHOOD YARD SALE - SEPT 20th
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SUN DAY SOLAR FEST - SEPT 21st
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CTA BUDGET TOWN HALLS - THRU SEPT 25th
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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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PARENTING WORKSHOP - SEPT 27th
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ENVIRONMENT & SPIRITUALITY SUMMIT - SEPT 30th
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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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SURVEY - COPA POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY DASHBOARD
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SURVEY - CDOT ELECTRIC VEHICLE FRAMEWORK
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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 1st - September 7th
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 36'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 27%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 are down 11%
- Year to Date, Aggravated Battery is down 9%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 is flat
- Year to Date, Burglaries are down 25%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 they're down 23%
- Year to Date, Felony Thefts are down 12%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 they're down 44%
- Year to Date, Misdemeanor Thefts are down 10%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 they're down 35%
- Year to Date, Motor Vehicle Thefts are down 44%, and compared to the same 28-day time period in 2024 they're down 50%
For a list of crime definitions, please see CPD's website here.
See full report below:
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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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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
9/5 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.
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 resurfacing work 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 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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