|
Happy Sunday Neighbors!
This past week has one of celebration in the 40th Ward! On Saturday, the ward came together to celebrate Winnemac Fourth For All, organized by the Winnemac Park Advisory Council. There were food trucks, activities for the whole family, an Arts and Crafts Fair, and a good old fashioned baseball game on the new turf! Even though it was a pretty rainy day, the sun was still shining and the neighbors came together to celebrate our 250th birthday as a nation.
On Monday, at our Ethics Committee hearing, we moved forward legislation that would prohibit city workers from using insider information to gamble, which has become more prevalent on platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket. This adds more good government reform to our city in a way I wish we would all see at the Federal level!
We also moved forward a resolution calling for US attorney Andre Boutros to resign after questionable and unethical activity by his office that was discovered due to the Trumped up charges that were handed down against the Broadview Six for exercising their first amendment rights.
After that we heard from subject matter experts regarding ways to improve democracy in our city through options and ideas like Rank Choice Voting, Mobile Voting, exposing dark money in politics and more. You can watch the hearing here!
On Wednesday, at the Transportation Committee hearing, we were able to pass the Sustainable Parkways resolution!!!! This piece of legislation was thought of, developed, and drafted by our very own neighbors through our office’s Environmental Board, spearheaded by Pooja Ravindran and led by Paul Naylor, Roxane and . It begins the conversation regarding our parkways and the grass we currently use as a city, challenging us to think of the benefits, both in environment and cost, of using native species in our parkways as opposed to the current grass, which doesn’t do the best job of address the impact of our increasing storms.
This weekend, we celebrated the ribbon cutting for the new Butterly Garden at the Budlong Woods Library and Centro Romero’s Mujeres on the Run.
Today I’ll be over at Square Roots to introduce an Al Green Tribute Band.
Summertime Chi is in full effect. Please make sure you find time to celebrate it!
Yours in Service and Community, 
Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward Alder |
|
| |
| |
| Illinois Secretary of State: Plate Watch Hotline
As federal immigration activity intensifies once again in Illinois, it’s important for everyone to remember that it’s illegal for anyone, even federal ICE agents, to drive on public streets without proper license plates, or to tamper with, cover, or swap out plates in any way.
If you spot anything that doesn’t look right, we’d really appreciate your help by reporting any potential violations to the State of Illinois’ Plate Watch Hotline at (312) 814-1730 or [email protected]. |
|
| |
| Arcadia Terrace Community Meeting: July 14th Arcadia Terrace Neighbors, please join Alder Vasquez for a community meeting on Tuesday, July 14th ! At this gathering, neighbors will have an opportunity to meet Alder Vasquez and receive updates related to services, safety, development, and community building! Neighbors can RSVP by scanning the QR code above or by visiting this link! |
|
| |
| FREE Catalytic Converter Etching Event Join the 40th Ward, the Chicago Police Department District 20, and Jiffy Lube for a free catalytic converter etching kit installation on Saturday, July 18th! Appointments are mandatory and you can register at bit.ly/etch40th! |
|
| |
| Join the People’s Budget Committee!!! Want to help the community decide how to spend $1M of infrastructure funds in the community? The 40th Ward Office will be hosting our first People’s Budget Committee meeting on Wednesday, July 15th from 5:45-6:30pm via Zoom! To register, please use this link! We look forward to seeing you there! For more information, you can contact our Director of Community Outreach at [email protected]! |
|
| |
| 40th Ward Back to School Supply DriveFrom now through July 30th, the 40th Ward will be accepting school supply donations as part of our back-to-school supply drive! Neighbors can drop off supplies at 5620 N. Western or visit bit.ly/40thbacktoschool to place direct orders through the 40th Ward’s school supply wish list! Neighbors can also visit the CPS website to view a list of accepted supplies. Please note that the 40th Ward will not accept used materials. |
|
| | In the News
On the BlogHomegrown Purchase Assistance Program: The Chicago Department of Housing announced the HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program, which helps low- to moderate-income Chicago households achieve homeownership through financial assistance! The program is designed to expand access to affordable homeownership to Chicagoans that might otherwise be priced out of homeownership due to rising housing costs, by providing grants to cover down payments and closing costs.
|
|
| | | |
|
Community Zoning Meeting: 2648-58 W. Lawrence
Join the 40th Ward for a virtual community meeting on Monday, July 20th from 5:30pm-6:30pm to learn more about a proposal to rezone 2648-58 West Lawrence Ave from B3-2 to B2-3 to allow for the construction of a new 5-story residential building with retail space on the bottom floor. Register at this link!
To learn more about the project, visit 40thward.org/2648lawrence! |
|
| |
| Community Zoning Meeting: 1634 W. ThorndaleJoin us for a virtual meeting to discuss a rezone at 1634 W. Thorndale Ave from an RS3 to a B2-3 to allow for rehab, addition, or expansion of the existing building. The meeting will take place via Zoom and neighbors can register at this link to attend! |
|
| |
| Elise Malary PlazaCrews began work on Elise Malary Plaza last week! As a reminder, Catalpa between Clark and Ashland is now permanently closed as a result of the new plaza being constructed. If you missed the pre-construction meeting we held last month, you can check out a recording here.
This week: crews have removed the steel plates over the patch at Catalpa Avenue and Clark Street and reinstalled the temporary pavement markings on Clark Street. Crews have also started the removal operation on Catalpa Avenue and do not anticipate any significant interruptions to traffic as the work will be conducted within the street closure.
Next week: crews will begin the installation of the irrigation system on Catalpa Avenue, this work will be done within the street closure and crews do not anticipate any significant interruptions to traffic. However, there will be construction vehicles parked along Ashland Avenue. |
|
| | Lincoln Avenue StreetscapeThe second and final phase of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape Project is almost at the finish line! The new lights are functional and the no left turn signs have been added. The two right lanes from Lincoln to Western are now open. |
|
| |
| Manor Avenue ResurfacingThe long-awaited resurfacing of Manor Avenue has begun! Crews are currently excavating and pouring concrete for curb and gutter and alley aprons along Manor from Lawrence to Montrose. Following concrete work, they will mill the existing asphalt, adjust any sewer structures, and then repave the street, followed by pavement markings. The entire process takes around 3-4 weeks.
While the street will remain open for the duration of this work, there will be lane closures as needed to facilitate this work, so please plan for additional time on your commutes! We apologize for the disruption, but looking forward to a smoother, safer Manor Avenue. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Ashland Avenue ResurfacingRecently, crews have begun paving the final layer of asphalt between Montrose and Foster! Please note that there will be parking restrictions on Ashland Avenue between 6:00 AM and 4:30 PM. Crews have also shifted lanes as a result of the asphalt paving. |
|
| | | |
| | |
| Budlong Woods Library Butterfly Reading Garden Celebration on July 11th
On July 11th, at 11am, the Budlong Woods Library is hosting a Butterfly Reading Garden celebration at 5630 N Lincoln Avenue. The event will celebrate new additions to the library's garden, with special guests Hector Duarte, Mayda del Valle, Alderperson Andre Vasquez, and live performances, crafts and refreshments. |
|
| |
| Filming Notice | Indie Film @ 2100 W Summerdale | 7/6-7/17
Hiffclanger Productions will be filming scenes for an independent feature, titled BLOCK PARTY along the 2100 block of Summerdale on weekdays only between July 6–17 on the 2100 Block of W Summerdale, between Leavitt St. and Hoyne Ave.
Emergency vehicles will always be allowed through. For accessibility needs or time-sensitive access text the producers. Thank you for your patience and support!
On-Site Contacts: Hallie Palladino (408-386-4796) & George Segress (425-633-4847).
If you have additional questions regarding this or other filming in Chicago, you can contact the City of Chicago Film Office at 312-744-6415 |
|
| |
| West Andersonville Community Garden Volunteer Day
This Saturday, July 11th from 9am-12pm, join West Andersonville Neighbors Together (WANT) for a volunteer day at the West Andersonville Community Garden! Help with moving decorative stones, trimming shrubs, weeding, and general cleanup. Bring gloves and a water bottle––tools and water will be provided! No experience in gardening necessary. Meet at the Center Garden, east side of the railway at Ravenswood and Summerdale. |
|
| |
| 26th Annual Bowmanville Garden Walk
Join us on Saturday, July 11, from 10am until 4pm for a stroll through some of Bowmanville’s beautiful, neighbor-hosted gardens. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gather inspiration, enjoy the beauty of the season, and connect with neighbors.
Find event details at: https://bcochicago.org/garden-walk |
|
| | | |
| | Public Safety TrendsOverall, violent crime is down 5.7% in the 40th Ward for the year so far compared to last year! Citywide, violent crime is down 9.5%. See below for a breakdown of citywide and 40th Ward statistics across all categories. You can visit the City of Chicago’s Violence Reduction Dashboard to learn more! |
|
|
|
| | | |
| | The renovations at the Winnemac Ballfield are officially complete! How’s my pitching form? |
|
|
|
Make sure to stop by Ainslie Arts Plaza on Thursday evenings for free yoga classes from 7:30-8:30pm! |
|
| | | | |
|
|
|
| |
|
