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Plan to Revitalize 71st Street

Wins Council Approval

I am pleased to announce that the Chicago City Council approved my plan to transform two areas of the 5th Ward. By rezoning these areas, I aimed to spur mixed-use development along South Shore’s 71st Street commercial corridor and diversify housing options for residents in Greater Grand Crossing's Pocket Town.

The community shopping district at Jeffery Boulevard and 71st Street was my primary target in South Shore's transformative plan. As I envisioned, the rezoned area can now welcome a greater variety of businesses, including larger shopping centers and stores, retail storefronts, vehicle sales, parts and repairs, and residential storage.

The 71st Street corridor was once a thriving South Side commercial area. Now, it can be bigger and better. We can't stretch the footprint outward, but we can significantly expand it upward. That's what makes the opportunities this rezoning creates so exciting.

By default, the new zones also allow developers to build apartments above the ground floor of these businesses. With additional zoning board approval, the area could see sit-down restaurants licensed to serve alcohol, rooftop dining, and other businesses that are supported by the South Shore Quality of Life plan.

The nearby Pocket Town neighborhood was previously zoned exclusively for single-family homes, and it has the largest share of the 5th Ward’s city-owned vacant lots. This severely limited the pool of applicants willing to develop those vacant lots into housing.

Rezoning this area now paves the way for erecting two-flats, townhomes, and multi-unit buildings, which will offer more opportunities for community residents to invest in their own neighborhood, while simultaneously increasing the housing stock

This is another opportunity for the 5th Ward to maximize its potential, and I am glad to have made it happen.

Staying focused on the Fifth,

Ald. Desmon Yancy

Small Business Improvement Fund Grant Applications Due This Wednesday

Affected by the July 27th Storm?

There's Still Time to Apply for

Disaster Relief

Fifth Ward residents, businesses, and nonprofit organizations are eligible for financial assistance from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA). For more details, click here.

What Types of Disaster Loans are Available?

Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.

The application deadline for physical damages related to this disaster is October 19th.

The SBA is operating a disaster loan outreach center at the Hazel Crest Municipal Building, 3601 183rd Street, Hazel Crest, 60429, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To discover whether you qualify for a loan program, click here.

Leverage the City of Chicago's

Job Search Resources

The City of Chicago has created an online resource for those searching for positions in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. You can find these opportunities listed year-round on the Careers page on the City's website. Job seekers are encouraged to add this resource to their job search arsenal.

This Week's Featured Job Announcements:

Chicago Department of Public Health postings

The Chicago Department of Mental Health also has several openings. Interested candidates may apply for these or other positions via the City of Chicago’s Department of Human Resources website.

Weekly until November 30^th

Learn about Water-Related Careers

Support You Need!

Free or Affordable Healthcare Services

What Else Is Going On in the 5th?

At the Obama Presidential Center

Click the calendar for details.

Final Two Weeks: Walk at the OPC

Walk at Your Pace at the Obama Presidential Center

The Obama Center has launched a weekly exercise program called "At Your Pace," in partnership with Peace Runners 773, a non-profit organization that advocates for health equity.

Each session begins at Jackson Park Field next to Home Court with a guided warm-up, followed by a group walk or run. The route travels through the OPC campus and surrounding park. There's no performance pressure. You can take breaks whenever you need to, and move in a way that feels right for you.

September 3 and every Thursday until October 8, 2026

9:15 a.m. Check in/Registration

9:45 a.m. Dynamic Warm-Up

10 a.m. "At Your Pace" Program

11 a.m. Cool Down

The "At Your Pace" program is free, and registration is optional.

In Our Gardens

September Saturday Mornings

A Free Ride Out of the Food Desert

Help Build a List of

Research Priorities for Seniors

Find What You Need at the Public Library

Popular Science Fair Returns

This Saturday to UChicago

SCHOOL SUPPLIES GIVEAWAY

If you couldn't attend our Back-to-School Celebration and would like free school supplies, simply drop by the Fifth Ward office at 2230 East 71st Street. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have plenty of bookbags and other classroom needs on hand.

Live in a Safer Community

Connect with Your Beat Police Monthly

Attending 2nd or 3rd District Community Policing (CAPS) meetings provides opportunities to connect with your local beat officers, address your concerns, and exchange valuable information. Together, these efforts contribute to a safer, stronger community.

Not sure of your beat number? Call (312) 747-7004. Learn more.

An Opportunity for East Hyde Parkers

Make Halloween Safe for the Entire Community

Does your nonprofit organization have a program or event that Fifth Ward residents should know about?

Please send your information and flyer at least two weeks in advance to [email protected]

ALWAYS KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE FIFTH!

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